Biographies and Biographical Sketches of Prominent Families
York Borough, York County, Pennsylvania
Transcribed by Jeffrey Tooley
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Biographical Sketches of prominent families from the York Borough, York County, Pennsylvania extracted from the 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, John Gibson, Biographical Editor, Illustrated. Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
AHL, John, M. D., Biographical Sketch
JOHN AHL, M. D., is a native of York, born April 15,1823, son of Peter and Mary (Stroman) Ahl, the mother a daughter of ex-Sheriff Stroman of York County, and of German descent. The father was born in Virginia and is also of German descent. Peter Ahl, subject's grandfather, was a native of, Germany and came to America prior to the Revolutionary war, in which he was a surgeon. The father of our subject came to York when a young man, was a butcher, and died in 1874. Subject's mother died in 1875. Dr. Ahl was educated at the public schools and York County Academy. He began the study of medicine in 1843 under Dr. William Mcllvain, of York, also attended Washington University, of Maryland, and graduated in 1845. He located immediately in York, but in 1846 moved to Dover, and after a number of years returned to York. He was married November 6, 1853, to Mrs. Elizabeth A. Cone of Baltimore County, Md., daughter of Samuel Cone. Politically he is a Democrat and, was elected first coroner of York County about 1849, served two terms and was again elected in 1878, and again served two terms. Dr. Ahl is the oldest resi- dent physician now practicing in York. He has been a Mason thirty years. [History of York County Pennsylvania, John Gibson, Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886]
ALBRIGHT, Capt. John, Biographical Sketch
CAPT. JOHN ALBRIGHT was born in Baltimore, Md., in 1826, is a son of Christopher and Mary (Burk) Albright, and is of Hungarian origin. The father of Mr. Albright was born in Lancaster County, Penn.,and his mother in the same county. In early life his father came to York County, remained a short time and then removed to Baltimore, Md. When subject was ten years of age, he, with his parents, came to York County, and here he received a common school education. His father died in 1845, and his mother in 1876. At eighteen years of age, Mr. Albright began learning the cigar-maker's trade, and as a journeyman he labored for twenty years. In 1861 he enlisted in Company K, Second Pennsylvania Volunteers, for three months and was appointed orderly-sergeant; in August of the same year, he reenlisted in Company K, Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was commissioned first lieutenant, and as captain in October, 1861. He participated in the battles of Monocacy, Fisher's Hill and Winchester, at which last he was taken prisoner, and was an inmate of the famous Libby prison for eleven months, and a prisoner of war for twenty-one months and fifteen days. He was mustered out of the service in 1865. His marriage took place in 1845 to Miss Mary Ann Shell, a native of Wrightsville, York County, and daughter of Nancy Shell. To this union have been born three children, viz.: Arvilla, Alfred and Mary M. Mr. Albright is a member of the G. A. R. and is a Republican. Since 1867 he has been engaged in the cigar and tobacco business. [History of York County Pennsylvania, John Gibson, Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886]
ALLISON, Abraham K., Biographical Sketch
ABRAHAM K. ALLISON, baker and confectioner, was born in Codorus Township, November 7, 1829, to Adam and Magdalene (Kesler) Allison. In a family of twelve children, Mr. Allison is the eighth, and is of English-German origin. The paternal grandfather of our subject came to America some time in the last century, and settled in Codorus Township, York County, where he died. In this township the parents of Mr. Allison were born, his father in 1801, and his mother in 1797. They were members of the Lutheran Church for almost half a century. They were among the early settlers of Codorus 'Township. The father died in York in 1869, and the mother in the same place in 1874. The boyhood of Mr. Allison was spent on the farm, and there he remained until twentyfour years of age. In 1863 he came to York, and, in partnership with his father, engaged in the grocery business, which he continued until 1874, when he began the baking business, and this he yet successfully continues. He also learned the milling business, in which he was interested for about four years. He was married in 1860, to Miss Louisa Lau, a native of Jackson Township, and a daughter of John and Rebecca Lau. To this marriage were born twelve children, the following of whom are living: Laura K., John A., Jacob H., Mary V., Maggie E., Anna L., Hattie R. and George W. Mr. Allison is a Democrat, and has held offices of assessor and councilman--councilman when rebel Gen. Early took possession of York. He and his wife are prominent members of the Lutheran Church. [History of York County Pennsylvania, John Gibson, Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886]