History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 12

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

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In addition to the above sketch, it is fitting to pay a deserved tribute to Edward W. Span- gler as a lawyer, journalist, author, soldier and private citizen.

Besides the "Spangler Annals," with local historical sketches (pp. 700), of which he is the author and publisher, and which is every- where acknowledged to have been the most valuable local historical publication ever issued in York county, Mr. Spangler is the author of a well-printed, profusely illustrated and ex- ceedingly interesting book entitled "My Little War Experience, with Historical Sketches and Memorabilia." The book not only gives a modest recital of the experiences of Mr.

of age and weighing ninety-two pounds, as a private in Company K, 130th P. V. I., but gives glimpses of Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chan- cellorsville, and analyzes the causes of the Civil war, and gives the genesis of the war. All that appears in the 270 pages of this very in- teresting volume appeared in serial stories which were published in the York Daily, and so generous was the reception of these articles that Mr. Spangler felt impelled to publish them in book form. It is a book that ought to find a place in every home in York county.

After a journalistic career of twenty-two years, during all of which, however, he was primarily devoted to the practice of his honored legal profession-he is a hale, hardy man, en- dowed with a fine physique and strong men- tality, devoting himself to his profession and to his business affairs, of which he has many. While he will be long remembered as lawyer and journalist, the tokens by which he will be known for the longest time will be his two books-"The Spangler Annals," and "My Little War Experience," both of which have elicited highly complimentary notices and re- views from the press of the Eastern States.

["W. K."]

JOHN S. HIESTAND, a prominent farmer and fruit grower, and leading citizen of Springetsbury township, was born at the Hiestand homestead, three miles east of York, May 8, 1837. He obtained his education in the private schools near his home and at the York County Academy. He spent the early years of his life on his father's farm and at the "Hiestand Hotel," one of the most popular hostelries in southern Pennsylvania. In 1870 Mr. Hiestand moved to the large brick man- sion built by his grandfather, Abraham Hie- stand, in the year '1828. He has since devoted most of his time to the cultivation of his fertile and productive farm. This valuable land has been owned by himself and ancestors for nearly a century. It is situated in the heart of the great York valley, known far and wide for its rich alluvial soil and the growth of abundant crops. About twenty years ago Mr. Hiestand began to devote his attention to fruit culture. On his farm he has one of the finest and most productive orchards in the county of York. He owns a large apple orchard containing several hundred trees, which yearly bear abundant

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

crops of the famous York Imperial and other varieties of apples. He has raised as many as 3,000 bushels of apples in one year, growing the largest crop-of 3,200 bushels-in the year 1899.

Soon after he attained his majority Mr. Hiestand became active in Democratic politics. From 1857 to 1900 he was a prominent figure in the county Democratic conventions, which on numerous occasions he served as the presid- ing officer. He has several times been a dele- gate for his party to the State conventions. In the fall of 1877 he was the nominee on the Democratic ticket for the office of register of wills, and owing to his personal popularity he received the highest vote on the ticket. He served in this office with ability and credit from January, 1878, to January, 1881. Mr. Hie- stand held a position in the United States Revenue service at York for a period of five years. Since his retirement from this posi- tion he has devoted his entire attention to agricultural pursuits, enjoying the compan- ionship of a large circle of friends in his de- lightful rural retreat. He has always been in- terested in public education and served for nineteen years as a school director in the town- ship where he resides.

On Nov. 17, 1857, Mr. Hiestand was mar- ried to Annie M. Oldweiler, daughter of Philip and Mary (Gish) Oldweiler. They have two children : T. B. G. Hiestand, a prominent citi- zen of York, and Katie, married to Elmer E. Frey, coal merchant of York. T. B. G. Hie- stand and his wife have two children, namely: John Fallon and Frances Mary. Elmer E. Frey and wife have also two children, namely : S. Hiestand Frey and Helen L.

Jacob Hiestand, the first American ances- tor of John S. Hiestand, came to this country with his brother, Johannes Hiestand, in Octo- ber, 1727. They originally lived in Switzer- land, belonging to the Swiss Mennonites. William Penn had made a visit to this region and invited the Mennonites to settle in his province. This invitation brought to Penn- sylvania Jacob and Johannes Hiestand, the ancestors of the Hiestand family in America. Jacob Hiestand took up a large tract of land near the present site of Salunga, between Lan- caster and Mount Joy. One of his sons, Abra- ham, married Barbara Landing, April 10, 1764. Their children were: Johannes, born Nov. 27, 1766; Annie, Nov. 29, 1768, and Abraham, Nov. 16, 1771.

stand was a farmer by occupation and died at the age of thirty-three, one year after his son Abraham was born.

Abraham Hiestand, grandfather of John S. Hiestand, grew to manhood at the Hiestand homestead near Salunga, and in 1792, at the age of twenty-one, moved to York county, and settled in Heidelberg township, near Menges Mills. In 1793 he was married to Ann Fitz, of Hellam township, near the site of Wrights- ville. He followed the occupation of distill- ing and farming from the time he was mar- ried until 1813, when he purchased the Beard property in Spring Garden township, along the Wrightsville turnpike, afterward known as the "Hiestand Hotel." In 1816 he en- larged the building to its present dimensions, 50x80 feet, then the largest stone house in York county. He continued the business of farming and distilling and also owned and conducted the "Hiestand Hotel," which was a prominent stopping place for wagoners before railroads were built. He owned teams and conveyed his whiskey to Baltimore, and return- ed with merchandise. Mr. Hiestand traveled extensively, and on one occasion went on horseback from his home to visit Niagara Falls. He was a man of spirit and enterprise, honest and industrious, a thrifty agriculturist, and by adding commercial enterprise and industry to the cultivation of his large farms he in a few years accumulated what at that day was con- sidered a handsome fortune. By his first mar- riage with Ann Fitz, he had the following chil- dren : John, Abraham F., William F., Baltzer, Elizabeth, Nancy, Susan and Sarah. Abra- ham F. was a farmer in Springetsbury town- ship and married Leah Longenecker; their chil- dren were: John, Catherine, Sarah, Christian, Susan, Amanda, Alice, Abraham, Jacob and William. William F. married Rebecca Doll, and had the following children: Herbert, Annie, Mary, Frank, Maggie and Burd. Baltzer died unmarried, at the age of twenty. Elizabeth married Dr. Francis Koch; she died young, leaving one child, who became the wife of Vincent K. Keesey. Nancy became the sec- ond wife of Dr. Francis Koch, and had the fol- lowing children: Dr. Francis A. H., late of Hanover; William, jeweler; Edward, jeweler, and major of the 5th Maryland Regiment in the Civil war; Catherine, married to William Schley, of Baltimore; Mary, married to Thomas H. Belt, of York; and Henrietta, who

Abraham Hie- died unmarried. Susan married Dr. Jacob

BIOGRAPHICAL

Glatz, of Marietta, and had four children: C. N. Matthews, of Baltimore, and they had Keesey, who died in California; Margaret, nine children, six of whom are living: John W., Annie E., Francine, Tillie, Frank and Nowland. wife of D. Wagner Barnitz, and later wife of Colonel Matthews, of Baltimore; A. Hiestand, member of State Senate and adjutant-general of the Pennsylvania militia ; and Thomas Burd, who died young. Sarah married John Wilson, of Hellam township.

Abraham Hiestand's first wife died in the year 1824. In 1826 he married Mrs. Susan Myers, of Hanover, who after the death of her husband resided at the Hiestand home, in Springetsbury township, until her death, June 23, 1865, at the age of eighty-five years.

John Hiestand, the oldest son of Abraham Hiestand and his wife Ann Fitz, was born in April, 1797, in Heidelberg township, and grew to manhood on his father's farm. In 1822 he married Elizabeth Sultzbach, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Bowers) Sultzbach, of Hellam township. After his father moved to Spring Garden township John Hiestand con- tinued the business of farming and distilling at the home owned by his father in Heidelberg township, until the year 1830. He then moved to Spring Garden and took charge of the "Hie- stand Hotel," which he conducted for nearly forty years. Besides conducting the hotel bus- iness with success, John Hiestand was a prominent farmer and distiller at his home in Spring Garden township. He was active in Democratic politics and in 1836, when Van Buren was candidate for President of the United States, he purchased a large silk ban- ner, which he carried at the head of the Spring Garden delegation in political parades in Lan- caster and elsewhere, during the campaign. In 1906 this historic banner was presented by his son, John S. Hiestand, to the Historical So- ciety of York County.

Mrs. Hiestand was born Aug. 2, 1805, and died Feb. 15, 1897, aged ninety-one years. For a period of seventy-five years she was a member of the Reformed Congregation at Kreutz Creek. The children of. John and Elizabeth Hiestand were: Abraham S., Henry A., Annie and John S. Abraham S. was born Dec. 1, 1824, married Annie Detweiler, of Wrightsville, and died Oct. 10, 1882 ; they had four children : Sarah, Lillie, Mary and Joseph D. Henry A. was born May 29, 1826, mar- ried Susan Loucks, of Spring Garden, and had four children : Elizabeth, Harry B., Emma and Alfred. Annie was born Dec. II, 1828, and died July 17, 1882 ; she. was married to Alfred

GEORGE JACOB LAFEAN, member of the firm of Lafean Brothers, manufacturers of candy and confectionery, was born at York, Jan. 25, 1869, son of Charles F. and Charlotte (Kottcamp) Lafean. He obtained his educa- tion in the public schools and then entered the office of his father, a prominent coal dealer and active in the business affairs of York. After remaining in this position one year he was as- signed to duty as a clerk in the wholesale con- fectionery store of Peter C. Wiest. Here Mr. Lafean at once made himself useful because he was attentive and alert, and after serving two years as an employee he purchased, in company with his brother, Charles F. Lafean, the entire wholesale interests of P. C. Wiest, then con- ducting business at No. 25 North George street. John R. Lafean became a part of the firm of Lafean Brothers in 1889, when they enlarged their business and began the manufac- ture of candies on College avenue, along the Northern Central railroad. Later they moved their factory to a building in Clark alley, to the rear of their wholesale establishment. Dur- ing the past sixteen years the Lafean Brothers have done an extensive manufacturing and wholesale business throughout Pennsylvania and adjoining States. The members of the firm being energetic and intelligent young men, the business has grown and developed until the Lafean Brothers are widely known to the trade throughout the country. Within recent years the candy business has been continually on the increase and the Lafean Brothers have taken advantage of every opportunity afforded to the trade in this country. They are enter- prising and progressive in all their methods, and thus have become prominent and influential in the manufacturing interests of York.

In 1901 G. Jacob Lafean, with his brother, Charles F. Lafean, established the Lafean Pa- per Company. In 1903 this company was in- corporated, with Charles F. Lafean, president, George Jacob Lafean, secretary and treasurer, and John R. Lafean, director. The capital stock was $50,000. They engaged in the man- ufacture of roofing and building paper, and the annual product has been increased to 2,500. tons, sold throughout the United States, Can- ada and South America. In 1906 G. Jacob

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Lafean disposed of his interests in the Lafean Paper Company for the purpose of devoting his entire time and attention to the wholesale department of the extensive business of Lafean Brothers, manufacturers and wholesale dealers in candies and confectionery.

Mr. Lafean is an ardent supporter of the policy and principles of the Republican party, has been active in politics, and has frequently represented the Fourth ward in city and county conventions. He is a member of Christ Lu- theran Church, and of the beneficial organiza- tion of the Knights of Malta. He resides in the Fourth ward with his mother and sister, on South Beaver street.

M. D. MARTIN, president of the Martin Carriage Works, and also president of the Guardian Trust Company, of York, is a con- spicnous figure in the manufacturing and finan- cial life of that place, and his life is a happy ill- ustration of what energy, industry, courage and honorable business methods may accom- plish.

Mr. Martin's ancestors came from Ger- many in the latter part of the seventeenth cen- tury. His grandfather, Jacob Martin, lived in Lower Windsor township, York county, and his father, Hiram Martin, a retired farmer, is living in York township.

M. D. Martin was born in York county, Nov. 23, 1859, was educated in the public schools, and worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-one years old. Soon afterward, posits amounting to almost $200,000.

in 1882, he established himself in the carriage business, originally as a member of the firm of H. Martin & Son. In 1888 the Martin Car- riage Works was established, and in 1896 was begun the erection of the present commodious works, which are among the finest in the United States. In 1900 a stock company was organized, capitalized at $300,000, and to-day this concern employs from 350 to 375 skilled workmen, and does a business of from $500,- 000 to $600,000 annually. Mr. Martin, the originator and promoter of the business, served as president of the company.

We have already traced the steps of Mr. Martin's progress from the time he began car- riage building, in 1882, as a member of the firm of H. Martin & Son; through the organ- ization of the Martin Carriage Works in 1888; and the organization of the present company June 1, 1900. The record of nearly unbroken

success may be credited almost entirely to Mr. Martin's superior management and judgment, and he deserves the many tributes of confidence and complimentary evidences of respect which he receives from his business associates and fellow citizens generally. The present im- mense establishment, completed in 1897, was built by him single-handed and alone. The works cover six acres, and the output in- cludes pleasure carriages, buggies, spring and delivery wagons, in fact all manner of vehicles known to modern carriage builders. Ship- ments are made not only to all parts of the United States, but to almost all civilized parts of the globe, the company having patrons in England, Germany, South Africa, Mexico, Au- stralia and the South American States. The capacity of the works is 20,000 vehicles per annum. The History of York County would indeed be incomplete without due mention of this great enterprise and the view ( See Volume I) of the works whose products have carried the name of York to so many distant climes, and which have been the means of distributing many thousands of dollars annually through the avenues of trade in the thriving city of York.

Mr. Martin was one of the promoters of the Guardian Trust Company, of York, which was organized June 1, 1903, with a capital of $250,000, M. D. Martin president. This com- pany is recognized as one of the foremost finan- cial institutions of York, and already has de-

Although the president of two such import- ant corporations, Mr. Martin finds time for much quiet enjoyment in his elegant home on East Market street. He is a most affable and kindly gentleman, remembering his own early struggles in attaining the enviable position he now occupies, and is ever ready to lend a helping hand to others.

The factory of THE MARTIN CARRIAGE WORKS is the largest carriage factory in the East. It is four stories high and has a floor space of fully six acres. It is complete in every detail and equipped with the best and la- test improved machinery. As to protection against fire the equipment is second to none. It is completely installed with automatic sprinklers and the buildings and lumber yards are encircled with water lines and hose houses. Two large steel tanks with a

m. D. Martin

BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF THE MARTIN CARRIAGE WORKS YORK, PENNSYLVANIA

9 1

MARTIN

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BIOGRAPHICAL

capacity of thirty thousand gallons of water connected with an Underwriter's pump with a capacity of seven hundred and fifty gallons of water a minute are installed on the premises with automatic adjustments for immediate ser- vice in case of fire. The factory is located on the W. M. R. R. and P. R. R. lines, has ample shipping facilities, and because of this advan- tageous location with a thirty-foot wide alley on the opposite side is afforded the very best possible light and ventilation. The absence of either one of these advantages would be detri- mental to good workmanship and injurious to the health of the employees.

The capacity of this plant is twenty thous- and vehicles annually, and its product is shipped to all parts of the world. The main part of this factory was erected in 1897. The total amount of the annual output is from five hundred to six hundred thousand dollars, and as an evidence of the popularity of the product of this factory at home the dealers and con- sumers in Pennsylvania alone buy annually one-fourth of the entire output.

In 1900 a stock company was organized, capitalized at three hundred thousand dollars. This concern now employs from three hundred and fifty to three hundred and seventy five workmen. The location of this factory is a natural output to the centers of trade and commerce, and is very well located for ship- ments abroad.

N. SARGENT ROSS, senior member of legal firm of Ross & Brenneman, and one of the most prominent members of the York county Bar, is a son of Rev. Joseph Alexander and Mary Jamison (Harvey) Ross, and was born in Northumberland, Northumberland county, May 3, 1858.

Mr. Ross's paternal ancestors came from Sco 'and to the United States, some time prior to e Revolution ; one of them, James H. Ross, Su ed as an officer in that war. After the close of the war for Independence, Mr. Ross, who had rendered that patriotic service, settled down as a civilian in Mifflin Co., Pa., where he became a man of influence and means. Law- yer Ross's progenitors on the maternal side were among the oldest and most notable settlers of Luzerne county, Pa. The Harveys are of English stock, Mr. Ross's grandfather, Ben- 5

jamin Harvey, of Harveyville, Luzerne coun- ty, having founded the place which bears his name, and having been prominent as a pros- perous farmer, mill owner and merchant. De- scendants of this family have occupied con- spicuous positions in the professional and busi- ness life of Luzerne county, and have been identified with many of its industrial enter- prises and material improvements and develop- ments. In religion the Rosses were Scotch Presbyterians, while the Harveys were affili- ated with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

One of the descendants of James H. Ross was the Rev. Joseph Alexander Ross, father of N. Sargent Ross. The former was born in McVeytown, Mifflin county, July 4, 1816, and spent his early years and received his elemen- tary education at that place. He subsequently studied theology and entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he labored faithfully and with signal success for many years. Shortly after his installation he was assigned to several churches successively in Pennsylvania and Maryland, and in 1860 and 1861, was pastor of the Beaver Street Methodist Church of York. A short time af- terward he removed to Carlisle, Cumberland county, and while pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church there he was appointed chap- lain in the Regular Army of the United States and remained in the federal service during the Civil war. After his retirement from the army in 1866, he again entered the itinerancy, filling various appointments in the Central Pennsylvania Conference of the M. E. Church. He continued active in the labors of the min- istry until about two years before his death, which occurred on his farm near East Water- ford, Juniata county, Feb. 14, 1888, after fifty years of active, consecrated service in the cause of Christianity. He was followed to his grave by a large concourse of people.

N. Sargent Ross was born in Northumber- land county, but removed from that place soon after, the father's place of residence changing from time to time, by the various assignments of the M. E. Church. He received an academic and collegiate education and subsequently read law in the office of Judge Jeremiah Lyons of Mifflintown, and was admitted to the Bar of Juniata county in 1882, and later. on October 4th, of the same year, was admitted to prac-

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

tice in the courts of York county. He moved for the York district during several terms, and from Mifflintown in March, 1883, to become a was president of York County National Bank resident of York. Subsequent to his removal of York for a number of years prior to his to York he went into the office of Edward W. death in 1881. His mother was a daughter Spangler, and has occupied offices with Mr. of Michael Smyser and a descendant of Michael Smyser, a colonel in the American army dur- ing the war of the Revolution. Spangler ever since. His present alliance with H. C. Brenneman was formed under the firm name of Ross & Brenneman in 1896.

On April 12, 1890, Mr. Ross was united in marriage with Miss Sue W. Sanks, daughter of Rev. James Sanks, of York. To this union was born one child : Ruth C., who died July 12, 1892.

In the political field, Mr. Ross has always been an active Republican. In 1885 he was elected a delegate to the Republican State con- vention, and in 1892 he was made the nominee of his party for its representative in Congress from the Nineteenth Congressional district. The traditional Democratic majority was large and immobile, and he was consequently de- feated by the Hon. F. E. Beltzhoover, late Democratic representative from Carlisle, Cum- berland county. While devoting his best time to his professional business, Mr. Ross has been of the York Water Company for many years. interested in a number of business enterprises. He is a director of the City Bank of York ; has various minor business interests, and has al- ways manifested a commendable degree of ac- tivity in the public welfare, material progress and moral improvement of his adopted city. He is a member of Harmonia Lodge, I. O. O. F .; a charter member of Crystal Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and of York Lodge, B. P. O. Elks; and also belongs to Codoris Council, Jr. O. U. A. M., York Conclave, I. O. H., and the K. O. T. M. He is also a prominent Mason, being past master of York Lodge. No. 266, Free and Accepted Masons ; past high priest of Howell Chapter, No. 199, Royal Arch Masons ; past eminent commander of Geth- semane Commandery, No. 75, Knights Tem- plar ; and a member of Lulu Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Philadelphia, of which he is at present one of the directors.

SMYSER WILLIAMS, a son of David F. Williams and Anna Margaret (Smyser) Williams, was born in the city of York, Pa. His father, a newspaper publisher and editor. was United States collector of internal revenue

Mr. Williams began his education at the York County Academy and graduated from the York high school in the class of 1873. He subsequently entered Amherst College, but did not remain until the end of the course. He studied law with Hon. Thomas E. Cochran and William Hay, Esq., and was admitted to the Bar of York county, Pa., on Sept. 15, 1879. In 1883 he formed a partnership with Richard E. Cochran, Esq., under the name of Cochran & Williams, in existence at the present time (1906). He was a referee in bankruptcy from 1898 to 1901.

Mr. Williams has been vice-president of the York Trust Company since its incorpora- tion in 1890, and has been a director in the York National Bank of York and Secretary

Mr. Williams married Henrietta C. Hersh, a daughter of the late G. Edward Hersh, who during a long and successful career was prom- inently identified with the business life of York. Their two children are Henry Cuthbert Will- iams and Eleanor Hamilton Williams.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 12

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