BIO: Henry Seifert, York County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/york/ _______________________________________________ History of York County, Pennsylvania. John Gibson, Historical Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886. _______________________________________________ Part II, Biographical Sketches, Franklin Township, Pg 107 REV. HENRY SEIFERT, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, of Franklintown, was born in York County August 21, 1822, and is a son of Michael and Polly (Leimbauch) Seifert, who were descended from old families of York County. The father was a farmer of Dover Township, where he resided nearly all his life. He died April 29, 1864, and the mother died September 21, 1850. He was a Lutheran; and the mother a Reformed. Rev. Henry Seifert was brought up on his father’s farm until he was seventeen years of age, attending the common schools. He then, for eleven years, worked at the trade of coverlet weaving and dyeing, afterward attending the Pennsylvania College and Seminary at Gettysburg for four and one-half years. In 1855 he went to Bedford County, where he entered the Lutheran ministry, preaching there for four years and a half. He then went to Monroe County, where he was pastor of the Hamilton charge for nine years. Returning to his native county he took a charge at Rossville for two years; then in Centre County for two years; thence to Somerset County, where he had charge three years. In 1876 he returned to York County and assumed the charge of Clear Spring around Franklintown, where he has ever since been preaching. He has charge of four congregations, two in Adams County and two in York County. At one time he had charge of nine congregations, whom he faithfully served. He is now building a church in Franklintown. He was married December 25, 1843, to Harriet Meisenhelter, daughter of John and Mary (Klinefelter) Meisenhelter, of York County. They have seven children: Clara E., Martin L., David I., Mary J., Ellennora M., John M. and Charles H.