History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 166

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

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He was a member of different medical societies and the. Alumni Association of the- University of Maryland, and for many years was an active supporter of the Lutheran Church which he served in an official capacity for a long time.

Dr. Barton Evans was a successful prac- titioner at Wrightsville soon after the town was founded. He was a native of Church- town, Lancaster County, a graduate of the education and culture. After practicing his

Dr. Rebman was married January 13, University of Pennsylvania, and a man of 1880, to Ella K. Detwiler, daughter of

David and Sarah (Stoner) Detwiler. They profession for nearly half a century, he re- had three children, David, who died at the tired, and during the later years of his life age of nine years, Anna Katharine and Ella was president of the First National Bank of D. Rebman. Dr. Rebman died at his home Wrightsville. He died March 27, 1887, in at Wrightsville March 9, 1903.

his eighty-seventh year. For a long time he

William H. McConkey, for many years was the only physician in the borough. Dr. a leading citizen of Wrightsville, was born Barton C. Lloyd, nephew of Dr. Evans, and at Peach Bottom. He was a son of James also a graduate of the University of Penn- McConkey who was a prominent merchant sylvania, came to Wrightsville from Colum- and business man and represented York bia, and for many years was associated with his uncle in the practice of medicine.

County in the State Senate of Pennsylvania. Mr. McConkey moved to Wrightsville early in life and engaged in the purchase and sale collector for the canal company, one of the

Biographies of Dr. John A. Thompson, Dr. Luther L. Rewalt, and Dr. James C. of grain on an extensive scale. He was also Channell, prominent physicians of Wrights- ville, will be found in the Medical Chapter founders and president of the company in this volume.

Dr. J. L. Jamison, Dr. J. K. Blanck and Dr. Benjamin Hoover are at present the practicing physicians of this borough.

which operated the Aurora Furnace, and president of the First National Bank of Wrightsville. He was a partner in the mer- cantile business with D. S. Cook and later became sole proprietor of a large mercantile

DR. GEORGE A. REBMAN, who for twenty-seven years practiced medicine at establishment. He died November 21, 1879. Wrightsville, was born in West Manchester His son, E. K. McConkey, president of the Township, near the city of York, July 6, Farmers Fire Insurance Company at York, 1852, and was the son of Jacob and Cath- represented York County in the State Sen- ate of Pennsylvania. erine (Heindle ) Rebman, both of whom be- longed to representative families of York A biography of General James Ewing, who resided until the time of his death a short distance west of Wrightsville, will be found on page 183. Henry H. Houston, County. He acquired his preparatory edu- cation in the public schools of his native township and at the York County Academy, and after teaching school for a short time who afterwards became a prominent citizen began the study of medicine in the office of of Philadelphia, was also born near Dr. Jacob Hay, one of the leading physi- Wrightsville. A sketch of his career will be

A. C. Reburan

931

WRIGHTSVILLE

found on page 463. A biography of Cap- tain Frank J. Magee, who was active in Susquehanna military circles, appears on page 363. Bridges.

The construction of bridges across the Susquehanna was one of the most important projects in promoting public

W. W. Moore who has served as justice of the peace for many years furnished the internal improvements in the State of Penn- facts for the early history of this bor- sylvania. The act of assembly authorizing ouglı.

the incorporation of a company for the con-

Soon after John Wright, Jr., set- struction of a bridge at Columbia was ap- proved by Governor Simon Snyder, March 28, 1809. The act of 1811 authorized state appropriations for the construction of bridges at Northumberland, Harrisburg and

Hotels. tled west of the Susquehanna, in 1735, he obtained authority to open a house of public entertainment for the benefit of travelers. Wright's Ferry was one of the leading crossing places of the McCall's Ferry. Among the commissioners Susquehanna for more than half a century. to receive subscriptions for the erection of On July 2, 1791, a delegation of citizens from York accompanied General Washing- ton as far as Wright's Ferry and on this oc- casion, President Washington and his dis- tinguished party halted for a short time at this public inn. In 1789 Colonel Thomas Hartley was escorted to the Susquehanna by a large delegation of York citizens, when he was on his way to become a member of the first Congress of the United States, then about to open in New York City. Colonel Hartley was dined at this hotel by his friends before he took his departure for New York. the Columbia bridge were Stephen Girard, the great financier, and seven others from Philadelphia, six from Lancaster County, and William Barber, John Stewart and God- frey Lenhart from York County. At a meeting of the stockholders held December II, 18II, William Wright was elected presi- dent of the company, John Barber, secre- tary, and William P. Beatty, treasurer. Among the board of managers were Wil- liam Barber, Jacob Eichelberger, John For- rey. John Evans, and Henry Slaymaker of York County. An act of assembly passed April 2, 1811, appropriated $90,000 to aid in the construction of this bridge. The con- awarded July 8, 1812, to Henry Slaymaker, Samuel Slaymaker and Jonathan Wolcott. It was to cost $150,000.

About 1830, this stopping place for travelers was called the Union House, a tract for its erection on the Burr plan was name which it bore for nearly half a cen- tury. Some of the proprietors of this hotel were James Schall. William Wolf and Henry Hantz. This hostelry, prominent in This bridge extended across the river the early history of York County within re- about 1,000 feet above the position of the cent years has been known as Hotel Wilson, named in honor of the owner, Steven Wil- son. Horace L. Crumbling was the pro- prietor in 1907. .

The Washington House was opened as early as 1835. Tempest Wilson was one of the earliest proprietors, and tradition says he kept an excellent hotel. The late Henry Hubley of York kept the hotel for many years. William H. Hamm was proprietor in I906.

The Wrightsville House was a prominent stopping place as early as 1830. For a long time it was kept by John Kauffelt in a build- ing at the corner of Front and Locust Streets. John Kauffelt early in life resided in Lower Windsor Township. He was elected sheriff of York County and removed to Wrightsville after the expiration of his term.

present one. It was completed and ready for use in 1814, nearly two years before the Harrisburg bridge had been finished. The bridge was 5,690 feet long. It was com- posed of fifty-three arches resting upon stone piers and the two abutments. It was a covered wooden bridge and cost $231.771.

The title of the company was changed March 29, 1824 to "The Columbia Bridge Company," and the legislation which au- thorized the change also authorized the company to carry on a banking business.

In February, 1832, a destructive ice freshet occurred in the Susquehanna. A

gorge, where huge blocks of ice welded to- gether by friction were piled up thirty or forty feet high, was formed several miles below the bridge, damming the stream, backed the ice and water up over the front street of Columbia and carried the bridge

932

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

from off its piers. The river, from shore to two iron spans were placed in the centre of shore, was filled for days with fields of float- the bridge, so that the possible loss by fire ing ice, with here and there a span of the should be reduced one-half. It was opened bridge eddying through them. On the 3rd for travel on January 4, 1869, and partially and 4th of February five spans of the bridge opened for railroad purposes on March I, I869. Including the rebuilding and strengthening of many of the piers, and cap- ping them with dressed stone, the cost reached nearly $400,000. On July 1, 1879, the Columbia Bridge Company conveyed it to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. were taken away, on the 7th nine more, and a few days afterward thirty additional ones followed, and the destruction became com- plete. It was replaced in 1834 by a struc- ture which cost $128.726 with its ap- proaches. The bridge of 1834 was with its approaches, 5,620 feet long. forty feet wide, high water mark. It was a covered bridge, and had two tracks and division for foot passengers, carriages and other vehicles, and two towing paths, one above the other. for the accommodation of Susquehanna canal traffic through the pool of the dam.

The third bridge across the river com- with its bottom chords fifteen feet above pleted in 1869, was removed by a violent hurricane which swept down the river on the night of September 29, 1896. This was probably the most violent storm known to this region. This bridge which had stood the forces and flood for so many years, was struck by the full force of the hurricane, swept from the piers and thrown into the nine years. Late in the evening of June 28, river a mass of broken and tangled debris. Nothing remained but a short span at the Columbia end of the bridge, the iron span in the centre and the facade at the entrance

The bridge stood for a period of twenty- 1863, it was destroyed by the troops under Colonel Frick at Columbia, by order of Gen- eral Couch, then commanding the Depart- ment of the Susquehanna with headquarters on the York County side. at Harrisburg. The bridge was burned to An account of the Con- prevent a brigade of Confederates com- Confederate federate invasion and the oc- Invasion. cupancy of Wrightsville by six regiments, commanded manded by General Gordon of Georgia, from crossing the river, after the slight en- gagement at Wrightsville. Large quanti- by General John B. Gordon will be found on ties of powder had been placed near the cen- tre on the bridge. At a given signal the

page 415 in this volume. Calvin G. Smith, a prominent citizen of Wrightsville, has powder was exploded and the bridge took furnished some additional facts relating to

fire. The fire swept along from span to span until the whole structure was one roar- ing mass of angry flames; blazing timbers

this event. The facts as given by Mr. Smith were recorded in the minute book of the Presbyterian Sabbath School by his was secretary of the school. This entry

hissed as they dropped in the stream and brother, James Kerr Smith, who in 1863 floated towards the dam.

On the 12th of July, 1864, the Columbia states that the people of Wrightsville first bank sold and conveyed the bridge fran- learned of the approach of the enemy at 3 chises, piers and other property to Josiah p. m. June 28. Bacon, Wistar Morris, Thomas A. Scott, Early in the morning Major Haller placed Joseph B. Myers, Edward C. Knight, Her- the town of Wrightsville under martial law. He ordered male citizens and some colored man J. Lombaert and Edmund Smith. These gentlemen had on July 6, 1864, met people to aid the soldiers in barricading the streets and to dig rifle pits on both sides of the turnpike in the western suburbs of the borough. Women were directed to bake bread for the soldiers.

and organized the Columbia Bridge Com- pany and elected Herman J. Lombaert as president and Edmund Smith as secretary and treasurer. On the 6th of September, 1864, they conveyed to the bridge company At 5 o'clock when the emergency troops the property which they had purchased had taken position behind the breast works, from the bank. In 1868-69 the bridge was Bell's Calvary on the right and the conva- lescent soldiers on the left, the Confederates a "through Howe truss arch." It was com- posed of 27 spans, was 5,390 feet long and appeared on the turnpike and planted a roofed and weather boarded. Subsequently, battery of four guns, two on the turnpike

933

YOE

and one on either side of it about one and a George Harris, north of the railroad track, half miles west of the borough. At 5 p. m. were burned. The foundry of Edmund these guns were discharged and a number Wolf, the lumber yard owned by Henry of shells and solid shot fell in the town while still others dropped in the river be- yond. When the battery opened fire all the Federals fell back into the town except the convalescent troops who had previously been in battle.

They exchanged a few rifle shots with the approaching enemy and then also retreated. At six o'clock the Confederates with Gor- don at the head entered the town. During the skirmish twenty soldiers of the emer- gency regiment were captured including Lieutenant Colonel Sickles. The federal troops all crossed the bridge which about seven o'clock in the evening was set on fire was burned during this fire, but no damages to prevent the enemy from crossing. Gor- were ever recovered either from the state of don's brigade remained in Wrightsville Pennsylvania or the government, even during that night and camped on the fields though this private property was burned near the western suburbs of the town. Gen- as the result of the destruction of the bridge eral Gordon lodged for the night at the which was set on fire by authority of the residence of J. F. Magee and during the national government.

evening with his staff dined by invitation at the residence of Mrs. Rewalt. A descrip- tion of this dinner party will be found on page 417.

During the connonading a Confederate shell struck the corner of the Presbyterian Church, passed down Locust Street, going through the residence of Jacob H. Freet and lodged on the attic. This shell like many others did not explode. A shell struck the house of Thomas Harris on Lo- cust Street. Another shell struck what was known in early days as the Big Brick Hotel farm, which later was bought by his son. at the southeast corner of Second and Wal- nut Streets. Shells also struck other houses in the borough.

While the shells were falling, Mrs. Amanda Beaverson, whose husband was a soldier in the army, was crossing Third Street. When moving through the centre of the street, carrying two children, a shell exploded a short distance away without in- juring her. Mrs. Beaverson was rescued by Jacob H. Freet and Thomas Wilson who took her to an adjoining house and placed her children and herself in the cellar. Soon afterward the shells ceased to fall. No citi- zens were injured.

Lanius of York and George Kauffelt of Wrightsville and a lumber yard owned by Henry Kauffelt were entirely destroyed. The warehouse later owned by Cal G. Smith caught fire but the flames were extinguished before the building was burned. It is stated in another part of this work that the Con- federate soldiers were ordered by General Gordon to aid in checking the fire so as not to burn the town of Wrightsville, for he had given his pledge not to destroy private property. Sometime after the war Cochran and Hay, prominent attorneys at York, represented the claimants whose property

YOE.

On an interesting spot seven miles east of York and one mile north of Dallastown, stands the prosperous borough of Yoe, along the line of the Maryland and Penn- sylvania Railroad. In 1815, Jacob Snyder purchased a farm upon which part of the town has been built. After residing upon this farm for thirty years, his son, John A. Snyder, became the owner. Harry Taylor at an early date purchased an adjoining Zacharias Taylor. Upon these two farms the town has been built. In 1880 Moses Snyder bought a small tract of land from Zacharias Taylor and built thereon a dwel- ling house and another building in which he started a store and a cigar factory, employ- ing at first four workmen. This was the origin of an industry that has given pros- perity to the thriving borough of Yoe. Soon afterward W. H. Taylor, a son of Zacharias Taylor, built a house and started a small cigar factory. Jacob Taylor laid off a portion of the Taylor farm into build- ing lots and disposed of them to new resi- dents who were employed in the shops. In 1883. about fifteen houses had been built

When the flames which destroyed the bridge reached the Wrightsville side of the and the settlement became known as "Sny- river three dwelling houses. owned by derstown." Additional cigar factories were

934

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

built. The population increased and the been engaged in printing calendars, novel- railroad company established a station and ties and advertising specialties, employing Adams Express Company opened an office. in 1907, twenty-two persons. In 1888 the citizens petitioned for the es- tablishment of a post office. The name Churches. Snyderstown would not be accepted by the department at Washington because a town bearing that name in Pennsylvania already had a postoffice. When the news was com- municated to the citizens of the village, Moses Snyder suggested the word Yoe for the town and post office. The first post- master was Moses Snyder.

The village of Yoe was incorporated into a borough in 1893 and Jacob Snyder was chosen the first chief burgess. The popu- lation in 1900 was 525, but owing to the

The United Evangelical Church was success of its industries, the estimated founded by Rev. George Joseph, who held population in 1907 is 750. The Yoe Water the first religious services in the houses of

Company was chartered in 1899, with a members. He was succeeded by Revs. J. capital of $10,000. The supply of water is M. Price, E. B. Keen, Frank Foss, E. Ful- received from a spring a short distance comer, John H. Heitz and W. E. Brillhart.

away. This water is forced through a six- inch pipe about three-fourths of a mile to a reservoir which has a capacity of 300,000 gallons. The reservoir is on elevated ground 170 feet above the town. The Citi- zens Fire and Hose Company was organ- ized in 1899 when a building was erected. A hose carriage with chemical attachment and 600 feet of Standard Fabric hose were purchased.

The cigar industry which gave an im- petus and growth to the town, has contin- ued to prosper. One new factory after an- other was erected until in 1907 the number had increased to about fifty factories, giv- ing steady employment to all citizens of the borough and vicinity desiring to en- gage in the occupation of manufacturing cigars. A careful estimate shows that 100,000 cigars are made daily in this bor- ough. The sum of $325 is paid daily for revenue stamps by the owners of the nu- merous factories. E. E. Snyder operates a cigar box factory. The principal cigar factories in 1907 were owned by D. A.

Two stores do a general merchandising business.

The Yoe Printing Company was founded by James K. Taylor, in 1896. It has since

The United Brethren Church at Yoe was built in 1902 at a cost of $9,000. It is a hand- some brick structure facing on three differ- ent streets. The present church was built under the pastorate of Rev. J. P. Koontz, who served the congregation from 1896 to I903. He was succeeded by William Dougherty, who remained two years. Rev. E. L. Hughes was chosen in 1905. The church membership is 160, and the Sunday School, with W. H. Snyder as superintend- ent, has a membership of 280.

YORK HAVEN.

The borough of York Haven is of recent origin, having come into existence since the erection of the paper mill. An account of the construction of the canal around the Conewago Rapids and the early interests of the Baltimore Company will be found in the early part of this volume, beginning on page 602.

The town of York Haven was laid out in 1814, when a neatly designed plan was pre- pared for the York Haven Company, under whose direction four large flouring mills were erected. In the town plan there were two sections ; the " upper town " was to be built on the hill to the west of the present line of the railroad, and the "lower town' down by the canal. The lots were thirty feet wide and 130 feet deep. The streets parallel with the river were Canal, Balti- more, Hillen, Stansbury, Wilson, Town- send, Weatherburn, Cole and Gwynn, names of prominent members of the com- pany. The alleys were named after the Kohler & Company, Isaac Kohler, The creeks flowing into the Susquehanna. The Kohler-Snyder Company, D. S. Taylor, Charles W. Snyder, W. E. Snyder, and State Seal Cigar Company.

cross streets were numbered from First to Seventh in order. The plan included a large public square.

On the printed deeds of the town lots, the name David Cassat, of York, appears as attorney for the company. On each of the deeds the company's seal was stamped,

935

YORK HAVEN

which was circular in form, with the repre- sentation of a canal and lock, and an over- hanging willow tree. The words " York Haven Company " surrounded these.

There was considerable business enter- prise at York Haven for many years. Dur- ing its prosperous time Charles M. Poor managed the company's store and the large hotel; Samuel Inloes kept a dry goods store and had two or three large cooper shops to make flour barrels, and employed twenty or more workmen. He also owned a dis- tillery. Charles Bishop and Jesse McCon- key owned hardware stores, and the last named at one time kept a large hotel. A Quaker named Rummer owned a nail fac- tory, which was run by water power. John T. Ubil who was manager for the company was a "slave catcher." He afterward moved to Pottsville, grew very poor and became a teamster. There were two large saw mills built on leased lands. One was owned by Andrew Lightner and the other by Elijah Webb. Henry Small, father of David E. and John H. Small, of York, bought one of the mills. Lewis Harlan managed the cooper shops belonging to the . company. Keel boats with cargoes of wheat came down the Susquehanna. These were run in the canal and unloaded near the mills. Some of these boats carried 1000 bushels of grain. Wagoning to Bal- timore to haul flour to market, became an important business. In 1820 the sum of eighty cents a barrel was paid to haul it to Baltimore. Thirty or forty teams were used at one time. The horses had bells and the turnpike was alive with interest when these teams started off ,on their journey. The turnpike was completed to York Ha- ven in 1812, and the large bridge over the Conewago Creek, below York Haven, was built the same year, by A. Miller. It was taken away by the flood of 1817, and re- built soon afterward by Henry Slaymaker. The ferry and tavern were kept by Philip Etter for many years, to March 1816, when Peter Veal became the lessee. Christian Fensel was for a long time postmaster. The Canal Road leading to Abbottstown and Hanover, was opened in 1814. The large stone building owned by the company, for many years was known as "Waters' Hotel." During the summer months this hotel entertained many city boarders.

In 1825 General Lafayette, an ac- Noted count of whose visit is given on Visitors. page 743, halted for an hour at the York Haven Hotel while on his way to Harrisburg. Joseph Major, an intelligent citizen of the vicinity, told the writer in 1885 that he saw this distinguished Frenchman standing, with other persons, including his son, George Washington La- fayette, on the balcony of this hotel, look- ing up and down the Susquehanna viewing the romantic scenery. Lafayette was charmed with his visit and interested in everything he saw around the picturesque town of York Haven. After the dinner hour he started on his way over the turn- pike to the state capital.

General Lewis Cass, the noted soldier of the War of 1812 and the distinguished Michigan statesman, was also a guest at this hotel, where he dined in 1834. He was then going to Harrisburg. Simon Cam- eron, a young man, prominent in the affairs of Middletown, had corresponded with General Cass and invited him to stop off in that borough. At this time Cass was sec- retary of war in the cabinet of Andrew Jackson. A ferry then crossed the river above the rapids. An experienced oarsman was engaged to pilot the boat across the stream. A dense fog hung over the Sus- quehanna. When the boat reached the middle of the stream, the pilot lost his way and the statesman and his party were drawn by the current into the rapids. They passed through unharmed. An hour later the members of the distinguished party were rescued by some boatmen at Eib's Landing three miles down the Susque- hanna.

During these early days York Haven was a noted resort for pleasure seekers. Gam- bling was practiced at the hotel. About 1828 Rev. John Fohl, one of the pioneer clergymen of the United Brethren Church, visited the town and asked permission to hold religious services in the ball room of the tavern. Consent was given to him by the proprietor and for several weeks he carried on one of the most successful re- vivals ever known in York County. The entire community was aroused by the de- voted efforts of this apostle of peace and good will to men. He was a frequent vis- itor at this place afterward and was always

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 166

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