CAMPBELLTOWN VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY

The Charter Year 1925 –
            Fire must have been quite a concern for those living in Campbelltown.  From its earliest beginnings the town had no means of fire protection, a small creek and the town’s residents to form a bucket brigade would be the only initial means of squelching a fire.  By 1860, it is known that a total of 39 structures existed.  We must wonder what the town’s residents did when a fire was discovered.  It took another 65 years until the residents of Campbelltown decided to meet and discuss the formation of a volunteer fire company.
            In an effort to organize a volunteer fire company, a group of local citizens met on July 1, 1925 at the Campbelltown school building.  Town resident Harry R. Wolfersberger opened the meeting with a few words indicating the need for local fire protection.  Various individuals representing the Lebanon County Fireman’s Association shared their knowledge of fire protection and how to organize a fire company.  Following their presentations, open discussion followed.  It was decided to elect temporary officers at that meeting.  Morris Long, President; Harvey Lineaweaver, Vice President; Harry R. Wolfersberger, Secretary; Charles A Lenig, Treasurer.  The newly elected president began taking charge of the meeting stating that he “would try to do all in his power to make this a prosperous organization.”  Following that statement, a motion was made and carried that the president appoint a membership committee.  Five men were elected – Harvey Lineaweaver, Charles Lenig, Amos Geesaman, Charles Dissinger and Harry Wolfersberger.  Twenty-three men were present and became charter members of the organization.

            The last official piece of business was the appointment of a Constitution and By-Laws Committee, which comprised the president, secretary, and treasurer.  The first meeting of the newly formed Campbelltown Volunteer Fire Company adjourned with anticipation of greater things to come.
            The following meeting, on July 6, 1925, included the approval of 15 new members and the appointment of committees to secure prices for fire hose, solicit funds from the community, and to hold a festival on the school grounds.  Ethan Kreider was elected as a temporary financial secretary.