History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 180

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

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principal features in the Park and would rec- ommend all readers to see these greatest natural wonders of the world in preference to a trip to Europe) ;' Cinnabar, Mont., back to Liv- ingston, Mont .; Livingston, Mont., via North- ern Pacific railroad, to Seattle, Wash., and Portland, Oregon; Portland, via Southern Pa- cific railroad to Oakland, Cal., and San Fran- cisco, Cal. (sail on the Pacific ocean at the Golden Gate, visited Sutro Park and the Pre- sidio, where thousands of our Spanish- American soldiers were encamped on the shore of the Pacific; saw the United States man-of-war "Oregon" in the har- bor) : San Francisco, Cal., via Southern Pacific railroad, to Los Angeles, Cal .; Los Angeles, Cal., via Southern Pacific railroad, to El Paso, Texas (a peep into Mexico) ; El Paso, Texas, via Southern Pacific railroad, to Algiers, La .; Algiers, La., via ferry boat on Mississippi river and Gulf of Mexico, to New Orleans, La. (over 300 cases of yellow fever in the city and came within an ace of being quarantined for ten days in that hot, sultry city, although it was the latter part of Octo- ber) ; New Orleans, La., via Louisville & Nashville railroad, to Montgomery, Ala .; Montgomery, Ala., via Atlanta & West Point railroad, to Atlanta, Ga .; Atlanta, Ga., via Southern Railway, to Washington, D. C .; Washington, D. C., via Baltimore & Potomac railroad, to Baltimore, Md .; Baltimore, Md., via Northern Central railway, to York, Penn- sylvania.

At the conclusion of this most memorable and magnificent trip, which embraced twenty- five States of our Union, the great inland seas, and two foreign countries, the bride and bride- groom were unanimous in agreeing that, after all, there was "No place like home."

CHARLES REA, M. D. No other pro- fession presents such grave responsibilities as those attaching to the followers of materia medica.

Dr. Charles Rea, of York, has been in suc- cessful practice some eleven years. His pre- scholastic training was received in the common schools of Harford county, Md., after which he passed successive periods at the West Not- tingham Academy (graduating in 1889), the West Chester Normal School, and the Lehigh University. Under the tutelage of that dis- tinguished physician, Dr. William H. Pan- coast, of Philadelphia, he had begun the study

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

of medicine prior to finishing his literary edu- cation, and in 1891 he formally matriculated with the Medico-Chirurgical College of Phila- delphia. Here he passed the ensuing three years, and in May of 1894 was presented his degree. He has since been in active prac- tice in York, his success being measured only by his physical ability to attend to the calls upon his services.

Dr. Rea was born in Little Britain town- ship, Lancaster county, Pa., July 20, 1872, and comes from Scotch-Irish parentage, his an- cestors having been for generations leading agriculturists in Lancaster and Chester coun- ties. His grandfather, Samuel L. Rea, lived in Little Britain township, in Lancaster county, and there his father, Chandlee H., was also born and reared. Margaret (Biles) Rea, our subject's mother, was the daughter of Charles Biles, a farmer and hydraulic engineer of Chester county. There were but two children in the family, Charles; and a son that died in infancy. The father died at the comparatively early age of twenty-six years in 1875, while the mother still survives him, a resident of Baltimore.

In August, 1894, Dr. Rea married Miss Adaline V. Martin, M. D., daughter of John W. Martin, a retired merchant of Chester, Pennsylvania; she died in November, 1899, leaving a little daughter, Alice Martin, to the care of her sorrowing husband. Dr. Rea is one of the most companionable of men, and keeps in close touch with affairs, professionally and socially. He is a familiar figure at the gatherings of the profession at the different associations, county, State and national, and has served his county association as its presi- dent and as delegate to the American Medical Association. He holds the responsible position of physician to the Children's Home, one of the charitable institutions of the city. He finds social enjoyment in two of the select clubs of the city, the LaFayette and Country clubs, and is a prominent worker in the Episcopal church, taking especial delight as a teacher in the Sun- day-school. He is not active in politics, but is earnest in his support of Republican men and measures.

Academy and the York Collegiate Institute, from which latter institution he was graduated in 1893, being the valedictorian of his class. He then entered Pennsylvania College, at Get- tysburg, and was graduated therefrom in June, 1897, with the degree of B. S., being a mem- ber of the Second Honor Group and a Com- mencement Orator. During his course he re- ceived honorable mention for the Baum Sopho- more Mathematical Prize, and in 1900 the institution conferred upon him the degree of M. S.

Immediately upon graduation Mr. Kain was elected Tutor of Mathematics in the Pre- paratory Department of Pennsylvania College, which position he held for one year. In Sep- tember, 1898, he entered the Law School of Harvard University, and, after being com- pelled to remain at home for a year, by reason of illness, was graduated with honor in June, 1902, receiving the degree of LL. B. cum laude. He also read law for some time in the office of Cochran and Williams. He was admitted to the Bar of York county on Dec. 22, 1902, since which time he has been en- gaged in the practice of law in the city of York.

He was married Jan. 1, 1901, to Cara Bahn Watt, a daughter of Andrew Watt, a native of Scotland but for many years a promi- nent merchant of York, and his wife, Susan A. Bahn, whose ancestors were among the earliest settlers in the Kreutz Creek Valley.

While at college Mr. Kain became a mem- ber of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He is a Mason, being a member of York Lodge, No. 266, F. & A. M., Howell Royal Arch Chap- ter, No. 199. and York Commandery, No. 21, Knights Templar. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. He is a Republican, and a member of the Lutheran Church.

Mr. Kain's father, immediately upon his graduation from Pennsylvania College, in 1871, was appointed County Superintendent of Schools of York county for the unexpired term of S. G. Boyd. He was elected to the same position for a term of three years in 1872, and again in 1875. In the latter year he became a member of the Bar of York coun- ty, and continued in the active practice of the law until his death, in 1883. He was married March 6, 1876, to Clara Maria Hay, who sur- vived him less than ten months. She was a daughter of George Hay, who for almost fifty

GEORGE HAY KAIN was born in York, Pa., April 13, 1877, and is the only child of William Henry Kain and his wife, Clara Maria Hay. He received his preparatory edu- cation in the public schools, the York County years was a cabinetmaker and undertaker in

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York, and who was a prominent figure in the military life of the county. Upon the organi- zation of the "York Rifles," in 1835, he became their captain, holding that office during the en- tire existence of the company, and responding with them, on April 19, 1861, to President Lincoln's first call for troops. He served as Brigade Inspector, Brigadier General and Major General of the State militia, and, having been instrumental in its organization, was commissioned Colonel of the 87th Regiment, P. V. I., on Sept. 25, 1861. In 1863 he suc- ceeded Gen. Cluseret in the command of the Ist Brigade, 2d Division, 8th Army Corps, serving in this capacity for two months, when he was honorably discharged from the service by reason of disability. He was of military ancestry, being a son of John Hay, who was a non-commissioned officer in the war of 1812, and a grandson of Lieut .- Col. John Hay and of Col. Michael Schmeiser, both of whom were prominent in the Revolutionary struggle.

WILLIAM H. GABLE. Life insurance represents one of the valuable and important lines of enterprise in every community, and prominently associated with the same is the subject of this sketch, who is district agent for the John Hancock Insurance Company, of Boston, Mass., with headquarters in the city of York. He has been most successful in ad- vancing the interests of the company in his jurisdiction, and is one of the leading insur- ance men of this section of the state, while he is held in the highest esteem as a citizen and business man. In the latter connection the greater interest attaches to his career from the fact that he is a native son of York county and has here set at naught the application of the Biblical aphorism that "a prophet is not with- out honor save in his own country."

William H. Gable was born in the city of York, Pa., Dec. 24, 1838, and is a scion of one of the old and honored families of this section of the Keystone State. He is a son of Conrad and Eliza (Keller) Gable, the former of whom was long engaged in the milling business in York, where he died when the subject of this review was about six months old. His widow survived many years, being summoned into eternal rest in 1886, at the venerable age of seventy-eight years. William H. Gable secured his early educational dis- cipline in the common schools of York, and

thereafter completed a course of study in the York County Academy, one of the old and popular educational institutions of this section of the State. Mr. Gable's initial endeavors in a business way were made in the position of clerk in a local dry-goods store, and he con- tinued to be thereafter engaged in clerical work for the long period of twenty years, be- coming well known to the people of the county and gaining a high reputation as a capable and courteous salesman. In 1883 he removed to- Emigsville, this county, where, during the en- suing three years, he had sole charge of the extensive mercantile business of the firm of Emig & Co. He then accepted a position as salesman in a large carpet house in York, re- maining with this concern for sixteen years, during fourteen years of which time he was its bookkeeper. In 1900 he turned his atten- tion to the insurance business, and that his- rise has been rapid and creditable in the most marked degree is evident from the responsible position which he now holds, having been ap- pointed district agent for the John Hancock Life Insurance Company for York county in January, 1906, said company having long been known as one of the strongest and most popu- lar life indemnity companies of the world.

Mr. Gable is a member of the Relief As- sociation of Emigsville and is an active and valued member of the Zion Lutheran Church in York, having been a member of the church council for more than forty years. In matters political he has even been found stanchly ar- rayed as a supporter of the principles and policies of the Democratic party, and while he has never been an office seeker he has at all times shown a lively interest in public af- fairs, particularly those of a local nature, while he is known as a reliable, progressive and pub- lic-spirited citizen and as one whose career has been marked by utmost fidelity and loyalty in all the relations of life. At one time he was secretary of the York board of school con- trol, in which capacity he rendered most ef- fective service.

On Jan. 7, 1862, was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Gable to Miss Susan Filmore, who was born and reared in York county, be- ing a daughter of the late Frederick Filmore, and of this union have been born two children, Margaret Catherine, who is the wife of Horace Brillinger, of Emigsville; and Horace E., a resident of the city of Philadelphia, who is a printer by vocation.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

BENJAMIN F. HOFFMAN, a progress- ive business man and prominent resident of Dillsburg township, is descended from a family long settled in York county, but originally of German ancestry. The great-grandfather, Da- vid Hoffman, was born near Latimore, on the family homestead. He married Miss Catherine Hollinger, and their children were Solomon, David, William, Lydia and Peter.

Peter Hoffman, who became a well-known resident of the county, married Judy, daughter of Solomon Kerchner. Mr. Hoffman died at the age of fifty-two, but his wife survived him many years and lived to be eighty-six. They were the parents of: Jacob, deceased ; Tempes, born in 1828, near Latimore; George and Elizabeth, both deceased; Henry, who married Susan Burtner; Catherine, Mrs. August Fisher; Mary Ann and Sophie, de- ceased ; Solomon, who married Susan Kunkle ; and Andrew, who married Jennie Bare.

Tempes Hoffman married Mrs. Catherine ( Berkheimer) Hoffman, who was born in 1823, and died in 1894. Their children were as follows: Annie, who married John Myers, a resident of Dover township, York county, and has had eight children, John ( deceased ), Ivy, Goldie, Raymond, Norman, Catherine, Jo- seph and Carrie; William, who married Miss Cora Thomas, lives in Franklin township, and has three daughters, Esther, Mary Ann and Rachel; and Benjamin F.

Norman Ray; Martha May, and Catherine. In religious belief both Mr. and Mrs. Hoff- man are members of the German Baptist Church.

PETER E. STOUGH. The city of York has a number of well-conducted livery stables, but none is better managed than that owned and operated by Peter E. Stough, and only one in the city is larger. He is located near the "City Hotel" and has been in the business for many years, having thus acquired a wide experience in its details.

Mr. Stough was born in York, Oct. II, 1864, son of Peter E. and Agnes (Glatfetter) Stough. The latter is still living, but the father died the year his namesake was born. He was a molder by trade, and came to York from the vicinity of Dillsburg. His death left his widow with three children to provide for, viz. : Charles J., Annie K. (Mrs. Edward Harris), and Peter E.

Peter E. Stough grew up in York and at- tended the public schools. Even in childhood he began to help his mother, from the time he was ten years old, doing many odd jobs to earn a little money. For a time he worked in a carpenter shop, and then in livery stables, finally taking up his father's trade of molder, when he was fifteen. This he followed for four years, but at the end of that time decided to return to the livery business. For a while

Benjamin F. Hoffman was born on the he worked with Mr. Fleming and then started old homestead near Latimore in 1872. After for himself, at the location where he is found today. He began with four horses, gradually increased his stock, and also conducted a board- ing stable, but after five or six years he sold out his establishment. In 1894 he bought back his former business, and with Mr. Wellensiek as a partner conducted it again for two years. Since 1896, however, Mr. Stough has been the only proprietor. He owns two barns, has sixteen head of the best livery stock, and has a large number in his boarding stables, keeping from forty-five to fifty horses alto- gether. His success is an evidence of what can be accomplished by a man of energy and deter- mination, for Mr. Stough began with nothing. finishing his education he engaged in farming for a short time, and then went to Harris- burg, where for two years he worked in the ice business, and also worked in a plumbing establishment. The next two years were passed in farming again, and Mr. Hoffman then entered upon the occupation which has engaged his attention ever since, the managing of a livery stable. He is wide awake and pro- gressive, and has been very successful. He is the owner of a good piece of property on which he has recently built a handsome resi- dence, and on which also stands his fine new stable with space for thirty-four horses. Mr. Hoffman has been active in public affairs, be- longing to the Republican party, and has held various offices, at present being councilman.

Mr. Stough remained at home with his mother until his marriage, an event which oc- curred July 18, 1889. Mrs. Stough was Miss Laura Beck, daughter of James B. Beck, a cigar manufacturer of North Newberry street. She is a member of the United Brethren

Mr. Hoffman's marriage occurred in 1893, to Miss Emma D. Cook, daughter of Heze- kiah Cook, and the following children have been born to them: Roy William, deceased; Church. To the union of Peter E. and Laura

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Stough have been born one son and one daugh- ter, Harry B. and Mary Emma. The family re- side at No. 408 West Philadelphia street. Mr. Stough is among the highly respected citizens of York.

ADAM A. EHRHART is one of the rep- resentative citizens of York township, and a member of one of the pioneer families of this section. He is at the present time devoting his · attention to agricultural pursuits, but formerly was a successful and popular teacher in the schools of his native county.

Mr. Ehrhart was born in Shrewsbury town- ship, York county, on Aug. 4, 1866, son of William and Eliza (Stump) Ehrhart. His father was born in Shrewsbury township, this county, Oct. 18, 1830, son of William and Ablena (Runk) Ehrhart, and grandson of William and Susanna Ehrhart. The father of our subject was reared to manhood in his na- tive county, and his early educational training was secured in the subscription schools main- tained in Shrewsbury township in the pioneer era. He became one of the prominent influen- tial farmers of Shrewsbury township, whence he later removed to York township, where he continued in the same vocation until April, 1903, when he took up his residence in the vil- lage of Dallastown, where he has since lived retired, being held in the highest regard in the county which has been his home throughout his honorable and active life. He had two brothers and four sisters, all of whom are now deceased. The brothers, Emanuel and Henry, both died in this county, and of the sisters we record that Mary died unmarried; Maria be- came the wife of Peter Fulcomer; Eliza was the wife of Harry Zeck; Lucinda was the wife of Harry Gladfelter. In February, 1854, was solemnized the marriage of William Ehrhart to Eliza Stump, who was likewise born and reared in this county, being a daughter of John and Margaret (Hall) Stump. The loved and devoted wife and mother was summoned into eternal rest April 22, 1902, at the age of sixty- seven years, and her memory rests as a bene- diction on all those who came within the sphere of her gentle influence. Of the children of William and Eliza Ehrhart we record that Rey. William H. is a clergyman of the Lu- theran Church and at the time of this writing is residing in Jefferson; Benjamin is engaged in farming near Dallastown; Adam A. is the immediate subject of this sketch; Jesse is a

clerk in a store; John, Lucy and Elizabeth are deceased; Mary and Catherine reside with their venerable father in their pleasant home in Dallastown. William Ehrhart is a preacher of the Lutheran Church, of which his wife likewise was a zealous member.

Adam A. Ehrhart, whose name initiates this review, was a child of about three and one- half years at the time of his parents' removal from his native township of Shrewsbury to that of York, and in the public schools of the lat- ter he secured his preliminary educational dis- cipline, which he later supplemented by well- directed and appreciative study in the York County Normal School and also the York County Academy, where he ably equipped him- self for active work as a teacher. He initiated his pedagogic career at the age of eighteen years, and for seventeen terms continued as a specially capable and successful teacher in the schools of York township, taking great in- terest in his work and continuing to follow the same until his health became so impaired as to render it imperative for him to seek a less sedentary vocation. He accordingly withdrew from the educational field in 1902, and he is now devoting his attention successfully to gen- eral agriculture and horticulture, having two small but exceptionally well-improved farms, which are situated on the Chanceford pike, about five miles distant from the city of York -the one comprising six acres and the other eighteen. Mr. Ehrhart is a man of independent views and alert mentality and is at all times loyal to the duties of citizenship, his political allegiance being given to the Republican party, in whose cause he takes a deep interest, though he has never been afflicted with aspiration for public office of any description. His re- ligious faith is indicated in his membership in the Lutheran Church, in which he has served as deacon and assistant superintendent of the Sunday-school. His wife was reared in the faith of the Reformed Church, to which she still holds, taking an active part in the various departments of the church work.

On Jan. 5, 1889, was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Ehrhart to Miss Mary Jane Mc- Dowell, who was born and reared in this coun- ty, being a daughter of Isaac and Eliza ( Peel- ing) McDowell, the former of whom is de- ceased; he was a successful farmer of York township. Concerning the children of our subject we incorporate the following brief record in conclusion of this sketch : Katie Belle

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

was born July 25, 1890; Laura Mabel, Sept. 19, 1892; William Isaac, Dec. 13, 1894; Les- ter C., Aug. 22, 1897; Curvin Adam, March 28, 1900; and Grace Irene, Aug. 29, 1903.

JOSEPH NEWBOULD, a respected resi- dent of York, where he has been located for twenty-five years, was born April 30, 1852, in Ridgeway, England, son of George and Mar- garet (Leak) Newbould.

George Newbould was a mechanic in his native country, making reaper knives when they were first introduced into England, and also manufacturing scythes. He died aged sixty years, while his wife still survives, aged eighty- five years. Their children were: Ellis, who is now deceased; Mary, deceased; Sarah, resid- ing in England, six miles from Manchester; Joseph; Ellen, living at Southport, England ; Annie, a resident of England,; James, of Eng- land; and Margaret, deceased.

Joseph Newbould attended the common schools of his native country until fifteen years of age, and then learned the confectionery business and the baking of fancy cakes. After finishing his trade he was engaged for six months as a journeyman, and in 1873 came to America, landing at New York, where he re- mained a short time. He then went to Sun- bury, Pa., where he had an aunt whom he had never seen, and he lived with this aunt four years in Sunbury, following his trade. He then located in Bradford, Pa., and from there went to Lock Haven and then to Harrisburg, finally arriving in York May 1, 1880. Here he was at once employed by Benjamin Allison, one of the largest bakers of York, in whose employ he still remains.

On Dec. 11, 1880, Mr. Newbould married Clara Allison, daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Fulkemeyer) Allison. Mr. Allison's first wife died in 1864, and he subsequently married Miss Raffensberger. Mr. Newbould's children are as follows : Charles E. first attended the public school, later the York Academy, and was then employed by the York Manufacturing Com- pany in the draughting department, where he is still engaged; he married Flora Patrick. Mabel May is the wife of Harry Malsberger, a pattern maker for a malleable iron foundry of Wilmington, Del. George Benjamin is an elec- trician employed with Mr. Graybill, of York. In his political sympathies Mr. Newbould is as- sociated with the Republican party.

LEWIS S. KERR was born in Codorus township in 1869, and comes of an old Dela- ware family, of Revolutionary stock.

(I) James Kerr was of Scotch-Irish de- scent and was a farmer in Delaware, doing his part bravely during the Revolution. His chil- dren were James, John, Alexander, Samuel and Susan.

(II) Alexander Kerr was born in New- castle, Del. While a farmer by occupation, he also followed teaming, covering the route to Baltimore and Pittsburg. He and his brother James both took part in the war of 1812, the latter holding the rank of captain. Alexander Kerr married Julian Dailey, and husband and wife passed away at the ages of seventy-six and eighty-six, respectively. They were buried in Prospect Hill cemetery at York. Their chil- dren were Martin, Susan, Mary, Maria, Ma- tilda, Jane and James.

(III) Martin Kerr was born in October, 1837, on the homestead in Hopewell township, and received as good education as the com- mon schools then afforded. At Mount Zion, York county, he learned the shoemaker's trade, and was occupied at that for twenty years. He then went to farming, at the same time doing harness-making, and was also at one period em- ployed by the Western Maryland Railroad. In 1893 he bought his present home, a place of twelve acres in Codorus township. During the Civil war Martin Kerr enlisted, serving first in Company B, 166th P. V. I., for ten months. He was wounded along Black Water Creek, near the Weldon Railroad, Va., by a ball which passed through the ankle, cutting off one of the tendons, and was taken to the hospital May 14, 1863. He also received an- other wound, in the left side, but that was not a serious one. For the last four months of the war Mr. Kerr was again with the troops, hav- ing re-enlisted in Company C., IOIst P. V. I. He married Mary Ellen Smith, who was born in Newberry township, York county, daughter of Jesse and Leah (Ziegler) Smith. The children born to this union were: Lewis S .; Sarah, Mrs. Adam Kerchner, of North Co- dorus township; George, who married Miss Laura Baily, and lives at New Freedom; Charles, at home, unmarried, who does thresh- ing through the county; Julian, the wife of Levi Rennoll, of Codorus township; Ella, Mrs. Elmer Gladfelter, of Baltimore, Md .; and Annie, at home.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 180

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