History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 156

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

USA > Pennsylvania > York County > History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 156

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

board is now constituted as follows : A. B. Far- quhar, president ; George P. Smyser: Henry Small : Benjamin Allison ; and our subject, and their labors have resulted in the development of York's city parks, to an extent that they are today a credit to the City and the State.

Mr. Van Baman married Mary Catherine Frank. daughter of Lieut. W. F. Frank, of York, who served in the war of the Rebellion, and nine children have been born to this union : Two who died in childhood ; Margaret H., who married Charles W. Floeckher, a flour and feed dealer of Washington, D. C .: Mary Lou- ise, who married W. C. Foley, one of the super- intendents of the Newport News Ship Building and Dry Dock Company ; W. Walter, an attor- ney-at-law; Ernest G., a stenographer of New York City ; Carl F., superintendent of the con- struction of submarine boats of the Lake Sub- marine Boat Co., in St. Petersburg, Russia ; and Meta F. and S. Catherine, at home. The mother of these children died in May, 1902.

Mr. Van Baman belongs to the Royal Ar- practiced medicine until his death. He mar- . canum and the Ancient Order of United Work- men. He is a consistent member of the Trin- ity Reformed Church. Possessed of a high order of intelligence and untiring in anything that he undertakes to accomplish, Mr. Van Baman's labors for the betterment of the peo- ple of York have naturally met with signal success.

JOSIAH BESHORE, the experienced tel- egrapher operating the M. R. tower with the Northern Central Railroad at the Falls Sta- tion, Newberry township, York county, was born in 1860, in East Manchester township, and belongs to an old family of this county, extended mention of which will be found else- where.

Mr. Beshore attended the township schools until fourteen years of age, and remained as- sisting his father on the home farm until 1879, when he learned the business of telegraph op- erator with the N. C. R. R. In 1891 he was stationed in the tower as operator, at Falls Station, and this responsible position he has held ever since. He bought the old John M. Hess farm at the Falls, and operates this in connection with his telegraphic duties.

In 1883 Mr. Beshore married Susan Whis- tler, daughter of John and Nancy B. Whistler. both of whom died in Dauphin county. Their children were: Mrs. Beshore; John L., chief

856

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

burgess of Middletown; Solomon; Elias B.,

JOHN W. HOFFMAN, a prominent citi- living on Whistler Island at York Haven ; and zen of Wellsville, York county, who conducts Josiah. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Be- a blacksmith shop, was born July 18, 1867, in ( Brougher) Hoffman. shore are: Bertha, Edith, Elsie, Clarence, Adams county, son of Michael and Sarah Russell and Florence, all at home. While a resident of East Manchester township, Mr. Beshore served as school director in his com- munity, and was a leading citizen. In politics he is a Republican. He belongs to the U. B. Church.

KELLER HISTORY. The Keller family is of German extraction and the founder of this hon- orable old family came to America and settled in Manchester township, York Co., Pa. Here he died and was buried in the old Mennonite cemetery in that township.

Christian Keller, the grandfather of Mrs. Jacob Beshore, was born in 1752, and died in August, 1826. He married Elizabeth Grove and they had children: John, who died in Canada; Christian; Maria; Elizabeth; Susan; Mattie ; and Annie.

Christian Keller (2), the father of Mrs. Ja- cob Beshore, was born June 3, 1799, in1 Manchester township, where he followed farm- ing. He married Elizabeth Bear, daughter of Michael and Catherine ( Witmer ) Bear, and he died in this township, aged forty-four years, Sept. 29, 1843. She was born Feb. 18, 1793, and died Aug. 18, 1872, aged seventy-nine years and six months, and both were buried in the old Mennonite cemetery mentioned. Their children were: Michael, born Dec. 22, 1820, who died July 12, 1868, and is buried in Manchester township; Daniel, who died in the West, aged eighty-two years; Christian, who lives in Dover township, aged eighty years; Jacob, born in Manchester township in 1827; Elizabeth, who married Peter Royer, of Mary- land, and both died in the West ; and Catherine, the wife of Jacob Beshore and mother of Josiah Beshore.

Rev. Jacob Keller became connected with the Dunkard Church at the age of twenty years, and in that denomination he has been a preacher for over fifty years. He married Mary Wombaugh, who died in Manchester township, and is buried in the old Mennonite cemetery. Mr. Keller now lives in retirement near Manchester.

Catherine, wife of Jacob Beshore, was born Sept. 6, 1825, and died April 26, 1903, and was laid to rest in the same old Mennonite cem- etery where have been buried so many members of this old family.

Michael Hoffman is a native of Pennsylva- nia, being born on the line between York and Adams counties, and was educated in the pub- lic schools. He engaged in agricultural pur- suits early in life and followed this occupation until his retirement from active life several years ago, and he now lives in Warrington township. He was the owner of a fine farm, which he sold in 1884. He and his wife Sarah were the parents of the following chil- dren: Sarah A., John W., Michael L. and Willis F. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman were mem- bers of the United Brethren Church, in which faith she died in 1897, aged fifty-seven years. In politics Mr. Hoffman is a Republican. He had been previously married to Sarah Gardner, by whom he had two children, Isaac and Mary .. Mrs. Hoffman had also been previously mar- ried to Henry Rensill, by whom she became the mother of one child, Henrietta.

John W. Hoffman received his education in the common schools of York county, and after completing his schooling, being sixteen years of age, learned the blacksmith's trade under F. F. Weigert, with whom he remained two years and seven months. He then opened a shop in Perry county, where he remained five years, selling out at the end of that time and removing to Rockville, where he engaged on iron bridge work for Drake & Stratton, remaining with that concern for two years. He then opened a shop at Emig's Mill, and in 1902 located in Wellsville, and built his present residence and shop, where he has been successfully engaged ever since. Mr. Hoffman has been very suc- cessful in a business way and has worked his way to the front among thie business men, sole- ly through his own untiring efforts.

Mr. Hoffman was united in marriage with Miss Arra M. Speck, daughter of Henry Speck. In religion this couple are liberal. In politics Mr. Hoffman is a Republican, and has always taken an active interest in the success of his party. He is well regarded in Wellsville.

ADAM R. WARNER, the well-known miller and rake-maker of Manheim town- ship. York county, was born in Codorus township, in 1850, son of John Warner, a prominent farmer of that township, who

857

BIOGRAPHICAL

died aged forty-five years. John War- sor township; Isaac, a retired farmer, living in ner married Elizabeth Rohrbaugh, daugh- ter of Henry Rohrbaugh, and these chil- dren were born to the union: Henry, Mary and Jacob, all of Illinois; John, of Codorus township; and Adam R., of Manheim town- ship. Mrs. Warner, after the death of her first husband, married Samuel Baylor, and they had two children, Samuel and Lizzie.

Adam R. Warner spent his school days in Manheim township, and there learned the car- penter's trade, which he followed for about seven years, and then went to farming in West Manheim township, remaining there until 1901. He then bought the old Stine mill prop- erty in Manheim township, with seven acres of land, and has one of the most up-to-date mills in the county. He has also built several out- buildings. He makes flour, feed and bran, and is also a skilled rake-maker, his yearly output being from 600 to 800 rakes. He has followed the latter for thirty-three years, and finds a ready market at Hanover. He also has a sawmill and cider press in connection with his mill.

Mr. Warner was married, in 1873, to Man- tilla Hoffacker, daughter of John W. Hoff- acker, and these children have been born to the union : Harvey M. and Minerva C. (twins) ; Albert T .; John G. W .; Adam L .; Celesta C .; Claude J .; Jacob E .; Bertha M .; Ezra M .; and William H. and Emery B., deceased. In politics Mr. Warner is a Democrat.

MILTON RUBY KAUFFMAN, a promi- nent and successful farmer and highly esteemed citizen of Dover township, where he owns 106 acres of good land, situated about two miles west of Dover borough, near Strayer's Church, was born Feb. 9. 1855. in Windsor township, York county, son of Henry and Charlotte (Ruby) Kauffman.

The great-grandfather of our subject came from Lancaster county. and settled in Spring Garden township, York county, where he fol- lowed farming until his death.

Joseph Kauffman, the grandfather, was born in Spring Garden township, where he followed farming all of his life. He married Susan Sprenkle, and she died in the same town- ship. where they are both buried in the Men- nonite graveyard. The children born to this worthy couple were : Henry, father of our sub- ject : Joseph, a retired farmer, living in Wind-

Spring Garden township; Emanuel, who died at his home in West Philadelphia street, York, and is buried in the Mennonite graveyard, Spring Garden township: Israel and Mary, re- tired farmers, living in Spring Garden town- ship; John, a retired farmer, who lives in York; Sarah, who married Michael Smyser and re- sides in York; Susan, who married Eli Kindig. and lived in Philadelphia until her death in 1905, and was buried in the Mennonite grave- yard; and Martin, who lives in Philadelphia.

Henry Kauffman was born in 1824. in Spring Garden township, and remained at home until after his marriage to Charlotte Ruby, dughter of John and Elizabeth ( Beck- er) Ruby, of York county. He then started farming in Windsor township, on a 120-acre farm, which his father bought for him, and remained there about twenty-four years. He then went to West Manchester township, where he bought a limestone farm of 112 acres, which he farmed until 1886, and lived there retired until his death in August. 1896. Mrs. Kauff- man died there also in February, 1886; and they are both buried in Spring Garden town- ship, in the Mennonite graveyard. Mr. Kauffman was a Mennonite, while his wife was a Dunkard. Their children were as follows: Ephraim, who married Isabella Smyser, and died in April. 1898. being buried at Prospect Hill cemetery, York: Anna Mary, who died when eight years of age; Milton Ruby, our subject; Cassandra, who married Michael Miller, and lives in Wind- sor township; Henry, who married Sarah Hoke, and died June 21, 1893, in West Man- chester township, and was buried at Green Mount cemetery : Elizabeth, who married Sam- uel Baker, of Adams county, and lives on the old homestead: Samuel, married to Lizzie Kohr. and living in York : Harriet. living with Susan Ruby in Hellam township: Sarah, mar- ried to Charles H. Stonner, and living in Hel- lam township; and Emma, who married Abra- ham Hersh, and lives in Windsor township.

Milton Ruby Kauffman attended the schools of Windsor and West Manchester townships, and on Feb. 6, 1881. he married Anna Maria Fahs, daughter of William Henry and Anna M. E. ( Fishel) Fahs, of Manchester township. She was born Feb. 19. 1858. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Kauffman located in York, where they remained twelve years. and

858

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

where Mr. Kauffman engaged in the machine becca, who married Stephen Morgan Smith, business, being a skilled mechanic. In 1893 lives in West York. they came to their present home, Mrs. Kauff- man having fallen heir to the property. Later Mr. Kauffman purchased a small tract adjoin- ing the 106 acres, which was the original farm. A great many improvements have been made since they took charge of the place, and the property is now one of the best cultivated in the township. It is located about two miles west of Dover borough, near Strayer's Church.

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Kauff- man are as follows : ( I) Charles F., born Nov. 7, 1884, attended York Academy, and Millers- ville State Normal school. He began teaching school in 1904. His specialty is history. He has a fine collection of historical relics, which he has gathered from various places. (2) Susan Ellen, born Oct. 18, 1886, attended Lin- den Hall seminary at Lititz, and the State Nor- mal school at Millersville, Lancaster county. (3) Elmer Frederick, born Sept. 1I, 1893, is developing a taste for history and is also mak- ing a collection of relics. (4) Clara Eliza- beth was born March 25, 1897.

Mr. Kauffman is a stanch Republican, in the service of this party being an active worker. Mrs. Kauffman is a valued member of the Mo- ravian Church of York. Mr. Kauffman is a thorough business man, honest and upright in all his dealings and of much executive ability. He supports all good movements in the com- munity, and is regarded as one of the leading and representative citizens of Dover township.

FAHS. The Fahis family, to which Mrs. Kauffman belongs, is of Swiss origin. John Fahs, her grandfather, settled in West Man- chester township, where he owned a tract of 150 acres, and there farmed for a number of years, removing to York to live a retired life. He died at the age of eighty-one years and is buried at Prospect Hill cemetery. He married Susan Elizabeth Ilgenfritz, and she died in York, and was interred with her husband. Their children were as follows: William Henry; Sarah lives in York, with her brother, Capt. John Fahs; Charles, a prominent physi- cian, who married Elizabeth Dean, of Vir- ginia, died in Selma, Ala., of yellow fever ; Susan E. married Gibson Smith, and resides at No. 419 West Market street, York; Mary married Martin Wiegel, and died in March, 1903, being buried at Prospect Hill cemetery ; Captain John lives in York; and Emma Re-

William Henry Fahs, father of Mrs. Kauff- man, received a common school education in the schools of the township, and remained at home until his marriage to Anna Maria Fishel, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Brill- hart) Fishel, of Paradise township, York county. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Fahs. located on the homestead, and followed farming until Mr. Fahs' death, which occurred in his forty-ninth year. Mrs. Fahs died at the age of forty-one and they are both interred at the Prospect Hill cemetery. The children born to William Henry Fahs and his wife were: Charles F., who married Katie E. Ben- der, and is in the land speculating business at Omaha, Neb .; John Augustus, who died in infancy; Ellen Elizabeth, who lives in York; and Mrs. Kauffman, the youngest of the family.

HENRY EPPLEY, a prominent, self- made farmer of York county, who is working his fine 133-acre farm in Newberry township, was born in 1848 in York township, York county, son of George and Mary (Piffer) Ep- pley.

George Eppley came from England and settled in Codorus township, where he followed farming near Seven Valley, later removing to Stewartstown, where he died. He married Mary Piffer, who died in Newberry township, where she was buried, and they were the par- ents of the following children: George; Ed- ward; Henry; Jacob; William, a farmer in Conewago township, York county; Levi; Columbus ; Sarah ; Louisa ; John and Annie.

Henry Eppley attended the schools of Co- dorns township until he was eleven years of age, and then started working on farms in the vicinity. This work he followed until he was twenty-three years old,when he married Lydia Miller, daughter of George and Elizabeth Mil- ler, and they located in Manchester township- There Mr. Eppley engaged in farming, remain- ing there until 1884, in which year he came to Newberry township. By this time he had accumulated enough to buy a fine farm of 133 acres, which he has since .very successfully farmed. Mr. Eppley has good substantial buildings on his place and each year is making improvements that are raising in value an al- ready valuable piece of property. He owes

859

BIOGRAPHICAL

his success to his tireless energy, his excellent year. He then hired out for three years, at tlie management and the thrift he has always dis- played. He is a self-made man, and as such is highly esteemed by all who know him.

To Mr. and Mrs. Eppley the following named children have been born: Charles, who is deceased; Minnie, living in Harrisburg ; George, living at Washington, D. C .; Burt, de- ceased ; Harry, who is now at Bon View, Lan- caster Co., Pa., where he is engaged at work on the railroad, running a hoisting engine; How- ard; Cora; Elmer; Paris; Mabel, at home; Annie, deceased; and Millard, deceased.

In politics Mr. Eppley is a Democrat. In religious connection he is a consistent member of the Quickel Church of Conewago township.

WILLIAM A. MYERS was the son of David M. and Mary (Slagle) Myers. He was married, Oct. 13, 1869, to Miss Ellen L. Smy- ser, daughter of E. G. Smyser. Of the chil- dren born to their union there are living three sons and three daughters, David M., Edward G. Smyser, William H., Mary J., Sarah E. and Susan Smyser.

LEANDER K. BORTNER, of Manheim township, was born in Codorus township, May 4, 1865, son of Lewis G. Bortner, and grand- son of Jacob Bortner, a prominent farmer and distiller of Codorus township, where he died. Jacob Bortner married Catherine Gerberick, who also died in Codorus township, where both are buried in the Stone Church. Their chil- dren were: Catherine, the wife of Peter Rohr- baugh; Lewis G .; Jacob; Daniel; Amos; Emanuel; Charles; Levi; Lucy Ann; Julia; and Mantilla, who married Jesse Deveney.

Lewis G. Bortner was born in Codorus township, where he followed farming. He was a large land owner there, and died aged seven- ty-seven years. He married Elizabeth Krebs, daughter of John Krebs, and she died in 1905, both she and her husband being buried at the Stone Church, Codorus township. They had these children : Levi K., who married Rebecca Emig; Julia, the widow of Henry Werner; Saranda, wife of Edward Rohrbaugh; Lean- der K., our subject ; George W., who married Tursie Rohrbaugh; and Jacob, Lewis and Catherine, deceased.

Leander K. Bortner attended the township schools until twenty years of age, and remained at home with his father until his twenty-first

end of which time he began farming on E. M. Bailey's farm in Codorus township,remain- ing there three years. In 1893 he bought the A. D. Manchley farm of thirty-three acres, upon which he has made many improvements. This is located in Manheim township, and Mr. Bortner is also in charge of the creamery at Marburg, for S. B. Brodbeck, taking charge of that business in 1904.

Mr. Bortner married Miss Ellen Sue Gar- rett, daughter of Henry and Sarah (Rohr- baugh) Garrett, and to this union two children have been born: John L., who attended the academy at Glenville, is now teaching in Manheim township, at the Summit school; and Wilson G. is attending school. Mr. Bortner is a Democrat, and is now serving the township as school di- rector. For two years he was president of the board, of which he is now treasurer. In religion he is a Lutheran, and has served as deacon in the church.

Henry Garrett, the father of Mrs. Bort- ner, was for many years a farmer in Heidel- berg township, and is now living a retired life at York Road Station. His children were: Agnes, wife of Martin Kaltreider; Amanda, wife of Jacob Markel; John; Ellen; Mrs. Daniel Renoll; Ada, wife of Irvin Thoman; Laura, wife of Daniel Snyder; Horatio; Ches- ter, and Harry.

S. L. SEIFERT, a prosperous merchant of Rossville, Warrington township, York coun- ty, was born near Mechanicsburg, Oct. 31, 1869, son of Peter and Sarah A. (Swean) Seifert, and grandson of Samuel Seifert.

Samuel Seifert was a native of York coun- ty, where he followed farming, and in early life drove a team to Baltimore. He and his wife were the parents of the following children : Emanuel, Levi, Samuel, Henry, Tempest, Leah, Peter, Andrew and Michael and Rebecca and Elizabeth, the two last named being de- ceased. In religious belief Mr. and Mrs. Sam- uel Seifert were Lutherans. In the matter of politics he was a Republican. His death oc- curred in 1892 at the age of eighty-three years, while his wife died in the same year. Samuel Seifert was a brother of the late Rev. Henry Seifert, a Lutheran minister, who died Aug. 26, 1905.

Peter Seifert, father of our subject, was

£60

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

a plasterer by trade, and also followed farm- ing. He bought the old Sechrist home in War- rington township, where he died in 1894 at the age of fifty-four years. Mrs. Seifert is still living on the old homestead. They were the parents of these children : Tempest ( deceased ), U. Grant, John A., Samuel L., Elizabeth and Bertha, deceased. In their religious views these people were Lutherans, while, like his father, Mr. Seifert always voted the Republican ticket.

Samuel L. Seifert received his education in Mt. Airy, York county, and after his school days were over went to work on the farm, following agricultural pursuits until twenty- eight years of age, when he went into business at Mt. Airy postoffice, Fortney, and was ap- pointed postmaster in President Mckinley's administration. Here he remained four years and then sold out and located in Rossville, in 1902. and built his place of business in 1903. Mr. Seifert has a full line of general merchan- dise. On Oct. 3, 1905, he was appointed post- master by President Roosevelt. His close and careful methods and careful management have made the business with which he is connected very prosperous, and he has gained the con- fidence of the community.

On May 12, 1898, Mr. Seifert married Miss Ida Sanders, and three children have been born to them, Bertha, Leah M. and Lawrence, the last named being deceased. They are mem- bers of the Evangelical Church. In political matters Mr. Seifert has always been identified with the Republican party, while fraternally he is connected with the P. O. S. of A.

REUBEN F. BARLEY, a retired farmer and highly respected citizen of Codorus town- ship. York county, was born in 1851 in Lower Windsor township, this county, a son of Will- iam Barley and a grandson of Mathias F. Barley.

Mathias F. Barley was born in Germany, and came to America in 1819. He had been employed in vineyards in his native land and was a competent gardener. The voyage across the ocean consumed twenty-one weeks, during which time the old sailing vessel encountered many storms and an accident happened to the ship, which was fast on a sand bar for seven weeks before being floated; there was great rejoicing at their release, after much fasting and praying, as their provisions had become

exhausted, and the passengers were finally landed safely in the port of Baltimore. There he remained but a short time, coming on to York county, Pa., where he passed the re- mainder of his life. His children were: Got- leib, Frederick, Jacob, John, Christian, a daughter and William. Jacob was born in mid-ocean.

William Barley, father of our subject, spent his early life in York and Windsor townships, and was a post-fence maker by trade. In 1856 he moved to Carroll county, Md., where he lived twenty-two years. After locating per- manently in Codorus township he followed farming until five years before his death, which occurred Feb. 10, 1899, when he was aged seventy-six years, four months and fourteen days. He lies buried in Baltimore county, Md. He was a worthy member of the U. B. Church and always took an active part in the work, being a leading official and a preacher of the Gospel. Mr. Barley was drafted twice during the Civil war. He married Eliza Sechrist, born July 4, 1824, daughter of Michael Se- christ and Elizabeth ( Heindel) Sechrist, and Mrs. Barley still makes her home with her son. the subject of this review. Though eighty-one years old and quite heavy, weighing two hun- dred and sixty-five pounds, she is active, and does her own housework. Mr. and Mrs. Bar- ley had children as follows: William H., of York township, near Ore Valley Station, on the Maryland & Pennsylvania railroad; John J., of Minnesota ; Reuben F., of Codorus town- ship ; Susan, who died aged twenty-four years ; Benjamin, a contractor in Kansas; Joshua, of Codorus township; Eliza, wife of G. W. Bor- der, of Codorus township; Elizabeth, who mar- ried (first) David Killen, and (second) Sam- uel Deitz, both deceased; Angeline S., wife of J. F. Gerver; and Leah, wife of William Heindel.

Reuben F. Barley attended the schools of Carroll county, Md., until eighteen years of age, and remained subject to his father until reaching maturity, after which he worked with an iron company for several years. Later he spent several years farming in the West, but coming home on a visit he stayed until the death of his father. Since then he lias resided with his venerable mother on a fine farm of forty-five acres close to Stick's store in Codorus township. They also own an excellent prop- erty at Jefferson borough.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 156

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