History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 144

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

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In 1878 Mr. Myers was married to Miss Mary Donavan, daughter of Michael Donavan, and to this union have been born two sons, Austin A. and Charles F. Like his father Mr. Myers is a stanch Democrat, and for ten years he held the office of constable.

Michael Donavan, father of Mrs. Myers, was born in Ireland and came to America, set- tling in Hopewell township, York county, in 1849. There he at once began farming, and

JOHN C. STOVER, who does business at Glen Rock as a wheelwright and carriage and wagonmaker, was born in North Codorus township, this county, April 6, 1854, and is of German extraction, the original American rep- resentatives having here established homes in the Colonial era.

Zacharias and Lydia (Tschop) Stover, his parents, were born and reared in York county. The father was a wheelwright by trade, follow- ing this line of work during practically his en- tire business career. He was one of the hon- ored citizens of North Codorus township, and died in 1899. His wife passed away about thirty years ago. He was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church, and she of the Re- formed Church, while their lives exemplified the faith to which they thus held. The chil- dren of this worthy couple were five in number, namely: John C .: Amanda, wife of Richard Engove: George: Jacob; and Annie, wife of Gabriel Strausbauch.

The paternal grandfather of John C. Stover was John Stover, who was born in Lancaster county, this State, and who was a shoemaker by trade. He followed that vocation in York county for many years, settling early in Codor- rus township. The maiden name of his wife was Buckheimer, and they became the parents of five children. as follows: Lydia, who be- came the wife of John S. Henry (both died in this county) : Susan, wife of John Neff : Mi- chael : Zacharias : and Caesar, who died when a young man.

John Tschop, the maternal grandfather of John C. Stover, was a wheelwright by trade,

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

and worked as such in York county for many having been one of the most zealous workers years. His wife's maiden name was Rudisill. They had eleven children, namely : Albert, John, Henry, Adam, Daniel, Susanna ( who be- came the wife of Michael Stover), Catherine (who became the wife of Martin Senft), Har- riet (who married George Wolf), Amanda (who married Jacob Hartman), Mary Magda- lene ( who married David Beaver and died sev- eral years ago), and Lydia (Mrs. Zacharias . Stover).

for the establishing of the new waterworks system and having aided materially in securing other needed improvements. He was also elected tax collector of Glen Rock, for a term of three years, and he served one term as school director while a resident of Seven Valley. Mr. Stover is a prominent and valued member of the United Evangelical Church, which he has served in different capacities for many years, being still a member of the official board of his own church, of which he has also been treas- urer. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with Tribe No. 100, Improved Order of Red Men, in Glen Rock; the Knights of Pythias at Seven Valley : with the organizations of the Knights of Malta and the Chosen Knights in the city of York: and formerly he was affiliated with the Grange. He has much musical talent and is a charter member of the Glen Rock Band, while he was one of the organizers of the local literary and musical society. When a youth Mr. Stover was a member of the Cadets, a flourishing military organization under the command of Capt. T. R. Herbert. Mr. Stover has ever been ready to lend his aid and influence in support of measures and enterprises pro- jected for the general good of his home town and county, and he is essentially progressive and public-spirited in his attitude, while to him is accorded uniform confidence and regard in the community in which he has so long made his home.

John C. Stover received his early educa- tional training in the common schools of Codor- us township and early entered upon a practi- cal apprenticeship at the wheelwright's trade, in the shop of his father, who carefully in- structed him in all details of the work, so that he had fully mastered the trade by the time he had attained the age of sixteen. For several years thereafter he was employed as a journey- man at his trade, and for about a decade was engaged in such work in the manufactory of the firm of Hartman & Hoshour, at Glen Rock. At the expiration of this period Mr. Stover engaged in business for himself, opening a shop at Seven Valley, this county, where he contin- ued operations about ten years, building up a flourishing enterprise. He then returned to Glen Rock, where he again followed his trade as a journeyman for a few years, until 1895. when he again started business on his own re- sponsibility, establishing his present enterprise. His reputation for superior workmanship and for reliability has gained him a large and rep- On Dec. 22, 1881, was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Stover to Miss Barbara Elizabeth Seitz, of Glen Rock. She was born and reared in York county, a daughter of George F. and Louisa Seitz. To Mr. and Mrs. Stover nave been born four children, Harry Walter, Millie Louisa, Robert S. (who died at the age of eighteen months), and Lydia Viola. resentative patronage. He has a well equipped factory, manufacturing all kinds of carriages and buggies, in which line he turns out some specially fine work, while he also makes a spe- cialty of manufacturing heavy wagons, trucks and delivery wagons and of general repair work, his repair department having the best of facilities for the prompt execution of all work turned in to the same. Mr. Stover stands FRANKLIN P. REEVER, owner of the well known "Reever House," of York, and actively engaged in the hide and tallow busi- ness, was born in Loganville borough, York county, Dec. 31, 1853, son of George W. and Nancy (Goodling) Reever. high in the confidence and esteem of the com- munity and is a loyal and progressive citizen. In politics he gives his allegiance to the De- mocracy, and he has been an active worker in its local ranks, having been several times a del- egate to the county conventions, and served as George W. Reever was a cooper by trade and followed that occupation in Loganville, where he was well and favorably known. He came to York in 1864 and engaged in the hotel business at the corner of South George and district committeeman. He was for two terms, of three years each, incumbent of the office of councilman of Glen Rock, in which connection he steadfastly advocated the carrying forward of measures for the good of the municipality, King streets, buying the hotel now known as

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the "Reever House" from George Fissil. Mr. years old. They were the parents of the follow- . Reever remained in the hotel business for eight ing children: Jacob, Henry, Michael, George, years, at the end of which time he engaged in Peter, Jolin, Solomon, Lena, Christina, Bet- sey, Susan and Polly. Mr. and Mrs. Stam- baugh were members of the German Reformed Church, while in politics he was a Democrat. the livery business, in which he continued until his death, which occurred in 1897. He mar- ried Nancy Goodling, of Loganville, and to this union the following children were born: Re- becca, deceased; Franklin P .; Maria, the wife of Henry Owen, of York; and Lucy.

Franklin P. Reever attended the school of Loganville, and after completing his edu- cation learned the machinist's trade with A. B. Farquhar, by whom he was employed for eight years. He then engaged in the hotel business, in which he continued until 1894. first renting the hotel from his father, and later purchasing it from him. He made varied and extensive improvements in the establishment, it being at the time of its sale one of the finest hotels in York. Mr. Reever disposed of the hotel busi- ness to E. C. Peeling to go into the hide and tallow business, locating in 1900 at No. 312 South Duke street, where he has a prosperous and ever increasing trade; he has one of the most up-to-date places of business in this line in the State.

In 1877 Mr. Reever married Ellen J. Neff, daughter of Jonathan Neff, of Dallastown, and to this union have been born children as fol- lows: Nannie, who died at the age of eigh- teen years; James A., an electrician of York ; Kirk, a patternmaker of York; and Edna, at home.

Mr. Reever has been prominent in local af- fairs, serving on the Democratic ticket as coun- cilman for four terms from the First ward of York. Having done his duty to his city in this way he has constantly refused other offers of office, giving his time and attention to his business.

PETER STAMBAUGH, who is engaged in general farming on his sixty-acre farm in Warrington township, was born near Hogs- town, Paradise township, Aug. 22, 1837, son of Jacob and Mary ( Berkheimer) Stambaugh, and a grandson of Jacob Stambaugh.

Jacob Stambaugh, the grandfather, was born in York county, and was a farmer all of his life, owning a fine farm which engaged his attention all his active years. His death oc- curred about 1844, he being at an advanced age. His wife survived until 1850, and at the time of her death was about seventy-three

Jacob Stambaugh, our subject's father, was reared upon the farm, but after reaching his majority he followed broom making, and at his death in 1849 in his forty-fourth year he was the owner of a comfortable home. Mr. Stambaugh was never able to perform manual labor, being injured in his youth. He had been of a powerful build, and in shouldering 300 pounds of wheat, he strained himself, which caused white swelling, from which he never recovered. His wife survived until 1892, when she died in her eighty-third year. They had these children : Susan, Mary, Anna M., Leah. Sally, Samuel, Henry, Frank, Peter, John, Na- thaniel and two that died in infancy. Both Mr. and Mrs. Stambaugh were members of the Reformed Church. In politics he was a Demo- crat.

Peter Stambaugh received his education in the township schools of Paradise township, and worked at farm work by the day until he reached his majority, when he started farming for himself and he has followed this occupation up to the present time. In 1894, Mr. Stam- baugh purchased his present home of sixty-six acres of good farm and timber land, and here he has devoted his time to general farming. On March 3, 1859, Mr. Stambaugh married Jane Sower, born in Perry county, daughter of Paul Sower, and two children have been born to this union-Sarah E. and Andrew S. Sarah E. Stambaugh was born Dec. 23, 1859, and mar- ried Jonathan Cassel, and they have six chil- dren-Carrie; Iva, who married John Ziegler and has one child, Ralph; and Jennie, Annie, Gretna and Ruth. Andrew S. Stambaugh, born Sept. 15. 1861, died Dec. 28, 1863, Mr. and Mrs. Stambaugh are members of the Reformed Church. In political matters he is a Democrat, although he has never cared for public office.

JOHN W. STINE, a cigar manufac- turer of Windsor township, was born there on the old Stine homestead. Dec. 3, 1853, son of John and Lucy Ann (Schmuck) Stine.

The first of the name in York county was Ludwig Stine, who bought the family es-

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

tate, now owned by Benjamin F. Stine. He ful business man, a good citizen, and one whoni was the father of seven children, of whom one his neighbors all regard with respect and' esteem.

son, Henry, became in his turn the owner of the farm. He married Miss Julia Ann Slenker. and had six children, of whom John, father of John W., was the third.

John Stine was born in 1833, and grew up on the farm. At first a carpenter, most of his life was spent in farming, and after his father's death in 1870, the homestead became his own. He married Lucy Ann, daughter of Peter and Magdalina (Smith) Schmuck, and they were the parents of seven children, viz. : John W .; Reuben D., deceased; William Henry. de- ceased; Benjamin F .; Moses; Julia Ann and Mary Jane, deceased in infancy. Mr. Stine sold the homestead some years ago to his son Benjamin F., but he and his wife still make their home there.

John W. Stine was born while his father was living on the farm now owned by C. W. Shenberger, but during his boyhood the family moved to the Stine homestead, and his educa- tion was secured chiefly in the schools of that vicinity, which he attended winters until he was twenty-one. He always worked for his father until he reached manhood, and continued to assist him for a year after marrying, and then began his present business. He built his house and a small factory, 14 x 26 feet, and be- gan with a force of only six hands, manufac- turing both fine and ordinary brands of cigars. His trade steadily increased, and in 1901 the present factory was put up, a structure 24 x 40 feet, and Mr. Stine now has twelve and some- times fifteen employees. He learned the trade when he was twenty-one years old, and was taught it by his wife.

In 1875, at the age of twenty-two, Mr. Stine was married to Miss Emma Wallick, who was born in Windsor township in 1851, daugh- ter of Jacob and Mary (Shaffer ) Wallick. Both parents of Mrs. Stine are now deceased. To this union four children have been born as fol- lows: one that died in infancy ; Clarence, born May 7, 1882, and living at home, who attended the township schools and then studied book- keeping and stenography at Patrick's Business College in York; Howard Mason, and one other, who both died in infancy. In politics Mr. Stine is a Republican, but not active in public life. He is a member of the P. O. S. of A., of Windsorville, and he belongs to the Freysville Lutheran Church. He is a success-

FRANKLIN BOTT, a merchant of Dal- lastown, was born near Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Pa., Aug. 10, 1838, son of Joseph G. and Mary (Manning) Bott.

Joseph G. Bott, familiarly known among his friends as "Colonel," was one of the most proficient teachers of the subscription schools, and was known throughout middle Pennsyl- vania. He was especially accomplished as a penman. His death occurred in Long Level, York county, March 2, 1853. His children were: Franklin; Benjamin, of Sterling, fl1., who built a large part of that town; John, de- ceased; Barbara, who married Zachariah Fry, and died in Florida in 1901 ; Mary Ann, widow of L. Overdorff ; Fannie ; and Caroline.

Franklin Bott was brought up in York county, and was educated in the public schools of Lower Windsor township. After he left school he became a boatman on the Pennsyl- vania canal, and was thus engaged for sixteen years, but in 1873 he turned to farming and only gave up his occupation became of an accident which made it impossible for him to continue. He was injured in 1896 so seriously that it resulted in the loss of both feet, and so he then adopted business life. In 1897 he moved to Dallastown, and entered upon the general mercantile business which has since occupied his attention.

In March, 1861, Mr. Bott was married to Miss Catherine Silver, daughter of George Sil- ver; to this union the following children were born: John, of York; George. of Baltimore; Rebecca, Mrs. Henry S. Stump, of Chicago; Mary and Joseph, both deceased.

ZACHARIAH S. SHEAFFER, proprie- tor of the Crystal Palace cigar store in York, is a lifelong resident of York county, where he was born in Springetsbury township, at the Glades, Jan. 26, 1858, son of John M. and Re- becca (Spangler) Sheaffer.

John M. Sheaffer was a native of Stras- burg, Lancaster county, born in May, 1832. In earlier life he followed the trade of shoe- maker for some years, but afterward went into the cattle business in Springetsbury township, at one time carrying on very extensive opera- tions in that line. During his later years he

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has turned his attention to a variety of pursuits. He is still living, having his residence on Pop- lar street, and while advanced in years is un- usually active and well preserved. His first wife was Miss Rebecca Spangler, a native of York county, daughter of Zachariah Spangler. She died when her son Zachariah was a small child. Her other four children, Charlie, Ben- jamin, Rebecca and Leah, all died, and are buried with their mother in the cemetery of the Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, in Springetsbury township. For his second wife Mr. Sheaffer married Miss Sarah Neff, who is still living. Five children were born to this marriage also, namely : Daniel, of York, who is employed in the Weaver Organ Factory; Henry, em- ployed by the York Machine Company ; Amos, of York, in the employ of H. L. Neuman ; Mary, who married Mr. Warner, of York; and Alice, at home.

Zachariah S. Sheaffer was educated in the public schools of the county and when he first went to work was employed on a farm. At the age of twenty he began to learn the carpen- ter's trade with David Lebernecht and for nine years followed that occupation in various parts of the county. The succeeding nine years he spent in the carpenter department of the Penn- sylvania Railroad Company, after which, dur- ing Cleveland's second administration, he was appointed night inspector in the Philadelphia custom house, remaining there two years. He then resigned the position, and returning to York county engaged in the mercantile busi- ness in Yorkana for eighteen months, at the end of which time he sold out, came to York and, establishing his cigar store, also began the manufacture of his Crystal Palace cigars. He employs from six to eight men in his factory and makes the better grades of cigars, dispos- ing of them largely in the local market, as they have proved popular goods in York's cigar trade. In connection with the Crystal Palace cigar store, which is located at the southeast corner of Center Square, Mr. Sheaffer carries on a pool and billiard parlor. In politics he is a Democrat and always an active worker in the party ranks. He also belongs to Vynona Lodge, No. 999, I. O. F., which meets on East Prospect street.

Mr. Sheaffer's marriage was celebrated in June, 1878, when he was united to Miss Leah Leiphart, daughter of Jacob Leiphart, of Lower Windsor township. They are the parents of

four children, as follows: Harry E .; George M. ; Flora E .; and Lillie M., who is deceased. The family resides at the "Hotel York."

Harry E. Sheaffer, the oldest son of Zachariah S. Sheaffer, who is in business with his father, was married March 19, 1898, to Miss Edna Shearer, daughter of William Shearer, of York, and they have two children, Ethel May and an infant daughter.

GEORGE M. HUNT is a native son of York county who has attained prosperity through his own efforts, and it stands to his credit that he has pressed forward along legiti- mate lines of endeavor, and has gained success, at the same time winning esteem and confidence of his fellow men. He was born on a farm in Windsor township, April 14, 1850, son of Jo- seph and Theresa (Ingrote) Hunt, both of whom are deceased.

The earlier representatives of the Hunt family lived and died in Germany. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Henry Ingrote, was born and reared in Germany, where he married and where one or more of his children were born. He finally emigrated with his family to America, and came to York county, Pa., where he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, having first located on a place along the Plank road, in York township. later removing to Windsor township, where he passed the remainder of his life. Both he and his wife were communicants of the Catho- lic church, and are buried in the Catholic ceme- tery in York.

Joseph Hunt, father of our subject, was born in Germany and was twenty-one years old at the time of his parents' emigration to the United States. His early education was pro- cured in the excellent national schools of his fatherland. On his disembarkation in New York City, he found employment, remaining there for a number of years, and having at one time conducted a modest hotel there, while later he traveled about for some time, being variously employed. After his marriage to Theresa Ingrote, who was born and reared in York county, he located in Hellam township, where he entered the employ of the canal com- pany, having charge of the packing house and the boats, and retaining this incumbency about five years. He thereafter was employed for a time at various vocations, in Windsor town- ship, where he eventually purchased a farm of

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

forty-eight acres, to whose cultivation he gave cumulating sufficient money to enable him to his attention until the time of his death, which occurred in 1886; his faithful wife was sum- moned into eternal rest in 1888, both having been communicants of the Catholic church and and the remains of both being interred in the cemetery of St. Mary's church, at York. Of the children of this worthy couple Henry is a resident of Steelton, Dauphin county; George M. is mentioned below; Jacob died in child- hood: John is a prosperous farmer of Spring Garden township; Mary is the wife of William Stouter, a prosperous greengrocer in Chicago, Ill .; Frederick is a representative farmer of Hellam township: Katie is the wife of John Snellinger, a farmer of York township; Albert is a clerk in a mercantile establishment in the city of York; and Edward is in the confec- tionery business in Chicago.

George M. Hunt passed his boyhood days principally in York township, in whose schools he secured his early educational training, con- tinuing to attend school, in a somewhat irregu- lar way, until he had reached the age of fifteen years. When but twelve years of age he prac- tically began the battle of life upon his own re- sponsibility, since he was then placed among strangers, and assumed the duty of providing for his own maintenance by the work which he could accomplish in an incidental way, his board and clothing being his sole recompense for several years. He was first placed in the home of Isaac Fitz, in York township, and he was living with this man at the time of the memorable battle of Gettysburg, which he re calls as an event which made a most permanent and distinctive impress upon his memory, the scene of the struggle being not many miles dis- tant and the citizens in general wrought up to a high pitch of excitement. He remained with Mr. Fitz about nine months, after which he passed the winter in the parental home. In the spring he hired out to Benjamin Heindel, a farmer of Windsor township, with whom he remained three years, after which he was with Joseph Kauffman for two years, and with Ben- jamin Deitz for three years. He then was for a brief interval in the employ of John Stoner, of Hellam township, and thereafter was em- ployed for ten months by Eli Kindig, of Wind- sor township, thus early learning the lessons of consecutive industry. After he began to earn wages, even though small, he had the good sense to save his earnings, finally ac-

engage in the butchering business, in Windsor township, but he soon withdrew from this field of enterprise and began farming and gardening in York township, on the Wambaugh and Myers farms, later working on other farms in the same line, either by renting land or by di- viding the products of his labor with the owner of the property. Finally he purchased the old Wambaugh farm, of ninety-five acres, in York township, and there continued to be actively engaged in general farming for seven years, at the expiration of which he sold the property, soon after the death of his devoted wife, in 1888, who had been a true helpmate and co- adjutor. Thereafter he lived for one year in the home of his father-in-law, in 1889 renting a farm where he continued for nine years. He spent three years with the York Water Com- pany, and in 1899 he purchased his present fine farm of fifty-four acres, finding a good mar- ket for his garden products in the York mar- kets. In politics Mr. Hunt in a stanch supporter of the policies of the Democratic party, and he served most acceptably as supervisor of York township, for one term, having been elected in 1891. He is a communicant of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, in York, and takes much interest in the parish work, his wife likewise having been numbered among the communicants of this parish.

On Oct. 24, 1876, was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Hunt to Miss Mary Koch, who was born in Manchester township, April 8, 1848, daughter of John and Kate (Harkley) Koch. She died Dec. 18, 1888, the mother of the following children : George A., unmarried, is a blacksmith by trade and resides in York: Minnie resides in the city of Harrisburg ; John Curtis is a motorman on the street-car lines of the city of Philadelphia; Sadie is the wife of Samuel Barnhart, a farmer of York township: and Francis, Mary, Roman, Edward and Al- bert all remain with their father on the home farm.

SAMUEL HALL, a venerable citizen of East Hopewell township, York Co., Pa., comes of an old English Quaker family, of Chester county. On his paternal side he is of English descent, while on the maternal side he is Welsh. Both sides of the family came to this country before the Revolution. .

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 144

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