History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 87

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

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Christian Rhoads settled in Manchester township, where it is thought he was a stone cutter. He married and these children were born to them: Abraham, a carpenter, who died in Philadelphia; William, the father of our subject ; and Leah, who married John Bear, and died in East Manchester township.

William Rhoads, the father of our sub- ject, was born in 1825, in Manchester town- ship, and in his youth learned the carpenter's trade, coming to New Holland in the Spring of 1877, where he followed his trade until his death, May 5, 1902. He married Fannie Bear, daughter of Jacob Bear, and one child was born to this union, which died young. Fannie Rhoads died and was buried in this township. Mr. Rhoads' second marriage was to Nancy Deisenberger, daughter of John Deisenberger,

and their children were: Abraham, who mar- ried Katie Livingston, and resides at New Hol- land: Jacob, our subject ; Charles B., who mar- ried Annie Rinehart, and resides at Quaker- town, Bucks county; John W., who married Fannie Clennin, and resides at Harrisburg ; Sarah Ann, who died young; Leah, who mar- ried H. Wantz; Fannie E., who is married and lives in York : Amanda, who married John Leader, and lives in New Holland.

Jacob Rhoads attended the township schools until eighteen years of age, and then learned pump-making and carpentering, which trades he followed a number of years, later giv- ing up carpentering, but continuing in the pump-making, in which he is an expert work- man. In 1873 Mr. Rhoads married Anna Druck, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Druck, who was born in Hellam township. After marriage he located in Hellam township for one year, after which he removed to New Holland where he followed his trade. In 1892 he embarked in the mercantile business, in which he has been eminently successful, and in which he still continues. To Mr. and Mrs. Rhoads five children have been born: John W., a carpenter of York; Eliza Jane, who mar- ried John Norbeck and resides in York; Fannie May, at home; James A. G., who married Grace Lowery and resides in York; and Rosy Rebecca, residing at home.

In politics Mr. Rhoads is prominently identified with the Republican party, and has served as school director of East Manchester township and judge of election. He is con- nected in religion with the United Brtehren Church. Mr. Rhoads' shrewd business methods have placed him among the foremost business men of his township, and he is highly respected by all who know him.

H. B. EBERSOLE, who is engaged in the coal business at York Haven, York county. was born June 18. 1862, in Dauphin county. Pa., son of Jacob and Maria ( Bowman) Eber- sole.

John Ebersole, grandfather of H. B. Eber- sole, was a life-long farmer in Dauphin coun- ty, and he died at the age of fifty years. His children were: Abraham, John, Kate ( Mrs. Hostler ), Mary ( Mrs. Foreman). Lizzie ( Mrs. Hostler) and Jacob, the father of H. B.

Jacob Ebersole was born in Dauphin county where he learned the trades of cooper and

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

miller, and followed them for a number of The children born to this couple were : William years in his native place, near Middletown and H., a farmer and trucker of North Carolina, married Sarah Kauffman; Sarah Catherine married George Mathias of New Cumberland, Cumberland county ; Maria married Henry Everhart, and died at the age of twenty-seven years; Emma, the wife of S. A. Copen- heffer, lives in York; Lillie is the wife of Mr. Ebersole; Annie E. died at the age of two years ; and John Clay died at the age of twelve. also at Hummelstown. He spent four years in Juniata county, near Liverpool, and three years near Mifflin. In 1875 he came to Fair- view township where he was a farmer for seven years, at that time removing to Man- chester township, near the borough, and re- mained three years. He then removed to Mt. Wolf where he worked as a cooper and a tobacco packer until his death, which occurred Feb. 29, 1884, and he was buried in Fairview township. He married Maria Bowman, daughter of George Bowman, of Hummels- town, Dauphin county, and she still resides at Manchester borough. The children born to them were: Annie married I. Deisinger, and died at the age of twenty-three years ; Ephraim B. is engaged in the milk business in Cumber- land county ; Elizabeth married John Mc- Daniel, and lives in Cumberland county ; Ellen married Henry Snyder, a farmer of Fairview township; H. B .; Jacob is a cigar maker of York: Katie married Ambrose Melbourn, and lives at Manchester: John died at the age of five years; Charles, a cigar maker by trade, is employed at the York Haven paper mills.

H. B. Ebersole attended the schools of Fair- view township, until sixteen years of age, and remained home until twenty-two, being em- ployed with Henry Snyder, a brother-in-law, for two years, learning the trade of a cigar maker. He was then connected with the York Haven Paper mills for thirteen years, the last nine of which he was beater-room foreman. In 1898 Mr. Ebersole embarked in the coal busi- ness at York Haven, and his well-directed ef- forts have brought him success, he having one of the largest trades in his line in the section. Te also deals extensively in farming imple- ments. fertilizers and cream separators. His well appointed place of business is located along the tracks of the Northern Central Railroad.

In 1886 Mr. Ebersole married Lillie Duh- ling. the youngest daughter of Martin and Elizabeth A. (Bentz) Duhling. No children have been born to this union, but Mr. and Mrs. Ebersole have adopted Ethel May, who is now ( 1906) a bright girl of sixteen years. Martin Duhling, the father of Mrs. Ebersole died May 5. 1905. He served forty-two years as justice of the peace at Manchester borough. Mrs. Duhling died Dec. 29. 1903, and is buried at the Union cemetery at Manchester borough.

Mr. Ebersole is a Republican in politics, and has been elected to positions of trust in his township. He has served as school director for seven years, treasurer of the school board for six years, and has been trustee of the borough since it was organized. His religious views connect him with the United Brethren Church, in the work of which he has been very active and to the support of which he has been very liberal. He has been trustee of the church and superintendent of the Sunday-school. The business interests of York Haven in the past decade have wonderfully increased, owing to the enterprise and ability of such public spirited citizens as H. B. Ebersole. In every relation of life, Mr. Ebersole stands as a representative citizen, honorable and upright in his dealings with his fellow-men, a promoter of educational progress and a valued member of his home community.

MARTIN LUTHER DUHLING (de- ceased), justice of the peace, was born in Man- chester township, April 9, 1820. His father was Martin Duhling, a native of England, and his mother, Barbara Quickel, was born in York county. Until his fifteenth year, the son re- mained on the farm, and then learned the pot- ter's trade, which he followed twenty years. He was educated at the public schools, and at seventeen began teaching, thus being em- ployed thirty-two winters in York county. At twenty-one years of age he married Elizabeth A. Bentz, daughter of John Bentz, of Man- chester. They had seven children, four of whom are now living : William H., of North Carolina; Sarah Catherine, wife of George Mathias, of New Cumberland: Emma, wife of Stephen Copenheffer, of York; and Lillian Jane, wife of H. B. Ebersole. The three who died were John Clay, thirteen years; Annie, two years; Maria, wife of H. M. Everhart, twenty-six years. Mr. Duhling formerly be- longed to the Lutheran Church, but left it in

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BIOGRAPHICAL

1868 to connect himself with the United Brethren Church, in which he was assistant class leader. Since 1870 he had been secretary of the Quarterly Conference. In 1844 he was captain of the militia of Hellam district. He was a member of the Manchester borough coun- cil in 1880, in 1884 again elected for three years, and had been secretary of that body for ten years. Being elected justice of the peace of Manchester township in 1863, he had held that office, nearly forty-two years. Since 1857 he had also been engaged in butchering, and with the exception of ten years had contin- uously followed it. His time was also devoted to surveying and conveyancing. On Aug. 23, 1864, he enlisted in Co. D, 200th P. V., and served until the end of the war. When the regiment was properly organized, he was elected first lieutenant, while his son was chosen captain. His company served in the army of the Potomac, and participated in the battles in front of Petersburg. At Fort Steadman he was wounded in the left leg, by a piece of shell, lying in the hospital about eight days but being incapacitated for fifteen. The company was raised by him and his son, and it was his ex- press desire that his son should be its captain. It left Harrisburg with 104 men, and returned with only seventy. In politics Mr. Duhling was a Republican: In 1870 he took the census for Manchester township and borough, and from 1860 to 1866 was postmaster at Man- chester. His children, with the exception of the youngest, have all been teachers in the pub- ' lic schools.

LEWIS W. HERSHEY. Particularly gratifying are those biographical instances wherein men of moderate means and modest manners rise steadily to positions of influence and importance, for they illustrate the possibil- ities that lie in the pathway of every young man. Lewis W. Hershey, a well known baker at Hanover, has achieved for himself a name that is sterling in its character, a business that is safe and prosperous, and he thus epitomizes the best element of human society. He was born near Conewago Chapel, Adams county, May 2, 1846, son of Daniel and Lydia ( Walt- man) Hershey. His father was born in Han- over in 1808, and in early life acquired the hatter's trade, which he followed for a few years, then abandoning it for farming, purchas- ing a tract of land near New Oxford, Adams

county, where he passed his declining years. The grandfather of our subject was Christian von Hershey, who was twice married, who served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and who removed from Lancaster to York county, and was among the early settlers of the latter coun- ty. The ancestors of the Hersheys migrated from Holland, and there are today many branches in various portions of the country. The maternal grandfather of Lewis W. was John Waltman, who married Emma Hinkle, and removed from York to Adams county, settling near McSherrystown.

Lewis W. Hershey spent his youth on the farm near McSherrystown, and in that vicinity attended the public schools. Soon after he quit the schools he began an apprenticeship as a baker with F. W. Sleeder of Hanover, and after his trade was completed he continued in the service of Mr. Sleeder for twelve years. Then in 1882 Mr. Hershey opened a little bakery of his own. It was a modest mercantile establishment at the start, but under the care and nurture of the young business man it grew steadily, not only in size, but in the esteem of the trade. Many years have elapsed, and the products of the bakery have attained a high reputation. Mr. Hershey is an intelligent and practical baker, who by his energy and in- dustry has built up an enviable trade, and holds the confidence and respect of his many patrons.

In 1871 Mr. Hershey married Louisa Creager, of Sugartown, Pa., daughter of Henry and Catherine (Will) Creager. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Her- shey, as follows : Estella, at home ; Fannie B., wife of Harry B. Shultz ; Henry Otto, a drug- gist of Baltimore; Arthur W., a student at Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg; Herbert Creager, a resident of Washington, D. C., a student of the Bliss Electrical School; and Wallace Eugene, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Her- shey are consistent members of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, of which he had been sexton for seven years. He owns besides his tasteful home and his bakery, valuable city property at Hanover, and is esteemed as one of the pro- gressive and public-spirited citizens of the city.

JACOB A. LANDIS, owner of a good farm in Springetsbury township, was born Aug. 31, 1856, in West Manchester township, son of Jacob B. and Susannalı ( Gross) Landis. Christian Landis is supposed to have been

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

born in Lancaster county. He came to York both deceased; Oscar F., a farmer of Wind- county where he followed farming, and he was sor township; Bird, a life insurance agent of West York: Luther, a farmer of West Man- chester township; Edward, a farmer of Springfield township; Flora, married to Jo- seph Laucks, of York: Wilson, who died in childhood ; and Clayton, a farmer of Springetsbury township. one of the prominent and public-spirited men of his time. He took a great interest in mili- tary affairs, and belonged to the militia. Chris- tian Landis was a great lover of sport, and kept a pack of hounds and a large stable of fine horses for fox hunting. He was very active in township affairs, and served for a time on the Jacob A. Landis was reared on the farm and educated in the public schools of the town- ship, subsequently attending one session of the Normal school. He remained at home until he was twenty-eight years of age, when he began farming for himself on a rented farm near Stony Brook. Here he remained for four years, and then farmed the old home farm for six years, finally purchasing it. Mr. Lan- dis has been a resident of the old farm since 1896, and has one of the finest farms in the section. It contains 103 acres, and he has lately added thirty-three acres adjoining, all being finely tilled land, upon which he carries on general farming. school board. Early in life he was a member of the Lutheran Church, but later returned to the faith of his fathers, that of the Mennonite Church. Both he and his second wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Bixler, lived to old age, his death occurring in his seventy- second year. They were the parents of the fol- lowing children : William, deceased, was a me- chanic of York: Jacob B. : Andrew is a retired mechanic of West York: George, deceased, was a mechanic of York, where he was yard boss of the Pennsylvania railroad yards ; Reuben, deceased, was a mechanic of York ; Rebecca, deceased, married Emanuel Beck, of WVest Manchester township; and Elizabeth, de- ceased, married Andrew Feidler, of York. Previous to his union with Elizabeth Bixler, Christian Landis had been married to a Miss Strickler, by whom he had two children : Michael, deceased, a mechanic of York; and Alexander, deceased, a farmer of West Man- chester and Windsor townships.

Jacob B. Landis was born and reared in West Manchester township, receiving his edu- cation in the common schools. He followed agricultural pursuits all his life. He was a very well read man in both German and En- glish, and had a very retentive memory, be- sides being a good conversationalist. He was a public-spirited man, and held the office of school director, and was supervisor for seven years in succession. In politics he was a stanch Democrat. Mr. Landis married Miss Susannah Gross, daughter of Jacob and Re- becca (\Vestafer) Gross, of Conewago town- ship, and she met a tragic death while taking flowers to put on her husband's grave. At the time of her death she was fifty-seven years of age. The children born to Jacob B. and Susannah Landis were: Christian and George, who both died in childhood; Sarah, deceased, who married Adam Spotts, of York : Leander, who died at the age of sixteen years; Emma, who married Jacob Miller, of Springetsbury township: Jacob A .; Aaron, who died in child- hood; Susan, who married Cyrus Musser,

Jacob A. Landis is the representative of the Walter A. Wood Machine Co., for this sec- tion, and also the J. B. Reist Grain Separator or Cockle Killer. He was traveling agent for the Wood Company two years and local agent for eight years. Mr. Landis is a stanch Demo- crat, like his father, and has served on the school board for the last six years. He and his family are consistent members and liberal supporters of the Mennonite Church.

Mr. Landis married, Oct. 2, 1882, Miss Annie E. Forry, daughter of Joseph and Eliza- beth (Strickler) Forry, and they have a fam- ily of seven children: Chauncy, at home ; George, at home; Arthur; William; Daisy; Laura; and Harry, deceased. Mr. Landis is very highly regarded throughout Springets- bury township, and his knowledge of agricul- tural matters is far beyond the average. His entire family enjoy the esteem of the com- munity.

JOHN F. KISSINGER is a native son of York county who has attained prominence in the industrial circles of this section, and who is numbered among the reputable, progressive and highly esteemed citizens and business men of the city of York. He is senior member of the firm known as Benjamin Kissinger's Sons, in which he has as his able associate and coad- jutor his younger brother, Stuart H. The en- terprise controlled by the firm is the manufact-

John Fi Kissinger

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BIOGRAPHICAL

ure of building brick, and the business was founded by Benjamin Kissinger, father of the present owners, in 1867. He carried forward the operation of the concern until 1887, when he associated with himself John F., this con- nection continuing until his death, which oc- curred in March, 1902, after which John F. gave his brother Stuart H. part interest in the business, the present firm title, as noted above, being taken. The plant is equipped with the most modern machinery and facilities for the handling of its extensive manufacturing, and the annual output reaches an aggregate of from ten to twelve millions of brick, while the work- ing force averages from forty-five to sixty men. The products of this old and reliable concern find a ready local demand and are also shipped to Baltimore, Md., and other cities in the vi- cinity of York, and it is pleasing to record that the high prestige gained by the founder of the enterprise has been upheld and broadened by his sons, who are progressive and straightfor- ward business men and loyal citizens of their native county.

John. F. Kissinger was born in the borough of York Nov. 7, 1863, eldest son of Benjamin and Caroline ( Adams) Kissinger, whose eight children are all living, namely: Lucinda, wife of Frank Emig, of York; Isabelle, wife of George Young, of York; Emma, wife of Eber Seyler, of York; John F .; Howard H. ; Stuart H .; Savilla, wife of George Busch; and Caro- line, wife of Elmer McSherry, of York.

Benjamin Kissinger was born in Spring Garden township, this county, Jan. 31. 1832, and his death occurred in the city of York March 8, 1902, when the county lost one of its useful and honored citizens and sterling busi- ness men. He was a blacksmith by trade, and followed same as a vocation for a number of years before directing his attention to the man- ufacture of brick, in which line of enterprise he became very successful. He was a son of William Kissinger, and the family was early founded in Pennsylvania, whither the original ancestors came from Germany in the Colonial era of our national history. Mrs. Caroline Kissinger was likewise born in Spring Garden township, in 1834, and she survives her hon- ored husband, making her home in York.

John F. Kissinger completed the curricu- lum of the public schools of York and early began to be actively concerned in his father's brick business, learning the same in all its de- tails and thus being enabled to handle properly

the flourishing enterprise when he assumed charge in 1887, as before noted. In addition to his identification with this business Mr. Kis- singer is also vice-president of the Monarch Silk Company, in York, while he was also largely instrumental in the founding of the Lit- tlestown Silk Mill, in the town of that name in Adams county. He is also one of the stock- holders of the Carlisle Avenue Market Com- pany, of York, and is otherwise prominent in local affairs. In a fraternal way Mr. Kissinger is affiliated with Zeredatha Lodge, No. 451, F. & A. M .; Howell Chapter, No. 199, R. A MI .; Gethsemane Commandery, No. 75. Knights Templar, of which he is treasurer at the time of this writing; and has also attained the 32d degree, belonging to the Consistory at Harrisburg, while he has crossed the burning sands of the desert and thus gained the honor and distinction of being enrolled as one of the Nobles of Zembo Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Harrisburg. In politics he gives his sup- port to the Republican party, and both he and his wife are members of Christ Church, of the Lutheran denomination.

On May 28, 1891, Mr. Kissinger was united in marriage with Miss Annie S. Vander- sloot, daughter of Dr. Frederick W. Vander- sloot, one of the distinguished medical practi- tioners of York, where Mrs. Kissinger was born and reared. Mr. and Mrs. Kissinger have seven children, namely: Myrtle S., Helen G., Mary A., Beulah H., Benjamin F., Louis J. and Frances Caroline.

WILLIAM P. SPAHR, who resides on his father's farm in Franklin township, comes from one of the oldest families of York coun- ty, and was born in Washington township in 1858.

George Spahr, great-grandfather of Wil- liam P., was a native of Warrington township, and was a farmer. He married Elizabeth Shaeffer, and had these children: William, George, Henry, Peter, John, Catharine, Eliza- beth, Lovie, Mary and Sarah. George mar- ried Rebecca Miley and had these children : Abraham, who married Catharine Grove; George. who married Eliza Geiselman; Wil- liam. deceased; John, who married Catharine Brubaker; Henry, who married Amanda Melsheimer; Alfred, who married Mary Hull; Jeremiah and Lewis, of whom nothing definite is known. Henry, the third son of the original George Spahr, married Annie Diller, and had

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

these children : Milton, Lizzie and Mary. Peter married Mary Cook and had these children : William, Lewis and Harry. Of John's family nothing is known. Catharine married Chris- tian Hursh: Elizabeth married William Lethery: Lovie married John Deter: Mary married John Brandt; and Sarah married John Paul.

William Spahr, the grandfather of Wil- liam P., married Catharine Miley, and had Cornelius, who married Elizabeth Bowers, and had children, Jennie, Ella and Carrie: Henry, who married Rebecca Seidenstricker, and has children, Martin, Calvin, William and Kate, of Davidsburg; William, who married Eliza Gentzler, and had children: John C. (of Big Dam), George (of Newcumberland), Kate (wife of Noah Bentz, of Lemoyne) and Harry (of Philadelphia) ; Martin, deceased ; George, mentioned below : Caroline, who married Jacob Bentz. of Carroll township; Kate, who mar- ried John A. Smith, of Dillsburg; Elizabeth, who married Edward Hershey, of Bermudian.

George Spahr, son of William, married Catharine Pressel, daughter of Joseph Pressel, and their children are : William P. ; Nancy A., wife of D. W. Wagner; and Milton E., who married Cora Bream.

William P. Spahr, son of George, re- ceived his education in Franklin township, and worked on the farm with his father until the age of thirty-one. He married Emma Lehmer. daughter of Christian Lehmer, of Carroll township, and two children have been born to this union, Otto Lehmer and Earl L.

William Spahr has held various township offices, having been· assessor, school director and township clerk. He has been very active in church affairs, being superintendent of the Sunday-school of the Lutheran Church, in which he leads a class. Mr. Spahr is not only a representative of one of the county's old pioneer families, but he is also a leading citizen of Franklin township, where through a life of industry, integrity and good citizenship. he has won the esteem of all who know him. No. man in the county is better known for sterling qualities of character.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN CRUMLING, a representative business man and highly es- teemed citizen of Hellam township, York county, was born on the old home at Crum- ling's Mill, May 2. 1869. His education was

received in the common school at Druch Val- ley, his first teacher being a Mr. Kissling, and later he attended under John Lehman, and then under James F. Kauffman, finishing his schooling at the age of seventeen years.

At an early age Mr. Crumling entered his father's store, remaining there until his twenty-second year. In 1889 his father's mill was destroyed by fire, and Mr. Crumling pur- chased the water-power from his father, and rebuilt the mill, which he started in July, 1891, and in which he has continued until the pres- ent time. A few years later he engaged in the manufacture of cigars, also dealing in leaf tobacco. Mr. Crumling's brother, William P., now conducts his cigarmaking business, Mr. Crumling being kept busy with his other in- terests. He keeps a fine line of store goods and also deals in phosphates, grain, feed, flour, fertilizers, and cider presses. The old Crum- ling's Mill has been wonderfully improved, the old dwelling-house having been remodeled in 1900, while a new double house has . been erected.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 87

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