USA > Pennsylvania > Ancient and historic landmarks in the Lebanon Valley > Part 16
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The following Lutheran pastors have served this church :
Rev. John Casper Stoever, 1733-1779.
Rev. Frederick Theodore Melsheimer, 1779-1794.
Rev. George Lochman, D. D., 1794-1815. Rev. William G. Ernst, D. D., 1815-1836. Rev. Jonathan Ruthrauff, 1836-1849.
Rev. A. C. Wedekind, D. D., 1850-1853. Rev. J. M. Deitzler, 1856-1860. Rev. Christian A. Fetzer, 1860-1863. Rev. George P. Weaver, 1863-1864. Rev. J. M. Dietzler, 1865-1890. Rev. W. H. Lewars, 1890-date.
The Reformed pastors have been the same as those who served the First Reformed Church of Lebanon (see record), beginning with Rev. Conrad Templeman as early at least as 1744, if not 1733 ; and after the church of Lebanon became an independent pastorate, in 1864, the Hill church was connected with the Annville pas- torate, and has since been served by Dr. Jonathan E. Hiester.
3II
A VISIT TO HILL CHURCH.
The early Lutheran record, kept by the first pastor, is quite complete. The book in itself is a curiosity, being bound in raw-hide and its leaves worm-eaten and greatly discolored by age. Still the entries are quite legible and should be published in some form to be preserved. We give this gentle hint to the present pastor, in whose hands it is found. There is here also quite an old Bible, printed in Halle more than a century ago, and bought by the congregation for the altar service (in which use it is still found), for 16 shillings and 6 pence. So there is likewise in possession of the church a very old Com- inunion cup, bearing date 1745.
Being located on high ground there is here afforded a magnificent view of the rich valley that stretches out before the visitor, while just beyond the ridge to the north nestles the lovely vale of the Heilmans, from which surrounding farms (among the loveliest of this entire valley) there gathers Sabbath after Sabbath a goodly congregation and Sunday-school of intelligent and enterprising farmers to worship God and perpetuate the work of the church established by their pious and heroic ancestry, sleeping here in the adjoining "God's acre."
The graveyard which surrounds the old church abounds in old graves, whose epitaphs read in our day like pages of ancient history. Yet in many instances the same family-names are found on the church record to-day that are chiseled also on these old tomb-stones. Here are buried such old families as the Bolirs, Bogers,
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LANDMARKS IN THE LEBANON VALLEY.
Bensons, Blacks, Bechtels, Barths, Boltzes, Cleimers, Detweilers, Embichs, Fochts, Fishers, Gingrichis, Heilmans (a large number), Imbodens, (a branch of which family drifted to Virginia and was represented on the Confederate side in the late war by General Imboden), Killingers, Kellers, Kelkers, Karmanys, Kurtzs, Kleins, Millers, Matters, Rupps, Reinoehls, Richerts, Rutters, Stoevers, Schnebeles, Sprechers, Umbergers, Ulrichis and Xanders.
Among the oldest graves many epitaph inscriptions liave become illegible. That of the first Lutheran pastor has been retraced by the sculptor's chisel, and is therefore clearly discernible. It is somewhat as follows:
Hier Ruhet In Seinem Erlöser Entschlaffen JOHANN CASPAR STOEVER Erster Evangel Luthericher Prediger in Pensilvanien. ist geboren in Der under Paflz D. 21 Dec. 1707. Er zeigte mit seiner Ehe Frau Maria Catharine II Kinder 4 sein in die ewigkeit voran gegangen, Er Starb D. 13 May 1779. Seines Alters 71 y. 4 mon. 3 wo. v. 2 Tag.
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A VISIT TO HILL CHURCH.
By the pastor's side sleeps his wife, Maria Catharine, who survived him a number of years; near by rest a number of their children and later descendants. The Rev. Henry Wagner, one of the Reformed pastors, was also buried here in 1869, but a few years since his rela- tives had his body exhumed and re-interred in the Mt. Lebanon cemetery.
Here sleep also the American ancestors of the Kelkers and Heilmans, both prominent and rather numerous families of the Lebanon Valley. Fitting stones were erected to mark the spot of their burial as late as 1867, by devoted and thoughtful descendants of their respect- ive families. The Hon. Rudolph F. Kelker, of Harris- burg, a great-grand-son of this early Swiss immigrant, was instrumental in so fittingly marking his worthy an- cestor's grave. The stone, of the Hummelstown red sandstone quarry, in massive proportions, reads as fol- lows :
"In Memory of Henry Kolliker (Kelker),
Born in 1705. Emigrated from Herrliberg, Canton Zurich, Switzer- land, and settled in Bethel (now Swatara) township, Lebanon county, in 1743. One of the Elders of the Reformed congregation, Hill Church, in 1745. Died 1762. Also Regula Braetscheri, his wife."
This worthy descendant has also compiled and pub- lished an interesting "Family Register," giving a long and careful genealogy of this family in Switzerland and America.
The stone that here marks the resting place of the
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LANDMARKS IN THE LEBANON VALLEY.
first American Heilman ancestor is similar in size and quality to the one just described. It is in memory of John Adam Heilman, born November 16, 1715, in the Palatinate, who emigrated to America in 1738, here inarried Maria Catharine Steger (of the family then liv- ing near Avon, as previously alluded to), who became the progenitors of at least a very large branch of the Heilman family in Lebanon county. This John Adam Heilman was in 1745 a fellow-elder with Mr. Kelker on the Reformed side of this Hill Church, and he died Sep- teinber 25, 1770.
One of the oldest tombstones here is a curiosity for the elaborate ornamentation of rosettes, skull and cross- bones upon it and the fact of its being engraved on both sides, the one containing the obituary quite minute, and the other several verses of the solemnly warning German hymn, beginning:
"Komm, Sterblicher betrache mich, Du lebst, ich lebt auf Erden, Was du jetzt bist das war auch ich, Was ich bin wirst du werden."
The name of the person buried is, however, scarcely legible, but looks like Johann W. Hefs. "Ist gestor- ben im Jahr Christy 1754. Ist gebohren in Jalır 1722 den 27ten Mertz und den 29 darauf getauft worden auf die Evangelische Lutherische Religion, &c., &c." The stone is found some distance directly back of the church.
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A VISIT TO HILL CHURCH.
The writer thinks that there is history enough here to deserve its preservation and the perpetuation of tlie good influences that have emanated from this spot, by the erection of a new church of stone, after some beauti- ful, artistic model, with stained-glass windows to tell, in legends and pictures, the story of struggle and piety that associates with this sacred spot. There is wealtlı enough in the congregation to build that church now. There should be enough devotion to religion and family pride enough to keep this enterprise from a long delay.
Another thing that this place deserves is a fitting monument to the memory of now the only, but heroic pastor who sleeps here-the Rev. J. Casper Stoever. If the performance of a multiplicity of great and import- ant labors ever deserved such a mark of reverence and respect, then truly the self denying labors of this man of God, laboring for forty-six years in the establishment of . this, and many other churches of Pennyslvania, deserve such distinction. We are happy to note that the pres- ent Lutheran pastor is making efforts to accomplish this end, and we trust that these efforts will meet with a hearty response and be crowned with speedy and glorious success. [P. S. See next chapter. ]
CHAPTER XXXI.
THE STOEVER MONUMENT.
WHAT was hinted at toward the close of the last chapter has, since its first writing (1894), materialized. Through the efforts of the pastor, Rev. W. H. Lewars, considerable interest has been manifested in the matter of placing a fitting monument over the sacred dust of the pioneer pastor, who sleeps upon the historic hillock of the " Berg Kirche," so that, in the near future, the de- vout wishes of a few local antiquarians are about to be consummated. Upon next Ascension Day, the anni- versary of Rev. Stoever's death, is to be unveiled this beautiful marble shaft. The material of this monument (which is the finest quality of bluish-tinted marble) was quarried at the historic Horse-shoe pike, in the heart of this valley, from the quarry operated by Messrs. J. H. Black and C. S. Maulfair, themselves chips of the sturdy block of Lutheran ancestry that settled here in Stoever's time, and which was spiritually sculptured by his gos- pel hammer and chisel in that early day. The famous Lebanon county sculptor, Mr. J. H. Black, of Annville, has carved the monument, as seen in the accompanying cut, by which we are enabled, through the courtesy of Rev. Lewars, to show our readers the design of this memorial shaft.
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THE STOEVER MONUMENT.
It is anticipated that an immense throng of people will congregate here on the day of the unveiling, as this
STOEVER
event has been made to be simultaneous with the Con- vention of the Lebanon Valley Lutheran Sunday-school Association and a meeting of the Lebanon Conference
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LANDMARKS IN THE LEBANON VALLEY.
of the East Pennsylvania Synod of the Lutheran Church, under whose auspices the unveiling and dedication will take place.
The Program Committee has asked the author of these historic sketches to read a poem on this occasion, which, as the publication of this book will so nearly coincide with this about to become historic event, he will here append. Other important addresses will be delivered by members of Conference and by other cele- brities of the church.
THE STOEVER MEMORIAL.
BY REV. P. C. CROLL.
The Muse's wand is in my hand, To use it I've discretion, Can let its spell on this large band Work thoughts into expression ; Or let it wake the preacher dead, Who sleeps within yon lowly bed, In honor of whose pastorate This congregation now has met.
And so I'll use the poet's Muse To summon forth this sleeper ; From Chronicles his text I'll choose ; His theme-The Grave my Keeper. And of the past I'll make him preach, Back o'er a hundred years he'll reach, To tell us here in simple rhymes Of Gospel work in pioneer times.
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THE STOEVER MONUMENT.
So now give ear, the preacher's here, Arisen from his slumbers ; He casts his eyes far out and near Astonished at the numbers Who came from far to hear him preach, Who used their great-grandsires to teach The principles of truth and right In days that tried men's souls aright.
He looks to see who each can be Who came to hear his sermon, But cannot quite himself agree If you are Hans or Herman. He sees resemblance to that fold That worshiped here in days of old, Yet still his look is strangely wild Till told you're Hans' great-grandchild.
But now the spell comes o'er him well, His heart becomes inspired ; His tongue is glib the tale to tell, His soul with zeal is fired ; To teach the children of this day, Who've met in such a vast array, The hardships of that dreadful day When men here used to "watch and pray."
His voice is heard, forth flows his word, 'Mid earnest intonation : " Beloved children in the Lord, Who form this congregation, Why meet on this Ascension day And leave your muskets home, I pray? Have you not feared the Indians' snare, The panther's fierceness, nor the bear ?
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LANDMARKS IN THE LEBANON VALLEY.
"And tell me what became of that First church of logs and sheeting, Those racks for flint-locks, coat and hat, Those hewn-log pews for seating ? Pray, who has torn that pulpit down ? And who lias ripped my cleric-gown ? And who has lit those coals of fire, 'Stead looking for some warmth up higher?
" Who could not brook the old hymn-book ? Why don't you sing in German ? What's given you this English look ? Who's Anglicized my sermon ? Since I have laid me down and slept An English flood has o'er you swept ; Your blood is mixed, as well your speech- The Anglo-Saxon stamp's on each !
" And where are now, on hillock's brow, Those forest trees primeval ?
Who cleared these acres for the plow ? Who tills them without equal ? A Rip Van sleep I must have slept While yonder stone its vigil kept, And marked my resting-place, 'neath sod, In this blest acre of our God !
" Then let me tell-all marking well- My antiquated story,
How, ere your sires to warfare fell 'Gainst Briton and 'gainst Tory, The early settlers of these parts, With Church and Bible near their hearts, Reared here an altar to their God, Whilst felling trees and turning sod.
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THE STOEVER MONUMENT.
" And here they swore, those years of yore, Heart fealty to Jehovalı,
Who brought them to this Western shore In arks secure, like Noah.
And while they drew a breath ou earth, Themselves, with all their goods and worth, They gave to God an offering, Though claimed by George, the English king.
"Across the same great sea I came And landed in yon city,
That still proclaims, in deed and name, A brother's love and pity ; Thence up the Schuykill's boisterous waves, And where the Conestoga laves, I visited my countrymen To cheer their German hearts again.
" Soon came a cry from far and nigh, Like Macedonian pleader, Our German folk for help did sigh, For Gospel and for leader. And thus I journeyed o'er the land, From Jordan's to Codorus' strand, Till on the banks of th' "Quitopehille " I built my house within a mill.
" From that abode for years I rode In rain and shiny weather,
In seasons when the streams o'erflowed- My horse swam like a feather- I brought the story of the cross- For none then took account of loss- To those who fled to 'scape the sword, And settled here to serve the Lord.
·
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LANDMARKS OF THE LEBANON VALLEY.
" And now appear around me here Those heroes' later offspring,
Prepared a monument to rear In mem'ry of my off'ring. I can't rebuke my children dear
For that which must to all appear A deed that's prompted by the good,
And gives for nobler thoughts some food;
" But I would fain that every name Of elder and of deacon,
And others working just the same To light this gospel beacon,
Would stand engraved on yonder stone,
And over all, above, alone, Old Luther's watchword, so well put : 'Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott !' "
CHAPTER XXXII.
A GLIMPSE OF ANNVILLE.
LET us come down now from the hillock upon which have worshiped for one hundred and sixty years the pious German settlers of this portion of the valley that is watered by the Indian-famed, snake-harboring Quitta- pahilla, and let us get a glimpse of the little gem that adorns this magnificent vale. Like a sparkling diamond upon the bosom of a king, so the neat little aggregation of houses, and schools, and churches, and workshops, and business houses, known as Annville, formerly as Millerstown, begems the bosom of this Quittapahilla valley. From whatever side you approach it, it charms and glitters. It has inherent beauty as a rural town, and needs no outside adornments to make it attractive. Whether viewed from the northern ridge of hills or the southern valley of its bordering creek, whether you walk through its streets or approach it from the east or the west, it is the same "sleeping beauty"-not a Sleepy Hollow-in this season of the year a veritable bride, adorned in her virgin summer robes, and decked off to charm the lover-husband who has espoused her and made her his own. Its many peaceful looking homes, lovely in architecture, and surrounded by velvety lawns and gratefully disposed shade-trees ; its towering church
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LANDMARKS IN THE LEBANON VALLEY.
spires and its imposing college buildings, surmounted with classic-looking cupolas and classic-ringing bells, and surrounded by an umbrageous campus, combine to make Annville an ideal town in picturesque beauty and in all the attractions of rural municipality. A pity it is that it is not owned by itself, but still belongs to the surrounding townships. I should think it had reached its majority, and was able to cut the maternal apron-string and start out in life independently. If it does this, and adds a few more tucks to its maiden frock, it can soon boast of being the prettiest municipal daugh- ter of all this Lebanon valley, and such a launching out upon the municipal world would doubtless add to the list of its devout admirers.
This town was laid out by one Miller shortly after the middle of the last century, and for a number of decades was named Annville, but afterward Millerstown for a long period, when because of its confusion in postal matters, it was again changed to the first name about a generation ago. Messrs. Abrain Raiguel and Ulrich have also taken leading parts in the town's early establishment. Some of the original houses are still standing on its main and side streets. But there is 110 particular history connected with them, save that doubt- less into them entered that famous impostor-Dr. John Dady-that sacerdotal wolf-in-sheep's-clothing, wlio in the latter portion of last century, here for a while suc- cessfully practiced a smart game of gulling the sim- ple, all too credulous German folk and extorting their
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A GLIMPSE OF ANNVILLE.
hard-earned cash from them. This glib-tongued Hes- sian-a remnant of those contemptible English Revolu- tionary hirelings-however, was not sharp enough to hide, for a long period, his black and greedy heart under his ministerio-medical coat from the Argus-eyed officer of the law, who in due time discovered his de- ception, tore the mask from his face, and sent him to the penitentiary, where he deservedly pined out his life. For further data concerning this impostor we refer the reader to Rupp's History of Berks and Dauphin counties.
Another dark page to blot the otherwise fair history of this fair village is the monstrous deed of infanticide of " old Showers." This is of such recent date that it need not be recounted here. The buildings where this foul deed was committed, and where the murderer lived, and other scenes connected with the horrible acts here transacted, are still found in the southern portion of the town, while murderer and murdered sleep close together in one of the burial grounds of the town, awaiting their resurrection and final judgment at the " last day."
About the oldest landmark of historic account is the old Ulrich homestead to the northeast of town, almost opposite the Reading railroad depot. The place is now the home of Mrs. Commodore P. Steinmetz's family, suddenly bereft of father and husband not long ago. Here early in the last century the first Ulrich immigrant settled, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Stein-
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LANDMARKS IN THE LEBANON VALLEY.
inetz, and in 1751 he built a stone house, part of which is still standing. It was provided with an arched cellar, built over a never failing spring, and with air-holes, being thus furnished with the essentials for life, and proved a safe place for retreat in case of an attack by the
THE OLD ULRICH HOMESTEAD.
Indians, as happened on several occasions. That these early inhabitants must have realized their constant and imminent danger to life from this source is evinced by the engraving found upon the stone that was used as the door-sill of the old fort, viz. :
" SO OFT DIE THÜR DEN ANGEL WENDT,
O MENSCH, DEIN END BEDENK! 1751."
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A GLIMPSE OF ANNVILLE.
This stone is still found here, but when the house was remodeled it became part of a porch-pillar, while a newly-engraved head-stone preserves the old legend in nore modern and legible forin, together with the names of the builders, Mr. and Mrs. Steinmetz. This old house was used as a store and trading post with the Indians by the first Ulrich; and the apple orchard, just in front of the homestead, is pointed out as an Indian burial ground, for it is reported that many Indians made their home for weeks with this first white settler. One evening this pioneer and his son (the father of the the late Adamı Ulrich) were surprised by an attack of a murderous gang of red-men, but were fortunate enough to escape their deadly tomahawks and scalping-knives, by a lasty retreat to this sheltering refuge-cellar, where- upon the maddened savages killed all their cattle by cutting out their tongues. This happened about the year 1756 or 1757. If we mistake not, this is the place also where the Rev. Daniel Ulrich, of Tulpehocken fame, was born and reared to manhood.
Walking through the town, one is struck with the classic-looking grounds and buildings of the Lebanon Valley College of the U. B. Church, located here, under the successful management of Dr. Bierman, president ; the tasty-looking homes, the fine churches, the well- built and well-painted public houses or hotels, enter- prising carriage manufactories of John L. Saylor and Sons, Barnhart and Beam, T. Loser and Mr. Shenk, the long-established and reliable marble works of J. H.
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LANDMARKS IN THE LEBANON VALLEY.
Black, the Daisy Shirt Factory, carried on by a stock company, of which the late Judge Kinports was first president (present incumbent is not known to the writer), the lime-stone pulverizing works of John Bach- man, and the three ancient grist-mills on the banks of the Quittapahilla. These are now in the proprietorship of Messrs. John Bachinan, David Kreider and Long & Himmelberger (owned by Mr. Killinger of Lebanon), re- spectively, commencing on the east and following the stream in its westward course. The principal stores of town are in the proprietorship of Messrs. Kinports and Shay, Beam and Bachman, M. F. Batdorf and John Shope. The first store kept here was that of the late Mr. John Shertzer, who came to this village in its in- fancy from Manheim, and made quite a fortune in his time. The building used for the prosecution of his business is now used by the Annville Fire Insurance Company, and owned by C. Smith, Esq.
Walking south on White Oak street, one passes a number of buildings with an interesting local history. One of these is the fine stone residence of Mr. William Biever, ex-County Treasurer. This used to be the residence of his uncle, Mr. John D. Biever, who was one of Annville's most liberal and public-spirited men in his day. Besides the furthering of other laudable enterprises, he was in a sense the founder and father of the first Evangelical Lutheran church located on Main street. Besides donating the ground, he paid about one-half of the cost of building, presented the church
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A GLIMPSE OF ANNVILLE.
with a fine two-story brick sexton's house, made pro- vision (which his widow carried out after his death) of erecting an elegant and commodious brick parsonage next to the church, and endowed the church to the
CHURCH BUILDING, PARSONAGE, AND SEXTON'S HOUSE OF THE FIRST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH AT ANNVILLE, PA.
amount of $3,000. His widow supplemented this amount by an additional legacy of $2, 100, while the same estate endowed the cemetery by another $1,000. The present pastor of this church, Rev. W. H. Lewars, says, concerning these benefac- tions and this noble-hearted man : "It is but due to say, that the commendable generosity here recorded grew out of a life-long Cliristian character. The piety
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of Mr. Biever was acknowledged by all who knew him. He assumed a directing and sustaining influence in the church for half a century, and for forty-nine years was the superintendent of the Sunday-school." The house in which Mr. Biever lived was built by his father, John D. Biever, Sr., in 1814.
In the year 1804 was erected the substantial stone church edifice located on this street, on a little elevation of ground and sliaded by a grove of locust trees. It was originally built as a union church (Reformed and Lu- theran), and is a child of the Hill church. It has been exclusively Reformed since 1871. Its pastor, Rev. Dr. Hiester, has served it consecutively for forty-two years, and we are told there is a vigor about his preaching to- day that would indicate that not much of his natural force has as yet abated. The other Reformned pastors that have served this church were the same as have preached at the Hill church during this period. The Lutheran pastors have been Revs. Lochman, Ernst, Krotel, Miller, Porr, Fetzer, Weaver and Deitz- ler. The school-house, as is customary, we find near the church, but since the days of the public school system it has been remodeled and used as a resi- dence. It is at present occupied and owned by Mr. Daniel Seabold. Here such teachers as Messrs. Fisher, Bachman, Strine and others taught the now gray- headed citizens of the town and their departed com- panions during their juvenile years, the Psalters and their German spelling-books.
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A GLIMPSE OF ANNVILLE.
Strolling on past the old cemetery, we soon come where the cool and mill-wheel-turning Quittapahilla flows by the town. A beautiful stone triple-arched bridge here spans the stream, from which one has a picturesqueness of view in the new surrounding land-
4
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...
THE RAIGUEL MILL.
scape that is quite charming. Close by is the old mill of Abram and Elizabeth Raiguel, which, according to the date-stone in its front elevation, was built A. D. 1797. On a little hillock to the south stands the fine old Raiguel farin-house, with all its antique appurte- nances, built four years earlier, a venerable centennial
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LANDMARKS IN THE LEBANON VALLEY.
relic of rural comfort, agricultural prosperity and that proverbial peace and contentment that attend husbandry. Here, if we mistake not, the wife of Rev. Dr. A. C. Wedekind, of San Diego, Cal., and Mrs. Boughter, her sister, of Lebanon, were raised to womanhood. The Cassidys and Shirks have also married into this family.
THE RAIGUEL FARM-HOUSE.
This farm, with its ancient dwellings, is now the property of Mr. Josiah Kreider, living near the Horse- shoe pike, while the mill property has been owned since 1840 by David Kreider and his son, present proprietor. All of this property, and many acres besides, was the original possession of Abram Raiguel, a
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A GLIMPSE OF ANNVILLE.
bachelor uncle of the builder of the mill named, whose log cabin used to stand where the farin-house now stands. He was a native of Cougmont, Switzerland, from whence, after settlement here, he called his nephew and made hin his heir. Other old families are the Imbodens (one scion the Confederate General from Virginia), Kreiders, etc., all whose first ancestors are buried at the Hill church.
Were we to drift down this Indian-named creek we should soon come to where, in the days of the Revolution, stood a gun-barrel boring mill, an adjunct, we suppose, to the very prosperous gun-smith business which then flourished in and about Lebanon. Farther down we would find the grist-mill of Mr. Kil- linger, built long ago by a Mr. Herr, and still farther on its course the spot where, in 1812, Mr. Hentzleman and others of Lancaster county, erected, at the enor- mous expense of $96,000, an extensive cotton and woolen factory, which failed in due time, according to Rupp, only because of the "ruinous policy of the 11011- protection of American industry."
Were we to drift on in our imaginary course, we should shortly arrive where this stream mingles with the waters of the Swatara. And here we can imagine seeing those other rude rafts, or canoes, on which were embarked the wives and children of the sixty families of temporary Schoharie settlers, who, in the spring of 1723, were passing this point, making slow progress up this stream towards its headwaters
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LANDMARKS IN THE LEBANON VALLEY.
and that of the Tulpeliocken, their longed-for destina- tion. What better place than this to close our historic pilgrimage, and here suffer the streamlet of our ex- plorations to be engulfed by the mightier tide of our common history? Therefore, we shall bring our ancient and historic researches to an end on the banks of this valley's most conspicuous stream, of which and whose settlers the gifted Whittier has sung as early as 1836, when he addressed his "Lines" to Governor Ritner of our State, as follows:
" And that bold hearted yeomanry, honest and true, Who, haters of fraud, give to labor its due : Whose fathers of old sang in concert with thine, On the banks of Swatara, the songs of the Rhine, The German-born pilgrims, who first dared to brave The scorn of the proud in the cause of the slave."
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