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 29
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SPRING DALE FARM.
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Spring Dale Farm is pleasantly located, about one quarter of a mile south-east of Waynesboro. This farm is a part of the original tract of lands of Thomas Wallace, sold August 26th, A. D. 1828, to John Wallace as by deed of conveyance made by Daniel Royer, administrator of Thos. Wallace, December 22d, A. D. 1835, and by John Wallace to John Clay- ton by deed of conveyance made April 6th, A. D. 1837. At the death of John Clayton, taken by Jamies HI. Clayton, at the valuation and appraisment, as the eldest son and heir at law, and sold to George Besore by deed of conveyance made April 3rd, A. D. 1855, and which at the death of George Besore, descended to his daughter, Mrs. Dr. A. H. Strickler, in whose possession it still remains. This farm contains one hundred and thirty acres, is of the best quality of limestone Jand, is in an excellent state of cultivation, and very productive. The large brick mansion was built by Mr. George Besore, in the year 1856. Hle resided in Waynesboro and never lived on the farm. This is one of the most attrac . tive and most desirable properties in Washington Township, having a beautiful spring of never failing water close by the dwelling.
RECORD OF THE STRICKLER FAMILY.
The Stricklers of this county are of German or Swiss descent. Their ancestors came across the waters at a very early period. The name is
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found in all parts of Pennsylvania, in parts of Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, and Virginia. Henry Strickler was the first of the name who located in Franklin County. He came from York County, near the Lancaster County line, at Columbia, in the year 1807, and settled near Greencastle. Not many years afterward all the children (except David) of his brother Joseph, near Marietta, Lancaster County, followed and settled in this county. Their names were Samuel, Joseph, Henry, Benjamin and Eliza. Henry afterward moved to Ohio, Samuel, Jacob and Benjamin to Illinois. Eliza remained here and now resides in Mercersburg.
The names of the children of the Henry Strickler who first came to this. county, were Martha, Elizabeth, Henry, Joseph, Barbara, Susan, Mary and Sarah. Martha never came to the county. Babara went from bere to Ohio, Henry, Mary and Sarah to Illinois, and Susan to Cumberland County. Joseph resided near Greencastle during his lifetime. Henry married Mary Price, near Waynesboro. His children were Jacob, Nancy, Susan, Henry, Abraham, Catharine, Mary, Hannah and Joseph. All these have gone to Illinois except Jacob, who lives near Chambersburg.
Joseph Strickler, who lived near Greencastle during his lifetime, mar- ried Mary Snively. His children were Snively, Henry, Joseph B., and Abraham H. Snively was a lawyer by profession, practiced law in Chambersburg for a number of years, published the leading Republican newspaper of the county, the Repository & Transcript, (now the Reposi- tory) for a short time. Afterwards moved to Greencastle, and is now deceased. Henry graduated at Eastman's Commercial College, at Pough- keepsie, N. Y., was a Sergeant in the 126th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, in the war against the Rebellion, was severely wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg, Va., in December 1862, and was elected and served two terms as Register and Recorder of Franklin County. He is now Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue and resides in Chambersburg.
Joseph B. followed merchandising in Greencastle for some years, Was a 1st Lieutenant in the 2d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers at the com- mencement of the war against the Rebellion, moved to Nemaha County, Nebraska, in 1872, and is now farming.
Dr. Abraham HI. graduated at the College of New Jersey, Princeton, in 1863, graduated at the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York City, in 1866, and now resides in Waynesboro, prominently engaged in the practice of medicine.
Dr. A. H. Strickler married Clara Anna, only child and daughter of George and Eliza Besore, of Waynesboro'. They have one child, Harry Clark, now three years old.
George Besore, the father of Mrs. Strickler, descended from an old Huguenotic family. The name was originaly La Basseur. He was born in Washington Township, Franklin County in the year 1799, and during the greater part of his lifetime resided in Waynesboro'. He married Eliza Snively, and is now deceased, having died August 16th, 1821.
George Besore was well known as one of the strong pillars in the Reformed Church. Nature made him a man , Grace, a Christian Disciple. He was a ruling elder in the Church, an office which he held for upwards of forty years. As a public man he was well known in the Eastern Synod of the Reformed Church in the United States. He hekl during his lifethine various positions of trust in the Church, and had frequent overtures to accept political honors, to which he never consented. With his brother Jacob, of blessed memory, who died in Baltimore many years ago, and Daniel Crouse, George Harbaugh, Sr., and a few others, he first. moved in the building of a Reformed Church in Waynesboro. This was a log structure and was created on the site of the present church,
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and was consecrated May 20th, 1827. It gave place to a brick building, which was dedicated to the worship of God June 21st, 1834, and was subsequently enlarged to meet the wants of the congregation. In 1871 the old brick church was torn down and the present stately edifice erected in its stead. The ceremony of consecration was performed Dec. 24th, 1871. Thus did Elder Besorc, for the third time, render efficient aid in building, enlarging and rebuilding the house of God. Ile was prominent in the organization of the first Sunday School in the town, which occurred on the 10th, day of August, 1834. Of this school he was superintendent during its entire existence, within his lifetime, with the exception of an interval of a few years. The following is from his own pen. "The school had been started upon Union principles, teachers and scholars were received into the school from all denominations of Chris- tians. The school was however all the time under German Reformed influence, and principally made up of German Reformed material. In the course of five years from its commencement the Lutheran members with- drew and organized a Lutheran School, a few years later the Methodists withdrew and formed a Methodist School, and several years afterward the Presbyterians also withdrew and organized a Presbyterian School." From this original school have gone forth some fifteen or more ministers of the gospel. Among these we can now recall the following: Revs. Henry Harbaugh, D. D., Samuel Gaus, D. D., G. B. Russell, D. D., C. C. Russell, Joseph H. Johnston, A. C. Whitmer, Geo. HI. Johnston and S. S. Miller. Besides these there are several in other denominations.
Elder Besore was in a certain sense proud of his school. In the erec- tion of the Theological Seminary at Mercersburg, he served on the bulld- ing committee. He was long a member of the board of trustees of the Seminary, of the board of visitors, and Treasurer of the Seminary funds, also a member of the board of trustees of the College at Mercersburg, and afterwards at Lancaster. He was a staunch friend of the Reformed Church printing establishment in its years of embarrassment. He was frequently a delegate to represent the charge in the Classis, and from Classis to the Synod, in which capacity he served on many prominent committees, and took an active part in some of the most important debates before the Church.
"FARMER'S DELIGHT" S. W. SOLENBERGER PROPRIETOR.
This very elegant and productive farm, well meriting the name by which it is known, is located in Guilford Township, seven miles south - east of Chambersburg and within convenient distance to Fayetteville station on the Mont Alto R. R. Its original owner was a member of the great Smith family but not the ubiquitous John. His name was Henry and the precise time at which he located this tract is unknown. But on the 10th day of June in the year 1762 it was purchased by John Cowden and was disposed of by his executors, John Andrews and John Reynolds, to John and Martin Wingert. At that time it contained 461 acres and was by them divided, Martin taking the upper tract and John the lower. Martin's portion at that time received the name of "Farmers Hope" whilst the original name, "Farmer's Delight," was retained by John. This portion passed into the hands of the heirs of its owner about the vear 1812 and was again divided between John Jr. and his brother Jacob. John acquiring the southern portion and Jacob the northern each having 150 acres. In the year 1849, by the last will and testament of John Wingert, John Sollenborger, his son-in-law, came into possession of the property and he retained it until 1863 when it became the property
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of his son, the gentleman, who so successfully conducts its management, in all of its details. The buildings which consisted of a log house 30 by 35 feet, and a bank barn 90 by 40 feet built of stone and brick, were erected in the year 1814 by John Wingert. The barn which is in an ex- cellent state of preservation, is the one represented in our sketch. The house was however remodled by its present owner in 1863. As it now stands it is of brick 50 by 30 feet 23 stories high and contains all the modern conveniences that add so much to the comfort of a country home. The barn although very capacious does not meet the requirements of this very productive place, notwithstanding the fact that 20 acres are still covered with a fine growth of first class timber. The farm land which is rolling, every foot of which can be put to good use, is of a heavy lime- stone character, and as the thrift of Mr. S. has fully proven, is well adapted to the cultivation of every variety of grain and the successful rearing of stock of all kinds. By means of a Stover : Wind Engine, his fine herd of cattle, as well as his noble looking farm houses, are supplied with the purest of water, from a never failing well, which is conveyed by means of pipes to proper receptacles at the barn. The enclosures of the fertile fields on this place are first class, consisting of fences of locust posts and chestnut rails, as well as living fences of osage orange, which, . with Mr. S. has been a decided success. To give an idea of the capacity of this valuable homestead, we will state that it has produced, in one year as much as 1500 bushels of wheat, 3000 bushels of corn in the ear, 80 tons of hay and 150 bushels of potatoes. The product of his dairy, which is supplied by 8 or 10 fine short horned cows is very large, and the butter, which is of first quality, is sent direct to Washington D. C. where it com- mands the highest price in the market. The orchard is supplied by 500 bearing apple trees, 150 choice pear trees and the vineyard contains 200 vines of the finest varieties of grapes. Of small fruits he has a profusion. llis apiary consists of between 40 and 50 skeps of pure bred Italian becs, and its yield in one year has been as high as 600 lbs of honey. Mr. S. married Lizzie a daughter of Jacob Deardoff in the year 1862 and if home surroundings, together with the means to perfect them, are all that are required to make people happy, certainly the occupants of this home should be content.
RESIDENCE OF DANIEL HOOVER, WAYNESBORO, FRANKLIN CO. J'A.
The house represented in our sketch was built by Mr. J. J. Ervin in 1852 and was occupied by Mr. Hoover in Oct. 1866, at which time it was owned by Mrs. Margaret Kreps. Jan. 1871 it was purchased by its present owner who put it in complete repair in 1872. Daniel Hoover born Oct. 19th, 1833, is a son of David and Elizabeth Hoover who still reside in district No. 9 in Washington Co. Md., about two miles from Leitersburg, on a farm purchased by them 48 or 50 years ago. His grandfather's name was Christian Hoover. David II. father of Daniel was born in the year 1796 near Graceham, Frederick County Md. and is the only surviv- ing member of his family, being nearly 82 years old. His wife Elizabeth, a daughter of David Zentmyer, was born in 1803 near Harbaugh's church on Mason's & Dixon's line at the foot, of the South Mountain-westside- where her father had been engaged in farming for many years. She has a brother and sister, Jacob and Barbara, still living near the old home, and one brother John, living near Huntingdon, Pa. At the age of 22 years Daniel Hoover left the parental roof and started out in life for him. self. The Geiser Separator was, at that time, in its infancy, and the origin- al inventor, Peter Geiser having married Mary, sister of Mr. H. he took au
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interest in the new machine and bought one of the first that were sold, it having been built at Smithsburg Md. by Wm. Frankinberry. He took it to Middletown Md. and engaged in threshing during the season of 1856. After that he engaged in different pursuits, sometimes working on the farm, traveling in the interest of the Geiser machine as agent, and again following threshing until 1866 at which time he was married, and became a member of the firm of Geiser, Price & Co. as a silent partner and was employed as traveling agent. In January 1868 he bought one half of J, F. Oller's interest in the firm and in Jan. 1869 they secured a charter and became an incorporated organization. From which time until Oct. 1870 he was engaged as traveling agent. From that time until 1874 he occu- pied various important and responsible positions in the company. Since then, with the exception of 1875 he has been traveling in the inter- est of the Company.
STORE AND RESIDENCE OF E. HI. HAGERMAN, WILLIAMSON, PA.
The parcel of ground consisting of 14 acres, upon which these con .. venient buildings are erected is located in St. Thomas Township along the S. P. R. R. about six miles from Mercersburg, six from Greencastle and ten from Chambersburg. It was purchased from S. L. Hawbecker Esq., and the store house which is of stone two stories high, 30 by 60 feet, and the brick dwelling, also two stories high, with a basement, 16 by 3 feet, were built in the year 1871. The business of general merchandising was commenced Jan. 1st. 1872. A Postoffice was established at his place Sept. 1872. Mr. H. who was not a novice, having, prior to this, success- fully conducted business at Hagerstown Md. has fully initiated himself into the confidence of the community, and the prosperous trade which he is enjoying is a sure guarantee of future prosperity.
STEAM JOB PRINTING OFFICE OF A. G. BLAIR, WAYNESBORO, FRAN KLIN
COUNTY, PA.
Asbury G. Blair, the proprietor of the first steam printing press in Waynesboro, Franklin County, Pa .. is the eldest son of William Blair, Esq., editor and publisher of the Village Record.
In 1871 he commenced tho book and job printing business, which increased to such an extent as to require the use of steam. His facilities are first-class for commercial and pamphlet printing on lowest terms. Ilc is established in a town where each business man seems to vie with his neighbor in placing Waynesboro at the head of the list for enterprise in the County.
THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF GREENCASTLE P'A.
Prior to the year 1795 the members of the Lutheran Church of this town had no place which they could call their own, but in connection with the German Reformed congregation used a union structure called the "Old Log church," which stood upon the present burying ground of the latter denomination and was the first house of worship erected in the place. The corner stone of the first Lutheran church was laid, with appropriate ceremonies, on the 13th day of Sept. 1792 as is stated in a copy of paper deposited in the stone, which document also gives the fol- lowing names of the carlier members. Nye, Bayer, Saylor, Bashore, Hoeflich, Gerard, Hochlerder, Simon, Brundlinger, Zimmerman, Schaff-
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ner, Klapsaddle, Wagner, Peifer and Mann. The building was not finished until 1795 when Rev. John Ruthrauff took charge and served the congregation as pastor, for forty years, preaching and conducting ser- vice in the German language. The first English pastor, Rev. John Beck was installed in 1834 and was succeeded by Rev. Jer. Harpel in 1835. During his ministry, that is in 1837, the church building was enlarged. Pastors succeeded in the following order ; Rev. Jacob Martin 1839 ; Rev. Peter Sahn D. D. 1840 ; Rev. Michael Eyster 1815 ; Rev. Christian F. Kunkle served as supply during part of 1850, when Rev. James M. Har- key was duly installed as pastor. He was followed by Rev Edward Breidenbaugh in 1853 whose term of service was lengthened out to 13 years. Following him in 1865 Rev. Prof. Wi. F. Eyster ; 1869. Rev. T. T. Everett, and in 1872 Rev. Frederick Klinefelter, the present in- cumbent was installed. In Aug. 1874 the congregation resolved to erect a new church edifice upon the site of the old one. Theplans were drawn by Mr. S. D. Button architect, of Philadelphia and the contract was awarded to Messsr. F. & J. Waidlich of Mercersburg. The lot is 218 by 76 feet, the building of brick, its length including tower and recess 85 feet. The spire is 136 feet high and is covered with slate as is also the roof. The last service in the old church was held on the 14th day of March 1875, and the first in the new lecture room was Feb. 6th 1876. The corner stone having been laid June 13th 1875.
RESIDENCE OF REV. J. F. OLLER, WAYNESBORO, FRANKLIN COUNTY, PA.
This elegant and two a half story brick house, constructed with all the modern improvemens, 26 by 48 feet, with a wing, having a porch its entire length, is situated on the south side of West Main street. It was built by Rev. G. W. Glessner, a German Reformed Minister, who sold It to the late Alexander Hamilton. It was purchased by Rev. Oller
in 1870, and by him it was remodled. The lot on which it stands is 272 by 200 feet, and has a two acre field in the rear containing a thrifty apple and peach orchard. There is also a very fine stable on the property. Rev. J. F. Oller was born Jan. 18th, 1825, near Waynesboro. His father, Joseph Oller, who was of the Catholic faith, was born Jan. 18th, 1791. His mother, Rebecca Oller, daughter of David Stoner, of Washington Township, was born March 22d, 1803. Mr. J. F. Oller was reared on a farm, butfat the age of 20 years he engaged in school teaching, and after- wards, associated with Mr. Philips, under the firm name of Philips & Oller, he embarked in the dry goods business in which he continued until 1852, when heleft Waynesboro and located on a farm near Chambersburg, where he lived for six years, during which time he was elected, in 1856, to the ministery in the German Baptist Church. After his election his mother was also received into membership in the same church. During his residence on this farm he lost his house with its contents by fire, after which he took up his abode near "Hopewell Mills" in Washington Town- ship, where he continued the pursuit of agriculture. He afterwards sold his farm and moved to his fathers, and purchased a part of his, and con- tinued farming until 1861, when he moved to the village of Quincy, and bonght the Eckman homestead and continued merchandizing with farming until the fall of 1866, when he, together with Daniel Geiser, J. Fahrney and Benj. E. Price, bought the establishment now known as Geiser Man- ufacturing Companys works, the style of the firm being Geiser, Price & Co. He acted as financial manager until the Geiser Manufacturing Com- pany was organized in Jan. 1869, in which he has held important and responsible positions. Mr. Oller is one of the successful men of Waynes-
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RES. OF DANIEL GEISER, ESQ. CHURCH ST WAYNESBORO, PA.
PARTMENT
ORE HOUSE
SMITH SHOP
O WORKS.
OFFICE
ISER MANUFACTURING CO
Page R45
HEDS
PAINTING DEPARTMEN
STORE HOUSE
WOOD & IRON IT DEPARTMENT
GEISER MANUFACTURING CO WORKS
OFFRE
THE OFFICE & GRAIN SEPARATOR WORKS OF THE GEISER MANUFACTURING CO WAYNESBORO, PA
Tage 245
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GEISER'S HILL, RES. OF PETER GEISER , WAYNESBORO, FRANKLIN CO., PA.
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boro, always favoring improvements and all that pertains to the general good of the people. Liberal as well as enterprising, he is one of those who remember that it is more blessed to give than to receive. He was married July 22d, 1848, to Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob Bonebreak, near Waynesboro. Their family consits of seven children, three sons and four daughters, viz: Joseph J., Jesse R., John B., Rebecca A., Sndie E. Annie G., and Mary B.
RESIDENCE OF DANIEL GEISER, WAYNESBORO, FRANKLIN COUNTY PA. .
This attractive and very convenient residence was built by its present owner in the year 1868. It is 3 stories high, constructed of brick, has a tower attached to it, and for artistic finish and everything that goes to make up the comfort of a home is seldom surpassed. It is located on the west side of Church street, nearly opposite the Lutheran church. The dimensions of this house are 58 by 33 feet, it is covered with tin and is provided with two cisterns, so as to preserve the winter water for sum - mer use. There is also a fine stable erected on the rear of the lot. Daniel Geiser was elected President of the Geiser Manufacturing Co. at the time of its organization in 1869 and has continued to hold the position, as well as that of general business manager, ever since. He is a man of remark- able energy, and his name is destined to live, in connection with the in- valuable grain separator, which his company manufactures, for ages to come. He was born March 11th 1824 near Smithburg Md. and was en. gaged in farming for some years, on a place adjoining the one on which he had been born, prior to 1860, when he came to Waynesboro and en- tered the employment of George Frick who was then engaged in building the famous Geiser Separator. In 1866 he became one of the firm of Geiser, Price & Co. who procured a charter in 1869 and acquired the corporate title of the Geiser Manufacturing Company. Mr. G. was mar- ried Nov. 24th 1848 to Anna, daughter of John Newcomer of Washington Co. Md. She died April 4th 1861 leaving one child named Mary Catherine. On Oct. 30th 1854 Mr. Geiser remarried, his second wife Nancy, being a daughter of David Hoover of Washington Co. Md. and was born March 5th 1897. Three children are the result of this union viz. Chancy D., Clara E., and Norris D. John Geiser, father of Daniel, was born Nov. 2d 1784 in Washington Co. Md. He married Mary Singer who was born July 12th 1792. They are both dead, but have left a large family. The names of their children were as follows, David, who died when quite young, Susie, now deceased, John, Mary, these two are also dead, Catherine, Daniel, Peter, Martin, Elizabeth deceased, David, Samuel, Nancy and Sarah.
Peter Geiser, who was the original inventor of the Separator and whose elegant residence is portrayed in connection with that of his brother, a two storied mansion with finished attic, is situated on "Geiser Hill" over- looking the town. Its dimensions are 34 by 34 feet. There is also a summer house 22 by 17 feet, attached to the rear, The conveniences as far as water supply to this house are only equaled by those who have the advantage of public water works. Two cisterns, situated in the rear of the dwelling and above the level of the ground floor furnish a bountiful profusion of water, and by their peculiar connection through two filters, one of sand and the other of charcoal and sand, the impurities, that accidentally contaminate the water as it falls from the clouds, are removed. The water can be stopped off in cistern No. 1 and by that means the winter water is kept in No. 2 free from the summer heat. Peter Geiser invented the self regulators for which are used on the grain sepera-
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tor, now known as the "Geiser (train Separator, Cleaner and Bagger." Improvements have been made from time to time, by Peter and Daniel Geiser and patents have been obtained on the same. Peter Geiser was born March 6th 1826. He was married to Marv, daughter of David Hoover of Washington Co. Md. April 20th 1855. She was born April 1st 1835. Their children eleven in number are named as follow. John A., Wm. D., Jas. P., Dixon H., Libbie A., D. Singer, Joseph F., M. Mintie, Harry E., Elvin T., and Elsie A. K.
WAYNESBORO CAVES.
Near the Maryland line, abont one and a half miles south-east of Waynes- boro, is a very considerable cave, and, among the many, which abound in this portion of the county, this is probably the most extensive. This cave lies at the northern extremity of a high ridge, running north-east by south-west. The entrance is at the base of the ridge, and leads in a southerly direction, being not exactly parallel, with the course of the hill itself. The entrance of the cave is only large enough for two persons to walk in at once, by stooping a little. On passing through the entrance an apparent vestibule, of say thirty feet in diameter, and fifteen to eighteen feet high is reached. Then ascending a few steps just opposite the en- trance, a defile averaging about four feet wide, and seven to nine feet high, extends to a distance of about one hundred yards, to a clear and beautiful stream of water, gushing up from beneath the wall of rocky formations, on the east side of the passage. This stream then takes the regular course of the cave, which seemingly becomes narrower, and the water shows considerable depth.
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