History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended, Part 100

Author: Gibson, John, Editor
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago
Number of Pages: 1104

USA > Pennsylvania > York County > History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended > Part 100

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The order at one time promised to take the lead of all the secret organizations pos- sessed of the beneficial feature; but internal dissensions soon followed and all efforts to remove or dispel them have so far proven ineffectual.

OTHER SECRET ORDERS.

The county of York may be deemed one of the most fertile spots for the growth of secret organizations in the common wealth." Independent of the comparatively large num- ber of lodges representing the Masonic, Odd Fellow and Red Men Fraternities, there exist at present circles of the Union Brotherhood at York and Hanover; a conclave of the American Order of Mechanics; a conclave of the Junior Order of Mechanics; a colored Odd Fellow Lodge, whose charter emanated from the Grand Lodge of Canada; a lodge of the Independ- ent Mechanics; a branch of the Brotherhood of Engineers; a lodge of the Mystic Band of Brothers; a lodge of the Knights of the Mystic Chain; a lodge of Artificers; a lodge of the Sons of St. John; a lodge of the Knights of Labor; a lodge of the Heptasophs or Seven Wise Men; Independent of these there exist three semi-secret associations, viz. : St. Mary's, St. Joseph's and the German Laboring Men's Beneficial Association.

FIRE INSURANCE COMPANIES.

P REVIOUS to 1840, there was very little. insurance on property in York County, even in the town of York. The business had not yet developed in this country. Before that time a subscription paper was circulated among the people after a fire, and money collected for the benefit of those who were. unfortunate in losing property by fire. This plan is now almost totally abandoned, and a great amount of the property in town and county is insured. Besides our local com- panies, whose history is herein given in chronological order, there are many other large and substantial companies represented by agents in different sections of the county.

YORK COUNTY MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY.

An act passed April 4, 1843, incorporated the York County Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Michael Ebert, Peter Peters, Michael Smyser, Sr., George Loucks. Michael Doudel, Joseph Smyser, David Smyser, Henry Ebert, Jr., Daniel Loucks, Henry Smy .-

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

ser, David Beeler, John G. Campbell and George Loucks (miller) were the incorpora- tors. September 2, 1843, Gen. Michael Dou- del was elected president, and John G. Camp- bell, secretary. John Vogelsong, Samuel Wagner and John Sleeger were elected mem- bers of the board of managers. Thirty-three persons the same day made applications for insurance, aggregating to $156,200. Philip Smyser was elected first treasurer. Gen. Doudel and John G. Campbell served in their positions until September 30, 1854, when Abraham Forry was elected president, and Joseph Garretson, secretary. John Weyer was secretary from 1856 to 1865, when the present secretary, Silas H. Forry, was elected. Abraham Forry continued as president until his death in 1872, when Jacob Stair was elected.

The present board is composed of the fol- lowing named members: Jacob Stair, W. H. Kurtz, David Jamison, E. K. Ziegler, Mat- thew Tyler, Eli Myers, George W. Wantz, John H. Small, B. F. Hantz, W. Latimer Small, R. F. Polack, P. F. Wilt and Robert A. Stair. When the company was first organ- ized, all insurances was taken on the mutual plan. Premium notes were given, and not much cash required. The original charter was granted for twenty years, and on Feb- mary 14, 1863, an act was passed extending it twenty years. On February 7, 1883, the charter was renewed perpetually.

On November 5, 1873, by application to the court, an amendment to the charter was obtained, authorizing the company to issue policies on a cash basis as well as on the mutual plan. At present the amount of prop- erty insured and in force on the mutual plan is $331,052.83, and on the cash plan $131,- 237.50. Total amount in force $462,290.33. The assets of the company amounted to $53,. 009.19. Risks are taken from one to five years.

The names of the treasurers of the com- pany in order of succession are as follows: Philip Smyser, Charles Weiser and Charles S. Weiser, the present treasurer. Insurance is taken in York County only. The company i's conservative and careful in taking risks.

FARMERS INSURANCE COMPANY OF YORK.

This company was incorporated on the 6th day of April, 1853. The directors for the first year were Daniel L. Gehly, H. G. Kauffman, John Landis, Eli Kindig and Karl Forney. Daniel L. Gehly was elected president, H. G. Kauffman, secretary, and John Landis, treas- urer. At the expiration of the first year H. Kraber, Jacob Diehl, Frederick Sultzbaugh

and D. Strickler were elected directors. The officers for the second year were as follows: H. Kraber, president, who continued in the same position until 1874; D. Strickler, the present secretary, who has served continuously since 1854; John Landis, treasurer, who served from the time of the organization until 1867, when D. Strickler followed him; G. Ed- ward Hersh succeeded to the presidency in 1874.

Insurance to the amount of $428,124 was taken, $104,636 received in premiums and $10,468.42 in premium notes received during the first year of business. There were no losses the first year. The total income for 1884, was $269,118.79; the amount of losses paid $184,472.35; the amount of property insured $23,954,490. The entire amount of losses paid since time of organization in 1853 to 1885, is $2,959,496.67. Amount of insur- ance in force is $38,114,751.

Business is done in Maryland, Pennsyl- vania, New Jersey, New York, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Iowa. Insurance is taken by this company with or without liabil- ity to assessment, but mainly on the all cash plan. No assessments have ever been made. The assets on January 1, 1885, were $438,179.93, unpaid losses and other debts $21,157.52.

The board of directors for the year 1885 is as follows: G. Edward Hersh, president; William Wallace, vice-president; D. Strick- ler. secretary and treasurer; David Small, Eli Kindig, George D. Ebert, Charles F. Winter, James Keller and D. H. Detweiler. The home office of the company is in the first story of their own building, No. 29 East Market Street, York, Penn.

FARMERS MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF PARA- DISE.

This company was incorporated March 24, 1854. The names of the original directors were John Roth, president; Joseph W. Kraft, secretary; Michael Fishel, Samuel Roth, Sr., George Myers, George Hoke, Nathaniel Spangler, Henry Hoke, Joseph Hoke, Henry Shireman, George Sprenkle (miller), Henry Raber.

In the year 1874, a new charter was granted by the court. Daniel Heneise was elected president in 1874 and served until 1876, when he was succeeded by Peter Keihl, who continued until 1882, when Martin Eichel- berger was elected. Benjamin Leese became secretary in 1874, and continued until 1881, when Philip S. Bowman, of Penn Township, near Hanover, the present secretary was elected.

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FIRE INSURANCE COMPANIES.

The names of the first directors under the charter of 1874 were as follows: John Lentz, J. Stover, Benjamin Myers, Christian Bow- man, Peter Keihl, Simon Walter, Henry Weaver, Jacob G. Myers, Daniel Heneise, Henry Bowman, Daniel Bentz and David Martin.

Since 1854 there have been 7,579 policies issued. For the year 1885 there were 1,712 in force. The amount of insurance in force on January 1, 1885, was $3,070,358. For the year 1885 the board of directors are as follows: Martin Eichelberger, of Heidelberg Township, president; Philip S. Bowman, of Penn Township, secretary; William H. Mil- ler, of Spring Garden Township, treasurer; Henry Hoke, of Jackson; Michael Striewig, of Warrington; Josiah M. Jacobs, of Para- dise; Henry Hoff, of North Codorus; Will- iam Eyster, of West Manchester; Moses H. Dierdorff, of Washington; A. J. Myers, of Manchester; Washington Lauer, of Dover; and Michael Saubel, of Manheim.

The agents of the company at present are George W. Brown, Henry Moul, Michael Strievig, Daniel S. Dubs, Edward T. Bentz, Henry M. Spahr, Andrew Sauter, M. H. Dear- dorff, George F. Saubel, William Eyster, and Benjamin Gross.

CODORUS AND MANHEIM MUTUAL.

Codorus & Manhiem Mutual Protective Insurance Company was organized May 24, 1856. The board of directors consisted of the following-named persons: Henry Stick, Dr. William Allabaugh, Henry S. Keller, Charles Shearer, Jacob W. Werner, Jacob Klinefelter, Adam Miller, John Weigand, Jesse Wentz, Valentine B. Wentz, Cornelius B. Wentz, Jesse Bortner, and John S. Dubs.

When the company was organized the ter- ritory over which insurance on property was taken, was confined to Codorus and Man- heim Townships, of this county. As the company began to prosper, the range of ter- ritory was extended to include other sur- rounding townships, and eventually the en- tire counties of York and Adams, excepting boroughs and villages where houses are built in blocks of three or more. Premium notes are taken from each applicant by this company from 4 to 25 per cent of the insured value. This company now carries risks to the amount of $2,996,483; holds premium notes to the amount of $151,556. 14, and since organization has paid over $40,000 in losses. In 1885 the board of directors consisted of the following members: Jesse K. Wentz, of West Manheim Township, president; L. W. Hershey, of New Freedom, secretary; J. H.

Lamott, vice-president; J. D. Ziegler, treas- urer; Levi Dubbs, M. M. Hutchinson, Eli Miller, Jacob Diehl, Casper Weigand, John F. Bopp, Charles Grote, Henry Anstine, John B. Gemmill.

DOVER, CONEWAGO, NEWBERRY, EAST AND WEST MANCHESTER MUTUAL.

The Dover, Conewago, Newberry, East and West Manchester Township Mutual Fire In- surance Company was incorporated in 1856. The directors were E. Melchinger, Henry Ben- der, John Hoober, William S. Picking, John Reeser, Samuel M. Eisenhart, John A. Hoo- ber, Joseph M. McCreary, Jacob F. Krone, Daniel Gross, Sr., William W. Wolf, Benjamin Myers, John Neiman, Jonas Stough and David Smyser. A meeting of the commissioners nam- ed in the act of incorporation was held at the house of Henry Hake, innkeeper in Conewago Township, York Co., Penn., on Saturday, the 14th day of June, A. D., 1856, for the pur- pose of organizing the company. Joseph Mc- Creary was appointed president for the ensu- ing year, William S. Picking, secretary and David Smyser, treasurer. The directors for 1885 are Dr. William Lenhart, Alfred Weaver, David Meisenhelter, John Neiman, Charles E. Smyser, George D. Beeler, Morris M. Hays, John Lease, Benjamin Hohr, George Heilman, Henry H. Kochenour, Henry Haines, John H. Wogan, Edward Smyser and A. G. Throne. The officers are John Neiman, president; Dr. William Lenhart, treasurer; A. G. Throne, secretary.

SOUTHERN MUTUAL.

The Southern Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany of York County, was chartered about 1862. The regular meetings of this company are held monthly in Dallastown. A large amount of insurance has been taken since its organization. The following named persons are its directors: D. S. Mitzel, president: John F. Geesy, vice-president; H. S. Barsh- inger, secretary; A. K. Frey, treasurer; Andrew Barshinger, Daniel Warner, Henry Wallick, William Wineka, Jacob Stabley, Henry Stover, John S. Keech, Henry Wegman.

SPRING GARDEN MUTUAL.

The Spring Garden Mutual Fire Insurance Company of York County was incorporated April 14th, 1864. Commenced business May 2, 1864. The office of the company is in East-York, 383 East Market Street. The first board of directors were Daniel Gotwalt, A. F. Hiestand, David Witmer, John Flory, John H. Freed, Michael Weidman, John

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

Emig, Henry Sleeger, Jr., Samuel Ritter, Ja- cob Dietz, Charles Sultner and' Samuel Hively. The first president of the" company was John?Flory who held the office up to May 2, 1873, when he was succeeded by Elias Ebert who filled the office up to the time of his] death, May 8, 1885. John Freed the first secretary served one year, and was succeeded by Charles H. Fry, who held the office twenty-one years. The present board of directors is as follows : Daniel L. Gehley, Samuel Hively, John Emig, Solomon Rupp, A. K. Anstine, Charles Sultner, Charles Haines, John S. Hiestand, Daniel Gotwalt, Levi Cannon and Charles H. Fry. Number of policies in force at present 2,053. Amount of insurance in force $2,410,642.

MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.

CONTINENTAL MONEY.

F NOR the purpose of keeping the patriot army in the field, during the war of the Revolution, continental currency was issued, and while congress sat in York, a great deal was made here. The continental dollar, which at first passed for its face value, was, in Sep- tember, 1777, reduced to 7s. 6d. One month later it had fallen to 7s .; November, to 6s. 3d. It will certainly prove interesting to show its downward tendency. By January, 1778, the dollar was worth 5s. 2d .; Febru. ary, 4s. 8d .; March, 4s. 3d .; April, 3s. 9d .; May, 3s. 3d .; June, 2s. 2d .; July, 2s. 6d .; August, 2s. 2d .; September, Is. 10}d .; Octo- ber, 1s. 72d .; "November, 1s. 4d. : December, 1s. 4d. January, 1779, 1s .; February, 10}d. ; March, 9d. ; April, 8d .; May, 72d .; June, 6&d. ; July, 6d .; August, 5}d. ; September, 5d. ; November, 4d .; December, 3}d. Jan- uary, 1780, 3d. ; March, 2}d .; and up to May 18, 1780, 21 d. After this, as government money, it was not worth anything. In Penn- sylvania, however, as late as February 1, 1781, the supreme executive council resolved that continental money should be received, for public dues, at an exchange of 75 cents for $1 in specie. This rule was in force until June 1st, of that year, when, by order of an act of assembly, only specie, or bills of credit equal thereto, were allowed to be received for taxes or other public dues. Thus ended the con- tinental money. It was greatly through Robert Morris, the eminent financier of Phila- delphia, who placed his own private fortune

at the disposal of congress, that the patriot cause was triumphant. The depreciation of the continental currency brought great distress upon the government, and many people were ruined. Those who suffered most were the soldiers of the army, who re- ceived it as pay for services.

THE MILLERITES.

Rev. William Miller, "the prophet " and founder of the Second Adventist, was born in Pittsfield, Mass., in 1782. He was a man of considerable education; was a brave soldier in the war of 1812. at Plattsburg, N. Y., af- ter which he became an assiduous student of history and the Bible. He began to advocate that the fifth monarchy predicted by Daniel, the prophet, was to be consummated, and that it iudicated the end of the world to come in the year 1843. Several different days were set apart, during that year, for the im- portant event. He traveled and lectured on the "Second Coming of Christ," and was listened to by large audiences. Among his first followers in York County, was one Dr. Gorgas, who lived in the village of Yocum- town, Newberry Township. There were a number of other followers; earnest, enthusi- astic religious people, too, most of them, who resided in that section of the county. On the day appointed for the "end of the world" a party of about 100 persons, believ- ers and curious followers, from Middletown, Dauphin County, and that section of York County, went to the summit of "Hill Island," in the river, there to await the momentous event, which, to the delight of all, did not come.

PRESENT JUDGES OF YORK COUNTY.

HON. PERE L. WICKES.

T THE Hon. Pere L. Wickes, president judge of this judicial district, was born August 14, 1837, in Chestertown, Kent Co., Md. He is the youngest son of Col. Joseph Wickes, who was a lawyer of distinction in Maryland and a nephew of the late Judge Chambers, who was for many years the chief justice of that State. Judge Wickes was educated at Princeton College, New Jersey, and received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in June, 1856. Subsequently the degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him by the same insti- tution. He studied law with his brother Judge Joseph A. Wickes, of Maryland, and afterward with the Hon. S. Teackle Wallis, of

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PRESENT JUDGES OF YORK COUNTY.

Baltimore, and was admitted to the bar of Kent County, Md., April 18, 1859. He con- tinued to practice his profession in Chester- town, until 1866, when he removed to York. Judge Wickes, in a short time became the at- torney for the Northern Central and Pennsyl- vania Railroad Companies at this point, and was in the enjoyment of a lucrative practice, when he was, in the fall of 1875, elected ad- ditional law judge of this judicial district. In January, 1882, at the close of the term of office of the Hon. Robert J. Fisher, Judge Wickes was commissioned president judge of the district, which position he fills at this time. His term of office expires on the first Monday of January, 1886, and he has re- fused to be a candidate for re-election. On the bench, Judge Wickes has displayed abil- ities of the highest order. He will be re- membered aş a judge who combined with a quick, active, comprehensive intellect, and unimpeachable integrity, great administrative abilities. Consequently his courts are char- acterized by a speedy dispatch of business, perfect decorum, and an economical admin- istration of the law. He has suffered few re- versals by the supreme court of the State, which is evidence not only of his success on the bench, but also of his fairness as a judge. On February 27, 1862, Judge Wickes mar- ried Henrietta Catharine Welsh, daughter of the late Henry Welsh, of the borough of York, who was for many years prominent and influential in the politics of Pennsylvania.

HON. JOHN GIBSON.

The great-grandfather of John Gibson on the mother's side was David Jameson, M. D., colonel in the Provincial and Revolutionary forces of Pennsylvania, who was a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, and a graduate of the medical department of its university. He came to America about the year 1740, and settled first in South Carolina. He after- ward moved to York, Penn., and was pos- sessed of a homestead and plantation in York Township, within two miles of the town. He was married to Elizabeth Davis, and his sons, Thomas, James and Horatio Gates, be- came eminent physicians in this neighbor- hood. The last named, the grandfather of Judge Gibson, married Emily Shevelle, of Somerset, and moved to Baltimore, where he founded the Washington Medical College, and spent the greater part of his life in prac- tice there, moving to York a few years before his death, which occurred in 1855. His daughters were Cassandra, married to Rev. William J. Gibson, D. D., late of Duncans- ville, Blair Co., Penn .; Catherine, married

to Hon. Robert J. Fisher, late president judge of the York Judicial District, and Elizabeth, married to Rev. John Gibson, who died at Duncansville in 1869. His great- grandfather, on his father's side, was Robert Gibson, born in the county of Down, Prov- ince of Ulster, Ireland, whose son Will- iam Gibson, was a celebrated preacher of the Reformed Presbyterian Church,* otherwise called Covenanters, caine to America in 1797, and settled in Ryegate, Vt. He after- ward went to Philadelphia, and was pastor of the Reformed Church there. He died in 1838. His sons, Robert, John and William, were all distinguished divines in the Presby- terian Church.

John Gibson was the third son of John and Elizabeth (Jameson) Gibson, and was born in Baltimore, April 17, 1829. He received his education in York (where he came early in life) at the hands of such teachers as C. D. Joint, Daniel M. Ettinger and Rev. Stephen Boyer, and Daniel Kirkwood (the eminent astronomer, now of the University of Indi- ana), at the York County Academy, which is his alma mater. He studied law under his uncle, Hon. Robert J. Fisher, and was ad- mitted to the bar September 30, 1851, and practiced law at the York bar until his elec- tion to the bench in 1881. June 22, 1865, he married Helen Packard, youngest daughter of the late Benjamin D. Packard, Esq., of Albany, N. Y., a distinguished jour- nalist and publisher, who founded the Al- bany Evening Journal. He has held no political office. He was chosen a delegate to the Democratic national convention in 1868, held in New York City, and which nominated Horatio Seymour for president. In 1872 he was unanimously chosen a delegate from York County to the constitutional convention of Pennsylvania, together with Hon. Thomas E. Cochran, from York, and Hon. William McClean, from Adams, the three being the representatives from the Nineteenth Senator- ial District; Hon. Jeremiah S. Black, from York, being a delegate at large to the same convention.

In 1881 he was nominated by the Demo- cratic County Convention for judge of the Nineteenth Judicial District, composed of the county of York, and was accepted by the Republican convention, and was elected without opposition, succeeding the Hon. Robert J. Fisher, who had held the position of president judge for a period of thirty years, and who was not a candidate for re-elec- tion.

In 1875 an additional law judge was pro-

*See Dr. Sprague's Annals of the American Pulpit.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

vided for the district, to which Hon. Pere L. Wickes was elected. Owing to the provis- ions of the new constitution, Judge Wickes became president judge by seniority of com- mission. Judge Gibson was commissioned additional law judge. By the expiration of the term of Judge Wickes, January 1, 1886 (who was not a candidate for re-election), Judge Gibson became president judge.

HON. JAMES W. LATIMER.

James W. Latimer was born in Hamilton Village, now West Philadelphia, June 24, 1836. He is of Scotch-Irish and French Huguenot descent. His great-grandfather

and two sons were soldiers of the Revolution, and the British offered a reward for their capture dead or alive. Mr. Latimer has lived in York since he was two years old, and was educated in the York County Acad- emy under the late George W. Ruby, Ph. D., and Daniel M. Ettinger. He read law with the late Edward Chapin, Esq., was admitted to the bar July 5, 1859, and has. practiced at York ever since. He is married to Anne Helen, a daughter of the Hon. Robert J. Fisher. October 3, 1885, he was: elected additional law judge of the courts of York County as an independent candidate, assuming the duties of that office on the first Monday of January, 1886.

BOROUGH AND TOWNSHIP HISTORY.

BY GEO. R. PROWELL.

BOROUGH OF YORK.

T THE town of York, having now within its recently extended limits a population of nearly 20,000, never in its history of 145 years, has developed so rapidly as during the last decade. Its growth has been slow and sure like that of the century plant and it ex- isted for nearly 100 years without being specially known as a manufacturing place. Since 1850 it has rapidly grown in impor- tance and influence. Its manufacturing in- dustries have steadily increased and devel. oped; new ones were started; until now the full force of its life is plainly observable to the admiring gaze of the oldest inhabitants, who remember it as a small inland borough, populated by a staid and conservative people. It was known half a century ago, mostly on account of its historic associations, and the rich agricultural land that surrounds it, the latter of which greatly contributes to its wealth and influence. The dwelling houses, until within a recent date, showed few signs of im- proved architecture. The town was laid out and built after the style of the old English city, after which it was named. This was done at a time when its founders never dreamed of the advancement in civilization, now known to the enlightened world, to which our American people have contributed so much. Could those sturdy settlers who, coming from a foreign land and were first to populate "ye town on the Codorus," now look upon the industry and energy that have asserted their power, in the rumble of pon- derous machinery, the whistle of the high- spirited iron horse, the hum and whir of re- volving wheels, the stately magnificence of some of the public institutions, and the im- provements in modes of life and living, they would feel gratified that their children's grandchildren are so bountifully favored in this land of freedom and independence, of which they were the hardy pioneers.

Great events have transpired in the world's

history since the founding of York. Once was our town threatened by hostile Indians, and twice by the invasion of a foreign foe, coming from our mother country. During the Revolution our streets were trod and the old court house occupied by the noblest patriots the history of mankind has ever known. Every intelligent reader knows the personnel of the Continental Congress which sat in York during nine months of the dark- est period of that great struggle, delibera- ting upon momentous questions that after- ward proved to be the foundation stones upon which our constitution, the Magna Char- ta of American freedom, rests.

In 1814, thousands of Pennsylvania sol- diers and militia rendezvoused at York, ready to march at any minute to Baltimore to im- pede the progress of an invading English foe, who, under a bold and unprincipled leader, had devastated the national Capitol, and were then threatening our neighboring city. By the skilful soldiery of the Ameri- can patriots then in that city, some of whom went from York, the British were defeated, their commander killed, and the soldiers at York sent home. The second war with Great Britain soon afterward ended.

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History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended, Part 100

Author: Gibson, John, Editor Publication date: 1886 Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago Number of Pages: 1104

Author: Gibson, John, Editor
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago
Number of Pages: 1104