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 135
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In the year 1816 Jacob Albrecht and Val- entine Wentz each owned an oil-mill; Dan- iel Dubs, an oil-mill and hemp-mill; Jacob Keller, paper-mill and oil-mill; Jacob Sny- der, a paper-mill; Adam Schleeder, a full- ing and carding-mill; Peter Reider & John B. Wentz, each a tanyard; Conrad Sherman, a tanyard and distillery, and one slave, the only one owned in the township, which then included West Manheim.
The township, as at present formed, is bounded on the north by Heidelberg, on the east by Codorus, on the south by Maryland, and on the west by West Manheim. The land is undulating, but in general is quite fertile and productive. The Bachman Valley Railroad crosses the southeastern part of the township, and the Hanover & Baltimore pass- es along its eastern border. There are two postoffices: Xenia and Black Rock, but no villages within its limits.
TAXABLES IN 1783.
The following is a complete list of the tax- able inhabitants for the year 1783, in Man- heim Township, which then included what is now West Manheim, Heidelberg and most of Penn Townships:
Bernhardt Albrecht.
Michael Erhard.
George Apple. Jacob Ebersole.
Christopher Africa. John Epply.
Nicholas Bucher, Jr.
Mathias Epply.
Daniel Bauser.
Peter Epply.
Martin Bruckard.
John Eyler.
Adam Brunkard.
Way Ernst.
Christian Bachman.
Jacob Fuhrman, Jr.
Christopher Bachman.
John Fauble.
Nicholas Bricker. Valentine Fuhrman.
Joseph Bollinger.
Jacob Fuhrman.
Jacob Bauer.
Christian Fass.
John Bose.
Adam Fisher.
Peter Baum, Jr.
Henry Felger.
Jacob Bauman.
Adam Funk.
Peter Baum.
George Fox.
John Bose.
Michael Fuhrman.
Henry Banman, Jr.
Phillip Forney's widow.
Michael Bear.
Marks Forney.
Jacob Bear.
Conrad Felty.
Anthony Bricker.
Valentine Fisher.
Henry Bushy.
John Felty. John Felix.
John Bowman.
Adam Forney.
Henry Baumgardner.
Jacob Flickinger.
Jacob Bollinger. Samuel Flickinger.
Jacob Burkhard.
William Gerhardt.
John Byer.
Adam Gramer.
Mathias Bloger.
George Gody.
John Bickler.
Peter Gundy.
Phillip Bodenfeld.
John Gerber.
Christian Bechtel.
Frederick Gelwix.
John Brodbeck.
Martin Geminter.
Henry Bowman, Sr.
Peter Gid.
Felty Berger.
George Gelwix.
Henry Bollinger.
Christian Gerhard.
Stoffel Bricker.
Phillip Houch.
Henry Byer.
Andrew Beads.
Michael Hower.
John Croe.
Michael Hofair.
John Hinkel.
Anthony Hinkel.
John Hereder.
Henry Hering.
Henry Danner.
Henry Hoff.
Widow Danner.
Christian Hershy.
Daniel Dubbs.
John Hershy.
John Dierwächter.
Adam Hubbert.
Oswald Dubs. Michael Hoffman.
Joseph Decker. Peter Hoffman.
Adam Eichelberger.
Adam Hoffman.
Leonard Eichelberger.
Jacob Houck.
Jacob Baum.
Jacob Hedrick.
John Calhoon.
Daniel Doll.
Henry Dewald.
Jacob Dome.
Samuel Harnislı.
1
Nicholas Bucher.
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.
Casper Hock.
John Rauenzahu.
SINGLE MEN.
Francis Heimse.
Henry Richel.
Philip Hok.
John Bucher.
John Long.
Dewald Eavenstein.
Jacob Heagy.
Michael Roth.
Ludwig Pleger.
Henry Stier.
Andrew Holl.
John Shead.
Jacob Wirth.
John Stier.
Yost Hoffman.
William Speice. Widow Slodhower.
Godleib Nunnemacher.
Christian Furney.
Thomas Kelly.
Widow Sholl.
Conrad Hains.
Adam Smith.
Christopher Sneyder.
Samuel Long.
Widow Kanfelt.
William Strauck.
Henry Miller.
Adam Gemniter.
Andrew Karg.
John Shenck.
Jacob Willet.
John Bloger.
Peter Koch.
Dewald Sneyder.
Anthony Willet.
Michael Africa .*
Jacob Kraft.
Adam Shorb.
Abraham Miller.
Johu Ernst.
Henry Klein.
Hill Savige.
John Klein. Charles Werner.
Hefrich Kramer.
Michael Stephan.
John Runkle.
Mary Ann Furnace.
Adam Kraver.
John Summer.
George Mattes. Philip Kinger.
Gerhard Kraver.
Adam Schmetzer.
John Sterner.
Jacob Baumgardner.
Gabriel Kraver.
John Schwartzbach.
Philip Werner.
Dewald Felty.
Christian Rauser.
Edward Miller.
Nicholas Masenheimer.
Jacob Minich.
Christian Shenck.
The population, in 1880, was 1,293; num- ber of taxables in 1884, was 439; value of real estate for same year, $436,668.
LUTHERAN AND REFORMED CHURCH.
This is known in the community as "Dubb's Church," and is located four and one-half miles southeast of Hanover. Rev. Samuel Gutelius, pastor of the Reformed Church at Hanover, preached for a time in David Run- kle's dwelling-house. Both Reformed and Lutheran clergymen held services for several years in what is known as Wildasin's School- house near by. In 1853 the present brick church was built.
The Lutheran clergymen since the time of organization, have been Revs. D. P. Rosen- miller, M. J. Alleman, P. Warner, S. Ying- ling, D. J. Hauer and J. A. Metzgar. The last-named is the present pastor of the Lu- theran congregation, whose membership is 190.
The Reformed congregation has been served by Revs. Samuel Gutelius, Jacob Sechler, J. D. Zehring, S. F. Laury, and J. H. Hartman who is present pastor. The membership is 230. A flourishing Union Sunday-school of 160 pupils, is superintend- ed by the two pastors.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Down to the year 1870, Manheim had re fused to accept the common school system.
Michael Newman.
William Wadsworth. .. John Wise.
Frederick Wentz.
Henry Yager.
Leonard Yenawein.
.Christian Rollman. Jacob Reinhard. William Reineman. George Rollman. Hophel Racky. Jacob Runkel. Ludwig Runkle. Casper Reineiker.
Andrew Rudisill. Conrad Reinhard. Ludwig Rudisill. George Reinhardt.
Michael Weinbrecht.
Philip Morningstar. James Miller. Philip Moul.
John Welty. Yost Wagner.
Peter Wagner.
Ludwig Wagner. John Winter.
Christian Wunner.
Valentine Wentz.
Jacob Nunemacher. Mathias Neass. Nicholas Newman. Ludwig Herdier.
Melchior Werner. George Werner. Nicholas Wolfgang. Christopher Willet. John Wampler. Jacob Wildesin.
Alexander Leinert. Adam Wagner.
Frederick Myer.
Widow Wirking.
Henry Martin.
Philip Wirking.
Valentine Wirking.
Joder Messeimer. Philip Miller. George Matter.
Michael Uland.
Daniel Utz.
Melchior Myers.
Peter Malsbach.
Michael Wentz.
Philip Wohlfahrt.
Henry Leinert, Sr.
Henry Leinert, Jr.
Martin Layer.
Casper Trnm.
Abraham Trump.
Michael Mosser. Henry Leish.
Christopher Shrod. George Smith.
George Keller.
Anthony Slodhauer.
David Kibler.
Jacob Stambach.
Samuel Kelly.
Michael Slodhauer.
Mathias Lower,
John Snyder.
Christopher Sower.
Frederick Long. Martin Long. Jacob Long.
John Shawk. Sebastian Steinbrecher.
Nicholas Lengle.
John Studebecker.
Peter Stambach.
John Throne.
Abraham Throne.
Widow Leining.
Jacob Sherman.
Peter Keplinger.
Conrad Sherman.
John Kitzmiller.
Adam Sower.
George Kitzmiller.
Conrad Sherertz.
Ludwig Sherertz.
John Kair. Michael Karl.
John Sheirer.
Christian Kemmerly. Peter Kaa.
Christopher Sneyder.
Peter Krum. Nicholas Keefaber. Jacob Kochenaur. Andrew Koch.
Bernhardt Sterner.
Peter Sabel.
Conrad Long.
Jacob Newcomer.
George Koch.
Tobias Stier.
Jacob Stambach.
Jacob Brungard.
John Jones.
Henry Dnme.
George Morningstar.
True, for several years the people had elected school directors, after the manner prescribed by law, but with the understand- ing that the law was not to be put in force; the township, however, was not without schoolhouses and schools.
In the autumn of this year, Prof. S. G. Boyd, then county superintendent, paid this
*Grandfather of J. Simpson Africa, secretary of internal affairs, at Harrisburg.
Philip Miller, Jr. Adam Martin.
William Michael. George Mielheim. Jacob Moshrosh.
Samuel Wildesin.
John Yekis. Charles Young. Daniel Zuber. Anthony Zaneker. George Zackarias. John Zimmerman. Christian Zimmerman.
Frederick Heiner.
Widow Ravenstein.
693
HEIDELBERG TOWNSHIP.
township a visit, to confer with and, if possi- ble, induce the board to accept the law.
He found such members as he met friend- ly to the cause of education, and one of these members, Cornelius R. Wentz, secretary of their board, especially favorable to the ac- ceptance of the system.
Arrangements were at once made for a meeting of the board at an early day, which convened at the time appointed, and after an interchange of views, and a full explanation of the workings of the law, by the superin- tendent, decided to adopt the system with- out further delay.
In due time an examination of teachers was held for the township, and the schools put into operation.
There are at present six schools as follows: Nace's, Wolfgang's, Snyder's, Black Rock, Zumbrum's, Summit and Miller's. The mem- bers of the board of directors for 1885 are A. N. Rohrbaugh, president; Aaron K. Al- bright, secretary; Lewis H. Miller, Anthony Nace, Jacob Dubbs and Edward Fuhrman.
THE TOWNSHIP OF HEIDELBERG.
TN the Grand-Duchy of Baden, not far from Manheim, is the historic old city of Heidelberg, famous for its great university, founded in 1386-the second oldest institu- tion in Germany. The derivation of the word, is "Heidel" huckleberry, or whortle- berry, and "berg," mountain; the origin of which was owing to the fact that the city is surrounded by picturesque wooded hills, on which grew huckleberry bushes in great abundance. This German city was rendered historic on account of the cruelties and atroc- ities perpetrated upon its citizens in the seventeenth century. The ferocious Tilly bombarded it for one month, took it by storm and gave it up to three days of pillage, in 1622.
The French general, Melac, by order of Louis XIV, in 1688, took the town and cruelly burnt it; in 1693 another French force re- peated and exceeded all former atrocities. It is now a prosperous city.
Many of the inhabitants of Heidelberg and vicinity, on account of these cruel wars, immigrated to Pennsylvania soon after, and a township by that name is found in each of the following counties: York, Berks, Lehigh and Lebanon.
Heidelberg Township in this county was erected in 1750. It then contained an area
of 9,030 acres and was identical with "Dig- ges' Choice" which name, since that date, is known only to history. The names of many of the early settlers of this township, as it then was, will be found in the history of Hanover. The original shape of Heidelberg was very irregular. It extended in a north- westernly and southeasternly direction, from a point a short distance east of Hanover, west to McSherrystown, Adams County. It was long and narrow, and what is now the bor- ough of Hanover was included within its ter- ritory. The town was bordered on the north and south by Manheim until the northern part of that township was annexed to Heide]- berg in 1816, one year after Hanover was in- corporated.
In 1783 Heidelberg had 191 houses, 116 town lots, 29 slaves and a population of 1,204.
In 1880 this township entirely lost its identity. Out of part of its original territo- ry and a part of the annexation of 1816 the new township of Penn was formed.
Thus the original of Heidelberg now forms a part of Conewago Township Adams County, part of Penn Township, and the borough of Hanover. The civil authorities of York County have not treated it so cruel- ly, though with little more respect than the French army did the city after which it was named. The eastern section, caused by the division of 1880, retained the name Heidel- berg, but it contains no part of its original territory, as it is now formed. Paradise and Jackson bound it on the north, North Codor- us on the east, the Manheims on the south, and Penn on the west. It is drained by the west branch of the Codorus Creek and its tributary the Oil Creek. Its present terri- tory, until 1816, was embraced in Manheim, and was first settled, mostly by the Mennon- ites and German Baptists (Dunkers), as early as 1738.
Heidelberg is crossed by the Hanover & Baltimore and Hanover & York Railroads. Smith's Station and Porter's Sideling, stop- ping places along the Hanover & Baltimore Railroad, are now interesting hamlets, and each has a postoffice. The latter place was named after ex-Gov. Porter, who shipped large quantities of iron ore from this station soon after the road was built, from banks that he leased in this township.
The Reformed Church at Smith's Station, was built several years ago. The congrega- tion was ministered to by Revs. Jacob Sech- ler and H. Hilbish. Rev. J. H. Hartman, of Hanover, is the present pastor. Member- ship, 50.
694
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.
Moulstown is a collection of a dozen or more houses, in the northern part of the township. A Union Meeting House was built here during the centennial year. The building committee were Jacob Moul, Charles Eichelberger and D. W. Gemmill. Jacobs' Mills, Iron Ridge and Menges' Mills are stations on the Short- line Railroad, ateach of which places there is a postoffice and a store. They are import- ant points for the shipment of iron ore. Garber's Mennonite Church, near Menges' Mills, was built more than half a century ago. Near here there was an early settlement of Mennonites.
IRON ORE INTERESTS.
Heidelberg contains valuable and extensive deposits of iron ore. The discovery of it was made by Peter Dicks, who started Spring Forge in 1756. Most of the ore smelted at Mary Ann Furnace, which was built in 1761, by Hon. George Ross, of Lancaster, and located in Manheim, this county, was obtained in Heidelberg.
In 1840 ex-Gov. Porter leased several tracts in this township and began to take out and ship ore in large quantities. The names of some of the leading banks are here- in given.
The Hanover Bank in northeastern part of township, was opened by J. Duttenhoeffer, in 1870, and passed into the hands of the Chiques Iron Company in 1873. It has been a very valuable deposit and an area of five acres has been excavated. In all about 45,000 tons of brown hematite ore were taken out, the bank being in continuous operation from 1870 to 1885.
A thirty horse-power engine was used.
The ore was lately obtained from a mine eighty-five feet deep.
Samuel Bechtel's Bank was opened in 1864. It adjoins the Hanover Bank. It was first owned by George Sprenkle and operated by a gentleman from Lancaster. Three perpendicular shafts were put down. The ore obtained was 40 per cent pure metal. Forty men were at one time employed here. It continued in operation for a dozen years, and several thousand tons of ore were obtained. In 1871, a bank was opened a short distance east of this one, containing a good quality of brown hematite lying in yellow clay.
Moul's Bank, Forry's Bank (near Smith's Station), Stambach's Bank, Mickley's Bank, Sprenkle's Bank on the farm of Henry L. Bauman, and others, yielded large quantities of ore. Bollinger's Bank four and a half miles southeast of Hanover, for many years
was one of the most important in this county. It was leased and operated by the Leesport Iron Company. At J. Moul's Bank, for a time, 400 tons of ore per month were obtained. Sprenkle's Bank was very valuable.
Within the past few years the Ashland Iron Company, Leesport Iron Company and the Chiques Iron Company have leased and operated a number of banks in this township.
MENNONITE MEETING HOUSE.
On the York road, about three miles east of Hanover, stands the above-mentioned church, familiarly known as "Bair's Meeting House." The land upon which it and the adjoining public school house are built, was granted to Michael Danner, in trust for the Mennonite Congregation, August 8, 1774, by John and Thomas Penn, sons of William Penn, who were then the proprietaries of Pennsylvania. Michael Danner was a prom- inent man of his day, and, in 1749, was one of the commissioners appointed to lay off York County. The religious services of the society of Mennonites for many years were held in the houses of members, but for the purpose of erecting a building, for a school and for religious worship, a tripar- tite indenture and agreement was made May 14, 1775, between the said Michael Danner, Sr., then of the town of Hanover on the first part, John Shenck, of Manheim and Jacob Keagy of Heidelberg, ministers, of the Mennonites, John Welty and James Miller, both of Manheim (now Heidelberg), elders of the Mennonite congregation of the second part, and Adam Eichelberger of the third part, concerning the disposition of the above mentioned land, which was named "Danner's Repository," and when granted adjoined lands of Michael Newman, Andrew Shenck and Adam Eichelberger, and contained twelve acres. The grant to Michael Danner was "in trust to and for the only proper use of the Mennonites, their heirs and successors forever." The consideration was £6 in Pennsylvania currency paid to Michael Danner, who had held the land "in trust for the Mennonite Congregation in Manheim and the adjacent section of that religious society or denom- ination." It was agreed upon by the heads of the said congregation, "to hold equally and in common, and for the use of said con- gregation erect a schoolhouse and meeting- house, and locate a place to bury the dead, and for the use of the German Lutherans and German Reformed Calvinists, who may join in erecting a schoolhouse thereon, and supporting a schoolmaster, and also for a place of burial for their dead." They then
695
HEIDELBERG TOWNSHIP.
released unto Adam Eichelberger the right of being a trustee for the Lutheran and Re- formed congregations and for a school build- ing, but "reserving and retaining for them- selves entire use and their successors forever; a house of worship to be erected on some part of said land when said Mennonite con- gregation may see fit to erect one." The house built that year lasted many years, until the present one, now used only for a meeting- house, was built. The congregation that worships in Bair's Meeting House is con- nected with the Hanover Church, of the same denomination, and Hostetter's Meeting House in Adams County-the three meetings form one organization of about 100 members. Samuel Myers, Martin Whistler and Jacob Hostetter, Sr., are the present preachers; services are held in English and German.
Among the many tombs in the graveyard adjoining this meeting house, the following inscriptions were copied:
Mary M. Rudisill died December 17, 1881, aged ninety-eight years, six months and nine days.
Andrew Rudisill died November 1, 1880, aged ninety-two years, eleven months and one day.
Eve Rudisill, wife of Jacob Fishel, died January 11, 1877, aged eighty-five years.
Barbara E. Wildasin, wife of Andrew Rudisill, died July 28, 1859, aged one hundred and eleven years, nine months and twenty-two days.
Here lies the body of George Trone, horn April 5, 1709, died July 1, 1778.
SCHOOLS.
The township of Heidelberg has five schools as follows: Bair's, Mt. Carmel, Forry's, Porter's and Hohf's.
The board of directors for the past year were H. W. Smith, R. M. Moul, H. D. Hamm, Daniel Forry, Daniel Whorley and Jacob Brillhart.
AN HISTORIC SPOT.
On the hillside west of Menges' Mills, is an historic spot. Here on the night of May 26, 1781, the distinguished Revolution- ary hero, Gen. Anthony Wayne, encamped with about 1,000 men. They left York at 9 A. M. He and his soldiers had become famous for their daring bravery in several hard fought battles, especially at Stony Point, Brandywine and Paoli. The cam- paigns in the north had virtually ended, and he, according to the direction of Washington, was ordered southward to join Lafayette's army in Virginia. The commander, as was
his custom, rested for the night in camp with his men. Shortly after sunrise they took up their march through Hanover, and encamped for the next night near Littlestown. They passed through Taneytown and halted upon the banks of Pipe Creek, where they encamped on the night of the 28th of May, and on the following night on the south bank of the Monocacy River. At this point they remained one day, May 30, and washed and cleaned their arms, and at 7 P. M. were reviewed by their commanding general. They passed through Frederick at 8 A. M. At this place there were a number of British officers kept as prisoners of war who were privileged to take a view of Gen. Wayne and his men. They crossed the Potomac at Noland's Ferry, where they halted for the artillery and bag- gage to cross. The troops crossed in the evening and halted one mile from the ferry and lay without tents, it raining the chief part of the night. Crossing at this place four men were drowned; one of the scows sank. One of the lost was a sergeant. The average distance of their daily march was about fifteen miles.
Near the south branch of the Rappahan- nock, on June 10, after a march that day of twenty-three miles they joined the army of Gen. LaFayette. That day they were cheered by meeting a body of 1,800 Virginia militia- who were marching to the front. October 19 of that year this patriotic band were present as a part of LaFayette's command, at the sur- render of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, Va. Capt. Mcclellan, of York County, who was with Wayne, in his diary says of the sur- render: "The British marched . out and grounded their arms in front of our lines. Our whole army drew up for them to march through, the French army on their right and the American army on their left, with the stars and stripes floating in the gentle breeze."
There is some significance in the event of Gen. Wayne and his patriot band crossing York County on the southern march. It occurred near the last of the great struggle for freedom, and they soon after took part in the culminating event of the war, the siege and surrender of Yorktown and the capture of the British army.
When the reader recalls to memory the fact that Gen. Kilpatrick just eighty-two years later, almost to the day, encamped on nearly the same spot crossed, the western portion of York County, and soon thereafter engaged in the great and decisive conflict at Gettysburg, the coincidence is somewhat striking. The commanders of these armies
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.
were similar in nature and temperament. Both had won victories with the same mili- tary strategy, and both were bold, daring, in- trepid and impetuous officers. They both died when comparatively young men under similar circumstances and from similar causes.
THE TOWNSHIP OF PENN.
T HIS township surrounds the borough of Hanover, and is bounded on the west by Adams County. Originally much of its ter- ritory was included in "Digges' Choice." From 1750 to 1880 Penn was embraced in Heidelberg, except that portion of it which was included in Manheim until the annexation of 1816. Within its present territory there were many conflicting claims to land titles, during the time of the early settlement These difficulties are described in the front part of this work and in the history of Han- over. There is some significance in the name Penn being applied to this township, as its territory was claimed by both Lord Baltimore and the heirs of William Penn, until the important question was finally set- tled by the King of England in council, which gave rise to the running of the Mason and Dixon's line, deciding it to be within the boundaries of the Penn grant.
The township was formed by a division of Heidelberg, by action of the court in the year 1880. The viewers were George W. Hoffacker, Jeremiah Brodbeck and Jesse K. Wentz. The survey was made by Jesse D. Keller.
Penn is very densely populated, and con- tains some of the most fertile and most valna- ble land in York County. Though not large in area, its population in 1880 was 1,962, which has been considerably increased since. In 1884, the number of taxables was 682, and real estate valuation $1,050,586. A consid- erable portion of the town of Hanover, the villages of Pennville, New Baltimore and Blooming Grove are within its boundaries. Iron ore has been obtained in this township south of Hanover.
Amos Rohrbach, a prosperous farmer and the largest man in York County, is a promi- nent citizen of this township. His height is six feet four inches, his weight 428 pounds, and is about sixty years old.
Dense forests of hickory, oak and chestnut existed around Hanover when this region was
first settled. On the farm of Karl Forney, one of these old land-marks is still standing. In 1850 it measured twenty-one feet in cir- cumference. In 1885 it had exactly the same dimensions. The two farms owned now by Karl Forney and A. W. Forney, adjoining Hanover, have been owned by the descendants of Adam and Nicholas Forney since they were first purchased in 1730. On the former farm Philip Forney was shot by an Indian.
THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH.
The Evangelical Church at Blooming Grove was built in 1882, at a cost of $800. The dedicatory services were conducted by Rev. G. H. Schley, of East Prospect, in No- vember, 1882. The building committee con- sisted of the pastor of the congregation, Rev. P. F. Jarrett, E. R. Kessler and F. S. Stover. This congregation has about 40 members. The Sunday-school at this place is prosperous. It has been in existence for a num- ber of years, and kept up as a Union school; at present it is under the efficient manage- ment of M. Gephart, who is widely known in the vicinity of Hauover as an excellent Sunday- school worker. The membership is seventy- five pupils and teachers. Wildasin's Meet- ing House was built about 1840, as a place of worship for Reformed Lutherans and Ger- man Baptists. Since Dub's Church has been built it is used only by the last named denom- ination.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The names of the public schools in Penn are as follows: Bunker Hill, Blooming Grove, Pennville, Mount Olivet, New Baltimore, Krentler's and Nos. 1 & 2 on Abbottstown Street, Hanover. The members of the board of directors for the year 1885 are Frank S. Zinn, president; Eli Becker, secretary; Noah Grimm, treasurer; George Bowman, Daniel Mummert, and John Bletner.
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