History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended, Part 151

Author: Gibson, John, Editor
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago
Number of Pages: 1104

USA > Pennsylvania > York County > History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended > Part 151

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DR. THEODORE H. BELTZ, son of Henry E. and Julia A. Beltz, natives of Manchester, Carroll Co., Md., was born in December, 1841. His father was a physician. Dr. Beltz began his professional studies at Irving College, Manchester, Md., and graduated from that institution in March, 1861. He then went to the Medical University of Maryland, and graduated in March, 1863. On his return home he formed a copartnership with his father, Dr. Henry E. Beltz, who had practiced medicine in Manchester for more than forty years. He remained in partnership with his father three years, and then went to Jefferson, York Co., Penn., where he remained three years, and then came, in 1880, to York. He married, in December, 1874, Nettie S., daughter of George A. Shower, of Manchester, Md. They have one child-Harry S.

EDMUND C. BENDER, son of Christian and Sarah (Carl) Bender, was born in Dillsburg, York County, January 22. 1831, and at an early age moved with his parents to York. Here he attended school until the age of sixteen, when he entered the dry goods house of Rex, Brooke & Brown, of Philadel- phia, and from there went to Baltimore as book- keeper for the commission house of Lewis Frysinger & Co., of that city. While there, the firm of P. A. & S. Small, knowing him as a young man of great integrity and excellent business qualities, offered him the position of manager of their large grain depot and warehouse at York; accepting this he returned to his former home. He subsequently became man- ager of the lumber-yard of the same firm, and eventually, ou account of his superior business tact, became a partner, under the firm name of Smalls, Bender & Co. This copartnership existed for sev- eral years, enjoying a large trade, when the firm changed to Bender & Weiser, with Gates J. Weiser as partner. In 1875 he sold his business interests in York to Weiser Bros., and together with Messrs. J. F. Steiner and Charles S. Weiser, leased a large tract of valuable, fine timber land, near Philipsburg, Center Co., Penn., and removed with his family to

that town. At this place he remained for nine years, a part of which time Gates J. Weiser was a partner with him. They cut down and had sawed into building material vast quantities of lumber. While in Philipsburg his son, Edmund, showing a desire to engage in the art of printing, he purchased the Journal of that town, and conducted it until he removed to York. Under his proprictorship it was a live, well-edited paper. After returning to York, he engaged in the grain business with his brother Martin, under the firm name of Bender Bros., and also in the grocery business with his son, as Bender & Son. On May 15, 1856, he was married to Mar- garet M. Weiser, daughter of Daniel B. and Matilda Weiser, of York. They had two children: Sarah M. and Edmund C. Bender. The death of this esti- mable gentleman and model business man occurred on August 29, 1883. By his strict adherence to every enterprise in which he engaged, and correct habits, he accumulated a large estate. Mr. Bender early in life became a member of the Lutheran Church, and at the time of his death was secretary of the Lutheran Church Extension Society, a di- rector of the York National Bank, a director of the York & Peach Bottom Railroad, and a manager of the Farmers' Market. As a citizen of York, he was universally esteemed and respected. His son, Ed- mund C. Bender, Jr., succeeds his father in the excel- lent stand, on the corner of West Market and Penn Streets, opposite the Farmers' Market, where he has one of the largest and most attractive grocery stores in York. He is a young man of excellent business qualities.

MARTIN BENDER, second son of Christian and Sarah (Carl) Bender, was born March 21, 1832, in York. His education was received in the public schools of his native town. After leaving school, he assisted his father in the mercantile and milling business for a number of years. His father, who died at an advanced age in York, was for forty years actively engaged in business, and was a worthy citizen. At the age of twenty-one Martin Bender embarked in business in York, opening a dry goods store, which he conducted for nine years. During the five years following he was associated with John F. Patton in the drug trade. He then opened a flour and feed store, and engaged in the purchase of grain, in West York, for a time, in partnership with his brother, E. C. Bender. The firm is now Bender, Bond & Co., manufacturers and dealers in flour, feed, grain, etc., in which line they are doing a large trade. Mr. Bender was united in marriage, in 1867, with Miss Emma, daughter of Samuel and Anna M. Weiser. They have had two children: Willie C. (deceased) and Helen B. Mr. Bender is a member of Zion Lutheran Church, of York, in which he has been an elder for many years, and for a long time has served very accept- ably as superintendent of the infant department of the Sunday-school. He is a gentleman of exem- plary character and a prosperous business man. Since writing the above, Emma, wife of Martin Bender, died, September 30, 1881. She was a con- sistent member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Rev. Dr. Gotwalt, pastor.

CHRISTIAN BENDER, a representative of an old and prosperous family, descendants of the first settlers of York County, was born in York, Decem- ber 2, 1833, and is the son of George and Hannah Bender. The ancestors of the Benders emigrated from Germany, and landed in this country about the year 1740. The father of our subject was a brickmaker, and owned a yard in the vicinity of York. The son, in his younger days, while yet attending school, assisted his father. In 1875 he engaged in the coal and wood business, on East Market Street, York. As a reward for his energy and integrity he has now established a large trade,

YORK BOROUGH.

having among his patrons many of the most influ- ential citizens of his native town. On January 7, 1855, Mr. Bender was married to Sarah, daughter of Daniel and Mary A. Craver, of York. They had five children, viz .: John C., Lavinia M., Amelia A., Irene E. and Christopher C. His first wife died in 1873. His second marriage was with Martha C. Herman. Mr. Bender and family are members of the Lutheran Church. For a number of years he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity.

PETER BENTZ (deceased) was a native of York, Penn., born November 21, 1830, son of Michael and Anna Bentz, and was of German extraction. The Bentz family came from Germany to America and settled in Pennsylvania. Subject was educated at the York public schools. By occu- pation he was a musician and proprietor of a music store for thirty-five years. He was one of the leading musicians and music teachers of York for many years. For a quarter of a century he was the organist at St. John's Episcopal Church. In 1861 he was married to Miss Ellen J. Griffith, a native of Baltimore, Md. To this union were born four children, viz .: W. Stewart, Harry, Mary S. and Anna. Politically Mr. Bentz was a Repub- lican. He was a Mason and a member of St. John's Episcopal Church. He was a prominent man and highly respected citizen. His death took place in September. 1884.

E. D. BENTZEL, attorney at law. Baltzer and Philip Bentzel, emigrated from Germany to Amer- ica, and arrived at Baltimore in the year 1745. Soon after their arrival, Baltzer came to what is now York County, Penn., and settled near York: he was a shoe- maker by trade, reared a family of two sons and four daughters: Henry, David, Catharine Ellman, Anna Maria, Lizzie and Barbara Kump. The father was a captain in the Revolutionary war: he died when David, who was born in August, 1777, was a young man. When David was twenty-four years of age. he married Miss Elizabeth Meisenhelter, rand settled upon a farm, on the Little Conewago Creek, near what is now Weigelstown. He was a success- ful farmer, and in 1811 erected a large distillery, manufacturing whisky which he conveyed by his teams to Baltimore, there being no railroads at the time where it was marketed. He reared a family of five sons and five daughters: Henry, Felix. David, Samuel and Daniel M., Barbara, Mary, Elizabeth, Nancy and Sarah (who died young), all of whom were married except Felix, who died young. David was born May 3, 1815. He learned the trade of milling from his uncle, George Meisenhelter, at his father's mill, on the Little Conewago, which he bought at his father's death, and where he is still living. He married Sarah, daughter of John Eisen- hart, who was a carpenter and cabinet-maker; she died December 25, 1880. One of her brothers, Samuel M. Eisenhart, is now a resident of York. Six children were born to this union: Henry M., born in 1844, located in California, where he died in 1877, leaving to survive a son, Frederick: Edward D. and David E., born in 1857; Nancy, wife of Henry W. Jacobs; Kate E., wife of Peter Binder, and Leah, who died in her infancy. Our subject was born Feb- ruary 22, 1846, and learned the milling trade of his father, which he was forced to abandon on account of a violent illness, which crippled him in his lower limbs to such an extent, that he was compelled to use crutches. He then secured an excellent educa- tion, having the advantage of the York County Nor- mal and the Academy. Subsequently he became a teacher, which he continued for six terms in York Borough and the county. He then entered the polit- ical field, and in 1872 was elected clerk of the courts, the duties of which position he honorably dis- charged for three years. Deciding upon the pro- fession of law, he entered the office of James B.

Ziegler, Esq., and in 1878 was admitted to practice, at which he has been actively engaged up to the present time. Mr. Bentzel is an uncompromising Democrat, a valued leader in politics, and a citizen of worth and progressive ideas. He was married to Ida Kate Wehrly, daughter of George Wehrly, pro- prietor of the Pennsylvania House, York, February 24, 1881. They have three children: Edith May, Earnie and Edward Wehrly.

JOHN W. BITTENGER, one of the leading attor- neys of the York County bar, is a descendant of old Pennsylvania ancestry. His great-grandfather, Capt. Nicholas Bittenger, a native and resident of Adams County, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Upon his mother's side, John Wierman, also a native and citizen of Adams County, was a wealthy farmer and, for a number of years, a justice of the peace. His grandparents were Joseph Bittenger, of Adams County, and Hon. Daniel Sheffer, a native of York County, who, in early life, was a physician. He became subsequently associate judge of Adams County, and in 1836 was elected to represent Adams and Franklin Countiesin congress, attained distinc- tion and hecame one of the leading political factors of his time in the State. The parents of our subject were Henry and Juliann (Sheffer) Bittenger, both natives of Adams County. The father is now a res- ident of Hanover. The mother died in 1837, leav- ing three children: Mrs. George C. Barnitz of Mid- dletown, Ohio, Mrs. Reuben Young of Hanover, and the subject of this biography.

JOHN W. BITTENGER. JR., was born in Adams County in the year 1834. He received a good edu- cation, attending the academies of Strasburg, Penn., and Rockville, Md., supplemented by a partial course at the Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg; during the latter he was also a student of law with the late Hon. Moses McClean. He subsequently went to Rockville, Md., and finished reading in the office of W. Viers Bouic, now judge of the circuit court of that county, being admitted to the bar at Rockville. in 1856. After graduating at the law school, of Harvard College, he went to Lexington, Ky., where he entered upon the practical duties of his profession, remaining in that State three years. In 1860 Mr. Bittenger became a citizen of York, where he has since been in constant practice. His ability was soon recognized, and in 1862 he was elected district attorney, of York County, serving six years. He has also served as counsel for the county commissioners and as attorney for the bor- ough of York. Mr. Bittenger has attained a promi- nent position among his fellows and was a lead- ing candidate for the nomination for county judge in 1881, and in 1885 secured the candidacy. As a citizen he is of the progressive type, and as a politi- cian one of the leaders of the Democracy. Mr. Bittenger is a member of the Masonic order, of the I. O. O. F. (Encampment), and the I. O. R. M., also of the York Club. In 1877 he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Brenneman, a native of York Coun- ty. They have two children living: Ida May and Julia Anna, and one deceased, John H., who died at the age of seven years.

CHAUNCEY F. BLACK. The stock from which the present lieutenant-governor springs needs no introduction to Pennsylvanians. His illus- trious father, Jeremiah Sullivan Black, was pre- eminently a Pennsylvanian by blood and birth, by education and public service. He nnites the ruling types in the rural portions of the State-the sturdy Pennsylvania German and energetic Scotch-Irish. Born in the Glades, Somerset County, his father was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, his mother of Scotch- Irish on her father's side, as her name, Sullivan, indicates, and of Pennsylvania German descent on her mother's side. Judge Black's father. Henry Black, was a man of prominence in southern Penn-

john M Buitengrs

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

sylvania; he served in the legislature from 1814 to 1818, was an associate judge for a term, and was a ·member of the National house of representatives when he died. His wife was the daughter of Chauncey Forward, who was a member of congress and a brother of Walter Forward, secretary of the treasury under Tyler. Chauncey Forward Black, who hears his mother's family name, was born in Somerset County, Penn., November, 1839. His early educa- tion was obtained at Monongalia Academy, Morgantown, W. Va., at Hiram College, in Ohio, and he finished his studies at Jefferson College, Canonsburg. When he was a pupil at Hiram the late President Garfield was a tutor there, and the acquaintance thus formed ripened into a personal friendship, which was only interrupted by the president's tragic death. Their po- litical differences were the widest, as illustrated by the scholarly and irresistible paper, in which Mr. Black took issue with Mr. Garfield's exul- tant boast that the influence of Jef- ferson is on the wane in our political system. He was admitted to the bar of Somerset, and also of York, but never practiced much, showing early inclination toward journalism and other forms of literary work. From the time of beginning his law studies he wrote for various journals on a wide range of topics, doing a vast amount of effective political work, for which he has trained himself by study of the fathers of the republic. Jefferson found in him an appreciative but discrimina- ting admirer, and the Hamiltonian theories encountered his early criti- cism and dissent. Study of the constitution and of the discussions over its adoption and construction, convinced him that they who had founded our institutions had builded wiser than they knew, formulating a system which could he practicahly and profitably applied to every question that arose. Mr. Black, though a student of politics, has never failed to take a laboring oar in the practical work of campaigns. Besides the engagement of his pen for effective work in many quarters, he has been heard upon the stump HI year after year, and a number of the later platforms of the Demo- cratic State conventions are accred- ited to his authorship. In 1879 he represented York County in the State convention, and in 1880 he was one of the delegates from that congressional district to the Cincin- nati convention, voting on the first ballot for Judge Field, and on the second for Gen. Hancock. Prior to the late State convention, from the time his nomination for lieu- tenant-governor was first broached, the suggestion was received with popular favor, and he was chosen by a large majority on the first ballot. The selection was ratified most heartily not only by the Demo- cratic press of Pennsylvania, but by many journals of large influence outside the State.

From his youth up Mr. Black has been a sup- porter of those principles which he comes to by in- heritance and holds by intelligent conviction. With ready pen and eloquent tongue he has steadily maintained them for over twenty years. In all his utterances and writings they never found abler nor

more fitting expression than in his successful efforts to revive the Jeffersonian societies and extend the study of Jeffersonian principles. To this patriotic task he has applied himself, not because of any retrospective tendency of his mind, nor by reason of any failure to profoundly appreciate the spirit of true progressiveness and to adapt himself and his political principles to the wonderful development of our national life. He holds that in the Jeffer- sonian philosophy are the germs of all political pro- gress.

Since 1873 Mr. Black has been closely and continuously identified with the journalism of the country. He has been uninterruptedly an editorial

SNYDER

Chauncey D, Black

contributor to the New York Sun and other promi- nent journals of the country, his facile pen being devoted to no special range of subjects, and often wandering into the more graceful lines of literature, while his fulminations are vigorous and effective when hurled at political evils. The geniality and native humor of his temperament, which make him a social favorite wherever he is known, unmistaka- bly manifest themselves in his literary work, but the sturdy Anglo-Saxon and virile thought of his editorial expression make it recognizable.

In November, 1882, he was elected lieutenant- governor of Pennsylvania. His majority in York County was one of the largest ever received by any

YORK BOROUGH.

candidate, when opposed by the opposite party. In January, 1883, he entered upon his duties as presid- ing officer of the senate of Pennsylvania. His dignified bearing, affable manners and courtesy have won the admiration of the senators of both parties, and of the officers, of the various departments, with whom he has had official intercourse.

In 1863 Mr. Black was married to the daughter of the late Hon. John L. Dawson, whose home was at Friendship Hill, Fayette County, the former residence of Albert Gallatin, and the present resi- dence of Mr. Dawson's widow, which is still in the ownership of the family. Mr. Dawson represented the (then) Twenty-first District in congress with great distinction. He was in reality the father of the homestead law now in force. Of the four chil- dren at "Willow Bridges," the three boys illustrate their distinguished lineage by the names Jeremiah Sullivan, John L. Dawson and Chauncey Forward. Possessed in eminent degree of those fireside virtues which are the best qualities of public men, Mr. Black has social accomplishments which make him extremely popular with his acquaintances. Upon his nomination for lieutenant-governor he received the hearty congratulations of his neighbors and assurances of their support regardless of party, be- cause of the warmth of feeling which his personal characteristics have awakened for him. No local interest fails to engage his sympathy, and his former friends and neighbors are accustomed to count him among those who regard their agricultural concerns with community of interest. He was one of the charter members of Springettsbury Grange. No. 79, organized in Spring Garden Township, York Co., Penn., January 4, 1874, by R. H. Thomas, State secretary. He attends the Episcopal Church.

On the left hand side of the Northern Central Railroad, about a mile southwest of York, Penn., and in the township of Spring Garden is a beautiful home, bowered among apple trees, which are thick- ly set on a smoothly kept lawn. Well trimmed hedges run all around this little farm; through them, here and there. grow the osage trees and towering elms, while drooping willows and whisper- ing maples shade the enclosed grounds. The ivy grows over the stone springhouse: Virginia creepers cling to trellises and branching trees and flaunt their graceful foliage in the summer wind. Within the house which adorns "Willow Bridges," are the signs of solid comfort and refinement. Near by, an office of rustic beauty, furnished with all the facilities for literary labor, is the workshop of Chauncey F. Black.

Inheriting from a hardy race of ancestors a love of nature, he lives here in the country at the foot of Webb's Hill, over which the spacious and highly cultivated farm of his father's estate spreads itself. Hc breaths pure air, drinks spring water, supplies his table from his own garden, and catches inspira- tion from all his surroundings for the vigorous work which he has done in the promotion of a healthy and honest policy for the commonwealth.

A. R. BLAIR, M. D., was born in Strasburg, Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1826; is a son of James and Jean (Campbell) Blair, and is of Scotch-Irish origin. His father was born in Ireland in 1790, and his mother in Pennsylvania in 1795. He first came to York in 1850. He received an academic education at the schools of Maryland and southern Pennsyl- vania. He read medicine under Dr. Samuel Kenagy of Strasburg, Penn., and Dr. Theo. Haller of York. and also attended lectures at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, from which he grad- uated in March, 1853. The same year (1853) he located in York and practiced until 1856, when he was elected superintendent of the public schools of York County. Heresigned in 1862 and was appoint- ed acting assistant surgeon hy Gen. William A.

Hammond, surgeon-general, United States Army. He remained in this service until September, 1865, and immediately resumed the practice of his pro- fession. He is a member of the York County Med- ical Association, State Medical Association and American Medical Association. In 1864 he married Miss Cassandra Morris Small, daughter of the late Phillip A. and Sarah Small, of York. One child has been born to him, Philip A. The Doctor was formerly a Whig, but is now a Republican, and he and Mrs. Blair are members of the Presbyterian Church.

DR. T. A. BLAKE was born in Little Britain Township, Lancaster Co., Penn., April 30, 1846; moved to Winterstown, York County, in 1852, and remained with his father on the farm, attending school in the winter season until August, 1864, when he enlisted in the Third Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery; was discharged at Camp Hamilton, Va., June 7. 1865; came home and attended the Pleasant Grove Academy until the summer of 1868. He then took up the study of dentistry; attended the Balti- more Dental College, during the sessions of 1868 and 1869, and has been in the continuous practice of dentistry since. He was married in September, 1872, to Helen M., daughter of Ambrose and Annie (Mil- ler) McGuinyan. They have one child-Abbie A. Dr. Blake has held the office of justice of the peace of Winterstown for eight years. He is a member of the Brotherhood and of the G. A. R.

HENRY BOLL, boot and shoe dealer, was born in York. February 13, 1843, and is a son of Jacob and Gertrude (Werkman) Boll. His parents were born in Germany and came to America in 1836 and settled in'York. At twelve years of age our subject began learning the shoemaker's trade under his father. In 1867 he began as a dealer and has since continued. He now has a full line of all kinds of boots aud shoes and is prepared at all times to give his 'customers first-class goods at the most reason- able prices. His marriage occurred August 27,1865. to Mary A. Kahler, a native of York. They have five children: C. Bowan, Ella M., Ida Kate, William H. and Virginia Gertrude Mary. Mr. Boll was a soldier in the late war; he enlisited in 1865 and served a short time. He is an active and influential Democrat and has been assessor of the First Ward for nine consecutive years, and is secretary of the Mechanics' and Workingmen's Building and Loan Association, and Anchor Building and Loan Asso- ciation of York, Penn.

OLIVER J. BOLLINGER, whose portrait ap- pears in this work, is a well-known inventor and manufacturer of turbine water-wheels and mill machinery. He was born in Adams County, Penn., April 13, 1827, and is the only child of Matthias and Elizabeth (Eckert) Bollinger, and of German lineage. His father was a native of Carroll County, Md., born in 1801. He became a resident of York County in 1838. settling in Codorus Township, where he resided until his death, in 1879. He was a millwright hy trade, and was actively engaged in that branch of industry for over forty years. Our subject's early life was passed upon a farm, receiv- ing his education in the common schools, the White Hall Academy and the Pennsylvania Commercial Institute. His father being a millwright, at the age of eighteen he left the farm and apprenticed himself to the millwright trade, under his father, where he remained several years, acquiring a thor- ough knowledge of the business, and finally suc- ceeded his father, who, retiring, left the entire control to the son. Mr. Bollinger has continued the business successfully since then, a period of forty years, and is to-day probably the oldest and best known, as he is certainly the best qualified. It is but natural to one who dates his knowledge of mills and machinery from infancy, and his attempts

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History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended, Part 151

Author: Gibson, John, Editor Publication date: 1886 Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago Number of Pages: 1104

Author: Gibson, John, Editor
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago
Number of Pages: 1104