History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 183

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

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

and has made his motto "promptness"-one which he lives up to. The Beard Foundry Com- pany plant is the largest industry in this part of the county.

Mr. Beard resides with his mother at Han- over, making daily trips to his foundry at Glen- ville. He is a member of St. Matthew's Church at Hanover, and one of the deacons. In poli- tics he is a Republican.

CHARLES A. KNAUFF, a prominent young business man of York, Pa., engaged in the news dealing and stationery business, at No. 18 South George street, that city, was born in Heidelberg, Germany, Jan. 5, 1871.

Charles T. Knauff, father of our subject, was a native of Germany, where he followed cabinet making. He brought his family to America in 1877, locating first in Philadelphia, where he followed his trade until his death, which occurred while he was on a visit to his native country in 1888. His widow still re- sides in Philadelphia. They had these children : Paul W .; Adolph, who is employed with our subject; Emma, wife of Frank S. Law; Eme- lie; Cora; and Charles A.

Charles A. Knauff attended the public schools of Philadelphia, and learned the hat business. He also traveled for three years for a hat firm, and then engaged in the retail hat business in Philadelphia for two years, later being employed by the Philadelphia Ledger and the Record for three years. He engaged in business in York in April, 1904, buying out the business of Mr. C. E. Starr. He located at his present stand April 15, 1905, and here he has successfully continued to the present time.

Mr. Knauff is a member of the Red Men. Conewago Tribe, No. 37, of York. Mr. Knauff has built up a fine business, and his stock is al- ways complete and up-to-date. He is very pop- ular and his many friends are delighted with his business success.

WILLIAM ALBERT LYNCH, of East Hopewell township, York Co., Pa., who is engaged in the cultivation of his farm, was born in Stewartstown, Feb. 9, 1871. His great- grandfather was a native of Lancaster Co., Pa., and his great-grandmother of France.

The grandparents both died in Lancaster county. They had these children: Joseph, who went to Nebraska, where he married, and still resides; Henry, who went first to Oklaho- ma, and is now living at League City, Texas ;

George, a resident of Canton, Ohio; Lizzie, who married John Ziegler, and died in Lancas- ter county ; and Ephraim S.

Ephraim S. Lynch was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., June 5, 1840. He received but a meager education in the public schools, and, his parents having died when he was young, he was forced to work out at day's labor for his board and clothes. He learned the trade of wheel- wright, and for some time teamed about the ore furnaces, finally getting to run an ore train. During the Civil war, Mr. Lynch enlisted, Aug. 26, 1864, as a private of Company K, 203rd P. V. I., and was honorably discharged June 22, 1865, at Raleigh, N. C. Mr. Lynch was a great sufferer from typhoid fever while in the army, and would have undoubtedly died except for succor given him by a comrade. Mr. Lynch lived for a time in Hopewell township, and after his marriage removed to below Stewarts- town, where he followed his trade for a time, later located in the borough of the same name, and purchased property, upon which he died May 20, 1904. He married Miss Sarah J. Hammer, born near Stewartstown, March 17, 1843, daughter of George W. and Grace Ann Hammer. Mr. and Mrs. Lynch were Metho- dists, and he was sexton of the church at Stew- artstown for many years. In political princi- ple he was a Republican, and held a number of minor offices in his borough. Mrs. Lynch still survives, and makes her home at Newark, N. J. These children were born to the parents of our subject : Anne, who died in infancy; Wil- liam Albert; and George E., born Nov. 15. 1879, who married Meta Roudenbush, a native of Bremen, Germany, who came to the United States when ten years old.

William Albert Lynch attended the public schools of his native borough, and followed day's labor for his father until his marriage, June 16, 1897, to Miss Ida F. Manifold, born near Hopewell Centre, May 27, 1874, daughter of Archibald and Jemima H. (Meads) Mani- fold, the former of whom was born near Hope- well Centre, March 13, 1839. She was edu- cated in the public schools of East Hopewell township, principally under Miss Maggie Wal- lace and Miss Annie Liggett. Mrs. Lynch grew to womanhood in the neighborhood of her na- tive place. Archibald Manifold worked as a tenant for several years and spent his married life at Hopewell Centre, for the past four years he and his wife having been living with our subject. Mr. Manifold enlisted as a private in

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1863, at Washington, D. C., and was with Sherman as a teamster, and was discharged near Richmond at the end of nine months. Mrs. Manifold, who is the daughter of Elisha Meads, was born in Harford Co., Md., Sept. 17, 1832, and lived there until marriage.

After marriage Mr. and Mrs. William Al- bert Lynch lived in Stewartstown, where he worked on a farm. His present place he pur- chased in 1901, and located on it in the spring of 1902. Mr. Lynch joined the M. E. Church at Stewartstown, but after settling in his pres- ent location he joined the Hopewell Presbyte- rian Church. Mrs. Lynch joined this church at the age of thirteen years, and has been a member ever since. She has been a member of the Sunday-school also, and from time to time has taken classes. In politics Mr. Lynch is a Republican, and while in Stewartstown served in many minor offices. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lynch : Dorris De Moss, born Jan. 23, 1899, died Sept. 11, 1899; Ethel Irene, born April 9, 1900; Floyd Mani- fold, born May 8, 1901 ; and Ruth Ozella, born Oct. 28, 1905.

HENRY RIEGART SPRENKLE is a native of York county, born in Hellam town- ship, Jan. 23, 1876, to Albert and Frances (Riegart) Sprenkle.

His paternal grandparents were John and Elizabeth (Inners) Sprenkle, who had a fam- ily of seven children, viz. : Albert; Hiram H., deceased; Charles; Eli; Henry; Edward, de- ceased; and Elizabeth, who married the late Edward Heindle. Mrs. Sprenkle's parents were Henry and Susan (Darone) Riegart, and they had only the two children, Frances and Milton, the latter deceased.

Albert and Frances (Riegart) Sprenkle had seven children, those besides Henry Rie- gart being : Walter A. ; John N., Chauncey E., and James , all three deceased; Allen ; and Su- san.

In his earlier years Henry R. Sprenkle at- tended the Kreutz Creek school in Hellam township, and then continued his studies at the York County Academy, under Prof. David Gardner, now county superintendent of schools. After leaving the academy Mr. Sprenkle taught a couple of years, spent a short time at the State Normal at Millersville, and in 1894 entered the State Normal at Westchester. In 1896 he took a position in the public schools of Hellam town- ship, and until the fall of 1900 pursued the

teacher's profession with eminent success, in- terrupting his work only for a short period in 1898-99, when he attended the well-known Eastman Business College, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where he took a complete course in book- keeping and stenography, and was graduated with honors in 1899. His last year as a teacher was spent in Springetsbury township, and in the following October he commenced his busi- ness career.

Mr. Sprenkle was first employed by the Merchants' Cigar Box Company, of Dallas- town, as bookkeeper, and he filled that position for two years, but in the fall of 1902 he was promoted to the place of manager of the entire plant. This responsibility he has carried with a marked executive ability, which has been plainly demonstrated by the great increase in the business, much of it being directly attrib- utable to Mr. Sprenkle. The company now has over fifty employees, is one of the largest factories in its line in York county, and sells not only there but also in a number of adja- cent counties.

Mr. Sprenkle is active in social life also, and is prominently identified with Washington Camp, P. O. S. of A., of Dallas.

FRANK H. REIFF, a progressive and en- terprising young business man of York, Pa., engaged in the sporting goods business, was born April 14, 1872, in Manheim, Lancaster Co., Pa., son of Abraham R. Reiff.

Abraham Reiff, the great-great-grand- father of Frank H., was born in Holland. Coming to America, he located in Philadelphia, and taking up a large tract of land from the Penns, near Manheim, Lancaster county, set- tled down to farming, which occupation he fol- lowed until his death. He married a daughter of Hantz Graff, and she also died on the farm, both being buried in the family burying- ground on the farm.

Abraham Reiff (2), son of Abraham, was born in Manheim, where he also followed farming, and where he died and was buried. He had married a Miss Herr, by whom he had children: Joseph, the grandfather of Frank H .; Christian, twin of Joseph; John; Abraham; Jacob; Samuel; Mrs. Burkholder, whose husband was a bishop in the Mennonite Church in Lancaster county ; and Fannie, Mrs. Porter, the only one of this generation living.

Joseph Reiff received a common-school education, and learned the coachmaking busi-

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ness, which he followed for many years at Manheim. For some time prior to his death, at the age of eighty-seven years, he lived a retired life. He married Sarah Rice, daughter of John Rice, and she died in her sixty-third

two years managed Mr. Henry Licking's busi- ness. The next five years he spent with the Holtzman people, manufacturers of waists, and in April, 1905, he bought out J. W. Rich- ley's business, which well known stand is situ- year, both being buried at Manheim, Lancas- ated at Nos. 16-18 North Beaver street, York. ter county. Their children were: Mary Ann, the wife of John H. Reist; Adeline, who mar- ried John Richards; Sallie, who married Sam- uel A. Shroff; Emma, the wife of Joseph R. Metzler: and Abraham R., the father of Frank H.

Abraham R. Reiff was born June 1, 1847, at Manheim, Lancaster county, where he re- ceived a common school education. From 1869 until 1882 he was engaged in the pack- ing of tobacco, in which he was a very large dealer, and he also dealt extensively in cigars, which he manufactured at Manheim. Mr. Reiff also engaged in the manufacture of shirt- waists and hosiery, following that business two years and spending one year in Philadelphia. Finding York a good business center, he lo- cated here with his family in 1893, and is now in business as a member of the firm of Adair & Reiff, on West Gas avenue. In 1867 Mr. Reiff married Mary F. Fetter, daughter of Jacob G. and Catherine (Neavling) Fetter, and to this union were born six children, name- ly : Minnie F., the wife of Walter Fuerneisen, who is in the jewelry business at Middletown, Dauphin county ; Wilson F., who married Cora Burns and lives in Manheim; Frank H., our subject; Ella, married to Carlton P. Sunday, the druggist, whose place of business is at the corner of Market and Hartley streets, York; Katie May, who resides at home; and Emma, the wife of Ralph Hilliker, of York. In politics Mr. Reiff is a Republican. He is a charter member of Masonic Lodge No. 587, of Man- heim, having been made a Mason in 1881 at the Mt. Joy Lodge, of which he remained a member until the organization of the one at Manheim.

Frank H. Reiff attended the common schools of his township and took a business course. With his father he learned the ma- chinist trade, serving also some time in Phila- delphia under instructors. He was with his father at Manheim, Lancaster county, and in Philadelphia, both as a machinist and in the office, and came to York with his father in 1893. He was first employed in York by P. B. Sprenkle, in the bicycle business, in which he continued one year, and then for the next

Here may be found anything in the sporting goods line, Mr. Reiff's stock of sporting and athletic goods being well kept-up and up-to- date.

Mr. Reiff was married in 1904 to Miss Carrie J. Spotz, the daughter of William H. Spotz, and they reside at No. 204 South George street, York. In his political sympa- thies Mr. Reiff is a Republican. He is a mem- ber of Manheim Lodge, No. 587, Blue Lodge of Masons.

GEORGE W. BRODBECK was born in Codorus township, March 6, 1878, son of S. B. Brodbeck. He attended first at Brod- beck's school, in that township, then attended the high school at Hanover and the academy at Glenville, Pa., finishing with a course in the Goldey Commercial College at Wilming- ton, Delaware. When ready to begin his busi- ness life, Mr. Brodbeck, on April 1, 1897, took charge of his father's office, acting as assistant postmaster, does general office work and is assistant station freight agent for the Adams Express Company. He is also tele- graph operator at the Western Maryland Rail- road station of Green Ridge, or Brodbeck's P. O., as it was long known.

On April 2, 1899, Mr. Brodbeck was joined in matrimony to Agnes Kate Raffensberger, of Mummasburg, Adams Co., Pa., who was born April 1, 1881. They have two daughters: Ruth, born Oct. 29, 1900; and Leah, Aug. 18, 1903.

EZRA P. MINNICH, proprietor of the Quaker Bakery of York, was born Dec. 10, 1867, in Spring Garden township, York coun- ty. His education was received in the public schools of his native township, two terms at the York County Academy, and a course at a business school in Philadelphia. He was em- ployed six years by Strawbridge & Clothier, of Philadelphia, and then came to York, where, in the fall of 1898, he engaged in the bakery business, in which he has made a great suc- cess. His bakery is known as the "Quaker Bakery," is an 18x45, two-story brick structure, and he has a weekly output of 6,900 loaves of

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bread. Mr. Minnich's goods are of the purest material, and his straightforward way of do- ing business has gained the confidence of the people of York.

In 1904 Mr. Minnich was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary O. Siegel, daughter of the Rev. Charles and Annie (Faesig) Siegel. The father of Mrs. Minnich is a Reformed minister, and he and his wife are living with their son-in-law in York. In politics Mr. Minnich is a Democrat.

JOHN WILLIAM RICHLEY was born in a log house situated on the road leading from Dillsburg to Franklintown, July 30, 1874.

His paternal great-grandfather was the survivor of an entire regiment which was forced to fight under Napoleon Bonaparte at Moscow, Russia. He was the only one of the regiment to get back alive, and was afterward known as Old Greyhound.

George Adam Reichley, grandfather of . John W., served in the German army, and later in the United States regulars as a cavalry- man. He was stationed at Fortress Monroe, Virginia.

John G. F. Reichley, son of George Adam,, work with a determination to win. At the was filled with the martial spirit that had char- acterized his father and grandfather. He served through four years of the Civil war, and was wounded four times, attesting his re- markable power of endurance by never enter- ing a hospital. At the battle of Cold Harbor he was shot and lay unconscious from early morning until evening. On regaining con- sciousness he found himself covered from head Mr. Richley taught two years in the prim- ary department at Violet Hill, South York, and was then promoted to A and B grammar grade, where he taught three years. From there he was promoted to the high school building in East Market street, where he taught two years more. to foot with blood from a shattered shoulder, but he arose and at once rejoined his company, making a charge with them yet that evening. At the battle of the Wilderness he marched twelve prisoners back to the rear, a distance of several miles, with his left arm hanging ab- solutely useless at his side. At Petersburg, July 30, 1864, he was struck by a ten-pound shell, which was about spent, and he picked it up and quickly hurled it over the breast works. After the war he married Elizabeth Menear, of Dillsburg. To them was born a son, John William, July 30, 1874, just ten years to the day and hour from the miraculous escape of Mr. Reichley from death at Petersburg.

John William Richley lived in the little log house in which he was born until he was

about four years old, his father then moving to Charlestown, W. Va., where they remained one year, then moved to Front Royal, Va., where they lived five years, and there our sub- ject at the age of six years started to school. The teacher had over 100 pupils in the one room, and found time about once a week to hear the smaller pupils recite, consequently ad- vancement was slow. From Virginia, the family removed to York, Pa., and there John W. Richley attended the public schools for but a short time, at the age of eleven years com- mencing to learn the painter's trade, which he finished at the age of fourteen years. At that age he had charge of the shop. Painting not being very agreeable to him he gave it up and started an apprenticeship at the machinist's trade in the Penn Agricultural Works in York. There he served four years, finishing at the age of eighteen. Finding himself at this age with little or no education he started to school, at- tending the York County Academy. He was so rusty that he could not add one-half and one-third, and disgusted and heart-broken he was ready to give it up as a bad job, when he realized that this was his only and last chance to obtain an education. He went to end of seven months he had caught up to his old associates, and was in the same classes in all branches, in spite of a seven years' handi- cap. At the end of two years at the York County Academy he passed an examination and received a certificate to teach school in the county ; he was one of the few who passed out of a total number of 170.

In the spring of 1898 Mr. Richley started in the bicycle business with a capital of $7, with which he bought a vise and blow torch. Making a few other handy tools. he carried on this small business during vacation and in the evenings after school. In the four years after this start in business he had built and paid for his present home at the corner of Chestnut and Ridge avenue. In 1905 he started in the laundry business, at the corner of East Phila- delphia street and Broad, but not liking it he

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went into the automobile business at Nos. 25- 29 South Beaver street, where his business is located at the time of this writing.

EDWARD J. LIBHART, proprietor of the "Yorkana Hotel," was born at his father's mill property in Hellam township, Feb. 12, 1873.

Henry Libhart, grandfather of Edward J., was a farmer and miller, and operated the mill in which our subject was born, he having re- ceived it from his father, Jacob, who had come from Germany at an early date.

George Libhart, father of our subject, was born in 1807, and followed farming and mill- ing all of his life. Although beginning a poor boy, he made his mark in the world, and at his death was a well-to-do man. He was a mem- ber of the Reformed Church, and in politics was a Republican, serving in a number of town- ship offices. He married Cassandra Sprenkle, daughter of Jacob Sprenkle, and she still sur- vives. These children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Libhart : Annie, the widow of Charles Leber, of York; Henry S., who died when thirty years of age; Sallie, Mrs. Faust ; George, mentioned below; and Edward J.

Edward J. Libhart received his education in the Musser public school, and at Patrick's Busi- ness College, York, his first teacher being Clay- ton Graybill and his last Benjamin Deitz, both well known educators. He remained at home after leaving school, and in 1896, he married Miss Laura Lieber Knecht, daughter of Amos and Rosie (Creswell) Knecht. Mr. Libhart then engaged in a mercantile business for four years, at Yorkana, where R. T. Paules' place is now situated, and then purchased the "York- ana Hotel," which he conducted for one year. At the end of this time he sold the place to A. C. Haines, from whom he repurchased it, and since that time has been operating it very suc- cessfully. He is an active Republican, while in religion he is a member of the Reformed Church. He and his wife have had the follow- ing named children: Morgan; Robert; Clare, deceased; Wilbur, deceased; and Merle, Mr. Libhart is a kind, genial man, is very lib- eral, and as a landlord is exceedingly popular. He is straightforward and honest in all busi- ness dealings and he bears an enviable reputa- tion for integrity. Both he and his estimable wife, who is of German and Scotch-Irish de- scent, are popular in the social circles of their locality.

GEORGE LIBHART, the brother of Edward J., was born at the mill in Hellam township. He attended the Musser school until about six- teen years of age, and when still a boy com- menced to help his father at the mill and farm. He is now engaged in tobacco raising, an oc- cupation which he started when still in his teens, and he has been very successful. Mr. Libhart was married Dec. 15, 1895, to Miss Mamie Lieber Knecht, born at Yorkana, July 16, 1880, sister of Mrs. Edward J. Libhart. Two children have been born to this union : Annie Catherine, born June 23, 1896; and Grace Pauline, April 1, 1898. Mr. Libhart is a Republican. He was reared in the faith of the Reformed Church. Like his brother, Mr. Libhart is very well liked in the community, as is also his wife, and his reputation in busi- ness affairs is above reproach.

CHAUNCEY C. KOHLER is one of York's own sons, born there May 30, 1874, son of Elias and Harriet ( Peeling) Kohler.

The Kohler family is of German descent. Elias Kohler was the son of Jacob, who mar- ried Miss Anna Seachrist, and was born April 15, 1845, the eighth child in a family of , nine. He worked on his father's farm till he reached his majority and then started out for himself in Dallastown, where he was engaged in the butchering business for two years. He followed the same call- ing in York for the next three years, and an- other three years were spent in the livery busi- ness. From that time till 1887 he was the pro- prietor of the "Central Hotel," then conducted a restaurant at No. 12 South George street for a year, and in January, 1888, took a position as salesman with the York Furniture Company. Five years later he returned to the hotel busi- ness and for five years operated the "Aldine Hotel" at Spring Grove. In April, 1898, he returned to York, and after an interval of two years resumed charge of the "Aldine Hotel" April 1, 1902. Only a month later, however, May 2d, Mr. Kohler died suddenly, leaving his widow to carry on the charge he had under- taken. Mr. Kohler was a man of an inventive turn of mind, and in 1881 he devised what is known as the Kohler Improved Cattle Car, one of the best ever invented. In politics he was a Democrat, was a member of the town council and always deeply interested in public affairs. He was a member of the I. O. O. F., and pop- ular not only in that organization, but very

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generally, being well-known and liked by a large circle of friends. He was married in 1868 to Miss Harriet Peeling, daughter of John Peeling, and they had five children, Min- nie A., Chauncey C., Anna Gertrude, Earl C., and Harper L.

Chauncey C. Kohler was brought up and educated in York, leaving school at the age of thirteen to enter the employ of the Mutual Union Telegraph Company in York, where he spent two years learning telegraphy. He next spent one year in Baltimore as inventory clerk for the Union News Company, and then be- came an apprentice with the York Daily Pub- lishing Company to learn the printing business. Two years later, when he was eighteen, he was associated with the Daily and Gazette for a year, and at the end of that time went to Philadelphia, to learn the lithographing busi- ness with Alfred M. Slocum, where he re- mained three years, mastering the business. He stayed in Philadelphia till 1898, and held the position of foreman in the Spencer B. Crouthamal printing and engraving estab- lishment. Returning in that year to York, he accepted a place as traveling salesman for George A. Kohler & Company, cigar manu- facturers with whom he worked till March, 1901, when he went into business for himself. For the first two years he was located at No. 21 West Market street, then removed to No. 17 East Market street and in April, 1905, took up his more commodious quarters at Nos. 26 to 30 North George street, where he has the entire building. He was the foremost to es- tablish a first rate cigar store in the city, an example followed by several since, and was also the one to introduce bowling into the city. He now has by far the finest alley in York, and also has opened attractive billiard rooms. Mr. Kohler is. alive and energetic, with modern methods and is steadily prospering. His cigar and tobacco business is a retail and jobbing one, and is increasing in scope constantly.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 183

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