History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 148

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

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Simon Blymire, the honored father of the subject of this review, was born on the old homestead farm, in York township, June 7, 1805, and was here reared to manhood. receiv- ing a common-school education. In his youth he learned the trade of wagonmaking, which he followed for some time on the old home farm. Finally he came to what is now the vil- lage of Dallastown, purchasing thirty-seven acres of land, for a consideration of three hun- dred dollars, and upon the same erecting the first house of the embryonic village. He plat- ted eighteen lots on his land and disposed of the same for prices ranging from five to eleven dollars. One lot was sold for six dollars, and many years later the same was sold for four- teen hundred dollars. Mr. Blymire continued to be actively engaged in the work of his trade as long as his health permitted, and he died at the age of fifty-two years, interment being made in the Blymire cemetery. He was a prominent and valued member of the Blvmire church, tak- ing an active part in the various branches of its work and holding various official positions, while he also served as leader of the congrega- tional singing for a number of years. The maiden name of his wife was Elizabeth Swartz, and she likewise was born in York township, being a daughter of one of the honored pio-

William Blymire, to whom this sketch is dedicated, secured his early educational train- ing in the somewhat primitive schools of York township in the days long past, said schools having mostly been maintained on the subscrip- tion plan. He continued his studies under these conditions until he was about fifteen years old, when he entered upon a definite ap- prenticeship at the trade of wagonmaking, un- der the effective direction of his father, who was at that time still living on the old home farm. He continued to work at his trade after the family removed to Dallastown, where he became the owner of one of the village lots platted by his father. He finally sold this lot for sixteen dollars, which sum he forthwith ap- plied on the purchase price of seventy-two acres of land in York township, where he de- voted his attention to farming up to the time of the Civil war. He was drafted for service in the Union army, but family affairs were in such condition that it was practically impossible for him to go to the front, so that he employed a substitute to take his place, though this action compelled him to sacrifice his farm, which he was compelled to sell in order to raise the neces- sary funds. He then purchased a small piece of land at Dallastown, erected a shop on the same, and there continued to be engaged in the work of his trade until the close of the war. He then purchased a farm of seventy-nine acres from Jacob Mitzer in the borough of Dal- lastown, and he forthwith instituted the im- provement of the property-remodeling the dwelling and erecting a fine barn. There he continued to be engaged in agricultural pur- suits until the death of his first wife, in 1883.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

when he disposed of his property and went to children: Cyrus; born Feb. 15, 1870, died New Jersey, where he remained about two June 17, 1882; Henrietta J. died April 23, 1865, at the age of eleven years, five months and twenty-six days; Barbara Ellen died Oct. 28, 1856, aged one year and twenty days; Isabella died Dec. 15, 1859, aged two years ; Minnie M., born May 15, 1874, died April 3, 1876 ; and Cassy Ann, died Sept. 25, 1863,aged one year and twenty-nine days. There are eight great-grandchildren.

On Sept. 27, 1885, Rev. J. P. Smith, pas- tor of the United Brethren Church at Dallas- town, solemnized the marriage of Mr. Bly- mire to Mrs. Amelia Spotz, the widow of Ben- jamin Spotz, who died in Dallastown, in 1885, interment being made in the cemetery of the United Brethren church. Of his children Laura is the wife of Jacob Miller, of York; Emma is the wife of P. Hildebrand, of Dallastown; Fred, a graduate of the Dallastown high school, married Miss May Dougherty, and his death occurred in January, 1902, his remains being laid to rest in the United Brethren ceme- tery. No children have been born of our sub- ject's second marriage.

WILLIAM N. KLINE, senior member of the well-known contracting and building firm of Kline & Flohr, of York, Pa., and a very highly esteemed citizen of that city, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., Dec. 11, 1836, son of Michael Kline.

William N. Kline is a self-made man. He was bound out at the age of seven years to Samuel Nisley, and he remained with him until fourteen years of age, receiving but a few weeks schooling each year. When a lad of sixteen years, he had a fall, in a stubble field. injuring his hearing. When nineteen years old he went to the wagon making trade in Lan- caster county, with John Moyer, and at that

years, devoting his attention principally to work at the millwright's trade. Returning to Dallastown, he purchased a considerable tract of land whereon he erected ten of the earliest houses 'built there, including his present at- tractive residence. He later disposed of eight of these residence properties, but continued to be prominently identified with the material up- building and civic affairs of the borough. He erected a fine laundry, which he later converted into a desirable residence, which he sold. In politics Mr. Blymire has ever accorded a stanch support to the principles and policies of the Democratic party, and while he has never been a seeker of public office, he has been · called upon to serve in such local positions of trust as tax collector and member of the school board of his borough. He and his wife are promi- nent and zealous members of the United Brethren Church in Dallastown. Of the brothers and sisters of our subject (supple- menting that entered in a preceding para- graph) : Emanuel was born Nov. 20, 1829; Sarah, Oct. 24, 1833 ; Charles, Jan. 22, 1836; Caroline, Oct. 12, 1837; Elizabeth, July 3, 1840: Josiah, July 9, 1843.

Mr. Blymire was married to Miss Rebecca Hartman, born in York township, Feb. 10, 1834. and died Sept. 29, 1883. Her father, Jonathan Hartman, was a sterling pioneer farmer of York township. The death of Mrs. Blymire was the result of organic disease of the heart, and her remains were laid to rest in the Union cemetery in York township. Of the children of this union we enter the following brief record of those still living: Hillary J., who married Catherine Synder, and had eleven children, purchased his father's farm and is de- voting himself to the management of the prop- erty: Larena became the wife of John W. Druck. who died in 1901, and she is now living

Michael Kline in his early manhood fol- lowed farming. He later took up teaming as an occupation, and then found employment tending the locks near Middletown, on the Susquehanna river. He died aged eighty years, and was buried at Highspire, Dauphin county. He was three times married, but his first wife's name is not known. His second wife was Mary Nauman, who became the mother of our sub- ject, and of Frederick. Mr. Kline's third wife was a Mrs. Simmons, and they had a family of in Dallastown (she had five children) ; Wil- nine children, all now deceased as far as liam. who married Anna Grothe. and had six *known. children. is a resident of York, and is engaged in dealing in horses; Elizabeth likewise resides in the city of York; Ida is the wife of William McDowell. of Dallastown, and the mother of seven children; Lawrence. who married Annie Sechrist, and has four children, resides in Dal- lastown; and Rebecca is the wife of Oran Reachard, of York, and has had two children. Following is a record concerning the deceased

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he continued for three years, after which he was employed at the Mount Joy car shops, at carpentering, and there remained seven years. At the outbreak of the Civil war, Mr. Kline wished to enlist, but his defective hearing pre- vented this, although he served in the quarter- master's department at Washington, and was at one time called on to select a gang of fifty men to take to Tennessee to construct bridges. He was employed at this for two years, often being between the fighting lines of the two armies. After the war Mr. Kline located at Harrisburg, and was employed at the car shops, holding the office of assistant foreman, later becoming foreman. One year later he resigned this position to go to Erie with the Pennsyl- vania & Erie railroad as a mechanic, and while in their employ built the fine office at Erie. He then returned to Harrisburg and engaged in carpentering and contracting, later removing to New Cumberland, Cumberland county, where he resided twenty years. It has often been said that while in Cumberland county, Mr. Kline built every other house erected there. In 1897 he came to York, where he is now engaged in business with J. W. Flohr,the firm being known as Kline & Flohr. They are doing a very large and profitable business, and at present are engaged in erecting an annex to the First Evangelical Church, and in the spring erected a new Evangelical Church at the east end of York.

Mr. Kline married Miss Catherine Kauff- man, daughter of Christian Kauffman, a United Brethren clergyman for thirty years near Annville, Lebanon county, and to this union have been born two children: Annie Mary, who married John Seider, and lives with her parents ; and Horace C., who is in the real estate business at Altoona.

Mr. Kline is a Republican in politics, and in New Cumberland, Cumberland county, served as notary public eight years, as justice of the peace five years, and as chief burgess two years. He is a stanch Union man, and is greatly interested in the rights of all Union men, running for mayor on the Union ticket of 1905. While in New Cumberland he erected the United Brethren Church, and was very active in the church and Sunday-school ..

GEORGE RUBY, a well known river man and a Civil war veteran, is a native of York county, and has been many years in Wrights- ville.

John Ruby, his grandfather, known throughout the county as "Major," owned 1,100 acres of land in Lower Windsor town- ship.

David Ruby, father of George, was born in Lower Windsor township, where he spent his life, engaged in farming and blacksmithing. He married Rebecca Kauffelt, and their chil- dren were as follows : David, who met his death by accident at a camp meeting ; George, who is mentioned below; and Tobias, who served a year in the Civil war, and lives near Yorkana.

George Ruby was born July 3, 1838, in Lower Windsor township, and there grew up. He attended the subscription school, and then the public school, and studied in Wrightsville under Capt. Kerr. When he was seventeen he was apprenticed to the tanner's trade with John Kauffelt. He served a two-years apprentice- ship, and worked for a time as a journeyman tanner, but preferred a boatman's life, and has since been chiefly occupied in rafting and as a steersman between Marietta and Peach Bot- tom. He has also had considerable experience in canal-boating in the employ of his uncle, Henry Ruby.

Mr. Ruby enlisted in the Union army, Aug. 21, 1861, as a private in Company B, 55th P. V. I., under Capt. John C. Shearer, Col. Rich- ard White, commanding. He saw three years' service, and was in many engagements. His first battle was that of Pocataligo, S. C., and the other principal engagements in which he took part were Cold Harbor, the Wilderness. Bermuda and Petersburg. He was wounded by a piece of shell, which struck him below the right knee. He received his discharge at Bermuda Hundred in September, 1864.

On May 14, 1865, Mr. Ruby married Susan Arnold, who was born in Hellam township. May 19, 1844. Her father, John Arnold, was born in Hellam township in 1805, and her mother, Catherine (Jacobs) Arnold, was born in ISIO. Both lived to be eighty-two years of age, and died in their native place. Mr. Arnold was a farmer, and was also employed at fence- making, and the latter years of his life in bas- ketmaking. He had the following children : ( I) John, who was a soldier in the Civil war. disappeared after the close of the war. and was never heard of until his death in 1902. (2) Catherine, who married Benjamin Druch. died in Hellam township. (3) Henry, who was a school teacher in Hellam township, now lives in Indiana. (4) Susan married George Ruby

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

(5) Joseph, a farmer of Hellam township, mar- to Hopewell township, where he spent three ried Sarah Meyers. (6 ) Leah married Jacob Barnhart, and died in Conewago. (7) Cassan- dra died at the age of seventeen. (8) Rebecca died at the age of seventeen. (9) Rachel died at twenty-two. ( 10) Zachariah died at the age . of twenty-three.

Mr. and Mrs. Ruby are members of the German Reformed Church. In politics Mr. Ruby is a Republican. He is a member of Lieut. R. W. Smith Post, G. A. R., at Wrights- ville. He is the father of the following chil- dren : Gustavus, a cigar maker of New Cum- berland, who married Ida Bowers, and died Jan. 20, 1906; Elmira, who married Capt. John H. Drenning, of Wrightsville; Thomas, a po- liceman in York, who married Virgie Pennell; Sophia, who married F. G. Wise, of Wrights- ville; Richard, who died young; Catherine, who died young; and Rebecca, who married Charles Shultz, of Wrightsville.

PHILIP KERCHNER, of Springfield township, was born on the farm upon which he now resides, April 20, 1859, son of Henry Kerchner, a native of Germany.

Henry Kerchner came to America when a young man, landing at Baltimore. He was a carpenter by trade and followed that occupa- tion in Shrewsbury township, whither he had removed, for a short time. He then located in Springfield township, and purchased the farm now owned by his son, Philip. This farm, finely located, is supplied with running water, and Mr. Kerchner erected a fine set of new buildings. Here he spent the remainder of his life, dying at the age of seventy-eight years, and being interred at Hametown, Shrewsbury township. He married Catherine Leicht, also of Germany ; she died at the age of eighty years. They had these children : Elizabeth, widow of John P. Wernig; Annie, deceased wife of Charles Woolf; Henry, who died in the West ; Christian, living at Loganville, who mar- ried Nancy Shessler, now deceased; George, of Baltimore, who married Minnie Harbold; John, of Baltimore Co., Md .; William, of York; Catherine, the wife of Charles Wolf, living at Glen Rock; Philip; and Maggie, who died at the age of twelve years.

Philip Kerchner attended the Seitz school in Springfield township until seventeen years old, after which he remained with his father for seven years. At the end of this time he went

years at farming, and in 1888 purchased the old homestead of eighty-three acres. Mr. Kerchner is one of Springfield's best farmers. He married Eleanor Geesey, daughter of Mi- chael and Maria (Hildebrand) Geesey, and to this union have heen born: Maria C., the wife of Jesse Hess, is living on the home farm; Michael, at home; Catherine, who died aged seven weeks; Mary E., a bright young lady at- tending school. In his political affiliations Mr. Kerchner is connected with the Republican party. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and is very active in the work of that religious body.

Michael Geesey, grandfather of Mrs. Kerchner, was a resident of Dallastown, York county. In early life he was an agriculturist, but later engaged in the butchering business in which he was very successful, and which lie carried on until his death, at a ripe old age. He married Catherine Minnich, and both are buried at Blimyer's Church in York township, York county. They had the following children : Michael, John, Harrison, Frank, Oliver, Jef- ferson, Warrington and Abington, all deceased except Frank, who resides in Dallastown, and all were veterans of the Civil war except Mi- chael. The girls of this family, Lydia, Cather- ine and Lucy, are all deceased.

Michael Geesey, the father of Mrs. Kerch- ner, was an agriculturist of York township, and was very successful in his operations. He died at the age of seventy years, and his wife at sixty-four, and both were buried at the Dunk- ard Church in Springfield township, of which they were faithful members. Michael Geesey married Maria Hildebrand, daughter of Fred- erick and Catherine (Wallace) Hildebrand, and the children born to this union were as follows: John, who married Catherine Hol- linger, is living in Hopewell township; Jacob, who married Sarah Bucher, lives in Carroll Co., Md .; Mary, wife of A. C. Wernig, of. Springfield township; Amanda, who married David Keller, and is living in Dallastown; Catherine, wife of Jacob Diehl, making her home in Red Lion; Michael, who married (first) Alice Strayer, (second) Elizabeth Feigley, (third) Ida Strayer, and he died at the age of forty-six years, being buried at Winterstown: Henry, a resident of Ohio; Emanuel, who married Louisa Diehl, and is living in Shrewsbury township; Elizabeth,

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wife of William Burns, of Springfield town- ship; and Mrs. Kerchner. The Geesey family is one of York county's old and honored fam- ilies, and its members are very highly respected in Springfield township, where they have for so long been prominently identified with the agricultural development of the community.

JACOB H. MELLINGER is the able su- perintendent of the York County Traction Company, and he has shown himself to be amply fortified for the upbearing of the exact- ing and responsible duties that rest upon him as an executive. He is a representative of one of the oldest and most honored families of the adjoining county of Lancaster, his father, Abraham Mellinger, being a prominent and influential farmer and dairyman of that county, and his mother, whose maiden name was Mar- tha Hoover, being a daughter of Jacob Hoover, a representative farmer of Lampeter township, Lancaster county, where he continued to re- side until his death. Abraham and Martha Mellinger became the parents of nine children, of whom only three are living, viz .: Ada, who is the wife of Adam Lefever, a farmer of Lampeter township, Lancaster county; Willis, who is a conductor for the Conestoga Traction Company, of Lancaster ; and Jacob H.

Jacob H. Mellinger was born near the vil- lage of Rocky Springs, in West Lampeter township, Lancaster county, Pa., June 30, 1862, and his boyhood days were passed under the beneficent influences of the old homestead farm, while his educational training was secured in the public schools of the locality. After leav- ing school he continued to assist in the work and management of the home farm and carried on a milk route in the city of Lancaster sup- plied from his father's dairy. At the age of twenty-six years he entered the street-car service in Lancaster, working on horse and electric cars for a period of five years. In August, 1892, Mr. Mellinger came to York and secured the position of night foreman in the car barns of the York County Traction Company. He remained incumbent of this po- sition until April, 1895, when there came a gratifying official recognition of his ability and fidelity, in his being made superintendent of the entire system, in which capacity he has since continued to render most effective service, gain- ing the unqualified approval of the public and of the company by which he is employed. He

is also distinctively popular with the employees of the company, having supervision of the work of more than one hundred persons. He was reared in the Mennonite faith but both he and his wife are now members of the Lutheran Church. In politics he accords a stalwart al- legiance to the Republican party, though he has never been an active worker in the party ranks nor has sought official preferment of any description.

On May 8, 1899, Mr. Mellinger was united in marriage to Miss Elmira Eyster, who was born and reared in Lancaster county, a daugh- ter of the late Elias Eyster, who was for many years engaged in the hotel business in York. Mr. and Mrs. Mellinger have no children.

WILLIAM GREEN, one of the enterpris- ing business men of Railroad borough, York county, was born in Shrewsbury township in 1864, son of Christian Green. The latter came from Germany and settled in Shrewsbury town- ship, where he bought a farm of seventy-five acres, on which he lived until his death, at the age of seventy-three years. He married Chris- tine Brown, who died in 1889, and they were both interred at Shrewsbury. Their children were: Elizabeth, Louise, Mary, Barbara and William.

William Green received a good common- school education, and then learned the tinning business at Shrewsbury, with J. H. Maskel. This business he followed for some six years, after which he went to farming. He followed agricultural pursuits for ten years, and also ran the cars of produce for Edward Helb, at Railroad borough, from that point to Balti- more, and was so engaged for four years. In 1895 he married Mary Helb, daughter of the late Frederick Helb, of whom extended men- tion will be found elsewhere. She was reared in Shrewsbury township, and attended the local school, also the seminary at Lutherville, Mary- land.

Since his marriage Mr. Green has resided at Railroad borough, and has been one of its leading business factors. He is engaged in building a new tannery there, on the site of the one formerly owned by his father-in-law. This will be a modern, well-equipped establish- ment and will add to the business of the place.

Mr. and Mrs. Green have one daughter, Rhoda. The family belong to the Lutheran Church at Shrewsbury.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

GEORGE F. SAUBEL, whose official po- as he bought a fine place of seventy-five acres sitions have enabled him to come in close touch with a large number of the citizens, has been associated chiefly with Codorus township, but his acquaintance is by no means limited to that section.

George Saubel, his paternal grandfather, was of German parentage. He was a land- owner and farmer in Manheim township, and died there when eighty-three years of age. He married Lydia Geiselman, and their children were : Mary A., and Lucy, both of whom were married to Adam Kaltreider ; and Michael.

Michael Saubel was a lifelong farmer in Manheim township. A Democrat in his poli- tics, he was very active in township affairs, and was chosen by his fellow citizens to fill various offices connected with the administration of the township. In religious belief he was a Lutheran. Mr. Saubel was twice married, but his children were both by his first wife, Eleanor, daughter of Joseph Leader. She died in 1885, and afterward Mr. Saubel married Matilda Rohrbaugh, daughter of Henry Z. Rohrbaugh, of Manheim township. Michael Saubel died in 1900, and was buried in the graveyard of the Stone Church in Codorus township, where his first wife is also interred. He is survived by his two sons, George F. and Joseph M., the latter of whom married Maria Bortner, and lives in Shrewsbury township.

George F. Saubel was born in Manheim township, Jan. 18, 1859. He first attended the district schools and then a graded school at Glen Rock. Always a good student, when he was sixteen he began teaching in his home section, and was so occupied for six terms. A period of three years was then spent in the mercantile business, but at the end of that time he returned to his former vocation and taught in Codorus township for sixteen years. In 1900 he became clerk of the courts for York county, beginning his duties the first Monday in January, and until January, 1903, filled that office to the greatest satisfaction of his con- stituents, for he observed the greatest accuracy in every detail, becoming very popular, not only in the city of York but throughout the county. For some seventeen years he had also filled the office of justice of the peace, and March 24, 1903, was appointed notary public, and is still discharging the duties of that posi- tion, in connection with his work in surveying.

Mr. Saubel is also interested in farming

in Codorus township, owning in addition another tract of twenty acres, on which in 1903 he built his home. The buildings on the place are all new and modern in style, and his view is one of the finest in the county.

Mr. Saubel married Miss Lavina Bricker, daughter of George and Catherine (Shue) Bricker. The three children born to them were: Rosa E., who died in infancy; Annie C., wife of Robert E. Hamm, of Codorus town- ship; and Lettie May. In his political affilia- tions Mr. Saubel is a Democrat, and in religion is a Lutheran, a member of the Stone Church. He is active in all the church work, but par- ticularly in the Sunday-school.

WILLIAM J. SCHALL was born on North George street, York, Pa., July 5, 1857, son of Joseph E. and Maria (Gardner ) Schall.

Joseph E. Schall, Sr., grandfather of our subject, for many years kept the hotel known as the "Black Horse Tavern," which was located between the Pennsylvania and Western Mary- land railroads on North George street, but re- tired from this business some years before his death, which occurred when he was eighty- seven years old. He married Mary Emmet, born in York, and these children were born to them: William; Joseph E. (2) ; Annie, who became Mrs. Duncan, died in Baltimore ; Jane, who married Henry Eichelberger, also died in Baltimore ; Sophia married Alexander Fry, and died in York.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 148

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