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 25
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In the winter of 1829-'30 I purchased a steam boiler from Rush & Muhlenburg, of Philadelphia, of about fifteen horse-power, to cook the straw. The purchase was made by J. J. Smith, Esq.
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With the new boiler machine I was enabled to make about from one hundred and fifty to two hundred reams of crown wrapping paper in twenty-four hours. I soon discovered that when the paper broke' between the press roll and layboy it accumulated in (some- times) six or eight lamina round the press roll, and formed a solid and beautiful binders' board. I was thus led to introduce a gum- wood roll, instead of the top press roll, with a longitudinal groove, in which the pulp was not pressed. This soft pulp being removed with a piece of wood to suit, the board was stripped off the roll. Thus board after board was made and laid in packs ; then hung on poles, or spread out to dry. I bought a rolling mill from M. W. Baldwin, of Philadelphia, a very superior one, and then introduced straw boards, by the efficient aid of J. J. Smith, into the Philadel- phia market, and it was alone by his energy that they superseded, in a limited degree, the junk or rope board.
John Jay Smith, and many others, predicted that in a short time they would become (what they now are) one of the indispensable products of the world ; others said they were not worth as much as the Stones in the street. I thus toiled and labored amidst adverse opinions, often almost brought to the point of abandoning the man- ufacture. By observing the effect produced in removing the silex from the straw, by the use of potash, I experimented with lime, and found, by a judicious use of that material, that it answered every purpose. I was then encouraged to extend my manufactures. I built a new mill-dam, widened the head race for nearly half a mile, built a new drying house, built additions to old Hollywell about ninety feet long by forty wide, three stories high ; four pulp en- gines ; fitted all the second and third stories and attie for drying; new steam house with three tubs, eleven by eight feet. All this at an expenditure of abont thirty-five thousand dollars.
At the time under consideration M'Donald & Ridgley, of Balti- more, were theowners of Holly well Paper Mill. Nicholas B. Ridg- ley visited Chambersburg in the winter of 1829-'30, and was so im- pressed with the manufacture of straw paper and boards, that he constituted me his agent to purchase from Wm. Magaw, of Mead- ville, the exclusive right to the manufacture for all the United States east of the Allegheny mountains, Magaw sent to Chambersburg, as his agent, Mr. Potter, a lawyer, then practicing in Meadville. He agreed on twenty-six thousand dollars for the above right. N. G. Ridgley arranged, in connection with the subscriber, to put Hol- lywell Paper Mill in the best possible condition, to fairly test the operation, and, when satisfied of its practicability, to build four mills, one at Rochester, N. Y. ; one at Patterson, N. J., one at Old Chester, Pa., and one at Chambersburg.
Encouraged at this time by the friendship of Mr. Ridgley and his vast means, I commenced and finished the improvements above
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mentioned. When they were completed, Mr. Ridgley died of apo- plexy, and there being no written contract, I had to bear all the loss, and had everything swept away by M'Donald and the execu- tors of Ridgley. All the machinery connected with the manufac- tory at Hollywell Paper Mill was made, under my direction, by the superior skill of John and Philip Nitterhouse, of Chambersburg, the former of whom, now living in Chambersburg, is a witness to the truth of the above statements. Also, Hon. G. Chambers, B. Wolf, Esq., D. Ward, E. L. Shryock and many others. In 1831 I- received a proposition from Thos Chambers, Esq., to form a part- nership for the manufacture of straw paper and boards, at the mouth of the Falling Spring, where it empties into the Conococheague creek. He deputed me to ascertain from T. G. M'Culloh, Esq., Ex- ceutor of the estate of Samuel Purviance, the price of the old paper mill site, adjoining mills belonging to the Chambers' estate.
The purchase was made. Thos. Chambers then concluded to build a furnace near Shippensburg, and handed over the old paper mill site, and partnership with me (by my consent) to S. D. Culbertson. The new firm was composed of S. D. Culbertson, Reade Washing- ton, Alex. Calhoun and G. A. Shryock. I to have one-third the oth- ers two-ninths each. The mill (the ruins of which now only re- main) was built on a much larger scale than contemplated by Cham- bers and Shryock. The new firm was G. A. Shryoek & Co. In order to secure the entire water-right, the new firm leased all the mills on the bank for ten years, at twenty-four hundred dollars per annum. The driving part of the machinery was built by Donald Watson, of Baltimore, and the making portion by John and Philip Nitterhouse, of Chambersburg. The mill had eight pulp engines and eight machines, easily making one thousand pounds per hour. The building was one hundred and fifty by fifty feet and fivestories high, had one hundred and two miles of drying poles, seventeen large dry presses, and every facility for the manufacture of boards and paper. The machinery was so perfect that the annual expense for repairs (except wire cloth and felts) did not exceed two hundred dollars.
It is not difficult to tell the origin and progress of the manufac- ture of straw paper and boards, but who can tell the toil, labor, anzi- ety and mental agony endured for the first four or five years. As I am a christian man, I would not pass such another, though it were to bny a world of happier days. The single article of felting cost me over four thousand dollars before I ascertained what would best answer the purpose. In my life of experiments I made paper of every description of straw-wheat, rye, barley, oat and buck wheat -corn blade, all the grasses, corn husks, white pine shavings, wil- low wood, refuse tan, also bleached straw, to resemble printing paper. But as rags of the best quality could then be bought from
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two and a half to four and a half cents per pound, it would not pay to bleach straw. I have also experimented on nearly all the veget- able growth of Texas, and had it not been for the Rebellion would now be manufacturing on Trinity River, in Texas, in connection with Colonel Hamilton Washington and Captain C. Washington, killed at Vicksburg.
Remember, Mr. Editor, I only claim priority as one of the family. of moderns, and do not pretend to occupy a place side by side with an old gentleman called Ptolemy Philadelphus, and Eumenes, of Pergumus, and their antecedents, neither Chinese or Japanese. But as to the introduction of straw paper and boards as a staple article, and operating by machinery, I claim to be the first, to which asser- tion let the living bear witness.
Yours, respectfully, G. A. SHRYOCK, No. 1213 Green street, Philadelphia.
HISTORY OF LOWER WEST CONOCOCHEAGUR CHURCH, NOW ROBERT KENNEDY MEMORIAL CHURCH, WELSH RUN, PA.
The little murmuring brook which has its origin on Kasey's Knob, a spur of the North mountain, and which now bears the name of Welsh Run, carrying its waters in a north-easterly direc- tion, to be emptied into the more turbid stream known as the West Branch of the Conococheague, had no special designation to dis- tinguish it from other rivulets of smaller size in the same south- western section of the county, prior to the year 1730. But about that thue a body of emigrants from Wales made this locality their abode, and the stream nequired its name from their nationality.
They were a church loving people, and in 1741 they organized the Lower West Conococheague Church, and built a rude log structure as a place of worship. This house stood at the bend of the creek, near the present residence of George Elliott, and was burned by the Indians in 1760. The next house of worship was built in 1774 on the ground where the present church building stands. It was a substantial edifice which stood for one hundred years, and was known as the "White Church," and the "Tent Meeting House."
The present church was erected in- 1871, and is a monument of the liberality of Elias D. Kennedy, of Philadelphia. In 1872 the con- gregation built, convenient to the church, a comfortable parsonage. The congregation having increased in numbers they erected in 1875 a building for school purposes, which is named Kennedy Academy. To this new and excellent enterprise Mr. Kennedy also rendered , material aid. The following are the names of the ministers who
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have preached in the church since its organization. Rev. James Campbell, from Scotland, was the first minister, and continued to preach 15 years ; Rev. Dunlap followed, and supplied the church for a few years about the time of the Indian War. Then, Rev Thomas M'Pherrin took charge of the church from 1774 till 1799. His death took place February 30, 1802, at the age of 51, and h's remains lie in the graveyard near the church. Rev. Robert Kennedy a man and minister who exerted a great and lasting influence for good in the community, preached regularly one third of his time from 1802 until 1811, when he resigned. Returning after 9 years, he contin- ued to supply the church until near the time of his death, which took place in October, 1843, at the age of 66. Rev. John K. Cramer was stated supply of the church from 1855 to 1859. In 1870 Rev. A. S. Thorne took charge of the congregation, but continued only about one year. Rev. T. Creigh, D. D., pastor of the church at Mercers- burg, Pa., preached frequently at Welsh Run during the many years that the church was without a pastor. In the spring of 1873 the congregation gave Rev. J. II. Fleming a call to become their pastor, which was accepted, and he was installed pastor of the church by a committee of the Presbytery of Carlisle on October 31st, 1873. Rev. F., still continues to fill the position, and the mem- bership of the church, which five years ago numbered 14, has now reached that of 65. The present elders of the church are Hugh B. Craig and John K. Keyser
The original owner of the lands, Mr David Davis, gave to the church a farm which was sold years after, and the proceeds of that sale have long since disappeared. The ground now held and occo- pied by the church as graveyard and church lot was bequeathed by Robert Smith about the year 1774. Said Robert Smith, having obtained a patent for a large tract of land. containing 300 acres, and known as "Double Trouble," did, at his death will to the church three acres of ground. In 1795, Samuel, Oliver and Isaac Smith, sons of Robert Smith, deeded, for the sum of five pounds specie, to John Rhea, Josiah Price and Robert Chambers, trustees of the church, and to their successors forever, the above named three acres of ground, which is yet occupied by the church. This deed, dated October 25th, 1795, is still in the possession of the Ses- sion of the church, is well and plainly written, and is justly regard- ed as an interesting relic of the early history of the church. The lot on which the Academy stands was donated by Henry B. Angle, The name of the church was changed by a resolution of the con- gregation to ""The Robert Kennedy Memorial Church." This was done in recognition of the kindness of Mr. E. D. Kennedy, who built the church, as well as in honor of Rev. Robert Kennedy who so long and faithfully proclaimed the gospel in the old "Welsh Run Presbyterian Church."
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CLERMONT HOUSE-SOUTH MOUNTAIN, BLUE RIDGE SUMMIT.
Ofthe many fascinating summer resorts that adorn the great south- eastern boundary of the fertile Cumberland Valley, namely, the South Mountain, none promise to furnish greater attractions than the one in our sketch. Ready of access from Harrisburg, Hagers- town, Frederick, Baltimore and Washington, it would seem as though even the stringent crampings of hard times would be unable to operate against the prosperity of this delightful resort. Pleasure seekers, and those in quest of that greater boon, good health, can not go amiss in selecting the Blue Ridge Summit. Monterey, Clermont and Buena Vista vie with each other to afford the best of accommo- dations, and it rests with the proprietors of each to demonstrate which shall take the lead. The location occupied by the stately building represented in our picture was selected by David Miller, the father of the present occupant, in the year 1861. He was born in Lebanon county, in the year 1797. After his removal to this county he conducted the Monterey House for the period of five years, at the end of which time he purchased from Mrs. Gordon the site on which he erected the Clermont House in the years 1867 and 1868. He died December 8th, 1870, and the property has passed into the hands of David Miller, Jr., and his three sisters, Misses Sarah and Caroline, and Mrs. Catherine Waddell. The house, which, as will be seen, is three stories high, contains'about seventy rooms and has accommodations for one hundred and fifty guests, and during the summer season the proprietors are overpressed with applicants for rooms. There are about 170 acres of land attached to this property, whose broad pastures, added to the mountain scenery, will ever make the Clermont House a favorite resort. -
RESIDENCE AND FACTORY OF JOSEPH H. BEELER, GREENCASTLE, PA.
The house which we represent is located on east Baltimore street, about 100 yards from the publie square, and is built upon what is known on the town plot as lot No. 42. John Allison, the criginal proprietor, sold this lot to Wm. Scott in 1783, and from him it passed to John Rodeman in 1791, who erected the front house now under consideration, in the year 1792. In 1797 he sold it to Robert MeLan- ahan, and in 1801 Jacob Kreps became its owner. He continued to use it as a residence and hatter shop until the year 1829, when, on a sheriff's writ, it was sold to Polly and Sarah Weaver, who retained possession of it until 1842, when they disposed of it to Rudolph Heichert, who in the same year sold it to the Trustees of the German Reformed Church, who continued to use it as a parsonage until 1870, when it was purchased by its present occupant. Jacob Kreps erected the back building in 1818. This house, which has suffered but little
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from the ravages of time, is built of logs, and is weatherboarded. It is 48 by 24 feet, and the back building is 17 by 30 feet. Joseph H. Beeler is a native of Lancaster county, and moved to Greencastle in 1859. He is of German origin. His great-grandfather migrated to Berks county from Germany in the year 1758. His grandfather, John Beeler, was born on his father's farm in Berks county, in 1776. And John Beeler, the father of Joseph H., was born ou the same place in 1798. In the face of opposition and with a limited capital, Mr. B. opened his shop in Greencastle in 1859, making some head- way under these adverse circumstances, he had the greater misfor- tune, in 1866, to have his entire establishment destroyed by fire. Still undaunted, he redoubled his energies, and can now bear testi- mony to the fact that liberal advertising, honest perseverance and striet economy in business must win in the end. He is now engaged in turning out work to the amount of from five to eight hundred dollars per month, at times employing as many as seven first-class workmen. Much of his work finds its way to the far west, whilst his reputation at home is such as to enable him to effect satisfactory sales. His wife, formerly Miss Ann Maria Stotler, is a native of this county. They were married in 1871, and are surrounded by a family of four bright little ones.
OAK GROVE FISH FARM-GEORGE W. ETTER, PROPRIETOR.
This very attractive place is located in Peters township, two and a half miles southwest of Mercersburg and a short mile from Leh- master's Station, on the S. P. R. R., at which place there is a post office. This railroad runs within 200 yards of the mansion house, and the farm is bounded on the southwest by the West Conoco- cheagne Creek. The springs which supply the trout pools were formerly known as Dobbins' Springs The land was first taken up by Robert Newell, in the year 1742. It passed into the hands of General Thomas Waddle about the year 1800, In 1829 Thomas C. Lane became its owner, and in 1837 it was sold to Isaac Wanner, and in 1859, at public outery, to George Etter, the father of the present proprietor, who received his deed in 1862, having resided on the farm already for two years. The house and barn were built by General Waddle in the year 1812. If a Putnam and a Muhlenberg have made their names immortal by their prompt responses to their country's call, so also should the name of General Thomas Waddle pass down upon the page of history as one equally worthy of a , country's gratitude and honor. Whilst this house, which has been remodeled by its present owner, in the year 1571, was being built, the nation called upon her brave yoemen to defend Baltimore. Hastily boarding up the windows of his unfinished house, General W. took up his trusty sword and marched to the front of the fray.
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SPRING GROVE DISTILLERY. RES. DISTILLERY, MILL & BUILDINGS OF ROBERT JOHNSTON.
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The foe had invaded his native land and to protect it was also affording protection to his own fireside. The barn on this place was also built by General Waddle, but it, too, underwent a renewing process at the hands of Mr. Etter, in the year 1872. The house, which is built of stone is 64 feet on the northern front and 32 feet deep. The barn is 92 feet long and 50 feet wide. The farm which is chiefly of limestone, contains 217 acres about 25 of which are very choice timber. It is very productive, having, during the proprietorship of Gen. Waddle, at one time produced as much. as 42 bushels of wheat per acre. There is a fine orchard, and a vineyard of 650 grape vines in bearing order on this place. But the enterprise which Mr. Etter has inaugurated, that of brook trout cultivation, is the most attractive to the lover of nature, or the casual visitor. His ponds, which are five in number, occupy a space of 100 feet in length by 75 feet in width. They average about 4 feet in depth, and are supplied by two fine springs, that flow at the rate of 400 gallons per minute. They con- tain at this time about three thousand fine brook trout, but Mr. E. estimates their capacity as far as oxygen and water supply is concerned, sufficient for the proper sustenance and full development of 10,000 trout in their different stages of growth. The food which he provides for this numerous family, per week, amounts to about 50 pounds of beef scraps, and 8 gallons of thick milk to each 1,000 two year old trout. As will be noticed the expense of feeding is no small item, but up to this time Mr. E. has readily secured 50 cents per pound in the New York market, which he has supplied with 500 pounds for the last two seasons, and he expects to be able to furnish this spring (1878) about 700 pounds, at a cost of $50 for feed. He has kindly furnished us his mode of procedure in propagating.
The great grandfather of Mr. Etter, emigrated from Prussia, about the year 1750, to Dauphin county, where the grandfather of Mr. Etter, Henry Etter, was born in 1767. He died in Franklin County in 1828, having migrated from Dauphin County, in 1792, and is said to have been one of the first three persons of German descent who located in this county. He established himself in Guilford Township, and lived in an old fort wbich was erected as a defence against the Indians. At this place George Etter, father of Geo. W. Etter. was born in the year 1799. He died in Peters Township in 1864.
In early times, what is now called Etter's Cemetery, situated within 200 yards of the house, was known far and wide as Dobbin's Grave Yard, and within its enclosure lie the remains of many a sturdy settler, whose descendants have scattered far and wide, and perhaps forgotten the hardy pioneer, to whose labors and privations they are indebted for the com- forts they now enjoy. It is said that in the dark days of Indian warfare, the burial services were held with armed outposts guarding the mourners from the ambuscade of the dreaded savage. At one time it was contem- plated to erect a church at this point, but from some unknown cause the intention was abandoned, and Church Hill chosen instead. But the edifice there erected has long since yielded to the devastating march of time, and its name and location only exist in tradition.
Mr. Etter was married to Mary Clapsaddle, Nov. 1859; they are enjoy- ing this delightful home surrounded by a family of five children, three sons and two daughters, who are all endeavoring to earn the content. ment that comes from a life well spent.
MERCERSBURG COLLEGE.
Mercersburg College is the result of forces which date far back in the , history of the Reformed Church in the United States, and its life and
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growth are intimately connected with her educational movements. It's first beginning was abont 1830, as a High School, at York, Pa., in con- nection with the Reformed Theological Seminary, recently removed thither from Carlisle. Rev. Daniel Young, was the first High School Professor. He was an able and excellent man, but was in delicate health, and died within two years after his appointment. His successor Was Rev. Fred. Aug. Rauch, D. D., a man of remarkable talent and earnest- ness. He came to this country in 1831, at the age of twenty-five, having already filled the position of Professor Extraordinary at the University of Geissen, in Germany, received an appointment as regular professor at Heidelberg, and published varlous classical, philosophical, and theologi- cal works, in Latin and in German. In 1835, by order of the Synod of Chambersburg, the Theological Seminary and High School were removed to Mercersburg, the latter was then erected into a college, with Dr. Rauch as its first president, and Samuel A. Budd, A. M. as professor of Mathe. matics.
The State Legislature, in the session of 1835-6, granted a college char- ter, under the name of Marshall College. The Board of Trustees, rep- resentatives of Mercersburg, Zion's, Maryland and Virginia Classis, pushed the cause of the College with such vigor that in 1836, the present College building was erected, and houses for the professors were soon after built. The Goethean and Diagnothean Societies also erected beauti- ful halls, which are still standing.
In 1850 Rev. J. Williamson Nevin, then professor in the Western The- ological Seminary, at Alleghany, Pa,. was elected Professor of Dogmatic Theology in the Seminary, and, on the death of Dr. Rauch, in 1841, suc- ceeded him as President of the College. Dr. Nevin received his early training in the Presbyterian Church, was a graduate of Union College, and studied theology at Princeton, under the venerable Dr. Hodge, being thoroughly indoctrinated in the tenets of the Presbyterian fathers. Ilis association with Dr. Rauch brought him into contact with German phil- osophy, opening to him, as he has said, "a new world of thought." The "Church Question," as it was styled, received at that time much atten- tion from the thinkers of the Church. To it, Dr. Nevin applied his clear and massive intellect, and the result has been what is called "Mercersburg Theology." Thus the quiet village of Mercersburg, lying among the foot-hills of the Tuscarora range, in the south-western part of Franklin County, has become known wherever theology is taught or studied. From its Seminary came forth, as by inspiration, a stream of historical, christological theology, which, forcing its way through many obstacles, has spread out at length over the extent of Christendom.
The "Mercersburg Theology" is as significant a term as the Augsburg, or the Westminster. It's promulgator and chief defender, Dr. J. W. Nevin, ranks with the great masters in the church, and is held one of the foremost thinkers of the age. Through the controversies to which he has been challenged by men of fame here and abroad, the name of Mercers- burg has become imperishable,
The work of the college was carried forward steadily, though at times under financial pressure, until 1853, when Marshall College was removed to Lancaster, and consolidated with Franklin College, under the title of Franklin and Marshall College, the Theological Seminary remaining at Mercersburg. Nearly twelve years later, Rev. H. H. Harbaugh, D. D., of blessed memory, and Rev. E. E. Higbee, D. D., then professors in the seminary, men of observation and prudence, and fully alive to the wants of the church in her educational work, found that there was a strong desire for a college in this section, and a reasonable prospect of Its
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