History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 77

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

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

mon, of Conewago, now deceased; Carrie, Mrs. Charles Klinedinst, of Manchester township; Louis, unmarried, who manages the farm for his father : and John, a cigarmaker in York, who married Miss Carrie Eisenhart.

Mr. Holtzapple is well-known in the town- ship, and is much esteemed. He is a member of Neiman's Lutheran Church, in which he takes an active part, while his political affilia- tions are with the Democratic party.

EDWARD H. SNYDER. In the de- velopment of a country's material resources it often happens that men, who under other condi- tions would have been students, are led into ac- tive, energetic business careers. Edward H. Snyder of Hanover, is the son of a native of Maryland, who possessed both taste and apti- tude for a scholar's career, and who, in his early life was for many years a teacher in the public schools, but who later became a success- ful brick manufacturer and prosperous farmer, sacrificing his natural tastes to the opportunities which presented themselves in the community in which he lived, and, with his natural energy of character, making a complete success of his business undertakings. A similar experience may be traced in the career of his son Ed- ward H.

The paternal grandfather of the latter was Henry Snyder, a native of Maryland. His son, Daniel, father of Edward H., was born in Washington county, Md., Aug. 16, 1807. He married Elizabeth Henderson, who was born in Berwick. Adams county, Pa., in 1812, the daughter of William Henderson, a prominent manufacturer of woolen goods, and a soldier in the War of 1812. He died in Pittsburg, Pa. To Daniel and Elizabeth Snyder were born eleven children, of whom ten lived to adult age, namely : Sophia, who married Jacob Garrett ; Susan, widow of Philip Wolff ; Levi, of Darke county, Ohio; William L., of Pittsburg ; Daniel J., a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio; Mary Ann, widow of Henry Gressley; Eli, who resides in Baltimore ; John, a resident of the West ; Millie, who married Thomas Cross ; and Edward H., whose sketch follows. The father was widely known for his ability as a teacher, for his suc- cess as a manufacturer and for his sagacious management of a well tilled farm. He died in 1889, his wife surviving him until April 19, 1900.

Edward H. Snyder was born near Abbotts- town. Adams Co., Pa., Nov. 8, 1834. He re- ceived his education in the public and private schools of York county. He learned the iron moulder's trade, which he followed until 1884, at intervals being also engaged in the manufac- ture ot brick, after which he returned to Han- over. In 1879 Mr. Snyder established a brick- yard in the southeastern part of that place and there engaged actively in the manufacture of building brick, the product of his yard being of a superior quality. for which there has been a large local demand, the trade even overflowing to a number of neighboring towns and cities. During the busy season of the year he employs between twenty and twenty-five men and he conducts the industry for about eight months in the year. In 1903 he added considerable ma- chinery to the plant, the output of the yard con- sisting of building and paving brick.

Under the first call of President Lincoln for 75,000 men for three-months' service, in April, 1861, Mr. Snyder enlisted in Company G, 16th P. V. I. Returning to Hanover at the expiration of his service, he married Anna Mary Smaling, who was born near Mt. Joy, Lancaster county, Pa., Feb. 17. 1838, daughter of George and Catherine ( Kohler) Smaling. To Edward H. and Anna Mary Sny- der have come four children, namely : Mary E., deceased ; A. Bertha, wife of Lawson Emmert, of Pittsburg; William, of Pittsburg ; and Ed- ward H., Jr., at home, the partner of his father in the manufacture of brick. Edward H., Jr., married Edith Fridinger, and to them have been born five children, as follows: Cecelia, Ed- ward, Annie, William, and Isabel. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have ten grandchildren. Mr. Snyder is a member of Major Jenkins Post, No. 99, G. A. R. He is one of the substantial and enterprising men of Hanover whose life-work has contributed largely to the upbuilding of the city.

ADEN BUSER is a representative of one of York county's old and well-known families. He is engaged in the manufacture of cigar boxes at Longstown, York township, and is one of the popular and public-spirited citizens of that section of the county.

Mr. Buser was born on the homestead farm in York township, Dec. 21, 1854, and wa's there reared to the age of twenty-one years. He is

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BIOGRAPHICAL

a son of Jacob and Deborah (Fitz) Buser, both of whom were born and reared in York county. The latter died when Aden was but twelve years of age and his father later married Miss Louisa Landis, whose death occurred in 1904. Jacob Buser was a carpenter by trade, and for a number of years was actively engaged in con- tracting and building, while later he turned his attention to the manufacture of cigar boxes, building up a profitable enterprise and also owning and operating the farm on which Mr. Buser was born. He was a stalwart Democrat in politics, was a man of alert mentality and broad information and wielded no little in- fluence in local affairs, while his inflexible in- tegrity and straightforward business policy gained for him the unqualified respect of all with whom he was associated. He died, in Springetsbury township, in 1902, at the age of seventy-six years. His first wife was a mem- ber of the Dunkard Church, and he and his second wife were connected with the Lutheran Church.

Aden Buser was reared on the home farm and early began to assist in its cultivation,while he continued to attend the local schools from two to four months each year until he had reached his legal majority, so that he gained a good practical education and was duly fortified for the practical duties and responsibilities of life. Under the direction of his father he served a thorough apprenticeship at the carpen- ter's trade, becoming a skilled artisan in that line and continuing to follow his trade until he was twenty-five years of age, when he located in Longstown and engaged in the manufactur- ing of cigar boxes. He had there purchased an acre of ground, upon which was a small dwell- ing, and there he inaugurated his enterprise, beginning operations by establishing a shop in the basement of his house and for some time working alone. He finally secured John S. Flory as an assistant, and it is pleasing to note that this gentleman is still enrolled as his em- ployee. In 1884 Mr. Buser disposed of the property mentioned and removed to what was known as the Freeze place, in York town- ship, where he continued to carry on his manufactory for the ensuing two years, when he purchased his present property from Jo- seph Kauffman. the improvements consisting of a commodious building utilized as a store and box factory. On the 18th of Aug., 1901,

the property was destroyed by fire, and shortly afterward Mr. Buser completed the erection of his present store and factory building on the- same site, the building being 28x28 feet in di- mensions and two stories in height. He pur- chased his present residence property-an acre of land and a good house-from George Howe. In the box factory he gives employment to an average force of ten skilled hands. He has met with marked success, being known as one of the reliable and public-spirited citizens and business men of York township, where his friends are coextensive with his acquaintances. In politics he gives his allegiance to the Demo- cratic party.

On Oct. 15, 1876, Mr. Buser was united in marriage to Miss Priscilla Ann Lefever, who was born and reared in this county, being a daughter of William and Susan ( Irwin) Le- fever, and of the children of this union are recorded these facts: Ida May is the wife of Frank Gale, of Windsor township: Emma Jane. Cora Deborah, Mary Ann and Grover Cleveland remain at home: Susan is deceased ; and Beulah and Emory Quintin are the younger members of the family circle.

ELMER E. BRUNNER, postmaster at York Haven and president of the York Haven Canning Company, was born in 1869, in New- berry township. son of Peter M. and Leah (Fink) Brunner.

Peter Brunner, his grandfather, was a na- tive of Lancaster county, where he engaged in farming. He came to York county and settled in Conewago township, where he took up a tract of land, later removing to East Manchester township, and finally to Newberry township. where he followed farming until his death, in his sixty-fifth year.

Peter M. Brunner. the father of Elmer E .. was born in 1842 in Conewago township, where he received a common school education. and followed agricultural pursuits. In 1868 he married Leah Fink, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Lynn) Fink, of York county, and afterward was for a time a farmer in Fairview township. He then removed to Newberry township, later going to Hill Island. Dauphin county, where he remained for twelve years, but finally returned to Newberry township. where his death occurred in 1902, and which is his burial place. Mrs. Brunner is living in

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Newberry township, aged sixty-one. The chil- dren born to this worthy couple were: Elmer E .: Jennie: Amelia, died at the age of eight years ; Arthur and Herbert S.

Elmer E. Brunner attended the public schools until he was seventeen years of age. and then was a student at a summer school at Goldsboro. For a time he was a teacher, and then, in 1891-93. attended school at Millers- ville, completing the junior year at that insti- tution. Mr. Brunner has taught school in Lan- caster county, but most of his time has been spent in York county, where he has a high repu- tation as an educator, his entire experience covering fourteen terms. For three years of this period he was principal of the York Ha- ven. High School.

Politically Mr. Brunner is a Republican and in 1902 was appointed postmaster at York Haven, which position has been filled very efficiently. He has been called upon to fill various offices, and in every case has given the highest satisfaction. He has held the office of chief burgess, has been councilman, president of the council for four years, and has occupied minor offices. Mr. Brunner is president of the York Haven Canning Company, one of the largest industries in the county ; also secretary of the Consumers' Box Board & Paper Co. of Lititz. Pa .: director in the York & Windsor Electric Light Company, the Western Develop- ment Company, the People's Electric Light Company of Lebanon, and the Womelsdorf & Myerstown Electric Light Company.

In 1897 Mr. Brunner married Susie E. Fisher, daughter of John and Martha ( Miller ) Fisher. of York county, and one child has been born to this union, John F. Both as a public official and honest and upright, public-spirited citizen. he enjoys a wide acquaintance and is held in much esteem in the community.

CAPT. JACOB LEITHISER, who is the owner of one of the fine farms of York county, has passed practically his entire life here and is a scion of one of the honored pioneer fam- ilies of this section of the state. He is one of the representative citizens of Lower Windsor township and is specially well entitled to con- sideration in a publication of the province as- signed to the one at hand.

Capt. Leithiser was born on the farm which he now owns and occupies, in Lower Windsor

township, and known as the Henry Ruby farm, the date of his nativity being Jan. 28, 1848. He received his early education in what was known as the Kline school, and among his early instructors there was Henry Kellar. La- ter he continued his studies in the Benson school, under the regime of William Miller, and here he finished his technical school work when but fifteen years of age. When he was twelve years of age his parents resided at Long- level, and his father hired him out to a Mr. Crum, who operated a canal-boat, the duties of our subject being to drive the somewhat de- jected mules which furnished motive power for the boat. For five years he was thus engaged in following the towpath between Havre de Grace and Lock Haven, and he then assumed the dignified position of first mate, in which capacity he served on various canal-boats. Later he became a captain and finally the owner of boats, continuing to operate on the Penn- sylvania canal for a period of twelve years, and having in the connection run his boats to New York city, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and to dif- ferent points up the Hudson river.

In 1864, while employed on the canal, Ja- cob Leithiser ran away from his captain and made his way. barefooted. to Harrisburg, where, on the 22d of July. he enlisted, becom- ing a private in Company K. 195th P. V. I., in the one hundred days' service : William D. Rit- zel, of Lancaster county, was captain of his company, while the regiment was commanded by Col. Fisher, of Columbia. He participated in the spirited engagement at Monocacy Junc- tion, and at the expiration of his term of en- listment received his honorable discharge, at Harrisburg. At Monocacy Junction, however, Jacob Leithiser had re-enlisted for one year, but he received his final discharge in Novem- ber, 1864.

After the close of his military career our subject again resumed work on the canal, con- tinning to be actively identified with this line of enterprise until 1887. when he disposed of his boat and retired permanently from the busi- ness with which he had been so intimately as- sociated from his boyhood days. Thereafter he was for eight years employed in a clerical ca- pacity at the lumber yards of Olewiler & Gil- bert, at Longlevel, being thus engaged until his election to the office of county commissioner, of which he was incumbent during the years 1894,

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1895 and 1896. In 1896 he purchased the old farm on which he was born, the same compris- ing fifty acres, while the place is most attrac- tively located on the Susquehanna river. In 1873 the Captain erected his present beautiful residence, on the banks of the river, and this fine home is a center of gracious and generous hospitality. After retiring from the office of county commissioner the Captain served one and one-half years as president and manager of the Fairview Milling Company, in Columbia, the property being sold to the syndicate about 1898. He then returned to his home in Lower Windsor and was soon afterward elected man- ager of the Wrightsville & Chanceford Turn- pike Company, in which capacity he is still ren- dering most efficient service. In 1892 he was elected a member of the directorate of the Lower Windsor Fire Insurance Company. He served six years as a member of the board of education, and within this period was honored with preferment as president and secretary of the board, at different times. In politics he accords a stalwart allegiance to the Republican party, and he has ever been recognized as a loyal and public-spirited citizen.

In 1876 the Captain became a member of the United Evangelical Church at Longlevel, in which he has served in various official posi- tions, having been an elder for many years and also superintendent of the Sunday-school. He is affiliated with Lieut. R. W. Smith Post, No. 270, G. A. R., at Wrightsville, and with Au- rora Lodge, Jr. O. U. A. M., at East Prospect. He is well known throughout this section and is held in unequivocal confidence and esteem in the county of his birth.

In Lower Windsor township, on Feb. 10, 1867. Capt. Leithiser was united in marriage to Miss Wilhelmina Silar, a daughter of George WV. and Martha (Gilbert ) Silar, both of whom are now deceased. Capt. and Mrs. Leithiser have no children of their own. Their adopted daughter, Anna Lyman, is now the wife of Ir- ving Kline, of York.

In conclusion we will touch briefly upon the genealogical record of our honored sub- ject. His father, Hartman Leithiser, was born in Columbia, Lancaster Co., Pa., in 1824, and for many years followed the work of the canal and river, having been renowned locally as a successful fisherman. He made his home at Longlevel for many years, but is now residing

at Havre de Grace, Md. His wife, whose maiden name was Salome Ruby, was born and reared on the farm now owned and occupied by our subject, whose maternal grandfather, Henry Ruby, was a prominent and influential farmer of this section. The mother of the Cap- tain died Nov. 28, 1866, at Longlevel. Of her children we offer the following brief record : George W., who married Miss Mary Kise, is captain of the ferryboat "Mary," at Wrights- ville; Jacob is the immediate subject of this sketch; Henry, who married Miss Mary Stern, resides in Columbia, Lancaster county; Isaac married Miss Kate Bayard and resides at Havre de Grace, Md .; Nathaniel is an engi- neer on the Pennsylvania railroad and resides in Columbia (the maiden name of his wife was Elizabeth Houseseal) ; seven children died in childhood.

Isaac Leithiser, grandfather of the Captain, died in Baltimore, Md., about 1862, having been for many years engaged in the hotel busi- ness in that city, while he also followed mari- time enterprises to a considerable extent. The original progenitors in America came from Germany in the colonial era and it is supposed that representatives were numbered among the early settlers near the present city of Columbia, Lancaster Co., this State.

CAPT. DAVID ALBERT MILLER, agent for land-clearing machinery, wire fenc- ing, etc., proprietor of "Grape Lawn Farm," and a survivor of the great Civil war. is now living retired at his beautiful home, "Mt. Pleasant Arbor" in East Hopewell township. He was born at the home farm at Mt. Pleasant, March 19, 1847.

John Miller, the grandfather of the Captain, was born and reared in Hopewell township, where he married Elizabeth Trout, an aunt of Valentine Trout, of Chanceford township. Both Mr. Miller and his wife died in what is now old Hopewell township, leaving these chil- dren : Polly, Mrs. James Anderson, died in East Hopewell township; . Abraham was the father of David A .; Elizabeth, Mrs. Robert Maffett, died in Illinois; Anne, Mrs. Ambrose McGuigan, died in East Hopewell township; Samuel, who died in Monkton. Baltimore Co .. Md., married Mary Howard; John, who died in Baltimore county, Md., married Mary Hyson : Valentine Trout, a farmer of East Hopewell

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

township. married Louisa Grim: Henry died in fife he again enlisted as a musician, and was this township: David, a farmer of East Hope- well township, married Sarah Winemiller ; and Margaret is Mrs. John Hyson, of East Hope- well township.

Abraham Miller was born in Hopewell township, and grew to manhood there, receiving a common school education. He learned the blacksmith's trade, making this occupation his life-work. He settled on a 230-acre farm at Mt. Pleasant, where he died in 1882, aged eighty-two years, and he was buried at Mt. Pleasant cemetery, and had been a member of the Cross Roads M. E. Church. In politics he was first a Know-Nothing, then a Whig, later an Abolitionist, and finally a Republican. He served in the capacity of school director and also in other offices. Mr. Miller married Pris- cilla Howard, born in Baltimore county, Md., daughter of Henry Howard, whose parents came from England. His wife died on the home farm in 1872. She had these children : Henry Howard is deceased; John W., who served with credit in the 209th P. V. I., as a private of Company B, married Mary M. Her- shinger ; Mary E. is Mrs. John S. Rechard of York; Isaiah H., when only seventeen years old, was killed in the battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862, being a private of Company C, 130th P. V. I .: David Albert : and Abraham C., of York, married Rachel Ann Williams.

David Albert Miller attended the common school, irregularly, until his fifteenth year and worked on the home farm until a year later. He then enlisted as a musician in Company C, 130th P. V. I., Capt. J. S. Jenkins, Col. Henry I. Zinn, of Mechanicsburg, Pa. He held a commission as captain under Governor Cur- tin, but thinking that his youth would be against him, refused the commission. His en- listment occurred Aug. 6, 1862, for nine months, and he served his term, being honor- ably discharged at Harrisburg, Pa., May 21, 1863. He took part in the battles of South Mountain. Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, was in Burnside's March, and was wounded nine times by pieces of shell and shot, persistently remaining with his regiment and refusing to go to the hospital. He re-en- listed Aug. 30, 1864, in Company B, 209th Reg. P. V. I., Captain H. W. Spangler, Col. T. B. Kauffman, for the term of one year, or during the war. Being very proficient with the

with the Second Brigade, Third Division, Army of the Potomac. He was engaged in Pickett's great charge at Bermuda Hundred, Sept. 6, 1864; Preble's farm, Va., Sept. 30, 1864; Hatcher's Run, Oct. 27, 1864; on a three-days' raid, Dec. 9 to Dec. 12, in North Carolina ; and then Fort Steadman, March 25, 1865. He was at the fall of Petersburg, from the Ist to the 3rd of April, and at Lee's surrender, Appomat- tox, April 9, 1865. He was honorably dis- charged May 31, 1865, at Alexandria, Va., by reason of orders issued from the War Depart- ment.

After the close of the war Captain Miller returned to his father's home, and at the age of twenty-one years commenced the teaching of vocal and instrumental music, intending to make of it a life work, but his health had been so impaired by exposure and wounds received during the war that he hesitated to assume a career involving such labor. In his nineteenth year, Nov. 16. 1865, he married Miss Sarah Jane Fishel, of East Hopewell township, daugh- ter of David and Agnes ( McDowell) Fishel. Afterward he remained at home, after the death of his father. purchasing the homestead, upon which he resided until March 1, 1905, when he removed to his new home, erecting a beautiful residence.

Captain Miller is a fascinating talker, being greatly interested in all the topics of the day. He keeps well abreast of the times, twenty periodicals coming to his home weekly. He is a member of General Sherman Post No. 602. G. A. R., of Felton, has passed through all of the chairs, and is also past commander of the Knights of the Mystic Chain, of Winterstown. He is a member of the United Evangelical Church, and has filled all the offices in the church and Sunday-school. Captain Miller's first wife died March 13, 1885, and is buried at Mt. Pleasant cemetery. The children born to them were as follows: Isaiah Howard, born Oct. 5, 1866, now an R. F. D. carried, residing at Parke, York county, married Elizabetlı Alt- house : Annie Dora, born Dec. 19, 1868, mar- ried E. P. Thompson, and resides in Rinely, York county : Elma Agnes, born June 6, 1872, is Mrs. Johnson J. Shroeder, of York; Mary Levia, born Jan. 25, 1875, married Henry Alt- house, and resides near Stewartstown : Charles David Wilbur, born March 3, 1877, married

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Emma McLane, and resides near Glen Rock ; Bessie Jane, born Dec. 23, 1879, is a dress- maker and traveling saleslady; Minerva Alice, born Sept. 10, 1882, married William Wilson, and lives on Capt. Miller's home farm, as does J. Percy, born March 3, 1885.

Captain Miller was married (second) on Dec. 30, 1885. to Elizabeth Margaret Hess, daughter of Robert J. and Rebecca (Brown) Hess, natives of Fulton township, Lancaster county, who came to York county after mar- riage and there died. Mrs. Miller was educated in the public schools, and, until her marriage, was engaged in dress-making at Rinely.

ROBERT L. JONES. The following bio- graphy is taken verbatim (with a few minor changes to bring the sketch to date) from the "Historic Cyclopedia of the 19th Congression- al District of Pennsylvania": "That America possesses many advantages for men of energy and comprehensive ability is well illustrated by the very successful career of Robert L. Jones, of Delta, Pa., who was born at Penmachno, Caernarvonshire, Wales, 1841, and emigrated to the United States in 1860. His parents were natives of Wales and never left that coun- try ; of the six children, however, five came to America, the eldest of whom is John W., who arrived here in 1857 and engaged in the slate business in West Bangor, where he now lives. Three years later, the third oldest member of the family and subject of our sketch, came over from Wales, and in 1888 their sister, Mrs. Richard Roberts, and her husband, crossed the ocean and have made Delta their home. The second child, Mrs. Richard Jones, came over in 1890, and now resides in South Delta, and the next younger member, William Penn, who is now superintendent of the slate quarries, owned by our subject, Robert L., emigrated in 1886.

"Robert L. Jones was educated in the public schools of Wales, where he also learned the slate business when he became old enough to work in the quarries where his father was em- . ployed as a quarryman. Like his elder brother, he at first located at West Bangor, where he worked at his trade as a laborer in the slate works until 1862, when our country was threatened with dismemberment and plunged into the horrors of war. True to the impulses of the land of liberty which had become his adopted country, he enlisted in August, 1862, in Company A, 3d Penn. Heavy Artillery, at

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 77

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