History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 54

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

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Until he was eleven years old Mr. Bentz at- tended the school known by his family name, and then went to work on the farm. At the age of nineteen years he enlisted in the army as a teamster and drove a Government team from 1862 until 1863. He then re-enlisted in Company E, 200th P. V. I., and participated in several severe engagements, notably Fort Steadman and Petersburg. He was mustere:1 out at Harrisburg in May, 1865, having a rec-

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ord of never being off duty in all this long parents of the following children: John and period. He had many adventures and on two 'occasions came very near sudden death, a bul- let once tearing his clothing from his right shoulder and another tearing away a part of his shoe.

After his return from the army the young man worked for his father and for neighbor- ing farmers for about five years, and then spent two years working at Deardorff's mill. After his marriage in 1872 he spent two years on a farm belonging to his father-in-law, and then rented other farms until 1891, when he bought his present property, which consists of 105 acres formerly belonging to Adam Minear. The land was good at the time of purchase, but Mr. Bentz has erected all the new buildings and made all the improvements. He continued to farm until 1903, and then retired from active labor.

Joseph, who died at Mt. Royal; Peter, who married Catherine Wiest, and died in Jackson township; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Jacob Krone, and died in Dover township; Mary, who died in Dover township, in 1896, wife of John Leathery; Catherine, who died in Dover borough, wife of Jacob Kahn; Lydia, who married David Snellbecker, and died in Dover township; Samuel; Jonas, who married Anna Kendig, and lives on Broad street, York; and George, who married Sarah Grove, and died in Washington township.

Samuel Spangler was born in 1820, in Warrington township, where he received a common-school education. He married Eliza Kling, and located in Dover township, where he followed farming until his death in 1892, while his wife, who was born in 1822, sur- vived until 1901, when she passed away, and In 1872 Mr. Bentz was married to Cath- erine Gentzler, daughter of John and Catherine (Speck) Gentzler. They were some of Wash- ington township's most prominent people. Their old homestead is now owned by C. C. Kimmel. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. they are both buried at Weigel's Church, Dover township. They were the parents of : Henry, who was killed in the second battle of Bull Run ; William, a retired farmer, who married Elizabeth Runkle, and died in York; Jacob, who married Mary Boyer, and lives on the Bentz were: Alice M., wife of J. C. Strayer, old home in Dover township; Sarah. the wife a member of the firm of Strayer Bros., in the feed business at York; Catherine J., wife of Curtis Bushey, a farmer of Warrington town- ship ; and John A., unmarried, who is inspector in the air brake department of the Pennsyl- vania Railroad, at Harrisburg. of Philip Crone of Mt. Royal; George K .; Samuel, Jr., who married Emma Rawhauser, and resides in Dover borough; Mary, wife of Emery Harlacker, of Mt. Royal: Jonas, who married Amelia Koch, and lives at Eberton, or West York borough; and Levi, who mar- ried Lizzie Rinehart, and resides at York, where he is in business with our subject.

Mr. Bentz votes independently, using his judgment as to the best man for the place, or the best measure for the public good. He served three years as school director, and was president of the board. For seven years he has been an elder of the Barrens Lutheran Church, of which he has been a deacon. He is a man of high standing in his community.

GEORGE K. SPANGLER, who is act- ively engaged in contracting and building in York, was born March 9, 1850, in Dover township, York county, son of Samuel and engaged in the contracting and building busi- Eliza (Kling) Spangler.

George K. Spangler attended the schools of Dover and Warrington townships, and learned the blacksmith's trade, which he fol- lowed for fourteen years. He then went to farming, in Warrington township, at which he continued two years, and then learned stone masonry. In 1888 Mr. Spangler located in York and built a home on North West street, later building his present home at No. 901 West Locust street. In 1892 Mr. Spangler ness, at which he has since prosperously con- tinued. Most of his work has been done in stone, but he also contracts for brick. Some of the buildings for which Mr. Spangler has contracted are: The large Monarch silk mills, the central school house and the Gar-

Jonas Spangler, grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in 1771, and followed farming in Warrington township, where he died in 1856. He was a soldier of the war of 1812-14, in which he served gallantly. Jonas Spangler married Sarah Slepp, and they became the field school house. In 1904 Mr. Spangler took

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his brother Levi, as a partner, the firm now be -. Switzerland, his native land, in 1734, and set- ing known as Spangler Bros., and is considered tled at what is now Hanover, York county, reliable and substantial in business circles of York. locating on a tract of 600 acres, much of which he cleared up and put in a state of excellent cultivation.

George Spangler has been twice married. On June 16, 1875, he married (first) Susan Ziegler, daughter of Henry Ziegler. She was

Philip Forney, son of John Adam and' great-grandfather of Samuel H., lived on the born Jan. 9, 1857, and her death occurred in old Forney farm near the site of the old "long her twenty-seventh year, May 26, 1883. To log house," which Michael Fisher remembered this union were born three children: Sarah as standing under the willow trees at the chain of springs in the "little meadow," on the site of the present spring house. The original stable stood on the rising ground to the west, where the present house stands. An old pear tree, traditionally said to have been brought from Germany, stood within the memory of living persons at the back porch of the log house. In the spring at the edge of the grove in the large meadow Indian mothers were said to have bathed their papooses. Here, a few rods to the west of the old house, Samuel For- ney built the colonial mansion. He is said to have been the last slave holder in York county, the last survivor of slavery having been "old Uncle Sam," who died in 1841. The small houses, all but one now gone, on the West- minster road just before it enters the Frederick road, were originally built as slave quarters.

Jane, born Feb. 15, 1876, married Warren Beitzel, a coach blacksmith of York; Eliza Ann, born May 20, 1878, married Washington Bender, stone mason; and Mary Ellen, born Feb. 27, 1882, married Curvin Dick, a ma- chinist of York. Mr. Spangler's second mar- riage was to Lovina March, daughter of Sam- uel and Susanna ( Rowland) March. . Samuel March in his younger days had been a school teacher, but later took up farming. He and his wife both died in Warrington township, leaving children: Samuel R., Jacob R., and William R. The children born to Mr. Spang- ler's second marriage were as follows: Mar- garet Louise, born June 28, 1887, is a stenog- rapher ; and Emma R., born Feb. 7, 1891, is attending school. In politics Mr. Spangler is a Democrat. He is a member of the Church of God, and was a member of the building committee. He has also served as elder, and is now treasurer. Miss Margaret Spangler, Mr. Spangler's daughter, is the organist of this church.

SAMUEL H. FORNEY. About few, if any, old mansions of York county cluster rich- er memories than those of the old Forney homestead, which joins the borough of Han- over. The present owner is Samuel H. Forney, a retired farmer, well and prominently known throughout this thriving community.

It was in 1795 that Samuel Forney, grand- father of Samuel H., constructed for himself and family a sightly Colonial mansion, the substantial character of which is attested by the fact that it is today in a state of excellent preservation. At the time of its erection it was one of the most stately residences of the county, and even then the locality had for gen- erations become by association dear to the For- ney family.

John Adam Forney, the original ancestor of the family in York county, migrated from

Samuel Forney, son of Philip, was born on the Forney farm April 23, 1762. He mar- ried Susanna Karle, daughter of George Adam Karle, and to them were born a large family of children. Samuel Forney was deprived of his sight by a nail striking his eye, March 21, 1832, surviving the misfortune twelve years.

Karle Forney, son of Samuel and father of Samuel H., was born on the old Forney farm in October, 1810. Here he was reared, here he lived through a long and prosperous life, and here he died in 1887. He engaged in farm- ing and stock raising on the old farm, and was a man esteemed for his many sterling virtues. In politics he was a Democrat, and was on var- ious occasions called by his fellow citizens to fill local public office. He married Mary Ann Hay, a native of York county, and the daugh- ter of John and Susan (Smyser) Hay, the former a fifer in the war of 1812. Karle Forney and wife were devout members of the Lutheran Church. Six children were born to them : Samuel H. ; William G., of Wyoming ; Susan, who married Andrew Delone, of Han- over ; John W., of Steubenville, Ohio; Robert

Samuel Hay Horney

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L., of Oakland, Cal .; and George F., of Mon- life. He operated on a farm of 115 acres in tana.

Samuel H. Forney was born on the old homestead March 28, 1839. He received his education in the public schools of Hanover, after which he assisted his father on the home farm. He has continued to reside on the farm all his life, first as the assistant of his father, and now as the sole owner. The farm con- sists of 131 acres of valuable land, immediate- ly adjoining the borough of Hanover, and a great portion of it is doubtless destined to be- come valuable building lots. The present build- ings on the farm include a substantial brick dwelling, and a large bank barn 50x100 feet, built by Karle Forney in 1863. The farm bears every evidence of thrift and prosperity. For about twenty years Mr. Forney has been extensively engaged in the dairy business, sup- plying his numerous customers in Hanover with the product of a carefully selected herd of cows. In 1893 he leased the premises and retired from the active management of the property. In politics Mr. Forney is a stanch Democrat.

In 1868 Mr. Forney married Mary C. Young, who was born in Adams county in 1845. daughter of Samuel P. and Margaret (Will) Young. To this union were born the following children : Mary M., wife of John H. Fleming, who succeeded his father, D. C. Fleming, in the management of the "Central Hotel." and upon his retirement from the same engaged in the buying and selling of cattle, and the management of his farm in Adams coun- ty: Laura, who married J. H. Mackleduff, a prominent lumber dealer in Hanover; and Elizabeth, at home. Mr. Forney and family are members of Emanuel Reformed Church. Mrs. Forney died Oct. 9, 1904, after a brief illness. She was a lover of home, and is deeply mourned by many friends who knew her warm womanly heart.

JACOB S. BENTZ. a farmer of Carroll township and ex-county commissioner of York county, was born April 28, 1836, in Warring- ton township, son of Jacob L. and Elizabeth (Slothour ) Bentz.

Jacob L. Bentz was born in Codorus town- ship. His education was obtained in the com- mon schools, after leaving which he took up farming, an occupation he continued all of his

Warrington township, and was considered to be well-to-do. By his first wife, Elizabeth Slothour, he had eleven children, as follows: John; Michael; Susan, deceased, wife of Henry Arnold; Mary, deceased, wife of John L. Wireman; Jacob S .; Lewis; Rebecca, who married Samuel Deardorff; David; Leah, who married Rudolph Saunders; Adam; and Fred- erick. Mrs. Bentz was a Lutheran in relig- ion, and died in that faith in 1851. being aged forty years. Mr. Bentz' second wife was Susan Hartman, who survived him. He died in 1873, aged seventy years.

Jacob S. Bentz attended the schools of Warrington township, and in his spare time as- sisted his father in the farm work. He mar- ried Caroline Spahr, daughter of William and Catherine (Wiley) Spahr. After marriage they located in Warrington township, where Mr. Bentz followed the carpenter's trade for about eleven years, afterward engaging in farming in that township. He continued to farm for nine years, and then spent two years. in Dover township. He came to Carroll town- ship in 1869, purchasing a farm of 107 acres from Henry Arnold. This is situated about one mile from Dillsburg, along the York road, and here he erected a new set of buildings, now having one of the finest farms in the county.

The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bentz: Oliver W., who is oper- ating the home farm, married Annie Frey- singer, daughter of Lewis Freysinger, and has one daughter, Ruth Emma, a lass of twelve years, who is attending school; William Henry, died when eleven months old; Calvin L., who married Lizzie Lau, died when thirty-one. years old; and Jacob C., died when five months old. Mr. Bentz is a Democrat, and has served his township as supervisor. school director and auditor for fifteen years. In the years 1881-2-3 he was elected county commissioner of York county, and he filled the office satisfactorily and efficiently. He is a Lutheran, and has held a deaconship in the Barrens Church. He is well known and highly esteemed throughout the county.

WEBSTER MILLARD was born July 29, 1843, in Fairview township, son of Jacob and Anna (Jones) Millard.

Samuel Millard, the great-grandfather of

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Benjamin Millard, one of the three sons of Samuel, received his share of the 300 acres which were divided among him and his broth- ers. Like his father, he followed farming all of his life and he was buried in the old ceme- tery near Lewisberry. He married a Miss Strominger, who is buried beside him. Be- sides Jacob, who is mentioned below, their children were: Rachael, who married Samuel Laird, died at Pinetown, Fairview township; Mary, who married Peter Crestley, died in In- diana ; Sarah, also died in Indiana; Rebecca is the widow of Jacob Urich, and is living in Fairview township; Catherine, who died in Washington, first married a Mr. Collins, and second a Mr. Walter; Samuel, who married Sarah Drawbough, died in Fairview town- ship; Michael, who married Martha Ort, is a blacksmith by trade, but followed lime burn- ing, and is now living retired at Steelton ; and Andrew, who married Sophia died at Middletown, Dauphin county.

Jacob Millard, the father of our subject, was born in 1811, on the old home in Fair- view township. where he received a common school education. He married Annie Jones, and located in Fairview township, buying the home farm, where he remained until his death, which occurred in June, 1876. His wife died in 1850, and they are both buried at Moore's Church in Fairview township. In politics Mr. Millard was a Republican. The children born to this worthy couple were as follows : An- drew B., born in 1838, married Mary Machlin, and died Oct. 26, 1903, aged sixty-five years, eight months and eighteen days; Mary Eliza- beth, born in 1839, is the widow of Isaac B.

died single; Webster; Rachel, who married Henry Dietz, is living at Myerstown, Lebanon county, and has one son living and three chil- dren dead.

Webster, came from England and settled in 21, 1825, and died Aug. 31, 1901. He served Fairview township, where he took up 300 in the Civil war as a corporal of Company I, acres of land, and followed farming up to the time of his death. 200th P. V. I. He married Belinda Snyder, born May 29, 1834, and the following children were born to this union : Michael, born March 29, 1852; Susan, born Jan. 8, 1854; Lydia A., born Aug. 31, 1855, Jacob S., born Feb. 14, 1859; Henry William, born Dec. 21, 1860; Rachel J., born April 24, 1863; John C., born March 28, 1865; Mary Ida, born May 2, 1867; George W., born July 6, 1869; Sarah Alice, born' June 28, 1871; Belinda E., born Nov. 22, 1875; and Emma May, born July 24, 1880. Mr. Ellicker followed farming for a time in Warrington township, but later re- moved to Miami Co., Ohio, near the town of Troy, where he died. Mrs. Ellicker, his widow is still residing there.

After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Millard lo- cated in Fairview township, and bought the George Traver farm of 109 acres of land, which was formerly one of the old Strominger farms. Mr. Millard has since been engaged in general farming and has been very successful in his operations. He and his family are very highly esteemed in the township. The chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Webster Millard are as follows: Sylvan E .; Tacy Elizabeth, who married Elmer H. Sutton, and is living at Pinetown, Fairview township; Calvin T .; and Ralph W. In politics Mr. Millard is a Re- publican, and has held the office of supervisor, also having served on the election board as in- spector.

JOHN B. BRENEMAN, a retired mer- chant of York, is descended on both sides from old families in Lancaster county, and is . allied with many others who have been identi- fied with that part of Pennsylvania for gener- ations. Mr. Breneman was born in East Willard, and is living at Newmarket, Fair- Donegal township, Aug. 9, 1827, son of John view township: Annie Sarah, born in 1840,, and Elizabeth (Musser) Breneman.

The maternal grandfather was Henry Musser, a prominent farmer in Pequea town- ship, Lancaster county, and was one of the early settlers there. His wife, Annie, bore

Webster Millard attended the township him three sons and two daughters: Elizabeth, schools until eighteen years of age, and re- Anna, Henry, Benjamin and John. Among the paternal grandfather's children were : Mrs. Gish; Joseph; Abraham; Michael, and John. mained at home with his father until his thir- tieth year. In 1873 he married Lydia Ann Ellicker, daughter of Henry and Belinda (Sny- der) Ellicker. Henry Ellicker was born Dec. John Breneman, father of John B., was

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born in East Donegal township, Lancaster lows: Annie, Mrs. Rogers N. Neighbor, of county, April 6, 1792. He was a farmer by Frederick City, Md .; Elizabeth, Mrs. George occupation and one of the representative men Longenecker, a resident of Philadelphia, at of that section. His death occurred Feb. 20, present traveling in California: Monroe, who 1868, at the age of seventy-five years, ten died in Frederick Co., Md., aged thirteen ; Mar- tha, Mrs. William B. Keller, of Mt. Air, Carroll Co., Md .; Rhoda, Mrs. Elmer E. Grove, of Maytown; Alice and Ella, twins, the former married to C. E. Ramsbaugh, of York, and the latter to H. B. Picking, of the same city; Myra, who married George Antran, an oper- ator for the Pennsylvania Railroad, residing at Atglen, Chester Co., Pa .; Harry, who died at the age of sixteen; Lottie, wife of H. B. Gochenauer, a merchant in Lancaster City, Pa .; Mary, wife of William H. Keller, super- intendent of a mine in Cambria county, Pa .; and Daniel, who married Miss Lucinda Par- mer, and who is a carpenter employed by the York Manufacturing Company. months and fourteen days, while his wife passed away aged sixty-eight years, six months and twenty-four days. They had a large family, as follows: Henry, deceased; a farmer in Jackson county, Kansas, who mar- ried (first) Miss Annie Gish, and (second) Miss Annie Nissley; Annie, Mrs. Christian Bosler, who died in Maytown, Lancaster county ; Benjamin, deceased, who married Miss Maria Cassel, now a resident of Reading, Pa .; Fannie, wife of John N. Graybill both of whom died in Dickinson county, Kans .; Eliza- beth, deceased, at Marietta, the wife of Hon. Henry M. Engle, who served in the State Leg- islature in 1871-72 ; David, who married (first) Miss Breneman, and (second) Miss Annie John B. Breneman has always shared actively in the various phases of life about him; his religious belief has led him to unite with the Church of God, and in it he has served both as elder and member of the building com- mittee when the present edifice was erected. In politics he is a Prohibitionist. In business matters he was always keen, alert and ener- getic, and won respect and esteem both for his ability and honorable methods. Graybill, and who died in McPherson, Kan- sas; Barbara, who married (first) Joseph Engle, and after his death Mr. Postlemore, now residing at Elizabethtown, Lancaster county ; John B .; Joseph, who married Miss Barbara Hersey, of McPherson, Kansas; Simeon, deceased in Sterling, Ill., who mar- ried (first) Mina Fletcher, and (second) Miss Rutt; and Mary, the widow of John Ha- maker, of Middletown, Dauphin county.

John B. Breneman was given the usual common school education, attending there un- til he was seventeen years old. He remained at home five years longer, and then went to work for Henry H. Engle. After his marriage in 1853, he located at Marietta until 1869, then moved to Frederick county, Md., and at the end of fifteen years returned to Pennsylvania. On April 1, 1895, Mr. Breneman located again in Lancaster county, but two years later came to York, built a handsome residence, and went into the grocery business. The enterprise was more than successful, but in 1903 Mr. Brene- man retired altogether from active life, and the business, after a year under the manage- ment of his son, Daniel, was sold out.

Mr. Breneman's wife was Miss Fannie Engle, to whom he was married in October, 1853. She was born in 1835. a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Graybill) Engle. Mrs. Breneman bore her husband children as fol-

JOSEPH HILDEBRAND, late of Spring- field township, was born April 15, 1819, and died Dec. 18, 1906, aged eighty-six years, eight months and three days, and is buried at St. Peter's Reformed Church.

Daniel Hildebrand, father of Joseph, was also a native of Springfield township, and a shoemaker by trdae. In his later life he gave up shoemaking, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He and his wife, who had been Mar- garet Fleiger, were both buried at St. Peter's Reformed Church, in Springfield township. Their children were : William, Mathias, Joseph, Caroline and Daniel, twins, and Mar- garet.

Joseph Hildebrand attended the township schools and learned the shoemaking trade. which he followed in connection with farming. Mr. Hildebrand was very well known in Springfield township, where he owned an ex- cellent farm of forty-four acres, which he pur-

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chased from John Goodling, and he himself owner of the York Gazette, and after dispos- erected all of the buildings. Mr. Hildebrand ing of his interest in this paper, he embarked was living a retired life for some years. He in the real estate and insurance business. In was in the best of health until the last six years 1887 he graduated from the Maryland Law School, and he was admitted to the Maryland and York county Bars, but never practiced the profession. Mr. Hiestand had, earlier in his career, attended the Normal Department of the York County Academy, his preceptors be- ing Profs. Kain, Gardiner and George R. Prowell. of his life and was noted for his remarkable memory. His death resulted from a stroke of apoplexy. He was a faithful member of St. Peter's Reformed Church, in which he always took an active part. In politics he was a Dem- ocrat, and was township treasurer and also served on the election board. Mr. Hildebrand married Lydia Goodling, daughter of Jacob On Dec. 8, 1897, Mr. Hiestand married Adaline G. Fallon, daughter of J. C. Fallon, a retired planing mill owner of York. Two children were born to this union, John Fal- lon and Frances Mary. In fraternal circles Mr. Hiestand is connected with the Masonic fraternity, and is also a member of the Odd Fellows, K. of M. C., K. of P., O. U. A. M., Y. M. D. Society, Spring Garden R. A. and of the Good Will Fire Company, having been a member of the latter for more than twenty years. Mr. Hiestand is a member of Trinity Reformed Church. In politics he is a Democrat, and takes great interest in the suc- cess of his party, although he is no politician. He has many stanch friends throughout the county. Goodling, and to this union were born : Jacob, who married Catherine Sheaffer, born Feb. 29, 1848, died Oct. 15, 1872, aged twenty-four years, seven months, twelve days; Eli G., married to Eliza Anstine, lives in Shrews- bury township; Malinda, the wife of Augustus Seitz, lives at Seven Valley. Mrs. Hildebrand died Sept. 28, 1858, aged thirty-one years, nine months, five days, and was buried at the Good- ling burial ground in Springfield township. Mr. Hildebrand married (second) Elizabeth Miller, daughter of Michael and Mary Ann (Warner) Miller, and to this union were born : Rebecca, born Sept. 28, 1862, is the wife of H. N. Stiles, of Springfield township: Daniel M., born Sept. 4. 1868, married Elsie M. Lau, daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Hamm) Lau, and has always remained at home, and is, at present, farming the old homestead.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 54

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