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 197

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 197

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JAMES M. PARKER was born in New York City, February 19, 1838. His parents, Isaac and Margaret (Mill) Parker, came to York County in 1857, and here the father purchased a lease, in Peach Bottom Township, of what was then called the "old quarry." After carrying on the business here successfuly for some years he purchased an- other lease of a quarry in Harford County, Md., and operated the two for a number of years. They reared two sons and three daughters, of whom James M. is the eldest. He is a graduate of the University of the City of New York, and while his father was engaged in slate mining in Pennsylvania, he was general manager of the business. In 1871 he went to Philadelphia as book-keeper in a shoe house, but after one year returned to York County, and became the principal of Pleasant Grove Academy, near High Rock. He next accepted the position of hook-keeper in a wholesale house in Baltimore, and remained one year. He then re- sumed the profession of teaching, which he still follows, having for several terms had charge of the Delta High School. While the York & Peach Bottom Railroad was being built, he was for a time connected with the engineer corps. He was also the first postmaster appointed at Slate Hill, and served two years. In 1881 he was elected justice of the peace in Peach Bottom Township. He married Elizabeth R. Beattie. June 30, 1859, and has three children: John M., James D. and Margaret A. He is a skillful accountant and is frequently employed in settling estates as well as in conveyancing. The family are Presbyterians and of Scotch-Irish descent.

ROBERT RAMSAY, son of John Ramsay, was born in October, 1795, in York County. His father died in 1797, and the son passed the days of his boy- hood on a farm, receiving such an education as could be had in the common schools of that time. When the militia were called out in 1814 for the de- fense of Baltimore, Mr. Ramsay was enrolled as a substitute, joined the company of Capt. F. T. Amos, of Harford County, and with it marched to the defense of the threatened city. They did not,

however, reach there in time to participate in the engagement. For his services he has for several years received a pension from the Government. He married in April, 1821, Jane Whiteford, daughter of Hugh Whiteford, of Harford County, Md., and niece of James Ross, of Pittsburgh, a gentleman distinguished in the political history of the State. Mrs. Ramsay died in 1876. To her and husband were born the following-named children: J. Ross, Hugh W., William, Robert, Joseph G., Sarah E. and T. Cooper. Mr. Ramsay is a farmer owning 220 acres. A large part of the borough of Delta stands on what was once his land, he having sold it in lots. He has held the office of supervisor in the township, and was one of the first council of Delta. Notwithstanding his age, nearly ninety years, he is active and intelligent, manages his own affairs and attends Slateville Presbyterian Church, of which he is a member, regularly. He called upon the writer of this sketch to-day (December 22, 1884), having traveled on foot through snow half a mile to tran- sact a matter of business relating to his real estate.

HUGH W. RAMSAY, third son of Robert and Jane (Whiteford) Ramsay, was born in Harford County, Md., February 11, 1827, his parents were of Irish and English extraction, and their children were reared on a farm, now a part of the borough of Delta. The subject of this sketch was educated at the common schools and at the age of twenty- three began the trade of a carpenter, at which he worked four years. He then embarked in the mer cantile business at West Bangor, and with the ex ception of two years on a farm, has remained iz business at Delta, Philadelphia and (since 1876) at Delta Station, of the York & Peach Bottom Railway. At about twenty-eight years of age he married Priscilla Hatton, a native of Lancaster County, and has two children living: Edgar L. and Eliza P. He is an Odd Fellow, and has held several offices in the township and borough, as judge of elections, councilman and supervisor. He is not connected with any church. His father is still liv- ing and is one of the few surviving "Old Defend- ers.'

T. COOPER RAMSAY, youngest son of Robert and Jane ( Whiteford) Ramsay, was born in Peach Bottom Township, July 31, 1839, on the homestead near Delta, where he resided until the age of seven- teen, when he became a teacher, which profession he abandoned after two years, and with his brother, Joseph G., purchased a farm of 181 acres near Muddy Creek, on which he still resides, having bought his brother's interest. In 1871 he purchased a property at Coal Cabin on the canal and embarked in the mercantile business, which he conducted un- til 1877, when he returned to the farm. Since then, he has to some extent, been connected with the can- ning business. He married, December 16, 1865, Miss Ritchie, of Peach Bottom Township, and has five children: Luella, Jane O., Robert R., Howard I. and Eva E. Mr. Ramsay is at present a school director, and is superintendent and secretary of the packing firm of Eby, Barnett & Co. The family are members of the Slateville Presbyterian Church.

JOHN C. RAMSAY was born on the farm now owned and occupied by him near Slate Hill, Septem- ber 17, 1825. His parents, William and Matilda (Cooper) Ramsay, were both natives of York Coun- ty, and acquired by purchase, a farm of 130 acres, where they resided until their death. William Ramsay was one of the "Old Defenders," having been at Baltimore with the militia in 1814; he died in 1841, his widow surviving him until 1882. They left two sons and one daughter: James D., John C. and Mary A. James went to Nebraska about the time of its admission as a State, and was a member of its legislature; he died a few years after his re- turn to York County; he was prominent here in

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local politics, and was one of the leading citizens of the township. John C. has never taken an active interest in politics, but has for many years been noted as among the most intelligent and successful farmers in the township. He is unmarried.

JAMES H. RAMSAY, deceased, was born in 1844 in Peach Bottom. He began teaching at four- teen years and at seventeen years entered Princeton College. He did not graduate on account of losing his eyesight. He was a very remarkable young man and possessed a wonderfully vigorous mind. He died February 22, 1884.

HUGH WHITEFORD RAMSAY, son of Rob- ert S. and Isabella R. Ramsay, was born in Peach Bottom Township, March 5, 1850. He remained on the farm until 1883, having, most of the time, been engaged in teaching in the common schools. He began teaching school in the district in which he resided, in 1867. From that time on until 1883 he spent much of his time teaching and in attending the State Normal School at Millersville, Lancaster Co., Penn. During the period spent as teacher he was engaged three years at Lititz, Lancaster Co., Penn., and two years in the schools of Harford County, Md. He has given some attention to the study of law, and has acted as an attorney in secur- ing pensions for disabled soldiers; was a member of Company A, Pennsylvania National Guards, and was stationed with a part of the regiment at Shen- andoah, Schuylkill Co., Penn., June 13, 1875, at which place he remained until the suspension of the trouble, ten days later. Since 1883 he has been en- gaged with the Equitable Life Insurance Company, of New York. He is unmarried.

WILLIAM J. RITCHIE, son of Joseph A. and Nancy J. (Barnett) Ritchie, was born in Lancaster County, December 31, 1844, and, in 1846, came with his parents to Peach Bottom, where they located on a farm of forty-six acres. Here they continued to reside until the father's death in 1866. Our sub- ject having purchased the homestead and added to it about forty-five acres, has carried on farming successfully, and for the past few years has also been concerned in fruit canning. December 31. 1867, Mr. Richie married Annie E. Hickman, who died June 4, 1881, leaving four daughters: Dora L., Marian C., Nannie and Mary A. His second marriage, December 17, 1884, was with Miss Sallie E. McCon- key, daughter of S. D. McConkey, of Baltimore, Md. Mr. Ritchie is a member of the Slateville Presbyter- ian Church.

WILLIAM R. ROBINSON, deceased, son of James and Rachel (Kerr) Robinson, natives of Ire- land, was born in Peach Bottom Township, on the farm now occupied by his family. He married, in 1861, Margaret Ailes, daughter of William Ailes, of Lancaster County, Penn., and had born to him three children: Lizzie B., Rachel K. and Mary B. The homestead contains about 220 acres, on which Mr. Robinson successfully pursued farming until his death, which took place March 23. 1876. Mrs. Robinson remarried in November, 1879, with John T. Smith, a native of Baltimore, Md., who came to Peachbottom in 1872. The family are members of the Slateville Presbyterian Church.

BENJAMIM F. RUFF, a native of Harford County, Md., was born April 29, 1820. His parents. Richard and Lovina (Montgomery) Ruff, were of English descent. His father was one of the "Old Defenders," having been with his company at Bal- timore in 1814. He died in 1833. The subject of this sketch spent his early life on a farm, and re- ceived his education in a subscription school, and at Abington Academy. After leaving school he served an apprenticeship at blacksmithing at Bush Furnace, and afterward worked at Patterson's Iron Works, in Baltimore County. In 1842 he came to Peach Bottom Township, rented a shop one year

from James Ramsay, after which he built a shop at Slate Hill, where he now resides. He was married in 1845, to Elizabeth, daughter of James and Eliza- beth (Bankhead) Alexander, of Harford County, Md., and had horn to him five children, all of whom died soon after they were grown up. His wife died in 1862, and in a few years he entered into a second marriage with Virginia, daughter of John L. aud Mary Ann (Gibbons) Sterns, by whom he has two sons: Purlee and James Ross. His sec- ond wife died February 22, 1884, and she as well as the first, was interred at Slateville Presbyterian Church, of which the family are members. Mr. Ruff enjoys a reputation among his neighbors for strict integrity of character and upright dealing. By his industry he has acquired a fair competence.

REV. JOSEPH D. SMITH was born May 30, 1828, in Londonderry, Ireland, and accompanied his parents to America in 1847, landing at Philadel- phia, where the family resided until 1860, when the father died at the age of sixty-five. In 1872 the mother came to reside with the subject of this sketch until the time of her death in June, 1882. Her age was ninety years. Joseph was the eldest of the family, which consisted of three sons and one daughter. William resides at Philadelphia; David at Edgewater Park, N. J., and the sister re- sides with our subject at Slate Ridge. Joseph was partly educated in Ireland, and after coming to America attended the preparatory department of the freshman class in Danville, Ky. In '1853 he entered Jefferson College, at Cannonsburg, Penn., and after graduating there passed a theological course in Princeton, N. J. He was licensed to preach in 1859 by the Preshytery of Philadelphia, and a few months later came to York County, and assumed the pastorate of Slate Ridge Presbyterian Church. As a minister Mr. Smith has endeared himself to his people by his eloquence and earnest. ness in the pulpit, and his zealous advocacy of every- thing tending to the benefit of the community and the elevation of morality. During the past ten years he has prepared several young men for col- lege, in addition to his ministerial duties. He has also purchased about thirty acres of land, which he cultivates principally with his own hands. Mr. Smith is unmarried.

ASAHEL STEWARD, M. D., the eldest son and sixth child of the ten children of Nehemiah and Amelia (Cooper) Steward, was born in Peach Bottom Township, March 10, 1841. His parents were na- tives of York County, his father of Irish and his mother of English extraction. His boyhood was passed on his father's farm, and his early educa- tion received in the common schools, and at York County Academy. At the age of twenty-two he began the study of medicine with Dr. James Y. Bryan, and graduated at the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York City, in the class of 1868-69. His first practice as a physician was in Fulton Township, Lancaster Co., Penn., where he remained about eight years. In 1877 he returned to Peach Bottom Township, where he still pursues his profession, enjoying a large and lucrative practice. He was married, December 9, 1875, to Miss Cas- sandra I. Mccullough, daughter of Robert K. McCullongh, of Lancaster County. Their children are William J., Amelia F., Montgomery L., Asahel, who died in August, 1884, and Robert King, who died in infancy. Mr. Steward is a member of Mount Hebron Lodge No, 516, I. O. O. F., and also of Esdraelon Lodge No. 176, A. F. & A. M. His parents are both living at the age of seventy-five years.

REV. ALFRED WELLS, pastor of the Baptist Church, of Delta, is a native of Wales, and came with his parents to Minersville, Penn., in 1859. He is the sixth of eight children, and was born August

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8, 1846. At the age of seventeen he began the trade of carriage smith at Tamaqua, and worked about a year and a half, when he went coal mining, which business he continued to follow for several years. His education was acquired at common schools, and by making use of the hours that could be spared from his labor. At the age of twenty-nine he was ordained a minister of the Baptist Church, though he had been for ten years before a licentiate. His first charge was at Mahanoy, Schuylkill Coun- ty, from which he went to Coleraine, Lancaster County, next to Green Valley, Chester County, and in 1879 came to Peach Bottom Township, York, where he took charge of a small congregation at Glenwood School House. On the completion of the new church in Dela in 1884, he removed there. From the age of nineteen until 1873 he was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He mar- ried in 1870, Martha Boughey, a native of Pennsyl- vania, and has four children living: Adeline, Will- iam A., Josiah B. and Joseph T. Mr. Wells, by his earnest devotion to his chosen work, has been largely instrumental in building up a flourishing congregation in Delta. He also has charge of the Drumore Baptist Church, Lancaster County.

CHARLES H. A. WHITEFORD, the eldest son of Hugh C. and Cassandra (Silver) Whiteford, was born in Harford County, Md., March 27, 1839. His parents were of Scotch-Irish and Welsh descent, both families being prominent in the politics and business of Harford County. He remained on his father's farm until the age of twenty years, having, in the meantime, obtained a fair education. In 1865 he entered the mercantile business at Delta, in which he continued until 1872. He then opened, at the same place, a photograph gallery, and gave his attention to that business for some years. He mar- ried Miss Cassandra Findley, a native of Lancaster County, December 4, 1866. They have one child living-Lizzie Grace-and have buried one in in- fancy. He has held the office of borough auditor for two terms, and is now principally engaged in the business of slate roofing. The Railroad House, one of the principal hotels of the place, is owned by Mr. Whiteford.

E. HOWARD WILEY was born in Peach Bottom Township, September 13, 1859. His parents, David E. and Margaretta (McConkey) Wiley, were both na- tives of this township, the former the son of Joseph D. Wiley, for many years the leading business man in the community, and the latter is a daughter of the late Andrew McConkey. The subject of this sketch is an enterprising farmer, occupying a farm of 140 acres of fine land, near Slate Hill. He married, April 14, 1881, Miss Anna M. Jenness, a native of Cecil County, Md., who has borne two children: Paul C. and Margetaretta. The family are mem- bers of the Slateville Presbyterian Church.

WILLIAM E. WILLIAMS is the third son of Evan and Elizabeth Williams, and was born in north Wales August 5, 1830. His parents died in Wales, and he, with two brothers and a sister, came to America in 1852, and settled near the slate quarries of York County, Penn., where he worked for John Humphrey for several years. He after- ward entered the mercantile business, first with E. D. Humphrey, and later with E. E. Williams and H. Evans, under the firm name of William E. Will- iams & Co. Besides the store at West Bangor, the firm now own several tracts of slate land, both in York County and Harford County, Md. They have a large and productive quarry in the latter place, purchased in 1874 from Isaac Parker, from which. in 1883, they took out more than 3,000 squares of roofing slate. Mr. Williams was married, at Man- chester, Wis., in 1863, to Elizabeth Roberts, and has five children: John R., William, William R., Eliza- beth Maritte and Maggie. He has held the office of

judge of elections, and has been a school director two terms. He has also been assistant postmaster at West Bangor for about twenty-eight years. The family are connected with the Calvinistic Method- ist Church.

SHREWSBURY TOWNSHIP.

REV. EDWARD EVANS ALLEN was born in Accomack County, Va., August 15, 1805, of very pious parents, members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His father, who was a planter of means, died while Edward was yet an infant, leaving three sons. Their mother removed to Baltimore shortly after the death of the father, where she had the boys educated. When seventeen yearsold, Edward attended Light Street Church at Baltimore, and there, influenced by a powerful sermon of Rev. Val. Cook, he embraced religion. Choosing the ministry for his profession, he entered it in 1827, and was first assigned to the Bellefonte Circuit, Penn. As he was a member of the Baltimore con- ference, he was, by request, transferred to Balti- more, where he was stationed many years, the members petitioning the conference to have him remain. He was a zealous worker, and beloved by all who knew him. He was of a kind. genial dis- position, full of humor and wit. Ex-President Buchanan and ex-Gov. Packer, of Pennsylvania, were warm friends of his, the former saying that he was one of the finest speakers he knew. He was a member of No. 45, A. Y. M. of Baltimore. While in Bellefonte he was married to Senator Wilson's daughter, of Williamsport, Penn., and had three children, the eldest died in infancy: Thomas Ed- ward and Mrs. Mary R. Campbell, of Baltimore. His second wife, Lizzie Wiley, of Baltimore, left five children. He died in Shrewsbury, May 28, 1872, to which place be came to recruit his health. As one of the old ministers remarked: "He died in the harness, and did not rust out." He was buried in the Baltimore Cemetery.

MILTON W. BAHN was born June 26, 1839, in Hellam Township. His parents, David and Rachel (Witman) Bahn, natives of York County, had six children, two died in childhood, and Milton W. is the only son and the youngest of the family living. He was brought up on a farm and educated at the York County Academy, and State Normal School, at Millersville, Penn. From the age of eighteen to twenty-four, he taught in York County public schools. In January, 1865, he engaged in the mer- cantile business in partnership with W. H. Emig, at New Freedom, which he has since followed. Mr. Emig retired from the firm in 1880. Mr. Balin was married November 4, 1864, at Emigsville, to Miss Ella S. Emig, of that place, daughter of John Emig (deceased), and has had four children-two have died: Lillie Alice, aged eleven years, and Corrinne Ella, aged eight years. The living are Arthur W. and Walter D. Mr. Bahn was appointed postmaster of New Freedom, in 1865, and with the exception of one year (1881-82) has held the office since. He is also agent of the Northern Central Railroad Company, and of the Adams Express Company. He is interested in a new railroad en- terprise between Stewartstown and New Freedom; was one of the organizers and president ten years out of twelve of the "New Freedom Building and Loan Association," and was a member of the borough school board, three years, ending in 1879, and a member of the borough council one year (1880). He is an active Republican; also an elder-

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SHREWSBURY TOWNSHIP.

in the Reformed Church, in which he and wife have been brought up. His father died in 1863, aged sixty years.

JEREMIAH BAILEY, farmer, was born in Springfield Township, June 2, 1825. His parents, John C. and Barbara (Allison) Bailey, were natives of York County, and of German and English descent, respectively. They reared a family of twelve children-seven daughters and five sons-of whom Jeremiah is the eldest. He was brought up on a farm and educated at the common schools. At the age of nineteen he went to New Market, Md., and learned the trade of wheelwright. He worked at Logansville, Wrightsville, and West Manchester, at which latter place he remained five years; then returned to Wrightsville; there he worked three years, then went back to West Man- chester, at which latter place he remained for four or five years. He then went to Maryland, where he worked at his trade, and farming nineteen years. He also worked about four years at New Freedom. In the spring of 1880, he removed to his farm in Shrewsbury Township, near the Maryland line, where he has since been farming and working at his trade. In 1848 he was married at Wrightsville, to Elizabeth Jane Detweiler, of Wrightsville, who died October 24, 1874, leaving ten children-three of whom died also. The living are William G., Charles G., Emma J., John M., Webster O., Jeremiah D. and Ida L. He was next married, March 11, 1877, at York, to? Barbara Bahn, widow of Samuel N. Bahn, who was mother of ten chil- dren, by her first husband-seven girls and three boys: Alice, Agnes Ammeda, Sylvester, Ida, Anna, Barbara, Ellen and Samuel Howard; Walter and Rosetta are deceased. The family were mem- bers of the Evangelical Church. Mr. Bailey belongs to the P. of H., was a director of schools three years; a trustee in Maryland twelve years, and is a director of New Freedom Cemetery Asso- ciation.

D. A. BECKER, son of Peter and Sarah (Henry) Becker, was born in North Codorus Township, September 9, 1849, was reared on his father's farm until the age of sixteen, when he rented Bott's store at Smyer's Station. Northern Central Rail- road. He then began the business of manufactur- ing cigars. March 5, 1869, Mr. Becker married Matilda Krebs, daughter of Jere and Rachael (Schwartz) Krebs, of North Codorus Township. Three children were born to this marriage: Annie M., Leona M. and Jeremiah E. T. Mr. Becker is a member of the firm of Bortner & Becker, whole- sale ice cream manufacturers and ships largely in this line through Pennsylvania and Maryland.

FRANCIS R. BLASSER, D. V. S., was born in Shrewsbury Township, March 2, 1845, and is the youngest of the twelve children born to John and Esther (Ritchey) Blasser, natives of Pennsylvania, but of German and Scotch-Irish descent. He was reared a farmer, but subsequently followed pump- making for twenty years, both in Pennsylvania and Maryland. In 1872 he began the study of veterinary surgery, and since 1874, has been in active practice, having met with the most flattering success, as is instanced by the fact that for the past four years he has lost but four animals in a list of of 450. He has care of some of the finest trotting horses in the land, is the regular professional of the Ashland Iron Company, and also surgeon of Post 342, G. A. R. In 1866 he married Mary J. Miller, of Maryland, and has had born to him ten children -of these are living only four: Harry G., Lulu May, Della G. and William H. In 1862 he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Sixty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry; was promoted to drum-major and served a term of nine months.

EMANUEL K. BOLLINGER, born in York

County, October, 1825, is the son of Peter and Catherine (Klinefelter)Bollinger, of Swiss and Ger- man descent. Joseph and Henry Bollinger, with their mother, came to America about the year 1754, and from Joseph, has descended the subject of this sketch, who began life on a farm, aud entered the milling business under his uncle, N. Seitz, at the age of fourteen years, and at the age of twenty-two, having saved $750 from his earnings, he began bus- iness for himself at Seitzland, where he has since resided, engaged in connection with milling, in mer- cantile business, as a member of the firm of Kline- felter & Co., sixteen years, and in the milling and grain business exclusively, eight years; bought the real estate now occupied by him, in his business in 1866; in 1874, began the manufacture of Bollinger's Ammoniated Phosphates, and is now doing business as miller, grain dealer, and manufacturer and dealer in phosphates; has been agent of the Northern Cen- tral Railway Company, at Seitzland, since 1872,and postmaster since 1875; is president of the Glen Rock Manufacturing Company, and a director of the First National Bank, of Glen Rock, and was a charter member of both organizations; is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the I. O. O. F. Lodge and Encampment. In Gettysburg, Adams Co Penn., in 1849, he was married to Barbara Roser and they have had eight children: Stephen R., Ab til, Aaron, Amanda (wife of E. Dickson, Esq.), George W., Uriah G., Angelina (deceased), and Eva Jane, wife of T. B. Seitz, Esq. Mr. Bollinger is an elder and the whole family are members of the Lutheran Church.

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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 197

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