History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 154

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

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Joseph Arnold was born on his father's farm in Hellam township Nov. 23. 1846. He went to school at Kreutz Creek, Pine Swamp. and in Druch Valley. At the age of seven- teen he left school, and learned fence making of his father. He followed that occupation for

a year with his father and his brother-in-law, Benjamin Druch, and then began on his own account. For six or seven years he worked the old Lehman farm, and in 1876 bought the land which he still owns in Hellam township. This is in two tracts, one of twenty and one- half acres, the other of twelve acres. He still continues the business of farming and fence. making.

Mr. Arnold married, in 1868, Sarah Myers, daughter of George and Lydia (Vocht) Myers, of Hellam township. They have the following ing children : Frank P., of Hellam township, who married Sally Fahringer; William, of Hellam township, who married Lillie Bless- ing; Ida, who married Philip Lauer, of Codo- rus township; Annie, who married John Leh- man, of Hellam township; Kerwin, of Hellam township, who married Maud Tracy; Emma, unmarried; and Elmer.

Mr. Arnold has always been a Democrat in politics since casting his first presidential vote for Grant's opponent. He has served as tax collector, and is now serving his third year as school director. He is a member of the High Mount Evangelical Church.

CHARLES F. BECK, who owns and operates a good tract of land in Springfield township, is a native of that township, born July 2, 1854, son of John F. and Matilda (Leader) Beck.

Mr. Beck attended the schools of Spring- field township and the York County Academy. He taught school for fifteen years, first at Falkenstine, next in Dover township, for one term, five terms at Bupp's school in Spring- field township, and last at Paradise, where he remained for eight terms. In 1890 he engaged in farming, purchasing one of his father's farms in Springfield township, which consists of 118 acres of finely cultivated land, situated about the center of the. township, one mile north of Loganville. The house was built in 1884, and the barn, which is one of the most modern in the State, in 1903.

In 1883 Mr. Beck was united in marriage with Olivia C. Howard, daughter of Catherine and Edward Howard, the latter of whom died in 1882, and the former in 1892, both being buried at Loganville. Mr. and Mrs. Beck have had these children : Dora E., now eight- een years of age, is teaching her second term of school; and Edna I., Edgar R., Ralph G.,

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Naomi E. and Catherine M. are all at home. When Catherine M. was a little light-haired, blue-eyed and delicately formed child of one year and eleven months, she was kidnapped from Oct. 17 to 19, 1902. No sooner was the alarm given than kind and sympathetic hearts, and busy minds, hands and feet were at work to find her. Woods, fields and lanes were combed by hundreds of men, women and chil- dren ; the city police vainly sought a clue. After two long nights and nearly two full days she was found by the Hartman boys in a fence corner by the woodside, about a mile from home, in an unconscious condition-a place that had been searched again and again, mak- ing her return as mysterious as her disappear- ance. The kidnapping greatly excited the peo- ple of Springfield township, and it probably would have fared badly with the guilty party or parties, had they been caught.

In politics Mr. Beck is a Republican, being of the minority party; he has served on the election board, and on the school board for two terms, and lacked but one vote of being re- elected for a third term. He is a member of the Lutheran Church of Paradise, in which he has held at different times the offices of elder and deacon. He is trustee of the parsonage fund, and church treasurer of both Lutheran and Reformed Congregations, and has been for a number of years president of the Sunday- school. Mr. Beck keeps well abreast of the times. He wrote different articles on agricul- tural topics for Farmers' Institutes. One of these, entitled "The Dairy Farm," was pub- lished by the State Department of Agriculture. He is justly regarded as a very important citi- zen of his part of the county, being honorable and trustworthy, intelligent and public-spirited.

CHARLES H. STARK, a prominent and enterprising business man of York, is the pro- prietor of the well-known "Stark Hotel" of that city. His birth occurred in Manchester borough, York county, June 1, 1856, and he is a son of John Stark.

John Stark was born in Germany, but came to America when a young man. The original way of spelling was Stork, but when he en- listed in the army an "a" was made in the name in place of the "o," by the enlistment officers, and the family have spelled the name Stark ever since. Jolin Stark enlisted in Company B, 4th Maryland V. I., and served

over three years, participating in all the im- portant battles, among which may be mentioned the engagement at Gettys- burg. Mr. Stark's death, which occurred in 1870, in Baltimore county, Md., was caused by the falling of an ore bank. He married Rachel Lefevre, a descendant of a very old and prominent family, and the daughter of Jolin Lefevre. She died in 1903, the mother of the following children : John T., who married Ella Motter, of York ; Barbara Catherine, born April 15, 1848, who died June II, 1852; Dan- iel, born Aug. 18, 1851, who died Aug. 25, 1851 ; Mary Jane, born Aug. 6, 1852; Killian, born Nov. 22, 1854, who died Aug. 5, 1855; Charles Henry, born June 1, 1856; Florence, born June 7, 1858; and Emma, born Sept. 27, 1860.

Charles Henry Stark attended the common schools of York until sixteen years of age. when he became employed in a sash factory. Later he was engaged in the wire cloth fac- tory at York, being a skilled mechanic, and in 1895 embarked in the hotel business in York. In 1900 he purchased his present place, at Nos. 517-519 South George street, the well-known "Stark Hotel," which he has successfully con- ducted ever since. Mr. Stark is very popular in York.

Mr. Stark married Julia Hirt, who died aged forty years, leaving children as follows : Mary, Annie, Walter, Virgie and Catherine. In 1900 Mr. Stark was united in marriage with Miss Emma Martin, daughter of Charles Mar- tin, deceased.

ISAAC R. McCLEARY, who resides on a well-located tract of land in Lower Chance- ford township, York county, was born on the old Hugh Ross farm near Chanceford Church, Aug. 17, 1851, son of Isaac and Susan (Pitts) McCleary.

Isaac McCleary, father of Isaac R., was born in York county, in 1813, and received a common school education. He was reared to the life of an agriculturist, and after marriage located on the Gregg farm near Bridgeton. He rented a farm of the Rosses, which he oc- cupied for several years and then bought 113 acres in the same locality, upon which he passed the remainder of his life. Although a member of no religious denomination, he at- tended the M. E. Church. Before the war he was a Democrat, but after that great struggle

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

became a Republican. He married Susan Pitts, who died in 1884, the mother of the fol- lowing children : (1) William, deceased, was a soldier of the 87th P. V. I., in which regiment he enlisted for three years service, his time ex- piring before his term of service had closed. He married Elizabeth Crowell. (2) Elizabeth married Elwood Skelton, of York. (3) Sally married Henry Snyder, of York. (4) Lydia is deceased. (5) Wesley is deceased. (6) Jennie, who married John Sheets, died in Dallastown. (7) Martha is deceased. (8) Harriet married Urias Lyman, of Lancaster, Pa. (9) Isaac R.

Isaac R. McCleary has lived on his present farm since boyhood. He was educated in the Spunk Hill school, by James Fulton, Robert Milner and others, and after completing his education worked with his father on the home farmi until after marriage. He was married in Lower Chanceford township, March 25, 1873. to Miss Susan J. Shaub, daughter of John and Eliza ( Bair) Shaub. Mrs. Shaub was an aunt of the vice-president of the His- torical Society, Robert Bair. After marriage Mr. McCleary removed to Airville and worked for Joseph Pierce for four years, and then went to Centerville, where he farmed tobacco for William Colvin one year. He then rented the farm belonging to Samuel Manifold, who is now sheriff, and there he continued for five years, at the end of this time purchasing the home farm, where he has been situated ever since, from his father. The success which has attended Mr. McCleary's agricultural oper- ations has made him an authority in the neigh- borhood, and the methods he pursues are con- sidered the very best. He is very enterprising and progressive, and he wields a wide influence all through the vicinity.

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Cleary have been as follows: John, of Pauls- boro, N. J., who married Margaret McPher- son; Oliver, of York, who married Elizabeth McPherson; Chester, of York, who married Miss Carrie Trout ; Anne, at home; Robert B., of Indiana Harbor, near Chicago, Ills .; Cora, Mrs. Howard Stiffler, of York; Finn, of York; Harry, of York, who married Elsie Haar ; Wallace, at home ; Mary, at home; Mar- garet, also at home ; Sarah ; and one child that died in infancy.

NELSON A. KROUT, a prosperous and substantial farmer of Springfield township, York county, engaged in operating his fine

135-acre farm, was born in that township, Jan. 19, 1853, son of John M. Krout and grand- son of John Krcut, who was a farmer of Springfield township, where he married a Mrs. Goodling. Both died in Springfield township. and are buried at Shuster's Church. Their children were: William; Ephraim; Daniel; Zacharias; John M .: Caroline, who married Samuel Hollinger; and Lydia, who married William Smeigh.

John M. Krout, father of our subject, was born in the same township, and assisted his father until the latter's death, when he took the homestead. He married (first) Sarah Fluelbaugh, daughter of Samuel and Lydia (Strayer) Fluelbaugh, and she died in 1857, and was buried at Shuster's Church. Mr. Krout married (second) Lydia Myers, daugh- ter of Jolin Myers, of Codorus township. Mr. Krout died at the age of fifty-four years, and is buried at Shuster's Church. By his first marriage his children were: Nelson A., our subject ; and Albert, who died aged two years. To Mr. Krout and his second wife were born : Julia, a resident of Springfield township; Frances, who married J. L. Glatfelter, and is also living in Springfield township; Jacob, who married Minnie Bortner, and lives in Spring- field township; and Elizabeth, who died aged twenty years.

Nelson A. Krout attended the Goodling school until nineteen years old, and remained at home with his father until marriage. He married Mary A. Strayer, daughter of Henry and Louise (Gotwalt) Strayer, of Springfield township, and after marriage they located on the homestead until 1890, when Mr. Krout came to his present farm. This farm, before Mr. Krout's purchase, belonged to his father- in-law, and consists of 135 acres of well culti- vated, fertile land, conveniently located and highly improved with an excellent set of build- ings. To Mr. and Mrs. Krout the following children have been born: Gertrude, wife of George H. Keeney, lives in Springfield town- ship; Amanda, the wife of Michael Henry, lives in North Hopewell township; John is as- sisting his father on the farm; Curvin is learn- ing the carpenter's trade; Robert Howe; and Annie and Edna, are at home.

In politics Mr. Krout is a Democrat, and is a member of the school board, and has served two terms as township assessor and as judge of election and inspector. He is a director in the Southern Mutual Fire Insurance Co., of York.

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BIOGRAPHICAL

which is one of the strongest in the State, and as follows: Minnie J., Gerry, Myrtle, Zerva, is a director of the Horse Thief Detection Co. Rhoda, Annetia, and Spurgeon and Alvin, both of the latter being deceased.

Mr. Krout has for the past several years en- gaged in the sale of cream separators, being the agent for his district of several large manu- facturing companies.

WILLIAM S. BROSE, a prominent farmer and large landowner of Railroad bor- ough, Shrewsbury township, York Co., Pa., was born in Hopewell township, York county, in 1860, a son of Adam Brose and a grandson of Philip Brose, formerly a substantial farmer in Hopewell township. The children of Philip Brose, besides Adam, were: Joseph, Henry, David, Katie, Elizabeth and Susan.

Adam Brose, father of William S., was born in Hopewell township, where he was edu- cated in the common schools. He owned a farm of eighty-seven acres in Hopewell town- ship, where he engaged in farming until his untimely death. In May, 1858, he mar- ried Catherine Wilmiller, who was a daughter of John Wilmiller. Hes death occurred in February, 1890. Both she and her husband were buried at the Sadler Church, in their na- tive township. They were good Christian peo- ple, who lived quiet, sober, virtuous lives. They were members of the Reformed Church. Their children were: John and William S. John married Annie M. Keeney and owns the old homestead.

William S. Brose was educated in the township schools, attending until twenty-one. His father died when he was two years old, so he was obliged to make his own way in the world with little assistance. He worked for his mother until he was twenty-four years old, and then for neighboring farmers, being em- ployed by the day for about five years. Having saved his money, he invested it in 1889 in a fine farm of seventy-four acres, which he bought of James Markel, in Railroad bor- ough. Later he purchased thirty-seven acres of the estate of Dr. Gery, in Shrewsbury town- ship, adjoining his other property, and after- ward added another tract, which he bought of Ferdinand Helb. Mr. Brose now owns 120 acres of very valuable land, on which he has erected fine buildings. He takes much interest in his home and devotes all his attention to farming.

In 1890 Mr. Brose was married to Emma J. Miller, a daughter of Edwell and Mary B. (Folkomer) Miller. They have had children

In politics Mr. Brose is a Democrat, and has served his borough in the office of coun- cilman and as judge of election. He is one of the stockholders in the Shrewsbury Furniture Factory. In religion he is a member of the Reformed Church, and he is one of its deacons.

JOHN HAMM, one of York county's representative citizens, engaged in agricultural pursuits on his fine farm in North Codorus township, was born in Adams county, Pa .. July 5, 1845, son of George Hamm. His grandfather was a farmer of York county, where he died, being buried at Strayer's Church, in Dover township. He married Miss Magdalena Spahr, and they had children, Daniel and George.

George Hamm was born in York county, but removed to Adams county, where he en- gaged in farming. Later in life he returned to York county, and, locating in North Codorus township, spent the remainder of his life there. He died in that township Dec. 7, 1877, aged sixty-six years, and was buried at Strayer's Church, in Dover township. George Hamm married Sarah Strayer, a member of one of York county's oldest families, who died Feb. 9, 1882, aged sixty-eight years, and they had these children : Jacob, of Seven Valley : Eliza, the wife of Jacob Klinedinst, living near York New Salem; Catherine, the wife of Granville Glatfelter; John, our subject; Henry : Daniel, who married Mary Henry; and William, of York.

John Hamm received a common-school education in North Codorus township, having come from Adams county with his father when he was six years old. He married Annie Mary Hess, daughter of Samuel Hess, deceased, who was a prominent farmer in Springfield town- ship. Mr. Hamm purchased his father's farm of IOI acres and also bought fourteen acres adjoining, made extensive improvements, erected modern, substantial buildings, and now has one of the finest farms of his township. Be- sides his fine property in North Codorus town- ship Mr. Hamm is the owner of a fine piece of land consisting of 120 acres, in Springfield township.

Mr. and Mrs. Hamm have these children : Clayton, who attends a school in Brooklyn, N. Y., studying to become an electrical engineer ;

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Harry, at home; Spencer, a stenographer in was born June 18, 1861, on an island in the. Philadelphia ; and Robert, Charles and Ellen, Susquehanna river which is part of Lancaster county, son of Frederick Henry. all at home. In politics Mr. Hamm is a Re- publican. He is a member of the Reformed Church.

ANDREW STROHLE, who is well known to the residents of York as the proprie- tor of the "Grape Hotel," was born in Klein- erslingen, Göppingen, Wurtemberg, Germany, July 20, 1851, son of Andrew and Rosie (Gemmenheim) Strohle, both natives of Ger- many, where the former was employed in a paper mill. They had two children, our sub- ject and a daughter who resides in Germany. Mr. Strohle's father and mother both died in their native country.

Mr. Strohle attended the public schools of the Fatherland until fourteen years of age, and then learned the locksmith's trade at which he served three years, later learning the machin- ist's trade which he followed until 1881, when he came to the United States. He sailed from Antwerp to New York, on the SS. "Switzer- land," and after landing in this country came straight to Lancaster, where he remained a short time and then located in York, and se- cured work in the E. G. Smyser Co. plant, where he remained until 1891. He then en- gaged in the hotel business at the old Peach Bottom station, remaining until 1894, when he bought the hotel he conducts at present, the "Grape," from George Heckler. Mr. Strohle proves to be a genial host, and his hotel is one of the finest in the city.

Andrew Strohle was married in Germany to Lovina Schuler, born Sept. 1, 1852, daugh- ter of Jacob and Maria Schuler, who died in their native country, Mrs. Strohle being the only member of the family to come to the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Strohle are members of the Christ Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Democrat. Fraternally he be- longs to the Heptasophs. He also belongs to the Laurel Fire Department of which he has been a member for seven years, and is also con- nected with the Firemen's Relief Assocaition. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Strohle, Minnie, now the wife of William Kuhlkopf.

LEVI W. HENRY is successfully en- gaged in farming in Chanceford township, cul- tivating a fine sixty-eight-acre farm located about three miles south of Brogueville. He

Mr. Henry obtained a country school edu- cation, and spent the greater part of his boy- hood and young manhood at Shenks, where he attended school in the winter, assisting his father, and in the summer months hired out among the farmers. Mr. Henry was very in- dustrious, and success crowned his efforts. After his marriage he and his wife located in1 Chanceford township, and for two years Mr. Henry worked out by the day. He then rented a small twenty-one-acre farm in Chanceford township on which he remained for two years. They then removed to Lower Chanceford, where he was employed on the Michener farm until it was sold, when he removed to Peach Bottom township and located on one of the Sample Fulton farms, for five years. He then spent five years farming one of the James C. Fulton farms, in Chanceford township, and then bought the farm upon which he now re- sides. It is situated about three miles south of Brogueville, and is devoted to farming and to- bacco raising.

Mr. Henry's home, a very interesting old mansion known as the old Wilson homestead, was built upward of eighty years ago. It was. first built of unburnt brick, of various sizes .. some being as heavy as ten pounds, while others only weighed about six pounds, and the clay for which was secured from the farm by the builder, one of the Wilsons. It was a two- story house, built on sound rock, the kitchen being built on at the rear, and a large chim- ney, measuring over four feet across, graced the rear. Inside there is an old fireplace in the kitchen, and the only way to reach the upstairs rooms is through the kitchen, the stairs being built there. The outside was weather- boarded, and, the house as it stands to-day is. one of the most substantial in the township: Mr. Henry remodeled it in the summer of 1903.

Mr. Henry's religious connection is with the Methodist Church. He joined Bethel M. E. Church in 1890, later becoming a member of the M. P. Church at Peach Bottom, and since locating in Chanceford township he has been attending the Chanceford Presbyterian Church, in Lower Chanceford. In politics he is a Republican, but he has never accepted office.

On Jan. 26, 1888, Mr. Henry married

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BIOGRAPHICAL

Maggie Smith Wallace, who was born in of York county, and member of an old family Hopewell township, daughter of William and Mary (Heaps) Wallace. Mr. Wallace has been a merchant, farmer and sawyer, and still resides in Hopewell township. To Mr. and Mrs. Henry have been born children as fol- lows : Ellwood, Ralph, Walter and Ethel Mary. Both as a farmer and a citizen Mr. Henry is held in high esteem, and he is considered one of the substantial, representative men of Chanceford township.

JACOB S. RUPERT was born near Ma- rietta, Lancaster county, in 1864. The family formerly lived in York county, and its mem- bers have for the most part been identified with that section. The paternal grandfather, Jacob Rupert, was a native of York county, and was a lifelong farmer there, near Strines- town, where he died and where his remains are buried. He and his wife had the following children : Andrew, who is living in Illinois; Lewis, who died in North York borough; George, who died in Kansas; Mrs. Amanda Bond, living in Indiana; Jacob, of York City; and William.

William Rupert, father of Jacob S., was likewise born in York county, and there re- ceived his education. On reaching manhood he went to Lancaster county, and for a number of years followed farming there, being also en- gaged for some time in the ore mines near Sil- ver Springs, although this line of work he dis- continued after his marriage. He died near Silver Springs, and is buried there. His wife, to whom he was united in 1856, was formerly Elizabeth Souders, daughter of Ezra and Eliz- abeth Souders, of Lancaster county, and she is buried at Graybill's Church. In their religious faith both were Dunkards. Their children were: Ezra, a resident of Hummelstown, Dauphin county ; Amos, living in Iowa; Mrs. Rupp, of Lancaster, Pa .; Jacob S .; and Wil- liam, who went to Kentucky, and has not been heard from since.

Jacob S. Rupert was educated first in the schools of Lancaster county, and then in Sprin- getsbury township, York county, attending un- til he was fourteen. He was then put out to work for different farmers, and as he grew older he continued at similar employment until he had accumulated enough to start for him- self. In 1886 he was married to Miss Annie Hake, daughter of Harry and Catherine Hake,

of Manchester township. After marriage the young couple settled down on a farm at Stony Brook. About 1891 Mr. Rupert moved to Manchester township and took a position with the Manchester Shale Brick Company, as chief brick burner, and there he has been engaged ever since, being one of that company's most trusted and reliable employees. In politics he is a Republican, and has done considerable party service; he has been both township as- sessor and election board inspector. The mar- ried life of Mr. and Mrs. Rupert has been blessed by the birth of three daughters, Mabel, Carrie and Nora.

CHESTER K. WENTZ, a retired farmer living at Glenville, was born in Manheim town- ship, Jan. 8, 1858, and is descended from one of the oldest families of that vicinity, the first settler of the name emigrating to Pennsylvania. from Germany.

John B. Wentz, great-grandfather of Ches- ter K., built the well-known tannery, in Man- heim township, which still bears his name. He- took up about 500 acres of land along the line- of the Western Maryland Railroad, where it. was all woodland and lived there until his death.

Jesse Wentz learned the tanning business from his father and after the latter's death car- ried on the tannery alone very successfully. He traveled a great deal for that day, usually on horseback, crossing the Alleghany moun- tains in that way. He was a shrewd busi- ness man and prospered greatly, and was very popular through the county. He married a Miss Hinkel, by whom he had four children, John, Sarah, Margaret and Lemanda. Jesse Wentz and his wife are both buried in Man- heim township.

John Wentz was born in Manheim town- ship, and on reaching manhood continued for a time the tanning business so well established by his father and grandfather. He bought the tannery from his father, and ran it for five years, after which he bought his grandfather's farm and worked it until his death, at the age of sixty-one years. His wife was Lydia H .. Kline, daughter of John and Mary ( Haines) Kline, of Frederick county. Md. They had' issue as follows: Chester K. ; Laura, Mrs. G. E. M. Whesheim, of Maple Grove, Md .; El- mira J., wife of J. E. Shearer, of Manheim

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 154

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