History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 186

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

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BARNET G. FICKES, of York, Pa., where he is engaged in contracting and build- ing, was born in Dover township, York coun- ty, in 1870, son of Isaac and Maria (Knad- ler) Fickes.

Isaac Fickes was born in Adams Co., Pa., and when a young man located in Dover town- ship, York county. He learned the stone mason's trade, which he followed in connec- tion with farming until his death at the age of sixty-one years. He is buried at Strayer's Church, Dover township. His widow makes her home with her son, Barnet G. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Fickes had children : Mary Jane,

who died young; Emma, the widow of Noah Lichty, residing at East Mount, Dover town- ship; Amanda, the wife of Michael Bonner, of Lewisberry borough; John and Monroe, de- ceased; Annie, wife of Andrew Strayer, re- sides at Dillsburg; Isaac, a resident of York; Henry W., of Wellsville borough; Mary, de- ceased wife of Abraham Seifert; and Barnet G.

Barnet G. Fickes attended the township schools of Dover until the age of eighteen years, when he learned the carpenter's trade with John Seifert of Dover borough, with whom he remained three years. He was then engaged with William Reiver and Lewis Reeser, of Warrington township, and located at York in 1895, residing at the "Motter House" until his marriage, which occurred Dec. 25, 1897, to Annie M. Dull, daughter of Solo- mon Dull, of West Manchester township. Mr. Fickes became proprietor of a business in 1901, his first work being the erection of six fine dwellings for Mr. Rupp on King street, since which time he has built structures all over the city. He built for S. L. Etter, at No. 129 North George street, and the Jacob Snyder building, on West Market street, known as the Automobile building. He resides at No. 718 West Philadelphia street. In politics he is a Republican, but he has never taken more than a good citizen's interest in public affairs, giv- ing his time and attention solely to his business concerns. He holds membership in York Aerie, No. 183, Fraternal Order of Eagles.

FRANK H. GROTHE is a representative young business man of the city of York, where he conducts a prosperous enterprise as a dealer in coal and wood. He is a native son of York county and a member of one of its honored families of German lineage, having been born in the borough of York Aug. 17, 1870, son of Henry W. and Wilhelmina (Heitkamp) Grothe. The former, born in Germany in 1829, emigrated thence to America in 1851. The latter was born in Germany in 1832. A further account of the Grothe family appears in the history of William H. Grothe.

The boy duly availed himself of the ad- vantages afforded by the public schools and sup- plemented this discipline most effectively by a course of study in the York County Academy. Upon leaving school, in 1886, he entered the employ of J. H. Millander & Co., manufacturers of cigar box lumber in Ceredo, W. Va. In 1892 he established himself as a coal and wood

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dealer in York, where he has founded a most successful business, running four wagons, and handling both hard and soft coal as well as wood. He has proved himself a reliable and progressive business man, and the steady patronage accorded him is the best testimony of public confidence and appreciation. For a period of three years Mr. Grothe was the able and popular supervisor of the city of York. In politics he is a stanch Democrat. Both he and his wife are zealous members of St. John's German Lutheran Church, in which he served as deacon for three years, while he has taken an active interest in all departments of the church work.

On Dec. 29, 1892, was solemnized the mar- riage of Frank H. Grothe and Miss Elizabeth Horstman, daughter of Henry and Eleanor Horstman, of Cleveland, Ohio, and of this union have been born three children, Eleanor, Emma and Ernest.

MARTIN S. TAYLOR, of Newberry township, manager of the E. B. Shelley Cigar Manufacturing Company, the only cigar manu- facturers in Newberrytown, was born there July 24, 1874, son of William H. and Mary (Sipe) Taylor.

Jeremiah Taylor, the great-grandfather of Martin S., was born in England, and coming to America, settled in York county, Pa. He died in Warrington township, and was buried at Princeton. Isaac Taylor, the grandfather, was born in Franklin township, and married a Miss Hoopes, and they both died in York county, and are buried in the home burying ground. Five children were born to this union: Sarah, Will- iam H., Isaac, Wesley and Lydia.

William H. Taylor, father of our sub- ject, was born in Newberry township, where he received a common school education, and learned the blacksmith's trade, which he fol- lowed for about twenty-six years in Newberry- town and Newberry township. Mr. Taylor came to live with his son, our subject, in 1900, and is employed in making cigars. Mr. Taylor married Mary Sipe. The children born to William H. and Mary Taylor were : Lillie, who died at the age of eleven years; Martin S .; Clara, who married L. E. Hartman, and lives in Newberry township.

Martin S. Taylor attended the township schools and spent nine years in the West. From his father he learned the blacksmith's trade, and followed that line for a few years,

and then engaged in the hotel business for a short time. He was then secured by the E. B. Shelley Cigar Manufacturing Company, as manager. The factory is at the old C. E. Bair stand, and employs about twenty-five skilled workmen. Incidentally it is the only cigar manufacturing company in Newberrytown, and the company are the makers of the well-known "Senate" brand.

In October, 1893, Mr. Taylor married Min- nie J. Free, daughter of Peter and Leah Rip- man, of York county, and one child, Lillie May, has been born to them. In politics Mr. Taylor has been very active in the ranks of the Re- publican party, and has efficiently discharged the duties attendant upon the offices of in- spector and township clerk. Mr. Taylor gives his business his personal attention and watches the output, so that the standard is kept up to the point which first attracted attention and caused continued growth. He is progressive, wide-awake and thoroughly modern in his ideas.

WALN E. LEREW, one of York's enter- prising and successful business men, a manu- facturer and jobber of confections located at No. 35 West Philadelphia street, has been a resident of the city since 1894. Mr. Lerew was born Aug. 6, 1871, in Bermudian, Adams Co., Pa., and is a son of Jesse and Hannah ( Hoops) Lerew. The father died Nov. 27, 1903, at the home of his son in York, aged seventy-two years, seven months and twenty-one days. The mother still survives, and resides in Adams county.

The Lerew family is of French extraction, and by authentic records it is traced back to the time, when, as Huguenots certain of its mem- bers fled from France and found a retreat in Holland. The family was established in Amer- ica by two brothers who settled in Maryland, one of whom subsequently migrated to Lan- caster county, Pa. The name, in its original orthography, was Lareu, and it is spelled in sev- eral ways at present by different branches, Mr. Lerew himself preferring the form here adopted. The two emigrants, George and Jacob, married in Maryland, and Jacob pre- sumably settled in Baltimore, and was the great-grandfather of W. E. Lerew.

Jacob Lerew, son of Jacob, the grandfather of W. E., came to Adams county and became there an extensive farmer. He was a man of religious life and a strict adherent of the

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Dunkard Church. He married a Miss Kimmel, nuts and cakes. Mr. Lerew gives his personal of German ancestry, who was born near Dills- burg, York county.

Jesse Lerew, father of W. E., was a man of more diversified interests than his father, and followed various avocations, including farm- ing, horse dealing, hotel keeping and mer- chandising .. In his early life he devoted the bulk of his time to the hotel business. He be- came associated with the Society of Friends later in life, his wife, Hannah Hoops, being a life-long member of that religious body. Hannalı (Hoops) Lerew was born near Lewis- burg, Pa., daughter of Waln and Lydia (Leach) Hoops, of old Quaker families of English descent, and of high standing. Eight children were born to Jesse and Hannah Lerew : Clayton and Elmer both died in infancy; Emma is the wife of Luther M. Powers, of Bermudian, Adams county ; Curtin A., a resi- dent of York, is a salesman in the employ of his brother Waln; Clinton T. is proprietor of the "Hotel Lerew," of York Springs; Waln E .; Sarah A. is deceased; and Mary E. is the wife of Harry Menges, a merchant on the old homestead where he operates Mrs. Lerew's store.

WValn E. Lerew was educated in the public schools of his native place and remained at home until he was twenty-two years of age, assisting his father in the store. Then he came to York and entered the employ of P. A. & S. Small as a clerk, with whom he remained one year and five months. His next business con- nection was in partnership with William Har- lacker, under the firm name of Harlacker & Lerew, in a wholesale confectionery business which continued until March 22, 1891. After this business experience of five years duration, Mr. Lerew deemed himself equipped to embark independently, and he established the Lerew Candy Company, which he conducted as such for nine months, then securing articles of in- corporation, with a capital stock of $10,000. The business was conducted thus for one year and eight months when the company was dis- solved, Mr. Lerew becoming sole owner and operator of the business. He has met with extraordinary success, keeps three men on the road, and ships his products as far west as Chicago. His business includes all kinds of confections, but he makes a specialty of hard goods and brittles. In the jobbing department is handled a general line of candies, fruits,

attention to the business, watching every de- tail of manufacture so that his goods are al- ways of the standard quality and never disap- point. It is a just boast that a customer once secured is a continuous customer. His success shows the rewards of industry and energy.

Mr. Lerew was married Dec. 27, 1894, to Miss Luella M. LaRue, of York, and they have two interesting children: Helen K. and Ed- ward N. Their pleasant home is located at No. 345 West King street, York.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Lerew are members of the German Reformed Church. He belongs in a fraternal way, to the Sons of Veterans and the order of Heptasophs. In politics he is a . stanch Republican, but has never been an as- pirant for office.

JOSEPH WILFRID DUKE, the cour- teous and popular assistant freight agent of the Northern Central Railway Company in the city of York, is well entitled to representation in this historical compilation, the biographical de- partment of which is intended not only to pay a due tribute to the memories of those who have wrought worthily in the past but also to make mention of the citizens of to-day whose records are such as render them worthy of perpetuation as a legacy to the future.

The Duke family is of stanch English an- cestry, and the original American representa- tives of the branch to which our subject be- long's came to this country about the year 1812, while the maternal ancestors of Mr. Duke were of the French-Huguenot stock, having been driven from France to Belgium at the time of the French revolution and having finally found refuge in America. James B. Duke, grandfather of Joseph W., passed his entire life in the city of Baltimore, Md., where was born and reared his son Augustin W., the honored father of him whose name initiates this sketch. Augustin W. Duke was for many years engaged in the drug business in Mary- land's "Monument City," and was a man of high integrity and honor, being well known and highly esteemed in his native city, where he died June 8, 1904, at the venerable age of seventy-six years. In early manhood he was united in marriage to Miss Josephine V. Rosen- theel, who was likewise born and reared in Baltimore, being a daughter of Joseph Rosen- theel. She passed away Feb. 4, 1896. Of the

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thirteen children in the family Joseph W. was schools of St. Patrick's Church, of which they the eldest, while four of the number are liv- are members.

ing at the time of this writing.

Joseph W. Duke was born Oct. 12, 1853, in the city of Baltimore, Md., and there received his early educational training, in the public schools, while as a youth he began to learn the drug business in his father's store, where he remained four years. He then entered the railway service, in the capacity of manifest clerk, assuming this position Sept. 24, 1874, and thereafter he was transferred or promoted from one position to another until he finally reached the car-record office at Baltimore, from which he was assigned to the position of mani- fest clerk at the elevators of the Northern Cen- tral Railway. In August, 1880, he was made chief clerk in the car-record office, where he remained until June Ist of the following year, when he was transferred to Philadelphia and there made foreman of the car-record room of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, but on the 7th of the following month he was trans- ferred back to the elevators in Baltimore. where he continued as chief manifest clerk un- til November, 1888. He was next stationed at Lutherville, Md., on the Baltimore division of the Northern Central Railway, where he served as agent until July 1, 1890, when he was transferred to York, Pa., there becoming as- sistant to J. K. Gross, the freight agent of the same railroad, in which capacity lie has since continued to serve.

In politics Mr. Duke is an uncompromising advocate of the principles and policies of the Democratic party, and he served two terms as a member of the Democratic city committee of York. He is a communicant of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, as is also his wife, and is a member of the church committee of the parish. In a fraternal way he is identified with the Royal Arcanum and the Benevolent & Pro- tective Order of Elks.

On June 18, 1879, was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Duke to Miss Ida J. Blessing, daughter of John Blessing. a well-known tobacco manufacturer of Baltimore, Md., where she was reared and educated. To Mr. and Mrs. Duke have been born eight children, of whom three are deceased. Mable L., Mary Josephine and Milton W. Elma G. and Myrtle B. remain at the parental home, as does also Raymond A., who is a clerk; while Ethel C. and Helen L. are students in the parochial

OLIVER C. DECKMAN, proprietor of the Imperial Livery and Boarding Stable, in the rear of the "Penn .Hotel," has been a resi- dent of York since 1889. He is a native of Newton, Lancaster county, born Aug. 29, 1872, son of Sampson Deckman.

Sampson Deckman was born and reared in York county, near Craleysville. In his earlier life he made teaching his profession, following that occupation for thirteen or four- teen years in York and Lancaster counties, but later he turned his attention to farming and settled in York township, York Co., Pa. Mr. Deckman was always keenly interested in poli- tics and while living in Lower Windsor town- ship served as tax collector and later as assessor. His election was due solely to his personal standing, as the township was strongly Repub- lican, while he was a Democrat. A man of domestic tastes, his home life has been a happy one. He married Miss Emma Kelly, who was born in Havre de Grace, Md., and fourteen children were born to them: Oliver C., the eldest; Matilda, deceased Charles, a butcher in Warren, Pa. ; Elizabeth, married to Oliver Van- isdale, of No. 112 East King street, York ; Min- nie, deceased : Warren, a core maker by trade, who is residing at the corner of Franklin and Jefferson streets, in York; Mary, residing in York; and Paul. Grace, Cleveland, Lucy, Letha, Ethan and Farie, all at home. The par- ents are members of the Evangelical Church.

. Oliver C. Deckman was educated in the public schools and thereafter remained at home on the farm till after attaining his majority. He started farming on his own account and was so engaged for three years, the last year not only managing his farm but also taking charge of the Eichelberger stable, at the corner of Mason and Cherry avenues, in York. De- ciding to make the livery business his calling rather than farming, Mr. Deckman gave his entire attention to the stable for the next four years and then, on Sept. 6, 1903, he became the proprietor of the Imperial Boarding and Livery Stable, which he still conducts. He has handled many horses since going into the livery busi- ness and keeps about six of his own. He boards about fifty horses. owning the largest single boarding stable in the city. Mr. Deck- man also owns a good farm of ninety acres,

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situated in York township, which he keeps well stocked and which is under his personal super- vision. He is a wide-awake, progressive young business man, and has already become well known among York's citizens.

On Oct. 6, 1895, Mr. Deckman was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Forry, daughter of Ulrich S. Forry, formerly of York town- ship, but now living retired in Lebanon county. To this union have come three children, Austin C., Mabel B. and Edna.

J. LEWIS KING, a machinist of York, belongs to one of the old county families, and was born in York Nov. 23, 1869, son of John T. and Mary A. (Motter) King.

Samuel King, his paternal grandfather, was born in Paradise township, where he passed his whole life engaged in farming. He died in 1864 and was buried at Pigeon Hill Church, in the same township. His children were: John T .; Henry, who moved to Jackson town- ship, where he died, and was buried at Holtz- Schwamm Church; Joseph, who died in Para- dise township and is buried at Paradise Church; Daniel, who died in York, and is buried in the Prospect Hill cemetery; Eliza, who died in Paradise township, and is buried at Paradise Church; William, of York; Thomas T., of York; Margarette, widow of Abraham Straley, living in Paradise township; and Lydia, who died in infancy.

John T. King was educated in the public schools of his native township, and later learned the carpenter's trade there, but he moved to York as a more promising field for a permanent location. For over thirty years he was a prominent contractor engaged in erect- ing houses, at the end of that time turning to contracts for excavating and being thus em- ployed for twenty years longer. His death oc- curred May 10, 1899, and he was buried in Prospect Hill cemetery. He chose for his wife Miss Mary A. Motter, their union taking place April 14, 1853. Mrs. King was the daughter of Daniel and Nancy Motter, of York county ; she died ten years before her husband, Nov. 30, 1889, and is buried in the same cemetery. The children born to this couple were as follows : Charles M., of York; Lucy C., Mrs. William Younkee, of York; Annie M., living in York; Mary C., Mrs. Jacob S. Kindig; Sally E., Mrs. Charles Lyon ; Elmira J., living in York; George S., who died Oct. 8, 1896, and is buried in Prospect Hill; and J. Lewis.

J. Lewis King attended the public schools of York for nine years, and then spent three years at Prof. Grenver's school, completing his edu- cation at the age of seventeen. He then went into the establishment of Fry & Motter, where he learned the machinist's trade. His first regular position was with his present em- ployers, the S. Morgan Smith Company, for whom he has worked fifteen years. He has now reached the responsible position of fore- man, where he gives entire satisfaction.

On Aug. 29, 1900, occurred Mr. King's marriage with Miss Elizabeth Myers, who was born in Carlisle, Cumberland county, March 18, 1870, daughter of Jonas and Catherine (Hollinger) Myers. Mr. and Mrs. King have two sons and one daughter: George Motter, born in York in 1901; John Lewis, born there in 1904; and Mary Elizabeth, born in 1905.

Mr. King is a man of fine character and reputation, and has many friends. He is widely known fraternally, being a member of the S. M. Smith Company Beneficial Association; a past councilor of Codorus Council, No. 115, Jr. O. U. A. M .; a member of Crystal Lodge, No. 342, K. of P .; a past master of Zeredatha Lodge, No. 451, F. & A. M .; a member of Howell Chapter, No. 199, R. A. M .; a past eminent commander of Gethsemane Com- mandery, No. 75, Knights Templar; and a member of the Vigilant S. F. E. Company, No. I, all of York. His religious connection is with Trinity Reformed Church.

E. H. KOTTCAMP, who is the proprietor of an oyster restaurant at York, Pa., and a manufacturer of and dealer in ice cream, is a progressive business man. He was born Feb. 12, 1874, in the house in which he now resides, at No. 228 South Penn street, son of Caspar H. and Lucy J. (Koonsman) Kottcamp. The father of Mr. Kottcamp met his death at the York Manufacturing Company's plant, where he was employed. The mother is still living with her son, our subject. They had three children, namely : E. H .; Mary J., who is at home ; and George W., a machinist, married to Rose Shingberger.

E. H. Kottcamp was reared in York, be- ing educated in the schools of that city. He was but fourteen years of age when he entered the employ of Alexander Newman, the ice cream manufacturer, with whom he remained about nine years, at the end of which time he entered the business on his own account. He

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has a large wholesale and retail trade in ice ly to increase his space and capital, and there- cream, and also carries on a restaurant, in fore formed a partnership with August Son- which are served oysters in season. In the summer of 1904, his business having increased to large proportions, Mr. Kottcamp enlarged and improved his ice cream factory.

Mr. Kottcamp is a member of the Jr. O. U. A. M., Sandilands Commandery, K. of M., the Vigilant Fire Company, No. 1, and the American Relief Association.

On Dec. II, 1902, Mr. Kottcamp was mar- ried to Miss Sadie V. Newman, daughter of Alexander Newman, his former employer. Be- sides his residence Mr. Kottcamp is the owner of some good property, consisting of two lots and two dwellings on West College avenue.

CHARLES A. GIVLER, one of York's successful merchants, senior member of the firm of Givler & Sonneman, successor to the business formerly conducted under the firm name of Macmullen & Givler, was born in Washington township, York county, Jan. 18, 1872, son of Theodore F. and Lucinda (Hoops) Givler, both of whom reside at No. 233 West York avenue.

Mr. Givler was reared in the vicinity of Hall post office, and was early introduced to a mercantile life, as his father kept a store at that place. He received his education in the public schools, the York' County Academy and the Lock Haven Normal school, and at the age of seventeen years began teaching in Washing- ton township, at which he continued for two terms, and then after clerking for a period in his father's store at Hall postoffice, came to York and entered the mercantile establishment of P. Wiest's Sons, where he was employed for five years and eight months, resigning from that position to go into business on his own ac- count.

On Dec. 1, 1900, the firm of Macmullen & Givler was established opening their place of business at No. 236 Market street, the old Peter Wiest stand, and introducing a line of dry goods, notions and ladies' ready made gar- ments. On Aug. 18, 1902, Mr. Givler bought out his partner, and on April 15, 1904, he re- moved the stock to his present place of busi- ness, at Nos. 105 to 109 South George street, where he has the advantage of more space, al- lowing to increase his stock to a considerable extent. On Jan. 1, 1906, in order to meet growing patronage he found it necessary great-

neman, Jr., the firm now being known as Giv- ler & Sonneman. They occupy a floor space of 10,000 square feet. Mr. Givler's success may be attributed to the careful personal at- tention he, gives to the business in hand, and the close study of every detail entered in the same. Fortune has wrought no miracles for his exclusive benefit, but he has been quick to recognize and grasp the opportunities offered to him as to others. He is conversant with every branch of the mercantile trade.

Mr. Givler was married April 26, .1900, to Miss Anna K. Sonneman, daughter of Au- gust and Catherine (Smith) Sonneman, and they have one child, Catherine L. Mr. and Mrs. Givler are members of St. John's German Lutheran Church, and they reside at No. 105 South George street.

CHARLES E. GELBACH was born Feb. II, 1872, in Adams county, son of Joseph and Eliza (Kapensberger) Gelbach.

His paternal grandfather was born in Ger- many, and came to the United States when a young man, and followed farming all his life in Adams county. He had two children: Jo- seph, the father of Charles E .; and Elizabeth, who married Peter Shively.

Joseph Gelbach followed farming in Adams county, and served one term as director of the poorhouse there. These children were born to him: John; Mary, who married Frank Hart- man; Jennie, who married William Ogden; Alice, who married Edward Wickerd; George W .; Fannie, who married James Galwell; Laura, who married E. Swope; Minnie, mar- ried to Elmer Stover; Clara, who married Henry Wortz; Charles E .; and Grace, who married Clarence King.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 186

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