History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 6

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

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The old stone home in which Dr. Enders and many of his ancestors were born, in Ger- many, was a place of refuge for Lutherans in the days of the Reformation. Distinguished men from all over Europe visited his ances- tors in this historic place, and the castle of Ebernburg (sign of the "Boar"), belonged to his ancestors. The latter contained secret chambers, and it, too, was a place of refuge. Indeed the incidents associated with this cas- tle and the old stone house in which Dr. En- ders was born would, in themselves, if fully and faithfully narrated, fill this volume.

HENRY CARPENTER NILES is a de- scendant in the eighth generation from Capt. John Niles, the progenitor of this branch of the Niles family in America, who crossed the ocean from Wales with the early Pilgrims in 1630, and settled in Braintree, Mass. The different members of the family continued to reside in New England for many generations, taking a leading part in the "building of the Republic."

William Niles, grandfather of Henry C. Niles, was for many years a merchant and citi- zen of Spencertown, N. Y. His son, Henry E. Niles, father of Henry C., was an eminent divine of the Presbyterian Church, for thirty- five years serving the First Church of York. His death, May 14, 1900, catised profound sorrow and regret. His career will be more fully noted elsewhere.

On the maternal side Henry C. Niles also comes from Pilgrim stock. His grandfather, Sumner Marsh, was a manufacturer of Lowell, Mass. He held office in the Boston Custom House by appointment of President Lincoln, and returned to his birthplace at Southbridge, Mass., where he lived in retirement until his

Henry Carpenter Niles was born in An- gelica, Allegany Co., N. Y., June 17, 1858. His education was received in the schools of York, Pa. After finishing the courses in the York County Academy and the York Col- legiate Institute, he engaged as a clerk in the First National Bank of York. He attended the Columbia University Law School, where he graduated in 1880, also read law under the Hon. Robert J. Fisher, at York, and became familiar with legal practice in New York City in the offices of James Brooks Dill and Miller & Peckham. Admitted to practice the same year he graduated, and later, in 1882, to the Supreme Court, he soon became recognized as a leader in trial practice. Mr. Niles is much esteemed among his fellow practitioners, and his colleagues in the Pennsylvania Bar Asso- ciation honored him in 1904 by election to the presidency of that body. He has been promi- nently urged for the Common Pleas and Su- preme Court Judgeship, being more than, or- dinarily qualified for a seat on the Bench, the acceptance of which, however, would involve no little pecuniary sacrifice for one enjoying the practice he has won. He has achieved a reputation State-wide in its extent as an astute and successful practitioner of the law, the business of his firm, Niles & Neff, carrying him into all the prominent courts of the State. His foremost position at the Bar of York county is universally recognized. Mr. Niles has also made a reputation for himself as a legal and literary writer and speaker. As presi- dent of the Pennsylvania Bar Association he won merited distinction, and his address made before that body at Bedford Springs, Pa., June 27, 1905, in which he boldly denounced the State Legislature for violating its oaths and the Constitution, brought forth high com- mendation from the thinking members of his profession, and from good citizens every- where.

Mr. Niles was married in 1886 to Miss Lillie Schall, a daughter of Michael Schall, of York. To this marriage was born one son, Michael Schall Niles.

Mr. Niles has never aspired to a political

yours lily Leemy Ken Miles

一

BIOGRAPHICAL

career. He is a man of varied interests, and holds many positions of trust. Though he is still in middle life, he has achieved distinction in his profession, being senior member of the law firm of Niles & Neff, counsel and director of the Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and president of the Keystone Farm Machine Company.

Mr. Niles is a life member of the York County Historical Society, his influence always being used to promote its best interests. Fra- ternally he is a member of the Freemasons, and has attained the Knight Templar degree. Politically he is a Republican of the independ- ent type. In religious faith a Presbyterian, he has for many years been a supporter of the First Presbyterian Church and a member of the Board of Trustees.

GEOFFREY P. YOST, of the well known firm of William Smith & Co., extensive drug- gists of York, was born in Dover, York Co., Pa., on March 6, 1837. He is the grandson of John Yost, one of the pioneer settlers of Dover, and the son of Henry Yost, a native of the same place. Henry Yost married Miss Sarah Lenhart, a daughter of Peter Lenhart, a farmer of Dover township, York county. To this marriage only two children were born : Oliver J. (a former merchant of Dover, now deceased) and Geoffrey P.

Geoffrey P. Yost received his education in the schools of Dover and at the York County Academy. After teaching a short time he en- tered the book and drug store kept by Rev. Solomon Oswald, mastering the business there. In March, 1859, he entered the service of C. A.

HORACE SMITH, member of the firm of William Smith & Co., one of the oldest and Morris & Co., druggists, which merged into, most prominent drug concerns of York, was. the firm of William Smith & Co., the born in that city Oct. 3, 1857, son of William

business having been founded in 1823. By close attention to business Mr. Yost made his services so valuable that in 1872 he was taken into the firm as a member. On the death of Mr. Smith the firm name remained unchanged. The company now consists of the William Smith Estate, Geoffrey P. Yost, and Horace Smith, a son of the deceased.

Mr. Yost married Miss Virginia E. Frey, daughter of Dr. Levi Frey, who at the time of his death was a practicing physician of York. To this marriage were born five chil- dren, four sons and one daughter: (1) Ed- mund Geoffrey, died at two and one-half years of age. (2) Donald Henry, attorney-at-law, a member of a prominent Baltimore family, and

was born Sept. 16, 1879, attended the York Col- legiate Institute, graduating in 1898, and in the fall of the same year entered the University of Pennsylvania. After taking one year in the collegiate department he entered the law de- partment of the university, graduating in the year 1902 with the degree of LL. B. In De- cember, 1902, he was admitted to practice in the courts of York county and later to the Supreme court of the State. (3) Frederick Randolph, pursued a course of two years at the University of Pennsylvania, and later studied at the Philadelphia College of Phar- macy, class of 1906. (4) Richard Frey is at- tending the York County Academy. (5) Ma- rion Louise is a graduate of the York Collegiate Institute, and afterward became a student at Wells College, New York.

Besides his interest in the drug store Mr. Yost has been identified with many other mat- ters which have added to the progress of the city. He is one of the organizers of the Edi- son Electric Light Company, of York, and was. its president for fifteen years (1884-99), un- til it passed into the hands of a syndicate. He is vice-president of the City Bank. Except that he is identified with the fraternal organi- zation known as the Artisans, he is not a mem- ber of any lodge. Mr. Yost belongs to St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church of York, Pa., and is active in all the interests with which he is identified, being an untiring as well as- successful worker.

and Mary Elizabeth ( Boyer) Smith.

William Smith was born in Strasburg, Lan- caster Co., Pa., and removed to York when only twelve years of age, finding employment with C. A. Morris, druggist, and afterward be- coming the owner of the business. In this he continued until his death, April 27, 1888, be- ing then in his sixty-fifth year and having spent half a century in the drug business. He- was a devout member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, having been a member of the church council for many years, and no man in the city was more highly esteemed or more widely beloved. He married Mary Elizabeth Boyer,

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

she became the mother of eight children, as miller was a stanch Democrat, but never as- follows: Annie S., who married Dr. J. D. pired to office. Heiges, dentist, of York, whose full sketch will be found elsewhere; Ida S., the wife of Pro- fessor Bauger (deceased), of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; Mary E., who married W. H. McClellan, merchant, of York; Cassandra, at home; Horace; two children who died in in- fancy ; and Charles M., who died in 1879, aged twenty-seven years.

Horace Smith received his education in the York high school, the York County Academy and the York Collegiate Institute. He entered his father's drug store at the age of fifteen years and became a member of the firm in 1879. Mr. Smith is a partner in the business and repre- sents his father's estate as well, his partner being Geoffrey P. Yost.

Horace Smith was married to Margaret M. Schall, daughter of the late Jacob D. Schall, president of the First National Bank of York, and connected with one of the most prominent families in the city. Two children have come to this union : Jacob S., Nov. 10, 1882, a grad- uate of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, class of 1903, and Catherine Dorothy, born June 17, 1887, who graduated from the York Collegiate Institute in 1903. Mr. Smith is a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of York, where he was deacon for many years, and is as popular in church affairs as he is in business and social circles.

JOSEPH E. ROSENMILLER, who died in 1894, was the son of Lewis and Elizabeth (Eichelberger) Rosenmiller. He was married May 31, 1855, to Amanda C. Brillinger, and the young couple moved to York where Mr. Rosenmiller engaged in the hardware business, which was his occupation up to the last five years of his life. His death occurred in 1894, and he was interred in Prospect Hill cemetery. Nine children were born to the union of Joseph E. Rosenmiller and Amanda C. Brillinger, namely: Mary, who died young; John, who lived only three years and six months; Henri- etta, Laura E., A. Jane and Florence, all at home; Anna, who died in 1896, aged twenty- eight; William Frederick, who married Anna Smyser, and is employed in the York County Bank, and Joseph F., who died young. The family are members of St. John's Episcopal Church of York. In political belief Mr. Rosen-

Mrs. Amanda C. Rosenmiller, who has been a resident of York for many years, was born in York county in 1835, daughter of John and Leah (Smyser) Brillinger. Her father, born in Manchester township, was the son of John, a native of Germany, who emigrated to the United States. The other children in the grandfather's family, all of whom were born in Manchester township and died there, were: Jacob, who married Miss Elizabeth Ebert, and died in 1895; Polly; Elizabeth; Susan; and Catherine.

John Brillinger was sent first to the com- mon school of the township, and then to the York Academy, for several years, but at the age of eighteen he inherited his father's farm, upon which was also a sawmill, and this prop- erty was under his active management until 1875. From that time until his death, in 1880, he lived retired. He was buried, as were his brother and sisters, in Prospect Hill cemetery. John Brillinger's wife, whose maiden name was Leah Smyser, was born in Manchester town- ship, the daughter of Peter and Barbara (Wolf) Smyser. She died in 1875, and her remains were laid in the same cemetery where her husband is buried.

JOSIAH FREDERICK ROSENMIL- . LER, A. M., lawyer and merchant, son of Lewis and Elizabeth (Eichelberger) Rosen- miller, is a native of York, and a descendant of a family prominent in the affairs of York and Adams counties. Lewis Rosenmiller, his grandfather, came to this country from Ger- · many with the early settlers and purchased land in the present area of Adams county, Pa., where he married a Miss Bittinger, daughter of Capt. Nicholas Bittinger, a soldier of the Revolution. Lewis Rosenmiller, the father of Josiah, was born in Adams county in 1805, grew to manhood there, and in 1825 moved to York, where he engaged in the hardware business.

Josiah Frederick Rosenmiller obtained his preliminary education in the public schools of York and was prepared for college at the York County Academy. As a student he excelled in the study of mathematics and the foreign lan- guages. Entering the College of New Jersey, now Princeton University, one of the largest and most influential educational institutions in

BIOGRAPHICAL

America, he completed a thorough classical fice of Vincent K. Keesey, and was admitted course there, and was graduated with honors to the York county Bar in 1890. He was elected city solicitor in 1892, and was re-elected in 1894, serving in all four years. Mr. Gibson then devoted his attention to journalism and for a number of years was editor of the York Gazette and one year on the Evening World, New York, in various capacities. In May, 1900, he was elected mayor of York by the city councils, to succeed Capt. Frank Geise, who died while in office. In February of the next year he was chosen mayor at the general election, to complete the unexpired term of his predecessor. in the class of 1848. Immediately after re- ceiving his degree he returned to York and began the study of law under Hon. Robert J. Fisher, who later served for a period of thirty years as president judge of the courts of York county. He was admitted to the Bar at York in 1850 and practiced law for several years. Soon after the death of his father Mr. Rosen- miller retired from the practice of his pro- fession and engaged in the hardware business on the north side of West Market street, near Centre Square. At this place he formed a co- partnership with his brother, Joseph E. Rosen- miller, under the firm name of Rosenmiller & Co. This firm conducted a very large and prosperous business for a period of forty years, until the death of his brother, in 1894. Since that time Mr. Rosenmiller has partially re- tired from the hardware trade, but has kept his store open for the accommodation of his friends and former customers, and still de- votes his time to his mercantile business in the room where he achieved so much success as a merchant in former years, for the Rosen- miller store has been one of the best known establishments in York for half a century. Early in life Mr. Rosenmiller joined the Ma- sonic fraternity, becoming a member of Zere- datha Lodge, No. 451, F. & A. M .; he is also a member of Howell Chapter, No. 199, Royal Arch Masons, a position of honor in the Ma- sonic fraternity, and is one of two living char- ter members of the York Club, a social organi- zation which has held prominence in York for many years. He is a member of St. John's Protestant Episcopal Church of York. During his professional and business career Mr. Rosen- miller has devoted his leisure time to the study of well selected books. He is a gentleman of intellectual culture, possessing a vast fund of interesting and useful information.

REV. ROBERT FISHER GIBSON, son of Hon. John Gibson, president judge of the York county courts, was born at York April 7, 1866. He obtained his preparatory educa- tion in the York County Academy, York Col- legiate Institute and Shortlidge's Academy, at Media, Pa., and then entered Sheffield Scien- tific School, one of the departments of Yale University, from which institution he was graduated in 1887. He attended Columbia Law School, New York, read law in the of-

Mr. Gibson began his theological studies with Rev. Charles J. Wood, rector of St. John's Episcopal Church, at York, attended Virginia Theological Seminary, and was or- dained deacon June II, 1903, in St. John's Church at York. He was ordained priest Nov. 25, 1903, in St. Luke's Church, Altoona, Pa., and shortly afterward accepted the rector- ship of Trinity Parish, Williamsport. Since 1905 he has been editor of the Harrisburg Churchman, the organ of the Diocese of Har- risburg. He was married Oct. 3, 1900, to Miss Harriet McKenney, daughter of the late Gen. William McKenney, of Centerville, Maryland.

ALEXANDER HAMILTON NES (de- ceased). The city of York lost, by the death of Alexander Hamilton Nes, which occurred in 1879, one of its most energetic and honored citizens. He was for many years closely identified with the business interests of that city, and it was his great prudence, judgment and foresight that made his career so suc- cessful.

Mr. Nes was born in York, in January, 1827, son of William and Catherine Eva (Eichelberger) Nes, and was reared in this city, where he spent his life. He was educated in the schools of this city, and, when a young man, in company with W. H. Kurtz, took charge of his uncle's brewery, which he con- ducted a few years. He then engaged in the malt business, which occupation he followed until his death. Mr. Nes started in life a poor boy, and through his own efforts won his way to wealth and influence. His friends were all who knew him. He took considerable interest in the workings of the Democratic party, but although often urged, would never accept po- litical office. He was a director in various institutions, viz .- banks, turnpike companies,

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

etc., and was a man of great influence in finan- cial circles.

Mr. Nes was married in 1856 to Miss Eliza Brillinger, daughter of John and Leah (Smyser) Brillinger. Mrs. Nes was born in Manchester township, where her father owned and operated farms and mills, and where he spent his life, as his father, John Brillinger, likewise a farmer and miller, had also done. Mrs. Nes was the eldest of eight children: Amanda C., the wife of Joseph Rosenmiller, of West York; John, a resident of California ; Horace, deceased; Jacob, a resident of York; Edwin, deceased; Henry, deceased; George, an insurance man of York; and Eliza, Mrs. Nes.

Mr. and Mrs. Nes were the parents of two children : William, born in 1857, educated in York and at Princeton College, read law with Mr. Chapin, an attorney, and after his admit- tance to the bar, give his entire attention to the legal profession; he died in 1902, leaving a widow and one son,-William; Leah Kate, who married W. C. Warner, of Titusville, Pa .; has a family of five children, Mary, Alex- ander, William, Frederick and Edith. Mrs. Nes resides at the old homestead, No. 119 West Market street, where she is honored and respected.

HON. DANIEL F. LAFEAN, member of Congress, manufacturer and banker, was born in York, Feb. 7, 1861. His father, Charles F. Lafean, a prominent coal merchant, was of French descent, and his mother, Charlotte, daughter of Fredrick Kottcamp, of York, was of German descent. Both of his parents repre- sented families actively interested in the growth and development of the borough of York dur- ing the last century. They were well and favorably known for their industry, integrity and such other qualities as develop sturdy man- hood and womanhood.

Mr. Lafean obtained his education in the public schools of his native city and early in life began his successful business career as a clerk in a store. Being attentive to duty, active and alert, he soon displayed qualities which marked him for promotion. After spending a short time in a notion store he was chosen a clerk in a large confectionery, owned and con- ducted by Peter C. Wiest, of York. In his early manhood he took advantage of all oppor- tunities afforded, and his employer soon found that his capabilities fitted him for a higher

position of responsibility and trust. He care- fully studied the business in which he was en- gaged and was ever ready to suggest im- provements. He suggested many improve- ments and by hard study mastered the details of the candy business, and in 1878 accepted an offer from his employer to become a partner in the business. In 1883 he obtained a third interest therein. The products of the P. C. WViest Company found ready sale and it soon developed to be one of the largest establish- ments of its kind in the country. In 1892 Mr. Wiest retired from the business and in 1895 a stock company was formed and incorporated under the name of the P. C. Wiest Company, Mr. Lafean being elected its first president and treasurer. This responsible position gave him opportunity to display his remarkable business qualities and as a result thereof new buildings were erected and improved machinery added to enlarge the facilities for manufacturing candy.

Owing to the rapid increase of the business, and the inability of the company to secure suf- ficient help in the city of York to meet the de- mands for their product, it became necessary for them to locate at some other point. Various locations throughout Pennsylvania were carefully gone over, and on March I, 1898, the business and property of the Breisch- Hine Company of Philadelphia was purchased and a corporation under the name of the Amer- ican Caramel Company was incorporated, with Mr. Lafean as its first president. The newly acquired property not only gave them the busi- ness of the old firm, but still largely increased the facilities for taking on new trade. The York and Philadelphia plants, however, in a few years also became too small to supply the increasing sales, and in 1900 the company ac- quired the business and property of the Lan- caster Caramel Company. This last acquisi- tion not only increased the volume of business, but gave to the company a very large foreign trade, which is being increased every year. Mr. Lafean is still the president of the American Caramel Company, whose plants are located at York, Lancaster and Philadelphia. Mr. Lafean is one of the pioneers in the confectionery trade, having been connected with the various plants for a period of twenty-eight years. He enjoys the confidence of his competitors, in so far that his advice is very often asked on points in which he is not a direct competitor.

Mr. Lafean is connected with various other

A.J. Lapan

BIOGRAPHICAL

manufacturing concerns of his home town, brief period assisted in having granted them among which is the York Silk Manufacturing Company, of which company he is also the president. This company has two plants at York and one each at Carlisle, Fleetwood and Kutztown, Pa. This company a few years ago started with one hundred looms and to-day has upward of one thousand looms, with an output of nearly two and a half million yards of black silk fabric per annum. This com- pany, as well as the one above referred to, has been forging ahead in leaps and bounds until to-day it is absolutely necessary to locate in other sections to secure a sufficient amount of skilled labor to properly fill the demands made upon the company for its product.

Notwithstanding his extreme business activity, Mr. Lafean finds sufficient time to be devoted to the welfare of the residents of the 20th Congressional district of Pennsylvania, which he represents in Congress. In August, 1902, he was offered the Republican nomination for Congress from this district, and notwith- standing his declination was unanimously nominated upon the Republican ticket to repre- sent the counties of York and Adams in the national halls of Congress. He defeated Judge William McClean of Gettysburg by a major- ity of 591. Owing to Mr. Lafean being a very busy man, and engaged in numerous manufacturing enterprises, it was thought that he was only seeking the honor of the office and that he would not shoulder its responsibil- ities. In this, however, he agreeably surprised all, even his political opponents, by taking hold of the duties of the office and adopting business methods therein. It was not long until he gained the confidence of his constituents, and in 1904 was again unanimously nominated, and re-elected by a handsome majority of 4,306 over his opponent, William McSherry, Esq., of Gettysburg, leading President Roose- velt's vote by 2,117. The promptness with which he attended to all matters pertaining to the office was a surprise to all, especially when it is known that his daily mail figures up into the hundreds. No constituent of his is turned away when asking a question or seeking in- formation. No letters remain unanswered, but on the contrary are promptly attended to. In his political office, as in his business career, Mr. Lafean has made a decided success.

During his three years of service in Con- gress he has been of great benefit to the old soldier, his widow and orphans, having in that

over six hundred pensions. In the first session of the LIXth Congress Mr. Lafean was very successful in obtaining appropriations for his constituents in both Adams and York counties, among them being an appropriation of $15,000 for the construction of good roads in Cumber- land township, Adams county, and $6,000 for the erection of a new lodge for the superintend- ent of the National Cemetery at Gettysburg. The appropriation of $75,000 for a site for a new Federal Building in the city of York al- most crowns his laurels. This building, the plans and drawings for which have been com- pleted by the Supervising Architect of the Uni- ted States Treasury Department, will give his home town one of the finest and most expen- sive Federal Buildings in the State of Pennsyl- vania, with the possible exception of Pittsburg and Philadelphia. While his attention has been given in this direction he has not over- looked his rural constituency. During his term. he has secured complete county Rural Free De- livery service for the counties of York and Adams, every public road in both these coun- ties being practically traversed by a Rural Free Delivery carrier. He has not only been of service to his rural constituency in the matter of increased mail facilities, but also to his city constituency, always being ready to co-operate- with the postmaster in the city of York and various boroughs throughout the district for the purpose of obtaining the best possible serv- ice for them.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 6

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