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James A. Helman's ~ 1906

History of Emmitsburg, Md.


Pages 61 - 70

Silversmiths

Bowden appears the first on the list. His house was where J. Agnew lives. Seventy-five years ago he removed to Waynesboro. Spoons of his manufacture are still in possession of some families. Mr. Andrew Hyster came here about that time, continuing until his death, 1872. Since, his son, Geo. T. Eyster, has continued. Others have dropped in with a small stock of jewelry; the lack of patronage prevented their permanent stay, therefore Mr. Eyster remains at the old stand.

Property Holders, 1808

John Armstrong, gunsmith; Joseph Hagan, Dr. Robert Annan, Andrew White, John Buchanan, James Reed, John Hughs, merchant; James Hughs, merchant; Michael Wicks, Wm. McKinley; Wm. Long, saddler; Peter Horniker, farmer; George Smith, merchant; Peter Troxell, architect; Henry Fahnestock, Abraham Welty, hatter; Samuel Noble, Jacob Frenkle. blacksmith; Joseph Bruchey, tinner; Jacob Winters. flour store; George Boner, tavern; Geo. Winter, wheelwright; Lewis Motter, tanner; Patrick Reid, Jacob Troxell, hatter; John Troxell, miller; Jacob Danner, tailor; Richard Wills, Thomas Slothour, John Westfall, Wm. Hunter, Jacob Cress, Michael Oyster, tanner; Jacob Oyster, tanner; Henry Dishom, wheelwright; Henry Need, George Fouk, John Young, magistrate; Michael Sponseller, tanner; Philip Nunemaker, hardware store; Fredk. Gelwick, brewery; Peter Weikard, James Crocket, Jacob Harp; Peter Nack, John Trux, Thos. Carson, John Noel, Patrick Bradley, shoemaker; Lewis Crouse, Abraham J. Emmit, John Trenkle, blacksmith; John Row, cabinet maker; John M. Hoffe, John Huston, magistrate; Wm. Mittingly, Jacob Hughs, Lewis Weaver, chair maker; Jonathan Hazelet, miller.

Residents of Town in 1840 Fire Company

The corporation required every man to become a member of the fire company; all were enrolled one Saturday in the month during the summer. The engine was brought cut; the street pump was the place of meeting; the clerk would mount the engine and call the names of the fire company, each man answering to his name. If any were absent there was a fine imposed. The engine was inspected and tried by pumping water from the well, then returned to the engine house. This meeting was at 2 o'clock; all was over in an hour.

Michael Sponceller, Abraham Sponceller, James Hutten, Mathias Gelwicks, Henry Gelwicks, Simon Mentzer, Francis Lytle, George W. Martin, Jeremiah Martin, Mathias Martin, Jacob Harner, John Zimmerman, Isaiah Zimmerman, John Zimmerman, George Sheets, Jacob Sheets, James Mooney, Zach. Jodun, John Hammit, William Patterson, Jefferson Shields, George M. Grover, Johnzee Hooker, Samuel Frantz, Joseph Cunningham, Jeremiah Knoler, Lawrence Dwen, John Barry, George Johnston, James Gribble, Michael Wise, Augustus Taney, James Storrn, William Eckenrode, Benedict Chivel, Abraham Welty, John Fisher, William Martin, Thos. Hays, John Doats, Ruben Baker, Oliver 0. McLain, Jacob Motter, John Nickum, Joseph Beachey, Thomas Reed, Joshua Motter, Adam Epley, Patrick Kelly, M. C. Adelsberger, Eli Smith, Joseph Moritz, Joshua Row, James Welty, Joshua Troxell, J. J. McCardy, Henry Winter, Lewis Motter, Jeremiah Pittenger, Joachim Elder, William Otter, Isaac Baugher, Robert Crooks, Arthur McGinnis, Joshua Shorb, William Mc- Bride, Upton Koontz, Jacob Duphorn, John Dailey, Jacob S. Gelwicks, Peter Remby, William Waters, John McCullough, Lewis Wolf, Joseph Danner, Peter Sebold, Andrew Fowler, Charles Donnelly. William Worley, John Snotiffer, James D. McDonnel, Blackford Campbell, Henry Wills, Daniel Welty, John Duphorn, James Welty, George Smith, John Agnew, John G. Bader, George Row, Moses Perry, H. Munshower, Andrew Eyster, Michael Helman, Conrad Russelmyer, Thos. Caldwell, Francis Magraw, William Motter, James Knauff, John Hoover, Cornelius Lot, John Kelienberger, David Hiteshew, Joseph Little, Benjamin Webb, James L. Wise, John Hughs, S. A. Adelsberger, Joseph Snouffer, Joseph Hughs, John Hoover, John Fisher, Jacob Sholckey, George Troxell, Henry Rickenbaugh, Jeremiah Black, William Row, Andrew Annan, Philip Hardman, Dennis McFadden, James Row, Samuel Baumgardner, Joseph Row, John Favourite, James Hosplehorn, Solomon Day, James Maguire, George Winter, William Frizzle, Samuel Favourite, William B. Pittenger, Thomas Welsh, Lewis Coppersmith, Jacob Feaser, John Yerk, John Miller, John Martin, James Bowie, Henry Little, William Tyson, Andrew Welty, Samuel Flautt, Joseph Long, Jacob Snouffer, James Curran, Ezekial White, Isaac E. Pearson. At this writing but two are living of the 141 enrolled.

Property Holders 1850 to 1860

Dr. J. W. Eichelberger, Peter Honiker, Jane Morrison, Jas. F. Adelsberger, Mrs. Fred Row, Mrs. Bradley, Mrs. George Smith, Hugh Dailey, Frederick A. Row, Rev. Robert Grier, John Dailey, James, A. Elder, Frederick Troxell, James Hughs, John Barry, Presbyterian church, Jacob Sheets, James A. Doven, Mary Knox, Dennis Smith, Dr. Augustus Taney, Stephen Adams, Jacob S. Gelwicks, James Storm, Joseph Row, Catharine Biggs, Abraham Welty, Barbara Bader, Peter Remley, John Nickem estate, George Mentzer, Andrew Welty, Joshua Shorb, Joshua Motter, Mrs. Arnold, Philip Hardman, James Hospleborn, Dr. Wm. Patterson, David Agnew, Andrew Eyster, Joseph Long, Samuel Motter, Patrick Kelley, Daniel Getter, Mrs. N. Snider, Henry Winter, Mrs. Boyle, Wm. Ulrich, Michael Helman, Major Mooney, Mrs. Harniange, George Winter, Isaac E. Pearom, Wm. Pepple, Priests' House, Mrs. Diffendal, Jeremiah Pittenger, John Zimmerman, Mrs. Sheeler Stuart, Joachim Elder, Jacob Harner, Jones and Hardman, F. X. Deckelmyer, John Hoover, Isaac E. Pearson, Mrs. Agnew's hotel, Jane Hutton, Reformed Parsonage, James W. Baugher, Washington Martin, Joseph Moritz, Jesse W. Nusser, Simon Mentzer, Joshua Troxell, Samuel Morrison, Fredk. Gelwicks, Adam Guthrie, Martin Whitmer, Michael Sponseller, Jacob Motter, John Miller, Joseph Snouffer, Mrs. Black's tavern, Joseph Beachey, Francis Smith, Dr. Andrew Annan, Ed. McBride, Ruben Baker, Mrs. Josey Danner, Wm. Hilechen, John Favourite, Lewis M. Motter.

Property Owners 1906

Meade Patterson, Charles Gillelan, Cameron Ohler; Beecher Ohler, Annie Shriver, Morris Gillelan, Robert Patterson, Mrs. Margaret Arnold, Mrs. George L. Gillelan, John Reifsnider, John Glass, John Harting, Mary McCallion, James Mullen, Mullen, Mrs. John Neck, John Elour heirs, John Hopp, Charles McCarron, Tyson Lansinger, Peter Sebold, Mrs. Martin, John Hosplehorn, George M. Morrison, John F. Topper, Hanriah, Gillelan, George P. Beam, Mrs. Isaac Hyder, Harry Harnier, Dr. J. W. Eichelberger, Vincent Sebold, J. A. Elder, Eugene E. Zimmerman, Isaac S. Annan, Mrs. J. Welty, J. H. Row, Sterling Galt, Presbyterian parsonage, Lewis M. Motter, Michael Hoke, Susan Winter, J. A. Helman, S. N. McNair, Mrs. R. Winter, George T. Eyster, John T. Gelwicks, Samuel Eyster, Louisa and Hallie Motter, Henry Stokes, Mrs. E. R. Zimmerman, Methodist Episcopal Church, Charles F. Row, Mrs. Jacob L. Hoke, Peter Hoke heirs, Albert Patterson, F. A. Maxell, Presbyterian Church, James T. Hays, Nathaniel Row, Mrs. John Agnew, Laura Smith and sisters, E. H. Row, Mrs. Thomas Bushman, Mrs. Frederick Hardman, Francis A. Kritz, Mrs. James Mitchell, Emmit House, John Sifert, Charles Rotering, Mrs. F. Welty, T. C. Wachter, Frank Stoner, Oscar Fraley, David Hill, Lewis Zimmerman, Hettie Parker, P. G. King, George Kugler, George T. Fraley, E. L. Annan, E. S. Waddle, Joseph Caldwell, Charles Landers, James Hosplehorn, Mrs. S. N. McNair, A. Harner, A. A. Annan, M. F. Shuff, Mrs. 0. A. Horner, V. E. Row, M. F. Row, William Warner, L. Overholtzer, Reformed parsonage, Mrs. F. Lambert, William Morrison, Pius Felix, C. T. Zacharias, Dr. E. Stone, Mrs. John Barry, Annan, Horner & Co., Dr. R. L. Annan, E. L. Row, Edward Cristimer, Q. E. Shoemaker, Charles Rosensteel, Mrs. Jacob Gillelan, Theopholis Getwicks, Edward Miller, James Baker, John Slagle, Philip Snouffer, John L. Long, Mrs. Troxell, James Riffle, Mary Wallace, Louisa Constant, William C. Colliflower, Reformed Church, Lutheran parsonage, Philip Lawrence, Charles Zeck, William Spalding, Julia Wordsworth, William Lansinger, George Gelwicks, Neal Buckingham, John Mentzer, Mahlon Whitmore, William Daywolt, Conrad Sifert, W. F. Zurgable, W. B. Ashbaugh, Bennet Elder, Mrs. Anthony, Nicholas Baker, Daniel Stouter, Albert Bowling, Enoch Frizzell, Ed. Payne, Mrs. F. A. Adelsberger, Mrs. Pampel, Dr. C. D. Eichelberger, Charles Kretzer, Joshua Norris, Mrs. W. G. Blair, Cornelius Gelwicks, John Jackson, Mrs. Sponseller, Mrs. Harbaugh, Albert Adelsberger, Annie Riley, Priests house, Ed. Hummerick, Mrs. Keim, Mrs. Cook, John Dukehart, Ann Brown, Row Ohler.

Item. - More than seventy years ago John Nicknin was passing through his lot one moonlight night and was attacked by a vicious dog of his neighbor, John Fisher; he backed further and further until he found a club with which he killed the dog; he put the dog across his shoulders holding it astride his neck, holding the feet on each side to carry it to the run, as he did not wish it known. When he arrived at the Lutheran church a black man came up the lane; when he saw this object he ran at breakneck speed. Next morning the Negro reported he had seen the devil, describing it; the town was excited over this episode until Nicknin told the whole story.

Corporations of Emmitsburg

There is no doubt when the town was laid out in lots; the citizens lived in peace; the rustic age did not require the corporate laws that the later and more expansive age did.

In 1808 the plat of the town made by Andrew Smith gives three trustees as the governing body: Frederick Gel- wicks, Lewis Motter and Samuel Noble. This mode of government continued until the first charter was obtained in the year 1825, when a burgess was elected and a new system inaugurate. The oldest record from which information is obtainable is 1840 and years following. A second Act passed by the Maryland Assembly, 11843, gave powers not included in former Act. The burgess' books prior to 184o are not to be found, hence all is a blank between dates.

Commissioners, 1840 Joseph Welty, Henry Rickenbaugh, John Zimmerman, Jeremiah Pittenger, Zacharias Jodun, Wm. Mooney.

  • 1841, Burgess-W. B. Pittenger; Commissioners, Henry Rickenbaugh, James Storm, Joseph Welty, Fredk. Gelwicks, John Zimmerman, Joshua Shorb.
  • 1842, Burgess - John Zimmerman; Commissioners, James Storm, Joshua Shorb, Dr. Augustus Taney, Michael Helman, James Hosplehorn.
  • 1843 - Burgess, John Zimmerman; Commissioners, Isaac Baugher, George Sheets, Andrew Eyster, Joshua Shorb, John Miller, Dr. J. W. Eichelberger.
  • 1849, Burgess - I. E. Pearson; Commissioners, J. W. Baugher, Joseph Moritz, Alfred Jones, Samuel Troxell, Wm. Mooney, John Miller.
  • 1850, Burgess - Jacob S. Gelwicks; Commissioners, J. W. Baugher, Isaac E. Pearson, Jacob Sheets, Wm. Mooney, Samuel Motter.

The clerk and treasurer was elected by commissioners outside the body. Salary of burgess, $7; salary of clerk, $7; salary of collector of Taxes, $10; constable, $10.

The following served as burgess; pages missing from old records prevent complete list:

Wm. B. Pittenger, 1841; John Zimmerman, 1842, 1843; Isaac E. Pearson, 1847; Jacob S. Gelwicks, 1850; M. C. Adelsberger, 1854; Patrick Kelly, 1858, 1859: Andrew Eyster, 1860; D. G. Adelsberger, 1861, 1862; M. Sweeney, 1863, 1864, 1865; Andrew Eyster, 1866; M. C. Adelsberger, 1867; M. Sweeney, 1868, 1869, 1870 D. G. Adelsberger, 1871; Henry Stokes, 1872; Martin Sweeney, 1873; John F. Hopp, 1874; M. Sweeney, 1875; John F. Hopp, 1876, 1877, 1878, 1879; J. H. T. Webb, 1880, 1881; Isaac Hyder, 1882, Henry Stokes, 1883; John G. Hess, 1884, 1885; Wm. G. Blair from 1886 to 1897; M. F. Shuff from 1897 to 1902; Philip Snouffer, 1902, 1903; E. L. Frizzell, 1904, 1905; M. F. Shuff, 1906.

The first board of commissioners elected after the new charter November 7th, in 1854, were Patrick Kelly, Henry Stokes, Dr. J. W. Richelberger, Richard Gilson, Fred. A. Row, Joshua Row and Charles Shorb, that took a forward move in executing their official duties; these men started a crusade against crime; men could be seen on the street drunk, and committing conduct unbecoming a civilized town; the public was powerless to stop it; now arrests were made, men fined indiscriminately until the spirit of rowdy-ism was quelled; the burgess was sustained by an honor. able body of commissioners; they inaugurated a clean up club and fined the people who permitted a nuisance; the streets received the first attention towards their present good condition. The present board commissioners, J. Thomas Gelwicks, John S. Long, Oscar D. Fraley, E. E. Zimmerman, James Mullen, John Dakehart. Burgess, M. F. Shuff Lamplighter and constable, $250.00; burgess, $15.00; clerk, $10.00; tax collector, $18.00.

Magistrates

As far back as 1777, in the deed made by Christian Keefer to Peter Troxell, the names of Jacob Young and L. Botilas, are attached as magistrates. John Huston and Henry Williams were magistrates in 1804. Wm. Emmit before and after 1800. Patrick Owens later. Lewis Motter, Major Wm. Mooney, Michael C. Adelsberger, Frank Hoover, James Knauff, David Agnew, Andrew Eyster, Geo. W. Troxell, Martin Sweeney, Henry Stokes, J. Thos. McBride, F. A. Maxell, M. F. Shuff, J. M. Kerrigan.

Carpenters

In the list of names of the first settlers of Emmitsburg, we find Richard Baird, carpenter, who built the brick house now Presbyterian parsonage. George Smith was a builder. In 1814 he erected the Lutheran steeple. Peter Troxell, architect. In 1818 James Storm came to Emmitsburg; he erected some of the buildings at St. Joseph's Convent. James Taylor was a prominent builder; amongst the structures put up by him was the Monocacy bridge on Baltimore road; Tehen, a Frederick carpenter, built Clairvoux and the R. C. Church in town and some of the College buildings. Joshua Shorb, Jeremiah Black, John Miller, Jacob Rife, in their day, were the leading builders; after these Tyson & Lansinger, Sebastian Florrence. William Row, Samuel Flautt, Ed. Baker, George Springer, E. Florrence.

Item. - James Storm was a man of scientific mind, an architect of no mean capacity; always a student, he gave his attention to the collection of curiosities, Indian relics, shells, minerals; he bad a room shelved, cased and nicely arranged for display; a valuable collection; at his death it was sold and taken away; it should have remained as a nucleus for a greater one for the town.

Schools

The first school master of the village was Thomas Cocklin. At the beginning of the century, 1800, Martin Corcoran taught the large scholars and Miss Corcoran the primary department; after a time Mr. Sanders, then Mr. Malady and William Mullen came; establishing his mathematical academy on Church street, the old people thought well of Mullen; next came Isaac Burbank; he was an up- to-date teacher; some of the older citizens were pupils, and quote him yet; he married the daughter of Jacob Troxell, the batter; opposition to the marriage caused them to run away; they settled in Indiana, doing well; their daughter married Governor Morton, afterward U. S. Senator Oliver P. Morton. James Knauff and Robert Crooks taught the young ideas how to shoot if they were severe. Oliver McLean, Derios Thomas, Pearson, Donnelly, Barrack, Fish, Packard, Hill, Seabrooks, Kerrigan, Frazer and many more, good, bad and indifferent, very few the children liked. Mrs. Reid taught a private school. Miss Martha Moore was a teacher of note for children, she was an expert in the primary. The teachers today in the public school are Lloyd Palmer, principal; Miss Ruth Hoke and Miss Sallie Miller, assistants. The first school house was at the intersection of the Gettysburg road and alley dividing the priest's lot. On that vacant point all the children back of 1820 attended there. A large brick house was erected, on the lot where St. Euphemia school house stands. It was divided by a partition, separating the male and female. Here up to about 188o the public school for boys was conducted, prior to 1860 a good house for a girls school was erected on the vacant lot between the Methodist cemetery and Patterson's stable. The two school houses were torn down and the house in which George Kugler lives erected out of the material; after serving the purpose for a few years, the present building on the pike was erected. About 1830 a brick school house was built on part of the Lutheran Church lot. Here a select school was taught by competent teachers, giving instructions not to be had in the public schools at that time. When the, cemetery was enlarge it was torn down. Richard Gilson taught a private school in a house standing where Dr. Fichelberger's garden den is. Rev. G. W. Anghenbaugh and E. F. Higbee taught a select school where the vacant lot of A. A. Annan is.

The St. Euphemia house was built to accommodate their increasing school, which occupied the hall built by the Ro- man Catholics and town, corner Gettysburg street and Green street.

Six-Horse Teams

All hauling from Baltimore to the west was done by teams, usually six horses. This town was on the route to Pittsburgh, hundreds of teams during the year passing east and west; an occasional team was decorated with bells; these teams would travel in companies from a few to a dozen or more, for protection and help, stopping at night at one of the many taverns along the road. These taverns had large wagon yards to accommodated these almost daily visitors; the teamster would select a spot to stand his wagon, take the feeding trough from the rear of wagon, fasten it to the tongue, and tie his horses on either side to feed and rest through the night; no other accommodation regardless of rain, snow, wind or heat; no blankets to cover in winter; this was a Wagoner's life. The teamster carried his bed, unfolding them, they spread them on the floor of the bar room and slept. As their teams approached the town it was a common thing to see a crowd of boys run to the end of town to meet them, and walk beside the teamster. It was an occupation every boy intended to follow when he was a man. These wagons were loaded with goods for the merchants out west; returning they brought flour, whiskey, hides, dried fruit and many other articles. The millers in this locality sent flour to Baltimore by teams belonging to the farmers, who in return hauled goods for the merchants here. This was before railroads were running; when the railroads were made it ceased, and the taverns closed along the roads.

Peddlers

In the long past peddlers with horse and wagon and pack peddlers were plentiful; the cheap license enabled a new Jew, for they alone followed it, to make a good living, with a small amount invested. Some carried packs, a burden for a horse. One of the early peddlers who frequented these parts was Arnold Schiteling, a regular visitor, horse and wagon; these men carried dry goods principally; the high license put an end to it.

Coopers

This industry gave employment to a great number of hands; being near the timber barrels were made here and shipped. All the flour was barreled; whiskey made at the distilleries here and Frederick were supplied with barrels from here. In 1812 John Young, afterwards Michael C. Adelsberger, was the most extensive manufacturer; Henry Foller, Joseph Felix, besides nearly every mill had a cooper shop attached to the mill.

Pages 71 - 80


Helmans' History Of Emmitsburg

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