USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > History of Cumberland and Adams counties, Pennsylvania. Containing history of the counties, their townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc.; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; history of Pennsylvania, statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc., etc > Part 135
USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > History of Cumberland and Adams counties, Pennsylvania. Containing history of the counties, their townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc.; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; history of Pennsylvania, statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc., etc > Part 135
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39
C. Schwobenland, laborer ..
24
Andrew Kobler.
936
Clement Studenbaker, house carpenter 496
984
Peter Kehler.
388
Peter Trino 128
Henry Kuhn ..
2,516
William Thompson.
544
John Kroscast. .
628
Peter Traut ...
844
Michael Klebsadler.
40
John Vandike .. 460
Val. Kolb
356
Peter Vana(r)sdalen.
428
*One negro; value, $30.
tHenry Slagle, of Berwick Township, was delegate in tho convention held at Carpenter's Hall, Phila- delphia, June 18, 1775. He was also delegate to the convention of 1776.
John Lampin. 4
George Bard. 576
John Lorentz, laborer.
Fred Lachman, laborer.
8
Daniel Luhatz
28
John Marshall.
304
James McClain. 68
Widow McTaggart.
1,287
Fred Decker
George Gibe.
104
Martin Rudy.
204
George Gram.
16
Bernard Ruppert.
John Henderson
396
Philip Hartman
716
Joseph Shultz.
Samuel Jacob.
528
John Stean, weaver.
4
Matthew Karr, laborer.
Widow Keffer.
56
Michael Subrbach, blacksmith Daniel Slagle. . 1,037
John Kriehsomer
16
John Thomas
428
Joseph Bittinger. 3,456
216
HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
NAME,
VALUE.
NAME.
VALUE.
John Wunshuld.
8
John Wagoner.
444
Leonard Widder.
420
Jacob Wist.
764
Caspar Wise.
1,048
John Wolf.
28
Jacob Weaver
24
Fred Wolf ..
692
John Watsworth.
8
The schools date back to 1835-36. M. D. G. Pfeiffer, delegate from Ber- wick to the School Convention of November 4, 1834, voted in favor of adopting the common school system. The State appropriation was $150.64 and the tax $145.84. Directors were appointed or elected prior to 1840; but the records for that period are defective.
The township claimed a full representation in the regiments of the Union Army during the terrible years from 1861 to the close of 1865. Howard M. Bittinger, of Abbottstown, was the first citizen who was mustered in with Com- pany E, Second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, the first organized in the county in 1861.
The Berlin branch of the Baltimore & Hanover Railroad passes through the northern part of the township and the borough of Abbottstown. The only postoffice in Berwick Township is Abbottstown.
BOROUGH OF ABBOTTSTOWN, 1753-1886.
This borough is situated in the extreme northeastern part of Berwick Township, at the intersection of the York & Gettysburg and Hanover & Berlin Turnpikes, with its eastern suburbs running into York County. The new railroad, known as the " Berlin Branch Railroad," completed in 1877, over the Gitt survey of 1875-76, runs through the borough .* The population in 1820 was 312; sixty years later the census enumerator credited the borough with 318. The elevation, at the square, above the Atlantic level is about the same as Hunterstown, or 578 feet.
The village was surveyed and platted in 1755 by John Abbott, and ten years after one Jacob Pattison purchased a lot. the first sold by Abbott, but not un- til 1781 was the era of improvement introduced. The settlement was incor- porated in 1835 under the name "Berwick Borough." The number of tax- payers of the borough (1886), is 147; value of real estate, $98,412; number of horses, etc., 40; of cows, etc., 30; value of moneys at interest, $190,743; value of trades and professions, $7,230; number of pleasure carriages, 34; of gold watches, 14; no timber land.
The Harrisburg Telegraph, in its "notes and queries," published extracts from an old diary, dated May 17, 1775, relative to York County. In this the following passage about Berwick or Abbottstown, appears: "Fifteen miles from York is a small village called Berwick or Abbottstown. One Dutch Lutheran Church with a cupola; all the houses built of square logs. An old, kind Dutch lady gave our horses for breakfast a dish of 'spelts;' they are a coarse species of wheat. On the Conowago is another set- tlement of Irish. Mr. Hunter has some relatives here. We dined with them, who were highly civil to us. Twenty-two miles from York is a small village called Huntersville. There is a Presbyterian meeting-house now belonging to Mr. Thompson. Marsh Creek is a fine brook; low banks are lined with tall sycamores."
* Abbottstown subscribed $15,0 )0 and a good share of brains to this railroad enterprise.
217
BERWICK TOWNSHIP.
The following are the names of the residents of Abbottstown, whose pro- perty was assessed in 1709:
NAME. VALUE.
NAME. VALUE.
Thomas Abbott ..
8686
Isaac Kroff, saddler. 52
Richard Adams, tanner .. .
68
Casper Kreiger, cord winder. 104
Edward Abbott's lands 200
Peter Klunk. 160
Edward Abbott. . 28
John Keener. 66
H. Bottenhime. turner.
.14
Christ Kroff. 20)
Fred Boyer, merchant.
96
John Knight .. 21
Jolin Brown, tailor.
84
John Kesselring, laborer.
Fred Bower, weaver ..
29
George Krim, nailer.
52
F. Berlin, Sr .. cord winder.
39
Joseph Kuhn, cooper.
52
George Bermif ..
Michael King, hotel.
126
George Bangler, blacksmith.
42
Tobias Kepner.
200
F. Berlin, Sr., cord winder.
42
Ludwig Keffer, estate
120
F. Bangher, tanner.
994
Richard Knight, hotel.
88
Jacob Bentz. tanner.
170
Jacob Lengifelter. 114
George Berlin, wheelwright
4
Daniel Lengifelter, mason
32
George Brown, saddler.
12
Ilenry Long, wheelwright. 52
39
John Bowman, turner
52
Widow Lain ..
20
Jacob Bottenhiner. potter.
12
Mathias Martin, blacksmith.
52
Widow Bottenhiner
45
David Myer, hotel.
188
Isaac Berlin, gunsmith.
5
Jacob Noel, tailor.
93
James Chamberlain.
25
Jacob Nagle, blacksmith.
92
Christian Dick, weaver.
88
John Nagle, Sr.
18
Henry Decker.
30
John Nagle, Jr., mason.
92
Widow Donaldson.
20
John Nall, carpenter
80
James Duncan, merchant ..
218
John Phleger, hatter.
52
John Elder, innkeeper.
60
John Plinsinger, tailor.
4
Jacob Enck, cord winder
42
William Patterson, merchant.
108
David Erb, tavern ..
70
John Patterson.
24
Diedrick Felty, cord winder.
82
Joseph Rebaw. 4
George Fahnestock, merchant.
118
Joseph Rebaw, Jr, tailor
1
Samuel Fahnestock, merchant.
208
George Reitzle, turner
42
Michael Fishall, blacksmith 52
George Rowenjohn, laborcr
30
Jacob Fahnestock, miller.
4
John Slagle, tanner.
60
Michael Galagher, tailor.
24
John Sumberland.
10
Philip Gilwix, blacksmith
62
James Sumberland.
684
John Ilull, carpenter.
62
George Siesholy, potter.
34
John Hamilton.
40
George Schweitzer, carpenter. 75
112
.John Hersh, hotel.
1,174
John Sheet. . 28
6-1
George Henry, mason.
Jacob Swigart ..
43
John Henry, mason.
John Skitmore, cord winder. 28
Sebastian Heafer, mason.
145
Gabriel Smith, merchant.
236
Joseph Herman, wheelwright.
Jacob Sneally, tanner.
42
George Herman.
48
John Schenck, carpenter. 12
Fred Hoover. 38
Robert Toyle, hotel. 296
John Hildebrand. 615
John Wate, hatter ...
49
Peter Ickes, hotel*
1,113
Jacob Wolf, cord winder.
32
Widow Johnson
38
Sebastian Wise, mill-wright. 6.4
Joseph Jonas.
516
John Wetterspoon.
688
John Keffer.
45
Widow Richardson. 10
Borins Fahnestock, mills. 1,116
Widow Sealy. 108
Thomas Gray. 1,140
William Storgean, merchant.
174
Philip Hull. nailer.
47
Peter Shue, weaver. 24
Widow Harding. 68
C. Schlauch, carpenter ..
Eliza Henry.
30
C. Seller, carpenter.
52 4
32
The total valuation of township and village, in 1799, was $93,028, on which a tax of 46 cents per $100 was collected by Jacob Lingafielter and Christian Dick. The single freemen of township and village in 1799 were taxed $1 each. Their names are as follows: Christian Nagle, Peter Auchenbeck, Samuel Boler, William Malone, William Bottenhiner. Peter Hallacker, Jere Witt,
* One Negro, value, $25.
20
Dr. Daniel Becker.
108
John Lehn, weaver.
Eliza Fox ... 30
218
HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
John Felix, Samuel Jacob, Thomas Radford, John B. Arnold, William Grant, John Wolf, George Schenck, George Seisholtz, Thomas Duffy and John Berlin.
The officers of Abbottstown from 1864 (when the records of elections began to show some regularity) to the present time, are named as follows:
1864-Burgess *- Lewis Myers; council *- C. H. Grant, J. Wolf, J. Hafer, H. Mollison, J. R. Henky.
1865-No record.
1866-Burgess-Sebastian Hafer; council-N. P. Grint, J. Asper, M. Yea- ger, J. H. Fleckinger, Em. Harr.
1867-Burgess-Henry Kobler; council-W. W. Haffer, George Jerdy, George H. Balner. J. S. Kohler, John Motter.
1868-No record.
1869-Burgess-Francis J. Wilson; council-Joseph Weil, M. J. Yager, A. D. Grove, H. Stevens, G. Strubinger.
1870-Burgess-Henry Stevens; council-Jesse Newcomer, J. Cairns, Em. Harr, Joseph Harman, John Dirll.
1871-No election in 1871.
1872-Burgess-W. T. Hafer; council-J. F. Kohler, F. W. Grove, Jacob Hamon, Matthias Wichter.
1873-No record.
1874-Burgess-Henry Miller; council-M. Steffon, J. Weil, P. Langhman, J. Doll, (J. Mallison, G. Strubinger, tie).
1875-Burgess-F. J. Wilson; council-John Noel, John Fowler, Sr., George Myers, J. Kinneman, William Steffon.
1876 Burgess-William Hildebrand; council-Samuel Felix, F. X. Noel, P. Langhman, M. Yeager, C. Shne.
1877-Burgess-Jeseph Wolf; council-Joseph Reigle, H. Meyer, G. Liv- ingston, H. Housholder, S. B. Baughman.
1878-Burgess-Joseph Wolf: council-G. Dellone, S. Felix, D. A. Miller, A. Lillich, Reuben Wolf.
1879-Burgess-W. W. Hafer; council-G. Dellone, A. Gillich, S. Felix, T. McClain, D. Miller.
1SSO-Burgess-Daniel Felix; council-H. Motter, P. Laugham, G. Liv- ingston, J. Raber, C. Shue, Em. Trostle. f
1881-Burgess-Reuben Altland; council-J. Kinneman, M. Nagle, J. Noel, A. J. Baker, D. A. Miller, G. Dellone.
1882-Burgess-Gregory Dellone; council-J. Morrison, P. Laughman, J. Noel, L. Kobler, D. C. Hollinger, C. Shull.
1883-Burgess-George Dellone; council --- S. Felix, P. Laughman, Lewis Kobler, M. Nagle, C. Minter, Samuel Steffan.
1884-Burgess-Reuben Altland; council-Pearson, Lillich, Noel (tie), Berckhimer, Mackley.
1885-Burgess-Solomon Moul; council-Lewis W. Kobler, John Noel. The justices elected within the above period of twenty-one years include Washington Metzgar, 1874; John H. Fleckinger, 1878; Washington Metzgar, 1879; John H. Fleckinger, 1883-84.
The borough contains a few manufacturing industries. The manufacture of good cigars at reasonable prices is a marked feature of its enterprise.
*In 1837 Frederick W. Kohler was elected burgess, and Solomon Hartman, H. Eichelberger, S. Haffer, J. Carl and lienry Myers, councilmen. In 1840 1f. Eichelberger, Isaac Berlin and F. W. Kohler were elected councilmen.
+P. C. McCann was secretary in 1880-81.
CEfoldsborough
221
BERWICK TOWNSHIP.
NEWSPAPERS.
Two years prior to the organization of Abbottstown as a borough a German newspaper, The Intelligencer, was instituted by F. W. Koehler, and continued regular publications down to 1848. In this year the name was changed to Wochenblatt, under which it was published till its fall in 1850. The Yellow Jacket, a campaign sheet, was issued by N. R. Buckley and F. W. Koehler in 1840, and carried on through the fierce political battles of that year.
POSTOFFICE.
Over half a century ago the Abbottstown postoffice was the fourth in order of business within the county, the revenue from the sale of postage stamps amounting in 1834 to the large sum of $80.39. At this time, too, the village was a busy place, teamsters and coaches on the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh route filling the village daily with new faces and new outfits. The very nature and extent of this intercourse reduced the postoffice business to something nominal, as the travelers would carry written and verbal mes- sages along the route, and thus save the people the money which a low postal rate would induce into the United States Treasury. When Col. George Ickes was appointed postmaster, and during his administration the stage coach and freighting business gave way to modern means of transportation. The office grew in importance, and when E. H. Stahle was appointed, it was one of the first offices in the county.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The founder of the village died prior to 1799, and bequeathed his lands- the most valuable tract- to Thomas Abbott, north of the Y. & G. Turnpike, and the less valuable to Edward on the south side. Dr. Abbott Carnes and Calvin Carnes, great-grandchildren of John Abbott, are all the senior repre- sentatives of the old family now in the country. Joseph Berlin died in 1879, aged about ninety years.
Jacob Wolf. a centenarian, died near Abbottstown in March, 1869, his children, grand, great-grand and great-great-grandchildren then numbering 240. Frederick Wolf, another aged resident, remembers to have seen the fig- ures 1777 over the pulpit of the Emanuel Reformed Church. Mrs. Haner, who died in 1884, aged one hundred and two years, was one of the pioneers. Mrs. Agnes Wolf now resides on the site of the first house ever erected at Abbotts- town, some of the material of which was used in building Mrs. Grove's residence. The stone house on the eastern side of the borough was erected in 1781 (it is supposed by George Henry, a stone-mason). On the building stone is the inscription, "Built by G. H., A. D. 1781."
Not one of the taxpayers of 1799 is now living. Their grand and great- grandchildren, however, perpetuate their names, and many continue to reside in the very district which their pioneer ancestors reclaimed from the wilderness state.
CHURCHES AND SOCIETIES.
Emanuel Reformed Church was founded by Rev. Jacob Lischey during the Revolution, and it is stated that a house of worship was erected in 1777, such statement being made on the fact that Frederick Wolf and others saw the fig- ures over the pulpit. The first authentic account, however, credits the con- gregation with erecting a church in 1782, during the pastorate of Mr. Rahan- ser. What is known as the "Stone Church " was begun August 15, 1847, and dedicated June 12, 1848. The ministers who have served this mission are
12A
222
HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
named as follows : Revs. Rahauser, John Ernst, 1800-12; F. W. Vanders loot, 1826-31; C. Hefenstein, 1814-26; S. C. Bennett, 1832-34; D. Zeigler, 1834-35; S. Gutelius, 1835; J. Sechler; I. Hoffheins, 1853; F. W. P. Davis, 1863; A. Spangler: W. F. Colliflower, 1872-79, and D. U. Wolf, 1880-86.
St. John's Lutheran Church was built of logs in 1782 or 1783, and con- tinued in use until 1829, when the building and records were destroyed by fire, said to have been started by refugee negroes. Jacob Fahnestock and son saved part of the communion service and some other articles. On June 30, 1830, the corner-stone of the present brick building was placed, under the direction of Nicholas Henry, George Baugher, John Wolf and Joseph Carl, the building committee, and Rev. Jonathan Ruthrauff, pastor. The roll of ministers comprises the following names : George Bager, 1768; Daniel Schroeder, 1780; J. G. Grob (or Gruph), 1788; - Rabenack, 1804; Daniel Raymond, 1807; John Meltzeimer, 1820; Jonathan Ruthrauff, 1829; Leonard Gerhart, 1837; Peter Scheuer, 1839; William Hailig, 1842; Charles Witmer, 1846; Leonard Gerhart, 1850; D. J. Haner, 1862; Michael Snyder, 1873; M. Alleman; S. P. Ormby, 1879; John Tomlinson to 1886. Dr. William Hollinger is secretary of the society. The membership is 290, and value of property $5,000.
The Catholic Church, known as "Paradise Chapel," just north of Abbotts- town, is referred to in the history of Hamilton Township.
The Abbottstown Bible Society was organized October 17, 1869, with Rev. Dr. Hauer, president.
A G. A. R. Post was recently organized at Abbottstown.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
BUTLER TOWNSHIP.
THIS township was organized August 20, 1849, from parts of the original townships of Menallen and Franklin.
Conowago Creek enters at its northwestern corner, forms its southern bend and flows thence in a tortuous course east through the center of the south half of the township. Opossum Creek enters the township at a point northwest of Center Mills, and thence south by east to its confluence with Conowago Creek, opposite the Dull homestead. Numerous tributaries of these creeks flow at random, leaving very few acres without a running brook.
Pine Hill, north of the "Colored Church, "is the only prominent high land in the township. There are, however, several hills, which lend to the township a heavy rolling appearance. The elevation at Biglerville is 643 feet, and at Centre Mills 713 feet.
The farmers claim for this division of the county a high reputation for the lands and productive qualities of the soil. This claim appears well founded, and statistics support it.
The geological features consist of an outcrop of green S, S, enclosing frag- ments of calcite, feldspar and similar substances, and showing a lenticular concretion. This occurs a half mile north of Centre Mills. Many of the rocks credited to adjoining townships are also found here. A magnetic iron ore bed was worked on the John C. Markley farm, near Centre Mills, in August, 1868.
.223
BUTLER TOWNSHIP.
The population in 1850 was 1,245, and 24 colored: in 1860, 1,272, includ- ing 25 colored; in 1870, 1,313, including 20 colored, and in IS80, 1, 405. The number of tax-payers ( 1886) is 420; total value of real estate, 8429,205; uumber of horses, etc., 390; number of cows, etc., 422; value of moneys at interest. 834,463; value of trades and professions, $8,941; number of car- riages, 195: gold watches, 4: acres of timber land. 869.
The old bridges of the township were erected in the following order of time: Prior to 1839 the several creeks were forded, and even to-day near Ben- der's Church the traveler has to risk a crossing of somo few swift running streams. In 1839 Camp erected a wooden bridge over the Great Conowago, on the road from Gettysburg to Newville, for $1,390. In 1857 Jonas Rouan- zahn erected a wooden bridge across the Conowago on the Arendtsville and Bell's Mill road, for $1, 120. In 1860 J. M. Pittenturf built a covered bridge over Opossum Creek, on the Arendtsville and East Berlin road, for $1, 100. In 1867 Henry Chritzman erected a covered wooden bridge over Opossum Creek at Bricker's mill for $1,798. In 1869 Samuel Stouffer erected a wooden bridge over the Conowago at Weirman's mill, on the Arendtsville and Bigler- ville road, for $1,030.
CEMETERIES.
Among the old places of interment within the county, that known as Ben- der's Grave yard dates its beginning back in the last century. The first burial ·in Bender's Cemetery was that of a man who, in crossing a fence, fell on a scythe which he was carrying to John Galbrath's. The second was that of a man who fell from a scaffold and broke his neck while building the church in 1781. The names of the aged, old residents of Butler Township who rest here, as far as head-stones give names and dates of death. are as follows:
Casper Saurier. 1790
Henry Lower. 1867
Henrich Schmeiser.
1795
Solomon Peters.
1880
Nicholas Dictrich.
1844
Jacob Rex. 1863
John Gease. 1881
Jacob Eyster. 1839
Adam Geagy
1861
Maria Magdina Schlebach
1785
Maria Geagy.
1861
Geo. Iluber ..
1829
Jacob Weidner.
1871
Catherine Bender
1846
Lazamer Weidner
1851
W. Burkhart ..
1811
William Cashman. .
1860
Wm. Meals.
1833
Eliza Hoffman
1804
Geo. Harizell.
1824
Catherine Minich.
1843
Jacob Meals. .
1852
John Henry Bender
1843
Jacob Pensyl.
1810
Catherine Bender
1844
Wm. „ Garder.
1856
Elizabeth Rise ..
1826
Elizabeth Mowrar.
1833
Geo. Geise ...
1833
John Roher.
1807
Jonas Blanch. .
1799
Michael Dietrich.
1834
Daniel Slayhaugh.
1881
H. B. Schroeder.
1856
John Deitrich.
1813
Robert Huston.
1857
Geo. Gilbert.
1813
Jacob Wirth.
1805
Henry Peter.
1846
Margaret Wirihn
1805
Daniel Preiforhim.
1825
Geo. Eyster.
1836
John Maurer.
1821
Henry Koser.
1858
Jacob Rex.
1800
John Carson 1848
1854
Elizabeth Guider.
1813
Capt. John Garder ....
1860
Ulrich Peters ..
1842
Susanna Dutterow.
1813
Barbara Slaybaugh
1842
Magdalena Menges.
1862
John Jacob Sebriver
1852
Michael Minich.
1847
Conrad Plank.
1854
Philip Long.
1853
Simon Becker.
1856
John Manrey.
1834
John Sehlebaclı.
1795
Daniel Rex ..
1835
Abram Guise ..
1849
Peter Slaybaugh.
1831
Geo. Fidler.
1860
Catherine Beitlerman.
1866
Eliza Raenharg.
1830
Ester. his wife. 1846
Eliza Rex. 1812
John Dull.
224
HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
Joseph Baughman.
1826
Conrad Schriver. 1855
Adam Maurer.
1792
Geo. Huber ..
1785
Jacob Weaver.
1850
Anna Maria Yells. 1843
Jesse Houck. .
1880
John W. Dull.
1873
Geo. J. Hartzell.
1853
1I. Clisabeth.
1810
Margaret Rich.
1833
John Quickel.
1839
John Meals.
1852
Jacob Thomas.
1822
Adam Garder.
1864
John Dottery.
1836
Wm. Wert.
1882
John Jacob Eiholtz.
1839
Henry Witmor
1875
Joseph Dull.
1852
Maria E. wife of John Dottarer Henry Eighinger.
1862
Jacob Boyer ..
1848
1858
Elizabeth Meals.
1826
John McDonnell.
1844
Jacob Lutshaw
1833
A number of head-stones, dated 1788, forward, in memory of the Oysterin family, are still preserved.
The new cemetery at Biglerville, on the heights west of the Bendersville road, was established in 1884, and now contains about twenty graves marked by monuments.
The Old Quaker Cemetery, near Centre Mills, in rear of the Dunkard Church and cemetery, on the hill above the Deardorff homestead, dates back to 1825. when Mary Griest was buried there. The grounds have grown wild dur- ing the last twenty-five years, but among the tall grasses and underbrush, head-stones giving the following names and dates may be found: Alice McCreary, 1855; David McCreary, 1828; Samuel Harlan, 1859; Sarah Har: lan, 1873; Levi Hutton, 1844; Martha Hutton, 1827; Samuel B. Wright, 1859; Thomas McCreary, 1865; John W. Cook, 1853; William W. Cook, 1864; Nathan Wright, 1853; Levi Greist, 1864; Thomas Wright, 1845; Samuel Wright, 1846; Eve Wright, 1842; Mary B. Fisher, 1845.
The Dunkard Cemetery is little older than the old weather-boarded meeting- house within its enclosure. Its location is just in front of the Friends' burial place, and in it rest the remains of many old settlers, of whom the marble gives the following record of date of death: Peter Studabecker, 1853; Jacob Bosserman, 1873; Jacob Lentz, 1883; Peter Hummer, 1855; Elenora Trim- mer, 1853; Mary Yeatts, 1873; Simon Young, 1879; Samuel Deardorff, 1865; John Musser, 1861.
MIDDLETOWN OR BIGLERVILLE.
This village dates back to 1817, when it was surveyed and platted by Samuel White, and lots (drawn by ticket) sold November 17 of that year. It was a paper village until April, 1843, when Henry Hartzell, who purchased White's interest in 1839, erected a building at the intersection of the Gettys- burg and Newville, and the Chambersburg and Berlin roads. Prior to April 1, 1884, when the first regular train was run over the Gettysburg & Harris- burg Railroad, the village retained its primitive characteristics, but once the whistle of the locomotive was heard a new era introduced itself; new buildings sprang into existence, and the good work then begun has been continued, until Biglerville of to-day presents a good brick business block, several semi-detached business buildings, a good hotel, brick church buildings and a few modern res- idences, with about thirty smaller homes. On the north, west and east the location is sheltered by hills, leaving the business center lying, as it were, in a ditch-the proper designation for the Chambersburg & Berlin Road at this particular place. The railroad depot is near the business center.
S. R. Bream was appointed postmaster in August, 1885, vice J. A. H. Rether. Rether's brick-yard, on the Gettysburg road, and the cigar factories are the only manufacturing industries.
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BUTLER TOWNSHIP.
CHURCHES AND SOCIETY.
The United Brethren Association was organized January 19, 1859, by Rev, J. C. Weidler. In 1872 work on their church building began, and the house was dedicated January 11, 1874, by Bishop Edwards, assisted by Rev. J. C. Weidler. This ehurchi forms a part of the Bendersville mission, and is known as "Centenary Church."
Lutheran Church .- This society was organized at Biglerville March 27, 1881, with W. L. Heisler as pastor; number of members, twenty-one. The corner- stone of the present substantial brick structure was laid August 21, 1881, and the church dedicated May 7, 1882. Rev. Dr. Wolf preaching the sermon. The building is provided with a steeple and good bell, vestibule, etc., and has a seating capacity for about 350. Cost, $3.500. George W. McSherry, pastor.
The Dunkard Church, the "Colored Church," northeast and northwest of the village respectively, and the Friends' Meeting-house, north of Flora Dale, as well as Bender's Reformed Church and Lutheran Union Church, may be all classed as neighboring churches.
Camp No. 162 of P. O. S. of A. was instituted at Biglerville February 29, 1872, with J. C. Markley, P.P. ; W. H. Dietrich, P., and S. J. Smith, R. S.
BEECHERSVILLE.
This hamlet is situated on the west line of the township, about one mile sontheast of Arendtsville, and three miles west by south of Biglerville.
The settlement was founded, in 1825, by David Beecher, on lands war- ranted, in 17SS, by Jacob Gilbert. This year he built a tannery, and in 1832 erected the woolen-mills on a site occupied for forty years before by the old carding and fulling-mill. The Conowago Woolen Factory, owned by David Beecher and Robert Morrison. was an important industry as early as 1828. He also built a paper mill in 1837, one-quarter mile down the creek. . R. G. Mc- Creary converted this into a box board factory, the Conowago Paper Company enlarged it, and manufactured straw printing paper until its destruction by fire in 1875. In 1873 newspaper paper was manufactured by Ingram & Cook, of Beechersville, who leased the R. G. McCreary mills. The Conowago Paper Company was organized in May. 1873, with E. W. Stahle, president; R. G. MeCreary, secretary; W. A. Duncan. treasurer; O. F. Ingram, superintendent, and Col. Cook, machinist, for the manufacture of straw printing paper.
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