History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 76

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

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ried Sarah A. Smith, and died in Philadelphia ; Ellen became Mrs. William Bahn, of Balti- more.

James G. Patterson attended the public schools and later White Hall Academy, in Cumberland county, and for a part of two years taught a school in the vicinity of York, later teaching the Possumtown school, under County Superintendent Blair. His main business, how- ever, has always been farming, in addition to which he has engaged in the feeding of cattle and hogs. He settled on what is now John Rehmeyer's farm for a short time, and then bought his present farm, which consists of 100 acres. Some twelve years ago he entered ex- tensively into the nursery business, a line in which he has taken a deep interest ever since boyhood. He has made all the improvements on his place with the exception of the old springhouse, which has stood here for genera- tions. His property is recognized as one of the good farms of the township and a nursery where only dependable stock is sold.

In 1870 Mr. Patterson was married to Ade- line Fulton, daughter of Thomas Fulton, of Cecil county, Md., where Mrs. Patterson was born. She spent some of her childhood days in York county and at the time of her marriage was living in the State of New York. Her death, which occurred Oct. 30, 1903, left many to mourn the loss of a most estimable woman and a sincere Christian. For years she was very active in the work of the Presbyterian Church. She is survived by a son, James, who resides at home, and married Ella Runkle. A daughter, Carrie, died in childhood.

Mr. Patterson was reared in the Round Hill Presbyterian Church, but later united for a time with the Baptist denomination, after his marriage resuming his Presbyterian Church re- lationship. He is now a leading member of this church at Stewartstown. In politics he has been a lifelong Democrat, and for years has been a dominant factor in the party in his lo- cality. He served for eighteen years as audi- tor of the township, his term of service expir- ing in the spring of 1905. On numerous occa- sions he has been a delegate to both county and State conventions, and he is closely connected with those who are recognized party leaders. A man of quick intelligence and fine conversa- tional powers, he is also a hospitable and en- gaging host. He stands well in his township

IS. Patterson

arrests

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as a man of high personal character and as a party. He and his family are members of the most worthy and useful citizen. Bethel Church of God at Mt. Pleasant.

JOHN A. FISHEL was born March 2, 1865, in Monaghan township, son of George and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Fishel, and is of German extraction.

George Fishel, Sr., his grandfather, was born in Codorus township. By his first wife he had two children, Michael and Jacob. from whom there has been a large progeny. By his second marriage the following children were born : Edward, Isaac, George, Sarah and Rebecca. In religion the family were Luther- ans, and Mr. Fishel was a stanch Democrat.

George Fishel, the father of John A., was born in 1828, in Codorus township, and re- ceived his education in the common schools. He learned the carpenter's trade and followed that line practically all his life. Mr. Fishel was a soldier in the Civil war, enlisting in Company I, 200th P. V. I., and he received a gun shot wound at Fort Steadman, in March, 1865, from which he never fully recovered. His death occurred in 1898, while his wife sur- vived until 1902, when she passed away aged seventy years. The children born to this worthy couple were : Henry W., a physician in Harrisburg; Edward H., a carpenter; Geral- gust, a farmer residing in Iowa: Daniel, a farmer of South Dakota; William A., a mer- chant of Princeton, Ill .; George B., deceased ; John A .; Peter A., an instructor in the York high school; Dave O., a carpenter ; and Frank E., who died in infancy.

John A. Fishel received his preliminary education in the common schools in the neigh- borhood, and when still a small boy started working on a farm, engaging in this occupation until the age of ten years, when he attended the school at tlie Soldiers' Orphans' Home at Camp Hill, and supplemented this with a course at the State Normal School at Shippensburg, from which he was graduated in 1889. At the age of eighteen years he commenced teach- ing, and has followed that occupation up to the present time, having taught in York, Cumber- land and Lancaster counties.

In 1900 Mr. Fishel was elected justice of the peace, receiving his commission from Gov- ernor Stone, and being re-elected again in 1905, has continued to officiate in that capacity to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. In politics he is identified with the Democratic 27

Mr. Fishel married in 1893, Miss Jennie Kohler, daughter of Peter Koliler, of Siddons- burg, and to this union these children have been born: Zedena I., Earl K., Wayne D., Lottie A. and Boyd O. ( who died in infancy). Mr. Fishel is the owner of a small property in Monaghan township which he devotes to fruit culture, raising peaches, apples, berries, etc. Mr. Fishel is very popular as a man, and as an official, and he counts his friends by the score.

H. B. SHUTT, of Porter's Sideling, York Co., Pa., conducts a dairy, poultry and truck farm. He is a native of Heidelberg township, born March 2, 1869. His father, Joseph K. Shutt, was also born in Heidelberg township, as was his mother, who was the daughter of Henry K. Bowman, a lifelong resident of that township.

H. B. Shutt was reared on his father's farm, working for his father during the sum- mer months, and attending the public schools during winters, thus continuing his early edu- cation until the spring sessions of 1886 and 1887, when he attended the York County Nor- mal school. During his school-days at Millers- ville he began to play base-ball, covering first base for four years, and he was elected manager during his senior year ( 1893). He has played and is acquainted throughout the State. Mr. Shutt began teaching in the schools of Man- heim township in 1887, at the age of eighteen years, continuing in the same community until twenty-one years old. He then spent two years in Heidelberg township, and at the same time began a course at Millersville, in the spring of 1888, and by spring sessions completed the junior work in 1892, then taking the senior year, being graduated from the institution in 1893. After graduation he was elected to the principalship of the Seven Valley borough schools, which position he held for five years, until elected to the Legislature, by the Demo- cratic party, in 1898, when twenty-nine years old. He received the highest vote cast for any candidate on the ticket that year. In 1900 he was renominated for the Legislature on the first ballot, and again led his ticket in votes cast. Between the two terms of Legislature he served one year as principal of the Jefferson borough public schools.

After his Legislative work was over, Mr.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Shutt went to farming, at the same time acting Whig. He and his wife were members and as assistant principal of the Codorus township High school. He later took up teaching in his native township, and conducts a dairy, poultry and truck farm in connection. Mr. Shutt is also contributing to several farm journals.

ABRAHAM BARE SPRENKLE is a wealthy miller and farmer of Hellam town- ship. He is a native of York county, where for generations his forefathers have been pros- perous millers and farmers.

The emigrant ancestor of the Sprenkle family was Peter Sprenkle (great-grandfather of Abraham B.), who came from Switzerland and settled at Graybill's Station, now in West Manchester township, York county. He ac- quired a tract of 600 acres or more of land, which descended to his heirs. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary army. His son, Peter (2) inherited a portion of his estate, and was all his life engaged in the family calling of milling and farming. George, a brother of Peter (2), settled in West Manchester town- ship, and his grandson, Albert, is the present owner of the original farm on which the emi- grant Peter settled. Daniel, another brother of Peter (2), also located in West Manchester township between Bare's creek and Graybill's station.

Peter Sprenkle (2) married, and his chil- dren were: George, father of Abraham Bare; and Peter, a farmer. Peter Sprenkle (2) was a Whig in politics, and held the office of school director and other township positions. He and his wife were members of the Mennonite Church.

George Sprenkle, father of Abraham Bare, was born on the old homestead in 1803. He received a good education in the neighborhood subscription schools, and learned the miller's trade with his father. He followed the fam- ily calling of milling and farming, and was so engaged to the time of his death, in 1857. His wife, Elizabeth Bare, born Oct. 24, 1808, near Bare's Meeting House, was a daughter of John and Polly ( Erb) Bare. Her grand- father Erb was a soldier in the Revolutionary army. After his marriage George Sprenkle made his home on the mill property at the homestead which he inherited from his father. He was a strong, powerfully built man, and led a very active life. In politics he was a

active workers in the Mennonite Church. They are buried in the cemetery at Bare's Meeting House. They had five children, as follows : Lydia, who died in 1902, unmarried; David, who lives at Menges Station, unmarried; Peter, who lives in Philadelphia, married (first) to Rebecca Fishel, and (second) to Mrs. Plymyer, of York; Emanuel, who mar- ried a Miss Hoke, of Jackson township, and is a farmer at Menges Station; and Abraham Bare, who is mentioned below.

On Oct. 2, 1846, Abraham Bare Sprenkle was born in North Codorus township, York county, on the old family place. His educa- tion was obtained in the district schools of the township, where his first teacher was Jacob Aldinger, and he finished his studies under Peter K. Myers, at the age of eighteen. In his boyhood he worked on his father's farm, and in the mill, and learned the milling busi- ness in the home mill. He was only nine years old when his father died, but the mother kept her family about her in the home, until they were all grown. At the age of twenty-two Mr. Sprenkle left home and became miller for Jo- seph Strickler, whose daughter, Matilda, he married, Sept. 23, 1873. On the death of his father-in-law he took entire charge of the mill property, which his wife inherited, and has re- mained on the place ever since. He has made many improvements, including the erection of a sawmill, cider press, and tobacco shed. He has also put in a forty-barrel roller-process mill. His farm consists of ninety-six acres of fine land.

Mrs. Matilda (Strickler) Sprenkle was born May 4, 1848, in the same house in which she now lives, and where her whole life has been spent. Her father, Joseph, was also born on the old place, Jan. 8, 1813. and became a farmer and miller. He inherited the farm and mill property from his father, John Strickler. Joseph Strickler married Rebecca Green, and their only child was Matilda, who became Mrs. Sprenkle. Mrs. Strickler died in 1852, and her husband lived until 1891. They were Dunkards in religious faith.

Mr. and Mrs. Sprenkle have three children : (I) Edward O., who lives at home, and car- ries on the flour mill for his father, married Alice Kohr, and has two children. Jeannette and Daniel Eldred. (2) Irma Lucretia, and

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(3) Laura I., are at home. Mr. Sprenkle is a Republican in politics. He is not a church member, but attends the Dunkard services.

HENRY REESER, retired farmer and business man, residing at York Haven, was born in Manchester borough, then called Liver- pool, in February, 1829, son of William and Elizabeth (Shelly) Reeser, whose children were : John, Mary, William, Elizabeth, Saralı, Susan, Alexander, Henry and George. His grandfather came from Germany and first set- tled in Berks county sometime before the Rev- olution, crossed the Susquehanna and pur- chased a tract of land in the present area of Conewago township.

William Reeser, father of the subject of this biography, was born in Conewago town- ship. In December, 1814. he purchased a tract of land, laid it out into lots and founded the town of Liverpool, which, when incorporated, was named Manchester borough. At the age of twenty-two William Reeser married Eliza- beth Shelley, whose ancestors were prominent and influential in the affairs of York and Dauphin counties, among the rich agricultural land below Goldsboro and the islands in the river near that town. When William Reeser purchased this tract of land there were only three houses in the vicinity. He erected a large brick house at the cost of $5,000, and his town soon began to grow and prosper. It was in this village that Henry Reeser attended the public schools and grew to manhood. Early in life he married Eliza. daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Fortenbaugh) Burger. They had six children : William, Joseph, Susan, John, David and Henry. After his marriage, Mr. Reeser engaged in farming in Newberry township and prospered in that occupation. His first wife died in middle age, and he was married (second) to Mary, daughter of Daniel and Mary ( Nicholas) Hoopes, and widow of Jacob Test. The children of this marriage are : Hiram, Morris and Bertha.

Mr. Reeser continued the business of farm- ing for a period of thirty years or more and then took up his residence as a retired citizen in his native town of Manchester. When York Haven began to prosper, he removed to that borough, where he has since lived as one of the most highly respected and honored citizens.

During the Civil war Mr. Reeser enlisted as a soldier in the 200th P. V. I., and served

in that command until the end of the war. He has always taken an active interest in the af- fairs of the United Brethren Church, of which he has been a member since his early manhood. He is a man of excellent habits and exemplary conduct, widely known and popular among his friends and associates.

FETROW FAMILY. Among the many prosperous families who make up the agricul- tural class in York county none is better known than the Fetrow family, members of which are to be found in Fairview and Newberry town- ships, where the name has been known for four generations. The family is of German origin, and the first to come to America was Samuel, great-grandfather of Samuel, Jacob and John Fetrow. On arriving in the New World Sam- uel Fetrow settled in Fairview township and devoted himself to farming. His son John was born there and on reaching manhood mar- ried a Miss Yinger. He also was a farmer. John Fetrow died June 6, 1860, aged seventy- seven years, seven months, fifteen days, and both he and his wife are buried in the Fetrow cemetery, near Yocumtown.

John Fetrow (2), born in 1808 in Fairview township, was an only child. He attended the public schools of Fairview township, and after his marriage located in that section perma- nently. He married Lydia Brubaker, daughter of Conrad and Elizabeth (Ziegler) Brubaker. She was born in 1816 and died Jan. 20, 1889, aged seventy-two years, nine months, six days. Mr. Fetrow was a large landowner, having about 700 acres of fine land. His death oc- curred July 25, 1888, at the age of eighty years, three months, twenty-nine days, and he is buried in the family graveyard. The children born to this worthy couple were as follows: Samuel; Nancy, Mrs. Mathias Eicholtz. of Kansas: Jacob; Amburg, born Nov. 14. 1837, deceased June 6, 1877: Elizabeth, widow of Ephraim Miller ; John ; Henry, of Yocumtown. who married Sarah Ann Prowell, and William, deceased at the age of fifteen years.

SAMUEL FETROW Was born March 5, 1832. in Fairview township. He attended the pub- lic schools until eighteen years of age and re- mained at home until his marriage to Caroline Wentz, daughter of George and Catherine (Gross) Wentz, of York county. At that time he came to Newberry township and engaged in farming, in conjunction with which he engaged

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

in milling for fifteen years at his father's old place of business. In 1890 he removed to Yocumtown, where he has since lived in retire- ment. Mr. Fetrow is highly respected in the community for his many sterling traits of char- acter. He has been very successful, has ac- quired a handsome competency, and has now retired to enjoy the fruits of his early labor. Mrs. Fetrow died in 1900 and is buried at the well known Fetrow cemetery in Newberry township. Mr. and Mrs. Fetrow had children as follows : Lydia, who married Jacob Kilmore (both are deceased.) ; Nancy, deceased, who married Wilfred' Hoffstadt; Abram, who died at the age of twelve years, and John, of York Haven, married to Maggie Good. In politics Mr. Fetrow is a Republican, but has never accepted office.

JACOB FETROW was born in Fairview town, ship. Nov. 14. 1835. He received his educa- tion in the schools of Fairview township, at- tending school until about seventeen years of age, and assisting his father on the farm until his marrieg. In 1869 he married Evaline Ep- pley, born Jan. 8, 1845, daughter of William

and Sidney ( Hays) Eppley, and after mar- riage located in Fairview township for two years. He then settled in Newberry township on one of the paternal farms, to which he fell heir at the time of his father's death. Mr. Fetrow lives on a small tract of about twenty acres, but owns a fine farm of 125 acres in the township. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Fetrow were: Lucetta, died at the age of eight- een years; William Grant, married Semertha Shettle, and lives in Yocumtown, and Robert J., resides at home. Mr. Fetrow is a Republi- can in political sympathy, but has never aspired to office. He is a man of integrity and is very highly respected in the community.

JOHN FETROW was born July 28, 1843, in Fairview township, on the old homestead where he now resides and of which his grandfather was the original owner. He attended the pub- lic schools until about eighteen years of age and assisted his father on the farm. In 1886 he married Sarah Prowell, daughter of James B. and Susan ( Wilt) Prowell. Mr. Prowell died Oct. 8. 1896, while his wife passed away Sept. 8, 1856, and both are buried at the Salem church, in Fairview township. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Prowell : Catherine, George, Mary, Julia, John. Eliza Jane, Sarah, Harry, Lydia and Charles. After

their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Fetrow located on the old homestead upon which Mr. Fetrow was born, and there he engaged in farming and made many improvements. He is now considered one of the substantial men of the township and is the owner of several fine farms. Two children were born to him and his worthy wife : William G. married Alda Wood; they follow farming at the old home, and have chil- dren-Sallie Matilda, John S., and Mary Eliza- beth. Cecelia G., who married William B. Fisher, resides on Mr. Fetrow's farm in Fair- view township, and has these children-Grace Viola, Ruth Sarah and Helen Catherine.

Mr. Fetrow is a Republican, and he has served on the election board. Mrs. Fetrow is a member of the U. B. Church. In financial circles Mr. Fetrow is a prominent figure, be- ing treasurer and a director of the Fairview Mutual Fire Insurance Company, both of which offices he has held for ten years. The barn that stands upon Mr. Fetrow's farm in Fairview township was erected in 1818 by his grandfather, who also built a distillery, the latter building also remaining standing at this date.

REV. JOSEPH D. SMITH was born May 30, 1828, in County Londonderry. Ireland, and accompanied his parents to America in 1847, landing at Philadelphia, where the family re- sided for thirty years. The father, David Smith, died in 1860, at the age of sixty-five years. In 1872 his wife came to reside with her son, Joseph D., where she died in June, 1882, at the ripe old age of ninety years. To this emigrant couple four children were born : Joseph D., who is the eldest ; William, who died in Des Moines, Iowa; David, residing at Edge- water Park, N. J .; and Martha J., who resides with Joseph D.

Joseph D. Smith was partly educated in Ire- land, and after coming to America, attended the preparatory department of the Freshman class at Danville, Ky. In 1853 he entered Jef- ferson College, at Canonsburg, Pa., and after graduating there took a theological course at Princeton. He was licensed to preach in 1859 by the Presbytery of Philadelphia, and a year later located in York county and assumed the pastorate of Slate Ridge Presbyterian Church, resigning in 1890, after having ably filled the position for thirty years. He had previously purchased a tract of land adjoining the old

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BIOGRAPHICAL

church property and after his retirement erected a residence on a knoll, overlooking the borough of Delta, where he has since resided. He still preaches in various Presbyterian churches of York county, when called upon by the people to whom he has endeared himself both by his eloquence and earnestness in the pulpit, and his zealous advocacy of everything tending to the benefit of the community and the elevation of morality. In addition to his ministerial duties he has prepared students for college. Mr. Smith is unmarried and resides with his sister.

JACOB HOLTZAPPLE, a retired farmer living in West Manchester township, comes from one of the old and respected families of York county, where for several generations his people have been agriculturists.

Barnhart Holtzapple, paternal grandfather of Jacob, was born in Germany, but came to America and settled in York county, Pa., where he owned a tract in West Manchester township which comprised 250 acres of good farming land. There the rest of his life was spent, and, dying, he was buried in York. He was a member of the First Lutheran Church of York, which he had assisted in building. He was the father of three children, George, Philip and Jacob.

Jacob Holtzapple, son of Barnhart, was born on the York county farm Sept. 10, 1785, and was a farmer like his father, owning a place of 102 acres. He married Miss Eliza- beth Eisenhart, born April 3, 1791, and their wedded life was ended by her death, Feb. 8, 1846. He survived until Aug. 13, 1849, and both are buried at Louck's schoolhouse, in West Manchester township. They were the parents of twelve children, born as follows : Peter, July 18, 1814, died at the age of nine; Sarah, Nov. 2, 1815, married Philip Quigle, and died in West Manchester township; Adam, Nov. 10, 1816, lives on West Market street, York: George, Nov. 30, 1817, married Miss Sarah Klinedinst, and died in 1846; Anna Maria, Sept. 29, 1819, married Samuel Lephart, and her demise occurred in Dover township; Mar- garet, July 13, 1821, died in Dover township, the wife of Philip Gross ; Leah. Oct. 25, 1822, Mrs. Nathaniel Hoffheins, died in Adams county, Pa .; Jacob is mentioned below ; Michael, July 13, 1826, of West Manchester

township, married Miss Susan Lau: Emanuel, March 25, 1828, died in 1846, unmarried; Henry, Jan. 9, 1830, married Miss Katie Reikert, and resides on Philadelphia street. York; Catherine, Feb. 13, 1832, is the wife of Reuben Kain, of Kansas.

Jacob Holtzapple (2) was born on the homestead April 24, 1824. Until he was four- teen years old he attended school, receiving in- struction in the public schools of West Man- chester township, and of Weigelstown, Dover township. In the latter locality he also learned shoemaking, which he followed for five years, after which he returned to the old home and engaged in farming. For twenty-five years he remained there, but at the end of that time he took Daniel Heckert's place, in the same township, farmed it for seven years, and then moved to Jackson township, where he stayed five years. His next move was to West Man- chester township again, where he lived on J. Z. Hildebrand's farm two years, and he then bought his present home, where he has put up all the buildings now in use there. Since 1887 he has lived retired from active work on the farm.

Mr. Holtzapple has been twice married. His first wife, Miss Maria Kain, died in 1857, and was buried in West Manchester township. She bore her husband six children, as follows : Amanda, who became Mrs. Daniel Sowers, of Adams county ; Elizabeth and Emanuel, both deceased ; Manassus, of Dover township, who married Miss Melinda Deisinger; William and Ann Maria, both deceased. The second wife, to whom Mr. Holtzapple was united on Sept. 24, 1857, was Miss Leah Fackler, born July 13, 1831. She was the daughter of Daniel and Mary (Leckrone) Fackler, both of whom belonged to old county families. They died some years ago in York county. Leah ( Fack- ler) Holtzapple was the mother of twelve chil- dren, namely : Saralı, who is at home ; George, of West Manchester township, married to Miss Sallie Leppo; Ella, wife of Edward Witman, of Thomasville, Pa .; Jacob, Jr., a machinist in York, who married Miss Ellen Stouch; Mary, wife of Henry Eberly, of West Manchester township: Alice, Mrs. John Julius, of the same section ; Robert, who married Miss Annie Fink, and lives in Conewago township ; Marga- ret. wife of Peter Bentzel, of West Manchester township; Lizzie, who married Edward Nei-

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 76

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