History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical, Part 98

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 98
USA > Pennsylvania > Lebanon County > History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical > Part 98

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 consecration of the church. Edwin Hodnett built the edifice for nine thousand dollars. It is a brick structure of Gothic style, with an organ gallery. It has a seating capacity on the first floor of over two hundred, and is the best-ventilated public buikling in town. The congregation in 1981 purchased grounds and laid out a cemetery. The first mission was held in the church Nov. 10, 1874, by Rev. Father Wendelin. a Benedictine monk, under the auspices of Bishop Shanahan, of Harrisburg, when a large number were confirmed. Rev. John MeCosker, the first pastor, continued until he was appointed chap- lain of the Fifty-fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Vol- unteer-, which was assigned to duty in South Caro- lina, where he contracted disease from which he died. He was mneceeded by Rev. Fathers MeGarrin (who died at Elizabethtown), Walsh, J. J. Mcl!vain, Mae- mongle, Mellvain (second time), and F. C. Foni, the present incumbent. In commemoration of the first mission, held Nov. 10, 1874, a large cross has been erected in the wall of the church, bearing the date of the mission and the text, "Abide in my love" (John v. 10).

UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH .- This congregation in 1852 erected a frame church edifice on Duck below Water Street, on a lot belonging to John Shoop. It has been gradually increasing in membership, and a few years ago purchased " Christ Church," on Water Street. For many years only a circuit, it is now a prosperous station. The first stationed pastor was Rev. H. C. Phillips, who was succeeded by Revs. J. R. Reitzel, J. G. Fritz, and A. H. Kauffman, the pres- ent pastor, who also hold- service at the United Brethren Chapel, Furnace Hill.

NEW MENNONITE CHURCH .- The congregation of New Mennonites purchased years ago the frame edi- fice on Duek below Water Street, belonging to the United Brethren. Its membership is small, and it has services once a month

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.

BANK OF SWATARA .-- The following is a contem- poraneous account of the organization of the Bank of Swatara :

" At a large und respectable meeting of the inhabitants of Middletown and the adjoining neighborhood, in the county of Dauphin, the 19th day of November, 1813, convened to take into consideration the propriety of establishing a bank in said town, James Hamilton was appointed chairman, and Fitsha Green appointed secretary.

"The meeting, fully sensible of the result of a disposable capital, com- bined with the many advantages afforded by the excellent harbor formed by the junction of the Swatara with the susquehanna, at the trow cun- templated town of Portsmouth, where a Inrge proportion of the ininiense produce of the country up the Susquehanna is offered for sale, confidently believe that the establishment of a bank here will not only greatly pro- mote the commercial prosperity of Pennsylvania, nud industrious and enterprising farmers, inechanics, and manufacturers, but will contribute much to the improvement of the navigation of the river and to the ad- vancement of the canal und lock navigation of the Stite.

" Therefore Resolved, That a bank be established at Middletown afore- said. w th a capital t.f 5250, 100, with permision at any time hereatter to increase the sum to Say000, divided into shares of $50 each, to he conducted by the president and twelve directors, and to be styled the Bank of Swatara.

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MIDDLETOWN BOROUGH.

" Resolved, That the books be opened at Middletown on Tuesday, the 14th day of December next, by Jarabe suyder and Elsha Green, at the house of John McCammon, for the subscription of hfteen hundred shares; at Hummelstown, on the same day, by Christian spayd and Thomas Fox, at John Fox's for five hundred shares ; at Lelanon, in the county of Lebanon, on the same day, by William Allison and Abraham Diebler, at the house of Abraham Dadler, for five hundred shares ; at Lancaster, the same day, by James Hamilton and Junies Humes, at the house of John Duchmian, for one thousand shares; at Elizabethtown. the same day, by John McCammen aud Jacob Gish, for five hundred shares; at Manheim, the same day, ly Ephraim Heller and Wendle Shelley, at the house of . for five hundred shares ; at Millerstown, tu the county of Lebanon, the same day, by William Lowman and Joseph Wallace, at the house of Christian Cassel, for five hundred shares.

" Resolved, That five dollars be paid to the commissioners for each and every share of stock at the time of ant scription.

" Resolved, That Jame. Hamilton, Willi. m Al'.son, E. Heller, and I .. Green be a connuittee to draft a constitution for the said bank, which shall be printed and submitted to the stockholders at the time of sub- ecribing.

" Resolved, That these resolutions be signed by the chairman and sec- retary and be published in the English and German newspapers ia the counties of Dauphin, Lebanon, and Lancaster."

The mania for creating banks seized upon the Legis- lature in 1814, just when all the avenues of industry were deranged by war with Great Britain. The Gor- ernor protested against, and at last vetoed. an act dividing the State into banking districts ; the Legisla- ture, however, passed it by the constitutional two- thirds. Under its provisions Dauphin County got two banks,-the Harrisburg, with $600,000 capital, and the Swatara, at Middletown, with 8000 shares at $50 each, or 8400,000 capital, 8100,000 was paid up. The gentlemen appointed to receive subscription- to

prudence and a reasonable degree of success. As it had never declared large dividends, great was the as- tonishment among its stockholders when it closed its doors, as was the case in a few years. Its business was continued and wound up at Harrisburg by Mr. Neilson, who in the course of his residence here was made cashier of the State treasury.

The banking house of the Swatara Bank was the house opposite the National Bank of Middletown, now occupied by Robert T. Landis. The bank shortly after it commenced business was robbed of forty thou- sand dollars in unsigned notes. Entrance to the bank was effected by boring through the door and cutting out a panel. The robber was arrested in Myer-town, in Lebanon County, and the money recovered. He proved to be a man named Rennock, who had once been a merchant in Philadelphia, but who had failed. He was tried, convieted, and sentenced to the peni- teotiary for a term of years.

NATIONAL BANK OF MIDDLETOWN .- This old financial institution was first organized May 12. 1832, as a bank under the banking laws of the State, and was called the " Bank of Middletown." In 1864 it was changed into a National Bank. Its first presi- dent was Benjamin Jordan, who continued from 1832 tn 1841, and was succeeded by Dr. Mercer Brown, who in turn was succeeded in 1854 by George Smuller, who died in 1982, when J. Donald Cameron was cho-en president, Seymour Raymond, vice-president, and D. W. Stehman, cashier. Gen. Simon Cameron

the stock of the one at Middletown were Thomas R. Buchanan, George Bower, Faac W. Van Leer, Henry Berry, George Fisher ( Harrisburg , John Shelly Lon- donderry), Jame- Wil-on . Derry , Jacob Her-hey ( Derry), James Hamilton, Christian Spard. Elisha Green. Ephraim Heller. William Lauman. The De- ces-ary amount was sub-cribed and the bank set agoing, with John Neilson, a careful accountant, as its cashier. James Hamilton was president of the institution. For several years it was carried on with

was cashier from 1832 to 1850, when his son, JJ. Don- ald Cameron ( United States senator), succeeded him. The first teller of the bank was John Croll, whose succe-sor was John Monoghan in 1856. He died in 1860, since which time the tellership had been tilled by Daniel W. Stehman, who was recently elected cashier. Since its establishment, in 1832, the bank has been kept in the same building, and for half a century has been the best known financial institution of the county. J. C. Bomberger was several years

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HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.

ago assistant teller, succeeded by John Monoghan, subsequently the teller. The present assistant teller is H. C. Stehman.

FARMERS' BANK OF MIDDLETOWN .- A new State Bank has been recently chartered by James Young and others, and opened in Mr. Young's building ad- joining his residence, and is known as the " Farmers' Bank of Middletown." Benjamin S. Peters is presi- dent; V. C. Coolbaugh, vice-president; Lee II. Nissley, cashier ; and A. II. Reider, teller.

EMAUS INSTITUTE, SCHOOLS, ETC.

At Middletown, in 1837, there was erected the Emaus Institute, founded by a bequest of George Frey, of Middletown, who died in 1806. In 1874 it was removed to its present site. The life of Mr. Frey (his real name was Everhart) was marked with romance. When Mr. Fisher, the founder of the town, first came to this place, he used to hire George Ever- hart, who was then a penniless German lad, to assist in plowing the fields and clearing up his new land. George lived with Mr. Fisher some years, until he had saved a little fund. but his ambition looked be- yond the plow, and investing his money in a stock of trinkets, finery, and other articles for Indian trathie, he mounted his paek and started up the Susquehanna. Passing the mountains he encountered a party of sol- diers from the garrison at Fort Hunter. who arrested him as a runaway redemptioner ia servant who had been sold for a time to pay his passare from Europe !, a character common in those days, and far more con- sistent with George's appearance and language than that of a peddler ; for what peddler, -aid they, would risk his life and property thus alone and on foot on this dangerous frontier ? " Ich bin frei : ich bin frei !" (I am free), repeated George earnestly in German, in reply to their charge. He succeeded in convincing them of his independence, and went with them to the garrison, where he became quite a favorite, the sol- diers knowing him by no other name than that of " Frey," which they had caught from his first reply to them. lle sold out his stock and pack at a fine profit, and continued to repeat his adventures, still passing as George Frey, until he was able to start a store in Middletown, where he afterwards erected a mill.

Near the eloze of the Revolution, when the old Con- tinental money was gradually depreciating, George, who always kept both eyes open, contrived to be on the right side of the account, so that instead of losing he gained immensely by the depreciation; and, in short, by dint of untiring industry, close economy. sharp bargains, and lucky financiering, he at length became the capitali-t of the village, and ownel much of the real estate in and around the town. Although married, he was never blessed with children ; hence he made the bequest to found an in-titution to cheer and educate the fatherless children of a succeeding age, and Emaus Institute is a splendid monument to . four of thetn officers in the Pennsylvania Line of the Revolution.

George Frey's benevolence. It was the first institution of the kind projected in this country. The bequest for its endowment was signed May 12, 1806.

A notice of the death of Frey, the most prominent individual of the locality, appears in the Morgenrothe, a German newspaper of Harrisburg, published by Benjamin Mayer, May 17, 1806. There is no obit- 1

uary further than that he died "at Middletown, on Tuesday last, at a great age, and was a citizen of wealth and renown." At his demise he could not have been less than eighty years of age. We find him trading in 1762-64 at Forts Hunter and Augusti (Sunbury ). In 1768 he kept tavern in Middletown ; and it is stated that he was employed about Middle- town years before, certainly as early as George Fisher. Frey appears as the owner of the mill and whatever rights then attached in 1766. He was a very success- ful man for forty years after. He was buried on the Middletown farm in 1806, removed in a few years to " the Emaus." and now rests at the new orphan house, , covered by a proper and de-erved monument.1

In the chapter devoted to the "early courts," etc .. a full account is given of the litigation which ensued upon Frey's death. Some years prior to 1806, Mr. Frey had determined to found the institution which was afterwards established, and commenced its erec-

1 At the house of George Frey, in Middletown, on the 3d day of March. 17Gb, a tragical affer occurred. On the evening of that day, Henry Cowan, with five or six other mien, were assembled in the store-room of Frey, when James Derry, a negro slave of Col. Burd, of Tinian, much intosi- cated, entered the store-room, and, with a drawn knife in his hand cried out, "Strike me !" Hle was ordered out of the room, but refusing, was pushed out of the door be Cowan. The latter would have followed the negro had he not at the time been prevented by George Bombangh and Jacob Rohrer. He subsequently went in search of Derry, but could not find him, and returned into the store-room. Soon after some one opened the door, crying, " The nigger's in the wood-pile!" whereupon Cowan re-entered the yard. Finding the negro, Cowan struck him with the butt end of a whip, when the former pursued him through the house, but Cowan slipped away and hid himself. The negro then ran up " the main street of the town," crying, " Where is he?" flourishing bis knife, and cursing foriously Cowan and others. After which, it seetna, he was pursued a couple of miles, nutil Col. Burd's garden was reached, when, while in the act of stooping down to pick up winething to throw at his pursuers, Cowan, coming up, struck him, pushing him against the honse. Presently Cowan cried out, "I am murdered " and Col. Burd then coming out of the house, he said, " Oh, Col. Burd, he tens murdered tue!" holding his hands over his stomach and lying down on the cellar-door. Cowan was at once carried to Dr. Wooltz's. The wounds proved fatal, and he died on the second day after the 5th of March. The day following an inquest was held at the house of Frey by Matthias Slough, coroner of Lancaster County. The gentlemen comprising this jury were Richard MeClure, Henry Renick, Thomas McCord. William Dicky, John Steel, John Bachenstose, Conrad Wolfey, John Steel, Sc., William Kerr, John Duncan, Thomas M. Arthur, Joseph Cook, John Myer, and John Laird, They found that the " said negro James Derry, the said Henry towan then and there feloniously did hall and murder, against the peace of our said Lord the King, als Crown, and Dignity." Derry was not hanged for the crime, but, after a term of imprisonment, wits probably sold out of the Province. W. mariate this affair more to put upon record the expression, " The nigger's in the mood-pile," which. in all probability, was the origin of that av frequently heard in these modern dayz.

Of the mien composing the coroner's jury oluven were Scotch-Irish and three German. All wrote their names, Buchenstre only being German. They were prominent men in the Swaters region, three of

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AMERICAN TUBE .AND IRON CO., MIDDLETOWN, DAL. HIFI GOUNTY, DA,

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MIDDLETOWN BOROUGHI.

tion prior to his death. The building, however, was never completed. It was built of logs, thirty by forty feet, two stories, and was roofed, but not inclosed. In this state it remained until decay worked its ruin.

The present school is managed by six persons, viz., four trustees, one principal, and one tutor. After many years of expensive litigation, the house was built between Middletown and Portsmouth in 1837, and moved to its present site in 1874. The institu- tion is devoted to the education of poor orphan chil- dren, who are carefully trained in the doctrines of the Lutheran Church. Instruction is given in both Eng- lish and German. The charter has been so altered by the Legislature as to permait the establishment of a literary and scientific department. Since its re- moval to the present site, it has been under the charge of William A. Croll, principal, and George A. Lau- man, tutor.

The early elementary schools were all of a private character. The first English school was taught by Mrs. Ward. Jacob Peeler. the first male teacher, was a nail-maker, and taught school during the winter months. The teacher had the whole manage- ment of the school, teaching eight hours per day. Later, Rev. John F. Hay taught in an old log house, where the Pine Street school-house now stands. He was afterwards the founder of Cottage Hill Seminary, at York, P'a. When the school law of 1834 was passed, Middletown was among the first to adopt it. The first directors were Dr. Mercer Brown, president ; John Croll, secretary : Christian Spayd, treasurer ; John Bomberger, E. J. Ramsey, and Peter Kob. Joseph Ross was appointed a delegate to represent the district in the joint meeting of the commissioners at the court-house in Harrisburg, on the first Tuesday of November of that year. He was instructed to vote for the laying of a tax for the support of the common schools. There was very little opposition to this school law. Among the most active in its favor were Gen. Simon Cameron, Henry Smith, George Smuller, John Bomberger, and Martin Kendig. the latter rep- resenting the county in the Legislature during the " Buckshot War." In 1835. Michael Lazarns was elected to represent the district in convention at the county commissioners' office in Harrisburg, with in- structions to vote for levying a tax and such other measures as might be necessary for carrying into effeet a general system of education. Before this the schools were all independent. The teachers received from the parents and guardians a certain amount per quarter for each scholar, and for those who were too poor to pay for their education the county commis- sioners provided, and also supplied them with the necessary books.

tober Ist of the same year. John McCammon was appointed in 1803, and made his first returns April 1, 1803. He continued in office until Dec. 24, 1829, a period of nearly twenty-seven years, and was sue- ceeded by William Lauman. After the latter's death, his widow, Elizabeth Lauman, was appointed, Dec. 29, 1832. She was succeeded. June 30. 1834, by Eliz- abeth Crabh. Her successor was Christian Spayd, appointed April 12, 1836. He was succeeded by Ed- ward S. Kendig March 25, 1840. His successors were appointed as follows : John Ilicks, June 21, 1841 ; Ed ward S. Kendig, Jan. 1845; Catharine A. Stonch, Feb. 17, 1849; Maria L. Lauman, May 15, 1857; W. H. Kendig, April 8, Isol ; John J. Walborn, April 10, 1863; Mary A. E. Walborn. April 17, 1963 ; Jackson H. Kirlin, April 18, 1866; Clarence Monaghan, March 27, 1867 (did not qualify ) ; Rachel Mckibben, April 5, 1867. In April. 1883, Mrs. R. MeKibben resigned as postmaster, and Miss Eveline R. Wiestling was ap- pointed, and has entered upon the duties of the office. The office became a Presidential one March 27. 1867. In the summer of 1850 the citizens of Portsmouth petitioned the department for the establishment of a post-office at that place, setting forth that Middletown and Portsmouth were two distinct places ; that the location of the Middletown office was inconvenient for them, it being then on Main Street, opposite the Middletown National Bank; that the largest portion of the mail matter not connected with the bank was for, the lumber merchants, furnace -. ete., who would be more easily accommodated at Portsmouth than at Middletown, especially as the railroad station was in Port-mouth. The department granted the petition, and the Portsmouth post-office was established, with Dr. John Ringland as postmas- ter. He opened the post-office in August, 1850. In October, 1851, he resigned and S. H. Ninian was appointed, who was succeeded by his sister, S. E. Ninian, who held the office until April, 1857. when the extension of the borough limits having ineluded Portsmouth the latter office was abolished.

NEWSPAPERS.

THE MIDDLETOWN ARGUS was the first newspaper printed in the town, and was established in 1834 by a Mr. Wilson. It was an independent and family journal. Mr. Wilson did the editorial work, and bis wife helped to set the type. The office was located on Main Street, opposite S. L. Yetter's residence. It was, discontinued in 1835.

THE MIDDLETOWN EMPORIUMI was established in 1850, by William Henlock, formerly of Henlock & Bratton, State printers at Harrisburg. It was printed at the corner of Pine and Main Streets, and after being published for a year and a half was discon- tinued.

POST-OFFICE AND POSTMASTERS. - The Middle- town post-office was established in the fall of 1500, with William Crabb as postmaster, who made his first : MIDDLETOWN JOURNAL .- The Centra! Engine was published in Middletown in 1851 and 1:52 by H. S. returns to the department Jan. 1, 1801, His succes- sor was Peter Shuster, who made his first returns Oc- . Fisher, but the material was purchased, and the paper

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HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.

merged into the Suutara Gem in July, 1855, by J. W. of the " United States" of Philadelphia, was built and Stofer. This was a neat sheet of four pages, and five delivered, and then turned over to a company for service. The engine company purchased a quantity of hose and truck, and failing to pay for them the property was seized and soll by the sheriff, and the engine was purchased by the late Judge Murray, taken to Harrisburg, and was burned with the build- ing in which it was stored. columns to the page. In August, 1854, Mr. Stofer enlarged it to six columns, and printed it on a sheet twenty-two by thirty -three inches. In August, 1856, he sold the paper and otlice to Benjamin Whitman, who, retaining it- size, changed its name to the Dan- phin Journal. In September, 1556, a copartnership was formed between Mes-rs. Whitman and Stofer. On Nov. 16, 1866, on the petition of one hundred and eighty-three frecholders of the borough, an ap- propriation of two thousand dollars was made to pur- chase a fire-engine and erect an engine-house. For four hundred and fifty dollars an engine was pur- chased of George Smuller, with ho-e-carriage, etc. Christian Fisher for nine hundred and eighty dollars contracted for and erected the engine-hou-e. It was operated a short time by the "Good Will" Company. and they continued to publish the Journal jointly, enlarging the paper and changing it to a quarto form. In January, 1557, Mr. Whitman retired, and J. W. Stofer became the sole proprietor again. He resumed the old size and style. retaining the name Dauph n Journal as before. In November, 1870, the paper was enlarged to a seven-column paper and printed on a sheet twenty-four by thirty-eight inches, the title being changed to the Middletown Journal, its present name. Since then it has been enlarged to eight col- umns. It has been published from the first as an in- dependent family newspaper, giving large space andl attention to local news, and published in the interest of home affairs. It is a good advertising medium, enjoying a healthy circulation. is well edited, and in every way i- a first-class country newspaper.

LIBERTY STEAM FIRE-ENGINE COMPANY, NO. 1, was organized Nov. 7, 1874, and incorporated by a decree of the court in January, 1875. The presidents have been : 1874-75, D. R. Ettla ; 1876, H. C. Ray- mond; 1877-78, W. G. Kennard; 1879, Rufus Frunks; 1SS0-S1, W. G. Kinnard. The other officers for 1581 were : Vice-President, Stephen Curtis; Treasurer. D. II. Bucher ; Secretary, Harry Rake-traw; Trustees, David A. Detwiler, J. Porter Campbell, Robert Mar- tin, John Stipe; Foreman, Henry Hipple, Jr. ; First Asistant, William Davis; Second Assistant, David Brant. The company has eighty equipped men. The engine-house is located on Catherine Street, above Emaus, in the Middle Ward.

INDUSTRIES.

THE SUSQUEHANNA IRON-WORKS .- About the year 1848 Samuel Jenkins (and afterward. Dr. An- drew Patterson) established a foundry here, at which stoves and other castings were made, and was the nucleus of the Susquebanna Iron-Works. In 1856, Nisley, Bro. & Co. (the latter being Seymour Ray- mond) opened their foundry here with ten hands on the same site where the above iron-works are now located. In the same year James Campbell & Son (Joseph Campbell) established their machine-works. In 1864 these two establishments were united under the firm of Raymond (Seymour ) & Campbell (Janie- ). and have been in successful operation ever since. The firm transacts a general foundry and machine business, the latter being the most extensive branch up to the panic of 1873, since which time the former has taken the lead. This is the pioneer establish- ment of the town, and the first manufacturing house organized here outside of the lumber business save the furnaces. It has been the nuclens around which other large establishments have since been built up. In its first year it employed but few hands, and its business did not exceed ten thousand dollars, but it now employs one hundred and twenty-five men, and it- sales aggregate two hundred and fifty thousand dol- lars. It weathered the great financial storms of 1857

The Middletown Press, an eight-column journal of tour pages, was established July 16, 1881, by J. R. Hoffer as proprietor. Its editor is J. E. Hoffer, and its business manager A. E. Hotfer. It is published every Saturday, is an independent sheet, and as a local paper is hardly surpassed in the State. It has a well-equipped job office, which, together with the publication office, is located opposite the Washington . House.

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History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical, Part 98

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