History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 13

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

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EDWARD SMALL RUPP (deceased), who for many years carried on a very profi- table business in York, was born there Jan. 22, 1829, son of Daniel Rupp and grandson of Gotlieb Rupp, who died in York City.

Daniel Rupp, the father of our subject, was a native of York, and a well-known butcher, and died here at the age of eighty-six years. He was one of the first members of Trinity Reformed Church. He married Lydia Small, a cousin of Philip and Samuel Small (both of whom are deceased). and she died also at a ripe old age. They had the following named children : David; Catherine, Mrs. Cornelius Garrison ; Daniel; Margaret, Mrs. Granville Hartman, who is the only surviving member of this family and now resides in York; Edward S .: Mary, who died young; and Rebecca, who married Dr. Roush and died in York.

Edward S. Rupp was educated in the pub-

BIOGRAPHICAL

lic schools of York and learned the butcher of Clinical Surgery, and subsequent to gradua- business with his father, and when the latter tion took a post-graduate course at his alma mater, devoting most of his time to the special study of general surgery in that institution and in the Pennsylvania Hospital. died he took up the business and continued it. Atter marriage he lived in and bought the old homestead, and later the home in which Dr. Yeagley now lives. Here Mr. Rupp died, June 4, 1892. He was at one time very active in church work, having been one of the deacons in Trinity Reformed Church in years gone by. In politics he was a Republican.

Mr. Rupp was married in 1861 to Miss Elizabeth Spangler, who was born in York, daughter of Charles Spangler, who died in that city ; he was a hatter by trade. Mrs. Rupp's mother, Sarah (Shultz), also died here. To Mr. and Mrs. Rupp children as follows were born: Mary and Margaret, at home; Sarah, Mrs. Franklin Myers, who resides near Pitts- burg; Henrietta, a school teacher in the York high school; Frances, a clerk in P. Wiest's Sons' store in York; and Daniel, at home.

I. C. GABLE, M. D., one of the leading and successful medical practitioners of York, who stands deservedly high in citizenship as well as professional life, is the son of Valentine and Mary (Miller) Gable, and was born June 26, 1849, in Windsor township, York county. He comes of Colonial ancestry on both sides of his family, his great-grandfather, Valentine Gable, having been a commissioned officer in the Revolutionary war under Gen. Anthony Wayne. Dr. Gable's father was for many years a teacher in the schools of York county, and also engaged in agricultural pursuits.

Dr. Gable, after receiving his preliminary education in the public schools of his native township, took a literary course at the Penn- sylvania State Normal School at Millersville. In 1867 he became a school teacher, devoting himself to this honorable vocation until 1874, during which time he taught school in Penn- sylvania. Ohio and Indiana. He began the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. James W. Kerr, and, after a preliminary course of reading, in 1875 entered the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated with honors March 12, 1877. While attending the univer- sity he pursued a special course of reading un- der Dr. Charles T. Hunter, who held the chair

In 1878 Dr. Gable opened an office in York, where he speedily advanced in his profession to a commanding position, being a thorough student of medical literature, thoroughly ag- gressive, progressive and up-to-date in his ideas, and with the harmonious development that results from practical skill united with high intellectual attainments. He is a member of the York County Medical Society; has been twice vice-president of the Pennsylvania Med- ical Society, and served for many years as a member of the State Medical Legislative Committee, and for seven years was its chair- man. During the period of his service on the committee the present statutory enactment known as the State Medical Act of Pennsylva- nia was passed.

In 1894, at a meeting of the State Medical Society in Philadelphia, Dr. Gable was ap- pointed to deliver the annual address on "Med- icine," in Chambersburg, the following year. He has contributed other valuable articles to the Society, which have been widely circulated in the published proceedings of that body. For twelve years Dr. Gable was a member of the board of trustees and judicial council of the State Medical Society, during five years of that time being its president. He has been promi- nent in national as well as State medical coun- cils. In 1880, in a meeting held at New York City, he became a member of the American Medical Association, and was made chairman of the Pennsylvania delegation at the meeting of that organization held in Milwaukee, Wis., in 1891. Dr. Gable is a member of the Pan- American Medical Congress, and was a member of the auxiliary committee appointed for the or- ganization of that body. He is one of the censors of the Medico-Chirurgical College of Phila- delphia. He is County Medical Inspector to the State Department of Health, and is an ac- tive member of the American Public Health Association. Aside from these more strictly official relations, Dr. Gable is medical exam- iner for many leading life insurance companies represented in this city, and has a professional

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

practice in the various departments of medi- ate Institute. His first business venture was cine and surgery enjoyed by but few in this in the mercantile line, as a member of the firm of McConkey Brothers. A stronger attraction, however, was that of the service of the Pullman Car Company, and for a number of years he was one of their most faithful employees, re- ceiving promotion until he had become assis- tant superintendent at Philadelphia.

district.

Dr. Gable was married Dec. 15, 1888, to Miss Eva A. Fon Dersmith, of Lancaster, Pa., who is descended from one of the oldest and most highly honored families of that county. One son has been born to this union, Ray- mond F.

HON. EDWIN K. McCONKEY, Repub- lican State Senator from York county, is of Scotch-Irish lineage. His ancestors came from the northern part of Ireland, the original emi- grant leaving there in 1756, and on arrival in America settled in Lancaster county. Early in the history of York county, members of the family purchased land in what is known as Peach Bottom, and here the name has been handed down from generation to generation. His great-grandfather, Hugh McConkey, served in the Revolution from York county, and grandfather James McConkey passed his life here, a merchant by occupation, he having been in the mercantile trade at Peach Bottom for a period of over fifty years. He was a veteran of the war of 1812, responding to the call of the Government for troops at the time Baltimore was threatened. He was a man of large influence and very active in the public life of the county, serving as a Whig in the State Senate from York county from 1836 to 1840.

William McConkey, son of James and father of Senator McConkey, broke the as- sociations at Peach Bottom, removing to Wrightsville, where he became associated with David E. Small and Michael Schall, of York, in the ownership of the Aurora Furnace. He was also interested in other business enter- prises, and was for many years prior to his death, which occurred in 1880, president of the First National Bank of Wrightsville. He took an active part in politics, and in 1855 was elected by the Whig party to represent York county in the Legislature. He married Susan Silver, of Silver Mount, Maryland.

Edwin K. McConkey was born at Wrights- ville in 1864. Reared in a refined and culti- vated home atmosphere, he passed his boyhood in the pursuit of an education in the public schools, graduating from the Wrightsville high school, and later finishing at the York Collegi-

Senator McConkey's marriage in 1891 to Annie, daughter of David Strickler. of York, changed the course of his business life and made him a resident of York. Mr. Strickler was secretary and treasurer of the Farmers' Fire Insurance Company of York, and Mr. McConkey, becoming interested in the com- pany, succeeded to Mr. Strickler's office at his death, in 1900. He is also interested in the York National Bank, being a director of that strong financial institution, and is also on the directorate of the York Water Company, the York Gas Company and the Guardian Trust Company.

The Senator's grandfather was one of the leaders of the Whig party in York county. His father, originally a Whig, in 1856 became one of the founders of the Republican party in York county and was always actively inter- ested in public affairs. From his honored father and grandfather Senator McConkey in- herited strong intellectual endowments and learned by training and association to advocate and support the same political policy and prin- ciples as his ancestors. He always voted the Republican ticket, but not until 1902 did he take an active part in politics. It was during that year that the Republican party of York county invited him to accept the nomination for State Senator. Although the county had pre- viously sent a Democratic representative to the State Senate since the organization of the Republican party, Mr. McConkey accepted the nomination. An active and vigorous campaign followed, in which he was one of the chief par- ticipants. It resulted in his election by a hand- some majority. He served with credit in the State Senate, taking a prominent part in all the deliberations of that body. His active ex- perience in the business and financial affairs of York had eminently fitted him for this position and he performed his duties with entire satis- faction to his constituents, serving on the com- mittees on Banks and Building and Loan As- sociations, Judiciary, Education, Appropria-

BIOGRAPHICAL

tions, Street Railway, and others equally prom- inent. He also performed important duties at the extra sessions of the Legislature held in 1906, and at the close of the session received a personal letter of congratulations for his in- telligent efforts from Gov. Pennypacker.

Mr. and Mrs. McConkey, together with their two daughters, Mary Elizabeth and Hannalı H., reside in a delightful home on East Marker street, York. They are prominent in the social life of York, and he is a member of Riverside Lodge of Masons, the Country Club, the Order of Elks, and the Bachelors Club. He is also a member and has served as president of the Lafayette Club, one of the leading social organ- izations of York.

During the Revolution William McCon- key, a brother of Senator McConkey's great- grandfather, resided in Pennsylvania above Trenton. near the Delaware river. On the night of Dec. 25, 1776, before he crossed the Delaware and won the decisive battle of Tren- ton, Gen. Washington stopped at the McCon- key mansion with his intimate friend, William McConkey. According to the newspapers, last winter the Washington Society of Trenton, N. J., crossed the Delaware river at the same spot as Washington.

JOHN H. YEAGLEY, M. D. This is a familiar and honored name, dating far back in the history of Pennsylvania. The bearer of the name, John H. Yeagley, has for many years gone in and out before the people of York in the busy life of a practicing physician, and has ever evidenced a disposition to sacri- fice his own comfort in order to ameliorate the sufferings of others. He comes of a family of practitioners and is well and favorably known as a physician. He was born in Johnstown, Pa., in 1852. His grandfather, Henry Yeag- ley, was a well known farmer of Fayette coun- ty, this state, and his father was Dr. Henry Yeagley, for many years a prominent practi- tioner of Lancaster, Pa. He formerly practiced . medicine in Johnstown, Pa., and in Berlin and

Waterloo, Canada. Referring to Dr. Henry Yeagley, who was a very eminent practitioner, a well known medical journal says :

"Among the honored names of early and successful eclectic medical men of recent times, that of Dr. Henry Yeagley is worthy of a con-

spicuous place. The popularity of eclecticismn now, in the section of country where he labored in its interests, is an evidence of the successful manner in which he discharged the duties of a reformer. Thus, it will be seen, he was one of the pioneers in disseminating the principles of liberal ideas in the medical world. It must be remembered that when he began to practice, in 1848, the dominant school was using calo- mel, and blood letting ad libitum-until re- cently familiar to all with memories dating back that far. This irrational treatment has long since been abolished and the credit of this and many other reforms is largely due to the commanding influence of the homeopathic and eclectic schools of medicine." Dr. Henry Yeagley died in Lancaster, May 2, 1902. He married Miss Sarah Dibert, a daughter of John Dibert, a merchant and tanner of Johnstown, Pa. Their family numbered five children, as follows : John H., now of York; Lizzie, wife of John Shaub, a shoe merchant of Lancaster; Dibert Lincoln, a farmer and stock-raiser of Kansas; Rella. wife of Finley H. Torrence, city clerk of the department of public works in Pittsburg; and Dr. James M., of Lancaster.

Dr. John H. Yeagley, of York, was edu- cated at University College, in Cobourg, Can- ada, and at Hahnemann Medical College, Phil- adelphia. He graduated at the latter insti- tution in 1878 and at once took up the practice of medicine in York, where he has since con- ducted a large practice. On April 20, 1892, the Doctor was united in marriage to Rebecca Elizabeth Buckingham, a daughter of John W. Buckingham, a retired merchant of York. Three children were born of this union: Re- becca Buckingham, Henry and John Dibert Yeagley.

Dr. Yeagley is ex-president of the Goodno Homeopathic Society and holds high rank among the members of his profession. He has been the pioneer in York in the use of the X-Rays and electricity, being equipped with the latest and best in the scientific world, and it is not strange, therefore, that his practice is a very large one, for, like his lamented father, he has always occupied advanced ground in the pursuit of his learned and honored profession.

As a member of the First M. E. Church he is a well known worker, and brings into his

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

every-day life the precepts set forth by his ness life he chose a mercantile career, and for church. For many years as a member of the fifteen years followed that line, but at the end board of trustees he has worked for its best welfare and upbuilding. He has given to this cause not only of his time and labors, but most liberally of his means.

HENRY A. EBERT belongs on both sides of the family to stock that dates farther back than the Revolution, and is identified with Pennsylvania's early history, while his wife's lineage is equally ancient.

The Ebert family was originally German, and the first American ancestor, Michael, came from Wurtemberg about 1742, and settled in York county, where he took up 600 of 700 acres of land along the Codorus. The popular Highland Park was a part of this tract. Mar- tin Ebert, son of Michael, secured the best portion of his father's possessions, by purchase, and in the next generation the old homestead descended to Adam, who spent most of his life there, but finally retired to York and there died.

Henry Ebert, son of Adam and father of Henry A., was the next in line. He lived in the old home in Manchester township where he was born, for the greater part of his life, but after giving active participation in agricultural pursuits, he lived in York for a time. He soon tired, however, of the new surroundings and went back to his old home for the remaining seventeen or eighteen years of his life, and there passed away in 1884, aged seventy-five years. Henry Ebert married Sarah Smyser, daughter of Jacob Smyser, of West Manches- ter. She traced her descent from the original Smyser, who settled in York county, in 1735. Henry and Sarah Ebert had five children : (I) The eldest, Charles A., died Jan. 16, 1904, in Kansas City, Kansas, where he had moved thirty years before, and become a successful real estate dealer. (2) Anna Maria and (3) Martin Luther make their home together on West Market street. (4) Sarah Jane married the late Rev. Charles C. Lanius, of the Mora- vian Church. (5) Henry A.

of that time retired from it to undertake the management of his own property and that left by his father, of which latter he and his broth- er, Martin Luther, were trustees. On looking into affairs, the brothers conceived the idea of developing a portion of the tract into a suburb of York, and at once proceeded to carry it into execution. Beginning with but two houses, the old Ebert mansion and a tenant's house, the settlement grew rapidly until it numbered fully 200 dwellings and included a prominent man- ufacturing plant. It was known as Eberton, and became so important that a trolley line was built to the suburb, which in turn increased its growth until the region was formed into "West York Boro." By the residents, however, and in fact by people generally, it continues to be called Eberton.

Mr. Ebert is very unostentatious and avoids publicity as much as possible, but he, neverthe- less, is known better to the York public as a whole than most of the citizens. He is a Re- publican in his political belief. Although he has never been induced to seek or accept office, he is a loyal supporter of his party and always ready to promote the real welfare of the com- munity. He has belonged for many years to the Union Lutheran Church, of York, and does his utmost to further its efforts for the moral uplifting of the city. He has been a faithful worker in it, in various departments, serving as elder for twenty-two years, treasurer of the Sunday-school for thirty-five, and as a teacher in the latter for forty years. He was also one of the organizers of the Y. M. C. A. and was for years on its board of managers.

On June 7, 1870, Mr. Ebert was united in marriage to Miss Mary Sheller, daughter of the late Dr. Adam Sheller, a prominent phy- sician of Mt. Joy, Lancaster county. Three children have been born to this union: Anna Laura, at home, having completed her studies in the Young Ladies' Seminary, of York, and the Lutherville Seminary; Ella V., wife of J. Wilbur Yeats, in Philadelphia ; and Harry S. The son is a prominent real estate agent, with his office on Market street, is a member of the board of managers of the Y. M. C. A .. a trustee

Henry A. Ebert was born on the family homestead, Dec. 10, 1841. He received his education in the public schools of York. in the York City Academy and in Peiffer's College, of the First Presbyterian Church and very ac- Oxford, Adams county. On entering busi- tive in whatever field he is interested.

BIOGRAPHICAL

Mrs. Mary (Sheller) Ebert traces her an- gaged in the general merchandise business in cestry to Major Abraham Scott, through his the west end division of the city of York; Lu- ther is constructing engineer for the York Manufacturing Co .; and Bertha E. is the wife of John Rosenfeld, a traveling salesman of York.

grandson, Hugh Peden. Capt. (afterward Lieut. Col.) Hugh Peden fought at Brandy- wine and Germantown, serving first as captain of a company under Col. Lowrey, and later as major in Col. Jacob Cook's battalion. He was one of the "flying corps" of both Col. Gal- braith's and Col. Lowrey's battalions. He formed in 1775 the first company in Rapho township, Lancaster county. Mrs. Ebert pos- sesses quite a wealth of historical matter of Revolutionary date, and among her interesting relics is a bill rendered by Dr. Hand for pro- fessional services. Dr. Hand afterward be- came General Hand, and his old home in the suburbs of Lancaster is a historical spot of much interest. Mrs. Ebert is a member of the D. A. R., and might justly claim admission to the Colonial Dames, as her ancestors, the Scotts, came to America in 1730, and held various offices under the Colonial government.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Ebert are zealous church workers, though the latter is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, instead of the Lutheran, and does her share through its agencies. She is a woman of beautiful Chris- tian character, and is thoroughly in accord with her husband's charitable and philan- thropic enterprises.

WILLIAM S. BOND, treasurer of the Weaver Organ & Piano Co., which conducts one of the extensive and important industrial enterprises of the county, is a native of York, born in that city May 9, 1863, son of William H. and Elizabeth (Slegel) Bond.

William H. Bond was born in Maryland, of Scotch-Irish lineage, and came to York in 1861. Here he engaged in the grocery busi- ness, with which he continued to be success- fully identified for many years, being one of the county's honored citizens. He was sum- moned to his reward in 1893, at the age of sixty-five years. His wife, whose father was a prominent farmer of North Codorus township, still resides in York. Their seven children were: The first-born died in infancy; Allen died in 1890, at the age of thirty years ; Will- iam S. was the third; Emma J. is the wife of Dr. Charles Lenhart, a successful veterinary surgeon of Dover, this county; Frank is en-

In the public schools of his native city William S. Bond secured his early education, and he later took a course of study in the Na- tional Normal University, at Lebanon, Ohio, after which he was for three terms a successful teacher in the public schools of his native coun- ty. Not desiring to follow pedagogy as a vo- cation, he became bookkeeper in the office of the York Daily, retaining this position three years, at the expiration of which he opened a retail music store in York and built up a most satisfactory business, in which he continued for six years. He then sold out and in 1891 ac- cepted the position of treasurer of the Weaver Organ & Piano Co. Three years later he was also made secretary of the company, and he has since given his entire time and attention to the exacting duties of his dual office. The industry is one of the most important in the city, the output of the works being four hundred or- gans and fifty pianos per month, which repre- sents a large increase in capacity, while the capital stock has been increased from the origi- nal thirty thousand dollars to the notable amount of four hundred thousand. Of the im- mense output of the Weaver establishment it is pleasing to note that fully one thousand or- gans are annually exported to Europe. South Africa, New Zealand, and other foreign coun- tries. Mr. Bond has been an important factor in the building up of the great enterprise, which has marked bearing on the general prestige and material welfare of the city and county. In addition to his association with this con- cern Mr. Bond is also a member of the direc- torate of the York Silk Manufacturing Co., and he is known as a progressive and public- spirited business man and loyal citizen. In politics he gives his support to the Republican party, and in 1901, for a term of four years. was elected a member of the board of school control of York, as representative of the Ninth ward. He was elected for a second term of four years by an increased majority in 1905. In this office he has brought to bear the same discrimination and executive power which have conserved the success of the busi-

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ness enterprises with which he is or has been Jersey, but for the past five generations have identified. After serving on other committees been identified with the life and interests of York county, Pennsylvania.

for two years he was appointed chairman of the Finance committee, which position he now holds. Both he and his wife are zealous and prominent members of the Union Lutheran Church, and since 1900 he has served most ac- ceptably as superintendent of its Sunday- school. Mr. Bond was one of the principal supporters of the pastor, Rev. A. G. Fastnacht, D. D., in the raising of $23,000 for the new Sunday-school building which was dedicated in June, 1900, and under his superintendency the Union Lutheran has become one of the largest and most successful Sunday-schools in the city of York, as well as in the General Synod of the Lutheran Church of the United States. The membership has already almost doubled since the beginning of his superintendency, now numbering ove: 1000.

Mr. Bond served six years, from 1886 to 1892, as director of the Y. M. C. A., being treasurer the last three years mentioned. He is now a member of the board of trustees of the same institution, having served in that ca- pacity since 1899.

On May 16, 1888, Mr. Bond was united in marriage to Miss Sallie S. Loucks, who was born and reared in this county, daughter of the late Franklin Loucks, an honored and in- fluential citizen of York, where he was long engaged in the grain, flour and feed business, while he was also a member of one of the county's old and influential families. Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Bond, Walter was a member of the class of 1905 in the York high school, and is now taking a four years' course in the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce, of the University of Pennsylvania ; Urban is a member of the class of 1907; and Mary and Anna are likewise attending the public schools. The family home is a center of gracious hospitality, and Mr. and Mrs. Bond are prominent in the social life of the com- munity.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 13

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