USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 97
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Mr. Peters was not only a moral man but a Chris- tian. Ile was for many years a member of the Ger- man Reformed Church of Millersville, and illustrated in his character and actions those high moral attri- butes that constitute Christian manhood. It was largely through his energy and liberality that the large and handsome Reformed Church in Millersville was erected, and his venerable form could be seen in his children and enjoying the esteem and affection of | his accustomed place cach succeeding Sabbath until his friends and neighbors, he passed his declining years in comfort and with a cheerful spirit, looking - forward with a Christian's hope to the reward here- after. He died Feb. 13, 1882, respected and mourned by the community in which he had lived.
Mr. Peters was a man of large natural intellectual
power. Ilis judgment was sound and reliable. He weighed a question with deliberation, and decided it in the light of a clear understanding. llis neighbors had so much confidence in his judgment that they often consulted him on matters of business, and sel- dom made a mistake when they followed his advice. So sincere and honest was he in his convictions that his conclusion on a subject was worth more than most men's arguments. As presiding officer of the board of trustees of the Normal School, the writer has known him to listen for a while to a discussion, and then, by a mere expression of his own opinion, silence argument and settle the question. Hlad he received a scholastic education in early life, he would have risen to high position in the political history of the State, not through his personal ambition, but on account of his natural fitness for leadership. By nature he was qualified to be Governor of the commonwealth, or even President of the United States. Even though a plain farmer, he was the intimate and confidential friend of James Buchanan and John W. Forney in the palmy days of the Democracy.
But the crowning element of Mr. Peters' character was that of moral greatness. No one could associate with him without feeling that the man was greater than his words or actions. In an emphatic manner he exemplified the poet's line that " an honest man's the noblest work of God." There was a sincerity about his thoughts and expressions, a straightfor- wardness in his business transactions that led his friends to place implicit confidence in his integrity. Of him it, could be truthfully said that his word was as good as his bond. When he had pledged his word you could rely on it with as much confidence as if the articles of agreement were signed or the deed re- corded. So well understood was his. integrity that no man ever dared approach him with a mean pro- posal, and had such a thing been done it would have been met with an outburst of indignation. Scorning a mean action himself, he looked down with contempt upon meanness and lack of principle in others.
old age rendered him too feeble to leave his own house. In his death his native town lost one of her best citi- zens, and the county one of her greatest and noblest men ; but his example of a high and honorable char- acter still lives, and his memory will long be cherished in the hearts of all who knew him.
967
MARTIC TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER LXVI.
MARTIC TOWNSHEP.1
Geographical and Topographical .- Martie town- | ship is situated in the southwestern part of Lancaster County. It was organized as a township in 1729, the , this section, their location been determined, and the organization being ratified in 1730. It is bounded as genera and species fixed by the local botanists. Be- longing to these thirty-five different orders about eight hundred different genera have been discovered, . including above five thousand different species. Near the village of Martieville, upon the farm of David S. MeElhaney, stand two magnificent trees of the oak family (Quercus villosa, or willow-oak), said to be the only two specimens of the kind within the limits of the county of Lancaster. follows: north by the Pequea Creek, which separates it from Pequea township; northeast by Providence; east by Providence and Drumore; southeast and south by Drumore; west by the Susquehanna River. It derives its name from a small tribe of Indians who inhabited the township in the neighborhood of the mouth of Pequea Creek. It is one of the six town- ships into which Lancaster County was originally divided, and is spelled upon the old records " Mar- tock."
Geology of the Township .- Along the northern and northwestern borders of the township are found extensive deposits of carbonate of lime. These de- posits are the source from which are derived the principal fertilizers used by the farmers, and in con- sequence of these deposits the farms in their vicinity are very prodnetive. Small deposits of magnetic ore are also found in various sections, but not enough to warrant the deposits being worked as a source of rev- enue. On the farm of Mr. George S. Lamborn have been discovered deposits of black oxide of manganese, but not in sufficient quantities to lead to any impor- tant results.
Flora."-The flora of the township is especially rich and abundant. Trees of magnificent growth and of almost all varieties crown her hills and slopes, whilst the lower forms of plant life exist in rich pro- fusion. Near the village of Rawlinsville there is a tract known as Eshleman's meadow, in which up- wards of two hundred and fifty different plant forms have been discovered. The following is a tabulated statement of the different natural orders found in this section : 1. Ranunenlaceas, crow-foot family ; 2. Dipsacea, teasel family ; 3. Caryophylaces, pink family ; 4. Discoriacex, wild yam; 5. Anacardiacex, sumac family ; 6. Anonacex, pawpaw family ; 7. Vi- olacex, violet family ; 8. Ericacea, heath family ; 9. Leguminosas, bean family ; 10. Aristocholacea, birth-root family ; 11. Composite; 12. Sauriacea, lizard's tail; 13. Phytolaccacex, poke family ; 14.| Rosacere, rose family ; 15. Rubiaeen, madder family ; 16. Asclepidace, milkweed family ; 17. Euphorbia- cea, spurge family ; 18. Alismacea, loose strife fam- ily; 19. Onagraceze, evening primrose family ; 20. Grossulaceæ, orpine family ; 21. Sinacex, wild flax family ; 22. 'Scrophulariacex, fig-wort family ; 23. Verbenaceae, vervain family ; 21. Labiata, mint family ; 25. Boraginacea, borage family ; 26. Solan- acex, nightshade family ; 27. . Polygonaceae, knot-
1 By S. C. Stevenson.
" By U. S Clark.
weed family ; 28. Urticacewe, nettle family ; 29. Smi- laceze, smilax family ; 30. Lilacere, lily family ; 31. Cyperacew, serge family ; 32. Filices, fern family ; 33. Lycypodiaceae, club moss family ; 34. Lobeliacece, lobelia family ; 35. Plantaginacea, plantain family. All of these' natural orders have been discovered in
Natural Features .- In the north the land is gen- erally level, with a slight inclination to roll. In con- sequence of the proximity of this portion of the town- ship to the great limestone belt skirting the northern part, the soil is very productive, and the labor of the farmer is repaid with abundant crops. In the centre [of the township the land is decidedly hilly, and though, in consequence of the gravelly nature of the soil, the land is not quite so productive as in other parts of the township, labor and skillful cultiva- tion yields an ample return. In the easteru part the 'land is level, while in the southern part it exhibits a slight disposition to a rolling nature, sloping grad- ually towards the Susquehanna River. The follow- ing streams furnish the water-power of the township : Muddy Run, rising near Rawlinsville, on the farm of Samuel Martin, deceased, now owned by Jacob Strine, ex-sheriff of Lancaster County, flowing southwest, forming the southwestern boundary between Martio and Drumore, from near the residence of Hannah Dughan to the Susquehanna, entering that river be- tween two points known as Cully's Falls and Neal's Fishery. On this stream are located the following mills: Grist-and saw-mill, property of Thomas Wentz ; grist- and saw-mill, property of Peter Snavely. The Tuequan, rising in the village of Rawlinsville, and entering the Susquehanna River below a point known as Erb's saw-mill, is the most noted stream in this section of the county. From its source to its mouth, a distance of six miles, its course is through a ravine, abounding in picturesque and beautiful scenery. Rocks of every shape, crowned with trees or'nodding with magnificent ferns, greet the eye. Ilere the stream is a gentle rivulet, there a miniature whirlpool, and again it rushes through a rocky chasm in one wild plunge, like a frightened steed panting to break the bonds that bind it. From Erb's sawmill to the Susquehanna River, a distance of about two miles, the stream is so tortuous that the public road crosses it five times.
About one mile from the river the stream passes through a deep gorge, known as the Devil's Hole. Here, between precipitous rocks towering up for hun-
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968
HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.
dreds of feet, the tourist may sit for hours and muse upon the beauty and grandeur of the scene. The roeks, crowned with magnificent growths of the moun- tain laurel ( Rhododendron maximum), shut out the faintest glimmer of the sunlight, and one can almost imagine that he is surrounded by fairy enchantments. The ravine through which this stream passes is noted for the richness and profusion of its botanical speci- mens, and is a great place of resort for lovers of that delightful science.
Early Settlers .- The early settlers of the northern part of the township were originally from Hesse- Darmstadt, in Germany. According to the testimony of some of the oldest inhabitants, the northern part was settled by Matthias Kreider in or about the year 1691, but in all probability his arrival was nearly a score of years later. He settled upon the southern bank of the Pequea Creek, a little to the north of the present village of Martieville. His tract contained two hundred aeres, the stipulated price being one shilling per acre, or one cord of wood for every aere of land. It is said that he paid for his land with the wood that grew upon it.
Other settlers from the "Old Country" soon followed this first pioneer, and in a short time the region was settled. The Dutch element largely preponderates in the northern part of the township, and the same plodding industry, desire to make money, simplicity of habits, general sameness of dress, peculiar religious traits that prevail among the Germans in the " Old Country" characterize their brethren in this section of the township. They cling to the customs of their ancestors with a tenacity which neither time, distance, nor surrounding circumstances can wholly obliterate. These pioneer settlers were followed in a short time by the families of the Goods, Hubers, Warfels, Hares, aud Millers. At a later period in the history of this township came the Sweigarts, Eshlemans, and the Shanks.
The Good family came to the township at an early ; last of the name in this township, and who died in period of its history, the date of some of their deeds running back anterior to the time when the common- wealth purchased the right of the heirs of Penn. At the time of its organization in 1854, Mr. Me- Creary placed one thousand dollars on interest, and directed that the interest of the sum and fifty dollars of the principal should be used each year as long as it lasted to pay the salary of the minister. This church has, also a small circulating library, the gift of William McCreary, who gave his own private library and one thousand dollars to purchase new books. The committee on purchase consisted of Messrs. Will. Ed. McCreary, Thomas Stewart, and S. C. Stevenson. They settled south and west of the present village of Martieville, and their descendants still occupy the land purchased by their forefathers. . The family naine is closely identified with the history of the township. They have been foremost in improve- ments, in furthering all that might conduce to the prosperity of their section, and in promoting the good of the community. It may be mentioned as a fact in the history of this township that of a number of po- sitions of trust or honor that have been conferred The southern part of the township was settled by the Scotch-Irish Covenanters about the year 1740 or 1742. Among the earliest settlers were the follow- upon the township by the voters of the county the members of the Good family have held the largest share, and at present John J. Good, son of Daniel | ing : David Jones, John Marshall, William Andrews, Good, who once held the important position of county commissioner (in 1851), is county treasurer of Lancaster County. .
The IInber family also secured a foothold in this township at a very early period of its existence. They also settled in the neighborhood of Martieville, and the family to-day occupy a large portion of the north- ern part of the territory of the township. Among its prominent . members now living are Henry Huber, postmaster at Marticville, who has held that position for a period of thirty-six years; Joseph Huber, one of the progressive farmers of the northern end; Ben- jamin Huber, also extensively engaged in the farm- ing business; David lluber, of Marticville; and David H. Huber, engaged in farming in the southern section. Later on in the history of the township came the Eshlemans, who have contributed by their ability in developing the agricultural facilities of the northern section in no small degree.
The section of the township along the Susquehanna River south of the mouth of the Pequea Creek was settled by the Clarks, M Crearys, and Reads early in the eighteenth century, they, with the family of the Neels, having taken up all the land from the river to and including much of what is now known as Monnt Nebo. All the above names have disappeared from the list of taxables except the Clarks and Neels, who still live upon the land occupied by their fathers, and are numbered among the more progressive men of the section.
The Clark family has always been closely identi- fied with every religious and educational enterprise, James Clark having been secretary of the school board for a period of nine years, and for a long time been an official member in the Mount Nebo Method- ist Episcopal Church.
The McCreary family has always been noted for its zeal in the cause of education, charity for the needy, liberai-mindedness, sound judgment upon all matters pertaining to the common welfare, and its members were among the best informed npon almost all topies that could be mentioned. William MeCreary, the 1868, had during his lifetime given liberally to the church of his choice (the Mount Nebo Presbyterian).
James Stewart, the Duncans, Grays, Dixons, Boyds, Steeles, MeCaughtins, Robinsons, Whorrys, Whites, legans, and Sorkes. None of their descendants, as
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969
MARTIC TOWNSHIP.
far as known, now live in the township except the Pegans (mentioned elsewhere) and Mary Jane, wife of Thomas E. Ambler, who is a lineal descendant of the Boyds, being a granddaughter of John Boyd, who in 1752 settled upon the land now owned by Milton Wike, of Columbia.
The oldest house in this part, and, as far as known, the oldest in the township, was built by James Duncan in 1755, and is still occupied as a dwelling-house by the present owner, Ellen Kehoe. In this house John Stevenson, father of the writer of the present sketeh, was born in 1807. His father, Samuel Stevenson, bad lived here for some years, and taught school in this township, also in Manheim township, this county. Some of his old subscription lists are still preserved in the Stevenson family, showing hint to have been a good penman, a very necessary qualification for a school-teacher in that day. He was also a surveyor and scrivener, and wrote many of the legal documents required at that time.
Among the oldest families in this section are the Simpsons. They purchased a property in Martic, about two miles south of Rawlinsville, in 1821, and have resided upon it from that date up to the present time (1883). The father of the family, John Simp- son, was married to a daughter of Roger Douts. From this union resulted eight children,-James, Mary, Sarah, Robert (deceased ), William (deceased ), Jane, and Bartholomew, and one who died in child- hood. The family, especially the male members, are men of note in the community in which they live. James, the oldest, has held several offices of trust and profit in the township. He was auditor of the township for many years, and held the office of as- sessor from 1840 up to 1858. Bartholomew was a member of the school board for a period of not less than twelve years, and during all that time labored solely for the good of the schools of the township.
All the members of this family are noted for their hospitality, public-spiritedness, devotion to the cause of the right, sober, industrious, and pious men. They labored earnestly for the good of the community.
We might mention also the names of the Robin- sons, descendants of John Robinson, who came from Ireland near the close of the century. Of his de- scendants now living in the township, Isaae H. Rob- inson is a merchant doing an active business at Bethesda, and Thomas Robinson, lately retired from farming on account of increasing age and declin- ing health, who now lives with his son-in-law, James F. Harner, an enterprising man. Thomas Cully, a descendant of George Cully, also lives in this part, and is one of the solid men of the town- ship, noted for his hospitality and kindness to the poor.
James Pegan, grandfather of the present family of Pegans in Martic township, came to Lancaster County prior to 1757, and settled upon a tract of Among the later settlers here may be mentioned Joseph Wentz, who came from Doe Run, Chester Co., in 1792, and for a number of years was justice of the peace. He raised a large family of children, some of whom have been closely identified with the later his- land in Martic township, near the village of Bethesda. This tract was known as " Pegan's Fancy." A patent for this land was issued to Andrew Pegan, bearing date 1810. James Pegan, above mentioned, had three sons, namely, James, Andrew, and Henry, tory of the township. Among those still living in the ' and three daughters, Margaret, Ann, and Jane. township are Thomas Wentz, owner of Wentz's mill. He has been a member of the Bethesda Methodist Epis- copal Church since its erection in 1843, and from that time to the present has been in official capacity in the church. Another son, William Wentz, recently de- ceased, held a number of positions in the township, having been school director for several terms; he also held the office of assessor, besides other positions of trust, and was at the time of his death tax collector. ITis two sons, Isaac J. and William 11., still live in the township and are farmers. John Wentz (mer- chant), of the firm of Brown & Wentz, is a son of John Wentz, and grandson of Joseph Wentz. Ile is one of the most active and untiring business men of whom the community can boast. Andrew Pegan, who received the patent already mentioned, was the father of seven children, three sons and four daughters. His sons were James, Al- exander, and Andrew. Two of these reside at present (1883) in Martie township, James near the village of Bethesda, and Alexander near the village of Mount Nebo. Margaret (deceased), the oldest of the daughters, was married to George Nimlow. Two of her descendants, namely, Hannah Margaret, wife of Isaac Walton, merchant, and Anna Mary, wife of James Akens, shoemaker, reside at present (1883) in the village of Mount Nebo. A son, James Andrew, is a tobacco merchant in the city of Lancaster, and Sarah Jane is married to IIngh Kilgore, of York County. James Pegan has been postmaster at Be- thesda from 1863 to the present time (1883). Alex- ander Pegan has held the same office at Mount Nebo (with occasional interruptions) for a number of years.
James Pegan, the grandfather of the present family, served as a soldier in the Continental army during the struggle of the colonies for national independence.
William Ambler, the father of the present Ambler family of Martie, came to Lancaster County from Montgomery County on March 25, 1829. He was married to a daughter of Israel Penrose. The Pen- roses emigrated from Bucks to Lancaster County in 1827. The living members of the family of William Ambler are as follows : Penrose, married to Elizabeth Smedley, residence Fulton township, Lancaster Co., occupation farming ; Thomas, married to Mary Jane Boyd, residence Martic township, occupation farming ; Edward, married to Mary Johnson, residence Drumore township, occupation cabinet-maker and undertaker;
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970
HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.
Adaline, married to James Smedley ; Anna, married to Aquilla Lamborn, residence Drumore. Thomas Ambler, the member of the family who resides in Martie township, is one of the most progressive farmers that the township can boast of. Ile is a man of more than ordinary intelligence, liberal in his views upon all subjects pertaining to educational and religious matters, charitable to the poor, of kindly and benevo- lent impulses, and active and energetic in all that pertains to the welfare of his native section.
About .the year 1830 the Shoemaker family emi- grated from Montgomery County, and settled in Lan- caster County, choosing Martie township as their place of residence. They settled in close proximity to the Amblers, the two properties adjoining.
Joseph Harner, the father of the present Harner family in this township, was born in Montgomery County, and emigrated to Lancaster County in 1838. He also chose Martic as his place of residence, settling near the Ambler property, He married Mary Sling- luff, daughter of John Slingluff, of Montgomery County. From this union descended the present , member of the board of auditors of Martie township.
family of Warners in this township, namely, John S. (who married a danghter of J. B. Long), George (de- ceased ), Samuel (married to MeLaughlin), Joseph, Rebecca (deceased), Jesse, Mary Ann (married to Thomas Cully), May (deceased), and Elizabeth (mar- red to Harrison Long.
The Harner family number among its members some of the most progressive farmers in this section of the county. They are all noted for their devotion to the canse of morals, religion, and education. John S. held the office of school director in the township for some years, and his influence contributed in no small degree to the position which the schools ocenpy to- day in the history of the township. Jesse Harner was also a school director for a number of years, and aided by his ability and moral worth in placing the common schools of this section upon a more endur- ing basis.
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ship. He is a man of large means, noted for his generous disposition, kindness of heart, and abundant hospitality. Joseph is an intelligent farmer, and a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. Wil- liam is also a farmer, residing near Mount Nebo, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a man of liberal views and kindly disposition. Thomas, deceased, left a family of five boys, as follows : B. F. Armstrong, member of the school board of Martic ; Thomas Jefferson, until recently assessor of Provi- dence township; Christian, Daniel, and George. Gordon Armstrong is at present (1883) supervisor of the publie roads of Martic. Ingh, another member, was for many years a school-teacher in the township, a man of no mean abilities in scholastic attainments, and at present (1883) holds the position of justice of the peace in Martie. He is at present a surveyor and scrivener by profession, and has been for a number of years connected in church fellowship with the Bethesda Methodist Episcopal Church. Hugh Arm- strong, son of John Armstrong, is at present (1883) a
Among the descendants of the Armstrongs is one who deserves notice; we refer to James Galen, residing at present with his mother upon the property of Milton Wike, of Columbia borough. He has the largest numismatic cabinet in the county, some of his coins antedating the birth of Christ.
Among the prominent property-owners in the town- ship at present is George M. Steinman, member of the firm of Steinman & Co., of Lancaster, who bought of Samuel Allison one hundred and fifteen acres of land known as " Martie Heights," and commenced making improvements thereon. This farm has been increased by subsequent purchases, until he now owns eight hundred and twenty-three acres. About four hundred acres of this tract is under cultivation, the balance is covered with timber. The greater part of this land was poor and worked down by bad farming, but under wise direction and the skillful care of John Monteith, who for eighteen years was Mr. Steinman's farmer, this farm has reached a degree of perfection unequaled by any in the township, and at present is the most valuable landed estate in Southern Lancas- ter County. The farm is at present under the effi- cient management of B. F. Armstrong. Upon this property are three sets of farm buildings and three tenant houses. The water supply of the main farm is from a water-wheel and pump of the capacity of twenty-five hundred gallons per day. The water is stored in a stone reservoir containing sixty-three thousand gallons, and two cisterns of about ten thou- sand gallons' capacity. The two other farms are watered by springs.
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