BIO:  William Sechrist, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
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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, Hopewell Township, Pg 115

WILLIAM SECHRIST, son of John and Elizabeth (Grove) Sechrist, of York County, was 
born December 24, 1819.  At the age of seventeen years he was apprenticed to John 
Gemmill, in the manufacturing of woolen goods, and at the age of twenty-two years 
entered into partnership in that business with Benjamin Hank, who lived four 
miles from Wrightsville, in Windsor Township.  In 1850 he bought out John 
Gemmill, and in 1852 built a new factory, known as Keseling’s Mills, in Hopewell, 
and remained there until 1867, when he sold out to George Keseling, and then 
removed to his farm, where he now resides, having bought of Arthur I. Edie.  His 
farm contains 143 acres of well-improved land.  He was married, January 17, 1850, 
to Anna M. Becker, daughter of John Becker, late justice of the peace of York.  
They have three children living.