History of Berks county in Pennsylvania, Part 157

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

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The township built two separate district school-houses in this locality and was content with ordinary English teaching a few months each year. Disappointed, but not disheartened, the friends of a liberal education bided their time, and on the 1st of January, 1857, they put forth another effort to establish such a school, but one which should be independent of public control. Dr. Bertolet found warm coadjutors in Daniel S. Leinbach, B. A. Glase and others, who agreed to associate themselves with him to form a stock company to erect and conduct an academy. The project was so warmly encour- aged that its success was soon assured ; and to put the enterprise upon the best possible footing, the company became an incorporated body April 13, 1857, upon the petition of the follow- ing persons :

Daniel S. Leinbach. P. G. Bertolet.

B. A. Glase. Jacob Bertolet.

Daniel H. Levan

Daniel G. Bertolet.

John K. Bertolet.

J. H. Major.

John R. Edelman.

Peter Guldin.

Samuel F. Busby.

David Bear.

A commodious two-story brick building was erected in the lower part of Friedensburg, and on December 1, 1857, Oley Academy was opened, with forty studeuts, and Jacob H. Major as principal. From the first it was pros- perous. It suffered a reverse in 1874, which threatened the life of the school. Fortunately, a new generation of friends of higher education came to the rescue, and by their united efforts the institution was placed upon a better footing than ever before. Not only were old debts liquidated, but enough money was raised besides to erect a fine three-story boarding hall. The academy was supplied with choice philosophical apparatus, a large collection of geological and botanical specimens, and a library of about five hundred volumes of standard and reference books. Thus equipped, it entered upon a new career of prosperity, which has continued to this day. The yearly attendance is about one hun- dred students, and, being empowered by its charter to confer " honorary degrees," regular courses of study have been established.

These embrace the study of the English, in all its branches, and the ancient and modern classics. In 1885 the first class was graduated -twelve in number-which had completed the prescribed courses.

The academy has had a number of really dis- tinguished men as instructors, who have con- ducted the academy very successfully. It has aided in preparing many for the different learned professions ; has educated a large num - ber of the ablest teachers in this section of the county, and inculcated a love for literary life in many homes in Oley and the surrounding townships. Of the many academies in the State called into existence thirty years ago, this is one of the few still open and whose present condition is better than its beginning.

Its principal instructors have been the fol- lowing :

1857-58, Jacob H. Major.

1859-60, I. B, Hankey, J. P. Matthews.

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

1861-62, Israel M. Bertolet, Frank Laucks. 1863-64, Rev. L. K. Evans. 1865-67, Rev. Daniel M. Wolf, Wm. G. Guinther. 1868-69, Howard Gutelius.

1870-72, Jacob H. Major. 1873, George Hetrick. 1874-75, Samuel A. Baer.

1876, Rev. D. E. Schoedler.

George H. Heffner has served as the princi- pal of the academy since 1884, and manifested a high order of efficiency for the position. His assistant is John G. Dengler, who was a student in the academy in 1858, and has been for the past twenty years an instructor in the institu- tion. Other instructors of special branches are Martha Mertz Heffner, J. B. Leinbach and G. E. M. Herbst, A.M.

The present board of trustees composes President, Jared Hoch ; Secretary, John G. Dengler ; Treasurer, Diniel D. Hoch, Frank Y. Kauffman, Jacob K. Levan, James B. Herbein.

VILLAGES.

Oley has no large villages within its bounds. Its people, from its first settlement, were almost wholly given up to agricultural pursuits, and cared little for the advantages and influences possessed by those living in more densely in- habited communities. Only within the last few decades have any attempts been made at build- ing in villages. On the Monocacy, where the State road from Reading crosses that stream, is Oley Line (Lime-Kiln post-office). It is a business point, noted in Exeter. Hans Schnei- der was the first settler there, in 1717, and part of the house he built in 1746 is still in use on the Gehr farm, Jacob Gehr, the owner, having intermarried in the Schneider family. South of the road are still living the Schneiders, direct descendants of the pioneer who died in 1763. To the eastward the Herbeins made improvements, and to the southeast the Knabbs have long maintained their possessions. In this locality Peter Knabb had a country store several years, and also manufactured lime on an extensive scale. Lower down the valley, and also in Exeter, is the well-known Yellow House store and tavern opened by Peter Nagle, and later the property of Lemuel Guldin, who there trans- acted a heavy business as a dealer in mules for

the government during the late Civil War, amassing therefrom quite a fortune. He had as many as one hundred and fifty mules stabled at one time, waiting orders to ship to the army. North on the Oley pike Benneville Griesemer had a country store from 1840 till 1847. In the central part of the township Jacob Kemp had an old-time tavern about 1820, but which was discontinued more than thirty years ago. It was the first election-place of the township, and the polls were continued there after the tavern was closed.

GRIESEMERSVILLE is in the southeastern part, which took its name from the Griesemer family, which at one time owned about one thousand acres of land in that locality. Casper Griesemer was the great-grandfather of the elder Griese- mers living in the township at present. He lived on the present Wellington Griesemer farnı. One of his sons (Peter) resided a little west of the liamlet, and built a liouse there in 1782 which is still in use by his immediate descendants. Here also lived Samuel Goodman, who had the strength of a giant combined with the do- cility of a child. He served in the War of 1812-15, and the many feats which he per- formed appear almost incredible to the present generation. In that neighborhood several inns were kept at an early day. East of the Mana- tawny, on the present Henry Fisher farm, Fredrick Hill had a tavern which before him was kept by the Boyer family. It has been used as a farm-house for a long time. Nearer the present hamlet Nicholas Yeager sheltered man and beast in buildings which were closed to the public more than sixty years ago; and about the same time was discontinued the inn of George Focht, on the present High farm. Nearer the Oley Churches, on the present De- Turk farm, Enoch Griesemer had an inn, kept open until about forty years ago. This was, in its day, a noted house, and being on a principal thoroughfare, was well patronized. At the centre of the hamlet a brick hotel building, four stories high and sixty feet front, was erected by Peter D. Griesemer, in 1860, which has since been used as a public-house. At one time the building contained ninety rooms; but this num ber has been reduced by making several halls,

943

TOWNSHIPS OF COUNTY.

which are used for public gatherings. In this building a store was also opened and the Griese- mersville post-office established in 1870, kept by Peter D. Griesemer. A later postmaster was 'A. E. Fegley and the present is William Renno, the proprietor of the building .. The store is kept by George S. Keiffer. Near this place is a mechanic-shop, carried on for the past fifty years by J. Spahn.

SPANGSVILLE, a post hamlet in the neigh- borhood of the old Oley Forge, derived its name from Jacob S. Spang, one of the owners of that industry, and who also merchandised there about sixty years ago. After his retirement Alexander Peacock was in trade, and subsequent merchants were, among others, George S. Keiffer, John Hartman, and the present, John B. Yingling. These have had charge of the Spangsville post- office, established in 1851, and which is at present supplied with a daily mail from Read- ing. For a number of years Jacob L. Griese- mer has been the postmaster. It comprises a number of houses and shops, which may be classed as belonging to this hamlet. Ncar the Oley Churches Dr. E. E. Griesemer was in the active practice of his profession before his re- moval to Reading ; and the present physician is Dr. A. N. Fegley, who has resided there the past sixteen years.

PLEASANTVILLE is not inappropriately named. It has a fine location on the Mana- tawny, near the Pike township line, and con- tains two churches, a store, taverns, shops and a dozen fine residences. Isaac Yoder was the founder of the place. Abont 1850 he erected part of the present tavern building, which he opened as a public-house. Soon afterward Abraham Cleaver began trading in the same building and later the house was used solely as an inn. It has been much enlarged by Evan Mensch, the present proprietor. In 1856 the Odd-Fellows belonging to Oley Lodge, No. 218, erected a fine three-story brick building, finishing it up in an attractive and substantial manner.

It was formally dedicated on Christmas day of that year. The lower story was fitted up for a business room and the upper stories formed a public hall, and one for the use of the lodges.

In 1873 the lodge was transferred to Boyer- town and later to Reading, where its meetings are now held. In this building Ely & Yoder, Daniel Hoffinan, Jacob F. Holder, H. K. Cleaver, and since 1874, F. R. Cleaver, have conducted a successful store business. Here is kept the Manatawny post-office, established in 1851, and on the Shanesville daily mail-route. Near this place Dr. Peter G. Bertolet practiced medicine a short time prior to his location at Friedensburg, and Albert Cleaver has had a saddlery on the place for many years. Pleasant- ville was erected into a separate school district in 1857, having been then taken out of Oley township.

FRIEDENSBURG is the largest and most pros- perous village in the township, having now more than five hundred inhabitants. Though founded in 1831, the place has had the most of its growth within the past twenty years. Re- cently it has been beautified by the erection of costly and substantial buildings to a greater ex- tent than in all its previous history. It contains the Oley Academy-an institution of learning of good repute-Friedens Church, an Evangeli- cal Church, and stores, shops, etc. The name was suggested by Henry H. Maurer, and was derived from the Friedens Church, which was erected at this place in 1830. About the same time John A. Bertolet opened the tavern oppo- site the new church. Henry Dengler had opened a store some five years previous. The village was not regularly laid out. The build- ings are mainly on the prominent road leading through the place. The original tavern build- ing was enlarged by Peter Glase, who kept it for a long time. The present keeper is Oliver C. Miller. The second hotel was built in 1881 by S. H. Mensch and has since been occupied by him.

Henry Dengler continued his store in the long building until about 1832, when he occu- pied for some time in trade the building which is now the residence of Dr. J. Jack.

Near the same time, John K. and Malery Bertolet engaged for six years in business in part of the building which now forms the fine business house of John O. Glase. They were succeeded by Schnell & Laucks, and the latter

944

HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

by B. A. Glase, one of the most successful mer- chants in the county. His business is now carried on successfully by his son, John O. Glase. In 1860 David Baer built another business stand, which was occupied by William Baer, Calvin Whitner, Edwin Baer and P. L. Glase, the latter since 1884. John K. Bertolet and Jacob Day had other stores for short pe- riods.

The post-office for this section of the town- ship was established in 1828 with the name of Oley Furnace, which was afterward changed to Oley. The postmasters have been Henry Dengler, B. A. Glase, Edwin Baer, J. O. Glase and, for the past six months, George W. Yeag- er. It has a daily mail from Reading to Pike- ville.

In the practice of the medical profession. Dr. Francis Palm located here about 1820, continu- ing till his death, about 1850. Dr. Thomas Rutter came next, remaining several years ; and Dr. Mark Kerr, for a short time, when he removed to Norristown. Dr. Henry Tyson came about 1844, and was a practitioner for six years, then removed to Reading ; and Dr. Mengel, after a few years' practice, located in Schuylkill County. Dr. Peter G. Bertolet was long, prominently and successfully identified with the medical interests of the township, and he was succeeded by Dr. J. A. Jock. Other physi- cians are Dr. George E. M. Herbst and Dr. William F. Hertzog, the latter locating within the past year.

The principal industry in the village is the coach-making establishment of W. H. Butter- weck, carried on since 1872. He occupies a two-story building, and produces light work, and employs seven hauds. Northeast of the village is the old and well-known machine-shop, oper- ated by a small water-power, chiefly on repair- work, which is a great accommodation to the people of Oley. It has been carried on by Martin Yoder. In 1886 the principal trades- men of Friedensburg were : Wheelwright and blacksmiths, Edwin Lorah, J. Houck and E. Yoder; marble cutters, William Schollenberger and George Brownmiller; saddler, George W. Yeager ; tinsmith, Jonas Carl ; cabinet makers, Uriah A. Schlegel and Amos Rothermel ;

shoemakers, David Deihl, Samuel Angstadt and Daniel Angstadt; tailor, John Himmelriech.

SOCIETIES.

RINGGOLD COUNCIL, No. 23, ORDER OF AMERICAN MECHANICS, was instituted at Frie- densburg April 28, 1858. At present it has sixty-eight members.

MINNEHAHA LODGE, No. 154, KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS, was instituted January 9, 1869, and in 1885 had one hundred and twenty-two members.

Both the above orders own and meet in a very fine hall, converted out of the David Baer residence in 1884, and they have a flourishing existence.

AMITY TOWNSHIP.

The first settlements in the county were made by Swedes along the eastern bank of the Schuyl- kill, in the locality of Douglassville. In 1701 Andrew Rudman, clerk, in behalf of himself and several of his countrymen, the Swedes, who were desirous of making a new settlement in the province of Pennsylvania, made application to William Penn for the privilege of taking up ten thousand acres of land on the river Schuyl- kill, near Mauatawny Creek. Penn, in pur- suance of this application, issued a warrant on October 21, 1701, to Edward Pennington, forthwith to lay out ten thousand acres, which were to begin about six hundred perches up the Schuylkill from the upper line of the German's land (meaning Sprogell's manor, afterwards called McCall's manor), and to extend backward from the river ten miles with the said German's land, if convenient. The following-named Swedes then took up lands, the earliest survey having been made on October 21, 1701, and patents having been issued during the years 1704 and 1705 :

Andreas Rudman

Acres. 1000

Benjamin Burden

500

Mounce Jones. 500

Justa Justason

John Cock. 1000

500

Andrew Bankson.

500

Peter Cock 300

Matthias Holstou 900

945

TOWNSHIPS OF COUNTY.

Peter Boon. 1000

Mounce Justice. 700

Richard Roads. 800

Otto Ernest Cock 500

Morton Morton 1200

Jacob Culinn 600

Jonas Yocum 350

Benjamin Boon

200

Of those named, the following were among the Swedish settlers on the Delaware in 1693, the number indicating the persons in their re- spective families :

Maus Jonsson -

Gostaf Gostafson 8

Johan Cock.

Anders Benkson 9

Matts Hollsten.

Maus Gostafson

Otto Ernest Cock 5

Marten Martenson

Acrelius, in his "History of New Sweden," says that " when Penn came to Pennsylvania the second time he offered the Swedes ten thou- sand acres of land in Manathanim, sixty miles higher up in the country, under the pretext that they might have more room and live together. But the upshot was to get their homes for his Quakers, and few, therefore, accepted of the offer." The Swedes named are the few referred to by bim.

In a letter from the Swedes to John Thelin, postmaster at Götheborg, dated in 1693, they asked for two ministers to come over and ad- minister to them and also for certain religious books; they also represented,-" We live in great amity with the Indians, who have not done us any harm for many years." From this cir- cumstance the Swedes, who afterward settled farther north, called their settlement " Amity." Their letter was answered by Archbishop Suebi- lius, upon the recommendation of King Charles, of Sweden, and the two ministers and books asked for were sent to them. One of the min- isters was Andrew Rudman, of Gestricia, who, upon his arrival on June 24, 1697, selected the congregation at Wicocoa, in Philadelphia, which included Manathanim [Manatawny ].1

OLD SWEDE BUILDING .- On the eastern bank of the Schuylkill, at the bridge near Douglass-

ville, a small two-story stone building is still standing in a good state of preservation, though erected one hundred and seventy years ago. Its dimensions are thirty-six by twenty-one feet. A soft yellow shale stone tablet is built in the front wall, between the windows of the second story which face the river, and bears the following inscription : Such commonly made by inscriptions were the Swedes. Many found on buildings The upper letter - MI 1716 similar stones are in Bucks County.

OLD SWEDE'S BUILDING.

indicated the initial of the husband's name ; the lower letter to the left the initial of the hus- band's given name, and to the right that of the wife's, and the figures indicated the time of erec- tion. This inscription indicates that the build- ing was erected by Mounce Jones and Ingabo, his wife, in 1716. He took up one of the Swedes' tracts of land, on which this building is situated, on October 21, 1701, and the patent was issued to him on May 15, 1705. At that point of the river there was a ford. It was used for many years till 1833, when a private bridge was erected by a stock company. Pre- vious to 1820 the building had been used for some years as a tavern, and went by the name of " Lamb's Inn."

Soon after the Swedes had effected permanent settlements on their lands they felt the want of roads. In March, 1709, they, with other set- tlers, who occupied lands lower down the river, presented a petition to court at Philadelphia. They represented that they had plantations lying very remote in the country, and in the edge or outskirts of any inhabitants in the county and that it was very difficult for them to pass and re-pass unto their plantations, be-

1 Acre!ius' " History of New Sweden," p. 197.

946

HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

cause there was no public road laid out far enough ; they therefore prayed for viewers to lay out a road from the late house of Edward Lane, deceased, being on the Queen's Highway, unto Manitania. This petition was signed

by John H. Sprogell. Charles Millard.

Mons Jones.

Andrew Leicken.

Walter Newman.

Matthew Brooks.

John Justus. Robert Billings.

John Newman. Thomas McCarey.

Jesta Jestison. Henry Parker.

John Jones. Hubert Hübertson.

The court appointed Mouns Jones, Walter Newman, Matthew Brooks, Andrew Lyson, John Justice and James Brooks, or any four of them, to lay out the road and report at the next session. This report could not be found, and it is believed that the road was not laid out.

TOWNSHIP ERECTED .- About 1719 an ap- plication was made to erect the Swedes' tracts, together ten thousand five hundred acres in area, into a township to be cal- led "Amity." The survey was made by George Boone, Esq. The application was granted ; the township was erected, and a con- stable and other necessary township officers were appointed, but no record was made of the proceedings and the application had to be re- newed twenty-five years afterward.

The petition was presented at Philadelphia on March 3, 1744, and signed by the following persons :

Gilbert Dehart.

Daniel Womelsdorf.

Simon Dehart.

Johann Dietrich, Jr.

William Nelson.

Daniel Ludwig.

John Campbell.

John Sands.

Owen Richard.

his

John Bell.

Jacob W. Wawer.

John Bausfeld.

mark

David Campbell.

John L.O. Lorey. mark

Stephen Miker.

Marcus Hidings.

Walter Campbell.

Jacob Waren.

Robert Patterson.

Peter Weaver.

Joseph Boone.

Windeel Candreas.

Thomas Dalmar.

Charles Megru.

Owen Williams. Ellis Griffeth.

B. Brinly.

Hans Jacobroth.

Isaac Wiseman.

Abijah Sands.

Jonas Jones.

Monce Jones.

William Bird. Henry Beil.

John Dunckley. Peter Jones.

Michael Melmyer. -

This was the first township erected in the district now comprised in Berks County.

In 1717 another petition was presented for a public road from Oley to the King's Highway. At December sessions the court appointed the following viewers : John Rhodes, Thomas Mc- Carty, Andrew Robeson, Matthew Brooks, James Brooks and Matthias Bowman. The road was laid out forty feet wide and confirmed at December sessions, 1719. It is the direct road from Pleasantville, by way of Yellow Honse, to Amityville.

In June, 1718, Andrew Robeson applied for a road from Perkiomeu Creek, through Lower and Upper Limerick and the Frankford tracts, to the upper part of Amity. William Harman, John Jacob, Matthew Holgate, Thomas Strond, John Redwitzer and Matthew Brooks were ap- pointed viewers. The Perkiomen turnpike oc- cupies the road laid out by them. The name " Amity," to designate locality, was first used in this petition.

The following list comprises the names of the taxables (thirty-seven) of the township in 1734, and the quantity of land upon which they paid quit-rent :

Acree.

Acres.

Mordecai Lincoln 500

Peter Robinson .500

Morgan Herbert. 100

Marcus Huling 200

James Thompson 300

Anthony Sedneky 300

Thomas Palmore. 100

Jonah Yocom 200

Jacob Weaver. 110

Andrew Ringbery 50

George Hinton 150

Peter Jones. 200

Andrew Jones. 220

Elijah Dehart 100

Henry Gibeon 200

Andrew Caldwell 300

Thomas Broomfield

100

Walter Campbell 100

Anthony Turner

.150

Walter Davle 100

John Zetter Griner. 150

John Warren, Jr ... 200

Daniel Womblesdorf. 200

Richard Dunkley 100

George Andre 200

John Jacob Roth 150

Jonah Jones 200

Edward Rees. 300

Owen Williams, only proprie-

Simon Deliart. 100

tary land

Windle Andrews, .150

Thomas Smith, a tenant .. 150

In 1741 the number of taxables returned was seventy.

The following list comprises the number of taxables for 1759. The amount of tax then levied was £72 19s. 6d. John Lorah was the collector.

William Davis.

Andrew Sadowski.

Nicholas Scull.

his

William Falman.

Jacob Warren

100

Malin Sander.

Joseph Boon .240

David Harry. 150

William Richarde 150

947

Daniel Andrew

. 14

Jacob Hoffman. 16

John Ax.

Nicholas Jonee.

Mounce Jones .12

Peter Jones. 16

Jonas Jones. .16

Samuel Kookeon.

MoBeB Bower. 2

George Bower. 4

William Boone, 5

Thomas Brumfield. 10

Solomoo Brunofield 6

Joseph aud Hugh Boone .. 30

Joha Boyer. .. 18

Jolin Cbilde. 2

George Caplinger 2

John Crinor 20

Peter. Carliog 4

Hugh Mitchell

Hugh McCaffry

Jobn Campbell

Jacob Crust 7

Christino Congh 1

Peter Cattemoyer 2

Lawrence Cooper 2

Coroelius Dehart .15

Adam Drinkout 2

Edward Drury 4

Coraelias Deweee 4

David Davis 4

Jacob Early 4

George Eogleherdt 3

William Eogle. 18

Widow Eliz. Enters .. 10

John Ewald 16

Eliz. Womelsdorff. 20

Daniel Walters

James Waren

Ludwig Fittinger. 5

Thomas Waren

Jacob Wareo

Jacob Gelbach

Joseph Williame

Isaac Wiseman, Jr. 1

Isaac Wiseman, Sr.

William Hole 1

George Webb 2

John Webb 7

William Winters.

.. 30

David Harmen 4

John Waren 17

Jeho Huttiog.

Peter Weaver.

Single Men.

Hezekiah Boone.

Joho Lincoln.

Samuel Boone.

Martin Marquart.

Joseph Bromfield.

Ludwig Merberger.

William Davis.

Daniel Pile.

Peter Eisemioger.

Abijab Sande.

Abram Enoch.

Samuel Sende.

Charles Guest.

Frederick Walk.

Nicholas Jones.

Benjamin Williame.

Jeremiah Keffer.

William Williams.

Jacob Womeledorf.

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS.

The water-powers of the township have been well utilized. On the Monocacy, near the Exeter line, the old Griesemer mill, so long operated, is still carried on as the property of George Brown. Some distance below there was an old mill, in 1820, called Kinsey's, whose power was used by the De Turks to operate a fulling-mill. Near the turnpike the Bowers have had a saw-mill the past seventy

years; and for a longer period of time the Schracks had a mill near the mouth of the creek, which is now carried on by Isaac Moyer.

On the Manatawny, the lower power in the township was made to operate grist and clover- mills for the Boone family, which, like the owners, have passed away. Thomas Boone died at that place. Lida Schull built the present three-story brick mill about 1850, which replaced the old stone and frame mill. Isaac F. March and Isaac Fegley also owned the property, which now belongs to M. Rhoads. The old Ose Sands mill was next above,-an old structure with the lower part stone and a frame superstructure. Solomon Rhoads re- modeled the mill, which was destroyed by fire July 7, 1855. The present brick mill was built on the site the same year, and as the property of Mahlon Weidner, was supplied with new process machinery in 1884. The old stone mill of John S. Bertolet, at the next site, was rebuilt. by John Rhoads, but is now the property of John Hiest, Near the Earl line David Rhoads had a paper-mill, Jacob Weaver a grist-mill, and seventy years ago an oil-mill was put up at the same place. After a number of years elapsed the grist-mill only remained which is now operated by James High.

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History of Berks county in Pennsylvania, Part 157

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