History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 107

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

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BARNABAS B. RUBY maintains his residence in the attractive village of Delroy. The Ruby family is of stanch French origin, and the original representatives in the Key- stone State located in Lancaster county, in the pioneer epoch, and from that section at an early day came members of the family to York county.

John Ruby, grandfather of Barnabas B., was a prominent and influential farmer of Lower Windsor township, where he owned more than 700 acres of land along the banks of the beautiful Susquehanna river. He erected a stone residence, which is still stand- ing and which figures as one of the landmarks of that section, being in an excellent state of preservation. His mortal remains were laid to rest in the family cemetery on his farm. This sterling pioneer was a firm adherent of the Democratic party, and was prominent in local affairs of a public nature, while both he and his wife were consistent members of the German Reformed Church. His children were : (I) Henry was a prominent citizen and successful agriculturist of Lower Windsor township, and his death occurred on his farm, along the tidewater canal, a number of years ago. One of his sons, Prof. George Ruby, was at one time a member of the faculty of the York County Academy. (2) Michael, father of Barnabas, was the next in order of birth. (3) Joseph, (4) David, (5) Peter and (6)

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Jolin were successful farmers and honored citizens of Lower Windsor township, where they continued to reside until death.

Michael Ruby, the father of Barnabas B., was born April 30, 1802, and it is practically assured that the place of his birth was the old ancestral homestead, in Lower Windsor town- ship. He was reared to the hardy discipline of the farm, and acquired what was considered a liberal education for his day. In his youth he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed, in connection with farming, for many years. After his marriage he located on a part of his father's landed estate, in Lower Windsor township, eventually becom- ing the owner of a finely improved farm of fifty-five acres, and there continuing to reside until his death, March 15, 1848. He was an old-line Whig in his political adherency, and was an influential factor in local affairs, hav- ing served for a number of years as justice of the peace, and having also been an incumbent of other offices of local trust. Mr. Ruby was a zealous and active member of the German Re- formed Church, while Mrs. Ruby was a Lutheran. He married Elizabeth Keller, who was born in Lower Windsor township, York county, Jan. 16, 1807, and there her death oc- curred Jan. 10, 1868. The Keller family early settled in that county, and is mentioned in the sketch of James Keller, nephew of Mrs. Eliza- beth Ruby. To Michael and Elizabeth Ruby were born children as follows : John, born Feb. 25, 1827, married Nancy Flury, and both are now deceased, the former having died in Lower Windsor township, March 15, 1901 ; Henry, born Dec. 14, 1828, was a farmer of York county, and died Dec. 13, 1879; Julia Ann, born Dec. 22, 1830, is the wife of George Kinard, of Red Lion; Sarah, born May 9, 1833, became the wife of Michael Paules, and died Feb. 3, 1875; Rudolph Harrison, born Oct. 14, 1837, died. April 2, 1869; Elizabeth, born Feb. 29, 1839, is the wife of Henry Fisher, of Marysville, Perry Co., Pa .; Barn- abas B .; Agnes, born Oct. 12, 1845, is the widow of Hiram Bixler, and resides in Hel- lam township ; and Elnora, born Oct. 12, 1847, resides in Yorkana, York county, being the widow of Henry Fry.

Barnabas B. Ruby was born on the little homestead farm of his father, in Lower Wind- sor township. July 8, 1843, and his early edu- cational training was secured in the township

schools, being supplemented by a course of study in the York County Academy, in the city of York, where he had as instructor his cousin, Prof. George W. Ruby. He made good use of the advantages thus afforded him, and when twenty-two years of age began teaching in the schools of his native township, proving successful in his efforts, and continuing to teach for three winter terms, at the same time assisting in the work of the farm. He was but five years of age when his father died, and from the age of seven until that of sixteen he lived with his brother John, who, with true fraternal solicitude, enabled him to secure a good education, while from this brother he received adequate pay for his services during the latter portion of the period when he was assisting in the work of the farm.

In 1867 Mr. Ruby married and shortly afterward purchased a small farm in his native township, the place comprising twenty-four acres and being located a short distance from Delroy. There he engaged in farming, market- gardening and tobacco-growing, meeting with marked success through his well directed ef- forts, and continuing to reside thereon for a quarter of a century, while for fifteen years of this period he also carried on a profitable enterprise in the manufacture of cigars, util- izing the product of his own farm and build- ing up a profitable trade. He retired from business in 1902, when he took up his residence in Delroy, where he has since maintained his home, still retaining possession of his farm, which he rents.

Mr. Ruby has been firm in his support of the Republican party from the time of attain- ing his legal majority to the present, and he has been active as a worker in its local con- tingent, while he has been called upon to serve in various offices of public trust. In 1884 he was elected justice of the peace of Lowter Windsor township, satisfactorily performing the duties of the office for a period of ten years. He also served as township assessor and clerk. as a member of the election board and as school director, proving faithful to the responsibilities devolving upon him. He is one of the influential members of the Canadochley Lutheran Church, in which he is serving as elder at the time of this writing, while he was formerly a deacon therein and has held other official positions. His wife likewise is a de- voted member and active worker in the church.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

On Dec. 19, 1867, Mr. Ruby was married United States when he was a young man, set- to Malinda A. Stahley, who was born and tling in Lancaster county, Pa., and later re- moving to North Hopewell township, where he bought land. He was a wheelwright by trade, an occupation which he pursited in con- nection with his farming operations. reared in Lower Windsor township, daughter of Peter Stahley, who died about forty years ago. His widow, whose maiden name was Re- becca Sloat, subsequently became the wife of John Leiphart, who still resides in that town- Joel Brenneman, father of Daniel F., and son of David, reached maturity on his father's farm, and spent his entire life there, with the exception of several years when he lived re- tired in Felton, prior to his death at that place. He was one of the organizers of the borough, and was chief burgess for a number of terms, besides holding other offices of importance, and was a stanch Republican. He was a mem- ber of the Reformed Church. Mr. Brenneman married Catherine Stabley, born in Hopewell township, daughter of George and Susan (Se- christ) Stabley, and to this union were born: Susanna, Mrs. John F. Tyson, of Windsor township; Catherine, Mrs. P. M. Mitzel, of Winterstown; Ellen, Mrs. George Sechrist, of Chanceford township: Daniel F. and Amanda. Mrs. John W. Sheffer, of North Hopewell township. ship, at the patriarchal age of ninety-two years, his wife having passed away Aug. 6, 1904, at the age of seventy-seven years, two months and twenty-three days. The following record per- tains to the children of Mr. and Mrs. Ruby : (I) Edward C., born Oct. 14, 1868, married Carrie Bailey, and they reside in New Free- dom, York county. After completing the cur- riculum of the public schools Edward C. con- tinned his studies in the York County Academy and the normal school at Millersville, after which he took a course in the Northern Indiana Normal school, at Valparaiso, Ind., and then entered Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg, Pa., where he was graduated as a member of the class of 1902, being valedictorian of his class. He then entered the theological semin- ary of the same institution and after graduat- ing with the class of 1905, accepted a charge at the Hanover Lutheran Church. For eleven years he was a popular and successful teacher in the public schools, having been engaged in various counties of his native State. (2) Elizabeth R., born Jan. 25, 1870, remains at the parental home. (3) Henry A., born March 18, 1871, married Cordelia Gehley, and they reside in Lower Windsor township. (4) Agnes, born Nov. 15, 1872, is the wife of John E. Spiker, of that township. (5) Ma- linda J., born March 6, 1874, remains with her parents, as does also (6) Sarah Ellen, who was born June 4. 1875. (7) Julia A., born Dec. 5. 1876, is the wife of Charles E. Kline, of Wrightsville, York county. (8) Mary May, born Feb. 14, 1878, is the wife of George E. Cooper, of East Prospect. (9) Laura Kate, born Dec. 28, 1881, ( 10) Peter Michael, May 17, 1885 and ( II ) Nettie Alberta, Feb. 3, 1890, are still members of the home circle.

DANIEL F. BRENNEMAN, deputy col- lector of the Fifth division of the Ninth dis- trict, was born in Hopewell township, in what is now Winterstown borough, May 8, 1860.

David Brenneman, grandfather of Daniel F .. was a native of England, and came to the

Daniel F. Brenneman received his educa- tion in the common schools of the township, his teachers being S. E. Miller and A. F. Strayer. He left school at the age of eighteen years, and was reared to the life of a farmer, remaining at home with his father until his marriage in 1882. He then assumed charge of the home farm, which he rented for two years, at the end of which time he purchased it from his father. Since he has operated the farm Mr. Brenneman has built two barns, the one belonging to his father having been burned Feb. 15, 1891. He built the first barn directly after, and this was struck by lightning June 17, 1897, after which he erected his present barn at a cost of $1,500, the other having cost $2,000. Mr. Brenneman's farm consists of 115 acres. He is a stanch Republican in poli- tics and was appointed revenue collector in 1897, serving four years and eight months under H. L. Hershey. He also served as street commissioner of the borough and school director, and has held minor offices. He is a member of the Lebanon Lutheran Church, and fraternally is connected with the I. O. O. F., of Dallastown.

Mr. Brenneman was married in 1882, to Maggie Herbst, of Springfield township, daughter of David (deceased) and Lena

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Herbst, and to this union have been born: Murray C., of Philadelphia, a teacher for four years in Hopewell township; Millie, a clerk in a store; Tilly, at home; Amanda, died in in- fancy, and Hathaway Shindle, living at home. Mr. Brenneman was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Red Lion, and has served on its board of directors since its or- ganization in 1899.

ASAHEL STEWARD, M. D., who en- joys the distinction of having practiced his profession longer than any other physician in southern York county, was born on his father's farm in Peach Bottom township, York county, March 10, 1841, son of Nehemiah and Amelia (Cooper) Steward.

To write the record of the Steward and Cooper families, the ancestors of Dr. Steward, is almost to narrate the history of southern York county, for from the Indian days their lives have been interwoven with the progress of that section. Thomas, Alexander and John Cooper located in what is now York county during the first half of the sixteenth century, and until they had built their log cabins lived for a time in a hollow tree. John Cooper was the great-great-great-grandfather of Dr. Asahel Steward. He had a number of descendants, among them being John, Dr. Steward's grandfather. The Steward family is of Irish origin, the first member to come to America being Asahel Steward, who spelled the name Stewart. He settled in York county, married, and his son Asahel (2) mar- ried Elizabeth Morris. Asahel and Elizabeth Steward were the parents of Nehemiah Steward, the father of Dr. Asahel, born April 22, 1810, in Chanceford township. Asahel Steward (2) was a miller by trade and oper- ated the old John R. Donald mill at Wood- bine, York county; at the time of his death, in 1823, he was proprietor of the Wiley mill in the same county. His widow died in Peach Bottom township in 1847.

The children born to Nehemiah and Amelia (Cooper) Steward were as follows: Dr. Asahel; John, a merchant of Red Lion ; Stock- ton; Elizabeth, the wife of Robert M. Moore; Susan, the widow of Jefferson Stanley ; Ellen, the wife of Charles E. Berk, of Delta; and Martha, the wife of William Tarbert.

In youth Dr. Steward attended the pub- lic schools of Slatedale, and later entered

Stewartstown Academy. In 1866 he matric- ulated at Bellevue Hospital Medical College and graduated from that institution in 1869. His medical preceptor before entering college had been the late Dr. James Y. Bryan, Dr. Steward's uncle, who for over a half a cen- tury before his death, in 1873, was the best known medical practitioner of lower York county. After graduating Dr. Steward prac- ticed his profession at Bellevue Hospital, New York, where he remained inntil 1870, and then removed to Pleasant Grove, Lancaster county, where he resided until 1875. In that year he located at Slate Hill, near Delta, remaining there until 1888, in which year he moved to Delta, where he has since practiced.

In 1875 Dr. Steward was united in mar- riage to Cassandria McCullongh, daughter of Robert K. and Frances (Scott) Mccullough, of Lancaster county, and these children have been born to this union : William J., M. D., who graduated from the University of Mary- land in 1904; Amelia, the wife of William Bay; Montgomery; Latimer; Jennette; Na- poleon Bryan; Elizabeth, and Roswell. In political belief the Doctor is a Democrat, but not an aspirant to office. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities.

WALTER BLACK. One of the most substantial business houses of York, Pa., is that of the Joseph Black & Sons' Hosiery Mill. of which industry Joseph Black was the orig- inator and head. His birth occurred in Eng- land, and he came to America in 1854. Re- turning to England in 1857, he remained until 1879 when he again located in America, set- tled in Philadelphia and established a hosiery mill there, which he conducted for nine years. Coming to York in 1899 Joseph Black estab- lished his hosiery plant, and how well the en- terprise has prospered may be judged from the fact that the firm employs 400 people, and has a daily capacity of 1,500 dozen pair of hose. The mills manufacture hosiery for men, women and children, and find a ready market from Maine to California. The father, with his sons Walter and Joseph, Jr., after estab- lishing the plant in York, had the company in- corporated, and capitalized at $150,000. It was and is known as the Joseph Black & Sons Co. The father died, universally lamented, in September. 1904, aged seventy-three years.

Walter Black was born in Loughborough,

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England, Jan. 9. 1860, and received his edu- cation in the schools of his birthplace. At an early age he entered his father's mill, master- ing every department, and he now occupies the position of president of the company. He was married in November, 1878, to Emina A. Skeffington, of England, and eight children have been born to this union : Florence, a grad- uate of the Philadelphia High School; Mary; Clarence; Ralph; Walter, Jr .; Emma and Lil- lian (all students at York) ; and Myrtle. In religious belief Mr. Black is an Episcopalian. In politics he is a Republican, and in fraternal circles affiliates with the Masons and the Elks.

JOSEPH BLACK, JR., who is also a member of the company, was born in England in 1866, and learned the hosiery business in his father's mill, of which he is now the secretary and general manager. He was married in 1894 to Lillie Gray, of Liverpool, England, and three children have been born to this union, one of whom died in early childhood, the sur- vivors being Clara and Joseph, Jr., both at school. Mr. Black, like his brother Walter, is an Episcopalian. He is a Republican, and he also is identified with the Masons and the Elks.

The output of the Joseph Black & Sons Co. for 1905 was the largest in its history, every year showing phenomenally large in- crease, and the goods not only find a ready and extensive market throughout the United States, but through the Canadas as well. In fact the goods manufactured by this company are in a class of their own and the demand for them is limited only by the capacity to manu- facture them.

ANDREW ZELLERS was born April 14, 1841, on the homestead farm near Stewartstown, a son of Levi and Lavina (Lucky) Zellers. Bartholomew Zellers, the grandfather, was of German ancestry. For a number of years he was well known in the saddlery business at Stewartstown and later bought the homestead farm, but died before moving to it. He married Rose Ann Miller, who survived him and later became the wife of Jacob Daly.

Levi Zellers, father of Andrew, was born in 1817, in Stewartstown, being reared on the farm purchased by his father and now oc- cupied by his son William. After the death of his wife he lived some years in Stewarts-

town and then returned to the homestead, where he died Dec. 25, 1888. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religious leanings, a Presbyterian. The children of Levi Zellers and his wife were: Lydia Ann, now deceased, formerly the wife of Amos Shaw, of Stewarts- town; Andrew; William, now farming the homestead, who married Esther Jane Ander- son; Sarah Jane, who died unmarried; Mary, Mrs. Jesse P. Leib, who died in Hopewell township; Samuel S., a farmer in Hopewell, married to Anna Mary Duncan; and Louisa, wife of William Carlisle Smith, of Oswego, New York.

Andrew Zellers was educated in the public schools of Hopewell township under excellent teachers, Henry and John Fulton, Perry Beard and others, and was about twenty-one when he enjoyed two terms at the Stewartstown Acad- emy under Prof. James A. Murphy and Prof. Jones. He .intended to prepare himself for teaching, but the outbreak of the Civil war caused such unsettled conditions that he re- linquished this ambition. When he reached his majority he started out for himself, hiring out as a farm hand for several years, but at that time wages were low, good hands getting only $16 a month. He spent some seasons in Delaware assisting to harvest the peach crops.

In March, 1865, Mr. Zellers removed to Illinois and was engaged there as a farm laborer at $35 a month, remaining thus em- ployed eighteen months, when he returned to work the home farm. Later he engaged at the carpenter's trade with his brother-in-law, Amos Shaw, and with John Richard, John Falkner, James Gemmill and John Fishei, com- pleting his apprenticeship under the last named. Then he purchased a few acres of land at The Cross Roads, and there built a home and raised truck on his land for the next seven years. After selling this property he bought his pres- ent farm of IIo acres from the widow of George Hedrick, and there he has carried on a general line of farming ever since.

Mr. Zellers was married, March 14, 1878, to Jane Elizabeth Smith, who was born at Cross Roads borough, Aug. 10, 1850, and was reared there, attending school in the vicinity and later a private institution conducted by Rev. Mr. Watson. Her parents were Samp- son and Ellen Anderson ( McAlister) Smith, and her grandparents, Sampson and Elizabeth (Duncan) Smith. Mrs. Zellers is the second

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of five children, the others in order of birth being: William Carlisle, husband of Mr. Zel- lers' youngest sister; John Andrew Livings- ton, a graduate of the Princeton Theological School, who married Mary E. Johnson, and is a Presbyterian minister at York; Samuel Owen, on the home place, and John Thomas McAlister, married to Ellen Norris and re- siding at Stewartstown.

Mr. and Mrs. Zellers have the following children : William Homer, born April 15, 1880, living at home; Mary Eleanor, Dec. 14, 1882 ; Bessie Louise, April 22, 1886; and Earl Smith, Aug. 29, 1890. Mr. Zellers united with the Presbyterian Church when a young man and has continued his relations with it ever since. His wife joined the Round Hill Pres- byterian Church when twelve years old, re- maining with it until her marriage, when by her request she was transferred to Stewarts- town, where she is a devoted and useful mem- ber. She has been a teacher in the Sunday school for the past three years and is the ob- ject of high regard.

Mr. Zellers has been a life-long Democrat. He has served as school director in his town- ship for nine years and while living in Stewartstown was elected tax collector.

GEORGE W. FRY, engaged in the real estate and fire insurance business, in York, is the son of the late Charles H. Fry, who died Jan. 1, 1895, in his sixty-third year, one of the most prominent citizens of York county.

John Fry, grandfather of George W., was born in York county, where he was a well known farmer. His wife, whose maiden name was Julia Haines, was also a native of York county.

George W. Fry was born May 24, 1859, at East Prospect, York county, and was edu- cated in the York County Academy and at Bryant and Stratton's Business College at Philadelphia. After finishing his studies he became deputy recorder of deeds for York county, and so continued for a period of ten years, leaving that office in 1891 to engage in business with his father, the firm being Charles H. Fry & Son, real estate and insur- ALBERT GREIDER EMIG is the owner of beautiful Brookleaf Farm, one of the finest and most beautiful homes in Hellam township, the homestead having been in the possession of the Emig family for a period of nearly one hundred years. Brookleaf farm is ance. Among the fire insurance companies represented by them was the Spring Garden Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of which Charles H. Fry was one of the organizers, and for many years secretary, his son, George W., now holding that office. The last named historic property. It was originally pur-

is also prominently connected with the Spring Garden Building & Loan Association and the York County Agricultural Association, of which he is a life member; is a director of the First National Bank of York and the Eastern Market Company, and is a member of the York County Historical Society, the Good Will Fire Company No. 5, and the York Club. He affiliates with the Knights of Malta, the I. O. R. M., and the Spring Garden Relief Asso- ciation. In religion he is a Methodist, and belongs to the Ridge Avenue Church. In poli- tics he is a Democrat. Like his father, who was a director of the City Bank of York, and also a director and secretary of the Eastern Market Company, Mr. Fry is of a progressive and liberal spirit. The Spring Garden Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of which Mr. Fry is secretary, was organized in 1864, and from that date until his death, Mr. Fry's father held the position now occupied by the son. The Spring Garden Building and Loan Associa- tion was organized in 1868, and of that con- cern also the elder Mr. Fry was secretary.

George. W. Fry was married Jan. 17, 1877, to Mary C. Abreght, daughter of William Abreght, of York, and two children were born to them : Arthur G., clerk in the employ of the Pennsylvania railroad service at York; and Charles W., a bookkeeper with the First National Bank. Mr. Fry's brothers and sis- ters are as follows : Horace H., a clerk; Wil- liam F., a clerk and surveyor; John H .; Sophia; Elizabeth M., who married Prof. F. M. McClary; Hatție, wife of Lloyd Miller, a shoe clerk ; and Emma, who married Claude C. Craver, of the firm of McClellan, Gotwalt & Co., of York.

George W. Fry has added to the material improvement of York by building the fine resi- dence in which he lives ( one of the handsomest in the East End), almost directly opposite the old home of his father. It was eminently fit- ting that Mr. Fry should have succeeded to the secretaryship that his father had filled, and it is conceded on all sides that the mantle of the father fell on worthy shoulders.

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chased from William Penn by a Mr. cultural activities of this section, his attractive Morgan, who settled it and built a stone farm property being located in York township. house in the midst of its forest trees. Mr. Inasmuch as on other pages of this work an- Morgan was shot by Hessian soldiers, and his pear individual sketches of the careers of Mr. Wineka's brothers, Henry A. and Frederick S., with full and authentic data in regard to their parents and the ancestral history, it will not be necessary in the present connection to again enter into the details, since ready refer- ence may be made to the two articles men- tioned. widow married a widower, Mr. Bahn. Mrs. Morgan's daughter finally married Mr. Bahn's son, and the farm descended to them and their heirs. It was purchased from the Bahn fam- ily in 1835, the present fine stone mansion hav- ing been built some time previous to that date, by Jacob Bahn. The house, surrounded by fine old trees, stands as it was built by Mr. Bahn, with the exception of a kitchen added by Mr. Emig in the summer of 1903. The old barn, built in 1805 or 1807, 100X140 feet in dimensions, was struck by lightning and burned in 1879, a few years after the death of Mr. Emig's father, who had re-roofed it. The present barn, 50x85 feet, was erected by the heirs. John Emig, grandfather of Al- fred Greider, was a native of Manchester town- ship, and a county commissioner.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 107

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