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 194

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 194

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ABRAHAM SHELLEY was born in Dauphin County, Penn., October 3, 1809, and is the seventh of eight children of Daniel and Elizabeth (Shu- man) Shelley, of Dauphin and York Counties, Penn., respectively, and of German descent, now deceased. Abraham Shelley, at eighteen years of age, began serving an apprenticeship at shoe-making, but fol- lowed his trade only one year, when he began farm- ing, and has since followed that occupation. At one time he operated two saw-mills in connection with the farm. For more than sixteen years he ran timber on the river. At one time he was said to be worth $18,- 000, but lost most of it by givingsecurities. For about eight seasons he followed shad-fishing. June 14, 1832, he married Henrietta Crull, who died in 1855. They had twelve children, four living: Bartram, Henry, Walter and Abraham. Those deceased are: Martin, Oliver, Daniel, Elizabeth, Catharine, Al- bert, Jane and Mary E. He married Annie M. Hess, February 2, 1862. They have had eleven chil- dren: Edward, Mary, Clymer, Latimer, Lewis, Ida (deceased), Lydia (deceased), Swiler, Ella, Russell S. (deceased) and Mina. Mr. Shelley is still hale and hearty. He and his wife belong to the United Brethren Church. He cast his first vote for Gen. Jackson. Although formerly a Whig he has, since Taylor's time, cast his lot with the Democrats.

HENRY C. SHELLEY was born March 3, 1844, in York County, Penn., and is the eighth of eleven

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children of Abraham and Henrietta (Crull) Shelley, the former a native of Dauphin County, Penn., and the latter of York County, and of German descent. The mother died in 1856. The father is living in Newherry and is overseeing his farm. Henry C. re- mained on the farm until 1864, when he enlisted in Company B, Two Hundreth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, under Col. Divens and Capt. Hoover. He was in two engagements-Fort Stead- man, March 25, 1865, and at the capture of Peters- burg. At one time he suffered from a severe attack of typhoid fever. He was discharged at Washing- ton, D. C., May 31, 1865. October 11, 1863, he mar- ried Prudence B. Prowell, by whom he has had nine children: Ella K. (deceased), John P., Fannie E., George (deceased), Myrtie, Ettie R., Lloyd (de- ceased), Harry E. (deceased) and Edith. In poli- tics he is a Democrat. Mrs. Shelley was born Sep- tember 30, 1846, daughter of John M. and Barbara Prowell, of York County, Penn., now of New Cum- berland, Penn., and of English and Irish descent. After his return from the army Mr. Shelley engaged in huckstering for five years. In the winter of 1872 he engaged in his present business-groceries and confectionery. '

LYMAN L. SHETTEL was born in Lewisberry, Penn., June 7, 1851, and is the youngest of the four children of John and Caroline (Harman) Shettel, natives of York County, and of German descent. Lyman L., at the age of fifteen years, began to man- ufacture matches, and prospered so well that now he owns and controls the factory at Lewisberry, Penn., where he manufactures block or percussion matches, which have a rapid sale. July 6, 1873, he was married to Laura A. Stonesifer, daughter of Henry and Eliza (King) Stonesifer, of Maryland. They have one child-John H. Mr. Shettel manu- factures about 1,200 gross of matches in his factory.

JOHN A. SMITH was born in 1857, in Maytown, York Co., Penn., and is the fourth of eleven chil- dren of William and Harriet (Jacobs) Smith, na- tives of York County, Penn., and of English de- scent. His father is a carpenter by trade, and is a resident of Lewisberry. John A. was brought up in a small village, and received a common school education. In the fall of 1873, he, in company with his parents, came to Lewisberry, Penn., where he assisted his father at his trade, until he was sev- enteen years of age. He then took up the trade of silversmith, and, though having no instructor, made such rapid progress, that at present he has a good paying business. In politics, he is a Republican.

DR. W. H. SPANGLER was born in York County, Penn., in 1856, and is the third of seven children of David and Louisa (Melsheimer) Spang- ler, of York County, and of Dutch descent. Until he was twelve years of age he remained on the farm, but after that he commenced looking out for himself. He began the study of veterinary sur- gery, when he was twenty-one years of age, under a German graduate-Dr. Joseph Keiser, of York, and remained under his instruction for four years. He then went to Urbana, Ohio, where he opened an office, and remained there one year and a half. He then went to Minnesota, and located in St. Paul, where he remained for a short time and then came to Lewisberry, where he has since been doing a good business, and has been very successful. With the help of his father he is now very comfortably situated. In politics he is a Republican.

J. C. STEM, M. D., was born July 26, 1855, in Cashtown, Adams Co., Penn., and is the son of William and Eliza (Watson) Stem, natives of Adams County, and of German and Irish descent, who had two children (twins), J. C. and Annie. The father is a retired physician in Cashtown, and his father, Reuben, now eighty years of age, is a retired mer- chant and resident of Adams County, Penn. Our

subject's grandfather, on the mother's side, James Watson, died at the advanced age of one hundred and two years. Dr. J. C. Stem spent his younger days in Cashtown, where he attended the public and select schools, and afterward attended a select school at Gettysburg for five terms, and taught school at Buchanan Valley, Adams County, three winters. At the age of seventeen years he began the study of medicine with his father; then attended the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, and graduated in the class of 1878. He then took a tour through the West, after which he settled in Lewisberry, Penn., in the fall of 1878, where he has built up a lucrative practice. He was married, in 1880, to Mary Paup, daughter of Hiram and Phoebe A. (Hoopes) Paup, of York County.

ROBERT N. STONESIFER, justice of the peace, was boru in Carroll County, Md., in March, 1852, and is the eldest of a family of eleven boys and two girls born to Jacob H. and Eliza (King) Stonesifer, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German and English descent, respectively. His father is a resident of Harrisburg and a dealer in produce. Robert N. at the age of sixteen began learning the tinner's trade, which he has followed ever since. He learned his trade at York, Penn .; went from there to Mechanicsburgh, and soon after settled in Lewisberry, where he is at present doing a good business. June 9, 1878, he married Alice M. Griest, daughter of Jonathan and Harriet (Prowell) Griest, of York County, and of English descent. They have two children: Vernie M. and Anna A. Mrs. Stonesifer is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Democrat, and was elected justice of the peace in 1883. In 1871 he started business at Lewisberry, as dealer in stoves and tin-ware, and established a good business.

REUBEN P. STROMINGER, EsQ., was born in Newberry Township, York Co., Penn., October 8, 1838, son of Michael and Catharine (Eterman) Strominger, of York County, Penn., and of German descent, who had a family of four sons and four daughters, of whom Reuben P. was the youngest son. April 21, 1861, he left the farm to enlist, at York, in Company F, Sixteenth Regiment Penn- sylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served three months. August 12, 1863, he re-enlisted as a pri- vate in Company K, One Hundred and Forty-third Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served till the close of the war, when he was mustered out at Hart's Island. His regiment was connected with the Army of the Potomac, and took part in the battles of Mine Run, Weldon Railroad, Hatcher's Run and Wilderness, besides numerous skirmishes. After his return home he worked for about four years at carpentering and bridge building, and in 1869 removed to Goldsboro, where he has lived since. He was married at Goldsboro, in 1866, to Elizabeth Millard. They had two children, one of whom died in infancy, the other, Jennie, is married to Charles Breckinridge, of Goldsboro. Mr. Strom- inger was elected constable in 1870, and has held that office six terms. He was again elected in 1878, and held the office three terms. In 1882 he was ap- pointed justice of the peace, to serve the unexpired term of F. R. Prowell, and in the ensuing election was elected for five years. He engaged in the fire insurance business in 1878, and is now the agent of the Farmers', of Dover; Manheim, of Lancaster; Valley Mutual, of Lebanon, of which latter he is also a director; Farmers', of York; Sun, of England; Pacific, of New York, and the Pennsylvania Mutual, of Columbia. He is also a dealer in tobacco.

J. M. SWEIGART was born in Lancaster Coun- ty, Penn., in 1829, and is the second son in a family of four children born to Adam and Ann (Hartley) Sweigart, natives of Lancaster County, Penn., and of French and German descent, respectively, both

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deceased. The father was a school teacher and wagon-maker, and died in his eighty-fifth year. Subject's grandfathers, Sweigart and Hartley, were in the Revolutionary war, in which the latter re- ceived a serious wound, from which he never fully recovered. J. M. Sweigart was brought up a farmer, and remained with his parents until he was nineteen years of age, when he began the trade of milling, which he has followed through life. He came to York County, Penn., in 1840, with his par- ents, who resided there until they died. He pur- chased several old farms, improved them, and sold them again, and finally, in 1838, purchased what was known as Oil-Mill, a dilapidated structure, which he rebuilt, and which is now one of the best flour- mills in the county. Its capacity is twenty barrels per day. In 1850 he was married to Jane Stetler. Having no children they adopted one-Jennie R. Stetler.

WILLIAM E. SWILER, M. D., was born in Cumberland County, Penn., October 23, 1833, and is the second child in a family of three boys and two girls of John and Isabella (Eckels) Swiler, natives of Cumberland County, and of Scotch-Irish and English descent. The father followed farming and teaching for a livelihood, and died in 1839. The mother died in 1858. At the age of six years William E. was taken by his grandfather, who owned a farm, where he grew up, attending school until he was sixteen years old, when he went to Mechanicsburg, Penn., where he engaged in the mercantile business with his uncle. Here. he re- mained two years, and then attended the academy at Mechanicsburg for two years. His health be- coming impaired he quit the academy and went to Harrisburg, where he engaged in the mercantile business. He next came to Yocumtown, where he engaged in the mercantile business for a year, after which he went to Shiremanstown and commenced the study of medicine under Drs. Robert G. Young and Jacob C. Black. Under their instructions he remained one year, and then entered Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, in 1855, and graduated in 1857. In the following spring he lo- cated at Yocumtown, Penn., where he still resides, and has acquired a large and lucrative practice. He was married, November 26, 1859, to Kate E. Pretz, who died December 9, 1878. They had five chil- dren: Minnie I., Lizzie L., Robert D., Carrie E. and Annie (deceased). November 9, 1880, he mar- ried Mrs. Matilda Groom, widow of William Groom, and daughter of Hiram and Susan (Reeser) Prowell.

JOHN H. TROUP was born in Lewisberry, Penn .. in 1861, and is the second of eight children born to Abraham and Mary (Fox) Troup, the former a native of Adams County, Penn., the latter of Prussia. The parents are residents of Lewisberry, where the father carries on the trade of blacksmith- ing. John H. was brought up in the borough of Lewisberry, where he attended the public schools until he was twenty years old, when he went to Lockhaven, Penn., where he studied one term. He began the study of music at twelve years of age, and made such rapid progress that, at the age of seventeen, he began teaching music, and has since made it his profession. He also sells pianos and organs. He attended the Musical Normal School, held at Kittanning, Penn., with Dr. Maas and Eugene Thayer, as instructors, for one term. He was married, May 14, 1882, to Lizzie Swiler. They have one child-Vernie. In politics he is a Repub- lican. At present he has a class of 100 scholars, and never has less than sixty.

JOHN A. WILLIS, EsQ., was born in Newberry Township, York Co., Penn., March 1, 1835. His parents were George and Emma (Kister) Willis, of Newberry Township, and of English and German descent, respectively. They had six sons and six

daughters, of whom John A. was the second son. He remained on the farm until fourteen years of age, when he went into the lumber business. At the age of nineteen he began working for Small, Stair & Co., and continued with them twenty-six years, spending seven years of that time in Clear- field County, Penn. Since 1871 he has been in the employ of Isaac Frazer, at Goldsboro. In 1856 he was married, in Cumberland County, Penn., to Caroline Crome, daughter of George Crome. She died April 3, 1884. They had eleven children, five of whom are living: Ida, Charles, Edwin, Latimore and John Guy. Mrs. Willis was a member of the Church of God. Mr. Willis has held various offices. of trust, as borough councilman, school director, inspector, secretary of I. O. O. F., and at present he holds the office of justice of the peace, having been elected in the spring of 1884. He was one of the organizers of the Goldsboro Building and Loan Association.

GEORGE S. WOLF was born in York County, Penn., near the Maryland line, August 5, 1831. His parents were John and Elizabeth (Souders) Wolf, of York County, and of German descent, who had seven sons and five daughters-five children de- ceased. George S. was next to the eldest child. He remained on the farm until he was nineteen years old, when he commenced to learn blacksmith- ing, which he carried on for himself at the age of twenty-five, and which he has since followed. In his youth he attended the common schools at Golds- boro, walking in from the country a distance of nearly three miles. He was married, November 16, 1856, on Hill Island, Dauphin Co., Penn., to Lydia Groom, daughter of William Groom, a mason by trade, and of English descent. They had five chil- dren, all of whom are dead: Carrie, Cecilia, David, Laura and Maggie. Mr. Wolf belongs to the Church of God, and is sexton of that church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge, at Goldsboro, and of the American Mechanics. He has held the of- fice of borough councilman for two terms, that of treasurer for three years, and chief burgesss since 1879. He was one of the organizers of the Golds- boro Loan Associations, Nos. 1 and 2.

GEORGE D. ZEIGLER was born January 22, 1840, in Wrightsville, York Co., Penn., and is the eldest of eleven children horn to George and Susan (Delingler) Zeigler, natives of York County, and of German descent. When fifteen years of age he began learning the tailoring trade, and followed it for eighteen months; after that he worked in a saw-mill until August 22, 1861, when he enlisted at Wrightsville, Penn., Company I, Seventy-sixth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, under Col. J. M. Powers, and was at Fort Wagner, and also in the second attack on the same fort, where he was wounded in the left shoulder by a piece of shell. He was then taken to New York; thence to Pittsburgh, Penn., where he remained until fit for duty. He next engaged in the campaign against Hilton Head, at Butler's Front, S. C., and Peters- burgh, and was wounded May 7, 1864, in the left arm. He was discharged July 28, 1864, and on ac- count of wounds received in the army, is receiving a pension of $10 per month. April 7, 1864, he mar- ried Elizabeth Thompson. They had thirteen chil- dren. of whom six are living: Mary, Flora, George, Robert, Charley and Alide. Mrs. Zeigler is a daughter of Samuel and Sarah Thompson. Mr. Zeigler is a Republican. He owns considerable property in Goldsboro, Penn., and is at present a street commissioner.

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NORTH CODORUS.

DR. W. F. BRINKMAN, a son of Henry N. and Catherine Brinkman, of Carroll County, Md., where our subject was born, in the village of Manchester, May 20, 1822. After attending the public school and the Manchester Academy he began to read medicine with Dr. Beltz, of Manchester, and after attending three full terms at Washington Univer- sity, of Maryland, graduated at this institution, and began the practice of medicine in Manchester. After three years he removed (1849) to Jefferson. Codorus Township. In October, 1849, Dr. Brink- man married Sarah Ann Motter, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Roat) Motter. Eight chil- dren have been born to them: Rosetta, Virginia, Sarah, Emma, Josephine, Adolf, Harman and Horatio. Dr. Brinkman's ancestors came from Germany. The Doctor is a member of Mount Zion Lodge, I. O. O. F., also of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, and attends the Lutheran Church. He is one of the leading physicians of York County; has a large practice in Codorus and adjoining Townships, and is one of the most influential citi- zens of that section.

M. T. CRIST, son of John and Sarah (Thoman) Crist, was born April 25, 1845, in Jefferson Bor- ough. He was the fourth in a family of twelve children; received a common school education in his native town, and began life as a clerk in Brod- beck's store, in Jefferson. He began business for . himself at the early age of twenty years at Glen- ville, then removed to North Codorus Township, near Spring Grove, having embarked in the sad- dlery and harness business; he then removed to his present location, New Salem, North Codorus Township. January 13, 1867, he married Susan Rohrbach, daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Run- kle) Rohrbach, of Codorus Township. Seven chil- dren have blessed this union: Aggie S., William C., Alice C., Lizzie, Joseph (deceased), Mollie and John. Mr. Crist was a mercantile appraiser for York County in 1875; has been justice of the peace for his township, and taught school three terms. He attends the German Reformed Church.

WESLEY GLATFELTER, recorder of deeds for York County, is the second son of George and Christiana Glatfelter, and was born December 7, 1848, in North Codorus Township. Mr. Glatfelter received only a common school education, but took advantage of every chance that was afforded him to improve his mind by study, and he is to-day one of the best informed men in North Codorus Town- ship, and has taught school for seven terms in his native township. March 12, 1874, he married Melinda C. Rohrbach, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Rohrbach, and five children blessed their marriage: Warren A., Laura I., Jennie L., Eliza- beth A., and Annetta W. Mr. Glatfelter has held various township offices at various times, and is a member of the order of K. of P., also a member of the Jeffersonian Democratic Association of York.

JOHN M. HENRY was born in York County, September 10, 1856, to George Henry and Susanna (Martin) Henry, also natives of York County. The father was a carpenter, then a farmer, and about 1860, became a merchant at Stoverstown. John M. was reared a farmer, and was educated in the district school, and at York County Academy. In the fall of 1877 he began teaching in North Codorus, and has taught each consecutive term since, with the exception of that of 1880, when he was the secre- tary of the Seven Valley Mutual Aid Association.

December 4. 1881, he married Barbara Alice, daughter of Samuel G. Hildebrand. Mr. Hilde- brand was also a school teacher, then a farmer, afterward a merchant, and is now a cigar box manufacturer. Mr. and Mrs. Henry are members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, and are the parents of one child, Robert Pattison. They own ninety acres of land at Stoverstown and the lot on which the church edifice stands was sold to the congrega- tion by Mr. Henry. Daniel M. Henry, brother of the ahove, was born in Stoverstown, November 2, 1860. He was reared a farmer and was educated in the district and select schools of his native place, and has been teaching since 1882. He is a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

DR. H. KEHM, son of Henry and Anna M. (Swope) Kehm, was the seventh of nine children, and was born October 10, 1848, in Oxford, Adams Co., Penn., and was educated at Dr. M. D. G. Pfeif- fer's Æthenia et Hygea, of Oxford. Our subject read medicine under Dr. G. H. Jordy, and after two courses at. Jefferson Medical College, of Phila delphia, was graduated from this institution, March 13, 1871, and immediately began the practice of medicine at Kralltown, York County; after four years there he removed to Hagersville, Bucks County, remained six years, then returned and located at Dover, York County; after four years at Dover he came to his present location. The Doctor's ancestors came from Darmstadt, Germany.

JOHN S. KLINE, youngest of three children of John and Eve (Schultz) Kline, was born Novem- ber 23, 1813, in Hellam Township, where he was reared and sent to his trade (miller) in his nine- teenth year at Weist's Mill. He rented this mill and began business on his own account in 1838; taught school in North Codorus Township, two terms. In 1834 Mr. Kline married Lydia Glatfelter, daughter of Jacob and Lydia (Folkomer) Glatfelter, of North Codorus Township. Four children were born to this union: Franklin, Henrietta, Sarah and Julia Ann. Mrs. Kline died in 1850. Mr. Kline next married Melvina M. Raber, daughter of Abraham and Julia Ann (Bletcher) Raber. Six children were horn to this marriage: M. Alice, Fannie, Clementine, Ellen, John H. and Emma. John H. is the only child yet living, boru to the

last marriage. Mr. Kline was constable four years, ten years justice of the peace, and postmaster thir- teen years, school director and secretary of the school board. In 1880 he was appointed enumerator for North Codorus Township and New Salem Borough, and at the present time, secretary of the school board of New Salem Borough. He learned surveying in 1829 and followed it ever since. Mr. Kline is the oldest surveyor of York County, with possible exception of Daniel Ettinger, of York.

DR. WILSON A. LONG, son of Jonathan and Sue (Boyer) Long, of Rabersburg, Centre County, was born January 31, 1860. Dr. Lông attended school there until his tenth year, he then came to Glen Rock to attend normal school under Prof. Gray; he taught school three terms in Codorus Township; then began to read medicine with Dr. Stick, in Codorus Township, attended two courses at College of Physicians and Surgeons in Baltimore, and was graduated from this institution in 1882; began the practice of medicine at New Salem, North Codorus Township, where he is at present located. On the 25th of March, 1883, Dr. Long married Annie Grothey, daughter of Charles and Annie E. (Marker) Grothey, of York, Penn. One child has blessed their union-Blanche Edith. The Doctor took a special course on diseases of the. chest and throat and operative surgery.

DR. EDWARD STERNER, son of Jesse and Leah (Dagen) Sterner, was born June 15, 1855, in Codorus Township. The Doctor is the eldest child

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in a family of eight children. In 1875 Dr. Sterner married Lydia Spangler, daughter of Bernard and Susan (Asper) Spangler, of Jackson Township. Five children have been born of this marriage: Maggie G .. Flora (deceased), Joseph F., Edward M. and Charles Austin. Dr. Sterner was reared on a farm. After receiving a common school education he began to read medicine with Drs. Jones and Evans. The Doctor began the practice of medicine in Jefferson, in 1880; and, although a young physi- cian, has met with flattering success.

DR. J. J. STEWART, second of six children of James W. and Martha L. (Campbell) Stewart, was born March 1, 1862, in Lower Chanceford Township. The Doctor read medicine with Dr. W. F. Smith, of Lower Chanceford Township, and after attending three terms at Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, was graduated from this institution April 2, 1885, and began the practice of his profession at the village of New Salem, about five miles from York. Dr. Stewart's ancestors settled early in York County, his grandparents being natives of the county. Dr. Stewart is a hard student, loves his profession and will make his mark in his chosen profession.

PETER STRICKHOUSER, son of Peter and Polly (Rennoll) Strickhouser, was born January 26, 1827, in North Codorus Township. Our subject was the youngest of two children, James Kelly and Peter. December 25, 1848, Mr. Strickhouser mar- ried Mary Hetrick, daughter of John and Wilhelmina (Wolfrom) Hetrick; eight children were born of this marriage; Wilhelmina; infant, deceased; Amanda; Fannie; Calvin; Howard; Clayton; and Edward, de- ceased. Mr. Strickhouser was reared on his father's farm. He held the responsible office of commission- er of York County from 1869 to 1872, with credit to himself and entire satisfaction to the people of York County. At present Mr.º Strickhouser is keeping hotel at Hanover Junction. He has been school director in his native township at various times.

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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 194

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