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 129

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 129

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CARROLL TOWNSHIP.

$300 worth of goods, and $30 were demand ed of the postmaster. They encamped for the night on John Mumper's farm, north of town. The camp was waked up just after midnight, and one party of them took the Mountain road, and the other the State road toward Gettysburg, where the great battle had already begun.

MILITARY.

Dillsburg was a noted place for mili- tary parades, Fourth of July celebrations, and encampments of the volunteer compa- nies. Jacob Spidel, half a century ago, had a well drilled company, and Col. S. N. Bailey, at a later date, became a skilled military offi- cer. On battalion days he was frequently the commander of all the militia and volun- teer soldiers that assembled here and at Lew- isberry. During the civil war he entered the service as colonel of the Seventh Pennsylva- nia Reserves.

Henry Logan, Thomas Campbell, J. Will- iams, James McClure and J. Eslinger, father of Postmaster A. N. Eslinger, were soldiers of the war of 1812, who lived to an advanced age. Mr. Eslinger was wounded in the bat- tle of Lundy's Lane, by a buckshot which struck his forehead and lodged in the crown of his head, where it remained until his death. Probably the most noted military character of Dillsburg was Edward Cave -. naugh, an Irishman, and a brave soldier of the Revolution, who died about 1843 at an advanced age. In 1775 he enlisted in Capt. Matthew Smith's company, and joined Gen. Arnold's army in the march from Boston through Maine to Quebec. While on the way thither by a miraculous circumstance, Cavenaugh, or "Honest Ned," as he was al- ways termed, saved the lives of John Joseph Henry, one of his comrades, who afterward became president judge of the Lancaster and York courts, and of Gen. Michael Simpson, whose biography will be found in the history of Fairview Township. The men attempted to swim the Dead River, when both, being overcome with exhaustion, were rescued by Cavenaugh, who himself was captured by the British in front of Quebec, and being a native foreigner, was compelled to enter the British service for a time; a few months later, when he was supposed to be true to En- gland, he and a British soldier were put on guard by the palace gate at the outer walls of the city, when Conner, one of Cavenaugh's old comrades, who was also compelled to enter the English army, came and gave the British soldier a drink of rum. At that in- stant Cavenaugh struck him with the butt of

his gun, which so stunned him that he and his friend Conner escaped to the American lines, after making a leap of twenty-five feet from the wall into a pile of snow, and being fired upon by a relief guard. He af- terward became a great hero with his com- rades, and Congress granted him a special pension. The above incident was related by Judge Henry, who was an eye witness to it. In 1810 Judge Henry visited him, when he lived at Dillsburg, but found him very poor, and with great sympathy gave him some money. At the military parades at Dillsburg "Ned" Cavenaugh was the great hero. In 1842 he was taken to an encamp- ment near town in a carriage drawn by four black horses.

The semi-centennial of American inde- pendence was celebrated at Dillsburg, Ju- ly 4, 1826, with imposing ceremonies. The citizens assembled at the house of George Howard. "The Dillsburg Guards," Capt. Bradley, attended the celebration, fol- lowed by citizens with two Revolutionary sol- diers at their heads, and went to the spring on lands of Col. Eichelberger. A meeting was organized and William Diven was chosen president and Col. Eichelberger vice-pres- ident. The Declaration of Independence was read by Dr. G. L. Shearer, after which they sat down to a repast provided by George W. Howard. The following were among the regular toasts:

The signers of the Declaration of Independence. The soldiers of the Revolution.

The memory of Gen. Washington.

Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence.

The day we celebrate.

The Union.

John Quincy Adams, President.

The memory and virtues of our late Gov. Snyder.

J. Andrew Shultze, Governor of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania.

May the voice of the people he heard and skulk- ers tremble at the next presidential election.

The following volunteer toasts were given:

By Sergt. John Cavanaugh, of the Revolution:

There is a health to the United States,

Likewise to General Gates,

Who in the year of seventy-seven,

Through the assistance of Heaven, Did conquer the valiant Burgoyne.

By Edward Cavanaugh, a soldier of the Revo- lution :

The memory of Gen. George Washington and his brothers in arms, who assisted in gaining the independence we this day celebrate. May it be handed down to the last ages of time.

Toasts were also given by Capt. J. Brad- ley, Lieut. Henry Sidel, Dr. Jacob Sawyer, Washington H. Lewis, Samuel Henry, Jacob Sawyer, John Livingsberger, George Dare,

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

Peter Leibner, William R. Gilleland, John Galitin, Martin Carl, Dr. Jacob Weaver, John Cannon, Daniel Brawley, John Vanest, Thomas Methran, G. L. Shearer and Col. F. Eichelberger.

COL. MATTHEW STANLEY QUAY.

The present State treasurer of Pennsyl- vania was born in Dillsburg in 1833 in the oldest house in town, now owned by A. N. Eslinger. He is a son of Rev. Anderson B. Quay, who was pastor of Dillsburg Presby- terian Church from 1830 to 1839. He was admitted to the bar in Beaver County in 1854, and elected prothonotary in 1855, and re- elected twice. He enlisted as a lieutenant in the Pennsylvania Reserves in 1861, but soon became assistant commissary general of the State, and afterward private secretary to Gov. Curtin. He next took command of the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers and commanded it at the battle of Fredericksburg, and then was selected by Gov. Curtin, State agent and military secretary, which position he resigned to enter Pennsylvania Legislature from Beaver County. He has since shown great power and influence as a legislator and poli- tician.

THE DILLS.

Matthew Dill was one of the first settlers of the vicinity of Dillsburg, locating there about 1740. He came from county of Mon- agahan, Ireland. The name "Dill" is Dan- ish. The ancestors moved to England and some of them from thence to Scotland, during the time of the Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell. Matthew Dill, the immigrant, in 1749 became one of the court justices of York County, but before this had commanded a company against the Indians. He died October 13. 1750, aged fifty-two years. His remains were interred in the Presbyterian graveyard, a short distance west of Dill- burg, and the spot is marked by a marble slab. He had several sons, but none of his descendants by the same name now live in the village. Dr. A. B. Dill, of York Springs, is a descendant. Col. Matthew Dill, son of the settler, was very prominent in York County during the Revolution. Col. Richard McAllister, founder of Hanover, was chosen lieutenant of York County, an office created by the government, to organize all the militia of the county during the Revolution. He was married to a sister of Col. Dill whom he had appointed sub-lieutenant of York County. Col. Dill served in that office from January, 1781, to April, 1783, during which time he

paid to various captains of companies $2, 136 in government money. The names of those persons, most of whom lived in the upper end of York County, according to his account, paid by the government July 1, 1788, were William Dodds, Alexander Nesbitt, John O'Bleanes, Andrew Wilson, Thomas Gould, John McMaster, William Coulson, Francis Bonner, William Ashton, Daniel Williams, Peter Spese.

Col. Dill commanded the Fifth Battalion of York County for three years, and was one of the framers of the constitution of 1790. For his services in the army he obtained a free patent for a tract of land three leagues square, on part of which Dillsburg is built, and on another part is a valuable ore bank. He was also granted a tract of land in Wash- ington County, Penn., now known as "Dill- wood." He married a second time. Late in life he moved to Fairfield, Adams County, where he died and was buried. He left seven sons, Col. Matthew Dill, Jr., Maj. James Dill, Col. John Dill, Capt. Thomas Dill, who was a student at Princeton College, entered the army and was wounded at the battle of Brandywine. He was afterward presented by his father the tract called "Dillwood," where he moved. His daughter Jane Dill married Henry Wilson, from whom descended Rev. Thomas B. Wilson, and whose children are Rev. Maurice Wilson, of Balti- more, and Rev. Calvin D. Wilson, of Harford County, Md. A second son of Jane Dill Wilson, was Rev. Samuel J. W.ilson, D. D. LL. D., late of Alleghany, Penn., whose son Robert D. Wilson is a prominent lawyer of Pittsburgh.

A daughter of Jane Dill Wilson viz. Eliz- abeth, was married to John Paxton, whose sons are Rev. John R. Paxton, a clergyman in New York City, and Capt. Wilson A. Paxton, of Washington, D. C.

Dr. Armstrong Dill, a graduate of Prince- ton College, was a son of Col. Matthew Dill. He died at the age of twenty-seven years, December 31, 1788. His widow married Dr. Witherspoon, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The following paragraph is copied from the United States Gazette, pub- lished in Philadelphia, and appeared June, 1791:

WITHERSPOON-DILL .- Married, at Philadel- phia, Penn., on Monday evening. the 30th ult., by Rev. Dr. Nesbit, President of Dickinson College, the REV. DR. JOHN WITHERSPOON, President of Princeton College, to MRS. ANN DILL, widow of Dr. Armstrong Dill, of York County, Penn., a lady of great beauty and merit.

On Wednesday after the President's return to Princeton with his amiable wife, a deputation of

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CARROLL TOWNSHIP.

the students waited upon him to congratulate him upon the joyful occasion, and he politely gave them two days' holiday. In the evening, in regard to their worthy President, aud to testify their joy on this happy marriage, the students illuminated the college, which afforded a grand and beautiful sight to the numerous spectators, who had assem- bled upon the occasion. There were 600 can- dles in the front of the college, which were lighted almost instantly on a signal given by the dis- charge of a cannon, and on a like signal they were all immediately extinguished. During the illumi- nation, which lasted about an hour, a number of students in the belfry entertained the great con- course of people who attended, with a most agreea- ble and delightful concert of music from different kinds of instruments. The whole was conducted with elegance and taste.

Joy sparkled in every eye,

And every heart was glad.

BEAVERTOWN.

A short distance above Dillsburg, about a half a century ago, a widow named Rebecca Beavernour kept a little confectionary store, and sold "cakes and beer," which, on account of the excellent quality, were very much coveted by the boys and girls of that day. Gradually a number of houses were built, until at present there are about thirty-five, owned mostly by workmen in the ore mines, and other laborers. The hamlet has had many names, but "Beavertown," using a part of the name of the founder, has been decided upon by the mayor and select council. John Hoffman conducts a store here. About 1876 the Evangelical Association built a church here. The congregation now has about thirty members. Revs. Schleh, Davis, Wallace, Jarrett and Anthony have ministered to the congregation.

CHURCH OF THE UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST.

This house of worship is situated about seven-eighths of a mile from Dillsburg. In 1856 Micah Arnold, at his own expense, put up a small brick building on the same site, as a place of Union worship. On a marble tablet above the door, he placed the following inscription :

DOGWOOD SPRING MEETING HOUSE.

About this time Rev. Fohl and others be- gan preaching the doctrines of the United Brethren Church, and soon after Mr. Arnold presented his building to that denomination. In 1862, while Rev. Daniel Eberly was preaching on the circuit, an organization was

effected. The pastors since then have been J. Clem, John H. Young, J. O. Farrell, John Fohl, Samuel Young, J. Neidig, S. Bradford, L. A. Wickey, George W. Bingham, John O. Klippinger, William Quigley, and Samuel Wallace.

In 1880 the present red brick church was built at a cost of $2,800. It is eclesiastically known as "Arnold's Church," after the founder. The trustees were John Hoffman, Henry Kinter, Henry Bender, Dr. George P. Arnold and A. N. Eslinger. Membership is sixty. A Sunday-school is held in the church. William H. Weavers i superintend- ent.

Pleasant View Chapel, near the Cumber- land line, is now used by the Dunkers and River Brethren. The first named denomina- tion have a house of worship in township called Walgemuth's Meeting House.

SCHOOLS.

The schools of Carroll for the year 1885 were under the control of the following named board of directors: Dr. George P. Arnold, president; John Underwood, secre- tary; Lewis Burtnet, William R. Cook, John W. Wireman and Jacob Peterman, Sr. The names of the school buildings are North- ern, Western, O'Hail's, Stony Run, Ham- ma's and Chronister's. The houses are in a very fair condition, and a healthy sentiment favorable to public education, prevails.

THE TOWNSHIP OF FRANKLIN.

THIS township was originally included in Monaghan. In 1808 a petition was pre- sented to the court asking for the erection of a new township, whereupon Henry Gentzler, Michael Spangler and George Julius were appointed viewers. They presented their re- port of the survey to the court, which was confirmed in 1809, Judge John Joseph Henry presiding. On the original draft "Dill Township" appears as the name, which was crossed and the present name written. Stony, or Fisher's Run, was made the eastern boun- dary of Franklin. In 1810 there were 175 taxable inhabitants in Franklin. The prop- erty valuation was $97,521. This is less than the present assessed valuation of Dills- burg, which then was a collection of but half a dozen houses. Michael Mumper, the larg- est land owner in the district, was assessed with 790 acres, valued at $7,740. Francis

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

Coulson was justice of the peace; William Butt, constable; Peter G. Arnold, Jarries Kennedy and Samuel Smith, inn-keepers. William Wireman, who also owned a tan- nery, and Solomon Marteemie were physi- cians; Peter Wolford owned a grist-mill, saw-mill and one slave; John Lease, a saw- mill; Jacob Knoop, a saw-mill and grist-mill; Adam Ehrhart, a distillery, saw-mill and grist mill; Peter Kline, Michael Mumper and David Myers, each owned a distillery; Thom- as Furgeson was "the village schoolmaster :" Henry Deardorff, Jacob Dollheimer, John Deardorff, Abraham Frederick, William Heikes, Lemuel Heikes, William Heikes, William Kerr, Michael Kneisly, Jaob Lerew and Jacob Muntweiler were weavers.

TOPOGRAPHY.

Franklin was reduced to its present quad- rangular shape by the erection of Carroll out of parts of it and of Monaghan, in 1831. It is the extreme northwestern part of the county, with Cumberland County on the northern boundary, Adams County on the western, Car- roll on the eastern, and Washington on the southern. The South Mountains, which still contain wild turkeys, wild cats, and an occa- sional deer, extend across the northern part of the township, at an elevation of 1,000 feet above sea level. The township is drained by small tributaries of the Yellow Breeches and the north branch of the Bermudian. It lies within the Mesozoic sandstone belt, and con- tains much fertile and valuable farming land.

In 1884 the number of taxable inhabitants was 390; valuation of real estate, $421,003; county tax, $1,610; State tax, $116; popula- tion in 1880, including the borough, was 1,186.

There are eighty-two townships in the United States, and thirty-one counties, which bear the honored name of Franklin.

FRANKLINTOWN.

This village is delightfully situated in the eastern corner of Franklin Township, with a commanding view of four townships: War- rington, Carroll, Washington and Franklin, all of which meet at a point, a short distance east of the town. Early in the present cen- tury, William Butt and Jacob Schultz con- ducted a store here, and kept a tavern on the site of the town. In the year 1813 a tract of land was surveyed and laid out in streets, and 186 lots. It being located on the road leading from Harrisburg to Baltimore, the main highway, sixty-one feet wide, was called Baltimore Street. The two running north and south parallel with it, were named

Water and Church Streets. The three facing at right-angles to these were denominated North, Spring and South Streets. The town of Dillsburg, two miles north of this point, had already become a business center. The two villages were likely to become rivals. In order to sell the lots off rapidly, the found- ers of the town, Butt & Schultz, instituted a lottery, and sold the tickets at $30. There were no blanks; each one drew a lot. A ticket for the store, valued at $1,000, and building in which it was kept, was included in the number. The "wheel of fortune" turned to the original owners the much cov- eted prize, and they continued the mercantile business in the same house. Probably owing to this incident, the town did not at first prosper. The original name given was Franklin, but the disappointed persons who purchased tickets for $30, which was a con- siderable sum in those days for a small plat of ground, called it "Buttstown." This ap- pellation is not entirely forgotten.

In 1849, which was thirty-six years after the town was laid out, there were only a dozen houses. About that time Capt. John Klugh purchased a number of vacant lots which had been drawn at the time of the lottery. He built some houses, sold some lots and encouraged building. The town then continued to grow.

BUSINESS INDUSTRY.

In the year 1826, Martin Carl succeeded Butt & Schultz in the mercantile business, and secured the establishment of a postoffice. He was followed in the same stand by Henry Ritter, David Leidig and Capt. John Klugh. The last-named gentleman who has done much for the interests of the village, was postmaster from 1861 to 1885. In the year 1882 he disposed of his store to his son-in- law, George Lehmer, who has recently fur- nished a new room with a large supply of goods, and succeeded as postmaster.

A store has been kept in the northern end of the village in order of succession by Ritter & Leidig, Albert Crowl, and for several years past by William Heiges.

INCORPORATION.

The town was incorporated in 1869, Dan- iel Hershey was the first chief burgess. A re-survey of the town plot was made by Joseph Ritner, civil engineer of Mechanicsburg, son of Gov. Ritner. The streets were graded and paved the same year. Population is 270. There is no hotel in the borough. The town council in 1885 was as follows: chief bur- gess, Jacob Lau; secretary, William Straley;

John Klugh

;

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.

Capt. John KIugh, George Byers, William Heiges, Luther D. Gettys and M. Burtner, councilmen.

MILITARY.

The Franklintown Guards was the name of a uniformed military company of fifty volunteer members, organized many years ago by Capt. John Hursh. His successors were Capts. George Klugh, George Harbold, and John Klugh. The last-named gentle- man is now a prominent citizen of the com- munity, and during the civil war raised a company that entered the Two Hundred and Seventh Regiment of Pensylvania Volunteers, and participated in the battles of Hatcher's Run, Fort Steadman and Nottoway River in Virginia.

The old Franklintown Guards was a well drilled company of infantry, which existed for fifteen years.

CHURCHES.

United Brethren Church was built in 1849 at a cost of $1,000, Capt. John Klugh was the contractor. The building committee were David Heiges, Joseph Brenneman, and Valentine Elicker. The Sunday-school is superintended by Israel Heiges. This church belongs to York Springs Circuit, the pastor residing in the village.

Evangelical Lutheran Church was built in 1884. The Lutherans of the village pre- viously worshiped with the congregation at the Franklin Church two miles distant. The pastor of the congregation is Rev. Henry Seiffert. The building committee under whose direction it was built were Capt. John Klugh, Jacob Lau, Frederick Murray, William Straley and P. R. Lehmer. A Sun- day-school of 100 pupils meets in it; George Evans is superintendent.

BOROUGH SCHOOLS.

For the past few years a graded system has been adopted. During the last session Wil- liam H. Weaver and William H. Lehmer were the teachers. An annual appropriation of $65 is received from the State. The school board for 1885 is as follows: Peter Heiges, president; Capt. John Klugh, secre- tary; George Lehmer, treasurer; Jesse Wag- ner, A. B. Elicker and William Heiges.

THE CHURCHES.

St. John's Reformed and Lutheran Church .- This historic house of worship, better known as "The Franklin Church," is situated near the state road, a short distance south of the center of the township. Neither existing records nor tradition seem to es-

tablish the date of the origin of the con- gregation that now worship here, nor the time when the first log, weather-boarded church was built, except that "it was more than a hundred years ago." The adjoining burying ground contains tombs that are a century old. Near the old church, for half a century, stood a building in which a school was kept that was supported by the congre- gations.

The present two-story brick church was built in 1847, at a cost of $3,000. The building committee were Peter Wolford, George Dick and Jacob Stickel. The Re- formed pastors who preached here, as far back as they could be traced were Charles Helfenstein, Frederick W. Vandersloot and Edward Vandersloot. Since 1839 the vener- able Rev. Daniel Riegle has served the Re- formed congregation, whose membership is now 150. The Lutheran pastors were A. G. Deininger, Gotwald, Weil, Peter Sheurer, A. G. Deininger (second time), John Ulrich, Samuel Henry, J. Williams, Joseph R. Focht, Aaron Finfrock, Peter Warner, Jacob K. Bricker, E. Studebecker and Henry Seif- fert. The Lutheran membership is 120. A Union Sunday-school of about seventy pu- pils, is held in the church. Samuel Heiges is superintendent.

South Mountain Union Church was built in 1867, and dedicated by Revs. Warner, Fohl, and Hunter. Rev. Samuel Diller su- perintended the building of the church, which cost $1,500. There is no church or- ganization here, but services are held in the building by clergymen of the Evangelical Association United Brethren in Christ, Ger- man Baptist and Church of God. John Ar- nold is church superintendent; Jacob Brandt, George P. Weaver, Abraham Flemming, Sam- uel John and J. M. Sollenberger are the trustees. A Sunday-school was organized in 1868. Its membership is sixty-five. G. W. Brandt is superintendent.

Harmony Bethel .- This church belongs to the Church of God, an order of Baptists. The house was built in 1877, Abraham Flem- ming being the chief contributor toward pay- ing for the church, whose cost was $800. The pastors who have ministered to the con- gregation are O. H. Betts, William Sanborn, Daniel Mumma, and Frank Bardeens.

TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS.

There are six school buildings in Frank- lin, in good condition, bearing the following names: Locust Grove, Central, Chestnut Hill, Bender's, Glenwood, and Mountain. For 1885 David Carl was president of school

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

board; Cornelius Murray, secretary; Will- iam Weaver, treasurer; J. Gasswent, Abra- ham Flemming and George Spahr, directors. The State appropriation to this township for 1884, was $322.

THE TOWNSHIP OF WARRINGTON.

TN 1744 Thomas Cookson, deputy surveyor of Lancaster County assisted by William Richardson laid off the township of War- rington. The original shape of this town- ship was that of an irregular pentagon, ex- tending northeast and southeast, and includ- ed the present township of Washington and a small portion of what is now Adams County, with the Conewago Creek as its southeastern boundary, Newberry to the east and Mona- ghan to the north. The names of many first settlers of this and adjoining townships will be found in the article in this work on "The Friends or Quakers." Warrington, like the names of nearly all the original townships of York County, is English. There is a town and township by that name along the Mersey River, in Lancashire, England. Many ac- tions between the royal and parliamentary forces took place on its soil during the civil wars of England. The Friends of Bucks County, Penn., gave a township the same name, and two or three post villages in the United States also bear it.

BOUNDARY LINE FIXED.

Previous to 1770 a small section of War- rington extended south of the Conewago, and gave rise to disputes and inconvenience. The Conewago and the Bermudian formed the dividing line between the early settlements of the Quakers and the Germans, conse- quently a petition, dated the fourth month, twenty-fourth day, 1770, asked the court to establish a definite boundary, con- ceding the "little corner" to Dover Township. The names of the petitioners were Peter Cook, William Griffith, William Garrett- son, William Penrose, William Thom- as, Robert Nelson, Jacob Williams, Samuel Cook, Thomas Atherton, William McClellan, .

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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 129

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