History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 60

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

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In the fall of 1876 Mr. Thoman entered upon his first work as a teacher in the public schools of York county. He became acquainted with the prominent teachers of that county, which induced him, in the spring of 1877, to enter the old York County Academy. He again, after being there one term, engaged in teaching, and so continued until 1883, when he entered the Shippensburg State Normal

In 1884 Prof. Thoman was elected princi- pal of the Abbottstown schools, and continued at the head of those schools with growing pop- ularity. His winter's work was augmented by a term of summer instruction, with a view of preparing young men and women for the profession of teaching. The result of his en- terprise was a popular Normal School for teachers, which he continued for a period of six years, and the large numbers of ladies and gentlemen who attended the school was a per- ceptible indication of its efficiency and real ex- cellence.

During the time of Prof. Thoman's in- cumbency at Abbottstown, other places ex- tended calls to him, among these, Duncannon, Perry Co., Pa., where he was elected in the fall of 1888 to the principalship of the schools at a large increase of salary, above that which he was receiving at Abbottstown, but owing to the persistent appeals of directors, patrons and pupils of Abbottstown he was induced not to accept the position. He held his first provis- ional certificate in 1876, passed the examina- tion for professional certificate in 1882, and in 1886 passed the examining board on Per- manent certificates with an average of ninety- two per cent. He also holds two certificates under the Departmental Service of the Govern- ment of the United States.

In May, 1890, Prof. Thoman was elected county superintendent of schools of Adams county, was re-elected in 1893. elected for a third term in 1896, and continued to serve un- til June, 1899, a period of nine years in suc- cession. He is a member of the Reformed Church, and, in connection with his public school work, held the superintendency of Em- manuel Reformed Sunday-school of Abbotts- town for eight years. Prof. Thoman held, from time to time, positions of trust and re -· sponsibility, and in December, 1903, was em- ployed by the Record Publishing Company, of Hanover, Pa., to audit the accounts of the company. On May 1, 1904, when the Record Publishing Company and the Hanover Herald consolidated and became incorporated under the name of the Hanover Printing Company, Prof. Thoman was the man chosen for the re- sponsible position of cashier and bookkeeper,

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the position which he holds at the present time.

On Dec. 30, 1880, Prof. Thoman was united in matrimony with Miss Phoebe Mum- mert, the daughter of Samuel and Rebecca (Wehler) Mummert, of Hamilton township, Adams county. This union has been blessed with three children, two daughters and one son, as follows: Carrie Mae, born Nov. 26, 1881; Gertrude Naomi, born Sept. 15, 1884; and Horace Clay, born Sept. 2, 1888. On April 1, 1904, he with his family removed from Abbottstown to Hanover, where he will, doubtless, spend the remaining years of his life.

A notable feature of Prof. Thoman's work is the full and earnest devotion to that which is before him. Whatever demands his efforts receives from him careful and painstaking at- tention. [The above sketch was given by one who has been in close touch with Prof. Thoman since boyhood.]

ROBERT FRANKLIN STRAYER, M. D. One of the resident physicians of York, whose success, especially along the line of electro therapeutics, has attracted most fav- orable attention, is Dr. R. F. Strayer. The Doctor is a comparatively young man, but has had a successful experience extending over a period of some twenty-five years.

Strayer is a German name, the earlier spell- ing favoring "Strahr." The first of the name to settle in Amercia from the Fatherland so spelled it, and this member of the family set- tled on a large tract of land in Dover township, York county, prior to the Revolutionary war. An old house of worship known as "Strayer's Church." and which was built on land given by the Doctor's great-grandfather, still stands to testify to the religious character of that gentleman. Peter Strayer, grandfather of our subject, owned and operated a farm which was part of the original emigrant's purchase.

Dr. Strayer was born in York. Feb. 12, 1861, son of Lewis S. and Leah (Beck) Strayer, the latter the daughter of a well- known farmer of Adams county, and both at present residents of York. They reared a family of four sons, one of whom, Harry J., died in 1896, at the age of twenty-four years. Of the others, Allen William Penn, superin- tendent of the United States Express Company at Kokomo, Ind., is the eldest : Robert Franklin is the second: and Lewis, a clerk at York. is the third.

Dr. Strayer laid the foundation of his edu- cational equipment in the public schools of York, to which he added courses at Lebanon Valley College and Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg. He then entered Hahnemann Medical College, at Philadelphia, where he took four special courses besides the general work for his degree, giving special attention to Diseases of Women and Practical Anatomy, and Surgery. He graduated in 1881, being one of the youngest members of his class.

His practice was begun at once at Macon, Ga., where he remained five years, meeting with much success, and leaving there only be- cause of climatic conditions developing in him both rheumatism and malaria. He returned to York so crippled that he was obliged to walk with crutches, but soon recovered his health, and in a few years went to Staunton, Va., where after eighteen months his Georgia ex- perience was repeated, and again on crutches he sought York county, this time settling in Craleysville. He soon gathered a good prac- tice, but was unfortunately mixed up in a runaway accident and came out with a broken leg. With "physician, heal thyself" as a motto he gave up his practice and returned to York, a third time on crutches. It required some eleven months for Dr. Strayer to become suffi- ciently strong to admit of practice again. He selected a new location at Strinestown, York county, where for four years he continued with marked success, having an extensive practice and had accumulated considerable property. Again his evil genius (or Providence) got the upper hand, this time in the form of a tornado. which in 1899 completely annihilated his en- tire belongings. This ill luck drove him home to stay. He maintains a suite of offices at No. 201 West Market street, which he has equipped with everything known to Electro-therapeu- tics, and many other valuable instruments. His practice is select and extensive, his success in his chosen line of specialties causing him to be sought from far and near.

Dr. Strayer's home is presided over by his wife, who was prior to her marriage Miss Maggie Myers, daughter of John Myers, of York. They were married in 1890. An adopted daughter. Ella, is their only child, she now being the wife of E. F. Waltman. a real estate dealer of York. Socially prominent in the Heptasophs, the Independent Order of Workmen, the Patriotic Sons of America, the

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Star of Bethlehem, the Brotherhood of the where he engaged in the lumber business for Union, and Vigilant Steam Fire Engine Co., about one year, after which he removed to No. I, Dr. Strayer enjoys his busy life and merits the uniform esteem in which he is held. He favors Democracy, and is numbered among the members of the German Baptist Church.

JOSEPH A. KUGLER, a prominent and enterprising citizen of New Freedom, and a survivor of the great Civil war, who for twenty years has been a justice of the peace, was born in September, 1845, in Chester county, Pa., son of David and Anna ( Bloom) Kugler.

John Kluger, his great-grandfather, was a farmer and hotelkeeper of Chester county, who came from Germany in 1740, and took up large tracts of land. He was one of the early patriots, fighting in the Continental army, in which he did considerable scouting. His chil- dren were: John, Jr., and Valentine.

John Kugler, Jr., the grandfather, followed his father's occupations of farining and hotel- keeping, and like his father was a soldier, serv- ing in the war of 1812. These children were born to him: David; Elizabeth, who married Robert Reed: Hannah, who married Andrew Arthur ; and John.

David Kugler was a soldier in the regular army and for several years served in the cav- alry, afterward engaging in farming, which he followed until his death, which occurred in 1854. He married Anna Bloom, whose father was a soldier in the Revolution. Mr. Bloom married a Miss Dison, and they had the fol- lowing children, Elizabeth, Martha, Thomas, Charles, Mary, and Anna. The Blooms were of English origin, and came to the United States early in 1800, locating in Chester coun- ty. The children born to David and Anna (Bloom) Kugler were: Charles; John; Jo- seph A .: Sarah P., who married William Tar- rasillis ; Hannah E., who married (first) Rog- er Shunk. and (second) Joseph Bishop, a vet- eran of the Civil war ; and Annie, who married Mr. Howard. Of these, Charles, John and Joseph A. were all soldiers in the Civil war.

Clinton county, and there followed lumbering until the Spring of 1872. He then located at York, where he was engaged in an agricultural implement shop until 1874, at that time engag- ing as a photographer, which business he followed five years. In 1876 he came to New Freedom where he ran a sawmill, came to New Freedom where he ran a sawmill, and was assistant railroad ticket agent until 1890. In that year he engaged in the lumber business in partnership with C. W. Koller, which partnership was dissolved in 1903, and Mr. Kugler has since conducted the business in partnership with his sons, Harry C. and Ar- thur R., under the firm name of J. A. Kugler & Sons, and they do an extensive wholesale and retail business in lumber, doors, sash, blinds, oils, paints, hardware, building material, etc.

Mr. Kugler was commissioned justice of the peace about twenty years ago and he has held that office ever since. He has also served as borough tax collector, assessor, Republican committeeman, and has several times served as a delegate to the county convention. Frater- nally Mr. Kugler is connected with the I. O. O. F., and the G. A. R., serving the latter or- ganization as Post Commander for several terms. Mr. Kugler is a liberal supporter of the United Evangelical Church, and has been class leader, exhorter, trustee and superintend- ent of the Sunday-school.

In 1871, Mr. Kugler married Miss Achsah Ehrman, daughter of Samuel Ehrman of York county, and three children have been born to this union : Ida B., who married A. N. Hetrick, and died at the age of twenty-two; Harry C., who married Lillie Klinefelter; and Arthur R. Mr. Kugler has earned honor and respect in public life as well as affection and veneration in private.

DR. JAMES ADELBERT ARM- STRONG, for over a quarter of a century a successful physician at Hellam, was born at New Lisbon, Ohio, Jan. 8, 1839. He was the son of James and Margaret (Knepley) Arni- strong. On the paternal side he was descended from a Scotch-Irish family noted in the his- tory of Pennsylvania. Early in life his grand- father. John Armstrong, migrated to the State

Joseph A. Kugler attended the public schools of Chester county, and at the age of sixteen enlisted in Company C, 97th Pa. V. I., and served two years, being discharged for disability in 1863. His regiment saw some hard service. After the war Mr. Kugler en- gaged in farming and lime burning in Chester county, removing in 1867 to Perry county, of Ohio, where he filled the position of bank

Joseph A, Angles

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cashier. James Armstrong, his father, who died in 1841, was a lawyer by profession and a man of fine intellectual attainments. Margaret Knepley, the mother of Dr. Armstrong, was a daughter of John and Margaret ( Marr) Knep- ley, of Washington, D. C.

James Armstrong died when his son was two years old. After the father's death, Mrs. Armstrong and her son were brought to the vicinity of New Oxford, Pa., by his uncle, Hon. Nicholas Heltzel, a member of the Legislature and a prominent citizen of Adams county. Dr. Armstrong grew to manhood on the farm of his uncle, and obtained his preliminary educa- tion in the public schools. For several years he was a student in the "New Oxford College and Medical Institute," founded in 1845 by Dr. M. D. G. Pfeiffer, an eminent German scholar and physician. Young Armstrong began the study of medicine with Dr. Pfeiffer at New Oxford and continued his studies in the office of Dr. Peffer, a physician at Ab- bottstown. He entered the medical de- partment of the University of Pennsylvania in 1863, where he remained two years. After practicing medicine in Adams county a few years he returned to the University of Penn- sylvania, where he was graduated with the class of 1870. The following year he settled at Hellam, where he practiced medicine for the remainder of his life. His skill as a physician and his many excellent qualities of mind and heart won for him a large circle of friends. Dr. Armstrong was known not only in the com- munity in which he resided as a prominent physician, but his reputation and ability, both as physician and surgeon, extended through- out York county. He was always interested in everything that tended to promote the welfare of the people among whom he so long lived and prospered. He filled the office of school director for many years, and was active and influential in the affairs of the Lutheran Church, serving for many years as a deacon in the congregation which worships in the Kreutz Creek Church, founded about 1735. Dr. Arm- strong was a man of fine personal appearance, affable in manners, and universally popular among a large circle of friends and associates. In politics he was a Democrat and was active in promoting the interests of his party. He was a member of the York County Medical Society and the State Medical Society of Pennsylvania.

On Oct. 19, 1865, Dr. Armstrong was married to Mary, daughter of Samuel and Ger- trude (Wiest) Wolf, of Hamilton township, Adams county. Both these families were prom- inent in the affairs of York and Adams coun- ties. Dr. and Mrs. Armstrong had six chil- dren : Virgil Eugene, Ernest Adelbert, Ger- trude May, Samuel Wolf, Mary Edith and Margaret Lydia. Dr. Armstrong died at his home in Hellam, July 20, 1905, survived by his widow and two children, Ernest A. and Mary E. Armstrong.

ERNEST A. ARMSTRONG, after leaving the public schools of his native village, attended the York Collegiate Institute and York Coun- ty Normal School. He then taught several years in the public schools of York and Lancas- ter counties, and was graduated from the State Normal School at Millersville. Desiring to continue his studies, he entered Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg, and was graduated with the degree of A. B. with the class of 1897. For three years he was a member of the faculty of Millersville State Normal School. He then began the study of law in the office of Joseph R. Strawbridge, a prominent member of the le- gal profession, at York, and was admitted to the Bar in 1905. While attending Pennsyl- vania College he was an active member of the Philomathean Literary Society, and was one of its representatives on the editorial staff of the "Mercury," the literary journal of the col- leg :. He was also on the staff of the "Spec- trum," the college annual. He was a member of the College Athletic Association and chair- man of the Athletic Field Fund Committee, which had in charge the construction of the college athletic field. of which the college is justly proud, and manager of the college base- ball team during his Junior and Senior years. Mr. Armstrong has taken an active part in the Democratic politics of York county. He is a member of Masonic Lodge No. 43, of Lan- caster, Pennsylvania.

Mary E. Armstrong was married in 1903 to William H. Wolf, a rising young cigar man- ufacturer of Hellam. They have one son, John Armstrong Wolf, born Oct. 17, 1905.

HENRY HOLTZAPPLE, born in West Manchester township. Jan. 9. 1830, was the youngest son of Jacob and Elizabeth Holtz- apple, and is one of the prominent members of

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the family, all of whom are well known in York county.

Mr. Holtzapple attended school until he was nineteen years of age,. going both to Lauck's and Neiman's. After finishing his ed- ucation he spent three years with John Kain, acquiring a knowledge of the carpenter's trade, which was afterward his main occupation for twenty-five years. He located at Dover, near Emig's Mills, and combined farming with his other work to some extent. During the Civil war he was twice drafted for service, the first time paying $450 for his substitute, G. W. Rei- singer, who later became lieutenant-colonel ; the second time he paid $300 for a substitute.

In 1865 Mr. Holtzapple moved to York and engaged in contracting and building, with his headquarters in the Eleventh ward, continuing in this line for eighteen years. During the sum- mer his whole attention was given to his con- tract work, but in the winter he began during the latter part of that time to engage in butch- ering. Finally, in 1900, he gave up contracting entirely, in order to follow the other business exclusively, and has been very successful in it; he makes a sausage which is shipped all over the United States. The shop which he now oc- cupies was built by Mr. Holtzapple himself in 1893, and is admirably adapted to its purposes, being thoroughly up-to-date in every detail and equipped with the latest machinery.

Mr. Holtzapple was but twenty-two years of age when, in 1852, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Catherine Reikert. They lived together for forty-six years, Mrs. Holtzapple dying in 1898; her remains were interred in the Green Mount cemetery. She bore her husband three children, namely : Emma, wife of Eman- uel Eyster, a butcher in York: Alice, who mar- ried William Zeigler, weighmaster at the Eys- ter & Weiser foundry ; and Dr. M. H., a gradu- ate of the Baltimore Medical College. The Doctor is located with his father at No. 424 West Philadelphia street, and is one of the prominent physicians of York.

During the years that Henry Holtzapple lived in West Manchester township he held the office of deacon in Wolf's Church, and since coming to York he has been a member of the Union Lutheran Church. In political matters he is a Democrat. He is a man of much strength of character and ability, and is much respected.

JOHN F. RUDISILL is descended from a family who came to America from Germany in 1642, and settled in Maryland. His grandfath- er, Abraham Rudisill, who was a tailor by oc- cupation, was born in Hanover, York county, and George Rudisill, the father of our subject, was a merchant tailor of York. George Rud- isill was a member of the common council for five successive terms from the Ninth ward, which was the largest ward in the city, and his majority grew larger with each election. He was also one of the city assessors for three years from 1903 to 1906. He enlisted in the three months' service, being a member of the first volunteer organization in active service and afterward in Company A, 200th P. V. I., during the War of the Rebellion, and was made orderly sergeant of his company. He was wounded at Fort Steadman, March 25, 1865, and was mustered out of service at the close of the war. He married Elizabeth Neater, daugh- ter of John Frederick and Wilhelmina Neater, who were born in Germany. Six children were born of this union, two of whom died in in- fancy.

John F. Rudisill was born in York, Feb. 14, 1874, and received his education in the public schools of that city, graduating from the York High school in 1891. His first occupation was as bookkeeper for M. B. Spahr & Sons, which position he filled for ten years. After resign- ing that position, and keeping books for The American Caramel Company for three and one- half years, Mr. Rudisill became bookkeeper for the Chase Felt & Paper Co., and the Susque- hanna Roofing Manufacturing Co. Mr. Rudi- sill is secretary and treasurer of the B. M. Root Co., manufacturers of a general line of wood- working machines, their specialty being plow handle machinery, for which they find a mark- et all over the United States. Mr. Rudisill was secretary of the York city school board from 1897 to 1902.

Mr. John F. Rudisill was married June 22, 1900, to Elizabeth T. Root, daughter of B. M. Root of the B. M. Root Co. Mrs. Rudisill is a graduate of the York High school, class of 1891, where she was awarded the honor of sal- utatorian, and she graduated from Dickinson College in 1895. Two children have been born to this union : Harriet R. and John F., Jr., the latter of whom died in infancy.

Mr. Rudisill is a member of the First United Brethren Church of York, where he has

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been organist for a number of years, and for this home was burned fifteen or sixteen years two years has been president of the Young Peo- ple's Christian Union of the Pennsylvania Con- ference branch.

JAMES RUDISILL, brother of John F., was born in York, Sept. 3, 1872, and received his education in the public schools. He began to learn printing in the office of the York Tribune, and completed his apprenticeship in the office of the Chromatic Printing Co., John B. Welsh, proprietor. He was also employed for several years in the office of the York Dispatch. After traveling in the United States for two years, in 1893 he made a tour of Europe, and then went to Madras, India, remaining there for two years, as superintendent of the mechanical department of the Methodist Episcopal Pub- lishing house. Returning to York, Mr. Rudi- sill took a course of instruction in linotyping, and installed the first linotype in that city. He was superintendent of the Gazette Printing & Publishing Company, of York, and is now sec- retary of the York Printing Company, he with Messrs. George J. Hildebrand and John C. Zimmerman being sole owners.

James Rudisill was married April 8, 1897, to Catherine R. Brunhause, daughter of Fred- erick W. Brunhause, a merchant and highway commissioner of York, and four children have been born to this union: George, Jr., James Jefferson, Mary L., and Frederick. Mr. Rud- isill belongs to the Vigilant Fire Company. He is associated with the York Typographical Union. His religious connections are with St. John's Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Republican.

FRANCIS G. WILSON, a former success- ful teacher and now a prosperous farmer of East Hopewell township, comes of good Irish stock.

James Wilson, his paternal grandfather was born and reared in County Antrim, Ireland. He came to America prior to 1764, and took up three tracts of land, one called Derry tract, the second Calhame and the third not known. These three tracts were located mostly in what is now East Hopewell township. All three aggregated 194 acres. James Wilson made the first improvements upon these tracts in 1764, building a log cabin, which he niade his home until circumstances permitted him to build a better residence. This was also built of logs and two additions were later added to it, and

ago. James Wilson settled down to work to clear his land, also engaging in weaving. hay- ing a loom in the cellar of his home, and mak- ing coverlets and homespun cloth from the flax raised on the farm, which others of the famn spun for him to weave. Mr. Wilson married Rachel Anderson, very likely born in Ireland. and she died in 1827, while her husband passed away in 1809, aged sixty-nine years. They were members of the Presbyterian Church. Their children were : James, who married Miss Helen Manifold, resided for a time near what is now Brogueville Station, and then removed to Mine Branch, Harford Co., Md., where the remainder of his life was spent; Jennie married William Smith, and emigrated to Cleveland, Ohio, where her husband became judge of the courts; Rachel married Robert Watson, went to Ohio at an early day, and settled near Cadiz, where both she and her husband died; David was drowned in Grove's Mill race when a young man ; William married Margaret Anderson and spent most of his life just south of Stewarts- town, the Maryland line running through his farm; John married Margaret Liggett, and spent his life in East Hopewell township; and Robert was the father of our subject.

Robert Wilson was born at the old home- stead Dec. 29, 1794. and grew to manhood there. He attended the pay schools of his day, and after leaving school engaged in farming, in which occupation he continued all his life. He received the home tract of 194 acres, re- maining there until his death Sept. 14, 1878. On Nov. II, 1828, Robert Wilson married Margaret Grove, born in Fawn township, near Muddy Creek Forks, July 15. 1803. daughter of Francis and Jeannette (Williamson ) Grove. and she died May 3, 1879. Robert and his wife were life-long members of the Round Hill Presbyterian Church, in which he was an elder for fifty years, an office which he held at the time of his death. They were interred in the family burying ground on the farm. Mr. Wil- son was originally a Whig, but died a Repub- lican. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Wil- son were: Mary Jane, born Dec. 12. 1830. died single; James, born July 1, 1832, married Martha Mary Wilson, and resides on the plank road in Hopewell township : Francis G. is mem- tioned below: John Thomas, born Jan. 18. 1837, married Feb. 5. 1863, Miss Adelaide Penny, of Lancaster county; Rachel E., born

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 60

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