History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 141

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

USA > Pennsylvania > York County > History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 141

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Mr. Gilbert is a member of the Society of Friends, while his wife is a Presbyterian. While he is a Republican, Mr. Gilbert is not prejudiced and votes more for the person than the party. He is a man of strong convictions, and is highly esteemed in the community for his many sterling traits of character. He was married June 3, 1867, to Miss Anna Hunter, who was born in Bart township, Lancaster county, June 2, 1835. Mrs. Gilbert was edu- cated in the common schools and the Millers- ville Normal, and taught school for five years in Lancaster county.

Mrs. Gilbert's parents were Alexander and Mary ( Park) Hunter, the former of whom was a native of Ireland, and came to America when a boy. Mrs. Hunter was reared in Chester county, Pa., the place of her nativity. Mrs. Gilbert had four brothers in the Civil war, namely : (I) George Hunter served six months. (2) Joseph Hunter, sergeant of Company C, 5th Pa. Cav., was captured at the last siege of Richmond, and taken to Anderson- ville prison, where he was confined several months. Sick and emaciated-a mere skele- ton of his former self-he was removed to the hospital at Florence, where he died Oct. 4, 1864. (3) John A. Hunter served four years as a private of the 7th Pa. Reserves, belonging to Company K. He was captured in the first fight before Richmond and taken to Belle Isle, where he was detained six months, until he was exchanged. At the second fight before Rich- mond he was again captured, being in Ander- sonville prison from July until December, at which time he was again exchanged. He reached home a total physical wreck. John A. Hunter still survives, in spite of his terrible ex- periences, and lives at Rising Sun, Md., where he is known as one of the best millwrights in the country. (4) James McCammon Hunter, of Clarion, Pa., was first a private of Com- pany I, 107th P. V. I., and was wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks. He re-enlisted in the 5th Artillery, was again wounded and was sent to the hospital, from which he again joined his regiment, serving until the close of the war. He carries two bullets to this day, one in the right shoulder, and the under his left arm.

Jesse Gilbert was born on the homestead in Bart township, Lancaster county, Aug. 22, 1834, and received his education in the public schools of that township. He was also taught by private tutors at home, completing his train- ing at the age of twenty-one years. He began work on the home farm at the age of fourteen years, being sixteen when he engaged in pump- making with his father. At that industry he continued until 1868, when he located on his present farm in Lower Chanceford township, which he had purchased from Mary St. Clair Johnston. The property at that time was in very poor condition, but Mr. Gilbert has con- verted his 180 acres into one of the best farms in the country. Up to the last few years Mr. MICHAEL ENGLE, contractor and capital save brains, energy and courage, and he Gilbert operated a dairy in connection with his builder at York, began life a poor boy, with no farm, but this he has discontinued. He raises

774

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

has become one of the prosperous citizens of and North York St. Peter's churches. In addi- the county. He was born Oct. 16, 1849, within a short distance of the place where he is now residing in York, son of Joseph and Catherine (Bucher) Engle.

The Engle family is of French origin. Joseph Engle was born in York. He was the son of Joseph. Sr., and Barbara Engle, the former of whom died in middle life. Josephi Engle spent his entire life in York, and died in 1901, at the age of seventy-eight years. He made a business of lime burning, and he and his brother, Jacob, controlled the bulk of that business in this section of the State, operating extensively and shipping to various localities, their kilns being where Prospect Hill cemetery is now located. Joseph Engle was a public- spirited man, and was active in the ranks of the Republican party. In religion he was a mem- ber of the Moravian Church. He married Catherine Bucher, who was born in Germany, and came to America with her parents when eleven or twelve years old. She is still living in York, being now upwards of eighty years old. To Joseph Engle and wife were born the following children : Jacob, a resident of Grant- ley street, York, and in the employ of the city ; Michael: Margaretta; Joseph, a contractor- plasterer of Philadelphia; Thomas, a cement contractor ; Barbara, the wife of Eli Byerts, of York : and three that died young.

Michael Engle attended the public schools until fourteen years old, when the necessity of self-support compelled him to exchange study for labor. Until he was nineteen years of age he worked with his father in the stone quarry, and then began to learn the trade of a plasterer with Weigel & Slonaker. At the expiration of his apprenticeship he associated himself with Mr. Slonaker, his former employer. under the firm name of Engle & Slonaker, which partnership continued for three years, after which Mr. Engle assumed the business himself. He conducted it successfully and extensively for twenty-seven years, during this period hav- ing some of the heaviest contracts in the city, among the buildings he has contracted to plas- ter and finish being the old High School ; Judge Black's residence; M. B. Spahr's large store; the Huber corner ; the E. G. Smyser residence ; the Y. M. C. A. building; two fine residences for Ed. Chopin : and the Presbyterian, the First United Brethren, the Trinity Reformed, the German Lutheran, the Freystown, St. Paul's

tion to those mentioned, he has handled many others in and around York. Michael Engle has a business record of which he may well be proud. He has always met his obligations promptly, and never asked his creditors for an extension, nor compromised an obligation. About 1894 Mr. Engle retired from the plas- tering business and engaged in that of cement contracting, for the laying of granolithic pav- ing, in which line he has extensively operated. Although Mr. Engle has employed a large force of men, he has always given the detail work his personal attention. He also engaged in new line, in connection with his other inter- ests, having purchased the old York Manufac- turing plant, where he commenced the manufac- ture of furniture under the firm name of the Engle Furniture Works, located at Pennsyl- vania and Clark Alley. This he sold and pur- chased a plant in Gettysburg, Pa .. where he has been located since February. 1905. He employs about twenty-five hands.

Mr. Engle is a Republican and has been elected assessor from a ward heavily Demo- cratic. Notwithstanding his active business life, Mr. Engle has never been too busy to serve his city. His predominant quality is to ac- complish whatever he undertakes, and his suc- cess has been marked. In his private life he belongs to the best element in the community. He was married Dec. 23, 1879, to Miss Caro- line W. Neff, daughter of Charles H. and Mary A. (Gist ) Neff. Mrs. Engle's father died May 31. 1903. at the age of sixty-nine years, ten months and seventeen days, while her mother passed away Dec. 29, 1884, at the age of forty- six years and seven months. Charles H. Neff was a carriage builder of York, where he spent his entire life except a short time before his death, which occurred in Florida where he had gone to recover his health. Mrs. Engle's par- ents were blessed with three children: T. Harry, a resident of Columbus, Ohio, is a con- tractor for the Frick Manufacturing Company, of Waynesboro; H. Edith; and Caroline W. is the wife of Mr. Engle.

Mrs. Engle's grandfather was Henry Neff. son of Henry Neff, the founder of the family in York. The elder Henry Neff established a carriage-making plant at York on Beaver street, where the Central market stands. After his death, his son Henry erected a second story to the shop and operated it until his son, Charles

775

BIOGRAPHICAL

H., the father of Mrs. Engle, took the estate, this being about 1855. Here Charles H. Neff remained for a time and then built a carriage shop on Philadelphia street, the largest in York. After a time he sold both places, retired from active life and moved into the country. He was a Republican, although his father was a mem- ber of the Democratic party. Mr. Neff was one of the progressive men of the city, being a pro- moter of the first building and loan association of York, which was established in 1869. . At one time Mr. Neff was the secretary of seven building and loan associations and for years was the main factor in the local organizations. He was a member of Mt. Zion Lodge, of the York I. O. O. F., and of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Mr. Neff married the daughter of Thomas W. and Harriet ( Smith) Gist, of Bal- timore Co., Md. The grandmother Neff was a Miss Henrietta M. Knoderer. born in France, where her father was a weaver. After leaving her home near Mont Blanc, France, she came to America and settled in York county.

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Engle are the par- ents of four children : Charles J., a machinist, and Mary E., Paul E. and Henrietta Neff. all living at home. They are members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, and their youngest son, Paul E. Engle, has a record for attendance at the Sabbath school of which he may justly be proud, having never missed a service in a period of eleven years. Mr. Engle is a mem- ber of Mt. Zion's Lodge No. 474. I. O. O. F .; Mount Vernon Encampment, No. 14, I. O. O. F. ; Livingston Council, No. 925, Junior Order United American Mechanics; the Chosen Knights Commandery, Knights of Malta, and Good Shepherd Lodge No. 4. Star of Bethle- hem. He has been identified with these numer- ous fraternal organizations for many years, having especially filled the chairs of Odd Fel- lowship, and has always been noted for the zeal with which he has promoted their objects and lived up to their rules.

McC. B. KRAFT, station agent for the Pennsylvania Railway Company at Spring Grove, York county, is decidedly the riglit man in the right place, so popular is he not only with the road, but with all its patrons, because of his courteous and obliging ways, and his thorough capability. His birth .took place in York county. in the vicinity of Jefferson, July 3, 1863, and he is a son of Jesse and Lucinda (Baughman) Kraft.

George Kraft, father of Jesse and grand- father of McClellan B., was also a native of York county, Pa., and a farmer and merchant widely known throughout Heidelberg town- ship. Jesse Kraft was born in York county, Aug. 5, 1828, and became a farmer, miller and merchant, operating for many years what is known as Kraft's mill in Heidelberg township. Now he is living retired, highly respected by all. His wife, Lucinda Baughman, was born near Lineboro, York county, in 1832, a daugh- ter of Henry and Elizabeth ( Bricker) Baugh- man, and she died in 1875. They were the parents of nine children : Emma, Alice, George A., Sarah, Mary, McC. B., William G., Annie and Ellen, all living.

The education of Mcclellan B. Kraft was accomplished in the public schools of Heidel- berg township, city of York, and at the Cum- berland Valley Normal school, where he re- mained two years, after which he taught school in York county for three years. At that time, he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railway Company as a clerk in the superin- tendent's office at York. This institution is quick to recognize true ability, and the ambi- tious young man was advanced step by step until he was given the responsible position of clerk to Superintendent J. B. Hutchinson, at York. In that capacity he discharged his du- ties in so acceptable a manner that he was pro- moted to the agency at Spring Grove, which position he has held for a number of years.

In 1892 Mr. Kraft married Lucy K. Glat- felter, a daughter of Edward Glatfelter, super- intendent of one of the departments of the Glat- felter Paper mill. The mother of Mrs. Kraft bore the maiden name of Sarah A. Harman, and both she and Mr. Glatfelter are natives of York county, where Mr. Glatfelter was born May 31, 1839. Mr. and Mrs. Kraft settled in Spring Grove after their marriage, and have since resided there. They have one daughter, Helen Lucille. Fraternally. Mr. Kraft is a member of Hanover Lodge, A. F. & A. M. He and his wife are affiliated with St. Paul's Lu- theran Church, in which they are highly valued members. Mr. Kraft is a stockholder in the People's National Bank of Hanover, Pa., and a stockholder in the First National Bank of Spring Grove, and owns considerable very val- table real estate in the city.

JOHN CASPAR HECKERT. That hon- est and well directed effort will overcome seem-

776

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ingly insurmountable obstacles is aptly illus- of Solomon and Rachel (Dougherty) Kauff- trated in the life of Jolin C. Heckert, who was man, of York township. Nine children have been born to them, of whom the following seven are living : Benjamin H., Sadie V., Chauncey A., Nettie E., Rachel G., John C., and Florence. left an orphan at the age of nine years, and lias ever since fought the battle of life unaided. He was born in Hochstadt, Germany, July 27. 1862, son of Philip and Ann Mary ( Eibels- hauser ) Heckert.

Mr. Heckert received his earliest instruc- tion at home and this beginning was sup- plemented by a term at the Hanau school, in Germany. When he was fourteen he left school and served for the following three years as an apprentice at the trade of shoemaking. On completing his term, in 1880, he crossed the ocean to seek his fortune in America, and went directly to Dallastown, York Co., Pa .. where relatives of his mother lived. Of the family left in Germany, one brother, Peter, has for over forty years held a very important and responsible position with one of the great rail- roads of the empire.

After arriving at Dallastown, Mr. Heck- ert's keen discernment convinced him that the manufacture of cigars was destined to become the leading industry of the community, and therefore he learned the trade immediately, at the same time improving his knowledge of English under a private tutor. In 1884 he felt himself in a position to begin the business on his own account, and he started with a force of six employees. His success is attested by the fact that to-day he employs in his factories at Dallastown and Stewartstown about one hundred people.

A man who has shown such ability in the direction of his own affairs has naturally been connected with many of the enterprises of the town ; he is vice-president of the First National Bank, which he helped to found; is treasurer and director of the Dallastown Cigar Box Company ; president of the Water Company, and one of the owners of the Dallastown Mar- ket House, while his interest in other affairs is demonstrated by his position as trustee of Leb- anon Valley College, at Annville, Pa., and also as trustee of the United Brethren Church. In every capacity he displays the same strength of character and executive ability and com- mands universal respect. He has never given much time to political matters, but casts his vote and lends his influence in favor of the Republican party.

Mr. Heckert was married April 22, 1884, to Miss Elizabeth Jane Kauffman, daughter

ALBERT REHMEYER, who has ad- vanced from a modest beginning until he is now one of the largest mill operators of York county, was born in Shrewsbury township, Oct. 17, 1871. The paternal grandparents were Christopher and Mary Rehmeyer, the former of whom died in 1900, and the latter, in 1905, her decease occurring in Shrewsbury township, at the age of eighty-seven years. Their chil- dren were as follows: Charles, father of Al- bert; Henry, of Shrewsbury township; Will- iam, of Baltimore; John, of Hopewell; Ed- ward and Augustus, of Shrewsbury; Mary, Mrs. George McCann, of York ; and Leah, Mrs. Amos Sweitzer, of Hopewell. Charles Reh- meyer married Mary Sweitzer, the first-born in a family consisting of the following other mem- bers: Amos, of Hopewell; Frank, of York; Wesley, of Hopewell: Catherine, Mrs. Henry Newhouse; Martha, Mrs. Frank Hildebrand; and Ellen, who married Joshua Gladfelter, and died several years ago. The family born to Charles and Mary S. Rehmeyer numbered five, namely : Albert: Saloma, Mrs. Curtis Krout, of Shrewsbury township; Clara; Ed- ward ; and Wilson.

Albert Rehmeyer attended the public schools at Mt. Airy and Barren Hill, York county, and then worked for a time on his father's farm, and in 1889 entered upon his ca- reer in the milling business. He began in the employ of his uncle, Edward Rehmeyer, a miller of the old time, and remained with him until 1892, learning all the details of the in- dustry. He then took the Shalls mill in Shrews- bury, and, after operating it for three years, bought the Allen Run mill in 1895. He re- mained there in the vicinity of Gatchellville, and was very successful in his operations, but in 1903 disposed of that property also and bought the Woodbine mill in Fawn town- ship. It is one of the oldest and best known in the county, and has been ex- tensively renovated and improved by Mr. Rehmeyer, who has installed complete modern machinery for flourmaking, including three double stands of rolls. The mill now has a daily capacity of fifty barrels and the "White

777

BIOGRAPHICAL

Loaf" and other brands of flour are very popu- lar. The farm connected with the establish- ment embraces a tract of 267 acres. In addi- tion to his private operations, Mr. Rehmeyer has a stockholder's interest in the People's Na- tional Bank of Stewartstown.

In 1893, Mr. Rehmeyer and Annie Wolfe, of Shrewsbury, were united in marriage. Mrs. Rehmeyer was the daughter of Charles and Ellen (Thompson) Wolfe, and had one sister, Addie, who married Jesse Eaton, of Shrews- bury township. The children born to the union of Albert and Annie Rehmeyer are five in num- ber-Cora, Reba, Clara, Melvin and John.

HENRY E. SMITH, a native son of York county who has achieved success in business, is engaged in plumbing, tinning and general contracting in York, where he controls a large and representative trade. He was born in York, York county, Feb. 23, 1861, son of Will- iam Wilson and Lydia ( Hartman ) Smith.

William Wilson Smith was born in York, in 1819, and was a member of one of the ster- ling pioneer families of the old Keystone com- monwealth. He was a shoemaker by trade, fol- lowing this vocation from 1844 until 1877, while he passed the closing years of his life in the city of York, where he died in 1894. His father, George Washington Smith, was a native of Chester county, Pa. Mrs. Lydia (Hartman) Smith was born in York county, in 1834, daughter of Adam Hartman, who was a well known farmer and highly respected citi- zen of Spring Garden township. She was sum- moned into eternal rest in 1898. Of the two children of William W. and Lydia Smith, Henry E. is the younger ; his brother, Sheldon F., is also a resident of York. The parents were devoted members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, in York; and the father was originally a Whig and later a Republican in his political adherency. He had been twice married, his first wife having been Charlotte Stair. She died some years after their marriage, leaving five children. Of these but two survive, Mal- colm O., of Hanover ; and Carrie, who lives in York.

Henry E. Smith secured his early educa- tional training in the public schools of the city of York, continuing his studies there until he had attained the age of sixteen years, and hav- ing completed a course in the Grammar school. Upon leaving school he entered the plumbing

establishment of the firm of Getz & Horn, where he learned the trades of plumbing and tinning, becoming an expert workman, and con- tinuing in the employ of this firm for a period of four years, at the expiration of which he went to the city of Philadelphia. There he fol- lowed his trade as a journeyman until Septem- ber, 1884, when he returned to York and es- tablished himself in the plumbing and tinning business,beginning operations upon a somewhat modest scale, but putting forth such well di- rected efforts that his business soon began to extend rapidly in scope and importance, while he gained a high reputation for reliability and fidelity to contracts. The demands of his busi- ness led him to soon augment his stock and fa- cilities, and he added mantels and tiles to his stock, and also began contracting in the line of heating apparatus, especially in the install- ing of hot-air furnaces, while his well-equipped headquarters are found at Nos. 203-205 West Market street. Mr. Smith carries a select and complete stock of plumbers' supplies and ma- terials, as well as mantels and stoves, while he controls a large jobbing business, which ex- tends into a wide radius of country. He has secured many contracts in neighboring towns and cities, and gives employment to three skilled mechanics.

Mr. Smith is a stanch Republican in his political proclivities. Both he and his wife are valued members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church ; and fraternally he is affiliated with the Improved Order of Heptasophs, and B. P. O. Elks, No. 213.

On April 15, 1879, Mr. Smith wedded Miss Mary E. Lehman, daughter of John B. and Su- san Lehman, well-known citizens of York, where she was born and reared, and of this un- ion have been born two daughters, Caroline B. and Florence, both of whom are graduates of the York high school, while both have also availed themselves of the advantages of the Woman's College in Baltimore, Md. They are popular in the social life of York, and are among the city's prominent young folk.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MORRIS, of Fawn Grove, was born Oct. II, 1855, in Fawn township, York county, to Edward and Eliza- beth (Taylor) Morris. His parents were both natives of that township, and their children were : Charles W., of Fawn; John R., of Har- ford county, Md .; Benjamin F .; E. N. of

778

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Fawn Grove: Nancy Jane, widow of Alexan- port of New York City. From the national der Trout; Mary Catherine, widow of John metropolis he came to York county, Pa., locat- Edie : Rachel, Mrs. William Wilson ; and Lucy, ing in the borough of East Prospect, where he Mrs. Daniel Wilhelm, of Baltimore county, was employed at his trade for the ensuing two Md. Edward Morris died in 1897, and his years, at the expiration of which he removed to wife had passed away the previous year.

In boyhood Benjamin F. Morris attended the township schools of Fawn and, when he was old enough to do a man's work, was em- ployed for several years on his father's farm. He then bought a farm of A. Van Zant, near Constitution, York county, which he tilled for a number of years. In 1893 he also purchased the property of Asa Jones, in Fawn Grove borough, and has since resided there. A Dem- ocrat in politics, he has been active in local af- fairs and has filled various offices. Besides serving as school director, Mr. Morris has for ten years filled the position of burgess in Fawn Grove; elected first in 1893, he has been twice re-elected and has discharged his duties most efficiently.

Mr. Morris was married in 1884, being united to Miss Mary M. Herbert, of Fawn township, daughter of Thomas H. and Melissa J. (Jones) Herbert. The children born to this union are: Arlington H., Milton T., Charles E., Carrie O., Marie and Anetta. On May 13. 1903, Mr. Morris met with a severe accident which nearly proved fatal. He sus- tained fractures of the leg, arm and head, with other grave injuries, but his hardy constitu- tion and indomitable will enabled him to re- cover, although he still suffers from the effects of the shock. In religious belief he is a mem- ber of the Methodist Protestant Church of Fawn Grove. He is a trustee of that organi- zation, has been class leader, and all the mem- bers of his family are identified with it.

CHARLES W. HEIM, of East Prospect, is a native of the old Keystone State, born in Columbia, Lancaster county, June 25, 1863. son of George and Christina Heim. His father was born in Germany in the year 1832, and in the Fatherland received good educational advantages, and there learned the shoemaker's trade. He continued to devote his attention to his trade until he had attained the age of twenty years, when he severed home ties and departed for America, where he felt assured of better opportunities for gaining success through his own efforts. His financial resources were merely nominal at the time of his arrival in the

Columbia, Lancaster county. There was sol- emnized his marriage, his wife being a native of Germany who had come to the United States at the same time as he, though they did not be- come acquainted until his removal to Columbia. After his marriage Mr. Heim continued to fol- low his trade in Columbia until 1876, when he purchased a farm in Lower Windsor township, York county, and thereafter gave his undivided attention to its cultivation and improvement until 1886, when he returned to Columbia, where he has since been engaged in the shoe- making business, retaining possession of his farm, which he rents. He is a stanch Democrat in his political proclivities and his religious faith is that of the Lutheran Church, of which his wife also was a devoted member ; her death occurred in 1894. Of the four children of this worthy couple the following brief data are of- fered: George, who is a conductor on the Pennsylvania railroad, maintains his home in Columbia: John is an engineer on the same railway line and likewise resides in Columbia ; Charles W. is mentioned below ; Lily is the wife of Edward Marley, of Columbia.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 141

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