History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 118

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

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Samuel Oberdorff, born on the farm in 1800, was a farmer and weaver all his life and died on the old homestead in 1872. At first a member of the Lutheran Church, he later became a believer in the Evangelical teachings. He married Elizabeth Emenheiser, who was born at Craleysville, Lower Windsor township, daughter of Jacob Emenheiser ; she died on the old farm in 1888. The children born of this marriage were: Reuben, who died young ; Zachariah, who married Miss Mary Ann Budd, and died in Lower Windsor township; Samuel, deceased in boyhood; Joshua, who married Margaret, daughter of Peter Baker, and died in Windsor township; William, of

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Windsor township, married Susan Frey ; John T., and Elizabeth, Mrs. Milton Smith, of Red Lion.

Jolin T. Oberdorff was born on the family homestead, May 17, 1841. He was sent to a school situated on the present site of Wind- sorville, where John Flinchbaugh's house stands, and his first teacher was Michael An- stine. Three terms were also spent in the Koons school, and at the age of nineteen he completed his education. Until he was twenty he worked on the farm of his father, but then he learned to make shoes with his brother at home, and was so engaged for two years, still being employed on the paternal farm during the summer. Since that period his whole attention has been given to agri- culture, at which he has been very successful. After working with his father two years more, he married and farmed for himself five years, until in 1872 he bought a tract which is still in his possession. In 1894 he rented that place, consisting of ninety-nine acres, and moved to his present homestead of forty acres. The first farm was bought in partnership with his brother Zachariah, whose interests he pur- chased later. In the beginning he was obliged to go in debt for the property, but had paid it all off, and more, before leaving the place.

On Nov. 22, 1864. Mr. Oberdorff was mar- ried to Susanna Paules, daughter of John and Katie Paules. No children have been born to them. Mrs. Oberdorff is a member of the Canadochley Reformed Church, and her hus- band attends at the Church of God. He is liberal in his support of that society, as well as of his wife's church, and the Freysville Lutheran, and is in every respect a God-fearing man of truly Christian life. He supports the Democratic party, but never has taken an active interest in political affairs. . He has made a successful examination at the Western Penn-

his way in life by honest industry and com- mands the respect of all who have become familiar with his actions and his personality.

FRANCIS J. SNYDER, M. D., has, in his successful career as a physician and sur- geon, given effective rebuttal of the applica- tion of the Biblical statement that "a prophet is not without honor save in his own country." He was born in Winterstown, York county, Pa., June 28. 1864, son of Lewis and Maria (Snyder) Snyder, the former of whom was born and reared in France, and came to this

country at the age of sixteen years, living in Baltimore, Md., until 1861. For a number of years Lewis Snyder was engaged in mercan- tile pursuits in York county. Pa., and he is now living retired in Winters- town, one of York county's old and honored citizen, being over eighty years of age. He has long been a stanch advocate of the principles of the Republican party, and his re- ligious faith is that of the Evangelical church, of which his wife likewise was a devoted men- ber. The latter was born in York county, this State, in 1827, a daughter of Jolin Snyder, and she was summoned into eternal rest in 1889. being survived by two children.

John Snyder, grandfather of the Doctor,. was the founder of the town of Jacobus, York county, and was widely and most favorably known among the early settlers of this section of the State. He continued to reside in York county until his death, at the patriarchal age of eighty-seven years. It may farther be re- corded that the Doctor's maternal grandmother bore the maiden name of Sarah Miller and that' the maiden name of her mother was Spangler, the Spangler family being one of the oldest and most honored in York county.

Dr. Francis J. Snyder passed his boyhood days in his native village, and there he duly completed the prescribed course of the public and high schools, after which he began his pro- fessional study under the preceptorship of Dr. Charles G. Hildebrand, then engaged in prac- tice in Winterstown, but who is now a success- ful practitioner in the town of Loganville. Pa. In 1884 Dr. Snyder matriculated in the Col- lege of Physicians & Surgeons in Baltimore, where he was graduated as a member of the class of 1887, with his well earned degree of Doctor of Medicine. The same year he passed

sylvania Medical College. Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania.

Dr. Snyder initiated the active work of his profession by locating in Jacobus, York county. where he built up a most successful business. there continuing his earnest labors for the period of fifteen years, at the expiration of which he came to the city of York, where he has since continued in the active work of his profession, and where his success has been equally pronounced and gratifying, his practice being of a distinctively representative char- acter. He is a progressive and public-spirited

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

citizen, and is held in high esteem in both busi- came engaged in the study of law, but, al- ness and social circles.

Dr. Snyder is a stanch Republican in his political proclivities, but has never been a seeker of official preferment; in religion he is identified with the Evangelical church, of which Mrs. Snyder likewise is a devoted mem- ber. In a professional way the Doctor is en- rolled as a member of York County Medical Society, of which he was first vice-president in 1905; the Pennsylvania State Medical So- ciety and the American Medical Association. At one time he was assistant surgeon for the Mahoning Valley Railroad, the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg Railroad, the low grade Division of the Allegheny Valley Railroad. the Bell, Lewis & Yates Coal & Iron Co., and the Adrion Islan Coal Co. He is medical ex- aminer for the Equitable Life Assurance So- ciety (New York), and the Northwestern of Milwaukee. He was a member of the board of Congressional Conferrers of the 20th Pennsyl- vania Congressional District in 1896. Dr. Snyder is also affiliated with the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, the Patriotic Sons of America, the Ancient and Illustrious Order of Knights of Malta, and the Knights of Mystic Chain. He is a member of Good Will Fire Co. of Jacobus; was president of the Alumni Association of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, in 1903, and is a member of the American Motor League.

On June 27, 1895, at Elmira, N. Y., Dr. Snyder was unied in marriage to Miss Ada E. Loucks, who was born and reared in this county, a daughter of David M. and Emeline (Peeling) Loucks, honored residents of Ja- cobus, Pa., the former an ex-member of the Pennsylvania Legislature. Dr. and Mrs. Sny- der have no children.

JOHN H. FRITZ, who was well-known throughout the State of Pennsylvania for the great and good work he accomplished as a minister of the Gospel, was a resident of York at the time of his death.

AIr. Fritz was born in Germany in 1820 or 1821, and was brought to the United States at the age of eight years, the party consisting of the father, the stepmother and three chil- dren. Mr. Fritz had attended school in his native country for a short time, and on locat- ing in York, attended the public schools. On completing his preliminary education he be-

though being admitted to the Bar, he never followed that profession. At about this time Mr. Fritz was married, and his wife influenced him to study for the ministry. He was obliged to prepare himself as he had for the law, and he entered the Episcopal seminary, in or near Washington, D. C. After leaving this institution he completed his studies with Dr. Lochman, of York, and was ordained. His first pastorate was Butler, Pa., where he re- mained for eleven years. He then was called to Millville, N. J., where he remained for three years; to Water Gap, Del., for three years, and, after three years at Doylestown, Pa., his health failing, he was obliged to give up his ministerial work. He came back to York to rest, fully intending to resume the work, but instead of improving, his health grew worse, and he passed away in York in 1897. Mr. Fritz finished building a new church in Doyles- town, his last parish, and also in Millville, N. J. He had no children of his own, but he and his estimable wife adopted two children, whom they educated and reared. Mr. Fritz was a member of the I. O. O. F. before enter- ing the ministry, but afterwards withdrew his name.

In 1857 Mr. Fritz was married to Louisa F. Miller, born in Lancaster, Pa., in ISI8, who has made her home in York since she was one year old. Her father, the Rev. John Con- stantine Miller, was born in the Kingdom of Saxony, Germany, and came to America in ISOI, with three Moravian preachers. The vessel upon which they were making their journey was caught in a terrible storm, and when repaired made port at Philadelphia. From there the party went to the Moravian settlement in Bethlehem. Mr. Miller was soon after sent to Lancaster, and while there was married in Lititz, Pa., to Anna Sophia Crist, of Nazareth, Pa. He was next sent to York, where he died a few years later. His wife survived him many years. Of this union Mrs. Fritz is the only living child.

PROF. JAMES W. GOSNELL, one of the leading educators, substantial men and prominent citizens of East York, Pa., was born June 2, 1868, in Shrewsbury. township. York county, a son of Francis and Emma (Clark) Gosnell.

Richard Gosnell, the paternal grandfather,

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was born in Baltimore county. Md., in 1797, .This is a rather remarkable record for so young of English parentage, and resided in that coun- ty until his death, in 1877, his business being that of a saddler. His children were: Sarah, Charity, Ephraim, Francis, Dorcas and Ann.

Francis Gosnell, father of our subject, was born in 1827 in Baltimore county, Md., where he was reared and educated. In 1864 he re- moved to York county. Pa., and engaged in farming in Shrewsbury township, and in 1870 removed to Newberry township, buying a farm of 100 acres on which he erected buildings and made many improvements. He died in 1894 and was interred at Paddletown cemetery. Francis Gosnell married (first) Henrietta Se- christ, who died in 1853, and is buried in New Market cemetery, Baltimore county, Md. His second marriage was to Emma Clark, who died here in 1895 and is buried in Paddletown cen- etery, in Newberry township. There was one child of the first marriage, John, who married Lucinda Linebaugh, and is a farmer in Balti- more county, Md .; and the children of the second marriage were : Henrietta, wife of Ja- cob L. Mickey, who lives near Yocumtown, in Newberry township; Kate, wife of Christian J. Miller, of Newberry township; Alice, who died aged four years in Baltimore county, Md. ; Noah, married to Elsie Brenneman and living on the old home in Newberry township; Ben- jamin, now deceased, who married Bertha A. Kise ; James Wright, of this sketch; and Mary, wife of Kirk Shelley, of Steelton, Pennsyl- vania.

James Wright Gosnell attended the For- tenbaugh school in his neighborhood until he was sixteen years old, and then enjoyed one summer session at a graded school at Golds- boro, taught by Prof. J. P. Hayes. This was followed by one term under John M. Wolfe, of Hanover, one spring term at Manchester, Md., two spring terms at Shippensburg, and six weeks at Millersville. During these school ses- sions Prof. Gosnell not only secured a superior education, but gained a wide acquaintance and made innumerable friends. After completing his education he began to teach, his first at- tempt being one term at the Redland school, in Newberry township, followed by three terms at the Diehl's school, in the same township. He was then secured by the Goldsboro grammar school, where he taught for four terms. In 1893 he came to Lewisberry, where he has taught for thirteen terms as principal of the school.

an educator. During this period he has turned out sixty-three teachers. In a way, Prof. Gos- nell has been handicapped, on account of a very serious accident from which he suffered on May 15, 1884. This was during the demoli- tion of an old barn, when he was caught under some falling timber and suffered such injury to his good right arm as necessitated its amputa- tion. In this affliction, Prof. Gosnell had the earnest and sincere sympathy of everyone in the community. In spite of this misfortune, he has accomplished a great deal both in his profession and in taking a citizen's place in public affairs. He served one year as auditor of Newberry township, and has been judge of elections, the youngest man who has ever here held that office. Ever since coming to the borough of Lewisberry he has been town clerk. His Republican friends nominated him for the office of county prothonotary, but his duties prevented his making a canvass and the elec- tion resulted in a defeat on this account.

In 1890 Prof. Gosnell was married to Mary Ellen Kise, a daughter of Henry and Sophia Kise, of East Prospect, Pa. Sophia Kise died July 26, 1891, and her husband in March, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Kise had three children, namely : Flora, wife of William Brubaker, a barber, paperhanger and painter at East Prospect ; Mary Ellen, wife of Prof. Gosnell; and Ber- tha, wife of Benjamin F. Gosnell. Prof. Gos- nell and wife have these children : Noah R., born 1890; Walter Wright, born 1892; Ris- sel Reid, born 1894; Frank Kise, born 1895 ; John Henry, born 1897; Mabel Elva, born 1899. Russel Reid died 1894. Prof. Gosnell bought his fine home in East York in Decem- ber, 1904. It is a very attractive place and beautifully situated.

In politics our subject is prominently iden- tified with the Republican party and he has served as a delegate to a number of county and State conventions. For a long time he has been an active member of the M. E. Church, a trustee, class-leader, superintendent, assistant superintendent of the Sunday-school and is president of the local Epworth League. His fraternal association is with the Jr. O. U. A. MI., of which he is a charter member of Lodge No. 1012, of Lewisberry, in which he has held all the offices. He is a man who commands the respect of all who know him.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

JOHN SHELLY, a lifelong resident of the beautiful Shelly Island in the Susquehanna river, was born there on his father's farm, March 16, 1831, son of John Moses and Lydia (Herman) Shelly. Shellys Island, including about 210 acres, was deeded by the Penns to John Shelly's great-grandfather, and it was the family homestead from that time, although Mr. Shelly's grandfather died in Dauphin county. John Moses Shelly was born there March 21, 1799, passed his whole life there as a prosperous farmer and with his wife was buried on the island that he loved so well. His marriage occurred April 6, 1824, to Lydia Her- man, who was born April 10, 1808, in Lewis- berry, York county, and the following children were born to their union : Ann, born Aug. 7, 1825; Herman, born Sept. 13, 1827; Levi, born Sept. 21, 1829, was a Methodist minister ; John, born March 16, 1831 ; Benjamin Frank- lin, born Jan. 18, 1833; Moses, born Oct. 20, 1835, a hotel keeper in Goldsboro, married (first) Matilda Hanelon, and (second) Mrs. Mary Huston; and Lydia became Mrs. Det- wiler.

John Shelly grew up on Shellys Island, re- ceiving his education there, and after marriage settled there, eventually purchasing the land from the other heirs. Mr. and Mrs. Shelly were both exceedingly hospitable and fond of company, and the ideal situation of their home, with the warm welcome always waiting, drew their friends there frequently. Mrs. Shelly was formerly Agnes May, born in 1833. Her paternal grandfather came from Germany, set- tling in York county, where he died. Her father, Bernard May, was a butcher in Har- risburg, who died there from smallpox before Mrs. Shelly had reached four months of age. Her mother, Mrs. Jane (James) May, after- ward married Amos Waidley, of Cumberland county, and she lived to be eighty-two years old. Mr. and Mrs. Shelly were married at Middlesex, Cumberland county, July 12, 1852, and their children, all born on Shellys Island, were as follows: Ida S., born Aug. 25, 1854, married James Southern, a banker in Sidney. Neb. : Franklin, born July 21, 1856, died at the age of four months; Robert May, born July 12, 1857, died unmarried at the age of twenty- eight : Latimore S., born Dec. 28, 1859, a man- ufacturer of patent locks at Lancaster, mar- ried Miss Tripple, of Safe Harbor, and died at the age of twenty-nine ; John S., born Sept.

2, 1861, married Miss Hummel, of Hummels- town, and resides in Harrisburg: Charles B., born Oct. 12. 1869, died at the age of twenty-eight; and Herman James, born Dec. 25, 1879, is at home. John Shelly's death oc- curred May 26, 1892, and he was laid to rest in Mt. Olivet cemetery, Fairview township, York county. He was widely known and had a high standing in the community. In politics he was a Republican. Mrs. Shelly continued to re- side on the island for four years more, having lived there longer than any other woman. She now occupies a handsome home in Goldsboro, where she gathers around her a large circle of friends. She is remarkably well-informed, and is a woman fond of the best literature. During the flood of 1904 she experienced much trou- ble, but her life is now flowing again in its usual channels.

HUMPHREY R. LLOYD. The growth and prosperity of the borough of Delta have been very largely due to the development of the slate quarries in that vicinity, and its prog- ress has now covered a period of half a century or more. Among those who have done the most for the town, and had the most faith in its future, has been Humphrey R. Lloyd, whose own success has been coincident with that of Delta. He was born in Festiniog, in the north of Wales, in 1840, son of Robert and Jane Lloyd, and had six brothers, all now deceased except Edward, of Delta.

At the age of sixteen Mr. Lloyd emigrated to the United States and located first at Slat- ington, Lehigh Co., Pa. Thence he migrated West, but soon returned to the East, spent a short time in Vermont, and in 1858 settled in Delta. For a number of years he worked in the slate quarry, in 1866 beginning operations on his own account in the Miles quarry, manag - ing that and various others until 1889, and during these two decades doing much to de- velop the hidden wealth of the Peach Bottom district. Simultaneously with his opening of the Miles quarry, Mr. Lloyd embarked in the hotel business, and took charge of "Hotel Ban- gor," which he continued for three years; in 1869 he also conducted another hotel at the Mine Hill, which he managed for a year, in 1870 building the "Hotel Delta," now the "Auditorium," the first modern hotel in the village. This house he personally conducted until 1885, while the ownership remained in

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his hands until 1900, when he sold the prop- at Delta and resides on the former homestead erty. On relinquishing the active management, of Rev. Samuel Park, adjoining the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes have two children. in 1885, he erected his present residence, which is one of the handsomest homes in Delta and an ornament to the town.

Mr. Lloyd is also closely associated with the business and banking interests of Delta. When the Miles National Bank was projected in 1890, he gave ready and hearty support to the proposition, and in conjunction with S. B. Miles perfected the organization and in- corporated the institution. In 1900 he was one of the organizers and incorporators of the People's National Bank, was its first vice- president, and has filled the office continuously since. He has been one of the largest builders in the town, and has erected many of the finest structures, which have added greatly to the importance of the place and increased its wealth. The first Masonic hall in Delta was built by Mr. Lloyd, for he is an enthusiastic Mason, being a member of the A. F. & A. M. Lodge, No. 176, Delta, and of Adoniram Chap- ter, No. 21, and Monumental Commandery, No. 3, K. T., of Baltimore.

In 1863 Humphrey R. Lloyd was united in marriage to Jane Williams, daughter of Hugh and Winifred (Jones) Williams, who were among the first Welsh settlers in Delta, where they arrived in - 1843. They had two other daughters: Winifred, who married Elias Roland, and resides in the State of Washing- ton, and Ellen, Mrs. John W. Jones, of West Bangor, Pa. Mr. Williams' death occurred in 1865, and that of his wife in 1884. Three chil- dren have been born to Humphrey R. and Jane Lloyd, of whom the youngest, Hugh, died at the age of four years. The oldest, Robert, born June 18, 1865, in Harford county, Md., married Ida May Smith, of Baltimore, daugh- ter of John W. and Catherine Smith, and they are the parents of three children. They reside in Delta, where Robert is in business with his father. In 1891 he was appointed notary pub- lic by Gov. Robert E. Pattison, and has been re-appointed three consecutive times. He is a member of Esdraelon Lodge, No. 176, A. F. & A. M., of Delta; of Concordia Chapter, R. A. M., No. I, of Baltimore : and of Monu- mental Commandery, No. 3. of the same city. Humphrey R. Lloyd's only daughter, Jane W., married' Edward Hughes, a native of Delta. For a number of years he was employed as a slate dresser, but is now in the milk business

Humphrey R. Lloyd began his career in the humble capacity of a quarryman, but by indus- try and wisely directed effort has advanced to the front rank among the citizens of his adopted town, and has made himself an im- portant factor in the development of the place. He has fairly earned his position of influence ' and honor, and the town may well be proud to have his name identified with its interests. He is a Republican in his political belief and was on the first board of councilmen of Delta bor- ough.

EDWIN S. ZIEGLER is secretary and treasurer of the Hoover Wagon Works Com- pany, of York, where the works are located. Mr. Ziegler's great-great-grandfather came from Germany, and his grandfather, John K. Ziegler, was a farmer of Codorus township, York Co., Pa. His father, Israel K. Ziegler, who was born on the old homestead, was also a farmer, and his mother, who was Anna M. Stick, was a daughter of Henry M. Stick, from Stick's Tavern, a noted hostelry thirty miles from Baltimore kept by E. S. Ziegler's grand- father. Three children were born to the par- ents of Edwin S. Ziegler: J. Clayton, of In- dian Head, Md .; Jennie, the wife of J. K. Klinefelter, of York; and Edwin . S., with whom this sketch chiefly deals.

Edwin S. Ziegler was born on the old homestead, May 17, 1878, and received his ed- ucation in the York Collegiate Institute. He then entered the wire fence business with his father, becoming connected with the office of the Hoover Carriage Works in 1899, and in 1903 being elected secretary and treasurer. The entire plant of the company was destroyed by fire on March 9, 1904, but was completely rebuilt and ready for occupancy and operation by Sept. Ist of that year. The new works cover seventy thousand square feet of floor space. Over one hundred and fifty people are employed, and the express and delivery wagons of which the company makes a specialty find a market all over the world, including Africa. Australia and other distant sections. The offi- cers of the company are: C. H. Dempwolf, president ; Hon. D. F. Lafean, vice-president : Edwin S. Ziegler, secretary and treasurer, and I. K. Ziegler and C. C. Frick, directors.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Mr. Ziegler was married Feb. 22, 1900, to Miss Jennie Sultner, daughter of Charles Sult- ner, of York, and one child has come to this union, Charles Israel, born Nov. 25, 1902. Mr. Ziegler belongs to St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, where he is a teacher in the Sunday- school. He is a Democrat in political faith.

NOAH KOLLER. Among the represen- `tative farmers of York county, Noah Koller stands prominently as a good citizen, enterpris- ing business man, and first-class farmer. He resides on his well-improved farm in Spring- field township. He was born in Shrewsbury township, March 4, 1849, son of John W. Koller.

Jacob Koller, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was a farmer of Shrewsbury township, York county. He married Miss Eva Winters, and both died in Shrewsbury township, and were buried at Fiscel's church. Their chil- dren were: Lydia, the wife of Emanuel Ty- son. of Shrewsbury township: Elizabeth, who married Solomon Hengso, of Glen Rock ; Sarah, widow of Charles Frey, now making her home with her children; Leah, living at Glen Rock; John W., father of Noah; Jacob, deceased; Daniel, living in Philadelphia with his daughter; and Henry and Samuel, de- ceased.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 118

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