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 178

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 178

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FAWN TOWNSHIP.

JOHN H. ANDERSON, son of Joseph R. and Elizabeth (Wilson) Anderson, of Hopewell Town- ship, York County, Penn., and Harford County, Md., respectively, was boru September 9,1835, on the home- stead now owned by his brother. His father was born in Hopewell Township in 1803, and lived there nearly all his life. John H. Anderson lived with his parents until 1868, when he bought his present farm of 120 acres, and has resided there since. He was married, in 1868, to Elizabeth Wilson, daughter of David and Jane Wilson, of York County, Penn., and has three children: Joseph C., Henry M. W. and David R. Mr. Anderson is a member of the school board, and a member of the Presbyterian Church of Centre.

REED W. ANDERSON, son of Joseph R. and Elizabeth (Wilson) Anderson, was born on the old homestead December 24, 1840. The father was a na- tive of York County, Penn., and the mother of Har- ford County, Md. Our subject now owns and occupies the old homestead place, which consists of 161 acres of land. He was married January 14, 1875, to Martha A. Brown, daughter of Milton and Sarah Brown, of Lancaster County, Penn. By this union they have been blessed with two children, Annie M. and Nora B. Mr. Anderson is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Centre.

JOHN ANDERSON, son of Robert and Nancy (Payne) Anderson, natives of York County, was born in 1834 in Fawn Township, York County, where he has always resided. He was married, in 1861, to Margaret E. Grove, daughter of Jacob Grove, of Hopewell Township. This union has been blessed with four children: Mary A., Robert P., Margaret J. and Thomas Franklin W. In 1863 Mr. Anderson purchased the farm on which he now resides, and which contains 132 acres. He is at present a school director: he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Zion. His wife died in 1883.

BENJAMIN P. ANDERSON, son of Robert and Nancy (Payne) Anderson, of York County, was born in Fawn Township, this county, in 1843. His parents were born in York County, and lived there until they died; the father dying in 1877 and the mother in 1859. Mr. Anderson owns a farm of 130 acres, where he has always lived. In 1871 he was married to Elizabeth M. Anderson, daughter of James Anderson, of York County. They have three children living: James C., Mary B., and Robert P. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are members of the Presbyterian Church of Centre.

ROBERT BARTOL, son of George and Mary (Bayless) Bartol, natives of Harford County, Md., was born December 23, 1814, in Harford County, Md. He remained with his parents until he was sixteen years of age, when he learned the tanner's trade in Baltimore. He moved to York County, Penn., in 1834, and bought a farm of 136 acres, which he has since cultivated in connection with tanning. He was married in 1841 to Mary Kurtz, who died in 1864. His second marriage was in 1871 to Mary Quinlan, daughter of Philip and Mary Quinlan, of Harford County, Md. He had twelve children, ten of whom are living: Sarah, George, James, Robert, Charles, Mary E., John, Corinne M., Nathaniel, Robert, Imogene and Joseph. Mr. Bartol has held several prominent school positions in the Town- ship. He is a brother of Judge Bartol, chief jus- tice of the court of appeals of Maryland.

ROBERT BLAIN was born February 11,1805, on his present farm of 100 acres, which he inherited at the death of his father, and where he has since resid- .

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ed. He is a son of William Blain, who came to York County, Penn., in 1800, and settled in Fawn Town- ship, where he resided until his death in 1829. He followed farming, and also did quite a large busi- ness in distilling. Robert Blain was married in 1872 to Mary Tarbort, daughter of William Tarbort, of Fawn Township. By this union they have been blessed with two children: Robert S.and Elizabeth.

JOHN A. BOYD, son of Dr. Thomas Boyd, of Lancaster County, Penn., was born January 5.1811, in Fawn Township, where he has since lived, with the exception of three years, which he spent in Har- ford County, Md. His father died in 1836, In 1861 Mr. Boyd was married to Margaret Anderson, daughter of Nathaniel Anderson, of York County. Penn. Mr. Boyd moved to his present farm of 116 acres with his parents in 1824, and at the death of his father inherited the farm, and has lived on it ever since

ROBERT D. BROWN, son of John and Susanna (Ray) Brown, natives of York County, Penn., and Ireland, respectively, was born May 2, 1816, on the farm of eighty acres, on which he now lives, and where his father was also born. The father died in 1843, and the mother in 1853. In 1856 Mr. Brown was married to Julia Marsteller, daughter of Henry Marsteller, of York County, Penn., she died in 1862, leaving four children: Susan, Henry T., Robert D. and James W. Mr. Brown's second marriage was in 1864. to Caroline Mitchell, daughter of Joshua and Benlah (Wilson) Mitchell, of Lancaster County, Penn .; by this marriage four children have been born to them: Clement L., Mary E., John and Carrie L. Mr. Brown was county commissioner for four years.

JOHN CHANNELL, son of Abel and Jane (Anderson) Channell, of York County, was born December 17, 1814, in Fawn Township; his father died in 1868. John Channell was married in 1836 to Mary Clark, daughter of James Clark, of York Coun- ty, Penn. They have nine children living: Elizabeth, Jane, Agnes, James, Samuel M., Sarah, Rosa Anne, Joseph and Annie. Mr. Channell lived in Fawn Township all his life, and has held the offices of school director and supervisor. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Chanceford. The farm on which he resides contains about 135 acres, and was purchased by him in 1842.

ANDERSON CHANNELL, son of Isaac and Mary (Anderson) Channell, of Fawn Township, York Co., Penn., was born January 26, 1818, on the old homestead. The father died in 1830. and the mother in 1874. Our subject was married in 1840 to Martha M. Thompson, daughter of Israel and Phoebe (Ewing) Thompson, of York County, Penn. By this union they have had thirteen children: Alex. E. John A .. Phoebe E., Clarissa A., William T .. Mary F., Sarah V., James F., Henry C., Thomas I., Rosa B .. Isaac M. and Etha M. In 1844 Mr. Channell purchased the farm upon which he resides, and which contains 100 acres. He has held the offices of assessor and supervisor of the township. Two of his sons were in the army during the late war: John A. Channell, Company I. One Hundred and Thir- tieth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, who served from 1862 till the close of the war, and was severely wounded, and William T. Channell, who enlisted in the One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, in 1863, and served until the close of the war.

WILLIAM HENRY DEVOE, son of John De Voe, of Harford County, Md., was born in Har- ford County, Md., October 10, 1828. He was edu- cated at the Deaf and Dumb Institute in Philadel- phia, and after leaving the school, began learning harness-making, in 1845, at Jarrettsville, He was married, in 1856, to Martha Bonnister, daughter of Joseph Bonnister, of Harford County, Md. They have six children: Sarah P., Mary M., Henry C.,

John, William A. and James F. Mr. Devoe pur- chased his present residence and one-half acre of land in Fawn Grove, in 1855, and has since resided! there, doing a good business in harness-making. Mr. and Mrs. De Voe, are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, of Harford County, Md.

WILLIAM FLEMING, son of Robert Fleming, a native of Ireland, was born in Ireland in 1823; came to this country in 1846, and settled in Fawn Township, York County. He was married, in 1854, to Agnes Keady, daughter of John Keady, of York County. They have five children: Robert G., John K., Samuel B., Agnes J. and Margaret R. In- 1856 Mr. Fleming bought the farm on which he- now resides and which contains forty-two acres, and, with the exception of a few years, he has. since resided there. He is a member of the Pres- byterian Church, of Chanceford.

JOHN B. GEMMILL, son of Benjamin and Mary (Brown) Gemmill, of York County, was born Janu- ary 19, 1838, and resided on the homestead with his parents until 1861. His father died in 1878, and his mother in 1879. He was married, in 1860, to Agnes M. Workman, daughter of John and Rebecca Workman, of Baltimore, and formerly of York County. In 1874 he was elected member of the legislature, re-elected in 1876 and served fonr sessions. He has had five children, one of whom. is dead. The living are Milton C., Willie B., Benjamin M. and Ellis H. He also has an adopted daughter-Molly Rinely. Mr. Gemmill is a mem- ber of the Centre Presbyterian Church; he has been treasurer for thirteen years and trustee for six years. He has also held important offices in the township, and takes great interest in schools. He served several terms as township school director- and was one of the originators of the Fawn Grove Academy. He is a director in the Stewartstown Railroad. During his legislative career he was de- voted to his work and faithfully represented his constituents. He is an ardent advocate of the principles of the political party which he represents. In 1885 he was elected a director of the Codorus and Manheim Insurance Company.

CHARLES H. GIESEY, son of John and Catharine (Zellers) Giesey, of York County, was- born December 10, 1836, at Shrewsbury, Penn .. He remained with his parents until 1853, when he went to Hanover, Penn., and learned the cabinet- maker's trade. In 1855 he returned to Shrews- bury, where he remained two years after which he went to Baltimore, and remained there five years. He returned to Shrewsbury in 1860 and remained there until 1878, when he went to Hopewell Town- ship and resided there two years. He came to Gatchellsville in 1880, bought a hotel property and four acres of land and has since resided there. He was married in 1861 to Rebecca Brenise, daughter- of William and Lydia Brenise, of York County. Mrs. Giesey died in 1875, leaving three children: John B., Lydia B., and William B. Mr. Giesey's- second marriage was in 1882 to Mrs. Mary Brooks, daughter of David Workinger, of York County, Penn.

CHARLES GROVE, son of John Grove, of York County, Penn., was horn in 1808, in York County. He was married, in 1835, to Elizabeth Leib, daughter of Joseph Leib, of York County .. Mrs. Grove died in 1880, leaving nine children :. John W., Mary E., Henry P., Laura E., Charles L., Jacob W., Francis N., Christopher T. and Catherine J. Mr. G. purchased his present farm of 250 acres in 1849 and has since that time resided on it.

DR. JOHN A. HAWKINS, son of John and. Snsan (Thompson) Hawkins, was born in Harford County, Md., June 30, 1831. His parents came to York County in 1868; his ancestors were English, and include the Chalk and Thompson families of

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Maryland, the former of which located in the early 'colonial times, on Winter's Run, about sixteen miles from the Pennsylvania line and exercised no inconsiderable local influence in their day. The family name, Hawkins, was brought to this country by three brothers, who first trod American soil at Elk Ridge Landing, Md., shortly before the Revolu- tion. The youngest of these, Nicholas, had a son, John, who, in turn, was father of the subject of this sketch, and who was widely known throughout his county, having at one time represented it in the -legislature of the State. Dr. Hawkins received his preliminary education at Belle Air Academy, and graduated from Maryland University at Baltimore, in 1852. He practiced medicine successfully in Bal- .timore County, Md., for one year, and then at the instance of some friends was induced to remove to York County, where he has since resided and where he is now enjoying a large practice. In 1855 he was married to Hannah A. Jones, daughter of Asa Jones, of Fawn Grove, a strict member of the S. of F. He has two children: Charles A. and Vallandig- ham. In 1884 he purchased a small farm within the ·borough limits of Fawn Grove, for the purpose of establishing a hennery, which he is now conducting in connection with his practice. Both the Doctor and his wife are members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church.

FELIX C. HERBERT, son of Gideon and Mary Herbert. of York Connty, Penn., was born in 1803, in Harford Connty, Md .. and came to York County, Penn., when very young. He moved to his present farm of seventy acres, in 1825, and has lived there since. He was married, in 1825, to Rachael Harri- son, who died in 1855, leaving eight children: Will- iam Richard, Sarah, Mary J., Salome, Rebecca, Elfie and Henry. His second marriage was in 1857, to Anabel M. Boyd, daughter of Dr. Thomas Boyd. of Lancaster County. Penn. Mr. Herbert has held the offices of commissioner and auditor of York County. He is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church of Fellowship. Mr. Herbert has always taken a prominent interest in local politics, frequent- ly representing his township in Democratic conven- tions. He voted first for Andrew Jackson for pres- ident.

THOMAS H. HERBERT. son of Richard Her- bert, of Baltimore County, Md., was born in 1832, in Baltimore County, Md. He came to York County, Penn., in 1857, and settled in Fawn Town- ship. He was married, in 1857, to Melissa Jones, of York County, Penn. They have seven children: Oscar A., Milton J., Mamie M., Maggie, Wilburt J .. William D. and Annette. Mr. Herbert purchased his present residence and one arre of land, in 1864. He is a member of the Methodist ProtestantChurch of Fawn Grove. At present he holds the office of jus- tice of the peace. His son, Milton J., who was born in 1860, in Baltimore County, Md., came to York County, Penn., with his parents, and has since re- sided there. He learned the blacksmith trade in 1881 and carries on an extensive business.

JOSEPH HOSTLER is a son of George and Mary (Noon) Hostler, natives of York County, Penn., and was born March 28, 1822. His parents dying when he was yet an infant, he was bronght up in the family of his eldest brother, in Shrewsbury Township, until his sixteenth year. He then went to Groves Mills and learned the blacksmithing trade and worked there for two years. He was married October 21, 1845, to Sarah E. Herbert, daughter of Gideon and Mary (McCurdy) Herbert, of Harford County, Md. By this union they have been blessed with three children: Israel T., John J. and Araminta E. Mr. Hostler has held the offices of supervisor and auditor of Fawn Township. He is a member of Whiteside Chapel, of Fawn.

ROBERT B. HYSON, son of John and Mar- garet Hyson, natives of York County, was born December 28, 1854, in Hopewell Township, this county. He remained with his parents on the home- stead until 1870; then spent about five years in Ohio; returned to Pennsylvania in 1874, when he engaged in general merchandising business at Mount Pleas- ant, Penn., where he remained three years. He then came to Gatchellville in 1879, and has since remained there. He was married in 1880. Mr. Hy- son is at present justice of the peace of Fawn Town- ship. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Centre, and it may well be said stands second to none in the rank of business men of southern York County.

DANIEL C. ILGENFRITZ. son of Daniel Ilgenfritz, was born March 3, 1828, in York, Penn. The father, also a native of York, Penn., died in 1833, and the mother in 1874. In 1851 Mr. Ilgenfritz was married to Susan Neff. daughter of Daniel Neff, of Windsor Township, York Co., Penn. They have two children living: Edward and Mary E. The farm on which Mr. Ilgenfritz resides, contains 100 acres, and was purchased by him in 1875, since which time he has resided on it. He is a member of the order of Red Men of York, Penn., and also a member of the Lutheran Church of York, Penn.

GEORGE W. JAMISON, sou of William and Margaret (Murphy) Jamison, natives of Pennsyl- vania and Ireland, respectively, was born September 16, 1830, in Carroll County, Md. He came to York County, Penn., in 1832, and after remaining two years, went to Chester County, Penn., where he re- mained until 1850. He then returned to York County, and purchased his present farm of seventy acres, upon which he has resided since. His father was born in Philadelphia, and his mother was born in Ireland, and came to this country when a child. Mr. Jamison was married, in 1868, to Catharine Wayne, daughter of Thomas Wayne, of York County, Penn. They have had eight children: Sarah. Mary Jane, Margaret M., Amanda, Alexan- der, William H., George G. and Emma Belle. He has held the office of assessor of Fawn Township.

ASA JONES is a son of Asa and Hannah ( Riley) Jones, natives of York County, Penn., and Balti- more, Md., respectively, and was born July 17, 1833, on the farm of 120 acres, where he now re- sides. His father died in 1862, but the mother of our subject is still living. Mr. Jones was married, in 1863, to Elmira E. Powers, of Lancaster, Penn., who died in 1866, leaving two children: Inza M. and Laura M. His second marriage, was. in 1867, to Alice J. McCurdy, daughter of A. C. McCurdy, of York County. Mr. Jones is an extensive dealer in agricultural implements and stock.

JOSHUA R. JONES. A notable instance of a successful business career is presented in the life of Joshua R. Jones. Born of Quaker parentage, in the village of Fawn Grove, August 28, 1837, he spent his summers during his boyhood working on his father's farm, and his winters attending the neighboring schools. At this period of his life he displayed that buoyant vigor and exuberance of animal spirits, which with him have always formed . prominent characteristics. If there was a rabbit to he chased Joshua was always there to lead the crowd. One year was spent in a Friends' school in Loudon County, Va., presided over by the venerable Samuel U. Janney. His studies were completed at the Pennsylvania State Normal School, at Millersville. After teaching one year, he entered another school, a rough one, but replete with valuable experience, and especially adapted to the study of human nature. He became a book agent. After canvass- ing with success for three years in the East and West, he opened an office as general agent in Balti-

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more, but removed to Philadelphia in 1864, where he is now operating under the style and title of the National Publishing Company. His business has grown with great rapidity, as the imposing appear- ance of the new establishment at 724, 726 and 728 Cherry Street will attest. About 200 hands are con- stantly employed in the manufacture of his large stock of family Bibles, albums and miscellaneous books. Twenty-four large presses, and a number of small ones, are used in printing his publications. Mr. Jones is quick to see a business point, and quick to act upon it, decided in forming his plans and energetic in executing them. He seldom fails to estimate aright the selling qualities of a hook, and rarely publishes one that does not have a sale of from 50,000 to 250,000 copies. Still comparatively a young man, he applies himself closely to business, and is ever watchful over its details. The National Publishing Company is now one of the largest sub- scription book houses in the United States. Mr. Jones' career affords a striking example of the re- sults of Americau "push." His progress has been steady and rapid until, it may be truly said, he has come to be a marked man in his calling.

DANIEL T. KELLER, son of Daniel Keller, of York County, Penn., was born in 1847, in Lower Windsor Township, York Co., Penn., where he re- mained and received a common school education. In August, 1872, he went to Ohio, and there went to high school seven months, in Clyde, Sandusky County, to superintendent Ginn, and then taught school for three terms, and worked on the farm the remainder of his stay in Ohio; was married, in 1878. to Nancy Dice, formerly a native of Pennsyl- vania, and in 1879 he came back to York County with his family, and in 1883 he purchased his pres- ent residence, and one and a half acres of land, where he has since resided. running a cider-mill in connection with farming. They have three chil- dren: Elsie, Iva and Emory.

HENRY KUNKEL, son of Michael and Eliza- beth (Myers) Kunkel, natives of York County, Penn., was born September 2, 1814, on the home- stead in York County. His mother died when he was very young, and he was brought up iu the family of his uncle, Jacob Markey, where he lived until nineteen years old, when he went to York, Penn., and learned the shoe-maker's trade. He was married, in 1838, to Ruth White, of Harford Coun- ty, Md., who died in 1859, leaving six children. His second marriage was in 1853, to Sarah V. Herbert, daughter of Phoenix Herbert, of Harford County, Md. By this union they have had five children. Mr. Kunkel has now eight children living: Eliza- beth H., Mary J., Salome E., Felix H., Michael J., Jacob M., John T. and Annie R. Mr. Kunkel owns a farm of fifty acres, and also carries on general merchandising.

M. H. McCALL, son of Matthew and Amanda (Manifold) McCall, of York County, Penn., was born September 24, 1843, in Indiana County, Penn. He came to York County when only five years old, and lived with Alexander Manifold until fifteen years of age. The father was a graduate of Jeffer- son College, and died in 1849; the mother died in 1850. In 1862 our subject enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Thirtieth Pennsylvania Volun- teers, and served nine months. He then enlisted in the First Battalion Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was promoted to first lieutenant. He afterward en- listed in the One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Penn- sylvania Volunteers, in which regiment he was first lieutenant and regimental quartermaster, and served until the close of the war. He is now engaged in a general mercantile business at Gatchellville. He was married, in 1869, to Amanda Livingston, daugh- ter of Andrew Livingston, of Chanceford Township. They have one child-Hugh L. Mr. McCall has

been postmaster of his town for twelve years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the Presbyterian Church at Chanceford.

DR. D. MORGAN McDONALD, son of Thomas B. and Elizabeth (Thompson) McDonald, of York County, Penn., was born in Lower Chanceford Township June 4, 1852. His father, who was then residing in that township, engaged in smithing; he moved to Hopewell Township in 1853. At one time he held the position of auditor for three years. Our subject received his early education at the Pleasant Grove Academy, and in 1873 went to Ohio and read medicine with Dr. Gemmill, finally gradu- ating from the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cin- cinnati in 1876. He first practiced medicine in New Market, Md., where he remained until 1881. He then moved to Fawn Township, York County, in February, 1882, and succeeded to the practice of Dr. Wright, of Gatchellville, and has since re- mained here. He was married, in 1877, to Ella G. Warfield, daughter of David A. Warfield and Sarah E. (Curran) Warfield, of Wrightsville. They have two children: Reba E. and Thomas W.

RICHARD McDONALD, son of Robert and Lydia (Payne) McDonald, of York County, was born in 1833 in Hopewell Township, and has always resided in York County. He was married in 1867 to Mary McWilliams, daughter of James McWill- iams, of York County. They have five children: Richard T., Robert G., May C., Harriet and Margaret A. Mr. McDonald purchased the farm of 150 acres, on which he lives, in 1865.

HENRY S. MERRYMAN is a son of Nelson and Sarah (Davis) Merryman, of Baltimore, Md., and was born September 6, 1839, in Harford County, Md. He remained there until 1861, when' he enlisted in Purnell's cavalry, Company A, called Purnell's Legion, and served uutil the close of the war, when he returned to Harford County, where he remained until 1871. He then came to Fawu Grove and established a general merchandising business, in which he is still engaged. He was married, in 1866, to Jane A. Webb, a daughter of William and Margaret Webb, of Fawn Grove. By this union they have five children: Carrie E., Harry C., Nelson, William E. and Corinne. Mr. Merry- man is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Harford County, Md.

JOSEPH MILNER, son of Cyrus and Sarah (Carter) Milner, of Delaware and Harford Counties, Md., respectively, was born March 11, 1808, in Lancaster County, Penn. His great-grandfather came from England to Pennsylvania with William Penn, on his last visit in 1699. The parents of our subject came to York County in 1856, and settled in Fawn Township, where they resided until their death. The father died in 1859 and the mother in 1860. Joseph Milner remained in Lancaster County, Penn., until 1830, when he went to Illinois, where he stayed two years. He then returned to Lancaster County in 1832, and followed teaming in connection with farming. In 1854 he came to York County and purchased his present farm of 144 acres, where he has since resided. He was married in 1840 to Joanna B. Hamilton, daughter of Robert and Eliza- beth Hamilton, of York County. By this union they had six children, three uow living: Robert H., Lewis H. and William G. Mr. Milner has held the offices of treasurer and supervisor of this township. George D., the second son, died in the rebel prison at Salisbury, N. C., during the war in 1864. Mr. Milner is a member of the Society of Friends, who have a meeting house at Fawn Grove. Lewis H. Milner, son of Joseph and Joanna B. (Hamilton) Milner, was born October 3, 1844, in Lancaster County, Penn. He enlisted on June 17, 1863, in Company B, One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until the close

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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 178

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