Historical and biographical annals of Berks County, Pennsylvania, embracing a concise history of the county and a genealogical and biographical record of representative families, Volume I, Part 7

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846; J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1018

USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > Historical and biographical annals of Berks County, Pennsylvania, embracing a concise history of the county and a genealogical and biographical record of representative families, Volume I > Part 7

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In the southern section of the county, this moun- tain has a greater width. It includes a succession of rolling hills, almost entirely covered with grow- ing trees. Some portions have been cleared and converted into farming lands. This district, being thus covered and having the appearance of a forest, is called "The Forest." The "Welsh Mountain" and the "Flying Hills" are included in this range.

The "Flying Hills" extend along the southerly side of the Schuylkill river for several miles. They comprise a small ridge broken by gorges, and were given this name by the early settlers because num- erous grouse were seen flying there. They are in- dicated on an early map of 1743, and from that time till now they have been so known and called. They can be seen and identified for forty miles down the Schuylkill Valley. From afar they re- semble great monuments, and they were famous for game until about 1860. Of the gorges men-

Numerous hills are scattered throughout the county, which subserve the agricultural districts admirably in respect to wood and water. Their natural arrangement and distribution are wonderful. The cupidity of man is, however, gradually break- ing up this harmony of nature by cutting down the trees and tilling the land.

In the western section, the most conspicuous hills are "Stoudt's Hill," located at the great bend of the Schuylkill, about six miles north of Reading (named after the owner of the land), and "Scull's Hill," distant about five miles farther to the north (named after Nicholas Scull, the surveyor-general

The South Mountain extends through the county southeastwardly. It enters about the middle of the western boundary, near the corner-stone of the dividing line between Lancaster and Lebanon coun- of the province from 1748 till 1761).

HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

In the eastern section, the county is consider- for many years. It is mentioned in surveys of ad- joining land which were made as early as 1714.

ably broken by intersecting hills which extend in different directions, mostly, however, to the north and south. The "Oley Hills" are most conspicuous in a historic aspect. They are mentioned in patents and deeds of lands before 1720. Since 1783 the most prominent hill in that vicinity has been called "Earl Mountain," because it was cut from Oley and included in a new township of that name then erected. The "Monocacy Hill," cone-shaped, is situated several miles southwardly, near the river.

The "Reading Hills" are the most conspicuous in the central section in a natural aspect. They were included in the "Manor of Penn's Mount," a large tract which was set apart for the use of the Penns before the erection of the county, and included about twelve thousand acres. The hill known by the citizens of Reading as "Penn's Mount" adjoins the city on the east. To the north and west its elevated top commands a magnificent view of the Schuylkill and Lebanon Valleys, which are especially rich in agriculture, manufactures and internal improvements ; and it overlooks an area of territory including about five hundred square miles. It has two conspicuous spots at the apex, facing the west, which are called "White Spot" and "Black Spot." They are visible to the naked eye for a distance of thirty miles, and were so called by the first inhabitants of Reading. Their general appear- ance does not seem to change; they are bare spots on the hillside, composed of stones and rocks. The "White Spot" is the nearer and more accessible. It has been for many years, and is still, resorted to for stones for building purposes; and it is fre- quently visited also by resident and stranger for the view it commands. The removal of the stones gives the spot a white appearance. Time and the weather are not given an opportunity to darken the surface of the stones. The "Black Spot" was not disturbed till 1889, when the Mt. Penn Gravity Railroad was constructed, and the "Tower" erected on the top; hence its black appearance. Their ele- vation above the Schuylkill river at the foot of Penn street is as follows : White Spot, 767.64 feet : Black Spot, 879.78 feet. The elevation of the higher point above the sea is about 1,100 feet.

The hill known as the "Neversink" adjoins the city on the south. Its highest point is somewhat lower than Mt. Penn. It commands a magnificent view of the Schuylkill Valley to the southeast for forty miles, and of "The Forest" to the south and southwest for upward of ten miles. It overlooks the double bend in the river, which forms a large S, both projections being mostly farming land ; the one extending northwardly being known as "Lewis's Neck" ( from the first settler there), and the other southwardly as "Poplar Neck" (from the great poplar trees ) for more than one hundred and fifty years. This hill lies east and west and forms, with Mt. Penn, a large T. Its northern declivity is rather gentle, but the southern steep and rugged. It has been known by the name of "Neversink"

An interesting, though ridiculous, tradition is connected with its origin. It was said by early settlers that an Indian had devised a flying ma- chine, by which he proposed to fly from the one hill (Flying Hill at Poplar Neck) to the other and "never sink." His efforts proved a failure. In- stead of flying into fame he sank into shame. The word is of Indian origin, "Navesink," and means fishing-ground. The Schuylkill river in this vicin- ity was formerly a famous fishing-ground for shad. Fisheries were carried on successfully until the con- struction of the canal about 1820.

"Schwartzwald" is situated several miles to the east. It was included in the "Manor lands." The woods are dark and like a forest. This name was given by the early settlers in commemoration of their native place.

"Irish Mountain" is near the center of the county. It is prominent and overlooks the Schuyl- kill Valley from the Blue Mountain to the South Mountain, especially the fertile lands which adjoin the Maiden creek and its tributaries. The early settlers round about were mostly Germans. They named the hill after English settlers who had lo- cated or rather "squatted" there. The language and manners of the latter were more or less objec- tionable to them, and they among themselves en- tertained contempt for the intruders, and in con- versation called them the "Irish."

"Spitzenberg" is a cone-shaped hill near by the Pinnacle. Its peculiar shape makes it conspicuous. It is not as elevated as the mountain to the north.

VALLEYS .- Nature has arranged the earth's sur- face within the borders of Berks county in a super- ior manner. Its rolling character, interspersed with hills and mountains, and intersected by num- erous irrigating rivulets and streams, renders it most admirable for successful cultivation with or- dinary labor. The well-directed energy and enter- prise of the farmers have enriched and improved it to a wonderful degree.

A depression in the central portion of the county extends from the Blue Mountain on the north to the boundary line on the southeast, a distance of thirty-two miles. It resembles an L irregularly drawn. It is called "Schuylkill Valley," and takes its name from the meandering river that flows through its bosom. It is not distinguished for width. Above Reading it is rather open, below rather confined. Valleys enter it on the east and on the west. The most conspicuous of the eastern valleys are the Maiden-creek, the Antietam, the Monocacy and the Manatawny ; and of the western, the Tulpehocken, the Wyomissing, the Allegheny, and the Hay-creek. All take their names from the streams which flow through them. On both sides they begin at the extreme limits of the county, ex- cepting the Antietam and the Monocacy, which be- gin in the central portion.

49 any cho hangne!

Thou mother of streams ,

In glistening sunbeams, Thy waters woll on to the sea

TUL-PA-WE-HAN-NE

First bubbling in fountains On slopes of the mountains, Oh, beautiful Com'shotel

From down unto dawn,

Thy waters run on 1,

In accents as Over rocks under Kees

Nowell as can be

Well-fanned by the breeze

Fair Write la . han noe, and Man'-ah- te-han-me,

Oh musical lan-shophar ine!

Thy maidens from eastward so free; theat Julhowe hanwere

and all'le - ga. hajime,

Thine also from westward to thee . .

AL-LE-GA-HAN-NE

TE. HAN-NE

Oh, porother of waters, Dustained by the daughters, Together ye flow to the sea; and thither, while racing,

MAN-AH -

ye are ever embracing, Forever , oh , lan sho nanone !

Morton & Montgomery.

NOTE .- Gan'-sho-han'-ne, meaning "the mother of waters," is the Indian name for the Schuylkill river. The Dutch name, Schuylkill, means hidden stream, the outlet of the Schuylkill flowing into the Delaware river being so wide as not to be observable.

The Schuylkill is the principal stream of Berks county, with important branches-Onte- launee and Manatawny, flowing into it from the east, and Tulpehocken and Allegheny from the west. They together flow into the Delaware river below Philadelphia, and thence into the Atlantic ocean.

May, 1909.

GAN-SHO-

AN-TE-LA-HAN-NE

READING

GAN-SHOW HAN-NE

ERECTION OF COUNTY

Together these valleys present a remarkable con- formation. They distribute the water supply equal- ly. Their depression is from the limits of the county toward the center, with a southerly inclination. The principal valley has the lowest points of the county from the northern limit to the southern. The limits on the east, west and south are water- sheds to a great degree; inside the waters flow inwardly, but at the lines and outside they flow outwardly-on the east into the Lehigh river and Perkiomen creek, and on the west and south into the Swatara creek and Conestoga creek, which empty into the Susquehanna river. These valleys, therefore, gather all the waters within the county and direct them into and through its territory for the great benefit of its industrious inhabitants be- fore they allow them to depart.

Berks county occupies the central portion of the large district, in area forty-six hundred square miles, which lies between the Delaware and Sus- quehanna rivers. The plan of distribution of val- leys and waters between these rivers is marvelous, and the leaders in the movement for the erection of the county in this large body of land displayed remarkable foresight and knowledge in obtaining such boundary lines.

The Tulpehocken Valley forms the eastern sec- tion of the Lebanon Valley, the Swatara Valley (which extends westwardly through Lebanon and Dauphin counties) the western section. These two valleys together are about fifty-four miles long, and they take the name of Lebanon Valley from the town which occupies the highest point midway.

There are other valleys, but they have only a local character and take their names from the re- spective streams which flow through them. There are several gaps in the county, but the Schuylkill Gap in the Blue Mountain, where the Schuylkill river enters, possesses the most marked features.

STREAMS .- Springs are the great sources of all streams. They arise mostly in the mountains and elevated portions of country, and supply all the streams in Berks county, almost the entire quan- tity flowing from numerous springs which are sit- uated within its borders. This is exceptional; for comparatively little water is drained from the ad .- joining counties into Berks county, but a great quantity is drained from Berks county into all he adjoining counties, excepting Schuylkill county on the north. This indicates that the borders of Berks county are higher than the surrounding territory.

Bethel township, in the northwest, is entirely drained by the Little Swatara creek into the Swa- tara, and the waters pass through Lebanon and Dauphin counties into the Susquehanna river. Caernarvon township, on the south, is entirely drained by the Little Conestoga and Muddy creeks, into the Conestoga, and the waters pass through Lancaster county into the Susquehanna river. A part of Union township, on the southeast, is drained by French creek, and the waters pass through Chester county into the Schuylkill river. Consid-

erable parts of the eastern townships (Colebrook- dale, Washington and Hereford) are drained by Perkiomen creek, and the waters pass through Montgomery county into the Schuylkill. And the greater part of Longswamp township on the north- east, and the remaining part of Hereford, are drained by the Little Lehigh into Lehigh river, and the waters pass through Lehigh county into the Delaware river.

The streams of the county are numerous. They irrigate every section and contribute much to the natural fertility of the soil. The most conspicuous feature of the water system is the Schuylkill river. Streams flow into it from the east and from the west, and the territory on each side, thus supplied, is about equal in area. On the eastern side, begin- ning in the upper section, they are 1, Windsor; 2, Perry ; 3, Maiden creek (which has two principal tributaries flowing into it, both on the east-Mose- lem and Sacony) ; 4, Laurel Run; 5, Bernhart Run ; 6, Rose 'Valley run; 7, Antietam; 8, Monocacy; and 9, Manatawny (which has two principal tribu- taries flowing into it-the Ironstone from the east, and the Little Manatawny from the west). Of these, the Maiden creek and Manatawny are espe- cially large. The Bernhart run and the Antietam (formerly, for a time, known as Ohlinger creek) have been.entirely appropriated by the city of Read- ing for a municipal water supply.

On the western side they are 1, Mill creek; 2, Irish creek; 3, Tulpehocken; 4, Wyomissing; 5, Angelica ; 6, Allegheny ; 7, Hay creek; 8, Sixpenny ; and 9, Mill creek. Of these, the Tulpehocken, Wy- omissing and Hay creek are especially large.

All the streams mentioned afford valuable water- power. They attracted the attention of the early settlers of the county and their inexhaustible sup- ply was fully appreciated, having been appropriated immediately by the settlers, and turned to account in running gristmills and iron forges. Many of the early deeds on record relate to this.

Schuylkill .- The word Schuylkill is of Dutch or- igin and means Hidden creek, or Skulk creek. The Dutch named the river when they took possession of the land about its mouth. The outlet is very wide and deceiving, and appears to be a part of the Delaware river instead of being a tributary: By some persons it is said to be of Indian origin, but this is not correct. The name given to it by the Indians was "Ganshowehanne," which means a roaring or falling stream. Rupp says they called it "Manajung," which means mother. The river rises in Schuylkill county. It flows generally in a southeasterly direction and traverses the State for a distance of one hundred and twenty-five miles, until it empties into the Delaware river at Phila- delphia. It has many important branches which flow into it on the east and on the west, from its source to its mouth. These contribute much to the physical and productive welfare of the southeastern section of the State. Together they drain a very- large area of territory.

HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

The important branches are the following: On connection with the manufacture of charcoal iron. the east, beginning in the north: 1, Main Branch; Rich deposits were found at many places within 2, Little Schuylkill ( formerly called Tamaqua) ; the limits of the county, and became a great source of profit to miners and manufacturers. These de- posits were mostly in the townships of Cumru, Al- sace, Oley, Ruscombmanor, Colebrookdale and Caernarvon, and along the East Penn Valley. 3, Maiden creek; 4, Manatawny; 5, Perkiomen; and 6, Wissahickon; and on the west: 1, West Branch; 2, Bear creek; 3, Tulpehocken; 4, Wyo- missing ; 5, French creek; and 6, Pickering. Each is conspicuous for length and large flow of water; In 1880 the Census Report placed Berks county third in the list of ore-producing counties in Penn- sylvania, and seventh in the United States. The iron ore produced in that year was 252,940 tons and over one hundred mines were in successful opera- tion. The character of the ore was primitive and hematite. and in a general way they are about equal in these respects. This harmony in their proportions is wonderful. The earliest drafts show the Maiden creek, Manatawny and Tulpehocken, which indi- cates that the surveyors regarded them of more than ordinary importance. The Schuylkill is not only the grand trunk of this system of water, but it occupies the central line of the territory in which this system is arranged.

LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE .-- The county of Berks lies in the lower central portion of the North Tem- perate Zone, between 40° and 41º North Latitude, and between {º and 13º East Longitude, reck- oning from Washington.

RELATIVE ELEVATIONS .- The following state- ment exhibits the elevation, above mean ocean tide, hundred and fifty years.

at Philadelphia, of the several places in Berks coun- ty, and other places out of the county, as compared with Reading, in different directions. The figures to the left of the places indicate the distance in miles from Reading, and those to the right, the elevation in feet.

READING

Seventh .and Penn Streets

265 feet

Foot of Penn Street

198 feet

Miles

NORTH

Feet

Hamburg

372

Pottsville

611

.Tamaqua

800

NORTHEAST

18,5

Topton 482

Allentown

254

EAST

Manatawny

189

Boyertown

386

Barto

466

SOUTHEAST

Birdsboro 170

Pottstown 147

Norristown

Philadelphia

SOUTH

13.6

White Bear 346

19.2

Joanna

624

SOUTHWEST

8.5

Fritztown .469

Deep-Cut

570

Lancaster

369

Columbia

261

WEST

. Womelsdor

453

Lebanon

463

Harrisburg

318

COPPER ORE .- It is believed that copper ore was found in the southern section of the county before 1700. Subsequently, a tract of one thousand acres of land came to be owned and occupied by David Jones, in 1735, and he mined large quantities of copper ore, causing the locality to be known from - that time until. now as the "Jones Mines." No sta- tistics have been published relating to it. It was operated at different times afterward for nearly one

CLAYS .- A number of beds of clay have been found and worked in recent years, which are de- scribed in the several townships where the opera- tions have been carried on.

MINERALS .- Prof. David B. Brunner (prominent educator of Berks county for many years) tabu- lated a list of the minerals found in the county and this list comprises seventy different kinds.

GEOLOGY .- A geological survey of Pennsylvania was made from 1836 to 1857 by the State, and this immediate section, including Berks county, was found to contain four principal strata, which extend through the county from northeast to south- west. By a published map it appears that the slate formation covered nearly the upper half of the county, or four-tenths; the limestone, the central section, or three-tenths; the white sandstone, the lower central, or one-tenth; and the red sandstone, the lower, or two-tenths.

CONDITIONS OF TERRITORY

When the province of Pennsylvania was granted to William Penn by Charles II., King of Great Britain, in 1681, no township or county organiza- tions existed within its limits. But the arrival of Pent was the dawn of government, progress and civilization, and within a month afterward he caused three counties to be laid out-Bucks, Chester and Philadelphia. County government then began, and county representation in the Provincial As- sembly was inaugurated.

During this period, thousands of immigrants came into the province and effected permanent set- tlements . and each succeeding year found them farther removed from the county-seats of the coun- ties named. They proceeded up the courses of streams mostly. Very few followed the streams

IRON ORE .- The mining of different ores was carried on quite extensively from the beginning of the settlements in Berks county, particularly iron and copper. The former of these was mined in from their sources to their outlets. Only one col-

ERECTION OF COUNTY

ony came from New York overland, and this was (commonly called "Friends") and Welsh, had taken nearly fifty years after the settlements had begun, and the government had been given a fixed charac- ter. Nearly all landed at Philadelphia ; and thence the great majority proceeded toward the interior districts and the head-waters of streams. This is particularly the case with the Schuylkill river and all its tributaries.

The settlements between the Schuylkill and Del- aware rivers were numerous before 1700. Every decade thereafter found them farther northward from the Wissahickon to the Perkiomen, from the Perkiomen to the Manatawny, and from the Man- atawny to the Maiden creek. And so they pro- ceeded between the Schuylkill and Susquehanna rivers

Gradually those who had settled in the interior districts toward the mountains began to feel the inconvenience and expense incident to their location. They were compelled to travel, regardless of roads or weather, to the county-seat far removed from their settlements, and to haul their goods many miles to the market before they could realize any value for the products of their hard manual labor. Naturally they felt inclined to improve their condi- tion. A county organization was the first step toward accomplishing this object, as well to bring the county-seat into their midst as to create a mar- ket near by for the disposition of their produce.

But, notwithstanding the numerous settlements and the large population in the great district of territory east of the Schuylkill and south of the Blue Mountain, no additional counties were erected before 1750. It was different to the west of the Schuylkill. The tide of immigration seems to have been greater in that direction. They did not have the natural facilities to enable them to reach their county seat in Chester county, as the settlers had in the districts to the east of them, which lay in Philadelphia and Bucks counties. In 1729 they induced the Executive Council to separate them from Chester county and erect their settlements into a new county, which they called Lancaster.

During the first quarter of the eighteenth century many immigrants proceeded to the right into Per- kiomen Valley along the West Branch, and into Oley Valley along the Manatawny and its tribu- taries. These were mostly Germans; some were English, and others Swedes. Other immigrants, mostly Welsh, proceeded to the left into Conestoga Valley. The settlements for miles on both sides of the river were mostly confined to the south of the succession of hills commonly called South Mountain. This was especially the case to the right. In this district of territory the settlements were then known by the names "Amity," "Oley" and "Colebrookdale." But to the left, a small settle- ment of Germans had taken place in the Tulpe- hocken Valley, the enterprising settlers having come down the Susquehanna river from New York, and migrated eastwardly to the head-waters of the Tul- pehocken creek ; and another settlement, of English

place along the Allegheny and Wyomissing creeks. These settlements were known by the names "Tul- pehocken" and "Robeson." An earlier settlement to the south was called "Caernarvon." Accord- ingly, during the first quarter of that century, six distinct settlements in this vicinity had come to be formed and recognized.

During the second quarter, the way for settle- ments north of the South Mountain was opened by the purchase of the territory from the Indians. The Friends were the first to enter the new dis- trict to the right of the river. They took up large tracts of land along the Ontelaunee, called by them Maiden creek. Many Germans followed imme- diately afterward. And to the left, many. Germans, Friends, and Welsh were added to the settlements along the Tulpehocken, Wyomissing and Allegheny creeks.

Improvements were carried on with great energy and success throughout the great valleys which lay between the South Mountain and the Kittatinny Mountain (sometimes called "North," but com- monly "Blue Ridge"). New districts were formed to encourage local government and to facilitate intercourse. To the right they were called Doug- lass, Exeter, Ruscombmanor, Alsace, Maxatawny, Maiden-creek, Richmond, Longswamp and Alle- mengle; and to the left, Heidelberg, Bern, Cumru, Bethel and Brecknock .. Altogether, till 1750, the districts were twenty in number. This was the territorial situation of the settlements in this sec- tion of the province toward the close of the second quarter of the eighteenth century.

The settlers had provided themselves with meet- ing-houses and schools for their religious and secti- lar education. In this respect they had exhibited commendable zeal. The German population pre- dominated; consequently, the preaching and teach- ing were mostly done in the German language. But the Friends were not backward. They were prom- inent in Oley, Exeter, Robeson and Maiden-creek ; and their schools were distinguished for excel- lence.

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Historical and biographical annals of Berks County, Pennsylvania, embracing a concise history of the county and a genealogical and biographical record of representative families, Volume I, Part 7

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846; J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1018

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846; J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1018