History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 155

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

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obtained a free patent for a tract of land three leagues square, on part of which Dills- burg is built, and another part is a valuable ore bank. He was also granted a tract of land in Washington County, Pennsylvania, known as "Dillwood." He married a sec- ond time. Late in life he moved to Fair- field, Adams County, where he died and was buried. He left seven sons, Colonel Mat- thew Dill, Jr., Major James Dill, Colonel John Dill, Captain Thomas Dill, who was a student at Princeton College, entered the army and was wounded at the battle of Brandywine. He was afterward presented by his father the tract called "Dillwood," where he moved. His daughter, Jane Dill, married Henry Wilson, from whom de- scended Rev. Thomas B. Wilson, and whose children are Rev. Maurice Wilson, of Bal- timore, and Rev. Calvin D. Wilson, of Har- ford County, Maryland. A second son of Jane Dill Wilson, was Rev. Samuel J. Wil- son, D. D., LL. D., late of Allegheny, Penn- sylvania, whose son, Robert D. Wilson, is a prominent lawyer of Pittsburg. A daughter of Jane Dill Wilson, viz: Elizabeth, was married to John Paxton, whose sons were Rev. John R. Paxton, a clergyman in New York City, and Captain Wilson A. Paxton, of Washington, D. C.

Dr. Armstrong Dill, a graduate of Prince- ton College, was a son of Colonel Matthew Dill. He died at the age of twenty-seven years, December 31, 1788. His widow mar- ried Dr. John Witherspoon, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The follow- ing paragraph was copied from the United States Gazette, published in Philadelphia, and appeared June, 1791 :

WITHERSPOON-DILL .- Married at Philadelphia, Penn., on Monday evening, the 30th ult., by Rev. Dr. Nesbit, President of Dickinson College, the Rev. Dr. John Witherspoon, President of Princeton College, to Mrs. Ann Dill, widow of Dr. Armstrong Dill, of York County, Penn., a lady of great beauty and merit.

On Wednesday after the President's return to Princeton with his amiable wife, a deputation of the students waited upon him to congratulate him upon the joyful occasion, and he politely gave them two days' holiday. In the evening in regard to their worthy President, and to testify their joy on this happy marriage, the students illuminated the college, which afforded a grand and beautiful sight to the numerous spectators, who had assembled upon the occasion. There were six hundred candles in front of the college, which lighted almost instantly on a signal given by the discharge of a cannon, and on a like signal they were all immediately extinguished. During the illumination,

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which lasted about an hour, a number of students in the belfry entertained the great concourse of people who attended with a most agreeable and delightful concert of music from different kinds of instruments. The whole was conducted with elegance and taste.

Joy sparkled in every eye, And every heart was glad.

Jacob Heiges, one of the leading citi- zens of Dillsburg for half a century, moved to the town in 1830, where he followed the occupation of a chairmaker with suc- cess. He died in the year 1866. John M. Heiges, his eldest son, was Register of Wills for York County, and served three years as clerk to the Commissioners. J. D. Heiges, D. D. S., the second son, after ob- taining a good education, took up the study DANIEL BAILEY, a representative of the best type of Irishmen, was the first of the family of that name to come to America. A native of County Monaghan, Province of Ulster, Ireland, he sought America with a of dentistry with Dr. Tyrrell, of York. In 1863, he graduated from the Baltimore Dental College. Since graduation he has pursued his profession as one of the leading dentists of York. Prof. Samuel B. Heiges, determination to make a home for himself the third son, obtained a liberal education, in this land of opportunities. He arrived at Philadelphia in February, 1758, and sometime later settled near the site of Dills- burg, where he prospered.

taught school at Dillsburg, served as county superintendent of public schools, as- sistant principal of the York High school, principal of the Shippensburg State Normal school, teacher in the York Collegiate In- stitute and in the York County Academy. Besides being widely known as an educa- tor within recent years he has devoted his time to agriculture and horticulture. Dur- was pomologist for the United States gov-

Daniel Bailey, son of Andrew Bailey, was ing the second Cleveland administration, he born August 27, 1791. He grew to man- hood at his paternal home, and followed the ernment. After retiring from his position, occupation of a tanner. He acquired a good he took charge of an experimental farm for education, was a man of exemplary char- the state of Virginia. George W. Heiges, acter and took the deepest interest in the the fourth son, in early life was a teacher at York, where he studied law and was admit- ted to the bar. He served two terms in the Pennsylvania Legislature and was chief burgess of York at the time of the incorpo- ration into a city.

The biographies of Matthew Stanley Quay, Colonel Henry Logan and Dr. ruary 16, 1816, received unusual advantages George L. Shearer will be found eslewhere in this volume.

before the days of the Civil War. When a second call for troops was made by Pres- ident Lincoln in 1861, he received the com- mission as lieutenant colonel in the Penn- sylvania Reserves. He retired from the army after one year's service. His son,

John M. Bailey became a prominent mem- ber of the Huntingdon County bar, and served one term as president judge of the Twentieth Judicial District of Pennsylva- nia. Another son, W. D. Bailey, a promi- nent physician of Dillsburg, in 1863, was ap- pointed assistant surgeon of the 78th Reg- iment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. After a few months' service he was promoted to surgeon of his regiment, and was present with it at Chickamauga, and many other im- portant battles in the Fourteenth Army Corps, under Generals Thomas and Sher- man. Bigler Bailey, a third son, was a teacher in York for several years and be- came a member of the York County Bar.

Andrew Bailey, the eldest son of Daniel Bailey, the pioneer, was born May 14, 1763, and died October 14, 1794. He owned a farm near Dillsburg, and was the father of one son, Daniel.

public welfare of the community in which he resided. March 18, 1813, he married Lydia Eichelberger, who belonged to a leading family of York County, and to them was born an only son, Frederick Eichel- berger. Daniel Bailey died July 1, 1853.

Colonel S. N. Bailey, of Dillsburg, had a large experience as a commander of militia promise of a distinguished career. He

Frederick Eichelberger Bailey, born Feb- in the way of education. He inherited the studious tastes and habits of both his father and his mother, and early in life gave graduated from Jefferson College, at Can- onsburg (now Washington and Jefferson College) at Washington, Pennsylvania, in October, 1835. He read law with Judge Reed, of Carlisle, and began the practice of his profession at York. At this time, how-

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ever, his stay was brief, and he went to New Bloomfield, Pennsylvania, pursuing his pro- fession, while at the same time he edited and conducted the Perry County Democrat. He became an active worker and leader in his party, and later returning to York soon acquired prominence there in both politics and his profession. His high standing was recognized by his appointment to the office of District Attorney of York County, the duties of which position he was performing at the time of his death, April 7, 1845. His life of less than thirty years was one of energy and accomplishment. May 6, 1841, he married Matilda Doudel, of York. They had two children, Daniel Dondel and Sarah Lydia.

Daniel Doudel Bailey was born Novem- ber 21, 1842. He was a bright boy and an industrious student. He lived at York, and prepared for college at the York County Academy, entering the Freshman class of Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg in 1858, before he was sixteen years of age. He was just entering the junior class when the war broke out in 1861. A young man of nineteen, inspired by patriotism and a desire to defend his country in time of dan- ger, he left his books and enlisted as a mem- ber of Company G, Twelfth Regiment, Pennsylvania Reserves. He accompanied his regiment to the front and at Gaines' Mill, one of the seven days' battles before Richmond, on June 27, 1862, was wounded, captured by the enemy and taken to Libby Prison, where he was held five weeks before he was exchanged. He was sent to Cam- den Hospital, at Baltimore, Maryland, and on the 8th of August following, debilitated by his long confinement and suffering in

Noted Visitors.

On July 3, 1865, the Borough of Dillsburg was honored by the presence of Andrew G. Curtin, · the great war governor of Penn- sylvania, and General George G. Meade, who commanded the army of the Potomac that won the great battle of Gettysburg. These distinguished men were on their way to Gettysburg, where they took a conspic- uous part the following day in the cere- monies at the laying of the corner stone of the Soldiers' National Monument, on the battlefield. They stopped at the Howard House, where they held a reception, being called upon by all the leading citizens of the town. In behalf of the ladies who came to the hotel to see the governor and the great soldier, Postmaster A. N. Eslinger presented them with bouquets. General Meade returned thanks and Governor Cur- tin responded in a brief speech, which deeply interested all who heard him. After this ceremony they proceeded in carriages to the point of destination.

On August 18, 1894, while serving in his second term as Governor of Pennsylvania, Robert E. Pattison paid a visit to Dillsburg. He was accompanied by a volunteer mili- tary organization, composed of fifty mounted men, known as the Governor's Troop.

Thomas A. Edison, the distinguished in- ventor and electrician, visited Dillsburg for the purpose of investigating the quality of the iron ore found in the neighborhood.

On the 27th of June, 1863, the Confederate Invasion. head of General Ewell's Corps, commanding the ad- vance of the Army of North- ern Virginia, passed down the Cumberland

Libby Prison, he died from the effects of Valley and took possession of Carlisle. Pre- the wounds received on the battlefield. His datory and scouting parties were sent down body was brought home and it now lies the valley to Eyster's Point, opposite 'Har- risburg, along the Susquehanna and over to Shiremanstown and Lisburn. Colonel Jen- kins commanded a brigade of cavalry which belonged to Stuart's Corps, but at this time was serving under Ewell. buried in the Presbyterian churchyard at Dillsburg, by the side of his ancestors. Few veterans knew more trying and severe ex- periences than this boy, who gave his life to his country. "He died young, but there are silvered heads whose race of duty is less nobly run."

Early on Sunday morning, June 28, about 250 mounted men, poorly clad, and many of Yellow Breeches at Williams' Grove. For several days the people of Dillsburg had not received definite information of the ap-

Miss Sarah Lydia Bailey, the sole repre- them riding worn out horses, crossed the sentative of the family, resides in Dillsburg, where her ancestors have been prominent for a century.

Daniel Doucet Bailes

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proach of the Confederate army. In fact the Susquehanna. Intoxicating liquors owned by hotel keepers were concealed or taken away. Dr. George L. Shearer, a lead- ing citizen, who then owned a drug store, had a barrel of pure " old rye." This he hid in a secluded spot in his barn and it was

stories were circulated that Ewell's corps of the enemy had fallen back to Chambers- burg. On Sunday morning when this band of Confederate Cavalry was approaching Dillsburg from the north the town was filled with refugees. They had come in four never found by the invaders.

horse wagons, two horse wagons and car- ' Toward evening, about the time the sun riages from the Cumberland Valley and was disappearing behind the western hills, from sections of western Maryland, be- Jenkins' men again approached Dillsburg. lieving that this borough would be a safe place to seclude themselves until the inva- ders were driven back. The approach, therefore, of Jenkins' cavalry, was unex- pected to the citizens of Dillsburg and to the people who had fled to this place for protection. Every family in the village had some of these refugees as guests. The

stables were filled with horses and wagons were lined up along the streets and in the alleys. A few days before this exciting time, some patriotic boys of the village had climbed to the top of a spur on the South Mountains, and on its summit, planted a tall pole and unfurled an American flag. This banner was floating to the breeze on Sunday morning when the mounted enemy approached. At this instant, Lee Welty, an ingenious Yankee, mounted a horse and went up the road. When he met the Confed- erate cavalrymen he engaged in a conversa- tion with one of the leaders. The officer asked Welty what that flag meant on the summit of the mountain.

"O," said Lee Welty, "the advance of the Potomac Army is lying behind those hills."

" The devil you say," said the captain. This report was sent all along the line. The mounted Confederates believed Welty's story, which was circulated for the purpose of giving the refugees time to flee from Dillsburg toward York and Middletown Ferry to escape across the Susquehanna. Thinking that it might not be safe to enter Dillsburg at this time Colonel Jenkins' men recrossed the Yellow Breeches into Cum- berland County.

They entered the borough cautiously. Every man was on the alert for Union sol- diers whom they thought might be in the vi- cinity. A scouting party was sent over to the South Mountain to take down the American flag and scour the hills in search of Union troops. Meantime their comrades halted in the village and engaged in con- versation with the citizens. These cavalry- men encamped for the night on the Lerew farm, a short distance south of Dillsburg. They obtained hay and oats for their horses from the neighboring farms, paying for them in Confederate money, which these soldiers then believed would be good. Early in the evening some of the Confederates re- turned to the village for bread, meat, coffee, and tobacco. For these they also tendered their Confederate notes, printed at Rich- mond. This money, which two years later became worthless, was kept for a while by the persons who received it.

While some of these men were in the town obtaining provisions, there was a glare of light in the southeastern sky. It was caused by the burning of the Columbia bridge, which had been set on fire about dusk by the Federal soldiers in Columbia to prevent Gordon's brigade from crossing the river. An arrogant soldier stated to some of the citizens of Dillsburg that the light was doubtless caused by the destruc- tion of some property by their own army in the vicinity of Wrightsville and York.

" We are marching to Philadelphia and New York. We will capture both these cities. Then the war will soon be at an end and our money will be as good as gold," said this soldier as he paid for some provi- sions.

Meantime the people of Dillsburg buried their treasures in the gardens or hid them in the barns or cellars, while the vis- Early on the following morning a squad of these Confederates moved on a raid toward They went as far as Dover and then re- iting friends departed. horses in the vicinity were concealed in the York, which had been entered by Early's dense woods at the base of Round Top in division of Ewell's Corps, on the same day. Warrington Township, or hurried across

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

turned to their camp. Other scouting par- the morning of July 2, Stuart for the first ties were sent out and captured all the time received the news from a despatch horses that were left in the vicinity. Jen- bearer that the battle of Gettysburg was in kins remained on the Lerew farm until progress. He proceeded with his two bri- gades on a rapid march through Mt. Holly, arriving at the scene of battle on the even- ing of July 2. Tuesday morning, June 30, and then crossed the creek into Cumberland County to join Ewell's division, which the following day moved from Carlisle to Gettysburg.

On Wednesday, July I, the bat- Stuart Arrives. tle of Gettysburg opened and the cannonading could be distinctly heard at Dillsburg. In the after- noon of that day the advance of Stuart's cavalry, composed of three brigades, com- manded by Fitzhugh Lee, Wade Hampton and John R. Chambliss, entered Dillsburg from the south. The other two brigades of Stuart's corps had moved into the Cumber- land Valley, with Hill's and Ewell's corps. When Stuart entered Dillsburg he had about 5,600 mounted men, largely from Vir- ginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. A complete list of the commands under Stu- art is given in the article on the " Battle of

Wade Hampton, with his brigade, in charge of a train of nearly 150 wagons, en- camped for the night of July I, on the farm of John Mumper, one and one-half miles north of Dillsburg. While here he received the news of the battle of Gettysburg and took up a hasty march through Beavertown to the State Road that leads to Gettysburg, and delivered the wagon train to the quar- termaster general of Lee's army, a short distance north of the town.

DOVER.

In 1752 Gerhart Graeff, who afterward wrote his name Graves, petitioned "the worshipful justices of the County of York to grant him their recommendation to the gov- Hanover " in this volume. It was in the af- ernor of the Province of Pennsylvania, for ternoon of June 30, that Stuart, with his three a license to keep a public house, on the road brigades had engaged in a hard fought bat- leading from York to Carlisle, being greatly tle with Kilpatrick's cavalry in and around burthened with travelers passing. To rem- Hanover. The Confederates were defeated and Stuart then moved toward Jefferson. edy that inconvenience he has furnished himself with liquor and other necessaries During the night of June 30, with his en- suitable for the entertainment of travelers, tire force, he marched toward York New Sa- and is desirous of keeping tavern." His pe- lem and from thence to Dover, where they tition was granted. Graeff also opened a took breakfast. On the morning of July I, store. In 1776 he organized a company of they crossed the Conewago Creek, part of soldiers in Dover Township, which joined the force going through Rossville, and the remainder through Wellsville, meeting near Dillsburg. The long wagon train was however, his men made a Tory stand on a guarded by Wade Hampton's brigade. A complete story of this movement with all the local details will be found in the histo- ries of Jefferson and Dover Boroughs and Warrington Township in this volume. Colonel Swope's regiment, then forming in York. Before leaving Dover for York, stump and gave three cheers for General Washington and the Continental army. Captain Graeff and his brave German sol- diers, all except eighteen, were captured in November, 1776, in the battle of Fort Washington, near New York City, and for a time languished in a British prison. Be- fore the Revolution and during the year 1762, Gerhart Graeff had a neighbor in the person of Jacob Joner, (pronounced as in German Yoner), who purchased 203 acres of land, and in the year 1764 laid out the town of Dover. This was twenty-three years after the founding of York, and one year after Hanover. Joner had his town

When the Confederates entered Dills- burg in the afternoon of July I, Fitzhugh Lee's brigade was in advance, closely fol- lowed by Colonel Chambliss. Some of the men halted in Dillsburg, took posses- sion of all the goods in the stores and rob- bed the post office of money and stamps. A N. Eslinger was at that time postmaster. Stuart proceeded with his two brigades of Lee and Chambliss to Carlisle where they bombarded the United States Barracks and regularly plotted, and sold the lots subject threw a number of shells into the town. On to quit-rent. It was generally called "Jo-

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ner's town," until 1815, when a post office a Bell instrument was used. Since that was established.

At the close of the Revolution in

Dover 1783 the village of Dover con-

in 1783. tained a population of eighty-one.

Of this number forty-four were males and thirty-seven females. Jacob Jo-

time, Weiglestown, Mt. Royal, Davidsburg, Admire, and a number of other places have telephone conmmunication established over an extensive territory.

The York and Dover Electric Railway line was completed to Dover November 25, ner owned twenty-five lots and a house on 1901. The event was celebrated at Dover the square. Various trades were repre- by an ox-roast. Public water works were installed in 1905 at an expense of $12,000. The water is supplied by an artesian well. About 1842 pioneer United Churches. Brethren preachers held ser- sented. Nicholas Joner and Henry Mat- thews were cord wainers and made boots and shoes for the surrounding populace. George Marik owned a house and six lots. John Gross, Samuel Wilt and Jacob Bigler vices in private houses in the were weavers, and with the old style thread machines, manufactured cloth for the wear- ing apparel of themselves and neighbors.

town. Afterwards, when an organization was effected the meetings of the congrega- tion were held in a building owned by Peter

John Swan, a good-natured Irishman, was Rawhouser. In this building the congrega- the village blacksmith. While diligently working at his trade he related many stories of his war history to the little boys and tion worshipped until the year 1851 when the present structure was erected. The ground upon which the building stands was girls who frequently gathered about him. presented by Peter Rawhouser, who was John Urban was a locksmith. Joseph Spangler and Rudy Barnhart, innkeepers; Martin Reisinger, tailor; Peter Trien, tan- ner, John Cook, Thomas Metzler, Michael Gross, James Montgomery, John Stewart, Conrad Miller, Abraham Fisher and George Stouch, each owned houses and lived in

one of the first trustees. George West- hafer and Daniel Seitz were associates with Mr. Rawhouser as first trustees. The trus- tees in 1907 were Rev. J. W. Houseman, the pastor; Adam A. Neiman and Lewis Melhorn. The church belongs to a cir- cuit of churches, six in number and together Dover. Daniel May was justice of the they constitute what is known as the Dover peace. charge. The membership in 1907, of all The town of Dover was in- the churches of the charge, is 236. The church building has recently been repaired and improved. A good parsonage, belong- ing to the Dover circuit, stands beside the church.

Incorporation. corporated in 1864, just one hundred years after it was laid out by Jacob Joner. Reuben Hoff- heins was the first burgess and Jacob B. Fink, clerk. The town grew slowly until Calvary Lutheran congregation was or- ganized by the citizens of Dover who were members of Salem Church. In 1899 this congregation erected a brick church with a brown stone front, at a cost of $8,000. Religious services were at first conducted by Rev. Joseph B. Keller. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. J. M. Dietzler, who was pas- tor when the church was built and contin- ued until June, 1905. Rev. A. G. Fastnacht, within recent years. Being on a line of travel from York to Carlisle, the central points of interest in the town were the two hotels, which have been kept for nearly 150 years. In the early days of wagoning to Baltimore, many teamsters stopped here for the night. The hotel in Centre Square was kept by George Darron, father, son and grandson, from 1809 to 1859, without change of name. It was conducted in the D. D., pastor of the Salem charge, has sup- WViest name, father and son, for a period of plied this congregation since July, 1905. A thirty years thereafter. Henry Brunhouse town clock has been placed in the belfry of the church.

was the proprietor in 1907. The upper ho- tel is also an historic site and was kept in 1907 by Elmer Fink.

The members of the Reformed congre- gation of Salem Church who resided in

The first telephone line was completed Dover erected a church building in Dover, from Dover to York in October, 1885. The in 1903, opposite the school building, at a line was erected by private subscription and cost of $7,000. It is a handsome brick struc-

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Dr. Robert Lewis, grandson of Major Eli Lewis, founder of the borough of Lewis- berry, settled in the practice of medicine, at Dover, about 1830, and was a prominent citizen of the community for more than a quarter of a century. In politics he was an ardent Whig and during the days of slavery in the south, his home was a noted station for the Underground Railroad, by which many negroes escaped to the north and be- came free. Dr. Lewis was the grandfather of Robert J. Lewis, member of the fifty- sixth congress.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 155

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