History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 122

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

USA > Pennsylvania > York County > History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 122

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

669

BIOGRAPHICAL

been the leader of the Bonair band for a num- high school, in the class of 1908; and Margaret ber of years. Music is one of his greatest and Fred M., also at school. Mr. Porter be- longs to the Kniglits of Pythias and Knights of the Mystic Chain. He is connected with the First United Brethren Church of York, and has been a member of its official board for ten years. and has been further honored with election for three successive terms, of one year each, to the office of treasurer of the Pennsylvania confer- ence branch of the Y. P. C. U. pleasures, the entire family being musical. So- cially he is a member of the P. O. S. of A., of Bonair, and assisted in its organization, it be- ing greatly through his efforts that the property for the new hall, now in the course of erec- tion, was secured. He has filled a number of positions of trust in this order. Mr. Bubb is a good citizen, an energetic business man, and a true Christian gentleman.

F. W. PORTER, one of the most efficient teachers in the York high school, was born in York March 20, 1866, son of John H. and Amelia (Neater) Porter. He is of Scotch- Irish ancestry, his forefathers having come from the North of Ireland in about 1830, and settled in the Juniata Valley, where his grand- father, George H. Porter, was a contractor.

John H. Porter, the father of F. W., died in York in 1884, aged fifty-one years, his death resulting from disabilities contracted in the war of the Rebellion, in which he participated as a member of the 82d Regiment, Illinois Vol- . children : Harry, who died at the age of forty- unteer Infantry, serving gallantly during the two years; Clara, who became the wife of John L. Welsh, and died in 1899, at the age of twenty-five years ; two that died in infancy : Albert, who died at the age of thirty-two years ; Frederick P., a member of the United States army, and stationed in the Philippine Islands at the time of this writing; Mary Emma, wife of J. Harry Halt, a prosperous jeweler of Mt. Holly, N. J .; and Edward A. entire war. He was wounded in one of the battles of western Tennessee, and after taking part in the battles of Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Antietam, Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain, Pittsburg Landing, and in Sherman's march to the sea, was discharged with the rank of first lieutenant. Lieut. Porter married Amelia Neater, whose ancestors came from Germany, and they became the parents of the following children : George H., who is deceased; Charles M., deceased; J. S., deceased ; one who died in early infancy ; John D., superintendent of the machine department of the Agricultural Works of York; and F. W.

F. W. Porter received his education in the public schools of York, and graduated from the State Normal School at Millersville with the class of 1885. Since that date he has been teaching in York, and in the fall of 1893 he became a teacher in the York high school. Prof. Porter's specialties are American his- tory, government and mathematics, in all of which he is justly considered very proficient.

Mr. Porter was married March 21, 1887, to Rosa M. Meredith, daughter of Rev. J. R. Meredith, of the United Brethren Church, Reading, and three children have been born to this union : Mary A., who is a student at the

EDWARD A. TOMES, the well-known and valued superintendent of the American Caramel Company, of York, is a representa- tive of one of the pioneer families of the county, being a grandson of Peter Tomes, whose death occurred here many years ago.

William A. Tomes, father of our subject, died in the city of York, in 1898, at the age of sixty-eight years. He married Miss Mary Ann Cook, whose father, Frederick Cook, was for many years a leading jeweler of York. She was summoned into eternal rest in 1896. William A. and Mary A. (Cook) Tomes had

Edward A. Tomes was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 24, 1858, and his educa- tional training was secured in the public schools of that city and those of York, to which latter place his parents returned in 1868, when he was about ten years of age. After leaving school Mr. Tomes secured a position in a local foundry, in which he worked three years, at the expiration of that time becoming an em- ploye in the candy-making establishment of P. C. Wiest, of York. A few years later, when the firm of P. C. Wiest & Co. was organized. for the manufacture of confectionery, our sub- ject was made superintendent of the concern. This responsible position he continued most ably and acceptably to fill for the long period of thirty years, and when Mr. Wiest retired, selling his interests to the American Caramel Company, Mr. Tomes. was retained as superin- tendent of the vast manufactory by the new

670

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

company. Employment is given to a corps of from four to five hundred persons, and the product of the establishment is shipped into all parts of the civilized world. Mr. Tomes discharges with marked discrimination and efficiency the manifold and important duties devolving upon him, and is accorded the confi- dence of the interested principals and the good will and esteem of the employees who work under his direction. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and his religious faith is that of the Catholic Church, both he and his wife being communicants of St. Patrick's Church. In a fraternal way Mr. Tomes is identified with the Improved Order of Heptasophs and the Artisans.

On Dec. 25, 1885, Mr. Tomes married Miss Anna Altland, who was born and reared in York county, being a daughter of Henry and Sarah (Stover) Altland, the former a car- penter and builder. Mr. and Mrs. Tomes have children : Evelyn A., who is a graduate of the York High School and also of Patrick's Busi- ness College; William H., who is employed in the works of the American Caramel Co .; Marie , the Ninth District, an office he held under B., a member of the class of 1907, in the York high school; and Edward A. and Gerald P., who are attending the city schools. Mr. and Mrs. Tomes reside at No. 259 East Phila- delphia street, York.

JOHN W. STAHLE, who operates a large draying business in York, was born in that city, July 10, 1854, son of Col. James A. Stahle, late representative of the Nineteenth Congressional District in the House of Rep- resentatives.

John Stahle, his grandfather; served two terms as register of York county, and was for many years a justice of the peace. He mar- ried Sarah Small, daughter of Major Jacob Small, and they had twelve children : Jacob S., a lawyer, deceased ; Hon. Edman W., an editor ; Catherine, deceased; Sarah; James A .; Henry J. : William, a druggist, deceased : Isabella, de- ceased; Mrs. Ellen Crawford, deceased; Vir- ginia, deceased; Mrs. Franklin T. Weiser, de- ceased, and Henry J., deceased.

Col. James A. Stahle was born in West Manchester township, Jan. 11, 1830, and he acquired his education in the common schools, and at the York County Academy under Rev. Stephen Boyer, a Presbyterian minister. In 1847 he became a tailor's apprentice, engag-

ing with Joseph Hursh, in Rupp's building, with whom he later became a partner. In 1858 he became the agent of Adams Express Com- pany, at York, a position he held until the out- break of the war. During the summer of 1861 he joined the 87th P. V. I., under Thomas A. Scott, and with that body participated in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Bermuda Hundred, Weldon Railroad, and many others. In the meantime he had be- come major, and then lieutenant colonel. He was honorably discharged, after an active serv- ice of three years and three months. Since the war the Colonel has been actively identified with the Grand Army of the Republic, and when the Grand Review took place at Washi- ington in 1892, he led his post, General John Sedgwick, No. 37, in the parade, as its com- mander. He is also a prominent member of the Union Veteran Legion, and was colonel of the York Encampment for one year. His in- tegrity as a man and his business ability were recognized by the administration of Lincoln, under whom he became deputy collector for Grant, Garfield, Hayes and Arthur. In 1894 he accepted the nomination for Congress on the Republican ticket, and although the district had often cast as high as 5,000 Democratic majority, his popularity was so effective as to turn this into a majority of 2,500 for the Re- publicans. Col. Stahle is and has been for the past twenty-five years an active member and earnest worker in the United Brethren Church. He was one of the originators of the Emig's Grove Camp Meeting Association, and of its successor, the Penn Grove Association. He was for several years a trustee of Lebanon Valley College at Annville, and is at present a trustee of the Aged People's Home of the United Brethren Church at Mechanicsburg. He is also president of the Sunday School Union of the townships of Conewago, Dover, Manchester, West and East Manchester, and of Manchester borough. In the past twenty years he has, in his Sunday-school work, trav- eled more miles than would be required to girdle the earth. Colonel Stahle has been in- terested in farming and horticulture, and is at present a member of the executive board of the Mount Gretna Agricultural and Mechanical Association. He is a life member of the York County Agricultural Society, of which he has twice been an officer for a term of several

671

BIOGRAPHICAL

years. He was twice honored by Governor

born in Jackson township, on the old home Pattison with appointments as delegate to the farm of his father, son of George and Cathi- erine ( Stambaugh ) Hoke.

National Farmer's Congress, which met at Sa- vannah, Ga., and at Parkersburg, W. Va.

Colonel Stahle has been married three times. His first wife was Mary Spangler, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Spangler, and by this union he had five children. She died in July, 1865. His second wife was Cath- erine Beltz, daughter of Charles Beltz, and they had three children. Mrs. Stahle died in June, 1890. In December, 1894, the Colonel married Anna, daughter of the late Jacob Gartman, and to this union has been born one child. Cornelia Anne Stahle. Colonel Stahle still resides at his beautiful home in Manches- ter township.

John W. Stahle's school days were spent in Manchester township, and he was one of the pupils who attended the York County Col- legiate Institute when it was first opened. He remained with his father until twenty-eight years old, and then located in York, where he engaged with J. W. Buckingham, in the rag business, and he continued in that line until starting in business for himself, five years later. He continued in business for thirteen years, and in 1898 engaged in the draying business, with one wagon and one horse. His business has so increased that he now has thirty of the finest draft and dray horses in York, and twenty-eight modern wagons. He employs seventeen men, and is kept busy all of the time. In 1903 he erected one of the most up-to-date stables in York, a brick build- ing, 90 x 48, and is at present handling the large contract of draying for the Smith Con- struction Company.

Mr. Stahle was united in marriage with Annie K. Stough, daughter of William Stough, and to this union have been born: James, a motorman ; Katie, wife of James Sheaffer ; Ed- ward and Harry, with their father; and Hat- tie and Irena, at home. Mr. Stahle is a Re- publican, but has taken no active part in po- litical matters. He is a consistent member of the Heidelberg Reformed Church, of York. He belongs to the Sons of Veterans, the Knights of Malta and the Heptasophs.

DAVID HOKE, deceased. For many years the late David Hoke, was one of the substantial men, good farmers and much es- teemed citizens of York county, Pa. He was

George Hoke was also born in Jackson township, and for many years was one of the leading agriculturists. The family has been an agricultural one for several generations. He married Catherine Stambaugh, and they had these children: Solomon, who was a farmer in Cumberland county along the Yellow Breeches Creek, but who later moved to West Virginia where he died; David; Casper, who died in Spring Grove; Samuel, who died in Frederick, Md .; George, being the third George who had owned the old home, and who died in Jackson township; Magdalena, who married Andrew Hershey, and died at Spring Grove: Rebecca, who married Jonas Rebbert, and re- sides at the Penn Grove camp grounds ill Heidelberg township; and Katie, widow of Edward Rebert, and living in York.

David Hoke was born Dec. 24, 1805, and grew up a practical farmer, attending the district schools when opportunity afforded. He was still a young man when he left home and went to Adams county, where he invested in farming lands, and all his active life was passed there. When ready to retire he returned to York county and lived at Hanover until his death, which took place when he was seventy years of age. He was a man who lived an exemplary, upright life, and few men reared a more highly respected family or were held in higher regard.

On March 17, 1831, David Hoke married Barbara Bechtel, who was born May 24. 1807. and who died March 20, 1900, aged ninety-two years, nine months and twenty-six days. He died Aug. 17, 1873. The children of David and Barbara Hoke were: Susan, born Jan. 5. 1832, died aged sixteen years: Rebecca, born July 16, 1833, resides in a pleasant home on Abbottstown street, Hanover ; Isaac. born April 26, 1835, died when thirteen years old: David. Jr., born Nov. 13, 1836, married (first ) Louisa Carl, and (second) Annie Slagel, and is now living retired at Bunker Hill, Hanover; Sam- uel B. was born Jan. 28, 1839: George, born March 12, 1841, died aged seven years : Abra- ham, born Jan. 31, 1843. married Josephine King (deceased), and now resides on York street, Hanover; Barbara, born June 5. 1845. died when seven years old: Michael. born Feb. II, 1847, died aged five years; Solomon, born

672

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

March 21, 1849, married Amelia King, is in tion. He married Anna Jones, whose family business at Hanover and has two children : Emma, wife of Howard Bair, of Hanover, and Reuel, who is associated with his father.

The Hoke family is a numerous one and its members include some of the best and most substantial people of this vicinity.

CHARLES L. MORTON, a farmer of Lower Chanceford township, who is also en- gaged in the livery business, was born at Wood- bine, Feb. 19, 1857, son of Robert and Caro- line (Bacon) Morton, and a grandson of Stephen Morton, the latter of whom died at Bridgeton at the age of eighty-five years.

Charles L. Morton was but an infant when his parents located in Bridgeton, and he re- ceived his education in the Chanceford town- ship schools, his first teacher being a Miss Smith. He left the public schools at the age of fifteen and then spent three terms under Professor Parker at Pleasant Grove Academy. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and assisted his father on the home farm until his marriage, twenty years ago, to Miss Cora V. Wicks, born near Stewartstown, daughter of Lewis Wicks, a woodworker and blacksmith. After his marriage Mr. Morton located at Bridgeton, where for nine years he was en- gaged in the store business, which he sold, and then for part of one year he was employed in York, returning home to the farm after the death of his mother. Since that time Mr. Mor- ton has been engaged on the farm, which he owns, and has been very successful. He has also opened a livery, which promises to be very profitable.

In his religious views Mr. Morton is a Methodist. In politics he is a Republican. In fraternal circles Mr. Morton is popular as well as prominent, being a member of the I. O. O. F., at Stewartstown, and is now organizing a lodge at Airville. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Morton, as follows; Carrie Belle, Joseph D., Robert Lewis, Rosella and Helen G.

JAMES W. MILLARD. The Millard family are of old English stock, but at least the last three generations have been natives of Pennsylvania.

Jacob Millard, grandfather of James W., passed the entire span of his sixty-five years in York county, making farming his occupa-

was well-known in the county. Their children numbered five, of whom Andrew B. was the oldest. (2) Elizabeth married I. B. Hillard, who lives near Goldsboro, and they have the following children : Rena, Mrs. Jacob Yonger, who lives near Lewisberry; Irma, wife of Ed- ward Prowell, of Yocumtown; Garnett, Mrs. Samuel E. Andrews; and Dora, wife of Curtis Parthmore, of Newmarket. (3) Sarah died unmarried at the age of thirty-six. (4) Web- ster married Miss Lydia Elecker, of York county, and became the father of: Sylvan, at home; Tacie, who married Elmer Sutton, of Pinetown, and has three children, Frances, Ruth and Millard; Calvin and Ralph, at home. (5) Rachel married Harry Dietz, and has only one surviving child, Glenn, at home, in Myers- town, Pennsylvania.

Andrew B. Millard was born at the old Lewisberry homestead, and on reaching man's estate became a blacksmith and carpenter. He followed these trades for the greater part of his life, but during his later years ran an un- dertaking establishment in Lisburn, Cumber- land county. He was a man well-known and highly esteemed in the community, especially active in church work. He was a member of the Bethel Church for forty-three years, and much of that time served as superintendent of the Sunday-school. He was called to his re- ward in 1903, at the ag'e of sixty-five. His wife was Mary, daughter of James and Ellen Mechling, of York county, the former a noted local preacher. Mrs. Mechling was, before her marriage, a Miss Phillips, of Maryland. Andrew and Mary Millard were the parents of James W .; Anna E., wife of C. M. Forney, a druggist in Harrisburg, who has one child, Harry A .; J. Weir, an undertaker of Lisburn, who married Flora, daughter of John Rankin Moore, and who has two daughters, Anna Mary and Lena, all of York county. The mother of these three children, James W., J. Wier and Anna E., is at present residing at Lisburn.

James W. Millard was born in York county in 1862, and was educated in Fairview town- ship. He began his active career in life in Steelton, where he was employed for four years by the Pennsylvania Steel Company. Re- turning to Lewisberry, he spent the next five years on the old Millard farm, where he was the manager. At the end of that time he left

673

BIOGRAPHICAL

the farm again, and for three years was in the mercantile business in Harrisburg. His next enterprise was in western Missouri, where he moved in 1893, and engaged in farming and cattle raising. He remained there until 1900, when he returned to Carroll township, and settled down again to farming. He bought from W. B. Spahr, what is known as the old Pressel farm of 100 acres, which has been brought to a high state of cultivation under his direction. Mr. Millard is a supporter of the Republican party, and while not at all a politician takes an intelligent interest in pub- lic affairs; he has been school director in his township for several terms, and for twelve years or more has taken a prominent part in church work. His wife, Mrs. Annie E. Mil- lard, to whom he was married in 1884, was a daughter of Harry W. Pressel, of York county. The two children born to this union, Earl and Mary, are both deceased.

GEORGE W. HIKES, a farmer in North Codorus township, and a veteran of the Civil war, comes from a family early established in Adams county, Pa., and ever since closely identified with that part of the state.

The great-grandfather, George Hikes was a farmer at York Springs, Adams county, and there died.

Henry Hikes, son of George, had a large family : Frederick, Henry, Moses, John, How- ard, Christina, Mary, Catherine and Eli.

Howard Hikes, son of Henry, was the owner of a farm of sixty-five acres in Lati- more township and spent his life there, dying when eighty-one years old. He was well known all through that region, and was highly respected. His wife, Matilda (Knoll) Hikes, was born in York county and died in Adams county. She and her husband are buried side by side. Their family consisted of George W .; Calvin, who married Miss Annie Benner, and lives in Latimore township; Joseph, a teacher for nineteen years, a farmer and mer- chant in Latimore township, who married Annie Myers; and Catherine, who died young.

George W. Hikes was born on his father's farm, Aug. 25, 1846, and until he was eighteen attended the public schools. As soon as he reached the required age he enlisted in Com- pany L, 22d Pa. Cav., a part of the Eighth Corps, Army of West Virginia, and he shared the fortunes of his regiment, participating in the engagements at Leesburg, Maryland 43

Heights, Snicker's Ferry, Shenandoah Valley, Kernstown, Winchester, Martinsburg, Berry- ville, Charlestown, Newmarket, Bunker Hill, Harper's Ferry, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek. During the winter of 1864-65 the Twenty-sec- ond was engaged in pursuit of roving bands of the enemy in the mountains, suffering great hardships ; and in June, 1865, it was consoli- dated with others, becoming the Third Provi- sional Cavalry, and finally honorably dis- charged at Harrisburg Oct. 31, 1865, by reason of the close of the war .. On returning home Mr. Hikes learned the carpenter's trade, and for ten years followed it in the West, working in Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and Ohio, as well as later in the East also. When he returned to Pennsylvania Mr. Hikes located on the well- known Reynolds farm in York county for three years, after which he spent four years in Lati- more township, Adams county, 'on his farm, and then, in 1883, bought his father-in-law's farm in North Codorus township, York county, a place of seventy-six acres. There Mr. Hikes has ever since remained, has put up new build- ings throughout, has made many improve- ments and has erected a comfortable dwelling for his family.

Mrs. Hikes bore the maiden name of Cath- erine Snyder. She was a daughter of George and Margaret ( Barnhart) Snyder, belonging to one of the county's early families. To this union have come the following children : Til- lie, Mrs. Bert Harbold, of York; George, un- married; Minnie, Mrs. Daniel Bupp, of York ; Joseph and Bessie, at home. Mr. Hikes is a Republican in his political affiliations, while in religious opinions he is a Lutheran and a member of that church.

JOHN B. MALEHORN, the trusted head of the oil house for the York Haven Paper Company, was born Jan. 22, 1848, in Manchester township, York county, son of Michael and Sarah (Bull) Malehorn.

Michael Malehorn, great-grandfather of John B., came from Germany and settled in Manchester township, on the farm now owned by Henry Hoffman. He was a tailor by trade, and both he and his wife died in Manchester township, and are buried at Quickel's Church in Conewago township.

John Malehorn, the grandfather, was born in Manchester township, and followed farming there and in Dover township. He married Margaret Neiman, daughter of Michael Nei-

.574

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

man, and both he and his wife died in Dover township, and are buried at Strayer's Church. The children born to John and Margaret Male- horn were: Michael, father of our subject : Henry, who lives in Decatur, Ills. ; Jacob, who died young; Jacob (2), who died in York county; Andrew, who resides in North York borouglı; William, living in Conewago town- ship: George, living in Hellam township; Elizabeth, who married L. Pickeling, justice of the peace at Dover borough; Sarah, who married Adam Kohler, deceased, and lives in Ohio; Katie, deceased; a twin of George, who died young; one who died in infancy: and Leah, who died young.

Michael Malehorn, father of John B., was born Feb. 22, 1823, in Manchester township, where he received a common-school educa- tion. For a number of years he worked by the day among the farmers of his township. In March, 1847, he married Sarah Bull, daughter of John and Catherine (Brenner) Bull, and after marriage spent a few years in Conewago township. In 1898 Mr. Malehorn removed to Mt. Wolf, where he and his wife are living with their son Levi, retired from activity. The children born to Michael Malehorn and his worthy wife are as follows: John B .; Levi married Emma Rodes, and lives at Mt. Wolf; Eliza died in 1901; Catherine died young ; William married Mary Metzger, and removed to Salunga, Lancaster county ; Jacob married Amanda Nye, and resides at Mt. Wolf; An- drew married Caroline Hartman, deceased, and lives at York Haven; Elijah died at the age of seven years; Leah married William Rich- creek, and lives at York: Annie married Ben- jamin Myers, and resides in North York borough ; Emma died in infancy; Henry died at the age of seven years; and Samuel died at the age of four years.

John B. Malehorn received his education in the township schools of Manchester town- ship. In September, 1864, he enlisted in Com- pany D. 200th P. V. I., and served eleven months, engaging in the battles of Fort Stead- man. Petersburg, Butler's Front and several smaller engagements, and while in battle re- ceived a wound in his left side. After the war Mr. Malehorn returned to Pennsylvania, and worked among the farmers until 1869. and was later employed by the Northern Cen- tral Railroad for six years. He then resigned his position and went to tobacco farming in

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 122

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