EARLY HISTORY.

     As will be seen in another chapter, its origin dates from the pioneer settlement formed by Col. Benjamin Chambers, in 1730; but it was not regularly laid out till 1764, when the settlement known prior to that date as "Falling Spring,"  "Benjamin Chambers'," or "Chambers Fort" was called Chambers' Town.  The latter name it held till the erection of the county in 1784, when it was modified by the adoption of the present beautiful one - Chambersburg.
     To bring the new town properly before the people, Col Chambers, business-like, kept a standing advertisement in the Philadelphia press.  In one of

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     "The old court house was built between the years 1786 and 1794.  It was commenced in the former and completed in the latter year.  The old stone jail, on the northeast corner of Second and Market Streets, was erected between the years 1786 and 1798.  It was under roof in 1791, but not finished before 1798.  The first jailer was Owen Aston, who lived in a small frame house east of the prison.  Previous to the erection of the stone jail, an old log jail occupied the same site.  In the yard attached to this building, a couple of convicts were hung at an early day.  After the completion of the stone building, a couple of negroes were executed from a platform which extended into the yard from one of the back windows.  These executions, with the hanging of a man named Thomas McKean, about the year 1807, on the hill near the academy, are the full mumber of all that have occurred in the county."
     The executions in Franklin County were briefly:
     (1) John Hanna and

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John H. Walker

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Josiah Ramage, by Jeremiah Talbot, Wednesday, May 3, 1786, for murder;
     (2) Jack Durham, negro slave, by John Johnston, Tuesday, July 8, 1788, for rape;
     (3) John McKean, by Jacob Snyder, Dec. 22, 1807, for murder;
     (4) Hezekiah Shaffer, by Michael Gable, Apr. 8, 1879, for murder;
     (5) Peachey Swingle (colored) by Michael Gable, June 6, 1879, for murder.
Formerly, it seems, other days than Friday were unlucky. - [Compiler]
     "About the time of the erection of Franklin County, in September, 1784, the legal punishment of criminals was somewhat different from that which is enforced at the present day.  The venerable Jacob Immel, late of Greenvillage, told the writer, that, upon one occasion, seeing a number of citizens collected in the Diamond, and, curious to learn the cause, he approached the crowd, and saw that the source of the attraction was a culprit who was undergoing the operation of cropping, after having previously stood an hour in the pillory and received thirty-nine lashes upon his bare back.  Immediately in front of the Repository office was a large hollow, from the center of which grew a large walnut tree, to which culprits were tied when about to suffer flagellation.  As the population of the town increased and with it also the number of criminals, a larger and more secure prison became necessary; and, consequently, the present building, which was formerly called the new jail, to distinguish it from the old stone jail, was built in the year 1818.
     "The lot upon which the court-house was erected was given to the county by Col. Benjamin Chambers, and the contract for building it was awarded to his son, Capt. Benjamin Chambers, by whom the old stone jail was also raised.  The work on the court-house was done by Walter Beatty, a prominent builder
of that day.  The court-house stood upon the site of the present handsome building.  It was a plain, old fashioned brick structure, decorated with a high steeple, upon the top of which a gilded weather-cock indicated the direction from which the wind blew.  The floor of the court room was paved with brick, it was warmed by two huge ten-plate stoves, into which a full length cord stick of wood could easily be thrust.  In one corner stood an old wooden hydrant, the solitary visible memorial of the old water works.  The bar for the use of the attorneys was elevated some distance above the floor, and the judges' seats were some two feet higher than the bar.  These were situated on the north side of the room.  Along the front on Market Street, seats for the audience were placed, also considerably elevated above the floor.  The jury rooms were on the second story of the building.
     "The county offices were formerly in a long two-story brick building adjoining the court-house on Market Street, and extending along that thoroughfare nearly to the alley.  For several years after the formation of Franklin County, the several offices were tilled by a single incumbent, Edward Crawford,
Esq.
     "As an indication of the extent of the population of Franklin County, eighty-seven years ago, we quote a letter from Mr. Crawford to Charles Biddle, of Philadelphia, secretary of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania.  It may also serve in some degree to determine the activity with which Cupid conducted his amatory conquests at the same period:

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to all new settlements, as civilization extended her borders westward, where the usual comforts and necessaries of life are not found, and, if wanted, could not be procured without great expense and difficulties in transportation.
     "We were told by an old lady (the mother of an extensive family in Chambersburg) some years ago, that when she and her husband arrived, which was about 1785, they were immediately called on by Mr. and Mrs. Chambers, and heartily welcomed to this new home, with a pressing invitation to call and see them.  A short time afterward they availed themselves of the houses at that time had.  The very kindly manner in which they were received had quite an encouraging influence, and it made them feel that, although among a strange people and in a new and wild country, they were among friends and protectors, which inspired them with fresh zeal in their newly adopted home.
     "One can form some little idea of the wild state of the country when Chambersburg was first settled, from the fact that, about 1785, immediately back from Radebaugh's tavern stand, it was a wild wilderness so thickly overgrown that it was not safe for any one unacquainted to enter into it any distance, for fear of being lost.  It was no uncommon thing to hear wolves near the town howl.  This we have from one of the early settlers."
     In the paper from which we took the foregoing extract, Mr. Ruby gives a list of the leading business men of the olden time.  It does not pretend to be exhaustive, but serves its purpose in perpetuating the names and memories of the first inhabitants, one object had in view in this compilation.

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     The pooling of interests is not wholly a modern practice.  Seventy years ago,

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as will be seen from the following pronunciamento, the borough of Chambersburg was threatened with a dearth of fuel by the combination of its bucolic neighbors.  Observe that its significance is intensified by the date of its issue:

Notice.

     We, the subscribers, in order to regulate the price of fire wood, have unanimously agreed to the following resolutions:
     1. We will not sell hickory wood for less than six dollars per cord; chestnut oak five dollars and fifty cents, and all other wood five dollars per cord.
     2. If any of us after the first of August next sell any wood in the borough of Chamberburg for less than the prices above mentioned, he shall forfeit and pay a fine of five dollars, the informer to have the fine.
     3. We wish to inform the town council of Chambersburg that we are not to be detained from morning to evening, for nothing, by his honor, their wood corder, except they wish to be more sensible of the effects of cold weather than they have been heretofore.

     July 4, 1817, INDEPENDENCE.

INCORPORATION.

     By an act of the General Assembly of the State, dated 21st of March, 1803, the town of Chambersburg was incorporated into a borough.  Its first election under this act is thus recorded:

     At an election held at the Court House in the Borough of Chambersburg on the Second day of May Eighteen hundred and three, the Following Gentlemen were duly Elected.  For Chief Burgess, Major John Holliday had ninety-two votes - and for the Town Council Edward Crawford Esq. had ninety-four votes - Andrew Dunlap had ninety-four votes - and Christian Oister had ninety-three votes - John Shryock had eighty-seven votes - and Patrick Campbell had fifty-seen votes, whereupon the above Gentlemen were duly given under our hands this second day of May 1803.
                                             ADAM HAILMAN, PETER DINKLE, JR. - Clerks.

     The above were the first town council and high constable regularly elected under the act of incorporation.  On Mar. 7, 1840, the act was amended to divide the borough into two wards, the North Ward and the South Ward, the center of Queen Street being the dividing line.  On the 9th of April, 1872, the act was again amended to divide the borough into four wards - the First, Second, Third and Fourth Wards.
     A tax duplicate issued by the town council  for the year 1803, based on a population of 500, amounted to $550.97.

BANKS.

     The citizens of the new borough, which was yet in its infancy, seem to have felt the want of a secure place to deposit their surplus funds, and for the

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B. F. Winger

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GAS-WORKS.

     The gas works were erected in 1856 by a private company.  They are located on the western banks of the Conococheague Creek, immediately opposite the Baptist Church.  They manufacture about 225,000 feet of gas per month, which is supplied to Consumers through four miels of pipe.  A. C. McGrath is the superintendent.

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

     The fire department is one of the oldest and most perfect in the State.  It embraces the following organizations:

     Junior Hose Company. - Regular meeting, first Monday evening of every month, at 7:30 o'clock, in Junior Hall, North Second Street.  James A. Hamilton, secretary.

     Vigilant Hook and Ladder Company. - Regular meetings, second and fourth Tuesday evenings of each month, in Vigilant Hall, North Second Street, at 8:30 o'clock.  John C. Clark, secretary.

     Hope Hose Company. - Meets on first Wednesday evening of each month, in their hose house on West Market Street, at 7 o'clock. Charles Fahnestock, president; A. C. McGrath, secretary.
 
     Good Will Hose Company. - Regular meeting at 7 o'clock on the first Monday of each month, in their hall, on Catherine Street.  Samuel Glass, secretary.

     Friendship Steam Engine and Hose Company. - Regular meeting in Friendship Hall, South Second Street.

     Junior Hose Company was organized in 1869, through the efforts of C. Henninger and Thos. Stumbaugh.  It is well supplied with apparatus, having been recently presented by the city council with a new jumper and 500 feet of gum hose, thus making it one of the best equipped company in the State.
     The officers of the company are president, J. H. Shafer; vice-president, H. M. Eyster; recording secretary, J. A. Hamilton; assistant secretary, E. J. Hart; financial secretary, H. M. Miley, chief director and treasurer, Clay Henninger; assistant director, W. C. Hull; captain, G. W. Pensinger; board of trustees, H. M. Shirey, G. W. Pensinger, and A. L. Shafer.
     The present membership is 54.

     Hope Hose Company - From the best information we can get, the Hope Hose Company is the descendant of the first fire company in Chambersburg, and in reality is No. 1 instead of No. 4, as at present.  The company had two names prior to 1830, when it was located at the corner of the alley on Market Street, in the rear of the court-house.  About 1830 the name was changed again to "Northern."  In 1856 it was reorganized and known as the "Hope."  The apparatus consisted of a suction engine, a suction, and a hose reel.  In a contest this engine threw 210 feet, which was considered a big thing in those days.  From 1856 to the breaking out of the war the membership numbered about seventy-five, and much interest was manifested, more so, really, than nowadays.  The house was roomy and comfortable, and on cold winter nights when the wind was blowing "great guns" there was always enough of the boys quartered in the house to insure a lively getting there in case of an alarm.  Something like forty of the members enlisted at the first call for troops, and the old Hope Company was represented in the army by every rank, from brigadier-general to private, and many of them fill soldiers' graves to-day.  In the big fire of July 30, 1864, the engine house, apparatus and all the property of the company were destroyed, nothing being saved but half a

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dozen pictures, which now hang in the meeting room of the hose house.  In consequence of the fire, and the absence of so many members in the army, the company nearly went out of existence, but in 1866, through the influence of some of the old members, the town council purchased a second-hand engine and hose carriage, and provided quarters for them in a room in the eastern end of the market-house, which had been fitted up for the Protection Hook and Ladder Company, this company having disbanded.  The meeting room was the one now used by the council, second floor of the market-house.  The commissioners refused to allow the house to be rebuilt at the former location, although the members offered to do all the work free of charge.
     As a majority of the members lived down town, it was a difficult matter to get them to attend meetings in the market-house, though they always responded in case of fire.  Until 1877 fire matters were dead in the town.    About this time, owing to the introduction of water-works, the present department was organized and the Hope Company numbered 4, more to correspond with the ward in which it is located than on account of its age.  It has been in active service ever since, and now has a membership of about fifty.  The present officers are George L. Hoffman, president; Wm. Houser, vice-president; John K. Berger, secretary; George Beitsch, treasurer; B. F. Gilmore, chief director.

     Good Will Hose Company. No 3, of Chambersburg, was organized May 30, 1877  The list of charter members is as follows:  John C. Gerbig, B. L. Maurer, J. A. Peiffer, Adam Koch, Fred. Frey, Henry Fisher, D. B. Gelwicks, A. Mills, Philip Beitsch, John Podschaver, J. C. Fisher, J. D. Richter, Peter Myers, Adam Lautenslager, William McKain, M. Humerhine, E. Lautenslager; vice president, S. E. Glass; secretary, B. L. Maurer; treasurer, Adam Koch directors, J. C. Fisher, J. D. Richter, Geo. Hart.
     The new building, located on East Catharine Street, was dedicated with much festivity, Feb. 8, 1886, and is a handsome brick structure, well adapted to its use.  The interior is being fitted up with fine furniture and Brussels carpet, and presents a neat and tasty appearance.
     Following is a list of the present officers:  President, Bruce M. Snyder; vice-president, Danl. McLeisher; secretary, Wm. Shatzley; assistant secretary, Fred Link; treasurer, Dr. J. J. Smith; chief director, Jacob Smith; assistant directors, John Diffendal, Geo. Michels.  The present membership is fifty-six. 

     Friendship Fire Company was organized in the year 1780, being one of the earliest in Pennsylvania.  The first organization was called the United Fire Company, and was destitute of nearly every appliance.  The fires were extinguished by dashing the contents of small buckets upon the flames.  No engine was purchased until 1816, and then two little machines, small enough to be carried upon a wheelbarrow, were obtained.
     In 1838 the company was incorporated under the title of Friendship Fire Company, and so great was the interest manifested in the cause, that the organization numbered 100 members.  The first known election occurred June 18, 1843, with the following result:  President, Samuel Seibert; vice-president; J. M. Radebaugh; secretary, A. F. Armstrong; treasurer, H. B. Davison; directors, Robt. Virl, J. H. McClintock, Lewis Heist, J. B. Wright, J. T. Houser, Peter Deckert, Chas. Evans, G. A. Grove, G. W. Nitterhouse; messenger, Maj. Hen. Greenawalt.
     The service of the new company was extensive, and many a conflagration has been averted by the promptitude and valor of its members.
     In April, 1869, the office of chief director was erected, and was first filled

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by Christian Frederick.  Two years later a reorganization took place.  There had been 310 active members previous to this time, and it was thought best to reduce the number.  The company now took on new vigor, and soon extended its reputation for promptness and efficiency.
     On the 13th of May, 1880, the centennial anniversary of the Friendship Fire Company was celebrated, amid scenes seldom witnessed in the Cumberland Valley.  Fellow organizations, from all parts of the State, assembled to aid in the demonstration.
     The town was handsomely trimmed and decorated in honor of the occasion and all were determined to signalize the celebration.  Gov. Hoyt was present, and reviewed the assembled societies from a platform erected for the purpose.  A magnificent banquet was tendered the visitors in the evening, and an address of welcome was made by Hon. John Stewart, to which H. M. Kelly and Mayor Peterson, of Harrisburg, responded in feeling tones.
     The members of this organization take an honest pride in the respect shown them by their appreciative fellow citizens, and by their many services they have obtained the merited title of "Old Reliables; always ready."

MANUFACTORIES.

     From a very early period of her history, Chambersburg has been noted for the variety and extent of her manufactured articles.  Thus, in the past, she has had shops for the manufacture of buhr millstones, sickles, augurs, saws and edge tools, wool hats and various other products.  For several years a powder-mill was in operation near the suburbs of the town.  For a long series of years, she enjoyed an enviable reputation for the manufacture of various kinds of edge tools.  hese were made at the Lemnos Factory, which was established in 1826 by Messrs. Shugart & Co.  It was purchased by Dunlop & Madeira, and conducted by them for many years.  It net became the property of Messrs. Carlisle & Co., and finally came into the possession of Messrs. Huber & Co.  In consequence of the multiplicity of similar establishments in different parts of the country, the factory has been suspended.
     Mills -

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in 1857, by Messrs. Henry Shepler and Joseph Clark.  It is now owned by Messrs. Shepler & Son, and employs an average number of twenty hands.
     Other Industries -

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     The board accepted Mr. Taylor's resignation ,expressing regret that his interests required a severance of his relations with the company.
     The board then elected Mr. John L. Latshaw president.

SECRET SOCIETIES.

     The Masons -

     The Odd Fellows. -  

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H. G. Chritzman.

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were not disheartened.  The new room was fitted up at considerable expense; the walls and ceiling were beautifully frescoed; suitable furniture was purchased, and everything necessary to make the room attractive and comfortable was carefully attended to.  After taking possession of their new quarters, the members went to work with a will.  Applications for membership were so frequent, that at one time the roll numbered considerably over 100.  The treasury, which had been depleted by the necessary expenditures above mentioned, was rapidly replenished, and the prospects for the future were very flattering.  But the financial crisis, which several years ago swept over the country sadly interfered with its prosperity.  The number of admissions decreased, and many of those who had been most active in promoting the welfare of the organization became discouraged.  Their discouragement led to carelessness, and finally they permitted their membership to lapse.  Numbers of these have recently been reinstated, and hopes are entertained that it will not be long before the membership will number as many as it did years ago.
     Chambersburg Lodge has enjoyed an enviable reputation as a working lodge.  Its work has been carried on without the use of rituals, thus adding very much to the interest of the meetings. The matter of refitting the room is now being agitated, and should this be done, it will not be long before the lodge will have as fine a room as is to be found in the valley.  The present corps of officers is as follows: Noble Grand, D. M. Funk; Vice Grand, W. H. Small; Secretary, Samuel Gelwix; Assistant Secretary, E. M. Smith; Treasurer, George W. Bietsch; Warden, A. J. Eiker; Conductor, D. J. Simmers; R. S. to N. G., Emanuel Hall; L. S. to N. G., B. F. Burgner; R. S. to V. G., George Hart; L. S. to V. G., George A. Bietsch; E. S. S., Philip Bietsch; L. S. S., William Robinson; I. G., Isaac Irwin; O. G., Jacob Bickly; Hall Keeper, Jacob Bickly; Trustees, A. J. Eiker, Emanuel Hale and B. F. McCurdy.  The membership of the lodge at present numbers seventy-five.  Many of those whose names appear on the roll are non-resident members; quite a number live in other States, while many others reside in different parts of Pennsylvania.  This being the case, the weekly attendance is materially reduced; but the attendance cannot be accepted as a proof of lack of interest, as those who are unable to attend are among the most prompt in the payment of their weekly dues.  During the year ending Oct. 1, 1886, this lodge paid $475 for the relief of its members.  While thus attentive to its own household, it has not overlooked worthy applications for assistance from other sources.  Very rarely indeed does such an application fail to meet with a favorable response.  About $1,500 are invested in bonds and other securities; a good working fund is in the hands of the treasurer; the property of the lodge is valued at $500, thus making the total worth of the lodge something over $2,000.  The present District Deputy G. M., D. J. Simmers, is a highly esteemed member of Chambersburg Lodge.  So efficiently does he fill the office, that year after year he receives the almost unanimous support of the different lodges throughout the district for this honorable position.
     Columbus Lodge. No. 75, I. O. O. F., was organized in a room in Dr. W. H. Boyle's building, on West Market Street, on the 31st of March, 1842, with the following charter members: Jabez Porter, Benj. F. Nead, Lewis F. Heck, Wm. Stevenson, Wilson Reilly, Samuel McCrory, William J. Stewart, Eby Byers and Robert P. Hazelet.  But one of this number, Benj. F. Nead, is now living.  Wilson Reilly was the first Noble Grand and Benj. F. Nead the first secretary of the lodge.  This room in a short time proving too small, they removed to the third floor of the Lutheran lecture room, on West Washington Street, where they remained until 1857, when they removed to

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the front room on the third floor of Franklin Hall, on the Diamond, which they fitted up in good style and occupied undisturbed until the outbreak of the Rebellion.  In September, 1862, after the battle of Antietam, a large number of wounded union soldiers were brought to Chambersburg, and in order to give them comfortable quarters, the members of the lodge gave up their room to the United States Government for a hospital, and while so occupied the lodge held its meetings in the adjoining room of Chambersburg Lodge.  Shortly after again getting possession of the room, in the latter part of June, 1863, the rebel army under Gen. Lee passed through Chambersburg on its way to Gettysburg, and some of the vandals gaining admission into the lodge room, destroyed all the regalia, canopies, curtains and other fixtures of the order.  Hardly had the lodge recovered from this loss, when, on the 30th of July, 1864, the rebel horde, under Gen. McCausland, again visited Chambersburg and burned the greater portion of the town, Columbus Lodge being entirely burned out.  Not dismayed at their misfortune, they procured temporary quarters on the second floor of the market-house, and remained there until the completion of Repository Hall, when they removed to the front room, on the third floor of that building.  On the afternoon of Nov. 26, 1866, the new hall was dedicated to the uses of the order.  The following named brethren acted as officers of the grand lodge of Pennsylvania, in the dedicatory ceremonies: P. G. Isaac H. McCauley, as G. M.; D. D. G. M. Jacob Spangler, as D. G. M.; P. G. Speakman Hicks, as G. W.; P. G. Samuel King (of Potomac Lodge, Hagerstown, Md. ), as G. C. ; P. G. Jacob N. Snider, as G. M.; P. G. D. B. Kirby, as G. H., with Brothers William E. Tolbert as H. of the North, John S. Hicks, as H. of the South, Edward G. Etter, as H. of the East, and Frank Henderson, as H. of the West.  The hall was formally delivered to the G. M. by D. D. G. M. Jacob Spangler, on behalf of the furnishing committee of the lodge, and was then dedicated to the uses of the order by the sprinkling of water, lighting of fire, scattering of wheat and strewing of flowers in the manner prescribed by the grand lodge of the United States.  Music by the Hagerstown (Md.), and Chambersburg brass bands.  At the conclusion of the dedicatory services an address was delivered by P. G. M. Isaac H. McCauley, on the duties of the order.
     Since the organization of the lodge it has had but four secretaries, viz.: Benj. F. Nead, Charles W. Heart, Dr. William H. Boyle and the present efficient occupant of the office, David F. Leisher.  Seventy-eight Past Grands have been created, forty-six of whom are now members of the lodge.  Whole number of persons admitted to membership, 592; present number of members, 146.
     Olive Branch Encampment, No. 13, I. O. O. F., was organized on the third floor of the Lutheran lecture room, on the 24th of October, 1844, and after a few years' existence disbanded.  It was reorganized on May 14, 1861, in the room of Chambersburg Lodge, where its meetings were held until the destruction of the town by order of the rebel, Gen. McCausland.  Quarters were then obtained with the two subordinate lodges of I. O. O. F. in the market-house, until 1866, when the encampment was moved into the room of Columbus Lodge, and is now in a flourishing condition.
     Chambersburg Council, O. U. A. M., No. 228, was instituted Mar. 22, 1870, by Deputy State Councilor B. K. Spangler, of Council No. 205 Carlisle, assisted by the following pro tem State Council officers: V. C, A. C. Landis of No. 207; R. S., C. F. Dinkle, of No. 205; F. S., J. P. Rankin, of No. 207; I. James Eckenrode, of No. 207; Ex., C. Fenstemacher, of 207; I. P., Jas. A. Smith, of 205; O. P., C. D. Eckels, of 205; Jun. Ex. C.,

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C. M. Holler, 205; Sr. Ex. C., O. M. Blair, of 207.  The charter members were E. G. Etter, M. A. Foltz, G. H. Wood, D. B. Dunkison, J. C. Wood, J. P. McClintock, Jas Aughinbaugh, Jno. Fisher, D. A. Wertz, C. E. Fetter, J. F. Gibbs, J. F. Fuller, C. W. Fuller, D. F. Leisher, Leo Ebert, C. F. Smith and A. C. McGrath.  The names of the first officers were Councilor, G. H. Wood; V. C., D. A. Wertz; R. Sec., A. C. McGrath; Financial Sec., J. F. Gibbs; Treas., F. S. Gillespie; Inductor, J. F. Fuller; Examiner, J. P. McClintock; Inside Protector, D. B. Dunkison; Outside Protector, Jno. C. Wood; E. G. Etter, D. A. Wertz, Frank Hendernon, Trustees.  The names of the present officers are:  C., Wm. Miles; V. C., Abram Rife; Rec. Sec., J. C. Strealy; Asst. Rec. Sec., George Auxt; Fin. Sec., J. Frank Snider; Treas., J. F. Gibbs; Ex., G. F. Wolf; Ind., Harry Bickly; Inside Pro., Geo. Claudy; Outside Pro., Adam Gruber; Wm. Stake, Dan'l Harmony, S. A. Swert, Trustees.  Present number of members, 79; whole number of admission from time of organization to date, 229.
     Franklin Guards were organized Oct. 11, 1878, by Capt. George L. Miles, at Chambersburg.  The present officers of the company are Captain, John C. Gerbig; first lieutenant, Philip Lautenslager; second lieutenant, Harry Gillespie; secretary, Charles Hyssong.  They meet every Friday evening for drill and attend annual encampment for brigade drill every summer.
     McDowell Camp, Sons of Veterans, Frank McGrath, captain meets second and fourth Thursday evenings of each month in Housum Post room.  It has been in existence but a short time.
     Housum Post, G. A. R. 309, meets every Tuesday evening, in Post room, corner of Main and Queen Streets.  It was organized Feb. 21, 1883, by Capt. W. E. Miller of Carlisle, Egan, Humor, Haverstick, Ensminger and Asst. Adj. Gen. T. J. Stewart, with the following charter members:  Wm. Burgess, Jno. A. Siders, Jno. Doebler, B. A. Fahnestock, E. S. Shank, Calvin Gilbert, Geo. W. Duncan, John Herron, A. C. McGrath, L. V. Armstrong, John H. Lesher, J. H. Aughinbaugh, Frank Myers, Wilson Stewart, C. H. Fulweiler, W. J. Norton, D. W. Rowe, Geo. L. Miles, C. H. Cressler, Thos. Darbarow, Geo. B. Preisler, W. R. Kreps, C. M. Ditsler, Napoleon Hunter, Sam'l McGowan, J. B. Holtzworth, Alex Stewart, Dan'l W. Brandt, W. H. Davis, John W. Shenafield, John C. Gerbig, Adam Gruber, John Stewart, Fred Watts.
     Its first corps of officers embraced the following comrades:  Wm. Burgess, C.; John Doebler, S. V. C.; C. H. Fulwiller, J. V. C.; C. H. Cressler, Q. M.; Thomas Durbarow, Surg.; John A. Seiders, Adj.; J. C. Gerbig, O. D.; J. B. Holztworth, O. G.; J. H. Aughinbaugh, S. M.; Calvin Gilbert, Q. M. S.; John Shenafield, Chap.
     Its present officers are:  T. R. Gilland, C.; Dr. F. G. Platt, S. V. C.; E. E. Byers, J. V. C.; A. C. McGrath, Adj.; C. H. Cressler, Q. M.; T. Durbarow, O. D.; Robert Dunkinson, O. G.; Dr. J. A. Crawford, Chap.; D. E. Brallier, Surg.; W. H. H. Mackey, S. M., and Geo. A. Minnich, Q. M. S.
     It enrolls 115 members and is in a prosperous condition.
     P. B. Housum was born Sept. 21, 1824, in Berks County, Penn., On the 25th of September, 1845, he married Miss Lucy S. Edmiston, of Bedford County, by whom he had five children: Mary Elizabeth, John Peter, Maria Louise Fannie, Benjamin Franklin and Cynthia; all are living except the first and third.  He served in the late war as captain in the Second Pennsylvania Infantry during the three months' service.  Subsequently, in 1862, he entered the Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Ret. as lieutenant-colonel, and was the regiment in its campaign in the Army of the Cumberland against Bragg's army in Kentucky and Tennessee.

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     He was wounded on the morning of the 31st of December, 1862, in the battle of Stone River, and died of the wound received on the evening of Jan. 1, 1863.  He was buried on Stuart's Creek, twenty-five and one-half miles east of Nashville, on the Nashville and Murfreesboro Pike.
 

     C. V. Council of Royal Arcanum was organized .....

     Improved order of Heptasophs, Franklin Conclave, No. 104, was organized ....

     Young Men's Christian Association -

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     Women's Christian Temperance Union was organized ...

CHURCHES.

    Falling Spring Presbyterian Church was established ...

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     The Central Presbyterian Church -

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M. A. Foltz

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     St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church -

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     German Lutheran Congregation was organized ....

     Methodist Episcopal Church -

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     The Second Methodist Congregation was organized .....

     Zion's Reformed Church. -

     St. John's Reformed Church, East Market Street. -

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     First United Brethren Church -

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     King Street Church, United Brethren in Christ -

     Corpus Christi Catholic Church. * -  There is a tradition that a Catholic --------

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     Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church -

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C. H. Buhrman.

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     Church of God. -

     The first Sunday-school in Chambersburg was a ......

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THE CEDAR GROVE CEMETERY.

     The grounds of this cemetery were opened for interments in the fall of 1854.  The first body buried there was that of Mrs. Jane Snider, wife of Geo. W. Snider, Nov. 3, 1854.  The next burial was the re-interment of the body of Alfred M. Smith, Esq., long connected with the public press of this place, and perhaps the most brilliant literary genius ever born in Chambersburg.  Mr. Andrew Eiker, superintendent of Cedar Grove Cemetery, has buried 1763 persons during the past nineteen years as follows:  1868, 58; 1869, 57; 1870, 86; 1871, 86; 1872, 74; 1873, 90; 1874 ,107; 1875, 110; 1876, 101; 1877, 90; 1878, 80; 1879, 81; 1880, 105; 1881, 112; 1882, 94; 1883, 114; 1884, 90; 1885, 98; 1886, 130.  There were more burials last year than during any other in the history of the cemetery.  Mr. Eiker, the very efficient superintendent of the cemetery, has just entered upon his twentieth year as superintendent.

EDUCATIONAL.

A Grammer School.

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     Wilson Female College. -

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BOROUGH OFFICERS, 1886-87.

[ END OF BOROUGH OF CHAMBERSBURG ]

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