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 144
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 144
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30
David Echart. . .
154
John Patterson .. . ..
280
William Ferguson ..
William Patterson.
1,264
James Fagan, cord winder.
Samuel Peden.
120
John Gilliland
1,626
Charles Quay
*One negro, $190.
+One negro, $120.
¿Three slaves, $306.
Two slaves, $165.
ĮOne negro, $100.
John Herman, cord winder. $70
David Ilowie. . 160
92
James Agnew and Abram Krise. 38
1,156
Martin Hill at William Hill's. 35
Robert Arman
Abram Krise .. .
Solomon Kiphart, saw and grist-mill 2,721 Widow Karr .. 671
John Karr at Widow Karr's.
20
David Bryan .. 230
William Low
1,008
Thomas MeKee. 1,782
1,305
John McElroy. .
John McCulley, school teacher at the
Bull-frog. 35
William McShirrey, weaver
595
Barnabas McShirrey.
Martin Myars. 814
Widow Sarah Moore. 40
John Morrow 1,721
Henry Coy
Jacob Mundorff, saw and grist-mills. 1.314
1,322
Isaac Moore. ..
Isaac Moore for Joseph McGowesey. 1,166 Alex. MeCracken .. 59%
Patrick Mooney at MeCracken's ..
William McKission. 1,820
Alexander McKissions 1,776
150
Patrick Mooney.
80
James Caldwell. 430
William McMillan
50
William Caldwell.
Robert McClive, Jr., weaver. 1,840
William Reed for Henry Cowley.
115
Stephen Caldwell, blacksmith
John Carpenter .. 102
William Cochran .. 160
Peter Carpenter ..
Arthur Cloherty at Sam. Peding's
135
Robert MeCreary, joiner.
1,130
John Crowle ..
William Mckinley 310
William Morrow. . .
John Demon at Jacob Heagy's
1,642
Joseph Eckhart, grist-mill.
562
Jacob Eversole ..
Jeremiah Porter 45
Richard Porter. 1,806
Benjamin Elder. 902
Ilngh Patterson with J. Patterson
Hans Farley at James McCreary's ...
John Peden
1,470
Thomas Gorleyt. 1,563
Samuel Peden.
103.
Jacob Heggy, distiller.
Rossa McGuire.
1,214
James Cochran*
1,400
Jacob Kissioner .. .
10
Samuel Loudon at William Loudon's
303
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.
Nathaniel Randolph.
.$2.02.1
John Spear.
$784
Joseph Randolph.
80
Abram Scott*|
3,550
John Robison.
1,389
Jacob Stoner, grist-mill ..
1,120
Sohn Ramsey.
948
Robert Stuart at William Stuart's. .. Widow Thompson.
10
Patrick Reid
1,827
William Twinbough.
204
William Stuart.
1,379
Samuel Thompson at Widow Stam- mer's.
Robert Spear*+
1,336
Isaiah White, mill owner. 3,241
William Stuart.
1,050
Samuel Whitman at John Agnew's. .
25
Peter Sullingar.
250
Thomas Wilson, mason.
35
Daniel Sprinkle
115
Stophet Wimar, blacksmith
60
Jacob Shingletaker
12
William Waugh, saw and grist mills. 1,470
Matthew Steen, weaver.
65
Peter Wolf.
367
On Flat Run near the Maryland line, on what is known as the old Reed farm, the Zimmermans, a Swiss family (who subsequently Anglicized their name into Carpenter), settled in 1765. In his family was a little girl nine years old; this child was carried off by two Indians. A neighbor heard the Indians coming, and. hiding near the trail. recognized the little girl, but could not rescue her. Pursuit followed but resulted in nothing. Ten years after the whites fought a tribe at Shamakin. and captured from them a young white woman and her half-breed boy; she was brought to her parents and subse- quently married one of the Loman boys. Her half-breed boy died in 1826, at Adam Rader's house, on the Overholtzer farm, near where his mother was made captive. She died at ninety years of age on her husband's farm, sold to James Wilson. and by him to the Bollingers. Two of her daughters mar- ried into the Zimmerman family: one married John Clark, who owned McDev- itt's mill, and a fourth married John Light, from Falling Waters, Va.
CHURCHES, CEMETERIES, ETC.
The Reformed Church of Liberty, in the valley between Raven Rock and Haycock Knob, was built over sixty years ago, and a burial ground established just west of the south fork of Miney Creek.
The new Dunkard Church is unlike the former substantial stone building. It is a neat frame house on the east side of the road southeast from the brick schoolhouse, which stands just south of the Reformed Church.
Among the number buried in the old cemetery were the following old resi- dents: Hiram Stein, 1565: Peter Stein, 1853; Nancy Stein, 1860; Susan Stein, 1855; Rebecca Leaser, 1849: Abram Derr, 1855: Elias Harbangh. 1851; Joseph Harbaugh, soldier. 1863; Catherine Hadleigh, 1858; Harry Ferguson. 1850; Nancy Shover, 1834: Jacob Shover, 1872: Jacob Harbaugh, 1842; Samuel Barkdoll, 1838: Magdalene Harhangh, 1824: Mary Gump, 1833: John Boyd, 1834; Thomas King. 1844: Eleah Miller, 1875; Nancy Fitz, 1874; Isaac War- ren. 1867: Samuel Martin. 1SS4.
The old military association. known as the "Liberty Riflemen" was a thorough organization in IS28.
** Slave. $'00
*+One slave, value $90.
* One slave, value $130.
++Que slave, value $50.
:0
Thomas Spear.
40
John Rutter
135
William Reid, two mills **
4.846
James Tudor. .
35
John Stuart*+
2,030
Philip Twinbough.
45
William Scott
Fred. Shulley.
1.303
James White, saw-mill ..
1,055
George Seacrist, joiner.
353
Matthias Waybright, saddler 500
Robert Scott*+.
1.748
Jacob Waybright. 1,012
Richard Smith ..
40
David Waughtt.
1,146
Widow Stammers.
164
Adam Reeder.
304
HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
CHAPTER XL.
MENALLEN TOWNSHIP.
THE streams of this township are Conowago Creek, forming a part of the southern boundary, and its numerous northern feeders; Opossum Creek, rising in Bear Mountain and flowing north by east to Bendersville; thence southeast, and Mountain Creek which rises in the western foot hills of Piney Hill, flowing northeast into Cumberland County. There are many mountain streams coursing throughout the township, bringing a wealth of water to the higher lands and affording a full supply in all seasons to the settlers in the valleys.
Piney Hill ranges northeast through the western part of the township; Bear Mountain holds a central position; Pine Hill is on the Butler Township bor- der; Rattlesnake Hill, southwest of Bendersville near Flora Dale; Round Top, just north of Bendersville, and North Hill, east of Round Top. Mountains form the dividing line between Menallen and the southern townships of Cum- berland County. The elevation at Bendersville is 737 feet.
The valleys present to view well cultivated farms, substantial farm houses and foot-hill pasture lands.
The outerop shows micreeous ore, magnetic ore near Bendersville; sandy chlorite schist, orthofelsite with seams of quartz; simple, weathered, mesozoic conglomerate; decomposed trap, mica schist, chloritoid rock, mountain creek rock, limestone, slate in varied forms, talcose schist (summit of South Moun- tain), impure limonite, porphyry, dolerite sandstone seamed with quartz; ortho- felsite, chlorite schist, argillaceous sandstone, purple quartzose schist (sum- mit of Piney Hill).
In March, 1870, the Dauphin Coal Company, leased the farms of John Culling, Henry Eppelman and Cornelius Bender on Opossum Creek, near Bendersville, for irou and coal mining purposes. In March, 1882, F. A. As- per opened a coal vein at Eppelman's mill, near Bendersville. This was lig- nite, an inferior coal.
On January 6, 1874, Benjamin Deardorff cut the largest white pine tree in Menallen Township, north of Cole's mill, which measured four feet across at the stump, and gave four logs aggregating 111 feet. In January, 1873, sounds like the eries of some of the great wild beasts in distress, were heard in the valley of the Conococheaque, in Menallen Township. In July, 1876, Mi- chael Orner found a turtle on his farm in this township, marked "D. W., 1790," and many marked by the Orners in 1832 and 1846.
In 1854 Jonas Rouanzahn built the Opossum Creek wooden bridge on the Gettysburg and Carlisle road for $1,456. In 1859 Francis Cole built the wooden bridge at Cole's saw-mill, on the Conowago, for $699. In ISOS a stone bridge was erected by Contractor John Murphy, over the Conowago, in Menallen Township at Fehl's mills. The length was fifty-two feet, three arches; cost $1,787. . This bridge was replaced by a wooden structure some years prior to 1870. In 1870 an iron bridge was built by Samuel Stouffer over Opossum Creek, at Eppelman's mill, for $1,592.
The Gettysburg and Newville road was laid out in 1829-30 by J. F. McFar- lane, J. Stambaugh, J. Harper, J. M. McKeehan, J. Cassatt and D. Groove.
305
MENALLEN TOWNSHIP.
One of the means adopted for running the line straight, was to make a bonfire on the hills each night and thus mark the course.
The population of the township in 1800 was 1,285; in 1810. 1,510-759 males. 733 females, 13 slaves and 24 freo colored: in 1820, 1,855, including 47 free colored: in 1830, 2,033: in 1840, 2.273; in 1850. 1.654 (71 colored); in IS60, 1.650 (49 colored): in 1870, 1,814 (54 colored) and in ISSO. 2,016.
The number of taxpayers (1886) is 674; value of real estate, $136,619; number of horses, ete., 466; number of cows, etc., 463; value of moneys at in- terest, $59,802; value of trades and professions, $17,650; number of carriages, 190; of gold watches, 9; of silver watches, 1; of acres of timberland, 10.372. The retailers of foreign merchandise, wine and liquors in 1824 were Philip Long, Simon Backer, Charles F. Keener, Samuel Wright, William Robson, and James Bell. The only dealer in merchandise alone was George Wilson. The constable making the returns was Jacob Dottanny.
S. Wright, delegate from Menallen, in the convention of November 4. 1834, voted in favor of adopting the common school system. The State appro- priation was $237.33 and the tax $229. 74.
From the beginning of settlement in this part of the county. liberal contri- butions of men and money were made to the country. Washington Morrison and D. Stuart MeKnight were the first soldiers from Bendersville to answer the call for troops made in April, 1861. They were mustered in with Com- pany E. Second Volunteer Infantry. A reference to the general history will discover the names of many of the early soldiers of this township.
The Gettysburg & Harrisburg Railroad crosses a portion of the eastern limits of the township. The postoffices in Menallen are Bendersville, Flora Dale. Aspers and Wenks.
The tax payers of this township in 1799, which then comprised a part of Butler Township, are named as follows, with the trade and assessed valnation given :
John Alert, silversmith .. 8240
Conrad Blanck. $454
Robert Alexander, weaver.
529
John Brenisholtz, blacksmith. 376
Nicholas Burger. 848
Widow Baush. . 65
Yetter Burger.
6-4
Thomas Baldwin, Jr. 1,100
Michael Bender.
876
John Carson.
668
John Blackburn.
226
John Clark. 600
Thomas Blackburn
584
Peter Conrad 76
28
John Blackburn, joiner
20
Thomas Crenics.
326
Michael Bush
978
Henry Dael, or Doel, colored
18
Henry Balsley.
711
Fred. Diehl.
1.648
William Boyd. saw-mill and tavern ..
672
Nicholas Deitrick
1,204
Edward Blakely.
19
Baltzer Deitrick.
2,192
James Blakely, Sr.
195
Joseph Davis.
118
Valentine Berger, weaver.
438
Fred. Eicholtz.
1,782
Henry Bender.
914
George Eyster ...
300
Conrad Bender ..
621
Jacob Boysel.
500
David Foal. .
464
John Ferguson, tan-yard.
95
683
Dewall Finstermarker.
128
Nicholas Bittinger, grist-mill.
1.100
Adam Gise, weaver. ..
401
Christian Bachman, miller.
Abraham Gise, cordwinder. 896
George Blanckley
259
John Greer, tavern and merchant ... 108
1,881
Michael Benedick.
28
Conrad Dull. .
1.825
Christian Bush ..
96
George Crowl, mason.
James Blakely, Jr., saw-mill.
436
Charles Delin
156
Jacob Banser, joiner
31
Michael Engelsberger.
100
John Baldwin, single.
804
William Ferguson ..
136
Val. Fail. tavern and saw-mill.
1,074
John Bender.
Isaac Byers .. 1.980
Michael Bittinger, blacksmith.
John Feghner, weaver.
Moses Blackburn.
414
John Conrad
Finley Blackburn ..
Thomas Cochran.
306
HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
Henry Gessler, cooper. $25
Felix Orna, joiner. $28
Joseph Greffy. 90
Jacob Oyler. 836
John Gibrath (or Galbraith). 9.224
Able Pittendorff, cordwinder. 38
George Gilbert. 3,636
Adam Plum, blacksmith. 486
Adam Groshard, saw-mill* 636
Ilenry Petter. . 1,376
-Jacob Greenmyer.
1,754
William Pullock.
60
Samuel Gilliland
1,505
John Quickle. wagon-maker.
114
George Ilartzell. Jr. 1,136
48
William Hutten
1.128
Daniel Rix. 1,166
Christian Hostetter
593
Daniel Rix, Sr.
732
Thomas Homs.
514
John Rix.
468
Joseph Ilewit.
136
Ilenry Rife. .
1,100
George Hewitt .. 1,192
Baltzer Radisely. 1,207
Isaiah Harr, silk-maker. 404
William Rock. 392
Nathan Hendricks, saw-mill.
1,556
William Roberts, weaver .. 26
George Iluber. 1,073
Henry Stonehower 36
Henry Slaybaugh. 786
Panl Sowers. .. 786
Jacob Holtzinger, weaver.
38
Mathias Smyser, owner of grist-mill and saw-mill. 1,675
Peter Slathower. 1,019
Peter Strasbach. 424
George Slaybaugh. 767
1,306
Abel John. 1,360
John Slosser, tavern.
1,218
Joseph John. 114
Peter Slosser.
236
Matthias Sahm.
252
Jacob Koock, joiner.
123
John Kennedy.
83
Peter Keckler
28
Abram Keckler
175
Francis Knouse.
2,164
David Knouse
243
John Kline.
450
John Stewart, merchant. 1,097
Philip Kuntz. 64
528
The Pine Grove Co 1,525
66
Christian Lehman, grist and saw-mills 1,182
Joseph Taylor.
328
Jacob Loop, cordwinder ..
46
John Wicrman, Sr
625
John Langhead (Vanden Crive). 33
Tobias Where ..
36
Peter Latshaw. 180
John Wagaman
318
George Myers, miller.
71
John Wright. Jr. 684
141
Jesse Martin. .
48
John Wireman, Jr., saw-mill. 300
Joel Wright. saw-mill. 250
Thomas Williams. 108
48
David McConnechy, Sr 2,878
Benjamin Wilson.
572
Archibald McGraw 1,578
George Wilson.
46
Peter Wirt, cordwinder.
48
Thomas McCrail.
. 8
John Wampler.
Fred. Wolf.
100
Widow Lydia MeCrail. 100
Fred. Warrant.
1.414
Thomas McCashland, merchant. 1,554
John Wright. Sr. 1.587
Jacob Mills, wagon-maker. 702
Daniel Wightner.
340
Robert McConnechy 2,195
Peter Wagoner. 186
51
Martin Minder .. 656
Abraham Wightner
1,045
Henry Montgomery, siugle.
787
William Wilson
1.005
John Mowrer, weaver ..
584
Adam Waller. 2.709
26
Owen McCrail. 656
Matthias Walter .. .
747
George MeCrail. 8
Benjamin Wright. 997
Robert MeClave. 108
William Yet. . 956
Andrew Nievel, or Newell, owner of
Samuel Young. $14
two saw-mills. 1.114
Jacob Zigafoose.
36
Thomas Selluks,
566
Henry Snider.
506
Ilenry Sehmusser, owner of grist- mill and saw-mill. 2,704
Frederick Stanchhower. 1,290
David Stewart .. 36
Peter Slayhaugh, weaver. 296
John Kosen, joiner
Francis Keum. 328
David Tutt, blue dyer.
Michael Ming, blacksmith.
1,222
Samuel Wright, tanner ..
Nicholas Mallen. 112
Francis MeNitt. 1.652
David MeConnechy, single. 620
Christian Wirt.
Samuel Mukle. 882
20
Elizabeth MeCrail.
228
Elizabeth MeCleary. 1,200
Samuel MeConnechy, Sr
1,848
William Woodgate, weaver.
*His tax was decreased, owing to his suffering from an attack of palsy.
George Hukenloober. 757
James Ilamilton. 500
George Hartzell.
1,359
George Ilammon.
779
Peterson Hines 80
William Slaybaugh, wagon-maker ..
Stephen Hendricks. 1,052
Samuel Harland .. 625
Aphrabim Johnston, siugle. 1.545
George Jacob Rix. owner of grist, saw and hemp-mills .. 1,654
Abner Ilutten, joiner.
Peter Welkmuth ..
307
MENALLEN TOWNSHIP.
The total valuation was $129,090, and the tax levy 303 cents per $100. Robert Alexander and Henry Snyder were the collectors. The single men re- siding in the township in 1799 were taxed $1 each, viz. : Isaac Homes, Abram Diehl, William Deitrick, William Gilbrath, William Scott, miller; Leonard Hartzell; Anthony Wagaman, wagon-maker; John Ebert, hatter; Abram Davis, miller: John Noel; Jacob Rex, joiner; John Krum, weaver; F. Caspar Krum, weaver; Charles Stewart, John Stewart, David Stewart and Frederick Stonehower.
David Lewis, the robber, was born at Carlisle in 1790, enlisted in Capt. William N. Irvine's Company in 1807, deserted, was tried and sentenced to be shot, but his mother won a reprieve. Then going to Vermont he obtained a stock of counterfeit bills, and entered on the " shovers" work in Cumber- land and Adams Counties. As stated by William Heller, of Wenksville, he made his appearance at Pine Grove in Cumberland County, about 1813. One Howard, an accomplice, visited the place six weeks later and won the confi- dence of Andrew Bombangh. master miner, for the Furnace Company. The first work of the robbers in this county was to interest some well-known old settlers in " shoving " counterfeit money for them. Their first burglary was com- mitted at David Dull's saw-mill on Mountain Creek, below the mouth of Tum- bling Run, in 1813 or 1814, which was then operated by David Warren.
Jacob Cook, the original owner of the Dr. Mumma farm at Bendersville, was a cabinet-maker. About 1813 he moved to East Berlin, where he kept a tavern, and in 1814 became associated with the robbers, Lewis Connelly, Park- hurst and Howard. David Warren, the saw-miller of Mountain Creek, made this discovery some weeks after his first acquaintance with Cook. It appears that Warren called his brothers, Edward and Isaac, and John Balsley to explore the neighborhood of Tumbling Run. in search of the robber's den; but they failed to find it; six weeks after this, Isaac Warren discovered the cabin near the head of Little Break. A few days later old Justice Fickes, who for years kept the York Sulphur Springs, was hunting in the mountains (he lodged with James Dully near Wenksville), and also discovered the robber's den. The next day Fickes, Hellar. James Dully, James Dully, Jr., Judge Fickes and John Neely explored the neighborhood, found plenty of evidences of the rob- ber's rendezvous, but no money.
James Green (colored) was hanged April 15, 1853. for the murder of Sam- uel Mars, in this township, April 1, 1852. The murder of William Wills oc- curred in Menallen Township, at the close of November, 1870. Martin Car- baugh was charged with the crime, but acquitted. A correspondent to the Star (N. Y.), writing in 1758, states: "On May 21, 1758, one woman and five children were carried off from 'Yellow Breeches.' " He also states: "Richard Beard, who was captivated last month from Marsh Creek, made his escape somewhere near the Alleghany Hills, and was sick near his father's, at Marsh Creek. The Indians told him that they were going to Philadelphia to arrange with the English for taking scalps of the French."
In August, 1885, two monuments were dedicated in Antrim Township, Franklin County, to the memory of Enoch Brown and his ten pupils, who were murdered by Indians in 1764.
George H. McCreary, residing near Bendersville, has a watch, said to have been made in Dublin, Ireland, in 1394, and brought to America in 1748, by John Martin. This has been ever since in the possession of the Martin and McCreary families. In February, 1859, a boy, from the neighborhood of Pine Grove, was lost in the mountains. The people searched in vain. Some days after he was found dead, near John Beamer's. on the old Shippensburg road.
30S
HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
A little dog, which accompanied him, stood sentinel over the body. The sale of Jacob Kock's land, in Menallen Township, together with saw-mill, build- ings and orchard, was advertised in 1805.
BENDERSVILLE.
The actual settlement of the tract on which Bendersville (formerly called Wilsonville) stands dates back to 1811. when it was patented to John Schlosser, by the State. Three years later the original occupier sold his patent to William Sadler, and in 1819 he sold to Henry Bender: and Henry, Conrad, Michael and Jonn Bender founded the village November 10. 1832. In this year, also, Jesse M. Hutton, the mail carrier, delivered letters here: and about this time George Wilson, Sr., was appointed postmaster. About 1847 he was succeeded by A. T. Wright. In 1832 the postoffice was called Wilsonville. and the sale of stamps for the year ending in March, 1834, amounted to $22.61. John Burk- holder is now postmaster. John Schlosser kept a cabin tavern (the first building there) prior to 1799, and not until 1834 was there anything more pretentious erected. when Peter Studebaker erected one. In 1836 C. Myers established a regular hotel. with office, stables. etc. This was six years after the establish- ment of the Gettysburg & Newville Road, when travel warranted such an en- terprise. The completion of the Gettysburg & Hanover Railroad, which passes just east of the village, has. like the old highway of 1829-30, given an impulse to enterprise; and the little mountain village gives promise of attain- ing the position which its rich agricultural surroundings warrant.
CHURCHES.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bendersville was established October 29. 1835, with the following members: J. A. Jacobs, H. Thomas, S. Harris, William Haim. G. Dellinger, F. Miller. G. Schaffer. A. Ettinger, M. E. Pen- shalter, Jacob Bender, J. Thomas. G. Thomas. J. Zinn. A. Bender. Isaac Clæffaltes. The ministers who have served this church from 1835 to 1886 are named as follows: John Lieb, Levi Hummelshine. J. M. Young, J. N. Linger, E. B. Wilson, S. W. Seibert. S. Aurand. J. Y. Reede. A. Longsdorf. J. M. Price. J. A. Irvine, J. M. Longsdorf. J. F. Yeager. H. S. Bower, Rev. B. F. Kelles, H. A. Stoke, P. F. Jarrett, F. S. Vonght, H. T. Searl, J. L. Miller. Prior to 1857 services were held in the old Union log house, but on May 31, that year, their present church was completed at a cost of about $3.000. The number of members is 410. The church of this denomination at Idaville was built in 1850, during the pastorate of Rev. Daniel Kreamer, at a cost of $1, 600. and that at Beamer's in 1866, at a cost of $1.100. The Idaville Society worshiped in a schoolhouse for some years before their church was erected. Originally all this circuit belonged to the Gettysburg charge.
The German Reformed and Lutheran Union Church of Bendersville dates its building back to May 12, 1845, and its dedication to October 19, 1845, during the pastorates of Mr. Ulrich, Lutheran, and Mr. Hoffmeier, Reformed. Prior to 1845 worship meetings were held in the old Methodist Episcopal and Evangelieal Union Church,
The Lutheran Society of Benderstille was organized December 27, 1840, with eleven members out of the society at Wenksville. by Rev. C. Weyl. with Peter Rice and David Meals, elders. The membership is 160. The church was set off as a circuit in 1SSO, as related in the history of the church at Wenksville.
The Reformed Society was organized February 11, 1844, by Rev. John G. Fritchey. with John Appleman, Peter Rice. John Tauser, Henry Cunn, Thomas
Francis Coulon
Catharine RCoulson
311
MENALLEN TOWNSHIP.
Snodgrass and eight others, members. This society is visited once a month by Rev. Mr. Sangree, of Arendtsville, but claims only the name of an organization.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Bendersville dates back to the thirties, when services were held in the " Yellow House" on the Hunterstown road, by Mr. Lenhart, until 1839-40, when the Union Cabin Church was opened.
The Centenary Methodist Church of Bendersrille was completed and dodi cated September S. 1867. The building committee comprised John Burk- holder, Samuel Bender, S. Meals, A. J. Bender and M. A. Eldin. It is said that Bendersville was once established as a circuit; but it has been generally an appointment of York Springs.
The Mount Tabor Church of the United Brethren, three miles north of Ben- dersville, was dedicated January 12. 1862.
The Methodist Episcopal Church at Pine Grove Furnace, was completed and dedicated October 23, 1870.
SOCIETIES,
Menallen Agricultural Society was organized in February, 1860, with John Burkholder, president, and F. W. Cook, secretary,
Patrons of Husbandry .- This grange was organized at Bendersville Feb ruary 3, 1874, with John Wickersham, M; G. W. Wilson, O .; Amos Griest, L .; Hiram Griest, S .; Adam Burkholder, secretary; Mrs. William Walhay, Ceres, and others.
The Menallen Agricultural Club was organized March 15, 1879, with the following members: Cyrus S. Griest. Hiram Griest, Charles J. Tyson, Amos W. Griest, Israel Garretson, Andrew J. Koser, Henry Koser, Josiah Griest, A. I. Weidner and Samuel H. Harris. Israel Garrettson was first president, and A. W. Griest, first secretary.
Menallen Building Association was organized at Bendersville in Septem- ber, 1868, with Jonas Rouanzahn, president.
Montana Lodge, No. 653. I. O. O. F., organized some years ago, is the only secret society at Bendersville.
FLORA DALE.
This is a very old settlement with a new name, an adaptation of Fountain Dale, in Hamiltonban Township, and equally appropriate. A reference to the original assessment of Menallen Township points out the names of the old settlers in this neighborhood. Here, in later years, the Smith family, now residents of Florida, settled, and many, whose names have been identified with the progress of the county, found a home in the wilderness here during the last century, and with their children converted the district into a veritable flora dale. In 1861 a postoffice was established, with Elijah Wright, post- master. In 1878 his widow succeeded in charge.
Menallen Meeting-house of the Society of Friends, dates its foundation here to 1838. when the old church at Friend's Grove, in the rear of the present Dunkard church of Butler Township, was abandoned. The old double-log Friends' Meeting-house of 1838, was removed in 1884, to give place to the pres- ent brick house. The log house stood just in front of the present buildings just north of their new cemetery opened in 1853. The society's old cemetery, in Butler Township at Friends' Grove, contains a number of headstones still.
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