History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 127

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

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Mr. Hovis takes an intelligent citizen's in- terest in politics, casting his vote uniformly for Democratic candidates, but not seeking office himself. The family are members of the United Brethren Church, in which he is one of the trustees and treasurer. Mr. Hovis is one of the first class citizens of Springetsbury township, honest and upright, and always ready to do his part in promoting public im-

provements and in advancing the influence of the school and church. The family is held in much respect throughout the township.

WILLIAM BESHORE, who was for a number of years engaged in the hotel business in Lewisberry borough, is now engaged in working his farm of seventy acres in Newberry township. Mr. Beshore was born Oct. 18, 1849, son of Daniel and Mary (Fink) Beshore, and a grandson of Jacob Beshore.

The great-grandfather of William Beshore was George Beshore, who came from Germany and settled in Manchester township, where he took up a tract of land near Manchester bor- ough. Little is known of George Beshore, ex- cept that he was a farmer and spent his entire life in Manchester township, where his death occurred.

Jacob Beshore, the grandfather, was born on the farm in Manchester township, and bought the old home, where he followed farm- ing until his death. He married Lydia Fritz, and they both rest in the Union cemetery, Man- chester borough. The children born to this couple were as follows: Daniel; Jacob, living at Manchester borough; John, in Newberry township; Benjamin, in Newberry township; Leah, widow John Hoover, and living in Man- chester borough; and Elizabeth, deceased.

Daniel Beshore, father of William, was born in 1823, on the old home in Manchester township, and received a common school edu- cation. Mr. Beshore followed farming in Manchester township, later removing to New- berry township, where he purchased the old Reeser farm, and worked it for about forty years. Mr. Beshore retired from active life about ten years prior to his death, which oc- curred in 1894, and he is interred at the Pad- dletown Church, Newberry township. He married Mary Fink, daughter of William Fink, of one of York county's old families. Mrs. Beshore is still living in Newberrytown. Daniel Beshore held the offices of school direc- tor and was tax collector for eight years. He was a Dunkard in religious faith, while his wife was a valued and consistent member of the Evangelical Church. Mr. Beshore was very highly respected, and was widely known for his honesty and industry, and in every phase of life was a good man and a first-class citizen. His estimable wife survives him, and is well known for her kindness of heart and her gener-

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ous hospitality. The children born to Daniel Beshore and wife were as follows: Andrew, who married (first) Jane Gross, and (second) Ellen Jennings Bair ; William; Emma, widow of William Strine, and living in Newberry- town; Ellen, who married Charles E. Bair, a cigar manufacturer of Goldsboro; Daniel, Jr., who married Ida Yinger, and lives in Newber- rytown; Lydia, who married (first) Daniel Spahr, and (second) Andrew Sipe, and lives at Yocumtown; Mary, who married William Smith, and resides in Newberry township; Leah, wife of John Stettler; Jacob, who mar- ried Elizabeth Eppley, and they reside on the . old home in Newberry township; and Charles, who married Bertha Brinton, and resides in Harrisburg.

William Beshore attended the township schools until eighteen years of age, and then learned the cigar making trade, at which he worked for six years. At this time he went into business for himself at Newberrytown, remaining there about fifteen years. He had a large business and employed about forty bands. In 1893 he went into farming, purchas- ing a tract of about seventy acres of land, where he built fine substantial buildings, and remained here until 1896, when he went to Lewisberry borough, and engaged in the 110tel business, remaining there four years. He then sold out and bought the "Prima House," which he conducted until 1902, when he returned to Newberrytown and lived retired for one year, spent a short time with his son in York, and then, in 1903, returned to the farm, where he has since remained.

Mr. Beshore married Katie Bair, who died in 1876, and was buried at Paddletown, New- berry township. She left one daughter, Beckie, who married F. Updegraff, and lives at New Cumberland, Cumberland county. Mr. Beshore married ( second) Susan Ruby, daugh- ter of Tobias and Catherine Ruby. To this marriage came one son, William, Jr., born in 1879, who received a good education, and for a year was the proprietor of the well known "Central Hotel," on Market street, York, but who is now at Newberrytown, assisting his father ; in 1902 he married Mary Drawbaugh, daughter of Edward and Eliza (Mocklin) Drawbaugh. Both father and son are members of the Democratic party. They are most highly respected and very well known.

GEORGE F. MOTTER, son of Joseph Motter and Eve Oberlin, was born Jan. 29, 1859, in the city of York. He has passed prac- tically his entire life in York county. He was left double orphaned when a small child, and he has wrought out his own success through the application of his energies and abilities along a definite line of action, so ordering his course as to retain at all times the confidence and good-will of his fellowmen. As a worthy citizen and able and popular executive and business man, he is well entitled to representa- tion in this work.

The Motters have been identified with the history of this locality from the early days of York and Adams counties. The first of the name to come to this country were Frederick, Henry, George and Louis Motter, who emi- grated from Germany. They settled in Penn- sylvania near the Maryland line, and their de- scendants have since maintained high standing among the substantial residents of that region. Henry Motter was the grandfather of George F. Motter, whose name opens this sketch. He lived in Adams county, and reared a large family, namely : Samuel, Henry, Joseph, Dan- iel, Jacob, Jesse, Lewis, Frederick, Catherine, Martha and Margaret.

Joseph Motter, father of George F., was born in York county. He early took up his residence in York, where he died in 1877, while his wife survived him about three months. He was a pumpmaker and broommaker by occupa- tion. Joseph Motter was a valiant soldier in the Mexican war, in which he was wounded and left on the field to die, but a companion, Samuel Simons, carried him on his back a dis- tance of twenty-two miles to the city of Mexico, where he received attention and eventually re- covered. He was also a soldier in the Civil war, serving two enlistments, and being twice wounded. He married Miss Eve Oberlin, and they became the parents of three children, one of whom, William, died at the age of two years, while the two survivors are George F. and Ellen, the latter the wife of John T. Starke, a boilermaker and builder of stationary engines residing in York.

George F. Motter at the age of four years was placed in the Orphans' Home at York city, where he remained until he had attained the age of ten years. He was then bound out to a farmer of York county, and remained with him until eighteen years of age, in the mean-

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while attending the public schools as opportu- nity afforded, while no slight amount of labor fell to his portion during this interval. On Jan. 15, 1877, Mr. Motter initiated his inde- pendent career by entering upon an apprentice- ship to the machinist's trade, in the establish- ment of Frey & Motter, of York, with whom he remained three years. He then secured em- ployment in the foundry and machine shop of George F. Baugher, in whose employ he re- mained two years and six months. He next passed about seventeen months as a journey- man in the works of the Harrisburg Foundry & Machine Company at the State capital, after . union. which he returned to York and found employ- ment as a journeyman machinist in the works of the York Manufacturing Company. Eigh- teen months later he was made foreman of the shops, in which capacity he served for the long period of thirteen years, at the expiration of which, in 1897, he was promoted to the re- sponsible office of superintendent, which he held until Jan. 1, 1905. No better mark of confidence and commendation can be asked than that afforded in his long service in the employ of that important company, and in his being selected to fill that position. On Oct. I, 1905, he resigned to become a partner in the Drury Brick & Construction Company, com- posed of George W. Drury, president; F. O. Metz, secretary and treasurer; and Charles I. Drury, superintendent of plant. This com- pany was incorporated under the laws of Penn- sylvania for the manufacture of shale pressed brick and iron structural work. His career affords a noteworthy illustration of what may be accomplished by the American boy of pluck, energy, determination and honesty of purpose. While serving his apprenticeship he devoted his evenings largely to study and as a result of his application and of his mastering of the details of his business he has advanced toward the goal of success, and attained definite independ- ence and prosperity, while he has ever held the esteem and good-will of those with whom he has been associated, having served under five different managers in the employ of the York Manufacturing Company, and having been most popular with both employers and em- ployees, until the day of his resignation to enter business for himself.

In politics Mr. Motter is stanchly arrayed as a supporter of the principles and policies of the Republican party, and for one term he rep-

resented the Ninth ward in the city council, declining to become a candidate for a second term. He and his wife are valued members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, and fraternally he is identified with York Lodge, No. 266, F. & A. M. ; Howell Chapter, No. 199. R. A. M .; York Commandery, No. 27, K. T .; and Rajalı Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., Reading, Penn- sylvania.

On Jan. 29, 1890, Mr. Motter wedded Miss Lillie May Blauser, daughter of Edwin Blau- ser, a prominent contractor and builder of York. No children have been born to this

U. G. SEIFERT, a representative farmer of Warrington township, York county, and a member of a very old family, was born in that township Feb. 3, 1866, son of Peter M. and Sarah (Swean) Seifert.

The first member of the Seifert family of whom anything authentic is known, was one Johannes Seifert, who emigrated from Wur- temberg, Germany, coming to America in 1676, and settling in York county in the vicin- ity of Dover, where he took up land from the Government and was one of the largest land owners in the county in his time. This land was divided among his children. He had been married in Germany, and when he came to this country he was accompanied by his wife and one child, their passage costing thirty dollars apiece, in American money. As was the cus- tom in those days they were bound by contract to a Colonist, with the understanding that they should work for him for one year, that their passage might be paid off. This they did. The name of Johannes Seifert's wife is not known, nor his children, but it is recorded that one of his sons married, and had a son, Michael, who was the great-grandfather of U. G. Seifert, the subject of this sketch.

To Michael Seifert and wife the following children were born : Michael, Henry, Andrew, Samuel, Mrs. Susan Kimmel, Mrs. Lydia Berkheimer, Mrs. Catherine Strayley, Mrs. Garver, Mrs. Lucy Longard and Mrs. Sarah Sidlestricker. Michael Seifert died in 1861, and was buried in the Dover cemetery. His wife was Dolly Leinbaught, who died several years previous to her husband.

Samuel Seifert, the grandfather of U. G. Seifert. married Elizabeth Menges, in October, 1829. She was a native of York county and

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became the mother of these children : Benja- Daniel Lehman died at the age of eighty-three min ; Emanuel; Samuel ; Andrew ; Peter ; Leah. who married Frederick Myers; Henry, Eliza- beth ; Tempest ; Rebecca, and Michael. In their religious belief these good people were all Luth- crans. Mr. Seifert was an old line Whig and held many township offices, among them being those of supervisor and school director. He died in 1891, aged eighty-four years, while his wife died the same year, aged eighty-six.

Peter Seifert, son of Samuel, was born in Warrington township, and after receiving a good, common school education, learned the plasterer's trade, which he followed for many years, finally turning his attention to farming, and following that calling until death. Peter Seifert married, in 1863, Sarah Swean, daugh- ter of Conrad Swean, and these children were born to this couple : Tempest, deceased ; U. G .; John A .; Samuel; Elizabeth and Bertha, de- ceased. Mr. Seifert was a devoted member of the Lutheran Church, in the faith of which he died in 1894, at the age of fifty-four years. In his political views he was a supporter of the principles laid down by the Republican party.

U. G. Seifert was educated in the cominon schools of Warrington township, and has spent his life at agricultural pursuits. He purchased his present farm of ninety-three acres in 1891, and has been very successful in his agricultural operations. In 1890 he married Emma Ort- myer, a daughter of Henry Ortmyer. and three children have blessed this union: Bessie E., Charles T. and Sylvan G. In religion family are consistent members of the United Evangelical Church. In politics Mr. Seifert is connected with the Republican party, and has held the office of school trustee. His suc- cess shows very plainly what may be accom- plished by energy, industry and thrift, and he is very highly regarded in Warrington town- ship.

MILTON LEHMAN, one of the good, practical farmers of York county, actively en- gaged in the operation of his fine farm in Springfield township, was born in that town- ship, May 25, 1859, son of Emanuel Lehman.

Henry Lehman, the great-grandfather of our subject, was a resident of York county. and his son, Daniel, was an agriculturist of Springfield township, where he married Cath- erine Wallace, a daughter of Adam Wallace. Both were members of the Dunkard Church.

years, and is buried at the Dunkard Church. and his first wife passed away at the age of for- ty-two, and was interred at the old Feig- ley burying ground. Their children were: Emanuel, mentioned before; Jacob, who mar- ried Lucy Ness; John, who married (first ) Lucy Allison, and (second) Rebecca Jacobs ; Henry, who married Lydia Ness; Daniel, who married Mary Wineholt, and lives in Lancaster, Pa .; William, who married Prudence Fraser ; Noah, who married Cassandra Knaub: Lealı. the wife of Henry Falkenstine; Elizabeth, de- ceased wife of Joseph Ness. After the death of his first wife Mr. Daniel Lehman married (second) Katie Sourbier, and had the follow- ing children: Lydia, the wife of Nathaniel Paulus; Charles, who married Ida Dietz ; and Mary, the wife of William Hengst.

Emanuel Lehman was born June 13, 1829. in Springfield township, and attended the pub- lic. schools. At the age of five years he was put out among strangers, working for his board and clothes until he was sixteen years old. He married Eliza Messersmith, born Sept. 20, 1832, daughter of Michael and Sarah ( Hartman) Messersmith, and they located in York town- ship, where he carried on farming for sixteen years. He then located in Springfield town- ship. in 1892, making his home at Loganville, where he purchased eleven acres of land. Mr. and Mrs. Lehman had these children : Leah, born March 9, 1851, is the wife of Ches- ter Bahn, of Springfield township; Mary, born June 3, 1852. is the wife of John Neff. of York; Sarah, born July 5, 1853, is the wife of Emanuel Winters, of York: Eliza, born Dec. 15, 1854, was twice married, her second huis- band being John Wolz, and they now reside in Shrewsbury township; Samuel, born Jan. I. 1856, died single ; Ellen, born March 15. 1858, died young; Milton: Katie, born Nov. 25, 1860, married Daniel Keeney, and lives in Shrewsbury township; Frederick, born June 4. 1863, married (first) Mary Tyson, and ( sec- ond) Minnie Davis, and is now residing in York : Annie. born Sept. 2, 1864. died in young womanhood: Elizabeth, born April 17. 1867, resides at home: Lucy, born June 7, 1870, is the wife of John Grove, and lives in Springfield township; Lydia, born Oct. 23, 1873, died young : Olivia, born Oct. 23, 1873. twin sister of Lydia, married Edward Eberly, and is living in York ; and Emanuel, Jr., born Oct. II. 1877.

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married Bessie Heathcote, and they are living with their parents in Loganville.

Milton Lehman attended the township schools of his native township, and remained at home, assisting his father in operating the farm until he was twenty-one years of age, at which time he married Mary Myers, daughter of Joseph and Catherine ( Ness) Myers. After marriage they located in Springfield town- ship, where he has since been a resident. He purchased his present farm of Peter H. Grove, in 1904, and it consists of 100 acres of land, situated close to the Dunkard Church. Mr. Lehman has an exceptionally fine orchard, and has among others 200 plum trees, 1,800 peach trees. 200 pear trees, 100 cherry trees and 200 apple trees, and he grows some of the finest fruit in the State, having a ready sale for his crops in the York markets. Mr. Lehman's buildings are well-located, and his farm one of the best kept up in the township. Mr. Leh- man also saws shingles from the fine timber on his farm. Mr. and Mrs. Lehman have these children : Katie, Eliza, Emanuel H., Mamie, Milton Emore and Mary. Mr. Lehman is a member of the German Baptist Church, of which he has been a member since his twenty- fifth year, and of which he has been deacon since 1897. His wife and two eldest daugh- ters are also members of this Church.

H. SAMUEL HAYS. On another page of this publication will be found a memorial tribute to George A. Barnitz, who was one of York county's honored and influential business men and the founder of the extensive coal and wood business which is still conducted under his name in the city of York. Of this extensive business enterprise Mr. Hays is now the man- ager.

Mr. Hays was born in Newberry township, this county, Aug. 3, 1868, son of Granville and Catherine (Rife) Hays, both of whom were likewise born in York county, being represen- tatives of stanch pioneer stock. The father of our subject was born in Newberry township, in 1843, and his vocation in life has been that of farmer. He is now living in York. His wife, also born in the year 1843, was a daugh- ter of Henry and Lucy Rife, and she was summoned into eternal rest Nov. 2, 1903. John Hays, grandfather of our subject, was a car- penter and millwright by trade, and was a man of prominence and influence in York coun-

ty in his day and generation. He married Jane Morris and they reared a 'large family of chil- dren, having many descendants in York county at the present time.

H. Samuel Hays secured his preliminary education in the public schools of Newberry, this county, and after completing the curricu- lum of the same he entered York County Acad- emy, and a normal school at Valparaiso, Ind., where he remained as a student until he had at- tained the age of nineteen years, when he put his scholastic attainments to practical use and test by engaging to teach in the district schools of his native county, being thus iden- tified with the pedagogic profession for eight consecutive terms and meeting with gratifying success in his work. Upon abandoning his labors in this line Mr. Hays secured a clerkship in 1898 in the office of the late George A. Bar- nitz, one of the most extensive coal and wood dealers of York, and he has ever since remained with the concern, having been made manager of the enterprise in 1901. He has well upheld the prestige of the business and is known as one of the able and progressive young business men of the county. In politics Mr. Hays is a stanch advocate of the principles of the Democratic party ; fraternally he is affil- iated with the Patriotic Sons of America and the Knights of Malta, while he also holds mem- bership in the York Democratic Club; and both he and his wife are valued members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

On Dec. 5, 1895, was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Hays to Miss Carrie D. Patterson, who was born and reared in York county, being a daughter of William E. and Maria Patterson, well known citizens of York.

DAVID CUNNINGHAM, a lifelong res- ident of Springetsbury township, is the sec- ond of his family in the county, in line of de- scent, and was born there Oct. 12, 1839.

John Cunningham, father of David, was born in Maryland, Jan. 22, 1800, and died June 29, 1866. He came from his native State to York county in early manhood and settled just east of York city, in what was then Spring Garden township. At first he worked as a day laborer, then was employed in the construc- tion of the Wrightsville railroad, and later turned to farming. His first purchase was a small property but he soon bought the place now owned by his son David, consisting of 104

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acres two and a half miles northeast of York. Pennsylvania settled in Spring Garden town- This tract was entirely wild, but Mr. Cunning- ship, in 1747. For over a century and a half nis descendants have been prominent in vari- outs walks of life, some in the Christian minis- try, some in manufacturing, some in mercan- tile life and some in agriculture. Whatever their stage of action, they have acted well their parts. Edward Ellsworth Rouse, the well- known carriage manufacturer, was born in Spring Garden township, Feb. 6, 1866, son of Jchn and Lydia (Tyson) Rouse. ham with the help of his sons cleared the tin- ber, put up buildings and generally improved it, making farming his permanent occupation. His property was all acquired through his own industry and he was liberal both of his means and time in furthering the progress of his con- munity. He assisted largely in the erection of Mount Zion Lutheran Church and was in every way progressive and public-spirited. Gifted with the faculty of ingratiating himself with John Rouse was one of three children ; the brother who was named Jacob, died, and the sister. Magdalena, married John Becker and lives in California. John and Lydia (Tyson) Rouse were the parents of five children also : John C .; Charles H .; Edward E .; Rosa; and Maria J., deceased wife of Jacob Andrew. Jolın Rouse died Oct. 26, 1865, and in 1886 his widow married Phineas Palmer. She was again left a widow in 1901, and has since then lived at Violet Hill, Spring Garden township. She is now seventy-nine years old. all, he had a large circle of friends and many warm admirers. He married Miss Elizabethi Spangler, daughter of John and Christine (Shultz) Spangler, who was born Oct. 17, 1812, and survived her husband till March 7, 1883. They had children as follows: William, deceased; Susan, deceased wife of William Nye; George and John, twins, both deceased ; Lucinda, who died unmarried ; Eli, of Springetsbury township; David; and Eliza- beth, Mrs. Henry Shultz, of the same township.

David Cunningham was given a limited ed- ucation in the public schools and began early to assist his father on the farm. On reaching manhood he decided to make farming his vo- cation and has always devoted himself to that calling. He owns sixty-seven acres of the old homestead and also two good residence prop- erties. On his farm he has a fine peach orchard of 400 trees and is a wide-awake, energetic farmer and business man. He is a strong Democrat and always ready to do his utmost for the public welfare. He was married Feb. 26, 1869, to Miss Kate Kohler, daughter of Henry and Mary (Cramer) Kohler, and to this union eight children have been. born, viz. : Elmira, Mrs. Samuel Hess, ot York township: Charles, yard boss at the York freight depot of the Pennsylvania railroad, who married Miss Emma Stough, of Springetsbury township:

Mr. Rouse chose for his first wife Miss Eugenia Croll, daughter of William Croll. James, a molder, who married Miss Lizzie and to their union one child was born, Charles Sheughberger, of Lancaster, Pa .; Nettie, Mrs. E. Left a widower, Mr. Rouse was married in Henry Moul, of Eberton; Luther, who mar- ried Miss Emma Boyer, of Eberton; Susan, who taught school seven years prior to her mar- riage to Edward Heikes, of Manchester town- ship; George and William, at home. The fam- ily are all connected with the Lutheran Church. in which Mr. Cunningham is an elder.

EDWARD ELLSWORTH ROUSE. The Rouse family is one of the oldest in York county, where the first one of the name in Heptasophis.

Edward E. Rouse attended the public schools of his native township, and after com- pleting his education he started to learn the blacksmith's trade with Alexander Markley, but finished his apprenticeship under Phineas Palmer. Later Mr. Rouse engaged somewhat extensively in the ice business, but in 1890 em- barked in his present occupation at Violet Hill. South George streeet, and while the location is rather removed from the center of trade, he has by his thorough and practical knowledge built up a business of large proportions, equal- ing, if not excelling. any similar concern in rural York county. In the beginning he had but one anvil, but now he employs eight me- chanics and turns out over 200 vehicles annu- ally.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 127

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