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 180

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 180

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Margaret D. (deceased), Ida C. (deceased), and Fletcher (deceased), are the children born to this union. Mr. Livingston is a member of the Presby- terian Church, and his wife a member of the Epis- copal Church. The eldest son, James, was a soldier in the late war, and their third son, Robert, died when in the service.

JOSEPH MENGES was born in 1830 in Jackson Township, York Co., Penn., son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Bullinger) Menges, of York County. His grandfather was a native of York County, Penn., and owned three fine farms in the county, but re- tired from active life several years before his death, in 1839, at the age of seventy-four years. The father, Daniel, was brought up on the farm, and in 1841 he removed to Adams County, and purchased 170 acres of improved land, and forty acres of wood- land. He had a family of five children: Joseph, Henry, Susannah, Emanuel and Franklin. Joseph Menges went to Adams County with his parents in 1841, when only eleven years old, and worked on the farm until he was twenty-five years old. In 1855 he removed to York County, where he now resides, and possesses about 105 acres of finely cultivated land, and twenty acres of woodland, the greater part of which he made by his own industry and eco- nomical habits. Like all of the Menges family, he belongs to the Lutheran Church. In 1855 he was married to Elizabeth Coulson, daughter of William Coulson, of Adams County. They have five chil- dren: Sadie, Mary, Alice, Marshie and Josie. Mr. Menges takes an active part in school and township affairs.

EDWARD W. MUMPER is a native of Frank- lin Township, York County, was born in 1832, a . son of Michael and Elizabeth (Weaver) Mumper, natives of York County, Penn., and Maryland, re- spectively. His grandfather, Mumper, owned a large tract of land in Carroll and Franklin Town- ships, and was engaged in farming and distilling. He was a member of the German Reformed Church. Grandfather Weaver was in the war of 1812, and in Baltimore when Gen. Ross was killed. Michael Mumper, father of Edward W., was a farmer and teamster, and followed these occupations in Frank- lin Township until his death in 1839, at the age of sixty-nine years. He owned 500 acres of improved land, and 100 acres of woodland, divided into four farms. He was a member of the Reformed Church and had the following children: Samuel (deceased), Rebecca (deceased), Mary (now living). Michael (now living), John (deceased), Elizabeth (now liv- ing), Edward W.(now living), and Lewis (deceased). Edward W. Mumper began farming for himself in 1852, and continued until 1880, when he retired from active work. He owns 120 acres of improved land, and twenty acres of woodland. In 1852 he married Susannah Myers, daughter of Barney Myers, of Franklin Township. They have two children: William, who manages the home farm, and Mary E. Mrs. Mumper died September 15, 1883, a member of the Reformed Church, of which Mr. Mumper is also a member. In October, 1884, he married Henrietta Rice, of Adams County.

REV. HENRY SEIFERT, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, of Franklintown, was born in York County August 21, 1822, and is a son of Michael and Polly (Leimbauch) Seifert, who were descended from old families of York County. The father was a farmer of Dover Township, where he resided nearly all his life. He died April 29. 1864. and the mother died September 21, 1850. He was a Lu- theran; and the mother a Reformed. Rev. Henry Sei- fert was brought up on his father's farm until he was seventeen years of age, attending the common schools. He then, for eleven years, worked at the trade of coverlet weaving and dyeing. afterward attending the Pennsylvania College and Seminary

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at Gettysburg for four and one-half years. In 1855 he went to Bedford County, where he entered the Lutheran ministry, preaching there for four years and a half. He then went to Monroe County, where he was pastor of the Hamilton charge for nine years. Returning to his native county he took a charge at Rossville for two years; then in Centre County for two years; thence to Somerset County, where he had charge three years. In 1876 he re- turned to York County and assumed the charge of Clear Spring around Franklintown, where he has ever since been preaching. He has charge of four congregatious, two in Adams County and two in York County. At one time he had charge of nine congregations, whom he faithfully served. He is now building a church in Franklintown. He was married December 25, 1843. to Harriet Meisenhel- ter, daughter of John and Mary (Klinefelter) Meis- enhelter. of York County. They have seven chil- dren: Clara E., Martin L., David I., Mary J., El- lennora M . John M. and Charles H.

JOHN T. SMITH was born in York County in 1831, and is a son of John W. and Hannah (Tho- man) Smith, natives of York County. His grand- father, also a native of York County, was a distil- ler and farmer in Manheim Township. Subject's father was also engaged in farming and milling in Shrewsbury Township. He removed to Wash- ington Township in 1840, where he again engaged in farming until his death in 1877. He left four children: John T., Jacob T., Elizabeth A., Jesse T. (deceased). John T. Smith has been engaged in farming all his life, and owns ninety-three acres of improved land with fine buildings. He belongs to the German Reformed Church, and takes a great interest in church and school matters. In 1860 he was married to Anna Hollinger, daughter of George Hollinger, of Adams County; she was born July 23, 1839, and died March 27, 1883. They had ten chil- dren: William H. (deceased), Lizzie J. (deceased). George C., Susan E. (deceased), John A. (deceased), Adam, Charles E., Caroline, Rebecca (deceased), and Mary C.

GEORGE SPAHR was born 1834, in Washing- ton Township, this county, son of William and Catharine (Miley) Spahr, of the same township. His grandfather lived in Carroll Township, York County, and was a farmer by occupation. Sub- ject's father was a farmer and lived in Washington Township, owning a farm of 130 acres. He was a Lutheran and died in Carroll Township, at the age of eighty-four years. He had eight children: Cornelius, Henry, Martin (deceased), William, Caro- line, George, Catharine and Lizzie. George Spahr was brought up as a farmer in Washington Town- ship, but removed to Franklin Township in 1860, where he still resides and owns a farm of 110 acres of fine land. He also owns twenty-two acres of land in Washington Township. In 1855 he mar- ried Catharine Pressel, daughter of Joseph Pressel, of Washington Township. They have three chil- dren: William, Nancy and Milton U. Mr. Spahr is an active member of the Lutheran Church.

MOSES STRAYER is a native of York County, Penn., born February 14. 1808, son of Peter and Mary (Spahr) Strayer, of York County. His grand- parents were born in Germany; they came to this country at an early day and settled in Dover Town- ship, York County. The father was a farmer in Dover Township, having a farm of about 800 acres of well-improved land, which he farmed until fifteen years before his death, at the age of eighty-six years. He took an active interest in church and school matters, gave the ground upon which Strayer's Church is built, and was a leading mem- ber of the building committee. He had ten chil- dren: Catharine (deceased). Daniel (deceased), Peter, Samuel, Jacob, Susanuah, Moses, Eve (de-

ceased), Sarah (deceased) and Henry (deceased). Moses Strayer is a farmer and a tanner by trade. and followed these occupations for forty-nine years, but has now retired from business. He owns 300 acres of improved land, embracing three farms, one in Franklin Township, one in Adams County and one in Washington Township. He has also a house in Dillsburgh. In 1833, he married Susannah Sheffer, daughter of Samuel Sheffer, of Washington Township, York County. She died June 14, 1891, at the age of sixty-four years, leav- ing eight children: Cornelius, Mary. Samuel, Lizzie, George, Catharine, Nancy and Annie. Mr. Strayer is a Lutheran. His wife belonged to the U. B. Church. His grandfather, who has been dead ninety four years, is buried at Strayer's Church, in Dover Township.

HEIDELBERG TOWNSHIP.

ANDREW R. BRODBECK, traveling sales- man and manufacturer of fertilizers, was born April 11, 1860, in Jefferson, York Co., Penn., a son of Jesse and Lucy Ann ( Renoll) Brodbeck. His grandfather was a farmer and distiller, who owned and lived on the old Snyder property (now Brod- beck's) at Jefferson, and died at the age of fifty years. He left five sons, of whom the youngest was Jesse Brodbeck, who all his life lived on the home farm, and died in 1871, at the age of thirty- three years, and Lucy Ann the mother of A. R. died in 1878 at the age of thirty-seven years, leav- ing four sons, of whom A. R., the subject, is the eldest. His brothers were Nathaniel (deceased), Adam (deceased), and Jesse, who is living with Andrew Brodbeck on the home farm. A. R. Brod- beck spent his early life on the farm, and shortly after his father's death, went to his uncle. George Brodbeck, a merchant in Codorus Township, where he remained two years. At the age of eight- een he began teaching at Codorus Township, and for three years taught there and in other townships. In 1879 he took a trip west as far as Kansas. In the same year he married Ellen Thoman, daughter of Jacob and Mary Ann (Snyder) Thoman, of Heidelberg Township. They have three children: Estella, Wilson and Mary Ellen. In 1880 he pur- chased the Hildebrand property at Porter's Side- ling and, in 1885, the Slagle property in Hanover, where he is now residing. Mr. and Mrs. Brod- beck belong to the Reformed Church at Jefferson. He has been organist for different churches.

CHARLES F. EICHELBERGER was born in York County, Penn., July 2, 1834. His great-great- grandfather came from Wittingen, near Zinsheim, in Wurtemberg. Germany, in 1728, located first in Lancaster County, and then came to York County, Penn., and settled on the property now owned by Charles F. Eichelberger, em- bracing at that time Jacob's Mill and the adjoin- ing property. He died in Hanover in 1776, aged eighty-three years. He was married twice. The eldest son of his second wife, Adam, lived on the home farm, and also died there. Michael, the grandfather of the subject, was the second son of a family of five sons and three daughters. He had four children: Adam (former sheriff), George, Michael and Polly. George, the father of Charles F., bought the homestead from his brother Adam, in 1827, and afterward bought the Miller property. After he lived there some time he moved to Han- over, where he lived a retired life until he died, in

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1869, aged sixty-nine years. Charles F . Eichel- berger's early life was spent on the farm. He was married February 25, 1858. to Susan Menges, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Bollinger) Menges, of Adams County, Penn. They have had four sons and five daughters: Martin D., Ira M., George D., William H., Sarah (deceased), Em- ma J., Clara Anu, Ada E. and Jennie. After his marriage he lived on the Miller farm for two years as tenant, and then took the farm and lived there four years more. After that he sold some of his property and bought the homestead farm on the York Road, owned by his brother Adam, contain- ing about 200 acres of well-improved land. The family are members of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, of Hanover, Penn., in which Mr. Eichel- berger has held the offices of elder and deacon. He was superintendent of Mt. Carmel Sunday- school for four years. He is a Democrat, and has held a number of offices in township and county

JOHN F. HERSHEY was born in Heidelberg Township, York Co., Penn., October 24, 1845, a son of Benjamin and Barbara (Forry) Hershey, who were of Swiss descent. His great-great-grandfather, Andrew Hershey, born 1698, came to this country when quite young, and settled in Lancaster County, Penn. He died December 25, 1754. Tradition say's he owned and was buried on what is known as James Buchanan's farm, near Lancaster City. His son, John Hershey, came to York County, and set- tled on land that had been taken up by Andrew Hershey, in the eastern part of Heidelberg Town- ship. He died in 1795, and was buried in Garber's graveyard, near Menges' Mill. His son, John Hershey, took the homestead farm (Menges' Mill), where he lived all his life. He was one of the de- fenders of 1812, and died in 1829. His son, Benja- min, the father of John F. Hershey, was born in 1808, and spent his early life on the farm, and work- ing in mills in Ohio, Maryland and Pennsylvania. He was married in 1844. to Barbara, daughter of John and Annie Forry. After his marriage he bought a farm one-half mile west of Menges' mill, where he lived until his death (1877), his widow surviving him but five years. Both are buried in Garber's graveyard. John F. Hershey's early life was spent on the farm.\ He was married December 17, 1868, to Susan M. Miller, daughter of Jacob and Susan (Mause) Miller, of Heidelberg Township. They have had four sons: J. Jacob, Joseph (de- ceased), Charles and Alvin. Mr. Hershey owns one tract of land, about 106 acres, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation.

JESSE KRAFT, a representative of one of the old families of York County, miller and farmer of Heidelberg Township, was born August 5, 1828, in Manheim Township, York County, son of George and Mary (Loucks) Kraft. Subject's great-grandfather was born on the ocean, when his parents were im- migrating to America. They landed at Baltimore, and resided there. Subject's grandfather, Fred- erick, lived in Baltimore as proprietor of a hotel until 1810, when he came to York County, and founded the town of Kraftstown, which, since Jef- ferson's presidency, is known as Jefferson. He was born December 6, 1773, and died July 20, 1836. Subject's father, George, was ten years of age when his parents came to Jefferson. He was married in 1823, and soon after commenced teaching. Sub- sequently he removed to Manheim Township, con- tinued teaching. and opened up a small store, re- mained in Manheim, farming and merchandising about ten years; then returned to Jefferson and opened up in general merchandising and dry goods. He was associated in business there with a son-in- law, Jacob Spangler. He subsequently retired from business life, and lived in retirement until his death in 1868, being sixty-eight years old. He was

a prominent Democrat, and at one time represented his district in the State Legislature. His wife died in 1872. Jesse Kraft is the third child of a family of six-three sons and three daughters. Subject's early life was passed as an assistant of his father; educated in schools of the day; married, in 1851, to Lucinda Baughman, of Manheim Township. This union was blessed with ten children-four sons and six daughters. Subject farmed for about ten years near Jefferson, when he exchanged his farm for the Mummert Mill property, lying in Heidelberg Town- ship, where he is still residing, engaged in farming and milling. He is a prominent member of the Lutheran Church of Jefferson, and has been deacon and elder of the church at different times for over twenty-five years; active in Sunday-school, etc. He is one of York County's well-known citizens and highly esteemed. He is a Democrat, but not active in politics.

PETER H. MENGES was born in north Codo- rus Township, York Co., Penn., November 27, 1835, son of Peter and Nancy (Hershey) Menges, of German and Swiss descent, respectively. His great- grandfather came from Germany when quite young, and settled about five miles west of York, some time before the Revolutionary war. He is buried at Wolf's Church in West Manchester Township. The grandfather, John Menges, was a farmer, and set- tled in that part of the home section now owned by Andrew Menges, in Jackson Township. He had a family of thirteen children, and died at the age of sixty-nine years. Peter Menges, Sr., the fifth child of this family of thirteen children, was born July 1, 1802, and spent his early life on the farm, and then learned the milling trade in Cumberland County, Penn. After his marriage he moved to his father's farm in North Codorus Township, which he farmed for eleven years, then came to Heidelberg Township, and purchased the farm and property (Menge's Mill) where he passed the remainder of his life. He died October 10, 1883, and is buried at Lich- ey's Church, of which church he was elder for nearly twenty years. During the last twenty years of his life, he devoted his time to the good of the church. Throughout the whole community he was known as "Old Father Menges." Two of his sons are living: Peter H. and John. The latter was born in 1824, and is a minister of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. He was educated at Mount Joy, Lancas- ter County; was received into the ministry by the "Old Pennsylvania Synod" in 1851, and has since filled various charges in Lancaster and York Coun- ties. In 1880 he became pastor of Grace Evangel- ical Lutheran Church, at West Philadelphia. With a few members he built a Mission Church, and now he has a large membership and a successful Sunday- school. Peter H. Menges' early life was spent on the farm and at milling, receiving his education at subscription schools, finishing at the public school at Columbia, Penn., and the high school of Mount Joy, Penn. For eleven years afterward he was en- gaged as a teamster, hauling lumber, merchandise, etc., between Littlestown and Susquehanna River. He was married, January 24, 1860, to Kate Hinkle, daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Hinkle, of Lancas- ter County, Penn., of Irish and German descent. They have had seven children-three sons and four daughters: John, Alvin, Willie, Annie, Mary (de- ceased), Pacie (deceased) and Minnie. After mar- riage they moved to the homestead farm, as tenants, where they remained ten years, after which Mr. Menges engaged in the milling and produce bus- iness. After the construction of the H. & Y. R. R., he purchased and built the property known as Menges' Mill, store and warehouse, creating thereby a good market for produce. He was an active par- ticipant in the construction of the above railroad. He and family are members of the Lutheran Church

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at Lichey's (now Spring Grove), in which he was a deacon eight years, and Sunday-school superintend- ent for nearly twenty-five years. In 1875 he was a delegate to the Sunday-school convention at Phila- delphia. He has held the office of internal revenue collector Fifteenth Division of Pennsylvania, in 1863 and 1864. and school director in the township.

E. D. MILLER was born in Lower Windsor Township, York Co., Penn., Deeember 8, 1854, a son of Michael and Catherine (Stein) Miller, also of that township. His great-great-grandfather, Michael Miller, came to this country in youth, settled in Windsor Township, near Red Lion, and died before the Revolutionary war, and is buried at Freysville Cemetery in Windsor Township. Subject's grand- father, Michael Miller, lived on the homestead farm near Red Lion, and was at that time known as the tallest man in York County; he was a miller and died in 1866, aged eighty-two years. The father of onr subject is now living in Windsor Township, and was born in 1821. He is a farmer and owns four tracts of land. He was for a number of years a. director of the Western National Bank of York, and is also interested in the First National Bank at Wrightsville, and the city market of York. They had six children: E. D., Michael W., Calvin Ed- ward, David G., Mary (deceased), Fanny A. and Sarah J. E. D. Miller's early life was spent on the farm and attending publie schools. He afterward taught school in different townships, and was clerk for Emig & Bahn at New Freedom, Penn., for three years. He was married, December 26, 1876, to Laura C. Sweeney, daughter of Daniel and Hester Ann (Kohler) Sweeney, of Freeland, Baltimore Co., Md., of Scotch-Irish descent. In the spring of 1877 he commenced the mercantile business at Nashville, York County, where he kept store two years, and then came to Menges' Mill Station, where he is still keeping store, postoffice and express office. He has been a member of Friendly Circle No. 17. of Hanover, Penn., since 1881, and is a member of the German Reformed Church. His wife is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Since 1883 he has also established a store at Iron Ridge, in which he has one-half-interest.

AARON D. RENOLI, was born in Heidelberg Township, York Co., Penn .. March 11, 1844, and is the son of Henry and Mary (Danner) Renoll. His great-grandfather was Daniel Renoll, who died in 1800, aged seventy-six years. Subject's grand- father, Henry Renoll, was born February 12, 1767, was twice married, and died in 1824. aged fifty seven years, leaving a family of six sons and four daughters. Henry Renoll, the father of Aaron D., bought a tract of land near Porter's Sideling in 1830, which he improved and made his home until his death. Hewas horn in Codorus Township, in 1805, and died at the age of seventy-five years. He had three sons and four daughters: Henry (deceased), Emanuel D., Aaron D., Harriet (deceased), Anna, Mary and two sisters who died in infancy. Aaron D. received his early edneation in the common schools and afterward attended the York County Academy under Prof. Ruby, for one term. During the winter of 1866-67 he taught school in Heidel- berg Township. October 13, 1867, he married Re- becca Rudisill, danghter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Miller) Rudisill, of North Codorus Township. They have three children: Emma Jane, Ellen J. and Lillie A. After his marriage Mr. Renoll moved to the homestead farm, where he lived as a tenant for fourteen years. He then bought the farm, and in 1882 bought the Bollinger property (Half Way Honse), on the York road. He is a member and deaeon of the Lutheran Church. His wife is a member of the German Reformed Church. Mr. Renoll takes an active part in prayer meetings and Sunday-schools.

AARON S. THOMAN, was born September 25, 1843, in Heidelberg Township. York Co., Penn .; son of Jacob and Mary Ann (Snyder) Thoman, of Swiss descent. His great-grandfather, Jacob Tho- man, came from Switzerland when very young and settled in Lancaster County, Penn .; west of the Sus- quehanna. He afterward came to York County, where he took up a section of land in the eastern part of Heidelberg Township, and remained there with his ten children, three of whom, Henry, Ru- dolph and Abraham, received the home farm. The latter, the grandfather of our subject, lived on the home farm, during his life. He had nine children, one of whom, Jacob, the father of Aaron S., received the home at his father's death, and resided on it during his life. Jacob Thomau had five sons and three daughters: Henry (deceased), Aaron S., George, Abraham, Jacob, Lydia, Elizabeth and Ellen R. Aaron S. Thoman spent his youth on the farm, receiving his education in subscription schools. He made three different tours through the Western States. He was married, May 12, 1870, to. Fanny Hohf, daughter of David and Elizabeth (Baehr) Hohf, of Heidelberg Township, who died July 2. 1871. His second marriage was October 5, 1873, to Sarah Bollinger, daughter of Samuel and: Eliza (Forry) Bollinger, of this township. . He re- tired from farming and is uow living on the old home farm, which contains about 150 acres of fine cultivated land. He and his wife are members of the German Reformed Church at Leichey. They have one son, Paul B. aged eight years.

JOHN B. TRONE was born August 27, 1827, and is the eighth of twelve children of George Trone, of Heidelberg Township. His grandfather. Abraham Trone, came from Germany and received. a grant of 250 acres of land from the Penns, May 14, 1767. This land was located in what was then Manheim Township, now the central part of Heidel- berg Township, near Smith's Station. Abraham Trone was a Revolutionary hero. He was married twice and had a family of seven children. George, the father of John B., was the first son of the sec- ond wife. He lived on the homestead farm until his death at eighty years of age, and was buried at the Mennonite Meeting Honse (Baer's), of which de- nomination he was a minister. John B. Trone. spent his early life on the farm, receiving his edu- cation in subscription schools. At the age of eight- een he began learning the trade of blacksmithing, and continued it at Trone's Stand, Smith's Station, for twenty-two years. His first marriage was to Eliza Shutt, daughter of Joseph Shutt, of Heidel- berg Township. They had five children: Valen- tine, Franklin (deceased), John S., Lizzie and Mary (deceased). Hissecond marriage was, May 20, 1866, to Annie Rohrbangh, daughter of George and Sarah Rohrbaugh, of this township. They have had six children: Charles, Joseph, George. an infant (deceased), Sarah and Alla Mary. Mr. Trone is now farming near Smith's Station. He is a mem- ber of the German Reformed Church, is a promi- nent Democrat and has held various offices of trust and profit in church and township. His son, John S. Trone, a dealer in general merchandise at Smith's Station, and a teacher, was born August 1, 1856, passed his early life on the farm, was educated at different schools. He taught school for several years, and is now a successful merchant and also a justice of the peace of Heidelberg Township at Smith's Station.

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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 180

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