USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 88
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Matthew McClung died in 1802, leaving a widow, represented the county in the State Legislature, and , Martha, and two sons, Matthew and Hugh. Matthew,
Jr., owned one hundred acres of land, and was the father of two sons, Charles and Hugh (2d). Hugh, son of Matthew, Sr., was also a farmer, and owned one hundred acres of land, which he sold, April 4, 1814, to Jacob France.
George Philip Bard died in 1793, leaving a wife, Mar- garet, and seven children,-Michael, John, George, Jacob, Elizabeth, Margaret, and Mary.
Peter Eby, one of the pioneers of this township, died in 1794, and left eight children, -- Peter, Samuel, Henry, Andrew, John, David, Christian, and Anna, who married Abram Wenger.
Indians .- The traditional accounts of the Indians of this township make it obvious that they were of a peaceful disposition. There are no records of any difficulty ; but that the Indians had been here is evi- dent from the fact of the many traces which can be seen of them along Suake Hill. Many Indian relics have been found, such as arrow-heads, war-clubs, tomahawks, etc. On Jacob Stultzfuss' farm, near Monterey, is a place pointed out as having once been an Indian burying-ground. A son of- M. G. Wenger has in his cabinet a collection of Indian relies found upon his father's farm in this township. In early pioneer times, as was common with aborigines in all the new settlements, the Indians frequently visited the houses of settlers to sell baskets and hickory broomis, but as time passed on they receded and became extinct in this township.
Pioneer Road .- The Peter's road, which passes Peter Eby, Esq., and left two sons, Andrew and i through this section, forming the boundary line of Earl and Upper Leacock, is the most ancient high- Robert Stewart died in 1754. His wife was Agnes, . way in the county used by the early pioneers. This daughter of Hugh Thompson. He had a brother Charles, then in Ireland, and a brother John in Lea- | Peters, who wagoned his way from Philadelphia to cock, who had a son William. His sister Sarah married William Snodgrass. He also had one son, Robert. road was so named by reason of an Indian trader, Pittsburgh and points intervening to trade with the Indians. Nearly all this road in the county has been vacated, except that which leads from the New llol- land turnpike southwest to a point on the old Phila- delphia road, near the White Horse.
Residents in 1843 .- The first assessment of Upper Leacock township was made in the fall of 1843 by - Isaac Hoover. The assessment of that year shows that the following-named persons were freeholders
George Stewart died in April, 1769, leaving a wife, . at that time :
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928
HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.
Wilson Brubaker.
Jacob Givler.
George Swope.
Christian Wenger. Amos Weidler.
l'atharine llullet.
Jacob Holl.
Samuel Weidller.
David Hunshberger.
Wilham Wenlman.
Lewis Harpel.
Elizabeth Weidler.
Julın Houver.
Abraham Werdman.
Adam Bail.
Isaac Huflard.
John Bassler.
George Heiss.
Jacob Iloover.
Abrahim Weaver.
Isaac Weidler, M.D.
Peter Heller.
Marks G. Wenger.
Michael Wise
Township Officers .- The following have been the officers of the township since its organization :
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
Ephraim Bare.
Sammel Johus.
Kiuzer Bender.
Paul Johns.
George Byran.
Sammel Johns, Jr.
1849. William Weidman. 1870. JeRac Bushong.
Sarah Bender.
Jolin Johna.
1×50. Isaac Bushoug. 1874 William Weidman.
Jacob Brady.
Michael Johns.
1854. William Weidman. 1875. Isaac Bushong.
Susanna Hender.
John Johns (Peter's son).
1855. J-anc Bnshong. 1879. B H. Myet.
Johu Bard.
Jacob Johns, farmer.
1×59. William Weidman.
1550. 11. L. Batten.
David Buckwalter, Jr.
Renben B. Johns.
1864. William Weidman.
1852. F. G. laipel.
Elizabeth Bushong.
Christian Kurtz.
Jacob Kurtz, Sr.
ROAD SUPERVISORS.
Daniel Bitzer.
Elizabeth Kauffman.
John Band, Sr.
Daniel Kachel.
1845. Lewis Sheaffer .-
1861. Peter Kellenberger. Jacob Kurtz.
Mary Bare. Isaac Bessler.
Benjamin Landıs.
1847. Jacob Hattranft. 1863. William Lytle.
Jacob Brubaker.
Aun Leber.
Emanuel Landis.
Frank Bender.
Abraham Buek walter.
Barbara Lenuion.
1848. John Johns. Benjamin Landis
Willam Lytle.
Christiatı Buck walter.
David Dandıs, fuller.
1849. Jacob Lundis.
1>65. Williams l.ytle. Jeaac Bard.
Jolin BartuD.
Jacob Lawshey.
1850. Audrew Bard.
1866. Williatn Lytle.
Joseph Buckwalter.
John Lahmon.
A. B. Miller.
John Pickel.
Moore Connell.
Heury Lantz.
1851. Joseph Huffand. S S Rutter.
1867. John Reuno. Joseph Harsh.
Elizabeth Cunningham.
Bair Miller.
1852. Peter Stauffer. llemy Krieder.
1868-69. William Lytle. Isaac Bard ..
Atuos Cowen. Robert Connell.
Solomon Myer.
1853. Peter Kellruberger. Ilenry Kreider.
Williams Lytle.
Nancy Carpenter.
Jonathan Rolland.
1854 Joseph Markley. 1871. Lewis Sheaffer. John.Weaver.
James Cooper.
Maitin Rohrer.
Jeseph Ety.
Henry Caffrey.
Henny Resh.
Daniel Bitzer.
Ehas Heller.
Abraham Eby.
Johan Rohrer.
Samuel Stultzfus.
J. N. Rudy.
Samnel Eby.
John Raub.
1837. Samnel Stultzfus.
1877-61. L. S. Blair.
John Ehy, Jr. Jacob Eby.
William Rogers.
1858-59 Jacob Kurtz.
1842. Harvey Lytle.
John Eshleman.
Isaiah Shaeller.
Sammel Stultzfis.
J. N Rudy.
Christian Ebersole.
Catharine Seidle.
Mary Epley.
Firderick Swope.
Philip Fusuacht.
Juhu Staufler.
Christian Franhauser.
Surah Stuck.
AUDITORS.
1844. C. R. Landis,
1860. Abraham Eby. J. J. Buch walter.
Abrabam Gibbons, Jr.
Julin Sowers.
1846 John Inter. 1861. David Lefevre.
Christian Grablil.
Daniel Swape.
1847. Isaac Bushong.
1864. John Zellers.
Catharine Glouinger.
*Jehu Simmons.
1848. Israel Johns.
1863. D. B. Landis.
Barbara Good Abraham Good.
- Jacob Simone. Milton Scot. Enmnuel Swope.
1850. John Johns
1865. S. G. Groff.
Hlemy Good.
1851. Henry Eby.
1866. J. S. Eby.
Sammel Good.
John Stultzfus, Sr.
1852. David Landis.
1867 R J. Rutter.
Henry Gerber.
Jacob Smoker.
1853. Abraham Sheibley.
1868. Julin Graball.
Jolını Grabat.
John K Stultzfus.
1854 Beujapan Rohrer.
1869 J. S. Eby.
Daniel Groff.
Jacob Smoker.
1855 John Bral 1870. Jacob Kmitz.
Daniel Gibbous.
I'li Stultztus.
1856. Joseph Wengri.
1871. John Grabill.
Cyins Good.
Christian Stultzfus, Sr.
1857. K. D. Bruder.
1872. J. S. Eby.
George Grott.
Samuel Stultztus.
David Lefevre. 1873. Reuben Kachel.
David Stultzfus, Jr.
1858 R. B Johns. Isaac Bare.
1874. Hemy Kby.
John Good, Jr. John Goud, Sr. Jacob Garber.
Henry Sheibley. Juhu Stauffer.
1859. J. W. Buch walter.
1875. C. K. Laindia. 1876. Reuben Kachel.
George Bard, Jr. Jacob Bushong. Henry Burkhart. John Bare.
Catharine Hammer.
Jacub Houver, Jr.
Adamı Bare.
George Heller.
Elizabeth Bender.
John Her-hey.
John Bushung.
Jacob llershey.
1844. William Weidman. 1865. Jsaae Bushong.
Joseph Wenger. -1869. N. F. Shaetter.
Isaac Bard.
Jacob Johns, blacksmith.
1800. Isaac Bushoug. Isaac Bushong.
Adam Bare, Esi.
Andrew Kolp.
Christian Ebersole.
1846. Lewis Sheaffer. 1862. J. S. Bare.
George Band.
Isaac Kling.
Henry Kurtz.
Christian Ebersole. William Lytle.
David Buck walter.
Christian Landis.
George Bair.
James Lytle.
Henry Zwalby.
George Caruthers.
Adamı Miller.
Mark Connell, Ji.
Martin Myel.
1855. Diller Bale. 1x72-75. Lewis Sheaffer.
Thomas Evans .-
Benjamin Reah.
1
1856. 1. L. Bard.
1876. Elias Heller.
Jonas Eby. 7
Rudolph Kudy.
Samuel Rouk.
R. B. John.
J. N. Rudy.
1800. Jacob Kuitz. John Zeller, Jr.
1883. Sammel Bushong.
J N. Rudy.
John Grabill, Sr. Abraham Gibbons.
Elizabeth Shuteffer.
David Suyder.
184. Benjamin Rohrer.
1849. I. F. Sheibley.
1864 Jacob Kurtz.
Isaac Bard. George Bran. Susanna Barton. Ebzabeth Brubaker. Martin Bair.
Abraham Stultzfus. David Stultztus, Sr. Susanna Sengerwalt. Samuel Trumbaner.
Poter Vainlersanl. licob Vandersaal. Barbara Vandersaal.
Christian Weidman.
Joseph Wenger.
1870. Abraham Kachel.
Simpson Ruth.
1864. Jneob Rank.
Susanna Brenner.
929
UPPER LEACOCK TOWNSHIP.
1877. J S. Eby. 1878. Henry Ely. 1879. John Buck walter.
Isso. Levi Bard.
ASSESSORS.
1843. Isaac Hoover.
1844. George Heller.
1>45. Thomas Evans.
1846. Thomas Evans.
Konzer Bender. Emanuel Weidler.
1:57-59. N. F Sheaffer. 18GO. Washington Potter.
1847. George Mearig. Benjamin Landis.
1>65. Jacob Becker.
1848. Lewis Sheaffer.
+ 1806. Lewis Sheaffer.
Ilenry Sheildey.
1867. J. S. Eby.
1849. Henry Sheildey.
' 1968. Devi Sowers.
1809-7 :. J. A. Sollenberger.
1850. E. L. Landis. John Musser.
1874-79. Jacob Morrow.
1851. Israel Johns.
1880-82. N. F. Sheafler.
1852. J. O. Steinhiser.
1883. Jacob Morrow.
TOWNSHIP CLERKS.
1844-48. Emanuel Swope.
1siis. Simmel Gruff.
1849-53. Frederick Swope.
1849 Samuel Martin.
1851. M. G. Wenger.
1870-72 Davil Martin.
1855, J. M. Swarr.
I873. G. B. Swope,
1:56. Jacob Vandersaal.
1857-59. J. MI. McQuaid.
1674. Z. 1. Sheaffer. 1875-77. C. D. Buckwalter.
1860. S. R. Myer.
1878. 1). G. Wenger.
1861-62. J. M. McQuaid.
1879-80. C D. Buckwalter.
1863. Emmanuel Swoje.
1881-82. G tr. Wenger.
1804. L. G. Kemper. 1865-67. II. G. IMissinger.
CONSTABLES.
1857. John Murvine.
1808-09. I. R Menrig.
1858-59 Uriah Mamma.
1870. B. F Brubaker.
1860-62 Ifugh Montgomery.
1871-74. I R Mvanig.
1863. Leonard Curley.
1876-77. John Stokes.
1804-05. J. B. Snyder.
1878. B. Il. Myer.
IstiG. Isaac Mrarig. 1570-8: John Stokes.
ISGT. Jacob Givler. 1×83. George Bewley.
JUDGES AND INSPECTORS OF ELECTIONS. 1844. Adamı Bare. 1855. Abraham G. Groff. B. T. Holl.
Reuben Weidler.
Kinzer Bender.
J. B Hutter.
1845. Joseph Wenger.
Kinzer Bender.
1856. J. W. Buck walter. Mark Connell. George Goud
I-46. Joseph Manger. C. R. Landis. Mark Connell.
( G. Worst.
1×47. C. R. Landis. Mark Connell. Joseph Wengor.
1848. Juseph Wenger.
Benjamin Landis. Emanuel Weidler.
1800. Isnae Bushong. Diller Bare. Jacob Kolp.
ISGI. C. R. Landis.
I$50. John Bard.
Lewis Sheaffer.
Cyrus Miller.
1862. J. W. Buch walter.
1851. C. R. Landis. Julin Johnd. Washington Simons.
G. B Owen. Daniel Baud.
1852. N. F. Sheaffer.
1-nac Bushong. Mark Connell. 1853. 0. R. Landis,
1861. Adam Bare. 1861. Sanmel Bushong.
J. B. Raff. Kinzer Beinler.
_ Washington Simmons. 1864. Adam Bare, S. S. Rutter.
Washington Simmons. 1860. Adam B.10.
186G. G. R. Swope Cyrus Miller.
1875. S. M. Good, Daniel Wejller.
1582. Martin Sheaffer.
1883. Solomon Groff (three years). Juhu Zeliris (two years).
1867. William Kennedy. - 1876. N. F. Sheaffer. Lovi Sowers. Charles Lamlis.
1877. N. F Sheaffer. Daniel Weidler. L. S. Bl.r.
1878. J A Sollenger.
Elia Good.
Levi Sowers.
1879. J. Sollenberger. Martin Heller. Levi Sowels.
I871. Adlam Bare. 1880. J. A. Sollenberger. Frank Weuller.
Levi Sowers. G. K. Mearig.
Levi Sowers.
1872. Jacob Ber ker. 1881. J. A. Sollenberger. Willian Kramer. Levi Suwere. Mark Connell.
J. S. Sheaffer. 1873. N F. Sheaffer. Grabill Killian.
IS82. J. A Sollenberger. Ellwood Brawn.
Samuel Bushong.
Frank Weidler.
1883. A. R. Kachel.
Daniel Barmer. Rolland Greiner.
1875. N. F. Shealler.
General Industries, Mills, Stores, etc. - The water-power of Mill Creek was utilized before the Revolution to operate small grist-mills. The first mill along this stream was built by Jacob Becker. It was a stone, one-story structure, erected on the Newport road. About the year 1760-65, Benja- min Longnecker bought this property, which after- wards passed into the hands of his son, who erected the pioneer saw-mill on this stream. Marcus Groff, a son of Hans Groff, became the owner of this mill, and from him it passed to his son Marks, who ereeted the large stone mansion on the hill opposite the store (Groff's) about 1790. Of late this house has been remodeled, and is now as comfortable and at- tractive a residence as any in that part of the township.
Groff's store and mill have been operated together for more than half' a century, the estate being held by Daniel Groff. In 1815 the stone house for the first time was occupied as a store by Mr. Sharp, followed by Isaac Becker in 1817, who occupied it for four years, when Samuel G. Groff, a brother of Daniel Groff, rented the store. Daniel Groff was at that time the miller, and erected the large brick building on the top of the hill which is the present store. Samuel G. Groff removed his stock into the new store, and was engaged in the mercantile business until 1854, when he commenced farming. Samuel Groff, Dan- iel's son, then carried on the store business until 1870, when C. B. Buckwalter became the proprietor, and was succeeded by Jacob Denlinger in 1880. Through the influence of the Groff's, "Groff's Store" post-ofliee was established, in or about the year 1827, with Samuel G. Groff as the first postmaster. The post-office was kept in the store building until 1881, when the citizens of Monterey presented a petition to the Post-Office Department, and caused the removal of the office to Hershey's store, Monterey, with Ben- jamin Hershey as postmaster, but still the office re-
Renben Werdler.
1857. Isaac Buthong.
1858. C. R Landis. Jacob Kulp. Samuel Bushong.
I>59. 0 R. Latulis. Diller B.Ile.
Cyrus Miller.
1º49. It B. Johns. C. IL. Landis. George Menrig.
Sammel Bushong. Washington Simmons.
1863. 0. R. Landis. S. S. Rutter. Cyrus Miller.
1×54. Ronhen Johus. Jobu Bard. Daniel Becker. 58
*** 1853 N F. Sheaffer. Benjamin Landis. 1×54-55. N. b. Sheaffer. 1850. J. B. Raff.
1861-64. N. F. Shealler.
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IS81. Abraham Sheilley.
Al. Ellmaker. Hubert Wade, 1808. Adam Bare. G R. Swoje. Elias Heller. 1869. J. W Swoje. J. B. Inff. Lewis Shenfler. Is70. Adam Bare. Wilham Kramer. Levi Sowers.
1874. J A Sullenberger. S M. Good. James Bare.
1983. J. M. Denlinger.
930
HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.
tains its original name. The mill during the mean- abont 1800, and was engaged in the business until 1810, when he was succeeded by Mr. Boyd. Subse- quently the tannery passed into the hands of Sent- time had changed hands, and was known for a time as Ebersole's & Newhauser's mill, until William Ress- ler, abont 1865, purchased the mill property, and re- ! myer, who sold it to John Myer in 1830, who im- paired the mill and improved the appearance of its proved the property and continued the business until 1838, when he soll out and went to Illinois. surroundings.
Stauffer's Mill, located in the southwestern eor- ner of the township and along Mill Creek, was erected in 1802 by Christian Stauffer. Christian Stanffer died in 1835, when his son, John, engaged in the milling business, and was succeeded by others until 1870, when John Buckwalter bought the property, and has operated the mill sinee that time. The mill has been improved and enlarged, and besides the water-power afforded by Mill Creek, a large steam-engine has been placed in the mill. The saw-mill of this place was erected about the same time as the grist-mill, and has gone to deeay.
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The Mill Creek Woolen-Factory was established in 1810 by Peter Landis. Peter was a carder, and, wishing to utilize home industry, built a small build- ing near the Stumptown road, along Mill Creek, and put in a carding machine. A few years later a dyeing- house was added to the carding-mill. In 1841, David Landis, a son of Peter Landis, who had learned the carding trade and that of a fuller, bought the mill of his father. In 1852, Mr. Landis, wishing to enter upon the business on a more extensive scale, re- moved the old mill and erected a large woolen-fac- tory and put in new machinery, and employs quite a number of hands. In 1854, Mr. Campbell became a part owner with Mr. Landis, and in 1860 this firm sold the factory to Amos Rudy. After being oper- ated by him, and under his management, for several years, it was sold by the sheriff in 1870, and bonghit by Peter Buffenmyer, who is still the owner. Since then, 1870, the machinery has been idle, much of the wood-work is decayed, and only traces of the mill- dam can be seen. The factory presents a deserted appearance.
The Conestoga Rifle-Boring Mill was founded in 1846 by Henry E. Leamon. This mill was located on the Conestoga Creek, near a place formerly called Pinetown (in reality no town). All the machinery was propelled by water-power. The boring appa- ratus of this mill was of immense weight, and thou- sands of rifle-barrels have been bored at this place.
In 1865, Mr. Leamon removed his machinery and boring apparatus to Lancaster City, where Henry E. | opened for the public by Mr. Temple, and is at pres- Leamon, Jr., is now carrying on a successful business. The old establishment was soll to Leamon Shirk. The walls of the building are going to decay, and the mill-dam has been wrecked by foods. Several years . their business. An addition was made to this build- ago a company commenced to remodel the mill, in ing in 1830 by Frederick Swope, who opened a gro- cery-store, and was succeeded in trade by Martin, Bender, and Hiram Dissinger, who,is the present merchant at this place. order to convert it into a powder-mill; but, owing to some difficulty, the work was abandoned and since that time the mill has been vacant.
Near Monterey, and on land now occupied by John Plank, Daniel Aspenshade established a tannery
Pioneer Distilling .- The leading business occu- pation of the farmers of this township in the latter part of the last and the beginning of the present century was the distilling of spirits. The agricul- tural products were mainly wheat, corn, and rye, and as there was a great excess of product over the eon- sumption of the cereals, and no way by which this excess of grain could be conveniently transported to market, there was a demand for distilling. Many of the distilleries required three or four teams to haul their distilled spirits to Philadelphia, or elsewhere. It is said that the best of distilled spirits were retailed at the still-houses as low as eighty-five cents per gal- Jon. The following persons were the proprietors of distilleries during and prior to 1810: George Rolland, on a farm now held by Joseph Bieler; George Ben- der, on Kinzer Bender's farm; John Hershey, on Jacob Stultzfus' farm; Peter Myer, on a farm lately purchased by Henry Stultzfus; Abraham Petersheine, near Groff's store; and Peter Wenger, on Andrew Miller's farm. In 1850 none of these still-houses were in operation, and at present there is no vestige remaining to show that they had once an existence. Michael Rolland, John Rhoads, Frederick Swope, and Amos Weidler were the innkeepers of 1843.
Mechanicsburg is situated in the central part of Upper Leacock township. It consists of about sixty houses along the New Holland turnpike. This town was never regularly laid out. The first house was once occupied as the residence of Rev. Samuel Trum- bauer, and was originally dedicated as a cake-, candy-, and drug-shop. Nicholas Nassinger was also a pio- neer inhabitant of the town. The small brick house which he built about ninety years ago, and in which he carried on tailoring for a long time, is still stand- ing, and is easily pointed out by the villagers.
The hotel building was ereeted about 1788, and first licensed in 1823 by Isaae Rudy. This property is now known as the " Mechanicsburg Hotel," and is kept by John Beck. In the eastern part of the town is the "Spread Eagle Hotel," erected by Samuel Garber as a private residence in 1800. It was first ent owned and managed by Michael Dissinger. At this place the general election for the township is held, and the school board also meet here to transact
About the year 1811, Jacob Holl opened a store opposite the Mechanicsburg Hotel, where he re-
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931
UPPER LEACOCK TOWNSHIP.
mained for eighteen years. The next in trade was Emanuel Swope, who continued in the mercantile -business until 1872, when G. G. Wenger, the present merchant, became a dealer in dry goods and groceries at this stand. Leacock post-office has been at this place of business ever since this store was established.
More recently George Bard opened an agricultural implement store, and is carrying on an extensive business. Harry Weidler, an old resident who is now eighty-three years old, had been for many years black- smith. A. Rolland and B. Rohrer, in 1881, erected a large tobacco warehouse in Mechanicsburg.
V. Andes & Son's Agricultural Implement Works and Foundry are the largest manufacturing establishment in Upper Leacock, and are located in Mechanicsburg. In 1849, Peter Vandersaal, a ma- chinist, erected a shop, twenty-five by thirty feet, in which he made agricultural implements. It was at this time that Mechanicsburg got its name, on account of the mechanics this trade drew to the place. In 1851, Valentine Andes, who came from Germany about 1838 with little means but much genius and mechanical ingenuity, purchased this place of busi- ness for two thousand dollars. He had in his employ four hands at first, but the business has grown to such a magnitude that the main building is four times as large as the original one, and the large foundry, ware- house, and other adjacent buildings have been added. Twenty men are kept constantly at work in these shops. Some years as many as fifty horse-powers and sixteen threshing-machines are built here. The firm is now composed of the father and two sons, and is well known over the county. The threshing-machine with double wind-mill was invented in this shop, and patented by the firm.
The Mechanicsburg Pottery, situated on a trian- gle formed by the pike and the Newport road, was erected by Frederick Swope, and pottery business continued by him until 1850, when his son Henry took charge of the establishment. An additional kiln has been added, and the main building, two stories high, has been greatly enlarged.
Physicians .- The first physician of Mechanicsburg was Dr. Isaac Weidler, who was born in York County, Pa., and graduated at Jefferson University in 1825, when that institution was in its infancy. He practiced for fifty years. Dr. Carpenter, a son of Dr. Isaac Weidler, is a native of Upper Leacock, and gradu- ated at Jefferson Medical College in 1850. He com- menced the practice of medicine the same year in Mechanicsburg, and is still in practice at that place.
Bareville is a village one mile and a half east of Mechanicsburg, beautifully situated on a water-shed between the Conestoga and Mill Creek. It consists of about forty dwellings, nearly all of which were built during the last two decades. The place is named after the first settlers, Andrew and Martin Bare. Andrew Bare was the father of Adam Bare, who was elected sheriff in 1830, and who died in 1880,
ninety-three years of age. Andrew built the hotel, which was the only house in Bareville until 1808, when John Mery, Jr., erected the large brick house now occupied by F. G. Harpel, Esq. The architect of this building was Christian Wenger, the grand- father of Differ D. Wenger.
The hotel was first licensed by Adam Bare, who had kept a store there previously. Mr. Over- holtzer was the next in the mercantile business, and opened a store in the large brick dwelling, and later built the present store-house, and was succeeded by Jacob Swarr. In 1855 the merchant was S. R. Myer. In 1870 a partnership was formed by John Kreamer, Harvey Riffs, and later by Harvey Rei- denback, associating theinselves with S. R. Myer. The firm was then known as S. R. Myer & Co. In 1876 the senior member of the firm died, and a change was made. The widow of S. R. Myer, with J. D. Buekwalter as manager, continued the business until 1883, when another change in the firm-name was made.
The palatial residence of Solomon C. Groff was erected under the supervision of George Kellenberger in 188]. Also in the summer of the same year S. C. Groff & Son built their large tobacco warehouse, and are now (1883) engaged in the tobacco business. Moses Hurst is the blacksmith, while Levi Dunwoody for many years has been the village tailor.
Bareville Physicians .- Dr. A. S. Bare was the first physician of Bareville, and died July 1, 1883. The following is a brief sketch of his life : The doctor was born. Nov. 17, 1819, making him sixty-three years, seven months, and fourteen days old at the time of his death. He commenced reading medicine with Dr. Atlee, of Lancaster, in 1841, and three years after that date graduated from Jefferson Medical Col- lege. The first four years of his practice was in the Laneaster County Hospital and Almshouse. He then married the only daughter of James Vogan, of Vo- ganville, and moved to Bareville, where he established himself, and practiced medicine for nineteen succes- sive years with great success and unabated interest. He at once received the confidence of the community at large by his strict fidelity to his profession, and was immediately recognized as a prominent physi- cian of the county. In 1856 he received a nervous paralytic stroke which greatly impaired his usefulness. Finally, realizing that he could not do justice to his profession without excessive labor, he retired from practice in 1863, and removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was engaged in the wholesale commission business for four years. In 1867 he returned to Bare- ville, and there remained until his death.
Dr. J. Winfield Good, of Chester County, also a graduate of Jefferson University, commenced the practice of medicine in Bareville in 1874.
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