USA > Pennsylvania > Northumberland County > History of Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania. With illustrations descriptive of its scenery, palatial residences, public buildings, fine blocks, and important manufactories > Part 44
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This was, doubtless, a good school, but it languished and soon expired, probably for lack of support. Aml Mr. Biles, after keeping a book-store in Milton for a few years, removed to Reading, and became there a lawyer of some note.
The Kirkpatrick School .- But the "school of schools" was the second, the real Milton Academy-" Kirk's school," as it was admiringly called. The project was initiated in 1822, by Rev. George Junkin. The school was opened in a room which had been u printing-office, in a building standing on the spot now occupied by the residence of Dr. James P. MeCleery. This was used for some time, before the low, square, hip-roofed Academy was built, ou the rise of the hill upon the north side of Broadway. Its cost did not reach four hundred dollars, which was made up by stock subscriptions, in twenty-five dollar shares, placed among ten or twelve citizens of the town. Mr. Juukin had, from the first, thought of his friend, the Rev. David Kirk- patrick, intending to persuade him to assume charge of this school. Ile was a graduate of the University of Dublin, Ireland, and, coming to this country, had commenced teaching ju a small way in Oxford, Pennsylvania. Mr. Junkin's persuasions prevailed, and Mr. Kirkpatrick left Oxford, to take charge of the Academy in Milton. But so high did he stand in Oxford, that several who were students there, followed him, to continue their studies, in the Academy.
Ilis career was more than a success. It was a triumph! During the eleven years that he remained, his students annibered four hundred, very many of whom attained distinguished positions, and very few, if any, remained in mediocrity. Que hundred and fifty of them are still living, and, among these, are Representatives and Senatore in Congress, lawyers of the highest repute, nud more than one who has been Governor of Pennsylvania. It is believed that in all the State, there has never been a school of similar size and pretension, which turns out such a bright galaxy. But, in 1834, he embraced what seemed an advantageous opportunity, and removed to Indiana County and the glory of the old academy went with him. The school lived on, an orili- nary existence, under charge of Rev. Mr. Ferguson and others, until 1854, and then it was discontinued.
From that time, the old house remained vacant till about 1872, when it was purchased, to be used as a storage-house to a enrriage manufactory. It was like planting cabbages in the Roman Forum.
The Reunion .- At Milton, ou the 14th of July, 1874, there gathered, from near and from far off, fifty-seven of the one hundred and fifty surviving scholars of Kirkpatrick. They had come to look again at the old academy, and to revive memories of their youthful tribulations and triumphs within its walls. There were those present who had followed him from Oxford, and many who had been his pupils half a century before.
There were some to whose eyes the old house had not become unfamiliar -- some who had seen it nearly every day for years; but to those who had not seen it since their school-days, the feeling could not have been other than that of deep disappointment, as they looked upon it in its dinginess and dilapidation; with oven these, intensified by the addition of a pair of decay- ing wooden wings. They mustered inside the old school-room, as they had done so many years before, but it was only a short session, for dinner awaited them at the Riverside Hotel. The appetites, at least, were as keen as of old, and the exercises there were most agreeable.
Theuce they adjourned to the Acmulemy of Music, and listened to eloquent words from Governor James Pollock, and others of their own number, and though those words brought frequent tears, and though chords were touched that sometimes thrilled to their hearts' cores, they felt that they had done well in coming there. It was an ocension which they will never forget, and one which will long he remembered hy the citizens of Milton.
The Laurasterian School System was one under which pupils were, for superior scholarship and good conduet, appointed to be ushers and monitors over their fellows; and as these positions could only be kept by a continuance of that relative superiority through which they were obtained-a superiority which those under them were always striving to extinguish-it was claimed that the extraordinary spirit of emulation thus engendered, must produce the best possible results to the school.
On that system, the Lancasteriun School of Milton was commenced in 1830, in a long one-story brick building, standing where the Centre school- house now is. The enterprise was inaugurated by a stock company, as is shown by the fact that Mr. C. C. Straub has in his possession some of the stock certificates, which he recently discovered among the papers of his deceased father.
A Mr. Wright, of Philadelphia, was the first teacher, and was eminently fitted for the position. Under him, the scholars attained excellent proficiency, but with his successor, Mr. Charles Guenther, the results were not su satis- factory, and it was not very long before the project was abandoned.
The Prospect Hill School, a private subscription enterprise, was commenced about 1847. The house was erected in a square, containing five town lots, at the corner of Upper Market and Second streets-a beautiful high swell of ground, called "Prospect Hill," or, sometimes, "Academy Hill." It was not a very fine or commodious building, but it answered all the purposes of the school until 1859, when it was demolished.
The New Milton Academy was built upon the same spot, by subscribers, citizens of Milton, at a cost of six thousand dollars. It was a handsome two- story brick structure, with symmetrical towers rising from the two front angles. The grounds were neatly enclosed, and well kept, and the entire establishment and surroundings were very attractive to the eye.
The first principal was Rev. William T. Wylie, pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. He was excellent, both as pastor and as teacher, and Milton well appreciated him. He is now laboring in Chambersburg, Pa.
After five or six years, the interest in the Academy seems to have waned, for, about 1865, the stockholders sold land and building to Colonel Wright, of Rochester New York, but it was with the condition that the property should never be used for other than educational purposes.
Colonel Wright, however, was not fortunate in his undertaking and invest- ment, for, about two years later, the fire destroyed all his fine buildings, and left but n blackened waste of bis beautiful grounds, and this was the end of Milton's third academy. It is to be hoped that it may be rebuilt, but as yet no movement has been made in that directiou.
CHURCHES, ETC.
The Episcopal Church is the oldest iu Milton, and dates back more than eighty years. The families composing it, at the commencement of the cen- tury, were those of Marr, Hull, MeCurley, Hepburn, Rittenhouse, Smith, Stadden, Seydell, Covert, and Webb. Their first house of worship was a log- building, which stood on Church lane, (where it now corners with Lincoln street,) upon a lot douated for church and burial purposes, by Joseph Marr, August 18th, 1794, to Matthias Webb, Samuel Stadden, and John Covert, as trustees for the church.
The Rev. Caleb Hopkins was the first who preached to the congregation, but was not their rector. The first rector was Rev. Depuey; the next, Rev. Eldred; und the third was Rev. Abijuh Hopkins, who remained up to about 1820. From that time, for about twenty-five years, they had neither rector nor services, and the members mostly united with other churches. About 1845, or a little later, worship was resumed, and the question of building a new church edifice was soon after earnestly agitated by the Rev. B. Wistar
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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Morris, now Bishop of Washington Territory, who had then just nssumed the rectorship. There were but few communicants at that time, and it was only by the most strennous and persevering efforts of Mr. Morris that the church was built. Mr. Rolland MeCurley, who is still living in Union County, gave the lot of ground, and, after years of effort, the corner-stone was laid by Bishop Potter, July 17th, 1849. It was completed without fur- ther delay-a substantial and commodious brick edifice, which still remains their place of worship. They are now again without a rector, and their numbers are not large.
The First Presbyterian Church, of Milton, was organized by the Presby- tery of Northumberland, December 3d, 1811.
Prior to the organization-from abont 1803 to 1810, the Rev. John Bryson, pastor at Warrior Run and at Chillisquaque, preached in the log school-house, on Lower Market street, in Milton, on every fourth Sabbath, and during the latter part of that time, on alternate Sabbaths.
Their first regular pastor was the Rev. Thomas Hood, who was installed, October 7th, 1812, and, under his ministry, the congregation worshiped in the Episcopal Church edifice, in Morris lane, or Church lane, until 1819, when they removed to the Harmony Church, on Mahoning street, and this they oceupiedl alternately with the German Reformed and Lutheran congre- gutions until 1832. Then, on account of pecuniary embarrassments, they left the Union, and obtained the use of the Baptist Church, until 1836. Then, for two years, they worshiped in Shiloh Church, until the dedication of the new briek church building, which they had erected on Water street. This was on July 29th, 1838. In this edifice they worshiped through the pastorates of Rev. James Williamson, installed November 27th, 1838, and Rev. David Longmore, D.D., installed November 17th, 1846.
On December 14th, 1854, the Rev. James C. Watson, D.D., was installed as their pastor, and his ministry has continued until the present time.
In May, 1856, their chureb building was removed, and a new edifice com- menced upon the same site. It was completed in 1857, and dedicated on the the 16th day of Angust of that year. It is a substantial brick building, and is still used as their place of worship.
Methodist Episcopal Church .- As early as the year 1788, worship was held, at irregular intervals, by the Methodist residents of' Milton and vicinity. These meetings were held, sometimes at one, and sometimes at another, of the citizens' houses, and at such times as a preacher could be secured for the day or evening, that is, whenever a minister of their persuasion came in their vicinity from other localities.
In this manner they continued until the building of the log school-house in Lower Market street, in 1796, after which that building was used for their meetings, but they still had no regular pastor.
It is a matter greatly to be regretted, that there are no accessible data by which the correct time of organization can be given, nor the names and dates of service of the different ministers. Some time after the commencement of the century, a small log eburch was built opposite the old school-house on Market street, and in this they heldl their worship, under the ministrations of a large number of different pastors, until 1835, when their new church building, on the east side of the cunal, was completed und occupied. This edifice stood on a spot which fell directly in the middle of Centre street, when thint thoroughfare came to he laid out, and so, as the most satisfactory wny out of the difficulty, the projectors of the street purchased and removed the church in 1859, and the congregation then built and removed to the new church building in Upper Front street, which has been their place of wor- ship till the present time. Their pastor is now the Rev. A. D. Yocum. The membership is three hundred, which is also about the average attendance at their excellent Sabbath-school.
Lutheran Church .- The Lutheran and Reformed churches of Milton, being union congregations for many years, the history of one is, to a certain extent, that of both. From 1796 to 1807, the Lutherans of Milton were supplied with preaching by traveling ministers. Services were held in the old log school-house, in Lower Market street. Ahont 1807, a small one-story log building on south side of Mahoning street, was purchased by the congregation. It stood on Inud now owned by Baltzer Critzer. Here preaching and German day-school were regularly held. The Revs. Oyer, Stock, and Engle, were the first preachers. After them, in 1811, cume the Rev. Philip Repass, as pastor. The old "Harmony Church," at the eastern end of Mahoning street, beenme their place of worship, in union with the Presbyterians and German Reformed people. It was dedicated May 23d and 24th, 1819. The church was now organized, under Mr. Repass, as pastor; Philip H. Schreyer, as elder ; and John Hill, as deacon.
The successors of Mr. Repass, till 1850, were Rev. Frederick Waage, Rev. - Garman, Rev. Charles P. Miller, John G. Anspach, Charles F. Stoever, Eli Swartz, and Frederic Ruthrauff. The Lutherans, having sold their interest in the Harmony Church to the Reformed congregation, built for their own use, in 1850, a new two-story brick church building -- naming it Trinity Church. It stood near the western end of Mahoning street. The pastors who preached in this church, were Rev. F. Ruthrauff, John J. Reim- snyder, C. C. Culler, T. Titus, und P. Sprecher.
In 1861, their present large and beautiful church edifice, situated on the north-east corner of Second and Mahoning streets, was completed, and dedi- ented to God's worship.
The pastors who have successively ministered in this church, are Revs. George Parson, N. Graves, A. Burmann, and the present pastor, Rev. W. H. Gotwald.
Reformed Church .- As early as can now he aseertained, this congregation was first regularly organized ou the 25th of April, 1819-the first election for church officers resulting in the choice of Christian Markle, as elder, and Joseph Rhoads, as dencon. The few Reformed families living in and around Milton, had been more or less frequently supplied with preaching by Re- formed clergymen, who enme this way, as early as 1805-first in the log- school-house, on Lower Market street, and, Inter, in a small log building in Mahoning street.
In 1817, the Reformed people united with the Lutheran and Presbyterian congregations in erecting a church edifice, on the hill at the east end of Mahoning street, to be known as the "Harmony Church," (completed 1819) in which this congregation worshiped until that building was remodeled, in 1866. The church edifice now occupied, is a commodlions brick building, on Upper Front street, and was erected in 1867. Following is n list of all the ministers who have served since the organization: Rev. Justus Henry Fries, 1812-23; Rev. Samnel Gutelius, 1824-27; Rev. Henry Wagner, 1827- 35; Rev. Daniel Gring, 1835-46. Rev. Ephraim Kieffer became Mr. Gring's colleague, to preach in the English language, in 1840, and continued until 1844. Rev. Hemy Harbaugh then associated himself with Mr. Gring, preaching in English, until 1846, after which, Mr. Gring having re- signed, he served the congregation as pastor until 1849. Rev. E. M. Long served 1845-52; Rev. A. G. Dole, 1853-65; Rev. Samuel H. Reid, 1866- 73. The present pastor, Rev. F. F. Bahner, assumed charge in 1873.
The congregation has n communicant membership of two hundred and twenty-five, and has connected with it a Hourishing Sabbath-school.
The Milton Baptist Church .- The Rev. Eugenio Kincaid has, during all his life, been eminently a soldier of the Cross. Early in the year 1826, he cameinto the valley of the Susquehanun-a Christian knight-errant-in search of the neglected and destitute, and renching Milton, and finding that one solitary individual, a woman, stood alone in all that town as the representative of the Baptist persuasion, be resolved to plant the standard there, and to give stated preachings, for he knew where two or three were gathered together in the earnest desire to serve under the Divine Commander, that He would come dowa in their midst, and that His panoply would cover them.
These stated preachings very suon produced their etfeet, for around this nucleus there collected a little band, which, on the 25th of August, in the same year, wus recognized as the Milton Baptist Church, regularly consti- tuted. There were nine members, viz .: Eugenio and Emily Kincuid, Nathaa and Martha Delany, William and Catharine Thomas, Susannah Thomas, Sarah Watts, and Harriet Geddes. On Sabbath morning, the 10th of the following September, immediately after morning service, occurred their first baptism. A great concourse of people thronged the river bank, and the scene was a most impressive one. Now the church prospered apace, contin- ning under the ministration of Mr. Kincaid, until his appointment ns mis- sionary to Burmah, in 1830, when his plnee was filled by Rev. George Higgins. He was an itinerant, but made the Milton Church his centre of labor, and his home. During the five years of his charge, fifty-one were received into the fellowship of the church. In August, 1832, James Moore, Sr., and William Thomas, were orduined deacons, and in March, 1833, their first Sabbath-school was commenced.
The exact date of the erection of their first meeting-house is not known. It was commenced, however, not far from 1830, but was not entirely finished for some years. Dencon James Moore, Sr., gave the lot. The church stood on the spot where Daniel Krauser's house now stands, in Filbert street. It was then called Church Alley. After Mr. Higgins, came Rev. S. B. Brown, who remained till 1837, and added fifteen to the church in baptism. Fol- lowing him was Rev. D. C. Wait, till 1839, during which time twenty-nine were received. His successor was Rev. C. A. Hewitt, whose pastorate con-
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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
tinued till 1845, and was a most successful oue. The Rev. J. E. Bradley, and theological students Kelly, Hay, and Carnohan, supplied the pulpit up to 1852, when Rev. Howard Malcolm held charge for about four years. For the succeeding ten years, prenching was supplied, principally, by Professor Curtis, and by various students of the Lewisburg University. Then, in 1864, came Rev. J. A. Kirkpatrick, followed successively by Rev. James Parker, Rev. T. E. Clapp, and Rev. W. B. Thomas, until 1868, when their new place of worship was completed. It is a handsome brick structure, standing on Centre street and Elm, at the south-east coruer. In December, 1868, Rev. A. C. Wheat assumed charge, and remained untill 1870. The present pastor is Rev. J. Green Miles, whose ministry commenced in 1871. The member- ship is one hundred. The Rev. Mr. Kincaid, their present pastor, still lives at a very advaneed age, in Girard, Kansas, Three times he went as mis- sionary to the kingdom of Burmah, freely braving the terrors of that eli- mate, in the hope of saving souls. His life has been truly a noble one.
Reformed Presbyterian Church .- The organization of this church was effected in 1831. Their first church edifiee was a frame building, near the present site of the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad depot. Their first pastor was Rev. William Wilson, whose ministration continued until 1836, when he was succeeded by Rev. Johu Mckinley, of Philadelphia, who, at the end of three years, was in turn succeeded by Rev. J. A. Crawford. His ministry extended over a period of six years. The fourth pastorute was that of Rey. Matthew Smith, which continued but little more than a year. Their fifth (and last regular) pastor was Rev. William T. Wylie, a man eminent in every Christian grace and virtue, who remained with them eleven years- (1854 till June, 1865). He is now laboring in Chambersburg, Pa. Since his time, the pulpit bas been supplied by the Second Reformed Presbytery of Philadelphia.
In 1854, during Mr. Wiley's ministry, their old church building and land were sold to the railroad company, and they removed to their new brick edifice, which had just been completed, on Walnut street, between Upper Front and Water streets, and which is their present house of worship. The cost of this church building was about nine thousand dollars. They are wholly free from debt, and prosperous.
St. Joseph's Catholic Church .- This church, in Milton, was founded in 1837. The first entry in the baptismal register is of date, November 5th, in that year, and is signed by Rev. Edward Maginnis, the first priest in charge. The names of his successors are not all known, but among them were Revs. Daniel Sheridan, Basil, Shorb, and George Gustenshnigg ; the latter of whom died on the second day of May, 1860, and now lies interred in the yard of their church on Walnut street, east of the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad. This church is a brick structure, and was built in 1844. It was their first (and has been their only ) regular place of worship in Milton. Rev. Louis Grotemeyer is the present pastor.
The Zion African M. E. Church, The date of its organization, as a church, is not exactly known, The congregation worshiped, for some years, in the frame school-house on Broadway, and in the year 1849, they purchased that building, and removed it eastwurdlly to a point near the top of the hill, upou the same street, (its present location,) and with some repairs it became their church edifiee, which they have occupied for worship until the present time. Their pastor is now Rev. James Henry, who, in 1875, succeeded Rev. T. N. Allen. Before Mr. Allen, the Rev. James Barnes had preached for two years, Of the names of their earlier pastors, there is no record. The number of communicants is at present twenty-seven.
Milton Mission of the Evangelical Association .- This mission was founded in the year 1866. The first missionary was the Rev. S. Dans, who labored ou the mission for two years. In the Spring of 1869, the Rev. J. M. Pines became pastor of the congregation. During his pastorate they had no regu- lar place of worship, and he found it very difficult to build up the society. The next Spring, he was succeeded by Rev. A. II. Irvine, who aided the society in the purchase of a house and lot on Lower Market street. The building was fitted up, and used as a place of worship during the pastorate of Mr. Irvine. Ilis successor, in 1873, was the Rev. H. B. Hertzler, during whose ministry the house was removed, aud the lot elcared for the building of a new church edifice. After this removal, tho congregation held their meetings in a school-house in Lower Market street.
The Rev. A. W. Schenberger became pastor in the Spring of 1874, and it was chiefly due to his unwearying labors, aided by those of Rev. M. J. Carothers, Presiding Elder of the Lewisburg District, that the new church building was carried to completion. Its size is seventy-four by fifty feet, and the total cost was four thousand two hundred and seventy-two dollars and
ten eents. It was dedicated to Almighty God, by Bishop Dubs, of Cleve- land, Ohio, January 31st, 1875. Rev. Mr. Schenberger is still their pastor. The membership numbers eighty-four, and they have a large Sabbath-school.
The Christian Association .- At the time of its commencement, in 1871, it was called the Young People's Prayer Meeting .- Its object was, and is, the dissemination of religious knowledge and ideas, with meetings for prayer, and religious interchange. After an existence of five years, they adopted, in March, 1876, their present name and designation. Their meetings are held at the various churches, in rotation, Contributions for necessary expenses, are received by the executive committee, but are not solicited in public at the meetings.
The President of the Association is W. P. Wheelaud; Vice President, William D. Snyder; Secretary, J. F. Wolfinger; Treasurer, Johu M. Cald- well; Librarian, George T. Gauby.
THE CEMETERIES OF MILTON.
The first place where interments were made by the inhabitants of Milton, was a ground situated south of Ferry lane, and about midway between Front street and the river. Its use dates back beyond 1790. The name of the first interment is not known. The bodies have all been removed years ago, and no trace of its nucient character is now visible.
The German Reformed Burying-ground directly north of the Presbyterian, was donated by Andrew Straub, on March 11th, 1793. In that year, his son Jolin Straub was buried there, and that was the first interment. His remains have recently been removed to Harmony Cemetery, by his nephew, C. C. Straub Esq., president of that assocition.
Very few interments are made there now, and it is going into disuse.
Episcopal Burying-ground. On August 18th, 1794, Joseph Marr gave a lot of ground in Church Lane, adjoining Upper Milton, to Matthias Webb, Samuel Stadden, and John Covert, trustees of the Episcopal congregation, for burial and ehureh purposes.
This ground was principally used by members of the congregation, but it has been abandoned for many years, and most of the dead removed to the cemeteries.
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