History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 74

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

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Aside from the enterprise just mentioned Mr. Minnich has prominently identified himself with local business and civic interests. In 1903 he effected the organization of the First Na- tional Bank of Dallastown, which he capitalized for $50,000 and which is today recognized as

one of the stable and ably managed financial institutions of York county, Mr. Minnich being the principal stockholder and having been elect- ed to the presidency of the bank at the time of its organization, while he has since continued to zealously safeguard its interests and direct its policy along safe and conservative lines. He was the founder of the Dallastown Water Co., of whose directorate he remains a valued mem- ber; is president and a director of the Dallas- town, on Sept. 1, 1883, and who is one of the the Merchants' Cigar Box Co., of Dallastown, which manufactures more than 8,000 boxes daily. It may thus be seen that Mr. Minnich is conspicuously identified with the industrial and commercial activities of his home county and State, and is equally prominent in civic and social connections. In politics he gives a stanch allegiance to the Democratic party, and, while never ambitious for official preferment, his fel- low citizens have called upon him to serve in various positions of local trust and responsibil- ity. Thus he has given faithful service in the offices of councilman, chief burgess, school di- rector and in other local capacities. In a frater- nal way he is affiliated with Dallas Lodge, No. 1017, I. O. O. F., and with the local organiza- tion of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. He is a member of the United Brethren Church.

On April 9, 1882, Mr. Minnich was united in marriage to Miss Susie Geesey, who was born and reared in York county, being a daugh- ter of Samuel and Sarah ( Rechard) Geesey, of York township. Mr. and Mrs. Minnich have one son, Chauncey W., who was born in Dallas- town. on Sept. 1, 1883. and who is one of the popular young men of the community. He is now associated with his father in business. hav- ing been admitted to partnership in his cigar- manufacturing enterprise on the Ist of Jan., 1904. since which time the business has been conducted under the firm name of J. W. Min- nich & Son.

AARON FRANKLIN LOUCKS was born on the family homestead in Spring Garden township Nov. 14, 1857, son of Abraham and Mary ( Peters ) Loucks. Abraham Loucks was the son of George and Catherine ( Shank) Loucks, and the other children of the family were : Isaac and Nathan. deceased ; Jacob: and Amanda, the wife of P. H. Glatfelter. Abra-

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ham married Mary Peters, daughter of Peter and Anna May ( Hess) Peters, and they be- came the parents of a large family, viz. : Aaron F .; Joseph ; George; Perry, deceased; Abra- ham: Isabella and Amanda, deceased; and Mary, wife of Jacob M. Gruber. The father died in 1876, while the mother survived him until 1891.

Aaron F. Loucks during his boyhood at- tended the old school on the property of the late Jeremiah Black, a structure which is still stand- ing,and later he was a student at Hyde's School in Spring Garden township. He chose farm- ing for his life work and in 1884 started inde- pedently in North Codorus township, but five years later bought the old Loucks homestead, where he has since lived. The property has been in the family for over seventy years, is in a section noted for its rich soil and is one of the most productive farms even in that vicinity.

Mr. Loucks was married in 1884 to Eme- line, daughter of Reuben and Elizabeth (Span- gler) Minnich. Mr. Minnich, who died in 1895, had a large family, viz .: Leander M .; Edwin ; Henry ; Simon, deceased ; Ezra; Eme- line, Mrs. Loucks: Agnes, Mrs. Kauffman; Priscilla, deceased ; Flora, Mrs. Gladfelter ; and Rosa. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Loucks three children have been born, as follows : Mary E., the wife of Samuel H. Ensminger ; Reuben F., at home ; and Florence V., attending school. Mr. Loucks is a Republican and is identified with Christ Lutheran Church at York.

CHARLES E. SMITH, florist at York, is a son of Charles H. Smith, who emigrated from Westphalia, Germany, in 1839, settling in York, where, after a successful business as a lime-burner for many years, he died in 1901, aged eighty-two years. Charles H. Smith married Charlotte Meyers, daughter of Harry Meyers (deceased), and the children born to this union were ten in number, five of whom are dead. The survivors are: Mary, the wife of John Einerbrink, connected with the Meyers & Adams establishment in York: Catherine, at home; Emma, the wife of C. H. Dempwolf, whose sketch will be found elsewhere ; William F., in the coal and lime business in York; and Charles E.

Charles E. Smith was born in York, Jan. 19, 1862. and was educated in the public schools and in York County Academy. His first busi-

ness was as a coal dealer, and after continuing in that line for eight years, he established him- self as a florist. This was in 1889, and the fact that he has now twenty-six fine hot houses at the corner of Jefferson and Junifer streets, attests to his success. At one time Mr. Smith shipped largely of his products to other sections, successfully main- taining two stores in Baltimore for six years, but, discovering that he had home trade enough to keep him' busy, he confined himself exclusive- ly to the local business, making a specialty of fine cut flowers. His taste as a landscape gar- dener and decorator is such that for two or more seasons he has planted those two beau- tiful parks of York, Penn and Farquhar.

Charles E. Smith was married Oct. 9, 1885, to Emma Sieck, daughter of A. H. Sieck, a well-known baker of Baltimore, and eight chil- dren were born to this union, of whom Tillie died in infancy, and Paul, at the age of nine years. The survivors are Florence and Eliza- beth, who have finished their education ; Maria and Ruth, at school; and Elmer and Eugene. The only social organization to which Mr. Smith belongs is the Vigilant Fire Co., he hav- ing been a member since 1900. In religion he is a Lutheran, belonging to St. John's Lutheran Church, in which he was a deacon at one time, and he helped to organize its English Sunday school in 1903. Mr. Smith is a Democrat, but takes no active part in politics, having declined several nominations that were offered to him. His business receives his personal attention, and a visit to his salesroom, first door east of the Se- curity building, on East Market street, bears abundant evidence that Mr. Smith not only ad- heres closely to business, but that he thoroughly understands it.

JAMES W. GROVE is a member of one of the substantial and long established families of York county, which has been the home of many valuable citizens belonging to this family. He was born Nov. 19, 1846, on the homestead farm in Chanceford township, son of William and Jane (Cross) Grove, grandson of Thomas Grove and great-grandson of Jacob Grove.

Jacob Grove was born in York county, Pa., whither his father and a brother had emigrated in young manhood from Germany. He mar- ried a lady of English descent, and took up 300 acres of land, and built a log house. He was a devoted member of the U. P. Church, having

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BIOGRAPHICAL

belonged formerly to the Seceders. Jacob Grove died about 1828, in his eightieth year, the father of the following children: Francis died in Fawn township; James died in the West; William died in the West ; John ; Mat- thew became the father of William M. Grove, mentioned elsewhere; Martin died in the West ; Peggy married John Stewart, and died in Chanceford township : Betsy married F. Grimes, and died in Fawn township; Thomas; and Jennie, who died in York county, married George Anderson.

Thomas Grove was born on the home- stead in Chanceford township, in 1785, and grew up on the farm, helping his father to clear it up from the wilderness. He married Mary Williamson and they removed to Hopewell township, where he bought land and resided for several years. He then returned to Chanceford township, and took up his father's home farm, caring for his father in his declining years. After the lat- ter's death Thomas Grove bought the farm, and resided upon it until his death in 1852. Re- ligiously he was a member of the Guinston U. P. Church. In his political sympathies he was an old-line Whig. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Grove were as follows : Jacob; Peggy, who married Robert Brooks, died with Matthew : James, who married Ellen Allison, died in Hopewell township; William, father of James W., married Jane Cross, daugh- ter of James Cross ; Matthew ; Eliza Jane, died young : Mary, married A. P. Thompson, of Dallastown ; and Martin, who died on his grand- father's home farm, married Sarah Lutz, who still survives.

Wiliam Grove, son of Thomas and father of James W., was born in Hopewell township. and received a common school education. When a young man he turned his attention to farming, purchasing a part of his father's farm which had been owned by his grandfather, and on this farm he lived and died. He married Jane Cross, daughter of James Cross, one of York county's early settlers, whose father was an officer in Washington's army. The chil- dren born to William Grove and his wife were : James W. ; and Sarah E., who married J. Hen- derson Stewart, of Rockey, Chanceford town- ship.

James W. Grove, son of William, received his education in the public schools of his town- ship, his first teacher being Jane McFadden,

and the last in the public school William Smith. At the age of nineteen he finished at Murphy's; Academy, where he studied under the careful teaching of Rev. Merrill, after which he work- ed at wagon-making during the summer with Daniel Conrad. His winters were spent teach- ing school, his first school being the Conrad school, which he taught for two terms, and then for three terms the Thompson school engaged him as teacher. Both these schools were in his home township. Mr. Grove followed wagon- making with Mr. Conrad for five years, and worked at it at home off and on in connection with farming. In 1873 he bought his present farm of twenty-nine acres which was part of the old Armstrong estate. Mr. Grove also has another farm of fifty acres, formerly belonging to his father, adjoining his present farm. In connection with his farming pursuits, he has been a manufacturer of cigars for the past fif- teen years.

In 1874 Mr. Grove married Miss Saralı Ella Moody, born in Shrewsbury township, daughter of William, a farmer, who died many years ago, and Matilda ( Young) Moody, who died in July, 1903. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Grove came children as follows : W. Cur- tis, of Lower Chanceford township ; and Lottie Ethel, who married Birdie S. Curran.

In May, 1905, Mr. Grove completed twenty years service as justice of the peace ; he is presi- dent of the Chanceford Mutual Insurance Com- pany, and has served as school director six years. In religion he is a member of the New Harmony Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a stanch Democrat. Mr. Grove is highly re- spected in the township, and he holds an exalted position in the social and political circles in his community. Mrs. Grove died in July, 1903, aged fifty-two years.

ELI CUNNINGHAM, a retired farmer of Springetsbury township, was born near York in the year 1837.

John Cunningham, father of Eli and David, both prominent citizens of Springetsbury town- ship, was born in Maryland, Jan. 22, 1800. He came from his native State to York county at the age of eighteen and settled near York in the present area of Springetsbury township. He first secured employment with George Loucks, a prominent miller and distiller, and also assisted in the construction of the railroad from York to Wrightsville. Being active and

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

enterprising, he turned his attention to farming. Miss Lillie Snyder, and has one child, Ray ; and He first purchased a small property. By dili- Dora, Mrs. George Worley, who resides at the gence and attentiveness to duty he became the home of her parents, and has two children : Grace and Stewart. owner of a farm containing 104 acres, two and a half miles northeast of York. When John In politics Mr. Cunningham is a Democrat, and he has frequently represented his party in county conventions and committee meetings. He has served his township as assessor, road surveyor, and in other offices. In December, 1894, he was appointed mercantile appraiser for York county, and filled that responsible office for one term. Mr. Cunningham is an enter- prising citizen of Springetsbury, interested in the public welfare of the township in which he has spent his entire life. In religion he is a Lutheran, and has long served as one of the elders of Mount Zion Church, which his par- ents attended, and of which his father was one of the founders. Cunningham purchased this land most of it was uncultivated. By the assistance of his sons, he cleared the land and made it rich and pro- ductive, erected new farm buildings, made many other improvements, and pursued farming as his occupation the remainder of his life. He assisted largely in the erection of Mount Zion Lutheran Church, and was in every way pro- gressive and public-spirited. Being of kindly disposition and genial nature, he had a large circle of friends and many warm admirers. John Cunningham married Elizabeth, daughter of John and Christine (Shultz) Spangler. She was born Oct. 17. 1812. John Cunningham died in 1866, and his wife survived him until 1883. They became the parents of children, as follows : William, deceased ; Susan, deceased wife of William Nye: George and John, twins, both deceased; Lucinda, who died unmarried; Eli. of Springetsbury township; David; and Elizabeth (Mrs. Henry Shultz), of the same township.

Eli Cunningham grew to manhood on his father's farm. Meantime he attended the pub- lic schools during the winter, and the remaind- er of the year aided in the cultivation of the farm. This occupation interested him, and he later engaged in farming for himself and at- tended the York markets. He prospered in this business, and after a while became the own- er of a part of the homestead farm. He also became deeply interested in fruit culture, and planted a large orchard, raising hundreds of bushels of apples and peaches annually for many years. In 1893. Mr. Cunningham retired from farming, and his farm has since been cultivated by his son.

In the spring of 1867 Mr. Cunningham was married to Caroline, daughter of Jacob and Leah ( Rudy) Loucks, and the children born of this marriage are: Jolin E., manager of his father's farm, who married Miss Alice Christ, and has four children: Bruce, Mallie, Eli and an infant; Emma, who married Henry Leck- rone, a Springetsbury farmer, and has seven children : George Elias. Morris William, Car- rie May. Allen Howard. Anthony Jacob, Wal- ter Dewey, and Paul Raymond; Walter, by trade a painter in Springetsbury, who married

WV. A. REIST, proprietor of the "Colonial Hotel," in the city of York, is a native of Man- heim, Lancaster Co., Pa .. born in 1866, son of Jolin H. and Mary Ann ( Reiff) Reist. He re- ceived a good education, graduating from the Lancaster high school, and has ever since been connected with the hotel business, in various capacities. In 1894 he had his first experience as a proprietor in the hostelry he is at present conducting, of which he took possession and where he continued until 1898. George Camp- bell then succeeded him at the "Colonial," Mr. Reist becoming proprietor' of the "Sterling Hotel," at Wilkes-Barre, Pa., which has the finest fire-proof hotel buildings to be found anywhere in the State. It was furnished throughout by Mr. Reist, at an expense of fifty-two thousand dollars, the equipment be- ing a model of excellence and convenience, and a credit to his good judgment. After two years at the "Sterling" Mr. Reist returned to York, and took possession of the "Hotel Na- tional," which he refitted and conducted suc- cessfully until the fall of 1905, when it was purchased by Mr. William M. Dodson. On disposing of his interest in the "National" Mr. Reist purchased a half interest in the "Iroquois Hotel" at Miami, Fla., which he carries on during the winter season, and in June, 1906, he again acquired an interest in a York hotel, succeeding George Campbell and re-establislı- ing himself at the "Colonial." This hotel is now undergoing extensive rebuilding, and a $300,000 addition is being erected. of steel and

Ha Reist

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BIOGRAPHICAL

terra cotta, which will be absolutely fire-proof. These changes are being made at the expense of the York Hotel Company, of which Dr. James A. Dale is president and Capt. W. H. Lanius vice-president. The furnishing of the hotel will cost $45,000 more. When the work is completed the."Colonial" will have two hun- dred sleeping-rooms, and forty-five bath rooms, all furnished and equipped in modern style, well calculated to please the most particular guests. Mr. Reist's brother, J. Frank Reist, is asso- ciated with him in the management of the house.

This brief outline of Mr. Reist's business career indicates the success he has had by the advances which he has made in the line of his chosen life work. Such uniform success in his vocation betokens remarkable adaptability for it, and all who know Mr. Reist will agree that he could hardly have chosen a more suitable calling. He unites the "good fellowship" neces- sary to popularity as a host with the executive ability and faculty for good management es- sential to financial success. His obliging dis- position is supplemented by a conscientious re- gard for the comfort and welfare of his guests, and his own keen appreciation of the good things of life enables him to anticipate their wants to a most gratifying degree. Affable, congenial, energetic and enterprising, he is an ideal up-to-date landlord, and his guests show their approval of his efforts by long-continued patronage, which is as much of a tribute to his likable personality as to the solid comforts he provides. Fraternally he is an Elk and a high Mason, being a member of the Mystic Shrine.

Mr. Reist married Miss Harriet M. Gast, daughter of Amos and Elizabeth Gast, and they have had one daughter, Elizabeth.

ALVIN REIST was born in Manheim, Lancaster Co., Pa., in 1870, son of Jolin H. and Mary Ann ( Reiff ) Reist. He received a good education and throughout his business career has been identified with the hotel busi- ness. For a number of years he was engaged as steward, in which capacity he was connected with such well known Pennsylvania hostelries as the "Hotel Penn," at Reading : the "Colon- ial," at York; and the "Sterling." at Wilkes- Barre. Then he was manager of the "Hotel Royal," of York, for some time before he con- cluded to start business for himself. as proprie- tor of the "Hotel Victoria," in West York, at

the corner of Company and West streets. This hotel has thirty-four sleeping-rooms, fitted up according to the most modern ideas both for taste and comfort, and is conducted with every regard for the needs and wishes of its patrons. Mr. Reist has won the high regard of all who have known him, whether as business associ- ates or as guests at the various hostelries with which he has been connected, and he has en- trenched himself strongly in the esteem of the best class of people wherever he has gone. His success as the proprietor of the "Hotel Vic- toria" is well merited, and a source of gratifica- tion to the hosts of friends he has made.

Mr. Reist is deservedly popular. He is known in fraternal circles as an active member of the Elks, and is zealous in religious work as a member of the Episcopal Church, of which he is a liberal supporter. On election day he sup- ports the Republican party.

Mr. Reist was married, Oct. 19, 1904, to Miss Sophia Matilda Katz, daughter of Karl E. and Sophia Matilda (Elminger) Katz, the ceremony being performed by Rev. William Vincent Dawson, vicar of the Episcopal Chapel of the Incarnation, at York.

ALFRED W. PROWELL, now living re- tired after an active life devoted to agricultural pursuits, is descended from one of the pioneers of York county.

William Prowell settled in York county at an early date, and was the father of three sons : Joseph, Samuel, and James B.

James B. Prowell, son of William, was born May 18, 1786, and was a farmer of Fairview township, owning about 425 acres of land. He did a great deal of building on his farms, also following distilling to a great extent. He mar- ried Rebecca Spence, born Oct. 5. 1788,, and they were the parents of these children : Mar- garet, born Aug. 30, 1811 ; John S., born Oct. 14, 1813: Mary, born June 5, 1816; William, born Sept: 7, 1818; Esther, born Dec. 22, 1819; Rebecca. born Oct. 6, 1824; James, born May 6, 1827; and Samuel, born Oct. 5, 1831. James B. Prowell's death occurred in his sixty- fifth year, while his wife lived to be seventy- eight years old, and they were both interred at Salem Church, in Fairview township.

John S. Prowell, son of James B., born Oct. 14, 1813, received a common school education, and at the age of fifteen years, was employed by his father as a teamster to Baltimore. He

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

later followed farming in Fairview township, C. B. KRALL was born Jan. 9. 1846, in and became the owner of a great deal of land. Washington township, and was given excellent For a few years prior to his death, which oc- educational opportunities at Kralltown, also in curred Jan. 18, 1886, he lived a retired life. He married Catherine Wilt, daughter of John and Julia ( Mosey) Wilt, and she died in Sep- tember, 1897. Both she and her husband are buried at Salem Church in Fairview township. The children born to this worthy couple were : William, who died young ; Joseph, who lives at Goldsboro; Alfred W .; John, who married

Union county, and at the York Normal School. Thereafter tintil 1878 he engaged in teaching school during the winter seasons, having had charge of the following schools in Washington township; Gochenour, Asper, Kimmel, Krall- town and Barnes, teaching in all ten terms. He then settled down to farming on the old home- stead, which he bought of his father. In 1902 Mary Wilt ; and Robert and Mary, who died in he came to his present place, in Washington their youth.

township, on which he has erected all the build-

Alfred W. Prowell was born Jan. 20, 1840, ings, and made all the improvements that have in Fairview township, and attended the Cross converted it into a comfortable home in which Roads school until he was twenty years old. to pass his life, Mr. Krall having practically re- He then went to farming, assisting his father tired from active labor. In addition to his and his uncle Samnel on their farms. After other holdings he has a fine farm of one hun- his marriage he located on his father's farm, dred acres in this same township.

.Mr. Krall was married ( first) to Rebecca Prowell built many new buildings and made Kinter, daughter of Peter and Catherine ( Det- improvements, and his farm is now one of the ter) Kinter, born Feb. 2. 1856, who died Dec. finest in the section. In 1898 he retired from 4, 1878; she is buried at Red Mount Church. active life, considering that he should have a The one daughter of this union, Katharine J., rest after his many years of hard labor.

which he inherited at the latter's death. Mr.

resides at home. Mr. Krall was married ( sec-

On Dec. 26, 1867. Mr. Prowell married ond) to Margaret Mummert, born Jan. 6, 1854, Miss Harriet E: Zinn, daughter of Adam and daughter of Josiah Mummert, and she died Jan. Elizabeth (Shell) Zinn, of York county. The 9, 1899, and is buried in the cemetery at Red children born of this union were: Joseph Z., Mount. She is survived by three sons : John who married Elizabeth Crane, lives at Mech- Allen and Charles Wilmer, who are attending anicsburg, Cumberland county ; Maggie K. the Westchester Normal School; and Frank L., died Feb. 16, 1903, at the age of thirty-three at home. years, and is interred at the Cross Roads Mr. Krall is identified with the Republican Church in Fairview township; William H., a party, and he has filled a number of local offices, blacksmith, married Augusta Cadwalader, of such as school director and assessor. He has Warrington township, and died at the age of always been one of the leading members of edu- cational and religious bodies wherever he has lived. He is trustee of the United Evangelical Church at Red Mount, also one of the trustees of the graveyard, has been for many years superintendent of the Sunday-school, a position he still fills, and has always been a liberal con- tributor to its various avennes of usefulness and benevolence. No resident of the community is held in higher esteem. thirty-two years ; Mary E., the wife of George Parthmore, lives at Eichinger's Mill, Fairview township: James F. married Cordelia Miller ; Samuel W. married Ida N. Souders, and is farming the old homestead in Fairview town- ship: Arvilla J. married H. D. Rudy, of North Braddock; and Alfred E. married Amanda Warren, and lives at Lisburn, Cumberland county.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 74

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