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 179

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 179

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of the war, when he returned to the homestead where he has since resided.

DAVID PYLE, son of Abram and Harriet (Payne) Pyle, of Chester County, Penn., was born March 8, 1835, in Chester County, Penn. He came in 1851, to York County, Penn., with his parents, who settled in Fawn Township, where they remained until their death. He was married, in 1857, to Hul - dah J. Torbert, daughter of Andrew and Susan (Jones) Torbert, of Fawn Grove. By this union they have had two children, of whom one is living- Abram. Mr. Pyle holds the position of collector of Fawn Township at present. Abram Pyle, son of the above, is a miller by trade, and is engaged with J. R. Wiley, at Rock Run Mills.

BENJAMIN F. PYLE, son of Isaac and Cassie (Brooks) Pyle, natives of Chester County and Lan- caster County, Penn., respectively, was born April 11, 1857, on the same farm that he now occupies. His parents came to York County, Penn., in 1854. and settled on a farm of fifty acres in Fawn Town- ship. The father died in 1876, but the mother is still living on the homestead. They had seven children. Mr. Pyle follows the trade of carpenter, in connection with farming. He wasmarried, June 5, 1884, to Ella A. Wilson, daughter of Josiah and Elizabeth (Lutz) Wilson, of York County, Penn.

CORNELIUS PRALL, son of Isaac R. and Ann B. (Rhodes) Prall, natives of New Jersey and Balti- more, Md. respectively, was born November 30, 1833, in Fawn Township, York County, Penn. His parents came to York County, Penn., in 1830, and settled in Hopewell Township. The father died in 1880, and the mother in 1865. Mr. Prall was mar- ried, in 1856. to Margaret Zigler, daughter of Peter Zigler. of York County, Penn. They have four children: Margaret M., Annie S., Delfinia H. and Chambers R. Mr. Prall purchased his present farm of forty-eight acres in 1869. The family are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Pros- pect.

ANDREW M. SCOTT, son of Robert and Susan (Morrison) Scott, of York County, was born Octo- ber 19, 1855, in Fawn Township, where he has al- ways resided. His father and mother are both de- ceased, the former dying in 1876, and the latter in 1871. At the age of nineteen our subject began learning the wheelright's trade, and has been estab- lished in his present location since 1878. He was married, in 1881, to Sarah E. Enfield, daughter of Andrew Enfield, of York County, Penn. They have no children. Mr. Scott owns the dwelling and one acre of land, where he resides, which lie pur- chased in 1880. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church, at Fawn Grove. He has been auditor, and is at present constable of the township.

JOHN STRAWBRIDGE (deceased), son of John and Rachael (Alloway) Strawbridge of York County, Penn., was born in 1804. in York County, Penn. He purchased the farm near New Park, containing 150 acres, in 1835, and remained there until his death in 1878. He was married in 1840 to Grizella McDonald, daughter of Aquilla McDonald, of York County, Penn. This union was blessed with nine children: John C., Mary E., Rachael., Aquilla M., Richard A., Sarah J., Franklin P., Louisa and Joseph. Mrs. Strawbridge died on the homestead in 1877. Aquilla M. and Franklin P., sons of John Strawbridge, inherited the homestead at the death of their parents, and carry on the farm, with their sister Sarah J. as housekeeper. Mr. Strawbridge held various offices in the township, and was post- master for thirty years.

JOHN B. THOMPSON, son of James Thomp- son. of York County, was born at Muddy Creek Forks, York Co., Penn., February 15, 1828. His father removed from Upper Chanceford Township to Fawn Township in 1830, settling on property

now owned by W. R. & J. B. Thompson, and known as Bald Eagle, there he remained until his death in 1860. John B. Thompson was married in 1860 to Elizabeth Channell, daughter of John Channell, of York County. They have five children: Mary B .. John, Samuel G., Joseph and William R. Mr. Thompson has held the office of school director, and has been postmaster of Bald Eagle for ten years. In connection with farming he carries on a woolen-mill, manufacturing cloth, blankets, etc.

WILLIAM R. WEBB, son of William and Mar- garet (Channell) Webb, natives of Fawn Township. York Co. Penn .; was born in Fawn Grove, January 27, 1858. His parents always resided in Fawu Town- ship; the father died 1878, leaving a widow and four children: William R., Abel J., Mary S. B. and Jane A. M. At the age of sixteen years William R., began learning the cabinet-maker's trade and worked at it until 1878, when he came into possession of an undertaking and cabinet business, which was left him by his father, which business he now conducts. He was married January 25, 1883, to Jesse A. McEIvain, a daughter of Josiah McElvain, of Lancaster County, Penn., and they have one child, Mary A. Mr. Webb is the owner of a hotel stand and several building lots in Fawn Township.

JAMES R. WILEY, son of Thomas and Isabella (Irwin) Wiley, of York County, Penn., was born February 15, 1852. His grandfather, James Wiley, was one of the earliest settlers of York County, Penn. Thomas Wiley. subject's father, owned a farm of 100 acres and founded the Rock Run Mills, now owned and worked by his son James R. The latter began learning the milling trade when sixteen years of age, and has followed it since. He also runs a saw-mill. Mr. Wiley is a member of Centre Pres- byterian Church, and holds the position of trustee.

JOHN C. WILEY, son of Samuel and Ellen (Anderson) Wiley, of York County, Penn., was born April 16, 1853, on the homestead of 112 acres, which he now owns. His father died in 1859. In 1879, Mr. Wiley was married to Louisa Strawbridge, daughter of John and Grizella (McDonald) Straw- bridge, of York County, Penn. This union has been blessed with three children: Samuel J., Nellie B. and an infant. In addition to the 112 acres on the homestead Mr. Wiley owns ninety-eight acres. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, of Centre. He has held the office of auditor for three years.

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.

JACOB W. ALBERT was born in Adams County, Penn., in 1821, a son of Rev. J. E. and Catherine (Wentz) Albert, of Adams and Perry Counties, respectively. His great-grandfather came from Germany, and was sold to pay his passage across the ocean. The grandfather was a farmer in Adams County, Penn., and owned a large tract of land, which was divided into eight farms. He was a member of the Reformed Church. The fa- ther of subject was a German Reformed minister in Adams and York Counties for many years. He owned three farms in Adams County of 175 acres, seventy-five and fifty acres, respectively. He had twelve children: Susanna, Ezra (deceased). Eliz- abeth, Jacob W., Mary (deceased), Josiah (de- ceased), Ephraim, Appolonia (deceased). Hiram, Samuel, Rebecca and Catherine. Jacob W. Albert managed his father's farm when he was seventeen years old, and has since followed farming, owning ninety-eight acres of finely-improved land in

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Franklin Township, where he resides. Like his ancestors, he belongs to the Reformed Church. In 1844 he married Leah Bup, daughter of Frederick Bup, of Franklin Township. They have three chil- dren: Catherine, Sarah and Abraham F.

LEWIS ARNOLD was born in Warrington Township, York County, Penn., September 30, 1844, and is a son of Daniel and Anna (Straley) Ar- nold. His grandfather was a native of York Coun- ty. and engaged in farming in Washington Town- ship, having a farm of 150 acres. His father was a miller by trade, and followed it and farming in Do- ver and Warrington Townships. In 1869 he pur- chased twenty-three acres of land in Adams Coun- tv, which he farmed till his death in January, 1872. He had seventeen children: Rebecca, William (killed in the battle of the Wilderness in 1864), Solomon, Samuel, Stephen, Sarah, Frank, Lewis, Jacob (de- ceased), Henry, Lonisa (deceased), Maria, George, Aaron, Mary A., Amanda and Daniel L. Lewis Arnold, when eighteen years old, began learningthe tanner's trade, which he followed six months, when he enlisted, in September, 1863, in Company G, One Hundred and Forty-third Regiment Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, under Gen. Warren, and took part in the following engagements: Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Laurel Hill and North Ann River. In the last engagement he was wounded in the leg, May 23, 1864. On the following day his leg was amputated, and he was removed to Mt. Pleasant Hospital, at Washington, where he remained until April 25, 1865; he then returned home and engaged in the cigar manufacturing business in Cumberland, County. Penn. In 1866 he came to Franklintown, and in 1868 began learning the shoe-maker's trade which he still follows. He has a fine home in Franklintown. In 1870 he married Lydia M. Dit- mer, daughter of Henry and Mary (Wierman) Dit- mer, of Franklin Township. By this union they have had five children; Mary E., James D., Henry D., Clayton S. and Richard L. Mr. and Mrs. Ar- nold are members of the Union Baptist Church.

CHRISTIAN BENDER was born in 1828 in York County, and is a son of Lewis and Catherine (Hershey) Bender. His grandparents were natives of Lancaster County. Penn .. but came to York County at an early day. His father was also a na- tive of Lancaster County; his mother was born in York County. They owned a farm of 165 acres, which the father farmed until a few years before his death. They were active members of the Unit- ed Brethren Church, and left eight children: Mary, Christian, Henry, Elizabeth, Sarah. Lydia, Michael and Catherine. Christian Bender followed farming until his marriage. when he engaged in threshing, farming and teaming, which he is still following. He owns ninety-three acres of well cultivated land in Franklin Township, also a small farm of twenty- eight acres half a mile from the home farm, and twenty-eight acres of mountain land. In 1851 he married Elizabeth Mumper, a daughter of Michael Mumper, a prominent farmer of Franklin Town- ship, who died in 1859. They have five children; Samuel H., Mary E., Edward L., Lilly E. and Sal- lie. Nearly all the family belong to the United Brethren Church. Mr. Bender has been a director of the Dillsburgh and Mechanicsburgh Railroad for fourteen years.

JACOB BRANDT was born in 1827 in Carroll Township, York County, and is a son of Jacob and Rachel (McClure) Brandt, of York County, who, like the grandparents, followed farming. Jacob Brandt was reared a farmer, and has always fol- lowed that occupation. He owns 275 acres of some of the best land in the township, adjoining which he owns a small place of five acres, where his son David lives; he is the owner also of thirty acres of mountain land, several building lots in Dillsburgh,

three places in Adams County, and a fine building in Mt. Holly, Cumberland Co., Penn. In 1848 he married Sarah Smith, a daughter of John S. Smith, who came from England in 1827. They have had the following children: Mary E. (deceased), David. John, Sarah E. (deceased), Albert, Harry C. (de- ceased). They all belong to the Evangelical Church, in which Mr. Brandt was steward for ten years. In connection with his farming. he also deals in horses and mules, and has been for twenty-one years quite extensively engaged in that trade.

LEVI CHRONISTER was born in Adams County, Penn., in 1831, a son of Jonas and Marga- ret (Sowers) Chronister, of Adams and Cumberland Counties, Penn., respectively. His grandfather was a native of Adams County and a farmer, which occupation he followed until his death in 1836. His farm contained about 400 acres, and was situated in Reading Township, Adams County. He was drafted for the army in 1812. Jonas Chronister was a farmer and teamster. He owned several town lots in Hampton, Adams County, and a farm of thirty acres on which he lived. He died from an apoplec- tic stroke April 3, 1881, aged seventy-seven years. A brother of subject's grandfather was killed in the Revolutionary war. Levi Chronister remained on the farm until his seventeenth year. When the common school system was adopted in Pennsylvania he was one of the first teachers in Reading Town- ship, Adams County, where he taught twenty-one terms. In 1852 he entered Dickinson College at Carlisle, Penn., where he attended two sessions, about 300 students being then there. Before going to Carlisle he worked at blacksmithing. but being disabled by a kick from a horse, he in 1851 learned the trade of a wheelwright, at which he worked .eleven summers, teaching school in the winter. He was elected justice of the peace in Reading Township, and held that office for fourteen years. In 1868 he moved to Franklin Township, where he engaged in teaching school, settling up estates, fire insurance, and served as justice of the peace. He was married, in 1856. to Amanda Pick- ing, daughter of William S. Picking, of Dover Township. They have had two children: Albert W. (deceased) and William P. Mrs. Chronister died in 1864. In 1868 Mr. C. married Susannah Mumper, daughter of George Bollinger, of York County. Mr. Chronister has taught school for thirty-seven winter terms.

EDWARD DICK was born in 1829 in York County, and is the son of George and Mary (Nagle). Dick, of Adams County, Penn., who settled on the property now owned by the son in 1831. The father was engaged in farming and the mercantile business, and during the time the jail was building at York he was commissioner for York County, after which he retired from active business in 1851. He was a progressive farmer and merchant, and a director of the Dillsburgh Bank. He owned about 180 acres of well improved land. In all public affairs he took a lively interest until his death in 1876. His wife survived him only two years. They were members of the Lutheran Church and had seven children: Catherine, Edward, Christian, all living; Lydia Ann (deceased). Elizabeth (deceased). Mary Jane (deceased) and Sarah E. Edward Dick has always been identified with the old homestead. He, like his father, is one of the most progressive business men of the township. He owns 230 acres of improved land, and about 100 acres of mountain land. Besides farming he is engaged in the mer- cantile business, owns a grist and saw-mill, and since 1853 has been postmaster at Clear Spring. He has been school director for nine years. January 22, 1857, he married Elizabeth A. Myers, of Adams County, who, like himself, is a member of the Lutheran Church. They have four children: Jolin

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H., George W., Charles E., James A. (deceased) and Lottie M., some of whom are already assisting their father on the farm, in business and in the mill.

REV. S. DILLER is a native of Cumberland County, Penn., born in 1840, a son of Samuel and Catharine (Richwine) Diller, of Cumberland County. His grandfather was a farmer and owned several hundred acres of land in Cumberland County. His father, Samuel Diller, was also a farmer and weaver by trade; he owned 500 acres of good land in York County, divided into seven farms, and about 100 acres of mountain land. He came to Franklin Township in 1867, and remained here until his death in 1873, at the age of sixty- four years. He had eleven children: Mary A., Sarah A., Catherine A., Julia A., Simon, Joseph (deceased), Susan A. (deceased), Cyrus, Priscilla A., S. C. and Rosa A. Subject remained on the farm in York County, nutil the age of twenty-eight years, when he went to the Lutheran Missionary School at Selin's Grove, Penn. He then began active work in the United Brethren ministry at the Carlisle Spring Circuit in Cumberland County, where he re- mained two years; next he went to Dover Circuit, York County, where he remained four years; then took Yocumtown charge for one year, In the con- ference of 1883, he chose the local ministry. In 1865 he married Lydia A. Morrett, daughter of George Morrett, of Cumberland County. They have two children: George S., and Luther O. Mr. Diller is an ardent worker in the cause of education, the church and Sunday-schools. He owns several fine tracts of land with all the necessary improve- ments.

SAMUEL C. DILLER was born in Cumberland County. Penn., in 1849, and is a son of Samnel and Catherine (Richwine) Diller, of Cumberland County. His grandfather, Diller, was a farmer in Cumberland County, and owned about 200 acres of land. The father was a weaver by trade but also followed farming, owning ahont 600 acres of im- proved land, which were divided into seven farms, also 100 acres of mountain land. He came to Franklin Township in 1867, where he remained un- til he died, in 1873, at the age of sixty-five years. He had eleven children: Mary A., Sarah A., Cath- erine A., Julia A., Simon, Joseph (deceased), Susannah A. (deceased), Cyrus, Priscilla, S. C. and Rose A. Samuel C. Diller assisted his father on the farm until he was twenty-one years of age, when he took one of his father's farms and began farming for himself. In 1877 he sold his farm to John Arnold, and in the spring of 1878 went to Michigan with his family, where he remained ten months, engaged in laboring. In the following spring he returned to Franklin Township, where he purchased sixty-two acres of improved land and commenced farming again, working sometimes at the carpenter trade. Like his ancestors, Mr. Diller is a musician and sometimes teaches music. He was married, in 1873, to Snsan Bender, daughter of Joshua Bender, of Snyder County, Penn.

AARON B. ELICKER was born in 1841 in Warrington Township, York County, Penn., a son of Valentine and Jane (Blackford) Elicker, natives of Adams and York Counties, respectively, His father was a native of Adams County, Penn. Snb- ject's father followed farming for about thirty years, although he was a carpenter by trade. He owned 220 acres of well-improved land in Warring- ton and Washington Townships. He was a member of the U. B. Church. and was a liber- al supporter of the same. He possessed more than ordinary musical talent. He died in 1862 at the age of sixty-seven years, leaving a widow and six children to mourn his loss. Aaron B. was brought up on the farm, attended the common

schools and afterward an academy. In 1862 he be- gan farming in Warrington Township, and in 1864 tanght school in Franklin Township, to which he removed in 1866 and commenced farming, which he followed for nine years. He then moved to Dills- bnrgh where he remained four years; renting his property there, returned to Franklintown, now a borough (his buildings and part of his farm of forty acres are within the borough limits), where he re- snmed farming. In 1866 he married Susan E. Mil- ler, daughter of William B. Miller, of Carroll Township. They have two children: William M., eight years old, and Olive M., four years old. Snb- ject served the offices of town council, assessor, in- spector, and was elected school director in 1884 for the term of three years. The family attend the Presbyterian Church, of which Mrs. Elicker is a member.

JOHN ERNST was horn in 1829, in Franklin Township, York Co., Penn., son of John and Catharine (Ritter) Ernst. of Lancaster and Adams Counties, respectively. His father and grandfather were farmers, and took a lively interest in church and public affairs. The father owned 119 acres of well-improved land in Franklin Township. He had six children: Daniel (deceased), Susannah, Mary A., Daniel, Caroline (deceased) and John. The latter was brought up on the farm, and has since followed farming. Besides the home farm of 119 acres, he owns another, adjoining, of 157 acres of well- improved land and about forty acres of woodland. He owns also six valuable properties in Dillsburgh, among which is a large warehouse occupied by the Baily Bros. Mr. Ernst is a Lutheran in religion. He has never been married.

JOHN HUMMER was born in West Manches- ter Township. York Co. Penn., in 1817, son of Jolin and Eve (Ziegler) Hummer, of German descent. The grandfather came from Germany when very young, and settled in West Manchester Township, where he remained until his death. John Hummer, subject's father, was a miller, and followed that occupation in West Manchester, Dover and Codorus Townships, Both he and his wife died in Dover Township. Our subject was reared in West Manchester Township, following farming. In 1843 he removed to Adams County. where he remained one year. Returning to York County, he continued farming until 1846, when he commenced huckstering, which he con- tinued in connection with farming for thirty-five years. He then sold out and purchased the farm upon which he now lives, containing about 160 acres, which he has highly improved. He also owns the Lucas Grove Mills, which belong to the farm. In 1844, he was married to Julia Ann Sowers, of York, who died in 1880, leaving six children: George S., Sarah E., Mary A., Lillie. John and Charles E. The family belong to the Reformed Church of Franklin Township.

CAPT. JOHN KLUGH, is a native of York County, Penn., was born May 11. 1816, and is a son of George and Hannah (Arnold). Klngh, of Lancaster and York Counties respectively. His grandfather came from Germany, and settled in Lancaster County, where he engaged in farming. George Kingh was a carpenter, and followed his trade in Franklin Township until 1878. when he died at the age of eighty-four years. He was blessed with the following children: John, George, Henry, Frederick, Peter, Joseph, Clarissa and Philip (deceased). Capt. Klugh remained at home until his fifteenth year, when he began learning the carpenter's trade which he followed for thirty years. In 1860 he began mer- cantile business in Franklintown, where he was also postmaster. In 1864 he was elected captain of Com- pany I, Two Hundred and Ninth Regiment Penn- sylvania Volunteers, and with his regiment, was en- gaged in the battles of Hatcher's Run, and Fort

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Steadman. In the latter engagement he was wounded in the arm; being disabled for further duty, he returned home and resumed the mercantile business. In 1881 he sold his stock of goods to his son-in-law, George Lehmer, and commenced farming, owning about 250 acres of improved land; 100 acres of wood land, and 234 acres in Washington Township. He also owns two houses and ten lots in Franklintown, all of which he accumulated by hard labor; held the office of jury commissioner, and is also a justice of the peace. He was married in 1848, to Henrietta Ritter, daughter of Henry Ritter, one of the earliest settlers of York County, they have the following children: Mary, Alice, Harry, John and Milton B. They belong to the Lutheran Church in Franklin- town, to which Capt. Klugh has given the ground, and is otherwise interested in the erection of a new church.

GEORGE LEHMER is a native of York County, and was born October 1, 1844, a son of Cornelius and Eve (Koch) Lehmer, of York County. His grand- father, Philip Lehmer, also of York County, was a farmer, owning about 500 acres of land in Washing- ton, Franklin and Carroll Townships. Cornelius Lehmer was also engaged in farming, and is still liv- ing in Carroll Township. He had seven children: Mary, George, Leah (deceased), Sarah (deceased), James (deceased), Philip H. and Andrew J. George Lehmer was brought up on the farm, assisting his father until the age of sixteen years, when he en- listed, October 1, 1862, in Company D, Eighty-fourth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and with his regiment engaged in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, where he was wounded in the right arm; he was in the engagements of Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, North Ann River, Petersburg, Mine Explosion and Richmond. At the close of the war he returned home, and in 1868 went to Michigan, where he served two years as an apprentice at carpentering; returning to York County, he followed painting and carpentering four years. In 1872 he married Mary Klugh, daughter of Capt. John Klugh, one of the most prominent men of this township. Mr. Lehmer became a partner with his father-in-law in the mercantile business, and in 1881, took charge of the business himself, at which he has since been very prosperous. In the spring of 1884 he and J. S. Bentz, of Carroll Township, went into business in Washington Township, thus making him one of the four leading business men of this sec- tion of the county. In 1880 he was licensed ennmer- ator of Franklin and Washington Townships, and in 1863 was appointed mercantile appraiser of York County. He has had six children, five living: Ralph F., Viola, Walter S., Hattie, Georgia (deceased), and Morris.

ROBERT C. LIVINGSTON was born in York County, Penn., in 1815, a son of William and Mar- garet (Cook) Livingston, of York and Cumberland Counties respectively, and of Scotch descent. His grandfather came from Scotland in a very early day and settled in York County. The father, a cooper by trade, followed farming in York County for many years, and died in 1846 at the age of sixty- eight years. He had the following children: James (deceased), Mary, William, Ellen (deceased), Robert C., Hugh (deceased), and George (deceased). Robert C. Livingston was brought up on the farm until the age of eleven years, when he went to live with William Diven, Esq., with whom he remained until the age of twenty-one years. During that time he learned the tanner's trade, which he followed for thirty-one years in Adams County, Penn. He owns about eighty-one acres of well cultivated land in Franklin Township, where he resides. In 1838 he married Lydia Beles, daughter of Josiah Beles, of Adams County: James. Caleb, Robert A. (deceased), Lorah M. (deceased), Mary E., Lydia J., Anna C.,

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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 179

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