History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 68

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

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

line of fire of a battery, and the shells fell with Dec. 31, 1895, to become cashier for the within sixty feet. No one was injured by the Downing Company, dealers and shippers of naval stores and general supplies, with which firm he remained until the spring of 1899, when he resigned and rejoined his family in Wrightsville. Another bank in the South sought his services as cashier, but he declined. artillery fire and but few soldiers were wound- ed in the skirmish at the rifle pits. Much alarını was felt while the enemy held the town and the flames from the burning bridge com- municated to the neighboring buildings and lumber yards. The horses had all been taken across the river to prevent their confiscation. Mr. Smith piled a wagon with a part of his furniture, clothing, etc., and pulled it to a safer place, where he was obliged to do lonely guard duty for some hours. He was questioned by the Confederates, but in no way molested, and later, when he had returned home, a number of them gathered on his porch for a social chat. Ten years later, when Mr. Smith was living in Georgia, he found in his physician the colonel of one of the regiments in General Gordon's brigade, when Wrightsville was taken. Dur- ing his earlier years in his native village, Mr. Smith was active in town affairs, serving, as above stated, as clerk of the council, and he was also secretary of the school board and dis- trict superintendent.

In the spring of 1871, as one of a firm rep- resenting a New York house, having large land and lumber interests in Georgia and Florida, Mr. Smith moved to the latter State, remain- ing a year at Panama, near Jacksonville, when he was transferred to Brunswick, Ga., to take charge of the office work there. He at once placed himself in touch with the life of his new home, especially in religious work, and in 1874 was ordained an elder in the Presbyterian Church there. In April, 1876, he brought his family back to Pennsylvania, he himself re- turning South in August. Yellow fever, that great plague of the Southland, broke out, and he was taken ill. He returned North to re- cuperate, and did not again go South until the following February ( 1877). Upon this occa- sion he remained at Brunswick until July. 1878. In 1884, the tide of business prosperity return- ed to the South, and at Brunswick was organ- ized a national bank, of which Mr. Smith was made cashier. He accepted and the bank open- ed for business Feb. 1, 1884. It continued with considerable success until the panic of 1893, when it succumbed to the prevailing hard times. A reorganization was effected and, when it was reopened, Mr. Smith again be- came cashier, but severed his connection there-

On June 8, 1856, James Herr Smith was married to Caroline Dickenson Eberenz, who was born at Wellsboro, Tioga Co., Pa .; April I, 1835, daughter of William and Mary Ann (Huber) Eberenz. The latter was a daughter of Samuel Huber, a native of Switzerland, who served as a surgeon under Napoleon, and who emigrated to the United States in 1819, settling in Tioga county, where he practiced until his death. His wife, Barbara, and two sons-Sam- tel (an inveterate hunter, who was eventually killed by wild animals) and Jacob (who died unmarried)-and two daughters-Mary Ann and Rosanna ( Mrs. William Moyer)-accom- panied him to America. To James Herr Smith and wife were born four children : (I) Marcia Eberenz married Rev. S. Henry Bell, D. D., of North Carolina, a chaplain in the United States army, who saw service in Cuba, and they have had three children : Mar- cia Parish, Merle, and Margaret Parish (who died Jan. 6, 1902). (2) Robert William mar- ried Mary O'Donnel, and has had eight chil- dren-Robert William, born Feb. 27, 1887; Roscoe Daniel, who died Aug. 18, 1889 ; Gwen- dolyn ( Marie), born July 1, 1890 ; James Herr, born Oct. 31, 1891; Veronica, born Feb. 4, 1895; Estella, born Dec. 3, 1897: Aurea, born Aug. 20, 1899, and a daughter that died in in- fancy, in July, 1903. (3) Estella Mary, mar- ried ( first) William D. Houston, of Savannalı, Ga., and had two children-Neill and Carrie Smith ; she married (second) Frank A. Deans, of Wellsboro, Pa. (4) Caroline Herr, died Jan. 9, 1893.

In his political faith Mr. Smith is a stanch Republican, and as a progressive, public-spirit- ed man has always been keenly interested in the public affairs of whatever city has been his home. His love for his native Wrightsville has been strong, and he has been continually drawn back to York county.

LIEUT. ROBERT WIRT SMITH, son of Robert Washington and Martha (Herr) Smith, was born Nov. 27, 1839, and lie died at Washington, D. C., Sept. 7, 1862, from a

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wound received in the second battle of Bull Run. He entered his country's service May 8, 1861, as a private in Company K. (Cookman Rangers), 5th Pa. Reserve Corps, commanded by the late Col. S. G. Simmons, "and was first in active service with his regiment and the noted Bucktails in Western Virginia, when the enemy threatened to annihilate the brave com- mand of Col. (afterward General) Lew Wal- lace, where they were schooled in the hard- ships and sufferings of a soldier's life, and fitly prepared to do the duty the Reserves later so nobly performed, both on the Peninsula and in front of Washington. Shortly after the di- vision was connected with the Army of the Po- tomac under General McClellan, the deceased was appointed by his colonel, drum major, and soon thereafter sergeant major of the regiment. In the latter position he passed through the seven-days' battles in front of Richmond, bear- ing himself so creditably that he was promoted for gallant conduct on the field of battle to a lieutenancy in Company G of the same regi- ment, in which position he was wounded while in the discharge of his duty at the second bat- tle of Bull Run, Saturday, Aug. 30th, was left upon the field of battle, taken prisoner and paroled by the enemy and sent to Washington, where death closed his short though noble career."-Lancaster Express, Sept. 10, 1862.

Many acts of kindness and love are told of the late Lieut. Robert W. Smith, and among them are mentioned a few of the deeds that won to him the hearts of all about him. "Ad- jutant Mason, a warm friend, was wounded at the battle of White Oak Swamp and sent to the hospital after the battle was over. When the order came in the night for retreat and con- sequent abandonment of the hospitals with the sick and wounded, Sergeant Major Smith sought out the adjutant and prevailed upon him to make the attempt to retreat with our forces, promising to bring him off safely if he had to carry him. And he did carry him, through stream and over rough roads, and whenever the wounded man was too much ex- hausted to walk. And this devotion was re- warded, for the two came in among the strag- glers far in the rear of their regiment, but safe.

* * * He was a brave man, a thorough soldier, and one who knew and loved him will pronounce him the truest of friends."-Co- lumbia Spy, Sept. 13, 1862.

Extract from correspondence to the Colum-

bia Spy, dated at camp near Waterford, Va., Oct. 21, 1862: "An incident this moment oc- curs to my mind, which exemplifies a trait in the character of the late lamented Lieut. Rob- ert W. Smith, alike creditable to him whilst living and to his memory. At the battle of White Oak Swamp, when that unfortunate charge was made at the house, by the 5th. a number of prisoners were taken; among the number were two officers taken by Lieut. Smith. One of them afterward was shot, thie other was taken and protected by Lieut. Smith at the risk of his life. This officer was so grateful to the Lieutenant that he gave him his sword, and offered and insisted upon him tak- ing a very valuable gold watch, and a purse filled with money. All was rejected, Lieut. Smith believing that he had only done his duty toward a brave and chivalrous officer. After- ward, when again urged to accept some me- mento, he consented to receive a sword, which he forwarded to his father."

At Wrightsville, under the auspices of the Pennsylvania Department, Grand Army of the Republic, there was instituted Post No. 270, known as the Lieut. R. W. Smith Post, thus preserving to posterity the name of one of the bravest and truest of York county's soldiers.

'Twas on the field twice dyed with patriot blood, A field that hath no music in its name, Though aching bosom long will thrill with woe When e'er 'tis heard-Bull Run-'twas there fell one How dear a son and brother none may know

Save those whose clustering hopes were 'round him twined.

How brave-was on the field of strife oft proved; How faithful-knew the wounded friend he hore Within his arms beyond the foeman's reach ; How nobly generous-knew the conquered foe By him protected from a rebel's doom, Though at his peril-Magnanimity-

That conquered e'en the hating Southern heart, Subduing it to honor for the true, For Northern chivalry !

CALVIN GRIER SMITH, son of Robert Washington and Martha (Herr) Smith, was born Nov. 27, 1839, twin to Robert W. Until he was fourteen he attended the public schools, and then entered the general store of his uncle, James Fleming Smith, with whom he remain- ed one year. The next year was passed at work in a foundry, and at the age of sixteen he entered the office of the York County Star. then owned by his father, to learn the trade of printer. Completing his apprenticeship, he followed his trade a few years, and in 1861,

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

in company with W. S. Boyd, he engaged in mercantile pursuits for three years. During the Civil war he served one enlistment as mu- sician in a Maryland cavalry regiment, and afterward was in the quartermaster's depart- - ment at Washington, D. C., connected with the 135th P. V. I. After the war closed he and Capt. Magee bought the York County Star, and changed its name to the Wrights- ville Star. They brought it out up-to-date, and soon had a reliable, popular and newsy paper. About 1872 he sold to his partner, and engaged in the coal business, in which he continues. He was one of the incorporators of the Wrightsville & Chanceford Turnpike Company, of which he is secretary, and of the Wrightsville Cemetery Association, of which he is secretary and treasurer.

In December, 1869, Calvin Grier Smith was united in marriage with Sarah Anna Kauffelt. daughter of Henry Kauffelt. Four children blessed this union : Harry Kauffelt, secretary of the Susquehanna Casting Com- pany, at Wrightsville; Robert Grier, who mar- ried Sarah J. Mackin, and has three chil- dren. Robert Mackin, Janet Frances and Anna Kauffelt : Amy Lanius ; and Paul.

In 1874 Mr. Smith was appointed bank assessor by State Treasurer Mackey. Presi- dent Harrison appointed him postmaster at Wrightsville when the office was in the fourth class. Increase of the volume of business placed it in the third class, and Mr. Smith received a second appointment for four years. He has always been a Republican, his first vote being cast for Abraham Lincoln. Fra- ternally he belonged to the Royal Arcanum. In his religious views he has not departed from the faith of his fathers, and is a stanch Presbyterian, as is also his wife.

VIRTUE C. GROVE, the oldest resident of Lewisberry borough, and a veteran of the Civil war, was born Jan. 12, 1827, in Lewis- berry, son of Samuel and Hannah ( Ruchart) Grove.

At the time he built his shop ( 1790) there, the Indians were still numerous. He died in Fairview township, and was buried at the Lutheran Church.

Samuel Grove, son of Samuel, was born Ang. 30, 1782. in Lancaster county. He came with his father to York county, and learned the trade of a gunsmith, becoming very skillful, and following that trade until his death. In 1821 he built the house in Lewisberry now owned by Dr. H. A. Harding, and resided in it until his death. It is still very substantial, and is considered one, of the best in Lewis- berry for its age. Mr. Grove was buried in Fairview township at the Lutheran Church. On Nov. II, 1806, he married Hannah Ruchart, and she died in Lewisberry town- ship, and is buried at the Emanuel cemetery in Newberry township. The children born to this worthy couple were : Catherine married Virtue Clark, and died in Indiana: George died at the age of seventy-one years : Abraham died at Lewisberry, at the age of twenty-two years : Susanna married Jacob Howerton, and resides at Pittsburg, Pa .; John died unmarried at Lewisberry : Yinger married Julia Bell. and died at Lewisberry; Samuel died aged ten years; Hannah died at the age of twelve; Samuel married Katie Ann Fetrow, and died at Shepherdstown, Cumberland county : Virtue C .: Annie married Jacob Welsh, deceased. and lives in York: and Matilda married Wilson Zimmerman, of Chicago.

Virtue C. Grove received a very scant edu- cation in his youth, attending the school only three short terms, but he has educated himself. and is now one of the best posted men of the community. At the age of sixteen he engaged in lumbering at Cherry Tree. Ind., and fol- lowed rafting for about thirty-two years along the Susquehanna river. Mr. Grove can tell in a very interesting way many incidents and anecdotes of the early rafting days. Mr. Grove sold his lumber along the river at various points, and in this way accumulated the means wherewith to build a fine brick home. This was in the year 1860, the same year that he was married to Angeline Kruger, who was born in 1837, daughter of Henry and Anna Mary ( Solders) Kruger, of York county.

Samuel Grove, the grandfather of Virtue C., was born in Germany, near Holland, where he was a large land owner. He came to America, landing New York, and emigrated to Lancaster county, where he followed gun- smithing and manufactured edged tools in In 1863 Virtue C. Grove enlisted in Com- Fairview township, near Lewisberry borough. pany G, 166th P. V. I., as a drummer, and

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was in service nine months. In 1864 he re- Thomas and Richard Penn, signed and sealed enlisted in Company D, 202d P. V. I., again as by John Penn. This tract of land has re- mained in the possession of the family to this day, and is now the home of High Ross, a great-great-grandson. From papers in the possession of the family the inference is that he was married before settling in York county. All that is known of his wife is that her chris- tian name was Elizabeth, surname unknown. a drummer, and this time was out for one year. As a result of exposure to all kinds and conditions of weather, Mr. Grove is. deaf in one ear, and the other is slightly affected. Mr. Grove intended enlisting to go to . the Mexican war, but listened to the entreaties of his aged mother, of whom he was the sole support, and changed his mind. Since 1866 Mr. Grove has lived a retired life in the home which he built in 1860. Mrs. Grove is highly educated and a very cultured lady, and is very fond of good literature.

The children born to Virtue C. Grove and his wife were as follows: Luther, born Nov. 13, 1860, died Aug. 19, 1889 ; Clara, deceased, born Aug. 16, 1862, married Logan Rife; and Anna Mary, born July 29, 1866, died Oct. 27, 1895. Mr. and Mrs. Grove adopted Miss Pearl Shadt when she was eight years old. and have watched her grow to womanhood under their tender care.

Mr. Grove is a stanch Republican, and votes his ticket straight. He has been called upon to fill numerous township offices, among them being those of chief burgess, council- man, clerk of the board and inspector, all of which offices he has filled efficiently and honor- ably. Mr. Grove is also quite an athlete, and for a number of years was a champion skater, and even now many younger men would hesi- tate before they would engage him in a walk- ing competition. Mr. Grove is one of the grand old men of Lewisberry borough, and his friends and admirers are countless.

ROSS FAMILY. Some time prior to the year 1723, and in advance of the great inflow of the Scotch-Irish from the North of Ireland to the American Colonies, in 1727. in com- pany with a few pioneers as sturdy and ven- turesome as himself, there came to this country a young Scotch-Irishman by the name of Hugh Ross. Emigrating from Carrick-Fergus, County Antrim, Ireland, he settled at a point just a few miles west of the Susquehanna river, near Nelson's Ferry (now McCall's Ferry), in what was then Lancaster county, and now Lower Chanceford township, York county. He located his home on a part of the tract known as "Solitude." at a place known as "Ross Chance," under Letters Patent from

Hugh Ross was the son of James Ross. of Carrick-Fergus, Ireland, who died at that place at an unknown date. He had three brothers, who subsequently followed him to America : William, who located at Fagg's Manor. Chester county; James; and John Ross, who was a sea captain and settled in Connecticut. Hugh Ross died in February .. 1780. and was probably buried in Guinston Church cemetery. The Letters Patent on parchment, from Thomas and Richard Penn, and his will, are still in the possession of the family.

Hugh Ross had two sons and three daugh- ters. William, Joseph, Elizabeth, Janet and Mary. The second son, Joseph, married Jane Graham, and located near Delta, Peach Bot- tom township. They had three children, one of whom, James, moved to Pittsburg, be- came a noted lawyer, and was a United States senator from Pennsylvania from 1797 to 1803. Elizabeth Ross married Alexander McCand- less. of Peach Bottom township. Janet mar- ried Joseph Reed, of Chanceford township. Mary married John Purdon, whose son, Jolin, was the author of Purdon's Digest.

William Ross, the first son of Hugh, was born in 1737, and was reared upon the home farm, where he passed his entire life and died on April 3. 1818, being buried in the Chance- ford Presbyterian Church cemetery. He joined the 4th Battalion of York county in 1775 as. a private, and was raised from the ranks suc- cessively to sergeant, lieutenant, captain and major of same organization, and was elected colonel of the 6th Battalion of York county April 5, 1778. He saw active service around Amboy, N. J .. New York City, and particu- larly at Fort Washington, where many of his troops were killed or captured, being taken prisoners and imprisoned in the prison ship "Jersey." In civic life he was always active, being a justice of the peace for twenty-seven years, and was also a representative in the Gen-

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eral Assembly at Philadelphia in 1778. He was twice married. His first wife was Marga- ret Evans, of Cecil county, Md., who was born in 1757 and died Dec. 4, 1793. From this union there were born one son and two daugh- ters, Hugh, Elizabeth and Sarah. Elizabeth married Col. Thomas Neil, of Fites Eddy, of Kansas City, Missouri.

Lancaster county. Sarah married John Long, of Chestnut Level, Lancaster county. William Ross' second wife was Mrs. Margarette Nel- son, of Harford county, Md., who died Oct. I, 1821. He had no issue by this marriage, but a son of Mrs. Nelson by her former mar- riage was the Rev. Alexander Nelson, who settled near Chambersburg, and became the ancestor of the Nelson family of that place.

Hugh Ross, the only son of William Ross, was born at the old homestead May 10, 1785. His early life was spent on his father's farm. He intended making law his profession, but while attending school at Hugh Whiteford's Latin School, in Harford county, he bit his tongue during a severe illness, which accident so affected his speech that, fearing he could never make a public speaker, he abandoned the study of law. He succeeded his father as justice of the peace, and, because of his knowl- edge of law, sound judgment and good com- mon sense, he was known as one of the best counselors in the county. This office was held by him for forty years, and during that entire time his counsel was always on the side of a peaceful adjustment of difficulties, and he al- ways urged a settlement without resorting to law. Like his father he served his country in times of war as well as in times of peace, being in the war of 1812. In the latter part of his life he moved from the old Ross home- stead to an adjoining property owned by him and now known as the Keyser place, where he died on Aug. 31, 1873.

On June 25, 1829, Hugh Ross married Rebecca Glenn, of Harford county, Md., who was born Dec. 22. 1793, and survived him until March 18, 1877. They were both in- terred in Chanceford cemetery. To them were born three children, William Glenn, James Evans and Rebecca Isabel Heddington.

James Evans Ross, born Oct. 19, 1831. married Miriam E. Warren, of Delaware. He located in Mexico, Mo., where he became a prominent citizen, being president of the bank at that place, also an associate judge of

Audrain county. He also had large landed interests in Texas. He died Jan. 4, 1900. He had five children : Hugh, of Baird, Texas; May, deceased; Etta, wife of W. W. Hub- bard, of Chestertown, Md .: Julia, of Mexico, Mo., and Evans, wife of Bird Hix McGarvey,

The daughter, Rebecca Isabel Hedding- ton, born Oct. 22, 1835, married Harry Key- ser, of Philadelphia, who located in Lower Chanceford township, near Airville. To this union were born four children: Harry, who died in infancy; Rebecca Glenn, wife of Rev. C. B. Cross, of Mooredale, Pa .; E. Winches- ter, of Bridgeton, Pa., cashier of the First ational Bank, of Delta, Pa .; and Katharine Wallace, wife of C. C. Smith, of Airville, Pennsylvania.

William Glenn Ross, the oldest son, was born at the homestead Sept. 29, 1830. He was educated in the public schools and at the Academy near Chanceford Church, after which he took a course at Chamberlain's Com- mercial College, in Baltimore. After com- pleting his education he returned home 'and engaged in farming, being a close student of advanced methods, and was a successful farmer. He was also prominent in com- mercial and financial life, being one of the promoters of the York & Peach Bottom rail- way, and remained a director in the corpora- tion until his death. He was also a director of the First National Bank, of York, Pa., until his death, on Jan. 18, 1884. On May 28, 1863, he was married to Julia Ann Mc- Conkey, daughter of Major James McCon- key, of Peach Bottom, Pa., the officiating clergyman being Rev. T. M. Crawford, of Slateville Presbyterian Church. She was born at Peach Bottom on Oct. 2, 1837, and died Dec. 30, 1898. Both she and her husband are buried in Chanceford Presbyterian Church cemetery, in which church they were earnest workers. To William Glenn and Julia Ann (McConkey) Ross there were born three chil- dren: Mary Rebecca, who died in infancy ; Marian Woodside, and Hugh.

Marian Woodside, daughter of William Glenn Ross, was born Sept. 29, 1871, and on Oct. 17, 1900, married Joseph Roy Showalter, of Oxford, Pa. To them have been born two children, Julia McConkey, who died in in- fancy, and Evans McDonald. Mr. and Mrs.

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Showalter now reside on a farm near Wood- bine, Pennsylvania.

From the earliest history of the family, down to the present time, they have been Cal- vinistic in their religious belief, and have been earnest workers and conscientious supporters of their church. Hugh Ross, the second, was for many years and until his death a ruling elder in Chanceford Presbyterian Church. In political faith he was a stanch Republican and was an active supporter of his party, and his descendants to this day have been faithful fol- lowers of the principles of the Republican party.

PAUL WINEBRENNER, cashier of the Hanover (Pa.) Savings Fund Society, is dis- tinctively a type of the successful business man. In his early boyhood days he breathed the atmosphere of an active mercantile life in the store of his father, a successful mer- chant, and before he had reached the age of nineteen years his experience in the business world was as wide as that of many men of twice his age. He had at that age already chosen his life work, and he has. ever since devoted his business energies to the oldest bank in this part of the State. During his career of the past twenty years he has emerged from a modest clerkship by successive promotions to a responsible official position. As an efficient banker he has combined talent and industry in the acquisition of his present high standing in the community.

Mr. Winebrenner was born in the borough of Hanover, Feb. 7, 1866, son of Charles M., and Laura (Bange) Winebrenner. His mother was the daughter of William and Ellen ( Bargelt) Bange, early settlers of York county. Of the eight children of Charles M. and Laura Winebrenner, five arrived at adult age, namely: Bertha M., widow of C. J. Smith; Nellie, wife of George Foney, a farmer ; Harry, assistant postmaster; Addie, wife of Charles Myers ; and Paul. Charles M., the father, who was born in 1837, was en- gaged in the hardware business at Hanover for a number of years, and is still living.

Paul Winebrenner received his education at Hanover, but he left school at the age of ten years. When a boy he assisted in his fath- er's store during the summer months and at the age of eleven years he entered the store

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 68

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