History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 187

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

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Charles E. Gelbach attended the public schools at Fairfield, Adams county, and worked on his father's farm until the age of nineteen, when he went to Kansas and clerked in his brother's general merchandise store for two years, at the end of that time returning home and again working on the farm for about one year. In 1893 he located at Glen Rock and engaged in the butchering business, and built up a large and profitable trade. His dis- tributing branch was located at Glen Rock, but his slaughtering house was in Seitzland, about one mile from Glen Rock. He did a

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wholesale and retail business, and during the winter shipped as high as fifty head of hogs per week to Baltimore.

Mr. Gelbach is a member of the Junior Order of American Mechanics, while in re- ligion he is connected with the Reformed Church. On Oct. 21, 1896, he was married to Miss Dora Yost, daughter of Dr. George P. Yost, of Glen Rock, and one child has been born to them, Ruth L.

CHARLES F. WATROUS, JR., is one of the well-known insurance agents of York, and he is of Scotch-English descent, his paternal ancestors coming from England, while those on the maternal side were natives of Scotland. Joseph Watrous, grandfather of Charles F., Jr., lived in Susquehanna county, to which section he had removed from Connecticut.

Charles F. Watrous, son of Joseph, was a farmer of Susquehanna county, but is now liv- ing retired. He married Margaret E. Mc- Dougal, of Tioga county, and she became the mother of these children: William, who died in infancy; William (2), who died in early childhood; Nina, who died at the age of twenty-eight years, wife of J. C. Harrington, of Montrose; Joseph, deceased; McDougal, deceased; Richard A., a traveling salesman of Montrose; Stuart, a clerk; and Charles F., Jr.

Charles F. Watrous, Jr., was born Nov. 10, 1862, in Montrose, Pa., and was educated in the Montrose High school. He first took up clerking, which he followed for three years, and then conducted a boot and shoe store for five years. Removing to West Pittston, he there, for five years, did bookkeeping, and then engaged in the insurance business. Mr. Wat- rous located in York in 1901, and became dis- trict agent for York county for the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Co., of Newark, N. J., which position he has held up to the present time.

Mr. Watrous was married Sept. 13, 1894, to Jessie L. Downing, daughter of Bradley and Jane M. Downing, of West Pittston, and four children have been born to this union, as follows: Helen Stuart, aged nine years, at school; Margaret Cary, aged six years, at school; Elizabeth, aged three and one-half years, and Richard Edwin, aged two years. Mr. Watrous belongs to the First Presbyterian Church. He is a Republican in political prin- ciple.

JOHN A. BEAR, a member of the cigar manufacturing firm of Bear Brothers, and a prominent and successful business man of Conewago township, York county, was born Oct. 15, 1872, son of William S. and Leah (Kochenouer) Bear.

The great-grandfather of John A. Bear was Jacob Bear, who came from Lancaster county and settled in Manchester township. Here he followed farming, and was also a fisherman on the Susquehanna river, a haul of 7,000 shad made by him being the largest ever made in this locality. Jacob Bear's death oc- curred in his ninety-seventh year, and he was buried at Aughenbaugh's school house, Manchester township. He was twice married, his first wife being a Shelley and his second being named Good. Mr. Bear was the father of the following chil- dren : Daniel; Jacob S .; John; Reuben, who lives in Manchester township; Mary, who was the wife of David Strickler, deceased; and Barbara, who married Daniel Hykes, living in Manchester township.

Jacob S. Bear, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in Manchester township, and was a farmer and distiller of Conewago town- ship. He was a large landowner, having 600 acres in Conewago township, and owned a mill at Strinestown now operated by J. F. Cline, but spent the later years of his life on the farm. His wife was Elizabeth Stover, daughter of Henry and Susan Stover. He died at the age of fifty-seven years, and both he and his wife were buried at Quickel's cem- etery, in Conewago township. Mr. Bear was a colonel of the militia. The children born to Jacob S. and Elizabeth Bear were: Henry S., who died in Manchester borough; Jacob B., who died in 1902; William S., the father of our subject; Sarah, the wife of Henry Hoff, of Mt. Wolf; Elizabeth, living in Conewago township, who became the wife of Adam Nei- man; Mary Ann, residing in York, widow of Eli Quickle.

William S. Bear was born Feb. 22, 1834, and received his education in the common schools of Conewago township, attending school until the age of twenty-one years. He followed farming in Conewago township for about thirty years, and is now engaged in the fire insurance business, being a stockholder in the Western Mutual Fire Insurance Company, with the main office at Holtz, Pa. He has

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built a fine home at Zions View, where he now SAMUEL H. LUDWIG was born on the resides. In politics Mr. Bear is a Republican, old homestead in Ore Valley, Oct. 29, 1877, son of Charles and Sarah A. (Bradley) Lud- wig.

and he has been a school director for eighteen years, assessor, auditor, tax collector, and a member of the election board. He is a valued member of the Lutheran Church, in which he has held the offices of elder and deacon. In 1858 Mr. Bear married Leah Kochenouer, daughter of Henry and Catherine ( Hoffman) Kochenouer, and to him and his wife the fol- lowing children have been born: H. M., who married Catherine Heilman, and is farming in Conewago township; Edwin A., married to Annie Jacoby (he is the business partner of our subject) ; John A .; L. Jane, residing at home; and William, Jacob and Abraham, who died in infancy.

John A. Bear attended school in Cone- wago township until nineteen years of age and then learned cigarmaking at Zions View. He worked at the bench for seven years, and then, in 1896, with his brother Edwin A., engaged in business at Zions View under the firm name of Bear Brothers. The firm built a fine fac- tory, 22x42 feet in dimensions, and employs from twenty to twenty-five hands. Several special brands are manufactured by this com- pany, and the output finds ready sale in the West. Bear Brothers have an agent in Chi- cago, Ill., who handles the trade of that sec- tion. This is one of the leading firms in its line in Conewago township, and enjoys the confidence of the public on account of the ex- cellence of the product and the honorable methods employed.

In January, 1893, Mr. Bear married Ellen Emrich, the estimable daughter of Israel and Lucinda (Hoke) Emrich, and after marriage built a home in Zions View, which is one of the most modern in the township. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bear, -Charles E., Raymond H., Ralph Eugene and Mary Irene. In politics Mr. Bear is a stanch Republican, and he has always taken an active interest in the success of his party. At pres- ent he is school director, and has twice served as township clerk. In religion he is a consist- ent member of the Lutheran Church, in which he has been deacon for a year, as well as sec- rétary of the Sunday-school and teacher of a HOWARD N. WOLF. The steady class. Both as a business man and citizen Mr. growth of the city of York and its quiet but Bear is held in high esteem, and he is consid- steady prosperity, have attracted thither many contractors and builders, who find it a promis- ing field for their efforts. One of the promi- ered one of the substantial, representative men of Conewago township.

The Ludwig family is an old and honored one in York county, the grandfather of the present Mr. Ludwig having been Charles Lud- wig, a farmer and successful business man of Loganville. The maternal grandfather was John Bradley, and he is now living retired, although for many years he was manager of the Cordelia Ore Bank. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ludwig, Jr. : John E., a contracting painter of York town- ship; Charles P., a teacher in Ore Valley ; Car- rie E., at home; Mary Isabella; Flora May ; Alice S., at school; Daisy Ellen, at home; and Samuel .H.

The boyhood of Mr. Samuel H. Ludwig was passed upon the farm, and he attended the neighborhood schools, but as he evinced such a love for his studies, his father resolved to give him better educational advantages. He consequently sent him to the York County Academy, and he spent two years at the State Normal School at Millersville, Lancaster coun- ty. There he remained until qualified to be- come a teacher, and for five years he followed that honorable calling in York county, until in 1900, he became associated with the York Traction Company,; as assistant bookkeeper and ticket agent.

On Jan. 13, 1901, Mr. Ludwig was united in marriage with Annie E. Ness, a daughter of Edward Ness, a prominent farmer, but she passed away in 1903, on the second anniver- sary of her wedding day. Mr. Ludwig is a member of the Knights of Malta, the A. O. K. of M. C., and the Royal Arcanum, and is very popular in these organizations. He resides at Yoe, York county, where he is a member of the Salem U. M. Church, and takes a very ac- tive part in church affairs. In politics he is a Democrat, although very liberal, believing that every man has the right to think as his conscience dictates upon all questions, includ- ing the two great disputed ones-politics and religion.

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nent men in this class is Howard N. Wolf, 1866, lives in Manchester township; Alfretta, who has been a resident of the city since 1878, with the exception of a single year spent in Philadelphia.

Howard N. Wolf was born in Adams county, Pa., Sept. 29, 1855, son of George and Eleanor (Bittinger) Wolf. He was reared on a farm and sent to the public schools till he was nineteen, when he went to Gettysburg to learn the carpenter's trade, under Mr. Stall- smith. When his apprenticeship was over he worked for a while in different places, as Lan- caster, Shamokin and Philadelphia, and then in 1878 located in York. He continued to work at his trade there till 1882, when he spent a year in Philadelphia, and then returned to his former location in York. In 1891 he determined to enter upon the contracting busi- ness for himself, and in the years since has built up a good patronage, employing now from twenty to twenty-five men. He has con- fined his operations practically to York, and among his structures may be enumerated St. Peter's Lutheran Church in North York, with its parsonage, a row of buildings put up for C. Barton, James R. Strawbridge's residence, a block of twelve houses on West Princess street, a block on West Lafayette street, front- ing on Penn Park, and a stable for the Atlan- tic Refining Company, while he has now some thirty houses and one stable in the course of construction. He is one of the leading build- ers of the city and does most satisfactory work.

On Jan. 2, 1883, occurred the union of Mr. Wolf and Miss Agnes S. Stump, daughter of Jesse Stump, of York township. Of their family six children are living: George Irwin, a carpenter by trade, who married Miss Alice Hess, has one daughter, and resides at Ches- ter Place; Caroline .A. and Emily E., twins; Beulah; Luther Bittinger; and Charles Ed- win. The family are members of St. Luke's Lutheran Church, in which Mr. Wolf is a deacon. They are all held in high esteem.

SAMUEL T. PEELING, a prominent young business man of Conewago township, York county, was born Dec. 24, 1875, in York, son of James Peeling, who died in 1891, and is buried in Dallastown.

James Peeling was twice married, and to his second marriage the following children were born: Lucinda, born Dec. 18, 1864, married Harry Wasbers, proprietor of the York City Laundry; Joshua, born Jan. 15,

born March 25, 1868, died in 1904; Henry, born Aug. 16, 1870, died in January, 1871; Ida, born Nov. 18, 1871, married Isaac Bupp, of York; William F., born June 27, 1874, died July 5, 1874; Samuel T. was born Dec. 24, 1875; Martha, born Feb. 6, 1879, married a Mr. Falkenroth, and lives in York; and Horace K., born Dec. 27, 1882, is in the mer- cantile business in York.

Samuel T. Peeling received his early edu- cation in the schools of York City and Cone- wago township, and also attended York Coun- ty Academy. He then taught school four years in Conewago township. After his mar- riage he located in that township, where he continues to make his home. In politics he is connected with the Democratic party, and in religion he is a member of the Lutheran Church.

In 1896 Mr. Peeling was united in mar- riage with Miss Lizzie Ellen Bear, daughter of Jacob and Mary A. (Shindle) Bear.

PETER FREDERICK REBMAN, a prosperous and enterprising young business man of York, engaged in the wholesale butch- ering business, was born in West Manchester township, York county, Sept. 26, 1876, son of Jacob Rebman.

George Rebman, the grandfather of Peter F., and the founder of the Rebman family in this country, came from Germany in 1821, and settled in York. He was a farmer by occupa- tion. His death occurred in Manchester town- ship, at the age of eighty-six years, and he was buried at Strayer's Church, in Dover township. His wife, whose maiden name was . Houseman, died at the age of seventy-five years, and was interred beside her husband. Their children were as follows: George, who died young; John, who died in Ohio; Chris- tina, who married Adam P. Leckrone, died in West Manchester township, and is buried at Neiman's Church; Louisa, who lives in Illi- nois: Gottleib, who died in Boiling Springs, Cumberland county ; Jacob, the father of Peter F .; and Michael, who married Sarah Kemp, died aged sixty-two years, in York, and is buried at Strayer's Church in Dover borough.

Jacob Rebman was born in Manchester township, York county, in 1825, and there al- ways followed farming. He married a Miss Heindel, who died in 1862, leaving children as follows: Clara A., Mrs. Gruver; George A.,

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M. D., of Wrightsville; Jacob M., who is the farmer on the old home in Jackson township; Charles W., of Kansas, a farmer and sheep grazer ; and Emma J. The first wife of Mr. Rebman died, and he was married (second) to Susan Glatfelter, who died in 1895 and was buried in Green Mount cemetery, York. The following named children were born to Mr. Rebman and his second wife: Amanda, Mrs. Weyer; Peter F., our subject; Edward E., in the mercantile business in York; Albert, a carriage painter of Lancaster; Katie M., Mrs. Smyser; Ella N., Mrs. Stouffer; John H., a machinist; Edna; and Paul G., a carver in wood. Mr. Rebman's death occurred in 1899 and he is buried at Green Mount cemetery.

Peter Frederick Rebman attended the schools of West Manchester township until twenty years of age, and remained with his father, engaged in farming, until 1901, when he located in York and engaged in the butch- ering business with John Alexander, with whom he has continued up to the present time. The firm is known as John Alexander & Co., and their place of business is in the rear of No. 599 West Philadelphia street, York. They have a flourishing business, and one of the most up-to-date places of business in York.

In 1897 Mr. Rebman was united in mar- riage with Mary E. Thompson, a daughter of A. D. and Annie (Trout) Thompson, and to this union were born: Alexander, who died when two months old, and Esther, a bright little girl of four years. Mr. Rebman resides at No. 622 West Philadelphia street. He is a very progressive young man.

JOHN ALLEN HEANY, although he has been a resident of York but two years, is well known to the citizens of that city as a patentee. Born in Philadelphia, Pa., March 15, 1877, he was there educated, and for three years was professor of mathematics and physics in the Central high school of Philadel- phia.

Mr. Heany was connected with the Union Traction Company, of Philadelphia, as assist- ant to the master mechanic, and as consulting expert with several large concerns in Phila- delphia and New York before locating in York. He came to this city in 1903, where he has since been situated, and he has been very actively engaged in his patent work, hav- ing taken out over five hundred patents.

EDWIN S. RESSER, a rising young man of York, a machinist by trade, has been a resident of that city for the past ten years. He was born in East Berlin, Adams county, May 26, 1871, son of Jacob and Lydia (Wolf) Resser.

Jacob Resser was a native of the same place, born Sept. 10, 1820. There were three other children, all now deceased, namely: Re- becca and Samuel, who are buried in East Berlin; and Andrew, who is buried in Lan- caster county. Jacob Resser for forty years followed the trade of a tinner, but is now liv- ing in retirement in East Berlin. He was married in 1856 to Miss Lydia Wolf, who was a native of the same place, born in 1832, the daughter of William and Elizabeth Wolf. The children born to Jacob and Lydia Res- ser were as follows: William, a resident of East Berlin, married to Miss Annie Picking ; Catherine, at home; Elizabeth, who married Martin D. Diehl, of York; George M., of East Berlin, who married Miss Sallie Jacobs; Wal- ter F., of York, who married Miss Mabel Cronistan; Harry W., of East Berlin, mar- ried to Miss Daisy Kuhn; Edwin S .; and Annie M., Mrs. Charles H. Baker, of York. Jacob Resser, the father, was a veteran of the Civil war. He responded to Governor Cur- tin's call, and became a member of Company K, First Pennsylvania Reserves, and was pro- moted to quartermaster sergeant, serving in all three years. He died May 12, 1905.

Edwin S. Resser attended the public schools of East Berlin till he was eighteen years old, and then in 1889 went to Reading to learn the machinist's trade. When his three years of apprenticeship were over he returned home for a year, and then spent the following eight months in Hanover, working at his trade. In 1895 he moved to York and ac- cepted a machinist's position with Broomell, Schmidt & Company which he held for five years, and since then has been with The York Manufacturing Company. He is remarkably capable in his line, and has the entire confi- dence of his employers.

In 1894 Mr. Resser entered the matrimo- nial estate, his bride being Miss Clara M. Spangler, of East Berlin, daughter of An- drew and Alice (Bupp) Spangler. Two chil- dren have been born to them, viz .: Harry A., born in East Berlin, July 26, 1895 ; and Luther S., born in York, May 18, 1897.

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GEORGE A. HAIN, proprietor of the Diamond Cigar Store from March 22, 1900, to Aug. I, 1905, was born in York, Pa., July 7, 1874, son of George and Cassandra E. (Huss) Hain. Both parents are living and residing at No. 611 Edison street, York.

During the early boyhood of Mr. Hain his parents lived at Freystown, in Spring Garden township, and until he was ten years old he attended school there. At the expiration of that time the family removed to a farm in Shrewsbury township, and the boy was sent to the district schools there for the next seven years. He attended York County Academy in the year 1891, under Professors D. H. Gardiner and S. B. Heiges. After leaving the Academy, he was employed at the Pennsylva- nia Agricultural Works for about five years, and then spent two years in a brokerage busi- ness in cigars. At the expiration of that period, Mr. Hain took an eight months course in Patrick's Business College, as a more com- plete equipment for an active business career, and then he opened the above establishment, March 22, 1900. He was located at No. II West Market street, and carried a full line of choice cigars, tobaccos and smokers' supplies generally, doing a local jobbing business. In connection with the cigar store he also con- ducted a pool and billiard parlor, with the finest appointments in the city.

Mr. Hain has always taken an unusually active interest in lodge organizations, and has become a member of many of those repre- sented in York. When he was only twenty he joined York City Castle No. 414, K. of G. E., and is a past officer of that body. He was made a member of Capt. E. M. Ruhl Camp, No. 33, S. of V., Jan. 7, 1899 ; of Sand- ilands Commandery, No. 152, A. O. K. of M., Sept. 24, 1897; of Zeredatha Lodge, No. 451, F. & A. M., Feb. 9, 1904; of York Command- ery, No. 21, K. T., Sept. 21, 1905; of A. A. O. N. of M. S., Zembo Temple, at Harris- burg; and of Harrisburg Consistory (32d de- gree. Scottish Rite) ; and he is also a member of York Lodge, No. 213, B. P. O. E., which he joined Sept. 28, 1904.

ROBERT E. HAMM, of Codorus town- ship, York county, was born in that township Dec. 8, 1881, a son of Adam S. and Julia T. (Krebs) Hamm.

Mr. Hamm's original ancestors came from the old country in the early part of the settle-

ment of York county. There were three of the name who came over that settled in York county, Michael, Peter and John, Germans, who located in three different localities, one near Dover, York county, the other near Seven Valley, York county, and the third near Jefferson, York county. Peter Hamm, a son of the one who settled near Jefferson, was the great-great-grandfather of Robert E. Hamm.

Adam S. Hamm, Sr., grandfather, was a son of Samuel Hamm, who was a farmer in North Codorus township, where he died at the age of sixty years. Adam S. Hamm was born in North Codorus township, and followed farming on land located two miles west of Jefferson, owning three farms, one of IIO acres, another of 100, and a small farm of about twelve acres in the same township. He was looked upon as one of the township's most substantial and reliable men. He died at the age of seventy-four years. He married Bar- bara Stambaugh, who lived to the age of seventy-nine years, and their children were: Saranda, wife of George Fishel; Matilda, wife of Ephraim Senft; Samuel S .; Albert S .; Catharina, married to Daniel Wherly; Martin S .; Washington S .; and Adam S.

Adam S. Hamm, father of Robert E. Hamm, was born in North Codorus township and was educated in the district schools. He learned the trade of cooper, but did not fol- low it long, as he soon became interested in farming in North Codorus township, removing in 1894 to his present place in Codorus town- ship. He bought the old Aaron Heindel farm of seventy-four acres of land, and has made many improvements, erecting all the substan- tial buildings and introducing good stock and modern machinery.

Adam S. Hamm married Julia T. Krebs, a daughter of George and Alice Ann (Tuffey) Krebs, of Codorus township, and they have one son, Robert E.

In politics Adam S. Hamm is a Democrat, and he has served as judge of elections and as school director in Codorus township for three years, having filled the former office also in North Codorus township. The fact that this office is usually delegated to a man of sterling character in the community speaks well for his standing in his locality. He is a member of the Reformed Church and was formerly one of the deacons.

Robert E. Hamm was educated in the township schools of North Codorus and Co-

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dorus townships and the grammar school of Jefferson, spent three terms in the York Coun- ty Normal School, and two terms at Glenville Academy. Being thus well qualified, he began teaching in 1898, making his entrance into the profession at the Krebs school in Codorus township. After one term he went to York and entered the employ of his father-in-law, George F. Saubel, who was then clerk of York county, and remained there three years as dep- uty clerk. In 1903 he resumed teaching at the Sterners school in Codorus township and is a very popular and successful educator.

Mr. Hamm was married to Anna C. Sau- bel, a daughter of the former Clerk of the Courts of York county, George F. Saubel, and Lavina (Bricker) Saubel, of Codorus town- ship, and they have one son, Melvin D., born in 1900. They are members of the Reformed Church, belonging to the old Stone Church of Codorus township, and Mr. Hamm is very ac- tive both in church and Sunday-school work. Mr. and Mrs. Hamm reside with his father, Adam S. Hamm, one of the prominent men of this locality.

J. EDWARD RAMER, proprietor of the tonsorial parlor at No. 352 West Market street, York, Pa., was born Dec. 10, 1877, in York, son of Charles E. Ramer, and is de- scended from good old York county stock.

Martin Ramer, the grandfather of J. Ed- ward Ramer, died in York. His children were: Ida, Emma, Belle, and Charles E. Charles E. Ramer was born in York, where he followed moulding, but at the time of his death was employed at Philadelphia. He married Mary Amanda Heltzel, who still survives, liv- ing at No. 360 West Philadelphia street. The following children were born to them: Henry M., who is superintendent of the York Car- riage Works; Sadie, the wife of William Berk- heimer, of York; Nettie M., the wife of James Fredrick, of York; and J. Edward.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 187

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