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 173

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 173

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JOHN E. WEITZEL was born in Hellam Town- ship February 24, 1828, the only child born to John and Elizabeth (Poff) Weitzel. He was brought up on the farm and educated at the public schools. At seventeen years of age he began learning the black- smith trade at Wrightsville, and served as appren- tice four years. When about twenty-one years old he engaged as foreman in Elwine's brickyard, which position he held until 1859, when he purchased the yard. In 1865 he engaged in the lime burning business in addition to brick-making, and continued until 1882, when he sold the brickyard, but retained aud continued the lime burning business in the name of Kerr, Weitzel & Co. In 1850 he was married at York, Penn., to Carrie Elwine. of York, and had eight children, five of whom are living: Henry E., John L., Carrie May. Emma L. and George B. Mr. Weitzel is a very active business man; he is a di- rector of the First National Bank of Wrightsville, president of the Wrightsville Hall Association, and the man who, through his energy, made the latter enterprise a success. He was school director three times, and councilman twice. He also owns a branch lime business in Lancaster County, which he managed from 1865 to 1875. In 1883 he burned and handled about 250.000 bushels of lime. He and wife are members of the Lutheran Church.

WILLIAM WITMAN was born in Dauphin County March 8, 1839. His parents were John and Mary (Koutsman) Witman, of Dauphin County, and of German and English descent. They had twelve children, of whom William W. was the eighth. He was brought up on the farm, and spent ten years of his minority in making bricks. At twenty years of age he learned the trade of wheelwright, at which he worked for two years. He then spent seven years on the Northern Central Railroad as conductor and division foreman. In 1868 he engaged in the dry goods business with Jacob Gohn, at Wrights- ville, but dissolved partnership in 1876. In company with a brother he then bought out a mercantile establishment at Wrightsville, which they con- ducted together two years and a half; his brother then retiring, he has carried on the business by him- self since. In 1862 he was married at Chambers- burg, Penn., to Kate Deck, daughter of Christian

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Deck, of Chambersburg, Penn., and has had born to him four children, three of whom are living: William F., Ida May and Horace M. Mr. Witman is Past Grand of the Odd Fellows, and he and wife are members of the Lutheran Church, while he is superintendent of same Sabbath-school, and elder in church council.

JOHN WILSON, deceased, was born in 1807 and died in 1860. He was brought up about Wrightsville and Columbia, and educated at Wrightsville. He was railroad contractor in Vir- ginia at the time of his marriage, in 1839, at York, to Sarah Hiestand, daughter of Abraham Hiestand, of York County, and had born to him twelve chil- dren, one of whom died in infancy, and two after arriving at age. The living are Mary, John, Stephen, Webster, Frank, Thomas, Tempest, Emma and Sarah. Iu 1844 he removed to Hellam, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying at the age of fifty-three years. Mr. Wilson was a prosperous farmer, and at his death left his family well pro- vided for. His widow is descended from the pioneer families of York County, and aunt of Gen. A. Hie- stand Glatz. Mrs. Wilson herself is a woman of fine accomplishments, rare merits and womanly ex- cellence.

JACOB WELTZHOFFER, son of Henry and Catherine Weltzhoffer, of Wrightsville, was born January 31, 1849, was educated at the public schools, and in 1869 went to learn printing and journalism with Magee & Smith, of the Wrightsville Star. In 1874 he joined Mr. W. W. Moore in the publication of the journal named, and six years later sold his interest to his partner, and took a commercial course in the Pierce Business College of Philadelphia. He next acted as book-keeper for Keller & Kline, of Wrightsville, for a year and a half, and in 1883 re- bought the Star, which he still owns and edits to the entire satisfaction of his subscribers, and the public in general. October 24, 1882, he married Eliza H., daughter of Henry and Sarah A. Harris, · of Wrightsville. Mr. and Mrs. Weltzhoffer are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which both sing in the choir, and of which Mr. W. is an elder as well as an active worker in the Sunday- school. Mr. W. has a good publication, with re- munerative circulation, is an enterprising, energetic and liberal citizen, and is a stockholder in the Wrightsville & Chanceford Pike.

CARROLL TOWNSHIP.

SAMUEL ALTLAND, son of Philip Altland, of Warrington Township, was born Octobor 28, 1836, and assisted on the home farm until 1854, when he began brick-making, which he followed for nine years, and then for four years engaged in car-build- ing at Hanover, this county. In 1869 he began farm- ing in West Manheim Township, but in 1870 came to near Williams Grove, in this township, and farmed until 1874, when he moved to one-half mile south of Dillsburg, bought from the heirs of John Pentz, and made brick and farmed until 1880, when he was e:ted sheriff, on which he removed to York County Prison, in order to discharge his official du- ties. January 24, 1861, he married Lydia, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Fickes, of Carroll: of the eight children born to this union, two died: Philip Alvin, the eldest, was deputy sheriff under his father the last two years of his term; Jeremiah Henry was turnkey. At the time of his election to the shrievealty, Mr. Altland had served four years

as constable, and one term as assessor of Carroll Township. On retiring from the office of sheriff, in which he had been ably assisted by Mrs. Altland as matron, Mr. A. retired to his farm near Dillsburg, but soon sold out and moved to the town and bought a dwelling and livery stable on York Street, and another dwelling and livery stable on Harris- burg Street; he also owns a tract of seventeen acres of woodland in Warrington Township, from which he is clearing the timber; also a tract of six acres in Carroll Township, and a five-acre lot in Dillsburg Borough, on which he has a brick-yard.

ALFRED D. ALTLAND, first of the three chil- dren of Daniel A. and Elizabeth Altland, of Me- chanicsburg, was born October 16, 1857, and is of German and English descent. From 1872 until 1875 he clerked for J. A. Kauffmann, of Mechanics- burg, and then embarked in business with his father, `under the firm name of D. A. Altland & Son. In 1880 he started trade at Lisburn, Cumber- land County, but in 1882 removed to Dillsburg, where he now has a large dry goods and grocery store, doing a business of $16,000 per annum. January 8, 1880, he married Mary E., daughter of; George and Mary Wilson, of Shepherdstown, Cum- berland County, and to this union has been born, one child-Lettie-now four years of age.

GEORGE P. ARNOLD, son of Micah and Mary - Arnold, of this township, was born June 30, 1826, and is of German descent. He was reared on a farm, butin 1861 entered upon the study of medicine under Dr. Michael Frees, of Mechanicsburg, with whom he remained one year, then attended the New York Home Medical College five months, and also received private instruction at Bellevue Hospital. He became a very successful practitioner, and was particularly so during the epidemic of diphtheria of 1865 and 1870. He carried on farming for ten years in connection with his practice, owning two farms,. one of sixty-six acres near Dillsburg, on which he resides, and one of seventy-five acres, three miles distant. In 1850 he married Sarah, daughter of David and Catherine Law, of Franklin Township, and became the father of nine children, six of whom are living-four boys and two girls. Of the boys, two are farmers, one is a carpenter, and one is in business in New York; three are married. The Doctor and his wife are members of the Frank- lin Lutheran Church. The Doctor is a school di- rector, and is a stockholder in the Dillsburg & Mechanicsburg Railroad, and in the smelting fur- nace.

W. D. BAILEY, M. D., is a representative phy- sician of York County, and a descendant of cele- brated pioneer ancestry. The grandfather of our subject. John Bailey, was of Scotch-Irish descent .. His wife was Mary Nelson, of English descent .. They were both born in Monaghan Township, where they resided until their deaths. He was a farmer, surveyor, and a worthy citizen. The father of our . subject, S. N. Bailey, attained prominent distinc- tion. He was born in Monaghan Township in 1809, reared upon a farm and educated at the common , schools. He was a close student and a great read -- er, which, with high natural ability and keen power - of observation, enabled him to acquire a liberal ed- ucation. Learning surveying in early years, he made it the principal business of his life. About 1835 he came to Carroll Township, locating in Dills- burg, where he resided the remainder of his days. He was engaged in farming for a short period. sub- sequently devoting his attention to surveying and: school teaching. He served several years as county surveyor, and for a number of years was a justice of peace. In 1843 he was elected to represent his dis- trict in the State legislature, serving three years with ability and honor. Col. Bailey was also cou- nected with one of the early militia companies from.

CARROLL TOWNSHIP.

which he derived his title, and hy which he was always called. In 1836 he was married to Miss Margaret Mumper, daughter of John and Jane (Beelman) Mumper, a native of Carroll Township, and also a descendant of a well known and old time family. Three children were born to them: John M., a leading practitioner of law at Huntington, Penn .; D. Bigler. a lawyer of ability (died in York in 1881), and the subject of this sketch. Col. Bailey was a clerk under Adjt .- Gen. Banks, and his suc- cessor at Harrishurg for eight years. He entered the service in 1862. and was elected lieutenant-col- onel of the Twelfth Pennsylvania Reserves, and was in service nearly one year when he resigned. Col. Bailey died at Dillsburg in 1872, after a long and useful career. His widow resides at Dillshurg. W. D. Bailey was horn in Dillsburg January 3, 1837. He received a good education, attending the schools of his native town, and also received the advantage of the Tuscarora Academy. After teaching one term he began the study of medicine with Drs. G. L. & J. M. Shearer, of Dillsburg, now deceased. Under their instructions he remained three years, attending in the meantime the University of Penn- sylvania, from which he graduated in 1862. He be- gan his practice in York, continuing until the spring of 1863, when he entered the service and was ap- pointed assistant surgeon of the Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, joining his regi- ment at Murfreesboro, Tenn. In 1864 he was pro- moted to surgeon of his regiment, with rank of ma- jor. He participated in the battles of Hoover's Gap, Tullahoma, Chickamanga, Buzzard Roost, Dal- ton, Resaca, New Hope Church, and in varions minor engagements. His regiment was under the command of Gens. Thomas, Rosecrans and Sher- man, and was a part of the Fourteenth Army Corps. In November, 1864, he was mustered ont, his term of service having expired. Upon his return he went to Oil City and resumed his practice, remain- ing there abont one year. In 1866 he returned to Dillsburg, where he has since resided, and estab- lished a large and Incrative practice. Dr. Bailey has always identified himself with all measures of public improvement, is liberal and honorable in all of his relations of life, keeps well abreast with the advancements of the age. In his profession Dr. Bailey takes an honorable pride, and with its prog- ress is well conversant. He is a member of the York County Medical Society, of the State Medical Society, and a member of the York Lodge, No. 266. A. F. & A. M. He has served in various offices in his township, and is one of the honored citizens of York County. Dr. Bailey was married, in 1879, to Miss Josephine F. Logan, daughter of Col. Hen- ry Logan, of Carroll Township. This union has been blessed with two children: William B., de- ceased, and Martha L. The family have always been connected with the Presbyterian Church.

SAMUEL NELSON BAILEY, son of Daniel Bailey (deceased) was born in this township, June 14, 1840, was reared on a farm and received a good education, including three years' instruction at Tuscarora Academy. On his return from the latter he assisted in filling up the quota for the draft sent to Harrisburg by the township. In 1866 he married Mary Ann, daughter of Jacob Urich, of Cumberland County, and went to housekeeping on the old home- stead of 135 acres; this land he purchased in 1869, and still resides thereon, with his wife and two chil- dren : Logan W.and Frank E. In 1876 he embarked in the grain, coal and phosphate trade in partnership with his brother, M. J. Bailey. Our subject has served two years as auditor, and in the spring of 1882 was elected justice of the peace.

MUMPER JOHN BAILEY, son of Daniel Bai- ley (deceased), of this township, was born January 31, 1844. He was educated in the schools of the

neighborhood, and at Academia, Juniata County, and from 1864 until 1868, tanght school in Franklin Township, this county, Hampden Township, Cum- berland County, on the eastern shore of Maryland, and again in this township. From 1871 to 1875 he was engaged in mercantile business in Dillsburg, under the firm name of Spabr & Bailey, carrying a stock valned at $10,000: in 1876, in partnership with his brother, under the firm name of S. N. Bailey & Bro., he entered the commission and grain business and dealing in phosphates, at the corner of Church and Second Streets, opposite the depot, and is doing a thriving trade. December 23, 1880, he married Matilda M., daughter of Philip Zeigler, of Monroe Township, Cumberland County. Mr. Bailey has served as school director, and as clerk of the town council, and is a stockholder in the Dillsburg & Mechanicsburg Railroad Company.

P. D. BAKER, M. D., was born in Carroll Township November 19, 1848, and is a son of Dan- iel and Margaret (Lehmer) Baker. Great-great- grandfather Baker was a native of Germany, and great-grandfather Daniel Baker a native of Para- dise Township. this county. Grandfather Daniel Baker was also born in Paradise Township in 1792; was a weaver and died in 1853. The father of our subject is also a weaver, and followed his trade in Paradise Township until 1842, when he came to Carroll Township, where he is engaged in farming. Dr. P. D. Baker was reared on the farm until six- teen years of age; he then attended the normal school at Dillsburg. and the York County Normal School and the York County Academy, and subse- quently taught in the common schools and in the academy a number of terms. In 1870 he began the study of medicine under Drs. G. L. & J. M. Shearer. of Dillsburg, and during the sessions of 1872-73-74 attended lectures at the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia, graduating in the spring of 1874. since when he has been in constant practice in this township. To the Doctor's marriage with Miss Kate Kershey, of Washington Township, in 1874. two children have heen born: Daniel T. and Mag- gie .I.

DANIEL W. BEITZEL, son of William Beitzel. of Warrington Township, was born June 20, 1848. and was reared on the farm, attending school in the winter. In 1869 he studied at the York County Normal School, and in 1870 at the York County Academy. Ile had taught, however, in Washington Township in 1868, and during the winters from 1869 to 1873 taught in Warrington Township. He began his business career in 1872 hy clerking for Emig & Bahn, at New Freedom. In the spring of 1874 he was elected teller of the Dillsburg Bank, filled the position four years, and in February, 1878, engaged in the dry goods business in partnership with J. B. Metzger. Four years later Mr. Metzger sold his interest to Michael Bender, and the firm of Beitzel & Bender now carry a stock worth about $14.000. January 17, 1883, Mr. Beitzel married Jennie E., daughter of Matthew Porter, of Carroll Township. Mr. and Mrs. Beitzel have been mem- hers of the Presbyterian Church since 1877. Of this church Mr. B. is at present a trustee, and he has been treasurer of the Sunday-school since 1878. He was made chief Burgess of Dillsburg in 1876, and borough treasurer in 1881. Iu the spring of 1882 he was elected justice of the peace. He is a member of M. W. Sackett Lodge, No. 89, Dillsburg, . and of Central Lodge, No. 19, Harrisburg, and is a charter member of the Pennsylvania Marble, Min- ing & Manufacturing Company of Dillsburg.

WILLIAM B. BEITZEL, son of William and Lealı Beitzel, of Warrington Township, was born October 14, 1851, and is of German descent. He was reared a farmer, and received his earlier educa- tion at the public schools. In 1873 he attended the

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

normal school at Shippensburg, and in 1874 the National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, graduat- ing in the business department of the latter institu- tion in the same year. He taught two terms of school in York Township, two in Warrington, two in Upper Allen, Cumberland County, one in War- ren County. Ohio, and one term in this township. From January 15, 1878, to May 18, 1880, he was editor of the Dillsburg Bulletin. In June, 1880, he became a clerk in the office of the Cumberland Val- ley Railroad Company at Dillshurg; January 1, 1882, he became agent for that company and for the Adams Express Company. He received an appoint- ment as notary public from Gov. Hoyt in November, 1881, and was reappointed in 1884 by Gov. Pattison. Since 1876 he has been a member of the United Brethren Church.

JACOB S. BENTZ, son of Jacob L. and Eliza- beth Bentz, of Warrington Township, was born April 28, 1836, and is of German descent. He at- tended school and assisted on the home farm until 1854, and then served an apprenticeship of two years at carpentering with his uncle, Andrew Bentz; he next worked a year with Henry Arnold, and then started business for himself, employing five or six hands, for about four years. For some time thereafter he farmed on the old homestead; in 1869 he bought a farm of 107 acres near Dillsburg. of Henry Arnold, on which he built a large barn and other out-buildings, aud removed and enlarged the dwelling. Mr. Bentz has had born to him four chil- dren, of whom two sons, one a farmer, the other a merchant, are still living. With his wife he is a member of the Lutheran Church at the Barrens. He has served as supervisor, school director and au- ditor, and three years ago was elected county com- missioner.

CHRISTIAN BOWMAN, son of John and Mar- tha Bowman. of East Lampeter Township, Lan- caster County, was born July 26, 1811, and was brought to Monaghan Township, this county, at the age of four years, in 1815. He was reared on the home farm until 1832, when he learned the cooper's trade, at which he worked eleven years. In 1843 he began farming in Monaghan Township on Jacob Coover's place, remained two years and then bought 125 acres near Filey's Church, on which he lived until 1869, when he came to Carroll Town- ship and bought a thirty-five-acre tract, on which he erected a new dwelling, in which he now resides. In 1834 he married Susan, danghter of Jacob and Elizabeth Coover, of Monaghan Township. This lady died in April, 1852, having borne her husband twelve children, of whom six-twin girls and four boys-still survive. In 1853 Mr. Bowman married Margaret, daughter of Frederick and Margaret Asper, and to this union was born one son-Fred- erick-who died at the age of twenty months and eight days. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman are members of the Union Reformed Church at Filey's. Mr. B. is a large stockholder in the Harrisburg & Potomac Railroad

JOHN COOK, son of John and Hannah Cook, of this township, was horn August 18, 1813, and is of Welsh descent. He was reared a farmer and re- mained with his father thirty-one years after he at- tained his majority; but on the 24th of April, 1849, married Lydia M .. daughter of John and Lydia Walker, of Warrington Township. For many years Mr. Cook drove a team during the winter to Baltimore, Chambersburg. Lancaster, Harrisburg and Carlisle. At the death of his fatber he bought the homestead of 100 acres, of which eighty-five are under cultivation and fifteen in timber, and in 1869 erected a fine barn. He still resides on the place. Mrs. Lydia Cook died March 3. 1873, the mother of four children, viz .: Eliza Ann, married to A. B. Shearer; William Ramsey, married to

Mary M. Herges, aud superintendent of the home farm; Fanny N .. at home; and Ruth Emma, a school teacher. The family are members of the Warrington Friends' Meeting.

GEORGE W. COOK, son of Hezekiah Cook, of Warrington Township, was born June 30, 1862, and was reared on the home farm, his winters being de- voted to the district school, and also to a select school at Franklintown. In September. 1880, he went to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where he passed eleven weeks at Eastman's Business College. On his return he was appointed teller of the Dillsburg National Bank, and a few years later was elected cashier, which position he still holds. March 23, 1882, he married Nannie M., daughter of William Beitzel, of Warrington Township, and the union has been blessed with two children: May and Ralph. Mrs. Cook is a consistent member of the United Brethren Church at Mt. Zion.

JOHN FLEMING was born January 12, 1835, and is the second of the five children of Abraham and Susanna Fleming, of this township. He passed his boyhood in attending school in winter and as- sisting on the farm in summer. His mother died in 1862, and his father in 1873. In 1864 he assumed charge of the homestead, which comprises 123 acres, and contains a good house and barn, and is now the property of his two sisters and himself. In 1862 he married Catherine, daughter of Jonas Huntsberger, of Monaghan Township. Five chil- dren were born to this union; of these, three are living: Abraham Huntsberger, Arthur Eugene and John Newton Patterson. They have also one adopted daughter, Minnie Dehia, aged about eight- een. Mr. and Mrs. Fleming have been members of the Church of God at Mt. Pleasant since 1861.

JOHN B. FIRESTONE, son of Aaron Fire- stone, of this township, was born October 20, 1851, and passed his boyhood on the farm and in attend- ing school. In his twenty-second year he hegan at- tending the York County Normal School, which he attended two terms. He also taught school the winter of 1875-76 in Dover Township, and the fol- lowing year he taught in this township. In 1881 he took charge of the primary school at Dillsburg, and the following year was promoted to the charge of the grammar school, which he taught two terms, and was then re-elected, but declined to accept the position of teller in the Dillsburg National Bank. Prof. Firestone has been a member of the United Brethren Church at Beavertown since 1877.

J. O. HOFFMAN, M. D., was born in York County, August 21, 1854, and until 1871 assisted on the home farm and attended the district school. From 1871 to 1872 he attended select schools, and taught alternately; from 1872 to 1873 he worked in his father's mill; from the summer of 1873 to the sum- mer of 1875 he attended various seminaries and taught school, working the ensuing winter in the mill; from the summer of 1876 to 1880, he was a student in the Millersville State Normal School, teaching at various points in the meantime. In the spring of 1880 he began reading medicine under Dr. J. H. Marsden, of York Springs, author of Marsden's "Midwifery." editor of the obstetrical department of the Homeopathic Observer, and an authority in obstetrics. From 1880 to 1883 our subject attended three courses of medical lectures of nine months each, and during the last two years was assistant in the homeopathie hospital of the university. June 28, 1883, he was graduated with the degree of M. D. from the Uni- versity of Michigan, and in October following lo- cated at Dillsburg, where he has established a sat- isfactory practice and makes a specialty of eye and ear treatment. September 25, 1884, he married Miss Kate Klugh, of Dillsburg.

JOHN KUNTZ, son of John and Susanah (Harbold) Kuntz, was born in Adams County in

CARROLL TOWNSHIP.

1835, and is of German descent. At the age of fif- teen he began the carpenter's trade with Jacob Haybarger, serving three years. He then began business for himself and has since followed the trade .in connection with farming and lime-hurning, and for twenty-three years he has kept eighteen men in his employ. His farm comprises forty acres under cultivation and ten acres in timber. He has · been largely interested in the copper business, and has traveled through New Jersey, New York, West Virginia, Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, inspecting ore. He was also one of the organizers of the Dillsburg Copper, Lead & Iron Company, of which at pres- ent he is director. In 1858 he married Anna M., daughter of Barnet M. Myers, of Franklin Town- ship, and to this union two children have been .born: Lewis Carroll and Susannah E. (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Kuntz are members of the Evangeli- . cal church. He was one of the principal men con- nected with the building of the church in Beaver- town, and in 1881 was elected local minister.

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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 173

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