History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 155

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

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

township: Lettie V., who married J. A. Sny- der, owner of the farm in Manheim township, formerly the property of his wife's great- grandfather, on which they reside; Amos A., deceased, who married Alice E. Armstrong ; and Charles A., who died when eight years old.

Chester K. Wentz received his education in the public schools. At eighteen he com- pleted his studies, and from that time till he was twenty-five he worked with his father. At that age he married but continued to work at home for five years, after which he began farm- ing on his own account. He bought one of his father's farms in Manheim township, and op- erated it eleven years. In 1902 he bought his present home at Glenville, and began working with the Hanover Produce Company, of that place, having full charge of the office and the business in general, until his health failed and since then he has lived in retirement.

Mr. Wentz married, in 1883, Miss Al- bright, daughter of John R. and Julia ( Dubs) Albright, and three daughters have been born to them, Bertha, Jennie and Elvia. Mr. Wentz is a member of the "Stone Church" of the Re- formed Lutheran denomination, and is an ac- tive worker in it. In politics he is a Democrat and while living in Manheim township served as director of the school board for five years.

H. C. SPAHR, a farmer of York county, who is actively engaged in the cultivation of his ninety-acre tract in Dover township, near Davidsburg, was born in 1852, in Washington township, son of H. M. and Rebecca ( Silkni- ter) Spahr.

William Spahr, grandfather of H. C., set- tled in Washington township, where he bought a tract of land and engaged in farming until a few years prior to his death, when he retired from active life. He died in 1882, and was in- terred in Washington township. The children born to him and his wife were: William, Cor- nelius, H. M., George, Caroline Bentz, Mrs. Kate Smith and Mrs. Elizabeth Hershey.

H. M. Spahr, father of our subject, was born in 1828 in Washington township, and re- ceived a common school education, working on his father's farm until after his marriage. He went to farming in Dover township, where he bought a farm near Davidsburg; the house which stands upon the farm was built by John and Mary Knisely July 28, 1776. There he followed farming for a number of years,

and then moved to Davidsburg, where he lived a retired life and died at the age of seventy- five years. In 1848 Mr. Spahr married Re- becca Silkniter, daughter of Jacob and Cath- erine Silkniter, of Dover township. Mrs. Spahr died at the age of seventy-three, and she and her husband are buried at Strayer's Church in Dover township. Their children were as follows: M. L., a prosperous farmer living near Davidsburg, Dover township, married Sarah Conn; H. C .; Catherine married George Rudisill and lives in Dover township ;and Wil- liam W., born in1860, in Dover township, re- sides on the old homestead in Dover township, and is married to Elvina Keller, daughter of Christian and Maria (Jacobs) Keller, of Dover township.

H. C. Spahr was brought to Dover town- ship when two years of age. He attended the township schools until twenty-one years old, assisting his father on the farm. In 1884 he married Emma Keller, a sister of Mr. Spahr's brother's wife, whose parents were prosperous farmers of Dover township. After marriage Mr. Spahr located on the farm which he now occupies, which consists of ninety acres of fine farm land near Davidsburg, the land formerly belonging to Mr. Spahr's father, of whom he purchased it. The children born to H. C. and Emma Spahr are as follows: Annie B., Rosa A., Henry C., Earl William, John C. and Otto E., all at home; and C. Ervin, a very bright young man, who is teaching school in Dover township, having attended the Y. C. N. of the York County Academy.

In politics Mr. Spahr is a Democrat, and is now efficiently filling the position of town- ship clerk. In the Lutheran Church, of which he is a consistent and valued member, he has served as deacon. Mr. Spahr is a man who commands the respect of his neighbors, and has a large circle of warm personal friends. The family is one of high standing in the com- munity.

WILLIAM SHAFFER, a farmer of Windsor township, York county, was born in York township, July 8, 1852, son of Jacob and Elizabeth ( Hovis) Shaffer.

Jacob Shaffer, the paternal grandfather, owned a small farm in Codorus township. He died quite early in life, and his widow married Jacob Miller, while her children were still young.

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Jacob Shaffer, Jr., was born on the Codo- rus farm in 1820; as he grew older he worked as a day laborer, and then acquired a farm in York township where he passed his life. He married Miss Elizabeth Hovis, born in Spring- field township. His death occurred in 1866, and hers in 1894. They were the parents of ten children, two of whom died young, namely : Jacob, deceased; Josiah; Barbara, Mrs. Sam- uel Ryder ; Sarah; Malvina; Lucy, Mrs. Henry Grothe; Elizabeth, Mrs. Albert Geisleman ; William; Caroline, Mrs. Jeremiah Lentz; and Emanuel, of York county, who married Miss Ida Stine.

William Shaffer was sent to the township schools until he was sixteen years of age, al- though for the last two years of that time he was really the head of the family, as his father had died. He never enjoyed school and would always rather work on the farm than go. So he stayed on with his widowed mother and managed the farm. In 1882 he bought his present farm, originally a tract of fifty- one acres, to which he has added until he now possesses ninety-six acres. He has made many improvements on the place, and is a pro- gressive and up-to-date farmer, with a most beautiful home.

Mr. Shaffer was married, in 1881, to Miss Rachel Dietz, daughter of Jacob Dietz, of Springetsbury township, and they are the par- ents of two children, Mazie D., and Chauncey W. In politics Mr. Shaffer is a Democrat, and in religion he has been, since the age of nineteen, a member of the Lutheran Church. He has made his own way in the world by honest toil and perseverance, and has gained the respect of the entire community.

MYRON S. SULLIVAN, of York, is a descendant of Cornelius Sullivan, who was born in 1749, and emigrated from Ireland to the Province of Maryland. He enlisted in the Maryland Line, from Frederick county, Md., Dec. 25, 1776, and served gallantly throughout the Revolutionary war. After the war he lo- cated near Manchester, Carroll Co., Md., where he died, being buried in Kreider's churchyard. He was married, but the number of children born to him and his wife is not known to a certainty, though it is thought that there were three, Jacob, Daniel and Cornelius by name.

Jacob Sullivan married a Miss Hoffman, and they had ten children, one of whom. Jacob

(2), married Margaret Ann King, whose grandmother was a sister of Capt. John Bear, a commander in the Pennsylvania Line during the Revolutionary war, and whose other sister married the father of Daniel Boone, the cele- brated Kentucky pioneer. Jacob Sullivan (2) was the father of : Nicholas King: Jesse Clay ; Theodore Jacob; Amos G .; Albert C .; two daughters who died in infancy; and Mary E., who married James St. Clair, a Kentuckian, who died in Carson City, Nev., his wife dying few years later at her father's home in Peru, Indiana.

Jacob Sullivan (2) had learned the car- riagemaking business in Maryland with A. Caylor, and had conducted a business there, and upon removing to Peru, Ind., went into busi- ness at that place with his son, Theodore Jacob, until his death, which occurred in 1887, when he was aged seventy-eight years, six days. The business was merged into what is now known as the Sullivan & Eagle Carriage Co., Peru.

Nicholas King Sullivan was born at Wake- field, Md., Jan. 28, 1834, and learned carriage- building with his father, succeeding to the busi- ness at Wakefield. Here he remained until 1865, when he removed to Peru, Ind. After a stay of only two years there, however, he re- moved to Baltimore, Md., and in 1879 came to York. Pa., where he made his home and en- gaged in the blacksmith's trade, retiring some years ago. The family affiliated with the Pres- byterian Church. In 1862 Mr. Sullivan mar- ried Miss Mary Elizabeth Lambert, daughter of Jesse and Julia ( Mitten) Lambert, of New Windsor, Carroll Co., Md., and they became the parents of the following children: Jessie Correna, who married S. J. Greenwalt, of York; Myron Seward; Elsie Alma, at home ; Julia E., the widow of William J. Nes, of North Beaver street ; Sterling St. Clair ; Homer DeWitt; and one child who died in infancy.

Myron Seward Sullivan, of the baking firm of Sullivan Bros., was born in Wakefield, Md., Nov. 20, 1865, and received his education in the public schools. At the age of thirteen years he started to learn the baking business with Herman Sauppe, of York. He worked at the trade as journeyman until 1899, when the pres- ent firm of Sullivan Bros. was formed, and the business established on South George street, where they remained six months. They then removed to Penn street. for one year, and thence to Philadelphia street, where they re-

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

mained two years. Their next removal was to South Water street, their present location being at Nos. 222-226, which place they pur- chased of Amos E. Reiker, with whom they were formerly employed. Here they have built up a flourishing trade and represent the best in their line of business. They are among the most active young business men of York.

In 1885 Myron S. Sullivan married Sallie C. Angell, of Taneytown, Md., and they have four children : Mearl Irwin died in childhood; James Walter died in childhood; William Ells- worth and Margaret Irene are at home.

Sterling St. Clair Sullivan is engaged with his brother Myron Seward in the baking busi- ness of Sullivan Bros. He was born in Price- ville, Baltimore Co., Md., July 20, 1876, and received his education in the public schools of York. At the age of twelve years he became a carrier for the York Gazette, being one of that paper's first carriers. When fourteen years old he secured a position at Pentz' Photograph Gallery as general utility boy, and soon after worked as office boy. He was then employed by the York Daily, as carrier, and then went to learn the baking business with his brother. He was employed by Fox & Bro. prior to the establishment of the present firm of Sullivan Brothers.

In religion Mr. Sullivan is a member of the Lutheran Church. He is a member of York Lodge, No. 213, B. P. O. E.

JOHN NESS, who is actively engaged in working his farm in Manchester township, lo- cated along the Board road, about one and one- half miles north of York, was born June 7, 1863, in West Manchester township, son of Noah and Sarah (Hoke) Ness.

Jacob Ness, great-grandfather of John, was born in Germany, and came to America, set- tling in Shrewsbury township, York county, Pa., where he learned the wagonmaking trade and later went to farming. To himself and wife these children were born: Jacob, Jr., was a farmer of Ohio, where he died; Daniel died in Springfield township; Hannah died in York township; Elizabeth married Philip Hilder-

brand and died in Springfield township; Susan married Caspar Hilderbrand, and died in the same township; Christian died in York; Polly died in Springfield township; John died in Springfield township; Adam died in the same township; Mathias; and Joseph followed a coopering business.

Mathias Ness was born Feb. 24, 1801, in Shrewsbury township, and learned the carpen- ter's trade with a Mr. Swartz, following that occupation for about fifteen years. He mar- ried Elizabeth Myers, who was born Aug. 27, 1804, and died April 23, 1873, daughter of Christian and Annie (Eby) Myers, of Lancas- ter. After his marriage Mr. Ness located in Springfield township, and later went to West Manchester township, where he bought a tract of 200 acres of land, located about three miles southwest of York, where he died Aug. 23, 1879, and both he and his wife are buried at Bear's Meeting House in West Manchester township.

Noah Ness, son of Mathias, was born in West Manchester township, and received a common school education. He worked at farm- ing for his father, and later took his father's farm. In 1900 he went to York, where he en- gaged in the ice business from 1900 to 1903, and then engaged in the feed business, on Bel- videre street. In 1858 Mr. Ness married Sarah Hoke, who was born in West Manches- ter township, daughter of Herman and Eliza- beth ( Free) Hoke. Her death occurred in 1895 and she was buried at Green Mount cemetery. The children born to this couple were: Adam, who married Millie Shaeffer, is engaged in the ice business and lives on King street, York; Annie married William Kauffman, a farmer of Springetsbury township; John; Lucy married Joseph Sprenkle, and lives in York; Sallie died in infancy, and was buried at Bear's Meeting House in West Manchester township; Amanda died in infancy, and was buried in West Man- chester township; Noah, Jr., married Annie Altland, and is engaged in the milk business in York; Matilda married L. Lewis, an em- ployee of the York Manufacturing Co .; Emma married Henry W. Christ, and she died in York, and was buried at the Green Mount cemetery; Thomas married Sadie Landers, and lives in York; and Rebecca married Clay- ton Miller, who is in the lime and stone busi- ness in Jackson township.

John Ness attended the public schools of West Manchester township, and remained at home with his father on the farm until his mar- riage which occurred in the year of 1887. . He married Sarah A. Brillhart, daughter of Jacob and Rebecca (Yost) Brillhart, and after his marriage located where he now resides. He has built a fine home about one and one-half miles north of York along the Board road, and

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is considered one of Manchester township's most prosperous farmer citizens. These chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ness : Herman B., who attends school in York; and Charles B., at home. Mr. Ness is a devout member of the German Baptist Church, having been connected with that religious organization since 1892.

PETER A. NAGLE, of Washington township, York county, was born in 1851, in Baltimore, Md., son of Conrad and Maria (Hoefling) Nagle.

Conrad Nagle was born in Germany where he attended school and learned the shoemak- ing trade. When he emigrated to America he landed in Baltimore, Md., in 1848, and lived in that city until 1859, when he removed to New Oxford, Adams Co., Pa., and there followed his trade until his death. He was a good me- chanic, and was a man who commanded the respect of all who knew him. He died in 1889, at the age of sixty-four years. He married Maria Hoefling, who died aged seventy-three years, and both are buried at the New Oxford cemetery, in Adams county. They had these children : Conrad H., J. B., Elizabeth, Mar- garet and Peter A.

Peter A. Nagle was educated in the schools of Baltimore and New Oxford until he was fif- teen years old, and then he learned the shoe- making trade under his father, which he fol- lowed off and on until 1892. In 1871 he en- listed in the United States army, and became a member of Company K, Ist United States Artillery, and remained in the service three months and seventeen days. His abbreviated time was on account of an accident which hap- pened to him at Fort Riley, Kans., he being thrown from a horse he was riding to water. His accident was a very serious one, his skull being fractured, and he was confined in a hos- pital for four weeks, and still feels some effects of it. The government gives him a liberal pen- sion. After he recovered enough to engage in any travel he made a visit to Ohio, where he remained. a year, and then returned to Adams county. From late in 1872 until 1884 he con- tinted to work at his trade, and then bought a tract of six acres of land from Jacob Smith, in Washington township, and settled on it. To that he later added twenty-three acres which he bought of M. L. Strayer. This land he has improved and built upon, and he is very much

interested in his farming operations. He has made a scientific study of agriculture and fre- quently lectures at the Farmers' Institutes held in York. He has a well-cultivated little farm and makes a specialty of fruit.

Mr. Nagle married Mary Howell, a daugh- ter of Benjamin and Amanda (Lockman) Howell. The Howells were residents of New Oxford, and were members of the Society of Friends. Mrs. Nagle died in 1891, and was buried at the Red Run Church in Washington township. They had these children : Clayton, who is employed in York; Isaac Newton, who is employed in the same works as his brother; Bessie, the wife of Calvin Pentz, of York; Helen, wife of William Rauhouser, of York; and James M., at home. Mr. Nagle was mar- ried (second) to Maria Bair. In politics Mr. Nagle is a stanch Republican. He is a very in- telligent man, one who keeps thoroughly in- formed concerning all matters of public interest and holds very decided opinions on political and social economy, and religion. His especial comfort and consolation in his later years, and enfeebled health, are his wife and step-daugh- ter, Elsie Bair, who bestow upon him more than ordinary kindness and care.

DANIEL J. DEHOFF, a prosperous cigar manufacturer, is one of the self-made citizens of Hellam township. From small beginnings, with few advantages, and in the face of many discouragements, he has made his way to a position of comfort and influence.

The Dehoff family came originally from France, but little is known of their history be- fore coming to this country. Grandfather John Dehoff was a farmer all his life, and is known to have died in Windsor township, near the Hellam township line. He had a family of sixteen children. His brother, Jacob, was also a farmer, and settled in the Peach Bottom district.

George Dehoff, father of Daniel J., was born in York county, and spent much of his life, early and late, in Hellam township. After his marriage, to Catherine Dietz, he lived part of the time in York county, and part of the time in Adams county, engaged in farming. His last years were spent in Hellam township, where he died in October, 1897. His wife died in 1894. They were both members of the Re- formed Church. They had the following chil- dren : Anna, who is Mrs. Morris McQuirk,

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

of York; Lizzie, who is Mrs. Frederick High- life. He and his wife, Sarah ( Malone) Dror- land, of Hellam township; George, who lives in baugh, both died at the old home, and were buried in a cemetery near Lewisberry. Their children were: Catherine, Sarah, Mary and William. York : Daniel J., who is mentioned below ; Wil- liam, who lives in Hellam township; Samuel, who lives in Lancaster county; Emery, who lives in Hellam township; Clinton, who lives in York; Oliver and Charles, deceased; and Catherine, who is Mrs. Wesley Bulet, of Hel- lam township.

Daniel J. Dehoff was born April 15, 1866, in Adams county, Pa., but grew up in Hellam, where he attended the public schools. He was the oldest boy, and his father was poor, so that he was obliged to go to work very early in life. As a boy he did farm work, and when he was twenty-one he went to work for J. W. Gable, where he was variously employed. While with Mr. Gable he learned cigarmaking, and in 1892 started in the cigar business for himself. He took his parents to live with him, and worked hard to make a home, and to save so that he might increase his business. When he had saved $4,600 he built a home. He started his cigar factory in a small house back of his home, and in 1902 put up his present place of business, the buildings costing $4,000. He began with one or two helpers, which he soon increased to six, then to eight, and now he employs steadily ten and twelve. Me manu- factures many grades of cigars and does a large and thriving business.

In September, 1895, Mr. Dehoff married Melinda Myers, of Yorkana, daughter of Mil- ton and Mary (Keller) Myers, both of whom are living. One child, Milton Myers, has been born to this union. The family are members of the Reformed Church, in which communion Mr. Dehoff was brought up. In political faith he is a Democrat. He has had many discour- agements in life, but has never allowed himself to succumb to them. Hard work and perse- verance have been his watchwords, and through them he has won.

ADAM DRORBAUGH. With the tran- sition from Germany to America many a name alters its form and adopts the American pro- nunciation that brings with it a change in spell- ing. Thus the name Drorbaugh, long a famil- iar one in York county, was originally Tror- baugh.

Adam Drorbaugh, the paternal grandfather of his namesake, was one of the early residents of Fairview township, where he owned a farm of 140 acres upon which he passed his whole

William Drorbaugh was born March 8, 1804, in Fairview township, and, like his father, was a lifelong farmer. He married Miss Maria Boyer, daughter of a Revolution- ary patriot whose burial place is near his old home on Ball's Hills. After their marriage Mr. Drorbaugh and his wife located on a farm in his native township, and there passed their lives. For the three years before his death, which occurred in 1873, he led a retired life. His wife survived him till Jan. 2, 1892, and the remains of both are interred in the cemetery of the Brick Church, in Fairview township. Mr. Drorbaugh was a prominent Democrat in his political views, and at one time served as township supervisor. The children were as follows : Emeline, who died in April, 1903, the wife of George F. Sheaffer ; Adam; David, who married Minora Witmore, of Indiana; Christiana, who died young; Sarah, who died aged twenty-five; Eliza, Mrs. Jeremiah Gris- singer, of Fairview township; and Annie, Mrs. James Starr, of Lisbon, Cumberland county.

Adam Drorbaugh was born on his father's farm Aug. 3, 1832, and until he was twenty years of age attended the Navoo school, also assisting his father in the work on the home- stead. In August, 1857, he married and started farming on his own account, an occu- pation which has absorbed most of his atten- tion since. His first wife was Miss Barbara Ann Fisher, daughter of Love Fisher. Mrs. Drorbaugh died two years after their marriage, and was buried in Emanuel cemetery. The only child of the union was Justinana, who is now the wife of Henry L. Holtman and lives near Lewisberrry. In 1862 Mr. Drorbaugh was again united in matrimony, to Miss Anna Maria Hoover, daughter of Peter and Eliza- beth (Shoff ) Hoover, of York county. She bore her husband the following children: Da- vid H., a carpenter in Harrisburg, who mar- ried Miss Lillie Hoover : Elmer E., a plasterer ; Charles F., who married Miss Jennie Coble and lives on his father's Fairview farm ; Elijah H., who married Miss Angeline Pathmore, and is a Fairview farmer; Lee, at home; and Mary Elsie, Mrs. Harry L. Fisher, of Fairview town- ship.

Adam Drorbaugh supports the Demo-

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BIOGRAPHICAL

cratic party, and has served efficiently as tax collector. He attends the Lutheran Church. He is an honest, upright and hard-working man, and is much respected throughout the township.

MARTIN L. VAN BAMAN, the well- known representative of Bradstreet in York, is descended from a very old and distinguished family of Germany, his father's brother having been a judge of the courts of Hildesheim. Prov- ince of Hanover, Germany. Another relative, Col. Carl von Boehmen, commanded the First Cavalry Regiment in the German army that entered Paris after its evacuation in the Fran- co-Prussian war. Ludwig von Boehmen, his grandfather, was burgemeister of Hildesheim.

Charles Augustus von Boehman, the father of our subject, was banished from Germany for participation in the political revolution which terminated in the banishment of Carl Shurz and others. Coming to America, he settled in Pennsylvania, near East Prospect, where he ried Amelia Floeckher, of Hanover, Germany, also of a very old and distinguished family, and there were five children born to this union : Amelia, who died in St. Louis, in 1890; The- resa, who died in Columbia, in the spring of 1894: Charlotte, who married William Oliver. of Harrisburg; Frances, a widow; and Mar- tin L.

Martin L. Van Baman was born in East Prospect Dec. 23, 1843, and received his educa- tion in the public schools of York. For many years past he has been the careful, intelligent and efficient representative of Bradstreet for York, Adams. Cumberland. Lancaster and Franklin counties. In politics Mr. Van Baman is a Democrat, and was a member of the select council of York, from the Eighth ward, for four terms, aggregating sixteen years, during which time he served on the committees of Fi- nance, Public Building and Grounds and Fire.

In 1872 Mr. Van Baman was one of the organizers of the Rescue Fire Co., of York. of which he is now, and has been for many years. president. In 1896 he was the organizer of the Firemen's Relief Association. which started with sixteen members and $60 in money. It now has over 800 members and more than $9,000 in the treasury. In 1898 Mr. Van Ba- man organized the board of Park Commission- ers, of which he was made secretary. The

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 155

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