USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > History of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania > Part 45
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Incorporated as a Borough, Middletown became an incorpor- ated borough February 19, 1828, with the following original boun- daries : "Beginning at a stone at the east end of the town on the south side of Main street, thence south six degrees east forty-one perches to a stone; thence south sixty-six degrees west sixty perches to an apple tree; thence south sixty-six degrees west eighty-two
474
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
perches to a stone; thence south twenty-two degrees, east two perches and five-tenths to a stone; thence south sixty-seven and a half degrees west thirty-two perches to a stone; thence north twenty- four degrees west across Main street sixty-one perches to a stone ; thence north thirty-four degrees east six perches to a stone; thence north thirty-two degrees west twenty-one perches to a stone; thence north seventy degrees east thirty-two perches to a stone; thence north thirty-two degrees west two perches to a stone; thence north sixty-five degrees, east one hundred and eight perches to a stone; thence north sixty-six degrees, east sixty-one perches to a stone; thence south eight degrees west forty-six perches to a stone; and thence along the south side of the said Main street south eighty- nine degrees east seven perches to the place of beginning."
The first election was held the second Tuesday in April, fol- lowing, at the tavern of David Kissecker. March 9, 1857, the limits and boundaries were extended by an act of the legislature to include the town of Portsmouth. April 13, 1858, the council was empowered to erect a "lock-up." An ordinance of March 30, 1857, prohibited the running at large of dogs in the borough. The first record book of the place was destroyed by fire in 1855, when the residence of Henry Stehman, who was then a burgess, was burned. The subsequent records were imperfectly kept, so no true list of officers will here be attempted. For a history of the numer- ous church organizations and the history of their several buildings the reader is referred to the chapter of this work entitled "Religious History."
Banking. The Bank of Swatara was organized November, 1813, and the following is an extract from a contemporaneous ac- count of the same.
"At a large and respectable meeting of the inhabitants of Middletown and the adjoining neighborhood, in the county of Dau- phin, the 19th day of November, 1813, convened to take consid- eration of the propriety of establishing a bank in said town, James Hamilton was appointed chairman and Elisha Green secretary."
After a long preamble, setting forth the resources of the coun- try, it was finally
"Resolved, That a bank be established at Middletown, afore- said, with a capital of $250,000, with permission to increase the sum to $500,000, divided into shares of fifty dollars each, to be con- ducted by the president and twelve directors, and to be styled the Bank of Swatara."
475
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
The mania for creating banks seized upon the legislature in 1814, at a time when all industry was deranged by the war with Great Britain. The governor of the Commonwealth ·protested, but the two-thirds vote carried the measure over his head, and the State was divided into banking districts. Under its provisions Dauphin county got two banks-the Harrisburg, with $600,000 capital, and the Swatara at Middletown with eight thousand shares, or $400,- 000, $100,000 paid up. The gentlemen appointed to receive sub- scriptions to the stock of the Middletown bank were: Thomas R. Buchanan, George Bower, Isaac W. Van Leer, Henry Berry, George Fisher, John Shelly, James Wilson, Jacob Hershey, James Hamtlion, Christian Spayd, Elisha Green, Ephraim Heller, Wil- liam Lauman. The bank opened, with its paid up capital, and with John Nelson, a careful merchant, as its cashier. James Hamilton was its president. For several years it was carried on with prudence and success. As it had never declared 'a dividend, great was the amazement among the stockholders, when in a few years, it closed its doors. Its business was closed up by Mr. Nelson at Harrisburg, where he became cashier for the State Treasury. Soon after it com- menced business the above bank was robbed of $40,000 in unsigned notes. The robber was arrested at Meyerstown, Lebanon county, and the money recovered. He proved to be a man named Rennock, and had failed in business in Philadelphia. He was sent to the peni- tentiary for the offense.
The National Bank of Middletown was first organized in May, 1832, as a State Bank, known as the Bank of Middletown.
In 1864 it was changed to a national bank. Its first president was Benjamin Jordan, who continued from 1832 to 1841, and was succeeded by Dr. Mercer Brown, and he by George Smuller in 1854, who died in 1882, when J. Donald Cameron was chosen president; Seymour Raymond was vice-president, and D. W. Stechman, cash- ier. General Simon Cameron was cashier from 1832 to 1850, when his son, J. Donald Cameron (United States Senator) succeeded him. This banking house was always classed among the best in Dauphin county, until 1894, when it suddenly failed for a large amount. It had just completed a magnificent, brown-stone bank building, now occupied by the Farmers' Bank.
The Farmers' Bank of Middletown was organized early in the eighties. It was a State bank, by James Young and others. Benja- min F. Peters was the first president; V. C. Coolbaugh, vice-presi- dent; Lee H. Nissley, cashier. The present officers are B. S. Peters, president; A. H. Reider, cashier. The capital stock is $50,000.
476
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
EMAUS INSTITUTE.
At Middletown, in 1837, there was erected the Emaus Institute founded by a bequest of George Frey, of Middletown, who died in 1806. In 1874 it was removed to its present site. The life of Mr. Frey (his real name was Everhart) was marked with romance. When Mr. Fisher, the founder of the town, first came to this place, he used to hire George Everhart, who was then a penniless German lad, to assist in plowing the fields and clearing up his new land. George lived with Mr. Fisher some years, until he had saved a lit- tle fund, but his ambition looked beyond the plow, and investing his money in a stock of trinkets, finery and other articles for Indian traffic, he mounted his pack and started up the Susquehanna. Pas- sing the mountains he encountered a party of soldiers from the gar- rison at Fort Hunter, who arrested him as a runaway redemptioner (a servant who had been 'sold for a time to pay his passage from Europe), a character common in those days, and far more consis- tent with George's appearance and language than that of a ped- dler: for what peddler, said they, would risk his life and property thus alone and on foot on this dangerous frontier? "Ich bin frei! ich bin frei !" (I am free), repeated George earnestly in German, in reply to their charge. He succeeded in convincing them of his inde- pendence, and went with them to the garrison, where he became quite a favorite, the soldiers knowing him by no other name than that of "Frey," which they had caught from his first reply to them. He sold out his stock and pack at a fine profit, and continued to re- peat his adventures, still passing as George Frey, until he was able to start a store in Middletown, where he afterwards erected a mill.
Near the close of the Revolution, when the old Continental money was gradually depreciating, George, who always kept both eyes open, contrived to be on the right side of the account, so that instead of losing he gained immensely by the depreciation; and, in short, by dint of untiring industry, close economy, sharp bargains, and lucky financiering, he at length became the capitalist of the vil- lage, and owned much of the real estate in and around the town. Although married, he was never blessed with children; hence he made the bequest to found an institution to cheer and educate the fatherless children of a succeeding age, and Emaus Institute is a splendid monument to George Frey's benevolence. It was the first institution of the kind projected in this country. The bequest for its endowment was signed May 12, 1806.
A notice of the death of Frey, the most prominent individual of the locality, appears in the Morgenrothe, a German newspaper of
477
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
Harrisburg, published by Benjamin Mayer, May 17, 1806. There is no obituary further than that he died "at Middletown, on Tues- day last, at a great age, and was a citizen of wealth and renown." At his demise he could not have been less than eighty years of age. We find him trading in 1762-64 at Forts Hunter and Augusta (Sunbury). In 1768 he kept tavern in Middletown; and it is stated that he was employed about Middletown years before, cen- tainly as early as George Fisher. Frey appears as the owner of the mill and whatever rights then attached in 1766. He was a very successful man for forty years after. He was buried on the Mid- dletown farm in 1806, removed in a few years to "the Emaus," and now rests at the new Orphans' House covered by a proper and
deserved monument. Some years prior to 1806 Mr. Frey had de- termined to found the institution, which was afterward established and commenced its erection prior to his death. The building, how- ever, was never completed; it was built of logs thirty by forty feet in size and two stories high. It was roofed but not enclosed. In this state, it remained until decay ruined it.
This benefactor, George Everhardt (Frey), was born March 3, 1732, in Klatte, in the county of Darmstadt, kingdom of Wirten- berg. According to his contemporaries, he came to this country as a redemptioner in 1749 and served his time.
This institution was the first of its kind in this country. It owes its existence to George Frey, who by will provided for its erection and maintenance. Among other provisions of this man's will were the following: "He bequeaths all his property, to wit : a grist-mill, with 6 acres of land on the Swatara, and the right to a mill-race through the Fisher estate; 498 1-4 acres purchased from Blair McClenachan; 284 1-2 acres purchased from Andrew Mc- Clure, Roan McClure and Jonathan McClure; 120 acres "con- tiguous to the town of Middletown;" 4 houses in Middletown, to wit: One occupied by himself, one by Charles McDowell, one by Memucan J. Howell, and one by Michael Hemperly; 120 lots in Middletown, 207 acres in Northumberland county; about 300 acres on Penn's creek, and all his personal property; in trust to John Landis, merchant; Dr. Charles Fisher, of Middletown; Jacob Rife, farmer of Derry township; John Caesel, of Swatara township, yeoman; in trust, to erect and support an Orphan House, which shall be called "Emaus," and provide for the education of as many poor orphan children as the rents and profits of the said estate would allow; excepting a house and lot, and such furniture, money, etc., as his wife may need.
He orders that the trustees, a principal and a tutor, shall be.
478
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
members of the institution. That they shall within two years after his death, "at furthest' carry his will into effect."
"The trustees shall be respectable freeholders of Dauphin county, and regular members of some protestant church. The principal and tutor must be of good moral character, and "regular members of the Evangelical Lutheran religion."
His heirs contested the will and a long, expensive term of liti- gation ensued, and nearly one-half of the original fund was swal- lowed up in court expenses, but after many years the house was built between Middletown and Portsmouth in 1837, and moved to its present site in 1874. The institution is devoted to the education of poor orphan children, who are carefully trained in the doctrines of the Lutheran church. Instruction is given in both English and German. The charter has been so altered by the Legislature as to permit the establishment of a literary and scientific department. Since its removal to the present site, it has been under the charge of William A. Croll, principal. It still flourishes and is carrying out the design of its founder.
Schools. The first schools in Middletown were private schools. The first to teach English was kept by Mrs. Ward, Jacob Peeler the nail-maker, was the first male teacher. . He worked at his trade summers and taught winters. Rev. John F. Hay taught in a log building on Pine street. He became the founder of Col- lege Hill Seminary at York, Pennsylvania. When the free school law passed in 1834, Middletown was among the earliest to adopt it. The first school directors were : Dr. Mercer Brown, president; John Croll, secretary; Christian Spayd, treasurer; John Bomber- ger, E. J. Ramsey, Peter Kob. With the march of years the pub- lic schools have been the pride of the place, and to-day stand high.
In 1904 Middletown had twenty-four schools and a total en- rollment of 1,241 pupils, which indeed is in marked contrast to the days described by a local writer, speaking of the early schools at this place :
"There were no free schools, and teaching was different from what it is now. The teacher sometimes provided his own school- room, bought his own fuel, made his own fires, and kept the room in order. A quarter's schooling consisted of thirteen weeks, and no week was complete unless we made five days and a half. If we missed the half day on Saturday, we had a full day the next Sat- usday. There were no steel pens at that time and no printed copy books; the teacher made all the pens from goose-quills, and 'set copies' after school hours. For all this he received from $1.50 to $2.00 a quarter for each scholar. Those who were too poor to
479
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
pay for the education of their children, the county made provision for, and the teacher was obliged to go to the county seat to get his pay from the commissioners."
The city now has the following churches, spoken of in detail under the head of "Religious History :" The Methodist Episcopal, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Episcopal, United Breth- ren, Church of God. All have commodious edifices except the Episcopal, who rent a room in which to worship.
For an account of the history of the newspapers of this place, the reader is referred to the "Professional Chapter." The Journal is the old reliable paper of the city.
The oldest fire company of the place was what was styled, the "Union," in 1828. Each bucket was marked with the owner's name and some of them are kept to this day as relics. The United States Engine Co. was formed in 1851. The place has always had .good fire companies.
VARIOUS INDUSTRIES.
The Susquehanna Iron-Works .- About the year 1848 Samuel Jenkins (and afterwards Dr. Andrew Patterson established a foun- dry here, at which stoves and other castings were made, and was the nucleus of the Susquehanna Iron-Works. In 1856, Nisley, Brother & Co. (the latter being Seymour Raymond) opened their foundry here with ten hands on the same site where the above iron- works are now located. In the same year James Campbell & Son (Joseph Campbell) established their machine-works. In 1864 these two establishments were united under the firm of Raymond (Seymour) & Campbell (James), and have been in successful oper- ation ever since. The firm transacts a general foundry and machine business, the latter being the most extensive branch up to the panic of 1873, since which time the former has taken the lead. This is the pioneer establishment of the town, and the first manufacturing house organized here outside of the lumber business save the fur- naces. It has been the nucleus around which other large establish- ments have since been built up. In its first year it employed but few hands, and its business did not exceed ten thousand dollars, but it now employs hundreds of men, and its business is hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. It weathered the financial storms of 1856-57, and the panic of 1873. In 1885 an account of its warehouses, etc., was as follows: "Warehouse 66 x 90 feet, has five floors besides basement. The foundry is 70 x 144 feet and a
480
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
wing 80 x 40 feet in which is room for fifty moulders. Its brick pattern shop is 30 x 80 feet, and is fire proof. There are two frame buildings 130 and 85 x 30 feet for storing castings, patterns, etc. The machine shop is three stories high, 42 x 95 feet; a black- smith shop 50 x 80 feet. The building for storing plates is 45 x 90 feet -- two floors. Railroad tracks connect all the buildings making shipping convenient."
The Cameron Furnace, at first called the Christiana furnace, was established prior to 1840, by John Gamber, who named it for a daughter. It was originally a charcoal furnace. The "Round Top" and much more woodland was cleared to furnish the char- coal. Later it became an anthracite furnace. These plants con- tributed largely to the prosperity of the places. As time went on many business changes came in ownership, but to-day the iron in- dustry is great. John Jewitt came into possession of these fur- naces, and Mr. Gamber rented and ran them for a short time; then Grubb and Cabine; then Care and Landis. Theodore Burr, who built the Harrisburg bridge, constructed the later works, which were afterwards owned by Joseph H. Landis, James Young and J. Donald Cameron, doing business under the name of the "Cameron Furnace Company."
This furnace had a forty-seven and a half foot stack, a thirteen and a half foot bosh, and a capacity of seven hundred tons pig iron per month. It was torn down in 1904 and its site is now occupied by the brick plant.
The Stubbs Furnaces. In 1796 two brothers, Daniel and Thomas Stubbs, of England, erected a furnace near the mouth of Swatara creek, on what is still known as the "Steel Furnace Lot," for the purpose of making blister steel." They continued many years. By many it is claimed this was the first steel manufactured in America. Later on a son of one of the Stubb's, in company with John Elder, built another furnace, a quarter of a mile above this one. Its retorts were standing until about 1890. They more nearly resembled a bake-oven than they did our modern furnaces.
The American Tube and Iron Works was at first the Middle- town pipe mill, operated by men of Philadelphia mostly. They made pipe of two inches and less in diameter. From 1873 to 1879 the works were idle; then George Matherson, James Young and others resumed the work and greatly extended the plant until it became among the largest in the country. The forming of trusts has affected these factories above named more or less, but the amount of business still carried on is the life of the city. In these works fifteen hundred men find employment.
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY 481
The Middletown Car Works were started in 1869, and in 188I were purchased by Michael Shad and Arthur King. Tens of thousands of freight cars have been turned out from these ex- tensive shops. The company has been reorganized, and is now larger than ever. A newly invented dump car, made of steel is be- ing manufactured on a large scale. Six hundred men are now em- ployed in these car-shops.
A Cigar Factory is in operation, the capacity of which will de- mand the employment of five hundred persons.
The Pennsylvania Steel Works, only two and a half miles from Middletown, employ eight thousand men.
"Deckard's Mill" (properly speaking the Cameron Mill), on the east bank of the Swatara, opposite Frey's Mill, was on the same tract of land as the Cameron furnace, and owned by the same per- sons. It was built by James Hamilton in 1803. It was originally supplied by water conveyed through a race on the East bank of the Swatara, fed by a tumbling dam about three feet high, which crossed the river about a quarter of a mile above the present feeder- dam, where the ravine comes through the hills on the East side. This dam, as well as, later, the feeder-dam, were provided with booms, and many hundred feet of logs were floated to and from it. It was torn down in 1903.
James Hamilton, the builder of the mill, was born on the Swa- tara, in 1754. During the Revolution he was first, 2nd Lieutenant in Captain John Murray's company, Pennsylvania Rifle Battalion; was afterwards captain in the First Pennsylvania; was taken pris- oner by the British at the battle of Brandywine; was subsequently exchanged; was promoted Major in the Second Pennsylvania, De- cember 10th, 1778. At the surrender of Yorktown, October 19th,. 1781, "Major Hamilton with a detachment marched into the town, took possession of the batteries, and hoisted the American flag." He afterwards went with the Pennsylvania troops under General Anthony Wayne to Georgia and South Carolina, where he served until the close of the war, in April, 1783.
In 1900 the United States Census gave Middletown 5,608 population but it now has fully 6,000. Its manufacturing plants have in a degree taken the place of the early day lumber and grain business. Its prosperity comes largely from its plants of produc- tion as follows :
A hosiery mill employing over two hundred girls and women ; and there are a shale brick kilns, stove works, rolling mills, car shops, flour mills, etc.
The city is provided with an excellent water-work system, and
31
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HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
is illuminated by gas and electricity. Its fire department is fully abreast with modern times. The historic stream-Swatara creek, indeed a river-is spanned by fine bridge structures, and held back by a strong dam, which affords excellent water power.
Middletown was the home of the famous "Charlie Ross" family. This boy, it will be remembered, was kidnapped, and al- though a fortune was spent for his recovery, he was never found. It is also the birth-place of Senator J. Donald Cameron, whose ca- reer in the United States Senate is a part of national history.
Post Office. The Middletown post office was secured in the autumn of 1800, with William Crabb as postmaster. He was fol- lowed by Peter Shuster. John McCamman was appointed in 1803, and continued in office until December 24, 1829, a period of twenty- seven years, and was succeeded by William Louman. After his death his widow, Elizabeth Louman, was appointed and served two years, and was succeeded by Elizabeth Crabb. Then followed these: Christian Spayd, Edward S. Kendig, Jonn Hicks, Edward S. Kendig, Catherine Stouch, Maria Louman, W. H. Kendig, John J. Walbourn, Mary A. Walbourn, Jackson H. Kerlin, Rachel Mc- Kibben, Eveline R. Wiestling to 1887, and she was succeeded by I. K. Decker, who served until September 8, 1900, and was suc- ceeded by E. K. Demmy, the present postmaster, re-appointed Feb-
ruary 3, 1905. J. E. Dick has been assistant postmaster since Au-
gust 27, 1889. Three rural routes run out of Middletown. The post office was kept for seventeen years at the corner of Union and Spring streets, but in September, 1893, was moved to the corner of Union and Emaus streets in Auditorium. This office became a presidential office March 27, 1867. There was a post office at Portsmouth from 1850 to 1857, when the two places were merged.
MIDDLETOWN'S SESQUI-CENTENNIAL.
The one hundred and fiftieth year of the history of Middle- town was celebrated as an anniversary of its settlement. The dates of this great celebration were Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, July 2, 3 and 4, 1905. Saturday, July I, at midnight the bells of the city rang out their clear tones. For more than a year the commit- tees in charge had worked with great zeal to bring about the crown- ing success with which they were finally rewarded. The scheme for holding this elaborate celebration, was conceived in the brain of Mr. Colin S. Few, a local druggist. E. O. Hendrickson was chair- man, and W. J. Roop secretary of the general committee. Sub- scriptions were first solicited by men, but funds came in slowly, then
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HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
the ladies of the place caught the zeal, and from that date on money came in freely. Every church and Sunday school held entertain- ments, and thus the expense money was raised.
Scarcely a house within the city was without elaborate decora- tions. Everywhere the stars and stripes were unfurled, and thou- sands of red, white and blue pennants were stretched here and there along the streets. Signs of "welcome" greeted the eye on every hand. The many historic buildings bore appropriate signs, includ- ing those at the old Lutheran church, which has stood the elements since 1767, during the Revolution, the War of 1812-14, the Civil War, and is still well preserved and in use.
The ringing of the bells at midnight Saturday prior to this celebration was followed by singing "America" and "Home, Sweet Home," from the belfry of the Liberty Fire Company, and the fol- lowing morning the same was repeated from the belfry of the old Lutheran church. Special services were held in all the churches. At midnight on Sunday, July 2, the bells rang and the steam whis- tles all blew, and after sunrise the glee clubs held concerts here and there throughout the city.
On Monday afternoon occurred a fine industrial parade, ex- clusively of Middletown business interests. George I. King acted as chief marshal and prizes were given for the finest display. In the evening historical exercises were held in Centre Square, at which a history of Middletown, prepared by C. H. Hutchinson, was read by George W. Rodfrong. Short speeches by former and present residents were made, and excellent music was furnished by the Apollo Glee Club and the Liberty Band.
July 4 was the climax day of this anniversary occasion. The weather was cool, and the sun's heat kept back by a semi-cloudy sky. The throng in attendance was very great, and a conservative estimate placed it at ten thousand visitors. Five thousand people participated in the grand parade, which was a spectacle rare to be- hold.
STATISTICS.
ASSESSMENT VALUATION OF COUNTY-1904.
The following shows the assessed value of all Real Estate in Dauphin County for 1904, by Township, Boroughs and Cities :
City of Harrisburg. $30,555,130 Dauphin Borough 165,840
Berrysburg Borough
127,672 Derry Township 1,514,390
Conewago Township . 548,880
East Hanover Township 623,555
484
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
Elizabethville
265,560
Royalton Borough 177,610
Gratz Borough
178,850
Rush Township
127,875
Halifax Borough
161,460
South Hanover Town-
Halifax Township
559,830
ship
426,500
Hummelstown Borough
591,615
Steelton (City)
5,091,448
Jackson Township
409,999
Susquehanna Township
Jefferson Township ...
110,700
Swatara Township
1,698,171
Londonderry Township
448,945
Uniontown Borough
1,928,975
Lower Paxton Town- ship
1,128,115
Upper Paxton Town- ship
692,493
Lower Swatara Town- ship
1,240,260
Washington Township.
592,545
Lykens Borough
1,100,734
Lykens Township
542,980
Middletown (City)
1,505,184
West Londonderry
285,125
Mifflin Township
428,856
Williamstown (City) .
481,18I
Millersburg Borough
578,195
Williams Township
381,750
Penbrook Borough
283,324
Reed Township
115,936
Total
$56,474,834
DAUPHIN COUNTY SCHOOLS-1904.
Schools. Pupils.
Schools. Pupils.
Berrysburg Borough
2 92
Paxton Upper (Town-
Conewago Township
6
183
ship)
IO 353
Dauphin Borough
4 I28
ship )
8
272
Elizabethville Borough
6
198
Paxton Lower (Town- ship)
9
316
Halifax Borough
3 103
Reed Township
3
66
Hanover Township
Royalton Borough
6
24I
(East)
IO
305
Steelton Borough
47
2,078
(South)
7
216
Susquehanna Township. Swatara Upper (Town- ship)
I4
623
Hanover Township
(West)
5 231
21 1,025
Harrisburg (City)
18I
8,740
Swatara Lower (Town- ship )
12 468
Jackson Township
9
264
Uniontown Borough
2
66
Jefferson Township
2
72
Washington Township
9
278
Londonderry Township.
13 315
Lykens Borough
II
643
Wiconisco Township
12
616
Lykens Township
8
324
Williams Township
7
285
Middletown Borough ..
24 1,294
Williamstown Borough.
13
661
Mifflin Township
7 146
Millersburg Borough
7 327
Totals. 522 23,360
3
I26
Penbrook Borough
4 229
Halifax Township
IO
256
Rush Township
2
50
Hanover
Township
Hummelstown Borough.
8
399
Paxton Middle (Town-
Derry Township
I3 402
West Hanover Town- ship
468,520
Middle Paxton Town- ship
459,330
Wayne Township
190,925
Township
Wiconisco Township . . 710,748
Wayne Township
4 109
Gratz Borough
485
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
POLITICAL.
Owing to the illy kept early-day records, and by reason of fires, the earlier election returns are not now obtainable except in frag- ments.
At the autumn election in 1808, the vote cast in Harrisburg was as follows:
Governor-
Assemblymen-
Simon Snyder 534
Jacob Bucher 557
James Ross 92
James Wallace 559
John Spayd
3
Andrew Shultz 561
Congressman-
Robt. Whitehill
546
David Bird
539
Chris. Ley
49
John Glonninger 84
Wm. Alexander
78
PRESIDENTIAL VOTE OF COUNTY-1860 TO 1904.
Dauphin county, in common with the balance of Pennsylvania, was Democratic until 1860. The following gives the total vote in the county since that date:
1860-Abraham Lincoln 1880-James A. Garfield
(Rep.)
4,531
(Rep.) 8,574
Fusion Ticket 2,392
Gen. W. S. Hancock (Dem.) 6,614
Rep. Majority 2,139
1864-Abraham Lincoln
(Rep.)
4,657
Geo. B. McClellan
(Dem.)
3,750
Grover Cleveland
(Dem.) 6,378
Gen. B. F. Butler (Ind.) 163
Rep. Majority ... 3,027
1888-Benjamin Harrison (Rep.) 10,752
Grover Cleveland (Dem.) 7,684
Fisk (Prohibition) 286
Rep. Plurality 3,068
1892-Benjamin Harrison (Rep.) 10,953
Grover Cleveland
(Dem.) 7,486
Rep. Plurality ... 800
5,581
Samuel J. Tilden (Dem.) 4,781
Peter Cooper (Labor) .. 321
3,623
Rep. Majority . 1876-Rutherford B. Hayes (Rep.)
Rep. Majority 907
1868-U. S. Grant (Rep.). 6,507
Horatio Seymour (Dem.) 4,397
Rep. Majority . . 2,110
1872-U. S. Grant (Rep.) .. 6,954
Horace Greeley (Dem.) 3,331
Rep. Majority . 1884-James G. Blaine (Rep.)
1,960
9,405
John Stoner 55
Jacob Beam 49
Rep. Majority 3,467
486
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
1896-William Mckinley
Wm. J. Bryan (Dem.) 7,433 (Rep.)
WVm. J. Bryan (Dem.) . 6,366 Leavering ( Prohibition) 466
Gen. John Palmer ( Gold
Dem.) 263
Rep. Plurality 6,10I 1904-Theodore Roosevelt (Rep.) 16,560. Judge Parker (Dem.) . . 5,012
Rep. Plurality 8,313
1900-William Mckinley
Rep. Majority 11,548
(Rep.)
13,534
The average Republican majority since 1860 has been 3,088.
DAUPHIN COUNTY POST OFFICES-1905.
Bachmanville.
Lingleston.
Benvenue.
Loyalton.
Berrysburg.
Lykens.
Carsonville.
McClellan.
Curtin.
Manodahill.
Dauphin.
Middletown.
Deer.
Millersburg.
Deodote.
Oberlin.
Derry Church.
Paxtang.
Dietrich.
Paxton.
Elizabethville.
Penbrook.
Enders.
Piketown.
Enhout.
Pillow.
Enterline.
Powls Valley.
Erdman.
Progress. Rife.
Ft. Hunter.
Royalton.
Grantville.
Sandbeach.
Gratz.
Scheibs.
Halifax.
Speeceville.
Hanoverdale.
Steelton.
Harrisburg.
Swatara Sta.
Heckton.
Union Deposit.
Highspire.
Vian.
Hockersville.
Waltonville.
Hoernerstown.
West Hanover.
Hummelstown.
Wiconisco.
Inglenook.
Williamstown.
Killinger.
14,679
Woolley ( Prohibition ) . 755
Total number of offices, January, 1905, fifty-seven; thirty-two of these were money order offices.
Fisherville.
487
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT.
(Data returned for Dauphin County, Pennsylvania-1790.)
Free white males of 16 years and upwards, including heads of families
4,657
Free white males under 16 years.
4,437
Free white females, including heads of families
8,814
All other free persons.
57
Slaves
212
Total
18,177
POPULATION OF 1800.
Names of Townships
Lebanon Borough and
and Boroughs.
Slaves.
Total.
township
8 2,878
Harrisburgh
IO
1,472
Heidelberg
1,990
Upper Paxton
. .
2,274
Anvel
. . 1,487
Middle Paxton
5
727
Londonderry
7 1,576
Lower Paxton and
28
3,208
East Hanover
IO
1,289
Derry
IO
1,666
West Hanover
13
1,862
Total
93
22,270
POPULATION OF 18IO.
Names of Townships. Slaves.
Total.
Names of Townships. Slaves.
Total.
Middle Paxton
I
707
London Derry
I
2,41I.
Halifax
I 1,365
Swatara
4
2,29I
Upper Paxton
2 2,232
Heidelberg
I 3,532
Bethel
2,091
Derry
3 2,43I
East Hanover
. .
2 2,287
Anvel
. .
2,601
Lebanon Borough
. .
1,434
Lebanon
3 2,473
Total
26
31,883
Lower Paxton
5 2,180
POPULATION-1820.
West Hanover
2,618
Derry
2,256
Lower Paxton
1,283
Londonderry
IIO
Susquehanna
1,176
Grattstown 168
Middle Paxton
973
Lykens
1,188
Halifax
2,062
Mifflin
1,195
East Hanover
397
Harrisburg
2,990
Millersburg
347
Swatara
1,788
Total
21,653
Hummelstown
478
Upper Paxton
1,097
Middletown
567
West Hanover
3
2,461
Harrisburg
1,387
Bethel
2
1,841
Swatara
488
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
This population was divided as follows, as to vocations: En- gaged in agriculture, 2,353; engaged in commerce, 104; engaged in manufacturing, 1,410. There were at that date, nine slaves-five women and four men.
The entire population at that date in the United States, 9,637,- 999. The three largest States, in rank of population, were New York, with 1,372,812; Virginia, with 1,065,366; Pennsylvania, with 1,049,458. Philadelphia had at that time 63,802.
POPULATION BY CITIES, BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS.
Cities and
E. Hanover. .
1,310
1,428
1,658
Boroughs.
1900
1890
1850
Halifax
1,155
1,208
1,295
Dauphin
566
740
650
Jefferson
. . .
286
317
710
Gratz
489
490
.
L. Paxton ...
1,42I
1,517
1,573
Halifax
618
515
436
M. Paxton ..
1,265
1,337
1,204
Lykens
2,762
2,450
. ..
Mifflin
534
546
1,302
Middletown .. ·
5,608
5,080
900
Reed
275
267
408
Middleburg .
1,675
1,527
·
S. Hanover .
922
1,062
736
Royalston
1,106
. . .
. ..
Susquehanna ..
3,622
3,653
1,535
Steelton
12,086
9,250
.. .
Swatara . . .
4,816
3,229
1,239
Uniontown
539
333
. .
Upper Paxton
1,444
1,494
1,690
Washington
970
1,022
889
Townships-
W. Hanover.
1,010
1,013
897
Conewago
830
872
762
Wiconisco
2,674
2,280
1,316
Derry .
2,332
2,288
1,843
Williams . .
1,290
1,485
. . .
. ..
983
1,137
920
Elizabethville.
838
676
. . .
Londonderry .
1,385
2,381
1,587
Harrisburg .. 50,167 38,385
7,834
L. Swatara .. Lyken
1,155
1,242
1,37I
Hummelsto'n.
1,729
1,486
.
Rush
136
151
.. .
Penbrook
864
...
Williamstown
2,934
2,324
. . .
Wayne
436
512
.
According to the U. S. Census of 1900, the county had a pop- ulation of 114,443. Of this number, there were Native born- males, 53,228; females, 53,842. Foreign born-males, 4,727; fe- males, 2,621. Colored population, 3,460, males and 3,007 females. In 1850, the U. S. Census gave the county a total of white popula- tion 35,754; of colored, 1,278 -- total, 37,032.
,
Berrysburg
398
426
Jackson
1,993
1,764
759
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