History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 168

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

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Daniel Kohr was born in Manchester town- ship, York county, where his life was spent. When twenty-one years of age, he came to Springetsbury township, and became the owner and operator of a fine farm of 200 acres, which he made his homestead, and he also owned two additional farms, lying in Manchester town- ship, the greater portion of which he acquired through his industry, thrift and good manage- ment. He was interested in other lines, for some time being engaged quite extensively in ore mining, and he was a stockholder in the Farmers National Bank, of York; and was one of the original stockholders of the West- inghouse Electric Lighting Company, of York. In politics he was a Democrat, and was a very public-spirited man. His death occurred July 31, 1902, when he was seventy-four years of age. His wife passed away in 1881, at the age of fifty-four years. Both were members of the Reformed Church. Their children were: Annie, wife of Franklin Keller, of York; John; Lewis, a farmer of Springets- bury; Ellen, wife of Zacharias Horn, of Yoe; Emma, wife of Samuel Kauffman, of York; Franklin, a farmer of Manchester; Sylvester, of Manchester; Daniel E., a farmer of Man- chester; Alice, wife of Elwood Sprenkle, of Hellam township.

John Kohr was reared on the farm, and educated in the public schools of his neighbor- hood, and after he attained to his majority, he began farming the home farm, where he

continued to reside until 1898, at which time he removed to his present farm, just east of York city. This property consists of 100 acres, well improved, which he devotes to. general farming and dairying, he having a herd of twenty cattle. About six acres are devoted to tobacco, and so well does he manage his crops that he enjoys an excellent income from his land. In his political principles Mr. Kohr is a Democrat, and he has served as a member of the school board, and he lias always taken an interest in public affairs.

On Nov. 20, 1880, Mr. Kohr was united in marriage with Miss Sallie Myers, daughter of Samuel and Anna Mary (Loucks) Myers, of Springetsbury township. Two children have been born to them: Irvin H., a farmer of Stony Brook, who married Mary Heistand; and Carrie Bell, at home. The family belong to the Reformed Church, in which they take an active part.

ALEXANDER KLINEDINST, road- master of the York County Traction Company, was born in Codorus township, York county, May 15, 1843, son of Benjamin and Susan (Renoll) Klinedinst.

Benjamin Klinedinst was a cooper of Co- dorus township, and to him and his worthy wife the following children were born : Emma, who died in 1886, aged twenty-five years; Catherine, who married John Bubb, in the service of the N. C. Railroad Co .; Isabel, who married John Stewart, a farmer of Sto- verstown, York county; Ellen, who married H. B. Gladfelter : Sarah, who married William Gladfelter, who is not, however, a blood rela- tion of H. B. Gladfelter; Lydia, at home; B. F., an ice cream manufacturer of Seven Val- ley, York county; Lewis, a cigar maker of York; and Alexander.

Alexander Klinedinst, after being educated in the public school entered the Pennsylvania railroad service, and then, entering the con- struction department of the Western Maryland Railway, remained fourteen years. After spending four years in the Internal Revenue service, Mr. Klinedinst located in York, and in 1902 was appointed roadmaster of the York County Traction Company, a position he has since held.

Mr. Klinedinst served gallantly in the army during the War of the Rebellion, and was taken prisoner of war at Weldon Railroad.

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He was confined in Andersonville prison for followed his trade thereafter in Lancaster nine months, during which time he suffered many hardships. He served three years and eight months with his regiment, the 87th P. V. I., and saw a great deal of fighting, taking part in the battles of Spottsylvania Court House, of the Wilderness, Cold Harbor (where he was wounded in the knee) and Petersburg, besides many minor engagements.

Mr. Klinedinst was married, Nov. 27, 1866, to Miss Mary J. Fissell, daughter of George Fissell, a retired hotelkeeper of Co- dorus township, and of the children born to this union, Rosa died at the age of eighteen months; Emma died at ten months; Adam passed away, aged one year and two months; and Alexander died at the age of six months.

Alexander Klinedinst belongs to the Blue Lodge and Chapter of the Masonic fraternity. He is a devoted member of the Union Luth- eran Church. In politics he is a Republican.

TOBIAS RUBY, deceased. Among the old and honored families of York county is that of which the subject of this review was a worthy representative. He was one of the well known and highly esteemed citizens of Lower Windsor township, where the major portion of his life was passed, and within the pages of this work will be found frequent men- tion of the Ruby family. For systematic gen- ealogical data we refer the reader in particu- lar to the sketch of Barnabas B. Ruby, a cousin of our subject.

Tobias Ruby was born Dec. 30, 1832, in Lower Windsor township, the place of his nativity having been the farm now owned and occupied by James Able. He duly availed him- self of the advantages of the common schools of his native county, and among his instruc- tors were John and Peter Ruby, well-known members of the same family line. He se- cured a good education for the day, continuing to attend school until he had reached the age of eighteen years, and having in the meanwhile learned also the valuable lessons of industry, through assisting in the farm work and other labors which incidentally devolved upon him. After leaving school he began an apprentice- ship at the carpenter's trade, under the direc- tion of George Kise, with whom he served two and one-half years, after which he fol- lowed his trade as a journeyman, for nine years in the employ of Peter Keller, of York. He

county and in the State of Maryland for a short interval, after which he worked for Harry Kauffelt for a few years. On severing this association he engaged in contracting and building on his own responsibility, and con- tinued to follow his trade as a vocation during his entire active business career. Though he passed the pslamist's span of threescore years and ten, he did occasional odd jobs at his trade, finding satisfaction in such application, up to the time of his death.

Mr. Ruby was one of the loyal sons of the old Keystone State who went forth in defense of the Union when its integrity was menaced by armed rebellion. In August, 1864, he en- listed, becoming a private in Company E, 207th P. V. I., with which he served until practically the close of the war, receiving his honorable discharge May 30, 1865. With his command he participated in the siege of Peters- burg, the engagements at Fort Steadman, and other minor conflicts, making an excellent rec- ord as a leal and loyal soldier of the republic.

In politics Mr. Ruby was a stalwart Repub- lican, having been identified with that party from the time of its inception, and having ever taken a lively and intelligent interest in the questions and issues of the hour. He was called upon to serve in various local positions of public trust and responsibility, having served one terin as township assessor and having been a member of the school board for three years. Mr. Ruby signalized his abiding in- terest in his old comrades in arms by retain- ing membership in Post No. 118, Grand. Army of the Republic, at Columbia, Lancaster county, and he was formerly affiliated in an active way with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His religious views were in harmony with the tenets of the Lutheran Church, in whose faith he was reared and of which his widow is a devoted member. He passed away Dec. 5. 1904.

In Lower Windsor township, in February, 1856, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Ruby to Miss Catherine Flory, who was born and reared in that township, daughter of Ja- cob and Catherine (Kline) Flory. Of this union were born seven children, namely : Susan, who is the wife of William Bashore, of Newberry; Delia, who is the wife of Adam Malewiska, of York; Mary Catherine, who is the wife of Edward Hickey, of Columbia,

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Lancaster county; Annie, who is the wife of Calvin Crumling, of Yorkana; Barton, who is a successful farmer of Chanceford township; Grant, who is engaged in carpentering in York; and Harry, a resident of New Cumber- land, Cumberland county, where he is engaged in cigar making.

We conclude this sketch with brief mention of the parents of our subject. His father, David Ruby, was born in Lower Windsor township and was there reared on a farm, se- curing a common-school education and learn- ing the blacksmith's trade in his youth. He was actively engaged in work at his trade dur- ing the greater portion of his long and useful life, was a man of probity and other sterling attributes, and was ever held in high regard in the community which was his home through- out life. He died about 1847, and his wife, whose maiden name was Rebecca Kauffelt, is also deceased. Both were zealous and consist- ent members of the Lutheran Church and in politics Mr. Ruby was a Whig. David and Re- becca Ruby became the parents of five chil- dren, namely : Rebecca, deceased; David, de- ceased; Sophia, who became the wife of Jacob Wagner and who died in this county ; George, who served three years during the war of the Rebellion, having been a member of the 55th P. V. I., and who is now a resident of Wrights- ville, this county; and Tobias, the immediate subject of this sketch.

ABRAHAM MYERS, of Jackson town- ship, belongs to one of York county's old fam- ilies, and he was born Feb. 8, 1846, son of George and Elizabeth (Hoke) Myers. He is of German ancestry, his forefathers coming from Germany and settling in Pennsylvania at an early date.

Jacob Myers, the grandfather of Abraham, was a very prosperous farmer, and owned a farm near Spring Grove. His wife's maiden name was Bentz, and these children were born to them: John, George, Abraham, Jacob, Mi- chael, Catherine (married to Jolin Fultz), and Mary. These good people were devout mem- bers of the Reformed Church and Mr. Myers was a Democrat in his political belief. He died in 1864, aged about sixty years, and his wife survived until 1870.

George Myers, the father of Abraham, re- mained at home until he was twenty-one years old, and then commenced farming, purchasing

a piece of land in Jackson township, in the Pigeon Hill section, where he remained all his life. He was successful in farming, and at the time of his death had accumulated considerable property. To himself and wife the following children were born: Michael, Jacob, George, Abraham, John, Eliza, Rebecca, Catherine and Sarah. The family were members of the Re- formed Church. George Myers died aged six- ty-five years, in 1879, while his wife passed away in 1887, aged seventy-five.

Abraham Myers was educated in the com- mon schools of Jackson township and remained on the home farm until he was twenty-one years old. At this time hie removed to Spang- ler's Valley, near Labott, where for eleven years he carried on farming on shares, and in .1888 he purchased his present farm, which consists of 115 acres of finely tilled land. He carries on general farming very successfully, and continues to improve a property which is now quite valuable. His standing in the com- munity is that of an honest, upright and pub- lic-spirited citizen, always 'ready to support good government. In 1872 Mr. Myers mar- ried Miss Elizabeth Menges, daughter of Sam- uel Menges, of New Oxford, and to this union children as follows have been born: Annie, Harry, Mary, Esther, George, Paul. Bert and Lydia. Mr. Myers is a Democrat in politics. He and his wife are members of the Reformed Church.

WILLIAM I. HOFFMAN, farmer and fruit grower of Monaghan township, York county, was born in that township March 22, 1865, son of Enos and Mary (Myers) Hoff- man.

Enos Hoffman was born in Dover town- ship, and spent his whole life in farming and fruit raising. He purchased the farm in Mon- aghan township on which he made his home for more than fifty years, dying there. He and his wife had the following named children : Melinda J., who married Simon Shaffer: Ja- cob, who married Emma Hinkle; Enos, de- ceased; John, who married Lizzie Laird; Emma, married to Jolin Sutton: William I .: Catherine, deceased; Mary. deceased: and Lewis A., deceased. The family were mem- bers of the Lutheran Church, while in politics Mr. Hoffman was a Democrat. although he never took an active part in such matters.

William I. Hoffman remained with his

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

parents until twenty-six years of age, when he part of which time was spent in Adams county. purchased his present home, which was the In 1884 he located on his father's farm where old Hoffman homestead and consists of 133 acres of fine land. Mr. Hoffman does general farming and considerable fruit growing, being very successful in both lines. The farm has good buildings and is well cultivated and up- to-date.

On Jan. 25, 1891, Mr. Hoffman married Miss Maggie Wood, daughter of Stephen Wood, and six children have been born to this union : Roy, Jerry, Earl, Levi, Vernie and Alda. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman are consistent and valued members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Hoffman, like his father, is a Democrat.

AUGUSTUS SHINDLE, of East Man- chester township, a representative of an old family of York county, was born in Man- chester township in 1855, son of Frederick and grandson of George Shindle.

Frederick Shindle was born on the old home, and learned the carpenter's trade, fol- lowing that occupation in connection with farming in Manchester, now East Manchester, township, for about forty years. For about fourteen years prior to his death, in 1904, he lived a retired life. Mr. Shindle married Susan Cochley, who died in 1903, and was buried in the Union cemetery, where her hus- band was also buried. In politics he was a Republican. To this couple the following chil- dren were born: Amanda married William S. Gross, and resides in West Manchester township, near York City; George married Emma Good, and resides in Manchester town- ship; Augustus; Sarah lives in Manchester borough; J. W., born in 1860, in Manchester township, and residing on the old homestead where he follows farming, married Malinda Heckert, daughter of Emanuel and Leah (Lehr) Heckert, and they have the following children, Stewart W., Virga May and Edith, all of whom reside at home (J. W. Shindle is a Republican and has held the office of asses- sor, school director and auditor for eight years, at present being tax-collector) ; Louisa mar- ried Jacob Brenneman, and resides in Dover township; and Annie married Jerome Schri- ver, and lives in Manchester borough.

Augustus Shindle attended the township schools until nineteen years of age, when he learned the carpenter's trade from his father, and followed this occupation for ten years,

he now resides with his brother, J. W. Shindle. In politics Mr. Shindle has always been iden- tified with the Republican party, and in 1901 was elected constable, which office he has effi- ciently filled to the present date. He has also served as township clerk for two terms. In religion he is connected with the United Brethren Church of Manchester. Mr. Shindle is one of the substantial and representative citizens of East Manchester.

MAJOR JOHN KIRK, who took part in the great Civil war, was born Nov. 20, 1846, in Newberry township, York county, son of James Kirk. He attended the township school until fifteen years of age, and then en- tered the service of his country.

Solomon Kirk, the grandfather of John, came from Lancaster county and settled in York county, where he died. He had these children : Solomon, who died in Newberry township; John, who was killed while serv- ing in the Western army; James; and Mrs. John Fisher.

James Kirk received a common school edu- cation, and learned the carpenter's trade. He located in Newmarket and was employed with Musser & James, at New Cumberland, with whom he remained about thirty years. For some time prior to his death, he lived a retired life, his death occurring Dec. 24, 1892, and he was buried at Mount Olivet cemetery, Fair- view township. He married Eliza Snell, daughter of John Snell, and she died in 1892, being buried beside her husband. They were the parents of these children : Samuel, living in Clinton county, is a retired lumberman ; Lucinda, married Benjamin Ripley, deceased, and she lives at Newmarket; and John.

ISRAEL STAMBAUGH, owning and operating a farm of seventy-five acres in North Codorus township, was born in that township, Oct. 1, 1853, son of Jacob Stam- baugh.

Jacob Stambaugh, grandfather of Israel, was of German origin, and followed farming in North Codorus township, where he died, being buried at Lischy's Church. He had chil- dren : Daniel, James, Henry, Elizabeth, Ka- tie and Jacob.

Jacob Stambaugh, the father of our sub-

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ject, was born in North Codorus township, and there received a common school education. He spent his active years as a farmer in his native place, retiring from activity a few years prior to his death, which occurred at the age of seventy-five. He married Isabella Sheaffer, daugliter of John Sheaffer ; she died at the age of sixty-five, and they both were buried at Lischy's Church in North Codorus township. They were faithful members of the Reformed Church, in the work of which organization they always took a prominent part. Their children were as follows: John, who married Ellen Spangler ; Mary, the wife of John Luck- enbaugh; Caroline, wife of Michael Stam- baugh ; and Israel.

Israel Stambaugh attended the township schools until fifteen years of age, assisting his father on the farm until his marriage to Lu- cretia Lutherbaugh, daughter of John and Katie (Myers) Lutherbaugh.

After his marriage Mr. Stambaugh located on a farm in North Codorus township, where he followed day laboring for fifteen years, and later purchased from his mother the home where he now resides, a seventy-five-acre tract. He erected new buildings and made many im- provements, having one of the township's de- sirable properties.

Mr. and Mrs. Stambaugh have children : George, a cigar maker, is employed at Spring. Grove, and plays the cornet in the Spring Grove band; Ellen, the wife of M. Miller, lives in North Codorus township; Jacob, who is as- sisting his father in farming, plays the clarinet in the Spring Grove band; and Alberta is at home. Mr. Stambaugh is a Democrat, and served on the school board for three years, being treasurer of that body. He is connected with the Reformed Church, in which he has served as deacon.

JAMES MASON, who conducts a flourish- ing business at No. 549 East King street, York, is a self-made man, having worked his way up from the bottom of the ladder. He is a native of England, born in South Staffordshire, July 22, 1840, son of James and Mary (Baum) Mason.

James Mason, the father, was a skilled locksmith of England, where he died in 1853. His wife died aged eighty-five years, leaving these children : Elizabeth, who married Will- iam Mason, and is the only one of the family,

with the exception of our subject, who came to America; Sarah; Ann; Mary Ann; Eliza; John ; James, our subject; and four that died in infancy.

Our subject received his education in the schools of England, and at the age of thirteen years, his father having died, was forced to make his own way in the world. He went to work in a rolling mill, where he learned the puddling business, and first came to America in December, 1872, landing in New York. Having a nephew and niece in Buffalo, Mr. Mason went to that city with the expectation of finding employment at his trade, but it be- ing the time of the panic in iron he could find no work, and was compelled to return to his native country. This he did on May 12, 1873, landing in Liverpool, and going to his old home, where he was employed at his old work until June 7, 1879, when he with his family again set sail for America, landing this time at Philadelphia, whence they removed to Chester. After one year in the latter place they went to Columbia, remaining one and one-half years, and then locating in York, where he was engaged for ten years at his trade of puddling, with John W. Stacey. Mr. Mason was then employed at lighter work for one year, and for two years was inspector of chains in the chain shop. In 1892 Mr. Mason engaged in the grocery business at No. 549 East King street, where he has since remained, and in which he has been very successful. Mr. Mason's home was one of the first in its local- ity to receive the city water. His stock is complete in all of its details, and by honest dealing and good value Mr. Mason has gained the confidence of the public.

In 1862, Mr. Mason was united in mar- riage with Miss Sarah Court, born in 1842, in South Staffordshire, England, daughter of Edwin Court, a boilermaker of England. Mr. Mason is a devoted member of the Ridge Avenue Methodist Church in which he has been steward for a number of years. He is well known in York, where he is highly es- teemed as a man of honesty and integrity.

WILLIAM H. TROUT, one of York county's substantial citizens, is engaged in blacksmithing and in agricultural operations in North Codorus township, where he was born June 16, 1848, son of Emanuel Trout.

George Trout, grandfather of William H.,

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

was a schoolmaster at Jefferson borough, where he died. He had two sons, Ephraim, who died at Manchester; and Emanuel.

Emanuel Trout was a distiller by trade, having learned that business in Maryland. Owing to the bad condition of his health he was compelled to give up distilling, and went to work at day laboring. He located in Man- chester, where he died aged thirty-nine years, being buried at Sherman's Reformed Church. He married Susan Trinkle, who is also de- ceased, buried at Emmitsburg. They had chil- dren: George; Lucinda, the wife of Edward Bloom, of near Gettysburg, Adams county ; William H .; and Sarah, Amanda and Mary, all deceased.

William H. Trout attended the township schools of Manheim township until sixteen years of age, and a year and one-half later learned his trade with Lant & Sheaffer, of North Codorus township, with whom he re- mained three years. After spending one year at farming he returned to his trade at Thomas- ville, and the next several years were spent at Kuhl, Emigsville, Cold Spring, Bollinger, Ore Bank, Porter's Landing, and East Angley, and in 1883 he came to his present location. where he has since remained. He purchased from his father-in-law twenty acres of land, upon which he erected new buildings, includ- ing a blacksmith shop. His home is located along the road from Spring Grove to Jeffer- son borough, and he enjoys a fine trade.

Mr. Trout married Caroline Stambaugh, daughter of Peter and Catherine (Runk) Stambaugh, and to this union have been born : Rosa, Franklin, and Claude, unmarried; and Fannie, Charles and Nellie, all deceased. Mr. Trout is a member of the Reformed Church. He is an active member of that denomination, and assisted in erecting the church in Codorus township. He is a Democrat in politics.

JOHN S. HERSHEY, a farmer of Penn township, is a descendant on both sides from old Pennsylvania families and himself worthily supports a name long identified with the his- tory of York county. He was born Dec. 20, 1847, on what is known as the "John Mumma farm," to John M. and Nancy (Sprenkle) Hershey. The paternal grandfather was Ja- cob Hershey, a native of York county, and a prosperous farmer there, who married Miss Mumma and reared a large family. The ma-

ternal grandfather was Jacob Sprenkle, formerly of Lancaster county; his wife be- longed to the Shirk family.

John M. Hershey was born in York county near York, in 1811, and his wife, Miss Nancy Sprenkle, was born two years later. Her death occurred in 1870, while her husband survived until Sept. 1, 1888, after an honor- able and successful career as a farmer and general business man. Seven children were born to them as follows: John S .; Elizabeth, Mrs. Christian Miller; Maria, Mrs. Jacob Rudisill; Anna, Mrs. George Forry, of York county ; Barbara, Mrs. Samuel Hoke; Sarah, Mrs. Benjamin Forry, residing in Hanover; and George, who died at the age of twenty- seven.

John S. Hershey spent the first twenty- one years of his life on his father's farm, at- tending the district school, and later assisting his father. He then married and settled on a farm of his own in Penn township, where he engaged in stock raising and general farm- ing. His property includes 100 acres of good land under good cultivation, and with every- thing indicating a state of prosperity; there are a number of farm buildings and a good residence, and all are kept in splendid condi- tion, while the same can be said regard- ing his farm machinery, which is all of the latest improved designs.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 168

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