History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 89

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 89

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).

J. ROY SHOWALTER, a director of the First National Bank of Delta, and secretary and treasurer and one of the organizers of the Chanceford Telephone Company, comes of an old Pennsylvania family, and was born Nov. 28, 1873, in Drumore township, Lancaster county. Mr. Showalter's paternal ancestors came from Germany, and his great-great-great- grandfather, in company with two brothers, William and Mark, settled in Lancaster county in and about Drumore township. The family has since separated, some of its members going to Kentucky, and some to Indiana and to other States. Mr. Showalter's great-great-grand- father, his great-grandfather and his grand- father were all named Joseph, and the last named was a farmer of Drumore township. He retired to Oxford, Chester county, where he died in 1889. His wife, whose maiden name was Morgan, came of Revolutionary stock.

Joseph Showalter, the father of J. Roy, was born on the home place in Drumore town- ship. Lancaster county, in 1841, and at the age of seventeen years (up to which time he had worked on the farm) he enlisted in Company

service as a private, but was promoted to the rank of sergeant. He participated in the bat- tles at Petersburg, Spottsylvania and Appo- mattox Court House, besides many minor en- gagements, and when honorably discharged had a war record of which any man might be proud. After the war he returned home and resumed farming, which he carried on for some years, but for the last thirty years he has been engaged in the grain and lumber business at Oxford, Chester county. He is a Republi- can in politics, while in his religious belief he is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Showalter married Miss Evanna McDonald, whose ancestor, Major Benjamin McDonald, was an officer in Washington's army. Mrs. Showalter is still living. She is the mother of the following children : Charles, a graduate of the University of Michigan, who is a judge of the Criminal court at Parkersburg, W. Va .; Clarence, in business with his father; J. Roy; Mabel, married to T. Scott Woods, of Leaman Place, Lancaster county ; and Helen G., living at home.

J. Roy Showalter was three years old when his parents located in Oxford, Chester county, and there he attended the public schools until fifteen years of age. He entered Lawrenceville (N. J.) Preparatory School, from which he was graduated with the class of 1894, and then attended Princeton University, after which he was a student at the University of Michigan. He studied law with his brother and then en- tered the law department of Columbia Uni- versity, Washington, D. C., but failing health compelled him to abandon his studies ; conse- quently, he settled on one of his father's farms in Oxford, where he remained for two years. In 1900 Mr. Showalter located in Lower Chanceford township, where he has remained ever since.

On Oct. 17, 1900, Mr. Showalter married Marian W. Ross, of Lower Chanceford town- ship, daughter of William G. and Julia (Mc- Conkey) Ross, and one child has blessed this union, Anna McDonald. Mr. Showalter . is highly esteemed in Lower Chanceford town- ship, and has hosts of friends who are pleased with his social prominence and his business success. He is a member of the Chanceford Presbyterian Church, in whose work he is very active, and is treasurer of the Sunday-school. In politics he is a stanch Republican.

489

BIOGRAPHICAL

EDWARD D. JACOBS, of the firm of Jacobs Bros., of Manchester borough, was born April 3, 1871, son of Henry W. and Mary (Bentzel) Jacobs.

Henry Jacobs, the paternal grandfather, was born Sept. 28, 1820, a native of York county, where the family has long been resi- dent. He followed farming all his active life, in Manchester township. He married a Miss Ervin, of York county, and they had chil- dren as follows: Henry W .; James, who died in Conewago township; William, residing near Bull's Church in that township; and Julian, who married Samuel Delph, and resides in the same locality. Henry Jacobs died in Manches- ter township Aug. 28, 1854, aged thirty-three years, ten months and twenty-nine days, and is buried in Union cemetery. His widow af- terward married Hamilton and her death occurred in Conewago township, her re- mains being interred at Quickels Church.

Henry W. Jacobs, father of Edward D., was born in 1844, on the homestead, situated on the Susquehanna river, in Manchester town- ship, and received a common school education. He married Mary Bentzel, daughter of David Bentzel, proprietor of the mill of that name. They settled on a farm in the southwestern part of the borough and there Mr. Jacobs gave his whole attention to the management of his place for thirty years, after which he retired from active life, and is now residing in Dover township, near Emig's Mill. His wife died in 1888, and is buried at Strayer's Church, Do- ver township. The children born to them were: Daniel H., who married a Miss Gor- don, and lives in Manchester borough; Edward D .; Katie, Mrs. Abraham Loucks, of York; Ella, who married Elmer Bahn, a son of the undertaker of the same name at Zions View; Laura and Alice, in York ; Fannie, who died in 1898, aged fifteen, and is buried at Strayer's Church; Alvin, at York, unmarried ; and Nan- nie and Carrie, at York.

Edward D. Jacobs was born near Bentzel's Mill, and until he was seventeen years old at- tended the Aughenbaugh school. He then took a position with a New York firm, selling har- vesting machines ; after three years with them he worked one year for an Ohio firm, and then three years for C. A. Deisinger, of Wrightsville. In 1903 he settled in Manches- ter, and with his brother went into his present business, under the firm name of Jacobs Bros.

They built a fine mill and have a splendid trade. Mr. Jacobs also owns two handsome dwellings in the borough, and is counted one of the progressive and well-to-do business men in the town.

In 1901 Mr. Jacobs was married to Miss Emma Weidman, daughter of Jacob and Mar- garet Weidman, of Springetsbury township. A son, Roy W., was born to them in 1902. Mrs. Jacobs is a member of the Lutheran Church. In politics Mr. Jacobs is a Democrat, but has never taken an active part in party work.

'A. F. KOLLER is situated at Seven Valley Springfield township, where he is engaged in the furniture and undertaking business. Mr. Koller was born Dec. 20, 1874, in Springfield township, son of William Koller and grandson of John Koller.

A. F. Koller received his education in the township schools, which he attended until sev- enteen years of age, when he learned the cabi- net-making trade with George W. Geiple, at Glen Rock. They then went to Seven Valley, and engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, the firm being known as Geiple & Koller, and as such it remained until 1899, when Mr. Koller bought his partner's interest, he has since continued the business alone. He has a large store on Church street, and does an extensive business in the surrounding coun- try. On Oct. 1, 1905, he opened a large fur- niture, carpet and undertaking establishment at Jacobus, Pa., which is being successfully conducted by Joseph Kessler.

In 1895 Mr. Koller married Annie Bubb, daughter of William and Mary (Smith ) Bubb, of Seven Valley borough, and two chil- dren have been born to this union: Elda and Claude. Mr. Koller is a Democrat, and was president of the borough council for six years. At present he is judge of election. He is a member of the Reformed Church. Fraternally he associates with Moss Rose Council, No. 292, Jr. O. U. A. M., and has filled all of the chairs ; No. 447, K. of P .; Washington Camp, No. 349, P. O. S. of A. ; and on Nov. 13. 1905, he became a charter member of Conclave No. 962, Improved Order of Heptasophs, and in all of these as in his business relations Mr. Koller is very popular.

DR. JAMES L. YAGLE, who is engaged in the practice of his profession at New Free-

490

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

dom, York county, was born April 3. 1870, son of George N. and Martha ( Smith) Yagle. Both his paternal and maternal grandfathers were natives of Germany, and the latter was for many years a burgomaster there. George N. Yagle, the father, came to this country when eighteen years of age and settled in Bal- timore, Md., and there met and married Mar- tha Smith. He there engaged in shoe-making for ten years, removing to Shrewsbury and later to Winterstown, York county, where he settled permanently. The nine children born to George N. and Martha Yagle were: Jacob; John; Henry ; Catherine, who married Charles Fishel; Mary, Mrs. John Kinkle; Dr. George, who is a practicing physician at Red Lion ; Dr. James ; Charles, and Franklin, a student at the Medical College of Baltimore.

Dr. Yagle was primarily educated in the public schools of Winterstown, and then en- tered York Academy and later Millerville State Normal school. He read medicine with his brother, Dr. George Yagle, and was grad- uated from the College of Physicians and Sur- geons April 29, 1902, establishing himself at New Freedom during the same year. His prac- tice in that village has grown encouragingly, as his ability has become recognized, while his pleasing personal characteristics have won him. numerous friends.

Dr. Yagle's professional membership is with the York County Medical Society, the Pennsylvania State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. He has been appointed medical examiner for the Knights of Pythias, the Security Life and Annuity Co., Philadelphia, Pa., and the Prudential Insur- ance Co., being affiliated fraternally with the order first named. Dr. Yagle was married June II. 1903, to Cora V. Bortner, daughter of Ja- cob F. Bortner, of Winterstown. Dr. Yagle has no specialties, although he took a special course in diseases of children. He is thoroughly posted in every line of his profession, a close student, a careful practitioner and a steady- handed surgeon.

WILLIAM H. GROTHE. The city of York has gained wide prestige and reputation as a manufacturing and commercial center, and here are found represented many industrial en- terprises of scope and importance, and of so varied nature that both skilled and unskilled

labor is in demand and the general prosperity of the community thus enhanced and solidified. Among the noteworthy industries of the county and city is that of which Mr. Grothe is at the head. He is engaged in the manufac- ture of building brick on a large scale, having a finely equipped plant at the corner of Pine and Liberty streets, known as the Steam Brick Manufactory. The products of the concern are of the pressed variety, and have gained . emphatic approval on the score of su- perior excellence, so that the proprietor not only controls a large local trade, but also a business which extends to divers sections of the territory tributary to York. The works have an output capacity of 35.000 brick per day. and employment is given to an average corps of about fifty men. The plant is equipped with the latest improved machinery and ac- cessories, including large kilns of the most sci- entific construction, with ample drying yards and sheds.

Mr. Grothe is a thoroughly practical man in his chosen field of endeavor, having learned the brickmaking business under the direction of his father, who was long identified with this line of industry in York county, and the up- building of the prosperous enterprise noted re- flects credit upon William H. Grothe both as an executive and as a public-spirited citizen. while he is honored and esteemed as one of the representative business men of the younger generation in York. He was born in that city Oct. 14, 1867, son of Henry W. and Wilhel- mina (Heitkamp) Grothe, and it may be said that the father, who died May 23, 1905, had long been numbered among the sterling busi- ness men of this county, where the greater por- tion of his life had been passed. William H. Grothe availed himself of the advantages af- forded by the excellent public schools of his native city, and when fifteen years of age en- tered the Eaton & Burnett Business College, in Baltimore, where he took a thorough com- mercial course, being graduated as a member of the class of 1884. Thereafter he was an as- sistant to his father, who was engaged in the manufacture of brick, and thus continued until 1890, when he founded his present successful enterprise, to which he has since given his per- sonal supervision and management. In politics he accords a stanch allegiance to the Demo- cratic party, and while he takes a loyal inter-

William H. Grothe

49I

BIOGRAPHICAL

est in local affairs of a public nature he has never been ambitious for official preferment, though in 1893 he was elected to represent the Tenth ward on the city board of education. He and his wife are zealous members of St. Jolin's German Lutheran Church.

On Nov. 5, 1889, Mr. Grothe was united in marriage with Miss Antonetta Sonneman, daughter of Augustus Sonneman, a well-known citizen and business man of York. The four children of this union are: Charlotte; Henry, Wilhelmina and Ruth.

ROBERT GRANT PINKERTON, known throughout York county for the good work he has accomplished as a minister of the Gospel, has been pastor of the Guinston U. P. Church since August, 1892.

The ancestors of Mr. Pinkerton removed from Scotland to Ireland, locating in County Antrim, in an old castle, which still stands on the coast of Ireland. This castle belonged to the Montgomery family, and one of the daugh- ters of this house married one of the members of the Pinkerton family, the castle and estate , passing into the possession of the latter family. The great-great-grandfather of our subject came to America from Ireland in 1773, and settled near Philadelphia, Pa., where he en- gaged in farming. He participated in the Rev- olutionary war, and was also a defender of Baltimore in 1812-14. When Mr. Pinkerton's great-grandfather was but fourteen years of age he took clothes and food to his father, who was on the fighting line. Great-grandfather Pinkerton died in or near Philadelphia at an advanced age.

Joseph Pinkerton, the grandfather of our subject, was born in New London, Chester county, Jan. 9, 1798, and there grew to man- hood. He then made a journey overland, with his widowed mother, by way of wagon to War- ren, Trumbull Co., Ohio. Here he took up land and engaged in farming. in connection with which he followed the cooper's trade. On March 28, 1827, he married Violet Scott, who was born Dec. 15, 1804. in that section, daugh- ter of James Scott. Mr. Pinkerton remained in Ohio until in 1850, when he removed to Viola, Mercer Co., Ill. His eldest son had made the journey some time before, and in this year, with two four-horse wagons, one of which was driven by the father of our subject, then a lad of sixteen years, he made the jour-

ney through the swamps and over conduroy roads, arriving in October, 1850, having been two months on the journey. There joseph Pinkerton and his sons took up tracts of land. and there he died Feb. 17, 1885, his widow sur- viving until Oct. 1, 1896, when she passed away. When in Ohio, this couple were Pres- byterians, but as no church of that denomina- tion was then to be found in their section they became members of the M. E. Church. In pol- itics Mr. Pinkerton was a Whig, later becom- ing a Republican, and he was greatly intereste 1 in political matters. The children of Joseph Pinkerton and his wife were: William Mont- gomery, who married in 1850, in Illinois, Eliza Carnahan, served three years in the Civil war, in which he was made a sergeant, and died in Illinois in 1904; James Scott, born May 28, 1830, married July 7, 1859, Catherine Swartz, and died in Illinois in 1903; Hannah L., born Sept. 26, 1831, married June 11, 1857. Joseph Carnahan, and removed in 1878 to Kansas with her husband, where she died; John Col- by; Jane Gibson, born Oct. 12, 1835, married Dec. 29, 1853, Richard Cabeen, and both are living near Aledo, Ills .; Mary Elizabeth, born July 25, 1837, married, April 27, 1859. Rob- ert Cabeen, who died, his widow residing at Seaton, Ill., until her death in 1905: George W., born Jan. 3, 1839, served in the Civil war with his brother, being a member of the 83d Ill. V. I., and participating in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh. Pittsburg Landing, and the siege of Vicksburg; Robert Marion, born March 23, 1841, married, Dec. 24. 1863. Car- oline Breckenridge, who died in Illinois, and he married again and now lives in Missouri: Alice L., born Sept. 3, 1843, married Jan. 1, 1861, Hiram Dunlap, emigrated to California, where she now resides a widow ; Tirzalı, born Feb. 23, 1845, married, Jan. 22, 1866. Newton Dunlap, a member of the 83rd Ill. V. I., who lost a leg in battle, and he died after removing to Lyons, Ark., she then returning to her home in Viola, Ill .; Margaretta Rachel, born April 30, 1847, died July 6, 1860; Amanda Violet, born Sept. 16. 1849, married Feb. 26, 1868, Otis Morey, and they reside in Kansas.

John Colby Pinkerton, the father of our subject, was born Sept. 28, 1833, near War- ren, Ohio. He received a meager education, attending school but two years. In 1850 he went with the family to Illinois, and broke prairie for his father with five yoke of oxen.

492

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

When he became of age he acquired eighty acres of land, which he cultivated. He re- mained at home looking after the farms of his father and brothers, while they were away in the war. On March 17, 1859, he was married to Miss Mary J. Jackson, of West Middlesex, Mercer Co., Pa. Mrs. Pinkerton's oldest sis- ter, Sarah, married John Carnahan, and went to Mercer Co., Ill., in 1848. This couple lived near the Pinkertons, and when on the visit to her sister, the future Mrs. Pinkerton met Mr. Pinkerton.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Pink- erton settled on his eighty-acre tract, where they remained until 1878, in which year he sold his farm and purchased 120 acres near Viola, Ill., where he lived until his death, March 25, 1905. The mother died June 23, 1895. This good couple joined the Associate Reformed Congregation founded in 1855. In Pennsylvania Mrs. Pinkerton had been a Pres- byterian, and, not caring to join the Metho- dists, persuaded Mr. Pinkerton to join the United Presbyterian Church. In politics Mr. Pinkerton was a Republican in his early man- hood, later becoming a Prohibitionist. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Pinkerton were : Herbert W., born Feb. 24, 1860, died at the age of five years; Robert Grant; William J., born July 22, 1868, resides in Chicago; John S., born Jan. 18, 1874, married, Dec. 29, 1897, Laura B. Beard, and lives on a part of the home farm; and Thomas R., born March 22, 1878, married, June 15, 1904, Lillian Gilland, and resides on the home farm.

Robert Grank Pinkerton was born on the homestead near Viola, Ill., Nov. 27, 1863, and attended the district schools of his home local- ity until 1880. In the fall of that year he went to Aledo Academy, Aledo, Mercer Co., Ill., where for three years he studied under Pro- fessor J. R. Wylie, now of Denver, Colo. Mr. Pinkerton graduated from the latter institu- tion in the class of 1883, and then taught school for one year. In the fall of 1884 he entered Monmouth College, Monmouth, Ill., and took a classical course, graduating in June, 1889. He then entered Xenia Theological Seminary of the U. P. Church, Xenia, Ohio, and spent there three years, graduating in 1892. He had been licensed to preach the Gospel in 1891 by the Rock Island ( Ill.) Pres- bytery. He preached his first sermon in the home church at Viola, Ill., from the text, John

3 : 3-5. His first charge was the Guinston U. P. Church in Lower Chanceford township, York Co., Pa., he preaching there the first Sabbath in May, 1892. This congregation our subject took charge of in August, 1892, and he was ordained and installed as pastor, September 27th, of the same year. The congregation of which he is pastor was founded in the fall of 1754. Rev. James Clarkson was the first pas- tor. Mr. Pinkerton is the sixth pastor, his predecessor being Rev. Samuel Jamison, D. D.

On Oct. 12, 1892, Mr. Pinkerton was mar- ried, by the Rev. Shively, to Miss May Belle Pierson, of Israel township, Preble Co., Ohio, daughter of Stephen and Esther (Elliott) Pierson. Mr. Pinkerton first met his wife in the halls of Xenia Seminary, while she was there on a visit to a friend. Stephen Pierson was born March 12, 1823, at Cape May, N. J., and died in Preble Co., Ohio, June 4, 1892. He was a carriage builder by trade, and was a soldier in the Civil war, and a descendant of Erickson, the gun manufacturer. Mrs. Pierson died Dec. 23, 1881.

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Pinker- ton are as follows : Mary Esther, born Aug. II,' 1893; and John Cooper, born July 26, 1896. In his political faith Mr. Pinkerton is a stanch Prohibitionist.

HENRY M. STOKES. Teaching and public service have frequently been stepping stones to permanent and prosperous business careers, a fact made evident in the life of Henry M. Stokes, manager of the Hanover (Pa.) Creamery Company. Mr. Stokes was born near Millersville, Lancaster county. Pa., Sept. 16, 1862, the son of Jacob R. and Mary (Herman) Stokes. The father died in 1901 aged sixty-two years; the mother is still liv- ing, on the old homestead near Marticville, Lancaster county.

Henry M. received a liberal education. He at first attended the district schools in the vicin- ity of his home and later entered the Millers- ville State Normal school, where he prepared for teaching. During the nine years that fol- lowed the completion of his education Mr. Stokes was engaged in that profession. He then secured a position in the government mail service, and was employed on the route be- tween New York and Pittsburg. Believing that business offered a more permanent and better future for the young man, Mr. Stokes

493

BIOGRAPHICAL

resigned his government position to become confidential man for Reist, Nissley & Co., extensively engaged in the creamery business at Mt. Joy. Here Mr. Stokes gained a com- plete knowledge of the creamery business and had supervision over an extensive plant. This position he resigned in 1899 to take charge of the Hanover Creamery Co.'s plant at Hanover. of which firm he later became head. The cream- ery is one of the largest and best equipped in that part of the State, having been established in 1890. It is operated by steam power and equipped with the latest and most modern ma- chinery. Because of these improved appli- ances and the efficient management, the prod- uct of the company-butter-is of a superior quality, which finds a ready market. The plant is located near the Pennsylvania & West- ern Maryland railroad, and its milk supply is received from the farms in the vicinity of Hanover. Much other business is done by the company, which operates eight other cream- eries, located at Littlestown, Pa., Sells Station, Pa., Tavern (two), Taneytown, Md., Wentz, Md., New Oxford, Pa., and Bittinger, Pein- sylvania.

Mr. Stokes married April 15, 1884, Fan- nie A., daughter of William and Anna ( Gish) Buller, of Florin, Pa. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stokes, Leroy B. and Henry M. both being students at the Han- over public schools. Guy, the second child. died in infancy. Mr. Stokes is a member of Patmos Lodge, No. 348, A. F. & A. M .; Get- tysburg Chapter, R. A. M .; Gettysburg Com- mandery, Knights Templar ; and also of the or- der of Elks. In politics he is a Republican. In 1903 he was elected a member of the borough council for the First ward, and soon after he was elected president of the council. a position which he now holds. Mr. Stokes has made many friends and is held in the high- est esteem. In his business in the community he has shown himself prudent, honest and en- ergetic, and in social life an affable and intel- ligent gentleman.

REV. ALBERT M. HEILMAN, A. M., pastor of the Lutheran Church at Shrewsbury, York county, was born Feb. 27, 1867, in Para- dise township, that county, a son of Peter W. and Deliah ( Maul) Heilman. Peter Heilman, the paternal grandfather, was born in Lebanon county, Pa., where he followed the vocation of

farming. He married a Miss Wolf and they had children : Peter W .; Elias; Daniel : Julia. who married Peter Grimm. The maternal grandfather was Solomon Maul, a farmer of York county, and he maried a member of the Menges family. They had the following chil- dren : Deliah; Savilla, who married Joshua Reynolds; Sarah, wife of Andrew Rudisill : Sophia, Mrs. Valentine Haar; Susan, who married Theopilus Haar; and Rolandus. On the paternal side the family belonged to the Reformed Church, and on the maternal, to the Lutheran faith. Peter W. Heilman, the father, was a farmer and a carpenter and lived in York county, owning land in Paradise township. He was a member of the Reformed Church. He married Deliah Maul and they had these chil- dren: Rev. Howard M., D. D .; John M .: Emma, who married C. E. Little; Sarah, who married J. Q. A. Mummert; Charles : A. M. and Peter M.

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 89

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