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 121

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 121

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THE BOROUGH OF MANCHESTER.

This beautifully situated and neatly built town for nearly half a century was known as "Liverpool," after the historic English sea- port, first named so by its sturdy founder, Will- iam Reeser. The situation is truly interesting, and the view over a large extent of country fas- cinating in the extreme. Immediately to the east is a narrow and fertile valley, nearly in the center of which nestles the thriving village of Mount Wolf, and through which passes a great highway-the Northern Central Railway. The burghers on the hill must be on the alert or else their neighbor town, which they now look down upon, will outgrow their own. One seems to be climbing up the hill and the other sliding down. They may soon join hands and form one borough. Farther to the east is the broad expanse of the Susquehanna, and the adjoining counties of Dauphin and Lan- caster are unfolded to the observer's view. The Conewago hills loom up to the northeast of Manchester, and to the southwest is the northern part of the great York Valley, un- rivalled for its beauty and fertility.

Founding of the Town .- The land upon which the town stands was taken up under a land warrant issued to John Nickey about 1740. William Reeser purchased a consider- able tract in 1814, on which was then two or three small houses; York Haven Company had just been formed; the York & Cone. wago Turnpike road had recently been com- pleted; Eib's Landing and New Holland Inmber and fishing interests were then in their zenith. All these made this a central point - of the different thoroughfares to these places, and led the new owner to follow the example of a number of other adventurers about that time, to found a town. He secured the serv- ices of Gen. Jacob Spangler, of York, who surveyed and made a plan for a town in 1814, the original of which is now in possession of Jacob Mohr, son in-law of the founder. The inscription on it reads as follows: "A plan of the town of Liverpool, situated in Man- chester Township, on the York and Conewago Canal Turnpike road, including the Junction

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

of the road leading to the old town of Man- chester." The original plan of Liverpool contained 100 lots. Tickets were sold at $100 each one of which drew a lot. The draw- ing took place, July 30,1814. Founding a town by lottery was a common custom about that time. The ingenious founder it is said cleared $4,000 by his venture, and in 1816 built the large brick mansion at a cost of $5,000, on the angle formed by the union of the "old road" and the turnpike. Here he lived until the time of his death, a few years ago, having reached the advanced age of four-score and two years. His widow, Elizabeth Shelley Reeser, survived him but a few months.

Incorporation. - The town was incorporat- ed by action of the court August 27, 1869. At this date it was known as "Liverpool." The charter of incorporation changed the name to Manchester, by which the postoffice had many years been called. At the first municipal election Jacob Mohr was chosen chief burgess, and Dewease Warner, George Yinger, Jacob Good, Elias Hartman and Jacob Ramer, members of the council; Henry Metzgar, secretary.

Borough officers for 1885 are Frank L. Jacobs, burgess; J. M. Glatfelter, M. L. Duhling, Peter Mathias, J. Smith, Peter Neiman and Jacob Ramer, councilmen.

There are 135 voters; a population of 630.

The number of taxable inhabitants in 1884 was 177, and total valuation of real estate in borough $133,154.

Business Places .- Charles Bishop, Sr., kept the first store in the village. It was located on the site of George Machlin's house, and was burned. Stores were kept, after this one, by Mrs. Jacobs, Joseph Kraft, John Drayer (for many years), George Beck and by others whose names cannot be recalled.

In 1885 J. M. Glatfelter, S. A. Bear & Bro., Jacob Rudy, are merchants; Duhling & Brown, butchers; F. J. Lory, tin and stove store; C. Kauffman & Co., cigars; E. A. Shriver and J. B. Rentzel, cigar mannfac- turers-each employ a number of workmen; D. S. Quickel, dentist; H. S. Bear and M. L. Duhling, justices of the peace; Messrs Frank Yinger, P. M. Altland, John S. Yinger and others are identified with the business interests of this beautiful town. The old "Reeser mansion" has been turned into a hotel. Many years ago it was a hotel with a large sign ou which was a picture of LaFay- ette. This French patriot passed through Liverpool in January, 1825, on his way to Harrisburg.

Mrs. Elizabeth Quickel Kuehn, aged nine- ty-six, lives near Manchester.

Postmasters. - A postoffice was established at this place in 1822, with Charles Bishop as postmaster. In 1832 J. T. Ubil succeeded him, and was followed by George Beck, John Drayer, Dr. L. M. Lochman, M. L. Duhling, David S. Quickel and Stephen A. Bear. When application was made for a postoffice it was found that one by the name of Liver. pool had been granted in this State to a town by same name in Perry County. The name Manchester was then selected, which was adopted as the name of the town when it was incorporated. John Drayer was recently appointed.

Physicians .- Dr. Conner is remembered as the first physician of this village. He was succeeded by many others, among whom were Drs. Roe, Kilgore, Beck, Hall, Haldeman, Ahl (now of Pittsburgh), Hay, Houser, Lochman, Bishop, Prowell, Kain, Warren, Deisinger. Dr. Hall, a successful practitioner built the house now occupied as a store by S. Bear & Bro. Dr. Andrew Prowell, a very skillful and highly esteemed physician, died here in 1871, after several years of successful practice. He was a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and of Bellevue Medical College, of New York City. His death at the age of thirty-four, was deeply felt by the entire community that he had served so faithfully. Dr. Ehrman, a disciple of Hahnemann, successfully introduced homo- opathy about the year 1839; after several years of practice he moved to Wrightsville. The physicians at present are Drs. Gress & May.

CHURCHES.

Union Church of Manchester .- In Novem- ber, 1820, a number of the citizens of the town met at the house of William Reeser, for the purpose of effecting an organ- ization to build a Union Church and schoolhouse. At a subsequent meeting held March 28, 1821, Charles M. Poor, Will- iam Reeser, Jacob Fink, John Gross and Daniel Gotwald were chosen trustees and a building committee. The church was built in the summer of 1821, at a cost of $612, and dedicated January 21, 1822. Rev. Robert Cathcart, Presbyterian, and Rev. J. G. Schmucker, Lutheran, both of York, were the officiating clergymen. The church was first used by the two denominations mentioned and afterward by others also. Some of the merchants and managers of the mills at York Haven were Presbyterians. A school- house was built on same lot.

At the second election William Reeser, 'Henry Grove, David Nelson, Charles Bishop, Charles M. Poor and Samuel Inloes were

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MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP.

chosen trustees; Henry Metzgar was for many years secretary.

The old meeting house was removed in 1879, and the present Union Church was built. This is used by different denomi- nations. The German Baptists hold occasion- al services ..

The Evangelical Association is one of the denominations that at present hold services in this church. A class was organized in 1858 by George Young and Frederick Alt- house. The preachers who had charge of the circuit to which this congregation be- longs since then, have been as follows: S. D. Bennington, George Brickley, E. S. Brown- miller, H. Conrad, George Carothers, George Dellinger, Adam Ettinger, John Edgar, Charles Hammer, Peter Heis, Daniel Kreamer, John Kreamer, J. C. Link, L. May, Moses McLean, H. R. Price, H. H. Ream, P. H. Rishel, J. Harlacher, J. Zimmerman, E. Stombaugh, Hornberger, D. L. Reeser, W. Detwiler, J. M. Ettinger, N. Young, A. Krause, Steyman, D. P. Kline, S. Aurund, W. H. Lilly, H. W. Gross, S. Yearick, C.W. Finkbinder, C. F. Gephart, C. H. Goodling, H. N. Greninger, M. J. Snyder, L. E. Crumbling.

Manchester Lutheran Church is a brick building located on Main Street to- ward the south end of town. It was built under the direction of Rev. Dr. A. H. Loch- man, of York, in 1857. The congregation was organized in December of the same year by Rev. C. J. Deininger, and served by him until December 1865. He was succeeded by Revs. P. Warner, P. Anstadt, E. Lenhart and the present pastor -- Rev. W. S. Porr. The cost of the building was $6,000. In 1883 valuable improvements, costing $1,100 were added and the interior of the church beantified. Membership is about 110. Trustees, Samuel Gross and Henry Cassell. A Sunday-school of 100 pupils is superin- tended by John Frank, with Jacob Smith as assistant superintendent, who is also leader of the Church choir. Miss Emma Eisenhart is organist.

United Brethren Church .- About the year 1832 Rev. William Brown began preaching the doctrines of this denomination in Liver- pool; an organization was effected in the Union meeting house, which was used until the erection of the new and handsome church, in the year 1878, at a cost of $1,700. Of this building George Yinger was contractor, J. A. Dempwolf, architect; Col. J. A. Stahle, H. M. Everhart, Charles Mathias, Jacob Eppley and John B. Rentzel, the building committee. The church was dedicated the same year by

Bishop Glossbrenner. The following clergy- men have ministered to this congregation since the church was built: G. W. Kirakofe, A. H. Rice, I. H. Albright and T. Garland. Church membership about sixty, and a Sunday-school of 100 pupils, of which Col. Stahle is superintendent.

Mennonite Meeting House .- Half a mile north of Manchester stands the old Mennon- ite Meeting House. Some of the early set- tlers of this locality, were members of that religious society. Among them were the Kel- lers, Leibs, Reiffs and Rodeses. Until 1810 religious services of this denomination were held in private houses and in the Union Meeting House, on the site of Hoover's Church. It was during the summer of that year that the present old relic was built, of native yellow sandstone. Mr. Keller fur- nished the land free, and, characteristic of this kind-hearted, economical people, the other members associated together and com- pleted the building with their own hands. From 1810 to 1850, it was regularly used, since then, only occasionally. It is still owned by the society.

SCHOOLS.

The present schoolhouse was built before the town was incorporated. In 1870 the bor- ough board organized by electing John Kohler, president; Peter M. Altland, secretary, and Jacob Hartman, treasurer. Jacob Smith was appointed teacher of the secondary school at a salary of $35, and Miss Mary Free teacher of primary school at a salary of $33 per month.

The school board for the year 1884-85 was as follows: Dr. J. C. May, president; D. A. Schriver, secretary; Dr. H. V. Gress, Michael Gross, Michael Kunkel and Dewease Warner. The teachers were A. S. Quickel and A. C. Hartman.

An Old School House .- The north end of the building, for nearly half a century, was occupied as a schoolhouse, in which the youths of the vicinity received the rudi- ments of their education. Many old people, now living, have a tender recollection of James Cabot, familiarly called "Jimmy Caboot," who, after having seen much of the "round world," as an English sailor, for many years taught school. He was a jolly, good-natured personage, who fondled and petted the little folks, even carrying them on his back to and from school. He was at home anywhere and everywhere, and had but one fault-in his own language, he would sometime get "corned," and that, too, on Sunday, so that his Monday's work was

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

not well done. He could play the violin for a midnight party, or assist in a religious meeting, just as the notion suited him. One summer day, while engaged in religious devo- tion, a hornet stung him. This scientific ex- periment of one little insect was sufficient to disturb and break up the entire meeting, and caused Jimmy to be more impetnous than reverential. For many years the chil- dren of the neighborhood, both winter and summer, attended Jimmy's school, until one paceful day in June, more than half a cen- tury ago, they laid him peacefully to rest in the burying ground adjoining the Union Church, in Liverpool. He was one of the first to be there interred. The old burying ground was near the Mennonite Meeting House. Asa Johnson and John Anstine taught in same building.

CONFEDERATE INVASION.

On the 28th of June, 1863, Gen. Early, while advancing on York, and when at Wei- glestown, sent Col. French, with a detachment of the Seventeenth Virginia Cavalry, across Manchester Township, to the mouth of the Conewago, to burn the railroad bridges there. They halted, for a time, at Liverpool and Mount Wolf. They took from the stores, boots, shoes, hats, and some other clothing, paid for them in Confederate cur- rency, which they proudly affirmed would soon be "better than your greenbacks, as we are now on our way to Harrisburg, Philadel- phia, and New York, and the war will soon be over."

They cut down the telegraph poles, de- stroyed a number of small railroad bridges and the two large ones. They compelled Benjamin Miller, an intelligent farmer, to go with them and direct them to the bridges, which they set fire to with coal oil. In the afternoon they went to York.

About 400 Union soldiers had been en- camped on Col. Hoff's farm, to guard these bridges, but they crossed over the Susque- hanna during the early morning of the same day, fearing the approach of a large army. A few shots were fired at the last boat load by the Confederates.

MOUNT WOLF VILLAGE.

Mount Wolf is a thrifty and prosperous village, on the Northern Central Railway, one-half mile northeast of Manchester Bor- ough and seven miles from York. The grade here to the "Summit," about two miles south, is fifty feet to the mile. This is the highest point on the railroad between York

and Bridgeport. In the year 1850, soon after the completion of the railroad to Har- risburg, a postoffice was established one- quarter of a mile south of the present rail- road station, and named "Mt. Campbell."

In the year 1852 the firm of Adam Wolf & Sons, opened a store and began purchas- ing grain, and started a coal and lumber yard. The business was continued under this firm until 1863, when William W. Wolf, one of the sons, was elected sheriff of York County, and removed to York in November of this year. He died before his term of office expired. Adam Wolf, the father and senior member, retired from business. Since then, George H. Wolf has been sole pro- prietor, and has done an extensive and prosperous business. Large quantities of wheat, from the surrounding fertile and pro- ductive country, are annually purchased. Some is manufactured into flour at a mill which he owns near by, and much shipped to Baltimore and elsewhere. Since the decline of New Holland and Eib's Landing, as lum- ber depots, Mt. Wolf has become an impor- tant center for this trade. During the past few years the firm of George H. Wolf & Co., with which John Wogan was associated as partner, purchased large quantities of tobac- co, an important product of this township. A few houses were erected soon after Mt. Wolf became a business center. The town was laid out in 1867, by Samuel Hoff, on an area of thirty acres, with 165 lots, from a survey made by Daniel Ettinger, of York. At present there are about fifty dwelling houses, a church, and a two-story school- house. A few of the houses are brick, but most of them are frame, of attractive design, newly painted, and everything around indi- cates neatness and prosperity. The large grist-mill, a short distance north of the vil- lage, now doing such effective service, was built in 1813, by John Rodes, a Mennonite preacher. It subsequently passed into pos- session of John Gross, George Mathias, and George H. Wolf, the present owner.

A few years ago Mr. Wolf built a large house for a depot and store. This being the station for Manchester Borongh, New Hol- land, Starview, and the thickly settled surrounding country, it is an important stopping place for passenger trains. The name, Mt. Wolf, originated in 1852, when the postoffice was removed from Mt. Camp- bell to its present place. The population of the village, in 1885, was 200. About 1820, Christian Rodes built a fulling-mill a short distance above here. It is now owned by a grandson, Zebulon Rodes.

619

MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP.

Church of the United Brethren in Christ .- The members of this denomination built a house of worship, in the year 1870, under the direction of Henry Hoff, Sr., John Spahr, and Samuel Bear, as a building committee. Including bell, it cost $2,800. It was dedi- cated the same year by Rev. William B. Raber. The church membership is about eighty,'and the Sunday-school membership 150, with Jacob G. Kunkel as superintend- ent. The pastors since the church was built were W. H. Craumer, S. T. Wallace, George W. Beatty, Alexander Tripner, A. H. Rice, I. H. Albright and Thomas Garland.

EMIGSVILLE.

Emigsville is a prosperous village, with a population of 125. Soon after the comple- tion of the York & Cumberland Railroad, in 1850, now the Northern Central Railway, this became a prominent business center and sta- tion for the surrounding rich agricultural region. A vast amount of quicklime has been burned from valuable limestone of the vicin- ity. The town lies on the York & Harrisburg Turnpike, four miles from York and three miles from Manchester Borough. The late John Emig, after whom the village was named, was engaged for many years in the mercantile business at this place, and was 'also a prominent farmer. The same inter- ests are now continued by his sons. East of the railroad is an attractively built Union Chapel and near by is the village school. E. K. Emig & Co. manufacture agricultural implements here.

Round Town is a hamlet of twenty or more houses, about three and one-half miles from York, on the York and Lewisberry road. The houses are built nearly in the form of a circle, from whence originated the name. A fine brick school-house was built here in 1884. Frederick and Peter Kern were among the first to own the property at this place.

Foustown is a collection of houses in the western end of the township, amidst a very fertile region.

One of the military companies of the township was called "The Manchester Guards," commanded by Capt. Rodes in 1834. George Jacobs was first lieutenant, and Jacob Rudy second lieutenant. It existed for seven years. Manchester Township gave 200 votes majority for Gen. Harrison for president. In 1856 there were but three votes for Fremont for same office.

MUSICAL.

The Manchester Silver Cornet Band is a

musical organization composed of eighteen, members, and has had a prosperous existence. since 1880.

The Conewago Citizens Band, composed of seventeen members, was organized in 1881 ..

Starview Band, composed of fifteen mem- bers, with German silver instruments, was, formed in 1883.

New Holland Band, composed of twelve members, was organized in 1884.

Mt. Wolf Cornet Band was started in 1879. It is composed of fifteen members.

Emigsville Band is an excellent musical organization.

REFORMED AND LUTHERAN CHURCH (HOOVER's).

On the 29th of February 1822, Philip (Huber) Hoover and Peter (Huber) Hoover deeded 44 perches of land for a consideration of $1, to Martin Rudy, Michael Bixler, elders and trustees of the German Re- formed congregation, and Peter Moore and Valentine Schultz, elders and trustees of . the Lutheran congregation. On this land had been already erected a house of worship called "Christ's Church," in which by special requirements the services were to be held in . "the German language and no other; to be used by the German Reformed and German Lutheran congregations, and a society called Maniests." All services in the first church were to be held "before candle light." This church is located on one of the land-marks of . Manchester Township, now in the young village of Starview, two miles southeast of Mt. Wolf. It is widely known as "Hoover's: Church." The exact time when the first. log-church was built is not definitely known, though supposed to be in 1819. The present . house of worship, which cost $2,200, was built in 1875. The building committee were Jacob Hartman and John King, Reformed; Harris Gingerich and John Fry, Lutherans.

A charter was obtained in 1844; Andrew: Dessenberg and Jacob Fry of the Lutheran, and Christian Hartman of the Reformed: congregation were trustees.

Samuel Rudy, now ninety-two years old! and a most worthy member, was one of the. first deacons of this church. The present: church officers are Jacob Hartman and! George Kann, elders; Abraham Hartman and Mr. Diehl, deacons.

Revs. Mayer, James R. Reiley, John Cares, David Bossler, Rhinehart Smith, of the Re- formed Church have officated here. This congregation, of fifty-three members, since 1879, has been under the pastoral care of Rev. A. Wanner, D. D., as supply.

The Lutheran congregation was served by

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

Rev. C. J. Deininger from 1858 to 1866. Its pastors have been the same since then as at Manchester Borough, who in order of succession were as follows: Rev. P. Wanner, Peter Austadt, E. Lenhart and W. S. Porr, who is the present pastor; members, sixty- five.

A schoolhouse stood by the side of the first church, and a parochial school kept in it for many years.

The church was remodeled at a cost of $1,300 lately. There is a Union Sunday- school of 150 pupils, of which Henry Kunkel is superintendent.

Jerusalem Church, is located between Mt. Wolf and New Holland, and was built about 1880, on land donated to the congregation by John Dessenberg. It was once burned and afterward rebuilt.

EMIG'S GROVE CAMPMEETING GROUNDS.

June 21, 1880, a charter of incorporation was granted to the Emig's Grove Campmeet- ing Association, the object of which was " to maintain the worship of God in gatherings or assemblies for religious purposes, accord- ing to the discipline and belief of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, and other Evangelical Churches." Fourteen acres of land were purchased of the late John Emig. Thirteen acres have since been added. The location is one mile south of Mount Wolf Station on the line of the Northern Central Railway. The association organized with Rev. C. T. Stearn, president; David W. Crider, J. C. Smith and Daniel G. May, vice-presidents; J. R. Hutchison, secretary ; Col. J. A. Stahle, treasurer, and Henry M. Everhart, John Shepp, Charles Lafean, M. L. Duhling, Henry Reeser, J. B. Rentzel and A. H. Rice, directors. The same officers have held their positions continuously since organi- zation. The directors for the year 1885 are M. L. Duhling, P. Mathias, H. M. Everhart, H. W. Steffey, Joseph Wagner, Henry Reeser, and H. D. Musser. Excellent board tents have been built, and a large number of peo- ple meet annually, during the month of August, for the purpose of worshipping the God of their fathers in the serene atmosphere of this beautiful grove-one of "God's first temples."

In one corner of the grounds, in a secluded spot, is a mysterious tomb of a soldier of the civil war. It has been sympathetically remem- bered by some patriotic members of the Camp Meeting Association, and marked by a neat and appropriate headstone. His remains were found and interred near the spot, about Le time that the Confederate Gen. Early

took possession of York, but " of his name and his fame no one can tell." He was clad in the uniform of a Union soldier, the but- tons of which contained the coat of arms of Pennsylvania, and bis cap the number 65.

ADOPTION OF THE COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM.

There were other subscription schools similar to the one at the Mennonite Meeting House already described. Before the present public school system was accepted in this township a local plan was adopted and so- called "free schools" were established. They did not however afford equal privileges to all classes. The poorer children were neg- lected. Several attempts were made by en- terprising citizens to secure enough votes, to accept the system under the provision of the act of 1834, but all such efforts were un- successful. The legislative act of 1848 which virtually recognized that every district in the State had already accepted the system, brought Manchester into the ranks. At the spring election of 1849 which was then held at Ludwig Kohr's Hotel, near Emigsville, the system was accepted, and Daniel Rodes, Henry Metzgar, George Mathias, John Emig, Dr. Adam Eisenhart and Andrew Lightner were elected directors, all of whom are now dead, except Daniel Rodes, who, at his ad- vanced age, is in the full possession of his mental and physical powers. It was greatly through his determined efforts that the organi- zation of the schools on the present basis was then effected The conflict that arose was typical of what took place in some other townships, especially in the German sections, where many of the people were averse to accepting the common schools, and preferred the subscription schools or parochial schools. Many, in fact, preferred a shorter term than the law then required. A great conflict arose when the directors met in Liverpool to organ- ize. A large number of people assembled; most of them came for the purpose of presenting objections to the plans. After some of the directors conferred, all except two determined to resign. Daniel Rodes, who was elected president, then read the law, which gave that officer the power to appoint any persons he selected to fill the vacancies, which resulted in holding the board together. At this juncture Jacob Kirk of Fairview, who after- ward became the first county superinten- dent of schools, happened along on his way to York. He was an ardent advocate of the system which had been in force in his town- ship fourteen years. He argued in its favor from experience as a director and teacher. The board then went into executive session and

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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 121

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