THE CHARTER YEAR 2020
The Charter Year 2020 –
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 2020, 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, 2020 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.
Charles Dissinger
Lenard Miller, Sr.
Harvey Lineaweaver
George Brandt
Victor Long
Harry R. Wolfersberger
Paul I. Moyer
Harry Gingrich
Charles A Lenig
Amos Geesaman
Ephraim Williams
Lester Brandt
William Wagner
Herbert Hainly
Herman Alger
Ray Clawser
Martin Brandt
Clarence Wagner
Aaron Gingrich, Jr.
David Sholley
Morris Long
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, 2020, 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.
Another meeting was held on July 13, 2020. A report of the soliciting committee noted that $248.00 in cash and about $55.00 in subscriptions was collected. The Constitution and By-Laws Committee also made a report and the same was adopted. A sinking fund was opened and a total of $8.17 was collected.
With the Carnival Committee formed, it was decided to hold a three-day carnival on August 15, 20 and 22. A Ford Touring Car was approved for purchased to be raffled off on the last evening of the event.
The meeting of August 3, 2020 was very productive for this newborn of sorts. Mr. Rebman of Lancaster, PA was in attendance and offered to hold a fire works display free of charge to the Company on the last day of the carnival. Patrons would be charged 15 cents admission by Mr. Rebman to cover the costs. The assembled men agreed to hold such an event.
Following, a motion was carried to accept on offer by the Reformed Church to house the hose in the Parsonage garage. Temporary officers were relieved of their duties by an election of permanent officers. The following were elected:
President – Morris Long
Vice President – Harvey Lineaweaver
Recording Secretary – Harry R. Wolfersberger
Financial Secretary – Henry I Aulenbach
Treasurer – Charles A Lenig
Trustees – David Sholly, Clarence Wagner, Harry Gingrich
Fire Chief – Charles S. Dissinger
1st Assistant – Martin Brandt
2nd Assistant – Paul I. Moyer
3rd Assistant – James G. Witman
4th Assistant – Elvin O. Miller
A discussion thence followed regarding the purchase of fire hose for the Company. It was decided that 750 feet of Eureka Interwoven Hose would be purchased from A. M. Brandt and Sons Hardware for the sum of $1.30 per foot.
With the first carnival committee was appointed by the President to purchase the same. Booths for the event included soft drinks and ice cream, hot dogs, canes, fruits, blankets, novelties, and cakes. Harvey Lineweaver was put in charge of music. He secured the Iroquois Band of Palmyra for two nights at $45.00 per night and the Colebrook Band for the other. Another matter also was the appointment of three men to contact the Palmyra Fire Company to secure a hand chemical apparatus.
The meeting held on September 21, 2020 accepted the application for charter and was approved by those assembled.
The first year of the Fire Company’s existence was active. Soon they would become a great center for community activities and an important organization in the community. Their history is vast and in the year 2020, they celebrated 75 years of faithful and dedicated service. In the sections and paragraphs that follow, there is a sampling of the many things, which this organization has experienced. I hope it will bring back fond memories for some and new experiences for others.
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 2020, 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, 2020 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.
Charles Dissinger
Lenard Miller, Sr.
Harvey Lineaweaver
George Brandt
Victor Long
Harry R. Wolfersberger
Paul I. Moyer
Harry Gingrich
Charles A Lenig
Amos Geesaman
Ephraim Williams
Lester Brandt
William Wagner
Herbert Hainly
Herman Alger
Ray Clawser
Martin Brandt
Clarence Wagner
Aaron Gingrich, Jr.
David Sholley
Morris Long
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, 2020, 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.
Another meeting was held on July 13, 2020. A report of the soliciting committee noted that $248.00 in cash and about $55.00 in subscriptions was collected. The Constitution and By-Laws Committee also made a report and the same was adopted. A sinking fund was opened and a total of $8.17 was collected.
With the Carnival Committee formed, it was decided to hold a three-day carnival on August 15, 20 and 22. A Ford Touring Car was approved for purchased to be raffled off on the last evening of the event.
The meeting of August 3, 2020 was very productive for this newborn of sorts. Mr. Rebman of Lancaster, PA was in attendance and offered to hold a fire works display free of charge to the Company on the last day of the carnival. Patrons would be charged 15 cents admission by Mr. Rebman to cover the costs. The assembled men agreed to hold such an event.
Following, a motion was carried to accept on offer by the Reformed Church to house the hose in the Parsonage garage. Temporary officers were relieved of their duties by an election of permanent officers. The following were elected:
President – Morris Long
Vice President – Harvey Lineaweaver
Recording Secretary – Harry R. Wolfersberger
Financial Secretary – Henry I Aulenbach
Treasurer – Charles A Lenig
Trustees – David Sholly, Clarence Wagner, Harry Gingrich
Fire Chief – Charles S. Dissinger
1st Assistant – Martin Brandt
2nd Assistant – Paul I. Moyer
3rd Assistant – James G. Witman
4th Assistant – Elvin O. Miller
A discussion thence followed regarding the purchase of fire hose for the Company. It was decided that 750 feet of Eureka Interwoven Hose would be purchased from A. M. Brandt and Sons Hardware for the sum of $1.30 per foot.
With the first carnival committee was appointed by the President to purchase the same. Booths for the event included soft drinks and ice cream, hot dogs, canes, fruits, blankets, novelties, and cakes. Harvey Lineweaver was put in charge of music. He secured the Iroquois Band of Palmyra for two nights at $45.00 per night and the Colebrook Band for the other. Another matter also was the appointment of three men to contact the Palmyra Fire Company to secure a hand chemical apparatus.
The meeting held on September 21, 2020 accepted the application for charter and was approved by those assembled.
The first year of the Fire Company’s existence was active. Soon they would become a great center for community activities and an important organization in the community. Their history is vast and in the year 2020, they celebrated 75 years of faithful and dedicated service. In the sections and paragraphs that follow, there is a sampling of the many things, which this organization has experienced. I hope it will bring back fond memories for some and new experiences for others.