USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > A history of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania; from the earliest settlements to the present time, including much valuable information for the use of schools, families, libraries > Part 5
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VILLAGES-Centreville is a suburb of Macungie, contains a hotel, store, schoolhouse and number of dwelling houses, post office Macungie, electric rail- way passes through the town. Population 360. Alburtis on the East Pennsyl- vania Branch of the P. & R. railroad and the terminus of the Catasauqua & Fog- elsville branch of the same railroad, is a thriving town and lias several stores, hotels, silk mill, shirt factory, post office, school house containing four schools ; was founded in 1857 and its population in 1900 was 780. East Texas is a small village, seven miles from Allentown on the line of the Allentown & Kutztown Traction Co., it contains a store, hotels, school house and post office. The popu- ation in 1900 was 240. Wescoesville, a small village, five miles from Allentown, has a store, hotel, church and school house, the Allentown & Kutztown Traction Co.'s electric railway passes through. Population in 1900 was 200.
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Lower Milford
This township lies in the southern part of the county, and is bounded on the northeast by Upper Saucon township, south- west by Bucks county, northwest by Upper Milford township, and southwest by Montgomery county. Population according to the census of 1900 was 1233. It was organized a separate
township in 1847. The soil is very fertile, being shale and gravel and very pro- ductive, the surface is very irregular. Farming is the principal pursuit of the people. The following hills are within the townsbip, Hosensack Hill (Muehl- berg) in the southern part, Chestnut Hill in the northeastern part, Mosser's Ridge ( Dillingers) in the northwestern part, Mill Ridge in the central part. Hosensack creek rises on the west side of Chestnut Hill, flows southwest into the Perkiomen creek, Dubbs, Eberhard, Dickenshied, Schantz, Walter, Indian, Trump, Swamp, Hickens, Saucon, Krauss and Ortt's creeks are the other streams which drain the township The first settlement was undoubtedly made in 1715, about one-fourth mile west of the Swamp Church, the building was still standing a few years ago and the date 1715 could still be seen on the mantel piece. The early settlers came principally from Germany as can be seen by the names of Schuler, Eberhard, Ortt, Yeakel, etc.
OLD LAND MARKS. The Old King's High Road and the Great Phila- delphia Road were the first roads in the township. Walbert's tavern near Krauss- dale which was founded in 1735 is now abandoned ; Larosch's tavern, between Hosensack and Zionsville on the property of the late Dr. John Ziegler, was open- ed in 1786, and is now abandoned ; the Swamp church was built in 1730 near tbe county line of Lehigh and Bucks counties, on the road leading from Dillingers- ville to Spinnersville, it belongs to the Reformed denomination. Chestnut Hill Union church (Lutheran and Reformed) was founded in 1740; Schwenkfelder's church was founded in 1755. Schools were early establisbed and among the first schools were those at Swamp Church, 1725-30, Hosensack, 1734, Chestnut Hill is not known, Kraussdale, 1742. The schools at the present time compare favorably with the schools of the other townships, there are eleven schools and term is seven months. John and Andrew Krauss, sons of Baltzer Krauss, Jr., built their first organ in 1790, and continued the business in the vicinity of Kraussdale until 1840 when they moved their factory to Palm, Montgomery county, and it was there, for a long time, continued by George S. and Edwin B. Krauss.
The first grist mill was built in 1745 near Hosensack on the Hosensack creek, and was known as Kriebel's mill ; Schantz's mill, 1800 ; Gehrhard's mill, 1785 ; Stauffer's mill, 1786 ; Heiler's mill, 1780; Heist's (Walter's) mill, 1790, and Dubbs' mill, 1800. Among the other industries were Antrim's Casement mill, Dubbs' pottery, Dillinger's oil mill, Burkhalter's and Dubbs' tanneries and Dubbs' forge. Limestones are found in large quantities and limekilns for burn- ing lime found everywhere. There are four creameries in the township at Hosen- sack, Kraussdale, Limeport and Plover, all of which are doing an excellent business.
VILLAGES-Dillingersville, is situated on the road leading from Zions- ville to Spinnersville. It was founded in 1735, contains a store, hotel, post office and is the election place of the township. Population in 1900 was 150. Hosen- sack is situated on the old King's High road, twelve miles southwest of Allen- town, it was founded in 1759 and contains a store, hotel, creamery and post office. The Farmer's Alliance of the lower end of the County has its beadquar- ters there and are in good condition. Population 100. Limeport is on the road leading from Allentown to Steinsburg, it was founded in 1825, and contains two
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stores, two hotels, post office, creamery, limestone quarries and linie kilns. Pop- ulation in 1900 was 200. Kraussdale, on the old King's High road, founded in 1735, contains a creamery, grist mill and the machine shops of Krauss Bros. were until lately located here. Population in 1900 was 30. Corning, on the Perkiomen R.R. contains a store, post office and coal yard. Population in 1900 was 130. Plover, on the road leading from Dillingersville to the Swamp church, contains a store, creamery and post office, founded in 1881 by W. R. Schuler. Population in 1900 was 70.
is bounded on the north by Heidelberg and Lynn townships, Lowhill on the east by North Whitehall, on the south by Upper Ma- cungie and South Whitehall townships, and on the west by Weisenberg. Population in 1900 was 715. It was organized in 1753. The principal streams flowing through the township are Jordan and Lyon creeks, they furnish water power for a number of mills. The soil is fertile, the principal grains are raised, and potatoes extensively cultivated. The surface is hilly and abounds in springs. The principal occupation of the people is farming. The first laud warrant was made in 1743 to John Conrad Redd. The other settlers were Henry Hauser, Michael Kimbald, Richard Vodgas, John Rifle and others. Some of the old land marks were Mosser's mill ( Hollenbach's) built in 1700. Balzer Fritz kept the first store in the township on the road leading from Fogels- ville to Claussville. Lowhill church was built in 1769, in the northwestern part of the township. The third building was erected in 1858. Morganland church in the southeastern part, was built in 1858. One of the first public roads was laid out in 1813, from Cliristian Hartman's house to the Great Philadelphia road. The schools are comparing well with the schools of the surrounding townships, the first schools were established in connection with the church. Among the earlier teachers were John David, Jr., Jacob Hart, John Benner and Israel Benner.
The first public house was opened before the Revolutionary war at Leather Corner Post.
VILLAGES-Weldasville was founded in 1765. Population in 1900 was 100. It contains a store and post office. Lyon Valley, founded in 1845. Population in 1900 was 200. It contains a store, hotel aud post office. Clauss- ville, founded in 1801, contains a store, hotel and post office. Population in 1900 was 132. Leather Corner Post, the oldest village in the township, and con- tains a store and hotel.
Bounded on the north by Schuylkill county, east by Heidel- Lynn berg township, south by Weisenberg township and West by Berks county. The population in 1900 was 2,366, and was or- ganized in 1752. Tlie soil is productive. Grain and other cereals are raised. The principal occupation of the people is farming. The first mill in the township and probably the first in the county, was erected on Sweit- zer's creek in 1740, one fourth mile below where Greenwald's mill now stands. The first English school was established in 1812, other schools connected with the congregations existed earlier. The free school system was adopted in 1838. Ebenezer church, at New Tripoli, was erected in 1761 ; Jacob's church, at Jack- sonville, was built in 1750 ; St. Peter's church, south of Lynnville, was built in 1857.
VILLAGES-New Tripoli was founded in 1812, was at first called Saegersville, and was changed in 1816to New Tripoli in honor of the success of the American navy at Tripoli, in 1815. The town is regularly laid out, the streets
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running north, south, east and west at right angles and mostly named after prominent men of the United States, it has two stores, two hotels, mills and post office. Population in 1900 was 400. Jacksonville was founded in 1820, it contains stores, church, hotel and post office. Population in 1900 was 329. Steinsville, founded in 1756, and contains a store, hotel, post office, marble yard, mill and foundry. Population in 1900 was 596. Lynnville, founded in 1806, contains a store, hotel, post office and school house. Population in 1900 was 168. Rabert's Corner, formally Oswaldsville, was founded in 1860. The population in 1900 was 126. Lynnport, founded in 1814, contains a store, hotel, post office, mantel factory and school house. The population in 1900 was 436. New Slatedale was founded in 1854, Population in 1900 was 100.
is bounded on the northeast by Northampton county and North Whitehall Whitehall township, southeast by South Whitehall township, northwest by Washington township and southwest by Lowhill township. Population in 1900 was 3,280. It was organized in 1753. The surface is undulating and the soil is very fertile and all the principal grains are raised. Iron ore, limestone and cement are found in large quantities. The principal streams that drain the township are the Jordan, Rock, Fell's, Mill and Coplay creeks, on the banks of Mill creek were committed the Indian massacres of 1763. The people are engaged in farming, mining and manufacturing.
The schools are among the best in the county, the first school was estab- lished in 1755, at what is now Unionville. The first English school was establish- ed at Balliettsville in 1816. Union church is the oldest church and was built in 1750 ; the first Reformed minister was Rev. John D. Gross, and the first Lutheran minister was Rev. John H. Schaum.
VILLAGES-Balliettsville, founded in 1749 by Paul Balliett, contains a store, liotel and post office. Population in 1900 was 120. Unionville, founded in 1815, contains a store, hotel and post office. Population in 1900 was 200. Iron- ton, founded in 1860, is situated in a rich mining district and is connected with Coplay by the Ironton R. R. and contains a store, hotel and post office, Popula- tion in 1900 was 300. Ruchsville, founded in 1800, contains a store, hotel and post office. Population in 1900 was 112. Siegersville, founded in 1750 contains a store, hotel and post office, is situated in a rich mining district. Population in 1900 was 125. Schnecksville, founded in 1845, contains a store, two hotels and post office. Population in 1900 was 200. Laury, founded in 1832, contains a store, hotel, flour mill and pust office. Laury's Island in the Lehigh River is a well know summer resort. Population in 1900 was 250. Rockdale, founded in 1856, contains a store, hotel and post office Population in 1900 was 150. Kernsville, founded in 1806, contains a store. Population in 1900 was 60.
is bounded on the northeast by the Lehigh River, northwest Salisbury by South Whitehall township, southeast by Upper Saucon township, southwest by Upper Milford and Lower Macungie townships. Population in 1900 was 4,583. It was organized in 1753 as a township. The surface is rolling and the soil very fertile, The Lehigh Mountains form the southern boundary, between Salisbury and Upper Saucon town- ships. The most important streams that drain the township are the Little Lehigh, Trout and Little Trout creeks. The principal occupations of the people are farm- ing, manufacturing and mining. Iron ore is found along the Lehigh Mountains. The first settlement was made in 1736, on what is now the Geissinger farm on the Lehigh River, by Solomon Jennings.
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The oldest homesteads are Lorentz Klein a few miles west of Allentown on the Little Lehigh settled by Christian Kassel in 1730 and Jacob Bogert's place on the same creek a few miles from Klein's farm, settled by Peter Bogert in 1738, both of the farms are still in the possession of the Klein and Bogert families. The first public house was licensed in 1786, and was kept by Martin Ritter. Salisbury church was built in [741 is situated on a hill, overlooking the Little Lehigh creek, one and one-half miles north of Emaus. The first Lutheran minister was the Rev. J. W. Straub; the first Reformed minister known was the Rev. J. P. Leydich. Tradition says that over a hundred years ago a church stood on the site of what is now Jerusalem Church, the graveyard belonging to it is still in use ; the present church was erected in 1843. The first Lutheran minister of the present church was the late venerable Rev. Joshua Yeager ; the first Reformed minister was the Rev. Max Stem. The Mountainville Evangelical church was built in 1863.
Salisbury had few schools originally; those living near Bethlehem sent their children to that place ; those living near Emaus to that place ; and those liv- ing in the vicinity of the Salisbury church to that place. One of the oldest school- houses was Markle's, built in 1820. The schools are in fine condition and com- pare well with the other schools of the county.
VILLAGES-Mountainville, was founded in 1856, contains three stores, two hotels, church, carriage factory and is on the Allentown and Coopersburg turnpike and Allentown and Emaus electric road. Population in I9co was 250. South Allentown, a suburb of Allentown, contains a number of stores, hotels, churches, flour mill, furnace. The Allentown and Bethlehem Electric railroad passes through it. The population in 1900 was 2,000. The State Fishery in the western part of Salisbury, is a fine place for pleasure parties and the fish hatchery is well worth visiting.
is bounded on the northwest by North Whitehall township, South Whitehall southeast by Salisbury township, and southwest by Upper and Lower Macungie townships. The population in 1900 was 2,472. The surface is generally level with the exception of Huckle- berry ridge, which runs west for about two miles, the soil is very fertile. It was organized as a separate township in 1810, and was formally included in Whitehall township, (which included the three Whitehalls.) The two principal streams are the Jordan creek which flows through the northern part and Cedar creek which flows through the southern part. The first settle- ment was made in 1735, by Nicholas Kern. The Catasauqua & Fogelsville R.R. passes through the township and is an outlet for the numerous ore mines along its route, it crosses Jordan creek by the famous Iron Bridge which spans it, the length of which is 1165 feet, consisting of II spans of 100 feet each, supported by a series of suspension trusses.
The old roads are the Allentown and Easton and the Mauch Chunk roads. The Jordan Lutheran church is the oldest in the township, it was founded in 1744, the first minister was Rev. Berkenstock ; Jordan Reformed church was founded in 1752, the first minister was the Rev. J. H. Goetchius. Cedarville Union church was founded in 1855, the first Lutheran minister was Rev. Jeremiah Schindel and the first Reformed minister was Rev. Joseph Dubbs. The same year the Evangelical church was built.
The earliest schools in the township were those that were connected with the Jordan Lutheran and Reformed churches and were opened the same time the churches were founded. The schools of the township compare with the other schools of the County.
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VILLAGES-Cetronia, formerly Cedarville, was founded in 1850 by Charles Mertz and contains a store, hotel, three churches, flour mills and post office. Dorney Fish Wier and Park, a quarter of a mile west, is a fine summer resort. The Allentown & Kutztown electric road passes the village and Dorney Park. Population in 1900 was 150. Crackersport, a small village, contains a store, hotel and carriage factory. Populatiou in 1900 was 90. Griesmersville, founded in 1806 by Abraham Griesemer, it contains a hotel, limekilns, and the famous Duck Farm is located here. The Allentown & Kutztown electric railroad passes through it. Population in 1900 was 150. Guthsville, founded in 1780, and contains a store, hotel and post office. Population in 1900 was 50. Mechanics- ville was founded in 1823 by John Scheirer, contains a store and hotel. Popula- tion in 1900 was 125. Orefield was founded in 1813 by Joseph Kern, store, hotel, post office, etc. Population in 1900 was 164. Wennersville, founded in 1837 by William Wenner, contains a store, hotel, school house, post office and church. Population in 1900 was 140. Snydersville was founded in 1835 by George Snyder. Population in 1900 was 25. Guth's Station, on the Catasauqua & Fogelsville R.R. and contains a store, hotel, vitrified brick works and post office. Population in 1900 was 140.
is bounded on the east by South Whitehall township, south by Upper Macungie Lower Macungie township, north by Lowhill and Weisenberg townships and on the west by Berks county. The meaning of the word Macunge is of Indian origin and means the "eating place of bears." When food became scarce on the mountains the bears came to the valleys. Population in 1900 was 2,084. It was organized as a township in 1742. The first settlement was made in 1729, at Spring creek near Trexlertown, on what was later known as the Schwartz's farm, by Jeremiah Trexler and children. The first public road through the township was made in 1732 from Trexlertown to Goshenhoppen. The surface is level, the soil is fertile and is of limestone formation. Iron ore and limestone are found in large quan- tities in the vicinities of Foglesville, Breinigsville and Trexlertown. The Cata- uaqua and Foglesville R. R. passes through the township and is an outlet for the same. The principal streams that drain the township are the Macungie creek, Spring creek, Little Lehigh creek and Haas creek flows in the northern part and empties into the Jordan creek. Cedar creek, in the southeastern part rises in the Schantz spring, and empties into the Little Lehigh creek at Schreiber's Mill, turn- ing many mills in its course. Schantz Spring which is situated in this township about five miles west of Allentown, is a very large spring of pure water, being nearly free from mineral substance. The power and force of the water of the spring is very remarkable, it propels a saw mill at its very beginning. A 36x12 inch stream of water pours forth at one place. Cedar Creek propels four flour mills along its course. It was a pleasant meeting place where the red men used to assemble in days gone by. The first settler at the spring was John George Guth in 1744, though settling about a mile from the spring and erected a grist- mill there which he sold to his son George, together with sixty acres of land in 1766. In 1774 Adam Eppler became the owner ; in 1788 Henry Bortz, and Jacob Schantz in 1792. In 1818 Jacob Schantz, Jr. became the owner and in 1844 his son Hiram J. Schantz came into possession of it and lately disposed of it to David Koch who afterwards sold it to the City of Allentown (in 1900) who intend laying pipes and bring the water of the spring to the city. The people came from far and near to have their grain ground at the mill in the early times.
Lehigh County Poor House was founded in 1844, upon the farm bought
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from C. and S. Mertz in South Whitehall township, containing two hundred and sixty acres for $27,742.
The first constable of Macungie was John Brandberg, appointed in 1737. VILLAGES-Breinigsville, contains a store, hotel, schools, church and a post office. The Allentown and Kutztown trolley line passes through the village. Population in 1900 was 213. Chapman's ou the Catasauqua and Foglesville R. R., contains a store, hotel, post office, a coal aud lumber yard. Population 1900 was 60. Trexlertown, the oldest town in the township. is on the Catasauqua and Fogelsville R. R. and on the Allentown & Kutztown trolley line, 8 miles from Allentown, and contains a store, three hotels, a Lutheran and Reformed church, post office, coal and lumber yard, machine shop, graded school and Masonic Hall. Population 1900, 345. Fogelsville was founded in 1798 by Judge John Fogel, and contains three stores, two hotels, two schools, three churches and a post office. Population 1900, was 638.
bounded on the northeast by Salisbury and Upper Saucon, Upper Milford southeast by Lower Milford, northwest by Lower Macungie, southwest by Berks county. The form is rectangular and was formed into a separate township in 1852. Population in 1900 was 2,712. The surface is hilly and the soil is fertile being principally gravel and red shale. Iron Ore of different kinds are found. Perkio- men creek flows through the western part in the form of a horse shoe; Leibeit's creek is in the northeastern part and flows through Leibert's Gap and empties in- to the Little Lehigh creek; Fetterman's creek is in the northern part empties into Leibert's creek at Vera Cruz; Miller's creek is in the northern part empties into the Little Lehigh creek. The first settlement was made at or near Old Zionsville in 1733, by the Mennonites. The township was organized in 1734.
The first road was the King's High road leading through Shimerville and Zions- ville from Trexlertown to Goshenhoppen, 1736, the second road was the Great Philadelphia road laid out in 1740, the third road was laid out at the same time from Emaus to Chestnut Hill Among the old sites are Fisher's tavern between Shimerville and Macungie, on the King's High road, opened prior to 1795, by Jacob Fisher, the property being now owned by Ambrose Schantz; Seider's tavern opened in 1785 by George Seiders, on the Great Philadelphia road upon the prop- erty now owned by U. H. Wieand. The early churches were Zionsville Reformed church, founded in 1750, Rev. John E. Hecker was the first pastor. Zionsville Lutheran church was founded in 1735, Rev. L. H. Schrecke, was the first pastor. The Mennonite church, was founded in 1735; St. Peters church was founded in 1843, Revs. D. Kohler and H. Bassler were the first Lutheran and Reformed min- isters. The Evangelical church was founded in 1830 by Bishop John Seybert; the Mennonite Brethren church was founded in 1857 by the Rev. William Gehman, who had withdrawn from the Mennonite church on account of differences of re- ligious doctrine. Peter Walbert was appointed the first constable of Upper Mil- ford township, in 1739.
The first schools were established in connection with the founding of the first settlements in 1735 by the Mennonites at Zionsville, the schools of the township compare well with the schools of the rest of the county. There are at present fif- teen schools, both graded and ungraded.
VILLAGES-Old Zionsville, founded in 1734, on the old Kings High road, Hereford & Shimerville turnpike, cont tins four stores, hotel two, churches and post office. Population 1900 was 160. Zionsville, founded in 1876, on the Perkionien
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R. R., and contains a store, hotel, coal yard, flour and feed store and post office. Population in 1900 was 100. Shimerville on the old King's High road and Here- ford and Shimersville turnpike, founded in1 1734 by Durk Jasen, contains a store, hotel and post office. Population in 1900 was 140. Powder Valley, on the Indian creek, contains a store, pottery and post office. Population in 1900 was 125. Sigmund, situated in the Perkiomen valley and on the site where Hampton Fur- nace stood and whose ruins can still be seen contains a store, creamery and post office. Population in 1900 was 120. Vera Cruz on the Great Philadelphia road, founded in 1763, contains a store, hotel, creamery and post office. Population in 1900 was 200. Vera Cruz Station, on the Perkiomen R. R., contains a flour and feed store, coal yard and depot. Population in 1900 was 130. Dillinger's on the Perkiomen R. R., contains a store, flour and feed store, coal yard and post office. Population in 1900 was 120. West Emaus, a suburb of Emaus, contains several hotels, printing office, pipe works, furnace, meat market, 2 coal and lumber yards and Miller's Park. Population in 1900 was 500.
is bounded on the northeast by Lower Saucon township, North- Upper Saucon hampton county, southeast by Sprinfield township, Bucks county, northwest by Salisbury, southwest by Upper Milford. Population in 1900 was 2,721. The surface is diversified, the Lehigh or South Mountains are in the northern part. The val- leys are of limestone formation, the soil is very fertile and highly cultivated and large crops are raised. Iron ore, limestones are found in quantities, and the fam- ous zinc mines of Friedensville are in this township. The township is well drain- ed by the numerous small streams that flow through it, Saucon creek is the prin- cipal one and a number of mills are turned by it. The first settlement was made near Coopersburg in 1730, by English, German and Welsh settlers. It was organ- ized as a township in 1743.
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