History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 18

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

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Politically Mr. Weitsel is a Republican, and served three years as councilman. He is a member of the United Brethren Church. Mrs. Weitsel is well known in York city and county. She is a charter member of the Evan- gelical Church, for nearly sixty years taking a great and active interest in all church work, and has been a teacher in the Sunday-school for fifty years in both English and German, having taught a class of young men in the Sunday-school since they wore knee-trousers. She is a member of Aid, the Home and the C. E. Societies. For forty years she has be- longed to the Rebekahs. She is superintendent of the Alms House, and has been connected with the W. C. T. U. for the last twenty-two years. Few women are better known in York city, and her great and good work in all lines has been felt and appreciated by all. Kind and gentle, she is a good Christian woman, and is loved and honored by all who know her.

Fraternally for fifty years Mr. Weitsel has been connected with Humane Lodge, No. 342, I. O. O. F., and Mt. Vernon Encampment, No. 14, I. O. O. F., of York, and in this order he is extremely popular. Like his venerable wife he is highly respected by all. Especially well is Mr. Weitsel known for his strict hon- esty and integrity and for the businesslike manner in which any business is carried out by him. He and his wife have reared a family of

BIOGRAPHICAL

children which would be a credit to any com- munity, and they may be truly called a repre- sentative couple of the city of York.

ELI K. WILLIAMS died in York Dec. 3. 1895. He was born in Springfield town- ship. York county. Sept. 30, 1838, son of John B. and Catherine ( Koller) Williams.

Frederick Williams, grandfather of our subject, was born in 1765, and died July 30, 1832. He married Elizabeth Raymond, daughter of Henry Raymond, who died in 1816, aged twenty-three years.

John B. Williams the father of our sub- ject died Jan. 12, 1881, and his wife, Cath- erine Koller, April 10, 1887.

Eli K. Williams grew to manhood on his father's farm, being reared to the life of a farmer, and educated in the common schools. He was married Feb. 28, 1860, to Miss Aman- da E. Gottwalt. Prior to his marriage he had worked for a time in the Farquhar shop in York, and after marriage he built a home on Chestnut street, and moved to York. He later went to work in the car shops, and from there to Lafean's candy factory, where he continued until his death. Mr. Williams was buried at Prospect Hill cemetery. He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church. Politically a Republican, he took a great degree of interest in public affairs. His fraternal connections were with the Red Men. To him and his wife were born : Harry L., born Dec. 24, 1860, married Esther Steese, and is a proof reader in the Brooklyn Times office: and Charles H., born Nov. 30, 1865, married Mary Shaffer, and they reside on East King street.

Mrs. Williams was born April 24, 1839, on Beaver street, York, and in her youth at- tended the town schools. Mrs. Williams joined Christ Lutheran Church in early girl- hood, and was a teacher in the Sabbath schools for many years. After marriage she attended Zion Lutheran Church, but since her hus- band's death has returned to Christ Church. Her father, George Gottwalt, was born near York, where he attended school. He was a hatter by trade, having learned that business with Peter Ahl. He later carried on brick making, and at this he continued until his death in 1870, aged sixty-one years. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church. Po-

litically he was a Republican. Mrs. Williams' mother Mary Ann Huchman, was born in York, Nov. 30, 1811, and died Dec. 25, 1893. She was confirmed in Christ Lutheran Church. She was the youngest child of Frederick Huch- inan, a teacher ot the parochial school and or- ganist in Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church. He was born in Hanover Germany, Feb. 13, 1766, and confirmed in the church in 1782, coming to the United States in 1791. He was married Sept. 28, 1794, to Mary Magdalene Gerst, of Winchester, Va., and he and his wife moved to Hagerstown, Md. When the Rev. Dr. Schmucker in 1809, removed from Hagerstown to York to become pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, he persuaded Mr. Huchman to accompany him and take charge of the parochial school, and to be organist in the church. Mr. Huchman has a memorial window in the new Christ Lutheran Church.

ANDREW MILLER, a retired citizen of York, for a number of years carried on agri- cultural operations and milling in Windsor township, in which township he was born Dec. 18, 1825, son of Michael Miller.

Michael Miller, Sr., the grandfather of Andrew, was born in Windsor township and was a large landowner and prosperous farmer. He married Miss Susan Lantz, who was also born in Windsor township, and both died in that township, being buried at Freysville Union Reformed Church. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Miller, Sr., were as follows : Frederick, who married Miss Susana Paules, and had a family of twelve children, went to Ohio, and spent his life in farming; Catherine, who married Mr. Kemmerly, died at Shrews- bury, York county ; Michael was the father of our subject; Mrs. Kehler accompanied her husband West, where they both died leaving a family.

Michael Miller, son of Michael, Sr., was born in Windsor township, where he followed farming. He purchased a mill, which he operated in the township for many years, and he died at the age of eighty-one years and eight months. His wife in her maidenbrod was Elizabeth Zeller. They are both interred at Freysville Emanuel Reformed Church in Windsor township. Their children were : Jacob, a retired farmer, married Miss Mary P. Anstine, and died in Red Lion: Mary. the

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

wife of Valentine Gable, lived in Windsor township; Susan, who died in Shrewsbury township, was the wife of Jacob Striewig; Catherine, who died in Lower Windsor town- ship, was the wife of Samuel Leberknecht ; Elizabeth, who died in Shrewsbury township, was the wife of Frederick Austine; Charles, a retired miller and merchant, living at Dillsburg, Pa., married Catherine Kauffman (he still owns the mill which is operated by his son) ; Michael, who died in York, married Catherine Stine, who is living on Prospect street, York, Pa; Andrew is the subject of this sketch; David, who died in Windsor township, the first of eleven children to die, left a widow, Rebecca (Gohn), who is still living ; and Misses Sarah A. and Rebecca kept house for their father until his death, after which they moved to York, Pa., and bought the home on College avenue, where they now reside, provided with ample means.

Andrew Miller spent his school days in the common schools of his district and learned the milling business with his father. In De- cember, 1857, he married Elizabeth M. Lutz, daughter of George W. and Maria (Mann) Lutz, of Manor township, Lancaster county.

After his marriage Mr. Miller purchased the mill and mill property, and operated there until 1893, when he located in York, and has since lived retired. He is the owner of three farms in Windsor township, and all are up-to- date in every respect, consisting in all of 250 acres. The mill property he sold to Michael M., his son, who is still operating it. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller were born these children: Andrew L., who married Annie Anstine, is postmaster and merchant at Freys- ville. York county; Michael, who married Catherine Kauffman, is running the old family mill: Charles E., who married Miss Sallie Kauffman, is a well-known and successful brick manufacturer and stone quarryman of York; George, who married Ida Seitz, is en- gaged in the mercantile business at the corner of Queen and Princess streets, York ; J. W., whose sketch will be found elsewhere, married Emma Stoner; and Sallie A. is the wife of Thomas Wilson, of York. Mrs. Elizabeth M. (Lutz) Miller died Dec. 27, 1874, aged forty- three years and eleven months, and Mr. Miller married (second) on March 7, 1878, Catherine

Meyers, daughter of Henry Meyers, of Shrewsbury township, York county.

In politics Mr. Miller is a Republican, but has never sought public office. He has been connected with the Drovers and Mechanics National Bank of York, since its organization, and had been repeatedly urged to serve as a director, but always refused until 1902, when he finally accepted the honor and has served as such ever since. He is connected with the Reformed Church of Freysville, York Co., Pa .. to which his wife also belongs, and he has held the offices of deacon and elder for many years. Mr. Miller's years of active labor are over, and he is now surrounded by all that makes life dear, affectionate friends, devoted descendants, ample means, and a wide circle of estimable fellow citizens who hold him in the highest regard.

MATTHEW H. McCALL, president of the First National Bank of York, is descended from the family that gave the historic McCall's Ferry its name, and he is the third in direct line to bear the name of Matthew. His grand- father, Matthew McCall, was an industrious and upright citizen, much esteemed in his sec- tion.

Matthew McCall, father of Matthew H .. was a noted educator in his day. He was a graduate of Washington and Jefferson College. Canonsburg, and for one year was a professor in that institution, later filling a professorship in Blairsville Academy. His death occurred in 1848. He married Amanda Manifold (an aunt of Sheriff Manifold), of Hopewell town- ship, York county, and three children were born of this union : Amanda, who died in early childhood; Sallie A., wife of James W. Wal- lace, a farmer and merchant of Hopewell Cen- ter, York county ; and Matthew H.

Matthew H. McCall was born in Blairsville. Indiana Co., Pa., Sept. 24, 1843. He received his early education in an academy taught by Prof. James A. Murphy, and in 1860-61 was a student in the Millersville State Normal School, in Lancaster county. When he left school as a student he entered the teacher's pro- fession, and taught in Hopewell, Fawn and Lower Chanceford townships. The outbreak of the Civil war changed his plans, as it did those of many young men. When less than

BIOGRAPHICAL

nineteen years of age he enlisted Aug. 7, 1862, tion. In politics he is a Republican, and has becoming a private in Company I, 130thi P. V. been a delegate at various times to the State I. He participated in the battles of Antietam, conventions, and has also been a member of the Republican State Committee. Unostentatious in manner, genial at all times, but possessed of a forceful nature that stamps all his acts with the mark of quiet determination. Mr. McCall shows himself at all times a capable man in responsible position. Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, and was honorably discharged at the expiration of his term of enlistment, nine months. On June 17, 1863, he re-entered the service, becoming first lieutenant of Company B, Ist Battalion, P. V. I., and was discharged Oct. 3, 1863. Still filled with patriotic ardor, Mr. McCall enlisted a third time, Jan. 27, 1864, in the 187th P. V. I., and on March 18th following was made quartermaster of the regiment, being but twen- ty years of age at this time. Although fre- quently under fire he escaped without injury, and was mustered out with his regiment Aug. 8, 1865. He had been offered the captaincy of his company, but declined, as he preferred the quartermastership.

After the close of the war Mr. McCall en- gaged in merchandising at Gatchellville, York county, remaining continuously in business for thirty-nine years, and only giving it up when he was made president of the First National Bank of York, an honor that came to him Feb. 14, 1905, after the death of President Schall. Mr. McCall had been a director of the bank for eighteen years, and had made a careful study of finance, so that the mantle of President Schall could hardly have fallen on more capa- ble or worthy shoulders.

On Jan. 27, 1869, Mr. McCall was married to Mary Amanda Livingston, daughter of Dr. Livingston, a prominent practicing physician of Chanceford township. One child was born to this union, Hugh Livingston, who grew to manhood and became his father's valuable as- sistant in the mercantile business, but who died at the age of twenty-eight, in the prime of young manhood, leaving a widow but no chil- dren.

Fraternally Mr. McCall is a member of York Masonic Lodge, No. 266, having joined the order in 1874; and for seventeen years he was commander of Lieut. Frank Torbet Post. No. 506, G. A. R., of Gatchellville, a post he took an active part in organizing. He also belongs to the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, an order to which but seven men in the county belong. Religiously Mr. McCall is a Presbyterian, being a member of the Presby- terian Church at Chanceford, where for nine or ten years he was secretary of the congrega-

DAVID F. STAUFFER. The annals of York county give evidence that the Stauffer family has long been identified with its his- tory, and David F. Stauffer is one of the county's influential and prominent citizens and representative business men. He is concerned in industrial enterprises of wide scope and im- portance and the owner of most valuable realty, and stands high in the regard of the people of his native county, where he has risen to suc- cess and prestige on the ladder of his own building. In the city of York Mr. Stauffer is the owner of a large and profitable industrial enterprise, that is concerned in the manufactur -- ing of crackers and cakes. This business dates from 1858, when it was founded by the late Jacob Weiser, who later sold it to Barney Sauppy. He continued the undertaking until 1866, when he was succeeded by Casper Loucks. the latter remaining at the helm until Mr. Stauf- fer purchased the plant and business, in 1871. He has rebuilt and remodeled the plant, and it is now one of the best in equipment and in the superiority of its products in the State of Pennsylvania, while a large business is con- trolled throughout the territory normally trib- utary to York as a wholesaling and jobbing center. Mr. Stauffer is also engaged in the manufacture of brick, under the title of the York Shale Pressed Brick Company. The concern has a well appointed plant and its out- put is of the most substantial and attractive order, the brick being of a beautiful cherry red and made from dry shale, compressed under very high hydraulic pressure. This establish- ment also controls a large and profitable busi- ness, and in its management has felt the vi- talizing and progressive impetus given by Mr. Stauffer, who has shown marked initiative and executive ability in every enterprise, private or public, with which he has consented to identify himself. He is the owner of three large and

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

finely improved farms in York county, his landed estate comprising 456 acres. The farms are well stocked and are operated largely un- der his personal supervision. He is a director of the York County Agricultural Society, a member of the directorate of the City Bank and a valued member of the municipal board of public works. He is ever ready to lend his influence and co-operation in the promotion of all worthy enterprises tending to conserve the general welfare and the advancement of the best interests of his home city and county, and he commands the high regard of those with whom he has come in contact in either a business or social relation. years in the city fire department ; as a member of the city council for two terms, representing the Fourth ward; and has been for two years chairman of the highway department of the municipal government. In, the position last named he has practical supervision of the im- portant work of the department, through the operations of which employment is afforded to a corps of about two hundred men. Mr. Stauf- fer and his family are valued members of Trin- ity Reformed Church.

Reverting to the earlier points in the career of this worthy and popular citizen, it should be noted that Mr. Stauffer is a native of York sor township, where he passed his boyhood days and received the rudiments of his educa- tion in the district schools, while through per- sonal' application and well directed reading, to- gether with his discipline as an active man of affairs, he has rounded out what may well be termed a liberal education. Mr. Stauffer is a son of the late Rev. Frederick and Mary (Forry) Stauffer, both of whom were born and reared in York county. The father was a man of noble character, for forty years a min- ister of the Mennonite Church, in which he at- tained distinction and high honors, serving as a bishop of that denomination for eighteen years. Both he and his wife died in the year 1894.

Mr. Stauffer remained on the home farm until 1867, when he located in York township and identified himself with the milling business, which received his attention until 1870, when he purchased the bakery which he has since so successfully conducted.

On July 30, 1870, was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Stauffer to Miss Lucinda Wayne, who was born and reared in York county, daughter of the late Samuel and Susan Wayne. To Mr. and Mrs. Stauffer have been born ten children, namely : Calvin, Harry, Nettie, Mazie, Ann, William H., David Preston, Al- bert E., Frederick and Elsey. Those deceased are Albert, Elsey and Frederick. Nettie Stauf- fer is the wife of Curtis Mehring, wholesale hardware and groceryman; Mazie, wife of Colvin Craft, cashier of the City Bank : Calvin, associated with his father, who married Ab- ba M. Eaton, of York; Harry. superintend-

He served ten ent of his father's factory, married to Estella Daffler, of York; William H., in' his father's office; David Preston Stauffer, attending Pierce's Business College in Philadelphia.

J. FRANK SMALL, M. D., a prominent physician of York, won particular renown as the health officer of that city, a position he held for more than eight years with distinguished ability. He was born July 6, 1865, in York, son of David Etter and Mary Ann (Fulton) Small, and is a descendant of onesof the oldest and most distinguished families in Pennsyl- vania.

county, having been born on a farm in Wind- . literary training in the public schools of York

In boyhood Dr. Small received a thorough and the York Collegiate Institute. In 1886 he entered the Medical Department of the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in the class of 1889. Immediately after graduation he was engaged for two years in the wholesale drug business at York, associated with his twin brother, J. Hamilton Small, who afterward became a physician and teacher in the Medico Chirurgi- cal Hospital, Philadelphia. Upon the dissolution of this partnership Dr. Small made an exten- sive tour of Europe, during which time he took a post-graduate course in the London hospitals, and was interested in other profes- sional observations on the continent and else- where.

Returning from his continental trip in 1893. Dr. Small opened an office in York, where he has risen rapidly in his profession. enjoying a very. lucrative practice. In 1898 he became a close student along the line of anti-toxin, which he introduced in York. At

BIOGRAPHICAL

present, and for some time past, he has been Sons of America, Artisans Order of Mutual studying preventive medicine, making a special Protection, and the Royal Arcanum, for which study of typhoid fever. He has written several important papers along this line, which have been published in the medical journals and republished in the York and Lancaster papers. latter he is medical examiner. He is also one of the highest degree Masons in the United States, having passed through the lodge, chap- ter, commandery and consistory.

Dr. Small served the city as president of the board of health in 1894, and was elected health physician in 1895, being re-elected in 1896, and serving, as previously stated, over eight years. His skill in general medicine and surgery is supplemented by a quickness in reaching conclusions and promptness of action which have saved the day on more than one oc- casion. One instance is particularly note- worthy. A case of smallpox being discovered late one evening in the servants' quarters of one of the leading hotels of York, the top floor was immediately quarantined, and by two o'clock in the morning every guest in the big hotel had been vaccinated. The result was that not another person in the hotel took the disease and though there were sporadic cases through the city the epidemic stage was never approached. Thousands of dollars were thus saved the municipality, and the citizens gener- ways attends such a calamity, to say nothing of the life and happiness of many. Dr. Small's heroic action in the emergency, with the board of health back of him, certainly deserved the warm commendation it received.

The Doctor is a member of the York Coun- ty and Pennsylvania State Medical Societies, and has taken an active interest as a member in the American Medical Association and the Pan-American Medical Congress. For one term he presided over the York County Medi- cal Society, and he has served at various times on different important committees in the State and national medical organizations.

Dr. Small has always been a stanch Repub- lican, and is a charter member and ex-presi- dent. of the Young Republicans of York. He has frequently represented the party in cau- On Nov. 23, 1898, Mr. Kilgore married Susan C. McConkey, daughter of William Mc- Conkey, a leading banker of Wrightsville, and sister of Senator E. K. McConkey. No chil- dren have been born to this union. cus, local and State conventions. For a num- ber of years the Doctor has been prominent in fraternal circles. He is officially connected with the Alpha Mu Pi Omega medical fra- ternity of the University of Pennsylvania, In- Mr. Kilgore is one of the directors of the company of which he is secretary and treas- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, Junior Or- der of American Mechanics, Patriotic Order urer, and he is also a director in the Drovers'

JAMES WILSON KILGORE, secretary and treasurer of the Guardian Trust Company of York, is well known in the business, frater- nal and social circles of that city.

Mr. Kilgore comes of a Scotch-Irish fam- ily long settled in the north of Ireland, whence the American ancestor came to York county, Pa., early in the eighteenth century. This pio- neer was Matthew Kilgore, who located at first in Delaware, but after a brief stay came to York county, where he settled. The grand- father of James W. Kilgore, John, was a farm- er in Lower Chanceford township, and his son, Robert N., who was also a farmer, died at Brogueville, York county, in 1877, aged sixty- six years. Robert N. Kilgore, father of James WV., married Mary E. Wilson, daughter of James Wilson, of Harford county, Md., and three children were born to them as follows : ally were spared the loss of trade which al- ' Maggie M. and Jennie, unmarried; and James Wilson, whose name introduces this sketch.

James Wilson Kilgore was born Feb. 22, 1851, at the old homestead near McCall's Ferry in Lower Chanceford township. His early edu- cation, received in the public schools, was sup- plemented by some terms in the Union Acad- emy, Pleasant Grove Academy and York County Academy. He began his public life as a storekeeper in Brogueville, and was a mer- chant in that place at three different times, aggregating fourteen years. He then came to York, where he engaged in the flour and grain business from 1899 to 1903. On June I, 1903, he was elected to his present respon- sible position as secretary and treasurer of the Guardian Trust Company, which began busi- ness at that time, with a capital of $250,000.

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

& Mechanics' Bank of York, the Mount Rose surance Company of York, the Mount Rose Cemetery Association, and the Hollywood Brick Company, and is vice-president of the Boren Gulch Mining Company. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic Order. He one of the powers in York's financial circles.

On Oct. 9, 1878, Mr. Dempwolf was united politics, like his brother-in-law, Senator Mc- in marriage to Miss Emma Jane Smith, daugh- Conkey, he is a stanch Republican.

is a member of the Lafayette Club of York. In

C. H. DEMPWOLF, who is connected with a number of industrial and financial con- cerns of the city of York, came to this coun- try from Germany when a youth. His earliest years were spent in his native country, where he was born April 23, 1850. At the age of seventeen Mr. Dempwolf accompanied his par- ents to America and the family settled in York. The young man began at once to support him- self and assisted in establishing a new home. He was so engaged until 1869, when he went to New York, attended a business college and then accepted a position as bookkeeper. For three years Mr. Dempwolf remained there, employ- ing his spare time in the study of chemistry and attending several courses of lectures at Cooper Institute. He returned to York in 1874, went into business and formed the firm of C. H. Dempwolf & Co. for the manufac- ture of fertilizers. Their dealings grew to such proportions that in 1895 the York Chem- ical Works was incorporated with a capital of $100,000, C. H. Dempwolf becoming presi- dent. The company manufactures twenty brands of high grade fertilizers, the works having a capacity of 20,000 tons a year. Demp- wolf's fertilizers find a ready market through- out Southern Pennsylvania. The York Chemi- cal Works is undoubtedly the concern in which Mr. Dempwolf takes his most vital interest, for it is practically his own creation, but he is identified with other important interests in York, and holds not a few positions of re- sponsibility. He is president of the Hoover Wagon Company and the City Building and Loan Association ; secretary of the York Silk Manufacturing Company; treasurer of the York City Land Company, as well as of the Fertilizer Manufacturers' Association of the United States; treasurer and direc- tor of the York County Agricultural Society ; and director of the Security, Title and Trust

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 18

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