History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 130

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

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BIOGRAPHICAL

men employed. The fine stone church at Spring Grove, in this county, is his work, as is also the beautiful gate lodge at Prospect Hill cemetery. Mr. Hively was also contractor of the lime kilns of the York Valley Lime Co., and also contractor of lime kilns for S. O. Miller, Thomasville, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Hively is one of the substantial citi- zens of York. He owns his own comfortable home, and has a number of other dwellings in course of erection on his own property.

In 1883 Mr. Hively was married to Alice J. Ferree, daughter of Samuel C. Ferree, of Hellam township, and they have a family of nine children, namely: George S., who mar- ried Flora Wilt, is a silk weaver and resides at York; Erwin C., a silk weaver; Emma E., at home: William N., engineer for his father ; and Edwin F., Florence C., Dora I., Charles A. and Katie M. Mr. Hively has done well by his children, giving them educational chances and setting an excellent example to them. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, while his wife belongs to the United Brethren. In politics he is a Democrat. He belongs to Zeredatha Lodge, F. &. A. M., No. 451: A. O. K. of M. C .; Jr. O. U. A. M., Sikes Council, No. 182; and York Con- clave, No. 124, I. O. H.

FREDRICK MILLER, a well-known res- ident of York, is one of the old and trusted em- ployees of the building and contracting firm of Billmyer & Small. He was born in York Jan. 27, 1847. the son of George Miller.

George Miller was born in Baiern, Ger- many, and came to America in his early man- hood, settling first in Baltimore, whence he came to York, where he was employed as a day laborer. He died in York at the age of eighty- five years, in 1895. George Miller married Julia Koline, who died in 1895, at the age of seventy-seven years, and both she and her hus- band were buried at Prospect Hill cemetery, in York county. They had these children: Bar- bara, the wife of Albertus Craft, lives in York ; John, who married a Miss Boxwell, lives in Virginia, where he carried on coachsmithing ; Fredrick is our subject: Annie, deceased, was the wife of John Smith: Elizabeth became the second wife of John Smith (a molder by trade) and they live on East South street, York.

when he learned the trade of carpenter with Charles Schatzberger, of Freystown, with whom he remained four years, the last year of that time working as a journeyman. In 1867 he engaged with Billmyer & Small, in the car shops, where for ten years he was fore- man. He is still in the employ of that firm, being employed at the sash and door factory. Mr. Miller is a skilled mechanic, and being a man of good judgment is very valuable to his employers.

In 1893 Mr. Miller was united in marriage with Lizzie Loose, a daughter of Charles Al- bert and Caroline Loose, of Baltimore, Md., and to this union these children have been born : Marie C., who died at the age of seven months; George E .: Rieda V .; Albert Dewey, who died young: Barbara E .; Herbert Fred- rick and Lester W.

Mr. Miller is a Republican in politics. He is a faithful member of the Reformed Church. to which his family also belong. The home in which Mr. Miller and his family reside was built by his father, and was one of the first to be put up in the community. Mr. Miller purchased the home, which is located at No. 42 East South street, in 1896.

JESSE SCHWARTZ (deceased) was one of the substantial farmers of Jackson township, where his whole life was spent. He was born March 17, 1842, a son of Henry and Catherine (Geiselman) Schwartz. Both parents were natives of York county, born in 1800, and were descended from good old German ancestry. Henry Schwartz was a farmer and carpenter and followed those occupations all his life. In religion he and his wife were of the Lutheran faith. In politics he was a lifelong Democrat, but never an officeholder or active along those lines. His death occurred May 14, 1872, while his wife reached the age of eighty-four years. Their children were Detrich, Henry, Harriet, Isaac and Jesse.

Jesse Schwartz was born on the homestead where his widow still resides and was edu- cated in the township schools. He lived at home, working on shares with his father until the latter's death, and then purchased the homestead, a valuable property of 100 acres, which he improved and cultivated until the time of his own demise.

Mr. Schwartz was married in 1867 to Cath-

Fredrick Miller attended the common schools of York until thirteen years of age, erine, daughter of Andrew Hershey. and sister

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

oi Burgess Hershey, of Spring Grove. Ten ease from which he suffered greatly in after children were born to this union, eight of whom are living, viz. : one that died in infancy un- named; Janeta; Andrew A .; Harry Hershey ; Maggie H .; Alberta, who died when three years old; Jesse Franklin; Paul Alvin; Amy Kate, and Edwin Guy.

Mr. Schwartz's death occurred Oct. 27, 1897, and he was buried in Christ Lutheran cemetery, in Jackson township. His demise was deeply mourned by a large circle of ac- quaintances, who sincerely admired and re- spected his many good qualities. He and his wife belonged to the Lutheran Church, and he was a deacon for fifteen years, an elder for a number of years, and served on the building committee of that organization. In politics he was a Democrat, but never took any active part in such matters, as he found that the suc- cessful management of his farm absorbed his entire attention.

EDWARD L. GROVE, a highly respected citizen of East Hopewell township, was born ness on his own account in Hopewell township, in what is now Hopewell township, at the Sam- uel Liggett Mill, Jan. 31, 1863, son of Charles Grove, and grandson of John Grove. near Zion Church, remaining there for over two years. At the end of that time he located at Dolf, where he purchased property and erected a home, shop, barn and other build- ings.

John Grove was a farmer of Hopewell township, where he spent his active life, and where he died. He was twice married, and by his first wife had children as follows: Simon, who died in Fawn township, married a lady of Glen Rock; Henry went West and died there; married a Clemens of Fawn town- ship, and is still a resident there. John Grove had two children by his second wife, a Miss Mary Shiery, the grandmother of our subject : Charles ; and Susan, who married George Mc- Fettridge of York.

Charles Grove was born in East Hopewell township in 1834, and there received a com- mon school education. He learned the carpen- ter's trade. Mr. Grove married Margaret Gemmill, daughter of James and Susannah Mary (Grimm) Gemmill, and after marriage they located on a farm near Gatchellville, Fawn township, where they resided for years, five years also being spent in Fulton county, Pa. After returning to York county Mr. Grove located on a farm near Stewartstown, and then rented several years, removing from town to town. He has lived retired in Stewartstown for twenty years. During the Civil war Mr. Grove served three years, and contracted dis-

life. His children were: Ellen, Mrs. Wil- liam McGinniss of Baltimore county, Md. ; Ed- ward L .; James Calvin, of Hanover, who mar- ried Miss Maggie Becker; Ruth, who married Dr. Frank Norris, of Airville; Susanna, Mrs. Samuel Bose, of Stewartstown; George W., of the State of Washington; William, a resident of Illinois; and Estella May, who has charge of the Music Department of the Norristown Hospital, Norristown, Pennsylvania.

Edward L. Grove was educated in the pub- lic schools of East Hopewell township, and the Fulton county schools, later going to the schools of Baltimore county, Md. He left school at the age of nineteen years, and began work with the wrecking crew of the N. C. rail- road, following this occupation for eleven months, at the end of which time he was em- ployed in the ore mines at Hanover for one year. He then went to the blacksmith's trade with an uncle, Jacob Hild, with whom he re- mained three years, and then started in busi-

Mr. Grove was married in Baltimore coun- ty. Md., Jan. 18, 1888, to Laura C. Tyson, daughter of Sampson and Sophronia (Scar- borough) Tyson, and to this union have been born: Allen S., Edward Raymond and Ben- son Chester. Mr. Grove has been a mem- ber of the M. E. Church since his eighteenth year. He is a stanch Republican.

JAMES MCCURDY, whose death oc- curred May 21, 1901, was one of the well- known and prosperous farmers and black- smiths of York county, located on a fine farm of sixty acres in Monaghan township. He was born in Monaghan township, Feb. 11, 1830, son of Alexander and Nancy McCurdy, who were of Scotch-Irish parentage, but Penn- sylvania born.

Alexander McCurdy settled in Monaghan township at an early day. He was considered a wealthy man, and at one time owned two fine farms, but he signed notes for unscrupulous persons who claimed to be his friends, and he lost practically everything he possessed. He died in Monaghan township, as did also his

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wife, and they were the parents of these chil- formed Church. In politics he was a Demo- dren : John, Thomas, Alexander, Daniel, Jen- nie, Margaret, Martha and James. In religion he was a Presbyterian, while he was connected in politics with the Republican party.

James McCurdy was educated in the com- mon schools of Monaghan township, and while a young man learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed his entire life with the ex- ception of a short period spent in farming prior to his death. He owned a farm of sixty acres, which is now owned and occupied by his wife. Mr. McCurdy married in 1866, Miss Mary Hartman, born Nov. 11, 1844, in York county, the estimable daughter of Andrew Hartman, and these children were born to them: Abra- ham L., Anna M., James A., Margaret E., Bertha A. and Daniel H.

The late Mr. McCurdy was a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which Mrs. Mc- Curdy still retains membership. He was a Republican, in politics, but never accepted pub- lic office. He was a survivor of the great Civil war, having enlisted in a Pennsylvania volun- teer infantry company, and had received a pen- sion from the government for his three years service. Mr. McCurdy was a man of the highest integrity, and held the esteem of all who knew him. He also possessed more than the average business ability, and in every re- lation of life, was a man whom it will be hard to replace.

WILLIAM H. YOUNG, a farmer of Windsor township, belongs to an old family of York county, where several generations be- fore him have lived and died.

Jacob Young, grandfather of William H., passed his whole life in York township, and there died. He married Miss Catharine Krout, who also died there on their farm, and they had children: Henry; Jacob, who died in York township: Catherine, Mrs. An- drew Kern, living at Red Lion; and Granville, of York, who died in February, 1905.

crat. There were four children born to them: William H .; Aaron, of York; Charles C., of York township; and Adam, of East York. Mrs. Young, like most of the mothers of that day, not only made all the clothes worn by her children, but also spun and wove the very ma- terial herself. Many were the hours she spent spinning the flax, and her son, William, as a child, also learned to spin from watching her at the old spinning wheel.

William H. Young was born in York town- ship, Aug. 6, 1856, and attended the schools of that township for his earlier education. When he was thirteen years old his father moved to North Hopewell township, where the boy continued his schooling until he reached the age of eighteen. Until he was twenty-one his father could claim his services, and he worked for him until that time, generally at home, though after he was fourteen he was hired out to neighbors. His first wages were six dollars a month and board, the money all going to his father. On reaching his majority he started out for himself, worked two years for Isaac Fitz and three for Henry Blosser, and then married and began farming on his own account in Windsor township, on the George Fox farm, where he remained for six years. In March, 1887, he moved to the M. B. Spahr farm of 124 acres, where he is still living, and he has since bought a place of thirty-one and a half acres adjoining.

On March 18, 1880, Mr. Young was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Weitcamp. daughter of Herman Weitcamp. To their union six children have been born, namely : Albert (married to Miss Martha Huist), Ed- win, Annie, Carrie, Perry and Mayme, all at home. Mr. Young was at first a Republican, but has since changed his views and now sup- ports the Democrats. He is keenly interested in public affairs, and has been on the school board for some years, having been elected in the spring of 1899 for a three years' term and again in 1902 for a like term. He is a member of the Freysville Reformed Church, and has been chosen elder. He is a. man of great strength of character, who has won his own way in life, and is regarded with much respect by all who know him.

Henry Young was born on his father's farm, Dec. 10, 1827, and was reared to farm life, as were his sons after him. He worked for his father until he became of age, after that farming for himself. He married Miss Eliza Marks, born near York in 1828, who is still living, at the age of seventy-six. Mr. Young died in 1897, at the age of sixty-nine. JOHN E. WEITZEL, one of York coun- Both husband and wife belonged to the Re- ty's representative men. has been prominently

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

identified with the business and financial in- father. The railroads were just being built terests of Hellam for a number of years. Mr. through this section at that time, and they in- Weitzel was born Feb. 24, 1828, in Hellam township. spired young Weitzel to become a mechanic. There being no machinists in this section at The name of this family was originally spelled Wetzel, three Wetzel brothers-John, Mark and Harry-coming from Switzer- land to the New World long before the Revolu- tionary war. They settled in what is now West Virginia, among the Indians, with whom there was constant warfare, in which one of the brothers was killed. The brothers were wood cutters, and followed the business of charcoal burning, a trade which their descend- ants also followed, around the Colebrook fur- naces. John Weitzel, the father of our sub- ject. was born at Colebrook, Pa., and learned woodcutting. He received but a meagre edu- cation, his time being engaged in hard work. He was married in Hellam township to Miss Elizabeth Poff, and after marriage they settled in Hellam or Lower Windsor township, where Mr. Weitzel continued his occupation. that time, however, he turned to the black- smith's trade, entering the shop of James F. Magee, at the corner of Third and Hellam streets, serving three years, and receiving three dollars per month. After Mr. Weitzel had been with Mr. Magee for two years, the lat- ter's journeyman left him, and our subject was put at the head of the shop and the men. Al- though Mr. Magee was a Democrat, and young Weitzel a Whig, the best of feeling ever ex- isted between them, and the employer gave his young assistant many ideas which in after life proved of much benefit to him. After leaving the blacksmith shop Mr. Weitzel went into a machine shop at Columbia, where he worked for a Mr. Smetley for three years, and then engaged in business for himself, in the manu- facturing of brick. With William Kerr and D. S. Cook he engaged in lime burning, the firm then being known as Kerr, Cook & Co., and after Mr. Cook left the firm it was known as Kerr, Weitzel & Co. This partnership con- tinued for twenty-four years, the product of the company being shipped over several States.

The mother of our subject was born in Windsor township, in about 1808, the daugh- ter of John Poff, a shoemaker of York county. The grandfather of John Poff settled at an early day at Green Brier, Va., but he and his family were compelled to remove from this place on account of the hostility of the Indians. Consequently they crossed the Susquehanna and located in Windsor township, York county, where they took up a tract of 200 acres of land, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. John Poff had a corner of his house for his work- shop. To him and his wife the following chil- dren were born: Elizabeth, Harry, John, Samuel. Elijah, Sally, Polly. After the death of her first husband, Mrs. Weitzel married (second ) William Anderson, by whom she had seven children-four boys, all of whom were in the Civil war, and three girls, namely : Sam- uel, George, Martha, William. Henry, Sarah and Lizzie, all of whom are deceased with the exception of George, who lives at Gallipolis, Ohio, and Henry, who lives in Dover county, Ohio. John E. Weitzel, our subject, is the only surviving child of her first marriage. In 1860, Mrs. Elizabeth (Poff) Anderson went with her husband and children to near Spring- field, Ohio, making the journey by teams, and there she reared her family to maturity.

John E. Weitzel's father died when he was very young, and he was reared by his step-

John E. Weitzel and Carrie Elwine, who was born Dec. 24, 1828, in New York City, were united in marriage in 1850 at York, Pa. Mrs. Weitzel was the daughter of John and Catherine ( Bechtel) Elwine, natives of Wurt- emberg, Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Weitzel now live in their beautiful home in Wrightsville, which our subject built in 1876. To them have been born the following children: Henry, who married (first) Etta Raymond, and ( sec- ond) Ella Lehman ; Luther, who married Miss Lizzie Lehman; George, who married Miss Upp; Carrie ; Emma, Mrs. W. B. Reisinger.

Mr. Weitzel joined the Lutheran Church at the time of his marriage, his wife having been a member of that faith from girlhood. In politics he was a Whig, and served as school director for nine years, and also on the town council. He has been president of the Wrightsville Hall Association for twenty years, and a director in the Wrightsville Bank since 1876. For two years he has been the president of the Wrightsville and Chanceford Turnpike. John E. Weitzel is a self-made man in all that the term implies. Starting a poor boy, with no capital except a pair of willing and able hands

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and an undiminishable stock of energy, he Sprenkle, which he held until the spring of worked his way up, step by step, to the top of the ladder of success, until he is now reckoned one of the wealthy men of York county. Every dollar of Mr. Weitzel's fortune has been hon- estly made, and he bears an enviable reputation . in the community as a man of honor and integ- rity. He is certainly one of York county's representative men.

JACOB ZEIGLER, for many years con- nected with the general mercantile business, and at present engaged in the crushed stone and cement business in West York borough, was born Nov. 26, 1858, son of Jesse and Leah (Yost) Zeigler, both natives of York county.

His paternal grandparents were Daniel and Anna Mary (Geisleman) Zeigler, and the two families represented old and honored Penn- sylvania names. Daniel Zeigler was a miller by trade and devoted the earlier part of his life to that calling, but later was engaged in farm- ing with his son, Jesse. He and his wife had three sons, Jesse, George and Daniel. The family were Lutherans in religion, and Demo- crats in politics.

Jesse Zeigler was born in York county and received his schooling in the public schools. He was employed by the month as a farm hand until he reached his majority, and at that time he purchased a farm, which he operated as long as he took an active part in life. He and his wife, whose maiden name was Leah Yost, had fourteen children. Reuben; George; Henry; Jesse ; Sarah J. and Eliza, both deceased ; Dan- iel ; Leah ; Jacob; Annie; Laura; Peter ; Abra- ham; and one who is deceased. Mr. Zeigler died in August, 1901, but his wife is still liv- ing, aged seventy-seven. She was formerly a Moravian, but after her marriage adopted the same faith as her husband, the Lutheran.

Jacob Zeigler attended the public schools of Jackson township, and then completed his education in East Berlin. He then worked as a clerk in various mercantile establishments, first in John Geisleman's general store for three years; then went to George Snodgrass for three years ; for two years was with Eman- ttel Myers; and after this length of time ven- tured out in business for himself. He carried on a general store at La Bott for twelve years with much success, and then in 1901 sold out the property and stock to G. D. Manl, while he homestead in Baltimore Co., Md., Dec. II, himself took the position with Mr. G. E. 1867, and received his education in the schools

1905. There his abilities had full play, as manager of the general store, for in his long experience as clerk and proprietor he had be- come admirably fitted for the responsibilities `of the position, proving himself emphatically the right man in the right place. In the spring of 1905 Mr. Zeigler moved to West York borough and engaged with the Hartley, Rieker Company, who manufactured artificial stone and did cement work, also running a stone crusher. Mr. Zeigler acted as foreman for them. In the fall of 1905 they dissolved part- nership and Mr. Zeigler is now to take Mr. Rieker's place in the firm with J. W. Hartley. They sell crushed stone, do cement work, and make artificial building blocks, for which they have a great demand.

In 1889 Mr. Zeigler was married to Miss Emma Shaffer, a daughter of Michael and Catherine Shaffer, natives of York county. Their children are two: Edith M. and Jacob G. The family are connected with the Luth- eran Church. A Democrat in politics, Mr. Zeigler has never hield office except during his residence in La Bott, where he held the ap- pointment of postmaster for thirteen years.

JAMES W. GEMMILL, superintendent of the Martin Carriage Works, was born and reared in Baltimore county. Md. His father, David Gemmill, is a prominent resident of Westminster, Md., and superintendent of the Westminster Water Company, and for twenty years was managing superintendent of the Ashland Iron Company. David Gemmill mar- ried Ruth Curry, daughter of Kean Curry, a farmer of Baltimore county, Md., and the fol- lowing children were born to this union: Two that died in infancy; Annie, who died at the age of two years: Alfred, who died at the same age; Elizabeth, who died at the age of sixteen years; Fanny, married to Israel Reynolds, who is connected with Armour & Co., Chicago; Mary, who married Martin Moul. a lumber dealer and the owner of a wire cloth factory at Hanover, York county; William H .. chief engineer of the Martin Carriage Works: Wal- ter F., connected with the Hanover Water Wheel Co .; Irene, who married Joseph Corn- man : and James W.

James W. Gemmill was born on the old

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

of the district. He worked on the farm until Jersey; James, of Peach Bottom township; eighteen years of age, and then removed to Susan, Mrs. Weber of Philadelphia; Harry E., of York, and William, who died in 1895, aged twenty-two years. Hanover, and, after working in a sash factory for three years, removed to York, where he worked for the York Carriage Company for two years. In 1890 Mr. Gemmill connected himself with the Martin Carriage Company, starting at body-making, and receiving his just promotions from time to time, until, in 1899, he became superintendent of the works, be- ing in control of 275 to 300 men.

James W. Gemmill was married to Laura B. Grass, daughter of Adam Grass, deceased, of Hanover, and three children have been born to this union, as follows: Marie, Ruth and Gladys, all of whom are attending school. Mr. Gemmill belongs to the Knights of Malta, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Royal Fire Company, of the latter of which he was a charter member. In religion he is a member of the Methodist Church, and has been a stew- ard in the same since 1902. In politics he is a Democrat. Although many other duties call for his time, the greater part of Mr. Gemmill's energies are spent in the advancement of the interests of the big industrial concern of which he is superintendent.

LEWIS J. MILLER, proprietor of the Locust Grove farm, is one of East Hopewell township's substantial and representative men, and is a native of that township, having been born at Muddy Creek Forks, May 6, 1857.

John Miller, father of Lewis J., was born in Germany, Dec. 13: 1828. After having completed his education, he learned the tailor- ing trade, and came to the United States when a young man, landing in Baltimore, where he remained but a short time. He then located in Hopewell township, where he followed tailoring, and after his boys had grown to manhood he purchased a farm, upon which he died July 13, 1885. In religion he was a Lutheran, and in politics a Democrat. Mr. Miller married in Baltimore, Md., Mary Bar- bara Giessler, who was also born in Germany, Sept. 3, 1828, and she died April 22, 1885, and was buried at Sadler's Lutheran Church. These children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller : John G., of East Hopewell township; Lizzie, Mrs. Jacob Levy, of Buckner, Mont .; Lewis J. ; Mary, deceased ; Andrew, of Chance- ford township; George, of Hopewell town- ship; Maggie, Mrs. William Karfold, of New

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 130

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