History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 119

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

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John W. Koller was born in Shrewsbury township, where he received a common-school education, also assisting his father at farming. He married Christene Sheaffer, a daughter of John and Grace (Overmiller ) Sheaffer. Mrs. Koller was born in 1823, and is now making her home with her son, our subject. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Koller located in Shrewsbury township, where he followed farming, and later located in Springfield town- ship, where he purchased one of William Foust's farms, known as the old Philip Hilder- brand farm, consisting of eighty-four acres. Mr. Koller owned two other farms in the same township, one of 103, and the other of thirty- five acres, having in all 222 acres. He died on his farm in 1872, and is buried at Glen Rock. In politics he was a Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Koller had the following children : William, who married Lovinia Warner, is a retired farmer, living in Springfield township, near Lorne: Levi died shortly after his father; one died in infancy; Noah; Elizabeth, de- ceased, was the wife of George Lentz; and Henry lives in Glen Rock, Pennsylvania.

Noah Koller attended the Seitz school in Shrewsbury township until nineteen years of age, and remained with his father until the latter's death. He then took the farm upon which he now resides, at appraisement, and is engaged successfully in general farming, rais- ing the usual crops of his section. He married Eliza Sterner, daughter of Joseph and Sarah Hilderbrand Sterner, and she died in 1903, being buried at Glen Rock. Their children were as follows: James, who is employed in the furniture factory at Glen Rock, married Jennie Hilderbrand; Elizabeth died when seven months old; Mollie is at home; Eli died at the age of twenty years, eleven months and one day ; Maggie married Eli Henry, and they are operating the old farm; John, a farmer of Springfield township, married Lillie Dubbs ; and Harry died in February, 1905.

Mr. Koller is a Democrat, and is among his township's leading and representative men, always supporting good movements in the community.

JOHN KENEDY, who carries on exten- sive farming and stock raising operations in Lower .Chanceford township, is one of the rep- resentative agriculturists of York county. He was born one mile from Bell's Ferry, Md., June 14, 1863, son of James and Mary ( Mor- ris) Kenedy.

James Kenedy was born in Dublin, Ire- land, and came to the United States when a boy. Most of his life was spent in Chanceford township, where he carried on farming, being thus engaged at the time of his death. He married Mary Morris, who died when our sub- ject was eight weeks old. Mr. Kenedy's sec- ond wife was also named Mary. For his third wife he married Hannah (Wright) McKin- ley, who survives her husband.

When John Kenedy was four years old his father removed to Peach Bottom township, and there the youth attended the common schools, thereby acquiring his education. From the age of six until he was seventeen years old he attended the old Glenwood school, and at the latter age began farming the home place on shares. This he continued until 1886, when he removed to the farm adjoining his present one, consisting of 50 acres, which he had pur- chased from his father the year previous. There he remained two years, when he purchased his present place, a fine 100-acre tract, from R. B. Hyson, who had purchased it from Daniel

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and Henry Wise, the farm having been in the Wise family for many generations. Mr. Ken- edy carries on general farmnig and does a great deal of stock raising, and has been very suc- cessful.

Mr. Kenedy was married Dec. 23, 1886, to Miss Bertha C. Walker, who was born on the Walker homestead Feb. 14, 1871, daughter of John and Sarah A. ( Wise) Walker. These children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ken- edy: Samuel R., now aged sixteen years, who is now at school; Sarah A., aged six years ; and John Dale, aged four years.

Mr. Kenedy, or "Jack," as he is familiarly called, is a Democrat in politics, and served his township faithfully during 1899, 1900 and 1901 as assessor.

JESSE SHEWELL, one of the well- known, substantial and esteemed citizens of Glen Rock, York county, a survivor of the great Civil war and for the past forty years one of the county's noted musicians, was born May 6, 1846, in Shrewsbury township, a son of Samuel and Mary (Sechrist) Shewell.

Jesse Shewell, his paternal grandfather, located at Shrewsbury, Pa., many years ago, and followed the trade of harnessmaking. His three children were: Zacharias; Mary, wife of John Erman; and Samuel. The grandfather on the maternal side, Jacob Sechrist, was a farmer of York county. His children by his first marriage were : Israel, William C., Mary, Catherine, Rebecca and Leah. By his second union he had three children: Daniel, Mary (wife of Benjamin Sides), and Salome.

Samuel Shewell, father of Jesse, was a cabinetmaker by trade. He held a number of township offices, and was a highly respected citizen. He married Mary Sechrist, and they had these children : Samuel; Jesse ; William; George; Maria, wife of Isaac Prosser; Annie, wife of William Donley; and two children who died in infancy.

carpenter for twenty-one successive years. That he possessed the best kind of common sense and good judgment is very evident. During these years of work at his trade he providently saved his money and, as able, pur- chased lot after lot of land, one at a time, and each year built a comfortable house on these lots. He now owns twenty-one such houses and lots, which represent his savings and show a degree of thrift which is in every way com- mendable. These pleasant homes bring him in an excellent return.

In 1864 Mr. Shewell enlisted for service in the Civil war, entering Company A, 50th P. V. I., and served until the close of the war, participating in the battles of Fort Steadman and Fort McGillery and taking part in the capture of Petersburg, Va. His record is that of a faithful, loyal soldier.

Perhaps, however, Mr. Shewell is better known to York county as a musician than in any other light, however honorable. There are few musical organizations in this section, especially of a band character, in which he has not in some way been interested or with which he has not been connected. Al- most all boys of the age of ten years are at- tracted by band music and many try to imitate the harmonious sounds of the different instru- ments, but there are few lads of that age who have sufficient natural ability and technical knowledge to be accepted as members of such an organization. Mr. Shewell was no older when he was made a member of a band and has been more or less connected with the work ever since. For forty years he has been a band leader and as such, and as a thorough musician, has a reputation second to none in the State. An organization which he formed some years since, composed entirely of boys of tender years, is easily recalled. So thoroughly did he drill them in the use of their various instru- ments that the boy band gained a wide repu- tation and was in great demand as a drawing card at entertainments of various kinds all over the State. With his boy band he frequently appeared at picnics and similar entertainments.

Jesse Shewell was educated in the common schools of Shrewsbury and worked on his father's farm until twenty-one years of age. He then rented land which he worked for about Mr. Shewell was married in 1877 to Eliza- beth Snyder, and they had six children : How- ard, Edward, Clarence, Alice. Stella, and one child that died in infancy. The mother died. and in 1894 Mr. Shewell was married ( sec- ond) to Agnes Stanford. They had two chil- ten years. Mr. Shewell also worked in a brick- yard and at other employments for a few years, and then learned the carpenter trade. This knowledge made him acceptable as an em- ployee of a large industrial company, the Glen Manufacturing Company, and he worked as a dren, viz .: Mabel, and one that died in in-

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fancy. In 1901 Mr. Shewell was married ( third) to Mary Brooks, a most estimable lady, who still survives.

While not taking a very active part in polit- ical matters, Mr. Shewell has always been will- ing to accept the duties of citizenship and has most acceptably served several sessions in the Glen Rock council and has been the township tax collector. He belongs to the Junior Order of American Mechanics. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and a generous suppor- ter of its Christian work.

AMBROSE B. STRICKLER is manager of the sales department of the York Manufact- uring Company, York, and the phenomenal growth of its business in the last eight years is largely due to his wise superintendence.

Early in the eighteenth century the Amer- ican ancestors of the Strickler family came to this country from Switzerland, where their Mennonite faith made them obnoxious. Grand- father Jacob Strickler was a farmer near Chambersburg, Pa., and his son, Henry B., is treasurer of the Frick Manufacturing Com- pany at Waynesboro, Pa. Henry B. Strickler married Fianna Hershey, daughter of Christian Hershey, a farmer of Dauphin county, Pa. Their three children were: Emerson, chemical engineer of the General Chemical Company of New York City; Fanny, wife of Charles Quereau, sperintendent of the New York Central railroad shops at Albany; and Am- brose B.

Ambrose B. Strickler was born Sept. 29, 1872, and was educated in Lehigh University, where he spent three and a half years in the department of mechanical engineering. His first position was with the Frick Company, at Waynesboro, where he attended to the erec- tion of machinery, and was connected with the sales department. After two years with that company he came to York, and entered the em- ploy of the York Manufacturing Company. At the same time ( 1897) Thomas Shipley, the present general manager, assumed the business, and its growth has since been remarkable. Mr. Strickler has held the position of manager of the sales department from his first connection with the concern, and some idea of its responsi- bility and importance may be gathered from the knowledge that the products of this great industry find their way to all countries of the world.

Mr. Strickler is a Republican in politics. Socially he belongs to the Country Club and to the Lafayette Club, and in these societies, and wherever he is known, is generally well liked.

EMANUEL SHEPP, a prominent rail- road man of York Haven Borough, who has been identified with the Northern Central rail- road system for a number of years, beginning with this company as a day laborer and ad- vancing himself until he now holds the respon- sible position of foreman of Division 141/2, which covers three miles of track, was born in 1863 in East Manchester township, son of Al- exander and Catherine (Knaub) Shepp.

John Shepp, the grandfather of Emanuel, was born in East Manchester township, near Starview, where he followed farming and conducted a hotel for a number of years, later removing to Springetsbury township, near Stony Brook, where he followed farming un- til his death.

Alexander Shepp was born in 1831, in East Manchester township, where he received a common-school education and for a time was a day laborer. He then went to farming, and for thirteen years conducted a saw mill, also engaging in the quarrying of stone. In 1855 he married Catherine Knaub, who was born in Newberry township, daughter of Daniel Knaub; she died in 1897. His death oc- curred in 1902, and both are interred at Pleasureville, Springetsbury township. Their children were: George C., living at Balti- more; Amanda, who married John Cousler, and resides in North York borough; Sarah, who died Jan. 22, 1891, the wife of John W. Staley; John E., who died Jan. 20, 1864, aged six days ; Emanuel; Catherine, who died March 10, 1880, and is buried at Pleasureville, Springetsbury township; Daniel, who lives at No. 641 Wallace street, York; Albert, liv- ing on Philadelphia street, York; Lillie, who died at the age of six years, March 10, 1880.

Emanuel Shepp attended the public schools of his native place until about eighteen years of age, and assisted his father until the age of twenty-two. On April 1, 1885, he engaged with the N. C. railroad as a day laborer on sub-division No. 13, and on Feb. 1, 1890, was advanced to assistant foreman, a position he held until February, 1893, when he was pro- moted to the position of foreman of Division

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No. 1412. Mr. Shepp resides at York Haven, and died in Erie county, N. Y .; Jacob married and has about three miles of track to take care Catherine Bear, and died in this township; of, which he does very efficiently.

Hidlebaugh, daughter of Zacharias and

Rudolph is mentioned below; Abraham mar- In 1884 Mr. Shepp married Annie E. ried a Miss Snyder and died in Erie Co., N. Y. Peter Good took for his second wife Bar- bara Treigler, and two children were born to them, both of whom died in infancy. Mr. Good and his wives were buried in the private burying ground on the farm.

Louisa (Landis) Hidlebaugh, and the children born to this union were: Oscar, born May 9, 1885, is freight clerk at York, and a stock- holder in the York Haven Canning Factory ; George A., born Jan. 14, 1891, a very bright young man, is attending school.

In politics Mr. Shepp is a Republican, and has been called upon by his fellow citizens to hold many positions of honor and trust, and in every case has served with honor to himself and to the satisfaction of the community of which he is so useful a citizen. He has held the offices of councilman, school director, borough clerk, chief burgess of York Haven borough, and lesser incumbencies. He has connected himself with the United Brethren Church, of which is a very valued member. He has been class leader for four years; Sun- day-school superintendent for five years; trus- tee for ten years, and trustee of the parsonage eight years. Mr. Shepp possesses settled con- victions concerning personal and political in- tegrity, a manly dignity of character, an hon- esty of purpose and a feeling of public spirit which does credit to a representative of one of York county's old families.

ELIAS GOOD, one of the highly re- spected, retired farmers of Manchester town- ship, was born on the old homestead in Man- chester township, in 1828, son of Rudolph and Elizabeth (Engle) Good.

John Good, the great-grandfather of Elias, was born in Lancaster county, where he fol- lowed farming. On Aug. 9, 1750, he bought a large farm of 284 acres in Manchester town- ship, York county, but did not move from the place of his nativity. He died in Martic town- ship, Lancaster county, where he was buried.

Peter Good, grandfather of our subject, was born in Lancaster county, and also fol- lowed farming, removing to York county sometime between 1780 and 1785. Here he married Susan Stehman, of Lancaster county, and they had these children: John married a Miss Keller, and died in this township; Henry, married Elizabeth Strickler, and died in Man- chester township; Peter married a Miss Leib,

Rudolph Good was born on the old farm in Manchester township, and at his father's death became manager of the home farm, where he followed farming all of his life, his death oc- curring in 1869. Mr. Good married Elizabeth: Engle, daughter of Jacob Engle, and a mem- ber of a very large family. She died in this township on the old farm, and is buried beside her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Good were Dunk- ards, he having been connected with the church since very young manhood. Mr. Good was much missed in the community, but the influ- ence of his good and kindly life remains. The children born to Mr. Good and his wife were: Jacob died young; Mattie died single in this township; Elias; Susan married Elias Hake, who died in Fairview township, York county : and David married Susan Ginter, and is liv- ing at Manchester borough.

Elias Good attended the township schools until he was twenty years of age, assisting his father on the farm. In 1852 he married Louisa Bear, daughter of George and Sarah (Smyser) Bear of Spring Garden townsh.n. and they located at the home farm for four years. He then bought a part of the old home farm, consisting of fifty-five acres, and in 1857 built a fine house and good, substantial barn, and continued to work his farm until 1902, when he retired from active life. Mrs. Good died in April, 1865, and is buried at the home graveyard. These children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Good : Adeline married Albert Hake, a florist of Manchester borough; Aman- da married Andrew Hake, and died in Fair- view township; and Anna married Augustus Hake, and resides in York. Mr. Good's sec- ond marriage was to Susie Musser, daughter of Benjamin H. and Elizabeth ( Rupley) Mus- ser.

Mr. Good is a consistent member of the Brothers in Christ Church, of which he is an active worker. Mr. Good's place is one of the finest appearing farms in the township,

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of which its fortunate owner is credited with business since 1890, and has been successful being one of the leading capitalists. He is a in his efforts to build up a paying trade among reliable man and upright citizen, and is held the residents of his section. in very high esteem.

GEORGE F. TROUT, one of the promi- nent and leading citizens of Hopewell town- ship, York county, influential alike in its po- litical, business and social circles, is at present engaged in the general merchandise business at Stewartstown, conducting one of the largest patronized stores of the vicinity. He was born in Hopewell township Sept. 10, 1865, son of Adam H. and Agnes ( Anderson) Trout.

Adam Trout, grandfather of George F., was a farmer of Hopewell township, and a member of the United Brethren Church. He had these children : William; Adam H .; John; Gamill; David; Sarah, who married Jacob Fisher; Amanda, who married Wallie Mit- chell; Mary, who married Bud Davis; Betsey A., who married Jacob Grove; and Emmaline, who married Emanuel Kooler.

John Anderson, maternal grandfather of George F. Trout, was also a farmer of Hope- well township, and held several township offices. In religion he was a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church. These children were born to him: Dock; William; Agnes, Mrs. Trout; Gussie, who married Jacob Grove; Elizabeth, who married Dr. Grove; Mar- garet, who married Charles Seachrist; and Amanda, who married Adam E. Austin.

Adam H. Trout followed farming all his life in Hopewell township. To him and his wife the following children were born: Nel- son; George F .; Ellie, who married Robert Roop, of Baltimore; A. W .; Lelis C .; William; Purd and Charles.

George F. Trout received his education in the public schools of Hopewell township, and worked on a farm until twenty-five years of age, when he established the general mercan- tile business in which he is now engaged in Stewartstown. His store is 30x60 feet, three stories high, and is well stocked with general merchandise, dry goods, groceries, hardware, notions, and a general line of all kinds of goods calculated to supply the trade. In conjunction with his general merchandise store, Mr. Trout owns and operates a bakery and ice cream 'fac- tory, in which business he deals wholesale as well as retail. He has been engaged in his

In 1891 Mr. Trout married Annie Roop, daughter of Jacob Roop, of Maryland, and two children have been born to them, Allen and Hilda. Fraternally Mr. Trout is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias ; is a charter mem- ber of Pen Mar Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Stew- artstown; Shrewsbury Lodge, No. 423, A. F. & A. M., and Howell Chapter and Gethsemane Commandery of York; and Zembo Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Harrisburg, Pa. He also belongs to the I. O. H., and carries insurance in the Penn Mutual Life of Philadelphia, and the Northwestern of Milwaukee, Wis. In religion he is a devout member and liberal sup- porter of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which is a trustee. In politics Mr. Trout is a stanch Democrat, and has been a delegate to the Democratic County convention several times. He has been treasurer of the school board for a number of years, and is now serv- ing his ninth year as school director. Mr. Trout is one of the enterprising citizens of Stewartstown, and is well known all over the county for his energy and ability, and he is justly considered one of the representative men of this section.

HARRY H. HAWKINS, postmaster of , Spring Forge Postoffice, at Spring Grove, York county, is one of the representative men of his town, and a native of Spring Grove, where he was born June 15, 1870, son of Isaac J. Hawkins. The latter was born in Spring Grove, Lancaster county, Dec. 18, 1831, son of John Hawkins, a native of that county, who for many years lived at Spring Grove; there he married Elizabeth Campbell, a most estima- ble lady.

Isaac J. Hawkins was a papermaker and after some years' residence at Spring Grove, Lancaster county, removed to a place by the same name in York county, where he was employed in the paper mill owned by P. H. Glatfelter. The mother of our subject, who is still living, was Lucetta Fultz, daughter of John and Nancy ( Myers) Fultz, and she was born at Spring Grove, York county. Six children, all still living, were born to the union of the parents of our subject : Ellen, wife of Henry Smith; James E., a machine tender at

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BIOGRAPHICAL

the paper mill; Charles, an electrician ; George F., also an electrician; Harry H .; and Min- nie K., at home.

Harry H. Hawkins first attended the pub- lic schools of Spring Grove, and then entered York County Academy, at York, where he en- joyed the privilege of several terms' tuition. Leaving school he learned the trade of cigar making with Sprenkel & Koutz, of Spring Grove, and remained with this house for a period of ten years. In January, 1902, he was honored by appointment to the office of post- master for a term of four years. Since taking charge of the office, he has proved himself worthy of confidence, and is a painstaking, effi- cient and obliging official. Fraternally he is a member of the Mystic Chain, and of the Order of United American Mechanics, as well as of the Friendship Hose Co., No. I. He is a mem- ber of St. Paul's Lutheran Church at Spring Grove and an active worker in the Y. M. C. A., being on the Physical Committee of that organ- ization. Enterprisin, progressive, a good Re- publican, and honorable citizen, Mr. Hawkins both as a public official and as a private indi- vidual, has won and retains the respect and es- teem of all with whom he is brought into con- tact.

JAMES H. SCHALL, treasurer of the Keystone Farm Machine Company, York, Pa., was born in that city, son of the late Michael Schall, a well known and influ- ential citizen. After duly availing himself of the privileges of the York County Academy our subject continued his studies in the Chel- tenham Military Academy, at Ogontz, Pa., and the Bryant & Stratton Business College, Philadelphia. After completing his school work he was for a time employed as book- keeper in his native city, after which he as- sumed the position of secretary and treasurer of the People's Electric Light Company of York, this being the first company of the sort organized in the city. After retaining this po- sition three or more years Mr. Schall became private secretary to his father, and later he en- gaged in the manufacturing of confectionery, to which line of enterprise he gave his atten- tion for several years. In 1895 he engaged in the insurance-brokerage business in his home city, and in that line he continued operations for the ensuing three years. Being thus oc- cupied at the time of the outbreak of the Span-

ish-American war, he forthwith manifested his intrinsic patriotism, being mustered in as a private in the 8th P. V. I., and proceeded with his command to the front. He was made a second lieutenant of Company A, in which capacity he served eleven months, or until the close of the war, when he received his honor- able discharge.

Upon his return home Mr. Schall was ap- pointed local representative in York for the Underwriters' Association of the Middle De- partment of Pennsylvania, embracing Adams and York counties, for which organization he has been the official stamp clerk, an office in which he has well maintained his popularity among the insurance agents within his juris- diction, while gaining the unqualified com- mendation of the underwriters. In addition to performing the responsible duties of this posi- tion, Mr. Schall is treasurer and was for some months (after the death of the former man- ager) acting manager of the Keystone Farm Machine Company, representing one of the most important industrial enterprises of York. He is a wide-awake and progressive young business man and is held in high regard in both the business and social circles of his home city. In politics Mr. Schall gives his allegiance to the Republican party, and his religious faith is that of the Protestant Epsicopal Church ; he is a communicant of St. John's Church, and he has been a member of its vestry for several years past.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 119

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