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 203

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 203

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WILLIAM BLESSING, second of eleven chil- dren of Henry and Elizabeth (Crone) Blessing, was born March 24, 1824, in Hellam Township; he was reared on a farm and always followed that occupa- tion. June 1849, Mr. Blessing married Leah Paules, (daughter of Adam and Elizabeth Hartzler) Paules, of Lower Windsor Township. Four children were born of this marriage: Henry A., J. Milton, Syl- vester C. and Elizabeth C. Our subject's grand- father's name was Henry Blessing. Our subject's ancestors on his father's and mother's side settled very early in York County.

DR. GEORGE CONN, seventh of eleven chil- dren, of Henry and Mary (Shrum) Conn, was born August 25, 1819, in Manchester Township. He was reared on a farm and educated in Spring Garden Township. November 8, 1849, Dr. Conn married Maria Shepp, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Sla- gle) Shepp, of Manchester Township. Three chil- dren blessed this union: Annie Mary, wife of John Sipe; Susanna, wife of Albert J. Bower, and Alex- ander (deceased). When our subject was twenty- eight years of age he began the successful treat- ment of cancer; his success in the treatment of this

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loathsome disease was so marked and exceptional that he made it his life work. Many persons in York and adjoining counties in the enjoyment of health to-day can testify to Dr. Conn's success in their cases after having failed to get relief from emi- nent physicians in the large cities. Dr. Conn re- sides in the village of Pleasureville, about three miles from York, in Spring Garden Township. His postoffice address is Box 509, York, Penn.

DANIEL DIEHL was born September 11, 1807. His great-grandfather, John Adam Diehl, emigrated from Germany and took up 360 acres of land iu York County, Penn., in what is now Spring Garden Township, paying an English agent £12 ($60) for the whole tract. At that time the nearest mill was at Downington, Chester County. He had four sons: Peter, Daniel, George and Nicholas. Daniel settled in Seven Valleys, York County; George in Vir- ginia; Peter and Nicholas in Hellam Township, York County, having purchased the original tract of land from the heirs, after the death of their father. The grandfather of our subject, Peter Diehl, was born in Hellam Township, York County, and had six children: Jacob, Nicholas, Daniel, Peter, Catherine (married to John Brillinger) and Elizabeth, who married Henry King. The father of our subject, Jacob Diehl, married Polly Pflieger, both being natives of Hellam Township. Our sub- ject, Daniel Diehl, was married May 15, 1836, to Miss Louisa Loucks, a daughter of Casper Loucks, of Spring Garden Township. Six children have been born to them: Malinda Kauffman, Cecelia Witmer, Adaline, Milton (deceased), Marcellus and Nicholas. Mr. Diehl was actively engaged in farm- ing all his life, but is now passing the evening of his life retired from active labors. He is now sev- enty-seven years of age, and residing in Frystown. His wife died several years ago. Mr. Diehl owns a mill property in Spring Garden, situated upon an old site, the second mill being built there in 1775, and the third built by himself in 1860. He also owns a well-improved farm of 110 acres, which is operated by his son, Nicholas. The family are members of the Lutheran Church.

BENJAMIN S. DIETZ, son of George and Cath- erine (Hammer) Dietz, of Spring Garden Township, was born September 21, 1831. He is the fourth of a family of five children, was reared on a farm and has always followed farming. In December, 1853, Mr. Dietz married Lydia Kauffman, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Wagner) Kauffman, of Windsor Township. Six children (all deceased) were born to this marriage: Uriah K., David K., Mary K., Samuel K., George K. and Benjamin K. Mr. Dietz is a prominent farmer, having managed one of the largest farms in Windsor Township. Hattie D. Kauffman, daughter of Moses and Sarah Kauffman, of Spring Garden Township, was taken to rear by Mr. and Mrs. Dietz, when she was two weeks old, and lived with them until her death in 1880, being in her seventh year; she was treated as kindly and tenderly by Mr. and Mrs. Dietz as if she were their own child. Mr D. has been school director and assessor in Windsor Township, and was always a leading citizen of that township during his resi- dence there.

JOSEPH S. DIETZ was born in Spring Garden Township in 1843. His parents, Joseph and Eliza- beth (Strickler) Dietz, were natives of Hellam Township, and represent old families of York County. The father is a farmer, and a resident of Spring Garden Township. The mother died in 1864. Joseph S. was reared a farmer, and is still following that vocation. He resides upon the farm owned by his father, which he is cultivating, and also owns a farm in Hopewell Township, consisting of 103 acres. He was married in November, 1866, to Miss Sarah Weigle, daughter of John Weigle, of

Manchester Township. This union has been blessed with eleven children: Augustus H., Ida A. (de- ceased), Joseph M. (deceased), Winfield H., Curtis A., Lilly M., Daniel M. (deceased), Mary E. (de- ceased), Agnes A. (deceased), Herman W. (de- ceased), and Erney A. Mr. and Mrs. Dietz are mem- bers of the Lutheran denomination.

ELIAS EBERT, a prominent citizen of Spring Garden Township, was born in York County, Octo- ber 25, 1829, and is the second son of Michael and Lydia (Diehl) Ebert, natives of York County. His great-grandfather came from Germany and settled in West Manchester, where his grandfather was born. His father was a farmer in West Manches- ter, and a colonel in the war of 1812, which title he always retained. He came to Spring Garden in 1829, and located on the farm now owned and occu- pied by Elias Ebert, and resided on it until his death in 1863. The mother died in 1858, leaving five children: William (deceased), Sarah, George D., Annie M. and Elias, our subject. Elias was born on the homestead, and has resided on it all his life, following farming and also keeping a dairy. The farm contains 210 acres, and sixty-three acres are owned by his son. In 1853 he was mar- ried to Susan Butt, daughter of Jacob Butt, of Jackson Township, an old settler of York County. who died in 1884, aged eighty-four years. Mr. and Mrs. Ebert have three children: Albert M., Annie F. and Ida V. Mr. Ebert is president of the Spring Garden Mutual Fire Insurance Company. and has been connected with it for twenty years. He is a prominent agriculturist, and was one of the man- agers of the York County Agricultural Society for five years. Himself and wife are members of Mt. Zion Lutheran Church. Mr. Ehert is one of the representative and progressive citizens of York County. As a business man he has attained an honorable reputation, and as a citizen and neighbor he is highly respected and esteemed.

JOHN EMIG was born in 1831, in York County, Penn., and is a son of Valentine and Rebecca (Loucks) Emig, both natives of York County, and descendants of old families. His father was a farm- er and our subject was reared a farmer and has devoted his entire time and energy to farming. Mr. Emig came to Spring Garden Township in 1854, and purchased the farm upon which he has ever since resided. It consists of 126 acres of land situ- ated in the Codorus Valley. This tract of land he has greatly improved, raising all the cereals, and a large crop of fine tobacco each year. He was mar- ried, in 1853, to Miss Sarah Eyster, a native of West Manchester Township, and a descendant of an old family of the county. She died in 1857. Two chil- dren were born to them: Horace E., a farmer in York County; and Frank, deceased. In 1858 Mr. Emig married Miss Susan Roth. They have had nine children: Margaret R., Emma R., Edward R., Augustus R., Henry R., Valentine R., William R., George R. and Amanda (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Emig are members of Mt. Zion German Reformed Church.

HENRY ERB is a native of York County, born in 1831, and resides on the same farm upon which his grandfather, John Erb, settled in the early history of York County. John Erb was a native of Lancaster County, Penn., and a prominent farmer of York County, from his first settlement here until his death upon the same farm, which descended to his son Jacob, the father of our subject. Jacob Erb married Miss Elizabeth Wambaugh, and fol- lowed farming upon the homestead farm until his death. His wife, a descendant of one of the old settlers of the county, still survives and resides upon the old place. Three of their children are living: Henry, Mrs. Mary Wise and Mrs. Leah Gable, of York Township. Henry Erb has always been en-

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gaged in agricultural pursuits; he became the owner of the old homestead, which comprises over 170 acres of superior land, in 1879. This farm is one of the most productive and finely improved tracts of land in the county, with as fine a residence and bank barns as any in the township. Mr. Erb was married October 5, 1857, to Miss Mary Driver, a native of Spring Garden Township, and daughter of Jacob Driver. They have four children: Granville, Jacob, Clara A. and Mary A.

JOHN FLORY, one of the old settlers of Spring Garden Township, was born August 18, 1818, a son of Abraham and Magdalena (Strickler) Flory. He has been one of the leading farmers of York County and has resided the principal portion of his life in Spring Garden Township, where he has followed milling and farming. He owns a fine farm of 178 acres in Manchester Township, and thirty acres in Spring Garden Township, where he resides, and which is cultivated for market produce. Mr. Flory served as assessor and supervisor several years, has acted as guardian for twenty-one children, and has · settled up four estates, real and personal. In 1841 he married Miss Leah Diehl, a daughter of Jacob Diehl, of Spring Garden. They are the parents of six children: Thaddeus E., married Mary Kauffman; Abraham, married Amanda Smyser; Sarah, married Frederick Dietz; Killam J., William A. and Amelia (married to Henry Forry). Mr. and Mrs. Flory are members of the Lutheran Church.

RUDOLPH FORRY was born in Hellam Town- ship, York Co., Penn., October 18, 1827. His par- ents, Henry and Magdalena (Newcomer) Forry, were also natives of York County. His father died in 1836. Mr. Forry has been a resident of Spring Garden Township for forty-seven years. He owns 110 acres of land finely improved, and all under cul -. tivation. He has always taken a leading position in public affairs, and has served as school director and supervisor. Mr. Forry was married, in 1849. to Miss Angelina Strickler, daughter of Ulrich Strick- ler, a prominent citizen of Spring Garden Township, who died in 1882, aged fifty-two years. Mr. and Mrs. F.have had six children, five now living: Lavina S., married to Nicholas Diehl; Henry S., married to Amelia Flory; Rudolph L., Angelina S .; Mary S., married to John Throne (all residents of the town- ship), and Ulrich S., deceased.

WILLIAM FREY was born February 7, 1834, a son of George and Mary (Spangler) Frey. His grandfather, George Frey, a native of Spring Gar- den Township, died of apoplexy in 1849, aged sixty- eight years. He was a veteran of the war of 1812; served in Capt. Spangler's company; marched from York to Baltimore, and engaged in the battle of North Point, his wife becoming a pensioner until her death in 1872, at the age of ninety-two years. They had seven children: Charles, George, Fred- erick, Enos, Catherine, Mary and Leah. Subject's father, George Frey, was a captain of militia some years, and private in a company of Independent Blues, under Col. Alex Hay, at the Catholic and Native American riots, in Philadelphia, in 1844; also a private in the Second Maryland Regiment in the civil war of 1862-65; he died in 1882 of apoplexy, aged seventy-two years. He had fivechildren: Will- iam, John, Charles, Lewis, and Eliza. William Frey was married, December 24, 1854, to Elizabeth Boekel, daughter of Michael and Anna Maria Boekel. By this union they have had the following children: William B., Flora M. Rouse, Ferdinand C., Emma E. Christine, George T., Katie, Anna M., Robert E., Mollie E., Hattie M. and Harry S. Mr. Frey is the pioneer of the Spring Garden Band, starting in 1855, and held the leadership over twenty-three years. He took the band into the United States service, and it served one year as regimental band of the Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers. He

also held the office of treasurer of York County, hav- ing been elected in 1876, and having served three years. He is the owner of forty-nine acres of finely improved land, and raises vegetables, fruit, etc., for market. He makes a specialty of bee culture. The family are members of the German Reformed Church.

JOHN FRITZ, deceased, was born in 1805, and was a son of John and Elizabeth (Kurtz) Fritz, both natives of York County, Penn. He was reared a farmer, and passed his life engaged in farming. He died in 1863, aged fifty-eight years. He married Miss Susanna Billit, September 25, 1834. Mrs. Fritz is a daughter of Jacob Billit, of Spring Garden Township, and was born January 29, 1818; she is still living on her farm in Spring Garden, which consists of 111 acres of valuable land, from which iron ore has been extracted since 1866, but which has been lately closed. The farm is now operated by her sons. 'Mrs. Fritz has eight children: Sarah (Kauffman), born April 16, 1836; Henry, March 2, 1839; Catherine (Coldrider), September 28, 1841; Samuel, October 8, 1844; John, November 15, 1847; George, February 13, 1851; Susan (Sbenberger), April 18, 1853; and Elizabeth, born April 13, 1861, all natives of York County, Penn. The family are members of Mt. Zion Lutheran Church.

CHARLES H. FRY, justice of the peace, is one of a family of thirteen children, and was born on a farm near what is now known as Frysville, then Fry's Church, in Windsor Township, York Co., Penn., September 20, 1833. The father, John Fry, was born near the place where all his children were born. The mother's name was Juliann (Haines) Fry, who was of English descent, and was born in Philadelphia. Charles H. worked on the farm in summer, and had about three or four months to go to school in winter. When old enough he learned the carpenter's trade, but not liking it, worked at his trade in summer and attended school in winter, until he was able to teach a primary school. The money he made teaching in winter, he took to pay his tuition in summer, at a select school at Wrights- ville, Penn., for one term. The following winter he taught school again, and in the spring, entered the York County Academy, taught by the late Prof. George W. Ruby, and D. M. Ettinger, for one term. This completed his schooling, except les- sons in surveying, by D. M. Ettinger, civil en- gineer. Mr. Fry was appointed postmaster, at Margaretta Furnace, in 1861, which office he held during the greater part of the late war. The office was removed from Margaretta Furnace to East Prospect, where it is at present. Mr. Fry resigned the office, and some time afterward moved to Spring Garden, where he accepted the secretaryship of the Spring Garden Mutual Fire Insurance Company, which he has held up to the present time-about twenty years. He was elected a justice of the peace of Spring Garden Township in 1866, and re-elected three times, holding the office at the present time. He was elected county sur- veyor of York County last fall. Mr. Fry was instru- mental in getting up one of the first building asso- ciations (now one of the largest in the county), about eighteen years ago, and has been secretary of the same ever since. He was married at York, Penn., January 5, 1858, to Catherine Fitzkee. They have had eleven children, three of whom are dead, four boys and four girls living. Mr. and Mrs. Fry are members of the Ridge Avenue Church (Methodist Episcopal). Their residence is corner of East Mar- ket Street and Ridge Avenue, East York.

JOHN S. GEIST, was born October 13, 1834. His parents, Baltzer and Anna M. (More) Geist, were natives of Germany, and immigrated to Amer- ica over fifty years ago. They located in Lower Windsor Township, where the father was employed

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as a teamster at the Slaymaker Furnaces for six years, and then had charge of a furnace until the failure of the Slaymaker firm, in which he lost heavily. The mother of our subject died in 1837, leaving three children: Mary M., Elizabeth and John S. His father subsequently married Miss Maria Hains, a native of York County, Penn. John S. has a fine farm of sixty-five acres, located in Spring Garden Township, which is well culti- vated and improved. He was married, February 5. 1856, to Miss Harriet Wolf, a daughter of Peter and Catherine Wolf, of Hellam Township. By this union they have had six children: Henry, married to Mary J. Smith; Aaron A., married to Sarah Bender; Sarah A., wife of Granville Forry; Anna M .; William H. and George W. (deceased). The family are members of the Evangelical Lutheran and Mennonite denominations.

CHARLES GLATFELTER is a retired farmer of Spring Garden Township, and a descendant of two old families of York County. His great-grandfather was a native of Switzerland. Subject's grandpar- ents, Phelix Glatfelter and wife, were natives of York County, and parents of nine children-Jacob, Cas- per, John, Daniel, Frederick, Philip, Elizabeth, Mar- garet and Barbara-all natives of North Codorus Township. The father of our subject, Philip Glat- felter, married Mary Emig, daughter of Charles Emig, and also a native of North Codorus Town- ship. Eleven children blessed this union: Jonas, Charles, Jacob, Philip, Jesse, Lydia, Catherine, Margaret, Leah, Elizabeth and Mary. Our subject was married, in January, 1833, to Miss Louisa Fishel, a daughter of Jacob Fishel, of Spring Garden Township. This union has been blessed with eight children: Jacob, Philip H., Edward, Clemantine Shunk, Jane Peeters, Anna M. Myers, Louisa Eyster and Emma E. Forry. Mr. Glatfelter has been a resident of the township about forty-five years. He still owns ninety-five acres of well-improved land. His wife is deceased. Mr. Glatfelter is a member of the Lutheran Church.

DANIEL GOTWALT, a representative of two old families of York County, Penn., is a son of Felix and Christiana (Wilt) Gotwalt, natives of York County. He was born in Manchester Town- ship, September 24, 1796, and at the age of eighteen began learning the carpenter's trade, with Peter Small, of York. This occupation he followed until he was thirty-five years of age, when he began farming in Spring Garden Township, which busi- ness he continued until old age compelled him to cease hard labor, and he is now living in retirement upon his land in that township. Mr. Gotwalt has a fine property, well improved. He was married in December, 1819, to Miss Susanna Rupp, of York County. By this union thirteen children were born, of whom the following are living: George F., Samuel, Daniel, David R., Benjamin, John J., Mary and Susanna, all married. Nr. Gotwalt has been a member of the Lutheran Church, of York (Rev. Dr. Lockman's), over sixty-eight years, and has been elder for six years.

HENRY F. W. GROTHE is a native of Ger- many, born April 27, 1829. His parents were also natives of Germany, where his father followed the tailor trade all his life. At the age of twenty-five years our subject immigrated to America, landing in the fall of 1855, and immediately locating in York County, Penn. In 1858 he began the business of lime-burning, and in 1859 added to it brick-mak- ing. In this business Mr. Grothe has continued up to the present time, and has established an exten- sive trade. His brick-yard, kilns aud residence are located on the plank road, upon the limits of York Borough. In February, 1855, he was married to Miss Willmana Hitecomp, a native of Germany. They have nine children, six living: Charles H.,

Anna M., Louisa W., Henry F. W., Frank H. and Anna M. L. Mr. and Mrs. Grothe are members of the St. John's Lutheran Church of York, Penn. Mr. Grothe has served for nine years as trustee of his church.

HENRY S. HEINDLE was born in Spring_Gar- den Township, April 2, 1849. His parents, Peter and Leah (Spangler) Heindle, are also natives of York County, Penn., and descendants of an old family. Henry learned the blacksmith's trade with his brother, Edward, and has since followed that occupation. He began business for himself at Stoney Brook, Penn., subsequently purchasing the shop there, where he has remained and established a good business. He has devoted his entire time and attention to his trade, and is a skillful and effi- cient mechanic. Mr. Heindle was married in 1879 to Miss Susan, daughter of George and Susan Mil- ler, of York County, Penn. They have five chil- dren: Emma J., Harvey H., Verley V., Gertie S. and Leah R. Mrs. Heindle is a member of the Lutheran Church.

JOHN S. HIESTAND was born in Spring Gar- den Township, in May, 1837. His parents, John and Elizabeth (Sultzbaugh) Hiestand, were also na- tives of York County, Penn. Subject was reared on the farm, attended the common schools and sup- plemented his education by a regular course at the York Academy. Mr. Hiestand has always followed farming, and is the owner of part of the old home- stead farm in Spring Garden Township, two and a half miles from York on the pike. This farm is in a high state of cultivation, with an elegant resid- ence, and fine barns and out-buildings. He has served in various offices of public trust; he was re- gister of wills three years, and director upon the school board fifteen years. He is a member of the order of Heptasophs. Mr. Hiestand, in November, 1857, was married to Miss Annie M., daughter of Philip and Mary (Gish) Oldweiler. This union has been blessed with two children: Thomas B. G. and Katie. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch, Abraham Hiestand, came to York County in the year 1792, and first settled where Spring Grove now is. Then moved to the old homestead, the place now known as Hiestand's, in Spring Garden Town- ship. He had married Miss Fitz, from near Wrightsville, when he first came to this county. They had eight children. He lived to the age of eighty-eight years, seeing many great-grandchil- dren before he died, in the year 1859. The Hie- stands are of Swiss extraction, the ancestor here having come over in 1727. [See II Col. Rec. or Rupp's History of Lancaster County. ]

SAMUEL HIVELY was born August 12, 1817, a son of George and Anna M. (Roth) Hively, both natives of Spring Garden Township. The grand- father of our subject, Christopher Hively, emigrat- ed from York County, Penn., to Ohio, where he . settled. He had seven children. George Hively re- turned from Ohio in 1813, and located in Spring Garden Township. He had three children: Samuel, John and Susanna (deceased). Samuel Hively, our subject, has now retired from active labors, but still retains two valuable farms, one consisting of 125 acres, operated by his son William, and one of 123 acres, farmed by his son Enos. His land is well tilled and supplied with all modern improvements. Mr. Hively has served his township and county in public offices of trust. He was director of the poor three years, and assessor and collector of taxes. He was married, in January, 1839, to Miss Sarah Miller, daughter of Christian and Elizabeth Miller, of Spring Garden Township. This union has been blessed with four children: George S., William C., Enos F. and Sarah J. Miller (deceased). The fami- ly are members of the Lutheran Church.

GEORGE HYDE was born January 15, 1838,

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and is a son of Joshua and Lucinda (Weyer) Hyde, natives of Spring Garden Township. ITis grand- father, George Hyde, was a native of Lancaster County, Penn., and had seven children: Henry, Samuel, Jacob, Joshua, George, Nancy and John. Joshua Hyde, subject's father, had born to him the following children: Margaret, Lizzie. Sarah, Matil- da, George and Daniel. George Hyde, our subject, was married in November, 1862, to Sarah A.Dorsch, daughter of George Dorsch, of West Manchester Township. They have had three children: Sallie A., George J. and Lucy (deceased). He has a farm of 162 acres, well improved, with two fine dwell- ings and two bank barns. He was drafted in 1863, and paid commutation. He was formerly a mem- ber of the Grangers. His family are members of the Reformed Church.

WILLIAM ILGENFRITZ, son of Martin and Margaret (Stauffer) Ilgenfritz, of Manchester Town- ship, was born in Conewago Township, November 14, 1842. He is the fourth in a family of seven children. September 11, 1861, Mr. Ilgenfritz en- listed in Company E, Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was engaged in the battles that his regiment was in: the skirmishes at Fisher's Hill, April 28, 1863; Newtown, Va., June 12, 1863; Win- chester, June 13; Carter's Woods, June 15; Locust Grove, November 27; also at Coal Harbor, Peters- burgh and Bermuda Hundred; on the 6th of July, 1864, he came to the Shenandoah Valley; 9th of July, was in the battle of Monocacy; at the battle of Opequan, September 19, 1864; battle of Fisher's Hill, and at Cedar Creek, October 19, and was honorably discharged at Chester Hospital, Penn. February 11, 1869, Mr. Ilgenfritz married Eliza Boyer, daughter of Jonas and Huldah (Kline) Boyer, of Newberry Township. Seven children have blessed this marriage: Annie, Katie (deceased), Ellen, Martha, Elmer, Nettie and Harry. Mr. Ilgenfritz is a member of Post 37, G. A. R. of York, Penn. He has charge of the first toll gate on the Baltimore pike.

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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 203

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