History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 137

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

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Church, but is not formally identified with any religious body. He is affiliated with Winona Lodge, No. 944, I. O. O. F., at East Pros- pect.

In the city of York, on June 12, 1879, Rev. R. C. Philebar solemnized the marriage of Mr. Anstine to Laura Heindle, who was born and reared in Lower Windsor township, where her parents, John and Mary Ann (Fox) Heindle, still reside, her father being a representative farmer of that section. Mr. and Mrs. Anstine have eight children living, all of whom remain at the parental home except the eldest, their names being, in order of birth: Clayton, who resides in York, married to Mayme Mitzel; John, who remains on the home farm, mar- ried to Gertrude, daughter of Alexander Dietz, of Lower Windsor township; and Ches- ter, Arrie, Charles, Mabel, Beulah and Elmer, who live at home and are numbered among the popular young people of the community. There was also an infant who died unnamed.

JOHN G. MILLER. Among the agricul- turists of East Hopewell township is John G. Miller, whose farm of 119 acres is well situated and finely cultivated. He was born in the "City of Brotherly Love," July 31, 1851, son of John and Barbara Miller, a full history of whom will be found elsewhere in the sketch of Lewis J. Miller.

Mr. Miller was reared in York county, his parents settling in the village of Gatchellville, Fawn township, after which they removed to East Hopewell township, on the old James Wallace place. Mr. Miller attended the town- ship schools until twenty-one years of age, among his teachers being: John M. Gemmill, J. W. Wallace, W. N. McAlister and Andrew Collins. He was reared to farm pursuits, and remained at home until he was twenty-three years old. when he began on his own account. going to Lancaster county and working at twelve dollars per month. After two and one- half years he went to Minnesota to examine the country, but not finding conditions there to his liking returned to his home after a few months, working until his marriage as a day laborer. Mr. Miller's marriage occurred Dec. 26, 1876, to Miss Dora Schumm, born in Ma- ryland, daughter of John and Barbara ( Wil- helm) Schumm. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Miller rented the property upon which

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

they now reside for five years, and then Mr. spected and loved by all, she was known as Miller cropped for a time, in 1891 purchasing the farm from his father-in-law. Here he has since remained, successfully engaged in farm- ing and stock-raising. He is a member of Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church, where he has filled various offices. He is a Democrat in political faith.

Mr. and Mrs. Miller have had the following children: Mary B., Mrs. Lewis Mitzel, of Windsor township: Annie M., Mrs. William F. Logan, of Cross Roads borough; Aaron Franklin, Lizzie, John Andrew, Emma J., Re- becca S. and Celia. all at home.

WILLIAM J. POSEY is a member of one of York county's old and respected families, which has many representatives scattered over the Union who are proud to bear its name. The record of this old family antedates the Revolutionary war, and Grandmother Posey, whose maiden name was Rachel Peck, and who lived until 1868, could recall many reminis- cences of General Washington and the Conti- nental army. She could recall that memorable winter in Valley Forge, and how she and her mother knit stockings for the soldiers ; how her father gave them his horses and how the women worked all day preparing bread and butter for the army, while Grandmother Posey did the distributing. Her father was asso- ciated with General Washington and spent much time at his headquarters, while her hus- band, Micajah Posey, was a soldier in his army. The Brandywine battlefield was not far from the Posey home. and Grandfather Posey, fighting under Colonel Bull, was wounded and taken prisoner, and, after endur- ing many hardships (being confined in prison- ships at Philadelphia), was exchanged. Mi- cajah Posey died March 30, 1828, when nearly dighty-seven years of age. Grandmother Rachel Posey died at Valley Forge Aug. 14, 1868, at the remarkable age of 102 years. In many other ways she was a notable character. She was the mother of ten children and the grandmother of eighty-one; had 119 great- grandchildren; thirty-three great-great-grand- children and five great-great-great-grandchil- dren. Gray-haired grandchildren and great- grandchildren attended her funeral, representa- tives of all generations in the family being at her grave. At the time of her death the New York Post gave a history of her life. Re-

Grandmother Posey, and her children for six generations have risen up to call her blessed. To Micajah and Rachel Posey the following children were born: Jesse, who died at Read- ing, Pa .; Isaac, who went West when a young man, all trace of him being lost; Thomas; William, who died at Pine Hill, Lancaster county, at the age of seventy-nine years, the father of two sons and two daughters; Eliza- beth, who married Edward Pierce, and died near Churchtown, Chester county; Micajah, the father of William J .; and four children whose names are not known.

Micajah Posey was born May 25, 1810, in Chester county, near Brandywine battlefield. and resided at that place until after his mar- riage. He learned the trade of a molder and furnaceman, and removed to Cecil county, Md., where he managed a furnace for George P. Whittaker for ten or twelve years; he then located in York county and blew the York Furnace, in Lower Chanceford township. for John Baer & Co., from 1846 until 1851. In the latter year, as the business had gradually died out, he bought a farm of thirty-one acres from a Mr. Turk, and from that time until his death, in 1882, he spent most of his time in farming. Originally Mr. Posey was a Whig, and later voted independently-favoring the man more than the party.

Micajah Posey married Catherine Stone- back, born in 1812 in Chester county, daughter of Jacob and Catherine Stoneback. His wife died in 1886 and was buried at Bethel M. E. church. Mr. and Mrs. Micajah Posey were the parents of the following children : David, who married Mary Groff, managed the York fur- nace for John Baer & Co, and for a while was a partner in the concern; he and his wife were the parents of B. F. Posey, who is mentioned elsewhere. Rebecca married Peter Ward, and emigrated to Biggsville, Ill., where her hus- band died, and where she still resides. George \V., a mason by trade, enlisted in the 76th P. V. I., and served until the charge on Fort Wag- ner, S. C., where the Union forces captured the hill, which was recaptured by the re-enforced Confederates, when he dropped out of sight forever. Robert A. enlisted at the age of twenty years in the 130th P. V. I., under Cap- tain Small of York, participated in the battles of Antietam and Fredericksburg, was wounded at the latter and was taken to the hospital at

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Washington, D. C., where he contracted ty- phoid fever ; he was taken home by his father, and died after a convalescence and a relapse. William J. is mentioned below. John B. en- listed at the age of sixteen years in the 21st Pennsylvania Cavalry, being a runaway school- boy, served through the battle of Cold Harbor, from consequent exposure was taken sick with brain fever, and died at the hospital in Wash- ington, D. C., whence he was brought home and laid beside his brothers in the Bethel ceme- tery. Maria lives in Virginia. Mary Jane mar- ried Jacob Keeports, of Lower Chanceford township. Jacob S., justice of the peace of Lower Chanceford township, married Mary M. McSherry.

William J. Posey was born Dec. 6, 1844, at Cecil Furnace, Cecil Co., Md., and when two years old was brought by his parents to Lower Chanceford township, where he attended the public schools until eighteen years of age and then pursued a two-years course at the Air- ville Academy, under Professor Pierce. and later under Professor McKelvey. He com- menced to teach at the stone schoolhouse in Lower Chanceford township, where he re- mained for one year. He then located in Mon- mouth, Warren Co., Ill., taught for one year, and then returned to York county. He taught in Chanceford and Lower Chanceford town- ships for the next twenty-five years, acquiring quite a reputation as an educator throughout the county. Mr. Posey was the local preacher in the Bethel M. E. Church from 1884 until 1892, and from the latter year until 1897 again taught school. In 1897 he commenced farm- ing on the old family homestead, which he had purchased in 1882. Mr. Posey united with the Bethel M. E. church at the age of twenty-seven years and has been a devout and consistent member ever since. He has been superin- tendent of the Sunday-schools throughout the neighborhood for several years, and is a char- itable, Christian man. In politics he has al- ways been a Republican, and has served as township auditor.

On Oct. 7, 1865, William J. Posey married Miss Sarah E. Kerr, who was born at Pequea, Lancaster county, daughter of Joseph H. and Catherine (Mundorff ) Kerr. Joseph Kerr had been a resident of York. Chanceford and Lower Chanceford townships, and died at Mr. Posey's residence in 1892. By trade he had been a blacksmith. Mrs. Kerr was the daughter of

Peter Mundorff, a fisherman-farmer who owned an island in the Susquehanna river, op- posite Lockport. He later moved to Chance- ford township, where he died. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Posey : Catherine Frances married William D. Jones, of Delta; John J., a farmer of Lower Chance -. ford township, married Gertrude Wright; George M., a farmer of Lancaster county, mar- ried Sarah Simmers; Elizabeth, a graduate of a Philadelphia school for nurses, is now lo- cated in that city ; Mary Jane married William Patten, of Altoona; Anna M. married H. W. Crawford, of Lancaster; Albert is bookkeeper for William J. Fisher, a real-estate dealer of Wilmington, Del. ; Silas R. is teller in the Dills- burg National Bank; Olive M., who attended the public schools, and graduated from the York academy in 1903, began teaching in 1900 at Miller's school in Chanceford township, and has since spent two years at the York Fur- nace school and one year at the Pleasure Hill school.

William J. Posey is a worthy representa- tive of the old family of which he is a de- scendant. Many of its members have settled in different sections, but wherever found they are thrifty, intelligent and honorable.

LEWIS AHRENS, senior member of the firm of Lewis Ahrens & Co., of York, Pa., dealers in cattle, hogs and sheep, is one of the- self-made men of that locality, and through. energy, native ability and business foresight, has become a very prominent factor in the commercial life of the city. Mr. Ahrens was born in West Manchester township, June 17, '1849, son of Ernst and Louise ( Hazelman) Ahrens, both natives of Maryland. For some years the parents were residents of Baltimore, but eventually removed to York county, Pa., locating on a farm, where the father passed away in 1894. The mother died in 1877.

Lewis Ahrens was reared upon a farm, and received but a limited education, making, however, the best of his opportunities, and when he let home at the age of twenty-five years, he embarked in the business of handling hogs, cattle and sheep. At first his operations were conducted upon a small scale, but later he dealt in car lots and shipped to Balti- more and Philadelphia. In 1888 he established himself in the stock business in York, where he has been very successfully engaged ever since,

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and now has extensive yards for the accommo- dation of his horses, cattle, hogs and sheep, at the same time profitably operating an extensive farm. In 1902 Mr. Ahrens associated himself with W. A. Little, and the present firm style was adopted. The reputation of the house for fair and honorable dealings is unimpeached, and its volume of business shows a steady and healthy annual increase.

When twenty-one years of age Mr. Ahrens was married to Miss Susan Peters, of York township, a daughter of William and Mary ( William) Peters. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ahrens : Ed- ward E., a butcher ; Samuel L .; Harry W., in business with his father; Jane, wife of Oscar Stoner; Sadie, wife of Bert Husson ; and Alice May and Emma, at home. In addition to his other interests, Mr. Ahrens has valuable realty holdings in Buffalo and York. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Malta. His re- ligious affiliations are with Christ Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Democrat, and gives unqualified support to the candidates of that party. In every respect Mr. Ahrens is a model citizen and an upright business man.

JACOB H. MYERS. Among the best known agriculturists of Monaghan township is Jacob H. Myers, who owns a fine farm of eighty-three acres. He was born Dec. 20, 1850, in Warrington township, York county, son of Jacob and Margaret J. (Gray) Myers.

Mr. Myers received his education in the common schools of Monaghan township. His mother having died when he was but three years of age, he lived with his grandfather, Jacob Myers, until he was eight years old, when his father remarried, and the boy went to live with him until the age of thirteen. He then made his home with his uncle, George Myers, remaining with him two years, when he returned to his grandfather, and at the age of twenty-two started out in an independent ca- reer. With nothing but a pair of willing hands and a good stock of ambition as capital, he embarked in an occupation that has proved to be his fortune. He commenced market garden- ing, which he followed for one year and then bought a farm of twenty acres, which he im- proved and added to from time to time, until when he sold the property, it consisted of fifty- six acres. He then (in 1891) purchased the farm which he now owns, the Jacob G. Myers

property, which at that time consisted of about seventy-five acres. Mr. Myers has, at times, both increased and decreased his farm, and now it comprises about eighty-three acres, forty of which are of timber land.

Mr. Myers devotes his time to general farming and fruit-growing, and in 1897 raised 5,000 bushels of peaches of the choicest va- rieties, while his son raised 3,000 bushels on an adjoining farm. It would seem by the above figures that this land was especially adapted to horticulture. Mr. Myers' fruit and vegetables both find a ready market in Har- risburg, Philadelphia and New York City.

In 1872 Jacob H. Myers married Annie Grove, born May 31, 1854, daughter of John Grove, and the children born to this union are : John R .; Catherine E., who married Lloyd David of Mt. Pleasant; Thomas R., deceased ; William E., deceased ; M. Edith, a graduate of Shippensburg State Normal School, and now a teacher in the district schools of the county; Sarah Ida, at home ; Elsie E., at home; Ray- mond A .; Virdie J .; Mabel E., and Warren E. In religion the family belong to the Church of God. Mr. Myers is a firm Democrat, and has held the office of supervisor for two years. He has also been school director for twelve years, for three years being treasurer and for seven years president of the board. Mr. Myers has taken an active part in educational mat- ters and has given his children the advantages of a thorough mental discipline. In every sense of the word, Mr. Myers is a self-made man, having fought his way, almost unaided, to his present high station. He is a man who commands the respect of his neighbors, and has a wide circle of warm personal friends. He is one of the trustees of the cemetery and his son, John R., has been a deacon in the Church of God for the past three years.

JOHN A. WILSON, a practical farmer of East Hopewell township, York county, was born on his grandfather's farm at Dolf, East Hopewell township, Dec. 25, 1856, son of the late William S. Wilson.

William S. Wilson was also a native of that township, born on the old homestead, Jan. 29, 1825, where he grew to manhood. He was educated in its common schools, and was reared to the life of a farmer, which occupation he followed all of his life. He married Ellen Ann Anderson, born at Dolf, June 6, 1838, daugh-

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ter of William and Ellen ( Morrison) Ander- SO11. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wilson settled on a 100-acre tract, most of which was in the woods, and there, by the opening of spring, he cleared a place. In 1857 he erected a home thereon, in which he spent the remain- der of his life, dying Oct. 2, 1903, Mrs. Wilson still surviving. He was a faithful member of the Hopewell Presbyterian Church, in which he was an elder for thirty years, and there he was buried. He was a lifelong Republican and served as school director for several terms. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were: Maggie, Mrs. A. G. J. Hyson, of East Hope- well township; Ella, Mrs. J. B. Grove, of York, twin sister of Nettie, the wife of Dr. Glessick, of New Freedom; Mary A., living at home; Lizzie, deceased wife of Porter Anderson, of East Hopewell township; Amanda, deceased, wife of F. O. Beard, of Hopewell township; William E., of East Hopewell township, who married Minerva Miller and resides in the same township; Olive C., at home; Emma L. and Edna L., twins, both at home; Anna, who died in infancy ; and John A.

John A. Wilson attended the public schools during the winter terms until eighteen years of age, but did not have much opportunity to gain an education, being the eldest in the fam- ily and his services at home being most in de- mand. He worked on his father's farm until his marriage, when he lived for a time on his father-in-law's place, and then (about 1894) bought his present homestead. This consists of ninety-one acres of the finest land in East Hopewell township, comprises one of the most beautiful homes in the section, and has one of the finest, most up-to-date residences to be found in the township, erected by Mr. Wilson in 1896. It is equipped with all modern im- provements and conveniences and is well sit- uated and substantially and beautifully built. Mr. Wilson joined the Hopewell Presbyterian Church in 1883 and has been a devout member ever since. In politics a Republican, he was elected to serve as school director, and as- sumed the duties of that office the first Monday in June, 1905.

On Feb. 18, 1886, Mr. Wilson married Miss Emma H. Hyson, daughter of John and Margaret (Miller) Hyson, and to this union have been born: Charles Alexander, Harry C., and Marguerite Ellen, all residing at home.

CHARLES H. SULTNER, who has won for himself a substantial place in the business world of York, and a no less prominent place in musical circles, is one of the most popular men in the county. He is a son of Charles and a grandson of Christian Sultner, who died in Spring Garden township in 1860, aged sixty- five years. Mr. Sultner was born April 10, 1855, and his early life was spent on a farm. The public schools afforded him opportunity for an education-an opportunity of which he was not slow to avail himself. At the age of twenty-two years he established himself in the meat business, and for almost thirty years has continued in that line, conducting the business alone until in April, 1902, when he admitted his son as his partner, the firm name being changed to C. H. Sultner & Son. He does all his own killing, selling no meat over his counter which he has not himself butchered. His trade is strictly retail, and his customers come from far and near because of the excel- lent quality of meat to be procured in his es- tablishment. He is thoroughly up-to-date in all particulars, and has made a considerable success of his work. He has also become a property holder, being the owner of one of the best properties on the West side, which he pur- chased and then remodeled, and he has erected several buildings in the city, thus contributing his share to its growth and prosperity. His business affairs have always been conducted on a high plane, and this is a fact so well known that his representation of his goods is accepted as final.

In his religious belief Mr. Sultner is a Lu- theran, and he is a member of Christ Luther- an Church of York, where he has served as a deacon and is now an elder. The Sabbath- school has found in him an efficient worker, he being the assistant secretary; but it is in the choir that he has found the widest scope for his talents, and the high class of music rendered is the best evidence of his marked ability. He has been 'one of the best workers in Christ . Lutheran Quartette, and his willingness on all occasions to give his services has won him many friends.

In the spring of 1877 Mr. Sultner was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Eyster, daughter of John Eyster, and four children have come to brighten their home, namely : Harvey A., who is now associated with his father in business; Jennie E., wife of Edwin

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S. Ziegler, of No. 735 West Market street, York, and the mother of one child, Charles I .; Bessie I. and Alvin F., at home. Mr. Sult- ner takes a good citizen's interest in public affairs, but he cares nothing for office hold- ing. He is a member of the Heptasophs.

JAMES KELLER, of Lower Windsor township, is a representative of one of the pio- neer families of this section of the old Key- stone State. The original ancestors in America came hither from Germany and settled in what is now Lancaster county, Pa. They were Lu- therans in their religious faith. In that county was born Peter Keller, grandfather of James Keller, and there he was reared to maturity. As a young man, in company with a relative of about the same age and name, he crossed the river and settled in what is now Lower Wind- sor township, York county, his place of loca- tion being about midway between Canadochley church and Wrightsville, while his original claim of land comprised 160 acres, which he reclaimed from the virgin forest. He was a man of strong mentality and indefatigable in- dustry, and at the time of his death was one of the wealthiest men in his township, owning several valuable farms, and he was a man of wide influence in the community. He was a pillar in the Lutheran Church, and his days were prolonged to those of a patriarch, since he was aged ninety-nine years, two months and twenty-three days at the time of his de- mise, April 22, 1873. His first wife, whose maiden name was Julia Ann Winehold, died March 1, 1823, at the age of forty-five years and six months. He subsequently married a widow, Mrs. Elizabeth Leber, and she died Nov. 29, 1860, aged seventy-three years, eleven months and twenty-seven days. Of the chil- dren of the first marriage Peter, Jr., father of James, was the eldest.

Wrightsville. The place was owned by his father, from whom he rented it upon thus in- itiating his independent career. About twelve years subsequent to his marriage he purchased the farm now owned by his son James, and here continued to be actively engaged in agri- cultural pursuits until his death. He was one of the solid and highly esteemed citizens of the township, took a loyal interest in local af- fairs of a public nature and was an active and consistent member of the Lutheran Church, while in his earlier years he was an officer in a company of local militia. He was called to his reward March 8, 1874, aged seventy-two years, five months and seven days, and his de- voted wife passed away Jan. 4, 1879, in the seventy-sixth year of her life. She was a daughter of John and Catherine Will, well known pioneers of the county. Peter and Sa- loma Keller were the parents of eleven chil- dren, namely : James was the first born ; Julia Ann, born May 6, 1827, married Jacob Paules, and after his death became the wife of Michael Shenberger, whom she still survives; Peter, founder of the wagon-gear works at York, was born Feb. 22, 1829, and died in York, being still survived by his wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Young; Simon, born April 23. 1831, married Martha Forry, who survives him, his death occurring in Chester, Pa .; Saralı, born July 8, 1833, became the wife of Henry Fauth, and her death occurred in Lower Windsor township; Anthony, born Nov. 23, 1835, died in Lower Windsor township, being survived by his wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Ann Keller, but who was not of the same family line: Elizabeth, born April 4, 1837, re- sides in York, being the widow of David E. Paules; George, born Aug. 14. 1839, mar- ried Charlotte Myers and they reside in Lower Windsor township; Mary Jane, born Nov. 24, 1841, is the wife of Milton Myers, of the same township: Maria, born May 19, 1844. married William Thomas, and her death occurred, in Lower Windsor township, Oct. 7, 1874; and Cecelia, born April 12, 1846, died unmarried, May 15, 1865.

Peter Keller, Jr., was born on the original homestead, in York county, Oct. 1, 1801. Such were the conditions and exigencies of time and locality that, like the average youth of a pio- neer district, his educational advantages were very limited in scope; but this handicap he ef- James Keller was born on his grandfather's farm, Lower Windsor township, York county, Sept. 22, 1825, and was reared to the sturdy discipline of the farm, while his educational advantages were such as were offered by thie primitive subscription schools. As he was the fectively overcame by the lessons gained in the practical school of experience and through personal reading and application. He married Saloma Will, and forthwith took up his abode on a farm in Lower Windsor township-the property now owned by John Strickler, of eldest of the children he was called upon to

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 137

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