History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 157

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

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Franklintown was incor- porated in 1869; Daniel Hershey was the first chief

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

burgess. A re-survey of the town was made The town is situated in a valley, drained by Joseph Ritner, civil engineer of Mechan- by the winding course of a stream icsburg, son of Governor Ritner.

The which flows into the Codorus, and is sur- streets were graded and paved the same rounded by the fertile region in the north- year. The population in 1900 is 250.

The Franklintown Guards was the name of a uniformed military company of fifty volunteer members, which existed for fif- teen years. It was organized by Captain John Hursh. His successors were Captains George Klugh, George Harbold and John ply for the manufacturing interests of the Klugh. Captain John Klugh, during the town.

Civil War, recruited a company that entered the Two Hundred and Seventh Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, and participated in the battles of Hatcher's Run, Fort Stead- man and Nottoway River, in Virginia. He was wounded in the arm by a shell at the siege of Petersburg in the spring of 1865, which disabled him from further military service. The piece of Confederate shell which caused this wound was presented to the Historical Society of York County in 1902. After the Civil War, Captain Klugh became a prominent and influential citizen and was widely known throughout York County. In 1907 he was enjoying excellent health in the ninety-first year of his age.

The United Brethren Church Churches. was built in 1849, at a cost of $1,000, Captain John Klugh be- ing the contractor. The building committee were David Heiges, Joseph Brenneman and Valentine Elicker. This church belongs to the York Springs Circuit, the pastor resid- ing in Franklintown. Rev. Mr. Coulson, who was pastor of this congregation and the entire circuit for a number of years, was succeeded in 1904 by Rev. Burkholder. new life and the people began to talk of put-

The Evangelical Lutheran Church was built in 1884. The Lutherans of the village previously worshipped with the congrega- tion at the Franklin Church, two miles dis- tant. Rev. Henry Seiffert was the first pas- tor. The building committee, under whose direction the church was built, were Captain John Klugh, Jacob Lau, Frederick Murray, of developing the town and was an import- William Straley and P. R. Lehmer. The pastor in 1907 was Rev. J. Q. Fox.

GLEN ROCK.

The Borough of Glen Rock, sixteen miles doing a general business in the manufacture south of York, along the Northern Central Railway, is one of the leading manufactur- ing and business centres in York County. Hoshour carried on an extensive forwarding

western part of Shrewsbury Township. Some of the first residents of the town were Philip Lowe, John Ehrman and Simon Kol- ler. In addition to his house and barn Si- mon Koller owned a saw mill. The Co- dorus furnishes water power and water sup-

In 1838 the railroad was com-

Origin pleted through the site of the

of Name. present town, and it was then that Glen Rock received its name by Nat Bernard, a railroad contractor. He found some very hard rock to cut through, so he named them the "rocks in the glen " or Glen Rock. At this time Si- mon Koller owned a large part of the land in the borough and sold it to William Heathcote, recently from England, with whom came also other Englishmen, the Shaws, Radcliffes and other Heathcotes, so that it became an English settlement. The railroad station was known as Heathcote's till 1843, when Glen Rock post office was established. In 1845 there were but ten families in the place; one woolen factory, employing fourteen hands; one store and tavern, a machinist, a tailor, a blacksmith, a doctor and two wood sawyers. In 1850 Philip Sheffer, a farmer, near the town, put up some houses and purchased the woolen mill, converted it into a grist mill and Wil- laim Heathcote erected another woolen mill near the town. This gave the village

ting up other manufacturing enterprises, which resulted in the erection of a foundry and machine shop in 1854, by Heathcote, Herbst & Company, the company consist- ing of William Heathcote, William Herbst, John Scott, Emanuel Frey, Charles Frey and Henry Seitz. This plant was the means ant factor in its growth. It gradually en- larged its sphere and did an extensive busi- ness in car building, and became known as the Glen Rock Manufacturing Company, of engines, boilers, mill machinery and farming implements. Meantime J. V.

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and commission business, in which he was followed by E. Sheffer.

Manu-

The first manufacturing indus- try of Glen Rock was a woolen

facturing. mill, erected by William Heath- cote, a native of England. At this mill the owner made woolen rolls to be spun into yarn, and also manufactured large quantities of woolen goods which were made into clothing for the people of Shrewsbury and Springfield Townships. He was succeeded in the ownership of this mill by his son, James Heathcote, and after the latter had done an extensive business for many years, L. K. Heathcote & Company operated the mill. Within recent years Samuel Heathcote carried on an extensive business in the manufacture of felt blankets, buggy lap-spreads and other woolen goods.

Glen Manufacturing Company deals in lum- ber of various kinds and building materials. Joseph Dise, the manager of this industry, is a skilled architect and has planned many buildings in Glen Rock and elsewhere. The Enterprise Furniture Company, of which George WV. Geiple is president, Flavel Seitz, secretary, and I. J. Young, treasurer, make sideboards and other furniture in large quantities. Dise Furniture Company, of which U. S. Dise is the principal owner, makes furniture of different kinds. The American Wire Cloth Company is engaged in making screen wire cloth. Glen Rock Stamping Company makes funiture, hard- ware, specialties and stamped metal goods. J. M. Grove is president and Irvin F. Grove, treasurer.

The Industrial Sewing Company employs a large number of persons in Glen Rock

About 1849 Mark Radcliffe and George Shaw came from England, their place of and vicinity. The Standard Screen Works birth. Having been trained in their native manufacture screen doors and window screens and coal sieves. W. C. Hildebrand country to make rope and cord, they founded a rope walk in Glen Rock. It is superintendent. Woven wire mattresses burned down in 1853 and in 1873 they are also made in the Glen Rock Variety Works. Glatfelter's grist mill is one of the early industries. Glen Rock Novelty Company makes photographic novelties. The proprietors are Cornelius H. and Oscar Seitz. bought a large grist mill at Centreville, a short distance above the town. In this mill they enlarged their facilities for manufac- turing rope and twine and carried on an extensive business. The partnership con- tinued until 1905 when Mark Radcliffe died United Evangelical Church .- at the age of seventy-eight years, and the business was continued by his partner, George Shaw.

J. V. Hoshour was the first to engage in the lumber business in Glen Rock. In 1874 a large planing mill was erected by John Frey, C. Glatfelter, S. K. Hoshour, J. C. Fallon and C. Gore. The business was conducted by Hoshour, Dise & Company. pointed to the charge and effected an or- The manufacture of carriages was begun by J. W. Hartman and S. K. Hoshour in 1872. G. F. Heathcote built a factory in of conference Glen Rock was attached to 1880 and made shoes for a period of four or five years.

Churches. In 1842 Rev. Moses Bower, of the Evangelical Association, who was at that time serving the Gettys- burg charge, preached in the brick school building at the northern end of the town. Rev. Bower was succeeded by Rev. J. Boas, E. Kohr, Lew Humelsheim, D. Dellinger up to 1848, when Rev. Urich Eberhart was ap- ganization. Henry Seitz was chosen the first class leader. At the following session

Shrewsbury Circuit. In 1867 it was made Within recent years the Borough of Glen Rock has received an industrial boom which has been a great help to its development and prosperity. Norrish, Burnham & Com- pany own and operate a large establishment a mission and Rev. J. Hartzler served the mission for three successive years. He was followed by Revs. S. P. Remer, P. W. Raide- baugh, H. W. Back, P. W. Groap, E. Crumbling, J. A. Irvine. Rev. W. J. Camp- bell was the pastor in 1907. In 1849, while in the manufacture of the Burnham im- Rev. J. W. L. Seibert served Shrewsbury proved turbine water wheel, originally in- Circuit, the first church was erected. It was vented by N. F. Burnham, of York. This a brick structure located on Church Street. company also owns a foundry and machine In 1870 the old church building was sold shop. The establishment is well equipped. and another erected on New Street. The

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Sunday School which is connected with this building was erected. This building with church was organized in 1848. David Herbst, Sr., was its first superintendent.

The Lutheran Church .- During the early history of Glen Rock, the Lutherans of this borough worshipped in churches of their denomination in Springfield and Codorus Townships. In 1859 Rev. E. Burg, pastor of the Shrewsbury charge, began to hold re- ligious services at Glen Rock in Sheffer's Hall. In 1860 a congregation was organ- ized and a house of worship erected. Rev. J. Kempfer was called as pastor and con- tinued until 1868. During that year Rev. J. R. Rodes, M. L. Kapp, S. H. Hain and James C. Koller was chosen his successor and N. Gemmill. The school population is through his ministrations the congregation about 200, taught by five teachers.

was largely increased in numbers. In 1877

The First National Bank of Glen Rev. Koller was called to the pastorate of Bank. Rock was organized in 1863, the same year the national banking sys-

St. Matthew's Lutheran Church of Hanover, one of the largest congregations of this de- tem went into operation in this country. nomination in York County. He served that congregation twenty-nine years and then retired. Rev. J. B. Wolf, the successor of Dr. Koller, has been the efficient pastor since 1877. In 1890 a new house of worship was built of Port Deposit granite at a cost of $30,000. Joseph Dise was the architect.

Trinity Reformed Church .- This church was founded December 9, 1894. The mem- bers of this denomination in Glen Rock had previously worshipped at Fissel's Church in Codorus Township, except during a few years when missionary services were held by Rev. D. Gring and W. Xanders. Rev. Gurney Weber was the first pastor and served this congregation for several years and then removed to Salisbury, North Car- olina, where he died. His successor was Rev. I. S. Leiby, who was succeeded by Rev. S. H. Roeder. The congregation owns a neat and attractive brick church building and is in a prosperous condition.

The Methodist Episcopal Church .- This church was organized in 1865 and for many years it belonged to Shrewsbury Circuit, the pastors residing in the borough of Shrews- bury. The church building was dedicated in 1866.

The first school building in Glen

modern improvements is situated on an em- inence overlooking the town. A. W. Gray for ten years or more was the leading teacher of Glen Rock. He acted as princi- pal of the schools and during the spring and summer months prepared a large number of young men and women for the profession of teaching. He exerted a healthful influence in the cause of popular education, but died early in life when he was still engaged in educational work. Mr. Gray was succeeded in order by M. H. Seitz, W. H. Snyder, R.

After depositing the necessary credentials with the comptroller of the currency at Washington City, the bank was put into operation with E. Sheffer as president, and Henry Seitz, cashier. The capital stock is $50,000. The presidents of the bank in or- der of succession have been J. V. Hoshour, Charles Frey, William Herbst and Joseph Dise. D. A. Becker was cashier from 1887 to 1892. Since the fall of 1892 Paul F. Beck has been cashier. The board of directors in 1907 were Joseph Dise, president; N. K. Seitz, vice president; S. K. Diehl, L. B. Sweitzer, George W. Geiple, William Foust, S. H. Barnd, John F. Krout and C. C. Wolf. The bank now owns and occupies a large three-story brick building with a commo- dious banking room and a private office in the first story, where the bank directors meet for the transaction of business. This is the only financial institution in the bor- ough of Glen Rock and is in a flourishing condition. It has exerted an important in- fluence and has encouraged the industrial development which has recently given prominence to this prosperous borough.

The publication of the Item, a The Item. weekly newspaper was commenced in 1870, by M. O. Smith and G. W. Nichols. It was well received, al- though but a small sheet when it was first issued. Mr. Nichols withdrew from its pub- lication and Mr. Smith conducted the busi-

Schools. Rock was built by William Heathcote. In this building pri- vate and public schools were held for many years. As the town developed and increased in population and was incorporated into a ness himself, when he later associated with borough, a large and convenient two-story him N. Z. Seitz. This partnership contin-

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GLEN ROCK

ued for several years, when Mr. Smith re- At this time it was not considered safe for tired and began the publication of the Han- troops to move over the road from Phila- over Herald ,and Mr. Seitz continued the delphia, through Wilmington and Baltimore Item. A. W. Gray, for a period of four to Washington. This regiment was com- years, was a partner in the business. After manded by Fletcher Webster, the only son Mr. Gray's retirement, N. Z. Seitz and W. of the great orator, Daniel Webster. In A. Spate were associated in the editorial and order that it might be conveyed safely to business interests of this journal. 1895 M. L. Kapp has been the editor and publisher of the Item. The circulation has recently been increased through his enter- prising efforts. He also does a large job printing business and by judicious manage- ment has made the paper popular and in- Since the front, it passed through Easton, Read- ing, Harrisburg and York on the way to Washington. The engineer of the train conveying these soldiers from Harrisburg to Baltimore was distrusted by Colonel Webster. The train had moved with uncer- tain speed from Harrisburg to York, and af- fluential with a large circle of readers in the ter leaving the latter place the engineer grew lower end of the county.

reckless. The officers of the regiment held Frank W. Brown, who died in Glen Rock a conference and then ordered the train in 1905, had made a large collection of halted at Glen Rock until all suspicion American coins, minerals, souvenirs and In- against the engineer might be removed. dian relics.

The following complete list of the post- masters at Glen Rock, together with the date of their appointments, has been fur- nished by the post office at Washington :

William Herbst, December 14, 1843; pany. During the conference Colonel Web- Emanuel Sheffer, March 10, 1851; Benja- min Geipe, October 4, 1869; George Shaw, June 26, 1872 ; H. S. Bollinger, July 20, 1882; Lewis W. Shafer, October 30, 1885; Bar- thabas E. Hines, April 11, 1889; Frederick S. Venus, August 23, 1893; Granville F. Heathcote, October 30, 1897.

The Glen Rock Band is one of the most popular organizations of its kind in York County. It has been in existence for nearly fifty years.

The Glen Rock Fire Department owns a handsome building erected at a cost of nearly $8,000. The company is equipped with an excellent engine, which has done important service at different fires, both in Glen Rock and elsewhere. The membership of the company is nearly one hundred.

Wartime

The officers met at the Cold Spring hotel and talked the matter over for half an hour, while the train was placed on a switch. They decided to proceed no further with the engineer furnished by the railroad com- ster asked if there was a man in his regi- iment who could run the train to Baltimore. " There is a sergeant from Boston in my company," said one of the captains, "who is a trained engineer."

" Bring him here," said Colonel Webster. In a few minutes the tall form of a stal- wart young man appeared before the col- onel and his staff.

"Can you run this train to Baltimore?" asked the colonel.

" I can," responded the young soldier.

" And your name, please."

" Paul Revere," was the response.

" He is a grandson of the Boston hero of the Revolution in 1775," said the captain. After a delay of one hour at Glen Rock, Paul Revere took charge of the engine, opened the throttle, turned on the steam, and within the period of one hour and twenty minutes landed the 1,200 men of the Webster regiment in the city of Baltimore. Upon arriving there he received the cheers and congratulations of both officers and men.

The Northern Central Railway, the first line built in York Incident. County, was finished from Bal- timore to York in 1838. This road conveyed a large number of troops from the north and west to Washington and to the seat of war during the great re- bellion. Early in May, 1861, shortly after " You are a gallant descendant of noble ancestry," said Colonel Webster, as he con- the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment had been mobbed, April 19, while passing gratulated the young engineer and then the through Baltimore, the Webster regiment regiment marched through the city to. the Baltimore and Ohio station and when it ar- from Massachusetts stopped at Glen Rock.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

rived at Washington was reviewed in front missioner in 1804, lived near this place and of the White House by President Lincoln. erected a mill farther up the stream. There

Soon after arriving in Virginia, Paul Re- was a public road from York to Harrisburg vere returned to Boston and became major along the Susquehanna as early as 1800. The turnpike was completed from York to Harrisburg in 1816. It then became a prominent stage route. The exchange sta- bles were at Crull's tavern, one mile below the site of this borough, and an important stopping place for exchanging horses was at Henry Etter's tavern, one mile north of Goldsboro. A distillery was erected here in 1856 by H. Free & Company and continued until recent years, Henry Etter, in 1838, secured the establishment of a post office of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment. He was wounded and captured at Ball's Bluff and held in Libby prison for several months. After his release he returned to his regiment and was wounded at Antietam. When he recovered he became colonel of his old regiment. While leading this com- mand in the second day of the battle of Get- tysburg, Colonel Revere was mortally wounded. He was conveyed in an ambu- lance to Westminster, Maryland, where he died July 4, 1863. Before his death his at his tavern which was named Etters.

corps commander ordered that he should be promoted to the rank of brigadier-general for gallantry on the field of battle. Thus ended the career of the brave soldier who two years before ran the engine which had dinner in the bargain . conveyed the Twelfth Massachusetts Regi- ment from Glen Rock to Baltimore.

The career of Colonel Webster was noted for heroic deeds. After bravely participat- ing with his regiment in several battles, he was mortally wounded at the second battle of Bull Run. After the engagement was over he was found by the Colonel of a Georgia regiment and was tenderly cared for. Before his death, on August 30, 1862, he handed some mementos to a Confederate sergeant, who long years afterward returned them to his family in Massachusetts.

GOLDSBORO.

In 1738 Nathan Hussey, an intelligent Quaker from New Castle County, Delaware. who in 1749 became one of the commission- ers to lay off York County, obtained a grant for lands on which the borough of Golds-

lands when Nathan Hussey moved to York. The mill for a third of a century was owned by John Prunk, and was known as the " Red Mill." Joseph Glancey, elected county com-

Before 1848 there were two competing stage lines over this turnpike. At one time passengers were conveyed from York to Harrisburg for fifty cents each, and a good

The site of Goldsboro, down to 1850, consisted of three or four houses and the old "Red Mill." Martin P. Burger con- ducted a small store east of the turnpike. This collection of houses was humorously called " Martinsville." When the railway was completed in 1850, the station was called by its present name in honor of J. M. Goldsborough, the civil engineer of the road.

John Prunk died before the town of Goldsboro was dreamed of and his property came into possession of his daughter Nancy, who married Joseph McCreary. Henry Et- ter died in the spring of 1848, and the post office was removed to Adam Kister's Ferry which was one-half mile north of Middle- town Ferry. Adam Kister had been a sol- dier of the Revolution.

When the railroad was built the post boro now stands, and a short distance above office was removed to Goldsboro, but still he opened a ferry across the Susquehanna. retains the name Etters. In 1743 a road was opened from Walnut A few hundred yards north of Bottom, Cumberland County, through Fish- Churches. the village, for half a century, stood a frame building known grist mill was built at the mouth of Fishing far and wide as "The River Meeting House," used for school and religious wor-

It was re- the site of Middletown, purchased these Drawbaugh and Jacob Kister, were the last

ing Creek Valley to Hussey's Ferry. A Creek as early as 1750. Colonel James Burd, of French and Indian War fame, who ship by different denominations. lived at his mansion called " Tinian," above moved in 1860. Michael Shelley, Henry trustees. William Chandlee and Asa John- son taught school here for a number of years.

This meeting house became noted for its

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GOLDSBORO

great revivals, under the auspices of the brick flouring mill and for a period of forty Church of God. Rev. John Winebrenner, years bought most of the grain produced in the founder of this denomination, preached the upper end of York County. The lum- here on many occasions, as early as 1835, ber and milling interests caused Goldsboro as well as Revs. Maxwell, Mullenix, Kister, Weishampel and others.

One of the most noted events of its his- tory occurred in November, 1835, when Lorenzo Dow preached to an immense au- dience in this building shortly after his re- turn from his European tour, when the no- bility of England paid admission to hear that eccentric but remarkable evangelist.

The Church of God had organized a con- gregation in the River Meeting House as early as 1835. In 1859 the congregation erected Bethel Church, a neat frame build- ing in Goldsboro, at a cost of $2,000. Isaac Frazer was the chief contributor toward its erection, furnishing lumber for the build- ing. The congregation prospered, and during the Civil War had 200 members. One of the most notable events of that pe- riod was a funeral sermon delivered in this church, in memory of Abraham Lincoln, by Rev. Charlton. A vast concourse of people assembled on this occasion to hear the elo- quent speaker. Some of the preachers who have served this congregation were: Price, Jones, Keller, Charlton, Owens, Seabrooks, Meixel, Arnold, Carvell, Fliegle, W. J. Gris- singer and W. J. Shaner.

The Methodist Church in Goldsboro was built in 1874 under the auspices of the Duke Street Methodist Church of York. It was a part of the Lewisberry circuit and was served by the pastor who resided in that borough. The church was burned down and never rebuilt.

Zion Lutheran Church was organized within recent years and in 1907 was under the pastoral care of Rev. J. C. McCarney, who succeeded Rev. Harry F. Chrissman.

The postmasters at Goldsboro

P. A. & S. Small, of York, purchased the " Red Mill," and soon afterward erected a

to prosper until a considerable section of the town was destroyed by fire. The mill was purchased by the railroad company in 1904 when three tracks were run through the borough.

Among those who have conducted stores are Frazer & Kister, Ford & Sprenkle, C. F. Rehling, J. Z. Hildebrand, William Wil- lis, John Kister, Henry Shelley, J. K. Waid- ley, George Good, Ernest Yinger and Mrs. Williams. Charles. S. Bair & Sons and Dugan & Funk operate cigar factories.

The practicing physicians are Dr. Boyd and Dr. Warren. -

The development of Goldsboro owed its prosperity to Isaac Frazer, who had con- ducted a store at his birthplace near Lewis- berry in his early manhood. Soon after Dr. Small had laid out the town Mr. Frazer pur- chased a lot and built a house, and in 1850 engaged in the mercantile business with his brother-in-law, Washington Kister. In 1851 he built a warehouse along the railroad and began buying grain and produce. In 1853, in partnership with his father-in-law. Rev. Jacob G. Kister, he erected the Golds- boro saw-mill, which he successfully oper- ated for more than a quarter of a century. P. A. & S. Small erected a mill in the lower end of the borough. Mr. Frazer purchased this mill in 1873 and operated it until it burned down in 1886. He bought rafts up the Susquehanna, had them floated down the stream and sawed the logs into lumber at his Goldsboro mills, employing from thirty to fifty workmen for a period of over thirty years.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 157

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