History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 113

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

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inger purchased a tract in Newberry township, for which they paid $10,000. After Mr. Strominger had bought the interest of Dr. Lewis he was offered $5,000 for the land, which offer he refused, and was later obliged to accept $2,500 for the property. Michael Strominger married Rachael Peterman, of York, and died at the age of seventy-seven years, his wife surviving him until her eighty- seventh year. She was buried at St. John's Lutheran cemetery at Lewisberry, Fairview township, and he was interred in the old Lu- theran cemetery opposite Lewisberry. The following children were born to them: Jacob, who died in 1849; Michael, who died in 1873; Daniel, who died at the age of seventeen years ; John, who died young; John (II), the father of David H .; Henry, who lived to the age of sixty-eight years; Elizabeth, married Benjamin Millard and died in Fairview township; Mary, married Henry Grissinger, and died in Fair- view township; Catherine, married George Traver and died in the same township; Re- becca, married Henry Drorbaugh, and died there, and Sarah, who married John Millard, died in Conewago township.

John Strominger, the father, was born in 1807, in Fairview township and received a common-school education. At the age of eighteen years he drove a team to Baltimore for his father, and followed this occupation for a few years. At the age of twenty-five Mr. Strominger married Rachel Kilmore, a daugh- ter of David and Elizabeth ( Malone) Kilmore, and for a time after that event he farmed on the homestead on shares. At the death of his father, Mr. Strominger bought the home- stead, where he remained until his death, in 1876, in his sixty-ninth year. Mrs. Strom- inger was born in 18ro, and lived to the ripe old age of eighty years. Both she and her hus- band are buried at the St. John's Lutheran cemetery. In politics he was a Democrat. The children born to this worthy couple were : Da- vid H .; Harriet, who married J. F. Zinn, lives in Fairview township; Elizabeth, living in Upper Allen township, Cumberland county, is the widow of Samuel B. Timmer ; Michael K., married Catherine Hobaugh, and died in York in 1886, being buried at St. John's Lutheran cemetery ; Catherine Ann, lives at Lisburn, Cumberland county; Jacob, died at the age of fourteen years; Rebecca, married William B. Laird and died in Fairview township; Rachel.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

married J. A. Kann and lives at Lisburn, Cum- berland county, and John Andrew, who mar- ried Adeline Eichelberger, lives on the old homestead in Fairview township.

David H. Strominger received his educa- tion in the township schools, attending them until twenty-one years of age. He then as- sisted his father for five years; then farmed on shares for his father seven years, after which he bought the homestead of seventy- seven acres which he now owns. He rebuilt his barn in 1882, and his house, which is one of the finest stone residences in the county, he erected in 1884. In 1858 Mr. Strominger mar- ried Elizabeth V. Hart, a daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth ( Moore) Hart, and the follow- ing children have been born to this union : John C., who died at the age of twenty-five years: Elizabeth, who resides at home; Elmer E., who married Ellen Troup, lives at Me- chanicsburg, Cumberland county; Jacob H., David H., Joseph H., and Clyde, all died young; and Mary H., who lives at Jamison City, Columbia county, married Gordon Gray, a Methodist minister of the Danville district. Mr. Strominger has always lived on his farm, with the exception of two winters, when he went to Mechanicsburg in order to secure for his daughter, Mary H., the best of educational advantages. He has been very successful, and in 1902 was able to retire from active labors, since which time he has lived a quiet, domestic life. He has, however, many financial inter- ests, being a director of the Mutual Fire In- surance Company, which office he has held for six years. In politics Mr. Strominger is a Democrat, favoring Prohibition, and officially has served three years as school director. He is identified with the M. E. Church of Lewis- berry, in which he is steward, trustee and class-leader.

JACOB KIRK SEACRIST, carpenter and builder, and chief of the fire department of York, Pa., is the junior member of the firm of Adam W. & Jacob K. Seacrist, contractors and builders, conveniently located at No. 238 South Duke street. In connection with their constructive operations, the firm operate a planing mill, engage in stair-building and man- ufacture all kinds of house furnishings, and interior decorations for dwellings and churches. Jacob K. Seacrist is a native of York, born Dec. 2, 1859, son of Jacob and Mary E. (Kib- ler ) Seacrist.

Jacob Seacrist, the father, was born in York county, Manchester township, in 1828, and died in 1892. He was a son of Henry Seacrist, a native of York county, who was one of the prosperous farmers of his day. Mrs. Seacrist was born in Baltimore, Md., but her parents were natives of Germany. About 1860, Jacob Seacrist embarked in the business of contracting and building, and continued in that line until within three years of his demise. He was a skilled workman and a man of pronl- inence, popular and universally respected.

Jacob K. Seacrist finished his education in the public schools of York, and at the age of sixteen commenced to learn the trade of a car- . penter under his father. He continued witlı him until he was twenty-one years of age, when he married, and began working as a journeyman. In 1890, Mr. Seacrist formed a co-partnership with his father, under the style of Jacob Seacrist & Sons, which continued until the death of the former in 1892, when the present name was adopted, his brother, Adam W., becoming the senior member. The planing mill, built in 1878, is 50 x 60 feet, two stories in height, and fully equipped with the latest and most improved machinery and appliances, a large force of men being employed in season. Both the partners are excellent mechanics and practical business men, and give their personal supervision to their work. The volume of their business shows a healthy and steady increase, and the firm is numbered among the leaders in the building trade of York.

Mr. Seacrist married Susan Spangler, who was born in York, daughter of Adam Spang- ler, and they are the parents of one son, George Kirk. Mr. Seacrist has been connected witlı the fire department since his seventeenth year, and has filled all its offices. For some years, prior to 1902, he was the assistant chief, and when he was chosen in that year to become its head, the people of York felt that great wis- dom had been displayed; and he lias proved a most efficient official. Fraternally Mr. Sea- crist is a member of Zeredatha Lodge, No. 451, A. F. & A. M .; Howell Chapter No. 199, R. A. M .; Gethsemane Commandery, No. 75, K. T .; and Zembo Shrine A. A. O. N. M. S .; and the Council. Mr. Seacrist is also connected with York Lodge No. 213, B. P. O. E .; the Improved Order of Heptasophs; the Keystone Fire Chiefs Association; the York Guardian Trust Company, and the York City Market Company, as well as other organizations botlı

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BIOGRAPHICAL

fraternal and commercial, and in all of them night, July 12, 1887. His wife passed he has made his influence felt. Mr. and Mrs. Seacrist are prominent members of Duke Street Methodist Church, and are very highly esteemed people. In his political affiliations Mr. Seacrist is a valued member of the Re- publican party, and in April, 1905, was elected city controller of York. He resides in the First ward. away Aug. 20, 1856; both are buried at Salem Church, in Fairview township. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Snyder were as follows : Emanuel, born Nov. 2, 1834, lives on the old home in Fairview township; Eliza, born Dec. 8, 1835; Samuel, born Feb. 18, 1837, married Lydia Ginter (deceased), and they live near Springfield, O .; Maria A., born Dec. 4, 1838, died young; John F .; Susan, born Dec. 6, 1842, married John Sheelly (deceased), and lives at New Cumberland ; Peter, born March 14, 1844, married Jane Sultzenberger, and they live at Lewisberry, Newberry township; Mat- tie, born Jan. 13, 1846, is the widow of John Rupp, who was a soldier in the Civil war: Elizabeth, born Feb. 13, 1848, died in infancy : Annie, born June 1, 1849, died at the age of twenty-four years; Henry; born Jan. 10, 1850. married Ellen Ebersole, and lives in Fairview township, and Amanda, born Nov. 10, 1850, wife of John Ryan, died at the age of twenty- four years.

JOHN F. SNYDER, of Fairview town- ship, York county, was born Dec. 28, 1839. in Manchester township, son of Henry and Mary (Frey) Snyder. The great-grand- father of John F. Snyder was Christian Sny- der, who came from Switzerland with two brothers, and, coming up the Susquehanna river, located at the place where the State capital now stands. Mr. Snyder erected and owned the first building built there and here it was that Christian Snyder, the grandfather of our subject, was born Oct. 27, 1768. He fol- lowed farming in Manchester township, where he owned a large tract of land near the well known Brillinger mill, and there he died Sept. 20, 1839. He married Annie Lehman, born Oct. 13, 1769, who died July 21, 1834, at the age of sixty-four years, and both she and her husband were buried in the family burial ground in Manchester township. The children born to this worthy couple were as follows : John, born Feb. 8, 1793, died April 10, 1863; Christian, Jr., born Sept. 15, 1795, died in April, 1877; Jacob, born Feb. 4, 1798, died July 20, 1882; Abraham, born July 22, 1799, died at the age of seventy-two years; Peter, born Jan. 5, 1801, died at the age of twenty- one years; Henry, the father of John F .; Dan- iel, born Sept. 10, 1805, died Jan. 20, 1873; Elizabeth, born May 18, 1808, died May 3. 1891 ; and Magdalena, born Aug. 1, 1814, died Jan. 19, 1900.

Henry Snyder was born in Dauphin county, Oct. 30, 1802, being two years of age when he was brought to Manchester township, where he reached manhood and engaged in farming. He later removed to Fishing Creek Valley, Fairview township, where he bought a fine farm, upon which he died July 12, 1887. Mr. Snyder was one of the charter members of the Fairview Mutual Fire Insurance Co., and was well known in business circles as a man of honesty and integrity. He married Mary Frey (born March 8, 1816), and died at mid-

John F. Snyder, the fifth child of the fam- ily, was eleven years old when he came with his father to Fairview township. He attended the township schools until he was eighteen years of age and then learned the black- smith's trade at Lewisberry, which he followed for about two and one-half years. In the first call for men for the Civil war Mr. Snyder en- listed in Company H, 47th P. V. I., at Harris- burg. He participated in a number of engage- ments, being in the battle of Cedar Creek. where he was wounded in the ear and the back of the head, and taken prisoner. He was con- fined in the hospital one month, then confined for two months in Libby prison, and was re- leased by exchange. For bravery on the field Mr. Snyder was promoted from the ranks to a sergeantship. He has an honorable war record, and is one of the few living soldiers who took part in Sheridan's memorable ride to Winchester. Sergeant Snyder was honor- ably discharged in January, 1866, at Phila- delphia, after which he returned to York county.

For a time after the war Mr. Snyder worked as a day laborer. In December, 1868. he married Annie S. Freed, daughter of Jo- seph and Sarah (Schroll) Freed, of Freys- town, York county, the couple locating in Hampden township, Cumberland county, where for two years Mr. Snyder engaged in farm-

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ing. They then removed to Lower Allen township, Cumberland county, where the hus- band continued to work by the day until March, 1893, when he removed to his present home, which he purchased from Michael Shuller, and which consists of fifty-two acres of fine land in Fairview township, near Yocumtown. Since acquiring the property Mr. Snyder has erected good buildings and has made many improvements thereon, being now the owner of a good, productive farm.

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Sny- .der are as follows : S. Alda, who married William Clouser, is living at Shiremanstown, Cumberland county; Frank S., who married Ada Eichelberger, is living at the same place ; Joseph H., who married Ida Slosser, resides at Penbrook, Dauphin county, where he is en- gaged in the bakery business; Howard W. is employed as an iron-worker in South Chicago, and is single; and Florence E., unmarried, is residing on the old homestead.

Although never aspiring to political office Mr. Snyder is a stanch Republican and al- ways takes a great interest in the success of his party. Mrs. Snyder is a consistent mem- ber of the United Brethren Church, to which Mr. Snyder is a liberal contributor. Mr. Sny- der is regarded as a good farmer, is highly es- teemed as a citizen, and has countless friends throughout Fairview township.

MICHAEL HEINDEL, a farmer in Windsor township, was born on the family homestead near Windsor, Dec. 24, 1831, son of Michael and Elizabeth (Oberdorff) Heindel, and is the third of his name to live in that sec- tion. The grandfather was perhaps born in Germany, but came to Windsor township from Maryland, where he had married a Miss Lutz, bought the homestead, and settled and died there.

Michael Heindel (2) was born in Mary- land, but settled in Pennsylvania in early man- hood. He was given a common-school educa- tion, principally in the German language. Brought up to farming he carried on the home- stead after his father's death, and himself passed away there in March, 1861, aged sixty- two. His wife was Elizabeth Oberdorff, an aunt of John T. Oberdorff, of Windsor town- ship, who survived her husband for a number of years and died at the age of eighty-four. Their children were: Charlotte, Mrs. Henry

Shaffer, deceased; Joshua, who married (first) Nancy Tice and (second) Lizzie Fry, and died in Yorkana; Samuel, who married Henrietta Shenberger, and moved to Michigan, where he died; Elizabeth, Mrs. John R. Green, of Dallastown; Rudolph, deceased; Michael; and William, who married Catherine Walk, and died in York. The father of the family was a member of the United Brethren Church, and in politics was first a Whig, then a Democrat, and finally, before his death, was converted to Republican principles. He served in several township offices.

Michael Heindel (3) attended the village school at Windsor, located where the Flinch- baugh store now stands, and his first teacher was John Anstine. Those were primitive days, and the seats in the old log building were made from logs cut in two, with holes bored for the legs. At first a subscrip- tion school, it later became a part of the public school system, and the term was lengthened from three months to four. Leaving school at the age of eighteen, Mr. Heindel worked the next year for his father, and then com- menced the shoemaker's trade with his brother Joshua, at Yorkana. In those days all shoes were made by hand, and so constant was the demand for their work that the brothers la- bored day and night. At the end of two years Joshua Heindel sold his shop to Abraham Hartzler, under whom Michael continued at the trade two years longer. After another two years spent on the farm working for his father, he married and settled on the home- stead, where he labored one year more before buying a farm for himself. He purchased his present place, a tract of eighty-five acres, and in 1885 erected the present family residence. When he began his married life, his only prop- erty was an old horse and wagon, but he worked hard, was economical, and in the end became a prosperous farmer. A Republican in his politics, he has taken an active part in local affairs, and has filled efficiently some of the minor township offices. He is a member of the United Brethren Church of Windsor.

The marriage of Mr. Heindel to Catherine Fry occurred Dec. 23, 1855. Mrs. Heindel was the daughter of Frederick K. and Eliza- beth (Tyson) Fry, and was born at Spring- vale, but reached womanhood in what is now Yorkana, whither her father moved when she was a child. Frederick K. Fry was born at

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BIOGRAPHICAL

Springvale, was a miller by trade, and died at Yorkana aged sixty-three. His wife passed away in the same town at the age of seventy. Both belonged to the Evangelical faith. A large family was born to Michael and Cath- erine Heindel, as follows: Reuben F., Aug. 29, 1860, who married Susan Sites, and lives on his father's farm; Uriah Alvin, Jan. 18, 1857, who died aged six; Amanda Elizabeth, July 12, 1865, who married the late Ellsworth Heiner; Ida E., July 15, 1868, Mrs. Peter Schmuck, of Windsor; Michael E., March 26, 1874, who married Esther Waughtel, and lives at Red Lion; Joshua Harvey and Anna Rebecca (twins), June 21, 1877, the former deceased Nov. 24, 1884, and the latter living at home.

WILLIAM G. McDOWELL. The Mc- Dowell family was established in America by four McDowell brothers, who came from the North of Ireland and settled in the lower end of York county. There two of the brothers re- mained, while the other two went South.

John McDowell, the grandfather of Will- iam G., was born in either Lower or Upper Chanceford townships, probably near Bethel church, in the latter township, where he was the owner of a farm and a substantial man of his time. His first wife's name was Patter- son, and his second was Jane Reed, who was born on the Reed homestead, now occupied by William G. McDowell. Mrs. McDowell's grandfather, John Reed, came from Ireland, and with his son, also named John Reed, took up 320 acres in Lower Chanceford township, at two different times. One of these farms, called "Craigie Mount," was owned by the son, who afterward acquired the other farm, "Sliding Fountain." John Reed (I) was a congressman, and died in Philadelphia just before the signing of the Declaration of Inde- pendence. He had sons in the Revolutionary war. His son, John (2), married a. Susan Ramsey, and they had children: Jane, the grandmother of William G. McDowell; Thomas, who moved to Ohio, and James. John Reed (2) married for his second wife Agnes Modderwell, of Lancaster county, and she bore him several children : Nancy married a brother of James Buchanan, Mr. Buchanan locating in Ohio in 1825; Nancy accompanied her hus- band to the Buckeye State, where they reared a large family, one of the sons being a U. P.

preacher. Thomas settled in Ohio with his wife and children prior to 1812, first locating in Union county and then removing to Logan county. Sarah married Samuel Moore, and after his death returned to the homestead, where she died. John died single. Martha also died unmarried.

In the spring of 1812 Grandfather McDow- ell loaded his property on a four-horse wagon and, with his family, set out for Union county, Ohio, and reaching his destination in safety he took up a tract of 100 acres of land. This he cleared, and fourteen years later died upon his farm. His wife died in the spring of 1861, in the faith of the Seceder Church, to which her husband had also belonged. Several chil- dren were born to Mr. McDowell and his first wife, one of the daughters marrying a Mr. Snodgrass and dying in Ohio. To the second union were born the following: John R., the father of William G .; William Glasgow, who married Rebecca Paris and lived on the home- stead in Union county, Ohio; Hannah, Mrs. Paris, who died in Union county, and two children, who died when small.

John Reed McDowell was born in Upper Chanceford township in 1809, and was three years old when taken to Ohio. He was reared on the homestead near Milford Center, Union Co., Ohio, and received a common-school edu- cation. He married Mary Porter, who was born in Erie county, Pa., daughter of John Porter, who went to Erie county from York county. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. McDowell lived on a farm near the homestead, finally settling in 1850 on the farm on which he died in 1893. Mrs. Mary McDowell was killed by a fall from a wagon in 1877, and he married in 1881 a widow, Mrs. Caton, who survived him one year. Nine children were born to the first union: Robert Nelson, the first-born, enlisted in the 32d Regiment, Ohio V. I., was wounded while entering breast- works after a charge, and was captured by the Rebels ; he was put in the prison at Winchester, where he was taken sick with pneumonia and died, and was buried at home. The biography of William G. follows. John Porter, the third child, enlisted as a first-call man and served three months; he then re-enlisted, in the 32d Regiment, O. V. I., and served until August. 1865, a term of four years and nine months ; he was with Sherman on his march to the sea, was taken prisoner, and had a gallant record; his

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

wife was Nettie Kise. Jesse Vincent was a private in the 40th Ohio V. I., and was drowned in the Big Sandy river, Ky., in the publican. Mary, the second, resides at home. fall of 1862. Elizabeth Jane died at the age of nine years. Newton L. married Jennie Wright and resides in Union county, Ohio. Calvin Reed married Diadamia Dort, and re- sides in Topeka, Kans. Mary Ann, Mrs. Frank Gardner, died in Union county, Ohio, and Leander Carmine, of the same county, married (first) Lucinda McCampbell and (sec- ond) Orrie Reed.

William G. McDowell was born on the farm near Milford Center, Union Co., Ohio, Feb. 7, 1838, and received a common-school education, also attending Oberlin College. He was reared a farmer's boy and remained with his father until the spring of 1861, when he located in Lower Chanceford township to care for a granduncle and two grandaunts (Reeds), living with them until the close of the war. At their death he fell heir to their estate of 100 acres, and since that time had added twenty acres to the tract. When forty-five years of age Mr. McDowell contracted rheumatism from which he has been a constant sufferer for a great many years. Mr. McDowell was married in Lower Chanceford township, July 14, 1864, to Margaret Jane McCollam, who was born on the McCollam homestead near Airville, Pa., Feb. 5, 1830, daughter of Gil- bert and Mary (Smith) McCollam. Mrs. Mc- Dowell became a member of the Airville U. P. Church when sixteen years old, while her hus- band joined the same organization in Ohio in 1858, it then being known as the Associate Church. He has been a member of the Airville United Presbyterian Church since locating in Lower Chanceford township, and has been an elder in that body for twenty-nine years. He has taught a Bible class, has been superintendent of the Sabbath-school, and has been very active in all church work, being a good Christian man. Mr. McDowell voted first for Lincoln on the Republican ticket, but for the last twenty years has been a Prohibitionist.

Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. McDowell: John Reed, the eldest, was born June 10, 1865, and educated in the com- mon schools. He is a farmer and he has had charge of the homestead since the father's attack of sickness. He spent two years with relatives in Union county, Ohio. He is a member of the U. P. Church, was formerly

secretary of the Sabbath-school, and is now trustee of the church. In politics he is a Re- Robert Vincent, of Philadelphia, a conductor on a trolley line, married Anna White, in Chester county.

HENRY K. THOMAS, who is now living a retired life at Thomasville, Jackson township, was born April 8, 1841, in Cumberland county, son of George B. and Catherine ( Ebert) Thomas and grandson of Jacob and Mary Thomas. The Thomas family are of Scotch- Irish extraction, the founders of this branch settling in Adams county, where most of them engaged in farming. They were a sober, in- dustrious people and did much to advance the material welfare of their adopted country. Ja- cob Thomas owned a fine farm of 160 acres which he cultivated until his retirement, three or four years before his death. He and his wife were parents of the following children : Martin, deceased, George B., Catherine, Peggy and Polly. In religious belief they were Luth- erans and Mr. Thomas was a Democrat in politics.

George B. Thomas, father of Henry K., was reared and educated in Adams county, and in 1857 removed to Heidelberg township, York county, where he engaged in farming, remain- ing there until 1860, when he located in Jack- son township. Renting a farm, he operated it. for about ten years, and then purchased a small piece of land, erected a building and established a small store, where, in 1870, the United States government installed a postoffice, giving it the name of Thomasville, after George B. Thomas, the first postmaster. The little settlement grew rapidly and the name has always stood as a monument to Mr. Thomas' memory. It is one of the flourishing little villages of York county and does quite an extensive mercantile busi- ness with the surrounding agricultural country. At the time of his death, in 1893, Mr. Thomas had reached the advanced age of eighty-three years. He was very highly respected for his honorable methods and many sterling traits of character. Very public-spirited, he was always ready to commend and assist any enterprise that his good judgment told him would benefit the community. Mr. Thomas will long be re- membered as a kind and charitable man, one whose loss was keenly felt. His death removed from the township one who had always been

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 113

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