History of Berks county in Pennsylvania, Part 168

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > History of Berks county in Pennsylvania > Part 168

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Henry Telang.

Jacob Krepps

Peter Volck

Nicholas Klementz 3

Hans William Volck 5

Peter Lobach 12

Adam Weck

John Nich. Long

Adam Wagner.

John Luckenbill.

Casper Wink 3

Ludwig Long

Lazarns Weidner. 3

Michael Lang

Jacob Ziggenfue.

Single Men.

Peter Anstadt.

Peter Keffer.

Ludwig Beating.

Christopher Kolp.

George Reiff.

Michael Jacoby.

George Shaeffer 9

Michael Shaeffer. 4

Nicholas Jacoby

Simon Kerver 1

John Nich Keen ..

Dewald Trumheller

George Hoffner 5

Jacob Hoffman, Sr. 10

Frederick Herelı

1012

HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

INDUSTRIES.

The streams of Rockland township are small, but the rugged nature of the country makes their use as water-powers possible. These ad- vantages have been well improved. On the Sacony, near the Maxatawny line, William Grim and Joseph De Long have in operation a fine mill, whose old power has been supplemented by steam, and the old methods have given place to the roller process. A new mill has also been built. For the quarter part of a century the Grim family have been interested in milling at this point.

Above, on the site of the old Haag mill, C. Rohrbach has in operation a good mill, which is well patronized. The marble saw-mills of Schweyer & Leiss, operated since 1864, is an interest which has given steady employment to a number of men. The marble is brought here in blocks, hauled from Bower's Station, and after being sawed into the desired shape, is again taken back to the yard at Bower's.

"SALLY ANN FURNACE," on the head- waters of the Sacony, was built about 1811 by Valentine Eckert. Prior to that time the site was owned by Abraham Bieber. Like the fur- naces put up in those days, it had only a small capacity, and was located here principally on account of the ease in getting wood for charcoal purposes. Eckert sold the property to Jacob V. R. Hunter. The furnace was discontinued iu 1869. In 1879 it was again put in blast, steam-power having been added, and it was operated only a short time when the machinery was removed. The furnace has since been idle. The property belongs to the heirs of Daniel Hunter, and includes several hundred acres of land, a good farm with mansion and half a dozen tenements.

The "Rockland Forges" were located in the southern section of the township, on Beaver Creek, and operated for about seventy years. Seven thousand and fifty-three acres of woodland were connected with these industries. The most prominent operator was General Daniel Udree. 1

On the head-waters of Bieber Creek, near

Dryville, is the old Roth mill, built as early as 1810. It has a small capacity and is now operated as the property of C. Keller. Near by, the Yoder family had a saw-mill many years ago, which has become better known as the Sander mill.

The Tyson Forge, at Strunk's mill, was dis- continued long ago, but the mill is still carried on. Near the Oley line Jacob Barto put up a paper-mill, which he operated some time, when he sold out to Levi Kohler. It was last operated by David Lohbach, Esq., in the manufacture of wrapping-paper. This building is now occu- pied, and the power used by William S. Rein- hart in the manufacture of farming implements. Here, for a short time, a small mill was operated by two Germans in the manufacture of birch- oil.

Near New Jerusalem there is a deposit of granite, closely resembling the better grades of Vermont granite, very hard and capable of bearing a fine polish. It has been quarried to some extent on the farms of Jacob Angstadt and John Dry, and shipments made to Easton, Philadelphia and other points. Lately nothing has been done in this direction. Eighteen men were formerly employed. Several iron-mines have been profitably worked, the ore found being heavy and rich hematite. The principal operations were on the Bieber and Beidler farms.

CHURCHES.

CHRIST'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, sometimes called " Bieber Creek Church," from its loca- cation on the headwaters of that stream, is situ- ated near Drysville in a fine position. The con- gregation was organized in 1747 by the Rev. Tobias Wagner, and in the spring of that year Henry Mertz donated three-fourths of an acre of land upon which to build a church. The build- ing was of logs, and was so far completed that it could be occupied in the fall of that year. After seventeen years the members of the con- gregation had increased to such an extent that a new and larger church was required. Accord- ingly, the corner-stone was laid June 14, 1764, and the church built that year. The building committee comprised George Schaeffer, Sr., Henry Mertz, Johannes Bieber, George Heffner

1 See Chapter VII., Early Iudustries.

1013

TOWNSHIPS OF COUNTY.

and Jacob Freu. The minister at that time was the Rev. Johannes Schaum. When he died, January 25, 1778, he was buried under the ehureh, after the custom of that day. He was an earnest pastor and highly appreciated by the congregation. A third church was erected in 1798, being the present building. It is a stone building, of substantial appearance. It was handsomely repaired in 1879. The church property embraces about twenty acres of land, four of which have been devoted to cemetery purposes. Sheds, several hundred feet in length, of neat appearance, have been erected for the comfort of the horses of the attendants of the church.

The congregation had about five hundred members in 1885.

Rev. B. E. Kramlich was the pastor, succeed- ing the Rev. Issac Roeller in 1862, the latter having served the congregation twenty-two years. His predecessors were Revs. John Knoske and Daniel Lehman.

NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH (Reformed and Lutheran) was erected in 1840, in consequence of a division in "Christ Church," a number of members withdrawing to form separate con- gregations and to erect a distinct church. The honse stands on half an acre of land, donated by Andrew Shiffert, who was a member of the building committee. At a later period two acres more were secured from the Herbein farm, which were set apart for cemetery purposes. The church is of stone and almost square in dimen- sions. A movement is on foot to remodel it in the near future. The Lutheran congregation had as its first pastor the Rev. John Knoske, who was instrumental in building the church. His successors were the Revs. Hinterleiter, Kohler, Sell, Croll, Boyer and D. K. Humbert, the latter being at present in charge. The members num- ber about two hundred. The Reformed con- gregation has a much smaller membership, and the Rev. Isaac S. Stahr is the pastor. His predecessors were Revs. Daniel Schoedler, J. Sassaman Herman and Isaac Miesse, the last having been the first pastor. A Sunday-school, comprising one hundred members, is conducted in this church.

VILLAGES.

DRYVILLE comprises fifteen residences, a tavern, store, church and eighty inhabitants. It is situated near the northern line of the township, about one and a half miles from Lyons station, on the East Pennsylvania Railroad. It received its name in 1852, when the post-office was estab- lished. Previously it had been called "Stony Point." Benjamin E. Dry was appointed post- master, and he has since continuously held that office. The early settlers here were Jacob Mertz, farmer ; Mathias Roth, farmer and miller ; John Diener, farmer ; and later, John Stimmel, coach- maker. Upon the old Mertz farm most of the present hamlet is built.

The first store in the place was opened by Fink & Weidenhammer, and those subsequently in trade were Klein & Weiler, Thomas Oyster, Samuel Fee, Christian Bryman, S. & H. H. Weidner, Joseph E. Dry, R. E. Dry, R. B. Dry, and since March 11, 1857, Benjamin E. Dry, the latter two having occupied the present stand, which was built in 1852. The former store was at the lower end of the place, near the creek.

John Christman was the first inn-keeper. The present tavern was opened about 1847. A large number of landlords have served the public at this place.

NEW JERUSALEM is located toward the cen- tre of the township, abont a mile from Dry- ville. It contains about twenty residences, a store, hotel, church and a liberal supply of mechanic shops. Among the early tradesmen at this place were John Kline, cradle-maker ; Joel Barto and E. Guinther, shoemakers; A. Hilbert, saddler; Jacob Meyer, blacksmith ; Samnel Funk, wagon-maker ; and Jacob Kline, tin-smith.

The first public place at this point was the tavern kept by Andrew Shiffert, about 1810, in a house which has been converted into a residence. In the present building David Bast was the first landlord. In this building the first store of the place was opened by John Bower, and at the present stand, now occupied by Herman B. Ruppert ; the first store-keepers were Jacob Holder & Bro. In 1882 the

1014

HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

village contained twenty dwellings and one hundred and twenty inhabitants.

The New Jerusalem post-office was establish . ed in 1828. It is supplied with a daily mail. For many years a tri-weekly mail only was afforded.

In the practice of medicine Dr. George L. Maurer located here in 1835, and was, probably, the first permanent physician in the township. Benjamin E. Dry graduated in medicine in 1856, but never became a practitioner. The present physician is Dr. D. M. Bortz. Other physicians in the township have been Doctors Evans, L. H. Thompson, William H. Babb (who died in the township), James McDonough, William Funk and William Hertzog.

In the country east of Dryville, R. H. Angstadt had a store, which he continued about five years, when he removed it. Country hotels have also been kept by Thomas Geissler and others at the stand now occupied by William G. Weidner.

DESTRUCTIVE WHIRLWIND IN TOWNSHIP .- On Tuesday, May 22, 1804, a fearful and de- structive whirlwind arose in Rockland town- ship, which, it was thought by the inhabitants, could hardly have been surpassed in severity. It began in the township about four o'clock iu the afternoon, near the mill of Frederick Miner, and covered a width of about two hundred yards and extended thence through Northamp- ton (now partly Lehigh) County to the Dela- ware River. Its course was from west to east, and the entire area was marked by destruction. It hurled the roofs from the buildings of the following persons in the township : Peter Bauer, mills, saw-mill, barn and house; Paul Gross- cup, barn ; Henry Hoffman, barn and house ; Daniel Fry, barn, stable and house. Many other buildings were injured. It uprooted nearly all the fruit and other trees, turned over fences, etc. At some places large hail-stones fell, destroying much growing grain. It con- tinued about ten minutes and was accompanied with severe rain, thunder and lightning.

DISTRICT TOWNSHIP.

EARLY SETTLEMENT .-- As early immigrants into Pennsylvania proceeded up the Schuylkill

Valley and its principal tributaries, the Perkio- men and the Manatawny Valleys, some of them settled in and above the " Oley Hills," and in taking up lands they located them as lying in the district between Oley and Colebrookdale. The settlements extended over a long section of territory, and to facilitate the assessment of property therein, the county commissioners caused it to be divided into two sections, which they called " East District " and " West Dis- trict." Separate assessment lists of the taxables in these two districts were made for some years. I could not ascertain when this township by the name of District was first established.

In 1841 a tract of eleven hundred acres was added to this township in the eastern section,-it having been taken from the western part of Hereford township.

In 1849 the estimated area was seven thou- sand acres.

TAXABLES OF 1759 .- The following list comprises the names of the taxables of the township for the year 1759. Tax levied was £40 14s. 6d. George Hartlein was the col- lector :

€

Conrad Arnold

Michael Kline.

Thos. Banfield

John Koldren

Jacob Bush 3

Geo. Kone .. 12

Jeremiah Beacon 4

Nicholas Koue

Ierael Burkhard 1

Dieter John Kremer 1

John Barene 3

Conrad Kime 10

Fredk. Boards 2

Widow Ki.me.

Christ'r Brintzioger

]

Adam Killden

John Boyer.

Geo. Klauser. 3

Henry Diner 3

Casper Cressemer.

Geo. Dorst 1

John Lesher & Co

Joshua Dolaplane 6

Geo. Lans 3

Cornelins Dehard 3

Geo. Lens 2

Nicbolas Est 12

Joseph Lehman

Jacob Everhardt

Jacob Matthias

Jacob Frey 3

Dietrich Matthew

Jacob Fodech 3

Wm. Mackey.

Jacob Groos.

Stein Mayberry

Bernhardt Gemlin

Widow Gelbach 5

Peter Millor 2

John Miller. 8

Geo. Hartlein

Wm. Mayberry 30

Michael Hoffman

Wm. Miller

Michael Hartman 2

Henry McGebeth 2

Andrew Hecker 3

Fred'k Moyer 8

Peter Hartman

Lorentz Haug.

Geo. Holtzehoe

Andrew Norgong

Stephen Heug

Jacob Herd

Tbos. Potts 35

John Reitenour

Jacob Harp, 3

Jacob Roth 9

Michael Dedger 1

Adam Imbody 3

John Sands 3

Nicholas Jaeger

3 Geo. Shall 10

Dirck Martin 15

Frantz Moser .. 7

Geo. Oyeter 20

Paul Hartman

John Joder 8

John Motzer 10

Jacob Hill 25

Daniel Ludwig 3

Geo. Dotterer. 5

1015

TOWNSHIPS OF COUNTY.

Wm. Storck 5

Jacob Walter 3

Jacob Stineberger

Peter Weller

Lorentz Shiller.

Philip Weismiller

Lorentz Shiller, Jr.

Casper Wessner.

Gee. Steibesand

Jacob Werley

Nicholas Schlichter.

Geo. Adam Weidner

Geo. Shinck

Lazarus Weidner

Stophel Sack

Charles Weis.

Adam Ulrick

Jacob Weaver 3

Single Men.

Daniel East.

Peter Keplinger.

Samuel Oyster.

EARLY INDUSTRIES .- In 1726 Owen Rich- ards and David Harry conveyed unto John El- lis, of Oley, two tracts of land, containing two hundred and fifty acres which adjoined property belonging to the "Spring Forge Co." This company was then conducting a forge some- where in this vicinity, which was commonly called "Spring Forge." Its location, it is be- lieved, was on Pine Creek, in this district (now, and since 1813 in Pike township), about four miles north of the "Oley Churches." Its early history is involved in obscurity. It was owned by Anthony Morris and conducted by him in 1729. It is possible that the forge of this com- pany was situated on the Manatawny, within several miles of " Pine Forge."

" The District Furnace" was in this town- ship, situated on Pine Creek about a mile above the line of Pike township. It was owned in 1784 by John Lesher, who, it is believed, erected it some years before.2

The inhabitants of District are almost ex- clusively engaged in agricultural pursuits. The township is isolated, and it has only a few streams of water, whose power is very feeble. In the eastern part Anthony Eltz conducted a tannery for a number of years. The buildings were enlarged and converted into a tavern by Thomas Heydt, about ten years ago. It is still a public-house. Near this place the Sharps had a mill, which became the property of George Conrad. It is now the property of George Kemp. The work done there is limited. In the northwestern part, on the head-waters of Pine Creek, on the site of a small charcoal fur- nace, which the Leshers formerly carried on, Reuben Trexler built a stone mill, which is still operated as the property of William Lesher.

It has three sets of stones and does good custom work.

VILLAGES.

FREDERICKSVILLE is situated in the north- western part of the township. It was named after David Frederick, who built and kept a public-house there. Later Henry Bauman opened a store at the same place. The present store is in a new building erected by Jacob Fry, the merchant, inn-keeper and postmaster of the village.

The Fredericksville post-office was estab- lished in 1853, with David Frederick as the first postmaster. The office has a daily mail from Lyons and Barto stations.

LANDISVILLE, commonly known as " Landis' Store " is situated in the central portion of the township. John Weller established a tavern at this place about 1800, and carried it on suc- cessfully for many years. The old building is still standing. He sold out to Samuel Landis, who continued the same business. The place then took the name mentioned. Samuel Tee opened a general store in the same building. In 1853 a post-office was established at this point, and named " Landis' Store." Samuel Landis was the first postmaster and he was suc- ceeded by his son, John H. Landis, the present incumbent. It is on the same stage line as the Fredericksville office and has a daily mail. Tee was succeeded in the mercantile business by Henry Bauman, for a short time, when he sold out to Samuel Landis. The latter was succeed- ed in both store and tavern by his son, John H., in 1872, who, after conducting business for ten years, enlarged and remodeled the buildings. The location is on elevated ground. Near this place lived Dr. Augustus Knoske, a German physician, skilled as a practitioner, but eccentric in his habits. He was professionally engaged a number of years, traveling over a large scope of country on foot and carrying his medicines in his great-coat pockets, which he wore even on the warmest days.

There is no organized religious body in the township, most of the inhabitants worshipping at the Hill Church or Hereford Church, each being only several miles distant. The school-

1 See Chap. VII., Early Industries.

2 Ib., p. 70.

1016

HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

houses are inviting and the schools are usually well sustained.

" Down to the spring election of 1867, one township of the county refused to come under the beneficent rule of the common-school sys- tem. At last it has wheeled into line; and it now stands ready to join its energies with the other townships of the county in the great work of education. The people of District township covered themselves with glory, when last March, through the ballot-box, they elected six directors according to the requirements of the school law. They now enter upon a new epoch in their history." 1

In 1868 the township had four schools with an attendance of two hundred and seven scholars.

EARL TOWNSHIP.

ERECTION OF TOWNSHIP .- In the hilly and wooded section of territory which lay to the east of the " Oley Hills," and which was in- cluded as a part of Oley township, a consider- able number of settlers took up lands and established their homes before the erection of the county, and these were continued for some years afterward. The settlements then came to be commonly regarded in that vicinity as a district, though it was not regularly established as such ; and the inhabitants of the one or other portion identified their locality as the " West- ern District " or . Eastern District."

On August 14, 1781, the inhabitants of the " Western District " presented a petition to the court at Reading, praying that the district might be divided on account of its great length (upwards of eighteen miles), and set apart into a separate township. The following commis- sioners were appointed : Daniel Bertolet, Dan- iel Guldin, Daniel Hunter, Daniel Levan and Henry Kerst, who made return of the district inclosed the within following lines for such township, viz. :

"Beginning at a corner of Oley and Amity town- ships; thence along Amity township S. 75 W. 875 perches; thence along Donglas township N. 40 E.

660 perches ; thence along Colebrookdale township N. 55 W. 236 perches and N. 35 E. 880 perches to a point; thence along territory commonly called the 'Eastern District,' the following five courses and distances : N. 46 W. 160 perches, N. 69 W. 234 perches, N. 77 W. 320 perches, S. 46 W. 20 perches and N. 63 W. 540 perches to a point on the line of Oley township; thence along said line S. 15 W. 1686 perches to the place of beginning ; and reported it to contain 10,882 acres." 2

Their return was confirmed by the court, and in November of the same year the court erected the said district into a township by the name of EARL.

TAXABLES OF 1782 .- The following list comprises the names of one hundred and ten taxables of the township for the year 1782. Tax levied was £28 19s. 11}d. The amount assessed was £347 198. 6d. John Weidner was the collecter. All the parties named did not then reside in the township ; some of them were non-residents,-

Jacob Auty.

Nicholas Hunter.

John Amrig.

John Hossler.

Jacob Are.

Melchoir Heist.

Erhard Apler.

Widow Hill.

Conrad Bohn.

Tillman Joust.

Batus Bohn.

Jacob Jude.

Samnel Boyer.

Henry Joxthermer.

Christopher Blantz.

Adamı Imbody.

Christopher Brentzinger. Peter Joder (landlord).

Henry Bach (landlord).

George Kuntz.

Valentine Bush.

John Koch.

Widow Bousin.

Christopher Kolp.

George Clowser.

John Kolrun.

George Cloweer, Jr.

Michael Kuhn.

Nicholas Drumheller.

Widow Klotz.

Peter Diener.

Michael Ludwig.

Henry Diener.

John Lecher.

Joshua Delaplain.

John Miller.

John Drumheller.

Jacob Miller.

Andrew Dirolf.

Frantz Mosser.

Widow Dehart.

Michael Moseer.

John Eberhart.

Daniel Eiet.

John Motzer. Casper Mayer.

Abraham Eiet.

Philip Mathew.

John English.

William Miller.

Casper Greesemer.

Nicholas Miller.

John Greecemer.

Joist Maninger.

Jacob Gerber.

Daniel Monrer (landlord).

Jacob Gilbach.

David Potte.

Nicholas Godehall.

James Richards.

John Hauch.

Adam Rhoads.

Nicholas Handwerk.

Thomas Rutter.

George Happenheimer.

Michael Ries.

Jacob Ilill.

George Seip.

George Hartman.

Adam Swable.

Philip Hartman.

George Shall.

Philip Hartman, Jr.

Joseph Sands.

Frederick Hill.

Daniel Sands.

Adam Hieder.

John Stapleton.

2 A section of this township on the north was cut off and added to Pike township in 1852, thereby reducing the area to nine thousand five hundred and twenty acres.

1 Pennsylvania School Report, 1867, pp. 27-28. Re- marks of county superintendent, Prof. John S. Ermen- trout.

TOWNSHIPS OF COUNTY.

1017

William Stapleton.

John White.

Martin Shenkel.

Christopher White.

John Shoff.

Erhard White.

Nicholas Saul.

Charles White.

John Stoudt.

John Weidner.

Leonard Sheffer.

Jacob Woiduer.

William Stork.

George A. Weldnor.

Henry Sockman.

Jacob Weaver.

George Spotz.

Jacob Womelsdorf.

Jacob Troud.

Elias Weyand.

Single Freemen.

James English.

John Kerlin.

Martin Acker. Edward Clowser. William Burentz.

David Seball.

John Miller.

Philip Endy.

John Slagenouff.

Henry Lyman.

INDUSTRIES .- The water-power of the town- ship has never been strong, nor the mill-seats numerous ; but since the hills have been denuded of the timber which formerly covered them, the volume of the streams has become so small that nearly all the enterprises carried on at an early day have been abandoned. The site of the "Spring Forge,"1 on the Manatawny, is now occupied by a small saw-mill and turning-shop, and the forge, which was last owned by the Spangs, has been abandoned eighteen years ago. On the Trout Brook, near its mouth, the Hart- ranft fulling-mill has also since been abandoned. A mile above, Peter Ludwig had a powder-mill, which has also passed away and the power is idle. On Furnace Creek, in the neighborhood of the Oley Forge, the Spangs carried on a small furnace for a while, but it soon became unprofitable, and it was abandoned ; and the power was not used to operate any other in- dustry. On the small stream in the upper part of the township Tobias Shall had a pioneer oil-mill, which was changed into a grist-mill by John Wentzel. Wm. Gabel became a later owner and last operated it. In 1883 the machinery was removed to Pike township, and the building has since been idle. Below there was a fulling-mill, which had a number of owners and which was last operated by Solomon Leinbach .. Though the building still remains, it is not used for manufacturing. A powder-mill owned by Isaac and Jonathan Cleaver, near by, and operated by them for a time, has also been entirely removed. The last active power in Earl township was the fulling-mill of Jonathan Cleaver. It contained carding machinery and

some power looms for manufacturing cloths, and for a time it was carried on successfully. The machinery has also been removed and the build- ing converted into a residence. The tanning business, carried on at different places in the township, has also been discontinued, leaving agriculture as the sole pursuit of the inhabitants.

SHANESVILLE.

The only distinctive business point in Earl township is Shanesville, a village of twenty buildings, a little north of the centre of the township. It derived its name from John Shane, who owned the land upon which the place was founded by Peter Clauser, in 1833, the latter having built and opened a public-house that year. This was kept by him uutil his death, when his son Daniel succeeded him. He was an active business man, and under his direction most of the buildings in the place were put up. The present landlord is his son, Simon B. Clauser.

The first mercantile business was carried on by Tobias Clauser, about forty years ago. Afterward Daniel Clauser had a store at the same place. In 1859 he builta new store-room, in which Young & Hillegas first traded. Sub- sequently, Simon Clauser, Wm. Haas, Samuel Weidner and Isaac Heydt traded there; the last-named is the present merchant, and he is also postmaster of the Shanesville office, which was established in 1867. The first mail service was from Kutztown, three times a week. In 1872 the Reading route was established, and since 1882 the service has been daily. For many years the proprietor of the stage-line has been Reuben Uptegrove, whose faithful ser- vice has given the people of this remote town- ship comparatively easy communication with Reading. In the southern part of the township is a country tavern kept by A. E. Fegley. Farther up the road is Earlville, with a post- office, store and tavern. The place is just across the line in Amity, and is noted in the sketch of that township.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Berks county in Pennsylvania, Part 168

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