History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical, Part 97

Author: Egle, William Henry, 1830-1901
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1046

USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical > Part 97
USA > Pennsylvania > Lebanon County > History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical > Part 97

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The first record-book of the borough and other pa- pers were destroyed by fire in 1855, when the resi- dence of Henry Stehman, who was then burgess, was burned. Sinee that period the records are somewhat imperfect, and we are unable to give a complete list of the burgesses.

CHURCHES.

ST. PETER'S LUTHERAN CHURCH is the oldest Lu- theran Church in the county. The lot numbered 135 upon which the old the first church edifice stands, including the graveyard in the rear. was purchased from George Fisher, and Hannah, his wife, as appears from a deed bearing date Sept. 18, 1764, to Peter Woltz, George Frey, and Deterick Schob. all of Lower Paxtang (now Swatara) township, Lancaster (now Dauphin) County, Province of Pennsylvania. The pur- chase-money was seven shillings and sixpence, with the additional rent of one grain of wheat every year. to be delivered annually on the 1st day of May. The deed was acknowledged before Justice John Allison. and attested by Joseph Greenwood and Henry Renick. It is written on parchment, and is yet in a good state of preservation. It is recorded in Laneaster County. in Deed-Book MI, page 395, by Edward Shippen. re- eorder. It bears the old Provincial seal of Lancaster County. In the same year a petition was sent to John Penn, then Lieutenant-Governor of the Province. praying for the privilege of erecting a church, and also for the privilege of collecting funds for the same purpose. Whereupon privilege was granted by license dated Sept. 28, 1764, to Christian Roth and David Ettley 1 to raise by subscription twelve hundred pounds in the spare of three years. This document bears the autograph of John Penn, and i- countersigned by Jo- seph Shippen, his secretary. There are no papers to show how much of this money was raised. It ap-

The church editice was built in 1767. The corner- stone was laid by Justice (Col. ) James Burd, in pres- enee of Revs. Theophilus Engeland, N. Harnell. Conrad Bucher, and the church wardens and elders, John Christ. Roth, John Metzgar, George Philip Shaage, Gottlieb David Ettley, and Jacob King, to- gether with the building committee, which consisted of George Frey, Frederick Zeppernick, and Conrad Wolfley. There was placed in the corner-stone a German Bible, printed at Halle in 1763; the shorter Catechism of Martin Luther, printed in Philadelphia in 1764; three wafers; a half-pint bottle of wine: and some money in Pennsylvania currency. The lot upon which the lecture-room stood was transferred by the executors of George Frey and Jaeob King, by a deed bearing date Oct. 7, 1807, to the trustees of the church, viz., John Metzzar, Philip Ettele. John Blattenberger. Jacob Wolfley. Christian E-enhauer, and Marks Snyder. On March 10, 1807, application was made by the congregation for a charter of incor- poration. On the 21st of the same month. Governor Thomas MeKean authorized Timothy Matlack, master of the rolls, to issue the charter prayed for by the petitioners, who were Ludwick Wolfley, Valentine Weyrick, Martin Hemperley, Nicholas Shuler, George Shalkey, Frederick -, George Schneegaus, Chris- tian Spayd, George Lauman, James Metzgar, Jacob Snyder, John Smuller, John Croll, John Heppich, John Blattenberger, Jr., Christian Laurentz. David Ettele, George Schuler, Matthias Wolf. In 1813 the steeple was built. For this purpose twelve hundred and eleven dollars and thirty-five cents was subscribed by one hundred and ninety-three different persons, whose names are all on record, and among whom are the ancestors of many of the prominent families of the town. The first floor of the church was of brick. and in 1880 the present floor was laid. In 1835 the lecture-room was built, and in 1861 an addition way made to accommodate the increasing number of Sunday -- chool scholars. In 1844 the second roof was put on the church, and in Iso its interior wa- re- modeled. At this time the pulpit was erected on the north side, between the two large windows, and about midway between the door and the ceiling, and was reached by a narrow flight of steps. There were two entrances, one on the south side, which on

1 David Ettley, one of the committee to raise the money for the church, walked to Philadelphia on his collecting tour.

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MIDDLETOWN BOROUGH.

the remodeling of the edifice was closed. The build- ing was remodeled while Rev. Dr. Baum had charge of the congregation, and the work was done by Maj. Rehrer. In 1855 and 1:56 the parsonage was built. This old stone church is now used only at stated times, mostly at funerals of aged persons who wish the funeral services to be held in its sacred walls, an elegant new church edifice having been completed on another lot, and dedicated in 1879. Its pa-tors have been : 1767-78. Rev. Theophilus Engeland ; 1773->>, Rev. T. F. Illing : 1788-93. Rev. J. Kurtz; 1793-95, Rev. P. Pentz; 1795-1503, Rev. II. Miller : 1803-12, Rev. F. C. Sheatt: 1912-15. Rev. George Lochman. D.D .; 1815- , Rev. A. H. Lochman, D.D. ; 1890-34, Rev. J. Van Hoff; 1834-37. Rev. P. Saline; 1837-44, Rev. S. D. Finckel. D.D .: 1844-47. Rev. J. Vogh- bangh; 1847-48, Rev. L. Gerhart; 1848-53. Rev. W. M. Baum, D.D .; 1853-50. Rev. Benjamin Sadtler: 1856-65, Rev. C. J. Ehrehart ; 1865-72. Rev. Peter Raby ; 1873 ( April 1), Rev. John W. Finkbiner, the present incumbent.

On Sept. 4, 1867, the church celebrated its centen- nial anniversary, at which were present many distin- guished clergymen of the Lutheran and other denom- inations and person- prominent in the State. At this centennial anniversary. George Smuller -ent one hun- dred grains of choice selected wheat to Hon. Robert J. Fisher, of York, the oldest of the legal heirs and representatives of George Fisher, who laid out the town, and of whom the church lot wa- purchased, a- full satisfaction of one clause in the original deed requiring a rental of one grain of wheat to be paid annually. The wheat was contained in a silk bag worked by Miss Carrie Smuller.

The old church lot is two hundred by fifty feet. When "St. Peter's Kirche" (as it was denominared by a lettered stone still in its front over the door; was dedicated in 1767 the members consisted of sixty -- ix old and sixty-three young person -. It was built of red sandstone, was two stories in height, and had a gallery on the east, south, and west sides, the pulpit occupying the north side. There was a second eu- trance fronting on High Street, which was reached through the yard in front and staircase leading from each door to the gallery, meeting at the southeast corner. The windows were small, with quite small panes of glass. The bricks in the floor were nine inches square. The pews were narrow. with high. straight backs. When the house was finally warmed, it was done by two large stoves capable of taking in a vast amount of fuel, consisting of ordinary cord- wood four feet in length. The pulpit was small and supported by a post eight or ten feet high. and reached by a narrow stairway. Over it was a sound- ing-board. A pipe-organ at one time occupied a por- tion of one side of the gallery. In Augu-t. 1793. the congregation secured the adjoining lot, No. 194, of Jacob Gros, and wife, who made a conveyance there- of to George Frey and Jacob King for the considera- i The Methodists were second to the Lutherans in

tion of three pounds in hand and a vearly rent of one grain of wheat to be paid annually on May 1st. By mistake the deed was made to Frey and King indi- vidually, but when they died their trustees and exer- utors-John Landis, Charles Fisher, William Crabb, and John Cassel for Frey's estate, and Jacob Snyder and Daniel Eri-man for King's-conveyed it to the tru-tees of the church. In 1826, Jane Hannogan ( Flannagan ) soll lot No. 133 to the congregation, so that the old church and cemetery now comprises three lots,-Nos. 133, 184, and 135. When the brick Hoor was replaced by a wooden one, in 1830, the straight-back pews gave way to others of a more com- fortable character, and a new pulpit was erected. be- neath which was an alcove or recess, into which the pastor could retire and leave his wrappings before entering the sanctuary. It had steps at either side, and a semicircular railing hung with velvet inclosed it. The reading-desk was also covered with velvet. The alterations were superintended by Jacob Hep- pich. In the remodeling of 1850 the whole inside wood-work-pews. gallery, and all-was removed. The windows, which were formerly in two tiers, were made into one. and the door-way facing High Street was converted into a window. The pulpit was erected at the west end. and the galleries extended around the other three sides. A vestibule wa- made, from which inclosed stairways led to the gallery and shut off the cold from the auditorium. A parsonage was erected on High Street, near the old church, in 1855. In 1372 the congregation purchased the lots ou Union Street, on which its second and beautiful edifice was built, and dedicated in 1879.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. - Middletown Station was formed out of Dauphin Cirenit in 1956. Since then the pastors have been : 1856-58, George G. Rakestraw ; 1858-60, S. W. Kurtz; 1860. William B. Gregg; 1861-63, J. S. Lame; 1868-65, J. M. Wheeler; 1865-67, S. T. Kemble; 1867-69, Allen John : 1869, L. B. Hughes; 1870-72. J. Montgomery ; 1872-74. T. B. Miller; 1874-77. S. G. Grove: 1877- 79, J. T. Swindells: 1879-82, W. H. Fries; 1989-84. L. B. Brown, the present pastor. The Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church edifice, now a dwelling- house occupied by Mrs. Lauman, was a frame build- ing, built about 1820 at the upper or north end of Main cross street. It was used by the Methodist preachers on the circuits, and at intervals mission- arics of other denominations held services therein. Eu it was held the first Sunday -- chool in the town, opened about 1832. This building was erected and the congregation organized in 1830. The corner- stone of the present church was laid in 1851, and May 10, 1853, it was dedicated. Rev. Dr. Bartine officiating. It was built under the pastorship of Rev. Sanders. The parsonage, on the same street (Aant as the church, was built in 1867. The valuation of the church property is over eight thousand dollars.

384

HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.

point of time in holding services in the town, and the first Methodist preaching in the county, ante- dating by twenty-one years that at Halifax, is said to have occurred here. As early as 1780 eirenit- riders of " York Cirenit," embracing a large area of country and parts now of several counties, came every four weeks to Middletown to meet their appoint- ments. The place of holding the services was at the dwelling of Dr. Romer, on High above Duek Street, where Eli May lived. One of the original congrega- tion and first Methodists here was Jacob Shertz, who carried on a blacksmith-shop. The place wa- for many years one of the large number of preaching- places of " York Cirenit," but sometimes two and three months would elapse ere the itinerant made his appearance. In good weather, however, and with no sickness on the part of the circuit-riders, preaching was had every four weeks. From 1856, when made a station, its progress has been uninterrupted, and it> growth has been largely due to such member- a- Sey- mour Raymond, who by his zeal. energy, aud lib- erality succeeded in putting the church on a good financial basis and building up its prosperous Suu- day-school.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH .- The Scotch-Irish were among the first settlers in this vicinity, and were generally Pre-byterians. Lebanon Valley, however, was the principal point of attraction to the-e pio- neers, who, bringing with them a large amount of energy and religious fervor, erected the very ancient church at Derry, and soon after the ones at Paxtang and Hanover. It does not appear that any attempt was made in early times to establish a church at Mid- dletown, but a honse was built near Gainsburg, four miles from Middletown, known as the "Conewago Presbyterian Church." long since tallen to decay. The builder was killed by falling from its roof, and was buried in 1745 in the graveyard attached. These eburches, being within what was then considered rea- sonable distance for church attendance. were dermed sufficient for the wants of the members at Middle- town. Services, however, were frequently held in the German Lutheran Church by Presbyterian preachers, among whom were Reve. N. R. Snowden and James R. Sharon. There must have been some organiza- tion among the members of the church, as the records show that on June 7, 1802, James Russell and wife conveyed lot No. 94, in Middletown, to William Crabb, John MeCammon, and Edward Crouch, as " fin-tees of the English Presbyterian Congregation of Middle- town," to be used as a burying-ground. The lot ad- joining it on the east was used as a burial-ground by the Presbyterian> before that period. Col. James Burd and his wife were buried there, the latter in 1784 and the former in 1793, but their remains were a few years ago removed to the Middletown ceme- tery. The Burds, McClures, Kirkpatricks, and Me- Clanegans were among the first Pre-byterian families who settled about here and held large traets of land.

In the early part of the present century the Crabb-, MeCammons, Crouches, Jordans, and Elders took their places, and later the MeKibbens, MeNairs, and Kendigs. There was no movement to reorganize the congregation until 1850. On April 10th of that year the Presbytery in session at Carlisle appointed a com- mittee to visit Middletown and confer with the Pres- byterians there as to the practieability of establishing a church. At a meeting in June following of the Presbytery at Gettysburg the committee reported favorably. On October 29th the Presbytery met here, when a petition signed by Daniel Kendig, Sarah Ken- dig. Robert F. Snoddy, Edward Burgett, Dr. B. J. Wiestling, Matilda E. Wie-tling, Mary E. Wilt, and Davis Thompson was presented, asking for the organ- ization of a church here. The elders then elected were Dr. B. J. Wie-tling, Daniel Kendig, and Edward Burgett. Thus was organized the first regular con- gregation since the original one had expired half a century before. Supply preaching was had in the brick church on Water Street.

April 8. 1851, Rev. John Cross was authorized to solicit funds for erecting a church edifice, on June 10th was ealled as pastor, and installed June 26th. Mr. Cross died suddenly Aug. 22, 1851. at Dickinson, Cumberland Co., while raising funds to build the church, and his remains were brought to Dr. B. J. Weistling's house, from which the burial took place. The church building was erected on Union Street in 1852, in which year Rev. O. O. MeClean became pas- tor, and continued to April, 1854. In October, 1855. Rev. John W. White was called and remained until the spring of 1858. His successor was Rev. T. K. Davis, from March, 1858, until May 4, 1863, when Rev. William C. Ferriday became pastor during whose absence, fromn ill health, Rev. H. T. Lee, of Philadelphia, preached). MIr. Ferriday's continued siekness compelled him to resign, and Jan. 25, 1865, Rev. H. L. Rex was called, who was installed June 6, 1865, and remained until May, 1874. In January, 1865, Rev. Daniel Macfie became pastor, and resigned in January, 1876. For some time Rev. A. D. Mitch- ell supplied the pulpit, but being appointed po-t chaplaiu in the United States army, Rev. Robert P. Gibson supplied the pulpit until April 14, 1878, when Rev. D. C. Meeker was called as pastor, who declined the call, and on May 20th, Rev. Malachi C. Bailey be- came pastor. He resigned in Isso. and his succe-sor was Rev. William G. MeDanuold, who took charre on Nov. 1, 1881, and is the present incumbent.

On March 31, 1852, C. W. King conveyed to Daniel Kendig lots 63 and 64, at the corner of Union and Water Streets, upon which to erect the church. On Aug. 24, 1854, Mr. Kendig conveyed the same to Dr. B. J. Wiestling, Davis Thompson, Dr. J. C. White- hill, C. H. Hoe, George Crist, Jeremiah Rehrer, and D. E. Martin, in trust for the church and congrega- tion. The church is a neat brick edifice, with a base- ment for Sunday - school and lecture - room. Its

385

MIDDLETOWN BOROUGHI.

builders were Me-srs. Leedom and Fisher. In 1853 ( August 28th) the congregation was incorporated. In March, 1864, the trustees purchased of Dr. Mercer Brown a piece of ground in Lower Swatara township, adjoining Middletown, of 7716 perches, on which they erected a parsonage.

CHURCH OF GOD (BETHEL) .- About 1825, Rev. John Winebrenner, a minister of the German Re- formed Church, but who had withdrawn therefrom, entertained and preached views on experimental re- ligion which differed somewhat from those held by the church, resided at Harrisburg. At the request of the friends of a Mrs. Black, who had been at one time a member of his congregation, and who had died on the farm of the late George Fisher, Mr. Winebrenner came to Middletown to preach the fu- neral sermon. The feeling against him was so strong that some of the older citizens refused to have any- thing to do with him. on the ground that he was not a minister in good standing in any church. John MeCammon, however, on being asked whether he would walk with Mr. Winebrenner on the occasion, cheerfully consented, and they were afterwards warm friends. The funeral services were held iu the Luth- eran Church, and some of the young men of the town were so favorably impressed with Mr. Wine- brenner that they invited him to preach. The doors of the Lutheran Church were, however. closed against him, but Mrs. Flannagan, who had charge of the Ebenezer Methodist meeting-house, opened that building to him, and under his ministration, a great revival commenced. He continued preaching alter- nately with the Methodist circuit preacher- for several years until about 1832, when his friends deemed it advisable to have an edifice of their own. In the mean time, however, some friends of Mr. Wine- brenner residing in Harrisburg. Middletown, and vicinity met at Linglestown and organized a new church or sect, adopting the doctrine- taught by Mr. Winebrenner, and styled them-elves the " Church of God," but for many years they were generally known as "Winebrennarians." Mr. Winebrenner always dis- approved of this term, and all his followers are now known as members of the "Church of God." The first members of this congregation, in 1827, were Su- sanna Smuller. - Bare. Elizabeth King, Jacob Rife, Joshua Heppich, Jacob Benner, John Benner still living ), Henry Siple, Joseph Ross, George Smuller, George Etter, Conrad Seabauch, George Baker, John MeFarland, Eliza Longhead, and Eve Cri-t. The first elders (1827) were Joshua Heppieh and John McFarland. The first church edifice of this new de- nomination ever built was erected in Middletown in 1832, on lot No. 23, on the east side of Main cross street (now Union), about midway between Water Street and Centre Square. It was a frame structure. Jathed and plastered on the outside. There were two entrances at the front, reached by high stairs or steps. The pulpit was placed between the doors at the end

of the building towards the street, and those entering faced the audience. The floor of the church from the first pew back was raised one step instead of being level, and many falls were received by persons going in and out who did not know of or failed to remem- ber the step. The building had a basement in which the Sunday-school was held, and at one time a week- day school was taught therein by Samnel Dennis.

In 1848, by a change of graude in the street, so much filling was done in front of the church that the high steps were no longer necessary, and the entrance to the building was made much easier. At the time of the dedication an accident occurred that but for the pres- ence of mind of Mr. Winebrenner, who was conduct- ing the services, might have been fatal in its results. A large post had been put up in the basement to sup- port the main girder. This girder rested upon a large stone. The great weight upon the post crushed the stone, and the effect was heard and telt by the audience. who became alarmned. fearing the building was about to fall, and ru-hed towards the doors, but were stopped by Mr. Winebrenner, who assured them there was less danger in remaining than in rushing out, a> many might be injured in going down the steep steps on the outside. This quieted them, and one of the builder», making an examination, reported imme- diately that there was no danger, and the exercises were continued without further interruption.

Iu 1852 the building was enlarged by extending the front to the line of the street, ca-ing the whole out-ide with briek and making a vestibule and gal- lery. The latter was con-tructed so as to be shut off entirely from the auditorium, if desired, and was of suf- ficient capacity for Sabbath-school and prayer-meet- ings. The internal arrangements were so changed that the pulpit was at the end opposite the entrance. On account of the gradual giving way of the walls

the church council, in June, 1873, appointed a com- mittee to ascertain the co-t of repairing the building, and at the meeting of council, in July following, it reported that it was inexpedient to spend any money on repairs. Shortly afterwards it was decided to erect a new church edifice, at a co-t not exceeding ten thousand dollars, and to begin its erection when eight thousand dollars was subscribed. The lot se- lected was on the northeast corner of Spring and Water Streets, which was purchased for twelve hun- dred dollars. In November, 1873, eight thousand and thirty-eight dollars bad been subscribed. Ground was broken June 9, 1874, and the corner-stone laid Foly 8. During the following winter the regular services, prayer-meetings, and Sunday-schools were held in the basement, and in the winter of 1575 and 1876 the auditorium was thrown open for the use of the great concourse of people attending the Union meetings. It is a brick structure, and the steeple is one hundred and sixty feet high, surmounted by a ball and vane. The roof is of slate, both on main building and -teeple. The walls are frescoed, and the windows of stained

386

HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.

glass. The seats of the basement are of iron and walnut and chestnut-wood, with movable back -. Those of the audience-room are of the same material, but fixed. The pulpit and reading-desk are made of walnut and chestnut.

Among its pastors have been Elders John Wine- brenner, Smitmer, Kyle, Edward Wert. McCartney, Croll, Mackey, William Miller, Joseph Adams, Ja- cob Flake, William Mooney, A. Swartz. Edward H. Thomas, William Mullineux, A. Snyder. D. A. L. Laverty, and B. F. Beck. Since 1>67 the pastors have been : 1867, J. Stamm; 1867-70, J. Keller; 1870-72, J. Haitleigh ; 1872-75. George Sizler ; 1875-77, W. L. Jones; 1877-79, J. Miller ; 1870-80, W. P'. Winbigler ; 1880-83, D. C. Shoop ; 1883. W. L. Lockwood, the present pastor.

CHRIST CHURCH .- In 1835 a schism occurred in St. Peter's Lutheran Church, under its pa-tor. Rev. Peter Sahm. A great religious revival was in prog- ress in the town, and meetings were nightly held in the lecture-room, which was always well filled. Many members of the church made a profession of a change of heart. This was an innovation, and some of the more conservative members looked upon the move- ment as heretical. Finally the opposition to the meetings became so great that many of the members left the church and started a new congregation, called Christ Church. They erected their church edifice in 1838, at the corner of Duck and Water Streets, and continued to worship there for many years. The membership gradually declined owing to deaths and removals, until it wa- no longer able to support a pastor, and finally those remaining con- neered themselves with other churches. The church edifice was sold to the United Brethren denomina- tion.

AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL ( ZION'S ) CHURCH was erected many years ago, but exactly when there are no records to show.

ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH .- There being no Catholic Church in Middletown, the member- of this denomination here and in the vicinity were com- pelled to go to Elizabethtown, Lancaster Co., to war- ship, that being in the parish in which they re-ided. But in 1857 a lot was secured on which to ereet at mission church. Through the untiring efforts of Rev. John McCosker, who then had charge of the pari-h. and to whom, in great measure, the congregation is indebted for its beautiful house of worship, the pro- jeet was successfully carried through. The church of "Saint Mary of the Seven Dolor," i- beautifully located on high ground at the western end of Ann Street, above Lawrence. in what was known as West Portsmouth. The corner -- tone was laid Sept. 20, 1857, by Rt. Rev. John Newman, bishop of the dio- cese of Philadelphia, assisted by Dr. O'Hara, Rev. John MeCosker, and several other priests. Dr. O'Hara, now Bishop of Seranton, preached the ser- mon at the laying of the corner-stone, and also at

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History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical, Part 97

Author: Egle, William Henry, 1830-1901 Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1046

Author: Egle, William Henry, 1830-1901
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1046