History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 156

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

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Dr. John Ahl practiced medicine at Dover for twenty years. He was succeeded by Dr. J. M. Gross. Dr. N. C. Wallace has practiced medicine here for twenty years. Dr. Lenhart, a well known veterinary sur- geon, is one of the oldest citizens of the borough.

ture furnished with modern pews and con- Pennsylvania Volunteers, during the Civil tains some of the most ornamental stained War, is engaged in the harness making business. windows found in any church edifice in York County. The roof was made of the Israel Melchinger was one of the Hessian soldiers who settled in and around Dover after the close of the Revolution. In 1815 Melchinger became the first postmaster of Dover and held that office at the time of his death in 1834, when he was succeeded by his son, Englehart Melchinger. O. J. Yost, Samuel Aughenbaugh, Oliver M. Stouch, E. D. Stouch, Dr. N. C. Wallace and Dr. J. M. Gross have been the successive post- masters within recent years. best quality of Peach Bottom slate. The lot upon which the church was built, was the gift of Dr. J. M. Gross, who has prac- ticed medicine in the borough for thirty years or more. A Sunday School of 160 scholars meets regularly in this church. The erection of the church was the project of Rev. O. P. Shellhamer, pastor of the Re- formed congregation at Salem Church. Since 1903 he has conducted services in this building.

A destructive fire occurred in Dover in March, 1844. Two houses, a tavern and a stable were destroyed on the Public Square. Soon after this event the town purchased the old engine from the Vigilant Fire Com- pany of York. It is kept in an engine house on the square. The carriage shop of The- ophilus Gross burned down about 1880. There being too small a supply of water in the vicinity, the engine could not be effect- ively used.

As early as 1770 a parochial school was started in a building connected with the Dover Lutheran and Reformed Church. At this place most of the youths of the vicin- ity received their mental training. In the early part of the last century, schools were held in private houses. A school was built in the northern part and another in the southwestern part of the town, about 1830. In the year 1881, during the same night, both old buildings were destroyed by fire and two new ones were built, at a combined cost of $2,200.

Reuben Hoffheins, an enterprising citizen of Dover, had a machine shop which he ope- rated for many years. He was widely known as an inventor and in 1857 designed Near the village of Dover was a noted place for the " big musters " and other mili- tary parades. Battalions were drilled on the surrounding fields. As many as ten or fifteen companies of militia and some vol- unteer companies annually collected here during the month of May, and were re- viewed by Brigade Inspector Archibald S. Jordan, and later by Colonels Henry Sto- ver, S. N. Bailey and George Hay. The local companies, toward the last of militia days, were commanded by Captains John Worley, John Sharp, Samuel Miller and Daniel Motter. These annual gatherings ceased about 1856. Conrad Kline, the last Revo- lutionary soldier of Dover Township, died and patented a reaper and mower which he made at his Dover shops in large numbers, until his business had increased to such an extent that he moved his shops to York. His invention, known as the "Hoffheins Reaper," was one of the earliest two- wheeled machines used in this country. It also had a self-rake and revolving reel of an improved type. Mr. Hoffheins also manu- factured the " Ball reaper." Carriage build- ing has been an important industry in Do- ver for more than half a century. A sew- ing factory, owned by U. L. Glatfelter, has recently been started. Amos Swartz & Son own a cigar factory. E. D. Stough, who served as a soldier in the 87th regiment in the village at the advanced age of ninety-

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DOVER

seven years. His remains were buried with Dover he ordered breakfast prepared for the honors of war by a local volunteer com- his staff, his brigade commanders and him- pany, commanded by Captain Motter, self at the upper hotel on the west side of father of George Motter, the manufacturer, of York. Conrad Kline was one of the many brave Germans, who early in the war

Main Street. About 8 o'clock in the morn- ing, these officers partook of a bountiful meal and while eating engaged in conversa- for American Independence, championed tion about the stirring events then taking the cause of their adopted country. He place as the result of the Confederate in- followed the occupation of a gunsmith.

On June 27, 1863, during the eating, army surgeons in an adjoining room

Confederate Invasion. Confederate invasion, Dover was visited by a small squad soldiers who had received saber cuts in the of Jenkins' cavalry. These cavalry battle at Hanover the day before. soldiers came here from Carlisle, being the Stuart, Hampton and Lee maintained a advance of Ewell's corps, part of which had composed dignity during the two hours that this large body of Confederate cavalry oc- cupied Dover. During the forenoon squads of mounted men, acting as scouts, were sent out in various directions into Dover and Conewago Townships and cap- tured many farm horses that had not been taken across the Susquehanna. proceeded as far east as Shiremanstown in Cumberland County. They remained at Dover for a short time and then returned to Carlisle. At this time Early's division of Ewell's corps was moving toward York and had encamped for the night of June 27, in the vicinity of Bigmount and Farmers Postoffice in Paradise Township. A few of Early's men reached Dover on the morning of Sunday, June 28. After spending a short time there obtaining provisions and secur- ing a few articles in the village stores, they joined the division at Weiglestown, while on the march toward York.

Early in the morning of July 1, General J. E. B. Stuart's cavalry division began to arrive at Dover. This force numbered nearly 6000 men, composed of three bri- gades, commanded respectively by General Fitzhugh Lee, of Virginia; General Wade Hampton, of South Carolina, and Colonel Chambliss, of Virginia. Stuart came to Dover from Hanover, passing through Jef- ferson, and York New Salem. When he arrived at the last named place, he heard that Early's division had fallen back toward Gettysburg or Carlisle and he proceeded to Dover. After the fight at Hanover between Stuart and Kilpatrick's Union cavalry, the Confederate commander was entirely cut off from communications with General Robert E. Lee's army which, on July I, had opened the battle of Gettysburg.

Prisoners Paroled. About 200 Union cavalrymen, captured at Hanover and else- where, were paroled in the office of Dr. John Ahl at Dover. Gen- eral Wade Hampton superintended the pa- role of these prisoners, who then went to York. Soon after the arrival of Stuart at

vasion into Pennsylvania. While they were dressed the wounds of several Confederate

Before leaving the hotel, General Stuart's adjutant, who afterward wrote a biography of his commander, paid the hotel clerk, George Dick, later a resident of York, for the breakfast they had ordered. The money received was United States notes or " green- backs" as they were called. This was ex- ceptional, for the Confederate invaders at other places always paid their obligations in Confederate bank notes, which afterward became worthless.

While these cavalrymen remained at Dover, guards were placed around the hotel so that none of the men should drink intox- icating liquors to excess. In fact, neither of the two hotels had much whiskey at the bar or in the cellar. A few days before, when the proprietors had heard of the approach of the enemy, all the brandy, whiskey and other liquors in their possession had been placed in the cellar of the United Brethren church built in 1851, within the limits of the town, and was never discovered by the in- vaders.

The three guides, citizens from Searching the vicinity of Hanover, who for Stuart. had been forced to accompany the Confederates on their march to Dover, were now released and other guides pressed into service at Dover in order to show the Confederates the most direct way toward Carlisle, where Stuart then thought the Confederate forces were con-

874

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

centrating. About the time that General a military blunder. He was killed in battle Stuart, with almost the entire cavalry force the following year in a brilliant charge of the army of Northern Virginia, left Dover against Sheridan's cavalry, near Richmond, for Carlisle, the battle of Gettysburg opened. Virginia.

Early in the morning of that day, General Lee near Gettysburg, despatched Colonel Venable, his staff officer, in search of Stuart.

pected to meet Stuart, he was intercepted by Kilpatrick's Cavalry, somewhere north of Hanover. He rode up to East Berlin, and then proceeded toward Davidsburg and as he approached the borough of Dover, he again saw at a distance a squadron of Union cavalry around the old Dover church. He failed to find out the exact position of Stu- art's cavalry, thinking it was possibly then on its way toward Gettysburg. Colonel Venable returned to the scene of battle and was compelled to report to General Lee that he could find the enemy but not their own cavalry.

Stuart had been without communication with General Lee since he had crossed the Potomac, almost within sight of Washing- ton, on June 28. He passed on to Carlisle but did not reach Gettysburg until the even- ing of the second day of the battle. Some military critics claim that if Stuart had reached the scene of action at Gettysburg on July I, the tide of battle on July 2 might have been in favor of the Confederate army. He and his troopers rode on to Dillsburg, seemingly within hearing distance of the cannon's roar at Gettysburg, but he knew nothing of the battle until he got to Car- lisle.

The train of 125 wagons which he The had captured shortly after he Wagon Train. crossed the Potomac River, was driven through Dover on toward Dillsburg and York Springs and was delivered to the quartermaster general of the Confederate army, four miles north- west of Gettysburg on the evening of July 2. This wagon train contained provisions and munitions of war used by the Confederates on the last day of the battle.

EAST PROSPECT.

This borough lies near the foot of the On his way toward York, where he ex- Conojehela Valley in Lower Windsor Township, eleven miles from York and two miles from the Susquehanna River. The view from the centre of the town is roman- tically interesting. The eye of the observer takes in a landscape view eastward far into the limits of Lancaster County and north- ward over the lower part of Dauphin. The view up and down the broad Susquehanna is truly enchanting. To the west is a fertile valley, now thickly populated and also con- taining many productive farms.

East Prospect is situated on historic ground. James Patterson, one of the early settlers, opened a trading station on the opposite side of the river about 1725. He used lands west of the river as a public pas- ture ground for his horses. The village of Safe Harbor, on the east side of the river, a short distance to the south, was the place where Sir William Keith, in 1722, held his conference with the Conestoga and other tribes of Indians before he made the first survey west of the Susquehanna for the heirs of William Penn. In 1735 Colonel Thomas Cresap, who led the Maryland in- vaders to drive off the Germans from these lands, built a log house near the mouth of Cabin Creek, and here he was captured by the authorities of Pennsylvania and taken to Philadelphia.

East Prospect was laid out by John A. Jacobs, a farmer and local preacher for the Evangelical association, in 1849, on the road leading from York to Dritt's Ferry. Soon after the Revolution, Captain Dritt, who had commanded a company in Swope's reg- iment which took part in the battle of Fort Washington, near New York City, built a large stone house one and one-half miles northeast of this borough, at present owned by Barton Gnau. Dritt became brigadier general in the State militia, and was drowned while trying to cross the Susque- hanna when it was covered with floating ice.

The detour that Stuart made through York County was one of the most unfortu- nate episodes to the Confederate cause dur- ing the Civil war. This gallant soldier had won distinction for strategy on several oc- casions before, but his raid through Penn- East Prospect was incorporated into a sylvania in 1863 will always be considered borough in 1874. The survey was made by

875

FAWN GROVE

Harry H. Winter, who, after his admission FAWN GROVE. to the bar at York, moved to the state of Iowa. Most of the original houses were Fawn Grove is situated on the Mary- land line, in the southern part of Fawn Township. As early as 1763, the Deer Creek Monthly Meeting of the Society of Friends reported that there were a number of mem- bers who had settled in Fawn Township, Pennsylvania. A committee was appointed built on Main Street, extending north and south. Maple Street, which extends east and west, also contains fine private resi- dences. The population in 1900 was 292. Margaretta Furnace and Woodstock Forge were situated a short distance east of the borough. John Burg opened the first store to visit them. In 1785 these Fawn Township and was succeeded in order by Henry Burg, Friends were visited by a committee from L. E. Oleweiler and Edward J. Sitler. About the Warrington meeting in the upper end 1856 David Keller and Peter W. Keller opened a store in the village and conducted it for several years. Henry Doll and Charles Himes have also kept stores here. L. E. Oleweiler owned a large cigar factory and was succeeded by Edward J. Sitler in the same business. George Young owns a cigar factory and Charles Myers a cigar box fac- tory. of York County. The first house of wor- ship was built in 1790 and a preparative meeting organized in 1792. An important interest is always centered around this his- toric Friends' Meeting House. The orig- inal building lasted nearly half a century, when a second one was built, and within re- cent years, in a neat and commodious meet- ing house, services have been regularly held. Among the earliest members were the Webb, Jones, Spencer, Lukens, Bond, Bennett, Wilson, Johnson, Harry, Brooks and Tompkins families. Many of their de- scendants reside in the borough and vicin- ity, while a large number have moved else- where and become prominent and influen- tial citizens.

Long before the town of East Prospect was laid out Rev. Jacob Albright, founder of the Evangelical Association, preached in a stone building which stood on the site of the town. Other founders of this church also conducted religious services here. The stone building was used as a house of wor- ship until 1882 when the present church was erected at a cost of $3,500. The building

Isaac Jones, a Friend from Bucks County, committee were Samuel Burg, Henry Burg, in 1784 acquired two tracts of land, now Henry Kise, Jacob Smith and Henry Bar- shinger. This is the only house for relig- ious worship within the limits of East Pros- pect. A burying ground adjoins the church.

East Prospect Cemetery, situated at the northern limits of the borough, was char- tered in 1868. The board of directors were : Henry Kise, president ; Henry Burg, secre- tary; Samuel Burg, treasurer; William Burg, William Helder and Daniel Leber.

The original school house, built of logs and later weather-boarded, was used for the village school for a period of thirty years. In 1880 another building was erected. This was destroyed by fire in 1900, and soon thereafter a two-story school building was erected.

The disastrous fire which broke out on July 4, 1900, at one time threatened to de- stroy the whole village. Before the flames could be controlled the store of Edward Sitler and about a dozen other buildings were burned to the ground.

mostly within the borough, lying east of the road leading from Gatchelville to Balti- more. It was part of a larger tract known as Plumb Green. It would appear that he owned some adjoining land prior to that time, for a deed to James Webb, dated the 18th of the sixth month, 1774, from William Matthews for a tract lying to the west of the same road describes the latter property as adjoining land of Isaac Jones. The Webb property had the name Small Gain. These two, Isaac Jones and James Webb, were the ancestors of a considerable portion of the people in this community. Asa

Jones, a son, and Asa Jones, a grandson of Isaac, became successors in title to Isaac, and a son and grandson of James Webb, both named Richard, succeeded to his title.

Deborah McDonald, wife of Dr. Robert McDonald, was a noted preacher at this meeting for many years. Among the mem- bers who reached a great age were Hannah Jones and Elizabeth Webb. John Webb, William J. Vansant and Nathan P. Harry

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

have served as trustees; James K. Brown, Hawkins, his son, is a practicing lawyer at Hannah Jones, Mary T. Brown and Rachael York. Dr. Vallie Hawkins, another son, Ann Pyle have been elders; Mary E. Brooks succeeded his father in the practice of med- female overseer.

icine. Joshua R. Jones, a prominent citizen of Philadelphia and president of the Na-

The Methodist Protestant Church has a flourishing congregation in Fawn Grove. tional Publishing Company of that city, was A house of worship was built in 1865. Wil- born in the village of Fawn Grove. Wil- liam A. Ramsey, William A. Channel and liam R. McDermott, now an active minister Rev. James Whiteside were the building in the Methodist Protestant Church, was also a Fawn Grove boy. committee. At the time of its organization this church belonged to the Stewartstown An important factor in the development Circuit and later to the Fawn Grove Cir- of the community was the Fawn Grove cuit of the Maryland Conference. Rev. Academy, incorporated in 1872. Recently Whiteside was pastor of the congregation it has been converted into a district high when the church was erected. Some of the school. early pastors who succeeded him were Rob-

The town was incorporated into a bor- ert Winna, E. R. McGregor, A. S. Eversole, ough in 1881. The Stewartstown and Fawn James W. Floyd, William D. Litsinger, J. WV. Charlton and A. D. Dick.

In 1905, the church was remodeled and greatly enlarged. The portion now used for general worship was added and the orig- inal chapel is used as a Sunday School room. The committee in charge of the work were: William R. Webb, N. A. Manifold and B. F. Morris.

Mount Olivet Methodist Protestant Church is situated two miles from Fawn Grove.

Grove Railroad, described in the chapter on railroads in this volume, was extended to this borough in 1906. Fawn Grove has been a temperance town since the date of its in- corporation.

FELTON.

The Borough of Felton lies in a beauti- ful little valley, along the upper waters of Muddy Creek. It is situated 536 feet above the sea level on a plane, along the line of the Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad, fourteen miles from York. The road ascends at a grade of eighty-five feet to the mile to Red Lion, which is 892 feet above the sea. The land upon which Felton is situated was surveyed from the townships of Chanceford, Lower Windsor and North Hopewell, by Stephen A. Douglass in the year 1899, when the borough was incorpo- rated. The first borough officers were:

John Hugo opened the first store in this village. He was succeeded by Benjamin Gemmill. Sarah and Martha Jay continued this store for many years, and became widely known throughout the community. Hawkins & Herbert carried on the general merchandising business at the same store and were succeeded by Augustus Grancel, and later by H. C. Richardson. Merryman & Wright opened a store in another build- Christian T. Grove, chief burgess; Jacob ing. They were succeeded by Merryman & Gable, Henry Seitz, James E. Sechrist, John T. Hannigan, Theodore Akins, Amos Moore, council; Charles W. Moore, asses- sor. Hawkins. Henry S. Merryman carried on a general merchandising business in 1907, and E. Nelson Morris owned a tin and stove store. Augustus Grancel owns a general store. Milton J. Herbert, who in 1902 was a candidate on the Democratic ticket for the State Senate, has been the village black- smith for years.

About 1850 Thomas G. Cross, who in 1871 was elected prothonotary of York County, began the mercantile business at this place. He was succeeded in order at the same stand by Charles Flinchbaugh, Gemmill & Wilson, Jacob Crumbling, Samuel Glatfelter, Keesey & Barshinger, Ehrhart & Venus, J. D. Hake, Harry Myers,

Dr. Robert McDonald, a prominent and influential citizen in the community, prac- ticed medicine here for thirty years. Dr. John A. Hawkins, a graduate of the Univer- Eli Fickes, C. F. Bair, John A. Myers. The sity of Maryland, settled in the practice of second store was started at a later date and was first conducted by Harry Venus. The medicine at Fawn Grove in 1853, and has since resided in the locality. Charles A. mercantile business at this stand has since

877

FRANKLINTOWN

been carried on by P. M. Mitzel, B. S. Sentz, Harrisburg to Baltimore, the main highway, Jacob Clayman, Anderson & Grove and sixty-one feet wide, was called Baltimore Christian T. Grove, who is also postmaster. Street. The two running parallel with it,

In 1883 the citizens residing in three dif- were named Water and Church Streets. ferent townships in the vicinity, petitioned The three facing at right angles to these the court for an independent school district. The petition was granted and a frame school house was built. An addition to this building was erected in 1902, when the sec- ond school was organized. In 1884 mem- were likely to become rivals. In order to

bers of the Lutheran Church of the vicinity erected a house of worship which stands within the limits of the borough. The congregation was organized under the pastorate of Rev. Peter Livingston and was dedicated as St. Paul's Lutheran Church. The succeeding pastors have been Revs. E. Manges, Samuel Ulrich, G. A. Livingston. In 1907 Rev. L. E. Henry was pastor. The United Evangelical Church of Felton was organized in the year 1898 under the pastor- ate of Rev. E. Fulcomer. The congregation has since been served by Revs. S. A. Sny- der, W. C. Hoch and L. E. Maice.

The grist mill operated by George Koller, was built in 1863 by Tobias Crumbling.

General Sherman Post, No. 602, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized in gotten.

1890 by James W. Collins, Joseph Grim, Henry Seitz, Anthony Grim, Henry Hake, Samuel T. Miller, R. H. Garman, Charles T. Kibler, William S. Anderson, John H. Brenneman, D. A. Miller, Thomas M. Cur- ran, James Stewart, Thomas Mckinsey, Richmond Flynn, John Sechrist, Michael M. Keesey. The entire membership of the post from the date of organization to 1907 was thirty-seven representing several dif- ferent regiments. The membership in 1907 was eighteen.

There are two schools. The population in 1900 was 226.

FRANKLINTOWN.

This village is situated in the eastern cor- ner of Franklin Township, with a command- ing view of Warrington, Carroll, Washing- ton and Franklin, all of which meet at a point, a short distance east of the town. Early in the nineteenth century William Butt and Jacob Schultz conducted a store here and kept a tavern on the site of the became postmaster.

town. In the year 1813, a tract of land was surveyed and laid out in streets and 186 lots. Incorporation. It being situated on the road leading from

were denominated North, Spring and South Streets. The town of Dillsburg, two miles north of this point, had already be- come a business centre. The two villages sell the lots off rapidly the founders of the town, Butt and Schultz, instituted a lottery, and sold the tickets at $30. There were no blanks; each one drew a lot. A ticket for the store, valued at $1,000, and the build- ing in which it was kept, was included in the number. The "wheel of fortune " turned to the original owners the much coveted prize and they continued the mer- cantile business in the same house. Prob- ably owing to this incident, the town did not at first prosper. The original name given was Franklin, but the disappointed persons who bought tickets for $30, which was considered a large sum in those days for a small plat of ground, called it " Butts- town." This appellation is not entirely for-

In 1849, which was thirty-six years after the town was laid out, there were only a dozen houses. About that time, Captain John Klugh purchased a number of vacant lots which had been drawn at the time of the lottery. He built some houses, sold some lots and encouraged building. The town then started to grow.

In the year 1826, Martin Carl, father of Jere Carl, ex-chief burgess of York, suc- ceeded Butt & Schultz in the mercantile business and secured the establishment of a post office. He was followed in the same stand by Henry Ritter, David Leidig and Captain John Klugh. The last named gen- tleman, who developed the interests of the village, was postmaster from 1861 to 1885. In the year 1882 he disposed of his store to his son-in-law, George Lehmer, who suc- ceeded him as postmaster. A store has also been kept in the borough in order of suc- cession by Ritter & Leidig, Albert Crowl, William Heiges and Joseph S. Straley, who

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 156

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