AREA HISTORY: History of Adams County, Chapter XLIII, Adams County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/adams/ _______________________________________________ History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886 _______________________________________________ Part III, History of Adams County, Pages 321-328 CHAPTER XLIII. OXFORD TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH OF NEW OXFORD. Little Conowago Creek forms the entire western line of Oxford Township flowing north to Great Conowago Creek and forming a confluence at the northeastern corner of Mountpleasant Township. This creek also forms the southwetern and part of the southern boundary of the township, with its main feeder, Lilly Creek, completing its southern line. A few small creeks flow south and west into the Little Conowago, while Hamilton Creek rises in the northeastern corner of the township. McIlvaine’s Run heads near New Oxford and flows into the Little Conowago. The country presents a heavy, rolling appearance, while in its southern sections it is bold and rugged. From near Oxford, 521* feet above the Atlantic level, the tower of Conowago Chapel, four miles away, may be seen. The soil is still rich after its continued cultivation, and yields abundantly where properly cared for. In June, 1869, iron ore was discovered on Jacob Slagle’s farm. Seifert, McManus & Co. leased the land and entered on mining. Here also a portion of the Mount Rock limestone field makes its appearance. * According to measurements made by Joseph S. Gitt in 1851, the altitude is 596 feet. On the Krug farm is a large stone bank barn, which was built in 1782 by Col. H. D. Slagle, one of the first settlers; the inscription stone is still in the building; and on the farm of Jacob Slagle is a locust post with the date 1746 cut in it. Railroads were projected in this vicinity as early as 1835, for in that year Dr. Pfeiffer managed a line from York to Gettysburg via New Oxford. In January 6, 1858, the railroad from Hanover to New Oxford was opened. The Hanover Branch Railroad, consolidated under the name of Hanover Junction, Hanover & Gettysburg Railroad, took place in November, 1874, when A. W. Eichelberger was elected president; R. A. Eichelberger, treasurer; Henry Wert, secretary. George Swope and Matthew Eichelberger, of Gettysburg, were among the newly elected directors. Myers’ mill wooden bridge on the Carlisle and Oxford road was built in 1836 by John Camp for $1,350. In 1860 Henry Chriztman and David Zeigler, Jr., erected a covered bridge over the Little Conowago at Dellone’s mill for $889. In 1866 J. M. Pittenturf erected a covered wooden bridge over the Little Conowago, at Gitt’s Mill for $1,449. The wooden bridge at Clunk’s mill in Oxford and Mountpleasant was built by Joseph J. Smith in 1881 for $544. In 1815 a proposition to build a pike from Gettysburg to York was made, but did not materialize until 1818. In December, 1819, the twenty-eight miles of road via New Oxford and Abbottstown were completed at a cost of $107,866.50, John Murphy superintending the work in this county. The Columbia & Pittsburgh Stage Company opened their stage line via New Oxford and Gettysburg in November, 1834. In 1828 Reesicle Slaymaker & Co’s coaches commenced running between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The latter mail was called the “Good Intent” and the newspaper mail “The Telegraph.” The latter was slow until 1834, when it was brought up to better mail time. The “Mail” and “Opposition” used to dash into and through New Oxford at this time. The number of tax payers (1886) is 258; value of real estate, $380,876; number of horses, etc., 209; of cows, etc., 212; value of moneys at interest, $24,537; of trades and professions, $8,600; number of carriages, 58; of watches, 2; of acres of timber land, 250. The population in 1850 was 931 (3 colored); in 1860, 1,201 (4 colored); in 1870, 1,322 (7 colored); and in 1880, 851. Of the 1,352 inhabitants in the township in 1880, 501 belonged to the borough of New Oxford; farms over 20 acres, 66; less than 20 acres, 52; grist-mills, 2; saw-mills, 2; tile works, 1; brick-yards, 1, and limestone quarries, 9. The original entry of part of this township dates back to 1730, when Samuel Lilly purchased a portion of “Digges’ Choice” in the neighborhood of Irishtown. Henry Gearnhart also purchased 273 acres at the foot of the Pigeon Hills, in 1750, and in the same year the Penns sold to Robert Lorimore a tract close by. This, with the Seminary farm, which Lorimore purchased from Gearnhart in 1758, was his property until April 4, 1794, when a friar preacher, named Joseph Herout, purchased the whole tract and set about establishing a school there, as related in the History of Heroutford. A reference to the original assessment roll of Berwick Township, of which Oxford formed a part up to 1847, points out the names of all the property owners in this township when the county was organized. In the sketches of New Oxford, Irishtown and Heroutford, the minutiae of the township’s history is given. Captain Jacob Wintrode, of the Ninth Pennsylvania Militia, was court-martialed at Oxford, January 13, 1803. The charge was “Wearing the black cockade, and red and blue worsted tape.” He denied his guilt, but was held guilty and fined $7.40. Richard Knight presided, with Nicholas Marshall as judge-advocate. Lieut. James McSherry, Ensign William Ewing and William Galbreth were tried at the same time, found guilty and fined. Capt. Alexander Cobean’s company, from Adams County, which went to the defense of Baltimore in 1814, lost three men, viz.: Adam M. Wortz, David Middlecoff and James Dickson. When Cobean was promoted to a colonelcy, William Meredith became captain; George Hersh, who died June 22, 1871, at New Oxford, and John S. Crawford, of Gettysburg, do not appear among the names on the pay-roll. The military company of forty men, known as the “Oxford Fencibles,” was organized at New Oxford in March, 1859. The infantry company organized at New Oxford in May, 1861, was commanded by T. S. Pfeiffer, with A. M. Martin and Henry L. Gitt as lieutenants, and C. W. Kehm, orderly. Frederick Steiger, of Oxford Township, was the only resident of the township mustered in in April, 1861, with Company E, Second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. The New Oxford Soldiers’ Relief Society was organized in November, 1861, with Mrs. George Hersh as president, Mrs. William D. Himes, secretary, and others, including Mrs. Peter Diehl, Mrs. John R. Hersh, Mrs. James Townsend, Mrs. F. Hersh, Mrs. Joseph S. Gitt, Mrs. Thomas Himes, Mrs. Dr. Hendrix, Mrs. A. F. Gitt, Mrs. F. Sherman, Mrs. John Barnitz, Mrs. J. Heagy, Miss E. Miley, Miss Hattie Gallagher and Miss Kate Stock. The young ladies of New Oxford also organized a soldiers’ relief society in December, 1861, with Miss Lizzie Pfeiffer, president, and Miss Lizzie Martin, secretary; Misses Maria Rehm, Sarah Shane, Alice L. Gitt, Hattie Gallagher, Sally Haines, Kate Stock, Lucy Ellis, Emma Bastress, Mary J. Bentz, Lizzie McNair and Susan Himes. The accidental killing of Rebecca Crist, October 17, 1835, occurred during a children’s impromptu carnival at New Oxford. In a shop close by the playground, a loaded shot gun was carelessly left standing. A boy got possession of it, and made this little eight-year old girl the victim. William Colton, a constable, was tried in December, 1870, for the strangulation of John Bond, at New Oxford, August 15, 1870. The jury found a verdict of not guilty. In May, 1872, several German bone gatherers camped in the woods near New Oxford. One of the women took the small-pox and died in the woods, on hearing which, the New Oxonians paid a dauntless villager $8 to bury the unfortunate one. In December, 1875, a fire, which originated in Joseph S. Gitt’s stable, threatened the destruction of New Oxford. During the winter of 1885-86, the burning of the Myers livery stable and other property held out a similar threat. In June, 1820, Daniel Diehl’s barn near New Oxford, was struck by lightning and burned up. The old Diehl flouring-mill near New Oxford, which was burned in the winter of 1857-58, was rebuilt in the fall of 1858. The T. C. Noel mill, destroyed by fire in April, 1883, was rebuilt and new machinery introduced into it. The first great storm remembered by old settlers here took place in 1823. The storm of May 16, 1844, destroyed many buildings, fences and groves throughout the township. This was phenomenal in velocity and destructiveness. Another storm took place in 1849, and in May, 1859, the great hail-storm swept over the country. The drought of 1822 was another strange freak of nature. Conowago Creek and its tributaries were entirely emptied of their waters by evaporation. Sixteen years prior to this a plague of caterpillars destroyed the wheat and rye crops. The floods of 1786 and 1826 exceeded the greatest overflows of the Conowago in modern times. IRISHTOWN. Such is the name given to a German settlement in the southwest quarter of the township. In 1730 this section formed a part of the Samuel Lilly tract, but three-fourths of a century elapsed before the improvers settled here. Shortly after the county was organized a number of Irishmen came to this romantic part of the Conowago Valley. Hugh and Andrew Lynch erected a house, then James McBarron, followed by the Coligans, McClains, McBrides, Coltons, Marshalls, Pattersons and others. For this reason the name “Irishtown” was bestowed upon it, although the neighborhood is now as Teutonic by race as any part of Germany. The borough of New Oxford is only a few miles distant, and there the principal market town for this district is found. The country in the neighborhood of Irishtown is a rich agricultural region and contains many fine farms. The hamlet itself presents an air of business which would do credit to a village. In January, 1886, V. A. Laurence was appointed the first postmaster here. Prior to this the mail was sent up from New Oxford to be distributed at Clunk’s store. The Church of St. Peter Canisius, a large brick and stone edifice, was erected in 1868-69. Here also are the school-rooms of St. Peter Canisius. HEROUTFORD. Heroutford or Pigeon Hills settlement dates back to the middle of the last quarter of the last century, when a school was established there for the accommodation of the youth of the district (1794) by Joseph Herout, himself a Sulpician friar. In 1806 a Sulpician seminary was founded here by Abbe Dillet, known as “Pigeon Hills College,” for the purpose of educating youth in the Greek and Latin classics. In 1830 the property was known as the “Seminary Farm,” and from that date to 1849 it was devoted to purely educational purposes by the superior of St. Mary’s College, Baltimore, where students might spend their vacation. During the years of its educational history a large church was erected, large college halls built, and the grounds laid out in park ways. Here, in 1803, the Trappist friars, when expelled from the “Vaterland,” found a refuge, and from this place they set out under Rev. Urban Guillet to found their order in the wilds of Kentucky. Rev. Andrew Miller, who was a minister of the German Baptist Church, connected with the Pigeon Hills congregation for over fifty years, died in York County May 20, 1880, aged eighty years. BOROUGH OF NEW OXFORD. This borough was surveyed and platted in 1792 for Henry Kuhn by James Bolton. This land extending westward was patented to him about this time, and is known in State records as “Providence,” but when platted it was named Oxford Town, for the dual reason of a ford existing just westward, and of “Dutch Frederick’s Stand,” a butcher’s shop and hotel, having the head of an ox set up in front of his house. In 1822 Dr. Pfeiffer had the name changed to “New Oxford.” This was on the old Pittsburgh and Philadelphia road, and up to 1847 was an important stage town. In 1800 the effort was made to have the seat of justice located here. Thirty-five years later the people made an effort to build a railroad from York to Gettysburg via their village; but not until 1858 was a railroad opened to this point. Butcher Frederick’s hotel was undoubtedly the first building in Providence. Richard Adams erected what was known as “Blair’s old house” in 1798; Mathias Martin built the third house (now occupied by Thomas Himes), in 1800. About this time a house was built where Mr. Gitt erected his residence in 1876. George Bange, the first store-keeper, lived in a house built by George Kuhn about 1800. Schnell’s shoe store is built on the site. Boyer erected a log house in 1800, where Mr. Wiest, in later years, carried on the hotel business, now the Eagle House. William Sturgeon, who was accidentally killed in 1822, built the Indian Queen Hotel in 1800, where is now a hardware store. In 1799 William Elder built on the corner opposite. The beginnings of the village were made. A petition was presented to the judge of quarter sessions in April, 1874, asking for the incorporation of the borough. This was granted August 20, 1874, and the first elected was held at the Washington House in October, 1874. Dr. J. W. Hendrix was elected burgess in 1874, and served down to 1885, when T. Bowers was elected. The councilmen elected annually are named in the following list: 1874-Jos. S. Gitt, A. Sheely, W. M. Swartz, J. H. Wiest, J. R. Hersh, W. J. McClure. 1875-Dr. McClure, J. S. Gitt, J. H. Wiest, W. M. Schwartz, J. R. Hersh, Abram Sheely. 1876-Dr. McClure, Abram Sheely, J. R. Hersh, J. J. Kuhn, D. J. S. Melhorn, Joseph S. Gitt. 1877-Abram Sheely, J. B. Gross, W. D. Himes, Joseph S. Gitt, Levi Wagner, Pius J. Noel. 1878-Joseph S. Gitt, Levi Wagner, A. Sheely, H. J. Myers, T. D. Smith, W. D. Himes. 1879-W. D. Himes, J. S. Gitt, Levi Wagner, Dr. Smith, H. K. Schnell, J. B. Gross. 1880-A. C. Diehl, Dr. Smith, Joseph S. Gitt, P. J. Noel, Levi Wagner. 1881-P. Feiser, McC. Gilbert, Abram Sheely, W. D. Himes, J. A. Weaver, A. J. Myers, J. S. Gitt. 1882-McLain Gilbert, Joseph S. Gitt, A. S. Himes, Peter Feiser, Zelotus H. Fashman, Emmert P. Noel (a tie). 1883-A. S. Himes, Em. Harr, John S. Weaver, Peter A. Guise, D. J. A. Melhorn, A. C. Diehl. 1884-Peter A. Guise, W. D. Emmert, Joseph S. Gitt, John S. Weaver, A. Sheely, A. S. Himes. 1885-D. S. Coleman, W. A. Diehl. The justices elected were John C. Zouck, John Lenhart, A. J. Myers, Joseph S. Gitt, D. J. A. Melhorn and E. G. Cook. The number of tax-payers in the borough (1886) is 209; value of real estate, $181,325; number of horses, etc., 67; number of cows, etc., 40; value of moneys at interest $139,685; of trades and professions, $15,040; number of pleasure carriages, 65; of gold watches, 14; acres of timber land, 13. The population in 1880 was 501, estimated now at about 600. CHURCHES. The Methodist Episcopal Church dates back to 1829-30, when a society was organized and a small meeting-house erected by John Barnitz and others. This little building stood in the rear of what was known as the “Old Commons.” In 1845 it gives place to the quaint old structure on the Abbottstown road, which in time will disappear in favor of the proposed brick and stone building to be erected on the southeast corner of the square and the Abbottstown road. In 1867 Hanover and New Oxford were set off as a station with Rev. Jos. Ross in charge. The preachers in charge of York Springs from 1843 to 1867 may be said to have also served this society, although a few other names appear on the records. Prior to 1844 it belonged to the Gettysburg Circuit, when Messrs. Dill Clark, George Hildt, W. O. Lunsden, T. H. W. Munroe, S. Kepler, J. C. Lyon, Jonathan Munroe, Robert Crooks and other preachers of the time visited this place. The Catholic Congregation here dates from the very beginning of the settlement, when the people had to attend Conowago Chapel. In later years services were held here in private houses until 1852, when the present brick church of the Immaculate Heart was erected on land donated by Jacob Martin, north of the square on Carlisle Street. Father Denecker attended this part of the mission up to 1879, when Rev. Francis Casey, S. J., was appointed priest of New Oxford and Paradise. Father Archambault came next, and he was followed by Father Richards, S. J. There are about 400 members belonging to this congregation. Evangelical Lutheran Church at New Oxford-The corner-stone of this church was placed July 23, 1860, and the building dedicated May 9, 1861. Prior to this time the society worshipped in the old Union Church. Dr. Hauer was pastor from 1860 to 1872; P. S. Orwig from 1873 to 1879, and Rev. John Tomlinson, of Abbottstown Circuit, the present pastor. The new building stands on the same street as the Reformed Church, but north of the Abbottstown road. Joseph R. Diehl is secretary. Property is valued at $4,000, and the number of members placed at 180. St. Paul’s German Reformed Church, built in 1861, on the site of the old Union Reformed Lutheran Church of 1820-the first church building erected here-is a large brick edifice, standing south of the Abbottstown road, in the old cemetery of 1829. In May, 1861, while the workmen were tearing down the old brick church to make way for the new German Reformed Church, they found in the corner-stone of 1821 a full bottle of wine, several coins and the remains of a hymn book, Bible, etc. Rev. Mr. Hoffheims (during whose administration this church was built in 1861), Messrs. Davis, Aaron Spangler, Colliflower and David U. Wolf have served this church during the last quarter of a century. CEMETERY. New Oxford Cemetery-In pursuance of a petition to the court of common pleas of Adams County by the following persons, January 21, 1864-Peter Diehl, John Barnitz, Washington N. Swartz, William D. Himes, Joseph S. Gitt, Joseph Stoner, John I. Hersh, A. F. Gitt, Michael Levenstine, Frank Hersh, William Stock, John R. Hersh, Elias Slagle, Aaron Heagy, James Townsend-The court granted, on January 12, 1865, a charter of incorporation to the above named persons (for some cause the charter was not lifted until 1873). April 9, 1873, the following survivors met to organize: Peter Diehl, John Barnitz, W. N. Swartz, William D. Himes, Joseph Gitt, A. F. Gitt, John R. Hersh and Aaron Heagy. William D. Himes was called to the chair and J. S. Gitt appointed secretary; the following persons were then elected officers: President, William D. Himes; managers, Peter Diehl, John R. Hersh, Aaron Heagy and W. M. Swartz. About five and one- half acres of ground a half mile west of the borough was purchased, running south from the turnpike to the Conowago Creek and neatly laid out in areas and lots with shrubbery. It is intended to put up during 1886 a neat house, there being sufficient funds on hand and no debts; and, in addition, Mrs. Helen Henderson has presented them with $500, the interest only of which is to be used in keeping up the cemetery. Present officers are president, A. S. Himes; managers, H. K. Schnell, A. C. Diehl, William D. Himes and Abraham Sheely; secretary, William D. Himes. INSTITUTE AND SCHOOLS. New Oxford College and Medical Institute was founded in 1845 by Dr. M. D. G. Pfeiffer, and buildings were erected in 1846. Mr. Seeker was the first principal, and was followed by Messrs. Dinsmore and Share, and Thadeus and Quincy Pfeiffer. The old school building, which stood on High Street (where is now the J. S. Weaver residence), was taken down in August, 1885. It was built over 100 years ago, about the time the old Washington Hotel was erected, and in it Peter Diehl attended school seventy-one years ago. The present public schools are under the charge of Prof. Wolf, as shown in the general history. The Catholic schools were established in 1862 by Rev. F. X. Denecker, and a room in the church set apart for educational purposes. In 1877 a schoolhouse was erected. Mrs. Thrayer was the first teacher. She was followed by Miss M. J. Felix, Joseph Smith, Miss Wager, John F. McSherry and E. G. Topper. SOCIETIES. The New Oxford Bible Society was organized in November, 1869, with John R. Hersh, president. Womens’ Christian Temperance Union, New Oxford branch, was organized in January, 1886. A division of the G. A. R. was chartered here in January, 1886. The headquarters of the Post are in the “Eagle House.” Privatus Social Clubs, organized December 1, 1877, continued in existence until April, 1883. New Oxford Building Society was organized in May, 1870. MISCELLANEOUS. In 1822 Dr. Pfeiffer was appointed first postmaster at New Oxford. His salary was $125 for that year. In August, 1885, William J. Metzler was appointed, and he opened an office on the southeast corner of the square and the Abbottstown road. The “Washington House,” now a boarding house, was known in the early history of the village as “Butcher Frederick’s Stand” and again as “Miley’s Tavern.” In the last century it was kept by Frederick and Henry Kuhn, net by John Hersh; in 1810 by George Himes, next by Fred Burkman, again by Francis Hildt and then by Philip Heagy, all prior to 1834. The Mileys, George F. Becker, Jacob Beck, I. B. Houser, James Hersh, David Miller, A. Malaun, I. D. W. Stonesifer, James Leece and the late Mr. Law conducted this house. The latter died in January, 1886, and his widow is now the lessee, W. D. Emert being the owner of the building since 1885. The “Eagle House,” on the northeast corner of Carlisle Street and Public Square, was erected by the late Jacob Martin, in 1856, on the site of the old Boyer log house. Mr. Martin, who died in 1885, conducted it as a grocery store from 1841 to 1856. He opened it as a hotel in 1856 and carried it on until 1867. J. H. Wiest took charge in 1867. He added a story to the building, erected the large balcony and expended about $11,000 on improvements. It was sold at sheriff’s sale to a Philadelphia Jew, from whom James Leece purchased it in 1883. It is an extra good village hotel, nicely situated, and claims a large summer trade. An old tavern stood, where is now the Joseph S. Gitt residence, about ninety years ago. The “Indian Queen Tavern” at New Oxford, was offered for rent by William Sturgeon in 1822. He built the corner house, where the hardware store is, in 1800. The first railroad agents at New Oxford were the grain merchants, Bastress & Winter, in 1858. George Young, although a grain merchant about this time, was not agent. Frank Hersh succeeded in 1859 or 1860, and he in turn was succeeded by David Hoke about 1865. In 1867 Frank and Paul Hersh were appointed agents; in 1871 the Townsend Bros. took charge, and in 1873 H. J. Myers was appointed agent. C. S. Rebert is acting agent, having charge of the telegraph, passenger and freight departments of the office.