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 161

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 161

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

standing that he should be major, but took first lieutenant. After a short time Capt. Herr resigned and he became the captain, and served as such in Company I, Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry up to October 15, 1864, when he was compelled to quit the service on account of his ill health. During his service he received four wounds, but none of a serious character, and was in bad health for some years after his return from the war. In 1875 he was elected a justice of the peace in York, and in 1881 was re-elected, and was well spoken of as a justice.

E. A. RICE, son of William H. and Sarah (Ju- lius) Rice, eldest of three children, was born June 14, 1863, in Dover Township. He was reared on a farm and received his education in the public schools of Paradise Township, and four years at East Berlin Normal School. He began teaching iu Paradise Township; after teaching three terms re- moved to York in 1882. where he has since resided, teaching the Penn Street Primary School one term, then promoted to teach No. 65 Secondary School; has just finished his second term bere and received a professional certificate from Prof. Shelley. Mr. Rice also attended the State Normal School, at Millersville, Penn. He is a young man of pleasing address, conscientious in the discharge of his duty and highly esteemed by all who know him. His father was born in Codorus Township, and brought up on a farm. September, 1862, he married Sarah Ju- lius, daughter of Peter aud Maria (Shaffer) Julius, of Dover Township. Three children were born of this marriage: E. A. (our subject), Annie M. and Charles P. His maternal ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Dover Township.

J. F. ROHRBACH, JR., dealer in all kinds of hardware, paints, oils and groceries, is a native oľ Codorus Township, born in 1851, son of J. F., Sr., and Julia A. (Geisleman) Rohrbach. In a family of twelve children he is the third, and is of German descent. His parents are natives of this county. Formerly Mr. Rohrbach was a farmer, but at about nineteen years of age he accepted a clerkship in the hardware store of Hantz & Bro .. of York, and here remained twelve years. In 1883 he began his present business, which has since increased from year to year until now he does an extensive trade. By the flood of 1884 he lost about $3.000. He was married, in 1875, to Miss Emma Meckly, who died in 1881. In 1883 he was united in marriage to Miss Ida Neiman. daughter of John Neiman. Mr. Rohr- bach has fought his every battle, and through energy he has been victorious. He was educated at the public schools. Mr. and Mrs. Rohrbach are members of the Lutheran Church, and are highly respected citizens.

JOSEPH ROOT, a native of New Hampshire, was born October 31, 1811, and is the son of Joseph and Lydia (Croak) Root. He received a good aca- demical education, aud at the age of nineteen began teaching in Vermont, and was thus employed for five successive terms of five months each. He was next employed by Alfred Blake, scale-maker, as a traveling salesman, and subsequently, in 1839, en- gaged in the manufacture of scales on his own account. In 1841 he formed a partnership at York with Emerson J. Case, who died in 1881, but the high reputation achieved by the firm for the supe- riority of its scales has induced Mr. Root to retain the name of the old firm. Root & Case, under which he still conducts the business. In the spring of 1850 Mr. Root married Miss Marion, daughter of Joseph Parkhurst, of Vermont, and to his nuptials have been born two children: Jabez H. and Helen M. Mr. Root is a member of the Presbyterian Church and also of Mt. Zion Lodge I. O. O. F.

PROF. GEORGE W. RUBY, PH. D. (deceased), was a native of Lower Windsor Township, York County, and was born July 4, 1824, to Henry and

Catherine (Rathfou) Ruby. He was of German descent. The parents of Dr. Ruby were also York County born, and the family dates at least 100 years in this county. Dr. Ruby first attended school at Lititz, Penn., then entered Marshall College, at Mercersburg, Penn., and from that college gradu- ated with honors in the class of 1848. He first taught school at Middletown, Md. In 1850 he came to York, and was immediately elected principal of the York County Academy. This position he filled for thirty consecutive years. During his adminis- tration more than 5,000 pupils received instruction from him. Prof. Ruby was married, December 14. 1848, to Miss H. Mary Hassler, a native of Franklin County, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Keiffer) Hassler. The Hassler family came from Germany many years ago aud settled in York County. To Dr. and Mrs. Ruby were born thirteen children, only four of whom survive their father: Henry J. Jolin C., William H. and Samuel. Dr. Ruby was a member of the German Reformed Church. His life was one of much usefulness, and in his death, which occurred November 16, 1880, the county lost one of its greatly respected citizens and hon- orable men. Mrs. Ruby is a member of the Germau Reformed Church and an amiable Christian lady.

WALTER B. RUBY, detective and constable, is a sou of Joseph and Sarah (Barnhart) Ruby, was born at Wrightsville, Penn., October 20, 1844, is one of fourteen children, and is of Scotch-German descent. The father was born in Somerset County, Penn., January 20, 1809, and died in York County, in 1871; the mother was born in York Couny, in 1811. In 1845 the Ruby family came to York. Mr. Ruby received a common school education, and at fourteen years of age began for himself in life; for some time he was news boy on the Northern Central Railroad In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Thirtieth Pennsylvania Vol- unteers, but on account of physical disability, was discharged in December of the same year. In Jan- uary, 1864, he enlisted again in the One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, Com- pany B, and was discharged at the close of the war. In 1874 he was given a position on the York police force, where he continued until 1879, and has since that time been acting in his present capacity. In 1880 and 1881, he was made foreman of the Laurel Fire Company. His marriage occurred in 1872, to Miss Sarah J. Fishel, of York County; he is a Democrat, and a member of the I. O. O. F., and I. O. H.

DANIEL A.RUPP, retired merchant, is a native of York, Penn., born in 1825, son of Daniel and Lydia (Small) Rupp, and is of German descent. His parents were both natives of York County; the father was born in 1776, and the mother in 1786. His paternal grandfather, Gotlieb Rupp, also a native of York County, was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. The Rupp family has been known in the history of this county for more than a century, aud has long been prominent in the business circles of York. Daniel A. Rupp was educated at the York County Academy. In 1844, he, in partnership with his brother, David Rupp, who died in 1871, engaged in general merchandising in York County, under the firm name of D. & D. A. Rupp. Mr. Rupp continued however until 1868. when he retired from active business life. He was married. in 1850, to Miss Sarah Dietz, a native of York County, and daughter of Jacob Dietz, a prominent builder and contractor of York, who was the principal contractor of York County Court House. To his marriage have been born two children: Harry and Anna V. Mr. and Mrs. Rupp are members of the Presbyterian Church.

DAVID RUPP, proprietor of the York Steam Soap Works, is a native of York, and a son of Da- vid and Henrietta (Harry) Rupp, natives of the

YORK BOROUGH.

county and of German descent. David Rupp, Sr., was for many years engaged in the dry goods trade in York, subsequently retired, and died in 1875; his wife is also deceased. They were the parents of nine children, of whom two are living. our subject and Lydia S., wife of H. S. Myers, of York. David Rupp, our subject, in 1876 engaged with P. H. Sprenkle and C. F. Ford, in the manufacture of quercitron extract for dyeing, remaining with them five years, and then conducting the business two years alone. In 1879 he embarked in his present enterprise in association with J. R. Busser, whose father had originated the soap works. They were in company together three years, when Mr. Rupp took full charge, enlarged the works, and now has a capacity of 100 boxes, or 75,000 pounds per day, consisting of laundry and fine toilet soap, which is principally sold in the State of Pennsylvania. Mr. Rupp has been a Director of the York County Na- tional Bank, and is now a director of the Opera House and West End Improvement Company. He was married, in 1882, to Annie E. Riter, of Philadel- phia, and is the father of two children: Michael R. and David.

JOHN CHARLES SCHMIDT, chain manufac- turer, is a native of Carlisle, Penn., and was born March 14, 1859. His parents, Henry D. and Louisa (Carson) Schmidt. were natives of York County. Mr. Schmidt received superior educational advan- tages, attending the schools of York, until 1868, when his parents removed to St. Paul, Minn., where his studies were continued until 1873, when the family returned to York. He next entered the York Collegiate Institute, and in 1875 accompanied his father to Europe, and passed one year in the educa- tional institutions of Stuttgart, Germany. Upon his return to York, he entered the mercantile house of P. A. and S. Small, where he continued until 1881. He then embarked in business, establishing a chain manufactory, in which field of enterprise he has been very successful. He employs about fifty work- men, and his works have a capacity of manufactur- ing 50,000 pounds of chain daily, which is shipped all over the United States, and exported to Cuba and Mexico. The enterprising and progressive spirit of Mr. Schmidt has added much to the business interests of York. He is a director of the York Gas Company, also a director of the York National Bank, and for several years has been identified with St. John's Episcopal Church.

CAPT. EDWARD L. SCHRODER was born in York. York Co., Penn., and is a son of Emanuel and Mary (Laucks) Schroder, and of German and Scotch origin. . His father was born in York in 1803, and his mother in York County, 1809. Our subject was educated in the York public schools and the York County Academy. He learned the trade of cabinet-making. He was a member of the Worth Infantry Military Company (Capt. Thomas A. Zeigle), when that company was called in service April 20, 1861. He entered the service; the com- pany became Company A, Sixteenth Regiment, and served until mustered out July 30, 1861. October 22, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Fifth Maryland Volunteers, for the term of three years, was ap- pointed sergeant-major of the regiment, commis- sioned second lieutenant of Company A, March 16. 1862, and first lientenant of Company H same year (December 10, 1862), and captain of Company I, April 7, 1864. He took part in the historic engage- ment between the " Monitor " and "Merrimac." was at Antietam and Winchester, Va., June 13 to 15, 1863, was taken prisoner of war on June 15, and was for eighteen months in Southern prisons. He spent eleven months in the famous Libby Prison at Rich- mond, Va., was under fire of Union batteries in Charleston, S. C., was paroled at Columbia, S. C., and sent to Camp Parole, Annapolis, Md., De-

cember 15, 1864, and on January 28, 1865, was honorably mustered out of the service. His mar- riage was solemnized July 1, 1878, to Miss Kate Laucks, daughter of David Laucks, of Berks County, Penn. In politics he is a Republican. is a Mason and Knight Templar, and member of I. O. O. F., also a member of Post 37, G .; A. R., has been senior vice commander and post commander and an aide-de-camp on the staff of the commander- in-chief of the G. A. R. of the United States, and director Western National Bank.

FREDERICK T. SCOTT, who for more than thirty years, has been permanently identified with the business interests of York, was born in Balti- more County, Md., about fourteen miles from the city, in 1824. His father, Thomas Scott, was a native of North Ireland, and early in life immi- grated to America, settling in New York, where he was married to Margaret Lintz, a native of that State. Removing to Maryland they remained there until their deaths. Thomas Scott, the father, was one of the contractors on the first railroad that led out from the city of Baltimore. Four children were de- scendants: John (now deceased, was for thirty years an employe upon' the Northern Central Railroad; for a long time a conductor; died at Hanover June- tion); William (who died in 1869 at the same place, was also a conductor upon the same railroad about thirty years); Jane Lewis (the only daughter, died in 1861, in the State of Ohio). The subject of this sketch, at the age of eleven, went to Baltimore and was employed for six years as a bar tender. He then served an apprenticeship for over three years in the machine shops of the Baltimore & Susquehanna Railroad (now Northern Central Railroad). Here he became a skillful machinist, and, having thor- oughly mastered his trade, remained for five years as an employe. He then embarked in business for himself, manufacturing cars and mill work, but his enterprise was doomed to disaster. In 1850 he lost heavily by fire, and in 1852, when employing seventy five hands, he was forced to suspend, losing every dollar of his property on account of the strike on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, which forced, in thirty days, the price of iron from $55 to $90 per ton. He then sought a new field for bus- iness operations, and in 1854 removed to Glen Rock, this county, where he established the Glen Rock Machine Shops, manufacturing, upon an extensive scale, cars, paper-mill works, agricultural implements and general machinery. This enter- prise added greatly to the material interests of the town, and at times as many as forty five hands were employed in his works. In 1861, upon the outbreak of the civil war, be sold out his interests at Glen Rock at a great sacrifice, removed to York and engaged with the Northern Central Railroad as master machinist of the company's car and locomo- tive shops. This responsible position he filled with signal ability, and with eminent satisfaction, until 1875, when he resigned. Mr. Scott then again embarked in business on his own account, and his latter efforts have met with success. He has estab- lished a large and lucrative trade in coal, lumber and railroad ties in York, and, in connection is manager of extensive granite quarries, at Golds- horo, York Haven. Upon his farm, which consists of 194 acres, are also large deposits of brown stone, which is quarried to a large extent. He has a steam saw-mill upon his farm, and is engaged in farming in Codorus Township, where he owns a valuable. finely improved farm, which, with valuable real estate in York, is the result of wise business enter- prise. Mr. Scott was elected resident director of the York County Alms-house, in 1873, and insti- tuted many valuable reform measures in the man- agement of that institution. His independence of action aud prudent management won for him the

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

admiration of the tax-paying people of the entire county, regardless of political preferences. He had the land connected with the alms house surveyed and, together with the other members of the board of directors, introduced a new code, rules and regu- lations, setting forth the duties of the different officers by whom the institution is governed, which received the approval of the State board of public charities, the grand jury and the court of common pleas of the county. In the exercise of his public duties Mr. Scott evinced the same prudent and practical knowledge which has made his private affairs eventually successful. For nearly forty years Mr. Scott has been a member of the I. O. O. F. and is at present a member of Harmony Lodge, No. 855. and also of the encampment of the Grand Lodge of Maryland. Heis a member of York Lodge, No. 266, of A. F. & A. M., and also of the order of K. of P. He is president of the York Building and Loan Association, president of the Star Building and Loan Association, and a president of the Penn Mutual Relief Association, of which he served as president for a number of years. He is enter- prising in all matters of moral advancement. and the architect of his own fortunes. Mr. Scott was united in marriage in Baltimore, February 10, 1848, with Miss Elizabeth A., daughter of Jacob and Henrietta Pein Cook. They have been blessed with seven children: Jacob F., Henrietta M., Emma L. (deccased), Cecelia N. (deceased), Oscar W. (de- ccased), Calvert C. and Winfield W. The family are members of Trinity Reformed Church of York.

JACOB SEACRIST, one of the leading con- tractors and builders of York, was born in York County, October 29, 1829, his parents being Henry and Anna (Daley) Seacrist, both of whom are na- tives and citizens of the county. Jacob received the educational advantages of the common schools until he was fourteen years of age, when he was engaged upon a farm, at which he was employed until he attained his majority. He then was ap- prenticed to learn the carpenter's trade with Samuel Kohr, and having mastered it, worked at this branch of industry until 1863. Being desirous of extending his business relations, he erected a planing-mill in York, and began contracting and building on an extensive scale. Having superior advantages, he has taken a leading position among the builders of York. particularly in school and church structures. Mr. Seacrist is still actively engaged in business, and is a representative of the enterprising school of citi- zens. He was united in marriage in July, 1855, with Miss Mary E. Kepler, of Baltimore. Eight children have been born to them: Adam W., Annie K., Jacob K., Mary E., George H., Lucy M., Oliver V. and Harry E. Mr. Seacrist is a member of the I. O. O. F., K. of P., and with his wife a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

AMBROSE H. SEIFFERT, general accountant for the firm of Baugher. Kurtz & Stewart, was born in Dover Township, York County, December 1, 1838, and is the second in a family of seven children born to John and Elizabeth (Henise) Seiffert, of German descent. The parents of Mr. Seiffert were born in Dover Township, where they now reside. His paternal grandfather was John Seiffert, a na- tive of Pennsylvania, but in 1833 he moved to Ohio, where he died. The boyhood of our subject was spent on the farm. He was educated at the public schools of Dover Township and York County Acad- emy. In 1857 he began teaching school. at which he continued until 1872, when he accepted his pres- ent position. He was married in 1865 to Miss Mary A. Daron, a native of Manchester Township, born June 9, 1845, and daughter of George and Lydia Daron. They have four children, viz .: John H .. George R., Franklin M. and Maggie M. Mr. Seif- fert is an earnest supporter of the Democratic party.

In 1883 he was elected to represent the Fifth Ward in the borough council, and re-elected in 1885, and upon the organization of the council was chosen as- sistant chief burgess for the ensuing year. Mr. and Mrs. Seiffert are members of the German Reformed Church.

PROF. WILLIAM H. SHELLEY, superintend- ent of the public schools of York, was born on the Mansion farm, which he now owns, on the Hill Island in the Susquehanna River. He entered the York County Academy when quite young, spent several years as a student in that institution, and there laid the foundation of a broad and liberal ed- ucation. He began teaching in West Hempfield Township, Lancaster County, and taught there two years, three years in Columbia Borough, and three years as assistant to Prof. George W. Ruby, in York County Academy, during which time he completed a full collegiate course, and received special native instruction in French and German. Failing health at that time prevented him from graduating at Dickinson College. He went to the State of Mich- igan, and for three years filled the chair of Latin and Greek, and two years the chair of mathematics, in Albion College. While occupying these posi- tions he was a diligent student, and became very proficient in the branches which he taught. The honorary degree of master of arts was conferred on him by the Iowa Wesleyan University, and later he received the full State certificate for the classical course, an honor conferred upon him by the State Normal School at Millersville, Penn. While spending his summer vacation in York, during the year 1870, he was unanimously elected the first superintend- ent of schools of York, which position he has since continuously held with great honor to himself and great benefit to the educational interests of the town. As an organizer of schools, Prof. Shelley has few equals. Under his able administra- tion, the public schools of York have regularly im- proved and prospered. He is thoroughly familiar with both the theory and the practice of his chosen profession, and has illustrated by his practical work both the science and the art of teaching. He also takes an active interest in church and Sunday- school work.

GEORGE E. SHERWOOD, ex-representative and justice of the peace, was born in Virginia, August 17, 1843, and is a son of Lewis and Minnie (Koch) Sherwood, both natives of Germany. His father came to this country as a political refugee in 1834, settling at Hampton, Elizabeth Co., Va., where he hought a large plantation, upon which he resided until 1855, when he removed to Baltimore, Md. Our subject was educated at Baltimore, and upon the breaking out of the late civil war, he responded to the call for volunteers, and enlisted as orderly sergeant in the First Virginia Scouts, under Gen. Rosecrans; served likewise in Sanno's Scouts, Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania Infantry, and Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served until the close of the war. He rose from the ranks to captain, and participated in the following battles : Win- chester, Red House, Morefield, Gettysburg (where he was taken prisoner), Nashville, Savannah and Lister's Ferry. He received his discharge at New- burn, N. C., June 11, 1865, and on the 16th day of July of the same year came to York, where he has since heen a resident. Mr. Sherwood, upon his arrival in York, assumed the editorship of the York German Gazette, one of the leading Democratic papers in the county. filling the position with marked ability. In 1873 he was elected town clerk of York, and filled that position until 1881. He was elected to represent his district in the State legislature in 1876, and was re-elected in 1878, and attained high rank as a representative. In 1883 he was elected justice of the peace in the Fourth Ward

YORK BOROUGH.

of the borough of York, and is still administering the duties of that office in an efficient manner. He is a politician of influence, and has been a leading member of the I. O. O. F. for many years ; is Dis- trict Deputy Grand Master, and D. D. Grand Patri- arch, treasurer of Humane Lodge, and of Mount Vernon Encampment, and a member of the order of Red Men, Knights of Pythias, Union Brother- hood, G. A. R., and Knights of the Mystic Chain. He was the founder of the York Public Library, of which he is president : was trustee of the Rescue Fire Company, and agent for P. B. Wright & Sons and other steamship lines. Mr. Sherwood has been twice married ; his union with Sarah A., daughter of Maj. R. J. Winterode, of Williamsport, Penn., occurred July 6. 1866. She died April 20, 1875, leaving three children, two having died. December 26, 1876, he was united to Lucy A., daughter of Peter and Charlotte Flickinger, of Hanover, Penn .: to this union there have been born five children, three of whom are deceased.

LEWIS A. SHIVE was born in York. December 27, 1818, and is a son of John and Sallie (Bupp) Shive. The father of Mr. Shive was one of seven children, and was born in 1798 and died in 1877, and his mother was born in 1794 and died in 1858. His grandfather, Ludwick Shive, was born in York, in 1761. The Shive family came originally from Germany. At fourteen years of age the subject of this sketch began learning the cabinet-maker's trade under his father. In 1841 he began the furniture business in York, and has since been engaged in that business. He was married in 1841, to Miss Harriet Hamm, of Dover Township, and daughter of Samuel Hamm. Ten children were born to this union, six of whom are living, viz .: Philip, Walter, Charles, Lewis, Sallie and Samuel. Mrs. Shive died in 1873. Mr. Shive is a member of the Luth- eran Church, and for many years has taken much interest in church affairs.

W. H. SITLER, attorney at law, ex-prothono- tary of York County, is a native of Lower Windsor Township, was born January 24, 1849, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Burg) Sitler. His paternal grandfather was Abraham Sitler. an early settler of York County. Two brothers, John and Matthias. on account of religious persecution, were banished from Germany and came to America. and from one of these our subject is descended. Our subject re- ceived his education at the public schools of York County. In 1875 he began the study of law, and was admitted to the bar, December 17, 1877. Polit- ically he is a Democrat, and for many years has taken an active part in politics. In 1881 he was elected prothonotary of York County, and most efficiently he filled the office for three years. Prior to his election to this office he was deputy prothon- otary several term. His marriage occurred in 1878, to Miss Celia T. Ernry, a native of York County, who has borne him two children : Mable O. and Horace J. Mrs. Sitler is a member of the Reformed Church.

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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 161

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