USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 118
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Mr. Linvill worked one year after marriage at the carpenter's trade, then purchased a farm of eighty-six acres of Adam and William Hoar, his brothers-in-law, which he carried on till the time of his death. He was progressive in his ideas, being among the first in his neighborhood in adopting improvements in farm implements and machinery. He was a great reader, and a good conversationalist. He took a variety of periodical literature, and kept well posted in the cur- rent events of the day. He was not easily moved from his opinions onee formed of either men or meas- ures. He was politically identified with the Whig and Republican parties, and took an active part in their support. He was a charter member of the Lan- caster County Mutual Insurance Company, and a director for a number of years. He took out the first policy issued by the company. He took a deep in- terest in all educational matters, and was a stanch supporter of the free school system, and a school di- rector in his locality for a number of years. He en- joyed society, and always contributed his share to its enjoyment. His religious predilections were with the Friends, a sect of which his father was a member, as were also his wife's family, the Hoars. He died at his residence in Salisbury, Nov. 19, 1874. His wife survives him, living at the homestead with her son, John C. Linvill, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years, a venerable old lady, with mental and physi-
Sarah A., born June 14, 1825; wife of Samuel L. Deoney, machinist, living near Strasburg. Mrs. Denney died April 20, 1873; eleven children.
Margaret Ann, born April 8, 1827; wife of A. L. Henderson, farmer, in Salisbury township; four . children.
Adam H., born July 27, 1829; farmer; living in Nebraska; married Margaret Hurst ; four children.
Joseph D., born Nov. 7, 1832; died July 4, 1834.
John Comly, born Oet. 29, 1834, carrying on the home farm.
Aguila K., born Jan. 10, 1837 ; died Sept. 5, 1848. James B., born Oct. 12, 1839; died Sept. 6, 1848.
1062
HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.
CHAPTER LXXVL.
STRASBURG TOWNSHIP .!
THIS townshin lies in the south central part of Lan- caster County, and is bounded on the north by East and West Lampeter, on the east by Paradise and Eden, on the south by Eden and Providence, and on the west by Providence and West Lampeter. The boundary line between Strasburg and East and West Lampeter townships is the natural course of Pequea Creek, and between Strasburg and Providence town- ships is Big Beaver Creek. From the southern ex- tremity of the township a direct line extends north- ward about one mile, and thence eastward along Eden township about two miles to the southwest corner of Paradise township; thence northward along Paradise ! township about four miles to Pequea Creek. The creek boundaries are very irregular and winding. Its greatest length from east to west is about six miles, and from north to south about five and one-half miles, and it has an area of about twenty-one square miles.
Surface .- The surface of Strasburg township is very undulating, and in some portions hilly. The general slope of the surface is from east to west, and is divided by the separate ridges extending from east to west. Commencing at the north, the first might be called Strasburg Ridge, upon which is situated Strasburg borough, with an elevation of probably one hundred feet above the surface of Pequea Creek. The top of this ridge is about one-half mile wide on an average, the sides sloping gradually to the north and south ; the next is the Bunker Hill Ridge, which, near the eastern boundary, is divided into two spurs, having a general elevation of about one hundred and fifty feet. The tops of these two spurs are rather narrow, in many places less than one hundred yards, then sloping off' very abruptly towards the valleys below. The most southerly and most elevated of these ridges is the Mine Hill Ridge. It has an elevation of about two hundred feet. The top has a width of , and New Providence, to Charlestown, Md.
about one-fourth of a mile, and the sides slope rather abruptly towards the valleys below.
That portion of the township lying north of a line running nearly east and west through the borough of Strasburg slopes northward, and is drained by Pequea Creek directly and by several small tributaries flow- ing into it. The greater portion of the valley lying between the Strasburg and Bunker Hill Ridges is drained by Walnut Run, a fine stream of pure spring water flowing almost due west emptying into Pequea Creek near Lime Valley.
Little Beayer Creek and its branches drain that portion lying between the Bunker Hill and Mine Hill Ridges. The north branch of it is formed by the union of Calamus Run which enters this town- ship from Paradise township and Hawthorn's Run
on the farm of Christian Iluber. Its course thence is westward and southward to its union with the south branch on the farm of Jacob Hartman's heirs. Thence'it continues its course westward and north- ward and enters Pequea Creek on the farm of An- drew Shauhach.
That portion of the township lying south of the Mine Hill Ridge is drained by Big Beaver Creek and a few small tributaries flowing into it.
Soil .- That portion of the township lying north of the Bunker Hill Ridge is of the most fertile cal- careous or limestone soil, particularly that portion bordering on Pequea Creek, which is known through- ont the county under the enviable title of " Pequea soil." Near the northern boundary, and extending across the township from east to west, is a narrow belt of silicious or flinty soil which is nevertheless gener- ally very fertile and productive, except in very dry seasons. Bunker Hill Ridge is of saodstone forma- tion, yet is capable of being made very fertile and productive. That portion lying between Bunker Ilill and Mine Ilill is also limestone soil but of a more sandy nature, very fertile and productive. Mine Hill Ridge has also soil of a sandy formation, a mix- ture of silex to such an extent that many of the rocks are fusible under great heat, while those of Bunker Ilill Ridge are infusible, and are largely sought for lining lime-kilns and other furnaces where great heat is required. South of Mine Hill along Big Beaver Creek is another belt of limestone soil of limited ex- tent.
Thoroughfares .- Probably the oldest road in this township is the Gap road, which was doubtless laid out in the early part of the eighteenth century as a road from Lancaster to the city of Philadelphia.
Another road of importance, doubtless laid out about the same time, is the Lancaster and Charles- town road, extending from Lancaster City through Lampeter Square, crossing the western part of Stras- burg township, through the villages of Martinsville
The Big Spring and Beaver Valley turnpike road, constructed in the years 1858-59, crosses the western part of the township from north to south, and forms a link in one of the main thoroughfares leading from the county seat to the southern part of the county.
The White-oak road is a continuation southward of the Strasburg and Smoketown road, making a direct ronte from Smoketown, on the Okl Road, through the borough of Strasburg to the southern and southeastern part of the county.
Owing to the hilliness of the country, the roads in general are not what might be called first-class, but only fairly good.
Name. - The name of this township was no doubt imported, as a number of the first settlers in this vicinity, namely the Lefevres and Ferrees, came from the eastern part of France, in the vicinity of Stras- burg, and doubtless brought with them the name of
1 By II. G. Book, Esq.
..
1063
STRASBURG TOWNSHIP.
their native town. Until 1843 the territory now em- braced in Paradise township was included in the township of Strasburg, and was sometimes called East Strasburg.
Early Settlers .- The following is a copy of the receipt for the annual quit-rent for two thousand acres of land :
" Recd, Philadelphia, 11 : 7 : 1712, of Marin Warenbaner, twenty shill- dage sterling for one year'e quit-rent of two thousand acres of land faid out to her at Strasburg, in thie Province.
" JAMES LUGAN, Receiver."
This tract of land was patented by the Proprieta- ries to Daniel Ferree and Isaac Le Fevre, the son and son-in-law of said Maria Warenbauer, and bor- ders on the borough of Strasburg, and several farms taken therefrom are yet in possession of Lefevres, who are descendants of the above-named Isaac Le Fevre, the name now being spelled Lefever. The name Lefever is very numerous all over the county, doubtless all are descendants of this family. The name Ferree has become almost extinct, there being but two of the name in the " County Directory," pub- lished in 1875, but the name Ferree is quite common as a Christian name instead. On the farm of Jacob L. Ranck, which is part of the original Ferree tract, is the old family graveyard. Jacob Miller, in the year 1711, received a patent for one thousand acres which lay west and northwest of Strasburg borough. The southeast corner of this tract is now owned by Jacob Miller, a descendant of the original Jacob Miller.
About the same time one thousand aeres were pat- ented to Peter Taylor, upon which a large portion of Strasburg borough now stands, The balance of the traet lies south and east of Strasburg borough. There are none of his descendants of the name occupying any portion thereof. Nearly all the best land in the township was settled about the same time or a few years later.
In 1736 eleven hundred aeres were patented to John Taylor on Beaver Creek, southern portion of the township. This traet is largely owned and occu- pied by the Eekmans, but no part of it is owned or occupied by a Taylor, a faet which leads to the belief that the Taylors were probably not inhabitants of the county. The remainder of the township was settled by the Herrs, Gratis, Eshlemans, Brenemans, Nell's, Kendigs, Brackbills, Brubakers, Buckwalters, Lea- inans, Howrys, Lantzs, Funks, Hostetters, and Barges. Probably the oldest honse now in the town- ship is the one on the farm of John G. Tanger, about one mile southeast of Strasburg borough, lately occu- pied by Dr. Abraham Eshleman, a descendant of the original Esblemans, It is a large frame two-story building with a mansard roof. It is said to have been completed about the first or second decade of the last century, but there are some doubts about its being as old as this, though it certainly is a very old building. An attachment was built to it in 1741.
A few hundred yards south of this, on the road from Strasburg to Mine Hill, stands what in the early days of the colonies was known as " Eshleman's Big Mill," now known as the " Little Red Mill." It was built by Jacob Esbleman in the early part of the last century, and it is doubtless one of the oldest, if not the oldest, mill in the county. But it is rather strik- ing to know the difference between the present ways of looking at things and the wayy of one hundred and fifty years ago. Then it way " Eshleman's Big Mill," now it is the " Little Red Mill." The first French burrs used in the county are still in use in this mill.
Assessment-roll of Strasburg township for 1780, at which time it included the present township of Para- dise :
John Andrew.
Philip Free.
Moses Beard.
Jacob Foulz, Jr. (Vanill).
Balsor Bookman.
Jacob Fritz (I still).
John Bookman.
Julin Free, farmer (1 negru).
Michael Bower (I still).
Valentine Fondersmith.
Benjamin Brackbill.
Jacob Fraelich.
Jacob Bruah, Sr.
Daval Free.
Jacob Bruah, Jr.
Joseph Free.
James Brown.
Henry Bushman (I still).
Philip Bear (miller).
Henry Bowman (I still).
Benjamin Graft.
John Brackbill.
Widow Graft.
Michael Bower, Jr.
John Grubb.
Nicholas HIoll.
Jacob Hill.
John Barley.
Daniel Houston (1 negro).
Henty Bingoner.
Peter Holl.
John Bear (weaver).
Emannel Hare.
John Buckly.
Noah Hauge.
Widow Barge.
Abram Hare (2 mills).
Jacob Brubeker.
Michnel Haas
Jubn Brubaker.
Jacob Hoover (weaver).
John Bear
Martin Hare.
John Bruah.
Jacob lowry:
Jobn Bezu (miller).
John Ilowry.
Michael Buck.
John Hure, miller (2 mills).
Christian Bower.
Jacob llonver (farmer).
Honser Bernard (1 saw-mill).
Conrad lloak.
Henry Bear. Jacob Bear.
John Hare, Sr.
Conrad Cram.
Samuel Hathorn.
Richard Copeland.
William Clark.
William Huggons.
Robert Charlton.
Samuel Inggons.
John Carpenter.
Andrew Heikes.
John Creamsel.
John Helin.
Abram Carpenter,
llenty Icebarger.
Casper Coprlanger.
Negro Johnson.
Torebce Dufly.
Martin Kendrick (1 servant).
Frederick Davis.
Jacob Kendrick.
Jacob Drum.
Abram Kendrick.
Daniel Deen.
Jacob Kinney (1 negro).
John Driver.
Philip Kessler.
Jacob Eckman.
Jacob Ludwig (miller).
Henry Eckman.
John Longourcker.
John Eckman.
Eilmund Lindnor.
Jacob Eshilemian (2 mills).
Pefer Lefevre (I mill).
Samuel Finley.
John Lefevre.
David Foster.
Samuel Lefevre.
Israel Free Cornelius Free (1 negro).
William Logan.
Jolin Free (] negio).
-,Jacob Ludwig, Jr.
James Messer
John Fondersmith. Michael Foulz (1 shill).
Peter Moser. Christian Martin.
Isante Free (1 negro).
Henry Huover.
--
Alexander Hunter.
Jacob Bookman.
Daniel Bowman.
Daniel Free
John Gralt.
Eberbart Gruber.
Thathas Luve.
-
1064
HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.
Oeurgo Merkley. Samuel Miller, Cronimns Miller. Jacob Musser. Michael Myer. Jacob Miller.
John Shertz.
Jacob Stambach.
Andrew Shertzer.
Jacob Sules.
John Small.
Jacob Miller (rent).
Walham Smith. L'apt Peter Shoemaker.
Constantine Minich, George Me Ilvain. Andrew Meltvain.
Wendal Trout. Paul Tront (1 ser vant).
Peter Taylor.
John Miller,
John Taylor.
David Miller. George MeCuRough. John McPherson.
Walker Valentine.
Jacob Mourer.
Christian Wendilz.
Jacob Mellinger.
Michael Wither (2 slaves, I still). John Witheis (1 slave, I servant, 1 vil-mill).
Widow Miller.
Frederick White.
Thomas White.
William White.
George May.
David Whitmore 13 mall>).
I-nac Widow -.
John White.
George Walk.
Nicholas Neaser.
Lawrence Walker.
Nicholas Nibble.
- Yıder
Juseph Otterbach (1 still).
Witham Free.
Balaur Fitterman, Abram Pitchey.
John Hate
Charles Phillips.
John Kendrick.
Jacob Peck.
John Warner.
l'huhip Houser
Philip Pucker. James Patton. Daniel Peck.
Christian Echternach.
Abiam Binbaker.
William Hunter.
James Quigley. Peter Rush. Harvey Road. John Rush.
llemy Dare,
Thomas Lathey.
Jonas Coffman.
Jacob Rush.
Valentine Franck.
George Ruht man, John Richardson, Francis Rowe.
Mailin Iloil. John McMullin.
Daniel Slaymaker.
Christian Shultz.
George Carpenter. Ludwig Road.
Christian Shaap Henry Stoner.
Jacob Bowri.
Abiam Bower,
George Smith.
Thonmas Kenny.
George Swartzley.
James King.
Jucob Stoutzelarger.
Sainnel Letevre.
Widow Stontzelmiger.
Alean aler White,
Peter Shofstall.
Julin Wagoner.
Mathew Shaymaker.
John Resur.
John Slaymaker.
Petri Eckman.
William Shaymaker (1 mill).
Christian Roade.
John Slaymaker, Jr.
Henry Slayanker.
George Jack. James Rodgers,
Jacob Shertz. John Sarchns,
l'eter Hans.
Christopher Speck.
Robert Wrel.
John Stontzebarger. Nicholas SAFTAUS.
Henry Stunbach.
Widow Sondet.
Jatues Molston.
was divided into lots, and disposed of by lottery, a very common way of transacting business at that time. It may be ditlicult to reconcile such acts with the tra- ditional piety and religion of our ancestors, but each must solve the problem for himself. No apology is here offered for this species of gambling. The town has flourished under various names, among them Sorrel Horse, probably from the name of the inn at the place, which had painted upon its sign a sorrel horse. It- present name is Martinsville, doubtless from the name of the post-office in the place, which was named after Jacob Martin, who kept store there and was postmaster. It contains about twelve houses. The business interests of the town are a large country store, wagonmaker-shop, and blacksmith-shop.
Refton .- This village lies in the southwestern part of Strasburg township, on the Lancaster and Quarry- ville Branch of the Reading Railroad, about nine miles south of Lancaster City. The Big Spring and Beaver Valley Turnpike also passes through the place. It was laid out in the year 1877, by Daniel Ilerr (Pequea). It is a beautiful small town, built principally of wood, there being but one stone and one brick building in it. The business institutions of the place are a country store, post-office, railroad sta- tion, coal- and lumber-yard, cigar-factory, blacksmith- and coach-shop, and confectionery. The "Green Tree Hotel" is about one eighth of a mile south of the place. It also contains an undenominational church. Large quantities of white lime of very supe- rior quality are shipped from here by B. F. Ilerr, who has extensive quarries and kilns about three- fourths of a mile northeast of the town. It contains about twenty-five houses and a population of about one hundred.
Education and Schools .- Strasburg. township has long ago taken a leading positon in educational mat- ters, and the general intelligence of the people of the township to-day attests this fact. Years before any organization like a County Teachers' Institute ex- isted, the teachers of this township, in connection with those of the borough, under the leadership of David Kieffer and Amos Rowe, who were leading teachers at that day, held regular meetings in District Institute, in the township and borough, for the pur- pose of mutual improvement and interchange of opinions, and as a direct result of these meetings we have the largest and most earnest and enthusiastic County Institute in the State. The school-houses of the district are among the most complete and ornate in the county, and the older ones are being rebuilt as rapidly as possible without making taxation burden-
Villages and Hamlets .- About the year 1835 the village of Leesburg, in the southern part of the town- | some. The board of directors will employ no teacher ship, was laid out by John Nett, son of Jacob Neff, or who does not hold either a Normal School diploma or permanent certificate, so that for the past five or six years there has been no examination of teachers held in this district. The district furnishes freely all books and educational appliances used in the schools, so Nieil, who was the original of that name in this lo- cality. Previous to that time a few houses had been built there. ITe purchased the land from Christian Shaub, a descendant of the original Schaup, who came here in the early part of the last century. The land . that they are in the fullest sense of the word free
Peter Stoneman.
John Tenlinger.
Daniel Vancount.
Matthias Miller.
John Miller ( I negro). John Manley. John Mour.
Nicholas Mickey Daniel MeCarter. Jucob Noff (1 mill).
Joseph Allison.
Christian Beyers
George Pusley.
Cronimus Byerly.
-- -
John Mel'omsey.
William Whatson.
1065
STRASBURG TOWNSHIP.
schools, where the son or daughter of the humblest and poorest hewer of wood stands on equal footing with those of the millionaire.
Probably the oldest school-house in the district of which there is any record was the "Ohl Dutch Church," which until a few years ago stood on the cross-roads about one and a half miles southeast of Strasburg borough, where the Mine Hill road and the road from California Store to Sondersburg cross each other. R is about impossible to ascertain just when it was built, but there are records in existence which show that it was used as a place of worship by the Lutheran and German Reformed Churches, and as a school-house prior to 1795. After the enactment of the common-school law it was rented by the district, and kept as a free school.
Another very old house, long since removed, was situated in the German Reformed churchyard near New Providence ; it was built by the church about 1797 or '98. It was under the auspices of the church, but was not a denominational school. An old man, now in his ninety-sixth year, says that the benches and desks were made of saw-mill slabs.
About one mile north of this, on the farm now owned by Martin Shirk, was another house, made of hewn logs, of about the same pattern as the last named.
On the premises now owned by Benjamin Flora, about one and a half miles south of Strasburg, was another of the same kind.
About this time much of the teaching was done in the family by itinerant teachers in the employ of several adjoining families. Some few farmers had the required literary ability to teach, and took pupils into their own houses during the winter season, and here probably a little romance may not be amiss. 1 certain farmer, whose name need not be mentioned, kept a school of this kind in his dwelling. Having bought a pig from one of his patrons, he asked that it be sent to his house by one of the pupils, a boy. The next morning, bright and early, the little fellow put the pig in a bag and carried it off to school; arriving there and entering the house, he saw to his utter astonishment a tiny girlbaby in a basket be- have the baby for the pig, the baby to be his wife when they both grew up to be man and woman. The sequel was that they actually did become man and wife, and raised a numerous and highly-intelligent family. The man is living to-day, surrounded by lov- ing children and grandchildren, and though the frosts | of seventy-three winters have whitened his hair, he is blessed with all his mental faculties and all the com- forts of life, and in the best of humor told this little episode himself. The woman has long since been gathered to her fathers.
Valley (Dutch Church), Bell, Winter Hill, Sand- stone, Fairview, and South Prospect. To these have since been added South Prospect Primary, North Prospect, and Walnut Run. Of these, Walnut Run, North Prospect, Winter Hill, and Sandstone . are models in all their appointments. They have base- ments, in which large heaters are placed, from which the heat is conveyed to different parts of the room in pipes, thus giving the room an equal temperature in all parts. They have ante-rooms, in which all extra clothing and diner-kettles are left as the pupils ar- rive in the morning. All the houses in the district have first-class furniture.
Religion and Churches .- This township was orig- inally settled by Swiss Mennonites, and their deseend- ants inhabit the place to-day. In 1812 were added to the colonies the families of Daniel Ferree and Isaac Le Fever, who were Walloons of Steinmeister, in the Palatinate of the Rhine, who came here armed with a certificate of church membership from the pastor and deacons of the Reformed Walloon Church of Pelican, in the Lower Palatinate.
In churches, as with schools, the first one of which we have any authenticated record is the old Dutch Church above mentioned. It was built by the Lu- theran and German Reformed Churches in the latter part of the last century, and both worshiped in it until 1795, when dispute arose and they dissolved the part- nership, the Lutherans retaining the property. Prior to this time the German Reformed Church had become strong in the southern part of the township, worship- ing in houses and barns. In 1795 or '96 the original Zion's Church was built, about oue-fourth mile north of New Providence. It was built of sandstone and had a gallery. This served the congregation until 1868, when it was still in good condition but too small for the congregation. In 1868 the old building was torn down, and a fine brick edifice was erected in its stead. It contains a lecture-room, where the Sab- bath-school meets, and a regular service-room. The choir-gallery is supplied with a fine cabinet organ. The church and Sabbath-school are both in flourish- ing condition.
The regular Old Mennonite Church is situated a large congregation and Sabbath-school. It is more fully described in another part of this work.
hind the stove. The teacher proposed that he should | few hundred yards west of Strasburg, and has a very
Prior to the erection of this church the Mennonites worshiped in houses and baros, one of which, about one half mile south of the present church, is now owned by Henry Keener. It was built about the middle of the last century by Rev. John Herr, a son of Emanuel Herr, who was one of the five sons of Hans Herr, who came here in 1710. In building it he obeyed the scriptural injunction, and founded his house upon a rock.
There is an undenominational church in the village
At the time of the enactment of the common school , law there were seven schools in the district which is of Refton, which has no regular pastor assigned to it. now Strasburg township, namely, North Star, Beaver . There is a Sabbath-school regularly held in it.
5
1066
HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.
Burial-Places .- Prior to the erection of churches kept until 1874, when it was purchased by Henry Nell, who held it until his death, in 1881. In April, 1881, it was conveyed to its present owner, Emanuel Neff. numerous small burial-places existed in the township. There is one on the farm now owned by Jacob L. Ranek, wherein no doubt lie the remains of the orig- inal Ferrees who came to this country. Beside the B. F. Musselman's mill was built about the year 1810, by Jacob Groff. It is a three-story structure of stone to the square, and frame above. It is propelled by Little Beaver Creek, or rather the north branch of North Star school-house is the old Lefever burial- ground, where rest the original Lefever -. About three-fourths of a mile north of Strasburg, on the ' Smoketown road, is the old Ilowery graveyard. The | it, upon an over-hot-wheel. On April 8, 1811, Jacob original Graff's who came to this country are buried Groff and wife conveyed it to John Groff. Ou April 1, 1816, John Groff and wife conveyed it to Abram Groff. Abram, by deed dated Feb. 1, 1837, conveyed it to Henry Musselman, who held it until the time of his death. On April 1, 1872, Henry Musselman's execu- tor» conveyed it to Henry Neff, and Henry Neff and wife, on March 27, 1873, conveyed it to B. F. Mussel- man, the present owner. in the old Methodist graveyard in Strasburg borough, There is also a graveyard where the old Dutch Church stood. Probably the largest isolated burial-place is Brackbill's, which is on the farm now owned by Elias Braekbill, about one mile southwest of Strasburg borough. Prior to the erection of the German Re- formed Church, and for some time afterwards, the Reformed burying-ground was on the original Neff farm, now owned by Phares Weaver; one on the farm of Daniel Herr (Pequea), and one on the farm of Christian Good, and there are doubtless some smaller ones entirely lost. All of these except How- ery's are sadly neglected, and it is only a matter of time when they will be entirely lost, and the plow will turn the dust of those who centuries ago carried on the industries of the world.
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