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 107

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 107

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

were presented by the societies. The church has three steeples (the center one 185 feet high, with three bells, and a large gilded cross on top) is built in new Gothic style 57x129 feet; was dedicated

on Whit Monday, 1885. The cost of the church was about $30,000; the architect being George Bell; builder, N. Weigle; superintendent of the carpenter work, M. Little. The brick work was done by Messrs. Garrety, and the steeple erected by John Plonk, a young man of the congregation. The two large chande- liers were procured by J. Mayer, and the iron fence in front of the church by H. Boll. A new organ was bought for $3,000. The Sis- ters, with the help of Edward Reineberg, purchased a Brussels carpet for the sanctuary and communion-rail. St. Mary's congrega- tion has about 160 families.

First Church of the United Brethren in Christ .- In 1840 the Mission Society in con- nection with the Otterbein Church at Balti- more, established a mission in York, and sent Rev. Christian S. Crider to begin the work; at the same time, the Methodist Epis- copal congregation of York, offered their old church for sale. It was located on the site of the present United Brethren Church, and was bought for $1,500. Peter Rahauser, of Dover; Adam Strayer, of Winterstown, and Jacob Ehrhart, of York Township, were chosen as trustees of the York Church. There were, at that time, no members of this denomination in York. Rev. Crider soon organized a congregation, and ministered to it for two and one-half years, and was suc- ceeded by Rev. Jacob Rhinehart, who re- mained two years, during which time a par- sonage was built. Rev. Enoch Hoffman succeeded, remaining two years. In 1847 Rev. J. C. Smith, now a highly respected citizen of York, became pastor. He found a membership of fifty persons. At the expira- tion of four years, the congregation increased to 125 members, through his efficient labors. In 1851 Rev. W. B. Wagner assumed charge, remained three years, and was followed by Rev. W. B. Raber for three years. He was an able clergyman. Rev. J. C. Smith be- came pastor again in 1857; remained four years. When he retired there were 237 members. Rev. Samuel Enterline, sue- ceeded for two years, and Rev. Jacob Erb two years, until 1866, when Rev. J. C. Smith became pastor a third time. During this pastorate, a new church was built at a cost of $13,000. The building committee were Charles Lafean, Rev. D. Eberly, Jacob Allison, Henry Licking and Rev. Smith. There were then 357 members. Rev. W. B.

Raber was called a second time, and was fol- lowed by Rev. J. P. Smith, a very success- ful revivalist, and he, by Rev. J. P. Miller, an active worker. Under him the church was remodeled at a cost of $1,500. Rev. J. R. Meredith was next called; he remained three years, and in 1885 Rev. I. H. Albright was chosen. The church membership under him is about 400. So far as is known, Dr. Ehrhart was chosen superintendent of the first Sunday-school in this church. D. W. Crider is the present superintendent, and H. Y. Kottkamp, assistant. The membership in 1885 is 410.

The Second Church of the United Breth- ren in Christ, of York, was organized by Rev. John H. Young, in 1873. About fifty of the original members of this congrega- tion were drawn from the First United Brethren Church. The Baptist congrega- tion at that time had no regular pastor, and Rev. Young conducted services in their church until the building, in which this con- gregation now worship, was completed on South Duke Street, at a cost of $1,000. Mr. Young had previously purchased the site for $4,000 on which was located a comfortable dwelling house. During two years of pas- toral duty he collected and paid off $2,500, or one half of the indebtedness of the con- gregation, and increased its membership. Rev. A. H. Rice succeeded in 1875, and continued two years, when Rev. J. C. Smith became pastor. The membership was then ninety-eight and the debt was $3,200; of this Rev. Smith succeeded in paying $1, 700 during his pastorate of five years. In the meantime the church was repaired. Rev. H. B. Dohner was pastor two years, and was followed by Rev. C. A. Burtner, an active worker. The church membership numbers nearly 200 persons. A Sunday school was started with the church. The membership of the school, in 1885, was about 195 pupils and teachers, with Jacob Houseman as superin- tendent.

Heidelberg Reformed Church .- Heidel - berg Reformed Church, as a religious body, had its origin coeval with that of its sister church, the Lutheran and is one of the oldest of the Protestant denominations. Doctrinally it belongs to the great family, that holds to modified Calvinismn. Its doc- trinal position is stated in the Heidelberg catechism,a confession of faith three centuries old. The Heidelberg Church of York based upon the Heidelberg catechism, was estab- lished in 1867. Its teachings must ever be in harmony with the catechism whose name it bears in its chartered title; always under-

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BOROUGH OF YORK.

stood in its true historical sense. And to this mission the church has always been faith- ful. In harmony with these views the church was organized in 1867. The first pastor, Rev. A. S. Vaughan, served until 1869, when he resigned and was succeeded by Rev. A. Wanner, D. D., who served until the close of 1874. It was during this pastorate, that the present beautiful chapel was built. The third pastor was Rev. James I. Good, who served until September, 1877. The fourth pastor, Rev. F. J. Sauber, was installed in October, 1877, and continues to serve the con- gregation, which is in a prosperous condition. It has about 250 members, and has a Sunday- school of 300 pupils and teachers. A large pipe organ has recently been purchased. The congregation is also moving in the way of building a new church.

The First Baptist Church .- In August, 1850, Rev. G. M. Slaysman visited York to ascertain how many Baptists were residing in or near the place, intending to return and begin preaching. In November, following, a room was rented in Hartman's Building, Centre Square, which he fitted up with seats and a pulpit. Mr. Hartman presented a Bible, and T. D. Davis, of Chester, furnished a stove. The room was opened for worship in December, 1850. In January, following, Mr. Slaysman moved to York. Finding a few Baptists in town and in the country de- sirous of forming a congregation, he contin- ued with them. The church was constituted May 21, 1851. The first person baptized was Mary Ann Wireman, June 8, 1851. In the fall of the year others joined the church by baptism. The pastor, during this time, was supporting himself by teaching. An appropriation for the support of the pastor was secured at the rate of $150 per year. This was increased to $250, and again to $350.

A lot of ground was bought, in 1852, on which to build a church. Mrs. Mary Young, of Columbia, gave the first $5. The pastor secured enough subscriptions to enable the work to begin July, 1852, and in December the basement was occupied for worship.

The building was dedicated on the 14th of September, 1856. Rev. D. Williams, pastor of the First Baptist Church, of Harrisburg, preached the dedicatory sermon, assisted by Rev. W. S. Hall, pastor of the Phoenixville Baptist Church. Rev. Slaysman continued until November 2, 1862, and was succeeded by Rev. Henry Bray, January 1, 1863, for two years. Mr. Slaysman returned to York April 1, 1865, and remained till January 1, 1870.

Rev. Andrew J. Hay was called August 1, 1870, and remained two years. The church was without a pastor for nearly four years, when Rev. Henry Colclesser was called, May 17, 1876. He served four years. For another year the church held services with- out pastoral care, when Rev. E. F. Crane, general missionary for northwestern Penn- sylvania, was sent to York. For three months he continued preaching every even- ing. The church then elected Rev. W. B. Skinner, August 1, 1881, who labored two and one-half years, when, on account of ill health, he resigned, and Rev. L. 'B. Plumer, of Boston, Mass., a student at Crozer Semi- nary, was called, July 13, 1884. The church has received into its membership since its organization 268 persons. Its present num- ber is seventy members, having a church and parsonage located on South George Street, mainly due to the self denying labor of Rev. Slaysman. The Sunday-school numbers about eighty-five, with an average attend- ance of fifty. Superintendent, Andrew Watt; secretary, William Hohenrine; librarian, Frederick Hosbach, and Thomas Wood, treasurer.

Bethlehem Church of the Evangelical As- sociation .- This church was built in 1841, under the leadership of Benjamin Thomas. It is 40x55 feet, and is located on North Queen Street.

In the year 1842 George Brickley, who is now a practicing physician of York, at the advanced age of seventy-nine years, had this charge assigned him. He labored until 1844. During his administration he and the trustees of the church-B. Thomas, P. Shafer, C. Strigel, H. Burger, M. Hoke and J. Dunlap-had the church incorporated. The names of ministers who served this con- gregation, from the time the church was built until the year 1885, are as follows: George Brickley, from 1842 to 1844; W. W. Orwig, 1844-46; J. Boas, 1846-47; L. Eber- hart, 1847-49; G. Weirick, 1849-50; C. Hammer, 1850-52; C. F. Deininger, 1852- 54; E. Kohr, 1854-56; H. Althouse, 1856- 58; S. Wolf, 1858-59; D. Kreamer, 1859-60; A. L. Reeser, 1860-62; B. Hengst, 1862-64; J. Young, 1864-66; S. Smith, 1866-68; A. Rairich, 1868-69; J. Bowersox, 1869-70, who was then sent to the State of Oregon as missionary; J. C. Farnsworth, 1870-72; G. Brickley, 1872-73; S. Aurand, 1873-75; C. F. Deininger, 1875-77; A: F. Leopold, 1877 -79; C. Philibar, 1879-80; R. Deisher, 1880-82; J. Koehl, 1882-84; J. Shambach is the present pastor.

The services were altogether German when

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

it was organized. For some time they were German in the morning and English in the evening, until 1871, when a part of the membership was organized into an English mission.

At the General Conference, held 1875, this church was added to the newly-organized At- lantic Conference, but in 1883 it was again placed in the Central Pennsylvania Confer- ence. While within the bounds of the At- lantic Conference, the services were alto- gether German, but now they are as before, half English. The membership is 104.

In 1868, while Rev. A. Rairich was sta- tioned here, a brick parsonage, was built at a cost of $2,700. Rev. J. Young, Joshua Young and Jacob Sechrist constituted the building committee.

Trinity Church of the Evangelical Asso- ciation .- This church was established by the Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Association, in March, 1871, Rev. U. F. Swengel became its first pastor, who organized the church in the court house August 5, 1871, with fifty-seven members, most of whom had withdrawn from Bethle- hem Evangelical Church, on account of the services being conducted entirely in German, in that church, and they preferred English. A Sabbath-school was organized the same year. The church services and the Sunday- school were held in the court house until the 1st of October, 1871, when the congrega- tion took possession of the chapel on East King Street, which was dedicated on the 1st of October. The lot and chapel cost $3,400. Rev. H. B. Hartzler preached the dedicatory sermon, and Rev. Jacob Young, P. E., dedicated the church as "Trinity Chapel of the Evangelical Association." Jacob A. Sechrist, Rev. U. F. Swengel, Adam Sechrist, J. M. Ettinger and John Sechrist, composed the building committee. Jacob Sechrist, J. M. Ettinger, J. M. Young, Jacob C. Shultz and John Sechrist, the board of trustees, and soon afterward John F. Thomas was added to the board, and at present is its president. Jacob A. Sechrist has held the position of treasurer in the church since its organization. Rev. Swengel served the con- gregation three years, during which time the membership increased to 120, and the Sun- day-school to 150. In March, 1874, Rev. H. B. Hartzler succeeded. During the second year of his ministry, there was a great reviv- al. Rev. A. W. Bower, a student of Union Seminary, was appointed by the presiding elder to fill the unexpired term. In March, 1877, Rev. E. Swengel was appointed. Rev. S. Aurand succeeded in March, 1878, and

remained two years, during which time a parsonage was built. The membership and Sunday-school were considerably increased during his pastorate. In March, 1880, Rev. P. W. Raidabaugh began a pastorate of three years, during which time the remaining in- debtedness on the church property was paid off. In 1883 Rev. A. H. Irvine, the present pastor was appointed. In July, 1884, John F Thomas, P. W. Keller and John Sechrist were appointed as a building committee, and the church was enlarged and remodeled; fif- teen feet were added to the audience room, and an additional building, whose dimen- sions were 18x30 feet, added to the rear of the church, to be used by the primary depart- ment of the Sunday-school, and for prayer and class meetings. The main audience room was frescoed and the entire floor car- peted. New furniture was placed in the pul- pit and altar. The present pastor, to May, 1885, received 102 members into the church, which now numbers 203 members. The Sunday-school has 300 pupils.

The Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. -In the year 1819, the first colored church in York was built on North Duke Street. The building then erected was dedicated on the 28th of November of that year. The trustees of the church when organized were John Joice, John Lindenberger, Edward Young, Israel Williams and Richard Butler. The church services and the colored school were conducted in this building until the new one was built.

The members of the congregation who had, for more than half a century, worshiped in this old landmark were now compelled to yield to the onward march of the many increasing manufacturing industries by which their little frame fabric was surrounded. A very liberal offer for the purchase of their property hav- ing been made by the Billmyer & Small Co., was accepted after mature deliberation.

Their present place of worship is on East King Street, near Queen. It is a very handsome brick edifice, two-stories high, and built with architectural design, finish, and comfort, at a cost of over $5,000.

J. A. Dempwolf was architect, and Jerome Heidler, builder. The supervisory committee for church was A. Howard, G. S. Robinson, I. Gooden, R. S. Wilson and J. L. Smallwood. Ground was broken September, 1880, and corner-stone laid with impressive ceremonies, October 24, 1880. The new church was dedicated, Sunday, August 14, 1881, with very appropriate services, followed by en- couraging financial results, entirely liquidat- ing its indebtedness.

DavidMesider

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BOROUGH OF YORK.

There is another colored church on the west side of the Codorus.

The Young Men's Christian Association .- An organization was effected in 1856, but it soon ceased to exist. The present associa- tion was formed March 7, 1869, in the U. B. Church, by young men representing the differ ent Protestant churches of York. A subse- quent meeting was held in "Rupp's Building" on May 14, of the same year, and a permanent organization was effected as follows: Presi- dent, David E. Small; recording secretary, Charles G. Welch; corresponding secretary, Arthur King; treasurer, J. J. Frick; repre- sentatives of the different churches, O. P. Weiser, E. C. Bender, H. C. Adams, M. B. Spahr, H. A Ebert, Joseph Loucks, G. J. Weiser, R. H. Moffat, J. A. Sechrist, John M. Brown, Andrew Watt, C. C. Kottcamp, George F. Leber, W. H. Welsh, C. L. Thomas, W. Reisinger. The meetings were held at first in the engine houses of the fire companies and by special request in the parlor of one of the hotels. Apartments were secured in "Ebert's Building," where a read- ing room was opened and a library estab- lished. At the end of the first year's work the membership was 198. The first anni- versary was held in Beaver Street Methodist Episcopal Church. Work was accomplished in Freystown that eventuated in the building of a chapel there at a cost $1,500. In 1871, rooms were rented in "Spahr's Building." A well supplied free reading room and library were opened. The first convention was held in May, 1871, in St. Paul's Lutheran Church. David E. Small, the president, was an earnest and devoted worker in the cause, and his labors were very effective. The following year open-air meetings were held on the streets at four places in York, on Sunday afternoons. The suppression of intemperance and Sabbath breaking enlisted the attention of the association. Samuel Small, Sr., pre- sided at a meeting held May 26, 1873, whose subject for discussion was the proper observ- ance of the Sabbath. A petition, in relation to Sabhath laws and intemperance, contain- ing 3,000 names, was presented to the court, by 150 representatives.

David E. Small, who earnestly labored in behalf of the principles advocated by the association, resigned the office of president, May 8, 1877, on account of ill health, and was succeeded by David Fahs. A picnic was held in Bumgardner's Woods, July 4, 1878, at which 4,000 persons were present.

In the year 1879, the mission chapel, on Princess Street was built, under the auspices of this association. It is a neat frame build-

ing, covered with slate, 70 feet front, and 40 feet deep, with a vestibule and belfry. Its cost was $2,750 and was dedicated July 6. In the year 1875, June 20, Judge Fahs began a Mission Sunday-school; at the time of the dedication of this chapel it numbered 200 pupils. Mother's meetings were organ- ized in connection with the school, and chil- dren were taught to sew and make garments, and much good was accomplished. On May 18, 1879, those who had been so successful with the Princess Street chapel, considered the advisability of organizing a mission in Low Street, Freystown. Religious services were first held in the house of Mrs. Greena- walt, on that street. They prospered, and soon after, through the beneficence of Samuel Small, and the active exertions of Judge Fahs, a neat chapel was built and dedicated.

George F. Stackpole took charge of the affairs of the Y. M. C. A. August, 1879, and continued until 1880. Henry Small, son of the late David E. Small, was elected to suc- ceed Judge Fahs, who then turned his atten- tion to the two mission chapels. Mr. Small worked earnestly to increase the financial condition of the association, and in order to effectively accomplish this object, declined re-election, and J. G. Eisenhart became pres- ident in 1881. In 1883 the board of man- agers of the Y. M. C. A. deeded the two chapels to boards of trustees. May 25, 1883, the association lost its most influential member and warmest friend, in the death of David E. Small.

A building known as "Temperance Hall," on North George Street, was rented and fitted up. In September, 1883, S. B. Herr was chosen secretary. Twelve thousand dollars were raised, and the residence of the late Will- iam Hay, at No. 122 West Market Street, was purchased. In the public reading room of this building, are now received eleven daily papers, twenty weeklies and ten monthly magazines. The library has 500 vol- umes. The handsome book-case was pre- sented to the association by Mrs. David E. Small, in memory of her lamented husband. The entire building is elegantly furnished. In the parlor is a piano, and also an organ, and everything tastefully arranged by the members of the Ladies' Auxiliary Committee. A hall and gymnasium were erected at the rear of the building at a cost of $5,000. A. R. Cochrane, of Boston, is instructor in the gymnasium. The new building with its ex- cellent apartments fully equipped is greatly due to Henry Small and his mother, Mrs. David E. Small.

The officers of the association for 1885 are

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

as follows: M. B. Spahr, president; Jacob Bastress, vice-president; G. W. Gross, re- cording secretary; W. C. McClellan, treas- urer; Seremus B. Herr, general secretary. Board of managers: M. B. Spahr, W. H. McClellan, Henry Small, Henry A. Ebert, David W. Crider, Jacob Bastress, Frank Geise, J. A. Dempwolf, William F. Weiser, Robert L. Shetter, G. W. Gross, John W. Buckingham, M. E. Hartzler, R. B. Sperry. Total membership. 432. Members taking gymnasium privileges, 156.

The officers of the Ladies' Auxiliary Com- mittee are as follows, (March, 1885): Mrs. George P. Smyser, president; Mrs. J. G. Eisen- hart, vice- president; Mrs. John Gahring, vice president; Miss Lizzie Buckingham, re- cording secretary; Miss Sallie Lanius, cor- responding secretary; Mrs. Rev. F. J. Sauber, treasurer. Membership over 100.

The mission schools in the chapels on Princess and Low Streets, not now connected with the Y. M. C. A., are doing an impor- tant and valuable work in York. Prominent among the persons who have been unceasing in their interests as superintendents, teach- ers and supporters of them are Mr. and Mrs. George H. Sprigg, Mrs. Judge J. S. Black, Mrs. Brooks and Miss McCoy. For a num- ber of years these schools, by the courteous invitation of Mrs. Black, held their annual picnics on the broad and shady lawns around "Brockie," where the distinguished jurist himself was greatly delighted at seeing the mission childreu enjoy themselves. He fur. ther showed his philanthropy by defraying the expenses incurred in purchasing refresh- ments for the delighted children.

RIOT IN 1786.

An affray in the borough of York, in De- cember, 1786, was occasioned by the excise law then existing.

Jacob Bixler, of Manchester, was unwill- ing to pay his tax or gather excise; his cow was distrained for the payment. It was to rescue this cow, that the affray happened. The beast was driven by the officer to York, and was to be sold. A company of about 100 men set out from the neighborhood of the animal's former home, armed, some with clubs, others with pistols or guns, and di- rected their march toward York, they crossed Chicken Bridge, and in Indian file marched into town. Their captain, Godfrey King, led them on, with dread determination, and to the place where her vaccins excellence was exposed to vendition. This was the square where Market and Beaver Streets cross each other. They had hardly proceeded to com-

mit violence when the whole town was as- sembled. The inhabitants met the riot- ers with weapons, clubs, pistols, guns and swords. Henry Miller, during the affray, struck with his sword at one Hoake, who, leaping over a wagon tongue, just escaped the blow; the sword falling upon the wagon tongue, sunk into it about an inch. After some boxing and striking. the party dispersed, and the whole tumult ended.

Frederick Hoake was afterward severely fined for cutting the rope around the cow's neck, and letting her loose, though the fact was Peter Schneider, Jr., did it.

The rioters were taken before justices of the peace, and bound for appearance at next court, on the 23d of January, 1787; and bound before the court of quarter sessions in a considerable sum to appear at the next supreme court to answer to such bills of in- dictment as should be presented against them. They appeared, and with others of their brethren, were fined. Thus ended the affray. It was in fact a cow insurrection; it brought Manchester and York into a fond and loving union.

CONSPIRACY IN 1803.

On the 23d of February, 1803, a negro woman named Margaret Bradley, was con- victed of a misdemeanor in attempting to poison Sophia Bentz and Matilda Bentz, both of York; and in consequence thereof, was sentenced to undergo an imprisonment of four years in the penitentiary at Philadelphia. The negroes of the place being dissatisfied with the above mentioned conviction and sentence, determined to have revenge on the whites, and sought it in the destruction of their property.

They conspired together to burn the town of York. On nearly every successive day or night, for about three weeks, they set fire to some part of the town. Numerous patrols were established; strong guards were kept on foot, and the governor ordered out a detach- ment of the militia, which was constantly on duty. The governor of the State, Thomas Mckean, offered $300 to any person who should discover those who were engaged in the conspiracy. A negro girl, who had re- ceived instructions to set fire to Mr. Zinn's barn at 12 o'clock, mistaking midday for mid- night, perpetrated the deed at noon; she was arrested and confessed herself guilty, there- by lending a key to the conspiracy. Several other negroes were arrested on suspicion; and during the following week a number were cast into prison, some of whom confessed. Fires now ceased. One indictment was pre. sented against twenty-one negroes and mu-

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lattoes, a part of whom were convicted and sent to the penitentiary.

Among the principal fires in York may be mentioned the following:

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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 107

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