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 33
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RESIDENCE AND BUSINESS PLACE OF C. H. BUHRMAN, ROUZERVILLE, FRANKLIN COUNTY, PA.
This well established and valuable store property, is located in the vil- lage of Rouzerville, within one and a half miles of Waynesboro station, on the W. M. R. R., and on the pike leading to the town of Waynesboro. The site upon which this building stands was purchased, July 26th, 1873, by its present proprietor together with the old one and a half story frame building, and stock of goods, from Peter Rouzer with whom Mr. B. had been associated in business In the winter of 1874, he built his present convenient house, and still continues in the business of general merchant- dising. It is a frame structure 2 stories high 28 by 34 feet. Mr. Buhr- man had been actively engaged in different occupations from the time he reached his majority. At the time of his fathers death, which occurred Feb 14th. 1861, he fell heir to the farm upon which his father bad resided, and engaged in farming, which he continued to pursue, until he had reached his 29th year, when he grew impatient of restraint, his active energies demanding a larger field of occupation. In the spring of 1866, he rented his farm, and engaged in storekeeping, in which he was very successful, for the period of 3 years, when he met with the misfortune of having his store house, and stock of goods, consumed by fire. He return. ed to the farm, where he remained for two years, but was not in his ele- ment, and on disposing of his stock, and farming implements, he moved to Rouzerville, where we now find him. Charles H. Buhrman, Was
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born in Frederick county, Md., on the 1st day of June, 1837. He inar- ried Anna M. Green of Frederick County., Md., Feb. 16th, 1858. They have 5 children living, 2 boys and 3 girls, and one girl dead. His moth- er, now in her 70th year, a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, And a woman of eminent piety, is making her home with him. Henry Gordon her father, was of Scotch descent, his father George Gor- don, who was born in this country, was killed by the Indians, in the year 1755, near where the town of "Shady Grove" now stands, his wife with a small babe, a few days old, in her arms, made her escape on foot, wading the Monocacy river and reached the Fort where Frederick city, Md., now stands. Samuel Buhrman, father of Charles H. was born near Mt. Zion, Frederick Co., Md., on the 10th day of September, 1812. He was a son of Henry and Catherine Buhrman In the year 1843. be purchased, and moved to the property known as Ripple's tavern stand, situated in the top ot the South Mountain. He it was that remodeled and enlarged the house, in order to accomodate a rapidly growing patronage, and after its destruction by fire in Feb. 1849, he erected the large brick structure, now so widely known as the Monterey Springs property. He died as above stated Feb. 14th, 1861, whilst yet in the vigor of manhood, greatly la - mented by those who were left to mourn their irreparable loss.
RESIDENCE OF PETER ROUZER, ROUZERVILLE, FRANKLIN COUNTY, PA.
This comfortable dwelling is adjoining the store property, of Mr . C. H. Bubrinan, and was erected in the year 1867. Its present owner canie to this place, in the spring of 1861. From the year 1864, until the Post- office was established in 1872, this village was known as Pikesville. At the time of the advent of Mr. Rouzer he purchased three and a half acres of land, from Michael Gonder, upon which he erected a storehouse, and subsequently a hotel, blacksmith shop, wagon maker shop, and eight dwelling houses, and also sold lots, upon which were built 10 dwelling houses. Ile built a warehouse, at Waynesboro station on the W. M. R. R., and opened a road to it. Mr. R. has been engaged in huckstering, in this neighborhood for the last 21 years, and still claims some of his first cus. tomers. At this time he owns about 40 acres of land ndjoining the vil- lage, which he purchased from Christian Shockey and others. Daniel Rouzer, the grandfather of Peter, was born in 1768, and died in 1852. Martin Rouzer, father of Peter, was born in 1801, in Frederick County. Md .. He married Rosanah Germund, in 1824, and raised a family of ? children. Peter Rouzer, was married to Miss Mary A. daughter of Dan- iel Haugh, March 19th, 1859. They had children as follows, Simon P., Mary J., David W., Charles A., Emma K., Clara M., Jennie K., Mary L., Harry W., Bessie J., Nettie R., and Samnel M. Seven of these are still living. David W., Harry W., and Samuel M., died in infancy. Martin Rouzer, brother of Peter, was a Captain in the 6th Regt., Md., Vols., and was promoted to Maj., before the battle of Gettysburg. He was honorably discharged on account of physical disability, in 1864. Peter Rouzer, will long be remembered as an active, energetic, business man of sterling integrity. The part he has taken in establishing the vil- Inge, which justly bears his name, will be a matter of interest. and family pride, to all who may be related to him by ties of consanguinity.
"HOPEWELL MILLS," AND RESIDENCE OF JOHN BURGER, WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, FRANKLIN COUNTY, PA.
The "Hopewell Mills" property, consisting of the mill, residence, and 25 acres of the best quality of freestone and bottom land, is now owned
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by Mr. Josiah Burger, father of John Burger. The mill building, which is 45 by 50 feet, was erected in 1845. It has a capacity of 75 barrels of flour per day, requiring three hands, when run at full time. It is driven by two wheels 16 feet diameter, under a head of 25 feet. The yielding capacity of the land is about 50 barrels of corn, and 30 bushels of wheat, per acre, The present mill, dam, and race, were constructed in 1845, at a cost of $14.975, and is considered one of the best water powers in the county. The first will erected on this site, was built by Josiah Mentzer, in 1775, who sold it to Jacob Welsh in 1810. By him it was disposed of to Joun Fullerton in 1830, who sold it to Charles Hoch in 1842. He erected the present structure, as above stated in 1845. and sold to George Besore of Waynesboro in 1852. Mr. Besore sold to Burger, Oller & Co., in 1870, from this firm it passed into the hands of J. F. Oller, in 1974, from whom it was purchased, in 1875, by its present owner. Jobn Burger, the superintendent of these mills, is a grandson of David Burger, E-q., a builder and contractor, who built the "Mercersburg Seminary," and other important structures, and only son of Mr. Josiah Burger, of Quincy Township, in this county. He was born Feb. 4th, 1850, bear .. Hopewell Mills," and was married Dec. 30th, 1874. to Miss Elizabeth Benedict, of Quincy Township. His father was born in Quincy Township, in 1825, and in 1847, he was married to Susan Oller. They have six children, viz: Mary, John, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Prudence and Annie. Tire business transacted, at these mills, is conducted with marked ability by the energetic superintendent, and the product meets with prompt sales in every market that is reached by it.
FARM, AND RESIDENCE OF SAMUEL GARVER, ESQ., NEAR SCOTLAND, FRANKLIN COUNTY, PA.
This very desirable property, is located in Green Township, adjoining the village of Scotland, and only a half mile south of the R. R. station, at said place. It is delightfully situated, and is supplied with an abundance of the purest water. The farm which contains 128 acres, is a portion of a very large tract of land, that was purchased by Alexander Thomson, a recent emigrant from Scotland, in 1772, to which he gave the name of "Corker Hill." Log buildings had been erected on this portion, prior to the purchase by Thomson, which remained until the year 1840, when the present house was erected on the site of the old one, by Samuel Garver Sr. who also built the barn in 1844. No alterations were made to these new buildings, until 1858, when the present owner, who bad purchased the property in 1857, made an addition, of 16 feet, to the front house. As it now stands the house, which is of brick, is 43 by 26 feet, with a brick back building. The barn is stone and frame, 72 by 48 feet with wagon shed attached. The other necessary farm buildings, were erected at dit- ferent times. There are but a few acres, of this place that are not under cultivation, they being in timber. The soil is lime and freestone. The surface is gently rolling, and well adapted to the production of all kinds of grain, and also for grass. Of the many fine springs, to be found on this place, two are near the house, which by their unvarying flow, of very great force, furnish an unlimited supply of water. The fencing is chiefly of locust posts, and chestnut rails, and for the manufacture of posts, there is an abundance of materia. on the farm. The presence of large bodies of iron ore, as well as abundance of stone, for the manufacture of cement, is strongly indicated on this land. The largest product of wheat, in recent years, was 30 bushels per acre. Mr. G. has an apple orchard of about 300 trees, of the most approved varieties, just coming into full bear-
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ing. Heis of German ancestry, his grandfather, Christian Garver, hav- ing migrated from Frankfort on the Main, about the middle of the last century. He located in Washington county, Md., where Samuel Garver Sr., remained until 1832, when be purchased this place. Samuel Garver Jr., was married in Sept. 1842, to the youngest danghter of the late David Coldsmith. They have six children all living. One a physician practicing in Scotland, two in the legal profession, and one a clergyman. His oldest daughter is married to a great grandson of the original purchaser of this farm.
FARM OF W. H. M'CORMICK, PATH VALLEY.
On the 15th day of September, 1766, Alexander McConnell a man of remarkable energy, and enterprise, located a tract of 100 acres, in the Path Valley, in what is now Metal Township, and abont one mile south of Fannettsburg. On the 9th of January, ensuing. Robt. McConnahee, also located a tract of the same size, immediately adjoining the one taken up by Alexander McConnell. At this time, although the Indian difficul- ties were over, and nothing stood in the way of the adventurous pioneer, attracted by the rich limestour lauds of this section, there was yet but a sparse population in the valley, and the primeval forest, still covered a large portion of the surface. Neither history, nor tradition, have pre- served much of the lives, or characters, of either, Alexander McConnell, or Robt. McConnahee, and even their burial places are forgotten. That they were both of Scotch Irish ancestry, their names would indicate. The name of Alexander McConnell, appears on the roll of Capt. Abraham's Company, in the early part of 1777, and it is probable he participated in the war of the Revolution, although to what extent, it is now impossible to tell. Sometime between 1767, and 1778. Alexander McConnell, became the owner of the adjacent tract, of Robt. McConnahee, although at what time it is now impossible to tell, as no record, can now be found. On April 14th, 1778, William Queery, of West Pennsborongh, Cumberland County, purchased the entire property, of Alexander McConnell, and it remained in his possession, until his death, when it fell to his heirs, viz : his sons John, William, and Charles, and his widow. John and William, were residents of North Carolina, and Charles who had remained at home. purchased both their shares, and resided on the farm, with his wife, and niothier, until March 29th, 1788, when William Harvey, the maternal grandfather of the present owner, purchased the entire tract, of 200 acres. Mr. Harvey, resided on the place until his death, which occurred at an early age, leaving a family, of several children, all of whom however died in early life, like their father, victims of that fearful disease consumption. Only one of them, Elizabeth, was married, and she, was the mother of three children, one of whom died before her, another died while yet a child, leaving the present proprietor, while yet in early boyhood, the sole inheritor, and survivor, of the family. Mr. McCormick, was born Dec. 31st, 1826, and was married in 1851, to Miss Margaret E Park, of Metal Township, and their family now consists of three sons, Robt. H , James W., and William B. It is now impossible to tell, at what time, the first house, was built on this place, but it is likely that the first permanent res- idence, was built by Alexander McConnell, about on the site of the present residence, and is the same removed by Mr. McCormick, since his occu- pancy. It was a two story log house, with a one story kitchen, and must have been rather aristocratic in its appearance, compared with the usual homes of those early times. The farm at present contains 240 acres, and allowance, Mr. McCormick having added 40 acres, by purchase ; is nearly
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one half well set in excellent timber; is one mile from Fannettsburg, and seven from Richmond Station, on the S. P. R. R. It is well situated, and watered, lying mostly on the west side of the west branch, which flows through it. Several fine springs are on the farm, and the one by the house, is one of the finest in the county, being of large volume, and very clear cool water. The soil is limestone, and well adapted to grain raising, 30 bushels per acre have been grown on the place. Fencing is mostly rail, with some post. The present house, and barn, were both erected by Mr. McCormick. The barn, erected in 1861, is frame, with stone founda- tion, 101 by 55 feet, an imposing and substantial structure. The house, which is is brick, 30 by 40 feet, with a kitchen 16 by 18 attached, was built in 1874, and is a model of convenience and comfort. A fine orchard of choice fruit, much of which is just coming into bearing, is no small attraction of this pleasant home. Blessed in his family relations, and surrounded by all that should make life, not only independant, but luxur- ious, Mr. McCormick, Las reason to thank the "giver of all good, and perfect gifts," for more blessings than usually fall to the lot of man.
"VILLAGE RECORD," Waynesboro, Pa. Established March, 1847. W. Blair Editor and Proprietor. Has a general home circulation.
RESIDENCE, AND FARM, OF JOHN HEMMINGER, QUINCY TOWNSHIP FRANK- LIN COUNTY, PA.
This fine farm, of 157 acres, of mixed soil, containing limestone, flint, and iron ore, is located, one half mile, east of the village of Quincy. Its nearest railroad point, is Mont Alto. 3 miles, distant. One portion of this land, was originally taken up, in 1801, by Anthony Snowberger, and was called "Snow Hill," the balance, Was from a tract, taken up, by Joseph Mentzer, that was known, as "White Oak Bottom." The first buildings, have all disappeared, and were replaced, by substantial brick ones, by Jacob Middour, about the year 1852. The house, represented in our picture, is 28 by 33 feet, the wash and bake house, which is also of brick, is 18 by 26 feet. The bank barn, is 46 by 76 feet. The timber, to be found, in this place, is of a good growth, and consists, of oak, chestnut, pine, and hickory. The land is very productive, the wheat crop, of last year, amounting to one thousand bushels. Mr. Hemminger, purchased this property, in 1867, from Mr. George Middour.
HOTEL PROPERTY, AND FARM, OF CHARLES GILLAN, MT. PARNEL, FRANK - LIN COUNTY, PA.
This very valuable property, is located, in St. Thomas Township, ten miles west of Chambersburg, one and a half miles from the village of St. Thomas, and four from Loudon, on the pike, leading from Baltimore to Pittsburg,. Lemaster's station, on the South Penn. R. R. is the nearest railroad point. There has been a post office in this hotel. for some years. The house, which is a large brick structure, 90 feet long, was built by Samuel Thompson, in the year 1815, but has been remodled, by the present owner. The farm, consists of 337 acres, six of which are covered with timber. The barn is constructed of stone, brick, and frame. The land is rolling, and is
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well adapted to the cultivation of all kinds of grain, and for the raising of stock. There are two wells of good water, and one spring, on the place. The amount of wheat raised per year, runs from 1200, to 2000, bushels. Mr. Gillan has resided on this farm, and conducted the hotel, for 32 years, and has been owner of it for 17 years, having purchased it in 1861. His popularity over the county is such, that in referring to anything in his neighborhood, it is only necessary to say that it is near "Charles Gillan's." The most important, amongst other improvements, made on this place was the erection of a "Stover Wind Engine" for the purpose of pumping water for the stock. . It could not be purchased at any price, provided another equally good, could not be procured. Mr. Gillan married Mary Jane Smith McDowell, a daughter of Maj. James McDowell. They have tive children, all living, three sons, and two daughters.
After the above was written, and just as it was going into the printer's hands, the sad intelligence reached us that Charles Gillan died on Sunday March 21th, 1878. That he will be greatly missed, and long remembered in his neighborhood is a fact that is evident to all who knew him. "Peace to his ashes."
THE BURNING OF THE TOWN.
By permission of the Borough authorities, granted at their special meet- ing held March 27th, 1878, we subjoin the following articles, from the plan of Dr. Wm. C. Lane, of Orrstown, on the burning of Chambersburg, and the flood on the 24th of November, 1867 :-
The one hundreth anniversary, of the founding of Chambersburg, was fearfully signalized by its almost total destruction. In the later part of July, 1864, Gen Jubal Earley's division of the Confederate Army, Was located near the town of Martinsburg, West Virginia. On the 28th of the month, Gen. John McCausland, Commanding a Brigade of Cavalry, en- gaged in guarding the approaches to the Shenandoah Valley, was ordered by Earley, to advance on Chambersburg, and demand a tribute of $100,000 in gold, or $500,000 in greenbacks; to be paid in half an hour, and, in the event of the refusal or failure of the citizens to raise the ransom, he was forthwith to destroy the town by fire. Early on the morning of the 30th of July, McCausland's command, numbering 3,000 cavalry, and two bat teries of artillery, approached the town. Planting their batteries on a commanding hill, west of it, at about 6 o'clock, A. M., Generals McCaus- land and Bradly Johnston, accompanied by the notorious Major Harry Gilmore, at the head of 800 cavalry, entered Chambersburg. MeCausland immediately acquainted a number of citizens, who were convened on the Diamond, with the nature of his errand. Compliance with his extrava- gant demand being clearly impossible, the heartless work of incendiarism at once began, and, in a few short hours, the beautiful town was in ashes. The property, thus destroyed comprised about a dozen of squares, in the best and most contral parts of the town, including 278 residences, and places of business, and 271 barns, stables, and outhonses, of various kinds. The aggregate value of the property destroyed, including personal property, is not less than $1,700,000. The Rebel General McCausland, now defends this unparalled act of savagery, as a just and proper retaliation for the destruction of a few houses in Virginia, by General David Hunter, of the Union Army, but wilfully distorts the facts of General Hunter's action. This retaliation, admitting all the facts of McCausland's defence, is uni- versally admitted to be, out of all proportion to the cause assigned ; and, although he may be justified by the exigencies of military discipline, in
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obeying the cruel command of his superior officer, yet the fiendish and malignant alacrity, as well as the atrocious inhumanity, with which it was executed, admit of Benher palliation, not defence; and the name of McCanslan I, must ever remain associated. in common and irredeemable infamy, with those incarnate fiends, Caligula, and the brutal Duke of Alva, whose unexempled terocity, he so conspicuously emulated in the destruc- tion of Chambersburg. Nor is this the full measure of his infamy ; for, nothing but the determined opposition, and superior humanity, of some of his officers, prevented ham from marking the destruction of the town, with horrors, before winch, would pale the most beinous deeds, of these libels on humanity. Inconceivabley horrible as the fact may seem, yet, it is never- theless une, that General MeCausland, was with difficulty persuaded from applying the midnight touch, to the homes of Chambersburg's. sleeping citizens, and by this heartless crime, consuming them in their burning hames.
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THE FLOOD.
On the 24th of November, 1877, the town was visited by a freshet on the Copacochengne creek, winch exceeded in the height of the water, and the loss of property, any freshet, of which we have any record. The water rose, within seven hours, to the height of fourteen feet above or. dinary water mark, and destroyed and damaged property, within that time to the value of $20 000. It carried away an iron bridge, which spanned the creek, where the road crosses it at Heyser's Straw Board Mill; flooded the pump, and engine house, of the water works to the depth of 6 feet; tore out the western end of the Wuolen Mill; carried away a blacksmith shap, from the yard of Miller's Hotel property ; flooded Miller's Hotel, to the depth of 11 inches in the bar room; caused the falling in of the northern end of the stone bridge, on Market Street; carried away the foundation walls from under the back building, of the dwelling, of Mr. Ephraim Fina- trock ; damaged the western almtment at the alley bridge, at the brewery, to such an extent as to require it to be taken down and rebuilt; flooded the lower floor of Ludwig's Brewery; rose to such a height at the Gas Works. as to shut off the supply of gas from the town ; caused a loss to H. Sierer & Co. of $10,000 in the destruction of buildings, and property car- ried away ; fore out about seventy five feet of the northern wing wall of the Wolfstown bridge, and carried away the pier of the bridge, besides a large amount of damage to other property, by flooding and washing.
The night of the 24th of November, 1877, will long be remembered by the citizens of Chambersburg as one of dread, anxie y, and gloom. Dread, at the idea of the fearful destruction, which they knew must follow such an unusual rise of the waters in the creek; anxiety to know what the light of the next day would dieclose; and gloom, at the darkness, which could almost be felt, and which could not be remedied, on account of the gas, being shut off by the flooding, of a portion of the Gas Works. At 11 o'clock the fire bells rang a general alarm, which caused a feeling of terror, to strike through the hearts of the citizens, such as they had not ex- perienced, since the Friday succeeding the burning of the town, by the Rebels, in July. 1864. The alarm was occasioned hy the falling in of the western wall of the Woolen Mill, which caused the bursting of an oil lamp, burning in the building, at the time, and which, set fire to a portion of the mill, hut was speedily extinguished by the fire apparatus belonging to the establishment. This flood will long be remembered as an era in the history of the town, and one to which the "oldest inhabitant" of the distant future, can refer, to with a serious pride.
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THE RENFREW ESTATE.
On the banks of the grand old Conococheague, and not far from where it emerges a wild mountain stream, from the rocky and pictures que gorges of the far-famed South Mountain, Samuel Beckbel located a tract of land as early as 1792. This tract passed into the possession of John Rentrew, Dec. 30tb, 1806, the consideration being a little over eleven pounds Penn- sylvania currency. It is probable that prior to this time, hutle or no im- proving had been done, but John Renfrew was a stiring man, and under his energetic and untiring efforts, the primeval forest rapidly gave way to cultivated fields, and the sound of the axe and hammer awakened echoes new and strange in the dense undergrowth tringing the Conococheague, while that hitherto impetuous and uneducated stream no longer flowed on in all of its wild freedom, but held in bondage by the sturdy pioneer. was forced to turn the busy wheel with scarce a mormor of regret over its departed independence. The yoke John Renfrew imposed on the riotons stream has never been broken, and, although disastrous floods attended with much destruction of property have occurred, the water power which is no less than 16 feet fall, is still utilized both for a griet and saw mill. John Renfrew was married to Jane Rea, and died in 1844. His son Samuel married Hannah Lindsey, the fruits of this marriage were four sons, John R., Robert A , David A., and Samuel. After the death of his first wite, which occured while the children were yet small, Samuel married as his second wife, Margaret Andrew. Their only son, James, now lives in Kansas. David lives in Butler Coun y, Pa. Robert A. married Hannah A. Thomson, in 1849. They had eleves children. Samuel L., Thomson, " Mary Elizabeth, D. L., Sallie A., Samuel T., John Agnew, Annie C. Robert M., Sarah R., and Hannab Jane; Samuel L. died Aug. 9th 1850; Thomson died Dec. 20th, 1851; Sallie A. died Sept. 24th, 1857; Sammel T. died Feb. 18th, 1859; Hannah died Jan. 20th, 1873, and Annie C. died March 4th, 1873. Hannah A., wife of Robert A .. died June 3d, 1871. He survived her but a few years, dying June 20th, 1874. Of the five children remaining'on the home place, but one, David L , is married, be married Ida A. Breckenridge, in 1877. The farm contains 180 acres, of which 100 is cleared. The house, a commodious and convenient mansion, is built of brick, previous.to its completion the family lived in a log house that stood some distance below. The property is located two miles east of Fayette- ville, in Green Township, near the pike leading to Gettysburg. The postoffice is Black's Gap. Situated in a country of picturesque beauty, rich in agricultural wealth and convenient of access to the outside world, this old homestead is one of the most interesting of the many beautiful proper- ties for which Franklin County is justly famous.
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