History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 30

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

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After thus closing his military career Mr. Dise returned to York county, where he was variously employed until April. 1867, when he located in the village of Glen Rock, where all work being turned out on order or on con- he served an apprenticeship at the carpenter's

11.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ing of this important industry has been prin- taining of the waterworks system was made .cipally accomplished through the efforts and able administration of Mr. Dise. In his pro- fessional work he has to his credit many fine residences, principally in Middletown, Harris- burg and other parts of Pennsylvania, and at Roland Park and other leading and exclusive suburbs of Baltimore, Md .; while in addition may be mentioned upwards of twenty-five church buildings scattered over a large portion of Pennsylvania and parts of Maryland.

In 1886, owing to rumors of official mal- feasance and mismanagement, the depositors of the First National Bank became alarmed and instituted a heavy run on the institution, the withdrawal of deposits being such as to threaten the ruin of the concern. The result was that all but one of its officials were prose- cuted and finally sentenced to the penitentiary, and at this critical period of the bank's history Mr. Dise assumed charge of its administrative affairs, taking a block of its stock and becom- ing a member of its directorate. Through his advice and efforts a reorganization of the bank was accomplished, and its affairs were placed upon a solid basis, while public confidence was soon regained, our subject having been chosen president of the bank and having turned his splendid energies to administering its affairs. The deposit ledger soon gave most flattering assurance, and the list of patrons includes not only the original supporters but also many new ones, while the institution is regarded as one of the solid and ably conducted banking houses of this county. Mr. Dise has otherwise shown his versatility and enterprising spirit. In 1895 he was one of those prominently concerned in the organization of the Glen Rock Wire Cloth Co .. of Glen Rock,, of which he was a large stockholder, president and director for a nun- ber of years, and in 1890 he organized the In- dustrial Sewing Co., of Glen Rock, being one of the principal stockholders of the concern, which now affords employment to about one hundred and sixty operatives. In public affairs of a local nature Mr. Dise has shown a lively and helpful interest at all times, especially On Nov. 7. 1872. was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Dise to Miss Amanda Frey, of Freystown, this county, where she was born and reared. the place, which was founded by in all that pertains to his home town. In 1900 he was elected a member of the village council. and while incumbent of that position it was largely due to his progressive attitude and de- her grandfather, being now a part of the city termined advocacy that the securing of an ordi- of York. To this union came children as fol- nance providing for the establishing and main- lows: Charlotte N., wife of Rev. Elmer E.

certain. He met with vigorous opposition on the part of many taxpayers, but they all admit the wisdom of his course and fully appreciate the value of the fine water system which Glen Rock enjoys to-day. For six years our sub- ject served as secretary of the local board of education, and it may well be said that he has identified himself most intimately with the so- cial, civic, public and business affairs of the thriving little city which is the center of so much of his interest. In politics Mr. Dise gives his allegiance to the Republican party, while his religious faith is indicated in his prominent identification with the Lutheran Church. He was for several years leader of the church choir. has been for a number of years past a member of the official board, while since 1883 he has been treasurer of the church. For the past thirty-five years he has been a valued teacher in the Sunday-school, while it may be also noted that Mrs. Dise likewise is prominent in the various departments of the church work, as she is also in the best social life of the town. In 1872 Mr. Dise associated himself with an equally enthusiastic coadjutor, Mr. Nathaniel Z. Seitz, and effected the organ- ization of what is known as the Glen Rock Musical Association, which has grown to be an important adjunct to the social and artistic life of the community. For eight years Mr. Dise was leader and conductor of the said asso- ciation, which has attained a national reputa- tion, having given concerts in various sections of the United States and Canada, by special invitation, and having met with most gratify- ing receptions. Mr. Dise has made a thorough study of music, and aside from his interpreta- tive skill he has also composed and published a number of attractive band scores which have gained marked popularity throughout the Union. He wrote a prize composition for the State Musical Association which met in Evans- ville, Ind., and his selection not only gained the prize. but also the hearty approval of musi- cal critics of high reputation.

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Schantz, a clergyman of the Lutheran Church, residing in Gordon, Pa .; Robert E., who died at the age of four years; Homer A., a student, class of 1906, of the University of Pennsylvania ; Mary E., who died at the age of fourteen years ; Joseph I., a student in the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, class of 1909; Alvin P., attending the York Collegiate Institute, of York; and Orin K., attending the public schools.

ANDREW KEENER, living in Windsor township, was born July 6, 1836, in that town- ship, son of Henry and Catherine (Wise) Keener.

Henry Keener was a tailor by trade, and he and his wife were the parents of these chil- dren : Henry, deceased; Jake, deceased; WVil- liam, deceased; Joseph; Andrew, our sub- ject; Alexander, deceased; and Susan, Lydia, plied a "staffbearer." The great-grandfather Ann, Caroline and Jane, all deceased.

Andrew Keener attended the township school near Felton, during the winter terms, but the bad condition of the roads kept him at home very often. During the summer, Mr. Keener worked at farming, which has been his chief occupation all his life. On Oct. 31, 1857, Mr. Keener married Miss Elizabeth Shoff, born in Chanceford township, July 20, 1835, daughter of Christian and Catherine ( Markle) Shoff. Mr. Shoff was a day laborer and the children born to him and his wife were: Eve, deceased; Zacharias, who lives near McCall's Ferry; Elizabeth, wife of Mr. Keener: Henry; Annie, deceased; Ruby, de- ceased ; and Fanny.

After his marriage Mr. Keener located on his father's farm for a while, and afterward lived at various places, finally settling on his present home, then a piece of five acres, in the spring of 1870. He later added land to his original purchase, and sold a part for building lots. Mr. Keener has been very successful, and is counted one of the substantial men of the community. The family are valued and consistent members of the United Brethren Church, to which Mr. Keener is a liberal con- tributor. Politically he is a Democrat.

Mr. and Mrs. Keener are the parents of the following children : Cathrine E., born Sept. 3. 1858, died at the age of four years ; Susan, born Sept. 18, 1859, married (first) Leander Hess, and (second) Daniel Smith, and she re-

sides in North York; Mary M., born in No- vember, 1861, died young; Caroline E., born Nov. 30, 1862; Christian Henry, twin to Car- oline E., born Nov. 30, 1862, married Mary Ellen Shrane, and they reside in Red Lion; John I., born Aug. 6, 1865, married Catherine Sheaffer, and they reside in Red Lion; Jacob A., born Feb. 28, 1868, married Ida Runkle, and they reside in Red Lion; Alice M., twin to Jacob, died in young womanhood; Pious A., born July 10, 1870, married Tillie Smeltzer, and they live at home ; and Laura J., born June 15, 1873, married a Mr. Isensmith, of Dallas- town.

WILLIS W. STAUFFER, a well known educator of York county and principal of the Red Lion schools, comes of an ancestry origin- ally German, and the name in that language im- of Willis Stauffer was one of three brothers who came to this country before the Revolu- tion and settled in Cumberland, Lancaster and York counties, respectively.

The paternal grandfather was born in York county and passed his life on a farm near Freysville now "Bollinger's farm." He was also a preacher in the Mennonite Church and officiated in the Stony Brook Church, where his son Moses is now installed as minister. Both he and his wife died on their farm home. The children were as follows: David, a cracker manufacturer of York; Jacob, who died in Riverton, Cumberland county ; Moses; Joseph ; Ryal, Mrs. Cormony, of York; Mrs. Ziegler, who died in Freysville ; and Lydia, Mrs. Fred- erick Vineka, of Wagner's ore bank.

Joseph Stauffer was born on the Freys- ville homestead, and alike as boy and man fol- lowed farming. He remained on the old place until 1884, and then removed to his present property in West Manchester township. He married Miss Lizzie Winter, and they had the following children : Willis W .; Harry, a blacksmith living at home and married to Miss Lizzie Moul; Charles, of West Manchester township, who married Miss Carrie Zarfoss ; and an, adopted daughter, Mary Myers. Mr. Stauffer, who has held several township of- fices, is a Democrat in politics and a member of the Lutheran Church, while his wife belongs to the Reformed Church.

Willis W. Stauffer was born on his grand-

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father's farm, Oct. 28, 1876. His education was begun in the Freysville school, where he went for one term to old Prof. Kauffman, but after his father moved to West Manchester township, he went to the public schools there, one child, a daughter named Ethel. continuing till he was eighteen years old. Be- ing of a true student's nature, he determined to follow the profession of a teacher, and as a step toward preparing himself he spent one full year and two spring terms in the County Normal School at York, studying under Profs. Grass and Crowell. He took his first teacher's examination when he was twenty years old, and began his work in 1897, at Loucks school in West Manchester. The spring of 1898, and that of the following year, he spent in the West Chester Normal School, and then taught two terms in the home school. During the second he was successful in starting a fine school li- brary. After two terms more at the West Chester Normal, Mr. Stauffer was appointed principal of the public schools of Hallton. Elk county, and two years later, in the fall of 1904. he received his appointment, as principal of the Red Lion schools, where he has remained. Since locating at Red Lion, he has started a Normal school there, which opens in April sometime, and continues eight weeks each year.

Mr. Stauffer was married in Hallton, Elk county, Aug. 26, 1903, to Miss Grace B. Moh- ney, daughter of Silas and Maggie Mohney, the former deceased. To this union has come

JAMES KENNETH TAYLOR, a repre- sentative business man of the younger genera- tion in the lower end of York county, where he has resided from the time of his birth, is a leading manufacturer of the county, his plant and headquarters being in the town of Yoe. He was born in York county, in the immediate vicinity of the present borough of Shrewsbury, Oct. 1, 1865, youngest of the six children of Henry F. and Anna Y. (Keeney ) Taylor.

Henry F. Taylor now makes his home in Dallastown; his wife, Anna Y. Keeney, daugh- ter of the late John Keeney, died in April, 1899. Only four of their six children are still living.

James K. Taylor passed his boyhood in the vicinity of his birth place, and was practically reared to the discipline of the farm, while in the district schools common to the rural local- ities he secured his preliminary educational training. His public-school work was supple- mented by three terms in the Normal Depart- ment of York County Academy, at York, where

He also inaugurated a successful course of lec- he fitted himself for teaching, and became the tures this last winter, which is to be repeated again next season.

In Mr. Stauffer's early days even while in York Academy, he displayed a marked literary taste, and belonged to the school literary so- ciety. As a teacher he has always been active in starting township institutes and did much to promote the West Manchester literary society, as well as the one in Red Lion, later. He has also instituted debates on questions of the day, with the New Salem Literary Society, and in fact throughout the county the cause of educa- tion has received much impetus form Mr. Stauffer's ability and enthusiasm. Politically Mr. Stauffer is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Parker. He united originally with the Lutheran Church at his old home. but since re- siding in Red Lion has transferred his member- ship to the Church there. He has always been active in the church, particularly along musical lines, organized a church choir at the Hallton Methodist Church, and was a member of the choir during his school days. He has secured his education almost entirely by his own efforts, begin operations upon a modest scale, and ac- earning the money to pay for his tuition.

instructor in one of the district schools in York township when eighteen years of age. He has pronounced talent, however, in another di- rection. As a penman he displayed much ar- tistic ability and facility, and this talent se- cured him no little recognition in an incidental way. After three seasons of successful work as a teacher, under the county superintendency of D. G. Williams and H. C. Brenneman, he decided to turn his attention to the "art pre- servative of all arts," for which he manifested no slight predilection. Readily and with due appreciation he mastered the intricacies of the printing business, and several years were de- voted to working for different persons engaged in business along this line. Mr. Taylor was not satisfied, however, and his ambition soon led him to formulate plans to engage in busi- ness for himself, and he forthwith began can- vassing the situation and devising ways and means. Realizing that considerable capital would be demanded to inaugurate an enterprise of very considerable scope, he wisely decided to cordingly, Feb. 11, 1892, he purchased six

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small fonts of type and a small Dorman hand press, capable of printing a form five by seven and one-half inches, and with this little equip- ment initiated the business which has now grown to be one of considerable scope, as the result of his energy and able management. To-day Mr. Taylor owns the finely appointed plant and businesses conducted under the titles of the Yoe Printing Co., and the Taylor Cal- endar Co., and his concerns have gained repu- tations which transcend the limits of the State of Pennsylvania. With his six fonts of type and small press Mr. Taylor began the printing of cards, note-heads, envelopes, etc., at his res- idence, then in Jacobus, this county. He was his own solicitor by day, journeyman printer by night and bookkeeper at intervals. Trials and tribulations were encountered on every. hand, and at times the outlook was far from alluring, Mr. Taylor's greatest worriment be- ing his inability to have an office of adequate equipment to enable him to turn out a great amount of work which was tendered him, and which he was compelled to refuse for lack of proper facilities. Many a time, in the coldest days of winter and the hottest of summer, he was his own pack-mule, never having been troubled with false pride. With finished work that would weigh 160 pounds he would trudge from one town to another to deliver the same, which he carried on his back. His persever- ence and unremitting application brought the business to a prosperous standpoint. The enterprise at that time was conducted 111- der the title of the Jacobus Printing Co. New type, larger presses and other mechanical ac- cessories became necessary, and Mr. Taylor made additions to his equipment as rapidly as he felt justified, and finally, almost before he realized the condition, he found himself in con- trol of a plant from which could be turned out almost anything desired in the printing or paper line. His specialty from the inception of the business was mercantile work, and his motto is at the present time, "If it's made of paper, we have it." Novelties of every descrip- tion are now to be had from this admirable es- tablishment, and special features are cartons, cigar-cases, cigar pouches. telescope pouches, calendars and fans for advertising purposes, besides book, job, half-tone and lithogravure printing of the highest class. The goods of this company go into all parts of the Union,

and while the establishment is one of the most prosperous and well equipped under Mr. Tay- lor's management, the enterprise can hardly be said to be more than an "infant industry," for with the application of his originality, push and marked power of initiative, a prediction as to the ultimate magnitude of the business is difficult to make. A year ago the Taylor Cal- endar Company was organized to take care of the wholesale part of the calendar business, and it has already assumed great proportions. The two concerns are rated in both Bradstreet's and Dun's mercantile books. Mr. Taylor has made his field of business brighter by a number of years of patient toil and hard, indomitable ap- plication. Among his most valued possessions to-day is the little Dorman press, which stands silent in the midst of the fine modern machinery of a thoroughly first-class printing establish- ment, and the estimate which he places on the primitive little press is based on his full ap- preciation of the fact that it was the nucleus of the present large business enterprise.

On July 13, 1888, was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Taylor to Miss Emma Jane Hengst, who was born and reared in this coun- ty, a daughter of John and Fienna (Knaub) Hengst, old and honored residents of York county. In his home are centered our sub- ject's highest hopes, affections and interests, and the conditions are ideal in their nature. About the pleasant hearthstone of the home are the following named children : Ada Idella, Austin James, Edna Grace, Florence Estella, Mabel Minerva, . Emma Leona, Herold DeWitt, Dwight Clement and Kenneth Hengst. Both Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are zealous and devoted members of the United Evangelical Church, in which he has been a most active and valued worker. Several years ago, as a mark of appreciation of his zeal and his ability as a Bible student and expounder, the church ordained him as a preacher, and he frequently occupies the pul- pit. Notwithstanding the exactions of his busi- ness and the manifold claims upon his time and attention, Mr. Taylor takes a deep interest in everything connected with the material and civic welfare of his home town, freely giving his time and energies, as well as his financial support, to those movements which tend to con- serve the general good. He is identified with a number of fraternal and other organizations.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

STEPHEN S. SECHRIST, a well-known business man of the borough of Red Lion, in York county, comes of a family which has long been located in this region. His grandfather was a farmer and distiller in Chanceford town- ship, where he owned a large farm, and was widely known in his section. He hauled his whiskey to Baltimore for sale. He was twice married, and had children by both unions.

John Sechrist, father of Stephen S., was born in Chanceford township in 1813, and was a farmer all his life, during his early manhood also driving team for his father, taking the product of his distillery to Baltimore. He was given the advantages of a common-school edu- cation, and made such good use of his oppor- tunities that he became a prosperous and re- spected man. After his marriage he settled on the farm of 149 acres in Chanceford township, which was his home for fifty-six years, during which period he was successfully engaged in general farming. At the end of that time he sold the place and removed to Red Lion, where he passed the rest of his days in retirement, dying in 1901, at the advanced age of eighty- eight years. Mr. Sechrist was a lifelong Demo- crat. and an ardent supporter of the principles of his party, but he could never be induced to accept public office. He was a devout Christian, was a member of Trinity Evangelical Church of Chanceford, of which he served many years as trustee, being quite active in church work, He endeavored to live up to the teachings of the faith he professed, and practiced fair deal- ing in all his transactions.

John Sechrist married Susan Fry, daugh- ter of Jacob Fry, and she still survives, at the age of eighty-three years; she has been a mem- ber of the Evangelical Church, and active in its work. To Mr. and Mrs. Sechrist were born nine children, as follows: Henry F., a farmer of Chanceford township, who married Sarah Richard ; Jacob, formerly a farmer, now super- visor in Dallastown, who married Mary Schaull; Amos, who was also reared to farm- ing, but is now engaged in cigar manufactur- ing in Red Lion (he married Sarah Craley) ; Leah, Mrs. Emanuel Stabley, who died in the summer of 1904; Lizzie, unmarried: James, of Berwick, Pa., a United Evangelical minister, who married Della Reichard : Stephen S., men- tioned below; William, who died when eight years old ; and John F., a cigar manufacturer of Freysville, York county.

Stephen S. Sechrist was born March 24, 1857, in Chanceford township, York county, on the old home farm previously mentioned, and received his early education in the local public schools, which he attended from the age of six years until he was sixteen. For a short time he was a pupil at the Union Seminary, at New Berlin, Pa., and at the early age of eight- een he began teaching, in the home school in Chanceford township. He continued to follow that profession for sixteen consecutive school terms, being engaged at Dallastown, Red Lion and Windsor, all in York county. He first commenced his present business at Red Lion on a small scale, in 1884, and continued to con- duct the factory until 1899, when he formed his present partnership with T. E. Brooks and D. A. Horn, the firm being known as the Porto Rico Cigar Co., of which he has always been treasurer. The business increased rapidly from the start, and the firm now has the larg- est factory in the borough, occupying a build- ing 35 x 85 feet in dimensions, with room for 100 employees ; it is a substantial brick struct- ure and was erected in 1900. The Porto Rico Cigar Co. manufactures all grades of cigars from those that sell for two for five cents up to the ten-cent varieties, and also deals largely in leaf tobacco, doing a prosperous business in both lines. There is no doubt that the ex- cellent financial condition of the company's af- fairs is due principally to the sound judgment and good management of the founders of the business, for Mr. Sechrist has always ranked among the most reliable men in the borough since he took up his residence there. Begin- ning with a small shop, he has worked his way to a place among the leaders in his line in this section, without aid from anyone, and he is accordingly regarded with the utmost respect by his business associates and fellow townsmen generally. For the past three years he has been one of the directors of the First National Bank of Red Lion, and in all his business relations enjoys the merited confidence of those with whom he has dealings. He has been identified with the local civil administration as member of the borough council and school director, in which offices he discharged his duties with the fidelity and efficiency which might have been expected of an enterprising business man. who understands the necessity for promptness and straightforwardness in municipal affairs as well as in private undertakings. He is a stanchi

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Democrat in political faith, and takes part in the religious life of the community as a mem- ber of the United Evangelical Church. Socially he is an Odd Fellow, holding membership in Katahdin Lodge, at Red Lion.

Mr. Sechrist was married in Windsor township, York county, Sept. 11, 1883, to Miss Susan G. Stine, daughter of Daniel and Susan (Grove) Stine, and they have had four chil- dren. Bertha (wife of Charles F. Zarfos), James and Elsie, living, and Stella, deceased. The home occupied by the family is conceded to be one of the finest in the borough.

DAVID A. MILLER, merchant in Red Lion, comes of a family long known in Penn- sylvania, for the old Miller homestead was originally purchased from William Penn him- self, by the great-grandfather of David A. Miller, and it remained among the descendants for over io0 years, but is at present occupied by W. Blouse.

Michael Miller, son of the original pur- chaser, lived on the homestead first, but later bought another farm to which he moved for a while, afterward selling this property to his son Jacob. Michael Miller lived to the age of eighty-eight years. His wife's maiden name was Sellers.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 30

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