BIO: H. J. Gresly, M.D., York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Abby Bowman

Copyright 2004.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/york/
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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, historical editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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Part II, Biographical Sketches, York Borough, Pg 20

H. J. GRESLY, green-grocer and provision dealer, was born in York in 1834, son 
of Andrew and Rosanna (Schrum) Gresly, and is of German origin.  He is the 
eldest in a family of eight children.  His father was born in Baden, Germany, in 
1801, and his mother in Wurtemburg, in 1803.  The Gresly family came to America 
in 1832, and settled in western Pennsylvania for a time and subsequently came to 
York County.  By occupation the father of Mr. Gresly was a butcher.  He died in 
York in 1882.  The mother died in 1853.  The subject of this biography was 
reared in York, and here he attended the common schools.  He learned the 
butcher's trade with his father.  In 1853 he entered the United States Navy and 
for three years and four months was on the United States Frigate "Savannah," on 
the coast of Brazil.  In 1856 he came to America and in 1857 went to Decorah, 
Iowa, and there engaged in the butchering business, and there remained until 
1859, when he returned to York.  In 1862 he again joined the United States Navy, 
and was on the United States steamship "New Ironsides."  Serving fourteen months 
he returned to York and engaged in his present business, which he has since 
continued.  He has also been, and is engaged in the cattle business.  The 
marriage of Mr. Gresly was solemnized in 1857, to Miss Anna M. Jamison, of York, 
Penn.  To this union were born four children, as follows:  David A., Bertha L., 
Nellie G. And R. J.  Mrs. Gresly died in 1874, and in 1880 Mr. Gresly was 
married to Miss Mary H. Snyder, of Hanover, Penn.  Politically Mr. Gresly is a 
Republican.  In 1879 he was elected chief burgess of York and re-elected in 
1882.  He is the only Republican elected to this office in York since 1862.  He 
is a member of the G. A. R., and of the Lutheran Church.  He is a successful and 
leading citizen.  Mr. Gresly had a brother killed in the Mountain Meadow 
massacre in Utah, in 1857, and another brother died in the famous prison at 
Andersonville in 1864.