USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Littlestown > History and directory of the boroughs of Gettysburg, Oxford, Littlestown, York Springs, Berwick, and East Berlin, Adams County, Pa. : with historical collections > Part 11
USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Gettysburg > History and directory of the boroughs of Gettysburg, Oxford, Littlestown, York Springs, Berwick, and East Berlin, Adams County, Pa. : with historical collections > Part 11
USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > East Berlin > History and directory of the boroughs of Gettysburg, Oxford, Littlestown, York Springs, Berwick, and East Berlin, Adams County, Pa. : with historical collections > Part 11
USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Oxford in Adams County > History and directory of the boroughs of Gettysburg, Oxford, Littlestown, York Springs, Berwick, and East Berlin, Adams County, Pa. : with historical collections > Part 11
USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > York Springs > History and directory of the boroughs of Gettysburg, Oxford, Littlestown, York Springs, Berwick, and East Berlin, Adams County, Pa. : with historical collections > Part 11
USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Berwick in Adams County > History and directory of the boroughs of Gettysburg, Oxford, Littlestown, York Springs, Berwick, and East Berlin, Adams County, Pa. : with historical collections > Part 11
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John Abbott had two sons, Thomas and Edward. He gave to his son Thomas all of his land along the north side of the York and Gettys- burg turnpike ; and that which lies on the south side he gave to his son Edward. It is said that they did not prosper-one ultimately dying a pauper-and the land of their father passed into the hands of strangers. Thomas had a daughter, who is the mother of Dr. Abbott Carnes and of Mr. Calvin Carnes, at this time worthy citizens of the town laid out by their great-grandfather. Dr. Abbott Carnes relates a story which he often heard his mother tell. When the last company of wild Indians roamed through the town, they called at her house for something to eat. She gave them a ham, which they ate in Baugher's meadow, now owned by Mr. Daniel Baehr, and then departed, never to return.
The first house has been torn away. It stood where Mrs. Agnes Wolff now resides. Some of the logs and other material were used in building the house now owned by Mrs. Grove. A large stone house in the east end of the town, belonging to the estate of William Gitt, bears this inscrip- tion : "Built by G. H. A. D. 1781."
The location of the town is elevated. From the square, at which point the turnpikes cross, the ground descends in all directions; and hence is always free from mud. The land around is of excellent quality. Splen- did crops repay the toil of the husbandman. The large barns and good farm houses attest the fertility of the soil and the industry of the tiller. In the south and southeast loom up the Pigeon Hills, large enough to form a respectable mountain. These hills certainly add greatly to the beauty of
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ABBOTTSTOWN.
the scenery, and their wild picturesqueness beget emotions of grandeur in the mind of every beholder. They abound in timber of first-class quality, and for years, if not for all time, will be the chief depository on which the neighboring farmers must depend for fencing material. It also is sup- posed that immense deposits of rich minerals lie hidden in those hills. Traces of coal and of copper have sometimes been found. A good qual- ity of stone coal was discovered in quarrying stone for the Reformed church, in June, 1843, a short distance below the town. Also a small vein was found in digging the foundation of the Paradise Catholic church, near Abbottstown. Several years ago a company was formed for mining purposes, and after working for several weeks on the farm of Mr. Henry Miller, one mile south of town, in tracing what was supposed to be a vein of coal, it was found to be lignite, and was abandoned.
Years ago there was a vast amount of travel through Abbottstown, it being on the turnpike road leading from Philadelphia through Columbia, York, Gettysburg and Chambersburg to Pittsburg. On the stage lines of this thoroughfare thousands of passengers traveled annually, while mer- chandise, in immense quantities, was carried on wagons. The farmers of the lower end of the Cumberland Valley, in hauling their grain to Balti- more, entered the turnpike at Berlin and then passed through Abbotts- town to Hanover, where they joined the Carlisle and Baltimore turnpike and had a good road to the city. Old citizens tell of the time when the town square and streets were crowded with wagons and horses, and when the teamsters and travelers filled up the hotels.
The turnpike from York to Gettysburg was built in 1818-19, at a cost of $4,000 per mile. And the turnpike from Berlin to Hanover was made in 1816-17.
It was natural that a place so felicitously located, should. with the pro- gress of the country, desire the advantages of more rapid transit, by which to hold the travel and trade, which was being diverted to other channels. Hence we find that as early as 1835 the question of a railroad through Ab- bottstown was agitated by its citizens. In 1836 surveys were made by Dr. Pfeiffer for the extension of the Wrightsville and York railroad through Abbottstown and Oxford to Gettysburg, to connect there with the so-called tapeworm. The road was located, over eight hundred thousand dollars were expended and the project was abandoned in 1838-39. Had not political animosity frustrated this plan, this no doubt to-day would be on the main line between Philadelphia and Pittsburg.
After several years of agitation on the part of the citizens, in which Se- bastian Haeffer, Sr., Col. Geo. Ickes, Michael Hoffman, Frederick Del- lone and Wm. Bittinger took an especial interest in raising a subscription, a survey was made in 1856 by Joseph S. Gitt, C. E. The effort however. was not successful. The matter then rested till 1865 when a survey was made from Oxford through Abbottstown to York and the Susquehanna river. It was expected that this road would be built but also failed.
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ABBOTTSTOWN.
In 1872, Mr. Maltby, who had purchased the Hanover and Gettysburg railroad, ordered another survey. He did not receive as hearty a response from the citizens of York as he thought the interests of the case demanded, and soon after he sold his road to the H. J. & H. R. R. Company. On the completion of the Short Line, the project of a road from Abbottstown to York was abandoned, perhaps forever.
The citizens now felt that they must look in another direction, and strive to get on a line from Harrisburg to Baltimore. In accordance with this plan surveys were made by Jos. S. Gitt, in 1875-6, and a road was located from Red Hill, on the H. & G. R. R., five miles west of Hanover, through Abbottstown to East Berlin. This road is now completed, built of the best material and in the most substantial manner, and is doing a large and remunerative business. The people of Abbottstown and vicinity acted nobly in the work of constructing this road. But to no one is greater praise due than to Mr. Wm. Bittinger, both for personal influence and pecuniary aid in making this project a success. A few short links yet to be made, and it will form a new line from Harrisburg to Baltimore as direct as the Northern Central, with much easier curves and far lighter grades, passing through a country more thickly settled and more fertile in soil.
CHURCHES.
Saint John's Lutheran congregation was established during the last century. The first building was of logs and weatherboarded. It was destroyed by fire in 1829. Dr. F. E. Vandersloot, of Philadelphia, was then a young man and was spending the evening at the house of Jacob Fahnestock, Sr., afterwards his father-in-law. Dr. Vandersloot and Mr. G. Ickes were the first persons at the fire. When they arrived, there was no fire in the lower part of the church but the gallery was in a blaze. Mr. J. Fahnestock and his son Jacob went into the church when the steeple was in flames, and the sparks were falling down into the church, took the cloth from the altar, secured the cup and pitcher of the communion ser- vice, took the pipe from the stove and conveyed all out safely, though with great danger to themselves. In this fire were destroyed the old papers and the books of the church which now renders it impossible to give the desired accuracy as to the early dates of its organization. It is thought that some runaway negroes were the incendiaries, since a few days before several had been detained in the lock-up, and on regaining their freedom declared that they would remember the town and repay in a manner not desirable.
The present edifice is built of brick, and has recently been remodeled and repainted. The corner-stone was laid, with appropriate ceremonies, on the IIth of June, 1830. The record shows that the following ministers were present : Rev. Jonathan Ruthrauff, pastor, Rev. Geo. Schmucker, D. D., of York, J. Oswald, D. D., York, A. H. Lochman, of Harrisburg, Charles Schaeffer of Philadelphia, S. Gutelius, of Hanover, and Ferdinand
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ABBOTTSTOWN.
Edward Vandersloot. Nicholas Henry, George Baugher, John Wolf and Joseph Carl composed the building committee. Tobias Kepner and Nicholas Henry were the elders. Joseph Carl, Jonas Henry and Joseph Berlin were the deacons ; Joseph R. King, the treasurer. This congrega- tion was served by the ministers as they appear in this order : Geo. Bager, 1768-76 ; Schroeder, 1780-87 ; Grob, 1788-99 ; Rabenack, 1804-5 ; Ray- man, 1807-19 ; Meltzheimer, 1820-24; Jonathan Ruthrauff, 1829-36, dur- ing whose pastorate the new church was built, and who was called to the congregation in Lebanon ; Leonard Gerhart, 1837-38, called to Elizabeth- town ; Peter Scheurer, 1839-42, called to churches near Hanover ; Wm. Heilig, 1842-45, called to Mt. Joy ; Charles Witmer, 1846-50, called to church in Cumberland county ; Leonard Gerhart, 1850-61 ; Daniel J. Hauer, D. D., 1862-72, Michael Snyder, 1873-77. The congregation was afterwards served by Rev. M. Alleman,-the present pastor being Rev. S. P. Orwig. A Sabbath School is connected with this church.
Emmanuel's Reformed congregation was also organized during the last century. For a number of years both congregations worshiped to- gether, but in 1782* the members of the Reformed church, (Rev. Rahau- ser, pastor), put up a house for their own use. The present stone building was erected in 1847. The corner-stone was laid on the 15th day of August, of that year. It was dedicated to the service of the Triune God on the 12th of June, 1848. Prof. Philip Schaff, D. D., then of Mercers- burg, and now known both in Europe and in America as a champion of the truth as it is in Christ, was present and participated in the exercises.
Rev. W. F. Colliflower was succeeded in 1880 by Rev. David U. Wolf as pastor of this church. A number of able and devoted ministers have served this congregation, among whom are Charles Helfenstein, Samuel Gutelius, Jacob Sechler, Immanuel Hoffheins, F. W. P. Davis and Aaron Spangler.
Rev. F. W. Vandersloot, Sr., preached in this church from the year 1827 to 1831. He was a highly educated man, having received a classical training in Europe. He was also an accomplished musician, and sang with great power and wonderful sweetness. He died during his ministry at Abbottstown in the year 1831. Two of his sons are in the ministry of the Reformed church ; the one is seventy-one years of age, the other sev- enty-four. Also a grandson is preaching in the same denomination. Dur- ing Rev. Vandersloot's pastorate, Mr. Ernst, then living on the turn pike road leading to York, was the organist.
The Paradise Catholic is located one mile north of Abbottstown. A. large tract of valuable land was donated to the church by Mr. John Brandt, on which a commodious stone building was erected in 1843, and since then has been a regular place of worship. Among the priests who
*Mr. Frederick Wolf, an old citizen of Abbottstown, remembers seeing the figures, "1777," above the pulpit of this church.
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have ministered there, are : Revs. Fathers Pester, DeBarth, Zachi Villiger, and F. X. Denecker ..
There are two schools, in Abbottstown, one for the more advanced pupils and the other for the primary scholars. The school buildings are not what they should be, and poorly correspond with the ability of the people. Yet the schools are in good condition, and under efficient teachers the pupils are making rapid and solid advancement.
A German Newspaper, the Intelligencer was published in Abbottstown by F. W. Koehler, from 1833 till 1848, when the name was changed to the Wochenblatt and continued two years longer, till 1850, when it was discontinued. The Yellow Jacket, an English campaign paper, in the interests of the Whig party was published by F. W. Koehler and N. R. Buckley in 1840.
The population now numbers about four hundred and fifty, and are generally industrious and frugal. Since the construction of the railroad a new life has been infused. Two fine large warehouses have been built and already are doing an extensive business in grain, coal, groceries and all kinds of produce. The place has always been noted for its healthful- ness. The pure air and the excellent water are conducive to long life. Quite a number of aged men and women in the town and immediate neighborhood, who have spent their lives here are the witnesses of this fact. Of this number was Mr. Joseph Berlin, lately deceased, in his nine- tieth year, who possessed a vigorous mind and was able to recount with marked interest the changes wrought in this town, which was his residence during so long a life. Abbottstown is fourteen miles distant from Gettys- burg, the same from York, and six miles from Hanover. Beaver Creek, a tributary of the Conowago, passes through the east end, and is the line between Adams and York Counties. Abbottstown was incorporated in 1835, and called "Berwick Borough." Col. George Ickes became post- master in June, 1849. Mr. E. H. Stahl, the present postmaster, has served in that capacity for the past twenty years.
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ABBOTTSTOWN.
ABBOTTSTOWN MISCELLANEOUS DIRECTORY.
Borough Officers. -- Chief Burgess, Daniel Felix; Sec'y, P. C. Mc- Cann ; Treas., Henry H. Gladfelter ; Council, Cornelius Shue, Joseph Ra- ber, George Livingston, Emanuel Trostle, Henry Motter.
Churches .- Lutheran, Rev. S. P. Orwig, pastor ; German Reformed, Rev. David U. Wolf, pastor.
Hotels .- Altland House, Reuben Altland ; Union Hotel, Henry Cobler.
Abbottstown Band .- M. F. Stahl, leader ; Albert Kinneman, Pres. ; Charles Felix, Vice Pres .; P. C. McCann, Sec'y ; Joseph Marshall, Ass't Sec'y ; John Fowler, Treas.
School Board .- Dr. W. F. Hollinger, Henry K. Gladfelter, Joseph Ra- ber, John Fowler, Henry Cobler.
Post Office .- West King St., E. H. Stahl, Postmaster.
ABBOTTSTOWN BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Samuel Steffan, Confectionery ; Charles Dosch, Dry Goods; Millie Hoffheins, Millinery ; Jesse Asper, Blacksmith Shop ; Martin Thomas, Hardware; Geo. Livingston, Blacksmith Shop; Jacob Baum, Tinner ; E. Spangler, Marble Yard ; Wm. Hollinger, Dentist ; Lewis Jordy, Dry Goods ; Nicholas Berkheimer, Saloon ; J. B. Hafer, Cigar Manufacturer ; H. K. Gladfelter, Groceries ; E. H. Stahl, Shoe Store ; Daniel Miller, Cigar Manufactory ; Peter Harlacher, Saddler ; Kobler & Minter, Coach Shops ; John Lookinghill, Confectionery ; Joseph Wolf, Tannery ; John Trimmer, Watchmaber.
Use Dr. Bird's Persian Chicken Drops -- cures Cholera. Sold at Snively's Drug Store, Hanover, Pa.
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ABBOTTSTOWN RESIDENT DIRECTORY.
ABBOTTSTOWN RESIDENT DIRECTORY.
Altland Reuben, hotel keeper, Diamond. | Asper Jesse, blacksmith, Water st. Baker Andrew, laborer, W King st. Baum J B, tinner, E King st. Berkheimer S, saloon keeper, W King st. Berkheimer J, blacksmith, W King st. Bittinger Wm, W King st.
Brough Stephen, laborer, E King st.
Bucher J, farmer, W King st. Carns C, huckster, Fleet st.
Carns N, plasterer, W King st. Carns Z B, tobacconist, W King st. Carns John, tanner, Queen st.
Copman John, blacksmith, Fleet st. Dellone Gregory, merchant, W King st. Dick Wesley, laborer, Queen st. Doll John, carpenter, Fleet st. Dosh Chas, merchant, E King st. Eigelkey F S, tailor, N Queen st. Eisenhart Frank, painter, W King st. Felix Sam'l, mason, E King st. Felix Dan'l, mason, Water st. Felix Francis, laborer, W King st. Felix John, laborer, Water st. Felix Henry, laborer, E King st. Felix Chas, coachsmith, E King st. Flickinger J H, cigarmaker, Water st. Fowler John, plasterer, W King st. Getz Peter, laborer, E King st. Gladfelter W H, merchant, W King st. Grim John, laborer, back of Fleet st.
Hafer Wm, W King st.
Hafer Jos, tobacconist, W King st. Hafer Chas, cigarmaker, W King st. Hafer W A, merchant, Water st. Harlacher Peter, saddler, W King st. Harman Jacob, laborer, N Queen st. Hildebrand M F, painter, E King st. Hoffman John, clerk, E King st. . Hollinger David, farmer, E King st. Hollinger W F, physician, W King st. Hollinger D C, dentist, E King st. Johnson Dr C W, E King st. Jordy Lewis, merchant, E King st. Kinneman Albert, cigarmaker, S Queen Kinneman Henry,
Kınneman Sam'l, teacher, W King st. Kinneman Jacob, laborer, S Queen st. Kobler Henry, hotel keeper, Diamond. Kobler Lewis, coachmaker, E King st. Kœhler J F, auctioneer, Water st. Lantz J S, coachtrimmer, Water st. Leppo David, laborer, W King st. Lillich Abraham, W King st. Livingston G M, blacksmith, E King st. Lochman Peter, laborer, N Queen st. Lookingbill J, shoemaker, S Queen st. Markle Sam'l, carpenter, Fleet st. Maul Solomon, merchant, W King st. Mayers G C, teacher, E King st. Mayers Henry, farmer, E King st. McCann P C, teacher, E King st.
The "Hanover Herald" gives all the news of York and Adams Counties -- only $1.50 a year.
Use Dr. Bird's Persian Chicken Drops -- cures Cholera. Sold at Snively's Drug Store, Hanover, Pa. 8
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ABBOTTSTOWN RESIDENT DIRECTORY.
McClain Jacob, blacksmith, E King st. Metzger Washington, farmer, E King st. Miller Henry, W King st. Miller Daniel, tobacconist, W King st. Miller A G, farmer, W King st. Miller Wm, carpenter, W King st. Minter Chas, blacksmith, E King st. Mollison Henry, farmer, Water st. Mollison John, Water st.
Morrison J B, farmer back of Fleet st. Motter Henry, laborer, W King st. Mummert Richard, saddler, Water st. Mummert Dan'l, laborer, Water st. Myers G C, merchant, E King st. Myers Henry, laborer, back of Water st. Nagle Geo, tobacconist, W King st. Nagle Israel, teacher, W King st.
Nagle Daniel, carpenter, S Queen st. Nagle Moses, cabinetmaker, E King st. Nagle Peter, W King st.
Noel Jerome, carpenter, W King st. Noel John, blacksmith, E King st. Orwig Rev S P, Water st.
Pierson A C, painter, Water st. Raber Jos, farmer, back of Water st. Reever John, painter, E King st. Shue Cornelius, farmer, W King st. Spangler E D, stone-cutter, E King st. Spangler Chas,
" Spangler Wm,
Stahl E H, shoemaker, W King st. Stahl M F,
Steffman Samuel, laborer, E King st. Strubinger P H, teacher, W King st. Thomas M H, merchant, E King st. Toot Wm, laborer, E King st.
Trimmer John, laborer, Water st. Trostle Emanuel E King st.
Tschop Dan'l, wheelwright, E King st. Wichter N, basket maker, Water st. Wilson Frank, laborer, W King st. Wolf Jos, tanner, S Queen st. Wolf Fred, tanner, E King st. Wolf G W, tanner, S Queen st. Yeager J M, laborer, Fleet st.
Yohe Henry, shoemaker, W King st.
Sale Bills printed neat and cheap at the "Hanover Herald" office,
Try Crystal Cement to close your Fruit Jars, and you will use nothing else. Sold at Snively's Drug Store, Hanover. 6 ⑈
Twenty years experience proves that the best Flour is made at the Centennial Mills, on oxford road, Oxford Twp,, T. C. Noel, Proprietor.
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EAST BERLIN.
EAST BERLIN. BY J. CURTIS HILDEBRAND.
East Berlin is a neat and thriving town, (lately created a Borough) situ- ated in the lower end of Adams County, in Hamilton Township, (formerly Berwick Township, York County,) at the junction of the Conowago and Beaver Creeks. It is distant four miles from Abbottstown, ten from Han- over, six from New Oxford, thirteen from York, ten from Gettysburg, four- teen from Dillsburg, fifty-two from Baltimore, and one hundred and one from Philadelphia ; latitude, 39.56.
John Frankenberger,* a Prussian, purchased two-hundred acres of land, from Thos. and. Richard Penn, for which he paid 28 pounds, 16 shillings and 7 pence, and on the 8th day of May, 1764, laid out the town into 85 lots, with one main street, four cross streets and five alleys. He called the new town Berlin, after his native place in the Vaterland ; East being added when the postoffice was established, to distinguish it from another Berlin in the State. The cost of the lots was two pounds fifteen shillings each. Every purchaser was required to erect a dwelling house on each lot within two years and six months-the houses to be at least twenty feet in length and sixteen in breadth, with either a stone or a brick chimney attached. If the houses were not built in said time, the lot or lots were forfeited to the original owner ; purchasers were also required to pay on each lot a yearly rent of one Spanish dollar, or the value thereof in Penn- sylvania currency, to the said Frankenberger, his heirs, &c. In 1774, Mr. Frankenberger disposed of his interest to Peter Househill, for the sum of 550 pounds, who, March 18th, 1782, sold to Andrew Comfort. Mr. Com- fort dying, ordered and directed in his last will and testament, bearing date Nov. 19th, 1789, that the said town and plantation should be valued by six freeholders, and that his son, Andrew, should have the privilege of taking the estate at its valuation. Andrew took the property, his deed be- ing dated January 21st, 1794. The same year he sold his interest to John Hildebrand, Sr., grandfather of the writer-whose deed bears date Jan. 16th, 1795, recorded in the Recorder's office of York County, book K. K., page 249. After becoming proprietor, Mr. Hildebrand laid out 100 more lots, on the north side of town, known as "Hildebrand's addition" to the original town of Berlin. On the 5th of Oct., 1811, he gave half an acre of ground, on the north side of the town, for the erection of a Union Church,
*John Frankenberger became Commissioner of York Co., Oct. 31st, 1758, it being the last year of Robert McPherson's term-Mr. McP. having joined the "Western Expedition" in the reduction of Fort Du Quesne, by General Forbes.
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EAST BERLIN.
(German Lutheran, Presbyterian and Reformed,) being more suitable than that donated by Frankenberger.
The first house in Berlin was built by Charles Himes, in 1765 ; the sec- ond by Jacob Sarbaugh, in 1766; the third by James Mackley, in 1767, who opened a small store, and was the first tobacco seller in town. Peter Lane, a German, erected a mill, about 1769, at the west end, which thirty years afterwards was swept away by a freshet. The present mill was erected by Borius Fahnestock.
The first English school was opened here in 1769, by Robert John Ches- ter, an Englishman, who afterwards turned his mind to keeping tavern in the new village.
Several efforts have been made during the past to establish newspapers in our town, but all have failed, owing, perhaps, to the many surrounding towns in which papers are published. The publication of the Register was commenced in April, 1843, by Wm. Bart. This paper was neutral in politics, and suspended after the first year. In 1845, Mr. Bart started the Berlin Citizen, which also was short-lived. A new enterprise, called The Standard, was begun in May, 1846, by G. O. Little, and continued for a short time. Soon after a Democratic paper-Young Ironsides,-made its appearance, edited and published by E. B. Bart & Co. This was proba- bly only a campaign paper, and was published in opposition to a Republi- can paper, then printed at Abbottstown. These two papers made the campaign very interesting, by their sharp rejoinders, to both parties in this vicinity. With the increasing population and prosperity of our town, we can predict the success of any future journalistic enterprise.
The Berlin Improvement Society was founded in this place in 1842. They have at present a very valuable circulating library, containing over six hundred volumes. The Society occupies a school room, owned by the Lutheran and Reformed churches, built over 100 years ago, and yet in good condition.
The Berlin Beneficial Society was organized Dec. Ioth, 1844, with fif- teen charter-members, four of whom yet survive-the fifth, Rev. A. G. Deininger, departed this life Sept. 30th, 1880. The present membership is about 170 ; the Society is in a flourishing condition and pays out annually in benefits over $1200.
Washington Camp, No. 21, P. O. S. of A., was organized August 14th, 1870; and Oniska Tribe, No. 40, I. O. of R. M., Nov. 28th, 1871.
East Berlin in 1846 contained I church, a public library, 2 mills, 3 stores, 3 taverns, 3 apothecaries, 84 dwellings, and had a population of 410 in- habitants. The borough itself now contains 140 dwellings, and has a population of 510 souls. The town made rapid progress in its early days, and possessed a considerable stir of business, caused by the many wagons passing through from the northern part of York and Cumberland Counties, hauling their produce to market at Baltimore ; but, like many other towns of equal rapid growth, met with its reverse, on account of the construction
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EAST BERLIN.
of other roads, and the introduction of new modes of conveying produce and merchandise.
During the year 1879, the people of Hamilton Township (of which East Berlin formed a part,) became dissatisfied with having the election poll in East Berlin, and petitioned the Court to have it removed to Pine Run School-house, about three miles from town. An election was accordingly held, when it was decided to remove the poll to Pine Run. When the fall election occurred, the citizens of East Berlin turned out en masse, and, headed by the Berlin Band, proceeded to the new election poll to deposit their ballots. In consequence, the people of East Berlin petitioned the Court of Adams County to erect their town into a borough, which was done in 1880.
In 1877, many improvements were made in town, at the same time Locust Street was laid out and Second Street extended to Locust. The same year the Berlin Branch Railroad was completed, which constituted a memorable era in the history of our town. The $27,000 invested by our inhabitants in this enterprise is already repaying them in many ways. During the past year about 35,000 bushels of wheat were shipped from our warehouses, and over 4,000 bushels of peaches sent to distant markets. A number of lime kilns were erected at the completion of the road, and all are doing a good business. East Berlin lies in a rich farming country ; its citizens are intelligent and enterprising, and with energetic borough officers, and a few more wants supplied (a bank being most needed) East Berlin will yet arrive at considerable dignity, and become one of the most important and flourishing towns in the county.
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