History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 64

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

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In 1863 Mr. Bush was married to Amelia to America, landing at Baltimore, but not re- Jane Shearer, daughter of Amos Shearer, of

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

York, who died Dec. 8, 1897, and was buried at Prospect Hill. They had these children : Annie Laurie, wife of Samuel Platts, of York; Charles A., who married Nora Witmer; Ellen Jane, who married William Glassie; Kate A., who married Frank Baker; George E., who married Sevilla Kissinger ; John Franklin, who married Annie Wise, but is now deceased, hav- ing been run over by a heavy wagon, when but twenty-two years old; Minnie D., who died young ; Martha, who married Ferdinand Wit- mer; Mary V., who married Clarence Wood- ling; Carrie I., who married Harry Groover ; and Elmer, unmarried. Mr. Bush, was mar- ried (second) June 19, 1900, to Emily Carroll Moorhead, widow of J. N. Moorhead, who was a member of the 87th regiment during the Civil war, and he left three children, namely : Miriam, a teacher in York; Marcus C. and James E. There is no issue to the second mar- riage of Mr. Bush.

Mr. Bush has been a life-long Democrat and has been a very prominent and useful mem- ber of his party. He possesses the confidence of his fellow citizens, as has been shown on numerous occasions when he has been elected to responsible offices. He was treasurer of Spring Garden township, and when Freytown was admitted to the city of York, he was one of the first councilmen of the Twelfth ward. For a period of seventeen years he was a director of the Freytown Building Association, which was a very important business factor in the improvement of that part of the city. He has always taken a deep interest in the various civic organizations which are for the mainten- ance of good order and public safety, and he served for a great number of years as the ef- ficient president of the Goodwill Fire Company. Mr. Bush has also supported educational measures and religious movements. For many years he has been a consistent member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, in which he has been an elder for the past ten years. Mr. Bush is acknowledged to be a man of intellectual as well as business ability, and is reckoned with the men of whom it is said his word is as good as his bond in any kind of a transaction.

ELI S. KELLER was born Dec. 20, 1864, in Codorus township, son of John H. Keller and a grandson of Jacob Keller.

stantial, reliable men of this section of York county. For many years he carried on farming in the vicinity of Bonair. He married Lydia Hoover, who died at the age of eighty-three years, while his death occurred at the age of seventy years. Both were buried at Fishel's Church in Shrewsbury township. Their chil- dren were: William, Jacob, Elizabeth, John H., Lydia, Rebecca, Lavina and Celia.

John H. Keller was born in Codorus town- ship and attended the local schools. When his education was completed he learned the car- penter's trade, which he followed for some years, and then entered into the employ of the Glen Rock planing-mill, where he had his home for thirty years. His farm he bought in Co- dorus township of his father-in-law, and it is a well cultivated tract of sixty-eight acres, im- proved by new and substantial buildings. His death took place in 1897, at the age of sixty years. He married Elizabeth Sheffer, daughter of Adam and Susan (Ruhl) Sheffer. The mother of our subject still resides on the home farm. The children of the above union were: Eli S., of this sketch; and Sourie M., wife of Harry Fritz, who lives in the Sixth district, Baltimore county, Maryland.

Eli S. Keller attended the township schools until he was seventeen years of age, when he took charge of his father's farm which he is still operating, and he is looked upon as one of the most sensible and thorough farmers of this neighborhood.

Mr. Keller has been married twice, his first wife, Rosa Cullings having died in 1890. She was the mother of five children, namely: Es- tella L .; Carrie F., who is a student at Glen- ville Academy; Harry, deceased; and Melrow and Monrow, twins, both deceased. He mar- ried (second) Maggie Werner, who died in 1900, leaving one child, Alice.

In politics Mr. Keller is a Democrat. He has served the township very satisfactorily as school director, and was one of the leading men to advocate the erection of the Glenville high school. He is a member of the Reformed Church at Stiltz, in which he has been å dea- con. For a considerable period he has been an active member of Camp No. 493. P. O. S. of A., at Bonair, and was its first vice-president.

WELLS WHIP COMPANY, which car- In Jacob Keller was found one of the sub- ries on one of the thriving industries of Wells-

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ville, York Co., Pa., was first established in always bore the reputation of being the 1837 in York, under the style of McIntire & best mechanic of his locality. From Lan- caster he came to York county, and many of at the most substantial buildings in this township attest his skill. His death occurred at Pitts- burg in 1857, from an attack of cholera. His children were: Lydia A., Catherine, George WV., Leah, Hattie and twins who died young. Besides George W., the only survivor is Leah, who married George Leidy, now deceased, who was a soldier of the Civil war. Both Henry Engle and wife were members of the Reformed Church. In politics he was a Whig. His widow died March 9, 1864.

Wells, and in 1845 the business was re-estab- lished, with headquarters and factories Wellsville, under the name of Wells, Riddle & Co. This firm existed until 1864, when the firm was re-organized under the name of A. & J. E. Wells, these partners being the found- ers of Wellsville. This company existed until 1871, when Abram Wells died, and the firm name was changed to J. E. Wells & Co., J. G. Wells being admitted as a partner. In the fall of 1878 J. E. Wells retired and the firm was then styled as J. G. Wells & Co., from which it was changed to the Wells Whip Company, after one year, and continued under this name until 1887. In this year the firm was incorpor- ated, and these officers were elected: T. B. Hoover, president, and R. J. Belt, secretary and treasurer, and in 1890 J. Milligan was elected secretary.

The firm manufactures all kinds of whips, and employs on an average eighty to one hundred hands, also engaging thirty men as traveling salesmen. The output is about 300 dozen whips per day. In. 1891 the plant was destroyed by fire, and was rebuilt in 1902 on its present site, only to be again to- tally destroyed. The former plants were of frame, but in 1902 after the last fire, they were rebuilt, and native field stone was used in the construction. The main factory is 262x40 feet, with two wings 60x40, and a center wing 50x30 feet. It is two stories in height, has a sixty-horse power boiler and a fifty-horse pow- er engine. The firm owns its own electric light plant and water plant, and fully equipped pat- tern works. The company finds sale for its goods in all States of the Union, commanding the bulk of the trade through the East and Middle West. The business is increasing rapidly, and it can truly be called one of Penn- sylvania's great industries.

GEORGE W. ENGLE, engaged in farm- ing and fruit growing in Monaghan township, was born Dec. 15, 1843, in this township, son of Henry and Nancy ( Lauck ) Engle.

The Engle family probably originated in France, but Henry Engle, the father of our subject, was born where his entire life was spent, in Pennsylvania. His business was that of carpentering and contracting, and he

George W. Engle was but a small boy when his father died. Circumstances caused his early life to be one of great hardship. He was only ten years old when he was bound out to Michael Mumper, now deceased, and he re- mained in that family until he was eighteen years of age. Then he started to learn the carpenter's trade, but had been engaged only one year when the Civil war broke out. On May 15, 1861, he enlisted for the three months' service, in Company C, 16th P. V. I., under Capt. Deisheimer, of Mechanicsburg, and after serving through the first term, just as readily enlisted again, this enlistment being in Com- pany H, 9th P. V. C., and dating from Oct. 28, 1861, for three years. When discharged he re-enlisted again in the same regiment, in January, 1864, determined to be faithful as long as his country was in danger, and he con- tinued in the army until the final close of the war. During all this time he had been in danger a thousand times, and once had his horse shot from under him from which he sus- tained injuries from which he has never re- covered. He belonged to a gallant regiment which participated in 164 engagements, enter- ing with the full quota of 1400 men, coming out with but 300.

After the close of the war Mr. Engle re- turned to Cumberland county where he worked for a short time at farming, and then entered into the milling business, at which he continued for thirty years. As a miller probably few men in the township can excel Mr. Engle, his long experience making him familiar with both the old and the modern methods of milling. Fin- ally he decided to settle down to small farm- ing and fruit growing, and purchased his pres- ent fertile tract of thirty-five acres, to which

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

he has given close attention ever since. He nobleman, Johann Daniel Dinkel, and his wife, raises small grain and, grows fruit, and is sur- Maria Ursula ( Von Ernest) Dinkel, of Stras- rounded with all that makes life comfortable. burg, who arrived in Philadelphia with their

Mr. Engle has been twice married. On children on the "Thistle," from Rotterdam, Nov. 4, 1869, he was united to Amanda C. Aug. 29, 1730. Firestone, daughter of George Firestone, and the twelve children born to this union were: Agnes, Lucinda, Etta, Bertha, Samuel, Jacob, Lizzie M., Milton, Carrie, Ira, Albert W. and Iva. The mother of these children died March 26, 1894, aged forty-five years. Mr. Engle was married ( second), Sept. 26, 1895, to Mrs. George Myers, widow of George Myers and formerly Miss Sarah Ellen Byers. Four chil- dren had been born to Mrs. Engle's first mar- riage, viz. : Bertha, Effie, Maud and Delilah, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Engle have had these children : Calvin, Mary, Clara, Harry and Georgia Irene.

In politics Mr. Engle is a Republican. In religious belief he is a German Baptist. He is a man who has made his own way in the world, and has gained what he possesses, and secured the respect of his fellow citizens through his own industry and honest methods.

HARRISON CLAY WIEST SHELLEY, of York, Pa., has descended from some of the oldest and best families of York county, on both the paternal and maternal sides, extend- ing back many generations in this country. He came through a line of fighters. His grand- father, Michael Shelley, born in 1793, served in the war of 1812, and died in 1865, at the age of seventy-one years. He married Cath- erine Bott, and their children were: Martin, Susan, William, Annie, Josiah and Amanda, all of whom are now deceased, except Josiah.

Josiah Shelley's children are: H. Clay Wiest ; Annie Kate, wife of Edward Sweitzer; George Robert Albright; and Susan Amanda Isabelle, of New York City.

Jacob Wiest, grandfather of H. C. W. Shel- ley, served his country in the Civil war, as cap- tain of Company H, 200th Regiment, during its existence and its time in service. He col- lected many relics from the battle field, some of which, with his sword which he used in service, are now in the possession of our subject. After the war, the survivors of Captain Wiest's com- pany presented him a beautiful sword, for the honor in which they held him. He served as associate judge of the county courts of York, being appointed by Governor Geary to fill an unexpired term. He was a charter member and one of the founders of Heidelberg Reformed Church. He married Susan E., daughter of George Albright, and they had three children : Elizabeth Ann, who married Josialı Shelley; Susan A., wife of Jacob Hose, now chief of police of York; and Harrison Clay, all now deceased. The latter enlisted at Lincoln's first call for troops, going out with the company known as the York Rifles (first defenders). He afterward enlisted in Company A, 107th P. V. I., and was wounded in the battle of An- tietam, Sept. 17. 1862, from the effects of which he died. By an act of the Assembly the State gave to each member of the York Rifles, or their descendants, a bronze medal, for pat- riotism, and one of these Mr. Shelley possesses.

Harrison Clay Wiest Shelley was born Oct. 30, 1863, at No. 216 West Market street, in the borough of York. Pa., eldest son of Josiah and Elizabeth Ann (Wiest) Shelley, was edu- cated in the schools of York and the York County Academy, and in July, 1878. entered the printing office of the York Daily, to learn the trade of printing. After a few years at this trade he began to learn chain-making. in the Keystone Chain Works, of Mumper & Walker. He afterward became foreman of this plant with the firm of John C. Schmidt & Co. He later went to Philadelphia, and entered a gro- cery and delicatessen business, and on his re- turn to his native town resumed printing. holding positions in the following offices : Delta Herald, Delta, Pa .; the York Daily Publishing Co., and the Hubley Printing Co. In October,

The great-great-grandfather of our sub- ject, on his mother's side was Lt. Col. Philip Albright, of Revolutionary fame, who had a good record. He was the son of George and Barbara Albright, who arrived in Philadelphia, Oct. 16, 1732, on the "William and Mary." Constable Tymperton, Master, from Rotter- dam, with their three sons : Antoni, Hans and Peter ; Philip being born after their arrival in America. Lt. Col. Philip Albright married Anna Maria Ursula Dinkel, daughter of a 1900, he accepted a position with the Morning

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Republican, West Chester, Pa., and later with the Ketterlinus Lithograph Manufacturing Co., of Philadelphia. Returning again to York he entered the employ of the Mapie Press Co., at which place he operated the first automatic feeding machine attached to a printing press, erected in York. He is now in the employ of the Gazette Co., and is in charge of the press- room of their large and up-to-date plant, of which branch of the trade he has been making a specialty for the past ten years.

Mr. Shelley was reared in the faith of the Reformed Church, and is a consistent member of Heidelberg Reformed congregation, of which for a number of years he served as deacon, and as superintendent of the Sunday-school. Mr. Shelley served a term as a member of the board of directors of the Y. M. C. A. He be- longs to the York County Historical Society. Society.

On Sept. 24, 1885, Mr. Shelley was united in marriage with Ruth Ella Trout, daughter of David and Hannah Hester (Rockhold) Trout, natives of York, and descendants of English and German ancestry. Mr. Shelley is a man in whom everyone places the utmost confidence and regards with esteem.

WADE W. McCLUNE, secretary of the school district comprising the city of York, is a son of one of the oldest and most honored members of the Bar of York county.

Wade W. McClune was born in the city of York, July 2, 1879, and after completing the curriculum of the public schools he entered the York Collegiate Institute. When his school days were ended, he served an apprenticeship at the trade of carriage painting, becoming a skilled workman, and he continued to follow his trade as a vocation for a period of five years. During the ensuing five years he was a sales- man for the Grand Union Tea Company, with headquarters at York, and at the expiration of the interval noted, in February, 1901, he was elected to his present position as secretary of the York City school district, in which he has proved in a significant way the wisdom which led to his being chosen for the office, whose affairs he handles with distinctive judgment and efficiency. Mr. McClune is a member of the Rescue Fire Company, and the Firemen's Relief Association of York, while he is a zeal- ous and valued member of Calvary Presbyter-

ian Church, on whose board of trustees he has served some time. In politics he is a stalwart advocate of the principles and policies of the Democratic party, and on various occasions he has been called upon to serve as judge, inspector or clerk of elections in the Eighth ward, while he has been frequently a member of the ward committee of his party, and a delegate from his district to the county conventions. When only twenty-one years of age Mr. McClune was ap- pointed judge of the election board by Judge Bittenger, and he is recognized as one of the most ardent and loyal young Democrats of his native city, while he enjoys marked popular- ity in both business and social circles.

On May 30, 1894, Mr. McClune married Miss Annie Campbell, daughter of David Campbell, a well-known citizen of York, and of this union have been born three children, Hugh Harold, Laura Elmira and Jennie Elea- nore.

GEORGE M. LEADER. Most attractive- ly located along the Baltimore pike road, in York township, is the fine farm and home of George M. Leader, a native son of York coun- ty. He was born on the parental homestead farm, in York township, Jan. 26, 1858, and is a representative of the fourth, possibly the fifth, generation of the family in York county.

Frederick Leader, his great-grandfather, was one of the prominent pioneer farmers of Lower Chanceford township, but the records extant do not indicate the place of his birth or whether his parents came to this county. It is conjectured, however, that he was born in this county, in which event it becomes evident that the family was among those very early established in this now opulent and favored sec- tion of the old Keystone State. From Lower Chanceford township Frederick Leader re- moved to York township, where he secured a tract of 250 acres of land, near the Dietz mill. and there he passed the remainder of his life. his remains having been laid to rest in the cem- etery of the United Brethren Church at Spry.

George Leader, son of Frederick and grand- father of our subject, was born in Lower Chanceford township, and was a boy at the time of the family's removal to York township, where he was reared to manhood, receiving good educational advantages for his day, as is evident from the fact that when a

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young man he was a successful teacher, in lived practically retired, making his home with Springfield township, and also in what is now his son George, the subject of this review. He is a stanch Democrat in his political procliv- ities, and has ever taken deep interest in public affairs, particularly those of a local nature, while he has been an able and reliable business man, so ordering his life in all its relations that he to-day commands the confidence and high esteem of all who know him. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran Church, of which his devoted wife also was a consistent member. Mrs. Leah E. Leader died Aug. 22, 1898, and was buried in the Salem church cemetery, pre- viously mentioned. She bore her husband the following children: Phebe Alice, who became the wife of Henry Dise, died in Springfield township, in 1881; George M. is next in or- der of birth; Priscilla is the wife of Joe L. Trout, and they now reside in the city of Pitts- burg, Mr. Trout having previously been, for a period of sixteen years, bookkeeper for the Glen Manufacturing Co., at Glen Rock, York county ; and Leah E. died at the age of thir- teen years. North Hopewell township. He finally pur- chased the old homestead farm, upon which he made many improvements, becoming one of the prominent and influential citizens of the town- ship and there continuing to be identified with agricultural pursuits until his death. His re- mains rest in the cemetery of Salem church, at Paradise, Springfield township. His wife, whose inaiden name was Eva Weiser, was like- wise interred in this same "God's acre", both having been faithful and devoted members of the Salem Lutheran Church, at Paradise, while he was specially active in the work of the Sun- day-school. His political allegiance was given to the Democratic party. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. George Leader were : Charles W., who died in Huntingdon county, Pa .; Miss Priscilla, who died in York; Sarah M., who became the wife of John Stouch, at one time county treasurer, and her death occurred in the city of York; George W., a resident of York; Henry, mentioned below ; Jesse, formerly a miller by vocation, and now a representative farmer of Conewago township; Elizabeth, who married Jacob Stiles, and after his death be- came the wife of William Glatfelter, a local preacher of the Church of God, and they re- side at Yoe, this county; Lydia, widow of David Willet, of Hanover, this county; Miss Eliza Ann, who resides in York; and Anna Maria, wife of William H. Hartman, of Para- dise, this county.

Henry Leader was born in York township, Dec. 27, 1830, and passed his youth in York and Springfield townships, while he received a good common-school education. In 1854 he was united in marriage to Miss Leah E. Wam- baugh, who was born in Springfield township, Sept. 12, 1830, a daughter of Michael and Mary (Landis) Wambaugh, the former of whom was a miller by trade. After his mar- riage Henry Leader continued to reside for some time in York township, engaged in ag- ricultural pursuits, and he then removed to Springfield township, where he continued in the same vocation for a number of years. He after- ward removed to Codorus township, where he purchased a well equipped sawmill, which he continued to operate for the ensuing fourteen years, in connection with a general lumbering business. Since the death of his wife he lias

George M. Leader attended the public schools of York and Springfield townships in his youth, continuing his studies in this way with much regularity until he had attained the age of nineteen years. In the meanwhile he had assisted his father in his business enter- prises, continuing in this association until two years after his marriage, which was solemnized in the year 1881. In 1885 he purchased thirty acres of land at Hametown, Shrewsbury town- ship, and there continued to reside for three years, giving his attention to general farming. He then disposed of this little farm and re- moved to Glen Rock, where he became actively concerned in the work and management of the Glen Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of doors, sash, blinds, church pews, etc., being one of the stockholders of said company. Af- ter having been thus identified with this enter- prise for a period of ten years Mr. Leader re- turned to Hametown, purchasing a residence and thirty-three acres of land, on the opposite side of the road from his former home, and there he continued to reside for two years. He was also a stockholder and director in the Glen Rock Wire Cloth factory. In 1899 he pur- chased of Josiah Day his present fine farm of sixty-four acres, in York township, taking up his residence on the place in the spring of 1900,

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having, in the meanwhile, disposed of his prop- erty at Hametown. His present farm, which is equipped with substantial improvements of modern order, including an attractive residence, is located on the Baltimore pike, about three miles south of the city of York, and it may be said without fear of contradiction that there are few farms in the county more attractive than this pleasant homestead, which gives evi- dence of progressive management and the high- est order of thrift and prosperity. While ever manifesting a loyal interest in all that concerns the well being of the community and keeping in touch with the questions and issues of the hour, Mr. Leader has never been afflicted with the ambition for public office, while in his po- litical attitude he is independent, giving his support to the men and measures which meet the approval of his judgment. During his residence at Glen Rock he was elected school director, and was appointed a member of the Board of Health, serving as its secretary until his removal from that town. He has also served as judge and inspector of elections at different times. Both he and his wife are mem- bers of the Lutheran Church at York.

On Nov. 20, 1881, was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Leader to Miss Susan Myers, who was born and reared in Springfield town- ship, being a daughter of Jacob Y. and Nancy (Shamberger) Myers, who are now living at York. Mr. and Mrs. Leader have one son, an ·exceptionally fine young man, endowed with marked strength of character and high intel- lectuality. This son, Guy Alvin, was born in Shrewsbury township, Oct. 21, 1887, and has received excellent educational advantages, while his intention is to secure a liberal edu- cation through proper collegiate work. He was at the time of this writing, engaged in teach- ing in the district school, in" York township, though only seventeen years of age, making an excellent record in that connection.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 64

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