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 174

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 174

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A. J. LEHMER is the son of Cornelius and Eve (Koch) Lehmer, and was born in Carroll Township March 23, 1863. His great grandfather, John Lehmer. was born in Adams County, Penn., in 1725, and by occupation was a miller. Philip Lehmer, subject's grandfather, settled in Washing- ton Township at an early day, and was the owner of several large tracts of land in Washington, Car- roll and Franklin Townships; he was married to Margaret Bushey, and with his wife was a member of the Lutheran Church. Peter Koch, the mater- ual grandfather of A. J. Lehmer, was a native of Perry County, Penn .; his ancestors were early set- tlers in New York State, whence they came to Perry County, from which county Peter removed, when a young man, to Warrington Township, this county. and engaged in farming; he married Eve, daughter of John Smith, of Washington Township. Cornelius Lehmer followed farming in Carroll Township until 1882, when he retired from the active duties of his calling; with his wife he is a member of the Lutheran Church. A. J. Lehmer was reared a farmer, received a liberal education at the common schools, and at the age of eighteen became a school teacher in Dover Township. In the spring of 1882 he entered the Normal School at Kutztown, Berks County, and the following winter resumed teaching in Carroll Township. In the summer of 1883 he attended Coleman's Business College, Newark, N. J. In the winter of 1883-84 he taught the grammar school in Lewisberry, York County. In 1884-85 he was connected with the York County Historical Society.

COL. HENRY LOGAN (deceased) was born near Dillsburg. York County, Penn., April 14, 1784. His father, Henry, and his grandfather, John Lo- gan, immigrated to this country from Coot Hill, Monaghan County, Ireland, in 1749, and settled in Cumberland Valley, and afterward patented a tract of land called Logania, in York County, which is still in possession of their descendants. Henry's first public act was to volunteer as a private in the war of 1812 for the defense of Baltimore. After the close of the war he was chosen captain of the Tenth Company, Ninetieth Regiment, Second Brig- ade, Fifth Division of Pennsylvania Militia, com- posed of men from York and Adams Counties, Au- gust 1, 1814. he was commissioned by Gov. Simon Snyder, lieutenant-colonel in the same regiment for seven years. He represented York County in the State assembly of 1818 and 1819, and in the State senate from 1828 to 1831. In 1834 he was elected a member of the Twenty-fourth Congress, and re- elected by an increased majority to the Twenty- fifth Congress in 1836. He was in Washington dur- ing the exciting times of Jackson's second adminis-

tration, of whom he was a great admirer and per- sonal friend. Ahout 1840 he was elected a county commissioner, and during his term of office succeed- ed in clearing the county of its large indebtedness, and was perhaps the last commissioner who saw the county entirely free of debt. Col. Logan was a strong Democrat. He was the leader of his party in the county, and it was largely owing to his influ- ence that the Democrats attained the supremacy in the county which they have ever since held. He lived in a better political era than the present, and often said that although he had been so frequently honored hy his fellow-citizens, he had never asked a man to go as a delegate or vote for him. He was a self-made man; had few opportunities of receiv- ing a school education, but was a constant reader and a good writer. When a young man he organ- ized a debating society, to which he afterward at- tributed much of his success. He was a man of sound judgment and good common sense, and of remarkable general intelligence. When he once made up his mind nothing could shake his purpose or his conviction. His counsels were sought by his acquaintances, and his advice was of great value to his neighbors. For many years he was a director of the Carlisle Deposit Bank, and of the Allen & East Pennshoro Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He took a deep interest in the common schools and served frequently as school director. He was also an ardent advocate of the American Colonization Society. Col. Logan was a man of strong physical constitution, standing six feet tall, and of com- manding appearance. He was an early riser, hard worker and knew no fear. A man of plain tastes, of frugal hahits, but indomitable will, energy and perseverance, he succeeded in acquiring a comforta- ble fortune, owning at the time of his death over 700 acres of land. His marriage with Martha O'hail occurred February 22, 1825. She was born January 29, 1800, and was also of Irish descent. Her ancestors were early settlers of the northern portion of the county. They had eleven children, seven of whom survive them. She was a woman of great force of character. of sincere piety, and for many years a patient sufferer. Her death occurred January 28, 1866. Col. Logan died December 20, 1866. Both were members of the Presbyterian Church, and regretted by all who knew them. The children are as follows: Jane (now the widow of William M. Beetem, for many years cashier of the Carlisle De- posit Bank), James J. (a farmer of Carroll Town- ship), Mary A. (wife of Abram Williams, a prom- inent farmer of Cumberland County), Martha W., Josephine F. (wife of W. D. Bailey, M. D., of Dills- burg), Rev. William Henry Logan (pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Millerstown, Penn.) and John N.

JOHN N. LOGAN was horn April 17, 1846, in Carroll Township, York Co., Penn. He received his education by commencing in the common schools of his native township, and preparing for college at the Tuscarora Academy, then under the care of Dr. J. H. Shumaker. His sophomore year was spent in Dickinson College, Carlisle, Penn., from which he entered the junior class of Prince- ton College in 1867, and graduated from that insti- tution in 1869. He returned to his farm and spent two years farming, during which time he became prominently identified with the railroad enterprises then projected through the northern part of the county, and was one of the most influential men in the building of both the Harrisburg & Potomac and the Dillsburg & Mechanicsburg Railroads. He began the study of law in 1873, but gave it up to accept the cashiership of the Dillsburg Bank, which was organized in 1873, and changed into a National Bank in 1878. Mr. Logan remained in this responsible position till 1884, having served

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

eleven years as cashier of the two institutions, and left the bank in a most flourishing condition. Mr. Logan is also engaged in mining, and has been one of the most successful men in the iron ore business in the upper end of the county. He owns one of the finest magnetic ore mines in the State. His mine has been worked for eleven years, and large quantities of ore taken from it, and it is supposed to be practically inexhaustible. Mr. Logan has also been largely interested in the promotion of the leading industries in the upper end of the county. He was justice of the peace for ten years. He has always been au ardent supporter of advanced edu- cation, and is at this time president of the Chautau- qua Literary and Scientific Circle of Dillsburg. Penn. He has also been active in social and moral interests; was president of the Upper District Sab- bath School Association during 1872-73, and corre- sponding secretary for many years. He is an elder in the Presbyterian Church of Dillsburg, Penn., and has been superintendent of the Sabbath-school for ten years. He was married, November 26, 1874, to Miss Ella May Coover. They have four children living: James J. Logan, Jr., Frederic Welty Lo- gan, Helen Martha Logan and Caroline E. Logan.

ALEX B. METZLER, son of Henry and Catherine Metzler, of Dover Township, was born in July, 1845, and is of German descent. After a preliminary education in the public schools, in 1864, he attended at Cottage Hill College, this county. In 1865 and 1866, he clerked for John' A. Weiser, and in 1867 for Stine & Harish; the latter year also he entered the shoe trade with his father, and continued until 1876, when he bought his father's interest and continued for himself, in Do- ver, until 1882, when he came to Dillsburg and bought out Levi Gross, of the Howard House, which he continues to conduct. September 22, 1872, he married Lucinda, daughter of John and Lydia Kunkel, of Mt. Royal. To this marriage have been born four children: Nora K., Lizzie I., Henry A. and Amanda J. Mr. Metzler is a member of the Hanover Lodge, No. 327. I. O. O. F., is a Demo- crat. and a popular landlord.

CHARLES MILLER, second son of Michael and Eliza Miller, of Windsor Township, was born De- cember 8, 1820, and through his great-grandfather is of German descent. He was reared on the home farm. but at the age of eighteen went into his father's mill, where he worked four years. In 1842 he married Catherine, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Kauffman, of Spring Garden Township. In 1845 he moved to Warrington Township, where . he owned a saw, grist and clover-mill. In 1850 he bought twenty acres of mill property on this rail- road. one-quarter mile from Dillsburg, and carried on sawing and grinding. He has been a member of the Franklin Reformed Church, and has filled the office of deacon and trustee for many years. He has also served as assessor, school director and assistant assessor. He is a stockholder in the Dillsburg & Mechanicsburg Railroad, and also deals largely iu grain, coal, plaster and phosphates. He stauds six feet three and one-half inches high, and has had born to him seven children, of whom five are living.

MICHAEL B. MUMPER, the fifth of the eleven children of John and Jane Mumper, of Carroll, was born August 20, 1812, and was reared on the home farm. From the age of fourteen until thirty he drove a team to Baltimore, Wheeling, etc., and then engaged in the cattle trade. February 6, 1848, he married Eliza, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Coover, of Monaghan Township, and then engaged in farming. Of the two children horn to this union Annie only is living. In 1855 Mr. Mumper bought his present farm, and built a good dwelling, barn and tenement. Mr. Mumper has reared four orphan

boys, all of whom are doing well. For many years Mr. and Mrs. Mumper have been members of the Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Mumper has been a trustee for fifteen years.

SAMUEL MUMPER is a son of John and Jennie (Beelman) Mumper, of Monaghan Town- ship, was born March 16, 1825, and grew to man- hood on the home farm, attending the district and select schools in his youth. In 1866 he began farm- ing on the old homestead, which he soon after pur- chased, and remodeled the dwelling and built a new barn, carriage house and other out-buildings, The place comprises 110 acres, all under cultiva- tion. February 7, 1867, he married Mary E., daughter of George and Lizzie King, of Washing- ton Township. To this marriage have been born three daughters: Bertha M., Annie K. and Katie L. Mr. and Mrs. Mumper are members of the Dills- burg Lutheran Church, having joined about 1878. Mr Mumper is a prosperous agriculturist and has also been largely engaged in extracting iron ore, etc., having spent all his life in this vicinity, with the exception of a trip, in 1866, to Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and other parts of the country.

ROBERT McCALL NELSON, son of Samuel P. and Margaret Nelson, was born February 3, 1844, and paternally is descended from the British admiral, Lord Nelson: his maternal grandfather, Bailey, was a native of Ireland. Our subject was reared on the home farm, attending school until his majority, and in 1879 taking charge of the home place. The same year' he married Annie (Caroline), daughter of Robert C. and Lydia (Liv- ingston). The only child born to this union is now deceased. The farm contains 135 acres, ten in woodland, the balance under cultivation, and im- proved with substantial buildings.

JOHN O'HAIL, son of Hugh and Elizabeth O'hail, was born November 3, 1827. His great- grandfather, John O'hail, came from Ireland and settled near Dillsburg in 1754. The family were Covenanters, and the grandfather of our subject, Edward O'hail, was an elder in the Presbyterian Church. Our subject was reared on the farm, and educated at the public and private schools. He be- came a teacher, and from 1846 until 1866, taught at various points in this and Cumberland Counties. In 1867 he clerked for the Trindle Spring Paper Mill; in 1868 he resumed his profession as teacher, and from 1874 to the present time he has conducted the O'hail School. His professional certificates were received in December, 1859, from Dr. A. R. Blair, county superintendent, and December 30, 1870, from S. G. Boyd, county superintendent; his permanent certificate, dated August 28, 1871, was received from J. P. Wickersham. Mr. O'hail has served as inspector of elections, and is a stock - holder in the Harrisburg & Potomac Railroad. From 1846 to 1871 he was a member of the United Presbyterian Church at Carlisle, and is now a member of the Presbyterian Church at Dillsburg, and has been a Sunday school teacher and superin- tendent since 1848. In politics he is an ardent Republican.

JACOB PETERMAN, son of John and Sarah Peterman, of this township, was born May 24, 1820-his great-grandfather having come from Ger- many. He was reared a farmer, and in 1850 10ok charge of the homestead for his father. In 1851 he married Eliza Mary, daughter of Christopher and Rachel Marks, of Newherry Township, and to this union have been born four children, of whom two boys and one girl are living. The daughter is mar- ried to John Mechling; the eldest son married Mary Smyser, and the youngest son married Mary Walker. In 1867 Mr. Peterman inherited the homestead of 120 acres-ninety five acres under cultivation and twenty-five acres in timber; in 1874 he erected a

CARROLL TOWNSHIP.

new dwelling, barn, etc .; he also bought from the heirs a farm of eighty acres, improved with a good house and barn, and from the heirs of his brother John, he bought a farm of 100 acres in Warrington Township, also improved with buildings. Mr. and Mrs. Peterman have been members of the United Brethren Church since 1863; of this church Mr. Peterman has been steward, and he has also served the township as school director for three years.

LEWIS J. PRESSEL, son of John and Abigail Pressel, of Washington Township, was born February 9, 1830, and is of German descent on his father's side and of English on his mother's. He was reared to manhood on the home farm, attend- ing select school in the winters. He learned sur- veying and subsequently taught school in Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County, and also in this township. He began farming on the home stead in 1857, and the same year married Sarah, daughter of Henry and Catherine Reiff. of Monroe Township, Cumberland County, and to this mar- riage have been born six children, of whom two boys and three girls survive. In 1874 he built on the homestead, which consists of 100 acres, a fine new dwelling, and out buildings. Mr. Pressel, wife and all the family are members of the Lutheran Church at Filey's, of which he has been deacon and elder a number of years; he was also superintend- ent of the Northern Sunday-school several years, and has filled a number of township offices.

HENRY W. PRESSEL is the fourth child of John and Abigail Pressel, of this township, and is of German and English descent. John Pressel, now deceased, settled in Carroll Township in 1831. Our subject grew to manhood on the home farm, attend- ing school in the meantime. In 1853 he began teach- ing and followed that profession at various points un- til 1860. He also learned the theory of surveying. In 1857 he began farming on the southern part of the old homestead, putting up a new dwelling in 1857. and a barn in 1862. December 27, 1857, he married Annie E., daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Plank. Mrs. Pressel died April 7, 1875, the mother of seven children, five of whom are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Pressel joined the Lutheran Church at Filey's in 1861, and of this church, for a number of years, Mr. Pressel has been both deacon and elder. He has also served in different offices-township assessor and township clerk several times. He is an I. O. O. F., a K. of P., an agent of the fire insurance company and a stockholder in the Harrisburg & Potomac Railroad and several other companies. He retired to private life in the spring of 1884, but still owns 104 acres of clear land, on which there are two sets of buildings, and one-half interest in 124 33-100 acres clear land in Cumberland County, on which there is one set of buildings ; also twenty-four acres tim- ber-land.

CHARLES W. SHEFFER, son of David and Sarah Sheffer, of Dillsburg, was born June 15. 1846. In 1860 he began learning coach-making of his father, and in 1872 went to Dover, where for about six years he worked for Brown & Strayer. On his return to Dillsburg he erected a fine dwell- ing house and a large coach-maker's shop, and has succeeded in establishing a large and lucrative trade in the borough and surrounding country in buggies, spring wagons, hacks, phaetons, etc. He was mar- ried in 1868 to Mary Baish. daughter of Joseph and Mary Baish; of the two children born to this union- a boy and a girl-the girl only is living. Mrs. Sheffer is a member of the Lutheran Church.

JOHN A. SMITH, son of John Smith of Dills- burg, was born August 30, 1834, and is of German descent. At the age of fifteen he began learning tinsmithing with his father, who died three years later. John A. and his brother, Thomas, then con- tinued the business until 1861, when John A.

bought his brother's interest. In 1873 his brother Andrew came in, but retired in 1876. In 1872 our subject had enlarged the shop. and also built a resi- dence for his mother near by; he also erected a dwelling on Main Street opposite the public school building. In 1864 he married Catherine, daughter of William Spahr, of Dover Township, and this marriage is graced with three children: Laura, William and John. Mr. Smith has been a success- ful business man and has filled various positions of public trust. He served one year as chief burgess, and has also served as judge of elections and coun- cilman, and has beeu school director nine consecu- tive years. At present he is treasurer of the school board: he is also a stockholder in the Dillsburg & Mechanicsburg Railroad.

MARTIN SMYSER, son of Henry and Eve .Smyser, of Adams County, was born February 6, 1810, and is of German descent through his great- grandfather. He grew to manhood on the home farm, and in 1831 married Mary, daughter of Chris- tian and Margaret Hostler; he settled near Dills- burg and has resided here ever since, with the exception of four months passed in Michigan. Mrs. Smyser died in 1879, the mother of five chil- dren-two boys and three girls. The second son. George W., is a resident of Russell County, Kas. Mr. Smyser is a member of the Lutheran Church of Dillsburg, in which he has served as deacon and trustee; he has also served his township in the capacity of supervisor, inspector and clerk. He is a prosperous farmer, and on his premises are two valuable ore mines.

JEROME B. STARRY is the sixth of the eleven children of John P. and Sarah A. (Chronister) Starry; was born in Adams County in 1841, and is of German extraction. He was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools and at the high school at Carlisle. At the age of fourteen he came to York County and began teaching in the common schools under the superintendent, A. R. Blair, and for twenty-eight years has followed the profession. For two and a half years, however. he served his country in the late war as sergeant in Company A, Twentieth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and took part at Cold Harbor, Petersburgh, the capture of the Weldon Railway, Five Forks and at other points. After his return he began farming in connection with teaching, and now has a place of twenty-two acres in this township. In 1869 he married Jennie E., daughter of James L. Livingston, of Cumberland County, and became the father of three children: George W., Irvin. B. and H. F. (deceased). He has been a member of the Lutheran Church since sixteen years old.

LEWIS HYERS WATTS, son of Hiram and Sarah Ann Watts, of Upper Allen Township, Cum- berland County, was born June 21, 1850, and is of English and German descent. He was reared on a farm, but received a good education, and during the winter of 1870-71 taught school in Penn Town- ship, and in the winter of 1872, in Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County. In the summer of 1873 he began reading medicine with Dr. J. W. Rupp, of New Cumberland; then began the drug business at the same place: he came to Dillsburgh in February, 1874, and opened on the corner of Baltimore and Harrisburg Streets; twenty months later he removed to opposite the Nelson House, on Baltimore Street, remained there four years and four months, and then took his present store on the same street, where he has met with abundant suc- cess. August 8, 1871, he married Mary F., daugh- ter of David H. and Mary Miller, of Northumber- land County; to this union have been born two children: Leon Lewis (deceased) and Amy Alda. Mr. and Mrs. Watts are members of the Presbyte- rian Church.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

JOHN WILLIAMS, son of James Williams, of Monroe Township. Cumberland County, was born February 5, 1815, and is of Welsh descent. He was reared a farmer and married, in 1846, Lucinda Nelson. In 1847 he settled on fifty acres at the mouth of Dogwood Run, and engaged in farming and milling. He has had born to him a family of seven children-four sons, still single, now living on the home place. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are members of the Monaghan Presbyterian Church at Dillsburgh. Mr. Williams has served as school director, auditor, assessor and judge of elections.

CHARLES WILLIAMS, son of John aud Nancy Williams, was born June 18, 1840, and is of Scotch- Irish extraction. He was reared a farmer, and in 1864 began on his own account on sixty-four acres on the roads leading from Harrisburg to York and from Sidonsburg to Dillsburg. In the fall of 1862 he was drafted and assigned to Company C, One Hundred and Sixty-sixth Pennsylvania Infantry, as corporal; was stationed at Suffolk in the Third Army Corps, under Gen. Peck, and was mustered out in July, 1863, at Harrisburg. He was engaged in butchering from 1870 to 1873, in connection with farming, and in 1877 opened a general store. He is a Jeffersonian Democrat; he served as school director in Monaghan Township three years, and in Carroll six years, and in the fall of 1884 was elected to the legislature by over 3,800 majority. Since 1861 he has been a member of Filey's Lu- theran Church, and has been deacon, elder and trus- tee many years; he has been actively connected with the Sunday-school since hoyhood, and in the conventions at the upper end held the offices of president and secretary and chairman of the exec- utive committee. In 1861 he married Margaret A., daughter of Thomas and Sarah Burtnet, of this township, and of the seven children born to him four are living: Mary Jane. Henry Wesley, Cather- ine Elizabeth and Martha Elverta.

CHANCEFORD TOWNSHIP.

DANIEL CONRAD is a native of Lancaster County, Penn., born in 1828. and is a son of Daniel and Mary (Erisman) Conrad. His grandfather, Daniel Conrad, was a native of Lancaster County, Penn., and a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He had three sons and four daughters. At the age of eighteen years our subject was apprenticed to the wheelwright's trade, and after serving three years began business for himself at New Danville. Lan- caster Co., Penn., where he remained until 1860. He then removed to Chanceford Township, York County, and purchased a farm, and is now engaged in farming and keeping hotel. Mr. Conrad was married, in 1855, to Miss Martha Zercher, of Lan- caster County. They have four children: Elvina, Benjamin F., Daniel W. and Henry. Mr. Conrad is a member of the German Reformed Church.

THOMAS G. CROSS, son of James and Eliza- beth (Grove) Cross, was born on the old homestead in Windsor Township, York County, August 14, 1818. His grandfather. James Cross, was a native of the "Emerald Isle," and came to America at twelve years of age with his parents, who were among the first settlers of York County. Several of the older members of the Cross family were sol- diers in the early wars, and held some of the first civil official positions in York County. Thomas Cross, great-grandfather of our subject, came from Ireland to the United States about 1752, locating in

Windsor Township, where he took up about 500 acres of land. He died in 1776, leaving three sons: John, who served in the Revolution, settled in the West; James, who remained upon the old home- stead and followed farming, served in the French and Indian wars and the whisky insurrection, died in 1845, leaving six children-three sons and three daughters-James, the father of our subject, being the eldest. He followed farming, and served as justice of the peace for twenty-five years. He died in June, 1872, leaving two sons and four daughters. Thomas G. Cross . was educated at the commou schools and York County Academy, and also speut some time at Chanceford Academy. At seventeen years of age he began teaching, and followed that occupation for thirteen years, and for four years was engaged in mercantile business. In 1851 he settled where he now resides and engaged in sur- veying and general farming. He served as justice of the peace for ten years, and 1857 was director of the poor for York County, serving until 1860, dur- iog which period the county hospital was erected. In 1866 he was elected county prothonotary, and served three years. In 1872 he returned to his farm, where he now lives. He was married, in 1849, to Miss Martha J. Campbell, daughter of John S. Campbell, of Lower Chanceford Towoship. Seven children have. blessed this union: Almira A., Elizabeth J., Maggie E., Emma M., Nettie S., Otho W. and Thomas C. Mr. and Mrs. Cross and all their children are members of the United Presbyte- rian Church.

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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 174

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