AREA HISTORY:  Franklin Institute, York County, PA

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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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FRANKLIN INSTITUTE – Page 572 (By F. L. Spanger)

The history of what is now known as the Franklin Institute dates back to August 6, 1878, when a 
secret organization, then known as the Excelsior Literary Society, was organized.  The persons 
who originated this society, were E. O. Goodling, Samuel Price, Elmer E. Ilgenfritz, Jacob 
Stager, Jr., Oliver Weiser, George Pinkerton and C. V. B. Aurand.  These persons met at the 
residence of Jacob Stager, Sr., on South Park Alley.  E. O. Goodling was elected president; 
Elmer E. Ilgengritz, vice-president; C. V. B. Aurand, secretary; Oliver Weiser, assistant 
secretary; George Pinkerton, treasurer.  The society afterward held its meetings in the lodge 
room of the “Junior American Mechanics,” in Lebach’s Building, Centre Square, where its name 
was changed to “Goethean Literary Society,” by which title it was known until it dissolved, 
November 3, 1879.  The founders of the Franklin were Perry J. M. Heindel, E. O. Goodling, C. V. 
B. Aurand, George Swords, Charles Stager, Jacob Stager, Jr., B. F. Harnish, Jeff. Lee Davis, B. 
F. Briggs, J. T. Rubie, Jr., F. P. Ilgenfritz and C. Wegman.  On the night of February 24, 
1879, these persons adjourned from the hall of the Goethean to the parlors of the Central 
Hotel, opposite the court house, where the following officers were elected:  president, E. O. 
Goodling; vice-president, Perry J. M. Heindel; secretary, Jeff. Lee Davis; assistant secretary, 
George A. Swords; treasurer, Jacob Stager, Jr.

On the 28th of April an entertainment was given by the Franklin in Odd Fellows’ Hall, from which 
sufficient funds were realized to enable the society to rent and furnish a room on the second 
floor of 222 West Market Street, over what was then Wallick’s book-store.  Here the quarters of 
the Franklin remained until April 4, 1881.  On April 4, 1881, a room on the fourth floor of 
Small’s mercantile and law building was rented and occupied.  This event was also celebrated by 
special exercises and a banquet.  Prof. Thiele’s Amateur Orchestra, at this time connected with 
the society, and largely composed of its members, furnished the music for the occasion.

In June, 1884, the fourth anniversary entertainment was given in the Odd Fellows’ Hall.  This 
entertainment gave an impetus to the progress of the Franklin, from which it has at this date 
not declined.

In December, 1884, the constitution of the Institute was amended so as to admit ladies to full 
active membership.  This was one of the most fortunate steps that the Institute had yet taken, 
as it supplied an element in its working material that lends an influence at once refining and 
elevating in all the social and moral relations of its membership.

The Institute has at present a list of forty-five active members, whose zeal, energy, and 
intelligence have made their organization an efficient agency in the moral elevation of the 
young men and women of the town.