History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 189

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

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Mr. Raffensberger very lately has been -

elected as an honorary member, one of the board of governors and assistant secretary of the York Oratorio Society, one of the best musical organizations of its kind in the coun- try. He is very active in the work as are the rest of the officers of the society.

WILBER HORACE MYERS, a young business man of York who is well known as: the cost clerk of the York Manufacturing Company, was born Dec. 17, 1881, in Spring- etsbury township, York county, son of Horace D. and Ellen (Cunningham) Myers.

Mr. Myers belongs to very old American families on both sides, his paternal ancestors coming from Germany and the maternal an- cestors from England. His great-great-grand- father Cunningham was a contractor on the railroad that ran from Columbia to Frederick ..

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BIOGRAPHICAL

His paternal grandfather, Samuel Myers, was a farmer, who located on the old homestead two miles north of York, where his widow, who was the daughter of Daniel Louck, of Freystown (now East York), is still living.

Horace D. Myers, the father of Wilber H., died in 1884, aged thirty-one years. He mar- ried Ellen Cunningham, who died in 1892, and who was a daughter of William Cunningham, ex-county commissioner of York county ; Mrs. William Cunningham, who died aged sixty- eight, was the daughter of Mr. Beaverson, of Spring Garden township, York Co., Pa. Five children were born to the parents of Wilber H. Myers: Charles, who lives in Pleasure- ville, York county; Stewart E., who is con- nected with the A. B. Farquhar Works at York; Zachariah, a chainmaker of York; Anna Minerva, who resides with her adopted par- ents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kunkle; and Wil- ber H.

After receiving his education in the public schools and at Patrick's Business College, of York, Mr. Myers became a clerk for the Adams Express Company, at Hellam, York county, under his uncle, George E. Loucks, with whom he lived for twenty years, having been a member of his uncle's family since he was four years old. On Jan. 19, 1903, Mr. Myers became connected with the York Man- ufacturing Company, and since that time has served in the capacity of cost clerk. He is an active member of the Royal Fire Company, of York. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and has been very prominent in campaign work, especially in the Presidential campaign of 1904, as a member of the West End Re- publican Club of York. Mr. Myers attends St. James Lutheran Church, of Hellam, and is violinist in the choir. He has many warm friends who enjoy his business success and his social and political prominence.

HARRY L. STROBECK, a successful young cigar manufacturer of Red Lion, Wind- sor township, was born March 13, 1880, on the home farm in Springfield township, York county, son of John and Catherine (Ferree) Strobeck.

John Strobeck was born in Stuttgart, Ger- many, and came to the United States with his parents when he was but seven years old. He was reared in York county, where he received a common school education, and learned the trade of wheelwright. This he followed until

1900, when he retired from active life, and he now lives in Red Lion. He married Miss Catherine Ferree, born in York county, daugh- ter of John and Elizabeth (Syler) Ferree, and these children have been born to this union : Ellen; Annie, who married J. W. Smith, of Red Lion; Harry L .; Minnie; John; Andrew, who married Almeda Shue, and resides in Red Lion; Robert and Mary. John Strobeck was a Democrat in political belief.

Harry L. Strobeck was brought to Red Lion at the age of twelve years. He obtained his education in the schools of Springfield township, and the borough of Red Lion, and spent one term at Strayer's Business College in Baltimore, completing his education at the age of seventeen. When eighteen years old he started cigar making with Millard Smith, which he followed until twenty years of age. In 1902 he embarked in the cigar making busi- ness at Emigsville, but at the end of one and one-half years removed his business to Red Lion, where he purchased the factory of David Flinchbaugh, and here he has since remained. Mr. Strobeck employs from twelve to twenty hands, and his goods are in demand all over the country, his principal trade coming, how- ever, from the State of Illinois.

Mr. Strobeck, like his father, is a stanch Democrat, and has served as election inspec- tor. Fraternally he is connected with the O. U. A. M., in which organization he is a most popular member, and he also belongs to Peosta Tribe, I. O. R. M. Mr. Strobeck is also con- nected with the Red Lion Cornet Band, a pop- ular musical company, playing the bassoon. Altogether he is a young man of remarkably high standing in his locality.

OSCAR H. SHEPPA, who was formerly in York, employed by the Northern Central Railroad Company in their freight depart- ment, is a son of E. E. Sheppa, of York.

Oscar H. Sheppa was born in York, May 9, 1883, and he received an excellent education in the public schools. Soon after leaving school, Mr. Sheppa entered the employ of the Northern Central railroad, as chief clerk of the ticket office at York Haven, Pa. For two years, Mr. Sheppa held this responsible posi- tion, proving himself capable and trustworthy, so that June 15, 1904, he was promoted to the position of freight clerk at York, with eight men under him. He proved himself with- out doubt just the right man in the right place,

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

and not only were those in authority pleased, but the patrons of the road as well. On Feb. 15. 1905, he left the employ of the railroad company, and after two months spent in travel in the United States and Canada, he went to Philadelphia April 28, 1905, accepting a posi- tion with the World's Restaurant Company, and on Dec. 21st following was sent to Copen- hagen, Denmark, to look after the interests of that company there. On Feb. 9, 1906, he re- turned to Philadelphia where he holds the po- sition of assistant manager.

Mr. Sheppa is very active in various re- ligious, social and political circles. He is a member of the Y. M. C. A., and while at York Haven belonged to the Union Baptist Church, serving that body as librarian of the Sunday- school. In York he was a member of the Nemo Club; the Plumed Knights of York; the Seventh Ward Republican Club and the West End Republican Club. Being an en- thusiastic Republican, Mr. Sheppa took a very active part in the Presidential campaign of 1904, and is regarded as one of the enterpris- ing, far-sighted and rising young men of York, for whom the future holds many bright promises.

HORACE J. SITLER is a member of one of the old and honored families of the Key- stone State, with whose history the name has been intimately, and in many individual cases most prominently, identified since the pioneer epoch, when the original progenitors came hither from Germany. The family has been established in York county for several genera- tions, and its representatives have been hon- ored in the various walks of life.

W. H. Sitler, father of Horace J., is a well known and influential member of the York county Bar, and a valued citizen of York. where he is actively engaged in the practice of his profession. He married Miss Cecilia T. Erney, who was born and reared in this coun- ty, and to them have been born three chil- dren : Mabel O., a successful teacher in the public schools of York; Florence, member of the class of 1908, in the York high school; and Horace J., mentioned below.

Horace J. Sitler was born in the family homestead in the city of York, Nov. 9, 1883, and duly availed himself of the advantages of the excellent public schools, graduating from high school in the class of 1901, and there- after having taken a special post-graduate

course. In January, 1902, he entered the serv- ice of the York County Traction Co., as book- keeper for its electric light department, and in June, 1904, he was advanced to his present responsible position as cashier, an office for which he is proving himself most admirably qualified, bringing to bear method and dis- crimination, as well as reliability, in the dis- charge of his duties. He is one of the pop- ular young men of his native city and prom- inent in its social life. He belongs to the Royal Fire Company, and is active in its work. In politics Mr. Sitler is a stanch advocate of Democratic principles, and fraternally he is identified with the Royal Arcanum, Hepta- sophs, Firemen's Relief Association, and is secretary of the York County Street Railway's' Beneficial Association, while he is a zealous member of Trinity Reformed Church, in whose Sunday-school he is secretary.

FRANKLIN H. MILLER, a promising young merchant of Glenville, comes of one of the old York county families, but was himself born in Adams county, Pa., March 21, 1878. (I) Philip Miller, his great-great-grand- father, was a resident of Manheim township, and was engaged in farming, though he also made shoes and baskets. He lived to be eighty- eight years old, but his wife, whose maiden name was Noss, died young, leaving him with eight children to bring up, namely: George, Philip, David, John, Stephen, Mary, Cather- ine and Elizabeth.

(II) John Miller was born on the home farm and became a prominent man in that re- gion, owning a place of about 200 acres. He was drafted for the war of 1812, but paid for a substitute. He married Elizabeth Bricker, who reached the age of seventy-six years, while he lived to be eighty-seven. They are buried in Manheim township. The issue of their marriage was as follows: Sarah, Mrs. Henry Miller; Catherine, Mrs. Adam Rohr- baugh; Jacob B .; John, who married Elizabeth Baughman; and two who died in early child- hood.

(III) Jacob B. Miller was born in Manheim township, Feb. 7, '1827, and was educated in the schools of that township and Codorus, at- tending till he was nineteen. Until he was twenty-five he remained at home, working for his father, and at that time, after his marriage, he went to farming on his own account, buy- ing 104 acres in his native township. After

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seven years there he bought a mill in Carroll county, Md., where he followed milling eight years and then traded the property for a gen- eral store in North Codorus township, near Hanover Junction, After remaining there two years he returned to Manheim township and resumed farming for the next seventeen years. He then moved to Glenville, but at the end of seven years his wife died, aged sixty-three years, and he has since lived with his son Ed- ward, in Codorus township. Considering his age, Mr. Miller is remarkably active, while his memory is as keen as ever. In 1852 Jacob B. Miller married Sarah Ann, daughter of Henry and Christine (Miller) Rohrbaugh, and they had children as follows : Albert ; Amanda, Mrs. Albert Trimmer; Sarah A., Mrs. Jonas Wolfgang; Jacob, who married Elizabeth Price; John, who married Luvilla Sheafer; Seamore, of Glenville, who married Ella Mes- sender; Elizabeth, who died at the age of fif- teen; and Edward, supervisor of Codorus township, who married Ella Shearer.

(IV) Albert Miller was born in Manheim township, received a common-school educa- tion, and went into the wool business in Adams county, Pa. He only lived to the age of twen- ty-three years, and was interred at the "Stone Church" in Codorus township. He married Lena Bankert, and left three children: Will- iam, who lives in Codorus township, married to Elizabeth Castlow; Lillie May, who died when three years old; and Franklin H. The mother of these children afterward married Adamı Werner, and resides in Codorus town- ship.

(V) Franklin H. Miller was brought to Codorus township when only two years old and grew up there, attending Brodbeck's school till he was nineteen, after which he went to the academy at Glenville. After he left school he went to Lancaster, Pa., and was employed by the Fulmer-Clogg Company, while by night he attended Wade's Business College. Later, for about eight months, he clerked for C. L. Grabille, and in 1898 took a similar position at Brodbeck's in the store of Lewis Barbehenn, with whom he remained seven years, his busi- ness experience covering a period of about twelve years. He is now in business for him- self at Glenville. He began Jan. 12, 1905, in a fine three-story building, 30 x 80 feet, which was put up in exact accordance with his own ideas. He carries an unusually good stock, including almost everything required in do-

mestic life, such as shoes, hardware, clothing, dry goods and groceries, and he is rapidly building up a splendid class of trade.

Mr. Miller was married March 24, 1904, to Miss Elizabeth Werner, daughter of Henry and Lydia (Miller) Werner, of Maryland, and a son, LeRoy Franklin, was born to them Oct. 13, 1905. Mr. Miller is a member of the Reformed Church, in which he is a deacon and Sunday-school teacher. In politics he is a Republican, and fraternally belongs to Royal Council, No. 54, Jr. O. U. A. M., of Glen Rock. He also carries $1,000 life insurance with the Northwestern Life Insurance Com- pany.

C. ROBERT KOPP, manufacturing chemist and proprietor of the famous Kopp's Baby's Friend, Kopp's Cur-a-Cough, Kopp's Liver Pellets, Kopp's Electric Worm Syrup and Kopp's Atlas Liniment, medicinal com- pounds which have become known all over the world on account of their superior excellence, is one of the successful business men of York, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Kopp is descended from Revolution- ary stock through Yost Harbaugh, a soldier in the French-Indian war with Braddock, as a teamster and a colonel in the Revolution. Grandfather Kopp was a native of Maryland, where he lived and died. He married in York county Miss Mary Minnich.

Simon Kopp, the father of C. Robert, was born Feb. II, 1818, at Emmitsburg, Md., where he grew to manhood. He then removed to York and learned the hatter's trade with the well known hatter, Daniel Hartman, but for a short time previous to this had been engaged in brickmaking. After learning the hatter's trade, Mr. Kopp engaged independently in that business, thus continuing until the out- break of the Civil war. He carried on lime burning for many years at a point where Fair- mount now stands, and he died Feb. 1I, 1872, thus closing an honest, useful life. Originally a Whig, he later joined the ranks of the Re- publican party. He married Julia A. Leber, born Sept. 19, 1820, on East Market street, York, daughter of John Leber. It is supposed that John Leber was born in Lower Windsor township, near Canadochley church. He came to York and engaged in the manufac- ture of those large wagons then so extensively used for hauling between Baltimore, Philadel- phia and Pittsburg. His shop stood on the

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

present site of the R. H. Shindle home on finest residences in York county, on his estate South Queen street, and at one time he was the in Hellam township. owner of much valuable property on East Mar- In 1884 Mr. Kopp was married in Man- chester borough to Miss Annie Lichtenberger, daughter of George Lichtenberger. Mrs. Kopp died in 1891, the mother of one child, Charles R. Mr. Kopp was married (second), in 1893, to Miss Rebecca Erney, of York, daughter of Jacob and Rebecca (Leber) Erney, her father, for many years a prominent merchant of York, now retired from business. Two children have been born to this union: Raymond M. and Frank G. Mr. Kopp is a stanch Republican. He and his family are members of the Heidel- berg German Reformed Church, of which his father was one of the founders, and in which he himself is secretary and treasurer of the board of trustees, and a teacher in the Sun- day-school. Fraternally, he is associated with the Royal Arcanum. ket street. His wife was a Miss Margaret Knaub, born in York county in 1799. The first plot of land that was the beginning of Prospect Hill cemetery was purchased from Mr. Leber, and he surveyed and laid it out. He died about 1860, his wife surviving him until 1872. They were the parents of these children: Julia, the mother of C. Robert; Henry, who married (first) Miss Lightner, (second) Miss Glatfelter, and (third) Miss Krebs, and died in Columbia, Pa .; Mary, Mrs. Daniel Vogelsang, who lives in Ironton, Ohio, aged eighty-one years; John, who died in York in 1871; Sarah, who married Henry Haines and removed to Cleveland, Ohio, where they were very prosperous at the time of their deaths; Rebecca, Mrs. Jacob A. Erney of York; James Harbaugh, of Baltimore, who married a Miss Tillyard; and W. Frank, a prosperous merchant of Baltimore, Md., who married Miss Octavia Fuller. The parents of our subject had these children: Frances M., who married George W. Kerr, and settled on Kaskaskia island, in the Mississippi river, just south of St. Louis; James Leber, of York, who married Winnie Ernst ; and C. Robert.

C. Robert Kopp was born on Market street, near Codorus creek, April 23, 1863. He was educated in the public schools and entered the Philadelphia (Pa.) School of Pharmacy in 1882, where he remained but one year, being compelled to give up his studies on account of ill health. He returned to York and was later granted a certificate from the Philadelphia Pharmaceutical examining board. For six years he carried on a drug business at the corner of Market and Penn streets, and during this time began experimenting in the manu- facture of medicines, in 1885 selling over his own counter the first bottle of Baby's Friend. He disposed of his drug business in 1889, and located at Asheville, N. C., where for two years he carried on a retail grocery and con- fectionery business. He then went to Balti- more and spent one year in preparing himself for his present business, after which he re- turned to York. He there began the manu- facture of his medicines on a large scale, and since that time has devoted his entire attention to his constantly increasing industry, erecting his large three-story Mount Holly brick fac- tory in 1899. Mr. Kopp is erecting one of the

THOMAS IRA STRAWBRIDGE, the popular and accommodating shipping clerk of the Northern Central Railroad Company, in York, has passed his entire life thus and on the farm in York county and is a worthy young representative of one of the well-known and honored families of this region. He is a son of Joseph G. Strawbridge, a successful and influential farmer of Fawn township, and grandson of Thomas Strawbridge, who was likewise a prominent farmer of that town- ship, having been the owner of the fine old homestead place now owned by his son Joseph G., who was there born and reared. Joseph G. Strawbridge chose as his companion and helpmate on the journey of life Miss Hannah A. Allen, who was likewise born and reared in Fawn township, where her father, Edmund K. Allen, was a prosperous farmer. Of the five children of this union Thomas I., subject of this sketch, was the first in order of birth ; Amy L. died at the age of eleven years, and Grace A. at the age of seven years; J. Harry and Newton G. are both associated with their father in the work and management of the home farm.

Thomas Ira Strawbridge was born on the old homestead farm, Nov. 8, 1880, and duly availed himself of the advantages of the pub- lic schools of the locality. He continued to assist in the work of the home farm until he had attained his legal majority, when he came to the city of York and entered upon the dis- charge of the duties of the position which he

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BIOGRAPHICAL

still occupies, that of shipping clerk for the U. A. M. He is a member of Christ Evan- Northern Central Railroad Company, of which gelical Lutheran Church. In political senti- ment he is a Republican. he has been the incumbent since 1902. He has not only made himself most popular with the public but has gained the high commendation JOHN EDWARD HAY, one of the enter- prising young men of York, was born in York, Aug. 31, 1881, son of Jacob Hay, who died Oct. 27, 1903. of the company by whom he is employed. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with the Knights of Malta, the Knights of the Maccabees, and the Pennsylvania Railroad Relief Association, while he is a zealous member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church in York. In poli- tics he is one of the ardent young Republicans of his native county, taking a proper interest in public affairs of a local nature.

ROY ANDERSON SMITH was born in York City April 19, 1882, son of Elijah H. and Mary J. (Simpson) Smith. His grand- father, Samuel Smith, was born and reared in York county, and was well known in his day as proprietor of the "Grape Hotel" for many years. He was also a contracting carpenter.

Elijah H. Smith was a cigar maufacturer in York. He married Mary J. Simpson, whose father, Dr. R. A. Simpson, first practiced his profession in Perry county and later in York, becoming well known throughout the State for his skill and success. In this line Mr. Smith's earliest ancestor in America was Luke Simp- son, who emigrated from Ireland with his twelve sons during the persecutions of 1778. Four of our subject's ancestors, a father and three sons, were all killed during the war of the Revolution, at the battle of Bunker Hill; his great-grandmother's uncle, Dr. Anderson, served as a surgeon in the army with Wash- ington. Four children were born to Elijah H. and Mary J. (Simpson) Smith, viz. : Alma and Earle, who died in infancy; Claude L., who is now engaged as supervisory principal of Plank Road schools in York City; and Roy Ander- son.

Roy Anderson Smith received his educa- tion in the public schools of his native city, finishing the commercial course at the York high school in 1898. On completing same he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Rail- road Company at York, as clerk in the local freight office, continuing in that capacity for three years. At the end of this time, in August, 1901, he accepted the position of ship- ping and pay clerk with the American Caramel Company which he has since continued to fill. Fraternally he belongs to Codorus Council, Royal Arcanum, and Colonial Council, Jr. O. Etta.

Mr. Hay is descended from one of the old- est and most prominent families of York, his grandfather, John Hay, and his grandfather's brother, Jacob Hay, having been among the most distinguished surgeons of York. The mother of John Edward Hay was Flora Gehr- ing, daughter of John Gehring, a well-known citizen of York. Two children were born to Jacob and Flora Hay, namely : Elizabeth, who died at the age of three months; and John Ed- ward of this sketch.

John Edward Hay received his education in the public schools of York and took a course at Eastman's Business College of Poughkeep- sie, N. Y., from which he was graduated in 1898. Mr. Hay entered the service of the York Traction Company in August, 1903, as assistant railway clerk, remaining until Nov. 27, 1905, and from that time on has connected himself with the Norway Iron & Steel Com- pany.

Fraternally Mr. Hay is a member of the Junior O. U. A. M., the B. P. O. E., and the York Wheeling Club. In religion he affiliates with St. Paul's Lutheran Church. In politics Mr. Hay is a stanch Republican. Mr. Hay is a careful business man and is possessed of tire- less energy. He has many friends throughout the community.

B. FRANK GRISSINGER was born Jan. 29, 1869, in Carroll county, Ill., son of Rev. William John and Catherine (Chitty) Gris- singer.

John Grissinger, his great-great-grand- father, was born in Germany. His son Adam was a farmer of Lewisberry, York Co., Pa. He married Eve Fetrow, and they had children : Barbara, Catherine, Rebecca, Martha, John F., Samuel F., Martin F., Andrew and Daniel Levi. Of this family Samuel F. Grissinger, the grand. father of our subject, was a farmer. He mar- ried Mary McNeal, and they had the following children : William John, Martin A., James Levi, Margaretta Jane, Mary Ellen, Rebecca E., Julia Belle, Rachel Alice and Frances E.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Rev. William John Grissinger was a min- Snyder, and they both died on the old farm ister of the Church of God, serving. in that and are buried at Fiscel's Church. They had the following children : Eli S .; George; Jacob, deceased; and Mary, wife of George Wherley, living in Codorus township. capacity for twenty-eight years. On Feb. I, 1905, he engaged in the mercantile business at York. He married, at Mt. Carroll, Ill., in 1865, Catherine Chitty, a daughter of Benja- · min and Eliza (Templeman) Chitty, and they became the parents of the following named children : Samuel C., who married Emma Cannon, of Highspire, Dauphin county; B. Frank; Clarence. Rudolph; Carrie Alice Juan- ita, living at home; and Oliver L., who mar- ried Mabel A. Swartz, and is with his brother, our subject.

B. Frank Grissinger first attended the pub- lic schools, and then spent three years at the Millersville State Normal. He learned the telegraph business at Landisville, Lancaster Co., Pa., and followed same eight years with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, after which he engaged in the milling business at Bainbridge, Lancaster county, for one year. He then located in Chicago and learned the barber's trade, thence removing to Philadel- phia, where he was employed with John Will- iam Fisher, at No. 7124 Tacomy street. In 1900 Mr. Grissinger came to York and en- gaged in business in a small shop at No. 653 West Market street, but his business grew to such an extent that in 1904 he built a fine three-story home at No. 650 West Market street, where his tonsorial parlors are also lo- cated. He is a prosperous and energetic young business man and is respected by a large circle of acquaintances in York.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 189

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