History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 127

Author: Roberts, Charles Rhoads; Stoudt, John Baer, 1878- joint comp; Krick, Thomas H., 1868- joint comp; Dietrich, William Joseph, 1875- joint comp; Lehigh County Historical Society
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Allentown, Pa. : Lehigh Valley Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1158

USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I > Part 127

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).

In the year 1754, the Provincial authorities gave an order to the authorities of Northampton county to lay out a road from Easton to Read- ing, in the new county of Berks. On Oct. 15, 1755, Justice Horsfield, of Bethlehem, went to Easton, to help lay out "the King's Road to Reading." The road was only partially laid out, however, in this year, and was not com- pleted until several years later. On a map, dated 1761 and published in the history of Bethlehem, the road is shown as passing through Hanover township.

*Shebosh was a white man from Oley. He married an Indian wife and was called by the Indians "Shebosh," meaning running water. He was generally known by his Indian name, although he was baptized by the Moravians as John Joseph Bull.

Daniel Rohn

John Lehr

John Edelman

Jacob Kruber

709

HANOVER TOWNSHIP.

About 1761 a road was laid out that passed from the Philadelphia road, through Salisbury township, crossed the Lehigh river by a ford on the Geissinger farm near the old house, and passed through what later became Rittersville and Shoenersville, in Hanover township.

At the first term of court, held December, 1812, after the erection of Lehigh county, a petition of the inhabitants of the borough of Northampton was presented, setting forth "that a public road was much needed to commence at a spot fixed by the president, managers, and com- pany for erecting a bridge over the Lehigh River, to proceed in a straight line from thence by the north side of Jacob Clader's house to the road leading from the ferry on the Lehigh to Bethle- hem." Viewers were thereupon appointed by the court who made a report which was confirmed. This action was the first taken in reference to roads, both in Lehigh county and Hanover town- ship, by the Lehigh county court and is the route of the road now used from East Allentown to Bethlehem.

The bridge at East Allentown from which the above road commenced was built the same year and stood until 1828 when it was destroyed by fire. It was replaced by another which was carried away by the flood of 1841. It was re- built and again, in 1862, destroyed by flood. A temporary structure did service until 1867 when another bridge was built at a cost of about $125,- 000 which was likewise doomed to destruction by the flood of 1902.

Towards the close of 1791 agitation was started for the erection of a bridge across the Lehigh river at Bethlehem. The ferry had served its day of usefulness and new conditions demanded better facilities for travel It was not until the third of April, in the following year, that an Act of Assembly authorizing its con- struction was passed. In the spring of 1794, active operations were started on its construction. On May 12, the woodwork was commenced, hemlock timber, cut in the forests along Panther Creek and floated down the Lehigh river, being used. The bridge was completed September 27th at a cost of $7,800. This bridge, like its successor, built in 1816, was an uncovered one. One of its approaches was on soil now in Han- over township.

On September 6, 1822, the Grand Jury of Le- high county made a favorable report for a bridge across the Monocacy creek "at Weinlands (now the slaughter house) from the mill to the Allen- town road." This was a stone bridge and was largely for the accommodation of the settlers in the township who desired to do business with the

grist-mill and tannery on the east side of the stream.

The building of the Broad Street bridge at Bethlehem across the same stream was commenc- ed August, 1870, and completed May 17, 1871. The company was incorporated May 1, 1869. This was a toll bridge until 1887 when it was made a free bridge.

INDUSTRIES.

As has already been stated, the township was originally a part of the Manor of Fermor and in reproach, for the supposedly poor soil and diffi- culty of securing good crops, was frequently call- ed the "Barrens" or "Drylands." But the fallacy has been exposed and the land is recognized to be as good as any in the state and splendid crops are secured from its acres. The chief oc- cupations of the people are farming, trucking, dairying, and stock raising; and there are also iron works, flour mills, factories, silk mills, brick works, lime kilns, and stone quarries which en- gage the attention of its inhabitants. Among the various industries only some of the more prominent ones can be more fully noted.

The Roller Smith Company, manufacturers of electrical apparatus, are located on the pike between Rittersville and Bethlehem. This is a New York corporation which was established in New Hampshire in 1909. The main factory building is of brick, eighty by one hundred feet, and two stories high. The brass foundry is a one story building, eighty by twenty feet. Ware- houses have also been provided. The company employes about one hundred and fifty people. H. D. Bean is the efficient factory manager.

The firm manufactures electrical measuring instruments, which include volt meters, am- meters, and watt meters, resistance measuring apparatus, circuit breakers, and special switch board protective apparatus of all kinds. They also manufacture the Columbia intergrating Watt meters for both switch board and commercial use.

This concern is a consolidation of the Switch Board Equipment Company of Bethlehem and the Whitney Electrical Instrument Company of Pen- acook, N. H. The company has recently also taken over the business of the Columbia Meter Company of Indianapolis, Ind.

The Roller Smith Company make a specialty of intricate engineering problems connected with the control or measurement of electricity. The officers of the company are president, F. W. Roll- er, of East Orange, N. J .; vice president, D. R. Smith, of Stanley, N. Y., and treasurer, P. V. R. Van Wyck, of Summit, N. J.

The firm of Klotz & Bregenzer, manufacturers

710

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

of silk ribbons, at Rittersville, was organized in January, 1906, with two looms in an old barn located on the Frank Texter farm where they continue until they had nine looms. Owing to the increased demand for their product they erected the present brick factory in the fall of 1907, in Rittersville, and occupied it early in the following year. Ribbons are manufactured ex- clusively. The concern is made up of Dr. R. B. Klotz and Edwin A. Bregenzer. They have nineteen looms and employ thirty-five people. They are the first industry in Rittersville.

The Central Carriage Works, near West Beth- lehem, was established by Cyrus F. Lapp, in 1893. He has carried on the carriage business there to this time, giving employment to as many as eight men.

The Royal Knitting Mill, at Rittersville, lo- cated at the corner of the Allentown and Bethle- hem pike and Melrose avenue, was established in 191 I by A. S. Knecht and H. W. Reed. They manufacture children's union suits. They employ thirty people and have in use that many machines. They occupy a two story frame building thirty by one hundred feet.

The firm of Hildebrand and Osenbach, manu- facturers of half hose, at Rittersville, was estab- lished September 1, 1910. The firm have twenty five machines and that many people employed. They are the second industry to establish at Rittersville.

The Manhattan Hotel at Rittersville is now owned by J. Widman & Company and conducted by C. J. Widman. The hotel is a long estab- lished stand and was built originally by Michael Ritter. The present proprietor took charge in September, 1907, and succeeded Widman & Brey who took charge in April, 1906. The hotel is conducted along modern plans and has twenty rooms. It is a three story building with large porches all around the house on the first and second floor. The present building was erected in 1896, the one previous to it having been de- stroyed by fire in February, 1896, and was built of logs. A store and hotel was conducted in the same building. James Smith was proprietor one year and Smith and Huber conducted it six years previous and Cornelius Acker managed it for some years for the Lehigh Valley Traction Com- pany.

The Hotel Hanover at Rittersville was estab- lished by Henry J. Moyer in 1893 who carried on the business there until he died June 3, 1899, when Charles Silfies became the proprietor and continued until January 6, 1900, at which time C. L. Werst became his successor. The hotel is located on the south side of the turnpike east from Central Park.

VILLAGES.

NAIN .- This was the earliest village built in the township. It was situated about two miles northwest of Bethlehem and one mile east of Rittersville. This village was built for the con- verted Indians living at Bethlehem and was pro- jected as an experiment at the suggestion of Count Zinzendorf, of the Moravian Church, and by him named Nain. It was located on land or- iginally belonging to the Benezet estate, which was later known for many years as the George Geissinger farm on the Lehigh, and afterward occupied by Owen Mack. The land was pur- chased by the Moravians in May, 1757, for the purpose of locating the village. After the site for the village was selected and staked off and the timber cut and removed to Bethlehem for the use of that community it was found that the new highway from Easton to Reading would pass nearby. This was considered very undesirable and, on January 9, 1758, another site on the same farm was selected. By June, the first house was erected and on October 18, 1758, a chapel was dedicated and the village taken possession of by the Indian congregation.

The village was not destined to long life, how- ever, on account of the threatening attitude of the Indians prowling between Bethlehem and the Blue Mountains and the anxiety caused to the settlers in the township. Accusations were also made against certain of the Indians at Nain, and endeavors made to show, that they were impli- cated in the murder at Stentons. This resulted in a trial being held at Philadelphia and later at Easton. Although acquitted, the Government ordered the removal of the village, the order being received at Bethlehem November 5, 1763. After the removal of the Indians, the houses and chapel were sold at auction and taken down and re- moved. Several were set up again at Bethlehem.

SHOENERSVILLE .- This village is located about midway between Bethlehem and Catasaqua and is on the boundary line between Hanover township, Lehigh county and Hanover township, North- ampton county. It derived its name from Adam Shoener who settled there in 1784.

Adam Shoener was born in 1763, came to Northampton county in 1794, and settled in the place that now bears his name. A road at that time passed his house. He opened a tavern called the "Blue Ball" which he kept until about 1837, when he built a brick house near Christ Church, where he lived until his death which occurred October 28, 1849, at the age of eighty-six years. His wife, Catharine, died December 26, 1839, in her sixty-fifth year. They had ten children. Thomas, a son, kept the "Blue Ball" three years

711

HANOVER TOWNSHIP.

after his father retired, then moved beyond the Blue Mountains, where he died in 1853, aged forty-three years. Another son, Abraham, moved into Northampton county and died in 1877, aged seventy-five years.

The "Blue Ball' tavern was opened by Adam Shoener soon after 1794 and was conducted by him till 1837. Thomas Shoener, his son, suc- ceeded him and kept it for three years. It was then kept by Charles Reinsmith, Nathan Larrach and others. In 1850, Jonas Snyder built the pres- ent hotel on the other side of the street and in Northampton county, and the "Blue Ball" was discontinued. Cornelius Cressman kept the pres- ent hotel which has seventeen large rooms from 1898 until 1905, when E. A. Gable, the present owner, moved into it.

The first store in the village was opened near Christ Church about the year 1825 by Samuel Saylor who came from Easton. He erected a double house near the cemetery lot in which he resided and opened a store which he conducted for thirty years His son, David O. Saylor, suc- ceeded him and conducted the business until his removal to Allentown in 1860. The store was discontinued between 1860-1870. Soon after the building of the present hotel, in 1850, a store building was erected on the corner opposite the hotel and alongside the old "Blue Ball" tavern. It was opened by Joseph Pierson and John A. Dech. The latter retiring, Richard Snyder be- came interested in it in 1864. Later he became sole owner and sold it in 1871 to Elias R. Ben- ner, who formed a partnership with Martin Frankenfield under the firm name of Franken- field & Benner. Later Mr. Benner became sole owner and continued the business until 1899, when he sold it to his son, H. A. Benner, who in 1906, after the death of his father, also ac- quired the property. He razed the building and upon its site erected the present combined modern store and residence.

The first postmaster in Shoenersville was Sam- uel Saylor, the office having been opened in his store in 1825. His successor was Richard Sny- der who served until December 8, 1875, when E. R. Benner was appointed. His son, H. A. Benner, became the successor and served until the office was discontinued in 1908 due to its patrons being served by rural free delivery from Allen- town.

In 1908 the first telephone line was built to the village from Catasauqua.

RITTERSVILLE .- This place is located about midway between Allentown and Bethlehem along the line of the Lehigh Valley Traction Company Railway. It was named after Michael Ritter who came from Northampton County in 1808

and purchased land at this place on which he set- tled. A tavern had been kept some years when he arrived. He continued same until about 1832 when his son, Charles Ritter, took charge and kept it till 1865. J. Frank Reichart was the landlord from 1869 to 1883. He was succeeded by E. W. Gangewere.

Michael Ritter also opened a store about the year 1825 which he conducted for some years. Others who followed were David Knauss, Henry Moyer, Milton Ritter, and Edwin Osenbach.

The death of Michael Ritter occurred March 17, 1854, when he was seventy-one years of age. He, with a number of his descendants, is buried . in the village cemetery. He had four sons,- Charles, Thomas, William, and Franklin, and daughters, Mrs. Walter Huber and Mrs. Henry Moyer. Charles Ritter kept the hotel for many years and was postmaster from 1832 till his death on April 11, 1883. He was seventy-seven years old when he died. Thomas Ritter was seventy- five years old when he died in 1883 and William died in 1888, aged sixty-two years. Franklin Ritter was a school teacher and located in White- hall township.

A blacksmith shop was built about the year 1822 by Mr. Alshouse. He was succeeded by Jacob Keiper, Joseph Paul and John Roller after which it was discontinued.

In 1868, J. Frank Reichart laid out a race course near Rittersville and in 1872 the Ritters- ville Park Association was organized. The park was enlarged to sixteen acres and fitted up at a cost of twelve thousand dollars. The grounds were opened up for trotting and pacing in May and August of each year. The land has since passed into the hands of the Lehigh Valley Trac- tion Company.

The largest institution located in Rittersville is the Homeopathic State Hospital for the Insane. The cornerstone was laid with appropriate cere- monies on June 27, 1904. The plot of ground on which the buildings are located includes one hundred and eighty-eight acres and extends in a narrow strip from the Allentown and Bethlehem turnpike to the Lehigh Canal. The hospital with all the buildings included are valued at $1,500,- 000.

EAST ALLENTOWN .- East Allentown was founded in 1828 on the west side of the Lehigh River at the end of the chain bridge. The land at this point was owned by Jacob Clader who lived in a stone house on the left side of the road leading to Bethlehem. The toll house was on the first pier of the bridge. Jacob Saeger and George Keck purchased from Jacob Clader forty-five acres of land in 1828 and, obtaining a license, converted the stone house into a hotel. A man

712

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

by the name of Haldman was landlord for a few months and was succeeded by Josiah Rhoads. A small frame building was erected for a store, which having been stocked with goods, was con- ducted by Jacob Saeger's son, William. After this a large stone tavern was erected on the right side of the road which they conducted for many years. Later it passed to Nathan Baker who sold it to the railroad company who later demolished it. The original stone tavern having been va- cated, it was used as a dwelling until it too was bought by the railroad and razed. The stone house now used for a depot by the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad was erected soon after 1830 and the store was also moved into it. In 1832, Saeger & Keck built a stone and brick grist mill on the bank of the canal. The mill was run from 1833 to 1837 by Solomon Keck, son of George, and Charles and William Saeger, sons of Jacob, after which they bought the mill, a stone dwell- ing for the miller, and six acres of land adjoin- ing eastward. In 1850, C. L. & A. S. Keck opened the lumber-yard boating and ran it until 1854, when the lumber-yard boating, grist mill, store, and a store at White Haven were all con- solidated into one business. In 1856 it was again divided, C. L. & A. S. Keck taking the lumber yard and William Saeger and son, Alfred, taking the store and mill.

Lime was burned and stone quarried on the left side of the road by the Claders before 1829. Lime has also been burned many years farther out on the Bethlehem road by John Clader and, about 1850, John Trexler & Sons commenced the business. About 1862-63 Tilgham Dorney put up small works and commenced the manufacture of fire bricks. The property passed through sev- eral changes and was later in the possession of Joseph Downing.

East Allentown, long a suburb of Allentown, developed into a thriving community. Its in- terests being so closely identified with its border- ing city, made a closer union desirable and in the fall of 1912 it was consolidated and became a part of Allentown.

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES.

CHRIST CHURCH .- The oldest church organi- zation in the township is Christ Church located at Shoenersville. This church was organized in the year 1779 as a Lutheran and German Reformed Union Church by the Rev. Johann Friederich Ernest, a Lutheran pastor, and the Rev. Mr. Gross, a German Reformed pastor. Soon after the organization, efforts were made to erect a suitable house of worship. With this end in view, a plot of ground containing three acres

and twenty-two rods, which was admeasured to George Newhard and Philip Stuber and Balzer Rochel was purchased April 10, 1779, upon which to erect a union meeting house.

After certain conditions of union had been agreed upon by both congregations, a building committee was chosen. Peter Beisel and Jacob Gloeter (Clader ) were elected on the Reformed

CHRIST UNION CHURCH, SHOENERSVILLE.

side and Nicholas Sterner and Valentine Wald- man by the Lutherans. The building was begun March 5, 1780, and sufficiently completed to conduct services by the autumn of 1781. The church was dedicated and named "Zion's Church" by Rev. Wack.

Title to the tract of three acres and twenty perches was given for £2, 17s, IId., on Novem- ber 5, 1801, by John and Richard Penn through their attorney, John R. Coates, to Casper Ritter, of Hanover township, trustee for the Lutheran congregation and Peter Beisel, of Allen township, trustee for the Reformed congregation. On this tract the log church was built and the two con- gregations worshiped therein until the year 1819 when a second church, a stone structure, was erected. The cornerstone was laid on Ascension Day, May 20, in that year, and the edifice was dedicated on the following Christmas. This church was built on ground purchased by George

713

HANOVER TOWNSHIP.

Brader and George Schaeffer, trustees of Zion's Church of Hanover township, for $166.25, and comprising a tract of only one hundred and thirty- three perches. On August 13, 1828, another tract of ninety-two perches was purchased from Peter Koehler by George Jung (Young) and Peter Kelchner, trustees of Christ Church for $34.50. The fourth purchase was the ground lying south of the present brick church, compris- ing nine and seven-tenths perches for one dollar. The parties granting the deed to Owen Ritter, Milton Kurtz, and Martin Zellner, trustees of Christ Church, were George Deily, Francis Deily, Sarah Deily, Samuel Colver, Robert J.

ed him and served six years and was followed by Rev. Mr. Van Der Sloot who remained until 18II when Rev. Charles C. Becker was called. He served until his death in 1858. His son Cyrus Becker served until 1902 and was suc- ceeded by Rev. F. A. Guth, who continued until 19II, since which time Rev. J. S. Bartholomew has been the pastor.

The Lutheran congregation has been under the charge of the following pastors: Rev. Johann Frederich Ernest, 1780-1792; Rev. George Jos- eph Wichterman, 1792-1793; Rev. John Conrad Yeager, 1793-1832; Joshua Yeager, 1832-1885; Rev. A. R. Horne, 1885-1902; Rev. E. H. Eb-

THE ORIGINAL ST. PETER'S UNION CHURCH.

Yeager, Clara Deily, John Kent, D. W. Levan, Mary Kent, and E. Ford Kent. The deed bears the date March 30, 1883.

The stone church answered the needs of the congregation until 1872, when it was torn down, and on May 26, 1872, the cornerstone of the present brick church was laid. It was completed at a cost of about $17,000. The first organ used by the congregation was purchased July 19, 1795, for fgo. John Daniel Young, then a school teacher, was the first person to play it. The Sunday school was organized in 1845.

The German Reformed pastors who have served the congregation are as follows: Rev. Mr. Gross, 1784-1794; Rev. Mr. Hoffmeier succeed-

erts, 1903-1904; Rev. A. O. Ebert, 1904-1906; Rev. I. B. Ritter, 1906 to the present time.

ST. PETER'S UNION CHURCH at Rittersville, was organized in 1842 by members of Christ Church at Shoenersville, who resided at Ritters- ville. The population had materially increased in the section about Rittersville and as it was incon- venient for the members to go to their church, a necessity was felt for a church in their vicinity. A meeting was therefore held on the second Tuesday in January, 1842, at the home of Michael Ritter when steps were taken to build a church if pos- sible. An organization was effected and Jacob Bast, Michael Ritter, and Solomon Flores were appointed a committee to locate a suitable tract

714

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

of ground on which to erect a church building and lay out a cemetery. A plot of ground was purchased for thirty dollars from Thomas Rit- ter and a brick church built on same. The cor- nerstone was laid May 8, 1842. The church has since been used jointly by the Reformed and Lutheran congregations.

The Reformed pastors who have served the church are as follows: Rev. J. S. Dubbs, 1842- 1856; Rev. D. F. Brendle, 1856-1865; Rev. I. K. Loos, 1866-1889 ; Rev. Tobias Kessler, 1889- 1892 ; Rev. J. De Long, 1892-1900; Rev. W. H. Erb and Rev. T. O. Stern (supply), 1900-1902 ; Rev. F. A. Moyer, 1902-1905 ; Rev. F. A. Guth, 1905-1911 ; Rev. J. S. Bartholomew, 1911 to present time.

The Lutheran congregation had as pastor Rev. Joshua Yeager, 1842-1887; Rev. A. R. Horne, 1887-1903 ; Rev. E. H. Eberts, 1903-1904; Rev. A. O. Eberts, 1904-1906; Rev. I. B. Ritter, 1906 to the present time.

BEULAH PARK CAMP MEETING ASSOCIATION. -Beulah Park is located east of Allentown in Hanover township, along the Allentown and

also a well, one hundred and fifty-six feet deep, of excellent water.

The first campmeeting was held from July 2-13, 1897, under the auspices of the above association. The meeting was in charge of the Rev. T. L. Wieand, Bishop T. Bowman, Bishop S. Breyfogel, and the Rev. B. F. Bohner. This meeting was held in the open air and special workers from distant points had been engaged for the occasion. The meetings have grown in interest and importance from year to year.

In 1904 the corporation name was changed to Beulah Park Camp Meeting Association and its control vested in fifteen members, namely, T. L. Wieand, W. H. Bache, H. C. Snyder, M. A. Biehm, Edward Simonson, Clara Boyd, Harvey J. Wieand, C. P. Combs, C. A. McGuirl, Ralph Wieand, Oliver Wieand, E. C. Krapf, Mrs. D. E. Newell, Mrs. Anna Gregory and J. B. Mat- lack.

The present officers of the association are T. L. Wieand, president and treasurer, of Allentown; W. H. Bache, vice-president, of Bound Brook,

BEULAH PARK, RITTERSVILLE.

Bethlehem trolley road, near Rittersville. The park covers ten acres of ground. These acres were sold to a number of individuals to whom the venture proved difficult and expensive in the beginning. The first organization was effected October 25, 1897, under the corporate name known as the Pennsylvania Holiness Camp Meeting Association. The directors were T. L. Wieand, L. P. Peters, Harvey J. Wieand, Frank J. Roberts, and O. H. Wieand. The association has a capitalization of $25,000. The improve- ments of the park consist of eight permanent buildings as follows: a pavillion which seats fif- teen hundred people, a dormitory which has thir- ty-six rooms, a large dining hall, and cottages

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.

History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 127

Author: Roberts, Charles Rhoads; Stoudt, John Baer, 1878- joint comp; Krick, Thomas H., 1868- joint comp; Dietrich, William Joseph, 1875- joint comp; Lehigh County Historical Society Publication date: 1914 Publisher: Allentown, Pa. : Lehigh Valley Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1158

Author: Roberts, Charles Rhoads; Stoudt, John Baer, 1878- joint comp; Krick, Thomas H., 1868- joint comp; Dietrich, William Joseph, 1875- joint comp; Lehigh County Historical Society
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Allentown, Pa. : Lehigh Valley Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1158