History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 41

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

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Jared Bortner, father of Mrs. Bortner, was born Oct. 18, 1819, and married Magdalena Cramer April 21, 1846. She died March 25, 1905, aged seventy-nine years, nine months, twenty-two days. They had eleven children : Reuben, born Feb. 5, 1847; Nathaniel, July 13, 1848; Saranda, Jan. 7, 1850; Martin, Jan. 6, 1853; Edwin, Aug. 22, 1855; Mary, June 18, 1857: Catherine, April 8, 1859; Belinda, Sept. 19, 1860; Diana, Aug. 10, 1862; Chester, July 14, 1864, and Louisa. Jared Bortner followed farming and shoemaking. He was a great reader and has read his German Bible through twenty times. He still survives, and although in his eighty-seventh year is in the best of health and spirits.

A reunion of the Bortner family was held Aug. 7, 1897, under the management of a com- mittee of five: Leander W. Bortner, Dr. E. D. Bortner, Jacob G. Bortner, Hon. H. M. Bortner and David Bortner. The following account appeared in a York paper :

REUNION OF THE BORTNER FAMILY.

(Over 5,000 of That Family and Their Immediate Relatives and Friends Participate.)

On Saturday the contemplated re-union of the Bortner family was held at Brodbeck's Grove. about a mile from Green Ridge. Very extensive preparations had been made for this unique occa- sion, and to say that it was a success would be put- ting it mildly. The like has never occurred before

in this county, and it is doubtful if any other fam- ily in the county could gather as many as 5,000 people, the estimated attendance at the re-union, all of them more or less related by blood and mar- riage. There was a great handshaking and renewal of friendships. Three cornet bands, one the famous Towson band, of Towson, Md., were present and enlivened the occasion with choice music. Mem- bers of the family were there from all over Penn- sylvania, Maryland, Virginia and Indiana.

The feature of the day was the rendition of an interesting programme in the afternoon, consisting of excellent instrumental and vocal music and sev- eral very interesting addresses.

Mr. Henry M. Bortner gave the family history, and his reminiscences, of many of which he has personal knowledge, he being nearly eighty years of age, were of particular interest to the members of the family. He traced the family from the im- migration, in about 1700, of Balsar Bortner, who came from Holland and settled in Bucks county, Pa., he being the progenitor of George Bortner, who drifted into York county over a century and a half ago, and took up land in what is now Codorus township, he having at that time a very large tract of land, and died leaving much wealth behind. The son of George Bortner. Ludwig, then took the land and selling off tract after tract retained a farm of nearly two hundred acres, which farm has ever since been owned by a Bortner. Balsar Bortner was the great-grandfather of the speaker and his descend- ants have spread into almost every State and Terri- tory in the Union.

Prof .. Theo. Bortner, of Hanover, Pa., in a very neat speech, told of his impressions received at the reunion and hoped for a repetition in future years.

Frank 'M. Bortner, Esq., a rising young lawyer and junior partner of the law firm of Shambach & Bortner, of our city, made a very eloquent congrat- ulatory address. The speech, which was very com- plimentary to the family, was enthusiastically re- ceived.

The hearts of the old people of the family are not heavy and four or five of them gave vent to their levity by engaging in a very amusing wheel- ing match, the prizes being a handsome crab stick with gold mountings, won by Mr. Harry S. Bort- ner, aged eighty-three years; and a box of fine cigars won by Mr. Jacob G. Bortner, aged seventy- eight, of Glen Rock, Pennsylvania.

The oldest member of the family present was Mr. George Bortner, over ninety years old.

Letters of regret were read from Mr. Charles Bortner, of Albion, Ind., who on the day of the reunion was just eighty years old, and from Mrs. Christine Wilson, nee Bortner, of Lewistown, Illi- nois, who is 102 years of age, and whose direct lineal descendants number 365.

The history of the family given by Hon. H. M. Bortner was in German. The speech was not fully delivered, on account of Mr. Bortner's health and a lack of time, but in the following we give a synopsis of his family sketch :

Ich bin yets old, un ols noch doe,

Ich wor mohl yung, un now shoon gro: Ansht wore ols yusht der dawdie gro; Un now sin shon sei kinner so,

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Ich ains dafoon, schwoch in de ba; Un now yets aw bol nimma shta,

Un aw shtife in meina gnee; Un wore ich nee net ootra shpree; My memory is duch ols noch doe, So goot sie wore for fooftsich yore, Ich bin aw fro dos sel so is,

Gott gaub mir es, sel bin ich g'wiss,

Es is ein ba-sundra gaub,

Die ich foon meine shepfer hob.

The following are the names of the children (as near as I can find out) of Baltzer Bortner, who was born in Germany, about 200 years ago: George, Peter and Rozena. Rozena be- came the wife of Frederick Frasher. Peter, who was born about 1734, came from Bucks county to Dauphin, and had five sons and sev- eral daughters, one of whom was married to a Hoofnagle, in Ohio.

The following are names of Peter's sons : Peter, John, Michael, Philip and Jacob. Peter was born in 1782; in 1810 he married Chris- tiana Losh, with whom he lived seventy-one years, when she died at the age of over 100 years, in Lewistown, Fulton county, Ill. They had thirteen children, ninety grandchildren, 217 great-grandchildren, and twenty-four great-great-grandchildren, a total of 353.

Mike was born in Lykensburg. Pa., in 1812, and four years later ( 1816) his father died. Mike, at the age of fifteen, moved to Wood county, Ohio, and from there to Free- port, Ohio. Mr. Bortner was the father of nine children. Of John, Philip and Jacob I know nothing.

George Bortner, married to Appolona Floucher, was born about 1731. He settled in Codorus township. In 1754 he was the owner of the property now owned by Jacob W. Bort- ner. and on Nov. 2. 1774, he bought fifty acres of Ludwig Krebs, executor of the estate of Charles Shafer, deceased. On Oct. 12, 1798, lie sold thirty-five acres to Abraham Hosler. On Dec. 13, 1799, he sold thirty-one acres to Abraham Hosler. On Jan. 2, 1801, he sold the balance to his son Peter. On May 2, 1802, it was sold to Ludwig Bortner, who owned it until after his death, when it was sold to John Ziegler in 1817.

George Bortner was the father of twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, name- ly: George, Ludwig, John, Peter, Philip, Jacob, Michael, Julia, Christiana, Margaret, Elizabeth and Catharine. (I) George Bort- ner, married to Margaret Gantz, was born Feb.

6, 1761, and died April 8, 1843, aged eighty- two years, two months, two days. They had seven children, four sons and three daughters : Henry, John, George, Jacob, Margaret, Chris- tiana and Elizabeth. Of these, Henry moved to Ohio; John had five children, two sons and three daughters, David, Jesse, Julia, Sallie and Leah; George died at the age of twenty-one; Jacob when sixteen; Margaret died single at the age of eighty-three years; Christiana, mar- ried to George Amspacher, died at the age of ninety-three; Elizabeth died in 1853, aged fifty-six. David Bortner was married to a Hartman and had sons and daughters. Those whom I know are Albert, Nathaniel, David and Jesse. Jesse Bortner was killed on the rail- road between York and Wrightsville. (2) Ludwig Bortner, married to Elizabeth Gantz, was born May 15, 1762, and died Dec. 12, 1815, aged fifty-three years, six months and twenty seven days. They had five children, two sons and three daughters, Jacob, John, Barbara, Elizabeth and Magdalene. Jacob was born in 1794, died 1857, aged sixty-three years. He had thirteen children, eight sons and five daughters, Lewis, Jesse, Daniel, Amos, Jacob, Charles, Emanuel, Levi, Eliza- beth, Lucy Ann, Catharine, Matilda and Julia. All of the children are still living except Lewis, Jesse and Lucy Ann. John, born in 1797, died in 1853, aged fifty-six years. He had six children, two sons and four daughters, John, Lewis, Leah, Catharine, Mary Ann and Eliza- beth. Barbara was married to John Zeigler, Elizabeth to Jacob Fishel, Magdalene first to a Krebs. (3) John, married to Julia Gantz, was born in 1768, died in 1859, aged ninety- one years. He had six children as far as I know, three sons and three daugliters, John. Jacob, Josiah; one of the daughters was mar- ried to a Fife, one to a Hyson, and the other to a Yost. (4) Peter, married to Elizabeth Wayne, was born in 1770, died in 1832, aged sixty-one years, eight months. They had eight children, seven sons and one daughter- Jacob, George, Peter, John, Martin, William, Henry and Elizabeth. All are dead except Elizabeth. Peter was born March 4, 1798. died Sept. 25, 1888, aged ninety years, six months and twenty-one days. (5) Philip moved to Washington county. Am unable to give anything further of him. (6) Jacob, married to Catharine Snyder, was born Jan.

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14, 1778, died Jan. 25, 1851, aged seventy- three Gantzes (sisters). three years, eleven days. They had seven chil- dren, five sons and two daughters-Jacob, George, Samuel, Michael, Henry, Elizabeth and Rebecca. Jacob was born Jan. 26, 1805, died Feb. 6, 1890, aged eighty-five years, ten days. George was born March 17, 1807, is over ninety years of age and was the oldest Bortner at the reunion. Samuel was born in 1809, died 1874, aged about sixty-six years. Michael was born in 1811, died in Ohio in 1843, aged thirty-two years. Henry was born in 1816, is still living. Elizabeth was born in 1814, wife of Jacob Strayer, is dead. Rebecca was born in 1818, wife of Levi Bahn, is still living. (7) Michael Bortner, married to Mar- garet Markel, was born Nov. 20, 1780, died Oct. 21, 1870, aged eighty-nine years, eleven months and one day. He was thirteen years and fifteen days on his sickbed. With his first wife he had four children, John, Mike, Eliza- beth and Jacob. All are dead except Jacob. John was born Feb. 16, 1808; Mike, Nov. 23, 1809; Elizabeth, Feb. 18, 1811; Jacob, Jan. 13, 1814. His second wife, Catherine Markel, with whom he had Sarah, born June 15, 1818; Jared, born Oct. 18, 1819; H. M., born Jan. 3, 1821; Jonas, born Dec. 7, 1823; Lydia, born Nov. 24, 1825; Cassian, born Aug. 30, 1828; Catharine, born July 12, 1831 ; Noah, born Jan. 22, 1835. All are living execpt Jonas and Lydia. Jacob Bortner, of George, was married to Catharine Snyder; Jacob Bortner, of Lud- wig, was married to Catharine Gerbrick ; Jacob Bortner, of Michael, was married to Catharine Walker; John Bortner, of Ludwig, was married to Catharine Strickhouser; John Bortner, of Michael, was married to Catharine Kerchner; John Bortner, of John, was married to Catharine Rohrbaugh; Michael Bortner, of George, was married to Catharine Markel: Michael Bortner, of Michael, was married to Catharine Sweitzer ; Jonas Bortner, of Michael, was married to Catharine Bortner; Edmund Bortner, of Charles, was married to Catharine Bortner. When the last two, Jonas and Ed- mund, wished to marry, the Catharines were all taken up, so that, rather than not get Cath- arines, they married Catharine Bortners. Here is a list of a few Levi Bortners: Levi Bort- ner, Levi B. Bortner, Levi E. Bortner, Levi G. Bortner, Levi K. Bortner, Levi P. Bortner, Levi S. Bortner, Levi S. Bortner, Levi W. Five years later the new proprietor had in- Bortner. Three Bortners (brothers) married creased the daily capacity to four thousand

Three Bortners ( brothers) married three Ernsts, two of whom were sisters.

PHILIP H. GLATFELTER. In every community, great or small, there are found men who, by reason of personal attributes, en- terprising spirit and natural ability, have arisen above their fellows in business, social or public life. Spring Grove has several examples of this class, and one of these is Philip H. Glat- felter, proprietor of the great paper manufac- turing plant of Spring Grove, who was born in 1837, a son of Charles and Louisa (Fishel) Glatfelter.

For many generations members of the Glat- felter family had been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and during the first twenty years of his life Philip H. Glatfelter followed the ex- ample his forebears had set, in the mean time attending the district school, and eagerly im- bibing all his various teachers could impart .. However, the ambitious boy, who from child- hood exhibited a restless desire to get on in the- world, could not content himself with the hum- drum life upon the farm, and in 1857 he en- tered the mill of Loucks & Hoffman, on the. Gunpowder river in Maryland, and for six or seven years he seriously applied himself to mastering the business of paper manufacturing in every detail. At the expiration of that time an opportunity presented itself for him to em- bark in the business for himself, which he eagerly embraced, although advised to the coni- trary by friends and relatives. Thus he be- came the owner of the paper mills located at Spring Grove.

Spring Grove first came into notice as an iron hamlet, Peter Dicks, one of the prosperous- iron men of his day, having erected a bloom- ery there in 1756, coming from Delaware coun- ty, Pa., to do so. About 1850 the iron busi- ness was suspended, and Jacob Hauer, who had removed from Lebanon to York county to engage in that branch of industrial activity, finding his occupation gone, embarked in the manufacture of paper. Three years later he died, and his heirs, after conducting the busi- ness for a time, leased it to a Philadelphia firm1. In 1863 it came upon the market, and Mr. Glatfelter bought the plant, which at that time had a capacity of fifteen hundred pounds daily.

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pounds. In 1874 new buildings were erected, ing the young, to improve and cultivate their and an entire new plant put in, so that the minds. daily output reached ten thousand pounds. In 1861 Mr. Glatfelter married Miss Amanda E. Loucks, of West Manchester town- ship, daughter of John G. and Susan C. Loucks, and five children, four daughters and one son, have been born to them: Iva J. (de- ceased ), Clara E. (wife of C. E. Moul, of Han- over), William L., Mellie I. and L. Romaine. From time to time Mr. Glatfelter has added to his buildings and machinery until he now has a capacity of ninety thousands pounds daily, and his plant covers five acres of land, and is valued at one million dollars. The business was incorporated in December, 1905, as the P. H. Glatfelter Co., with a capital of $1,000,000. Mr. Glatfelter enjoys the distinction of being one of the first manufacturers to make paper from wood and straw pulp, and he is always eager to embrace new methods which prom- ise to be of worth, and to take advantage of Full of charity for others, Mr. Glatfelter has hosts of friends wherever known, while his sound judgment, sterling character and excel- lent business abilities have won him a place in the front rank of men of prominence and sub- stance. improved machinery. The mills are operated day and night, and constant employment is given to some 325 men. A private electric · plant generates light for the establishment, and through the generosity of Mr. Glatfelter the town has been lighted for a nominal rental, the borough actually paying less than the cost to him.

In addition to his extensive interests in the paper manufacturing line, Mr. Glatfelter is president of the York Manufacturing Com- pany, one of the largest concerns of the city of York, is possessed of numerous realty hold- ings, and is a man of wealth and influence. His son, William L. Glatfelter, has been asso- ciated with him in the manufacture of paper since 1887, and holds the office of secretary and treasurer of the Company.

The history of Spring Grove since Mr. Glatfelter's location is the history of this be- nevolent and public-spirited man. Always on the alert to second any measure tending toward the advancement and improvement of the place. Mr. Glatfelter is largely responsible for its moral and material growth. Among other gifts he has made to the people is a $20,000 schoolhouse. Recognizing the urgent need of a first-class hotel to accommodate the many guests coming to Spring Grove, Mr. Glat- felter built and furnished the magnificent "Hotel Aldine," which is conducted on strict temperance principles, he being a strong ad- vocate of temperance. Through his efforts Spring Grove is a temperance town, and its people are sober, industrious and prosperous. Not content with forwarding the cause of higher education in Spring Grove, Mr. Glat- felter has given generously to numerous edu- cational institutions, and is always encourage-

The beautiful home of Mr. and Mrs. Glat- felter is located opposite the mills. It is sur- rounded by extensive grounds, carefully cul -. tivated, and here the busy man of affairs en- joys his leisure hours.

J. ALLEN BAER, who was formerly en- gaged in the banking business, is a representa- tive of an old York county family. His great- grandfather, David Bear, was born April II, 1780, and died Oct. 16, 1831, and the latter's wife, Maria Baer, was born June 20, 1772, and died Nov. 4, 1868. Their old homestead is still occupied by some of their descendants. Daniel Baer, son of David, married Susan Hershey, and their children were: Daniel and Jacob H.

Jacob H. Baer, son of Daniel and Susan H. Baer, was born April 2, 1830, and passed his first eighteen years upon his father's farm, assisting in its cultivation and at intervals at- tending the district schools. He then entered York County Academy, from which he was graduated in 1853. Entering the commission business soon after, he continued in it for twelve years, then beginning his career as a banker by organizing a private bank, which he conducted for two years. This bank was then merged into the Western National Bank, which he organized, and of which he was pres- ident for two years. He then resigned and embarked again in a private banking business, building up one of the soundest financial institu- tions in the county, ably seconded by his sons Charles F. and J. Allen. In this he continued until 1890. His death occurred May 3. 1896. He was a man of marked business sagacity and possessed the confidence of all. In June. 1858,

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he married Mary Winters, daughter of John and Maria Winters, of York county, and they had four children : Charles F. married Mary E. Beeler, and is in the banking business at York; J. Allen; Annie M. married Dr. George W. Brose, of York; and Howard D. is in the banking business with his brother Charles F. Mrs. Baer died June 3, 1875, and her remains, as well as those of her husband, rest in Pros- pect Hill cemetery. The family were reared in the Lutheran faith.

J. Allen Baer was born in York, Pa., July 19, 1863, and received his education in the him, as a man among men, a friend among

public schools of York and in York County Academy. From the time he left school until 1893 he was engaged in the banking business

REV. THOMAS THOMPSON EVER- with his father, and since then has lived re- ETT, D. D., of York, clergyman of the Lutlı- tired.

In 1896 Mr. Baer was united in marriage Runkle, of York. Two children have blessed this union, Helen M. and John A., both attend- ing school. Mr. and Mrs. Baer attend the Lu- theran Church, and are active in all good work.

eran Church, was born Feb. 26, 1840, at Peek- skill, Westchester Co., N. Y., son of Richard with Annie J. Runkle, daughter of George W. John Everett, LL. D., lawyer, and Elizabeth

LUCIUS K. FON DERSMITH, cashier of the First National Bank at Wrightsville, is one of the self-made men of York county, hav- ing attained high position and honorable repu- tation through honest effort

and intrinsic worth. He is a son of Henry C. and Anna M. (Burg) Fon Dersmith.

Henry C. Fon Dersmith was a merchant in Lancaster for many years and was counted one of Lancaster county's influential business men. He afterward settled in Columbia, that county.

In Columbia, in 1892, Mr. Fon Dersmith was married to Miss Catherine Gossler, of that city, daughter of Philip and Emily Gossler. One child, Philip Gossler, has blessed this union. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fon Dersmith are members of the Presbyterian Church, the for- mer being an official therein. In politics he is a stanch Republican. His fraternal connec- tions are with the Masons, his membership be- ing in Riverside Lodge, No. 503, F. & A. M. He is very popular among his many friends, who have learned to trust him and to honor friends.

(Reynolds) Everett. He comes of old Dutch- ess county (N. Y.) stock, his great-great- great-grandfather having been the principal founder of Poughkeepsie, that county. Dr. Everett removed to New York City, where he resided until after he attained his majority. He attended the Mohawk Valley (New York) Seminary, and was originally educated for journalism, before he became of age entering the office of the old New York Morning and Evening Express, under J. & E. Brookes. The paper was then printed at the corner of Wall and Nassau streets. He was trained from proof-reader to editorial writer, and followed the profession successfully in New York and Pittsburg. For several years he was special correspondent at the Legislature, at Albany, N. Y., for the New York Sun, New York News, New York Journal of Commerce and New York Express, and in 1865 became city editor of the Pittsburg Dispatch. Subse- quently he joined the editorial force of the Pittsburg Commercial.

The public schools afforded our subject his only literary advantages. He was but fifteen when his father died, and he was then obliged to look after his own livelihood. He entered the Farmers' National Bank at Lancaster as a messenger, and by careful attention to his duties, won recognition from the bank officials, In 1868 Dr. Everett retired from news- paper life. Turning his attention to theology, he took a course at the Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Pa., and then became pastor of Lutheran churches at Greencastle, Pa., Day- ton, Ohio, Harrisburg, Pa., Brooklyn. N. Y., Cobleskill. N. Y., and York, Pa., where he has been located since Jan. 1, 1898. and was gradually promoted through various departments. Feeling that he might gain greater financial returns in other lines, Mr. Fon Dersmith quit banking, and entered the grocery store of John F. Stauffer, at Lancas- ter, but the attractions of the banking business proved too strong, and he again entered that line, working for several years in a bank at Dr. Everett has not confined his labors to the ordinary routine of a pastor's work. While in Dayton, Ohio, he was a member of the Columbia. In 1891 he came to Wrightsville, accepting the cashiership of the First National Bank, the position he is today so ably filling. board of directors of Wittenberg College;

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served as president of the Miami Synod; and and the old homestead has been the property is now president of the West Pennsylvania of succeeding generations for over 170 years. Synod. He has been four times elected a It lies about a mile from Big Mount, and there delegate to the General Synod of his church, the great-grandfather of the present genera- tion, by name Jacob Altland, was born. His wife was a Miss Trimmer. and three times as an alternate delegate. He has visited Europe twice and has preached in London, Paris, Geneva, Liverpool, Dublin and Daniel Altland, son of Jacob, while living on a farm also, was employed at cabinetmak- ing and in the undertaking business. He was also a preacher in the German Lutheran Church. His death occurred in 1894,; when he was aged eighty-six years. other places. He has delivered many bacca- laureate sermons and commencement ad- dresses, and has delivered special addresses on numerous public occasions and many lectures. "As a preacher he reveals culture, earnest thought, genuine humanity and a deep love of the truth. On the lecture platform he is a lecturer, not a preacher. He displays his resources to advantage; is mag- netic, humorous, eloquent and popular. He understands the art of putting an audience en rapport with himself. Everybody who has heard him speaks in his praise." He has writ- ten numerous articles for the religious and secular press.

In 1883 Dr. Everett was .offered the po- sition of private secretary by Gov. Robert Em- ory Pattison, and he discharged the duties of that responsible incumbency from that year until 1887, giving the utmost satisfaction. Throughout that period he also served as re- corder of the State Board of Pardons of Penn- sylvania. He had previously served in public office in New York City, where he was trustee of the common schools in the Eighth ward in 1864-68. He is a Republican in political sen- timent.

As may be judged by the variety of inter- ests to which he has given his support, Dr. Everett is a man of the broadest humanity and of wide sympathies. He is straightfor- ward, unassuming and possessed of unassail- able integrity, and his practical methods have enabled him to do effective work in many cherished projects for the betterment of man- kind. His pleasant social qualities have won the good will and friendship of those with whom he has been associated in any relation of life. In 1881 he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity, causa honoris, from Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Va. He is a past noble grand of Christian Lodge, I. O. O. F., New York.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 41

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