History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 161

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

USA > Pennsylvania > York County > History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I > Part 161

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

90I

RAILROAD

facture of dressers, chiffoniers, centre tables valuable as time went on, and his business and a variety of fine furniture.

began to increase. He possessed the wis- In 1907, Edward Helb began the manu- dom of the good business man regarding facture of the American level and grade timely expenditures, but, though willing to finder, for which he has found a ready sale take advantage of new and improved meth- throughout the country.

ods, he did not allow injudicious extrava- Mr. Helb, who has conducted a general gance to swallow up all his profits. As the store in this borough with success, in the demands of his patronage necessitated, he fall of 1905, established water works for added to his facilities until he could turn out Railroad Borough. He obtained the source seven thousand finished hides annually.

of water supply from a spring thirty feet

Meantime, Mr. Helb took advantage of higher than the borough and situated along other opportunities and enlarged the scope the turnpike half way to Shrewsbury. This of his interests in various ways. In 1867 place gives to Railroad Borough pure he erected a brewing plant at Shrewsbury spring water which is utilized by fifty fami- Station, the capacity being eight hundred lies and supplies water for the different barrels a year. In 1870 he started another factories of the town. Soon after the town enterprise somewhat in the same line, es- was supplied with water a fire company tablishing a fruit distillery, which had a ca- was organized with sixty members. H. G. pacity of five hundred barrels of apple Sieling is president and M. H. Klinefelter, brandy per season. He also owned and con- secretary.

ducted a large flour mill run by steam and

Rev. A. M. Heilman, pastor of the Luth- . water power, and saw and stave mills, the eran congregation in Shrewsbury, opened latter being supplied by the timber from his a Sunday School in this borough. His large tracts of land, which included (at the efforts were successful and Messiah Luth- time of his death) seven hundred acres of eran Church was organized, largely from fine farming land in York County, and over members belonging to the Shrewsbury eighteen hundred acres of timber and arable charge. A fine brick church was erected land in the State of Maryland. His prop- through the contributions of Frederick Helb and John S. Young. Rev. A. M. Heil- erty holdings in Railroad Borough included the only hotel in the place, the "Jackson man was succeeded in 1907 by Rev. Nor- House," and a number of substantial dwell- man S. Wolf, pastor of Christ Church in ings which he rented. Shrewsbury.

In 1900 in company with his sons he established a furniture fac- tory at Railroad Borough. Mr. Helb at-

FREDERICK HELB, through whose influence and energy Railroad Borough has tended personally to the details of the man- grown and prospered, was a native of Ger- agement of his extensive property and scat- many, born March 9, 1825, in Reutlingen, tered interests already mentioned, and also Kingdom of Wurtemberg, and was the only had important connection with the Railroad son of Ulrich and Mary (Keim) Helb. He and Shrewsbury Turnpike Company, of was reared and well educated in the Father- which he served as president, and with the land, and there learned the trade of tanner Shrewsbury Savings Bank, of which he was in the comprehensive and thorough manner a director. The diversity of his interests, typical of German tradesmen. In 1847 he and the fact that he made them all pay, in- came to America to try his fortune, but it is dicates remarkable executive ability, which doubtful if ever in his ambitious youth he accounts to a great extent for his success. expected to attain the position for which he Another element in that success was the

was destined. Landing at Baltimore, he encouragement Mr. Helb always received there followed his trade for two years, in from the confidence of those who knew him 1849 coming to Shrewsbury, where he es- in his ability and integrity. It was the out- tablished a tannery of his own. But it was come of years of honor in business life, and an unpretentious affair, as he had little he deserved the sole credit for it, but it capital, and so humble was his equipment nevertheless gratified him to feel that his old that at first he used hogsheads for vats. associates trusted him, and many persistent The economy and thrift he was obliged to efforts in his later years to put life into hope- exercise in those early years was equally less enterprises were undoubtedly strength-

902

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ened by this element. Mr. Helb was one of him the beautiful house of worship now those strong characters to whom leadership used by that congregation would never have and achievement seem so natural that no been realized. He was also largely instru- one wonders at the things they accomplish. mental in the erection of the Lutheran Mr. Helb not only made a success of his own

Church at Shrewsbury, where rest the re- life, but he also aided others who had to mains of himself and wife. They passed travel the same rough path upon which he away within a year, Mrs. Helb dying April set out, and he likewise did more for his community in the way of public service than almost any other man of his day.

19, 1904, and Mr. Helb April 9. 1905. He loved his home and family devotedly, and took pride in giving good educational ad- vantages and proper training for the earnest work of life to his children, of whom there

No man of Mr. Helb's disposition could overlook the fact that the welfare of a town depends largely upon its commercial enter- were six, namely: Theodore R., Edward, prises, and that the men who promote the Julius, Frederick, Lydia and Mary. one, inevitably affect the other. He con- sidered it every man's duty to do his full RED LION. share toward maintaining a high standard his opinions on this subject more by action

The enterprising and prosperous borough of public-spirited citizenship, and expressed of Red Lion, seven miles southeast of York, is situated on an elevation 900 feet above than by words. It was through his efforts mean tide at Philadelphia and 536 feet above chiefly that Railroad became a borough, and Centre Square, York. With the exception he was one of the incorporators and first . of the summit of Round Top, in Warrington chief burgess. He had the advancement of Township, which is IIIO feet above the sea, the borough at heart when, in 1900, he and Red Lion is the highest point in York his sons expended thirty thousand dollars in County. The down grade on the Maryland the establishment of a furniture factory, and Pennsylvania Railroad from this bor- which gave employment to over fifty hands. ough toward York, for the first four miles is 105 feet to the mile. The grade is about eighty-five feet to the mile toward Felton.

The firm was known as the F. Helb & Sons Company, and after the death of Frederick Helb the business was disposed of at public sale, being bought by his son Edward, who sold it to the present proprietors, the Sieling Furniture Company. Mr. Helb's generos- ity and kind-heartedness were proverbial, and there are many who attest to his benev- olence and ascribe their start in business to his timely aid. His neighbors and friends were all objects of his kindly solicitude and returned it cordially.

The land upon which this borough is built was originally a part of both York and Windsor Townships. This land and the vicinity was first purchased from the heirs of William Penn by one of the earliest set- tlers west of the Susquehanna, in 1736. Red Lion was the name of a public inn which stood within the present limits of the bor- ough as early as 1840. On a swinging sign in front of the hotel was a lion painted red and hence the origin of the name. This old

In 1849 Mr. Helb married Rebecca Henry, whose family have been prominent in the time hostelry was a prominent stopping work of the Lutheran Church in York place for wagoners over the public road County, one of her brothers being Rev. Elias which led from Wrightsville and the Sus- S. Henry (now deceased), a Lutheran cler- quehanna across York County and the State gyman for more than forty years at Pine of Maryland to the city of Baltimore. Grove, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, and another, Rev. Samuel S. Henry, a min- ister of the same denomination. Mrs. Helb was always an active church worker, and a life member of the Women's Lutheran Mis- sionary Society. Mr. Helb was a liberal

In 1852 John D. Meyer, a thrifty German. purchased a tract of land upon which a large portion of the borough of Red Lion now stands. In 1874, when the railroad from York to Peach Bottom was completed through this region, citizens of the vicinity supporter of the church at Railroad Bor- obtained a station which was named Red ough, to which he and his wife belonged, Lion. At this time Mrs. Catharine Meyer and though there were many other liberal conducted a hotel and when the railroad donations it may be safely said that but for was completed, erected a large building

903

RED LION

which was used by her for a general store H. E. Craley, manager. The company and as a station for the railroad. erected a factory 50x130 feet, two stories The construction of the high; a finish and assembly building. 36x100 feet, two stories high, and a dry kiln, 40x90 feet.

Incorporation. railroad through this region to York did not have the immediate result of building up a town The Pretzel Baking Company, owned by around the station and the well conducted R. E. Glenn, recently established, employs house of public entertainment. At first the about forty workmen.

town grew slowly, but the citizens were

Noah G. Stably is engaged in the manu- progressive, so they petitioned the court for facture of picture frames, and employs about the incorporation of the village into a bor- ten hands.

ough. This petition was granted by the According to the government census re- courts of York County and a charter was ports, in 1890 there were 524 inhabitants in obtained in the year 1880. At the first elec-

Red Lion; in 1900 the population had in- tion Henry Wegman was elected chief bur- creased to 1337. A fair estimate will now gess, Dr. J. M. Hyson, Daniel Spatz, James place the population at 2000. Within re- O. Smith, Nathaniel Neiman, William H. cent years a number of large business blocks Algire and Jacob W. Young members of the and many private residences have been built council. At the time of incorporation, the and two banks established. Red Lion dis- population did not exceed 200 inhabitants, plays all the evidences of enterprise and and there were then only twenty-five houses within the limits of the borough.

prosperity. The trolley line from York through Dallastown to Red Lion was com- Immediately after the town was Cigar Industry. ests began to prosper. incorporated, the business inter- pleted and opened in the summer of 1901. This created an impetus to the growth of Store the borough and facilitated the conduct of buildings were erected and cigar business of all kinds. Red Lion is supplied factories established. Cigar making indus- with pure water by an organized company. try and the manufacture of cigar boxes have In 1907 plans were completed for the con- given employment to a large number of struction of a trolley line through Airville to McCall's Ferry. The stores and private

people of Red Lion. The first factories prospered and others were soon established. residences are lighted with electricity and In 1907 cigar factories were operated by the furnished with all modern improvements. following: Myers & Adams, with So em- In 1907 Jacob Strevic was chief burgess, ployees; J. W. Shindler, 35; Porto Rico Rudolph Neiman, Harry Dietz, Harry Cigar Company, 30; George McGuigan, 30; Hake, Titus Knisely, Morris Bicking and William Lauer, 30; B. F. Zarfos, 25; Daniel Wallace Gemmill, councilmen. D. A. Horn Spangler, A. C. Frey, Waughtel Brothers, was president of the council and J. A. Miller secretary. T. E. Brooks and Pius Tyson, each 20 em- ployees and Wallace Gemmill, Wolf Broth- The post office at Red Lion was es- ers, Strevic & Herman, C. D. Meyer, Albert Koch, J. W. Strayer, Horn & Neff, J. H. Office. Quigley, Frank Kaltreider, L. J. Smith, Henry Ferree, Jacob Stump, J. Frank Strayer, Harvey Ziegler, T. L. Adair, Frey & Detweiler, each from ten to fifteen em- ployees.

Post tablished in 1874 when Mrs. Cath- erine Meyer was appointed to take charge of the office. She held the position continuously until 1888. Nathan- iel Neiman was postmaster from 1888 to 1892 under Harrison's administration. Mil- ton Smith served from 1892 to 1896 under President Cleveland. Rudolph Neiman succeeded as postmaster in 1892 and has livery routes extend out from Red Lion. Route No. I is carried by U. G. Moore, No. 2 by Howard Klinefelter and No. 3 by Jacob Kinard.

The cigar box factories in 1907 were owned by Miller Brothers, with fifty em- ployees; J. E. Detweiler, twenty-five and been twice re-appointed. Three rural de- Lewis Jackson, fifteen.

The Red Lion Furniture Company was organized in April, 1907. with a capital stock of $30,000. S. S. Sechrist was elected pres- ident: D. A. Horn, vice president: J. B. The Wallick House and Red Lion Hotel Sechrist, secretary ; T. E. Brooks, treasurer; have both been popular hostelries in this

904

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

borough since the time of its earliest his- Jones was then the pastor. The member- tory. ship of this church in 1907 was nearly 300.

Churches. tion, which built the first house

St. John's Reformed congrega- C. E. Smith, of the Farmers' National Bank, was superintendent of the Sunday School

of worship within the limits of for many years and was succeeded by H. L. Red Lion, originated with a Sunday School Haines. The average attendance is 300. started, in 1874, by Alice Dietz in Miller's The pastors in order of succession have School House, one mile east of town. It been Lewis Kohr, J. P. Smith, J. Lower was a successful effort and in 1879 Rev. E. Grim, W. H. Weaver, J. R. Jones and G. Williams, pastor of the Reformed con- Samuel N. Moyer.

gregation in Freysville, was invited to con- St. Paul's United Evangelical Church : duct religious worship in a hall then owned Before an organization had been effected, by Mrs. Catherine Meyer and now the Red religious services were held by this denomi- Lion Hotel. Soon afterward a Sunday nation in private houses of prominent mem- bers residing in the town. The services were conducted by Rev. Samuel Yearick. In 1890, when a congregation was formed, the stone building, in early days used as a school house, was rented. Regular services were held in this building until 1894 when School was organized in this hall, superin- tended by Ferdinand Heisler and later by Seth Minnich. During the next two years the Reformed congregation held services in the village school house until 1882. During that year a frame church, 32x50 feet, was erected at a cost of $2,000, under the direc- a brick church was built at a cost of $4,000. tion of Adam Gebhart, John Wise and Seth A large addition was made to this building Minnich as a building committee. The site in 1900, and in 1904 another addition for a was presented to the congregation by Mrs. pipe organ and choir was made. The mem- Catherine Meyer. At this time Rev. A. bership of the congregation of 1907 during the pastorate of Rev. C. W. Finkbinder was 330. The Sunday School with an average attendance of 350 is superintended by S. S. Sechrist. The pastors in order of succession have been, S. Yearick, Z. Harberger, J. H. Wertz, J. M. Price, George Joseph, E. D. Keen, I. M. Sanner, I. E. Spangler, C. W. Wanner. D. D., had succeeded as pastor of the Kreutz Creek charge which included this church. The congregation worshipped in the original church from the time it was built until 1906. The succeeding pastors were: W. H. Loose, C. P. Kehl, J. Kern McKee and R. F. Edress. The congregation grew and prospered and in 1905 plans were Finkbinder and C. S. Soner.

laid for the erection of a second church.

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church was This church was erected at a cost of $12,- founded in 1895. Rev. H. E. Berkey was 000 by T. E. Brooks, D. A. Miller, Seth the first pastor and ministered to the con- gregation until 1900 when he was succeeded by Rev. U. E. Apple. The church was built Minnich, John Gephart and B. F. Leiben- knight. H. E. Craley of Red Lion, was con- tractor. This beautiful edifice was dedi- soon after the congregation was formed at a cated May 6, 1906. Rev. Dr. Bromer of cost of $5,000, and a parsonage erected at a Philadelphia, preached the sermon. In the later period at a cost of $2,500. The mem- fall of 1906 Rev. J. Kern McKee was suc- bers of the building committee for the ceeded as pastor of the congregation by church were: F. A. Shoaff, Harry Snyder Rev. R. F. Edress.

and Charles Hess. The church membership is about IIO and the Sunday School has 200 teachers and scholars.

Bethany United Brethren Church was founded in 1882 when a frame building was erected and dedicated to religious worship The first school within the bor- by Rev. L. Peters, presiding elder. Rev. Schools. ough was taught in a stone build- Lewis Kohr was the first pastor and largely ing. As the town grew, a fine through his ministrations the church was brick school house with a steeple was founded. The original building committee erected in 1890. A heavy storm blew down were J. R. Green, Matthew Gable, Daniel the steeple in 1898 and another was imme- Weaver and Samuel Sprenkle. The orig- diately placed on the school house. In 1899 inal frame church building was erected on a school building was erected on Broadway. Broadway at a cost of $10,400. Rev. J. R. One of the rooms of this building is used

905

SEVEN VALLEY

for the High School. The progress of the J. N. Hyson, W. H. Peters, B. S. Taylor, schools of Red Lion have kept pace with the. Daniel Brenneman, A. K. Frey, J. H. development of this prosperous borough. Lanius, T. E. Brooks, George W. Mc- A regular High School course has been Guigan, S. S. Sechrist, H. E. Craley, F. B. Murphy and J. W. Shenberger. In 1907 the surplus and undivided profits were $32,000; total amount of deposits $280,000. planned and pursued by the advanced stu- dents. There is a school library of several hundred volumes. In 1907 there were eight schools taught by eight teachers. The prin- The Farmers and Merchants National Bank of Red Lion was organized in 1903 with a capital stock of $25,000. cipals of the schools in recent years have been C. E. Smith, S. P. Barnett and W. W. Stauffer. The first class was graduated in The capital stock was increased in 1900 under C. E. Smith, with eleven mem- April, 1904, to $50,000. The bank bers as follows: Agnes Kaltreider, Nettie has ' apartments in the Meyer build- Bicking, Clara Eisenbaugh, John Zearfoss, ing near the Railroad Station. The officers and directors of this institution in 1907 were: president, Cornelius Strayer ; vice-president, A. C. Frey; cashier C. E. Smith ; directors, Cornelius Strayer, A. C. Frey, William H. Wise, J. W. Stine, Horace Welty, John R. Anderson, C. W. Moody, D. Sterling Mitzel, D. A. Miller, D. A. Horn, H. F. Shenberger and S. H. Curran. The surplus and undivided profits, in 1907, were $17,000; total amount of deposits, $175,000. Amos Hermann, Thomas Miller, Harvey Waughtel, John Smith, George Lichten- berger, James Seachrist and Bert Flinch- baugh. In all forty-nine students have been graduated since 1900. The High School was changed in 1906 to a four years course. W. W. Stauffer, who has been principal the past three years has conducted a normal school during the spring and summer months. The school directors in 1907 were J. A. Miller, William Lichtenberger, S. S. Knisely, R. T. Smith, Martin Neff and Isaac SEVEN VALLEY. Raab.

Seven Valley was incorporated into a The Independent Fire Engine Company borough August 23, 1892. The name of Red Lion was organized September 20, "Sieben Thal" or Seven Valley originated 1894, with E. E. Roser, president, and T. with the first German settlers who took up E. Brooks, secretary. Temporary head- fertile lands in the vicinity of this borough, about 1740. Among these settlers, were a number of "Sieben Tagers" or Seventh Day Baptists, who came here from their settle- ment at Ephrata in Lancaster County. The use of the words "Thal" and "Tag" becom- ing confused, the former predominated and quarters were at first obtained and a small engine procured. In 1904 a handsome house was built at a cost of $5,800. It con- tains modern improvements and is an orna- ment to the borough. Soon after the com- pletion of the new building, a La France fire engine was purchased at a cost of $4,700. hence, doubtless, originated the name Seven The other equipments are a hose carriage Valley. The surrounding country is un- and a hook and ladder truck. In 1907 the dulating, but there are not seven valleys membership numbered 85 with P. S. Hilde- distinctly marked in the vicinity.

brand, president, and C. C. Herrman, secretary.

In 1838, when the railroad was completed from Baltimore to York, Jacob Smyser and John E. Zeigler opened the first store at this

The First National Bank was or- Banks. ganized April, 1899, with a capital place. The station was called Smyser in

stock of $50,000. The United Brethren Church building vacated by the congregation owning it, was purchased and has since been used as the bank- ing house. It is situated in the central part of the borough. William H. Taylor honor of the first named. The postoffice was established the same year. It was named Seven Valley, and John E. Zeigler was appointed postmaster. Henry Bott succeeded him in the store business in 1845 and continued until 1898, when he removed has been president and J. A. Gillen, cashier, to York. He also became postmaster in since the time of organization. The di- 1845. His son, W. W. Bott, succeeded him rectors in 1907 were the following: W. H. as postmaster in 1875, and the same year Taylor, C. S. LaMotte, J. W. Zarfoss, Dr. began the manufacture of ice cream.

906

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Nathan Glatfelter owns a cigar factory em- sent here by General Early from Gettys- ploying about thirty-five hands, and H. C. burg, where that officer was leading the ad- Kuntz is engaged in the same business and vance of Lee's army, during the invasion employs about forty hands. Noah Lau owns into Pennsylvania. In order that railroad a cigar box factory and employs twenty men. connections between Harrisburg and Balti- Seven Valley has been noted for the manu- more and Washington might be cut off, facture of ice cream for many years. Henry N. Lau and B. F. Klinedinst, engaged in this business, make thousands of gallons of

Colonel White ordered his men to burn the railroad bridges over the Codorus Creek, both above and below Hanover Junction. They ice cream yearly and find ready sale for their performed this work by pouring coal oil on product. In 1904, an electric light plant the wooden beams and setting fire to them. are lighted by electricity.

was erected and since that time, the town, While in Seven Valley these southern business places, factories and private houses soldiers ransacked the store owned by

Mendel Brothers have recently started a that they could procure. One of them gave Mrs. Bott a one dollar Confederate note in payment for a small article which he had

sewing factory and employ about forty hands.

Dr. J. Allen Glatfelter practiced medicine found in the store.

" I want to pay you for what I get," said

until his death a few years ago. Dr. George E. Holtzapple engaged in the practice of the soldier to Mrs. Bott. "Take this Con- federate note. It will soon be worth more

when he removed to York where he became than your Yankee greenbacks. We are go- one of the leading physicians. ing on to York and will soon cross the Sus-

The other physicians have been Dr. Wei- quehanna and move toward Philadelphia. ser. Dr. Luther Bott, Dr. Jones and Dr. The war is nearly over, and the south will George W. Fickes. win."

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church at Seven Valley was organized by Rev. C. J. these Confederate soldiers returned to Han- Deininger, March 29, 1868. The congre- over Junction and proceeded to Jefferson. From thence they moved northward and joined General Gordon's brigade of Early's division which entered York on Sunday morning, June 28.

After remaining an hour in Seven Valley

gation worshipped in a hall until 1871, when a church was built. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. A. H. Lochman, of York. Rev. Deininger resigned the charge September 6, 1874. His successors have

Four days later, the villagers of Seven been Revs. D. Stock, L. T. Williams, Peter Valley heard the rattling of sabres and car- Anstadt, H. C. Clymer, E. Lenhart and B. bines, and the clattering of hoofs down by F. Kautz.

Hanover Junction. As these troops ap- The United Evangelical Church was proached Seven Valley, they were discov-

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 161

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