USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 23
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From July 1, 1855, to July 27, 1883, the following ministerial acts were performed by the pastors of the congregation, as recorded in the church record : bap- tisms, 666; confirmations, 201; communions, 2882; marriages, 114; burials, 242.
St. Mary's Catholic Church .- Prior to the year 1870 the Roman Catholics living in Marietta had been obliged to go to Columbia in order to hear mass, except during the time that Father Russell said mass for them in their town hall. For a long time they had manifested an anxiety to have a church in their town, where they might assist at divine service, and with the view of obtaining the erection of the desired church, a suitable site at the intersection of Second and Perry Streets, one hundred and twenty by two hundred and ten feet, was purchased, the deed being made out in the names of the following trustees : Prof. S. S. Haldeman, Jno. K. Fidler, and William II. Eagle. A part of the required sum for the pur- chase was collected and paid to Mr. Henry Ockard, the owner. In 1867 the deed of the lot was trans- ferred by the trustees to the Right Rev. James F. Wood,.Bishop of Philadelphia, in trust for the Roman Catholic congregation of Marietta, Pa. The balance -five hundred dollars-owing on the lot was paid to Mr. Ockard, Sept. 23, 1869, by the Rev. James J. Russell, pastor. On Nov. 4, 1869, the rite of the lay- ing of the corner-stone of the church was performed
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HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.
by the Right Rev. J. F. Shanahan, who, in the pre- ceding year, bad been consecrated bishop of the new ' diocese of Ilarrisburg. The sermon on the occasion was preached by the Right Rev. Thomas A. Becker, of the diocese of Wilmington, Del. On the 7th of May, 1871, the chapel of the church was dedicated by the Right Rev. J. F. Shanahan to the great joy and delight of the people, and on the same day mass was said in it for the first time. The church is fifty by ninety-eight feet.
The next important events in the history of the church were the opening of a mission by the Re- demptorist Fathers, and the blessing at its close on the 16th of June, 1872, of a beautiful cross bestowed on the church by Paris Haldeman, Esq., whose gen- erosity in this and in other ways is held in grateful remembrance by the people of St. Mary's parish. This eross surmounts the steeple of the church. The parochial school was opened on the 2d of September, 1873, and placed under the care of the Sisters of Charity, to whom at the same time was assigned the charge of the Sunday-sehool, which, up to this date, bad, for a number of years, been presided over by Miss Margaret Trainor.
Before the numerical loss (written of further on) which the congregation sustained, the average num- ber of pupils in the Sunday-school had been seventy- five; it is now about forty. Lack of employment in Marietta during the panieky times of recent years compelled many of the families of St. Mary's congre- gation to migrate to other distriets where work could be had. In consequence of this diminution of the number of the parishioners, the fine church is only partially completed. While, however, the church proper is unfinished, the edifiee possesses a magnifi- cent basement, in which the children of the parochial school are taught, and on Sunday divine services held. With the record here of the liberal pecuniary aid which the non-Catholies of Marietta gave in the erection of the church, this brief history of its in- fancy closes.
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The Sunday-school connected with this church was organized in April, 1883, with Christian Stibgen as superintendent, with thirty-five pupils.
African Churches .- There are also two African churches or congregations in Marietta, of which no reliable information could be obtained as to date of. organization, building of churches, names of pioneer members, first preachers, or present condition of the . societies. It was stated, however, by persons cogni- zant of the fact, that both churches were in a flour -. ishing condition, and well supplied with ministerial assistance.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JAMES DUFFY.
John Duffy, the grandfather of James, was born in Newtown, Cunningham County, Donegal, Ireland, where he followed the voeation of leather-dressing. He was married to Miss Ann Bradley, and had one son, James, who was born in the same county and township in Ireland, where he was an extensive con- tractor. He was a man of large acquirements and exceptional business capacity. He was married to Miss Catharine Sheridan, of the same county, and during the year 1800 emigrated to America, and settled in the city of Lancaster, Lancaster Co., from whence he removed to Marietta in the same county.
Mr. Duffy, aside from his business oeeupations in Ireland, was connected with the military service, and a member of the Light Horse Cavalry. He con- tinned his former business in Pennsylvania, con -. structed the Marietta and Lancaster turnpike, the turnpike from Elizabethtown to. the Susquehanna River, and a large portion of the road from Carlisle to Baltimore via York Springs and Gettysburg.
He also projected a portion of the borough of Marietta. In politics he was a Demoerat, and in his religions predilections a Roman Catholic.
United Brethren. - This church was organized Mr. and Mrs. Duffy had twelve children, of whom seven survived. The death of Mrs. Duffy occurred in 1820, and that of Mr. Duffy in 1836, in his sixty- fifth year. Their son James was born in Marietta, Sept. 16, 1818, where the uneventful years of his childhood were spent, in the enjoyment of such lim- ited educational advantages as the public school of the neighborhood afforded. The boatman's craft on the Susquehanna River at that early day offered the most inviting field to young men residing along its shores, and here the young man sought occupation, first as a hand, next as steersman, from which he rose to the rank of pilot. Ile continued thus employed until 1846, and the following year made a trip to Eu- rope. In 1848 he established a line of boats for the purpose of transporting coal from Pottsville to New York, in the interests of the Schuylkill Navigation May 26, 1880, by Rev. William S. Lesher, with the following-named persons as the original members, who were also the first trustees : Abram R. Lutz, D. Detweiler, and Samuel Nye. This organization was at first connected with the German Conference, and subsequently transferred to the English Conference. In the fall of 1880, through the means of a special meeting, about forty persons were added to the church. The house of worship, loeated in West Marietta, was built by the Methodist Society to be occupied as a chapel, and in May, 1880, sold to the United Brethren, and by them was dedicated in June of the same year. Present membership, twenty-six. The trustees for 1883 were A. R. Lutz, Alexander MeAfee, Joseph McFarland, . George Geiser, and Samuel Staeks, Value of church property, eleven hundred dollars. Present pastor, Rev. Mr. Kramer. | Company. In connection with James Mehaffy, a son
Hemos ( Duffy
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BOROUGH OF MARIETTA.
of his father's former partner in his land operations in Marietta, he embarked in the lumber business, which was continued until 1865. Mr. Duffy was mar- ried on the 8th of September, 1863, to Miss Martha, daughter of John Park, of Marietta. Their children are Josephine, Catherine (deceased), James, Donald Cameron, Thomas Bayard, John Park (deceased), Martha Park, John Park, 2d (deceased), and one who died in infancy.
In 1861, Mr. Duffy became a member of a firm en- gaged in the transportation of government supplies to the forts in New Mexico and the West, including Salt Lake,'an enterprise involving many millions of dollars a year and the labor of thirty thousand oxen. He was thus actively interested for a period of seven years, after which he retired from business, and has wince devoted his attention principally to his landed investments, and won a reputation as the most exten- sive tobacco-grower in the State. In 1877 he became Interested in the Marietta Hollow-ware and Enamel- ling Company, in which he controls one-half the cap- ital stock. He was, in 1875, appointed one of the Commissioners of Fisheries for the State of Penhsyl- vania, and has since been one of the chief promoters of fish culture throughout the State.
He has also been largely identified with the growth and development of the township and borough of his residence. He is an earnest sympathizer with all public improvements, and a director of the Bald Eagle Valley Railroad. Mr. Duffy in politics affili- ates with the Democracy, though indifferent to the honors which are the reward of party service. His associations are not confined within the limits of his own county, both business and social matters having Jed to an intimate acquaintance with men eminent in political, financial, and educational circles. Ilis house is the centre of a liberal hospitality, and the resort of men of distinction, irrespective of creed or party.
Mr. Duffy was educated in the Roman Catholic faith, of which he is a supporter, though a willing . contributor to other religious denominations.
HENRY MUSSELMAN.
The Musselman family may be classed as Pennsyl- vania German, its representatives having for genera- tions resided in the State. The parents of Henry were Henry and Magdalena Musselman. Their son, Henry, was born in Lancaster township, where his father was a successful farmer, on the 4th of October, 1798, his early life having been spent within the bounds of the county at Silver Spring. On reaching manhood he removed to Mount Joy, and engaged in mercantile pursuits, and later embarked in the for- warding business in connection with John Patterson. After a residence of several years at Mount Joy he removed to Marietta; and during the year 1848, with Dr. Shoenberger, of Pittsburgh, erected an extensive
furnace. On the death of the latter Henry Watts became a partner in the enterprise. In 1849 another furnace was built, and ultimately a third under the auspices of Henry Musselman & Sons, the property having been disposed of on the death of the members of the latter firm. Henry Musselman was first mar- ried to a Miss Rohrer, to whom were born three sons, -John, David, and Christian. By a second marriage, on the 23d of December, 1830, to Miss Anna B., daughter of Abram and Barbara Hackman, of Mount Joy, there were five children, -- Abram H., whose birth occurred Nov. 30, 1831, in Mount Joy, and his death Feb. 14, 1877 ; Samuel, who was born Sept. 5, 1835, and died Nov. 14, 1874; Henry S., born Aug. 10, 1843, who died April 6, 1870, in Baden, Germany, where he had gone to perfect himself in the study of medicine; Anna M., born June 12, 1839, and one who died in early life. Abram H. Musselman was one of the most active men in the iron business, and universally esteemed as a genjal, kind-hearted, and enterprising gentleman. He aided largely in the improvement of the village, which he made his home, and was especially zealous for the welfare of the workmen , in his employ, to whom his death was a sad calamity.
Samuel Musselman was a man of no less energy and public spirit, and contributed largely by his ability to the success of the industry in which he was engaged. In his intercourse with his fellows he was courteous, kind, and generous, and justly won for himself the appellation, " the noblest work of God," an honest man.
The subject of this sketch was in politics formerly an Old-Line Whig, and subsequently a Republican, though rarely interesting himself beyond the casting of his ballot in the political issues of the day. He was a liberal contributor to all worthy religious ob- jects, though not connected with any denomination. Mr. Musselman's death occurred Dec. 6, 1875, in his seventy-eighth year. This portrait and biographical sketch are inserted by his wife as a tribute of affec- tionate regard.
DAVID COOK.
David Cook was born in 1750, npon the farm upon which he laid out the town of New Haven, and died at Ilagerstown, Md., June 12, 1824. His grandfather, James Cook, was one of the pioneer settlers in Done- gal township, who died in 1741, leaving a widow, Elizabeth, and the following children : Thomas, David (father of the subject of this sketch), James, Edward, Joseph, John, Catherine, Jean, and Margaret.
David, the second son of James, and the father of the subject of this sketch, owned and resided upon the farm at Marietta. He died in 1787, and left a wife, Martha, and the following-named children : John (who married Elizabeth Tettle, Sept. 5, 1780), David, Samuel, Grace R., Pedan, and James.
David, married Mary (1766-1820), daughter of
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HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.
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Colin MeFarquahr, the minister of the Presbyterian Church at Donegal. He was a justice of the peace for many years. He was an amiable and most worthy citizen.
JAMES MEHAFFY.
James Mehaffy was one of the pioneer settlers, and came to Anderson's Ferry about the year 1804. When David Cook laid out New Haven he purchased a lot, erected a house, and opened a store. He moved to Waterford in 1807, where he also was assessed as a store-keeper, and he also commeneed the purchase of lumber until he accumulated a large stock. During his time he was the most successful of all the business men in the place. He was the only prominent per- son in the town who was not ruined by the financial crash which followed the war of 1812. Although his losses were heavy, he gradually accumulated a large estate. He built and resided in the dwelling now owned by Simon S. Nagle.
HENRY CASSEL.
Henry Cassel was born near the junction of Back Run and Big Chikis Creek, in Rapho township, at the base of the northeastern slope of Sporting Hill, on the 12th of March, 1776. His grandfather, Abra- ham Cassel, settled at this place in the year 1750, where he built a grist-mill. His son, Abraham, was born there, and on the 18th day of April, 1775, he married Esther Weiss. They had the following chil- dren : Henry, born March 12, 1776, the subject of this sketch; Maria, born Dec. 13, 1779; and Abra- ham, born Dec. 14, 1782.
Henry Cassel, being the oldest son, got the home- stead and mill, where he carried on an extensive busi- ness for several years. Having married Catharine, daughter of John Neff, Esq., of Hempfield, who ob- tained by inheritance the farm at the eastern limits of Marietta, removed to that place several years be- fore either Waterford or New Haven were laid out. Hle was the first person along the river that did a commission business. He received immense quanti- ties of flour, grain, whiskey, lumber, and stone-coal, which he shipped to Port Deposit in arks; thence to Baltimore, which he sold for other parties, charging a commission of five per cent.
WILLIAM CHILDS.
William Childs was a hatter by trade. His ineli- nation led him to follow other pursuits more con- genial to his taste, for which his abilities seemed bet- ter adapted. He was engaged for some years in the lumber and coal business. Ile was cashier of the Marietta Bank for two or three years, and after its failure he was appointed a justice of the peace, an office he held for many years. He was one of the
best seriveners in the county, and it was safe to ace cept bis opinion upon any law question submitted to him. His dwelling stood where the Marietta Bank is, om Market Street. He died about forty years ago, aged eighty years, leaving a family of several chil- dren.
REV. ABRAIIAM H. LONG.
Rev. Abraham II: Long was born in East DoDe- gal township, Lancaster Co., April 5, 1823. Ilis parents were Mennonites. His grandfather, Herman Long, was one of the early settlers of Lancaster County. Rev. A. II. Long is a minister in the denomination known as "The Church of God." He entered the ministry in 1853, and has been pastor of the Churches of God in Maytown, Bainbridge, Eliz- abethtown, Mount Joy, Rohrerstown, and Landis- ville. He has also served a number of churches in Cumberland and other counties, and preached two years in Wooster, Ohio. Ile has also published a volume of sermons. The book is entitled " Popular Semons." He has preached nearly five thousand sermons.
SAMUEL HOUSTON.
Dr. Samuel Houston came to the place about the close of the war of 1812, and commeneed the prac- tice of medicine. He was an ardent supporter of the war, and opposed the Federal party with great bitter- ness. He was a candidate for the State Senate, but was defeated. A violent personal warfare was made upon him in the Federal newspapers. Ile engaged in the river business, and purchased great quantities of stone-coal, provisions, grain, flour, and whiskey, which he stored upon the river-bank and in large warehouses. Ile shipped these articles in arks which ran down the river to Port Deposit, thence transferred to schooners and taken to Baltimore.
Ile opposed Jackson's election in 1824 and supported Adams', and when the Anti-Masonic party came into existence he became one of its leading mem- bers. That party nominated him for the State Senate when York was attached to Lancaster in the sena- torial distriet, and was defeated by Mr. Caldwell, the Democratie candidate. Ile was an intimate and warm friend of Thaddeus Stevens, and, like him, hated human slavery, and was a sincere friend of the op- pressed. Ile employed colored men whenever he could, and often he not only gave fugitive slaves em. ployment, but when danger threatened them with a return to bondage, he either concealed them in the neighborhood or sent them on the "Underground Railroad" to a place of safety. Ile was able and ready at all times to discuss with an opponent the most radical views, and was not only gifted with moral courage but physical also. He built and re- sided in the large two-story brick dwelling at the northwest corner of Market Square. But one daugh- ter and son survive him.
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BOROUGH OF MARIETTA.
ELIJAH RUSSELL.
Capt. Elijah Russell was in the war of 1812, and came to Marietta about the year 1812 and embarked ia the mercantile business and prospered for some years, but finally lost heavily. He married a daughter of Anthony Haines, who owned the Anderson farm. While on his way to York borough, via Vinegar's Ferry, he was thrown from his horse, and died in a few days from the injuries he then received. He left no children surviving him.
DAVID RINEHART.
David Rinehart came from Chester County about the year 1812 and was apprenticed to learn the car- penter trade, and attained his majority about the year 1813. In the following year he enlisted in Capt. Jacob Grosh's company and marched to Marcus Hook. He engaged in the lumber business at Mari- etta and also at Port Deposit. His residence was situated on Front Street, near Elbow Lane, and ad- joining the " Compass and Square," a tavern kept by James Stackhouse, the old river pilot, who had in his employment a young man named Jacob Tome, who attended bar and was always ready and willing to do any kind of work about the hotel in cases of emer- geney. Mr. Rinehart noticed his industry . and dis-' cerned qualities of mind which fitted him for a higher sphere in the business walks of life. He took him by the hand and offered him the management of his business at Port Deposit, Md., which he ac- cepted. His snecess there was phenomenal, and it was but a little while until Mr. Rinehart gave him an interest in the business; and from that small be- ginning, withont any means of his own, he has be- come a millionaire and one of the most prominent men in Maryland.,
Mr. Rinehart was president of the Columbia Bank and Bridge Company for many years, and oc- cupied that honorable position to a period near the close of his earthly career, when he relinquished all business on account of poor health. Ile married a daughter of Anthony Haines, by whom he had one sou, Edwin, who married a daughter of John Kline.
JOHN HUSS.
Maj. John Huss was a member of Assembly for the years 1823 and 1824. He came from Lancaster in 1813 and started the Pilot. When the British burned the capitol at Washington and were threatening Philadelphia, he assisted Capt. Grosh to raise a com- pany of volunteers, and as first lientenant marched with the company to Marens Hook. He accepted a position in the bank as clerk in 1817, and after the failure of the bank he resumed the publication of the l'ilot, but changed its name to the Pioneer. Mr. Huss never married. He was one of the most intelligent
and best-read citizens in the place, and had also' a fondness for a military life, and commanded the Donegal Rangers for several years. He was an agree- able and fine conversationalist, and his society was much sought after by those who could appreciate his good qualities. He had many friends, who were warmly attached to him. When a member of the Legislature he was the first person to introduce the name of Andrew Jackson into the politics of the State in connection with the Presidency. He died about forty-five years ago, and was buried with the honors of war.
E. D. ROATH.
Eml. D. Roath was born in the city of Lancaster, Pa., Oct. 4, 1820. When he was about four years of age his father died, leaving a widow and four sons, who moved soon after to the village of Maytown, in what is now East Donegal township. After having qualified himself, young Eml. taught school from 1846 to 1854, and became one of the original members of the Lancaster County Teachers' Institute, the first meeting being held in Lancaster in January, 1853. He subsequently settled in the borough of Marietta, and in 1857 was elected to represent his district in the State Legislature.
At the outbreak of the slaveholders' rebellion in 1861 he received orders from Governor Curtin to raise a company for service in the Union army, which was soon accomplished, when he was assigned to Col. Zeigler's regiment, and became a part of the One ITundred and Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, marching to the front with ninety-eight men, and served with distinction nearly four years. He par- ticipated in the battles of Cedar Mountain, Rappa- hannock Station, Thoroughfare Gap, Bull Run (see- ond ), Chantilly, where he was in command of the regiment; South Mountain, where for cool bravery he distinguished himself and command; Antietam, where he was slightly wounded ; Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Cemetery Hill; com- manded right wing at crossing of Rappahannock, Aug. 1, 1863; commanded advance at Mine Run ; Spottsylvania Court-House, North Anna, Bethesda, Richmond Road, Tolopotomy, Shady Grove Church, White-Oak Swamp, where he was complimented by commanding general; Norfolk and Petersburg Rail- road; Weldon Railroad, where he was taken prisoner, Aug. 19, 1864, and was kept in the prison-pens of Richmond, Salisbury, and Danville for six months, when he was exchanged and sent to Annapolis, Md., where he was discharged hy order of the War Depart- ment March 5, 1865. While in the army he was bre- vetted a major, lieutenant-colonel, and colonel for meritorious services. Returning to his home in Mari- etta, he was in 1866 elected by the Republicans to the State Legislature, and subsequently a justice of the peace, which position he still holds.
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HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.
GEORGE H. ETTLA.
George H. Ettla, of Marietta, son of Conrad and Anna B. Ettla, was born at Hummelstown, Dauphin Co., Pa., Ang. 15, 1832. He served from 1842 to 1850 as deputy collector in the Union Canal col- lector's office at Middletown, Pa. Came to Marietta in 1854; has resided there ever since, during which time he served four sessions in the Legislature, 1875- 78. During the late war was captain of Company B, Two Hundred and Fifteenth Regiment. Ilas been engaged, while in Marietta, in the lumber trade, fire and life insurance business ; at present is postmaster and conducts a general fire insurance agency. His parents died when he was but two years old.
CHAPTER XXXV.
ADAMSTOWN BOROUGH.1
Location, Railroad, Indians, Water, etc .- The borough of Adamstown is situated in the northern part of Lancaster County, adjoining Berks County line, ten miles from Reading and twenty-one miles from Lancaster, on the old stage route, laid ont in 1772, formerly traveled by Eastern members of Con- gress to and from Washington, D. C.
Its nearest railroad stations are Denver (Union), Reinholt's, and Vinemount, from three to five miles distant on the Reading and Columbia Railroad. The mails are served twice daily, by stage arriving from Denver in the morning at seven o'clock, and in the evening at five o'clock from Reading, thus enabling the citizens to have mail communication with Lan- caster, Reading, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, and New York.
From old ruins and numerous relics found, in the shape of stone axes, arrow-heads, and ornamental work, it seems to indicate that an Indian village once covered the site of the present town or close by.
The town has always been noted for its abundance of pure sandstone water, which in many places gushes out from the mountain slope on the north side of the town, as also for its general healthfulness, being pro- tected from the cold northwest winds, and nnusually free, with rare exceptions, from bronchial or consump- tive complaints.
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