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 155

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 155

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I. C. GABLE, M. D., whose portrait, as one of the leading representative physicians of York, ap- pears in this work, is a native of York County and was born in Windsor Township June 26, 1849. His. ancestors, who. were of German and Swiss descent, immigrated to America about the middle of the seventeenth century; his paternal grandfather was a soldier in the American Revolution and fought under Gen. Anthony Wayne in the war against the Indians. The subject of our sketch received his preliminary education in his native county and in the State Normal School at Millersville, Lancaster County. In 1867 he began teaching in the schools of Spring Garden Township, and subsequently be- came the principal of the schools of Port Royal, Juniata County, Penn., and Murray, Ind. On July 4, 1871, Dr. Gable hegan a tour through the Western States and the Indian Territory, acting a portion of the time as a newspaper correspondent. After

three years' travel, visiting the leading cities and towns and gathering much useful information, he determined to return to York and engaged in the profession of medicine. With Dr. J. W. Kerr, of York, he finished a course of preliminary reading, and in September, 1875, he went to Philadelphia and under the preceptorship of Dr. Charles T. Hunter, late chemical surgeon in the University of Pennsyl- vania, continued his studies in that city until he was graduated from the university March 12, 1877, subsequently taking a post graduate course in his alma mater, devoting most of his time to the special study of general surgery in that institution and in the surgical dispensary of the Pennsylvania Hospital. Dr. Gable located for practice in York in November, 1877, where he has since been actively engaged and has established a most successful gen- eral practice. His special professional taste, how- ever, apparently inclines in favor of surgery. He is a young man of untiring energy and a devoted

YORK BOROUGH.

student to his chosen profession. In person Dr. Gable is a genial gentleman and thoroughly pro- gressive; is a member of the National State and County Medical Association, and a member of the Presbyterian Church of York.

A. F. GEESEY, ex-treasurer of York County, was born in York Township, this county, November 21, 1841, son of Jonathan and Sarah (Flinchbaugh) Geescy. He is one of a family of ten children and is of Swiss extraction. His parents were also born in York County, Penn. The father was born in 1809 and died in 1877, and the mother was born in 1807. The paternal grandfather of our subject was horn in this county. The Geesey family came to York County in 1732 and made settlement about eight miles southeast of York. A. F. Geesey worked on the farm until seventeen years of age, and then in a store for two years, after which he began teaching school. In 1864 he enlisted in Com- pany K, One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania Veterans, and served one year. Upon returning home he taught school one year and then engaged in general merchandising at Dallastown, York Co., Penn., which he continued nine years. In 1876 he came to York, Penn., where he has since resided. Mr. Geesey has always been a Democrat, and for several years has been one of the leaders of that party in York County. In 1878 he was elected treasurer of York County. In 1866 he married B. Ellen Howis, a native of this county, and they have one child, Clarence A. Mr. Geesey is a Mason. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church.

DANIEL L. GLATFELTER, son of Elijah and Mary (Lefever) Glatfelter, was born in York County, April ,18, 1846, was educated at the public schools, and until the age of fifteen years assisted on the home farm. He then began life on his own account, and is now one of the most successful farmers in the township. In 1881 he formed a co-partnership with John Waltz and William Miller, erected a building at York, procured the proper machinery and engaged in the manufacture of paint; he still retains his interest in this business in conjunction with bis extensive farming interests. In November, 1870, Mr. Glatfelter married Miss Annie, daughter of George Pfaltzgraff.

GEORGE GRAYBILL is a native of York County, born in 1846, and son of Samuel and Chris- tianna (Zeigler) Graybill, both natives of the county. His father was a farmer and horticulturist of West Manchester. He died August, 1882. Mother died about 1856; four children were born to them, our subject being the youngest. He was reared on a farm and nursery until fourteen years of age. He received a good education in the common schools and the York County Academy, At the age of fif- teen, he commenced to learn the milling trade, at. which he was employed until 1862, when he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Sixty-sixth Reg- iment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, as corporal, and was with regiment until it was mustered out July, 1863. He was a participant in the following engagements: siege of Suffolk, Carrsville, Frank- lin, Black Water River and several minor engage- ments. He then went to a military school for a few months in Philadelphia, and in August, 1864, be re- enlisted in the Two Hundredth Pennsylvania Volun- teer Infantry as private, and was promoted to first sergeant, serving with this regiment until May 1865, taking part in various engagements, Petersburg, Fort Steadman, Hatches Run, Jerusalem Plank Road, Fort Hell, capture of Petersburg and the sur- render of Gen. Lec. In April 18, 1865, he was com- missioned second lieutenant of the Third United States colored troops, and served until November, 1865. Upon his return he went to Reading and grad- uated from the People's Business College. Return-

ing to York, he was engaged as a clerk, until 1870, when he engaged in the fire and life insurance busi- ness, at which he has since been engaged. He rep- resents nine fire, two life, and one-plate glass com- pany-all good companies representing $28, 000,- 000 capital. Mr. Graybill is an active business man and does large business. He has served on the town council. He has been an officer in various militia organizations and is now State treasurer and member of the executive committee of the State Volunteer Fire Association, and president of the Fireman's Union of York.

D.K.GOTWALD,M.D., is a son of Rev. L.A.Got- wald, D. D., and Mary A. (King) Gotwald, of York, and was born in Cumberland County, Penn., in 1860. He received his education in York, attending the academy and college, subsequently entering the drug store of H. C. Blair's Sons of Philadelphia, where he remained two years. Deciding upon the profession of medicine, he entered the office of Dr. Jacob Hay, remained under his instructions until he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, receiving the first prize, in 1882. He then entered the Philadelphia Hospital, where he remained one year. In 1883 he commenced the practice of his chosen profession in York, where he is still engaged. Dr. Gotwald is a member of the York County Med- ical Society, and a young man of promise. He was united in marriage September 6, 1883, with Miss Julia Kurtz, daughter of William H.Kurtz of York. They have one child.

H. J. GRESLY, green-grocer and provision dealer, was born in York in 1834, son of Andrew and Rosanna (Schrum) Gresly, and is of German origin. He is the eldest in a family of eight ebil- dren. His father was born in Baden, Germany, in 1801. and his mother in Wurtemburg, in 1803. The Gresly family came to America in 1832, and settled in western Pennsylvania for a time and subse- quently came to York County. By occupation the father of Mr. Gresly was a butcher. He died in York. in 1882. The mother died in 1853. The sub- ject of this biography was reared in York, and here. he attended the common schools. He learned the butcher's trade with his father. In 1853 he entered the United States Navy and for three years and four months was on the United States Frigate "Savannah," on the coast of Brazil. In 1856 he came to America and in 1857 went to Decorah, lowa, and there engaged in the butchering business, and there remained until 1859, when he returned to York. In 1862 he again joined the United States Navy, and was on the United States steamship "New Iron- sides." Serving fourteen months he returned to York and engaged in his present business, which he has since continued. He has also been, and is en- gaged in the cattle business. The marriage of Mr. Gresly was solemnized in 1857, to Miss Anna M. Jamison, of York, Penn. To this union were born four children, as follows: David A., Bertha L., Nellie G. and R. J. Mrs. Gresly died in 1874, and in 1880 Mr. Gresly was married to Miss Mary H. Snyder, of Hanover, Penn. Politically Mr. Gresly is a Republican. In 1879 he was elected chief burgess of York and re-elected in 1882. He is the only Republican elected to this office in York since 1862. He is a member of the G. A. R., and of the Lutheran Church. He is a successful and leading citizen. Mr. Gresly had a brother killed in the Mountain Meadow massacre in Utah, in 1857, and another brother died in the famous prison at Andersonville in 1864.

JOHN K. GROSS, passenger and freight agent for the Pennsylvania and Northern Central Rail- ways, was born in Harrisburg. Penn., in 1845, son of D. W. and Elizabeth (Kunkel) Gross and is of French- Swiss extraction. His father was born near Harrisburg, Penn., in 1810, and his mother in the

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

same vicinity in 1822, and died in 1882. The Gross and Kunkel families have long been recognized as early settlers of this part of the Pennsylvania com- monwealth. John K. Gross was educated at Frank - lin and Marshall College, from which he graduated with honors in 1867, and then began the study of law in Harrisburg under the guidance of John C. Kunkle, who died soon afterward. Mr. Gross then continued his studies under Judge Simonton. In 1872 he came to York and the following year was appointed agent for the Pennsylvania and Northern Central Railway Companies at this place and has since held that position. In Mr. Gross the railway companies have a most faithful and trusted employe and under his administration their business has been greatly increased at this place. Mr. Gross was mar- ried in 1874 to Annie Mesick, daughter of Rev. John F. Mesick, who for many years was pastor of the Reformed Church of Harrisburg, Penn. They have four children: Elsie K., Janet P., John M. and Margaret Perrine. Mr. Gross is a Republican and for many years has taken much interest in State and national politics and has always been an earnest Cameron advocate. He is a Mason. Mr. and Mrs. Gross are members of the Presbyterian Church.

PROF. GEORGE W. GROSS, A. M., principal of the York County Academy, was born in Jackson Township, York County, Penn., Jannary 17, 1856, son of Israel F. and Malinda (Hantz) Gross, and is of German descent. His parents were both born in this county, the father in 1832, and the mother in 1833. Onr subject, at eight years of age. removed with his parents from Jackson Township to the town of York. He was educated at the public schools of York, the York County Academy and the Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg. He graduated from the last-named institution in 1877, and the same year began the study of the law in York nn- der the direction of Henry L. Fisher. He was ad- mitted to the York County Bar in 1879. In 1880 he was elected principal of the York County Academy to succeed Prof. G. W. Ruby. As an educator Prof. Gross, takes rank among the most prominent in York County. He is a Republican and is a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church.

JOHN H. HAMME, son of Jonas and Catherine (Eisenhart) Hamme, was born in Dover Township, March 6, 1838. He is the fifth of ten children: Annie, Eliza, Adam, Elleu, John H., George H. (deceased), William (deceased), Amanda, Martin and Rebecca. Mr. Hamme's mother was the daugh- ter of Dr. George H. Eisenhart, of West Manchester Township, and she still lives, at the advanced age of eighty years, in the village of Dover, York County. November, 1871, Mr. Hamme married Sarab Bent- zel, and this marriage was blessed with six chil- dren: Carrie C., William (deceased), Annie V., Shu- man F., Harry L. and Minnie May. Mr. Hamme's ocenpatiou has always been farming, to which he was reared. He recently leased the Motler House in York.

HANTZ BROS. (B. Franklin and Charles F. Hantz), hardware merchants of York, are sons of Jacob Hantz, who, in 1842, was elected the first Whig sheriff of York county, and are of Swiss- German ancestry. John Nicholas Hantz married Anna Barbara Burghart in the province of Starken- burg, Sponheim County, Germany, in 1737. He died in the Fatherland, date unknown, and left four children, viz .: John Andreas. Maria Catrine, Mary Margaretta and Catrina Elizabeth. On Joue 22,1751, the widow of John Nicholas Hantz was mar- ried to John Peter Streher, and three years later the entire family set sail from Rotterdam, Holland, for America, and located in Dover Township among the first settlers. In 1758 John Peter Streher became one of the founders of the Dover Church,

and at times, during the absence of ministers, was empowered by the Lutheran synod to officiate at cer- tain religions services. He taught the first parochial school at the Dover Church. John Andreas Hantz, who accompanied the emigrant party in 1754, became the ancester of the Hantz family in Amer- ica. One of his sons, Andrew Hantz, born in Dover Township, was married to Mary Sharp. They had children as follows: John, Jacob, Philip, Daniel, Joseph, Catharine, Susan and Mary Ann. Jacob Hantz, the second son, was born 1797, mar- ried Magdalena Hershey in 1821, and the same year began keeping Hantz's Hotel in York, now known as the Mother House, which, under him, was a very popular and well-kept house of public lentertain- ment. He continued the business at the same stand until his election as sheriff of York County, which office he filled with signal ability. After- ward engaged in the hardware business, under the firm of Hantz, Frick & Co., at the stand now ocen- pied by his sons. He died in 1868, and his sons then succeeded him. He left three sons: Henry A., B. Frank and Charles F. Henry A. Hantz married Henrietta L. Beeler. They have three daughters, viz .: Annie M. (married ;to Ivan Glossbrenner), Lucy H. (married to Edward Chapin, Esq.), and Mary A. (married to Robert Stair). B. Franklin (married to Rebecca Graybill of West Manchester Township). They have three children as follows: Charles Edward, Alice and Grant.

COL. GEORGE HAY, deceased, was born in York, Penn., Angust 1, 1809, and was a son of John and Susan (Smyser) Hay. He was the third in a family of seven children, and of German descent. He was a representative of an old-time family of this connty, and here his father and grandfather were born. By occupation Mr. Hay was a cabinet- maker and undertaker, and this work he continued until his death, which occurred May 24, 1879. The marriage of Mr. Hay took place in 1830, to Miss Susan Demuth, a native of York County, and one of six children born to her parents, who were natives of York County. To Mr. and Mrs. Hay were born five children, only one of which survives the father, viz .: Amanda. Col. Hay was a brave and true soldier in the late war, and was also a member of the I. O. O. F., and of the Lutheran Church. He was a leading and prominent man, and greatly re- spected citizen of York.

SAMUEL HAY, ex-deputy sheriff, son of George and Susan (Schall) Hay, of York, Penn., was born September 16, 1810, in York Borongh. He attended the borough school, and also the York County Academy, and afterward learned the trade of cigar making. January 31, 1833, he married Snsan Wilt, daughter of Peter and Catherine (Ernst) Wilt, of York, Penn. Two children were born to them, Sarah (deceased wife of George Gardner), and Catherine (deceased wife of Hamilton Bletcher). Our snb- ject's grandfather came from Germany, and was one of the early settlers of York. He owned all the land on which several hundred houses are now built on Queen, King, Princess Streets, and the surround- ing neighborhood. Few men are better or more favorably known thronghont York County than our subject, he having been deputy sheriff over twenty years, and a better or more efficient officer never held that position.

JACOB HAY, M. D., is a native of York, and was born in 1833. His parents were Dr. Jacob and Sarah (Beard) Hay, representing two families of early settlers in York County. His grandfather, whose name was also Jacob Hay, was an emigrant from Scotland to the province of Pennsylvania, early in the colonial period, and located in York, where he became a prominent merchant and justice of the peace. George Beard, his maternal grand- father, was one of the first immigrants that settled

YORK BOROUGH.

in the present region of Spring Garden Township, on land still occupied by the Indians to whom he gave a pick and shovel to please them and make his title doubly sure. The two occupations of farming and hotel keeping, were successfully followed by him. Dr. Jacob Hay, Sr., who for fifty-five years was a prominent and influential physician and public spirited citizen of York, after receiving an elemen- tary education in his'native town, entered Princeton College, at which institution he graduated. He read medicine with Dr. John Spangler of great local fame, and completed his course by graduating at the University of Maryland. For a number of years he was president of the York Bank, and a trustee of the York County Academy. He died in York, April, 1875, and his wife died in July of the same year. Both were members of the Lutheran Church. They had eight children, as follows : Dr. John, a successful physician who died at forty-two; Mary E., now widow of the late Dr. J. A. Brown, president of the Lutheran Theological Seminary, at Gettysburg ; Caroline ; Lucy, widow of W. H. Davis ; Dr. Jacob; William, a graduate of Pennsyl- vania College, and many years a prominent member of the York bar. He was a presidential elector from this district, representing the Republican party in the campaign of 1876. He died at the early age of forty-seven, after a very successful career in the practice of his chosen profession. He was a gentle- man of very high repute and universally esteemed for his manly virtues and estimable character. The two youngest children were Henry and Sarah, both deceased. Dr. Jacob Hay, who is now familiarly known in York Borough and through the county as a very extensive practitioner, spent his school-hoy days in the York County Academy. After reading medicine in the office of his father, he entered the medical department of the University of Maryland, where he graduated in the spring of 1854; since that time he has been in continuous practice. He is a member of the National, State and County Medical Association, and was for a time president of the last named body; is a member of the Masonic order of Knight Templars, York Commandery. For a period of twelve years Dr. Hay has been an active member of the board of school control of York, and served as president of the board for several years. In 1865 he was married to Catherine Smyser, daughter of Joseph Smyser, of York. They have four children, namely : Nellie, Lucy, Joseph and Katie. Dr. Hay and family are mem- bers of the Lutheran Church.

DAVID HECKERT is a native of York, Penn., born in 1825, is a son of Jacob and Salome (Her- bach) Heckert, is of German extraction and is traced authoratively to Francis Heckert, who was born in New Bamberg, in the kingdom of Bavaria, in 1703. His father's name was Conrad Heckert, a native of the same town. Francis Heckert was married February 25, 1728, to Miss Mary Margaretha Hilda Seymering, of Wallerthum, Bavaria. To this union were born three children as follows: Magdalena, John Jacob and John Peter. This family came to America in 1737, and settled in the territory that now comprises York County. The great-grandfather of our subject was John Jacob Heckert, born in Bavaria, April 13, 1730, and his grandfather was Jacob Heckert, who, one year (1775) prior to the Revolutionary war, was bound out to Lawrence Etter, of York Township, to learn the wagon-maker's trade. He was tax collector of York during the years 1793 and 1795, and member of the house of representative 1812-13. The father of Mr. Heckert was born in York, August 21, 1791, and died October 2, 1871. The boyhood of our subject was spent in attending the early schools of York. His first tutor was a Mrs. Willis. At seveuteen he began serving an apprenticeship to the tinner

and coppersmith trades, and in September, 1847, he went to Baltimore, Md., and continued his trade for some time. In 1850 he went to Independence, Mo., and there remained seven months, and then removed to Memphis, Tenn., where he continued his trade more than one year, and then returned to his native town and county. Here, in 1855, he began business, in which he has since continued, the firm being now known as Heckert & Bros. In 1884 he erected his business and residence block on Lot No. 26 East Market Street. Politically he affil- liates with the Republican party. Ancestors Luth- eran. List of members for the house of represent- atives of commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the session of 1812-13 for York County: James S. Mitchell, Adam Hendricks, Peter Storm, Jacob Heckert. Officers for same term: George Heckert, clerk; Samuel D. Franks, assistant clerk; John Benjamin, sergeant-at-arms; Henry Lechler, door- keeper. George Hecker's residence at that time was at Lancaster City. He was a lawyer hy profession, and practiced law at Lancaster bar later on in life. He was a son of Jacob Heckert, who resided in Lan- caser City till late in life. He had four children-three sons and one daughter. George the eldest lived to the age of eighty-six; Catharine, eighty-four; Jacob, eighty-one; Daniel, forty-seven. Daniel Heckert was a printer by profession in the year 1811. He was in connection with Updegraff, doing business under the firm name of Heckert & Updegraff. Published a paper called the York Expositor, issued weekly. In 1812 he enlisted in the company which went from York to the defense of Baltimore, and marched to North Point; was in the engage- ment at that place; died in 1829.

HEFFENER & SEACRIST, cigar-box manu- facturers of York, are extensively known as pros- perous business men. This industry was started in 1872 by H. W. Heffener, on a small scale, in the rear of College Avenue, then only employing four hands. Business increasing he moved to another location, where, with better facilities, he increased the number of his employes to fifteen hands. In 1879 he associated with his present partner, H. Sea- crist. In 1881 they removed to their present loca- tion on Charles Avenue, where they erected a build- ing sixty-three feet long and thirty-two feet wide, especially adapted to their business. They have since added two new apartments, increasing their force to the extent of employing fifty workmen, and use a twenty-horse power engine, running four saws. The capacity of their establishment is 25,000 boxes weekly, which are made principally of cedar and poplar. They expend $2,000 per month for label paper and their trade is extended over Penn- sylvania and Maryland. Messrs. Heffener & Sea- crist are both practical workmen and superintend their business personally; the success that has at- tended their efforts is the result of faithful applica- tion to business and honorable methods; their busi- ness is rapidly increasing.

H. W. HEFFENER, the senior member of the firm, was born in York in 1845, and is a son of Will- jam H. and Charlotte (Reika) Heffener, natives of Germany, who settled in York the same year our subject was born. At the age of sixteen he enlisted in Company G, Ninth Pennsylvania Veteran Cav- alry, and soon after his regiment was placed under Gen. Kilpatrick's command, the only Pennsylvania Cavalry in Sherman's famous march from Atlanta to the sea. He participated in all of the engage- ments and skirmishes of his regiment from Atlanta, Ga., to Morrisonville, N. C., where he saw Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's force surrender, and remained with Sherman's army until the close of the war. At Waynesboro, his horse was shot dead from under him. He was one of the 100 men selected to carry important dispatches from Gen. Kilpatrick to Gen.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

HW Heffener

Sherman. They performed the daring act of pierc- ing the Confederate lines, and passing through them to their general (Sherman) in command. This was considered one of the most daring acts of the war, and richly merits the admiration of all. The Ninth captured during its service some 8,000 pris- oners and twenty-eight pieces of artillery, and de- stroyed hundreds of miles of railroad and bridges. The Ninth was known as Krider's Mounted Rang- ers, and did scout duty for all the prominent gen- erals in the department of Kentucky. Mr. Heffener was one of thirty scouts under the famous "Ken- tucky Bill," that burnt the house of Gen. Battle, where all the guerillas had their headquarters, and were commanded by a son of the General. After being mustered out at Harrisburg, our subject re- turned to York and followed the trade of painting until 1868. He then became a fireman on the North- ern Central Railroad, until he engaged at his pres- ent business. He is a member of the G. A. R., a member of the town council of York, vice-president of the Anchor Building Association, a director in the Protective Building Association, and a member of the Rescue Fire Company. Mr. Heffener was married to Miss Rebecca Brenner, of Adams County, in April, 1883. They have one child, George W. Heffener.

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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 155

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