History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 62

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

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On Dec. 25, 1876, Mr. Metzger was mar- ried to Miss Margaret Kister, who was born and reared in York county, a daughter of George W. Kister, a well-known merchant of Goldsboro. Of the two children of this union, Emma died at the age of five months; and Pearl Elizabeth graduated in the York high school as a member of the class of 1901, and is one of the popular young ladies of the city.

AMOS REBERT, a retired agriculturist, of York county, who is making his residence in Jefferson borough, Codorus township, was born in North Codorus township, Feb. 5, 1841, son of Samuel Rebert and grandson of Jonas Rebert.

Jonas Rebert was a farmer, and also car- ried on distilling in Codorus township, where he owned 475 acres of land. He later went to Adams county, where he died, owning a 175- acre farm. He is interred at Hanover, in the old Reformed Church graveyard. He mar- ried Christene Eyster, who is buried beside her husband. 'They had eleven children: John, who married Christene Leib; Daniel, who died young; Henry, who married Elizabeth Weist, and died at Jefferson ; Samuel: Jacob; Andrew, who died in Ohio; Charles, who mar- ried Eliza Wiest; William, who married Lu- cinda Shue; Edward, who married Catherine Hoke; Jonas M., who married Peggy Hoke; and another daughter, Mrs. Moses Senft.

Samuel Rebert, father of Amos,, was a farmer in North Codorus township, where he was born. In 1853 he removed to Adams coun- ty, where he farmed until his death. He mar- ried Nancy Rife, and she died at the age of twenty-six years, being buried at Lischy's Church, North Codorus township. They had these children: John, who married Louisa Geiselman, and is a retired farmer of Adams county ; two that died in infancy ; Amos; and Jonas, a retired farmer of New Oxford, Adams Co. Samuel Rebert married (second) Lydia Senft, by whom he had children as follows : Elizabeth, wife of Abraham Keagey, living at Littlestown, Adams county; Lucinda, wife of Rufus Hartman, of Littlestown; Samuel, a resident of Littlestown; two that died in in- fancy; and Della, the wife of William Gitt.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Samuel Rebert died at the age of sixty-seven People's Bank of Hanover and the Hanover years, and was buried in Littlestown.

Amos Rebert went with his father to Adams county when eleven years old, and there received his education, attending school until seventeen years of age. He then learned the tanning trade with an uncle, Henry Rebert, which he followed for two years at Jefferson borough. He then turned his attention to farming, and until 1868 operated a fine farm of 150 acres. In this year he sold out and came to his present home in Jefferson borough, where he owns thirty-two acres, twenty-five of which are cleared, and the rest woodland.

Mr. Rebert married (first) Lucinda Brill- hart, daughter of Samuel Brillhart (a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere), and she died Ang. 24, 1897, at Jefferson borough, where she is buried. In 1898, at Harrisburg, Mr. Rebert married (second) Mrs. Susan C. Smith, widow of Oliver B. Smith, and daugh- ter of John and granddaughter of William Van Newkirk, who came from Amsterdam, Holland, and settled in Baltimore, where he died. John Van Newkirk was born in Baltimore, Md., and was a cooper by trade, following that occupation and day laboring un- til going to Perry county, Pa., where, after lo- cating in Howe township, he died, aged forty- two years. He was very well known in that locality and highly respected. He married Charlotte Beatty, daughter of John Beatty, of Carlisle, Pa., of Scotch-Irish descent, and a member of a family of early settlers of Cumb- erland county. No children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rebert. By her marriage with Mr. Smith, Mrs. Rebert had three children, Ed. B., Frank M., and one that died in in- fancy . Mr. and Mrs. Rebert are rearing Char- lotte Smith, a tot of three years, who is a granddaughter of Mrs. Rebert, and daughter of her son, Frank M.

Market House. He has always been a man of industrious habits, and the result is shown in his present sound financial condition. He is most highly respected in Codorus township.

VALENTINE A. STEIN, one of the heaviest operators in the merchant tailor line in York, whose place of business is located at No. 145 West Market street, has been a resi- dent of this city since 1880. He is a native of Lower Windsor township, where he was born April 7, 1864, son of Valentine and Sarah (Fauth) Stein, both of whom are now de- ceased.

Charles Stein, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was a tailor and musician, who came to America from Germany and settled in Lower Windsor township, York Co., Pa., where he died in 1851, at the age of sixty-four years.

Valentine Stein, the father of Valentine A., was born in 1814, in a German Province along the Rhine, and came with his parents to this country when eighteen years of age. He spent his life in Lower Windsor township, where he was a tailor and farmer. His home was bought in 1842. He was a member of the Lutheran Church at Canadochley, in whichi he was organist for a number of years. His death occurred in 1878, while his wife survived until 1890. Mrs. Stein was born in Germany and when six years of age was brought to this country with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Stein became the parents of ten children, seven of whom grew to maturity.

Valentine. A. Stein, the youngest of the children born to his parents, was reared on the old homestead, and he received his educa- tion in the public schools. At the age of six- teen years he located in York and learned the trade of tailor. After three years as a journey- man, he embarked in business in Lebanon, where he only remained a short time, however, before locating in York. This was in Septem- ber, 1886, and he has since conducted his busi- ness very successfully, for years being located at or near his present location, where he has a fine property, which he greatly improved in 1903.

Amos Rebert is a Democrat, and served the borough as chief burgess. He is now a coun- cilman and school director, and is capably filling the duties of both of these offices. Re- ligiously he is a consistent member of the Lutheran Church, in which he and his wife take a very active part. Mr. Rebert has a number of business interests, among which may Mr. Stein was married, June 2, 1886, to be mentioned the Codorus Canning factory, in Miss Serena A. Shenberger, daughter of which he holds stock, as he does also in the George Shenberger, and two children have Drovers' and Mechanics' Bank of York, the been born to this union : Miriam O., and

V. a. Stein

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BIOGRAPHICAL

George V. Mr. and Mrs. Stein are consistent members of the St. Paul's Lutheran Church, at York.

JOHN PFISTERER, of Goldsboro, York county, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1843, son of Joseph and Josephine ( Hirsh) Pfisterer.

The great-grandfather of John Pfisterer was born in France, but removed to Germany, where he followed butchering and farming. and where he died.

Joseph Pfisterer, the grandfather, was also born in Germany, and he, too, followed butcher- ing and farming. At his death he left these children : Joseph, the father of John; Mary, deceased, who married William Bundshu; Elizabeth, deceased, married to a Mr. Witt- man ; and Caroline, deceased, married to a Mr. Kraus.

Joseph Pfisterer, the father of John, was born in 1806, in Wurtemberg, and received a good education. He was a farmer by occupa- tion and learned butchering with his father. He married Josephine Hirsh, born in 1806, daugh- ter of Michael Hirsh, of Weiler, Germany, and they lived and died on the homestead. They were consistent members of the Lutheran Church. The children born to this union were : Anthony, deceased, married Julia Strine, of Weiler, and they lived on the old homestead ; Cressentzia, married Karl Barth, and they lived at Werterberg, Oberböbingen; Rosanna mar- ried a Mr. Barth, a brother of her sister's hus- band, and they reside at the same place; Mary Ann, a widow, lives at Hauchlingen, Germany, and John.

charge of the floating crew, and so continued for eleven years. He then came to Goldsboro, where he was made track foreman on Division 15, and he has since held that position, having charge of fifteen men.

On Dec. 22, 1867 Mr. Pfisterer married Eliza Ann Peters, born Aug. 15, 1850, in Spring Garden township, daughter of John and Eliza (Freed) Peters, and the children born to this union were: Joseph, who married Gertrude Frank, is assistant foreman on the Northern Central railroad, and lives at Golds- boro; Charles C., who married Annie Cassell, is also employed by the railroad; John P. re- sides at home; Sarah married Robert Zigner, assistant postmaster at Cly; Annie married George Burger, and lives on Shelley's Island in the Susquehanna river; Nora married Ross Bair, a cigar maker at Goldsboro; and Urban a cigar maker, resides at home.

In politics Mr. Pfisterer is a Democrat and at the present time is serving as school director. In religious connection he is a member of the Lutheran Church. He is a man who com- mands the personal respect of his neighbors, and he has a wide circle of warm personal friends. In every sense of the word Mr. Pfis- terer is a selfmade man, having fought his way, almost unaided, from the bottom of the ladder.

John Peters, deceased, Mrs. Pfisterer's father, was born in Spring Garden township, where he was a laborer. Mrs. Peters is living in Hopewell township at the age of seventy years, while her husband died in Spring Garden township. The children born to Mr. Peters and his first wife, Elizabeth Frey, were as follows: Henry (deceased), Elizabeth, Sus-

John Pfisterer attended the schools in Ger- anna, Catherine and John. To John and Eliza many until fourteen years of age, and then (Freed) Peters these children were born : Caroline; Eliza Ann, the wife of Mr. Pfis- terer; Daniel, who lives in York township; Jacob; Rachel, deceased; Lucinda, deceased ; Emma, who lives in York township; Joseph, who is residing at Dallastown, York county; Peter, living in York: Lydia, who lives in Dallastown; and William and Amanda, who died in infancy. Mr. Peters was a man who was very highly respected for his many sterling traits of character. He and his good wife reared a family, which not only are a credit to their parents, but who have become useful citizens in the several communities in which they reside. learned the blacksmith's trade, which he fol- lowed for about three years, coming to Amer- ica at the age of seventeen. He made the trip on the English steam boat, "Belonia", and lo- cated at Philadelphia where he remained three years, following coach making and black- smithing. He then came to York, and worked by the day for Cristian Miller and Jacob Freed of Spring Garden township for five years, on June 6, 1868, engaging with the Northern Central railroad as a laborer on Sub-division II, south of York. He worked five years as a laborer and then was made assistant foreman, continuing as such until 1874, when he took

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

JOHN HOLDER, a retired business man of York, was born in that city, Sept. 8, 1839, son of George and Mary ( Wilt) Holder.

The paternal grandrather was a farmer in Lancaster county, and there died. His son, George, was born and reared there, receiving a public school education, and then removed to York, just as he was entering manhood. He was a shoemaker by trade, and followed that occupation during the winters, but in the sum- mer time he worked at fencemaking, and be- came well known in that line all over the county. He died at the age of sixty-one, while his wife, who was a Miss Mary Wilt, of York, daughter of Valentine and Susan Wilt, lived to the ripe old age of eighty-seven. Both were buried in the Prospect Hill cemetery. Their children were as follows: Henry, a carpenter by trade, who married a Miss Frost, of Ohio, and died in 1864, in Memphis, Tenn .; Mar- garet, Mrs. William R. Stouch, residing on Jackson street, York; Charlotte, deceased wife of George A. Karg, of York; Mary, who is housekeeper for her brother John; and John. The family are all proud of their father's war record, he having served in the early days of the country as a soldier in the war of 1812, under Capt. Spangler, of York. Mr. Holder was a member of the Lutheran Church, of York, and in politics was a Whig.

John Holder was sent to school in York until he was twelve years old, and then was put into the office of his brother-in-law, George A. Karg, to learn the trade of a painter. He remained with him ten years, and then at the outbreak of the Civil war, enlisted Aug. 24. 1861, in Company K, 87th P. V. I., in which he served three years and one month. At the battle of Winchester he was taken prisoner and was confined in Libby prison, but at the end of only three weeks he escaped and re- joined his company, a part of the Army of the Potomac, at Baltimore. Mustered out Aug. 24, 1864, he returned to York, secured a posi- tion with the Northern Central railroad, and remained in that position twenty-two years. The first part of the time he was head painter from Dunferry to Baltimore, and afterward from Marysville to Baltimore. When he left the railroad, Mr. Holder went into business as a contracting painter, in York, and was so oc- cupied until 1900, when he gave it up, after fifteen years experience, and retired from all

active work. His present residence is at No. 560 West King street, where he built his home 1n 188I. A confirmed bachelor, his home is managed by his sister, Mary, who has long . made her home with him. Mr. Holder is quiet in his tastes, and is a great reader, always pre- ferring good literature. He is much respected by all who know him, and is one of York's best citizens. In politics he is a Republican.

JOSHUA HENRY LA MOTT BOYER, one of the leading merchants of York county, engaged in business in Codorus township, was born Nov. 22, 1857, in Carroll county, Md., son of John L. and Nancy (La Mott) Boyer.

Samuel S. Boyer, his grandfather, was a son of Samuel Boyer, the founder of the fam- ily, who came from Switzerland. The former married Sarah Le Fever, who belonged to a family of French Huguenots. Their children were: Samuel, Henry, Jacob, George, Jolın L., Mary and Sarah.

John L. Boyer, son of Samuel S., was born Nov. 7, 1820, in Lancaster county, where he attended the public schools as they were con- ducted in his day, spending his first twenty- one years on his father's farm, and then ac- companying his parents to Carroll county, Md. They resided there twenty years, and then moved to the city of Frederick, where they died. In Carroll county, John L. Boyer mar- ried Nancy La Mott, daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth ( Hershey) La Mott, the former of whom was a general in the War of 1812, and was a descendant of Revolutionary stock. In 1870 Mr. Boyer located at New Freedom, Shrewsbury township, York county, where both he and his wife died, he aged seventy-two and she sixty-two. Both were buried in the New Freedom cemetery. He was a faithful member of the German Reformed Church, and she was equally consistent in following the pre- cepts of the Mennonite faith. They had these children : Sarah Jane, deceased : Elizabeth W., wife of Ephraim Ernst, of New Freedom; Joshua Henry La Mott ; and Jennie, deceased.

Joshua Henry La Mott Boyer was edu- cated in the schools of Carroll county, Md., at New Freedom and later at the graded school at Glen Rock, York county, and made such good use of his opportunities that at the age of sixteen years he was able to secure a certificate entitling him to teach, being one of the young-

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BIOGRAPHICAL

est ever so favored. He continued to teach

succeeding generations down to the father of in Manheim and Springfield townships, later our subject. Jacob Bortner was the first York in Carroll county, Md., and prior to leaving the county citizen, having settled on a farm in the · profession in 1888, taught a grammar school vicinity of Glen Rock. Jesse G. Bortner, the grandfather of our subject, was born there in 1820, and passed his life in that community as a farmer, dying in 1895. at New Freedom. He then purchased his pres- ent business location, rebuilding to suit his purposes. His commodious store room is 60x36 feet in dimensions, two and one-half stories in height, and his stock includes a well-selected array of dry goods and groceries well-calcu- lated to suit his large and constantly increasing trade.

Mr. Boyer also bought a farm of sixty acres, but later sold that, and now owns some twenty-four acres adjoining his store property, all of it being well improved. He also secured the postoffice called Stiltz, which is located in his store. He is one of the most enterprising and progressive men of this section. He was one of the principal workers to locate the first telephone lines from Hoffmanville, Md., to New Freedom, via his store, for the benefit of the public.

Mr. Boyer married Priscilla E. Stanford, daughter of John C. Stanford, of Baltimore county, Md., and they have two children : John Roy, attending the Glenville Academy; and Blanche Marie, a student in the local school.

If Mr. Boyer were known for nothing else he would be familiar to the good people of New Freedom on account of his musical gifts. From the age of sixteen years he has given vocal lessons, and for fourteen years was the leader of the New Freedom band. No public occasion arises which calls for music in this locality without Mr. Boyer generously respond- ing, and for a long period he has had charge of all such work. He is a fine performer on a number of instruments.

FRANK M. BORTNER. Prominent among the lawyers practicing before the Courts of York county, is Frank M. Bortner, who has been engaged in the practice of the law since his admission to the Bar on the 17th of No- vember, 1896.

The family of which Mr. Bortner is a mem- ber is one of the oldest in the county, having settled here from Chester county some time prior to the Revolutionary War. The original emigrant was from Germany and settled in

A. Bortner, the father of Frank M., resides in the city of York, and has been a successful business man for many years. He married Miss Anna M. Glatfelter, daughter of Isaac K. Glatfelter, a former prominent resident of Springfield township, now deceased.

Frank M. Bortner was born May 30, 1873- He received his early education in the public schools, later entering York County Academy. Finishing, the course at the academy, he at- tended Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg. where he graduated in the class of 1893. After graduation, he entered the schoolroom as a teacher, where for some time he proved most successful in the management of school and school work, generally. His work as a teacher was only a stepping stone to something more congenial, and in furtherance of his previously conceived plans lie registered as a law student in his native county, entering the law offices of Stewart, Niles & Neff, of which firm Judge Stewart was then the head. On Nov. 17, 18, 6. he was admitted to practice in the courts of his home county, and later to the Supreme and Superior Courts of Pennsylvania and the United States District courts.

Mr. Bortner was united in marriage with Miss Bertha V. Crider, daughter of Henry M. Crider, a former book merchant of York, whose death occurred in 1903. To this marriage was born, Robert F., July 23, 1903.

In politics Mr. Bortner is a stanchi Demo- crat, always standing for Democratic principles for the love of them. His services to his party have always been gratuitously rendered when requested. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. He is a Mason and a member of the higher degrees, and appendant orders thereof. He is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Mr. Bortner is the solicitor of a number of corporations and firms, among them being the Guardian Trust Company, of which he is also a director and trust officer. His success Chester county about 1740, where he was en- as a business lawyer must be regarded as the gaged in farming, as, indeed, have been the just result of clear-headed judgment, com-

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

bined with good executive ability. Mr. Bort- ner is an upright man, whose integrity is be- yond question, and he has not only gained. but he holds, the respect and esteem of his clients, business associates and personal friends.

WILLIAM M. DODSON, whose beauti- ful home in Chanceford township, known as "Breeze Hill," is one of the show places of that vicinity, has become well known during his residence in York county as a versatile man of business. He owns over three hundred acres of fine farming land, which he has cultivated with profit, and has done business in York since 1891.

Mr. Dodson was born April 18, 1853, in Indiana county, Pa., on the historic old place known as the "Sheriff Ralston farm," one mile from the county seat. He was the eldest of the three children born to John and Margaret (Adams) Dodson, the others being Emma, widow of James Kirtland, and John M., a hotel man of Indiana, Pa. Mrs. Dodson's father, David Adams, was a native of Germany, and was a physician and German Lutheran minister. William M. Dodson passed his early childhood in the locality of his birthplace, where he had ordinary school advantages. He was eight years old when his parents removed to New Alexandria, Westmoreland Co., Pa., and at the age of twelve he went to work near Greens- burg, in that county, remaining with the same employer until he was seventeen. He then had his first experience as a salesman, for Samuel Hoch, for whom he sold sewing ma- chines. He continued at that for half a year, with encouraging success, but he was anxious to start business on his own account, and he went to Johnstown, Pa., where he was soon es- tablished as a nurseryman. After a period of nine years, during which he met with great suc- cess. he entered an allied line of business by associating himself with the North Western Fertilizing Company, of Chicago, with which he was connected for sixteen years. He com- manded a salary of three thousand dollars a year, and was a valued employee of that com- pany. Meantime, in the year 1889. before severing this relation, he and G. W. Mapldo- ram (general superintendent of the Cambria Wire Works) embarked in the hardware busi- ness in Johnstown. Pa., a venture which re- sulted very profitably. In 1891 Mr. Dodson

disposed of his interest in the concern to his partner, the same year removing to York. Here he continued to work in the interest of the North Western Fertilizing Company until . 1897, when he started in the same line of busi- ness for himself. Though alone in the enter- p:ise he did business under the name of the Southern Fertilizing Company, making his headquarters at York, where he had his resi- dence, having purchased a fine brick dwelling on West Market street upon his removal to the city.

Up-to-date agriculture has naturally come. in for a good share of attention from Mr. Dod- son, and in 1894 he purchased a tract of land comprising 140 acres in Lower Chanceford township. It is one of the most fertile places in York county, and certainly one of the most highly improved, Mr. Dodson having brought it to its present condition by a generous but judicious expenditure of his means, governed by characteristic discrimination and skill. The out buildings are models of tasteful architec- ture, and the creamery located upon the prop- erty is perfect in its appointments. In 1899 Mr. Dodson bought another farm, of 177 acres, upon which he immediately erected a barn 90x40 feet in dimensions, provided with every known convenience, said to be the finest equipped barn in southern Pennsylvania. The residence one mile from this place, now the home of the Dodson family, was purchased of John H. Small, and is a beautiful villa designed for comfort as well as appearance, being heat- ed by steam and lighted by gas manufactured on the grounds. The site is a charming one, and the surroundings indicative of the taste and individuality of a man who knows how to employ his leisure as well as his business hours. A ten-pin alley and tennis courts for the en- joyment of the family and the numerous guests they entertain are features of the grounds, which are skillfully laid out and embellished in a style above criticism.

In 1905 Mr. Dodson purchased the fixtures and stock of the "Hotel National", installing therein his son-in-law. A. F. Rowe, as man- ager and proprietor, and under his manage- ment the hostelry has taken first rank among the popular hotels of southern Pennsylvania.

Mr. Dodson has risen in the world by sheer pluck. He is one of those men who seem born to prosper, for though he has had his full

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

bied with good executive ability. Mr. Burt disposed of his interest in the concern to his ner is an upre " con. where integrity is be- parti r. the same year removing to York. von ! questa ) ! he has notably gained, but he holds, the aspect and . . . of his clients, business avis 00, 01 1 15 l friends. flere ne ontinued to work in the interest of the North Western Fertilizing Company und 1 1807. when he started in the same line of bar re- for himself. Though alone in the enter WILLIAM NI LAY. whose beanti- ful home in Ch: .ship, known as "Breeze Hill." is . w places of that Nichts, has ir crown during his prise he did business under the name of the Southern Fertilizing Company, making | headquarters at York, where he had his res denge, having purchased a fine brick dwelling residence in ) ... versatile man of on West Market street upon his removal the city

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 62

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