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 6
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The first public road was laid out in 1750, from Heller's tavern, Lanark across the Lehigh Mountains. The Mennonite Meeting House near Coopersburg was built in 1738; Blue Church, ( Lutheran and Reformed) founded in 1740. The first Lutheran minister was Rev. Henry M. Mulilenberg; the first Reformed minister was Rev. Hoffmeir. Friedensvile, church founded in 1793. The first Lutheran minister was Rev. John C. Yeager, the first Reformed minister was Rev. John H. Hoffmeier. The Mennonite Brethren in Christ Meeting House was founded in 1863. The Rev. Abel Strawn; was the first minister. M. E. church Friedensville was founded in 1863 by Rev. M. B. Durrell; Free Methodist church, Centre Valley was founded in 1883 by Rev. Manshart.
Allentown and Coopersburg turnpike passes through the township. The North Pennsylvania branch of the Philadelphia and Reading R. R., also passes through it, affording an easy outlet for the products of the township.
The first school was established in 1738 near Coopersburg. The schools are in an excellent condition and keep apace with schools of the other townships of the county.
VILLIAGES-Centre Valley on the North Pennsylvania R. R., contains two stores, three hotels, two churches, a mill and a post office. Population in 1900 was 527. ' Freidensville, contains several stores, two hotels, two churches and a post office. The famous Zinc mines are located here. Population in 1900, was 363. Locust Valley, Spring Valley and Lanark, are small post villiages and contain a store and a hotel. There are also several creameries within the town- ship.
The following anecdote of the early settlers has been told the writer by one
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whose grandfather had been at the place where it happened. On a certain day an Indian came to the blacksmith at Lanark, to have some work done, when the blacksmith told him that if he would furnish the fuel be would do the work. The Indian said if that was all that was required he would get some coal. He went away and soon returned with coal enough to have his work done, where he got his coal is a mystery to this day, rumor has spread time and time again that the Lehigh Mountains contain a deposit of coal. Search for it has been made in vain thus far to discover the place where the Indian got his coal.
bounded on the north by Carbon county, northeast by North- ampton county, southeast by North Whitehall, west by Heid- Washington elberg. Population in 1900, was 3,096. It was organized as a township in 1847. The surface is generally level, the soil is very fertile and the grains raised are similar to those of the surrounding townships. Slate quarying is the principal industry, the slate is found in large quantities all over the township. The slate is used for roofing, school slates and black board surfaces, etc. The principal streams that drain the township are the Trout and Little Trout creeks. The first settlement was made in 1742, between Unionville and Slatington by Casper Peters.
The first school of which there is any record was established in 1712, and the schools at the present time are equal to the schools of the surrounding townships, and they are steadily advancing.
VILLAGES-Friedensville, founded in 1847, contains a store aud a church (Lutheran and Reformed.) Population in 1900 was 100. Slatedale, is on the Berks and Lehigh R. R., and contains two stores, two hotels, two churches and a post office. Population is 500 Williamstown, contains a store, hotel and church. Population in 1900 was 150. Franklin, contains a store, hotel and slate mantel factory. Population in 1900 was 400.
bounded on the north by North Whitehall township, east by Northampton county and Hanover, south by Allentown, west Whitehall by South Whitehall. Organized in 1767. Population in 1900, was 7,935. The soil is very fertile and of limestone formation. Iron ore and cement are found in large quantities. The prin- cipal streams that drain the township are Jordan, Coplay and Mill creeks. The Lehigh Valley, Catasauqua and Fogelsville R. R's., pass through the township and afford an easy outlet for the products of the farmers, iron ore and cement. The first settlement was made near Egypt, in 1733, by some emigrants from Ger- many.
The first school in the township was in connection with the Egypt church 1733. The schools of the township are among the best in the county, being graded and ungraded.
The people are employed in farming, dairying, mining, quarrying and manufac- turing. Cement works are found in Egypt and Cementon.
VILLAGES-Cementon, founded in 1770, by John Siegfried, aud contains stores, hotels, churches and a post office, and is on the Lehigh Valley R. R. Population in 1900, 500. West Catasauqua, a suburb of Catasauqua contains stores, hotels, foundries, factories of various kinds and graded schools. Population in 1900 was 600. Fullerton, founded in 1862, contains car shop, wheel and forge works, rolling mill, foundry, stores, hotels, churches, schools and post office. It is on the Lehigh Valley R. R. Population in 1900 was 800. Egypt, founded in 1733, contains stores, hotels, churches, schools and a post office. The first
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church in the township was built in this place in 1733. Population in 1900 was I,200. Mickley's is a growing town along the Lehigh Valley R. R., and has a post office. Catasauqua, Egypt and Fullerton are connected with Allentown by Electric roads.
is Bounded on the northwest by Lowhill township, southeast Weisenberg by Upper Macungie township, northwest by Lynn township, southwest by Berks county. Population, in 1900 was 1366. The surface hilly and broken, the soil is gravel. The following streams, drain the township ; the Jordan Spring, Shaffer's run, Hass, Lyon, Willow, Weiss, Holben, Switzer and Silver creeks. Farming manufactor- ies, is the principal pursuit, of the people. The first settlement was made in 1734, in the vicinity of the Ziegle's church, by people from Palatinate and Switzerland.
Ziegle's church, was founded in 1744 ; and Rev. Jacob Schertlein, was the first Lutheran minister and Rev. P. J. Michael, was the first Reformed min- ister ; Weisenberg church in the northwest corner of the towship, was founded in 1754; Rev. Jacob F. Schertlein, was the first Lutheran minister ; Rev. R. Kidenweiler, was the first Reformed minister.
The first schools were established as soon as the first settlements were made. The schools of the township, are making the same progress as in the surrounding townships.
VILLAGES -Seipstown, founded in 1820, contains a store, hotel, church and post office. Population, in 1900, 200. Hynemansville, founded in 1740, is in the central part and contains a store, hotel and post office. Population, in 1900, was 100. Seiberlingsville, founded in 1790 and contains a store, hotel and post office. Population, in 1900, was 120. New Smithville, founded in 1812 and contains a store, hotel and post office. Population, in 1900, was 130, Werley's Corner, founded in 1838 and contains a store, hotel and post office.
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CHAPTER X.
COUNTY SEAT AND BOROUGHS.
The only city in Lehigh county is the county seat, Allentown, Allentown the Queen city of the Valley and was founded in 1762 by James Allen, from whom it received its name. The first settlement was however made in 1751, is beautifully situated on the west banks of the Leliigh river and the mouths of Jordan and the Little Lehigh creeks. Is beautifully laid out, the streets run north and south, east and west, crossing each other at right angles, Hamilton street running east and west is the princi- pal thoroughfare and over two miles long. It has a fine public square at 7th and Hamilton streets formerly called Centre Square, now called Monument Square on account of the beautiful monument erected there to the memory of the Soldiers and Sailors of the Civil War, 1861-65, who had enlisted from the county.
The high flood of 1841, the failure of the Northampton Bank in 1843 and the great fire of 1848, known as the disastrous decade, were important events in the history of the town from 1840 to 1850, out of which the city like a magic sprung forth and was more substantially built. The building of railroads helped to advance the growth of the city. Among the public buildings are the Court house, banking buildings, business houses, market house, fine hotels, Opera houses, Hospital, fine large public school buildings, the Fair Grounds and Build- ings of the Lehigh county Agricultural Society and Cemeteries.
Manufactories. The city has many and various kinds of industries, among which are the following : furnaces, founderies, wire mills, boiler works, silk mills, breweries thread mills, cigar factories, carriage factories, shoe factories, fire brick and building bricks, flour mills, machine shops, planing mills, oil re- fineries, blank book manufactory, furniture factories, etc., which give employ- mient to many people.
Newspapers. The first English Newspaper, was the " Lehigh Central, " established in 1817 by C. L. Hutter. "Der Friedensbote and Lecha County Anzeiger " was established in 1812 by Joseph Ehrenfried. "Lehigh Bul- letin, " was established in 1837. changed to the "Democrat" by John Royer. The " Lehigh Register, " was established in 1846 by Augustus L. Ruhe. The "' Daily News, " was established in 1866 by Peter Correll. The Chronicle was established in 1870 by Robert Irdell. The "Evening Dispatch, " was established in 1866. " Daily Herald, " was established in 1873, by T. F. Emmons. "The Bugle, " was established in 1876 by William P. Snyder and A. S. Orr. The " Evening Telegram, " was established in 1882, by Eugene Lochman. The " Critic, " was established in 1883, by Samuel S. Wolever. The " Allentonian "
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was established in 1850, by William J. Grim. Der "Jugend Freund " and Die "Lutherische Zetschrifft, " were established by the Rev. S. K. Brobst, in 1847. "Our National Hope, " was established by H. S. Rice. "Zion's Watch Tower, " was established by Rev. Gernert. The " Morning Call " was established in 1896 by David Miller, Charles Weiser and others. The "Daily City Item " was established in 1873, by Cyrus Kuutz and others. The " Muhlenberg, " published monthly, in the interest of Muhlenberg College ; Jugend Freund, published monthly. American Phonographic and Literary Jourual, published quarterly. The " Lehigh Patriot " published monthly in the interest of the P. O. S. of A. Founded in 1901, by David H. Jacks and W. P. Steinhaeuser. The Allentown Star, founded in 1901, a weekly.
The National Bank, was opened for business in 1855 aud the Second National Bank, in 1863. The Lehigh Valley Trust and Safe Deposit Company was opened for business in 1886.
Education. Schools were early established and instruction was given in both the English and German languages. The English teachers came from the Irish settlements, Allen township, Northampton county. Mr. Brown was the name of the first teacher known, taken as a whole the teachers were able in- structors. The schools were kept in private houses until 1773, when the first schoolhouse was erected in the rear of what is now Zion's Reformed Church, and was in the shape of an Octagon. The schools of that time were all subscription schools. A school for girls was opened in 1813, night schools were in operation from 1813 to 1845. Alleutown Academy was opened in 1831, a Ladies Seminary in 1848. By Act of Assembly, the borough of Allentown, Salisbury and North- ampton townships paid $421.71 in 1824, for the instruction of their poor children. In 1833, Alleutown alone paid for the same purpose $434.77.
The free school system was adopted in 1834, and since then the schools have made rapid progress and are at present in the front rank of the schools of the state. The schools are under the supervision of the city superintendent of .schools. The high school was established in 1858. The first principal of the high school was Prof. R. W. Alpme, the first city superintendent of schools, Prof. R. K. Buehrle, the first graduating class of the high school iu 1869. Muhlenberg College, belonging to the Lutheran church, and Allentown Female College, be- longing to the Reformed church, are two well and widely known institutions of higher learning, aud afford all the requirements necessary for a complete colleg- iate education, and the Allentown and the American Business Colleges are locat- ed in the city and are well patronized by the community.
Churches. The following religious denominations have a strong foot- hold in the city, the Lutheran, Reformed, Presbyterians, Baptist, United Breth- ern, Free Methodist, Evangelical Association, United Evangelical, Methodist Episcopal and Catholics, all of which have fine church edifices. The Jews, Mennonite, Brethern in Christ, Moravians and others are represented but have no churches of their own and worship in halls and other places.
Societies. There are many secret and beneficial societies which have a large membership. And the city has several of the finest bands that can be found in any city, and other fine musical organizations.
Transportion Facilities. The following railroads terminate or pass through the city, giving it great facilities for traveling and for transportation,
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east, west, north and south, to New York, Philadelphia, Buffalo, Chicago, the coal regions and other points : the Lehigh Valley R. R. and Lehigh and Susque- hanna R. R. give it communication with the east and west, the Philadelphia and Reading R. R. with its branches connects it north and south, and the Perkio- men R. R. to Philadelphia. And Electric roads connects it with Bethlehem, Ban- gor, Catasauqua, Coplay, Easton, Egypt, Emaus, Hellertown, Macungie, Nazareth, Siegfried, Slatington and intermediate points.
History. When the Revolutionary was began in 1775, Allentown, had a population of 350 souls. But it was a place of some importance already. After the battle of Trenton, ( December 26, 1776. ) the Hessian prisoners which Wash- ington, had captured there were taken to Allentown, and confined in rude pris- ons located near where Gordon street, crosses the Jordan creck. Other prisoners, followed and were confined here. It was a safe place to keep the prisoners.
It is not generally known, that General George Washington, with his staff, not long after the battle of Trenton, passed through Allentown, up Water street (now Lehigh street). They stopped, at the foot of the street, at a large spring on what is now the property occupied, by the Wire Mill. There are several springs in the vicinity on both sides of the street, and near Wire street. They rested and watered their horses, then went their way to their post of duty.
In the Spring of 1777, the only Church in Allentown, was turned into a hospital for the sick and wounded American soldiers. The citizens of the town, not only cared for the sick and wounded American soldiers, but also kept a watchful eye on the Hessian prisoners, and were also menaced by hostile Indians.
The Whitehall massacres, were still fresh in the minds of our fore- fathers, and that on one Sunday morning, the Minister in Allentown, in 1763 had to cut his sermon short, to organize his congregation into a military com- pany, to repel the threatened attack of the Indians, now that the war had broken out, their old enemy was more active than ever, and the citizens of the county, were constantly menaced. The price of liberty and of their lives, was eternal vigilance on their part.
Provision was getting scarce, meat in most families was a luxury, the most common articles of food necessary to sustain life, were often not obtainable. Salt was twenty dollars a bushel, the grease obtained by boiling the stems of the "candelbeny " bush, was the only material for making candles.
In 1777 Torgism, was in the Ascendency at Bethlehem. The govern- ment found it necessary to remove their cartridge manufactory, to a safer place, and the town of Northampton, ( Allentown, ) was selected. In July 1778, the government had 12,000 stands of arms, here for the army. Arms, saddlers &c., were manufactured and repaired.
In 1778 when the rations ran short in the army, the farmers in the county brought their grain and cattle and sold them to the commissaries of the Ameri- can army, taking payment for the same, "Continental money," instead of British gold.
The two principal roads that passed through the town, were the Old New York and Pittsburg road, from Easton to Reading, through what is now the Union and Jackson streets. The other from Bake Oven Knob, by the way of Helfrich's Spring, through what is now Seventh street.
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Incorporated as a borough in 1811, called Northampton, the name changed to Allentown in 1838, hecame the county seat in 1812, made a city in 1867 ; its limits include the township of Northampton and adjacent parts of Sal- isbury and Whitehall township, containing 3.14 square miles or 2011.27 acres. The first Homeopathic School in the United States, was established in the city in 1835, by Dr. Constantine Hering, several years later removed to Philadelphia. The first officers of the new College were ; President Dr. Constantine Hering, Vice President, Dr. John Romig, Jr., Secretary, Solomon L. Keck, Directors, Dr. William Wesselheft, Dr. Henry Detweiler, Rev. C. Becker, John Rice, Joseph Saeger, Christian Pretz, George Keck Sr., Trustees, William Eckert, Rev. P. H. Gopp, Henry Ehner, J. B. R. Hunter, John J. Krause. The school opened in a building on Penn street, hetween Hamilton and Walnut streets, now used as a public school huilding.
A fire on the first day of June 1848, destroyed the husiness portion of the town, loss $200,000, known as the great fire. Captain Trexler's company of 48 men marched to defend the frontier settlements, during the Indian war of 1755.
The names of the streets of Allentown, were at first as follows : Tilghman now Fourth, Penn now Lehigh, Margaret now Fifth, William now Sixth, Allen now Seventh, James now Eighth, Union now Union, John now Walnut, Hamilton now Hamilton, Andrew now Linden. The part of Allentown, lying between the Jordan Creek and the Lehigh river, was formerly called Lehigh Port, hy the people, "St Domingo" Mingo. Judge Allen, of Philadelphia, owned five thousand acres of land on both sides of the Lehigh River, in what is now Salis- hurg, Whitehall and Hanover township. The whole region was known as Macungie; where Muhlenberg College is situated, Judge Allen, erected a resi- dence which he called " Trout Hall, " on account the trouts that ahounded in the streams.
Lynford Lardner, of Philadelphia, owned a tract of land between the Jordan and Cedar Creek, and erected thereon a building which he called " Grouse Hall " on account of the many Quails found in the vicinity. The huilding heing painted white went by the name of " White Hall" which gave the name later to the township. The above region, was a regular Paradise for the hunters and fisherman and many of the high officials came to this famous resort for hunting and fishing. The Governor, once came too for hunting and fishing and stayed over Sunday with a certain farmer, whom he asked for an interesting book for reading wherewith he could hetter spend the time. The farmer replied that he had such a one, and hrought in a well worn bihle, and handed it to him. The governer took it and read it that day without any murmur.
Among the early settlers of Allentown, were the following : (1764) Leonard Ahle, laborer ; Simon Brenner, carpenter ; David Deschler, shop keeper; Martin Derr, wheelwright ; Martin Frelich, George Leyendecker, locksmith ; George Lauer, Daniel Nunnermaker, Ahraham Rinker, Peter Schwab, Peter Miller, tailor ; George Wolf, tavern keeper. In 1766 thirty-three families resided in Allentown, and in 1774 forty-nine families, in 1776 the town had fifty-four houses and seven taverns. The rents for houses per year were from four to eight dollars, and the population of the town, was in 1776 three hundred and thirty. In 1792, the town had fifty-nine dwellings. The valuation of the property from 1762 to 1776, were twelve shillings, ($1.60) for each house, the taxes were from ten to twenty cents for each house. Taverns were taxed, from six to ten dollars each, In 1763, Jacob Roth, a minister petitioned the Lieutenant Governor,
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James Hambleton, Commander in Chief, to form a company to repell, the in- cursions of the Indians, and that he should send them one hundred pounds of . powder, four hundred pounds of lead, one hundred and fifty stands of guns. The petition was granted. In ISoo, the town had ninety families. In 1843, the failure of the Northampton Bank, caused a financial crises from which the town soon recovered. In 1846, the first furnace, was built. Benjamin Perry, was the first superintendent, he was succeeded by the late Samuel Lewis. In `1848, a great fire broke out incurring a loss of $200,000, which was covered only by $40,000 insurance. The people did not get discouraged, and went to work and soon there arose out of the ashes a new town, more substantially built.
The first borough election held in Allentown, was held in a suiall stone hostelry, where the Hotel Allen now stands. The first market house in the city, was at the corner of Seventh and Hamilton Streets. It was opened in 1817. The first water company, was formed in 1816. The first Fire company was formed in ISII. The name of the town, changed from Northampton to Allentown, in 1838. On April 23, 1853, the borough was divided into three wards. Allentown, was incorporated as a city, March 12, 1867. The first Fire engine was bought in 1820. The oldest church in the city, Zion's Reformned church, corner Church aud Ham- ilton Streets. Mr. Brown, opened a school in 1795. Among the other early teachers were Messrs, Thatcher, Eberhard and John Ryan. The first teachers meeting was hield in 1827. The Allentown Academy; was founded in 1814, at the Northwest coruer of Eighth and Walnut streets. Young Ladies' Academy, was founded in 1831. Allentown Semiuary was opened in 1848. Allentown High School, was opened in 1858. Muhlenberg College, was founded in 1867. Allen- town Female College,' was founded in 1867.
"The first store was opened by Peter Snyder in 1794, the second store, by George Graff, near the Monumeut Square in 1795, in a red building, which was taken possession of in 1800 by James Wilson and continued by the same until IS15 when he took into partnership Mr. Selfridge, trading as Wilson & Selfridge till I845. The first hotel was opened in 1764 by George Wolf, the first post office established in 1812, before that time the people received their mail at Bethlehem, George Savitz, the first postmaster. First Burgess, Peter Rhoads, 1811, the first Mayor, Samuel McHose, 1867. Population, 1900, 35,416.
This thriving borough is situated on the left bank of the Catasauqua Lehigh river, three miles uorth of Allentown with which it is connected by an Electric road, the Lehigh Valley and Lehigh and Susquehanna R. R., and the eastern terminus of the Catasauqua and Fogelsville R. R. It was founded in 1839. Population, 1900, was 3,963. It derived its name from the creek of the same name which empties into the Lehigh river below the town, it is an Indian name. Incorporat- ed as a borough in 1853. -
It is a busy manufacturing town, the following are the principal works : the Crane Iron works founded by David Thomas, Catasauqua Manufacturing Company, Founderies, Rolling Mill, Horseshoe Works, Brick Works, Planing Mills, Grist Mills, Gas Works, Water Works, Silk Mills and several Newspapers.
The Religious Denominations of the town are the Lutheran, Reformed, Congregational, Presbyterians, Baptist, Evangelical Association, United Evangel- ical and Catholic.
Before it was incorporated as a borough, the schools and borough were embraced in the Hanover School district, the first school within the borough was
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located on Race street. All the school buildings are of brick structure and of modern architecture. The High school was established in 1863; R. C. Ham- miersly, was the first principal.
Coplay
Founded in 1853. Population, 1900, was 1581. Is situated on the same side of the Lehigh river as Hokendauqua, and was the seat of the Coplay Iron Works and has Cement Works, a number of stores, hotels, churches, graded schools and the Lehigh Valley R. R., passes through it, and is connected with Allentown, by an Electric road.
Founded in 1818. Population, 1900 was 556. On the North Coopersburg Pennsylvania R. R., contains stores, hotels, factories, churches, graded schools and Cooper's Stock farm, the Philadelphia and Lehigh Electric road connects it with Allentown. Incorporated as a borough in 1879.
Emaus
Founded in 1747 by the Moravians. Population, 1900, was I468. Is on the East Pennsylvania Branch of the P. and R. Railroad and the Perkiomen Railroad, contains stores, hotels, silk mill, cigar factories, furnace, foundry, graded schools and churches. Incorporated as a borough in 1859, and connected with Allentown, by the Allentown and Emaus Electric road.
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