5. George Craley (1814-1877)

History and Biography of George Craley

George Craley, the third child and first son of Christian Craley and his second wife Elizabeth Wackerman, was born on April 19, 1814 in York County, PA.  He was baptized on June 19, 1814 at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church (then known as Stehli’s Church) in Chanceford Twp, York County, PA.  Most of the following information on George Craley was taken from the biography of his son Aaron Craley that is printed in the History of York County, Pennsylvania, Volume 2 by George Powell in 1907.

In 1836, construction began on the Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal, which ran from Wrightsville, PA to Havre de Grace, MD at the head of the Chesapeake Bay.  With construction workers needing a place to stay, George operated a hotel along the Susquehanna River at a village that would later be called New Bridgeville.  This little village no longer exists, and the area now known as New Bridgeville is to the southwest of where this village was located.  On the Shearer’s Map of York County, 1860 by W.O. Shearer below, you can see where New Bridgeville was previsouly located.  In looking at a map now, New Bridgeville was located where Old Bridgeville Road and Green Branch Road meet near the Susquehanna River in Chanceford Twp.

Section of Shearer’s Map of York County, 1860 by W.O. Shearer showing the location of New Bridgeville in 1860. The black line running through the red highlighted section on the map alongside the Susquehanna River is the location of the Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal.  A hotel was still in operation at this location in 1860, although it was no longer operated by George

George operated the hotel here until sometime around 1845, when he then moved to what is now known as the village of Craley, which is named after him.  When he first moved to this tract of land, he supposedly operated a hotel here as well.  Eventually he ceased operation of the hotel and later made a living from the 300 acres of farmland he owned, from which he sold timber and oak.

George was married three times.  His first wife’s maiden name is alleged to be Gable, but her first name is unknown and she and George did not have any children.  George then re-married, and this second wife, whose name is not known, died while giving birth to a daughter named Ann.  Ann would go on to marry Granville Leber.  Finally, George’s thrid wife was named Julia Ann Peters and together they had 5 children.  Their children, from oldest to youngest, are named Aaron, Caroline, Julia, Amos and Jeremiah.

George Craley born April 19, 1814 in York County, PA, baptized June 19, 1814 at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Chanceford Twp, York County, PA, died June 23, 1877 in Lower Windsor Twp, York County, PA and buried at Olewiler Cemetery in Lower Windsor Twp, York County, PA.  He married Julia Ann Peters born about 1813 in York County, PA, died about 1882 in York County, PA and buried at Olewiler Cemetery in Lower Windsor Twp, York County, PA.

Children and Grandchildren of George Craley and unknown wife:

  1. Ann Craley born about 1840 in York County, PA.  She married Granville Leber born November 17, 1844 in York County, PA, died 1924 in OH and buried at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Clark County, OH
    1. Elizabeth Leber born December 24, 1871 in York County, PA, died January 26, 1930 in York County, PA and buried at Fairview Cemetery in Wrightsville, York County, PA.  She married Luther McCauley born November 18, 1872 in York County, PA, died May 29, 1955 in York County, PA and buried at Fairview Cemetery in Wrightsville, York County, PA

Children and Grandchildren of George Craley and Julia Ann Peters:

  1. Aaron Craley born March 16, 1845 in Lower Windsor Twp, York County, PA, died January 21, 1927 in York County, PA and buried at Craley Cemetery in Lower Windsor Twp, York County, PA.  He married Mary Frnatz born June 7, 1883 in York County, PA, died January 11, 1958 in York County, PA and buried at Craley Cemetery in Lower Windsor Twp, York County, PA
    1. Aaron Craley born June 27, 1905 in York County, PA, died February 22, 1944 in York County, PA and buried at Craley Cemetery in Lower Windsor Twp, York County, PA.  He married Nervia Leiphart born March 2, 1903 in York County, PA, died September 7, 1993 in York County, PA and buried at Craley Cemetery in Lower Windsor Twp, York County, PA
    2. Moses Craley born December 15, 1906 in York County, PA, died April 1978 in York County, PA and buried at Craley Cemetery in Lower Windsor Twp, York County, PA.  He married Pauline Criswell born August 8, 1909 in York County, PA, died April 8, 1996 in Orange County, FL and buried at Craley Cemetery in Lower Windsor Twp, York County, PA
    3. Helen Craley born June 12 1908 in York County, PA, died November 2, 1975 in York County, PA and buried at Craley Cemetery in Lower Windsor Twp, York County, PA
    4. Samson Craley born November 25, 1909 in York County, PA, died November 13, 1962 in York County, PA and buried at Craley Cemetery in Lower Windsor Twp, York County, PA.  He married Gladys Raub born September 6, 1918 in York County, PA, died May 8, 2004 in York County, PA and buried at Craley Cemetery in Lower Windsor Twp, York County, PA
  2. Caroline Craley born about 1846 in York County, PA.  She married John Leiphart born April 24, 1847 in York County, PA, died November 27, 1920 in York County, PA and buried at Strickler Cemetery in Springettsbury Twp, York County, PA
    1. Amos Leiphart born October 6, 1868 in York County, PA, died April 21, 1960 in York County, PA and buried at Strickler Cemetery in Springettsbury Twp, York County, PA.  He married Matilda Poff born May 4, 1870 in York County, PA, died October 19, 1954 in York County, PA and buried at Strickler Cemetery in Springettsbury Twp, York County, PA
    2. David Leiphart born December 30, 1872 in York County, PA, died April 21, 1934 in York County, PA and buried at Salem Community Cemetery in Lower Windsor Twp, York County, PA.  He married Susan Reichard born October 16, 1873 in York County, PA, died June 20, 1930 in York County, PA and buried at Salem Community Cemetery in Lower Windsor Twp, York County, PA
  3. Julia Craley born about 1851 in York County, PA.  She married William Ness born about 1851 in York County, PA, died September 20, 1899 in York County, PA and buried at Salem Community Cemetery in Lower Windsor Twp, York County, PA
    1. David Ness born December 6, 1870 in York County, PA, died October 20, 1950 in York County, PA and buried at Fairview Cemetery in Wrightsville, York County, PA.  He married Charlotte Berkheiser born September 3, 1867 in York County, PA, died December 24, 1942 in York County, PA and buried at Fairview Cemetery in Wrightsville, York County, PA
    2. Clara Ness born March 17, 1872 in York County, PA, died January 22, 1955 in York County, PA and buried at Glen Rock Cemetery in Glen Rock, York County, PA.  She married Winfield Anstine born August 31, 1868 in York County, PA, died February 18, 1934 in York County, PA and buried at Glen Rock Cemetery in Glen Rock, York County, PA
    3. Jerome Ness born January 8, 1874 in York County, PA, died May 3, 1956 in York County, PA and buried at Salem Community Cemetery in Lower Windsor Twp, York County, PA.  He married Catharine Smeltzer born September 1, 1877 in York County, PA, died April 19, 1919 in York County, PA and buried at Salem Community Cemetery in Lower Windsor Twp, York County, PA
  4. Amos Craley born August 15, 1853 in York County, PA, died February 1, 1940 in Berks County, PA and buried at Fairview Cemetery in Berks County, PA.  He married Martha Mowery born November 25, 1854 and died September 23, 1932 .
    1. Mina Craley born June 16, 1875 in York County, PA, died June 1, 1923 in Lancaster County, PA and buried at Willow Street Mennonite Church in Lancaster County, PA.  She married William Biechler born November 4, 1873, died April 7, 1950 in Lancaster County, PA and buried at Willow Street Mennonite Church in Lancaster County, PA
    2. Henry Craley born January 1, 1877 in York County, PA, died December 20, 1937 in Lancaster County, PA and buried at Mellinger Mennonite Cemetery in Lancaster County, PA.  He married Anna Harman born December 11, 1881, died July 21, 1936 in Lancaster County, PA and buried at Mellinger Mennonite Cemetery in Lancaster County, PA
    3. Clarence Craley born April 11, 1880 in York County, PA and died August 1962 in Pinellas County, FL.  He married Mary Zink born about 1877 in PA
    4. Emma Craley born September 5, 1884 in York County, PA and died July 17, 1948
    5. Cleveland Craley born August 23, 1886 in York County, PA, died December 17, 1962 in PA and buried at Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Lancaster County, PA.  He married Ruth Keely born March 3, 1894 in PA, died December 31, 1978 in PA and buried at Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Lancaster County, PA
    6. William Carl Craley born July 20, 1888 in York County, PA and died March 1966 in Queens, NY
    7. Clayton Craley born September 20, 1891 in PA, died September 22, 1965 in PA and buried at Hillside Cemetery in Montgomery County, PA.  He married Florence born December 9, 1887 in PA, died in 1968 and buried at Hillside Cemetery in Montgomery County, PA
    8. Helen Craley born January 10, 1894 in PA.  She married Alexander Parker born December 13, 1890 and died February 29, 1956 in Montgomery County, PA
    9. Amos Craley born April 4, 1897 in Lancaster County, PA and died May 27, 1989 in NJ.  He married Margaret Reilly born October 21, 1895 and died February 1973 in NJ
  5. Jeremiah Craley born March 19, 1855 in York County, PA, died January 18, 1930 in York County, PA and buried at Olewiler Cemetery in Lower Windsor Twp, York County, PA.  He married Tracy Fry born August 19, 1856 in York County, PA, died March 13, 1933 in York County, PA and buried at Craley Cemetery in Lower Windsor Twp, York County, PA
    1. Dora Craley born about 1878 in York County, PA, died October 25, 1880 in York County, PA and buried at Olewiler Cemetery in Lower Windsor Twp, York County, PA
    2. Lettie Craley born December 18, 1899 in York County, PA, died November 28, 1973 in York County, PA and buried at Craley Cemetery in Lower Windsor Twp, York County, PA.  She married Jesse Gilbert born February 11, 1893 in York County, PA, died March 1972 in York County, PA and buried at Craley Cemetery in Lower Windsor Twp, York County, PA

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