USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 77
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879
WEST HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP.
bers of the Linnavan Society in Lancaster, At a meet- ing of the Botanical Section of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, held on the 10th day of November, 1879, at the suggestion of the celebrated botanist, Dr. Asa Gray, a new plant, or one very rare on the Western Continent, discovered by Dr. Garber, in the southern part of Florida, was named after him, Garberia. He died a few years ago in the prime of manhood.
Residents in 1819 .- Hempfield township was di- vided in August, 1818. The following, which is the first assessment-roll made for this township in 1819, shows who were its residents in that year :
Fre ehulders.
George Albright.
John Iloffidan.
Michael Bachman, 49 arres and grist-mill.
John Hogentogler. Abraham Hershey.
Christ. Bachinan, Jr.
Andrew Hershey.
John Barber's estate.
Jacob llershey.
Samuel Bethel.
Yost Ileinaman.
Juho Bruckhart.
Jacob Ilirstand.
John Ilinkle.
Jucob Peters.
Benjamin Bruckhart.
Joseph Hogentogler, weaver
Thomas Boude.
( Isaac's son).
Nicholas Hogentogler (John's son).
John Ruhrer.
David Brubaker.
Joseph Hogentogler (John's 800). Juhn Huber.
John Hogentogler ( Isitac's sun). Jacob Hoffman.
John Skertzer.
Widow Conklin.
Jacob Hogentogler (lsaac's son).
Joseph Cowen.
Jolın Kauffman.
Christian Hertzler.
Andrew Stipgen, black smith.
Jobu Copenheffer.
Michael Kauffman.
Christian Kline.
Henry Weller, shoemaker.
Frances Delbo,
Patrick Dixon.
Henry Kilheffer.
Jacob Eiford.
Frederick Klair.
John Erford's estate. Charles Evan's estate.
Barbara Kertz.
Casper Fritz.
Jacob Klair.
Samuel Conklin, carpenter.
Abraham logentogler, weaver.
John Forry, Sr.
Jacob Luticks.
Nicholas Couklin, carpenter.
Jacob Kopenheffer, miller.
John Foriy, Jr.
Henry Lamb.
Joseph Denlinger.
Frederick Kline, carpenter.
Adam Fisher, butcher.
Elizabeth Lockard.
John Dunkel, weaver.
Christian Mumma.
Matthias Fridy.
James Long.
David Dunlap, teacher.
Peter Mumma.
Jacob Fridy.
John Lintner.
Andrew Gerber.
John Musselman.
Christian Gerber.
Christian Musser.
Martin Greider, Sr.
Peter Musser.
George Getz, grist-mill.
Michael Moor.
John Musser.
Peter Musser.
Frederick Gramm.
Martin Greider, Jr.
David Musselman.
Stephen Grissinger. George Gersting.
John Mumma, Jr. , John Meldrum.
Daniel Greider.
Frederick Mumma.
Heury Geltmachor. Cornelius Granm.
Philip Mumma.
Jacob Gamber.
Henry Musser.
David Gramm.
Jacob Myers. Tobias Miller.
Sammel A. Gundecker.
Jobn Mouk.
John Hershey.
Christian Nult.
Michael furnish.
Jolin Newcomer.
Andrew llershey, Peter Hershey. Jacob llostetter.
Christian Newcomer's estate.
Daniel Haas.
Joseph Newcomer.
Nicholas Ilogentogler, weaver.
Jauac Hogentogler. Daniel Hamonker.
John Pearson.
John Iritzler. Dr. John Hans,
Casper l'eterd. Contad Reitzel.
David Rober.
Martin Riegle.
Christian Riegle. David Riegle.
Joshua Ring. Daniel Reigart.
Christian Smith.
Andrew Shellaberger.
George Smayly, shoemaker.
John Seitz.
Peter Suminy.
Casper SchA-ider.
Jacob Stipgen, blacksmith,
Jacob Sherrick.
David Sherrick. .
Jacob Strickler's estate.
Jacob Strickler.
Robert Simpson.
Juhu Weller, Jr.
Henry Sherrick.
Lewis Wisler.
Christiao Sberrich.
Christian Weldy. Abrabam Zook.
Inmates.
Geurge Albert.
Abraham Keyser, miller.
John Bearer.
Joshua Kebler, innkeeper.
George Bruner. Henry Landis, blacksmith,
Jacob Breneiser, gate-keeper. George Lutz.
Ephraim Eby. Samuel Loucks, innkeeper.
David Eslaleman.
Frederick Metzgar.
John Forney, junkeeper.
Henry Musselman.
Jacob Fridy.
Moses Michael.
Jacob Geltmacher.
Rudolph Hunsecker, miller.
David Neff, blacksmith and wagon- maker.
John Ilinkle, Jr.
Jacob Remig.
John Savier.
Joho Bartle, blacksmith.
Jacob Heinaman.
Henry Schneider, teilor.
. Henry Klein. Adam Khug.
Hemy Knight, tanner. George Weaver, blacksmith,
Daniel Kline.
Joseph Willis.
llenry Kline.
Adam Yoet, innkeeper.
Freemen.
Jacob Brown, cooper.
Jacob Hildebrand,
Mills .- Shellaberger's mill was built by Ulrich Shellaberger on " Barber's Run," commonly called "Strickler's Run," two miles above its mouth, about the year 1750. There was a saw-mill attached to the grist-mill. His son John inherited the mills and one hundred and sixty-six acres of land. He sold them, with forty aeres of land, to Christian Bachman, of Manor township, who erected the three-story stone mill now standing. The property passed into posses- sion of Christian Herr, of Manor, and from him to his son, Haldy Herr, of Columbia, who sold the property two years ago to Dr. Napoleon B. Wolfe, of Cincinnati, who gave it in trust to some of his nephews and nieces.
Musselman's mill was built by Henry Musselman, on Big Chikis Creek, about a mile south from Pe- dan's Tavern, prior to the Revolutionary war. It is a three-story, part stone and part frame building. It has been generally known as Bender's mill.
One of the first hemp-mills in the county was erected near the month of Chikis Creek, on the cast side, upon land owned by Thomas Ewing, about 1740.
Jacob Greider.
Julin Neff, wenver,
Johan Nissly.
Widow Neil. Jacob Peters.
Julin Hogentogler, Sr.
John Hugentogler (son of John). Samuel Nogentogler (son of John). Jacob logentugler (son of John).
Abel English, weaver. Philip McCartney.
John Gutz. - Musselman, miller.
Jacob Huler, miller.
John Greider, two grist-mills, one Baw - and oil-mith
Jolin Moore. Christian Maye.
Thomas Deery.
John Klair, weaver.
Jacob Sherrick.
Michael Seagrist.
Henry Stauffer. John Shank, miller.
John Weller. Henry Wolf.
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880
HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.
The property was purchased by John Haldeman ninety or more years ago, and was afterwards owned by his son Henry, who built a saw-mill on the western bank of the stream, and allowed the old hemp-mill to go to decay.
John llamaker built a grist- and saw-mill on Shaw- anese Run, about two miles from the mouth of that stream. It was a two-story frame building about thirty feet square. It was purchased by George Getz in the year 1810. The stream was very weak, and it required a very large overshot-wheel of about twenty- five feet in diameter to get power enough. There was no dam to catch the water, but it was brought in above the mill, and bad a large fall. Very often it required the weight of a person to start the water- wheel, and the proprietor of the mill did not hesitate sometimes to "tread" the wheel until a farmer's grist was ground. Thirty years ago the mill was torn down to make room for the Columbia and Chestnut Hill turnpike.
George Getz ereeted a grist-mill on Shawanese Run, about two miles above its mouth, in 1810. He also built a distillery at the same time. The stream was small, and the water was conducted through a wooden trough from the run some distance above the mill, which gave a fall of twenty or more feet. There was no pool or dam from which the water was drawn. When the water was very low Mr. Getz trod on the buckets of the wheel and helped it around.
Greider's mill was built by Hans Greider, near the head of Silver Spring Run, and one-fourth of a mile north of the village of Silver Spring, more than a hundred years ago. It is now owned by Jonas Garber. The mill is a three-story stone building. In colonial times it was an important mill, and was a great ac- i commodation to those living in the neighborhood.
Christian Hertzler built a very large four-story brick grist-will along Big Chikis Creek, about four miles north of Columbia, about 1808. There was a log grist-mill, which stood a few hundred yards above it, which was built before the county was organized. The property is now owned by Michael Moore, who has remodeled the mill, and put in the modern im- provements, and it is now one of the best in the county.
Abraham Zook erected a grist-mill upon Barber's or Strickler's Run, about two miles above its mouth, in 1815. It is a two-story and a half frame building. After his death, fifteen or more years ago, it was pur- to Henry Kehler, who sold it in 1880 to the Dambach brothers, who have made extensive improvements in it, and have also erected a large dwelling upon the farm attached to the mill property. There is but one road leading to this mill, from the north side, which has always been inconvenient, but in the near future it is hoped that an outlet will be made in a southern direction.
Taverns, -- A few years after the completion of the Lancaster and Susquehanna turnpike, about the year 1810, John Forry, Jr., built a large two-story brick tavern on the south side of the turnpike, one mile and a half east of Columbia, upon land taken itp by John Forry as early as 1730. The building was not quite completed when Isaac Vanghen moved into it. IFe came from Chester County, and belonged to an old and very respectable family. He remained there two years when he removed to Columbia, where he also kept tavern about two years, and then embarked in the lumber business and continued in it for furty years. Vaughen was succeeded by Joshua Kehler river between Columbia and Washington), and he kept it for forty-five years. It was one of the largest and finest of the old taverns. Henry Keller, son of Joshua, owns the place, which he has converted into one of the finest private residences in the county.
ditehes and tronghs from a considerable distance . (who had been keeping the "Bear Tavern" on the
Riegle's tavern was built on the Columbia and Manheim road, two miles and a half from the former place. Christian Riegle kept the tavern eighty years ago, and it was probably built by him. The town- ship and Columbia borough elections were held at this tavern for a number of years. He died a violent death fifty years ago.
The tavern was afterwards kept by Henry Conklin. who sold the property some years ago to the Kauft- man Iron Company. It has been converted into a private dwelling.
The " Fountain Inn" is located on the south side of the Marietta and Lancaster turnpike, about two miles east from Marietta. It was built by Philip Snyder in 1808, and is one of the largest of the old wagon tavern- in the county. It is more generally known as " Boyd's Tavern," from the fact that it was owned and kept by the late Samuel Boyd for many years.
Gamber's tavern, was built by Jacob Gamber, in 1810. It is located at Silver Spring, on the north side of the Marietta and Lancaster turnpike, five miles and a half east from Marietta. It is a large two-story stone building. Fifty years ago a very large business was done there. After the construc- tion of the public improvements, like other rural taverns, it went down, and has never entirely recur- ered its former prosperity. The village of Silver Spring is growing rapidly, and the tavern will doubt- less in the near future do a profitable business.
The " Black Bear" tavern was built about the time chased by Thomas Groom, who sold it four years ago , the Columbia and Lancaster turnpike was completed. It was a two-story log house, located on the south side of the turnpike, about four and a quarter miles east from Colombia. Jacob Klugh kept the tavern for fifty years. He erected a two-story brick addition at the east end. It was a great resort for sleighing par- ties, both from Columbia and Lancaster. Occasion- ally they met at the tavern about the same time. i when an inevitable conflict ensued between them.
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881
WEST HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP.
This ill-feeling between parties from these two places continued for many years. When one side came off the victors, the defeated party would rally in a day or two and bring with them some of their best fighters, and then the palm of victory rested with them. Mrs. ...
Isaac Rohrer erected the first building in the place, a house of entertainment, or hotel, into which he moved as soon as it was completed. It stood upon lot No. I, at a point where the old road leading from Columbia to Christian Huber's mill diverged to the -
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CUNOSCLIFFE. Det.
RESIDENCE IND FULL PROPERTY OF M. H. SIODRE,
WEST HEMPFIELD TOWNS HIP, LANCASTER CO., PA.
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881
WEST HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP.
This ill-feeling between parties from these two places continued for many years. When one side came off' the victors, the defeated party would rally in a day or two and bring with them some of their best fighters, and then the palm of victory rested with them. Mrs. Klugh was a sister of Abraham Peters, and she was a most excellent landlady. The tavern is now kept by J. Gram.
The "Half-Way House" was built about the year 1820, on the river, midway between Columbia and Marietta. It was built to accommodate the rivermen, who followed a foot-path along the side of the hill fronting the river, on their return from Port Deposit or Columbia The only road to the tavern ran up the ravine in the rear of the tavern to Chikis IIill. It was a secluded and wild looking place. Parties of gentlemen from Columbia and Marietta frequently went there to get a " catfish dinner." Dancing parties were not infrequent. The young men and girls often came down from Chestnut Hill to have a frolic there.
John Kelly was probably the first landlord there after the completion of the turnpike between Colum- bia and Marietta. A few years before the construction of the Pennsylvania Canal the drive along the river was the most attractive in the county. The road-bed was very nearly level, and there was a great deal of travel along it, which gave the tavern more impor- tanee than it deserved. The property was purchased by Peter Haldeman about 1835, and not long after converted into a private dwelling.
Mountville, the second town in population in the township (the first being Columbia), was laid out by Isaac Rohrer, of Lampeter township, who, on the 11th day of January, 1814, on the Lancaster and Sus- quehanna turnpike, four miles east from the river, into one hundred and thirty building lots, which he disposed of by lottery. Ile named the place Mount Pleasant, because of its situation, which is upon an elevation thaty commands a view of the surrounding country in every direction. There is no more healthy or desirable place to live than in this village, which has not grown as fast as it deserved to do.
Isaac Rohrer erected the first building in the place, a house of entertainment, or hotel, into which he moved as soon as it was completed. It stood upon lot No. I, at a point where the old road leading from Columbia to Christian Huber's mill diverged to the northeast. It was a famous hotel in its day, and at one time did a very large business. It was kept also by Adam Baer and Cyrus Shaeffer, whose adminis- trators sold it to Jacob Bletz in 1831, who sold it to John Yahn, whose son now owns, and in connection with the hotel, keeps a droveyard, and deals largely in cattle.
The "Swan" Hotel, which is situated near the centre of the place, was built by - Bender soon after the town was laid out. In the year 1835 it was purchased by Mr. Fridy, who kept it for thirty years. It is now owned by Jacob Witmer.
Physicians .- Dr. John Kauffman and Dr. Ben- jamin Kanffman, who came from Manor township, practiced successfully for some years. They removed to the State of Ohio.
Dr. Benjamin Green, a Quaker, who removed from Washington, in Manor township, about the year 1831, to this place, practiced medicine for a few years. He came very near losing his life by going down a well which was filled with foul air to rescue another per- son. He was brought to the surface in an insensible condition. It is supposed that he never entirely re- covered from its effects, for he did not live long there- . after.
Ile was followed by Dr. A. K. Rohrer, who is still in full practice. (See medical chapter. )
Dr. T. M. Livingston has a large practice and is a successful physician. (See medical chapter.)
Schools .- There are two large brick school build- ings and three schools. The schools itre graded, and presided over by good teachers, who have won an honorable place in the front rank among the teachers in the county. The average attendance is one hun- dred and fifty scholar -.
Churches .- The United Brethren have a large brick meeting-house which stands on the main street, and is presided over by Rev. M. J. Mumma. It is largely attended not only by persons living in the town, but from the neighborhood. The congregation is a flourishing one. There is also a Sunday-school attached to the church.
There were two lots reserved for public use on a back street, in the western part of the town, upon which was built the first church, which was erected with money raised by lottery. The meeting-house was not the exclusive property of any particular de- nomination, but each could worship there if they saw The Mennonites have erceted a large brick meeting- fit. It was also need for school purposes, and during | house one square north of the main street. It is the era of lyeenms lectures were held, and often de- largely attended by members of that society who live in the neighborhood. (See chapter on Mennon- ite Churches. ) bates followed for the entertainment and profit of the people. Public meetings were often held in it. More pretentious church buildings have been built along Prominent Settlers .- Daniel W. Witmer was elected to a seat in the General Assembly for the years 1848-49 upon the Anti-Masonic and Whig tieket, and has been a director of the Columbia National Bank for many years. He is one of the wealthiest citizens in the township. the main streets, since which time the little old frame meeting-house has been abandoned, and allowed to go to decay. Some years ago Isaac Rohrer, who was then living in the State of Ohio, conveyed the public ground upon which it stood to trustees, for the use of the inhabitants of the place. John M. Greider is a descendant of Hans Greider,
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882
HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.
who settled on the Conestoga in 1717. Ile was born The place takes its name from a beautiful stream of water, which has its source near the village. in West Hempfield township, and was sent to the common schools of the neighborhood, and soon led Kinderhook is a struggling village located on all the boys in his class. Ile had scarcely attained . Chestnut Hill on the public road leading from Co- his majority when he became a teacher, for which calling his talents fitted him. He studied surveying, to which he gave a great deal of his attention, and he was compelled to give up his school. He served sev- eral terms as justice of the peace. For a period of several years he had charge of the county treasury office, and subsequently wa- clerk for the county com- missioners. He has settled up numerous estates, and in these positions of trust he has acquitted himself with honor.
Sam Matt Fridy is one of the most prominent and influential citizens in the village. Ile was born in the township about forty-five years ago, and received his education in the common schools of the neighbor- hood. He was a bright and apt scholar, and very early in his career displayed a wonderful talent for penmanship, excelled by few persons in the State. When he attained his majority he removed to Wash- ington City, and commenced to make his own way in the world. At the close of the war he was given a position in the State department at Harrisburg as commission elerk, and remained there sixteen years. In 1881 he was elected prothonotary.
"Crow Hill," a hamlet of a dozen houses, is situ- ated upon a hill on the road leading from Mountville to Petersburg, about one mile from the former place. It commands a fine view of the valley in a southeast- ern direction. The people are industrions and frugal in their habits. They cultivate small lots of from one-half to two and three acres of ground, upon which they raise small patches of tobacco and vege- tables, and poultry for the market at Columbia and Lancaster. The hill back of the place, which is covered with a thick growth of chestnut timber, has been the sport for many years of vast numbers of crows, who wend their way as night approaches from a southeastern direction to roost in this forest : hence the name.
Silver Spring is a beautiful village which has come into existence on the Lancaster and Marietta turnpike, and is located about five miles and a half from the latter place. For many years it was a mere hamlet which grew around " Gamber-' Tavern," and consisted of a blacksmith-shop, wagon-maker's shop, a store, and two or three small tenement houses, After the completion of the Reading and Columbia Railroad, twenty years ago, which crossed the turnpike a fourth of a mile east from the tavern, the village gradually grew in that direction until the whole distance was taken up with comfortable homes, surrounded with fine gardens and yards. The population is about one hundred and fifty souls. There is a large tobacco warehouse, coal-yard, tavern, store, blacksmith and wagon-maker shops, and cabinet-maker shop in the village, and a large brick school-house.
lumbia to the Marietta and Lancaster turnpike. In the midst of the political campaign of 1840, Dr. George Kline, who was an ardent supporter of Martin Van Buren, the sage of Kinderhook, and the only Democrat in that neighborhood, named the hamlet in his honor, and the Whigs and Republicans have not been able to get the name changed, although there was an effort made some years ago to do so. The village contains two or three dozen houses, scat- tered over the hill. There is an elegant spring in the heart of the village which supplies its inhabitants with fresh water.
Hiestandville is situated on the southern slope of Chestnut Hill, four miles east of Columbia. On Nov. 2, 1791, David and Magdalena Forry, of Washington County, MJ., and a descendant of John Forry, the pioneer settler, sold two hundred and fifty acres of land to Jacob Hiestand for eight hundred pounds, and on April 1, 1811, he purchased one hundred and eight aeres of land from Frederick Gramm. Upon this land he laid out a town, which he named after him- self in 1811. Each Jot-holder was entitled to a half or an acre of ground. A number of lots were sold, and comfortable log or frame dwellings were erected upon them. The village has not improved much until recently, when several comfortable frame houses have been erected. There is a large brick school- house.at its southern limits. It has been the resort for whipporwills in the neighborhood for many years, and the village has been nicknamed " Whippoorwill- town," by which name it is more generally known than by the proper one. Its inhabitants are indus- trious and frugal. The few acres they own have been planted in tobacco or with vegetables cultivated for the Columbia and Lancaster markets. The popula- tion is about one hundred and fifty.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
SAMUEL STERMAN HALDEMAN.
Samuel Stehman Haldeman was born Aug. 12, 1812, at Locust Grove, Lancaster Co., Pa., a family homestead beautifully situated on the eastern bank of the Susquehanna River, twenty miles below Har- risburg. He was the oldest of seven sons of Henry and Frances Stehman. His father, appreciating cul- ture, endeavored to foster a love of learning in his children and to give them every educational advan- tage in his power. His house was well supplied with books on general literature, a pair of globes, and other evidences of refinement. Mr. Haldeman's mother was a lady of attainments, but dying when he was scarcely twelve years old had little influence
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S. S. Haldeware
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883
WEST HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP.
upon his after career, except that his great accuracy language may have been inherited from her, who was an accomplished musician. Mr. Haldeman left college at the age of eighteen, of ear in detecting and analyzing unusual sounds in and from that time forth directed his own studies. He continued his collections of natural history at the paternal mansion, adding thereto the beginning of a scientific and Jinguistic library. The winters of 1833 and 1834 he spent in Philadelphia, attending lectures at the University of Pennsylvania, especially those on Chemistry and Anatomy. Not caring to enter any of the learned professions then known (his father desired him to study law), and his real future having not developed itself, on returning from Philadelphia lie assisted in conducting a saw-mill on a property newly acquired by his father, called at that time Chiquesalungo.
The boy's education began at the local schools. A small, square, log building at Conoy Creek, of which a Mr. Jeffries was master, had the honor of first re- ceiving him. An incident which occurred there, re- lated by Mr. Daniel Engle, son of a well-to-do farmer of the neighborhood, is typical : " He was my desk- mate. When we first met he could read English. and 1, not to be outdone, told him I could spell in German. He asked me to teach him, which I did." The unknown had always great attractions for Mr. Haldeman, and huis scholarly curiosity extended in every direction, causing a friend once to exclaim, " You have the greatest amount of out-of-the-wny knowledge I ever knew any one to possess."
Though precocious at lessons, young Haldeman was a hearty, active lad, fond of out-door life, shoot- ing, fishing, trapping, riding, and swimming with his brothers and companions, thereby securing a good constitution and founding habits of observation which were afterwards applied to the study of the sciences. At an early date he amused himself examining the objeets of natural history about his home, and formed a small cabinet of rude anatomical preparations made from rabbits, possums, muskrats, and of birds, which a traveling Methodist preacher had taught him how to stuff. A letter to a friend, dated 1844, contains these words : "I collected shells on the banks of the Susquehanna long before I knew the meaning of genus and species." That he was an accurate observer two facts, then new to seience and discovered by him, will show, viz., the peregrine falcon of this country nests in rocks as in Europe, and the eagle when unable to rob the fish-hawk, will himself dive for prey.
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