History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 147

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

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Peter Bair married Sarah, daughter of Frederick and Lydia (Whitman) Schenberger, and to their union were born : Rev. Isaac, pas- tor of an Evangelical Church in Northumber- land county, Pa .; Benjamin Oscar, of Delta ; Elmer, of Delta; Charles, a grocer at Laurel : Horace R., a divinity student, who died in

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

1895; Lottie, wife of D. W. Detwiler, of York county ; Amanda, Mrs. Thomas Harris, of Wrightsville; Susan, who married ( first) Ar- thur P. Smith, and (second) James Adair, of Red Lion; and Francis Littleton. Mrs. Sarah S. Bair had one brother, Adam Schenberger, of Kansas, and a sister, Isabella, who married (first) a Mr. Schenberger, (second) a Mr. Wilkinson, and (third) Henry Lephart.

Francis L. Bair was born in Lower Wind- sor township, York county, June 30, 1853. He was educated in the public schools of South Chanceford township and after finishing his education learned the carpenter's trade under William Helder, of East Prospect. He was thus engaged until 1884, when he gave up car- pentry and went into the grocery business in York, on East Market street. Later he removed to a location on Pirie street, in the same city, and finally in 1900 moved beyond the city lim- its entirely, and opened a business to the south- ward, on Springdale avenue, in Spring Garden township. Until September, 1904, he conduct- ed his establishment there and met with the greatest success, but at that time he disposed of the business, and has not been actively engaged in any other since. Mr. Bair owns considerable property suitable for building sites, in the vicin- ity of his last location, and has also put up a number of substantial dwellings there.

In 1874 Mr. Bair was united in matrimony to Miss Octavia Moody, the daughter of Will- iam P. and Matilda ( Young) Moody. To their union have been born the following children : Elsie M., the wife of H. C. Kellar : Edward E., a druggist in York, who married Miss Emma May Fleming; Harry D., who married Miss Minnie V. Henry, of York, and Robert M., at home. Mrs. Bair was one of a family of eight and had four brothers and three sisters, viz. : Lyman B .; John Milton ; Edward E .; Young ; Ella, deceased; Ada, the wife of J. B. Bentz ; and Amanda, the wife of John Rittenhouse. Francis L. Bair. belongs to the I. O. H., and in religious belief is connected with the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, on South Duke street. York, in which he is a trustee and an influential member. He is an honorable, upright man and good citizen and is greatly respected.

HENRY F. MARSHALL, of Paradise township, York county, who has lived retired

for the last four years, was born in Adams county, Feb. 1, 1821.

John Marshall, his grandfather, died in Adams county, aged ninety-nine years.

Samuel Marshall, father of Henry F., was a native of Adams county, and was a saddler and farmer by occupation. He died when twenty-seven years of age. He married Sarah Fuller, and their children were: Martha, de- ceased, married a Berkheimer; Samuel, who resides in the West ; Miss Susanna; Rush, who resdes in the West ; Herman, who died in York in 1901; Henry F .; and two that died in in- fancy. After the father's death, the mother was married in that township to Henry Graff. then removing to the farm now occupied by our subject. She died at Abbottstown.

Henry F. Marshall was one year old when his father removed to Abbottstown, where a short time later he died. Young Marshall grew to manhood, attending the subscription schools in Abbottstown and Paradise township, and left school at an early age to learn the blacksmith's trade with Frederick Wolf, of Abbottstown. This trade he followed in Abbottstown, Hamp- ton and Oxford, and then worked at it for him- self at the first named town, after which he en- gaged in farming for his step-father.

Mr. Marshall was married to Miss Mary McFarland, who died in 1888, in the faith of the Lutheran Church, to which our subject also belongs. He is a Republican and has served as school director for three years. Four years ago Mr. Marshall retired from farming, and since that time his finely cultivated tract of 100 acres has been cared for by others.

GEORGE INNERS (deceased), who for thirty-five years was employed by the well known firm of E. G. Smyser's Sons & Co., of York, as a patternmaker, was born in York township, son of George and Lena ( Evert) In- ners.

Mr. Inners attended the common schools of York township, and learned the carpenter's trade, and later the millwright's trade, at the latter of which he worked for several years. He then engaged with E. G. Smyser's Sons & Co., where he was employed until his death, in July 1904. He was one of the firm's oldest employ- ees, and one of the most skilled patternmak- ers in the business, having the advantage over others of having first learned the carpenter's

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BIOGRAPHICAL

trade. Mr. Inners was interred at Greenmont training was secured in the public schools of cemetery, York. He was a Democrat, but only took a good citizen's part in politics. In his religious sympathies he was connected with the Zion Lutheran Church of York. George In- ners was a sober, industrious, honest citizen, and was highly esteemed in York for his ster- ling traits of character.

his native county, after which he continued to. assist in the work of the home farm until he had attained his legal majority. Thereafter he was for twelve years employed as clerk in a store and railroad office in Freeland, Md .. and in 1882 he came to York and became a clerk in the freight office of the Northern Central Mr. Inners was united in marriage with Annie Elizabeth Mitzel, daughter of Henry and Barbara (Hanighan) Mitzel, and to this union were born: Nettie D. (a stenographer), Jen- nie B., Bessie C., James C., and Annie M. Mrs. Inners resides at No. 544 West King street, York. Railroad, retaining this position until 1890, when he was transferred to the Northern Cen- tral and Pennsylvania railroad ticket office. where he served as ticket clerk for a num- ber of years, while in January, 1897, he was given full charge of the office, and has since served in this capacity, his course having been Among other specimens of Mr. Inners' work may be mentioned the pattern made by him for the famous Brooklyn bridge, which testifies to his skill as a patternmaker. such as to indicate the wisdom shown in pro- moting him to the responsible office. He is popular in the railroad circles, and also with the general public, and is one of York's well-known and honored citizens. In politics Mr. Har- ISAAC HARRINGTON. the efficient and highly esteemed passenger agent of the North- ern Central Railroad in the city of York, is a native of Delaware, having been born in the old rington is a stanch Republican in so far as na- tional issues are involved, but in local affairs he maintains an independent attitude and is lib- eral in his views, as is he in all other relations homestead, near Harrington Station, on the of life. He is affiliated with the local organi- zation of the Sons of Veterans, and both he and his wife are valued members of the Union Luth- eran Church, in which he has served as elder since 1898.

Delaware Railroad, in Kent county, Jan. 16, 1849. The family was early established in that locality, and the station mentioned was named in honor of the ancestors of our subject. He is a son of Peter D. and Elizabeth ( Hamilton) Harrington, both of whom are deceased. the father having been a prosperous farmer of Kent county, Del., while his also was the distinction of having served as a valiant Union soldier dur- ing the war of the Rebellion. He enlisted as a private in the 6th Del. V. I., taking part in the various engagements in which his command was involved, and receiving his honorable dis- charge at the expiration of his term of enlist- ment. He was a Republican in politics, and both he and his wife were devoted members of the Methodist Protestant Church. Their children were as follows : David is a farmer of Kent county. Del. : Mary A. is the wife of Sam- uel Graham, a retired farmer, and they reside in Greenwood, Del .: Maria is the wife of Charles H. Jones, a farmer of Sussex county . Rebecca B. is the wife of George Outten. a farmer of Kent county. Del. : Bessie E. is the wife of John H. Jones, who is likewise a suc- cessful farmer of Kent ; and Isaac.

Isaac Harrington passed his boyhood days on the home farm, and his early educational

On April 8. 1879, was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Harrington to Miss Sarah M. Cochran, daughter of John W. Cochran, a prominent farmer of Carroll county, Md., while her mother, whose maiden name was Urith Brown, was a lineal descendant from Lord Cornwallis. Mr. and Mrs. Harrington have two children, Alma Urith, wife of Andrew J. McLauren, who is engaged in the insurance business in York, Pa. ; and Delmar Clyde, who is assistant ticket clerk in the office of the Northern Central Railway in York.

HARRY H. JONES, M. D. In no other land on the face of the globe is there accorded so perfect and consistent a recognition of in- dividuality as in America. Here only has it been possible to overcome the prejudicial ani- mus against admitting the ability and capacity of youth, and to afford to the individual a full province in which to exercise the most potent functions of which he is capable, regardless of the fact that over his head may not have passed as many years as represent the respective ages

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

of those with whom he comes in competition in any of the fields of human endeavor. An ex- ample of the potentialities of comparative youth in connection with one of the highest and nob- lest of professions is afforded in no uncertain way in the career of Dr. Jones, who is a repre- sentative member of the medical profession in his native county, being one of the popular and successful physicians and surgeons of the city of York. Dr. Jones was born in the borough of Jefferson, York Co., Pa., July 12, 1872, son of Dr. Henry Z. Jones.

Dr. David Jones, the Doctor's great-grand- father, was a native of Wales, and on his emi- gration to America located in Maryland, where he attained to distinction in his profession.

Henry Z. Jones, Sr., grandfather of Dr. Harry H., was born in Carroll county, Md., whence he came in an early day to York county, Pa. Here he passed the remainder of his life. He was a farmer by occupation.

Dr. Henry Z. Jones, father of Dr. Harry H., was born in Manchester, Md., in 1845. He was a representative of one of the honored pio- neer families of this section of the old Keystone State, and became one of the leading members of the medical profession in York county. He was a graduate of the Medical Department of the University of Maryland, and was for many years engaged in practice in Jefferson borough. this county, where his death occurred in 1892, his memory being held in lasting reverence by those to whom he so ably ministered during the long years of a peculiarly successful profes- sional career. He was a Democrat in politics, and his religious faith was that of the Reformed Church. He married Miss Sarah F. Hershey, who was born and reared in this county, and they became the parents of six children, of whom four are living : Dr. Harry H. ; Nora A., a graduate of the State Normal School at Mil- lersville, now a teacher in the York city schools; Amy H., the wife of William F. Wiest; and Dr. Pius H., who resides in Sunbury, Pa. Mrs. Jones survived until 1900.

Dr. Harry H. Jones obtained his rudimen- tary education in the public schools and later attended a private school. Continuing his other valuable realty in the county.

in the class of 1892, receiving the degrees of A. B. and B. S. He is a member of Alpha Tau Omega Greek letter fraternity. He then took up the study of medicine under a private pre- ceptor in Jefferson, and finally took one course of lectures in the University of Maryland, after which he completed the full four years' course in the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, where he was graduated in 1895, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Soon afterward he entered vig- orously upon clinical and general professional work in one of the leading hospitals of the city of Philadelphia, where he remained one year, gaining valuable experience and thus further fortifying himself for the practical and success- ful work of his chosen profession.

After his hospital service Dr. Jones returned to his home in Jefferson borough, and took up the practice which had been built up and con- trolled by his honored father. There he re- mained successfully established in practice for a period of four years, at the expiration of which he came to the city of York, in order to secure a more comprehensive field of labor, and one which would enable him to control a larger office practice. His success in his work has been most noteworthy, giving him status as a physician of high attainments and distinctive discrimination, while he has the high esteem of his professional confreres, and the confidence and regard of those to whom he has ministered. Dr. Jones is one of the active and valued mem- bers of the York County Medical Society, of which he served as president in 1903, and he also holds membership in the Pennsylvania State Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Medi- cine and the International Medical Congress. In 1902 he rendered efficient service in the of- fice of county physician. Dr. Jones is a Dem- ocrat in his political allegiance. Fraternally lie is identified with the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the Re- formed Church. He has an attractive home on East Market street, and is also the owner of

studies in Leigh Baugher's Academy, Hanover, - Pa., Dr. Jones there prepared himself for col- HENRY R. KRABER. The old city of York has long been justly celebrated for its sub- stantial business concerns, and among the many lege, duly matriculating in Pennsylvania Col- lege. Gettysburg. where he completed the clas- sical and scientific courses and was graduated lines which have particularly prospered is that

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of insurance, on account of the class of men while his mother was the daughter of Henry who handle it here. A case in point is Henry Keeney. R. Kraber, who has been in the field in York for a number of years. Mr. Kraber is de- scended from one of the oldest families in Pennsylvania, his ancestors having been very fully referred to in earlier histories of Penn- sylvania.

Henry Kraber, the father of our subject, died Feb. 19, 1887, aged sixty-four years, five months, and twenty-eight days, while his wife, who was Catherine E. Reichenbach, died in May, 1881, her remains being interred in Lan- caster cemetery, at Lancaster, Pa. Mrs. Kra- ber was the sister of George W. Reichenbach, who during his life, was one of the most prom- inent citizens of Lancaster, and was the found- er and up to the day of his death, the secretary of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Our subject's only sister died in in- fancy, while his only brother, George B., is con- nected with the Farmers' Insurance Company, of York.

Henry R. Kraber was born in York, Nov. 6, 1854, was educated in the schools of York, and at Lafayette College, at Easton, in the lat- ter institution being a member of the class of 1876. In 1877 he went to Lancaster, and for several years was in charge of a new and sec- ond-hand book store. Returning to York, Mr. Kraber read law with the late W. C. Chapman, and then entered the insurance business. In addition to the insurance business, Mr. Kraber has been for many years a notary public, hav- ing held commissions for that office from Gov- ernors Pattison, Hastings, Beaver, Stone and Pennypacker.

Mr. Kraber has been an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of York, since 1872, and has been a teacher in the Sunday- school from that time to the present, as well as serving as deacon many years. He also takes an active part in the Y. M. C. A., of York, and has been a member of the York Oratorio So- ciety since its organization. In politics he is an earnest Republican.

During boyhood Mr. Taylor attended the public schools of Shrewsbury and York town- ships, and then continued his education at the Normal schools. During his last two years at the Normal he also worked in several printing offices, acquiring the rudiments of the printer's trade. After he left school in 1884 he secured employment with the Herald Printing Com- pany, in Dallastown, learned his trade thor- oughly, and remained there until 1891. In that year he established a job printing office in town, and succeeded so well that in 1894 he enlarged his field greatly and established the Dallastown Advocate. The paper was a success from the beginning and has steadily extended its sphere of usefulness and grown in public favor until it now has an assured place among the very best weekly newspapers of the county. Inde- pendent in its politics, it stands for the indus- trial and moral progress of one of the most prosperous and cultured communities in that part of the State. Mr. Taylor is an able and progressive journalist and sets a high standard in his publication. Mr. Taylor also carries a large line of up-to-date calendars, fans, blotters, novelties, and a variety of imported goods, which he sells at the most reasonable prices, and he is in a position to compete with any house in the country. Mr. Taylor takes an ac- tive part in municipal affairs and is now serving his fifth term (fifteenth year) as a member of the Dallastown council, and for seven years has been treasurer. Fraternally he belongs to the I. O. O. F., Dallas Lodge, No. 1017, and to the Encampment branch of the same order ; to the Independent Order of Americans, Washington Camp, P. O. S. of A., and the Independent Or- der of Heptasophs.

Mr. Taylor was united in marriage May 26, 1889, to Miss Lovina E. Hildebrand, of York, daughter of John H. and Leah Hilde- brand. They have a family of four children, Archibald E., Clinton M., Beatrice E. and Ger- trude L.

WASHINGTON LAIRD bears a name long known and honored in Pennsylvania, where the family has been established for. a cen- tury or more. The Lairds were originally of German stock. and the first to come to Amer-

DANIEL K. TAYLOR, editor of the Dal- lastown Advocate, was born in Shrewsbury, York county. Aug. 8, 1864. to Henry F. and Annie Y. (Keeney) Taylor. His paternal grandparents were John and Sarah Taylor, ica was John, great-grandfather of Washing-

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ton, and on arriving in the New World he set- Fairview township, March 4, 1827, and until tled in Lancaster county, Pa. He had a large he was sixteen attended school at Pinetown family, born as follows: John, Aug. 7, 1772; William, Feb. 7, 1774; James, May 12, 1776; Mary, May 26, 1778; William (2), Aug. 6, 1781; John (2), Feb. 27, 1785; and Jane, July 22, 1792.

John Laird, son of the emigrant, moved from Lancaster county to York, and settled in Warrington township, where he became the owner of about 200 acres of land. He married Miss Barbara Ashenfelter, born June 10, 1784, and their children were as follows: John, who died at Pinetown; Polly, Mrs. John Sutton, who died at Pinetown; Elizabeth, Mrs. Daniel Sutton, who died in Monaghan township; Will- iam; Katie, Mrs. Daniel Hart, who died at Me- chanicsburg ; and Jacob, born in 1811, who was in the army for seventeen years, serving in both the Mexican and Civil wars, a blacksmith by. trade, who died in Fairview township. The father of this family lost his life by falling from a load of hay, the fall breaking his neck. He was buried at Emanuel Church.

William Laird, born March 12, 1803, was a carpenter by trade and followed it for a num- ber of years, after which he went into business in Pinetown making grain cradles, and passed the rest of his life there. He married Miss Catherine Burns, born in 1805, daughter of Thomas and Mary ( Fisher) Burns, and their married life stretched out happily till April 5, 1889, when Mr. Laird passed away to be fol- lowed by his wife, Sept. 15, 1890. Both are buried in the graveyard of Moore's Church in Fairview township. Mr. Laird was for much of his life a member of the Church of God and assisted in building the church near which he now rests, but later in life he joined the Metho- dist Church, in which he was very active. The children of this union were : Washington ; Mary, who died unmarried and is buried at Moore's Church ; Elizabeth, the wife of Daniel Good, both now deceased ; Thomas, born April 5, 1834, who died in 1838 and was the second person to be interred in the graveyard of Emanuel Church; William B., born May II, 1839, who married Miss Beckie Strominger, and died in Fairview township; and John B., a farmer at Pinetown, who married (first) Miss Elton Beck, and ( second) Miss Malinda Richard.

Washington Laird was born in Pinetown,

and at the Moore school. After reaching that age, he worked for various farmers until Oct. 16, 1856, when he married and settled at Pine- town, where he bought the Samuel Laird prop- erty and has made it his home ever since. Mr. Laird's principal occupation, however, has been putting up post fences, a business he has carried on for about thirty-two years in Cumberland, Dauphin and York counties, and in which he has been very successful. During the last six years, however, his active life has been greatly curtailed by attacks of rheumatism, and he lives in retirement. Since 1865 Mr. Laird has been a member of the Evangelical Church and has been very prominent in its work, serving as class leader and chorister. He is a fine violin- ist, and is also endowed with a wonderful mem- ory. In politics he is a Republican.

Mr. Laird chose for his wife Miss Chris- tiana Oberholtzer, of Harrisburg, who was the daughter of Christian and Elizabeth (Kann) Oberholtzer, and the others in the family were Elizabeth, Christian, Thomas, George, WVil- lianı, Sarah and Mary. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Laird was blessed with four children, namely : Cecilia, born Aug. 22, 1857, who died early in life ; Mary, Aug. 2, 1861, who at- tended the Wellsville and Rossville graded schools, and is now teaching in Fairview town- ship, having had fourteen terms experience ; Elizabeth, March 26, 1866, who married John A. Hoffman and lives in Fairview township; and Edward, born Dec. 13, 1868, who died in 1873 and is buried in the Moore's Church graveyard. The mother of this family was taken away Sept. 27, 1904, and her remains rest at Emanuel Church.

WILLIAM BLYMIRE, a lifelong resi- dent of York county and a representative of one of the sterling pioneer families of this sec- tion of Pennsylvania, has attained to a position of prominence in connection with industrial activities, and is honored as one of the genial and whole-souled citizens of his native county, having an attractive home in Dallastown, York township, where he is now living prac- tically retired, enjoying the rewards of his inanv years of earnest toil and endeavor.

Mr. Blymire was born in York township, June 27, 1831, and is a grandson of Martin Blymire, who was of stanch German lineage

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BIOGRAPHICAL

and who came to York county, settling in the neers of this county. She died June 21, 1852, vicinity of Innes mill, in York township, where and was laid to rest in the Blymire church he took up a large tract of land, becoming one cemetery. Of the children of this worthy couple, Emanuel died unmarried as a result of sunstroke received while in the hay- field ; William was next in the order of birth; Sarah, who became the wife of Jacob Wolf, died in March, 1904, and is buried at Green Hill church, in York township; Caro- line, wife of Jacob Summers, died young and is buried at Winterstown, this county; Charles met his death by drowning, in New Jersey, when eighteen years of age; Elizabeth, wife of George Wolf, died young, and is interred in Hellam township; Josiah, a bachelor, resides with his nephew, Hillary Blymire, in York township. of the prosperous farmers and influential citi- zens of this section, and operating a flaxseed oil mill on his farm for many years. He died on the home place at the age of fifty-one years. and his remains were laid to rest in the ceme- tery of the Blymire Church, in York town- ship. This church was named in his honor, and to secure its erection he donated forty acres of land, while he otherwise rendered material aid in the temporal and spiritual affairs of the church, of which both he and his wife were zealous and devoted members. His wife rests by his side in the cemetery mentioned. Of their children John died in this county : Simon, father of our subject, is further mentioned in another paragraph; one daughter became the wife of a Mr. Smuck and died in this county; another became the wife of John Inness, and both died in York township; and a third, who was the wife of George Ruker, died in the same township, and is buried in the Blymire church cemetery.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 147

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