History of Berks county in Pennsylvania, Part 177

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 177

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).

WAS NCH ZU GOTTES EHR = AUS GLAUBEN GEHT IST SUNDE MERCK AUF O THELRES HERTZ VERLIEIR IA KENE STUNDE

SE SUCHT UND FINDET KOTH UND LAST DIE PERLE FAHREN

This building occupied a dangerous position during the invasion by the Indians. It was occupied at times as a place of refuge by the settlers in that vicinity. A man named Schoner, it is said, was shot at the door; and a quarter of a mile away a man named Shisler and his wife were killed by the Indians.

TAXABLES OF 1759. - The following list comprises the taxable inhabitants of the town- ship in 1759. Michael Brobst was the collector. The tax levied amounted to £31 68. 0d.

Anthony Adam

Frederick Hener

Arnold Billig

Jobn Hein

Francis Billig.

6 Michael Hollenhach 1

John Bricker. 6 Michael Horster.

Jacob Bacher 4

Goorge Kungle ..

Michsel Brobst. 14

Jobn Kuss

Martin Brobst 14

Jacob Kuntz,

Deobald Biehlman

Martin Kamp

Nicholas Bacher

Peter Kneper.

Valentine Brobst

Christopher Keilbach

Nicholas Emrich 2

Martin Keffer.

John Freee.

George Klingeman

Simon Frees,

Philip Kngler

Jacob Gerhard

Christopher Lentzberger.

Jacob Gortner.

7 George Lilly.

Peter Gortner,

George Lomberts

Andreas Hagebach 7

John Lebs.

Christopher Hagler 12

Jacob Lautz.

Christian Henry ...

7 John Miller

Cornelius Drees 3

John Kietler

1069

TOWNSHIPS OF COUNTY.

Michael Maurer.

Philip Stampach 6

Nicholas Miltenberger

Tobiaa Stapleton ... 10

Jacob Poh

William Smeather.

Valentine Petry 1

William Stump.

Henry Rutter. 16

George Truni 5

Henry Ruohelsderfer

Andrene Wenner.

John Reick

John Wilt.

Christophor Swenck 1

Jacob Wordt.

Joho Stierwald 2

Nicholas Wenner

Jacob Stam

Ulrich Waggoner.

Nicholas Strasser 6

Henry Zimmerman

Nicholas Smith

Single Men.

William Farmar.

Jacob Freee.

Henry Kanish. Elias Redkin.

Henry Fulweller.

Daniel Smitlı.

Jacob Hagenbach.

Inmates.

Solomon Bacher

George Ranch 1

Jacob Bayly

Henry Ruppert,

Christopher Braucher.

George Sharp

Jacob Donat.

John Smeather

Daniel Grancher

Daniel Stump

Frederick Hass

Henry Swenck.

George Kautzman

Peter Zeybold

Samuel Leydy

EARLY BUILDINGS .- Several old buildings in the township remain as evidences of its early settlement. On the farm of James B. Levan is an old log building which is a relic of the time when Indian warfare harassed the settlers, and it doubtless served as a sort of fort, for bul- let-marks are still visible on the logs.

Near by is a stone house, owned by Joel Baer, which antedates the Revolution. It was long known as the " Robert Steppleton Place." Farther east, on the Ontelaunee, is a log house, now owned by N. D. Trexler, at Trexler Sta- tion, which is a landmark easily recognized by the older people, and around which cluster many recollections. It was long an inn and in the days when grain was cnt by hand-sickles the thirsty harvesters used to drive their sickles into the logs while they went inside to refresh themselves. These marks can be plainly seen. A few years ago, while the owner was rebuild- ing the chimney, he found a very rare relic of the Revolutionary period imbedded in the wall of the garret and plastered over. It is a circu- lar piece of apple wood, about a foot in diame- ter and contains an excellent profile of Wash- ington. On its edge there appears, in reversed letters, the following sentiment : "Long live Geo. Washington, the Commander of the Fed- eral Army." The date and other matter at the bottom have been eaten away by mice. The engraving shows skillful workmanship.

number of descendants of the fourth and fifth generations still remain on the places first occu- pied by their forefathers, among which may be named the Berks and Baileys. Of the latter, Daniel Bailey, born in Albany, who died in Greenwich, ninety years of age.

In that township John Jacob Dietrich settled on the Sacony Creek, where he reared sons named Henry, John Jacob, George and Chris- tian. The first two settled in Albany, and John Jacob, who died in 1857, was the father of Solomon and Charles P. Dietrich, well-known citizens of Albany. A member of another generation, Franklin S. Dietrich, born in Al- bany in September, 1851, after being educated at Kutztown Normal School, Freeland Semi- nary and at Philadelphia, went as a missionary to India in the fall of 1882, and has since been in that service.

The Fetherolf family, though prominent years ago in the affairs of Albany, have nearly all died or removed. Abraham, a son of John, became a physician of repute.

Among other natives of Albany who became physicians are James D. Graver, Wm. Trexler and George Reagan.

The Trexlers identified themselves with the township in 1826, occupying the Fusselman farm. Of sons named Amos, Jonas, Riter, Jairus, Aaron, Nathan, David and Benjamin, the first four survive, who, with their descend- ants, are active in the affairs of the county. The Kistlers settled in Lehigh County, near Wesnersville, from which place some of the family early came to Albany and carried on mills and small factories. Jacob, Daniel and Mathias Kistler are best remembered in this connection.

INDUSTRIES.

The mountain streams of Albany were early improved to operate mills and factories requir- ing but small power. Prominent in their day were the Union Forges and Furnace, on Pine Creek and its tributary, all within a radius of a mile, and their operations brought a sturdy, busy population to the township, many of whom left after the iron-works were no longer carried on. A small charcoal furnace and two forges

EARLY SETTLERS .- Of the early settlers, a | were built before 1780, which became known

1070

HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

as the "Union Iron-Works." They were sub- sequently operated by Michael Brobst, John Brobst, Valentine Brobst and John Richards. Later, George Reagan, an iron-master from Virginia, became the owner of the property, which included extensive tracts of land. Be- sides carrying on the iron-works, he operated grist and saw-mills and carried on a general store. The furnace was abandoned more than fifty years ago, and the last forge ceased to work twenty years later, under the ownership of Wil- liam Reagan. But the grist-mill, built by Brobst over a hundred years ago, still remains. The lower story is of stone and the upper of logs. It is the property of Thomas Long. Ou Pine Creek were also the Knepper mill (very early) and oil, grist and saw-mills by Jacob Grenewalt and the Grim family. On Stony Run, near its mouth, the Mason family had an early mill, which was owned by Samuel Brobst and subsequently by Isaac Levan and his son Jackson. The present Deitrich mill is remem- bered as Kistler's and later as the property of Reuben and Jonathan Grim, well-known citi zens in their day. Then came the Grenewalt mill, which obtained a wider reputation as Kun- kel's and is still owned by that family. The Fetherolf family had mills and shops on Mill Creek, which became the property of the Trex- ler family. On the Ontelaunee, near the Le- high line, there was early a mill known as Witmann's, but better remembered as Moser's.

At Trexler's Station the Shellenberger family had a clover-mill and a power to grind sickles and turn gun-barrels. This power is now used to operate N. D. Trexler's tannery, which was established in 1857 by Joel Kistler and operated since 1867 by the present owner. The capacity is sixteen hundred hides per year. Other tan- neries were operated on Aaron Trexler's place and on the Hagenbush farm, where fine leather was made a specialty. Isaac Levan long car- ried on a tannery, making leather of good quality by the use of improved methods and machinery.

Other small industries, such as carding-ma- chines, oil-mills, saw-mills, etc., had an exis- tence and some are still run to a limited extent. The majority of the population find employment in agriculture.

SLATE QUARRIES .- Albany has become a prominent locality on account of its slate inter- ests. These were first developed by Charles Faust, on his farm on the slope of the Blue Mountain. As the products had to be hauled to Hamburg, but little was done until 1876; when the Berks County Railroad, by affording better shipping facilities, induced more active operation of the quarries. That year David Heinley and Charles Faust opened the " Cen- tennial Quarry," taking ont a superior quality of slate and employing eighteen men the fol- lowing year. In 1881 they sold out to the "Standard Slate Company," which was, in turn, succeeded by the " Big Bed Slate Company." In this quarry as high as forty men have been employed. The "Quaker City Slate Com- pany " was the next to open a quarry opposite the " Centennial," and it successfully operated the same until 1884, when a change of owner- ship took place. Under this management thirty men found employment. In the same locality. is the " Pittsburgh Quarry," which, when fully worked, employs twenty men, and also a new quarry by the " Continental Slate Company," of Philadelphia, which commenced work in the fall of 1885.

The slate of this section ranks with the best quality found in the slate region. It is in strata from fifteen to eighty feet below the sur- face. New developments being made from time to time, this industry promises to beconie the most important in the northern part of the county.

CHURCHES.

ALBANY CHURCH .- In this section of coun- try, notwithstanding its remoteness from the stronger settlements to the south, the settlers displayed commendable energy towards estab- lishing a church for religious worship. The devotion of Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg carried him into that wild region of territory, to give encouragement and comfort to those pioneers in the great work of possessing and improving this new country, and of building up and carrying onward the development of the Lutheran Church in Pennsylvania. Certain of his church members had moved thither, be- tween 1735 and 1745, from New Hanover, in

1071

TOWNSHIPS OF COUNTY.

Philadelphia (now Montgomery) County, and he naturally followed them to look after their spiritual welfare. In 1746 (April 11th) he took up in this township a tract of land con- taining fifty acres, and about that time a church was erected thereon. This was first known as " Allemaengel Church," and after- ward named "New Jerusalem." In 1770, Muhlenberg granted this land to Philip Stam- bach, Jacob Gortner and Valentine Brobst, of Albany township, in Berks County, and Mat- thias Brobst and George Kestler, of Lynn town- ship, in Northampton (now Lehigh) County, trustees, in trust and for the use of the "Ger- man Lutheran Congregation of Albany town- ship." 1

The following interesting extracts have been taken from a centennial sermon delivered by the Rev. S. K. Brobst, at a celebration in this church on September 3, 1871 : 2

"The beginning of the foundation of a German Evangelical Lutheran congregation in this vicinity, formerly called 'Allemaengel,' must have been already begun between the years 1740 and 1747. In the ' Hallischen Nachrichten,' pp. 215-216, the Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg mentions the following facts concerning it :

" ' In March, 1747, I took a journey to the north- western mountains, fifty miles from Providence (now called the Trappe). Many German people lived there, poor and destitute, and have a scarcity of spiritual and bodily food. Divers members of the congrega- tion from New Hanover having moved thither, and recalled their worship of God, they gave me a pres"- ing invitation to visit them. Many grew into a wild life and no longer regarded churches and schools, and some followed such men who had set themselves up as preachers (vagrants). Others sought something edifying and would not have anything to do with ministers walking about by themselves, but fell on the other side and connected themselves with the Mora- vians from Bethlehem.

" 'My former members bad already several times sent men to me and asked me to help them. Having at the time had with me, as an assistant, Mr. Kurtz (school-teacher and assistant preacher), I sent him thither several times, and through my father-in-law, Conrad Weiser, let a small tract of land (50 acres) as

a property for church purposes. Upon this they were to erect a log school-house or church. If they should in time become strong, so that they could support a school-teacher, then the children should receive some help. The school-teacher should read the Scriptures on Sundays and I would visit them once or several times every year.

"'After a majority of them had united and agreed upon a fair proposition, they began to erect a log church. In the mean time the Moravians & from Beth- lehem were industrious in drawing some of these peo- ple unto themselves, most of whom were still in the possession of bodily sustenance. These Mora- vians proclaimed that they were the genuine Luther- ans, and they also administered the sacrament after the manner of the Lutherans, and sent a brother member with his family to those whom they had won over, for the purpose of keeping school.

"' The other party seeing this, they became angry and used abusive language, and the third party, on this account, withdrew. Soon after they had begun to erect a church, the operations stopped, and the building without a roof stands to this day. The Mora- vians thought that they would and could finish the building with the understanding that it should be a brotherly church ; but this I did not agree to, because the ground was still in my possession, and I had hopes that the poor Lutherans would in time be able to help themselves. But then I did not see any possibility how such a spoiled disordered heap could be improved until the Lord should give me ways and means as yet unknown. During my recent visit there, I myself preached, baptized several children and nrged my former members to read the Scriptures and pray with diligence. And I administered the sacrament unto two old persons, at their earnest request. Their chil- dren had joined the Moravians and this caused them to sorrow secretly and receive the sacrament with the deepest humiliation ; and they promised through Jesus Christ to remain faithful in life, sorrow and death.'

"The first children baptized were the children of John Bely, Frank Bely, Caspar Langenberger, Peter Driesz, Michael Brobst, Frederick Reichelsdorfer, John Wesner and George Kistler.

" Among the first persons confirmed were the fol- lowing : in 1756, George Kistler, George Kunkel, Conrad Billman, Fr. Billig, Maria D. Fosselman; in 1757, George Fr. Braucher, George Brobst, Anna M. Grimm.

" A burying-ground is connected with the church.

"The first grave-stone bears date in 1760, and the, second in 1762.

" The whole tract is still owned, excepting 1} acres sold off to an adjoining owner of property.

1 Deed recorded in Recorder's office, Reading, in D. B. vol. vi., p. 321-322.

2 Published in Die Lutherische Zeitschrift, at Allentown, Pa .; September 16, 1871, in German and translated by the author of this history.

3 The Moravians had a settlement near by in " Kistler's Valley," which must have included a considerable number. Upon Jonas Kistler's land there was a burying ground which was known as the " Moravian Burying-Ground."

1072

HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

" Beside the church record, the pastor (Schumacher) kept a private record with great care and exactness, in which he entered the baptisms and confirmations, with dates, names, etc., and this is now with the doen- ments of the church. It contains the names of 1208 children baptized from 1754 till 1774, and their pa- rents, and the names of 500 persons who were confirmed and admitted to membership. Among these names are many of the families who still reside in the vicinity and continue their connection with the church.

"From 1755 to 1769 the congregations were served by the Rev. Daniel Schumacher, a Lutheran minister who then lived at Weissenberg, between three and four miles from Allemaengel, and in that time also served fifteen or sixteen other congregations in Berks and Northampton Counties; those in Berks having been Maxatawny (near Kutztown), Windsor, Green- wich, Alsace, Schwartzwald, 'Oley Hills,' beyond the Blue Mountains (Zionsville) and Summer Hill (North-kill).

"In 1769 he withdrew from this church, moved a small distance away, and took with him a considerable number of his friends, where in 1770-71 a new ' Al- lemaengel Kirche ' was erected, formerly called Bethel Church, also the ' White Church.'

" In the beginning, and till 1808, the congregation was entirely Lutheran, excepting the privilege given to members of the Reformed denomination to worship in the church occasionally. Then a new church was encouraged, conjointly by Lutheran and Reformed members, with the understanding that the latter should enjoy equal privileges in the building, for church and school purposes and in the land for bury- ing. The corner-stone was laid on 7th May, 1812, upon which occasion the Lutherans were represented by the Revs. J. Knoske, H. Geissenhainer and J. Weiand, and the Reformed by Revs. Henry Dieffen- bach and Jacob Dieffenbach.

"The dedication of the new church took place on 29-30 May, 1814. Revs. Knoske and J. Heim offici- ated for the Lutheran members, and Revs. Henry Dieffenbach, Jacob Dieffenbach and Carl Hermann for the Reformed. The church of 1814 is still stand- ing in a good state of preservation, and religions ser- vices are conducted there regularly and successfully. A school was conducted for many years in connection with the church."

The church is situated near the eastern line of the township, a short distance above Wess- nersville. First known as the " Allemaengel Kirche" and later as the " Albany Church," it has locally been designated as the "Red Church " on account of its roof having been painted that color. Its offspring, the church at Wessnersville, about the same time was desig-

nated as the " White Church," a title which still clings to it.

A centennial celebration was held at this church on Saturday and Sunday, the 2d and 3d days of September, 1871. The building was handsomely decorated with evergreens and flowers. The entire congregation, including many persons from distant parts who had been confirmed in this church, assembled to partici- pate in the ceremony.

Various Lutheran preachers offiiciated here from 1770 to 1777, according to the hand- writing in the church record, their names not having been mentioned. From 1777, for three years, the Rev. Friedrich Miller acted as pastor, and subsequently until 1810 the Rev. Daniel Lehmann, After Lehmann's death, Rev. John Knoske came from Orwigsburg (now in Schuyl- kill County), and served this church in connec- tion with others situated in the vicinity extending to Kutztown, for twelve years, till the close of 1823. From 1824 until 1831 there were the Revs. Döring, Wartman and Pfalz, and in 1831, Rev. J. Roeller began to preach and continued faithfully for twenty-six years. His successors have been Revs. Leopold, S. S. Klein, L. Zuber, D. Trexler and H. S. Fegeley.

The Reformed pastors since 1812 have been Revs. Henry Dieffenbach, J. Zulich and A. J. Herman, the latter being in charge since 1856. The membership of each denomination then was about one hundred and fifty.

BURIALS .-- The New Jerusalem Cemetery contains a number of fine monuments erected by the Bachman, Trexler, Kistler and Fetherolf families.

BETHEL CHURCH .- Some years after the erection of the Albany Church a movement was made for the erection of another church in the same township. This arose from a disturbance which existed in 1769, between certain mem- bers of the Albany Church and its pastor, the Rev. Daniel Schumacher, and which obliged him to withdraw. In leaving the church he carried a considerable number of sympathizing friends with him, and they together succeeded in organizing a second congregation and erecting a church a short distance to the south, which was dedicated May 20, 1774. It was named "Bethel.

1073

TOWNSHIPS OF COUNTY.

Church." It is a log building, still standing, and is occupied by the sexton. At the time of its dedication it was declared a " union " church for the use of Lutheran and Reformed congre- gations.

The members were devoted to the interests of the church, and made a number of gifts. Chris- tian Hechler presented a communion set ; Jacob Belleman, a baptismal font ; Christian Braucher, a church record ; John A. Manderbach, three pounds of money and a black altar-cloth ; Su- sanna Norgang, a white worked altar-cloth; and Elias Ruthgen, a silk altar-cloth.

A new stone building was erected near by in 1840, to take the place of the old log building. The corner-stone was laid May 3d, and the church was dedicated on November 8th follow- ing. From its white appearance it took the name of the " White Church," to distinguish it from the "New Jerusalem Church," which was commonly known as the "Red Church," and it is still so called.

The Lutheran ministers have been Revs. Daniel Schumacher, Frederick Miller, J. Schaef- fer, John S. Engel, G. F. J. Iaeger, Oliver Smith and since 1874 the Rev. B. S. Small ; and the Reformed, Revs. Frederick T. Berger, Joseph S. Dubbs, Charles G. Herman, J. Sassa- man Herman, John Zulich, Adam Schaeffer and, since 1872, the Rev. Benjamin Wise. Each congregation has about one hundred members.

NEW BETHEL CHURCH .- In the centre of Albany township, about five miles west of the Albany Church, another church was erected about 1750. It is stated that this building was erected in 1761. But in looking over the coun- ty records pertaining to the early roads of this township, I find that a church stood at that place in 1754, on a road described as beginning at Frederick Reichelderfer's and running by way of Martin Brobst's mill and the Lutherau Church to the Northampton County line. It is possible that a temporary church was first estab- lished there some time previous to 1754, and that the first permanent church was erected in 1761. Forty persons were interested in its erection, prominent among them having been Jacob Zettelmoyer, Simon Fries, Jacob Gerhart, Jacob Wade, Adam Levan and Ferdinand

Ritter. Some of the persons resided in North- ampton (now Lehigh) County. In 1790 repairs were made to the building and thus it was used until 1853, when a new stone church was erected in its stead.

In 1883 the building was handsomely re- paired and then (October) re-dedicated.

The membership of each denomination is about one hundred and fifty. The Lutheran minister is Rev. Oscar D. Miller ; and the Re- formed, Rev. J. N. Bachman.

The church school-house still stands, having become the property of the township after the adoption of the free-school system. In it pri- vate schools were successfully maintained many years. A grave-yard is part of the church prop- erty and contains some fine monuments.

ZION'S EVANGELICAL CHURCH is in the western part of Wessnersville. It is a neat frame building, on an acre of ground secured for church purposes, chiefly through the efforts of John P. Smith, for many years one of the most prominent members. It was dedicated in 1872 and its first minister was the Rev. W. Miller. The membership has always been small, the congregation being part of a circuit in Berks and Lehigh Counties. In 1885 the preachers in charge were the Revs. Weidner and Speicher.

SALEM EVANGELICAL CHURCH is situated in the northwestern part of the township, near the Blue Mountains, and included in the same circuit. It is a frame building and was erected in 1883.

VILLAGES.

WESSNERSVILLE is the largest village in Albany township. It has a very pleasant loca- tion on the high lands, three miles east from the Ontelaunee. Kempton is its nearest rail- road point. The place derives its name from Samuel and Nathan Wessner, who put up a number of substantial buildings in their en- deavor to make this a business point. The large hotel was built by Samuel Wessner in 1858, and rebuilt by the present owner, Jere- miah Dunkle, in 1885. The first public-house was kept by Michael Shaeffer, prior to 1820, in a log house standing where is now the fine store of E. D. Kistler, which was put up in

1074

HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

1883. A store was kept there at an early day by Nathan Wessner. The first store in the locality was kept by Daniel Kistler, situated across the Lehigh line.

The post-office here bears the name of Stony Run. Solomon Fister was the first postmaster ; William B. Kistler is at present in charge. In addition to the interests named, the village con- tains an Evangelical and Union Church, a number of shops, and a number of well-kept residences.

KEMPTON, the next place in point of size, is on the railroad, twenty-four miles from Read- ing. It is a station with good sidings and a fine Y track. An express-office is also main- tained. The place is located on lands formerly owned by W. G. Kemp, hence its name. It dates its existence from 1874, and contains a fine grain warehouse, kept by M. C. Deitrich (for eleven years in business there), a post-office, established in 1881, some residences and a very fine hotel building. The latter was built by A. M. Metz in 1874. It is now the property of Adam Hipple.

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 177

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