History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 92

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

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(IV) Harriet, daughter of David M. (II) and Mary ( Miller ) Fisher, born Oct. 24, 1833, died Nov. 10, 1852.

(V) David, Jr. (II), born May 11, 1836, married Angeline Fox, and is living in Clear- field, Taylor Co., Iowa, with these children, Mary and Albert.

(VI) Anna, born Feb. 10, 1838, died Oct. 10, 1889.

(VII) Matilda, born Jan. 11, 1840.

(VIII) Barbara, born Oct. 3, 1841, mar- ried Joseph Willis, and had these children : Clayton, Emma and Edgar.

(IX) Susan, born July 26, 1844, married Milton Brubaker, and had children: Willie, Minnie and Emma.

(X) Emma, born Nov. 2. 1845, married Hon. Morris M. Hays.

( XI) Alexandra, born April 7, 1848, married Susan Neely, and has children : Emma, Ida, William, Clara, May. John, Harry and Gail.

David M. Fischer ( II) was twice married. His first wife. Mary Miller, died Feb. 7, 1850. and in November. 1852. he married Mrs. Mary Neiman, a widow with one child. To the sec- ond union no children were born.

(4) Samuel (I), son of David (I), born Sept. 27, 1804, married Elizabeth Miller, and had these children : David M .. Jacob, Jolın M., Mahala, Samuel (II), Agnes, Elizabeth and Cornelius.

(5) Nancy, born May 3, 1805, married John Weitzel, and had these children: David, Henry, Mary, Samuel, Ellen, Nancy, Harriet, Susannah, Elizabeth and Rebecca.

(6) Christian died in 1808.

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(7) Mary, born Oct. 7, 1809, married Jo- seph Hursh, and had three children, namely, Joseph, Nancy and John.

(8) Elizabeth, born March 14, 1811, mar- ried Frederick Koch, and had children, John, Mary and Frederick.

(9) Barbara, born Jan. 15, 1813, married Michael McBarren. No issue.

(10) Abraham, born Jan. 24, 1815, mar- ried Fanny Hawk, and the following children were born to this union: Henry W., David, WV., Matrona, Barbara and Sarah.

(II) Daniel, born Jan. 10, 1817, married Catherine Waite, who is still living, and is the only surviving member of that generation, being past eighty-seven years of age. She and her husband had the following children : Henry, Mary, John, Caroline, Flora, Appe- lona, Sanford and Rebecca.

The above biographical sketch was pre- pared and written by William Seward Fisher, of Harrisburg, Pa., a lineal descendant of Got- lieb Fischer, and of the fifth generation.

WILLIAM FRANKLIN WEISER, cash- ier of the Drovers' and Mechanics' Bank, is a descendant of a family whose members have for some five or six generations been promi- nently identified with the history of the county. Mr. Weiser is a native of the Keystone State, born in York, Oct. 2, 1865, and is a direct de- scendant of Conrad Weiser, who emigrated to America from Germany, in 1709, and settled in the Mohawk Valley, and whose descendants, coming to York, five or six generations ago, became conspicuous figures among the early settlers of the county.

Jacob Weiser, grandfather of William F. Weiser, like his great-grandfather was born in York county, and for many years both were successful lumber merchants of the county.

Franklin S. Weiser, the father of William F., following the example set by older men- bers of the family, also engaged in the lumber business in his earlier years, and for a long period was a director of the York County Bank, his father having been one of its pro- moters. As has already been intimated, the members of this family have always been prom- inent in all things tending toward the advance- ment of township, county, or State. Among these might be mentioned the Chanceford Turnpike Company, one of the principal pro- moters of which was none other than the

grandfather of William F. Weiser. Franklin S. Weiser married Barbara Sophia Stalile, daugh- ter of John Stahle, who was the first register of wills in the old war court-house, the second built in the county, the present magnificent structure being York county's third court house. A son of this gentleman, Col. James Alonzo Stahle (who is still living) was the first Republican elected to Congress from his district, another son having been a Democratic member of the State Legislature from Adams county. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Weiser have been born six children. Those living are Harry K., bookkeeper for Motter & Sons; William F., the cashier of the Drovers' and Mechanics' Bank; and Eugene F., in the insurance business in York.

William F. Weiser was educated in the public schools and the York Collegiate Insti- tute, graduating from the latter in 1884. He afterward attended Lafayette College, class of 1887, after leaving which he became interested in the lumber business with his father, remain- ing with him until his father's death in 1887. In 1889 he entered the banking firm of Smyser, Bott & Company, where he remained two years, at the end of which time he became the teller of the Drovers' and Mechanics' National Bank, filling that position from 1891 to 1903, when by reason of duties faithfully performed he was promoted to the position of cashier, where his faithful and close attention, to the work of his office, made him a most valuable member of the official roster.

In June, 1889, Mr. Weiser was united in marriage to Miss Nettie Virginia Smyser, daughter of Martin Smyser, a retired business man of York. She comes of an old and hon- ored family, several of whose members par- ticipated in the Revolutionary war. As a member of the Yorktown chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution she is a prominent and active worker. To the mar- riage four children were born, two of whom, William Donald and Jacob Spangler, died in infancy. Those living are Martin Sinyser, and Mary Julia, both attending school, the son at the York Collegiate Institute (class '09).

In politics Mr. Weiser is a Republican, and fraternally he affiliates with the Masons, being a Past Master of Zeredatha Lodge, No. 451; Howell Chapter, No. 199; York Commandery, No. 21 ; Zembo Shrine of Harrisburg. He is also a prominent member of the York County

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Historical Society. Possessed of a mind of at Freysville from his father, and a few years more than usual astuteness, and thoroughly afterward sold his first farm. The barn on his trained in banking methods, Mr. Weiser is adding each year an experience which promises to make him one of the best authorities 011 financial matters in his city. These qualities, together with a natural urbanity of manner in his dealings with the public, combine to make him a most popular officer of the bank.

PROF. JACOB ADAM STEIN belongs to the family of that name so long identified with York county, and is himself one of the most prominent members.

The Steins are descended from Ludwig, who was born in Germany and settled in York county. His wife was Catherine Weigle, daughter of Martin Weigle. Their son Dan- iel was a farmer for the greater part of his life, and owned a tract of 120 acres in and near Freysville, now owned by his son Jacob. His last years were spent in retirement in Longstown, where he died in 1872. On political issues he was first a Democrat and afterward a Republican. He married Miss Mary Holtzapple, of Manchester township, daughter of Barnitz Holtzapple; she died at Longstown the same year as her husband. Their children were as follows: Barnitz, a farmer and tanner, who married Miss Cassan- dra Oberdorff, and died in Windsor township; Jacob: Daniel, a farmer and tanner at Red Lion, who married Miss Susanna Grove, now deceased: Henry, formerly a blacksmith in Spring Garden township, later a farmer in Windsor township, and now residing in Freys- ville, who married Miss Mary Knaub; Philip, formerly a tanner, now a farmer in Freysville, married to Miss Maria Leber: Sarah, Mrs. George W. Anstine. of York : Catherine, widow of Michael Miller, of York ; and Mary M., un- married.

Jacob Stein was born Jan. 8. 1824, and was brought up in Lower Windsor and Windsor townships, attending the subscription schools. He began shoemaking under Gottlieb Borley, of Windsor township, where he followed the trade himself until about 1858, employing oth- ers under him. After his first marriage he lived for a few years with his father-in- law near Maisch's mill, still carrying on his shoe business, but at the end of that period he bought a forty-acre tract near Freysville, which he operated in conjunction with his shoemaking. Later he bought the home farm

place was built in 1852 by his father. The other buildings are more modern, and were erected by the present owner, who built his handsome brick residence in 1878. When he began farming Mr. Stein used the old-fash- ioned implements, but he has always been a progressive man, ready to adopt new ideas and methods, and he was the owner of the first reaper used in that section, a Seymour machine, which cost $200, and was heavier than the binders of to-day. Starting as a poor boy, Mr. Stein has achieved marked success and is now enjoying the fruits of his years of patient and wisely directed toil.

Jacob Stein was first married to Miss Eliz- abeth Heidelbaugh, who was born in 1823, and who died at the age of twenty-five. leav- ing one child, Andrew. This son went West in 1865. living for a time in Illinois, then re- moved to Missouri, where he married, and, later, after the death of his wife, took his fam- ily to Texas, and now resides there on a farm. There were two other children of this marriage both dying in infancy. Jacob Stein was mar- ried (second) to Mrs. Elizabeth (Crumbling) Shenberger, born in Hellam township, daugh- ter of Adam and Mary (Sloat ) Crumbling. By her Mr. Stein became the father of a large family, namely: Jacob Adam: Daniel W., who died in infancy; Anna Elizabeth, Mrs. John Dietz, of Yorkana: Jane, Mrs. J. F. Se- christ, of Freysville: Melinda, Mrs. John Peel- ing, of Freysville ; Barbara Ellen and Matilda, unmarried ; and Nancy E., Mrs. John Kauff- man, of York.

Jacob Adam Stein was born on his father's first farm, May 8, 1860. Until he was sixteen he attended the public schools of Freysville, and then began teaching. In 1878 he entered York County Academy, and spent one term there under the instruction of Professors Kane, Gardiner and Ruby. His first experience as teacher was in the home school, which he taught for one term; he taught the Raab school in Windsor township, for two years; the east end school one term; the Canadochly, Lower Windsor, for two years; the Fairview for four terms ; and the home school again for five years, proving himself throughout an able and successful teacher, whose services were always in great demand.

In 1891 Mr. Stein turned his attention to mercantile pursuits and opened a general store

S. A.Stein

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at Red Lion. At the end of five years his store was partly burned, and he sold out what was saved of the stock and returned to teaching. Six years were spent in the Red Lion schools, where he taught successively all grades from the primary to the grammar. In 1885 Mr. Stein had built a house in Freysville, and after several years in Red Lion he returned in 1899 to this home, although still teaching in the former place. In 1902 he took up the life in- surance business, representing the Fidelity Mutual Life Company of Philadelphia, and he is still thus engaged.

Prof. Stein, as he is generally called, has long been prominent in local musical circles, is a member of the York Oratorio Society. and for the past twenty years has been a teacher of both vocal and instrumental music, besides leading the choir in church. With his family he belongs to the Freysville Evangelical Lu- theran Church, where he has filled the office of deacon. He has always been an enthusiastic Sunday-school worker, and for a score of years has held the office of superintendent. He be- gan with an attendance of forty, but so success- ful have been his methods that he has now an enrollment of 230. In politics he is a Repub- lican, and cast his first vote for Garfield. Fra- ternally he belongs to Katahdin Lodge, No. 500, I. O. O. F., of Red Lion.

On April 9, 1882, in Windsor township, Prof. Stein was married to Miss Nancy Jane Wagner, who was born at Longstown, daugh- ter of John and Sarah Ann (Frey) Wagner. Their union has been blessed with three chil- dren, born as follows: Curwin H., Nov. 6, 1884, a student in the York Collegiate Insti- tute; Walter Scott, born May 15, 1887, who lived only four years; and Mabel Irene, born Sept. 8, 1895.

EDWARD CHAPIN, a leading member of the York county Bar, and for twenty-one years the efficient secretary of the York County Agricultural Society, is a son of Edward Chapin, who was for fifty-five years a lead- ing practicing attorney in the courts of York county.

Edward Chapin, Sr., was born in Rocky Hill, Conn., Feb. 19, 1799, and came on both sides from a distinguished line of ancestry. His maternal great-grandfather was the celebrated Jonathan Edwards, for many years president of the College of New Jersey, and the ablest

and most noted of American theologians, whose fame was world-wide. The maternal grandfather of Edward Chapin, Sr., was Jon- athan Edwards, familiarly known as "the sec- ond President Edwards," who was president of Union College. Mr. Chapin's forefathers, like himself, were graduates of Yale College. His father, the Rev. Calvin Chapin, D. D., was a recognized leader in the Congregational Church of Connecticut. He was president of Union College, and was the originator of the movement to prohibit by law all traffic in in- toxicating liquors, being an earnest advocate of such reform throughout his life.

The original ancestor of the Chapin family in America was Deacon Samuel Chapin, the first of the name to emigrate from England to this country, and who settled in New England. His descendants, numbering over four thou- sand, and including such representative Ameri- cans in professional, political and literary life as Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, Dr. J. G. Hol- land, Hon. Solomon Foote (United States senator from Vermont), and others, held a re- union in Springfield, Mass., some years ago. Among the lineal descendants of Deacon Sam- uel Chapin is the Adams family of Massa- chusetts, which has furnished two Presidents of the United States.

Edward Chapin, Sr., was graduated at Yale College in 1819, and admitted to the York Bar in 1823. There he soon attained a repu- tation as an able lawyer and profound thinker, and was counsel in many of the most import- ant cases tried in York and Adams counties. in which his legal arguments were acknowl- edged to be the ablest, most thorough and ex- haustive of any lawyer at the Bar. Mr. Chapin was an intimate personal friend of Hon. Thad- deus Stevens, and was associated with him in many important cases. Mr. Chapin was a gen- tleman of general culture and great learning, having a knowledge of most branches of nat- ural science, and delighting, as a recreation from heavier labors, in the cultivation of fruits, flowers and vegetables. That he was also fond of robust sports is evidenced by his prow- ess in gunning. He bore an irreproachable reputation, and as a lawyer stands unsurpassed in the history of York county. Mr. Chapin died March 17, 1869, leaving a widow, since deceased, a daughter, married to Edward Evans, and a son, Edward, the attorney of York.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ALLEN ISRAEL FREY, secretary of the Stewartstown Lumber Company, president of the Stewartstown Water Company, secre- tary of the Stewartstown Building & Loan Association, and identified also with the po- litical affairs of York county, was born in Sep- tember. 1859, in York township. He is a son of Reuben and Mary ( Seider ) Frey.

The Frey family is probably of German extraction. Samuel Frey, the paternal grand- father, was a limeburner and dealer living in Woodland. Pa. He settled in the eastern part of York county at a very early day and the village of Freystown was named in his honor. He was a man whose upright life and public services won him the confidence of his fellow- citizens, as was shown by his election to the responsible office of treasurer of York county. He reared a large family, his five sons being Reuben, Emanuel, Israel. Samuel and Levi.

The maternal grandfather of Allen I. Frey was George Seider, who throughout life was a shoemaker in the city of York. His only daughter, Mary, became the mother of Allen I., and of a large family which is well and favorably known all over York county.

Reuben Frey was a substantial farmer of Shrewsbury township for many years. His death took place in 1885, when he was fifty- nine years old. He was a quiet, home-loving man, interested in the schools of his district, serving as one of the directors and being also elected to the office of township assessor. His family consisted of eleven children, as follows : Levi; George P., deceased; Franklin, de- ceased ; Ellen, deceased; Amanda, wife of Jo- seph Dise, of Glen Rock, York county; Reu- ben E .; Mary A., wife of B. S. Stermer; Allen I. : Sarah J., wife of Albert G. Strayer ; William J .. and George F. Both Levi and Franklin participated in the Civil war. The latter entered the army in 1864, when but a lad of fourteen years, and his young life was prob- ably an early sacrifice, as his fate is unknown.

Allen I. Frey completed the common-school course at the age of fifteen years, but this ed11- cation in no way satisfied him, and he com- menced to teach school in order to provide himself with the means to further his studies. His teaching experience covered twelve terms and gave him the opportunity of enjoying three terms at the Normal School under Prof. A. W. Gray, of Glen Rock, and a full course at the Iron City Business College at Pittsburg, where he graduated in 1880.

For a considerable time Mr. Frey was man- ager of the Hoshour, Dise & Co. lumber yard at Stewartstown, and in 1897 became a stock- holder, as well as secretary, of the Stewarts- town Lumber Company ; he has most capably filled the latter position ever since and has also been actively interested in the other enter- prises mentioned in the opening of this sketch. These, however, do not cover all of Mr. Frey's activities. He has always been prominent in the councils of the Democratic party and on many occasions has been shown marks of pub- lic approval. In 1902 he was brought forward by his party as its candidate for the State Legislature. For a period of seven years he served in the borough council and for a similar time on the school board. For five years he was a justice of the peace, meeting with the approval of the public during that time and adding to his reputation as a man of high character and of unquestioned integrity, At present he is a notary public.

In 1880 Mr. Frey was married to Maggie A. Seitz, a daughter of Adam D. Seitz, a sub- stantial farmer of York county. They had one daughter, Bertha, who is now the wife of George W. Sensbach, manager of a furni- ture factory at Ronceverte, W. Va. She is a graduate of the Millersville State Normal School and prior to her marriage, May 17, 1905, had for four years been one of the county's most successful teachers. She is a lady of many accomplishments and a favorite in social circles. Mr. Frey's wife and daughter belong to the Presbyterian Church in the borough, to which organization he is a gener- ous contributor. He has long been considered one of the representative men of the borough and county, a type of good citizen which has made the name of York county respected all over the State. His determination to secure and utilize an advanced education but shows one of his characteristics. His patient, perse- vering efforts, combined with an honest up- right life and consideration for those with whom duty or pleasure has brought him into contact, have resulted in making him the es- teemed and respected man he is.

WILLIAM AURELIUS MILLER, an ex-district attorney, of York city, is a son of the late lamented and revered Dr. J. O. Miller. who was for nearly fifty years the beloved pastor of Trinity Reformed Church at York, Pennsylvania.

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The earliest authentic record of this family begins at the time ot their removal from along the Rhine, together with other persecuted Huguenot families, to the forests of Virginia and Pennsylvania. William A. Miller's grand- father was a manufacturer of hats and gloves, the two then being combined. His son, the Rev. J. O. Miller, was born in Woodstock, Va., and in early boyhood removed to Reading, Pa. He entered the ministry of the German Reformed Church in young manhood, and for over a half century was one of the leading spirits in the educational and religious work of that denomination, the greatest part of the time as pastor of Trinity Reformed Church at York, Pa., which he was instrumental in hav- ing built. As trustee of Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa., during most of that time, he wielded a powerful and salutary infltt- ence on the youth of the church and the State. He died in York, April 18, 1898. Dr. Miller's wife was a member of an old and wealthy Vir- ginia family. Her maiden name was Augusta Virginia Lightfoot McChesney, and her father, Dr. John McChesney, of Augusta county, a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, Phila- delphia, was a physician of well-known ability and the owner of a yast plantation. The chil- dren born to Dr. and Mrs. Miller were four in number, one dying in infancy. Those living are : Mary O., wife of Clayton J. Wallace, of Wallace & Son, dealers in boots and shoes ; T. McChesney, superintendent for John Dobbling, a contractor, York; and William Aurelius.

Hon. William A. Miller had the advantages of a refined home and educational privileges in his youth. He attended York County Acad- emy under Prof. George W. Ruby, and later entered Franklin and Marshall College, at Lan- caster, Pa., graduating in 1880. Entering the law office of Judge John Gibson, now deceased, he in 1882 passed the examination and was admitted to the Bar of York county. His ad- mission to practice in the higher courts soon followed. Success has attended his efforts in the law, and he has risen by the laborious but sure route. Mr. Miller was county solicitor and deputy register of wills of the county of York, and finally filled the more important of- fice of district attorney.

He was married at York, Pa., Oct. 28, 1903, to Miss Lila A. Gardner, a daughter of Henry J. Gardner, a retired farmer of York county.

Mr. Miller is of a genial and companion- able nature and has hosts of friends in and about York. He is a prominent Mason and has represented his lodge in the grand body of the State. An active member of the church which his sainted father built, he is officially connected with the board.

LUTHER E. ZECH. M. D., who for a number of years has been located in New Sa- lem borough, York county, is one of the best known members of the medical profession in North Codorus township, where he has spent most of his life. He was born in that township. Feb. 25. 1862, son of William Zech.

Michael Zech, his grandfather, was a farmer of York township, and died at the age of eighty years, and was buried at the Inners Church. He was twice married, his first wite being a Miss Hartman, and his second MIrs. Glatfelter, and he had a very large family.

William Zech, father of the Doctor, was born in York township, and received a com- mon school education. He was a lifelong farmer, and died on his farm in North Codorus township at the age of fifty-seven years. He married Annie Rohrbaugh, daughter of George Rohrbaugh. and she still survives, making her home on the old homestead in North Codorus township, where her husband died. Their children were: Annie M., wife of Franklin T. Bentz, lives in North Codorus township; Luther E .; and Agnes, wife of Henry Bear. also lives in North Codorus township.

Luther E. Zech attended the township schools until seventeen years of age, and then he attended the York County Normal. and after leaving the latter institution, he taught school for nine terms. At the end of this time Dr. Zech started reading medicine with Dr. Snodgrass, with whom he continued two years at New Salem. This study was supplemented by a course at the University of Maryland. from which he was graduated with honors in 1892. Choosing for his location the pleasant village of New Salem, the Doctor settled there in the practice of his profession, and there he has remained to the present time, having a large and lucrative practice. Dr. Zech mar- ried Mary Kessler, daughter of George and Emma (Cramer) Kessler, and they have had children : Lloyd, a dental student with Dr. C. P. Rice (dentist) of York, as his preceptor. and taking a course of lectures at the Phila-

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delphia (Pa.) Dental College ( freshman year ) ; and Harry, now in his sophomore year at Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia. Both of the Doctor's sons taught school in the township.

Dr. Zech is a Democrat, and has served on the school board for ten years. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, is chorister, superintendent of the Sunday-school, and very active in the work of the church. He is a valued member of the York County Medical Society, and of the Pennsylvania State Medical Society.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 92

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