History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 159

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

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Business Interests.

Lewisberry was incorporated ill in the year 1832. The popula- tion in 1840 was 220; in 1860, 243 ; in 1880, 283; 1900, 282.

reached the height of its prosperity between 1830 and 1860. The main store of the vil- lage was conducted by Major Lewis until the time of his death in 1807. He was then succeeded by Robert Hammersly, a man of energy and enterprise who, after prospering in the mercantile business at Lewisberry, became a prominent citizen of York. Other merchants of Lewisberry were the follow- ing: Hugh Foster, Lewis & Harlan, Wil- edith, William Nebinger, Joseph Updegraff, M. G. Einstine, George Blymire, Herman Kirk, Reuben T. Starr, John Meisenhelter, Jacob W. Boring and Herman R. Laird.

As early as 1760 flintlock guns, muskets and rifles were made by gunsmiths in small shops along Bennet Run in this vicinity. During the Revolution these shops did a considerable business. In 1776, just after the Declaration of Independence had been signed, the Committee of Safety for York County engaged these gunsmiths to manu- facture the old flintlocks for the American army. Some of the men who made these rifles and pistols were the following: John Rankin, Samuel Grove, John Foster and George Blymire. About 1836, when the per- cussion guns came into use, the manufac- ture of flintlocks was discontinued, but they were used in the army as late as 1847, when they were carried by American soldiers un- der General Scott on the famous march from Vera Cruz to the City of Mexico. Dr. Webster Lewis and Isaac Loyd were the first persons to engage in the manufacture of percussion muskets and rifles at Lewis- berry. William Hammond carried on this

A short distance south of town Henry Ensminger established a tannery as early as 1800. He also owned a large tract of land and was widely known as a leading cit- izen of the community. Samuel Grove suc- ceeded him in the ownership of the tannery, which was discontinued.

The large flouring mill owned by Lewis Cline at the west end of the borough is one of the early industries in this vicinity. It was built in 1785 by John Herman. John Kauffman succeeded in the ownership of

Although the borough of Lewisberry never increased rapidly in population a con- siderable business was done by the stores before the days of railroads. When the this property, and later sold it to Andrew Northern Central Railway was constructed Cline, who carried on an extensive milling from York to Harrisburg, the towns along and farming business during the Civil war,

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and until the time of his death. Under the Van Buren, placed his window springs in ownership of his son, Lewis Cline, it was changed into a roller process mill. The large stone mansion adjoining this mill was erected shortly before the Revolution.

Lyman Lewis introduced the manu- facture of block brimstone matches which afterward became an important industry. He was followed in the same business by Herman Kirk, Moses Magrew, R. T. Starr and Lyman Shettle.

Soon after 1800 a number of persons be- gan to make coffee mills in this vicinity. Joseph Potts early in the last century made them in large quantities at his home, a short distance north of Lewisberry. He also joining the borough.

made what was familiarly known as Potts' "Sausage Cutters and Ladles." His sons succeeded him in business. John Frazer made coffee mills on an extensive scale, about two miles below Lewisberry, near the Friends' Meeting House. At this place his son Isaac Frazer, when a young man, be- gan business as a merchant and manufac- turer of coffee mills in a small 8x10 room.

As early as 1830 Amos Clark, made large eight-day clocks. The artistic decoration on many of them was done by Miss Pamela Lewis, an amateur artist and teacher at Lewisberry.

Aaron Frazer built a mill at the mouth of Bennett Run in 1760. Near by now is the Kurtz, Herman R. Laird and Elizabeth well-known Mickey grist and saw-mill. In 1781 Rev. Freeborn Garret- William Smith, in 1835, started a newspaper in Lewisberry. It was devoted mostly to Religious son, a traveling missionary of agriculture, but did not long exist.

Elisha Hammond, a native of Connecti- cut, settled in Lewisberry when the town was founded in 1798. He followed the oc- cupation of a teacher and was widely known in the vicinity. His son, Hervey Ham- mond, was born in Lewisberry in the year 1800. After obtaining his education under the instruction of his father and Isaac Kirk, another noted teacher of the Redland Val- ley, Hervey Hammond turned his attention to new enterprises for the purpose of ad- vancing the interests of the community in which he lived. He taught school for sev- eral years and then became the inventor of the Hammond Window Sash Spring, which he made and sold in large quantities for twenty years or more. He obtained a pat- tion of houses here. At this time he ent for his invention in the year 1837 and in preached the doctrines of Methodism at the 1838, by permission of President Martin home of Hugh Foster, a leading citizen of

the White House at Washington. This was an excellent advertisement for his inven- tion, and on account of the value of these window springs Henry Clay commended them in a personal letter to the inventor and manufacturer. In the year 1840 Mr. Hammond sold 35,000 of these springs, hav- ing introduced them by his own personal efforts in several states of the Union. The business was later conducted by his son, W. Scott Hammond.

Isaac Rudisill, after spending about ten years of his life as editor of the York Daily and other journals, purchased a farm ad-

The post office was established at Lewis- berry November 29, 1815. The following is a complete list of the postmasters, as ta- ken from the records at Washington:

Jacob Kirk, Eli Lewis, Pamela Lewis, Harry Lewis, Hiram Starr, Samuel Crull, William P. Nebinger, Jacob Frankelberger, William Nichols, Joseph S. Updegraff, Jacob Smith, William Shannelly, Jacob G. Miller, Isaac K. Hammond, Jonathan E. Magrew, Isaac K. Hammond, Jacob H. Stonesifer, Robert N. Wright, Thomas Groome, Her- man Kirk, George K. Bratten, Elizabeth Bratten, John L. Grove, Elizabeth Bratten, John Meisenhelter, R. M. Wright, Robert Laird.

History. the Methodist Church, visited the Redland Valley. Before coming here he had preached several times at York where he founded the first society of the Methodist Church in York County. Garretson was then a young man of thirty- one years and was born of Quaker parent- age in the state of Maryland. In 1775 he be- came one of the followers of George Whit- field and John Wesley, the founders of Methodism in America. Soon after this event he began a missionary tour over all the states of the Atlantic Coast, even ex- tending his missionary labors into Nova Scotia. When Freeborn Garretson came to Lewisberry, seventeen years before the town had been founded, there was a collec-

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the community, and the first congregation odist Church in America, was one of the was organized in the stone building owned early pastors. by Hugh Foster, at the corner of Front and Market Streets. For several years the Methodists continued to worship in the houses of members.

December 28, 1806, Major Eli Lewis do- nated to the congregation a lot on which to build a church. The following church offi- cers constituted the committee who re- ceived the grant: Philip Frankelberger, Hugh Foster, Moses Pike, David Pike, An- drew Holopeter, Frederick Holopeter, Peter Stickel, John Brinton and Thomas Brinton. There was no church built, however, until ISII, when a stone structure was erected which was used until 1856. The minister then in charge was Rev. James Reid, who

afterward became somewhat noted in the the Lutheran congregation with a deed, history of Methodism. Benjamin Siddon was the mason.

August 23. 1856, Rev. Archibald Marlott, president of Irving Female College at Me- chanicsburg, laid the corner-stone of the brick church. November 30, of the same year, Rev. Dr. Charles Collins, president of Dickinson College, preached the dedicatory sermon. The cost of this building was $2.300.

The Methodist Church of Lewisberry, since its organization, has continued to be a centre of religious interest for the borough and surrounding country. The church has prospered and the pulpit has usually been filled by zealous and efficient clergymen, who have aided in disseminating a strong religious sentiment in the community. Rev.

In 1792 the Lutheran and Reformed peo- ple of the town and vicinity received the present of a deed from George Ensminger, granting one acre of land as the site for a church and graveyard on the banks of Ben- nett Run, a short distance south of Lewis- berry. A comfortable frame building was erected, and used as a house of worship from 1792 until 1873,when it was torn down. Some of the clergymen who officiated here were: Lauer, Kessler, Speck, Wibely, Seif- fert, Dasher and Pfhaler. Most of the members who worshipped in this building belonged to the Lutheran Church. The Reformed congregation had ceased to exist about 1840. In 1873 Mr. Wollet presented

granting a new site for a church on his farm, a short distance north of Lewisberry. At this place a brick building was erected under the direction of John Strominger, Jacob M. Kilmore and Henderson Bare as trustees. Within recent years no regular services are held in this church.

The United Evangelical Association erected a fine frame building within recent years, and in 1907 had a membership of fifty.

The first Sunday School in Lew- Sunday isberry was established in the Schools. year 1818, by Rev. Samuel Bacon, who had served as a soldier in the War of 1812. After the war he studied law, and was admitted to the bar at York. De- ciding not to practice this profession he Milton K. Foster, D. D., who served as pre- took clerical orders in the Episcopal Church, siding elder of the Juniata District of the and in the latter part of the year 1817, be- Central Pennsylvania Conference, was born

gan to establish Sunday Schools through- in Lewisberry, and received his early relig- out York County, and southern Pennsylva- ious training in this church. He is noted for nia. In the course of his missionary work, his knowledge of ecclesiastical law, and he arrived at Lewisberry in May, 1818, and is one of the able men of the Methodist Church. Rev. Dr. Foster is a son of Robert Foster and grandson of Hugh Foster, who were pillars of the Methodist Church at Lewisberry. This house of worship has been remodeled and the large audience room refitted with new pews, arranged in the form of an amphitheatre. The church organized a Sunday School in the village school house. The intelligent people of the community encouraged his efforts and joined him in founding a union school. Among those who assisted him were Isaac Kirk, Hugh Foster, Elisha Hammond, Wil- liam Frankelberger, Daniel Pike, Abraham Stickel, Jacob Kirk, and others. This pio- membership is 150. Rev. Allen Shue was neer Sunday School prospered for ten years pastor in 1907.

or more, and then was discontinued. It

Bishop Hurst, the historian of the Meth- was reorganized in 1832, and was attended

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

by teachers and scholars of different denom- called "The Twelve Apostles," because of inations until the year 1853. Rev. J. A. the limited number of men in line when Baldwin was then pastor of the Methodist they practiced. Under the militia laws Church. Through his efforts the Sunday every man between eighteen and forty-five was required to practice with one of these companies or pay a fine. School was transferred to the church. It has since been conducted under the direction of the pastors. Robert Foster served as superintendent of the Sunday School after it was removed to the Methodist Church. James W. Gosnell was eight years superin- tendent of this school, which has about two hundred members.

The " Little Muster," as it was called, of all the local companies was held on the first Monday of May, annually. But if you want to brighten up the countenance of an old militia soldier, ask him to describe the scenes and incidents of "the battalion " or " big muster day " held on the second Mon- day of May in the village of Lewisberry and regularly at Dover or Dillsburg on some other day with equal regularity before the Civil War. Colonel Bailey, of Dillsburg ; Colonel Steele, of Fairview, or Colonel Ran- kin, of Lewisberry, commanded on these oc- casions, and a large number of companies participated in the muster, both of volunteer soldiers and the militia. They were all re- viewed by the brigade inspector who, in the eyes of the people, was an important per- sonage. It was a day of great hilarity with one depreciating feature. Ardent spirits sometimes flowed too freely, and the smil- ing waters of Bennett Run were slighted. Hucksters were present with their tables loaded with enticing viands and dainties. Ginger bread was plentiful and cheap, and he or she who sold the biggest cake for a "big red cent " was the most popular. "Mammy Zorger " introduced the "white sugar cake," which was an event in the art of cooking. She won the prize for the best cakes. During the evening the "straight four " dance took place and Battalion day had ended.

Both William and John Rankin, Military. born in the vicinity of Lewis- berry, obtained the rank of col- onel in the militia service during the War of the Revolution. Eli Lewis was the major of a regiment. Immediately after Lewis- berry was laid out, the Public Common was used as a parading ground by military com- panies, under the militia laws of the state. In 1824, while General Lafayette was mak- ing a tour of the United States, as a guest of the nation, a volunteer company was or- ganized in Lewisberry. It was named the Lafayette Guard. This company was at first commanded . by Captain Lewis Cline and afterward by Captain John Thompson, and was continued as a military organiza- tion for a period of seven years. At the end of this time another company was formed, which was called the Lafayette Rifles. Captain Samuel Beck was the first commander of this company, and he was succeeded by Captain John M. Millard. In 1839 the Lafayette Rifles went to Harris- burg to aid in quelling what was known in political history as the "Buckshot War." This was caused by difficulty between two different factions of the Pennsylvania Leg- Lorenzo Dow, a man of eccen- islature, who were opposing each other Lorenzo tric and attractive eloquence vis- while attempting to pass certain laws. Mil- Dow. ited Lewisberry. He was a na- tive of Connecticut, and early in years he was a Methodist clergyman, but in 1799 he claimed to have received a divine mission to go to Ireland and preach the itary companies continued to parade in Lewisberry and vicinity as long as the life became a religious zealot. For a few state law remained in force, which required all able-bodied men to meet four times a year for practice in the manual of arms and

military movement. These militia compa- gospel of peace to the Catholics of that

nies did not wear uniforms and some of the country. From this time forth he travelled under his own auspices, and in 1805 visited England where he introduced campmeet- ings, preaching to large audiences in the groves and forests of that country. His labors in England originated what after- men had no rifles, using in their stead a broom-stick or a rod five feet in length. One of these local companies was humor- ously called the "Cornstalk Guards," be- cause some of the men appeared on parade with cornstalks for guns. Another was ward became known as the primitive Meth-

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odists. Upon his return to America he first It has come down by tradition that early physicians of Lewisberry found the bones of Indians underneath the ground in this travelled through the southern states and to the boundary of western civilization. He then began a tour through the Middle island. In their graves were found imple- and New England States. Before coming ments of war and the chase, which they had formerly used. It was a custom of the Indians to bury their dead in a sitting pos- ture, and place in their graves arrow heads and spears which they supposed would be needed after they had entered their "Happy to Lewisberry he had conducted religious services in York. Lorenzo Dow is said to have preached to more people than any man of his time. When he arrived in Lewis- berry he was a guest of Hugh Foster. The citizens invited him to preach in the Meth- Hunting Grounds in the land of the Hereaf- odist Church. Large audiences came to hear him.

He remained one night with Hugh Fos- ter, and the next day was driven toward Harrisburg. Near the village of New Mar- ket he preached in the woods to a small au- dience. At the conclusion of the service he announced that in two years from that day at 2 o'clock in the afternoon he would preach from the same stump. He fulfilled his promise and an immense audience gath- ered to hear him, as he came riding up alone on horseback at the appointed time.

His voice, as remembered by the late late as 1815. He was a noted marksman, Robert Foster, of Lewisberry, a highly re- spected citizen, was loud and deep. When

It was said that he could hit a sixpence with a ball at a distance of fifty yards if he were accosted by some inquisitive inhabitant of allowed to keep it. His visit caused much interest and amusement to the inhabitants of Lewisberry.

Lewisberry as to who commissioned him to preach he curtly responded, "Who com- missioned St. Paul to preach ?"

A Whig meeting was held in Schools.

Historical front of Jacob Eppley's hotel

Notes. at Lewisberry on the evening of September 26, 1840, in the presence of a large assemblage of peo- ple from Fairview, Newberry and Warring- ton Townships. Samuel Prowell was chosen president ; Daniel Ginter and George Byers, vice presidents ; Joseph Wickersham, George Blymyer, Joseph Pearson, secreta- ries. The following committee was ap- pointed to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting: John H. Kauff- man, Dr. Robert Nebinger, Joseph Wick-' ersham, Daniel Ginter, James Prowell, Abraham Miller, John Weitzel, John Hart and John K. Willis. The meeting was ad- dressed by Hon. John Taylor and Hon. Thomas E. Cochran.

Four miles southeast of Lewisberry in the Conewago Creek is a small spot called Indian elements of science before the year 1800. After the town of Lewisberry was founded

ter." They believed that their future ex- istence was in a place where game was abundant and that everything needful for their comfort and pleasure would be fur- nished them by the Great Manitou, their creator. A few Indians remained in this vicinity as late as 1775. These were a quiet and peaceful class of red men who were on intimate terms with the Quaker settlers of the Redland Valley.

Indian " Davy," a civilized red man, and a noted hunter, lived somewhere along the South Mountain and visited Lewisberry as

The early Quakers in Newberry and Fairview townships were deeply interested in the cause of education. It was a mandate of William Penn that religious meetings and schools should be established as soon as the land was cleared and the pioneer homes were built in the forest. The first schools were held in the houses of settlers but at a very early period the " Red School House" was built a short distance above the site of Lew- isberry, and the "White School House" in the lower end of the valley. These two places were of interest for more than half a century preceding the Revolution. In the red school house in the year 1780 and later, Isaac Kirk was a teacher for many years during the winter sessions. He was followed by Elisha Hammond, Thomas Wickersham and others, who introduced English Grammar and Geography and the

Island. It is supposed to have been a place of burial for the red men of the forest at a school house was built in the village, the time when they occupied this region. where the successful instructors, who had

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

taught in the old school house continued ster Lewis, Robert, William and Augustus their work in teaching the boys and girls Nebinger, prominent physicians of Lewis- of Lewisberry and the surrounding country. berry, will be found in the medical chapter They created a sentiment favorable to the of this volume. Dr. George M. Eppley, dissemination of knowledge and Lewisberry J. R. Stem and Ralph A. Harding have became a centre of educational interest in practiced medicine in this borough.

the upper end of York County. The schools of this town have ever since maintained a LOGANVILLE. high standing for excellent work. The bor- The borough of Loganville is situated on an elevated plain, along the York and Mary- land Line Turnpike, near the centre of Springfield Township. The scenery from an elevated spot looking north is unrivalled ough of Lewisberry and the adjoining townships, Fairview and Newberry, were among the first to accept the provisions of the law establishing the present free school system by act of the Pennsylvania Legis- for its picturesque beauty. To the North lature, passed 1834. The first village school from the Susquehanna river, extending house continued to be used until 1861. Dur- westward to the South Mountains beyond ing that year a brick school building was Gettysburg, lies a fertile valley, drained by erected, which has since been used, al- the Codorus and Conewago creeks, con- taining some of the most productive lands

though it has twice been enlarged and im- proved. Edmund Burke and Arthur Gilbert in Southern Pennsylvania.

are well remembered as successful teachers in this building, between the years 1868 and 1875. J. W. Gosnell has done most excel- lent school work at Lewisberry during the last twelve years.

Robert Wilson, who afterward became a popular court crier and auctioneer at York, laid out the town of Loganville in 1820, and named it in honor of Colonel Henry Logan, of Dillsburg, who afterward represented

Literary societies for the intel- York County in Congress. Robert Richie surveyed the plot of ground on which the town now stands. Loganville is built on both sides of a hill and owing to this pecu- liarity it was named in the early days "Zwer- ichsackstettle." This is the German name for saddle bags used extensively by physi- cians and mail carriers a century or more ago. As the spring arrived each year large flocks of martins visited the village of Lo- ganville and raised their young. They be- came abundant and remained several months of the year. These interesting songsters were so plentiful that people be- gan to call the town Martinsburg which it retained for several years. The house which Robert Wilson built in 1820 stood for many

Societies. lectual improvement of the young people of Lewisberry and vicinity were organized as early as 1800. They were an important factor in the intel- lectual development of the community. The exercises of the societies on most occasions were spirited debates, relating to current questions of politics, scientific advancement and political economy. Probably the most successful organization was known as the "Society of Social Friends," established in 1827. Its members were composed of the leading citizens living in the borough and surrounding country. Among the member- ship were the following: Dr. Robert Ne- binger, Colonel John Rankin, Colonel John Steel, John Thompson, Hon. David Flem- years and was then removed. He kept the ing, Jacob Kirk, Joseph Wickersham, Her- first post office, and was succeeded by Sam- man Kirk, Elijah Garretson, John Eppley, uel Keyser in 1830. L. S. Hildebrand has Joseph Foster, Hervey Hammond, Jesse been postmaster since 1880 with the excep- Meredith, Joseph Nichols, William Ham- tion of four years during Cleveland's second mond and Jesse Kirk. Lewisberry was an administration, when J. Glatfelter filled abolitionist community before the Civil War. The question " Is slavery a curse to human- ity?" several times caused a lively debate. " Should the United States encourage pro- tection to home industries?" was another the office. Jacob Gipe kept the first store of the town in the house owned by Rev. E. B. Bailey. Frederick Asper opened a store in the house owned by W. A. Spate. Paul Burbank conducted the same business in topic duscussed during the Clay campaigns. the house of Casper Hildebrand. Frederick Biographies of Robert Kennedy, Web- Overmiller was one of the early merchants.

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In 1830 there were twelve houses, a hotel and store ; in 1840 the number of houses had Religious History. increased to twenty, and the population was ninety; in 1900 the population was 343.

As early as 1810 religious ser- vices, under the auspices of the Evangelical Association, were held in the vicinity of Logan-

Loganville was incorporated April 2, ville by missionaries in the private houses 1852. The first election officers were : judge, of Peter Goodling and Samuel Raver. A. John F. Beck; inspectors, George W. Ree- Buchman and A. Henning, pioneer clergy- ver and Jacob Glatfelter ; chief burgess, John Beck, Sr .; assistant burgess, Michael Sny- der; town council, John Hildebrand, Fred- erick Venus, Samuel Smith, Daniel Good- ling, Adam Krout ; constable, Charles Over- miller.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 159

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