History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 50

Author: Waterman, Watkins & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, Waterman, Watkins & Co.
Number of Pages: 638

USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 50

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The members of the Harmony Community were not mere boors, nor was their life a ceaseless round of toil. They had their social pleasures and amuse ments, and doubtless enjoyed life fully as much as is usual with any thrifty and industrious people. They

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

were fond of music and many wore skilled in instru montal practice. Their religious exercises were al. ways accompanied by the singing of the whole con gregation, led by a skillful choir. The whole com- munity was divided into classes- the aged of both sexes, the young men and young women, and the youth, each separately forming a class, which met once a week for social intercourse and mutual improvement. Each member of these classes regarded the other members as brothers and sisters, and in general fra ternal relation- provailed. Father Rapp met with the classes as often as possible to give instruction and conusel. He and his family fared no better than the rest in the matter of dress or style of living, except that, as became his position, he lived in a better house, that guests and friends might be there enter- tained. Ho did not, as has been charged, accumu- late wealth of his own: all property belonged to the society.

Each branch of industry had a foreman, who was responsible for the proper management of his depart. ment. Frederick Rapp continued as the society's business agent until his death, after which George Rapp was formally designated to this office, and ap- pointed as sub-agents R. L. Baker and A. Honrici.

The Millennarian belief of the Harmonists has already been alluded to. In 1507, under the infinence of a religions revival, they were led to abjure matri mony as a hindrance to holiness such as they desired to attain.

Father Rapp encouraged this movement but did not, as is alleged, compel his people to make this sar rifier. The speedy coming of the Lord was looked for. and celibacy was regarded as a step toward that higher spiritual life which they awaited. Henceforth. though families continued to dwell together as be fore, " They that had wives were as though they had none. " Another hitherto common indulgence - the use of tobacco, was likewise renonneed.

These people believed they were obeying Script- nral injunetions in their course of rigid self denial for conscience sake. There were occasional instances of back-sliding, and some withdrawals from the society on account of these peculiar practices; but by the great majority a faithful and rigid adherence to the principles adopted was strictly observed.

A totally false report to the effect that Rapp killed his son John because he refused to be separated from his wife was circulated many years ago by some enemy of the society. This base slander had no foundation in fact. John Rapp died from natural canses, five years after the community adopted celib acy. His death resulted from consumption, brought on by injuries sustained by him in 1810, while lift- ing grain in the storehouse.

We have space to make only a brief mention of some of the peculiar religions views of the Harmon ists. They regard Adam as having been created " in the image of God." in a litoral sense; that he was like (od both in form and in moral characteristics: that he was a dual being having within himself both the sexual elements. They, in support of this, cite Genesis 1. 26. 27: " And God said let us make man in our own image, after our likeness, and let them have do minion." etc. And " so God created man in his own image: in the image of God created he him: male and female created he them. " The separation of Eve from Adam " they rogard as a consequence of the in- cipient fallof Adam, which took place at the time when the various animals were caused to pass before him, and when, beholding them all in pairs, he con- ceived a desire for a similar separation and compan- ionship in his own case. thus becoming discontented with the condition in which God had placed him and abusing his freedom of will by yielding to his lower animal nature." The forbidden fruit is to thom a real object which possessed some poisonous quality, and introduced into the human frame the germs of disease and death as well as an unholy sexual passion. This is the somewhat mystical basis upon which their ideas in regard to celibacy are framed. The follow ing brief statement of their religious views on cor tain points was made by one of their leaders in IS61: " We nunderstand from the book of Genesis, i, 26, that man was created in the image of God to have dominion over all the earth, etc. : also. that our first parents by disobedience committed a transgression against the command of God. and fell from that original elevation. and became corrupt and unfil to possess the garden of Eden, which was intended for their abode God passed sentence, and expelled them from Eden into this world which we now inhabit. In this corrupt state, man has invented a vast deal of good, which is evidence of his original greatness; he has also revealed and brought into action a vast deal of evil. Those two facts cannot be denied. They constitute two central points, which are represented by the word of God. Jesus Christ on one side, and the angel of darkness on the other. The latter was the instigator and beginning of all evil, but shall have his head bruised by the woman's seed (Genesis. iii, 15). Jesus Christ is the woman's seed who has bruised that head, and will continue to bruisse it by his followers in time and eternity until the influence of evil is entirely ent off and subdued through Jesus Christ and his people, and ultimately God be God in all (Cor., xv, 27. 28). Religion, therefore, is the me- dium to raise fallon man up to his former dignity. The doctrine of Christ and His apostles is the true religion. If this is rightly understood. beloved and

....

EAGLE HOTEL, ZELIENOPLE. H. STOKEY, PROP.

MILLER HOUSE

MILLER HOUSE, J.N. MILLER PROP. EVANSBURG.

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

put into practice in spirit and in truth by thoughts, words and acts, it will work a full regeneration, and produce a new man, or the image of God, through Jesus Christ, to love God above all and man as onr- selves. In this lies the fulfillment of law and gos- pel."

To this may be added the following statement of Rapp's doctrine, made by one not a Harmonist, yet admitted to be correct:

" Mr. Rapp taught, first, a doctrine of future re- wards and punishments; second, did not teach the doctrine of everlasting punishment; third, tanght that the end of the world was nigh-it might be to morrow-but varied the time, extending it sometimes to 1837; fourth. taught that there must not be carnal intercourse between man and woman, married or un- married; tifth, that such only as refrained from such intercourse wonkl inherit the brightest places or most perfect happiness in the other world.

LATER HISTORY OF THE HARMONISTS.

Rapp and his followers left Harmony in 1814 15. Ten years later. finding the climate unhealthful and the surroundings unpleasant, they sold their posses- sions in New Harmony, Ind., returned to Pennsyl- vania, and founded the town of Economy, in Beaver County, where a remnant of them still exists. In 1\32. under a certain self-styled Count De Leon, who is aptly described as a "compound of the enthusiast and impostor," about one- third of the members of the society withdrew, and formed the "New Philadelphia Society." They got into trouble; their leader and some of his followers were shipped to Louisiana, where he died of cholera in 1833. The remainder of the. New Philadelphians divided their property and debts pro rata, and started anew on the individual system. The Economites, as they are now popularly called, have continued to prosper and accumulate wealth. There have been few accessious to their numbers, while death and removals have continued to diminish them. But a small number of members now remains, most of whom are nearing or have already passed the allotted period of threescore years and teu. The society in its present form cannot long survive. and their vast wealth. the product of their long continned industry, now seems likely to fall into the possession of the Commonwealth ere many years have passed away .*

THE CEMETERY.

" All are equal in the grave." This sentiment seemed to prevail in the minds of the members of the Harmony Society. During their brief residence here, one hundred adherents died and were buried in a

For all of the essential fact- contained in the foregoing, history 1 th Harmony Society, the writer is indebted to a book written by Key Arron Will- jams, b. D., and published in 1stn.

little graveyard in the mmeliggend the low), The cemetery, when the community left. was amounted by a board fence, and all of the inclosure su- covered over with loose stones to a depth of frour one and a half to three feet. In 1869, the surviving member of the society caused a costly wall of dressed free- stone four feet ten inches high to be placed around the yard. The stones and rubbish which covered the gravey were hauled away; the interior of the yard was leveled off, and is now covered by a heavy growtu of grass. Ornamental evergreens were also planted. The wall, a fine piece of masonry, was built under the superintendonce of Mr. Elias Ziegler, who hul the contract for the work, and receive 1 $2.025 for its construction. An ornamental gateway of stone, oud a grate of The same material were placed at the en trance. Over the arched gateway are the following inscriptions.

HIER rahen 100 Muglieder der Harmane GeAcht gestorben von 1800 bis 1815

Ich ai dass mein Erlover leht. Under wird mies hermich au- del Erde auferwecken. Mich. Job 19. 95.

So lig ist der und heilig wer The il hat an derersten Sut . Sh hut Cher solche hat der andre Tod keine Macht sond un Sie a rien Priester Gottes und Christi sein und mit ihm regieren tausend Jahr. Jesus. Rev. 20. 1. Sey getren bis an den Tod, so will ich dir die Krone des Lebens geben, Jesu -. Rev. 2. 10.

And over the t yo s naller arches above the gate the following:

FIRST ARCH.

Ich bin die Auferstehung und da Leben Wer an mich glaubt, der wird leben, ober gleich stirbe Jan. John 11, 25.

SECOND ARCH

Es wird die Posame schaffen und die todien w adon ant Erstehen unverwe-lich und wir werden verwandel werden Paulus. Ist Cor. 15. 52

The cemetery is small -17>x137 feet. Tom orte gravestone within it is set up against the side of the wall where it is scarcely likely to ortope altenise The inscription npou it is now nemy ill ible: be from it we learn that it was erected to the men ut of John Rapp, who died in 1512. The Stone w. r. ioued by some of the community, without the shell edge of Father Rapp, and when he level then had been made, he forbade having it se up. Fr the cemetery was renovated, it wa- loft lying face downward upon John Rapp & Tal

HVEMONY TO DA1

is but little changed from its original form. .. cepting that formerly Main stre t bren bref ... corner of the first stront east of the |wie sport passed diagonally along wher the cold! . os -1 1 -. the old Mercer road eroseney the efe . car the mdb Another road branched off to the rigas and followed the creek. Main street ba bei condel and ju

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IHISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.

1874, an addition to the town was laid out on the south and east by Rev. F. A. Edmonds and E. Zier- ler. Still, many of the old features of the town are preserved. The narrow streets and the ridiculously small public square make one wonder whether this is indeed an American settlement, or whether he has not been suddenly transported into some ancient Euro. pean village. Eight or nine of the old brick houses built by the Harmonists are still standing, and seem as good and as substantial as over they were. A fine specimen of mason work is the cellar under George Bram's house. The solid walls and the arches seem capable of enduring for ages. This was the work of the community under Rapp. and. like the most of their work. it was thoroughly done and well. For- merly the houses of the town had high. steep roofs. A storm which passed over the place in 1856, un- roofed several of the buildings, among them the old church, consequently Harmony's old houses have lost something of their antique and picturesque appear. ance. The house of Mr. Boum, before alluded to, bears over the doorway a curiously-carved image, rep- resenting the angel of peace, with a face which is said to be like George Rapp's.

On the hill east of the town and north of the creek, the terraces of the old vineyard are pointed out. while on the crest of the same hill is the rock on which Father Rapp's observatory stood. Here l used to sit honr after hour enjoying an extended view up and down the valley and watching the industry carried on by the busy hands of his followers. The changes wronght since his day have been great. Now the railroad passes near his former seat: mills and manufactories run by steam appear in the village; the round log cabins with thatched roofs of straw, are all gone, and in their place stand substantial and comfortable houses. A free, independent people in- habit the town where his blind, deluded followers once lived and toiled.

Harmony Borough was incorporated in IS3S. William Keck was the first Burgess.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

1840, Jacob Bear: 1840. John Seaman: 1841. Jacob Covert; 1845, Isaac Latchaw: 1846. Jacob Co- vert: 1850, Isaac Latchaw; 1851. Jonas Umpstead; 1851, John Seaman; 1856, Jonas Umpstead; IS56. John Seaman: 1861, Jonas Umpstead: 1861, Francis R. Covert: 1866, Francis R. Covert: 1866, Alfred Pearce; 1529, John Pearce: 1871, Francis R. Covert; 1876, Francis R. Covert; 1877, James D. Lytle; ISS1, Francis R. Covert.

MILLS.

North of the Connoquenessing, on Scholar's Run, was a mill. erected by the Harmonists, which ran until

a few years ago. It is now torn down. It is related that when Rapp's mon, some fifty of them, were build- ing the mill-race, Mr. Passavant, of Zelienople, came along, and, to play a joke upon them, told them that water could never be made to run in the race, and that their labor would be wasted. They were soon convinced. and at once picked up their tools and walked into Harmony, Father Rapp saw them com- ing. came forth to meet them and ascertain the cause of their action. They told him. He, like a skilled general, at once wheeled them around and marched them at a lively pace back to their work, saying. " We will have a mill-race hore, and will have water in it, if we have to carry it in buckets!"

The mill near Eidenan Station on the Connoquen- essing. a mile above Harmony, was built by the Rapp Society. It is still in operation and is known as the "Big Mill." Abraham Ziegler sold this mill to his brother John; afterward it returned to Abraham: his son Jacob owned it later, and erected a distillery there.

Not far from the big mill the Harmony Society had an oil mill and a fulling mill on the Little Con- noquenessing, with a distillery near it.

In 1832. there was a great food. generally de- seribed as the " Pumpkin Flood." All the creeks Wore overflowed, great damage to crops ensned and thousands of pumpkins floated about the mills and the town.

A large granary, built by the Harmonists, north west of the public square was converted into a steam flouring mill by Aaron Schontz and David Ziegler. about the year 1997. This was the first steam-mill in the place. In 1552. the building was destroyed by tire, along with several other buildings near it. Among the houses burned was George Rapp's resi- dence on the northwest corner of the publie square. Soon after. Schontz started the mill now in operation in a building which had been one of the barns of the Rapp Commnuity. John Pearce next owned this mill; then A. A. Miller. In 1572, David Ziegler purchased the property. The mill was enlarged and improved in 1880. a new engine put in and machinery of the most approved pattern. The mill now contains five run of buhrs, The " new-process " arrangement is used throughout. Its capacity is about five barrels per hour.

A PRIMITIVE METHOD OF MAKING SALT.

Soon after Mr. Ziegler bought the Harmony prop- erty. Isaac Wilson, a Quaker. engaged in the mann- facture of salt near the creek in the village. The business was principally conducted by David and Webster Wilson, sons of "Quaker " Wilson. They also had a similar maunfactory on Yellow Creek in

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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY,

Lancaster Township. The well was bored by means of ox-power, and, for drills, poles fastened together were used, the lower polo being pointed with iron. The well was about four hundred and fifty feet deep. For pumping, dogs were pressed into service in a " dog-power." Six or eight dogs were kept. Some- times they chased each other in the " power." then the machinery would move rapidly for a few minutes. The dogs were fed large quantities of mush. The business was not very profitable, as only about four barrels of salt per day could be produced. Salt being $1.75 per barrel, and, as a hundred bushels of coal were consumed daily, this cost, taken with the expense of a man and a boy and several dogs, left but a small margin for profits. Afterward an engine was used for pumping. The business was continued by David Wilson, Samuel Covert and others until about 1854. when the works were abandoned.

WOOLEN FACTORY.

A carding mill was put in operation in 1837 by Aaron Schontz. The building was burned in IS 12, but was rebuilt, and from 1850 the work of spinning, carding and cloth dressing was carried on by Mr. Schontz aud Robert Sample. In 1865, John Pearce bought out Schontz's interest; the building was en larged and made a two-story structure, 40x55 feet. The manufacture of blankets. Hanuels and varns was then commenced, and still continues, Mr. Sample retired from the firm in IS71; Mr. Pearce still con- tinnes, the firm now being J. Pearce & Son. They employ about twenty hands, and do a business of $25,000 or $30,000 per year.

SCHOOLS.

The first teacher in Harmony after 1815 was John Fleming, who possessed a good deal of the schoolmaster's tact, and managed his pupils well. The next teacher was Jacob Heberling, the stone- mason, who taught school in the building which is now Swain & Bentle's store. He used to appoint monitors to watch the proceedings of the mischiev- ously inclined, and in case the monitor failed to re- port any and all transgressions he might witness, he was compelled to ride a wooden horse for punishment. Heberling is said to have been "no scholar, but an adept in administering punishment by means of the rod."

William Huntzberger, who died in 1852 at the age of ninety-two, was an early teacher, and taught in the Umpstadt house. James Mahard and his son Thomas also taught school. Thomas was a fine scholar, and afterward became a minister. Both German and English were usually taught until the free schools were established.

HARMONY COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE

This school was organized and first taught by Rev. F. A. Edmonds, A. M., S. L. Johnson, A. M . and J. C. Tinsman. Mr. Edmonds was Professor of Eloention, Biblical Antiquities and Evidences of Christianity. He is a graduate of Heidelberg Col lege, Tiffin, Ohio. Mr. Johnson, the Professor of Higher Mathematics, History and Chemistry, gradu ated at Lafayette College, Easton, Penn. Mr. Tins man was Professor of Natural Sciences, Latin, Greek and German. The three teachers mentioned taught three years. The school was then continued by Prof. Tinsman, with other associates. He left in ISTS. A. M. Cunningham, Esq., was then Principal of the school for one year. His successors have been Revs. 1. W. Lechleitner, A. M., J. M. Sonder and Rev. H. D. Darbaker.

The school has been well patronized, and continues in successful operation: The attendance generally averages about fifty pupils per term.

HATMONY NATIONAL BANK.

This bank was established in 1576, with a cash capital of $50,000. The following were the Direct- ors: W. H. H. Riddle, W. G. Stoughton, C. B. Wiser, Charles Duffy. John M. Thompson, Alexander Mitchell and John M. Gfreer. First President, W. H. H. Riddle, succeeded by Edward Mellen. Cashier, H. J. Mitchell.

ODD FELLOWS.

Kinnear Lodge, No. 615, 1. O. O. F .. was organized principally through the efforts of Robert Kinnear, Jacob Schoene, Jacob, and Henry Cooper. It was granted a charter November 17. 1568. The first offi. cers were: Jacob Cooper, N. G .: Jacob Schoener, V. G .; Henry Cooper, Secretary; Theodore Kersting. A. S., and Philip Diehl, Treasurer.

The lodge had ten charter members. At one time. it had 122 members. Now there are but eleven. A number have withdrawn to join other lodges.

MASONIC LODGE.

Harmony Lodge, No. 429, F. & A. M .. was organ ized January 5. 1869, by D. D. G. M. Dr. G. D. Knghler, of Greenville, Penn., with the followin charter members: Loring Lusk, Robert H. Kinnear, James M. Covert, Jeremiah W. Bowman, Jantes D. Lytle, Sidney M. Wiehl, Willian C. Latehaw. Amos Lusk. Austin Pearee, Elias L. Gillespie, Joseph S. Lusk. The first three mentioned are now dead.

THE MENNONITE CHURCH.

This is an old organization. having been organ- ized by Abraham Ziegler about the year 1516. Its

HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY

principal members were the Ziegler, Stanffer and Wise families. John Boyer was the first preacher. The church now in use. a stone building, was erected in 1525. It stands north of Harmony, on the other side of the creek. An addition of brick has since been made. Mr. Boyer preached until his death. Solomon Funk was the next minister.

The preachers have since been Abraham Tinsman, Jacob Kulp, Joseph Ziegler and Henry Moyer. Mr. Joseph Ziegler, the present preacher. has preached thirty -two years, and still continues his labors. The church now has about twenty-five members.

GRACE RFFORMED CHURCH.

This congregation was formed in 1526, by Rev. Koch. There is no record of the names of the origi- nal members.

In 1527. Rev. Daniel Ranhauser took charge; he remained six year -. Rev. Minick served a part of the year 1534. In 1535, Rev. Daubert became pastor for two years. In 1537, Rev. E. F. Winter took charge. In 1839. Rev. Jacob F. Diefenbacher became pastor. He died after two years and ten months' suc- ces-fnl ministration. Rey. E. F. Winter was next called to the pastorate. Heresigned in 1845, and the same year Rev. Samuel Miller became pastor for three years. The congregation was then supplied for one year by Rev. L. D. Leberman, after which Rov. S. Miller again became pastor for three years. His brother. Rev. Joseph Miller, -neceeded him, and re- mained one year and two months, being succeeded by Rev. H. F. Hartman for three years. The next pas- tors were Rev. Lucien Cort, one year; Rev. F. W. Dechant, six and one-half years, and Rev. W. M. Landis, until October, 1570, when the present pas tor. Rev. F. A. Edmonds, became the pastor, and has since labored very successfully.

The congregation now number- about three hun dred and fifteen communicants. The Sabbath School has 280 scholars, teachers and officers.

This church was organized as German. The services are now usually conducted in English.

The house of worship was formerly the meeting place of the Harmony Society and was built in 1809.

The town clock in the belfry is a curious piece of mechanism with stone weights. It was built entirely by hand. The church was purchase l from Abraham Ziegler in IS26, for 8300. It has been remodeled and repaired at different times, and is a very com. fortable and pleasant meeting-house.

GERMAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH.

The Gir nan Evangelical Church, commonly called the Christ Methodist, was organized by Rov. Eli Steaver abont 1542, with a small member-Inf.

Afterward the congregation purchased a house which was fitted up as a meeting place by them, and in it. meetings were hekl until 1565, when a small brick house 26x88 feet was erected. The house cost about $1.200. It was badly built, and will have to be abandoned or torn down. Only a few members are now left.

HARMONY AND ZELIENOPLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

We can learn of no organization of this church previous to 1554. though there had long been occa- sional preaching at the Manual Labor School at the Bassenheim. and elsewhere.

In 1551, a Presbyterian Church was regularly or- ganized by Rev. James Henderson, with about forty members. A house of worship which cost, including the lot. about. $1,500, was erected the same year. It is of brick, substantial and convenient. Ferris Armor was the first Elder, there being but one for several years. The church bas a small membership, but its progress is uninjured by dissentions. The pastors have been Revs. Henderson. Leek and Johnson. Sup plies. Revs. Webber and Christy. Rev. Samuel John- son laborel here faithfully for ten years, concluding in 1982.

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The " Connoquenessing Valley Agricultural Asso- ciation for the counties of Butler. Beaver and Law - rence," was organized in 1574 and chartered in 1575. with the following for its first officers: Abraham Moyer. President: Ira Stauffer. Treasurer, and Dr. Amos Lnsk. Seerotary. The following gentlemen were the managers, as well as the originators of the associa- tion: 1. Moyer, Sidney M. Wiehl, John N. Miller, Adam Endres, Abraham Schontz, John Enslen, Martin Sitler. James Smith, George Eicholtz. George Cole- man. James Smith, Joseph L. Lusk, Amos Lusk, Ira Stauffer, Daniel Achre. Jacob Hyle. Leslie P. Haz- lett. H. M. Ziegler.

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History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 50

Author: Waterman, Watkins & Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, Waterman, Watkins & Co. Number of Pages: 638

Author: Waterman, Watkins & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, Waterman, Watkins & Co.
Number of Pages: 638