AREA HISTORY: Shrewsbury Township, York County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/york/ _______________________________________________ History of York County, Pennsylvania. John Gibson, Historical Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886. _______________________________________________ SHREWSBURY TOWNSHIP – Page 704 - 714 By N. Z. Seitz SHREWSBURY is one of the southern tiers of townships in York County. It was among the first townships laid off west of the Susquehanna, and was formed under the act of the general assembly; dated November, 1739. It originally embraced the entire area, now covered by Shrewsbury, Springfield and Hopewell. Hopewell was formed in 1767, and Springfield, in 1835. The township is bounded on the south by Maryland, on the east by Hopewell, on the north by Springfield and on the west by Codorus Townships. The land is somewhat hilly, and yet there is but little that cannot be cultivated. It is generally well watered, numerous small streams flowing through it while the east branch of the Codorus rises in the southern portion and flows in a northerly direction through the entire township. The soil is generally good and well adapted to grain and vegetable growing. Magnetic iron ore has been found in considerable quantity in various sections of the township. The Northern Central Railroad passes through the township from the south to the north, as does the Baltimore & York Turnpike, both of which thoroughfares have aided greatly in the development of the resources of the township. The first settlers were mostly English, and Scotch-Irish, and the land in the southern end was taken up under Maryland titles. When the township was laid off, the citizens were mainly English, hence its English name, “Shrewsbury.” The Germans began to locate in that portion which now constitutes the township, in 1742, when many of the former English settlers sold their land and left; considerable feeling having been engendered between the Pennsylvania and Maryland border people, owing to the altercations which took place before the final settlement, through the agreement made with the proprietaries in 1732 and the establishment of Mason and Dixon’s line in 1767. The German element soon became predominant, and those springing from that stock sill remain so, as in seen in the thrift, enterprise and industry of the people; a peculiarity of the Germans. The land is generally well and thoroughly cultivated; the dwellings, barns and other building being substantially and conveniently built and kept in good repair. At the close of the Revolutionary war Shrewsbury Township, including Springfield, had a population of 876, 9 slaves, 189 houses, 152 barns, 7 mills, and covered an area of 24,229 acres. In 1883, 100 years later, with Springfield Township taken off and exclusive of the boroughs, it had 633 taxable inhabitants; had a real estate valuation of $729,702 and paid a county tax of $3,151, and a State tax of $219. The early educational facilities of the township were meager, as is the case with early settlements, but the Germans brought with them the belief of their church, that education is a necessity, consequently private and church schools were organized and maintained. The public school system was introduced in 1836, George Klinefelter having been chosen a delegate, for the township, to a convention held at York May 2, 1836. There was a considerable opposition to the introduction of the system at the time, as there was subsequently to the introduction of uniform text books, and the displacement of the Bible as the regular reading book. The public schools have, however, since been faithfully maintained and encouraged, and now rank among the best in the county. In the township proper, and outside of the boroughs, there are no educational institutions other than the public schools. In the township the German Reformed Church has one congregation, Fissel’s, formerly known as Jerusalem. It was organized in 1783, and is the oldest Reformed congregation in this section of the county. Its present membership reaches about 125, and the congregation is in a prosperous condition. The records are defective and its early history cannot be obtained. The first structure in which the congregation worshipped was a small log building, which was supplanted by a larger log weather-boarded, and this again in 1851 by a fine brick structure. It is owned jointly by Lutherans and Reformed. The following were among the ministers who served this congregation: Rev. Adam Ettinger, 1805 to 1810; Rev. Yost Henry Fries, 1810 to 1814; Rev. F. Scholl, 1814 to 1819; Rev. Henry N. B. Habliston, 1819 to 1822; Rev. Jacob Major, 1822 to 1823; Rev. John Aug. Forsch, 1823 to 1826; Rev. Frederick Becker, 1826 to 1828; Rev. John Rienecke, 1828 to 1848; Rev. C. W. Rienecke, D. D., 1848 to 1848; Rev. C. W. Rienecke, D. D., 1848 to 1849; Rev. D. Gring, 1859 to 1880 and Rev. A. F. Driesbach, 1880 to present time. The Lutherans have two congregations in the township, Fissel’s and Hametown. The former is located about one and a half miles southwest of Glen Rock, and was organized jointly with the Reformed congregation already referred to and meets in the same church. The congregation was organized in 1783 and has been well maintained since then. The records are incomplete, but from what can be gathered among the early pastors were Revs. John Herbst, Sr. and Jr., Rev. Stecker, Rev. Grobe, and among the later were Revs. Jacob Kempfer, A. Berg, J. H. Menges, E. Manges, and the present pastor, Rev. E. Miller, D. D. The congregation is strong, and from it sprang the membership which started other congregations in this section. Hametown was organized in 1872, the membership mainly coming from the Shrewsbury congregation. The first pastor was Rev. J. C. Koller, who was followed by the present pastor, Rev. J. B. Wolf. The Evangelical Association has but one congregation in the township, that of Klinefelter’s Chapel, worshiping in the church by that name near Fissel’s Lutheran Church. The congregation was organized in 1860, during which time the chapel was erected. Michael Seitz, Thomas Hunt and William Klinefelter being the building committee. The ministers who served this congregation were those who served the Shrewsbury congregation, and will be given in that connection. The congregation is small but active and aggressive. The Methodist Episcopal Church has one congregation in the township – Rock Chapel. This was the first congregation of that church and was organized in 1790, as near as can be gathered from an imperfect record. From it have gone the members to organize the other churches in this section. It is said that prominent ministers of the church preached in this church in its earlier years. The ministers that preached in Shrewsbury Borough also officiated at Rock Chapel. In November, 1823, a great demonstration took place at the public house of John Ehrhart, in the township and near Hametown. The demonstration was held in honor of Gov. Shutlz’s election, and delegations from almost every section of the county were in attendance. The township has furnished its share of soldiers for the several wars in which the nation has been engaged. There were a number of soldiers from the township in the Revolution, but the names could not be secured. Michael mason served in the war of 1812, N. G. Ruhl and Alexander Hannage served in the Mexican war, and the following served during the late civil war: Peter Kolter, Sr., Peter Kolter, Jr., D. W. Dubs, Nelson Baily, Henry Hershey, A. D. Meyers, Peter Hetrick, J. Matta, Charles Seachrist, John Klinefelter, N. Z. Seitz, J. H. Gantz, John Wagner, Valentine Anstine, William H. Dixon, Andrew Seitz, Samuel McMahon, Emanuel Wildasin, Joseph Dise, W. S. Dise, W. Frey, ---- Blouse, D. McKinly, William Butcher, P. A. Small, Conrad Meise, Lewis Holter, R. Rinehart, I. Wagner, B. Geipe and B. Lamott. The following were prominent citizens or held important civil positions: Michael Hoke, whose popularity gave him every vote cast but five when elected as sheriff of the county; John Habliston and William Heindle, connected with the Baltimore Sun; John N. Miller and Philip Sheffer, county commissioners; Noah Ehrhart, recorder; Eli W. Free, State representative. The people in the township proper are mostly engaged in agricultural pursuits. There are a number of grist-mills in the township and two large tanneries, that of J. G. Bortner, near Glen Rock, who is also conducting a flavine factory, and that of J. Habliston, near Shrewsbury. E. K. Bollinger & Co. are conducting an extensive fertilizer factory at Seitzland. There was a time when every farm of any consequence in the township had its distillery, but they have been generally abandoned. The following boroughs have been erected in the township, and in connection with their history will be found the most interesting portion of the history of the township: Shrewsbury, Glen Rock, Rail Road, New Freedom. SHREWSBURY As early as the year 1800 there were indications that the place now known as Shrewsbury would become a town. The town is located near the eastern borders of the township on the Baltimore & York Turnpike, and about one mile east of the Northern Central Railroad. When it was first developed into a village it was known as Strasburg, the German for a village by the road or street; it subsequently received its present name as the principal village of the township. Business was commenced in the village in 1800 by a Mr. Kline, who was followed by Jacob Ruhl, who then occupied the corner now occupied by L. C. kraft. He discontinued in 1810 and was followed by H. Latimer & Co. on the corner now occupied by Gerry’s drug store. C. F. Meyers began business on the Kraft corner in 1830 and was followed by Small, Myers & Latimer in 1859, when C. F. Rheling took charge of the place, and he was followed by H. D. Hartman, Meyers & Bros., J. H. Markle and L. C. Kraft. Eli McDonnell, one of the principal business men as well as one of the most enterprising citizens of the town, began business in 1859. Among others who aided in developing the town and who where active business men were John Hershner, G. Blasser, R. Richey, Nathan Shafer, Samuel Gantz, George P. Everhart, Christof Kolter and the Kollers, Becks, Geiseys, Gerrys. The town has been extensively commercial. Samuel Gantz at one time established a tannery in the town, but it was soon abandoned. David Klinefelter erected a machine shop on the lot between Raffensperger’s hotel and the stable, but it could not be made a success and was abandoned, when a steam saw-mill followed in the same place but it was also abandoned, and not a particle of evidence of these having been there now exists, except that in the minds of the people. In 1820 coal pits existed where Bott’s Hotel now stands. The town was erected into a borough in 1834 by special act of the assembly, and was reincorporated in 1870, under the act of 1851, at which time Joseph Geisey was the burgess; J. H. Blasser the secretary, and James Gerry, Jr., the treasurer. The present officers are: Chief burgess, M. Bott; secretary, E. Storms; treasurer, B. Rupert; councilmen, J. L. Raffensperger, J. Snyder, W. Besser, I. N. Stoner, G. Smith. The population of the town in 1880 was 580. In its early history the corporation issued shinplasters as a circulating, but subsequently redeemed them, and on March 31, 1854, destroyed them. A martial spirit existed among the people from the beginning of the town, and a milirary company was organized in 1821, known as the Strasburg Blues, Capt. Charles Stuck being its first commander, who was succeeded by Capt. W. H. Snyder. In 1824 Jacob Gaines, a member of this company, was drowned in Hileman’s dam, and his remains were buried on a Sunday, but the people of the church were the services were held protested against taking arms into or near the church. This shows that the religious prejudices of the people were very strong. The Blues finally suspended and the Jackson Grays were organized by Capt. Snyder and subsequently commanded by the late Capt. William McAbee. In 1841 the company was called into service to assist in suppressing the Philadelphia riot, but the riot ceased on the arrival of the command at Wrightsville. While encamped at York the now eminent Dr. Carpenter acted as the company surgeon. In 1824 the Pennsylvania Volunteers and the Washington Artillery passed through the town on their way to Baltimore to take part in the reception ceremonies tendered Gen. Lafayette. In 1861 Company D, Eighty-seventy Pennsylvania Volunteers, was partly organized in the town, and subsequent to its muster visited the place and gave an exhibition drill. In September, 1881, Light Battery C, United States Army, Maj. Sinclair in command, encamped at the town while on its march to Yorktown to take part in the ceremonies commemorating the surrender or Cornwallis. The following were among those who entered the United States military service from the borough: Majors N. G. and E. M. Ruhl, Capt. J. H. Blasser, Lieut. G. Blasser, Chaplain D. C. Eberhart, J. H. Hendrix, J. B. Beck, Robert McDonnell, J. H. Moody, J. Ashely, William Eaton, Henry Young, J. Smith, N. Heise, C. Hedrick, C. Sanders, A. J. Frederick, Col. G. W. Frederick, E. H. Redding, Joseph Little, Jesse Shewell, John Kunkle, M. Sheol, F. Folla, Jacob Nonemaker, G. Almany, J. Almany, A. Leicht, H. Rheirmeyer, J. L. Geesey, C. Thompson, W. Fockerner, D. Horn, A. Klinefelter, J. Painter, M. Born. The following are among those who are natives of the town, or who have made the town their home for many years, and who have risen to eminence in civil life. Dr. James Gerry, Sr., who was born in Cecil County, Md., August, 1796, a son of James Gerry, who served a number of terms as a member of the house of delegates of Maryland. Dr. Gerry graduated at West Notingham Academy, spent a few years in the South teaching, and then returned and became the principal of the academy, where he graduated and served as such for four years, reading medicine in the meantime. He located and began the practice of his profession in Shrewsbury in 1824, and soon secured a large practice. In 1830 he married Salome Hoffman, of Balto. County, Md., became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he did active work. In 1838 he received the Democratic nomination of the Nineteenth Congressional District entirely unsolicited. He was elected and re-elected, and while thus serving he delivered an elaborate speech against the United States Bank. He was an intimate friend of James Buchanan, and as a delegate to the National Convention in 1852, warmly supported him for the nomination. After Buchanan’s election to the presidency he informed Dr. Gerry that he would be pleased to appoint him to any position he would like. The advanced age of the Doctor compelled him to decline the offer. He continued the practice of medicine up to 1870, and died July 19, 1873. Brig. Gen. G. W. Frederick, a graduate of Pennsylvania College, and who served with great credit in the late war, had charge of the provost guard during the trial of Mrs. Surrat is now a prominent citizen of Philadelphia and the publisher of the Lutheran. Dr. H. G. Bussey, who served two terms as State senator, and two terms as county prothonotary and as physician to the jail. William McAbee, who served two terms in the State legislature, and held other important public positions. Isaac Beck, who served two terms in the State legislature, and one term as door-keeper of the house of representatives. Col. W. Garner, now a prominent citizen of Iowa. John Geisey, who served as register of wills in the county. B. F. Koller and J. A. Blasser, who each served as clerk of the county courts. Joseph Holland, who served as county prothonotary. John Beck and Christof Kolter, who served as county commissioners. Joseph Hartman, who served as county auditor. Col. A. Wilhelm, Capt. Dennis, Rev. James Henry Brown, D. D., Robert Richey and Eli Storms, who has become quite popular as an artist. From 1827 to 1830 a small paper known as the Harbinger was published in the town by W. C. Smyth. Later the Sharfsheitz, a German paper, was published for a few years in the town by a Mr. Kurtz. On July 8, 1840, a cyclone passed over the town, and although it lasted but a few minutes the destruction of property was great. The old Union log church was blown down, with a number of barns and several dwelling houses. Among the latter was one occupied by B. Krewell and family, through which a number of the family were injured, and Mrs. Krewell was killed. On April 1, 1881, a fire occurred in which the back building of the Meyer’s property were destroyed. On October 8, of the same year, Miss Mary Smith Wallick was burned to death while attempting to light a fire with coal oil. On April 23, 1882, a fire occurred which destroyed the barns of A. Wilhelm, A. W. Kunkle, and that belonging to the Methodist is Episcopal parsonage. On February 27, 1884, Mrs. Catharine Shewell was burned to death while staying alone in a small house. In 1800 a small log schoolhouse was erected in the eastern portion of the town, and Dr. Cling was the first teacher. This building was destroyed by fire and a brick building took its place, which was also destroyed by fire in 1853, when the present building in the northern part of the town was erected. Private and church schools were popular in the early history of the town, and an academy was opened, in 1856, by Prof. A. W. Dinsmore, and has been continued since under the principalship of Profs. T. R. Vickroy, J. A. Murphy, D. S. Brilhart, W. J. Fulton and E. E. Allen, the present instructor. The public school system was introduced in 1856, when it was adopted in the township, but the schools have not been so popular and have not attained a high rank owing perhaps, to the popularity of select or private schools. The church history is very imperfect, and from what can be gathered the Evangelical Association had the first regular preaching in the town in 1811, and the services were conducted in private houses. Rev. J. Driesbach was the first preacher, and he was followed by H. Neibel, M. Becker, M. Betz, John and James Bruen, Rev. Walter, A. Ettinger, B. Ettinger, J. L. W. Seibert, Levi and Uriah Eberhart, G. Hunter, J. M. Carothers, J. W. Cramer, S. W. Seibert, C. F. Deininger, W. Wilson, D. A. Miller, Rev. Zulofe, Rev. Longsdorf, S. Hornberger, W. H. Davis, S. Aurand, J. M. Ettinger, G. E. Zehner, J. G. M. Swengle, H. Conrad, J. O. Farnsworth, J. M. Longsdorf, P. S. Orwig, W. W. Rhodes, J. F. Shutlz, the present pastor. The first church erected in the town was a small log structure in 1821, and was a Union Church, being used jointly by the Methodists and Evangelical people. This church building was destroyed in 1840 by the cyclone. The Evangelical people erected a brick church in 1853, which was improved in 1877, and again in 1884, and at present it is a handsome and convenient place of worship. In 1824 this congregation organized a Sunday-school, but it lasted only a few months; later another was organized, which has been continued up to the present. The school is large, and the membership of the church will reach about 100. The organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church was effected about the year 1811. Up to this time the people of this faith attended services at Rock Chapel, where an organization had been effected in 1794. The congregation worshiped in the old log church jointly with the Evangelical people up to 1849, when a one-story and basement brick building was erected on Main Street near the place where the present edifice stands. Bishop Waugh preached several times in this church. The second building was erected in 1874, and is of Gothic design, with a belfry, two stories, and was dedicated in 1877, by Bishop E. A. Ames, assisted by W. H. Chapman and A. W. Guyer. The congregation now numbers about 100, and among the ministers who preached for the congregation were Revs. A. Hemphill, W. Butter, E. Nichodemus, J. Parker, J. Ewing, Z. Jordan, A. Griffeth, W. Haw, J. W. Cronin, I. Collins, P. Doll, O. Ege, T. Mitchell, John Beer, Joseph Morris, G. Berkstresser, J. W. Cullum, J. Stone, C. G. Linthicum, E. Dorsey, W. H. Enos, T. G. Fulton, J. A. Collins, A. E. Gibson, N. J. B Morgan, David Trout, J. A. Coleman, W. T. Wilson, G. W. Iread, D. C. Eberhart, A. H. Reese, J. S. Lee, A. R. Riely, F. G. Crever, Henry Furlong, H. Slicer, J. G. McKeehon, J. B. Akers, S. Cornelius, G. W. Dunlap, J. S. McMurry, J. W. Hodges, M. L. Drun, J. B. Cuddy, E. Bahrman, G. Warren, J. G. Moore, J. Max Lantx, --- Snyder, J. O. Haggy, J. Curns, E. E. Allen, W. A. McKee, A. H. Mensel, T. Mitchell, W. M. West, J. Loyd, E. E. A. Deever, J. M. Clark, J. M. Russel, A. W. Guyer, A. R. Bender, J. Goldin, B. B. Hamlin, J. C. Clarke, M. L. Smith, W. Guyer, W. A. Houck, R. Mallalieu, C. V. Hartzell, the present pastor. Bishop Levi Scott, William Barnes, Alfred Cookman and other noted ministers preached at this place, and on the Lowe camp ground near the town. This congregation started the first permanent Sunday-school organized in the town, in 1827, at the first meeting of which there were present twenty- seven boys and twenty girls. The teachers of the boys were Rev. H. Doll, Robert Fife, Jarret Garner, J. H. Brown, Dr. James Gerry and Robert Richey; of the females, Mrs. H. Hannawalt, Misses E. Marshall, Jane Gordon, Mary Redman. The school has been in progress since, and has been prompt in the adoption of modern measures and appliances. It is claimed that the present extended system of lesson illustration was originated in the school during 1864, when the superintendent, Rev. D. C. Eberhart, planned the illustrations, and E. Storms, a young artist of the town, painted them. These illustrations were furnished by Mr. Storms to schools in Baltimore, York, Hanover, Glen Rock and other points. In 1866 samples of these illustrations were put on exhibition at a Sunday-school convention held at the Masonic Temple in Baltimore, where they attracted a great deal of attention, after which they were generally adopted by publishers of Sunday-school literature. The Lutheran Church congregation was effected in 1822, and in 1827 a Union Church was erected, in which the Lutheran and Reformed congregations worshiped up to 1874, when a new fine brick church edifice was erected on Main Street for the exclusive use of the Lutheran congregation, and the Reformed people continued to occupy the old church. The Lutheran congregation is strong, having a membership of about 250, with a flourishing Sunday-school, for the use of which a handsome chapel was erected in 1879. The pastors who served the congregation were Rev. John Herbst, Sr. and Jr.; Rev. ---- Stecker, Rev. J. Kempfer, Rev. A. Berg, who served the charge from 1843 to 1873, when Rev. J. H. Menges assumed it and served to 1877, when Rev. E. H. Manges took charge and served to 1881, when Rev. E. Miller, D. D., the present pastor took charge of the work. The Reformed congregation was organized in 1822, and from 1827 worshiped jointly with the Lutheran congregation in a brick church to 1874, when the Lutherans withdrew and the Reformed alone occupied the church. In 1882 this building was torn down and a new fire- brick building was erected on Main Street, which was dedicated on May 13, 1883, by the present pastor, Rev. A. F. Dreisbach, T. G. Apple, D. D., President of Franklin and Marshall College, and J. S. Stahr, D. D. Since the new church edifice has been erected, and under the care of the present pastor, the congregation has rapidly increased and now numbers about 150 communicants. The congregation has a Sunday-school which is rapidly growing in numbers and influence. The following are the ministers who served the congregation in the past: A. Ettinger, Yost Henry Fries, F. A. Scholl, H. N. B. Habliston, J. August Forsch, John Rienecke, C. W. Reinecke, D. D., J. Vandersloot, Daniel Gring, who served the charge twenty-seven years, and who was followed by the present efficient pastor, A. F. Driesback. The Shrewsbury Savings Institution was incorporated June 6, 1850, with a capital of $50,000. Henry Latimer was chosen its first president, and Robert Richey its first cashier. June 3, 1876, G. P. Everhart became the president, and still serves as such. March 23, 1857, John Hoshour became the cashier and was followed, on his death, November 26, 1870, by J. V. Geisey, who, resigning, was followed, November 2, 1872, by A. G. Colling, and he in turn was followed March 4, 1882, by A. D. Collins, the present incumbent. It has now a paid up cash capital of $15,000, and a surplus of the same amount. Mount Vernon Lodge No. 143, I. O. O. F., organized in February, 1846, and in 1852 and 1853, a hall was erected, which was dedicated in 1854. The lodge has paid a large amount for benefit to its members, and has now a fund of $6,000. It has had a large membership in the past and now has forty-two members. A. Klinefelter served as O. G. for twenty years, and William Benise as janitor and I. G. for twenty-nine years. Since the institution of the lodge there have occurred thirty-eight deaths out of the membership of the lodge. Shrewsbury Lodge, No. 423, F. & A. M., was instituted March 4, 1868, with the following charter members: Rev. J. C. Hagy, B. F. Koller, G. P. Everhart, Rev. A. Berg, Dr. O. T. Everhart, Dr. James Gerry, Jr., and James K. Pattison. The lodge now numbers about twenty-six members, and is in a healthy financial condition. Wannepewink Tribe, I. O. R. M., was organized September 10, 1868, and closed in April, 1877. A lodge of Good Templars was instituted November 2, 1865, by Rev. J. S. Murry, and continued in existence to 1876. It did good service, extending its influence so that lodges were organized in Glen Rock, New Freedom, Stewartstown and New Market. A Band of Hope was also organized September 26, 1866, and continued in existence for some years. Shrewsbury Post, No. 342, G. A. R., was mustered by Capt. W. H. Lanius, June 18, 1883, and has now about forty-three members. GLEN ROCK Glen Rock is a borough situated in Shrewsbury Township, on the Northern Central Railroad, about sixteen miles south of York, and about four miles northwest of Shrewsbury Borough. It is a modern town and is noted for its romantic scenery and its substantial and expensive buildings, and for the enterprise and industry of its people. All the buildings, except a saw-mill and a barn, have been erected since 1837, for prior to that time the land included in the borough was but a poorly cultivated farm with no improvements on it, and during a period of about forty years previous it changed owners quite a number of times. Among these owners were Philip Lowe, John Ehrrman and Simon Koller, the latter gentleman having made a few improvements in the place. During this time he built a saw-mill, barn and brick dwelling house. The land in and around the town is hilly, the vales being narrow and some of the hills quite steep, yet it is productive and valuable for farming purposes. There are several streams of water, branches of the Codorus, passing through it, which furnish water-power and water supply for the manufacturing interests of the town. In 1837 the railroad was built through the place where the town now is, and it was at this time that it received its name by Nat Bernard, the contractor for the grading of that portion of the railroad. He found some very hard rock to cut through, so he named them the “rocks in the glen” or Glen Rock. At this time Simon Koller owned a large part of the land now incorporated in the borough, but fearing the railroad would ruin him, he sold it to William Heathcote, an Englishman then recently from England, with whom came also other Englishmen – the Shaws, Radcliffes and other Heathcotes, so that it became an English settlement. The station of the railroad was known as Heathcote’s up to 1843, when it took its present name and when a postofice was established. In 1845 there were but ten families in the place; 1 woolen factory employing fourteen hands; 1 store and tavern, 1 machinist, 1 tailor, blacksmith, doctor, and 2 wood sawyers. In 1850 Philip Sheffer, a farmer near the town, put up some houses and purchased the woolen-mill, converted it into a grist- mill, and Mr. Heathcote erected another woolen-mill near the town. This gave the then village new life and the people began to talk of putting up other manufacturing enterprises, which took practical shape in the erection of the foundry and machine shop in 1854, by Heathcote, Herbst & Co.; the company consisting of William Heathcote, William Herbst, J. V. Hoshour, John Scott, Emanuel Frey, Charles Frey, Henry Seitz; F. T. Scott, a practical machinist, being chosen as manager. This plant was the means of developing the town, and has ever since been an important factor in its growth. It gradually enlarged its sphere and did an extensive business in car building, and is now known as the Glen Rock Manufacturing Company and is doing a general manufacturing business, including engines, boilers, mill machinery, farming implements, etc. In the meantime J. V. Hoshour did an extensive forwarding and commission business in which he was subsequently followed by E. Sheffer, who did a good deal to encourage the growth of the place. The woolen-mill or factory was the first manufacturing establishment of the town, and it has been successfully maintained ever since, doing a large business and employing a number of hands. William Heathcote, the first proprietor, conducted the business for a number of years, when his son, James Heathcode, assumed control of and conducted it for some years, and up to his death, when L. K. Heathcote, the present proprietor and manager, assumed control of it and has developed a large trade in felt manufacturing, some of his goods reaching a foreign market. This plant, no doubt, gave the town its first manufacturing impulse. In the early history of the town Messrs. Mark Radcliffe & Shaw, began the manufacture of rope and twine in a meager style. They erected a wheel and spindle for twisting purposes along a fence, and there under the broad canopy of heaven, when the weather would permit, they would manufacture an excellent rope and twine. They gradually developed their facilities until at present they have the largest rope-walk in the State, and own the large cordage-mill at Centreville, near the town. H. H. Radcliffe has lately became a member of the firm. They are now employing quite a number of laborers, and their goods are very popular. The lumber business was commenced by J. V. Hoshour, who was followed by John Frey, C. Glatfelter, S. K. Hoshour, who, with Messrs. J. C. Fallon and C. Gore, erected a planing-mill and sash factory in 1874, Mr. Fallon soon withdrawing. The building with a large quantity of lumber was destroyed by fire in 1876. Other buildings were erected, and, Mr. Gore withdrawing, Joseph Dise, A. W. Gray and J. H. Hoshour became the proprietors, but in 1878 Messrs. Gray and J. H. Hoshour withdrew and Henry Bahn became interested, and from thence to the present the firm of Hoshour, Dise & Co., have been conducting a very successful business, employing a large force of labor and handling a large quantity of lumber – Messrs. Joseph Dise and S. K. Hoshour being young men of energy, enterprise and push. Messrs. J. W. Hartman and S. K. Hoshour began the manufacture of carriages, etc., in the town in 1872, and they have developed a very fine business, employing a large number of laborers, and putting out a large line of fine goods, which are demanding a good market abroad. Henry Yeager also conducted the coach manufacturing business in the town for a few years. Various other efforts at manufacturing were attempted, but met with only partial success and they were subsequently abandoned. The mercantile trade was introduced by Daniel Reiman in 1827, when he opened a store in the frame building now occupied by Charles Heathcote and Jonathan Foust. Reiman was followed by Henry Latimer under the firm name of Small, Latimer & Meyers. In 1840 the store-house was sold to Jacob Epply, who associated with him in business J. V. Hoshour, and a successful trade was conducted. Mr. Hoshour later conducted a very extensive founding business. Mr. Epply was followed in the mercantile trade by William Herbst, who in turn was followed by E. Sheffer, who did a very extensive business in the large building owned by the Northern Central Railroad, and which is now occupied by E. R. Miller and I. Glatfelter. William Herbst and N. K. Seitz opened a store in 1867, on the corner of Church and Main Streets and a successful business has since been conducted there by them; Mr. Seitz withdrawing subsequently, Mrssrs. J. S. Herbst and W. H. Herbst became partners and the business is now conducted by W. Herbst & Sons. In 1872 A. D. Meyers opened a jewelry store and conducted a successful business to within a few years, when J. A. Shomaker assumed the business, and he has been very successful. Messrs. E. Bortner and David Becker have within a few years developed an extensive ice cream trade, which they are manufacturing and shipping abroad. In 1880 a fine brick building was erected by G. F. Heathcote, and occupied as a shoe factory for several years. That business having been abandoned the building is now occupied as a grist-mill. The publication of the Item, a weekly newspaper, was commenced in 1870 by M. O. Smith and G. W. Nichols. It was well received, although but a small sheet when it was first issued. Mr. Nichols early withdrew from its publication and Mr. Smith conducted the business himself, when he subsequently associated with him N. Z. Seitz, which co-partnership continued for several years, when Mr. Smith retired and Mr. Seitz continued the publication up to the present; in the meantime T. M. Meads was, for a few months, identified with the publication, as was also A. W. Gray for nearly four years, with W. A. Spate during the past year, the paper now being published by Seitz & Spate. The paper has been enlarged a number of times until it has been enlarged to its present size, which is a nine column paper printed on a sheet 28 x 42. It has been well sustained by the people. It has always been fearless and independent in its editorial reflections, and progressive and aggressive in its advocacy of reforms. It holds an advanced position in county journalism. The town was incorporated in 1860 by the courts of the county, and the opposition to incorporation was considerable by the people of the township. Philip Sheffer was the first chief burgess, and Lyman B. Moody is the present officer. The census of 1880 shows a population of 651; it has since increased very much and will now reach near 1,000. As soon as the town became an incorporated borough it pushed its public school educational work, and in that particular it has always stood in the advanced ranks in the county. The building for school purposes is large and suitably furnished. The school work had been in charge of Prof. A. W. Gray, a prominent educator of the county for a number of years. He had won the esteem and confidence of both pupils and parents, and did an excellent work for the people of the town. His select schools were largely attended by young ladies and gentlemen from other sections of the county. He had become very popular among the educators of the county, and, had he lived, would have been chosen as the county superintendent. The first school building was erected by William Heathcote soon after he became settled, and private schools were maintained in it until the public schools were properly organized. A religious sentiment prevailed among the early settlers, and the people generally attended Sabbath services at Fissel’s Church, about two miles south of the town. As early as 1842 Rev. Moses Bower, of the Evangelical Association, who was at the time serving Gettysburg charge, preached at times in the brick school building, in the northern end of the town, and which had been erected by W. Heathcote. Rev. Bowers was followed on the charge by Revs. J. Boas, E. Kohr, Lew Hummelsheim, D. Dellinger, up to 1848, when Rev. Uriah Eberhart was appointed to the charge, who effected an organization, and Henry Seitz was chosen as the first class leader. At the following session of conference, Glen Rock was detached from Gettysburg and attached to Shrewsbury Circuit, and the ministers who officiated on that charge as given in Shrewsbury History, from that date to 1867, when it was made a mission, and Rev. J. Hartzler, served the mission for three successive years. He was followed by Revs. S. P. Remer, P. W. Rardibough, H. W. Back, P. W. Groap, E. Crumbling, and the present pastor, Rev. J. A. Irvine. In 1849, while Rev. J. W. L. Seibert served Shrewsbury Circuit, the first church was erected. It was a substantial brick structure, located on Church Street. In 1870 the old church edifice was sold and a new one erected on New Street. This is a large, handsome and substantially constructed two story building. The Union Sunday-school which is connected with this church, was organized in 1848, and has been in successful organization since. David Herbst, Sr., was its first superintendent. The Methodist Episcopal Church organized in 1865, and erected a church edifice in that and the following year. The ministers who served on Shrewsbury Circuit, and which are given in the Methodist Episcopal Church history of Shrewsbury, served also this congregation. The congregation is not large, its present membership being twenty-seven. There is a flourishing Sunday-school connected with the congregation. The Lutheran congregation was informally organized in 1859, when Rev. A. Berg, then the pastor of Shrewsbury charge, began to hold regular service in Sheffer’s Hall. A formal organization was effected and a church edifice erected in 1860-61. It was made a separate charge and Rev. J. Kempfer was called to serve it. He continued the pastor to 1868 when he resigned, and Rev. J. C. Koller was called to the pastorate, who served the congregation to 1880, when the present pastor, J. B. Wolf, was called by the congregation to the pastorate, Rev. J. C. Koller having resigned. The congregation now numbers about 200 members and has connected with it a large and interesting Sabbath-school. The German Reformed people have made various efforts at organization, but thus far they have not been successful. Notwithstanding, there are a number of people of that religious faith living in the town. Revs. D. Gring, W. Xanders and others have preached in the town, but no complete organization is now existing. In 1865 a circle of the Brotherhood of the Union, a beneficial organization, was organized, and gained considerable of a membership until 1870; when the organization was suspended, and Friendly Lodge, No. 287, K. of P., of Pennsylvania, was organized. This lodge has a membership of some seventy, and is financially strong. Yosemite Tribe, No. 100, I. O. R. M., was organized in 1868; has a present membership of some forty and is financially in good condition. Several temperance organizations have been effected in the town, but all were in due time suspended without accomplishing any special reforms. The town has a musical organization, “The Glen Rock Band,” which has won for itself a reputation and popularity which reaches far beyond its own town. Its services are frequently called to distant cities. The town has no old soldier residents, but it sent the following to the army during the late Rebellion: A. Shaw, L. K. Heathcote, L. W. Dabs, William Metcalf, I. Rhinehart, W. F. Baum, Noah Allison, T. Bamforth, J. M. Homigan, A. Moessinger, Henry Seitz, C. T. Seitz, A. Shauck, James Laruq, Ned Gaffeney, Penn. Brichival, John Foust. The First National Bank of Glen Rock, Penn., was organized in 1863, with a capital stock of $50,000, E. Sheffer being its first president, and Henry Seitz, cashier. H. Seitz has served as cashier of the bank from its organization to the present time. J. V. Hoshour followed Mr. Sheffer as the president of the bank, who was in turn succeeded by Charles Frey; and he by William Herbst, the present officer. The capital stock of the bank has been increased to $75,000. NEW FREEDOM New Freedom is a small town situated in the southern portion of the township of Shrewsbury on the Northern Central Railroad. The town is very beautifully situated on a level plain on an elevation, the land surrounding the town being fertile and level. The population in 1880 was 325, and it has since grown quite rapidly. It was incorporated into a borough in 1879, with H. F. Hofacker, as chief burgess; C. Singer, as assistant, and S. G. Hildebrand, John L. Hailer, Lewis Grove, Dr. E. K. Free and S. Grove, as councilmen. The Free family was among the early settlers of the town, and they first opened business there. The present business men are M. W. Bahn, Messrs. U. H. Gore & Bro., J. R. Nonewaker, R. F. Koller, H. F. Hofacker, J. B. Wherly, J. E. Miller and others. The town has good public-schools, which are well sustained by the people. The first religious organization effected in the town, or the locality where the town is now located, was St. John’s Catholic Church. In 1842 Father Gabriel Rempler, a Redemptorist priest of Baltimore, visited the community and found a very devoted member of his church in Meimad Müller, a German settler, who lived at the old farmhouse now occupied by Charles King, were mass was first offered in that section of the county, and at this place for some four months after like services were regularly held. Mr. Müller donated land sufficient to erect a church thereon, which was done by the contributions of the members, and the church was properly dedicated in 1842. It was regularly served from 1842 to 1852 by priests from Baltimore, and some of the most noted priests of the Redemptorist order preached in this humble edifice. From 1853 to 1875, it was regularly served from York as a mission, after that, Father Koch became regular pastor; then, in 1881, Father Huber, who served until recently, when he was succeeded by Father Breckel.* *For additional history of New Freedom, see Addenda. RAILROAD BOROUGH Railroad Borough is a town of about 250 population and is situated on the Northern Central Railroad, about one mile west of Shrewsbury, and was incorporated into a borough August 31, 1871, with F. Helb, as chief burgess; J. N. Grove, assistant burgess; S. Klinefelter, G. W. Ruby, Daniel Seitz, M. Gable, T. H. McAbee and James M. McGuigan, a councilmen. The town is nestled between the hills which surround it, and has been for many years an important freight depot. The population in 1880 was 221, and it has increased quite rapidly since. In 1792 the land was mostly owned by John Klinefelter, and he erected a small grist- mill at the place where Ruby’s barn now stands, and he also erected a log-house near the same place. Soon after this, Ulrick Heiss purchased the land where Stabler’s mill now stands, and erected thereon an oil-mill which was subsequently torn down and the present mill erected. G. M. Henry bought the greater part of land now included in the borough, put a grist-mill where Ruby’s mill now stands, and in 1841 removed the old grist-mill where Helb’s tannery now stands, and converted it into a bark-mill. In 1822 an apple distillery was in progress where Helb’s distillery now stands. In 1849 Frederick Helb came to the place, and began the tanning business. He began in a very simple way, not even having a building, but used old hogsheads as vats, and having the use of the bark-mill of Mr. Henry, he ground the bark he used with that. He purchased the mill later, erected a building for a tannery and built the usual vats. He has since greatly enlarged his facilities, until at present he is conducting a very large and profitable business. He has been quite successful in his business ventures and had done more than any other man to improve the town. He now owns a large proportion of the property in the town, and is identified with much of the business surrounding it. In 1833 G. M. Henry built a grist-mill, where the brick grist-mill of Mr. Ruby now stands, which was supplanted with the present building by Mr. Ruby in 1862. The first station house stood near where Ruby’s mill now stands. The brick warehouse occupied at present by Mr. Day, was erected in 1845 by Messrs. Simon and Jesse Klinefelter. The same gentlemen erected the stone store and warehouse building on the east side of the railroad, now occupied by Mr. G. P. Everhart. The same gentlemen also erected the brick-mill in the northern portion of the town now owned by Jared Stabler. In 1849 the same gentlemen erected a bark-mill near the station, which was converted into a flavine-mill in 1869, by Klinefelter & Hobliston. The present proprietors of these works are the Boston Chemical Dye Works. In 1850 the present hotel building was erected by Mr. Roy. It is now occupied by John Kauffelt. Mr. G. P. Everhart is doing a large forwarding and commission business, as also a dry goods and grocery business, while Mr. Helb is conducting the tanning and brewing business, as also the stave business. A public school has been conducted in the place for many years. A new school building has been erected within a few years, which is highly creditable to those who erected it. A Sunday-school has been conducted in the place for some years, which is doing a good work among the children of the town.