USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 112
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The National Bank of Christiana .-- This was organized on the 28th day of December, 1882, with a capital of fifty thousand dollars. The directors are Samuel Slokom, president; James D. Reed, vice- president ; A. Brackbill, A. Roop, A. Hartman, T. J. Phelps, and Thomas McGowan. T. D. Slokom is the cashier. The banking-house is in the hotel building at Christiana.
Walter's Warehouse .- In 1847 a warehouse' was erected and a lumber-yard established in Christiana by Pownall & Dickinson. It was afterward owned by several parties, and in 1873 it became the property of Brinton Walter, who enlarged the buildings and in- creased the capacity of the establishment. Ile laid a
double track from the Pennsylvania Railroad, and erected coal-bins with a railroad track on trestles above them. An elevator was built in this ware- house at an early date, and was at first operated by horse-power, but in 1882 a wire cable for working the elevator and driving a corn-sheller was extended from Davis' lumber-mill to the warehouse. Brinton Walter is the present proprietor.
Christiana Machine Company. - Tbe foundry erected by William Noble in 1833 and abandoned in 1844 was, as elsewhere stated, revived by S. L. Denney in 1846. In 1847, Lammey & Boon commenced operations in the establishment, followed, after a few years, by Slokom & Baker (then Slokom & Boon), Slokom, Baker & Whitson, and F. Brush & Co., who operated the works, with some changes, by the con- nection of J. D. Reed and Amos Townsend with the business.
In April, 1863, Isaac Broomell purchased the prop- erty, and at about the same time the tools and fix- tures.
This being in the midst of civil-war times, prices of all commodities had advanced very much, and among these articles was molasses and syrups, which it was almost impossible to get at any price, hence the matter of manufacturing these from sorghum was claiming much attention. S. L. Denney, quite a noted mechanic and a resident of Christiana, had invented and secured letters patent for a mill or ma- chine for pressing the juice from the sorghum cane, the right of which he sold to Isaac Broomell, and the manufacture of them was at once commenced, and it proved to be an important addition to the list of arti- cles already manufactured at these works. The de- mand was great, and the mill sold rapidly at very remunerative prices, and continued to do so until the end of the war, when the demand suddenly ceased, leaving quite a number of machines to be remelted and converted to other uses. But Mr. Broomell had reaped a good harvest, and the doubts of himself and means, hold the property and establish a good paying business was henceforth removed.
In the spring of 1864, E. G. Broomell was asso- ciated with his father, and the firm was known for some time as I. Broomell & Son. Subsequently other sons were admitted, and it went by the name of I. Broomell & Sons until Jan. 15, 1878. Previons to 1868 the business was chiefly manufacturing of vari- ous kinds of agricultural implements, together with a general line of castings. Among the best customers to the foundry were the old forges on the Octorara, all driven to their utmost capacity during the war and for some years thereafter, each requiring many tons of castings yearly to keep them in good repair,
In 1868 arrangements were made with N. F. Burn- ham, of York, Pa., for the manufacturing of a portion of his turbine wheels, which were rapidly growing in favor. This rendered necessary the enlarging of the
RESOF ISAAC BROOMELL.
RES OF H BROOMELL.
RES OF E.G . BROOMEEL L
CHRISTIANA MACHINE COE MANUFACTURERS OF
ISMITH SHOPI
QUANEWS TURBINE WHELLS PENTRULE MILLSE WILLING MACHINERY
WORKS OF THE CHRISTIANA MACHINE COMPANY, CHRISTIANA, LANCASTER CO., PA.
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SADSBURY TOWNSIIIP.
works, which was done by building large stone addi- tions to the east side of the old shops. The growing demand for these water-wheels soon made it neces- sary to abandon the agricultural branch of business, and at the same time created a demand for a general line of mill work, shafting, pulleys, etc., and as rap- idly as possible complete sets of paterns were made for this class of work, and the necessary tools and appliances put in for turning them out to the best advantage.
On the 15th of January, 1878, Mr. Burnham pur- chased an interest in the real estate and business, which was reorganized, and took the name of " The Christiana Machine Company," which is its present N. F. Burnham, E. G. Broomell, and Henry Broomell.
title, and the members of the firm are Isaac Broomell, ; houses here, requiring a total of six thousand square
In the spring of 1869 a large new stone foundry was built, almost entirely surrounding the ancient one , built by William Noble in 1833, and which remained on duty up to within a short time of the christening of the new one, when it was torn out and the stones used in building large additions to the machine-shop. These works are now among the best of their class in the county, are well furnished with modern tools, and the character of the work turned out is second to none. For many years the North Branch of the Oc- torara Creek furnished the necessary power, but it being no longer sufficient, steam has been introduced, and is used almost exclusively.
Christiana Carriage Manufactory .- About 1850 the Miller Brothers erected a carriage-shop in Chris- tiana. They manufactured light carriages, and five " increasing. workmen were employed in their establishment. Christiana Planing-Mill .- In 1870 a planing-mill, driven by horse-power, was established in Christiana by Joseph H. Fogle. The rapid increase of the busi- Iness soon necessitated greater facilities, and in 1872 an eight horse-power engine was substituted for the horse machinery .- In 1879 the increase of the busi- ness had come to require still greater facilities, and a brick mill, two stories in height, forty by fifty feet in size, was erected, and an engine of thirty horse-power replaced the former oue. A saw-mill was at this time After some years Thomas Ghrist purchased the prop- erty, and conducted the business during five years. Ile was succeeded by Enos Frame, who carried on the shop for two years, when Lingerfield Hirst purchased it, and conducted the business till the spring of 1877. The present proprietor, J. D. Harper, then purchased the stock, and he has since conducted the business. In the spring of 1882 Mr. Harper removed to a new building which he had erected on Bridge Street, in the southern part of the town of Christiana, where " added to the planing-mill. In the spring of 1883 the the business is now carried on. During the first year . mill was purchased by Harry Davis, the present pro- Mr. Harper manufactured nine carriages, and two prietor. Sixteen hands are employed at this mill. hands were employed. The business has increased, till now nineteen workmien find constant employment, and two hundred carriages are built annually. Many of these are sold in Eastern, Western, and Southern markets. A large business in repairing is also done at this factory.
Christiana Brick-Yard .- In 1850, Henry Pownall established a brick-yard at Christiana, near to where the present manufactory of brick is. It was after- wards conducted by different parties till 1870, when it became idle.
In 1878, J. D. C. Pownall commenced the manufac- ture of brick in a yard a short distance from the original one, and here he has continued the business
till the present time. About five hundred thousand bricks are annually manufactured here, and most of these are sold at the yard. Ten hands are employed in the yard during the season of making brick.
Hotel .- The hotel of Hope Hershberger is worthy of mention as one of the most convenient and pleas- ant hotel buildings between Philadelphia and Lan- caster. It was built by Joseph C. Dickinson in 1854.
Christiana Nursery .- In 1859, William P. Brin- ton erected a small green-house at Christiana, and commenced the cultivation of flowers for the home market. From that time to the present the business has steadily increased, and additions have from time to time been made, till now there are eight green- feet of glass to cover them. A large portion of the produce of these green-houses is shipped to other markets.
At the time of building the first green-house the en !- tivation of fruit and ornamental trees was commenced, and this business has increased, till now twenty-five acres are devoted to the cultivation of trees. Eight hands are employed at the establishment.
Christiana Furniture Manufactory .- In 1866, John G. Fogle commenced the manufacture of furni- ture in a small way in Christiana. The business gradually increased till 1877, when Joseph H. Fogle, the son of John A., purchased the establishment, and at once increased the facilities for business. In 1878 and again in 1882 he enlarged his buildings, till now five workmen are employed, and the business is still
Threshing-Machine Manufactory .- In 1877, J. L. Garner, who had been a wheelwright in Christiana, commenced the manufacture of threshing-machines. He invented what he terms the triple-gear machine, and since his machines have come to be known and appreciated by farmers in the vicinity of his manu- factory they have become popular, and the demand for them' has increased, till now three hands are em- ployed, and ten machines are annually manufactured.
Hamlets .- Smyrna is a hamlet of about twelve houses, and it has a post-office, a store, a blacksmith- shop, and a carriage-shop. At this place is a stone meeting-house and hall, which was built by volun- tary contribution of labor and material nearly half a
1036
HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.
century since by the people in the vicinity. Rev. Easton held services here during many years, . though there was never a church organized. Mr. Easton became the owner of the building, and after his death it was purchased by a company of twenty citizens, and it is now used for religious meetings, festivals, concerts, entertainments, etc.
Coopersville is a hamlet of a few honses on the Valley road, one mile south from Smyrna.
Noblefille, on the Valley road, near Octorara Creek, which took its name from William Noble, is now a mere hamlet. Prior to 1844 this was a place of some importance, having a store, a tavern, a mill, and a factory. The growth of Christiana, near it, prevented its development into a town by the diver- sion from it of business that might have sprung up there.
Schools .- The common school system was accepted in Sadsbury in 1843, and there are now in the town- ship eight sub-districts. One of these is in the ex- treme southern part of the township; two, known as Nos. 1 and 2, south from the central portion ; the Cooperville District at Cooperville; the Smyrna Dis- triet at Smyrna; Buck Hill District in the north- western part ; Simmonstown District in the northeast- ern part, and the Christiana District at Christiana.
The Simmonstown school-house, that in the south- ern part, and the Christiana house are of brick ; the others are built of stone. In these schools are taught during eight months of each year.
The school house at Christiana, which was erected in 1871, is thirty by forty-five feet in size, three stories in height, and it has three school-rooms. Three teachers are employed in this school. Several school-houses in this village have been built and abandoned as the increasing number of children has required greater accommodations. Private schools have from time to time been kept in Christiana.
Sadsbury Friends' Meeting (Hicksite).1-In 1724, Andrew Moore and Samuel Miller petitioned for the establishment of a meeting of worship in Sadsbury. It was done in 1725, and twelve years later, or in 1737, the Sadsbury Monthly Meeting was established. A log meeting-house was built in 1725, and this was the place of worship till about 1760, when the present house was erected. It was a stone building of a sufficient height for two stories, and the carpenter-work was done by Joseph Guest. About the time of the Revolutionary war the wood-work of the building was burned, and Joseph Guest was again the carpenter who rebuilt it within the same walls. At first there were high galleries in this building, but when it was rebuilt a floor was put in place of the galleries, converting it into a proper two-story buikl- ing. It has had only ordinary repairs since that time.
Among the ancient members of this meeting the ' ant Daniel Fidler. This became a prosperous society,
1 Acknowledgments to Isaac Walker.
names are remembered of Andrew and James Moore, Nail Mooney, James Clemson, James Clemson, Jr., Anthony Shaw, Jane Jones, and her daughter, Sarah Metcalf, Isaac Taylor, Samuel Miller, John, Aaron, and Thomas Musgrave, Robert Moore, Calvin Cooper, John Truman, and Asahel Walker. The lot on which the church was originally built was purchased from the "Servants' Tract," now called the Christiana tract. To this an addition was afterward purchased from Thomas Richard and John Penn, increasing the amount of land owned by the meeting to about seventy acres. When the division into Hicksite and Ortho- dox branches of the Friends occurred the former re- tained control of this property.
Bart Meeting (Friends) .- An indulged meeting was in existence in Bart and the western part of Sads- bury as early as 1823, and was held in the school-house that stood on the land of Jeremiah Cooper, near Cooperville. In 1825 the present meeting-house on the State road, near the line between Bart and Sads- bury, but in the latter township, was built, and this became a branch of the Sadsbury Monthly Meeting, which it continues to be. It is a stone structure about thirty feet square, and it has undergone no change beyond ordinary repairs since it was built.
Truman and Jeremiah Cooper were active and effi- cient in the erection of this house, and it is worthy of note that Morris Cooper, the son of Jeremiah, and Phebe Barnaby were the first couple married in this house. They were married in 1827, and they are still living at the advanced age of eighty. A large major- ity of this meeting adopted the views of the Hicksite Friends. The Orthodox branch erected a house of worship near, but no meeting is now held there.
Sadsbury Friends' Meeting (Orthodox) .- After the separation of the Friends into Hicksite and Or- thodox branches, the latter branch erected a meeting- house near the line between Sadsbury and Bart, a short distance from the house that had been built in 1825, where they worshiped till 1880, when the meet- ing was laid down, and a meeting-house was built at Christiana, where the society has since worshiped. It is a brick structure, thirty feet square and one story in height. The meeting has six families.
Methodist Episcopal Church.2-In the northern part of the township several persons embraced Meth- odism prior to 1820. Their number continuing to increase, they formed a society. The most zealous and influential member was Jacob Swartzwelder. Charles Simon and William Shaw were also active members. They procured ground for a church and graveyard, and erected the building in 1821. This was the first Methodist Church in this township. It was a stone structure, thirty-six by forty-six feet. It was named Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church. The preacher in charge was Samuel F. Griffith, and assist-
2 Furnished by Rev. Lorenzo D. MeClintock.
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SADSBURY TOWNSHIP.
and its members assisted in introducing Methodism into other parts of the township, in Wasteland and Christiana.
This church continued in nse until 1873, when it had become so dilapidated as to need a large outlay for repairs or a new building. Gap, on the Pennsylvania Railroad, having become a centre of business and population, and many of the members of Asbury re- siding in its vicinity, the society decided to abandon the old builling and erect a church at Gap.
The continuation of the history of Asbury Church will be found in the history of the church at Gap. (See history of Salisbury.)
Wasteland Methodist Episcopal Church .- There were a number of Methodists in the neighbor- hood of Wasteland, who held meetings at private houses in 1822. Rev. Joseph Holdich1 preached that year at the house of Jacob Gibson. His house be- came a regular place for preaching, and was known on the plan of Cecil Circuit in 1825 as "Gibson's." A society was then in existence. The active members were Jacob Gibson, Joseph Gibson, James Anderson, William Boot, and Henry MeRay.
The origin of the church building is known by the following extract from the minutes of the Third Quarterly Conference of Cecil Cireuit convened at Martie Camp-Meeting, Oct. 8, 1825: " Resolved, That William Boot, James Anderson, Henry MeRay, and Joseph Gibson be appointed a committee to form an estimate of the amount necessary to build a meeting- house in Sadsbury township, near Wasteland Factory, for the use of the Methodist Episcopal Church ; to do all things necessary according to the Discipline, page 160." At the next Quarterly Conference, held at North East, Feb. 4, 1826, the committee presented their report, which was accepted. They then pro- ceeded to the erection of the house of worship. Gen. Steele, being a Methodist and deeply interested, do- nated a lot of ground upon which to build the church and form a graveyard.
The building was completed and dedicated in the beginning of 1827. It was named Wasteland Meth- odist Episcopal Church. The house was built of stone, and would accommodate about two hundred people. This was a prosperous society. They continued to worship in this house until 1868, when a better church building was needed ; and from the improve- ments of the neighborhood, the change of business and population, it was thought that a change of lo- cality would be to the advantage of the society. They therefore abandoned the old site, and selected a new one about one mile distant ; erected the present house house of worship, and gave it the name of Mount Pleasant.
Mr. Thomas Deau, a member of the society, do-
1 Joseph Holdich became a member of Philadelphia Conference, was transferred to New York Conference, received the honor of Doctor of Divinity, and was for a number of youts agent of the American Bible Society of the State of New York.
nated one acre of ground for the site of the church and for a graveyard. The building committee con- sisted of the following persons: William McGowan, George F., Baker, Jesse Davis, Thomas Dean, John Limans. Duly appointed collectors were, viz. : Jesse Davis, Thomas Dean, Sarah Seltzer, Alexander M. Martin, and Mary A. MeGowan. The building was commenced in 1868. It was completed in 1870, and was finally dedicated Oct. 4, 1874.
This is a stone edifice, thirty-five by forty-five feet. It has a seating capacity of three hundred and twenty- five, and its cost was two thousand two hundred dol- lars It is a prosperous society. It has a flourishing Sunday-school. Alexander Mulvaney is its superin- tendent. Much credit is due Rev. S. Pancoast for his earnest efforts in the building of this church. The society is incorporated. The trustees are Emma Jones, William MeGowen, Esq., George Baker, John MeLimans, William MeLimans, Jesse Davis, M. R. Hindman, and Ellis Oatman.
Christiana Methodist Episcopal Church .- The Methodists organized a class in Christiana in July, 1851, with A. M. Kemble for its leader. They held public meetings in the carriage-shop, and next in the old tavern and in private houses. They purchased the old school-house for a place of worship, and in- stituted regular preaching. The society became more permanently organized under the administration of Rev. John Cummins, in 1859, by the appointment of a board of trustees of the following persons : John Beatty, Alexander Robinson, Thomas HI. Pownall, George MeNeal, Martin Thompson, John Clark, B. W. Horton. The same year they purchased a lot of ground of Samuel Slocum, Esq., sixty-five by one hundred and sixty feet. A building committee was appointed. viz., A. M. Kemble, Frederick Bush, James Devine. They proceeded to erect a church edifice. The corner-stone was laid, with appropriate cere- monies, Sept. 8, 1859.
After considerable delay the building was so far ad- vanced that they commenced to worship in the base- ment in 186t. The entire building was completed and dedicated Ang. 10, 1862.
The church is a stone building with basement, thirty-six by fifty feet, and is capable of seating two hundred and fifty people. It cost two thousand five hundred dollars. It was named Christiana Meth- odist Episcopal Church. It was included in Coch- ranville Circuit 'until 1867, when it became an ap- pointment on Penningtonville Circuit. It continued in this connection until 1876, when the circuit was | again changed, and it became an appointment on Atglen Circuit. It remained in this relation until 1879, when it was associated with Georgetown and Gap, in which relation it still continues.
The society has forty members, and maintains a good Sunday-school. The superintendent is Samnel Irwin. This is an incorporated society. The trustees are B. W. Horton, George Helmn, Samnel Irwin,
1038
HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.
Evan A. Mercer, Martin Helmn, S. H. Townsend, D. still the place of worship, and it has had only ordi- L. Keiser.
Ministers have been in charge of these churches as follows :
1. . isbury .- In 1821, Samuel F. Grithith, Daniel Fidler; 1822, John Smith, William Lummus; 1823- 24, William Ryder, Jesse Thompson, James Long ; 1825, Thomas Miller, John Talley.
2. Asbury and Wasteland .- 1526-27, Henry Boehm, W. W. Wallace, Daniel Parish; 1828-29, George Wooley, John Nicholson, T. MeCarroll ; 1830, Daniel , lishment now remains. Best, Nathaniel Chew; 1831-32, Thomas Miller, E. About 1820, Gen. Steele ereeted two cotton-fac- tories on the Octorara at what is now called Steele- ville. In these the manufacture of cotton fabrics was extensively carried on by Mr. Steele for more than a decade, and afterward used extensively by his son, Wallace Steele. These mills are now in ruins. Reed, R. W. Thomas, John Caldwell; 1833, Thomas Miller, William Ryder; 1834-35, John Lednum, R. E. Morrison, John Edwards; 1836, John Edwards, J. A. Watson; 1837, Robert Anderson, Dallas D. Lore ; 1838-39, E. R. Williams; 1840-41, Samuel Grace, J. D. Long; 1842-43, G. Oram, G. D. Carrow ; 1844-45, Gen. Steele also built a paper-mill prior to the ereetion of the factories, and for many years carried on the manufacture of paper. The mill has not been operated during many years. At a very early time Calvin Cooper built a fulling-mill on Valley Run, one mile south from Coopersville. It was used as a W. K. Goentner, H. Sanderson ; 1846-47, Allen John, J. A. Whitaker; 1848, James Harman ; 1849-50, John Bayne, John Thompson; 1851, W. L. Gray, J. J. Jones ; 1852-53, S. G. Hare, F. B. Harvey, John O'Neil; 1854-55, Thomas Newman, J. L. Kilgore, A. Howard; 1856-57, J. B. Dennison; 1858-59, John ; wool-earding and cloth-dressing mill till 1825, when Cummins, N. B. Durell.
3. Asbury, Wasteland, and Christiana .- 1860-61, W. HI. Burrell; 1862, Joseph Dare, R. W. Jones; 1863- 64, HI. B. Mauger, R. W. Jones; 1865-66, V. Gray, L. B. Hoffman ; 1807-68, Samuel Pancoast; 1869, Joseph Aspril.
4. Asbury, Christiana, and Mount Pleasant,-1870- 71, J. Aspril ; 1872, William McMichael.
5. Christiana and Mount Pleasant .- 1873, W. Me- his forges. Of this establishment the old stone coal-
Michael ; 1874-75, E. Potts, F. B. Harvey ; 1876-77, I. M. Gable; 1878, W. P. Howell.
6. Christiana .- 1879, J. A. Cooper; 1880-82, E. C. Yerkes; 1883, L. D. Mcclintock.
7. Mount Pleasant .- 1879, D. II. Shields; 1880, II. during thirty years and became wealthy. The forges
U. Sebring; 1882-83, D. T. Smyth.
Christiana Presbyterian Church .- Prior to 1859 there was no Presbyterian Society in Christiana and no house of worship of that denomination, and the few Presbyterians residing there belonged to the church at Atglen. In that year a chapel was erected in Christiana, and a Sunday-school was established there. This chapel was built by general subscription, and Rev. James Latta, then of Atglen, was actively instrumental in the accomplishment of the work. Services were held in this chapel on alternate Sun- days during many years without the organization of a society here. Mr. Latta was succeeded by Rev. W. F. P. Noble, and he by Rev. J. W. Edy, he by Rev. William Albert, all of whom are deceased. The present pastor is Rev. Calvin D. Wilson.
About ten years since a society was organized here, and by an arrangement between the Presbyteries of Donegal and Chester it was annexed to the latter in order that both congregations might be served by the same pastor. The chapel that was at first built is
nary repairs.
Manufactories .- A woolen-factory was built by William Noble on the east side of the road, leading north from Christiana, half a mile below Hannupi's grist-mill. It was a large and well-built stone build- ing, and the machinery was propelled by water taken from the Octorara a short distance above. It was carried on by Mr. Noble till about 1845, when it was burned and was not rebuilt. Not a trace of the estab-
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