USA > Pennsylvania > Franklin County > Chambersburg > Historical sketch of Franklin County, Pennsylvania : prepared for the centennial celebration held at Chambersburg, Penn'a, July 4th, 1876, and subsequently enlarged by I. H. M'Cauley John M. Pomeroy, publisher. To which is added a valuable appendix by J. L. Suesserott, D. M. Kennedy and others, and embellished by over one hundred lithographic illustrations, drawn by W. W. Denslow > Part 24
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0. W. GOOD'S REGISTERED DISTILLERY.
This property is situated in Washington township, three miles east of Waynesboro, on the Waynesboro and Monterey turnpike. It's location is just at the foot of the South Mountain, on the Red Run, and a mile and a-half from the Waynesboro' Station, on the Western Maryland railroad. John Downin began the manufacture of liquor in the present building, about the year 1858, and the name ' of Downin liquors is a guarantee of purity. A distillery was in op-
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eration as early as 1812, and a point not more than one hundred feet east of the present office, where the wagon house of Abram Shockey now stands. It is probable that this location was early selected on account of the pure water of a spring, which then as now, was used in the manufacture of liquor. This spring is located near the turn- pike, at the foot of the mountain, whence it flows in a clear and limpid stream. During the heaviest drouth there was always suffi- cient water to fill a four inch pipe. It is said, with how much accu- racy I cannot say, that the Indians held these waters in high esteem, believing them to be medicinal in quality.
Mr. G. is running the establishment steadily, using twenty-four bushels of grain per day. He fattens and ships six hundred hogs in each year. The distillery produces about six hundred and fifty bar- rels of pure liquors per annum, and there is a great demand for it on account of its reputation for purity. The short distance to the tail- road gives facilities for reaching market not enjoyed by those who. owned this property previous to the completion of the present enter- prise.
ABRAM SHOCKEY'S FARM.
Mr. Shockey purchased this property, on which his homestead now stands, in 1862. The first purchase was about sixty-two aeres, located in Washington township, near the South Mountain. In 1863, Lee's army, while retreating from Gettysburg, encamped in that region of country. The damage resulting from this visit to Mr. Shockey he estimates at five thousand dollars. Since its pur- chase the present owner has built the warehouse occupied by Mr. O. W. Good, a wagon house, the rear part of the present house, the barn and all other buildings now standing, except the dwelling house and mill. Seareely a fence or outside improvement was then in existence, where now are cultivated fields and commodious build- ings, making a tasty, convenient and valuable homestead. About 1865, Mr. Shockey purchased twenty-four acres from the farm of Jacob Hoover, deceased. This piece of land was not the only addi- tion, as, in 1868, a second tract of twenty-four aeres, directly south of the first, was purchased from Jacob Stouffer. At that time there was a school house erected on this land. At his own expense, the proprietor has erected a church for the use of the German Dunkards, and with the church has given them an acre as a burial ground. , These purchases have increased the farm to 110 aeres, in 1877, and has made one of the finest properties in the valley, having on it a church, school house, distillery, feed mill, warehouse, together with the water right to the spring mentioned in another article, and from which a new line of pipes has been laid. Mr. Shockey owns au- other fine farm, of 181 acres, located southwest of his homestead, and immediately adjoining a traet of 36 acres of fine timber. This
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RES. OF ABRAHAM SHOCKEY. NEAR WAYNESBORO PA.
ANTIETAM WOOLEN MILL, PROPERTY OF E. S. BAER, WASHINGTON TWP.
Page 304. NEAR WAYNESBORO.
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timber land is on the mountain side, and, being for the most part pine, is very valuable. The mill, under his ownership, has been extensively remodeled and new machinery introduced.
DAVID ESHLEMAN'S FARM.
In Antrim township about two miles from Greencastle is located the farm of Mr. Eshleman. This property was originally a part of the Crunkleton tract and contains about one hundred and fifty-one acres, of which fifteen are in timber. The first owner on record was Joseph Crunkleton, who took out his license in 1734. The tract then contained the lands now owned by Benjamin Snively and the farm under consideration. In 1853 Peter Eshleman and Jonas Reiff purchased it of the heirs of Jacob Snively. Peter Eshleman, in Feb- ruary, 1860, purchased the undivided half of Reiff and became the sole owner. David Eshleman, on June 28th, 1869, bought from Peter Eshleman, his father, and now owns it. The dwelling house is built of stone and contains nine rooms. It was built about 1801 by a Mr. Byers, whose first name I have been unable to learn. In the pres- ent year Mr. Eshleman has entirely remodeled the house. There are several very fine springs on the farm, and it is well known as one of the oldest and most productive in the valley.
Mr. Eshleman devotes his attention to grain raising, although he has quite a large amount of stock on the farm. The land is at present in very fine condition. More than 18000 bushels of lime, burned on the place, have been used since it came into the posses- sion of the present owner. With fine buildings, good fencing, and land in the best condition, this tract is one of the most valuable in the county.
FOUNDRY AND MACHINE SHOPS -GEISER MANUFACTURING CO., WAYNESBORO', PA.
The manufacturing business was initiated on this site in the year 1860 by George Friek, in a small frame shop, foundry and black- smith shop. The trade was almost entirely confined to a few steam engines, mill gearing, Geiser separators and horse powers. After a period of six years the demand for the Geiser separator became so much greater that Daniel Geiser, B. E. Price, Josiah Fahrney and J. F. OHler associated themselves in co-partnership under the firm name of Geiser, Price & Co. With a capital of about $20,000, they leased the real estate, buildings and machinery from George Frick. In August, 1866, they began business and were so successful that in 1867 they bought the entire works. In 1868 the firm was increased by the admission of three new members, Daniel Hoover, John Phil- lips and J. S. OHler. The business increased until they are doing a
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trade now of 400 machines a year, amounting to about $185,000. On January 1st, 1869, the firm became an incorporated organization, under the title of the Geiser Manufacturing Company, and with a capital of $134,600, new buildings were erected, until at present the works cover nearly two acres of ground, with a capacity of four ma- chines a day. The highest number of hands employed at one time was 175.
The names of the stockholders in December, 1877, are D. Geiser, B. E. Price, Josiah Fahrney, J. F. Oller, Daniel Hoover, John Phillips, A. D. Morganthall, A. E. Price, Joseph Price, Samuel Hoffich, John L. Loyd, Stover & Wolff, D. B. Mentzer, Fink & Bro., Daniel Hollinger, Samuel Newcomer and J. F. Emert. The company is doing a very large business. Their work is all of the best material and put up by the most skillful mechanics and it has attained a reputation second to none in agricultural machines. This company is the only one authorized to manufacture the Geiser Separator.
THE OLD BOYNE FARM.
The Renfrew family, one branch of which now owns the above named property, is one of the oldest in Franklin county. John Renfrew came to America during the latter part of the last century, and having heard of the wonderful beauty of the Cumberland Valley, came to it, settled first near the present village of Scotland, and even- tually settled on the Boyne farm. Thomas and John Penn, Esqs., on the 10th day of June, 1762, issued a warrant for the survey of a certain tract of land called "Boyne," situated in Guilford township, Cum- berland county. On April 20, 1774, this traet was surveyed for James Crawford, who, upon the 10th day of January previous, had conveyed it to Patrick Alexander. The proprietaries, on April 13th, 1774, for- ever released Patrick Alexander, his heirs or assigns, from the pay- ment of an annual quit rent in consideration of the sum of £25, 79. After Patrick Alexander's death, his son Joseph took the property at its appraised value, and he on April 29th, 1784, conveyed to Jomm Renfrew. This gentleman had been a soldier in the Revolution and bore to his grave marks of wounds obtained in the great struggle for liberty. He had one wound in his foot which caused a perma- nent lameness. About the year 1807 John Renfrew purchased of Jacob Gsell an additional tract containing six acres and thirty-two perches. Mr. Renfrew lived in the enjoyment of his possessions until the fall of the year of 1844. By the will of his father, John Renfrew became the next proprietor, and lived there until his death, which occurred in September of the year 1863. At his demise the whole estate was divided, but the old mansion remained and still is in the ownership of Hannah and Sarah E. Renfrew, his daughters. The Boyne farm is located at Turkey Foot, about seven miles
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from Chambersburg and two miles south of Fayetteville. It lies in a beautiful region of country and contains about one hundred and thirty acres of the best quality of land. There are erected upon the place, a large two storied brick house, large bank barn, together with all the necessary outbuildings. At the homestead they have all the old deeds back even to the original patent granted by the Penn proprietary government. It will thus be seen that this prop- erty has been in the uninterrupted possession of the Renfrew family for nearly one hundred years, and since it was patented has had but very few changes.
JOSEPH BOYD'S FARM.
This piece of property lies in Montgomery township. The land warrant for it was taken out by Patrick and Hannah Maxwell. On March 24th, 1846, Mr. James Boyd went to this place. Mr. William Boyd, father of the present proprietor, moved from Dauphin to Cumberland county in the year 1807, and James Boyd was born near Newville in 1811, where he resided until 1846, when he moved to this county, where he has resided ever since. The first orchard was set out in 1846, and the barn, which is seen in the sketch, was built A. D. 1851. In the year 1852 the tenant house was built and in 1859 the orchard was re-set. The mansion house was erected in 1860. All the buildings now standing were erected and the im- provements made by the present proprietor.
MILL, FARM AND DISTILLERY-ROBERT JOHNSON.
On the Greencastle and Williamsport turnpike, two miles south of Greencastle, is the farm, mill and distillery of Mr. Robert John- son. The farm contains 124 acres of good land and the mill and distillery are well known throughout the surrounding country. Dr. Johnson, who report says was blessed with four hundred and fifty pounds of a wife, was the first settler, and he took ont a patent for all the country surrounding. About 1810 Dr. Johnson sold to Samuel Hunter, who twenty-five years later sold to Philip Weaver. Ten years afterwards Mr. Weaver sold to Joseph Whitmore, who, after owning it for seven years, sold to Michael Zellers. Henry Miller, two years later, purchased it and kept it for five years, when John H. Hartle became the owner. On October 29th, 1866, the pres- ent owner purchased from Hartle. The grist mill located on the property is a very old one, and Mr. Johnson has had it remodeled and steam power introduced. The distillery was built by Philip Weaver in 1838 and the mansion house in 1867. An addition of a bonded warehouse was made in 1867 and in 1872 the barn was erected. The distillery is known by the name of Spring Grove.
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Mr. Robert Johnson was born in Washington township, Frank- lin county, Pa., on June 220, 1825. In 1853 he was married to Margaret Stoops, of Quincy township, who was born January 15th, 1835. By this marriage Mr. Johnson has had seven children born to him, five boys, one of whom is dead, and two girls. In a pleasant country and a beautiful valley, Mr. Johnson has everything he could desire to enjoy life, which he no doubt does.
WOOLEN MILL OF J. BURNS WHITE.
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The early history of the factory now owned by Mr. White, and a view of which appears in this volume, is unattainable. Prior to 1847 a small factory occupied the site of the present one. It way operated by a firm styled Carr & Crossley and owned by David Bigham. In 1846 this little concern was burned and Mr. Bigham erected the present well known building. It is forty-five by sixty feet in dimensions and three stories in height, and is fitted up with the most approved machinery for the manufacture of goods. Isaac Hawn was the first lessee, followed by Wm. Megary, who remained until 1855. In that year Messrs. Robert Black and Samuel E. White purchased the property and operated it until 1860, under the somewhat unusual firm name of Black & White. In 1860 Mr. White purchased the entire interest and remained sole owner until his death, which occurred in 1871. Mr J. Burns White, his son, then leased the property from the heirs and continued the manufac- ture of goods until 1873. At this time he became the owner, hav- ing purchased the shares of the other heirs, and the factory has been in constant operation ever since with a steadily increasing demand for the goods. Connected with it are some one hundred and fitty acres of ground much of which is still covered with valuable tin- ber. The dwelling is one of the most commodious and tasty private residences in the valley. It is built of stone and was erected many years ago by David Bigham, and entirely remodeled in 1867 by Mr. Samuel E. White. There is a fall of over nine feet, which can be increased to over eleven feet, and an average run equal to fifteen horse-power. The goods made here command a ready sale and are well and favorably known both at home and abroad. The principal articles manufactured are all kinds of knitting yarn, blankets, flan- nels, carpets, cassimeres and satinets.
J. B. COOK'S FARM.
George Adam Cook, about the year 1745, emigrated to what is now known as Franklin county from York county. He took up, by warrant dated May 20th, 1776, a traet containing the farm at present owned by Jacob B. Cook. Mr. Cook settled upon this traet imme-
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diately upon his entering the valley, and built where the present . building stands, but the warrant was not granted until thirty-one years later. At that time there were but few residents throughont what is now known as Quincy township. The settlers were few, and their bitter foes, the Indians, many. Numerous were the in- cursions made by the redskins, and at one time Mr. Cook was way- laid on the farm now owned by Peter Whitmore. He was driving his cows home, but the animals gave warning of the presence of the wily savage, and he escaped. Afterwards he lost a horse, the In- dians shooting it in twelve places. This locality was a favorite camping place of the aborigines, especially adjacent to the place where the spring crosses the road. This fact is evidenced by the great numbers of arrowheads picked up in years past, and even yet turned up by the plow as it turns the furrows in the field below. There can still be seen on the farm, in full bearing, apple trees which were brought while saplings from York county, over 130 years ago.
The family name at that time was spelled Koch, but has since been changed to Cook. Upon the death of George Adam Cook, the property descended by will to his son, Peter Cook, who was born in the present mansion house. This house was built about 1746, by G. A. Koch, remodeled in 1807 by Peter Cook, and again in 1861 by J. B. Cook. He raised a family of six sons and four daughters, and died at the ripe old age of 87 years. Two sons and two daughters are yet living. For over 130 years this farm has been in the possession of this family. Where, in 1745, George Adam Koch built his humble log cabin amidst the primeval forest, are now to be found cultivated fields, commodious houses, and all the comforts and conveniences brought by civilization in its onward march.
The survey of the proposed Baltimore and Cumberland Valley Railroad passes near the buildings.
JOSEPH CRAWFORD'S FARM.
This property is located one mile southeast of Fayetteville and six miles from Chambersburg. Its early history is embodied in the original grant made to the Crawfords and mentioned elsewhere in this work. John Crawford came into possession of the farm in question about the year 1796, having purchased a portion of it from his brother, and continued to own it until his death, which occurred about the year 1827, when it went into the hands of his son, Joseph Crawford, who has ever since made it his home. He is the youngest of twelve children, only one of whom, Mrs. M'Kee, of Chambersburg, beside himself, is still living. Mr. Crawford is one of the few men who can point to an uninterrupted residence on the same place for over half a century, during which time he has raised a family of five 32
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children, all of whom are now living. Four of these are at home, viz. : John, James, Mary and Agnes, and one ( Ann ) resides in Iowa. All of the buildings now on the farm were erected by its present proprietor. The house was built in 1847 and the barn in 1841. There are about 230 acres included in this tract, and from the dwelling a beautiful view can be obtained of the surrounding country. In ad- dition to the buildings represented in our picture, there is a com- fortable tenant house on the place. A fine well of water close to the house and running water in the fields. The Mont Alto Railroad passes through the farm, and as a desirable residence it is among the foremost in the county.
BUENA VISTA HOTEL, BLUE RIDGE SUMMIT-WESTERN MARYLAND RAIL ROAD.
This attractive and healthful resort, located five miles south-east of Waynesboro' and two and a-half miles from Blue Ridge Summit on the W. M. R. R., has been made what it is by its present pro- prietor, Mr. V. B. Gilbert, a man of varied experience and great adaptability to the business in which he is now engaged. Having disposed of various enterprises upon which he had expended a number of years of his very active career, which began March 17th, 1825, and after effecting a sale of the Waynesboro' hotel in the year 1867, he purchased the locality represented in our engraving, with the intention of living a private and retired life. Very much out of repair and dilapidated was the old wagon stand on the mountain when it passed into his hands, but fortunately for the comfort and enjoyment of its now frequent guests, both from city and country, it had found a proprietor, whose' fondness for improvement would not let it continue in its antiquated condition, and the teamster of former days who was wont to crack his whip and jokes in front of the old hostelry would fail to recognize his former stamping ground. Renewed and renovated, even to the old mansion house, which had also to submit to the remodeling and improving process, he has made this elevated point on the South mountain, which commands a delightful prospect across the Cumberland Valley to the extent of 30 miles, together with a view of all the different Mountain ranges as far as the eye can reach, one of the most attractive summer re- sorts in the State. This present delightful abode is surrounded with mineral springs, and is also provided with an abundance of the purest mountain water which supplies the hotel and bath houses. Provided with a profusion of the choicest fruit trees and grape vines and more than enough of land under the highest cultivation, mine host is at all times enabled to provide his tables with the best of viands. Very near to the mansion, on Red run stream, which abounds in speckled trout, is erected a very fine saw mill. The
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park, which includes hill and dale, is made attractive by nu- merous springs, many of which contain iron, magnesia and sulphur, and its greatest attraction is one, unfailing in its character, which has a fall of 150 feet in less than that many yards. Mr. Gilbert, tired of frequent changes, has determined to make Buena Vista his permanent home, and with that ambition that belongs to those de- scended from an honorable ancestry, his constant aim is to preserve a reputation well earned, and one which he hopes to transmit un- sullied to those who may follow him.
Valentine B. Gilbert is a son of the late John Gilbert, well known to the residents of the lower part of the county, who died, full of years and honors, whilst on a visit to his son Samuel in Ohio. His remains were brought back to Waynesboro' and safely placed at rest in the burial grounds of the German Reformed Church. The venerated mother of Mr. Gilbert still resides in Waynesboro'.
MANUFACTURE OF STRAW PAPER.
[The following article from the Franklin Repository of May 2d, 1866, written by the late G. A. Shryock, Esq., will possess an al- most incalenlable interest to those interested in the straw board mannfacture in not only Franklin county, but elsewhere as well, being undoubtedly a full and authentic history of that branch of industry from its first conception. Comments are unnecessary and we copy verbatim.]
The following article was written some time since, at the earnest solicitation of a number of friends of the author :
The manufacture of paper from raw vegetable matter has much agitated the publle mind, both in our country and Europe, since the scarcity of rags has rendered it impossible to keep pace with the consumption of paper in the various departments developed by literature and commerce. Scores, if not hundreds, of persons claim to be the originators of the manufacture of paper from straw, wood, grass, corn husks, cane, &c. As I am one of this large family of claimants, I wish, through the medium of your paper, to give a history of the origin of this now indispensable article. Ithink its first introduction as a staple article originated in Chambersburg in 1829, as follows :
Col. Wn. Magaw, of Meadville, Pa., was extensively engaged in the manufacture of potash, about 1827-'28. As was customary, the ash hoppers were lined with long straw before the ashes were intro- duced. Magaw was in the habit of chewing the straw taken from the hoppers and pressing it on his hands, thus discovering that it produced a substance united and fibrous, closely resembling the pulp ont of which is made the ordinary wrapping paper. He concluded
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that the material was adapted to the manufacture of paper. As I was as that time engaged in the manufacture of rag paper by the old method, at Hollywell Paper Mill, one and a half miles south of Chambersburg, Magaw wrote to me on the subject of his discov- ery. I encouraged him to visit Chambersburg, in July or August, 1829, to fairly test the matter at Hollywell Paper Mill. The ex- periment was at that time and place made, and proved a decided success. I was so well satisfied of its practicability that I bought a large cast-iron kettle of John V. Kelley, in Chambersburg, cribbed it with wood staves so that I could boil from seven hundred to one thousand pounds of straw at one fliling, and made, for some weeks, from twenty to thirty reams per day. I was, at that time, intimate with John Jay Smith, Esq., Librarian to the Philadelphia Li- brary, and sent him quite a quantity of the straw paper as samples.
Mr. Smith edited, I think, the Saturday Bulletin. His position as editor enabled him to give extensive circulation to the discovery. Not one claim was made to priority. The world was silent on the subject. The straw paper was distributed over this entire country and in Europe in pieces of from two inches square to a full sheet, and excited the astonishment of the paper manufacturers of the world. Mr. Smith had part of one issue of the Bulletin printed on straw paper ; also a small lot manufactured into wall paper by Mr. Longstreth, in Third street, above Market, and had the hall of his residence, in Arch street, below Fifth, papered with the same. Both ground work and figure looked remarkably well. Mr. Smith then predicted that it would become one of the staple articles of the world, in opposition to those who laughed at the idea of straw tak- ing the place of rags.
The material used at that time in the preparation of the straw was potash, exclusively, the supply of which was obtained by Mr. Smith from Grant & Stone, of Boston. I abandoned the manufacture of rag paper, and devoted my mill exclusively to the manufacture of straw paper for some months. In November, 1829, I visited the East to see a cylinder machine then in operation in Springfield, Mass., by Messrs. Ames. On my way I accidentally met with Mr. Lafflin, of Lee, Mass., at Hays' Pearl Street House, New York, and engaged him to build for me a small cylinder machine at Holly well Paper Mill, near Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. This was cer- tainly the first machine that ever operated on that material. Within the first year I introdneed the grooved wood roll for the manufac- ture of binders' and box boards, &c. These two mannfactures were (as far as has been ascertained) the very first use of straw paper as a staple article in our world.
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