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 137

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 137

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INCORPORATION.

The town was incorporated December 11, 1866. On New Year's day, 1867, the first borough election was held in the public schoolhouse, resulting as follows: Adam Bupp, burgess; William Rebert, Joseph T. Bare, Samuel Brillhart, Barney Spangler, Zachariah Shue, councilmen. Benjamin Leese was appointed secretary and served until his death in 1881, when he was succeeded by W. H. Brodbeck, the present incumbent. The streets were carefully graded and pavements laid in 1874. The town authorities for the year 1885 are as follows: Burgess, Amos, Thoman; councilmen, John F. Miller, Peter B. Rohrbaugh, Franklin Garber, Bradley C. Spangler, George Suyder and John Sheaffer. The town now has a population of 350, con- tains a number of large and handsome resi- dences, well paved streets, three fine churches and surrounded by a rich and productive farming country. The people are very hos- pitable -- pure representatives of the honest Pennsylvania Germans. Sixteen years ago there was but one family in the village that used English in the home. All the young

can now speak it, and the German language is fast disappearing.

CHURCHES OF JEFFERSON.

The Union Church. - Rev. Emanuel Keller, a Lutheran clergyman, December 26, 1825, preached the first sermon within the village of Jefferson. Soon after this a Lutheran congregation was organized. In 1827 Rev. Samuel Gutelius, of Hanover, organized a Reformed congregation, of which Christian Renoll was elder, and Christian Renoll, Jr., deacon. The services of both denominations were held in the schoolhouse until 1830, when a Union Church was built, whose dimensions were 40x50 feet and contained a gallery along one end and two sides. This building was used only until 1883, when the two denominations built separate churches. The Lutheran congregation erected a beau- tiful brick church near the square; Rev. W. H. Ketterman is the present minister. The membership is quite large. A Suuday-school was organized in the Union Church in 1860. The successive superintendents have been George Kraft, Joseph Bare, Henry S. Hershey, Jesse Kraft, John Brillhart and Amos Rebert.

Christ's Reformed Church .- This church was built in 1883, at a cost of $3,300. The church membership is 200 communicants. The pastors of the Reformed denomination who preached in the Union Church were Rev. Samuel Gutelius, who organized the congrega- tion and remained a long time; Rev. Jacob Geig- er, William F. Vandersloot, Samuel Gutelius (a second time) Joel S. Reber, Henry Bentz, Jacob Sechler, J. C. Julius Kurtz and Rev. J. D. Zehring. The last-named gentleman served the congregation sixteen years, and, on account of paralysis, was compelled to resign. Rev. Zehring is now (1885) living, a highly respected citizen of the village. In the new church, Rev. Silas F. Laury served for a short time, and was succeeded by Rev. Franklin A. Guth, of Lehigh County, a grad- uate of Ursinus College. There is a Sunday - school in the church, of which the pastor is superintendent, Rev. J. D. Zehring, acting superintendent and G. S. Brodbeck assistant superintendent. Rev. Samuel Gutelius, the founder of the congregation died in Dauphin County in 1866, aged seventy years.

The Church of the United Brethren in Christ .- Religious services were first con- ducted under the auspices of this denomina- tion by Rev. Samuel Enterline, in the dwell- ing houses of members in 1847, which re- sulted in a church organization. A lot was purchased on the east side of Baltimore Street, and the present church building erected of

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CODORUS AND NORTH CODORUS TOWNSHIPS.

wood, at a cost of $1,400. John Garman, Jacob Thoman and Peter Zech, composed the building committee. The following-named clergymen have ministered to the wants of the congregation since its organization: Revs. Enterline, Snyder, Raber, Wagner, Coombs, Grim, Kreider, Jones, Carl, Craumer Brick- ley, Rudisill, Joues and J. L. Nicholas. The services for a number of years were con- ducted almost entirely in the German lan- guage. English is much used now. The con- gregation numbers sixty-five members. The trustees are Barnhart Spangler, Ezra Myers, Jacob Shearer, John Shearer and Samuel Sterner.

BOROUGH SCHOOLS

The first school building stood near the east end of York Street, and was erected about 1813. It is still in existence and now used by Elias Swartzbach as a pottery. A second schoolhouse was built in 1853, and the present one on the same site in 1871 at a cost of $1,200. It contains two rooms and the schools are graded. The teachers since 1861 are as follows: W. H. Manifold, J. C. Ebaugh, J. C. Blair, Maggie McKinly, J. D. Zehring, Jr., W. B. Schweitzer, W. H. Brodbeck, E. G. Williams, J. B. Douglass, D. B. Landis, J. R. McElvaine, D. E. Ebaugh, F. L. Spangler, P. N. Strasbaugh, Maggie King, H. M. Heilman, E. O. Snod- grass and Mary F. Fink. W. H. Brodbeck has taught the secondary school eight years.

HISTORICAL NOTES.

The exact time the postoffice was estab- lished at Jefferson (Codorus Postoffice) is not now known. Martin Shearer was postmaster from 1830 to 1840, when upon the accession of Gen. Harrison to the presidency, Jen- kins Carrothers, the original Whig of Co- dorus, succeeded him. The other postmas- ters in order have been as follows: George Snodgrass, Jacob Spangler, Albert Kraft, Dr. William F. Bringman and George S. Brodbeck.

Dr. Hornbaugh came to the village early in its history and was succeeded by Drs. Lehrves, Utz, Conner, William F. Bringman, H. S. Jones, J. R. Brodbeck and Edward Sterner.

The justices of the peace in order have been Daniel Ault, Benjamin Leese, Amos H. Spangler and W. H. Brodbeck, who is also a practical surveyor.

For incidents of the Confederate invasion in 1863, see page 217 in this work.

JEFFERSON STATION.

In 1866 Rebert, Auchy & Co., began the

manufacture of thrashing machines, corn shellers, plows, etc., at Jefferson Station, one. half mile north of the village. Various kinds of castings were also made in the foun- dry. The entire works were destroyed by fire in 1879. Mr. Auchy rebuilt the shops and now continues the business individually. At this point is now a collection of ten or twelve houses.

VILLAGES.

New Salem Borough, in the eastern part of North Codorus is a pleasant village of about sixty houses. It was recently incorporated. The postoffice name is York New Salem. Swartz & Kailbaugh and Jonas Joseph are engaged in the mercantile business. John S. Kline and Emanuel Smith are the hotel keepers. Dr. Kehm practices medicine.

Stoverstown, in North Codorus, now a vil- lage of thirty houses, was named after Ga- briel Stover, a justice of the peace who some years ago moved to Maryland. R. B. Glat- felter conducts a store here.

Glenville is a post village on the Hanover & Baltimore Railroad in Codorus. It has lately grown to be quite a center of trade. J. A. Klinefelter conducts a general business at this place. Dr. Keller practices medi- cine in the vicinity. Sticks' tavern is one of the landmarks of Codorus; for more than half a century there was a postoffice at this place known as Hetricks, which has lately been moved to Glenville. Dr. W. C. Stick resides here. Brodbeck's store, now owned by Samuel Brodbeck is a very old business stand. H. H. Myers conducts a store in North Codorus at Cold Spring, and W. T. Crist in the west end of the township.

The large building at Hanover Junction was built by the Hanover Branch Railroad Company. It was used as a hotel until 1877. Some of the proprietors of it were John Scott, Hamilton Glessner and Jesse Engles. There is a coal shute and water tank on the North Codorus Railway, a short distance south of the Junction. A thirty horse-power engine is used to force water from the Codorus to the cars. A squad of Confederates under Col. White burned the covered railroad bridges, a few cars, and set fire to the turn- table, in June 1863, during the invasion. H. I. Glatfelter is the postmaster of this place.

IRON ORE INTERESTS.

Vast quantities of iron ore have been ob- tained in North Codorus; among the leading mines are the following: The Codorus, or Strickhouser's Mine is one of the most wide- ly known in York County. It was originally

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

opened in 1854 by John Musselman, and for a long time worked by the York Iron Com- pany. The ore is a hard compact slate with micaceous and magnetic ore. The ore was mined from an open cut. It contained near- ly forty per cent of metallic iron. The Thomas Iron Company of Hockendauqua, Schuylkill Co., Penn., for the past twenty years, has taken out many thousands of tons in this township, and has operated several banks. On Geiselman's farm, near Seven Valley, the ore produced fifty-two per cent metallic iron. The Codorus Mining Com- pany has operated a number of banks. There are vast treasures of valuable ore in this township yet undeveloped.

SHREWSBURY TOWNSHIP .*

S SHREWSBURY is one of the southern tiers of townships in York County. It was among the first townships laid off west of the Susquehanna, and was formed under the act of the general assembly, dated November, 1739. It originally embraced the entire area, now covered by Shrewsbury, Springfield and Hopewell. Hopewell was formed in 1767, and Springfield, in 1835. The township is bounded on the south by Maryland, on the east by Hopewell, on the north by Spring- field and on the west by Codorus Townships. The land is somewhat hilly, and yet there is but little that cannot be cultivated. It is generally well watered, numerous small streams flowing through it while the east branch of the Codorus rises in the southern portion and flows in a northerly direction through the entire township. The soil is generally good and well adapted to grain and vegetable growing. Magnetic iron ore has been found in considerable quantity in vari- ous sections of the township. The Northern Central Railroad passes through the town- ship from the south to the north, as does the Baltimore & York Turnpike, both of which thoroughfares have aided greatly in the development of the resources of the township.

The first settlers were mostly English, and Scotch-Irish, and the land in the south- ern end was taken up under Maryland titles. When the township was laid off, the citizens were mainly English, hence its English name, "Shrewsbury."

The Germans began to locate in that por. tion which now constitutes the township, in

1742, when many of the former English settlers sold their land and left; consid- erable feeling having been engendered between the Pennsylvania and Maryland border people, owing to the altercations which took place before the final settlement, through the agreement made with the pro- prietaries in 1732 and the establishment of Mason and Dixon's line in 1767. The German element soon became predominant, and those springing from that stock still remain so, as is seen in the thrift, enterprise and industry of the people; a peculiarity of the Germans. The land is generally well and thoroughly cultivated; the dwellings, barns and other buildings being substantially and conveniently built and kept in good repair.

At the close of the Revolutionary war Shrewsbury Township, including Springfield, had a population of 976, 9 slaves, 189 houses, 152 barns, 7 mills, and covered an area of 24,229 acres. In 1883, 100 years later, with Springfield Township taken off and exclusive of the boroughs, it had 633 taxable inhabitants; had a real estate valua- tion of $729,702 and paid a county tax of $3,151, and a State tax of $219.

The following is a list of names taken from the assessment roll and census report made in 1783, by a special order of the county commissioners, in order to lay a special tax to defray the expenses of the Revolutionary war. Shrewsbury Township then also in- cluded the territory now covered by Spring- field Township:

Bechtol, Christian, 100 acres. £175

Bury, Abraham, 153 acres. 250

Bopp, Barnet, 211 acres. 155

Baumbgartner, Henry 100 acres. 93

Brillhart, Jacob, 150 acres 182

Bauser, John, 50 acres 30

Baily, Jacob, 100 acres. 122

Bossart, Jacob.

Beck, Jacob, 80 acres

Bopp, Ludwig. .

203

Brillhart, Samuel

Brillhart, Peter, 200 acres 398

Baker, Peter, 100 acres. 217

Bayer, Tobias, Jr., 153 acres 156

Baily, Daniel, 100 acres. 147

Brilhardt, John, 140 acres. 152

Brundage, Joseph

Diehl, Adam 34

272

Deveney, Daniel, 100 acres.

Downs, Henry, 50 acres.

Dagen, John, 125 acres. 84

Dinky. John, 190 acres. 204

Dias, Thomas, 20 acres. 29

Dukan, John .. 27

Ehrhardt, Thomas, 280 acres 233

Ebrhardt, Thomas, 172 acres 233

Eichelberger, Adam, 200 acres. 215

Ehrman, George. 200 acres. 235

*By N. Z. Seitz.

Diehl, Charles, 280 acres.

Dittenhefer, George.

Bopp, Nicholas .. 34

705

SHREWSBURY TOWNSHIP.

Eisenhart, George, 120 acres. £117

Engel, Henry, 200 acres .. 152

Elison, Mathew, 140 acres. 103

Ehrhart, Jacob, 196 acres. 167

Flower, James, 100 acres. 87

Freeland, James, 52 acres. 54

Foltz, George. 20

Fanst, Balthaser, 1 grist-mill, 1 saw mill, 150 acres.

240

Free, Conrad, 125 acres. 177

Flower, Catharine. 200 acres .. 63

Ferry, Henry, 66 acres. 75

Freeland, John, 50 acres. 62

Frey, John, 70 acres 81

Feigle, Martin. 40

Fenus Frederick, 144 acres 145

Fisher, John, 75 acres. 92

Grant, Anna, 50 acres 42

Glatfelter, John, 240 acres. 184

Glatfelter, Henry, 146 acres 126

Gable, John, 50 acres. 119

Geisey, Christian, 80 acres 95

Geisleman, George, 170 acres 172

Gilley, Francis .. 20

Gramer, Lorentz, 100 acres. 106

Geiselman. Michael, 300 acres 336

Geiselman, Michael, Jr .. 20

Gunkel, Michael, 227 acres.

315

Gerberick, Michael, 92 acres 108

Groff, Francis, 300 acres. 303

Hess, Henry 20

Harris, Thomas, 18

Hildebrand, Jacob, 100 acres 130

Hendricks, Adam, 100 acres 108

Hart, Conrad, 150 acres 179

Hendricks, Isaac, 70 acres 88

Hamsbachor, Valentine. 150 acres 118

Hilderbrand, Casper, 100 acres. 224

Hilderbrand, Felix, 200 acres. 108

Hobias, Frederick, 100 acres 95

Hedrick, Jacob, 50 acres. 105

Herdt, Martin, 100 acres 104

Henry, Nicholas. 103 acres. 214

Hartman, Tobias, 145 acres. 135

Hess, Ulrich, 244 acres. 202

Heible, Jacob, 200 acres, . 221

Trone, George. .

Kaltreider, George, 200 acres 128

Kutting, Peter, 47 acres. 38

Kollar, Baltzer, 1 fulling mill, 160 acres 220

Korbman, Daniel, 1 grist-mill, 1 saw-mill, 214 acres. 298

Kleinfelder, George, 140 acres. 148

Koller, John, 265 acres. 303

Kleinfelder, John, 200 212

Koller, Jacob, 100 acres. 124

Keller, John, 140 acres 195

Keller, Jacob, 150 acres. 136

Kanffman, Henry, 60 acres.

Kirsch, Jacob, 150 acres. 164

Korffman, Jacob, 150 acres. 179

Kleinfelder, Michael, 1 oil-mill, 1 distillery, 380 acres 400

Klatfelter. Michacl, 132 acres. 120

Kenstler. Michael, 100 acres. 101

Kleinfelter, Peter, 200 acres.

Kleinfelter, Lorentz, 212 acres. 183

Krim, Philip, 40 acres .. 44

Kladfelter, Casper 20

Lucas, Adam, 100 acres 86

Lau, John, 400 acres. 344

Lau, Joshua, 190 acres. 177

Lange, George, 150 acres 151 Lordan, Jonas, 30 acres., 33

Lau, Philips, estate, 300 acres. 195

Lang, Henry, 50 acres 50

Leibenstein. John .20

Leibenstein, Michael. 150 acres. 147

Leib, Ulrich, 198 acres. £244

Lentz, John, 52 acres. 43

Lobridge, Joseph, 50 acres. 43

Markle, George, . 18

Miller, Andrew, 100 acres 81

Mycr, Andrew, 200 acres. 187

Myer, Christian, 117 acres. 146

Markley, Christian, 70 acres. 143

Miller, Frederick, 80 acres 98

Myer, George, 150 acres. 120

Miller, Herman, 150 acres 176

Miller, John, 300 acres. 166

Myer, John, 200 acres. 337

Menges, John, 136 acres. 118

Myer, Jacob, 50 acres. 52

Myer, Michael. . 28

Miller, Martin, 200 acres. 239

Mycr, Martin. 18

Marshal, James. 182

McDonald, John. 45

Mahan, John, 160 acres 128

Miller, Tobias, 134 acres. 173

Miller, Henry, 80 acres. 70

Moore, James, 125 acres 106

Markle. Henry, 100 acres 80

Neas, Michael, 240 acres 239

Nunemaker. Solomon, 150 acres. 132

Olenger, Peter 200 acres. 189

Oar, John, 50 acres. 40

Olb, John, 200 acres. 249

Patterson, William, 150 acres.

160

Peternan, Daniel, 173 acres. 162

Relier, Abraham, 190 acres. 205

Ringman, Stoffel. 20

Roser, Adam, 150 acres. 149

Resh. Christian, Estate. 140

Ruhl, Frederick, 96 acres. 196

Rierman, Jacob, 102 acres 55

Roser, Lorentz, 56 acres. 103

Roger, Nicholas, 117 acres 208

Reib, Nicholas, 173 acres. 20

Robert, Peter 103

Ruhl, Henry, 100 acres.

Setz, John.

150

Sparks, Thomas, 131 acres.

174

Spillter, Jacob, 150 acres ..

117

Sitz, Adam, Jr., 100 acres. 129

Sitz, Joseph, 100 acres. 20

Sutton, Joseph, 150 acres 20

Shafer, Adam. .

Snyder, Abraham, 139 acres. 98

Schwartz, Andrew, 200 acres. 240

Smith, Andrew, 80 acres. 108

Swartz, Conrad, 80 acres. 111

Shafer, David .. 30

Shenelber's Estate, 1 grist-mill, 1 saw-mill, 150 acres. 212

Shwartz, Henry, 80 acres. 105

Snider, John, 150 acres 175

Shwartz. Jacob, 100 acres. 96

Schmitt, John, 50 acres. 30

Shneider. John, 122 acres. 108

Shmitt, John, 150 acres. 181

Shneider, Michael, 78 acres. 69

Shmitt, Peter, 110 acres 191

Shneider. Phillip, 210 acres. 204

Shafer, Philip, 350 acres. 438

Sweney, James, 200 acres 173

Shafer, Catharine, 200 acres 123

Smith, Adam, 110 acres. 122

Shilling, Sebastian, 100 acres. 104

Stabler, Christian, 250 acres. 282

Stein, Jacob, 112 acres. . 125

Sterner, George, 100 acres 98

Stermer. John, 150 acres. 132

Stabler, John 100 acres. 97

Rothenheiser, Peter.

199

Sheldon, James, 100 acres. 78

706

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

Taylor, George £148

Wildgoose, James. 26

Waltimier, George, 100 acres. 93

Wagner, Henry, 84 acres. 85

Wiley, Acquila, 110 acres. 110

Wilay, William, 100 acres.

Wilay, Zachary, 75 acres. 101

Yamal, Jesse, 100 acres. 63

Yost, Nicholas, 30 acres.

Zech, Michael, 70 acres

Anderson, William ..

Ehrhardt, John, 199 acres.

Ehrhardt, William, 196 acres

Erstone, Peter, 260 acres. 263

Faire, George.

Fleishman, Martin, 100 acres. 88

Guest. George, 85 acres.

Hendricks, Adam Jr., 200 acres. 110

Hise, Wendel, 50 acres .. 80

Jenians, Williams.

Lawson, John, 200 acres. 140

SINGLE MEN.

Bates, Elias. 18

Beard, John.

Beck, Jacob.

Berry, Abraham

Fouss, John. .

Gallaway, Hugh.

Gerbenck, John.

Gordon, John.

Hartman, John.

Hendricks, Thomas.

Henry, Christian.

Hildebrand, Henry

Hunter, William.

Kellar, Henry.

Korfman, Conrad.

Marshal, William.

McCoy, John.

Myer, Haney.

Pfeiffer, Melchoir. 64

Roser, Adam. .

Schwartz, Abraham.

Shaffer, Henry.

Shrolyner, John.

Stabler, Adam. .

Youse. Frederick.

50 Zech, George.

The early educational facilities of the township were meager, as is the case with early settlements, but the Germans brought with them the belief of their church, that education is a necessity, consequently private and church schools were organized and main- tained. The public school system was intro- duced in 1836, George Klinefelter having been chosen a delegate, for the township, to a convention held at York May 2, 1836. There was considerable opposition to the introduction of the system at the time, as there was subsequently to the introduction of uniform text books, and the displacement of the Bible as the regular reading book. The public schools have, " however, since been faithfully maintained and encouraged, and now rank among the best in the county. In the township proper, and outside of the boroughs, there are no educational institu- tions other than the public schools.

In the township the German Reformed

Church has one congregation, Fissel's,

formerly known as Jerusalem. It was organized in 1783, and is the oldest Reformed congregation in this section of the county. Its present membership reaches about 125, and the congregation is in a prosperous con- dition. The records are defective and its early history cannot be obtained. The first structure in which the congregation wor- shipped was a small log building, which was supplanted by a larger log weather-boarded, and this again in 1851 by a fine brick struct- ure. It is owned jointly by Lutherans and Reformed. The following were among the ministers who served this congregation: Rev. Adam Ettinger, 1805 to 1810; Rev. Yost Henry Fries, 1810 to 1814; Rev. F. Scholl, 1814 to 1819; Rev. Henry N. B. Habliston, 1819 to 1822; Rev. Jacob Major, 1822 to 1823; Rev. John Aug Forsch, 1823 to 1826; Rev. Frederick Becker, 1826 to 1828; Rev. Johu Rienecke, 1828 to 1848; Rev. C. W. Rienecke, D. D., 1848 to 1849; Rev. D. Gring, 1859 to 1880 and Rev. A. F. Driesbach, 1880 to present time.

The Lutherans have two congregations in the township, Fissel's and Hametown. The former is located about one and a half miles south west of Glen Rock, and was organ- ized jointly with the Reformed congregation already referred to and meets in the same church. The congregation was organized in 1783 and has been well maintained since then. The records are incomplete, but from what can be gathered among the early pastors were Revs. John Herbst, Sr. and Jr., Rev. Stecker, Rev. Grobe, and among the later were Revs. Jacob Kempfer, A. Berg, J. H. Menges, E. Manges, and the present pastor, Rev. E. Miller, D. D. The congregation is strong, and from it sprang the membership which started other congregations in this section. Hametown was organized in 1872, the membership mainly coming from the Shrewsbury congregation. The first pastor was Rev. J. C. Koller, who was followed by the present pastor, Rev. J. B. Wolf.

The Evangelical Association has but one congregation in the township, that of Kline- felter's Chapel, worshiping in the church by that name near Fissel's Lutheran Church. The congregation was organized in 1860,dur- ing which time the chapel was erected. Michael Seitz, Thomas Hunt and William Klinefelter being the building committee. The ministers who served this congregation were those who served the Shrewsbury con- gregation, and will be given in that connec- tion. The congregation is small but active and aggressive.

707

SHREWSBURY TOWNSHIP.

The Methodist Episcopal Church has one congregation in the township-Rock Chapel. This was the first congregation of that church and was organized in 1790, as near as can be gathered from an imperfect record. From it have gone the members to organize the other churches in this section. It is said that prominent ministers of the church preached in this church in its earlier years. The ministers that preached in Shrewsbury Borough also officiated at Rock Chapel.

In November, 1823, a great demonstration took place at the public house of John Ehr- hart, in the township and near Hametown. The demonstration was held in honor of Gov. Shultz's election, and delegations from almost every section of the county were in attend- ance.

The township has furnished its share of soldiers for the several wars in which the na- tion has been engaged. There were a num- ber of soldiers from the township in the Re- volution, but the names could not be secured. Michael Mason served in the war of 1812, N. G. Ruhl and Alexander Hannage served in the Mexican war, and the following served during the late civil war: Peter Kolter, Sr., Peter Kolter, Jr., D. W. Dubs, Nelson Baily, Henry Hershey, A. D. Meyers, Peter Hetrick, J. Matta, Charles Seachrist, John Klinefelt- er, N. Z. Seitz, J. H. Gantz, John Wagner, Valentine Anstine, William H. Dixon, An- drew Seitz, Samuel McMahon, Emanuel Wil- dasin, Joseph Dise, W. S. Dise, W. Frey, Blouse, D. McKinly, William Butcher, P. A. Small, Conrad Meise, Lewis Holter, R. Rinehart, I. Wagner, B. Geipe and B. Lamott. The following were prominent citizens or held important civil positions: Michael Hoke, whose popularity gave him every vote cast but five when elected as sheriff of the county; John Habliston and William Heindle, connected with the Baltimore Sun; John N. Miller and Philip Sheffer, county commissioners; Noah Ehrhart, recorder; Eli W. Free, State representative.

The people in the township proper are mostly engaged in agricultural pursuits. There are a number of grist-mills in the township and two large tanneries, that of J. G. Bortner, near Glen Rock, who is also con- ducting a flavine factory, and that of J. Habliston, near Shrewsbury. E. K. Bollin. ger & Co. are conducting an extensive fertil- izer factory at Seitzland. There was a time when every farm of any consequence in the township had its distillery, but they have been generally abandoned. The following boroughs have been erected in the township, and in connection with their history will be

found the most interesting portion of the history of the township: Shrewsbury, Glen Rock, Rail Road, New Freedom.

SHREWSBURY.

As early as the year 1800 there were indi- cations that the place now known as Shrews- bury would become a town. The town is located near the eastern borders of the town- ship on the Baltimore & York Turnpike, and about one mile east of the Northern Central Railroad. When it was first devel- oped into a village it was known as Stras- burg, the German for a village by the road or street; it subsequently received its present name as the principal village of the town- ship. Business was commenced in the vil- lage in 1800 by a Mr. Kline, who was fol- lowed by Jacob Ruhl, who then occupied the corner now occupied by L. C. Kraft. He discontinued in 1810 and was followed by H. Latimer & Co. on the corner now occupied by Gerry's drug store. C. F. Meyers began business on the Kraft corner in 1830 and was followed by Small, Myers & Latimer in 1859, when C. F. Rheling took charge of the place, and he was followed by H. D. Hart- man, Meyers & Bros., J. H. Markle and L. C. Kraft. Eli McDonnell, one of the prin- cipal business men as well as one of the most enterprising citizens of the town, began business in 1859. Among others who aided in developing the town and who were active business men were John Hershner, G. Blas- ser, R. Richey, Nathan Shafer, Samuel Gantz, George P. Everhart, Christof Kolter, and the Kollers, Becks, Geiseys, Gerrys. The town has been exclusively commercial. Samuel Gantz at one time established a tan- nery in the town, but it was soon abandoned. David Klinefelter erected a machine shop on the lot between Raffensperger's hotel and the stable, but it could not be made a success and was abandoned, when a steam saw-mill followed in the same place but it was also abandoned, and not a particle of evidence of these having been there now exists, except that in the minds of the people. In 1820 coal pits existed where Bott's Hotel now stands.

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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 137

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