BIO:  J. Matthias Smyser, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2006.  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, West Manchester Township, Pg 200

J. MATTHIAS SMYSER, son of David and Rebecca (Eyster) Smyser, was born March 18, 1845, in West 
Manchester Township, where he was reared on his father’s farm, and remained here until his 
twenty-sixth year.  He married Amanda Smyser, daughter of Adam and Eliza (Brillinger) Smyser, 
Spring Garden Township.  To this marriage were born seven children:  Nettie E., Annie R., 
Howard D., Matthias, Mary, Adam and Lucy E.  Mr. Smyser started in business as a member of the 
firm of Menges, Smyser & Co., of York, Penn.  He next began the milling business in West 
Manchester Township, at Smyser’s Mill; during this time he was one of the firm of Fahs, Smyser 
& Co., grain, coal and general commission merchants; he was in this firm for eight years.  He 
then removed to his present home, East Berlin, Adams County, where he is engaged in the banking 
business and is one of the managers of the Keystone Manufacturing Company, of East Berlin.  Our 
subject’s ancestors, the Eysters and Smysers, were the first settlers in West Manchester 
Township.