History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 174

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

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Subsequently Mr. Olphin engaged in the tobacco farming industry for a Mr. Murphy, following the same in Chanceford township for one year, and then bought the home farm from his father. After operating it a couple of years, he rented it out, bought a pair of

Mr. Olphin was united in marriage with Emma E. Runkle, born in 1863, daughter of Jesse Runkle, a farmer of Chanceford town- ship. They have reared a large and interesting family, viz .: Lillie, Mrs. David Olewiler; Lottie, Mrs. Charles Frey, of Hellam; Yetta, Mrs. Charles Leiphart; Bessie; Nelson; Frank; Edna; Charles; Raymond; Ralph; and . In his political principles Mr. Olphin is a Democrat. He is a member of the Evangeli- cal Church, and one of the township's most re- spected men.

WILLIAM S. HENRY, the well-known ice cream manufacturer of Hanover Junction, North Codorus township, York county, was born in that township Dec. 31, 1864, son of Jonathan Henry.

Daniel Henry, his grandfather, was a farmer of York county. He was the father of the following children: Jacob, Samuel, Re- becca M., Miller, Elizabeth, Katie, Dorothy and Jonathan.

Jonathan Henry was a resident of North Codorus township, and followed day laboring. He married Sarah Stover, daughter of Michael Stover. Both died in North Codorus town- ship, and were buried at Sheaffer's Church. They had these children : Lucy, the wife of D. S. Cupper, of York; Mantilla, the widow of Josiah Sheaffer; Frank, who married Lydia Messersmith, and is farming in Springfield township; Aggie, the widow of R. C. Mc- Clellan; and William S.

William S. Henry attended the schools of his township until seventeen years of age, and at the age of eighteen found employment on the Northern Central railroad, with the repair gang, remaining seven years. He then went to York for a short time, but soon returned to Hanover Junction, where he worked on the coal chutes for about eight years. In 1897 he began the manufacture of ice cream, and in 1901 he engaged in the mercantile business. He sells his ice cream, wholesale and retail. throughout the surrounding country, and ships to Hanover, Baltimore, York and Woodbine, his product being in great demand. Besides these business interests he is agent for the Adams Express Company, and is also assistant postmaster.

Mr. Henry married Ida B. Freeman,

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daughter of John Freeman, of Martinsburg, who was killed on a railroad in Virginia. Mrs. Freeman married for her second husband John H. Huett. Mrs. Henry died in February, 1901, and is buried at Martinsburg, Va. To Mr. and Mrs. Henry came two children, Edward C. and Leonard F., both bright lads attend- ing school. Mr. Henry is a Democrat in poli- tics. and a Lutheran in religious faith. He is very popular in Hanover Junction, and is a good business man and public spirited citizen.

A. B. KRAFT, concrete contractor, is lo- cated at No. 221 South Beaver street, York, Pennsylvania. He makes a specialty of founda- tions for buildings and heavy machinery, bridges, culverts, etc .; granolithic and marbo- lithic pavements and floors for houses, mills, factories, stables and warehouses.

JOHN BRILLHART, who is now en- gaged in the tinning business at Jefferson borough, is one of the highly esteemed citi- zens and business men of Codorus township. He was born in North Codorus township, June 17, 1840, son of Samuel Brillhart.

Christian Brillhart, the grandfather of John, was a farmer of North Codorus town- ship, where he died, leaving children as fol- lows : Peter, Christian, John and Samuel. Of these, Samuel learned the blacksmith's trade in young manhood, but never followed that occupation. He engaged in farming in North Codorus township, where he owned a tract of 208 acres of land, continuing to cultivate this until 1863, when he located in Jefferson borough. There he led a retired life until his death, April 27, 1876, at the age of seventy- three years, five months and six days. He is buried there in the old cemetery. His wife, Elizabeth Behler, died May 22, 1872, aged eighty years. They had children as follows : Isaac, a farmer, who died in Illinois ; Samuel, a retired farmer of the same State; Annie, who never married; Julian, the wife of Isaac Stam- baugh, living in North Codorus township; Lucinda, deceased wife of Amos Rebert; Eliza- beth, deceased, who was the wife of Jacob Kessler; Mary, deceased, who was the wife of Henry Kessler, and John, our subject.

John Brillhart attended the schools of North Codorus township until he was eighteen years of age, and then learned the tinning trade in York with Daniel Heckert, with whom he

served five years. He then went West, and during the Civil war was employed at his trade by the government for one year. In 1865 he returned to Jefferson borough, engag- ing in business, and building a fine home, and there he still resides. Mr. Brillhart for thirty years engaged in dealing in stoves, but now gives all his time and attention to the tinning business, having a large and profitable trade in the surrounding country.

Mr. Brillhart was married to Miss Mary Jane Shreiner, of York, and to this union were born: Lucy, Mrs. Hoff, who resides in North Codorus township; and Bertha, the wife of Lewis Krebs, of Hanover. Mr. Brillhart's first wife died, and he married (second) Eliza- beth Smith, of Manheim township, by whom he has had children as follows: Charles E. (a teacher of music), Mollie, Harry, Gertrude and John.

Mr. Brillhart is a Republican, and has held the offices of chief burgess of Jefferson borough, school director and councilman. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, in the work of which he takes an active part. He is very well known and highly respected throughout Codorus township.

EDWARD MAHR was born Jan. 24, 1867, at New Holland, York county, a son of William Mahr and a grandson of Christian Mahr, and belongs to one of the fine old Ger- man families of this section of Pennsylvania.

Christian Mahr was probably born in Ger- many and settled very many years ago in East Manchester township, York Co., Pa., where he followed boating on the canal along the Susquehanna river. He died at the age of eighty-four years. He married Mary Cole- man, who was born in York county, and died at New Holland, where both are buried. They had children as follows: William, born Feb. 5, 1845; Flora, born Oct. 4, 1849, who mar- ried Emanuel Baer and resides at Mt. Wolf. in East Manchester township; Sarah. born May 5, 1852, who married Henry Strayer and lives at New Holland; Charles, born March 15, 1855, who married Ella Peters and lives at New Holland; Emma, born July 2, 1858, who died in 1885, and is buried at New Holland; John, born July 28, 1861, married to Sarah Bruah.

William Mahr, father of Edward Mahr, was born Feb. 5, 1845, at New Holland.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

After obtaining his education, in the local schools, he followed railroad work for a few years, and then became interested in tobacco farming, an industry which he followed almost all his life. At the opening of the Civil war

Josiah Blaney died Nov. 26, 1823, his death occurring suddenly while he was on his way home from Baltimore. The old tombs of both himself and wife may be found in the ceme- tery near the old farm in Harford county. he was only a lad of sixteen years, but this . Their children were: Melissa, who was born did not prevent his offering his services to his Feb. 15, 1802, died May 9, 1868; Thomas, born March II, 1804, died Jan. 14, 1881, and is buried in York; William, born May 7, 1806, . died Dec. 14, 1806; James Washington, born Dec. 2, 1807, died Sept. 8, 1887; William Jef- ferson, born Aug. 28, 1810, died Aug. 5, 1871; Sarah Stokes, born Sept. 6, 1813, died Sept. 5, 1874; and Ann, Mrs. McGuigan, born Nov. 2, 1816, died July 1, 1889. country, and he enlisted Sept. 4, 1861, in Com- pany C, 195th P. V. I., and served until June 21, 1865, being mustered out and discharged at Harrisburg. William Mahr was a very suc- cessful business man, and his operations in tobacco brought him large returns. His death took place Jan. 9, 1894, and he was interred at New Holland. Mr. Mahr married Melissa Blaney, daughter of Thomas and Frances (Keener) Blaney. She still survives, resid- ing at Harrisburg.

Edward Mahr was the only child born to William and Melissa Mahr. His education was acquired in the schools at New Holland, which he attended until he was nineteen years old, when he started to learn the trade of cigar- making. After working at this business for about eighteen months, and learning all its details, he went to farming tobacco on John H. Wagner's farm, near New Holland. For a short time he was employed on the railroad, but he has given his main attention to the rais- ing of tobacco, at which he has been exceed- ingly successful. Since 1902 he has not been employed at any special work, having invested his money satisfactorily. However, he is not inactive, serving East Manchester township as tax collector, inspector and school director.

In 1887 Mr. Mahr was united in marriage with Savilla R. Holler, a daughter of Manassas and Rebecca Holler, of Lancaster county. They have a family of four children, Minnie May, Wilbert, Ruth and Floyd. The beautiful. family home is one of the handsomest resi- der.ces at New Holland. In politics Mr. Mahr has always been identified with the Republi- can party, and he has been active in its work in this locality. The family is held in the highest esteem.

BLANEY. Josiah Blaney, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. William Mahr and great- grandfather of Edward Mahr, was born in Ire- land, July 22, 1776, and when he emigrated to America settled in Maryland and took up a very large tract of land in Harford county. On April 10, 1801, he married Mary Street, who was born Aug. 5, 1776, and died May 4, 1844.

Thomas Blaney came to York county in young manhood and settled in Chanceford township, near York Furnace, where he fol- lowed the carpenter's trade. He married Frances Keener, and they had children as fol- lows: Sarah Ann, who died in York county ; Mary Elizabeth, who married James Hanley, who died in Lancaster county, where his widow still resides; Melissa, Mrs. William Mahr; John Thomas, who served in the Civil war, and now resides at Quincy, Ill .; William Mar- tin, who served as sergeant for two years dur- ing the Civil war; James Rogers, another loyal soldier, who died in Kansas; Edward, who en- listed in the Civil war, answering the first call, was taken prisoner, and was not returned to his home until peace was declared (he now lives at White City, Kansas) ; and George J., the youngest of a very patriotic family, who gave one year of his life to the service of his country, now residing at Manhattan, Kansas.

CHARLES A. SCHAEFER, a successful florist of West Manchcester township, was born in Hanover, Germany, Jan. 4, 1872, and remained in that country until he reached man- hood.

The Schaefers for several generations have been farmers and shepherds in Germany, and such was the occupation of Henry Schaefer, the grandfather of Charles. He died near Hanover, at the age of seventy-one. He was the father of the following children: Carl; Frederick, a farmer, who with his wife and family lives in York county ; Minnie, who died in Germany; Henry, a shoemaker in York; and William, a farmer in Germany.

Carl Schaefer, father of Charles, was also born in the vicinity of Hanover, and for thirty-

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five years followed his father's occupation as a livery stable, and he has ever since been con- shepherd, after which he devoted his attention nected with that business. to farming. He is still living in Germany, and had children as follows : Leah, Mrs. Augustus Myers, residing in Germany; Charles A .; Dorothy, who is married and lives in Hanover ; William, of Berlin, unmarried; Anna, living at home; O-, a waiter in Germany ; Fred- erick, in the German army; Jane and Aldorf, at home.

Charles A. Schaefer attended the public schools of Hanover, till he was fourteen, and then followed in his father's footsteps and be- came a shepherd. After a year and a half, however, he gave this up, helped his father at farming until he was eighteen years of age, and after one year of intervening work for other farmers, was so engaged again until he was twenty-two. At that time, in 1894, he sailed from Germany for Baltimore, on a vessel going via New York, and then joined his uncle Fred- erick at the city of York. Two weeks after his arrival he decided to learn the business of a florist, and for three years was so employed under Mr. Smith. In 1897 he went into busi- ness for himself as a florist in Manchester township, at the very edge of the city, on the corner of West and Pennsylvania avenues, where he bought a tract 160 feet square. Here Mr. Schaefer has 12,000 feet under glass, and his greenhouses attract much attention, for they are the finest in the county, fully equipped with all the latest modern improvements. He has displayed a special aptitude for the man- agement of such an establishment, and has been very successful, building up a good trade, mainly in Baltimore, York and Philadelphia. So well has his business prospered that he is now building a handsome three-story residence in York.

In 1898, Mr. Schaefer was married to Miss Mr. Freed has been twice married. His first wife, to whom he was united in 1889. was Miss Amanda Myers, by whom he had Sophia Kiehlkoph, daughter of Jacob Kiehl- koph, and a native of Germany. The union has been blessed with two daughters, Minnie S. three children, Ella, Kathleen and Theodore and Dorothy May, both very bright little girls. F. After her death, he was united to Miss Mary E. Harmon. the nuptials occurring Dec. 25, 1898. To them one child was born. Mabel Dora, now deceased. The family reside at No. 312 West North street. Mr. Freed is one of the broad gauged live business men of the city and has earned an assured place for himself. Mrs. Schaefer's father came from Germany in 1902, to visit her, and returned very much pleased with the western world and the new ways of life therein. Mr. Schaefer and his wife belong to the Christ Lutheran Church of York. In politics he is a Democrat.

JACOB S. FREED, proprietor of the Freed Livery Stables, of York City, was but a boy of nine when he first began working in ?

Jacob Freed, father of Jacob S., was born in York county, about 1824, and made farm- ing his life occupation. He married Miss Sarah Yenser, a native of Lancaster county, and to their union were born seven children, viz. : Mary Ann, deceased; Rebecca; Sarah; Malinda; John Y., deceased; Jacob S .; and Ella. Mrs. Freed is still living, but her hus- band passed away on Christmas Day, 1898.

Jacob S. Freed was born in Hellam town- ship, Feb. 3, 1861. At the early age of nine years he was obliged to go to work, and enter- ing the livery stable of M. H. Wyser, he re- mained there till he was eighteen. The next four years were spent with Alexander Fry, and then when he was twenty-two, Mr. Freed entered business for himself. From the one stable which he began, his patronage has in- creased till he is now operating four, the largest concern of its kind in the city. His barns, which adjoin one another, are on Cherry Alley, in the rear of No. 20 George street, and all his business life has been passed within one block of that location. Mr. Freed makes a specialty of boarding horses and with those and what he himself owns, has ninety-two in his stables. He takes special pride in the fact that he has more good horses in his charge than any other man in Pennsylvania. They are kept in the best condition and a veterinary surgeon is al- ways at hand, as one has been engaged perma- nently. Mr. Freed deals quite extensively in horses, and also handles a good number of saddle horses. The bus line to the "National Hotel" is run by him. and also a line of hacks. He is a thoroughly experienced liveryman and has made a reputation for himself that ensures him the best trade in the city.

JOHN KEASEY was born in what is now Springetsbury township. Dec. 18. 1852, and until he was eighteen he attended the Miller

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

school in that district, and one of his teachers Wayne Co., Ohio, Dec. 8, 1840. He was was Squire Edward Dietz. He grew to man- hood, and until he was married worked for his stepfather. After that event he rented a farm in the same township for three years, and another in York township for six years, after which, in 1887, he bought his present home from Sebastian Stevens, a tract of twenty-six acres of fine land, upon which he has made many improvements. He has lately bought the ware house and feed store of H. S. Myers in York, and will conduct that busi- ness in addition to managing his farm.

In Springetsbury township, Mr. Keasey was married to Miss Mattie Forry, born in York township, daughter of Joseph and Eliz- abeth (Strickler) Forry, both of whom are now deceased. Three sons and two daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Keasey, namely: Jemima, Mrs. David Hursh, of Windsor township; Howard W., of York, who married Miss Florence Hughes; John Franklin, of York; Flora May; and Millard Edward. Mrs. Keasey is a member of the Mennonite Church, and her husband attends with her. In politics Mr. Keasey is a Repub- lican, but not active in party affairs. He is a progressive and successful farmer, a good business man, and he commands the respect and confidence of his fellow townsmen.

E. SHERMAN MILLER, a clerk in the freight department of the Northern Central Railway Company, is a grandson of Robert Miller. Robert Miller was a son of Henry Miller, who came from Ireland when quite young, and whose wife was also a native of the "Emerald Isle," which she left at fourteen years of age to come to America with her par- ents.

Robert Miller was born in Milton, Union Co., Pa., April 10, 1807. He became active in railway contracting, which he followed for over forty years, and died at York, Pa., May II, 1889, aged eighty-two years, one month and one day. He married Magdalena Young, a daughter of Peter Young, of Middletown, this State, and left a family of three sons and two daughters. The late Col. James Young, one of Pennsylvania's most prominent farm- ers, was a grand-uncle of our subject.

James D. Miller, father of E. Sherman Miller, was a son of Robert and Magdalena (Young) Miller, and was horn near Wooster,

reared in Dauphin county, Pa., and received a common-school education, finishing a good business education, in March, 1859, at Emau's Institute, Middletown, Dauphin Co., Pa. He then engaged in railway work, which was his life's pursuit. He entered the telegraph office of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, in that town, where he learned telegraphy with H. H. Neiman, operator, whose office was lo- cated in the hotel kept by Raymond & Ken- dig. On leaving there he entered the service of the Northern Central Railway Company, at Goldsboro, Pa., as telegraph operator, Aug. 9, 1859.

The Northern Central Railway Company had no line of its own at that time, but used the National Line. In 1860 the Northern Central Railway Company erected its line. Each operator at that time was furnished with a coil of wire, spurs and pliers, and whenever the line was down or in trouble the operator was required to start out, and walk half the distance north and south, between his office and the next office, and repair the line, having the privilege of using the road repairmen to assist, and of stopping the first train which came along, after he had repaired the break, to take him back to his office. Mr. Miller re- mained in that service until Nov. 1, 1861, when he left the Northern Central Railway Com- pany and entered the service of the Pennsylva- nia Railway Company, as night operator at Branch Intersection, near Middletown, Pa., there remaining until July, 1862, when he left the service. He then went to Washington City, where he was foreman in the construc- tion of the first street railway of the National Capital, and on Aug. 16, 1862, enlisted in Company H, 127th Regiment, Pennsylvania ' Infantry Volunteers; he participated in the battles of Fredericksburg, Va., and Chancel- lorsville, Va. Returning home he was mus- tered out, and honorably discharged on May 29, 1863, and went to work that night for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Branch Intersection, remaining there until December, 1863, when he left the railroad service, and re- mained out until Feb. 22, 1864, when he re- entered the service of the Northern Central Railway Company as day operator at Marys- ville, Pa. He held this position until .Aug. 15, 1864, when he re-enlisted in Company K, 9th Pennsylvania Veteran Cavalry, at Nash --

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ville, Tenn., and Kilpatrick's Division of Cav- of Pythias; a past noble grand of Marysville alry, in November, 1864, at Marietta, Ga. He Lodge, No. 590, Independent Order of Odd was with Sherman in the celebrated march to Fellows; and a member of Sandilands Com- the sea and up through the Carolinas. Being mandery, No. 152, Knights of Malta. He had been a delegate from his post to eight State en- campments ; was a member of the State Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows, and was a district dep- uty grand master in the last named organiza- tion. Mr. Miller died at York, Pa., June 12, 1903. honorably discharged at Lexington, N. C., May 29, 1865, he returned home on June 15, 1865, and on the 28th of June again entered the serv- ice of the Northern Central Railway Company as a brakeman on the Susquehanna division, running between Marysville and Sunbury. In 1868 he was made freight conductor and ran E. Sherman Miller, was one of nine chil- dren born to his parents and was born Sept. 30, 1867, in Marysville, Perry Co., Pa. He was educated in the public schools of Marys- ville, and York, Pa. His rise in the employ of the Northern Central has been rapid, for he started as a messenger boy, which position he filled from Dec. 24, 1883, to Jan. 25, 1884. Then he became a clerk. On Feb. 8, 1889, he was appointed agent at Freeland, Md., and remained in that position until Jan. 25, 1892, when he was made assistant baggage agent at York. On Jan. 1, 1895, Mr. Miller became a night clerk in the freight office, and April I, 1899, was promoted to the position of day clerk. a freight train until July, 1870, when he was made assistant yardmaster at Marysville. He was made general yardmaster in June, 1872, and when the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and the Northern Central Railway Company consolidated their yards at Marysville, in Au- gust, 1874, he was made general yardmaster for both companies. On Jan. 1, 1881, he was transferred to York, Pa., as assistant train- master of the Baltimore division of the North- ern Central Railway Company, which position he held until the time of his death. Mr. Miller enjoyed the record of being "one of the most earnest, careful and successful officials in the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- pany," in whose employ he had been for over forty years.

On Oct. 12, 1865, at Marysville, Pa., James D. Miller married Sarah Jane Stahler, a daughter of David H. and Mary Ann (Jackson) Stahler, of Marysville, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Miller had these children: Edgar Sherman, railroad clerk; William M., painter in the marine department of the Maryland Steel Company, Sparrows Point, Md .; Harrie N., yard clerk at Marysville, for the Northern Central Railway Company; Mary A., wife of Thomas Hollahan, superintendent of the York Cab Company ; Bessie E., wife of A. W. An- drews, a boilermaker; James Y., foreman in the Northern Central Railway freight ware- house; Bayard B. and Clayton T., clerks for the York Card & Paper Company.

James D. Miller was a Republican in poli- tics, and while at Marysville served acceptably as councilman of that borough. He and his wife were both members of the "Church of God." Mr. Miller was prominent in fraternal societies, being a past post commander of Gen. John Sedgwick Post, No. 37, Grand Army of the Republic ; a past master of Perry Lodge, No. 458, Free and Accepted Masons; a past chancellor of Behler Lodge, No. 269, Knights

On Nov. 2, 1894, Mr. Miller married Sarah A. Bailey, daughter of Dr. N. A. Bai- ley, a veterinary surgeon of New Freedom, York Co., Pa., and Anna C. (Orwig) Bailey, daughter of John Orwig, a wealthy retired farmer of Shrewsbury, York Co., Pa. Six children have been born to this union: Edna Earlue, who died at the age of three months; Agnes Leona, who died at the age of six months; Edgar Bailey, who died when two years of age; Anna L .; Sarah Aldis; and Ralph Kirkwood. Mr. Miller belongs to York Lodge, No. 266, F. & A. M .; Chosen Knights Commandery, No. 174, Knights of Malta; Capt. E. M. Ruhl Camp, No. 33, Sons of Vet- erans; and Codorus Council, No. 87, Wood- men of the World. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Railroad Voluntary Relief De- partment. In politics he is a Democrat.

C. ALEXANDER BORTNER, a tax col- lector of Codorus township, York county, was born April 6, 1870, in that township, son of Michael and Elizabeth (Gantz) Bortner.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 174

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