History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 85

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 85

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).

Anthony Brockley was an old time Democrat, but never courted office. He was a devout Catholic. He died in 1874, and was buried in the Catholic cemetery at Hanover. His wife, who survives, is a member of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church.

Louis P. Brockley was reared on the farm. For a time he attended a pay school, and later the district school at Emmitsburg, Md., for two years. He then returned to the farm and assisted his father until the latter's death.

In 1870 Mr. Brockley married Mineta, daughter of Benjamin and Mary Lippy. The young couple settled in Hanover. Mr. Brock- ley began to deal in stock, in which he was quite successful. He purchased a farm of 136 acres in Conewago township, which he sold in 1903. During all this time he was actively engaged in dealing in cattle, which he shipped to various markets, and for a time was one of the principal feeders of the neighborhood. He also deals in sheep, his principal markets being Baltimore and New York. Mr. Brockley makes a specialty of buying export cattle, a branch of the business in which he has been eminently successful. He is a director in the Hanover Stock Drovers' Company, which was organized in 1882, and also a director of the Baltimore and Harrisburg Railroad; and a stockholder and director of the Hanover Sav- ings Fund Company. In politics he is a Demo- crat in national questions, while in State af-

fairs he votes independently. He and his wife are members of Emanuel Reformed Church. Mr. and Mrs. Brockley have one child, Carrie May, a graduate of Dickinson College, and also of the Women's College at Frederick, Md., and now the wife of William D. Carver, as- sistant cashier of the National Bank of Han- over.

WILLIAM F. UFFELMAN, of Chance- ford township, York Co., Pa., is a practical as well as a professional farmer. All the years of his life have been devoted to agricultural pursuits, and he is proud to be recognized as a member of the great brotherhood of hard workers. His birth occurred in 1868, on the farm he now owns.

Frederick Uffelman, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Bremen, Germany, and came to the United States about 1863, landing at New York City, from where he made his way to Chanceford township. York Co., Pa., taking up a tract of land, where he farmed until his death, in 1873.

William F. Uffelman received his educa- tion in the public school of his township, being reared a farmer boy. After leaving school he went West learning the butcher's trade with his brother in Iowa. After three years he returned home, and took up farming, later buying his present farm. Mr. Uffelman has always been known for his honesty and integrity. He is loyal to the country and his friends, hates trea- son or hypocrisy in either public or private life, and is prompt to speak for the truth and right as he sees them. He is an uncompromising Republican. Mr. Uffelman married Miss Workinger, a daughter of Samuel Workinger, of Chanceford township.

FREDERICK UFFELMAN, brother of William F., and a member of the well-known firm of Grove and Uffelman, of Parke Station, Chance- ford township, was born on the home farm at Brogueville, Aug. 7. 1872, and from the age of six years to sixteen he received his educa- tion in the public schools of that section. He began clerking at the age of twelve years, in the store of his present partner, who then kept a general store at Brogueville. While clerk- ing in the store during the summer months, he attended school in the winter. He was em- ployed at the main store for two years at Muddy Creek Forks, and when the branch was opened at Parke, Mr. Uffelman was put

467

BIOGRAPHICAL

in charge of it, and the present new store was built in 1899.

Frederick Uffelman was married, June 30, 1892, to Sadie B. Grove, a sister of his partner, and they are both members of the New Harmony Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Uffelman are the parents of the following children: Annie Olive, Harry T., Carl F., Gordon and Howard.

FRANK X. KUHN, contractor, builder and dealer in fine monuments, Italian and granite, Hanover, Pa., is more than a success- ful business man of that thriving city. The large force of men he has constantly kept em- ployed under his direction, added to his own untiring energy, have made his contributions to the modern structures of the city particularly impressive.

Mr. Kuhn was born at Irishtown, near Conewago, York county, in October, 1851, the son of Henry and Mary (Weirick ) Kuhn. The father was born in St. Mary county, Md., where for many years he engaged in the mer- cantile business, and afterwards in the manu- facture of brick. He is still living, a resident of Irishtown, in the 87th year of his age. His wife, Mary, who was also a native of Mary- land, died in 1896.

Frank X. Kuhn acquired a good knowledge of the common branches in the public schools of Irishtown, which he proceeded to turn to account as a teacher, beginning quite young and continuing for eight years, five of which were at Bush Run. But it soon became ap- parent to the young school teacher that for his active temperament a broader field of effort was desirable. In 1878 he came to Hanover and for a time engaged in stone cutting. It was not long before he was contracting and building in a small way, and by the interest and energy he placed in his work he rapidly established himself as a practical business man, and in his vocation he has steadily grown in prominence. For years he has been recognized as one of the leading contractors of Hanover, and he has erected many of the finest structures in the city. Among these may be mentioned the High Street School building, the Academy building, Trinity. Reformed Church, the Peo- ple's Bank of Hanover, and the Catholic Church at McSherrystown. Among the private residences which have been constructed under his supervision are those of Messrs. John S.

Young, E. Forney, and Temple J. Little, and among his monumental works Mr. Kuhn's line including the best grades of Barre, Quincy, Westerly and other granites and marbles-may be mentioned the Daniel Burnet and the Victor O. Bold monuments .· Mr. Kuhn does an ex- tensive business in preparing building stone and furnishing granite wherever desired. He is the contractor for the St. Vincent's Catholic Church, the cost of which is estimated at $40,- 000. Mr. Kuhn employs from thirty to fifty men, who are loyal to his best interests, which they find by experience are their own interests as well. Because of this enthusiastic harmony and co-operation between Mr. Kuhn and- his men the most effective work results.

In 1878 Mr. Kuhn married Miss Annie Stock, of Gettysburg, a daughter of Andrew and Barbara Stock. A family of nine children have been born to them, five boys and four girls, the two eldest sons being Charles A., and Jasper A. Mr. Kuhn is a member of the Knights of Columbus, and also of the Heptasophs.

DAVID B. GOODLING, of Loganville borough, and engaged in the manufacture of high grade cigars, was born Feb. 29, 1860, son of Peter Goodling. Until he was nineteen years of age he attended a school under his brother, E. B. Goodling, and the school of his township. Later, for two terms, he was a teacher in Springfield township, and in 1882 engaged in his present occupation, the manu- facture of cigars. His factory is No. 1367, Ninth District, and he gives employment to twenty-five skilled workmen, his goods being sold throughout the United States. The an- nual output of Mr. Goodling's factory is over I.500,000 cigars, the buildings being 24x36 and 20x16 feet, well equipped, and under the per- sonal management of their owner. Mr. Good- ling gives his special personal attention to his manufactory, and perhaps it is this that has made him one of York county's successful business men.

In 1881 Mr. Goodling married Emeline Sprenkle, daughter of William and Lydia (Stine ) Sprenkle, and they have these chil- dren : Cora Agnes, who married William H. Smith of Loganville, and Clytus L., who is at- tending the State College near Bellefonte, Center county. Mr. Goodling is a stanch Republican and has been very active in politics.

468

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

He has been school director and councilman and after he returned, was sent as a delegate from held many minor offices. In 1902 he was a Wrightsville to the county convention. In 1895 candidate for the State legislature, but was de- he was nominated for the State Legislature, feated. Fraternally he is connected with the and led his ticket in the fall election of that Masonic order, Shrewsbury Lodge, No. 423, year. He was renominated and re-elected in A. F. & A. M., Royal Arch Chapter of York, 1897. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Wrightsville, where his father and grandfather before him were members and of- ficers. He is well known in fraternal circles, being a member of Riverside Lodge, No. 503. F. & A. M., Wrightsville, the Chapter and Commandery at Columbia, and Chihuahua Lodge, I. O. O. F. Mr. Kerr has won his position and success by dint of steady persever- ance and energy, by unfailing integrity and righteous dealing. No. 199, and Gethsemane Commandery, No. 75, K. T., of York; with the B. P. O. E., of York, No. 213, and the P. O. S. of A. He is interested in other business ventures besides his cigar manufactory, prominent among them being the Guardian Trust Co. of York, of which he was one of the organizers and original directors, being still a member of the direc- torate. He is also the owner of the ancestral home, containing sixty-four acres and located in Springfield township, York county.

HON. CHARLES MATTHEW KERR, of Wrightsville, where he has passed the greater part of his life, is a son of Matthew (Jr.) and Julia (Thompson) Kerr, and was born at the homestead in Wrightsville Feb. 27, 1867. He attended the public schools in his native town and finished his schooling at the age of seventeen, under Prof. Gardner, who had been his first teacher. He then took a six- months course at the Eastman Business Col- lege, in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., on the comple- tion of which he removed to Winona, Minn. There he obtained the position of shipping clerk in the lumber yard of Laird, Norton & Co., one of the largest lumber firms in the North- west. After a year with this firm he and John L. Harris, also a Wrightsville boy, went into partnership on a sheep ranch in Deuel county, S. Dak., twenty-five miles south of the Sisseton Indian Reservation. There Mr. Kerr remained until 1890, when he sold his interest to Mr. Harris and returned to Wrightsville to enter the firm of Kerr Brothers, at this time com- posed of his father and one of his uncles. When they withdrew the firm was reorganized, the partners being Charles Matthew Kerr, H. B. Kerr and B. Frank Beard, and the name be- coming Kerr Bros. Company. Mr. Kerr has ever since been identified with the firm, and is known as an energetic business man.

On Nov. 7, 1897, Mr. Kerr married at Wrightsville, Blanche McConkey, sister of Senator E. K. McConkey. One child has been born to this union, Charles M., Jr.

Mr. Kerr is a Democrat and an active poli- tician. He took a great interest in party af- fairs before going West, and in 1891, the year

F. MERLE ALTLAND. This is dis- tinctly the age of the young man. Never be- fore was it possible for a man whose span of life was less than four decades to attain to posi- tion of influence and authority in the social, municipal or business life of a community. Among the young men of York county, who have won success early in the mercantile world, none has attained a higher place than F. Merle Altland, of Dillsburg, whose own intrinsic abil- ity and unwavering integrity command for him the respect and admiration of all men.

Mr. Altland is a native of Cumberland county, Pa., born in Mechanicsburg May 18, 1874. He attended the public schools until he was fourteen years of age, and then entered the Business School of Commerce at Harrisburg, from which he was graduated. Well-equipped with a theoretical knowledge of business prin- ciples, he began his experiences in the com- mercial world as a salesman for Hench & Dromgold, manufacturers of agricultural im- plements at York. Though only a boy in years, he proved his worth and remained with that firm two years. In 1892 he came to Dillsburg, and became a salesman for his brother, A. D. Altland, in the sale of fly nets, horse collars, saddlery, harness, etc. Here, as before, his natural talent for business and his genial man- ners gained for him many friends. He hus- banded his resources, and in five years (1897) purchased his brother's stock, since then suc- cessfully conducting the establishment on the public square, corner Baltimore and Harrisburg streets. His stock is a good one, selected with care and discrimination, and his methods of doing business are above reproach.

Mr. Altland is by nature a social man, and

469

BIOGRAPHICAL

in his fraternal connections is deservedly popu- lar. He is a member of the B. P. O. E. Lodge, No. 578, Carlisle; Heptasophis Conclave, No. 306, Dillsburg; I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 215, Mechanicsburg; O. U. A. M., No. 324, Dills- burg. In his religious belief he is a Presby- terian, and holds membership in the First Church.

On Oct. 16, 1894, Mr. Altland was mar- ried to Miss Alice Brunhouse, of York, and they have three children, Catherine, Daniel and Frederick.

ROBERT SMITH MAGEE, of Wrights- ville, who is largely identified with the business interests of his locality, was born on the home- stead where he now resides, Aug. 29, 1869. Mr. Magee commenced his schooling at the age of six years, under Professor Gardner, formerly county superintendent of schools, at- tending school until seventeen years old. For the next few years he was associated with his father in the insurance and survey business, managing it much of the time, in the absence of his senior. He then started to attend the York Collegiate Institute, but was obliged to leave college to attend to business. In 1895 he was appointed postmaster by President Cleveland, in which capacity he served until July, 1899, carrying on his business at the same time. In 1896 the Columbia Embroidery Com- pany was moved to Wrightsville, and Mr. Magee purchased stock in the establishment, serving in the capacity of secretary and treas- urer until 1900. In association with Grant S. Tinsley he then purchased the entire stock of the company, and they have continued under the same name up to the present time. Mr. Magee is a stockholder in the Wrightsville Hardware Company, and in 1895 bought the largest hardware stock in town from J. S. Moul, selling it in 1901 to Shutter Brothers, and again securing it at a sheriff's sale in 1903. In addition to these enterprises Mr. Magee still carries on the insurance busi- ness.

ene Commandery at Columbia. He is also a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, Commandery of the State of Pennsylvania, and is a valued member of the York County Historical Society. He has always been a Democrat in politics, and cast his first vote for President Cleveland at the time of his second election.

MOSES J. OLEWILER was born in Lower Windsor township, March 25, 1868, son of Leonard E. and Theresa Olewiler, the parents both residing in York retired from active life.

When Moses J. Olewiler was only two years old his father moved to East Prospect, and there the boy attended school until he was eighteen. The father was a store-keeper and a cigar manufacturer and the son began clerk- ing for him, also working in the cigar factory. When he was twenty-one he went to Freeport, Ill., to visit an uncle and remained there a short time. Returning home, he was married in 1891, and for a year afterward was engaged in rais- ing tobacco in East Prospect. The following year he commenced the cigar business there, later spending seven years at Red Lion in charge of a bakery. Since 1898 he has given his exclusive attention to making bricks and has been very successful. In that year he bought a brick-yard which Zarfoss & Mate had started four years previously. Mr. Olewiler has put in the best modern machinery, has enlarged the plant every year and is now erecting another kiln. . The present plant has a daily capacity of 35,000 bricks, but owing to a scarcity of help, the output is only about 25,000. Es- sentially a selfmade man, Mr. Olewiler's suc- cess has been due not alone to his untiring in- dustry, but also to his honesty and invariably fair dealing.

Mrs. Olewiler was a Miss Mary Margaret Gehly, daughter of Jolin C. Gehily, of Windson township. She has borne her husband two children-Claude E. and Mary. Mr. Olewiler was brought up in the Evangelical belief. as was his wife, and still adheres to that faith. In politics he is a strong Republican, and active in local affairs and he has twice filled minor township offices most acceptably.

In February, 1902, Mr. Magee was elected justice of the peace, to serve five years. Fra- ternally he is connected with the F. & A. M., Riverside Lodge, No. 503, being at the time of his initiation the youngest member of the lodge. He belongs to the Mystic Shrine and JAMES FULTON, who for half a century was one of the substantial merchants and lead- Consistory at Harrisburg, having attained the thirty-second degree, and is a member of Cyr- ing citizens of Stewartstown, Pa., was born in

470

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Hopewell township, York county, Pa., Dec. 19, 1829, and passed quietly away at Avon Park, Fla., Dec. 29, 1894. The parents of the late James Fulton were Hugh and Jane ( Creswell) Fulton. The father was a farmer during his active life, operating in Hopewell township and becoming quite successful. The follow- ing children were born to himself and wife: David; Robert; Alice, who married John Green; Sarah, who married Henry Kurtz; James ; and Agnes, who married Giles Green.

When a boy James Fulton attended the township school, and as was the custom worked upon his father's farm. So thoroughly did he prepare himself, taking advantage of every edu- cational opportunity, that he was able to pass the examinations necessary before he could teach, and for several years was a popular teacher during the winter months. Later he clerked in the general store of Joel Metzler, and during the time he was in that gentleman's employ mastered all the details of the business. As soon as he was able the enterprising and ambitious young man founded a store of his own at Stewartstown, at first on modest lines, but as his trade grew he made enlargements until he became one of the leading merchants of the place. As his sons advanced to maturity, he first received them as clerks in the business, and later took them into partnership, under the firm style of James Fulton & Sons.

Not only was Mr. Fulton a successful and progressive merchant, but he was prominent in other concerns of Stewartstown, having been one of the organizers and president of the Stewartstown Bank, holding the latter office at the time of his demise; he was a stockholder and director of the National Bank of York, Pa., and a charter member and president of the Stewartstown Railroad Company. In a word, few enterprises were projected and advanced with which he was not connected for many years prior to his death, his superior executive ability and sound business sense being fully recognized.

In church matters Mr. Fulton always took an active part, being connected with the Pres- byterian denomination : for a long time he was a member of the official board and teacher in the Bible class of the Sunday-school. His contributions were liberal to the church and to all worthy movements, and his private chari- ties were numerous, although unknown to the world at large.

On Oct. 6, 1853, Mr. Fulton was united in marriage to Margaret Griffith, daughter of William and Mary (Baird) Griffith, of Hope- well township. Ten children were born of this happy marriage : William H., Thomas B., Cal- vin C., Lovell R., Annie M., Mary J., Eliza- beth (married to C. Leib), Nellie G., Isabella and Emma A. Mr. Fulton's death was a dis- tinct loss to Stewartstown, and his many friends still mourn him and remember his many excellent qualities. Public-spirited, generous, kind-hearted, he was a prominent and popular. man, and bore more than his share of the com- mercial and municipal advancement of the borough, where for over fifty years he played so important a part.

The family of Mrs. Fulton is an old and honorable one, of Welsh extraction. Her father. William Griffith, was born and reared at Baltimore, Md. For many years he was a successful merchant of that city, but later re- moved to Hopewell township, York Co., Pa. His family by his first wife, Mary Baird, con- sisted of children as follows: Annie, wife of William Arthur; Margaret, Mrs. Fulton; Thomas B., and Matthew M. Mr. Griffith was twice married, the maiden name of his second wife being Elizabeth Hammond. By her Mr. Griffith had the following named children : Stewart ; William ; George K .; John L .; Mary, who died in infancy; James; and Sallie, who married James Hendricks.

The sons of the late James Fulton inherit many of the traits of their revered father, and are numbered among the enterprising busi- ness men of Stewartstown. Their business is in a flourishing condition, showing a steady and healthy annual increase. They take a practical interest in the growth of the town, and are worthy descendants of the man who was so honored by its citizens. Mrs. Fulton is a lady of sweet, Christian character, whose many ex- cellent qualities endear her not only to her fam- ily, but to a large circle of admiring friends.

GEORGE N. LECKRONE was born in Dillsburg, York county, Nov. 22, 1839, son of Leonard and Hannah (Nesbit) Leckrone. George Leckrone, the grandfather, was also a native of York county and a prosperous farmer of Dover township, the owner of a farm of 150 acres. His wife's maiden name was Wolf. Both died at the old home in Dover township, being buried in Loucks' graveyard. The chil-

471

BIOGRAPHICAL

. dren born to them were: Jacob, Joseph, Leonard, Anthony, Eva, Lydia, Catherine, Mary and Adam.

. Leonard Leckrone was born in 1812 in Dover township and received a common-school education. He learned the tanner's trade at East Berlin, Adams county, where he remained six years, also learning the coppersmith's trade. He then went to Dillsburg, where he engaged in business for five years, and then came to Dover township, where he engaged in the tinning busi- ness in conjunction with farming. Later Mr. Leckrone came to Dover borough, where he fol- lowed his trade until his death, which occurred in 1864, in his fifty-second year. He was buried in Loucks' graveyard. Mr. Leckrone married Hannah Nesbit, and she died at Dills- burg, her burial place.

George N. Leckrone was the only child born to Leonard and Hannah Leckrone. He spent his early life on the farm, and when six- teen years of age removed to Dover borough, where he was assistant postmaster for six years. Mr. Leckrone has a fine home and nineteen acres of land, which he now farms, situated within the borough named.

In 1885 Mr. Leckrone married Mary Nei- man, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Fer- rence) Neiman, of Conewago township, and to them children as follows have been born : Claud M., Bertha A., Pansy and Samuel Eli, all of whom died young and are buried in the Dover cemetery ; George Webster, a bright young boy of seven years ( 1905) ; and Horace W. Mr. Leckrone is a Democrat, has been councilman nine years, and served as treasurer six years. In his religious belief he is a consistent men- ber of the Reformed Church, in which he has served as deacon and teacher of the Ger- man class in the Sunday-school. He is a representative farmer of Dover township, and is one of its most honest and upright citizens.

WILLIAM J. ARNOLD, of Peach Bot- tom township, was born in Fairfield, Lancas- ter county, Oct. 20, 1831, to William and Julia Ann (Barnett) Arnold. Little is known of Mr. Arnold's forefathers, but it is probable that his paternal grandfather was killed at Bush Furnace, in Maryland, by the explosion of a cannon which he was testing.

William Arnold, father of William J., was given a common-school education. In his ma- ture years he was employed as manager of

Brown's slate quarries and held that position until a few years before his death. In 1851 he moved to the farm on which his son, William J., now resides. He had purchased it in 1838. installing his family there during that year, and they remained upon the place until 1842. When, as stated, he again moved upon the farmn, in 1851, it was his intention to operate it in connection with a mercantile business, but he died in the following spring-May 20. 1852-and the property fell to his son.

William Arnold was thrice married. By his first wife, formerly Sarah McFadden, to whom he was united July 3, 1821, he had one son, Thomas, who died in 1873. On May 13, 1823, he married Katherine Cassady, and they had one daughter, Margaret C., now Mrs. Jesse Poteet. He was united to his third wife, Julia Ann Barnett, Sept. 20, 1827. Mrs. Ar- nold survived her husband until April 6, 1864, and both are buried in Mt. Nebo cemetery, Peach Bottom township. Fourteen children were born to this union, as follows: Gilbert T., who died in Chicago, Feb. 3, 1858; Aman- da M., born April 24, 1830, who married Samuel Kyle; William J .; James A., born March 24, 1833; Ephraim, born Nov. 3, 1834 ; Edwin P., born June 1, 1836; Oliver C., born Nov. 23, 1837; Samuel, born Sept. 9. 1839. who died in infancy, as did also David, born March 10, 1841, and Leander, born April 25- 1843; Charles E., born Oct. 8, 1845; Joseph, born Aug. 6, 1848; Nancy Jane, born Sept. 14, 1846, and Hugh A., born Feb. 26, 1852.

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 85

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