History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 133

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

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In York, in 1869, Mr. Baker was married to Mary Klinestever, born in Germany, daugh- ter of George and Katrina (Garrick) Kline- stever, natives of Germany, now deceased. Mrs. Baker's parents came to America when she was but three years old, and settled at Chestnut Hill, Lancaster county, where the father worked in an ore bank, and later re- moved to York county. The following chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Baker: Milton, a resident of Miller, above York, was married to Clara McCoy: Reuben died at the age of seventeen years: Harry, a farmer of Lower Windsor township, married Ida Kinard; and Minnie, who married Moses Olewiler, resides in Lower Windsor township. where her husband is a farmer.

Henry Baker attended the common school which was located one and one-half miles from his old home, his first teacher being Reuben Hengst, and later he had William Keech. The latter was very strict a man of violent temper and his willingness to use the switch caused the boy to leave school at the age of fourteen years, thereby being deprived of a learning that he would have readily acquired under a kinder master. After leaving school While Mr. Baker is a member of no re- ligious denomination, he subscribes liberally to all church movements in the locality. His wife is a valued member of the Lutheran Church, to which his family also belong. In politics Mr. Baker is a steadfast Democrat, but has never consented to hold public office, preferring to devote his time and abilities to the cultiva- tion of his farm, and the raising of good crops. ity of being a man of honesty and progress, Mr. Baker worked one year in an ore bank near Hellam station, receiving $1.35 per day, which wages were collected by his father. After leaving the ore bank Mr. Baker worked at different occupations, and at the age of six- teen years was employed by David Leber, a tanner, receiving for his labor $12.50 per month. Henry remained with Mr. Leber for three years, and while with him learned the Mr. Baker has the reputation in the commun- tanner's trade, continuing thus employed until

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and his knowledge of matters agricultural is operating the farm during his active years, conceded to be far above the average.

EMANUEL HERMAN comes of one of the good old families of this county. His great-grandfather, Emanuel Herman, born May I. 1745. died May 25, 1796, and his wife Catherine, who was born March 2, 1754, passed away March 12, 1833. They were the parents of these children : Adam, born Nov. 18, 1775, died July 9, 1814; Mary, born Nov. 5, 1778, married Emanuel Smyser, and died March 16, 1814: Sallie, born Aug. 7, 1781 ; Christian, born June 7, 1783, died Aug. 15, 1843; Emanuel, born Nov. 18, 1785 (married March 11, 1816, Leah Laucks. who died Dec. 14, 1847), died July 2, 1851; Jacob, the grandfather of our subject, born Feb. 24, 1788, died March 13, 1872; Cath- erine, born Dec. 13. 1789 (married Herman Hoke), died March 12, 1833 ; and Sarah, born March II, 1792 (married Daniel Smyser), died Dec. 26, 1868.

On April 13, 1815, Jacob Herman, the grandfather, was married to Sarah Laucks, who was born May 15, 1796, and died Dec. 26, 1868. Jacob Herman was reared in West Manchester township on the old homestead, learning the tanner's trade, but early in life commenced farming there. This homestead contained several hundred acres, and here he followed agricultural pursuits until his retire- ment from active life, when he located in York, the place of his death. He was one of the public-spirited men of the county, and his ad- vice was sought by many in the community, as he was a man of rare judgment and discern- ment. In York he was identified with many of the banking institutions of his day, being for many years a director in the York National Bank and generally very prominent in finan- cial circles. He was originally a Whig and afterward active in the ranks of the Republi- can party, but he never sought public office. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church. They had a family, as follows : Adam, born Jan. 26. 1816, died March 30, 1888; Sarah, born June 19, 1821, married Daniel Smyser, Nov. 25, 1841, and Margaret Cath- erine, born Dec. 9. 1826, married Jacob H. Shetter. Oct. 18, 1849.

and after his retirement superintended the farm, and burned lime. He was active in local politics, and a member of the school board, as well as a director in the York National Bank. He was a stanch Republican, and in religion he and his wife were connected with the Lutheran Church, in which he was a mem- ber of the official board. Adam Herman was married Nov. 25, 1841, to Miss Catherine Eyster, who was born March 6, 1822, a daughter of Michael and Catherine ( Spangler ) Eyster. Mrs. Herman died Feb. 18, 1878, be- ing the mother of five children: Charles An- drew, born Sept. 16, 1843 (married Amanda Hake. still living), was a farmer and proprietor of a large livery in York, and died Dec. 30, 1903; Emanuel, born June 28, 1844: Sarah Ann, born Feb. 16, 1846, married Edward Gladfelter, of Spring Grove, York county; Jacob, born June 22, 1849, is a farmer and stock-dealer of West Manchester: and Wil- liam H., born June 28, 1859, resides on a part of the old homestead in West Manchester township.

Emanuel Herman was born on the old homestead, in West Manchester township. of which he is the owner of 125 acres, and there he has spent most of his life. He also carried on the lime-burning industry. After his re- tirement from active life, in 1880, he super- intended the work on the farm for twelve years, also operating a sand bank. Mr. Herman is a Republican, but has never sought office. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and has served on its official board.

Mr. Herman married Miss Amanda Loucks who was born in Springetsbury town- shiy, in 1842, daughter of Daniel and Eliza (Diehl) Loucks. To this union were born the . following children : William J., born May 8, 1871, a member of the firm which controls the York Shoe Manufacturing Company, of York; and Luther D.

Luther D. Herman, the senior member of Herman & Smith, operators of the Star laun- dry, was born in York county, Aug. 22. 1873. He was educated in York, and when eighteen years of age learned the trade of a machinist, which he followed for six years. He then entered the employ of the Standard Oil Com- pany, as assistant manager of this section and hell the position for two years. The partner-

Adam Herman, the father of Emanuel, was born and reared on the Herman home- stead, where he remained throughout life, ship was then formed with Mr. Smith, and

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they established the Star laundry in which they have continued with success ever since. Luther D. Herman is a member of the Jr. O. U. A. M., No. 505 : the I. O. O. F., No. 47 ; the Royal Arcanum, No. 2091, Codorus Council; B. P. O. E., York Lodge, No. 213. He is a mem- ber of the Bachelor Club of York, and of the Royal Fire Company. His religious connec- tion is with St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

CLAYTON J. HEINDEL. It is fitting that in this compilation be incorporated a trib- ute to the memory of Mr. Heindel, who passed his entire life in York county and who was summoned into eternal rest in the very prime of his young manhood. He had proved himself a loyal and public-spirited citi- zen, being prominent and influential in local affairs; was successful as a farmer and stock- grower; and was signally true and faithful in all the relations of life, imbued with the spirit of unswerving integrity and tolerant and kind- ly in his attitude to his fellow-men.

Clayton J. Heindel was born on the old homestead in Hellam township, York county, June 15, 1861, son of Edward and Elizabeth (Sprenkle) Heindel. His father was a suc- cessful farmer and blacksmith in Hellam town- ship, where he died a few years ago, having been one of the well known and honored citi- zens of the county. The mother is still living with her son in Hellam township. The fam- ily name has been linked with the annals of that section of the Keystone State ever since the early pioneer days, and Mr. Heindel was related, through intermarriages, to a number · of the oldest and most prominent families of York county. He was the eldest of six chil- dren, the others being as follows: Ellen, who died at the age of twenty-one years ; Milton, who is a successful farmer of Hellam town- ship; Flora, who became the wife of Amos Grimm, and who died in that township; Bertha, who died at the age of fifteen years: and Elmer, who is likewise a prosperous farmer of Hellam township.

Clayton J. Heindel secured his early edu- cational discipline in the public schools of his native township, and early manifested a dis- tinctive predilection for study and the reading of good literature. It was his wish at one time to become a teacher but he followed the course of duty and gave his attention rather to assisting in the work and management of

the several farm properties owned by his father, while in the meantime he continued his studies for one or more terms in the pub- lic schools in the city of York. At the age of seventeen years, in company with his sister Ellen, he came to Lower Windsor township and there took charge of a farm owned by his father. The property comprises 125 acres, a portion of which was then covered with the native timber, and he manifested much dis- crimination and ability in pushing forward the work of developing, improving and cultivating the farm, erecting a barn and other good build- ings, and making the place a model in its evi- dences of thrift and prosperity. He in- herited this farm from his father's es- tate, and continued to make it his home until he was summoned from the scene of life's endeavors. He was one of the most progressive, energetic and substantial farmers of that section and his well directed efforts were attended with a full measure of success. He was a radical and uncompromising Repub- lican and an active worker in the local ranks of the party. He was for many years a school director, and was largely concerned in bring- ing about the rebuilding of the schoolhouse in Yorkana. He was a member of the director- ate of the Home Fire Insurance Co., of Lower Windsor township, and genial and whole- souled, was a man who won friends wherever he went, while he never failed to retain the esteem and good will of those with whom he was associated in either a business or social way. He ever manifested a high appreciation of the spiritual verities and Aug. 25, 1898, just one month before his death, he was bap- tized in the faith of the Reformed Church, of which his widow is a devoted member. His death occurred Sept. 25, 1898, and the com- munity felt a sense of personal bereavement and loss, while the burden of grief rested heavily upon those to whom he had been near- est and dearest in the sacred precincts of the home, which was the center of his hopes and affections.

In the city of York, York county, March 23, 1884, Mr. Heindel was united in marriage to Mary E. Seachrist, the nuptial ceremony being performed by Rev. George W. Enders. pastor of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Heindel was born and reared in that county, having passed her childhood days in Spring Garden township and the city of York and being fifteen

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

years of age at the time of her parents' re- and devoted mother, and a good Christian moval to Windsor township. She is a daugh- woman, and her death was mourned not only by her family, but by the entire community. After his marriage John Wise settled on one of his father's farms, which he worked on shares for two years, and then purchased it. There he died in 1887, aged eighty-two years. He was a Lutheran as had been his wife. He was a Democrat in political faith, but never sought public office. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. John Wise were as follows: Jacob died in infancy; Margaret died young; Sarah Ann married John Curran, of Chanceford township; John A., deceased, married Mary Ann Erb; Mary Elizabeth resides with Wil- liam E., and William Edward. ter of Adam and Matilda ( Dammerthal) Sea- christ, who still reside in Windsor township, her father being a farmer. Concerning the children of Mr. and Mrs. Heindel the following brief record is offered: Harry Jacob was born Oct. II, 1884; Oscar Edward, born May 14, 1886, is learning the machinist's trade in the works of the Farquhar Manufac- turing Company, at York; Norman Elmer was born June 15, 1888; Mamie E., born June 3, 1890, died March 10, 1892; Walter W. was born Sept. 2, 1892; Claude James, born July 22, 1894, died March 18, 1895; Warren Ells- worth and Robert Gideon were born Dec. II, 1895; and Annie Kate, was born March 8, 1898.

WILLIAM EDWARD WISE was born on the farm adjoining the one he now owns in Chanceford township, July 25, 1848.

Jacob Wise, his grandfather, settled on a farm near the river in Chanceford township, and died on the place now owned by George Hough; it adjoins W. E. Wise's farm on the west, and was owned by Grandfather Jacob Wise at the time of his death. It is not known whether Jacob Wise was born in Germany, it. Lancaster county, or near Philadelphia. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and to him and his wife these children were born : George died in Chanceford township; John was the father of William E .; Mary, who married David Workinger, died in Chanceford town- ship; and Katie, died in her youth. After the death of his first wife, Jacob Wise married Mary Nicoll, by whom he had Jacob and An- drew, both sons dying in Chanceford town- ship. Jacob Wise followed distilling in con- nection with farmning, finding a market for his goods in Baltimore. In religion he was a Luth- eran. In politics he was always connected with the Democratic party.

John Wise was born in York county, and, with his parents, lived about one mile from the Susquehanna river, receiving an ordinary education in German and English in the town- ship schools. He married Margaret Work- inger, a sister of the late Jesse Workinger (ex- sheriff of York county) and daughter of Peter Workinger, a farmer and miller of Hopewell township. Mrs. Wise died in 1874, at the age of sixty-five years. She had been a kind

William Edward Wise developed into man- hood on the home farm in Chanceford town- ship, and attended school from the age of six years to sixteen. He spent most of this time in Fairview school, his principal teacher having been Sarah Bigler, sister of Dr. Bigler, and the wife of Dr. B. F. Porter, of Brogueville. Mr. Wise was reared a farmer's boy, and has ever followed agricultural pursuits. He bought his father's farm three years before the latter's death, and has added to it, until now he is the possessor of 165 acres of fine land, all in a good state of cultivation. Mr. Wise has never married. He was reared in the faith of the Lutheran Church, and was formerly a member of St. Luke's Lutheran Church. His vote supports the Democratic party. Mr. Wise has a number of financial interests, and since its organization April 3, 1903, has been a di- rector in the Farmers' & Merchants' Bank of Red Lion.

GEORGE WISE, a cousin of William Edward Wise, was born near Collinsville, Chanceford township, July 20, 1835, the only child of George and Elizabeth (Runkle) Wise, both of whom died in that township. George Wise, the father of George, was born on the Wrights- ville road, back of Brogueville, where he was a farmer, and died a short time before our subject was born. He married Elizabeth Runkle, who became the wife of David Arnold after Mr. Wise's death. Mr. Wise attended the Murphy school until nineteen years of age, being reared a farmer's boy by his grandfather, John Runkle, a farmer of that section. There were no reapers or binders in those days, the first threshing machine being a four horse power, lever machine. Mr. Wise worked with

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a cradle and Dutch scythe and was considered a very good hand. He remained with his grandfather until he was twenty-three years of age, and then settled on a part of the old farm owned by his grandfather, Jacob Wise, located one mile from Brougeville near the Wrights- ville road. There he remained for twelve years, and then sold the property and bought the tract of about 100 acres now owned by William Smeltser. This farm he worked un- til eleven years ago, when, considering that he deserved a rest from his labors, Mr. Wise re- tired from active life, selling his farm and buying his present place which consists of fif- teen acres. There he established a store, which he has since continued. Mr. Wise has been1 a life-long Democrat and has served as judge of elections, as school director and as county commissioner. He is a member of the Lu- theran Church. In his younger days he had been a member of the Evangelical association and was largely instrumental in the building of the church in the neighborhood. This edi- fice was abandoned and later occupied by the M. E. Church, of which Mr. Wise became a member.

Mr. Wise married (first) Miss Sarah Run- kle, by whom he had these children : Lucinda, who married Samuel Miller, deceased; Mrs. Edward Crusen; John Westley, of Lancaster county, and a fourth that died in infancy. Mr. Wise's second wife was Sabina McCleary, and his third, Susan E., widow of John Crusen.

WILLIAM JAMES DYER (deceased) was born in York city, June 8, 1862, son of Jesse C. and Louise (Young) Dyer.

Jesse C. Dyer died at his home on West King street, York, from disease contracted in military service, having been a member of Company H, 200th P. V. I. His funeral was a military one, as he had been a faithful and loyal soldier. * His widow survived until Jan. 24, 1890, both now resting in the Prospect Hill cemetery. They had these children : George W., born July 16, 1853, died June 6. 1880; John, born Jan. 7, 1856, resides in Bal- timore: Annie M., born April 14, 1860, was the wife of Dr. Samuel Wiltbank, and died Oct. 13, 1889; William James ; and Mary L., born July 15. 1864, died June 6, 1868.

berland county, where he remained until the age of sixteen years. He then learned the bakery business, in which he was engaged for a number of years, and then removed to Hobo- ken, N. J. For two years he served as a clerk there, but returned to York, and in 1890 es- tablished a grocery on the corner of Penn street and College avenue. Here, by strict at- tention to business and upright and honorable dealing, he built up a large trade, and had a longer life been granted him, would doubtless have become one of the substantial men of the city. His death occurred Sept. 23, 1898, and his burial was in Prospect Hill cemetery. In every way he was a good and worthy man, and for years he was active in the M. E. Church, of which his father and his family are also mem- . bers. Here Mr. Dyer was particularly missed, as he had been superintendent of the Sunday- school and was beloved by all who knew and appreciated his services.

On May 22, 1881, Mr. Dyer was married to Isabella A., daughter of Michael and Caro- line (Golden) Spangler. The children were : Mabel A., born March 17, 1882, who is a very fine musician and a popular teacher of music in York; Wilson E., born March 9, 1884, who died July 4, 1887, aged three years, three months and twenty-five days; Edna May, born Sept. 25, 1888, now at home with her mother ; Pauline A., born in 1895, a school girl. Mrs. Dyer continues the operation of her late hus- band's store at the same location, being a woman possessed of excellent business judg- ment.

Mr. Dyer was a member of the I. O. O. F., the Knights of the Mystic Chain and of the Sons of Veterans, of the last named having been captain and judge advocate. He was a kind, good, just man; one who will long be remembered by a devoted family and many warm friends.

JACOB F. BORTNER, while retired from active life, is serving the borough of Win- terstown as tax collector. The Bortner family comes from Germany, three brothers landing in America and settling in Codorus township. York county, Pa., whence one went to Hope- well township, same county, where he died aged ninety-six years, and another to Lan- caster county, Pennsylvania.

William James Dyer was educated in the common schools of York and in the Sol- Jacob Bortner, the grandfather of Jacob · diers' Orphans' School at White Hall, Cum- F., was born in Hopewell township, where

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

throughout life he was engaged in farming. He was married three times-first to Miss Snyder, who became the grandfather of Jacob F. ; his third wife was a Miss Hess.

John Bortner, the father, was born in Hopewell township in 1822, where he reached maturity on a farm. He learned the shoe- maker's trade, but after marriage commenced farming, purchasing the place now known as the Engle farm in North Hopewell township, upon which he died in 1871. He married Mar- garet Fishel of Hopewell township, daughter of Michael and Lydia ( Hershner ) Fishel, his wife dying in 1903. Of the children of this union, Mary married S. V. Reddiford, and both died in Dallas, Texas; Jacob F .; William . is deceased; Wiley, of Baltimore, Md., mar- ried a Miss Earhart; Belle died single; and Frank is a resident of Darlington, Wiscon- sin.

Jacob F. Bortner was born in Hopewell township, Nov. 24, 1849, and attended the common schools until he was sixteen years old. He was reared on the home farm, upon which he remained until his seventeenth year, and then for three years served an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade under S. S. Sheffer, afterward engaging in business for himself, and operating a shop for twenty-five years in Winterstown borough. About 1897 he aban- doned active work, since which time he has lived retired. Mr. Bortner was reared in the faith of the M. E. Church. In political prin- ciples he is a stanch Republican, has served as school director and on the town council, and at present is acceptably discharging the duties of a tax collector.

Mr. Bortner was married in North Hope- well township, in 1871, to Harriet Snyder, daughter of Joseph and Susan (Strayer) Sny- der, and to this union have been born the fol- lowing children: Cora, who was educated in the public schools, the York County Normal School and the Millersville State Normal school, and was a teacher for twelve years in Hopewell township and New Freedom, is now the wife of Dr. James L. Yeagle of New Freedom; and Minnie, who is at home, was educated in the public schools, the York Coun- ty Academy and the Shippensburg Normal school, and is a graduate of Potts' Shorthand College, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

HOWARD BOWER, who is engaged in cultivating his fine farm of 106 acres in New-

berry township, was born in Conewago town- ship, Dec. 26, 1853, son of Henry and Mary Jane ( Keister ) Bower. George Bower, his great-grandfather, came from Germany and settled in Newberry township when a young man, engaging in agricultural pursuits until his death. He was buried at the Cassel grave- yard, near York Haven, in Newberry township.

George Bower, the grandfather of How- ard, was born in Newberry township and was a farmer and miller in Manchester township. He married Eva Fink, and they both died in Conewago township and are buried in the Union cemetery at Manchester borough. The children born to this couple were: John, a farmer, died in 1847, in Conewago township; George died in Conewago township and was buried at Manchester; Mary married Peter Spahr, and died in Manchester, meeting her death by drowning in a swollen stream; Henry, was the father of Howard; William, a retired farmer, lives in Conewago township; Caro- line married Abraham Reeser, and died in Manchester borough; Mary, living in Man- chester, married John Metzger; Jacob, a re- tired wagon-maker, lives in Decatur, Illinois.

Henry Bower was born Oct. 14, 1820, in Manchester township, where he received a good education. He remained at home assist- ing his father, until his marriage in 1848 to Mary Jane Keister, daughter of Henry and Tacey (Hart) Keister. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Bower located in Conewago township, where they remained for eight years, and then bought the Henry Keister estate, a farm of 106 acres of fine soil, upon which Mr. Bower built a large stone residence and a sub- stantial barn. The house is one which does credit to the builder, the architect and the community in which it stands. Until 1879 Mr. Bower was engaged in farming; in 1893 he removed to Newberry, where he lived re- tired until his death, Aug. 2, 1897, at the age of seventy-six years, nine months, nineteen days. Mrs. Bower was born in 1827, and died May 7, 1900. They are interred in the Paddletown cemetery, Newberry township. As an earnest Democrat Henry Bower took a great interest in his party's success. The children born to these good people were: George, a farmer, living in Fairview township, married a Miss Miller; Sarah Jane married George Spahr, a farmer of Newberry township; Howard is mentioned below; Maggie, married William Eppley, a merchant of Newberry: Ida married

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 133

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