History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 163

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 163

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The Spring Grove brick kilns Other were established in 1879 by Peter S. Alwine, who then owned a brick yard in Para- dise Township, and also operated one near New Oxford, in Adams County. He pros- pered in this business until the time of his death, making annually at his Spring Grove yards about 700,000 bricks. This business has in recent years been conducted is essential to the production of paper. In by his sons, Lewis H. Alwine and William order to meet competition and hold the C. Alwine, who own a large brick yard at large trade, improvements have been made Berlin Junction, near Hanover.

from time to time until the plant in 1907 has a capacity of 90,000 pounds of book paper, each 24 hours. There are four Fourdrinier paper machines, one 100 inches wide, one 86 inches wide, one 82 inches wide and one 62 inches wide.

Pennsylvania Knitting Mills Company was organized in 1906, with a paid in cap- ital stock of $10,000. William C. Dickin- son, Jr., is president; L. H. Alwine, vice president ; A. J. Hershey, secretary, and Harry C. Stitt, treasurer. The company owns its plant and is engaged in the manu-

P. H. Glatfelter, who began this ex- tensive business in 1863, has been ably as- facture of stockings for children, with 25 sisted by his son, William L. Glatfelter, employees. since 1887. The business was incorporated The First National Bank of in 1906 as The P. H. Glatfelter Company, Banks. Spring Grove was organized No- vember 8, 1902, with a capital with a capital of $1,000,000. The entire stock of the company is owned by P. H. stock of $50,000. The first officers and di-

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SPRING GROVE

rectors were W. L. Glatfelter, president ; M. W. Lau, vice president ; A. H. Stauffer, cashier : P. H. Glatfelter, George H. Kraft, Samuel Swartz, Dr. M. Hoke, H. H. Loose, R. H. Shindel, F. C. Heistand, M. J. Kelly, and John F. Hershey.

Hershey, president; L. H. Alwine, vice president; Harry C. Stitt, cashier; A. D. Swartz, teller; directors, P. H. Hershey, L. H. Alvine, J. T. Crist, E. S. Senft, George W. Rohrbaugh, Charles E. Hoke. Rev. N. W. Sechler, Charles Brenneman and A. E. Markle. A handsome two-story brick building was erected and the bank opened its doors for business March 17, 1906, with a capital stock of $50,000, and County. has since done an encouraging business.

Churches. eran Church was organized

March 10, 1879, by Rev. Daniel J. Hauer, D. D., who was then serving a charge composed of several congregations, including Lischy's church a short distance the north end of the town. The members south of Spring Grove. Religious services had been held in the village school house until the erection of a church building which was dedicated on Easter Sunday, 1880. The cost of the church and furnish- ings was about $15,000. Rev. Dr. Hauer with the exception of one year, continued as pastor of the congregation until 1890. At this date he was eighty-three years of age and retired from the ministry. He re- sided in Hanover until the time of his death in 1901, at the age of ninety-five years.

Dr. Hauer was a native of Frederick, Maryland, and was licensed to preach in 1825, before there was a Lutheran seminary in the United States. His first pastoral du- ties were performed in the state of North Carolina, in 1826. He continued in the ministry for the long period of sixty-three years. March 9, 1890, Rev. A. A. Parr suc- ceeded as pastor of the congregation and continued until 1905. In 1891, a room for the primary department of the Sunday School was erected and the entire church

renovated at a cost of $4,400. In 1893, the congregation purchased a lot upon which was erected a parsonage, the entire cost of the property amounting to $8,000.

In 1905, Rev. Martin L. Clare was chosen pastor. The membership in 1907 The bank has had a prosperous career since its organization, and in 1907 the sur- plus was $15,000; undivided profits, $4.304. and amount of deposits, $197,000. The bank has declared a semi-annual dividend of two per cent. since January, 1906. was 425, with a Sunday School numbering 350. Owing to the rapid increase of the congregation, in 1906 plans were laid for the erection of a large church. A chapel for the use of the Sunday School was com- pleted in 1906 at a cost of $15,000. In Peoples National Bank of Spring Grove 1907, P. H. Glatfelter, M. W. Lau and was organized early in 1906, with P. H. George Miller, as a building committee, completed plans for the erection of a church at a cost of $35,000. The archi- tects are Hamme & Leber. The church when completed will have a granite base with a superstructure of Hummelstown brownstone. It will be of Gothic archi- tecture, with the interior finished through- out in quartered oak. This will be one of the most ornamental churches in York

St. Paul's Evangelical Luth- Trinity Reformed Church at Hanover, be-

In 1882 Rev. Henry Hilbish, pastor of

gan to conduct religious services at Spring Grove. His efforts resulted in the organ- ization of Mt. Zion Reformed congregation. In 1883 a church building was erected in of the building committee were George Hoke, George Rennoll and Zachariah Mil- ler. Rev. J. H. Hartman, who succeeded as pastor of the Hanover charge, continued services here for several years and was suc- cessful in building up the interests of the congregation. Rev. Jacob Miller acted as a supply for one year when Rev. A. P. Frantz was called in 1901. During his pastorate the present church building was erected at a cost of $20,000, including the interior furnishings. It is a beautiful structure, built of brown sandstone from a design prepared by Architect J. A. Demp- wolf. This house of worship was dedi- cated in December, 1903, Rev. John Sech- ler, D. D., of Philadelphia, preaching the sermon. In February, 1905, J. N. Foust succeeded as pastor of this congregation, which in 1907 had 150 members. The Sun- day School with A. J. Hershey as superin- tendent has 200 teachers and scholars.

The United Brethren in Christ organized a congregation in Spring Grove in 1901.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

The first pastor was Rev. M. J. Heberle, is among the most modern in equipment who remained two years. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. J. W. Grimm. The pastor in 1907 was Rev. W. J. Marks.

The Church of the Sacred Heart .- The Catholics of Spring Grove, realizing the need of spiritual devotion, applied to Rt. a secret nature (Knights of King Arthur), Rev. J. W. Shanahan, of Harrisburg, for a and manual training in wood-working, so- priest to attend to their wants. At his cial functions suited to boy nature, includ- ing summer camps, and nature study clubs, as well as a complete course of physical training in a well-equipped gymnasium with bath room and kindred facilities fill up the round of the work. command Rev. William Hooman, of York, was appointed in 1901. The first services were held in the home of William Allen and were attended by forty-seven members. Here the congregation worshipped until 1903, when the house of worship formerly In 1907 the officers and directors were: IV. L. Glatfelter, president; John L. Alex- ander, secretary and physical director; M. R. Berkheimer, treasurer; W. B. Johnston, John M. Koutz, H. H. Hawkins, W. H. Menges, P. F. Lau. owned by the Reformed congregation, was purchased. After some repairs, the church was dedicated in June, 1904, under the di- rection of Rev. Samuel J. Milner, who was placed in charge of that congregation. Father Milner looked after the spiritual needs of the congregation until August, 1904, when he was succeeded by Rev. Wil- liam F. Boyle, the present pastor. The cost of the church when purchased was $1,500, repairs, etc., $800. The congregation now numbers seventeen families and eighty-two souls.

and work of an original nature in Pennsyl- vania. Bible study in pedagogical courses, educational work of a supplementary na- ture to the public school, consisting of reading circles, a Boys' Literary Order of

Of these Messrs. Glatfelter, Berkheimer and Johnston have been officers and direc- tors from the founding of the Association. The other original officers and directors were A. C. Wiest, Esq., secretary; Samuel Swartz and Ezra Bahn. The Y. M. C. A. building was erected through the liberality of W. L. Glatfelter.

The Young Men's Christian When the Colemans owned the Schools. large forge at Spring Grove, they donated a tract of land on which was built a house for public religious wor- ship and for school purposes. A school was well kept in it for nine months of the year a long time. Different religious de- nominations were allowed the use of the building. It was finally rented by the township directors for public school pur- poses. About 1880 this building was torn down and a brick one erected by the Jack- son Township directors at a cost of $1,200. Of this sum P. H. Glatfelter contributed $600. Y. M. C. A. Association was started De- cember 15. 1901, with a pre- liminary organization. December 29, 1901, the first officers were elected, and January 19, 1902, saw the first constitution adopted. About the middle of February of this year the first General Secretary, Frank K. Hay- cock took charge and served the Associa- tion until October, 1903. At that time the present Secretary was given the control of the work, and what is known as Club or- ganization was put into effect in all the branches of the Association. Since 1903 the Association space has been quadrupled and a Men's Club and a Boys' Day and As the town grew and increased in pop- Night Club have been developed. The ulation, this building was enlarged. It re- Hand Book of the Association shows a mained in use until 1899. During this large work in all its departments. The year the borough school board, composed Men's Club under a committee of active of WV. L. Glatfelter, president; Rev. Fred members with sub-committees do all the A. Geesey, secretary; George B. Miller, treasurer ; C. W. Bauer, Isaac W. Lau and R. G. Kessler, laid plans for the erection of a large building. J. A. Dempwolf, of York, furnished the plans and a handsome brick building was erected on an elevation over- looking the borough from the north. This recognized work of an Association, laying special stress on Bible study and educa- tional work. This Club has made a strong name for itself in athletics the last few years. The Boys' Club under boy disci- pline administered by the boys themselves

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STEWARTSTOWN

building contains six large rooms and is est hopes of the founder were realized, for supplied with modern furniture and equip- he desired that the town should be named in his honor. ments. These schools are well graded and follow a regular course of study, planned by the school board.

The Spring Grove Riplet was founded January 1, 1897, by Charles H. Sprenkle, who has since published that excellent family journal. It has reached a wide cir- culation throughout the central and west- ern parts of York County, and is distributed among many of its friends who now reside in the western states.

STEWARTSTOWN.

The borough of Stewartstown is situated in the southern part of Hopewell Town- ship. The land on which the town stands was purchased in 1812 by Anthony Stew- art, an intelligent Scotch-Irishman, whose ancestors had settled in this region many years before. In 1814 David Edgar made a survey of a part of Stewart's land and laid it off into nineteen lots. In 1814 Ben- edict Mead purchased a lot, erected a house and opened a store and tavern within the limits of the town. His place of business became a centre of attraction and interest to the people of Hopewell, who began to call the village " Meadstown." It went bv this name with the inhabitants of the sur- rounding region for nearly half a century. Stewart succeeded in selling more of his lots to different tradesmen who followed Dennick. their occupations and in 1825, when a num- ber of people held a meeting to petition the Religious government for a postoffice, decided to call the town Mechanicsburg. There was an-

History. were held in the village school house, and were conducted by other postoffice in the state by that name clergymen of different Christian denomina- and the government accepted the name tions. At a meeting held October 22, 1839. Guilford. Anthony Stewart became the it was decided to erect a church. The first vestry was composed of Henry Anstine and Samuel Baird, to represent the Methodist Protestants: Archibald Steele Jordan and Henry Fulton, the Presbyterians; Joseph first postmaster in 1828. The postoffice re- tained the name Guilford until 1838 when it was changed to Stewartstown. The villag- ers, however, and the people in that vicinity persisted in calling this interesting settle- Leib and Jacob Waltemeyer, the Baptists ; Adam Ebaugh and Michael Kurtz, the Re- formed and Lutherans. Deeds for the land were executed by George Anstine and wife, William Griffith and wife, and Henry Ebaugh. Upon this site which cost $45, a house of worship was built in 1843, at a cost of $1.200. Benedict Meade was the larg- ment Mechanicsburg, and in 1851 it was incorporated with that name. This con- flicted with the name of the postoffice and also displeased Anthony Stewart, who in 1853, through the assistance of Adam Ebaugh, a prominent citizen of the neigh- borhood, secured the passage of an act of legislature which changed the name to est contributor, $50. Judge Ebaugh, who Stewartstown. It was then that the fond- at that time was a member of the state sen-

Anthony Stewart was an ingenious me- chanic. For many years he made spinning wheels and sold them in town and sur- rounding country. He possessed a good intellect, was a diligent student of science, and made a special study of astronomy. He was an albino and died in 1866 at the age of seventy-eight years. A neat marble monument in the Presbyterian churchyard marks his resting place.

The postmasters who succeeded Anthony Stewart were Jacob Forman, Agnes Ful- ton, Mrs. Green, James A. Grove, William Hartman. J. G. Hammond, appointed in 1885: Benton G. Bell, 1898, and William H. Fulton, 1902. There are four rural de- livery routes extending out from Stewarts- town. The mail in 1907 was carried by Oscar K. Seitz, Elmer Evans, Jacob Ep pley and William Sweitzer.

Stewartstown is one of the most attract- ive boroughs in York County. An earnest religious sentiment has always pervaded the community and for a period of forty years, no license has been granted in the town for the sale of intoxicating liquors.

Dr. John L. Free and Dr. Joseph R. Mar - tin each practiced medicine at Stewarts- town for thirty years. They were suc- ceeded by Dr. Evans Free and Dr. Nelson

Union Church .- The first re- ligious services in Stewartstown

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ate, received valuable contributions to the H. P. Smith. The latter was pastor until church, from his fellow members.

The 1901, when Rev. Albert G. Parker was in- building continued to be used by different stalled. He remained three years, and denominations until other churches were erected.

was succeeded by Rev. K. M. Bull. Dur- ing the violent storm in October, 1897, one end of the church was blown down, so that the building was unfit to be used for relig- ious worship, and in the succeeding year,

The Presbyterian Church .- The early settlers of Stewartstown and vicinity were largely Presbyterians, and many of them attended religious services at the Round a handsome brick edifice was erected at a Hill Church. In 1844, Rev. Stephen Boyer, cost of $15,000. It was designed by Jo- of York, organized the Presbyterian con- seph Dise, of Glen Rock. The audience room is in the form of an amphitheatre and is furnished with opera chairs. This is gregation with David K. Ebaugh and Arch- ibald Thompson as elders. Some of the

first members were James Anderson, James one of the largest Presbyterian congrega- Smeaden, Dr. Henry Ebaugh, Miss Jane tions in York County, and numbers over

Jordan (afterward wife of Dr. J. L. Free). 400 members. Robert Gemmill and James Jordan. The The Methodist Church of Stewartstown was founded in 1833 when the first religious services were held at the home of John Leib. The services were afterward held in a school house, south of town. The first house of worship known as the Hopewell last two were elders. Rev. S. Hume Smith, a graduate of Jefferson College, became stated supply June 17, 1845, and full pas- tor June 2, 1851. In 1848 the membership was thirty-eight. The pastor died Feb- ruary 4, 1857. Soon after the death of the Methodist Church was erected a short dis- pastor Rev. J. Y. Cowhick became a supply of this church. On May 29. 1859, he was ordained and installed pastor of this con - gregation and was also pastor of the Hope- tance south of town. The early pastors of the congregation belonged to Castle Fin Circuit. In 1872 the original building was torn down and a church erected at a cost of well and Centre Churches until . 1873, when $11,000. Some of the early clergymen who he resigned the Hopewell charge.

The served this church were: Revs. John E. congregation continued to worship in the Floyd, E. A. Deavor, J. M. Clarke, J. Rus- Union Church until 1862, when a brick sel, Asbury Geyer, H. R. Bender, B. F. Stevens, N. W. Colburn, P. P. Strawinski, John A. Mattern. The pastor in 1907 is Rev. J. Rollin Ebner. building was erected, for which two acres of land were conveyed by Nicholas Richey. for $105. The church land was conveyed to Robert Gemmill, Levi Zellers, William The Methodist Protestants have had a Fulton, Henry Fulton, Henry Hammond, considerable following in Hopewell and ad- David Anderson and Dr. John L. Free, joining townships, during the last half cen- trustees. Robert Gemmill contracted to tury. build the church for $2,400 but was a loser. Soon after the erection of Union Church,

In June, 1875, Rev. J. Y. Cowhick re- at Stewartstown, a congregation was or- signed his charge and became pastor of a ganized and was served by different pas- tors, who increased the membership. church in Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory. Rev. J. M. McGauchy, a recent graduate of Within recent years the Methodist Prot- estant people have owned and occupied a Princeton, was the successor, and was or- dained and installed November 4. 1875, and beautiful frame church in Stewartstown. began a series of meetings, lasting five The congregation has lately been served

by Rev. George M. Clayton.

weeks, during which time fifty new mem- bers were added to the congregation. In 1878, he accepted a charge at Laramie, Wy- Academy. Stewartstown

The academy, chartered as

English and

Classical Institute, was founded

oming Territory. Rev. W. H. Fentress was a supply until the election of Rev. H. in 1851 through the efforts of Rev. S. Hume B. Scott, who was pastor from. 1879 to Smith, pastor of the Presbyterian Church. 1882. Rev. A. S. Fox, a graduate of Yale J. A. Murphy became the first principal and Theological Seminary, became the pastor opened the institute in the public school in 1883, and he was succeeded by Rev. W. house in 1857. Dr. John L. Free, Daniel

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STEWARTSTOWN

Leib, David K. Ebaugh, William Griffith and Joel Mitzel composed the first board of trustees. An academy building was erected in 1857 and enlarged in 1873. The school prospered under the principalship of J. A. Murphy, who prepared a large number of young men and women for teaching and for entrance to higher institutions of learn- ing. With the exception of a few years he was principal of the academy from 1857 until the time of his retirement in 1872.

James Fulton & Sons Company, success- Some of the succeeding principals of this ors to James Fulton, conduct a large mer- school were William Chandler, George M. cantile business here. The company is Ettinger, J. Q. A. Jones, J. W. Edie, Rev. composed of William H. Fulton. Thomas B. J. McElway, Henry A. Gable, F. N. D. Fulton, C. W. Shaw and W. W. Bell.

Brown, James Greene, M. R. Beck, James Elliot, H. T. Dawson, Charles T. Wright, W. L. Hoffheins, J. E. Bahn, D. C. Weller, Henry M. Paine and G. W. Devilbis.

Among the business men of the borough twenty-five years ago, were James Fulton, W. W. pany, flour, feed, fertilizer and carriages.

Business

Interests.

Hartman, C. C. Prall, J. C. Hammond, E. H. Redding, J. H. Fulton, Colonel Jordan, S. Gable, R. M. Richey, Hoshour, Dise & Company.

An impetus to the growth and devel- len I. Frey, treasurer, and Webster C. Mc- opment of Stewartstown resulted from the Clung, secretary. completion of the railroad to join the

Northern Central Railway at New Free- employs about forty-five workmen in the

dom, a distance of seven miles. The road was opened with great ceremony Septem- ber 10, 1885. in the presence of 3,000 people. The original officers and directors of this company were, Jame's Fulton, president ; J. WV. Anderson, vice-president ; A. G. Bow- man, Andrew Anderson, Andrew Leib, John B. Gemmill. John Wiley, John S. Leib, John Marsteller, William Hammel, Jacob Alt- house, J. Y. Keeney, M. W. Bahn and James C. Jordan. In 1907, Joseph Ander- son was president of the company and M. W. Bahn, general manager.

In 1906, the Stewartstown and Fawn Grove Railroad was completed and opened for use. A description of this event will be found on page 617.

The Stewartstown Water Company was organized in December, 1904, with Allen I. Frey, president. Since the summer of 1905 this company has supplied Stewartstown with pure spring water.

artstown and vicinity. The company pur- chased the grist mill formerly owned by Adam Ebaugh, situated a short distance southwest of town. A plant was erected and during the summer of 1907, Stewarts- town for the first time was lighted by elec- tricity. John N. Logan, a member of the York County Bar, is president of the com- pany; James H. Gable, secretary, and Charles F. Ramsay, treasurer.

George F. Trout does a general merchan- dising business. Harry Mull owns a drug store; A. J. Baker, jewelry store ; Jacob M. Folckemmer, saddle and harness ; John W. Kisiner, saw and grist mill: Mrs. J. Robert Green, millinery : Augustus Neller & Com-

The Stewartstown Lumber & Manufac- turing Company was organized in 1891, with a capital stock of $20,000. Joseph W. Anderson is president of the company ; Al-

The Stewartstown Furniture Company

manufacture of sideboards, buffets, chiffo- niers and other furniture. William H. Ful- ton is president, and W. C. McClung, sec- retary and treasurer.

J. C. Leib & Company are engaged in the preparation of husks for mattresses, and also buy and sell produce, fertilizers and farm implements. J. C. Heckert & Com- pany manufacture cigars.

The First National Bank of Stewarts- town was organized in 1891 with a capital stock of $50,000. The institution opened its doors for business with an encouraging outlook. The bank organized by the elec- tion of James Fulton, president, and Cyrus W. Coe, cashier. At the time of his death, Mr. Fulton was succeeded in the presi- dency by his son, Thomas B. Fulton. The officers and directors in 1907 were : Thomas B. Fulton, president; M. W. Bahn, vice president ; C. W. Coe, cashier ; Samuel H. Smith, Edward Lanius, Acquila M. Straw- bridge, W. J. P. Gemmill, Joseph W. An-

In 1907, the Deer Creek Water & Water Power Company was organized for the pur- derson, Thomas C. Hunter, E. B. McClung, pose of furnishing electric light to Stew- Thomas B. Fulton and M. W. Bahn. In

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

1907 the surplus was $30,000, undivided one of the original Quaker settlers in War- profits, $7.700, and deposits, $290,000.

The Peoples National Bank was organ- ized in 1902 with a capital stock of $25.000. Augustus Neller was president ; William N. Ziegler, vice president, and Charles F. Ramsay, cashier. In 1907 the capital stock was $50,000, surplus and un- divided profits, $6,300, and deposits, $105,000.

The Stewartstown News, a neatly printed weekly newspaper, has reached a wide circulation among the intelligent peo- ple of the lower end of York County. Newton G. Shaw is editor. W. R. S. Anstine is secretary and treasurer of the company.

Company C of the 87th Regi- Military. ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, was recruited in Hopewell, Chanceford, Fawn, Lower Chanceford and Windsor Townships. It was mustered into service at York, September 14, 1861, with Andrew G. Fulton, of Stewartstown, cap- tain; Murray S. Cross, of Windsor, first lieutenant, and William E. Patterson, of Hopewell, second lieutenant. They joined the regiment at Camp Scott, York. Com- pany C had a good record during the three years of its service. Captain Fulton re- signed December 24, 1862, when he was chosen colonel of the 166th Pennsylvania Militia Regiment in the nine months' ser- vice. Lieutenant Cross was promoted to captain and commanded the company until the term of service expired in October, 1864. Charles H. Stallman, who had been promoted from sergeant-major to first lieu- tenant of Company C and about twenty of his men were captured on the skirmish line in front of Petersburg, Virginia, June 22, 1864. Lieutenant Stallman and his war had ended in the summer of 1865.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 163

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