History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 142

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

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Charles W. Heim passed the first twelve years of his life in his native town of Colum- bia, Lancaster county, in whose public schools he secured his rudimentary education. At the age noted he accompanied his parents on their removal to the farm in Lower Windsor town- ship, York county, where he reached manhood, assisting in the work of the farm during the summer seasons and attending the district school during the winter terms until he had at- tained to the age of eighteen years ; his instruc- tor during his final school work was Samuel A. Gilbert, one of the county's representative citizens. Mr. Heim continued to assist liis father in the work of the farm until he was twenty-two years old, when (in 1885) he was married and started his independent career. He devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits in Lower Windsor township for the ensuing five years, and then purchased the hotel at East Prospect, which he successfully conducted for four years, at the expiration of which he sold the property to J. F. Bossum. During the fol- lowing year Mr. Heim was not actively en-

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gaged in business, but in 1896 became the pro- prietor of a bakery in East Prospect, succeed- ing to the business formerly conducted by H. E. Gresser. He built up the enterprise and made it one of the leading concerns of the sort in this section, continuing to conduct it for six years and then advantageously disposing of the business. He next established himself in the grocery business, purchasing the building which he now occupies, and with this enterprise he has since been successfully identified, having a large and well appointed store in which are handled staple and fancy groceries and table delicacies, ice cream and confectionery. the two lines last mentioned being made a promi- nent feature of the business. Mr. Heim has ever pursued a straightforward course, has shown marked discrimination and ability and has been at all times a loyal and progressive citizen, so that it has been but a natural sequel that he has retained the good-will and high re- gard of those with whom he has been asso- ciated. In politics he is stanchly Democratic, but he has never been ambitious to hold office. and fraternally he is identified with Winona Lodge, No. 944, I. O. O. F., of which he is past grand and with Aurora Lodge, No. 304, Jr. O. U. A. M. He was reared in the faith of the Lutheran Church, and his wife is an ac- tive member of that denomination.

On Sept. 27, 1885, Mr. Heim was united in marriage to Emma S. Leber, of Windsor township, the ceremony being performed at Wrightsville, by Rev. Levi Seachrist, pastor of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Heim was born and reared in Windsor township, daughter of Nathaniel and Julia (Hengst) Leber, both of whom are now deceased. Her father was a tanner by trade and a man of prominence in his community, as is indicated by the fact that he served a term as a member of the board of commissioners of York county. Mr. and Mrs. Heim have no children.

JAMES H. BLASSER is a representative of one of the sterling pioneer families of York county. His great-great-grandfather. Peter Blasser, was a Mennonite clergyman who left Switzerland in 1754, on account of religious persecution, and emigrated to America, locating in York county, where he passed the remainder of his long and noble life and where many of his descendants are to be found today. John Blas- ser, grandfather of James H., passed his entire

life in York county. He owned and operated a fulling mill and an oil mill, the latter being utilized for the manufacture of linseed oil. He was a prominent and influential citizen and commanded uniform esteem in the community where he lived and labored to such worthy ends.

George Blasser, father of James H., was a cabinetmaker by trade, and followed that oc- cupation for many years in Shrewsbury in con- nection with the undertaking business. He fin- ally became a farmer and the owner of the fine estate known as Woodlands, at Shrewsbury, where he died Dec. 24. 1875, at the age of six- ty-six years. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Klinefelter. was born in Shrews- bury, daughter of Joseph Klinefelter, a well known tanner of that place. She is now de- ceased. In the family were eleven children, of whom five are living, namely : Mary, wife of Thomas Benton, who is engaged in the insur- ance business in York : Susan R. ; Amelia, wife of John Singer, of York: Emma R., wife of Henry Gray, a farmer of near Larned, Kans .; and James H.

James H. Blasser was born in Shrewsbury township, York county. Aug. 9, 1831, and, at- ter having passed through the common schools of the locality. enjoyed the further advantage of receiving instruction under the Rev. An- drew Berg. a clergyman of the Lutheran Church. Somewhat later he assumed the study of medicine, having as his preceptor Dr. James H. Sterner, of Baltimore, and he finally entered the Medical Department of the University of Maryland, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. The practice of medicine. however, proved distasteful to him, and he has given little attention to professional work. Upon his return to York county he engaged in teaching, continuing to follow the pedagogic profession most successfully from 1854 until 1861, when he responded to the higher demands of patriotism. On Aug. 19. 1861. Mr. Blasser enlisted as a private in Company D. 87th P. V. I., which was the first command to leave York county for the front. He was made first ser- geant in his company, and served as such until May 9, 1862, when he was promoted to be sec- ond lieutenant, while Oct. 25th of the same year he was made first lieutenant. On May IO, 1863, Lieut. Blasser was promoted to the captaincy of his company, and he continued in that position until March 9, 1864, when he re- signed from the service and received his honor-

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able discharge. His regiment was assigned to who was born in Hopewell township. In early the Army of the Potomac, and participated in a number of the important engagements of the great conflict, Capt. Blasser's military record being that of a valiant, loyal and faithful son of the republic.

After his return home Captain Blasser be- came a surveyor and civil engineer, following that profession until 1873, when he was made deputy prothonotary of York county, serving thus for five years, when he was made court crier and interpreter of German. After accep- tably and ably serving in this dual office about six years he became bookkeeper in the local of- fice of the Standard Oil Company, hold- ing the position twelve years, after which he was a clerical assistant in the office of the A. B. Farquhar Company for three years. At the expiration of this interval, April 6, 1902, he was most consistently given appointment to the office of deputy city controller, and his serv- ices have been most faithfully performed. He is well known throughout the county and his coterie of friends is limited only by that of his acquaintances. In politics Capt. Blasser has ever accorded a stalwart allegiance to the Re- publican party, and both, he and his wife are prominent and zealous members of the First M. E. Church, of York, in which he served as trustee and class-leader for many years. He is an honored and appreciative member of the time-honored order of Freemasonry, in which he has attained to the thirty-second degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite.

On March 5, 1857, was solemnized the mar- riage of Capt. Blasser to Miss Louise Conway, a daughter of Henry Conway, who was a rep- resentative farmer of Shrewsbury township, and three sons were born of this union: Guy, who died in infancy; Oscar L., who married Virginia Brocker, and died in Chambersburg, Pa., in February, 1903, as a result of a fracture of the skull, being survived by his wife and five children ; and Walter K., the only surviving son, who is a printer by vocation and resides in York.

life he learned milling and followed this occu- pation most of his life. John S. Keesey was born on a farm in Hopewell township, Aug. 27, 1848. He received a common-school edu- cation, finishing it when nineteen years of age. He spent seven years in Chanceford township, and learned the carpenter's trade with Jesse Warner, with whom he remained two years. It may be said that he never served an appren- ticeship, learning so rapidly that he was a wage- earner almost from the first. His next em- ployer, for nearly a year, was John M. Baugh- man, of Lancaster. He was with Archie Hy- son nearly seven years, building the Stewarts- town church, the Lutheran church in Shrews- bury, and the edifice at New Freedom, a fine church structure near Cockeysville, Md., and one at Bentley's Springs. He also assisted in the erection of several fine houses and barns. After leaving Mr. Hyson's employ he was an independent builder for a time, and then, about 1890, began operating a small farm of twenty- two acres in East Hopewell township. In 1893, after the death of his father, he pur- chased the homestead, which was sold at a pub- lic sale. The tract comprises sixty acres of good land, upon which Mr. Keesey carries on general farming in a very successful manner.

In 1877 Mr. Keesey was married to J. Agnes Hyson, daughter of Robert Hyson (de- ceased), and to this union have been born : Lawrence H., born Dec. 2, 1878, educated in the public schools, the Stewartstown academy and Millersville Normal, and for the past four years a teacher in the public schools ; Foster W., born Sept. 3, 1881, preparing to be a teacher at Millersville Normal school; and Mabel L. C., who is at the same institution. The family are members of the Hopewell U. P. Church, in which Mr. Keesey has been a trustee for thir- teen years, the last eight of which have been consecutive. He is a stanch Democrat, served in old Hopewell as tax collector for two years, and has been assessor in East Hopewell town- ship.

JOHN S. KEESEY, of East Hopewell HENRY M. RAUHAUSER was born in 1852 in Dover township, son of Henry Rauhau- was born in Germany, and coming to America was among the early settlers of Dover town- ship, York Co., Pa. There he took up a large tract of land which he farmed until his death, township, York county, residing on his farm of sixty acres, is descended from one of three. ser. Jacob Rauhauser, his great-grandfather, brothers who came to America from Switzer- land, settling in a Swiss colony in Delaware. Grandfather Jacob Keesey married and reared a family, among whose members was Jacob,

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and his remains are buried at Strayer's church, in Dover township.

Peter Rauhauser, the grandfather of Henry M., was born in Dover township and engaged in farming upon his father's tract, erecting a fine set of buildings-and living there all his life. He is buried in the U. B. churchyard near Dover. The children born to him and his wife were: Peter, who died in Ohio; Joshua, who died in Maryland; Henry, the father of Henry M .; and Joel, who died in Iowa.

Henry Rauhauser was born in Dover town- ship, where he was reared and educated, work- ing on the family farm. Later he removed to a small farm of thirty acres, and he spent his entire life in agricultural pursuits. Mr. Rau- hauser died at the age of sixty-five years, four months, five days, and is buried at Neiman's church. He married Emeline Misenhelder, daughter of Daniel Misenhelder, whose wife's maiden name was Zinn. Mrs. Rauhauser is now residing with her son Henry M. at the age of eighty-three years. Two children were born to this worthy couple: Henry M. and Chris- tiana, the latter dying at the age of four years and being buried at the United Brethren church in' this township.

Henry M. Rauhauser attended the public schools of his township and worked for his father until his marriage, June 9, 1872, to Emma Jane Doll, daughter of Michael and Leah (Raffensberger) Doll, of Dover town- ship. Both Mr. and Mrs. Doll are deceased and 'are buried at Strayer's church. After his marriage Mr. Rauhauser located on the old homestead, where he remained five years, and then upon his father's death removed to the small farm, where he lived two years, returning at the end of this time to the old home, and re- siding there for twelve years. He sold off all the stock and lived for four years with his son- in-law. Mr. Rauhauser has built substantial buildings on his farm and the place is noted for its beauty. In 1901 he bought a home in Dover borough, where he now resides, actively en- gaged in horse and cattle deaiing. He owns two farms comprising 266 acres of fine land in Dover township, besides other properties.

To Mr. and Mrs. Rauhauser the following named children have been born : Martha Agnes married Henry D. Strayer and they live on the old homestead in Dover township, and have one daughter, Mabel Ellen : Cora Ellen, married to James J. Hamm, lives on her father's other farm in Dover township.

Mr. Rauhauser is a stanch Republican and deeply interested in his party's success. He has always been a man of industrious habits and the result is shown in his present sound financial condition. He is highly respected in Dover township. Mrs. Rauhauser is a mem- ber of the Reformed Church.

JACOB CONLEY, whose ninety-eiglit- acre farm in Newberry township, York coun- ty, is one of the finest in that section, was born Nov. 5. 1851, in Manchester township, on the old Loucks farm, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Plymire) Conley.

Joseph Conley, grandfather of Jacob, was a shoemaker residing near Elizabethtown, Lan- caster county, and he died when a young man. leaving these children : Samuel; William. liv- ing in Fairview township, at the age of eighty- seven years; and Elizabeth, who married Thomas Kohr and died in Dauphin county.

Samuel Conley was born in Lancaster coun- ty, near Elizabethtown, and was four years old when his father died. He came to York when a small boy and learned the weaver's trade, which he pursued for about twenty-eight years, near Emigsville. His wife was Elizabeth Plymire. daughter of John Plymire, who died in 1874 and is buried at Miller's cemetery in Newberry township. Mr. Conley commenced farming in Manchester township, where he remained two years, and spent the same length of time in Conewago township, after which he returned to Manchester township, where he remained ten years. He then located in Newberry township and bought the old David Bryan farm, which consists of about ninety acres, where he is still residing, aged eighty-four years. For several years Mr. Conley has lived in retirement, and is universally honored and respected. The chil- dren born to him and his worthy wife were: Mary lives at Goldsboro, the widow of David Prowell, who died in 1888; Sarah married Ja- cob Fink and they are bothi deceased: Jacob: Samuel, Jr., died in 1864; Elizabeth married Henry Rebman, deceased, and she now lives with her father; Annie lives in Fairview town- ship, the widow of Alexander Stettler, who died in 1904; Alice married Clayton Groom, and lives at Goldsboro borough ; Henry died at home; Eli married Sarah Strickland, and lives at New Cumberland. Cumberland county ; and John, who married Clara Frey, resides at the same place.

Jacob Conley came to Newberry township

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

at the age of nine years, and with his father learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed about five years and then commenced farming. Mr. Conley bought his present homestead of ninety-eight acres in 1881, where he erected all of his buildings; he also owns a farm of 133 acres which his son Samuel is working. Further, Mr. Conley is the owner of a fine piece of woodland, which consists of sixteen acres. In every respect he is a very successful farmer ; but the success he has attained only through years of hard work. His buildings are mod- ern, well-built structures, his land is highly cultivated and very productive, and his farms well situated and capably managed.

On , Nov. 19, 1874, Mr. Conley married Frances Detwiler, daughter of Elias and Fran- ces (Gotwals) Detwiler, who are descendants of pioneer families of the county. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Conley have been: Samuel D., born in 1875, married Emma Fisher, and is working one of his father's farms; Howard, married Carrie Betz, and is farming in Newberry township: Elias resides in Dauphin county ; Elizabeth, at home ; Charles, in Illinois; James, at home ; Jacob, resides with his brother Samuel; Susan, mar- ried Charles Cullinder,. of New Cumberland ; Mary, Joseph, Frances, Katie and Sarah, all at home.

Mr. Conley is a Democrat, and has been school director six years and has also held the office of supervisor. Mrs. Conley is a valued member of the Dunkard Church. The family is very highly esteemed in the community.

quiring the mill at sheriff's sale, the incumbent of the shrievalty at the time being Jesse Engles. Later William D. Himes became the owner of the property, operating the mill for a number of years, and from the executors of his estate the present owner purchased the mill, in 1897. to- gether with fifty-two acres of land surround- ing it. He has since profitably operated the mill, securing an excellent custom trade and also shipping a considerable portion of the product of the mill (whose capacity is thirty barrels). It may be added that the machinery and operating accessories are of the best mod- ern type. The little farm in connection is main- tained under a high state of cultivation, while it has substantial improvements, including a commodious and attractive residence. Mr. Mit- tel gives practically his entire time and atten- tion to the supervision of this property, and is recognized as a most progressive, reliable and straightforward business man and as a loyal and public-spirited citizen. He is possessed also of those personal attributes and social qualities which ever beget warm and lasting friendships.

Mr. Mittel is a native son of the old Key- stone State, having been born in West Lampe- ter township, Lancaster county, Feb. 12, 1861, son of Michael and Catherine ( Mowrer) Mit- tel, the former of whom was born in Germany and the latter in Lancaster county, this State. Michael Mittel was reared and educated in the Fatherland, where he remained until he had attained the age of eighteen years, when he came to America. Having previously learned the trade of stonemason, he located in Lancas- ter county and there followed his trade for many years, becoming a successful contractor and identified with much important work in his line. He is now living retired, in Lancaster county, and is past eighty-five years of age. His devoted wife remains by his side, and they find the evening of their lives crowned with content, peace and happiness. They became the parents of seven children, namely : Elam, who died at the age of sixteen years; Amos, who died in 1902; Jacob, who is a resident of Coatesville, Chester county ; Benjamin, the fourth child, whose biography follows: Annie, who is the wife of John Pleam, of Lancaster ; William, who resides in Downingtown, Pa., and Michael, Jr., who resides in Lancaster.

BENJAMIN MITTEL is the owner and operator of the Margaretta Furnace flouring mill, in Lower Windsor township, which is one of the most interesting and ancient landmarks of that section of the State, having been erected nearly a century ago, and having been in active service as a flouring mill during practically the entire intervening period. The original por- tion of the structure was erected by Henry Y. Slaymaker, who was a prominent and honored pioneer of the county, and since his time two additions have been made to the building, while as a matter of course, there have been numer- ous changes in the mechanical equipment and in the remodeling of the interior. The last addi- tion was made in 1841. In the ownership of the property the firm of Kerns, Himes & Kerns Benjamin Mittel was reared to manhood in succeeded the original proprietor in 1867, ac- his native county, reaching maturity on the

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farm owned and conducted by his father and early beginning to assist in its work, while his education was gained in the public schools. He continued to be identified with the work of the farm the major portion of the time until he was nearly twenty-one years of age, though he began working at the miller's trade when eigh- teen years old and became thoroughly compe- tent in that vocation, having served his appren- ticeship under John W. Eshelman, of Lancas- ter, Pa. Mr. Mittel was for one and one-half years employed as a journeyman miller in the Safe Harbor mills at Safe Harbor, and at Salunga, Lancaster county, for three years. He then came to York county and was for three years employed in the William Strickler mill, in Hellam township, and from 1888 to 1897 rented the property which he purchased in the latter year and still owns. In connection with this industry Mr. Mittel has a cider mill and does custom-grinding of apples, his output for 1903 being 54,000 gallons.

In politics Mr. Mittel in an uncompromising and ardent supporter of the Republican party and has been an active worker in its local ranks; he has served as township auditor and committeeman. He is affiliated with Winona Lodge, No. 944, I. O. O. F., at East Prospect, being a past grand, and in the same town is identified with Aurora Council, No. 304, Junior Order of United American Mechanics.

In Lower Windsor township, Feb. 2, 1890, Mr. Mittel was united in marriage to Mary Blessing, who was born and reared in that township, daughter of John and Rebecca (Dietz) Blessing, representative citizens of that section of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Mit- tel have two children, Elmer and Benjamin, Jr.

GEORGE BOWER, of Fairview town- ship, York county, was born May 12, 1850, in Conewago township. He was nine years of age when he went to Newberry township with his parents and until his majority attended the township schools. He assisted in building the house, where his brother Howard now lives. On Dec. 25, 1873, Mr. Bower married Lucinda Miller, born in 1854 in Fairview township, daughter of Jonas and Nancy ( Berger) Miller. Mr. Miller was born at Shrewsbury, but was a farmer in Fairview township until his death on May 8, 1889. His wife survived him until 1896, and both are buried at the Mt. Zion Church, Fairview township.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Bower located near Lewisberry, in Newberry town- ship, on the Jacob Garretson farm, remaining there one year, after which Mr. Bower operated his father-in-law's farm for four years, and afterward, for three years, the tract owned by Isaac Rudisill in the same township. He then located at Steelton where he was engaged in the steel plant for one year, later returning to his father-in-law's farm, where he remained seven years. When the property was sold Mr. Bower went to Lewisberry, where he remained five years, in 1896 buying his father-in-law's farm. It consists of 143 acres of land situated near Lewisberry, and there he has since re- sided. He attends the Harrisburg market and is one of the most up-to-date farmers of the upper end of York county. Since taking pos- session of the farm he has greatly improved it, and it is now one of the most productive tracts in the community. In politics Mr. Bower is a Democrat, and, although always ready to do his duty as a citizen, has steadily refused to accept office. To Mr. and Mrs. Bower the fol- lowing children have been born: Harry, died at the age of two years and is buried at Mt. Zion cemetery; Margaret, married Jacob Zim- merman of New Cumberland, Cumberland county; Charles, a bookkeeper of Lancaster City, married Mary Beelman, of Dillsburg, and they reside in Lancaster, at No. 420 Lancaster avenue.

GEORGE E. SPRENKLE, dealer in grain, coal, fertilizers, flour, feed, salt, seed and general merchandise, at Nashville, Jackson township, was born in York county, in West Manchester, March 13, 1869, son of George W. and Sarah Emig Sprenkle.

(I) George Sprenkle, his great-great- grandfather, emigrated from Germany at a very early day, and probably settled in York county.

(II) George Sprenkle (2), son of George, was a Mennonite in religious faith. He was buried at the Codorus graveyard.

(III) David Sprenkle, son of George (2), was a native of York county, born in West Manchester, in 1800, and died on his farm in 1884, being buried in the Codorus graveyard. at Baer's meeting-house. Both he and his wife were members of the old Mennonite faith. He married Lydia Witmer, and they had one son, George W., father of George E.

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(IV) George W. Sprenkle, son of David, is a great favorite as a teacher in the Sunday- was born in West Manchester, York county, school. March 10, 1829, and became one of the pros- perous farmers of his locality. His wife was ELI E. SNYDER, a well known box man- ufacturer, who has found in his own energy and business acumen a sure foundation for sub- stantial success, comes of a representative fam- ily of York county. born in West Manchester, Feb. 26, 1831, a daugliter of Valentine and Rebecca (Loucks) Emig. Mrs. Sprenkle is still living. Valen- tine Emig was a son of John, and the family were among the first settlers of York county, the village of Emigsville being named in their honor. The family was founded in America by the great-great-grandfather, Valentine Emig, who emigrated from Germany about 1730. Five children were born to George W. Sprenkle and wife: Amanda E., wife of Wil- liam H. Yost, of North York; Franklin E., of Nashville, Pa. ; William, also of Nashville ; Isa- bel, widow of Albert C. Lightner; and George E.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 142

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