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 124

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 124

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Sumter, while firing a salute, celebrating the close of the war.

THE VILLAGE OF YOCUMTOWN.

The village of Yocumtown is located on high ground, overlooking to the north and east the beautiful Fishing Creek Valley. The stream which passes near it was called, by the first settlers, Y Creek, as its course nearly outlines that letter. The valley was also called " Y Creek Valley " says our intel - ligent informant, Joseph Wickersham, whose ancestors settled in the vicinity at a very early date, coming with the tide of Quaker immi- grants from Chester County, Penn.

David Warren, one of the first settlers who lived in this vicinity, was accustomed to put bells on his horses, when he turned them into pasture, in order that he might find them in the thickets. This was before the era of fences.

David Richardson, of England, was the first surveyor of this region. Edward Shippen, of Philadelphia, took out warrants for large tracts of land in Fishing Creek Valley, the first settlers of which were nearly all Quakers, who came there as early as 1732, among whom were the Healds, Halls, Barneses, Whinnerys, Husseys, Warrenses, Millses etc.

Having few wagons some of the pioneer farmers sawed rings from the trunks of gum trees for wagon wheels, thrashed the first crops of wheat with the flail, and separated the grain from the chaff by means of linen sheets; placing both together, and throwing them up in the air, a gentle breeze would separate the chaff from the wheat.

Thomas Mills, in 1814, built the first house where Yocumtown stands.

William Nailer, before 1770, built a fulling- mill along the Fishing Creek near Yocum- town. Elijah Yocum became the owner later, and near by built a meeting house. A woolen factory was afterward attached to the fulling-mill. This industry was subsequently owned by Messrs Arnold, Ginder, Heathcoate and others.

A man named Plow accidentally drowned himself more than half a century ago, north of the village, by attempting to drink from a spring near his house, by lying down to the water. He lost his balance, fell headlong into the deep spring and lost his life.

The muster grounds of militia times for Newberry and Fairview Townships, were near the old Conrad Brubaker property below Yocumtown. At this place James Mills, in 1739, built the first stone house in the neigh- borhood. He was one of the original Quaker

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

settlers. The militia were drilled by Capts. John Weitzel and David Fisher, of Fairview. The company numbered 100 men.

David Reeser, who died in Yocumtown a few years ago, was a soldier in the war of 1812, along the Niagara frontier.

This town lies on the old and consider. ably traveled route from Lewisberry to Mid- dletown. It was named after Elijah Yocum, who located here about 1816. Some of his first neighbors were Daniel Brookhart, Lee Montgomery, James Mills and Isaiah Yocum. Stores have been kept here by Samnel Kis- ter, Samuel Fortenbaugh, Hiram N. Prow- ell, David Good and others. There has been no hotel for a number of years. Dr. Will- iam E. Sweiler, an intelligent and successful practitioner, has long been the village physi- cian. A tannery was in successful operation here for many years. The business was con- ducted by Samuel Kister, and later by his son Clinton Kister. The schoolhouse is to the north of the village, near which is the Union Church, a neat and cozy building with a bell and spire. Various denominations worship in it, and a prosperous Sunday- school is held. The old log, weather-board- ed school and meeting house stood on the same site for more than half a century. Is. rael Garrettson, now a prosperous farmer and member of the State agricultural board, kept school here eleven years in succession, a long time ago. The population is 140.

THE BOROUGH OF LEWISBERRY.

Lewisberry is situated near the centre of Redland Valley, which, early in our colo- nial history, was thickly populated by En- glish Quakers, among whom were the Healds, Halls, Bennetts, Rankins, Lewises, Garretsons, Kirks and others; the first of whom settled there in 1732. Maj. Eli Lew- is, in 1783, owned 850 acres of land, six dwelling houses, all valued at £1,018 sterling, and conducted a store. This ham- let was the center of interest over a large section of country. In 1798 the number of houses in the immediate vicinity had in- creased, and Eli Lewis secured the services of Isaac Kirk, a neighbor, to make a survey and plat a town. Some of the first persons to purchase lots were Jacob and Isaac Kirk, and Messrs. Nicholas, Bennett, Mateer and Sheafer.

The founder of the town, a son of Ellis Lewis, was born in 1750, in this valley. He learned the printing business and, in 1791, started the Harrisburg Advertiser which was the first newspaper published in the capital

city. He sold it afterward to Mr. Wyeth, and the name was changed to the Oracle. The files are yet in existence and were of much as- sistance to the writer.

Major Lewis, though of Quaker parent- age, was a soldier of the Revolution, and a man of very fair literary ability. In 1791 he wrote a poem of considerable merit enti- tled "St. Clair's Defeat." He returned to his former home, founded the town which bears his name, and died on Sunday morn ing, February 2, 1807, aged fifty-seven years, leaving four sons who won distinction: Ellis Lewis, became judge of the supreme court' of Pennsylvania (see "Historical Biography" page 404), James Lewis, a prominent law- yer, and Eli Lewis, a prominent business man of York, and Dr. Webster Lewis, a lead- ing physician. Ellis Lewis, the ancestor of the family, immigrated to Chester Couuty in 1685.

Lewisberry was incorporated April 2, 1832, and thus became the third borough in the county. It thus was the center of an intelli- gent English population and had a number of manufactories. It is situated fifteen miles from York, eighteen miles from Carlisle and ten from Harrisburg. Lewisberry was in the zenith of its prosperity between the years 1830 and 1845.

Stores .- Eli Lewis, in the mercantile busi- ness, was succeeded by Robert Hammersly who kept store for many years. For a period of half a century Lewisberry became a great center of trade and several stores prospered; among the names of many persons who en- gaged in the mercantile business down to date are Lewis & Harlan, Hugh Foster, Will- iam Nichols, Elijah Garretson, Lewis Meri- dith, William P. Nebinger, Joseph Upde- graff, M. G. Einstine, George Blymire, Her- man Kirk, R. T. Starr and John Meisenhel- ter.

Manufactures .- A sketch of the important manufacture of window springs, originated by Hervey Hammond and now conducted by W. S. Hammond, will be found in their biog- raphies.

Frank Wise and J. H. Brown have coach shops; S. & J. Randolph manufacture agri- cultural implements; R. B. Sutton manu- factures earthen ware.

The first important article of manufacture in this vicinity was the flint lock gun, for the making of which the town became famous. The business was begun as early as 1760, and many were made here during the Revo- lution, for the army, by order of the Commit- tee of Safety of York County.

There were a number of gun barrel facto-

NEWBERRY TOWNSHIP.

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MASSENE GENY=

OLD FRIENDS' MEETING HOUSE, TWO MILES EAST OF LEWISBERRY.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

ries along Bennett's Run; among the persons engaged in the business were Samuel Grove, John Rankin, George Blymire and John Fos- ter. Until 1830 the flint lock gun only was made; after that date the present invention came in vogue. Dr. Lewis and Isaac Loyd first made the new patent here.

William Hammond was an expert work- man.

Lyman Lewis introduced the manufacture of block brimstone matches, which afterward became an important industry. He was fol- lowed in the same business by Herman Kirk, Moses Magrew, R. T. Starr and Lyman Shet- tle, who at present manufactures them.

Ensminger's Tannery was an important in- dustry.

Soon after the Revolutionary war a num- ber of persons (on a small scale) made coffee mills in this vicinity. Joseph Potts early in the present century made them in large quanti- ties at his home a few miles north of Lewis- berry. He also made what was familiarly known as Potts' "Sausage Cutters and Ladles." His sons succeeded him in busi- ness. Jobn Frazer made coffee mills on an extensive scale a few miles below Lewisberry near the Friends' Meeting House. At this place his son Isaac Frazer, when a young man, began business as a merchant and manufacturer of coffee mills. The small 8x10 room in which he did so large a busi- ness, competing with the Lewisberry mer- chants, is still standing, and owned by him. Philip and George Shetter now manufacture coffee mills in Lewisberry.

John Herman, about a century ago, built the large mill a short distance above town; it is now known as Cline's Mill, and has al- ways done an extensive business.

Amos Clark, many years ago, manufactured large eight-day clocks. The artistic decora- tion on many of them was done by Miss Pa- mela Lewis, an amateur artist and teacher.

Aaron Frazer built a mill at the month of Bennett's Run in 1760; gun barrels were also made here for the Revolution. Near by now is the well-known Mickley grist and saw-mill.

William Smith, in 1835, started a newspa- per in Lewisberry. It was devoted mostly to agriculture, but did not long exist.

Indian Relics .- Along the crystal waters of Bennett's Run, here and there, Indian relics can still be found. The writer him- self searched for them and found some beau- tifully formed arrow heads on the farm of Rankin Potts; as many as 200 were found in one cluster. Originally they were slightly covered by the loose earth, a few protruded which led to the precious discovery. For

nearly 200 years they were thus concealed, being placed in that position by the sagacious hand of the wily red man, whose skillful archery applied them to war and the chase. Four miles southwest of Lewisberry, on the Conewago, is a small spot called the "In- dian Island," on which the oldest citizens of the vicinity distinctly remember a number of plainly marked Indian graves. Parts of skeletons were found, which physicians iden- tified as Indian. Tradition has it they were in a sitting posture, as was the Indian cus- tom, with the implements of the chase placed in the grave.

Indian "Davy," a civilized red man, and a noted hunter, lived somewhere along the South Mountain and visited Lewisberry as late as 1822. He was a noted marksman. It is said of him that he could hit a sixpence with a ball at a distance of fifty yards, if he were allowed to keep it. His visit caused much interest and amusement to the inhabi- tants.

Postoffice .- The postoffice was established at Lewisberry November 29, 1815. The following is a complete list of the postmas- ters since then, together with the dates of appointment as taken from the records at Washington:

Jacob Kirk November 29, 1815

Eli Lewis. May 31, 1820

Pamela Lewis.

May 16, 1821

Lewis Harry.

April 25, 1826

Hiram Starr.

Samuel Crull. August 10, 1830

April 20, 1833

William P. Nebinger.

December 28, 1840

William Nichols

Joseph S. Uppdegraff. January 18, 1849

Jacob Smith. .July 26, 1853

William Shanelly. October 19, 1857

Jacob G. Miller. .May 31, 1860

Isaac K. Hammond. June 26, 1861

Jonathan E. McGrew. June 20, 1865

Isaac K. Hammond.

February 16, 1866

Jacob H. Stonesifer. . June 15, 1868

Robert N. Wright. . October 6, 1869

Thomas Groome. November 18, 1870

Herman Kirk. . December 26, 1871

George K. Bratten. September 3, 1877

Elizabeth Bratten. February 26, 1880

John L. Grove.

July 13, 1882

Elizabeth Bratten.

March 31, 1883

Military Organization. - The earliest mili- tary companies of this section cannot be given. About 1825 an organization was .effected and named the Lafayette Guards, in honor of that idolized French patriot. It regularly drilled for seven years, was uni- formed and commanded at different times by Capts. Lewis Cline and John Thompson. At the expiration of this time, the Lafayette- Rifles were formed, and commanded suc- cessively by Capts. Samuel Beck and John

March 27, 1844

. July 3, 1845

Jacob Fraukeberger.

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M. Millard. These companies wore a grey uniform with yellow trimmings, had fine guns, knapsack, and ostrich feathers for plumes. At the time of the "Buckshot war," in 1839, they marched to Harrisburg, expecting that their services might be needed. It is even hinted that some of the ostrich feathers trembled on that occasion. They returned during the following day. When the militia law was in force, every section had its com- pany; Newberry and Fairview had a number of them. One of these organizations was called the "Cornstalk Guards," another, on account of the limited number, "The Twelve Apostles." The captain of one of them, while mustering, had to stand his men along a fence to get the line straight. The "little muster," as it was called, of all the local com- panies was held on first Monday of May, annually. But if you want to brighten up the countenance of an old militia soldier, ask him to describe the scenes and incidents of "the battalion" or "big muster day" held on the second Monday of May in the village of Lewisberry and regularly at Dover or Dills- burg on some other day with equal regularity. Col. Bailey, of Dillsburg; Col. Steele, of Fairview, or Col. Rankin, of Lewisberry, commanded on these occasions, and a large number of companies participated in the muster, both of volunteer soldiers and the militia. They were all reviewed by the brig- ade inspector, who, in the eyes of the people, was an important personage. It was always a day of great hilarity, with one depreciating feature. Ardent spirits, sometimes, flowed too freely, and the smiling waters of Bennett's Run were slighted. Hucksters were present with their tables loaded with enticing viands and dainties. Ginger-bread was plentiful and cheap, and he or she who sold the big- gest piece for a "big red cent," was the most popular. "Mammy Zorger" introduced the "white sugar cake," which was an event in the art of cooking. She won the prize for the best cakes. The "straight four" dance must be participated in, and Battalion Day was over.

Physicians .- Dr. Robert Kennedy prac- ticed medicine in the Redland and Fishing Creek Valleys before the Revolution, and was possibly the first physician of that section, having located there early in the history of the settlement. He had a family of twelve persons in 1775, and consequently needed a large territory in which to practice the heal- ing art.

The first physician of note who located in the village was Dr. Webster Lewis. He was possessed of more than ordinary intelligence

and literary culture, and was somewhat of an artist. At one time, he turned his attention to the manufacture of "blister steel," and erected works for that purpose on the Stony Run. In this he was not very successful. Late in life he removed to New Cumberland, where he died. His son, Dr. Robert Lewis, became a prominent physician of Dover.

Dr. Robert Nebinger, a gentleman of ex- cellent literary training, practiced many years.

The father of Dr. Andrew Nebinger, a dis- tinguished physician of Philadelphia, lived here, and the early days of his son were spent in Lewisberry. Dr. Hall practiced for a while and was followed by the two brothers Drs. William and Augustus R. Nebinger, Dr. George M. Eppley and J. C. Stem.

Justices of the Peace .- Joseph Hutton was commissioned a justice of the peace for New- berry Township, under the king of England, in October, 1764. He resided in what is now Fairview. He was followed by Col. William Rankin, who was appointed by the same authority in March, 1771, and in September, 1776, was commissioned by the colonial gov- ernment under the constitution. Col. John Rankin was commissioned in May, 1780, and Robert Hammersly in 1785. These appoint- ments were held for life, or during a term of good behavior, and the justices were liable to be called on to assist in holding the county courts, which were then presided over by jus- tices of the peace and not law judges.

James Todd was commissioned in 1799; Isaac Kirk, in 1814; Col. John Rankin, Jr., in 1827; Jacob Kirk, in 1830. Until the constitution of 1838 went into force requiring that justices be elected by the people and not appointed by State authority, they all held the office for life. Those who were elected to date were John Foster, William Hammond, Herman Kirk, George Smith, and George K. Bratton.

Methodist Church .- The Rev. Freeborn Garrettson, a distinguished Methodist divine, introduced the doctrines of that denomina- tion in the Redland Valley in 1781, the same year that he organized a congregation in York. The followers of Methodism here were only occasionally visited by clergymen of the York Circuit until 1794, when the Lewisberry congregation formed a part of the Carlisle Circuit, when they were frequently visited by the Rev. Nelson Reed, presiding elder of the Carlisle Conference, and Rev. Philip Cox. Religious services at first were held in the houses of members, and for a long time in a stone house of Hugh Foster. This old relic, which has stood for a century,

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

is located on the corner of Front Street and the Harrisburg road. December 28, 1806. Eli Lewis, the founder of the village, donated to the congregation a lot on which to build a church. The following church officers constituted the committee who received the grant: Philip Frankelberger, Hugh Foster, Moses Pike, David Pike, An- drew Holopeter, Frederick Holopeter, Peter Stickel, John Brinton and Thomas Brinton. There was no church built, however, until 1811, when a stone structure was erected, which was used until 1856. The minister in charge was Rev. James Reid, who afterward became somewhat noted in the history of Methodism. Benjamin Siddon was the mason.

August 23, 1856, Rev. Archibald Marlott, president of Irving Female College, at Me- chanicsburg, laid the corner-stone of the pres- ent brick church. November 30, of the same year, Rev. Dr. Charles Callin, president of Dickison College, preached the dedicatory sermon. The cost of this building was $2,031.31.

In 1813 the remains of R. Foster and John Pike, two prominent citizens of the village were the first to be interred in the adjoining cemetery.

Rev. W. W. Carhart ministered to the wants of this congregation for the past year. The membership is about eighty.

Sunday-schools .- Rev. Samuel Bacon, a man of eminent distinction as a soldier of the war of 1812, lawyer, and afterward as a clergyman of the Episcopal Church, in 1818 organized the first Sunday-school in Lewis- berry, in the schoolhouse. Isaac Kirk, Hugh Foster, Elisha Hammond, William Frankelberger, Daniel Pike, Abraham Stick- el, Jacob Kirk, and others, assisted him. The same school was continued for many years. It was organized a second time, after being discontinued for awhile, by Mr. Jen- nison, in 1832. In 1853, under the ministry of Rev. J. A. Baldwin, it became a denomi- national school, and has since been held in the Methodist Church. Robert Foster was for many years its efficient superintendent, and was a member of the original school, in 1818. He is still a member.

The Lutheran and Reformed Church was built in 1792. In January, of that year. George Ensminger deeded to Jacob Reiff and John Felker, one acre of ground for a church southwest of town. The building stood more than half a century. Some of the clergymen who ministered to the small congregation were Revs. Lauer, Kessler, Speck, Wibely, Seiffert, Dasher, and Pfahler. The present

church was built in 1873. Mr. Wollet donated the land. It is located a short distance northwest of the town. It was built under the auspices of John Strominger, Jacob M. Kilmore and Henderson Bare, as trustees. There are now no regular services.

Visit of Lorenzo Dow .- This singular and eccentric man, whose name was known in every section of the United States, as an evangelist, visited Lewisberry in the year 1825, and preached to a large audience in the old stone Methodist Church. He re- mained one night with Hugh Foster, and the next day was driven toward Harrisburg. In the northern part of the county he preached in the woods to a small audience. At the conclusion of the service he announced that in two years from that day, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, he would preach from the same stump. He fulfilled his promise, and an immense audience gathered to hear him, as he came riding up alone on horseback, at the appointed time. In stature, he was a large man, wore an exceedingly long, sandy beard, and parted his long, shaggy hair in the middle. Beards were unusual in those days. To gaze upon a person with so long an one, was a novel sight. His voice, as re- membered by Robert Foster, of Lewisberry, a highly respected citizen, was loud and deep. It was not particularly pleasant to the hear- er, on account of the guttural tones. When accosted by some inquisitive inhabitant of Lewisberry as to who commissioned him to preach, he curtly responded, "Who commis- sioned Saint Paul to preach ?"

Schools .- A short distance above Lewis- berry one of the first schoolhouses of the valley stood. In it Isaac Kirk taught soon after the Revolution. He was followed by Elisha Hammond and others. The habit of "barring out the teacher" was a common sport among boys in bygone days. Very few teachers escaped such adventures. It was attempted on a teacher of this school about three-fourths of a century ago. All his petitions for them to open were of no avail. In order to conquer, he climbed to the top of the roof and dropped some burn- ing sulphur down the chimney, and then placed a board over the top to prevent the fumes and odor from escaping upward. It is sufficient to say that the door was volun- tarily opened, the teacher admitted, and the room ventilated. That teacher was never afterward troubled with such capricious con- duct. In the year 1816 a schoolhouse was built by subscription, on the site where the present one stands. It is still in existence, though removed from its former place.

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NEWBERRY TOWNSHIP.

In it Hon. David Flemming, Hervey. Ham- mond, Joseph Wickersham, Hon. Jacob Kirk, and other successful teachers, presided.

The Public Hall, in which are two school - rooms, was built in 1855. It is surrounded by a large open public common belonging to the borough.

Edmund Burke, Arthur Gilbert and others, at different times, taught a select school for advanced pupils in it.

The Society of Social Friends .- This was the name of a lyceum formed in the year 1827. Its members were composed of the most intelligent young men and old men of the town and neighborhood, for many miles in circumference. The records of this society are still preserved, containing the names of the members and the topics discussed in de- bate. It continued as an organization for twenty or thirty years. Among the names we found the following: Dr. Robert Neb- inger, Col. John Rankin, Col. John Steel, Capt. John Thompson, Hon. David Flem- ing (now of Harrisburg), Jacob Kirk (the first county superintendent), Joseph Wicker- sham, Herman Kirk, Elijah Garretson, John Eppley, Joseph Foster, Hervey Hammond, Jesse Meredith, Joseph Nichols, William Hammond and Jesse Kirk. This being an abolitionist community before the civil war, the question: "Is slavery a curse to human- ity?" several times caused spirited debate. "Should the United States encourage pro- tection to home industries?" was another lively topic discussed during the Clay cam- paigns. It was, without doubt, a literary society that enlightened the community.

THE QUAKER SCHOOLHOUSE.

About one-fourth mile west of the Newberry Friends' Meeting House, for many long years stood the old log-schoolhouse. It has dis- appeared, and now no vestiges of it are left. Who all the teachers were it would be interest. ing to tell, if we knew, but even tradition say- eth not. Thomas Garrettson, a kind-hearted and gentle Quaker, for more than twenty years successfully enlightened the minds of the young, belonging mostly to the families of the same religious belief, long before the common school system had been adopted. Kind old Thomas, as he is still remembered as such by a few of the oldest citizens still living, offered the young followers of Elias Hicks an inducement of an extra hour to play, if they would all spend one hour of each fourth day with him at regular meet- ing. His schoolhouse, with its sixty or seventy pupils, was, as nearly as could be

expected, an example of neatness. To the pious Friend neatness is next to godliness. It is said that he once told a boy who came to hris school one morning with soiled hands: "The best way for thee to observe au inter- esting chemical experiment is to wash thy hands, using plenty of soap."

On the east and on the west side of this characteristic old building, along the walls, were the writing desks, at which the pupils sat for that purpose only. Above them were the long narrow windows, five feet long and two feet wide.

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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 124

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