History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 160

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

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men formed a class during the year 1812. From the time of the organization until 1842, meetings were conducted in a school house used for religious worship. It was during that year that a church was built, at a cost of $1,200, under the pastorate of George Sheaffer and Conrad Link. Rev. Conrad Link afterward became the first mis- sionary of the Evangelical Association sent

In 1905 R. A. Goodling and M. J. Glat- felter conducted stores in the northern part of the borough, and John N. Goodling and Leah Glatfelter in the southern part. There to Europe. He was commissioned to go to was a hotel on the site of Loganville before the town was built. It was a prominent stopping place before 1838, when wagoning from York County to Baltimore was one of the leading occupations of the farmers. This hotel was kept at a later date for many years by Jeremiah Brown, a gentleman widely known for his intelligence and hos- pitality. Upon the site of the old building William Sprenkle erected a hotel with mod- ern conveniences. This hostelry has re- cently been kept by his son-in-law, W. T. Foust.

Stuttgart, Germany, where he did efficient work and died there about 1880. The church is a frame structure, and the appoint- ment originally formed part of the Shrews- bury Circuit. It is the central congregation of the Loganville Circuit. In 1889 this con- gregation tore down the old church building near the edge of town, and erected an at- tractive brick church on Main Street, within the borough. Since that date the congre- gation has continued to prosper. The pas- tors in order of succession since 1882 have been S. Aurand, N. Young, E. D. Keen,

For a period of half a century, all the J. Dice, P. C. Wedemire, J. B. Stover, A. children of the town obtained their educa- D. Gramley. In 1905 a parsonage was tion in a school building with one room. In erected adjoining the church. This congre- 1892 the school house was enlarged for the gation has furnished several young men for accommodation of two schools.

E. B. the ministry, among whom are Charles Goodling taught the Loganville school for Goodling, M. J. Snyder, W. Elmer Bailey, several terms. During the past twelve E. B. Bailey and James C. Howard. Dur- years W. A. Spate has been the teacher of ing the past six years H. A. Bailey has been general secretary of the Y. M. C. A. at York the grammar school.

Cigar making is a prominent industry of and has done efficient work.

Christ Lutheran Church, of Loganville,

Loganville and furnishes employment to a large number of citizens in the town and vi- was organized in 1898 through the efforts cinity. In 1905 cigar factories were oper- ated by D. B. Goodling, U. A. Yost, M. E. Plymire, Peter Feigly and John Baum. of Rev. W. B. Lore, a young clergyman who was successful in his efforts. After a few years of experience as pastor of this congregation Mr. Lore moved to Cleveland, Ohio. Rev. E. E. Menges was his successor

Dr. George P. Yost practiced medicine here for many years and then removed to Glen Rock. He was succeeded by Dr. J. C. followed by Rev. Luther Stauffer, whose Hildebrand. Dr. Robert Hildebrand and pastoral residence is on the Plank Road, Dr. Andrew Falkenstein, 'now practicing at near York. Mr. Stauffer also officiates at Green Hill, in Spring Garden Township; Yorkana, in Lower Windsor, and Spry, in York Township.

Glen Rock, were born at Loganville. Dr. Charles Howard is also a native of the bor- ough.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

CHAPTER XLVIII

BOROUGH HISTORY-Continued.

Manchester - New Freedom - Railroad - Red Lion-Seven Valley-Shrewsbury- Spring Grove-Stewartstown-Wellsville -Windsorville-Winterstown-Wrights- ville - Yoe - York Haven - York New Salem.

MANCHESTER.

The borough of Manchester stands on an elevated plain along the turnpike seven miles north of York. The site upon which the town has been built was purchased from the heirs of William Penn in 1740 by John Nickey, one of the early settlers west of the Susquehanna. In 1814 William Reeser, a descendant of one of the early German set- tlers of Conewago Township, purchased a large tract of land upon which were three small houses. In the same year he secured the services of Daniel Small, of York, to lay off a portion of this tract into a town. York Haven, a few miles up the turnpike, was then an industrial centre. Several large flouring mills were in operation and the turnpike was used by teamsters hauling flour from York Haven to Baltimore, and lumber from Eib's landing to all portions of York County. The prospects for a town were encouraging when William Reeser made his survey in 1814. The plan for the town, which was to be called Liverpool, con- tained 100 lots. This was an era of specu- lation. Towns were being founded in every section of Pennsylvania. Most of them

were started by lottery. William Reeser determined to offer 100 tickets for sale at $100 each. Every ticket drew a large lot. There were no blanks. The drawing of the lottery took place July 30, 1814. Many people from the neighborhood, some coming as far distant as York were present to wit- ness this lottery. The ingenious founder cleared $5,000 and in 1816 spent that amount of money in erecting a large brick mansion at the angle formed by the turn- pike and the York Road, and here he re-

shared a large hospitality. His home was a centre of attraction for his children, grand- children and great-grandchildren until the end of his days. William Reeser, who be- came the owner of several farms, died at Manchester in 1871. His wife Elizabeth survived him only a few months. Both are buried in the cemetery surrounding Union Church in the borough.

The town was incorporated by

Incor -. the County Court August 27,

poration. 1869. At this date it was still known as Liverpool. The char- ter of incorporation changed the name to Manchester by which the post office had many years been called. At the first muni- cipal election Jacob Mohr was chosen chief burgess and Dewease Warner, George Yin- ger, Jacob Good, Elias Hartman and Jacob Ramer, members of the council; Henry Metzgar, secretary.

The population in 1870 was 406; in 1880, 430; in 1890, 513; in 1900, 507.

Charles Bishop, Sr., kept the first store in the village. Stores were kept after this one by Mrs. Jacobs, Joseph Kraft, John Drayer, George Beck and others.

In 1885 J. M. Glatfelter, S. A. Bear & Son and Jacob Rudy were merchants. Duhling & Brown, butchers; F. J. Lory, tin and stove store; C. Kauffman & Company, ci- gars; E. A. Schreiver and J. B. Bentzel, ci- gar manufacturers; D. S. Quickel, dentist ; H. S. Bear and M. L. Duhling, justices of the peace; Frank Yinger, P. M. Altland, John S. Yinger and others were identified with the business interests of the town.

A post office was established in 1822 with Charles Bishop as postmaster. In 1832 J. T. Ubil succeeded him, and was followed by George Beck, John Drayer, Dr. L. M. Loch- man, M. L. Duhling, David S. Quickel, Stephen A. Bear, John Drayer, Stephen A. Bear and H. A. Kauffman.

Dr. Conner is remembered as the first physician of the village. He was succeeded by many others among whom were Doctors Roe, Kilgore, Beck, Hall, Haldeman, Ahl, Hay, Houser, Lochman, Bishop, Prowell, sided during the succeeding fifty-five years.', Kain, Warren, Deisinger. Dr. Hall, a success- Early in life he married Elizabeth Shelly whose father owned several plantations a short distance up the Susquehanna River. They had ten children. In this mansion William Reeser and his wife Elizabeth

ful practitioner, built the house later occu- pied as a store by Stephen Bear and later by S. F. Bare. Dr. Andrew R. Prowell, a skilled and highly esteemed physician, died here in 1873, after several years of successful prac-

897

MANCHESTER

tice. He was a graduate of Jefferson Med- ing stands on Main Street. It was built ical College, Philadelphia, and of Bellevue under the direction of Rev. A. H. Lochman, Medical College, New York City. He died of York, in 1857. The congregation was or- at the age of thirty-four. Dr. Ehrman, a disciple of Hahnemann, successfully intro- duced homoeopathy about the year 1839. Dr. J. C. May and H. V. Gress are the prac- ticing physicians of the borough.

Religious

Union Church was the first house of worship in Manchester.

ganized in December of the same year by Rev. C. J. Deininger and served by him un- til December, 1865. He was succeeded in the pastorate by P. Warner, P. Anstadt, E. Lenhart, W. S. Porr, H. C. Bixler, M. S. Romig and T. W. Null.

The cost of the building was $6,000. In 1883 valuable improvements were made, costing $1,100. The church has since been remodelled.

History. In November, 1820, the leading citizens of the town met at the house of William Reeser for the purpose of effecting an organization to build a union United Brethren Church .- About the church and school house. At another meet- year 1832, Rev. William Brown began ing, held March 28, 1821, Charles M. Poor, preaching the doctrines of this denomina- William Reeser, Jacob Fink, John Gross and Daniel Gotwald were chosen for the tion in Liverpool. An organization was completed in the Union Meeting House, building committee. The church was built which was used until the erection of the in the summer of 1821, at a cost of $612, present house of worship in the year 1878 and dedicated January 21, 1822. Rev. Rob-

at the cost of $1,700. Colonel James A. ert Cathcart, pastor of the First Presbyte- Stahle, H. M. Everhart, Charles Mathias, rian Church, of York, and Rev. J. G. Jacob Eppley and John B. Rentzel were the building committee. The church was ded- icated by Bishop Glossbrenner. The fol- lowing clergymen have ministered to this congregation since the church was built : G. W. Kirakofe, A. H. Rice, I. H. Albright, T. Garland, D. W. Sollenberger, M. J. Heb- erly, E. H. Hummelbaugh, H. L. Eichinger and A. D. Mower.

Schmucker, pastor of the First Lutheran Church, of York, were the officiating clergy- men. The church was first used by the Presbyterians and Lutherans and later by other denominations. Some of the mer- chants and managers of the flourishing mills at York Haven were Presbyterians and worshipped in this church. A school house was built on the same lot. At the sec-

Mennonite Meeting house is situated half ond election William Reeser, Henry Grove, a mile north of Manchester. Some of the David Nelson, Charles Bishop, Charles M. early settlers of this locality were members Poor and Samuel Inloes were chosen trus- of this religious society. Among them were

tees. Henry Metzgar was for many years the secretary. The old meeting house was removed in 1879 when another church was built. It has since been used by different. House, on the site of Hoover's Church at denominations.

the Keller, Leib, Reiff and Rodes families. In early days religious services were held in private houses and in the Union Meeting

Star View. In 1810 the Mennonite Meet- ing House was built of native yellow sand- stone. Within recent years the meeting house has been rebuilt. Theodore B. Forry is the pastor of the congregation.

St. Paul's United Evangelical congre- gation worshipped in this church for many years. A class was organized in 1858 by George Young and Frederick Althouse. Some of the early pastors of the congrega- The old Mennonite Meeting House was tion were: S. D. Bennington, George originally a school building for the children Brickley, E. S. Brownmiller, H. Conrad, George Carothers, George Dellinger, Adam of Manchester and vicinity. Among the early teachers was Jimmy Cabot. an intelli- Ettinger, John Edgar, Charles Hammer, gent Irishman, who came down the Sus- Peter Heise, Daniel Kreamer, J. C. Link, quehanna River on a raft and took up his John Kreamer, L. May and Moses McLean. abode among the Germans of this region. Some of the later pastors have been L. E. Tradition says he was a good teacher and Crumbling and E. B. Bailey. In 1902 this popular among the people. He died more congregation erected a house of worship. than three-fourths of a century ago and his Christ Lutheran Church, a brick build- body was one of the first to be buried in the

898

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

graveyard surrounding the Union Church NEW FREEDOM. in Manchester borough. Other successful teachers who kept school in the meeting The borough of New Freedom is situated On Sunday morning, June 28, Shrewsbury Township. It stands on an

house were Asa Johnson and John Anstine. on the Maryland line in the southern part of Unwelcome 1863. Manchester was aroused elevated plain 827 feet above tide water at Philadelphia and 442 feet higher than Centre Square, York. It is the highest point between Baltimore and York along the Northern Central Railway, which was completed in 1838.

Visitors. by the arrival of 200 mounted men, a detachment of the Sev- enth Virginia Cavalry. The villagers had heard rumors of the approach of the enemy toward York, but they were not expecting on this day the presence of armed southern- ers coming from the west.

Conrad Free, an intelligent German, owned a large tract of land in this vicinity On the night of June 27, General Early with a division of 9,000 Confederate troops leading the advance of Lee's army, en- camped in Paradise Township. He moved eastward through Weiglestown and when he arrived at that place detached Colonel French with 200 cavalrymen to pass through Manchester and Mt. Wolf to York Haven, where they were ordered to burn the railroad bridges. This was the first and only time that the inhabitants of Man- chester saw the Confederate troops during the invasion into Pennsylvania. Their un- expected arrival caused a flurry of excite- ment. Some people ran to the cellars, oth- ers to the garrets and watched the troopers as they rode by. The soldiers halted in town, went into stores and took such shoes as they could find. These they paid for in Confederate notes. They proceeded to Mt. in 1783. This farm was inherited by his son, Peter Free, who prospered as a farmer. Four of his sons became physicians of prominence. Dr. Eli W. Free practiced medicine in New Freedom for a period of thirty years, until 1890, when he removed to Baltimore, where he recently died. Dr. John Free was a practicing physician at Stewartstown. Dr. Adam S. Free became one of the leading physicians of Harrisburg. A fourth son, Dr. Jared Free, entered the United States Army in 1861 as a surgeon for a Pennsylvania regiment. During the summer of 1863, while serving with a recon- noitering party, Surgeon Free was shot and killed near the banks of the Rappahannock River in Virginia. Different members of the Free family were the first to engage in the mercantile business at New Freedom. In 1865 Milton W. Bahn, a native of Hel- Wolf, where they also ransacked the store lam Township, engaged in the mercantile of George H. Wolf. Before leaving this vil-

business at this place. The following year lage, telegraph poles were cut down. There he was appointed agent for the Northern was a battalion of the 20th Pennsylvania Central Railway. He continued his store and was freight and ticket agent for the railroad company until 1900, when he re- moved to York. Mr. Bahn was deeply in- terested in the construction of a railroad from New Freedom to Stewartstown, which was completed in 1885, and he has since been general manager of this railroad. Emergency Regiment guarding the bridges at York Haven. When the Union troops heard of the approach of the enemy they crossed the Susquehanna on flatboats to Bainbridge. The Confederates arrived at York Haven early in the afternoon and im- mediately burned the two railroad bridges over the Conewago at this place, setting Some of the other business men of New Freedom have been U. H. Gore & Brother, J. R. Nonemaker, R. F. Koller, J. B. Wherly, J. E. Miller, and Lowe & Bailey. them on fire with coal oil. Their mission had then been completed and as there were no Federal troops in sight, except on the op- posite side of the river, which could not be Merchants carrying on business in 1907 forded, Colonel French and his men re- were Bailey & Painter, Peoples Bargain turned through Mt. Wolf and Manchester and proceeded down the turnpike, joining Early's command at York the same after- n0011.

House, Ruhl and Bond, hardware; B. F. Goodwin, phosphate and machinery; How- ard M. Bailey, marble works; P. O. Kline- felter, hardware and stove store, and J. A.

899

NEW FREEDOM

Kugler, lumber dealer. I. Bailey & Sons J. Fletcher Lutz, treasurer, is engaged in the manufacture of shirts.

manufacture ice cream.

In order to improve the conditions of the The First National Bank of New town and have increased opportunities for Bank. Freedom was organized under the authority of the treasury depart- ment at Washington, April 15, 1903, with a public education, the town was incorpo- rated in 1879. At the first election H. F. Hofacker was chosen burgess, S. G. Hilde- capital stock of $50,000. The borough be- brand, John L. Heiler, Lewis Grove, Dr. E. ing surrounded by a rich agricultural K. Free and S. Grove, councilmen. The region, this financial institution at once en- borough covers a large area. The southern tered upon a prosperous career. It opened for business in temporary quarters and soon after erected a handsome two-story brick building with the accommodations and WV. D. Bahn served as president from the boundary on the Maryland line is nearly two miles in length, and the average width of the survey is five-eighths of a mile. The population in 1880 was 325; 1890, 364; 1900, equipments of a complete banking house. 550. Within recent years New Freedom has rapidly grown in influence as a busi- time of organization until January, 1905, ness centre. The borough owns an electric when he was succeeded by G. F. Miller. light plant and has recently constructed a James E. Green, Jr., was cashier from 1903 reservoir which supplies the town with to May I, 1905, when W. H. Freed was water. Many handsome residences have chosen his successor. The directors of the been constructed during the past five years. The town was named in honor of Peter Free. Freeland village, a short distance south along the railroad, is named in honor of the Freeland family.

In 1849 an interesting ceremony took place at the site of New Freedom. It was here that Governor Johnston, of Pennsyl- vania, with a large delegation met and wel- comed President Zachary Taylor into the State of Pennsylvania, an account of which will be found on page 746.

Summit Grove Campmeeting Associa- tion, under the direction of the Methodist Episcopal Church, owns a large grove a short distance south of New Freedom. At this place annually one of the most success- ful campmeetings in the United States has regularly been held for a period of thirty years.

The school board of New Freedom has recently erected a commodious school building in the eastern suburbs of the bor- ough.

Dr. George Stone and Dr. James Yagle are practicing physicians at New Freedom.

. The New Freedom Wire Cloth Company owns and operates a factory which regu- larly employs about 75 people. It was or- ganized in 1900 with A. S. Norrish, presi- dent ; W. H. Burnham, secretary, and H. C. Kugler, treasurer.

bank in 1907 were: W. D. Bahn, G. F. Mil- ler. Dr. W. C. Stick, George F. Gantz, P. O. Klinefelter, George E. Ruhl, J. F. Zeller, J. . A. Gillen, Henry Krout, W. H. Whitcraft, F. B. Dickmyer. Melchor Hoshall. In 1907 the surplus was $16,000 and deposits $160,- 000.

St. John's Catholic Church is

Churches. the oldest religious organiza- tion in New Freedom. In 1842 Father Gabriel Rempler, a Redemptionist priest of Baltimore, visited the community and found a devoted member of his church in Meimad Mueller, a German settler, who lived at the farm house later occupied by Charles King. Here mass was first offered in this section of the county. Services were continued for several months. Mr. Mueller donated land sufficient to erect a church, which was built by contributions of the members, and the church was dedicated in 1842. The congregation was served from 1842 to 1852 by priests from Baltimore, and some of the most noted priests of the Re- demptionist order preached in this building. From 1853 to 1875, it was served from York as a mission, and after that Rev. Charles Koch became regular pastor. Father Huber and Father Breckel served the con- gregation for many years. A new church was erected in 1905. Rev. Peter S. Huegel was pastor in 1907.

New Freedom Sewing Company, in- The United Evangelical Church organi- corporated in 1902, with A. N. Hetrick, zation was formed in 1859, by Rev. G. Hun- president ; H. C. Kugler, secretary, and Dr. ter. The first building in which the society

900

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

worshiped had been a blacksmith shop. In the same place. Soon afterward, Ulrich this building both the Evangelical and Heiss purchased the land where Stabler's Methodist people worshiped until 1871, mill later stood, and erected thereon an oil- when each congregation erected commo- mill, which was subsequently torn down dious buildings, in which they have since worshiped. This congregation was served by the pastor of the Shrewsbury circuit for twenty years. In 1904 Rev. Frank H. Foss was pastor and was succeeded by Rev. H. J. Buck.

The Lutheran Church was organized in 1869, by Rev. A. Berg, and worshiped for some time in Hildebrand's Hall. In 1877, the congregation erected a fine church building. Rev. Elmer E. Schantz was pas- tor for several years and was succeeded by

The Baptists at one time had an organi- erected in 1845 by Simon and Jesse Kline- zation in the town and erected a church building, but the membership was small, and was finally suspended. The church building was sold to the Reformed congre- gation.

The Reformed Church began to hold ser- vices in the borough before the time of in- corporation. About 1880, Rev. A. F. Dreis- bach organized a congregation, which pur- chased the building formerly owned by the Baptist congregation. Rev. H. J. Hillegass was pastor in 1907.

The Methodist congregation belongs to the Shrewsbury circuit. Rev. E. M. Chil- Howard E. Young, of Hanover, is presi- cote, who was pastor for several years, was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Fox. dent, own and operate an extensive flavine mill. This is a branch of a similar business The German Baptists have a meeting house about one mile west of New Free- dom, in Shrewsbury Township. conducted at Baltimore and Hanover. The company employs about thirty men and conducts a large business, which has aided RAILROAD BOROUGH. in building up the interests of Railroad Bor- ough.

Railroad Borough is situated on the William Green, son-in-law of the late Northern Central Railway, about one mile Frederick Helb, purchased the tannery at west of Shrewsbury, and was incorporated the time of the latter's death. He re- modelled the tannery, erected large bark chief burgess; J. N. Grove, assistant bur- sheds and added all the improvements necessary to make it one of the most suc- cessful tanneries in York County. August 31, 1871, with Frederick Helb as gess ; S. Klinefelter, G. W. Ruby, Daniel Seitz. M. Gable, T. H. McAbee, and James M. McGuigan as councilmen. The town is nestled between the hills which surround it, dustry which employs about fifty workmen. and has been for many years an important freight depot.

The Sieling Furniture Company is an in- It is owned by five brothers: Dr. James Sieling, of Pittsburg, president; Harry G. Sieling, secretary and general manager ; Dr. J. H. Sieling, of York; George M. Sieling, of New Freedom, and Charles Sieling, of Baltimore. They are engaged in the manu-

In 1792, the land upon which it was built was largely owned by John Klinefelter, and he erected a mill later known as Ruby's grist mill, and also built a log house near

and another mill built. G. M. Henry bought the greater part of the land now in- cluded in the borough, put a grist mill on the site of Ruby's mill, and in 1841, re- moved the old grist mill where Helb's first tannery stood, and converted it into a bark mill. In 1822, an apple distillery was in operation at the site of Helb's distillery.

In 1833, G. M. Henry built a grist mill where Ruby's brick grist mill stands, which was supplanted with the building erected by Mr. Ruby in 1862. The first station Rev. David S. Martin, who is pastor of house stood near Ruby's mill. The brick Fissel's Church, in Shrewsbury Township.

warehouse occupied by Mr. Day was felter. The Klinefelters also erected the stone store and warehouse on the east side of the railroad, later occupied by G. P. Ever- hart; the brick mill in the northern portion of the town, owned by Jared Stabler; and in 1849, the bark mill near the station, which was converted into a flavine mill in 1869 by Klinefelter & Habliston. G. P. Everhart & Company for many years have conducted a large forwarding and commis- sion business, also a dry goods and grocery business.

The J. S. Young Company, of which

Fredk. Hell,

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 160

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