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 163

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 163


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DR. HENRY L. SMYSER was born in York, December 8, 1825, and is a son of Michael and Eliza (Lanius) Smyser. He is descended from German stock. His father was born in York in 1799, was a tanner, and died in 1874. Here also his mother was born in 1802, and died in 1882. Dr. Smyser is a representative of one of the first families of York County. Having received a common school educa- tion, he, in 1844, began the study of medicine under Dr. J. W. Kerr, and in 1847 graduated from the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia, and afterward located in Jackson Township, York County, and there remained one year. In 1849 he went to California, remained two years, and then returned to his native county. In 1855 he went to Europe and entered the Russian Army as contract surgeon, and was appointed to the rank of major. At the end of the war he returned to York County, and for distinguished services he received from the Emperor Alexander II the decoration of St. Stan- islaus and also a medal commemorative of the war. He enlisted in the war of the Rebellion in 1862, and here also was a contract surgeon. He did faithful and efficient service at the hospital in York. In 1860 he was married to Emma E. Rieman, of York. daughter of John Rieman. Two children, Ella N. and John R., are the result of this union. Dr. and Mrs. Smyser are members of the Lutheran Church.


ALEXANDER D. SMYSER, son of Daniel and Catherine (Weist) Smyser, fifth of six children, was born April 3, 1848, in Jackson Township. He was reared to farming, and resided in Jackson Township until 1881, when he removed to York. He married Louisa Yost, daughter of Peter Yost, of York, Penn. One child-Clayton-was born to them. May 26, 1881, he married Amanda Metzler, daugh- ter of George and Mary (Fishel) Metzler. Two children were born to this marriage: Harry E. and


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Bertha. (See history of Smyser family for our sub- ject's ancestral history.)


HAMILTON SPANGLER (deceased), a native of York, the third of four children of Samuel and Mary (Dinkel) Spangler, was born April 10, 1810. Mr. Spangler was educated at the York County Academy. In 1838 he began farming; continued at this occupation for ten years, then retired from active business life. While farming Mr. Spangler resided near Shrewsbury, York County, and owned two of the best farms in that township. In 1861 he married Miss Ann Eliza Connellee, a native of York, daughter of Col. James S. and Sarah (Dan- ner) Connellee, early settlers of York. The father of our subject was born in York County in 1773; Mary Dinkel, his mother, was born in the same county in 1783. Mr. Spangler's maternal grand- father was a soldier, and did gallant service for his country, in the Revolutionary war. Baltzer Spang- ler, his paternal grandfather, served also in that struggle. Our subject had one sister, Eliza, the wife of Jacob Hoke, of Havre de Grace, Md. His brothers were Samuel (deceased) and Washington (deceased), who died at the early age of sixteen. The father of Mrs. Spangler, Col. James S. Connel- lee, was born in Westmoreland County, Va., in 1788; was reared and educated in the city of Rich- mond, Va. Col. Connellee was a progressive and prominent citizen of York in his day. He was a leading member and vestryman in the Episcopal Church for many years; member of the York Lodge of Freemasons, and one of the first men in York to offer his services to his country in the war of 1812. He was the youngest of four sons; Thorn- ton, William and Daniel were the names of his brothers. He died on the 23d of April, 1839. Sarah (Danner) Connellee, the wife of Col. Conuellee, was the daughter of Abraham Danner. The Danner family were among the pioneer settlers of York, and the history of York County will show that Michael Danner was the intimate friend and adviser of the Penn family. (See History of York County.)


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ADAM SPANGLER was born in York, April 12, 1839, and was the fifth of the six children of Samuel and Elizabeth (Frank) Spangler, of York, Penn. Mr. Spangler attended the public schools of York, and also the York County Academy. He learned the hatter's trade with his father, and worked at it ten years. He then began building, and erected sixty-four houses, also a large planing- mill and sash factory, 80x90 feet, well-equipped for doing all kinds of work for builders, and supplied with a thirty-five horse-power engine. Mr. Spangler owns at present forty houses and thirty five building lots. He is a self-made man, having begun life without a dollar. No man has done more toward improving his native town than our subject, and he is a descendant of one of the oldest families of York, about two miles from which borough his grandfather was born. His mother still lives at the advanced age of eighty-seven, and enjoys remarkably good health. His grandfather, Frank, was a soldier in the war of 1812. January 26, 1859, Mr. Spangler married Jane Gipe, daughter of Philip and Catherine Gipe, of York, Penn .; there have been born to them seven children: Susan, Elizabeth, Adam. Mary (de- ceased), Mary Ann, Robert and David. Mr. Spang- ler is a member of Keystone Conclave, No. 12, I. O. H., of York.


J. W. SPANGLER, inventor and manufacturer, was born in Jackson Township, York County, in 1842. For nearly thirty years he was employed upon his father's farm, subsequently engaging in business, as a partner, with the firm of Crider & Bro. in the publishing business. After one year's association with this firm he embarked in connec- tion with Samuel Fry in the manufacture of cotton comforters and quilts, which partnership lasted one


year. He then formed the company of J. W. Spangler & Bro., J. C. Spangler being the partner. This firm continued until 1882, notwithstanding be- ing burned out in 1876. They next began the manufacture of agricultural implements, and have so continued. Our subject is a natural mechanic, and notwithstanding the fact of never serving an apprenticeship, has taken out thirteen patents, each of them being valuable. Their principal work now is in the manufacture of Spangler's Fertilizer Feed, Improved Corn Planter, Lime Spreader, and the building of feed cutters. Mr. Spangler's many other inventions include a washing machine, and last. but important, is his "lightning hitch," a paragon of simplicity in hitching or unhitching a horse. Mr. Spangler is yet young in years, and will doubtless add more improvements to the benefit of mankind He is an excellent business man, and a moral citizen. Mr. Spangler was married, in 1882, to Laura S. McKinley, of York. They have one child, Julia Estelle, and are members of the Re- formed Church.


B. F. SPANGLER, M. D., was born in Jackson Township. York County, February 21, 1844, to Ru- dolph and Sarah (Harbaugh) Spangler, and is of German descent. His father was born in 1800, and his mother in 1807. His father died in 1851. The boyhood of Dr. Spangler was spent on the farm. His literary education was acquired at the common schools and the York County Academy. In 1865 he began the study of medicine, and the following year entered Jefferson Medical College at Phila- delphia, graduating in 1868, and the same year be gan the practice of his profession in York, which he has since continued. The marriage of Dr. Spangler was solemnized in 1868, to Miss Ada E. Nes, daughter of the late Hon. Henry Nes. They have two children: Theresa J. and Chauncy K. Dr. Spangler is a Re- publican, and one of the directors of the Drovers' and Mechanics' National Bank. and assisted in its or- ganization. August 7, 1862, Dr. Spangler, at the age of eighteen years, enlisted as a private in Com- pany K. One Hundred and Thirtieth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was mustered out as fourth sergeant at the expiration of term of service in May, 1863. He participated in the battles of Antietam, Fred- ericksburg and Chancellorsville. Dr. and Mrs. Spangler are members of the Presbyterian Church.


EDWARD WEBSTER SPANGLER was born in Paradise Township, York County, February 23, 1846. As a country boy he performed boy's work "on his widowed mother's farm, and during four months in winter attended free school. Never relish- ing agricultural labors he abandoned them at the first opportunity and the age of thirteen became a student at the York County Academy. After a year's study he entered as a clerk in one of the leading dry goods houses in York. In August, 1862, at the age of sixteen years, he responded to the call of President Lincoln for nine months' volunteers, and enlisted as a private in Company K, One Hundred and Thirtieth Regi- ment Pennsylvania Volunteers. After a two months' service, in the Army of thePotomac, he re- ceived his first baptism of fire at the battle of Antie- tam, in which his company lost in killed and wounded one-third of its number engaged. Mr. Spangler fired the eighty rounds with which he was equipped, and finding use for more took ten rounds from the cartridge box of a dead comrade, eight of which he discharged before his regiment was re- lieved. During the engagement the stock of his rifle was shattered by a Confederate bullet. At the battle of Fredericksburg, his division-the third of the second corps-made the initial and sanguinary charge on Mary's Heights. His colonel was killed at the first fire. At Chancellorsville his division was thrown into the breach to arrest the victorious


Marmiton Spangler


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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.


Confederates in their pursuit of the routed Eleventh Corps. During the terrible Saturday night, May 2, 1863, Mr. Spangler's company was fighting nearly all night on the plank road at the foot of the knoll on which our artillery was massed, and in front of which Stonewall Jackson was mortally wounded. The next morning, Sunday, his division was com- pelled to give way, and his general of brigade. Hays, was taken prisoner. Although in the fore-front of every battle, Mr. Spangler was unharmed in each. The term of enlistment having expired, the regi- ment returned home and was disbanded. After his return he was appointed deputy United States mar- shall of York County. He was in service but a few weeks when his leg was broken hy the kick of an abandoned Confederate horse and, being incapac- itated for active duty, resigned. Upon his convales- cence he resumed his studies at the York County Academy, during which he also registered as a student at law. After attending a course of lec- tures in the law department of the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, " he was admitted to the York bar, March 4, 1867. He soon acquired a very lucrative practice which he has ever since retained. He has been admitted to practice in the neighboring county courts and in the United States district court, and is an active practitioner in the supreme court during the week appointed for the argument of York County cases. He has studiously eschewed politics, save his filling the office of presi- dent of the York Republican Club, in 1881, which position he subsequently resigned, having joined the independent wing of his party. In 188[ he was one of the principal promoters in the building of York's beautiful opera house, and superintended its first year's management. He has also taken an active interest in suburban development, and laid out his real estate, extending from George Street to Cottage Hill, into building lots, which are propinquitous to nearly all of York's manufactories, and are made accessible by the construction of the new and hand- some Beach Street iron bridge, in the procuration of which he was mainly instrumental. In January 1882, Mr. Spangler purchased the York Daily and Weekly Printing House, with daily and weekly editions, and extensive job department. With the valuable assistance of his two able publishing part- ners he at once introduced into these issues new life, features and methods, resulting in the large increase in their circulations and carrying them to the fore-front of successful inland journals. Mr. Spangler possesses great energy and executive ability, is a sound and able advocate, and a pun- gent and forcible writer.


JACOB R. SPANGLER, M. D., is a son of Rudolph and Sarah (Harbaugh) Spangler, was born in Jackson Township, November 22, 1850, and is of German origin. The father of Mr. Spangler was a native of the same county, born in 1800, and died in 1851. Our subject worked on the farm during the summer and attended the public schools during the winter. In 1867 he entered the Millersville Normal School, and subsequently the York County Acad- emy. In the fall of 1871, Mr. Spangler began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. B. F. Spangler, in York, and afterward entered Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, from which he graduated March 11, 1874, and immediately began the regular practice of his profession in York, where he has since continued. He is a thorough Republican and manifests much interest in politics. During the year 1880 he was the health officer of York. He is a man of much public spirit and a most successful physician.


CHARLES FREDRICK SPANGLER, M. D., was born in York. York County, December 31, 1859, to Harrison and Mary Spangler, and is of German descent. Dr. Spangler derived his earlier education


from the public schools of the borough. In July, 1876, he began the study of medicine under the pre- ceptorship of Dr. C. M. Nes. In 1879 he entered the Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, graduating with honors in 1881. Being an ardent lover of the profession, blessed with a retentive memory, studious, a hard worker, his association with that institution was attended by marked dis- tinction. His social qualities inviting the confi- dence of the faculty, responsible duties were as- signed to him, affording exceptional opportunities for acquiring practical knowledge. His acknowl- edged thorough mastery of the various branches, with a comprehensive manner of imparting infor- mation to his associates, gave him a foremost posi- tion 'n a class of 600. He began the practice of his profession at Spring Grove, York Co., Penn., sub- sequently locating permanently in York, August, 1881, where he has the pleasure of attending to a large and lucrative practice. In 1880 he was mar- ried to Miss Frances H. Wilson, of Franklin County, Penn. One child has been born to this union, Joseph. Politically the Doctor is of Democratic propensities. At the general election in 1884, he was elected coroner of York County by a handsome majority, receiving the largest vote on the ticket and carrying the Second Ward, which is largely Re- publican. He is a member of the Lutheran Church and a contributor to various city medical journals.


PETER B. SPRENKLE was born in North Co- dorus Township in 1837, is the son of George and Elizabeth (Bare) Sprenkle, the fourth of six chil- dren, and of German descent. Our subject re- mained at home and worked at milling and attended school at Cottage Hill; taught under S. B. Hayes and H. Griffith. In 1865 he went to Illinois, and re- maining two years returned to York County and settled in his native township, where he remained several years and then came to York, where he has since remained. On coming to York he engaged in the grain business, which he continued for some time. Mr. Sprenkle was married in 1878 to Miss Rebecca Fishel, born in Springfield Township (but a resident of York, Penn., at time of marriage), and daughter of Charles Fishel. Mr. Sprenkle is a Re- publican and a Mason. Mrs. Sprenkle is a member of the Moravian Church. At present Mr. Sprenkle is engaged in North Codorus Townshipmanufactur- ing ground flint. The firm is composed of D. B. and P. B. Sprenkle, Enos Frey and George Motter. The name of the firm is Sprenkle Bros. & Co. The firm was organized October, 1884.


R. S. STAHLE, M. D., was born in York in 1858, is a son of Col. J. A. and Mary E. (Spangler) Stahle, and is of German descent. At the age of sixteen he entered York Collegiate Institute, and graduated in 1880. He hegan the study of medicine in 1879 under Jacob Hay, M. D. In the fall of 1880 he entered the University of Maryland and gradu- ated in 1882. In the spring of 1881 he entered the Balitmore Infirmary as clinical assistant, and after, was acting chief of clinic in the surgical department of the Baltimore Infirmary, and was also engaged practicing in Baltimore City during his services in the hospital. In 1883 he came to York and is now in the regular practice. In politics he is a Republican.


W. GUY STAIR, jeweler and dealer in watches, clocks and spectacles, was born in Hanover, York Co., Penn., in 1860, and is a son of William and Maria (Boadenhamer) Stair. Mr. Stair is the old- est in a family of four children, and is of German extraction. His father was born in Hanover, and his mother in Berlin, Adams Co., Penn. The Stair family has long heen known in the history of York County. By occupation the father of Mr. Stair is a painter, and a resident of Hanover. At eleven years of age our subject began serving an appren- ticeship at the jeweler's trade, at which he has since


4


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YORK BOROUGH.


continued to work. In 1884 he came to York and engaged in his present business, which is successful beyond his expectations. He makes a specialty of the famous Rockford watches. The marriage of Mr. Stair occurred, in 1883, to Miss Anna M. Miller, a native of Penn Township, and a daughter of Ja- cob Miller. They have one child-Willie J. Mr. and Mrs. Stair are members of the Lutheran Church.


D. F. STAUFFER is one of the leading cracker bakers of the State. He is a native of York County, where he was born February 18, 1844. He is a son of Rev. Frederick and Mary (Forry) Stauffer, who were also natives of the county, his father being for more than forty years a minister of the Mennonite Church, eighteen of which he served his denomina- tion asbishop. Our subject was reared and received a common school education in his native county. In 1867 he engaged in the milling business, which was conducted by him until 1870, when he embarked in his present enterprise. Mr. Stauffer has suc- ceeded in establishing a large trade, which is ex- tended to adjoining States. His manufactory for baking cakes and crackers is a model one of its kind, and is managed and superintended by him in person. He is a liberal and deserving citizen of the county. On July 31, 1870, he was married to Miss Lucinda, daughter of Samuel and Susan Wagner, who are also natives of York County. They have been parents of eight children, seven of whom are now living: Bertie, Callie, Harry, Nettie, Maggie, Annie, Elsy M. (deceased), and William H.


JOHN W. STEWART, proprietor of the York Book-bindery, was horn in Philadelphia. August 18, 1831, is a son of James A. and Mary B. (Bell) Stew- art, and is of English-Scotch origin. His father was born in Maryland in 1803, and his mother in Dela- ware in 1806. Our subject was educated at the pub- lic schools of Philadelphia. At fifteen years of age he was bound as an indentured apprentice at book- binding, which apprenticeship lasted until he had gained his majority. In 1855 he began business for himself in his native city, and continued therein until about 1861. During the late war he was em- ployed in the United States Navy Yard at Philadel- phia; he then resumed his former occupation, and remained in Philadelphia until 1867; then came to York, and here has since resided, and successfully carried on the book-binding business. This bindery was established in 1860, though for a number of years very little business was done, and it was not until Mr. Stewart came to York, that the industry began to flourish or gave much promise. The es- tablishment is supplied with all the modern machin- ery and improvements adapted to all classes of work. Mr. Stewart was married, in 1856, to Miss Caroline Matthews, a native of New York. To this union have been born nine children, three of whom are deceased. In politics Mr. Stewart is a Democrat.


WILLIAM R. STOUCH, wholesale dealer in boots, shoes and notions, is a native of York Town- ship, York Co., Penn., and was born March 12, 1816, son of Leonard and Susan (Rinehart) Stouch, and of German extraction. His paternal grand- father emigrated from Germany and settled in Dover, York County. Subject's father was born in this county in 1780 and died in 1856. At thirteen years of age William R. Stouch came to York, Penn., where he remained until 1833, when he went to Baltimore and there served a four years' appren- ticeship at coach-making. He then returned to York and engaged in the manufacture of coaches, but on account of ill health was compelled to aban- don this business. In 1850 he went to Philadel- phia. and for twenty years was salesman in a dry goods house, after which he returned to York, in 1869, and established his present business. He was married, in 1842, to Margaret, daughter of George and' Mary; Holder. : Mrs. Stouch was born in York,


in 1819. By this union they have three children: George L., Emma M. and Rex M. H. Mr. Stouch is a Democrat and is a member of the I. O. O. F. Mr. and Mrs. Stouch are members of the St. Paul's Lutheran Church.


C. A. STRACK, furniture dealer and undertaker, is a native of York, Penu., born March 4, 1843, son of Charles A. and Caroline (Funk) Strack. The father was a native of Saxony, Germany, born in 1810. and the mother was born in 1806. In 1838 the ancestors of our subject emigrated from Germany to America and settled in Baltimore, Md .. and in 1839 removed to York, where subject's father died in 1855. At the age of twelve years our subject began learning the cabinet-maker's trade under an elder brother, and in this capacity continued five years, after which he became general manager of the furniture and undertaking business. Mr. Strack's father was one of the early furniture deal- ers of York. In 1878 subject purchased his mother's interest in the business, and since that time has been doing business for bimself. He was married. in 1865, to Mary M. Heckert, a native of York. Six children were born to this union: Carrie S., Emma J .. Charles P., Rebecca B., Samuel H. and Fannie M. Mr. Strack is a Democrat, and has been a member of the borough school board and identified with the numerous associations of York. He and his wife are members of the Trinity German Reformed Church.


JOSEPH ROSS STRAWBRIDGE, attorney at law and junior member of the law firm of Geise, Zeigler & Strawbridge, was born in Fawn Town- ship, this county, July 25, 1858, son of John and Grizella (McDonald) Strawbridge, residents of the "Lower End," and prominent people of York County. His maternal grandfather, Aquila McDon- ald, was an officer in the war of 1812. Our subject was reared on the farm. He attended the Farm Grove Academy, afterward attended Stewartstown English and Classical Institute during 1874-75, and graduated from the York Collegiate Institute in 1880, and from Lafayette College in 1882. During the years 1877 and 1878 he taught school in Adams County, Ill., and was principal of Fawn Grove Academy, York County, Penn., in 1882-83. He was registered as a law student August 25, 1882, was admitted to the bar August 28, 1884, and De- cember 9th of the same year became a member of the firm with which he is still connected. He is a Democrat.


CAPT. E. Z. STRINE, attorney at law. and a native of Strinestown, Conewago Township, was born June 11, 1842, to Peter S. and Rebecca (Zeig- ler) Strine, and is of German descent. His father was born in Mount Pleasant, York Co., Penn., July 25, 1815, and his mother in Shrewsbury Township, 1817. His paternal grandfather was John Strine, a native of York County, and his great grandfather was born in Germany, came to America, settled in York County, and was a soldier in the Revolution. ary war. The father of our subject died in 1854. From 1862 to 1871 Capt. Strine was engaged in the mercantile business in York. In 1871 he began the study of law under E. D. Zeigler, and in 1873 was admitted to the York County bar, since which time he has been in active and successful practice. His marriage was solemnized in 1865, to Miss Addie E. Dehoff, a native of York County. They have two children: Emma A. and Ulysses S. G. For ten years Capt. Strine has been commander of the York Grays, Company A, Eighth Infantry, National Guard of Pennsylvania. Capt. and Mrs. Strine are members of Trinity Reformed Church.


OLIVER STUCK, EsQ., the subject of this sketch, is practically a self-made man, and who by perseverance, thrift and industry has made his mark in the world, achieving success in his profession of


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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.


journalism, while many others, lacking the in- vincible qualities of pluck and industrious habits, and not content to live a life of self-denial, have failed. From a very tender age he has been a hard worker, and very painstaking with everything he undertook, and the success with which he has met in life is all owing to the habits of industry and frugality he formed in his youth. Oliver Stuck was born in the borough of York, September 19, 1817. His father was Capt. Charles Stuck, a carpenter by occupation. Capt. Stuck was a member of the famous company of volunteers who marched to the defense of Baltimore, under Capt. Micbael H. Spangler, on August 29, 1814, and were attached to the Fifth Maryland Regiment, and participated in the battle of North Point, September 12, 1814 The company received the thanks of Gen Stricker, commanding, and the officers of the Fifth Regiment, for their gallantry in action. Capt. Stuck was, after his return from the war, always very active in the militia of the State, and commanded a company for a number of years. Capt. Stuck was a man much respected and held in high esteem by his fellow- citizens for his many virtues and kindness of beart. He died at the age of forty-eight years. Jacob Stuck, the grandfather of our subject, with his father, were among the earliest settlers of the thriv- ing and populous township of North Codorns. The records of the courts, and deeds held by the land- owners now living in this township attest the fact of the Stucks holding large grants of territory in this section, and which they disposed of by deed to the progenitors of those now holding the farms in this section of York County. When the titles to these lands were vested in the Stucks, the country was very sparsely settled, and the soil of the small portion cleared not very productive, consequently the value was small in comparison to that of these broad and fertile acres at this writing. Jacob Stuck came to York to reside at a very early age, over a century and a balf ago, where his descend- ants have ever since resided. As the name implies, the Stucks are presumably of German descent, though the present generation cannot trace their nationality to any authentic source, other than to the fact that the township of North Codorus was settled by Germans, and the Stucks being among the first settlers, it is but fair to presume they were of that nationality. The name is distinctively Ger- man, and properly written to give it the broad Ger- man pronunciation, it should be with two dots over the letter ü, making the name Stück, though the ordinary English pronunciation makes it sound like the word stuck. The mother of Oliver Stuck, our subject, was Rebecca Snyder Stuck, a most estima- ble lady, who lived to the advanced age of eighty- two years, dying in the year 1877, October 15, at the home of her daughter, in Sunbury, Northum- berland Co., Penn. Oliver Stuck, at the early age of scarcely twelve years, was apprenticed to the printing business with Messrs. King & Barnitz, then proprietors of the old York Gazette, June 20, 1829, serving an apprenticeship of five years very faithfully. At the expiration of his term of service he worked in the same office as a journeyman for a number of years, after which he went to Harris- burg, and worked in the State printing office on the legislative record. There being no railroad in those days between York and Harrisburg, Mr. Stuck used to walk the twenty-six miles' distance intervening between the two points, in his frequent visits home to his parents, whose principal support he was. From the early age at which he entered upon his apprenticeship, it will be observed that he did not possess the advantage of securing an education in the schools, and really attended school very little, gleaning all the knowledge he possesses in that great college, the printing office, and by the reading




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