History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 48

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

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in an early day and there passed the remainder

John Dehoff, father of John W., passed his life in Carroll county, Md., his active years being devoted to farming. His death occurred in 1867, while his wife is still living in Carroll county, Md. They became the parents of four children, of whom two are living, Dr. Dehoff being the second in order of birth. John De- hoff was a stanch Democrat in his political faith, and a United Brethren in religious con- nection. His widow is a Dunkard.

Dr. John W. Dehoff received his prelim- inary educational training principally in the common schools of Carroll county, Md., and Manchester Academy, and later for a time was a student in Irving College, at Manches- ter, Md. At the age of twenty-four years he began reading medicine under the guidance of Dr. Malcolm McFarland, of Philadelphia, and then he entered Hahnemann Medical Col- lege at Philadelphia, where he completed the prescribed course and was graduated as a member of the class of 1876, receiving the well-earned degree of Doctor of Medicine.

Dr. Dehoff served his professional novitiate in the town of Union Bridge, Md., where he built up an excellent practice, continuing there for a period of fourteen years. In 1890 he came to York, where he has further added to his professional prestige and met with most gratifying success both in the volume and character of his practice. For five years he was Professor of Obstetrics in the Southern Homeopathic Medical College, in Baltimore, Md., while he is a valued and appreciative member of the American Institute of Homeo- pathy, as well as the Pennsylvania Homeo- pathic State Medical Society. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with Zeredatha Lodge, No. 451, F. & A. M. Both he and his wife are active and zealous members of the Reformed Church, being identified with Grace parish, of which the Rev. E. E. Emhoff is the honored pastor. For thirteen years the Doctor was superintendent of the Sunday-school, and for some years an elder. He is liberal in political belief, and is known as a loyal and public- spirited citizen, worthy of the high esteem and confidence in which he is uniformly held.

On May 26, 1870. Dr. Dehoff was married to Miss Charlotte E. Shower, daughter of Adam and Mary Ann ( Geiger) Shower, the

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former being a merchant and manufacturer, prior to his death, which occurred Sept. 8, also Judge of the Orphans Court of Carroll 1901, at the age of sixty-four years. His in- terment took place at Prospect Hill cemetery. county, Md. Mrs. Shower was a daughter of Rev. Jacob Geiger, who was a prominent Mr. Cronenwett was married, Jan. 18, 1866, to Sarah M. Fishel, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth ( Brillhart) Fishel. She died in 1893. One child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Cronenwett, Mrs. Rebecca Elizabeth Irwin, who is the mother of two girls, Edith Cronen- wett and Elsie Maria, attending the York Col- legiate Institute. and revered member of the clergy of the Re- formed church, and also a physician, being the first to practice homeopathy in the State of Maryland. Of the children of Dr. and Mrs. Dehoff, Mary Helen died aged twenty-one months; Dr. John E. is a graduate of Frank- lin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa., and the Southern Homeopathic Medical College, and is now engaged in practice in York; Leonora K. remains at the parental home, and George W., a graduate of Mercersburg, and the Southern Homeopathic Medical College, Baltimore, class of 1905, is assistant to Dr. Barnard in the Barnard Sanitarium, Balti- more, Maryland.

WILLIAM CRONENWETT (de- ceased). Although remembered chiefly for his remarkable war record, William Cronenwett was a business man of no mean ability, and was the owner of much valuable real estate in York. A native of Germany, born in Baden- Baden, he came to America at the age of six- teen years, locating first at Detroit, Mich., where he followed farming.

On the 16th of May, 1861, Mr. Cronen- wett enlisted as a private in Company D, 4th Mich. V. I., and 'served his country valiantly until Nov. 17, 1865. He was engaged in both battles of Bull Run, was at the siege of York- town, before Richmond, at Malvern Hill, South Mountain, Fredericksburg, Chancellors- ville and Gettysburg. In the last named bat- tle Mr. Cronenwett was shot through the right leg. He was mustered out of service in April, 1864. On the 25th of September of the same year, he was appointed a corporal in Company E, 22d Regiment, Veteran Reserve Corps, serving at Washington, D. C., Albany, N. Y., in Indiana, and at Columbus, Ohio .. He was finally mustered out at Camp Chase, Nov. 17, 1865, having participated in twenty-six en- gagements.

After the close of the war Mr. Cronenwett located in York, Pa., and engaged in the coal business, which he continued successfully for sixteen years. He later located on his farm, a valuable tract in York, southwest of Penn Park. Here he lived retired for fifteen years

HENRY KELLER, of Lower Windsor township, was born on a farm near Yorkana, Lower Windsor township, April 8, 1829, son of George and Lydia (Will) Keller, both of whom were likewise born and reared in York county, the father having been born in 1809, son of Peter Keller, a pioneer of York county, and the mother in 1808.

George Keller devoted the major portion of his life to agriculture, and was one of the well known and influential citizens of his town- ship, having owned many farms, and having been prominent in local affairs. He was a man of sterling rectitude, so ordering his life as to command the esteem of his fellow men. His first wife, who was his devoted companion during a married life of nearly a half century, was summoned into the life eternal in 1875. Following is a brief record concerning their children: (I) Henry was the first-born. (2) John, born Nov. 1, 1833, married Angeline Kline, and his death occurred in Lower Wind- sor township. (3) George, born Feb. 5, 1836, married Mary Ann Emenheiser, and they re- side in East Prospect, this county. (4) Cath- erine, born Jan. 23, 1840, is the wife of Will- iam Shrenberger, and they reside in the State of Nebraska. (5) Lydia, born Oct. 23, 1843, became the wife of Samuel Ball, and is now deceased. (6) Julia Ann, born May 2, 1845, is the wife of Benjamin Emenheiser, and they reside in East Prospect. (7) Peter A., who was born May 6, 1848, and served as a sol- dier in the Rebellion, resides in the city of York. He has been twice married, the maiden name of his first wife having been Augusta Fitzker. After the death of his first wife George Keller was married to Miss Anna Nau, who is still living, being now the wife of Jacob Blessing, of Yorkana. To the second mar- riage of Mr. Keller three children were born,

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their names, with respective dates of birth, be- est in all that has touched the welfare of his ing : Moses H., Sept. 4, 1877; James W., home county.

June 7, 1879; and Amanda C., Nov. 24, 1881. The honored husband and father was called to his reward in 1881, his death being the re- sult of a stroke of paralysis.

Henry Keller was reared to the sturdy dis- cipline of the farm, and agriculture has en- grossed his attention from his boyhood days to the present, save for a period of five years, during which he was engaged in teaching school. He secured his early educational dis- cipline in the common schools of his native township, and was successfully engaged in teaching for two years in the Prospect school, for an equal interval in the Gilbert school, and for one year in his home school. He has ever been an avidious reader of good literature, and has kept in touch with the questions and events of the day, being a man of broad information and mature judgment. Of late years his hear- ing has been somewhat seriously impaired, and this fact has caused him to appreciate even more fully the attractions of his books, which he prizes as loyal friends, devoting much time to reading standard and periodical literature. As a teacher he received twenty dollars a month and no board, this being considered good pay at the time. Mr. Keller has never used tobacco or intoxicating liquors in any form, and his entire course in life has been clean and straight forward. It may be said that after leaving the common schools he was. for eight months a student in an academy in Lancaster county, where he completed his technical or specific schooling.

In 1853 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Keller to Miss Anna Eliza Kline, who was born and reared in this county, being a daugh- ter of Henry Kline. Of this union were born twelve children, and the loved and devoted mother was called to the life beyond at the age of thirty-nine years. The children were: Catherine Lydia, born Sept. 2, 1853, died Oct. 28, 1854; Eliza Jane, born Nov. 26, 1854, died March 13, 1855; Annie Ellen, born March 8, 1856, died on the 4th of the follow- ing September; Henry Clay, born March 25, 1857, is a representative merchant in Wrights- ville, this county ; Millard Fillmore, born April 13, 1859, is a resident of Westchester, this State ; Emma Jane, born Dec. 3, 1860, remains with her father in the old home: George Frank- lin, born Feb. 5, 1862, died March 13, 1879; Caroline, born Aug. 13, 1864, is the wife of Moses Leiphart, of Lower Windsor township; William Harrison, born Feb. 12, 1867, mar- ried a Miss Graham, and they reside in Wrightsville; Charlotte, born Oct. 21, 1868, died March 31, 1870; Anna Rebecca, born March 26, 1871, is the wife of George Roth of Hellam township; and James Washington, born March 10, 1874, died March 13, 1878. On Aug. 25, 1887, Mr. Keller was married ( second ) to Amanda C. Landis, daughter of Jacob and Anna Mary ( Wanbaugh) Landis.

ABSALOM MENGES, mill owner and farmer in Jackson township, was born near Berlin, York county. Sept. 23, 1837. son of Jacob and Catherine (Zinn) Menges.

At the age of twenty-two years Mr. Kel- ler located upon his present farm, and here he The Menges family is an old and honored one in . York county, where for many genera- tions they have been connected with its busi- ness and industrial interests. John Menges, grandfather of Absalom, was a farmer all his life. He married Miss Lena Lau, and a large family was born to them as follows: Jacob, Peter, John, Daniel, Andrew, Solomon, Samuel, George, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Lealı, Mary and Sallie. In religious belief the fam- ily were Lutherans. In politics Mr. Menges was a Democrat. has ever since maintained his home, much suc- cess attending his well directed efforts. As a boy he became a member of the Canadochley Lutheran church, having been duly catechized by the Rev. Jonathan Oswald, and both lie and his wife are still prominently identified with this church. In politics Mr. Keller was originally a Whig, but he has supported the Republican party from the time of its organi- zation to the present, save in one instance, when he voted for the Prohibition party's can- didate for governor. He has held various lo- Jacob Menges was both a farmer and mil- ler, owning a good farm in Codorus township. There he died in 1869, aged seventy-two. He cal offices, including those of assessor, school director, township supervisor, and election clerk, and he has ever manifested a deep inter- was a man of the strictest integrity in all his

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dealings, and was highly respected by all with itics, and has never sought office. He is an whom he came in contact. He was married upright and able man, and as such is highly respected in his locality. about 1824 to Miss Catherine Zinn, and a fam- ily was born to them as follows: Jonas, de- ceased; Jesse, deceased; Levi, deceased; Will- iam; Leah, widow of the late Henry Renoll, and a resident of Codorus; and Absalom. The family were Lutherans, and Mr. Menges was a Democrat in politics, filling the office of school director.

Absalom Menges received his education in the public and subscription schools of York county, and remained at home until he was eighteen years of age. He then spent a year and a half with Emanuel Bollinger, learning the miller's trade, in the course of which time he also had many opportunities of observing the methods of neighboring millers and learn- ing thoroughly all the details of the business. The young man soon mastered the trade, and has followed it all his life in connection with farming. Mr. Menges owns two farms in Paradise township, and one in Jackson, aggre- gating 200 acres. He has worked for a num- ber of years and has been rewarded by his pres- ent prosperous condition.

In 1860 Mr. Menges was married to Miss Anna Hoke, daughter of Michael and Susanna (Hershey) Hoke both natives of York county. To this union twelve children have been born, the following eight of whom are living: Sarah E., who married Martin R. Berkheimer ; Mary E., who married George Henise and has eight children : Ada (married to Charles Shaeffer), Paul, Annie, Mary, Florence, Harvey, George and Arthur; Jacob G., who married Emma J. Stambaugh, and has four sons and one daugh- ter : Norman, Granville, George, John and An- na ; Anna J., who married George S. Bolling- er, and has one child, Walter; Susan, wife of Allen E. Jacobs, and mother of Ruth, Anna, Amy and Robert; Jonas H., who married Sarah Rudisill, who died leaving three chil- dren, Harry, Myron and Corinne, and he mar- ried (second) Mary A. (Snyder), widow of the late Allen C. Reynolds; Paul O., of the class of 1905 in the law department of Dickin- son College, Carlisle; and Luther A., a clerk and stenographer at York. The family are Lutherans.

MICHAEL HOSE. As a native son of York county and a representative of one of its sterling pioneer families, Mr. Hose is emi- nently entitled to consideration in a compila- tion which has to do with those who have been the founders and builders of this section of the old Keystone Commonwealth, while such is his personal standing as a citizen and business man that still further propriety is lent to a re- view of his career in this work. He is an ex- tensive manufacturer of cigars and cigar boxes in Dallastown, while he also has other indus- trial and capitalistic interests of importance, being recognized as one of the able and sub- stantial business men of the county which has been his home from the time of his debut on the stage of life.

On the old homestead farm, three miles east of the city of York, in York township, Michael Hose was born Nov. 13, 1853, son of Michael and Sarah (Keesey) Hose, both of whom were likewise born and reared in York county, as were also their respective par- ents,-statements which give pertinent testi- mony as to the early establishing of both fam- ilies in the county. It may be said incidentally that the Hose family has been notable for longevity, a conspicuous instance being that of Deitrick Hose, grandfather of our subject, who was one hundred and six years of age at the time of his death. The family is of sturdy Holland-Dutch extraction, and was founded in America in the early Colonial epoch. The father of our subject devoted the major por- tion of his life to agricultural pursuits and was one of the prominent and highly honored citi- zens of York township, wielding marked in- fluence in local affairs and commanding the confidence and esteem of all who knew him. He was a Republican in his political proclivi- ties. He was a consistent and valued member of the Lutheran Church, as was also his de- voted wife. He was summoned into eternal rest in 1886, and she passed away in 1871. They became the parents of sixteen children, of whom three are living, the subject of this sketch and his two sisters,-Louisa, who is the

Absalom Menges is an adherent of the Re- publican party, but though he is interested in local affairs he is not especially active in pol- wife of Henry Eberly, of Yoe, this county;

Michael Hore.

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and Amanda, who is the wife of Michael and Mrs. Hose have been born seven children, Schlog, of Windsor township. of whom four are living, namely : Emery Michael, who is associated with his father's business in Dallastown; and Quinton A., George H. and Violet, who are attending the public schools of their home town.

Michael Hose, the subject of this sketch, was reared to the sturdy discipline of the home farm, in whose work he early began to assist, while his educational training was secured in the public schools, which he attended during the winter months until he had attained the age of sixteen years. In 1869, he entered upon an apprenticeship to the trade of shoemaking, to which he devoted his attention for two years, after which he learned the carpenter's trade, becoming a skilled workman and following the trade as a vocation about eight years, within which time he did much independent work as a contractor and builder. In 1884 Mr. Hose located in Dallastown, where he erected and equipped a factory and engaged in the manit- facture of cigar boxes, bringing to bear marked and characteristic energy, enterprise and dis- crimination, so that the business rapidly in- creased in scope and importance, being now one of the leading enterprises of the sort in the county. In 1900 he also began the manu- facture of cigars, making needed additions to his plant and its equipment, and his factory now represents one of the principal industrial enterprises of Dallastown and of the county, employment being afforded to about two 111111- dred persons, so that the concern has no slight influence on the commercial precedence of the town in which it is located. Mr. Hose is a member of the directorate of the Drovers' & Mechanics' Bank, of York, of the York & Windsor Electric Light Co., and of the Farm- ers' Canning Co., of Red Lion, Pa .; and a stockholder in the Dallastown Water Co., the First National Bank, of Dallastown, and the First National Bank of Red Lion, while he also has other local interests which indicate to how marked a degree he has identified himself with the civic and industrial interests of his native county. He is essentially progressive and public-spirited, and in politics he is found stanchly aligned with the Republican party, while both he and his wife are valued mem- bers, respectively, of the Lutheran and United Brethren Churches in Dallastown.

On May 16, 1883, Mr. Hose married Miss Mary Adelaide Keesey, who was born, reared and educated in York county, daughter of Har- rison and Caroline (Minnich) Keesey, well- known residents of York township. To Mr.

PETER SIDLE is probably best known as the proprietor of the "Palace Hotel" in Dills- burg, York county, which has a reputation out of the ordinary among travelers, but among the people of the town he is not only recognized as an enterprising business man but also as an able and good citizen. The period of his residence there has been comparatively brief, but as he has been inevitably identified with public affairs and progress from the start he is hardly thought of as a newcomer.

Mr. Sidle was born in Cumberland county, Pa., May 7, 1847, son of Peter and Sarah (Pollinger) Sidle. His father was a veterin- ary surgeon of some renown, and was also much relied upon as a physician and surgeon in the treatment of human ailments. He spent hs life near Bowmansdale, in Cumberland county, and died there, and he and his wife are buried at Filer's Church. They had children as follows: Mary became the wife of W. A. Gardner, a business man of Harrisburg; Lati- more C. is deceased; Lizzie, deceased, was the wife of William McLaughlin; Peter is men- tioned below; Barbara Ann married Jacob Simonetti, a prosperous business man of Har- risburg; Susan is the wife of Peter G. Bap- tista, also a successful business man of Harris- burg.

Peter Sidle was reared as a farmer-boy in his native locality, and received his education in the country schools. When he was sixteen, in 1863, he engaged with his brother Latimore in the lime business, in which they continued until 1869, when Peter commenced butchering at Lisburn, Cumberland county. He remained in that line for ten years, at the end of that time embarking in the wholesale and retail provision business at Harrisburg. This ven- ture proved profitable, and he carried it on until he began the hotel business, in 1884. He has ever since given his principal attention to hotel-keeping. and his success is ample dem- onstration of his fitness for it. His first hos- telry was the "Farber House," at Baltimore, Md., which he kept for six years. In the fall

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of 1890 he changed his location, and assumed control of the "Carrolton Hotel" site, on Arch street, Philadelphia, where he himself re- mained two years. Then leaving that place in the care of his son, John, he fitted up and took charge of the "West Jersey Hotel," at Camden, N. J., which he ran for seven years, and which proved to be one of the most lucra- tive investments he ever made. During his stay in Camden he purchased the good will and fixtures of the "Grand Hotel," at Harris- burg, Pa., situated on Market street, and in 1899 he located in that city. In January, 1900, lie first became identified with Dillsburg, at that time purchasing the "Hotel Central," and installing his son William as proprietor. How- ever, he himself made a permanent location in Dillsburg the same year. bought the site and at once began the erection of his present mag- nificent hotel, known as the "Palace Hotel," located at the corner of Baltimore and York streets. The building is one of the best con- structed and best equipped in all York county, and no modern convenience that is a conven- ience has been forgotten. The hotel has been remarkably popular from the time it was opened, for the travelers who came to Dills- burg found that they could get the right sort of entertainment at the house of "Pete" Sidle. During his long experience in the busi- ness he has become widely acquainted, and, being by nature accommodating, courteous and genial, it is no wonder that he has made his mark in his chosen line. As a side issue Mr. Sidle for four seasons conducted the "Osborne Hotel." at Atlantic City, N. J., and he had the "Oceanic," at Barnegat City, N. J., three sea- sons.

Before he had resided in Dillsburg long enough to acquire a voting privilege Mr. Sidle was nominated and elected councilman. His reputation for progress and modern ideas had preceded him, and the citizens felt the need of the influence of such a man, in the council, which at that time was divided on the water question. The force of his personality was soon felt, and the fine water system now in operation in Dillsburg is in a large measure due to his influence. He has served altogether five years in the council, and has done much good work, proving his interest in the welfare of his adopted city in many ways.

has three sons, namely : John P., William H., and Charles O. John P. Sidle is the owner and proprietor of "The Grand" hotel, Nos. 314- 316 Market street, Harrisburg, and William H. is the proprietor of Sidle's cafe, No. 1415 North Third street, Harrisburg. Charles O. is interested with his father in the "Palace Ho- tel," of Dillsburg, Pa. All the sons are mar- ried, John P. Sidle having married Miss Nellie Kelly, of Philadelphia; William H. Sidle mar- ried Miss Pauline Freeland, of Dillsburg ; and Charles O. Sidle married Miss Nettie Snavley, of Steelton.

Mrs. Sidle is peculiarly adapted to the lio- tel business, and much credit is due to her for the splendid management of the "Palace." Mr. Sidle is a member of Columbus Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of Baltimore.

REV. WILLIAM JOHN GRISSINGER. After service in the ministry for thirty years, during which time his labors took him over a large extent of the country, made him ac- quainted with people of high and low degree and enabled him to do a vast amount of good, the Rev. W. J. Grissinger, in 1904, gave up his active church work, entering then into a mercantile business in York, which he con- tinued for eight months, and then returned to the ministry. Mr. Grissinger was born Jan. 16, 1844, in Huntingdon county, Pa., son of Samuel F. Grissinger.

John Grissinger, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born in Germany, and, in com- pany with his cousin Steven, came to America, the latter settling in Bucks county, Pa., while Mr. John Grissinger settled in Lewisberry, York county. Here John Grissinger followed farming and died at the ripe old age of ninety- eight years, being buried at St. John's ceme- tery, and having at the time of his death 382 descendants, viz .: fourteen children: 138 grandchildren; 242 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Adam Grissinger, the grandfather of our subject, was born at Lewisberry, where he re- ceived his education. He followed farming near that place until the age of fifty-six years, when his death occurred. His wife, Eva Fet- row, died at the age of ninety two years, in Fulton county, where she is buried. This couple were the parents of these children :

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 48

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