History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 188

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

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J. Edward Ramer attended the public schools of York until twelve years of age, at which time he started out in life for himself. His first employment was in the rag carpet fac- tory, where he remained until fifteen years of age. He then started learning the barber bus- iness, with Howard Bahn, of York, and in 1900 engaged in business on his own account. He is enterprising and progressive, and his patronage is increasing daily.

S. Frey, daughter of Harry and Catherine Frey, and one son, Richard, was born to this union, but died at the age of five months. Mr. and Mrs. Ramer reside at No. 358 West Phil- adelphia street. In politics Mr. Ramer is a Democrat and fraternally he is connected with the K. of P., the Jr. O. U. A. M., the Masons (Zeredatha Lodge, No. 451, of York), and the B. P. O. Elks ( York Lodge, No. 213).

MILTON S. STERNER, a member of the firm of Sterner Bros., manufacturers of high- grade cigars, was born in West Manheim township in 1880, son of Andrew Sterner.

Samuel Sterner, grandfather of Milton S., was born in York county, and was a lifelong farmer, owning a tract of 130 acres in West Manheim township, at Bandanna. He died at the age of eighty years. He married Elizabeth Wanemaker, daughter of a well known black- smith at Bandanna, and she also attained an advanced age. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sterner are buried in West Manheim township. Their children were: . Emanuel, of Illinois; Andrew, the father of Milton S .; Henry, of Carroll county, Md .; Jeremiah, who lives in West Manheim township; and one daughter who died young.

Andrew Sterner received a common school education in his native township, West Man- heim, and there assisted his father at farming, later purchasing the old home farm, upon which he continued farming for about thirty- seven years. In 1894 he retired from active life. He married Eleanor Houch, daughter of Jesse Houch, and a member of a very old fam- ily, and these children were born to the union : Josiah, a farmer of West Manheim township; Nelson, who died when eleven years old; John, a farmer of West Manheim township; Theo- dore, who died when seven years old; Elias J., a farmer of West Manheim township; Al- verta, the wife of John Waltersdorff, of West Manheim township; Amelia, Mrs. Kling, de- ceased; Slyvenia, the wife of S. G. Garrett; Mary, Mrs. Baublitz; Minerva, Mrs. Mum- mert; Milton S .; Curvin, a graduate of Bloomsburg Academy, who is his brother Milton's partner and is also engaged in teach- ing; and Addie, unmarried, who resides at home. Andrew Sterner is a Democrat, and has served his township as school director, tax collector and assessor.

Milton S. Sterner spent his school days in Mr. Ramer was married in 1903 to Mary. his native township, and at the age of four-

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

teen years commenced to learn the cigar- maker's trade with Mr. Garrett, of Pleasant Hill. He spent five years at Manchester, Md., engaged at his trade, and located at his pres- ent place, Summer Hill, West Manheim town- ship, in 1900, building a two-story shop, 50x14. Employment was given at first to two hands, but as the business increased more have been engaged, and Sterner Brothers are now barely able to furnish their trade, employing fifteen to twenty-five hands. They have several special brands, including the well known Baron Larrey, and find a market for most of the product in Philadelphia and Baltimore, also having a good patronage in the West. Milton S. Sterner admitted his brother to the firm in September, 1904, taking the trade name of Sterner Bros., and as such they have since continued. They are in the Ninth dis- trict.

Mr. Sterner married Bessie Houck, daugh- ter of George M. Houck, of West Manheim township, and they have one son, Harold A., who is attending school. In, political senti- ment Mr. Sterner is a Democrat. He is a member of the Lutheran Church.

FREDERICK TYSON, employed as a carpenter with the A. B. Farquhar Company, at York, was born in Shrewsbury township, York county, Dec. 29, 1858, son of Henry Tyson.

John Tyson, grandfather of Frederick, was a farmer of York county, who had these chil- dren : John, of Indiana; Jacob, of Spring- field township; Benjamin; Charles; Levi; Henry; Mrs. Adam Diehl; Mrs. John Storner ; and Mrs. Jesse Hildebrand.

Henry Tyson was born in Shrewsbury township, where he received a common-school education. He followed farming in Hopewell and Windsor townships for a great many years, and is now living retired with his son Samuel, in York township. He married Eliza Myer, daughter of John Myer, and she died in July, 1902, being buried at the Dunkard Church in Springfield township, of which she was a member. She had these children : Fred- erick; Noah, of York; William, who resides in York; Clayton and Isaac, of near Manheim, Lancaster county; Samuel, of York township; Mary A., who died in York, wife of Frederick Lehman; Emma, the wife of Samuel Shaw, of Hellam township; and Mamie, of York.

Frederick Tyson attended the common

schools of York and Windsor townships, and when a lad hired out with Henry Heins, in Spring Garden township for three years, after which he was with Jacob Trout, of Spring- field township. His next employer was Harris Lentz, who is now his father-in-law, under whom he learned the carpenter's trade. He remained with Mr. Lentz six years, and then engaged in farming in Springfield township, at which he remained sixteen years, operating successfully a seventy-five-acre farm. In 1902 he located in York, making his home at No. 622 West York avenue, and being employed by the A. B. Farquhar Company.

In 1882 Mr. Tyson married Sarah A. Lentz, born May 23, 1861, daughter of Harris and Malinda (Beek) Lentz, and to this union these children have been born: Sadie, the wife of P. Lentz, of Dallastown; Harry, who mar- ried Lottie Bortner; Claude J .; Chauncey ; Maggie; and Gertrude. Mr. Tyson served as tax collector, township supervisor and county committeeman for two terms in Springfield township. He is a member of the Paradise Lutheran Church. Mr. Tyson is one of the good citizens and reliable men of York, be- longing to that class which gives a city its honorable standing before the world. 1

HOWARD GISE, the well-known con- tractor, builder and real estate dealer of York, who resides at No. 903 West Princess street, was born in Paradise township, York county, June 16, 1873, son of William and Caroline (Strasbaugh) Gise.

Howard Gise was reared on his father's farm in Paradise township, and his education was received in the public schools. At the age of seventeen years he began the trade of car- penter with his brother Charles, following this line in York, as a journeyman, until 1902, when he began business on his own account, erect- ing buildings on his own property of which he afterward disposed. Mr. Gise puts up an average of twenty buildings each year, in the west end of York, all of which are of brick and of modern construction. Mr. Gise is his own architect. He handles a considerable amount of real estate, and prepares empty lots for building. He is also of an inventive turn of mind, and in company with Charles E. Mickley invented an automatic railway gate. Mr. Gise was married in November, 1895, to Miss Frances J. Lewis, daughter of John L. and Elizabeth J. Lewis, and five children

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BIOGRAPHICAL

have been born to this union: Bessie Marie, father-in-law's farm of 123 acres, settling on Myrtle Elizabeth, Charles William, Edwin this farm in 1904. Leroy and Lillian May. Mr. Gise is a mem- ber of the Eagles, and of Vigilant Fire Com- pany, No. I.

JOHN . W. SPAHR, an enterprising young farmer of York county, who is actively engaged in working his farm of 123 acres in Dover township, was born March 27, 1870, in Dover township, son of David and Cather- ine (Zinn) Spahr, and grandson of Jesse Spahr.

Jesse Spahr was a son of John and Polly (Fox) Spahr, prominent people who lived and died in Washington township. He married Elizabeth Baker.

David Spahr was born in Paradise town- ship, York county, Sept. 23, 1835, and was educated there in the subscription schools. He followed an agricultural life, and after his marriage located on a farm in Paradise town- ship, some eleven years ago removing to Big Mountain, where he now lives retired. In 1860 Mr. Spahr married Catherine Zinn, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Emig) Zinn, and she died in 1885, being buried at Holtz- Schwamm Church, Paradise township. The children born to David and Catherine Spahr were as follows: Annie is keeping house for her father; Jacob married Lucy Bowersox, and lives in Dover township; Jane died the day after her mother was buried, aged twenty years, and was buried at the Holtz-Schwamm Church in Paradise township; Emma married Peter Hobaugh, and lives near Brookside Park, in Dover township; Aaron, a carpenter of York, married Alice Smith, and lives in Dover borough; William married Emma Spangler and lives in Dover township; Alice married Albert Weir, and lives in West Man- chester township; and John W.

John W. Spahr attended the township schools, and in 1892 married Sallie Jacobs, daughter of Edward and Sarah (Baker) Ja- cobs, of Dover township. Mr. Jacobs died at the age of seventy years, and his wife re- sides with Mr. Spahr. After his marriage Mr. Spahr located on his father's farm for five years, and then removed to Paradise town- ship, where he remained one year, from there removing to Washington township. Here he remained for five years, and then returned to Dover township, and, in 1902, bought his 66

To Mr. and Mrs. Spahr five children have been born, all of whom are at home : Romaine, Katie, Emma, Raymond, and Sarah. The . family all belong to the Reformed Church at . Strayer's. Mr. Spahr is a Democrat, but has . never been actively interested in politics. Mr .. Spahr is a very enterprising and energetic * young man, and possesses most excellent busi- ness judgment. He has a standing in the com- .munity as a man of honor and integrity, and. as one of the first-class agriculturists of the: township.

JOHN K. GROSS, freight agent of the Northern Central Railway Company in the city of York, is a representative of one of the old and honored families of the Keystone Commonwealth, with whose annals the name has been identified from the Colonial epoch to the present.

Capt. John Gross, grandfather of our sub- ject, served under Gen. Washington in the. war of the Revolution, and after the Colonies had gained their independence he returned to Pennsylvania, where he passed the remainder of his long and useful life.

Daniel W. Gross, father of John K. Gross, was one of the prominent and influential citi- zens of the capital city of Pennsylvania and was well known throughout the State. He- was for many years a member of the board of trustees of Franklin and Marshall College, at Lancaster, and was a trustee and treasurer of the State lunatic asylum, at Harrisburg, in which city he was one of the oldest and most prominent druggists up to a short time before- his death. He was a brother-in-law of Hon. John C. Kunkel, who represented Pennsylva -- nia in Congress, and for whom the subject of. this review was named. Daniel W. Gross died at the age of eighty-six years, honored by all who knew him. His wife, whose name was Elizabeth Kunkel, was a daughter of George Kunkel, a prominent dry-goods mer- chant of Harrisburg and a sister of John C. Kunkel, previously mentioned. George Kun- kel was one of the Associators under Washing- ton. Mrs. Elizabeth (Kunkel) Gross was summoned into eternal rest at the age of sixty years. In the family were eight children, of whom three died in early childhood, Robert, Daniel and Mary. George A., who was a

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

. druggist in Harrisburg, died at the age of fifty years, and of those surviving we record that Joshua W. is living retired in Harris- burg; Edward Z. is engaged in the drug busi- ness in Harrisburg and is now mayor of that city; Henry S. is a civil and mining engineer, in the employ of the Pennsylvania Steel Com- pany, and resides in Steelton; and John K. is the immediate subject of this sketch.

John Kunkel Gross was born in the city of Harrisburg, Pa., June 15, 1845, and in the schools of his native city secured his early ed- ucational discipline, which was supplemented by a course in Franklin and Marshall College, from which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1867, of which he was valedicto- rian. He received the degree of A. B., and A. M. three years after graduation. After leav- ing college Mr. Gross took up the study of law under the preceptorship of his uncles, Hon. John C. Kunkel and Judge John W. Simon- ton, of Harrisburg, but owing to impaired health he was obliged to abandon his technical reading, and, after a needed rest, he came to York, in 1870, to clerk in the railway service for a period of sixty or ninety days. His iden- tification with the business, however, passed the maximum interval set, extending into months and years, and we find him still in the harness and now the incumbent of an import- ant and responsible office, which he has won through able and faithful service. From 1871 to 1890 he served as passenger and freight agent for the Northern Central and the Penn- sylvania railroads in York, and in 1890, on account of the growth of the business, he be- came exclusively freight agent. He is held in the highest esteem as an official and business man and also as a loyal and public-spirited citizen. He is an appreciative member of the Masonic fraternity. In politics Mr. Gross is a stalwart Republican, and he represented the Sixth ward in the municipal council for a total of twelve years of consecutive service. In the council he was chairman of the highway com- mission, and for two terms was president of the select council. He is a member .of the Pennsylvania German Society, in whose af- fairs he takes a deep interest. In fact, he makes himself felt wherever he may be, gain- ing firm and loyal friends on every side. While a student in Franklin and Marshall College, so many years ago, he led the college choir of twenty-eight voices, and his interest in music has never abated.

Reverting to Mr. Gross' genealogy, we may say that the original American ancestor was Jean de Gros, a native of France, who, to escape religions persecution incident to the rev- ocation of the famous edict of Nantes, fled to French Flanders and thence to America, where the present form of the namie was in the course of time evolved. The authentic family history is traced back to 1610, when occurred the destruction of Lisle, France, during a re- ligious war, and one of the name likewise fled to Flanders, and there married a daughter of William Von Heppenheim Von Dem Sahle.

On April 25, 1874, Mr. Gross was united in marriage to Miss Anna M. Messick, daugh- ter of Rev. John Fryer Messick, D. D., who is a clergyman of the Dutch Reformed Church and who is now living retired in York, Pa., at the patriarchal age of ninety-three years, while he is in full possession of all his facul- ties at the time of this writing, in January, 1906. His father died in Catskill, N. Y., at the age of ninety-six. Mr. and Mrs. Gross have five children, namely: Elizabeth Kunkel, John Messick, Janet LaRue Perrine, Marga- retta Allison, and Edward Louis Durkee. All of the children are graduates of the York Col- legiate Institute except Edward L. D., who is a member of the class of 1905 in the York County Academy. John M. is now in the em- ploy of the Pennsylvania railroad at Altoona.

WARREN E. FASTNACHT merits rep- resentation in this compilation as being one of the representative young business men of York, where he has built up a prosperous en- terprise as an electrical contractor and dealer in electrical supplies. Mr. Fastnacht is a na- tive of Adams county, having been born in the city of Gettysburg Nov. 26, 1876, son of Rev. Abraham G. Fastnacht, the honored and be- loved pastor emeritus of the Union Lutheran Church in York.

Rev. Abraham G. Fastnacht was born in the vicinity of Ephrata, Lancaster Co., Pa., June 30, 1845, and after completing the curri- culum of the common schools of the locality he entered Pennsylvania College, in the city of Gettysburg, where he remained as a student for several years. He engaged in teaching dur- ing the intervals of his personal educational work, meeting with marked success in his ped- agogic endeavors, which he initiated when but seventeen years of age. He was graduated from the theological department of Pennsyl-

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BIOGRAPHICAL

vania College as a member of the class of of which his father was pastor for so many 1865, and was forthwith ordained to the min- years. Mr. Fastnacht has, in addition to his pleasant home in York, an attractive summer cottage on the old Indian camping grounds at Long Level, near the town of Wrightsville, this county, and at the head of Cabin Branch creek, and there he and his family spend their vacation. istry of the Lutheran Church. His first pas- toral charge was that of Mt. Holly Church, at Boiling Springs, Cumberland Co., Pa., where he remained until October, 1875, while in 1877 he accepted the call to the Union Luth- eran Church in York, where he labored with all of consecrated zeal and devotion for more On Aug. 5, 1902, was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Fastnacht to Miss Elsie E. Sta- bley, a daughter of Franklin Stabley, a promi- nent citizen of York, and of this union has been born one son, Luther Kuhlman. than a quarter of a century and up to the time when failing health compelled him to resign his pastoral office, in 1903, since when he has lived retired in York, where his friends are in number equal to the number of his acquaint- ances. On June 10, 1873, Rev. Abraham G. JOHN WESLEY MILLER, who is well known to the citizens of York as a milk dealer, having been engaged in business as such since May 15, 1900, was born in 1869, in Windsor township, York county, son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Lutz) Miller. Fastnacht was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Warren, of Gettysburg, where she was born and reared, she being a daughter of Henry and Susan (Flemming) Warren. In the family are three children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the second in order of birth.

Warren E. Fastnacht was an infant at the time of his parents' removal to York, and thus he has ever claimed that city as his home. In its public schools he received his early educa- tional training, completing the curriculum of the York County Academy and then entering the York Collegiate Institute, from which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1896. He the entered the employ of the firm of J. E. Graybill & Co., of York, with whom he remained three and one-half years, during the greater portion of which period he was devoting his attention to apprentice work in the electrical department of the firm's business. Later he was employed for one year by the York Telephone Company, and in 1900 he engaged in business on his own account as an electrical contractor, also putting in an excel- lent stock of electrical supplies, at 276 West Market street. In the comparatively short in- tervening period he has built up a prosper- ous enterprise, having secured good contracts in York and in neighboring towns, while he is recognized as a skilled and reliable work- man and executive in his line. Recognition of his technical ability has been given in ·a significant way, since he is serving as superin- tendent of the municipal fire alarm and police telegraph system of York. Mr. Fastnacht also conducts a confectionery store at No. 274 West Market street. He is a stanch Repub- lican in politics, and both he and his wife are valued members of Union Lutheran Church,

Mr. Miller attended the public schools until he was eighteen years old, and remained at home with his father until twenty-one. He then spent about one year at the cigarmaking trade, and then came to York and learned the baking trade with James Peeling, with whom he remained six years, engaged in baking. Meantime, in 1894, he was united in marriage, with Emma E. Stoner, daughter of Henry and Sarah (Fahringer) Stoner, of Hellam town- ship. The young couple soon went into the bakery business on their own account, first lo- cating on South George street, and later on Newberry street. Mr. Miller sold both to en- gage in his present line, which he started May 15, 1900, locating at his present place of busi- ness, No. 713 West Philadelphia street, where he also resides. He has been very successful.

In politics Mr. Miller is an ardent Repub- lican. He and his wife are active members of the Heidelberg Reformed Church of York, taking a prominent part in its work.

HOWARD SMYSER MUSSER occu- pies the responsible position of receiving and paying teller of the Drovers' and Mechanics' National Bank of York. On his mother's side Mr. Musser is related to one of the largest and most influential families of York county, and his father's family is equally well known al- though not so numerous.

John Musser, his grandfather, was a farmer of Hellam township, and his father, Henry Musser, is president of the Littlestown Silk Company, of. Littlestown, Pa. Henry

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Musser married Emma Jane Smyser, daugh- ter of Daniel Smyser, a prominent farmer of Spring Garden township, who fell dead at his plough, dying literally "in harness." The chil- dren born to this union were as follows: Wal- ter E., teller in the Farmers' National Bank of York; Mabel Jane, a student in the York high school, class of 1906; and Howard Smyser.

The birth of Howard Smyser Musser oc- curred in York, March 16, 1879, and he was educated in the public schools and in York County Academy. He began business life as a clerk in the freight office of the Northern Central Railway Company, at York, where he remained five years. He then became book- keeper in the Drovers' and Mechanics' Na- tional Bank of York, assuming the position in February, 1901. Such was his ability and in- terest in the business that in December, 1903, he was promoted to the position of receiving and paying teller. This rapid promotion is felt by his business associates to be as de- served as it was rapid.

WARREN J. RAFFENSBERGER, in- surance agent and real estate dealer located in the Guardian Trust Company Building, York, was born Feb. 9, 1885, and is descended from ancestors who came from Germany and settled in Adams and York counties, in about 1778. His grandfather, John Raffensberger, was a contracting carpenter.

Jacob D. Raffensberger, father of Warren J., is located at No. 248 East Poplar street, York, and is superintendent of Billmyer & Small's works. Mr. Raffensberger married Sallie A. Ilgenfritz, daughter of Joseph W. Ilgenfritz, a scale maker of York, who pur- sued his occupation up to the age of seventy- eight years, but is now retired. Four chil- dren were born to the parents of our subject : Hattie M., wife of Charles Fox, foreman of Fox & Ottmyer, of York; Raymond J., em- ployed at Billmyer & Small's; Clarence L., at school; and Warren J.

Warren J. Raffensberger received his edu- cation in the public schools of York. After leaving school he found employment as a clerk at the Martin Carriage works, where he re- mained for a little over a year and then en- gaged with Billmyer & Small, with whom he remained four years. In February, 1904, Mr. Raffensberger entered the insurance field, and on July 7th, of the same year, embarked as an

independent agent and adjuster, occupying Room Io, in the Guardian Trust building, where he represents some of the best known companies, among them being the Royal In- surance Co., of Liverpool, England; Western Insurance Co., of Pittsburg, Pa .; Armenia In- surance Co., of Pittsburg, Pa .; Union Insur- ance Co., of Philadelphia, Pa .; Alliance In- surance Co., of Philadelphia, Pa .; Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania, of Philadelphia, Pa .; Girard Fire and Marine In- surance Co., of Philadelphia, Pa .; Security Fire Insurance Co., of Baltimore, Md .; Fed- eral Insurance Co., of New Jersey; United States Fire Insurance Co., of New York City ; Milwaukee Mechanics' Insurance Co., of Mil- waukee, Wis .; Milwaukee Fire Insurance Co., of Milwaukee, Wis .; American Fidelity Co., of Montpelier, Vt .; Travelers Insurance Co., of Hartford, Conn .; Phoenix Mutual Life In- surance Co., of Hartford, Conn .; United Sure- ty Co., of Baltimore, Md .; and Empire State Surety Co., of New York City. As will be seen his insurance covers that of fire, life, acci- dent, health, plate glass, boiler inspection, em- ployers' liabilities, etc., and he also conducts an extensive real estate business, buying, sell- ing and renting.

Mr. Raffensberger belongs to Sandilands. Commandery, No. 152, A. & I. O. K. of Malta; to York Conclave No. 124, Improved. Order of Heptasophs; and Manitou Tribe, No. 93, I. O. R. M .; and in all of these, as also in' St. Paul's Lutheran Church, of which he is a. member, he takes an active interest.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 188

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