History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 57

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

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ty. He taught school for two consecutive terms in Mount Pleasant township, Adams county, after which he became an apprentice to and learned the art of printing in the office of the Gettysburg Compiler, where he remained three years, and was then employed on the Congressional Globe, Washington, D. C., two years. He next engaged in the life insurance business, first representing the Massachusetts Mutual, of Springfield, Mass. On May 10, 1876, Mr. Eckenrode was appointed agent for Schuylkill county, Pa., for the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, of Philadelphia, with office at Pottsville, and he has been connected with that company ever since. In 1882 he was transferred to the York agency, and later be- came general agent for York and Adams conn- ties.

Mr. Eckenrode was married June 5, 1882, to Catherine Elizabeth Klunk, youngest dangh- ter of ex-sheriff Jacob Klunk, of Adams county, and six children have been born to this union : David Martin, a graduate of the York High school, and now at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; Mary Gene- vieve, who graduated at St. Joseph's Academy at Emmitsburg, Md., in June, 1905; Pauline and Marguerite, now at school in same in- stitution ; William Hamilton, in the York high school, class of 1908; and Catherine Esther, also at school.

SAMUEL JOHN BARNETT was born in Peach Bottom township, York County, Pa., Jan. 5, 1846, son of John and Catharine A. (Hess) Barnett, who came from Lancaster county, Pa., in 1838. His mother was a wo- man of great vigor and business activity, of German descent, with an admixture of Irish blood. His paternal grandfather was John K. Barnett, who lived near Fairfield, Lancaster county ; his great-grandfather was Mark Bar- nett, who moved from Upper Harford county, Md., to Belmont county, Ohio, about 1805, and who is said to have lived to the age of 110 years. The nationality of the Barnett ances- "try is involved in some obscurity, though the original members in this country probably emi- grated at an early period from England or the north of Ireland. The family name appears to be derived from the Roman title "baronettis," .

Norman French "baronette," English "baro- net," from which comes the English-Irish name Barnet, Barnett, or Barnettc.

Samuel J. Barnett was the fourth son of his parents. His elder brothers were Martin Sylvester, of Cuba, Mo., where he is president of the People's Bank; David Alva, who lost his life in defense of his country in the war of the Rebellion while color-sergeant of the 99th Pa. V. I .; and William James, a retired farmer and canner of Delta, Pa.

Samuel J. - Barnett was born and reared on a farm and trained to agricultural pursuits. His father died when he was six years old, and his education was entrusted to his mother, who struggled hard to give her five children as good an education as the public and private schools of the community would afford. He was fond of reading, an apt student, and early developed a talent for mathematics, distancing most of his teachers in that line. Later, how- ever, his tastes led him more into philosophical and metaphysical subjects. Early in the year 1866 he spent a few weeks at the Millersville State Normal School, where he almost imme- diately gained recognition as an original thinker and strong debater. His attendance at this school was broken by terms of teaching to raise funds. In 1869 he graduated in the ele- mentary course, and after further teaching and study finished the scientific course in 1874. With the exception of a few intervals, he fol- lowed the vocation of teacher from 1864 to 1884, most of the time in the public and private schools of his native township. In 1869, after finishing the elementary course at Millersville, he became principal of the public schools at Shamokin, Pa., and organized the high school of that town. In 1874-75 he filled a similar position in Lehighton, Pa. As a teacher he was enthusiastic and thorough, and as a dis- ciplinarian very successful. During the years : of his teaching he usually gave a few months each year to farming. In 1865 he went to Cincinnati, where he was engaged for a time clerking for the National Publishing Company. In 1872 also he served as clerk to the Presby- terian Board of Education, Philadelphia. In 1880 he purchased the Delta Herald, after the paper had had a precarious existence of eight- teen months. Under his care it has become not only a success as a business venture; but a power for good which is widely felt, the paper taking high rank with the oldest papers in the county. In 1884 he gave up teaching and de- voted himself to the editorial and business management of his paper.

Mr. Barnett has been twice married; on

Sf. Barnet

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Sept. 14, 1869, he wedded Martha McCurdy, He, too, was a farmer all his life, and he be- of Peach Bottom, and on Sept. 27, 1883, came by purchase the owner of the family homestead, whither he brought his first wife, Miss Mary Backenstow, Jan. 16, 1838. By her he had two children, Miles C. and Elias, who died in childhood and is buried at Trindle- spring. Mrs. Mary Coover passed away June 12, 1841, and on May 26, 1844, her husband was married to Miss Catherine Ginrich. The children born to them were: Edwin, who was run over by a heavy wagon and killed, July 4, 1859; Samuel, who died in Kansas City, Mo., and is buried in Chestnut Hill ; and Lizzie who married John Seifert, a resident of Me- chanicsburg, now of Chicago, and had one son, Ralph, now deceased. George V. Coover was called from this world, Feb. 27, 1868, and is buried at Trindlespring church, Cumberland county. Fannie K. Vogt, of York. In life, character and business, Samuel J. Barnett is upright and' very conscientious. He has been a warm ad- vocate of temperance, and an active worker in church and Sunday-school. In his youth he united with the Slateville Presbyterian Church, with which he is still connected, and has for nearly twenty years filled the position of Sun- day-school superintendent. In 1906 he was elected and installed a ruling elder in the church. In politics he has been a Republican. Three times he ran as a candidate for county superintendent in York county, but though acknowledged to stand head and shoulders above any other candidate, the strong political sentiment which was brought to bear against him caused his defeat. Mr. Barnett now lives in Delta, where he continues to edit and pub- lish the Herald and Times, having bought the Delta Times in 1893, and combined it with the Herald. He is past master of Esdraelon Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and past grand com- mander of the Knights of Malta, and a mem- ber of the Supreme body of that Order.

Mr. Barnett takes an active interest in all that pertains to the progress and business de- velopment of his town and community, and in the moral, educational and material welfare of the people. Among the enterprises he has assisted in establishing are the Delta Electric Light Co., 1890-1891, of which he is president, and the Delta Electric Power Co. in 1896. His son David Alva, is taking an electric course at the Pennsylvania State College, a member of the class of 1907.

MILES C. COOVER, of Warrington township, York county, was born in Cumber- land county, Silver Spring township, Nov. 24, 1838, son of George V. and Mary (Backen- stow) Coover.

Henry Coover, the paternal grandfather, was the first of the name to settle in Silver Spring township, and there he owned one of the finest farms in the region, to which he gave his entire attention throughout his life. He married a Miss Catharine Stave, and they had three children, Henry, Catharine and George V.

Miles C. Coover as a boy attended the township schools, and later took a commercial course at a school in Carlisle, but on reaching manhood he concluded to continue the family traditions and chose a farmer's life. He mar- ried Miss Katie A. Mishler, daughter of Isaac and Mary Ann ( Brandt) Mishler, and for five years the young couple lived on the Trindle- spring farm. Then followed a period of six years during which Mr. Coover lived retired from an active life, in Mechanicsburg, but at the end of that time he moved to Warrington township, and in 1880 bought the Joseph Wright farm, and returned to his former oc- cupation. The place consists of 104 acres, much of it in timber, which Mr. Coover is clearing away. He operates a saw-mill on his farm, as well as carrying on general farming, and is very successful along both lines. Since buying the property, he has built a fine house on the place for his residence.

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Coover includ- ed eight children, namely: Iva M., a gradu- ate of the Shippensburg Normal School, now teaching at New Cumberland; Myrtle B., who has taught but is now at home; Clara, at Me- chanicsburg ; Ada, who has taught but is now at home ; George V., and Ralph,at home : Nellie and Ethel, attending school. Mr. Coover is well known in the township, and a man much respected. In politics he is a Republican.

George V. Coover, the father of Miles C., REUBEN P. STROMINGER, descended was born in Trindlespring, Cumberland coun- on both sides from families long identified with ty, on the place known as the Mansion Farm. York county, was born in Newberry township,

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Oct. 8, 1838, son of Michael and Catherine to Goldsboro, where he still resides. Up to · ( Peterman ) Strominger.

Michael Strominger was born in 1799 on his father's farm in Fairview township, and was one of a large family, the other members being as follows: John, who died in Fair- view township; Henry and Jacob, who both? died in Newberry township; Rebecca, who married Henry Drawbaugh; Sarah, Mrs. John Millard, who died in Fairview township; and Catherine, who lived and died in the same locality, the wife of G. M. Travers. Michael Strominger located in Newberry township, and in time bought the old Jones farm of about 200 acres, his death occurring in Goldsboro, Sept. 23, 1873, when he was aged seventy-four years, four months and eighteen days. On Jan. 5, 1826, he married Catherine ( Peter- man) Strominger, who died Dec. 14, 1887, aged seventy-nine years, nine months and twelve days. Both are buried in Paddletown cemetery, Newberry township. Mrs. Strom- inger belonged to one of the very oldest famil- ies in the county. The children born to this union were: Susanna, born in Goldsboro, York county, the wife of Israel Jessup; An- drew, who married (first) Miss Elizabeth Murray, and (second) a Miss Johnson, and who was killed in 1870 in descending a shaft in a gold mine at Virginia City, Nevada ; Jacob, who married Miss Sarah Beard, and died in Fairview township; John and Barbara, who both died young, the latter in Goldsboro; Reuben P .; Mary Catherine, who married John W. Micklin, and died in Harrisburg ; and Elmira J., who died young.

1900 he was engaged in bridge building, and as a linesman on the railroad, but in that year his health failed him so that he was obliged to give up work, and he has ever since been an invalid. Mr. Strominger has always been an ardent Republican, active in the service of his party, and has held a number of official posi- tions. He was justice of the peace at Golds- boro for twenty-one years, at various times filled all the offices on the election board, was secretary of the board of health and one of the school directors of the borough. He also held the office of constable for ten years.

On Dec. 9. 1866, Mr. . Strominger was married to Miss Elizabeth A. Millard, daugh- ter of Robert and Anna Barbara (Hale) Mil- lard. Mr. Millard was a successful farmer in Fairview township, whose death occurred in 1888, three years after that of his wife. Both are buried in St. John's cemetery at Lewis- berry. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Strominger were two, a son and daughter, viz. : Franklin, who died in infancy ; and Jennie E., wife of H. O. Holdenstine, of Harrisburg.

CHARLES A. STRACK bears a name which has been identified with the annals of York county for more than threescore years, while he has here passed his entire life. He is engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in York, being practically the suc- cessor of his honored father in this enterprise.

Mr. Strack was born in York, March 4, 1843, third in the order of birth in a family of five children, of whom two sons and two daughters are living.

Reuben P. Strominger attended the town- ship schools till he was twenty-one, mean- Charles A. Strack, father of our subject, was born in the kingdom of Saxony, Germany, in 1810, and while he was a young man his parents emigrated, in 1838, to America, set- tling in Baltimore, Md., where they remained until the following year, when they came to York county, where Charles A., Sr., passed the remainder of his life, his death occurring in York City in 1855. The father of our sub- ject accompanied his parents to the New World, and became one of the early furniture dealers in York, where he continued in busi- ness for many years. up to the time of his death. He was a man of lofty integrity of while helping his father on the farm. He learned the carpenter's trade which he followed for two years and then took up cigar making. under John B. Wolf, but had not been engaged thus long when he enlisted for service in the Civil war, April 25, 1861, in Company F, 16th P. V. I., under Col. T. A. Zeigler and Capt. Myers, of Hanover. He served until July 27, when he was discharged. In 1863 he re-en- listed, this time in Company K. 143d P. V. I., and was in all the engagements with his regi- ment, besides doing much guard duty. He was mustered out on June 12. 1865. From that time till the spring of 1869 Mr. Strominger character, held the respect of all with whom he followed farming, but at that period he moved came in contact and

was an influential

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citizen and business man of York. He was a grandson of Peter and Elizabeth ( Baker) Democrat in his political proclivities, and both Senft. he and his wife were consistent and devout members of the German Reformed church, now known as the Reformed Church in Amer- ica, having been numbered among the repre- sentative early members of what is now Trin- ity Reformed. Caroline (Funk) Strack, mother of our subject, was born in Germany, in 1806, and she passed the closing years of her gracious and useful life in York, being summoned into eternal rest in 1892.

Charles A. Strack, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared to manhood in York, where his educational advantages were those afforded in the public schools, which he attended at intervals until he had attained the age of twelve years. He entered upon an ap- prenticeship to the trade of cabinetmaking, un- der the direction of his older brother, and he devoted his attention to practical work in this line for a period of five years, after which he became general manager of the furniture and undertaking business established by his father. In 1878 he purchased his mother's interest in the business, and has since continued the enter- prise individually, while he has added in no small degree to the prestige gained by his father in connection with this line of industry. His store is located at Nos. 158 and 160 South George street, and is modern in its equipment in all departments, while the trade controlled is of representative character.

Mr. Strack is a public-spirited and pro- gressive citizen, and has ever shown a loyal interest in his home town and county. He has served as a member of the board of education of the borough, and is identified with numer- ous fraternal and social organizations. He is a stanch Democrat in his political allegiance, while both he and his wife are valued mem- bers of Trinity Reformed Church.

On May 1, 1865, Mr. Strack was united in youth of sixteen years shown more manly

marriage to Miss Mary M. Heckert, who, like himself, is a native of York, and they have six children, Caroline S., Emma J., Charles P., Rebecca B., Samuel H. and F. Margaret.

The Senft family is descended from Ger- man ancestry, and Peter Senft, the grand- father, was reared to agricultural pursuits on a small farm in Codorus township, where he spent his whole life. He and his wife were the parents of the following children: John, Peter, Jacob, Abraham, Jason, Henry, Conrad, Joseph,‘ Catherine, Savannah, and Sallie. Re- ligiously the family were members of the Lit- theran Church. Mr. Senft was a Democrat in politics. His death occurred at the age of eighty-one years, and his wife passed her sev- entieth year.

Joseph Senft, the father of Cornelius, spent his whole life in Codorus township. At an early age he learned the tailor's trade, which he followed many years before finally taking up farming on the old Senft estate, where his last days were spent. He died in 1872, aged fifty years. Mrs. Senft died in 1854. at the age of twenty-seven years when our subject was but a child. This couple had three chil- dren, Cornelius; Catherine, who married Mar- tin Reber, of Codorus township; and Sophia, who married John Brillhart, of Manheim township. In religious belief, the family were Lutherans. Joseph Senft was a Republican in politics, but never accepted office.

Cornelius Senft remained at home until he attained the age of sixteen years. On Dec. 27, 1864, he enlisted in Company F, 67th P. V. I., Second Brigade, Third Division, Sixth Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, Capt. Martin K. Flick commanding. At Burke- ville Station, Va., near Petersburg, Mr. Senft was wounded, but later took part in many hotly contested battles and much skirmishing. At the close of the war he received his honor- able discharge, and has a record on which he can look with pride. Seldom, indeed, has a

bravery in the face of danger. or has been more honorably mentioned for fidelity to duty.

After his return to Jackson township. Mr. Senft learned the trade of blacksmith from CORNELIUS SENFT is successfully conducting a lucrative business at Menges Mill, Jackson township, in the line of general black- smithing. Mr. Senft was born Dec. 27, 1849, George Mummert, of Nashville, and has fol- lowed that trade since that time. Mr. Senft came to this locality in 1868, and since his coming has been very successful in his busi- ness. In 1868 he married Mary Lease. daugli- son of Joseph and Susan ( Neff) Senft, and ter of William Lease, and thirteen children

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

have been born to this union : Jane, William, also taught many years in the Sunday-school. Charles, Joseph, Catherine, Ella, Albert, John, Annie, Margaret and Mary, and two who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Senft both at- tend the Lutheran Church." Mr. Senft is a stanchi Republican, and is influential in town- ship matters, and has served on the election board.

ADAM D. MYERS, one of Shrewsbury's most esteemed citizens, a veteran of the Civil war, formerly a popular teacher and now en- gaged in a large manufacturing business, was born in Shrewsbury township, York Co., Pa., July 29, 1841, son of John and grandson of Samuel Myers.

Samuel Myers came of German ancestry. He was a skilled carpenter and followed his trade for many years, doing an immense amount of building and contracting through Hopewell, Springfield and Shrewsbury town- ships. He also owned a productive farm which he subsequently disposed of, and moved first to Indiana county, Pa., and then to Mis- souri. Later he went back to Indiana county, and died there aged ninety-three years. He married a Miss Williams and their children were: Samuel; John and Henry, twins; Lydia, who married Mr. Klinefelter, of In- diana county ; Judith, who married John Hess, of Indiana county; and Elizabeth, who mar- ried Peter Fuile, and died in Hopewell town- ship.

John Myers, father of our subject, was reared at home, and had but few educational chances. His whole attendance at the public schools was covered by a period of three months. With his father he learned the car- penter's trade, and they worked first together, and later on, in contracting and building. Many specimens of his skill can yet be seen in the substantial buildings all over York county, where he was well and favorably known. He continued to take and fill contracts until he was sixty years old, but after that time did only shop work, and continued to be active until his death, at the age of eighty-four years. He married Elizabeth Diehl. daughter of Adam and Catherine (Shaeffer) Diehl, who died aged seventy-four years. They are both buried in the cemetery at Shrewsbury. They were members of the Reformed Church, in which he was a deacon and an elder, and he

In early life he was a strong Whig in his po- litical convictions, and later became a mem- ber of the Republican party. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Myers were: Lydia, wife of Andrew Bashington, lives at Hametown; Cath- erine died unmarried, in November, 1905; Louisa is the wife of George F. Seitz, of Glen Rock; Adam D .; Henry D., a resident of this township, married Catherine Koller; and Sam- uel died aged two years.

Adam D. Myers attended the Diehl school near his home until he was fifteen years old, and then went to learn the mill-wright trade, with Aaron Klinefelter, in Shrewsbury town- ship. He worked at this for two years, and then enlisted for service in the Civil war, en- tering Company K, 166th P. V. I. During the nine months of his term of enlistment he served mainly on guard duty, and was mus- tered out at Camp Curtin, July 28, 1863. On the day following he became the victim of an accident. One of his comrades accidentally discharged his rifle and the ball struck Mr. Myers near the knee of his left leg. This ter- rible accident sent him to a hospital for nine months and resulted in the loss of his leg from the knee. After passing through many perils and dangers and serving with cheerfulness and courage through hardships it seemed a sad fate to have to suffer when just ready to return to peaceful pursuits again. A weary year passed before he regained strength to engage in any pursuit.

As soon as sufficiently convalescent, Mr. Myers completed his education in the acade- mies at Glen Rock and Loganville, and then began to teach school. He taught four terms at the Seitz school in Springfield township and the Diehl school in Shrewsbury township, and was then appointed, through his. friends, by the United States Government, storekeeper in the distillery of Washington Ruby, where he remained for three years. After leaving Shrewsbury he went to Glen Rock and em- barked in a boot. shoe and notion business, re- maining there for eleven years, and during this period he became one of the leading men of the town, serving as chief burgess, councilman, justice of the peace and borough treasurer. In the spring of 1881 he bought his present home of eleven acres of land. on the old Peter File farm, which he added to the forty acres he

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bought from his father, making his property a the end of which time he changed his busi- tidy little farm of fifty-one acres. In addition to operating this farm, since 1896 Mr. Myers has been engaged in the manufacture of cart saddles, his annual output being some 500 dozen.

On Dec. 26, 1869, Mr. Myers was married in the city of York, by Rev. William M. Bahn, to Mary E. Weaver. She died March 19, 1876, at the age of thirty-eight years, and was interred at Glen Rock. The two children of this marriage were: Charles K., a resident of Shrewsbury township, who married Lizzie Grove; and Harry M., unmarried, who lives at home. The last named served nine months in the Spanish-American war, a member of Company I, 8th Pennsylvania Volunteers, and received his honorable discharge on March 7, 1899.

Mr. Myers was married (second) to Mary Folscokomer, a daughter of Daniel Folscoko- mer, a well-known farmer of Shrewsbury township, and these children have been born to them: Annie G., who is the wife of J. L. Fair, of Glen Rock; A. F., who is assistant in the manufacturing business; Alice E .; Ida M .; Emma J .; Lydia, wife of Daniel Bowman, of Hopewell township; Mary L .; Daniel F. and Clara A. All of Mr. Myers' unmarried chil- dren reside at home. They have been af- forded excellent educational opportunities and have grown up creditable members of the com- munity. In politics Mr. Myers is identified with the Republican party. From youth he has been a member of the Reformed Church, and one of its leading elders. He is a man of hon- orable motives, and one who stands very high in the estimation of his fellow citizens.

WILLIAM H. WIEST, manager of the household and furnishing goods department of the well known Bon Ton department store, of York, Pa., is a native of that city, born May 17. 1850, son of Michael and Sarah (Beck- heimer) Wiest.

William H. Wiest received his preliminary education in the public schools of his native place, supplementing this with a course at the York County Academy. In 1865 he engaged in business with his uncle, Peter Wiest, on Market street, with whom he continued three years. In 1870 he engaged in the baking busi- ness, and continued in this for six years, at

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 57

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