History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 177

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

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In May, 1732, the first Donegal Presby- tery was erected out of New Castle Presby- tery by the Synod of Philadelphia. It originally included Lancaster County east of the Susquehanna River and afterward, in addition, all of the site of Pennsylvania,

number of persons May 5, 1883,

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HOPEWELL

west of the river, and a large part of Mary- Dr. Cathcart preached his farewell sermon land and Virginia. The volume of minutes in November, 1834, having served nearly of old Donegal Presbytery, covering the forty-two years. After he left, the congre- period of 1750 and 1758, inclusive, was lost gation was supplied by Revs. Stephen Boyer and Houston for one year, and on the death of Mr. Houston by Mr. Boyer for another year, after which it had occasional supplies, among whom were J. M. Boggs and S. M. Boyless. The latter was ap- pointed October, 1843, to supply Hopewell Church, one-half of the time. It was not until 1849 that the first burial was made in the cemetery which is a part of the present church grounds. many years ago, having been loaned, it is said, to someone in Virginia who failed to return it. In the records of Presbytery, under date of June 5, 1759, there is the fol- lowing minute: "A supplication from the inhabitants of Shrewsbury to be erected into a congregation was brought in and read. The erection was deferred till the people of Gwinetown be notified. Ordered that Mr. S. Smith write to the people of Gwinetown (now Guinston)."

Mr. S. Smith was the Rev. Sampson Smith who came over from Ireland in 1750, and was at the above date the minister at Chestnut Level, Lancaster County. The above shows the place in question was not merely a preaching point in 1759, and that this people were only asking for a supply, but that they were an established worshipping assembly, of such number and extent, that they felt the time had arrived when they should be regularly organized into a congregation by Presbytery. It is evident that these people must have been associating together as a body of worshippers, having the gospel preached to them for a considerable time previous to 1759, and that the history of this church may very properly date back to 1756.

The first Presbyterian Church, of which there is any record, was built on a very prominent round hill about 1770, whence its name Round Hill. The oldest property records show six and one-eighth acres to have been set apart for this church. The plot included a fine spring and the Old Round Hill Cemetery. About 1790 this church was burned and the congregation bought one and one-half acres from Samuel Dickson and Robert Dickson, for thirty-five shillings, situated about one mile from the former site. This property was deeded to Andrew Finley and Robert Gemmill for the Congre- gation in 1797.

December 20, 1791, the congregations of York and Hopewell called Rev. Robert Cathcart as pastor. In 1813, the third church was built and by a vote of the con- gregation the name was changed to Hope- well Presbyterian Church. The communi- cant membership about this time was 160.

Rev. S. H. Smith was ordained and in- stalled pastor of Hopewell and Stewarts- town churches, June 17, 1845, served these congregations with great acceptance for twelve years, and died February 4, 1857. Revs. Porter, C. W. Stewart, J. A. Divine and others served as supplies. June 27, 1858, Rev. J. Y. Cowhick, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Columbia, Ohio, began sup- plying the church, and was installed pastor for one-half of his time, May 6, 1859. The church then had 131 members. Rev. Cow- hick continued as pastor of this congrega- tion in connection with Stewartstown and Centre churches until September 24, 1873, when he was released from Hopewell, to give his whole time to Stewartstown and Centre.

In September, 1874, Rev. T. L. Springer became the supply. He received a call the same year, and was ordained and installed pastor. At this time the church had 135 communicant members. In 1876, the church building was thoroughly refitted.

Rev. C. G. H. Ettlich, a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, succeeded as pastor in 1892. The congregation con- tinued to prosper, and in 1901, erected the fourth church, a handsome brick structure at a cost of $15,000 which was dedicated free of debt, December 19, 1902. Joseph Dise of Glen Rock was the architect; the building committee was composed of Sam- uel O. Smith, H. C. Manifold and John C. Miller. It is one of the most ornamental churches in the rural districts of southern Pennsylvania. The congregation, under the pastorate of Rev. Ettlich, has a member- ship of 150, and a flourishing Sunday School.

The following have served as elders of

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Hopewell Church: William Smith and An- ham, as supplies, until 1823, when Rev. drew Duncan, 1775; James Wilson, Robert Alexander Sharp became pastor. He was Anderson, Michael Morrison, Andrew War- succeeded in 1828, by Rev. Alexander Mc- wick and Robert Gemmill, 1791; Henry Cahan who continued until 1832. He was Manifold, John Gemmill, Benjamin Payne and James Papperson, 1818; Andrew Ander- son, Andrew Gordon, Robert Wilson and

followed in 1833 by Rev. William Findley ; 1834, Rev. James McAuley; 1835, Rev. Joseph Osborn; 1836, Rev. Robert Gracey Hugh Hogg, 1834; John Manifold, A. C. and 1838, Rev. John Ekin. These were fol- Manifold, Sampson Smith, Sr., and John lowed by Revs. McElroy, John J. Buchanan, Trout, 1859; John Anderson, William Wil- Jeremiah Dick, Joseph H. Pressly, as sup- son and John Hyson, 1867; Robert Wilson, plies. In July 1843, Rev. D. B. Jones be- William Wilson, A. C. Manifold, John An- derson and John Hyson, 1874; John Ander- son, William Wilson, James M. Smith, J. H. Anderson and William Shaull, 1907. came the pastor until 1847, when he re- signed. Revs. Van Eaton and C. Sharp were supplies until Rev. William Carlisle became pastor, October, 1848, and served

John M. Gemmill, a member of the Hope- until 1856. Rev. Joseph Boyd served one well congregation, furnished most of the year. data relating to the history of this church.

In 1858, a union was formed by the As-

Hopewell United Presbyte- sociate and Associate Reformed Churches United Presbyterian Church. rian Church situated in East and Guinston and Hopewell were united in Hopewell about two miles one charge and Rev. Francis McBurney east of Cross Roads Borough gave one-third of his time to Hopewell. He was founded in 1800. The was followed in 1868 by Rev. Thomas Pol- original members of the congregation had lock, James Mccutcheon, R. G. Young, and A. E. Brownlee as supplies. Rev. Samuel Jamison became pastor April 5, 1871, and continued until July, 1873.

belonged to the Quinston Church in Chanceford Township. Some of the first members of the congregation were: Miss Allison, James Anderson, Thomas Baird,

October 26, 1875, the connection existing George Eaton, James Gibson, Archibald between Hopewell and Guinston was dis- Hyson, David Jordan, Alexander Liggit, McCleary, John McCleary, James Murphy, solved, and Hopewell and Gettysburg James McAllister, William McCleary, Miss formed one charge. Rev. John Jamison be- came pastor, giving one-half his time to Adly Matson, David Proudfit, Alexander this congregation. September 22, 1884, the Proudfit, William Shaw, James Shaw, Joseph Smith, Peter Stewart, Alexander the whole of Rev. Jamison's time, who Thompson.

congregation petitioned the Presbytery for served continuously until 1897, when he re-

Rev. Thomas Smith who came to Amer- signed and moved to Indiana in the western ica from the north of Ireland in 1799, part of Pennsylvania, where he resided in preached to this congregation as a supply, 1906. The congregation was supplied for but did not accept the pastorate, and in the a time by Revs. A. S. Aiken, R. G. Pinker- language of Archibald Hyson, who wrote ton, W. H. McMaster, E. H. Carson, and a history of this church for the "Christian N. J. Walters. Rev. W. T. Warnock was Instructor and United Presbyterian Wit- elected pastor and installed October 4, ness," in 1901, "Smith was a man of 1898. He served the congregation until sound judgment, and as true to his convic- 1901. For a period of four years the pulpit tions as the needle is to the pole." He be- was filled by supplies, until October, 1905, came one of the foremost men in his church when Rev. C. R. Ramsey, a graduate of Allegheny Theological Seminary, was in this country. Rev. Charles Campbell was called as pastor in 1801, and continued chosen pastor.

The first church was built of logs, and in 1843 was remodeled. In 1867, a brick church was built under the direction of Archibald Hyson, grandson of one of the founders of the congregation. In 1883, six

until the time of his death, April 7, 1804. Rev. Josiah Wilson became a supply in 1807, was installed pastor January 1, 1808, and died in September, 1812. The congre- gation was served by Robert Annan, Samuel Wier, James McConnell and Gra- acres of land were purchased, on which a

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parsonage was built at a cost of $1,600. In gations in Shrewsburg and Springfield 1901, the church building was remodeled, made much larger, new pews put in, a vesti- bule attached to the front and a new bell placed in the tower.

The following persons have served as elders: Alexander Thompson, Alexander Proudfit, John McCleary, John McAllister, William Allison, Samuel Moore, Peter Stewart, Robert Gibson, James McAllister, James Grove, James McAllister, Jr., Archi- bald Hyson, John T. Grove, Jacob Grove, William N. McAllister, Robert G. Wallace, and A. D. Collins.

townships. The succeeding pastors have been Jacob Kempfer, John Conoway, Peter Warner, E. Lenhart, Charles W. Baker, M. V. Shatta, A. M. Heilman, H. E. Berkey, U. E. Apple, G. A. Livingston and L. E. Henry.

The original church has been remodeled since its erection. The congregation in 1907 under the pastorate of Rev. L. E. Henry, who resides at Felton Borough, has 120 members. D. W. Brenneman has been superintendent of the Sunday School for twenty-five years.

Sadler's church situated along Lebanon Lutheran . and Re- Sadler's Church. the old plank road in the western part of Hopewell Township, was Lebanon Church. formed Church is situated in the northeastern part of North Hopewell. In 1814, Rev. John Herbst organized a Lutheran congregation here. The trustees were Michael Sechrist and George Barshinger. The first Reformed clergyman was Rev. F. A. Sholl. The orig- inal building stood until 1859, when a new and commodious church was erected. Ben- jamin Tyson was one of the trustees at the time of the erection. Some of the oldest members and church officers were Fred- erick Flinchbaugh, John Stabley, Jacob Diehl, Henry Sentz, Michael Sechrist and George Barshinger. There being no care- fully kept records according to the recol- lection of the oldest members, the Lutheran clergymen who have officiated here were Rev. John Herbst, chosen in 1814; George Stecher, in 1820; Jacob Kempfer, in 1832; Andrew Burg, in 1852; P. Warner in 1873: Peter Livingston, 1886; D. S. Kurtz, 1890; Livingston, 1901, and L. E. Henry, 1905. founded in 18II. This has al- ways been a Union Church in which Lu- theran and Reformed congregations have worshipped. The first building was con- structed of logs, and after being used for many years was replaced by a large brick church with thick walls. The interior was fitted up with old time high back pews. In the language of an old citizen who well re- membered this building, "the pulpit was like a swallow's nest and was reached by winding stairs," As the audience room was large, a sounding board was placed over the pulpit in order that the pastor's voice would be carried out into the room and be easily heard. This building with all its hallowed memories to the congregation had served its purpose, and in 1899, was torn down. Archibald Hyson was the contractor who erected the present commodious church building upon the site of the old one. The E. Manges, 1894; S. J. Ulrich, 1900; G. A. bricks in the old church were used in the construction of the new one. The Lutheran The Reformed pastors were F. A. Sholl, G. Hablestein, John Rynecka, WV. Rynecka, pastors who have served this congregation in order of succession were John Conoway, D. Gring, R. Rahauser.

William Vandersloot, A. M. Heilman, H. E. Berkey, G. A. Livingston and L. E. Henry.

Rev. A. F. Dreisbach was pastor of the Reformed congregation for a long time and was succeeded by H. J. Hillegas.

Mt. Pleasant Lutheran

Mt. Pleasant Church, situated in

Church. northern part of North

Hopewell Township was founded in 1857, when a building was erected.

The congregation was organ-

ized by Rev. Andrew Berg, who was then

pastor of several congre-

The Reformed Congregation which wor- shipped in this church sold their interests in 1892 to the Lutherans and erected a hand- some brick church about a half mile south- ward.

Zion Methodist Episcopal Church is the situated near the Maryland line, and is a neat and attractive building. Some of the recent pastors have been Revs. Wharton, Carver, Mattern, H. C. Hinkle, J. R. Sheip and O. T. Miller, who was pastor in 1907.

Hopewell Township has the following schools; Zion, Gemmill's, Leib's, Ebaugh,

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Kurtz, Althouse, Bowman's, Mt. Airy, spector of York County during the War of Ziegler's, Centre and Waltmeyer's. 1812.

North Hopewell has eight schools with the following names: Hilldebrand's, Mil- ler's, Hartman's, Myers', Strayer's, Hake's, Brenneman's and Fulton's.

East Hopewell has ten schools, viz: Wal- lace's, Round Hill, Mt. Pleasant, Hyson's, Bose's, Manifold's, Glossick's, Collins's, Trout's and Sechrist's.

William Sinclair, an officer in

Historical the Revolution, owned what

Notes. was later known as Henry's

Mill in Hopewell Township. He died in 1817, and was buried with the honors of war in the old Round Hill grave- yard.

Alexander Thompson, a soldier of the few English Quakers, the Richardsons, Revolution, died at his residence in Hope- Coateses, and Tuckers, settled with Peter Dicks, who founded Spring Forge in 1755. They came here from Chester County.

well Township in 1843. He was one of the last soldiers of the Revolution residing in the lower end of York County. He was the father of Archibald Thompson and grand- father of A. Duncan Thompson, prothono- tary of York County.

Thomas Jordan, a justice of the peace under the provincial government, and later a patriot of the Revolution, died at his residence near Stewartstown in 1819.

Major William Gemmill, of the Revolu- tion, was one of the influential citizens in the lower end of York County for more than half a century. He took part in the French and Indian War.

Major Robert Gemmill was also a promi- nent citizen of Hopewell a century ago.

David Wiley, born 1747, was a soldier in the Revolution. He resided near Stewarts- town. His remains are buried in Centre graveyard.

Andrew Warrick, born in County Antrim, Ireland, was a soldier of the Revolution from Hopewell.

James Purdy, president of the Farmer's National Bank of Mansfield, was born in Hopewell in 1793. He practiced law during the long period of sixty years and died in Mansfield at the age of ninety-four. He was an intimate friend of John Sherman, the great financier, who resided at Mans- field. During his early manhood he served as a soldier in the War of 1812 along the the highest state of cultivation. Jackson is Niagara frontier where he had moved in 18II.

Archibald Steele Jordan was brigade in- Codorus.

JACKSON TOWNSHIP.

From the year 1747 to 1857, a period of one hundred and ten years, the area now embraced in Jackson Township belonged to Paradise. Nearly all the early settlers of this township were Germans who came to Pennsylvania in colonies. Many of their descendants even to this date, use the lan- guage that their ancestors brought with them from the Fatherland. The names of the first occupants of the soil of Jackson, are given in a tax list taken in 1769, pub- lished in the history of Paradise township, elsewhere in this volume. There were a

In 1857 a petition was presented to the court, Judge Fisher presiding, asking for the appointment of viewers to lay out a new township. The request was granted, the report confirmed, and the new district was called Jackson, a name well known to his- tory. Twenty-three counties, 120 town- ships and thirty towns and villages in the United States have the same name. This is owing to the fact that Andrew Jackson, who won the brilliant victory over the Brit- ish at New Orleans, January 8, 1815, was one of the most popular heroes in American history. His military career, however, was more successful than his two terms as Presi- dent of the United States. During his first term, his bold and defiant attitude toward the Nullification Acts of South Carolina probably prevented a civil war in 1832, but his opposition to re-chartering the United States Bank, caused the first great panic in the history of this country, which occurred during the administration of his successor, Martin Van Buren. Andrew Jackson, how- ever, will be remembered as one of the greatest men this country has produced.

The land of Jackson Township is fertile and productive, and its owners are indus- trious and prosperous. There are many valuable limestone and red shale farms in drained by the headwaters of the Little Conewago and small tributaries of the

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JACKSON

Spangler Valley, located north of Pidgeon ducts to their furnaces at Middletown, Hill Church, and extending from a point Pennsylvania. The mines which this com- pany leased and operated were on the farms of Michael H. Myers, Samuel H. near Farmers Postoffice eastward below Spangler's tavern, obtained its name from the fact that the land was taken up by the Bechtel, John Roth and Samuel L. Roth. Spanglers during the time of the first set- Nashville, situated one mile tlement. The spring on the farm for many years owned by Rev. Aaron Spangler, of York, was a resort for the Indians when the white settlers first came. There were wig- wams at this place. Much of the valley was a vast woody swamp, hence the name "Holz- Schwamm." It was covered with large his first term as President of the United

Nashville. northeast of Spring Grove borough, is one of the oldest centres of population in Jackson Township. An interesting incident in American history is associated with this vicinity. On July 2, 1791, George Washington, while serving States, halted here for a short time and met a delegation of citizens from York, who es- corted him to that town. In the delegation were a number of soldiers of the Revolu-

returning from his home at Mt. Vernon after he had made a tour of the southern

Capital and he was returning to that city in a beautiful chaise drawn by four white horses and accompanied by Major Jackson, his secretary, and six attendants, some of them colored servants.

The village of Nashville received its name shortly after the Civil War, when Dr. John Wiest began the practice of medicine count of his travels. The erection of the at this place. Wm. Johnston, who resided forge at Spring Grove in 1755 was owing to on a farm on the site of Nashville, was one the rich deposits of hematite and specular of the earliest persons to grow two famous ores found along the eastern slope of the varieties of apples, known as the "York Imperial" and the "York Stripe." He was a descendant of Samuel Johnston, the first member of the York Bar. Since the con- struction of the Eastern Extension of the Pidgeon Hills. Several mines were opened in this region about 1763 and the ore was hauled to Mary Ann Furnace, a large iron industry, which existed forty years in West Manheim Township, about four miles south Western Maryland Railroad through this of Hanover. For a period of half a century village, Nashville has grown and prospered. Dr. L. A. Roth practiced medicine here for there was no further development of the iron deposits in this region. As early as a quarter of a century and then removed to

1840 Robert R. Porter, afterward governor of Pennsylvania, began to develop the iron ore interests of Jackson and Heidelberg townships. He shipped this ore to furnaces which he operated in the Juniata Valley above Harrisburg. Individual banks had been operated to a small degree shortly after the Civil War and from that period on to 1890 the aggregate amount of the shipments of hematite and specular ores from this part of York County was very extensive. The Conewago Iron Company operated several banks and mines for a The population of Nashville is dozen years or more and shipped the pro-

Spring Grove. George Hoke has carried on a mercantile business in the original town of Nashville for many years. George E. Sprenkle for several years conducted a store and engaged in the purchase and sale of coal, grain and farm implements. He was succeeded by William Hoke & Son. Henry F. Kohler owns a cigar factory, em- ploying a large number of hands. At an early date stores were kept at the village of Nashville by Hockly Menough, C. F. Reehling, Levi Becker and Mr. Hartman.

nearly 300.

hickory trees. Bernhard Spangler and his brother were among the first to commence cutting these large monarchs of the forest, and to clear the land for farming. The head- waters of the Little Conewago Creek are tion. On this occasion, Washington was in this valley.

Jackson Township, though not large, is quite thickly settled. Its population in 1860 states. Philadelphia was then the National was 1,421 ; in 1870, 1, 499; 1880, 1,836; 1890, after the incorporation of Spring Grove, I,- 603; 1900, 1,596. The York and Gettysburg Turnpike crosses the township.

Iron ore was discovered in Jackson Township as early as 1750, as described by Acrelius, the Swedish historian, who visited Pennsylvania and afterward wrote an ac-

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Thomasville, in the eastern Thomasville. end of the township, along the Western Maryland Rail- road, is a prosperous hamlet of 200 in- habitants. George B. Moul and D. W. Hubley own general stores. Myers & Adams have a large cigar factory in this village in which about 100 employees are regularly at work. Dr. David Strack has practiced medicine at Thomasville for many years. The Thomasville Stone and Lime Company carry on an extensive business at quarries a short distance west of the vil- lage. This industry was begun about twenty years ago by S. O. Miller, who sold out his interests in 1905 to a company com- posed of Baltimore capitalists, who have since operated the quarries in the produc- tion of limestone for ballasting along the Western Maryland Railroad, and in burn- ing a fine quality of quick lime for building purposes. This company employs 100 workmen:

La Bott is a post village along the York and Gettysburg turnpike in the eastern end of Jackson.

A few days after the Sixth Massachusetts regiment had

ginia, with the intention of joining the Con- federacy. That borough was thrown into wild excitement for a few hours until the story of the approach of the Baltimore roughs was found to be a false rumor.

Jackson Township two years later wit- nessed an armed force of Confederate sol- diers marching across her northern borders over the Gettysburg turnpike toward York. This occurred on the morning of June 28, 1863, and the story of the event is told in the history of Paradise Township. June 27, a battalion of 200 mounted men under Col. White halted for the night on the Wiest farm, a short distance above Nashville. They procured provisions for themselves from the farmers of Jackson, and bought oats to feed their horses from Mr. Wiest. These soldiers paid for the oats with Con- federate notes, which William H. Wiest, a grandson, presented to the Historical So- ciety of York County. On the morning of June 28, Colonel White and his men joined Gordon's brigade on the march toward York.

Trinity Reformed Church .- In

Churches. the southern part of Jackson Township, for more than 100

Baltimore Scare. been attacked at Baltimore by years, what was locally known as Roth's a mob, April 19, 1861, while on its way to Washington, alarming news was brought to Jackson and Codorus town- ships. A false report had been circulated all over this region that a band of Baltimore "roughs" were moving toward southern Pennsylvania, and that all male citizens would be drafted into the military service to protect their homes and firesides. The story in this county started in Hanover, and extended eastward, about half way to York. A similar story had passed along the line of southern Pennsylvania, as far west as Franklin County. The war had just opened and these false rumors had spread conster- nation throughout the southern counties. The real cause of this strange rumor was the fact that an organized company of citi- zens had started from Baltimore to join the Confederate army in Virginia. They marched in the direction of Westminster, Maryland, a short distance below the Penn- sylvania line. church, was used as a Union house of wor- ship. Abraham Roth, August 15, 1785, deeded thirty acres of land in trust for church purposes, for which 6 pounds, 14 shillings and 8 pence were paid. The trustees were Bernhard Spangler, Abraham Roth and Christian Weist. A log church was first built, then the log building was weather-boarded. In 1845 a brick church was built. The original grant of land was to the Reformed Church only, but the other denominations were allowed to worship in the church. The Reformed element in this community at the time of the building of this church, was the strongest. The cele- brated clergyman, Rev. William Otterbein, soon after his arrival in America, preached to the German Reformed congregation here, and held enthusiastic meetings. The same clergymen who officiated at Paradise and the Dover churches, ministered to the congregation here. Of the Reformed pas- tors, the following could be obtained in Meantime, Colonel Jenifer, a mounted officer from the Carlisle barracks, entered Hanover from the north, on his way to Vir- order of succession: Revs. John Ernst, Charles Helfenstein, F. W. Vandersloot, John Umrich, Daniel Ziegler, D. D., eigh-

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 177

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