History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 10

Author: Prowell, George R.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1390

USA > Pennsylvania > York County > History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 10

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

John Fahs, Sr., son of John, learned the blacksmith's trade with his father at Bottstown, which he followed with profit until his removal to a farni one mile northwest of Bottstown, locating on a tract at that time owned by his father. To this he added, in time having 166 acres, all but forty acres of which is now owned by Capt. John Fahs. His home was in West Manchester township, York county, until his retirement in the spring of 1853, when he re- turned to Bottstown, where he temporarily resided until the fall of 1854, when he pur- chased and moved to the Judge Bonham prop- erty at York borough, now No. 437 West Mar- ket street, where he spent the remainder of his days.

John Fahs, Sr., married Susan Ilgenfritz, daughter of Samuel Ilgenfritz, a wagoner, of York, and she died in 1871, in her seventy- seventh year, at the home in York. Mr. Fahs lived to an advanced age, passing away in 1880, in his eighty-ninth year. Mr. and Mrs. Fahs had a family of seven children, three of whom are deceased : William Henry, who died at the age of forty-seven; Dr. Charles F., of the United States Navy; and Mary M., who was the wife of Martin L. Weigel, of York. The survivors are: Sarah A., who is unmarried and lives with her brother John, at the old home in York previously mentioned; Susan E., widow of Gibson Smith, a coal and grain merchant of York; Emma R., widow of Rev. S. Morgan Smith, founder of the S. Morgan Smith Company; and John, whose name in- troduces this article. In his religion John Fahs, Sr., was an ardent believer in the Mora- vian faith. He was highly respected but al- ways avoided conspicuous position, although he did serve as a director of the poor. He was also a director of the York County National Bank.

Capt. John Fahs was born Aug. 5, 1835, on the old homestead in West Manchester township, and was reared to farming pursuits, which he followed at home until his enlistment for service in the Union army. His education was procured in the district schools of the locality, known as Louck's schoolhouse, and at the York County Academy under Prof. G. W. Ruby, an instructor widely and favorably known, and at the time of his death a director of the bank of which Capt. Fahs is now president.

Jolm Fachs.

BIOGRAPHICAL

. Prior to the declaration of war with the feeling of patriotism running high, a company was created known as "Ellsworth's Zouaves," (all York county volunteers), under the lead- ership of James A. Stahle, who was made cap- tain, and after enlistment for service in the war this company became Company A, of the 87th P. V. I. Capt. Fahs was one of the or- ganizers and members of this company, and · was second corporal of the organization, from which position his promotion was rapid. On Dec. 7, 1861, he was made first lieutenant of his company, and captain on Jan. 1, 1863, holding the latter rank to the close of his serv- ices. He was captured June 23, 1864, and kept a prisoner for eight months, with which exception he was in active participation in all the engagements of his command. The 87th bore the reputation of being one of the best drilled and most faithful in the service, and Capt. Fahs did his full share in winning praise and glory for the regiment. He deserves the highest praise for his military record, for he was one of those who did their duty unques- tioningly, considering no sacrifice too great that would insure the stability of the Union. His experience as a prisoner included all the suffering and horror characteristic of Rebel prison life in those dark days, and their record would fill a volume. Capt. Fahs was honorably discharged March 12, 1865.

After the war Capt. Fahs entered into partnership with his brother-in-law, Gibson Smith, in the coal business, which was ex- panded in time to include dealing in grain, flour and feed, and the firm did a prosperous business from its inception in 1867, until they closed out in 1895, selling their property to the Western Maryland Railroad Company. Since then, Capt. Fahs, who is the owner of valuable real estate adjoining the city limits, has given much attention to real estate, in which he deals extensively. One of his prop- erties, the Hill farm, located opposite the York County Fair Grounds, has been laid out in building lots, which are being sold to prospec- tive builders of suburban homes. Some of the most important business enterprises in York have had the Captain's support and co-opera- tion. He helped to organize the Western Na- tional Bank, was one of its first directors, and was elected to the office of president of that well-known institution in January, 1903, having been continued in that incumbency to the

present time, by successive re-elections annu- ally, at present serving his fourth term. He is also president of the Farmers' Market Com- pany, was for many years a director of the York Street Railway Company, and is a di- rector of the York Trust Company. His re- sponsible connection with such organizations speaks more than words for his business ability and standing, and the confidence which his fellow citizens repose in his judgment and correct business methods.

Capt. Fahs is a Democrat in political faith, and has proved a popular candidate of that party. He served a number of terms as a member of the council from the Fifth ward, when York had but five wards, and then a borough, and as the ward was normally a Re- publican one, one of his contests was very close, his victory being won by a majority of but one or two votes. The Captain is no office seeker, but with the true instinct of the soldier he enjoyed the contests and excitement of election as much as his ultimate success. For seven or eight years he was a member of the board of school control, his election to which, on the Democratic ticket, changed the majority in the board from Republican to Democratic. This same condition applies to the council. Capt. Fahs has always aimed, in every position in which he has been placed, to serve the best interests of his constituents and fellowmen gen- erally, whether as a business man, as the de- fender of his country's flag, as a public official, or as a promoter of educational interests, and that he has succeeded to the satisfaction of all who know him is very evident by the high po- sition he holds in the esteem of those who have been associated with him. His religious con- nection is with the Moravian Church. The Captain is unmarried, and, with his sister Sarah A. and niece Ella E. Fahs, resides in the old home on Market street to which his parents removed from the farm.

GEORGE SMALL SCHMIDT, one of the prominent citizens and well-known profes- sional men of York, Pa., a leading member of the York County Bar, was born Feb. 5. 1861, son of Henry Dannerman and Mary Louise (Carson) Schmidt.

John Schmidt, the paternal grandfather, came from Hamburg, Germany, to York, in 1815. Later he became associated with the York Bank, which he served as cashier and later

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

as president, a position he held at the time of to important conventions. In 1888 he repre- his death in 1835. On the maternal side, the sented the 19th Congressional District in the ancestors were of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and National Republican convention, which nomi- they came to America in the early part of the nated Benjamin Harrison. While at college he was a member of the American Whig society, a college organization. He is a member of the York and Lafayette clubs of this city. 18th century. They occupied positions of trust under the Government, tought in the Indian wars and took part in the American Revolu- tion. The maternal grandfather of our sub- ject, Charles Carson, of Harrisburg, Pa., was a veteran of the war of 1812.

George S. Schmidt attended the public schools at St. Paul, Minn., the York Collegiate Institute and the Institute Ranscher in Stutt- gart, Germany, and at Princeton. He gradu- ated at the York Collegiate Institute in the class of 1879 as valedictorian of the class, after which he entered the junior class at Princeton, where he graduated with the degree of A. B., in 1881, and later received the degree of A. M. from the same institution. Mr. Schmidt pre- pared for the Bar in the office of United States Attorney Benjamin Harris Brewster, subse- quently taking a course of two years at the University of Pennsylvania, and was graduated in 1884 with the degree of LL. B. He was ad- mitted to practice in the Orphans' Court and the Court of Common Pleas, in Philadelphia, after which he returned to York, was admitted to the local Bar and soon thereafter to the Bar of the Supreme Court. His activity has been constant ever since in his profession. On Jan. I, 1896, he was associated with the late Hon. James W. Latimer, formerly presiding judge of the courts of York County, the partnership being conducted under the firm name of Lati- mer & Schmidt. He has been connected with the greater part of the important litigation which has come before these courts in the past few years and his position is one of unusual prominence before the Bar.

Mr. Schmidt has been prominently identi- fied also with many successful business enter- prises and public-spirited interests. In 1887 he was one of the incorporators of the York City Street Railway Company, and has been an official of that corporation ever since. He is a member of the board of trustees of the York Collegiate Institute and was for many years one of the directors of the York County Bank, and is counsel for the same. He has also been prom- inent in political life. From 1885 to 1890 he was chairman of the Republican county com- mittee, and frequently has served as a delegate

On June 16, 1891, Mr. Schmidt was mar- ried to Mary Richardson Small, and they have three children, Mary Richardson, George Small and Samuel Small.' .

ISRAEL LAUCKS. In the city of York are to be found a number of industrial enter- prises of wide scope and importance, and among the most noteworthy of these is that represented by the York Safe & Lock Com- pany, of which Israel Laucks is president. Mr. Laucks is one of the most prominent figures in the commercial circles of the city and county, and is a scion of one of the old and honored families of the county, where he is a representa- tive of the fourth generation.

Caspar Laucks, grandfather of Israel, was a native of York county, and passed a great portion of his life in West Manchester town- ship, where he followed the vocation of farming.

George Laucks, son of Caspar, was a citi- zen of prominence and influence, and ever com- manded unqualified esteem in the county which was his home during the entire course of his long and useful life. His occupation was that of a farmer. He died at the home of his son Israel, No. 413 West Market street, York, in 1878, at the venerable age of eighty years. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Smy- ser, was a daughter of Matthias Smyser, a prominent farmer of York county, and a mem- ber of another sterling pioneer family. Though Matthias Smyser died at an early age the fam- ily was on the whole notable for longevity, his son Joseph attaining the patriarchal age of ninety-two years. Mrs. Elizabeth (Smyser) Laucks died in 1830, at the age of twenty-four years. Of her three children, Sarah died at the age of twenty years; Samuel at the age of twenty-one; and Israel is the only survivor.

Israel Laucks was born on the old home- stead farm, in West Manchester township, York county, Sept. 6, 1827, and in the com- mon schools of the locality and period he laid the foundation for that extensive fund of in- formation which he has since gained through

YORK SAFE & LOCK COMPANY'S WORKS, YORK, PENNSYLVANIA

Israel Laucks

BIOGRAPHICAL

years of active and intimate association with and he shows himself to be animated by a business and civic affairs. He then, in 1850, broad humanitarian principle and a high sense of his stewardship. No citizen of York is better known, nor more worthy of considera- tion as one of the representative men of the county.

located in the city of York, where he attended for a time a private school conducted by Rev. William A. Good. After leaving school Mr. Laucks initiated his independent career by en- gaging in the general merchandise business, opening a store on Market street, east of the Square, and continued to be identified with the enterprise for a period of twelve years. Before the expiration of that time he became a stockholder in the York Safe & Lock Com- pany, of which he was one of the organizers in 1882. The original capital stock represented was but twenty-five thousand dollars, but this was soon increased to fifty thousand, while later the capitalistic investment was placed at one hundred thousand dollars. The growth of the enterprise was phenomenally rapid and substantial, and the administrative control was from the start largely in the hands of Mr. Laucks, who was made president of the com- pany, with his son, S. Forry Laucks, as gen- eral manager, and another son, George W., as sales agent. The executive corps of the com- pany remains today as above noted, and the well-equipped plant represents an investment of about six hundred thousand dollars.

Aside from his association with the im- portant industry mentioned, Mr. Laucks also has other interests of noteworthy order. He is a member of the board of directors of the Western National Bank of York, and the Farmers' Market Company, of the same city, while he is a member of the board of trustees of the famous old York County Academy, and of that of the Reformed Theological Seminary at Lancaster. He has long been a zealous and valued member of the First Reformed Church of York, in which he long served as deacon, and later as elder for many years, and at the time of this writing is the honored president of the board of trustees of the church, having previously been treasurer of the board. He has been found a stanch supporter of Demo- cratic principles, but he has never identified himself with political affairs in an active sense, though he is public-spirited and progressive in his attitude, and has ever held deeply at heart the interests of his home city and county, and to him has been accorded the confidence and esteem ever begotten of integrity, probity and honesty of purpose. Mr. Laucks is char- itable and tolerant in judgment, genial and kindly in his intercourse with his fellow men,

On May 4, 1854, Mr. Laucks married Miss Imilda A. Wilt, who was born and reared in York, being a daughter of W. A. Wilt and a sister of Philetus F. Wilt, whose term as city treasurer of York expired in April, 1905-a term that won praise from men of both parties for its excellence. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Laucks are as follows: Irene E. is at home; Amanda L. is the wife of Rev. Will- iam H. Xanders, a clergyman of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and located at Brokenbow, Neb .; Grace Virginia is the wife of W. A. Buckingham, a wholesale tobacconist of Balti- more, Md .; Sadie N. is the wife of Robert L. Motter, a well-known manufacturer of York; and S. Forry and George W. are associated in the management of the York Safe & Lock Company, as has already been noted, both of them being recognized everywhere as able assistants to their father in conducting this successful and notable industry.

S. FORRY LAUCKS, son of Israel Laucks, president of the York Safe & Lock Company, is vice-president, treasurer and gen- eral manager of that organization. He was born in York, Aug. 12, 1870, and was edu- cated in the private schools of that city and in the Collegiate Institute. His first connec- tion with the York Safe & Lock Company was in 1887, when he became a clerk, and, so in- telligent and faithful were his services, in 1891 he was made general manager of the concern, later being honored with the important offices of vice-president and treasurer, in addition to that of general manager.

Mr. Laucks spends much of his time in New York City and other large business cen- ters, looking after the vast interests of the works, in the success of which he has been so important a factor. The plant now covers seven acres of ground, and the company em- ploys four hundred skilled laborers-a remark- able increase since 1891, when Mr. Laucks became general manager, the works then cov- ering only two acres and the company em- ploying' forty men. The products of the mills find a market not only in almost every section

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

of the United States, but enjoy a large export Trinity Reformed Church, of which he has trade, many of their safes being sent annually been a member for a number of years. In politics Mr. Laucks is a Democrat, and was honored with an election to the office of city treasurer of York, which he held for three years, and to which he was chosen by an ex- ceedingly complimentary vote, for he is popu- lar alike with Republicans and Democrats. to various sections of Europe. The output of the York Safe & Lock Company for 1904 was largely in excess of any previous year, with prospects for 1905 still more flattering. Much of this success unquestionably has been due to the excellent management of S. Forry Laucks, who is justly regarded as one of the prominent figures in the manufacturing world of York.

On Oct. 20, 1896, Mr. Laucks was married to Miss Blanche S. Elliott, daughter of the late Isaac A. Elliott, who was cashier of the York County National Bank, and was very prominent in the financial circles of York. One son was born of this union, Elliott Forry.

Notwithstanding his active and responsible duties in connection with the York Safe & Lock Company Mr. Laucks finds time for other business associations, as well as for attention to the demands of the social side of life. He is president of the York Foundry & Machine Company, and a director in the York County National Bank. Socially he belongs to the Lafayette, Country and Out Door Clubs, while in religion he is a member of Trinity Reformed Church. He is also deeply interested in his- torical matters, being a member of the York County Historical Society, and chairman for York County of the Pennsylvania Society- an organization devoted to social intercourse and the collection of historical matter.

GEORGE W. LAUCKS, general sales agent of the York Safe and Lock Company, is a son of Israel Laucks, the president of that successful industrial concern.

George W. Laucks was born in York, June 25, 1856, and was graduated from school in 1877. From 1879 to 1889 Mr. Laucks was book keeper for his father, who was then en- gaged at store keeping, and two years later, in 1891, he became general sales agent for the York Safe and Lock Co., a position for which he has developed great proficiency.

Mr. Laucks was married May 2, 1900, to Emma Jane Strack, daughter of Charles A. Strack, one of the most prominent furniture dealers and undertakers of York, whose sketch will be found elsewhere. One child has blessed this union, Charles Israel. Mr. Laucks is a Mason, of the Knights Templar degree, and also belongs to the Odd Fellows, and the B. P. O. Elks. He is a consistent member of

JOSEPH ROSS STRAWBRIDGE. Among the men who have made a success at at Bar of York county in the line of criminal and commercial law, and one who has earned an enviable record as district attorney of York county, is Joseph R. Strawbridge. Mr. Straw- bridge is "in the house of his friends," so to speak, as he was reared in the county and comes of York county stock back to the third generation. His paternal ancestors came from Yorkshire, England, and it was perfectly na- tural that he should locate in the county of the same name in the new country. He commenced farming on his settlement here, as did also his descendants, among whom was John Straw- bridge, father of Joseph R., both passing their lives as thrifty and industrious farmers in Fawn township, the father's death occurring in 1878, at the age of seventy-two years. He was an influential figure in his home community, and an uncompromising Jacksonian Democrat. During the administration of Martin Van Bu- ren he was appointed postmaster, and in com- pliment to him the office was named Straw- bridge. His incumbency covered a period of thirty-nine years to President Grant's admin- istration. He married Grizella, daughter of Acquilla McDonald, a farmer of Hopewell township, York county, and of an old and hon- orable Virginia family. Her grandmother, Mary Ross, came to York county after the Rev- olutionary war, in the approved style of travel at that time, carrying Joseph R. Strawbridge's maternal grandfather, as a baby, before her on horseback. For four generations the land on which the McDonalds settled has been culti- vated by members of the family, and it is still in their possession. Mr. Strawbridge's mother died in 1877, aged sixty-six years. She was the mother of nine children, five sons and four daughters. Of these the eldest is John C., a farmer in Hopewell township, owning a part of the old McDonald homestead; Acquilla M., living on the Strawbridge farm; Richard A., who went West, and is now a farmer in Nod-

BIOGRAPHICAL

away county, Mo .; Mary E., of Baltimore; daughter of Michael Smyser, the first State Rachel A., wife of Richard McDonald, of Har- senator from York county, and a colonel in the ford county, Md .; Sallie J., who died June 6, 1905 ; Franklin P., living on the old homestead with Acquilla M .; Louisa M., wife of John C. Wiley, a farmer of Fawn township; and Jo- seph R., the lawyer.

Joseph Ross Strawbridge was born in Fawn township, July 25, 1858. He lived the life of a country schoolboy on the farm, laying the foundation of both mental and physical health, the one in the district school, the other in active work on the farm. As he passed into young manhood he attended Fawn Grove Academy, Stewartstown English and Classical Institute, and later the York Collegiate Institute. At the latter school he graduated in 1880, having been honored as valedictorian of his class. He then took a higher course at Lafayette College, Easton, Pa., finishing in 1882.

Mr. Strawbridge was then twenty-four years of age, and splendidly equipped for the battle of life. His first venture was as a school teacher, that stepping-stone used by so many of our best men as they started on their upward career. His first experience as a teacher was in the State of Illinois, and lasted one school year, 1877-78. Mr. Strawbridge then returned to York county and completed his studies at the York Collegiate Institute and at Lafayette College. He did not give up active work in the schoolroom, however, having been prin- cipal of Fawn Grove Academy during 1882-83. He studied law with the late Frank Geise, Esq., and was admitted to the Bar Sept. 1, 1884, and immediately located in York for the practice of his profession. During his practice he has twice served in public office, for five years as solicitor to the county commissioners, and as district attorney of York county, having been elected in 1895 for a term of three years. In later years he has made a specialty of commer- cial law, and is counsel for a large number of corporations. His services are also often sought in important criminal trials. A just estimate of the regard for and confidence in Mr. Strawbridge by the people of the commun- ity in which he lives is found in the fact that he has been prominently named for a seat on the bench of the York county courts.

Revolutionary war, for whose capture, dead or alive, tradition says, the British offered a re- ward. To this union have been born three children : Mary S., Elizabeth McDonald and Edwin S., all at school. Mary S. is in the class of 1907, in the York Collegiate Institute, and when graduated will have the distinction of being the first graduate whose parents were also graduates of this justly popular institution.

Mr. Strawbridge has entered actively into the social and civic life of York, and is a man of engaging personality. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and in religious faith a Pres- byterian. Both he and his family are socially prominent, and move in the best circles of the community where they have so long resided.

JOHN JACOB FRICK, cashier of the York National Bank, by virtue of that connec- tion alone is widely known in commercial and financial circles in York, and, indeed, through- out that section of Pennsylvania. But the high personal regard in which he is held everywhere, the universal good-will which meets him on all sides, is an expression of feeling apart from the recognition of unusual business ability and unassailable integrity. It is because neither the exactions nor the exigencies of business have ever been able to affect his kindly disposition, which has remained congenial and sympathetic through many years of active participation in important affairs.

Mr. Frick was born Feb. 24, 1843, at Menges Mills, York Co., Pa., son of John P. and Hannah (Hershey) Frick, whose names indicate that he comes of good Pennsylvania stock. He received his education in the public schools and in York County Academy, York, the latter a well known institution. The par- ticular line of business in which he has made noteworthy success he began in December, 1867, when he became a clerk in the First Na- tional Bank of York. He rose to various po- sitions of responsibility in that institution and in 1889 was made cashier of same, continuing to fill that incumbency until December, 1896, when he resigned it to accept the cashiership of the York National Bank, also located in the city of York. To say that he has been the lead- ing spirit in the prosperity of the latter concern throughout the period of his connection there-

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 10

Author: Prowell, George R. Publication date: 1907 Publisher: J. H. Beers Number of Pages: 1390

Author: Prowell, George R.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1390