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 156

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 156

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).

H. SEACRIST, the second member of this firm, was born in Manchester Township, in 1838. He is the son of Henry and Martha (Dailey) Seacrist; the father is a native of the county, and the mother of Maryland. Our subject was educated in the schools of the county, and at the age of nineteen learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until 1879, when he embarked in his present business. Mr. Seacrist is an efficient business man, and gives his entire attention to its requirements. He was united in marriage, in 1858, with Miss Susan Stough, a daughter of David Stough, whose ancestors were among the first German settlers in that section of the county, immigrating about 1750. Mr. Seacrist and wife have three children: Henry C., Sarah N. and Emma J. The family are members of the Re- formed Church.

Henry Seacrist

J. D. HEIGES, D. D. S., son of Jacob and Eliz- abeth (Mumper) Heiges, was born in September, 1833. His father was a chair manufacturer and cabinet-maker of Dillsburg. J. D. Heiges assisted his father until 1854, when he began the study of dentistry under Dr. Beuny, of Mechanicsburg, Cumberland Co., Penn., with whom he remained several years; then came to York and engaged with Dr. Thomas Tyrrell, with whom he remained until the fall of 1858, when he entered the Baltimore Dental College. After attending the first sessions, he took up the practice of dentistry, and subse- quently returned to the college for the sessions of 1862-63, and graduated in the fall of the last named year. He returned to York where he has since continued to practice with success. Dr. Heiges was married, in September, 1867, to Annie C., daughter of William and Mary E. (Boyer) Smith, of York. They have eight children, viz .: William S., Thomas T., John C., Philip B., Horace M., Jay Clifford, Amiee E., Robert R. Dr. Heiges is a member of St. John's Episcopal Church, in which he has been vestryman for about fourteen years.

HON. GEORGE W. HEIGES, attorney at law, was born in Dillsburg, York Co., Penn., May 18, 1842. His father, Jacob Heiges, was a prominent chair manufacturer of York County. His mother was Elizabeth Heiges, whose maiden name was Mumper. The Heiges family is of German origin. Mr. Heiges was educated at the public schools of York and at the York County Academy. He later was principal of the York Classical and Normal Institute, and again was appointed one of the prin- cipals of the local normal school and a tutor at the York County Academy. Completing the usual course of legal studies, he was admitted to the bar in 1867, and immediately began practice. In 1872 he was elected to the legislature and re-elected in 1873. He was a member of several important com- mittees, and during his last term he was noted for the prominent action that he took on all important questions. He is a Democrat, one of the leading lawyers at the York County bar, and was elected chief burgess of York in 1885. He is a prominent

YORK BOROUGH.

Mason. He has always taken an active part in all the political movements of the county and State, and is especially interested in all matters of advance- ment and increase of public and educational inter- ests. In 1877-78-79 he was attorney to the board of commissioners of York County. He was married, in 1874, to Miss Mary E. Gallagher, a native of York and a daughter of John Gallagher (deceased). He is the father of two children: Helen Days and Stewart Sprigg.

MICHAEL HEIMAN, son of John and Anna Mary (Hultzler) Heiman, was born in Bavaria, Ger- many, May 1, 1842. His parents immigrated to America when he was but three years old, settling in Baltimore, where they remained three years, and then removed to York County. Our subject was one of the first in the county to respond to the call of President Lincoln for volunteers, and on the 19th of April, 1861. he offered his services to pro- tect the property of the Northern Central Railroad between York and Baltimore. April 29, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Sixteenth Regiment Penn- sylvania Volunteers, for three months' service, at the expiration of which he re-enlisted in Company B, Eighty-seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- teer Infantry, for three years' service. He was engaged in all the battles participated in by the Eighty-seventh Regiment until June 23, 1864, when, at the battle of Petersburg, Va., he was takeu pris- oner and confined in Libby prison, subsequently being removed and confined in the following prison pens in the South: Belle Island. Danville, Va., thence to Andersonville, Millen, Blackshire, and Thomasville, Ga., and then returned to Anderson- ville, escaping on his way, about the 23d of Decem- ber, 1864, and after traveling about two weeks through the swampy land of Irwin and Isabella Counties for about seventy-five miles, was recap- tured and taken back to Andersonville. He again escaped from Andersonville about April 17, 1865. and after enduring great hardships finally reached the Union lines at Macon, Ga., and from thence returned home and was discharged June 19, 1865, at Harrisburg, Penn. Time in service over four years. He was in Southern prisons from June 23, 1864. until May 2, 1865. Mr. Heiman has resided in York con- tinually since the war, and is now engaged at shoemaking, 118 East King Street. He is a member of Post No. 37. G. A. R. October, 1867, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Sowers, of Adams County. Penn. Five children have been born to them: John, Anna C., Henry, William and Erasmus M.

THEODORE R. HELB was born in York Coun- ty, and is the son of Frederic and Rebecca (Henry) Helb, the former a native of Germany; and the lat- ter a native of York County. His father, by trade, was a tanner, but subsequently engaged in the brewing business at Shrewsbury Station, York County. Theodore attended the common schools of York County, and subsequently went to Balti- more, Md., and took up a course of studies at the Knapp German and English Institute. After finish- ing his studies, he apprenticed himself to Jacob Seeger to learn the brewing business at Baltimore, Md. He finished his trade and returned to Shrews- bury, York County, and assisted his father in the brewing business. In 1873 he came to York, and erected a large, commodious brewery, and engaged in the business himself, in which he is doing a large trade. He was married January 22, 1874, to Miss Louisa, daughter of John and Margaret Rausch, of Baltimore, Md. To this union were born two chil- dren: Louis F. and Herbert T. Mr. Helb is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F., also of the K. of P., I. O. of Heptasoph and I. O. R. M.

JOHN W. HELLER, attorney at law, is a native of Franklin, Va., born October 24, 1838, son of Rev.

J. and Eliza (Fisher) Heller, and is of German origin. The father of Mr. Heller was born in Adams County, Penn., in 1806. He was a German Reformed minister for many years. His death occurred in Highland County, Ohio, in 1875. The mother of the subject was a native of Franklin County, 'Pa. Mr. Heller received a common school education. In 1857 he went to Fremont, Ohio, and there began his legal studies under Judge T. P. Finefrock, and was admitted to the bar at that place. For three months he was a soldier and mem- ber of the Eighth Ohio Volunteers. In 1865 he came to York, and the same year was admitted to the York County bar, and has been engaged in the active practice of his profession. In 1877 he was elected district attorney for York County, and suc- cessfully held the office one term. He is an able lawyer, and enjoys an extensive practice at the York County bar. His marriage to Miss Ella J. Engles, daughter of ex-sheriff Engles, of York County, was solemnized in 1867. To this union have been born five children, viz .: Thomas P., Sarah E., George E., John and Henry T. Mr. Heller is an earnest advocate of the principles of the Democratic party, and a prominent man.

DR. T. J. HERBERT, veterinary surgeon, York, Penn., treats all diseases of horses and cattle, and of all domestic animals.

JACOB HERMAN. a native of York County, was born June 22, 1849. His parents, Adam and Catharine Herman, were also natives of the county, and farmers of West Manchester Township. Jacob obtained his education in the public schools, and the York County Academy; in the latter institution he remained for eight years. After completing his studies, he was connected with Brillinger, Lanius & Co., lumber merchants at York, for one year. He then engaged in the nursery and seeding business with E. J. Evans, and subsequently engaged in the sewing machine trade. continuing for a period of five years. Mr. Herman next embarked in the flour, feed and grain business, and has succeeded in establishing a successful trade. He was united in marriage December 25, 1876, with Miss Dollie E., daughter of John and Elnoran Brougher, of Cum- berland County, Penn. This union has been blessed with two children: Nora K. and Elve A.

W. H. HIERMAN was born in York in 1851, and is a son of Rutter and Mary C. (Strickler) Herman, of German descent. The family is one of the oldest in York Borough. W. H. Herman received a good academical and high school education, and then served an apprenticeship of three years in A. B. Farquhar's machine shops. He next learned the art of printing under Hiram Young, of York, finishing at the office of the Lancaster Inquirer. Returning to York in 1876, he established a job-printing office, the first in the horough, and has established a fine trade. In 1880 he married Annie L. Heckert, of York. Mr. and Mrs. Herman are connected with the Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Herman is choir-leader.

EDWARD R. HERR was born in Baltimore, Md., July 16, 1846, and is a son of John and Eliza- beth (Reinicker) Herr. Mr. Herr's father, a native of Lancaster County, was born January 19, 1806, his mother was born in Baltimore, Md., about 1816. The father of our subject removed to Balti- more at an early age, and engaged in commission business, in which he continued until 1846, when he came to York and was elected president of what was then the York & Cumberland Railway. He remained in active railway life until 1860 when he retired from business. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and one of the most popular railway men of York County. His death occurred February 3, 1876. At fifteen years of age Mr. Herr enlisted in Company I, Eighty-seventh

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was at the battle of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Win- chester, etc., and was taken prisoner near Bunker Hill, Va., on the retreat from Winchester to Har- per's Ferry, and for a short time was in Libby prison also at Belle Isle. He was discharged at York, October 13, 1864. He was married December 20, 1881, to Miss Emma Landes, a native of York. To this marriage has been born one child, viz .: Rein- icker. The maternal grandfather of our subject was George Reinicker, who was born April 31, 1785, and who died September 10, 1805. Mr. Herr is a member of the G. A. R.

GEORGE W. HESS, manufacturer of lounges, wire, hair and husk matresses, was born in York in 1848, is a son of William and Sarah (Welsh) Hess, and is of German origin. At the early age of eight years, Mr. Hess was thrown entirely upon his own resources, and for several years was employed at different occupations. Later he was given a clerk- ship in the store of P. A. & S. Small, where he remained in faithful service for thirteen years. In 1881 he began the mattress business and this yet coutinues. He was married in 1872 to Miss Emma V. Schall of York. They have two children: Will- iam and George. He is a Republican, and a member of the K. of P.

ALBERTUS HIBNER, contractor and builder, was born in York, Penn., November 15, 1833, is a son of Augustus and Margaret (Rodgers) Hibner, is of French-English descent, and is the eldest in a family of three children. His father was also a native of York, Penn., and was born in 1809; his mother was born in Freystown, in 1814. His paternal grandfather was Frederick Hibner, a native of France, who came to America with a fleet fitted out by Gen. La Fayette, and took part in the Revolution- ary war. Mr. Hibner received a good common school education, and at seventeen years of age began a four years' apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade under Jacob Quichel. In 1860 he began car- pentering and contracting for himself, which occu- pation he still continues, and is one of the success- ful contractors of York. The marriage of Mr. Hib- ner occurred in 1858, to Miss Sarah Krone, a native of York, Penn. Politically Mr. Hibner is a Dem- ocrat, and has held the office of borough surveyor, and been a member of the school board for a number of years In 1855 he was made an Odd Fel. low, and is now a member of Harmonia Lodge, No. 853, and for ten years has represented this lodge in the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

R. HOFFHEINS, one of the leading dealers, and formerly manufacturer of agricultural imple- ments, is a descendent of Johann Adam Hoffheins, who with his brother, Johann Daniel, emigrated from the Upper Rhine country to America, arriving at Philadelphia. on the ship Pallas, November 25, 1763. The latter settled in Lancaster County, where he. married a sister of the Rev. Wagner, of the Ger- man Reformed Church. The former began farming near Reading; about 1780 he removed to Dover Township. York County, losing in the interval all his means through the depreciation of Continental money. His son, Sebastian, who was born in Berks County, in 1767, was married to Barbara, daughter of Joseph and Mary Gochenour. She was born in 1764 and died in 1844. Sebastian was a farmer, shoemaker, and school-teacher, and a resident of Dover Township until his death in 1852. Their son, Jonas, the father of our subject, was a farmer and resided in Dover Township all his life. He died in Dover Borough in 1857. The mother of our subject was Susan, daughter of Peter and Catherine Weigel of West Manchester Township. She is still living, and a resident of York. Two brothers of Barbara Gochenour and two uncles of Catherine (Upp) Weigel were soldiers in the Revolution. Two

children are descendents of Jonas and Susan Hoff- heins, Samuel, a resident of Adams County, Penn., and Reuben, the subject of this biography. He was reared upon the farm in Dover Township, and until seventeen years of age was an assistant of his father. He then learned the carpenter trade, which he followed several years. embarking at the expira- tion of that time in business for himself by starting a shop at Dover, for the repair of agricultural im plements. Possessing natural mechanical aptitude he soon extended his field of operations and began the manufacture of various farming implements with valuable patented improvements, invented by himself, among which may be named the self-rak- ing reaper; horse hay rake and cultivator and plant- er, together with other articles of minor import- ance. In 1865 be removed to York, and under the firm name of Hoffheins, Shireman & Co., begau the manufacture of reapers, mowers and agricultural implements upon a scale which the enlarged facili- ties of York afforded, employing at that period about sixty hands. In 1869 Mr. Hoffheins disposed of his interest in the manufacturing business and has since devoted his time to farming and the sale of agricultural implements. His headquarters are in York, where he carries a full line of all the im- plements necessary to agriculture. He has branch houses at East Berlin and Table Rock, Adams County, and one at Dover, all of them being under his general supervision. Mr. Hoffheins has done much to improve the machinery in this field and has several valuable patents. He has always been deeply interested in farming, and is at present vice- president of the York County Agricultural Society. Mr. Hoffheins was united in marriage in 1857, with Miss Lydia Lenhart, daughter of William Lenhart, of Dover Township, and a descendant of an old York County family. Two children are living: William L. and Franklin G .; both assisting their father in his business enterprises.

AMOS HOFFMAN is a dealer in clothing, gents furnishing goods, hats, caps, etc., and in connection has a complete merchant tailoring department. Mr. Hoffman is a native of Rohrerstown, Lancaster Co., Penn., was born in 1842, is a son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Huffnagle) Hoffman and is of German descent. His father was born in Lancaster County, Penn., in 1802, and his mother in 1804. His grand- father was Philip Hoffman. The great-grandfather of our subject came to America from Germany and settled in Pennsylvania. Mr. Hoffman's father died in 1880 and his mother in 1882. Our subject received a common school education. Later in life he learned the printer's trade, serving a regular apprenticeship. After continuing at this trade for several years he engaged in the merchandise busi- ness. In 1878 he came to York and has since been engaged in the clothing business which he success- fully continues. In 1884 he removed to his present salesroom in York; the main department being 25x150 feet. The marriage of Mr. Hoffman occurred in 1871, to Miss Clara Malthaner, a native of Bethlehem, Penn. Mrs. Hoffman died in 1874, and in 1879 he was married to Miss Bessie Hess, of Lancaster, Penn., daughter of Thomas and Eliza- beth Hessof Lebanon County, Penn. They have one child, Charles W. In 1863 Mr. Hoffman enlisted in Company K. Forty ninth Pennsylvania Volun- teers. He is a Republican, a member of K. of P., Red Men Lodge, G. A. R. and I. O. O. F. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman are members of the Reformed Church.

THOMAS HOLLAND, agent for the New York Powder Company, was born in York County, in in 1825, to Thomas and Elizabeth (Cremer) Holland and is of English extraction. By occupation, the father of Mr. Holland was a cooper; his death oc curred in York about 1840. The boyhood of our sub-

YORK BOROUGH.

ject was spent among strangers, and when very young he was thrown upon his own resources. At thirteen years of age he was bound out for six years to learn the tailor's trade, and afterward taught school for some time. He then learned the cigar trade, and in 1849 he began the cigar and tobacco business, which he continued until 1868, when he engaged in the hardware business in partnership with the firm of Thomas, Chambers & Co., which he continued until 1876, when he sold his interest to John F. Thomas, but continued as a salesman in the store until 1882, and since that time has been engaged in his present occupation. Mr. Holland was married in 1847 to Miss Rebecca Thomas. Three children were born to this union, Emma E. only survives. Mrs. Holland died in 1860, and seven years later Mr. Holland was married to Evaline Hummer, a native of Dover, York County, daughter of Michael Hummer. They had two children; Thomas H. only survives. Mr. Holland was formerly a Whig, but is now a Democrat, al- though in local matters he supports those who in his judgement are the best men. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Mrs. Holland is a member of the Evangelical Association.

WILLIAM HOSE, a representative of the man- ufacturing interests of York, is a native of the county and was born August 20, 1828. At the age of eighteen years he commenced an apprenticeship with the firm of Horn & Mitchell, carpenters and builders, with whom he remained for three years. Having become thoroughly proficient in his trade, he engaged at car building for two years, at the ex- piration of which time he accepted a position as foreman with the Billmeyer & Small Car Company, remaining with that company for over thirty years. Mr. Hose then purchased the sash and door manu- factory, operated by Eden & Blouser, and has re- arranged it, purchasing new machinery, etc. He has established a large trade, having added planing machinery, and now has facilities for turning out all kinds of building material. He is a public spir- ited citizen, a member of the I. O. O. F., the I. O. R. M., and of the I. O. of Heptasoph.

JOHN H. HOSHOUR, book-keeper at A. B.Far- quhar's, was born in Glen Rock, York County, is a son of J. V. and Maggie (Koller) Hoshour, and is one of four living children. His father is also a na- tive of York County, and was born August 21, 1814; his mother was born in Shrewsberry Township, in October, 1817. His paternal grandfather was born in Heidelberg Township. His great grandfather came from Germany and settled in York County. The father of Mr. Hoshour, at the age of twenty years, began teaching school, and four years later went into the store of Small, Myers & Latimer, at Shrewsberry, where he remained two years, and then began railroading and civil engineering. In 1836 he came to Glen Rock. He has been an active and successful business man, and it was not until February, 1885, that he retired from active life. At seventeen our subject entered Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, Penn., and continued three years; when, on account of ill health, he was compelled to abandon his studies. In 1870 he entered the employ of Fry, Herbst & Co., at Glen Rock, as book-keeper. For some years, Mr. Hoshour was engaged in the manufacturing business, at Glen Rock; selling his interest in 1879, he came to York, and has since been in the employ of A. B. Farquhar. The mar- riage of Mr. Hoshour occurred March 14, 1872, to Miss Alice Cramer, daughter of E. L. and Polly Cramer, of Baltimore, Md. Mrs. Hoshour was born November 2. 1854, in Codorus Township, York Co., Penn. To this union were born two chil- dren, viz .: Howard P., born November 4, 1872, and Elvin H., horn April 5, 1874. Mrs. Hoshour died June 15, 1877. In April, the year following, Mr.

Hoshour married Miss Lida J. Armacost, of Balti- more County, Md., born July 4, 1860. To this mar- riage two children have been born: Carroll M., December 16, 1878, and J. Murray, January 30, 1881 (died October 26, 1881). He is a Republican and & member of the Lutheran Church.

GEORGE W. ILGENFRITZ. for many years & prominent manufacturer and business man of this section of Pennsylvania, was born in York, in 1821, to Daniel and Elizabeth (Deitch) Ilgenfritz, and is one of eight children. The great-grandfather of our subject was a native of Germany, who came to America in 1741, and settled in Conewago Town- ship, York Co., Penn. Subject's father was born in this county in 1790 and died in 1833. His mother was born in the same county in 1791, died in 1884. At twelve years of age our subject was thrown solely upon his own resources, and from that time he was forced to make his own way in life. First he learned the blacksmith's trade, then coach-mak- ing under Joseph Small, at which he continued to work for several years. In 1845 he began the man- ufacture of agricultural implements, which he con- tinued some time, and then began the construction of railway cars, and in this line of manufacture he was extensively engaged. In 1864 he sold his estab- lishmeut, but in 1866 he again engaged in business and continued some years. Mr. Ilgenfritz was mar- ried, in 1844, to Miss Isabella Emmett, a native of York County. Of eight children born three yet survive: Anna, David E. and Della. Mr. Ilgen- fritz is a Mason and a member of the Lutheran Church, of which his wife is also a member.

JOHN E. ILGENFRITZ, son of Martin and Mary Ann (Plowman) Ilgenfritz, of York, Penn., was born December 16, 1833, in Shrewsberry Town- ship. When our subject was a youth school advan- tages were limited, but he received a little instruc- tion in the schools of his village, and also attended one short term in Dunkard Valley, Springfield Township. He then served a three years' appren- ticeship at mill-wrighting, and as a journeyman worked at his trade ten years. He kept a restau- rant eight years in Glen Rock, and then, in 1864, enlisted in the One Hundred and First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, served until the close of the war and was honorably discharged at Harris- burg. After the war he began the butchering bus- iness at York, Penn. December 3, 1854, he married Rebecca Klinedinst, daughter of David and Cath- erine Klinedinst, of North Codorus Township. The children born to this marriage are the follow- ing, living: Margaret, Leonard, Zarvilla, David, Martin Edward, Ellsworth. Deceased: Martha J., Robert C., Charles L., John Wesley, Milliard Kemp aud Minnie May. Mr. Ilgenfritz has, in connection with his butchering, a well-stocked grocery store, and has always received a good share of patronage in his line of business.

WILLIAM H. KAIN was born January 4, 1848, in West Manchester Township. At the ageof sixteen he began teaching school, and at nineteen entered Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, and graduated four years later. At the age of twenty-three he was appointed county superintendent to fill the unexpired term of Stephen G. Boyd. This occurred in 1871. He was elected in 1872, and re-elected in 1875, serv- ing in all about seven years. In the year 1876 he prepared for the State Department a history of the progress of education in York County. Mr. Kain had a keen zest for learning, and was untiring in the pursuit of knowledge. Though firm in his dis- position, he was free from dogmatism and pedantry. Having a predilection for the practice of law, he was admitted to the bar in 1878, had acquired a lu- crative practice, and obtained prominence in his profession, when his career was cut short by pre- mature death on February 3, 1883. He was a man

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 156

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