Benjamin Franklin Hersh
Biography from Biographical Annals of Lancaster County, PA, pages 1028-1029
Submitted by Pete MorozBENJAMIN FRANKLIN HERSH, a general blacksmith in East Donegal township, was born in East Hempfield township Nov. 24, 1858, and is a son of Cyrus and Catharine (Hertzler) Hersh, who were natives of Drumore and Manor townships, respectively. Both died in West Donegal township, where the father was engaged in blacksmithing. He was born Jan. 19, 1832, and died April 3, 1894; the mother, who was born June 26, 1831, died Nov. 1, 1894. They were buried in Graybills Church cemetery, and both had been for years honored and respected members of the Mennonite Church. They had three children: Elam, a machinist at Rheems Station, Pa.; Benjamin F.; and Harry, a painter at Rheems Station.
Cyrus and Elizabeth (Cohic) Hersh, the paternal grandparents of Benjamin F., lived in Pequea township. His maternal grandparents, Jacob and Catharine (Herr) Hertzler, lived in Manor township. All are now deceased, and they are buried in the Millersville and New Danville cemeteries, respectively.
Benjamin Franklin Hersh was married, in Columbia, Pa., Sept. 27, 1887, to Miss Amanda N. Risser, and to this union have been born three children: Willis R., Katie M., and Esther R., bright young people who give promise of a useful future.
Mrs. Amanda N. (Risser) Hersh was born in the township of Mt. Joy, Lancaster county, Nov. 29, 1859, daughter of Joseph and Fanny (Nissley) Risser. Her father was born in Dauphin county, and her mother in Mt. Joy township, Lancaster county. Joseph Risser died in Mt. Joy township Jan. 1, 1896, at the age of seventy-three. He followed farming all his life, coming into Lancaster county to engage in the cultivation of the soil a few years before his death. Mrs. Fanny Risser died Feb. 4, 1883, at the age of sixty-two, and was buried in Rissers Church cemetery, in Mt. Joy township. Mr. And Mrs. Risser had the following children: Levi, who was killed by a separator; Elizabeth, who married Christ Good, a farmer of Conoy township; Mary, of Elizabethtown, wife of Rev. Levi Ebercole, a minister of the Mennonite Church; Anna, deceased wife of Levi Longenecker; Joseph, a farmer in the township of Mt. Joy; Fanny, who married A. B. Deramy, and lives in Elizabethtown; Martin, a farmer in Mt. Joy township; Amanda N.; and Amos, a farmer in Mt. Joy township.
The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Hersh were Peter and Fanny (Witmer) Risser, who lived on a farm in Dauphin county, where they were married. Her maternal grandparents were Martin and Elizabeth (Hershey) Nissley, lifetime residents and farming people of Lancaster county.
Benjamin Franklin Hersh remained with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-nine years. When he was eighteen he entered the blacksmith shop, thoroughly learning the trade, which he followed until 1887. That year he came to the home where he is now found, and put up the shop in which he has been doing business for over fifteen years to the satisfaction of his patrons and his own credit. Mr. Hersh is a member of the Mennonite Church, and is a Republican in his political ideas.
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