USA > Pennsylvania > York County > History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I > Part 104
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James E. Buchanan, 1850; Thomas A. Ziegle, appointed, 1851 ; Richard P. Wilton, elected, 1853; William C. Chapman, 1856; John W. Bittenger, 1862; David J. Wil- liams, 1868; Arthur N. Green, 1871; John Blackford, 1874; John W. Heller, 1877; Ed- ward D. Ziegler, 1880; George W. McElroy, 1883; N. M. Wanner, 1886; Edward D. Bentzel, 1889; William A. Miller, 1892; Joseph R. Strawbridge, 1895; William B. Gemmill, 1898; Allen C. Wiest, 1901 ; James G. Glessner, 1904.
The office of county com- County missioner in York County Commissioners. has always been elective. At the first election held there were three commissioners chosen, who were divided into three classes, one of them to serve one year, one to serve two years, and one three years. From 1749 to 1875, one commissioner was elected annu- ally to serve for three years. The new constitution of 1873 provided for the elec- tion of three commissioners in 1875, and every third year the same number there- after. This constitution also provides that the political party in the minority should be entitled to one member of the board of com- missioners.
FIRST CLASS.
1749-George Schwaabe. 1790-John Spengler.
1751-Bartholomew Manl. 1793-Joseph Welshans.
1754-Peter Shugard. 1796-John Forsythe.
1757-Martin Eichelberger. 1799-Daniel Spangler. 1760-James Welsch. 1802-Christopher Lauman.
1763-William Douglass.
1805-Abraham Graffius. 1808-Jacob Heckert.
1769-John Heckendorn.
1772-John Hay.
1814-Jacob Spangler. 1817-John Barnitz.
1775-Michael Hahn.
1776-William Ross.
1820-Michael Dondel.
1777-William Ross.
1823-Henry Schmeiser.
1778-Philip Rothrock.
1826-John Voglesong.
1781-Jacob Schmeiser.
1829-Peter Ahl.
1784-Michael Hahn.
1832-Jacob Dietz.
SECOND CLASS.
1749-Walter Sharp. 1761-George Myers.
1750-William McClellan. 1764-Philip Ziegler.
1752-John Mikel. 1767-Hugh Dunwoodie.
1755-Thomas McCartney. 1770-John Monteith.
1758-William Delap. 1773-Henry Tyson.
1776-John Hay.
1806-Christopher Hetrick.
1779-John Sample. 1809-Frederick Hoke.
1782-William Cochran.
1785-Robert Morrison.
1786-William McClellan.
1791-John Morrow.
1794-Henry Welsh.
1797-John Edie. 1827-Philip Henise.
1800-Anthony Hinkle.
1803-Robert Ramsey.
1833-John Shultz.
THIRD CLASS.
1749-Patrick Watson. 1802-Jacob Heckert.
1753-James Agnew. 1804-Jacob Glancy.
1756-Robert McPherson. 1807-William Collins.
1758 John Frankelberger. 1810-John Klein.
1759-John Adlum .. 1813-Peter Reider.
1762-Samuel Edie. 1816-Charles Emig.
1765-Thomas Stockton. 1819-Stephen T. Cooper.
1768-William Gemmill. 1822-Peter Wolfhart.
1792-William Nelson. 1825-Charles Diehl.
1795-James Black. 1828-Daniel Kimmel.
1798-James McCandless. 1831-John W. Hetrick.
1801-Samuel Nelson.
1833-Samuel Harnish.
The date of the election is given in the following list :
1836-John Beck. 1875-Thomas Platt.
1837-William Nicholas. 1875-John Pfaltzgraff.
1838-John Reiman. 1878 John Beard.
1839-Jacob Newman. 1878 Jacob Lamotte.
1840-David Maish. 1878-J. Klinedinst.
1841-Henry Logan. 1881-Stephen Keefer.
1842-Valentine B. Wentz. 1881-Charles Haines.
1843-Thomas Kerr.
1881-Jacob S. Bentz.
1844-Joseph Detweiler.
1884-George Anthony.
1845-George Eichelberger. 1884-Henry Anstine.
1846-Daniel Ginder.
1884-John F. Beck.
1847-John Emig. 1887-Washington H. Mc-
1849-John Moore. Creary.
1850-David Leber. 1887-William Barton.
1851-Philip Sheffer. 1887-Robert J. Belt.
1852-George Dick. 1890-Thomas Julius.
1853-Felix C. Herbert. 1890-George Wise.
1854-John Myers.
1890-Israel F. Gross.
1855-Aaron G. Blackford. 1893-William Cunningham.
1856-Jesse Workinger.
1893-Alewese Gruver.
1857-Daniel Meisenhelder. 1893-Jacob Leitheiser. 1896-George W. Atticks.
1858-Jacob Greenfield.
1859-Adam Paules.
1860-Adam H. Smith.
1896-R. S. McDonald.
1861-John Hyde.
1899-John Miller (died in office ).
1862-Henry Miller.
1899-Jeremiah Z. Hilde- brand.
1866-Daniel Miller.
1899-Eli H. Zeigler.
1867-William Wintermoyer.1902-Jeremiah Z. Hilde- 1868-R. Duncan Brown. brand.
1869-Peter Strickhouser. 1902-George F. Bortner.
1870-Lewis Strayer.
1902-H. Kister Free.
1871-Jacob Kohler.
1905-George W. Holtz-
1872-David Smyser. inger.
1873-Jacob Knisely. 1905-Robert G. Kessler.
1874-N. E. Leber. 1905-Emanuel Hartman.
COUNTY BUILDINGS.
An act of the General Assembly passed August 19, 1749, named Thomas Cox, Michael Tanner, George Swope, Nathan Hussey, and John Wright, Jr., as commis- sioners to carry out its provisions in form-
t
1896-A. K. Straley.
1863-John E. Anstine.
1864-William Reeser.
1865-Henry Hammond.
1899-Freizer Altland.
1766-Joseph Updegraff. 18II-Peter Small.
1812-John Kauffelt.
1815-Joseph Reed.
1818 Andrew Ketterman.
1821-Michael Newman.
1824-Mathew Clark.
1830-William Patterson.
1787-Godfrey Lenhart.
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THIRD COURT HOUSE
577
POLITICAL
ing the county of York, and also to pur- building was nearly $100,000. County chase land at some convenient place in the notes of the denomination of $3 were issued, county, to be approved by the Governor, and also county bonds. It was completed and held in trust for the purpose of erecting on it a Court House and prison. Centre
in 1840. The cupola was placed on it and the bell put into position in 1847. The bell Square of York was selected as the site for on the old Court House was brought from the Court House.
The sessions of the courts from 1749 to 1756 were held in the houses of the court justices until the completion of the first Court House. In April, 1754, the county commissioners entered into an agreement with William Willis, a skillful bricklayer, and one of the first English Quakers who
The second Court House The Present being poorly ventilated, and Court House. no longer adapted to the in- creased demands of court settled near York, to erect the walls of the business, was replaced in 1898-1900 by the Court House. Henry Clark, also a Quaker, present elegant structure, one of the most from Warrington, entered into a contract to saw and deliver scantlings for the building. He then owned a sawmill near the mouth of Beaver Creek. John Meem and Jacob Klein of York, both Germans, were em- ployed as carpenters. Robert Jones, a Quaker, who lived a few miles from town, in Manchester Township, was engaged to haul seven thousand shingles from Phila- delphia. The building was not completed till 1756.
This Court House stood from 1756 until 1841, a period of eighty-four years. The most eventful period of its history was from September 30, 1777, to June 27, 1778, dur- ing which time the members of the Con- tinental Congress held their deliberations within its hallowed walls. A description of the interior of this Court House will be found on page 291.
When it was decided to erect a Second new Court House, a great contro- Court versy arose concerning the location
House. of it. The commissioners finally selected the site where the present one stands. For the erection of this build- ing Jacob Dietz was master carpenter, and Henry Small was associated with him. Charles Eppley was master mason, and George Odenwalt, assistant. The county commissioners then were William Nichols, John Reiman and John Beck. The bricks and wood were obtained in York County. Part of the granite used in its construction was hauled in wagons to York from Balti- more County, Maryland. The granite pil- lars used as supports in the front of the Court House were brought from Maryland on the railroad in 1840.
England, and belonged to the Episcopal Church. It has since been recast and now is on St. John's Church, North Beaver Street.
ornamental temples of justice in the State of Pennsylvania, or any where in this coun- try. The commissioners of York County at the time of the erection of this Court House were George W. Atticks, Robert S. McDonald and Andrew K. Straley. This beautiful building with an imposing front, supported by six granite columns of Ionic architecture, is a graceful ornament to the city of York. It is surmounted by three domes, the middle one rising to a height of 155 feet. The interior of the building is a model of architectural beauty, and every de- partment is admirably adapted for the pur- poses designed. The materials used in the construction of this Court House are of ex- cellent quality which makes it both attrac- tive and durable. This Court House may stand for hundreds of years. The archi- tect who designed and planned it was J. A. Dempwolf of York.
In accordance with the act of as-
First sembly which appointed commis-
County sioners to form the County of
Jail. York out of that portion of Lan- caster County west of the Susque- hanna in 1749, the commissioners were au-
thorized to erect a county jail. The site chosen was the northeast corner of George and King Streets. At this place a tempo- rary jail was built in 1756 with high stone walls which were covered with a wooden roof. In 1768 Joseph Updegraff, of York; Hugh Dunwoodie, residing in the present area of Adams County, and Major William Gemmill, of Hopewell, the county commis- sioners, laid plans for the erection of a per- manent jail. It was built of blue limestone
The cost of the and was three stories high. In the yard ex-
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578
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
tending to Court Alley were the pillory, the 26, 1750, in the twenty-third year of the stocks and the whipping post, modes of reign of George II, before John Day, punishment carried into force under the Thomas Cox. George Swope and Patrick English laws until the adoption of the first Watson, the following named persons were appointed overseers of the poor for York County : state constitution in 1776. During the Rev- olution the county jail was used as a place of imprisonment for a number of British officers, of whom mention is made in this volume in another chapter. The first county jail stood from 1768 to 1855, when it was torn down and the property sold to pri- vate parties for the erection of business houses.
The old prison became dilapi-
The dated, was too small for the de-
Present mand and not at a suitable place, Jail. consequently in 1854, county commissioners, George Dick, John Myers and Felix C. Herbert entered into contracts for the erection of the present jail and work-house, with Jacob Gotwalt, of York. The sandstone in the front wall and in the tower were furnished by Henry
There were the same number of overseers Kochenour, of Conewago Township. The appointed for each of the townships in that blue limestone used was obtained from portion of York County now embraced in John Winter's quarry, near York. Edward Adams County. Haviland was the architect. The chief While the care and support of contractor let out sub-contracts for work to Peter and James McGuigan and William Gearing, of York. The rough stone work was done by Joseph Foller, and the tower and sandstone work by a man from Harris- burg. This jail was erected on a tract of land in the northeastern part of the city. In 1907 County Commissioners Emanuel Hartman, Robert G. Kessler and George W. Holtzinger employed Architect B. F. Willis to draw plans for remodeling the jail erected in 1855 and making it a building with the necessary modern improvements.
The laws now in force in Penn-
Support sylvania for the maintenance of
of the the poor and helpless, were bor-
Poor. rowed in their leading features from those instituted in England in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. They were introduced into Pennsylvania by act of assembly in 1771.
During our colonial history the poor of each township were maintained by the peo- ple of the district, and "overseers of the poor." one for each township, were ap- pointed by the court justices.
At a court of private sessions of the peace held at York, for York County, on March
Yorktown, William Sinkler (Sinclair), and Michael Laub; Hellam, Casper Williart and Peter Gardner: Chanceford, Robert Morton, John Hill; Fawn, Alexander Mc- Candless, John Gordon ; Shrewsbury, Hugh Montgomery, Hugh Low; Codorus, Peter Dinkle, John Wothering; Manchester, Peter Wolf. Valentine Crans (Krantz) ; Newberry, Nathan Hussey, George Thauly ; Dover, Philip Kohr, Andrew Spangler ; Warrington, William Griffith, George
Grist : Monaghan, James Carrothers, George Cohoon ; Heidleberg, Peter Schultz, Andrew Schreiber; Manheim, Samuel Bug- del, Solomon Miller; Paradise, Clement Studebaker, John Rode.
County the poor were not neglected Almshouse. at any period of the history of our county or state, it was not until 1804 that the present system was adopted. On February 6, 1804, the legis- lature passed a special act which granted to the county commissioners power to levy a tax for the purpose of purchasing land and erecting thereon, and furnishing necessary buildings for the employment and support of the poor of the county. Under the pro- visions of this act, the following named per- sons were directed to fix upon a place for the erection of an almshouse: Martin Gardner, Peter Small, Abraham Graffius, Daniel Spangler, of York Borough; Henry Krieger, of Newberry Township; John Heneise, of Dover; Christian Hetrick, of Codorus ; Samuel Collins, of Lower Chance- ford; Peter Storm, of the vicinity of Han- over. The site of the Public Common was decided upon as an eligible spot for the lo- cation of the county almshouse by these men, and they so reported on June 30, 1804. A conflict of claims arose concerning the right to this land, whereupon the legisla- ture was petitioned and that body by special act. April 1, 1805, empowered the newly
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579
POLITICAL
elected directors of the poor, Daniel Spang- ler, Jacob Small and Martin Ebert, to de- termine upon a site which might appear eligible, and to cause the erection of appro- priate buildings. After short deliberation, on the 16th of April, the same year, they reported in writing that they had purchased the "Elm Spring Farm," a certain plantation and tract of land from Andrew Robinson, containing 132 acres and 156 perches, for the sum of 4,400 pounds currency. On this tract was built the present county alms- house. The "Elm Spring." surrounded by large elm trees, was long noted for the crys- tal beauty and excellent quality of water which it furnished to the early residents of York. At the same time the directors pur- chased a tract of woodland two miles far- ther northeast, containing 150 acres and seventeen perches, for 600 pounds. In the summer of 1805 the first buildings were erected at a cost of $4,761.54, and the poor of all the townships of the county removed to this building in April, 1806.
A hospital building was erected of brick in 1828, at a cost of $7,800. Much of the labor in the construction of this building was done by the paupers, thus decreasing its cost. It was considered in those days a model of architecture. Jacob Hay was the mason, Dietz and Straber, the carpenters. The original almshouse and hospital build- ings after various changes and needed im- provements, were standing in 1907. The first great improvements were made when George S. Morris was elected resident direc- tor. During the year 1885 apparatus for the purpose of heating by steam was intro- duced through all the buildings. A portion of the original "Elm Farm" tract was sold to a company on which was erected a rolling mill. A handsome new almshouse barn was burned down and the present large and com- modious one erected.
The first election of directors of
Directors the poor was held on October 9. of the 1804. The following is a list of
Poor. the directors who served since that time, together with the years of their election :
1804-Daniel Spangler. 1810 George Barnitz. 1804-Jacob Small. 1812-Gottlieb Ziegle. 1804-Martin Ebert. 1812-Jacob Sheaffer.
1808-Jonathan Jessop. 1813-George Spangler.
1808-George Lottman.
1809-Martin Weiser.
1814-Philip Kissinger. 1815-Jacob Upp.
1816-Michael Welsh.
1817-William Johnston.
1817-Andrew Kramer.
1817-George Spangler.
1818-Thomas Taylor.
1819-John Fahs.
1820-Jacob Laucks.
1821-Michael Eurich.
1822-Henry Stover.
1823-Jacob Diehl.
1824-Clement Stillinger.
1825-Casper Laucks.
1826-John Strickler.
1827-Henry Smyser.
1828-John Emig.
1829-Henry Wolf.
1830-Alexander Small.
1831-Nicholas Diehl.
1832-John Reiman.
1833-Christian Hildebrand. 1884-Enos Hively.
1836-Jolin W. Hetrick.
1837-Samuel Myers.
1838-John Lauer.
1839-William Strecher.
1841-Jacob Smyser.
1842-Martin Carl.
1843-Peter Peter.
1844-Daniel Loucks.
1845-T. W. Haller.
1893-J. Taylor Hostler.
1846-Adam Free.
1894-Reuben Lauer.
1895-David S. Abel.
1896 -- Jacob Diehl.
1897-Isaiah Givens.
1898-William Anthony.
1899-James Anderson.
1900-Matthew Porman.
1901-Andrew J. Myers,
1853-William Spangler.
1854-William Small.
1856-Joseph McCurdy.
1858-Charles Underwood. 1902-D. A. Ling.
1859-James Ross.
1902-Horace Lentz.
1860-William Stokes.
1903-George Gahring
1861-David Small.
1904-Emanuel Stoner.
1862-James Ross.
1905-George E. Ruhl.
1863-William Stokes.
1906-George Gahring.
1864-David Small.
1865-Henry Kochenour.
1866-William Kilgore.
1867-David Small.
1868-David Bentzel.
1869-William Kilgore.
1870-David Small.
1871-George Hamm.
1872-Samuel Hively.
1873-F. T. Scott. 1874-A. B. Reynolds.
1875-Matthias Reigart.
1876-John B. Sayres.
1877-Adam Kohır.
1878-John Henry.
1879-William Gilberthorpe.
1880-Solomon Boyer.
1881-Isaac Hovis.
1885-Alex. Kidd.
1886 -- Samuel L. Witmer.
1887-Fred. Lehman.
1888-James S. Bayley.
1889-Felix Bentzel.
1890-R. Minnich.
1891-William Rodenhouse.
1892-Henry Kapp.
1847-Peter Wilt.
1848-George S. Morris.
1849-James Klinedinst.
1850-John Fahs.
1851-George Laucks, of Casper.
1852-Peter Decker.
died in office.
1902-William Anthony, appointed.
POLITICAL NOTES.
At the election held in October 1750, a serious riot occurred between the support- ers of Hance Hamilton and Richard McAl- lister, the two candidates for the office of sheriff. The former lived in the present vicinity of Gettysburg, and was supported by the Scotch-Irish; the latter resided at the present site of Hanover, which town he afterward founded, and although a Scotch- Irishman himself, was the candidate of the Germans. The whole county which then included the present territory of Adams, was one election district. The voting place on this occasion was at the unfinished pub- lic inn of Baltzer Spangler on the north side of West Market Street, near the Square, in York. The votes were received through the opening between two logs of the build- ing. The different clans came riding on
1882-Alexander Kidd.
1883-Andrew Bentz.
580
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
horseback into the village of York in squads The Quakers, of whom there were a great from the north, the east, the south and west. many present from the northern part of the Some of them rode a distance of twenty-five county, being a non-resistant class of people, or more miles, for the purpose of enjoying took no part in the contest. the elective franchise on this important oc- casion. The forenoon passed without any disturbances, but by the noon hour, hun- dreds of gallant frontiersmen, nearly every one born on foreign soil, speaking two dif- ferent languages, and representing four na- tionalities, after partaking of a meal at one of the six public houses of entertainment in the frontier town of York, began to clamor for their favorite candidates, and crowd around the voting place. McAllister's Ger- mans, marshalled by their courageous leader, were bold and defiant, and the im- petuous Scotch-Irish were at first equally determined and demonstrative.
Under this confused state of af- A Lively Contest. fairs, Hance Hamilton, who was then the sheriff, assumed an au- thority for which he was after- ward sustained and refused to go on with the election. A general commotion and confusion ensued. A lusty German, insist- ing on the right to deposit his vote, tripped up the heels of one of the Scotch-Irish guards. An affray began which in a few minutes became general and quite exciting. Saplings cut along the Codorus were used as offensive and defensive weapons, and blows were dealt with unsparing hands. Hamilton and his party fled west of the Codorus. During the remainder of the day the Scotch-Irish were not seen east of the creek. There were a few limbs broken and blood was shed, but no lives were lost in the fray. At the time of this riot the Scotch- Irish present were greatly inferior in num-
Nicholas Ryland, the coroner, who was appointed with Hance Hamilton the year before, opened another election box with new officers, and proceeded to take votes until evening. Nearly all the votes cast at this place were in favor of Richard McAllis- ter, who, when the day ended, it was claimed by his followers, was elected sheriff of York County. But now came the time for Hance Hamilton to assert his official right. He thereupon declined to assist in counting the votes and make official returns to the Pro- vincial Government at Philadelphia, stating as his reason that he was "driven by vio- lence from the place of voting," and by the same violence was prohibited from return- ing there, whereby it was not in his power to do his duty, and therefore could make no returns.
On a public hearing by the Hamilton Commissioned. Provincial Governor and Council at Philadelphia, it was unanimously agreed "that it was not owing to Hamilton that the election was obstructed, and likewise he could not in his circumstances as proven by witnesses, make a return." The Governor therefore granted Hance Hamilton a com- mission as sheriff, during the Governor's pleasure. At the next session of court be- ginning October 30, 1750, the following was ordered to be recorded :
"Whereas, Hance Hamilton, Esq., high sheriff of this county, hath by his remon- strance in writing of this court set forth, that by reason of the tumultuous behavior bers, as most of them lived a long distance of sundry persons at the last election held from York, while the Germans were quite numerous in and around the town. Hamil- ton was not the man to beat a retreat unless for good cause or from necessity. He was then a young man of twenty-nine. His of this Province, entitled 'an act for raising future career as an officer, against the French and Indians, showed that he was a
here for this county, and of the ballots or tickets not having been delivered to the in- spectors on three several pieces of paper as directed by an act of the General Assembly the county rates and levies,' he could not make such returns as by the aforesaid act bold, daring and courageous man. On the is enjoined: It is therefore considered and occasion of this riot, being sheriff himself, ordered by the court here, that the commis- and having charge of the election poll, he sioners and assessors who served this county represented the law-abiding element, and it in their several stations the last year, shall would seem, showed manly courage by re- (in pursuance of the act aforesaid), serve for the ensuing year, or until there shall be a new election." treating with his adherents out of contact with his violent and tumultuous opponents.
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POLITICAL
As a consequence of this riot, York Harris, an intelligent merchant who owned County was without representatives in the a store on the southwest corner of Market General Assembly for that year. Hamilton and Water Streets, and afterward editor of served as sheriff until 1753, when he was the York Gazette, wrote an account of this succeeded by John Adlum, but was re- contest, imitating the language of the scrip- elected in 1755. serving until he led a com- tures. He called it "The first chapter of pany of York County soldiers in 1756 to Chronicles." It read as follows : take part in the French and Indian war.
An exciting contest took place in York County during the political campaign of 1789. This was the first year of George Washington's first term as president of the United States. John Edie, a patriot of the Revolution, a Scotch-Irishman by descent, and then the editor of the "Pennsylvania Herald and York General Advertiser," the only paper published in York, had nearly completed his three year term as sheriff of York County. The candidate of the Scotch- Irish for sheriff that year was Captain Wil- liam McClellan, also a soldier of the Revo- lution and a resident of the Marsh Creek settlement near the site of Gettysburg.
The candidate to represent the The Germans Win. Germans was Conrad Laub, who had served as a clerk in the county Court House for several years, but at this time was pro- prietor of a public inn. Laub was a Ger- man, born in the Fatherland, and was one of the earliest political leaders of his nation- ality in York. The contest centered on the election of sheriff. There were then four election places in York County, one at the Court House, one at Hanover, one at Nich- olson's mill at the forks of the Muddy Creek in Chanceford Township, and one at York Springs. This election occurred eleven years before Adams County had been formed out of York. Both the candidates for sheriff traveled through the county, arousing the enthusiasm of their adherents. At that early date the telephone and the tel- egraph were not in use to convey the result of the election to York. The news was brought by couriers on horseback, and when
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