GEORGE W. HOLTZINGER.
Republican county commissioner, elected in 1905, a leading citizen
of Windsor Township, was born July 02, 1847, on a small farm now owned By M.B. Spahr, of York. Mr. Holtzinger
comes of a family long identified with York county, being a grandson of John and Barbara (Wolf) Holtzinger, who were of
German extraction, but natives of Pennsylvania. John Holtzinger was a shoemaker by trade, and followed that calling principally
during his active years, living in the neighborhood of Stonybrook, a short distance east of York, where he died about 1844.
Of his large family of children, we have the names of John, George, Jacob, Daniel, Benjamin, Nancy, Catherine, Elizabeth, Susan,
and Mary. George Holtzinger, father of George W. , was born in York county, and recieved his education in the subscription
schools in vouge her during his boyhood. He learned shoemaking from his father, and worked at that trade, and also aquired
a knowlege of lime burning, at which he was engaged for about five years. Turning his attention to agricultural pursuits,
he devoted his energies to same during the remainder of his active years. He had purchased the farm in windsor township
now owned by M.B. Spahr, and later selling that place and bought the one in the same township now owned by M.P. Smith. Here
he passed his remaining years, and died at the age of 64. He was a member of the Winebrennerian church, Mr. Holtzinger
married (first) Elizabeth Heindel, by whom he had six children namely; Lydia, Catherine, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Mary, and
Susan. The mother of these was a member of the Reformed Church. After her death Mr. Holtzinger married Susannah Stauffer,
a native of York county, who died in 1879, at the age of 60 years. She was a Mennonite in religious faith. To this union
were born four children: George W. , David S., John, and Sarah, of whom the last died in infancy. George W. Holtzinger
obtained his education in the public schools of his native township and at select school. When he reached the age of 19
he received a certificate and engaged in teaching for a period of three years. In the meantime he learned the carpenters trade,
following that occupation during the summer months. He engaged in the cigar manufacturing business where the villiage of
Holtz is now situated, at that place and at branch cigar factories employing about 40 workmen. He continued in this business
until 1902, meantime aquiring other interests in the locality. About 1895 he embarked in the mechantile business at
the old Sechrist stand in Holtz, carring on the store successfully for years. During the harrison administration a post
office was established at Holtz, and Mr. Holtzinger served 4 years as Postmaster, having the office in his store. Since
1902, he abandoned the manufacture of cigars, Mr. Holtzinger has given his attention to farming, to his duties as Secretery
of the Western and Mutual Fire Insurance Company of York County, and to selling commercial fertilizers. He owns the homestead
farm of 24 acres, and the Sechrist property containing 36 acres, and what was the Slenker farm of 136 acres. These farms
are cutivated by his sons, John, Henry, and David. His other son, Moses conducts the merchandizing business at Holtz. Mr.
Holtzinger became a director of the Drovers and Mechanics National Bank at York on its organization, in 1882, and has
continued as such ever since. The Red Lion Canning Company, of which he is president, was organized in 1905. He has taken
an active interest in public affairs, advocating the polocies and principles of the republican party. He served three years
as jury commissioner, to which office he was elected in 1876, and in 1905 he was nominated and elected one of the commissioners
of York county. He entered upon the duties of that responible position in January, 1906, for which his many years of successful
business experience have thoroughly fitted him. In 1869 Mr. Holtzinger was married to Anna Elizabeth Keller, daughter
of John and Eliza Keller, represenative farming people of Lower Windsor township, and 14 children were born to this
union, five of whom died in infancy, and 8 survive: Emma, who became wife to H.A. Kinard, having died in 1903, leaving
3 children, Carrie, Norman, and Paul. The survivors are: John C., who married Ellen Paules, and has 3 children, Carrie,
Mabel, and Charles D.; Henry, who operates a gristmill and feedmill run by water power, who married Annie Slenker
and has one child Grace Irene, who is now (1905) twenty years old, five feet five inches tall, and weighs 142 pounds; Moses,
who married Mary E. Smith, and has one child Thomas; David, who married Cora Sechrist, and has one child, Stewart; Mary M.,
who married Irvin Paules, and has 2 children, Sterling and Orie; and Cora, George Ivan, and Elsie, who are unmarried. Mr.
And Mrs. Holtzinger are members of the Lutheran church.
Holtz the villiage in Windsor township is named in honor
of George Washington Holtzinger.
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