AREA HISTORY:  Schools, Manchester Township, 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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ADOPTION OF THE COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM – Page 620

There were other subscription schools similar to the one at the Mennonite Meeting 
House already described.  Before the present public school system was accepted in 
this township a local plan was adopted and so-called “free schools” were 
established.  They did not however afford equal privileges to all classes.  The 
poorer children were neglected.  Several attempts were made by enterprising citizens 
to secure enough votes, to accept the system under the provision of the act of 1834, 
but all such efforts were unsuccessful.  The legislative act of 1848 which virtually 
recognized that every district in the State had already accepted the system, brought 
Manchester into the ranks.  At the spring election of 1849 which was then held at 
Ludwig Kohr’s Hotel, near Emigsville, the system was accepted, and Daniel Rodes, 
Henry Metzgar, George Mathias, John Emig, Dr. Adam Eisenhart and Andrew Lightner 
were elected directors, all of who are now dead, except Daniel Rodes, who, at his 
advance age, is in the full possession of his mental and physical powers.  It was 
greatly through his determined efforts that the organization of the schools on the 
present basis was then effected.  The conflict that arose was typical of what took 
place in some other townships, especially in the German sections, where many of the 
people were averse to accepting the common schools, and preferred the subscription 
schools or parochial schools.  Many, in fact, preferred a shorter term than the law 
then required.  A great conflict arose when the directors met in Liverpool to 
organize.  A large number of people assembled; most of them came for the purpose of 
presenting objections to the plans.  After some of the directors conferred, all 
except two determined to resign.  Daniel Rodes, who was elected president, then read 
the law, which gave that officer the power to appoint any persons he selected to 
fill the vacancies, which resulted in holding the board together.  At this juncture 
Jacob Kirk of Fairview, who afterward became the first county superintendent of 
schools, happened along on his way to York.  He was an ardent advocate of the system 
which had been in force in his township fourteen years.  He argued in its favor from 
experience as a director and teacher.  The board then went into executive session 
and laid a small tax; John Bower was appointed tax collector.  His duty was not a 
pleasant one.  In some cases he was obliged to levy on personal property in order to 
collect the tax, so violent was the opposition.  In one or two instances a horse was 
sold.  Eleven schools were put into successful operation and the State 
appropriation, $100, received.  The Mennonite meeting house was rented.  One 
schoolhouse in the township could not be rented.  A house was built at Foustown.  
Aughenbaugh’s meeting house, now used by the Dunkers, was rented, as was also a 
Methodist meeting house at New Holland.  The rest were opened in such houses as 
could be obtained.  The system soon proved a great success.  One of the most 
singular features of this history was that the president of the board was publicly 
reprimanded by his fellow church members, and an effort made to have his name 
stricken from the church roll, on account of the interest he took to advance the 
cause of education.  They failed then, as many now do, to recognize that education 
and religion go hand in hand.  A faithful pastor came to his rescue and prevented 
action.