History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 130

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 130

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Simon Wehr. Johannes Farr.

Johannes Grum. Friederich Kern.

Caspar Peter.

George Remely.

Heinrich Ohl.

Michael Remely.

Conrad Bloss.

Jacob Peter, Jr.

Friederich Schneider.

Johannes Reber.

Jacob Riedy. Philip Hammel.

Jacob Peter. Johannes Frey.

Johannes Reinschmidt.

Christof Hoffman.

Simon Kreitz.

Peter Seidel.

Conrad Lintz. Johannes Rockel.

Christian Schmidt. Johannes Peter.

Heinrich Neff.

Samuel Schneider.

Christian Grum.

Heinrich Hoffman.

Nicolaus Wehr.

Conrad Riedy.

Heinrich Reinhard.

Johannes Neff.

Peter Mayer.

Daniel Borger.

Ulrich Neff.

Jacob Daubenspeck.

Lorenz Wehr.

Wilhelm Fenstermacher.

Johannes Reber.

Philip Mertz.

Philipp Wehr. Jacob Ferber.

Johannes Filler.

Jacob Hunsicker.

Heinrich Ferber.

Conrad Miller.

Johannes Hunsicker.

Jacob Freiman.

Bernhard Neff. Simon Rerig.

George Bloss. Franz Grum.

Rudolph Peter. Heinrich Geiger.

George Haf.

Wilhelm Kern.

Andreas Roder.

Johannes Kern.

Not until 1758 did the congregation make ef- forts to obtain a fee-simple deed and lawful pos- session of their church and school lands. To

726

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

accomplish this Michael Ohl (a son of Heinrich), and Simon Wehr were appointed a committee on the Reformed side to obtain the requisite papers at Philadelphia. The Lutherans also acted in the matter. The following members of the Reformed Church obligated themselves to furnish the money for the purchase of the lands: Jacob Peter, Johannes Hunsicker, Johannes Grum, Rudolph Peter, George Haack, Bernhard Neff, Jacob Riedy, Heinrich Neff, and Heinrich Ohl. Nancy Ohl, an unmarried daughter of Henrich, had the church weatherboarded at her own ex- pense in later years.

In the War of Independence, this congregation furnished a number of soldiers, but the names of only two have been preserved, Christian Schmidt and Mr. Krumbach.

The first church records were (according to the statement of Father Johannes Hunsicker, who died when upwards of 90.years old, and was the authority for most of the foregoing information), destroyed by fire with the first church building. The minutes of the Reformed Church record begin in 1764, and are still in existence ; of the Lu- theran, in 1768. On the title-page of the latter ap- pear the names of Wilhelm Rex, Casper Schnerr, Tobias Ebert and Samuel Miehl as the Lutheran consistory.

A new cemetery was opened in 1832, the old graveyard having been filled to its entire capacity, and the congregation, having decided to use the ground to the north of the church. This has been increased in size a number of times since.

In 1849 the congregation held an election to decide whether the schools should be joined in one so as to settle the difference in the creeds. All the votes but three were cast in favor of uniting the schools. At this time Ferdinand Berkemeyer taught on the Reformed side, and Joseph Fulton on the Lutheran. The latter re- signed and Berkemeyer was chosen as the com- mon teacher.

A festival was held for two days in 1851 upon the occasion of the hundred and sixth anniversary of the founding of the church.

The third church was built in 1849, and on the 17th of May in that year the consistory and members of the church assembled for the pur- pose of adopting a constitution.

It was placed on the other side of the little brook, not thirty paces from the spot where the other stood.

The Reformed consistory at this time was com- posed of Rev. Johannes Helffrich, the minister, George Peter and Michael Peter, elders, and Reuben Peter, Daniel Peter, Stephen Bachmann, and Johann Dorward, deacons; the Lutheran, of Rev. Jeremias Schindel, the minister, George

Sensinger and Friedrich Kraus, elders, and David Ross, Georg Schneider, Nathan Wuchter, and Nathan German, deacons. The building com- mittee consisted of Johannes Schmidt, Gottfried Peter, Jacob Klauss, and Philip Krauss.

The cost was $6,279.95.

The number who contributed to the erection of the new church was 363, all of whom ( with some few exceptions, as, for instance, certain widows), were the heads of families.

Scarcely was the church finished when the de- sire arose to possess an organ. The matter had been agitated before this time, but the majority were always opposed to the idea, having preferred singing without the accompaniment of an organ. Upon an election, only 63 votes were cast in favor of purchasing an organ, while fourteen resolute ones were found against it. The construction of the organ was given to Charles Hanzelmann, an organ-builder, who had removed to these parts from Philadelphia. It was dedicated in 1853, and for those times was a perfect work.

A renovation of the church took place in 1882, the entire church repainted, the interior fres- coed, and the pews made better, and in 1883 the organ also received a complete repairing.

A new brick school-house, with two rooms for the schools of the congregation and the township, was built in 1883 by the aid of the church, and dedicated the same year.

The members assisted in building the Frieden's Church; also churches at Slatington and Slate- dale.

In 1902, the hot air system was introduced at an expense of $1,030.

In 1913, the church was again generally im- proved, after the lapse of thirty years, at an esti- mated expense of $5,000. The floor was raised at the entrance and made to slope toward the pulpit; a new pulpit and 'stained-glass windows introduced ; interior handsomely decorated; and superior cement steps with railing placed at the entrance.

In 1910 a fine soldiers' monument was placed in the cemetery near the northwest corner. [See general township history so entitled.]

The total membership is 750, divided equally in the two congregations.

The following were the ministers:

REFORMED.

John Helffrich, 1816-52.

William A. Helffrich,

Peter Miller.

I845-79.

Philip J. Michael.

Nevin A. Helffrich,

Roth.

1879-1906.

Jacob Weymer.

George M. Smith,

Johann Ħ. Helffrich,

1906-12.

1772-1810.

Howard A. Althouse,

Henry Diefenbach, 1810-16.

1912- .

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HEIDELBERG TOWNSHIP.

LUTHERAN.

Jeremiah Schindel,

1837- .

Jacob Fried. Scherblein.

Daniel Lehman.

Daniel Schumacher.

John George Young,

1768.

Doring and Wartman

till 1837.

SOLDIERS' MONUMENT .- In 1910 a fine granite soldiers' monument was erected in the cemetery of the Heidelberg Church, near the northwest corner, at a cost of $800, by contribut- ing members of the church, of whom Moses Metzger and Nathan Handwerk were appointed a special committee. A cannon on wheels, stand- ing near the south side, was donated by the U. S. government at the request of the representative in congress from this district, Hon. John H. Rothermel. The monument is surmounted with the figure of a soldier and gun, "at rest," and presents an attractive appearance. The height is about 18 feet.

The names of the following "Comrades" are inscribed on the north and west sides, (those marked with * having died) :

Owen Bachman .* John Kolb .*

Henry Berkemeyer.

Levi Krause .*

Jacob Berkemyer.

Aaron Krum.

Peter Berkemyer. John Krum.

Reuben Bittner .*

Charles Kuhnsman.

Mantz's Water Pond

Harter's Hawk's

The first six were frame buildings, put up by the township in 1855, at a cost of $800 each, with funds bequeathed by Frederick Miller for that purpose.

The church school building is of brick and was erected in 1881 at a cost of $2,000; the Central is also of brick, erected in 1883 at same cost ; the other two are of frame and cost $800 each.

The common school system was accepted in 1848, and the first directors elected were the following :

Nathan German,

Casper Handwerk,

Jacob Hunsicker (president), Peter Miller (secretary, who

Jonas Peter, had filled this position before.)

John Kressley,

The Board in 1913 was as follows:

President-Henry Bittner (1912-'16).

Secreary-Benjamin Sauerwine ( 1912-'18). Treasurer-Alvin B. Peters (1912-'16). Alfred Fink (1912-'14). George Kressley (1912-'14).

The schools and teachers, with terms taught: School. Teacher. Terms.

Saegersville, Sophia Miller,

Germansville, E. K. Greenawald, 17

Pleasant Corner, . George F. Herber,

Mantzs, Frederick Weiss, 6

Kemmerers, Eugene M. Handwerk,

Peter's,

A. J. Herber, 34

Church, Charles W. Kunkel, II

Haak's, Edna Fink,

Water Pond, Elmer Kunkel,

Central, (vacant since 1905.)

PRIVATE BURYING - GROUND. - Only one private graveyard has been discovered in Heidel- berg township, on the Heinrich Hoffman home- stead. Part of this farm was later owned by his

son Peter, and afterward it passed into the pos- session of Wilson Sauerwine. It was in a field near a hill, which is now under cultivation. Peter and Nathan Hoffman are buried there; also their sister Catharine, who was the widow of George Benninghoff.

SCHOOLS .- The first school of the township was connected with the Heidelberg Church; and one of the township school buildings is still joint- ly owned by the township and the two congre- gations on their property, next to the church. The early teachers were:

Thaerges Lupp, 1770-'80. Joseph Fulton.

Freitag. Heinrich Miller, Ferdinand Berkemeyer. Jost 1780. Horn.

Joel P. Geiger was the teacher here from 1863 to 1891.

The first English school of the township was started at Saegersville in 1823. The teachers were John Brown (one-armed) and William Lester, a Quaker, who came from Germantown. The building was one-story, built of logs, and it was continued in use until 1880.

In 1884, the district contained ten buildings :

Saegersville Peter's

Germansville Church

Pleasant Corner Central

Edward Blose. Franklin Blose.

John McConnel.

Tilghman Blose .* Nathan Buck.

Jonas Metzger.

Edward Clouser.

Lewis Metzger.

John Delong .*

Moses Metzger.

Edwin Ebbert .*

Daniel Moose .*

Jacob Ebert. Stephen Ebert .*

Emanuel Pauly .*

David Fetherolf .* Lewis Fink .*

Alfred Peter .*

Tilghman Reabert .*

Edwin Fritzinger .*

Cyrus Reichelderfer.

George Fritzinger .* William Fry .*

Lewis Rex .*

Penroe Rex .*

William Rex .*

Elias Riedy.

Wm. G. Grosscup.

Levi Riedy .*

Aaron Handwerk .*

John Rinker .*

Leon Roeder.

Lewis Roth.

Jeremiah Sauerwine. Moses Sensinger.

Elias Smith.

Daniel Strauss .*

Stephen Hetinger.

James Strauss .*

George Hoffman.

Paul Strauss .*

David Hollenbach .*

Francis Wert.

Charles Weller .*

Wilson P. Kistler .* Hiram Kolb.

Thomas Steck. J. B. Fox.

J. S. Renninger. Jacob H. Longacre,

1901- .

Joseph Handwerk .* Levi Handwerk .* Nathan Handwerk. Tilghman Handwerk .* Wm. Handwerk. George Hauser.

Joseph Rex .*

Jeremiah Geiger .* Elias German. William German .*

Samuel Oswald .*

Edwin Loch .*

Harrison Metzger.

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

The "Water Pond" building is situated in Heidelberg, but the school is carried on jointly with Lowhill.

The township has no graded schools. The buildings are all of brick, one story, with one room, excepting the Kemmerer's which has two rooms, addition made in 1903. The first six, and Haak's and Water Pond, were continued frame buildings until 1877 when brick buildings were substituted.

Pupils of school age in 1913 numbered 237.

On the Joseph Fink farm in Jordan Valley, there is an old log two-story building that was built about 1840. The first floor was used by a shoemaker, and on the second floor a school was conducted until 1846. The floors were of thick planks, and the benches in the school room of rough slabs or planks, smooth only on the up- per side. Holes were bored into the ends and heavy sticks of wood were fitted into them, which served as the legs. Gottlieb Gaushorn (German) and John Ravert, served as teachers.

Jacob Freibolin attended this school (now 80 years old, a successful farmer of the township, who came from Germany when nine years old, with his father.)

INDUSTRIES .- Many industries have been established in the township, and carried on for many years, comprising grist-mills, and factories of various knds.

Mills .- The Snyder Mill was erected in 1808 by Jacob Snyder, on the Jordan creek, near the township line of Lowhill. It was the first erect- ed in that vicinity, and he operated it for many years. It had different succeeding owners until about 1880 when Elias Kressly became the pro- prietor and after carrying it on for some time sold it to Frank Hollenback, who continued the business and was succeeded by his son, James. It was destroyed by fire about 1900. The saw-mill there was not burned but it was converted into a cider-mill, and is now so used.

The Holben Mill was erected on the Jordan about a mile north of the township line, in 1789, and the site has been occupied for the same pur- pose until now. In 1881, a new frame mill was established in its place by Phaon W. Bittner for producing chopped feed on orders and he car- ried it on until April, 1913, when he transferred the business to his son, Elmer V., and Albert J.

The German mill was originally built of stone by Adam German, Sr., before the Revolution. It came to be owned by Philip German, Sr., who, in 1814, erected a two-story stone dwelling- house against the north side, and his son, Adam, succeeded him, during whose ownership until his death in 1840, additions were made to the mill and dwelling, and a saw-mill (with wool-card-

ing machine attached ) Nathan German then became the owner, and he was succeeded by Philip Dieffenbach, and after him by Enos German, who carried it on until his de- cease in 1898. Then Howard F. Kern, purchas- ed it and he operated it until 1903, when he sold it to William Grosscup. The mill was leased to Lewis D. Leiby, and Wm. J. Schmeck, for five years, and at the expiration of that time Leiby bought the property and rebuilt the mill of frame, three-story. The milling business has since then been carried on by him and his broth- er, Howard L., under the name of L. D. Leiby and Bro., including the extensive shipment of po- tatoes. The present dam, and the race through the village, were constructed in 1809.

The Leiby Mill is situated on the Jordan creek about a mile and a half north of the Ger- man mill, a short distance above the village of Jordan Valley. In 1806, it included 50 acres of land and was sold for $6000, showing that it was a valuable property, with a prosperous trade and so near the base of the Blue Mountains. Succeeding owners from that time for a period of eighty years were Henry Neff, O. W. Os- wald, Adam German, Abraham Riedy and his son Elias who used it for grinding grain and sawing lumber on orders. Then William Leiby became the purchaser who has operated it since 1887, chiefly for sawing lumber, assisted by his sons, Richard and Benjamin.

Elias Bittner established a small saw-mill about 1850 on the Jordan, a mile north-west of the Leiby mill, having been on the property now owned by Mrs. Peter Fink. The "Sand- Spring" is situated a short distance above it, where the waters bubble up in great quantities, and form the recognized source of the Jordan. He carried it on ten years, then sold it to Steph- en Bittner who added a chopping mill and car- ried on the business jointly about fifteen years. William Leiby became the purchaser in 1877, and ran the saw mill for ten years, when he dis- continued the business and removed to the mill above-mentioned. His father, Jacob A. Leiby, operated an apple-brandy distillery on the prop- erty near the mill for a while; he had operated another ( formerly Elias Handwerk's) about 300 yards distant, for many years until his death in 1876. He served as county commissioner from 1872 to 1875. His father was Andreas, who had moved to this locality from Lynnport.

Nathan German operated a small mill not far from the Bittner mill from 1865 until his death in 1893; and his son-in-law, Edwin A. Weiss carried it on two years to finish the business. An Indian massacre is said to have occurred in this vicinity about 1755.

729

HEIDELBERG TOWNSHIP.

Tanneries .- A tannery was established at Saegersville by Henry Drumhower, who bought some land there in 1805. He carried on the busi- ness until 1812, when he sold it to Abraham Roeder ; and Roeder continued it until his de- cease, when his son, Conrad, succeeded him and remained there until 1850. Charles Blumer owned it for a time; then Stephen M. Kistler became the purchaser and after carrying on the establishment three years, he formed a partner- ship with Godfrey, and they continued the busi- ness in the new place for three years, when Peter became the sole owner, and he erected another two-story brick building and established a tan- nery north of the road, the building being still

mountain to Lehighton, the road being still fa- miliarly known as the "Factory Road." This plant was run by water power, and a very ex- tensive business was done for a number of years. He employed Solomon Walter, Frank Walter, Sr., and others from the vicinity, numbering up- wards of twenty men; also a Mr. Dehring and others from Philadelphia. Then Jonas Hess, Solomon Hess and others were there manufac- turing guns for a time. Several gunsmiths car- ried on gun-making in the township until the Civil War, they having bought the forged bar- rels at the Kutztown factory and made guns at their homes. It was abandoned in 1873. The property was afterward owned by Wilson Ger-

----

FRITZINGER HOME, NEAR THE "BAKE OVEN."

in existence. In 1860, Peter formed a partner- ship with his son, Owen H., and after trading together for four years the father retired and his son-in-law, Thoms K. Moser, took his in- terest, and the business was conducted under the name of Peter and Moser, until Moser died in 1883. Moser's son, Oliver G., was in the firm for two years, and Howard A. Peter (Owen's son) bought this share, after which the business was continued for twenty years, till 1905, when it was discontinued.

Rifle-Factory .- From 1832 to 1844, Philip Hess, Jr., erected a large stone rifle factory, 35 by 95 feet, at the foot of the Blue Mountains in Heidelberg, one-half a mile west of the old "Bal- liet Furnace" (known afterward as the "Lehigh Furnace") and situated on the west branch of the road leading from Saegersville across the

man and Peter German, who converted the fac- tory into a distillery and carried it on until about 1900, when it was discontinued and Peter be- came the sole owner of the property, who has since occupied the land for farming purposes.

A "grinding-mill" was an important part of this enterprise, situated some distance west of the factory (where the "Reservoir" is located now) ; and there the forged iron barrels were ground from a circular to an octagonal form. The grindstone was made out of a hard hill- stone, and it was circular in form, set upright, two feet thick and four feet in diameter. The grinding process produced a loud, piercing noise, which was heard for long distances roundabout, occasionally a mile off. There were two forges in the factory and each hammer was nearly as large as an old "ten-plate" wood-stove, and, in

730

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

operation, the strokes were too fast to be count- ed.

Powder-Mill .- On property in the town- ship, near the eastern line, which was included with the furnace, now owned by Henry Blose, a man by the name of Babb carried on the man- ufacture of powder during and before the time of the rifle-barrel factory.

Two Indians were killed in the vicinity of this mill, not far from where the Kemmerer school-building is now situated, one by Chris- tian Lauchner (grandfather of David, who is now 82 years old and resides in the northern- most dwelling of the township).

Carriage-Factories .- A carriage factory was started at Saegersville, in 1847, by Christian Greiner, who conducted the business for sev- eral years, then moved to Northumberland county. He was succeeded by Phaon Semmel, who carried it on extensively until 1874, when he sold it to Wm. A. Godshall and moved to Slatington ; and Godshall continued the factory for several years. Then Pfeifly and Miller be- came the owner and they carried it on for a short time when it was discontinued.

Joseph Rauch established a factory at Pleas- ant Corner in 1864 for the manufacture of car- riage wheels and operated it in a very successful manner until 1893 when he extended the plant and included the manufacture of carriages, farm wagons, and huckster wagons, on orders given, and continued its successful management until 1903 when he retired after having followed a business career there for forty years. Then he transferred the business to his son, Victor D., and son-in-law, Amandus P. Handwerk, who have since carried on the plant and maintained its reputation as a prosperous local industry, em- ploying from 7 to 10 hands.

Machine-Shop .- After the construction of the S. & L. R. R. through the township, William F. Krum (who had carried on a blacksmith shop near "Handwerkville," for many years) erected a two-story frame machine-shop in the place of his smithshop and engaged in the manufac- ture of horse-powers, threshing machines and farming implements besides making repairs, and he carried on a large business, with the assistance of several mechanics, until 1882, when competition obliged him to suspend further operation of it. The frame of the building is still standing, though thirty years have elapsed, but the shop is practically in ruins. It was a useful enterprise while in active existence.

Cider-Press .- In 1890, William A. Haak erected a one-story frame building on the road from Leiby's grist-mill to the Haak school-house

and equipped it with a mill and press for man- ufacturing cider for farmers in that vicinity, who supplied the apples; and he has operated it since during the Fall of the year. His largest production in a day was 3,200 gallons; but the average production has been from 600 to 1,000 gallons.

Distilleries .- There were numerous distilleries for the production of apple brandy in every sec- tion of the county before. the Civil War but the revenue tax becoming too burdensome nearly all of them were abandoned. There is only one in Heidelberg, near Pleasant Corner. It was start- ed about 1860 by James Smith, and subsequent- ly carried on by his son, William, and then by his grandson, Henry, (now proprietor of the hotel at Pleasant Corner). Granville O. Bach- man and James P. Hausman began operations here in 1912, and have since then been in the business.

VILLAGES .- The following villages have been formed in the township:

Germansville. Deibertsville.

Saegersville. Jordan Valley.

Pleasant Corner. German's Corner.

Germansville is situated one mile west of Saeg- ersville, on the Schuylkill and Lehigh R. R., where the company maintains a station for the convenience of the people. It is 35 miles east of Reading, and 7 miles west of Slatington. The Jordan creek flows through the village. Prev- ious to 1842 it was known as "German's Mill."

The original owner of the land was Adam German, Sr., to whom 250 acres was patented in 1742, and IOI acres, 44 perches adjoining in 1786; and before the Revolution he established a stone grist-mill with adjoining stone dwell- ing-house which has been in continuous operation until now. [For history of this mill, see "Grist- Mills" in description of the township.]

Hotel and Store .- The building in which the hotel and store have been conducted, was erected in 1842 by Nathan German and he started the business. It was owned and conducted by dif- ferent persons until 1866 when Peter Miller sold it to Jonas W. George and Wm. G. Grosscup who carried on both places together until 1879, when George took the hotel. and Grosscup the store. George conducted the hotel business un- til his death in 1885, when Grosscup bought his interest and he carried on both until 1891. A. F. Hunsicker then bought the business and leased the property, and so carried on the establish- ment for seventeen years, when Howard A. Peter purchased the property, including the business, and he has since been the proprietor.

731

HEIDELBERG TOWNSHIP.

Post-Office .--- A post-office was transferred from Saegersville to this place in 1853, and con- tinued ten years; then it was returned to Saegers- ville, doubtless owing to political selection. Nath- an German served as the post-master during this time. In 1884 an office was established in the store, and it has been continued since. The post-masters were:

Albert J. George, 1883-87.

Joshua Seiberling, 1887-90.

Jonathan Miller, 1890-91.

Wm. G. Grosscup, 1891-1908.

Howard A. Peter, 1908-

In 1913, the village contained 23 dwelling- houses and 115 inhabitants.

A hotel was situated a short distance south of the German mill along the road, and carried on in an old, log, weather-boarded dwelling-house by Abraham Riedy, Sr., Abraham Riedy, Jr., -- Newhard, George Muthard, Conrad Ger- man and Jacob German. After it was closed, another hotel was started several hundred feet north of it in a stone building erected about 1820. Peter Wuchter, son-in-law of Conrad German, was the proprietor and carried on the business until 1833, when it was discontinued. At that time a party from this vicinity moved to Seneca Co., Ohio, consisting of Conrad German, Peter Wuchter, Henry Kistler and family, and Michael Kistler, Sr. and family. These two places anteceded the hotel now at Germansville, established in 1842.

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History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 130

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