History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 164

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

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Edward D. Sterner passed his youth on the homestead farm, while he secured his rudimentary training in the village schools of Jefferson. In 1879 he matriculated at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, Md., where he remained a student for three years, at the end of that time beginning his prepara- tion for the medical profession, receiving his degree of M. D. in 1882. He first engaged in practice in Jefferson borough near his old home, and there continued most successfully until 1889. when in order to open a wider field of professional work, he came to York, and has built up a large and representative practice, standing in high esteem as a physician and public-spirited citizen. Fraternally he be- longs to the Knights of the Golden Eagle. He and his wife are members of the United Breth-

ren Church. In politics he is a Democrat, but has never been an aspirant for political prefer- ment.

On March 3, 1874, Dr. Sterner was mar- ried to Miss Lydia Spangler, daughter of Barnhart and Susan ( Asper) Spangler, hon- ored residents of Codorus township. She was born in Spangler's Valley, on the Gettysburg pike, Jan. 21, 1857. Their children were : Larrie E., who died in 1875; Margaret G. and Florence S., twins, the former dying in 1878, and the latter in 1875; Joseph Franklin, born Jan. 27, 1878; Edward Ammon, born Dec. 20, 1879; Charles Austin, born Feb. 5, 1882; and Mabel Irene, born Dec. 9, 1884.

BENJAMIN F. ALLISON, contractor and builder, is a native of York, born May 30, 1861, son of John and Eliza ( Musser) Allison.

John Allison was born in York county in 1820. He was a miller by trade, and, in part- nership with Eli Kendig, built and operated the Kendig mill. Later he had charge of Hoke's mill and then purchased John Spren- kle's mill property and conducted it till he was disabled by paralysis. Mr. Allison was a lead- ing member of the first United Brethren Church of York, served on its official board and in 1869 was one of the most active agents in the rebuilding of the church edifice. His life was most consistent with his profession, and he commanded the deepest respect from all who knew of his blameless conduct. He died Nov. 22, 1885, and his widow still survives him, making her home with her son Benjamin. She was a Miss Eliza Musser, a native of York county, like her husband. They were the parents of four children, viz. : Emma, Mrs. Abraham Mundis, residing at 252 South Penn street ; Amanda, deceased wife of John Ar- nold, of York; Lydia, Mrs. Alexander New- man, of York; and Benjamin F.

Benjamin F. Allison attended the York schools till he was eighteen and then began to learn the carpentry business in the planing mill and carpenter shop of Mr. Wantz. When this plant was destroyed by fire he took a position in the Shalls Car Shop but afterward joined his uncle A. K. Allison and was engaged with him in the management of a bakery for eight or nine years. He then returned to carpentry work and has since been engaged in that line. For some years he followed contracting and building on his own account but in March,

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

1905, entered the employ of A. M. Hake and W. Fielder, a barber on West Market street, Company and has since that date been the by whom she has one child. Mrs. Small is also erecting superintendent for the firm. A Re- a member of the first United Brethren Church and is a most estimable woman. publican in his political views, Mr. Allison has always been active in public affairs and for the past nine years has been assessor of the Ninth ward. He is a member of the Jr. O. U. A. M., No. 505, and is corresponding secretary of the Carpenters and Joiners Union, No. 1236.

Mr. Allison was married Feb. 29, 1884, to Miss Annie L. Small, and they have two chil- dren, namely : Minnie, employed in Mcclellan Brothers' store and living at home; and Elmer F., at school. The family belong to the Allison Memorial United Brethren Church and Mr. Allison has served on the official board.

Mrs. Allison was the daughter of John Frederick and Louisa Small, both born in Ger- many. The father was a native of Prussia, and the date of his birth was Sept. 29, 1816. He was the son of Frederick and Annie ( Druman ) Small, farming people who both died in Ger- many. The son came to America in 1838 and located in York, where he spent the greater part of his life. He worked at various em- ployments till he had accumulated enough to purchase a farm of twelve acres at Grantley, York county, where he lived from 1859 till 1871. He then moved to the present family residence at 37 North Penn street, where he built a good modern house. While en- gaged in farming, Mr. Small also carried Q11 quarrying, and the latter interest he retained throughout his active life, laying up thereby a comfortable property. He was one of the act- ive members of the first United Brethren Church and several times held positions on its official board. His death occurred Jan. 29, 1901, and was deeply regretted. His wife, Mrs. Louisa ( Hoffmeyer ) Small, who is still living in the old home, was born in Hanover, Germany, May 19, 1829, and came with her parents to America in her seventeenth year, settling in York. She was married to Mr. Small Dec. 7, 1845, and became the mother of eight children, three of whom died in in- fancy. The others were: Mary, deceased wife of Henry Ortmyer, of Adams county; Henry WV., who resides on North Newberry street, and is a manufacturer of suspenders; Annie L., Mrs. Allison; Charles E., a cigar maker, living on North Newberry street ; and Lucy, living with her mother, and married to George

The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Allison were Dietrich and Sophia ( Yost) Hoffmyer, who came to America in 1845, locating in York, where the rest of their active lives were spent. Mr. Hoffmyer was a tailor in Germany and after coming to America continued to fol- low that trade till he was over eighty years old, maintaining his business ability to the last. He and his wife were among the earliest mem- bers of the first United Brethren Church. Dietrich Hoffmyer passed away in 1879, aged eighty-three, surviving his wife eight years, as her death occurred in 1871 at the age of sev- enty-three. Their family included three chil- dren, namely : Frederick, for many years the head of a tailoring establishment in Balti- more; Sophia, wife of H. A. Kattcamp, of York,. both now deceased; and Louisa, Mrs. Small.

JOHN H. STAMBAUGH, general agent for the Baltimore Life Insurance Company, for York and Adams counties, with headquart- ers in the city of York, in both paternal and maternal lines is a representative of honored pioneer families.

Henry Stambaugh, his grandfather, was a prominent farmer of York county, and was held in high regard by all who knew him.

Jacob M. Stambaugh, father of John H., was born on his father's farm, and there reared to manhood, receiving a liberal common-school education. He is now living retired in York and is well-known throughout the county. When the war of the Rebellion was inaug- urated he tendered his services in defense of the Union, serving as a non-commissioned of- ficer in Company I, 127th P. V. I., and contin- uing with his regiment at the front for more than three years. He was wounded by a piece of cannon ball, by which his knapsack was torn to pieces, so that his escape from death was almost miraculous, while previously three other cannon balls had passed close to his head. In this engagement his regiment lost four hundred men, while a large number in addition were seriously wounded. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He married Catharine Lease, daughter of John Lease, who owned six or more farms in East

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Berlin, portions of these tracts being still in lican, elected to that office in a Democratic the possession of members of the family. The county, and enjoys the distinction of being the four children of Jacob M. Stambaugh and only Republican elected; George, of River- side, Cal .; Elizabeth, widow of Robert Bloom- all, who was in the United States mint for twenty years; Mary, at home; and Joseph Z., of York. wife were: Joseph A. is in the service of the York Street Car Company; Rev. Nathan L. is a clergyman of the United Brethren Church, and is stationed in Ohio; Catharine is married and lives in York; and John H.

John H. Stambaugh was born on the old homestead Nov. 4, 1870, and was educated in the public schools. He served an apprenticeship at the trade of carriage painting, devoting his attention to that line for a period of six years, at the expiration of which, in 1892, he became, as before stated, the general, agent of the Bal- timore Life Insurance Company for York and Adams counties. He is energetic, progressive and discriminating in his business methods, and is worthy of the high regard in which he is held in his home county and in insurance circles. In politics he gives his allegiance to the Republican party, and his religious views are in harmony with the Moravian faith, in which he was reared. In a fraternal way he is identified with the B. P. O. Elks, the Sons of Veterans and the Knights of Malta, and he enjoys marked popularity in both business and social circles.

On April 10, 1902, Mr. Stambaugh mar- ried Miss Catherine E. Jacobs, daughter of W. H. Jacobs, of York, who for thirty years was in the service of the Northern Central Railroad Company. Mr. and Mrs. Stambaugh have one child, John Henry William.

JOSEPH ZULLINGER BENTZ is a de- scendant of German agriculturists who settled in the Cumberland Valley.

William Bentz, his father, was for many years the proprietor of the leading department store of Carlisle, where he was born and reared, and he died there in 1879, aged fifty-five years. His widow, Jane Mell, is still living and active at the age of eighty-five years. David Mell, father of Mrs. Bentz, was the most ex- tensive brick manufacturer in the Cumberland Valley, and died at the age of ninety-five years. There were eight children born to the parents, William Bentz and wife, namely : Abner, in the Government printing office at Washington, D. C .; Dr. John, a practicing · dentist of Carlisle; William, a merchant of Carlisle; Samuel, recorder of deeds of Cum- berland county, who was, although a Repub-

Joseph Zullinger Bentz was born in Car- lisle, April 17, 1857, and received his educa- tion in the public schools. His first occupation was as business manager for the Western Un- ion & Cumberland Valley railroad, and he was transferred from there to Shippensburg, where he became ticket agent and manager for the same corporation. In 1884 Mr. Bentz em- barked as a broker, a business that he has since pursued in Carlisle, Lebanon, Hagerstown and York for more than twenty years. Mr. Bentz came to York in 1896, and became a broker in stocks and grain, the business now amounting to almost a million dollars a year.

Mr. Bentz belongs to the Knights of Pyth- ias, the Brotherhood of the Western Union, and is a past officer of the Knights of the Golden Eagle. He is a member of the Alli- son Memorial Church. In politics he is a Re- publican. Mr. Bentz is a great lover of horses, and a bay gelding, Floe, which belongs to his string, is known as a dancer, and can do the cake-walk most admirably. Mr. Bentz has re- fused many offers for this valuable animal, one of $1,000.

DAVID W. HURSH, now a resident of York City living at No. 172 East Cottage place, is passing his declining days there re- tired from all active life, after many years of the arduous toil that makes up a farmer's ex- istence. He was born in Allen township, Cum- berland county, Pa., in 1837, son of Christian and Susan (Witmer ) Hursh.

The family name was originally spelt Horst, but has worn its present form for sev- eral generations at least. Abraham Hursh, the grandfather of David W., was a native of Lancaster county, born near Lititz. In early life a carpenter by trade, he afterward moved to Allen township, bought a mill property there and followed the occupation of a miller for the remainder of his life. His wife was Miss Elizabeth Gensinger, and both were buried in Carroll township, York county. Their children were : Fannie, Christian, Abra- ham, Henry, Mrs. John Mohler, Mrs. John

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Myers, Mrs. Greiger, and two who died un- Elizabeth (Strickler) Forry. She shared his married.

Christian Hursh was born in Allen town- ship in 1808, and learned the milling trade from his father. After about eleven years in that occupation he decided to turn his attention to farming, and settled in another part of Cum- berland county, along the Yellow Breeches creek. From there he moved to Windsor township, York county, in 1845, bought at first a tract of farming land of seventy acres, and to this later added an adjoining thirty. All the buildings on the place were put up by him and he passed the rest of his life there. His death occurred in 1890, and his remains were laid to rest in the graveyard of the Witmer Mennonite Church at Stony Brook. His wife, Susan (Witmer) Hursh, who died in 1869, is buried in the same place. She was born in 1816, daughter of David and Magdalena (Kauffman ) Witmer, of York county.

David Witmer, the maternal grandfather of David W. Hursh, was born in Lancaster county in 1787, later went to York county, and took up land at Stony Brook, and fol- lowed his trade as a carpenter there for many years. He was a preacher in the Mennonite Church for a long time, and the Witmer Meeting House was built on his property. He died at the age of seventy. He married Miss Magdalena Kauffman, and children were born to them as follows: John : David, a Mennonite preacher; Lydia, Mrs. David Sprenkle, of York county; Catherine, Mrs. David Forry ; Nancy, Mrs. Samuel Proth; and Susan, Mrs. Hursh.

David W. Hursh was eight years old when his father moved to York county, grew up on the farm there, and in his turn made farming his life pursuit. When nearly thirty-three years of age he married and located on his father's farm in Windsor township, where he remained twelve years. He then bought 137 acres in the same township and passed another twelve years on that farm, after which he bought the old Forry homestead in York town- ship, near Longstown, a place comprising forty acres, and lived there until 1901, when he gave up all active participation in farming to his sons. Mr. Hursh himself moved into York, and has since kept only a general over- sight of his farm properties. Mr. Hursh's first wife, whom he married in 1870, was Miss Mary Jane Forry, daughter of Joseph and

joys and sorrows for nearly thirty years, but in 1899 was called from this world, and her burial place is the cemetery at the Witmer Meeting House. In 1901 Mr. Hursh was mar- ried (second) to Miss Eliza Hammer. His children, all born to the first marriage, were: Joseph, who married Miss Margaret Seachrist, and lives on his father's farm in Windsor township; David, who married Miss Jemima Keasey, and manages his father's York town- ship farm; Theodore, of Hellam township, who married Miss Mary Kochenour; John, who married Miss Iva Ferrence, and lives at Stony Brook; Annie, wife of Harry Irwin, of Conewago township; Martha, Mrs. Albert Young, of Windsor township; and Paul, at- tending school.

David W. Hursh has been throughout his life a faithful member of the Mennonite Church, and for the past fifteen years has served as one of the trustees. He belongs to the Republican party. He is one of the promi- nent and substantial citizens of the county and has always been held in much respect.

WILLIAM CLARKSON SMITH, M. D., has chosen the city of York for his field of professional endeavor. He was born March 2, 1874, in Lower Chanceford township.

William Smith, grandfather of the Doctor, was a country physician. He married Maria Clarkson.

William Ferris Smith, son of William and Maria (Clarkson) Smith, was also a physician, and practiced his profession in Lower Chance- ford township for forty years. In 1863 he entered the army, as surgeon of the 105th P. V. I., and served until the close of the war. He began practice immediately after the war in Airville, Lower Chanceford township, and continued until March, 1900, when he died. He was a member of the Pleasant Grove Pres- byterian Church, in which he was elder for many years. He married Miss Hannah Mary Murphy, daughter of Col. George S. Murphy, and she still survives. She and her husband were the parents of children as follows: Re- becca M., who married Alexander Galbraith, of Baltimore, Md .; Maria Laird, who married R. H. Pollock, of Baltimore, Md. ; and William Clarkson.

William Clarkson Smith attended the pub- lic schools of his native township until he was

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fifteen years of age, and then entered the York Hughes, born June 12, 1818, daughter of J. S. Collegiate Institute, which he attended two years, preparing himself for the Medical De- partment of the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in 1897. He at once began practice at home with his father, with whom he continued for two years, and in 1899 he located in York, where he has since continued. In December, 1904. Dr. Smith was appointed health officer of York to fill the un- expired term of Dr. J. Frank Small. He is a member of the York County Medical Society; the Pennsylvania State Medical Society; and the American Medical Association. In politics Dr. Smith is a Republican. In his religious views he is connected with the First Presbyter- ian Church of York.

Dr. Smith was married in Chambersburg, Oct. 26, 1904, to Miss Alice Chambers Ross, daughter of Benjamin and Anne V. Ross.

COL. GEORGE S. MURPHY (de- ceased ). for many years a prominent and suc- cessful merchant in Upper Chanceford town- ship, and at one time an honored member of the Legislature. was born in Upper Chance- ford township, on the farm upon which Clark- son Murphy, a nephew, now lives, Dec. 4, 1807, son of Joseph Murphy, who came from Ireland to the United States, settling in Up- per Chanceford township. Joseph Murphy was a farmer in that township, where both he and his wife died.

Colonel Murphy received the common school education of his day, and grew up a farmer boy. He engaged in the store business in Upper Chanceford township before marriage and remained there until he retired from active life. While there he organized a company of home guards, and was given the title of colonel by the Legislature at Harrisburg. In his early days Colonel Murphy was a member of the Chanceford Presbyterian Church, but later transferred his membership to the New Har- mony Presbyterian Church at Brogueville, and was always an active church worker. He was a firm believer in the principles of the Demo- cratic party and worked hard for that organ- ization's success. He was elected to the Legis- lature in 1836, and served one or more terms with great credit to himself and to the satis- faction of his constitutents.

Colonel Murphy was married in Harford Co., Md., Sept. 19. 1838, to Miss Rebecca

and Hannah ( Wiley ) Hughes. Colonel Murphy's death occurred. Dec. 22, 1886, while his wife survived until June 21, IGOI, when she passed away, and both are interred at the: New Harmony cemetery. Their children were :: Thomas Zenas, born Feb. 9. 1840, married! Miss Margery McVey, and now resides im Philadelphia : Hannah Mary, born Dec. I, 1841, married Dr. William F. Smith, who died in Lower Chanceford township. March 3, 1900: Martha Ann, born Nov. 12. 1844, married Dr. S. F. Neeley, and they now live . in Leavenworth, Kans .; Joseph W., born May 5, 1847, married Miss Mary Griffith, and they: also reside in Leavenworth, Kans .; John S., born June 6. 1851. married Miss Elizabeth Griffith, and resides in York; Rebecca E. S .. born Sept. 7, 1853, is now Mrs. James Wallace of York: Ida May, born Oct. 25, 1859. mar- ried Clarkson Manifold.

FREDERICK MARKLEY CRAW- FORD, who since 1903 has made his home in York, comes of a family early settled in the Cumberland Valley.

(I) The first of the family of whom there is definite record was Edward Crawford, a na- tive of County Donegal. Ireland, who immi- grated to America about 1740,. settling in Pennsylvania, on the land now included in Guilford township, Franklin county, and there he died in 1792. This tract of 640 acres was a part of a Proprietary Manor that the Penns determined not to reserve, and the Manor is now in the possession of the subject of this sketch. He married Elizabeth Ster- ritt, and they became the parents of nine chil- dren : James, who married and died near Mer- cersburg in 1798, leaving no children: John : Edward, born Jan. 10, 1757, died March 6, 1833: Joseph, who was killed by the Indians : Martha, born in 1743, married to Edward Cook, and died in 1837 : Elizabeth, who married John Fulton : Sarah, born in 1753, married to Henry Work, and died March 6, 1819; Ruth, who married an Elliott ; and Mary, who married a Dunlevy.

(II) John Crawford, son of Edward, born in 1746. and died Feb. 13. 1827, was first lieutenant of Capt. Conrad Snider's Com- pany of Col. Frederick Watt's battalion of the "Flying Camp" in 1776. He was captured with Colonel Magaw's command at Fort

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Washiington, Nov. 16, 1776, and was held as until 1865, when he removed to Reading, where a prisoner of war in New York and Long Is- he became superintendent of the Bushong land until 1778, when he was exchanged. Early in his captivity he wrote the following letter to his parents, which is still preserved by his descendants : farms of 600 acres, remaining twenty years, when he returned to the old home in Franklin county. He was a stanch Republican, and ivas a member of Falling Spring Presbyterian Church, Chambersburg. He married Maria Honored Father and Mother : New York, Nov. 21, 1776. Markley, a descendant of Commodore Mark- ley, a distinguished officer of the Dutch Navy, I am a prisoner here, and without clothes or hard money, only what was on me when I was taken. I left clothes with Eddy on the other side of the river ; expect to get them again. I would be glad if you 'could send me some hard money, as no other will pass here. I have the liberty of walking the streets. You need not be uneasy about me. I am well at pres- ent and live in hopes to see you. I am your dutiful son and humble servant, and also of the Bushong family, an early set- tled family of French descent in Lancaster county (her mother was Rebecca Bushong, of Ephrata, Lancaster county). Three children blessed this union: (I) Katharine M., born Ang. 28, 1856, studied medicine with Dr. B. LIEUT. JOHN CRAWFORD. Bowman in Chambersburg, and was graduated P. S. I was taken November 16, at Fort Washing- ton with 2,300 more. at the Hahnemann College, Chicago. She practiced her profession in Chambersburg, - 1882-94, fifteen years in partnership with Dr. Julia T. Hill-Crawford. In 1901 she went to York, and there practiced until her death, which occurred Dec. 2, 1903. (2) Holmes E., born in 1859, died May 15, 1877. (3) Frederick Markley.

After his discharge Lieut. Crawford re- turned to the homestead where he spent his life as a farmer. On his monument in Fall- ing Spring cemetery is this simple memorial : "A soldier of the Revolution rests here." Mr. Crawford married Anne Holmes, born in 1765. died Dec. 10, 1810, a native of Ireland, and their children were : Holmes, born in 1791, for many years cashier of the Chambersburg Savings Fund, died Feb. 15, 1874: James; John, a farmer on the old homestead, who mar- ried Margaret Black; Joseph, born in 1806, who married Mary Kirkpatrick, and died Ang. 23. 1888; Edward, who died young; Sarah, born June 17, 1795, who married John S. Brown, and died Dec. 28, 1849; Martha, born May 8, 1788, who married Josiah Duffield ; Elizabeth, who married Hugh Crawford; Re- becca, who married Matthew McKee; and Nancy, who died unmarried.

( III) James Crawford, son of Lient. John, was born in Guilford township, Franklin Co., in 1800, and after a life engaged in farming on the old homestead there died Jan. 18, 1872. In politics he was a Whig and Republican. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. His wife, Catharine Byers, was born Oct. 15, 1805, daughter of Frederick and Anna ( Eby) Byers, and died Dec. JI, 1892. They had three children : John E., born Feb. 22, 1827, married Ellen Stahle, of York, and died April 2, 1896; Frederick B. ; and Milton, born Sept. I, 1844, married Rebecca Harmony (he was a soldier in the Civil War).

(IV) Frederick B. Crawford, son of James, lived on the old Crawford homestead

(V) Frederick Markley Crawford, son of Frederick B., was born June 3, 1861. He was but two years of age when his parents re- moved to Reading, and attended public school in that city and the Briinner Academy. When his grandfather died the family returned to the .old homestead, and there Mr. Crawford spent the greater part of his vacations. His sympathies and tastes led him to the agricul- tural life of his ancestors, and he has made farming his chief occupation. A man who be- lieves no one should shirk his duty as a citizen, he nevertheless has no official aspirations, and his work in politics is largely confined to the casting of his ballot, being as was his father before him a stanch Republican. In 1893 he married Dr. Julia T. Hill.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 164

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