History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 20

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

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Toward the close of his second term as county superintendent, Mr. Brenneman con- cluded to leave the educational field in which Germany was the ancestral home of the Loucks, the original emigrant, Peter Loucks, leaving the Palatinate, in the Fatherland, and at Rotterdam embarking on board the ship "Nancy and Friendship," in June, 1738, for the great unknown western land. He arrived in New York, according to record on Sept. 20, 1738, later locating in Tulpehocken township, Berks Co., Pa., where he became an extensive land owner. The maternal great-great-grand- father of Mr. Loucks, Philip Frederick Eichel- berger, came from Ittlingen, near Sinsheim, Grand Duchy of Baden, now in the empire of Germany. He set sail on June 22, 1728, in the ship "Albany" from Rotterdam, Holland, and landed at Philadelphia Sept. 4th of the same year, afterward locating in York county. he had been so conspicuously successful as teacher and superintendent, to take up the pro- fession of law. He registered as a law student in the office of N. Sargent Ross, Esq., and was duly admitted to practice in August, 1895. Shortly after his admission, a partnership was formed with his former preceptor, Mr. Ross, which resulted in the present legal firm of Ross & Brenneman, one of the leading law firms of York county. A few months after entering into practice Mr. Brenneman was appointed county solicitor, a position which he held for five years. On Jan. 1, 1906, he was again elect- ed county solicitor. Politically he is a Demo- crat, and has been identified with the active work of his party. He is a member of the La- fayette Social Club, Royal Fire Co. No. 6, the Caspar Loucks, the grandfather of Augus- tus, came to York county in 1800 and settled on a landed estate in Manchester (now West Manchester ) township, where he passed the re- mainder of his life. Here on the old homestead was reared Peter Loucks, the father of Augus- tus, and to the same place he brought his bride, whose maiden name was Maria Eichelberger. and whose father, William Eichelberger, owned Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Im- proved Order of Heptasophs, Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, Knights of Pythias, and is a high degree Mason. He is a past of- ficer of York Lodge No. 266, Free and Ac- cepted Masons ; Howell Chapter, No. 199, Royal Arch Masons; York Commandery No. 21, Knights Templar; Harrisburg Consistory ; and Lulu Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the and lived on the farm now known as the York

Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Philadelphia. He is past master, past high priest, and past eminent commander in the Masonic fraternity.

On May 21, 1891, Mr. Brenneman was united in marriage with Ida Lee Sanks, dauglı- ter of Rev. James Sanks, deceased.

AUGUSTUS LOUCKS, for many years an active factor in the development of York, and for over four years from Nov. 1, 1901, postmaster of the city, is one of the few to whom were presented by the State of Pennsyl- vania "Medals of Honor" in recognition of their prompt enlistment as defenders of the flag in the dark days when treason and rebellion were rampant throughout the land. Mr. Loucks was on the roll the second day after the call, and on the 19th of April was doing guard duty on the Northern Central railroad in Maryland. The patriotism, which was his moving spring of action then, still burns with unabated fervor, as he regards with a pardon- able pride the glorious country which he was privileged to aid in keeping intact.

county fair grounds. To the marriage of Pe- ter Loucks and his wife Maria five children were born, two of whom are now living : Cas- par and Augustus, the former a retired farmer whose residence is North Newberry street, York.

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Augustus Loucks was born on the old homestead in West Manchester township, York county, April 7, 1840. His education was re- ceived in the schools of his home district, and he eagerly grasped every opportunity that of- fered for the increase of his knowledge. After a few years spent in farming on the old home place, he left the homestead and engaged in business for himself. Locating in York, on the corner of Market and Penn streets, he started in the business of general merchandis- ing, in which he continued for fifteen years. Leaving that business in 1879, in 1880 Mr. Loucks became the superintendent of the "York Chariot Line," as the street conveyances at that time were called. He engaged in this work about three years, resigning when the present street railway system was established, when he retired from business. In 1888 he was elected assessor in the Fifth (now Elev- enth) ward and served one term; in 1895 he was honored by being chosen commissioner of highways for the city of York, resigning in the spring of 1896, and afterward being elected alderman of the Eleventh ward. His incum- bency of this position lasted five years, during which period he served his ward most faith- fully. In 1901 President Roosevelt appointed Mr. Loucks postmaster of the city of York, in which office he served Uncle Sam most faith- fully, and to the general satisfaction, until Feb- ruary, 1906.

Mr. Loucks was married to Miss Emma L. Zeigler, a daughter of the late Rev. Daniel Zeigler, of the Reformed Church. To this mar- riage six children were born, all of whom, with the devoted mother, have passed into the "Bet- ter Land." The children were: Daniel Henry, Charles A., Eva, Nettie H., Grace and Mary. All of them died when very young except Net- tie, who entered into rest in 1892. at the most interesting age of sixteen years. The mother's death occurred some ten years previous to that of her little daughter, on Jan. 12, 1882.

If there is any one thing more than another of which Mr. Loucks has reason to be proud it is the fact that he voluntarily became one of the defenders of his country at the opening of the Civil war. On April 16, 1861. one day after Lincoln's call to arms, he enlisted in Com- pany K, 2d Pa. Vol. Infv., and was notified by Gov. Andrew G. Curtin to report for duty on

April 17th. So, at the age of twenty-one, he found himself placed on guard duty along the line of the Northern Central railroad in Mary- land. He enlisted for three months and at the end of that period received an honorable dis- charge at Harrisburg, on July 25, 1861. While in the service he contracted a serious illness, and as a result for many months was entirely in- capacitated; in fact, he has never fully recov- ered from his disability, Mr. Loucks, as has been intimated, is the proud possessor of a medal of honor given him by the State of Penn- sylvania, for having been one of the "First Defenders." He is a member of Sedgwick Post, No. 37, G. A. R. In politics he is an earnest worker in the ranks of the Republican party, and in religion, belongs to the Reformed Church, Augustus Loucks was not permitted to serve the entire four years of the Civil war, but showed the true ring of patriotism and did his duty well. His life has been that of a loyal American citizen, and as such he is greatly es- teemed in the city of York.

JEREMIAH Z. HILDEBRAND is an- other of the strong men of Pennsylvania who have risen into prominence through the sheer force of their own industry and ambitions. He was born Jan. 4, 1841, and comes from one of the very old families of this part of the State. His great-grandfather was Casper Hildebrand, a resident of this part of the State during the war of the Revolution, and a man of wealth. During the war of 1812 his son Casper was a resident of Springfield township, where he owned a farm. He had the following children : One daughter who married Daniel Walter; Frederick: John; Daniel and Henry, soldiers in the war of 1812: Peter ; Casper, and Joseph.

Daniel Hildebrand, the grandfather of Jeremiah Z., was born in Springfield township, where he was reared, and lived there until his death. He was a prosperous man of his day and married Margaret Pflieger, who was born in North Codorus township. They had these children : William; Joseph, a shoemaker and farmer: Manasses, a wheelwright: Daniel. a shoemaker: Caroline, who married John Ehr- hart : and Rebecca, who married Jacob Hamm.

William Hildebrand was born in 1816 and his death occurred in April, 1882. He was a shoemaker by trade, but most of his life was

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

spent in farming, first in Washington township, has made his presence felt on the board, and and later in Springfield township, where he believes in honest dealing in both public and owned and operated a farm of 100 acres. He private life, attributing his success to honesty was a member of the German Reformed Church . in all matters.

of which his parents were also members. He married Miss Catherine Zellers, who was born in North Codorus township, in 1818, daughter of Daniel Zellers, and her death occurred in 1901. She became the mother of the following children : Jeremiah Z., our subject ; Catherine, who died in childhood; William, who died in January, 1881, in Kansas, where he had fol- lowed farming; and Ida, who married E. R. Krout, of Loganville.

Jeremiah Z. Hildebrand was born in 1841, in Springfield township, from where his par- ents moved to Washington township, York county, where he remained fourteen years, at the end of that time returning to Springfield township. He received his education in the York county schools, the York County Aca- demy, and at Cottage Hill College, and mean- time, when in his seventeenth year, began teaching school. By teaching, which he fol- lowed ten terms, he earned the money which carried him through the academy and college. In 1869 Mr. Hildebrand embarked in the mer- cantile business at Glatfelter Station, and from there removed to Wellsville, where he spent two years in a general store. He then located in Goldsboro, where he was for five years engaged in a mercantile line. He then spent five months in York, returning to Wellsville for two years, after which he returned to Golds- boro and purchased property upon which he built a residence and storeroom. Here he con- ducted a general merchandise establishment un- til 1885, in that year retiring from active busi- ness to live in York. For three years he lived in the Fifth ward, after which he located in the Ninth ward, where he has since made his home. Mr. Hildebrand owns a fine farm in West Man- chester township, which he operated for many years, the management of which he has lately given up. He takes a considerable interest in fruit culture.

Since 1856 Mr. Hildebrand has been in- terested in politics. He has been very active in the work of the Democratic party, and in April, 1902, was appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of county commissioner, being elect- ed the same fall for the term of three years. He

Mr. Hildebrand was married Sept. 17, 1865, to Miss Lovina Holtzapple, daughter of Adam Holtzapple. Mrs. Hildebrand was born in West Manchester township, and became the mother of two children : Martha died in child- hood; Ida Victoria became the wife of Daily Buser, a clerk in Wiest's mercantile establish- ment, and they had four children, Jeremiah W .. Philip (deceased), Richard F., and Norman ( deceased). Mr. Hildebrand has been active in church work in this section, being a charter member of Grace Reformed Church of York, and serving on the official board for a number of years. . He and his wife reside at No. 540 West Market street, York, and are highly re- spected in that city.

JOHN FERDINAND KLINEDINST, M. D., was born in York Dec. 27, 1866, and received his early education in the public schools. As a youth he obtained employment in a drug store, and after two years there en- tered the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, where he spent a year in study. He then began the study of medicine with Dr. Jacob Hay, and entered the medical department of the Univer- sity of Maryland, in Baltimore, from which he was graduated April 20, 1889. He soon es- tablished himself in practice in York, making a specialty of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. Great success has attended his work. and he has established a large practice. On April 20. 1898, Dr. Klinedinst married Chris- tine Gminder, whose father, Jacob, a manufac- turer of military goods, died in 1900. Three children have been born to this union, as fol- lows: Herman W., Margaret E. and Helen.

Dr. Klinedinst is not only a skillful and popular physician, but an active citizen and earnest church member. He is a member and treasurer of the York County Medical Society. and a member of the State and the American Medical Associations. He is an ex-member of the board of pension examiners, on which he served five years; and is eve, ear and throat surgeon for the York hospital. He has served several years as a member of the board of school control of York. He is a member of St.

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BIOGRAPHICAL

Paul's Lutheran Church, in the work of which for many years; was a director of the Mexican he is actively interested.

CHARLES A. MAY, attorney-at-law, is a native of York county, and has been practicing law in York for the past two years. He is of Scotch-Irish ancestry, a strain to which York county owes much of its best citizenship now as in earlier times.

Charles A. May was born in Hanover, York county, Oct. 5, 1878, son of Noah C. and Rosa (Gallatin) May. His mother's mother was Anna May Spangler, a member of the large and influential family whose history is recorded in the interesting and voluminous publication, "Spangler's Annals." 'To Noah C. and Rosa (Gallatin) May, were born three children, as follows : Charles A .; John Luther, a student in the State College; and Edna Blanche, a member of the class of 1905. York high school.

Charles A. May went through the grammar and high schools of York, graduating from the latter in the class of 1896, after which he at- tended the York County Academy. He began the study of law in the office of Niles & Neff in 1899, and was admitted to the York county Bar, as practicing attorney, Dec. 22, 1902. He has since been admitted to the Supreme Court practice. Mr. May is prominent in fraternal and social circles, being a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Royal Arcanum; and York Lodge No. 213. B. P. O. E. He also belongs to the Riverside Outing Club, the Cal- umet Club, and the York County Historical Society. He belongs to the Union Lutheran Church. In politics, he, like his father, is a stanch Republican. His father has for some- time been alderman of the Fifth ward of York.

National Railway Company, and of the Key- stone Coal Company for many years, and was identified with many other prominent enter- prises. Mr. Small was thrice married, his third wife being Margaret A. Mckinnon, a daughter of Michael Mckinnon, a farmer and tanner of Chanceford township, York county. The only child born of Mr. Small's first marriage was Henry J., and Maggie H. was born of the sec- ond union. The former studied with Liszt and became a professor in the Leipzig Conserva- tory of Music. He married in Germany, where he died at the early age of thirty-four, after a ten years' residence, leaving a widow and one child. Maggie H. Small first married Walter Spahr, and her son, H. S. Spahr, is a student in the Belmont School in California. She con- tracted a second marriage in November, 1904, with J. C. Bannister, of California. The chil- dren of John H. and Margaret A. (McKin- non) Small were as follows: Mabel, wife of Walter F. Myers, member of the firm of T. A. Myers & Co., of York, and president of the York Valley Lime Company: Fred M., treas- urer and general manager of the York Candy Manufacturing Company: Catherine E. (a graduate of York Collegiate Institute) and Lucy Logue, both living at home; and John Edgar.

John Edgar Small was born in York Dec. 3. 1874, and received his early education in York Collegiate Institute. He attended the Hill school at Pottstown, and then entered the law department of Yale University, from which he graduated in 1897. He was at once admitted to legal practice in both the lower and Supreme courts of Connecticut, and in 1808 was admit- ted to the Bar of York county. and the Supreme court of Pennsylvania. Mr. Small is secretary of the York Valley Lime Company. is a mem- ber of the Country Club, and a member and sec- retary of the Outdoor Club. In politics he is a Republican. He is connected with the First Presbyterian Church of York, and actively in- terested in the Sunday-school, in which he is a teacher.

JOHN EDGAR SMALL, who is a well known attorney of York, and active in the so- cial and professional life of that city, comes of a family that has long been influential in York county. His father was John H. Small, who died July 11, 1902, president of the Billmeyer & Small Company, a firm of car builders of ex- tensive reputation. John H. Small was a son of Henry Small, a lumber merchant who trad- ed as H. Small & Sons. He was a member of KELL. The Kell family of York was es- tablished in that city in 1856, by James Kell. a native of Youngstown, Westmoreland Co .. the First Presbyterian Church, and was pres- ident of the board of trustees for many years ; was vice-president of the First National Bank Pa. Mr. Kell was born Dec. 14, 1828, his par-

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ents, Samuel and Margaret ( Mears) Kell, be- ing of Scotch-Irish descent. His mother was a native of Franklin county, Pa., where much of his youth was passed. After coming to York Mr. Kell taught school for several years, then read law with Henry L. Fisher, Esq., and was admitted to the Bar Jan. 10, 1862. From that time until within a few months before his death June 4, 1899, he was engaged in the successful practice of his profession.

James Kell married, March 19, 1862, Jane Elizabeth Fischer, daughter of Dr. John Frey Fischer, of York. Mrs. Kell is still living in the home at No. 134 North George street, where she was born March 19, 1837. She is one of the few persons in York, of her age, who have lived a whole lifetime in the same house, and she has seen the neighborhood change from a residence district to one given almost entirely to business houses. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Kell are as follows: John Fischer ; James Alexander; Helen M., a teacher in the Chil- dren's Home; Mary C., of Washington, D. C .; William S., of Philadelphia; Alfred M., en- gaged in the law office of his brother (John Fischer ) ; Jane F., a teacher in the York pub- lic schools; and Eliza K.

For forty years prior to 1899 James Kell was a prominent figure in the public affairs of York. He was for many years the Republican leader in the county, and at different times oc- cupied various public offices. During the late sixties he was president of the Union Fire En- gine Company on North George street. He was at one time school director of the old North ward school district ; and was one of the origi- nal trustees of the Children's Home ( founded in 1865) and of the York Collegiate Institute (established in 1873), organizations which he continued to serve until his death. He was the Republican nominee for additional law judge in 1875, at the first election held for that of- fice, when the successful candidate was Hon. Pere L. Wickes. In 1877, he was appointed County.

Register of Wills of York county by Gov. Hartranft; and he was postmaster at York from 1884 to 1888. Fraternally he was con- lected with York Lodge, No. 266, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he was past mas- ter. He and all his family were members of the First Presbyterian Church of York.

JOHN FISCHER KELL, eldest son of James Kell, was born at the family home in York, Jan. 30, 1863. He attended the public schools, and tcok supplementary studies at York Collegiate Institute, after which he read law with his fath- er. He was admitted to the Bar in York coun- ty July 14, 1884, and later admitted to prac- tice in the Supreme, Superior and United States Courts.

On April 19, 1888, Mr. Kell married Ella Louisa Brown, daughter of John M. Brown, of the firm of Brown & Smyser, retail coal and lumber dealers. The one child of this union is John Fischer, Jr., who is at school. Mr. Kell is a successful lawyer, and enjoys a large and lucrative practice. He is a man of kindly and affable disposition, always ready to en- courage and assist those less fortunate than himself.

JAMES ALEXANDER KELL, second son of

Mr. Kell had two sisters : Rachel K., wife James Kell, was born June 22, 1866, and re- of Hugh W. McCall, Esq., mother of James St. - ceived his early education in the York public Clair McCall, the present mayor of York, and Mary E., who taught in the York high school from the time of its organization in September, 1870, until the spring of 1904; for some years prior to her retirement, Miss Kell was the in- structor in German. schools. He was graduated from York Col- legiate Institute in 1885, studied law in his father's office, and was admitted to the York county Bar Nov. II, 1890. In 1892 he entered the employ of the Bradstreet Mercantile Agency, with whom he remained nine years. He was chiefly engaged in the business of this company in Philadelphia, but from 1895 to 1897 was superintendent of the Augusta, Ga., office. He is now a resident of Germantown, Philadelphia, where he is connected with the Title and Trust Department of the German- town Trust Company.

Mr. Kell married June 11, 1903, Anne Em- len Garrett, daughter of Isaac P. and Sarah E. Garrett, of Lansdowne, Delaware Co., Pa., members of the Society of Friends. Mr. Kell is a member of Social Lodge No. I, Masons, of Augusta, Ga. He belongs to the Pennsylva- nia Society of Sons of the Revolution, and is a member of the Historical Society of York

III

BIOGRAPHICAL

ALFRED MEARS KELL, a rising young business man of York, who fills the position of manager of the collection department, for his brother, John Fischer Kell, mention of whom precedes, was born July 18, 1876, in York, son of James Kell, Esq.

After finishing his education Alfred M. Kell spent one year in the office of his father, after which he engaged in patternmaking with Broomell, Schmidt & Steacy, with whom he remained three and one-half years, at the end of which time he became connected with the York Safe Works, resigning his position there to go to Harrisburg. Returning to York, Mr. Kell entered upon his duties as collector in the law offices of his brothers, where in addition to his collection work he pursues the study of the law.

Fraternally Mr. Kell is affiliated with Zere- datha Lodge, No. 451, F. & A. M .; with Willis Council, No. 508, Royal Arcanum; and with York Lodge, No. 213, B. P. O. Elks. He is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. In politics he favors the Republican party.

Mr. Kell married, Oct. 14, 1903, Miss Edna Agnue Geesey, daughter of Charles Geesey, a prominent member of the Blair county Bar. Mr. Kell is well known throughout York and is highly regarded for his many estimable traits of character.

JOHN FISCHER. Among the substan- tial citizens of "Yorktown" during the Revo- lutionary period was John Fischer, who was born in Pfeffing. Swabia, Germany, June 4. 1736, emigrated to America about 1749, and removed to York, Pa., about 1756. He resid- ed at No. 7 (now Nos. 15-17) North George street where he died Dec. 8, 1808. He was mar- ried in Baltimore, Md., July 19, 1766, to Bar- bara Lightner (daughter of Adam Lightner and Anna Barbara Beard), who was born at No. 13 North George street, York, Pa., Dec. 7, 1749, and died Dec. 24, 1832. The remains of John Fischer and his wife are buried in Zion Lutheran Churchyard, directly in the rear of the York county court house.

Mr. Fischer was of an inventive turn of mind, possessed considerable mechanical abil- ity, was a carver in wood and a painter of mer- it ; but his business was that of manufacturing clocks, and there are still to be found in many

homes of York specimens of his handicraft, familiarly known as "grandfather" clocks. As he lived within a few yards of the old court house in Center Square, where the Continental Congress met in 1777, during the Britishi oc- cupancy of Philadelphia, he became acquainted with prominent men who visited the town at that period, among others General Gibson and Count Pulaski, who presented him with sub- stantial tokens of their regard, which are still in the possession of the family. He was a strong-minded man, of many attainments. He had three children, viz .: George, John and Charles F.

(I) GEORGE FISCHER married Mary M. Frey, of Lancaster, Pa., and had ten children, whose descendants are living in different parts of the country.

(2) JOHN FISCHER, born May 10, 1771, married Catharine Frey, of Lancaster, Pa. He was a successful physician, and lived at No. 21 North George street, where he died Feb. 14, 1832. His wife was born Feb. 22, 1776, and died Aug. 6, 1855. Their children were: Ja- cob A. Fischer, a lawyer by profession, ad- mitted to the York County Bar, March 28, 1822, never married. E. Eliza Fischer mar- ried George P. Kurtz, and was the mother of Miss Catharine Fischer Kurtz and Miss Amelia Margaret Kurtz, who still live at the old home- stead on North George street. Dr. John Frey Fischer, born April 24, 1808, a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, was a physician of local prominence, a well-read man generally, and active in local affairs. He married Mary Ann Cobean, who was born in Gettysburg, Pa., Nov. 13, 1810. He died Jan. 21, 1862, as a result of injuries received by the fall of a large derrick which was used in raising the large flag-pole in Center Square, York, April 29, 1861. His wife died Feb. 11, 1847. Dr. John F. Fischer was the father of Mrs. Maria Dritt Lochman, widow of Dr. Luther M. Lochman ; Mrs. Jane F. Kell, widow of James Kell, Esq., of York; and William C. Fischer, deceased.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 20

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