History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 52

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

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William E. Gochenauer, the youngest son, is also a graduate of the Millersville Nor- mal School. After teaching with success for some years in York he went to Philadelphia. where he is at present engaged extensively in the implement business. He married Bertha Hand.

GEORGE SNYDER. engaged in a car- riage making and blacksmith business, at Brogueville, Chanceford township, York Co ... Pa .. was born Oct. 5. 1855, at Baltimore, Md .. son of Jolin and Margaret Snyder.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

John Snyder was born in 1830, in Ger- been very successful, and he is reckoned with many, and there learned the tailor's trade. He the prosperous men of this community.

came to the United States a poor young man and found work at his trade in Baltimore, but later moved to York county, Pa., afterward settling in Chanceford township. Here he worked at his trade during the winter time, and as a farm hand in the summer time. He bought the sixty acre farm on which he still resides. In politics he is a Democrat, and has served as township collector. In religious faith he is a Lutheran. John Snyder was married in Baltimore to Margaret Gohn, born also in Germany, who came to the United States in young womanhood. She died in 1900, on the home farm, and was buried at St. James Church cemetery in Chanceford township. The children of John Snyder and wife were: George: John, who died young; Barbara, Mrs. Jesse Workinger, of Hopewell township; Liz- zie, Mrs. Oscar Bair, of Lower Chanceford township; Jane, Mrs. John D. Warner, of Chanceford township; Lewis, of Collinsville, who married Bertha Lloyd; Katy, Mrs. David Wilson, of Carlisle; and William, a farmer by occupation, who married Sadie House- holder.

George Snyder lived in the city of Balti- more until he was six years of age, when his father removed to Fawn township, York county, and there he began to attend school, entering the Fawn Grove school when he was but a little lad of six years, and he continued to attend the public schools until the age limit of twenty-one was reached, thus obtaining a very good education. His first work was un- dertaken when he was about nineteen years of age, as one of the laborers employed in the grading of the York & Peach Bottom railroad. He began work at High Rock, and ended when the gang had completed to Fenmore Station, receiving wages of $1.65 per day.

When he had reached his majority, he came to Brogueville and learned the trade of blacksmith, working one year with Daniel Uffleman, and the balance of the time with Frank Nicholas, formerly of Dallastown. Af- ter becoming proficient in his trade, Mr. Sny- der opened up his own establishment at Brogueville, a first class blacksmith and car- riage making shop, to which, since April, 1903, he has added cigar making. In all the enterprises he has undertaken Mr. Snyder has

In 1877, at Brogueville, George Snyder was united in marriage with Mary Catherine McDunn, a daughter of Frederick and Eliza- beth (Hastings) McDunn. They have these children : John F., a conductor on an electric road in Philadelphia; and Harry L. and Irv- ing R., both at home.

Mrs. Snyder is of Scotch extraction. Her grandfather was born in Scotland. Beyond the fact of his being a carpenter, the family have no record of where he settled in America nor where he died. It was most probably in Baltimore, for it was in that city that Mrs. Snyder's father was bound out, and subse- quently ran away from his employer. In those days it was possible for the employer of an apprenticed lad to use very harsh means to bring a runaway back, and this is probably the reason that the youth dropped his surname of McDunn and was known by his two names of Frederick Henry.

The boy made his way to Chanceford town- ship, York county, and was reared by William Colvin. Mr. Colvin was the proprietor of the "Jack Hotel," in Lower Chanceford township. and in young manhood, Mr. McDunn bought a small farm near Shenk's Ferry, on which he lived until his death, which occurred in De- cember, 1897; his wife had passed away in the previous August. Both were consistent members of the M. E. Church. They had these children : Charles, of Chanceford town- ship, who married Mary Jarvis; Mary Cath- erine, Mrs. Snyder; William, a farmer in Lan- caster county, who married Mary Levi W., a farmer of Chanceford township, who married Maggie Wallace; Martha, Mrs. John Kaler, of Columbia; George and Ed- ward, who both died young; Emma, Mrs. Lewis Ottstal, of near Columbia; Elias, of Lancaster county, who married Mary Ottsat ; Clementine, Mrs. David Kindig of Lancaster county ; Isabella, Mrs. Solomon Campbell, of Hellam township, York county; Susan, Mrs. George Ritz, of York county.

Mr. Snyder has always taken an intelligent interest in political affairs, voting with the Democratic party. By it he was advanced as a candidate for register of wills. Although not a member, he is a liberal contributor to the support of the Lutheran Church, in which he was reared by a devout mother.

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JOHN PLATT ALLEN is descended position with the Bethlehem Steel Company. from New England ancestry, who settled in New Haven, Conn., in 1638, his paternal pro- genitor, Roger Allen, having been the first treasurer of the Colony and deacon of the first church.

Mr. Allen was married ( second) in 1884, to Alice Foster Harris, daughter of William H. Harris, of Brooklyn, N. Y., who was a com- , mission merchant in New York City. Mr. Al- len belongs to the New England Society of the Mr. Allen's grandfather was a farmer of City of Brooklyn and to the Sons of the Revo- Meriden, Conn., while his father, Edward C. lution of New York. He is a graduate of the Allen, also carried on farming there.

Edward C. Allen married Jerusha T. Platt, daughter of John Platt, a farmer of Deep

River, Conn. Four children were born to them Hunter Association, holding annual banquets as follows: George W .; Caroline, wife of A. in New York City.

B. Jennings, of New York City; Edward L .; and John Platt.

John Platt Allen was born at Meriden, Conn., Nov. 13, 1850, and received his educa- tion in New York City, and in the Highland Military Academy, Worcester, Mass., gradu- ating from the latter in 1868. His first occu- pation was at civil engineering in Illinois, where he remained one year, and then went to Scranton, Pa., where his uncle was superin- tendent of the Lackawanna Iron & Coal Co. Col. Joseph H. Scranton, Mr. Allen's uncle's partner and brother-in-law, belonged to the family that gave the city its name. Leaving Scranton after two years service with the Lackawanna Iron & Coal Co., Mr. Allen went to St. Louis, where he remained four years, and then went to New York City, remaining there for twenty-five years in connection with an extensive wall paper manufacturing con- cern, Fr. Beak & Co., becoming assistant sup- erintendent and secretary. His next venture was in Worcester, Mass., where he established an industry known as the Allen-Higgins Co., manufacturers of fine wall papers, of which Mr. Allen was president. In June, 1903, Mr. Allen, after spending four years in this enter- prise, came to York, and took charge of a special fine goods department of the York Card and Wall Paper Co., where his business is to select the designs, color, and in a general way to superintend the manufacture of the high grade goods.

In 1877 Mr. Allen was married to Mary Frances Ramsey, daughter of John Ramsey of St. Louis. She died in 1882. Two children were born to this union : Edith K., wife of M. B. Thayer, of New York City, president of the Colonial Press, which is a branch of Ap- pleton & Co .; and Francis R., a graduate of Cornell University, who holds a responsible

Old school, No. 35, New York City, the grad- uates of this school between the years of 1865 and 1870 have formed a society known as the

Mr. Allen is descended from four Revolu- tionary ancestors, one of whom, Archelaus Allen, was in the battle of Lexington ; another, Asahel Hall, was at Germantown, Valley Forge, Brandywine and Trenton. Capt. Dan- iel Platt was at Stony Point, and another an- cestor, Captain Merriman, belonged to the Connecticut Fourth throughout the Revolu- tion.

AMOS PEIFFER, one of the prominent citizens and successful farmers of York county, passed away at the age of sixty-one years. He was born in North Codorus township, where he was reared and received a common school edu- cation. His life was spent in agricultural pur- suits. . He was a Democrat in politics.

Amos Peiffer married Anna Maria Krebs, widow of Peter Krebs, who was born in Codo- rus township, the representative of an old fam- ily. He also was a farmer, and also died at the age of sixty-one years. The children born to Mrs. Peiffer and her husband were as follows : Sarah, wife of Ephraim Glatfelter, of Codorus township; Julia, wife of John Newcomer, and living on the home place in North Codorus township; Clara E., who married Howard Henry, in the mercantile business at Seven Valley ; Calvin, deceased; and Arneda, de- ceased.

The parents of Mrs. Peiffer were John and Eva (Krout) Miller, residents of Springfield township, where they both died, being buried at Jefferson. Their children were: Elizabeth. Sallie, Michael, John, Emanuel, Levi, Anna, David and Katie. Mrs. Peiffer, who is a most estimable lady, is making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Henry, in Seven Valley.

HENRY M. JOSEPH, a contractor and builder of York, who has been engaged in this business in York since 1900, was born Sept.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

16, 1864, in West Manchester township, on later forming a partnership with him for six Daniel Hoke's farm, near York, son of Henry and Lydia (Sellers) Joseph.

Henry Joseph, grandfather of Henry M., was a farmer of Paradise township, who re- moved to West Manchester township, and fol- lowed farming. later removing to near Berlin, where he died. He married into the Leib fam- ily. and became the father of these children: John, who died in Jackson township; Jonas, in business at New Salem, York county ; Michael, a retired farmer, living at Red Run Church ; Catherine, the wife of Jesse Masemore, living in Washington township; Elizabeth, who died near Spring Grove, wife of Jesse Stambaugh; Sarah, the wife of Abraham Gensler, in West Manchester township: Matilda, widow of Peter Spangler, living at Bear's Station, in West Manchester township; and Henry.

Henry Joseph (2), son of Henry, was born in 1827 in Jackson township, and received both a German and an English education. He re- mained with his father at farming for a while, and first started on his own account, with Dan- iel Hoke, with whom he remained for forty- five years, being one of West Manchester township's good, reliable, practical farmers. He retired to New Salem, where he now re- sides. He married Lydia Sellers, daughter of Henry and Mary ( Walters) Sellers, and the children born to this union were as follows : John A., who married Ellen Slagel, and lives at Stoverstown. York county ; Hamilton F., who married Maggie Gladfelter, and lives on the old Gladfelter farm in New Salem ; Emma, who died at the age of two years; Henry M .; Katie, wife of J. B. Fissel, of Eberton; Mary, wife of William Christ, of New Salem; Allen M., who married Arabella Brenneman; Ma- tilda, wife of Luther Doll, of Codorus town- ship; Juble, who married Mollie Christ, a school teacher at New Salem; and Amanda, the wife of George Brenneman.

Henry M. Joseph attended Hoke's school in West Manchester township until the age of eighteen years, and remained at home on the farm with his father until twenty-six years old. On Oct. 23. 1890, he married Sarah E. Lecrone, daughter of William and Leah (Shriver) Lecrone, and located where he now resides, at No. 758 West Market street, York, in the old Lecrone home, which he rebuilt. He then engaged in carpentering with Daniel Loyd, and remained with him three years,

months, when he engaged with Becker & Senft. In 1900 he engaged in business in York, and has become very successful in his line, the en- gine house in North York borough being some of Mr. Joseph's work.

To Mr. and Mrs. Joseph these children have been born: Harry A .; Lotta May and Reba Louise, attending school. In politics Mr. Jo- seph is a Democrat. He is a member of St. Matthew's Church of York. He is a member of the F. O. E .; of the Volunteer Fire Com- pany, Vigilant Steam Chemical Fire Engine Co., No. I, of York.

MCCLELLAN SWARTZ is one of the well known citizens of Spring Grove, York county, where he is engaged in contracting and also owns a livery and sales stable. He was born Nov. 9, 1864, son of Dietrich and Anna ( Hoke) Swartz.

The paternal grandparents were Henry and Catherine (Minnich) Swartz, the former of whom was one of the representative farmers of York county. Besides carrying on farming in Jackson township he was engaged in car- penter work in Codorus township, where he made his home for a number of years. His last years, however, were devoted to agricul- ture only. He and his wife had five children, Henry ( deceased), Jesse, Harriet, Dietrich and Isaac. The family were Lutherans in religious faith.

Dietrich Swartz was born in Codorus town- ship, but later moved to Jackson, and engaged in farming there until 1882. He then removed to Richmond, Va., and was actively engaged in farming there for some years, but is now living in retirement. At one time he owned nearly all the land on which Spring Grove is situated, and was then considered one of York county's most prominent men. He married Miss Anna Hoke, and the children born to this union were: Kate, Samuel, Harriet, Jesse, McClellan, David, George, Dietrich, Annie and Henry.

McClellan Swartz was born during his father's residence in York county, and was sent to the public schools there. £ When Dietrich Swartz moved to Virginia, the son accompanied him, but after two years returned to Pennsyl- vania and rented a farm in Paradise township. For two years he operated that, then moved to Jackson township, renting the Menges farm

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for two years, spent the following three years of good farming land and thirty acres of wood- in Adams county and then returned to Spring land. He married Anna C. Frazer, daughter of Peter Frazer, and they had issue as follows : Adeline, wife of Jacob T. Castlow, of Codorus township; Jesse, who died aged two years; Jacob F .; Lewis F., who married Leah Cast- low; George F., who married Belinda Kerch- ner ; William F., who married Catherine Mc- Cleary ; Annie C., widow of Levi T. Krebs, who died in 1895 ; and John F., who farms for his father, and who married Ida Fair. Grove. For the first three years lie was en- gaged in dairying and farming, but in 1897 he went into the livery business, which still occu- pies his attention. In addition to this he acts as agent for the popular Anderson buggy, and he is also engaged to a considerable extent in taking contracts for excavating and stone work. He is enterprising and progressive, and a good workman and business man, and handles all his interests with much success.

In February, 1887, Mr. Swartz was united in marriage to Miss Mary Myers, daughter of Michael Myers, and to their union have come two children, Maud M. and Annie A. Mr. and Mrs. Swartz are Lutherans and in politics he is a Democrat.

JACOB F. KREBS, a retired farmer of Codorus township, was born Jan. 12, 1854, in the township where he now resides, son of Lewis and Annie C. (Frazer) Krebs.

George Krebs, great-grandfather of Jacob F., is the first of the family of whom we have authentic record. He was most probably born in Germany and came at a very early day to Codorus township, York county, where he sub- sequently owned 200 acres of land. He lived to be eighty-eight years old, and the remains of himself and wife were among the first to be interred in the graveyard belonging to the Stone Church. He married Catherine Nosh- ley, and they had issue as follows: Elizabeth, John, Lewis, Catherine, George, David, Sam- uel and Rebecca.

John Krebs, son of George, was born in 1791 in Codorus township, where he was a life- beck. They have no children. He is a consist- long farmer, owning 300 acres of land. For ent member of the Lutheran Church, in which he was a deacon, and he is much interested at all times in the work of the Sunday-school. His wife belongs to the Reformed Church. some five years prior to his death; at the age of eighty-one years, eleven months and eleven days, he lived retired. His wife died at about the same age, and both are buried at the Stone Church. He married Magdalena Bortner Krebs, widow of Lewis Krebs, by whom she had two children: Lydia, who married Levi Thoman, and died; and John. The children born to her marriage with John Krebs were: Magdalena (who became the second wife of Levi Thoman), Jeremiah, Lewis, Adam, Eliza- beth, Catherine, George and Jesse.

Lewis Krebs, father of our subject, was born Dec. 6, 1825. He now lives retired on a part of the old homestead, and owns 117 acres

Jacob F. Krebs was educated in what was then known as the Rohrbaugh school, but is now called the Krebs school, and he continued at his books until he was nineteen years old. He remained on the farm assisting his father until his majority, when he entered the employ of his brother-in-law, S. B. Brodbeck at farm- ing and hauling goods for the store, there now being a post-office at this point named for the proprietor. He remained there two years, com- ing to his present farm in 1880, a property formerly belonging to his father-in-law. Mr. Krebs is the fortunate owner of 272 acres of some of the best farming land in York county. and he has it thus divided : two tracts of eighty acres each, one of eighty-eight, one of twenty, and one of four acres of woodland. He has also one of the finest modern residences in this section of the county, a home that would do credit to any section. Mr. Krebs continued to farm until 1900, when he laid aside active labor, and has lived retired, with the exception of looking after the sales of a certain ex- cellent fertilizer.

Mr. Krebs married Elizabeth Brodbeck, daughter of George and Leah ( Bossert) Brod-

In politics Mr. Krebs has always been a Democrat. He has served on the elec- tion board, and has been active in party affairs. For a period of fourteen years he has been treasurer of the Codorus & Manheim Fire Insurance Company, one of the strongest lines in the State, which has a number of leading capitalists on its directing board. Its officers are: Jesse K. Wentz, of Hanover, president: A. T. Grove, of Stewartstown, vice president; W. H. Brod- beck, of Jefferson, secretary; and Jacob F.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Krebs of Codorus township, treasurer. Mr. Krebs is one of the popular men in the town- ship, possessing a genial, pleasant manner, and a kindly nature which leads him to be a good neighbor and a firm friend.

AARON HOSTETTER, president of the Hanover Produce Company, Hanover, Pa., and postmaster at that city, is one of the ener- getic and able business men of that prosperous little community who have given prestige and growth to the locality by their strong individ- ual efforts. He was born in Union township, Adams county, this State, May 25, 1866, son of Abraham F. and Mary ( Huber) Hostetter. The father was for many years a prosperous farmer and merchant, widely and favorably known throughout his own and neighboring counties. He married Mary Huber, of Wrights- ville, York county, and to them was born a family of eight children. Abraham Hostetter died on his farm in Union township, Adams county, in 1867.

Aaron Hostetter was educated in the com- mon schools of Adams county, and the know- ledge he there obtained was supplemented by a course of instruction at a private academy at Blairstown, N. J. His tastes were for com- mercial life, and after leaving school he entered the service of E. H. Hostetter & Brother, dry- goods merchants in Hanover, with whom he remained for six years. Later he engaged in the produce business for himself, and in 1900 was the principal organizer of the Hanover Produce Company, which was incorporated with a capital stock of $40,000. Mr. Hostet- ter was elected president, an executive position which he has since filled. The company does a large and prosperous business, marketing its produce in Buffalo, N. Y., Washington, D. C., and various other centers. The company has offices at Chambersburg, Pa., Table Rock, Adams Co., Pa., Hillen Station, Baltimore, Md., and several others. Mr. Hostetter has traveled extensively and he has acquired a val- uable fund of information in connection with his business, being fully advised as to the most advanced and favored methods employed in this important branch of trade. To that self- acquired business education he unites the energy of a young man and that companion- ableness which makes and holds friends, and is thus equipped with the essentials of an ac- tive and successful business career.

Mr. Hostetter was married, June 19, 1890, to Miss Wortha Koplin, of Hellertown, daugh- ter of Rev. Dr. A. B. and Mary (Custer) Koplin. To Mr. and Mrs. Hostetter have been born two children, Harriet L. and Abraham Koplin, both students in the public schools of Hanover. Mr. and Mrs. Hostetter are mem- bers of Emanuel Reformed Church. Fratern- ally he belongs to Patmos Lodge, No. 338, F. & A. M., of Hanover ; and to the B. P. O. E. In his political faith he is unwavering, giving his allegiance to the Republican party, and in 1904-05 he was a member of the Pennsylvania State Legislature. In April, 1905, he was ap- pointed postmaster by President Theodore Roosevelt.

ISAAC L. HESS, who passed away in York, April 19, 1886, was for many years identified with the business interests of that city. He was born in Springfield township, May 8, 1826.

Daniel Hess, father of Isaac L., was born in Springfield township, May 8, 1800, and fol- lowed farming and carpentering. He married Catherine Leader, and both died in Springfield township.

Isaac L. Hess was reared on his father's farm, where he remained until he grew to man- hood. He learned the carpenter's trade with his father, also the cooper's trade, and followed both, off and on, throughout his life. He was married, Dec. 8, 1850, to Miss Melvina Liv- ingston, born in Springfield township in 1831, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Raymer) Livingston. Mr. Hess was interred at Salem Church. He was a member of the Reformed Church, while in political matters he associated with the Democratic party! To Mr. and Mrs. Isaac L. Hess were born the following chil- dren : William H., who died in York in 1903, married Elizabeth Spiker; John P., who died in Shelby, Ohio, in 1904, married a Miss Greg- ory ; Cornelius died at the age of ten years; Eliza C. is Mrs. Joseph K. Germon, of York; Charles, of York, married Sallie Freed; Isaac D., of York, married Emma Gentzler; and Al- bert W., of York, married Maggie Dessen- berg.

George Livingston, the father of Mrs. Hess, followed farming extensively in York town- ship, where he owned two large tracts of land. He was well known and highly esteemed and was a good citizen and public spirited man.

Aaron Hos teller

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He died in York in the faith of the Lutheran Church. His wife died in her sixties, and both were buried at the Lutheran Church at Paradise. Their children were: Mrs. Hess; Eliza, Mrs. Peter Fishel, who died in York county ; and John, who married Sarah Haines, and died on the old home farm. Mrs. Mel- vina (Livingston) Hess was born on her father's farm Nov. 23, 1831, and attended the public schools until fifteen or sixteen years old. She learned to knit, and she helped to make linen for towels, bed linen and table cloths.

GEORGE ANDERSON, whose death at the age of seventy-six years removed one of the best known educators of this section of the State, was a man of great force of character, and was noted for the traits of thrift. perse- verance and energy that were bequeathed him by his ancestors. Mr. Anderson was born about 1775, son of David and Margaret ( Hepburn) Anderson. His grandfather and grandmother came from Ireland and Scotland, respectively. David Anderson was born in Hopewell township, and died during the Revolutionary war. His children were: James ; George; and Robert, who went West.

George Anderson received his education in the schools of York county, and at an early age he began teaching, which occupation he fol- lowed up to the time of his death. He married Miss Jennie Grove (sister of Matthew Grove), by whom he had one child, George, who died in York county. Mr. Anderson continued teaching, and lived in the vicinity of Conrad's cross roads, toward Peach Bottom, on the farm now occupied by John Campbell. Mr. Ander- son spent some time in Columbiana Co., Ohio, where relatives lived, and taught in the sub- scription schools. Mr. Anderson returned to York county, and bought forty acres of land at Laurel Station, near Peach Bottom road, where he died. Mr. Anderson was buried at Downey's graveyard in Chanceford township.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 52

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