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 110

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 110

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The York County National Bank. - This institution was originally organized as the York Connty Savings Institution. Chris- tian Lanius was chosen president, and William Ilgenfritz, cashier, who both de- clined to serve, and Charles Weiser was elected president, and William Wagner, cashier. The first board of directors were Daniel Hartman, Christian Lanius, Peter McIntyre, Michael Doudel, Charles Weiser, Dr. Luke Rouse, Abraham Forry. Thomas Baumgardner, William Danner and

John G. Campbell. July 21, 1846, Mr. Weiser resigned the presidency, and was suc- ceeded by Mr. Campbell. In 1849, the name of the institution was changed to the York County Bank, when it became a bank of issue. In 1852 Eli Lewis was chosen president, in place of Mr. Campbell. In 1858 Mr. Lewis resigned the presidency, and was succeeded by Philip A. Small. In 1864 the bank accepted the provisions of the act of congress, and became the York County Na- tional Bank. In 1869, William Wagner, the cashier, died, and James A. Schall succeeded him in that office, who had acted as teller continuously since February, 1853. In 1875, Philip A. Small, the president, died, and David F. Williams succeeded him. In October, 1881, Mr. Williams died, and ın the following month Joseph E. Rosenmiller was elected president, William H. Kurtz, vice-president, having acted in the meantime. On March 10, 1885, Mr. Rosenmiller re- signed, and was succeeded by Dr. W. S. Roland. The present officers are: W. S. Ro- land, president; James A. Schall, cashier; Isaac A. Elliott, teller; Lewis Eppley, book- keeper since January 22, 1873. The present board of directors are Dr. W. S. Roland, W. H. Kurtz, Joseph E. Rosenmiller, Samuel Gotwalt, Enos Frey. W. E. Patterson, James H. Fisher, James A. Dale and William Lau- mester. Daniel Lehman had been messenger and watchman from the organization of the institution, for nearly thirty years. He was succeeded by Lewis J. Wampler, and John Craver is the present incumbent. Capital stock of this prosperous and reliable institu- tion is $300,000.

The First National Bank. - The national administration at Washington, approved an act, February 25, 1863, "to provide a national currency, secured by a pledge of United States Bonds, and provide for the circulation and redemption thereof." An association of individuals at York, accepted the provisions of this act of Congress. At a meeting of the stockholders of the First National Bank, held December 15, 1863, the following board of directors was elected: Eli Lewis, Edward Chapin, W. Latimer Small, Daniel A. Rupp, Zachariah K. Loncks, David E. Small, John L. Mayer, Jacob D. Schall and Daniel Hart- man. On the 10th of the same month, Eli Lewis was elected president, Henry D. Schmidt, cashier, and Samuel B. Hopkins, teller. On the 18tb of May, 1867, Henry D. Schmidt was chosen president, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Eli Lewis, and Jacob Bastress was elected cashier; C. E. Lewis, teller. On the 2d of October, 1867,

Chastanda

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BOROUGH OF YORK.

Mr. Schmidt resigned on account of ill health, and removed to Minnesota, whereupon David E. Small was elected president. Z. K. Loucks was elected vice-president April 17, 1876, owing to the illness of the president; D. E. Small, who resigned on account of con- tinued ill health, December 4, 1876; and Z. K. Loucks, succeeded as president January 15, 1877. John J. Frick, became book keeper, in December, 1867, and was elected teller in 1876, and R. H. Shindel, book-keeper. The board of directors of the bank, for the year 1885, is as follows: Z. K. Loucks, president; J. D. Schall, James M. Danner, Isaac Frazer, Jacob Loucks, John H. Small, C. M. Bill. myer, Niles H. Shearer, Robert Smith and Henry Small. Jacob Bastress is cashier; John J. Frick, teller; R. H. Shindel, book- keeper; Ivan Glossbrenner, book-keeper; Henry K. Fox, assistant book-keeper; Caleb Kepner, messenger, eleven years; capital stock $300,000. This institution has had a very prosperous existence.

Western National Bank .- The series of meetings which had for their object the for- mation of a national bank in the Fifth Ward of the borough of York commenced April 6, 1875. On the 22d day of July, 1875, the ar- ticles of association were adopted, the organ- ization certificate filed, and the following di- rectors elected: J. H. Bear, Israel Laucks, William H. Emig. Clay E. Lewis, Frederick Greiman, Albert Smyser, John Fahs, Jr., Si- las H. Forry, Daniel Kraber, Charles A. Klinefelter, H. B. Shroeder, Solomon Myers, and George W. Ruby. J. H. Bear was elect- ed president of the board of directors and of the bank, on the 29th day of July, 1875, and M. J. Skinner, cashier. The name agreed upon for the bank is " The Western National Bank of York," and it was authorized to com- mence business on the 8th day of October, 1875. Its bonds as a basis of circulation were deposited October 11, 1875, and con- sisted of the 5's of 1881. On the 29th of November, 1875, the bank was formally opened for business. Albert Smyser was elected president May 12, 1877. On the 10th day of January, 1879, M. J. Skinner, the cashier, died. On the 13th day of January following, C. E. Lewis was elected cashier. The present board of directors consists of the following-named gentlemen; Albert Smyser, president; and Samuel S. Sprenkle, William Eyster, Michael Miller, Israel Laucks, Will- iam H. Miller, Charles A. Klinefelter, Albert Smyser, John Zeller, E. L. Schroeder, John Fans, Solomon Myers and Frederick Greiman. Capital, $100,000.

The Farmers National Bank .- The cer-

tificate of the comptroller authorizing this bank to commence business bears date March 1, 1875. Capital $200,000. The officers are V. K. Keesey, president, E. P. Stair, cashier. The directors are John A. Weiser, W. H. Jordan, M. S. Eichelberger, M. B. Spahr, N. Lehmayer, Charles Spangler, S. H. Forry, Horace Keesey and V. K. Keesey. The bank commenced business on March 25, 1875.

The Drovers and Mechanics National Bank. -This bauk was organized May 22, 1883, with N. F. Burnham as president and I. V. Giesey as cashier. The first board of direct- ors were Samuel Lichtenberger, Edward Smyser, H. J. Gresley, Dr. B. F. Spangler, W. H. Bond, George F. Shive, Israel F. Gross, Frederick Grothe, Jacob Brodbeck, and George W. Holtzinger. Edward Smyser has since died. H. J. Gresley and B. F. Spangler have resigned, and Frank Loucks and Sam- uel Rutter are the present directors in their stead.

Banking House of Weiser, Son & Carl .- This institution was established by Charles Weiser in January. 1856. In 1861, Charles S. Weiser was admitted as a partner under the firm name of Charles Weiser & Son. In January 1867, Jere Carl was admitted as a member of the firm. In July, 1867, Charles Weiser died, and the business is now con- ducted under the firm name of Weiser, Son & Carl. This banking house began business where the Farmers National Bank now stands. In April, 1867, it was moved to its present location. In the year 1884, the firm built the block known as Weiser's Bank Building, a handsome architectural structure, where they have commodious appartments.

Jacob H. Baer had conducted a private bank, west of the bridge, for many years. He was for a time president of the Western National Bank, from 1875 to 1877. Since then he has resumed his private banking.

Schall, Danner & Sperry are a firm of bankers and brokers on Market Street.

THE POSTOFFICE.

York was a post-town under the colonial system, and during the Revolution, while con- gress was in session here, there was a regu- lar government postal route from Lancaster and Reading to this place. The present gov- ernment system went into effect in January, 1790, and since that time official records have been kept. The following is an accurate list of the names of all postmasters under the present system in order of succession, together with the dates of their appointment:

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

Andrew Johnston, February 16, 1790. Jamies Edie, October 9, 1791. Robert Dunn, January 1, 1794. Gen. Jacob Spangler, January 1, 1795. Peter Spangler, December 14, 1812. Peter Small. December 19, 1814. Thomas McGrath, November 19, 1821.

Daniel Small, June 3, 1829. David Small, March 30, 1839. George Upp, Jr., July 2, 1841. David Small, May 5, 1842. Michael Hay, April 3, 1849. John J. Cochran, September 25, 1850. David Small, March 30, 1857. Alexander J. Frey, April 5, 1861. Jonathan Jessop, July 12, 1865. James Kell, February 19, 1884.

Within the recollection of the oldest citi- zens, the office was kept at the following places: near Jonathan Owen's Corner; in the house of Mrs. Griffith, adjoining the National Hotel; in a house where the court house now stands; at McGrath's Hotel, now Rupp's Corner; in a house on present site of Trinity churchyard; in a stone house, now the site of E. J. Miller's clothing store, in the room now occupied by H. C. Adams as a book- store; in the room now occupied by Alex Fissel as a store room, and the present loca- tion.

Andrew Johnstou, the first postmaster, was wounded at the battle of Paoli, under Gen. Wayne.

David Small, first appointed in 1839, was the first newspaper man in the United States who held the office of postmaster. He re- ceived the appointment three times.

Jonathan Jessop held the office the longest, nearly nineteen years.

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, YORK.

There are few towns or cities in this coun - try with a volunteer fire department equal to that of the borough of York. There are now four companies, each with a large membership. Four elegant and commodious engine-houses stand as monuments of the enterprise of our people. The beautiful steam-engines are the property of each com. pany, and all other equipments are surpass- ingly good and complete. On many occasions within the past twenty years these companies have checked the progress of fire, which, without them, might have destroyed much valuable property.

The Sun Fire Company .- There are no records by which it can for a certainty be determined when the first fire company was organized in York, but, doubtless, the first one that ever did any effective service was the "Sun Fire Company," formed April 3, 1772. According to the minute book of this company, now in possession of S. H. Spangler, its

object was for " better preserving our own and fellow townsmen's House, Goods and Effects from Fire." Each member was to supply "at his own proper expense, one Leathern Bucket, one Bag and one conven- ient Basket; the Bag to be made of good Osenbrigs (Osnaburgs) or wider linen, where- of each Bag shall contain two yards at least, and shall have a running string at mouth, ' which said Buckets, Bags and Baskets sball be marked with our names respectively and Company, and shall be kept ready at hand and applied to no other use than preserving our own and fellow townsmen's Houses, Goods and Effects in case of fire."

Each member in default of the above was fined one shilling. If any of the apparatus was lost, it was supplied out of the funds of the company. A part of their duty was to save the property and carry it in their bags and baskets to a place of safety, and detail one of their number to watch it till the owners could claim and care for it. A fine of one shilling was imposed upon every member absenting himself or failing to bring " Buck- et. Bag and Basket " on the occasion of a fire in any part of the "town of York." Each member in turn in order of their subscription was to serve as clerk and president. He was also fined " five shillings " for neglect of any duty.

The original members were Michael Swoope, John Shultz, Michael Hahn, Jacob Doudle, Baltzer Spangler, Frederick House- man, Henry Walter, John Hay, George Stake, David Candler, Peter Dinkle, George Moul, Michael Welsh, Henry Miller, John Morris, Valentine Lees, Michael Weider, Rudolph Spangler, Michael Graybill, nearly every one of whom became soldiers of the Revolutionary war. Jacob Doudel was elected the first treasurer, and received funds to the amount of £1 4s 6d. of which amount 7s 6d was a donation from Samuel Edie, Esq. A " water-engine" was purchased in August, 1772, and a house was built for it in 1773. This engine had a side lever gallery, and was supplied by means of buckets, as hose was then unknown.

The Hand in Hand was another company in existence in 1773. Jacob Shultz of this company was provided with a key to the old German Reformed Church, so as to be able to give an alarm by ringing the church bell in case of fire. A fire occurred in York in June, 1773, at which the companies did good service, and another in Bottstown in December of the same year.

The Pennsylvania Herald mentions a de- structive fire which occurred in 1797, and

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BOROUGH OF YORK.

states that the " fire-engine was kept in con- tinual exercise in extinguishing the flames." The people were arranged in two lines, and passed the fire buckets full up one line and empty down the other.

The Laurel Fire Company .- This com- pany, now almost one hundred years old, was organized at the house of Henry Miller, Feb- ruary 13, 1790. It was a bucket company, each member was required to furnish his own bucket, on which was painted his name, with the design of a hand grasping a laurel wreath; around the bucket were painted the words, "Laurel Fire Company, 1790." They were to be used only for the purpose of extinguish- ing fires. After the adoption of this style of a bucket, Messrs. George Stuck, Jacob Small, Philip Waltemyer and Frederick Laumaster, were appointed to make fire ladders and hooks.

A meeting was held March 1, 1790, for the election of officers, resulting in the choice of Henry Miller, chairman; Andrew Billmeyer, treasurer; John Lukens, clerk; and Jacob Welshans, keeper of the engine. September 6, of the same year, a committee was ap- pointed to purchase material to make fire lad. ders for the company. March 5, 1792, the same officers were again selected. During the succeeding years to 1797, the meetings were held at the house of Mr. Mulerart, at one of which fifteen members were fined for not working their engine at a fire, which occurred August, 1795.

The next meeting was held July 8, 1797, when Joseph Welshaus, David Cassatt, Ralph Bowie, John Stroman, John Fisher, Jr., were appointed a committee to revise the rules of the company. By this revision the member- ship was increased to sixty. It was compulsory for each member to have the rules placed in his house, near by to his bucket and basket. In the year 1798, an engine was built for the Laurel.

On March 7, 1803, Jacob Barnitz was elect- ed president, and John Fisher, Jr., secre- tary. In February, 1816, the company was reorganized. Col. George Spangler, at whose house the meeting was held, became presi- dent, and D. Heckert, secretary; George Spangler, Ralph Bowie, Peter Small, Dr. John Rouse, Peter Wilt, Samuel Weiser, staff- men; George Small, Jacob Rudy, Jacob Law- master, Michael Emich, axmen; William Rees, Daniel Fogelsgesang, Thomas Baum- gartner, Adam Lightner, John Lehman, Jacob Lehman, William Spangler, Jacob Spangler, Peter Reigler, Jacob May, John Miller, Jacob Heckert, Jr., Joseph Updegraff, hook, ladder and roofmen; Christian Lanius, Henry Small, Jesse Hines, spoutmen.

The' following was then unanimously adopted:

Resolved, That the last Saturday in each and every month be assigned to examine into the state and make trial of the engine.

Martin Weiser, George Heckert, Christian Rupp, Jacob Cramer, Jacob Rudy, Frederick Younce, were property guards.

In 1840, Dr. Alexander Small, president of the Laurel, and others, petitioned the legis- lature for an act of incorporation, to exist for fifteen years. A charter was granted by the court in 1874. In 1840 an engine was pur- chased from the Humane Fire Company of Philadelphia. It was brought from Phila- delphia to Columbia on the railroad, and from thence to York, drawn by horses on the turnpipe. The late Charles A. Morris was president from 1850 to 1854. In 1855 a large bell was purchased of the Good Will Fire Company of Philadelphia. It rang out an alarm of a destructive fire on October 8, 1856; the bell was recast next year. The uniform of the company at that time, con- sisted of black hats, six inches high with a rim three inches wide, cap with the name of the company on it, and date of incorporation. In 1868 a new uniform was adopted. Under the presidency of Erastus H. Weiser, the steam-engine, " Old Suz," was purchased and arrived at York. May 11. In 1870, Michael Edwards, one of the original members of the company, visited York. A gold-headed cane was presented him by the Laurel, Hon. John Gibson making the presentation speech. Mr. Edwards died at his home in West Virginia, in 1876, at an advanced age.

The first headquarters of the company was on the corner owned by P. A. & S. Small, next the corner now owned by Jere Carl; from thence moved in 1840 to the engine house on South Duke Street, which was re- modeled in 1856, and used until 1878, when the present engine house, an honor to the borough, and the pride of the members of the company, was built, and its first occupancy celebrated with imposing ceremonies. The presidents of this company of late years in order of succession have been Charles W. Myers, James B. Ziegler and William H. Albright.

The Vigilant .- The exact date of the organization of this company is not known, but enough has been gathered for its mem- bers to claim that it had its birth between 1778 and 1781, and that it was first called the Union Fire Company. Soon after its organization a hand engine, built by Richard Mason of Philadelphia, was procured.

It was a side-lever engine, and threw its

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

water, which was supplied by buckets, direct from the gallery. Repairs were made to it sometime between the date of purchase and 1791, by the employes of Elisha Kirk, and in 1796 repairs were again made and improve- ments added to it by Jonathan Jessop.

The first change in the name of the "Union" was that ordered December 11, 1816, from which date it bore the title of the "York Vigi- lant Fire Company," and Philip Smyser was chosen its president. During the great flood of 1817, the records of the company which were kept in Jonathan Jessop's house on the west side of the Codorus Creek, were lost. The engine was kept at this date and until 1834, on the south side of West Market Street, between Water Street and Codorus, after which time it was located on the north side of Market Street and the west side of the Co- dorus a short distance from its present posi- tion which last was occupied in April, 1871.

In 1839 it was reorganized and a constitu- tion and by-laws adopted. On February 6, 1842, application was made for a charter to the Court of Common Pleas, which was grant- ed on April 7, 1842, under the name of the "York Vigilant Fire Company." A new engine was wanted. For this purpose the burgesses donated $1,000 and the committee appointed for the purpose procured one from John Agnew, of Philadelphia, for the sum of $1,120. This went into service in October, 1843, and the old "Mason" after sixty years use in York, was sold to the people of Dover, York County, where it still remains. The first alarm bell was purchased of Jones & Hitchcock, of Troy, N. Y., at a cost of $223.20 and rang its first call to service on Saturday morning. June 7, 1853.

In 1856, the engine was rebuilt by John Agnew, who placed upon it the handsome silver-plated gallery and side badges, which had been purchased of the Vigilant Engine Company of Philadelphia. This engine is still retained by the company.

In 1867 the first steps toward a steam fire department were taken, and in 1868 Button & Son, of Waterford, N. Y., built to the order of the company a steamer at a cost of $3, 500. In 1868, by order of court, the name was changed to Vigilant S. F. E. Co., No. 1. In 1870 the present building was occupied and a new alarm bell weighing 2,200 pounds and costing $900 was placed in position. The cost of building exclusive of the ground on which it stands was $7,199.58. The expense of furnishing the parlors of the company was borne by the members themselves. The spider was purchased from C. F. Hartshorne, of New York, at a cost of $450, and it went

into service in January, 1878, becoming the property of the company by having been purchased with funds in the treasury of the company. The Button Crane Neck carriage of the company, built by L. Button & Son, was purchased for $600, and went into service, April 14, 1879.

October, 1880, the company celebrated its centennial anniversary, which was the occa- sion of a jubilee. and street parade in con- nection with the other companies of the town and the Humane Company, of Norris- town, Penn. July 1883, the company having in view the introduction of the fire alarm telegraph, had the first alarm station erected on the flag staff in Center Square, to connect with a large gong on their engine house, During the flood of June 26, 1884, the water reached the depth of nine feet on the first floor of the engine house completely sub- merging the apparatus, which was damaged and everything movable swept away. After the flood had receded, the engine was put to pumping water out of the flooded buildings, remaining in service 118 consecutive hours, a work rarely accomplished by a steam fire engine.

October 15, 1884, the steamer of the com- pany purchased of L. Button & Son, in 1868, was taken out of service for repairs. March 3, 1885 the new engine was purchased for $4,- 000, of the Button Fire Engine Company, of Watertown, N. Y. Friday evening, March 6, 1885, the company celebrated the recep- tion of the new steamer by a banquet at the Eyster House. The company equipments consist of a dark blue flannel shirt, black frock overcoat, with blue flannel lining, a black patent leather belt with white binding, with the name Vigilant in white letters on a red background, a New York style of hat, black, a nickle shield, with "Vigilant S. F. E. Co.," and a figure "1" in the center.

The following named persons have been president ef this company from the date of its organization to 1885:

Elisha Kirk, John Hay, Jesse Spangler, Philip Smyser, Martin Ziegler, George Wag- ner, Jonathan Jessop, Charles A. Morris, Benjamin Beitzel, Joseph Morris, Charles Hahn, George Philip Zeigler, Henry Ebert, Michael Doudel, Jacob Smyser, Jacob Baylor, Frederick Baugher, Isaac Garretson, Will- iam Sayres, Michael Eppley, Daniel Kraber, Daniel Motter, David F. Williams, Henry A. Hantz, Jere Carl, William A. Stahle, Daniel Heckert, George J. Chalfant, Edward Stuck, L. T. Deininger.

The honorary life members have been Jere Carl, Jacob Strine, Frederick Zorger,

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BOROUGH OF YORK.

Daniel Heckert, E. G. Smyser, Charles Hahn, Henry A. Hantz, Alonzo A. Shultz, Henry Smallbrook, Alexander Strickler.

The Union .- On the 21st of May, 1855, a meeting was held in the business office of Small & Smyser, now the Variety Iron Works, for the purpose of organizing a fire company in the northern part of York. Dr. Alexander Small was chosen president of this meeting. The amount of $865.50 was raised. John Nevin, George W. Ilgenfritz and Dr. Small were selected as a committee to purchase a suction engine from Rodgers & Sons, of Baltimore, for $1,200. It was brought to York in September of the same year. After long and valuable use this engine was sold to the borough of Philips- burg, Center County, for $300. Thomas E. Cochran, John Nevin and George M. Shetter framed a constitution and by-laws, and the organization was named the " Union Fire Company." Upon receiving a charter, the following named officers were chosen: Presi- dent, Hon. Thomas E. Cochran; vice-presi- dent, George A. Heckert; secretary, George M. Shetter; treasurer, George W. Ilgen- fritz; directors, John Eppley, Charles Collars, Gates J. Weiser, George Upp and A. J. Dick. A uniform hat for the firemen was adopted by the company, May 29, 1857. It was ultra-marine blue. On the 4th of July, 1857, the Union participated in a parade and celebration at Chambersburg, Penn., by a special invitation of the Frank- lin Fire Company of that borough. At the out-break of the civil war, many of the mem- bers entered the Union army; the engine honse became a recruiting office, and the company had no regular organization until November 2, 1865, when George A. Heckert was chosen president; A. B. Farquhar, vice- president; J. W. Schall, treasurer, and C. H. Stallman, secretary. A bell was purchased in 1868 for $168. During the same year a uniform for the members was adopted. It consisted of black pants, white shirt and black slouch hat; in August of the same year, changed to a green shirt, black pants, white belt, white necktie and navy cap. The first festival of the Union was held in No- vember, 1868, at which $210 were cleared. A steam fire engine was purchased of Jucket & Freeman, of Massachusetts, October 18, 1870, at a cost of $3,200. In September, 1876, the company participated in the fire- men's centennial parade, in Philadelphia. In 1882 the present engine house was built on the site of the late George Heckert's resi- dence on North George Street, nearly oppo- site the old engine house. It is a large,

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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 110

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