History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 140

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

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In politics Mr. Craley is a stanch advocate of the principles of the Republican party, and is well fortified in matters of politics and re- ligion. He has a deep reverence for the Chris- tian verities and spiritual truths, but is not formally identified with any religious body.

In 1866 Mr. Craley was married to Susan Poff, who died in August, 1869. In Novem- ber of that year he married Rebecca Poff, a sister of his first wife, and their wedded life

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

extended over a period of thirty-three years. She was summoned into eternal rest Sept. 10, 1903. Mr. Craley's third marriage was to Miss Mary Frantz, of Mecca, Ind., a well edu- cated and accomplished young lady. John C. H. Frantz, father of Mrs. Craley, was a valiant soldier in the Union army during the entire course of the Civil war, after which he was for five years engaged in Indian fighting in the West. He is now passing the closing years of his life in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Craley have one child, Aaron J.

FRANK C. WERNER, a contractor and builder residing at No. 855 South Queen street, York, has won success in the fifteen years he has been in business for himself. A native of York, Mr. Werner was born Oct. 23, 1865, son of William and Louise (Schotte) Werner.

William Werner and his wife were natives of Hanover, Germany, and came to America at the ages of twenty and fourteen, respect- ively. Mr. Werner went directly to York after landing and has resided there ever since, en- gaged in shoemaking. Like his wife he became a member of St. John's German Lutheran Church. He had reached the ripe age of sev- enty-seven, when his wife, twelve years his junior, was taken from him by death, the sad event occurring April 15, 1905. They had only two children-William, a machinist in York, and Frank.

Frank C. Werner was educated in the pub- lic schools of York and then learned his trade as a mechanic and carpenter under Na- thaniel Weigel (deceased), one of the masters of his craft, and from whom Mr. Werner se- cured an unusually thorough training. He be- gan with Mr. Weigel in 1882, and remained under him till the latter retired in 1890, and then engaged in contracting on his own ac- count. Starting at the very bottom with no capital, he at first carted his lumber on a small "go-cart," but his untiring efforts met with de- served reward, and he now does an extensive business. He employs twenty-five carpenters and does most satisfactory work, for his eye is constantly on the construction in hand to in- sure absolute thoroughness. Among his more important contracts are those for the Maul buildings on George street, the Country Club, Claude Craver's residence, a row of eighteen dwellings on Hayes street, and the Mayer building. He has also done much remodelling.

The family residence was built in 1900, and is a model modern house.

In 1886 occurred Mr. Werner's marriage to Miss Augusta Webel, daughter of August Webel, and to this union ten children have been born, of whom three-Charlie' Louise and Florence-have died. The living are George, John, Frank, Julia, Walter, Clarence and Willie. Mr. and Mrs. Werner are mem- bers of the German Lutheran Church, and the former belongs to the Heptasophs.

JAMES EDWARD ILGENFRITZ, post- master at Woodbine, and also agent for the Adams Express Company at that place, comes. of good York county stock.

William Ilgenfritz, his father, was born in York in 1812, son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Deitch) Ilgenfritz. At the age of fifteen, hav- ing acquired a substantial training in the rudi- ments of an education, he became clerk for his uncle, Mr. Barber, who was then prothonotary. He afterward succeeded to that office, and for two terms filled it with great credit. In 1864 he removed to Lower Chanceford and pur- chased a 500-acre farm on the present site of Woodbine, on the Peach Bottom railroad. On Nov. 28, 1839, he married Elizabeth B. Don- aldson, of Baltimore, and they had three chil- dren : Alice C., who married Cyrus Calvin, and is deceased; William J., who married, Jan. II, 1883, Annie J. Boyd; and James Edward. William Ilgenfritz, the father, died in 1877. In politics he was a Democrat, and socially be- longed to the I. O. O. F. Mrs. Elizabeth B. (Donaldson) Ilgenfritz died April 17, 1893, a. faithful communicant of St. John's Episcopal Church at York.

James Edward Ilgenfritz was born in York City March 4, 1852, and his native city was his home until he was nearly fourteen years old. Then he accompanied his parents to Woodbine, and on the farm there grew to manhood. His early teachers were James Kell and Mr. Austin, and his education was completed by four terms in Pleasant Grove Academy, in Lower Chance- ford. After leaving school he spent four years in car building in the Empire Car Works and with Schall & King, his uncle, George W. Ilgenfritz, holding a large interest in the lat- ter firm. Returning home, he was appointed postmaster, station agent and express agent. Seven years ago he resigned as station agent, but still holds the other two positions. Mr.

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Ilgenfritz is industrious, and as he owns and Foustown; and Maggie, wife of George manages a large amount of. property inherited Kohler. from his father, his industry is put to a thor- ough test.

In 1876, at Woodbine, Mr. Ilgenfritz was married to Julia C. Blaine, of Fawn township, daughter of Moses and Sarah (Bulette) Blaine, both now deceased. Two children were born of this union : Joy A., who married Ivan White, of Bel Air, Md., and has two chil- dren, Juliet A. and Janet M. ; and Bayard List, living at home. Mr. Ilgenfritz was reared in the Episcopal faith in York, and although after the removal of the family to Woodbine they found no parish of that church there, he has joined no other denomination. Like his father he is a Democrat, stanch and true, and always interested in his party's success. He is hon- orable and upright in his methods, and merits the good will accorded him.

FRANK C. HIESTAND, proprietor of d livery and sales stable at Spring Grove, Jack- son township, and one of the substantial busi- ness men of the community, was born on a farm in Heidelberg township, York county, Nov. 20, 1857, son of William and Rebecca ( Doll) Hiestand.

William Hiestand was born in Spring Garden, York county, in 1814, and was a pro- gressive and successful farmer, who died in 1892 and was buried in York cemetery. His farm, which contained 200 acres, was situated in Heidelberg township, and was justly rec- ognized as one of the best in that portion of York county. He was a man who took a lively interest in the raising of high-grade stock ; and he supplied his farm with the latest improved machinery, and conducted it upon modern methods. The excellent house, barns, outbuild- ings and fences, were all erected by him. His principal crop was wheat, of which he was an extensive grower. Throughout York county, Mr. Hiestand was widely known and uni- versally esteemed for his many sterling traits of character. Mrs. Hiestand was also born in York county, in the vicinity of New Salem, in 1821, and she is still living, making her home

Abraham Hiestand, his grandfather, was also a native of York county, and a farmer, al- though in his earlier days he was a distiller. His farm was well-stocked, and one of the model ones of his day. His family was a large one and he was three times married.

Frank C. Hiestand was reared upon the farm, and attended the school of his district until he was eighteen, when he commenced as- sisting his father on the farm, thus continuing until he was twenty-five years of age. Then he married, and settled in Heidelberg town- ship to engage in farming and stock-raising. At the time of the death of his father he pur- chased the old homestead of 200 acres, situated two miles west of Spring Grove in Heidelberg township. The farm is a magnificent one, sup- plied with good buildings, well stocked and fur- nished with excellent machinery. Mr. Hiestand devotes much of his time to buying and selling horses and mules, many of which he gets from Kentucky and sells to farmers and other horse dealers. In addition to his other interests, Mr. Hiestand is a stockholder and director of the First National Bank of Spring Grove. Taking a deep interest in educational matters, he has served on the school board, and is a man widely and favorably known, standing very, high in the community.

In 1881 Mr. Hiestand married Miss Emma Yinger, of Manchester, Pa., a daughter of John. and Nancy (Good) Yinger, and a native of. York county. The Yinger family is a very old one in America, as is also the Hiestand family. The American founder of the latter was Abraham, who at an early date emigrated from his native land, Germany, to America and became one of the pioneer settlers of York county, Pa. Since that time the representa- tives of the family have been honorable, up- right, Christian gentlemen, who have enjoyed widespread respect and esteem, and who have been successful in the several lines of business with which they have identified themselves. Mr. Hiestand is a stanch Democrat, as were his an- cestors before him. Fraternally he is a member

in York with her daughter, Mrs. Dietz. She of the Knights of the Mystic Chain and of the fraternal insurance order known as "True Blues."

is a daughter of Henry and Barbara Doll. The following children were born to William and Rebecca Hiestand: Herbert, of Red Lion ; Annie, wife of Alexander Dietz; Mary, wife GEORGE C. GILLESPIE was born Aug. of Jacob Liebenknight ; Frank C .; Byrd J., of 29, 1862, in Rowlandville, Cecil Co., Md., son

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

of Moses N. and Margaret ( Moore) Gillespie. His boyhood was spent in Maryland, and he learned the laundry business at Baltimore, with C. A. Wysong, who operated the People's laundry in that city. Mr. Gillespie then de- cided to embark in business on his own account, and came to York in 1891, as a stranger, and on April 15th of that year, established the busi- ness at No. 242 West Market street. He re- mained there four years and then purchased the property on which he is now located at No. 270 West Market street, the building being reconstructed in 1904. It is known as the People's Laundry. Mr. Gillespie erected his first laundry in 1895, the building being 40 × 15 feet, two stories in height, the present structure being built in 1901 ; it is a three-story brick building, 110 x 15 feet, and is equipped with all modern machinery. Mr. Gillespie has a full corps of employees and operates a number of outside agencies, extending to some of the northern counties of Maryland. His business is a decided success, and he is a thoroughly competent man in his chosen line.

In 1903 Mr. Gillespie was married in York to Miss Sarah Isabelle Barrett, daughter of James and Sarah Barrett, and they have one child, Nellie C. Mr. and Mrs. Gillespie are members of Grace Reformed Church of York. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Royal Ar- canum, Codorus Council, No. 2091.

MICHAEL G. WAMBAUGH, 'a cigar manufacturer of Lower Windsor, township, York county, was born July 30, 1866, on a farm in York township, son of Jacob R. and Angelina ( Peters) Wambaugh. He was edu- cated in the township schools, his first teacher being George Dunlap, who is a Lutheran preacher ; his education was concluded at the age of nineteen years under Arthur Sechrist. While a young man Mr. Wambaugh learned the cigar making trade with Henry Wise, and began business for himself in 1894, at what is now Golden, his force consisting of three em- ployees. Mr. Wambaugh engaged in the mer- cantile business at Golden and Yorkana for about three years, and then, some two years ago, returned to the manufacture of cigars, which he has since continued. Since he was twenty-four years of age, Mr. Wambaugh has been active in politics, casting his first vote for President Cleveland. In religion he is connected with the Evangelical Church, of

which he is a valued member. He is considered one of the well-to-do, up-to-date business men of the township in which he is generally known and most highly respected.

On Aug. 4, 1890, in Springetsbury town- ship, Mr. Wambaugh was married to Miss A. Ream, who died Feb. 16, 1900, leaving one child. Helen Ruth. His second marriage was on May 25, 1902, to Virginia M. Thomas, daughter of Jacob Thomas, and they have had two children-Martha May and Mary Ellen. Jacob Thomas, the father of Mrs. Wam- baugh, was born Dec. 20, 1824, in Hellanı township, son of Jacob and Mary (Young) Thomas. Mr. Thomas attended school until the age of nineteen years, assisting on the farm during his spare time. He learned the carpenter's trade with P. W. Keller, of Lower Windsor township, and fol- lowed that vocation for thirty or forty years, for about twenty years of the period be- ing a contractor and building some of the finest residences and barns in the township. Mr. Thomas lived in various places until 1882, when he located in Lower Windsor township, on the York road, near Delroy, and remained here until 1895 when he started to build the home which he now occupies. He has twenty acres of land, which he has under a fine state of cultivation, being a successful farmer and contractor of thirty years' experience. Mr. Thomas was reared in the faith of the United Evangelical Church. His political faith finds its best expression in the Republican party's platform.

On Dec. 18, 1856, Mr. Thomas married in Hellam township, Rebecca Crumling, daugh- ter of Adam and Magdalena (Sloat) Crum- ling, of Hellam township, and these children have been born to the union: Clayton, of Lower Windsor township, married a Miss Leber, daughter of Jacob Leber ; Weston Seth, of York, married a Miss Paules; Elmer E. married a Miss Biggings; Emma married El- mer Miller, of York; Virgie May is the wife of Mr. Wambaugh; Annie married Frank Reisinger, and resides at home ; Abner resides in York; and two died in infancy.

ALEXANDER ERNEST McLAUCH- LIN, although a resident of York county for less than a decade, has in that time proved him- self an enterprising business man. A descendant of Scotch ancestry, his grandfather emigrated

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to Canada and there the father, Alexander A .. and in turn his son, Alexander E., were born.

Alexander A. McLauchlin was a large land owner and real estate dealer, who also carried on an extensive tanning and shoe business and later in life was interested in lumber and mill- ing. His death occurred in February, 1896, during a tour through Canada, at a town called Oakwood, Ontario. His wife, whose maiden name was Edna Pearson, followed him in May of the next year, and both are buried at Oak- wood, in a cemetery that he gave to the town. The children born to them were: William E .; George, who died in infancy; Susan C .; Flora J .; Joseph H., who died at Brandon, Canada, in 1898; Alma E .: Bayard T., who was drowned at the age of seven; Alexander E .; Ida, who was killed in childhood by the fall of a shed ; Cora B. and Alice C. (twins) ; Edgar E .; and Ada M.

Alexander E. Mclaughlin was born at Oakwood, Ontario, Nov. 14, 1859. Until he was sixteen his education was carried on in the public schools, but after that time he attended the Albert College at Belleville, Ont., and was graduated with the class of 1880. Mr. Mc- Lauchlin's business life began as a clerk, but after six months in that capacity he went to Toledo, Ohio, as lumber inspector for G. W. Hubbard; after a year there, in the latter part of 1881 he removed to Victoria and Winnipeg in a similar position, but eventually returned home and bought a half interest in a large stone quarry owned by his father. For a year he gave his entire attention to this enterprise, then in turn was in Detroit, Mich., in Toronto, in Port Huron for a year with the Chicago & Grand Trunk Railway, in Canada again for three years in a government position, and then in New York City for eight months. On Feb. 10, 1896, Mr. McLauchlin came to York Ha- ven as superintendent of the Conewago Manu- facturing Co., remaining with that concern until it suspended business. His next engage- ment was with the York Haven Paper Mill, and then in the spring of 1901 he accepted his present position as secretary and treasurer of the Susquehanna Roofing Manufacturing Co. His interest in the plant has always been keen, as he was one of those who founded it, and he is a director and stockholder of the company. Mr. McLauchlin has been very successful in his enterprises, and is justly ranked among the substantial men of his community.

In 1887 Mr. McLauchlin was united in marriage to Cecelia M. Wellwood, daughter of William and Elizabeth ( Finley) Well- wood. Their only child, Wellwood G., was born July 20, 1901. Mr. McLauchlin is a member of the United Brethren Church, and is prominent in its work, as he is secretary of the Sunday-school, and has been both president and recording secretary of the Y. P. C. U. He is a member of the K. of P., I. O. O. F., and Knights of Malta.

JAMES C. PEELING, proprietor and manager of a bakery at No. 113 North Queen street, York, is a native of the township of York, born near Dallastown, April 20, 1851, son of James and Sarah ( Inners) Peeling.

James Peeling, the father, was born in 1823, and passed his whole life in York county. At first engaged in farming, he afterward fol- lowed the occupation of a well-digger and still later became a hotel keeper. He first conducted the "Farmers' Hotel" in York, remaining there two years and a half before removing to the "Caslow House." While thus engaged Mr. Peeling was elected sheriff on the county Dem- ocratic ticket and filled that responsible posi- tion for three years. The remainder of his life, which drew to its close in 1895, was passed on his farm in Conewago township. which con- sisted of 202 acres and to whose management he gave his entire attention. An active worker in the Democratic party, Mr. Peeling was also one of the well-known supporters of religious work, being a member of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Sarah (Inners) Peeling, who died in 1871, was the mother of .eight children, viz. : Sarah (deceased), wife of Theodore Krebs; Eliza, who married Isaac McDowell, both now deceased ; Isabelle, Mrs. George Egee, of York; Ellen, wife of the late John Cameron, of Balti- more; James C .; Isaac, deceased : Mary, Mrs. Samuel Gallatin, of York; and Rebecca, de- ceased wife of Frank Westerholts. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Peeling married Miss Dorcas Ann Leib, and by her became the father of seven children, namely : Lucinda, Mrs. Harry Wasbers, of York: Joshua, oper- ator of a stone quarry at Round Town; Sam- uel, a farmer in Conewago township; Alfar- etta, deceased ; Martha, Mrs. Ort Falkenrode, of York; Harris, of the same city; and Ida, wife of Isaac Bupp.

James C. Peeling was sent to the public

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

schools, and while still a boy, learned the trade of basket-weaving. Afterward he worked for a time on the farm, assisted his father as a well- digger and a hotel keeper, and, after the latter's election as sheriff, was appointed turnkey. When the term of office was completed, Mr. Peeling entered upon the business which has since occupied his entire attention, and in 1890 opened a bakery on South George street. There he succeeded so well that in 1897 he moved to his present location, where he built a brick structure, combining his residence and shop, with a bake house and stable in the rear. He does a general bakery business, and also fills orders for weddings and parties, while for the delivery of his bread-stuffs he keeps three wagons, so great is the demand upon his sup- plies. He has been very successful and is one of the leading bakers in York.

In 1876 Mr. Peeling was united in mar- riage to Miss Sarah Jane Dick, daughter of Jacob H. and Charlotte (Wilt) Dick. They have brought up an adopted child, a nephew, Charles, the son of William Dick, who, in 1903, was married to Miss Annie Cameron, by whom he has one child, James. Mr. and Mrs. Peeling are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics Mr. Peeling is a Demo- crat, and an active member of the party. He also belongs to the I. O. R. M., of York.

JESSE GILBERT comes of ancestors who settled in Lancaster county at an early day and were descended from John Gilbert, who lived in the west of Cornwall, England, whence, be- ing a Quaker, he was banished in 1663 on ac- count of his faith. For some time he was imprisoned in Lancaster jail, and then with others of his faith emigrated to America. Soon after the grant of Pennsylvania to William Penn the party of which John Gilbert was a member settled near what is now Perkasie. Bucks county. John Gilbert had brought his wife, Florence, and his two sons, John and Joseph, the latter being about seven or eight years old; and after landing in America an- other son, Joshua, was born. It is believed that John Gilbert did not leave the Society of Friends with the deluded followers of George Kent. In 1695 he purchased 600 acres of land from Nicholas Redrone, located in Byberry, Philadelphia county, Mr. Redrone having bought it from the original owner and sur- veyor, Thomas Holmes. Part of this land John

Gilbert sold to John Carver, dividing the re- mainder between his sons, John and Joseph.

Joseph Gilbert married Rachel Loegy, of Abington or Lower Dublin, and settled on the tract of land left him by his father, where he died Aug. 8, 1765, aged ninety years. After bearing him several children his first wife died, and he married (second) Sarah James.

Benjamin Gilbert, the youngest son of Joseph, was born in 1711, and in June, 1731, married Sarah, daughter of Benjamin Mason. By this marriage he had eight children. He and his wife settled on a tract of land pur- chased by Mr. Gilbert's father in Richland, Bucks county, but in 1748 he removed to a mill in Wakefield, in 1755 removing to his father's homestead. His first wife died in 1759, and in 1761 he was again married, his second wife being Elizabeth Peart, widow of Benjamin Peart, and daughter of Benjamin Walters. Benjamin Gilbert, after settling the homestead on his sons John and Joshua, re- moved with the balance of his family to the wilderness west of the Blue mountains, on lands he had purchased on Mahoning creek, North- ampton county, nine miles from the Lehigh river, this being Pennsylvania's frontier settle- ment. There he built a dwelling, barn and grist and sawmill. Benjamin Peart, the son of Mr. Gilbert's last wife, had also gone there to reside, as well as Mr. Gilbert's sons, Thomas and Jesse, the latter of whom had married a Bucks county girl. The settlement was sud- denly surprised by a band of Indians, April 25, 1780. Benjamin was seized and bound with a strip of bark, which was wound around his neck and crossed behind his shoulders and around his arms to deprive him of the use of his hands. The balance of the men were cap- tured, the houses and mills plundered, and the prisoners taken to Niagara, where their release was purchased by English officers, and they were sent to Montreal. Benjamin Gilbert died on the passage down the St. Lawrence, was taken ashore, and buried June 5, 1780. The remainder of the family made their way to Montreal in safety.

Jesse Gilbert, son of Benjamin, and the grandfather of the Jesse of today, married Sarah Harding and settled at Bird in Hand, Lancaster county, where he farmed and fol- lowed his trade of plow-making. There he died, as did also his wife, who had been bed- ridden for twelve years with rheumatism. This

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good couple were Quakers. Their children fine cattle and stock, at the present time feed- were: Amos (born among the Indians), mar- ing many head. ried Sarah Kirk, and died in Lancaster county ; Betsey died in infancy ; Benjamin, who died in Colerain, Lancaster county, married Hannah Rakestraw; Sarah became Mrs. Henry Bush- ong, of Lancaster county ; John died in Lancas- ter county ; Joshua was the father of Jesse ; and Caroline died aged sixty-four years, in Chester county.

Joshua Gilbert was born in 1801, at Bird in Hand, Lancaster county, and there grew to manhood, receiving a common-school educa- tion. He read medicine, but never engaged in the practice of the profession. He learned pump-making, which he followed extensively, also engaging occasionally in work on the farm which he had purchased in Bart township, Lan- caster county. There he remained until 1864, when he sold the property and purchased a 200- acre farm (with his son, Jesse, as partner) in Upper Oxford township; after selling this he removed to West Grove, Chester county, where he died in 1876, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Sarah Hagie. In 1824 he married Eliza- beth Valentine, daughter of John and Mary (Taylor) Valentine, the former of whom was a Whig and an anti-slavery man, being active in the management of "underground railway" committees. The mother of Mrs. Gilbert died in 1858. She and her husband were Quakers. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert were as follows : Lydia, Thomas and Anne, all of whom died in infancy ; Mary, Mrs. John Owen, of Manayunk, Pa .; Jesse, whose biog- raphy is below; and Sarah, Mrs. Benjamin Hagie, deceased.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 140

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