History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 48

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Evans, Samuel, 1823-1908, joint author
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1320

USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 48

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In 1742 he sold his farm and tavern to Patrick Campbell and removed to Cumberland Valley. The then contemplated removal of the Conoy Indians doubtless had something to do with his removal from Conoy.

James Cook resided on the east side of Conoy Creek, adjoining the lands of John Galbraith, where be settled in 1720. He died in 1741.

John Catherwood was the first saddler in the town- ship. fle worked around among the farmers, but made his home at Patrick Campbell's tavern, where he died in 1742. He gave his effects to John and Wil- liam, sons of Jonas Davenport, the Indian trader. At that time the Indian traders kept saddlers in their employ constantly, and took them with them when trading with the Indians.

Andrew Boggs settled on the river between Bain-

Patrick Campbell first located upon land south of John Galbraith. He was appointed the first con- bridge and Falmouth in 1730. He died in 1765.

Col. Alexander Lowrey was an intimate friend of John Boggs, son of Andrew. They traded among the Indians along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, and often traveled many weeks and months to- gether in the Indian country, and subsisted alone upon the game their trusty rifles brought to their larder.

James Lowrey, son of Lazarus, came to Donegal in 1729 with his father and engaged in the Indian trade, where, he attained his majority. On the 13th day of June, 1743, he purchased two hundred and ten acres of land from James Logan, who bought it from Mr. Shippen in 1738. It joined the John Galbraith tract at Conoy Creek on the west side, and on the east by David MeClure's tract, and on the rear by the land

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HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.

of Samuel Smith. This farm must have embraced part of the farm now owned by John and Henry Wiley, and part of the land of John Ilaldeman. The Conoy Indian town was located upon this land.

James Lowrey's name disappears from the assess- ment-rolls prior to 1770. He and his brother Daniel moved to the Juniata, and probably settled in what is Blair County. ( Under head of Indian traders further mention is made of James Lowrey.)

David MeClure settled on the river upon land now or lately owned by John A. Breneman and Benja- min Hoffman. He married Margaret, daughter of Randal Chambers, the first eller of Donegal Church. Ile took up four hundred and fourteen acres July 31, 1738. There was a small island opposite this tract. He died in 1749.

Ulrich Engle was a Mennonite, and to avoid the religious persecution then prevalent in Europe he emigrated from the canton of Basel, Switzerland, and thence went to Rotterdam, where he embarked upou the ship " Phoenix," commanded by Capt. John Spurrier, with his eight children. The vessel first sailed to Cowes, a seaport town on the Isle of Wight. thence to America, where they arrived on the Ist day of October, 1754. Hle located upon the James Le Tort-Logan tract, about two miles west from Ma- rietta, near a station on the Pennsylvania Railroad called Wild Cat. Their children were John, born Oet. 16, 1745, married Elizabeth Shock, who belonged to a family who settled in Conestoga Manor, and who purchased the land and grist-mill of Mr. Graff, near where old Ulrich settled.

Ilis descendant, John, in 1770, purchased from John Wilson one hundred and forty acres of land on the west side of Conoy Creek, which was patented in the name of Alexander Hutchinson in 1739. John also purchased from the heirs of Patrick Campbell, in 1773 or 1774, his farm, containing about two hun- dred acres. This land is now owned by Christian Engle, the grandson of John, and Simon Engle, Christian's son.

On the 27th day of December, 1786, John and Elizabeth Engle, his wife, sold to his brother the first above-mentioned tract of land, which is now owned by John and his brother, the Rev. Jacob Engle.

Wilkins, both of whom settled at Marietta in 1719, I score of wagons at a station waiting for fish.

Thomas Wilkins, Indian trader, and son of Robert moved to James Logan's land above Conoy Creek. Ile died in 1746.

Peter Wilkins, brother of Thomas, also an Indian trader, died in 1748.

Daniel Elliot resided in Donegal prior to 1770. It is supposed that then and prior to that time he was engaged by Col. Alexander Lowrey to trade for him among the Indians. In 1770 he embarked in the Indian trade on his own account, and on the 25th day of June, 1772, he purchased two hundred and ten acres of land at the month of Conewago Creek, at the west side, and also two-thirds of a large island

in the river opposite to the mouth of the creek, which contained about three hundred acres, from Joseph Galloway, the Tory Speaker of the Pennsylvania Legislature, who married the daughter of Thomas Cookson, to whom this land belonged. He estab- lished his trading-post upon the island, where he erected buildings.

Public Schools in Conoy .- The common school system was accepted here before the township of Conoy was erected. There are in the township the following sub-districts : Falmouth, Brubaker Run, Bainbridge, and Ridgeville, the location of which their names indicate; Ebersole, north from Bain- bridge, and Kobs, on the Elizabethtown and Fal- mouth pike, north from Falmouth. The school- houses in all these sub-districts are of brick, and most of them are comparatively new. The school at Bain- bridge is a graded school with three teachers, and the house has four school-rooms. The school at Ridgeville is also a graded school with two teachers, and the house has two rooms. The cost of the build- ing was five thousand five hundred dollars. It is called the Wickersham School in honor of Col. J. P. Wickersham, formerly State superintendent. In some of these districts schools are kept three months each year in addition to the regular term. The schools in the township are well sustained, and the teachers are required by the directors to attend a district teachers' institute two days in each month during the term.

Fisheries .- The fisheries in the Susquehanna con- stituted at an early period an important industry. Prior to the erection of the dam at Columbia shad ran up the river in great abundance, and a favorable station for taking these fish was a great desideratum, because the business was very profitable. Usually an island in the river was a favorable point for the business of fishing, hence the ownership of an island was in some cases regarded as almost a fortune. Along the line of Conoy township were seven prin- cipal fishing stations, four of which were islands, At the station immediately opposite to Bainbridge it is remembered that five thousand three hundred shad . were once taken at a single haut.

During the fishing season people from the interior of the county came here in large numbers for the purchase of fish, and it was not unusual to see a

Ferries .- Logan's Ferry was the first 'and most important in this township. It was located at Bain- . bridge, and established as early as 1730. At that time there was much travel over the old Peter's road, which terminated at Conoy Indian town, and from that point was extended to Logan's Ferry. It is more generally known as Galbraith's Ferry.

After the construction of the Pennsylvania Canal in 1832 it fell into disuse.

Rankin's Ferry was established a few years prior to the Revolution by James Rankin, who resided in York County.

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CONOY TOWNSHIP.

The Rankins were Tories. James Rankin was a Quaker, and was appointed a justice of the peace for York County prior to the Revolution. He was one of the most prominent men in the county. At the com- mencement of the war he seemed to be a zealous friend of the colonies, and was intrusted with in-

time a base ingrate, and sceretly plotted to injure the cause. Being suspected of secret machinations against the patriots, he suddenly went over to the British when Ilowe bad possession of Philadelphia, and thence to England. Before going he manumitted his slave Ralph, and antedated the record of his manu- mission. Several farms were confiscated, and Ralph had to go also and was sokl.

Washington was very anxious to have Rankin cap- tured, but he got into the British line- and escaped.

In 1790, James Rankin and Dr. Robert Harris owned the ferry and the land at the eastern end. It became the subject of litigation, which very likely grew out of the confiscation of Rankin's estate.

The ferry right, the old ferry tavern, and the land adjoining is now owned by Abraham Collins, Esq. This ferry has gone into disuse. It is located at the foot of Conewago Falls.

Daniel Elliott established a ferry from the mouth of Conewago Creek to his island, thence to Shelly's Island, and from thenee to the York County shore. Both of these islands are very large, and an im- mense catch of shad was had every spring along their shores.

Locust Grove Distillery .- This was built by John Haldeman prior to 1800. At first distilling was done in the lower part of the mill, which he erected in 1790. It is not now known what was the capacity of this distillery at first, but it has been from time to time increased by the addition of improvements in machinery and improved methods till it has now a daily capacity of seventy-five bushels. It is only conducted during the fall and winter seasons. Ex- tensive pens are connected with the distillery for fattening swine on the shops and refuse grain. This and the mills of the Wiley Brothers, the present owners, stand near the canal and railroad, and thus excellent facilities are afforded for bringing material and taking away manufactured products.

Caldwell & Haldeman's Limekilns .--- In 1815 Jolin Haldeman commenced the burning of lime at a place about a mile below the mouth of Conoy Creek, and a few feet from the cana !. Two kilns were built at first, and some thirty thousand bushels of lime were annually manufactured. The limestone was quarried just in the rear of the kilns. The demand for this lime gradually increased, and the facilities for pro- ducing it were augmented, till now there are seven kilns, and the annual production reaches one hundred and fifty thousand bushels. . In 1881, S. R. Cald- well and Walter Haldeman, a son of the original pro- prietor, purchased the property, and they have since

conducted the business under the firm-name of Cald- well & Haldeman. The lime burned here finds its principal market in Maryland. Large quantities of unburned limestone are shipped from this quarry.

Hoover's Limekilns .- Half a mile from Bain- bridge, on the Maytown road, are two draw-kilns, portant duties upon committees. He was all this : operated by Christian Hoover. They were established in 1840 by Benjamin and Samuel Beatty. There are other kilns in the vicinity that are occasionally operated.

Wiley's Saw-Mill .- In 1856, John II. Smith erected the steam saw-mill now standing at Locust Grove, near the mouth of Conoy Creek. In 1859 it became the property of John Wiley, and after his death it passed to his sons, Henry HI. and John E. Wiley, the present owners and operators. The tim- ber converted into lumber at this mill is brought hither in rafts on the Susquehanna River, Hoated up Conoy Creek, and drawn into the mill by machinery. The mill has machinery for planing lumber and man- ufacturing lath. It is driven by an engine of twenty horse-power, and eight hands are employed. It has a capacity of five thousand feet of lumber per day. A water-mill stood on the site of this long prior to its erection.

Mechley's Saw-Mill .- About twenty-five years since a saw-mill was built on Brubaker's Run, about a mile from the Susquehanna, by the present owner, Benjamin Mechley. Most of the tumber manufac- tured into lumber at this mill has been brought in rafts to the mouth of the run, and hauled thence by teams, to the mill. The stream furnishes water to run this mill only a portion of each year.

Heisey's Mill .- In 1719, Martha, wife of Peter Bizaillon, an Indian trader, took up the tract of land where this mill stands, near - Ridgeville, a mile from the mouth of Conoy Creek. In 1739 it was con- veyed to Christian Breneman, and in 1751 it be- came the property of his son, Melchoir Breneman, who erected on it a mill, which tradition says was built of logs, and replaced by another of the same kind some years later. In 1797, Jacob Breneman, the son of Melchoir, and Catherine, his wife, built the stone mill that now stands on the site of the old log mills. This has since had only ordinary repairs, and has four runs of stones. Michael Breneman, a son of Jacob, succeeded him in the ownership of the prop- erty, which was purchased in 18IG by Christian Steh- man, who in 1817 soll it to John Erb. By him it was sold to his cousin, Isaac Erb, in 1844, and since then it has been owned successively by Rev. Jacob Reider, Peter Hoffer, John L. Brubaker, John S. Groff, S. W. Martin, and Eli G. Heisey, the present owner. During all this time it has had only ordinary repairs. It is both a merchant and a custom-mill. It has machinery for grinding limestone, which is used in a pulverized form for manure.

Wiley's Mill at Locust Grove .- In 1790, John and Maria Ilaldeman built the stone mill which now

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HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.

stands at Locust Grove, on Conoy Creek, near the Susquehanna River, a mile below Bainbridge. The tract of land on which this mill was built was taken up by John Galbraith in 1738, purchased by Mr. HIaldeman in 1786. It is worthy of note that Bayard Taylor's grandfather, who was a mason, worked on this mill when it was erected. It was burned about 1800, but was at once rebuilt, larger than at first, by Mr. Haldeman. It had four runs of stones, and it has had only ordinary repairs since it was rebuilt. It is a large building, and has facilities for storing large quantities of grain. It has always been both a mer- chant- and custom-mill.

Henry Haldeman, a son of John, succeeded the latter in the ownership of the mill, and his son, Cyrus 6. Ilaldeman, inherited it from him. In 1855 it was purchased by John H. Smith, who sold it to John Wiley, the father of Henry II. and John E. Wiley, the present owners.

John Wiley, who was the son of William Wiley, an emigrant from Ireland, first worked for Henry Haldeman, in this mill, which he afterward pur- chased.

Collins' Mill .- This mill is on Brubaker's Run, near the Susquehanna River, midway between Bain- bridge and Falmouth, on the river road. It was built in 1840 by Solomon Dalleman. It is a stone building, and it has three runs of stones. Isac Kuhns purchased the mill in 1849. He sold it to Samuel Ebversole, and he to the present owner, Abra- ham Collins. The mill has had only ordinary repairs since its erection.

Pioneer Mill .- This mill, which is situated on Conoy Creek, a mile and a half from the Susquehanna, was built by Jacob M. Engle and Elizabeth, his wife, in 1855. It is a brick building, with three runs of burr-stones. In 1866 it was sold to the present owner, John Goss. Attached to this, and driven by water from the same dam, is a saw- mill.

Locust Grove .- This hamlet, which was so named because of a profuse growth of locust-trees at the place, owes its existence to the mills that were built there at an early day. It has about half a dozen dwellings in addition to the mills and distillery.

Ridgeville .- In 1844 three houses stood where this village now is, in the southern part of Conoy town- ship, abont one and a half miles from Bainbridge. In that year George Stacks erected two houses, a wagon- shop, and a blacksmith-shop here, and the place ac- quired the name of Stackstown, which it bore till within a few years. It is now called Ridgeville. It bas fourteen dwellings, a store, a blacksmith-shop, and a shoe-shop.

Falmouth .- Philip Schneider took up one hun- dred and eighty-even acres of land at the mouth of Conewago Creek, on the east side, adjoining lands of James Rankin and Dr. George Harris, at the clo-e of the Revolutionary war.

Ile sold the land to Hon. John Bayly, who con-

veyed it to his son, Thomas, and sons-in-law, John Greer and Richard Keys. James Hopkins, Esq., pur- chased one-fourth of the land.

In 1791 they laid out a town at the mouth of Cone- wago Creek, which contained one hundred and forty- six lots that were sold by lottery for ten pounds each, and named it Falmouth.

At that time boats could not ascend the river be- youd this point, and it was expected that this would become an important place, and that freight would be here transferred to wagons, and taken to Eastern markets.

In March, 1810, an act of Assembly was passed chartering a turupike company (see Internal Im- provements). John Greer was the principal eon- tractor. The success of the canal around the falls on the western side of the river took all the river trade away from Falmouth. The turnpike was constructed, and a large number of dwellings built along its route. The company abandoned the turnpike, and it was but little used, grass grew upon its bed, and occasionally a pumpkin-vine found its way from an adjoining field, and ran across its bed, from which circumstance it came to be known as the Pumpkin-vine turnpike.

Although this turnpike was abandoned, it was not wholly useless. The country through which this road passed became thickly settled, and the old road- bed has been found to be a great convenience to the settlers.

A hotel was built near the mouth of Conewago Creek, on the eastern side, and another one was also built on the hill.

Bainbridge .- As early as 1813 the only buildings where Bainbridge now is were a farm-house, that had been owned and occupied by a Mr. Shatfer, a stone tavern, owned by B. Galbraith, and another tavern, afterward- owned by Henry Breneman. In that year Henry and John B. Haldeman, who had become the owners of the Shaffer farm, laid out thereon a town, which they named, in honor of the commodore by that name, Bainbridge. The lots in this town were disposed of by lottery, which was not at that time an unusual way of selling town lots. The town thus laid out was on the north side of the main street leading eastward from the river at the railroad station. Soon afterwards John Smith and John Seiple pur- chased from Jacob Hoffman land on the south side of this road, and laid out town lots there. These were also disposed of by lottery, and this part of the pres- ent Bainbridge was named Centreville. The whole was subsequently known by its present name. The lots in both parts of the town were readily disposed of, for that was a time when speculation was rife, and great expectations were had of an important place here. As in other similar cases, however, these ex- pectations were not realized, and the purchasers of lots lost heavily in the collapse which followed.

The growth of the town was very slow during the first few years succeeding 1813. The first store was

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CONOY TOWNSHIP.

opened by John Hartzler. It was kept where John | of arms. Col. Thomas, of Philadelphia, was stationed Rich now resides, and, as is believed, in the same house. Among other carly merchants the names are remembered of John Klein, Hipple & Curran, May & Hamilton, John Kauffman, Haldeman & MeQuay, and Jacob Backstresser.

The earliest tavern-keeper that is remembered was Andrew Bademan, who kept in the stone house that was owned by B. Galbraith. The first blacksmith was Abraham Bracht, soon followed by Henry Enster. The pioneer shoemaker was John Breining, and the earliest remembered tailor was Jacob Voglesong. The first harness-maker was George Kinney ; the first physician was Dr. David Watson; the first druggist was Samuel Hackenberger. The earliest remembered . church as taught by the pioneer fathers, John Wine- school was kept by a Mr. Baxter in his own house.

The growth of the town was slow till 1810, between which and 1860 it was more rapid. Since the war of . MeNeil, one of the early settlers of Bainbridge. The the Rebellion there has been but little increase. The present population is estimated to number eight hun- dred. . The business of the place is represented by two general stores, one millinery-store, two grocers, three grocery- and confectionery-stores, one drug- store, one hardware-store and tin-shop, two shoe- stores, two hotels, two blacksmith-shops, one wagon- shop, two tobacco-warehouses, four cigar-factories, two cabinet-shops, two bakeries, one tailor, two cob- blers, one saddler, express-office, post office, three physicians.

The Lutheran and Reformed Church of Bain- bridge' was built by Mr. Henry Hakleman in 1827 for the Methodist Episcopal congregation. Mr. Hal- , caster Circuit of the East Pennsylvania Eldership of deman became dissatisfied with the Methodist Church, closed the doors against the congregation, and in 1839 sold the property to the Lutheran and Reformed peo- ple, who in 1838 had organized congregations in this village, and who have continued to occupy the church to the present time. The corner-stone was laid in 1839, after the transfer was made. The first Lutheran pastor was Rev. T. G. Von Hof. The congregation was subsequently served by Revs. Leonard Gerhart, William Gerhart, D. D., Martin Saudhaus, William G. Laitzle, B. F. Apple, J. W. Early, F. T. Hoover, Daniel Steck, G. P. Weaver, J. V. Eckert, M. Il. Stine, J. Il. Houseman, the present incumbent.

The first church conneil, in 1838, consisted of the following elders and deacons : Elders, Jacob Vogel- song, Frederick Schmitt; Deacons, Peter Hacken- berger, John Ebersole. The first trustees were elected in 1839, after the property was transferred to the Lu- theran and Reformed people. They were John Brin- ing and John Weber. The former members of this church are scattered from Philadelphia to Colorado. The present Lutheran membership numbers ninety- five; the Reformed about twenty. During the late war, when Gen. Lee and his rebel army invaded Pennsylvania, this church was used as a repository

here with fifteen hundred men, and was often seen on the steeple anxiously looking through his glass to the York County side of the Susquehanna watching the movements of the rebel cavalry burning the railroad bridges, then retiring to York, where they were sta- tioned with a strong force. The church is a plain brick building, with a seating capacity of three hun- dred persons. Present value, about three thousand dollars.

Church of God .- The first members of the present Church of God at Bainbridge were John McNeil, Hannah MeNeil, Susan Raudeubaugh, and Ezekiel Sankey, all of whom embraced the doctrine of the brenner, Jacob Keller, and E. HI. Thomas. These believers held prayer-meeting> in the home of John first preaching brethren of the church who visited this village and preached for them were E. H. Thomas, Jacob Keller, and John Ross, in the year 1832. From that time forward they were visited from time to time by Elders Winebrenner, Thomas, Keller, Kyle, Ross, and others, who preached in private dwellings, barns, and groves. In 1837, Elder E. II. Thomas beld the first protracted meeting ever held in Conoy township, which resulted in the conversion of fourteen, making in all eighteen persons who had embraced the new doctrine, as it was then called. In 1838 they formed themselves into a permanent local church organiza- tion, and became attached to the Dauphin and Lan- the Church of God, having for their first regularly- appointed ministers Elders Kyle and David Maxwell. These men preached in Mather Randenbaugh's kitchen, in an old building called the Trap, and a stone house, the ruins of which still remain. Both of these buildings stood along the river front. In 1841, Elders Ross and Tucker became the pastors of the circuit, and on the second Monday of March, 1842, the first meeting was called to devise ways and means for the erection of a house of worship. The result of this meeting was the selection of a building committee consisting of M. W. May and John Me- Neil, with Annie Raudenbaugh as solicitor of con- tributions. Frederick Hipple donated a lot of ground on the river front, on what is now known as the com- mons. In May of 1812 the work of building began, and on the 25th of December, of the same year, the new church was dedicated, Ellers Winebrenner and Ross being the officiating clergymen. In the year 1843, Elders Kyle and Mulnix served the circuit. In 1844, Elder M. F. Snavely was appointed as pastor. In 1845 a new circuit was formed consisting of the churches at Bainbridge, Elizabethtown, and Mount Joy, and Elders Strohm and Deshiere served the charge. In 1846 the pulpit was occupied by David Kyle, in 1847 by David Kyle and A. Snyder, in 1848 by Jacob Keller and J. Halfleigh, in 1849 by Jacob

1 By G. W. Hackenberger.

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HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY ..

Keller, in 1850 by Elders Strohm and C. Price, in 1851 by Elders Soul and Price, in 1852 by A. Swartz, in 1853-54 by Jacob Keller, in 1855 by J. Halfleigh and William Clay, in 1856 by J. Halfleigh, in 1857- 58 by George Sigler, in 1859-60 by A. II. Long, in 1861-62 by C. Price, in 1863 by J. Stamm, in 1864-65 by E. II. Thomas, in 1866 by W. O. Owen, in 1867 by A. II. Long, in 1868 by Jarob Keller, in 1869 by J. M. Carvell, in 1870-71 by R. II. Rhever, in 1872 by J. C. Aller, in 1873 by William Engler, in 1875-76 by I. S. Richmond, in 1877-79 by D. S. Shoop. At this time the church erected in 1842 being old and the location no longer desirable, a meeting was called for the purpose of consultation, and at the meeting it was resolved to build a new house of worship, and accordingly a building committee was appointed con- sisting of George Bean, Peter Sides, Samnel Shroff, Harry Hipple, and the pastor, D. S. Shoop. Mr. Bean donated the ground in a desirable location in the centre of the town, and near his residence. The building was completed in the spring of 1879, and dedicated with appropriate ceremonies, Eller C. IL. Farney, D.D., editor of the Church Advocate, and now president-elect of Findly College, preaching the dedi- eatory sermon. In 1880, W. P. Winbigler was the pastor in charge; in 1881-83, Rev. George W. Getz, the present pastor, and gatherer of these historic faets. The church property is valued at three thou- sand five hundred dollars, and the membership now numbers seventy-nine.

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History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 48

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Evans, Samuel, 1823-1908, joint author Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1320

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Evans, Samuel, 1823-1908, joint author
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1320