Area History: Beer's History of Franklin County, PA, 1887 -- Table of Contents
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TITLE PAGE
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA, ILLUSTRATED 1887
Containing a History of the County, its Townships, Towns, Villages, Schools,
Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men;
Biographies; History of Pennsylvania, Statistical and Miscellaneous Matter,
Etc., Etc.
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO:
WARNER, BEERS & CO., 1887
Chicago:
JOHN MORRIS COMPANY, PRINTERS
118 and 120 Monroe Street.
PREFACE
In submitting the History of Franklin County to the public, it may not be
Improper to state, briefly, a few of the characteristics of the work:
The special prominence given to the pioneer times of the county - Hence
a record of the persons, organizations, and events of the days anterior to 1820
has been given as fully as available data would warrant.
The fullness with which the various religions, educational and society
organizations have been presented, due allowance being made, of course, for
the destruction or absence of proper records.
The completeness of the official and postal records, the latter having
been obtained direct from the proper department at Washington.
The importance attached to the various military organizations and their
The biographical sketches of many of the most prominent personages, living
and dead, which make the book valuable for reference purposes to all classes.
The classification of material under appropriate heads, which facilitates the
easy finding of any desired information.
The outline history of the State, contained in Part I is from the pen of
Prof. Samuel P. Bates, of Meadville. The history of Franklin County in
Part II was compiled chiefly by Prof. J. Fraise Richard, who has
striven to give an accurate and reliable account of the county's origin,
progress and development; and, for that purpose, has laid under
contribution the data afforded by historic sketches, newspaper articles,
public and private records, personal interviews and correspondence,
tombstones and other reliable sources. The biographical sketches
in Part III were, for the most part, collected by a corps of solicitors,
and a proof of each sketch submitted by mail to each subject for
correction.
To repay, in detail, all the kindness manifested by Franklin County
citizens to the writers and solicitors would compel involuntary
bankruptcy, the special gratitude of the publishers, however, is
due and is hereby extended to the press of Chambersburg,
Waynesboro, Greencastle and Mercersburg for the use of their files,
and for other courtesies; to the county officials and to Hons.
F. M. Kimmell, D. Watson Rowe, and John Stewart for personal
aid and favors; to Jacob Hojke, Esq., Drs. W. C. Lane, S. G. Lane,
Chas. T. Maclay and W. H. Egle, State Historian; Capt. J. H. Walker,
John B. Kaufman, J. W. Douglas and George S. Kyle for contri-
butions and special aid; and to the pastors of the various churches,
and secretaries of different orders for reports of their organizations.
With due appreciation of the liberal patronage received, the publishers
beg to present this volume to their patrons in the highly favored county
of Franklin.
THE PUBLISHERS
Part I covers the first 138 pages.
Part II covers pages 138-611.
Part III 617 to 927
CONTENTS
PART I. HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA
BY SAMUEL P. BATES
"God, that has given it me through many difficulties, will, I believe,
bless and make the seed of a nation. I shall have a tender care to the
government that it will be well laid at first - - - - - I do, therefore,
desire the Lord's wisdom to guide me, and those that may be concerned with me,
that we may do the thing that is truly wise and just."
William Penn
NOTE: FILE NAME PRESENT INDICATES ON-LINE
CHAPTER I - Introductory - Cornelis Jacobson Mey, 1624-25. wbeers001.txt
William Van Hulst, 1625-26. Peter Minuit, 1626-33.
David Petersen de Vries, 1632-33. Wouter Van Twiller, 1633-38
CHAPTER II - Sir William Keift, 1638-47. Peter Minuit, 1638-41. wbeers001.txt
Peter Hollandaer 1641-43. John Printz, 1643-53.
Peter Stuyvesant 1647-64. John Pappagoya, 1653-54.
John Claude Rysingh 1654-55
CHAPTER III - John Paul Jacquet 1655-57. Jacob Alrichs 1657-59. wbeers001.txt
Goeran Van Dyek 1657-58. William Beekman 1658-63. Alex D'Hinoyossa 1659-64
CHAPTER IV - Richard Nichols, 1664-67. Robert Needham, 1664-68. wbeers001.txt
Francis Lovelace, 1667-73. John Carr, 1668-73. Anthony Colve,
Peter Alrichs, 1673-74
CHAPTER V - Sir Edmund Andros, 1674-81. Edmund Cantwell, wbeers002.txt
John Collier, 1676-77, Christopher Billop, 1677-81
CHAPTER VI - William Markham, 1681-82. William Penn 1682-84. wbeers002.txt
CHAPTER VII - Thomas Lloyd, 1684-86. Five Commissioners, wbeers002.txt
John Blackwell, 1688-90. Thomas Lloyd 1690-91.
William Markham, 1691-93. Benjamin Fletcher, 1693-95.
William Markham, 1693-99.
CHAPTER VIII - William Penn, 1699-1701. Andrew Hamilton, 1701-03. wbeers003.txt
Edward Shippen, 1703-04. John Evans, 1704-09. Charles Goken 1709-17.
CHAPTER IX - Sir William Keith, 1717-26. Patrick Gordon, 1726-36. wbeers003.txt
James Logan, 1736-38. George Thomas, 1738-47. Anthony Palmer,
James Hamilton 1748-54.
CHAPTER X - Robert H. Morris, 1754-56. William Denny, 1756-59. wbeers003.txt
James Hamilton, 1759-63.
CHAPTER XI - John Penn, 1763-71. James Hamilton, 1771. wbeers004.txt
Richard Penn, 1771-73. John Penn, 1773-76.
CHAPTER XII - Thomas Wharton, Jr., 1777-78. George Bryan, 1788. wbeers004.txt
Joseph Reed, 1778-81. William Moore, 1781-82. John Dickinson,
Benjamin Franklin 1785-88.
CHAPTER XIII - Thomas Miffin, 1788-99. Thomas McKean, 1799-1808. wbeers004.txt
Simon Snyder, 1808-17. William Findlay, 1817-20. Joseph Heister,
John A. Shultz, 1823-29. George Wolfe, 1829-35. Joseph Ritner, 1835-39.
CHAPTER XIV - David R. Porter, 1839-45. Francis R. Shunk, 1845-48. wbeers004.txt
William F. Johnstone, 1848-52. William Bigler, 1852-55. James
Pollock, 1855-59. William F. Packer, 1858-61. Andrew G. Curtin, 1861-67.
John W. Geary, 1867-73. John F. Hartranft, 1873-78.
Henry F. Hoyt, 1878-82. Robert E. Pattison, 1882-86.
James A. Beaver, 1886.
Gubernatorial Table.
TABLE OF CONTENTS PART II.
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA
ILLUSTRATED 1887
CHAPTER I. -- PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION wbeers005.txt
The great Eastern Valley -- The Path of a
Probable Gulf Stream -- The Mountain Ranges and
their Appendages -- Systems of Drainage --
Geological and Mineralogical Aspects --
Character of Soil -- Vegetation -- Climate.
CHAPTER II. -- PIONEER SETTLERS wbeers005.txt
Two Classes: Scotch-Irish, their Origin,
Arrivals, Character and Locations -- Germans,
Sketch of Persecutions, Arrival, Trials,
etc. -- Trend of Settlements in Cumberland
Valley Westward -- Shippensburg a Distributing
Point -- Settlements at Falling Spring --
Sketch of Benjamin Chambers -- Other Settlements
and Settlers in Various Parts of the Country --
List of Taxable in 1751-52 -- Mason and Dixon's
Line.
CHAPTER III. -- INDIAN WAR wbeers006.txt
Indian Nations Described -- War Between French
and English -- Colonies Involved -- Braddock's
Defeat and its Effects -- Forts Located and
Described -- Massacres from 1754 to 1765 --
Conflicts Between the Civil and Military at
Fort Loudoun.
CHAPTER IV. -- THE REVOLUTION wbeers006.txt
Its Causes -- Loyalty to the Mother Country --
Early Military -- Roster and Roll of Franklin
Men -- From Colonies to States -- Heroes from
Franklin County -- One of the First American
Cannons, etc.
CHAPTER V. -- WHISKY WAR wbeers007.txt
Eleven Years of Peace -- Causes of the Whisky
Insurrection -- Its Prosecution and its
Subversion -- Sympathy of the Militia, etc.
CHAPTER VI. -- FRANKLIN COUNTY ORGANIZED wbeers007.txt
Date of Erection -- Petitions in Favor of and
in Opposition to the Project -- Fight over the
County Seat -- The First Court House and First
Jail -- Early County Officers -- Estimate of
Population -- First General Election -- Officials, etc.
CHAPTER VII. -- INTERNAL AFFAIRS wbeers008.txt
Lands and Land Titles -- Indian Trails -- Roads --
Bridges -- Turnpikes -- Inns or Taverns -- Militia --
Muster Days -- Mail Routes and Post-Offices --
Postmasters -- Railroads -- Cumberland Valley
Railroad -- First Sleeping Car Ever Made --
Franklin Railroad -- Shenandoah Valley Railroad --
Harrisburg & Potomac Railroad -- Western Maryland
Railroad -- Baltimore & Cumberland Valley Railroad --
Mont Alto Railroad -- Mont Alto Iron Works, etc.
CHAPTER VIII. -- WAR OF 1812-1815 wbeers008.txt
Cause of War -- Declaration of War -- Franklin
County Companies -- Incidents of the War
CHAPTER IX. -- MEXICAN WAR wbeers009.txt
Texas and Mexico -- Whig and Democrat --
Counter Arguments -- Declaration of War --
Franklin County Company -- Its Services.
CHAPTER X. -- THE PRESS wbeers009.txt
Introductory -- First Newspaper -- Press of
Chambersburg -- Press of Waynesboro -- Press
of Mercersburg -- Press of Greencastle.
CHAPTER XI. -- AGRICULTURE wbeers009.txt
A Business of First Importance -- Its Promising
Future -- Improvements Introduced -- Judge Watts --
The First Reaper -- First Stock in the Country --
Wheat and Corn -- Hessian Fly -- Improved Implements --
A Wonderful Feat with the Scythe -- Agricultural
Societies, Officers, etc.
CHAPTER XII. -- THE MEDICAL PROFESSION wbeers010.txt
Introductory View of the Human Structure --
Sketches of Prominent Deceased Physicians --
Epidemics -- Medical Societies -- Roster of
Resident Physicians
CHAPTER XIII. -- EDUCATIONAL AND RELIGIOUS
Educational -- Education Defined -- Teaching
Defined -- Early Schools and their Equipments --
John B. Kaufman's Account of Early Schools and
Teachers -- History of School Legislation --
Comparative Statistics -- County Superintendents --
County Institutes -- Letter from Ex-Co.Supt. A. J.
McElwain -- List of County Superintendents --
Religious -- Early Settlers Religions --
Presbyterians -- Lutherans -- Reformed -- Methodists --
United Brethern -- Roman Catholic -- Episcopalian --
Church of God -- German Baptists -- River Brethern --
Mennonites -- Reformed Mennonites -- Colored Churches --
Mormonism.
CHAPTER XIV. -- POPULAR AGITATIONS AND PHILANTHROPIC REFORMS
Human Society Compared to the Ocean -- Early
Outlaws -- The Nugents -- Slavery in Franklin
County -- A Curious Will -- Graqdual Abolition
of Slavery -- Runaway Slaves -- The Underground
Railroad -- Capture of Bob and Dave -- History
of John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry --
Fate of His Coadjutors -- Wendell Phillips'
Speech -- Curious Prophecies -- History of
Know-nothingism in Chambersburg -- Sketches
of Early Temperance Movements in the County --
Tidal Waves -- Washingtonian Movement -- Father
Mathew's Efforts -- Sons of Temperance -- Good
Templars -- Woman's Crusade -- National Woman's
Christian Temperance Union -- Murphy Movement --
Prohibition -- Franklin County Bible Society --
Children's Aid Society.
CHAPTER XV. -- THE GREAT REBELLION OF 1861-65
Introduction -- Civil War an Interesting Study --
Its Antecedents Must be Considered -- Jamestown
and Plymouth Typical of Two Antagonistic
Civilizations -- Practical Inferences -- War
Statistics -- Firing on Fort Sumter and its
Effects -- Patriotic Meetings -- Hearty Response
to President's Call for Troops -- Incidents of
1861 -- Complete Roster of Troops Furnished by
the County -- Stuart's Raid in 1862 -- Lee's
Invasion, Preceded by Jenkins' Raid -- Rebel
Occupation of Chambersburg and Its Events --
Advance on Gettysburg -- Battle -- Retreat --
Lee's Train of Wounded -- Burning of Ewell's
Supply Train and Capture of Prisoners by
Kilpatrick -- McCausland's Raid and Burning
of Chambersburg.
CHAPTER XVI. -- LAW MAKERS AND LAW INTERPRETERS
Law Defined and Analyzed -- Founded in Natural
Justice -- Mental Requirements for its Study --
Various State Conventions -- Franklin's
Representatives in National Congress, in State
Senate and House -- Early Bench and Bar -- List
of President and Associate Judges -- List of
Attorneys from Organization of County.
CHAPTER XVII. -- MASTER SPIRITS.
Uses and Abuses of Greatness -- Character of
Genius -- Greatness -- Its Elements -- Power of
Mothers -- Sketches of Master Spirits:
(1) Military, (2) Political, (3) Railroad Managers,
(4) Thelogians, (5) County Officials, (6) Medical,
(7) Educational, (8) Press, (9) Legal --
Franklin County's Roll of Honor.
CHAPTER XVIII. -- THE COUNTRY'S FIRST CENTENNIAL
Introductory -- Value of Anniversaries --
Triumphs of the Century -- Preparation for the
Coming Anniversary -- Executive Committee --
Township Committees -- Account of the Two Days'
Doings -- Extracts from Addresses and Poems
Delivered.
CHAPTER XIX. -- BOROUGH OF CHAMBERSBURG
Description -- Early History -- Incorporation --
Banks -- First Market Houses -- Present Market
House -- Water-works -- Gas Works -- Fire Department --
Manufactories -- Secret Societies -- Churches --
Cemetary -- Schools.
CHAPTER XX. BOROUGH OF MERCERSBURG
Location -- Settlement -- James Black -- Early
Traffic -- Original Plat -- Derivation of
Name -- Sketch of Dr. Mercer -- Past and
Present Business Interests -- Incorporation --
Prominent Residents -- Birthplace of President
Buchanan -- Mercersburg College and Public
Schools -- Church History -- Cemetary -- Banks --
Fire Company -- Secret Societies.
CHAPTER XXI. -- BOROUGH OF WAYNESBORO
Origin of the Name -- Location -- The Plat --
Original Lot Owners -- Incorporation -- Banks --
Manufactories -- Water-Works -- Societies --
Churches -- Temperance Union -- Schools --
Cemetary -- Famous Sewing Machine.
CHAPTER XXII. -- BOROUGH OF GREENCASTLE
Site of the Borough -- Ancient Burying
Grounds -- Plat of the Town, and First
Residents -- Early Reminiscences and
Antedotes -- Old Churches -- Cemeteries and
Epitaphs -- Incorporation of Borough -- Its
Centennial -- The Turnpike -- Church History --
Cemetary -- The Schools -- ndustries -- Borough
Officers -- Bank -- Town Hall Company -- Societies.
CHAPTER XXIII. -- TOWNSHIPS
ANTRIM
Formation -- Name -- First Settlers -- Early Land
Titles -- Old Graveyard Transcriptions -- List
of taxables, 1786 -- Early Settlements --
Borough and Villages -- The Mormons.
LURGAN
Formation -- Topography -- Early Land Titles --
List of Tqxables, 1786 -- The Pomeroys --
Villages.
PETERS
Name -- Formation -- First Settlers -- Early
Land Titles -- List of Taxables, 1786 --
Loudon -- Lemasters -- Upton -- Bridgeport --
Cove Gap.
GUILFORD
Formation -- Name -- Early Land Entries --
List of Taxables -- Manors -- -Churches --
Villages.
Hamilton
Names, etc. -- Earliest Land Entries --
List of Taxables, 1786, Cashtown.
FANNETT
Formation -- The Indians and First
Immigrants -- Name -- Early Land Purchases --
Early Land Entries -- List of Taxables,
1786 -- Early School Teachers -- Village --
Churches.
LETTERKENNY
Formation -- Boundary -- Early Settlements --
Early Land Titles -- List of Taxables,
1786 -- Early School Teachers -- Village --
Churches.
WASHINGTON
Formation -- Name -- Early Land Titles -- List
of Taxables, 1786 -- Villages.
MONTGOMERY
Formation -- Name -- Early Land Entries --
List of Taxables, 1786 -- Villages.
SOUTHAMPTON
Formation, etc. -- Early Land Entries -- List
of Taxables, 1786 -- Borogh of Orrstown --
Villages.
FRANKLIN
Absorption of Township by Chambersburg --
List of Taxables, 1786.
GREENE
Formation -- Name -- Early Settlement -- Early
Land Entries -- Early Reminiscences
Greenvillage -- Scotland -- Fayetteville --
Black's Gap -- Smoketown.
METAL
Boundary -- Formation -- Topography -- Early
Settlers -- Early Land Entries -- Prominent
First Settlers -- Taxables in 1786 -- First
Justice of the Peace -- Villages -- Churches.
WARREN
Location -- Its Early History -- Name -- Earliest
Land Entries -- Early Settlers -- Old Documents --
Churches.
ST. THOMAS
Formation -- Its Early History -- Name --
Immigration -- Early Land Entries -- Taxables,
1786 -- Villages.
QUINCY
Formation -- Its Settlements -- Its Wealth --
Name -- Early Settlers -- Early Land Entries --
Transcriptions from Early Tombstones --
Taxables in 1786 -- Villages.
PART III.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
Chambersburg, Borough of
Antrim Township and Borogh of Greencastle
Fannet Township
Green Township
Guilford Township
Hamilton Township
Letterkenny Township
Lurgan Township
Metal Township
Montgomery Township and
Borough of Mercersburg
Peters Township
Quincy Township
St. Thomas Township
Southampton Township and
Borough of Orrstown
Warren Township
Washington Township and
Borough of Waynesboro
PORTRAITS.
Alexander, Rev. S. C.
Amberson, W. S.
Bard, Robert M.
Besore, George
Bonbrake, E. J.
Brotherton, Col. D. H.
Bubrman, C. H.
Carson, James O.
Chambers, George
Chritzman, H. G., M. D.
Clayton, James H.
Crowell, J. B.
Davison, J. A.
Fleming, Archibald
Foltz, M. A.
Garver, Samuel
Good, Jacob S.
Hammond, Lawrence
Hammond, M. L.
Harbaugh, Rev. H.
Harnish, H. R.
Hassler, Rev. J.
Hawbecker, S. Z.
Hoke, Jacob
Hoover, Daniel
Keefer, William S.
Kerlin, P.
Lamaster, J. R.
McDowell, A. B.
McKinstry, William
Orr, William
Rowe, D. Watson
Rowe, John
Sentman, S. L.
Sharpe, J. McD
Shockey, Daniel
Shoemaker, John A.
Skinner, S. M.
Snively, I. N., M. D.
Snively, Joseph
Walker, Capt. John H.
Winger, Joseph
Winger, Col. B. F.
Ziegler, George W.
MISCELLANEOUS
Map of Franklin County
Map showing various purchases from Indians
Diagram showing proportionate Annual Production
of Anthracite Coal since 1820
Table showing amount of Anthracite Coal produced
in each region since 1820.
Table showing vote for Governors of Pennsylvania
since Organization of State
Relief Map of Cumberland Valley