History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 17

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

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BIOGRAPHICAL

ing been a steward for thirty years, a trustee subject was now to experience the hospitality for twenty years, and superintendent of the of the enemy in their famous, or infamous, hos- Sunday-school for the past ten years.

In June, 1867, Lieut. Stallman married Miss Elizabeth Bennett, daughter of Thomas Bennett, now deceased, and to them have been born the following children : Jeanette, at home ; Lulu, wife of Charles Beck, cigar manufacturer of York; Margie, now the wife of John Storm- feltz, coffee roaster of York; and George L., who is a partner with his father.

Lieut. Stallman is one of the surviving of- ficers of the Civil war whose record in that gal- lant struggle to preserve the integrity of "Old Glory" is worthy the highest commendation. He entered the service as a private soldier in April, 1861, and was promoted through the sergeantcy to second, and then to first, lieuten- ant of his company. His first enlistment was for the three months' service in what was called the Worth Infantry, this company becoming part of the 16th P. V. I. For "three years or the war," at the end of this first service, he en- listed in Company C. 87th P. V. I. This regi- ment went to the front as a part of the Army of the Potomac, and spent the first winter in camp at stations. doing guard duty, on the North Central railroad. Our subject was at this time promoted to be sergeant major, and commanded Company C as second lieu- tenant at the battle of Locust Grove, Nov. 27, 1863. As the regiment moved on to Mine Run he commanded a detail of men to assist in building corduroy roads for the rapid movement of the troops. On Christmas Day, 1862, he received his commis- sion as second lieutenant, and participated in the engagements around Winchester. After the battle of Carter's Woods he accompanied the regiment in its retreat to Bedford, Pa. Lieut. Stallman was commissioned first lieuten- ant of his company Jan. 31, 1864, and for three months thereafter was on special duty at Car- lisle, Pa., as a recruiting officer. He returned to his company at North Anna in May, and on June Ist, when the battle of Cold Harbor opened, was in command of a detail of men on the skirmish line. As his men moved through a clearing a Confederate battery opened on them. The Lieutenant and his men dropped to the ground, and moving on hands and feet across the brow of the hill, did some effective work as skirmishers during the battle. Our

telries, beginning with Libby. Before Peters- burg, while doing duty on the skirmish line, he was captured, together with others, June 22, 1864. He was first sent to Libby, thence by rail to Lynchburg, Va. From that point they were marched across to Danville, arriving in time to celebrate the nation's birthday, though that had to be in thought only. There they were incarcerated in a tobacco warehouse, and fed on corn bread and pork. Down to the very heart of the Confederacy they next journeyed, feeling that fate was indeed against them. However, they were soon transferred across to Savannah, where they received kind treat- ment and plenty to eat. But "Uncle Billy" Sherman was abroad in the land, and they were moved on up the coast to Charleston. Their stay here in the hot and dirty jailyard proved the undoing of a number, their death casting a gloom over the remainder. At Columbia where they were next taken their quarters were good, but the rations were poor. As Sherman ad- vanced two thousand officers were sent to Raleigh, N. C., and from this place they were moved to the point of exchange about eight miles from Wilmington, on the Cape Fear river. There they saw the old flag for the first time since their capture, and a glad sight it was. A guard of honor was waiting to receive them. On the march to the steamboat landing colored troops formed in line on both sides of the way. They had erected an arch over the road with the words "Welcome Home" in the center. The circumstances and the surroundings touched the hearts of the sternest men, and brought forth such feelings of emotion as were seldom wit- nessed. The same day, March 1, 1865, Lieut. Stallman and some of his comrades took the boat at Wilmington for Annapolis, Md., where they arrived on the 5th. without shoes, and with very little clothing. He was mustered out of service by special order of the Secretary of War, March 12. 1865. and thus ended an ex- perience which comes to but few men, and which he himself cares not to repeat.

A faithful soldier. a loyal and patriotic cit- izen, a successful business man and a tried and true friend in all circumstances, Lieut. Stall- man combines qualities which have endeared him to all his townsmen and a host of friends throughout the State and nation.

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

REV. R. R. RODES belongs to a branch of the Rodes family which is of German an- cestry and is descended from a progenitor who left nis native land for the New World in 1730. Landing at Philadelphia, he became one of the early settlers of York county, Man- chester township.

(II) John Rodes (or Roth), the next in line, was born in 1756, and died in 1835. He bought a large tract of land lying between what is now Manchester township and the Susquehanna river, and moved thither with his parents who died there and were buried on the farm. In 1813 John Rodes built on his place the large gristmill now operated by Kochenour Brothers, situated a half-mile north of Mount Wolf. Besides engaging in farming he served as a minister of the Mennonite Church, and was the founder of the old church of that persuasion which is situated three quar- ters of a mile north of Manchester. Rev. John Rodes had eight sons and two daughters.

(III) Christian Rodes was born in 1780,. and died in 1838. After his marriage, in 1805, to Miss Susanna Bowers, he settled at a home lying along the same stream on which his father's mill stood. Five years later he built a stone structure, the upper story of which was used for his residence while he distilled whiskey in the basement. In 1820 he built a fulling-mill, and operated it for thirteen years, but in the meantime ,store goods had been brought into competition and the fulling busi- ness was ruined. Christian Rodes was a man of considerable reputation as a mechanic and builder ; the barn on Whistler's Island, east of York Haven, which was demolished by the ice flood in the spring of 1904, was built by him in 1805, and stood there for nearly a century. In 1806 he erected the substantial barn which is still standing on the George Lichtenberger farm in East Manchester. The family of Christian Rodes was composed of five daughters and six sons.

(IV) Daniel Rodes, born in 1806, died in 1890. On April 14, 1831, he married Miss Susannah Palmer, and they had a family of six sons and six daughters, of whom four sons and one daughter died in infancy. Another son, Joel, died in 1863, in the army hospital at Louisville, Ky., and one daughter passed away after reaching maturity. Daniel Rodes

spent his entire life on his father's homestead. In 1840 he was one of the strongest Harrison Whigs, and not only attended political meetings and pole raisings, but also made many speeches during the campaign. He was made captain of the Manchester militia, and for year after year, until he resigned, Capt. Rodes drilled the "Broomstick Brigade" regularly on George Wogan's Commons, and on each battalion day led out his gallant men in their uniforms of homespun. Among the well-known military and political friends whom he made at this time may be mentioned Sheriff Daniel Ginter, Col. Daniel Stillinger, George and Michael Hay, and that honest, level-headed citizen and editor and lawyer, Thomas E. Cochran. Daniel Rodes became a member of the United Breth- ren Church in 1843, and later developed into a local preacher of good repute, being not only a man of true Christian piety but also very well informed for his time. He officiated at many funerals, particularly for the poor. During the Civil war he served as school director, and was the man chosen to go to Harrisburg with a sum of money to buy substitutes to fill the quota for Manchester township.

(V) Zebulon P. Rodes, at present a resi- dent of Mount Wolf, was born. in 1834. In 1856 he married Miss Sarah Zorger, who died in 1892, aged fifty-seven years. Of the five sons born to them four are now living, namely : John M. and Jesse J., of Mount Wolf, Chris- tian, of Starview ; and R. R.

(VI) Rev. R. R. Rodes has filled import- ant charges in New Cumberland and Dallas- town, and is now pastor of the Allison Me- morial United Brethren Church, on West Prin- cess street, York.

WILLIAM HAMILTON GRIFFITH, now living in leisurely retirement, at York, has been connected with the city's banking interests for many years.

Mr. Griffith comes of Welsh ancestry. He was born Aug. 19, 1836. on West Market street, York, and is the only survivor of three children born to his parents, William and Sarah (Gotwalt) Griffith. The father was born in 1803, near Dillsburg, York county, and he came to York when a boy. Here he learned the shoemaking trade, one which he followed until his death. His business was a large one for

BIOGRAPHICAL

his day, he having many workmen, as, in his time, all work was done by hand, and he amassed what was then considered a comfort- able fortune. He was noted for his quiet, dig- nified manner, and he was held in just esteem as an upright and honorable man. For many years he was a trustee of the First M. E. Church.

William Hamilton Griffith first attended the York schools, pursuing classical studies in the York Academy, and in 1854 he entered Dickinson College. There he was graduated in 1858, with the degree of A. B., and the col- lege subsequently conferred the degree of A. M. After his graduation he taught school for a season, spending several years in this pro- fession, at the Cumberland Valley Institute, in. Dauphin county, and also in Maryland. In 1861, in association with Prof. S. B. Heiges, he started a Normal School at York, and was connected with this enterprise until 1865.

On Dec. 1, 1866, Mr. Griffith accepted the position of bookkeeper in the York National Bank at York, and continued his connection with this financial institution until Dec. I, 1896, filling the successive positions of book- keeper, teller, discount clerk and cashier, oc- cupying the latter position for seven years. In 1896 he retired from business activity. In various ways he has been a prominent citizen here, always interested in public movements and fully acquiescing in plans for the public welfare. He served as a member of the school board for the Third ward, and for a number of years was a member of the town council. For some time he was president of one building and loan association, and treasurer of another.

In 1865 Mr. Griffith was married to Annie M. Lehman, who died in January, 1889, leav- ing three children: Louisa M., a resident of New York City; John H., connected with the street railway company of York; and Isabel B., wife of Harold Stieg, of Washington, D. C. In September, 1898, Mr. Griffith married Rose C. O'Neill, formerly of Baltimore, Md. The comfortable family home is at No. 5 West Philadelphia street.

MARTIN V. BRILLHART, a retired merchant in York, was born in that county. Dover township, March 23, 1845, son of Jacob Brillhart.

Jacob Brillhart was born in Seven Valley, Aug. 17, 1822, and was left fatherless when only seven years old. He was at once taken from school and bound out to Henry Leib, owner of the Codorus mill, learning the mil- ler's trade under him. When he was eighteen the youth went to farming and made his own way sufficiently to marry four years later, and rent a large farm of 200 acres, to be his home. There he remained twenty years before buying a farm of his own. At the end of that time he invested in 100 acres. For ten years he tilled this, then sold it, and bought a smaller tract where the rest of his life was passed. He was married in 1844, to Miss Sarah Ann Homer, daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Brenner ) Homer, who was born in West Manchester township, July II, 1824, and died Feb. I, 1904. She became the mother of the follow- ing children: Martin V., was born March 23, 1845. Emma, born in December, 1847. married Andrew Gross, of Dover township, died Jan. 27, 1905, and is buried at Salem's Church. Catherine, born in March, 1849, who married William Spangler, of Dover, lives near Hazleton. Albert, born in October, 1851, married Miss Lydia Lichty, and lives in West York. Jane, born Dec. 25, 1853, married Samuel Yeager, and is residing in York. George W., born in 1855, married Miss Ellen Polly, and lives near Austin, Texas. Amanda, who died young, is buried at Salem's Church. Alice, born about 1860, is the wife of Howard Stambaugh, and lives in York. J. Clayton, born in November, 1863, married Miss Phoebe Christ, and lives in Dover township.

Jacob Brillhart passed from this world April 12, 1889, and is buried in the family lot at Salem's Church, near Dover, where his wife was afterward interred beside him. Mr. Brill- hart's death left only one of his father's family surviving. The brothers and sisters were as follows: Joseph, deceased about 1866, in Illinois ; David, who died aged seventy-five, and is buried in Washington township: Peter, who died young and is buried in York county ; Daniel, who died about 1874. aged sixty- seven years, and is buried at Salem Church. near Dover: Jesse, who died in Virginia ; John, deceased in West Virginia; Adam, who is still living as a retired farmer at Porter, Heidelberg township, and who married Miss

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Emma Stambaugh; Elizabeth, who is buried in Manchester township; Esther, who is buried in York county ; Catherine, buried in Manches- ter township; Lena, who died young in York county; and Polly, who is buried in York County.

Martin V. Brillhart attended the public schools near Dover borough until he was seventeen, and worked after school hours on his father's farm. In 1862 he went to the Mil- lersville State Normal School for a term, and with this preparation entered the teaching field the next year. From 1863 until 1876 he followed that profession, but at the end of that time decided upon a radical change and going west to Abilene, Kans., embarked there in a mercantile enterprise which absorbed his at- tention for fourteen years. In 1890 Mr. Brill- hart returned to Pennsylvania, settled in York, and went into business as the proprietor of a gentlemen's clothing and furnishings store. His place of business was located on the northwest corner of Market and Penn streets, and con- tinued there until he retired from active busi- ness in 1895.

Mr. Brillhart's marriage occurred during the period of his teaching. His wife was a Miss Ellen Lauer, daughter of John and Cas- sandra (Becker) Lauer, of Dover borough, and their union was solemnized Oct. 1, 1871. The children born to them were: Nettie B., born in York city, Nov. 2, 1872, wife of W. P. Swartz, now residing in York; Mace J., born in Dover township, April 1, 1876, who became the wife of George L. Stallman, a wholesale cigar and tobacco dealer; William M., born in Abilene, Aug. 4, 1878, a promi- nent electrical contractor in York ; and Charles E., born in Abilene, July 25, 1882, who was graduated from the Naval Academy at An- napolis Feb. 2, 1903, and is now an ensign on the U. S. S. "Stewart." Mr. and Mrs. Brill- hart have many friends in York, and are held in high esteem.

JOHN W. STEACY, a prominent iron man of southeastern Pennsylvania, and a resi- dent of York, is a native of Lancaster county, having been born in Strasburg June 9, 1833, son of John and Elizabeth ( Graham) Steacy.

Mr. Steacy is of Irish ancestry, both his father and grandfather having been natives of

County Derry, Ireland. The grandfather lived and died there, but the father, born in 1786, came to America when about nineteen years of age, and located near Strasburg, Lancaster Co., Pa., where he died in 1844. He was a farmer and contractor and also engaged in freighting between Pittsburg and Philadelphia, having in that service a number of teams. For eight or ten years he served as a magistrate. Politically he was of the old Jackson school of Democracy, and took an active part in such matters. He married Elizabeth Graham, and they had two children, one of whom died.

John W. Steacy received his education in the public schools and at Strasburg Academy, but he left his studies at the age of thirteen and went to work on the farm, leaving that occupa- tion to go into the foundry at Eden, where he acquired a knowledge of the trade. Soon after serving his apprenticeship he entered a country store at New Providence, Lancaster county, where he continued for some time, and then went to Columbia. For five years he clerked in a dry goods store, and then embarked in mer- cantile pursuits for himself, in the towns of Columbia and Marietta. After twelve years spent in merchandising he engaged in the oil business, as part owner in the Columbia Oil Works, and as buyer and seller for the firm, which was known as Trescott & Co. They went out of the oil business in 1876, and Mr. Steacy then for a time conducted the flouring- mill near Columbia, under the firm name of Steacy & Co. In 1878 Trescott & Co. pur- chased the York Rolling Mill at York, and the business was conducted as a partnership con- cern under the name of Schall, Steacy & Denny with Mr. Steacy in the position of manager. In 1886 a joint stock company under the name of Steacy & Denny was organized and the plant, which at that time was employing 250 hands, was worked. In 1886 the firm bought the Columbia Rolling Mill, and Mr. Steacy be- came treasurer and manager of that interest. Two years previously the firm had purchased the Aurora Furnace at Wrightsville, and added the Vesta Furnace, at Watt's Station, to their possessions.

In 1899 Mr. Steacy was one of the pro moters of the consolidation of the Columbia Rolling Mill, Vesta Furnace, Aurora Furnace and York Rolling Mill into the Susquehanna

BIOGRAPHICAL

Iron and Steel Company, of which he was a He married ( second) Anna Gyger, of Bryn director for several years, and then became Mawr, Pa., in 1877. general manager. It was capitalized at $1,500,- 000. Mr. Steacy withdrew from this concern ANDREW G. HIRT, who passed away Aug. 22, 1905, was a resident of York for many years, was well known in business circles, and while engaged in contracting and build- ing erected some of the best buildings of the city. Mr. Hirt was born in Overham, Kretz- heim, Germany, April 20, 1820. Dec. 1, 1903, and devoted himself to the build- ing of suburban trolley lines around York, he being one of the seven gentlemen controlling the entire system. In addition to these inter- ests Mr. Steacy has been president of the Edi- son Electric Light and Power Company for several years; has been a director of the York George Hirt, the father of Andrew G. Hirt, was a tailor in Germany, where he died in 1838, his wife surviving until about 1848. Their children were: Margaret, who died in Germany; Michael, who died in Germany ; Lenhart, who also died in Germany: Andrew G .; Mary, who came to the United States and married Lenhart Himmelreich, deceased; George, who died in Germany; and Martin. Trust Company since its organization, and was a charter member of the York County Traction Company, of which he is now a director. He is a director and vice-president of the Norway Iron & Steel Company; was a director of the Baltimore & Harrisburg (eastern extension) railroad, commonly known as the Western Maryland, of which it is a division; iş at the head of the firm of Steacy & Co., in the lime At the age of fourteen years Andrew G. Hirt left the parochial school and went to learn the mason's trade, at which he served three years. In 1846 he came to the United States, sailing from Bremen to Baltimore on the sailing vessel "Sophia", the trip taking two business at Wrightsville, an industry that has been in successful existence for fifteen years, and of which Mr. S. S. Wilton is manager; a director in the Broomell, Schnridt & Steacy Company ; has been a director of the Columbia Trust Company since its organization, and is closely affiliated with other interests bearing upon the material welfare of the community. While a resident of Columbia he served as a director of the First National Bank.

Having moved to York upon his assuming the management of the rolling mill in 1880, Mr. Steacy became very prominently identi- fied with the civic, business and charitable in- terests of the city. While in Columbia he served on the school board, and in the councils of that town. Locating in York,'he was hon- ored by the people of his district by being elect- ed to councils here. He served in the first select branch upon the inauguration of the city government, and for several succeeding terms. Despite his pronounced Republicanism he was elected president of the branch, though at that time it was controlled by the Democrats, and he filled the position with strict impartiality, retiring with a record beyond criticism. He has served as director of the York Hospital and of the Children's Home, and as trustee of the York County Historical Society.

John W. Steacy married Mary Harmley, of Columbia, by whom he had two sons: Frank H., deceased; and Edwin G., a resident of York. Mr. Steacy's first wife died in 1866.

months. Mr. Hirt could speak no English, but he found employment at the ore banks near Baltimore, receiving eighty cents per day, and this he continued two years. In 1846 he was first married, and he then engaged in a saloon business on the Washington road, between Washington and Baltimore, near the ore banks. In 1850 he removed to Harrisburg and engaged in working on the bridge being built across the Susquehanna river, but becoming sick the first day he was obliged to give up this work. He then located in York and went to work at his trade. For six years he worked for others and then engaged in the contracting business on his own account, erecting the old opera house, the Lutheran church on West Market street, and also building the Kreutz Creek church, in Hel- lam township. While working in York he helped to build the Zion Reformed church. Mr. Hirt carried on business until about 1900, when he retired from active life.

Mr. Hirt's first wife died in York, and he married (second) Mary Pfeffer, who was born in 1842 in Nieder Hessen, Germany, and died April 2, 1897 ; she was buried in Prospect Hill cemetery. Her parents died when she was six years old, and she and her five sisters came to

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

the United States. To Mr. and Mrs. Hirt children as follows were born: Annie, who died at the age of thirty years; Margaret, Mrs. Louis Watson, of York; Andrew George, liv- ing in Reading, Pa .; Otto, of York; Albert, who died in infancy ; Franklin, deceased ; Oscar, at home; Mayme, Mrs. Jacob Pyle, at home ; and Walter, also at home. The Hirt family are members of Bethlehem Evangelical Church. In politics Mr. Hirt was a Democrat.

HENRY WEITSEL is now living retired in York, after many years of business life. His birth occurred Sept. 15, 1826, in Fishing Creek Valley, Fairview township, York coun- ty, and he is a son of John Weitsel.

The grandfather of our subject was a prominent farmer of Fairview township, where he died, leaving two children, one of whom died in Middletown, Dauphin county.

John Weitsel, father of Henry, was a black- smith by trade, having learned that occupa- tion at Harrisburg. He followed that all of his life in Fishing Creek Valley, and died there at the age of forty-seven years, being buried at the Salem Church in his native township. He was one of the first to be buried in that yard. He married Nancy Fisher, daughter of John Fisher, and she passed away in York, aged eighty-seven years, being buried beside her husband. They had these children : David; Henry; Mary, who married Henry Strickler: Samuel; Harriet, who died young ; Ellen, wife of William Brubaker, of Ohio; Nancy, wife of Eli Fetrow, of Ohio; Rebecca, wife of Dr. I. H. Betz, of York City, whose sketch appears elsewhere.

Henry Weitsel spent his schooldays in Fish- ing Creek Valley, leaving school at the age of sixteen years. When twenty years old he came to York and learned the plastering trade, at which he worked for ten years, being then employed as boss on the 13th Division of the Northernt Central Railroad, and remained with that company until 1880. Then he was employed by P. A. & S. Small as night- watchman, and after twelve years of this work, in 1892, resigned his position. Since that time he has lived retired at his home, which he built in 1895 at No. 685 East Philadelphia street, York.

Mr. Weitsel married Catherine A. Miller, daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Decker) Miller, of York. Mrs. Weitsel was born Feb. 12, 1826, and married Mr. Weitsel March 28, 1850, in York, Rev. Jacob C. Smith, a United Brethren minister, performing the cere- mony. The following children were born to the union : John W., a machinist employed at Brillinger & Small's, who married Mary A. Lay; Mary E., the widow of Daniel Spangler, of York, Pa .; Henry C., who died young; Fil- bert, employed with the Northern Central Railroad, and residing at home; Annie, wife of Walter Blauser, a printer of York, Pa .; George, a painter and grainer, employed at Strack Bros., York, and married to Carrie Baker; Edmund S., a printer by trade, resid- ing at home; Lillie M. R., wife of D. Wilson Kuehn, superintendent of the bill-posters of York: Clara A., deceased; and one child that died in infancy.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 17

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