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 142

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 142

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The following is a copy of a letter from the Committee of Safety, of Philadelphia, to the Committee of Safety of York:

729

LOWER WINDSOR TOWNSHIP.

COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, PHILADELPHIA, JANUARY 14, 1776. 6

Gentlemen: From every appearance of the enemy's motions we have reasons to apprehend an attack upon this city, which has determined the board to form a magazine of stores at Germantown, the present place of residence of Lieut. Boger, S. Ball, two navy officers, who have been made prisoners; from that circumstance it is thought not advisable to remove them. Your town is fixed upon as the most suitable place, as it is likely to be remote from the scene of action, and of course not a ready channel either to convey or receive intelligence that may be injurious to us, but more especially on account of the virtuous and determined attach- ment of your good people to the cause of American liberty. They will be escorted by an officer of Col. Atlee's battalion, who will hand you this com- munication. They are to remain on the same foot- ing and to have the same allowance as the other British officers at York, who are upon parole.

When Gen. Burgoyne surrendered to Gen. Gates at Saratoga in October, 1777, his sol- diers were imprisoned at different places. Many of them were sent to Lancaster, and in February, 1778, they were brought to York County. At a session of the Executive Council at Lacaster, February 12, 1778, W. A. Atlee, commissary of prisoners, in- formed the council " that there were a num- ber of British prisoners now to be removed to York, and that Capt. Long, with a com- pany of York County militia on their way home, their term of service having expired that day; but they would conduct the pris- oners to York if they were allowed rations and pay for the time." A number of " con- vention prisoners " were sent south from York and Lancaster in 1778. December 6, 1778, the Executive Council directed the Board of War to have William Scott, lieuten- ant of York County, call out one class of the militia to meet British prisoners at Wright's Ferry, on Susquehanna. A letter written by Edward Shippen to Col. Burd, dated Lan- caster, January 2, 1779, says: "All the pris- oners of Gen. Burgoyne's army are gone over the Susquehanna. Happy for this borough, they were not detained by the weather here all winter." Some of them were imprisoned here and some were sent to Hagerstown, Md., and to Virginia.

The Continental Congress passed a res- olution March 3, 1781, directing that all " convention prisoners " (Burgoyne's soldiers) should be removed back from Virginia and Maryland to Pennsylvania-the British to York and the Hessians to Lancaster. Some citizens of York County had petitioned the council that no more Hessians be sent here. There were some Hessians sent after their petition, however. The York County militia guarded the prisoners most of the time. In January 2, 1782, the Supreme Executive

Council ordered Gen. Lincoln,minister of war, to send Gen. Hazen's regiment, the " Con- gress' Own," to guard the prisoners in York, Lancaster and Berks counties. The county militia, who had been guarding them, were then discharged, but in the fall of 1782 Hazen's regiment was sent to Fort Pitt. In 1781 a malignant fever broke out among the . convention and Hessian prisoners at York and in Lancaster. It was called " jail fever " or "camp fever." At the Windsor prison numbers of them, mostly Hessians, died. (See page 156.)

THE TOWNSHIP OF LOWER WINDSOR.

"THIS township was formed in 1838, by a division of Windsor, of which it formed a part for a period of eighty years. Lower Windsor is bounded on the north by Hellam, on the east by the Susquehanna, on the south by Chanceford and on the west by Windsor. It slopes gently eastward, and is drained by various small tributaries of the Susquehanna. The farming land in the greater part of the township is very valuable, and there are still tracts of excellent woodland.

The valley which extends across the entire township in an east and west direction, is fertile with historical associations of the colonial period, and the times of the first settlements west of the Susquehanna. It was then called the Conojohela* Valley, a beautiful Indian name which, on account of its euphony, should not be lost to history or literature. It has been, however, within the past half century, corrupted into "Jockly," "Canojockly" "Canodocholy," etc. The original name should be revived. It was in this valley that some of the first "squatters" on the west side of the Susquehanna located, and were driven to the east side by the Provin- cial authorities, before the time of authorized settlements, the incidents of which are related in the first part of this book. It was on the opposite side of the river, at the site of the village of Washington, that James Patterson, the Indian trader lived and flourished when the territory of York County was yet owned by the red man. As early as 1722 he used a portion of the Conojohela Valley as a public pasture ground for his horses. At his store the surveyors who laid off Springetsbury Manor met. Gov. Keith and the Hon. John Penn stopped there and met representatives of the native tribes of the Susquehannocks.

*The meaning of this word is unknown.

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

730

One of the volumes of the Pennsylvania Archives, record the fact that in the year 1722, some Indian squaws had gathered apples in this valley, and were about to take them across the river to their settlement at Indian Town, when the white "squatters" took the apples from the Indians and abused them, on account of which, complaint was made to the authorities. Inasmuch as apples are not indigenous to America, this fact would seem to indicate that this fruit was introduced into York County by our aborigines before the time of the settlement by the whites.

At the base of the Conojohela Valley, near the mouth of Cabin Branch Creek, was the site of what was known as the fort of Col. Thomas Cresap, the hero of the Maryland Intruders. The thrilling incidents which caused so much commotion on account of the encroachment of the Marylanders, will be · found in the chapter entitled "Border Troub- les " in the first part of this work.

LUTHERAN AND REFORMED CHURCH.

Most of the first settlers of this township were Germans, and the first religious serv- ices were held in their native tongue, in the homes of the well-to-do pioneers, and con- ducted by missionaries. These people before they left the fatherland, were members either of the Lutheran or German Reformed Church. These two denominations in 1763, joined together in the erection of a house of wor- ship.

The whole community assisted in building it, and no one, except the joiner, whose name was Gossler, received any pay for his work. Henry Amend was the carpenter, and he was assisted by Michael Kauffelt. Amend ac- cepted no pay, so the community raised mon- ey quietly and purchased a tine suit of clothes which was presented to him. This was not of the characteristic "linsey-wool- sey" of that day, but cloth of fine quality, says the tradition. The church was dedi- cated in 1764. It lasted about thirty-six years. It was resolved in 1801 to build a new brick church. A committee was ap- pointed, consisting of Michael Kauffelt and Anthony Keller, Lutherans, and Conrad Le- ber and Gen. Jacob Dritt, Reformed, Mathias Becker was treasurer. After the church was completed, an organ was purchased from Christian Rathfon, of Lancaster. A pipe organ was bought of Joseph Small, of York, in 1816, which was used in this church un- til a few years ago. The records of the Lu- theran Church book show that the following named persons: Revs. Schaum, Heckheimer, Bager, Raus, Conwell and Lischy, con-

ducted missionary services among the early settlers until 1769. Revs. Nicholas Kurtz and Jacob Goering preached at York and at this place each regularly at different pe- riods until 1807, at which time Rev. Goer- ing died, while pastor of the First Lutheran Church, of York. In 1809, Rev. J. G. Schmucker became pastor. In 1814, this church and the Kreutz Creek Church were separated from the York charge. Rev. Charles Morris officiated in this church from 1814 to 1818, when he resigned and entered business. For many years he was known very familiarly in York and the county, as proprietor of the "Morris Drug Store." Rev. John Herbst was next pastor for one year. Rev. John G. Graber (Craver), was called in 1819, and remained as a devoted pastor until 1834. He was the father of John Craver, connected with York County National Bank. Rev. Graber lived during his entire pastorate, in the present residence of James Kell, of York.

In 1835, Rev. Jonathan Oswald succeeded. He introduced English preaching gradually, until one-half the services were conducted in that language. Rev. Dr. Oswald was like a father among his people, and during his long ministerial labors of forty years, was successful in greatly increasing the membership of the church. He preached his last sermon to this congregation on Sun- day, June 20, 1875, and now resides in- York.

The present church was built in 1867. It is located on a beautiful site, an extended view over a large scope of country on both sides of the Susquehanna, is afforded the ob- server. P. W. Keller was the contractor, John Libhart and Samuel Leber, Reformed, and George Keller and Samuel Gilbert, Lu- therans, formed the building committee. The audience room up stairs, is large and comfortable, and the ceiling is beantifully frescoed. Jacob M. Lieberknecht is the present sexton and organist.

To the east of the church is the old grave- yard, where silently sleep many of the early inhabitants of Conojohela Valley. The names on the tombstones indicate that they were Germans. Some of the inscriptions are in their native tongue.

To the west of the church is a handsomely kept cemetery, containing many large mar- ble monuments. Near the entrance is a mar- ble column, dedicated to Peter Keller, who recently died aged ninety three years.

A parsonage, now occupied by the sexton, and fifteen acres of land adjoining, is a part of the church property. Rev. L. K. Sechrist

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LOWER WINDSOR TOWNSHIP.

is the present pastor of the Lutheran con- gregation, with a membership of about 260 communicants. He also preaches at Kreutz Creek.

The records do not show when the Re- formed congregation was organized nor who was the pastor, from the time of the erec- tion of the church, to 1771. From this date to 1774, it is inferred that Rev. Daniel Wagner was its pastor. He was succeeded, after an interval, by Revs. James R. Reiley, G. Geistweit, D. Zacharias, D. D., D. Zieg- ler, D. D., R. Rahauser, E. G. Williams and A. Wanner, D. D., who took charge of the congregation April 1, 1882. The num- ber of Reformed members is 100.

The Sunday-school in this church was or- ganized in 1840, in a schoolhouse, about three-quarters of a mile west from the church. Henry Y. Slaymaker, of Margar- etta Furnace, was the first superintendent. In 1857, it was removed to the church, where it has since been continued as a union school. After its removal to the church, John Hellerman was its first superintendent. The school in 1885, numbered 204 members, and was superintended by Reuben Paules.

YORKANA.

From Beard's tannery to the Lutheran and Reformed Church, a distance of about three miles on the York and East Prospect road, are a large number of fine country homes. Many of these residences are new, and make quite an attractive appearance. Nearly mid- way between the two places mentioned is the site of "Kauffelt's Store." This place, for nearly a hundred years, went by that name, and has been a center of interest and importance in the township for more than a century. At Kauffelt's Store was the place for annual muster and battalion parade of militia days. These parades, like all other militia parades, were enjoyed by large and motley crowds, more intent on frolic and roystering than im- provement in military discipline. A few years ago the property changed hands and the mercantile business is now conducted by J. B. Budding & Bro. By the request of Dr. J. W. Barcroft, now of Washington, D. C., the postoffice has been given the name of Yorkana. It is seven miles distant from York.

Early in the present century two men, one named Miller and the other Jacobs, each platted a town here. One place was called Millerstown and the other Jacobstown. Mil- ler succeeded in selling a few lots, and a small collection of houses in the vicinity

was for many years given the name of Mil- lersville. Only recently has the name York- ana been given to it.

In October, 1818, the Harrisburg Repub- lican advertised fourteen lots in Jacobs- town, and forty lots and ten outlots in Mil- lerstown to be sold in that city for the direct tax of 1816, which had not been paid by the non-resident owners. Both of these men upon laying out their towns had disposed of the lots by lottery. This plan of originating a town was very common about the year 1812 and a few years later.

BEARD'S TANNERY.

The only tannery now in Lower Windsor is located just beyond the stream called "the head of Kreutz Creek," on the road from York to East Prospect. It has long been known as Beard's Tannery. It was started about eighty years ago by Daniel Hengst, of whom Frederick Burg purchased it and con- ducted the business until he sold it to Joseph Beard. In 1836 John E. Beard, Esq., began the business, and continued nearly forty years-Frank and Harry Beard were the proprietors. The present firm name is John E. Beard & Son. The bark used is from the chestnut-oak still obtained in the adjoining woods.

EVANGELICAL CHURCH.

The frame church which now welcomes the surrounding populace of Yorkana within its doors was built by the Evangelical Asso- ciation in the year 1867. The first trustees were Joshua Heindel and Philip Mitzel. Another church stood upon the same site for forty years. At present a large Sunday- school regularly meets here. Rev. E. Crumb- ling is pastor of Millersville Circuit, includ- ing this and other churches. B. Frank Beard is superintendent of the Sunday- school. The church membership is eighty- five, and the number of pupils in the Sunday- school is 150.

EAST PROSPECT BOROUGH.

At the base of the Conojohela Valley, lo- cated on a charmingly beautiful spot, stands the borough of East Prospect. It is eleven miles from York, on what was for a long time called the York and Dritt's Ferry road, and about two miles from the Susquehanna. John A. Jacobs laid out the town in 1849. The first house is still standing, owned by William E. Oleweiler. A dry goods and grocery store is now kept in it by George Kise. There are several stores and a hotel 'in the town. The manufacture of cigars is

732

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

an important industry. The early inhab- itants were undecided what name to give the town until the very appropriate one of Pros- pect was thought of. From Centre Square, looking eastward, a magnificent pauorama is presented to the observer, extending a long distance into the counties of Lancaster and Dauphin, embracing a landscape view unri- valled for beauty and attractiveness. To the west toward York is the equally fertile and productive Conojohela Valley.

Since there was already a post town in But- ler County this State, called Prospect, the name East Prospect was selected. The town was incorporated in 1874. The survey was made by Harry Winter, of York, now a resident of Iowa. Maple Street runs east and west. The beautiful homes on it are now comforta- bly shaded by luxuriant maple trees of differ- ent varieties. Main Street, running north and south, was the first to be built up.

Zion's Church of the Evangelical Associa- tion, located in the center of the village, is a well designed stone structure, surmounted by a tall spire. In the belfry is a fine toned bell, which regularly calls the surrounding populace to the worship of the Triune God. The surpassing beauty and excellence of the music of this bell is well known. Its welcome sound arouses the most uncon- I cerned to the responsibilities of their re- ligious dnties. The present church was built in 1882, at a cost of $3,500, contractor, Jacob Smith. The building committee were Samuel Burg, Henry Burg, Henry Kise, Jacob Smith and Henry Barshinger. An old graveyard, still well cared for, adjoins the church.

On the same site that the new building stands, for nearly half a century stood an old stone church, in which the members of the same denomination worshiped. Rev. Al- bright, the founder of the Evangelical Asso- ciation, preached in this vicinity during the time of his ministry.

The present membership is about 150 com- municants. A Sunday-school under the superintendency of George Kise, Jr., meets regularly in Zion's Church.

THE CEMETERY.

A short distance to the northeast of the borough, on an eminence overlooking the town, the cemetery is located. A charter was granted in 1868, and it was laid out soon thereafter. There are quite a number of fine granite and marble monuments in it. The board of directors are: Henry Kise, presi- dent; Henry Burg, secretary; Samuel Burg,

treasurer; William Burg, William Helder and Daniel Leber.

CHURCHES.

North Trinity Church .- This church of the Evangelical Association is located about three miles northeast of East Prospect, on the road leading to Wrightsville. It is a neat frame structure, with an adjoining graveyard. The value of this church and land adjoining is about $1,400.

Ebenezer Church, of the Evangelical Asso- ciation, is located at Long Level, about three miles southeast of East Prospect. It was built in 1872, and is, a brick structure, di- mensions 40x60 feet. It was remodeled un- der the pastorate of Rev. Schleh, and dedi- cated September 14, 1884, by Bishop Bow- man, of Allentown, Penn. The value of it is abont $2,500.

New Salem Church .- This church was built about 1840, by the Evangelical Association. It is situated five miles south of East Pros- pect, near the borders of Chanceford Town- ship, about a mile south of Martinsville. There is a very old cemetery near by. The new church was rebuilt in 1880. It is a handsome wooden structure, and cost about $1,600.

All the above described Evangelical churches, located in the east end of Lower Windsor, including Zion's Church at East Prospect Borough, belong to the East Pros- pect charge of the Central Pennsylvania Con- ference. This denomination is a Methodistic body, which has a well defined dogma of faith and a ritual. The form of church gov- ernment is Episcopal, and the bishops are chosen every four years.

Margaretta Church .- When the furnace under Henry Y. Slaymaker was in its pros- perity, he built a frame church near by. un- der the auspices of the Presbyterian denom- ination. Services were occasionally held by visiting clergymen, and in the absence of a preacher he frequently conducted the services himself. There always was a strong bond of attachment between Mr. Slaymaker and his employes. One of the first Sunday-schools of the township, it is said, was held in this building about the year 1834. The church is still standing; occasionally services have been held in it for several years past by the Methodists.

FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY.

The Lower Windsor Fire Insurance Com- pany was organized in 1879. It has been in successful operation ever since. The present board of directors are Joseph Gilbert, pres-

D. V. Detwiler.

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LOWER WINDSOR TOWNSHIP.

ident; Gerard C. Brown, secretary; Samuel Burg, treasurer; Henry Burg, H. H. Sprenkle, Henry Thomas. Rudolph Neiman, John Tschoop, J. Lieberknecht, Samuel Libhart and Jacob Leber.

SCHOOLS.

The interest in public education in this township is manifest from the comfortable appearance of the schoolhouses. They are nearly all built of a fine quality of stone, which is quarried in the township. They are fourteen in number, with the following names: Millersville, Will's, Leber's, Fitz- kee's, Kline's, Shultz's, Furnace, Bentz's, Pike's Peak, Gilbert's, Martinsville, Crosby's, Neiman's and Cramer's. For the past year, William S. Gilbert was president of the school board; Reuben A. Paules, secretary; Peter H. Kline, treasurer; Barton Ruby, Tobias Reeley and J. H. McGuigan, directors.

IRON ORE INTERESTS.

Margaretta Furnace, whose history will be found on page 489 in this work, smelted a great deal of ore, much of which was ob- tained in the immediate vicinity of the fur- nace. The banks were opened by the Slay- makers, and later worked by Hahn & Himes. The ores here obtained, were limonite, turgite and iron hydrates generally, and contained 45 per cent of metallic iron. A kind of black ore was at one time obtained, which yielded, it was claimed, 60 per cent metallic iron. Charcoal was used at the furnace for the reduction of these ores, and the heat for steam generation was procured by leading the ignited gases from the tunnel head be- neath the boilers. The foundry iron, made at one time, sold at $55 per ton.

The Wrightsville Iron Company, and later Skiles & Fry of Lancaster, obtained consid- erable lump ore on George Keller's farm two and one-half miles north of East Prospect. The same firm wrought Daniel Leber's bank near by.

John Small's bank near Margaretta, was opened by Mr. Slaymaker. Lump and wash ore were about equal in production at this bank.

John Keller's bank, northwest of Margar- etta, was opened by the owner, and 1,000 tons obtained during the six months it was wrought.

James Curran's bank, one mile south of the furnace, was opened by Eckert & Guil- ford about 1840, and worked after them in order by George Heindel, John Givens and James Currans. The ore was a shelly limo- nite.

Two miles northwest of the furnace is what is known as Barcroft's bank, opened by Henry Y. Slaymaker, in 1840, and later leased to Mr. Eagle of Marietta. The ore obtained was of plate like structure, hard, flinty and tenacious. Most of the ore was lump, lying in deep deposits of clay. Mus- selman & Watts worked this bank for some time and obtained from it 19,000 tons of ore, which produed 333 per cent metallic iron.' One mile west of this bank is Barley's bank, opened about 1867, and worked two years. In all, several hundred thousand tons of ore have been obtained in Lower Windsor since 1830.

HISTORICAL NOTES.

Cabin Branch received its name from the fact that the Indians built cabins along its bank near the Susquehanna, on lands now owned by Samuel and William Burg.

The Wrightsville & Chanceford Turnpike, five miles in length, starts at the former place, and extends across portions of Hellam and Lower Windsor to Jacob Himes' hotel. The charter of this road was granted in 1881 to the company with permission to extend it to Brogueville. L. E. Oleweiler and Peter Gilbert have lumber yards at convenient points along the pike.

The foundry owned by David Woodmansee, was located about two and one-half miles from East Prospect. A prosperous business was once done at it. He became the first chief burgess of East Prospect.

About the time when Margaretta Furnace was in its prosperity, a store was started at this place by John Keyser, who kept it six years, and was succeeded by David Hengst, now living at an advanced age in Freeport, Ill. The next proprietor was John Bentz, now of York, who remained eighteen years, and was followed by Reuben A. Paules, who for the past thirteen years enjoys a good trade in general merchandise.

A Stage Line runs daily between East Prospect and York for the purpose of carry- ing the inail. The Stage goes to York in the morning and returns in the evening. Will- iam Bausman is the contractor.

Lower Windsor produces a large amount of tobacco, and about 100,000 cigars are made daily in the township, there being many fac- tories.

The houses formerly owned by the proprie- tors of Woodstock Forge, and occupied by workmen, are now owned by different individ- uals. There is now a hamlet there containing seventy-five people.

George Young, living near East, Prospect, was a wagoner of the olden times, and made

734

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

many trips from Baltimore and York to Wheeling and Pittsburgh, before the era of railroads.

Dritt's Ferry, and a large tract of land owned by Capt. Jacob Drilt, of Revolutionary fame, was located along the river at the east- ern extremity of Lower Windsor. It was later known as the Bonham farm and is now owned by Henry Barshinger. (See page 398.)

The Yorkana Band was organized July 12, 1882. Lower Windsor Band was organized in 1875.

John Paules, now of Marietta, formerly of . Lower Windsor, is ninety-three years old.

Anstine's Fulling-mill is one of the past in- dustries of Lower Windsor.

On Sunday, November 6, 1819, the " Corn and Gig House" of John Dritt, of this town- ship, was destroyed by fire. A gig and 1,000 bushels of corn were burned.

Craleysville is an interesting hamlet in the southern part of Lower Windsor.

THE TOWNSHIP OF CHANCEFORD .*

HANCEFORD TOWNSHIP is bounded on the north by Fishing Creek, which separates it from Lower Windsor; east by the Susquehanna River, extending from the mouth of Fishing Creek to near Burkhol- der's Ferry; west by the north branch of Muddy Creek, which separates it from Wind- sor and Hopewell Townships; and south by Lower Chanceford Township; and contains fifty and one-half square miles of territory. Its population at the census of 1880 was 2,994.

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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 142

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