History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 129

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

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May 22, 1865.

To all whom it may concern I this day of May 22, have promoted J. N. Bentzel as first lieutenant on my staff for bravery all through my campaign. Yours, W. T. SHERMAN. . Major General Commanding.

After his army service was completed Mr. Bentzel returned for a time to his home in Dover township, and then traveled all over the West, working at his trade, but later settled in Dover.

On Aug. 27, 1871, Mr. Bentzel was united in marriage with Sarah A. Lenhart, daughter of John and Margaret ( Emig) Lenhart, who were early settlers in this portion of York county. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Bentzel lived for one year in Dover, and then moved to Mr. Lenhart's farm, which he operated for thirteen years, then buying a home at Dover, where he was a carpenter and carriagemaker until he was obliged to retire from active work. He has a pleasant home and many friends. Among his treasures which he kindly displays to visitors is a sword which was brought to America by his great-grandfather.

Mr. and Mrs. Bentzel have had these chil- dren : A child born in December, 1875, died the same month: Anna Jane, born Jan. 14, 1877, married Harry Strickler, of York, and is the mother of two children, Morris (aged three years) and Margaret; Charles L., born July 22, 1878, married Annie Hobaugh, and is living at York, York county, and has one child, Marion H., aged two years; Harry L., born Oct. 29, 1880, who lives at Green Ridge, married Florence Bear, and they are the par- ents of two children, Evelyn and Hazel. Mr. Bentzel takes great comfort in his little grand- children. In politics he is a Democrat. Mrs. Bentzel is a member of the Reformed Church.

JOHN ROBERT WELLER was younger son of the well-known and highly re- a spected Weller family of Wrightsville, and for several years prior to his decease was in part- nership with D. S. Detwiler in the cigar manu- facturing business.

Mr. Weller was born in Wrightsville Oct. 13, 1856, and attended school there until he was twelve years old. The early death of the father, which occurred when. John Robert was only six years of age, made it necessary for the son to begin work early in life. He was only ten when he went into the saddlery shop of Daniel Rudy, as helper. There he worked sev- eral seasons, going to school in the winter. When he was fourteen he began doing piece work in the cigar box factory of Zorbaugh & Duden, his wages averaging four or five dol- lars a month and board. At sixteen he entered the cigar manufactory of Thompson Brothers,

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

of Wrightsville, where he remained a year, and he next went into the establishment of Kocher & Weber (now S. R. Kocher), where he fin- ished learning his trade, afterward remaining with the firm a number of years. Until he was twenty-one all of his earnings went to his mother. In January, 1886, he was sent to Florida, by the firm of Kocher & Beidler, as manager of an orange plantation. He cleared the new land, set out trees, and remained in charge six months, when he returned to Wrightsville and went into the cigar factory of S. R. Kocher, first as packer, and then as traveling salesman. About the year 1838 he left Mr. Kocher and entered the employ of Weller & Munich, the senior partner of this firm being his elder brother. When he had been with the firm a short time his brother bought out his partner's interest and took John Robert as partner. This arrangement contin- ued until 1894, when Mr. Weller was offered the position of foreman in the tobacco factory of D. S. Detwiler. He accepted this offer and was with that house ever after, becoming a partner in the concern in January, 1900, and continuing as such until his death, which oc- curred Nov. 16, 1905.

On Jan. 9, 1878, Mr. Weller married Emma Wallick, of East Prospect, York coun- ty, daughter of Emanuel and Rebecca (Stair) Wallick. The former is yet living, the latter died a few years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Weller became the parents of the following named children : Helen H., a graduate of the Wrights- ville high school, and a teacher in Springet, York county : William E., living at home, who was educated in the Wrightsville schools, and is now a clerk in the First National Bank : John Robert, at home, clerk in a drug store ; Joseph WV., Catherine, Marion and David, all attend- ing school. The family are all interested mem- bers of the Methodist Church. Mr. Weller was a Democrat, and served one year as asses- sor. He was fraternally a member of the Jr. O. U. A. M.

JOHN O. STAMBAUGH, the well- known tailor of York, whose place of business is located at No. 7 West Market street, was born in Paradise township, York county, June 28, 1862, son of Jacob S. Stambaugh.

John Stambaugh, his grandfather, was a shoemaker by trade, following that occupation all of his life, being a skilled hand mechanic.

He died at the age of sixty-eight years, the father of five children.

Jacob S. Stambaugh was born in York, and learned the shoemaking trade under his father. This he followed for a number of years. He married Susan Jacobs, who is living with Mrs. R. D. Aldinger, a daughter, while Mr. Stambaugh is living with another dauglı- ter, Mrs. John Yeager, near Lewisberry, New- berry township, being now seventy-three years old. Their children were: Joseph C., Henry A., Monroe J., John O., Ellen J., Sarah A., Emma E., Alice, Cora S. and Lizzie D.

John O. Stambaugh attended the public schools until fifteen years old, and then learned the blacksmith's trade which he fol- lowed until nineteen years of age. At the end of that time he went to learn the tailor's trade in York, and after serving his time, went to Davidsburg, Dover township, where he en- gaged in business. He also clerked in a gen- eral store there, and then went to the borough of Dover, where for seven years he engaged in business, the last four years operating a barber shop in connection. Mr. Stambaugh located in York in 1895, and is now located at No. 7 West Market street, making use of the second and third floors, where he employs fifteen skilled workmen. Mr. Stambaugh's idea in his business is to please his customers, and he enjoys an enviable reputation as a man of hon- esty and integrity.

Mr. Stambaugh has two daughters, Annie Elizabeth and Katie May. He is a Democrat, and a member of the York Democratic Club.

MOSES H. DEARDORFF, who is the owner of 450 acres of the best farming land in York county, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Latimore township, Adams county, Nov. 22, 1829, son of Joseph and Lucy ( Hoo- ver) Deardorff.

For several generations the Deardorffs have been farmers. Samuel Deardorff, grand- father of Moses H., carried on agricultural pursuits most successfully in Adams county, where he died at the age of sixty-five years. His remains rest in the cemetery at the Bretlı- ren Meeting House, near East Berlin, Adams county.

Joseph Deardorff, father of Moses H., was one of the wealthiest farmers in his neighbor- hood. He made his home in Washington township, York county, where he died in

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1885, at the advanced age of eighty-one years.

ren's Church cemetery in that township. They were the parents of eight children, five sons and three daughters, as follows: Joshua H., of Dillsburg; Samuel, deceased, who is buried at Barren's Church, Washington township; Ja- cob, a physician practicing at Mechanicsburg, York county ; William, who enlisted for service in the Civil war, and died in the army; Moses H .; Elizabeth, deceased, also buried at Bar- ren's Church; Sarah, who married Daniel Heiges, of Clearfield; and Catharine, who married Samuel Lease, and at her death was buried in Dover cemetery, at Strayers Church.

Moses H. Deardorff was reared to ma11- hood on his father's farm, and from that prac- tical teacher learned all the details necessary for the successful pursuit of agriculture. Hc has been engaged in that calling all his life, and with the aid of a good and faithful wife has become one of the wealthy men of his section of the State, now owning four fine farms, ag- gregating about 450 acres. He moved to his present home farm in 1885, and since then has practically rested from active participation in the work, although he has by no means given up the general oversight of his beautiful place.

On Sept. 20, 1855, Mr. Deardorff was united in marriage with Elizabeth Detter. of Franklintown, and on Sept. 20, 1905, this happy couple celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage. Mrs. Deardorff was daughter of John and his wife Louisa Spahr, of Washington township. Two children came to brighten their home, Louis F. and Joseph G., both of whom own rich farms near Barren's Church, in Washington township. Mr. and Mrs. Deardorff are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, in which he has served a number of years as trustee. Although he has never taken an active part in politics, he has always been a Democrat, and he has served his township as school director several terms, and has also been tax collector. He is a direc- tor of the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of Paradise, and for the past thirty years has been its agent in his locality. Mr. Deardorff has passed a busy and useful life, and he and his good wife are spending the evening of their days surrounded by the love and care and friendship of all who know them.

JOHN KRUG. This retired farmer is a self-made man, beginning life on small means

and by his energy and industry not only ac- He and his wife, Lucy ( Hoover), rest in Bar- quiring a handsome competency but presenting in his career an example of many forceful and sterling qualities. He is the representative of an old and well-known family. He was born on a farm in Adams county, April 21, 1820, the son of George G. and Sarah (Lechty) Krug, and the grandson of Henry Krug.

George G. Krug was born in Lancaster county, Pa., in 1793. He was prominent in his day and widely respected for his splendid traits of character, but died in 1842, compara- tively young in years. He was buried in the old Lutheran graveyard at Hanover. His wife, Sarah Lechty, was also a native of Lancaster county, born in 1794, the daughter of Christian Lechty, who married a Miss Fisher, and reared to manhood and womanhood a large family. To George G. Krug and his wife came nine children, as follows: Daniel; Sarah; Eliza- beth ; Marian ; George; William V .; Catherine; John; and Rufus. All these children lived to maturity but all are now deceased, except John, the subject of this sketch. Sarah (Lechty) Krug died in August, 1850.

John Krug was reared as a farmer's boy and in early childhood was sent to the common subscription schools of that period, and later to the free schools, attending a series of termis until his eighteenth year. He remained on his father's farm until he reached the age of twenty-one years, when, in 1842, his father died. John then learned the trade of miller with his uncle, John Lechty, who at that time lived in Littlestown, Adams county. Upon the completion of his trade, John Krug went to Maryland, locating near Liberty on Beaver Dam creek, where for two years he was em- ployed in a mill. Then returning to Adams county he engaged in farming and butchering for several years. In 1860 he moved to York county, purchasing a farm near Everett's Mill. Disposing of this he bought a farm in Cone- wago township, where for several years he continued farming. Later he bought a farm near Oxford, Adams county, where he resided for eighteen years. Finally disposing of this property he purchased a farm near the city limits of Hanover, consisting of thirty-eight acres of valuable land. This he continued to farm until 1889, when he rented the place and retired from active life. He has been emi- nently successful in his agricultural and other business transactions, and now owns an excel- lent farm of 182 acres in Adams county which

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

is leased, also good buildings in Hanover and York, and he is interested in many of the pros- perous industries which have grown up at Hanover-being a stockholder of the Hanover Machine Company, the Hanover Silk Com- pany, and a stockholder and director of the National Bank of Hanover.

Mr. Krug has been twice married, first in October, 1852, to Miss Susan Willet, of Adams county, daughter of George and Elizabeth ( McKinney) Willet. To this union were born five children, three of whom are now living, namely : George W., of Littlestown ; Lucinda, who married John S. Hershey ; and David D., of Hanover. For his second wife Mr. Krus married Melinda Feeser, and to them have been born five children: Harriet; Virginia; Cath- erine ; Calvin ; and Paul. Mr. Krug is a mem - ber of the old Lutheran Church. In politics he votes with the Republican party, but has never held office. Though now in his eighty-seventh year he is remarkably well-preserved, and he still gives personal attention to many of the de - tails of his various interests. He is recog- nized as a man of profound financial sagacity, but his views and sympathies are not narrowed by personal consideration. He is public-spir- ited, and in public affairs he brings to bear upon issues of prominence and moment opin- ions that are highly valued. He possesses many admirers for his intrinsic qualities and superior personal worth, and his counsel in various affairs of life has been frequently sought.

county, when well advanced in years. They had one child, Joseph.

Joseph Bahn was reared to the sturdy dis- cipline of the farm, which was of a farm more strenuous order in the pioneer days than at the present time, when machinery and improved facilities and accessories or all sorts conspire to lighten the labors of the successful husband- man. He assisted his father in various kinds of work, doing a large amount of teaming, es- pecially in the way of hauling ore to the fur- naces in Lancaster county, and finally becom- ing identified with this line of enterprise on his own responsibility, devoting more or less at- tention to the same for a quarter of a century and meeting with success in his efforts. His educational advantages in his youth were such as were offered in the common schools of his native county, while through personal appli- cation and well directed reading he broadened his mental outlook, with the passing of the years becoming a man of general information and good judgment. Mr. Bahn purchased a farm of seventy acres in York township, in the vicinity of York, and there he continued to re- side for several years, devoting himself to the cultivation of his land. In the spring of 1901 he removed into Dallastown, having disposed of his farm, and in the village named pur- chased his present fine modern residence, on Main street, where he has since lived retired. He enjoyed comparatively excellent health until October, 1904, when he suffered a stroke of paralysis, which has left him partially help- less. Mr. Bahn is well known throughout York 'county and his name has ever stood synony- mous with integrity and inflexible honesty of purpose, so that he has at all times com- manded the confidence and high regard of his fellowmen. 'In politics he is a stanch advocate of the principles of the Republican party, and his religious faith is that of the Lutheran Church, of which his wife likewise is a devoted member, both having been for many years prominent in the various departments of the church work.

JOSEPH BAHN, who is now living re- tired in the attractive village of Dallastown, York township, is one of the venerable citizens of the county, and a representative of one of the old and prominent families of this section of the Keystone State. Mr. Bahn's life has been one of active endeavor, and he has gained a worthy success. He was born in Springfield township, York county, March 24, 1822, and is the son of Adam Bahn, who was born and reared in the adjoining county of Lancaster, whence he came to York county when a young man, locating in Springfield township and On Feb. 12, 1863, was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Bahn to Sarah Ann Sprenkle, who was born in Windsor township, Oct. 6. 1843, and was there reared to maturity. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bahn was solemn- nized by Rev. J. Oswald. Mr. Bahn and his there turning his attention to agricultural pur- suits, with which he continued to be actively identified during the greater portion of his business career, while in the early days he also operated a distillery. The maiden name of his wife was Maria Liphart, and both died in this devoted wife have no children of their own, but

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they have adopted two children, to whom they erty is now owned by our subject, and it has have given good educational advantages and been in the Payne family since in 1769. the kindly affection of true foster parents. Of these children we record that Hiram Grant Bahn, who married Emma Keller, is a resi- dent of Dallastown ; Sarah Ann Bahn, who be- came the wife of Jacob Slenker, is now de- ceased.

BENJAMIN FULTON PAYNE, one of the prominent citizens of Hopewell township, York county, is a direct and worthy descend- ant of a family which was established in Penn- sylvania in the days of William Penn. Its record of family movements, attainments and numerous descendants is of a most interesting character. A few records may be included in the sketch of our highly esteemed subject.

The earliest settlers of the Payne family in Chester county were Josiah and Martha ( Shep- ard) Payne, natives of England, and devoted adherents of George Fox and Elias Hicks. They came to the Penn settlement mainly to escape English persecution. It is presumed that they later moved to Harford county. Md .; probably some of their children settled near Darlington or Fawn Grove, York county, Pa. Their children were: Martha, George, Jesse, John, Eleazer, Alice, Hannah, Elizabeth and Ruth. John and Eleazer married Mary and Elizabeth Manifold. The parents of the Mani- fold sisters were old and respected residents, Quakers also, of New Garden township, Ches- ter county, and Benjamin Manifold was one of the first settlers in Fawn township, York county.

George Payne had children : Henry ; Jesse, Hannah, who married Robert Hartzel; Mary, who married Benjamin Manifold; Martha, who was a traveling preacher, married to Abraham Smith; Rachel, who married Abra- ham McClery: Sarah, who married John Squib; and Alice, who married Levi Smith. George Payne and his wife settled near Fawn Grove, York county, but subsequently moved to Berkeley county, Virginia.

The great-great-grandfather of our subject, John Payne, was of English parentage, being a son of George Payne, the first of this line to come from England, whose wife's name was Martha. They were Quakers and settled in Chester county, Pa. The son John subse- quently came to York county and bought a farm in East Hopewell township. This prop-

John Payne had two children, of whom Benjamin, was our subject's great-grand- father. By his marriage to a woman of Scotch-Irish descent a Presbyterian element entered into this old Quaker family, which, up to this time had religiously followed the tenets of the latter faith. Benjamin Payne united with the Presbyterian Church, and it is re- corded that he became prominent in this body- Always a man of Christian life and conduct, the change in his form of worship did not make any material change in his conduct. Benjamin Payne had four children, namely: Benjamin F .; Eliza Betsey, who married Robert Ander- son : Mary A., who never married; and Lydia who never married. Benjamin Payne died in 1856 and his wife in 1845.

Jolin Payne, father of our subject, taught school during his early manhood, prior to set- tling down to farming. He was reared in the Presbyterian Church, but after his marriage. he became identified with the M. E. Church and was very prominent in its work. He was always a man of high standing in his commu- nity and possessed many sturdy traits of char- acter. After a long and useful life he died in 1899, at the age of eighty-one years. He mar- ried Mary Eshelman, born in Lancaster county, and they had three children : Benjamin Ful- ton; John W .; and Charlotte, who married Abraham Leister, of Maryland.

Benjamin Fulton Payne was born in De- cember, 1845, in Delaware county, Ohio, with- in six miles of the city of Delaware. He was educated in the schools of Lancaster county. Pa., and Carroll county, Md., and he continued to work the home farm, at the age of forty years purchasing the property. He made farming his business until 1903, when he was appointed to the responsible office of deputy revenue collector of the Fifth Division of the Ninth District of Pennsylvania, and the duties pertaining to this office have since claimed his entire attention.

In 1880 Mr. Payne was married to Martha E. Roop, of Carroll county, Md., and they have had three children, viz .: Mary, who died in August, 1903: Annie E., who is the wife of Dr. D. C. Martin ; and John Wilber, of Hope- well township. The religious membership of the family is with the Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Payne has always been closely identi-

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

fied with the Republican party. His ancestors were strong Whigs, but later became just as closely affiliated with the Republican party. He has held numerous offices, filling the vari- ous duties with the capacity only possible to a man of his high character and unquestioned in- tegrity. His fraternal relations are with the Free Masons and the Knights of Pythias.

JOSEPH ANDERSON, whose success as a farmer is attested by his fine, well improved farm of 159 acres, in Monaghan township, York county, which he has been operating since 1882, was born Feb. 17, 1840, in that township, son of William N. and Mary ( Wiley) An- derson.

The founder of the family in America was Rennix Anderson, an Irishman by birth, who farmed for many years in Cumberland county. and later in York county, where he founded Andersontown. His son, Alexander Ander- son, the grandfather of our subject, was also a farmer, who, with his father, moved from Cumberland county to York county, and was a very prosperous man. He married and be- came the father of James, John, Samuel, Rob- ert, Joseph and William. Alexander Ander- son was a Whig in politics. He and his wife died when our subject was a child.

William Anderson, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Cumberland county, but later moved to York county. He was educated in the schools of York county, and early in life engaged in farming. He came into possession of the farm now owned by his son, our sub- ject, through his father-in-law, Michael Wiley. who had purchased it from a Mr. May. Here he and his wife lived until a few years before his death, when they moved to Lisburn, Cum- berland county, and there he died. His chil- dren were: Sarah, Caroline. Joseph. George, Jane. William. Emma. In religion he was a member of the Church of God, having joined that faith in 1842. In politics he was an ac- tive member of the Republican party, and served as a school trustee. His death occurred in 1882, at the age of seventy-two years, and his wife died in 1883 in her seventy-third year.

Joseph Anderson has always lived on the old home farm, buying it after his father's death from the heirs of the estate. Mr. An- derson has been a very successful farmer, and under his management many improvements have been made. He has recently suffered

from a paralytic stroke, and is enduring his affliction with Christian fortitude. Mr. An- derson is one of the leading and substantial citizens of his neighborhood, and is. a worthy representative of a fine old family.

In 1866 Mr. Anderson married Mary Boak, daughter of Lewis Boak, a native of York county. Four children have been born to this union, namely, Ira, Harry, Jennie and Edith. Mr. Anderson's political sympathies are with the Republican party, but from pref- erence he has kept out of politics, declining to serve in almost all of the local offices. In religion he is a consistent member of the Church of God in which he has been an official for about twenty-five years.

EDWIN F. HIVELY, one of the leading business men of York, Pa., who is very promi- nent in the building and contracting line, with which he has been identified here for the past twelve years, was born Nov. 30, 1862, in Spring Garden (now Springetsbury ) township, York county, son of George S. and Lydia Ann ( Strickler) Hively.

The father of our subject was a son of Samuel Hively. He was a farmer all his life, and died at the age of forty-three years, and was survived until four years later. by his widow. They had these children: Edwin F .; Bird W., a grocer in York; Albert, who died in infancy; and Annie J., wife of Joseph Al- many, of Springetsbury township.

Edwin F. Hively was educated in the schools of his native township, and in 1882 started to learn a self-supporting trade, making choice of that of mason, and entering the em- ploy of W. H. Sipe. After he finished his ap- prenticeship he worked as a journeyman until 1892, when he began contracting and building on his own account. That he was thoroughly competent is proved by his work, and by the position he fills at present, that of the leading man in his line in York county. Some of his completed jobs are: The Norway Steel plant ; the York Haven Water and Power Company's plant ; the Art Factory; the Morton Manufact- uring Plant; the York Carriage Plant; the New Freedom Wire Cloth Works; the Mt. Wolf Furniture Factory ; the York Cold Stor- age Plant; and the York Candy Company's Plant. In addition to these large enterprises, Mr. Hively builds from forty to fifty dwell- ings a year, and keeps a force of fifty work-

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 129

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