History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 148

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

USA > Pennsylvania > York County > History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I > Part 148

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

and that the prospects of their children would be bettered by a knowledge of the ruling tongue.

Wicker.

When the railroad was built to Hanover in 1852, it was found necessary to change the position of the public school building. which then stood near the original railroad station. During that year, the school board purchased from John Barnitz, a lot situated

In 1844, George Van de Linde opened a school in which he taught the modern lan- guages, the ancient classics and painting. Matthias E. Trone opened a private school in the "academy," where he taught the between Abbottstown and York Streets, for English branches, mensuration, trigonom- the sum of $800. Upon this site the school

826

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

board composed of William Bange, presi- brick, the frame work being a fine quality dent ; Jesse Frysinger, secretary; Dr. John of wood. For a period of two years, this Swope, John Grove, Henry C. Schriver and building was known as Eichelberg Acad- Peter Flickinger, erected a two-story brick building, containing four rooms, at a cost of $4,000. Two rooms were added at a later period. This building was the only school house in the town owned by the board of education until the High Street building was constructed in 1885. Meantime an ad- ditional building for two schools had been rented for school purposes.

In 1885, the board of education High composed of Henry Wirt, Wash- School. ington Bair, William Heltzel, Wil- liam A. Slagle, Charles Trone, Wil- liam Albright, D. D. Ehrhart and William F. Stair purchased a one acre lot on High Street, for $2,000 from Cornelius Young. Upon this site a handsome and commodious two-story brick building was erected at a cost of $17,000. This building was con- structed from a design made by architect J. A. Dempwolf, of York, and under the super- intendence of W. A. Slagle, contractor. The building was equipped with improved school furniture and apparatus. A course of study, including a curriculum for a High School had been adopted in 1884, when a class of five students received diplomas at graduating exercises. The present High School was founded in 1893, when nine young ladies and gentlemen were grad- uated as the first class. William L. Hoff- heins was the principal.

emy, an institution to prepare young ladies and gentlemen for college. Surrounding the building is a campus containing four acres. In 1900 Captain Eichelberger pre- sented this building and the grounds to the borough of Hanover for use as a public High School. In recognition of his gener- osity this institution has since been known as Eichelberger High School of Hanover. The school board, who received this gift from the generous donor was composed of the following named gentlemen: H. E. Young, president; O. T. Everhart, secre- tary; W. A. Little, treasurer; H. W. Bow- man, C. E. Althoff, E. G. Eckert, H. A. Haas, A. H. Melhorn.

In 1904, the old school building near Ab- bottstown Street, was torn down, and on the same site a large two-story building was erected at a cost of $30,000. This school building contains the best modern equip- ments, school apparatus and school furni- ture. It was built from a design made by Martin Moul of Hanover, and constructed by John Coulson & Brother. This build- ing contains eight large and commodious rooms. The board at the time of its erec- tion was composed of Dr. H. M. Alleman, president; George N. Gitt, secretary; Dr. J. H. Bittinger, treasurer; George T. Kerr, Dr. A. C. Wentz, Dr. M. M. Fleagle, Edward Egger and E. H. Hostetter.

This institution occupied the second floor Since the public schools were graded and a course of study adopted, they have been of the High Street building from 1893 until 1900. In 1891, a lot containing nearly two conducted under the direction of a super- acres was purchased on Hanover Street. vising principal. The names of these per- During that year, a two-story brick build- sons in order of succession are as follows : ing, containing six rooms, was erected, George R. Prowell, Z. T. Meixel, C. W. under the direction of the school board Corbin, George R. Prowell, J. A. Harbaugh, composed of Dr. J. H. Hartman, president ; T. F. Crostwaite and Joseph C. Carey. D. D. Ehrhart, secretary; E. H. Hostetter, The faculty of the High School in 1907 is treasurer ; L. P. Brockley, C. J. Gitt, L. V. composed of J. E. Bahn, William L. Hoff- Keller, W. P. Young and E. E. Wentz. heins, Emory R. Wolf, Miss S. B. Boaden- John Coulson & Brother were the architects hamer and Miss Mary C. Light. and contractors.

The High School Alumni Association was organized in 1896 with M. W. Naill as president, who has since held that office. The annual reunion and reception of the as-

In 1897, Captain A. W. Eichelberger, an enterprising and public spirited citizen of Hanover, at his own expense, erected a modern school building on an elevation at sociation is held the evening following the the northwestern part of the town. It was commencement exercises in June of each built from a design prepared by Reinhardt year. More than 300 members are en- Dempwolf of York, and was constructed of rolled.

EICHELBERGER HIGH SCHOOL

EMMANUEL REFORMED CHURCH

827

THE BOROUGH OF HANOVER

BANKS.

The Hanover Saving Fund Society, the second oldest banking institution in York County, was established in 1835. A charter was granted April 14, the cash capital being $10,000, with the privilege of increasing to $50,000.

The commissioners under the charter were Benjamin Welsh, W. D. Gobrecht, Charles E. Creamer, Daniel Barnitz, Dr. Henry C. Wampler and Matthias N. Forney.

The first election was held July 1, 1835, and resulted in the choice of Jacob Eichel- berger, Jacob Forry, Martin Klunk, D. P. Lange Jacob Young, John Sholl, Jacob Newman, Dr. H. C. Wampler and W. D. Gobrecht as directors. The board organized with Jacob Eichelberger as president, F. E. Metzger secretary, and Matthias N. Forney, treasurer.

The presidents of the institution in order of succession have been Jacob Eichelberger, dent; Reuben Young, vice president : Paul Jacob Wirt, Henry Wirt, R. A. Eichelberger and R. M. Wirt, the last-named having served since 1885. Winebrenner, treasurer; directors, L. P. Brockley, J. J. Conrad, A. R. Brodbeck, C. E. Moul, J. U. Ruff, J. J. Schmidt, Daniel Stump.

The treasurers in order of succession have been Matthias N. Forney, F. E. Metz- The building committee was composed of ger, Matthias N. Trone, R. A. Eichelberger, the president and the following directors: J. N. Slagle, and Paul Winebrenner, Mr. J. J. Schmidt, chairman; C. E. Moul, Paul Winebrenner, J. J. Conrad. Slagle having served the institution for a period of over thirty-five years. Mr. Wine- An act of Congress was passed brenner entered the employ of the bank in 1885, and was the first assistant treasurer to National. serve the institution, being appointed as such in 1889, and filling this position until 1902 when he was appointed treasurer.

The bank opened for business in the Newman building on the north side of Fred- erick Street adjoining the Central Hotel property. A short time later they rented a building on the east side of Carlisle Street, on the site now occupied by the City Drug Store, where they remained until 1878 when the present site was purchased and a bank- ing house erected at a cost of $11,280.

The par value of the stock is $10 per share with a ready market value of $80 per share. The bank pays thirty per cent. per annum to its stockholders on the par value of its stock.

In addition to the above showing, from November 1905 to May 1907 this institution set aside out of earnings $75,000 toward the erection of its imposing new banking house on the east side of Carlisle Street, at an ap- proximate cost of $100,000. This new structure is one of the finest banking houses in this country, having a frontage of fifty feet. with a depth of 100 feet, and fifty-six feet high. It is constructed of Barre Ver- mont granite. The interior is mahogany with American Pavanaza marble wains- coating, double vaults, private booths, ladies' waiting room, public toilets and every convenience for a large banking house.

The new building was erected under the following management: R. M. Wirt, presi-

First in 1863 for the purpose of estab- lishing national banks through- out the loyal states of the Union. This was during the period of the Civil War. November 20, of that year, a number of prominent citizens of Hanover met for the purpose of establishing a new institution. There were eleven stockholders present. Jacob Forney was chosen chairman of the meeting and Henry M. Schmuck, secretary. The bank was started with a capital stock of $50,000. At a meeting held November 25, Jacob Forney was elected president, and F. E. Metzger, secretary. The first board of directors was composed of the following : Jacob Forney, Henry M. Schmuck. Stephen Keefer, Henry Eichelberger, Dr. J. P. Smith, David Slagle. George D. Klinefelter, F. E. Metzger and John Grove.

This institution has enjoyed a continuous era of prosperity from the time of its organ- ization. Since the year 1885 and up to 1907 the bank has paid to its stockholders in dividends $192,000. In addition to divi- dends paid since 1885 it has earned and car- Having been fully organized, the bank ried to surplus account $235,628, making began business in January, 1864, in the the surplus at this time five times its capital. Metzger building, Broadway and York

828

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Street. The bank was moved to the Bar- E. M. Etzler, cashier. The capital stock nitz property on Broadway. In 1876, a site was $50,000 and the bank began business was purchased at the southeast angle of the in the Sprenkle building at the corner of Square, and a three-story building erected York Street and Broadway January 1, 1893. with an iron front. The first story of this As a financial institution the Peoples Bank prospered from the time it began operations. building is used by the bank, the second story by the Arcadian Club, and the third Owing to the success of the business in the by the Grand Army of the Republic. F. E. Metzger resigned the position of cashier in 1866, and was succeeded by J. H. Aulabaugh, who continued two years, when Stephen Keefer succeeded and held the position until 1873. C. W. Forney was cashier dur- ing the succeeding three years when John H. Alleman was elected. In 1874, the capi- tal stock was increased to $100,000, and in 1875, to $200,000. Jacob Forney retired from the presidency of the bank in 1875 and Dr. J. P. Smith was elected. He was suc- ceeded by Henry M. Schmuck, elected January, 1881. The board of directors at this time were: Henry M. Schmuck, presi- dent : Vincent O'Bold, A. S. Himes, George D. Gitt, A. J. Snively, G. H. Shirk, Andrew Rudisill, John Krug and Samuel Basehore.

Mr. Schmuck retired from the presidency in 1889, when Vincent O'Bold was chosen his successor. J. D. Zouck was elected president January, 1899. The First Na- tional Bank of Hanover is one of the promi- nent financial institutions of York County. H. E. Hoke was elected cashier in 1899 and has since held that position. The board of directors in 1907 was composed of J. D. Zouck, George D. Gitt, William H. Over- baugh, G. H. Shirk, John Krug, J. H. Brough, A. W. Himes, J. H. Schmuck and Nicholas Wagner. The surplus in 1907 was $125,000; undivided profits, $13,937 ; net earnings from organization, $547,327; divi- dends paid, $419,579.

Peoples The Peoples Bank of Hanover was organized in July, 1892, and Bank. obtained a charter from the bank- ing department of Pennsylvania November 7, of the same year. The first MANUFACTURES. board of directors was composed of Dr. J. H. Bittinger, John C. Tanger, J. Q. Alle- When Richard McAllister laid out the town of Hanover, there were a number of tradesmen living in the vicinity. The car- penter, shoemaker, weaver, tailor and blacksmith were necessary for every com- munity among the first settlers west of the walt, Peter Dellone, James H. Colehouse, Washington Metzgar, Lewis Bosserman, Charles Diehl, S. B. Brodbeck, Emanuel Myers and George S. Krug. The bank was organized by the election of Dr. J. H. Bit- tinger as president, J. Q. Allewalt, vice- Susquehanna and throughout the province president : John C. Tanger, secretary, and of Pennsylvania. The people who first oc-

year 1901, the Board of Directors purchased a building at the southwest corner of Fred- erick Street and Centre Square, and after re- moving the old structure which had stood for more than a century, erected on the same site a commodious three-story bank building at a cost of $15,000. In January, 1907, the surplus and profits of this insti- tution were $57,000. The deposits were $382,000. Dr. J. H. Bittinger served as president of the bank until 1899, when he resigned to give his entire attention to his professional duties and J. Q. Allewalt was elected and filled the position until the time of his death in 1903. Henry A. Bair was then elected president. E. M. Etzler was cashier until 1896, when he resigned and was succeeded by George S. Krug. The board of directors in 1907 was composed of Henry A. Bair, Ephraim Nace, Alvin R. Nissly, R. A. Colehouse, D. A. Frommeyer, S. B. Brodbeck, E. B. Meyers, Henry B. Forry and D. L. Slagle.

The Farmers State Bank of Hanover was chartered in October, 1906, by the State of Pennsylvania. The bank was organized November 17, 1906, by the election of D. M. Frey, president; J. S. Schwartz, vice- president ; H. J. Hoffacker, secretary; H. M. Rudisill, cashier ; Ralph Hoffacker, teller. The directors for 1907 are D. M. Frey, Jacob S. Schwartz, H. J. Hoffacker, Dr. F. H. Beard, Samuel M. Bare, George S. Kin- dig, Frank Kale, John W. Sterner, Elias H. Sterner, John F. Rohrbaugh and Edward C. Hoffacker. The bank opened its doors for business in the building owned by the Order of Elks on Baltimore Street.

829

THE BOROUGH OF HANOVER

cupied these fertile lands, raised flax to Ault, organ builder; John Danner and John make tow and linen goods for summer wear. Emig, tobacconists. The cigars they made They also raised sheep for wool which was were sold at the rate of two, three and four spun into yarn or woven into cloth for win- for a big copper cent.

ter apparel. This work was done by the The wagon maker was the pio- neer of an industry which be- The black- Building. came very prominent in this borough for a period of fifty spinners and weavers. The cloth was made Carriage at the pioneer fulling mills. smith shoed the horses, made wrought iron nails for the pioneer homes, and the iron years. From 1830 to 1880 Hanover was tools which the farmer used. The carpen- known as the leading town in southern ter hewed the logs and split the timber for Pennsylvania for the manufacture of bug- beams and joists and rafters for the fron- tier cabin in the virgin forests before the sawmill had been built.

gies and other pleasure carriages. During this period there were more than thirty large and small factories, each employing Among the tradesmen who resided in from five to twenty men. Hanover in 1791, were the following: riages had a wide reputation, and were sold Jonathan Boffendaum, Christian Bixler, in large numbers in Pennsylvania, Maryland Jacob Boas, Nicholas Feels, John Faller, and Virginia. When this industry was con- Michael Graff, Christopher Green, Christian ducted most prosperously, it is estimated Graff, Nicholas Gelwix, John Great, Jacob that 2,000 carriages or more were made each Houck, Conrad Hoke, Jacob Hellman, year at all the different factories in Han-

Hanover car- Christian Hoffman, Henry Hoke, Jacob Hopeman, Bernhardt Houck, Wendel Kel- ler, John Milliron, Jacob Nusser, Casper over. Jacob Grove and his brother John, succeeded their father in the wagonmaking business and early began to make buggies. Shifler, George Shreyer, John Walters, Among the leading persons who engaged Adam Forney, Peter Gelwix. These men in making carriages were the following: were shoemakers, wagonmakers, tailors, John Emig, Joseph Althoff, G. W. Welsh, carpenters, weavers and blacksmiths. There Joseph Dellone, William C. W. Welsh, was a brickyard adjoining the town.

Harry Kurtz, Jacob, Emanuel and William Thomas, Joseph Holland, Carl Erdmann, Jacob and John Bender, Alexander Gitt, Alfred Michael, David S. Tanger, Andrew and William Soliday, William Grumbine,

Adam Forney was the first to engage in the tanning business in the vicinity of Han- over. As early as 1783 he owned and op- erated a tannery on the site of the canning factory, owned by D. E. Winebrenner & Alexander and Edward Yost, John Adams, Son, and continued this business for many John Kouk, Mathias Mann, Jesse Kohler, years thereafter. During the early part of Josiah S. Sprenkle, William and Samuel Althoff, Harry Atzerodt, George Koehler, Jacob Forney, and operated by himself and Charles Newman, Henry Shultz and Charles T. Kump.

last century, this tannery was owned by Peter Winebrenner. After these men re- tired from the business it was continued at the same place by David E. and Calvin Winebrenner. George Nace, Cornelius Making.

Young, George Forney and Michael Etzler

The cigar making industry and Cigar the manufacture of tobacco was begun in Hanover as early as 1800. John Danner and John

George Young, the father of John S., Reu-

owned tanneries within the limits of the Emig were the pioneers in this business. borough.

When Hanover was incorporated in 1815, ben and Charles Young, carried on a pros- it contained a population of 800. This was perous business in making cigars and sell- before the era of large shops and factories, ing tobacco before 1830 and later.

and wearing apparel, tools and implements,

During the past thirty years, the making and most of the necessaries of the village of cigars has employed more people than folk and the neighboring farmers were made any other industry in Hanover. In 1907, by local mechanics. George Eiler; Nicho- there were about thirty factories within the las Field, George Frysinger, George Grove, limits of the borough. Some of the largest John Leaver, Charles Ziegler, were wagon- makers; George Karg, chainmaker; Adam

factories are conducted by Frank Sneeringer, A. F. Hostetter, David McG. Newcomer,

830

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Lewis G. Pfaff, Lewis W. Pfaff, John H. brother, as well as the purchasers them- Little, Jesse Frysinger, Harry H. Heusner, selves, desired to make a success of the in- Charles E. Althoff, H. H. Trone, T. I. troduction of the reaper. The first reapers Smith, C. E. Sterner and John E. Hostetter. and mowers were very heavy. It required

Centennial Cigar Company, manufactur- ers of cheroots and small cigars, has carried on an extensive business for several years.

Henry A. Bair was one of the pioneers in the cigar box industry at Hanover. He

carried on the business successfully for a quarter of a century and then disposed of his factory to H. E. Bair & Company.

F. G. Sneeringer owns a large cigar box factory in Midway.

Reapers and

Conrad Moul of Hanover was the first person in York County to introduce the reaper and mower.

Mowers. In 1842, he moved from his

birthplace, Moulstown, in Heid- elberg Township, to the vicinity of Han- over, taking up his residence along the Ab- bottstown turnpike, just outside the present borough limits. Here he engaged in the manufacture of barrels and also sold lum- ber. In 1847, he began to make threshing machines and this led to his future business of manufacturing reapers and mowers. He often visited Baltimore, and there met Obed Hussey, the inventor of the Hussey reaper and mower, which afterwards had a very large sale.

In 1851, Conrad Moul brought the first. Hussey reaper and mower to Hanover. This machine was purchased by George Young and his brother, Jacob Young, both of whom owned large and productive farms in the vicinity of Hanover. The introduc- tion of this new method of cutting grass and grain attracted wide atention. Farm- In 1857 he moved his shop to the Public ers from a long distance came to see the Common. He first made his reapers util- machine operate. The early reapers and izing horse power, but afterwards bouglit an engine and boiler from Mr. Frick of Waynesboro. The Hussey reaper was a one-wheeled machine. Mr. Moul was him- self granted patents for improvements to the reaper. The patents granted to him for the different improvements to the reaper are in the possession of his son, Charles E. mowers had no reel or fan to press the grass or grain toward the guards, through which the knives passed to and fro in the cutting operation. A man who sat astride a bench to the rear of the knives, pulled the grain in toward the guards, so that all of the stalks would be cut. In cutting wheat, this man raked off the grain into "grips," which Moul.

a section around the patch of uncut grain York County Agricultural Fair, and re-

were bound into sheaves. Three or four men followed the reaper, each one binding while the reaper was cutting it.

Conrad Moul, who sold the first reaper and mower to George Young and his

three or four horses to pull one of them while cutting grass or grain. When this reaper was tried the first time, in 1851, John S. Young drove the horses.

George Young's reaper proved to be a success, and by the next year Conrad Moul sold a dozen or more in the vicinity of Han- over, and to the well-to-do farmers toward York.

In 1852 he sold the Hussey reaper to George Etzler and two or three other farm- ers around Hanover. In January, 1853, Conrad Moul secured the right from the in- ventor to manufacture the Hussey reaper and mower at his own shops in Hanover, and that year his account books show that he sold reapers and mowers to the follow- ing persons, each of whom paid $120 for his machine: John Herr, Henry Erisman, John Best. In 1854, Mr. Moul sold the Hussey reaper to Jacob Miller, Jacob Bechtel, Peter Menges, and others.

In 1855, he moved his shops near the rail- road, on Abbottstown Street, where with enlarged facilities he continued the manu- facture of the Hussey reaper for many years. During that year he sold reapers to Michael Carl, Daniel Barnitz, Samuel My- ers, Karl Forney, Peter Sell, Henry Ham- mond, Jacob Kessler, Jonas Rebert, Henry Meyers and George Forry. By this year the price had gone up to $125, but the de- mand increased every year afterwards, and Conrad Moul did a large business.

Conrad Moul, in 1854, exhibited a Hus- sey reaper of his own manufacture at the ceived a diploma for his machine. In 1859 he began to manufacture the Hussey reaper and mower combined. In 1866 he obtained

831

THE BOROUGH OF HANOVER

a patent for a self-raking attachment. He prospered in the foundry business where he continued to make reapers and mowers at made the cast iron which he used in his ma- his Hanover shops for twenty years. In chine shop. In this shop he regularly em- 1870 he erected a planing mill and in 1879 ployed from thirty to forty men in the man- ufacture of threshing machines, and many varieties of agricultural implements. organized the firm of C. Moul & Company, which continued business at his place until his death in 1893. This planing mill, door and sash mill is now operated by C. Moul & Company, with Martin Moul president, C. E. Moul secretary, and E. H. Moul treas- urer.

Daniel Flickinger erected a machine shop in 1848 on York Street on the site of the residence of G. H. Shirk. About the same time his two brothers, John and Peter Flickinger, built a foundry and machine shop on the site of Trinity Reformed Church and parsonage. The Flickinger Brothers in 1858 obtained the right to make the Dorsey reaper, which was the first ma- chine in this region to successfully use the self rake. The castings were made in their own factory in which they also made a great many threshing machines and other agricultural implements.

In 1858 Mr. Fitz and his son, John Fitz, moved to Martinsburg, Virginia, where they carried on an extensive business until the death of the father. This business was continued by the son at Martinsburg. In 1896 he sold out his interests in that town, and returned to Hanover. Since his resi- dence in Hanover, Mr. Fitz has been en- gaged almost entirely in the manufacture of steel over-shot water wheels. He has en- larged his plant and added modern equip- ments. Within recent years he has em- ployed regularly from thirty to fifty men at this industrial establishment, and has sold a large number of wheels throughout many states of the Union. J. Samuel Fitz is as- sociated with his father in the business. During the residence of John Fitz at Mar- tinsburg, the foundry and machine shop at

The Dorsey reapers manufactured at Hanover was continued under the manage- these shops were sold extensively through ment of Henry Creager and Jacob Fitz, son Pennsylvania and Maryland. For two of the original owner, and later by an incor- porated company which afterward erected shops in the suburbs of the town. days after the cavalry fight at Hanover, the Flickinger shops were used as a temporary hospital. J. & P. Flickinger operated the Samuel Mumma had a small machine shop on the York road near Hanover which he began to operate about 1830. He en- gaged in making and repairing agricultural implements. His son, Jacob Mumma, who was of an inventive turn of mind, at first followed the occupation of a portrait painter. In 1855, he went to Europe and foundry and machine shops on York Street until 1884, when they discontinued business. During that year the business was removed to Franklin Street, where Samuel and Win- field S. Flickinger. erected new shops, at which they make and repair agricultural implements, and build steam engines.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 148

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