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 168

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 168

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ARNOLD KLEFF, hotel keeper, was born on the river Rhine, near Seegburg, in Prussia, Germany, April 9, 1831, and came to America August 27, 1847, where he landed at Baltimore. Until 1865 he was clerking for Canfield Bros. & Co., jewelers, and

traveled for them six years. In 1868 he opened the Montour House at Westminster, Md., and con- ducted it four years, after which he commenced deal- ing in agricultural implements and traveled a great deal in the South until 1874, after which he re- moved to New York City, where he began dealing in notions. In 1875 he returned to Baltimore-to Canfield Bros. & Co., and in 1877 he took charge of the Diller House at Hanover, Penn., which he kept until 1880, when he leased the Central Hotel, at the same place, which he has kept since. May 12, 1853, he was married at Baltimore to Annie McGraw, of that city, who died in 1860, leaving two chil- dren: John N. and William (deceased). January 26, 1864, he was married to Gertrude Voshell, a native of Maryland, and of French descent. They have five children: Harry V., Annie H., Gertrude H., Arnold J. and Charles. The family are members of the Catholic Church. The father of Mr. Kleff came to America on a visit in 1854, but returned to Germany, where he died.

BARTON H. KNODE, editor and publisher of The Hanover Citizen and Der Hanover Citizen (the latter being published in German), was born at Jones' Cross Roads, Washington Co., Md., April 19, 1851. He was educated at the public schools, but had little opportuity for attendance even at those institutions-his father beiug a farmer, sub- ject's assistance was required in that capacity. He served an apprenticeship on the Booneshorough (Md.) Odd Fellow, beginning in 1868. After his apprenticeship, he held positions on the Baltimore American and Baltimore Sun, as a compositor, afterward obtaining a position in the Government printing department of Washington, D. C., solely on his abilities as a first-class compositor. In that office his abilities were justly recognized by pro- motion, until he was finally placed on "bill" work and "rule and figure" work, the highest grade of general composition. In the early spring of 1875 he was compelled to resign his position because of the failure of his health. Retiring to the country home of his parents, however, by the careful and tender nursing of a true and affectionate mother, he was soon fully restored to his accustomed good health. In the early summer of that year he made his first venture in journalism by taking charge of the Mechanicstown (Md.) Clarion during its pro- prietor's protracted illness. Mr. Knode conducted the Clarion for eight months in a most successful and profitable manner, when the establishment was sold. In December, 1875, he purchased the Littles- town (Penn.) News, and conducted that paper with credit and ability until June, 1879, when he suc- ceeded to the proprietorship of the two papers which he now so ably conducts. Since having charge of these two journals he hasconducted them in the same channel as his illustrious predecessor (Mr. William Heltzel) and enjoys the confidence, esteem and respect of his neighbors, acquaint- ances, and the political party (Democratic) whose principles he loves and advocates. Mr. Knode's acquaintances include a large circle of eminent men of both political parties, and his influence at home and throughout the country is extensive and much sought after. He has been a member of the order of A. F. & A. M. since 1875, and has for many years been an active member of the I. O. O. F., having "passed through the chairs" in both the subordinate and encampment branches.

FRANCIS A. H. KOCH, a physician of Han- over, Penn., was born in York, Penn., August 31, 1830. His parents, Dr. Francis and Nancy (Hies- tand) Koch, were of the pioneer families of the county. His great-grandfather, who came from Germany, settled in Dover before York Borough was laid out. He has two brothers and three sisters, one of whom is younger than himself. His

HANOVER BOROUGH AND PENN TOWNSHIP.

early education he received at the York County Academy, and at the age of twenty he began read- ing medicine with his father. In 1849 he entered the University of Maryland, in Baltimore, and graduated in 1852. He first practiced in York, but removed to Hellam Township: returning, however. to York in two years, and after a few months' stay removed to Liverpool, York County, where he practiced two years, then going to York again, and from there, in one and a half years, to North Codorus, where he remained sixteen years. In 1871 he came to Hanover where he has since re- sided. In 1857 he was married at York, Penn., to Annie M. DeHuff. daughter of Abraham DeHuff. of Dillsburg, and has had seven children: Abram (de- ceased), Virginia, Annie E., Helen G., Francis Abram, Susan and Edward William. He is a mem- ber of the Masonie Lodge of York, of the York County Medical Society, and was three times elected chief burgess of Hanover.

REV. J. C. KOLLER, pastor of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Hanover, Penn., was born Octo- ber 24, 1839, in Springfield Township, York County, a few miles northeast of Glen Rock. His parents were Henry and Anna Mary Koller. He spent his early years on the farm, and in teaching school, and entered the preparatory department of Pennsyl- vania College, Gettysburgh, in the spring of 1860, and graduated in 1865-the valedictorian of his class. He took a full course in the Theological Seminary at the same place, and was licensed to preach the Gospel by the West Pennsylvania Synod at Chambersburgh, in September, 1867. He soon after became pastor of the Glen Rock Evangelical Lutheran Church, and remained there until the spring of 1877. when he entered his present field of labor as pastor of St. Matthew's Church, which was organized in 1738. It is the second church of that denomination, in point of age, in York County, and with its communicant membership of 725 per- sons, and nominal membership of over 1,000 per- sons, is the largest congregation of the Lutheran denomination in the county. Mr Koller is a faithful and earnest worker, a close student and a devoted pastor. He was married to Alice C., daughter of William Heathcote, June 1, 1869. They have one daughter and three sons.

JOSEPH LEIB, general freight and ticket agent of the Hanover Junction, Hanover & Gettysburg Railroad, was born in Hopewell Township, York County, April 14, 1829, and is the son of John and Mary (Purkey) Leib, both natives of York County and of German descent. His grandfather. Christian Leib, also a native of the county, was a soldier in the Revolutionary army, and his father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and participated in the affair at North Point near Baltimore, being one of 100 men, who went as defenders from his neigh- horhood. He outlived them all and died at the age of eighty-four. The Purkey family were, at an early day, quite numerous'in the county, but Mr. Leib's mother. who died at the age of seventy-five, was the last of her father's family in its limits, the rest having emigrated probably to the west. Joseph Leib is the sixth son of a family 'of eleven children, ten of whom are living-nine sons and one daughter. Four of the sons are railroad men; an elder brother, John S., has been treasurer of the Northern Central Railway since 1854, and two others are in Baltimore. The other members of the family are farmers, one in Kansas, the rest in York County. Mr. Leib was educated in the com- mon schools, and followed farming until 1855, when he hegan railroading as clerk in the Baltimore freight office of the Northern Central Railway, and in less than a month was appointed agent of the same company at Hanover and filled that office until 1876, when he was appointed general ticket

agent of the Hanover Junction, Hanover & Gettys- burg Railroad, and in 1883 was appointed general freight agent. His duties embrace the general freight, ticket and auditing departments of the company. He was married at New Freedom, Penn., in 1857. to Julia A., daughter of Peter Free, for whom that town was named. They have two children: Wilbur F., a railroad man by profession, and Josephine H. The family are members of the Methodist Church, of which Mr. Leib is a trustee. He is recording seribe of Hanover Division, No. 84, S. of T.

REV. JAMES H. Mc CORD, resident minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Hanover, was born in Lewistown. Penn., January 15,"1837; his parents, James and Mary (Willis) McCord were natives of Mifflin County, Penn., and of Irish and English descent, respectively. They had four children-two sons and two daughters-of whom Rev. J. is the third now living. He was brought up and educated at the public schools at Lewistown and at the academy. When about sixteen years old he entered Dickinson's Seminary at Williamsport, from which he graduated in three years as A. B. He had intended to study law, but being taken sick he abandoned that idea and began to prepare for the ministry. He at once entered conference and at the end of two years was ordained deacon and after four years, elder. He served as deacon for two years in Frederick City, Md .. and as elder in Balti- more City three years, and Huntingdon Methodist Episcopal Church for two years; at Danville, Penn., three years; Clearfield, Penn., two years; while at the latter place he completed the church, which cost $35,000 He then went to Tyrone for two years; Waynesborough, three years; Gettysburg. three years: Duncannon, Penn., one year; New Cumber- land. Penn., three years; and in April, 1884. he came to Hanover. During this time over 1,250 persons were taken into the church. While in Baltimore he married more couples than any other minister-300 in three years. He was married at Clearfield, Penn., March 13, 1871, to Clara Foley, daughter of Judge W. C Foley. They have one child, Maggie. Rev. McCord is a member of the R. A. M. of Frederick City. He has repeatedly given lectures before col- legiate institutes.

FRANKLIN G. Mc KINNEY, proprietor of the Franklin Hotel, York Street, Hanover, was born in Adams County, Penn .. in 1842, and is a son of John and Barbara (Wills) MeKinney, of Irish and German descent respectively. Brought up on a farm he re- ceived a common school education and at the age of nineteen hegan the trade of blacksmith, which he followed eight years in Hanover, to which place he came in 1855. In 1876 he became a brakeman and afterward couducter on the Baltimore & Hanover Railroad. In 1883 he bought and took charge of the Franklin Hotel: which he has since conducted. He was married in 1861 to Miss Lydia Low, and they have three children: Annie, Martha and William. Mr. and Mrs. McKinney are members of the Catholic Church. In politics he is a Democrat. He hegan life a poor boy and has successfully made his own way in the world.

JOHN A. MELSHEIMER, M. D., a promising young physician of Hanover, Penn., was born at that place January 13, 1858. His parents were Lucins F. and Lucretia C. (Forney) Melsheimer, of York County. and of German descent. John A. is their only living child. His early education he re- ceived at the schools of Hanover; later he attended Dickinson's Seminary at Williamsport, from which he graduated as A. B., in 1877. He then began to read medicine with Dr. Snively, of Hanover, with whom he studied for two years and then entered Jefferson Medical College, from which he graduated in 1883. Coming back to Hanover he stayed with

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

his old preceptor, Dr. Snively, for one year, and then, in April, 1884, began the practice of medicine under his own name. The Doctor is very much attached to his profession and devotes all his atten- tion to it. December 23, 1884, he was married to Ella Trone, daughter of George E. and Amelia Trone (deceased). of York County.

REV. JOHN A. METZGER, A. M., resident pastor of West Manheim charge (composed of St. Bartholomew's, St. David's and St. Paul's Churches), was born at Liverpool (now Manchester Township), York County, April 5, 1855. His parents were Zachariah and Maria (Feiser) Metzger, of York and Adams Counties, and of German and Polish descent respectively. Rev. John A. is the youngest of three children (one son and two daughters, one of the lat- ter having died), and until his fifteenth year re- mained on his father's farm, attending the public schools. After that he attended the Millersville normal schools. When about nineteen years of age he entered the York Academy to prepare him- self for the Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, which he entered at twenty-one years of age with a view of studying for the ministry. He graduated in 1880, and then entered the Theological Seminary, where he remained until 1883. He came to Hanover in July, 1883, to take charge of the congregations. Three months previous to this he had already ac- cepted the call, and had been licensed to preach in 1882, but in September, 1883, he was ordained as a regular minister of the gospel at Carlisle, Penn. September 25, 1883, he was married at Gettysburg, Penn., to Mary C. Culp, of Gettysburg, of German descent, and like her husband a Lutheran. Rev. Metzger devotes his whole time and attention to the ministry. Having to attend three congregations, and to preach in German and English, his duties are necessarily many and burdensome, yet with the spirit of a'true Christian, he attends to all his du- ties with a cheerful spirit.

SAMUEL B. MYERS, son of John and Susan (Bechtel) Myers, was born July 28, 1821, on the homestead, where he has always resided, having been reared to farming. October 10, 1844, Mr. Myers married Magdaline Baer, daughter of David and Polly (- ) Baer. Thirteen children were born to them: David (deceased), Emanuel, Maria (deceased), Susanna, John, Ezra, Sarah (deceased), Elizabeth, Samuel, Abraham, Daniel, Magdaline and Isaac (deceased). Daniel and Abraham are school-teachers; at present they are at the State Normal School at Shippensburg, Penn. September 6, 1881, our subject married Barbara Baer, daughter of Jacob and Barbara (Keagy) Baer, of Heidelberg Township. Marlin Myers, the grandfather of our subject, came from Lancaster County; his wife's maiden name was Annie Dooner. Mr. Myers is well and favorably known in his section of the county, and is one of Penn Township's best citizens.

MAHLON H. NAILL was born in Taneytown, Carroll Co., Md., February 13, 1843. His parents, William W. and Harriet (Kehn), were natives of Maryland, and of German descent; they were mar- ried in Carroll County, Md., where the father car- ried on cabinet-making for a few years. but removed to Ohio in 1849, where he died in 1851, leaving a widow and two sons, of whom Mahlon H. is the eldest. After the death of the father the widow re- moved to Hanover, where she has since resided, and where she brought up her sons. There she was married to Samuel Trone, of Hanover, and has one daughter-Catherine-now the wife of W. S. Gal- latin. Mahlon H. began to learn the cigar-making trade when about eleven years of age, and followed it until 1877, working for his step-father, who was a cigar manufacturer. His education he received at the public schools of Hanover. June 17, 1863, he enlisted in Company I, Twenty-sixth Pennsyl-

vania Volunteer Militia, and served during the "emergency." Some three or four days before the battle of Gettysburg he took part in a skirmish near that place. May 20, 1869, he was married at Han- over to Mary E. Long, daughter of Henry Long, of Hanover, and has six sons: Harry C., George E., Irvin T., Maurice W., Elmer M. and Mahlon C. Mr. Naill and wife are members of the St. Mark's Lutheran Church of Hanover. Mr Naill is a mem- ber of the Friendly Circle No. 19, B. U. H. F., of Pennsylvania; is one of the orginal stockholders of the Hanover Agricultural Society; was twice elected assessor, and has held the office of postmaster since 1877, having been first appointed hy President Hayes.

H. C. RUTH, D. D. S., was born in York County, in 1853; is a son of Henry and Louisa (Hoff) Ruth, and is of English descent. His parents were also born in York County. His great-grandfather came from England, and was an early settler in York County. Our subject received a common school education, and in 1869, began the study of den- tistry in Hanover under Dr. H. C. Derr, and now has established an extended and successful practice. He was married, in 1877. to Miss Ella S. Stine, a native of Hanover, and a daughter of John R. Stine, and is now the father of two children: J. Harry and Austin S. The Doctor and Mrs. R. are mem- bers of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, of Hanover, Penn.

AMBROSE SCHMIDT, horn in Germany, Jan- mary 11, 1824, is a son of Andrew and Catherine. (Meisener) Schmidt, both natives of Germany. He came to this country with his parents in 1842, and: settled in the borough of York. Having served an apprenticeship at the trade of mason in Germany, he engaged in stone cutting and building soon after his arrival at York. He assisted in tearing down the old county jail at York and building the new one. He continued at his trade until 1866, when he . removed to Hanover, Penn., and engaged in the busi- ness of beer brewing, to which he subsequently added beer bottling and pop manufacturing, which business he has profitably conducted to the present. Mr. Schmidt was married, August 2, 1849, to Miss Margaret, daughter of Anthony and Margaret Boll. Six children have blessed this union, Catherine, born April, 1850 ; Margaret, February 1852 ; Adam, De- cember, 1854 ; Mary, April, 1857 ; John, August, 1859 : and Ambrose O., October, 1863. Mr. Schmidt and his family are all members of the Catholic Church.

JAMES R. SCHMIDT, ex-recorder of York Coun- ty, was born in 1830, is the son of Joseph W. and> Catherine (Knaub) Schmidt, and is of German de- scent. His father was born at Martinsburglı, Va., in 1794, and when a young man came to York County. The subject of this biography. in 1846, began the drug business in Hanover, continued for- a time and then went to Middletown, Butler Co., Ohio, remaining there one year; he then returned to Hanover, and again engaged in the drug business. In 1862 he was drafted and was in the employment of the government almost one year, acting in the capacity of hospital steward. He is a Democrat, and in 1876 was elected recorder of York County, and served three years. He was married in 1860 to Miss Rebecca Sherman, a native of York County. To this marriage five children have been born. Mr. Schmidt is one of the representative men of Han- over. and a member of the I. O. O. F.

HENRY M. SCHMUCK, of the firm of Schmuck & Sons, lumber and coal dealers, and president of the First National Bank of Hanover, was born at Hanover, September 26. 1824, is a son of Joseph and Christiana (Felty) Schmuck, and is of German descent. His father was born in York County, and · in 1812 established the first English newspaper in

HANOVER BOROUGH AND PENN TOWNSHIP.

Hanover, which was known as the Hanover Guar- lian. His death occurred in March, 1829. The grand father of this subject was Michael Schmuck His maternal grandfather was Henry Felty. a cavalry officer in the war of the Revolution. Our subject was educated at Hanover Academy, and from 1841 to 1847 was employed in the dry goods store of Isaac Baugher, Emmittsburg, Md. In 1847 he went to Charleston, S. C., and until 1848 was in the em- ploy of C. & E. L. Kerrison, wholesale dry goods dealers. In 1852 Mr. Schmuck engaged in the lum- ber and coal business in Hanover, and in this has since continued. In 1880 he was elected president of the First National Bank of Hanover. He was married in 1851 to Miss Amanda Reid, of Cincin- nati, Ohio, and a native of Emmittsburg, Md., and daughter of Patrick Reid. Eight children have been born to this union, viz. : Joseph H., Blanch A., William A., Eugene R., Helen V., Emma E., Min- nie C. and Percival. Mr. S. is a member of the Emanuel Reformed Church.

JACOB H. SCHRIVER is a native of what is now Penn Township, York County, was born No- vember 14, 1842, is a son of Henry C. and Maria M. (Felty) Schriver, and is of German descent. His father was horn in Adams County, Penn., and his mother is a native of York County. Mr. Schriver was educated at the public schools of Hanover. At twenty-five years of age he began life for him- self, and for a time clerked in a store, and later en- gaged in mercantile business. In 1874 he began his present occupation as liveryman, in which he has been successful. He has the most extensive livery in Hanover, and in connection carries on an exchange and sale stable. In 1866 he married Miss Ella C. Gitt, a native of Hanover. Two children have been born to this union, viz .: Harry G. and M. Grace. Mr. Schriver is a Republican, and a member of the Reformed Church, of which his wife is also a member.

HENRY SCHWALM, proprietor of the Mansion House, Hanover, Penn., was born September 24, 1842, in Kurhessen, Germany, and is the elder of two children born to Henry and Anna M. (Nau) Schwalm, also natives of Germany. Henry re- ceived a good German education. He immigrated to America, landing at Baltimore, May 25, 1868, and two days after came to Hanover, where he has since resided. He is a tanner by trade, and worked for one man fourteen years, and quit the trade and embarked in the hotel business. He had owned and managed a restaurant for seventeen months, after which he sold out and purchased the good will and fixtures of the "Mansion House," his present stand, where he is now doing a flourishing business. He was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Stutz in 1867. Five children have blessed this hap- py union: John H., Harry (deceased), George E. (deceased), Mary E. and Alice G. He and his wife are both members of the Reformed Church. He is a member of the Friendly Circle No. 19, B. U. (H. F.) of Hanover Lodge No. 318, K. of P., and of Min- newaukurn Tribe No. 250, I. O. of R. M. He was constable of Hanover from 1876 to 1880, the last year police of the borough. In politics he is a Re- publican, takes great interest in educational matters, and is a liberal, public-spirited citizen.

LEWIS D. SELL, justice of the peace of Penn Township, York County, was born in Adams County, Penn., March 20. 1853. His parents, Henry and Lucinda (Heagy) Sell, were natives of Adams County, of German descent and reared a family of six children-five sons and one daughter-the latter now deceased. When Lewis D. was but two and a half years of age, his parents removed to York County and settled near Hanover, where they en- gaged in farming, which they followed until 1877. Lewis D. was brought up on the farm, and assisted

his father until sixteen years of age. His educa- tion he received at the common schools, and at the normal schools of York County. After leaving his father's farm, he began teaching school in Manheim Township, and taught about eleven years in York County, spending his vacations at farming. He was married at Littlestown, Penn., May 24, 1874, to Henrietta A. Aulabaugh, of York County; they have four children: Emma Lucinda, Harry Samuel J. Tilden, Lewis Absalom, and Tempeth A. Jackson Snively. The family are members of the Trinity Reformed Church of Hanover. Mr. Sell is a member of the K. of P., and has been chancellor and commander. In 1880 he was ap- pointed justice of the peace by the governor of Pennsylvania, and in the following year, he was elected to that office. and is the present incumbent. In 1884 he was a candidate for clerk of the court. In 1883 he was a delegate to the State convention. He is an active Democrat and has often represented his township in the county conventions. He is also a stockholder in the Hanover Agricultural Society.

EDGAR SLAGLE, retired merchant, was born at Willow Grove Farm, Adams County, Penn., April 6, 1824, is a son of Michael and Eliza (Weaver) Slagle, and is of German descent. His father, a farmer, was also born in what is now Adams County, and his mother in Lancaster County, Penn. Mr. Slagle received a common school edu- cation and was reared on the farm. In 1842 he was appointed to a clerkship at the Duncannon Iron Works in Perry County, Penn. There he re- mained until 1850. In 1852 he began the hardware business in Hanover in partnership with Samuel Shirk. In 1879, Mr. Slagle retired from business, after many years of success. He was married in 1856 to Miss Anna E., daughter of Henry and Lydia Schriver, and a native of Adams County. They have had four children, viz .: Calvin S., Ida E., Mary L. and Edgar (deceased). He is a Repub- lican and manifests great interest in political affairs. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. Mr. and Mrs. Slagle are members of the Reformed Church. His son, Calvin, now a minister in the Reformed Church, is located at Cessna, Bedford County, Penn. He graduated from Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, in 1879, and from the theological seminary at Lancaster in 1882. His marriage was solemnized in 1882 to Miss Kate, daughter of Rev. Dr. Thomas Apple, president of Franklin and Marshall College.

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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 168

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