History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 131

Author: Prowell, George R.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1372

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Fisher, Rev. C. J. Hutchins, Rev. A. H. Lochman, D. D., Edward G. Smyser, Rev. J. O. Miller, D. D., V. K. Keesey, Rev. Johnathan Oswald, Henry Lanius, William Danner, Gates G. Weiser, Charles S. Wei- ser, David E. Small, M. B. Spahr, Lewis Carl, Israel Laucks, Rev. William Baum, D. D., George F. Leber, Rev. L. A. Gotwalt, D. D., W. Latimer Small, Rev. A. W. Lilly, Jere Carl, W. H. Welsh, W. H. Souder, John J. Vandersloot, John W. Buckingham, Rev. E. W. Shields.

On May 7, 1874, Dr. C. A. Morris died, having served for more than fifty years as a member of the board. November 20, 1819, the name of D. B. Prince, first occurs as a teacher. He continued to serve in the fe- male department, with the exception of a few years, until July 18, 1866, a period of forty-five years. Upon his retirement, the male and female departments, which had been separated during forty-three years (1823-1866), were again consolidated, and George W. Ruby, who had served as prin- cipal of the male department from 1850, was elected to the principalship of both depart- ments.

Prominent among the teachers who died while in the service of the institution was Rev. Stephen Boyer, whose faithful labor of twenty-five years (1823-1848), received a worthy tribute from the board of trustees.

On April 1, 1870, the female department was discontinued.

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YORK COUNTY ACADEMY, FOUNDED IN 1787

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schools in 1893, George W. Gross was again elected principal of the academy and con- tinued in the position until his retirement in 1898. E. E. Wentworth, of Massachu- setts, served in this position from 1899 to 1905. James H. Crowell, who had served for six years as one of the instructors in the institution, succeeded as principal and served until his voluntary retirement on ac- count of ill heatlh in March, 1906. David H. Gardner, who for twelve years was the active and efficient county superintendent of schools, was then chosen principal of this institution. The board of trustees in 1907 were: John W. Bittenger, president; Jere Carl, secretary; William R. Horner, treas- urer ; John C. Jordan, Capt. W. H. Lanius, George P. Smyser, Rev. C. E. Walter, D. D., Charles S. Weiser, Philip A. Small, W. F. Bay Stewart, D. K. Trimmer, Israel Laucks, George S. Billmeyer, John J. Van- dersloot, Horace Keesey, Henry Small, Fred. A. Beck, William H. Welsh, Rev. A. G. Fastnacht, D. D., Rev. Adam Stump, D. D.

The Centennial celebration of Centennial. the York County Academy was held September 19 and 20, 1887. The exercises began in the York Opera House on the evening of September 19, in the presence of a large audience. Alumni and students were seated on the stage. Rev. J. O. Miller, D. D., presided at the meeting; Hon. James W. Latimer, judge of the York County Courts, delivered the anniversary address. An ode, written by H. C. Niles, adapted to the tune "Jerusalem the Golden," was sung by a chorus, as- sisted by the audience. Hon. John Gibson, president judge of the County Courts, read an historical sketch of the institution; an ode, written by Mrs. Amanda C. Crider, to the tune "Star Spangled Banner," was sung; an original poem was read by Hon. William H. Welsh, and an ode, written by Robert F. Gibson to tune, "Auld Lang Syne," was sung.

Exercises were held in the York County Academy on the following day. George W. Gross, the principal, delivered an ad- dress of welcome; letters were read from members of the alumni, not present; and a biography of David B. Prince, a former principal, was read by one of the pupils.

Gardner was elected. When the latter was At the evening session Rev. Dr. John G. chosen county superintendent of public Morris, of Baltimore, who had been a stu- dent at the academy from 1817 to 1820, gave his recollections of his school days. Rev. Dr. Charles Hay, of Gettysburg, read a paper referring to the early history of the academy written by Rev. Samuel Bacon. George W. Heiges read a poem prepared by Mrs. Catherine L. Moore; D. K. Trim- mer read a paper written by a former pupil on the life and character of George W. Ruby, who served as a principal for thirty- two years. George H. Gibson, of the regu- lar army, a former student, delivered a brief address. A poem written by Daniel M. Et- tinger, a former teacher, was read by Capt. Frank Geise.

The "Lancastrian System," so Lancastrian School. called in honor of Joseph Lan- caster, a native of England, who visited Pennsylvania about 1815, was based upon monitorial or mutual instruction. It required that a school should be divided into several sec- tions, according to the acquirements of the scholars; over each one of these sections the head teacher appointed a "monitor," generally the most advanced pupil, whose duty it was to superintend the instruction of his companions in the section in which he belonged.

A school of this kind was opened in York "on Water Street, in the house of Jacob Wampler," on April 1, 1816, by Abner Thomas and Amos Gilbert, two educated members of the Society of Friends. They were then both intimate associates of Thad- deus Stevens, who was a teacher at the academy. They taught reading, arithmetic, writing, English Grammar, and the Eng- lish classics, and furnished the pupils with books and paper. Amos Gilbert afterward became a noted educator. The school was moved to a building adjoining the Friends' Meeting House on Philadelphia Street. In 1820 Francis McDermott was teacher. This school prospered for a number of years.

The Reformed Theological Sem- Reformed Seminary. inary, now an influential and prosperous institution at Lan- caster, Pennsylvania, was founded by act of the general Synod of the Reformed Church, held at Bedford, Sep- tember, 1824. The institution was opened at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, May 17, 1825. It

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

occupied rooms in Dickinson College, where ident. A library composed of nearly 4,000 Rev. Lewis Mayer, D. D., then one of the volumes was a part of the equipment of the at York. These books were chiefly in the German language, among which were some rare works. prominent clergymen of the Reformed theological seminary and the classical school Church, and the chief founder of the Sem- inary, lectured to the students. His lectures covered the whole range of the theological thought. His biography appears on page 467.

When the institution was opened there were only five students, but the number in- creased from year to year. In September, 1828, by order of the Synod held at Leba- non, the seminary was removed from Car- lisle to York, where it occupied a convenient building at the northwest corner of Market and Penn streets. Rev. Dr. Mayer was chosen professor of Dogmatic Theology. The institution was opened at York with a good attendance and encouraging prospects for future success. Rev. Mr. Young was elected assistant professor in the seminary.

seminary was established May, 1832, at York, by authority of the Reformed Synod which met at Harrisburg in 1831. The school was conducted in a build- ing on the east side of South George Street, on the site of the parsonage of St. Mary's Catholic Church. The first princi- pal was Rev. William A. Good, afterward pastor of Zion Reformed Church. In Sep- tember, 1832, the synod appointed Rev. F. A. Rauch principal of this institution and professor of sacred literature in the theo- logical seminary. Rev. Rauch was born in Germany and was graduated from the University of Marburg. He came to Amer- ica, in 1831, and after serving one year as professor of German at Lafayette College, came to York. The classical school under his principalship was successful. Rev. John H. Agnew, formerly professor of languages in Washington College, Pennsylvania, was appointed assistant, and upon his resigna- tion in September, 1833, Rev. H. Miller was elected his successor. Rev. Charles Dober, pastor of the Moravian Church at York, was engaged as assistant in May, 1832, and in the spring of 1834, upon the resignation of Mr. Miller, Samuel W. Budd was ap- pointed to the vacancy. The classical school continued at York until 1835, when it was removed to Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, where it was incorporated with Marshall College, with Dr. Rauch as the first presi-

The seminary remained at York until 1837, when it also was removed to Mercers- burg. Marshall College remained there un- til it was removed to Lancaster, where it was incorporated in 1853, with Franklin College and became Franklin and Marshall College. The Goethean Literary Society of this college was organized under Dr. Rauch, in the classical school at York. During the nine years that the Reformed Theological Seminary was in York it educated large numbers of young men for the ministry. Rev. Mr. Riegle, of Dillsburg, who served as pastor of the Reformed congregation in that borough, and lived until 1889, was the

A classical school connected with the last survivor of Reformed clergymen edu- cated in the Seminary at York.

This institution was started as a young ladies' seminary by.

Cottage Hill Rev. T. F. Hey, of Baltimore, Seminary. who had a large attendance of students for a number of years. Rev. Daniel Eberly, D. D., was his suc- cessor. During his presidency it became a chartered institution, in connection with the conference of the United Brethren in Christ, with powers to confer degrees upon com- pleting a course of study. For a time S. B. Heiges and W. H. Griffith conducted a normal school in the building. For school purposes it was last used by the Misses Thornbury and Mifflin, who had the " Young Ladies' Seminary of York" in this building for a number of years.

The Cottage Hill College was situated near the Codorus, within the present limits of the Thirteenth ward.

Before 1870 Samuel Small, Sr.,

Collegiate Institute. conceived the idea of providing in his own town, means for the liberal education of its youth. The Norwich Free Academy, which he saw on a visit to the town where it is situated, seemed to embody almost his own idea. Soon after returning home he selected a quarter square on the northeast corner of Duke Street and what has since been known as College Avenue, and in 1871 the corner-stone of the first building was laid.

YORK COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE

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He added a liberal endowment which were preparing for a higher education. was increased by the generosity of the For more than ten years the course here founder's widow, Mrs. Isabel Cassat Small. fitted the graduate for the junior class in the best colleges. When it was found that most students preferred to enter the fresh- man class, the course was changed to meet the demand. Another change made in 1893, admits young women to the classical and scientific courses, that they, as well as the young men may be fitted for college. Grad- uates have entered and have been graduated from Bryn Mawr, Mount Holyoke, Swarth- more, Woman's College of Baltimore, Wil- son, Bucknell, and Lebanon Valley. The Cassat library of two thousand, five hundred volumes was a later gift. A board of trustees of Mr. Small's own selection, was organized April 14, 1873, a charter was ob- tained August 27, of the same year, and on September 15 the Institute was opened for students. A faculty of five with Rev. James McDougal, Ph. D., as president, had been chosen, and fifty students were ready to be enrolled. On July 14, 1885 the venerable founder and president of the board of trus- tees died, and his nephew, Samuel Small, Of the original board of trustees but two remain, the president and John M. Brown. The other members are: Col. W. S. Frank- lin, W. M. Franklin, George S. Schmidt, J. S. Miller; M. D .; Rev. Charles A. Oliver, Philip A. Small, A. M. Grove, Samuel Small, Jr., J. A. Dempwolf, Rev. W. J. Oliver, Rev. George W. Ely, Rev. F. C. Yost, Rev. D. S. Curry. was chosen to fill the place. On December 7, of the same year, the building was entirely destroyed by fire. Recitations were con- ducted in the York County Hospital, an- other of Mr. Small's gifts to the city, until a new building was completed. This new building, erected by his nephews, \V. Lat- imer, Samuel and George Small, is larger, more convenient and more elaborate than the first, and was dedicated Tuesday, March 15, 1887. The front door of the main build- ing is the entrance to memorial hall. Fac- ing the door is a portrait, almost life size, of the honored founder.

After the death of Dr. McDougall, Prof. A. B. Carner, senior professor, conducted the affairs of the school until Rev. E. T. Jeffers, D. D., elected in February, 1893, took up the duties of the presidency on May I, of the same year. The other mem- bers of the faculty are A. B. Carner, A. M., elected in 1876; Charles H. Ehrenfeld, Ph. D., elected in 1887; Miss M. S. Bixby, elected in 1877; R. Z. Hartzler, A. M .. elected in 1898; Miss Edith Latane, A. B., elected in 1902, and Edith H. Chapman, B. S., elected in 1904.

During the thirty-three years of the life of the Institute, the average attendance has been a little over one hundred each year. The graduates have averaged ten. About fifteen hundred different students have been under instruction, and over three hundred have been graduated. Of the young men who have graduated, twelve have become lawyers, twelve physicians, thirty-three clergymen, six teachers, four farmers, thirty- six business men and three journalists. Nine have filled important positions as su- perintendents, chemists, draughtsmen or civil engineers. Many are pursuing their studies at colleges and technical schools. Of the young women graduates forty-five are married, nine are teachers, eight are continuing their studies. Of the non-grad- uates many are in the professions and in college.

The Phi Sigma Literary Society, com- posed of the young men of the three higher classes and the male members of the fac- ulty, meets every Friday evening for the cultivation of the art of composition and expression.

A Y. M. C. A. has been in existence for twenty years and does effective work in developing the spiritual life of its members.

The board, faculty and students work to- gether to make real the hope of the founder, expressed on the day of the dedication of the first building, as the closing words of his address, "And may God's blessing ever rest on this Institute and make it a means

The plan of the school, as the founder de- signed it, was two-fold, both to give the young people of York and vicinity, who of promoting sound Christian education." wished to finish their studies at home, a The development of the busi- ness and manufacturing in- Schools. terests of York necessitated well rounded literary and scientific educa- Commercial tion, and also to fit for college any boys who

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

the establishment of schools for the orphans schools in different parts of the special training of young men and women state. In 1884 Samuel Small added im- for position in the counting room, the provements to the building at a cost of business office and the bank. T. Kirk $8,000. The children's home is largely sup- White, a noted penman, opened a commer- ported by donations and contributions from cial school before the Civil war, which pros- charitable and benevolent citizens of York and vicinity. pered for several years. He trained a large number of young men in penmanship, book- In 1899 the late Samuel Smyser presented to the Children's Home a farm containing 125 acres, situated in West Manchester Township. This farm was originally pur- chased from the proprietaries of Pennsyl- vania by his paternal ancestor, Mathias Smyser, who came to York County from Germany and settled on this land in 1745. keeping and business arithmetic. S. B. Gensler conducted the next school. About 1875 John Schlee, an Englishman and a stu- dent of Pitman, the originator of the sys- tem of shorthand, introduced the subject of stenography into York and taught a class for several months. Commercial schools were taught by Leeds and Batcheldor for several terms. About 1894 W. H. Pat- rick opened a commercial school in which he has since trained a large number of stu- dents in stenography and bookkeeping. The York School of Business, with depart- ments of shorthand, bookkeeping and teleg- raphy, was opened in January, 1904, and has successfully trained many stenographers, bookkeepers and telegraph operators. It is owned and conducted by George R. Prowell. The Children's Home, which

Children's Home.

occupies a conspicuous build- ing on East Philadelphia Street, York, was founded through the generosity of Samuel Small, Sr., in 1865, the last year of the Civil war. The school received a charter of incorporation in which it is stated that the institution is for the purpose of educating, training and provid- ing a means of livelihood for friendless and destitute children distinct from the state provisions for soldiers' orphans. On May, 18, 1865, when the institution opened in a private house, a large number of the orig- inal pupils were children of soldiers who had recently returned from the war. The pro- ject was a success and in 1867, a four story brick building was erected, largely through the generosity of Samuel Small, Sr., assisted by certain contributions from his brother- in-law, Charles A. Morris. The cost of the building was $40,000. At this time children of soldiers from the counties of York, Dau- phin, Adams and Cumberland were admitted to the institution and carefully trained for usefulness in life. Up to the year 1885 ninety soldiers' children had received their early training in this home. At the age of ten they were transferred to the soldiers'

Charles A. Morris, in his will bequeathed $5,000, the interest of which is to be used in support of the institution. Miss Helen Kell has served as instructor in this school for seventeen years. This institution has filled an important mission in the city and county of York. Its board of trustees in 1907 was composed of the following: Sam- uel Small, president ; John M. Brown, first vice president ; William H. Welsh, second vice president ; Clarence Eisenhart, secre- tary; George S. Schmidt, treasurer; J. A. Dempwolf, Peter McLean, George H. Buck, E. E. Johnson, John W. Steacy, Dr. J. S. Miller, George P. Smyser, William Laucks, David P. Klinedinst, Fahs Smith, Dr. J. H. Yeagley.

SOCIETIES.

Among the literary institutions of York was the Franklin Lyceum, originally the Franklin Debating Society, an association for "mutual improvement," by means of debates, essays and lectures, which held its meetings in the York County Academy. Many of the young men of that day, pupils of the academy and others, derived great benefit from its teachings and discussions. The society was formed in December, 1839, and continued in active operation until 1845. In the State House, that stood in Centre Square, and was torn down in 1840 was the York County Library, a large collection of standard works, which was removed to the room occupied by the Franklin Lyceum. Some of the members of the Lyceum were G. Christopher Stair, David F. Williams, D. Spangler Wagner, Joseph Garretson, Charles M. Smyser, William Sayers, David E. Small, Erastus H. Weiser, Daniel Kirk-

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wood, the astronomer, Rev. Augustus C. Wedikind, D. D., Rev. John Fritz, Com- mander William Gibson, United States Navy, General H. Gates Gibson, United States Army, Thomas Franklin, civil engi- neer, W. Henry Welsh, formerly state sen- ator from York County, Hon. John Gibson and Henry J. Stahle, editor of the Gettys- burg Compiler. After the dissolution of the Lyceum, in 1845, there was formed the Franklin Literary Association, with the same object. The Franklin Lyceum was subsequently reorganized in 1849 and con- tinued for several years.

society held its meetings in the cess. The county commissioners gave, free

The Irving Literary Society, com- Irving posed of representative men of Society. York was organized in 1866. The second story of Masonic Hall. It existed several years, during which time its mem- bers participated in many lively debates. The subjects discussed were the issues of the day. This was shortly after the close of the Civil war, when the policy of the government during the reconstruction pe- riod in the South, interested the whole country. The general amnesty bill, demon- etization of silver, the Franco-Prussian war, the San Domingo question and topics of a similar kind were debated before this soci- ety. Among the prominent members were : James W. Latimer, Martin S. Eichelberger, Colonel Levi Maish, Captain W. H. Lanius, Hiram S. McNair, John Gibson, George W. Heiges, James B. Ziegler, S. B. Gensler, Hiram Young, Dr. Charles H. Bressler, Rev. Octavius Perinchief, Rev. Charles J. Williams, Edward Haviland, Peter Bentz, A. H. Chase, George W. McElroy, D. Big- ler Bailey.

The last meeting of the society was held in the spring of 1873, when George W. Heiges was president and George R. Prow- ell, secretary. As a part of the program. one of the members of this society at each meeting was called upon to stand before the audience and make a speech of ten minutes, without preparation, upon any subject that the president might assign him. Topics re- lating to current events were generally se- lected. Sometimes, however, the most ab- struse questions of philosophy, science or law were assigned to the speaker, and if he could not perform his duty any member of the society could take his place.

The Historical Society of York Historical County was organized in 1895, Society. when the annual dues were fixed at $5.00. The Soci- ety started with encouraging prospects, but never held any regular meetings until 1902. During that year a vigorous effort was put forth and the membership of the Society was increased from forty to two hundred and fifty, and the annual dues re- duced to $2.00. The sum of $2,200 was raised for the purpose of starting a library of works relating to Pennsylvania; local imprints, historic views, and purchase any mementos or souvenirs relating to York County and Southern Pennsylvania.

The work went on with encouraging suc- of rent and supplied with heat, a large room on the third floor of the County Court House.

Since the year 1902 at least 12,000 per- sons annually have visited the room to con- sult the library, view the articles in the museum and the large collection of por- traits and views which decorate the walls.

The whole thought and ambition of the society has been to collect and preserve for all time to come, any and everything of his- toric interest, typical of the modes of life of our ancestors, from the time of the first settlement down to the present year.

The library contains two thousand vol- umes, nearly all of which relate to Pennsyl- vania. The collection of specimens of In- dian life are unique and very complete. They were all found within the limits of York County.

The last accession to the museum is the collection of all the birds, birds' nests and eggs, found in Southern Pennsylvania; also a collection of butterflies and other insects. This collection was made by George Miller, an amateur naturalist, of York, who spent thirty years of his life in his chosen occupa- tion.

The original board of trustees of the so- ciety in 1895, was composed of the follow- ing named gentlemen: Rev. Charles James Wood, John W. Bittenger, E. W. Spangler, Jere Carl, D. K. Trimmer, J. W. Steacy. The first officers elected were: John C. Jordan, president ; George P. Smyser, vice president ; Charles M. Billmeyer, treasurer : Charles A. Hawkins, recording secretary;

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

William F. Weiser, corresponding secre- Fellows. Prior to the adoption of definite tary. The presidents in order of succession plans by the lodges, the project took shape have been : John C. Jordan, Jere Carl, Rev. through the efforts and interest of a few in- H. E. Niles, D. D., John W. Bittenger, M. B. Spahr, George P. Smyser and Robert C. Bair. Charles A. Hawkins has served as recording secretary since the organiza- tion in 1895. George R. Prowell has been the curator and librarian since 1902, and Miss Lena T. Root, assistant.

LIBRARIES.

The York County Library Company ex- isted as early as 1794, when James Smith, of York, a signer of the Declaration of Inde- brary. In addition to the sum collected in pendence, was its president. A published list of the library for that year shows that it contained 125 volumes. Most of these books related to history theology and gen- eral literature. This library was kept on the second story of the Court House, which stood in Centre Square. It was patronized by many people for nearly half a century. Meantime, it was removed to the second story of the office building which stood east of the Court House.

In 1818 the library company was reorgan- ized as a stock company, and the following year was removed to the public house of Thomas McGrath in Centre Square. In 1822 a number of new books were pur- chased. At this time Rev. J. G. Schmucker was president ; Samuel Small, secretary ; Ja- cob Emmit, treasurer; John Evans, assist- ant secretary; D. Heckert, M. W. Ash, D. B. Prince, C. A. Morris, Samuel Wagner, John Vogelsong, Jonathan Jessop, James Lewis, Philip Smyser, James B. Webb, W. S. Franklin, Eli Lewis, directors.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 131

Author: Prowell, George R. Publication date: 1907 Publisher: J. H. Beers Number of Pages: 1372

Author: Prowell, George R.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1372