History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 106

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Evans, Samuel, 1823-1908, joint author
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1320

USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 106

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JACOB M. EBERLY.

The earliest representatives of the Eberly family emigrated from Germany to America during the year 1700. They were followed by others, among whom was Michael Eberly, whose son Henry was married to a daughter of Ulrich Burkhard, and resided upon land now owned by the subject of this sketch, in con- junction with his brothers and sisters. The birth of Henry occurred in 1718, and his death in 1758. Ilis three sons were Henry, John, and Jacob. The last- named was born Jan, 27, 1752, and died Dee. 2, 1810. He married Anna, daughter of Michael Witmer, their nuptials having occurred Nov. 20, 1781. Their chil- dren were Henry, born in 1782; Mary, in 1784; Anna, in 1787 ; Jacob, in 1790; John, in 1796; and Henry, in 1798. Jacob Eberly, who is the father of the sub- ject of this biography, was born Dee. 30, 1790, on the homestead. He at an early age acquired the trade of a blacksmith, and later, became a farmer. He mar- ried Fanny, daughter of David Mellinger, of Manor

In politics Mr. Eberly was formerly a Democrat, and later embraced the principles of the Republican party, though not actively interested in the political . issues of the day.

CHAPTER LXXI.

PEQUEA TOWNSHIP.

Geography and Topography .- This is one of the several interior townships of the county, and lies south of the county-seat, between Pequea aud Con- estoga Creeks. It was originally a part of Conestoga township, and organized into a separate municipality in 1853.

It is bounded on the northeast by West Lampeter, southeast by Providence, south by Martie, southwest by Conestoga, and north and northwest by Lancaster township. The surface of the township is somewhat rolling, and the soil well adapted to agricultural pur- poses. Large quantities of corn, hay, oats, and wheat. are produced from its fertile soil, and, in fact, Pequea ranks among the best farming districts in Lancaster County. Besides the agricultural products of the township, Pequea is noted throughout this section of country as producing the best quality of stone lime for all purposes for which that article is used. The

jacob M. Eberly

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township is drained by the Pequea and Conestoga Creeks and their small tributaries.

The Pequea Creek, from which the township de- rives its name, forms the north and northwestern boundary, while the Conestoga the south and south- eastern boundary. There are no extremely elevated points in this town-hip, the highest of which, how- ever, is probably Mount Parnassus, about one mile southeast from West Willow village.

The township is traversed from northwest to south- east by the Lancaster and Quarryville Railroad, built in 1875 and later.

Pioneer Settlers in Pequea,-Just when the sturdy pioneer wended his way to what is now Pe- quea township and " warranted his tract," or "staked out his claim," is not definitely known, yet it was some time prior to 1780, as the assessment-roll of that year for old Conestoga township, of which Pequea was then a part, contained the names of the following land-owners, assessed in that year, and located as stated below. The valuation of property was at that time in pounds, shillings, and pence, and may appear at first sight to be enormous, but when we take into consideration the fact that it was then that the col- onists were in the midst of a desperate struggle for independence, and large revenues had to be forth- coming to carry on the struggle.

John Bare located in the northwest part of what , at $1000, and six cows valued at $1000. The farm is now Pequen township, owned two hundred and is now owned by John B. Myers.

sixteen acres of land valued at £7500, five horses : valued at $1000, and seven cows valued at $500. The old plantation is now owned by Jonas Harnish and Jacob Stehman.

Jacob Bare located near his brother John, and i ent owner of the plantation is Jacob Idelbach.

owned two hundred acres of land, valued at £8300, two horses valued at £600, and one cow at £100. The old Jacob Bare farm is now owned by David Landis.

John Behm (the name is now spelled Beam) located on ninety acres of land, valued, in 1780, at £2500, and owned two horses valued at $600, and five cows at £400. This farm was in the Belim (or Beam) fam- ily for many years, when it was sold to a Mr. Charles, who, a few years ago, sold it to other parties.

Jacob Belun located near John Behin, in what is now Pequea township, and owned two hundred acres of land, which was valned at £6000. He also owned two horses valued at .2600, and five cows at 2400. John Beam was the last of that name that owned this farm, which was also sold to a Mr. Charles, and by him divided into three tracts, and sokl to other parties. Upon this farm there has been found iron ore in paying quantities, and mines are worked at present.

John Bacliman lived about half a mile north of what is now Willow Station, on the Lancaster and Quarryville Railroad, and owned two acres of land, valued at €800, one horse at €200, and two cows at ; £200. The land is now owned by Tobias Landis.

land, about one mile west of what is now West Wil- low village, valued at 21900. He also owned two horses, valned at $400, and two cows at £150. The farm isenow owned by Abram Hare, John L. Brene- man, and Abram Breneman.

Adam Breneman located nearly one and a half miles west from the present West Willow Railroad Station, and owned one hundred and fifty acres of land, valued at €6000. The larger portion of the farm is now owned by Abram Hare.

John Burkholder was possessed of one hundred and eighty-four acres of land, situated a short dis- tance west from what is now West Willow Railroad Station and post-office, and valued at £6550, three horses valued at $1000, and eight cows at £1000. The farm is now in the possession of Henry G. Rush and children.

Henry Deitrich located upon one hundred and ninety-eight acres of land, through which the Lan- easter and Quarryville Railroad now runs, in front of the residence of Andrew Mehatfy, at West Willow Station, valued at €7000. Ile also owned one horse assessed at £400, and four cows at 2600. The farm is now owned by John Sehnor, or Saner.

Christian Forry lived one mile west from West Willow Station, and in 1780 owned two hundred and fifty acres of land, valued at €8500, four horses valued

Jacob Gochenauer lived at the lower end of what is now Pequea township, and owned one hundred and thirty acres of land valued at £3000, three horses valued at €700, and three cows at £300, The pres-

Henry Gochenauer located in the east part of the township, and owned fifty acres of land valued at £1200, two horses valued at $500, and three cows at £300.

Peter Good lived in lower end of the township, on one hundred and fifty acres of land now owned by Henry Good, then valued at £5200. IIe also owned two horses valned at $500, and three cows valued at £300.

John Good lived near Peter Good's, and owned sixty- three acres of land valued at £2700, three horses at £600, and two cows at $300. The real estate is still in possession of the Good family.

Jacob Harnish was the owner of four hundred and forty-five acres of land valued at £6500, two horses valued at $500, and four cows at £500.

Jacob Harnish, Jr., owned one hundred acres of land valued at £1800, two horses at $500, and three cows at £500.

Michael. Ilarnish was possessed of one hundred acres valued at £1500, two horses at $500, and four cows at £500. The old Harnish plantations are still in possession of the tarnish family.

Melchor Nachman owned one hundred acres of Jacob Breneman located on one hundred acres of ! land lying southwest from the village of West Willow,

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HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.

and valued in 1780 at $2000. Ile also owned three Kindig owned in 1780 one hundred and seventy-five horses valued at $500, and two cows at $300. The | acres of land, valued by the assessors at £7000, three present owner of the farm is Amos McCallister.

horses at €700, and three cows at £300.

John Hess lived near the southwest line of the present township, and owned sixty acres valued at £1000, two horses valued at $400, and three cows at i south of West Willow. David purchased this farm £200. Jacob Good is the present owner of the old Hess farm.

Michael Haberstich located in the northwest part of what is now Pequea township on two hundred and fifty acres of land, now owned by Abram Snavely and Daniel Groff, which was valued in 1780 at $4500. MIr. Haberstich also owned six horses valued at $1000, ten cows at $1000, and one negro valued at €500. That must have been a divine institution that classed and rated human beings with horses and cattle. Away with such divinity.

Abram Newcomer lived on his farm of two hundred acres, just west from where Andrew Mehafly now lives, and his land was valued in 1780 at €8000. He also owned three horses valued at $600, and two cows at £200. The old plantation is now owned by Tobias Landis.

John Mchaffy, father of the now venerable Andrew Mehaily, located where Andrew now lives, at West Willow Station, in about 1785. Andrew was born on the old homestead Ang. 2, 1808, and in due time succeeded to his father's estate. He was first mar- ried, Aug. 1, 1844, to Ann Shotf, who died March 13, 1850. Ile was next married, June 14, 1859, to Cath- arine Sawville, who is still living. His children by the first wife have been Sarab, Isabella (deecased), Ann, and Andrew; by his present wife, Alice (de- ceased ), Catharine, Benjamin Franklin, and Elmer.

Benjamin Snavely, son of Christian Snavely, was born in what is now the village of West Willow, on the 13th day of January, 1810, and in due time learned from his father the blacksmith trade, at which he has worked in this township for over forty years, he hav- ing been a resident of what is now Pequea township all his life.

Emanuel Stetler was born in what is now Pequea township June 26, 1808, and has been a continuous resident of this locality from that time to the present. Ile was married Sept. 20, 1827, to Miss Susan, daugh- ter of Isaac Kindig. They are the parents of ten chil- dren, three of which are living, viz., Benjamin, mar- ried Lizzie Kreider ; Mary, married JJohn Gochenauer; and Emanuel, who married Mary Ann Watson.

Harnish Family .- David Harnish lived on the farm now owned by Michael G. Harnish, a little of a Mr. Becker, who was the warrantor of the farm. The farm came in possession of Michael G. by will, from his father, in about 1850. The children of David Harnish were Martin, the oldest, who mar- ried a Miss Weaver, and died many years ago.

John Huber owned sixty acres of land located near what is now Pequea Station, on the Lancaster and Quarryville Railroad, valued in 1780 at £2500. He also owned four horses valued at $1000, and three ' David, Jr., is also dead. lle married Miss Polly cows at £500. The land is now owned by John Huber, a descendant of the original owner. Maynard, who also died. Jacob, now living in Lan- caster, married for his first wife Miss Hettie Harnish, but of what family we were not informed. Michael G., the next son still living, was born on the old homestead April 6, 1807. His wife was Elizabeth, dangliter of Abram Worfel, who died March 23, 1883. John, the fifth son, died before reaching his majority. The two last boys died quite young, one at ten years of age, and the other in infancy, both named Chris- tian.

The daughters of David Harnish, Sr., were, first, Elizabeth, who married Martin Bare; they are both deceased; Catharine, married Jacob Proutz, who died ; she next married John Rathvon, and now lives in Michigan ; Fanny, married Martin Harnish; they now live near New Danville (Stumptown), Hettie, married Christian Good, and moved to Conestoga, where he died ; Nancy ; Susan, married Jacob Krieder, and lived near Landisville, where he died.

Of Michael G. Harnish's family there was Benja- min, whose first wife was Miss Mary IFe-s, and for his second wife he married Mrs, Kate Leonard, and now lives in Hlinois : David, married Miss Barbara Miley, and now lives near Hollinger's.tannery, West Lampeter township; Martin, married Miss Susan Harnish, and lived in Pequea until he died; Amos, married Miss Lizzie Kendig, and lives near Graff's Mills; Michael, married Ella Hollinger, and lives in Missouri; Abram II., married Miss Mary Shabb, and lives at West Willow ; Annie, married to Amos Maurer, and died in Isst; Lizzie, married Amos Hollinger, proprietor of Hollinger's tannery ; Maria, and two boys, both named Abram, died when quite young.

The Warfel Family .- Two brothers came to this country from Germany and settled in Conestoga township, one in the south and the other in the north part of the township. George, the one that set- tled in the north part of the town-hip, was born in Germany, May 6, 1715, and died in that towasnip, Sept. 6 (the gravestone is marked Sept. 14), 1804. He was the progenitor of the Warfel family in what is now Pequea township. His son Abraham was born April 20, 1765, and married Annie - -, who was born May 17, 1767. Their children were Mary, born 1787, died 1792; Jacob, born 1789; Elizabeth, 1790

Abram Kindig, one of the pioneer settlers of this township, located on the farm now owned by Samuel Harnish. He was the .grandfather of Mrs. Stetler, wife of the now venerable Emanuel Stetler. Mr. 1 -1792; George, 1792; Francis, 1794-1795; Abraham,

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PEQUEA TOWNSHIP.

1796; Annie, 1798-1811 ; Christian, 1800-1802; Mar- , cigar-manufactory and confectionery-store, Ilarnish tin, 1801-1805 ; Martin, 1804; Christian, 1806 ; Fred- erick, 1810-1810; Maria, 1811; Elizabeth, July 8, 1814, married Michael G. Ilarnish, now living at West Willow, and died March 23, 1883. (See Har- nish family.)

The Goss Family .- Peter Goss, the progenitor of the Gosses in Lancaster County, was born in 1755. He located on the farm now owned by John Kepdig, " nish now lives. His successors at that place were Benjamin Snevely, John Overbach, and Benjamin Raugh. Benjamin Martin was the first tavern-keeper I on the site of the present hotel. He was succeeded by Benjamin Cochran, Jacob Charles, and John Mar- tin, who purchased the property in 1875, and in 1878

and subsequently moved on to the farm now owned by Isaac Smith, where he died in January, 1830. Ile was the father of seven children, of whom Michael Goss, now a prominent citizen of Pequea, was one. Michael was born in September, 1806, on the farm now owned by Christian Smith, near West Willow. , built the present brick " West Willow Hotel," of He is the father of twelve children, six of whom are which he is proprietor. living. His son Benjamin now lives in Pequea, and The pioneer blacksmith at this place was Christian Snevely, who was succeeded by his son Benjamin, who has carried on the business nearly continuously for the last fifty years. Christian Snevely's shop was near where Michael Harnish now lives. Jacob in Limestone. His daughter Ann married B. Hackman, and lives in Pequea; Elizabeth, single; Susan, married H. H. Deats, and lives in Illinois ; Mary, married M. MeGowan, and lives in Lancaster City.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE

Jacob Charles, April 11, 1×54. Daniel Fulton, April 14, 1857.

Andrew Mehafly, April, 1869.

J. M. Fulton, April,, 1872.

Andrew Mehaffy, April 12, 1859.

J. D. Landis, April, 1874.

Daniel Fulton, April 15, 1862. S. MI. Mylin, April, 1876.

Andrew Mehatfy, April 12, 1864. B. F. Groft, April, 1880.

John M. Fulton, April 12, 1806. S. M. Mylin, April, 1881.

Jolın Huber, Apil, 1867. J. Il. Brooks, April, 1883.

F. B. Musselman, April, Istis.

West Willow .- This beautiful and enterprising little town is nearly midway along the northern boundary line of the township, and on the line of the Lancaster and Quarryville Railroad. Among its very early settlers were Christian Snavely, Jolm Me- haffy, and the Harnish family. There was nothing peculiarly attractive about the locality as a eommer- cial or manufacturing centre, but merely the nearness of two or three settlers to each other attracted others, and the result is a thriving town in the midst of a wealthy agricultural district. As late as 1820 there were not a dozen dwellings within the limits of what is now the village. Its growth was quite gradual from 1820 to 1875, when the building of the Lancaster and Quarryville Railroad gave a new impetus to the little town, and it now boasts of a population of about two hundred and fifty.

The pioneer merchant at this place was Henry Huber, who kept a small store in what is now the east part of the village. His successors in that part of the town were Peter Zercher, Jacob Charles, and Dr. Green. The old Huber store stood on the site

While Jacob Charles was in the mercantile business he built the store-house now owned and occupied by the United Brethren as a house of worship. The next merchant here was A. W. Harnish, who built and kept a store in the building near the railroad station now occupied by Andrew Mehafly, Jr., as a :

was succeeded by Mr. Stoner, and Stoner by Joseph Herr & Brother. They were succeeded in January, 1883, by fleury S. Herr, the present merchant, who built the " Ilerr Block," a substantial brick structure, in 1877.

As near as can be ascertained the pioneer tavern was kept by Christian Snevely where Michael Har-

The railroad station at this place was opened for the transaction of business in the spring of 1875, with A. Il. Harnish as ticket and freight agent. MI. B. Groff is the present ticket agent. The pioneer coal- and lumber-yard was established half a mile north of this place in 1875 by Andrew Mehally, and in the fall of 1878 he sold the business to W. G. Mel- linger & Brother, who still continue the business at the old place, and also own and conduct a like busi- ness at Baumgartner Station.

Christian Miley established the harness business in the Herr block in the spring of 1853.

A post-office was established at this place April 16, 1879, and was named " West Willow," with Henry S. Herr as postmaster, who still holds the position.

New Danville .- This village is in the northwestern part of the township, four miles from the city of Lancaster. In 1830 it consisted of eleven dwellings, a tavern, and two smitheries. The tavern was kept by Christian Zercher, in the same building where Jacob B. Miller now keeps a store. The wagon and blacksmith-shops were carried on by Jacob Oyman and Jacob Johnson. Mr. Zercher's successors in the tavern were John Zercher, Jacob Heiney, Michael Zercher, and Daniel Grofft, who was the last landlord in that honse. A hotel had been kept ten years prior to 1830 where John L. Breneman now resides.

Daniel Conrad established a hotel where Abram B. Harnish now resides about 1840. In this hotel Isaac Reiney, Samuel Shrode, John Good, Abram Wartle, William McAllister, George Conrad, and Henry Con- now occupied by the residence of Martin Miley. , rad have been landlords.

The first store was kept by John Rhorer, who sold to John Zercher, and he kept it for a time in his hotel. Another store was established by Henry Herr, and both were closed after a few years. Mr. Ileiner also traded during a short time. In 1856, Daniel Conrad, Jr., and Benjamin Yerdy established

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HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.

a store, and since that time stores have been kept by William T. Youatt, Robert Green, Henry Conrad, 'and the present merchant here, Jacob B. Miller. At | intervals the place has been without a store.

The wagon-makers have been Jacob Oyman, An- drew Zercher, Benjamin Johnson, Joseph Miller, John Ellmyer, John D. Stauffer, and Abram Snavely.

In another shop the business has been carried on | by Daniel Conrad, Jr., Charles Riddle, Amos Ilar- nish, and John D. Stauffer.

The following have been blacksmiths here: Daniel Conrad, Benjamin Conrad, George Conrad, Henry Conrad, James Johnson, Samuel Hess, Benjamin | services were held. The society subsequently be- Morton, Jacob Johnson, William Rote, Daniel Hess, and George Lutz. The present blacksmiths are John Myers and HI. S. Hersh.

The village was formerly known as Stumptown; but when the post-office was established it was chris- tened New Danville, because, as it is said, several people who bore the Christian name of Daniel re- sided here. The town now has twenty-four dwell- ings, a tavern, a store, two wagon- and blacksmith- shops, a shoe-shop, and a physician.

Educational .- Just when, where, or by whom the pioneer school-house in what is now Pequea township was built is as profound a mystery to the oldest inhab- itants as the question of who was Cain's wife. The probabilities are, however, that it was somewhere in the lower end of the township.

According to the report of the board of school directors, made the first Monday in June, 1883, there were seven school districts and as many school-houses in the township, named as follows : Mount Parnassus, Stevens, Quarry Hall, Mount Washington, Valley School, Danville, and Harmony Hall. During the year ending in June, 1883, schools were taught seven months by five male and two female teachers, the male teachers receiving forty-four dollars and forty cents per month, and the females forty-five dollars per month. There were in the township one hun- dred and seventy-seven male and one hundred and fifty-six female pupils of school age, with an average attendance of ninety-one. The rate of tax on the dollar was one and one-quarter mills, and the total amount raised by tax for school purposes was 82095.94. The township received from State appropriation $296.45; from county treasurer, 8420,37, and balance from previous year, 8316.79.

The expenses for the year were: For books, ete., $101.56; repairing school-houses, $24.23; teachers' salary, 82184; contingencies, 8312.62; collector's and treasurer's fees, 887.73; salary of secretary of school board, $25; et ceteras, 85.

The school directors for 1883 were W. G. Mellin- ger, secretary ; Jacob Heidlebach, treasurer; John L. Brenneman, president; I. H. Shenk, John Huber, and Jacob McCallister.

Methodist Episcopal Church .- In the southern part of the township of Pequea stands an old house

of worship, built in 1791 of stone. Methodism was then in its infancy, yet so aggressive were the dis- ciples of Wesley that they left the comforts and con- veniences of the more civilized communities and pushed out into the then wilderness of this then new country and new and uninviting field of labor, gath- ering together where they could a few of the sturdy pioneers and their families. Near this old monument to their zeal in the cause of the Master was one of the " Methodist preaching-places," and here a class was formed, a society organized, and the stone meet- ing-house built, and in it for several years religions

came weak, and for about ten years no services were held here, yet the few remaining Methodists wor- shiped at Strasburg.

Ahont 1847 the society was revived and reorganized, since which time services have been regularly held in the old stone church. As its surroundings have changed, the society has at times been a part of one charge or circuit and then of another, but has never been a station. The old house, now nearly a century old, has had only ordinary repairs, and is yet in a good state of preservation. Its internal arrange- ments are in the style of one hundred years ago, and are enriosities to the modern church-goer, who re- elines upon his upholstered pew, seeking nature's sweet restorative, while his well-paid pastor is trying to dispense the bread of life to his immortal soul. The old meeting-house has large galleries, box-pews, and a seating capacity of about three hundred. The society has no records from which a list of the pastors can be learned. The present membership of the society is about fifty.

Surrounding the old church building is a cemetery, which originally contained about one acre of land, to which has lately been added two acres, making three acres in all, and here many of the early Methodists and other settlers of the vicinity lie buried.

Mennonites .- A Mennonite Church was built of stone in 1755, about three-fourths of a mile south from the village of New Danville. It was taken down in 1878, and rebuilt the same year. To this church is attached a cemetery.

New Mennonites .- A church of the New Mennon- ites was built at New Danville many years since, and to this is attached a cemetery of about an acre. In the south part of the township a house of worship was built by the Old Mennonites in 1848. It was a stone building, and it stood till 1879, when it was taken down and a brick structure forty-two by sixty feet in size was erected in its place. To this church a cemetery of about an acre and a half is attached.

United Brethren .- A society of United Brethren was organized at Willow Street in 1860, but it erected no house of worship. Meetings were occasionally held in a public hall at West Willow till the spring of 1883, when a lot, on which stood a house, a part of which was a store-room, was purchased for the so-

PEQUEA TOWNSHIP.

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ciety by Benjamin Frick, and the store-room was converted into a place of worship and Sunday-school room. Services are held in this room on alternate Sabbathıs.

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History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 106

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Evans, Samuel, 1823-1908, joint author Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1320

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Evans, Samuel, 1823-1908, joint author
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1320