History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 69

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

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of J. L. Emlet of Hanover, with whom he re- mained for five years, thoroughly mastering the drug trade. Mr. Winebrenner was then for three years with the Adams Express Com- pany and the Western Union Telegraph Com- pany, as agent of the former, and operator for the latter (under D. W. Bangs). The next twelve months Mr. Winebrenner was em- ployed as operator and station agent for the Baltimore & Harrisburg Railway Company under Superintendent H. D. Scott. In 1885 he accepted a position as clerk and bookkeeper in the bank of the Hanover Savings Fund So- ciety, holding that place until 1891, when he was promoted to the assistant treasurership of the institution. In 1903 he was advanced to the position of cashier which he has since filled most acceptably.

In politics Mr. Winebrenner is a Repub- lican and for two years he served as a mem- ber of the school board. He is prominent in the local fraternal orders, his affiliations in- cluding membership in Patmos Lodge, No. 348, F. & A. M .; Gettysburg Chapter, R. A. M .; Gettysburg Commandery, K. T .; and the Mystic Shrine at Reading. He is also a mnem- ber of the P. O. S. of A.

Mr. Winebrenner was married Jan. 17, 1889, to Miss Katie Sumwalt of Baltimore. Md., daughter of Jacob D., and Katherine S. (Stanford) Sumwalt of that city. To Mr. and Mrs. Winebrenner have been born three children: L. Margaret, Charles Earle and Katherine. Himself and wife are active mem- bers of Emanuel Reformed Church of which he was for ten years deacon and secretary. The Winebrenner home is an attractive and well furnished residence at No. 446 Carlisle street, and the family is prominent in the so- cial affairs of the community.

MORDECAI A. POSEY, M. D. In the death of Mordecai A. Posey, Chanceford town- ship and York county lost one of its most energetic and honored citizens. He was born Jan. 24, 1854, on the Posey farm in Lower Chanceford township. During the first fifteen or sixteen years of his life he had the expe- riences common to most farmer boys, and when old enough to attend school, divided his time between work on the farm and study in the public school of the neighboring village. The days devoted to work each year were

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many more than those given to study, but he until 1859, when he retired, renting his hotel finished the course with credit. His thirst for knowledge was not satisfied by what he had learned when the limited curriculum of this school was finished, and he attended River Hill school, Lower Chanceford township, with the view of fitting himself for teaching. He taught school for five years-first in the Strinestown school, Conewago township, and next in Lower Chanceford township, and in the meantime having chosen the practice of medicine as his life work, he pursued the study of that science with Dr. B. F. Porter, and later, in 1882, graduated from Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia. He imme- diately began the practice of his profession, in which he was successful from the start. He built up a large practice at Collinsville, and stood well among the physicians of that part of the State. Dr. Posey's career affords a good illustration of the success that is certain to attend the man that selects a congenial busi- ness or profession, and keeps industriously at it.

Dr. Posey was greatly interested in mat- ters educational. and at the time of his death, Oct. 27. 1904, was serving as school director in his second term. His was the largest funeral ever held in the section in which he had been a valued resident, it being over a mile in length, while 1,400 persons were at the house and Church services. Dr. Posey, while not an office-seeker, was quite active in the work of the Democratic party, of which he had been a life-long member. He was reared in the faith of the M. E. Church, and while not a mem- ber, was always a liberal contributor to the same.

Dr. Posey married in Chanceford town- ship, in 1878, Miss Rebecca C. Wise, daugh- ter of Henry Wise, a farmer of that township. Nine children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Posey. as follows: Daniel, in the employ of the American Telephone Company ; David, who is attending a medical college at Balti- more: Mary, a teacher in the home schools; Maud M. : Clara M. ; and B. Frank ; and three, Henry H., Jacob R. and Edward H., deceased.

JOHN MYERS was born March 20, 1803, in Adams county, Pa., of German de- scent, and came to York in 1850. He was a farmer, and in York engaged in hotel-keeping

to Mr. Frank Myers. He died Aug. 30, 1868. He was a captain in the State militia for twelve years. He was a Republican in politics, and served three years as county commis- sioner, and also in minor offices, being an effi- cient and faithful official. He and his wife and all their children were connected with the Lutheran Church. Mr. Myers was a devoted husband, a kind father and a respected and honored citizen.

Mr. Myers married Eleanor Hummer, who was born Feb. 5, 1810, in York county, of English descent and died Nov. 5, 1871. Both are buried in Prospect Hill cemetery, York. They had seven children, as follows: Solo- mon, who is mentioned below : Julia ( Mrs. Smyser), born April 13, 1831; Harriet ( Mrs. Mundorf), born June 23, 1834; Matilda ( Mrs. Spangler and now the widow of Sanford B. Gleason), born Oct. 12, 1836; Leah H., born May 10, 1840, who died May 15, 1884; Sarah Ellner (Mrs. Brubaker), born Oct. 15, 1843; and Sarah Jane, born Nov. 5, 1848, who died Dec. 12, 1849.

CAPT. SOLOMON MYERS, in his life- time one of the most highly esteemed residents of York, Pa., and one of the heroes of the Civil war, was born March 14, 1829. in Lati- more township, Adams Co., Pa., son of John and Eleanor ( Hummer) Myers.

Solomon Myers was reared to farming in Adams and York counties, following that call- ing until twenty-one years old. He received a good education, and for thirteen years was en- gaged in teaching in York county, nine years in the borough of York. He won his title during his service in the Civil war. He was not only one of the most gallant officers from York county, but was also one of those most honored and beloved by their comrades. His record reflects credit upon him both as a man and as a loyal, valiant soldier. In 1861, as a member of the Worth Infantry, of York, he was assigned to the 16th Regiment, Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, as second lieutenant of Company A; was promoted to first lieutenant, and was mustered out after a service of three and a half months. Then he organized a com- pany which became Company E, 87th Regi- ment, and of which he became captain. He served in all the engagements of his command

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except the battle of the Wilderness, when he was on detached duty, and was mustered out Oct. 14, 1864.

In 1861 Capt. Myers was elected a justice of the peace, but was then unable to serve on account of his military obligations. After the war, however, he took up the duties of that office, in which he continued to serve until his death, except for one term. He was also hon- ored by his fellow-citizens by being elected to the office of alderman, from the Ninth ward, a position that he filled with efficiency and fidel- ity. From 1882 until his decease he was en- gaged in dealing in pianos, organs and musical instruments generally, carrying a general stock from all the leading makers. Capt. Myers was a Republican in political sentiment, and his religious connection was with Zion Lutheran Church, of which he was an active member. His memory is cherished with that of other worthy citizens of York .. He passed away Sept. 14, 1886, at the age of fifty-seven years, six months, and is buried at Prospect Hill cemetery.

Fraternally Capt. Myers was connected with the Free Masons, and served as treasurer of his lodge, and he also belonged to the I. O. O. F., in which he was likewise active, repre- senting his own lodge in the Grand Lodge of the State.

On Dec. 8, 1872, Capt. Myers and Marga- ret A. Orwig, daughter of John and Nancy Fiddler (Waltmyer) Orwig, were united in marriage. Mrs. Myers' grandmother, Regina Fiddler, who came to America in girlhood from Sweden, was of noble birth. John Or- wig was born June 6, 1823, and was a farmer of Shrewsbury township, also doing business as a commission merchant. His property con- tinued in the possession of the family until after his death, which took place Jan. 31, 1882, when he was fifty-eight years old. He mar- ried Nancy Fiddler Waltmyer, who survived until Jan. II, 1902, dying at the age of seven- ty-nine years; she was born March 29, 1823. They are buried at Shrewsbury. They were active in the U. B. Church, and he was a Re- publican in politics. Mr. and Mrs. Orwig were married Oct. 22, 1846, and the following chil- dren. were born to their union : Louisa Ann, born Aug. 8, 1847, who married Edward Gem- mille, a lumber dealer of Shrewsbury, York county ; Margaret Amelia, born Jan. 12, 1849.

the widow of Capt. Myers; Cyrus Otterbine, born April 24, 1851, a contracting carpenter of New Freedom, York county ; and Annanias Valentine, born June 4, 1853, who has been trainmaster on the Pennsylvania railroad, Frederick division, for the past thirty years.

Mrs. Myers resides in a beautiful home in York, situated at No. 308 West Market street. Its erection was commenced by the father of the late Capt. Myers, the Captain purchasing and completing it, making it one of the ele- gant residences of this portion of the city. It is adorned with many rare articles of value and beauty, gathered by Mrs. Myers in her travels, including art treasures and curios from every quarter of the globe. To see and enjoy them in the countries from which they have been brought would require years of travel and the expenditure of thousands of dollars. After visiting almost every State in the Union Mrs. Myers in 1889 spent some time at Honolulu, in the Sandwich Islands. In 1891 she joined a party of friends with whom she traveled through nine countries of Europe, seeing the best they could offer to the leisurely tourist, and in 1900 she went over for the Paris Expo- sition, before returning making a tour of Scot- land, Belgium, England and France. A woman of high intelligence, and possessing natural and cultivated faculties of observation, she has acquired much in her extensive jour- neyings, and being endowed with fine conver- sational powers she is delightfully entertaining.

GEORGE W. KERR (deceased). a son of Mathew Kerr. Sr., was the eldest of the native born citizens of Wrightsville, where he first saw the light July 4. 1826. He was a success- ful contractor and builder, and, prior to his decease, had lived in retirement in Wrights- ville for a number of years. Mr. Kerr attend- ed the subscription and the public schools, and at seventeen years of age began to learn the carpenter's trade, serving a three years' ap- prenticeship with Solomon Zorbauglı. He was also a millwright, and nearly all his life had been occupied in the erection of buildings of various kinds, many of the fine structures in the township having been erected by himn.

On Nov. 25, 1851, Mr. Kerr married, in Wrightsville, Jane Virginia Bahn, who was born in Hellam township, Sept. 8. 1829, and was educated in the village schools. Her par-

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Libhart) Bahn, Mr. Zouck was born in Baltimore county, were both natives of Hellam township, and Md., May 19, 1857, the son of George C. and after their marriage removed to Marietta, Ann Maria (Ditzler) Zouck, and in 1865 he removed with his parents to Hanover. His education was received in the public schools of that place, supplemented by an attendance at a private school. His business career began as a clerk in a dry goods store at Baltimore, Md. In 1876 he returned to Hanover and there em- barked in business for a time. In March, 1898, Mr. Zouck was one of the incorporators of the J. W. Gitt Company, one of the largest dry goods concerns in this part of the State, of which Mr. Zouck is secretary and also a director. He is a member of the board of in- corporators of Mt. Olivet Cemetery, and has served as its treasurer since 1883; and has been a director of the First National Bank since January, 1888. Lancaster county. Later they came to Wrights- ville, where Mr. Bahn was engaged in the lumber business and in farming. The last years of his life were spent in retirement, and he died Jan. 13, 1886. His wife survived him until June 4, 1894. Mr. Bahn was a Re- publican in political faith, and both he and his wife were members of the Reformed Church. They were the parents of the following chil- dren : Morgan L., of Bethlehem, Pa .; Jane Virginia, wife of George W. Kerr; Caroline M., widow of George K. Thomson, M. D .; Jacob, who married Julia Strawbridge, and died in York; and Susan, who married the late Andrew Watt, and is also deceased. The grandfather of Mrs. Jane Virginia (Bahn) Kerr, was Henry Bahn, a prominent citizen and prosperous farmer of Hellam township, where he lived and died. He married Cath- erine Morgan, whose father was killed in his own home by Hessian soldiers, enraged be- cause he refused them whiskey.

Mr. Kerr had lived continuously in Wrightsville since his marriage, and several years ago retired from active business life. He cast his first vote for Polk, and had always been a stanch adherent of the Democratic party. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. They had a family of six children, as follows: Ida L., who attended the Wrightsville public schools and York Academy, for some years was a teacher in Wrightsville and Spring Garden, and is now at home ; Alice E. is Mrs. D. W. Weltzhoffer, of York : Morgan B., of Columbia, Pa., married Adelaide Eck; George T., married Anna R. Miller, and agent for the Pennsylvania Rail- way Co., at Hanover ; Glen W. is a telegraph operator of Chester county, Pa .; and Sally died in 1886, aged twenty-two years.

JACOB D. ZOUCK. Since January, 1899, Jacob D. Zouck has been president of the First National Bank of Hanover, Pa. The honor came to him at the age of forty-two- early in life, it may well be considered, for in the financial world the leaders are usually men of more ripened years. But Mr. Zouck had for eleven years previous been a director in the bank, and in addition had a wide experience in business affairs.

The First National Bank was established Nov. 20, 1863, and chartered Jan. 5, 1864. The original capital was $50,000, which was increased to $100,000 March 14, 1864, and to $200,000 April 25, 1865. Jacob Forney was elected the first president Nov. 5. 1863. Dr. J. P. Smith became president in January, 1875 ; Henry M. Schmuck, Jan. 19, 1881 ; Vin- cent Obold, Jan. 18, 1888, and, as above stated, Jacob D. Zouck in January, 1899.

Mr. Zouck was married in 1884 to Minnie F. Hauer, of Hanover, daughter of Rev. D. J. Hauer, D. D., a prominent Lutheran minister. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Zouck, a daughter, who died in her eighth year ; and a son, George Hauer, a student. Mr. and Mrs. Zouck are prominent members of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, of which he is a trustee and treasurer. Mr. Zouck is also a director of the Theological Seminary at Gettys- burg and a member of the Home Mission Board of the Lutheran Church of America. His residence is a substantial brick structure, with attractive surroundings, and is modern in all its appointments.

JOHN S. KEECH, one of the oldest jus- tices of the peace in the country, and still ably filling the duties of an office he has held for half a century, is one of the strong men of his township. He was born March 25, 1824, in Lower Oxford township, Chester county, Pa., son of David H. and Magdalene (Patton) Keech, the latter a daughter of James Patton, who saw hard service in the War of the Revo-

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lution. David Keech was a son of Nathaniel, who died in 1841, aged seventy years.

When John S. Keech was seven years old his parents located in Lancaster county, and there he received a common school education. He was but nineteen when he came to York township, York county, and he has since re- sided there. except for the period he was steward of the county almshouse. being ap- pointed to that position in 1869, and remaining there continuously until 1881, except for the years 1874-75. That he administered the af- fairs of that institution in a highly creditable manner is evidenced by his long incumbency. In 1854 he was elected county auditor, and, as stated above, has been justice of the peace for fifty years, his present term expiring in 1908. He is now more than four score years of age. but is still as active and alert as men many years his junior. He easily reads without the aid of glasses, and all his faculties are equally preserved. He is a familiar figure in the township, and his genial smile and pleasant manners have won him warm friends among all classes and all ages, little children in parti- cular claiming his attention.

On April 4, 1847. Mr. Keech was united in marriage to Mary Ann Weitkamp, daughter of Charles and Louisa ( Bierman) Weitkamp, both now deceased. Mrs. Keech died Aug. 28, 1900, and was buried in the Union ceme- tery at Spry. Their children were : Charles F. who married Annie Immel, and lives at York ; William H., of York, who married Emma Ah- rens ; Albert J., who married Amanda Akins, and is a passenger conductor on the Pennsyl- vania railway, living in Philadelphia; John Edward, a mechanic at York, who wedded Clara Merkel: Jerome H., of York : James J .. a carriage-maker of York, who married Carrie Lesh : David Hays, a Moravian minister lo- cated at Coopersburg, Pa., who married Lizzie Cruickshank ; and Harry E., of Elizabethtown, Lancaster county. Mr. Keech is a member of the Moravian Church, and for some six years held the office of elder. He is well posted on current events, and is especially interested in public schools. In his youth he taught ten terms in York county and one term in Lancas- ter county.

but now a resident of Eberton, was born in Manchester township, Feb. 8, 1855. son of Solomon and Rebecca ( Bower) Metzgar.

John Metzgar, his paternal grandfather, was also a native of Manchester township, was educated there in the common schools, and passed his life on a farm in that locality. He is buried in the graveyard of the Quigley Church. His children were: Zacharias, who died at York, and is buried at Quigley Church : Ella, who married John Baker, and died in York; Maria, who married Mr. Rupperd, and lives in Illinois ; Solomon ; Harriet. Mrs. Shet- tle, of York ; David, who married Miss Harriet Rufferd, and died in Newberrytown, York county : and John, who died in Manchester township.

Solomon Metzgar was born in Manchester township, and attended the public schools there. He remained at home until his mar- riage to Miss Rebecca Bower, daughter of George Bower and then settled on his own farm in the same township. He survived but a few years longer, however, and was but twenty-six years old when his death occurred. He, too, was buried at Quigley Church. In politics he was a Republican, though not active in party work. and religiously was a member of the Lutheran Church. His widow is still living in Manchester borough. She was left with three children, namely : John, unmarried. and living with his mother (by trade he is a carpenter) ; George W .; and Emma, at home.

Dr. George W. Metzgar attended the pub- lic schools of Manchester borough until he was fourteen years of age, and spent the next two years at the Millersville State Normal, and then returned home to learn cigar making. For nearly five years he was thus employed. while during the last year he attended night school also, doing preliminary work for the study of medicine, which he had determined to pursue. For two years he studied with Dr. John B. King. in Manchester borough, and then spent two years more in the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, from which he received his degree in 1876. Dr. Metzgar prepared to establish himself in Weigelstown. but after only a month there, decided. in view of the death of Dr. Christian Pickering, to lo- cate at Thomasville instead. During his quarter century in that place, he built up a

DR. GEORGE W. METZGAR, for twenty-five years a physician in Thomasville, splendid practice all through Jackson township.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

In April, 1902, however, he removed to Eber- ton, erected a beautiful home on Market and Adams streets, and has since been practicing there with continued success.

Dr. Metzgar was married, in 1877, to Miss Elizabeth Metzgar, daughter of Abraham and Yost Metzgar, of West Manchester township. Seven children have been born to this union, as follows : Almina K., a graduate of the Nor- mal school at Shippensburg, who is teaching in York: John Lee, who died at the age of four, and is buried in Jackson township; Sallie Rebecca, who taught three years in York coun- ty, and then married E. H. Musser, of Eberton ; Elizabeth, Mrs. Mervin Bupp, of West Man- chester township; Emma; Mary; and George, who died at the age of seven months, and is buried in Jackson township. Dr. Metzgar is a Democrat in his political faith, and has served on the school board of Jackson township, and West York. He is a member of the Lutheran Church of York. A skilled physician, he has, during his long years of service, attained a position of eminence in his profession and is widely known.

JOSEPH STONER is a retired farmer and tobacco dealer of Hellam township, where he was born, and he has passed his life on the old family estate. Details of the family his- tory are given elsewhere.

Joseph Stoner (I), father of Joseph (2), a son of Christian Stoner (mother's family name, Herr), was born in the old mansion house Sept. 5, 1802. His entire boyhood was passed on the family homestead, employed in farm work. As a young man he tried milling for a time, but concluded in favor of farm life, and for thirty-five years he was thus occupied. He was a man of unusual intellect, a fine math- ematician, and, in his younger days, was very successful as a school teacher. After his mar- riage he lived a short time on mill property in Hellam township, and then for five years on a farm near York. On the death of his father he returned to the home farm, where he passed the remainder of his days. He built the house now occupied by his son, and passed many of the later years of his life in retirement.

Joseph Stoner (1) married Barbara Sprenkle, who was born in 1806, in West Man- chester township, daughter of George and Nancy ( Sherrick ) Sprenkle. Her mother's

father, a Mr. Sherrick, was proprietor of the Margaretta Furnace, and was also a large land-owner in West Manchester township. George Sprenkle died on the farm now owned by Harvey Sprenkle, a 200-acre tract contain- ing good hickory timber and lime-stone quar- ries. Mr. Stoner was an old-time Whig, and later joined the Republican party. He never cared for office, and would not allow his name to be used as a candidate, but was once forced to accept township office. He and his wife were active members of the Mennonite Church. She died in 1876, he surviving her four years. Their children were as follows: (1) Christian married Rebecca Landis, and died in Decem- ber, 1876, in Hellam township; he established the lime-burning and milling business, and warehouse at Stoner Station, now carried on by a relative, John Stoner. (2) Nancy is the widow of Henry Houser, and lives at Stony Brook, York county. (3) Joseph (2) is men- tioned below. (4) Barbara married Michael Moore, for over forty years a miller near Iron- ville, Lancaster county, now living in Lan- caster.

Joseph Stoner (2) was born on his father's farm in Hellam township, and attended the township public schools until he was twenty years old. From early boyhood he worked on the farm, and became familiar with all the details of agricultural work. His father was very deaf, and from the time he was fifteen years old Joseph took charge of all his busi- ness. In 1881 Mr. Stoner became a dealer in leaf tobacco, and ten years later built his pres- ent warehouse. In 1901 he retired from ac- tive mercantile life and now devotes his time to the superintendence of his extensive farming and timber interests.

On Sept. 12, 1872, in Lower Allen town- ship, Cumberland county, Mr. Stoner married Elizabeth C. Best, daughter of Martin and Catherine (Eberly) Best. They have two children : Edward B., who married Flora Strickler, and lives in Hellam township; and Norman Joseph, unmarried. After his mar- riage Mr. Stoner built his present home on a portion of the mansion-house farm, which he owns. He is a Republican in politics, and has served several terms as township auditor, being also a director in the First National Bank of Wrightsville. In religious faith he adheres to the Mennonite teachings in which he was reared.

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BENJAMIN F. LEBENIGHT, a promi- nent business man of Red Lion, Windsor township, York county, and senior member of the firm of Lebenight & Ferree, dealers in agri- cultural implements, was born Nov. 28, 1862, in Chanceford township, near Brogueville, son of John and Elizabeth (Howard) Lebenight.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 69

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