Henry Paul (H. P.) Lauffer

  General Notes:

From the Westmoreland County biographies:


HENRY PAUL LAUFFER, ex -justice of the peace and one for the enterprising and prosperous farmers of Penn Township, and a lineal descendant of the Lauffer family planted in Westmoreland County in Indian times, is a son of John and Esther (Brinker) Lauffer, and was born in Penn Township, Westmoreland County, Pa., February 11, 1828. One hundred and twelve years ago his great-grandfather, Christian Lauffer, came from Northampton county, Pa., and settled with his family at Westmoreland. One of Christian's sons who was born in Northampton county on March 8, 1769, was John Lauffer, Sr., grandfather. He married Susan Kemerer, by whom he had fourteen children, of whom six are yet living: John, Esther , wife of a Mr. Silvis; Seth, Sarah, married to Simon Miller; Jacob, and Catherine, who is marred to Hezekiah Waugaman. John Lauffer, father, was one of the founders of Harrison City and was successful in having that place named in honor of President William Henry Harrison. He married Esther Brinker. Mr. Lauffer voted for Gen. Harrison in 1840 and has steadily voted the republican ticket since the organization of that party.

At eighteen years of age, Henry P. Lauffer left school and engaged in farming and stock raising, which business he has pursued ever since.

On Independence Day, 1849, he married Lucy Ann Frick, daughter of Jacob and Mary Frick of Penn Township. She died in 1850 and left one child, Rev. Michael F., who is now pastor of Luther Church of Goshen, Indiana. On January 12, 1853, Mr. Lauffer united in marriage with Mary Holtzer, who is a daughter of John and Catharine Holtzer of Penn Township. Of his second marriage sever children have been born, of whom three died in infancy. Those living are: Henry A., Ella, wife of Finley B. McGraw; William F. S., and Edward M.

Henry P. Lauffer is not a highly educated man yet he is well -informed upon all public matters. He has made a special study of legal affairs with which he is conversant and is able to give sound and safe advise upon questions of law. He is a democrat in politics, was elected justice of the peace for Penn Township in 1872 and served creditably as such for ten years. Squire Lauffer is a good business man and has been an influential and useful member of the Reformed church at Harrison City for many years.

Henry married Maria (Mary) Holtzer, daughter of John George Holtzer and Catherine Pore, on 12 Jan 1853. (Maria (Mary) Holtzer was born on 4 Feb 1827, died in 1918 and was buried in Woodland Cemetery (Denmark Manaor), Export, Westmoreland County, PA.)

Henry next married Lusanna (Lucy) Ann Fink, daughter of Jacob Fink and Mary, on 12 Jan 1853. (Lusanna (Lucy) Ann Fink was born on 25 Apr 1829 and died in 1850.)