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 109

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 109

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House for the President of the United States £2 18 0

He was doubtless received with great en- thusiasm by the numerous patriots in and around York, who had engaged in many battles under him during the Revolution.

On July 3d, Sunday, he arrived at Wright's Ferry at 6 o'clock in the evening. A great demonstration was given in his honor at Lan- caster the next day, the Fourth of July. He was presented with an address by the burges- ses, to which his excellency responded.

The Pennsylvania Herald and York Gen- eral Advertiser, a weekly paper, published in York in its issue of July 6, 1791, contains the following account of this visit:

Saturday last the President of the United States arrived here from Mount Vernon, on his way to Philadelphia. His arrival, which was about 2 o'clock, was announced by the ringing of bells. The Independent Light Infantry Company, com- manded by Capt. Hay, paraded, and being drawn up before his Excellency's lodging, fired fifteen rounds. At night there were illuminations, and every other demonstration of joy.

The next morning his Excellency was waited upon by the Chief Burgess and the principal in- habitants, and the following address was presented to him, after which he attended service at the Epis- copal Church, and theu proceeded on his journey. He was accompanied as far as Wright's Ferry by a number of the principal inhabitants.

TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

Sir: With sentiments of the most perfect esteem and attachment, the citizens of the borough of York beg leave to present to you their sincere con- gratulations on your safe arrival here, after an ex- tensive tour through that country, which owes so much to your brave and prudent exertions in war, and to your wise and just administration in peace.

We cordially join in the general satisfaction and joy which all the citizens of America feel in seeing you, and in those universal sentiments of regard to your person and veneration for your character,

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

which dictate the addresses that in various expres- sions have been offered to you. We join in the general satisfaction that every friend to human happiness must feel on finding that the people of the United States do now show a great and convinc- ing proof to all the world that freedom and good government are perfectly compatible. And that a first Magistrate, unanimously chosen by the people, may at once possess their utmost veneration and most hearty regard.

We wish you a safe return to the seat of govern- ment, and do sincerely unite with the millions of America in praying that the Supreme Governor of the Universe may long continue a life which he has so eminently distinguished, in preserving and securing the best rights and happiness of the citi- zens of this greatly favoured country.

THE PRESIDENT'S REPLY.

TO THE CITIZENS OF THE BOROUGH OF YORK:

Gentlemen: I receive your congratulations with pleasure, and I reply to your flattering and affec- tionate expressions of esteem with sincere and grateful regard.

The satisfaction which you derive from the con- geniality of freedom with good government, which is clearly evinced in the happiness of our highly favored country, at once rewards the patriotism that achieved her liberty, and gives an assurance of its duration.

That your individual prosperity may long con- tinue among the proofs which attest the national welfare is my earnest wish.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

Maj .- Gen. St. Clair, accompanied by vis- count Malartie, his aid-de-camp, passed through York from the West on January 17, 1792, on his way to the capital of the Unit- ed States. He was then Governor of the Western Territory, including what is now Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, etc., and major- general and commander-in-chief of the Amer- ican Army, a short time before he had been defeated by the Indians in southwestern Ohio.

Gen. Anthony Wayne soon afterwards passed westward through York to the "Ohio Frontier" and defeated the Indians there. It was then that he said that if they were hostile to the whites any time in the future he would rise from his grave to fight them.

Mons. Sprrurier, the prime minister of the French Government, passed through York, travelling in a chaise, during the early part of February, 1815. He remained over night with Col. George Spangler. While here he stated that he had fled his country during the Napoleonic wars, which were still in prog- ress. He considered himself happy to be absent from his country.

Visit of La Fayette .- Early in the year 1825, an event occurred which revived the patriotic feelings of the American people, and thrilled them with emotions of gratitude. It was the visit of La Fayette to this country,

and the scenes of his youthful heroism, in behalf of liberty. On Saturday, January 29, 1825, at 9 o'clock in the evening. he "ar- rived in York, and passed on to Harrisburg, accompanied by Gen. Jacob Spangler and Adam King, of York. They crossed the river at York Haven. He returned on Wednesday, the 2d of February, and "our people were gratified with an opportunity of giving to their early friend and protector a reception, of pouring forth overflowing hearts of gratitude and welcome to him whose name is a passport to the heart of every American." Ho arrived at 4 o'clock at the first turnpike gate, where he was met by the military and citizens. The general ascended a barouche, drawn by gray horses, and the procession entered the town, which was brilliantly illuminated, and all the bells ringing, moved up George Street, to the court house, and through the principal streets of the town to his place of lodging, at Mc- Grath's hotel. A dinner was there given to him, to which 100 gentlemen sat down. To the following toast he responded:

La Fayette-We love him as a man, hail him as a deliverer, revere him as a champion of freedom, a welcome him as a guest.

To which he gave:

The town of York-the seat of the American union in our most gloomy times-May its citizens enjoy in the same proportion their share of Amer- ican prosperity.

He reviewed the military of the town the next day, and then left for Baltimore. The military companies at that time were, Capt. Nes' Artillery, Capts. Small, Barnitz, Fry- singer and Stuck's Infantry, and Capt. Smith's Rifles.

The remains of Zachary Taylor, who died while president of the United States, passed through York, October 25, 1850. They were taken through Columbia, Middletown and Harrisburg to Pittsburgh, and from thence by steamer to Louisville, Ky. "Old Whitey," his famous horse which he used during the Mexican War, was in the front car of the train.

Maj. Andre, the noted English spy, while a prisoner, was in York for a short time dur- ing the Revolution. He was at Carlisle for a time; was transferred through York to Lancaster, where he was kept for several months.

The remains of President Garfield passed through York on a special train in 1881.

Military .- The Americans generally are a. military people, and ever ready to obey the maxim of Washington: "In time of peace pre- pare for war." The militia of Pennsylvania

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BOROUGH OF YORK.

have always been the subject of appropriate legislation, and the militia of York County were well organized in brigades, regiments and battalions, with field and commissioned offi- cers of every grade. In order to keep up a martial spirit and teach discipline, the legis- lature, by the act of July 11, 1822, required the militia to be trained and paraded in com- panies on the first Monday of May, and in battalions on the second Monday of May, called the muster and battalion days. It did not matter at the muster what arms were brought to the field, whether the broomstick, or the cornstalk, or a combination of either with small fire arms, or the genuine musket. This militia training was continued, to the delectation of the exempt, and of urchins, until it was abolished by law in 1842.

In the meantime the true military spirit of some citizens induced the organization of companies, uniformed, armed and equipped, who would have resented the term militia, if applied to them. These were thoroughly exercised in the manual of arms and regi- mental maneuvers; not only exciting admira- tion, but constituting that great home growth of military power which made the American volunteer so efficient in war. The companies above named indicate the military spirit of York.

The year following the visit of La Fayette was the semi-centennial anniversary of American independence, and the 4th of Jn- ly, 1826, was celebrated by a memorable military and civic demonstration; its enthu- siasm inspired by that visit, as well as by the attainment of fifty years of independence to the nation, and the yet recent results to the national glory in what was then called the late war, wherein our soldiers were matched with veterans of European wars. The ora- tion on the occasion was delivered by Hon. Charles A. Barnitz.

The funeral of Capt. Michael H. Spangler, on the 9th of September, 1834, was attended by the officers of the Ninety-fourth regiment, P. M., by the survivors of the "York Volun- teers," and by the following volunteer com- panies of the borough:

The "Washington Artillerists," commanded by Capt. Jacob Upp, Jr.

"The Pennsylvania Volunteers," commanded by Capt. John Evans. Citizen Guards," commanded by Capt. Samuel Hay.

"'The National Greys," commanded by Capt. Alexander H. Barnitz.

"The York Rangers," commanded by Capt. Samuel E. Clement.

During the year 1839, the York military paid a visit to Baltimore, which was returned

by the Independent Blues of that city, on the 4th of July, in the same year. The Balti- moreans considered themselves treated with so much kindness, attention and hospitality by the citizens of York, that they were prompted to make some acknowledgement; and, on the 31st of August, 1839, the Inde- pendent Blues presented a splendid United States flag to the vol unteer companies of York. That beautiful flag was in the possession of Gen. George Hay, and was frequently sus- pended in front of his residence on patriotic occasions. The material of the flag is of the finest silk; the head of the staff is a spear of massive silver, elegantly chased with two silver tassels. On the head is the following inscription :

"Presented by the Independent Blues to the York Volunteers, August, 1839, as a mark of esteem for the unbounded hospital- ity extended to them during their visit, July 4, 1839."

It was presented on the 31st of Angust in front of the White Hall Hotel, in the pres- ence of the military and a concourse of citi- zens, by a committee of the "Blues," and accepted on behalf of the soldiers by Hon. Charles A. Barnitz. The companies in York at that time were the Washington Artiller- ists, Capt. Upp, the Washington Blues, Capt. Barnitz, the York, Penn., Rifles, Capt. Hay, and a company of horse, the Washing- ton Troop, Capt. Garretson; the admirable bearing and drill of which companies many well remember.

An incident that may be noticed in the year 1841 was the removal of the remains of President Harrison, passing through York on the way to North Bend, under a large escort of military from Washington and Baltimore. The citizens of York manifested deep feel- ing on the occasion. The military and civic associations of all kinds joined the passing escort, the entire pageant was one of the most solemn character and is strongly im- pressed upon the minds of all who partici- pated in it, on account of the occasion itself, as well as the apprehended momentous polit- ical results of the untimely decease of the new president who held his office but one short month.

On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, August 23, 24 and 25, 1841, there was an en- campment of military on the York common, at which there were seventeen companies present from different parts of the State. Maj. Hambright of Lancaster, an experienced military commander, was commandant by invitation, and reviewed the troops, and also organized new companies. A Lancaster book

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

of biography says, "it was the finest military display in the State." There were present companies from Baltimore City. The York County companies were the Susquehanna Rifles, Capt. Druck, of Wrightsville; the Dover Artillery, Capt. Worley; the Independ- ent Blues, Capt. Bott, West Manchester; the Jackson Greys, Capt. McAbee, Shrewsbury; the Hopewell Rifles, Capt. Smith; the York Pennsylvania Rifles, Capt. Hay; the Wash- ington Blues, Capt. Barnitz; the Washington Artillerists, Capt. Upp. Lieut. Alex. Hay was aid-de-camp to the commanding officer. There was present, Gen. Diller, adjutant-gen- eral of the State. On Wednesday the troops were reviewed by his excellency Gov. Porter, who headed the parade in full uniform on horseback. In the year 1841, Col. Thomas Jameson was brigade inspector. There was at this time a company of cavalry in York, called the York County Troop.

The election of officers of the militia took place on the first Monday of June every seven years. The election of 1842, held June 6, resulted as follows: brigadier-gen- eral, Albert C. Ramsay; First Brigade, Fifth Division, York and Adams Counties; Ninety- fourth Regiment P. M., colonel, Daniel A. Stillinger; lieutenant-colonel, Andrew W. Spangler; majors, John Eppley and Michael Gohn; Sixty-fourth Regiment, P. M., colonel, John M. Anderson; lieutenant colonel, Ed- mund Connellee; majors, Thomas S. William- son and Samuel Gilbert; Twenty-fifth Regi- ment, P. M., colonel Jacob S. Bear; lieuten- ant-colonel, Joseph Hartman; majors, Samuel Eisenhart and Daniel Miller. Chanceford Battalion, major, George S. Murphy.

On the 15th of July. 1844, there was a call for volunteers from York for the suppres- sion of the great Native American riot in Philadelphia. The three companies of York already mentioned, the Washington Artiller- ists, the Washington Blues and York, Penn., Rifles, together with companies from the county, in all 3,000 men, under the command of Gen. A. C. Ramsay, marched as far as Wrightsville but returned the same day. The report of the auditor-general, in 1845, gives the expense to the State by the Phila- delphia riots at $45,252.72. The York County troops cost $7,367.50, and there was paid to the railroad company for transporta- tion, $512.20.

This adventure, brief as it was, is remark- able for the expense it occasioned. Though . our troops were not required to suppress the riot, there was bloodshed in Philadelphia be- fore quiet was restored.

Lef After the return of Thomas A. Ziegle from

the Mexican war, in 1849, he raised a mili- tary company called the Worth Infantry, which was celebrated for its proficiency in drill. Col. Thomas A. Ziegle, whose name is intimately associated with the military his- tory of York, was born September 8, 1824. He graduated at the Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, studied law with James E. Buchanan, Esq., and was admitted to the bar May 28, 1850. His great predilection for military affairs, absorbed a considerable por- tion of his time, and he attained great pro- ficiency in the discipline of the men and corps under his command. His record during the late war is given in the general history. The Worth Infantry and the York, Penn., Rifles were for many years the military companies of York. The latter had disbanded, but a company was organized under the same title in 1860, with some of the members of the old corps. The names of the officers are given in the history of the war.

Of the general officers of the Fourth Division, P. M., elected, may be mentioned Gens. Jacob S. Stahle, George Hay and A. Hiestand Glatz.

In the year 1860, the brigade inspector was Daniel A. Stillinger. On the 3d of September, in that year, there was an encamp .- ment, under the general orders of the adju- tant-general of the commonwealth, of the uniformed volunteers of Pennsylvania, called Camp Patterson, held at York, which con- tinued until Saturday, the 8th of September. Maj. - Gen. William H. Keim was command- ing officer. The tents were pitched on the common. Two field pieces, a six and an eighteen-pounder which were then captured at Cerro Gordo, were there.

The camp consisted of seventeen compan - ies-766 men. The National Rifles of Wash- ington, the Worth Infantry, Capt. Thomas A. Ziegle; the Washington Guards, Lewis- bery, Capt. John Crull, the York Rifles, Capt. John W. Schall; the Marion Rifles, Hanover, Capt. H. Gates Myers; the Hanover Infantry, Capt. J. M. Baughman, and companies from other parts of the State, were present. Of the officers present were E. C. Wilson, adjutant-general; Lieut. A. N. Shipley, of the Third United States Infantry; acting assistant-adjutant-general; Maj .- Gen. Kim- mell, of Frederick, Md .; Brig .- Gen. I. C. Wynkoop, Brig. Gen, Bartram A. Shaeffer, of Lancaster; Maj .- Gen. George Hay, of York. There were general parades, in one of which all the surviving soldiers of the war of 1812-14, of the neighboring towns participated.

This was the last demonstration of its kind.

Å KelowRes

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BOROUGH OF YORK.

The next year the war breaking out, all the military skill and experience available in the country was required to save the Union, and the noble response of this community has been recorded. After the war several mili- tary organizations were effected without per- manent success. The organization of the National Guards of Pennsylvania, in 1870, has created a system by which the active militia are enlisted in volunteer companies to serve a limited period-five years. The York City Greys, Capt. E. Z. Strine, is attached to the National Guards, from York, as Company A, Eighth Regiment. The Wrightsville Greys, Capt. Frank J. Magee, is Company I, Eighth Regiment. Capt. Magee is the colonel of the regiment, hav- ing been elected in 1885.

ANTI-JACOBINISM IN THE BOROUGH OF YORK.

The Pennsylvania Herald of April 25, 1798, contains the following:

YORK, April 18, 1798.

A number of the respectable inhabitants of the borough of York, and its vicinity, assembled at the court house, on Monday evening, to take into con- sideration the measures pursued by the Executive of the United States, with regard to the French Republic. John Edie in the chair.

The following resolutions were unani- mously passed:

Resolved, That this meeting highly approve of the instructions, given by the President of the United States, to the late Envoys Extraordinary to the French republic.

Resolved, That John Hay, Sr., James Kelly, Conrad Laub, David Cassat, William Ross, Frede- rick Yonce and Christopher Lauman, be a commit- tee to draught an address, to be presented by the chairman to the President of the United States, expressing the entire concurrence of this meeting in the measures he has adopted, and the zeal mani- fested for the honor and interests of the United States; and also its fullest confidence in his in- tegrity and unremitting zeal for the public good.

Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be published.

Signed by order of the meeting. JOHN EDIE, Chairman. DAVID CASSAT, Secretary.

In pursuance of the resolutions above stated, the committee prepared the following address, a copy of which was sent by the Chairman to the President of the United States:

To His EXCELLENCY, JOHN ADAMS, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

Sir: We, the inhabitants of the borough of York, and its vicinity, knowing it to be our privilege and conceiving it our duty on some occasions to ex- press our sense of public measures, have convened for the purpose of considering your official conduct, as far as it stands connected with the French republic. We have seen with pleasure, Sir, in your instructions to the late envoys extraordinary, as well as in other parts of your administration, the sincerest desire, accompanied by the most zealous

exertions on the part of our executive to conciliate the French, aud restore that harmony and mutual confidence between the two republics, which for- merly subsisted; and although we regret that all those endeavors have been unsuccessful, we enjoy a consolation that wisdom with rectitude, energy with moderation, has eminently marked the steps of our government in all its concerns with foreign uations; that a continuance of peace is the first object of our government, next to the preservation of its dignity and independence. Under this conviction and the fullest confidence that a strict regard to national justice as well as national honor will continue as it hitherto has been prevalent in our coun- cils, we hesitate not to declare that, whenever the insolence, violence and aggressions of other nations shall compel our government to resist- ance, we are united in one sentiment-that of supporting its measures with all our energy. May that Superintending Power which governs the uni- verse, continue to direct all your measures; that Power to which we ever wish to appeal at every crisis of our national affairs.

THE PRESIDENT'S ANSWER.

TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE BOROUGH OF YORK AND ITS VICINITY, IN THE STATE . OF PENN- SYLVANIA:

Gentlemen: The independent spirit of this manly address from the inhabitants of the borough of York and its vicinity, as it is conformable to the exigencies of the times, and comes from a place where I had once some general acquaintance, it peculiarly agreeable to me.

In preparing the instructions for our Envoys to the French Republic, I indulged a pacific, indeed, a friendly conciliatory dispositon toward France, as far as the independence of this nation, the dignity of its government, justice of other nations, and fidelity to our own indubitable rights and essential interests would permit. The general concurrence with me, in opinion, upon this occasion, as far as there has been opportunity to know the senti- ments of the public, and your approbation in par- ticular, has given me great satisfaction. The con- fidence you express in the wisdom and rectitude, energy and moderation of the government, in all its concerns with foreign nations, is my consolation as well as yours.

After years of depredation and cruelties, in open violation of the law of nations, and in con- tempt of solemn treaties, have been borne, without even tolerating the means of self-preservation or the instruments of self-defense-the olive branch has been spurned, and ambassadors of peace and friendship repeatedly rejected with scorn.

Can still deeper humiliation be demanded of this country?

I most cordially unite with you in your suppliea- tions to that Power which rules over all, that the measures of the United States may be directed by His wisdom, and that you, my fellow citizens, may be ever under His benevolent protection.

JOHN ADAMS.

Phila., April 21, 1798.

BANKS AND BANKING.

An act of assembly, passed March 30, 1793, authorized the establishment of the Bank of Pennsylvania, with the main office in Philadelphia, and the privilege of estab- lishing branch offices in Lancaster, York and Reading, or such other places as might be deemed expedient. The only branch offices

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

established were at Lancaster and Pittsburgh, until a supplement to the original charter incorporating the State Bank, was passed March 8, 1809, at which time the State was divided into eight banking districts, each district to be allowed a bank. On the 21st of March, 1814, a general banking act was passed by the general assembly, authorizing the State to be divided into twenty-seven districts, with forty-two banks. The county of York was made a district, and authorized to establish a bank, to be called the York Bank, which soon after went into operation, and was the only York bank chartered until 1850.

The York National Bank .- This the oldest financial institution in York has maintained its reputation for thorough reliability during a period of seventy-one years. It was estab- lished in 1814, with David Cassatt, president, and John Schmidt, cashier, with a capital of $100,000. In 1850 its capital was increased to $500,000. In 1864 it took a new charter under the national banking act. The bank building occupies one of the old landmarks of the town, now changed into a substantial and handsome three-story brick building with bank offices, and also is the residence of the cashier. The late Henry Welsh was president of this institution for many years. The directors of this bank for 1885 are as follows: G. Edward Hersh, president; Alfred Gartman, Jacob Hay, William Wallace, Edmund Rutter, John K. Ziegler, Smyser Williams, David Small, John C. Schmidt, W. Latimer Small, Martin Bender, Adam Her- man; George H. Sprigg, cashier; A. H. Griffith, first teller; John A. Small, book- keeper; Charles I. Nes, clerk.

George H. Sprigg, the cashier, was born in Baltimore, Md., and had experience in banking business in that State before he was elected the cashier of the York Bank in 1859.

G. Edward Hersh, the president, was born in Gettysburg, Adams County, in 1822, and came to York in 1848. In 1855 he became a director of the bank, and remained as such until 1878, when he was made president.

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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 109

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