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 172

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 172

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SAMUEL R. KOCHER was born in York County, May 18, 1844. His parents were Christian and Mary (Abel) Kocher, of German descent, who had three children, of whom Samuel R. is the eld- est. He was brought up on a farm, and educated at the public schools; he followed farming until 1881, although he began other business for himself before he was twenty-one years of age. In 1870, he began a cigar manufactory in Lower Windsor Township, and in 1871 he opened up in Wrights- ville, but continued the country factory until 1879, In 1878, he erected the building which he has since occupied at Wrightsville. He is also engaged in

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

packing tobacco and is considered the largest dealer in the leaf iu the county. He packs about 1,000 cases of tobacco, and manufactures from 4,000,000 to 5.000,000 cigars annually, employing about 100 hands. He was married May 26, 1864, to Susan, daughter of Daniel and Anna (Sherick) Lefer. of Lower Windsor Township, and has three children; Emma D., Samuel C. and Annie M. Mr. Kocher was the originator of the Wrightsville & Chanceford Turnpike Company, of which he was the first president, and still holds that office. He owns about fifty acres of land about three miles below Wrightsville, and two shad fisheries, and also has one-half interest in 345 acres of choice land in Orange County, Fla., containing a grove of 200 bearing orange trees, and within convenient rail- road facilities. He is treasurer of the Riverside

Lodge of Masons, and a member of S. of T., and was a judge of elections and assessor, and is alto- gether a prominent and active business man. Mr. Kocher's grandfather, George Kocher, came from Wurtemberg in 1817, bringing with him his brother John and sister Rosana, and, arriving at Philadelphia, he moved to Peckway Creek, Lan- caster County, where he lived several years, when he moved to Hellam Township, York County, (near Stoner's Station). He lived several years in Hel- lam, when he again moved to Lower Windsor Township, on the road leading from Wrightsville to Margaretta Furnace. Mr. Kocher's father was born at Peckway, Lancaster County, in 1818. Mr. Kocher has three uncles: George, living in Perry County; Emanuel, living near Dayton, Ohio. and Jacob, living in Nebraska. He also has a brother,

Henry P., living in Dayton, Ohio: a sister married to Mr. Shultz, is living in Lower Windsor Town- ship. The portrait of Mr. Kocher appears else- where as a representative of the tobacco interest of York County.

AARON M. LEIIMAN was born in Springfield Township April 3, 1862. He is the second son and third child of a family of eleven children, and was reared and educated in Springfield Township. At twenty years of age he began learning the miller's trade with S. F. Hollinger, and at present is milling vt Striekler's Mill. He was married October 4, a883, to Almira A. Gruver, daughter of Peter Gru- 1er of Paradise Township.

GEORGE E. LOUCKS was born in Spring Garden Township December 10, 1850. His parents were Z. K. Loucks and Sarah Ann (Ebert) Loucks, of York County. of whom he was the fourth child. His youth was spent at farm- ing, and his education was received at York, and one term at the Penn- sylvania College at Gettysburgh, at which institution he prepared him- self for his profession, but owing to feeble health was obliged to abandon his studies, and until his twenty- · eighth year he worked about the farm. In 1878 he was appointed agent of the Pennsylvania Railroad. at Hellam, which position he has held ever since, devoting his whole time and attention to it. He was married in his native township March 7, 1878, to Mary J. S. Myers, daughter of Samuel Myers. Mr. and Mrs. Loucks belong to the Lutheran Church at York, at which place also his father, Zachariah K. Loucks, president of the First National Bank. and one of the wealthiest men of York County, has his resi- dence.

CAPT. FRANK J. MAGEE, justice of the peace, was horn at Wrightsville, December 8, 1837, and is the second son of James F. and Rosanna (Hinkle) Magee, of Chester and York Counties respectively, and of Irish and German descent. He received his primary education at the public schools of Wrightsville, and in 1855 he entered Georgetown College (D. C.) and graduated in 1859. Returning to Wrightsville he took charge of all the public schools for two years as principal. Novem- ber 28, 1861, he entered the military service as second lieutenant of Com- pany I, Seventy-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry(Col.Power), and served three years and three months. He was promoted to first lieutenant and captain, and served on the staffs of Gens. Terry, Ferry, Ames and Strong, participating in the battle of Olustee, Fla., the Sumpter campaign, and all battles along the coast, except Beaufort, N. C. At the battle of Cold Harbor, in 1864, he joined the Army of the Po- tomac, and served with that army until the expira- tion of his term of service. Returning to Wrights- ville, he again took charge of the schools till 1871, when in the fall of that year he was elected to the legislature from York County on the Democratic ticket. On his return he was elected justice of the peace and has held that office since. At present he is regulator of the .borough, president of the Wrightsville Hardware Company, director of the Wrightsville Iron Company, has been secre- tary of the school board for the past nine years,

WRIGHTSVILLE BOROUGH AND HELLAM TOWNSHIP.

and captain of the "Wrightsville Grays" National Guard since 1872; is commander of Post 270, G. A. R., J. W. of Riverside Lodge, No. 503, A. F. & A. M., and was also editor of the Wrightsville Star in 1867-68-69-70. He was married at Wrightsville August 6, 1867, to Martha H. Smith, daughter of R. W. Smith, Esq., and has two children, Robert S. and Helen M.

HENRY MILLER was born in Lower Windsor Township June 10, 1823. His parents were Henry and Magdalena (Smith) Miller, of Lower Windsor Township, who had six children, of whom our sub- ject is the youngest. He was reared and educated in the same township, and at eighteen years of age he began learning the carpenter's trade with his brother, George Miller, with whom he remained two years. He followed his trade for twenty-five years, and then began farming in Lower Windsor Town- ship, which he continued four years, and then com- menced building panel fences, at which he is still engaged. In 1883 he came to Hellam Township and purchased a small farm, and engaged in the manufacture of cigars, a business he had previously condneted in connection with his other enterprises, having now an experience therein of about twenty years. His present output is ahout 300,000 per year. He was married to Catherine Dellinger, and has had five children, three of whom are living. He and family are members of the Lutheran Church.

WILLIAM H. MILLER was born in Windsor township April 18, 1838. His parents were Peter and Magdalena (Deckman) Miller, and his grandpar- ents Peter and Mary (Murphy) Miller. His great- grandparents came to York County during the Rev- olution. He is the eldest son and fourth child in a family of seven children, and was educated in the public schools of his neighborhood, York County Academy, and an academy in Lower Chanceford. For fourteen terms he taught school in Lower Windsor Township, after which he followed the Tide Water Canal for four years. In 1865 he began farming in Lower Windsor Township and continued for seven years He was married January 21, 1864, to Leah Stine, daughter of Valentine and Sarah Stine, of York County, and has had born to him eight chil- dren: Minnie, Preston H., Arthur C., Olivia (de- ceased), Persifer O. (deceased), Jennie, Winfield S. H. and Addie. In the spring of 1875 he removed to Wrightsville, where he was engaged in anction- eering for two years; he then removed to Hellam Township where he at present resides, dealing in sewing machines, agricultural implements, fertili- zers, and is also engaged in auctioneering and fire insurance business.

AMBROSE MILLER, son of George and Susan Miller of Lower Windsor Township, was born Feb- ruary 19, 1860, and passed his boyhood on the farm, attending school during the winters. From the age of eighteen years until his majority, he served an ap- prenticeship at blacksmithing with Henry S. Hein- dle of Hellam Township. In 1881, he came to the village and worked for a year for James Ray, whom he then bought out, and is now receiving an en- conraging patronage in custom work.

JOHN W. MINNICH, was born in Wrightsville, Penn., January 16, 1849. His parents were Michael and Anna (Upp) Minnich, of York County, and of German nationality. They had four children, of whom John W. is the second. He spent his youth mostly at school, and at seventeen years of age he entered Pennsylvania College at Gettysburgh, where he remained about two years studying for the ministry. which he afterward abandoned. In 1868 he went West as a carpenter, stopping two years at Pittsburgh, Penn. He drifted as far west as Atchison, Kas., where he remained nine months; he also was eighteen months at Caledonia, Ohio. On his return from the West, he again remained two

years at Pittsburgh, as assistant foreman in a door and sash factory. In the winter of 1874, he returned to Wrightsville, and engaged in the undertaking and carpentering business, which he followed until 1882, when he added the furniture business. Re- tiring, however, from the furniture business in Feb- ruary, 1884, he in company with R. W. Weller, pur- chased the Wrightsville Builders' Mill, and from April, 1884, has carried on that business. He is also interested in the Wrightsville Hardware Company, and was one of its organizers. February 12, 1874, he was married at Abingdon, Md., to Emma Mc- Comas, who bore him one child (Anna), and died March 7, 1876, aged twenty-three years. Mr. Min- nich is a member of the Lutheren Church, and of the Masonic order, and has served as school director three years, and borough assessor for two years.

SAMUEL M. MYERS, was born in West Hemp- field Township, Lancaster Co., Penn., December 25, 1835. He was the fourth of the twelve children of Jacob and Magdalena (Myers) Myers, of Lancaster Connty, where he was brought up, receiving a good common school education. At twelve years of age he began to work on the farm of Andrew Brubaker, and remained with him six years, after which he began to learn painting with Samuel Coffman, which he continued for about one year. October 8, 1856, he was married to Fannie Kuhns, daughter of Jacob Kuhns of West Hempfield Township, and was blessed with a family of fonr boys and five girls-two boys and two girls still living. After his marriage he worked three years for John Bowers of Lancaster County. On the 5th of August, 1864, he enlisted in Company A, Two Hundred and Third Pennsylvania Volunteers, under Capt. J. B. Bauch- man, and took part in the engagements at New Market road, Virginia, and at Fort Fisher, N. C. He was honorably discharged in June, 1865, and returned to Lancaster County, where he was en- gaged in farming and tobacco raising until March, 1881, when he removed to York County, and is at present engaged in farming and fruit raising. Mr. Myers is a member of the Osceola Tribe, No. 11, of R., M., of Columbla, Lancaster County, is a mem- ber of Post 122. G. A. R., and was at one time con- stable of West Hempfield Township.

GEORGE A. REBMAN, M. D., was born in West Manchester Township, York County, July 6, 1852. His parents were Jacob and Catherine (Hein- dle) Rebman, of Pennsylvania, and of German and English descent, respectively. He was brought up on a farm, and educated at the public schools and at the York County Academy. After leaving school he taught in public schools till about twenty-two years of age, when he entered the office of Dr. Hay, at York, and began to read medicine, which he continued for something over a year. He then entered the University of Maryland, at Baltimore, and gradnated in 1876, with the degree of M. D. In May, of the same year, he located at Wrightsville, where he has since practiced his profession with great success. He was married January 13, 1880, at Wrightsville, to Ella K. Detwiler, daughter of David Detwiler, and has two children-David and one unnamed. The Doctor is very much attached to his profession, has acquired a lucrative practice, is a prominent member of the Lutheran Church, and is the owner of a magnificent home property in Wrightsville.

S. L. REISINGER was born in Hellam Town- ship. November 24, 1852. His parents were Samuel and Elizabeth (Smith) Reisinger, of York County, who had seven children, of whom S. L. was the sec- ond son. He received his education at the common schools, and, in 1876, began learning the trade of cigar maker in Hellam Township, which occupation he has followed since. November 4, 1880, he was married to Arabella R. Upp, daughter of Jacob and

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Mary Upp, of Wrightsville, aud has two children: Elsie B. and May E. Mrs. Reisinger is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

LUTHER L. REWALT, M. D., was born in Middletown, Penn., December 25, 1839. His par- ents were William and Catherine (McKinley) Re- walt, of Pennsylvania, and of German and Scotch- Irish descent, respectively. They had only this one son and one daughter. Until the age of ten Luther L. attended the public schools, and the following five years at Eman's Institute at Middletown. At the age of fifteen he entered the preparatory school at Litiz Academy, where he remained four years. He then began reading medicine at Halifax, Penn., with Dr. Wright, and then read with Dr. Filbert, at Columbia. At the age of twenty he entered the medical department of the University of Penu- sylvania, at Philadelphia, from which institution he graduated in March, 1861, with the degree of M. D. At the outbreak of the Rebellion he received the first surgeon's commission issued by Gov. Cur- tin, and was assigned to the Twenty-fifth Pennsyl- vania Volunteer Infantry, a three months' regi- ment, and served until the end of his term. Return- iug to Wrightsville he practiced medicine until August, 1864, when he was appointed acting assist- ant surgeon, United States army, by Dr. John Campbell, United States army surgeon at Philadel- phia. which position he held hut a few months. Returning to Wrightsville he resumed the practice of his profession until January 27, 1865, when he entered the Twenty-first Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, as assistant surgeon, and remained to the end of the war. He again returned to Wrightsville, where he has since located, practicing his profes- sion, except one year, which he spent in Philadel- phia. He was married April 6, 1863, to Mary Jane Magee, daughter of James F. Magee (deceased), of Wrightsville, and had five children: James W. Mary F., Annie M., William H. (deceased), and Francis J. The family are members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church. The Doctor is surgeon of the G. A. R. Post, at Wrightsville, and a past mem- ber of the school board. He is a man of fine scho- lastic attainmeuts, and devotedly attached to his profession, and is respected by all.

REV. L. K. SECRIST, eldest son of William and Salome Secrist, was born in Conewago Town- ship, York County, February 6, 1829. When he was five years old his parents moved to Warrington Township, same county. There he worked on the farm, until preparation for the gospel ministry occupied his time and attention. One year was passed in study with Rev. James M. Harkey, pastor of the Lutheran Church at Rossville, four years in Pennsylvania College, Gettysburgh, and one year in the study of theology with Rev. D. Sell, at Berrysburgh, Dauphin Co., Penn. He entered the ministry in 1855, and up to the present served the following charges: Fisherville, Dauphin County; Salona, Clinton County; Boalsburg, Centre County; Blain, Perry County; Wrightsville and Kreutz Creek, York County-the last since 1872. He was united in marriage with Miss Catherine, daughter of David Hobaugh, September 4, 1856. Death hav- ing severed the sacred bond, he married Miss Mary J., daughter of William Howard, Mav 27, 1862. Of ten children, four sons-Arthur H., Maurice B., Mason E. Orville K .- are living.

GEORGE K. SCHENBERGER was born in Clark County, Ohio, September 3, 1841. His par- ents were Samuel and Sarah (Kauffelt) Schenberger, of German descent. Their ancestry were among the first settlers of the "Canadochley " Valley, and his parents emigrated to Ohio, probably in 1839. George K. is the eldest of three sons, and spent his younger days on the farm, but at the age of ten years came to Wrightsville, where he entered

the public schools, having left Ohio when five or six years old. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Harris- burg in Company B, One Hundred and Thirtieth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served nine months. He was promoted to orderly sergeant, and participated with the Army of the Potomac in the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancel- lorsville. In the last named he was wounded (May 3, 1863), being shot through the shoulder. Return- ing, he entered the Columbia Bank at Columbia in 1864 for three months, but in 1865 engaged as clerk in the First National Bank at Wrightsville, and in 1873 was elected cashier, which position he still holds. In polities he is a Republican.

CALVIN G. SMITH was born at Wrightsville November 27, 1839. His parents were Robert W. and Martha (Herr) Smith, of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. They had eight children, five sons and three daughters, of whom Calvin G. is the fourth. He was brought up in Wrightsville and finished his schooling before he was fourteen years of age. He then spent one year in a store at Wrightsville and one in an iron foundry. At the age of sixteen he entered the office of the York County Star at Wrightsville, which paper was started. owned and edited by his father. He there learned the printing trade, and followed it a few years. In 1861, in company with W. S. Boyd, he engaged in the mercantile business, in which he retained an interest for about three years. During the war he served a term in the army, and after the war he, in company with Capt. Magee, bought out the Star and ran it a few years, selling out to his partner and engaging in the coal business in 1872 at Wrightsville. He was one of the incorporators of the Wrightsville & Chanceford Turnpike Company and the Wrightsville Cemetery Association, and is secretary of the former and secretary and treasurer of the latter. In December, 1869, he was married, in York, to S. Anna Kauffelt, daughter of Henry Kauffelt, Esq., and has four children: Henry K., Robert Grier, Amy Lanius and Paul. He and wife belong to the Presbyterian Church. In 1874 Mr. Smith was appointed bank assessor by State Treas- urer Mackey.

THE STONER FAMILY. Henry Stoner (de- ceased) was born in Hellam Township, in December, 1800. His father was Christian Stoner, and his grand- father was also Christian Stoner, who settled on a tract of 1773 acres in 1761, which has since been the Stoner homestead. He attended the subscription schools of his neighborhood, and was married to Anna Strickler. They had ten children : Mary, Sarah, Henry, Samuel, Jacob, Annie, John, Eliza, Rudolph and Emanuel. His occupation was that of a farmer, which he followed until his death, from paralysis, March, 1872. He was a member of the Dunkard Church. Henry Stoner was born November 30, 1830, and educated at the common schools. He served as a school director for two years. Novem- ber 3, 1857 he was married to Sarah Farhinger, daughter of David and Christiana Farhinger. of York County, and had eight children, six of whom are living. John Stoner was horn August 7, 1838, and educated in the common schools. He always took a lively interest in education, and served in the school board in Hellam Township for some time. Emanuel Stoner was born June 23, 1843, received a good common school education, and later attended . the normal school at Millersville for one session. Da- vid Stoner was born in Hellam Township and was the youngest son of Christian and Mary (Herr) Stoner, pioneers of York County. He was educated in Hellam Township, and engaged in farming.

JOHN STONER, SR., was born in Hellam Town- ship, December 1, 1820. His parents were John and Magdalena (Strickler) Stoner, of York County, and of German descent. They had eight children, all

WRIGHTSVILLE BOROUGH AND HELLAM TOWNSHIP.

of whom died except our subject, and a brother. His life was spent at farming and milling, and his education was received at the township schools. In 1842 he was married at Lancaster. Penu., to Sarah Landes, daughter of Samuel Landes, of York County, and has had born to him six children: Anna, Mary, Henry L., John, Jr .. Samuel and Ma- linda. The family belong to the Dunkard Church. Mr. Stoner has twice been supervisor of Hellam Township and once assessor.

JOHN STONER. JR., son of John and Sarah Stoner, was born March 30, 1849, was reared a farmer, and was educated in the public schools. For several years he assisted in his father's mill, and in the spring of 1873 took charge of the home farm. In the fall of 1877 he bought his present property of sixty acres at Stoner's Station, on which he has a fine dwelling, a large barn, four tenements, a blacksmith shop, and a two-story stone warehouse 30x60 feet, the property costing him about $16,- 000 at public sale. He deals largely in grain, flour, feed stuff, coal, lime, etc., and leaf tobacco. October 17, 1872, he married Sarah E., daughter of Daniel and Sarah Smyser. The result of this union has been three children: Harry S., Margie E. and Howard S.

JACOB STRICKLER was born January 6, 1811. His parents were John and Catharine (Garver) Strickler, of llellam Township. He was reared on the farm in Hellam Township, is the eldest son, and was educated at subscription schools. He was mar- ried to Elizabeth Dietz, daughter of George Dietz, of York County, and had three children: Alfred (living), Ellen (deceased) and Anna (deceased). The farm on which he resides contains 190 acres of well improved land.

BENJAMIN STRICKLER was born in Hellam Township, in December, 1821. His parents were Benjamin and Mary (Freet) Strickler, and had three sons and five daughters, of whom Benjamin, Jr., is the eldest now living. He was brought up on a farm and educated at the common schools. At the age of twenty-three he began life for himself. In 1854 he was married, in Hellam Township, to Elnora Bahn, who has borne him six children, one of whom, Albert W., died at the age of twenty-four years, the living are Byron B., Edward M., Elmer D., Mary E., and Flora R. Mr. Strickler owns a fine farm of 126 acres; and has held various Township offices, such as assessor of the township, judge of elections, inspector, and school director several terms. Mr. Strickler is a member of the Reformed Church. Mr. Strickler's ancestors were among the first persons to obtain permits from Sam- uel Blunston, agent of the Penns, to settle on this side of the Susquehanna River. They settled in Kruetz Creek Valley as early as 1732, and were in the valley when Capt. Cressap and his band of Mary- landers encroached upon the right of the Pennsyl- vania settlers. The father of Mr. Strickler died in 1866, aged seventy-one years; the mother died in 1876, aged seventy-seven years.

MILTON SULTZBACH was born in Hellam Township, December 26, 1839. His parents were Frederick and Lydia (Gibson) Sultzbach, of Hellam Township, and Cumberland County, and of German and Scotch descent, respectively. They had eleven children, of whom they reared eight. Milton was the third child. He was educated at the public school and has worked all his life at farming, and in a tan yard. At the age of twenty-five he began business for himself. His father died August 17. 1863, aged forty-nine years, but his mother is still living and is now sixty-three years old. Mr. Sultz- bach belongs to an old family of pioneers, and is now residing on the same homstead, which had been in the family for many years, and always was handed down from father to son, as was the present

tannery, of which Milton took charge in 1864, and which was established by his grandfather. Mr. Sultzbach is a prominent member of the Masonic order and is universally respected.

JOHN A. THOMSON, M. D., was born in Franklin County, Penn., November 3, 1823. His parents were Alexander J. and Margaret. M. (Kerr) Thomson, and of Scotch descent. They had a family of five sons and four daughters, one daughter, only, being older than the subject of this sketch, who was educated a Fayetteville Academy, spend- ing part of his time clerking in a store, farming and teaching the high school at Fayetteville. While engaged in teaching be devoted some of his time to reading medicine, and in 1849 entered Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, from which he graduated in 1852, and at once began the practice of medicine at Wrightsville, where he has since been, and holds a high rank in his profession. He was married at Athens, Penn., May, 1855, to Elizabeth Satterlee of Bradford County, Penn., and has one child, John A., who was late resident marine sur- geon at Jefferson College, Philadelphia, and is now practicing medicine at Germantown, Penn. Dr. Thomson is at present surgeon for the Pennsylvania Railroad, was chief burgess for two years, for a number of years school director, and one of the directors of the Columbia National Bank. His wife and son are members of the Presbyterian Church. He has always enjoyed a large practice in his pro- fession, and is one of the influential citizens of his town.

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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 172

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