History of Berks county in Pennsylvania, Part 163

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

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all his children became members of the same church. He was a member of the building committee at the time of the erection of the church building and contributed liberally to- ward paying the debt. He died December 10, 1872. His widow survives and lives in Exeter township. Jacob Levan resides upon the farm which was the place of his birth and has followed the employment of a farmer all his life. He was married to Elizabeth, daughter of John and Joan Kerper, of Exeter township, in 1882. They have two children, Caroline Amelia and Jacob. Cyrus Levan is also a prosperous farmer in the same township. He married Susan, daughter of Benjamin Trout. Their surviving children are Jacob, Edwin and Harry. Abraham Levan has retired from his labors as a farmer and resides in Exeter township. He married Sally Davis and has no living children. Nathan Levan resides in Exeter township. He married Amanda, daughter of John and Joan Kerper and has two children, Mary and Joseph. David Levan graduated from Franklin and Marshall College and is now engaged in the study of law.

EPHRAIM SCHNEIDER is a descendant of Hans Schneider, the progenitor of the branches of the Schneider family residing in Exeter and Oley townships, Berks County. He emi- grated from Switzerland before the Revolu- tionary War, and settled on a tract of land at present known as "Oley Line." Ephraim Schneider was born October 11, 1822, in Exeter township, on the Schneider mill farm, on a part of which stands his present home. The grist-mill and farm were deeded to his grandfather, Daniel Schneider, by his great- grandfather, Peter Schneider, and again willed by his grandfather Daniel to his son, Daniel K. Schneider. The grist-mill and part of the land are now owned and occupied by William H. Schnei- der, who was for six consecutive times elected justice of the peace (1855 to 1885). Daniel Schneider, grandfather of Ephraim, served in the army during the Revolutionary War, and on his return from Valley Forge, where Wash- ington's army was encamped, narrowly escaped death from the severity of the cold. He mar- ried Sarah Knabb, and had among their chil-

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

dren a son, Daniel K., the eldest of the family, who carried on the well-known Schneider mill. He commanded a company of militia on the breaking out of the War of 1812, but by unfair means was later deprived of his command, which he much regretted in after-life. He filled for three years the office of county com- misioner, and was one of the incorporators of the Berks County Mutual Fire Insurance Com-

trade of a millwright, but finding it necessary to be much away from home in the pursuit of his vocation, finally abandoned it, and purchas- ing a farm at Stonerville, in Exeter township, devoted his attention to farming. At a later date he bought another farm, on which he now resides. He was, in 1844, married to Rebecca, danghter of Jacob and Susan Knabb Dehart. Their children are William, born June 25,

Ephraim Schneider

pany, of which he was the first president. He died on the 4th of March, 1872, in his eighty- fourth year. Daniel K. Schneider married Mary Lies. Their children were Solomon and Henrietta, married to John Bechtel. By a second marriage, with Catherine Herbine, of Exeter township, he had the following-named children : Ephraim, Daniel, William, Augus- tus, Amelia, (Mrs. Levan), Susan (Mrs. Faber), Catherine (Mrs. Girst), and Lydia (deceased). Ephraim Schneider has spent his whole life in the township of his birth. He learned the

1846; Sarah M., October 29, 1848 ; Kate (Mrs. Peter Harbine), September 25, 1850; Ezra, January 25, 1855 ; Calvin, October 16, 1858; Rosa, February 21, 1861, deceased; Mary Ann, April 2, 1863; and Daniel, an infant. The grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Schneider are Elizabeth M., Calvin and Cora, children of William Schneider, and Lizzie, Alice, Charles (deceased) and Gertrude, children of Peter and Kate Harbine. Mr. Schneider, as a Democrat, is active and influential in local politics. He is interested in the lumber business. He and

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TOWNSHIPS OF COUNTY.

his family are members of the Schwartzwald Reformed Church, in which he has filled the offices of trustee, deacon and elder.

ALSACE TOWNSHIP.

ERECTION OF TOWNSHIP .- Jacob Spangler, Dewalt Baum, Johannes Haweracker, Henry Snider, Philip S. Hare, Peter Smith, Heinrich Guthard, Heinrich Gerhard and Michael Graul subscribed a petition which was presented to the Court of Quarter Sessions of Philadelphia County on December 2, 1744, iu which they represented that a sufficient quantity of land had become settled, and that they labored under such inconveniences as to entitle them to be erected into a separate township; that the first settlers had come from a place in Germany, called Elsas, and that they therefore desired the township to be called by that name. The court ordered a survey of the district to be made ; and the survey was accordingly made by Edward Scull, surveyor, who reported the following description :

" Beginning at a corner of Exeter township, on the northeast bank of the Schuylkill river; thence by said township N. 33 E. 87 perches; S. 57 E. 70 perches; N. 33 E. 1154 perches; N. 70 E. 400 perches to a road leading to Philadelphia ; thence along said road 167 perches to a corner of Oley town- ship; thence by the same N. 20 E. 450 perches ; thence by vacant land and the Manor of Ruscomb, N. 45 W. 1730 perches ; thence S. 65 W. 817 perches to Schuylkill River; thence down the river about seven miles to the place of beginning, containing 23,270 acres."

The surveyor-general, William Parsons, ex- amined the survey and certified on March 3, 1745, that it did not interfere with any other township; and on the following day it was erected into a township, to be known as " Alsace,"

The area of the township was reduced upon several occasions - first, by erecting the town of Reading into a separate district or township in 1761, and upon its enlargement as a borough in 1783, and a city in 1847; again, upon the erection of Muhlenberg township, in 1851, out of that portion of its territory which lay to the north of Reading and to the west of Penn's

Mount. And in 18501 another reduction was made by cutting off the " Poplar Neck " and lands adjacent, extending to "Neversink," together with over three hundred acres, and adding it to Cumru township-this having been deemed advisable as a matter of con- venience in respect to roads, schools and elec- tions. This body of land is the only portion of the county lying to the east of the Schuyl- kill which is connected with a district lying to the west.

EARLY WARRANTS .- In pursuance of an application by Andrew Robeson for five lun- dred acres of land, a tract was surveyed for him on August 26, 1714.2 The northern line began " on the east side of the Schuylkill, at a black-oak, near the ford where the old road leads to Turpahoking; " and the southern line ran along "Neversink's land." This comprised what is now the southwestern section of Read- ing. The survey was abandoned for some unknown reason. The Indians may have objected, because the land lay beyond the "Lechay Hills" (South Mountain). Several years afterward, in 1718, Robeson purchased one thousand acres south of this natural boun- dary line.

A large tract of land, containing three hun- dred and seventy-five acres, in the extreme lower section of the township,3 adjoining the Schuykill, was patented to Edward Farmer in 1735, under the name of " Poplar Neck." Nicholas Scull, surveyor, made use of the same name in entering notes of a survey in that locality in his note-book on December 11, 1734. The greater part of this tract (two hundred and thirteen acres) became vested in Samuel High, of Oley. by deed, dated February 20, 1746. And this land has been transmitted in an unbroken line in the High family from that time till now, a period covering one hundred and forty years. The name was given to this neck of land (formed by a bend in the river) from the poplar trees which were found growing there,

! Act of Assembly passed April 11, 1850.

" This is the first notice of taking up land above the South Mountain.

3 Separated from the township and added to Cumru township in 1851.

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

and this same species of tree is still found there growing with great vigor. The land is now owned and occupied by Ezra High, a superior farmer and exemplary man.

In the extreme northern end of the township there is a parallel case of the transmission of land in one family in an unbroken line, for nearly a hundred years. In 1737 a tract of one hundred and forty-four acres, called the " Four Corners," was surveyed to Conrad Koh (or Cook), and he conveyed his right, in 1741, to Dietrich Bydelman. Dietrich Shalter mi- grated from Goshenhoppen to this land and hired himself to Bydelman, and soon afterward married his only child. Bydelman obtained the patent for the tract mentioned, and two other tracts in 1770 and 1771, together contain- ing two hundred and forty-two acres ; and in 1791 he conveyed these tracts to his son-in-law, Dietrich Shalter, from whom this land has been transmitted in the Shalter name till the present time. Benjamin S. Shalter (a great-grandson of Bydelman) became the owner in 1835, and died in possession in 1884. It is still in the family. Mr. Shalter was a progressive farmer and recognized for his honor and honesty ; and notwithstanding that his land is situated on the hills, he has brought it to, and continued it in, a high state of cultivation. He was a man possessed of much public spirit. His Christian generosity won for him the highest esteem of his fellow-citizens. The church erected near by, in 1860, commonly known as the "Shalter Church," is mainly attributable to his energy, and his great desire to promote the public welfare of his neighborhood, he having do- nated the land, contributed much building material and subscribed five hundred dollars toward the enterprise, together amounting to about three-fourths of the total cost.

TAXABLES FOR 1759 .- The following list comprises the names of the taxables of the township in 1759. The total amount of tax then levied was fifty-four pounds nineteen shillings. Samuel High was the collector :

Adam Apple

Henry Becker.

Jacob Bleiler.

Stephen Boucht. 2

Dewald Baum 14

Jeho Banm. 2

Dieter Beidleman 14 Henry Bingaman 10

Joho Lamer.

Adam Bowman

Jacob Lanciscus 14

Jacob Becker.

Baltzer Moons 5

Coorad Bob 5

Baltzer Martin 3

George Born 4

William Null

Joha Close, 10

Casper Nine.

Herman Dehaveo 14

Matthias Drenkle 2

George Niee.

Michael Deoser.

Peter Norgang.

Jacob Depree.

Adam Riefle 14

Johe Ebliag ..

Richard Peters, Esq. 4

George Eger

Peter Rndenberger. 10

Joha Fix. 2

John Faber

Francis Parvin

Michael Fisher 13

Adam Garradt. 8

Frederick Goodhardt 8

Heory Garrett. 9

Adanı Swartzbach

Nicholas Greyeer

Henry Shilt

Michael Glauser

Joha Hertz.

John Senack

George Hyer.

Victor Spice.

John Haveracker 15

Joho Shite

John Nich. Heitshos ..

Rudolph Schlear

Samuel High 18

George Sowerbeer.

Richard Hockley 45

William Iddings 18

Erget Sidle

Nicholas Jost 16

Heary Sheffer.

Conrad Keller

Adam Spicklemier

Christian Kinsey 12

Michael Saylor

Matthias Keimer. 1

Casper Streador

Adam Kood

John Umetadt.

Henry Kooch

Adam Wagoer. 3

Matthias Keapt 1

Philip Wax 10

Isaac Levao. 15

Lawrence Weodle. 10

George Lorah

George Wolf.

Single Men.

Ilenry Banm.

Daniel Norgang.

Nicholas Fisher.

George Roteaberger.

Joho Fisher,

Michael Spoohn.

David Kinsey.

Adamı Shier.

Abraham Kinsey.

John Stout.

George May.

Georga Wagner.

The " Manor of Penn's Mount " lay princi- pally in this township. It extended into Exeter on the south and into Maiden-creek on the north, and comprised two hundred and thirty- two tracts of land, mostly small in area, con- taining together (exclusive of patented land) eleven thousand one hundred and ninety-six acres, one hundred and eight perches. The survey was made in June, 1789, by Cadwal- lader Evans, Jr. Many tracts were owned by inhabitants of Reading, but the great majority of them were owned by farmers. The " Manor" was known for many years before. It was set apart by warrant dated November 25, 1748, for the use of the Penns, and, after having been surveyed, it was returned January 21, 1755. It contained in the whole twelve thousand two hundred acres.1

1 A copy of a draft of this " Manor," containing a con- nected draft of all the tracts, is in the possession of Ken-

George Soningberg

Philip Sailor 3

Jacob Scheffer. 6

Henry Snider 19

Lawrence Graun.

Stophel Spangler 17

William Sheplar,

Philip Reasor

Charles Norris, Esq.

Conrad Bower 5

Jacob Beilor, 8

John Bingamac

Louis Kramer

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TOWNSHIPS OF COUNTY.

INDUSTRIES .- From the nature of the coun- try, Antietam Creek and its affluents had many water-powers which were made to operate industries of various kinds, some soon after the arrival of the first settlers, and others after the War of 1812, when milling and other species of manufacturing had been stimulated to an unusual degree. In consequence. many places were established which had powers too small or inadequate support for their permanent existence, and declined more than half a century ago. Others were destroyed when the city of Reading utilized the upper part of the stream as part of its system of water supply, so that but few places are now operated. Near the head- waters of the main stream Christian Kinsey had a small grist-mill sixty years ago. It was last operated by John Fies, and, after standing idle a number of years, was torn down in 1883 by William Hoch, the owner of the farm. A short distance below there was a tilt-hammer, in a building which had double fires, and where a large amount of business was done. John Zim- merman, the first owner, was succeeded by Ben- jamin Tobias, who operated it a number of years, when it was abandoned. This site is now on the farm of Peter Fies. The first improve- ment was situated a short distance farther down the stream. It was a small grist-mill, owned and carried on by Jacob Lanciscus. After the grist-mill was no longer used the power was employed to operate a flax-brake. All the im- provements have been removed. The site was on the present farm of Valentine Hartman. Lanciscus was a very large land-owner, having had the first title to nearly all the farms in this locality, most of which are now in posses- sion of the Hartman family. At a later day David Babb had an oil-mill and saw-mill on the power next below, the former being after- wards converted into a clover-mill. This power is still used to operate a saw-mill for William Faust. A short distance from this place Har- rison Hinnershitz used the water-power to oper- ate a grist-mill, and later added a saw-mill, using steam to supplement the water-power.

dall Brothers, at Reading, who obtained it from the Zach- arias estate. Daniel S. Zacharias received it from M. S. Richards, Esq.

These industries are yet carried on by him. For many years Euoch Caller operated a paper- mill at the next power down the valley. He occupied a large log building, a part of which served as a residence. The mill was destroyed by fire and the power was afterward taken when " Antietam Lake" was constructed.1 Near by a forge was run by Philip Seidel, and sold by him to Philip Burkert, who built a grist-mill, which was subsequently operated as an oil-mill. Philip Burkert also had a forge below what is now Antietam Lake ; but it has long since been abandoned. A little more than a quarter of a mile lower down Conrad Feger had a paper-mill in a large wooden building, which was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt by C. Van Reed, and again burned down. Dr. C. Reber next had it as a paper-mill, and this site is now occupied by Kraemer's woolen-mill.

LOUIS KRAEMER is of German nationality, and the son of Ferdinand and Catherine Krae- mer, who resided in Berleburg, Westphalia, where the former was in early life a merchant. In 1830 he exchanged his city property for a farm in the suburbs. His son Louis was born on the 2d of January, 1828, in Berleburg, and until the age of sixteen remained upon his father's farm, meanwhile attending the neighbor- ing school. Hetlien chose his vocation in life- that of a dyer-and, removing to Barmen, in the Rhine province, devoted four years to per- fecting himself in his trade. Seeking a wider field of operation than was offered at home, he, in 1848, emigrated to America, and remained six years in the employ of Joseph Ripka, at Mana- yunk, now a part of Philadelphia, as a dyer. In 1854 he assumed charge of a large dyeing establishment at Norwich, Conn., and remained thus engaged until 1865. The previous fall, in connection with other partners, he purchased the site on which the present Stony Creek Mills are erected, and, in the summer of 1865, the firm of Kraemer, Schaefer & Co. began the erection of buildings which have since been re- modeled and replaced by more commodious structures, the present factory and its adjuncts having been erected since 1875. Mr. Schaefer

1 See Chap. XXII., Reading, Part V.

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

withdrew in 1875, and in 1879 Louis F. Krae- mer, son of the senior partner, became a mem- ber of the firm, since known as Louis Kraemer & Co. A more detailed account of the magni- tude of this business enterprise will be found elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Kraemer was married, on the 21st of September, 1852, to Catherine Pfeil, daughter of John Pfeil, of the same Gernian province. Their children are Louis F., married to Ella Hall, of Huntingdon, Pa .; Henry, who died in infancy ; Caroline, still living ; and Mary, who died in 1858. He is not an office seeker, and has, for that reason, never held public position. He is a stock- holder of the Shetucket Company Cotton-Mills, at Norwich, Conn., but to his home enterprise devotes his entire attention. Mr. Kraemer is a member of St. Paul's Memorial Church of Reading, in which he has served for many years as an elder.

The "Stony Creek Mills " is the only indus- try in the township worthy of mention. The firm of Kraemer, Franklin & Co. purchased the property in 1864, and shortly afterward began the manufacture of woolen and cotton goods. This firm was succeeded by Kraemer, Schaefer & Co. in 1865, who, in 1873, were incorporated under the name of " Stony Creek Woolen Manu- facturing Co.," and in 1879 this corporation sold the valuable property and business to Louis Kraemer, Louis Grebe and Louis F. Kraemer, who, under the firm-name of "Louis Kraemer & Co.," have since conducted the enterprise suc- cessfully. Next below a grist and saw-mill was long operated by John Hill, when he turned the mill into a factory for boring rifles and built a new grist-mill farther up, in Alsace township, the lower mill being just across the line in Exe- ter. The latter building was again converted into a grist-mill and is now operated by John Wanner ; the Alsace mill is the property of Peter Wanner.

On Laurel Run John Heckman had a pioneer grist-mill, which was owned by the Millers at an earlier day. Jack Miller supplied steam- power, but it was removed, and water is now the only motor. The capacity is small. A saw-mill, built by Wm. Hinnershitz, farther up the stream, has been altogether removed.

The attention of the inhabitants of Alsace has lately been directed to vineyards and truck gardening, and many have found profitable employment in these occupations. Aug. Wentzel has fine truck gardens near Reading, and in the lower part of the township, on the slopes of Penn's Mount, are the vineyards of Eberhart Barth, John Reininger, George Rein- inger and John Fisher, each being several acres in extent. Others have lately engaged in these industries and ere long the apparently sterile mountain-side will be rendered more produc- tive than some of the low lands of the county.

The surface is rolling and mountainous. The soil is principally of a gravel nature and where cultivated is generally very productive. The eastern and southeastern sections are particu- larly adapted to the cultivation of the grape, different berries, fruits and vegetables. The farmers, by industry and perseverance, in these sections, have been very successful. It is rather surprising that they have cleared and cultivated such a large area of land upon and amongst the hills.

There is not a general store in the town- ship. It has four licensed taverns ; these were for many years and still are known as Dengler's, Babb's, Fies' and Heckman's. And notwithstanding its riches and importance and its possession by a thrifty, energetic and prolific people, it has not a single town nor a village that is recognized by any name. It did not even have a post-office for many years, " Stony Creek Mills " having been established in 1879. Its proximity to Reading and the almost daily, at least weekly, visits of its inhab- itants to the county-town enabled them to pro- cure merchandise and receive their mail matter; the want of stores and post-office was therefore not felt.

CHURCHES.

ZION'S CHURCH, known in the beginning and still commonly called "Spies's Church," is situated in the eastern section of the township. It was first established in 1774, on a small tract of land donated by Victorous Spies. Burials were permitted by him in the ground for about five years before. Prominent among the first trustees were Spies and Paul Feger. In 1810

987

TOWNSHIPS OF COUNTY.

a large two-story stone structure was erected in the place of the old building, the trustees at the time having been Paul Bar, Jolin Babb, George Schade and Peter Knabb, and the ministers, J. Frederick Herman, Reformed ; and Henry A. Muhlenberg, Lutheran. Rev. A. L. Herman preached to the congregation during the long period of forty-three years. J. P. Herline offi- ciated as organist from 1839 to 1858. He was then succeeded by William C. Keller, who still officiates in this capacity. The building of 1810 is still used for religious services by the Lutheran and Reformed denominations. A Cemetery Company was incorporated April 16, 1861. The charter members were :

William Knabb. Benjamin F. Seidel.

Valentine Hartman.

Jacob Folk.

Frederick Hinnershitz.

Peter Hartman.

Gottfried Lutz.

George B. Hartman.

George Schlottman.

Jacob Hoch.

Daniel Schmeck. Matthias Moyer.

Peter Fies. Nathan Knabb.

A tract of four acres was purchased for the purposes of a cemetery and added to the church property in 1860. It is pleasantly located on the hill-side. It is laid off in squares and many fine marble grave-stones and monuments have been erected. The lots number three hundred and eighty-six, and they have nearly all been sold.

Rev. T. T. Iaeger has been the Lutheran pastor for the past thirty years ; and Rev. A. S. Leinbach, the Reformed for the past fifteen years.

SHALTER CHURCH, also known as the " Sa- lem's Church " is situated in the northern part of the township. It was erected in 1860, the corner-stone having been laid on the 9th of April, and the dedication having taken place on the 24th of October. The building is a two- story stone structure, plastered and painted in imitation of brick. The upper room is the auditorium, with a seating capacity of three hundred. The congregation numbers five hun- dred members. The first story is used for Sunday-school purposes. It takes its name after Benjamin Shalter, who was the most liberal contributor towards its erection. The property includes a burial-ground in area about two acres. Dieter Beitelman (Bydelman) first set apart a

small tract of land here for a burying-ground, and advised burials to be made in it. This was in 1790. His body was buried in it, a grave-stone marking the resting place, with an inscription :

Dietrich Beitelman,

Born June 15, 1709; died February 16, 1793; Aged 83 years, 8 months.

FAITH CHAPEL was erected by Trinity Lu- theran congregation during the year 1885, in connection with two other chapels in Reading. It is situated in the village of " Woodvale," on the road to Friedensburg. Regular church and Sunday-school services are conducted there. It is mentioned in connection with Trinity Church of Reading.

The following extracts are taken from an article entitled " Zion's Hill," which I wrote and published in the Reading Temes and Dis- patch on the 30th of June, 1881, and, being applicable to our churches and districts gener- ally, they are introduced in this connection :

" This church has the highest location of any in the county; and, though not one of the oldest, it is nevertheless to be classed with our early churches. The religious organizations which worship in it are Lutheran and Reformed. Both have a large mem- bership. Each organization holds services in the church alternately every two weeks. The services are conducted altogether in the German language. This language has been in constant use from the begin- ning of the church until now. In many respects this is a representative church of the county. The people of the vicinity for miles are attached to it, and their attachment is manifested through their devotion. This religious quality has been transmitted unto them, for their parents and grand-parents exhibited it in an equal degree. It was productive of great good to their progenitors ; and it is now equally and similarly fruitful to them in various ways. They are not boastful of that religions progress which too often begets hurtful pride, especially in an agricultural people; and they are not afflicted with intolerance. They have indeed the religion of their fathers, incul- cated by such distinguished ministers as Muhlenberg and Miller, Herman Laeger and Leinbach. They are not cultured, but their intelligence enables them to show a contentment which a cultivated people too frequently do not enjoy. Their fellowship and hospi- tality manifest a degree of natural refinement which is truly praiseworthy. Continuons hard labor in cultivating the soil prohibits them from giving that attention to graceful demeanor which is demanded by social life in our cities. But they are a faithful

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History of Berks county in Pennsylvania, Part 163

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