History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 170

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

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Prall carries on general farming.

Mr. Prall is connected with the M. E. Church, attending at Zion. He is a stanch Democrat, and served his township as tax col- lector for one term.

JOHN T. SMITH, of Windsor township, is engaged as a farmer and mason. He is of

German descent on his father's side, and sev- eral generations of the family have lived in York county, Henry Smith, his grandfather, having been a farmer who lived and died in Windsor township.

Simon Smith, son of Henry, was also a farmer, but followed the carpenter's trade dur- ing his latter years. During the Civil war he served three years in the Union army. He married Miss Anna Tome, and first located in Windsorville. Afterward they lived for a time in Adamsville, where Mrs. Smith died. Mr. Smith thereupon returned to Windsor town- ship and made his home with the Anstines, where he died in 1864. He and his wife had a family of ten children, viz .: Samuel, who died in York; Reuben, of Stonybrook; Henry, deceased ; Simon and Moses, twins, the former deceased ; Emeline, Mrs. William Dietz, of Dallastown; Elizabeth, Mrs. Edward Kraft, who died in Windsor township; Frank, of Mountville; Daniel, of Cumberland county ; and John T.

John T. Smith was born Dec. 25, 1854, and his mother's death occurred at that time, so that the child was brought up by strangers, mainly in the family of Simon Anstine. He attended the Koons school, the last of his teach- ers being Miss Bigler, sister of Dr. Bigler. He was afforded opportunities for a good educa- tion, but would not improve them and left school permanently at the age of twelve. Froni the time he was ten he was the seventh hand with a cradle in the rye field. He received no wages for the work done through his youth, and on reaching the age of eighteen he left Mr. Anstine and started out for himself. He continued (farming, and for four years re- ceived wages of $150 a year. In 1879 he married and settled on his present farm, which he bought at that time. He put up buildings and began cigarmaking in addition to carrying on his farm. For the past fifteen years he has been largely occupied with masonry work, a trade which he had previously learned from

Mr. Smith chose for his wife Miss Annie Koons, daughter of Emanuel and Elizabeth (Snyder) Koons, and to their union five chil- dren have been born: Mary, who died at the age of two; Bert C .; Nettie, Mrs. George Fil- more, of Lower Windsor township; Virgie and Flossie, at home. Mr. Smith is connected with the Salem United Evangelical Church, of

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BIOGRAPHICAL

which he is one of the trustees. In politics a Democrat, he has been twice elected super- visor, an indication of the position he holds in the esteem of his fellow citizens. He is also a member of the P. O. S. of A., Windsor Lodge.

Bert C. Smith, son of John T. Smith, was born Feb. 9, 1880. He was sent to Small's school, attending until he was eighteen, learned the process of cigarmaking from his father, and worked with him until he was twenty-one, after which he began his present occupation, that of mason, a trade he learned from Wesley Raub. He was married in 1902 to Miss Nettie Snell, and they have one child, Alverta. Mr. Smith is a member of Salem Church, and in politics is a Democrat.

CHRISTOPHER GARY NOLLER was born in Shrewsbury township, York county, June 17, 1860. He was educated in the town- ship schools, and in the Stewartstown Acad- emy, where he ended his studies at the age of nineteen. The following year he began teach- ing, and was so engaged for twenty terms, first in Hopewell township, then in Stewarts- town, Winterstown, Felton, and the town- ships of East and North Hopewell and Wind- sor, in each case achieving great success as a teacher. During vacations he worked at farm- ing, and finally, in the spring of 1895, began on his present farm in Windsor township, purchased from Jacob Runkle. Mr. Noller has been successful in his operations and has a well-developed farm. He is at present serv- ing as a director in the Farmers' Canning Coni- pany of Red Lion. In politics he has always been a Democrat and was one of Cleveland's most devoted supporters in 1892. He served as assessor in the borough of Stewartstown, in minor offices in Winterstown, and in the spring of 1904 was chosen a school director of Wind- sor township. He is a member of the Church of God, and the past five years has been an elder in same. Mr. Noller is intensely inter- ested in the advancement of education, is active in local affairs, and being a man of much strength of character is highly esteemed and has a wide influence in his community.

Mr. Noller has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Elmira Elizabeth Bush, to whom he was united in 1885, by Rev. Dr. Niles. She was born in Hopewell township in 1865, daughter of the late Rudolph Homer

and Elizabeth (Morrison) Bush, the latter of whom is still living, a resident of Baltimore county, Md. Mrs. Elmira E. Noller died in 1891, and was buried in Mt. Pleasant ceme- tery, North Hopewell. Two children were born to this union, namely : Belva Olivia, now married to Burtis Clinton Baker; and Annie Elmira, who died in infancy. In May, 1894, Mr. Noller was united in marriage to Miss Ella M. Runkle, by Rev. Peter Livingston. Ella M. Runkle was born in 1866, in North Hopewell township, daughter of the late John and Mary (Myers) Runkle. Her father, John Runkle, a prosperous farmer of North Hope- well township, died in 1905, and was buried in Lebanon cemetery. Her mother, Mary (My- ers) Runkle, was the daughter of Charles Myers, deceased. She died in 1899, and her remains were laid to rest in Lebanon cemetery, near Felton.

Mr. Noller is of German descent, and his father, John George Noller, was born near Heilbronn, Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1819, and lived there until 1854, when he came to America and settled in Shrewsbury township. He was a stanch Democrat, and a Lutheran in religious faith. He died in 1896, and was buried in Mt. Pleasant cemetery, North Hope- well. Jolın George Noller married Olivia Wasserman, who was born in Murrhardt, Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1825, daughter of Gotleib Wasserman, a tinner by trade. She died in 1899, at the home of her daughter, Mary Waltemyer, in East Hopewell township, and her remains were laid to rest in Mt. Pleas- ant cemetery. John George and Olivia (Was- serman) Noller had five children : Mary, widow of the late Benjamin Waltemyer; Susan, Mrs. Thomas Hannigan, deceased; Christopher Gary; Levi, of Hopewell, who married Miss Ella Barclay, of Lancaster county, and Tillie, widow of George Hannigan, of Felton.

The grandfather, George Noller, was a wealthy farmer and had extensive vineyards, but from 1845 to 1850 he lost much through the failure of other parties, and his son, John George, started again on his own resources in the New World. In Germany he had been given a good education and there had learned the tanner's trade. The passage from his home at Heilbronn to America was by way of Heidel- berg and Mannheim, in Baden; Rotterdam, Holland; Havre, France, thence to New York. The voyage from Havre to New York was

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

made in a sailing vessel and it took sixty days to complete it. On the vessel there was also a Miss Olivia Wasserman, his future wife, and a brother, Christian Noller, who enlisted in the regular army of the United States soon after his arrival in America and later sacrificed his life on the altar of his new country in the Civil war. He was also accompanied by other relatives, the Strobeck family. Mrs. Strobeck is still living and resides near New Freedom, Shrewsbury township. John Strobeck, then a lad of seven years, is now a resident of Red Lion.

JAMES EDGAR WAMBAUGH, owner of the "Over-view Farm," which is situated one-quarter of a mile southeast of the Fawn township line, and consists of seventy-five acres of excellent land, belongs to one of the old county families.

Samuel Wambaugh, father of James Ed- gar, was born in Fawn township on what is now the Jacob Grove farm, in December, 1812. There he grew to manhood, working hard for his living and having but the meager educational chances of his day. He remained in that township until after his marriage and then bought the farm which is owned by his son James Edgar. As he had but small capital to start with, he purchased this land at various times just as he was able to pay, improving each tract from its wild state to one of pro- ductiveness. His death took place Aug. 18, 1881. He was a member of Zion M. E. Church. In politics he was a strong Democrat, and he was twice elected supervisor of his township.

Samuel Wambaugh was married Feb. 14, 1839, to Deborah Badders, born March 28, 1809, in Fawn township, daughter of Levi Bad- ders. Mrs. Wambaugh died in July, 1896. The children of the above marriage were : Levi, born Feb. 22, 1842, went to Iowa, mar- ried there and is now a farmer in Black Hawk county ; John W., born Feb. 28, 1844. married Elizabeth Workinger, settled in Fawn town- ship and died there; and James Edgar.

James Edgar Wambaugh was born on this farm, Dec. 24, 1847, and grew to manhood here. He attended the Zion school until twelve years old during the winter terms, and one of his well remembered teachers was Fred Hoke. He began to work hard when he was but a child, and when his father died he took

the place, although he had cropped for his father for three years previously. The name of the farm gives a pleasant idea of its situa- tion, and it is, indeed, a most desirable place, and Mr. Wambaugh and pleasant family make it a most hospitable home.

On March 13, 1873, Mr. Wambaugh was married, by Rev. J. Y. Cowhisk, the Presby- terian pastor at Stewartstown, to Margaret A. McConnell, born in June, 1850, in Peach Bottom township, daughter of John and Alice Jane ( Winter ) McConnell. The father of Mr. McConnell was a wealthy man in Ireland, and he did not approve of his son marrying the girl he loved because she was poor, so they eloped to New York and, although young, were married and came to Peach Bottom township, York county. He first was a contractor on a canal, and then became a farmer on land close to Lower Chanceford township. He was a man of generous impulses, and two of his neighbors had him sign their bail bonds which proved worthless. This ruined him financially, broke his spirit, and he died just nine days before Mrs. Wambaugh, the youngest of his children, was born; the other children were : Hugh went to California with his sister Mary and an aunt; Mary; Elizabeth married (first) James Burk, and (second) Lorenzo Hutton ; Jane, Mrs. Bernard Doyle, died in Bainbridge, N. Y .; Alice died unmarried; and John, who volunteered in the Civil war, was lost sight of.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Wambaugh were: Mary S. C., born Feb. 1, 1874, was a dressmaker in Baltimore, and from there went to the Norristown State Hospital, where she was graduated a nurse, and subsequently mar- ried the well known Philadelphia artist, John E. Newberry, and they have one child, Helen Minnie: Annie Virginia died March 21, 1881 ; Margie M., born May 27, 1878, died June 18,. 1878; Ella E. P., born Oct. 2, 1880, married George Ford, of Fawn township, but removed to Norristown, after marriage, thence to Phila- delphia, where they now reside, and they have two children : Gladys Naomi and Bernice Mil- dred, the latter of whom died Oct. 14, 1903 ; Robert E. P., born Oct. 8, 1882, works for the Prudential Life Insurance Co., with head- quarters at Philadelphia ; Ida M. E., born Oct. 6, 1884, is at home: Edith R. J., born July 17, 1886, is also at home.

In his political views Mr. Wambaugh has always been a stanch Republican, but he is one

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BIOGRAPHICAL

from principle and not on account of possible political honors. He was reared in the M. E. Church, and has always been a liberal supporter of that religious body.

JOHN G. MARTIN, a farmer of Jackson township, was born in 1850, son of Joseph and Nancy (Graybill) Martin.

John Martin, the great-grandfather of John G., emigrated from Germany to the United States early in the eighteenth century and located in Lancaster county, Pa. Later he came to York county, settling first near York and afterward removing to Codorus township, where he died at an advanced age. He was a gunsmith by trade, and followed this occupa- tion in connection with farming, building a factory for the manufacture of gun barrels, which he supplied to the soldiers during the Revolutionary war. Among his children were : Samuel, David, Catherine and John. In re- ligious belief he and his wife were Dunkards.

John Martin, the grandfather of John G., was born in Pennsylvania and educated in the primitive schools of his day. He engaged in farming, and accumulated considerable prop- erty, being considered one of the prosperous farmers of the time. He married Nancy Grove, by whom he had the following chil- dren: Catherine, Joseph, Lydia, Abraham, Elizabeth, Fanny and Solomon. In religious belief he was a Mennonite, as was also his wife. He died aged sixty-two years.

Joseph Martin, the father of John G., was born in Jackson township, where he was en- gaged in farming all his life. His death oc- curred in 1874, when he was sixty-two years of age. To himself and wife nine children were born, namely : William, Emanuel, Joseph, Na- thaniel, John, Amanda, Melinda, Annie and one that died in infancy. In political belief Joseph Martin was a Republican, but would never accept public office, being a consistent member of the Mennonite Church.

John G. Martin remained at home until the age of twenty-three, when he went to Kansas. After remaining there about nine months he returned home. He then learned the car- penter's trade, which he followed until his mar- riage, after which he engaged in farming on rented property for four years, when he pur- chased his present fine farm of ninety-four and one-half acres in Jackson township. Since that time he has devoted all his energy to agri- cultural pursuits.

In 1882 Mr. Martin married Lucy Stam- baugh, daughter of Abraham Stambaugh, and one child, Harry S., has been born to this union. The family are connected with the Re- formed Church, while in politics Mr. Martin like his father, is a Republican.

MICHAEL MEYERS, a cigar manufac- turer and dealer in cigars and tobacco, located at No. 45 East Philadelphia street, York, Pa., is a native of the city where he conducts his business, born March 12, 1864, son of Jo- seph and Margaret (Fuller) Myers.

Mr. Meyers's parents came from Bavaria, settling in America prior to their marriage. Joseph Meyers was a tanner, having learned the trade in his native country, and followed this business all of his life. He died in 1897, at the age of seventy-nine years, and his wife died in the spring of 1896, at the age of sev- enty-two years. They had two children, Jo- seph, who resides in York, and Michael.

Michael Meyers was reared in York, and attended the public schools. When a lad of eleven years he learned the trade of cigarmak- ing, which he has followed continuously ever since, in 1895 beginning business on his own account at No. 459 West Philadelphia street, and in 1899 removing to his present location. He manufactures the highest grade of cigars and supplies local trade, as well as wholesaling outside of York.

Mr. Meyers is a member of the K. of G. E., in which he has passed the chairs; the Junior O. U. A. M., and the I. O. O. F. He has represented the Eagles for six terms consecu- tively. Mr. Meyers was married June 3, 1894, to Miss Ella M. Allison, and they have their home at the same location as his place of busi- . ness. They attend the United Brethren Church.

ZACHARIAS T. SPANGLER, merchant at the Glades, Detrop, Springetsbury township, York county, where he is successfully conduct- ing a general merchandise store, was born Nov. 23. 1848, son of William and Elizabeth (Heckert) Spangler.

The grandparents of Z. T. Spangler were John and Christina Spangler, the latter of whom is supposed to have come from Ger- many. John Spangler was born in York coun- ty, where he spent his entire life engaged in agricultural pursuits. He lived to the age of eighty-eight years, and his wife also lived

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

to an advanced age. To them were born a township, but was reared in Manchester town- family of eight children, Samuel, William, John, Charles, Elizabeth, Catherine, Leah and Polly.

William Spangler, although he followed farming, was a mason by trade. He was a prominent figure in church work, being very active in securing funds for the erection of the Mt. Zion Church of Springetsbury, and was a very liberal supporter of the church, for years being one of its officers. He was of the Re- formed faith, while his wife connected herself with the Lutheran Church. His death occurred in 1891, when he was aged eighty-two, while his wife died at the age of sixty-six. A family of twelve children was born to this couple, of whom ten are living, as follows: John, who is retired and resides at Red Lion; William, a laborer of Springetsbury township; Emanuel, a trucker of the same township; Zacharias T., our subject ; Philip H., a prosperous merchant of East York; Alexander, a farmer of this township; Jacob H., who is also a farmer .; Al- bert, a trackman for the Pennsylvania rail- road, who resides in East York; Lucy, who married Alexander Heidlebaugh, of this town- ship; and Amanda, who married Ulrich Shelle- barger, of Spring Garden township, where they now reside.

Zacharias T. Spangler was educated in the common schools of his native place and re- mained at home until he was in his twenty- fourth year, when he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania railroad as trackman at York, and between York and Wrightsville, and re- mained here for seven years. He was then made foreman of a division stationed at Lit- tlestown, and remained there a few months, when, on account of bad health, he was forced to resign from his position. He then located in Springetsbury township, establishing his mer- cantile business, and has been successfully en- gaged in that line ever since. Mr. Spangler was made postmaster of the postoffice which he had induced the department to establish here, and named it Detrop. Mr. Spangler also follows farming in a small way.

Mr. Spangler has twice been called upon to fill the office of tax collector, and was clerk for three years. His wife and daughter are con- sistent members of the Lutheran Church. In 1871, he married Miss Amanda Welty, daugh- ter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Smeltzer) Welty. Mrs. Spangler was born in Springetsbury

ship. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Z. T. Spangler, two of whom are deceased. Those living are: Annie Kate, who married Albert Lehman, of Helm, and has one child, Arthur E .; and Allen Clay, who lives at home. Without doubt Mr. Spangler is one of the most popular citizens of Springetsbury township, in which he has been, and still is, a useful public-spirited man of affairs.

STEPHEN BOYER MANIFOLD is the fortunate owner of the "Green Valley Farm," a fine place of 120 acres in East Hopewell township which includes some six or eight acres in timber. He was born there Oct. 20, 1846, and has always made his home on the place. This fine old homestead, which is well cal- culated to excite the envy of those who, from necessity, change dwelling-places every year, was settled by Mr. Manifold's grandfather in his young manhood.

Here John Manifold, father of Stephen B., was born in 1804. He grew up a farmer boy, and among his responsibilities was that of driving to York and Baltimore with farm produce and bringing back machinery and home supplies. Much of the country was as yet sparsely settled. He married Merenda Meads, who was born in Hopewell township but spent many years in Stewartstown, a daughter of Benedict Meads, whose wife was a Miles. After his marriage John Manifold acceded to the wish of his father to remain and take the homestead, the greater number of his brothers and sisters choosing to go West, and here he died in 1872. His wife died at the home of her son Miles, close to the old home, where she lived after the death of her husband. Both parents were strict Presby- terians, the father being an elder in the church for a number of years. In politics he was a Democrat, and he was a leader in public mat- ters in his county, serving two terms in the State House of Representatives. When he was only twenty-one years of age he was first elected a justice of the peace, and he was al- ways designated "Squire Manifold."

John Manifold and his wife had children as follows: Dr. William, who died at New Freedom, is survived by his widow, formerly Miss Margaret Shaffer ; Benedict M., a farmer of Hopewell township, married Annie E. Payne; Eliza Jane, Mrs. James G. Morrison,

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BIOGRAPHICAL

died in Hopewell township; John D., who died on his farm in East Hopewell township, mar- ried Margaret Gemmill; Archie T., a farmer of East Hopewell township, married Jemima Meads; Mary H. remained unmarried; Millie Ann married James G. Thompson, of York; Stephen B. is the subject proper of this sketch ; Washington M., of York, married Jennie Ir- win, deceased; and Susan B. became Mrs. An- drew Wallace, of Logan county, Ohio.

Stephen B. Manifold was educated in the township schools, which he continued to attend until eighteen years old, his principal teachers being Porter Gemmill and his brother W. H. Manifold, and a Mr. Bliss. He was reared to practical farming and as he grew up had ex- cellent training in that direction. At the age of twenty-one he took charge of the liome farm, and after the death of his father bought the place. It has been his aim to improve the old farm constantly, and he has added many substantial buildings which are utilized in the various industries carried on there-farming, dairying and tobacco raising. The first family home was built by the grandfather from the logs he chopped in the forest, and this part of the residence is still stanch and strong. The father built on the frame additions, and it now stands a comfortable, commodious residence.

Mr. Manifold was married Jan. 24, 1878, by Rev. J. M. McGaughey, the Presbyterian pastor, to Miss Sarah E. Wiley, who was born in Fawn township, on the Wiley farm, Sept. 29, 1850. The parents of Mrs. Mani- fold were Samuel P. and Elinor ( Anderson) Wiley, the former of whom was born on the old Wiley homestead in Fawn township and passed all his life there as a farmer. Mr. Wiley was a well known and highly esteemed man, one of the pillars in the Center Presby- terian Church, in which he was elected an elder, May 14, 1859, and was ordained June II, 1859. He did not enjoy this prominence long, as he died Oct. 14, 1859. For years he was treasurer of the church. The mother of Mrs. Manifold is seventy-eight years of age, but time has touched her so lightly that she might easily be taken for a woman scarcely in middle life. Her two children are: Sarah E., Mrs. Manifold, and John C., who is a farmer in Fawn township, and who married Louisa Ann Strawbridge.

James Wiley, the grandfather of Mrs. Manifold, lived and died on his farm in Fawn

township. He married Sarah Duncan and they had these children : John I., who died in Fawn township, married Mary Kilgore; James, who married Sarah Ann Wiley, of Chester county, later started to move to Peoria, Ill., but when on the boat on the Mississippi river he was at- tacked with cholera and died just before a landing was made (his youngest brother, Sam- uel P., went to Peoria, and brought his body and family back to the old home) ; Mary Ann, who married Mathew Kilgore, died in Fawn township; Thomas married Isabella O. Irwin, a farmer and miller in Fawn township, where he lived and died; Sarah Jane, who was the wife of Samuel Reed, died in Chanceford township; Samuel P. was the father of Mrs. Manifold.

The following children were born to Mr and Mrs. Manifold : Ella May, born Dec. 10, 1878, married W. H. Gemmill on April 15. 1897, and they have two children, Wilma and Robert; Clarence Wiley, was born April 16, 1881; Nora Belle, born March 26, 1883, died May 25, 1885; Anna Mary was born Oct. 15, 1886; Stephen Chester, born Oct. 20, 1889, died March 18, 1891; Helen Olevia was born Sept. 14, 1893.

Mr. Manifold has always been a stanch Democrat. He has frequently been called upon to serve in official positions, and for a number of years has been school director, his advice being generally asked before any important move is made in the township school manage- ment. He is one of the leading members of the Hopewell Presbyterian Church, of which he has been a trustee for six years.

CHARLES L. EYSTER, who is engaged in farming in Jackson township, York county, was born July 6, 1866, son of George A. and Sarah ( Harbold) Eyster.

Adam Eyster, his great-grandfather, was a life-long resident of York county, and follow- ed farming in West Manchester township. To him and his wife were born children: Jacob, Peter, Adam, Michael, and Eve, who is the mother of Dr. Zeigler, of York. The family were Lutherans.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 170

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