AREA HISTORY:  History of Adams County, Chapter XXV, Adams County, PA

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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania
Chicago:  Warner, Beers & Co., 1886
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Part III, History of Adams County, Pages 181-203

CHAPTER XXV.

BOROUGH OF GETTYSBURG.

HANCE HAMILTON AND RICHARD MCALLISTER-JAMES GETTYS-OLD PLAT OF THE TOWN-TOWN 
INCORPORATED-ELECTIONS-WATER COMPANIES-FIRE COMPANIES-BANKS-SEMINARY AND 
COLLEGE-CHURCHES-G. A. R. POST-A NATIONAL RESORT.

Among the points in the county of the earliest settlements where Gettysburg now 
stands, and in its vicinity, we find some of the very first settlers in this 
part of then Lancaster County.  When York County was formed, 1749, we find that 
the Scotch-Irish of this, then called Marsh Creek settlement, were ranked among 
the old settlers of the new county of York.  Indeed, they seemed to present the 
majority of the prominent leading men of the now county of York.  They lived 
remotely from the county seat – thirty miles - the place where the people had 
all to 
go to vote, but this seems to have been no detriment to their prominent and 
controlling influence, or their presence and active participation in all general 
elections.  Hance Hamilton was the favorite, bold, strong and adroit leader of 
the Scotch-Irish element, and McAllister of the Dutch, Conowago, settlement, was 
the strong and active leader in command of the Dutch hosts.  They were well 
matched.  McAllister had the most numerous followers.  Hamilton was the ablest 
captain, and he called about him the best lieutenants.  McAllister’s forces 
could outvote Hamilton’s crowd, but Hamilton never failed to carry off the prize 
at every election when he was a candidate.  More than once riots occurred at 
elections in York; notably, at the first election in 1749 when Hance Hamilton 
and Richard McAllister were rival candidates for sheriff.  It became evident to 
the Scotch-Irish, or more properly, perhaps, to Hamilton, early in the afternoon 
of election day, that the Dutch were outvoting them.  Two or three stout 
Irishmen rushed in and took possession of the point where the voters passed 
their ballots in between the cracks in the logs of the house.  A lusty and brave 
Dutchman fell upon them, and commenced kicking the Irish heels from under them.  
A general fight, of course, at once ensued.  The battle became hot and furious 
and the sturdy Dutch drove the Irish from the field - out of the village and 
across Codorus Creek and kept them there the remainder of the day.  The Dutch 
only then voted, and of course their votes were in an overwhelming majority, and 
to ordinary men McAllister would appear to have been elected.  But he was not, 
rather he failed to get it so declared, and Hamilton was elected; at all events 
he got his commission and served.  He simply went to the governor and threw the 
odium of the riot on the Dutch, and got his commission.  Another riot occurred 
at the next election, and here again, and something after the previous tactics, 
was Hamilton master of ceremonies and the triumphant leader, wresting victory 
from defeat.

Hance Hamilton was the strong man, the man of unequaled resources, in the then 
entire territory that is now Adams and York Counties.  He was then a very young 
man, just upon life’s threshold; he died when he was but entering upon ripe 
manhood, and yet his name is imperishably linked with the history of York and 
Adams Counties.

James Gettys, the founder of the borough of Gettysburg and from whom it received 
its name, was a son of Samuel Gettys (in the days when only the preacher and the 
school teacher could write); the name was, like nearly all names in those days, 
spelled by sound and variously about every time a differently learned pundit had 
occasion to write it; thus we find “Gettes,” “Gattis,” “Gettus,” “Gittys,” etc.  
The Gettys family can be traced back, as among the pioneers of this part of the 
State, to 1767.  Samuel Gettys died March 15, 1790.  At one time he had been a 
rich man for that day, but lost heavily by dealing in Continental money.  Still 
at his death his real estate at public vendue brought £1,764 10s.

James Gettys was an enterprising man, of sound judgment and bold and dashing 
financial schemes.  He built a house large and commodious enough to throw open 
his doors to the public, or chance travelers passing, as a house of 
accommodation for “man and beast.”  He soon saw that a little trading store 
would be a good investment, and he opened one, and, perhaps so far, 
unconsciously, he was forming the nucleus for a town.  Just when these things 
occurred cannot now be accurately known, but from chance records we do know that 
as early as 1787 it is referred to by Rev. Dobbin in one of his marriage 
certificates, as “Gettistown.”  It is supposed that Gettys built his hotel and 
residence as early as 1783, and soon after this the locality began to be called 
after him, instead of “Marsh Creek Settlement.”  From the records in Harrisburg 
we learn the town was laid out in 1780.

As explained in a preceding chapter, the idea of laying out a town occurred to 
Gettys about the time of the first agitation of the question of forming a new 
county.  Mr. Gettys followed the common custom of that day of putting the lots 
of his new town on the market and disposing of them by lottery.

An old plat of the town, on parchment, has been found, as it was traced out by 
John Forsyth, deputy surveyor, who laid out the place.  It is impossible to 
decipher the date.  It is the original plat, and the first limits are described 
from “North” (now Railroad) Street and the north, to “South” Street on the top 
of the hill on Baltimore Street, on the south, and include seven lots west of 
what is now known as Stratton Street, and seven lots west of what is now 
Washington Street.  Eight streets are described:  “Baltimore” Street, now 
Carlisle and Baltimore; “York” Street, now Chambersburg and York Street; 
“Middle” and “High” Streets, now North, corresponding to Railroad Street; “East” 
Street, now Stratton; and “West,” now Washington Street; and “South” Street, now 
the alley crossing Baltimore Street at the top of the hill.  There were but 
three alleys, all running east and west.

On the map is the following memoranda:  “The center square contains 196 square 
perches and is on each side 14 perches.  The alleys are all 12 feet wide.  The 
streets which cross at right angles on center square are 66 feet wide, viz.:  
Baltimore Street and York Street, all the other streets are 50 feet wide.  The 
lots from No. 1 to 8 are 41 in front by 99 feet deep; and the lots from No. 9 to 
38, inclusive, are 60 feet in front by 142 deep;  Nos. 39 to 210 are 60 feet in 
front by 180 deep, except the lots from Nos. 67 to 126, inclusive, which are 60 
feet front by 181½ deep.”

In the distribution Mr. Gettys reserved for himself the lots on which his 
property stood, or lots 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58 on Railroad Street.  The 
following is very nearly a correct list of the lots and their owners in the 
distribution.  Opposite each name is the number and location of the lots:

                               ON CENTER SQUARE.      

      1 Isabella Elder.                           5 John Coyt.
      2 Maj. Bailey.                              6 James ------ [illegible].
      3 L. C. Gettys.                             7 Henry Arnold.
      4 James Finley.                             8 Widow Harrison.

                               ON BALTIMORE STREET.

      9 Mary Vance.                              21 John Murphy.
     10 N. Frozier.                              22 Edwin McSherry.
     11 James Moore, T. Pike.                    23 William McCreary.
     12 John Troxell.                            24 John Riley.
     13 John Blair.                              25 John Phillip.
     14 Thomas Steel.                            26 Sally Fleming.
     15 William McPherson.                       27 Alex. Gettys.
     16 John Kerr.                               28 Thomas McClellan.
     17 Samuel Reay.                             29 Thomas Campbell.
     18 Robert Elden.                            30 Robert McPherson.
     19 John Hollin.                             31 John Donaldson.
     20 James Duncan.                            32 William Patterson.

                               CARLISLE STREET.

     33 Reynolds Ramsey.                         36 George Gautz.
     34 William McCleary.                        37 William McG-------.
     35 David Dunwoody.                          38 John Agnew.

                               RAILROAD STREET.


     39 Arnold Elder.                            50 William Emmit.
     40 David Corson.                            51 Mathew Black.
     41 Robert Dunn.                             52 John Hughes.
     42 Adam Cookes.                             53 to 58 vacant.
     43 George Robertson.                        59 John Thornburg.
     44 Henry Brandon.                           60 Joseph McNeay.
     45 Reynolds Ramsey.                         61 Daniel McNorton.       
     46 Irish John McClellan.                    62 Thomas Wesniss.
        Irish William Bailey.                    63 John Emmit.
     47 James Wills.                             64 James Stevenson.
     48 John Blakely.                            65 James Linn.
     49 John Latta.                              66 Hugh Black.

                               CHAMBERSBURG STREET.


     67 Thomas Trout,                            72 John Knight.  
        George Trout.              
     68 William Barr.                            73 David Puddle.
     69 --------- Furguson                       74 Isabella Moore.
        Bole Owings.                             75 Samuel Maxwell.
     70 Mathew Longwell,                         76 Hannah Rodgers.
        William McClellan.                     
     71 John Edie.                               77 Samuel Elder.
     78 Samuel Adams.                           102 Widow Susanah Little.
     79 Hugh Bigham.                            103 John Blair.
     80 Rev. A. Dobbin.                         104 Isaac Armstrong.
     81 Samuel Gettys.                          105 John Maholin.
     97 Jacob Sell.                             106 Samuel Wilson.
     98 Alex Russell.                           107 James Duncan.
     99 William Gettys,                         108 Henry Buchanan.
        ----- Conow.                            109 Samuel Fay.
    100 Polly Vance.                            110 Isabella Fleming.
    101 Charles Campbell.                       111 Reynolds Ramsey.

                               YORK STREET.
     82 Barnabas McSherry.                      112 Thomas Clinger.           
     83 William G. McPherson.                   113 William Crawford.
     84 to 87 vacant.                           114 John Ashbaugh.
     88 William Stewart.                        115 Reynolds Ramsey.
     89 Robert McIlvain.                        116 Alexander Scott.
     90 Alex Spear.                             117 Capt. William Lusk.
     91 Philip Morningstar.                     118 Reynolds Ramsey.
     92 Samuel Gettys, Jr.                      119 James Black.
     93 George Irwin.                           120 Jacob Bower.
     94 Walter Maxwell.                         121 Elizabeth Bruner.
     95 Bole Owings.                            122 Alexander Thompson.
     96 Joseph Mark.                            123 William McClellan.
                                                124 Isabella Gettys.
                                                125 John Anan.
                                                126 John Blair.


                               WEST MIDDLE STREET.


    127 Archibald Stewart.                      155 Mathew Horner.
    128 John McKelip.                           156 John McKelip,
                                                    John Craig.
    129 William Dunwoody.                       157 James Flaught.
    130 Robert Dana.                            158 Thomas Douglas.
    131 Sophia Vance.                           159 William Blakely.
    132 John Tome.                              160 Agnes McPherson.
    133 James Smith,                            161 John Cochran.
        Michael Miller.                     
    134 James Gettys.                           162 William Pim.
    135 Mathew Caldwell.                        163 Robert Galbreath.
    136 William Vance.                          164 John Balten,
                                                    George -----.
    137 Isabella Gettys,                        165 Robert McPherson.
        Patrick McCoy.
    138 Patrick Mooney.
    139 Alexander Elder.
    140 Mathew Horner,
        ---- McMillan. 

                               EAST MIDDLE STREET.

    141 Samuel Gettys, Sr.                      166 Samuel Russell.
    142 Thomas Cross.                           167 William Bailey.
    143 James Hughes.                           168 Robert McIlvaine.
    144 John Blair.                             169 William Bailey.
    145 John Thompson                           170 Joshua Russell.
    146 James Russell.                          171 James Buchanan.
    147 And. Weir.                              172 Richard Elder.
    148 Elizabeth Fleming.                      173 John Tawney.
    149 Alexander Scott.                        174 Mary Williams.
    150 Joseph McCreary.                        175 Mathew Shanks.
    151 James Dobbin, Esq.                      176 Bole Owings.
    152 Alex. Scott. 
    153 Richard Jenning.
    154 ----- (illegible.)

                               WEST HIGH STREET.

    177 James Campbell, Sr.                     180 Fred Remmel.
    178 Joseph Stilly.                          181 Joseph Moore.
    179 Joseph Stilly.                          182 Andrew Boyd. 
    183 William Pim.                            199 Alex. Scott,
    184 Robert Scott.                               James Gettys.
    185 Thomas Rogers.                          200 Daniel Gour.
    186 Joseph Hughes.                          201 Samuel Hays. 
    197 And. Johnston.                          202 Barnabas McGee.
    198 John Trone.                             203 John Blair.

                               EAST HIGH STREET.

    187 Samuel Hays.                            204 James Hughs.
    188 John Watt.                              205 Alex. Russell.
    189 John Forsyth.                           206 Nancy McPherson.
    190 John Wilson.                            207 Betsy McPherson.
    191 Samuel Moore.                           208 Bole Owings.
    192 Patrick McMullen.                       209 James Gettys,
    193 James McSherry.                             Reynolds McPherson.
    194 John Tate.                              210 Peggy Kirk.
    195 James Baird.
    196 John McClellan (Irish).

The 210 lots laid out by Mr. Gettys retain the same numbers in the title deeds 
to the present time.  Owners can thus readily trace the different assignments, 
as the numbers and streets given above correctly locate each lot.  This is the 
best obtainable list of those who were here in the latter part of the eighteenth 
century.  It is a convenient book of peerage for the descendants of these 
people - a vein of the blue-blood of the country.

TOWN INCORPORATED.

The above list of lot owners, and then the list given in the account in another 
chapter of the parties engaged in building the first court house, and then the 
list of settlers from 1817 to 1828, as given elsewhere, from the memory of Mr. 
Longwell, give a remarkably full list of settlers in Gettysburg during nearly 
the first half century of its existence.  Then, the marriage docket of Rev. 
Dobbin completes the list is a manner more satisfactory than can probably be 
found of any other town in the State at this day of comparatively the same age.

From the day of its founding it grew with the growth of the surrounding country 
in population and wealth, receiving, of course, the impulse that would naturally 
come of the location of the county seat here in 1800.  The wisdom of this 
selection is shown that now for eighty-six years it has remained undisturbed - 
we 
believe no effort made or question agitated for a removal during all that time.

On March 10, 1806, it became by law an incorporated borough.  It had a 
postoffice and store, blacksmith shop, and enough people to begin to put on many 
town airs.  George Morton had started a spinning wheel factory to supply the 
country with that very necessary article in every household.  The movement to 
build a court house and jail commenced in the early part of 1801.  This year the 
new town was making local laws to regulate affairs in the town.  Reynolds Ramsey 
was village treasurer, collecting quit rents and dog tax, and market house 
rents, etc.  Ramsey and Attorney Haight had their offices together.  As early as 
1801, we know from an advertisement that James Marsden had a “frame house 
handsomely weather-boarded and painted on York Street.”  Indeed, in 1801, 
Gettysburg was a bustling young “Western town,” full of promise, new buildings 
and improvements, and new settlers to grow up with the town.  So wide had its 
fame extended in 1801 that the peripatetic showman was attracted here, and 
suddenly one morning the bustling town must have been, as the slang now puts it, 
paralyzed by the gaudy posters announcing the coming of the “great, moral and 
edifying show;” “wax figures as large as life.”  The proprietor’s name is not to 
the bills, and it is only inference that it was not the incomparable Artemus 
Ward - making his first bold venture in the “wild and raging West.”  In the same 
year James Cobean rented Gettys’ tavern, and Dr. Samuel Agnew opened his office 
and offered his ministrations to the sick and afflicted.  Michael Newman erected 
a tannery and commenced making leather.  In 1802 John Rowland had his pottery 
running, and so brisk was business that he was constrained to advertise for “a 
good potter.”  In 1803 Edward David had his chair factory in operation, and as 
our citizens will remember, Gettysburg was a leading point for this industry to 
the time of the rebel invasion in 1862-63.  Jacob Sell had occupied the “Red 
House” on the south side of York Street, east of the court house; then in 1805 
Mr. Underwood carried on business in this place, and in 1806 Mr. Harper moved 
his printing office into it.

April 6, 1806, James Scott and Thomas Hetich started a line of stages from 
Chambersburg to Baltimore.  Starting “every Monday morning at 4 o’clock from 
Chambersburg, it arrived at the house of James Scott, in Gettysburg, the same 
day, and at the house of Jacob Winrott, Petersburg; stopping here all night, 
would reach Baltimore the next day, at the house of the sign of the ‘Sheaf of 
Wheat.’  Returning, leave Baltimore Friday morning at 4 o’clock, and by the same 
route reach Chambersburg Saturday.”  This was a great improvement for that day.  
All the way to Baltimore and back by stage in a week!

In 1806 Henry Young was “mine host” in Gettysburg, and returns public thanks and 
is “continuing at the old stand of tavern-keeping and Ironmongery.”

In 1807 the total revenue of Gettysburg, including dog tax, was $557.81½.  
Reynolds Ramsey was burgess in 1806-07.

The first borough election was in May, 1806.  The first council met May 21, 
following, at the house of William McClellan; present, George Kerr, Emanuel 
Zeigler, William Garvin, James Dobbin, Walter Smith.  George Kerr, elected 
president of the town council, appointed James Gettys clerk and treasurer, his 
bond fixed at $1,000; salary 2½ per cent on moneys collected.

In June, 1807, Rev. D. McCanaughy opened his high school in Gettysburg, which 
school was an era in the town’s history.  In it was taught Latin and Greek, as 
the ancient prospectus informs us.  Rev. McCanaughy was an eminent divine and 
leading educator of his time.

Among the ordinances of 1806 was a resolution to purchase a fire engine, and for 
this purpose a petition to the grand jury and court of quarter sessions asking 
assistance, which obtained from them an allowance of $150, and then the council 
authorized the issuing of a town bond for $300.

As early as June 8, 1806, a severe ordinance was passed prohibiting swine from 
running at large; the same time was passed an ordinance “to prevent the increase 
of dogs.”  It required every owner to report his dogs, with full description 
thereof and pay a tax on each one - 40 cents for Mr. Dog and $2 for Mrs. Dog.  
It was Reynolds Ramsey’s official duty to buy a book, keep the dog registry and 
collect the tax.  This record book is a veritable curiosity.  It shows fifty-
eight dogs reported before August, 1806.  “Joseph Worley one small Dog his Name 
is pen is black and white Ring round his Nack paid;” “Alexander Russells Dog is 
of a small size Coller black with a white Ring Round his Neck his name pointer 
paid;” “Spangler B. McClalen dog is brown yeallow lags and Brast Named beaver;” 
“Samuel Kuplinger Dog is of a middle size Collor is black and white his name is 
pipe paid;” “George Walsh a Midel Sized yeallow Dog and his name is liberty 
paid;” “Christian Culp one small light yeallow Dog his name is possum paid;” 
“John Gross a small dog Black his name is smart paid;” “Mickel Numan of a 
whitish brindled collar with a very long head his name is bull paid;” Doc Samuel 
Agnew’s 
dog of a Dune Collor and his name is ‘Augustus Cezror;’’’ “Mathias Culp a small 
yallow Brindeld dog his name is pen paid;” “Adam Swop 1 dog of Midel Size his 
name is Forney and yeal collor,” etc.  While on the subject of extracts from 
Reynolds Ramsey’s records we give the following extract, that not only explains 
itself, but is a complete insight into the ideas of that time of morality and 
statesmanship:  “be it Remembered that on the second day of february in the year 
of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seven, Shem Greble [Graybill] of 
Adams County, farmer convicted before me, being the burgess of the Borough of 
Gettysburg, of a breach of the Lord’s day by driving a wagon through the Borough 
of Gettysburg on the first day of February and year afsd. Being the Lord’s Day 
commonly called Sunday which conviction is Mede upon my ordinance and I do 
adjudge him to forfeit for the same the sum of four dollars.”

By careful search of the tax books we learn that there were eighty-three houses 
and two tan-yards in Gettysburg in 1806.  Adam Swope owned one of the tan-yards 
and William Buchanan the other.  The fire engine, which cost $450, was received 
August 5, 1806.

At the May election, 1807, was elected George Kerr, burgess; town council-James 
Galloway, James Gettys, Samuel Hutchinson, James Dobbin, William Maxwell; street 
commissioners-Emanuel Zeigler, Henry Hoke; high constable-William Kuhns.  James 
Douglas was appointed town clerk and treasurer.  This new council determined at 
their first meeting to build a market house.  This was built in the square on 
the east side of the court house, a passage way twelve feet wide separating the 
buildings.

In the year 1807 there were eighty-nine houses in the borough, and Philip Youse 
had built a brewery.

The next year, 1808, the town council was Alexander Cobean, John Troxell, Ralph 
Lashells, Jacob Ackerman, William Buchanan; Jacob Ackerman, president; James 
Dobbin, clerk and treasurer.  There had been three houses put up the year ending 
June, 1808.  This was not a very rapid growth, but the place was growing.  It 
appears Nichols Gelwix had become the town brewer.  This council set apart 
Wednesdays and Saturdays as market days, and enacted some rigid laws about the 
matter of markets, going extensively into details.  They had come of a race of 
men and were emerging from an age when all men believed that the law-making 
power should regulate everything, even to that sacred little operation of a man 
kissing his wife on Sunday.

John Ashbaugh was appointed clerk of the market, and it must have occupied all 
his time and study to understand and enforce the wonderful regulations of the 
council.

In 1809 the new council-Michael Newman, president; Walter Smith, John Agnew, 
William Kuhns, H. G. Jamison.  The council now held meetings in Fredrick 
Rupley’s house.  James Dobbin again town clerk and treasurer.

The people who owned and, it is presumed, lived in their houses in the borough 
at this time were Jacob Ackerman, John Ashbaugh, James Agnew, John Agnew, 
William Buchanan, Joseph Bolton, Ezekiel Boring, Frederick Bower, Christian 
Bonner, Alexander Cobean (two houses), Christian Chritzman, Mathias Culp (three 
houses), Christian Culp, Joseph Cooksen, Henry Coaser (?), Abraham Coppersmith, 
Nicholas Crumbaugh (two houses), Peter Creamer, James Dobbin, Edward Davies, 
Moses Degraft, Martin Ebert, James Gettys (two houses), Robert Graham, George 
Gelwix, James Galloway, John Galloway, George Geyer, William Garvin, George 
Gantz, Sarah Gilbert, ----- Giffin, Nicholas Gelwix, Henry Hoke (two houses; had 
also a brewery and brick-yard), Robery Hayes, Hutcheson & Newcomer (store), 
Samuel Hutchinson, Dr. Samuel Huey, John Hughes, Dr. Jamison, John Jenkins, 
William Kuhns, Elizabeth Keyes, Barnabas Kerr, George Kerr, Ralph Lashells, 
Jacob Lohr, ----- Messer (?), William Maxwell, John McKelip’s heirs, John Myers, 
William McClellan, ----- Markey, Martin Markley, Michael Newman, Valentine 
Neisewits (?), Jacob Oyler’s heirs, Andrew Polley, Samuel Polly, George Patser, 
Alexander Russell, Russell & Kerr (store), Mary Rimmel, Christian Ribe, Adam 
Swope, John Sweeny (the cabinet-maker), Walter Smith, Jacob Sell (two houses), 
Samuel Sloan, James Scott’s heirs (two houses), Jacob Shroeder, John Troxell, 
Jr., Jacob Wertz, Mary A. Weims, Christian Wampler, ----- Miller, Adam Walter, 
Henry Watkins (had also a brick-yard_, Henry Wasmas (?), Emanuel Zeigler.  This 
includes the entire list as shown to pay tax in the corporate limits on their 
houses.  There was quite a number who paid taxes on vacant lots.

March 19, 1810, the Gettysburg Academy was established; $2,000 was appropriated 
to it; one-half of this sum to purchase a library, and the other half invested 
in productive property to help pay the teachers.  May 1, this year, Alexander 
Russell elected burgess.  Town council-Walter Smith, John McConaughy, Frederick 
Rupley, Michael Newman, Henry Hoke.  Christian Mumpler and John Ashbaugh, street 
commissioners; Jacob Wertz, high constable.  The council appointed James brown 
clerk and treasurer; Brown died and Samuel Hutchinson was elected to fill 
vacancy.

At the next election, 1811, the above officers were re-elected.

(In September, 1811, was the first elephant circus ever on exhibition in 
Gettysburg.  The entire show consisted of the elephant.  The advertisement says:  
“The elephant is not only the largest and most sagacious animal in the world, 
but from the peculiar manner in which it takes its food and drink of every kind 
with its trunk, it is acknowledged to be the greatest natural curiosity ever 
offered to the public.  She will lay [sic] down and get up at command.  She will 
draw the cork from a bottle” [In these days any of our dudes can do this.] “and 
with her trunk will manage it in such a way as to drink its contents.  She is 
eleven years old, and measures upward of fifteen feet from the end of her trunk 
to that of her tail, ten feet around the body, and upward of eight feet high.  
Perhaps,” the advertisement continues, “the present generation may never have an 
opportunity of seeing an elephant again, as this is the only one in America, and 
this perhaps its last visit to these parts.”  Imagine, reader, you could have 
seen Jumbo smile as Barnum reads this show bill to him.)               

1812-George Kerr, burgess; council-Walter Smith, Michael Newman, Fred Rupley, 
William Maxwell, Mathew Longwell; Robert Hayes and John Troxell, Jr., street 
commissioners.  Hayes refused to accept the office and John Ashbaugh was 
appointed.  Samuel Pauley was high constable, Samuel Hutchinson, clerk.

In 1813 John Galloway contracted “to pave the Diamond” for the sum of $500 from 
the county and $480 from the borough.

May election, 1814, James Gettys elected burgess; council-William Garvin, John 
McConaughy, Christian Wampler, George Smyser, John Troxell, Sr.; Michael Newman, 
Nicholas Crombaugh, commissioners; Peter Sheets, constable; president of the 
council, William Garvin; Samuel Hutchinson, clerk and treasurer; John Ashbaugh, 
clerk of market.  In 1813 they paid the clerk a salary-$13.

Property owners of York Street, east of the court house, took steps in 1814 to 
commence to pave the street.  

James Gettys, burgess, died during his term of office, and March 18, 1815, the 
council elected James Dobbin to fill the vacancy.  

James Dobbin elected burgess, 1815; town council-William Garvin, John 
McConaughy, John Troxell, Sr., Jacob Eyster, Branhart Gilbert; George Smyser and 
Nicholas Crombaugh, street commissioners; Peter Sheets, constable.

1816-Dobin re-elected burgess; council-William Garvin, John McConaughy, John F. 
McFarlane, Jacob Eyster, Barnhart Gilbert; George Smyser and Christian Wampler, 
street commissioners; James Wray, constable.

1817-Above burgess and council re-elected.

1818-William McPherson, burgess; James Wray, C. Wampler, Henry Welsh, John 
McConaughy, M. Newman, council.

1819-This year the officers elected must be freeholders.  A. Russell, burgess 
(got twelve votes); council-John P. McPherson (twelve votes), John McConaughy, 
Jacob Eyster, B. Gilbert, George Hersh (all twelve votes each); S. Ditterline 
and C. Wampler, street commissioners.

1820-McPherson re-elected (eleven votes); council-McConaughy (twelve votes), 
Hersh (twelve votes), John Murphy (ten votes), James H. Miller (eight votes), 
and were elected.  [Where was the little busy ballot box stuffer?]  Christian 
Culp and George Zeigler elected commissioners.

1822-Alex Dobbin, burgess; council-Thaddeus Stevens, Ditterline, Robert Hunter, 
J. B. McPherson, George Smyser; commissioners-John Galloway and James A. 
Thompson.

1823-William McClellan, Jr., burgess; council-George Sweeny, C. S. Ditterline, 
Robert Hunter, John Hersh, Samuel H. Buehler.

1824-Simpson S. King, burgess; council-John F. McFarlane, Thaddeus Stevens, 
George Smyser, John Galloway, Robert Harper; street commissioners-Adam Swope, 
John Hersh; clerk and treasurer-Robert Smith; clerk of market-Christian 
Chritzman.
1826-King re-elected burgess; council-William Gillespie, John McFarlane, John B. 
McPherson, George Sweeny, George Zeigler; street commissioners-Thomas C. Reed 
and John Hersh.

1827-King re-elected; council-John b. McPherson, Thaddeus Stevens, David 
Zeigler, Z. Herbert, John Houck.

1828-Council-Thomas C. Miller, William McClellan, Robert G. Harper, Andrew 
Polly, John B. McPherson.  At the first meeting of the new council McClellan 
offered a resolution to pay the clerk and treasurer a salary of $12.50 per 
annum, and that the members of council serve without pay.  The council began to 
order property owners to pave sidewalks in front of property in Second Square.  
And it ordered that “large stepping stones, raised three inches above the 
surface, filled in with ironstone broken fine, be placed across the street at 
Center Square.”  R. Smith, so long clerk, now refused to hold the office longer, 
and Robert G. Harper was promoted to the $12.50 salary.

1829-Simpson S. King sill burgess; council-John Runkle, John b. McPherson, 
Robert G. Harper, Thaddeus Stevens, J. M. Thompson.  The first act of the new 
board was to grant Mrs. Winrott permission “to put up fixtures at the door of 
her tavern for the purpose of securing stage horses when they arrive at the 
door.”  Stevens offered an ordinance to compel property owners of property of 
South Baltimore Street from High Street to the borough line, “to pave in front 
of said lots.”  June 20, 1829, council appointed David McIlroy to wind the town 
clock one year for the sum of $5.

1830-Council-William McPherson, Ephraim Martin, Thomas J. Cooper, David Little, 
John Slentz.  Robert Smith was again appointed clerk and treasurer.

1831-R. Smith, burgess; council-John Slentz, David McCreary, David Ecker, Adam 
Wert, Thaddeus Stevens.

1832-The borough was divided into two wards, and two watchmen appointed.  This 
year Thomas C. Miller, burgess, and George Smyser, George Shyrock, William 
Gillespie, Jacob Zeigler, M. C. Clarkson, council.  This year, in August, the 
anti-swine-running-at-large ordinance was suspended for sixty days.

1833-Miller re-elected; council-George Smyser, George Shyrock, William 
Gillespie, John Houck, Adam Walter.

1834-Michael C. Clarkson, burgess; Simpson S. King, George Kerr, David McCreary, 
John B. McPherson, S. F. Forney, council.   

The incorporated borough had now been growing, building and improving for a 
generation.  The annual revenue had risen to $1,573.73.  The tax books this year 
show there were 414 persons who paid taxes in the borough.

1839-Burgess, M. C. Clarkson; council-John Slentz, Jacob Culp, Daniel M. Smyser, 
David McCreary, George Arnold; street commissioners-Joseph Little, Moses 
Degroft.

In the election of 1840-Burgess, David McCreary; council-John B. McPherson, J. 
A. Thompson, George Arnold, Daniel Baldwin, Daniel Culp; road commissioners-Adam 
Swope and Joseph Little; clerk-Robert G. Harper; attorney-Anthony B. Kurtz; 
constable-Christian Stout.  In October of this year, the council passed an order 
to petition Legislature for authority to borrow $6,000 to build water-works.

1841-Burgess-David McCreary; council-John Houck, William King, William Baugher, 
James Bower, John Gilbert; street commissioners-David Troxell and Jacob Heck.

1842-Burgess-George Arnold; council-John Houck, David Litle, M. C. Clarkson, S. 
S. McCreary, Henry Rupp.

1843-Arnold re-elected; council-John Houck, Samuel H. Buehler, Nicholas Codori, 
George Heck, John Brown.

1845-Burgess-John B. McPherson; council-David Horner, William Wisotsky, Peter 
Stallsmith, John Weigle, Samuel McCreary.

1846-C. M. Smyser, burgess; council-C. W. Hoffman, William King, John 
Winebrenner, G. W. McClellan, George Little.

1847-James A. Thompson, burgess; council-R. W. McSherry, David Troxell, J. B. 
McPherson, W. Ruthrauff, Jacob Worbeck.

1848-Burgess-George Arnold; council-C. W. Hoffman, D. M. Smyser, Samuel 
McCreary, William Baugher, Thomas Warren.

1849-Burgess-William King; council-William Wisotsky, John Gilbert, P. 
Stallswith, D. Heagy, G. Little.

1850-Burgess-John Culp; council-John Scott, H. Saltzgarra, Marcus Sampson, David 
Horner, Samuel McCreary.

1851-Burgess-D. Middlekoff; council-H. Rupp, J. F. Fahnestock, John Houck, 
Alexander Frazier, James G. Vera.

1852-Middlekoff re-elected; council-Adam Dawson, R. G. McCreary, J. L. Tate, Dr. 
R. Horner, Jacob Culp.

1853-Burgess-Robert G. Harper; council-John Gilbert, John Rupp, John Culp, Eden 
Norris, D. A. Buehler; clerk R. G. McCreary. 

1854-Harper re-elected.  This year members of council were elected for one, two 
and three years, respectively.  Afterward all members to be elected for three 
years.  Council, elected for three years-Hugh Dunwiddie, C. W. Hoffman; for two 
years-James A. Thompson, S. R. Russell; one year-J. F. Fahnestock, G. H. Swope.

The next year D. Kendlehart was elected councilman, and S. S. McSherry to fill 
term of C. W. Hoffman.

1856-Judging by minutes [no election reported] the council had in it Gilbert, 
Cobean, Rupp, Kendlehart and Meals.  Next year we find Comfort’s name.  1858, 
Samuel Herbert was elected; also John Herbst.

1859-Council [guessing from minutes] was Thompson, Sheads, Comfort, Shick, 
Herbst and Rupp.

At a special meeting of the council, April 20, 1861, it was unanimously resolved 
to appropriate $500 by the borough toward the support of the families of those 
who had gone or were about to go to the war.  The councilmen who passed this 
resolution were Kendlehart, Stallsmith, Garlach and Sheads.  The secretary of 
the council was Jeremiah Culp.  McClelland and Doerson were members of the 
council in 1861.

1863-The old members of the council present at the first meeting:  Stallsmith, 
Chritzman and Garlach.  The new members elect were Henry Rupp and A. D. Buehler.  
Robert Martin, burgess; Henry Rupp elected president of the council.  William B. 
McClellan, of the council, sent in his resignation in which he says he is 
“prostrated upon a bed of sickness from which I am not likely to recover;” 
whereupon D. Kendlehart was elected to fill the place, and he was at once 
elected president of the council; Jeremiah Culp, secretary and also collector, 
and S. R. Russell, treasurer.

January 13, 1864-Council authorized its president to borrow $4,000 for the 
purpose of paying bounties to fill the borough’s quota in the army.

“Resolved that handbills be immediately posted offering $100 reward for each 
volunteer, and ten dollars in addition to every person procuring such 
volunteer.”

In 1865-Council-Rupp, Lashells, Wills and Martin; Abram Scott elected and 
refused to serve.  W. C. Stallsmith elected to the vacancy.  R. G. McCreary, 
burgess.

1866-New councilmen elected, George A. Earnshaw, David Warren, William H. Culp.  
In 1867, the council was, present, Wills, Warren, Culp, Earnshaw, Spangler and 
Baker.

January 27, 1868-Mr. H. D. Wattles presented to the borough, as a free gift from 
him, the elegant town clock, now in the cupola of the court house.

1868-The new members elect were W. S. Hamilton, A. M. Hunter; Alexander 
Spangler, president; Jeremiah Culp, secretary; S. R. Russell, treasurer.

1869-New councilmen-Jacob W. Cress and Robert Tate, clerk-Frank D. Duphorn, and 
G. G. Myers, commissioner.

1870-W. S. Hamilton, president of council; J. Auginbaugh, secretary (and is 
still secretary, 1886); S. R. Russell, treasurer; Daniel Cashman, commissioner; 
J. L. Hill, burgess.  Robert Tate, of the council, died in 1870.  A. M. Hunter 
ws 
elected to fill the vacancy.

In October, 1871, immediately after the great Chicago fire, a large town meeting 
was held and the council was requested to consider the subject of sending $500 
to the sufferers.  The people were eager to go to the relief of their 
unfortunate friends, but the council, after due consideration, and examination 
of the condition of the town treasury, doubted their ability and legal right to 
make the donation.

March 18, 1872, Hunter and Chriztman retired and Fahnestock, Buehler and Tate 
took their seats as members of the new council, August 27, of this year.  John 
L. Hill resigned the office of burgess.  T. C. Norris, councilman, also 
resigned; David Wills appointed his successor.  C. H. Buehler resigned as 
president of council, and David Wills was elected.

1873-Counil-Fahnestock, Buehler, Tate, Gilbert and Stoner.  Treasurer-Charles A. 
Boyer.

1874-Gilbert, Buehler and Samuel K. Foulk were the new councilmen.  David Wills 
again president; Samuel Bushman, auditor.  John Gilbert resigned from the 
council, and J. Wolf was elected.  September, 1874, David Wills resigned from 
council.  John L. Tate was elected president.  Burgess John M. Krauth resigned 
November, 1874.

1876-Col. C. H. Buehler, burgess; councilmen elected-George H. Swope, John 
Winebrenner and J. Skelly; David Wills, president.  Skelly was appointed to fill 
vacancy caused by the resignation of Fred. Wistozsky.

1877-W. B. Meals, burgess; and John M. Huber and George B. Manfort, councilmen 
elect.

1878-David Kendlehart, burgess; George H. Swope, president of the council; 
Johnston Skelly and W. H. Rupp, councilmen elect.  March 24, 1878, council 
appointed Hans David Wills and R. G. McCreary a committee to receive the 
President of the United States and other distinguished visitors.  This year Hugh 
D. Scott was appointed treasurer; Jeremiah Culp was elected afterward as 
treasurer.

1879-Jacob Kitzmiller, burgess; new councilmen-H. D. Scott and William D. 
Holtzworth.  J. Skelly, elected president; Jeremiah Culp, treasurer.

1880-W. H. Bayly, burgess, Henry Overdeer, assistant burgess; Dr. T. T. Tate, 
Charles E. Armor, L. H. Stallsmith, W. I. Martin, Peter Overdeer, council; J. H. 
Skelly, president.     

1881-W. S. Shroeder, burgess; councilmen elect-T. T. Tate, F. Ramer, Rufus E. 
Culp; treasurer-W. H. Bayly; superintendent of streets-David Warren; police-M. 
L. Culp; David Wills, attorney; M. L. Culp, high constable.

1882-W. S. Shroeder, burgess; Calvin Hamilton, assistant; and Samuel Herbst, 
John Culp, Abraham Hoke, W. J. Martin, council; M. L. Culp, constable; W. H. 
Bayly, treasurer; Samuel Mc. Swope, attorney.  Bayly resigned and H. B. Danner 
was elected treasurer.  The next year Danner resigned and J. W. Kendlehart was 
elected.  In 1883-J. E. Bair, president of council; Hake, Wilson, Herbst, Wible, 
Ramer and Bingham, council.  This year R. J. McCreary, burgess.

In August, 1883, the ordinance accepting the offers of the water company for the 
building of the new water-works was accepted by the county and the contract made 
and signed November 16, following.

1884-W. H. Tipton, burgess; P. J. Tawney, E. H. Minnich, R. E. Culp, F. S. 
Ramer, new members council elect.  The council then stood the above and N. G. 
Wilson, Samuel Herbst, J. E. Wible, W. F. martin; street commissioner-John 
Winebrenner; S. Mc. Swope, attorney; J. W. Kendlehart, treasurer.

1885-Tipton re-elected; assistant burgess-H. B. Danner; new members of council-
Jacob Plank, George Shrive, Samuel Ridinger.  Officers of last year continued, 
and old police.

1886-Tipton re-elected; Calvin Hamilton, assistant; council newly elected-J. 
Emory Bair (re-elected), Calvin Gilbert, John M. Tate.  The hold-over members 
are F. S. Ramer, Jacob Plank, E. H. Minnich, George Shriver, P. J. Tawney, 
Samuel Ridinger.

WATER COMPANIES.

In August, 1822, Thaddeus Stevens, a councilman, offered a resolution to 
contract for water supply for the town, to be furnished in hydrants, for the sum 
of $200.  This year, November, the council elected George Smyser to fill the 
unexpired term of Alexander Dobbin, deceased.

Thaddeus Stevens continued to press the subject of water-works, on the attention 
of his fellow councilmen.  It was greatly through his efforts that the old 
water-works and reservoir were constructed, and pipes laid from the spring on 
the side of Baltimore Street.  For many years these answered all purposes, but 
in the course of time the wants and growth of the town caused the present water-
works to be put up by a private company, and now Gettysburg is supplied with a 
great abundance of the purest and best of water.  The stranger who visits the 
place, tastes its water, visits the water-works and sees the pure crystal 
fountain in the reservoir that is pumped from an inexhaustible lake that is 
covered by seventy feet of granite roofing, to him this is one of the attractive 
features of the place.  Certainly no place in the world is more favored in this 
respect than Gettysburg. 

The new water-works were put up and completed in the summer of 1883; the work 
commenced in the fall of 1882.

FIRE COMPANIES.

The council ordered fire companies to form as early as 1808.  An engine was 
provided and an ax, bucket and hook and ladder companies were provided for.  The 
people of the place were naturally fire fighters.  The original companies had 
but poor means or implements to fight fires successfully, but the people would 
rally upon the first alarm and with buckets conquer every fire nearly, and at 
least in every case save the adjoining property.  No residence was burned down 
for over eighty years after the founding of the town.  An inviting fact for fire 
insurance companies.  In January of the present year (1886) an elegant fire 
engine was purchased, and under Capt. Calvin Gilbert an effective company is now 
organized.

The first engine house was built in 1809.  It was sold in 1830 for $12, and in 
1822 the council ordered the building of a new one, “to be 28 feet long, 8 feet 
wide, 12 feet high in front and 8 feet in the rear, to be weatherboarded, the 
boards to be planed and painted white, and the front lettered ‘Engine House.’”  
It was on the lot between Evan’s store and Widow Chamberlain’s lot.  The engine 
called “Guard” was purchased July, 1830.

BANKS.

The first movement toward establishing a bank in this place was taken by 
Alexander Cobean in 1813.  He became the president, and opened books for stock 
subscriptions in Gettysburg, Millerstown, Littlestown, Oxford, Abbottstown, 
Berlin, Petersburg, Hunterstown, New Chester, Taneytown, and at Arendt’s, 
Hapke’s, Black’s and Hanover.  The original commissioners appointed to organize 
the bank were Alexander Cobean, James Gettys, Ralph Lashells, Jacob Eyster, 
Bernhart Gilbert, William Maxwell, Michael Newman, Robert Hayes, M. Miller, 
George Smyser.  This was the first application to start a bank under the law 
just passed authorizing banks.  At the first election of directors of the bank 
were chosen A. Cobean, James Gettys, Walter Smith, Robert Hayes, Ralph Lashells, 
Jacob Eyster, Bernhart Gilbert, of Gettysburg; and Andrew Will, Littlestown, 
Amos Maginly, Miderstown; Michael Slagle, Conowago; John Dickson, Straban; 
William Wierman, Latimore; Patrick Reid, Emmittsburg.  President, Alexander 
Cobean; cashier, John B. McPherson.  Bank regularly opened for business May 31, 
1841; hours from 10 A. M. to 1 P. M.  This institution has successfully 
weathered the financial storm for the past three-quarters of a century.  Its 
present officers are Dr. John A. Swope (congressman), president; J. Emory Bair, 
cashier, and Charles M. McCurdy, teller.

The First National Bank of Gettysburg was organized in February, 1864, with 
George Throne, president, the present officer; George Arnold was first cashier; 
Samuel Rushman, teller.  Arnold retired in 1873, and Maj. H. S. Benner succeeded 
and retained the office until 1875, when Maj. R. Bell, present cashier, 
succeeded him.  Capital stock $100,000.

SEMINARY AND COLLEGE.

Full mention is made in the chapter on education of the Theological Seminary and 
Pennsylvania College.

CHURCHES.

Presbyterian Church (Rev. J. K. Demarest, pastor), of Gettysburg, is closely 
identified with the history of the people of this county from its earliest 
settlement.  The first building was erected in the vicinity of Black’s grave-
yard where there was a settlement of the Dutch Reformed people in 1738.  The 
church was probably organized in 1740; the “meeting-house” was built about 1747.  
It was known as the Great Conowago and Marsh Creek Church.  Rev. Caven was 
“stated supply” in 1740.  In 1741 the congregation petitioned to be rid of their 
preacher, because “when Mr. Caven is abroad a bad story invariably comes back 
after him.”  For some years this people worshiped in private houses or under 
“God’s first temples.”  Andrew Bay was long supposed to have been the first 
resident pastor, but this was an error, probably from the split in the church of 
the “Old Side” and “New Side.”  Rev. Joseph Tate was the first ministerial call 
to Great Conowago, in 1748, then Robert McMordie; in 1767 Rev. James Long, then 
Joseph Rhea, Samuel Kennedy.  The latter was doubted by the authorities as to 
his opinions, and he was refused to the church.  The Presbytery said he was 
“tinctured with New Light sentiments.”  Poor Kennedy was tried for being an 
Irishman, in reality, but they called it “laying too much stress on external and 
internal holiness.”  The ghostly trial was had.  The most wonderful thing about 
it now is the synopsis of the testimony as it is furnished by the records, of 
the persons who had heard him preach, and would, under oath, give the substance 
of his remarks and arguments, on the most wonderful and driest dogmas months 
after they had sat in the cheerless church and heard them.  They could repeat 
the text and give a synopsis of his so-called arguments under each of the many 
headings.  This trial and testimony is a flood of light upon the religious 
ideas, subjects and manners of the times.  Among the witnesses called were Capt. 
McPherson, Samuel McConaughy, Quintin Armstrong.

In 1772 Rev. Robert Huey was asked for by the congregation.  The Presbytery, 
because he was an Irishman, subjected him to the most rigid examination on “the 
more important articles of the Christian religion, wherein the Calvinists and 
Armenians differ;” and he did not pass the ordeal.  Rev. John Black was in 
charge in 1775.  He was the ablest man probably in charge of this church; 
continued many years, and was greatly respected.  He replaced the old log church 
with the large stone one in 1780.  In 1781 the Presbytery met in this then 
magnificent building.  A great incident came before this body.  Two young ladies 
of the congregation were at outs.  The great difficulty in the case was they 
were both “most highly connected,” each claiming kinship with either preacher or 
elder.  In fact they were so high in their family connection and influence that 
the session had no jurisdiction, and therefore it came directly to the 
Presbytery.  It was in the end the common female trouble of tea tattling.  The 
young lady was found guilty of an unruly tongue and was ordered up to receive a 
public reprimand.  In 1741, a minister was tried by the Presbytery for 
drunkenness.  He was acquitted, and the record says:  “We cannot find cause to 
judge Mr. Lyon guilty of anything like excess in drinking.   *   *   But 
inasmuch as his behavior had so many circumstances and symptoms of drunkenness, 
and inasmuch as he did not make any apology or allege it proceeded from 
sickness, we judge that he is censurable, and yet, as we apprehend that the 
small quantity of liquor which Mr. Lyon might have drank might produce the above 
effect after his coming in out of the extreme cold into a warm house near the 
fire, we do not find sufficient cause to condemn him for drunkenness.”  At the 
next meeting of the Presbytery this same Rev. Lyon was tried, condemned and 
convicted “for whistling on the Sabbath, conduct indicating vacuity of thought 
and a disposition at variance with the proper spirit of the Lord’s day.”

The good and reverend Black introduced the first temperance society in this part 
of the world.  It was very mild, not prohibiting the use of liquor, but simply 
to stop excessive drunkenness.  He only could induce three of his congregation 
to sign, and the end soon came in, Mr. Black being deposed from his church for 
his pains.

In 1813 it was determined so sell the church and remove to Gettysburg.  Dr. 
McCanaughy, long in charge of the church, an eminent divine and educator, 
resigned in 1832 to take the presidency of Washington College, which place he 
ably filled until October, 1849.  He died January 29, 1852.  A church was built 
in Gettysburg, and here the congregation has worshiped since.  In 1840 the new 
and present church was completed.

Reformed Dutch Church of Conowago-This church in its entirety was brought by the 
Dutch with them from Holland.  The site of their first church was on what is now 
the York pike, two miles east of Hunterstown, and down the pike to the Two 
Taverns-long known as the Low Dutch Road.  In March, 1817, the Legislature 
authorized the congregation to sell their property, which was done, and the 
church dissolved and merged into the Presbyterian Church.  The congregation had 
had internal dissensions, a split at one time, but the chief cause of its 
winding up its affairs was the fact that the Dutch were a migrating people.

The Dutch emigration from Adams County commenced in 1800-in two directions, 
north and west.  Daniel Boone was a native of Bucks County, Penn., born in 1735.  
He was the pioneer that led the way to Kentucky in that time only inhabited by 
the red man.  He was in Kentucky in 1769, and founded the site of Boonesboro, 
where he lived until 1792.  Following him to the Indian lands the first to go 
were some of the Dutch from Conowago.  Collins, in his “History of Kentucky,” 
says:  “The first Dutch emigration to Kentucky, in a group or company, was in 
1781, to White Oak Springs Station, on the Kentucky River, one mile above 
Boonesboro.  Among the emigrants were Henry Banta, Jr., Abraham and John Banta, 
Samuel, Peter, Daniel, Henry and Albert Duryee, Peter Cosart or Casad (Cassat) 
Fredrick Riperdan and John Fluetz (Yeury).”  These names are all familiar names 
in Adams County.  It tells very plainly where they were from.  This was the 
commencement of the stream that poured into Kentucky from Pennsylvania for many 
years.

These men had come through the trackless wilderness to this place, where they 
paused a few years, recuperated and simply continued their western journey, 
starting the stream of immigration to the great Mississippi Valley, where this 
century has witnessed the most wonderful human development the world ever saw.  
Guided by the north star, by the streams and mountain passes, by the moss 
growing on a particular side of the trees, by their keenly whetted senses of the 
deep tangled wildwood, they successfully piloted their way, easily overcoming 
difficulties that in this day and age would be simply appalling.  Silent, 
obscure, illiterate men, wandering nomads upon the earth’s waste places, poor in 
this world’s goods, uncultured and without a particle of ambition, but in all 
the history of great deeds by great men who were their superiors?  Stern and 
silent, full of religious zeal and childish superstitions and fears, often 
disputatious, dogmatic and domineering over inferiors or equals; independent, 
brave unto death, never knowing fear of anything mortal, and cowering in agony 
at conjured shadows from another world, their works alone can fitly symbolize 
their glorious immortality.  They were our nation builders.  They laid the 
enduring foundations of this remarkable civilization.  The men “in undressed 
jerkins and the good dames handling the spindle and the flax” were the world’s 
truly great heroes and heroines.  Immortal men and women!  We cherish thy sacred 
memories, adore thy noble works and would reverently gather thy ashes to be kept 
forever as a token and talisman for all generations and all time.  The other 
branch that immigrated to New York in 1793 were led by the Brinkerhoff’s.  They 
settled in what is now Cayuga County.  And thus the names of these early Dutch 
settlers have become known in nearly all the States.

Christ’s (Evangelical Lutheran) Church-It is not known when this church was 
organized in Gettysburg.  It was here in 1789 in “an old log schoolhouse” on the 
corner of High and Stratton Streets.  In 1811 a church was put up.  The earliest 
church records now obtainable date 1819.  Rev. Herbst was pastor until 1829, 
succeeded by Revs. Charles Weyl and F. Ruthrauff.  In 1835 the lot now occupied 
was secured, and the church building erected.  The pastors were Rev. Benjamin 
Keller, 1839; Rev. J. H. Smith, who was succeeded by Rev. H. L. Baugher, who 
continued until 1852, and Rev. Dr. Schmucker officiated.  In 1855 he was 
succeeded by Rev. Dr. Krauth, who served until 1861, when Dr. Baugher was again 
put in charge.  In 1866 Rev. C. A. Hay succeeded.  This is generally known as 
the College Church.

Episcopal Church-This society was started by Rev. Henry L. Phillips, in June, 
1875, and a temporary chapel built in 1876, Rev. J. H. Marsden in charge, 
succeeded by Rev. E. A. Tortal.

Catholic Church-The church building was commenced in 1826, under the direction 
of the Superiors of Conowago Chapel.  Father Lewis De Barth was first in charge 
as visitor, then Father Mathew Leken.  In 1831 the church not yet completed; May 
18th the building was struck by lightning.  Father Michael Dougherty officiated 
alternately with Father Leken until 1843.  From 1830 to 1851 Fathers Kendler, 
George Villiger, V. H. Barber and F. X. Denecker were the visiting priests.  The 
new brick church on High Street was built in 1852, under the care of Father J. 
B. Cotting.  At this time the Jesuits passed the church over to the Bishop of 
Philadelphia; then the pastor became a resident of Gettysburg.  Soon after the 
battle of Gettysburg, 1863, Rev. Joseph A. Boll was placed in charge, and he is 
the present pastor.

Methodist Episcopal Church (John Vrooman, pastor)-There were thirty members of 
this church in Gettysburg, in 1818.  A small house on Baltimore Street was 
rented and Rev. Van Orsdel officiated, followed by Rev. Wesley Woods.  The 
church was built on Middle Street in 1822.  The rear portion of the lot was used 
as a burying ground until Evergreen Cemetery was made in 1854.  A Sunday-school 
was started in 1826; Ezekiel Buckingham, superintendent and George Walsh, 
assistant.  In 1835 a parsonage was purchased; this was sold in 1856 and the 
present parsonage secured.  The new church as it now stands was built in 1872.

Reformed Church-This was organized and placed under the care of Rev. George 
Troldenier in the year 1790; at first in “an old log schoolhouse,” and this 
being too small they held worship in the court house.  They then united with the 
St. James Lutheran Church, and in 1814 the two erected the “Union Brick Church,” 
on the corner of High and Stratton Streets.  In 1815 Rev. John Runkle was in 
charge, succeeded by Dr. Schaff, and he by Dr. Harbaugh.  To this time services 
were held in the German language.  Rev. David Bossler was in charge for six 
years.  Then the field was vacant two years, trying all the time to find a 
preacher who could preach alternately in German and English on a salary of $400.  
Finally Rev. B. S. Schneck was secured.  The church was empty from 1835 to 1838.  
Rev. Samuel Gutelius then came and remained until 1843, when E. V. Gerhart came; 
then Rev. Jacob Zeigler.  The congregation now purchased the St. James Lutheran 
interest in the church building.  The building was enlarged and re-dedicated 
June, 1862.  Rev. Bucher resigned in 1863, and Rev. Deatrich became pastor, and 
he was succeeded by Rev. Dr. M. Kiefier.

SOCIETIES.

Good Samaritan Lodge, No. 200, F. & A. M., was instituted January 1, 1825.  The 
original officers were Sampson S. King, W. M.; Robert Goodloe Harper, S. W.; 
Thomas C. Reed, J. W.; George W. King, Sec. Charter members:  Sampson S. King, 
Robert G. Harper, Thomas C. Reed, George W. King, Francis Leas, Thomas C. 
Miller.  In 1832 the great wave of Thad. Stevens’ anti-Masonic war struck this 
part of the country, and January 7 of that year the Good Samaritan Lodge 
suspended its meetings and surrendered its charter.  Robert Goodloe Harper took 
charge of all the papers and carefully preserved them, saying to his brothers 
that he expected to live to reorganize the lodge and that it would grow strong 
and flourish.  Time verified his fondest hopes.  This anti-Masonic war was 
ephemeral-it controlled one election.  The lodge was revived and reorganized 
January 23, 1860, and then the number of the lodge was changed to 336, but no 
other change in name.  The officers of the new organization were Robert Goodloe 
Harper, W. M.; Edward G. Fahnestock, S. W.; Henry B. Danner, J. W.; Joel B. 
Danner, Treas.; William A. Duncan, Sec.  The charter members:  Robert Goodloe 
Harper, Edward G. Fahnestock, H. B. Danner, Joel B. Danner, William A. Duncan, 
Henry S. Benner, Samuel K. Foulk, John Geiselman.  Present officers:  John C. 
Felty, W. M.; W. H. Tipton, S. W.; Calvin Hamilton, J. W.; William T. Zeigler, 
Treas.; Daniel A. Skelly, Sec.  The present membership is seventy-one.

Masonic Chapter, F. & A. M., was organized March 23, 1886.  Officers:  Daniel A. 
Skelly, H. P.; H. D. Scott, K.; Winfield S. Shroder, S.; Henry S. Benner, 
Treas.; Charles H. Ruff, Sec.  The charter members:  Charles P. Gettier, W. D. 
Holtzworth, Daniel A. Skelly, Hugh D. Scott, Charles H. Ruff, Winfield Shroder, 
Hanson P. Mark, W. T. Zeigler, Henry S. Benner.

Cayugas Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men, No. 31, was organized June 25, 1854.  
The present officers:  F. M. Garlach, Sachem; Peter Thorn, Sr., Sagamore; E. K. 
Culp, Jr. Sagamore; C. H. Stallsmith, C. of R.; William N. Miller, Asst. C. of 
R.; D. Kitzmiller, K. of W.  Trustees:  T. J. Stahle, J. W. Flaharty, C. B. 
Shields.  The charter members:  John L. Holtzworth, W. B. Wauk, Samuel Weaver, 
Obidiah Beard, Henry Hughes, Thomas F. Frazier, S. W. Kale, Michael Meals, John 
Peter Hoffman, J. H. Skelly, Henry G. Karr, B. G. Hallebaugh, Jesse Ebert, 
William Trickel, Thomas Warren, Augustus Schwartz, Nicholas Weaver, Jacob 
Rinehart, James W. Shultz, James N. Shruekhise, John J. Burbell, T. T. Titus, 
John Sellers, Isaac Heitshue, Henry G. Wolf, Dr. J. L. Hill, G. A. Long.  The 
officers of the original organization were John Burbell, Sachem; Henry G. Cave, 
Sr. Sagamore; John L. Holtzworth, Jr. Sagamore; Henry G. Wolf, C. of R.; Samuel 
Weaver, K. of W.

I. O. O. F.-Present officers:  J. H. Fleming, N. G.; Robert D. Armor, V. G.; 
Charles H. Ruff, Sec.; William C. Stallsmith, Asst. Sec.; J. L. Shick, Treas.  
Trustees:  Robert D. Armor, Jeremiah Culp, W. T. Zeigler.

Union Encampment was instituted October 3, 1857.  First members C. H. Beuhler, 
J. H. Culp, G. W. Stover, N. Weaver, J. L. Shick.  Officers at the organization:  
J. L. Hill, C. P.; William B. Meals, J. W.; John Winebrenner, S. W.; Robert D. 
Armor, H. P.; Charles X. Martin, Sec.; John Rupp, Treas.  Present officers:  W. 
N. Miller, C. P.; Charles Zeigler, S. W.; W. C. Stallsmith, S.; David 
Kitzmiller, Treas.; Robert D. Armor, H. P.  The I. O. O. F. lodge was instituted 
August 18, 1845.  The officers first installed were W. P. Bell, N. G.; John G. 
Baker, V. G.; George W. Bowen, S.; Robert D. Armor, A. S.; Samuel Yingling, 
Treas.

Corporal Skelly Post No. 9, Department of Pennsylvania G. A. R., of Gettysburg, 
was among the first posts organized in Pennsylvania.  It was named in honor of 
Corp. Johnston H. Skelly, of Company F, Eighty-seventh Regiment Pennsylvania 
Volunteer Infantry, who was wounded at the battle of Carter’s Woods, near 
Winchester, Va., on the 15th of June, 1863, and died in the hospital at 
Winchester on the 12th of July, 1863.  The first organization did not exist very 
long, owing to political dissensions in the post, and the charter was 
surrendered.  In September, 1872, the post was reorganized with its original 
name and number, but did not increase in membership very fast (having only about 
forty-five members) until the year 1879, when the prejudices which had existed 
for some time in this locality against the G. A. R. were removed and applicants 
began to come in very fast for admittance to the order, and the membership was 
increased until the present time (1886) it numbers 103 members.  After its 
reorganization the post held its meetings in the three-story building nearly 
opposite the court house until March, 1880, when the members purchased the old 
Methodist Church on East Middle Street, which was remodeled and fitted up for a 
post room, the walls of which are all hung with fine pictures, comprising battle 
scenes, views of different battle fields, photographs of members of the post, 
and votes of thanks from the department of Pennsylvania G. A. R., and different 
posts of this and other States.  The post owns a very fine collection of relics 
gathered from Gettysburg, and other battle fields.  The commander’s pedestal is 
made from a section of a hickory tree cut along the bank of Willoughby’s Run 
(the scene of the first day’s battle of Gettysburg), with a Hotchkiss shell 
sticking in the center of it, and the top is a piece of dressed granite from the 
woods in front of Round Top.  Another relic in the post room is a small canon, 
weighing 150 pounds, with one and one-half inch bore, made from one of the guns 
of Henry’s North Carolina rebel batteries, which exploded during the battle of 
Gettysburg in front of Round Top.  The post also owns the chair belonging to 
Gen. Ewell, and which he left in his hurry to get away from Gettysburg.  It was 
presented to the post by a former citizen of the town, Hiram Warren (deceased).  
The following are the names of the post commanders:  Rev. Jesse B. Young, N. G. 
Wilson, Robert Bell, Theodore C. Norris, J. W. Cress, S. R. Andrews, J. 
Jefferson Myers, H. S. Buehler, C. E. Armor, William E. Culp, John Orr, J. E. 
Wible, William T. Ziegler, S. H. Eicholtz, W. H. H. Pierce, William D. 
Holtzworth and J. H. Skelly.  The following are the officers of the Post for 
1886:  Com. A. M. Detrick; S. V. C., H. W. Lightner; J. V. C., John G. Frey; 
Adjt., Thad. L. Welty; Q. M., N. G. Wilson; Surgeon, C. E. Goldsborough; 
Chaplain, Rev. H. W. McKnight; O. D., W. T. Zeigler; O. G., H. S. Buehler; S. 
M., William H. Rupp; Q. M. S., J. E. Wible; O. S., J. H. Sheads; Trustees, R. E. 
Culp, C. Hamilton, Robert Bell.

The Phrenakosmian Society of Pennsylvania College.*-February 4, 1831, the 
students of the Gettysburg Gymnasium were called together to take measures for 
the formation of literary societies.  Profs. J. Marsden and M. Jacobs addressed 
them on the subject.  The roll was then divided, and the first half became the 
founders of the Phrenakosmian Society.  They numbered eighteen.  Prof. Marsden 
presided over the first meeting.  Two weeks later, Friday evening, February 18, 
the second meeting was held, at which the constitution was adopted.  J. C. Hope 
was elected the first archon.  The records show that at least six different 
constitutions has been adopted and enforced.

The library connected with the society was founded by a resolution of April 15, 
1831, Harper’s library being purchased as the nucleus.  The library, consisting 
now of nearly 6,000 books, occupies one of the large rooms on the fourth floor 
of the present college building.  The society has accumulated a fund, the 
interest of which is spent in the purchase of books.  October 30, 1867, Mr. 
Manges moved that a committee be appointed to consider the expediency of 
providing a reading room.  The project met the approval of the society, and the 
reading room was opened at the beginning of the next session.  The periodicals 
subscribed for are designated by a vote of the society.  A number is furnished 
gratuitously.

Since 1868 public exercises have been held every alternate year, on February 22.  
Several literary contests have been held with the sister society, the 
Philomathæn.  The society has published two catalogues, one in 1846 and another 
in 1853.  Were one to be issued now (1886) it would record over 1,200 names of 
those who are or have been active members.  [Communicated.]

* The facts are mostly taken from “the Pennsylvania College Book.”

A NATIONAL RESORT.

The fame of Gettysburg is now spread all over the civilized world.  Here is the 
historic battle-field of centuries, the magnificent National Cemetery, and its 
grounds and splendid avenues now being lined with battle-field monuments that 
record in granite the position of the different commands in the battle; the park 
on Little Round Top; the lovely landscape; the quiet and picturesque, blue, 
distant, sweeping hills; the neat, cleanly, solidly built town; the clean paved 
streets; the smooth, wide sidewalks; the shade trees throwing their grateful 
shade along the streets; the broad avenue; the reposing landscapes; the 
exhaustless supply of pure, sweet water; its hotels and business houses and the 
many elegant and spacious mansions; and then in the suburbs the Katalzine 
Medical Springs and the summer hotel by them, all go to make this one of the 
most inviting places to the tourist and the oppressed in the great cities, and 
pleasure seekers in the world.  The air, the water, the scenery in its sweet and 
reposing splendors; the old and elegant institutions of learning, both literary 
and theological; the quiet and pleasant manners of the people, their refinement 
and culture and open frankness and true hospitality to the visitors and 
strangers, are the “open sesame” to the hearts of all comers to this rapidly 
becoming National Mecca, for the patriotic veterans of the late war as well as 
the favorite resort to all.

To the writer of these lines the recollections of Gettysburg will, while he 
lives, linger as one of the most vivid and pleasant pictures in his pathway of 
life.