USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 121
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126
The first store-keeper who owned his stock of goods in Lititz was Jacob B. Tshudy, and up to 1843 there was but one other store, the one owned by the Mo- ravians, and at that time kept by Ferdinand Lennert. In 1843,' N. S. Wolle bought from the Moravians the store kept by Lennert, and continued in the business, being succeeded by lis son.
In 1843 there were in Lititz two shoemakers, Jacob Greider and George D. Thomas; two tailors, Jacob Rock and Charles W. Sturgis; two harness-makers, Frederick Keller and Daniel Kryder ; two tinsmiths, James Miksch and Jonas Meyer; two cabinet- i chased the farm of his father, and in November, of makers, Samuel Liebtenthaler and Alexander Stur- gis ; two tobacconists, John Graetl' and John Hamm ; one chairmaker, Aaron Traeger; one blacksmith, Charles Grosh ; one doctor, Levi Hull; one potter, Mrs. Erb's death occurred in September, 1858, and he contracted a second alliance, in 1861, with Matilda, Jacob Sturgis; one postmaster, Frederick Zitzman ; one baker, William F. Rauch ; one stone-cutter and J. ; daughter of Abram Lane, of Manheim township.
P. Christian, HI. Rauch ; one cooper, Samuel Kryder ; one wheelwright, John Mellhennry ; one tanner, Jacob Geitner; one brewer, Jacob Weitzel; two watchmakers, Christian Hall and F. L. Lennert ; one malt-house, owned by Jacob B. Tshudy, who also owned the only lumber-yard.
thousand dollars. Its officers are the same now as upon its organization. The only banking interest in Lititz prior to its organization was a private deposit bank, which began business June 1, 1867, operated by John Evans, William Evans, Emanuel Kauffman, Samuel E. Keller, R. R. Tshudy, and M. T. Hluch- ner, which closed its business when the new bank began operations.
He was married to a Miss Holl, whose children were John, Samuel, Isaac, Joseph, Jacob, David, and three daughters. Mr. Erb followed the occupation of his father, and was a man of much influence in the county. Ilis son John was born in Elizabeth township Nov. 3, 1786, where his life was spent as farmer, miller, and, for a period of thirty-five years, as a popular landlord in the same township. In polities he was an Old-Line Whig, and served a term of three years as county commissioner. He married Miss Barbara Bergelbach, of Lancaster County, and had children,-lliram, John B., Henry B., and a dangh- ter, Priscilla, who became Mrs. George W. Steinmetz. Mr. Erb's death occurred in June, 1862, in his sev- enty-seventh year.
Ilis son John B. was born Jan. 5, 1812, at the pa- ternal home, where his boyhood was spent. The limited advantages of education afforded at the pub- He school were supplemented by more careful study at a later day, while both the farm and mill mean- while occupied his attention. In 1837 Mr. Erb pur- the same year, was married to Leah, daughter of Sam- nel Keller, of Warwick township, to whom was born a son, John K., who died in his seventeenth year.
lle resided upon the farm until 1858, when Lititz became his home and is his present residence. Mr. Erb in early life engaged in teaching, and also made himself proficient in conveyancing and surveying, which has for thirty-five consecutive years engaged his attention, Ile was also, when a representative of
PRESENT BUSINESS INTERESTS .- The Lititz Na- I the principles of the Whig party, for two terms jus- tional Bank was organized in February, 1880, and tice of the peace. He has since that time joined the ranks of the Democracy, though not actively partici- pating within party lines. On the organization of the Lititz National Bank he was elected and still re- mains its president. In religion, he is a supporter began business March 1, 1880. Its president was John B. Erb, and its cashier M. T. Huebner. It began busi- ness in a building next door to Haydn Il. Tshudy's store, and remained there for about one year, when its |
1076
HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.
of all evangelical denominations, Mrs. Erb being a member of the Moravian Church at Lititz. Mr. Erb is a man of excellent judgment whose wide experi- ence and large acquaintance enables him to wield an extended influence in the community. llis lite has been a scene of great activity and usefulness, which the advance of years has done little to modify.
The Lititz Plow Company ( Limited), is a stock or- ganization, Capital, twelve thousand dollars. P. S. Reist, president ; A. W. Shober, treasurer ; N. S. Alt- hause, secretary.
Seaber & Grube are manufacturers of sash, doors, blinds. ete., established in 1876, succeeding Bomber- ger & Grube.
S. & II. Grosh manufacture carriages, buggies, etc. ; William Nies, wagon-maker.
Barr's mills are conducted by E. J. Barr. The build- ing was erected in 1865 for a distillery ; was bought by I. F. Bomberger in 1871, who sold to A. M. Bruck- art, who in turn sold to Mr. Barr.
Dry-goods and groceries are represented by Hayden H. Tshudy and R. N. Wolle, who carry on, respect- ively, the stores originally owned by Jacob B. Tshudy and N. S. Wolle.
The tobacco interest is a large one, and is repre- sented by M. M. Fry, Fry & Miksch, Stauffer & Reist, Buch & Brother, Sauders & Brother, Baker & Sons, Bruckart & Snavely, Kreider & Frederick, Roland & Ilabecker, II. E. Miller, A. B. Reidenbach, Daniel Sauders, William Smith.
The original Lititz Bretzel interest is carried on by Julius F. Sturgis.
There are two hotels,-the Lititz Spring House and the Sturgis House,
Hardware .- Bomberger & Co., W. II. Regennas, and James H. Miksch.
Furniture .- W. II. Enck.
There are also two bakers, H. L. Eschbach and T. HI. Keller; two merchant tailors, Buch & Son, S. L. Diflenderfer ; one miller, Eli J. Barr; one cigar-box manufacturer, Samuel Stark ; two tailors, Wilson Baum, Elias Buch ; three shoemakers, Samuel L. Delbo, A. T. Liteh, Jacob D. Witters; two harness- makers, Herman Fisher, Samuel Workman ; one brick manufacturer, John Kahl; coal and lumber, Kaufman & Beckler, II. C. Seklomridge, Evans & Bear; one watchmaker, Thomas A. Milchsack ; three blacksmiths, Lewis N. Murr, A. C. Plantz, and John Sanders ; two barbers, Michael D. Roth, Henry Ochm; oue confectioner, John A. Smith ; one general store, Jeremiah Stump; one stationer, John G. Zook ; one druggist, J. C. Brobst.
Population in 1880 was eleven hundred and thirteen.
POSTMASTERS. -- The postmasters of Lititz have been Christian Hall, 1806-22; Frederick Zitzman, 1822- 19; George T. Greider, 1849-53; Daniel Kreider, 1853-61 ; N. S. Wolle, 1861-67; Mrs. Catharine Hull, 1867-69; F. W. Christ, 1869-83. Mrs. F. W. Christ is the present incumbent of the office. The first post-
office was kept at the hotel. Prior to 1806 the mail was distributed from Lancaster.
THE LITITZ SPRING .- Up to 1780 the spring was in a wild state, and nothing had been done to im- prove it. At that time Tobias Hirte set ont the large willow-trees which now adorn the grounds. The place had evidently been a resort for Indians at an early period, for a great many relics have been found near its borders. A broad swamp extended for some distance upon its northern side, and in the spring- time the water was of sufficient depth to admit of boats being rowed upon its surface. In 1792 a meet- ing of the citizens was called to take steps towards its improvement. At this meeting it was decided that something ought to be done, and accordingly work was commenced. The assistance was all vol- untary, and was done by the people upon Saturday afternoons and moonlight nights. At first the swamp was filled in and a wall built around the spring, a bridge across the creek was built, then a summer- house, and afterwards a bath-bonse. After this was done, trees were planted. These, however, all died excepting the locust-trees. There was considerable objection made to these improvements by the farmers who had been in the habit of watering their cattle at the spring, and the death of the trees and other discouragements so disheartened the workers that the improvements were discontinued, and the spring again relapsed into its former state.
It was not until 1835 that the people again took heart, and the men began to improve and beautify the spring and grounds. At this time they asked leave of the town committee to build a fence. This was given, and thirty dollars was collected from the citizens to pay for materials, the work, as before, being done voluntarily. Work was done each year, and from 1835 to 1840, first one thing and then an- other was added to the place, which was already be- coming a "thing of beauty." The walk was laid out, and the trees which now border it were planted in 1840. The spring is now walled in an elliptical form, and the water bubbles up at the foot of a ledge of rocks which forms its western terminus. From this source it flows directly east through a narrow, walled channel, being shaded on both sides by beau- tiful trees. On the ledge of rocks, at the north of the spring, is carved a lion's head in bas-relief, which was done about 1860. The spring is a constant source of enjoyment to the Lititz people, and is kept lively during the season by a constant succession of picnics from the surrounding country. From the Lititz Spring to where it empties into the Conestoga, Car- ter's Run travels a distance of six miles.
SCHOOLS EN LITITZ .- The first school established was in 1762, and was conducted under the auspices of the Moravian Church by Rev. Bernhard A. Grube. It was subsequently carried on by Christian Schropp, and in 1815 was taken charge of by John Beck.
Mr. Beck may be called the most important factor
-----
1077
WARWICK TOWNSHIP.
in the schools of Lititz. He taught from 1815 to 1865, a period of fifty years, and his "school for boys" was known far and wide as one of the best in- stitutions of its kind. Mr. Beck was born in Grace- ham, MJ., June 16, 1791. In 1797 his parents moved to Laneaster County and settled near Mount Joy. lIe attended school at Nazareth Hall till fifteen years of age, when he was sent to Lititz and appren- tieed to a shoemaker. In 1813 he began his career as a teacher by instructing five boys in the evenings. He was asked to take charge of the parochial school, but refused till 1815, when he began teaching with twenty-two scholars. In 1822 the blacksmith-shop was taken down and the school moved into a new building. In 1832 the school had increased to such an extent as to necessitate greater accommodations, and it was removed to the large stone building known as the " Brothers' House," erected in 1762. But one : of the two thousand three hundred and twenty-six scholars taught at this school from 1815 to 1865 died while attending the academy.
Lititz became a special school district in 1852.
Prior to 1866 there was only a primary school ; the advanced pupils were sent, the girls to Linden Hall, and the boys to Lititz Academy, their tuition being paid for by the district. The primary school opened Jan. 5, 1853. In 1855 there were thirty-two pupils in attendance; 1861, fifty-two pupils; 1871, eighty- two; 1882, two hundred and twenty. In 1870 there was a new school-house built for advanced pupils at a cost of 88502.50. The present school officers are Haydn II. Tshudy, president; I. F. Bomberger, secretary ; N. C. Fry, treasurer. The officers af its organization were Samuel Lichtenthaler, president ; Francis W. Christ, secretary, and Jacob B. Tshudy, treasurer.
After Mr. Beek ceased teaching, in 1865, the school was conducted by Ferdinand D. Rickert and George W. Hepp. Mr. Rickert and Mr. Hepp had been teachers in Mr. Beck's school many years. In 1881 Professor Rickert retired on account of failing health, and Professor Ilepp now conduets the school in the honse built by Christian Schopp in 1792. This house faces the Church Square, and has been remodeled to suit modern ideas.
In 1865 Mr. A. R. Beck, son of John Beck, estab- lished Beck's school for boys at Audubon Villa, which is now in successful operation.
A complete history of Linden Hall and the Mora- vian schools will be found in the history of the Moravian society.
In 1862 J. D. Beehler organized the Sunnyside College, which was continued till 1878, when it sus- pended, and the building was bought and converted into a residence by P. S. Reist. This building is on the site of one of the first houses in Lititz, -George Kline's house.
HOTELS .- The first hotel in Lititz was built by the Moravian Brethren prior to 1761, and was kept
in connection with the Brethren's store. Upon the site of the present Lititz Springs Hotel, in 1762, a log structure was erected. In 1803 a brick addition was made on the western side, which was two stories high. At an early day this house was called the " Anchor Hotel." The present building was built in 1848, and in it was used the western part of the old building, the entire building being made three stories in height. It was owned and carried on by the Mo- ravians till 1852, when it was sold " under the lease" to Samuel Lichtenthaler. The first owner in fee simple of the property was George T. Greider, who purchased the property in 1868. About 1799 the hotel was in charge of William Lanius, whose prede- cessor's name was Touze, or Touse, and before him Clause Coellen. From 1803 to 1822 it was superin- tended by Christian Hall, then followed in succession Michael Greider, Frederick Zitzman, John Kauf- "man, Jacob Zeigler, Francis Schroeder, Israel Rein- hart (1850), Samuel Lichtenthaler, George T. Grei- der (1868). The present owner of the ground and building is Owen P'. Bricker, and the hotel is oper- ated by A. G. Killian.
FIRE DEPARTMENT. - In 1838 there occurred a large fire, consuming several buildings opposite the church square, and endangering the whole village. After this occurrence the people saw the necessity for an organization, and accordingly the Assistance Fire Company was organized. There were in the village at this time two old fire-engines, one of them im- ported from Germany and one bought in Philadel- phia. The engine ordered in Germany was from John Grossman, of Neuweid, who made the metal parts only. The box was made, and the engine put together, by Peter Getz, of Lancaster. The order for the engine was made Sept. 14, 1791. "It was shipped Aug. 14, 1792, and reached New York in January, 1793. It was not completed ready for service till 1795. Leather fire-buckets were ordered at about this time, some of which are in existence at the pres- ent time. The engine imported from Germany had been rebuilt by Martin Schreiner, of Lancaster, and was called " Assistance," and the one bought in Philadelphia was called " Friendship."
The first oflieers of the company were Samuel Lich- tenthaler, president; Rufus A. Greider, secretary ; Levi Hull and Francis W. Cbrist, vice-presidents ; Frederick A. Kitzman, treasurer; and Aaron Treager and William Keller, engineers. The original mem- bers were William J. Kreider, John Greaff, L. F. Levering, IT. W. Hall, Jacob Greaff, George T. Greider, Joseph Shoenlein, Charles M. Berg, Henry A. Busse, Abraham Hackman, Daniel Kreider, John Regeunas, Permanio Ricksecker, John A. Imhoff, Jacob Fetter, John Thomas, Rudolph Christ, Tim- othy Maslich, George D. Thomas, Philip Conn, Alex- ander Sturgis, Jacob (, Sturgis, Charles A. Grosh, Jonas Meyer, Levi Geering, John Sheuk, Levi Rick - secker, Abraham Grosh, Henry Regennas, Ilenry
1078
HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.
Stark, Edward Keller, Abraham F. Miller, Timothy Bauman, Jacob Romig, Daniel Moore, David Bricker, . Charles H. Kreider, Andrew P. Grosh, Timothy Grosh, Henry Riekert, Ferdinand D. Rickert, Chris- tian Kautz, Charles Stark, Elias Bomberger, Wil- liam Deam, Martin Manderback, Jr., Francis L. Lennert, Edwin T. Fetter, Frederick G. Lennert, John Kreamer, Augustus Sturgis, Ambrose Rauch, Francis M. Rauch, William Zortman, Henry Dean, Andrew Enek, Lovine Clewell, James Miksch, Wil- liam Miller, William Albright, William Hornberger. Of these only George T. Greider, Alexander Sturgis, Henry Regennas, Edward Keller, David Bricker, F. D. Rickert, William Deam, Henry Deam, and James Miksch are now living in Lititz. The engines are still in existence, though there is no complete organi- zation at present.
THE PRESS .- The Lititz Record is the oldest paper published in the township. It is a weekly paper, neutral in politics, and its first issue was Sept. 14, 1879. It is conducted by J. F. Buch. Was at first a . six-column paper, but has been enlarged twice, and is now an eight-column folio.
The Lititz E.cpress, established September, 1881, by J. G. Zook and C. N. Derr, is a weekly, independent in polities.
IMPORTANT FIRES .- The largest fires that have occurred in Lititz are those of July 16, 1838, and of 1873. At the former were burned six buildings. These were Jacob Roek's house, Timothy Maslich's house and barn, Widow Rauch's house, Philip Conn's house and barn, and the upper part of Alexander Sturgis' house. Linden Ilall was on fire, but the fire was extinguished. The house of Widow Rauch was the old Warwick Church, built in 1748.
1
About 1862-63, Samuel Lichtenthaler bought the Wabank Hotel, a large house situated on the Con- estoga a few miles below Lancaster. This he took down and removed to Lititz, and rebuilt just south of the present Lititz Springs House. It was a large frame structure, with porches all around it, and a tall enpola surmounting the building. In 1873 it took fire near the top of the building and burned to the ground.
SOCIETIES,-On May 20, 1870, was organized Lodge No. 253, Knights of Pythias. The charter members were John Kohl, Isaac Pfautz, R. R. Tshudy, Dallas Flory, J. F. Diehm, 11. II. Tshudy, William M. Bol- linger, Aaron Ilybecker, John Breneman. Its officers were John Kohl, W. C .; I. G. Pfautz, V. C .; W. II. Bollinger, R. S .; J. F. Dichm, F. S .; HI. HI. Tshudy, Banker; D. B. Flory, Guide; Aaron Habecker, I. S .; John Breneman, O. S. Its present officers are J. G. Zoog, P. C .; William Dichm, C. C .; N. O. Sturgis, P .; E. C. Sturgis, M. of F. ; II. II. Tshudy, MI. of E .; J. G. Weltner, K. of R. S .; John Steffy, M. at A .; G. A. Kemper, I. G .; George T. Greider, O. G .; J. G. Weltman, R. to G. L.
An organization of American Mechauies was insti-
tuted Aug. 10, 1869, and was discontinued in 1877, being merged into the Manheim Chapter of the same body.
A Saving Fund and Building Association was or- ganized in 1869, and commenced operations Jan. 1, 1870, and was continued till 1879. At the last report, in January, 1879, its assets were $87,330.62. Its ofli- cers were I. F. Bomberger, president; N. S. Wolle, secretary ; M. T. Huebner, treasurer.
The Lititz Lyceum was organized about fifteen years since. There is a library in connection with it con- taining about five hundred books. Its present officers are F. P. Hart, president ; Miss S. Stormfeltz, secre- tary ; I. F. Bomberger, treasurer; L. Grosh, librarian.
An important historical character is buried at Lititz, in the Moravian graveyard, who died on June 18, 1880. This was Gen. John Augustus Sutter, who is noted as being the first discoverer of gold in Cali- fornia. Gen. Sutter was born at Kendern, Baden, Feb. 28, 1803. He graduated at the age of twenty from the military college at Berne, and entered the "Swiss Guard" of the French army. Ile served in the French army from 1823-30, then in the Swiss army till 1834. He emigrated to America in 1834-35, and after a short stay at St. Louis, settled at West- port, Mo. In 1838, accompanied by six men, he set out across the plains for California. He made his way via Forts Hill, Baisi, and Walla Walla to Ore- gon, and descended the Columbia to Vancouver. Finding no direct communication with California, he sailed to the Sandwich Islands. After a stay of six months he freighted a ship for Sitka, Alaska, and after disposing of his cargo sailed to the Bay of San Francisco, where he arrived July 2, 1839. Ile settled some distance up the Sacramento River, built a grist- mill, a tannery, and erected a fort, calling his new colony New Helvetia.
In 1848, while a mill-race was being dug upon his ranche, a workman named Marshall discovered shining particles in the sand, which upon examina- tion by Mr. Sutter proved to be gold. Upon the news becoming known the country was overrun with gold- diggers, and Gen. Sutter was dispossessed of the land. Gen. Sutter was one of the most important person- ages in California at this carly date. Before the ces- sion of California to the United States he was a cap- tain in the Mexican army and a magistrate under the Mexican government. After California became the property of the United States he was elected by the people to be the first alcalde of his district, was Indian commissioner, and delegate to the convention for framing the Constitution of California. He filed a claim before the United States land commissioner for thirty-three square leagues of land, covering the sites of the present cities of Sacramento and Marys., ville, and it was allowed; but upon the claim being carried to the Supreme Court of the United States the decision was reversed, and Gen. Sutter found himself despoiled of all of his property.
1079
WARWICK TOWNSHIP ..
To him more than any other one man is the United States indebted for the conquest of California. Ile . presented a claim to Congress for damages on account of the spoliation of his land, but it was never allowed. Coming East to look after his petition to Congress, he came to Lititz in 1871, and, being pleased with its appearance, decided to take up his residence there. In 1864 the California Legislature granted him a pen- sion of two hundred and fifty dollars per month. Ile died at Washington, D. C., June 18, 1880, leaving a host of friends in all parts of the country. He was a genial, generous, open-hearted gentleman, and while he onee owned property now valued at over one hun- dred million dollars, he died with only the annuity granted him by the California Legislature.
Brunnerville .- This village is situated ten and a half miles north of Lancaster and two and a half north of Lititz. About 1820-25 a store was opened by --- Maelhorn, and it became a stopping-place for teamsters on their way from Pittsburgh and Harris- burg to Philadelphia. About 1832 a meeting of the inhabitants was called by Abraham Eichler to decide upon a name for the village. The name of White Hall was suggested by Jacob Erb, and it was known by that name for about thirty years. When the post- office was established, in 1861, the name was changed to Brunnerville, in honor of the Brunner family.
In 1850, Peter Brunner established a blacksmith- shop and wagon-factory, and after about five years enlarged it by adding a machine-shop. Later lie supplemented these by a foundry, and conducted the enlarged establishment till the date of his death. In 1865 the works were conducted by his son, Elias Brun- ner, and in 1868 were sold to Aaron Wissler, who is the present proprietor of a large and successful business.
The present population is one hundred and thirty- five, and its business interests represented by one general store, kept by John B. Wissler ; foundry and machine-shop, Aaron Wissler ; carriage manufactory, M. F. Hartranft ; the Brunnerville Hotel, kept by Mrs. Reuben Becker. The post-office was established in 1861, with John B. Wissler postmaster. He has re- tained the office up to the present time. The village contains about thirty houses.
Millway .- The first settler of Millway was George Eby, who, about 1733, took up land on Hammer Creek at the junetion of the Cocalico. At this place he built a grist-mill, which is said to have been the first mill on flammer Creek.
The village is located on the Reading and Columbia Railroad, ten miles north of Lancaster. It contains about two hundred inhabitants. The name was given it by the Reading and Columbia Railroad. A post- offee was established in about 1854, with Jolin Niss- ley as postmaster. It contains two blacksmiths, Sam- uel Baum and Samuel Sanders; three millers, Henry Zook, John Stoll, Abraham B. Snyder; one tobacco- nist, J. D. Hummer; one baker, John Fahrenstock ; one shoemaker, Abraham Erkmian ; one general store, !
kept by Simon U. Eichenberger; one undertaker, John Good ; one coal dealer, Barton Wenger. The mill is owned and conducted by Levi Brubaker. There is now established here a station of the American Trans- fer Company. They have two immense oil-tanks, one hundred feet in diameter and eleven feet high, together with engines and apparatus for foreing the oil to the next station.
Rothsville is situated nine miles north of Laneas- ter and three miles southeast of Lititz, on the Old Newport road. About 1845 the stage-route from Lititz to Reading was changed to run over Rabbit Ilill, and a post-office was formed and named Roths- ville. The property east of the town was mostly owned by Foltz and Landis. Landis' land extended from the Cocalico Creek, near the Fahrenstock mill, below the Reading Railroad bridge, to Pfautz's mill, now owned by Hess & Pfautz. This mill was origi- nally owned by Geyer, and was a hemp- and oil-mill. The settlement southeast of Rothsville was called the " Dutch Settlement." The one between the Cocalico and Pfautz's mill, on Lititz Creek (Caster's Run), was known as Rabbit Hill, so called from the German settlers having a large number of European hares.
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.