USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > History of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania > Part 41
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
432
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
Reed's" house, is "Mr. Neave's" house. Farther up the river, op- posite a small island, is "Francis Ellis's" house. A circuitous line, denominated "Mr. Neave's line," crosses the straight line referred to which included "Part of Hulings' Improvement." On the south of the Juniata, below the mouth thereof, is "William Kerl's" house, opposite the point of Duncan's Island "James Baskin's" house, while "Hulings' house" (another improvement) is farther up, in what is named the "Onion Bottom." Beyond this, on the same side of the Juniata, is a house marked "Cornelius Acheson, who had encroached upon Hulings' Improvement in the Onion Bottom, set- tled there last spring." Opposite the islands, on the east bank of the Susquehanna, are "Peter's mountain" and "narroughs."
Prior to this the French and Indian war had desolated the Juniata Valley, and the islands at the mouth felt the terrible blow. In the spring following Braddock's defeat ( 1756) the savages had reached the Susquehanna, but the few scattered frontiersmen were unequal for the conflict, and were obliged to flee. Some lingered too long, for the wily red man came down suddenly, and the toma- hawk and scalping-knife were reeking with the life-blood of the hardy but unfortunate pioneers. Mr. Hulings on being apprised of the near approach of the savages, hurriedly packed up a few valuables, and placing his wife and youngest child upon a large black horse (the other children having previously been removed to a place of safety ) fled to the point of the island, ready to cross over at the first alarm. Forgetting something in the haste, and think- ing the Indians might not have arrived, Mr. Hulings ventured to return alone to the house. After carefully reconnoitering he en- tered, and found, to his surprise, an Indian up-stairs "coolly pick- ing his flint." Stopping some time to parley with the savage, so that he might retreat without being shot at, the delay to his wife seemed unaccountable, and fearing he had been murdered, she whipped up her horse and swam the Susquehanna. The water was quite high, but nowise daunted, she succeeded in reaching the oppo- site shore in safety. Mr. Hulings soon appeared, and finding the animal with his wife and child had disappeared, in turn he became alarmed, but a signal from the eastern shore of the stream relieved his anxiety, and he himself, by means of a light canoe, was safe from pursuit. The fugitives succeeded in reaching Fort Hunter, where the Baskins and others of their neighbors had congregated, and the inhabitants of Paxtang had rallied for a defense.
In the summer following William Baskins, living on Duncan's Island proper, returned from Fort Hunter with a portion of his family to cut his grain, and while thus engaged they were suddenly
433
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
startled by the yell of Indians who were hard by; however, discov- ering they were neighbors, their alarms were quieted, but, alas! they were deceived, for the barbarous savages, as soon as they were near enough, gave them distinctly to understand their object was their scalps. At this moment they all fled in consternation, hotly pursued, towards the house, and when there Mr. Baskins, in the act of getting his gun, was shot dead and scalped; his wife, a daugh- ter of about seven, and a son three years old were abducted. Mr. McClean, who was also in the field, plunged into the river and swam the Juniata at what is called "Sheep Island," and concealed him- self in a cleft of rocks on the opposite side, and thus eluded the pur- suit of the savages and saved his life. Mrs. Baskins effected her escape from the Indians somewhere near Carlisle; the daughter was taken to the Miami country west of the Ohio, then an unbroken wilderness, where she was detained for more than six years, when, in conformity with Bouquet's treaty made with the Indians, she was delivered up and returned. She subsequently married John Smith, the father of James Smith, of Newport. The lad who was captured at the same time was taken to Canada, subsequently chris- tened Timothy Murphy, and concerning whose history we have the following account :
The first we hear of Murphy was his being one of the chief riflemen of Morgan's celebrated sharp-shooters. At the battle of Bemis' Heights, Morgan selected a few of his best marksmen and directed them to make the British general, Fraser, their especial mark. Several of them fired without effect, but when Murphy fired Fraser fell.
A short time after the battle of Monmouth, three companies of Morgan's corps were sent into Schoharie, New York. Among these was Murphy, and before long the Tories set an extra price on Murphy's scalp, a price that was never paid, although many In- dians lost their hair in trying to win the reward. Murphy was a stout, well-made man, with rather a large body and small limbs, handsome in face, with jet-black hair and eyes.
Murphy's hairbreadth escapes were many in number. In the nick of time something was certain to turn up to help him out. He had at one time a double-barreled rifle, a weapon unknown to the Indians in those days. He was chased by a party, and although he could generally outrun them, on this occasion they gained upon him. So he turned and killed one. . Then he ran on, and while sheltered from the view of his enemies by a clump of bushes managed to load the empty barrel. As they gained upon him still, he stopped and shot another. The party pursued him without firing, being partic-
28
434
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
ularly anxious to roast him before a slow fire or show him some such warm hospitality, which anxiety would not be satisfied if they shot him dead. They were sure of taking him, and he felt that his luck had deserted him at last. Utterly exhausted he treed, and as they advanced killed another redskin. To his astonishment the party immediately fled. Murphy afterwards ascertained that, see- ing him fire three times without seeing him load once, they imagined he had a great medicine of a gun that would shoot forever.
At the war's end Murphy became a farmer. It was charac- teristic of this man to live for others, and he died from a disease contracted in saving the children of a neighbor from a winter's flood.
When peace was declared and our independence acknowl- edged, many of the Schoharie Indians had the assurance to return and settle again among a people whose houses and barns they had burned, and whose friends and relatives they had killed. There was one Indian named Seths Henry, who had killed more Schoharie peo- ple than any other man. He would sometimes leave a war club upon the dead body of a victim, with a horrid row of notches there- on, each notch indicating a scalp taken. An energetic savage, he once led a party from Fort Niagara in the winter to capture certain Schoharie patriots, and he succeeded, traveling six hundred miles through the snow to do so. He, too, had the audacity to come back, but he was much upon his guard. One day he started from one house to another. Timothy Murphy was observed to go in the same direction shortly afterwards, and it is a curious coincidence that, as far as can be ascertained, Seths Henry never reached any place in this world.
After this there began to be mysterious disappearances of To- ries and Indians, and was to be noted that coincident with a disap- pearance would be a bush-heap fire in the vicinity in which the mis- sing person was last seen. It is to be supposed that calcined human bones might have been found in the ashes of these bush-fires. The remaining renegades and savages took the hint and departed that land before they departed this life, so the country was cleared of the vermin.
Timothy Murphy was a capital stump-speaker, and was a po- litical power in Schoharie county. He brought William C. Bouck into public life, which brought him into the gubernatorial chair of the Empire State. He died in 1818, at the age of seventy years.
As to the widow of William Baskins, the first settler on Dun- can's Island, she married her neighbor, Francis Ellis. Ellis es-
435
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
tablished a ferry across the Susquehanna during the Revolution, which he carried on many years.
As previously mentioned, Duncan's Island was noted in early times, and really until the construction of the great Pennsylvania railroad, as an important point on the line of travel northward and up the Juniata.
In 1819 great efforts were made to annex Duncan's Island to Cumberland county. Upon the formation of Perry county, in 1824, no doubt this could have been accomplished, allowing the secessionists to be included in the new county, but that did not please them, hence they remain loyal to the county of Dauphin.
In the latter part of the eighteenth century and until the march of internal improvements which needlessly destroyed the fisheries, the islands at the mouth of the Juniata were famous for their "catch" of shad, and these rights were in themselves of much value. During the first decade of the nineteenth century, Duncan's Island proper was named Isle Benvenue, by what manner so named it is not now quite clear. This island is about two miles in length although quite narrow, at the eastern end of which is the village and post office of Benvenue.
Haldeman's Island (so named from the owner), lies to the north and is separated from the former by a narrow channel. Un- like Duncan's Island, it is not of alluvial deposit, but elevated far above the neighboring flats. The site of a farm-house on it com- mands a most picturesque landscape. The majestic river at this point is fully one mile wide, and is spanned by a bridge.
UPPER PAXTON TOWNSHIP.
There does not appear to be any record to be found and was not as long ago as 1876, showing any establishment of this ( Upper Paxton township), until August, 1867, yet it is understood that it embraced at least all the territory subsequently assigned to Dauphin county, from the lower mountain to the Mahantango creek, subject, however, to some debatable question about a part of .Hanover township.
The first assessment list of Upper Paxton is that for the Wi- conisco district, in 1778. It is the earliest record obtainable of in- habitants of Lyken's Valley, as separate from Upper Paxton. The paper is endorsed, "Appeal Doblicate, 1778, Peter Hoffman, Up- per Paxtang, Wikiniski, District," and the orthography of the sur- names is given as in the original. Much of the valley was evidently
436
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
taken up by non-resident speculators. The latter portion of the list refers to persons too old for military duty :
UPPER PAXTON, WICONISCO DISTRICT, "CONTINENTAL TAX."
Buffington, Benj.
Nighbour, Abram.
Bratz, Ludwick.
Nigla, George.
Conway, Francis.
Peter, Richard.
Con, Daniel.
Paul, John.
Cline, Widow.
Regal, Andrew.
Divler, Michael.
Rither, Wm.
Divler, Mathias.
Riddle, George.
Fritz, George.
Saladay, John.
Frelick, Anthony.
Saladay, Michael.
Grubs, Lamb.
Seal, George.
Hains, Henry. Herman, David.
Shesley, Stophel.
Huffman, Peter.
Shotz, Jacob.
Huffman, Henicle.
Shotz, Ludwick.
Huffman, Jacob.
Shesley, Jacob.
Jury, Abraham. King, Adam. Kooper, Geo.
Stiver, Yost.
Lerue, Francis.
Stonebreaker, Nitter.
Lark, Stopher.
Walker, Robert.
Leman, Daniel.
Weaver, Martin.
Meck, Nicholas.
Woodside, James.
Metz, Jacob.
Wolf, Daniel.
Miller, John.
Worz, Adam.
Matter, John.
Yeager, Andrew.
Myers, John.
FREEMEN.
Jonathan Woodsides. Samuel Kessler.
John Philips.
Adam Nartz. John Herman. Godlep Kline.
TOO OLD FOR MILITARY DUTY.
Richard Peter.
Peter Hoffman.
Jacob Weaver. Chrisley Snoak. Jacob Shot.
John Coulman. John Gilman.
Geo. Nighley.
Wm. Rider.
Philip Glinger.
Upper Paxtang remained entire until after the formation of the county of Dauphin, when it was division following division, un- til all now left of the original township is what we find in the ex --
Snook, Christian.
Snyder, Leonard.
Huffman, John.
Shesley, John.
Sheadel, George.
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
437
treme northwest corner of the county. The full return for 1780 is herewith given, that comprising the "Upper District" included all that section north of Berry's Mountain, the "Lower District" that portion lying south of Berry's Mountain and north of the First Mountain. In the Upper District there is no return for a mill, and but one still, and that owned by Capt. Weaver. In the Lower Dis- trict, Marcus Hulings and Joseph Lytle had each a ferry, while Christian Hetick is returned for a boat; David Ireland has one negro.
UPPER PAXTANG.
Upper District Return, 1780.
Acres.
Acres.
Bozard, John
30
Miller, Jno.
40
Buffington, Benj.
100
Motter, John
100
Bretz, Ludwig
50
Myers, Jno.
. .
Bend, Stephen
100
Minich, George
30
Barger, Charles
50
Meeck, Nicholas
200
Conway, Francis
Mrs. Anderlin
. .
Cline, Widow
300
Michael, Michl.
. .
Cooper, Adam
50
Neibour, Abram
150
Clinger, Philip.
200
Negley, Geo.
80
Cole, John
150
Omholtz, Henry 30
50
Develer, Mathias
50
Peter, Richard 50
50
Debendurf, Revd
. .
Rider, Wm.
150
Free, Joel
200
Rider, Jno.
100
Frelick, Anthony
50
Ridle, Geo.
50
Feight, Geo.
50
Rousculp, Philip
100
Grub's Land
200
Rush, David
. .
Harmon, John
Shoop, Geo.
50
Hufman, Peter
200
Stiver, Yosts
50
Hufman, Nicholas
40
Stiver, Danl.
. .
Hufman, Jno.
100
Salady, Michael
75
Harmon, Jacob
20
Stonebreaker, Detrich
50
Harmon, David
100
Stonebreaker, Detrich, Junr. .
. .
Haynes, Henry
50
Shadle, Michael
. .
Hakert, Peter
Shirley, Stophel
50
Inrey, Abram
300
Seal, George
. .
Inrey, Saml.
. .
Shirley, John
50
Ingrim, Wm.
30
Shirley, Jacob
50
King, Adam
100
Sneider, Leonard
150
Lark, Stophel
150
Smith, Jacob
200
Lioman, Danl.
400
Shot, Jacob
60
McClain, James
. .
Saladay, John
30
Metz, Jacob
. 50 Sneider, Abram
IO0
.
Develer, Michl
50
Phillips, Joseph
Dido, John
150
Powel, Jno.
. .
. .
438
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
Acres.
Acres.
Snoke, Chrisn
100
Weaver, Jacob
50
Shot, Ludwig, Senr
I
Wentz, Adam
100
Shot, Ludwig
100
Werfel, Henry
50
Shot, Michael
. .
Welfrey, Henry
. .
Woodsides, James
100
Well, P. John
Weaver, Capt.
50
Yeager, Andw.
100
Wolf, Henry
30
FREEMEN.
Anthony Wertz.
Philip Clinger.
Jonathan Woodsides.
Jno. Wert.
Jno. Phillips.
Leo. Coffman.
Wm. Armecot.
Andrew Spangler.
Zachariah Shoningberg.
Henry Olst.
Lower District Return, 1780.
Acres.
Acres.
Armstrong, Robt.
300
Clark, Wm.
I
Armstrong, Robt., Jr
100
Cochran, Saml.
100
Ayrs, Wm.
100
Colgon, Jos.
. .
Alison, Richard
100
Clark, James
100
Bell, George
Cline, Cutlip
. .
Brown, Peter
Cascadon, James
. .
Bell, William
60
Colegon, Jno.
. .
Bell, Jno., Senr.
30
Dougherty, Henry
. .
Brown, Joseph
200
Duncan, Jno.
265
Bell, John, Junr
100
Dice, Jno.
60
Brown, Jno.
100
Douglass, Alexr.
200
Bell, Widow
Eyeman, Jacob
40
Birney, James
30
Elder, Jno.
150
Blue, John
..
Ekert, Adam
400
Brough, Felty
50
Forster, Stephen
100
Baskin, Widow
30
Forster, Wm.
100
Boan, Wm.
Forster, James
100
Buckhanon, James
100
Fulks, Wm.
145
Bell, James
100
Frey, Conrad
15
Bundle, Jno.
Fulton, Alexr.
. .
Black, Thomas
Finley, John
. .
Black, James
200
Garber, Jno.
60
Black, Danl.
50
Galligher, Thomas 100
50
Beard, Thoms.
100
Garber, Michl. 100
Boyd, Robt.
100
Gilmore, Jno.
20
Boan, Thomas
George, Alexr.
. .
Cochran, Geo.
.
Givens, Alexr.
IO
Clark, Geo.
50
Gownow, Wm.
. .
Chambers, Jno.
100
Goudy, Robert
. .
Carbet, Peter
50
Huling, Marcus Smith
. .
Camble, Wm.
100 Hatfield, Jno.
40
.
. .
. .
. :
Boyd, Robt.
100
Gartner, Adam
. .
439
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
Acres.
Acres.
Harmon, Michl.
100
McCleyre, Patrick . .
Hoane, Anthony
100
Newpecker, Martin
. .
Holms, Geo.
Nickleson, Thomas
. .
Huling, Marcus
I Oram, Thomas
100
Hetick, Chrisn.
Ock, Saml.
. .
Joans, Issac,
50
Powell, Malachi 30
Irland, David
200
Peacock, James . .
20
Kellar, Jos.
50
Rinzling, John . .
Kisler, Wo.
50 Ryan, John
50
Kinter, Jno.
. .
Suffron, Patrick
. .
Kearns, Thomas
60
Smith, Wm.
Kennaday, Wm.
50
Straw, Joseph & Geo. 300
Kays, John
. .
Smith, Robert 50
Kesler, Danl.
Strickler, Jacob
100
Leonard, James
IO Shelman, Lud.
100
Little, Jos.
150
Sturgeon, Thomas 150
Lockert, Inopis
Shorts, Leonard . .
Laferty, Patrick
200
Swagerty, Peter
100
Leek, Henry
50
Stiver, Michael 30
15
Mccluskey, Henry
IO
Stephenson, John . .
50
McGill, Robt.
. .
Simons, Geo.
. .
McElhar, Patrick
. .
Stone, James . .
Mutch, Jno. 100
Swinefor, Albright . .
McClenahan, Jas.
..
Taylor, John 100
McCord, Robt.
130
Taylor, Samuel I20
McCaul, James
60
Taylor, Geo. 100
Murray, James
150
Tisdurf, Jacob 100
Murdock, Jno.
Thomas, John
I
McElrath, Jos.
50
Thompson, Wm. . .
Murray, Archibald
100
Thompson, Thomas 100
Mishor, Widow McComb, Wm.
20
Weeks, Jessey
. .
Murray, John
200
Watt, James 100
McNamara, James
60 Winn, Josiah
. .
Montgomery, Color.
Yauslet, Michael . .
100
McMillon, Jno.
..
Yenderback, Henry
McFadding, Jno.
. .
FREEMEN.
John Swagerty. John Goldenberry. Geo. Simers. Harmon Leek.
Philip Newpecker. Philip Tisdurf. John Ayers. James Spear.
Henry Taylor.
Peter Sturgeon.
. .
Himpson, Wm.
Plough, Saml. 90
Joans, Isaiah
50 Pecker, Aaron 150
Johnston, Wm. Capt.
100
Richmond, John
. .
Meek, Mathias
. .
Simpson, John
Mooney, Abram
30 Spore, Alex.
. .
Walker, Robert
50
. .
440
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
James Diveney. John Cochran. Richard Wald. Samuel Orm.
Alex. Taylor.
Andrew Fouler. John Bell. John Landis. Elijah Chambers.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS FROM 1769 TO 1785.
1769. Constable-John Cochran. Overseers of the Poor-Thom- as Sturgeon, Jas. Murray. Road Overseer-Wm. Clark. 1770. Constable-John Bell. Overseers of the Poor-John Cochran, John Mutch. Road Overseers-Robt. Arm- strong, John Black.
1771. Constable-John Murray. Overseers of the Poor-Saml. Cochran, John Taylor. Road Overseers-Peter Cor- bit, John Colligan.
1772. Constable-John Murray. Overseers of the Poor-Pat- rick Sufferin, Saml Taylor. Road Overseers-M. Hullins, John Bell, Jr.
1773. Constable-John Murray. Overseers of the Poor-Robt. Armstrong, Wm. Foulk. Road Overseers-John Coch- ran, James Buchanan. 1774. Constables-John Gilmore. Overseers of the Poor-Thos. Forster, Ludwick Shots. Road Overseers -- Alex. Ran- dalls, James Woodside. 1775. Constable-Joseph Little. Overseers of the Poor-John McMullan, John Reed. Road Overseers-Robt. Arm- strong, Sr., Sam. Cochran. 1776. Constable-Wm. Cline.
Overseers of the Poor-Lud. Shulz, Sr., Jas. Forster. Road Overseers-John Mutch John Calligan.
1777. Constable-Malachi Powell. Overseers of the Poor-James Buchan, John Tice.
Road Overseers-John Tay- lor, Joseph Little.
1778. Constable-Benj. Buffington. Overseers of the Poor-Wm. Airs, Abraham Jury. Road Overseers-John Bell, Jacob Scifley.
1779. Constable-Stophel Shesley. Overseers of the Poor-Peter Hoffman, Thos. Oram. Road Overseer Stophel Lark, MI. Powell.
1780. Constable-Robt. Armstrong. Overseers of the Poor-Jas. McCall, Geo. Migla. Road Overseers-Wm. Ayers, Joseph Little. 1782. Constable-John Mutch. 1783. Constable-John Mutch. Overseers of the Poor-Wm. Clark, Abram Neighbour. Road Overseers-John Mur- ray, Adam Wentz. 1784. Constable-Abraham Jury. Overseers of the Poor-Pat- rick Laferty. Road Overseer-Wm. Foster (Lower Dist.)
As now existing, Upper Paxton township is bounded on the north by Northumberland county; east by Mifflin and Washington township; south by Halifax and Jackson township; west by the Susquehanna river.
In 1900 Upper Paxton township had a population of 1,444. The assessed valuation of all taxable property in 1903-4 was $692,-
441
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
493. In 1905 there were ten school houses and a total enrollment of 253 pupils within the township.
MILLERSBURG BOROUGH.
The borough of Millersburg, in Upper Paxton township, is of more than common place. In 1900 it had a population of 1,675. It is situated on the Susquehanna river at the confluence of the Wi- conisco creek, twenty-three miles north of the city of Harrisburg. The Northern Central and Lyken's Valley railways both touch the place. This place was settled several years prior to the date in which it was laid out. Daniel and John Miller, of Lancaster county, immigrated to this point in 1790, took up four hundred acres of land, and effected permanent settlement. The place was platted by Daniel Miller, July, 1807, and became an incorporated borough April 8, 1850, from which date it flourished rapidly.
The first settlers in this region, known as "Lykens Valley," were French Huguenots and Germans. Francis Jacques or "Ja- cobs," commonly known as "French Jacob," Larue or La Roy, Shora, Sandoe, the Kleims, Werts, Steevers, Shutts, Ferrees, Mil- lers, Andrew Lycan and John Rewalt are found among the earliest names of white men who settled in this section. About the time John and Daniel Miller settled here "French Jacob" built his grist- mill on the north bank of the Wiconisco creek, just above the foot of Race street, and near to which, some time before, he had built his log cabin, then considered quite a pretentious structure, large and strongly put together, and well provided with loop-holes,-a kind of fort to which the settlers might fly for safety in cases of at- tack from the Indians. Here was taught the first school, kept by Daniel Miller, the proprietor of the town. Neither cabin or mill are longer to be seen. Domestic trouble had caused at an early date the owner (Jacobs) to remove forever from the spot. The property was at times unused and unoccupied. It fell under the ban of superstition, several of the settlers having seen about it di- vers strange and unearthly appearances, "shapes dire, dismal, and horrid." Time and the spoliations of man have done their work, and the almost obliterated channel of the old head-race alone is seen to mark the spot where once was the forest-home of the old French Huguenot. Upon a part of this land Daniel Miller, the then sole proprietor, through Peter Williamson, his surveyor, laid out the town-lots in July, 1807. These lots sold very readily, be- ing selected by lottery, and soon the place assumed the importance of a rapidly-growing and prosperous town. The town is regularly
442
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
laid out, with spacious streets crossing each other at right angles, and practical alleyways giving passage to the rear of every build- ing. The Susquehanna river at this point is a mile in width, stretch- ing away in lake-like form some three miles, from Berry's moun- tain in the south to the Mahantango mountain in the north, at which points, forcing its way through these mountains much dimin- ished in its bed, it hurriedly tumbles over rocks and pebbles of the passage, winding quickly out of sight.
The first school was taught in a log cabin by Daniel Miller, founder of the town; his wife also taught after him. This old cabin (or fort, as it was known), was built about 1794, on the banks of the Wiconisco, as a place of safety from surrounding In- dian tribes. About 1813 was erected the next house on Union street, and in it was taught a school by a German. Next came a poorly built brick school house, and that was succeeded by a frame- house on the site where later was built the larger, better structure in Middle street. In 1833 a select school was taught by Mrs. Susan Barringer, who established a good educational sentiment. About 1844-5 the free school system was adopted, after several times be- ing voted down. The opposition from the rural part of the town- ship was great. The most active school men and advocates of "free schools" were Jacob Seal, Dr. Robert Auchmuty, David Link, Simon Wert, Adam Light, John Eberg, Benjamin Musser- and Matthias Freck. As early as 1882 the town had five graded schools.
In 1846 Millersburg had but eighty dwellings, two stores, one mill and three churches. In 1850 it numbered five hundred souls, which it doubled by 1860, and is now more than two thousand.
There are several manufacturing plants in this borough, and as long ago as ISSo there were planing mills, saw mills and the Standard Axle Company's works, all doing a thriving business. In 1875 John B. Zeal established the Millersburg Herald, a weekly family journal. Being an independent journal, it soon began to mould opinion in the northern portion of Dauphin county.
The First National Bank was organized February 12, 1867, as the Lykens Valley Bank, with a capital of $24,000. In 1875 it became a National Bank, with G. M. Brubaker as president. Its capital was $100,000. Its first banking house was on Market street, but in 1869 it erected a fine brick building, which has since. been occupied. The officers in 1905 were : Alfred Dowden, presi- dent: J. W. Hoffman, cashier. The present capital is $50,000.
The Millersburg Bank was organized in the autumn of 1868, as a private concern, though it was composed of nearly a hundred
443
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
well-to-do farmers for the principal part. The capital stock was $30,000. Its first president was S. Buck. Its officers in 1904 were Isaac Miller, president ; J. S. Gilbert, cashier.
At present, 1905, the place has about 2,000 population, and is a good manufacturing point. Among other industries there to be found are two large die and tap factories; several large broom factories, several first-class planing mills and two large shoe fac- tories-one of these employs 360 persons, and their product is. chiefly misses' and ladies' shoes, whole the smaller plant make a specialty of infants' shoes.
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.