History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 120

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

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Mr. Schall belongs to the Masonic frater- nity, is secretary of the Country and Lafayette clubs ; and in all his relations-church, social. etc .- is greatly esteemed for his pleasant per- sonality and his integrity in all the affairs of life.

CORNELIUS PRALL, for many years a prosperous farmer in Hopewell township, and one of the prominent citizens of that section. is a native of the region, born on a farm now owned by his brother David, the date of his birth being Jan. 24, 1838. He is a son of Asher G. and Mary (Trout) Prall, of Hope- well township.

Asher G. Prall died May 30. 1890, aged eighty-two years, and his wife died in 1889. aged eighty-nine years. They were faithful workers of the Zion Methodist U. P. Church. Their children were: John Wesley, who died at the age of seven years; one that died in in-

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

fancy unnamed: Cornelius, mentioned below; F., was born in York county, near Windsor David, who married Margaret Enfield, and has seven children, Mary, Elizabeth E., Carrie, Wesley, Elmer, Bertha and David; and Mary Jane, who is her brother Cornelius' house- keeper, and who is an active member of the Zion Methodist U. P. Church, which she has attended from childhood.

When Cornelius Prall was eight or ten years old his father moved from the farm where the boy was born to the one which is now the property of the latter. There he grew to manhood, attending school until he of Jeremiah and Friederica ( Reincker) Hilde- was twenty years old. He was noted as one of the best scholars of that region, being natur- ally fond of study, and especially bright in mathematics, and he was fully qualified to teach. After leaving school Mr. Prall worked for his father until 1862, after which he spent seven years working for various farmers in the township. After his brother David mar- ried, Cornelius Prall returned home and took charge of the place until his father's death, working it on shares. When Asher G. Prall died, he bequeathed the farm to Cornelius, who has ever since resided there. In 1902, how- ever, he gave up active participation in the farm work, and made arangements to have the place operated for him.

Mr. Prall has never married. In politics he is a strong Democrat, while his religious views are those of the Presbyterian faith, in which he was reared.

HENRY F. KOHLER, manufacturer of cigars at Nashville, Pa., is one of the enterpris- ing business men and public-spirited citizens of his locality. He was born July 17, 1863, in York county, near Kohler's Mill, an old buhr- mill. which is located on the Little Codorus, son of Jacob and Lydia ( Husson ) Kohler.

(I) Baltzer Kohler was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and a man of some promi- nence in his locality.

(II) Jacob Kohler was born in York county, and engaged in farming. In politics he was a Democrat, and he served as commis- sioner of York county. In religions faith he was a Lutheran. His wife's maiden name was Seachrist, and they had the following chil- dren : George; Catherine; Jacob, a farmer and miller; Mary, John; Adam; Eli; and Charles.

(III) Jacob Kohler (2), father of Henry

Station, in April, 1837. He was a farmer, miller and carpenter, and followed all these vocations until his retirement. His wife, Lydia, was born in 1840, daughter of Frank Husson. Fivechildren were born to Jacob and Lydia Kohler: Ada; Wesley, of Dal- lastown: Jacob, of Seven Valley; Sedon, at Jacobus, York county, a cigar manufacturer ; and Henry F. The mother of these died in 1870, and Jacob Kohler married ( second ) Miss Ellen Hildebrand, of York county, daughter brand, and sister of Ida, Amy, Lizzie and Susan. By this second marriage children were born as follows: Wilbur J., who was educated at the York Academy and, later, at the West- chester State Normal School, and is now a minister of the Reformed Church ; Gordon E .; Paul E .; Ella F., wife of Robert Beockel ; and Charles H., a cigarmaker.

(IV) Henry F. Kohler received a good common-school education at the Kohler schoolhouse, and later went to the Jacobus schoolhouse, in Springfield township, leaving school in his eighteenth year. At that time he began to learn the trade of cigarmaking with Miller & Williams, at Jacobus, and when he had completed his course traveled as salesman. In September, 1889, he embarked in his busi- ness at Jacobus, where he continued nine years, when he sold the factory to G. A. Kohler, who has continued it. He then superintended the cigar factory of Bear Sprenkle Co., at West Manchester, about four years. In March, 1901, Mr. Kohler located at Nashville, opening a factory, and he engaged extensively in manu- facturing cigars, giving employment to from ninety to one hundred persons. The product of his factory is sold principally through the western states, and the cigars are noted for their superior quality. His special brands are 144. Happy Jim, William T. Hall, Spinoza, Andrew Johnson, Benjamin Chew, Judge Shepherd, Home Run. George Stevenson and Heroic.

On Oct. 30, 1888, Mr. Kohler married Miss Isabel Shaffer, of Glen Rock, York Co., Pa., daughter of Edward and Ellen ( Eppley) Shaf- fer. Four children were born to them: Clar- ence E. : Norman V .; Carl K .: and Horace Ellwood. In politics Mr. Kohler is a Demo- crat, and takes an active part in local, county and State politics. He, his wife and two sons

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are consistent members of St. Paul's Evangel- he is a strong upholder of party principles ical Lutheran Church at Spring Grove. So- without being in any sense a politician. His cially he belongs to the Knights of Malta. He fraternal relations are with the Masonic Blue is a thorough man of business, successful, en- Lodge, the B. P. O. E., the Royal Arcanum, the Mystic Circle and the Knights of Pythias. terprising, and one who commands the unqual- ified respect and esteem of all who know him.

JOHN H. DECHERT, general agent at York, Pa., for the Equitable Life Insurance Company, is one of the most prominent and successful men in his line in the city. He was born Dec. 31, 1863, at Chambersburg, Pa., son of J. L. and Helen (Seiders) Dechert. Daniel Dechert, the paternal grandfather, was a hat manufacturer in Franklin county, a man well known and held in high esteem.

John H. Dechert was educated in the pub- lic schools of Chambersburg. He made his en- trance into business in the capacity of book- keeper for a fancy grocery house of Philadel- phia, where he remained three years, and then became owner of a men's outfitting house at Chambersburg. There he remained fifteen years. In 1901 he became agent for the Equit- able Life Insurance Company at Chambers- burg, and in 1902 he was made general agent, still remaining at Chambersburg. In March, 1904, he came to York, opening up an office in Room 12, in the Wiest building, on West Mar- ket street. He occupies a very responsible po- sition in the interests of the great corporation by which he is engaged, his territory, formerly known as the Southern Pennsylvania agency, embracing ten counties. The Southern Penn- sylvania Agency has since been merged with the Pittsburg agency, and is now known as the Pittsburg Agency.

On Jan. 17, 1900, Mr. Dechert was mar- ried to Katherine Price, daughter of John E. Price, a large dealer in hardware and agri- cultural implements at Frederick, Md. Que son was born to this union, Howard Price. The family belongs to the Episcopal Church.

In politics Mr. Dechert is a Republican and

MICHAEL S. SIPE, a prominent citizen of Springetsbury township, who follows the carpenter's trade in the village of Pleasure- ville, was born Sept. 8, 1849, in Pleasureville, son of George and Mary ( Smeltzer) Sipe.

Jacob Sipe, grandfather of Michael S., was a laborer. He married Elizabeth Knaub, and had these children: George, Michael, Cath- erine, Matthew, Eliza, Sarah and Mary.

George Sipe was born in Spring Garden J. L. Dechert, father of John H., is still a insurance line. He married Helen Seiders, daughter of John Seiders, who was born in Germany, and died in 1886, at the age of ninety-five years. Mrs. Dechert, our subject's mother, died in 1900, aged sixty-two years. Her three children were Maud, wife of Morris E. Eyler, a druggist of Baltimore; Helen I., at home; and John H., of York. township, and early in life was a shoemaker, resident of Chambersburg, engaged in the fire but later engaged in carpentering. He died in 1900 at the age of sixty-one years. He mar- ried Mary Smeltzer, who was born in Cones- toga, and died about 1890. Mr. Sipe was a Republican in politics, and he and his family were members of the Mt. Zion Lutheran Church. The children born to George and Mary Sipe were: John, who resides in Wind- sor Park, York county, where he follows the trade of carpenter; Michael S .; Martin, a carpenter of Windsor Park; and Albert E., who died at the age of six years.

Michael S. Sipe was reared in Pleasure- ville, and under his father learned the carpen- ter's trade. Although Mr. Sipe has given most of his time to carpentering he is a natural me- chanic, and can execute work at the tinner's of gunsmith's bench equally as well as at his chosen calling. He has also done consid- erable watch and clock repairing. In politics Mr. Sipe is a Republican, but has never as- pired to public office. Fraternally he is affili- ated with the Mystic Chain.

On June 21, 1871, Mr. Sipe married Miss Catherine Kauffman, born in Manchester township, York county, daughter of Daniel Kauffman. These children have been born to the union: Alvin Edwin, a cigarmaker by trade, and postmaster at Springet, mar- ried Miss Mary E. Peters, and they have had two children, Nettie and one deceased ; Charles Aaron, a cigarmaker, married Miss Nannie Spangler, and they have had two children, Navin (deceased ) and Arthur; and William Martin, a cigarmaker, married Miss Annie Williams, and they have had two children, Eva and one deceased.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Mr. Sipe is the owner of a fine farm in one-eighth of a mile from Nashville Station, Springetsbury township, and three good prop- G. E. Sprenkle's warehouse, store, postoffice, erties in the village of Pleasureville. He is progressive and public-spirited, and as a citi- zen and neighbor Mr. Sipe stands high in the estimation of the people of Springetsbury township. The family are members of the Lutheran Church.

JESSE STAMBAUGH, who with his ous farmers in Jackson township, was born on the old Stambaugh homestead in that town- ship, son of Peter and Mary Stambaugh, who were both also natives of York county.

Peter Stambaugh, Sr., grandfather of Jesse, was a lifelong farmer in York county. He married Miss Elizabeth Joseph, and they had the following children besides Peter, father of Jesse: John, Jacob, Michael, Henry, Dan- iel, Fred, Kate, Elizabeth, Susan and Barbara. The parents were adherents of the Lutheran faith.

Peter Stambaugh, the younger, was edu- bury Academy, and made especial preparation cated in the subscription schools and was for business life by learning telegraphy in the reared for a farmer's life. He remained at offices of the Pennsylvania Railroad system at home for some years, and then became a dis- York, in 1871. After considerable experience tiller of liquors, following that business for in this line in various States, he was on March

many years, becoming well-to-do. He bought the old Stambaugh homestead and spent the latter part of his life there, passing away in 1856, at the age of sixty-one. Mrs. Mary Stambaugh survived him till 1875, when she division operator.

died at the age of seventy-nine. They were the parents of seven children : On Sept. 17, 1876, Mr. Orwig was married Abraham, to Laura Hinkle, daughter of Daniel Hinkle, Magdalina, Harry, Eliza, Sarah, Jesse and of York, who for many years was connected with the Northern Central railroad service at York, where he still resides, at the age of over eighty years. Mr. and Mrs. Orwig have two children, viz .: Robert H., assistant super- visor of the Pennsylvania railroad, born Aug. IO, 1877; and Grace Margaret, a member of

Jonas. In religion the parents were devout members of the Reformed Church, while in politics Mr. Stambaugh was a strong Demo- crat ; he was active in local matters, being town- ship supervisor for two years and holding a number of minor township offices. Highly re- spected in the community, his death was felt the class of 1905, in the York high school. to be a distinct loss. The family belongs to Trinity Reformed

Jesse Stambaugh grew up on the old home- Church.

stead, in what was then known as Paradise ( now Jackson) township, and attended school there in the old log schoolhouse. He re- mained at home until 1887, when he and his the Pennsylvania Relief Association.

brother Jonas purchased their present farm, situated a mile and a half east of the Stam- baugh place, where they have worked in part- nership ever since. This homestead is situated along the Western Maryland railroad, about

and creamery. Jesse Stambaugh has never married, but Jonas was united to Miss Lydia Taylor, whose death occurred in 1902, and since then the two brothers have been even more dependent upon each other than before. They are both held in very high esteem and have a large number of very warm friends. They are members of the Reformed Church, Jesse Stambaugh has held the office of school director.

A. WALTER ORWIG, of York, where for more than twenty years he has been train- master of the Northern Central Railroad Co., is one of the best-known railroad men in this sec- tion of the State of Pennsylvania. He was born June 4, 1853, in Shrewsbury, York county, and is a brother of Mrs. Margaret A. Myers, of York, whose sketch will be found elsewhere.

Mr. Orwig was educated at the Shrews-

I, 1879, promoted to the position of train dis- patcher, and on June 12, 1886, he was still further promoted, being given the position of responsibility he now holds-trainmaster and

In politics Mr. Orwig is a Republican. His fraternal connections are with the I. O. O. F. (lodge and encampment ), the B. P. O. E. and

Although Mr. Orwig is a man who leads a strenuous business life he has found time to become something more than an amateur photographer and also is not unknown in the literary world. His friends recognize his con-

brother, Jonas, takes rank among the prosper- and both are Democrats in political sentiment.

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tributions in the various journals, under his he would again move to Reading, and engage cognomen of "Retlaw Wigro," and they are in draying. But he went out on one of the read because they are interesting as well as hills of York and viewed the surrounding coun- for their literary excellence. Personally Mr. Orwig is a pleasant man to meet, and he en- joys the esteem of a very wide circle of friends.

LEVI PINKERTON was born in 1815 in Dauphin county, Pa. He was married in 1837 to Catherine Ollise, and to them eight children were born, four of whom were living when he moved to York, namely: Harriet (now mar- ried and living in Ohio), John W., William WV. and George McC. After the death of his first wife Mr. Pinkerton was again married, this time to Augustine Harner, in 1860. To them four children were born, only one of whim is living, Charles M.

Levi Pinkerton's father was a miller by trade, and Levi worked with him till grown up, when he interested himself in the coal business and became a successful coal pros- pector, developing several coal mines and breakers for different companies. He was head boss of same, having at times three hun- dred men and boys under his employ, with un- der bosses to assist him. He left the coal re- gions about 1866, on account of the rough- ness of the miners, who belonged to the notor- ious Molly Maguires. Although not afraid of them he thought best to leave on account of his family, his first wife having been fright- ened to death by the "Mollies," who stoned his house. On several occasions his life was threatened, but on account of his fearlessness and square dealings with the men he escaped, while a number of the bosses were killed. He moved to Reading, Pa., intending- to enter the coal business, and all plans were laid for a suc- cessful venture, but before he got started the larger dealers of the city cut the prices of coal to about cost and thereby drove the small deal- ers out of business. Accordingly he dropped that idea, and turned his attention to the dray- ing business, in which he was successful until he contracted to dray iron ore for a company which failed, Mr. Pinkerton losing heavily. He was then engaged to take charge of an ore mine at Hiestand, about five miles from York, by the superintendent of the defunct company. This also failing, he again lost heavily. It being in the fall of the year 1868 he moved to York to remain until spring, when

try and decided that in so rich and fertile a land no man need starve if he had push and pluck. So he looked around for something to do, and having been crippled in one limb by falling from a high trestle some years before, at the mines, he turned his attention to busi- ness, and the following spring started to at- tend the market at Center Square. His sons John W. and William W. obtained employ- ment, and Levi Pinkerton and his son George McC. started business. They turned their at- tention to selling things not generally handled by other people at that time. In the fall of 1869 they started selling hot coffee, a venture which seemed doomed to failure, for only about three cups were sold in the morning. So used were the market people to depending upon intoxicating liquors to keep them warm that it was considerable trouble to get them to change, but year after year they held on, the business increasing until in a few years they were overcrowded with trade. As they in- creased their accommodations the business also grew until they had all they could attend to, with the limited space allotted, carrying as side lines wrapping paper and bags, and smoked fish (of their own curing), which were their leaders in trade. A few years before the mar- ket sheds were destroyed they obtained per- mission to erect a booth under the sheds, in which they carried on business between market hours and had a thriving trade. They then started the manufacture of ice cream. which business is still carried on at the factory, located at the rear of No. 539 East King street, the ice cream now being sold in small blocks, wrapped in paper, and vended on the streets by boys at one cent a block. In engaging in that business George Pinkerton found the pro- duction would have to be cheapened and the labor lessened, and to that end he invented a machine to mold and cut the blocks cheaply and quickly. It is called the ice cream block molding and cutting machine, and is an en- tirely new device, turning out over two thous- and per hour. It can be operated on the street with success as a money maker.

George McC. Pinkerton was born in Schuylkill county in 1856, and attended the public schools for some years after removing to York, when he left to help his father in busi-

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ness. They were in partnership until the death FRANKLIN FLINCHBAUGH, who is of the father, in 1892. In December, 1900, one of the progressive and successful farmers George McC. Pinkerton was married to Mrs. Harriet C. ( Mason) King, who has a son, Edward M. King, now attending school. and horticulturists of York township, is a scion of one of the honored pioneer families of York county, where he himself has resided from the time of his birth, so there are many points which make consistent a consideration of his career in this publication.

HARRY E. KLINE, a successful practic- ing veterinary surgeon of York, was born Oct. 10, 1836, near Strasburg, Lancaster county, son of George and Mary (Shenk) Kline, the former of whom was a veterinary surgeon of Lancaster county, where he was born and where he died in 1850. The wife and mother died in Northumberland.

At the time of the death of his father, Harry E. Kline was a lad of fourteen years. He had attended the Strasburg public schools, but after losing his parents he was thrown upon his own resources, and forced to obtain his education as best he could. He secured a position as clerk in a store at Safe Harbor, Lancaster county, and, saving his money, was enabled to attend a school at York under Pro- fessor White, from which he was graduated in bookkeeping in 1858. He then took up the study of veterinary surgery, which he had studied for a time with his father before the latter's death, and he began the practice of this profession in 1862 in Northumberland.

Harry E. Kline married (first) in York county, Katie E. Kline, only daughter of Rev. Daniel Kline, and she died in 1861, the mother of two children, both deceased, Elgeworth E. and Edwin. Mr. Kline's second marriage was to Isabelle J. Bacon, daughter of William R. Bacon, deceased, and to this union were born children as follows: Katie E., who married David Faus, of York; William, of York Ha- ven ; Mayme, who married Edward B. Snod- grass, of Sunbury ; Sarah, the wife of Edward Hubly, of East York; Mildred, at home; Cora B., Mrs. George Miller, of Lancaster; and George W. Kline, deceased.

After his second marriage Mr. Kline lo- cated near York, where he practiced twelve years, and then to Sunbury, where he remained fifteen years. He then located in York, where he has since been engaged very successfully. Mr. Kline was reared in the faith of the M. E. Church, but later joined the United Brethren Church. In politics he has been a lifelong Republican. In fraternal circles he is con- nected with Council No. 945, Sunbury, Royal Arcanum.

Mr. Flinchbaugh was born in Windsor township, this county, Nov. 10, 1854, and his genealogy is traced back to stanch German ori- gin, though the family name has been identified with the annals of American history from the Colonial era to the present. John Flinchbaugh, grandfather of our subject, was likewise born in York county, being a son of Frederick Flinchbaugh, who was one of the early settlers of Windsor township, where he reclaimed a farm in the midst of the forest, there passing the residue of his life. His son John was born in Windsor township and there continued to follow farming until he was summoned from the scene of life's endeavors. He married Re- becca Tyson, who likewise died in Windsor township, both being laid to rest in Lebanon cemetery, Hopewell township. Of their chil- dren John and Jacob are deceased, while those living are Daniel, Sarah, Nancy, Elizabeth, Lydia Ann, Mary, Rebecca Hake and Freder- ick, the last named being the father of our sub- ect.

Frederick Flinchbaugh was born in Wind- sor township, this county, Feb. 26, 1826, and he was afforded a common-school education, his final work as a student being done in 'a graded school in Windsor township, which he attended for three terms. He learned the car- penter's trade in his youth, becoming a skilled workman, and he was actively engaged in busi- ness as a contractor and builder for twoscore years, having to do with the erection of many important buildings in this section, numerous residences and business structures in York county remaining as monuments to his skill. He was also successfully engaged in farming, having owned and conducted the fine place now owned by his son Frederick, with whom he has made his home since his retirement from active business. He is a stanch Republican in politics and has held various local offices of trust and responsibility, while to him has ever been accorded the fullest measure of popular confidence and esteem.

In 1853 was solemnized the marriage of

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BIOGRAPHICAL

Frederick Flinchbaugh to Miss Lydia Gable, who was born and reared in Windsor township. daughter of Jacob and Lydia ( Saylor) Gable. Her death occurred in York township in 1898, at which time she was sixty-two years of age; the interment was in Hopewell township ceme- tery. Of the children of this union we enter the following brief record: Franklin is the subject proper of this sketch: John J. married Susan Fitz, and they reside in York township, where he is a prosperous farmer : Benjamin, who married Ellen Haney, is a farmer of North Hopewell township; Levi, a farmer of Windsor township. married Susan Hake; Emanuel, a farmer of North Hopewell town- ship, married Annie Sentz: Frederick, Jr., who resides on the old home farm in Windsor town- ship, married Ida Smeltzer: Malinda is the wife of Titus Knisley, of Red Lion, this coun- ty; Ellen is the wife of Frank Runkel, of Windsor township; William and Lydia Ann are deceased.

Franklin Flinchbaugh, the oldest of the children enumerated above, passed his youthful days on the home farm in Windsor township, while he duly availed himself of the advantages of the public schools of the locality and period. At the age of twenty-three years he was mar- ried, and he soon afterward located in Hellam township, where he first devoted his attention principally to the raising of tobacco, but finally engaged in general farming, being associated with John Musser for a period of four years. He then came to York township and purchased a farm of ninety acres, securing the property from the York Trust Company, of York. He has since given his undivided attention to the supervision of this fine property, the place being under a high state of cultivation and devoted to general agriculture, while he has made many improvements, supplementing those which had been made prior to his purchase of the farm. In addition to the general agricultural products commonly grown in this locality Mr. Flinch- baugh makes a specialty of raising vegetables, for which he finds a ready demand in the mar- kets at York. making this a profitable branch of his farming enterprise. He is a Democrat in his political faith and allegiance, and is ever ready to lend his aid in the furtherance of en- terprises for the general welfare of his town- ship and county. He was reared in the faith of the Lutheran Church, and his wife is a member of the River Brethren.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 120

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