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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Publisher: W. Taylor
Number of Pages: 1280


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.


225


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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