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 43

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 43
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 43

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).

INDIAN INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.

The Indian Industrial School, at Carlisle, under the management of Capt. R. H. Pratt. Tenth Cavalry, is one of the pioneer institutions of the United States to attempt the civilization of a savage raco.

By act of Congress dated June 17, 1879, the extensive grounds and build- ings known as the Carlisle Barracks were appropriated for the Indian school. Sometime in 1876, Capt. Pratt conceived the idea that Indians could be edu- cated and their labor and skill utilized. About that time, of the hundred pris- oners at Fort Marion, Florida. captured from the Cheyennes, Arapahoes, Wichitas, etc., a number were taken to Hampton, Va., where they were organ- ized into a school, thus originating the system of Indian industrial education in this country. Carlisle was next to be developed.

In addition to the extensive buildings secured from the Government at the time the school began, there have been erected, since, a chapel, 1879; hospi- tal, ISSI; new dining ball and laundry, 1885; and a new wing to old dining hall for printing office.

The first pupils received (eighty-four in number) arrived October 5, 1879, from the Rosebud and Pine Ridge agencies. Dakota. The fathers of those boys and girls were leaders in their tribes (the Sioux). On the 27th of Octo- ber, fifty more came from the Poncas, Pawnees, Kiowas, Comanches, Wichitas, Cheyennes and Arapahoes; and on the 6th of November, eight children arrived from Green Bay agency, Wisconsin, and Sisseton agency, Minnesota.

The board of managers consists, at present, of Capt. R. H. Pratt, Tenth Cavalry, superintendent; A. J. Standing, assistant superintendent; O. G. Given, M. D., physician; S. H. Gould, chief clerk; Miss A. S. Ely and W. C. Loudon, assistant elerks.

From the sixth annual report of the superintendent, dated August 18, 1SS5. the following facts are gleaned: Number of tribes represented. 38; number of boys in school, 344; number of girls in school, 150. Total, 494.

These children are classed in nine sections, properly graded, for school work. and study such subjects as are usually taught in public schools. Each section is under the guidance of a special teacher, whose whole time is given to its instruction and management. Every pupil is also given the choice of learn - ing some trade, and is required to spend a certain length of time each day in the mastery of his trade. On the whole, the Indian school is a successful in- stitution, and well merits careful study.

This labor of the Indian School, even as early as the annual report of ISS1, amounted to $6,333.46, as governed by the regular contract prices of the In- dian Department. The pupils are particularly apt in the ordinary English branches, while many display also a very considerable skill in the departments of practical mechanics. With such a record it is not surprising that this school should have attracted very considerable attention, and that representatives, both of the nobility and brains of England-the Duke of Sutherland and Ed- ward H. Freeman, the celebrated English historian-should have been among its visitors, soon after it was established.

202

HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

CUMBERLAND VALLEY STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.

This institution, located at Shippensburg, is the State school for the Sev- enth District, comprising the counties of Adams, Bedford, Blair, Cumber- land, Fulton, Franklin and Huntington.

Its history is briefly this: An act of the Legislature, passed April 1, 1850, authorized the board of school directors at Carlisle to establish a normal school iu these terms: "And said board also have power to establish a normal school of a superior grade in said district, provided no additional expense is thereby incurred over and above the necessary schools for said borough, and to admit scholars in said normal school from any part of the county, or else- where, on such terms and on such plans as said board may direct; and the board of directors in any other school district, in said county, may, if they think proper, make an agreement with the directors in Carlisle to contribute to the support of the same according to the number of scholars they may send to said normal school."

On the 16th of the said month a county convention was called, at which a plan for a normal school was submitted. Of this convention Judge Watts was chairman. The Carlisle school board issued a call to the other districts for a meeting of delegates on May 7, to mature plans for said school, and an- nounced May 15 as the time for a three months' session to begin, tuition be- ing fixed at $S per pupil. The attendance of delegates was not sufficiently large to warrant the establishment of the school.

The previous agitation resulted, however, in a movement among the teach- ers at the county institute held at Newville December 23, 1856. The action was thus expressed: "Resolved, That a committee of one director from each township be appointed, to take into consideration the establishment of a nor- mal school in Cumberland County." The committee met at Carlisle, January 13, 1857, and determined its location at Newville, it having guaranteed the necessary buildings. The management was vested in a board, consisting of the county superintendent and one director from each school district. The board agreed upon the opening of the school, April 3, 1857, with the following faculty: Daniel Shelly, county superintendent, principal; W. R. Linn, S. B. Heiges and D. E. Kast, instructors. George Swartz was chosen principal of the Model School, and J. H. Hostetter and Miss Mary Shelly, instructors.

A three months' term was held, with ninety-one pupils in the Normal School and 149 in the Model School. Abont $500 worth of school appa- ratus was provided by contributions from the citizens. The session of 1858 continued five months, but those of 1859 and 1860 only three months each, George Swartz being principal.

The attempt to secure a State Normal School for the Seventh District began at Newville November 2, 1865, when, during the county institute, the directors of the county instructed the county superintendent, George Swartz, to address a circular to the various school boards in the district, asking them to appoint delegates to meet in a general convention at Chambersburg January 10, 1866, to hear reports and take general steps for the establishment of such a State school. No definite results accrued from this movement, but in the spring of 1870 the preparatory steps for the location of the school at Shippens- burg, its present site, were taken. A meeting was called and Hon. J. P. Wickersham, State superintendent, was invited to deliver an address. After several meetings, an application to the court for a charter was granted in April, 1870. Subscriptions to the amount of $24,000 had been secured. On the first Monday of May the first election for trustees was held, resulting in the choice of the following gentlemen: J. W. Craig, Dr. W. W. Nevin, C. L.

A. Flyallin

205

HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

Shade, John Grabill, John E. Maclay. R. C. Himes, Robt. C. Hays and A. G. Miller. The capital stock was subsequently increased from $30,000 to $100,000.

The excavation for the foundation was begun in August, 1870, and the contract let for $71,000. The corner-stone was laid by the Masonic Order May 31. 1571. The entire cost of the structure, which is 225x 170 foot, three stories high, together with grounds, heating apparatus, gas fixtures, etc., was $125.000, and of the furnishing about $25, 000.

The property was accepted as a State institution in February, 1873, and the first session of the school began April 15. 1873. under the principalship of George P. Beard. A. M. He continuedl in his position until July, 1875, when he resigned. His successors have been Rev. I. N. Hays, B. S. Patten, S. B. Heiges and J. F. MeCreary, present incumbent.

TEACHERS' INSTITUTE.

In no department of educational activity has so much improvement been shown as in the methods and philosophy of instruction. In the private schools, academies and colleges of the olden times, the great purpose was to secure the accumulation of facts-the storing of the mind with useful knowl- edge. In too many institutions is this false notion still entertained. The relationship between crude facts and the child's mind was not dreamed of. The "what " of knowledge, or the subject-matter, was all that the teacher sought. The "how." or the method of reaching and classifying these facts, was reserved, in the natural order of things, for development at a later day. In due course of time the subject of methods or the best way of doing certain things, began to attract the attention of the more thoughtful; and still later in educational progress, the " why." or the reason for certain processes, demanded consideration of the professional instructor. All this is evidence that the world moves-that progress is not confined to the domain of the material world.

In the securing of these progressive steps, the teachers' institute in its va- rious forms had much to do. In associations of those of like calling. friction of minds never fail to secure beneficial results. At the convention of teachers and other friends of education. held in the court house at Carlisle December 19, 1835, Dr. Isaac Snowden was chosen president. Important questions were discussed, and arrangements were made to hold semi annual meetings in the future. In the program for the session to be held June 25, 1836, are to be found these important subjects, which show that even at that carly date the leaven of educational improvement had commenced to work:

" 1. What is the best mode of securing a competent number of well qual- ified teachers of common schools to meet the exigencies of the county ?

2. The influence of education on the character and stability of civil in- stitutions, and the direction and modification which it gives the political rela- tions.

3. The evils existing in our common schools, and appropriate remedies.

4. The influence of employing visible illustrations in imparting instruc- tion to children.

5. Best mode of governing children, and of exciting their interest in their studies.

6. Importance of a uniformity of text-books, etc."

What was done at subsequent meetings does not appear, but the questions introduced at this session are living questions, and the impetus given to edu- cational work in the county was manifest.

206

HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

From the interesting article in Wing's History of Cumberland County, written by D. E. Kast, we quote : "At the call of the county superintendent, the directors and teachers generally assembled in Education Hall, Carlisle, on Saturday, the 2d day of September, 1854, for the purpose of holding a school teachers' convention, for devising more favorable means for the promotion of education generally in the common schools of Cumberland County. Ex-Gov. Ritner presided at this meeting, and Mr. Dieffenbach, deputy superintendent of common schools in Pennsylvania, was in attendance. A committee, ap- pointed to prepare business for the meeting, reported a series of resolutions, the subject-matter of which engaged the attention of the assembly during its sessions. Provision was made for the permanent organization of a county in- stitute, by appointment of a committee to report a constitution for its govern- ment.'

On the 21st of the following December (1854), the "Cumberland County Teachers' Institute" was permanently organized, with ex-Gov. Ritner in the chair and an attendance of 94 teachers out of 160 at its first session. Among those present on that occasion, were Hon. Thomas H. Burrowes, who aided in its deliberations, and Dr. Collins, president of Dickinson College, who lectured. The subject of methods of teaching was freely and profitably discussed. The sentiment of the institute was expressed in the following characteristic resolu- tion: "That as teachers and members of this institute we will cordially co- operate with our superintendent in his laudable efforts to elevate the standard of teaching and advance general education throughout the county."

Annual sessions from that time to the present have been held at some point in the county, the time between the holidays being usually preferred. The benefits to the county have been quite marked, justifying the wisdom of those who inaugurated the agency of professional culture.

COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS.

School systems, like other activities, need efficient supervision and execu- tion. The establishment of county superintendency met this want. At first it met with some opposition, as might be expected; but it has come to be ac- cepted as an indispensable feature of the school system. The names of the officials who have filled this position are as follows:

Daniel Shelly, from 1854 to 1860, two terms. He was efficient in the per- formance of his duties, and succeeded in arousing general educational interest.

D. K. Noel, a prominent teacher of the county was elected, in May, 1860, as his successor; but ill health ensuing, he resigned in a few months, and was succeeded by Joseph Mifflin, who was appointed to fill his unexpired term. Mr. Mifflin was a teacher, but, prior and subsequent to his superintendency, had given attention to civil engineering. At the expiration of his term of of- fice, he was followed, in 1863, by George Swartz, a teacher who, by self-exertion and perseverance, had attained honorable distinction in his calling. He held the position for six years, aud performed its duties creditably. In 1869, owing to some legal difficulties connected with the election, W. A. Lindsey was ap- pointed to the position, and continued to discharge its duties till 1872, when D. E. Kast was chosen to fill the place. He did this acceptably, and was re- elected in May, 1875, to serve the public three years longer, which he did till 1878, when Samuel B. Shearer was chosen for the position, and has satisfac- torily discharged its duties ever since.

207

HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

CHAPTER XII.

RELIGIOUS-PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH-EPISCOPAL CHURCH -METHODIST CHURCH -ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH-GERMAN REFORMED CHURCH LUTHERAN CHURCH-CHURCH OF GOD-GERMAN BAPTISTS-UNITED BRETHREN-THE MENNONITES-EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION.

T THE religious sentiment was strongly developed in the primitive inhabit- ants of the Cumberland Valley. Its settlers made early and adequate pro- vision for the preaching of the word of God. Family instruction in the in- spired record was supplemented by the public proclamation of the gospel at such times and places as the sparsely settled condition of the country war- ranted. The simplicity of that primitive worship secured a religious fervor not seen in these days of costly edifices and fashionable services. The saeri- fices made by both minister and people guaranteed a worship largely free from hypocrisy.

The log meeting-house, with its humble appointments, was, perhaps, more thoroughly consecrated to the worship of Him, who "prefers before all tem- ples the upright heart and pure " than the stately structures of modern times are. Says Dr. Wing: "The period of religious indifference and unbelief had not yet arrived. In the countries from which the people had come, there were doubtless formalism and 'moderation,' but ovory family would have felt dis- honored had they been found without the forms of public worship. And now, when theso wanderers into the wilderness were far away from any place of worship, a sense of special desolation was felt by every one. A large part of their social as well as religious life was gone. With but few books or periodi- cals, the most probable occasion of hearing from the great world and the peo- ple they had left was through the letters and arrivals of others. It was in the Sabbath assembly that the sweetest and best onjoyments of the week might be hoped for. The deepest and most urgent longings of their hearts were to- ward the weekly assembly and what they called the house of God.' No sooner, therefore, were they sheltered from the weather, than they began to inquire for a place of worship.

" It would be interesting to havo some account of the place where these godly men first met and sought the God of their fathers. We are not suro that we can make any near approach to the satisfaction [gratifying] of this de- sire. We have traced tho settlements over a district of not less than twenty miles from east to west, and eight to ten from north to south. This could bo traveled only on foot or on horses; for carriages were, for some time, out of the question. The first meetings must have been at private houses, in barns, or in the open air, and were perhaps confined to no one place."

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The early settlers of the Cumberland Valley having been Scotch Irish, were identified with the Presbyterian Church. This condition of things ex- isted for nearly thirty years, the first exception to this unity of church fellow- ship being the preparatory steps to establish an Episcopal congregation by Rev. William Thompson, an English missionary, as early as July, 1753.

208

HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

All this region was, at first, under the spiritual watch care of the Presby- tery of Donegal, which was organized about 1732, and whose limits extended as far west as did the boundaries of Lancaster County at that time. The nearest places for regular preaching at that early date were in Dauphin County, where several congregations enjoyed the pastoral care of Rev. Will- iam Bertram. On the 16th of October, 1734, it was "ordered that Alexander Craighead supply over the river two or three Sabbaths in November." Men- tal and moral light have always followed the direction of physical illumination. Though not regularly ordained to preach at that date, his ministrations were the only ones the " settlements over the river " (the region west of the "Long, Crooked River") enjoyed for a time. In April, 1735, however, Rev. John Thompson was appointed to aid Mr. Craighead in the instruction of " the peo- ple of Conodoguinet or beyond the Susquehanna," as the settlement near Car- lisle was known. The site of this preaching is supposed to have been about two miles northwest of Carlisle, and since known as " Meeting House Springs." Though it is claimed by some that "Silvers' Spring " was the site of this first preaching, it is quite certain that the Meeting House Springs was the first con- gregation established west of the Susquehanna.

These two congregations, viz. : Meeting House Springs and Silvers' Spring, were subsequently known as "Upper and Lower Pennsborough," and must have had an existence as early as 1734. The following year, 1735, the people of Hopewell Township, just formed, applied for permission to erect a house of worship at a place called Big Spring (now Newville), but their request was not granted for a time on account of its being but eight miles from Pennsbor- ough. Within a year or two, however, this place of worship was erected, and shortly after, if not simultaneous with it, another place of divine service was established about five miles north of the present site of Shippensburg, and known as the Middle Spring Congregation. Thus it will be seen that within eight or ten years after the first crossing of the Susquehanna (viz. : 1734 to 1744), some four regular congregations were established and supported within what is now Cumberland County, as follows: Meeting House Springs, Silvers' Spring, Big Spring and Middle Spring. These congregations sought from the presbytery to which they belonged, only ministers of the gospel, pledging and furnishing houses of worship and adequate support.

The first settled pastor was Rev. Thomas Craighead, father of Alexander, already mentioned. He was properly installed at Big Spring November 17, 1737, and preached also for Middle Spring. The second regular pastor was Rev. Samuel Thompson, who began his charge of Meeting House Springs and Silvers' Spring (Upper and Lower Pennsborough) November 14, 1739.

We shall present briefly the leading facts connected with these several congregations, commencing with

Silvers' Spring .- This was so called in honor of Mr. Silvers, one of the first settlers of that region. The first occasional preaching was by Rev. Alexander Craighead and then by "Revs. Bertram, Thomas Craighead and Goldston. The regular preachers and pastors were: Rev. Samuel Thompson from 1739 to 1745. His resignation was on account of "bodily illness." He was recommended as "generous and industrious in preaching to the congrega- tion, either on Sabbath days or week-days, according to his convenience and their necessity." Rev. Samuel Caven, from 1745 to the time of his death, November 9, 1750, in the forty-ninth year of his age. Rev. John Steel, from 1764 to his death in 1779. He was employed at £150 per year, Silvers' Spring agreeing to pay half that sum. At first six men, and afterward forty- two men, signed a promissory note guaranteeing his pay. Rev. Samuel Waugh,

209

HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

1782 to 1808; Rev. John Hayes, 1808 to 1814; Rev. Henry R. Wilson, 1814 to 1$23; Rov. James Williamson, 1524 to 1538; Rev. George Morris, 1839 to 1860; Rev. W. H. Dinsmore, 1861 to 1865: Rov. W. G. Hillman, 1866-67; Rev. W. B. McKee. 1868 to 1870; Rev. R. P. Gibson, 1872 to 1875; Rev. T. J. Ferguson, 1578

The church edifice at Silvers' Spring, a substantial stone building, 45x58 feet, was erected in 1783 under the pastorate of Rev. Waugh. The original house, predecessor of the present one, was a small log building. The congro- gation was regularly incorporated by an act of the Assembly September 25, 1786, the trustees named being Andrew Galbreath, Samuel Wallace, Daniel Boyd, John Wather, Hugh Laird, Samuel Waugh, William Mateer, Francis Silvers and David Hoge.

Big Spring. - This congregation was originally known as "Hopewell." Its origin has already been given. The pastors in succession were: Rev. Thomas Craighead, 1737. He died in the act of pronouncing the benediction after a very eloquent discourse. As he enunciated the word "farewell" he sank to the tloor and expired without a groan or a struggle. Ho was succeeded for a time by Rev. James Lyon, of Ireland. Rev. George Duffield,

installed in 1759. He also gave a portion of his time to Carlisle. Rev. William Linn, successor. began probably about 1778, and continued till 1784, when ho resigned to accept the principalship of Washington Academy, Som- erset County, Md. After a vacancy of two years Rev. Samuel Wilson became pastor, which position, till his death, March, 1799, ho filled acceptably. His call, dated "Big Spring, Cumberland County, 21st of March, 1786," and signed by 204 pew holders, is an interesting document: "We, the subscribers of this paper, and members of the congregation of Big Spring, do hereby bind and oblige ourselves annually to pay Mr. Samuel Wilson, preacher of the gospel, on his being ordained to be our minister, and for his discharge of the duties of said office, the sum of £150, Pennsylvania eurreney, in specie, and allow him the use of the dwelling-house, barn and all the elear land on the glebe possessed by our former minister; also plenty of timber for rails and firo-wood; likewise a sufficient security for the payment of the above mentioned sums during his incumbeney." April 14, 1802, Rov. Joshua Williams was installed on an annual salary of £200. He was a graduato of Dickinson College of the class of 1795, and began to preach in 1798, having pursued theological studies under Dr. Robert Cooper. With de- clining health he continued his labors at Big Spring till 1829, when he ro- signed. Rev. Robert McCaehren, a native of Chester County, began his la- bors as pastor about 1530, and continued in such capacity till October, 1851, when he resigned. During his pastorate, 485 communicants were added to

the congregation. Rev. J. S. Henderson. 1852 to 1862. Rev. P. Mowry, 1863 to 1568. Rev. E. Erskine, D. D., 1869, the present incumbent.

The first house of worship was built of logs about 1738, and stood in the southern part of the grave-yard. The present stone edifiee was built about 1790, and remodeled in 1542.

Middle Spring. - John the Harbinger, as we learn from the inspired reeord "preached at Enon, near to Salino, because there was much water thero." In the early history of the Cumberland Valley churches were located near liv- ing springs, for the accomodation of the vast concourse of people who as- sembled on occasions of divine worship. Middle Spring, so called probably from its intermediate position between Big Spring and Roeky Spring, has rather an uncertain origin. The congregation began probably about 1740. Somo of the early church records mention the names of Allen Killough, John

210

HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

McKee, David Herron and John Reynolds as elders in 1742; John Finley, William Anderson and Robert McComb, 1744; and John Maclay, 1747.

The names of its preachers can not be given with certainty. The following are some of them: Rev. Mr. Calls, of Ireland, and Rev. Mr. Clarke of Scot- land, both labored with the congregation for a time. The first regular pastor, however, was Rev. John Blair, whose time and labors were divided equally be- tween Rocky Spring, Middle Spring and Big Spring congregations from 1742 to 1749. He was a pious and learned man, and greatly endeared to his con- gregation. As proof of this witness the fact that he was presented with a deed for a farm of 250 acres lying near the church. When he resigned his position the farm was sold and he went to New York City.

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.

Author: Publication date: Publisher: W. Taylor Number of Pages: 1280

Author:
Publication date:
Publisher: W. Taylor
Number of Pages: 1280