was made from a species of grass never before used for that purpose. Soon women, and a great number of children at the public school in the city, mastered the art of plaiting the straw. The grass from which the hat was made grew abundantly, at that time, in Lancaster county. Joel Lightner, Jr., was

attorney from 1839-1845 and negotiated for the loan that enabled Lancaster city to build the “water works” in the 1830s. Sarah Cox, her maternal grandmother, was a known philanthropist and for years helped to manage the Home for Friendless Children in Lancaster. Her sister, Ellen Fordney Franklin, was a

@lancasterhistory.org. Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Language: English Biographical and Historical Note: Walter R. and Esther E. Hepler (parents of donor) purchased a farm from R. M. Coulter in 1929. The farm was located in Bart Twp. and Colerain Twp

contains deeds, articles of agreement, descriptions of property, and a land draft pertaining to property on Gibney Road in West Lampeter Twp. and one deed for property in Penn Twp. Creator: LancasterHistory (Organization) Conditions for Access: No restrictions. Please request at the Reference Desk or

: Biemesderfer, George K., 1932-2023. Conditions for Access: No restrictions. Please request at the Reference Desk or contact Research@LancasterHistory.org prior to visit. Conditions Governing Reproductions: Collection may be photographed Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at research