History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 125

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

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When Mr. Smith commenced his business career in 1868, he had only twenty-four dol- lars capital, and that was out at interest where he could not get it for several months. At that time the manufacturer's bought tobacco direct from the farmers, and as he found he could not obtain the necessary help, Mr. Smith decided to buy his tobacco on credit and begin opera- tions. He succeeded in establishing himself on a firm basis, but it took ceaseless care and vigi- lance and proved from the first the mettle of

the man. In 1873 he bought a home property near Freysville, on which was a factory, and he conducted both this and the one at his fath- er's place until 1898, when he closed out the latter. Three years later he disposed of the other also, and has since been clerking in the store of his son-in-law, M. C. Holtzinger, at Holtz.

In 1873 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Louisa F. Haines, sister of ex-Senator Har- vey Haines, and by this union there were three children, viz. : Mary Ellen, Mrs. M. C. Holtz- inger, of Holtz; Cora Irene, Mrs. Charles W. Tyson, of Red Lion; and Thomas H., conduc- tor on a trolley line in Philadelphia, who mar- ried Jessie Mason. On March '4, 1895, Mr. Smith's home was left desolate by the death of his devoted wife, whose remains were interred in the Freysville cemetery. Since the age of forty-three Mr. Smith has been a member of the United Evangelical Church. In politics he is a Democrat and has served one term each as township auditor and school director. He is a man of much energy, industrious and hon- est, and a good citizen, and the struggle by which he has won his present place has given him an assured position in the respect and es- teem of his fellows.

WILLIAM C .- HIVELY, a lifelong resi- dent of Springetsbury township, where he is a well-known and influential farmer, was born there on the family homestead, Ang. 17, 1841.

The Hively family were identified with York county a number of generations back, but Jacob Hively, great-grandfather of William C., in middle life left his Pennsylvania farm and with all his household removed to Ohio, mak- ing the journey in a wagon drawn by four horses. One of the grandsons, John, remem- bers seeing the stump of the tree under which the party camped the first night after starting.

John George Hively was the only one of the children taken to Ohio who returned to his native State. Returning to what is now Springetsbury township, then Spring Garden, he rented property for a while, afterward buy- ing a small farm where he lived a short time. when he purchased the present homestead, a place containing 128 acres. His death occur- red in 1833, at the age of forty-five, only two years after settling in his new home. He mar- ried Miss Mary Rath, of Lancaster county, and

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

they had four children: Samuel; John, of in financial affairs, and after his father's re- Manchester township; Susan, who died many tirement from the presidency of the Insurance years ago, wife of Daniel Kendig; and one that died in infancy. Mr. Hively was a member of the Lutheran Church. Company, was elected treasurer of it; he is a director in the Building and Loan Company, and in the Eastern Market House, and is like- wise a stockholder in both the City National Bank, of York, and the Guardian Trust Com- pany.

Samuel Hively was born in 1817, in the township where he still lives, and has passed there a long and useful life, engaged in farm- ing, in which he has been very successful. When he was only sixteen, his father died, and the burden of managing the homestead fell upon him, but he proved fully equal to the re- sponsibility and has added many valuable im- provements to the place. He owns considerable real estate in addition, and has been a man of affairs generally, prominent in advancing any-

Mr. William C. Hively married Miss Mary Hoke, daughter of Jacob and Catherine ( Nei- man) Hoke. She passed from this world Jan. II, 1904, aged sixty-one years, nine months, ten days. She was the mother of two daughters : Flora, who married David Myers, a machinist of York, and who has four children, Albert, Annie, Mary and Raymond; and Katie, wife thing that would benefit the community. He of Stewart Myers, a machinist of East York. was the organizer of the Spring Garden Fire Mr. Hively is a member of Mt. Zion Lutheran

Insurance Company, in which he served as president until he was incapacitated by illness, and he was also a promoter of the Spring Gar- den Building and Loan Company, of York. In this company he was treasurer until his ill

health compelled him to resign, his son, Enos bility in the community.

F., succeeding him. He likewise assisted his sons in establishing their milling interests. All his life he has been a member of the York Lu- theran Church, and has been not only a liberal contributor but active in an official capacity. Another field in which he has done service was as director of the poor. In all these lines Mr. Hively proved himself a capable and trust- worthy man, and he has earned the deepest respect and confidence of his fellow citizens. Mr. Hively was married to Miss Sarah Miller, daughter of John Miller, of Springetsbury township. Four children were born to them, namely : George, a Manchester farmer, who died leaving a widow and three children : Will- iam C .: Enos F., a retired farmer of Spring- etsbury township; and Jane, deceased wife of George Miller. of Spring Grove.

William C. Hively was given a public school education and then went to work on the homestead, remaining there in charge of it tin- til his retirement in 1903. About 1890 he and his brother Enos purchased the Diehl mill, lo- cated just outside the city limits of York, and Samuel; Jacob died at Red Lion ; and John have been operating it ever since, doing both George died in Conewago township. custom and commercial work. Since they Samuel Rockey, the father of our subject, was born at Red Lion, in 1798. He received a common school education, and followed farm- ing in Fairview township. He married Leah bought the property it has been remodelled, and a complete set of new roller process ma- chinery put in. Mr. Hively is also prominent

Church, and has served for a number of years in an official capacity, either as deacon, elder or trustee. Whatever the work in hand Mr. Hively's opinion carries great weight, and he occupies a position of influence and responsi-

GEORGE W. ROCKEY, who enjoys the distinction of being the local historian of New- berry township, was born Oct. 28, 1821, in Fairview township, son of Samuel and Leah (Kilmore) Rockey.

Frederick Rockey, his grandfather, came from Germany with his two brothers, Jacob and Leonard, and settled in York county, where Red Lion now stands. He followed brick lay- ing and was a very successful and skillful me- chanic. Although he lived to be an old man, twenty years prior to his death he had a very serious accident, falling from a scaffold and re- ceiving injuries which nearly resulted fa- tally. but the noted Dr. Speck of Lancaster City, Penn., brought him back to health. Fred- erick Rockey is buried in the Lutheran ceme- terv on George street. in York, Pa. He mar- ried Elizabeth King, and the children born to them were: Sarah Ann, who married Samuel Downs, died near Newberry, and is buried at the Paddletown cemetery, Newberry township;

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BIOGRAPHICAL

Kilmore, daughter of David and Elizabeth ( Malone) Kilmore, of Washington township, and after his marriage removed to Newberry township and rented a farm of Mathias Boyer. Later he bought eighty acres in the same town- ship, where he followed farming until his death which occurred in 1872. He is buried at the old Miller burying ground in Newberry town- ship, where his wife is also buried, she having passed away in 1889. Samuel Rockey was a stanch Democrat in politics, while his relig- ious connection was with the Lutheran Church of York. The children born to Samuel and

beth married Joseph Myers and lives in New- berry township; Henry died in York, at the time of his death living a retired life; Angeline, who married Henry Stettler, died in Newberry township and is buried at Paddletown; Sarah Ann married Abraham Wolf, and resides at Lewisberry borough; Rachel married Joseph Strawbaugh, deceased, and resides on Phila- delphia street, York; Lydia died at the age of fifteen years, and is buried at the Miller grave yard; Leah died young and is buried in New- berry township; and Jacob died in infancy.

George W. Rockey received but a limited education, attending school only a few weeks each year until he was fourteen years old. On March 16, 1845, he married Amy Forten- baugh, born Aug. 22, 1819, daughter of Henry and Sophia (Burger) Fortenbaugh. Mrs. Rockey's grandfather, Andrew Fortenbaugh, was born Sept. 16, 1765, and died Dec. 12, 1822, while his wife, Annie, was born May 20, 1765, and died June 20, 1845.

George W. Rockey first went to house- keeping at Scholls Road in Newberry town- ship, where he remained one year and then bought a small tract of very valuable land near a spring in Newberry township, and built a residence and barn. He owns one and three quarters acres where he resides, and fifteen acres in various parts of the township. Mr. Rockey engaged for a time in hauling stone to York, Harrisburg, Carlisle and Shippensburg. From 1847 to 1888 he engaged in the manu- facture of cigars, and found ready customers for his product throughout the State, but es- pecially in Adams county. From 1845 until 1900, Mr. Rockey engaged in butchering, and in this line was very well known.

buried in Miller's grave yard in Newberry township. To her and Mr. Rockey thie follow- ing children had been born: Samuel H., born Oct. 20, 1846, died May 4, 1848, and is buried at Miller's grave yard; Mary Ann, born Aug. 18, 1848, died Feb. 19, 1850; Adeline, born Oct. 31, 1850, died March 5, 1853 ; Sarah Ann, born Jan. 15, 1856, died aged eleven days; An- geline, born June 22, 1857, married ( first ) David Albright and (second) William F. Koons, and she and her son now live with her father; Leah, born April 29, 1860, died Dec. 20, 1861; and John, born in 1853, married Leah Rockey were: George W .; Maria Eliza- Emma Catherine Weiser, and died March 7, 1898, at the time of his death being a clerk in the freight depot at York, and his widow still resides at York.

In political faith Mr. Rockey is a Democrat but has never sought office. An interesting fact about his life is that Frederick Boyer, who once owned our subject's father's farm, and who is buried thereon, held Mr. Rockey when he was christened. Mr. Boyer was a veteran of the Revolutionary war. Mr. Rockey has in his possession two very old and rare coins which he prizes highly, and which bear the dates of 1803 and 1798. He is a well known and very popular citizen of Newberry town- ship; his uprightness of character, his genial manner and his friendly spirit, have attracted many sincere friends.

LEWIS Q. RADLE, a leading agricultur- ist of Conewago township, York county, who is farming his tract of twenty-eight acres, was born Oct. 9, 1837, son of John and Elizabeth (Quickel) Radle.

Jolin Radle was born in Germany, and came to America when a young man. In 1830 he settled in York, later locating in Dover, whence he removed to Conewago township. He died in 1837, before the birth of our subject. Mr. Radle married Elizabeth Quickel, who died June 26, 1865, and was interred at Stray- er's Church in Dover township. John Radle was a butcher by trade, and followed this call- ing until his death.

Lewis Q. Radle was the only child of his parents. He attended the township schools, receiving a good education. Mr. Radle learned the carpenter trade with Jesse Quickel and was engaged in this line for thirty years. He pur-

Mrs. Rockey died Dec. 30, 1889, and was chased the farm where he now lives in Cone-

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

wago township, and has made great improve- learn the bakery business, but proved to be ments, building a fine home, and good sub- stantial buildings.

On Dec. 9, 1861, Mr. Radle married Eliza- beth Ernst, daughter of Jacob Ernst, of Ger- many, and she died Dec. 9, 1899, being buried at Strayer's Church, Dover township. Mr. and Mrs. Radle were the parents of fifteen chil- dren, as follows: William Henry; Mary Ann; Ida, who died young; Amanda J., who died at the age of thirty years, the wife of Samuel H. Myers; Sarah, who died young; Alice; Tacey, who died young; Flora Eve, who married Jesse Snellbaker, and lives in Dover township; Eliza- beth D. B., at home; Emma Tare, who married John A. Leckrone, and resides in West Man- chester township ; Lillie, at home; Margie Min- nie, who died Oct. 3, 1888; Bertha and Martha, twins, who died when they were young; and Elsie.

Mr. Radle is a Democrat and has served as assessor. He is connected with the German Reformed Church, in which he has been elder. In historical matters Mr. Radle is conceded to be the best posted man in Cone- wago township. He has always been a man of industrious habits, and the result of the same is shown in his present sound financial condition. He is most highly respected in the township.

JOHN FLEMING, son of Abraham and Susanna Fleming, and father of Abram H., was born Jan. 12, 1835, and died April 26, 1901. He passed his boyhood on the farm and in attending school, and in 1864, he assumed charge of the homestead, comprising 123 acres, with a good house and barn, which eventually became the property of himself and sisters. He was prominent in local affairs, was a school director, and served several terms as town- ship auditor. By his wife, Catherine Hunts- berger, who died Jan. 30, 1901, aged fifty-six, he had four children, besides Abram H., namely : William and Ida, who died in infancy ; Arthur Eugene, a car builder in Harrisburg, who married Miss Maud Robins; and John Newton, in the cream separator business at Harrisburg. An adopted daughter, Minnie D., died in 1901.

ABRAM H. FLEMING, born in 1876, was sent first to the district schools, and then to Dillsburg. On leaving school he took a posi- tion under J. L. McCreary of Dillsburg, to

physically unequal to the work, so gave it up and started on a trip through the West. He was gone nineteen months and traveled through thirteen states, going as far west as Nevada in order to view the gold and silver mining district. Mr. Fleming has subsequently taken three other western trips, and one through the South. Returning to York county, he went to school for one year, more, and then again en- tered business. He has held a number of po- sitions, filling each creditably. In 1894 he ran a stationary engine at Fowler, Ind., clerked for five years in the mercantile establishment of Latimore Sidle at Steelton, was in the elec- trical department of the Pennsylvania Steel Company in that same town for six months, and ran a stationary engine for them for two years. To perfect himself further in this last branch, he took a full course in stationary en- gineering at Harrisburg, and is now an expert. In 1897 and 1898 he was an attendant at the State Lunatic Asylum in Harrisburg, and then from 1899 to the spring of 1904 he was em- ployed as car builder and brakeman for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. At present Mr. Fleming is living on the old homestead, a place of 136 acres, and is giving his whole at- tention to farming. In politics he is a Re- publican.

In 1899, occurred the marriage of Abram H. Fleming to Miss Florence Brown, daughter of John Robert and Sarah (Adams) Brown. Her paternal grandparents were John Robert and Nancy Jane (Goudy) Brown, and those on the mother's side, John Quincy and Re- becca (Shear) Adams. Mrs. Fleming was the youngest of four children, the others being : Miles, who married Miss Nellie Kuhn, and has one daughter, Mildred; and Elizabeth and Clark E., both unmarried.

JACOB T. GOHN, of Chanceford town- ship, York county, now living retired, is a sur- vivor of the great Civil war. He was born in Chanceford township, on the farm now ad- joining his own, then the old homestead, June 7, 1843, son of Henry and Mary (Tome) Gohn.

Daniel Golın, the. grandfather of Jacob T., came from Dover, York county, to Chanceford township, where he died. He married Eliza- beth Tome, who also died in Chanceford town- ship.

Henry Gohn, the father of our subject, was

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BIOGRAPHICAL

a well-known and highly esteemed farmer of Chanceford township, and at his death the township lost a useful citizen. He married Miss Mary Tome, a sister of Jacob Tome, a well known financier and philanthropist of Port Deposit. Mrs. Gohn died in 1874, aged fifty-six, the mother of the following children : Henry; Elizabeth, who married John Forry, of Red Lion; Mary, who married George Heff- ner, of Hopewell township; Jacob T .; Fannie, who married Andrew Craley, of Chanceford township; Catherine, who married Michael Arnold, of Chanceford township; and Andrew, who also resides in Chanceford township.

Jacob T. Gohn attended school in the winter terms until eighteen years of age, and followed farming on his father's farm. In 1864 he en- listed at Carlisle, in Company E, 15th Pennsyl- vania Cavalry, Colonel Palmer commanding, and after enlistment proceeded to Camp Wo- hatchee, where they camped for that winter. On March 8, 1865, he engaged in his first bat- tle, which was a lively skirmish just beyond Chattanooga, Tenn., and from that time to the close of the war the company was almost con- tinually in active service. Mr. Gohn has an excellent war record, and participated in one of the most notable events of the war. While in pursuit of General Bragg, the 15th Regiment captured him in a farm house in Tennessee, and with him was captured one who was sup- posed to be his wife. General Bragg managed to get this party through the lines, and it was afterward found that it was Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederacy, who had been fleeing from the Union troops. A short time afterward the 15th regiment ran Mr. Davis into the hands of the 4th Michigan regiment. Mr. Gohn was honorably discharged from the service at Nashville, Tenn., at the close of the war, and returned home to resume farming with his father.

In 1867 Mr. Gohn married Miss Mary Magdalena Sangrey, daughter of William and Susan Sangrey, and after marriage located on a farm at St. Luke's Church, which he had pur- chased from Peter Sangrey, and which he sold in 1869. He then removed to Manor township, Lancaster county, where he rented a farm and remained four years, and then returned home and bought his present home of seventy acres, then all brush land, the timber having been cut down, and nothing but the stumps remaining. Mr. Gohn improved this land, built a house and barn, and good substantial out-buildings,

and here he farmed until 1889, when he re- tired from active life. Mr. Gohn built his present home in 1901.

Fraternally Mr. Gohn is a member of Post No. 260, G. A. R., Pleasant Grove, Lancaster county. His religious membership is with no church, but he is ever ready to assist any re- ligious work, irrespective of creed. In politics he is a Republican.

Mr. Gohn's first wife died in 1887, leaving these children: Edward, of Chanceford town- ship; Annie, who married John Blouse, of Windsor township; Ella, who married Henry Markle, of Red Lion; and Lizzie, who married Elwood Dettinger, and lives in Chanceford township. Mr. Gohn was married ( second ), in 1900, to Miss Lizzie Getchell.

GEORGE FREDERICK GABLE, young- est son of Jacob and Anna Maria (Jackson ) Gable, was born in Windsor township, York county, March 9, 1859. He has taken an active part in politics from early manhood, always voting the Republican ticket, and has been suc- cessful in several lines of business. The family history will be found elsewhere.

The school days of George Frederick Gable began when he was six years old, and continued . until he was fourteen. He had the unusual privilege of finding his first teacher, Amos Hengst, in the township schools where his later lessons were learned. His business life began at the age of fourteen, when he entered the store of his brother, John Wesley Gable, as clerk, remaining there for twenty years. On leaving the store Mr. Gable purchased and stocked the old home farm, and carried it on for a year. He then sold it, and in 1896 be- came traveling agent for a publishing firm of Philadelphia ; among other publications which hie handled was the "Royal Scroll," of which he made a great success. His next position was as department manager in C. H. Baer's department store in York. After a year there he became floor walker in the store of P. Wiest's Sons, then returning home to enter the postal service.

George Frederick Gable married Melinda Hively, June 11, 1878, and they began house- keeping in the building adjoining his brother's store. They have had the followoing children : (1) Harry Strickler, born Sept. 24, 1879, in Chanceford township, resides in Philadelphia. After graduating from the grammar and high schools of York he taught three years in Hel-

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

lam and one year in Manchester. He became a one year was at clerk in Smith & Co.'s grocery store, in York, whence he went to Philadelphia, where he was employed in a chemical manufacturing plant. For three years he was a street car conductor in Philadelphia, and is at present in one of the offices of the Rapid Transit Traction Com- pany's Frankford Division, Philadelphia, Pa. (2) Mervin Clayton, born Nov. 3, 1880, in Hellam township, lives in Philadelphia. He attended the public schools, worked on the farm three years, was employed by William Shaffer, of Windsor township, and by Edward Hanser, a coal dealer of Spring Garden town- ship, and then learned the milling business with John Mitzel, of Hellam township. He ran Mr. Helb's mill at Railroad, Pa .. near Shrewsbury, for a year, then went to Philadelphia, and was employed in a chemical manufactory a year, since when he has been in Mr. Immel's com- mission house. (3) Carrie Elmira, born Dec. 19, 1882. in Hellam township, graduated from the township schools, and the Normal at York, and has taken a term in the Millersville State Normal School. She was always a good stil- dent and began teaching at seventeen, has taught five years in Hellam township, and is considered one of the best teachers in the town- ship. (4) Walter Emanuel, born July 9, 1884. in Hellam township, is a clerk in C. H. Baer's department store in York. He graduated from the common schools, was a clerk two years in the store of his uncle, J. W. Gable, and for one year with Blessing & Gable. He then took a course in the Millersville Normal School, after which he obtained his present position. (5) George Washington, born Jan. 31, 1886, in Hellam township, attended the common schools, and learned the trade of miller. At present he has a position in Philadelphia with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. (6) Jacob Luther, born March 26, 1888, in Hellam township. is at present book clerk with the York Manufacturing Company of York. (7) Paul Hively, born July 13, 1890, is at school. (8) Helen Grace, born Nov. 7, 1892, is attending school.

Melinda (Hively) Gable, wife of George Frederick, was a daughter of Amos and Har- riet ( Strickler ) Hively, the former a native of Windsor, the latter of Hellam township. Amos Hively was a miller and worked nine years in Strickler's mill at Hellam. He was in business for himself at Detwilers for two years, and for

Christ Musslemen's, at Chickies, Lancaster county. Twenty-five years ago he bought a farm in Chanceford township, which he carried on until 1902, when he retired from active life, and he now resides in Hellam aged seventy-one years. He has always been a Republican, and served as constable in Windsor township many years ago, as supervisor, tax collector and judge of elections. In religion Mr. Hively is a Lutheran ; his wife subscribes to the Dunkard faith. She is now sixty-six years of age. Their children were as follows: Ellen, who died young : Cal- vin, who died young; Melinda, who married George Frederick Gable; Harvey and Emma, who died young; Amos, who married Nettie Tosh, and lives at Hellam; John, who married Edith Rohrer, from Strasburg, Lancaster county, and lives at Hellam; Annie and Mag- gie, who are at home unmarried : William, who is married to Iva Curran, and is at present engaged in farming.

Mr. Gable has been actively interested in politics since he cast his first vote for Garfield. He has voted for every Republican Presidential candidate since then, and has taken consider- able part in local politics. For nearly twenty vears he served as assistant postmaster at Hel- lam, and in December, 1902, was appointed rural free delivery carrier, a position he still holds. His religious faith is that of the Lu- theran Church. The comfortable family home was built by Mr. Gable in 1884.

GEORGE B. TROUT, a successful farmer of York county, now living retired in Chanceford township, was born Nov. 13, 1842, on the home farm in Chanceford township, where he received a common-school educa- tion, attending school from the age of six years until twenty-one, and spending one year at the Murphy academy. He farmed with his father until his marriage, after which he lived at the Brogue for four or five years. following carpenter work, which trade he had learned with Jesse . Warner of Collinsville. He became a carpenter contractor and erected many fine residences and barns in the township. Later Mr. Trout ceased carpentering and went to farming, cropping by the half share for six years, after which he bought 100 acres of the home farm, which he cultivated until 1899. and then built his present home on a part of the farm, on which he has since lived retired.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 125

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