History of Berks county in Pennsylvania, Part 169

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 first tavern in the township was kept by the Pennybecker family, soon after 1800, in a house which stood at the foot of the hills in the central part of the township. It was discon-

1 See Chap. VII. Early Industries.

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

tinued many years ago, and the building was converted into a farm-house. The early elec- tions were held at that place.

The land of this township is very hilly, but it has been occupied by an enterprising people, who have obtained for themselves numerous roads, and established six schools for the educa- tion of their children. The "Oley Hills" in this township comprise a number of prominent elevations which are respectively known as " Earl," "Stone Cave," "Long," "Fancy " and "Sandy." They are also sometimes called " Earl Mountains."

Although there is no church within the bounds of Earl township, it must not be sup- posed that its inhabitants are averse to religious influences. Most of them are attendants of the churches in Oley, Pike and Colebrookdale townships. Sunday-schools are maintained in the township. A union Sunday-school was organized as early as May 20, 1850, when op- position against such schools was very strong in some parts of the county. In July following it had sixty scholars.

Since 1850 these valuable auxiliaries to the neighboring churches have received the pat- ronage and support of the best people of the township.

The success of this Christian enterprise in amongst the hills of Earl over thirty years ago, when the system of common-school education was struggling to complete its grand march throughout the county, won the following com- plimentary notice in a newspaper published then at Reading : " Earl is a glorious little town- ship. These names (alluding to the names of the officers and teachers published) stand in bright contrast with the anti-Sunday-school men of Robeson."

PIKE TOWNSHIP.

ERECTION OF TOWNSHIP .- In pursuance of an application for a new township, the Court of Quarter Sessions, in November, 1812, appoint- ed Henry M. Richards, Frederick Fritz and John Miller commissioners for the purpose of viewing and laying ont the desired township. Some months afterward these commissioners

viewed the premises, consisting of sections of territory from District, Rockland, Oley and Earl townships, and set them apart for a new township, to be called Pike, which were bound- ed and described as follows: " Beginning at Pine Creek, on lands of John Weidner, in Oley town- ship; thence south sixty-six and a half east one thousand five hundred perches ; thence along the line of Colebrookdale township, north thirty- three and a half cast five hundred and sixty- five perches; thence through District township, north fifty, west one thousand four hundred and forty perches; thence along the line of Rock- land township, south thirty-five west six hun- dred and ten perches to Pine Creek; and thence along said creek four hundred and fifteen perches to the place of beginning. Their re- port was presented and confirmed at August sessions, 1813.

In 1842 a section of Rockland township was added to Pike.

The names of the taxables of the township for the year 1814 are not given, for the reason that the early settlers of this section are included in the townships of Oley, District aud Rockland.

CHURCHES.

ST. JOHN'S CHURCH .- An old-established church, commonly known as the " Hill Church," stands in the eastern section of the township. In 1741 certain members of the Lutheran de- nomination and their neighbors of the "Oley Hills " bought 1 a tract of fifty acres of land on a high place of the mountain, for a glebe or parsonage farm; and in 1747 they erected a frame building for church purposes. They were assisted by members of the German Re- formed congregation, who, in consideration of their assistance, were permitted to send their children to the school of the Lutheran congre-

1 The warrant was issued in 1747 to Casper Grygler, George Ernest and Andrew Rodenheffer for the use of the " Hill Church." The patent was issued in 1829 to William Walter, Adam Weller, Henry Gross and George Herbst, wardens of the Lutheran and Presbyterian congregations, in Pike township, called " Hill Church."

2 The roof of the first church projected over the sides so as to protect it against storms. This space under the roof on the outside was used by the early settlers to hang up their seed corn, from which circumstance it was called locally " Die Welshkorn Kerche."

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TOWNSHIPS OF COUNTY.

gation, hold religious services in the church and bury their dead in the adjacent burying-ground. Some years afterward the Reformed members became joint owners of the property. In 1786 the two congregations united in the erection of a fine stone church building in place of the frame church. And a third church was erected in 1853, the corner-stone having been laid on May 15, 1853. A grand " Centenary Festival" was held in this church on September 22, 1866. This occasion was set apart in order to celebrate the day when Rev. Michael Schlatter-the pioneer missionary of the German Reformed Church in Berks County-visited Oley, which was exactly one hundred and twenty years be- fore (September 22, 1746). The church was handsomely and profusely decorated. A con- spicuous figure in the services then was the Hon. Daniel Young, a prominent member of the First Reformed Church of Reading, who had been the organist of the "Hill Church " fifty-three years before. He was present by special invitation and officiated at the organ. Though over seventy years of age " he gave speech and voice to the devotions of a hundred years. His discourses spoke of feasts and fun- erals, of bridal joys and burial griefs. The church rang with the same hymns and the same chorals which the original settlers sang when lonely strangers here, and the same which he sang with this flock fifty years ago."1

In 1886 the present building was remodeled and supplied with a spire, which greatly im- proved its appearance.

The ministers of the Lutheran congregation have been the following :

The Revs. Lucas Raus, in 1754; Wm. Kurtz, John H. Schaum, Fred. A. Muhlenberg, G. H. E. Muhlenberg, J. M. Schmidt, Christian Striet, Daniel Lehman, John C. Dill, John F. Wieand, Jacob Miller, Conrad Miller, Nathan Iaeger, A. D. Croll, S. R. Boyer and D. K. Humbert, the latter being the present pastor. The Reformed congregation has had as its prin- cipal pastors the Revs. Aug. Herman, Lewis Herman, R. A. Van Court and P. P. A. Hoff-

man. Each congregation has about four hun- dred members.

ST. PAUL'S CHURCH (Lutheran and Re- formed) is located on a very elevated tract of ground near Lobachsville, and is most generally spoken of as the " Lobach's Church." To afford a more central place of worship to the people of this vicinity than that occupied by the Hill and Oley Churches, Samuel Lobach donated a lot of land for church and cemetery purposes, and upon this there was built, in 1834, a plain stone church. The building committee was composed of Samuel Lobach, Jacob Weidner, Jacob Bieber and Joseph Specht. The structure was small, being but thirty-five by forty feet, and it soon became insufficient to accommodate the people. It was used, however, until 1877, when it was taken down and the present edifice erected in its place the same year. Many per- sons came from near and far to witness the con- secration services, whichi transpired late iu the fall. The building committee was composed of David Lobach, Benjamin Yerger and William Gabel. The first-named was not only active, but untiring in the matter. It is a fine build- ing of substantial stone masonry and has a neat spire. Connected with the church is a ceme- tery, which has been enlarged by the addition of several acres. The property was neatly in- closed in 1878. This cemetery is controlled by a corporate body. Officers for 1886 : Trustees,- Nathan H. Landis, Daniel Peters, David Fry, Moses Eberhart, Nathan Yoder, Jr., and Tilghman Houseman. The church property also includes a number of sheds, built of stone and substantially constructed. Its members number one hundred.

The first pastor was the Rev. Isaac Roeller, who remained until 1836. The succeeding pastors were Revs. Peter Miller, 1836-39; Daniel Kohler, 1839-50; John Grim, 1850- 51; Joel Grim, 1851-52; George S. Miller, 1852-53; A. J. Hinterleiter, 1853-60; Alfred D. Croll, 1862-68; Simon R. Boyer, 1868-72 ; and D. K. Humbert, 1872-86.

The membership is small, embracing only about forty. Since June 28, 1862, the pastor has been Rev. P. P. A. Hoffman. His predecessor and the first pastor of the church was the Rev.

" An interesting article on the history of this church was prepared by Rev. B. Bausman, of Reading, and published in the German Reformed Messenger in 1866.

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Lewis Herman, who preached from 1834 until August 19, 1860. In the cemetery lies in- terred George Angstadt, who died at Lobachs- ville in 1861, aged one hundred and one years, six months and fifteen days; and on May 22, 1859, his wife died, aged ninety-one years.

VILLAGES.

HILL CHURCH .- Of the villages in the town- ship, Hill Church is the smallest, comprising but a few buildings, the post-office, store and tavern being the principal features. Both the latter are kept by John W. Dotterer. He is also the postmaster of the office which was es- tablished in 1864. Among other tavern-keep- ers there were members of the Wieand family. Adam Glase kept the first store.

PIKEVILLE, one mile from the Oley line, is situated in the most fertile valley of the town- ship, near the base of the hills which charac- terize the interior. It contains about a dozen houses, some of them large and substantial. The point is favorable for trading purposes. It is the place where William Shall had his store and tavern many years ago. In 1834 the post- office was established and named Pikeville. A shop and a few other buildings were built soon afterward. Most of the improvements have been made in recent years. From 1868 till 1879 Nathan H. Landis conducted the business of the place. He is the present postmaster The store and tavern have been kept successive- ly by H. B. Ruppert, Benjamin Yerger and H. B. Yerger.

Near this place Dr. William A. Herbst lived as a medical practitioner, and after a number of years moved to Reading. His first home was at the mill, which he also carried on. He was succeeded by a Dr. Gore, whose practice con- tinued until his death ; then Drs. T. D. Leidy, Oliver H. Fisher, E. N. Herbst and B. S. Grim practiced here for a short time. The last-named was succeeded by the present Dr. W. D. De Long, who has a large and increasing practice. One mile north, Dr. Wiley was in practice a short time before his death; and some other physicians were iu the township for very brief periods, removing before they had succeeded in establishing themselves in practice.

LOBACHSVILLE is the oldest hamlet in the township, and derived its name from Peter Lobach, its founder. It was formerly the seat of active manufacturing interests and a business place of considerable importance, but with the decay of the former the latter has also declined until but little remains. Here are half a dozen residences and the usual interests of a country place. The first improvements were made by William Pott, who was a large land-owner and miller on the Pine Creek. In 1745 he conveyed fifty-nine acres and a fulling-mill to Peter Lo- bach, but he reserved the grist-mill, a short dis- tance above. Lobach carried on the fulling- mill and was succeeded in that business by his son Samuel, who was the father of two sons- William and Samuel. The first-named (Wil- liam) succeeded his father in the ownership of the mills and woolen-factory ; and his brother (Samuel) built and carried on successfully a chair-factory for some years. Samuel Lobach, last-named, was the father of David Lobach, for many years a justice of the peace at this place. The elder Samuel Lobach substituted the present large stone woolen-factory in the place of the old factory. Latterly, since 1885, the building has been used as a creamery by William Keim. Its use as a woolen-factory was abandoned when William Lobach erected a new woolen-factory a short distance below. This was successfully operated by him for a number of years and then the machinery was removed. The building was demolished and the dam torn away. The property now belongs to the Weid- ner family. The saw-mill at the upper power is still operated for the Lobach heirs.

Samuel Lobach, the chair-maker, started the store, and, at his death it passed to his son Da- vid. The latter sold out to Levi Brown, and, upon Brown's death, others succeeded for several years. The present store-keeper is F. K. Yoder.

The Lobachisville post-office was established in 1835. It has always been iu this store, and the store-keepers have been the postmasters. It has a daily mail from Reading, on the stage- route to Pikeville. William Lobach built and kept the tavern opposite the store. Since his time it has had many keepers, the present being A. K. Yoder.

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TOWNSHIPS OF COUNTY.

The old Pott mill became the property of Jonathan Grim, who owned it a number of years. William Harner was a later owner and David Reinert is the present. It is an old stone building. The site was one of the first im- proved in this part of the county. Above- where were the Pott, and, later, the Heilig forges, no improvements remain, the water- power being unemployed.

On the Manatawny proper, near the Oley line, the old mill, long operated by George Shall, became the property of Dr. William A. Herbst, and from him it passed to George Ren- ninger. It was destroyed by fire in 1883, and rebuilt by him the same year. It is now the property of Jonas Lesher. The mills of Motz, Yoder, Kleh and others have also had a number of changes of ownership, most of them being still operated in a small way. Near Pikeville, F. F. Cleaver built a first-class creamery in the spring of 1886.

DIE BERG MARIA .- A woman, by the name of Maria Young, also commonly called " Die Berg Maria," lived as a recluse for many years in this township, near Motz's mill. She was visited in her home in the mountain by persons from various parts of the country, some having come a distance of four hundred miles to see her. A stone was placed at her grave "By a Lady of Philadelphia," with the following epitaph :

"Anna Maria Young, a truly pious and benevolent recluse, who lived nearly thirty years alone on a small farm, the home of her ancestors, situated almost on the summit of one of the Oley mountains. Her cot- tage was the picture of neatness and of comfort, and was visited by strangers from every direction, who never failed to depart without imbibing the highest opinions of the meekness, the piety and the benevo- lence of their lonely, yet happy hostess. She died November 17, 1819, aged seventy years.

" Here, underneath this mountain stone,

Lies Mary Young, who lived alone, High on the lofty mountain side, Belov'd and honor'd till she died ; Lov'd and honor'd by the few, Who give to virtue, virtue's due. Stranger, she that's buried here, Was humble, pious and sincere ; The even tenor of her days, She pass'd in grateful pray'r and praise; Her heart was like the gentle dove,

That came from Heav'n with promis'd love- Her heart, her hands, her cottage door, Were open to the rich and poor. Her faith confirm'd, her will resign'd, So sweetly calm, so pure her mind, The God of mercy from his Throne Look'd down and claimed her as his own. " 1

ONTELAUNEE SECTION.

ONTELAUNEE section comprises the upper east- ern portion of the county. It takes its name from the large stream which drains the greater part of its territory.

It is an Indian word, and signifies " Maiden Creek," a daughter or branch of the Schuylkill. The stream was called "Maiden Creek" by the " Friends " when they began their first settle- ments in 1733-ignoring the beautiful and ex- pressive name, " Ontelaunee." The legislative provision that English words should be used in naming persons may have indirectly induced them to make the change. They took np the first land by patents along and across its wind- ing banks from its mouth northwardly for more than ten miles ; and also along the eastern bank of the Schuylkill from the same point to the Blue Mountain. Their presence and influence brought about the introduction of English names for the four townships-Maiden-creek, Richmond,. Windsor and Greenwich, which, at the erection of the county, included over half of this large section.

But the name was very justly restored to prominence in the nomenclature of the county by the division of Maiden-creek township, and naming the western part "Ontelaunee."

STREAMS .- The Maiden-creek rises in Le- high County. It enters Berks County in Albany township, flows southwardly for about twenty- five miles, forming in its course an irregular,

1 Published in Berks and Schuylkill Journal, 1st Jan- uary, 1820. An interesting German poem, pertaining to the life and character of the same person, was prepared by "A Gentleman of Oley " (believed to have been Daniel Ber- tolet, a rich and religious farmer). It is published in Rupp's " History of Berks County," p. 260. A small Ger- man book, entitled "Die Berg Maria," was published by L. A. Wollenweber in 1880. It is valuable for many in- teresting historical facts, which relate as well to Berks County as to Maria Young.

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

diagonal line of the section, and empties into the Schuylkill in Ontelaunee township.1

Its principal tributaries are the following : Pine, Stony, Furnace, Sacony, Moselem and Willow.

No considerable creeks, except Pine Creek mentioned, flow into it from the west. The total length of the stream and its tributaries is seventy miles. It is a wonderful water-power, and is invaluable in irrigating the lands through which it wends its winding way.

HILLS .- There are numerous hills in this section, but they are not remarkable for promi- nence, and are not classed with any chain of mountains. They are mostly used for wood- land. The Blue Mountain bounds it on the northwest. The "Pinnacle" is a spur from this mountain, and extends eastwardly through Windsor into Albany, in length about six miles. The easternmost point, at the apex, is one of the highest points in the county, being elevated over twelve hundred feet above the sea. It commands a magnificent view of the surround- ing country for many miles, extending into Schuylkill, Lehigh and Northampton Counties, to the north and cast, and including all that portion of Berks which lies north of the South Mountain.

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS .- This section is intersected by very many roads in all the town- ships. There are three prominent highways worthy of particular mention,-the "Centre Turnpike," which extends thirteen miles from Muhlenberg northwardly, generally along the Schuylkill, through Ontelaunee, Perry and Windsor to the Schuylkill County line; the "Kutztown Road," 2 which extends in almost a direct line northeastwardly seventeen miles from the Centre turnpike, near the mouth of the Maiden Creek, through Ontelaunee, Maiden- creek, Richmond and Maxatawny to the Le- high County line; and the "State Road," which extends eastwardly thirteen miles from the river at Hamburg, through Windsor and

Greenwich, to the Lehigh County line, it being a continuation of the State road from the Lebanon County line across the entire upper section of the county, in length altogether thirty-five miles.

The " Schuylkill Canal " extends along the river to the western extremity of the section from West Leesport, through Ontelaunee, Perry and Windsor, to Schuylkill County, a length of eleven and a half miles.

The " Reading and Lehigh Railroad " (for- merly called the "Berks County") extends along the Maiden-creek from Berkley, near its mouth, to the Lehigh County line, a length of about twenty miles.

The " East Penn Railroad " extends north- eastwardly through the lower portion of Onte- launee, Maiden-creek, Richmond aud Maxa- tawny and the central portion of Longswamp to the Lehigh County line, a distance of eigh- teen miles.

Nine townships are included in this section, and the historical narrative of each appears in the order mentioned : Maiden-creek, Onte- launee, Richmond, Maxatawny, Longswamp, Windsor, Perry, Albany, Greenwich.

MAIDEN-CREEK TOWNSHIP.

THE land in Maiden-creek township was taken up by Friends. The exact period is not known ; but it is supposed about the time that the Indians released the land in 1732. The Friends were always inclined to respect the rights of the Iudians, and therefore they were not guilty of trespasses. The Indians knew of and appreciated this friendly and honorable feeling.

It is supposed that Moses Starr and his wife were the first two settlers in that remote sectiou of uninhabited country, having gone there about 1720. This is possible, but not probable. Some of the earliest Friends who took up lands by warrant and patent were Moses Starr, Francis Parvin, Samuel Lightfoot, Joseph Whyley (Wily), Robert Penrose, Mordecai Lee and Nathaniel Houlton. At one time about 1752, when Berks County was erected, nearly

The upper portion, from the mouth of the Sacony north- wardly, is known as " Ontclaunee ;" and the lower section from this point as " Maiden Creek."

2 Sometimes called "' Easton Road," because it was orig- inally laid out to Easton.

TOWNSHIPS OF COUNTY.

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the entire township was owned and occupied by Friends. Seventy families of them were con- nected with the meeting house in the township, which was erected in their midst.

In 1746, on the 2d day of the First Month (March) a petition was presented to the Court of Quarter Sessions, at Philadelphia, asking the judges to erect a new township and suggesting as a proper name, Maiden-creek. The petition described a large tract of land, containing near thirteen thousand acres, with the usual allow- ance. The descriptions by metes and bounds was as follows :

" Beginning at White Oak tree on the schuylkill River, a corner of land of Nicholas Kindser ; thence N. 65 E. 970 perches to stone in a line of the Manor of Ruscum; thence along said manor N. E. 500 ps., S. E. 116 ps., N. E. 86 ps., S. E. 91 ps., N. 65 E. 349 ps .; thence N. W., 1380 ps .; thence S. 65 W. 1370 ps. to the river ; thence down the same river about 1400 ps. to the beginning."

Doubtless the townships to the east and north (Richmond and Windsor) were not then erected or recognized by the names subsequently given to them. The survey was made July 20, 1746, by Benjamin Lightfoot. The eastern line was reckoned four miles from Maxatawny.

This petition was subscribed by the following signers, who were property-holders, in the pro- posed new district :

Moses Starr.

Merrick Starr.

Jacob Lightfoot.

William Wily.

Richard Lundy.

John Greasey.

George Roseborough. Robert Roseborough.

Joseph Saes.

George Feglay.

Moses Starr, Jr

John Frowenfelter.

Merrick Starr

John Hutton 11

Barnet Vanhorne 10

Owen Hughes, 18

Joseph Wily.

Martin Carshman.

Ulrick Huy 12

Jacob Canffman

George Heldebrand 2

Frederick Hesa

James Hutton 16

Rudolph High,

Joseph Lightfoot

John High

Jacob Lightfoot 11

James Jordan 6

Mordecai Les 19

Samuel Lightfoot. 24

Adam Mingle 3

Thomaa Pearson 3

Edward Moren 4

Jacob Perky. 8

Joaaph Penrose

Alvin Shettla.

Single Men.

Michael Carby.

John Parvin.

Jacob Cook.

Thomaa Reed.

Timothy Jennings.

John Starr.

Stanley Kerby.

Caaper Strall.

Adam Mire.

John Vanhorne.

Benjamin Parvin.

Michael Arnold

William Panroaa 12

William Berkeiger.

Francia Parvin 19

Stephen Barnet

Francis Parvin, Jr. 5

Richard Penrose 6

Joseph Barger

Thomas Parvin

Simon Barger

Frederick Plot.

Thomaa Carby

Peter Rodarmel 15

Barnabas Curry

Paul Rodarmel 16

Eliaa Reed 8

John Coch

John Clina

Jolın Reeaer. 26

John Cumpert.

Christian Ristaon.

Isaac Rutledge. Joseph Wily.

John Barger.

Isaac Starr.

Robert Wilson.

Joseph Penrose.

John Wily.

Henry Willits.

The names were well written, without any marks. The prayer of the petitioners was granted in December, 1746, and the township by the name suggested was then erected.

In September, 1838, a large tract of land was laid off from Ruscomb-manor township and added to Maiden-creek township, in order to accommodate the property-holders of that section in respect to road taxes, etc.

In 1849 the township was divided into two sections for the purpose of forming a new town-

ship, and the western section was named "Onte- launee."

The township was named after the creek which extends diagonally through its territory. The words " Maiden Creek " arose from the fact that the creek was a branch of the Schuyl- kill. The Indians called it Ontelaunee, which signifies little daughter. This Indian word is supposed to have been originally, Andenielia.

In the central part of the township is a spring of unusual size, its dimensions covering nearly three acres of ground. It was long known as the Berndt spring, but for a number of years the farm on which it is located has been the property of the Peters family. The water issuing from this spring is cool and pleasant to the taste, and its volume would be great cnough to furnish water-power if the formation of the land were favorable to furnish a mill-site. The surrounding country is level, preventing the utilization of the water as a motive-power.

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History of Berks county in Pennsylvania, Part 169

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