USA > Pennsylvania > York County > History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I > Part 174
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who was installed pastor June 21, 1851, and continued to minister to this church with great acceptance until his death, which oc- curred February 4, 1857. His remains were interred in the cemetery at Chanceford Church, where a neat mounment was erected to his memory.
In October, 1858, a call was presented to the Presbytery by Centre Church, for the pastoral services of Rev. John Young Cow- hick for one-fourth of his time. He was in- stalled pastor of Centre Church June 10, 1859. During his pastorate the union of the "old" and the "new school" branches of the Presbyterian Church occurred. As a memorial of this event, a fund of $700 was raised for church repairs. A cornice exten- sion was put to the roof of the stone build- ing erected in 1822 (now demolished), new blinds on the windows; a new pulpit and new pews were placed in the church, and the whole repainted. This work was com- pleted and paid for July 20, 1871. Rev. Cowhick resigned June 14, 1875. His pas- torate lasted sixteen years.
Rev. Johnston G. McGaughey, a licen- tiate of the Presbytery of New Brunswick, was ordained November 4, 1875, and in- stalled pastor of Centre Church the next day, to give one-half of his time to this church. He continued until February 17, 1879, when he resigned.
Rev. R. Lorenza Clark to whom the au- thor is indebted for much of the data of this history was pastor of this church from 1879 to 1904. He was licensed by the Pres- bytery of Westminster, April II, 1877.
June 16, 1879, the congregation of Centre made a unanimous call for his pastoral ser- vices for the whole of his time; the church for the first time in its history determining to have the full service of its pastor.
September 11, 1879, this call was pre- sented to him by the Presbytery of West- minster, and accepted. The same day he
Of him can be said that he labored faith- was ordained and installed pastor. In 1880 a. parsonage was built near the church at a cost of $3,500. Centre Church was incor- porated May 21, 1883.
fully for the cause of the church and the good of man. In pastoral work he excelled, after traversing the eleven miles from his home to minister to the spiritual wants of Rev. R. Lorenzo Clark was a systematic and indefatigable worker in the cause in which he had enlisted and an earnest and convincing preacher of the truth. During his pastorate the church grew in numbers his people. He died in 1869, in his eighty- second year, and was buried in the cemetery at Slate Ridge. On April 17, 1850, there was a call from Centre Church for the pas- toral services of Rev. Samuel Hume Smith, and influence as never before, and the pres-
976
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
ent beautiful and capacious church edi- one years old. It was a common custom in fice was built and when dedicated was free those days to vote "on size" as well as "on from debt. Mr. Clark accepted a call from age", and he was large of stature. Lancaster and the present able and popular pastor, Rev. F. B. Everitt, was called to the vacancy, created in 1903.
In October, 1905, the members of Centre Church, celebrated the 125th aniversary of their existence as a congregation. There was a large attendance at these interesting ceremonies. Many of the persons who were present had been former members of the congregation and came a long distance to take part in the exercises. Rev. R. L. Clark, the former pastor, read an historical sketch of the church. Rev. Benjamin Everitt, of Jamesburg, New Jersey, father of the pas- tor, was one of the principal speakers.
Rev. Joseph D. Smith, formerly pastor of Slate Ridge Presbyterian Church, was pres- ent and delivered an interesting historical address than whom no one was more fitted by reason of his learning, eloquence and familiarity with his subject. Mr. Smith died December 21, 1906. His death was greatly lamented by the people of Centre Church. Gatchelville. Gatchelville is an interesting hamlet lying near the centre of Fawn Township, and was built on lands belonging to Joseph Gat- chell, a prominent citizen of the township. The surrounding region was originally a pine forest. Matthew H. McCall for many years carried on the mercantile business at this place and in 1905, was chosen president of the First National Bank of York. He was succeeded by John P. Kunkel. Robert B. Hyson was also a merchant here but re- moved to Bridgeton, on the eastern edge of Fawn Township, where he conducts a gen- eral store.
One mile distant from Gatchelville are the parade grounds, where the local com- panies drilled under the militia laws before the Civil War. The old Blue Ball Hotel not far west of Gatchelville, for a long time kept by J. Bullett, was for fifty years the voting place of Fawn Township. This historic site was later owned by Felix C. Herbert, a veteran Democrat who did faithful service for his party. He was county commissioner when the York jail was built in 1855. Felix by a patriotic accident voted twice in one day for his chosen candidate for president of the United States, before he was twenty-
Prospect Methodist Episcopal Church is situated in the west end of Gatchelville. An old church stood by for nearly half a cen- tury. In 1868 a building was erected at a cost of $2,800. About 1880, it was re- modelled and painted. There is a burying ground adjoining it. For many years this church was served by clergymen belonging to the Airville Circuit.
Dr. Hugh McDonald for half a century was one of the most prominent citizens in the lower end of York County. He was born in the state of New York and settled in the practice of medicine in Hopewell Township about 1815. Dr. McDonald married the daughter of Colonel John Kelly, the commander of the local militia, who owned a large tract of land where the town of Laurel now stands. After practicing in Hopewell for a number of years, Dr. Mc- Donald moved to Fawn Township. He purchased a large tract of land, later known as the McSparren farm, near Gatchelville, and continued his profession for the remain- der of his life. Dr. Morgan McDonald, who practiced medicine at New Market, Mary- land, removed to Gatchelville.
New Parke is pleasantly situated in
Parke.
New the southwestern part of Fawn near the Maryland line. There was a Presbyterian Church built here in the year 1847, and Rev. Samuel Parke, who for many years served the con- gregations at Centre Church and at Slate Ridge, determined to organize a new con- gregation. The attempt was' only partially successful. The frame building was moved a short distance from its original position, and in 1882 began to be used by John Mor- gan Jenkins as a store. The postoffice was established December 2, 1878, and John B. Gemmill appointed postmaster. The post- master in 1907 is Joseph A. Gailey, who also conducts a large store in the village. An- other enterprising merchant of the town is John J. Fitzpatrick.
The New Parke and Fawn Grove Rail- road incorporated May II, 1905, with a cap- ital of $90,000, is nine miles long and passes through Fawn Grove Township from the Hopewell line at the Strawbridge farm through New Parke to a point in Fawn
FAWN 977
Grove Borough. Since the building of this railroad, New Parke has become the most · important place in the township and ware- houses have been erected to accommodate shippers of merchandise, and the business of the village has already grown to large proportions. A creamery does a large busi- ness and affords a market for the dairy pro- ducts of the neighborhood.
Fawn Township has the following schools: Bald Eagle, New Parke, Pleasant Grove, Gatchelville, Walnut Grove, Pine Grove, Cedar Valley, Fairmount and Mt. Pleasant.
James McCandless, known Jimmie all over the southern part of McCandless. York County from the period of the Revolution until 1830, was an exceedingly interesting character. He was the son of Alexander McCandless, a native of Scotland, who purchased the land on which the borough of Delta now stands. He was called by every one by the friendly name of " Jimmie," and is reputed to have had many accomplishments. He could play the violin, repeat the best poems of the leading authors by heart, served sev- eral years as justice of the peace, and for a long time was a teacher of Centre School, in which occupation he was popular among his students. For several years he kept a tavern on the spot where the Strawbridge homestead stands.
Just after the Revolution closed, James McCandless owned 756 acres of land, largely in the present area of Peach Bottom Town- ship. He was widely known for his jovial nature. Tradition says he could entertain his friends and neighbors at all times play- ing the fiddle and telling funny stories. He belonged to Centre Church and owned a prominent pew in the centre of the church. On one occasion he had a difficulty with his neighbor, Brooks, who owned a pew behind the one occupied by Jimmie and his family. The two men could not adjust their differ- ences. Jimmie's wrath rose to a high pitch. In order to get even with his neighbor, he built the back of his pew so high that the Brooks family could not see the pastor when he preached his long sermons. Neighbor Brooks finally appealed to the Session, who ordered the pew lowered. McCandless knew he had violated the rules of the church
and before lowering his pew, wrote a pla- card with his fine penmanship, and pasted it on the back of his pew for one Sunday. On this card were the words, "Get thee be- hind me, Satan." This roused the ire of the Session and on the following Monday, the high pew was removed, and McCand- less decided to take a seat in another part of the church, so that he might have more benefit from the eloquent words of the pas- tor, who preached a sermon on the subject "Contentions." This ended one of the most interesting episodes of Fawn Township in the days of long ago.
The Fates were not propitious with Jimmie McCandless. The sheriff came to visit him one day to take possession of his property. Meantime, he had taken flight to the western country. Soon after arriving at his place of destination, he wrote a letter in rhyme to the sheriff telling what dispo- sition to make of his farm and tavern. Early in life McCandless was employed by Major Andrew Finley, the "King of the Barrens" to write an epitaph in the Round Hill churchyard, near Cross Roads Borough. The story of Major Finley is found in the history of Winterstown Borough.
Joseph R. Strawbridge, a prominent member of the York County Bar, was born at the Strawbridge homestead, formerly the McCandless property, July 25, 1858. He obtained his early education in the township schools and in 1875 became a student at the York Collegiate Institute, where he re- mained two years, and then spent one year as a teacher in Adams County, Illinois. In 1878, he returned to the York Collegiate Institute from which he was graduated in 1880. He then entered the junior class at Lafayette College, and was graduated in 1882. After teaching one year at Fawn Grove Academy, he studied law and was admitted to the bar April 1, 1884. He served five years as county solicitor until 1895 when he was elected district attorney. Since the expiration of his three years term of service, he has devoted his attention to the practice of law.
His brothers, Acquilla and Franklin Strawbridge, own the farm in Fawn Town- ship, the former being a justice of the peace and a director of the New Parke and Fawn Grove Railroad.
62
978
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.
The township of Franklin formed a part of Monaghan from the time of the erection of the latter in 1747, until the year 1809. During the year 1808, a petition was pre- sented to the county court asking for the erection of a new township, whereupon Henry Gentzler, Michael Spangler and George Julius were appointed viewers. They presented their report of the survey to the court, and it was confirmed in 1809, Judge John Joseph Henry presiding. On the original draft Dill appears as the name of the township. This was crossed and the name Franklin written. Stony or Fisher's Run was made the eastern boundary. In
1810 there were 175 taxable inhabitants in the new township. The property valuation was $97,521. Michael Mumper, the largest land owner in the district, was assessed with 790 acres, valued at $7,740. Francis Coulson was justice of the peace ; William Butt, constable; Peter G. Arnold, Jarries Kennedy, and Samuel Smith, inn-keepers; William Wireman, who also owned a tan- nery, and Solomon Marteemie were physi- cians; Peter Wolford owned a grist mill. saw mill and one slave; John Lease, a saw mill; Jacob Knoop, a saw mill and grist mill; Adam Ehrhart, a distillery, saw mill and grist mill; Thomas Furgeson was the schoolmaster; Henry Deardorff, Jacob Dollheimer, John Deardorff, Abraham Frederick, William Heikes, Lemuel Heikes, William Heikes, William Kerr, Michael Knisely, Jacob Lerew and Jacob Munt- weiler were weavers.
Franklin was reduced to its present size by the organization of Carroll out of the northeastern part of it and the western part of Monaghan, in 1831. The South Moun- tains extend across the northern part of the township, at an elevation of 1,000 feet above the sea level. Franklin is drained by tributaries of the Yellow Breeches and the north branches of the Bermudian. It lies within the Mesozoic sandstone belt, and contains much fertile and valuable farming land.
In 1820 the population of Franklin Town- ship was 973; in 1830. 1,003; in 1840, 819; in 1850, 815: 1860, 1,014; 1870, 910; 1880, 952: 1890, 962 ; in 1900, 895.
There are eighty-two townships in the
United States and thirty-one counties which bear the name of Franklin.
The following is a list of the tax-
Franklin able inhabitants of Franklin in in 1810.
1810.
Acres.
Albert, Andrew, saw mill 250
Arnold, G. Peter, innkeeper
Arnold, George 75
Anderson, John
Bales, Abraham
117
Boish, Joseph
Burkholder, Abraham
100
Bender, Jacob
66
Blaser, John
6
Beaty, John
Boish, George, shoemaker
100
Byer, John 130
Boish, Adam
Byers, George
Burns, Thomas, tanner
Beals, William
Butt, William, constable
Bortner, Peter
Coulson, David, heirs
9
Coulson, Francis, Esq., office.
1.47
Cook, Jesse 100
Cook, John
Cook, Henry, (Warrington Twp.) 26
Cook, Isaac, (Warrington Twp.) ... Il
Campbell, Thomas, ( Monaghan Twp.) 300
Carl, John, millwright
Carl, George, millwright 100 .
Deardorf, Isaac
9
Dollinger, Catherine
II
Deardorf, Jonas
Deardorf. Henry, distillery 240
Deardorf, Henry, weaver
Dollheimer, Jacob, weaver
Deardorf, John, heirs 75
Deardorf, John, weaver
Dill, James, heirs 200
Dougherty, John, tailor 160
Ditzler, John
100
Eichelberger, Leonard
50
Eib, Jacob, blacksmith
Eichinger, John, cooper
94
Evans, Peter, cooper
35
Evans, Thomas
1.45
Evans, Jacob
Ege, Michael, (Cumberland) 125
Fickes, Abraham
100
Fickes, John 187
Frederick, Abraham, weaver
IO
Frederick, Christopher, shoemaker
Forsht, John, (Washington Twp.)
II7
Furgeson, Thomas, schoolmaster
Godfrey, William, storekeeper
Godfrey, Charles
Godfrey, William 200
Griffith, William
Gallentine, John, tailor
Gallentine, Daniel, wagonmaker
Griner, Philip, millwright
Gillespie, James, blacksmith
Hoffman, David 88
Hickes, Susanna
Heikes, Laurence, heirs 200
Hoffman, Peter, nailor IO
-
Dill, George
Earnest, Adam, grist and saw mill, distillery
421
Evans, John, cooper
185
979
FRANKLIN
Acres.
Acres.
Heikes, William, weaver
Spangler, Joseph, miller
Hughes, John
Smith, W. John, ( Monaghan Twp.) 450
Heikes, Jacob, weaver
47
Shultz, John 222
Hull, John, joiner
Stump, Matthias, blacksmith 80
Heikes, Leonard, weaver
185
Smith, Samuel. innkeeper 34
Hippel, William, cooper
88 Stouffer, John
300
Heikes, John
165 Smith, Gabriel 12
Heikes, Henry
9I
Stouffer, Jolın
Heikas, Abraham, weaver
50 Shull, Peter, millwright 103
Heikas, Jacob, shoemaker
167
Seidel, George, shoemaker 56
Heikas, Christopher
Seidel, Jacob, shoemaker
Heimes, Benjamin, ( Washington Twp.)
15
Speidle, George blacksmith
Herbolt, Michael, ( Washington Twp. ) .
60 Shertz, Samuel IIO
Johnson, Thomas
Shay, Edward, cooper Smith, Peter Stephens, Abijah, (Chester County ) 100
Kerr, William, weaver
20 Schreiver, Daniel 100
Kinter, John
150 Updegrove, Nancy
Kinter, Valentine
125 Updegrove, Herman, heirs 17
Kynett, Henry, cooper
142 Wolford, Peter, grist and saw mills, I slave. Weaver, Conrad 80
Krug, Michael, shoemaker
Wigh, William, blacksmith
Knisely, Michael, weaver
130 Wimer, Jacob, joiner 58
Kuntz, Philip, millwright
127
Knoop, Jacob, saw and grist mills.
131
Kyle, William
Wolgemuth, Peter, (Washington Twp.) 50
Kline, Peter, distillery
280
Wehler, Henry, ( Washington Twp.) . 12
Kennedy, James, innkeeper
195
Lehmer, William
90
Lerew, Jacob, weaver
340
Lerew, Jacob
Lerew, George
Lease, John
100
Lehmer, Jacob
Lehmer, William, wagoner
Lehmer, George
Lehmer, Philip, ( Warrington Twp.)
96
Lease, Samuel
IIO
Lease, Jacob, mason
Lease, John, mason
Lease, Stephen
Meyer, William
McCreary, William
94
McMullen, William, millwright
102
McClean, Henry, shoemaker
Miller, Henry, blacksmith
I35
Moudy, Christopher, carpenter
Magill, Arthur
Martin, John
I37
Milligan, George
70
Meyer, Samuel
Mumper, Henry
Mumper, Michael, distillery
790
Meyers, Ludwig
100
Meyers; David, distillery
420
Muntweiler, Jacob, weaver
Mummert, Abraham, blacksmith
McClure, David
143
McClure, John
McClure, Samuel
Mumper, Andrew
Miller, Tobias, shoemaker
Marteenie, Solomon, doctor
Nagle, Henry, mason
Neadman, John
100
Pupp, Catherine
30
Pupp, Peter, wagon maker
Pupp, Frederick, cooper
Portzline, Francis, storekeeper
Printz, John
18
Ritter, Jacob, tanner
103
Reby, Adam, joiner
Reed, Zachariah, cooper
26
80 The Lutheran pastors were A. G. Dein- inger, Gotwald, Weil, Peter Sheurer, A. G. Deininger (second time), John Ulrich, Samuel Henry, J. Williams, Joseph R.
Leese, Leonard
55
Woodland, Isaac, tailor 18
Wonder, Sebastian 260
Wilson, Robert 143
Wireman, William, doctor, tanyard. 210
St. John's Reformed and Lu-
Churches. theran Church, better known as "The Franklin Church," is situated near the state road, a short dis- tance south of the centre of the township. Neither existing records nor tradition seem to establish the date of the origin of the congregation that worships here, nor the time when the first log, weather-boarded church was built, but it is evident that it was established before the Revolution. The ad- joining burying ground contains tombs erected before 1800. Near the old church, for half a century, stood a building in which a school was kept, that was supported by the congregations.
A two-story brick church was built in 1847, at a cost of $3,000. The building com- mittee were Peter Woolford, George Dick and Jacob Stickel. The Reformed pastors who preached here, as far back as they can be traced were Charles Helfenstein, Fred- erick W. Vandersloot and Edward Vander- sloot. Rev. Daniel Riegel was pastor of the Reformed congregation from 1839 to 1889. Rev. H. A. Althouse was the pastor of this congregation in 1906.
Kynett, Mary
Keener, Peter
Knisely, John, weaver
Wolf, John, mason
30
Webb, Joseph
160
980
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Focht, Finfrock, Peter Warner, Jacob K. There is a creamery at this village, operated Bricker, E. Studebecker, and Henry Seif- by George Dick. William Weaver con- fert. Rev. J. T. Fox was pastor of this con- ducted a store about two miles north of gregation in 1906.
Clear Springs. On the farm of Henry C. Shaeffer, in 1898, a fine deposit of kaolin or white clay was found. This clay was taken out in large quantities and refined for ship- ment on the farm, which is situated four miles north of Clear Spring, near the town-
South Mountain Union Church was built in 1867, and was dedicated by Revs. War- ner, Fohl and Hunter. Rev. Samuel Diller superintended the building of the church, which cost $1,500. Services have been held in the building by clergymen of the United ship line. Deer frequently are seen at this Evangelical Church, German Baptist and place, at the base of South Mountain. Church of God. Within recent years this Moses Strayer and his ancestors conducted church is entirely occupied by the United a tannery in Franklin Township for many Evangelicals. Rev. Stahl was pastor in years, situated about two miles north of 1906.
Clear Spring. Franklintown appears in the
The Church of God own a house of wor- history of the boroughs.
Early in the morning of July 2, 1863, a portion of Stuart's cavalry corps, guarding 125 army wagons, passed through Clear Spring from Dillsburg on their way to the
ship known as Bethel Church, which is sit- uated about three miles north of Clear Spring. It was founded in 1885 by Abra- ham Flemming, who erected a church build- ing and afterward presented it to the elder- battlefield of Gettysburg. The story of this incident is found in the history of Dills- burg.
ship or conference of the Church of God. Rev. S. T. Stoffer, of Harrisburg, was pas- tor of the congregation in 1906. A large union Sunday School is held in this church. Henry C. Shaeffer and William Shaeffer are the superintendents.
Harmony Bethel belongs to the Church of God, an order of Baptists. The house was built in 1877, Abraham Fleming being the chief contributor toward paying for the tion of the word is "Heidel," meaning
church, which cost $800. The pastors who have ministered to the congregation were O. H. Betts, William Sanborn, Daniel Mumma, Frank Bardeens and others.
There are six school buildings in Schools. Franklin Township with the fol- lowing names: Locust Grove, atrocities perpetrated upon its citizens in Central, Chestnut Hill, Glen Wood, North- the seventeenth century. The ferocious Tilly bombarded it for one month, took it by storm and gave it up to three days of pillage,
ern and Western.
Clear
Clear Spring is a hamlet in the western part of Franklin Town- in 1622. The French general, Melac, by
Spring. ship, on the public road leading from Dillsburg to York Springs. Edward Dick began the mercantile business at this place, and was also appointed post- master in 1853, and continued for nearly Many of the inhabitants of Heidelberg and vicinity, on account of these cruel wars, immigrated to Pennsylvania soon after, and a township by that name is found in the counties of York, Berks, Lehigh, and Leb- anon. half a century. At the time of his death, the mercantile business was continued by his son, J. H. Dick, who became postmaster at Clear Spring, and conducted a large dry goods store in Dillsburg. Edward Dick also owned and operated a saw mill and Heidelberg Township was formed in 1750. grist mill, which at the time of his death It then contained an area of 9,030 acres, was purchased by his son, George Dick. most of which was included in Digges'
HEIDELBERG TOWNSHIP.
In the Grand Duchy of Baden, not far from Manheim, is the historic old city of Heidelberg, famed for its great university, founded in 1386, one of the oldest institu- tions of learning in Europe. The deriva- huckelberry, and " berg," mountain. The origin of this name was owing to the fact that the city is surrounded by picturesque wooded hills, on which grow huckelberry bushes in great abundance. This German city was rendered historic on account of the order of Louis XIV, in 1688, took the town and cruelly burnt it; in 1693 another French force repeated and exceeded all former atro- cities. It is now a prosperous city.
981
HEIDELBERG
Choice. The names of many of the early was organized in 1887, when a church build- settlers of this township will be found in the ing was erected. This church contains a history of Hanover. The original shape of Sunday School. The pastor in 1907 was Heidelberg was very irregular. It extended Rev. J. W. Bentz. in a northwesterly and southeasterly direc- tion, from a point a short distance east of Hanover, west to McSherrystown, Adams County. It was long and narrow, and what is now the Borough of Hanover, was included within its territory. The town
Moulstown is a collection of a dozen or more houses, in the northern part of the township. A union meeting house was built here during the year 1876. The building committee were Jacob Moul, Charles Eich- elberger and D. W. Gemmill. Jacob's Mill, was bordered on the north and south by Iron Ridge and Menges' Mills are stations Manheim until the northern part of that on the Northern Central Railroad, at each township was annexed to Heidelberg in of which places there is a post office and
1816, one year after Hanover was incorpo- store. rated. In 1783, Heidleberg had 191 houses, 116 town lots, twenty-nine slaves and a pop- ulation of 1,204.
In 1880, this township entirely lost its identity. Out of part of its original terri- tory and a part of the annexation of 1816, the new township of Penn was formed.
Thus the original area of Heidelberg now forms a part of Conewago Township, Adams County, a part of Penn Township, and the Borough of Hanover. The eastern section, caused by the division of 1880, re- tained the name of Heidelberg, but it con- tains no part of the original territory, as it is now formed. Heidelberg is drained by the west branch of the Codorus Creek and its tributary Oil Creek. Its present territory, until 1816, was embraced in Manheim, and was first settled by the Mennonites and Ger- man Baptists as early as 1738.
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