History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 99

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

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Mr. Eurich is a Democrat, and is a mem- ber of Christ Lutheran Church of York. He is a self-made man, and a widely known and highly respected citizen. One child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Eurich, Oliver B., who died at the age of eighteen years.

SAMUEL BURG is now living practically retired, in Lower Windsor township, where for the past score of years he has been an in- cumbent of the office of justice of the peace.

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He has passed his entire life in York county and has been closely identified with its civic and material progress.

George Christian Burg (or Burgholthouse, as the name was originally spelled) was born in Osnabruck, kingdom of Hanover, Germany, Dec. 27, 1757. Coming to America the family lived for a time in New York city, thien coming to York county and numbering themselves among the early settlers of Lower Windsor township. The mansion farm is that now owned and occupied by Samuel Burg, a representative of the third generation in York county. George Christian Burg, who was the grandfather of the latter, married Anna Maria Elizabeth Koenig, who was born in the same town of Osnabruck, Germany, July 17, 1765, and her grandmother was Anna Sophia Meyers, who later became the wife of A. D. Horn, in Osna- bruck. Of the children of George C. and Anna . the expiration of which he purchased a tract M. Burg all but the two youngest (who were born in York county,) were born before the parents reached America. They were as fol- lows : Anna Christina Elizabeth, born July 18, 1786; Johanna Margaretta, born Sept. 27, 1788; Anton Frederick, born Sept. 5, 1791; Anton Daniel, born Sept. 13, 1793; Susanna Wilhelmina Elizabeth, born July 20, 1796; Philip William, born April 27, 1798, was justice of the peace at Longlevel, York county, for twenty-seven years, was a miller by voca- tion and owned what is now known as the Fry mill; Bernhart Henry, father of Samuel, born March 6, 1801, in Dover, England, his parents being at the time enroute to America; Magda- lena Fredericka, born Feb. 18, 1804; Catherine Elizabeth, born Sept. 24, 1807; and Helena Margaretta, born Oct. 17, 1809. Further and detailed data in regard to the family genealogy, and particularly as relates to Bernhart Henry, father of Samuel, are given in the sketch of Henry Burg, appearing elsewhere.

Samuel Burg was born in the home which he now occupies, Sept. 20, 1829, the place be- ing the old mansion farm or homestead of his father, and one of the finest to be found in Lower Windsor township. He was reared to the sturdy discipline of the farm, and his early educational training was secured under the direction of a man named Ringgold, at Margaretta Furnace, and under Emmanuel Benson, a well known educator in this section in the early days. He left school when sixteen years of age, but had the good judgment to

devote as much time as possible to reading use- ful books so that he laid an excellent founda- tion for the knowledge he was to gain in con- nection with the active duties and responsibil- ities of life. At the age of fifteen years Mr. Burg began driving mules on the canal tow- path, being thus employed one season by his brother-in-law, Jacob Sitler. At the age of seventeen he entered upon an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, under the direction of George Kise, with whom he remained one year, after which he passed one year in the same line of work under the instruction of Samuel Fox, who owned and lived upon the farm now oc- cupied by Samuel Boll. Mr. Burg then gave up the work of his trade, and began farming the old homestead on shares. He continued to be thus identified with the cultivation of his father's farm for a period of eight years, at in Chanceford township, where he resided one year. In 1860 he let a contract for the build- ing of two canal boats, at Long Level, one be- ing christened "Alohah" while the other bore the title of "Mary Jane & Rachel." After the completion of his boats he rented his farm and located at Margaretta Furnace, while he con- tinued to operate on the canal until after the close of the Civil war. He sold the "Mary Jane & Rachel" in 1861, and continued to operate the other boat until 1866, in which year he gave it into the charge of others; he then entered into partnership with Daniel Leber and engaged in the burning of lime at Leber's mill, continuing to be thus engaged for one year, in the meanwhile selling his other boat. For one year he was engaged in the butchering business, and in 1868, he returned to the old homestead farm near East Prospect, where he continued to follow agricultural pur- suits until 1873, when he purchased the old mansion farm of seventy-five acres upon which he now lives, and which has been the family home for many years. In 1866 he disposed of his farm in Chanceford township. The old homestead, which was secured from the gov- ernment by his grandfather, is one of the at- tractive farms of York county, is under a high state of cultivation, and is improved with ex- cellent buildings, these including a com- modious and pleasant residence, the house in which the present owner was born.

Mr. Burg has been stanchly arrayed as a supporter of the principles of the Republican

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

party from the time of its organization to the present, and he has been called upon to serve in various offices of public trust and responsi- bility. He was assessor of Lower Windsor township for three years, was judge of elec- tions one year, and for the past twenty years has held the office of justice of the peace, in which he has made a most excellent record. He is one of the prominent and valued mem- bers of the United Evangelical Church at East Prospect, having been for many years a mem- ber of its board of trustees, as well as class leader and exhorter, and having taken an active interest in all departments of the church work.

Fry, Sr., one of the pioneers of the county. She was summoned into eternal rest Jan. 16, 1897, having been a true and devoted wife and helpmate, and a zealous member of the Evan- gelical Church. Of her eight children the fol- lowing is a brief record : Sarah A., is the wife of Aaron Kise, of Harrisburg, Pa .; Henrietta is the wife of Henry Dietz, of Red Lion, York county ; Henry W., who married Lydia Gil- bert, is engaged in the manufacturing of cigars at East Prospect; Charles S., who married Lydia Norris, resides in Wrightsville ; Amanda is the wife of Joseph Strickler, of that village ; Minnie is the wife of Charles Detwiler, of Red Lion; Marcus H., who married Miss Ella Klein, has charge of Mr. Burg's farm; and Naomi is the wife of Moses Heindle, of Red Lion. Mr. Burg has twenty grandchildren.

On Dec. 17, 1901, Mr. Burg contracted a second marriage, being united to Mrs. Mary Elizabeth ( Kocher) Shultz, widow of Isaac Shultz and daughter of Christian and Mary Magdalena (Auble) Kocher. By her union with Mr. Shultz she was the mother of three children-Garfield, Annie and Emma. Mr. and Mrs. Burg are genial and hospitable, and their pleasant home is one in which a cordial welcome is ever assured. Mr. Burg has re- tired from active labors in connection with the farm, but still gives much of his time to the supervision of his place, while he is also occasionally called upon to superintend the erection or repairing of mill dams, having had much experience in that line. He is one of the worthy and popular men of his native county.

HENRY BRUNHOUSE, a prosperous and enterprising hotel-keeper of York county, who is engaged in that business at Dover bor- ough, was born in Prussia, Germany, Aug. 14, 1849, son of Charles and Catherine (Myers) Brunhouse.

Charles Brunhouse, the grandfather of Henry, was born in Germany, where he was a farmer and large land owner, farming some 300 acres, near Lubbecke, Province of West- phalia, and there he died. Three sons were born to him, Frederick, Charles (2) and Henry, all of whom died in Germany.

Charles Brunhouse (2), son of Charles and father of Henry, was born in Germany, where he followed farming and trucking. He mar- ried Catherine Myers, who was born in that country. Both died in Germany. The follow- ing children were born to them : Frederick W.,

On April 1, 1852, Mr. Burg was united in marriage to Rachel Fry, who was born in Windsor township, York county, Sept. 8, 1828, daughter of John and Julia Ann (Haines) Fry, and granddaughter of John of York, who first engaged in burning lime,

and was later in the mercantile business in York, now being street commissioner there; Mary, who married Henry Klamma, and died in Germany at the age of forty-six years; Eliz- abeth, residing in Germany; Henry ; and Hen- rietta, who married Herman Snyder, and lives in Germany.

Henry Brunhouse worked for his father in Germany until eighteen years of age, and then came to America, landing at New York June 27, 1867. He remained there three days, and then came to York, where he followed teaming for fifteen years. In 1882 he engaged in the restaurant and saloon business on South George street, and in 1897 removed to Dover, where he bought the hotel known asthe "White- hall Hotel," and there he has since con- ued.

In 1876 Mr. Brunhouse married Louise Smith, daughter of Henry and Catherine Smith, who was born in Germany and came to America at the age of nine years. Children as follows were born to this union : Charles Hen- ry, residing at home; Augustus, who died in York at the age of eight years and is buried there; and Henrietta, at home. In politics Mr. Brunhouse is a Democrat and greatly inter- ested in the success of his party. He is a valued member of the German Lutheran Church of York, of which he is a liberal sup- porter. Mr. Brunhouse is a representative cit- izen of Dover borough, one of the solid, sub- stantial and enterprising men whose good judgment and public spirit continually contri- bute to the advancement of the town.

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BENJAMIN FRANKLIN FRICK, ex- into the 39th as second lieutenant in the spring city controller of York, was born June 9, 1841, of 1864 and became first lieutenant of Com- in the county of that name. His term as city controller expired in April, 1905, and he left a record of which any man might well feel proud. pany H, Aug. 12, 1865; during the summer and fall of 1864 he was in command of Camp Birney, in Baltimore; was discharged at Wil- mington, N. C., and mustered out of service with his regiment, at Baltimore, Md., Dec. 4, I865.

One of Mr. Frick's ancestors, Henry Frick, who was an officer in one of the cantons of Switzerland, was born in 1621. He had three children : Barbara, born May 8, 1683: Jacob, Nov. 12, 1684, and John, March 20, 1688.

John Frick, the great-grandfather of Ben- jamin F., was a son of Jacob Frick, who mar- ried Anna Witmer, Nov. 19, 1780.

Jacob Frick, son of John, was born Nov. 26, 1782, and Dec. 3. 1811, married Magda- lena Pifer, who was born Nov. 12. 1793, and who died Oct. 8, 1822, in York county.

John Pifer Frick, the father of Benjamin F., was born Dec. 6, 1812, in Lancaster coun- ty, removing thence to York county, where he married Hannah Hershey, daughter of John Hershey, a farmer of York county. He, in turn, was descended from Andrew Hershey, a native of Switzerland, born in 1698, who came to America in 1719. being followed by his brothers in 1739. Andrew Hershey died in Lancaster county, Pa., Dec. 25, 1754. John P. Frick died in York, Dec. 7, 1891, aged seventy-nine years. He was connected with the Farmers' Insurance Company, of York, and was a man of sterling integrity. His children were: William H., deceased; Benjamin F .; John J., cashier of the York National Bank ; Abraham, deceased, who was the father of C. C. Frick; Mary E., widow of Martin Skin- ner, a banker of York; Daniel Brandt, who died in childhood, and Joseph Hershey, de- ceased.

Benjamin Franklin Frick was educated in the common schools of York county, and in the York County Academy. His first busi- ness was that of machinist, which he followed for three years. He served for four years and three months in the Civil war, in Company A., 87th P. V. I., and was made sergeant Aug. 21, 1861, and was promoted from sergeant to second lieutenant in the 39th Colored Regt., U. S. A. He was captured by the Rebels at Carter's Woods, and was taken as a prisoner of war to Richmond, Libby and Belle Isle. Sergeant Frick was a prisoner for only one month, when, July 7, 1863, he was paroled, and rejoined his regiment,, having been ex- changed at City Point, Va. He was mustered

After the war, Mr. Frick became connected with a commission house in Baltimore, Md., and thence removed to York, securing a posi- tion with Bilmyer & Small, car builders, where he remained ten years. He then became en- gaged in the coal trade and afterward in the insurance business. He was elected prothono- tary of York county on the Republican ticket, having been the only candidate of that party elected against a united Democratic party. After serving his term of three years as pro- thonotary with fidelity and intelligence, Mr. Frick resumed the insurance business, which he has since conducted with great success. His office is with Spangler & Woltman, on East Market street.

Mr. Frick was married, in 1871, to Emma Sechrist, daughter of the late Jacob A. Se- christ, who was a well known merchant of York. Seven children have been born to this union, of whom three are deceased : one died in infancy; Hattie, at the age of fourteen years ; and an only son, John Jacob, in his twenty-first year. The survivors are: Clara E., Hannah Hershey, Frances Snyder and Susanna Wesley, the latter of whom graduated from the York High School in the class of 1904.

Mr. Frick is a Master Mason. He belongs to Sedgwick Post, No. 37, G. A. R., and to the Union Veteran Legion. He is a member of the Junior Order of American Mechanics, the Heptasophs, the Royal Arcanum and the Knights of Malta. He belongs to the First Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been a trustee for many years, being as popular in the church as he is in the business and polit- ical circles of York.

CAPT. HUGH W. McCALL. The Mc- Call family has had intimate and honorable connection with York county history for over one hundred and fifty years. Through one of the public institutions of the county, known as "McCall's Ferry," the name has been kept fa- miliar to each succeeding generation in the county, as well as by the prominent place in

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

affairs always occupied by the members of the family. Intensely patriotic and loyal, there has never been a time when the flag needed de- fenders but that some members of the family have distinguished themselves by faithful ser- vice on the field. A word to note briefly the facts concerning the history of the "McCall Ferry" will serve to introduce the family sketch proper.

McCall's Ferry was established under the name of White's Ferry in 1748. The ferry derived its name later from the ancestors of Hugh W. McCall, who were of Irish origin, the earlier ones having migrated from the North of Ireland to America, some time be- tween the years of 1730 and 1760, taking up their residence in York county near what was later called "McCall's Ferry." In 1757, Joshua Hedley secured control of the ferry, but was later succeeded by George Stevenson. In 1772, three years before the Revolution, John and Matthew McCall became its owners, and gave to it the name by which it has since been known. The ferry continued in the possession of the family until I811, when it was purchased by the McCall Ferry Bridge Company. Then it passed through the hands of different parties, among them being Joseph Bailey, of Chester county, who was president of the Bridge Com- pany ; his son-in-law, Mr. Marshall, being the next owner, sold his interests to William Rich- ardson, who retained possession until after the War of the Rebellion, when Elias Frey pur- chased it, and owned and operated it until re- cently when it was sold to the McCall Ferry Water Power Company.

The McCall family is one of the oldest in the county, the head of the original three fam- ilies being the great-grandfather of Hugh W. McCall. The grandfather, Matthew McCall, was a farmer of Lower Chanceford township, as was also the father of our subject, James L. McCall, who was one of the promoters in the building of shad fisheries in the Susquehanna at Cully's Falls. Among others the family owned "Jackson Battery," named after "Old Hickory," and where, in 1830, it is said that twenty thousand shad were caught in two days. This battery is still in the possession of the family.

James L. McCall married Miss Sarah Dean Whiteford, daughter of William Whiteford, of Harford county, Md. The latter was captain of a military company in the war of 1812, and

distinguished himself at the battle of Havre- De-Grace, where he was captured by the Brit- ish and taken aboard a British warship. Later he was paroled, and, tradition says; was lib- erated because he was a Mason.

Capt. Hugh W. McCall was one of nine children, and was born on the Hill Head farm, a part of the old McCall homestead in Lower Chanceford township, York county. He was educated at the Chestnut Level Academy, Lan- caster county. Having chosen law as his pro- fession, he studied under Judge Thomas W. Bartley, of Ohio, and later was fortunate enough to read law with Hon. Thomas E. Cochran, Auditor General of Pennsylvania.

At the opening of the Civil war, almost at the first call for defenders, Mr. McCall re- sponded, and was made Captain of Company A, 21st Pennsylvania Cavalry, in which capac- ity he served two years, during that time participating in more than fifteen battles. Af- ter the war he resumed the study of the law; in 1867 was admitted to practice in the courts of his home county, and later to the Supreme, Superior and United States District courts.

Mr. McCall married Miss Rachel E. Kell, daughter of Samuel Kell, a school-teacher. To this union four sons were born: ( I) James St. Clair is mentioned below. (2) Hugh Clark is a machinist and resides in York. (3) Samuel K. is a member of the York county Bar. (4) John is deceased. Hugh C. and Samuel K. both served in the Spanish-American war, the former as a member of Company M, 5th Infantry, and the latter in Warburton's Battery of Philadelphia. These are sons to be proud of, and their success is very gratify- ing to the family and friends, none more ap- preciating their efforts, which so add honor to the old family name, than their father, Capt. Hugh W. McCall. A peculiar fact about the birth of these sons is that James St. Clair was born Aug. 15, 1872, on the same day of the 'month as Napoleon; Hugh Clark, on St. Pat- rick's Day, March 17, 1874, while Samuel K.'s birthday occurred April 9, 1876, the date of Lee's surrender.

The foregoing facts clearly set forth the important part which Capt. McCall's family has played in the annals of the county. The record is one of service-honest, upright men, and brave, tender, noble women, all seek- ing the good of the State and the welfare of the nation. As to the generations now playing

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their parts on the stage of life, no word of commendation is too strong in speaking of their citizenship. Always alert to ally themselves with the forces of law and order, giving voice and material aid to every movement which has outlook for the uplifting of humanity, they deserve, as they receive, a large measure of respect and esteem.

JAMES ST. CLAIR MCCALL, a well known lawyer of York, who was triumphantly elected mayor of York on the Republican ticket in February, 1905, for a period of three years, is the youngest incumbent of that position. He received his early education in the public schools of York; graduated from the York high school at the head of his class in 1889, and afterward attended Yale Law School, where he graduated in 1893, again as the leader of his class. At Yale he received the degree of Bachelor of Laws, Magna cum laude, and was also awarded the Frederick H. Betts prize of $50 for leading his class in his Junior year, and the Jewell prize of the same amount for being at the head of the Senior class. The class numbered seventy-eight, only four of whom were younger than Mr. McCall. In 1893 he was admitted to practice at the bar of his native State of Pennsylvania, and is now in active practice in the city of York, before the courts of York county, as well as the Appellate courts of Pennsylvania. James St. Clair McCall mar- ried Miss Anna Fluhrer, daughter of William Fluhrer, a merchant of York, Pa. Their only child died in infancy.

ADAM NEIMAN (deceased) was born in 1831, in Conewago township, York Co., Pa., son of George, his grandfather and great- grandfather also bearing the name of George.

George Neiman, the great-grandfather, was born in Germany, and his son George (2) settled in Conewago township, where he erected the buildings and made the improvements on the Neiman farm. At death he was buried at Quickel's church in that township.

George Neiman (3), son of George (2), and father of the late Adam Neiman, was, like his ancestors, an agriculturist. He married Mary Ruppert, and they both died in Cone- wago township and were buried in the old cem- etery at Quickel's church. They had issue as follows: Catherine, wife of Jacob Hake, died in Manchester township: Eliza, wife of Jacob Shettel, died in Cumberland county, and is

buried at Quickel's church; Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Shettel, lives at York; Sallie, wife of David Maish, and mother of Col. Maish, of York, died in Manchester township; John mar- ried Catherine Heilman, and died at York; George married Caroline Gross, and died in Manchester township; Mary married Solomon Shettel, and lives at Princeton, Ill .; Rebecca is the wife of Peter Altland of Manchester bor- ough ; Lovina married Henry Hoffman, died in Manchester township and was buried at Quick- el's church; Samuel married Elizabeth Fer- rence, and died in Dover; Adam; Susanna is the wife of Jacob Rudy, of Steelton; and Leah married William Metzger, of Steelton.

The late Adam Neiman received a common- school education and worked for his father like a good, industrious, dutiful son until his mar- riage, which took place in 1857, to Elizabeth Bear. Mrs. Neiman was born in 1836, in Conewago township, daughter of Jacob S. and Elizabeth ( Stover) Bear, the former of whom was born in Manchester township, York coun- ty, where he followed farming and later dis- tilling, in Conewago township. He married Elizabeth Stover, daughter of Henry and Su- sanna (Bott) Stover. Mr. Stover was also prominent. Mr. Bear owned about 600 acres of land, and later bought a mill at Strinestown. His last days were spent on his farm in Cone- wago township, where he died aged fifty-sever years, and both he and wife were buried at Quickel's church. At one time he was a colo- nel of the State militia.

After Mr. and Mrs. Neiman's marriage they settled in Conewago township. where he bought a farm of 140 acres, operating it until 1881, when he purchased a comfortable home with twelve acres of land, and resided on it until the close of his life, being retired for some years. He died April 5, 1899, aged sixty-seven years, eight months and three days, and was laid to rest with his ancestors in the old church- yard at Quickel's church. Of this church he was a faithful member, holding many official positions in it, and giving very generously to its support.

Mrs. Neiman still resides in Conewago township. The family consisted of these mem- bers: Martha, who resides with her mother ; Alice, wife of George Bupp, of York; Alvin, who married Lillie Shettel, and is in business in Philadelphia : Elizabeth, wife of William Kline- dinst, of York ; and Annie, who married Albert

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Rawhouser, died at the age of thirty-five years and is buried at Green Mount cemetery. The family is one of prominence in this town :- ship, and no man was held in higher esteem than Mr. Neiman. In politics he was a Repub- lican. For a long time he served the people of the township on the school board, and was al- ways ready to do everything in his power to improve his community and to make his fam- ily happy.

JOHN FERTNER, proprietor of the Hopewell Poultry and Fruit farm, was born in Baltimore, Md., July 10, 1863, son of John Sr., and Lizzie ( Geisel) Fertner.

John Fertner, Sr., was born in Germany, in 1833, there obtaining an ordinary education and learning the tanner's trade. He married Miss Lizzie Geisel, and they came to America, landing at Baltimore, Md., in 1853. In Balti- inore Mr. Fertner was engaged as a furnace hand, then kept store for a time, and about 1865 removed to East Hopewell township. There he rented a farm for several years, after which he purchased a homestead from Robert Wilson, on which he died in the fall of 1900. Mrs. Fertner still resides on the farm. Their children were: Katy, Mrs. George Bock, died in Baltimore; Gussie, Mrs. Phil Myers, lives in Harford county, Md .; John; George, on the home farm, married Maggie King; and Lizzie resides in Philadelphia.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 99

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