History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 181

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

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BIOGRAPHICAL

(IV) Lewis S. Kerr was brought up by his great-aunt, and attended the schools of Co- dorus township till he was twenty-one years old. Then for three years he dealt in thorough- bred horses, but after that turned his attention to farming. He owns a farm of thirty-five acres on the York road near Brodbecks, and gave his whole time to operating it until Nov. I, 1902, when he took his present position of Rural Free Delivery carrier from Brodbecks postoffice. At the meeting of the State Car- riers' Association at Newcastle, Pa., he was elected sergeant-at-arms for that body. In politics he is a Republican, and in 1900 he took the census for Codorus township.

Mr. Kerr married, in 1893, Miss Alice Jane Krebs, daughter of Lewis F. and Leah (Cas- low) Krebs, and by her he has had two chil- dren, Jesse and Ina. In religion Mr. Kerr belongs to the Stone Church (Reformed), and fraternally he is a member of Council No. 154, Jr. O. U. A. M., of Glen Rock. He has always been of a studious temperament, fond of good books, and he is bringing up his children to share in this taste. Mr. Kerr is a valuable type of citizen, and he and his wife are highly esteemed in the community.

OLIVER ALLEN HESS is one of the representative young business men of York township, being engaged in the manufacture of cigars in the little village of Rye, where he has a pleasant home. He is a member of one of the honored old families of York county, and full record concerning his parents and the ancestral history may be found in the sketch of the life of his father, Jeremiah D. Hess, appearing elsewhere, so that a recapitulation of the data is not demanded in the article at hand.

Oliver Allen Hess was born on the home- stead farm, in York township, York county, Jan. 26, 1878, and his boyhood days were not marked by any extraordinary experiences. He began to aid in the work of the farm as soon as age and physical prowess justified, and his edu- cational advantages were those afforded in the excellent public schools of his native township, where he continued his studies until he had at- tained the age of eighteen years. As is well- known, the tobacco industry is one of no slight importance in York county, where an excellent grade is grown in large quantities. and the county has incidentally come to the front com-

mercially through the wide scope of enterprise here carried on in the manufacturing of cigars. The subject of this sketch found it expedient to identify himself with this important line: of industry, and he thus served an apprentice- ship at the trade of cigarmaking, becoming an expert workman, while he continued also to. assist in the work and management of the home farm until the time of his marriage, in 1902. Shortly after this noteworthy event in his career Mr. Hess established a home in his na- tive township, and engaged in the manufacture of cigars, turning out a high-grade product and selling the same principally to G. A. Kohle and Peter H. Grove, who placed the cigars on the retail market. In the spring of 1904 Mr. Hess purchased a fine residence in the village of Rye, where he has since made his home and where he continues in the same line of business, in which he is meeting with marked and well merited success. He and his wife are most popular in the social circles of the community and their home is a center of genial hospitality. In politics Mr. Hess is a stanch supporter of the principles and policies of the Republican party, and both he and his wife are enrolled on the membership list of the Lutheran Church at Paradise.

On Feb. 26, 1902, Mr. Hess was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Reachard, who was born and reared in York county, being a daughter of Joseph and Jane (Hannigan) Reachard, well known residents of East Hope- well township, Mr. Reachard being a retired farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Hess have two children, Owen Jeremiah and Anna Rebecca Jane.

HORACE F. GREENAWALT, chief clerk for the York County Traction Co., was born May II, 1876, in York, son of Henry C. and Eleanor C. (Fishel) Greenawalt.

Abraham Greenawalt, grandfather of Hor- ace F., was a well-known butcher of York county.

Henry C. Greenawalt died suddenly in June, 1904, from a stroke of apoplexy, aged fifty-nine years. He kept a popular meat mar- ket at the corner of Duke and Princess streets, in York. Mr. Greenawalt's wife was Eleanor Catherine Fishel, daughter of Charles Fishel, at one time a farmer of York county, who prior to his death, led a retired life for a number of years in York. The children born to Henry C. and Eleanor Greenawalt were as follows:

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Juliet E., residing at home; Charles A., who is connected with the York National Bank; and Horace F.

Horace F. Greenawalt, after graduating from the York Collegiate Institute, and taking a course at Patrick's Business College in book- keeping and stenography, secured employment in 1895 in the office of the York Card & Paper Co. From there he went to the York Hat Company, where he remained for one and one- half years, and then spent seven years as a clerk with the American Caramel Company, where he was stenographer and office assist- ant. In 1901 Mr. Greenawalt became con- nected with the York Traction Company, as bookkeeper and chief clerk, a position which he still retains.

Mr. Greenawalt married Minnie Dietz, daughter of Edmund Dietz, who for thirty years was justice of the peace in Spring Garden township, to which office he was elected by the Democrats, but such was his popularity in the township, that many Republicans gave him O. O. F. their votes as well.

One child has been born to Mr. Greena- walt and his wife, Eleanor Catherine, who is now attending school. Mr. Greenawalt belongs to the First Moravian Church, in which he is assistant superintendent of the Sunday-school, and is the basso of a quartette in the Moravian choir. In politics he is an ardent Republican, but has always refused public office. He is a man of honesty and integrity, and is regarded with the greatest measure of respect and esteem.

BYRD W. HIVELY, who is successfully conducting a grocery at No. 126 South Beaver street, York, succeeded to the business in which he is now engaged in the fall of 1899. The former owner was Mr. C. A. Yost.

B. W. Hively was born March 19, 1869, in Manchester township, York county, one of the two sons of George and Lydia A. (Strick- ler) Hively, both of whom are deceased. After the death of his parents he knew very little of luxury. He had to deal with the real prob- lems of life. He had received a thorough district school education, and having deter- mined to give himself a college education, he paid his expenses through the York County Academy, by any sort of honorable work his hands could find to do, and later, by the same methods, went through the Williamsport Sem-

inary, from which he was graduated in 1896 with the degree of B. S. Mr. Hively then went to Brooklyn, N. Y., and took a course in Spanish under Professor Cartine. In 1899 he entered his present business, in which he has since been very profitably engaged. The in- domitable will and energy inherited from his German ancestors have served him in good stead, and he is steadily ascending the ladder of success.

Mr. Hively married, Nov. I, 1904, Miss Lulu G. Bosley, daughter of Samuel and Har- riet Bosley, and they reside at No. 268 West Jackson street. Mr. and Mrs. Hively are mem- bers of the Duke Street M. E. Church, and he is a member of the official board and also teaches in the Sunday-school. He is a mem- ber of the Merchants' Association of York; of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, Aerie No. 414; the A. O. K. of M. C., Star Castle. P. C .; is a past officer of the A. I. O. K. of M., No. 174, and of York Lodge, No. 47, I.

CLAYTON S. REASER, secretary of the Jacoby Furniture Company, of the city of York, Pa., was born April 27, 1877, in Wash- ington township, York Co., Pa., a son of Lewis Reaser and a grandson of Joseph Reaser.

Joseph Reaser was born in Newberry town- ship, York county, and learned the weaving business. Later he removed to Washington township, where he followed his trade during the summers and assisted the farmers during the winter seasons, in their butchering. He lived to the age of seventy-five years. He mar- ried Nancy Miley, who lived to the age of eighty-one years, and both are buried in the cemetery at Red Run church, in Washington township. Their children were: Abraham, Catherine Gross, George, Katie Baker, David, Joseph, Polly Asper, and Lewis and one that died in infancy.

Lewis Reaser, father of Clayton S., was born June 3, 1834, in Washington township, and attended the township schools until four- teen years of age, when he went to learn the carpenter's trade, first under Henry Nell and then with George Kapp. Still later he was as- sociated with Andrew Bentz. He then engaged in the contracting business for himself, and for fifty years he worked as a contractor all through Adams, Cumberland and York coun- ties, his work being in great demand, as he was

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a skilled mechanic. He continued in business and conducts an up-to-date place in every re- until 1903, when he retired to his farm in spect. Washington township.

Lewis Reaser married Leah Jane Schultz, daughter of George Schultz, of Pinetown, Adams county. She died in July, 1881, and is buried at Red Run church, in Washington township. They had two children: Delilah and Clayton S. The former married Jolin Shaeffer, who lives on the home farm, and they have these children : Mamie (a student in the York School of Business), Howard, Gertrude, Grace and Esther.

Clayton S. Reaser attended district school in his boyhood, and after completing his ap- prenticeship to the carpenter's trade he attended the Wellsville Normal School, and in 1896 took a commercial course at the Patrick Business College. He then engaged in clerking, book- keeping and assisting in the post office at Big Mount, York county, for two years. Mr. Reaser then came to York, where he took a course in stenography at the York School of Business. He was then employed by Simon Feder, of South George street, York, Pa., in the shoe business, and from there he went to the Martin Carriage Works, where he served in the capacity of clerk in the stock room. In 1899 he entered the employ of Adam Jacoby & Bro., furniture manufacturers, as bookkeeper and correspondent. On July 9, 1903, this business was incorporated, the company being now known as the Jacoby Furniture Company, whose plant is located at Eberton, West York borough, and is one of the largest in the State. At the time of its incorporation Mr. Reaser became a partner and was elected to the re- sponsible position of secretary and office man- ager of the company. He possesses excellent business qualifications and is a pleasant, genial gentleman.

Mr. Reaser married Annie E. Klepper, daughter of John Klepper, formerly of Adams county, now of West York, and they have two children : Catharine and Helen. In politics Mr. Reaser is a Republican. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias.

DR. P. CARLTON SUNDAY has been engaged in the drug business on his own ac- count in York since 1903, and has a well-es- tablished patronage both at his store in that city and in the surrounding counties. He is located at the corner of Market and Hartley streets,

Dr. Sunday was born Jan. 4, 1878, is a na- tive of York county, and is a son of Jolin C. and Alice E. Sunday, residents of Manchester, this county. Dr. Sunday has passed all his life here with the exception of necessary absences for study elsewhere. He received his early ed- ucation in the common schools of Manchester, and in the York County Academy. His special preparation for his life work was gained in the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, from which he was graduated in 1900. Thereafter he was employed for two years by Dale & Co., whole- sale druggists of York, and in 1903 embarked in business on his own account. Though he has not been established long he has already succeeded in acquiring a large trade, which shows a healthy and steady increase. He also has several wagons which sell his drugs over ten counties in Pennsylvania and three in Maryland, and this branch of his business is quite extensive. Dr. Sunday was one of the organizers of the Dr. Thompson Remedy Com- pany.

The Doctor was married, Jan. 1, 1903, to Miss Ellen Catheryn Rieff. They are members of St. John's Episcopal Church.

EDISON B. WILLIAMSON, one of the youngest members of the York County Bar, comes of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and he was born at Oxford, Chester Co., Pa., May 6, 1882, son of William T. and Amanda E. (Harris) Williamson.

(I) John T. Williamson, grandfather of E. B., was a prominent farmer of Maryland.

(II) William T. Williamson is a letter car- rier in York. He married Amanda E. Harris, daughter of John Harris, a farmer of Mary- land, and they had children as follows: Mel- vin H., deceased; Charles E., connected with the Monarch Silk Company; Lillian, wife of Charles C. Towson, of Hanover, assistant su- perintendent of the Metropolitan Life Insur- ance Co .; Elizabeth, at home; and Edison B.

(III) Edison B. Williamson was educated in the public schools of York, being graduated from the high school of that city in the class of 1900. He then entered the Dickinson Law School at Carlisle, and was graduated there- from in 1903, and that same year was admitted to practice in Cumberland county, as well as in York county, and in December, 1903, he passed

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successfully the examinations which admitted

finely appointed quarters at No. 246 West Mar- him to practice in the Supreme Courts of the ket street, where he is building up a practice of State.

While attending high school, Mr. William- son was one of the athletes who helped win the banner in 1900, and was one of four who won silver cups. He was captain of the football team of the York high school in 1899, and a member of the baseball club of Dickinson col- lege in 1901. Having always taken an active part in athletics, he is much interested in all kinds of sports, and is an excellent all round athlete. His religious affiliations are with the Methodist Church. In politics he is a Repub- lican.

HARVEY G. A. OBERDICK, D. D. S., is one of York county's native sons, having been born in the city of York Feb. 26, 1880, and having here been reared to maturity. His father, Casper Oberdick, was born and reared in Germany, where he worked on the farm. At the age of twenty-six years he bade adieu to the loved Fatherland and emigrated to Amer- ica, locating in York county soon after his arri- val. Here he learned the trade of carpet weav- ing, at which he has been engaged in business for a number of years past. He married Miss Louisa Carls, who was born in Hanover, Ger- many, and they have seven children, four sons and three daughters. The parents of the Doc- tor are devout members of the First U. B. Church, and the father is a stanch Republican in his political proclivities. He served three years as drum major in the German army, and fought in the war between Germany and Den- mark.

Dr. Oberdick passed his boyhood days in York and in due time completed the curriculum of the public schools, making good use of the advantages thus afforded him. At the age of sixteen years he entered the dental office of Dr. H. E. Bashore, of York, under whose able pre- ceptorship he gained an excellent practical knowledge in the details of operative and lab- oratory dentistry, while to further perfect him- self in his chosen profession he entered the dental department of the University of Mary- land, in the city of Baltimore, where he com- pleted the prescribed course and was gradu- ated as a member of the class of 1900, receiv- ing his well-earned degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. He served his professional novitiate in York, opening an office on Philadelphia street, whence he later removed to his present

representative character and one which is con- stantly expanding in scope, since, observant of the ethics of his profession, he finds his best advertising in the reputation gained for the superiority of his work. Though one of the youngest representatives of his profession in the city of York the prestige which he has at- tained and the success gained in the work of his exacting vocation might well be envied by many whose years of practice reach far greater numbers than do his. He is a mem- ber of the York County Dental Asso- ciation, and is held in high esteem in both professional and social circles. Fraternally he is identified with the Sandilands Commandery, No. 152, Ancient & Illustrious Order Knights of Malta, while he is also a member of the alumni association of the University of Mary- land. He is a consistent member of the First United Brethren Church, in whose work he takes an active part, being a popular teacher in its Sunday-school. His parents are also zeal- ous workers in the church and are held in high regard by all who know them.

JOSEPH F. SUTTON, of Lewisberry borough, York county, was born July 11, 1882, in Newberry township, same county, son of Robert and Margaret (Frankeberger) Sutton.

John Sutton, the great-great-grandfather of Joseph F., was born in 1754, in England, and came to America, settling in Chester Co., Pa. He removed to Pinetown, Fairview town- ship, some time before 1800, where he followed farming and died in 1849, at the age of ninety- four years, nine months and five days, and was buried at Emanuel Church, Fairview township. His wife was a Miss Hoffstot, of Germany, and the children born to them were: Han- nah, who married John Moore; Peter, a farmer; John, the great-grandfather of our subject ; Mrs. Barbara Fisher ; Mrs. Catherine Atticks; and Mrs. Sarah Jones.

John Sutton, the great-grandfather, was born Aug. 12, 1786, in Chester county, where he learned the weaving trade, following this for a number of years in Fairview township, York county, in conjunction with farming, and died there Aug. 15, 1879. Mr. Sutton was twice married, first to Catherine Ashenfelter, and then to Mary Snellberger. Both are now deceased. The children born to these unions were: Barbara, who died young; John L.,

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Daniel, Washington and Elizabeth (twins), and Hananiah, the grandfather of our subject.

Hananiah Sutton was born March 8, 1823, in Fairview township, and learned the black- smith's trade at Lewisberry borough. He fol- lowed this line all his life, operating most of the time at Pinetown, Fairview township. He married Elizabeth Knisley, daughter of An- thony and Susan (Snyder) Knisley, and she died in 1875, and was buried at Emanuel cem- etery, Fairview township. The children born to Hananiah and Elizabeth Sutton were: Rob- ert, father of our subject; Susannah, who died in 1880, the wife of L. C. Bushey ; Luther, who married Isabella Myers, and lives in Fairview township; and Emma, who died at the age of four years.

Robert Sutton attended the township schools until twenty-one years of age, and then learned the blacksmith trade with his father. At the age of twenty-six he married Ella Mar- garet Frankeberger, a daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Author) Frankeberger. After mar- riage he removed to Newberry township, where he followed farming. In 1878 Mr. Sutton bought the home which he now occupies, which consists of ninety-three acres of fine land. Mr. Sutton spent one year in Lewisberry borough, but returned to his home in 1904. Mr. Sut- ton is an energetic, industrious man, and if he admits a hobby, it is a love of good literature. To himself and wife the following children were born : F. B., who married Bertha Hick, and lives at Boiling Springs, Cumberland coun- ty; Effie, who married Harvey Zorger, and lives in New Cumberland, Cumberland county ; Joseph F .; Julia, at home. Mr, Robert Sutton is a Republican, taking an active interest in the success of his party. He has been called upon to serve as school director and assessor, both of which offices he has filled very efficiently. Mr. Sutton is the proud possessor of a deed from the Penns, dated 1764, which he prizes highly.

Joseph F. Sutton received his preliminary education in the public schools, supplementing this with a course at the Academies at Ross- town, and Lewisberry, and he began teaching in 1899, at Pleasant View, Newberry township. He has taught at Hay-run, Redland and Cedar Grove, he now being occupied at Nauvoo, Fair- view township.

In 1901 Mr. Sutton married Tillie A. Miller, daughter of Lewis B. and Annie G. (Wood) Miller, and located at Lewisberry, where he now resides. Two children have been

born to this union, Robert Lewis, born June 28, 1902, and Anna Virginia, born March 20, 1904. In politics Mr. Sutton is a Republican. Fraternally he is a popular member of the Lew- isberry branch of the Jr. O. U. A. M. His religious views connect him with the Methodist Church, of which he is a valued member and a teacher of the Sunday-school.

Lewis B. Miller, Mrs. Sutton's father, is a prosperous farmer of Fairview township. His wife Anne G. (Wood) Miller, died Oct. 20, 1903, and is buried at St. John's Church in Fairview township. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller are as follows: Tillie A., Mrs. Sutton; and Levi, Vera and Ora, who reside at home. Personally, Mr. Sutton is very popular in Newberry township, and he enjoys the uni- versal esteem of those with whom he comes in contact. It is unusual to find anyone of his years occupying so prominent a position in the educational field, and his many friends see many honors in store for him in the future.

CHARLES REIDER is engaged in the practice of the legal profession in Glen Rock, where he was born, Feb. 19, 1880, son of Will- iam and Mary (Herbst) Reider, both of whom were likewise born in York county, being rep- resentatives of old and honored families of this section of the Keystone State.

William Reider was born in Shrewsbury township and has here passed his entire life, having for many years followed the black- smith's trade and also having been identified with agricultural pursuits and with the Wire Cloth Company, but being now retired from active business and maintaining his home in Glen Rock. He served as a member of the borough council and for several years was in- cumbent of the office of school director. Of the four children of Mr. and Mrs. William Reider, one died in infancy; the others are: Albert, Anna L. and Charles.

Charles Reider received his early educational training in the public schools of his native town, and then entered York College, at the county-seat, where he graduated in June, 1896, in the classical course. He then matriculated in the Law Department of famous old Johns Hop- kins University, Baltimore, where he completed the prescribed course and was graduated as a member of the class of 1903, having previously read law under the able preceptorship of Hon. R. J. Lewis, of York, ex-member of Congress. In January, 1904, he was duly admitted to the

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Bar of his native county, and in his professional work is meeting with pronounced success, hav- ing an office in the city of York and also in his home town of Glen Rock.

JOHN DENUES, organist and instructor in music, of York, Pa., was born at Millers- ville, Lancaster Co., Pa., March 18, 1875. He is a son of Capt. Charles and Fannie ( Haines) Denues.

During the early part of last century his grandparents emigrated from Prussia, along the Rhine, to Shrewsbury, York Co., Pa. Here his grandfather followed the occupation of a practical gunsmith. His grandmother was the daughter of a prominent organist and teacher in music in her native country. His father was born at Shrewsbury in 1823, there grew to manhood, and followed the occupation of a teacher. He then studied law, and was admitted to the Bar at Lancaster in 1845, en- tering upon the practice in Lancaster, and con- tinuing his profession for a period of thirty years. During the Civil war he was chosen as captain of Company E, 135th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. He commanded his company at the great battle of Chancellorsville, Va., in May, 1863, and in many minor en- gagements. After his term had expired Capt. Denues returned to Lancaster to continue the practice of law. In 1864 and 1865 he repre- sented Lancaster in the Lower House of the State Legislature, of which body he was a con- spicuous member. Capt. Denues always took an active interest in the cause of education, and for many years was a trustee of the State Normal School at Millersville, in which town he resided for a long time.

John Denues obtained his education in the public schools of Lancaster, and at the age of twelve displayed marked talent for the art of music. This talent was first developed by his receiving instruction on the violin from Carl Thorbahn, a noted teacher of orchestra music in Lancaster. Later he began the study of piano music. At the age of sixteen he removed to York, and secured employment in the fac- tory of the J. A. Smith Organ Company. Here he continued his musical instructions under local teachers, and he soon excelled in the play- ing of the piano and pipe-organ. In order to become more proficient in the use of the pipe- organ he placed himself under the instruction of Frederick W. Wolf, a noted organist of Baltimore. His success in the study of pipe-

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 181

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