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 154

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 154

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

F. J. ELICK, proprietor of Elick's Tobacco Em- porium, was born in Philadelphia in 1850, and is a son of Christopher and Margaret (Walter) Elick. The parents of Mr. Elick were born in Germany and immigrated to America, and settled in Philadelphia, where the family resided until about 1853, when they removed to York. The subject of this sketch was educated at the public schools, and afterward learned the confectioner's trade, which he continued for some time, and then served an apprenticeship at

the barber's trade. In 1870 he began business for himself. In 1881 he added to his barbering busi- ness a complete line of choice tobaccos and smoker's supplies, and made a specialty of meerschaum pipes. Mr. Elick was married in 1870 to Miss Emma Hil- debrand, of York County. They have two children: Laura and Mabel. Mr. Elick is a Mason and a member of the I. O. O. F.

PHILIP H. EMIG was born in Codorus Town- ship, July 12, 1832, and is a son of Philip and Sarah (Shaffer) Emig. He is the seventh in a family of nine children, and is of German-English origin. His great-grandfather emigrated from Germany, and settled in North Codorus Township. His grand- father was Michael Emig. For more than 150 years the Emig family has been known in York County. His father was born in Codorus Town- ship, and his mother in York. The father died in 1846, and the mother in 1879. When our subject was ahout ten years of age he came to York, and here has since resided. At the age of fourteen years he began learning the shoemaker's trade, which he has since continued. The marriage of Mr. Emig occurred December 16, 1852, to Miss Ellen E. Beck, a native of York, Penn. To this union have been born six children, viz. : Calvin J., Virginia M., Mary E., Harry F., Sarah Kate and Emma. Politically Mr. Emig is a Republican. He has been a Sabbath- school teacher for more than twenty-five years, and is a highly esteemed citizen.

DAVID EMMITT has for over half a century been identified with the business interests of York. He was born in York, January 27, 1819, and is a son of Jacob and Lydia (Ilgenfritz) Emmitt, of Irish and German descent, His father, who was a rela- tive of Robert Emmitt, of Ireland, was one of the early men of York, and a soldier of the war of 1812, belonging to the "Independent Blues," a company of 200 men, of Baltimore. He was an active and respected citizen, and a resident of York until his death in 1865. The subject of this sketch received a good education, having the advantage of the schools of York and the York County Academy. He early learned the trade of carpenter, and followed that occupation from 1936 to 1849, when he em- barked in the grocery business, on the corner of Beaver and Philadelphia Streets, at which he has since been successfully engaged. Mr. Emmitt is a charter member of the Mt. Zion Lodge, No. 74, I. O. O. F., and a man who has done much to develop the moral interests of his native town. He has been identified for more than thirty-five years with St. Paul's Lutheran Church, and over thirty years as a member of the church council. He has been an active member and a liberal giver for all projects of true moral worth. In 1847 he was married to Miss Mary E. Rauss, daughter of Luke and Mary L. (Beitzel) Rauss. She was born in York, July 22, 1822, and is a descendant of families that have been long identified with the history of York County.

MICHAEL H. ENGLE was born in Ridgeville, Lancaster Co., Pa., September 21, 1851, is a son of Daniel M. and Mary (Hoffman) Engel, and is of Swiss-German descent. His parents were born in Lancaster County. Our subject received a common school education at Millersville, Penn. In 1870 he be- gan the tobacco business, and in 1878 came to York, and continued that business. He was married in 1874 to Miss Melvina A. Blake, a native of York County. They have three children: N. D., Mary M. and M. R. Mrs. Engle is engaged in the milli- nery and notion business, and at her store can be found at all times a full stock of choice goods. Mr. Engle is a Republican.

D. M. ETTINGER, civil engineer, and native of Hopewell Township, was born September 12, 1806, to Adam and Elizabeth (Miller) Ettinger. He is one of fourteen children and is of old German

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

stock. The parents of Mr. Ettinger were both born in York County. His father died in 1877 and his mother: in 1855. His maternal grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. At an early age, D.M. Ettinger began teaching school and continued to teach for about thirty years, and was one of the most successful teachers of the day and one of the most popular York County ever had. For fourteen years he was a teacher in the York County High School. In 1853 he was employed by the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, as civil engineer. For over forty years he has been acting in the capacity of surveyor and engineer, and is unquestionably one of the most accurate civil engineers of Pennsylvania. Mr. Ettinger was married, in 1830, to Miss Lovinia Toomy, a native of York County. To this marriage were born seven children, viz .: Alvina, Martin L., Sarah, Josephine (deceased), Newton (deceased), Daniel (deceased), and Paul (deceased). · Mrs. Et- tinger died October 4, 1882. Mr. Ettinger was for- merly a Whig but is now a thorough Republican. Although he is passing into the "sere and yellow leaf," his years sit lightly upon him.

ELIAS EYSTER, proprietor of the Eyster House, was born in Jackson Township, York Co., Penn., in 1840. His parents, Peter and Sarah E. (Spangler) Eyster were both born in York County, the father in 1811 and the mother in 1814. The Eysters are of Swiss origin, and our subject is the second in a family of five children. His paternal grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The mother of Mr. Eyster died in 1859 and his father in 1871. Mr. Eyster worked for his father on the farm until his nineteenth year, when he began farming for himself, and this he continued until 1870, when he removed to York and began the hotel business, in what was known as the American House, but in 1877 the name was changed to that of Eyster House which it has since borne. During the years 1871 and 1872, Mr. Eyster was engaged in the iron ore busi- ness at Roth's Ore Bank. In 1880 he was engaged in the manufacture of washing machines, in part- nership with Messrs. Becker and Baer. He was united in marriage in 1861 to Miss Sarah A. Stover, a native of Jackson Township. They have three children: Emma J., Elmyra E. and Peter E. Mr. Eyster is a Democrat and manifests much interest in general politics. In 1872 he was made a member of the Masonic fraternity.

ROBERT J. FISHER. A large part of the judicial history of York County, is inseparably associated with the career of Hon Robert J. Fisher, who, for more than thirty years, presided over its courts. On the 4th day of November, 1828, when twenty-two years of age, he was admitted to prac- tice in the several courts of York County. He had received a thorough legal education, at the Yale Law School, New Haven, Conn., and in the office of his father, a widely known and honored attorney of Harrisburg. For twenty-three years he worked diligently at the bar, attaching to himself by his integrity and ability a large clientage and a host of friends. In 1851, he was elected to the bench of the Nineteenth Judicial District, composed then of the counties of York and Adams. Being twice re- elected (1861 and 1871), he was, until 1875, the only law judge of the two counties, accomplishing a vast amount of labor, and rendering with promptness and widely recognized learning, decisions which have commanded general respect. His rulings have almost universally been upheld by the appellate tribunals, and his opinions have been quoted as an authority, in this and other States, with more fre- quency than those of almost any other contemporan- eons nisi prius judge. Although an earnest Dem- ocrat, during his official career, he carefully ab- stained from all connection with politics. Judge Fisher possessed, in an unusual degree, the rare

ability of viewing a question impartially and decid- ing on principle unaffected by prejudice or fear. Particularly was this characteristic strikingly illns- trated in his course during the Rebellion. Now that the intense excitement and intolerant partisanship of the time have passed away, his undeviating adher- ence to the established principles of the common law, appears most admirable. Though a decided and uncompromising Unionist, he was, nevertheless, determined in his opposition to every unwarrantable encroachment of the military upon the civil power. When passion and fear deprived others of their judgment, he seems never to have lost his cool dis- cretion, either in the presence of Federal soldiers or rebel invaders. On one occasion, a citizen had been illegally arrested by the military authorities at the hospital on the commons, and a writ of habeas corpus was taken out in his behalf. Upon its return, the prisoner was brought into court by a squad of soldiers with fixed bayonets. That show of force, however, failed to affect the action of the Court. Promptly he required the soldiers to recog- nize civil authority, saying that as citizens they had a right to be there, but as armed men they must withdraw. After a hearing the prisoner was released. At the time of the Confederate occupation of York, in 1863, the rehel commander sent to Judge Fisher for the keys of the court house. He replied that he did not have them, and that the commis- sioners were the only legal custodians of the public buildings; upon another summons being sent, how- ever, he went with the messenger and found that the soldiers had in some way obtained admission to the prothonotary's office and were preparing to de- stroy the records there deposited. As the chief judicial magistrate of the county, he warmly expos- tulated against the destruction of these valuable evidences, the loss of which would be irremediable. The General, at first said it would only be just retaliation for the depredations of the northern armies in the South, but after a long discussion, the judge compelled him to acknowledge the unlawful- ness of all such acts of useless plunder, and per- suaded him to withdraw his men. The records and valuable documents of the county were thus saved by the coolness and firmness of the venerable judge. There are several other occasions, which many citizens recall during those turbulent times, when he showed like remarkable courage, facing mobs with fearless dignity, and with unusual mild- ness, but at the same time unusual determination, maintaining order and insisting upon the supremacy of the civil law. Judge Fisher comes of one of the oldest and most respectable families of the State. Born in Harrisburg, May 6, 1806, he is the son of George Fisher, Esq., and Ann Shipper, danghter of Robert Strettell Jones of Burlington, N. J. He was baptized Robert Strettell Jones Fisher, but dropped the second name early in life. His maternal grand- father was a member of the New Jersey Legislature, and secretary of the Committee of Safety in 1776. His great-grandfather, Isaac ,Jones, was twice mayor of Philadelphia (1767 and 1768), and a member of the common council in 1764. His great-great-grand- father Fisher was one of the original company of Quakers, who came from England with William Penn. in 1682, and who laid out the city of Phila- delphia. His grandfather, George Fisher, received from his father a large tract of land in Dauphin County, upon which he laid out the borough of Middletown. Judge Fisher was twice married. and in the quiet scenes of domestic life he always experi- enced great satisfaction. His first wife, Catharine, daughter of Horatio Gates Jameson, M. D., became the mother of eight children, and died in 1850. In 1853 he married Mary Sophia, daughter of Ebenezer Cadwell of Northbridge, Mass., who bore him two children. His eldest son, George Fisher, Esq., is a

YORK BOROUGH.

well established member of the York County bar, and his other son, Robert J. Fisher, Jr., having been for several years connected with the patent office, is now one of the three examiners-in-chief. In matters of religion, Judge Fisher has always been eminently catholic. From childhood, his associ- ations have been largely with the Protestant Epis- copal denominations, although particularly char- itable toward those of different faith and order, and a frequent attendant at their services. In 1870, he became a communicant member of St. John's Church in York, has been for many years a vestry- man, and was the first chancellor of the diocese of central Pennsylvania.

GEORGE FISHER, attorney at law, was born at York, Penn., on the 29th of September, 1836, and is a son of Hon. Robert J. Fisher, and his wife Catharine, who was a daughter of Horatio Gates Jameson, Sr., M. D., a distinguished surgeon and physician of Baltimore. In April, 1847, George was entered a student at the York County Academy, then under the direction of the venerable Rev. Stephen Boyer. From 1851 to 1853, he was a stu- dent at Sherwood School, at that time a flourishing institution of learning in the vicinity of York, un- der the direction of Maj. Bland, who was at one time an officer in the British Army of that rank. From 1853 to 1854, he was a student at the Colle- giate Institute, Northampton, Mass. In 1854 he was admitted to the class of 1859, at Yale College. In October, 1856, he removed to Iowa City, and held a position in the office of Hon. Elijah Sells, then secretary of state of Iowa. In 1857 he commenced the study of the law iu York under the direction of his father, Hon. Robert J. Fisher, who was then and had been for several years, and for more than twenty years afterward, president judge of the Nineteenth Judicial District of Pennsylvania, and in 1859 he was admitted to the bar of the county of York. In 1863 he was clerk to the board of reve- nue commissioners of the State of Pennsylvania. Said board was abolished by act of the General Assembly approved April 12, 1864, and the powers · thereof vested in the State treasurer, auditor-gen- eral, and secretary of the commonwealth. In 1869 he removed to Stroudsburg, Monroe Co., Penn., and engaged in the practice of the law. In 1872 he was a candidate for district attorney of Monroe County. There being four candidates before the people for the office, he failed of an election by forty votes. In 1873 he returned to York and resumed the prac- tice of the law there. In 1875-76 he was a clerk of the house of representatives of Pennsylvania, and during part of the session of 1876-77, journal clerk. In 1871 Mr. Fisher married Mary, daughter of Rob- ert Barry, of Baltimore, Md., and continues to re- side and practice his profession in York.

JOEL E. FISHER, carpenter and builder, was born in York County, April 8, 1836, and is a son of Seth and Mary (Ratcliff) Fisher. He is one of a numerous family, and is of English extraction. His father was born in York in 1798, and his mother was born in Virginia. At seventeen years of age he began learning the carpenter's trade and this has been his life work. In 1866 he was married to Miss Christiana R. Gotwalt, daughter of Jacob Gotwalt, of York. To this marriage have been born four children, viz .: William H., Charles A., Annie C. and Mary E. He is a Republican and a member of the Lutheran Church, of which his wife is also a member. Mr. Fisher, though in the humble walks of life, 'is an influential and highly respected citizen.

F. F. FLINCHBAUGH 'is a son of F. F. and Mary (Kindig) Flinchbaugh of Hopewell Township, where our subject was born February 18, 1818, and was reared on a farm. He received a limited edu- cation, as school advantages were very poor when he was a boy. His first regular work was for the

firm of P. A. & S. Small, and it is worthy of men- tion here that Mr. Flinchbaugh remained in the service of this firm forty-eight years, nine months and sixteen days, and as an evidence of their appre- ciation of his long and faithful service they pre- sented him with an elegant gold watch. Some of the newspapers of York gave full account of the event at the time it occurred. Mr. F. was married three times. His first wife was Sarah Corpman, of York, who bore him one child, Catherine (de- ceased); his second wife was Mary Morthland. Five children were born to this union: Annie M. E., Emma E., Lyddie, William R. (deceased), Freder- ick M. (deceased). His third wife was Louisa Fei- ser, and to this marriage were born Frederick L., Ellsie R. and an infant boy (deceased). Mr. Flinch- baugh is a prominent member of the First United Brethren Church. He was the first member of the First United Brethren Church as well as the oldest.

S. S. FLINCHBAUGH, a native of Hopewell Township, is a son of Samuel D. and Lydia (Strayer) Flinchbaugh, and was born in 1848. The father was a farmer of Hopewell until 1868, and died in York Township, in 1876 ; his widow is still living. S. S. Flinchbaugh, the eighth of ten children, remained on the farm until twenty-one years old, and then for six years taught school in different localities. He next farmed a year or more, and then, in 1877, commenced the manufacture and sale of cigars in York Township ; in 1878, he manufactured for six months in Dallastown, and then returned to York Township and employed five or six hands in his business. In 1881, he moved his headquarters to York Borough, and for one year was located on George Street, In 1882, he built his present factory at 126 and 128 Maple Street, where, and at his branch in York Township, he employs from thirty to forty hands. In addition to manufacturing cigars, he deals largely in leaf tobacco, and has been alto- gether successful in his business transactions. He was married in 1881, to Miss Alice Scratz, from Lower Windsor. Mr. and Mrs. Flinchbaugh are members of the United Brethren Church, and Mr. Flinchbaugh has served as Assessor of York Town- ship.

SILAS H. FORRY was born in York, Penn., on September 26, 1838. He is the son of Abraham Forry, who was a prominent citizen of York, and five times elected to the office of chief burgess. He died in October, 1872, leaving to survive him Silas H. Forry and Elizabeth A. Forry, who was after- ward married to Col. William L. Peiper, of Lancas- ter City, now deceased. The subject of this sketch passed his earlier life in the common schools and subsequently, for several years, was a pupil of the York County Academy, where he graduated at the age of eighteen. Having selected the practice of law as his profession he entered the office of V. K. Keesey, Esq., a prominent and well-known lawyer of York, under whose instructions he was qualified for admission to the bar. On May 28, 1861, having passed a creditable examination, he was admitted to the bar, and immediately thereafter commeneed the practice of law in York, and has continued therein up to the present time. Being a Republican he has never held any politieal office in Democratic York County, although in 1866 he received the nomina- tion, by his party, as district attorney for the county. He was one of the organizers of the West- ern National Bank, of York, in which he served as director for several years. He subsequently became a director in the Farmers' National Bank, of York, in which capacity he still is serving. In 1865 he was elected secretary of the York County Mutual Insur- ance Company, and has filled that office ever since; he is also the legal solicitor of this company. Mr. Forry was united in marriage with Miss Lucy A., daughter of William and Susan Hoke, of York

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

County. From this union have been born five children, three of whom are living, viz .: Mary Sue, Bessie and Lucy A. Forry. Mr. Forry has alway sta- ken an active interest in St. Paul's Lutheran Church, of which he is a member. He has served as deacon of this church and has taken a leading part in the Sunday-school work.

DAVID P. FRANK was born in Hanover, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Peter and Eliza- beth (Grayhill) Frank. He received his educa- tion in the schools of Hanover; was apprenticed and learned the blacksmith trade with his father, and after becoming a proficient and skillful work- man, engaged at his trade in Hanover until 1891, when he removed to York. Here he has established a blacksmith and agricultural implement repair shop, and is widely known and doing a thriving business in his line. Mr. Frank was united in mar- riage April 27, 1882, with Miss Emma H., daughter of Henry Myers, of York.

ALEXANDER J. FREY (deceased), was a na- tive of York, born in 1818 to Jacob and Catherine (Hoover) Frey. He was the fifth in a family of six children, and was of German extraction. He at- tended the early schools of York and received a good common school education. In early life he served an apprenticeship at the hatter's trade, and subsequently began the manufacture of hats upon his own responsibility, and this he successfully con- tinued for many years. He was for more than twenty years a director of the York National Bank. He was a man of excellent business qualifications, and one of the most successful business representa- tives of this section of Pennsylvania. Politically he was a Democrat until 1850, and during the latter portion of his life, he was identified with the Re- publican party and took a prominent part in all questions of State and national issue. He was post- master at York during Lincoln's administration, and managed the affairs of that position success- fully. The marriage of Mr. Frey was solemnized in 1845 to Miss Sophia Schall, of York, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Schall, and born in 1819. To Mr. and Mrs. Frey were born seven children, viz .: Isabel, Joseph, Emma, Mary, Benton, John and Anna. Mr. Frey died in 1882, a leading member of St. Paul's Church. Mrs. Frey is also a member of that denomination.

WILLIAM FRYSINGER, manufacturer and dealer in carpets, is a native of Hanover, York County, born in 1831 and is a son of George and Elizabeth Frysinger, also natives of the county. The father was in the iron trade and manufacturer of carriages. William learned the printer's trade which he followed only a short time in Hanover. Came to York in 1840, where he has since resided. First engaged at merchandising with John Stine until 1854. He then continued the business with John F. Stine until 1868. He then commenced the carpet trade; he commenced the manufacture in 1872, and has increased since. He sold out the retail trade in 1883, and is now devoting his entire time to manufacturing. Hehas in employ about 100 skilled hands, and has in all about 800 hands manufactur- ing rag and jute carpets. His works are the largest in the world in this line. He ships all over the United States, using 300 tons of new rags per an- num and 150,000 pounds of cotton and woolen yarns; sales amounting to $150,000 per annum. Mr. Frysinger married, in 1842, Henrietta Stine, of York. They have five children: Francis, Horatio, Elizabeth, Hettie and Alice. Mr. Frysinger and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Mr. Frysinger having been a member over forty years.

ELI F. GROVE, agent of Singer Sewing Machine Company, was born in Hopewell Township, York County, in 1852. He is the son of Henry and Mary

(Strayer) Grove, natives of the county. He came to York in 1872 and engaged in the sewing machine business (Howe agency), and has been for the past nine years agent for the Singer Machine Company for York and Adams Counties. They have a branch at Gettysburg. Mr. Grove was married in 1877 to Lucy Peeling, of York. Has always done a large trade and is an enterprising young man. He has devoted his entire time to his business, and estab- lished a large trade, having eight wagons, and has sold up to the present time over 8,000 machines.

S. M. GABLE, wholesale and retail druggist, was born in Windsor Township. York County, March 21, 1847, to Valentine and Mary (Miller) Gable. Subject's father was born in Hopewell Township in 1809, and his mother the same year in Windsor Township. This family has been prominently con- nected with the history of York County for more than a century. The early life of our subject was spent in his native township. At eighteen years of age he hegan teaching school in Spring Garden Township. There he remained two years and then went to Lancaster County, and continued teaching for a number of years, and in the meantime he attended the State Normal School at Millersville. In 1873 he came to York and taught one year, and then went to New Albany, Ind., remained two years and then returned to York and in 1879 began the drug business. He has one of the choicest lines

of drugs to be found in York, and his store is a credit to the town. In 1883 he graduated from the Maryland College of Pharmacy, at Baltimore. He was married Centennial year to Miss Alice Pecling, a native of York Township, and daughter of John Peeling. Mr. Gable was for many years one of the leading teachers of Pennsylvania. He still mani- fests great interest in the cause of education. Mr. and Mrs. Gable are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended, Part 154

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