History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 9

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

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BIOGRAPHICAL

father had been baptized. In the register men- tioned above and also in that of a village called Dreiber, some miles distant, the name of Schmeisser was very often found. Mathias Smyser met with a man named Andrew Schmeisser, at or near Mossbach, who was sixty-seven years of age, with whom he was greatly pleased, seeing in him a strong resemb- lance to his own father, especially when the lat- ter was about the same age. They may have been second cousins, although Andrew Schmeisser had no recollection of hearing that a Mathias Schmeisser had emigrated to Amer- ica.

Mathias Smyser the elder must have joined the first Lutheran congregation organized in York and its vicinity soon after his arrival in America, for his name, together with that of George Smyser, is found among the names of the members of that congregation, which com- menced the erection of a church, a wooden structure, in 1752. In the graveyard connected with this church, in 1778, his body was inter- red, the evidence of which is found on his tombstone. The Smyser family were all warm and active supporters of the American cause during the Revolutionary struggle, Col. Michael Smyser being a useful man in the councils of that time, as well as in the field. When the war commenced in 1775, and the port of Boston was closed, for the purpose of starving the people of that important point in- to submission, a committee of twelve persons of York county was formed for the purpose of affording relief to their distressed brethren of Boston. A sum of nearly two hundred and fifty pounds specie, a large sum at that time, was raised and remitted to John Hancock, af- terward president of Congress, with a spirited letter of encouragement and promises of fur- ther assistance. These facts are recorded for the honor of our country in the American Archives at Washington with the names of the committee. Michael Smyser was an active and leading member of that committee and re- mitted, as a part of the above sum, from Man- chester township, six pounds, twelve shillings, one pence. If the American cause had failed all the members of that committee, as well as their illustrious correspondent, on whose head a price was set, would have forfeited their lives on the scaffold.

was the grandfather of our subject, and was born in West Manchester township, where he was reared on a farm. He then came to York and engaged in the tanning business, which he carried on extensively and made his life occu- pation. He was active in Christ Lutheran Church of York and lived to an advanced age. He married Margaretta Tessler, who bore him the following children: Israel, Michael and Henry. Henry went to Pittsburg, Pa., from where he traveled to Ohio, some of his descend- ants still residing there. Michael was asso- ciated with his brother, Israel, in his business, that of tanning, and each owned a lumber yard in connection, operating extensively, the lum- ber business, however, being secondary to their tanning industry.

Israel Smyser, the father of our subject, was born in 1800, in York, where he died in 1848, being buried in the Prospect Hill ceme- tery. He married Miss Matilda Ebert, daugh- ter of Daniel and Susan (Ernst) Ebert. Dan- iel Ebert was one of the well-to-do farmers of York and his death, or supposed death, has al- ways remained a mystery, as he disappeared af- ter going to Baltimore, where he drew a large sum of money. Mrs. Smyser, our subject's mother, died Dec. 18, 1873, at the age of sixty- six years. She had the following children : Margaretta, who was the wife of David Gart- man, and both are deceased; Celinda, the wife if John F. Stein, of Philadelphia; Charles E., a farmer of Dover township; Rebecca E., who died single; Daniel E., deceased; George M., deceased; and Henry C., the subject of this sketch.

Henry C. Smyser was the youngest child of his parents. He received his education in the public schools of his native town, and when not at school assisted his brother at the lumber yard. At the age of nineteen years he entered the book store of Hiram Young, as a clerk, re- maining with him for fifteen years, and in 1878, with John M. Brown, under the firm name of Brown & Smyser, engaged in the lum- ber business, which he carried on continuously for twenty-six years. In 1904 Mr. Smyser re- tired from active life, giving up all business cares, and since that time has lived a quiet, peaceful life in his fine residence at No. 214 South George street, York.

Henry C. Smyser was married Jan. I, Col. Michael Smyser's son, Jacob Smyser, 1865, to Miss Isabella C. Vandersloot, daughter

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

of Rev. F. W. and Mary (Whitman) Vander- family, coming to York county from Germany sloot, and they are the parents of one child, Mary M., who is at home. The family are members of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, in which Mr. Smyser has been one of the board of officers for fifteen years.

ADAM F. GEESEY. One hundred and sixty-two years of intimate connection with the affairs of York county should entitle the Geesey family to respectful and full considera- tion in a work devoted to biographical records of the most prominent families of the county. The facts herein presented were furnished by the gentleman whose name heads this review, and who, himself, at the age of sixty-four years, looks back on a most active and honorable business career passed within the bounds of the county. Many of the material improvements completed in York owe their initiation to Adam F. Geesey, the most marked of these being possibly the attractive residence suburb of the city known as "Cottage Place," of which he was the originator.

The first authentic record of this family places them in Canton Berne, Switzerland, from which country they were driven by re- ligious persecution over into Holland, where they continued to reside until 1738, in which year they landed at Philadelphia from the long ocean voyage in the good ship "Molley," from Rotterdam. In the records of the old St. John's Union Reformed and Lutheran Church it ap- pears that Martin Geesey settled in York county, seven miles from what is now the city of York, in the year 1742. He was a farmer and wood worker. Martin Geesey became the father of John Jacob Geesey, born in 1748, and he in turn became the parent of Jacob Geesey, born March 28, 1770. This gentleman, who was the grandfather of Adam F. Geesey, was a man of influence in the county, having held commissions as captain of militia from Governors Mifflin and McLean.

in 1752. Jonathan Geesey was the father of seven sons, one of whom died in infancy, and another at the age of sixty-three. Five still survive, the eldest being now seventy-three years of age. The father of this family lived to the age of sixty-six, dying in April, 1877; the mother, surviving him some twenty years, died in March, 1897, at the age of eighty-eight years.

The birth of Adam F. Geesey occurred on the old homestead Nov. 21, 184I. He was reared to farm life and secured his education in the schools of his home district, applying himself to such purpose as to fit himself to be- come a teacher. This occupation he followed for several years, until the time arrived when he felt it his duty to give his support in the fight then waging for the maintenance of the Union. He enlisted in Company K, 200th P. V. I., but his service with that command was not of long duration, owing to sickness. After recuperating he again enlisted, in 1865, this time as a member of Company G, 103d P. V. I., in which organization he served until the close of the war.

Upon returning from the field Mr. Geesey launched a mercantile enterprise at Dallas- town, York county, which he continued with success through a period of seventeen years. He then removed to York, where he again en- gaged in the mercantile business. This was terminated by his election, in 1878, on the Democratic ticket, as treasurer of York county, his popularity in that county being evidenced by the handsome majority of 2,900 which he received over his opponent. He served his own term of three years, and was then given power of attorney to conduct the office by his successor, John L. Landis, who was unable to attend to the duties of the position. In the six years which he gave to the management of the county's finances Mr. Geesey made a record which will continue for all time to furnish in- centive to his successors. Upon assuming con- trol he found a debt of $365,000 hanging over the county. His efforts were given to the re- duction of same, and with it came a conse- quent reduction of the tax rate. Upon turning the office over to his successor, the debt had been entirely wiped out, and he was able to hand over a surplus of some $28,000. The tax rate had sunk to three mills.

Jonathan Geesey, the father of Adam F., was born near the old homestead April 7, 181I. He followed the occupation of his father and in turn became a man of position and influence, acquiring a reputation throughout the county as a counselor in matters of business. He mar- ried into a family which was also an old and honorable one, his wife's maiden name having been Sarah Flinchbaugh. She was the daugh- ter of Adam, whose father, also named The success of Mr. Geesey in the treas- Adam, was the original emigrant of that urer's office soon caused his selection (in July,

Adain J. Gracy

BIOGRAPHICAL

1885) by Collector of Internal Revenue John T. MacGonigal, of Lancaster, to take charge of the collector's office in York county. Here he served acceptably the following five years. This ended the public service of Mr. Geesey, which was entirely honorable and marked with efficiency and integrity to the close.

Mr. Geesey, now deciding to try the jour- nalistic field, had, in 1887, purchased the York Gazette, and until 1893 devoted the greater part of his time to the upbuilding of that news- paper property. This he disposed of in 1893, and again took up the business of his younger manhood, merchandising, in which he engaged until 1899, when he sold out. He has not since been identified with the commercial life of the city.

Mr. Geesey's later activities have been in the development of trolley line systems, he hav- ing since 1900 been instrumental in the build- ing of the Manchester, York & Dallastown and the York & Wrightsville lines. He is also a director in the Security Title & Trust Company of York, and has large real estate interests in the city.

The story of the development of "Cottage Place," York's aristocratic suburb, has been closely connected with the life of Mr. Geesey during the past two decades. After his elec- tion to the office of county treasurer Mr. Geesey, in selecting a place to build a home, purchased two blocks of ground and put up the handsome residence which. he has since occupied. Being unable to secure gas except at an exorbitant cost, he interested himself in the organization of the Edison Electric Light Company of York, and after establish- ing the service began systematically to develop his scheme for a suburb which would attract builders of a high class, and it has resulted in the finest residence portion of the city. The Edison Electric Light Company was organized in 1883, and two years later was in operation. The lots which Mr. Geesey parted with off the original purchase were sold with the proviso that each building should be set back fifty feet off the street. Mr. Geesey retained his interest in the electric light company until 1900, when he sold to the company now in charge. It is a matter of record-and fairly a part of the history of the city-that the Edison Light Company of York owed its birth and present success to Mr. Geesey, who clung to it through all the years of its early struggles, never for a moment doubting the ultimate success which

came to it. It is proper also to state in this connection that the York Steam Heating Com- pany was founded by our subject in 1898, and he is still a director and superintendent ; it was an adjunct of the electric light company.

The domestic life of Mr. Geesey has been most felicitous. It began in 1866 with his mar- riage to Miss B. Helen Hovis, daughter of Jacob, a farmer of York county, and of a very old family in the county. To this marriage came seven children, three of the sons dying in infancy, and two daughters in early child- hood. The two survivors are Arthur H., born Dec. 8, 1888, and now at school; and Clarence A., the latter being the eldest.

Clarence A. Geesey was born at Dallas- town, Oct. 1, 1870, and has for a number of years been an important factor in the business interests of York. After finishing the course at York Collegiate Institute he matriculated at Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, and finished his education there. In 1893 he became asso- ciated with his father in the mercantile busi- ness in York, continuing until the disposal of the business as stated. During his association with the mercantile interests of the city Mr. Geesey became influential in the merchants' organization known as the Merchants' Associa- tion of York, and of which he became secre- tary in 1898. In the same year he became a di- rector and member of the Executive Committee of the Retail Merchants' Association of Penn- sylvania, and in 1903 a director and second vice-president of the Retailers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of Pennsylvania.

Among other activities in which Mr. Clar- ence A. Geesey is interested is the York Steam Heating Company, his connection with this important enterprise commencing in 1899, and he has for some time been District steam engi- neer ; he is also president of the Manoline Com- pany, who are compounders of pharmaceutical preparations, this firm doing a national and in- ternational business. The Geesey Motor Car Company, of which he is the head and which has offices in the Geesey Building, is located at No. 26 South George street, the lot being the site where the Confederate cavalry leader, Gen. Jubal Early, met the burgess of York for negotiations concerning the sum to be paid for his saving the city.

Clarence A. Geesey resides in an elegant home at "Cottage Place," with his wife and one child, Adam F., Jr. Their other child, Charlotte Louise, died July 26, 1905, aged

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

about one year. His wife comes of one of the and James A., born Feb. 4, 1849. George P. prominent families, her maiden name having and Henry, who is unmarried, reside in York, while James, who married Mary, daughter of Lemuel Townsend, has resided in Baltimore since 1877, and is prominent in the business world there, being president of the Builders' Exchange Company, a director of the First National Bank, and having business connec- tions with many prominent corporations. been Hattie Lafean, and she is a daughter of Charles Lafean, deceased, and sister of Con- gressman Lafean. She is a lady of much refine- ment of character and presides over her home with dignity and grace, which make her and husband most popular in York society. Mr. Geesey is a worthy member of York Masonic Lodge, No. 266, having been a Mason since 1867, is also prominent in the councils of the Royal Arcanum, and still retains his member- ship in his college fraternity, the Phi Kappa Psi.

The foregoing will serve imperfectly to note the salient facts concerning one of York's most prominent families. It is a record preg- nant with suggestions of integrity and indus- try. The head of the family, Mr. Adam F. Geesey, is a broad-gauge man of intense activ- ity and energy. He carries his enthusiasm into social and religious fields, as well as business, and is a tower of strength in the moral life of the community by reason thereof. In matters of philanthropic effort he is active, though he cleaves to the Bible injunction, for the most part, so that the recipients of his beneficence are unaware of the source of their relief. Taken all in all, he is a man whom to know is an in- spiration and whose career ought to be a beni- son to the hundreds of youth who have come under its influence.

GEORGE P. SMYSER. York is particu- larly noted for having among her citizens prominent factors of the business world, men whose names are as familiar in the great cen- ters of industry as many who are rated as kings of commerce and finance. The biogra- pher is privileged to present here one of these gentlemen, a man whose operations extend into some thirty or more different corporations, many of them of high capitalization and ex- tensive business. He is more familiarly known as the president of the E. G. Smyser Sons' Company, one of the most important iron con- cerns in the State.

Generations ago the name of Smyser was a familiar one in York county, as references to the first volume of this work will disclose. This generation of the family comprises the three sons who compose the E. G. Smyser Sons' Company: George P., born in York May 20, 1843, Henry M., born Nov. 10, 1844,

George P. Smyser's resident life has been passed in York. After securing a good educa- tion in the York County Academy he entered the iron works of his father, who required all his sons to acquire an actual knowledge of the business by actual service. Here he spent four years in the machine department and three in the foundry. He then continued in various higher positions in the business part of the concern, and in 1875, in company with his brother Henry M., was made a member of the firm of which he is now president, pre- ceding the entrance of James by three years. The growth of the business has been phenome- nal, the structural and ornamental iron which is manufactured being sold in every State in the Union and in many foreign countries. It is worthy of note as a testimonial to the high character of the firm and the product that they constructed the New York end of the Brooklyn bridge, a piece of mechanical engi- neering unsurpassed in any country.

To record the different activities of Mr. Smyser would take pages of this volume. Sev- eral of the more important are the York Trac- tion Company and its lines, the Central Mar- ket Company, of which he is president, and the York Trust Company, of which he is a director.

In the religious, educational and social world our subject takes a prominent part, being connected, officially and otherwise, with many different institutions which have for their ob- ject the uplifting of humanity. In fact, there is not a man in York to whom the word "brother" has a broader significance. As a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church he has been a powerful factor in the spread of its beneficent doctrines. He has been an elder in the old Zion Church in York for the past sev- enteen years, and has for many years been a member of the Board of Lutheran Church Ex- tension of the United States. In the educa- tional field he is equally active, serving one term on the board of school control, until he

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S. P. AmyRen

BIOGRAPHICAL

removed from that district, as trustee of the he has developed among them. His life has York County Academy since 1887, and as been an inspiration to many struggling youths, trustee of the York Orphans' Home.

Socially Mr. Smyser is a Knight Templar and a Mystic Shriner, while in politics he is active in the councils of the Democratic party. Mr. Smyser has always been uncompromising in his opposition to the financial vagaries of the western wing of the party and in 1896 was delegate to the National Convention of the Gold Democrats in Indianapolis. He is now proud to know that the efforts of himself and his compeers have at last borne fruit in the return of the party to its old-time position on the money question.

The home which Mr. Smyser maintains in York is a model one, both in point of archi- tectural excellence and comfort and in its happy domesticity. Our subject and his wife were married in York Nov. 22, 1865, her maiden name having been Jane V. Fulton. Mrs. Smyser was the daughter of Thomas H. Ful- ton, a cotton manufacturer, and her death oc- curred Dec. 26, 1895, at the age of fifty-eight years. Of the children born to this union, Mary S., the eldest daughter, is the wife of William Kinzer, of Lancaster; S. Jane D. mar- ried George H. Jeffers, son of Dr. Jeffers, president of the York Collegiate Institute ; and Annie G. is now Mrs. W. F. O. Rosenmiller, her husband being connected with the York County Bank.

Life with our subject has never been a burden, but rather a joyous possibility. He drives his business, never giving it the reins, thus avoiding the mistake that wears out men prematurely. He takes care to relax the mind with change of thought and scene, and, though busv at all times, thus secures the rest which comes from the change of occupation. In pur- suance of this idea he has traveled extensively, first becoming thoroughly acquainted with our own glorious heritage, and then crossing the ocean to the continent of Europe. In the five trips he has made to the Old World and the Holy Land Mr. Smyser has become thoroughly familiar with the Orient, its people and cus- toms, and is thus a most entertaining and in- structive companion.

In closing this review of the career of one of York's most esteemed citizens, the author feels that he voices the sentiment of all her people in giving him the highest meed of praise for the manly, helpful character which

and an example of patient thrift and industry to all.

JOHN C. SCHMIDT, president of the Standard Chain Company, York, was born on March 16, 1859, at Carlisle, Pa., and received his education in the schools of St. Paul, Minn., the York Collegiate Institute and at Stuttgart, Germany. In 1876, after completing his edu- cation, Mr. Schmidt became connected with P. A. & S. Small's store, with which he re- mained until the fall of 1881, when he engaged in the manufacture of chains in York. He was alone in the business, which expanded with great rapidity, and he next bought the Key- stone Chain Works, operating both plants for several years. These manufactories were sub- sequently consolidated, and a factory was built in a new location, the business culminating in the birth of the Standard Chain Company. This concern controls fifteen chain factories, and Mr. Schmidt has been president of the firm since March 14, 1900. The main office is located in Pittsburg, while branches are to be found at York and Carlisle, Pa., Columbus. and St.Marys, Ohio, and Marion, Ind. Mr. Schmidt has other large business interests, be- ing a director of the York National Bank, an office he has held for over twenty years; a di- rector of the York Gas Company and a director in the York Water Company, and prominently connected with the Western Maryland Rail- road and other corporations.

John C. Schmidt was married April 17, 1890, to Miss Anna M. Small, daughter of the late W. Latimer Small, and three children have been born to this union, namely: Katherine Riley, who is attending a private school which is maintained by a few families of York, of which Mrs. Schmidt was an organizer and pro- moter; Henry Duncan, who attends the York County Academy ; and Mary Dalrymple, a pu- pil at a private school.

Mr. Schmidt belongs to the Lafayette and Country Clubs, in which he is very popular. In religious views he is an Episcopalian, at- tending St. John's Episcopal Church, in which he has been secretary of the vestry for more than twenty years. Politically he is a Repub- lican : but in politics, as in all the affairs of life. he is broad-minded and liberal. Mr.

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Schmidt is also president of the Schmidt & who married Daniel Dinkle. All are deceased. Ault Paper Company, operating the Codorus Paper Mills, with an output of 5,000 tons per annum. Their specialties are rosin-sized sheathing, carpet linings and butcher's wrap- ping paper, which find a market from New England to California. The business was started in 1897 with an annual output of 1,000 tons, its growth, like that of the Standard Chain Company, having been phenomenal un- der Mr. Schmidt's personal direction.

CAPT. JOHN FAHS, president of the Western National Bank of York, has long oc- cupied a position of prominence in that city and county, as a leader in successful business enterprises and progressive public undertak- ings. In the intelligent direction of his own affairs he has had the opportunity to observe the needs of the community, and has given his time and attention to promoting the general welfare as unreservedly as he does to his per- sonal interests. The Captain comes of a family which is among the oldest in York, and his record as a citizen and soldier does credit to the sturdy stock from which he springs.

John Fahs, his grandfather, was born at Emaus, Lehigh Co., Pa., and in his youth learned the blacksmith's trade, which he fol- lowed until long past middle life. This was in the days prior to railroads, and all his work was from his own forgings. The work was hard and confining, but he was industrious and prospered, investing his savings in land, own- ing many acres in and around Bottstown (now part of the city of York), York county, the greater part of which is now owned by his grandson, Capt. John Fahs. He died Sept. 5, 1834, aged sixty-nine years. He was known as a very kind-hearted and liberal man, and it was known that there were those in life whose start was due to the kind assistance, without other reward than gratitude, given by John Fahs. In after life, when he became possessed of much means, he could often be found in the old shop, chatting familiarly with his success- ors, and in many ways indicating his love for his old calling and old friends. In politics he was a Democrat, as were and are all of his progeny. He married Eva Feiser, a native of Dover township, York county, and their chil- dren were: John, mentioned below; Daniel, who married Miss Markey; Samuel, who mar- ried Mrs. Alterdise (born Wier) ; Elizabeth,

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 9

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