Reverend Doctor Samuel Henry Stein
On March 18, 1871, Samuel Henry Stein was born in Annville, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. He was the second son of Elder George W. And Caroline Rauch Stein.
After teaching for four years in the public schools on Lebanon County, Stein enrolled in Lebanon Valley College. Stein graduated from Franklin & Marshall College in 1896, and graduated from the Reformed Theological Seminary in 1899. Stein was ordained in June of 1899.
On June 15, 1905, Stein married Marian Ellen Brenner. They had two children, Samuel B. Stein and Marian R. Stein.
After serving in the pastorates of St. Paul's church in Mechanicsburg for five years, and St. Luke's church in Lock Haven for six years, Reverend Stein became the pastor of the Trinity First Reformed church in York, Pennsylvania on January 1, 1910. Reverend Stein was also appointed chaplain of the York Fire Department in January of 1910. On October 7, 1914, Reverend Stein was elected Chaplain of the Pennsylvania State Firemen's Association at their convention in Harrisburg. Reverend Stein and his family lived in the parsonage at 119 South Duke Street.
On Friday, December 19, 1930, Reverend Stein was driving to Frederick, Maryland in his Hudson sedan to pick up his daughter at Hood College, and bring her back to York for the Christmas vacation. At about 9:15 a.m., Stein was on Emmittsburg Road in Cumberland Township, Adams County when it is believed he suffered a medical emergency. His sedan veered off of the road near the intersection of Ridge Road, about three miles south of Gettysburg. The car sheared off a utility pole, and rolled over several times, coming to rest on its roof. Other motorists rushed to his aid, pulling Reverend Stein from his vehicle. He was bleeding profusely from head wounds. A passing motorist rushed to Annie Warner Hospital in Gettysburg to summon the hospital ambulance to the scene. By the time the ambulance arrived, Reverend Stein had already succumbed to his injuries.
Reverend Stein's passing was felt throughout the Commonwealth. His years as Chaplain of the state firemen's association, as well as his involvement with the Masons and other organizations made him well known throughout Pennsylvania.
On February 26, 1933, at a meeting of a committee of the Pennsylvania State Firemen's Association held at the Yorktowne Hotel in York, a contract was awarded to erect a monument to Reverend Stein at the spot where he had died. The monument was to be constructed of Barre granite, four feet wide, two feet thick and seven feet, eight inches high. A bronze tablet was to be placed on the monument. The monument was dedicated at a ceremony at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 1, 1933. About 100 people were in attendance at the unveiling. Chief Millard M. Tawney, Harrisburg, President of the Pennsylvania State Firemen's Association, accepted the monument on behalf of the association.
Several years ago, Edwin Hamilton, an Assistant Chief with the City of York Department of Fire/Rescue Services, and a local Civil War enthusiast, decided to stop and check out a monument on Emmittsburg Road outside of Gettysburg that he was unfamiliar with. Being a volunteer at the Gettysburg National Military Park, he was familiar with the many monuments throughout the park, but was not familiar with this one.
Upon discovering the monument, he conducted some research and found that Reverend Stein was from York. He contacted the fire department's historian, who did additional research on Reverend Stein and his connection to the fire department.
Hamilton attempted numerous times to contact officials with the Pennsylvania State Firemen's Association, as the monument was in need of care. After two years of communicating and awaiting replies from officials of the state association, he was met with indifference and/or completely ignored.
After two years of no action by the association, Hamilton contacted friends at the Gettysburg National Military Park. On July 10, 2019, a member of the Monument Preservation Branch of the Maintenance Division cleaned the monument, as a public service to the fire service and the residents of Cumberland Township, possibly for the first time since it was erected in 1933.
Any additions, corrections and/or comments are welcomed.