History of Berks county in Pennsylvania, Part 153

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Peck & Richards
Number of Pages: 1418

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ceased, born May 27, 1865; Harry Grant, De- cember 12, 1867; Benjamin F., August 17, 1870; John S., July 4, 1872 ; Catherine E., June 11, 1874; Amelia I., June 16, 1876 ; Mary M., June 27, 1878; James Garfield, deceased, June 21, 1882; and Emily N., June 13, 1885. A Re- publican in his political associations, Mr. Miller

the most attractive and perfectly equipped stores in the county, requiring, beside the services of the pro- prietor, the aid of six clerks, which number on Saturdays is increased to eight. The heating ap- pointments are supplied by steam to the store, as also to the dwelling adjacent, and the illuminating power manufactured on the premises. Mr. Miller was married, on the 24th of December, 1863, to Eliza L., daughter of Gabriel Dundore, of Bern township. Their children are Sarah Lydia, de-

He has, however, held for eight years the office of school director and various minor positions in the borough. He is an influential member of the Berks County Merchants' Association. Both he and Mrs. Miller are members of the Lutheran Evangelical Church of Bernville, Mr. Miller dis- played his patriotism by enlisting for the emergency period of the late war in Company I, Forty- eighth Regiment Pennsylvania State Militia. He varies the routine of trade by superintending the

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BOROUGHS OF COUNTY.

cultivation of a productive farm he owns, located in the suburbs of Bernville.

The store of Albert F. Schock is of large proportions. He has been in trade since 1872. He took possession of his present fine room in the fall of 1884. The main room is twenty-seven feet wide and one hundred feet long, including a wing eighteen by twenty- five feet. The second story is used for sto- rage purposes as well as a large brick ware- house in the rear of the building. The store is well arranged for a large and varied stock. Seven clerks are employed.

POST-OFFICES .- Philip Filbert was the first postmaster in 1832, keeping the office at his inn. Wm. Runkle had the office many years at his store. The present postmaster is C. H. Hetrich. The office has a daily mail from Reading and a tri-weekly from Mohrsville via Centreport.

TAVERNS .- In this locality the old Filbert tavern is best remembered as an old-time inn, kept before the present century. On this site a tavern is still kept. In the borough Samuel Umbenhauer opened the first inn about 1821, in the house now occupied by Dr. John A. Brobst. The second inn was kept by Daniel Bentz and is now known as the upper tavern. The Eagle Hotel was first a store and was changed to a tavern by John Runkle. The lower tavern was built for hotel purposes by Samnel Hix and has been kept by different landlords.

PHYSICIANS .- Dr. Enoch Bricker, who died about 1835, was the first practicing physician at Bernville, and he was followed by Dr. Daniel Deppen.

Dr. George Beyerle was one of the pioneer physicians of the place. He was born at Read- ing in 1804, studied medicine with Dr. John Livengood, of Womelsdorf, and located at Bernville in 1828. Here he practiced forty- five years. He died in 1875. Then came other physicians,-Dr. A. A. McDonough till 1857, Dr. Philip R. Palm and Dr. George W. Ditzler, all removed.

Dr. W. G. Beyerle since 1853, but more actively since the close of the War for the Union, when he succeeded to his father's practice.

Dr. Darins D. Deppen has been here since 1855, having practiced in Penn township two years previously, after his graduation from the Pennsylvania Medical College in 1853.

Dr. John A. Brobst since April, 1857, hav- ing followed his profession here continuously since his graduation.

INDUSTRIES .- The oldest industry in the place is tanning. As early as 1820 Peter Ben- nethum engaged in this business, and continued until his death, fifteen years later, when John Miller began operations. Since 1872 the tan- nery has been carried on by Charles F. Rentch- ler, using steam-power. The plant is well ar- ranged and capacitated to work up two thousand five hundred hides per year, oak tanning.

West from this point a foundry was built by Painter & Embich, but converted into a tannery by Elias Stoudt, and carried on as such a short time. Stoudt had also a distillery, which, in the course of a few years, was changed into a grist-mill, and is still in operation.

In the same locality, about thirty-five years ago, Zadoch Weaver carried on a foundry on a small scale, using steam-power, but the build- ings have long since been removed. The foundry in the upper part of the borough was built by Joel Haag, who used the waters of the North- Kill for motive-power. Changes of ownership followed, Haag, Kline & Co. being the last to operate it, in 1875. The buildings are large, and at one time employment was given to fifty men in the manufacture of farm machinery. Among other articles manufactured was Klahr's boring and sawing-machine, a very ingenious contrivance, patented January 31, 1865, by Benjamin Klahr, of Bernville. Since 1883 Mr. Klahr has carried on a pottery, operated by steam. It was established in 1873 by Levi Yonson.

The Bernville Handle-Works is an import- ant factor in the industrial history of the vil- lage. They were established April 1, 1868, by Klahr & Son, and successfully carried on until their destruction by fire, September 24, 1882. The loss also included more than one hundred thousand feet of lumber. They were immedi- ately rebuilt by Joseph Klahr, the present owner. The works use steam-power, and are

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

well supplied with good machinery, much of it patented by Joseph Klahr. Employment is given to six men.

Benneville has mechanics of all kinds, and in addition half a dozen small cigar-shops, in which abont forty men are employed.

CHURCHES-North-Kill Church (Lutheran and Reformed .- This is an old stone church, situated on a lot of ground adjoining the borough on the north. It was built in 1791, and is essentially the same as when put up, some few modifications having been made in the inside of the building.

The first house of worship at that place was constructed of logs, and stood in a corner of the old cemetery, which was part of one acre of ground given for church purposes by Gottfried Fidler, in an agreement bearing date December 25, 1745, and about which time the building was erected.

This document was witnessed by Rev. John Casper Stoever, the minister in charge, Jacob Hoffman, John George Haag, and Albrecht Strause. In 1768 Stephen Fidler confirmed this gift, on the part of his father, by a deed, and John Nicholas Haag was appointed trustee of the property, in an instrument attested before Justice Peter Spycker, of Stouchsburgh. A year later Samnel Filbert gave a lot of ground to the church, and in 1770 conveyed the same to Christopher Minnich and Jacob Stranse, as trustees. The old log church was used nntil 1791, when it had decayed so much that a new honse became necessary, which after much effort was built that year. The membership at that time was small and the people poor, so that aid was sought from adjoining districts through Helfrich Kolb, who was appointed collector to visit neighboring churches. His credentials were signed by the pastor, Emanuel Shultze, D.D., Nicholas Haag, Thomas Long, Samnel Strause, Thomas Umbenhauer, Philip Filbert, Frantz Umbenhauer and Michael Guiss. In 1795 the church was supplied with an organ, which is still in use. In March, 1834, the church ceased to be exclusively Lutheran ; then persons of the German Reformed faith obtained an interest which has been maintained since. On February 26, 1870, the church was incorporated.

In 1885 the Lutheran congregation had two hundred and forty members ; the Rev. J. J. Cressman as pastor.

The Reformed congregation then had two hundred and sixty members, and the Rev. Thomas C. Leinbach as pastor.

In the old North-Kill Cemetery are interred, among others, the following :

John George Geihers, born 1738, died 1811. Benjamin Adam Reif, born 1725, died 1784. Johannes Fidler, born 1734, died 1784. Nicholas Haag, died 1797.

Johannes Brossman, born 1768, died 1830.

Christopher Witter, born 1759, died 1808.

John Nicholas Umbenhauer, born 1799, died 1823. Samuel Umbenhauer, born 1790, died 1826.

Johannes Thomas Umbenhaner, born 1762, died 1832.

John P. Heyler, born 1756, died 1832. George Bellman, born 1739, died 1813. Jacob Gerber, born 1784, died 1813. Johannes Haag, born 1776, died 1826. Melchoir Tiegel, born 1754, died 1822. Michael Sibert, born 1761, died 1831. Philip Filbert, born 1770, died 1829.

John George Haag, born 1758, died 1845.

Christian Gruber, born 1712. John Adam Gruber, born 1752, died 1781.

Valentine Reber, born 1742, died 1818. Conrad Reber, born 1778, died 1817. John Peter Haas, born 1750, died 1816. John Philip Filbert, born 1743, died 1817. Albrecht Strauss, born 1760, died 1832.

This old lot is small and inclosed by an old stone fence. The new cemetery is spacious, well-kept and contains a large number of modern headstones.

Salem Church of the Evangelical Association, just outside of the borough limits of Bern- ville and forming a part of the borough, is a brick building, with spire and bell, and a seat- ing capacity for four hundred persons. It is the third church erected on this site. The first was erected in 1852 and the second in 1872. The latter, a commodious brick building, was burned September 24, 1882. The congregation immediately proceeded to rebuild the church. It was dedicated by Bishop Bowman in Febru- ary, 1883. Among the first members of this faith in the vicinity of Bernville were the fam- ilies of John Daniel and John Henry Kline, Benjamin Klahr aud a few others. The member-

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BOROUGHS OF COUNTY.

ship has never been large, numbering at present about thirty. They are served by ministers assigned to the Wonielsdorf Circuit, which con- nection has been maintained many years. H. H. Swavely is superintendent of the Sunday- school.

SCHOOLS .- One of the first English teachers in this locality was Michael Borsch. The first school-house was of logs, on the present school- ground. The second was a brick building, and this becoming too small, another was built on the same lot. In 1878 these were removed and the present two-story brick building was then erected. It has four well-arranged rooms and presents a neat appearance. Ever since the incorporation of the borough, in 1851, a com- mendable interest has been manifested by the people of Bernville in their schools and the education of their children.

SOCIETIES .- Bernville Lodge, No. 122, I. O. of O. F., was instituted on September 6, 1845. In 1885 there were twenty-seven members. A hall was dedicated June 7, 1851.

Washington Camp, No. 113, P. O. S. of A., was instituted May 6, 1869, with twelve char- ter members. In December, 1885, there were fifty-eight members. Weekly meetings are held in a neatly-furnished hall in the Miller Block.

Bernville Association for Detection of Horse- Thieves was incorporated on April 14, 1862, with following members :

Joseph B. Conrad. Abraham R. Koenig.

William N. Potteiger.

Exereal Lengel.

Adam H. Potteiger.

Daniel Bentz.

John S. Wenrich.

William Rishel.

Joseph M. Stoudt.

John R. Koenig.

Samuel Stump. H. F. Groff.

Peter Umbenhauer.

Moses Scheffer.

David Luckenbill.

D. D. Deppen.

Aaron M. Bright. Elias Obold.

Peter Bright. John B. Reber.

This society has maintained a successful ex- istence since its organization.

MILITARY ENCAMPMENT .- A large military encampment was held at Bernville on August 27, 1841, comprising seventeen companies of militia, almost entirely from Berks County. Several companies were from Lebanon and Schuylkill Counties. At that time Berks

County had altogether twenty-three companies, indicating that the majority of the local com- panies were present upon that occasion.

The principal officer in command was Gen- eral William H. Keim. The grand review of all the companies in dress parade was witnessed by Governor David R. Porter. Many persons were in attendance. The encampment was a great success.

FLEETWOOD.

The borough of Fleetwood is situated on the East Pennsylvania Railroad, in the southeastern part of Richmond township. It is located principally on the old Wanner, Schlegel and Ely farms, and the town here, prior to the building of the railroad, in 1857, was known by the name of Coxtown, which also was the name of the post-office until the railroad station was established. As Coxtown the place ante- dates the century. In 1800 there were five log houses, one of them occupied by the Cox family, which came into notoriety in 1809 on account of the hanging of one of the daughters, Susanna, for the murder of her illegitimate child. The family removed at an early day, but the house is still standing, with an addition, as the property of Solomon Schlegel. For a few years after 1810 the place was locally known as " Crowtown," a term applied to it by a wag who passed through the town, lying on the bottom of his wagon and cawing like the crow to express his disgust with the place. Coxtown was not favorably situated, before the railroad was built, to become a busi- ness place ; and in 1856 it contained but twenty- five buildings, three of which only were of stone, all the rest being one-story log houses, occupied by mechanics or laborers. The stone houses are still standing as the residences of George Sholl and Isaac Mertz. The other building is part of the present Schaeffer tavern. All of them were built about 1825. The log cabins have nearly all given place to more substantial structures, while the old-fashioned sweep-well which was almost invariably found in the back-yard, has been replaced by the modern pump.

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Among the early residents of the place were,

Michael Moyer, carpenter ; Peter Hill, blacksmith ; Jacob Sholl, shoemaker and inn-keeper ; John Mes- sersmith, tailor ; Joseph Reifsnyder, carpenter ; Jacob and John Widman, hatters; Christian Schlegel, farmer ; Peter Wanner, farmer and miller ; George Merkel, hatter; John Lehman, hatter; George Young, weaver ; James Maxim, wheelwright ; Benja- min Parks, store-keeper; and George Heckman, school-teacher.

Many of the early citizens of the place at- tained great age. Isaac Koch died aged eighty- three years, and his wife, Elizabeth, was eighty-six. Among those living at present, whose length of years borders on the four-score list, are George Scholl, Solomon Schlegel, Samuel Schlegel and Mrs. Hannah Hoch, the latter being eighty-five years old.

In 1868 Thomas Mellon laid out the town- plan and acknowledged the same on the 11th of May, in the year named. About that time some very substantial improvements were made, and the future of the place was assured by the erec- tion of several prosperous manufactories. Since then there has been a steady increase of fine resi- dences and business houses. The town, in 1885, numbered abont one thousand inhabitants.

INCORPORATION OF BOROUGH .- Fleetwood was incorporated as a borough by a decree of the court October 4, 1873. The first election was fixed for October 31, 1873, and George D. Schaeffer was appointed judge; Daniel Melot and Samnel Dumm, inspectors. The election resulted in the selection of John Swartz as bur- gess, and the following Council: Daniel Koch, president; Jacob S. Kelchner, secretary ; Edwin M. Shollenberger, treasurer ; Jonas Weaver and Amos Melot. Conrad Nill was the first high constable. Since that time the following have been the borough officials:

Term. Burgess.

Clerk.

1874. Levi Templin Thos. J. Kreidler.

1875. .John E. Maurer. Thos. J. Kreidler. 1876 .John E. Maurer C. F. Reifsnyder. 1877 Lewis Schaeffer C. F. Reifsnyder. 1878 . William H. Madeira. C. F. Reifsnyder. 1879 William S. Merkel C. F. Reifsnyder.

1880. William S. Merkel C. F. Reifsnyder. 1881 .Cosmus Schwoyer. E. M. Mill.

1882 A. C. Kemp E. M. Mill.

1883 E. M. Shollenberger Adam W. Haag. 1884 .John Herbein. S. K. Cleaver.

In 1885 the officers were,-

Burgess, J. P. Koch ; Council, George B. Schaeffer (president), George D. Schaeffer (secretary), William S. Schaeffer (treasurer), Samuel Cleaver, Henry Schlegel, Henry Reider; Justices, James F. Dumm, William Bernhart; High Constable, Jacob Keim.

The first justices of the borough were George D. Schaeffer and Samnel Dumm.

On the 3d of September, 1874, the Ken- dall Bros., of Reading, who had laid out and surveyed the streets and alleys of the borough, covering an area of three hundred acres, reported the following names for the streets :

Willow.

Richmond. Locust.

Buttonwood.

Chestnut. Main.

Laurel.

Maple.

Washington.

Walnut.

Cedar.

Arch.

Franklin.

Spruce.

Race.

Green.

Poplar.

Vine.

Elm.

All streets were made fifty feet wide, from house to house, except Main Street, from J. Deisher's to Hannah Schaeffer's house, and Richmond, between Main and Arch Streets, which were made wide streets. Forty-three alleys were located, with widths of twelve, fif- teen and twenty feet. A number of the above streets have been much improved. No action leading to the formation of a Fire Department has yet been taken, excepting to purchase the old Neversink fire-engine, of Reading, but which has never been used.

STORES .- Benjamin Parks, Esq., had the first store in the place, in a building which stood opposite the Farmers' and Drovers' Hotel, and which, in a remodeled condition, is now occu- pied by Samuel Schlegel. A man named Bach- man was the next in trade at that place, and John Messersmith in 1830. The latter soon opened another stand in the present Fleetwood House, keeping both store and tavern. In 1837 he was succeeded by Benjamin Messer- smith, who continued there until 1851, when he built the store on the opposite corner, still known as the Messersmith stand. In that building Daniel J. Wauner first traded and the successive merchants were John Shollenberger, Melot & Kline, Melot & Schaeffer, C. A. Mes- sersmith, Schaeffer & Reifsnyder and since 1880 the present firm, Schaeffer, Messersmith & Co.

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BOROUGHS OF COUNTY.

The next stand was opened in a building put up by Daniel Schaeffer, Philip Schaeffer aud Israel Kline, who occupied it for trading pur- poses. This place is now occupied by Dauiel Melot, Oscar Melot and Nathan Schaeffer as a general store.

In 1860 William Sholl put up the business house on the corner of Main and Franklin Streets, which is at present used by Isaac Mer- kel and C. F. Reifsnyder as a general store. In this period John Shollenberger had a store opposite the foundry for a time. The stand on Main Street, occupied by Kelchner Brothers, was built by Samuel Kelchner and is the fourth business place in order.

The first distinct hardware-store was opened in 1885 by Albert Kline.

The first to engage in the furniture trade was Joseph Reifsnyder, and Joseph Schlegel was the next. This business is now carried on by Edwin M. Mill.

In the general produce business Schaeffer & Co. were the first firm, at the railroad, estab- lishing a large trade, which is still carried on by Lewis A. Wanner, Joel M. Schaeffer and others. Large quantities of iron-ore have been shipped from Fleetwood station, the shippers of the more recent period being the Schaeffers, James F. Dumm and Samuel H. Rothermel & Brother, the latter also being miners, operating on an extensive scale.

TAVERNS .- Opposite the old Parks store the Sholls had a tavern,-the first in the place- which is still continued as the property of that family.

From 1837 to 1851 Benjamin Messersmith was the proprietor of the present "Fleetwood House," and which has been kept for a number of years by the present landlord, George D. Schaeffer. The original building has been much enlarged.

The "Union House" was built by Levi Templing about the time the railroad was com- pleted, but was enlarged by George Dewees, and is at present kept by Samuel Dewees.

A fourth hotel was built by its present occu- pant, Jacob Knoll, in the neighborhood of the depot.

POST-OFFICE .- The post-office at Fleetwood 79

was established in 1852 as Coxtown, and Ben- jamin Messersmith was the first postmaster. Subsequently the office was held by D. J. Wan- ner, John Shollenberger, Daniel Melot, Lewis Schaeffer, C. F. Reifsnyder, C. A. Messersmith in 1880, and since January, 1886, by Daniel Schaeffer. Since August 15, 1881, it has been a postal money-order office. Six mails per day are supplied, and it is the distributing office for Moselem Springs and Pricetown.

PHYSICIANS .- In the practice of medicine Dr. James Matthews, now of Temple, was lo- cated at this place about four years. Among other practitioners who were here a short time may be named Drs. Heiser, Long, Evans, Maury, Nagle and Thompson.

Dr. Edward Bieber was located at Fleetwood on the breaking out of the war, and joined the army from this place. Dr. L. R. Lentz has been in successful practice since 1865, and has as contemporaries Dr. A. N. Fretz and Dr. M. O. Grenawalt. Dr. Fretz carries on a drug- store in connection with his practice. Dr. Gren- awalt located in the fall of 1885.

Dr. Peter H. Gehris is the dentist of the borough.

SOCIETIES .- Fleetwood Council, No. 20, Or- der of American Mechanics, was instituted in August, 1858, and has maintained its meetings regularly since its organization, convening every Saturday evening. In 1885 there were forty- four members.

The council has an invested fund of $2100, $800 real estate and $600 widows' and orphans' fund.

Willow Valley Lodge, No. 142, K. of P .- This body was instituted in March, 1868, and. reported ninety-two members in 1885.

An invested fund of two thousand dollars is evidence of the prosperity of the lodge.

Washington Camp, No. 103, P. O. S. of A., was instituted September 22, 1868, with twenty- seven members, as a junior camp. On the 24th of January, 1880, it was re-chartered with its present title, the membership at that time being thirty-five. In 1885 the number belong- ing was thirty-nine.

GRADED SCHOOL .- In 1877 the graded school building was erected at a cost of more

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

than six thousand dollars. It is a fine, large brick edifice, standing on a spacious lot, shaded by young, thrifty trees. The building is well supplied with apparatus, and a literary society, which meets regularly in it, maintains a library. The schools are graded into four departments,- primary, secondary, intermediate and grammar, -having a total enrollment of two hundred and nine pupils. Since 1883 William M. Zechman has been the principal.

CHURCHES. - St. Paul's Church (German Reformed and Lutheran) is located a short dis- tance west of the borough, in Richmond town- ship, but continues to be the principal place of worship for many of the people of Fleetwood. It is a plain stone edifice, erected in 1841, and has the architecture peculiar to that period. The grounds embrace two acres of land, cut from the farm of Benjamin Hoch, and most of which constitutes a cemetery. The church was built by a committee composed of Reuben Sholl, Joseph Reifsnyder, Abraham Mertz and Henry Seidel.

The Rev. Isaac Roeller became the pastor of the Lutheran congregation and served it until 1860, when the Rev. B. E. Krumlich took charge and still continues the pastoral relation. His congregation numbers more than three hundred members. The Reformed element of the church has a smaller membership, and has had two pastors, the Rev. Charles Herman being the first, with Rev. J. Sassaman Herman as his successor.

A Sunday-school, organized in St. Paul's Church, had William Sholl as its first super- intendent, and after being continued here some time, was moved to the borough, where it is kept up in St. Paul's Chapel.

St. Paul's Chapel is a non-sectarian house of worship, dedicated in 1884, " for the use of any denomination professing the teachings of Christ and His followers, on proper consent obtained from the board of trustees controlling the house." The building is to be forever inde- pendent of synodical connection, but as it was erected mainly by the members of St. Paul's Church, to afford a more convenient place of worship in the village, the meetings of the foregoing congregations are most frequently

held in it. The movement to erect this build- ing was set on foot at a public meeting in August, 1883, when a number of the leading citizens were appointed to solicit subscriptions, conditioned upon a purpose to build, if funds sufficient could be secured. Their success led to the organization of a building society, Sep- tember 1, 1883, of which C. F. Riefsnyder was president ; T. J. Kreidler, secretary ; and George B. Schaeffer, treasurer; and a building commit- tee was appointed, composed of Lewis Schaeffer, A. H. Madeira, George Knoll, C. F. Reifsnyder and Levi Boyer. At the same time a board of trustees was selected, consisting of George B. Schaeffer, Lewis Schaeffer, C. F. Reifsnyder, George Knoll and Amos H. Madeira. A lot of ground was secured on Franklin Street, where the corner-stone was laid, September 28, 1883, by the Revs. N. C. Schaeffer, B. E. Kramlich and others. Upon this was built an attractive superstructure of brick, forty by seventy feet, and crowned with a steeple more than a hundred feet high. In this is a bell of fine tone, weighing two thousand and thirty-four pounds. The building was completed at a cost of about seven thousand dollars, and is a worthy monument to the public-spirited citizens who erected it. The property is in charge of a board of control, from whose numbers a body of trustees is selected, as the executive body of those who have contributed to the building of tlie chapel, and they also select the controllers.

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History of Berks county in Pennsylvania, Part 153

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846 Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Peck & Richards Number of Pages: 1418

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Peck & Richards
Number of Pages: 1418