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 17
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 17
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 17
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 17
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 17
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 17
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Mechanicsville .- This is a small village in the extreme northern
Try Crystal Cement to close your Fruit Jars, and you will use nothing else. Sold at Snively's Drug Store, Hanover.
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part of the county, about 18 miles from Gettysburg. It was laid out by Joseph Griest, about the year 1800. Bermudian, the postoffice, is one of the oldest in the county. The present postmaster is Eli H. Troup. There is a union church in Mechanicsville, in which all denominations hold wor- ship. The Albright preacher is Rev. Schleck, of East Berlin ; and Peter B. Kauffman the Dunkard. The business men in Mechanicsville are, Abner Griest and Jesse Lerew, merchants ; Thomas Kennedy, M. D .; John B. May, tailor ; Wm. Miller, blacksmith; John Weikard, under- taker; Henry Harbold, wagon-maker ; Ephraim Bair, Sr., David Lenhart, shoemakers ; John Miller, coach-maker ; Geo, Slothour, carpenter.
There is in this township a German Baptist church, called Latimore church, along the State road, near Deardorff's Mill. It belongs to Rev. Adam Brown's charge.
Liberty Township, was organized out of parts of Hamiltonban, Aug. 25th, 1800. It borders Hamiltonban, Highland and Freedom townships. The greatest length is eleven miles; breadth, six ; area in acres, 19,840. The soil is red sandstone and slate. Population, 893.
Menallen Township is one of the earliest organized townships, and its greatest length, before Butler was formed in 1849, was fifteen miles; breadth, nine and a half, and contained 53,760 acres, blue slate land. It is bounded by the townships of Tyrone, Franklin and Butler, and west by' the Cumberland county line. The population is 2021.
Bendersville .- This village, formerly called Willsonville, is situated on the State road from Gettysburg to Newville, (Cumberland county,) ten miles north of Gettysburg. It is near the base of South Mountain, five miles from Laurel Forge, and the same distance from Pine Grove Fur- nace. It is located in a healthy and pleasant country, in a fine agricul- tural district, the people of which are much given to vegetable raising. A large tract of land, surrounding the town was granted by the Common- wealth of Pennsylvania, to John Schlosser, by patent dated May 15th, 18II. The tract was sold to Wm. Saddler, in 1814, and by him to Jacob and Henry Bender in 1819. At that time the land was poor, and there being no sale for it, the Messrs. Benders laid out the town of Bendersville, Nov. 10th, 1832. There was then but one house in the place, and was known as Studebaker's, or Schlosser's tavern. The first house was built in 1834, by Peter Studebaker. The new town did not improve much until 1840, in which a number of houses were erected. The old hotel was taken by C. Myers, in 1836, and kept by him for many years.
The first postoffice in Menallen township was established at Keener's Mill, (now Centre Mills,) W. B. Wilson being postmaster. The next post- office was established at Bendersville, and G. Wilson, Sr., appointed post- master, which position he held during many political administrations, but age compelling him to resign, F. T. Wright was appointed, May 12th, 1847. The first mail was carried through from Gettysburg to Newville, Jan. 2d, 1832, by Jesse M. Hutton. There are at present two daily mails.
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The State road from Gettysburg to Newville, by way of Bendersville, was commenced Aug. 31st, 1829. The first viewers were, J. Harper, J. M. McKeehan, J. F. McFarlane, J. Cassatt, D. Grove and J. Stambaugh. There was considerable opposition, and anti-road meetings had been or- ganized, but after a second view the road was confirmed by the Court, in October of 1830, In order to get the straightest course of the road from Gettysburg to this place, tar-barrels were placed at night on high rocks and trees, and set on fire. That night there was a jolly time at the old Studebaker tavern.
There are three churches in Bendersville, Lutheran, Methodist and Evangelical. The first church in Bendersville was an old frame building, erected in 1839. In this church, all denominations worshiped. The Methodist and Evangelical denominations held services for a time in the "Yellow house," along the Hunterstown road. At that time there was a local M. E. preacher, called Rev. Lenhart, who supplied the congrega- tion for many years. The Methodist church was built in 1840, in the erec- tion of which everybody lent a helping hand ; the amount in money raised was $28. The first ground was broke by Charles Delap and Samuel Meals, Esqs. A minister was stationed here for a short time, but the church was soon again connected with the York Springs Charge. The new brick M. E. church was built in 1866, at a cost of $6,000. The build- ing committee were, John Burkholder, S. Bender, Samuel Meals, A. J. Bender and M. A. Eldin. The present pastor is Rev. Wm. Moses.
The Bendersville Lutheran charge, Rev. W. L. Heisler, pastor, is com- posed of three churches, Bendersville, Bender's and Wenk's. Bethlehem church, at Bendersville, was built in 1843. The congregation worshiped for a while in the old M. E. church. The first pastor was Rev. John Ulrich. Rev. Martin was also one of the early pastors,-after him the congregation was served up to the present time by the ministers in charge of Bender's church. The Bendersville Lutheran congregation numbers about 175 members. Bender's church was built about 67 years ago. The first pastor was Rev. John Melsheimer, who served about ten years. Rev. Herbst was the next pastor, and continued about nine years. Rev. Got- wald succeeded for eight years, and was followed by Rev. John Ulrich who remained upwards of sixteen years. The succeeding pastors were, Revs. Chas. Weyl, two years; Rev. Martin, two years ; J. R. Miller be- came pastor in 1859, and M. Snyder in 1866; Rev. J. F. Long followed in 1870, and served four years; Rev. D. M. Blackwelder was his suc- cessor, and served three years. Rev. W. L. Heisler became pastor Aug. Ist, 1880. The parsonage is in Bendersville. This church belonged at one time to the Petersburg church, then to the Arendtsville, and now to the Bendersville. It numbers at present about 145 members.
Wenk's church, at Wenksville was built about seven years ago. It is a union church, owned by the Lutherans and Methodists. It has been served by Revs. M. Snyder and D. M. Blackwelder, and belongs to the Benders-
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ville charge. The congregation numbers about twenty seven members, Rev. Wm. Moses is the M. E. Minister.
The Evangelical charge of Bendersville consists also of three churches. The present pastor is Rev. P. F. Jarrett, who resided near Bendersville. The Bendersville chapel, of the Evangelical Association, was built in 1856. The pastor at that time was S. W. Seibert, and B. Hengst, Presiding Elder. Previous to 1856, they held services in a little log church, owned jointly by them and the Methodists. The church at Idaville, of this charge, was built in 1850, Rev. Daniel Kreamer being pastor. Before that they wor- shiped in a school-house. The church at Beams, was built in 1871 ; the pastor was J. M. Price, and C. F. Deininger, Presiding Elder.
The Menallen Agricultural Club was organized in Bendersville, in 1860, for the benefit of farmers and fruit growers. The society held its meetings in the public school house, and created so much interest in the commu- nity, that an agricultural exhibition was held in the autumn of 1860. This proved a success, and the exhibition became permanent. The society, with buildings, &c., was in a few years moved to Gettysburg, where exhi- bitions have since been annually held.
The following are the public business men of Bendersville: Drs. E. W. Mumma, A. W. Howard ; Postmaster, Jacob Pitzer; J. Marks, Pitzer & Son, M. S. Wickersham, C. W. Miller, merchants; Mrs. Marks, Mrs. W. A. Pitzer, milliners ; Daniel Livingstone, confectioner ; C. P. Eldin, jeweler ; J. B. Routzahn, Elk Horn Hotel; Wm. Snyder, P. Master, Jacob Pitzer, saddlers; W. E. Naylor, dentist; John Eldin, G. W. Tipton, shoe- makers; H. A. Gulden, coachmaker; Kelly & Bro., cabinetmakers; S. E. Wampler, tinner : B. F. Rice, S. Cline, wagonmakers; A. Armold, H. Myers, E. Carson, blacksmiths. The societies are : Montana Lodge, No. 653, I. O. O. F., meets every Friday evening in Squire Meals' Hall. Of- ficers : N. G., B. B. Hardy ; V. G., A. H. Stover; Sec'y, Isaac Bender ; Treas., W. A. Pitzer. Bendersville Mutual Assessment Life Insurance As- sociation, Pres., Jacob Pitzer; Vice Pres., N. Weirman ; Sec'y, I. Bender ; Treas., W. A. Pitzer ; Med. Director, Dr. E. W. Mumma. Bendersville Cornet Band, Pres., H. Yetz; Sec'y, D. P. Mumma; Treas., S. C. Cline ; leader, J. C. Oyler.
Floradale .- This hamlet is situated two miles north of Middletown, on the State road from Gettysburg to Newville. The postoffice was es- tablished in the fall of 1861, with Mr. Elijah Wright as postmaster. At his death, in 1878, Mrs, Mary A. Wright, his widow, became postmistress. The Oak Hill Nurseries are located here, Charles L. Longsdorff, propri- etor. Eppley & Hoopes keep a variety store. The denomination of Friends (Quakers) have a house of worship in this place, called Menallen meeting-house. It was formerly at the property called Friends' Grove, in Butler township, but was removed to Floradale in 1838. From the War- rington Monthly Meetings, however, it is ascertained that a meeting was held at Menallen as early as 1743, the year when Warrington Monthly
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Meeting was separated from Gadsburg, Chester county. An account occurs there of the building of a new meeting-house, and we have reason to believe says Mr. Hiram Wright, that this (the present meeting-house at Floradale,) is the original one. It has been repainted at different times, but it would not be hard to believe from its appearance that nearly a century and a half had passed since it was built. Among the early ministers were, Joseph and Susannah Elger, Isaac Everett and Abel Thomas. The latter became a member of Menallen Meeting in 1801, and was engaged in the ministry until his death in 1817.
Wenksville is a post-village, about two miles from Bendersville. The postmaster is Wm. S. Cart. There is a Union church here, built in 1871. The Methodist minister is Rev. W. Moses, and the Evangelical, Rev. P. F. Jarrett. Wenksville steam saw and shingle mill is owned by Amos Schlosser. Wm. S. Cart and Wm. Wierman are dealers in dry goods.
Mountjoy Township. - This township lies between Germany, Mountpleasant, Cumberland and Straban townships, and borders the Ma- ryland line on the south. It is among the oldest townships, and originally contained 14,720 acres; its greatest length being five and a half miles, and breadth the same. The population is 1298. ! .
St. James' Reformed church, in this township, four miles from Gettys- burg on the Taneytown road, was built in 1851. In 1878, improvements were made costing $1700. It was reconsecrated Sept. 8th, 1878, Revs. John Ault, M. Weigle, L. J. Mayer, and Jacob Sechler, participating in the services. The present pastor is Rev. Beard.
Two Taverns is a post-town, on the Baltimore pike, five miles from Gettysburg and five from Littlestown. The postmaster is Amos Collins, . who also keeps a store and a saddler shop. Grace Evangelical Lutheran church, in this place, was built during the pastorate of Rev. E. J. Metzler, the present incumbent. It is a fine structure, and the congregation is in- creasing rapidly. The church belongs to St. John's Lutheran charge, Lit- tlestown. The new church was dedicated on Sunday, Nov. 25th, 1873.
Mountpleasant Township, one of the oldest townships, originally belonged to Lancaster county. It lies between Straban, Reading, Hamil- ton, Oxford, Union, Mountjoy, Germany and Conowago townships. Its greatest length is eight miles, and breadth seven miles, with an area of 19,200 acres. The surface of the country is hilly, the soil being limestone in the lower section, and red shale in the upper end. The population is 2140.
Bonneauville is a thriving village, on the Gettysburg and Hanover State road, five miles from Gettysburg, five miles from Littlestown, and six miles from New Oxford. Three roads branch off at this place, to Hun- terstown, to New Oxford, to Littlestown and Two Taverns. The first im- provements were made in the beginning of the present century, Squire Brinkerhoff probably building the first house, and owned a large tract of
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land surrounding the village. John Eckert was also one of the first build- ers. In what is now the square of the town, formerly stood an old school- house, which was a crumbling structure in the earliest recollection of the "oldest inhabitant," and was probably a cabin of one of the early settlers prior to the Revolution. In later years it was used for school purposes, but who the teachers were is not known. The new town remained at a stand-still for many years, but of late many new buildings have been erected, the present population being over one hundred inhabitants. There is a Catholic church (St. Joseph's) in the town, the corner-stone of which was laid Aug. Ist, 1859. Prior to this, the members of this church attended divine service at Conewago chapel, five miles distant. Several efforts had been made to form a new congregation as early as 1850, but all were unsuccessful, as they were not approved by the Superior of the Mother church. Finally, Rev. Basil A. Shorb obtained the approbation of the Bishop of the diocese to form a congregation and build a church, of which he was to be pastor, and consequently became the founder of the Catholic church of Bonneauville. He was born near Littlestown, educated at Mt. St. Mary's, and after serving a number of congregations in and out of the State, he chose Bonneauville for the remainder of his days. The congregation at that time were few in number, and for the most part in poor circumstances. Father Shorb coming of a wealthy family, was lib- eral with his donations to his new enterprise, on which he bestowed all his time and efforts. He departed this life April 4th, 1871, in the sixty-first year of his age, and the thirty-first of his priesthood. His successor was Rev. Father Pope, who built the new brick school-house in 1873, and en- gaged Sisters to teach the parochial school, which is a very large one. The school is at present taught by James Gubernater, Esq. Father Pope accomplished a great deal for the prosperity of Bonneauville-changing the old-time name of Bonaughtown to the more appropriate title it now bears, and also was instrumental in establishing a daily mail. He was succeeded by Father MacElhenny. The present pastor is Rev. Father Shannahan. The congregation has been laboring under financial difficulties since the death of Rev. Father Shorb, who was an able financier. The members of this congregation are entitled to great credit for their perseverance and untiring efforts under adverse circumstances, and have now succeeded in almost freeing the church from a heavy debt, and with good management have a prosperous future before them. In Nov., 1879, there was a mission- held at St. Joseph's by Revs. Fathers Bansch and Kolp, of Boston, during which a mission-cross was erected on the east side of the church. There is a fine cemetery near the church, in the centre of which is a vault pre- pared for the burial of ministers, in which rest the remains of Rev. Basil A. Shorb, first pastor and founder of St. Joseph's.
Try Crystal Cement to close your Fruit Jars, and you will use nothing else. Sold at Snively's Drug Store, Hanover.
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Bonneauville has two doctors-A. Noel and T. O. Kinzer ; two hotels, Bonneauville Inn, Jacob McMaster, and Star Hotel, Jacob Strausbaugh ; Jacob B. Miller, undertaker; Israel Noel and Jacob Lawrence, blacksmiths; Joseph A. Eckenrode postmaster ; James W. Gubernator, W. J. Swope and M. Gerber, general merchants; A. Ackerman, cigar manufacturer ; M. W. C. Bupp, coachmaker.
St. Luke's Lutheran church, half a mile from Bonneauville, on the road to White Hall, is a stone building and was erected in 1846. The dedica- tion took place on Sunday, Nov. 22d of that year. The Building Com- mittee were, Samuel Swope, George Baughman and Jacob Miller. It belongs to St. John's charge, Littlestown, Rev. E. J. Metzler being pastor. It was organized with about twenty members, belonging to Christ Church. The building is owned conjointly by the Lutherans and Reformed. The Lutheran minister is Rev. E. J. Metzler.
Mount Rock .- This is an enterprising post-town, on the McSherrys- town and Hunterstown road, in the "Lower End" of the county, eight miles from Gettysburg and along the Conowago and Mountpleasant township line. The postoffice is "Centennial," having been established in that memorable year, with Miss J. M. O'Neil, the present incumbent, as post- mistress. The land originally belonged to Ludwig Schriver, to whom a large tract was granted by Lord Baltimore's patent, dated November, 1735. This tract included the present properties of John Reed and Vincent O'Bold. Ludwig Schriver built the first mill where O'Bold's now is located, but a little more eastward, which remained for many years. This, after Kitz- miller's, built in 1737, was the oldest mill in the Valley. The farm of John Reed was granted by Penn's Warrant, in 1754, and the last owner, descendant of the Schriver family, was John Schriver, in the beginning of the present century. It was afterwards purchased by George Lawrence, who for many years kept a tavern stand. John Reed purchased from the Lawrence estate about 1868. The title to the Schriver Tract, though ob- tained from the Proprietaries of Maryland, was good, according to a royal order which declared valid all titles to lands north of the temporary line, by whichsoever Province granted. The store-property of J. E. Smith was obtained from George Lawrence by Daniel Lawrence, who started a store, the first in Mount Rock. He was succeeded in the business by J. E. Smith, who associated with himself S. G. Lawrence, under the firm name of J. E. Smith & Co., which was dissolved some years ago, and the present pro- prietors are J. E. Smith and V. A. Lawrence. The cigar factory of J. E. Smith & Co. is in the same building. J. E. Smith was twice commissioned as Justice of the Peace, served one term as County Commissioner in the beginning of the last decade, and was elected a member of the Legislature in 1878.
Try Crystal Cement to close your Fruit Jars, and you will use nothing else. Sold at Snively's Drug Store, Hanover.
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The property of Francis Pohlman was at an early date owned by Philip Staub, for whom it was sold by Sheriff Gilbert in 1822, to John Miller ; by him to David Diehl, in 1824; Diehl to S. B. Wright, in 1827 ; Wright to John Kuhn, 1835; Kuhn to Michael Sanders, in 1838, and the same year Sanders John Lilly, from Francis Pohlman purchased in 1848. Mount Rock is noted for its extensive lime factories, the first kiln of which was built by Edward Reily, grandfather of Ed. S. Reily, Esq., and stood in a lane at one time leading from the hill, above Mount Rock, down to the Reily farm. The quaint stone post-pillars, standing at the present day along the road from Mount Rock "over the hill," were built by Edward Reily about 1830-the last work of his life-and many of them are yet in a serviceable state of preservation. The next kilns were built in Mount Rock, by John Lilly, at present owned by Mr. Pohlman, who has since added several. Two kilns were also built by Samuel Wolf, who pur- chased a tract of land from the present O'Neil property, (then Marshall's,) and erected the brick house now owned by Peter Noel. There are also four kilns on the Reily property, the first of which were built while in the possession of Henry Reily, Esq., son of Edward Reily, Sr., and father of Edward S. Reily, Jr. He also built the house, now the residence of Philip Fleigle. When these lands were first taken up, there was no need of fertil- izers, as the decayed vegetable matter of ages rendered the soil fertile during many years of cultivation, and the limestone were considered a nuisance, only good for building purposes, and served for tombstones, many of which are yet to be seen in our church-yards. Lime, however, soon came in demand as the speediest and most durable fertilizer, and Mount Rock supplied it in endless quantities. From the mountains and from the barrens, from Maryland and from York county, came the farm- ers for this grain producer, and as high as fifteen and twenty teams were in waiting for their load at one time. Teams would be arriving at all hours of the night, for first come was always first served-many being compelled to leave with empty wagons. They brought in trade for lime, rails, posts, and wood, which in turn was disposed of to the employees, and to the farmers. Of late, the railroads have detracted much from the lime trade, though a great deal is yet sold during certain seasons of the year. The supply of limestone at Mount Rock is simply inexhaustible, and but for the great distance from points of shipping by railway, would prove a lucrative business. %
The first house in Mount Rock stood ou the site of the present dwelling of Mr. Pohlman, but by whem erected, and when, is unknown. Mr. John Lilly erected a log house near the present quarry of Francis Pohlman, by whom it was removed. There also stood an old house up on the hill, a little in from the road, which was taken down and converted into another dwelling at the foot of the hill. The property of Mr. O'Neil was also for- merly owned by Philip Staub, and was sold at Sheriff's sale, in 1826, to John Bair. It was then owned by Patrick Dougherty, who sold it
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Joseph Marshall, and was purchased from him by Peter O'Neil. J. M. O'Neil started a cigar-factory here several years ago, which she continues yet, in connection with a store. When the lime trade was opened in Mt. Rock, a blacksmith shop was started, on a vacant space at the junction of the Oxford and the Main road, and is at present carried on by Henry Lawrence. A Catholic school was established at Mt. Rock, over the hill, in the old public school building, soon after the war, and was taught for many years by Miss J. M. O'Neil. A handsome stone church building was erected in 1869, on the second hill west of Mount Rock, on land given by Charles Smith, and is called "St. Charles." Miss O'Neil also taught in this building, and was succeeded by the Sisters of St. Joseph from Mc- Sherrystown. This is a very large school, requiring two teachers, and once a week catechetical instructions are given by Rev. Peter Manns, who has charge of the parochial schools. This may at some future day be finally completed as a church, and the people of Mount Rock favored with religious services in their midst.
As we have already alluded to the settlement of some of the farms con- tiguous to Mount Rock, we may continue a little further. The mill prop- erty (O'Bold's) was for many years owned by Jacob Dellone, and his heirs after him. The other tract, originally belonging to the Schreiver estate, was sold by Peter Schreiver to the McCrearys, who possessed several hun- dred acres of land along the Conewago creek, adjoining the chapel farm on the east. The McCrearys-John and David-owned four tracts, two of which were deeded them by Patrick McShery and Catharine his wife, patented March 15th, 1793, enrolled in the patent office at Philadelphia in Book No. 13, page 168. The third tract was obtained from Peter Schreiver, and the fourth from the Wills, probably of Christ church settlement. These lands were again sold in parts, as the farm now owned by Conrad Bender, the Reed farm, and the farm across the creek, occupied by George Sun- day. The homestead was purchased from the McCreary estate in 1834, by Michael Geiselman, Sr., father of Michael Geiselman, Jr., the pres- ent possessor.
The farm lying on the east of Mount Rock, belonging to the heirs of Samuel Lilly, was originally included in the lands of Samuel Lilly, who located in this section in 1730, and is the ancestor of the present Lillys. The farm adjoining this on the northwest, came into the possession of Ed- ward Reily, Sr., as early as 1798 .* Previous to this, it was owned by the Lillys, Chamberses, and Sanderses. Subsequently it descended to Henry Reily, after him to his heirs, and the homestead has been lately purchased by Carl Sneeringer, when the farm was divided, Edw. S. Reily, Esq., re- taining the portion adjoining Mount Rock. To this property also origi-
*In front of this house, many years ago, stood an old log dwelling, in which Rt. Rev. John Timon, the late learned Bishop of Buffalo, first saw the light of day. He visited the place of his birth in 1856, and many of the inhabitants of Conewago valley still remember him.
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