USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 67
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Anne married Henry Keller, and Salome married Benjamin Eberly, both of this township, and Henry removed to Ohio.
Samuel Mohler had three sons, -Elkanan, Richard, and Jeremiah. Elkanan removed to Ilinois and Richard to Philadelphia, while Jeremiah married and still lives in Ephrata.
John Mohler was the grandfather of Levi Mohler, a member of the State Legislature.
Henry Mohler, a son of Ludwig Mohler, purchased from John White (before mentioned) two hundred and forty acres of land in 1786, and in 1749 ninety- six aeres from Michael Witmer.
The house now occupied by R. Hertzog, a son-in- law of Simon Mohler, was built by Henry Mohler in 1764, and the house occupied by Christian Kelhaefer was built by Jacob Mohler in 1767.
The Landis families in this township are partly de- seended from the Mohlers, as a daughter of Jacob Mohler and granddaughter of Ludwig Mohler, the pioneer, married a Mellinger, and Mellinger's daugh- ter married a. Landis, from which sprang the Landis family of Ephrata.
John Gerhardt Hibshman came from Switzerland in 1730. Ile had two sons and four daughters, Ilis son Wendel came to this township in 1766, and located on the farm now occupied by Levi Landis. He had three sons, Jacob, Henry, and John, and two daugh- ters, Eliza (married Henry Gray) and Amelia (who married Samnel Bowman ).
Jacob married and had two sons, John and Ed- ward.
John, son of Jacob, married and had three sons and two daughters,-Eliza, married to D. R. Hertz, and Amelia, married a Mr. Craig and removed to Wilmington, Del.
Edward married and had three children, -William, Hannah, and Rebecca. William died single, Han- nah married a Stubbs (both deceased), and Rebecca is still living.
Henry married and had four children, -Louis, Har- rison, Wendel, and Mary Ann. The latter married Henry Keller, of this township. Of Louis and Har- rison we have no record, and Wendel removed to Reading.
John, father of A. P. Hibshman, removed to Lan- caster.
Jacob, son of Wendel Hib-hman, was a member of Congress 'in 1819 and 1820, and subsequently was surveyor-general and canal appraiser of this State, and afterwards associate judge of Lancaster County, and held many minor offices.
Wendel Hib-hman, father of Judge Jacob Hibsh- man, was a major in the One Hundred and Eleventh Battalion of the Pennsylvania troops in the Revolu- tionary war.
John Martin Fry came from Lower Tulpehocken, where his father, an Alsatian, had settled long before. and located in this township at what is known as Fry's Mills post-office in about 1790. He purchased the property at a sheriff's sale. Just when the first mills at this place were built is not known, but they are mentioned in a deed dated in 1762. The mill was rebuilt in 1798 and again in 1848. This John Martin Fry was the ancestor of the Fry family in Ephrata township.
The Akron Mills are located on a part of a tract of land patented by the Penns to Charles Hallocker in 1762. The tract contained one hundred and thirty- two and a half aeres, and, except that portion occu- pied as mill property, is owned and occupied as farm- ing lands by A. R. Royer and W. M. Rittew. The mill was built originally in 1762, and has since then been twice rebuilt, and is now owned by John Stoll.
Amos Royer, the ancestor of the Royers in this township, was a son of Sebastian Royer, who came
835
.
EPHRATA TOWNSHIP.
from the Falls of the Rhine, in Germany, in 1740, and located near what is now Brickerville.
In 1762, the date of the location of Amos Royer, he obtained a patent of the farms now occupied by Israel Withers and Samuel Royer, near Middle Creek meeting-house, the latter farm being the oldl Royer homestead.
The numerous Keller family in this township are descendants of Jacob Keller, who was born in Switzer- land in 1706, and came to this township in 1730, and located at what is now known as Springville, near Trout Run, where he died many years ago. The original tract is still in possession of the Keller family.
Peter Martin was elected an associate judge of Lancaster County in 1866, and subsequently a mem- ber of the State Legislature.
Christian Bentz was elected a member of the Legis- lature in 1844-45. B. F. Martin was elected a State senator in 1851, Henry Gray in 1852-53, and J. L. Gross in 1854. David Kemper was elected county commissioner in 1862.
Jacob Eberly died in 1807, leaving a wife, Ann, and eight children: Maria, married Ludwig Kurtz; Elizabeth, Anna, Susanna, Samuel, Joseph, Jacob, and Jolın.
George Bard, Sr., settled near Binkley's Bridge, where he reared a large family of children, viz. : Margaret, Mary, Elizabeth, Jacob, Henry, George, Reuben, Adam, Levi, Peter, Samuel, and Abraham. Samuel subsequently owned a part of the original farm, along the New Holland turnpike, one mile east of Binkley's Bridge. George Philip Bard spelled his name Barth, hence the Barth family.
Taxables for 1780 .- The following list of taxables comprise that portion of ohl Cocalico township now embraced in Ephrata township :
Achenbach, Matthias, 30 acres, 2 holsta, 4 cows, ť107. Breneisen, Comand
Bowman, Benjamin, 30 acres, 2 hvises, 2 tows, 1179
Beck, Philip, 150 actes, 4 horses, 2 rows, tidi.
Bricker, John, 2 0 acres, 2 horas, fulla, 6:34
Bowman, Daniel, 73 acres, 2 hores, 2 rows, 4300.
Bowman, Samuel, 73 actes, 2 horas, - cous, 1 mill, 1300.
Duck, Jacob, 21 neles, tl,
Duck, Nicholas, 8 Acres, 1 row, £15.
Ditlo, Widow, 200 acres, 4 horses, 3 cows, 1449.
Drish, Leonard, 50 acres, 2 liniste, 2 cows, 1178.
Erb, Jacob, 150 artes, 1450. Funk, John, 130 acres, I horse, 4 cows, 4272.
Fanestock, Caspar, 1 actes, I cow, Lli.
Fanestoch, Detrich, Ind arres, 2 hvises, 3 cows, £329.
Fanestock, John, 40 urirs, I hurse, 2 cows, 0135
Fanestock, Peter, 100 neres, 2 horses, 3 cows, 1399.
Frey, Muitin, 200 acres, 3 horses, 8 cows, 4154.
Foltz, Jacob.
Gerr, John, 50 acres, I horse, 2 cows, LIta).
Getz, Leonard, 95 acres, ) habe, & cows, thu5. Gorgue Jacobs, 2 acres, 1 horse, 2 tons, 1105.
Heater, John, 50 acres, 2 housed, " rows, LUG. Honck, George, 10 acres, & houses, 5 cows, 1425.
Harlacher, George, 200 acres, 4 houses, 3 cows,-2 mills, 6664.
Hetsberger, John, 100 acres, 2 Ingres. 2 cows, E320. Haushalter, Lorentz, 100 acres, 2 horses, 2 cows, 1226. Hetshbarger, Henry, 140 neres, 2 horses, 2 cows, 1440.
Juntes, John, 30 acres, 1 horse, I cow, I - ivant, 173. Kuntz, John, 200 mures, 2 holbein, Grow4, 1290. Kellar, John, 00 acres, 3 horses, bouws, 1178. Kingmaker, Adam, 1 avro, 1 cow, ilh
Kafroth, Jakth, ING acres, 3 huises, 2 cows, 1505. Kafioth, Hemty, 80 ueres, 1 horse, 3 cows, Czu5. Endis, Benjamin TS acres, 2 horas, 2 cows, C200.
Laulis, David, bb ,pies, 2 hoises, 2 cows, 1254. Hamis, Jacob, 118 acres, 2 hofara, 3 cows, 4265. Launches, John, 150 acres, 2 houses, 1 casa, Cinq. Miller, Jods, 250 acres, 2 harses, 3 cats, L479. Merchel, George, 50 acres, 2 hotar's, 3 cows, [179. Moliter, Martin, 50 acres, 2 horses, 2 cows, C176. Moller, John, ludacris, 2 hover, " cows, 6326. Mohler, John, Jr., 130 acita, 3 horses, 3 cows, t429. Muhler, Henry, 130 neres, 3 hoises, a cows, 1429. Muller, Jarob, 150 aures, 3 horses, b cows, 1498. Nera, Ad un, 200 acres, 2 horses, 3 cows, Lo2". Nees John, 30 uvres, 1 huise, 2 cows, til6. Nogley, Jacob, Jo actes, " horses, 2 cows, E179. Rimmel, dieuge, 00 keres, 1 horse, 2 cows, 100. Senseman, John, 200 acres, 2 horses, 2 cows, 1426 Wolf, Ely. 100 acres, 2 bolsce, J rows, 1329.
Jacob Landis. Jacob Goigus.
Freemen. Martin Kisinger.
Oath of Allegiance .- The following is a list of those who subscribed to the oath of allegiance or fidelity at Ephrata during the Revolutionary war : " Novin' 30, 1778.
" Lancaster County, ss.
" I, the subscriber, one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Lancaster, dlu hereby certify that the following is a true list of the Names and Sur names of such persons who have taken and subscribe the Oath or Albumation of Allegi muer and l'idellity before me, as directed by an Art of General Assembly of Pennsylvania.
Fre letiek Zimmerman. Philip Lutz.
Christian Good.
Leonard Keller.
Ludwick Shatter. Nick 1.rshrl
Matthew Muller.
John Hetz 1.
Casper Lutz.
Jacob Baur.
Pinup Bildenstein.
J.w ob Stiler.
John Bahtold
Christ Eisenman.
John Hanulton.
Jacob Ameveg.
Philip Srib.
Drury Rumholt.
Julin Hellley.
Petri Frs-er.
Yust Rritel.
Adolph Zimerman.
George Ilallard.
Johan Afche.
Jacob Matzebucher.
William Snider.
John Lindlis
Conrad Snidet.
Leonard Kline.
Matthias Achenback.
Thomas Kein.
Matthias Holden.
John Frtzer.
Pinlip Kasinger.
Michael Puri.
Ilrury Reinholt.
John Buthard.
Henry hoffman.
Miharl Jung.
Leonard Get ?.
Peter Falk.
lic hard Adanis.
Christopher Mathias.
Frederick Gerner.
Adun Wegil
Jolin Shunl,
Valentine Wulf.'
David Beringer.
Abram Woll.
John Lesher.
John Hi-tand.
Henry Weit.
William Walker.
George Slebach.
Martin Linch.
Rudolph Bear.
Casper Bossert.
Michael Miller.
John Me hael Mmeveg.
Grape Getz.
Joseph Brar.
John Schlutt.
Henty Borkhobler.
Michael l'etz.
John Becker.
Mielowel Zunerman.
J.wub Muchler.
Adam Writzel.
Abram Has-lei.
John Grill.
l'eter Brinckley.
Julin Lutz.
Peter Rein.
Michael hegenrist.
Peter Zimerman.
John Girthand.
836
HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.
Christian Lutz. John Shollmaier. Peter Geishweit. Julını Hlainist. Baltzar Hoffman. Henry Walton. Jubu Kuntz.
.
Martin Eighholtz.
Melchor Brann.
John Carson.
George Eichelburger.
Ilerman P'hihp. John Evans
Thomas Callinghan.
William Pry.
Conrad Engle.
Jacob Francher.
George Beil.
Casper Hassler.
Jacob Jermberhug.
Peter Frankhanser
Plulip Jacob Shenkle.
John L'eistananr.
Frantz Bimbuch.
Martin Kissinger.
Michael Spreigel.
Adam Dieihn.
David Jones,
George Philip Kissinger.
Joseph Sprengel.
Christ. showalt.
Adam Christ.
Ludwick Fridley.
John Friruml.
Michael Wither.
Jarob Roland.
George Merkley.
Peter Santur.
Philip Fasshach.
Henry Harshbarger.
Gentge Kuntz.
Henry Frumeier,
Peter Smith. Frederick Fintzler.
Chiist. Miller.
William Sigenthnier. Henry Hibshman. Yost Miller.
John Chiis, Smith.
Thomas Holms.
Robert Martin.
John Brenner.
John Bucher.
Jucob Suierer.
Julin Tiabinger.
Peter Schuider. Henry Leid.
Edward Bine.
Peter shantz.
Jolını Wertman.
Jucob Leidl.
Henry Wolf kiel.
Peter Wieland.
Samuel Barnist.
Nicholas Smider.
Christ, Shitzer.
George sneider.
Michael Reeder.
Abram Holland.
Casper Trabinger. Frederick A.lam.
Jacob Killian.
Jacob Swigart.
Michael Fiantz.
Leonard Millet.
William Millinger.
John Willingel.
John Alter.
William Reess.
William Stouber.
Jacob Jacobs.
Jacob Frantz.
Reighart Huuber.
Philip Hoffman,
Michael Kneisslo.
George Bruner.
Christ Swartzwalter.
Michael Katzenmyer. Lundw. Katzeumyer.
George Huc.
Jacob Linne.
Abrabam Lundis.
Michel Winholt.
John Boseller.
Jucob Gorgas.
George Belltz.
Christian Andreas. Wendle Weinhokl.
Jacob Alter.
Heury Muhler,
Michael Krug.
John Bethoffer.
Joseph Llisse,
Richard li. Heitler, elected 1810.
Jacob Hitshinmau, elected 1840. Jeremiah Bauman, elected 1845.
Levi Miller, elected I845.
Henry Hower.
Christ Rulacher.
Philip Aitz.
1'. Martin leitler, elected 1850.
Peter Miller.
Frederick Kimil.
John Frantz. Christian Oberlin.
Jacob letter. Jacob Weigman.
John Miller.
Lawrence Ilousholter.
Michael Ober hn.
Gabriel Laust.
Adam Moster.
Christ Warshmit.
George Rimmel. Henry Valentine. Christian Wey land.
Heury Egludlz. Henty Lau-h.
Adam Oberlin. Godfreid Eberhard.
Jucob Angre.
l'eter Miller. Williams Brinckle.
Andren- Hiller.
John Kline.
John Butler. Jobin Stua -.
Philip Wulfklel. Jacob Spregel. Adam Fiantz. Peter Zebler. Christian Haring.
Martin Muhler. Conrad Miller. Jacob Kumler.
Michael Hurting.
Jacob Olilin.
George Weber. Richard Langer. Hemy Sohn.
George Weber, Jr. Michael Hurting. Chfist Harting. Adam Huicher. Henry Slebach. Joseph Simons.
Isaac Adams. Philip Brindle.
George Pbilip Bentz.
Jacob Weinman.
l'eter Sugh.
Leonard Spritzweagle.
Jacob Lundis. Peter Weynland. Mathias Bitner.
Jeremiah Miller.
Jacob Wantz.
Henry Snath.
Jucob Valentine.
Henry Stoner.
Conrad Rothhor.
Jolm Weber.
Jacob Neitzelltzer.
John Martin.
Michael Long.
Daniel Weitnian.
Jacob Walter.
Hemy Harlinan.
Frantz Kinhn.
George Frame.
Jacob Bickel.
Contad Bentz.
"Given under my hand and seal the day and yeur above written. " ADAM NFES. [SEAL.]"
Justices of the Peace .- The following-named persons have been elected justices of the peace for this township since the adoption of the Constitution of 1838:
Jacob L. Sharp, elected 1848 (for two years).
Jolin G. Bauman, elected 1857. P. Martin Heltler, elected 1802. Jacob Kemper, elected 1862. Jacob Kemper, elected 1867. W. K. Seltzer, elected 1867. Jacob Kemper, elected 1872. W. K. Seltzer, elected 1872.
Ephrata, under the old Constitution, was embraced in Justice District, No. 6.
Ephrata, the principal village in the township, is pleasantly located on the line of the Reading and Columbia Railroad, and is surrounded by one of the most fertile agricultural districts to be found in the county.
The first settlement at this place was made as early as 1750, or thereabouts.
Israel Eckerline received a patent for a tract of two hundred and thirty-nine acres of land, which he sold to Christian Lichty, who sold to John Groff, being a part of a large tract warranted in 1739 to John Mayle, or Maybe.
Sept. 7, 1762, an agreement or indenture was made between John Mayle, or Maybe, of the town of Ephrata, widower, of the first part, "and the Reli- gious body of people of both sexes now residing in said town, of the second part," containing the follow- ing members, viz. :
Isaac Bethoffer. Rudolph Miller. Jacob Smith. George Roth. Joseph Gear. Michael Roth. George Long. John Newman.
Jacob Sautag.
Stephen Bulinder.
Frederick Shitz.
Jacob Kemper, elected 1832. W. K. Seltzer, elected 1877. Jacob Kemper, vlected 1877. D. B. Krauts, elected 1882. 11. B. Keller, elected 1882
Jacob L Grosy, elected 1852 (for thive years). Hemy B Gorman, elected 1855. Jacob Kemper, elected 1857.
George Webomn. Hlemy Miller. Mathins Albert.
Jacob Bisher.
George Metz.
Lorentz Ludwig.
Mathias Walling. Nicholas Sherrer. Michael Wolf. Valentine Brookman. Peter Weis. Andreas Eherman.
George Al-pigh. Christ. Streigel. Contad Moick. Ilony Binckley.
Sammuel Reissel.
lemy Shumy. Petri Groft.
Ernst Miller.
George Weitmau. Stopher Trabinger.
Christ. Wellman.
Christ Gingrich.
Sammel Graff.
.
837
EPHRATA TOWNSHIP.
Aug. 2, 1755, John Bowman and Margaret, his wife, donated several acres of land and paper-mill to the Religions Society, or Tunkers, at Ephrata, for a period of thirty years.
1, Brother Amos (John Mylin) ; 2, Brother Tarbez; 3, Brother Eleazer; 4, Brother Shontz; 5, Brother . Shabia; 6, Brother Agabus; 7, Brother Philemon ; 8, Brother Jonathan ; 9, Brother Jemini ; 10, Brother Gidron ; 11, Brother Nathaniel; 12, Brother Kenon ; May 1, 1772, Peter Shoemaker left by will two hun- dred acres of land in trust for Christian people in Ephrata. 13, Brother Rupinns ; 14, Brother Salina ; 15, Brother Javado; 16, Brother Lameck; 17, Brother Obed; 1 18, Brother Macarines; and 1, Mother Maria ; 2, Sis- May 1, 1772, an agreement or indenture was made ter Lugenia; 3, Sister Kathura; 4, Sister Anestatia; | between Peter Shoemaker, of Ephrata, of the one 5, Sister Ruelina ; 6, Sister Europina; 7, Sister Va- silla; 8, Sister Ashanasia; 9, Sister Constantia; 10. Sister Sophia ; 11, Sister Catharina ; 12, Sister Sarah; 13, Sister Jael; 14, Sister Iphigania; 15, Sister Rachel; 16, Sister Hanna; 17, Sister Tenobia ; 18. Sister Melania; 19, Sister Zernia; 20, Sister Glan- dina; 21, Sister Eufasix. part, and Jacob Senseman, Ludwig Hacker, Jacob Eicher, Jacob Neagley, and Peter Fahnestock, of Ephrata, yeomen, and Barbara Mayer, Veronica Funk, Su-anna Stetler, and Anna Lichty, spinsters, of Eph- rata, of the other part; that for settling the planta- tion of two hundred and five acres for one year, it being a part of four hundred and five acres confirmed Ephrata Society, provided the single brethren as- sumed and came under the name of " Brethren at Bethania," and the sisters assumed the name of " Sis- terhood of Saron" (see Book of Deeds P, pp. 210, etc.)
Feb. 3, 1770, a tripartite was made between Samuel , to Peter Shoemaker, Dee, 16, 1751, in trust for the Eckerline, M.D., of Ephrata, of the first part, and Ilenry Sangmaster, John Adam Kolp, Isaac Sense- mer, John Martin, and Christian Eestein, of Ephrata, trustees, of the second part, and 1, Ilans Miley ; 2, Jacob Meyer ; 3, Henry Hocker ; 4, Ludwig Hocker ; 5, Jolin Kypal; 6, Jacob Eicker; 7, Christian Lu- Jan. 1, 1790, Jacob Mayer, Undwiek Hacker, Jacob Eicher, Jacob Funk, and Peter Miller, brethren of the Seventh-Day German Baptists, leased to Chris- tian Bowman three acres of land along the Paxtang road, at the corner of the burying-ground, for sev- enty pounds yearly rent, to be paid to the persons selected by ballot by the Society of Baptists. ther; 8, Martin Funk ; 9, Samuel Funk; 10, Peter Miller ; 11, Jacob Funk; 12, George Miller; 13, Christian Rep; 14, Mareus Graff; 15, Martin Kroll ; 16, John Kelp, of Ephrata, yeomen; and 1, Mary Bieker; 2, Barbara Meyer; 3, Mary Landerf; 4, llannah Lichten ; 5, Veronica Funk ; 6, Elizabeth Merck ; 7, Elizabeth Eckstein; 8, Catharine Hage-
In 1809 an act of Assembly was passed, authorizing man; 9, Catharine Gartner, 10, Christian Funk; | the tru-tee, of the German Baptists, Tunkers, or Re- 11, Barbara Bremin ; 12, Elizabeth Hoefly ; 13, Anna , ligious Society of Ephrata, to sell one hundred and fifty acres of the two hundred acres given them in 1772 by Peter Shoemaker. Robert Coleman pur- chased one hundred and one acres of this traet, ad- joining the old society land, for which he paid €1136.
Thuney ; 14, Susanna Stetler; 15, Mary Hocker ; 16, Mary Graff; 17, Christiana Tessley ; 18, Anna Tess- ley ; 19, Mary Miller; 20, Catharina Henry, Cath- arina Fuess, Salome Guth, Rosina Guth, Anna Mary Hervey, Catharina Kelp, Ann Mary Martin, Chris- tiana Luther, Barbara Landis, of Ephrata, spinsters, of the third part, for all that tract of land called Ephrata, eighty acres, together with mills and cot- tages, to the five parties (trustees) in trust, who were all members of the Christian Society of Ephrata.
There was an allotment of one-quarter of an acre to each person for "garden purposes." The fruit to be divided ; grass and produce of orchards and mead- ows, profits of paper-mill, ete., were to be expended . arate and pure from worldly dress, fashions, and van- in paying taxes, and all the profits arising from sales of produce to go into the common stock or fund to be expended for the aid and relief of such male and female members as become siek, aged, or infirm.
If any of the members desired to marry they could ocenpy a cabin or cottage by themselves for the space of two years and no longer. When they left the so- ciety they were compelled to sign a release of all their interests in the estate to the trustees, and if they re- quired it they were, upon leaving the society, allowed to receive five pounds each from the common fund.
1 Ludwick Hacker, who taught a common school, and a Suudny-school.
In July, 1787, Christian Eckstein, M.D., of Eph- rata, devised to the two societies, Bethania and Saron, in Cocalico, and to the brothers and sisters who have been there ten years, and have maintained the Chris- tian doctrines of Conrad Beisel, deceased, that hal- lowed the Seventh-day Sabbath, and the true apos- tolie water bapti-m, the Lord's Supper, and washing of feet regularly administered unto them, according to the gospel doctrine, and have kept themselves sep- ities, the profits of forty acres of land ; to continue all the while there yet be living two persons of said societies who have maintained their ground for the space of twenty years.
Signed by Sister Elizabeth, and by Benjamin Bow- man and Peter Fahne-tock, executors. (I. E. 429.) In 1796, Christian Bollinger, of Ephrata, at his de- cease gave twenty-five pounds to the Society of Sev- enth-day Baptists at Ephrata, to be expended in hold- ing love-feasts. The balance of his large estate he divided into eight part -. One part to the children of his cousin Daniel ; one part to Abraham Dierdorf ; one part to Ann Becker; one part to his sister, Bar-
838
HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.
bara Zrigg; one part to his sister, Maria Hamaker ; one part to his sister, Sophia Kilmer ; one part to his brother Rudolph; and one part to his brother Abra- ham.
Thus we have briefly outlined the pioneer settle- ment of Old Ephrata, which covers the land, or nearly so, upon which the town of Ephrata is situated. This . office, and the large number of smaller business places outline gives also the religious sentiment prevail- ing at that time, and we only wish it were in our power to give a more full and satisfactory detail of the circumstances attending the early settlement of the town, the building of the old cloisters or con- vents, the schools, and manner of teaching, and who taught. But enough is given to awaken an interest in the lover of historic research, and we only hope that some student of the archives of musty records, the keys of which seem to be lost, may yet bring to light, and place before the reading publie, the long- lost treasure.
Previous to the Revolutionary war there was a tavern on the site now occupied by the Eagle Hotel, on what is now Main Street (then the Philadelphia and Paxtang road), and was kept after the war by William Wright, who had been an officer in Wash- ington's army. This Wright's daughters married into the Gross and Leber families, who were the ancestors of the families of that name now in this part of Lan- caster County.
The present Eagle Hotel was built in 1808, and the Mount Vernon House, between the Eagle and the railroad, was built in 1854, at which time there were but eleven houses besides it along Main Street between Mountain Spring and the stone bridge, and this was all there was of the town between the two points named.
The Mountain Spring House, on the summit east of the town, was built in 1848 for a summer resort, and enlarged in 1850 or 1852 by Joseph Konigmacher. Previous to this the place had been occupied as a water-eure or hygienie home for invalids. An obser- vatory was built at this point, and blown down in 1880. Mr. Konigmacher, the projector of this sum- mer resort, was a lineal descendant of the early set- tlers in Ephrata, and became a prominent citizen of the town. He was at one time president of the Reading and Columbia Railroad, president of the Ephrata Monument Association, a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1838, a State senator in 1848, and later a member of the Assembly, and a member of the Board of Revenue Commissioners of this State.
1883, and rebuilt the same year), two briek-yards, employing fifteen men, four tailors, employing eight men, twenty-four cigar manufactories, employing two hundred and thirty-seven persons, one bank, two churches, one school-house, one Union chapel, post- office, telegraph and railroad offices, one printing- usually found in a town of this size, or with a popu- lation of one thousand. The value of real estate in the village in 1883 was three hundred and seventy- eight thousand one hundred dollars; number of pop- ulation, one hundred and ninety-seven.
The German Religious Society of Seventh-Day Baptists at Ephrata .- This society in Ephrata was founded in 1732 or 1733 by John Conrad Beis-el, who was born in Eberbach, Germany, in 1690, learned the trade of a baker, and came to America in 1720; embraced the religious views of Alexander Mock, lived as a recluse for several years and at different points, and finally located on the banks of the Co- calico in 1732, still living as a hermit, advocating the doctrine of celibacy and the seventh day of the week as the proper day of rest and religious worship. lle was well versed in New Testament theology, of commanding appearance, a fluent talker, and in most respects well calculated to gather around him a large class of both sexes, and was soon joined in his new home by Martin Brener, Samuel Eckerline, and an- other whose religious name was "Brother Jethro." They were soon followed by Anna and Maria Eicher, from the Conestoga Church, two of his former con- verts, who could not endure the pangs of separation from their spiritual teacher.
This nucleus of the church was joined in 1733 by Israel and Gabriel Eckerline, and in the following year by a large number from Oley.and Coventry, in Chester County, as well as a large number of Germans who came from Schobarie County, N. Y., and placed themselves under the spiritual guidance of Beissel, and soon the entire congregation at Falkner Swamp were at the feet of Beissel, who became their teacher in spiritual things for what had now and so suddenly become quite a large settlement named Lager, mean- ing an encampment, and subsequently received and still bears the name Ephrata.
Peter Miller came to America in 1730, and soon became pastor of a small Reformed congregation at Tulpchocken. He was a classical scholar and a good theologian, and after an interview with Beissel be- came one of his apostles, casting his lot with the Brotherhood of Ephrata.
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