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 176

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 176

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JONAS M. BORTNER, son of Michael and Catherine (Marckel) Bortner, of Shrewsbury Town- ship, was born December 17, 1824, in Codorus Township. He received the ordinary common school education available at that day, and was reared on the farm. In February, 1849, Mr. Bort- ner married Catherine Bortner. daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Garwick) Bortner, of Codorus Township. This union has been blessed with eleven children: Lewis, Adeline (deceased). Levi, Sarah (deceased), Caroline, Henry (deceased), Na- thaniel, Richard, Amanda (deceased), Maria and Harris. Mr. Bortner has been constable for eighteen years, and is one of the most popular and best known men in Codorus Township. The mill now owned and operated by him was built in 1839,

by Jacob Bortner, generally known as old Commis- sioner Bortner, and, except an interval of two years, this mill has been in the Bortner name ever since. Mr. Bortner is a prominent member of the Reformed Church.

S. B. BRODBECK, only son of George and Leah (Bossert) Brodbeck, of Codorus Township, was born May 21, 1851, in Jefferson, Codorus Town- ship. After going to the public school of his town- ship, and to Prof. Gray's school at Glen Rock. he entered his father's store, and at the death of his father, in 1874, continued the business for Brodbeck estate until 1879, when he began business in his own name. July 4, 1875, Mr. Brodbeck married Eliza Weaver, daughter of Jacob and Eliza (Gettier) Weaver, of Manchester, Carroll Co., Md. Four children have been born to this union: Rose E., George W., Lettie May and Sadie. Our subject's father, George Brodbeck, was a prominent citizen and one of the leading business men of his section of York County. He was postmaster and also treasurer of Codorus Township for many years, and was leader of the choir at the Stone Church from the time he settled in the township until his death. His success in life was due to his own efforts. The subject of this sketch, though comparatively a young man, is widely known, and doing a large mercantile business, having a branch store and postoffice at Brodbecks (Green Ridge Station) on the Hanover & Baltimore Railroad. He is a member of the Stone (Reformed) Church.

HENRY GABLE, son of Henry and Annie (Gertrude) Gable, was born June 17, 1839, in North Codorus Township, and was brought up on a farm. January 23, 1864, he enlisted in York, Penn., in Company B, One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was wounded in left thigh andleg, in the discharge of his duty at Weldon Railroad, Virginia, June 18, 1864, and was taken to Division Hospital, and thence to City Point Hospital, Virginia. June 30 he left there for Findley Hospital, Washington, D. C. Our subject's sister came to Washington and secured his transfer to the hospital at York, Penn. On July 25, 1865, he was again transferred to the Citizens' Hospital, Philadelphia; July 26 to the Chestnut Hill" Hospital; he left the Chestnut Hill Hospital October 17. 1865, for the Christian Street Hospital, where a piece of bone came out of his leg, Decem- ber 10, 1866, and a second piece of bone came out on September 3, 1872. Mr. Gable is a well known and respected citizen of Codorus Township.

LEWIS K. GLATFELTER, son of Charles and Leah (Klindinst) Glatfelter, is the third child in a family of eleven children, and was born October 20, 1843, in North Codorus Township, where he was reared on his father's farm; when a boy, his time was devoted to school and farm work. February 15, 1863, he married Isabella, daughter of Jobn B. and Elizabeth (Behler) Kerchner, of North Codorus Township. This marriage has been blessed with seven children: Franklin (deceased), Emma J., Lucy, Alice (deceased), Miranda (deceased), Paul (de- ceased) and Rose (deceased). Our subject's father, Charles Glatfelter, died in his sixty-fifth year, and his mother was sixty-seven when she died. Mr. Glatfelter owns an excellent farm of 100 acres, well stocked and under good cultivation; also owns an adjoining farm of sixty acres that he farms in con- nection with the home farm. The Glatfelter family is one of the oldest and most numerous in York County. The subject of this sketch is a man of wide influence in his township, and a prominent member of Shaffer's Church.

E. W. HEINDEL, son of George and Leah (Winehold) Heindel, of Shrewsbury Township, was born October 17, 1832. He was brought up to and followed farming until 1879, when he built Green

CONEWAGO TOWNSHIP.

Ridge Mill, at Green Ridge Station, Codorus Town- ship, on the Hanover & Baltimore Railroad. April 15, 1859, Mr. Heindel married Elizabeth Rife. May 2, 1867, he married his second wife, Annie Dubs, of Adams County, Penn. This marriage has been blessed with two children, Tirza Jane (deceased), and Elsie A. Mr. Heindel is the owner of a farm containing 218 acres, about sixty acres being in woodland. He has been school director three years; was director on the B. N. R. R., the time it was built, for eight years, and ticket agent for eight years. He has by his own exertions and good management acquired a handsome competency, and is one of the solid men of Codorus Township.

DR. H. C. JONES, son of H. B. and Mary Ann (Zimmerman) Jones, was born August 9, 1842, in Codorus Township (near the Maryland line). The Doctor is the third in a family of nine children. He was reared on a farm and mill and attended pri- vate school in Baltimore County, Md., and for several years the Manchester Academy, in Manchester. Md. He began to read medicine with Dr. H. Baltz, of Man- chester; he then continued under Prof. N. R. Smith, of Baltimore, and after three years of close reading attended two courses at the University of Maryland, also taking private instruction between courses. He graduated in 1865, and immediately began the prac- tice of medicine at Menge's Mills, and after five years' stay removed to Jefferson borough, his present location. Dr. Jones is a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 327, Hanover Lodge, and has been burgess of Jefferson. September 29, 1867, he married Sarah F. Hershey, daughter of Abraham and Eliza (Forry) Hershey, of Heidelberg Township. Seven children have blessed this union: infant daughter. deceased; Minnie, two infant sons, deceased; Henry H., Pius H., and Honora E. Dr. Jones is devoted to his profession, has a lucrative practice, and is one of Jefferson's best citizens.

DR. JOHN D. KELLER, son of Henry S. and Henrietta (Wherly) Keller, of Codorus Township, was born February 24, 1852. After attending school at home until his tenth year, he went to York. County Academy for two years, then to Glen Rock School under Professor Gray two years. He taught school for three terms, two in Codorus Township and one in Springfield Township. He began read- ing medicine with his father during the summer months; then attended lectures at the Hahnneman Medical College in Philadelphia, where he graduated March 10, 1874. He began the practice of medicine at Melrose, Md., and after three years' practice re- moved to his present location at Glenville, Codorus Township. October 10, 1875, he married Sarah Lippy, daughter of Benjamin Lippy, of Carroll County, Md. One child has been born to them -Albertus H. B. Our subject's father, Dr. H. S. Keller, was born in West Manheim Township; bis family were John D., Henry J., Elizabeth S., Dan- iel W .; Henrietta, deceased: William E. A .; Anna Mary, deceased; infant, deceased. Our subject's mother died, and his father married Margaret Doll, daughter of Henry A. Doll, of Manheim Township. Four children have been born to this marriage: Catherine, Jesse; Tobias, deceased; and Lydia, de- ceased. Our subject has been a hard student. devoted to his chosen profession, and as a reward of this has a large and lucrative practice.

REV. W. H. KETTERMAN, son of George and Anna May (Bush) Ketterman, of Dover and North Codorus Townships respectively, was reared on the farm and attended school in his native township until his sixteenth year, when he began teaching school; taught five terms in "Lesh's" Church, North Codorus Township, and one term at "Auchey's" Schoolhouse, Jefferson Borough. Easter day, 1876, Rev. K. married Lydia M. Hamm. daughter of Daniel and Lydia (Lau) Hamm, of North Codorus

Township. Four interesting children have blessed this union: Paul, George and Daniel (twins), and Annie. Our subject is the ninth child in a family of twelve children, and he is loved and honored by his people, to which, his first charge, he was called twelve years ago. and it is not too much to say that no charge in York County has made such rapid progress in same length of time. When Rev. Ket- terman came to this field twelve years ago, the sal- ary at the stone church, comprising 160 members. paid between $60 and $80; Schaffer's paid about $13; Jefferson about $30. These churches now pay about five times that amount, respectively; the col- lections for benevolent purposes then were from $12 to $20 per year at the stone church, now they are from $120 to $150 a year; the same relative in- crease has taken place in the other two churches; all due to the wise and energetic management of the reverend pastor.

JESSE SHAFFER, son of John and Margaret (Overmiller) Shaffer, second in a family of eleven children, was born in Hopewell Township in 1811, and was reared on his father's farm. He married Catherine Klinefelter, daughter of George and Eliz- abeth (Diehl) Klinefelter. Five children have blessed this marriage: Rebecca, Elizabeth, George, Catherine and Jacob. Mr. Shaffer has resided at his present home for the last forty years. His farm contains 164 acres of excellent land, about forty acres of woodland. In 1862 he built the Shaffer grist- mill, which has been in operation continuously ever since John Shaffer, our subject's father, attained the ripe old age of eighty-two, when he died in Hopewell Township; his wife died in her fifty- eighth year. Mr. Shaffer is one of the leading members of Shaffer's Church. He has been closely identified with this church since it was built, having aided largely by his means and time in its construc- tion.

CONEWAGO TOWNSHIP.

GEORGE ENSMINGER, EsQ., was born in Manchester Township, eldest son of Samuel Ens- minger and grandson of John Ensminger, great- grandson of Conrad Ensminger. and great-great- grandson of Heinrich Ensminger, who came from the Palatine by the ship "Samuel, of London;" landed at Philadelphia, Penn., August 17, 1733, and settled near Lewisberry, this county. George Ensminger, Esq., the subject of our sketch, lived in Dover Township from the time he was three years old, and was educated in the public schools of said township and worked on the farm until August 12, 1863, when he joined the army and became a mem- ber of Company I, One Huudred and Forty-third Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. He partici- pated in the battles of Haymarket and Wilderness. In the latter he was unfortunately captured by the Confederates, was a prisoner of war at Danville, Va., Andersonville, Ga., and Florence, S. C., for a term of nine months and twenty-two days. After being paroled joined his regiment, and was mus- tered out with the regiment June 12. 1865; returned home and worked on the farm till the fall of 1869; traveled west to Ohio and Michigan, and returned to the oil region of Pennsylvania and worked in the oil fields till the fall of 1870; returned to York County, worked on the farm till the spring of 1872. He entered the York County Academy under the instructions of Profs. Ruby and Heiges; taught school in the winter and went to school at the York County Academy during summer, and taught the .

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

summer of 1874 as assistant teacher to Prof. Ruby. Moved to Conewago Township in the spring of 1875 and taught school. Was elected justice of the peace in 1877, but did not take up his commission. Was elected justice of the peace again in the spring of 1880 by the votes of both parties; followed sur- veying and conveyancing in connection with his office, teaching school in the winter till the spring of 1884, teaching twelve terms in succession, when he was appointed United States Storekeeper and Gauger, in which vocation he is at present (1885) engaged. The genealogy of the Ensminger family is as follows: Heinrich Ensminger, father of Conrad Ensminger and others; Conrad Ensminger, born in 1745 and father of John and others, died July 13, 1783, huried at Quickel's Church; John Ensminger, father of Samuel, Jacob, John, Henry, Elizabeth and Mary, born in 1783, died in 1862; Samuel Ens- minger, father of George (the subject of this sketch), Samuel, Albert W. and Jacob W., was born March 9, 1811, died April 9, 1879.

HENRY H. KOCHENOUR was born in Man- chester Township January 18. 1829, and is a son of Henry and Catherine (Hoffman) Kochenour, natives of York County. Martin Kochenour, grandfather of subject, was also a native of York County, was a distiller, and afterward a school teacher and musi- cian. Subject's father was born in 1803, and was for many years proprietor of a grist-mill and fifty- six acres of land in Manchester Township, and two farms in Conewago, in which latter township he now resides. His wife died in 1882. Henry H. Kochenour was reared to farming and milling under his father. He received a liberal education, and for twelve winters taught school and music in Cone- wago Township. In 1864 he enlisted in Company D, Two Hundredth Pennsylvania Volunteer In- fantry, took part in the engagement at Fort Stead- man and the siege of Petersburg, and at the close of the war returned to Conewago and engaged in milling, which he followed ten years. In 1866 he married Susan Machlin, who died in 1867 at the age of twenty-two, leaving one child-Susan L. In 1868 Mr. K. married Catherine Stough, a daughter of John Stough and a native of Dover Township. To this union has been horn one child-Henry A. Mr. and Mr. Kochenour are members of the Lutheran Church.

DOVER TOWNSHIP.

SOLOMON BOYER was born in Manchester Township, October 28, 1819. and is a son of Peter and Sarah (Heidlebaugh) Boyer, both natives of York County. The grandfather of our subject, Frederick Augustus Boyer, came from Germany be- fore the American Revolution, in which he took part and afterward married a Miss Shull, of York County, and died at the age of ninety-six. Subject's father was born in 1789, was a millwright and far- mer, remained in active business life until seventy years old and then retired, dying in 1881 at the age of ninety-two. Solomon Boyer was reared on the farm, and also worked as a millwright with his father five years. He has been a resident of Dover Township since seven years of age, and is now the owner of two good farms of -108 and 104 acres, respectively, and also a tract of thirty acres, on which he resides. In 1843 he married Elvisa, daughter of Henry L. Lenhart, of Dover Township. Three children have resulted from this union: Edwin, deceased; Amanda L. Zinn, in Missouri,

and Aaron, who resides on one of his father's farms. In 1880 Mr. Boyer was elected by the Democratic party director of the poor of York County, for three years. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, while his wife belongs to the Reformed Church.

MARTIN EMIG was born in Dover Township March 29, 1840, and is the eldest of the seven children born to George B. and Anna M. (Ziegler) Emig. The father was born in 1814, was a miller. and for ten years operated the Emig Mill on Cone- wago Creek, and also managed the mill on the Little Conewago for six years; he was also engaged for fifteen years in mercantile pursuits. He died in 1876, the owner of 150 acres of land along the Conewago and also a large grist and saw-mill. In 1877 our subject bought the mill, and has been doing a successful business ever since. In 1865 he mar- ried Susan Swartz, a daughter of Charles Swartz and native of Washington Township, and to this union have been born two children: Elizabeth J. and George E. Henry Emig, brother of Martin Emig, was born August 12, 1848. At his father's death he purchased the old homestead of 120 acres of improved land, which he has ever since cultivated. In 1880 he entered the mercantile business. In 1878 he married Clarissa Julius, daughter of John Julius, of Dover Township.

DR. J. M. GROSS was born in Dover Township January 19, 1844, and is the sixth in a family of twelve children born to Samuel and Susanab (Smyser) Gross, natives of York County and of German descent. Subject was reared a farmer and educated at the common schools, at the York County Academy and at the Pennsylvania College at Gettysburgh, from which last, after a three years' course, he graduated with the degree of A. B. and later with the degree of A. M. He 'next studied medicine with Dr. J. J. Zitizer, of Carlisle. and with Dr. Ahl, of Dover, in the meantime at- tending lectures at the Jefferson College, Philadel- phia. He graduated from this institution in 1872, and in 1874 began practice in partnership with Dr. Ahl, and a year later on Dr. Ahl's removal to York, succeeded to the joint practice, which he has since increased and is now doing a lucrative business. In 1875 he married Louisa A., daughter of Daniel Smyser, of York County.

GEORGE N. LECKRONE is a native of Dills- burgh, York Co., Penn., was born November 22. 1839, and is the son of Leonard and Hannah (Nes- bit) Leckrone, of York County. The father was born in 1812, was a tinner, and died in 1864. Our subject spent his early days on a farm. and at the age of sixteen came to Dover, where he held the position of assistant postmaster for six years. He now owns a fine dwelling in town and also nineteen acres of land within the borough. He is a member of the German Reformed Church, and a highly esteemed citizen.

DR. WILLIAM LENHART, a native of Dover Township. and son of William and Susan (Hamm) Lenhart, was born January 20. 1824, is of German descent, and the fifth in a family of seven children. He remained on the home farm until his thirtieth year, but in the meantime acquired a good educa- tion and was engaged in the practice of medicine. He then combined farming with veterinary practice and in 1861 relinquished farming and confined him- self to his practice as a veterinarian, in which he met with flattering success until his retirement in 1883. He is the owner of 130 acres adjoining the town of Dover, a half interest in 114 acres in the township, a fine residence in the town, and also of the Dover cemetery. The Doctor has held several borough offices and in polities is a Democrat. He is a member of the German Reformed Church and is a bachelor.

DR. CHARLES LENHART was born in

FAIRVIEW TOWNSHIP.

Dover Township, April 9, 1852, and is the fourth of seven children born to John and Rebecca (Emig) Lenhart, of German descent. John Lenhart was born December 27, 1813, and died April 7, 1885. Our subject was reared on the farm until twenty- one years of age, when he began the study of medicine with his uncle, Dr. William Lenhart, with whom he remained until 1883, when he en- tered the Columbia Veterinary College of New York City, graduating in 1894, when he established him - self in business with every prospect of success. In 1879 he married Emma J. Bond, daughter of W. H. Bond, of York, and to this union have been born two children. The father of our subject was born in 1812, and is living on his farm of 160 acres in this township, having retired from active life in 1869; the mother of our subject died in 1868, at the age of forty-two.

DR. EDMUND L. MELSHEIMER was born in Dover Township, April 28, 1823. is the son of Dr. Frederick E. and Sarah (Kimmel) Melsheimer, and is of German descent, his paternal grandfather having come to this county in 1778. He was a Lu- theran minister, and died in 1816, aged seventy years. Grandfather Kimmel was a native of Washington Township, was a farmer by occupation, a potter by trade, and was owner of several tracts of land in Washington Township. Subject's father was born in Hanover Township in 1781, was a physician and died in 1872, aged ninety-one, his widow, also a na- tive of York County, died in 1874, aged eighty- three years. Both were members of the Lutheran Church, and were the parents of six children, of whom our subject is the fifth. Onr subject was educated in the district school of Dover Township, at the York County Academy and the New Oxford College, in Adams County, and then for seven win- ters taught subscription schools of his native and other townships. His medical studies were pur- sued under his father for a number of years, and then a year at Oxford, Penn., under Dr. Pfeiffer, a learned German physician, after which he attended the Pennsylvania Medical College, at Philadelphia, from which he graduated in the spring of 1850. He opened practice in Washington Township and Wellsville, in Warrington Township, but eventually settled in Davidsburg, Dover Township, where he has met with abundant success. In 1851 the Doc- tor married Miss Mary A., daughter of Joseph Underwood; this lady died in 1852, the mother of one child. In 1855 the Doctor married Sarah F. A., daughter of George Massmore, and to this union have been born five children-Mary E .. Laura G., Flora B., Rosa L. and George F. E. Mr. and Mrs. M. are members of the Lutheran Church.

HENRY H. SPAHR was born in Warrington Township, August 28, 1834, and is the sixth of the nine children of George and Rebecca (Myley) Spahr, both natives of York County. The father was a miller and farmer, owned 142 acres of land in Warrington Township. and died in 1873, at the age of seventy-seven. Our subject was reared on the farm until nineteen, when he went to Chicago and clerked a year and a half; on his return he taught school seven terms in Warring- ton, Dover and Paradise Townships: in 1876 he was elected justice of the peace for Dover. and still holds the office: in 1859 he married Miss Rosa M., daughter of Dr. F. E. Melsheimer, of Dover Town- ship. Mr. Spahr is owner of twenty-five acres of improved land in Dover, on which he resides. He is an active Democrat, and with his wife is a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church.

Z. B. TOOMEY is a native of Conewago Township, was born February. 1847, and is a son of John and Henrietta (Core) Loomey, being the third in a family of eleven children. He was reared until eighteen years of age on the home

farm in Newberry Township when he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Ninety-second Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was engaged in the battles of Winchester, Culpepper Court House, Cedar Creek, Woodstock and various minor en- gagements, and at the end of eleven months re- turned to the farm. He next engaged in the cigar business in Newberry. where he enjoyed a very lucrative trade. In 1883 he took charge of a hotel at Dover, which he conducted in connection with the cigar business for two years. In 1872 he married Catherine Nailor, a native of West Man- chester Township, and a daughter of Daniel Nailor. To this union were born four children: William L., Amanda E., Anna L., and Louisa (de- ceased). Mrs. Toomey died in 1881, at the age of twenty-nine, and in 1882, Mr. T. married Miss Em- ma Leathery, a native of Dover Township.

JESSE YOST was born July 19, 1833, in Dover Township, and was reared on his father's farm. He married Margaret Bowersox, daughter of John Bowersox, of Dover Township. Mr. Yost is a pros- perous farmer and one of Dover Township's best citizens. He is a member of Strayer's Lutheran Church.

FAIRVIEW TOWNSHIP.

HENRY ATTICKS was born in Fairview Town- ship, York Co., Penn., December 16, 1833. His parents, Henry H. and Elizabeth (Peterman) Atticks, were natives of York County, Penn., and had nine children, five living: Susanna, Henry, Sarah A., Catharine and George; four deceased: William, Ja- cob, John and Elmira. The father was a cabinet- maker and carpenter by trade, and followed farm- ing, together with his trade, in Fairview Township. He owned a large tract of land, and was one of the leading farmers of his time. Subject's great-grand- father came from Germany and settled in eastern Pennsylvania. The grandfather, Henry Atticks,. a native of York County, Penn., was a blacksmith, and followed farming, together with his trade. He died in Fairview Township, in 1844. Our subject at twenty-two years of age began farming on C. Hursh's farm, in Fairview Township, and remained one year; then worked one year on the farm and driving team for Mr. Boyer. In 1857 he went West, and engaged in farm work for two years in Kansas, Illinois and Ohio. In 1862 he married Harriet Greenfield, daughter of Jacob Greenfield, who was county commissioner three years. They have three children : George B., Charles E. and Jacob H. Mr. Atticks has a finely improved farm of 114 acres. He is a Democrat.

GEORGE W. ATTICKS was born in Fairview Township, York Co., Penn., February 5, 1842, son of Henry H. and Elizabeth (Peterman) Atticks, na- tives of York County, who had nine children. The father was a carpenter and cabinet-maker by trade, and followed farming, together with his trades, in Fairview Township, where he always resided. He owned six farms at one time, amonnting to 378 acres of land. He was school director for many years, and died in 1873, aged seventy-two years. George W. was reared on the farm, and traveled in the West four years. In 1870, his father deeded him a farm, and he has since followed farming. He owns two farms of ninety and sixty-seven acres respectively, which he inherited. In 1869, he married Lucinda Fluke, daughter of David Fluke, native of Ashland County, Ohio. They have two children: Lee and Kelsey. Mr. Atticks is a Democrat.

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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 176

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