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 167

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 167

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HANOVER BOROUGH AND PENN TOWNSHIP.

of his good character and honorable standing, the original of which is now in possession of Edwin S. Eichelberger, Esq., a great-great-grandson, residing in Frederick, Md. On the 22d of June, 1728, himself. wife and four children, together with thirty other Palatinates and their families, 100 in all, embarked in the good ship "Albany," and set sail from Rot- terdam, Holland, for the land of their adoption. Lazarus Oxham was shipmaster, or captain. of this vessel, which landed September 4. of the same year, at Philadelphia. On September 13, 1743, he ob- tained a land warrant from the proprietaries of Pennsylvania for 175 acres of land in Manheim Township, Lancaster Co., Penn. Upon this tract he took his family, cleared and cultivated the land, built a house and prospered to such an extent that only two years later he obtained grants for 140 acres additional, located in Conestoga and Man- heim Townships of the same county. He remained in Lancaster County until 1754, when, on April 28, 1761, he purchased a warrant of Conrad Low for 220 acres of land in Manheim Township. York Co., Penn. He died September 19, 1776, aged eighty- three years five months and two days. His re- mains now slumber in the historic old burying ground, about one mile north of Hanover. The children by his first wife were Martin. Frederick, Anna Margeret (married to Vincent Keefer), Bar- bara (married to Andrew Hoke) and Elizabeth (married to Jacob Smyser). His first four children, as above stated, were born in Germany. These children, after marriage, located in and around York. Martin, the eldest of the sons, was present at York when the town was laid out in 1741, and purchased Lot No. 120. He was one of the origi nal members of the first Lutheran Church in York; was commissioned a court justice under King George III in 1760, the first year of his long reign, and also under constitution of 1776, being promi- nently identified with the early history of York. where he died in 1781 or 1782. The children of Martin were George, Frederick, Jacob, Bernard, Martin, Susanna (married to Daniel Barnitz) and Mary (married to William T. Coale). George and Jacob were prominent in collecting goods and money for [the Revolutionary army. George was appointed quartermaster of the militia of York County in 1776. He was a member of the Provin- cial Convention, which was held at Philadelphia the 23d of January, 1776. He had been high sher- iff of York under the king from 1768 to 1771. He died in York about the year 1781. Jacob was sher- iff of York County, elected in 1804. He subse- quently removed to Reisterstown, Md., where he died in 1832, aged eighty-nine years. Frederick, the second son of Martin, was a large land-holder. He lived in Bottstown, near York. His children were John, Thomas, Daniel. George, Bernard, William, Charles and Sarah. He died at his son's house, one and one-third miles west of York, in 1824, aged eighty-four years. Martin, the youngest son of Martin, during the Revolution, when less than eighteen, took a horse and rode to Boston, and joined Capt. Swope's company, which had left York before. He obtained a lieutenancy iu Capt. Nich- ols' company, and on his transfer to the commissary department succeeded to the command of the com- pany. He served with much credit during the war, and subsequently accompanied the expedition to Wyoming to repel the incursions of the Indians. He remained in the army until 1783. As a recogni- tion of his services and exemplary character. he ob- tained the office of weighmaster at the port of Baltimore, which position he held for forty-five years. He died in that city October 2, 1840, in the eighty-second year of his age. Among his sons was Otho W. Eichelberger. He was one of the oldest merchants in Baltimore; was in business

at No. 1 Howard Street for over fifty years. He died January 30, 1879, in the eightieth year of his age. Jesse, another son of Martin, was killed in Fort McHenry, at Baltimore, in 1814. Frederick Eichelberger, the second son of the immigrant. although born in Germany, soon imbibed the spirit of American patriotism. He lived near York, and was a justice during the time of the Revolution. The children by the second marriage of Philip Frederick Eichelberger were . Adam, Leonard, Jacob (grandfather of our subject) and Lewis. Adam, the eldest, was a captain of a company of Associators of York County during the Revolution, and was also active in collecting money and sup- plies for the army. He was married to Magdalina Bechtel. Their children were Frederick, Michael. Samuel, Adam, Joseph, Susanna, Salome and Mag- - dalina. He obtained possession of the homestead in 1766, which then contained 220 acres, including the mill place, which at that time was situated in Manheim but is now in Heidelberg Township. about three miles east of Hanover on the York road. The mill, which is in close proximity to the Han- over & York Railroad, is now owned by George Jacobs. In addition to the occupation of farmer, Adam was also a tavern-keeper. He was a promi- nent and influential citizen, and died in 1787, aged forty-eight years and seven months. The home place has been kept in the family up to the present time, and is now occupied by Charles Eichelberger. a great-grandson. Leonard, the second son of Philip Frederick Eichelberger, by the second wife, was a farmer. He was married to Elizabeth Smyser, and had four sons: Jacob, Frederick, George and John; and six daughters: Mary, married to Barney Welty; Sarah, to Frederick Welty; Susan, to Lewis Shearer; Lydia, to Daniel Bailey, and Elizabeth, to H. Richen- baugh. Jacob lived in York, was sheriff of York County. elected a member of the legislature in 1807 and a justice in 1829. He had three daughters: Eliza, married to Dr. George L. Shearer, of Dills- burg; Maria, to James McCosh, and Catherine, to Enoch Young. Frederick was a farmer, and lived near Dillsburg until the last year of his life. when he moved to Frederick City. Md. He married Catherine Baker; was a member of the legislature in 1815-16-17. and of the senate in 1819. He had uo children, and died in 1836. George, the third son of Leonard, removed to Frederick County, Md., and was register of wills for thirteen years. He married Sarah Grayson. His sons were Niles, Gray- son. Hervy and Allen. Grayson was secretary of State under Gov. Grayson, and was also a member of the senate of Maryland. Edwin, son of Gray- son and'great-great-grandson of the immigrant, is now a lawyer in Frederick City, Md. John, the fourth son of Leonard, was a farmer and justice. He lived in York County, and was a member of the legislature in 1825. Ilis children were John and Alexander. Jacob, the third son of the second wife of the immigrant. resided in the town of Han- over. He was engaged in farming and keeping tavern. He was married to Anna Maria Reiniker. He died in 1811. His remains were 'first interred in St. Matthew's Lutheran graveyard, and were afterward removed to Mt. Olivet Cemetery. He left but one son, Jacob, the father of our subject. who became quite prominent in the borough of Hanover for a great many years. He was a mer- chant and farmer, and kept a public house which was long known as the "stage office," now the "Central Hotel." He was the first president of the Maryland Line Turnpike Company, and was active in organizing the Hanover Savings Bank, of which he became president in 1835, and served with great acceptance for a number of years. He died in 1843. He was first married to Elizabeth Nace. By this marriage he had three daughters: Lonisa, mar-

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ried to George Trone; Maria, to Jacob Young, and Elizabeth, to Michael Barnitz. In the year 1806 he married Miss Maria Wirt, daughter of Christian Wirt, of Hanover. By this marriage he had eight children: Matthew, who now resides in Gettysburg; Jacob, who died in the State of Alabama in 1881; Henry, a farmer, residing in Hanover; Catherine Maria, married to S. A. McCosh, died in Georgia in 1868; Capt. A. W .; Rufus, president of the Han- over Saving Fund Society; Amanda, married to A. F. Gitt, of New Oxford, and died in 1871; and Amelia, the youngest, who is now living with her brothers in Hanover. Lewis, the fourth son of Frederick, lived in Adams County, Penn. He left one son, Adam, and three daughters, all of whom are now dead. Capt. A. W. Eichelberger was born in Hanover December 6, 1819. His father gave him the advantage of the best schools the town afforded. He remained at home until May, 1838, when he was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade with Conrad Moul, at Westminster, Md., where he re- mained three years and returned to Hanover. In 1843 he traveled overland to the State of Georgia to visit his elder brother, Jacob. Whilst there he ar- ranged for the shipment of carriages and damask coverlets to that State, which business he continued for several years, and subsequently purchased, joint- ly with his brother, the Wehadkee Flour and Saw- mills in the State of Alabama, and has since held his interest in the same, except during the civil war, when the property was confiscated by the Confederate government, and returned to him after the war. From 1845 to 1852 he spent his win- ters in the South, looking after his interests there, and his summers in Hanover, devoting his time to farming his own and his mother's land, to making purchases for shipment South, and in drilling an infantry company of citizen soldiers, called the " United Blues," and afterward a cavalry company known as the "Fourth Dragoons." As a military officer he was a universal favorite. In his early life, was a devoted Whig, and took an active part in the political campaigns of 1844 and 1852, and took the stump as a speaker on those occasions. He is now a Republican. He has never married. In the year 1872 he, together with three other public- spirited citizens, presented the beautiful fountain which now adorns the Centre Square of Hanover, and adds so much to the attractions of the town. He is a regular attendant at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, and a liberal contributor to all objects of benevolence and charity; takes a lively interest in the public welfare of his native town, and is uni- versally popular among his neighbors and fellow citizens. In 1853. on account of his administrative and executive abilities, he was at the age of thirty- four elected president of the Hanover Branch Railroad Company, and still holds the same posi- tion, being in term of continuous service the oldest railroad president in the United States. This road was afterward, through his influence, consolidated with the Gettysburg Railroad. He is now president of the Baltimore & Hanover, Bachman Valley. Berlin Branch and Baltimore & Harrisburg Rail- road Companies, all of which are described in another part of this work. In his industrions ca- reer in the railroad business, he has constantly kept in view the material interests of his native town and surrounding country, and the prosperity of the roads over which he presides. The town of Han- over will long remember him for his industry. liber- ality and devoted interest in her material welfare.

OLIVER T. EVERHART, second son of George and Catherine Everhart, was born May 18, 1832. He received his preliminary education at the Man- chester (Md.) Academy, and thus prepared himself for the Sophomore class of 1851 at Marshall College. åt Mercersburgh, Penn. This college was afterward

removed to Lancaster, Penn., and being united to Franklin College, the name was changed to Frank- lin & Marshall College, and from this institution our subject was graduated in 1854. He read medi- cine under Dr. Henry E. Beltz, of Manchester, Md., and attended medical lectures at the University of Maryland, from which he graduated in 1856. The same year he located in Goldsboro', York County, and began the practice of his profession. During the late war Dr. Everhart was assistant surgeon at the Chambersburgh and Camp Curtin Hospitals.' In 1867 he removed to Shrewsbury, Penn., and thence in 1869 to Marysville, Penn .. where he re- mained nine years, and then came to Hanover, and here has since continued to reside. He was united in marriage in 1859 to Miss Sarah, daughter of Rev. Jacob G. Kister. Mrs. Everhart died in 1860; and Dr. Everhart, in 1864. married Miss Anna C. Shelly, daughter of Michael Shelly. To this marriage have been born four children. Dr. Everhart is a success- ful physician and enjoys a lucrative practice. He is a Democrat. Dr. and Mrs. Everhart are members of the Trinity Reformed Church.

JOSHUA F. FLICKINGER was born in York County, Penn., July 15, 1854. His parents were Abraham and Sarah (Wertz) Flickinger, of York County. He remained with his father until he was twenty-one years of age, when he engaged in the insurance business two years. In the spring of 1879 he formed a partnership with C. E. Bowman. for the sale of agricultural implements. Mr. Flick- inger belongs to the I. O. O. F. and is also a Mason.

DAVID GARBER, a prominent horse dealer of Hanover. Penu., was born in Lancaster County. Penn .. November 14, 1836, and is a son of Samuel and Rebecca (Davis) Garber. In the year 1846 he had already engaged in the stock business and fol- lowed it eight years. He then removed to Hanover, Penn., where he engaged in the livery business, and in connection with this in buying and selling horses. In 1870 he purchased the Central Hotel at Hanover, which he owns and lives in at the present. In 1856 he was married to Anna Elizabeth Bair, daughter of Jolin and Lydia (Young) Bair, of Hanover. They have two children: Ida Alice and Annie May. Mr. Garber is a Knight Templar in the Masonic fraternity.

D. B. GROVE, M. D., is a son of Jacob and Lonisa C. (Shriver) Grove. His grandfather, George Grove, was a wagon-maker in Hanover. His maternal grandfather, Henry Shriver. resided in Littlestown, Adams County. Dr. Grove was born in Hanover May 29, 1860, and was educated in the public and private schools of his native town. He then entered a drug store in Baltimore as a clerk, but on account of declining health, for the time, re- tired from that position and returned to his home. After recuperating his health his attention was directed to homeopathy. Being a thorough con- vert to that mode of medical treatment he began to study medicine, and in 1881 entered the Homœo- pathic Medical College of New York City, and was gradnated in 1883. While in that institution he was elected guiz-master in medical jurisprudence, an honor conferred npon him by his fellow students. He joined the American Society of Homeopathy in 1884, and attended its sessions that year at Deer Park, Md. In 1885 he was elected surgeon of the Hanover Junction, Hanover & Gettysburg and Hanover & Baltimore Railroads. Dr. Grove is de- votedly attached to the practice of medicine, and as a result thereof soon secured a lucrative business.

JACOB F. GUNDRUM, teacher and composer of music, and justice of the peace of Hanover, was born in Alsfeld, Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, De- cember 22, 1837, and is a son of Jacob and Sophie (Strecker) Gundrum. His father was a preceptor in his native country over fifty years, and upon bis

HANOVER BOROUGH AND PENN TOWNSHIP.

retirement received from his king a gold cross, order of merit. When quite young he began the study of music in his native city, and at the age of sixteen years he entered the seminary at Freidberg, near Frankfort-on-the-Main, from which he grad- uated in the class of 1856. The same year he taught music a few months and then came to Amer- ica, and went directly to Wisconsin, where one of his sisters resided, with whom he remained until the war broke out. In April, 1861, he enlisted at Mineral Point, Wis .. in Company I, Second Wis- consin Volunteers, for three months, but re-enlisted shortly after for three years, June 11, 1861. He was soon transferred to the band, and with his regi- ment he participated in the battles of Blackburn's Ford, July 18, 1861, and the first Bull Run, at the latter receiving a slight wound. He served with the regiment until September, 1862, when all bands were mustered out. During this part of service he took part in all the engagements which Gen. Mc Dowell had in Virginia, until the second battle of Bull Run, after which he returned to his own State to organize a brigade band, and re-enlisted Novem- ber 9, 1863, in the brigade known as the "Iron Brigade of the West," and with the brigade was in all the battles from that time until the war closed, receiving an honorable discharge June 12. 1865. February 5, 1865. he was married at Gettysburg, Penn., to Susan Herr, a native of Lancaster County, and had five sons, two of whom died in infancy. The living are Harry F., Charles A. and J. Willie. After the close of the war he came to Get- tysburg, where he began teaching music. forming a class also at Hanover, to which latter place he re- moved in 1867, and has since resided there, teach- ing music and dealing in pianos and organs. Al- though in politics a Democrat, he was elected in 1861 justice of the peace of Hanover Borough for five years. He is a member of the G. A. R. and of the society of the "Iron Brigade." His wife died November 12, 1882. Mr. Gundrum has also been a successful composer of music.

REV. JOHN H. HARTMAN, resident pastor of Leshey Reformed Church, and three other congre- gations, was born in Bavaria. Germany, September 9. 1848. His parents were Peter and Wilhelmina (Fetzer) Hartman, who came to this country in September, 1852, bringing with them their two boys and one daughter, and located in Tamaqua, Schuyl- kill Co., Penn., where they have since resided, and where two more sons have been born. Rev. John went to school in his boyhood, and also worked in the coal mines as slate picker, after which he worked at the barber's trade in Philadelphia. When about twenty years of age he attended Palatinate College, at Myerstown. Penn .. where he spent two years and a half. From there he went to Heidelberg Theological Seminary, at Tiffin, Ohio, from which he graduated in 1874. His first charge was the Trinity Reformed Church at Tamaqua, Penn .. which he served six years; then Lehighton, Carbon Co., Penn., where he was in charge four years and three months. He came to Hanover, April 23. 1884, and assumed the pastorate of "Leshey charge. He was ordained by a committee of Leba- non Classis at Tamaqua, Penn., March 10, 1874. On June 4, 1874, he was married at Canfield, Ohio, to Mary A. Berger, a native of Switzerland, who lived at the time of her marriage at North George- town. Ohio. They have five children: John Edwin. Charles Reuben, Minnie Eliza, Mary Elizabeth and Oliver Samuel. Both husband and wife were brought up in the Reformed Church. Rev. H. preaches in German and English.

DANIEL JACOB HAUER, D. D., was born in Frederick, Md .. March 3, 1806; is the son of George and Catherine (Shellman) Hauer, and is of German descent, his ancestors having come from Lorraine.

Dr. Hauer received his elementary training in the public schools of Frederick, Md., and prosecuted his classical studies at Frederick College. In 1823 he began the study of theology under Rev. D. F. Schaffer, D. D., and three years later he was licensed ad interim to preach by the synod of Maryland and Virginia. His labors for some time, as mission- ary, were within the contines of Virginia, and then he accepted a call from congregations in Guilford and Orange Counties, N. C. In 1829 he was ordained by the synod of North Caro- lina. at Wythe Court House, Va. In 1828 he ac- cepted a call from several churches in Montgomery, Roanoke, Floyd and Botetourt Counties, Va., and there he remained until 1832, when he removed to Lovettsville, Loudoun Co., Va., where he labored until 1845, when he came to Jefferson, Md. In 1853 he was called to the Manchester charge, Mary- land. The degree of doctor of divinity was con- ferred upon him in 1859 by Irving College, in Car- roll County, Md. From 1862 until 1872 he was pastor of the Abbottstown, New Oxford and East Berlin congregations in Adams County, Penn., together with St. Peter's Church, in York County. In 1872 he took charge of the Manheim charges, York County, and in 1881 of the Spring Grove charge of his present pastorate. In 1855 he was elected president of the Maryland synod, and in 1862 of the Melancthon synod of Maryland. He is the only survivor of the founders of the synod of Virginia. He has spent fifty-nine years in actual ministerial labor, and though he is passing into the sere and yellow leaf, his years sit lightly upon him. His marriage occurred, in 1828, to Miss Henrietta Warner, of Baltimore, Md. Of seven children born, three yet survive. Dr. Hauer is one of the prom- inent clergymen of York County, and a leading citizen of Hanover.

WILLIAM HELTZEL, ex-editor of the Hano- ver Citizen, and a leading Democratic politician of York County, was born at New Lisbon, Ohio, May 13. 1840, and is a son of Hon. Nicholas and Mary (Knepley) Heltzel. The Heltzel family is of Scotch- German lineage. The father of Mr. Heltzel was born in York County in 1805, and his mother in Georgetown, D C., in 1818. The father of our sub- ject bas long been one of the prominent men of Adams County, Penn .. and during the years 1867 and 1868 he represented that county in the general assembly. Mr. Heltzel was educated at the public schools, and at New Oxford College.in Adams Coun- . ty, Dr. Pfeiffer, principal. In 1859 he began serv- ing an apprenticeship to the printing trade in the office of the Gettysburgh Star. For some years he did journey work, but spent most of his time in the Patriot office at Harrisburg. During the time spent at Gettysburgh he was also a law student un- der Hon. Moses McClain. In November, 1865, he came to Hanover and purchased the Hanover Cit- izen, which he conducted until 1879, when on ac. count of ill health he was forced to abandon jour- nalistic work. He has been a life-long supporter of the Democratic party, and for many years he has taken an active part in politics. He was married, in 1865, to Miss Mary E. Doan, a daughter of Dr. George Doan. Four children have been born to this marriage, viz .: Milton, Albert, George N. and Alda M. He is a Mason and a member of the Re- formed Church.

REV. HENRY HILBISH, pastor of the Second Reformed Church of Hanover, is a native of Free- burgh, Snyder Co., Penn., was born September 13, 1836, and is the sixth in a family of seven children born to Henry and Elizabeth (Keller) Hilbish, and is of German descent. His parents were born in Montgomery County, Penn., the father in 1790, and the mother in 1801. The former died in 1858, and the latter two years prior. His great-grandfather

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

was one of three brothers who were born in Ger- many and came to America in 1749, and settled in Montgomery County, Penn., and there the grand- father of Rev. H. was born. Rev. H. was educated at Freeburgh, Snyder Co., Penn. He studied the- ology under a private tutor, and at the age of twen- ty-one entered the ministry. He preached one year in his native county, and then went to Dauphin County; he there preached some time and then went to Berks County, and thence to Ohio, where he remained until 1880, when he came to Hanover, and here has since been, and is a most efficient and successful clergyman, and was the leading spirit in the erection of the Second Reformed Church of Hanover. He was married, May 10, 1858, to Miss Mary Whitmer, a native of Juniata County, Penn., and has had born to him eight children.

DR. CHARLES A. KAIN, born in York Coun- ty , April 17, 1852, is a son of John and Susanna (May) Kain. He attended the common schools, and hegan teaching in the various schools of the county at the age of seventeen. After teaching about five years he began a course of study under Dr. J. M. Kilmore, of York County, preparatory to his profession of veterinary surgeon. He located in Manchester, York County, and in 1882 removed . to Hanover, where he has since practiced his pro- fession. He was married, in 1878, to Miss Caroline, daughter of Henry and Sarah Bower. They have two children: Herbie B., born in January, 1879; and Charles E., born April, 1880. The Doctor is a member of the Lutheran Church.

STEPHEN KEEFER was born in West Vir- ginia, November, 29, 1816, and is a son of Joseph and Mary Keefer, natives" of the same State. He remained at home with his parents until the age of eighteen, when he was apprenticed to learn the carpenter trade, and remained at this business twelve years. He then moved to Hanover, and was engaged for thirteen years in the grocery business, where he laid the foundation of an ample fortune. Mr. Keefer was elected a director of the First Na- tional Bank of Hanover, when it was organized, which position he held four years; he was then elected cashier and served six years, but resigned this position to seek a more active vocation. He then became prominently identified with the rail- road interest of this section of York County, he- coming a director in the Hanover Junction, Han- over & Gettysburg Railroads, and Baughman Val- ley, Berlin Branch and Hanover and Baltimore and Baltimore & Harrisburg Railroads; is a director of the Hanover Gas Company, helped to organize the Hanover Water Company, and is now president and general superintendent of it. At the organization of the Hanover Agricultural Society, he was elected president. Always having been an ardent support- er of the Republican party, he was elected county commissioner in 1880, aud performed the duties of that office with signal ability, showing an extensive knowledge of business. In this official capacity he made many warm friends in both political par- ties of York County. His marriage to Catherine, daughter of David and Susan Bixler, occurred December 24, 1842. His second marriage was to Miss Susan, daughter of Rudolph and Elizabeth Forry, of York, Penn., and was solemnized May 18, 1858. Mr. Keefer is a member of the Reformed Church, and his present wife of St. Mark's Luth- eran Church of Hanover. He has always been a public spirited citizen and has done much to im- prove the material interests of Hanover. He was elected burgess of Hanover, February, 1885.

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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 167

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