AREA HISTORY:  United Library Association, 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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THE UNITED LIBRARY ASSOCIATION – Page 571

This valuable acquisition to the borough of York was originated through the united efforts of 
different secret organizations.  George E. Sherwood offered a resolution at a meeting of Humane 
Lodge No. 342. I. O. O. F., on January 10, 1874, which called for the establishment of a 
library; whereupon, George E. Sherwood, John M. Deitch, James H. Fisher, Henry J. Deitch, 
Franklin L. Seiffert and Harry Lamott, a committee who secured a union of efforts on the part 
of the Mount Zion, Humane and Harmonia Lodges and Mount Vernon Encampment of Odd Fellows, 
Conewago, Conewingo and Codorus Council of Red Men, York and Star Circles of Union Brotherhood, 
Eureka Council of Knights of Mystic Chain, Keystone Lodge, Independent Order Mechanics, White 
Rose Lodge, Knights of Pythias, Rose and Codorus Council of American Mechanics, York and 
Zeredetha Lodges of Masons and William Penn Lodge of Manchester Unity O. F., met 
representatives from all these lodges in the wigwam of Conewago Council and agreed to establish 
a library for the special use of their members, and the general use of the public.  The first 
officers elected, were president, George E. Sherwood; vice-president, John M. Deitch; 
librarian, John Hays; assistant librarian, A. K. Burger; treasurer, Charles A. Keyworth; 
secretary, James H. Fisher; attendant, Walter B. Shaffer; managers, Jacob Dick, Solomon Myers, 
George E. Sherwood, J. M. Deitch, D. Philip Heckert, W. F. Bay Stewart, Curtis Sanders, Joseph 
W. Ilgenfritz, John Hays, Jacob Lebach, William H. Bastress, A. K. Burger, Charles Keyworth, 
James H. Fisher, John Stallman, W. E. Moore, George E. Becker, William H. Albright and J. P. 
Madsen.  Six hundred volumes were first procured, and the library opened to the public.  The 
first rules of the library have been changed by consent of the various bodies interested, and 
require at this time an annual donation of $20, from the several lodges to secure their 
respective membership free tickets.  All other persons, not members of any of the original 
organizations, desiring to make use of the library, are required to pay the nominal fee of $1 
per annum, to entitle them to free use of the library.  The last catalogue issued shows that 
there are now over 3,000 volumes in use, classified as follows:  Fiction, 1,198; history, 310; 
miscellaneous works, 560; statistical, 690; secret society works, 51; literary and scientific, 
149; poetical, 47; German works, 103.

The board of officers and managers at this date consists of the following gentlemen:  
president, George E. Sherwood; vice-president, John M. Deitch; secretary, James H. Fisher; 
librarian, John Hays; assistant librarian, William H. Bastress; treasurer, Solomon Myers, 
managers; George E. Sherwood, John M. Deitch, Solomon Myers, Curtis Sanders, Joseph W. 
Ilgenfritz, Jacob Lebach, William H. Bastress, George A. Sleeger, D. P. Heckert, Albertus 
Hibner, W. Haack and John Hays.