History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 82

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

USA > Pennsylvania > York County > History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 82

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

David Ashenfelter lived in York and Dau- phin counties all of his life. By trade he was a miller, but he spent a great deal of his time in tobacco growing and farming, renting all of his life. He was a man much thought of in his community, and his death in 1900 was a sad surprise to all who knew him, being entirely unexpected, as he was a very large and power- ful man, weighing 275 pounds, and up to twen- ty minutes before his death was well and in apparently good health. He was eighty-four years old. Mr. Ashenfelter was a member of the Church of God. His wife died in 1884, at the age of sixty-four years. They were the parents of ten children, two of whom died in in- fancy, the survivors being: Lydia. Elizabeth, Jacob, Lurtensia, John, Jane, A. M. and Ben- jamin.

A. M. Ashenfelter remained at home until the age of twenty-five years, when he began studying for the ministry, but was called home to take care of his aged parents. and started farming, continuing same until after his moth- er's death. Then he went to Princeton, Ill., and there engaged in the manufacture of gas, which occupation he continued for three years. He then returned to Pennsylvania and entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- pany, in whose service he remained fifteen years, being engaged in construction work and work in the shops. In 1901 Mr. Ashenfelter resigned his position with the railroad company and purchased the old Fortney farm of ninety- seven acres, and since then has devoted his time to farming and fruit growing.

In 1889 Mr. Ashenfelter married Miss Laura Forrey, daughter of Henry and Lydia Forrey, and three children have been born to them: Charles, who died at the age of four years, six months : Lydia, who died at the age of five years : and Raymond, who lives at home. The family are devout members of the Church of God. Mr. Ashenfelter is a Republican, but not active, and has never desired office. He is

-450

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

one of the enterprising and progressive farm- the mother of : Edward; Purd; Albert; Har- ers of his section of the county and in the suc- ry; Georgianna, Mrs. Young: Pervilla, Mrs. cessful operation of his farm uses modern meth- Spangler; William; Emanuel ; Samuel; Joseph and Milton. (6) Hariet married the late Mr. Landis and had seven children, namely: Alex- ander; Martin; Clinton; Wesley; Amanda, Mrs. Evans; Arabella, Mrs. Stavely; and Anna, Mrs. Stauffer. ods and machinery, which he has found best calculated to bring satisfactory results. He has given time and means to the improvement of his land and owns one of the most attractive homes in the township.

LEANDER MILTON MINNICH, of Spring Garden township, was born in that im- mediate locality, July 30, 1863, son of Reu- ben F. and Elizabeth (Spangler) Minnich. The former died in the fall of 1894.

Leander M. Minnich attended the Spring Garden schools during his boyhood, and then completed his education by studying for two terms at the York Academy. He has devoted his time since reaching manhood to agricult- ural pursuits, and his farm is one of the best tilled and most productive in the township. Mr. Minnich was married in 1895 to Miss Clara Illyes, daughter of John and Mary (Hovis) Illyes, of York township, and one child, Clarence, has been born to them.

Mr. Minnich belongs to a family long and widely known throughout York county and other sections of the State, and by marriage they are connected with other equally promi- nent families. His mother, Elizabeth (Span- gler) Minnich, was one of six children, name- ly : Elizabeth; Charles, deceased; Andrew, deceased; one who died in boyhood: Lydia, Mrs. George Hoke; and Leah, Mrs. Emanuel Rudisill. His father, Reuben F. Minnich, was also one of six children, all of whom married and had large families except Leah, Mrs. Ben- Benjamin Deitz. Frederick Minnick married Miss Spangler, and their children were: Leander Milton; Edwin S .; Simon, deceased; Ezra; Emma, Mrs. Aaron Laucks: Agnes, widow of the late Abraham Kauffman: Priscilla, deceased; Flora, Mrs. Milton Gladfelter, and Rosa. (2) Simon, de- ceased, was the father of: Simon: Michael ; William ; Amanda ; Susan ; and Jane, Mrs. Swartz. (3) George, deceased, had nine chil- dren, viz .; George; Susan, Mrs. Doll; Re- becca, Mrs. Myers ; Lizzie, Mrs. Shuttle: Mag- gie, Mrs. Rupp; Anna, Mrs. Robert; Sarah, Mrs. Hersey : Jane. Mrs. Swartz, and Salinda. (4) Leah married the late Benjamin Dietz. (5) Susan married William Deitz, and became

The paternal grandmother of Leander M. Minnich was a Miss Geiselman, and his connections through that branch are numer- ous. This grandmother had seven brothers and sisters, of whom ( I) Lydia married a Hoke, and had six children: Michael, Henry, Lena, Mrs. Berkheimer, 'Mrs. Wolf, and Caroline, Mrs. Welty. (2) Mrs. Swartz was the mother of Deterick; Isaac; Jesse; and Harriet, who married Mr. Rife and had four children -. Jesse, Morgan, Anna (Rife) Terry, and Katie. (3) Mrs. Snyder's two daughters married Mr. Bowman and Mr. Toman, respectively. (4) Frederick Geiselman's children were: Henry G., father of Frederick, Spangler, Charles, William and Lucy; Mrs. Ehrhart, who had a number of children; Mrs. Brenneman, who h a son Harry and other children ; and Adeline, Mrs. Walter, who also had a large family. (5) Michael Geiselman had six children, all but one of whom married and had families, as follows : Daniel, father of Alexander, Ella and Clara : Samuel; Kate Eichelberger; Sarah Meyers; Lucy Rebert; and Ann Mary, un- married. (6) George Geiselman had one son and five daughters: (a) Jesse was the father of three sons-Alexander, William and George. (b) Julia married Mr. Rohrbauch and became the mother of: George; Frank; Elmer; Harry; Sarah, Mrs. Hoffman; Jeste, Mrs. Stacks; and Nettie, Mrs. Snyder. (c) Kate married Mr. Gladfelter, and their chiil- dren were: Robert; Rosa, Mrs. Gross: Sarah, Mrs. Butt; Jeste, Mrs. Warner: Mrs. Dr. Holtzapple: Mrs. Gladfelter; Mary, Mrs. Decker; William; Edward: George; and Em- ma, Mrs. Martin. (d) Dena also married one of the Gladfelters and her children were: George; Wesley; Martin: Edward; Nathan- iel: Anna Mary. Mrs. Hostler: Sarah. Mrs. Beck ; and Emma, Mrs. Queen. (e) Mrs. Tur- tle's family consisted of Thomas, George, Mary, Nettie and Margaret, Mrs. Smithi. (f) Lealı married Mr. Fissel and had eight chil- dren. viz .: William: George: Purd : Frank; Elmira, Mrs. Gladfelter; Mary, Mrs. Noss;

45I

BIOGRAPHICAL

Christiana, Mrs. Diehl; and Sarah. (7) Jacob Geiselman had two sons and two daughters. (a) Jacob was the father of Ellen, Mrs. Smith; Anna; Lizzie, Mrs. Loucks. (b) George had five children: Frank; Albert; Edna, Mrs. Butcher; Sarah, Mrs. Smith; and Lucy, Mrs. Krout. (c) Rebecca, Mrs. Shaf- fer, and (d) Mrs. Sauble had children, but their names are not known.

FRED S. WINEKA, who lives on a farm about midway between the city of York and the village of Red Lion, near Ore Valley sta- tion, is a representative of the third generation of the Wineka family in York county. [For full family history, see sketch of Henry A. Wineka. ]

Mr. Wineka was born on the old homestead farm, in York township, May 21, 1861, son of William and Mary ( Flinchbaugh) Wineka, and he early became inured to the sturdy work of the farm, while he duly availed himself of the advantages afforded in the public schools of the township, where he continued his studies until he was about fifteen years of age. He re- mained at home until the time of his marriage, in 1888, when he took up his residence on the homestead farm of his wife's father, in Wind- sor township where he remained about five years, then locating on his present farm, which he had inherited from his father's estate. The place comprises sixty-eight acres of good land, and the improvements are first class, including an attractive residence. Mr. Wineka gives his attention to general farming, and also raises large quantities of vegetables and other farm produce, for which he finds a profitable mar- ket in York. While still residing with his par- ents he was engaged in the manufacturing of cigars for about twelve years, having a well equipped factory on the home place and em- ploying from ten to fifteen skilled workmen, while his products were sold principally in the cities of Philadelphia, Pittsburg, Harrisburg and Baltimore. He is a believer in Democratic principles, and both he and his wife are mem- bers of the Mennonite church, in whose faith he was reared, his parents having been faith- ful members of the same denomination.

In February, 1888, Mr. Wineka wedded Miss Lydia Stauffer, who was born, reared and educated in Windsor township, being a daugh- ter of Frederick and Mary (Forry) Stauffer.

Her father was born in Lancaster county, and was a child at the time of his parents' removal to York county, where he was reared to man- hood and where he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed about fifteen years. He became the owner of a farm in Windsor town- ship, and there continued to make his home until his death, in 1884; his remains are in- terred in the Witmer cemetery, at Stony Brook. For the last forty years of his life he was a zealous member of the Mennonite Church, his wife having also been a member of the same. She was born in Manchester township and she was summoned into the "land of the leal" in January, 1897, and was laid to rest by the side of the husband of her youth, in the Witmer cemetery. Of the children of this worthy couple, Susan and Jacob are deceased ; Moses resides at Stony Brook, being a retired farmer ; David is a cracker baker in York; Samuel died in Windsor township; Joseph is a farmer of Lancaster county; Maria is the wife of John Coneway, of York; Frederick is engaged in the feed business in the city of York; and Lydia is the wife of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Wineka have had children as follows : Mary E. died at the age of six years, and is interred in the cemetery at Spry; Lillie May, Mabel Estella, William F. and Charles Stauf- fer are at the parental home ; Ruth Ellen died at the age of two years; and Daisy Belle and Elsie Irene, twins, and Roy David, Melvin Ed- gar and Nettie Naomi are the younger mem- bers of the delightful family circle.

HERBERT FRANKLIN GROSS, M. D., was born Nov. 1I, 1875, in Newberry town- ship, York county, a son of Adam H. and Susan ( Abel) Gross.

Philip Gross, his paternal grandfather, was born in Dover township, York county, and fol- lowed the trade of shoemaking. He married Rebecca Holtzapple, who was born July 13, 1821, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Holtz- apple, and both grandparents died in Dover township, the grandfather aged eigthy-four years and the grandmother aged seventy-four. Both are buried at Strayer's church. They were most worthy people, respected by the whole countryside. The children of Philip Gross and his wife were: Sarah. wife of David Miller, of York ; Ambrose, deceased, who mar- ried Leah Quickel; Michael, deceased, who

452

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

married Mary Ritchcreek; William, married to Calista Snellbaker, living in Dover town- ship; Adam H., father of Dr. Gross; Amanda, wife of August Hoover, of Conewago town- ship: Jane, deceased, who married Augustus Hibner ; Calista, who married William Sipe, of Strinestown ; and one who died in infancy.

Adam H. Gross, father of Dr. Gross, was born Oct. 2, 1851, in Dover township, and there learned the trade of shoemaking. He be- came skilled in fine work and was employed thus in Dover for five years, then removing to Goldsboro, where he remained for seven years. In 1868 he located at Manchester, where he was first employed by Jacob Rudy, but later entered into business for himself. As he is a skilled mechanic he has always commanded a large trade. In 1868 he married Susan Abel, daughter of David and Catherine Abel, of Manchester township, Mr. Abel at one time be- ing one of the directors of the poor for York county. Adam H. Gross and his wife had children as follows: Flora, who died young ; Herbert Franklin; Horace and Minnie, both of whom died young; William, who married Fannie Melhorn and lives in Manchester; An- nie, married to Arthur Gohn and living in Me- chanicsburg, Cumberland Co., Pa., her hus- band being a York county boy who served in the Philippines during the Spanish-American war; Charles, living at home ; and Grover C., who died young.

Dr. Gross was six years old when the fam- ily came to Manchester borough, and he at- tended the borough schools until the age of fifteen, then taking an academic course at York. When he was sixteen years old he be- gan to teach school, continuing thus in 1891- 93, two years at the Brillinger school in East Manchester township and one year at the Sipes school. During these years in the schoolroom he commenced his medical studies and after this preliminary work entered the office of Dr. J. C. May, at Manchester, with whom he read for one year. In 1895 he entered Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, where he took a four-year course, graduating in May, 1899, the last class that was graduated in the old building and the first four-years' class from Jefferson College. Dr. Gross then came to York to engage in the practice of his profes- sion and established himself in North York, opening his office on Ang. 7, 1899. He is lo-

cated at No. 1034 North George street. He is a member of the York County Medical Society, the Pennsylvania State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. For three years he served as president of the board of health and in many ways has shown his pro- fessional ability. He enjoys his full share of practice at North York.

On Oct. 4. 1899, Dr. Gross was married to Susan Hocker, a daughter of Adam and Martha ( Shope) Hocker, of Harrisburg, where the latter still resides. Adam Hocker was born in Lebanon county, but for many years was a farmer of Dauphin county. He died at Harrisburg at the age of fifty-nine years, and was buried at Oberlin cemetery. His children were: Katie, Ella, Mary. Eliza- beth, Susan and Martha. Dr. and Mrs. Gross have one daughter, Mae Bee, born July 20, 1902.

Dr. Gross has accepted no public offices save those of health officer and school director. He is a Democrat and is a member of the United Evangelical Church at York. Profes- sionally he stands well with the younger gen- eration of medical men, who by their study and application are ever making for progress. In every way he is well equipped for his battle with · disease and death, and his selection as health officer by the borough of North York demon- strated the value placed on his ideas regard- ing public sanitation. Thoroughly versed in his profession, and possessing strong and sterling characteristics, he has won his way into the confidence of his fellow-citizens, meeting with the professional success to which his abilities entitle him.

HENRY M. SCHMUCK. One of the most successful business careers to which it has been the good fortune for residents of York county to attain is presented in the life of Henry M. Schmuck, who is a native of Han- over. and who has already passed the 81st milestone of life, possessing in the mellowness of his ripened years that clearness of eye and glow of health which bespeak the man of su- perior force of character. He was born at Hanover Sept. 26, 1824, son of Joseph and Christiana (Felty) Schmuck, and is of Ger- man ancestry. His paternal grandfather was Michael Schmuck, of York, Pa., and his ma- ternal grandfather, Henry Felty, of Hanover,

453

BIOGRAPHICAL

Pa., was a cavalry officer in the war of the Revolution.

Joseph Schmuck, the father of Henry M., was a man of unusual prominence in the an- nals of York county, of which he was a native. In 1812, Joseph Schmuck established the first English newspaper at Hanover, the Hanover Guardian, an influential organ in that early day. His death occurred in 1829, when Henry M. was a child of four years.

Reared in the afterglow of his father's early literary and political career, Henry M. obtained an excellent education for the time in which his boyhood days were cast, as a student of Hanover Academy. But his tastes ran to an active commercial life, and at the age of seventeen years the foundation of his business career was laid in the dry goods store of Isaac Baugher, at Emmitsburg, Md., where he re- mained as a clerk for about six years. Pos- sessing a desire to acquaint himself with a broader vision of commercial life he in 1847 went to Charleston, S. C., and for a year was employed in the house of C. & E. L. Kerrison, wholesale dry goods dealers. In 1852 Mir. Schmuck began what for more than half a century has proved to be one of the most suc- cessful commercial houses in Hanover, by en- gaging in the lumber and coal business. In this he continued uninterruptedly until 1895, when he retired in favor of his sons. As the years went by Mr. Schmuck's business affilia- tions broadened, and he became identified with many enterprises that have resulted in the per- manent growth and progress of his native town. In 1880 he was elected president of the First National Bank of Hanover, which posi- tion he filled until his retirement from active life in 1895.

On Dec. 16, 1851, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Mr. Schmuck married Miss Amanda Reid, of Cin- cinnati, a native of Emmitsburg, Md., and the daughter of Patrick and Justina Reid. To Henry M. and Amanda Schmuck were born eight children, namely: Joseph H., who is en- gaged in the lumber, coal and slate business at Hanover, the successor of his father; Blanche A .: Eugene R., of the firm of Schmuck Bros. ; Helen V .: William; Emma E .; Minnie C .: and Percival. Mr. Schmuck is an elder and prominent member of the Reformed Church. He has prospered eminently in business, and is numbered among the foremost citizens of York county.

JACOB S. FETROW, who owns much land in Newberry township, is living retired in Lew- isberry, where he has bought a fine home. He was born in November, 1867, in Fairview township, son of Franklin S. and Elizabeth (Sheely ) Fetrow. Mr. Fetrow received a common-school education, attending school until his twenty-first year. He then assisted his father on the home farm for a short time, later being employed in the Steelton steel plant for about six months, after which he removed to Mechanicsburg, Cumberland county. He re- mained there one year and then located in Lewisberry, after which he was a farmer in Newberry township for three years. Return- ing to Lewisberry borough, he remained there but a short time, when he went to Newmarket ior two years, part of which period was spent in working in the steel plant. He again turned his attention to farming for two years, after which he returned to Lewisberry, where he has since lived in retirement. Mr. Fetrow bought a residence there, which he rebuilt, and he has a farm of 118 acres, considered one of the best in Newberry township, upon which a tenant is farming. He is also the owner of a fine home in Newmarket.

In 1894 Mr. Fetrow married Ida Snyder, daughter of Peter and Mary Jane ( Sultza- berger) Snyder, of Lewisberry. In his po- litical belief Mr. Fetrow is a Republican. Re- ligiously he is connected with the Methodist Church, while socially he is affiliated with the Jr. O. U. A. M., No. 1012, of Lewisberry.

Franklin S. Fetrow, the father of Jacob S .. was born in Newberry township, and received his education in the common schools of tliat township. While a young man he learned the trade of pump making, which, in connection with farming, he followed for many years. He owned two farms in Fairview township and also two in Newberry township, besides other property in Steelton and New Cumber- land. He died Nov. 17, 1892, aged fifty-seven years, eight months and twenty-two days. Six children were born of his marriage with Eliza- beth Sheely: Samuel H., John R., Jacob S., William G., Clara B. and Jennie S.

Peter F. Snyder, father of Mrs. Fetrow, was born in 1843 in Manchester township, son of Henry Snyder. In 1864.he enlisted in Com- pany D. 202nd P. V. I., and served for one vear. He married Mary Jane Sultzaberger, a daughter of Israel and Julia Ann ( Brenne-

454

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

man) Sultzaberger, and the following children were born to them: Edward married Minnie Sutton, and lives in Fairview township; John married Clara Fetrow, and farms in Fairview township: Ida is the wife of Jacob S. Fetrow; Carrie, who married Charles Erney, lives at Lewisberry. In 1895 Mr. Snyder bought a home in Lewisberry, where he now lives a re- tired life, having formerly farmed in Fairview township.

HUGH ROSS, the only son of William Glenn Ross and Julia Ann ( McConkey) Ross, was born on the old Ross homestead, in Lower Chanceford township, Dec. 13, 1873. His early life was spent on his father's farm and in attendance at the public schools of his na- tive place. At the age of thirteen, feeling the need of better educational facilities, he went to his uncle's home in Mexico, Mo., where he spent two years at school, and in the fall of 1888 he entered the Princeton Prepara- tory School at Lawrenceville, N. J., where he pursued his studies during the next six years. After this he completed a course of study at Bryant & Stratton's Business College, Balti- more, Md. His father having left large landed interests, he then took up the management of his farms, which vocation he has since followed with marked success. Shortly after taking charge of the home farm, realizing that a tech- nical education is as necessary in farming as in any other business or vocation, he took a course of study in dairying and agriculture at the Pennsylvania State College. But while de- voting himself chiefly to his farming interests, he has found time to engage in public affairs and in various other business enterprises. An ardent Republican, he has never occupied any public office. but at all times exhibited a keen interest in township and county politics, and has earnestly striven for honest, econom- ical government. In 1897 Mr. Ross built a private telephone line from his home to Wood- bine and Bridgeton. Realizing the convenience of this utility to himself, and foreseeing the day when the rural communities would de- mand telephone service, he began the erection of a telephone system covering the territory from Red Lion to Delta and between the Ma- ryland & Pennsylvania railroad and the Sus- quehanna river, subsequently incorporating his system under the title of the Chanceford

Telephone Company, being at present its presi- dent and general manager. He is also exten- sively engaged in the canning business, being secretary of the High Rock Canning Company, large packers of fruits and vegetables at Higli Rock, Pa. He is also largely interested in the Delta Packing Company, located at Delta, Pa .; is also one of the incorporators and di- rectors of the York Furnace Bridge Company, the Airville & Delta Electric Railway and other contemplated trolley roads, by which he hopes to give the lower end of York county much needed transportation facilities with York and other commercial centers.

On June II, 1901, Mr. Ross married Miss Alice Reynolds Hoblitzell, who was born Oct. 9, 1874, daughter of James J. Hoblitzell, a prominent business man of Myersdale, Pa., who married Julia Kimmell Hortzell, now de- ceased.

CHARLES J. DELONE, one of the prominent attorneys of the York county Bar, is a native of Hanover, that county, where he was born Feb. 9, 1863, son of Joseph and Maria (Hilt) Delone. The Delones are of French origin, and migrated from Alsace to America about 1748. They settled first in Lancaster county, Pa., but subsequently Nich- olas Delone removed to Paradise township, York county, where he entered a large tract of land. Here was born Peter Delone, the pa- ternal grandfather of Charles J.

Peter Delone received his education in the subscription schools of the neighborhood, and throughout life followed the occupation of a farmer and stone mason. In politics he was a Whig, and in religion a member of the Cath- olic Church. He married a Miss Leib, and to them were born seven children, namely : Hen -. ry, Joseph, Peter, Lewis, Elizabeth (who mar- ried Albert Storm), Matilda (who married Michael Strubinger), and Mary (who died single). Peter Delone died in 1856, his wife preceding him to the grave in 1855.

Joseph Delone, the father of Charles J., was born in Paradise township, York county, and educated in the common schools. In his youth he acquired the trade of milling, but early became identified with the live stock busi- ness, for which he professed a preference, and in which he won great success, devoting to it many years of his life. He was a man of lib-

455,

BIOGRAPHICAL

eral mind and superior intelligence, and from early life took an active interest in public af- fairs. Attached to the principles of the Demo- cratic party he was in his early manhood elected a member of the State Legislature. He founded, and for many years published at Han- over, a weekly newspaper, known as the Han- over Citisen. The newspaper attained almost immediate success and became an influential factor in the politics and education of York county. Editorially it advocated the principles of the Democratic party. Mr. Delone remained in charge for many years, and was in active politics up to the time of his death in 1883. He held local office in the borough, and was one of the leading factors in the growth and upbuild- ing of Hanover. He was a devout member of the Catholic Church, worshipping at the Han- over congregation. Joseph Delone married Maria, daughter of Jacob Hilt, and to them were born twelve children, of whom eight are now living, namely: Alice, Martha, Leona, Harry O., Mary, Emma, Charles J. and Jacob P. Four died very young.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 82

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