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 145

Author:
Publication date:
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 145
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 145


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166 | Part 167 | Part 168 | Part 169 | Part 170 | Part 171 | Part 172 | Part 173 | Part 174 | Part 175 | Part 176 | Part 177 | Part 178


WENKSVILLE.


This ultramontane village, west of Bendersville, approached through the picturesque valley of Upper Opossum Creek from the latter place, or the equally picturesque mountain roal from Arendtsville, or the weird, romantic road from Buchanan Valley, is only great in its approaches. The country round Wenks-


312


HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.


ville is called Broad Valley. Here, in May, 1879, the only manufacturing indus- try, the Schlosser Steam Saw-mill, was destroyed by fire.


The mail route between York Springs and Wenksville, via Idaville, was es- tablished in March, 1868. Wenks postoffice was established in May, 1868, with William S. Cart, postmaster.


The Lutheran and Methodist Union Church at Wenksville was dedicated December 25, 1872, by Revs. Clark and Dixon, Methodist Episcopal ministers, and M. Snyder and J. F. Probst, Lutheran ministers. The building cost $1,600.


The Lutheran Society of Wenkstille was organized March 5, 1836, at Pisel's schoolhouse (afterward known as Wenks' School, near the site of the present brick Union building), with thirty-one members. Rev. Daniel Gottwalt, David Meals, John Weigle, George Black and Jacob B. Meals may be named among its founders. In 1840 the new Lutheran society of Bendersville drew off the majority of the members, and this society existed in a semi-disorganized condi- tion until 1878, when Rev. M. Snyder reorganized it. In 1880 it was made an appointment of Bendersville, and so continues. From 1841 to 1875 preach- ers from the theological seminary and from the neighboring churches visited the locality, until Bendersville Circuit was formed in 1880, with Rev. W. L. Heisler in charge. Rev. G. W. McSherry is the present preacher.


The Methodist Society of Wenkstille is contemporary with the Lutheran, al- though no regular organization existed until 1872. when this denomination in- itiated the work of church-building here.


CHAPTER XLI.


MOUNTJOY TOWNSHIP.


THE streams of this township are Rock Creek, which forms its western T line; Alloway's Creek, separating it from Germany; Two Taverns' Run, White Run, Plum Run and other small streams flowing westward into Rock Creek, and six or seven rivulets into Alloway's Creek. All flow south from the watershed to swell the rivers of Maryland. The surface rolls heavily in parts; but as a whole the township may be classed as a level country. The altitude at Two Taverns is 428 feet above Atlantic level. The ontcrops are blue mud rock, bluish sandstone and copper rock, reddish sandstone, on Baltimore road, argillaceous red sandstone, laminated red sandstone, fine-grained yellowish green sandstone, laminated greenish sandy shale, fine-grained argillaceous red- dish sandstone (near Two Taverns).


In 1872 and in 1874 Spanish silver dollars were found on the Ephraim Fiscel farm. In 1841 John Camp erected a covered wooden bridge across Rock Creek, at Horner's mill on the Taneytown road, for $2,000. In 1871 a flood swept this away, and a new one was built the same year.


The number of tax payers (1836) is 348; value of real estate, $466,812; number of horses, etc., 419; of cows, etc., 534; value of moneys at interest, $54,614; of trades and professions, $6,545; number of pleasure carriages, 183; acras of timber land, 1,791. The population in 1800 was 663; in 1810, 700; in 1820, 935, including 22 free colored; in 1830, 991; in 1840, 1,032; in 1850, 1,098 (3 colored); in 1860, 1,111 (6 colored); in 1870, 1,172, and in


313


MOUNTJOY TOWNSHIP.


1880. 1,296. The entries of land made prior to 1742. in Mountjoy Township, were as follows: William Smith, April. 1739; Robert Linn. April, 1740: Adam Linn, May. 1741; Robert MeKenny. May. 1710; William McKenny, April, 1741, and Gabriel McAllister, April. 1711.


The total assessed valuation of the township in 1799 was $95, 562. taxed at the rate of 27 conts on $100. Samuel Hanter, assisted by James Mell henny and William Houghtelin, made the assessment. Samuel Hunter and David Horner collected the tax.


John Adair. . $1.086


Adam Little. $6


William Adair


1.592


Andrew Little ..


1.224


Samuel Adair


1.087


Abram Leightewalter. 1.8-2


William Agnew


6:24


Samuel Linu. 1.804


Andrus Ashbangh


764


Daniel Long.


64


Francis Allison.


1.342


Baltzer Lower.


00


Robert Black* (died in 1799)


726


James Black


1,960


Ulrich Black.


112


Adam Black.


51


Jesse McAllister t 2,947


John Bower, owner of a grist mill of two bulirs


2,234


James Barr


1,232


Thomas Mckeon


414


Samuel Bingham.


1,560


Samuel MeKeon


120


Peter Bercan


846


Nicholas Miller, saw-mill.


1.040


John Bear ..


442


Nicholas Mark, saw-mill


993


Joel Bowman.


127


James Mc Allister.


1,114


Peter Baumgartner


959


John MeKillopp.


903


Jobn Cross, grist-mill


1,280


Mosico Melvain.


620


Isaac Darbry. Sr.


846


Robert MeIntyre, weaver.


24


Isaac Darbry. Jr


522


Jacob Ocher.


376


Samuel Davidall.


902


Abram Davidall.


38


Isaac Paxtou. . 1,267


418


Jacob Diehl.


1,776


Isaac Roberson.


853


John Freet


12


Joseph RitHe ..


1,011


John Forney.


217


Samuel Smithi.


1,676


Henry Forney.


976


John Stuart


936


Henry Forney, Jr


37


Michael Sower, weaver.


306


Justice Ferdno.


936


Josepn Stocksleger.


1,384


Michael Fry or Frey


795


John Sbrider ..


104


William Gibson.


514


Frederick Stoner.


1,004


George Green.


216


Michael Stoltz.


1,292


Andrew Guinn.


64


Robert Stewart


734


Hugh Guinn ..


30


James Stewart .. 50


George Heagv. blacksmith


932


Peter Snider.


209


John Heagy. Sr.


1,704


Joseph Stealy.


550


David Horner t.


3,915


Nicholas Sheely


854


Alander Hunter.


1,306


Jacob Sheely 56


283


Franeiseo Helm, Sr.


708


George Starry


1.116


Joseph Hunter.


1,494


James St. Clair


1,000


Samuel Hunter


714


Peter Sell


1,274


David Horner, Jr.


878


George Sloneeker


36


William Honghtelin


984


Robert Sturgeon, weaver. 18


Isaac Hulick. 1,064


981


John Ileagy, Jr.


176


Tobias Starry 46


Samuel Little.


Robert Wilson.


1,462


Thomas Larimore. Sr.


:96


Charles Wilson


1.746


Thomas Larimore, Jr


730


Robert Young


996


John Little.


706


Widow Yother


1,110


Henry Little.


1.265


Adam Sell .. 41 Widow Slentz. 230


Jaeoh Klutz


470


Orbin Tance.


373


Barny Kerr.


Jacob Wurtz.


992


William Guinn


635


William Stoltz.


80


Robert Hutchison.


816


George Shultz.


Jacob Sell 840


Alexander IIorner.


1,976


James Stewart.


1,020


Conrad Frezer, tavern


30


Widow Peuter.


John Davidall


590


Adam Rohrbaugh


Samuel Mellbenny 996


William Mellhenny 1.200


John Miller. Jr .. 8


Robert Mckinney 2,000


James Mellhenny 1,344


*Including saw-mill and one grist-mill of two buhrs. +Two slaves, value $100 each. #One slave value, $186.


Winder Hulwick.


314


HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.


The single men of the township in 1799 were John Adair, Andrew Ash- baugh, Jacob Barnhart, Peter Forney, Andrew Horner, Francis Helm, Jacob Helm, James Hunter, William Moore, Archibald MeKillopp, Samuel Mckeon or McCune, Henry Stoltz, Robert Young, William Vance and Ludwick Miller. Each of these young men had to pay $1 in addition to taxes on any property he may have held.


Mountjoy Township, from the earliest times, has been always identified with the military affairs of the county. The early Revolutionary enterprises of the settlers are referred to in the history of the county. Daniel Benner, Sr., of this township, who died in February, 1882, was one of the last three sur- vivors of the three companies who marched from this county to the Canadian frontier in 1814. Peter Smith, of Mountpleasant, and Michael Lauver, of Fairfield, are the other two. William F. Baker was the only resident of Mountjoy Township who responded to the first call for troops in April, 1861. He was mustered into Company E, Second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. The Mountjoy Rangers (cavalry) was the first company organized for the war in the township, with Capt. Horner, commander.


CHURCHES.


Mark's German Reformed Church of Mountjoy Township was erected in 1789 during the pastorate of Rev. George Troldenier. The original members were John Tawney, Samuel Fry, David Little, George Heagy, Nicholas Marks, John Mayer, Francis Stallsmith, Michael Hoke, Peter Moritz, Daniel Heck, Andrew Little, Philip Schlentz. George Fehl. Andrew Eschbach, Michael Moritz, John Heagy, Samuel Huff. John Troxell, Jacob Klein, Jacob Baumgartner, Jacob Wirth, Adam Tawney, John Miller, John Rohrbach, Michael Frey, Justus Frot- anaut, Henry Fourer, Jacob Troxel. The first baptism was that of Samuel Bernheisel. November 5, 1789.


Grace Erangelical Lutheran Church, Two Taverns, was organized in 1876 with the following named members: Michael Schwartz, George Hoffman. Baltzer Snyder, D. Wilson, Samuel Schwartz, Em. Rudisill, J. Shanebrough. John May. George Carl. D. Trostle, John Rudisill, George Sherman and John Snyder. The membership is 140. The building, which is frame, was completed that year at a cost of $2,000. Rev. E. J. Metzler, the present pas- tor, organized this congregation.


St. James Reformed Church was built in 1851, shortly after the society was organized, and continued in use until 1878, when it was rebuilt and enlarged. The dedication of the new edifice took place in September, 1878.


The United Brethren Church, below Hoke's gate, on the Baltimore Turn- pike, was dedicated December 5, 1869, by Rev. Mr. Young.


TWO TAVERNS.


This hamlet on the Baltimore Turnpike dates back to the beginning of settlement, when a few of the Marsh Creek settlers located lands in the neigh- borhood. The little place has been a post town, in one form or another, for almost a century: but not until modern times was an office established here.


The first murder committed in Adams County after the year 1800 was that of Henry Heagy, by James Hunter, at Two Taverns June 23. 1817. A num- ber of men had assembled in Larimore's meadow, among whom were the mur- derer and his victim. Hunter was hanged, January 3, ISIS, near the forks of the Emmittsburg and Taneytown roads.


315


MOUNTPLEASANT TOWNSHIP.


CHAPTER XLII.


MOUNTPLEASANT TOWNSHIP.


THE Little Conowago forms the eastern line of this township, separating it from Conowago, Oxford and Hamilton Townships. Conowago Creek, and one of its tributaries, Sweet Run, form the greater part of its northern boundary. This run, with its tributaries, Swift Run and Brush Run, and six little streams running into the Little Conowago flow north and east from the water-shed. White Run, which rises in the northwestern part of the township, How's across Mountjoy Township to Rock Creek. A few other creeks also flow south, from the Hanover Road Ridge, into Rock Creek and Alloway's Creek. The surface is decidedly rolling. if not actually hilly. The lower dis- triets are distinguished for limestone soil and rock, while the upper districts are marked by red gravel and shale, and beds of greenish sand-rock. The elevation above Atlantic level at Bonneauville is 534 feet.


In 1872 iron ore was discovered on the Baughman lands, and in September, 1876, copper ore was discovered on Liver's farm, near Bonneauville.


In 1856 George and Henry Chritzman erected the covered wooden bridge across Swift Run, on the New Chester and Oxford road, for $710. In 1863 Elias Roth built a covered bridge across Swift Run, on the road from Carlisle to the York & Gettysburg Turnpike, for $1,025. The Hanover & Mount Rock Turnpike was authorized in April. 1865. The commissioners were J. W. Gubernator. Francis Pahlman, J. E. Smith. E. S. Reiley. S. G. Sneeringer, D. Geiselman. George Smith and James Devine. The Hanover Junction, Hanover & Gettysburg Railroad crosses the northeastern part of the township, with a station at Dutteras, formerly named " Gulden's."


Joseph MeCreary, constable, made returns, under oath, that the following named persons were the only retailers of foreign merchandise in the township in 1824, viz .: Conrad Weaver, Henry Brinkerhoff, John Miller and Henry Sanders. The number of tax payers (1886) is 569; value of real estate, $628, - 987; number of horses, etc., 561; of cows, etc., 664: value of moneys at in- terest. $85. 115: of trades and professions, $11.415; number of carriages, 148; of gold watches, S: of acres of timber land. 1,061. The population in 1800 was 955, and of Managhan, 38 (Hamilton's lands); in 1820, 1,453, including 3 slaves and 34 free colored; in 1830, 1,498; in 1840, 1,588; in 1850, 1,614 (7 colored); in 1860, 1, 766 (2 colored); in 1570, 1,947 (1 colored), and in 1880, 2,138.


There was a fort one mile south of Dutteras Station, in 1855, on the old John May farm, and another between Bonneauville and Two Taverns in 1755. The Heltzell farm, two miles west of New Oxford, was granted to John Hamil- ton June 14, 1763. He erected the first brick house in Adams County, at "Black's Gap." where the Hunterstown road forks from the York & Gettys- burg Turnpike. Mr. Heltzell, now of New Oxford, took down this old build- ing the last year of the war and erected his present house on the same site. Mr. Haltzell states that the tract called "Managhan" was deeded by the Penns to Hamilton as a portion of the " Manor of Maske." The name, how-


316


HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.


ever, does not appear among the "entries" or "squatters" or "petitioners" residing within the manor in 1742, nor is it probable that Managhan was ever included within the manor boundaries, even in 1763.


The assessments for the year 1800, made in 1799, place the total at $176, - 60S, on which a tax of 22.S cents per $100 was collected. The names of prop- erty owners, and values assessed as given are as follows:


Mathias Albert. $1,914


Helemley $


Ignatius Adams.


Joseph. Hilt. 1,611


John Andrew's estate.


1,200


Maj. James Ilorner. 1,512


Ilenry Arnold, shoe-maker.


125


Hezekiah Hoekdalem, Sr. 10


Daniel Butt. . 125


Hezekiah Hoekdalem, Jr. 1,264


William Baily 3,028


John Hoggeman, weaver. 125


Paul Bart, joiner 126


Brian Bigham


150


Aaron Ileggeman, weaver. 125


John Britten, carpenter.


Christopher Holobach, Jr., weaver ... 212


Henry Brinkenhoff.


910


Christopher Holobach, Sr. :59


Ilenry Buckhannon. 50


Damel Hoopert, tanyard. 1,530


1,720


Michael Bower.


Andrew Johnston .. Henry Khun, carpenter.


224


Solomon Chambers.


431


Michael Clapsadle, joiner.


316


Francis Cassat.


1,870


John Klum ... 1,317


1,913


William Cooper.


1,630


Henry Kip, weaver.


150


Hannah Cooper, widow


John Kip.


800


Josiah Clements.


4,000


Michael Keake.


882


Elias Crisman


958


George Koch.


150


David Cullen.


782


Henry Little, joiner.


134


Jolın Croombacker.


948


Samuel Lilly ;.


3,123


Divas Collins, weaver.


Thomas Lilly.


John Cashem.


Adam Leonard, blacksmith.


Jolin Conenover.


1,300


John Leonard, carpenter. 896


David Comenyore.


125


Ninnion Chamberlain*


1,600


James Driscoll.


150


Joseph Detrich.


1,365


James Daunel. 150


Anthony Little.


75


Margaret Degraff, widowt. 2,254


Barney Little.


600


David Dunner. 1,573


Cornelius Lott, weaver.


631


Jacob Ebert. . 1,586


Jacob Laurence.


100


John Eisenrod.


250


Moses Lockhart ..


2,218


Henry Eisenrod.


1,131


Rebecca Mellvain ..


607


John Ewing.


600


John and David MeCleary


5,261


Isaac Ewing.


900


William Malone, carpenter.


75


Ludwick Eichelberger.


1,123


Stuart Montieth, weaver.


Amos MeCreary. 1,166


Michael Marshall, shoe-maker. 100


Nicholas Myer. 379


Lewis Miller. 1,061


Andrew Mellvain 4,144


178


Mathias Fetherhuff.


170


IIenry Fargison 195


John McClain.


James McSherry 120


Michael Gallaher, tailor. 75


Hugh McSherry 2,100


William Galbreath. .


720


John MeSherry, 1,580


Robert Galbreath. 890


232


Catherine Morningstar, widow 75


Philip Gilbert. .


75


Adam Morningstar, blacksmith .. 120


Christian Hoffman.


540


Andrew Midom. 511


William Hollobach, tailor


125


John MeElip (MeKellopp). 15


Gasper Hansel, weaver.


John Mellvain. .. 1,500


*()ne female slave $25.


+One male slave $30.


¿Female slave.


1,169


Christian Freet. Sr.


2,610


Christian Freet, Jr. . 75


Peter Freet, blacksmith


200


Adam Fuller. . 1,444


David Freeman.


850


Francis Mayer.


Catherine Myer


Martin Garver. 700


William Little ..


Abraham Leister.


Joseph Lindsay. 1,867


Daniel Lochery. 215


Garrit Demarce, carpenter, 525


John Little.


Joseph Klum. . 1,580


Catherina Kitterman. ..


Cornelius Knight, blacksmith. 581


Christian Cashman


David Cassat. .


1,020


Capt. William Kerr.


Gilbert Brinkenhoff (1 slave). 1,876


John Hambarger .. 1,400


John Mouse. 5,424


Jacob Gilbert, weaver.


Robert Ewing.


317


MOUNTPLEASANT TOWNSHIP.


John Nosbeck, nailsmith. 8330


Arthur O'Neil.


75


William Watson. .. 1,593


Henry Peecher. 2.779


Martin Pottorf.


Peter Yong.


llenry Pottorf.


100


lohn Plot. .


150


John Patton.


270


George Yenowinc.


1,340


Margaret PotTenberger, widow


1.020


William Ryan.


Jacob Runk.


980


John Range.


3,970


,Jacob Rider. . 1,516


William Renolds.


1,580


John Renolds.


75


James Dryeoff, tailor.


Michael Sarbach.


136


Alexander Ewing.


John Shriver, gunsmith.


2,544


Robert Ewing. .


Jacob Stiteley.


100


Charles Smith


1,624


Philip Slintz.


1,133


Jacob Slintz.


1,580


Jacob Sharror


950


Valentine Stickel.


890


Charity Schrock, widow


John Keas ..


.James Lochart.


William Sturgen, hotel. 1,300


Catherine Schoop, widow. 980


Alex Leckey, Esq.


2,194


Mathias Spitter. 3,870


Andrew Shanon, weaver:


George MeEntire.


Peter Sheely. 660


James MeDonnel.


Nicholas Sheely 660


Mathew Marsden. 1,012


Jacob Sheely. 1,400


George Shuler. 125


John Springer.


1,000


Louis Snoden, shoe-maker.


125


David Neesbit.


Conrad Snyder. .


2,630


Henry Plot ..


Anthony Snyder.


1,500


Jobn Tempion.


1,020


Joseph Thompson


976


William Torrants.


1,800


Aaron Torrants.


Peter Vandike. 1,100


John Torrants.


William Wilson.


2,552


Andrew Whitely.


Benjamin Whitley, Sr. 1,975


David Welsh. .


75


Hugh Watson, weaver.


Sebastian Wever.


200


William Watson.


George Wheckert. 2,800


James Watson.


Eva Wheckert, widow


Fredric Yong.


Joseph Wilson.


2,003


George Waggoner.


George Wolfort.


Jacob Sherley


Peter Wolfort, Sr .. 2,228


SINGLE MEN.


Abraham Albert, wagon-maker. 308


John Buckhanon. . 1,200


Heury Chambers. 806


John Dannel. . 1,125


Mary Reed.


810


Michael Drycoff ..


William Ewing.


William Ewing sboe-maker.


Philip Flesbmer .. 269


Anthony Fleshman.


Charles House, weaver.


Samuel Smith.


Abraham Hochderben.


1,264


John Hoopert.


M. Slegel. 440


Moses Lochart.


David Mercervey, butcher.


James Marsden. 1,01 2


Capt. Robert Mellvain, miller.


Joseph Myar.


856


Peter Poffeuberger.


John Springer.


John Snyder.


Michael Widworth, weaver. 75


Moses Torbit.


100


Peter Smith, of Mountpleasant Township, who died April 9, 1884, served in Capt. Adams' company during the war of 1812, and is said to be the last of the old soldiers from Adams County. The Mountpleasant volunteers formed a strong, well drilled command in 1828. The Buchanan Rifles, of Mountpleasant Township, organized in March, 1859. The Union Rifle Com- pany was organized at Mount Rock in January, 1861, composed of men from Oxford, Conowago and adjoining townships. Subsequently the members held a meeting declaring their determination to stand by the Constitution of the Union. This was the first military company organized, in anticipation of civil war, which declared a principle.


A. Eckert, delegate from Mountpleasant in the convention of 1834, voted against the adoption of the school law ,


Peter Wolfort, Jr. . $2.221


Ludwick Waggoner, shoe-maker. 400


Baltzer Yong. 7,188


1,270


Mary Yong. 1,537


.


Benjamin Whitely ..


318


HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.


The Harrisburg Junction, Harrisburg & Gettysburg Railroad passes through the northern part of the township. The postoffices in Mountpleasant are Bon- neauville and Redland.


CHURCHES.


St. Joseph's Catholic Church of Bonaughtown or Bonneauville was founded in May, 1859, on lands donated by Alexander Shorb. The corner-stone was placed July 31, 1859, and the church was dedicated Febuary 26, 1860. Rev. Basil A. Shorb, a son of John Shorb, of Union Township, who died April 4, 1871, aged sixty-one years, was the first pastor. The vault in which his remains were placed is in the center of the cemetery. Prior to the erection of this building the congregation attended church at Conowago. Rev. Father Pope succeeded as pastor, and to him is due the change of the village name from Bonaughtown to Bonneauville. During his administration the brick denomin- ational schoolhouse was erected and placed in charge of the Sisters of Charity. Father MeIlhenny was appointed successor to Rev. Mr. Pope: later Rev. An- drew O'Brien, then Father Shanahan was pastor, and he was succeeded by Rev. Father Gorman.


St. Luke's Reformed Church, near White Hall or Red Land and Bonneau- ville, was organized in 1846, with twenty members, by Rev. Jacob Sechler. The building was erected in 1846, and dedicated November 22, that year. as a Union Lutheran and Reformed Church. Among the original members were Daniel Kohler, George Bowman, David Biehl and William Goulden, Lu- therans. Samuel Swope. Jacob Miller and George Bowman formed the build- ing committee.


Salem United Brethren Church, also called the "Stone Church," was erected in 1845 by the pastor, Rev. Samuel L. Minnick. The preachers, whose names are given in the history of the church at Littlestown, were also in charge of the Salem congregation.


The Catholic Congregation of Mount Rock, or Centennial (as the old village was named in 1876). formed a part of the Conowaga congregation up to 1569, when the stone church building was completed at "Mount Rock, over the Hill," and named "St. Charles." The land on which this building stands was donated by Charles Smith for church and school purposes.


WHITE HALL OR RED LANDS.


This is the name given to a postal village in the southern part of the town- ship. Close by there was a military post standing 130 years ago, but by whom erected or in what cause has not yet been ascertained. The settlement of the hamlet dates back about twenty-six years, when the Lohrs and Millers located here; a few years later William McSherry became interested in the location, and built a few dwelling houses and a large three-story business building, which subsequently became known as the National Hotel. Enterprise was car- ried so far as to introduce a printing office there in 1878, the White Hall Vis- itor-a little journal devoted to Greenbackism-was started; next came the postoffice, tradesmen's shops, a large dry goods store, meat market and cigar factory. White Hall sprang up into a village. Its proximity to Littlestown, Hanover, Gettysburg and New Oxford tends, in opposition to its enterprise, to limit its growth. The churches of the several denominations are within easy distance.


Red Land postoffice was established in September, 1866 or 1867, with Will- iam A. McSherry postmaster.


J.S. Witharow


321


OXFORD TOWNSHIP.


MOUNT ROCK.


This place is the center of one of the earliest settlements in Pennsylvania. It is said that over a century and a half has passed away since the first house or cabin was built on the site of the Pohlman dwelling. In 1735 Lord Balti- more patented to Ludwig Schriver the land in this neighborhood, and on this tract he erected the second mill built on the Little Conowago, on the site of the O'Bald Mill. The first merchant at this point was Daniel Lawrence, a brother of George Lawrence, the pioneer tavern-keeper and owner of the old Reed farm of 1754. The era of progress of the settlement dates back to the early part of this century, when Edward Rielly established the first limekiln. He was followed in this industry by John Lilly, who erected a log house on the present Pohlman tract, and made lime manufacture an extensive business. As early as 1730 Samuel Lilly, his grandfather, located part of his land grant in this neighborhood. Samuel Wolf established the third set of kilns. He also erected the brick house, now the property of Peter Noel. The post- office was established here in 1876, with Miss J. M. O' Neil in charge. The lit- tle village is the scene of busy life, and in it and around it some of the neatest homes in the whole county are to be found.


BONNEAUVILLE.


This village, formerly called Bonaughton, dates its beginning back to about 1772, when a log cabin was erected in what is called the public square. Elizabeth Sourbeer, whose father built a stone house just west of Bonneau- ville, in the last century, is now a resident of Martinsburg, Va. In 1810 she attended Squire Brinkerhoff's log school, which then stood in the square. James Foster also taught there. John Eckert put up a house here about this time, following the example of the first school teacher, who had built himself a better home then the old log cabin offered. The office at Square Corner was removed to Bonneanville in June, 1861. with Ambrose Staub postmaster, rice Jacob Noel, the former officer at the "Corner." Ezra Noel is the present postmaster.


CHAPTER XLIII.


OXFORD TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH OF NEW OXFORD.


L ITTLE CONOWAGO CREEK forms the entire western line of Oxford Township flowing north to Great Conowago Creek and forming a confluence at the northeastern corner of Mountpleasant Township. This creek also forms the southwetern and part of the southern boundary of the township, with its main feeder, Lilly Creek, completing its southern line. A few small creeks flow south and west into the Little Conowago, while Hamilton Creek rises in the northeastern corner of the township. Mellvaine's Run heads near New Ox- ford and flows into the Little Conowago.


The country presents a heavy, rolling appearance, while in its southern sections it is bold and rugged. From near Oxford, 521* feet above the Atlantic level, the tower of Conowago Chapel, four miles away, may be seen. The soil




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.