Elias Eyster
Elias Eyster, proprietor of the Eyster House, was born in Jackson Township, York County, Penn., in 1840. His parents, Peter and Sarah E. (Spangler) Eyster were both born in York County, the father in 1811 and the mother in 1814. The Eysters are of Swiss origin, and our subject is the second in a family of five children. His paternal grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The mother of died in 1859 and his father in 1871. Mr. Eyster worked for his father on the farm until his nineteenth year, when he began farming for himself, and this he continued until 1870, when he removed to York and began the hotel business, in what was known as the American House, but in 1877 the name was changed to that of Eyster House which it has since borne. During the years 1871 and 1872, Mr. Eyster was engaged in the iron ore business at Roth’s Ore Bank. In 1880 he was engaged in the manufacture of washing machines, in partnership with Messrs. Becker and Baer. He was united in marriage in 1861 to Miss. Sarah A. Stover, a native of Jackson Township. They have three children: Emma J., Elmyra E., and Peter E. Mr. Eyster is a Democrat and manifests much interest in general politics. In 1872 he was made a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Taken from the book, “History of York County, Illustrated 1886” by John Gibson, Historical Editor