History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 66

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

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Mr. Sneeringer married, in September, 1898, Miss Daisy V. Schaberg, of Hanover, daugliter of Francis and Mary Schaberg.

MARTIN WHISLER, for the past twenty-five years a minister of the Mennonite persuasion, who has hield pastorates in both Pennsylvania and Maryland, and now in charge of the church at Hanover, comes of a family long known in Cumberland county, where he was born on a farm near Newville, in Febru- ary, 1846, son of Peter and Ester (Martin) Whisler.

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removed with them to Cumberland county, came to the Keystone State in an early day. when she was sixteen years old. Her father William Kendig, grandfather of Jacob S., was born in York county, and came of stanch German lineage. He became one of the pros- perous farmers of Hopewell township, and there both he and his wife died. was a prosperous farmer. To Peter and Es- ter Whisler were born five children, one of whom died in early life; the others were : Sus- anna, deceased wife of Benjamin Lehman; Maria; Emanuel, a farmer in Manheim town- ship; and Martin.

Martin Whisler grew up in Cumberland county, and until he was seventeen years old attended the Negley school in Mifflin township, while the next four years were spent in assist- ing his father. At the age of twenty-one he started out for himself on the Sollenberger farm, a tract of land of ninety-six acres, situ- ated in Penn township. He now has charge of the "Iron Ore" farm which he has rented to his son-in-law, Henry Swemley. In addition to this farm, Mr. Whisler owns a good house and lot in Penn township, and also similar property in Menges Mills, for he was an indus- trious and able farmer and conducted his af- fairs with good success in a material way. His active career as a teacher began in 1877, when he entered upon four years of public service in Cumberland county. Later besides preaching several years in Zimmerman, Carroll county, Md., he had charge both of the Diller Church and the Hostetter Church, most of the time combining his ministerial duties and his farm- ing. Mr. Whisler has been untiringly faithful in the discharge of his duties, and has been a power for good in his community. He was married at the age of twenty-one to Elizabeth Lay, daughter of John Lay, of Cumberland county, and ten children were born to this union, namely : Emma R., deceased; Anna, Mrs. John Jacobs, of York county ; Hettie E., Mrs. Clayton Shool, of Hanover : Edward A., of Hanover ; Samuel, unmarried : Fannie, who married Henry Moul, a farmer : Effie M., Mrs. Henry Swemley: Martin P., Clayton E. and Mabel M., all at home. Mrs. Elizabeth Whis- ler .died in November, 1891, and Mr. Whisler married for his second wife, Amanda, widow of the late John Lillick, and daughter of George and Elizabeth (Hershey) Forry.

JACOB S. KENDIG, superintendent of the Keystone Farm Machine Company. repre- senting one of the most important industrial enterprises in the city of York, is a native son of York county and a scion of a family that

William Kendig, the honored father of Ja- cob S., was likewise born and reared in York county, and was numbered among the honored farmers of Hopewell township. At the out- break of the war of the Rebellion, like so many other loyal and patriotic sons of the republic he left the work of the farm to take up arms in defense of the Union, enlisting as a member of Company A, 200th P. V. I., with which he served until he was physically incapacitated, while it was his to sacrifice his life on the altar of his country, since he died in the City Point hospital, Virginia, in 1865, at the age of thirty- five years. His wife, whose maiden name was Christiana Saylor, was likewise born in York county, being a daughter of Jacob Saylor, a well-to-do farmer of Spring Garden township. and she survived him many years, her death occurring Dec. 26, 1903, at which time she was seventy-two years of age. They were the parents of seven children, namely: George W. and William H., who are well-known cit- izens of York; Jennie, wife of John T. Hubley. who is engaged in the printing business in York; Amanda E., wife of John W. Watts, of York; Emma, wife of Charles T. Clopper, a machinist of this city; Clara wife of Andrew Ostertag, a furniture dealer of Philadelphia; and Jacob S.

Jacob S. Kendig was born on the old home- stead farm, in Hopewell township, this county, Nov. 29, 1862, and he remained on the home farm, assisting in its work, during his boyhood days, while his educational training was se- cured in the local schools and those of the city of York. When eighteen years of age he be- gan working in the shops of the A. B. Far- quhar Company, in York, becoming a skilled machinist and continuing in the employ of the company mentioned for a period of seven years. He then. in September. 1890, entered the ser- vice of the Keystone Farm Machine Company, as foreman of the machine shop, and in 1900 a just recognition of his ability and fidelity came to him in the form of promotion to his present office of superintendent of the exten- sive plant of the company. In the works em-

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ployment is given to about one hundred and hity persons, and under the superintendency of Mr. Kendig the enterprise has been mucil extended in scope and importance, the pro- ducts of the concern being shipped into all sec- tions of the United States, while shipments are made each year to Germany, England, Cuba, South America and Africa. In poli- tics Mr. Kendig is independent, and fraternally we find him identified with the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. Both he and his wife are consistent members of Trinity Re- formed Church.

Mr. Kendig's marriage was solemnized Nov. 27, 1889, when Miss Mary E. King be- came his wife. She was born in York, daughter of the late John T. King, who was a prominent contractor and builder of York. Mr. and Mrs. Kendig have one son, H. King, born May 15, 1893, who is attending the city schools.

MATHIAS BAKER, one of the highly esteemed residents of Manchester borough and one of York county's substantial citizens, was born Dec. II, 1841, in Newberry township, son of Mathias Baker, formerly a most worthy and respected farmer of this locality.

Of his grandparents Mr. Baker knows lit- tle as the old family records have not been pre- served, but he knows that they lived and died in Newberry township. They had two sons and one daughter, the latter of whom married a man by the name of Boyer. One son was our subject's father and the other, Daniel Ba- ker, kept the toll gate for a long time.

Newberry township; Mary Ann died Feb. 2, 1860, aged fourteen years, one month and two days; John, born Dec. 29, 1832, died March 3, 1854; Sarah Ann, born Oct. 13, 1851, died Oct. 1, 1852; and Lydia, born Oct. 7, 1838, died aged one year and eleven months. The above named children are all buried in the Mennonite churchyard in East Manchester township, York county.

Mathias Baker, son of Mathias, was edu- cated in the schools of Newberry township, but had few advantages as his father died when he was quite young, and he was obliged to go out among strangers. He was very in- dustrious, and seldom wanted for employment. In 1862 he married Elizabeth Keller, born Feb. 7, 1844, who died Jan. 14, 1887, aged forty- two years, eleven months and seven days. She was buried at the Union cemetery at Manches- ter. She was a faithful member of the United Brethren Church.

After liis marriage Mr. Baker settled at Roundtown in Manchester township, doing day's work there for some two years, and then passed the early summer working on farms in Conewago township. In August, 1864, he en- listed for service in the Civil war, entering Company D, 200th P. V. I., under Capt. Duh- ling, and was mustered in at Harrisburg. His command was sent to Virginia and took part in the battle at Petersburg. After nine monthis service, he returned to Newberry town- ship, fortunate in having escaped injury although on the above field of battle the men on his right and left sides were both killed.

Mathias Baker, father of our subject, was born Aug. 2, 1807, in Newberry township After his return from the front, Mr. Baker continued to work by the day for the next two and a half years, and then came to East Man- chester township, where he operated John Spahr's farm on Conewago creek for nine years. From there he went to Samuel Gross' farm for five years, and then after four years where he went to school, followed an agricul- tural life and died Feb. 24, 1854. He was twice married, first to Elizabeth Good, who was born in 1800, and died Dec. 15, 1830. He mar- ried (second ) Sarah Kohr, who died Aug. 13. 1890, aged seventy-three years, six months and twenty-five days. His children were: Eliza- on another farm, he bought a first class farm beth, who married Peter Updegraff, lives in of seventy-five acres in Manchester township. Mr. Baker took a great deal of interest in that farm, and erected fine buildings and made many improvements, residing on that property for six years. In 1892 he came to Manchester purchasing a fine home on High street, and here he is enjoying the ease and comfort of a retired life. He has always worked hard, and has made his own way in the world. Lewisberry; Jacob, who died in Newberry township, was a blacksmith at Yocumtown and during the Civil war served in Company I, 200th P. V. I. ; Mathias ; Daniel, who married Elizabeth Markley, and resides in Manchester township, served also in the Civil war, a mem- ber of Company D, the above regiment ; Ben- jamin, who married Sarah Fetrow, lives in

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In 1891 Mr. Baker was married (second) Republican in politics, he has served as super- to Amanda Grenewalt of Dover township, born visor of the township for two years. Mr. and Mrs. Sentz's children are as follows: Sarah lda, Henry S. and Benjamin F. Nov. 25, 1852, who died Oct. 12, 1894, aged forty-one years, ten months and seventeen days. He is the father of the following children, all born to his first union : Flora C. married Moses BENEDICT MEADS MANIFOLD, a retired farmer of Hopewell township, York county, is a son of Hon. John and Miranda (Meads) Manifold, and was born in 1832, 011 the old family homestead in East Hopewell township, now the property of his brother, S. B. Manifold. The father was at one time a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature. Wagner, and they live at Starview, East Man- chester township; Alvin E., born Nov. 17, 1863, married Elizabeth Hoffman, and they live in East Manchester township; William Henry, born June 17, 1866, married Jane Bruan, and they live on the home farm; Franklin Calvin, born Aug. 31, 1868, died Oct. 2, 1888, aged twenty years, one month and two days, and was buried beside his mother; Al- meda Susan, born Aug. 23, 1869, married Will- iam Keller, and they live near Bradford, Ohio; Phebe, born Nov. 3, 1874, married George Hoffman, and they live in Springetsbury township; and Mathias H., born Oct. 24. 1876; is unmarried. Mr. 'Baker is affiliated with the Republican party, and he has served on the city council of Manchester. He is an honorable citizen who is very highly regarded.

BENJAMIN SENTZ, of North Hopewell township, is at present engaged in general farming and tobacco raising on his seventy- one-acre farm. He was born in that township, Oct. 14, 1850, son of Henry and Lydia (Ty- son) Sentz.

Henry Sentz and his wife both died in North Hopewell township, in the faith of the Reformed Church. In politics he was a Re- publican. They had a family of nine children, and of these our subject was the youngest.

Benjamin Sentz attended the public schools of his township until eighteen years of age, and was reared to the life of a farmer. He worked with his father until his twenty-first year, when he started out for himself, working for two years with Jacob Diehl, and two years with Eli Herslı. After his marriage he lived in a tenant house for one year, and then bought his present place of seventy-one acres, where he is now engaged in general farming and to- bacco raising. Mr. Sentz was married to Miss Henrietta Haney, daughter of Squire Levi and Sarah Ann ( Phillips) Haney.

Mr. and Mrs. Sentz are members of the Reformed Church, in which he has been active since his affiliation with that body in 1870, having been elder for ten years, and helping to build the present church building. A stanch

Benedict M. Manifold has spent his life in agricultural pursuits. He was brought up on his father's farm, assisting about the place even as a boy. He attended the township schools regularly until he was seventeen, one of his best known teachers being William Hanı- mond, and after completing his studies he con- tinued at home as a regular helper of his fath- er until he was married. He then started on his own account, in April, 1870, on the farm where he still lives, now known as the Bridge- way farm. It is a place of 140 acres, and is both productive and well-managed. While the buildings were put up by a former owner, Thomas Shaw, the house being erected as early as 1842, they are still in good condition.

Mr. Manifold was married March 10, 1870, to Miss Ann B. Payne, daughter of Fulton and Franey Elizabeth (Lanius) Payne, both of whom died in Hopewell township. To this union have come children as follows : John Jo- seph, who married Miss Marion Anderson, and resides in Hopewell township: Benjamin Ful- ton Payne, a resident of East Hopewell town- ship, who married Miss Bertha Hyson: Ed- ward Lanius, at home: Benedict Meads, of South Dakota; Oscar E., who married Miss Abbie Althouse, and lives in Hopewell town- ship; William Reynolds, at home : Franey Eliz- abeth, at home ; Margaret Mary, Mrs. Joseplı Ray Anderson, of Hopewell township: and Clay Walter, who was graduated in August, 1905, at Goldy Commercial College, Wil- mington, Del., and is now a bookkeeper in the freight office for the Pennsylvania railroad in York. The family are all devout members of the Presbyterian Church.

In politics Mr. Manifold has been a life- long Democrat, and one who has done his part in public service for his locality. His special sphere of activity has been in promoting the

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

welfare of the community in an educational and college in Philadelphia, secured a posi- way, and he has been a member of the school board, acting as treasurer of that body. Mr. Manifold has won a secure place in the es- teem of his fellow citizens, and his family are all highly respected by their friends and neigh- bors.

JOHN WILLIAM HELLER, one of the oldest members of the York County Bar, is a son of the Rev. Jeremiah Heller, deceased, of the Reformed Church, who was born and reared in Adams county.

Mr. Heller's great-grandfather came from Germany and settled in Adams county, where the family lived for many years. The mother of our subject was Eliza Fisher, a half-sister of H. L. Fisher, the distinguished lawyer, and there were four sons, three of whom are liv- ing: Henry T., in the insurance business in Illinois : George, a retired merchant of Oak Harbor, Ohio; and John William, of York.

John William Heller was born in Rock- ingham county, Va., Oct. 24, 1838, and was educated at Heidelberg College, Ohio. He read law with the Hon. Thomas E. Finefrock, of Fremont, Ohio, was admitted to practice there in 1863, and was admitted to the courts of York county, Feb. 13, 1865, subsequently be- ing admitted to the Supreme Court where lie argued many important cases, among others having been associated with Hon. W. U. Hen- sel, of Lancaster, in a trial of the collateral inheritance tax case, in the Small estate. Mr. Heller was elected district attorney of York county in 1867, filling that office with signal ability. During Sheriff Peeling's term of of- fice, and that of Vincent R. Weaver, clerk of the courts, Mr. Heller was counsel for both officials.

Mr. Heller married Ella Engles, daughter of ex-Sheriff Engles, and seven children were born to this union, one of whom died in in- fancy. The survivors are: Thomas E., ex- deputy clerk of the courts of York county; George E., machinist; John W., Jr., ex-chief deputy sheriff ; Henry T., a clerk in New York; and Sallie E. and Frances Louisa, at home. In politics Mr. Heller is a Democrat. In religious connection he is a member of the Reformed Church.

Mr. Heller's eldest son, Thomas Engle Heller, was born June 5. 1868, in York, and, after attending the public schools of York

tion in the chemical works, in York. In 1893 he was elected clerk to the commissioners, and re-elected in 1895. He served as deputy recorder from 1900 to 1903, and on the first Monday in January, 1903, became deputy clerk of the courts, under Vincent R. Weaver. He was married April 24, 1901, to Nellie Mow- brey Hitchcott. Like his venerable and gifted father, Mr. Heller is a Democrat. He belongs to the Elks, K. of P., Heptasophs, Knights of Malta, the York Club and the Young Men's Democratic Society. His religious connection is with Trinity Reformed Church.

John W. Heller, Jr., was born in York, May 16, 1874, was educated in the public schools, graduating from the High school in 1892, and became a clerk in his father's law office. He was appointed delinquent tax col- lector in 1899, 1900 and 1901. In 1902, he was appointed chief deputy sheriff by Sheriff Peeling. Mr. Heller was married Dec. 24, 1901, to Regina November, daughter of Moses November, a wholesale cloak manufac- turer of New York City, and one son has been born to this union, William Heller. Mr. Hel- ler belongs to the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Young Men's Democratic Society. He is a member of the Reformed Church.

EMANUEL HARTMAN. In the early pioneer epoch, when settlers were few in York county and when civilization was advancing with somewhat uncertain footsteps, the Hart- man family was there founded, and it is pleas- ingly significant to advert to the fact that ever since that early period the name has been iden- tified with the industrial and civic history of that section of the State. Emanuel Hartman is a representative of this well-known family and has passed the major portion of his life in his native county, being one of the prosperous farmers of York township.

Jonathan Hartman, his great-grandfather, was the first representative of the family in York county. No authentic data are at hand as to his place of birth, but it is supposed that he was born in Germany and that he there remain- ed until he was a young man. At the time of his locating in York township there were but few settlers in that section of the county, and there he took up a large tract of land and set himself to the task of reclaiming it from the wilderness, eventually developing a good farm

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and becoming one of the leading men of the township. There he continued to be engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, and his remains rest in a consecrated spot on his old homestead, as do also those of his wife and other members of his immediate family. Of the children of this sterling pioneer, Jacob is to be accorded special attention since he figures as the grandfather of him to whom the sketch is dedicated. Jacob Hartman was born on the ancestral farmstead, in York township, in the year 1792, and there grew to manhood, becom- ing a useful member of society and retaining the high regard of all who knew him. He ever continued his allegiance to the great basic industry, agriculture, owning and operating a good farm in his native township, while he also gained such marked prestige as a manufacturer of baskets that his products were in wide and constant demand. The maiden name of his wife was Haas, and she likewise was born and reared in York township. After his marriage Jacob Hartman took up 270 acres of land in York township, a large portion of the tract be- ing covered with the native timber, but he re- claimed the most of the land to cultivation. while for several years he operated a distil- lery on the farm which is now owned by H. L. Perry, near Dallastown. Later he located on the farm now owned and occupied by Emanuel Hartman, and fin- ally, in 1864, removed to the vicinity of Grand Rapids, Wood county, Ohio, where he purchased a large tract of land upon which he engaged in farming until his death in 1869. his remains being there laid to rest. After his death his wife returned to York county and passed the closing years of her life in the home of her grandson, the subject of this review, her death occurring in 1881 and interment being made in the cemetery of the United Brethren church at Dallastown. Of the children of this honored couple is made the following brief rec- ord: Leah became the wife of John Kauffman and died in York township; Levi was the father of Emanuel, to whom this article chiefly relates ; Melinda is the widow of David Bort- ner, and resides at Glen Rock, York county ; Matilda, who resides in York township. is the

widow of Charles Neff, who died in 1904; Rebecca became the wife of Simon Snyder and both died in York county ; Emanuel, who mar- ried Leah Rheinhart, is a successful farmer of

Wood county. Ohio, and is also a clergyman of the Mennonite Church.

Levi Hartman, father of Emanuel, was born on the homestead in York township, and was there reared to maturity, receiving a com- mon-school education and assisting in the work of the farm, while he also learned the trade of basket-making under the direction of his father. He remained at the parental home until he had attained the age of twenty years, when he was united in marriage to Miss Leah Snyder, who likewise was born and reared in York township. a daughter of Jacob and Katie (Spotts) Snyder. After this important event he located on one of his father's farms. and be- gan an independent career of marked. energy and correct direction, so that he was not denied the reward of definite and unequivocal success. He finally came to the farm now occupied by his son, having purchased the property, in turn, from his father. The tract comprised seventy- eight acres of as fine land as is to be found in this favored section of the Keystone State. He made many improvements on the place, having erected the present fine residence and other substantial buildings, and this, together with the punctilious care given to the cultivation of the land, eventuated in making the farm one of the best in the township. Levi Hartman was a man of sterling attributes of character, true and loyal in all the relations of life. and he not only made for himself a place of influence in local affairs, but ever retained the respect and confidence of his fellowmen. He continued to be actively identified with agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred Aug. 14, 1900, and he rests in the United Brethren cemetery at Dallastown. Though retaining his farm and continuing to take an active interest in its man- agement, he lived practically retired during the last twenty years of his life, enjoying the re- pose and comfort to which he was so well en- titled after so many years of earnest toil and endeavor. He was a Democrat in his political proclivities, and though never a seeker of office, was at one time an incumbent of the supervisorship of York township. His relig- ious faith was that of the United Brethren Church, of which his wife also was a devoted member, her death occurring on the 28th of May, 1889. Briefly, the record of their chil- dren is as follows: Jeremiah S. is at present a resident of Colorado, has travelled extensively

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throughout the West and has resided for vary- ing intervals in different States. At the out- break of the war of the Rebellion he enlisted in a Pennsylvania regiment of volunteer infantry, remaining in the service four months, then returning to York county, and afterward living in Ohio and other States before locating in Colorado. At the age of thirty years he wedded Miss Susan Cook, and they have five children. Re- becca is the wife of George Snyder and they reside in the borough of Yoe, York county. Benjamin, Jane and Gideon died in infancy. John is married, resides in Nebraska, and is the father of four children. Emanuel is to be spoken of more in detail hereafter. Susan is the wife of Isaac Kohler, a prosperous cigar manufacturer of the borough of Yoe; they have five children. Catherine is the wife of William Hildebrand and they reside in the city of York, the parents of twelve children. Me- linda was the wife of William Kohler, of Dal- lastown; Mrs. Kohler died in 1880, leaving one child. Annie is the wife of Carlvin Fuhrman, of York, and is the mother of six children.

In presenting a brief resume of the life of him whose name introduces this article, it is first to be noted that Emanuel Hartman was born on the homestead farm in York township, on the 25th of June, 1853. In addition to as- sisting in the work of the farm he learned the trade of basket-making in his youth, this voca- tion being one which has long been connected with the family name, as previous statements indicate. While thus engaged he continued to attend the Kohler school in his native township during a portion of each year, until he had at- tained the age of sixteen years. Thereafter he also continued to assist his father in the work and management of the farm until he had reached his legal majority, when he entered upon an apprenticeship at the stone and brick- mason's trade. This vocation he followed for seven years, the greater portion of the period being passed in the State of Nebraska. He then returned to York county, and in his native township continued the work of his trade for two years, when, in 1880, he married and turn- ed his attention to farming, locating on his present homestead, which he operated for his father "on shares" until 1886, when he pur- chased the property. He has maintained the place to the highest standard and has made not

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 66

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