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 204

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 204

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BENJAMIN KISSINGER is engaged exten- sively in brick-making in Spring Garden Township, adjoining the limits of York Borough. He is a de- scendant of two old families of the county. The Kissingers began the manufacture of brick in York County, over 100 years ago, the business being started by the grandfather and subsequently con- tinued by the father of our subject. They were among the first to engage in this business in the county, and were residents of Spring Garden Township, where Benjamin was born in 1832. He is a son of William and Rosanna (Swartz) Kissinger, who were natives of this township. At the age of fourteen, Benjamin began learning the brick-mak- ing business, and has devoted his time and energies to that occupation up to the present time. He operates from ten to fifteen men during the season, has superior resources and produces goods second to none. Mr. Kissinger is also successfully engaged in the coal business under the firm name of Kissinger & Keller. April 15, 1853, he married Miss Caroline Adams. By this union eight children have been born: Louisa, Belle, Emma J., John F., Savilla, Howard A., Stewart H. and Carrie S. Mr. and Mrs. Kissinger are members of Christs' Lutheran Church, of which he is an elder. Mr. Kissinger is a member of the order of Red Men, No. 37 of York County.

FREDERICK KLEFFMAN is a native of Ger- many, born March 29, 1833. His parents, Christian and Mary Kleffman, were also natives of Germany. His father followed the trade of carpenter. When nineteen years of age, Frederick immigrated to America in 1852, and for four years was variously employed. By industry and economy he saved $300, with which he embarked in his present busi-

ness-brick-making and lime-burning. By close application to business he has succeeded in building up an independent trade. His works are situated in East York. In the fall of 1856 he was married to Miss Charlotte, daughter of William H. Hite- comp. This marriage has been blessed with eight children-five now living: Frederick, Mary, Emma, Lizzie and Nettie. Mr. and Mr. Kleffman are mem- hers of St. John's Reformed Church. He served as one of the trustees of that denomination over two years.

GOTTLIEB KLEFMANN is a native of Ger- many, born December 12, 1835, and is the son of Christian and Mary (Stallman) Klefmann. He worked upon a farm in his native country until he was eighteen years of age, when he immigrated to America and came to York County, where he en- gaged in lime-burning, farming, etc., until 1870, when he began the brick-making business. Mr Klefmann has succeeded in establishing a large and lucrative business. His brick-yard is situated just outside of York Borough. April 7, 1859, he was married to Miss Louisa Spangler, daughter of Har- mon Spangler. Her parents were natives of Ger- many. Mr. and Mrs. K. have had nine children- two now living: John E. and Edward H. They are members of the United Brethren Church.

JOHN LEFEVER was born in November, 1819, upon the old homestead farm, in Spring Gar- den Township. This farm was purchased by his grandfather Jacob. Upon this farm our subject has resided since his birth, with the exception of fourteen years that he spent upon the old Daniel Loucks' farm, in Spring Garden Township. The house upon the old homestead farm, where he now resides, is about one hundred and seven years old. Mr. Lefever was married, in 1843, to Miss Catherine Rhinehart, daughter of John Rhinehart, of York County, Penn. Nine children have blessed this union: Phares, Lizzie, Susan, John, William, George, Daniel, Agnes and Kate. Mr. Lefever has been for many years an active member of the Ger- man Reformed Church.

PETER LINT is a representative of two old families, who were among the earliest settlers of York County. His grandfather, Peter Lint, came from one of the Carolinas to York County, Penn., at an early day, and settled in West Manchester Township, where the father of our subject, Peter Lint, was a farmer, and resided until his death. Our subject is the eldest of a family of three chil- dren, and was horn in 1826. He was reared a farmer, and to farming together with fruit culture he has devoted the energies of his life. In 1850 he became a resident of Spring Garden Township, where he has lived ever since. Mr. Lint is the possessor of 140 acres of finely improved land, and devotes much care and attention to fruit culture with gratifying results. In 1852 he married Miss Leah Eyster, of Paradise Township, whose parents were old settlers of the county. She died in 1864. Five children were born to them: Peter F., George E. and Christopher C. (now in the West). Jennie E. and Christianna E. Mr. Lint is a member of Mt. Zion Lutheran Church.

ALBERT LOUCKS was born October 31, 1850, in Frystown, Penn. His father, Daniel Loucks, de- ceased) was born in Berks County, Penn., and came. with his parents to York County when nine years old, where he became a successful farmer and re- sided until he died. He was twice married: first in 1824, to Miss Margaret Diehl, daughter of Nicholas Diehl, of York County. Four children blessed this union: Elizabeth, Anna M., Susan and Rebecca. His second marriage was, October 20, 1837, to Miss Elizabeth Diehl, a daughter of Jacob Diehl. By this union, seven children were born: Sarah, George, Amanda, William H., Alexander N., Eliza

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SPRING GARDEN TOWNSHIP.

A. and Albert. Our subject has retired from farm- ing and is a resident of Frystown. He owns a good farm of 105 acres, in the township, which is tilled by a tenant. Mr .; Loucks was married, Octo- ber 16, 1877, to Miss Anna J. Miller, a daughter of Jacob Miller, of Shrewsbury. They have had four children: Arthur C., Albert D., Edwin M. and Clair M. Mr. Loucks' religious faith is the Trinity Reformed.

REUBEN F. MINNICH. youngest son of Simon and Lena (Geiskman) Minnich, was born in April, 1824, at the homestead in Spring Garden Township, which homestead has been in the pos- session of the Minnich family over 135 years. The children born to the parents of our subject were: George (deceased), Henrietta (deceased), Simon (de- ceased), Lena, Susan and Reuben F. Our subject was reared to farm life on the home farm, which was purchased by his grandfather about 1750, from Michael Kurtz. The old stone house on the place was built in 1722, by Michael Kurtz. November 25, 1851, Mr. Minnich married Elizabeth, daughter of Zacharias Spangler, of Jackson Township, and to this union were born the following children: Edwin, Emma J., Agnes (deceased), Leander, Ezra, Priscilla (deceased), Simon (deceased), and Flora B. and Rosella (twins). Mr. Minnich is owner of three good farms, and is a prosperous agriculturist.

JOHN MYERS was born March 18, 1807, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Cookes) Myers, the former a native of Lancaster County, the latter of York County, Penn. Jacob Myers died at the age of sixty-six years. He had two children, Rebecca and John. Our subject has always followed farming, but now has retired from active life. The home- stead where he resides comprises 125 acres of land, well improved. He also owns a farm of eighty-five acres in York Township, and one of 105 acres in Spring Garden Township, both well improved. His farms are worked by tenants. Mr. Myers was mar- ried, September 6, 1826, to Miss Leah Laucks, daughter of Casper Laucks, and by this union they had seven children. Mr. Myers lost his wife and four children withiu three months, his wife dying in 1862. He is a member of the Lutheran Church.

JAMES PEELING was born in this county, May 1, 1820. His grandfather emigrated from Ireland to America before the Revolutionary war, in which he served seven years, during which time he was once taken prisoner by the Hessians, but soon after ex- changed. He died, aged eighty-six years, leaving seven children: James, John, Robert, Mary, Betsey, lasac and Thomas. The parents of our subject were James and Ellen (Parker) Peeling, both natives of Lancaster County, Penn. They had thirteen chil- dren, nine of whom are living, and all natives of York County, Penn .: John, Eliza, James, Mary, Harriet, Josiah, Rebecca, Lucinda and Joshua. James Peeling, our subject, who owns a farm of 188 acres located in West Manchester and Conewago Town- ships, which is under good cultivation and finely improved with buildings, also a well-improved farm of eighty-five acres in York Township, and he re- sides upon the homestead in Spring Garden Town- ship. He has his land tenanted, but exercises gen- eral supervision. He was elected sheriff of York in 1877, and served until 1880. While a resident of York Township he filled several minor offices. In 1840 Mr. Peeling was married to Miss Mary Inerst, of York Township. They have had eight children, seven of whom are now living: Sarah Krebs, Eliza McDowell, Ellen Cameron, Isabella Egie, Mary Garrity, James (married to Jane Dick) and Rebecca. Upon the death of his first wife, Mr. Peeling mar- ried Miss Dorcas A. Leib, in 1863. Of their chil- dren, seven are now living: Lucinda, Joshua, Alpharetta, Ida, Martha, Horace and Henry L.

ABRAHAM PFEIFFER (deceased) was a na-

tive of Bavaria, Germany, and came to this country in 1853. After a year's residence in Baltimore he came to York, lived in Queen Street, and then re- moved to the home where his widow now resides on the Baltimore pike. Mr. Pfeiffer married Elizabeth, daughter of Michael and Sarah (Rost) Ruppecht, of Bavaria. Three children were born to them: Charles A., John F. and William H. Mr. Pfeiffer engaged in the brewing business, and built his brewery in 1860, selling to York and surrounding towns. He died about two years ago. His widow is still carrying on the business. John F. learned his trade of carpenter with Jacob Sechrist, of York. Having served his time he still works for Mr. Sechrist. Charles A. learned his trade, machinist, with George F. Baugher, and is still in the employ of Baugher, Kurtz & Stewart, successors to George F. Baugher. The youngest brother, William H., has divided his time between attending school in this township and assisting his mother in the busi- ness at home. Mrs. Pfeiffer has good reason to be proud of her sons, as they are steady, industrious young men.

ISAAC RUNK was born December 3, 1829, and is a son of John and Lydia Runk. He embarked in business at Frystown, in 1354, and has continued there up to the present time. He carries a well selected line of dry goods and groceries, and has established a good business. Mr. Runk is one of the prominent citizens of the township, and is the present auditor. He is a member of the Spring Garden Relief Association. In January, 1855, he married Miss Eliza Fry, daughter of George and Mary (Spangler) Fry. By this union there were born five children: Emma F., deceased, Adda L., Mary A., Irena A. and Cora A.

CHARLES G. SCHASZBERGER was born June 22, 1818, and is the son of John Frederick and Mary C. (Gross) Schaszberger. Mr. Schaszberger is by trade a wheelwright, and a resident of East York. He owns a tract of six acres of fine land in Spring Garden Township, and three fine dwelling houses at Frystown. He has served as school director several years. He was married, September 10, 1840, to Miss Ruth A. Armour, of Carlisle, Penn. They have been blessed with seven children, four of whom are living: Edward F., who married Amanda Myers; Louisa A., wife of Francis W. Armor; Levena S., and Katie S., wife of Russell Hollebaugh. The family are of the Lutheran Church.

GEORGE W. SCHEFFER is a native of Spring Garden Township, born at Frystown, March 4, 1843. He learned the milling business when young, and followed it in York County for fifteen years. He next engaged in the dry goods and grocery business at Frystown, where he is at present located. Mr. Sheffer was appointed postmaster at Frystown, July 1, 1882, which office is known at present as East York. He has always been prominent in re- ligious and local affairs, and has been warden of the St. Mark's Lutheran Church, of which he is a mem- ber. He is at present president of the Spring Gar- den Relief Association, and a trustee of the Good- will Fire Company, of East York. September 7, 1862, he married Miss Anna Wallick, of York County.

URIAH S. SHAEFFER, youngest of five chil- dren of John and Christianna (Leibenstein) Shaeffer, was born September 10, 1824, in York Township. He went to his trade (miller) in 1843, at the mill now owned by Frank Deitz, on the Baltimore pike, about four miles from York. August 29, 1852, he married Margaret C. Shank, daughter of John and Mary (Busser) Shank, of Spring Garden Township. This marriage was blessed with five children: Mary Ann, Barbara E., John C. (deceased), William Henry and George Latimer. Mr. Shaeffer was in the employ of P. A. & S. Small, for twenty-seven years,

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHIES.

twenty-six years at the Spring Garden Mill. Mr, Shaeffer's grandfather, John Jacob Shaeffer, was born December 22, 1761. January 4, 1785, married Dorathy Walter. She was born September 20, 1761. Their son (subject's father) John Shaeffer, was born July 13, 1786, and died October 2, 1835, aged forty- nine years, two months, nine days. His wife, Christianna Shaeffer, was born in York Township, September 1, 1790, and died August 1, 1880, aged eighty-nine years and eleven months.

JACOB B. SHANK, son of John and Mary A. (Buser) Shank, was born in Spring Garden- Town- ship, June 3, 1832. He learned his trade (miller) at Philip Shaeffer's, Glen Rock. He then went to Loucks' in 1856, and has been at this mill ever since, having charge of it for P. A. & S. Small. Decem- ber 4, 1859, Mr. Shank married Mary A. Landis, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Klinefelter) Landis. Two children were born to them: Agnes A. and Henry J. (deceased). Our subject's grand- father was George Shank. His grandmother was Margaret Brown. Mr. Shank says his great-grand- mother cooked for the soldiers in the war of the Revolution during their stay in York, and that his great-grandfather was a soldier in that war. Mr. Shank is a member of the Moravian Church.

WILLIAM H. SHEFFER, is a son of Uriah S. Sheffer, of York County, Penn., and was born April 5, 1858, in Spring Garden Township. His father was a miller by trade, and our subject learned the busi- ness under his instruction. William H. assisted his father in conducting the Spring Garden Mills for several years, and assumed the management of P. A. & S. Small's mill in Spring Garden Township, in 1884. He thoroughly understands his business, and is doing a large amount of work. Mr. Sheffer was married, March 4, 1884, to Miss Mary Stacks, daughter of Abraham Stacks, of York County. March 29, 1885, Mr. Sheffer's name was entered on the record of the Moravian Church of York, Rev. E. W. Shields, pastor.

SAMUEL D. SHELLENBERGER, was born March 30, 1832, a son of Michael and Lydia (Strick- ler) Shellenberger. His great-grandfather emigrated from Germany and settled in Berks County, Penn. There the grandfather of our subject was born. He subsequently settled in Hellam Township, and was the father of sixteen children. Samuel D. is the seventh of a family of eleven children: John (de- ceased), Michael, Elizabeth, John. Jacob, Lydia S., Samuel D., Ulrich, Benjamin S., David and Sarah. He was married to Miss Sarah J. Gallatin, January 18, 1857; she is the daughter of Albert Gallatin, of York Township. This union has been blessed with eight children: Laura J. Snyder, Samuel D. Jr., Rob- ert L., Jacob M., John A., James B., Joseph and Sarah L. (deceased). Mr Shellenberger first followed the tinner's trade, but is now manufacturing cigars. He has a fine residence, located in the village of Green Hill, where he has ten acres of land, upon which he has erected fifteen fine dwellings. The family are members of the Evangelical Church.

HENRY SLEEGER was born in York, Penn., December, 6, 1824. In 1844 he was apprenticed to the cabinet-maker's trade, with Samuel Fabs, and after serving three years, and becoming a skilled mechanic, engaged in business for himself, estab- lishing a cabinet shop at Frystown, in 1848. This, together with, the undertaking business, Mr. Slee- ger has continued up to the present time, having succeeded in establishing a successful business. Mr. Sleeger has taken an active part in all township affairs, has served as school director of Spring Gar- den, for six years, and is a member of the Township Relief Association. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and of the Christ's Lutheran Church. Mr. Sleeger was married in December, 1852, to Miss Anna Myers, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth

Myers, of York. They have had ten children, two of whom are dead, and four boys and four girls are living.

JOSEPH SLENKER was born February 4, 1830, and is a son of Joseph and Catherine (Tschorp) Slenker, natives of York County, Penn. His grand- parents, Martin and .Franey (Leahmy) Slenker, were natives of Windsor Township, and parents of four children, the father of our subject being the only son. Joseph, our subject, is the second child in a family of six boys and two girls, all of whom are natives of Windsor Township; Lydia, Joseph, Martin, Henry, John, Rebecca, Jacob and Isaac. Joseph followed farming nineteen years, and worked at the carpenter trade about the same length of time. He is now engaged in theice business. He has served in various township offices. Mr. Slenker was twice married; his first marriage was in October, 1853. to Miss Caroline Seachrist, a daughter of Henry Sea- christ, of York Township. She died February 6, 1880. They have had fifteen children, of whom eleven are living: Emeline Keesey, Benjamin F., Reuben H., Rebecca J. Richcreek, Moses, Lydia A. Seitz, Anna M. Sweitzer, David, Ida E., John W., Charles A. October 9, 1882, Mr. Slenker was married to his second wife, Miss Carrie Erving, daughter of Henry Erving, of Conewago Township, York County, Penn.

HENRY SMYSER is a native of York County, Penn., born in 1812, and is a son of Michael and Mary (Wolf) Smyser, natives of York County, Penn. His father was a farmer and tavern-keeper. Henry was reared on a farm, and, in 1845, came to Spring Garden Township, locating on the farm where he now resides. The homestead contains 170 acres, finely located on the banks of the Codorus, and he also owns 200 acres in Manchester Township, and another farm of 100 acres in Spring Garden Town- ship. Mr. Smyser hasretired from active life, and his sons now manage his farms. An iron mine, which has produced a large amount of ore, was opened on the old farm, and is operated by P. A. & S. Small. Mr. Smyser was married, in 1844, to Miss Mary Emig, native of York County, Penn. By this union they have been blessed with five children: Michael, now working the farm in Manchester Town- ship; Horace, now working the home farm: Alex- ander, in Kansas; Jacob, deceased, and Amanda Flora, living in Lancaster County, Penn. Mr. Smyser is a member of the Lutheran Church, and his wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

FREDERICK Z. STAUFFER was born April 24, 1857. His father, Rev. Frederick Stauffer, was a minister in the Menuonite Church, and bishop of the diocese of York County, Penn. He was a resi- dent of Windsor Township at the time of his death. Our subject was a school teacher from 1876 to 1882. when he assumed the management of the Plank Road Mills, two miles east of York, which he is still successfully conducting. Mr. Stauffer was married to Miss Mollie M. Dosch, daughter of John C. and Charlotte Dosch, old settlers of York County. To this union have been born two children: Guy Carlton and Blanche Estella.

WILLIAM A. TOMES was born July 7, 1829, son of Peter and Sarah (Keesey) Tomes, who were the parents of eight children: John, William A., Peter, Margaret, Mary, Sarah, Marcellus and Ara- bella. His grandfather emigrated from Germany and settled at Cornwall Furnace, afterward moving to Colebrook Furnace, Penn. He had six children: Peter, William, John, Elizabeth, Charlotte and Henrietta. Mr. Tomes is superintendent of the York Variety Iron Works. This establishment is the most widely known of its kind in this country, and sends its productions to mauy foreign countries, as well as throughout America. This house' supplied the ornamental work for the great New York and

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WARRINGTON TOWNSHIP.

Brooklyn Bridge, and the Market Street Bridge, Philadelphia, besides many other important struct- ures throughout the country. They make a spe- cialty of statuary. Mr. Tomes was married, Novem- ber 20, 1851, to Miss Mary A. Cook, daughter of Frederick B. and Harriet C. Cook. By this union they have been blessed with ten children: Charles C., Henry A., Francis, Camelia, Edward, Peter, Albert, William, Clara and Mary E. He was drafted in 1863, but procured a substitute for $300. He has a fine three-story brick house and a lot in East York, Penn.

JACOB WEIDMAN was born September 2, 1830. The ancestry of Mr. Weidman can be traced back to Martin Weidman, who emigrated from Germany to America in 1733. He received a patent from William Penn for 385 acres of land in Lan- caster County, where he was one of the pioneer settlers. He had two sons, Christopher and Jacob. and one daughter. Jacob was married to Barbara Hoover, and bore him ten children: George, Chris- topher, Martin, John, Jacob, Samuel, Peter, Cather- ine Sees, Elizabeth Yundt, Susanna Elser, and Barbara Zeigler. His great-grandfather, Elias Myers, on mother's side, came from Lancaster County, Penn., about 1770, and purchased 400 acres of land, principally woodland, in what was then Hellam, now Spring Garden Township. Subject's grandfather, John Weidman, was born and died in Lancaster County, Penn. The father, Michael Weid- man, was a native of Lancaster County. He mar- ried Miss Rebecca Myers, daughter of Jacob Myers, and settled in Spring Garden Township in 1829, upon the same tract of land now owned by subject. Their union was blessed by two children: Jacob and Mary E., now the wife of John F. Hiestand of Spring Garden. The father died in January, 1880, aged eighty years. The mother died in April, 1878, aged seventy-three years. Jacob Weidman has always resided in Spring Garden Township, following farming. He has a fine farm of 100 acres about three miles east of York, highly improved. He was married, February 18, 1858, to Miss Mar- garet Heilman, of West Manchester Township. They have nine children living: Mahala Gross, Isabella Kinard, Eva E., Emma M., Michael, Ida J., George, Harry A. and John J. The family are members of the Lutheran Church.

PHILIP WILLIAMS is a son of Philip and Elizabeth (Crone) Williams, natives respectively of Hellam and Manchester Townships, York County. His father was a cooper, shoe-maker, and farmer, and died in 1877, aged eighty-nine years. Onr subject was born November 27, 1816, and for forty-four years has been following agricultural pursuits. He is the owner of two excellent farms, one situated in Hellam Township, consisting of 131 acres, and one of thirty-five acres in Spring Garden Township. He also owns a tract of land, consisting of ten acres in Pleasureville. He was married, January 9, 1840, to Miss Magdalen Smyser, daughter of Chris- tian Smyser, of Manchester Township. Mrs. Will- iams was born August 1, 1814. The have had five children: Anna M. and Susan (deceased), George H., Clara A. and Leah A.

DAVID WITMER, pastor of the Witmer Church, of Spring Garden Township, is a native of Spring Garden, and was born December 16, 1811. He is the son of David and Magdalena Witmer, natives of Lancaster County, Penn. His father was for many years a minister of the Mennonite denomina- tion. The Witmer Church, built in 1816, of which our subject is the present pastor, was named after him. Onr subject followed farming on the old homestead until fifty years of age, when he entered the ministry. Mr. Witmer was married, January 29, 1837, to Miss Anna, daughter of John and Esther Koffman, of Lancaster County, Penn. This

union has been blessed with two children: Magda- lena and Susan. Mr. Witmer is an earnest and zealous pastor.

JESSE WORKINGER, sheriff of York County, was born October 15, 1820. His parents, Peter and Sarah (Schall) Workinger, of Manheim Township, had seven children: John, Margaret, David, Eliza- beth, Jesse, William and Jacob. Mr. Workinger was reared upon a farm, and has been prominently engaged at this calling until his election as sheriff. He owns a farm of 135 acres of improved land in Chanceford Township, and sixteen acres, upon which there is a hotel and other extensive build- ings, located in York Township. Mr. Workinger has always taken an active interest in all the interests of the county, and has been honored with positions of public trust. He was elected a com- missioner of the county in 1856, and served three years. He was elected to the sheriffality in 1883, and is now serving a three years' term. Mr. Work- inger was married, November 22, 1842, to Miss Mary E. Warner, a daughter of Samnel and Catha- rine Warner, of Chanceford Township. They are parents of four children; Samuel. Jacob G., Sarah C. Trout and Barbara A. Hovis. Mr. Workinger was united to his present wife March 9, 1872. Her maiden name was Miss Magdaline Glatfelter, daughter of Casper and Elizabeth Glatfelter, of Hellam Township. The 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 204

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