History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 131

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 131

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An early store was started about half a mile west of Germansville, shortly after the year 1800, situated on land now owned by Betsy Moyer, who is in the 92nd year of her age. She said it was the first store in this section, and her grandfather was the proprietor for about thirty years until his decease. Shortly after- ward another store was started at Saegersville by Joseph Saeger.

Samuel Geary, Sr., of Hereford, in Berks county, located in the village in 1835, after pur- chasing the land of Henry German, Sr. Subse- quently his son, Samuel, Jr., became the owner ; and then his grandson, Nathan, who has been the present owner since 1896.

Henry Smith, sheriff of Lehigh county from 1856 to 1859, was engaged as a blacksmith in the village, and also dealt in stoves and tin-ware. When he left in 1856, his place of residence was on the opposite, adjacent corner from the hotel. He was succeeded by John Heil.

Physicians .- The practicing physicians have been:

Wilson P. Kistler, Jesse G. Kistler,

before 1870. 1896-1907.

Willoughby K. Kistler, 1871-1896. 1907 .

Elmer E. Behler,

Blacksmith-Shop was carried on by John Heil for sixty years until about 1890; then lived in retirement until his decease in 1901, aged 86 years. He was succeeded by Jacob Danner, who occupied the place about five years. Then Al- bert J. Hamm (son-in-law of Heil) became the owner and he has since conducted the business, having previously had a shop at Jordan Valley four years.

Carpet-Weaving Shop was started here by Ben- jamin Heil in 1877 (who had previously been located in Lowhill) for weaving carpets on or- ders, and he carried on the business five years. He was followed for two years by his son, Frank- line P., then by his nephew, Tilghman A. Heil, of Slatington, who has conducted the shop for the past thirty years.

Brick-Yard .- In 1875, Edward Neff engaged in the manufacture of building brick, a short distance north of the village and carried on the business about ten years. His production was wholly used in the erection of buildings in this vicinity.

Ice .- Daniel and Enos German were engaged in the ice business here for about ten years from 1875, having taken the ice from the mill-dam north of the village. For several years they sold the ice to different parties and shipped it to var- ious places; but finding this too troublesome, they afterward sold their annual crops to the Angelica Ice Company at Reading, which at- tended to the cutting and shipment of it.

Potato Shippers .- For many years, the ship- ment of large quantities of potatoes from the Germanville R. R. Station has been a very im- portant business which encouraged the farmers and brought annually much money to the com- munity, and this has been largely expended by them in the improvement of their properties, and in many cases the erection of new buildings.

William J. Schmick established a grain- house and coal siding at the station in 1895, and began dealing in coal, flour, feed, grain, cement, crushed-stone, sand and fertilizer besides ship- ping potatoes, and he carried on the business until 1908. His son, Herbert W., then became associated with him in the business and they have since traded together. Lewis D. Leiby and Brother, and Bittner Brothers & Co. also estab- lished sidings and shipping points along the rail- road, several hundred feet north of the station, and have been very successful. The total ship- ments, during the last season of 1912-13, ex- ceeded 300,000 bushels.

SAEGERSVILLE is situated near the centre of the township, about a mile east from the Ger- mansville Station, on the S. and L. R. R. and

732

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

four miles west from the Neffsville Station on the electric trolley line. Michael Ohl, Sr., was the original owner of the land in 1760, and came to possess there upwards of 600 acres of land, which was subsequently owned by the following persons :

Peter Miller, Thomas K. Moser,

Dr. Aaron S. Miller, . Tilghman Peter,

Dr. Edward P. Miller,

Owen H. Peter,

Samuel J. Kistler,

Aaron S. Lobach,

Wilson K. Peter,

Frank G. Snyder,

Harrison G. Snyder,

Peter Pfeifly,

Edwin Hunsicker,

Levi Hunsicker,

William Adams,

Reuben Reber,

David G. Handwerk,

Wilson F. Peter, and others.

Hotel and Store .- In 1762, L. B. Ohl, son of Michael, established a hotel, and it was carried on by him for many years. In 1809 Joseph Saeg- er bought the property. Since then the follow- ing landlords have conducted the business :

Joseph Saeger, 1809-31. Peter Miller, 1831-75. 1887-94.

Willoughby Missemer, Dr. Aaron S. Miller,

1875-78.

1894-1909.

Herman A. Snyder, 1878-81. 1909-II.

Jacob Hahn, 19II-

L. M. Holben, 1881-87. The storekeepers in the same building have been :

Joseph Saeger, 1809-31. Wilson K. Peter, 1873-

Peter Miller, 1831-59. 78. Herman A. Snyder,

Samuel J. Kistler, 1859- 70.

Kistler and Peter, 1870-

73.

1878-81. L. M. Holben, 1881-87. James Hollenbach, 1887- till now.

When Dr. Miller became the owner in 1894, he erected a superior and commodious two-story brick building in the place of the old hotel. At the side entrance he placed two tablets; one, the original tablet of sand-stone, and the other, a granite tablet to indicate time of improvement by himself ; which are as follows :

S. of Entrance. L. B. OHL IN ANNO 1762

N. of Entrance. DR. A. S. MILLER 1894

Post-Office .- The post-office was established here in 1828. The postmasters have been :

Joseph Saeger, 1829-31. Margaret S. Miller, 1895- 99.

Peter Miller, 1831-52.

(At Germansville, 1852- 62.)

Sophie R. Miller, 1899- 1909. E. P. Miller, 1862-67.

Viola Kuhns 1909-II.

Alvin D. Kistler, 1867-71.

James Holle .. Dach, 19II- Saml. J. Kistler, 1871-95.

Undertakers .- Harrison H. Hunsicker was undertaker here for upwards of 30 years, and practically conducted all the funerals of the township. He was succeeded by his son, James

A. G., in 1899, (while still under age), who has since carried on the business with trade cov- ering the entire township.

Industries .- For the tanneries and carriage factories carried on here, see "Industries," in the description of the township.

Physicians .- The following physicians have practiced here :

Henry Sholl. John Sholl (till 1861).

Mrs. Henry Sholl. Griffith Sholl, 1861-68.

(formerly Rachel Steck- A. S. Miller, 1865-1914.

el. )

Dr. Miller has served on the U. S. Pension Board since 1901.

County Meeting .- This township was recog- nized for thirty years as a Republican strong- hold in Lehigh county politics, and many meet- ings of the Republican County Committee were held here until the Delamater disastrous cam- paign in 1890. In August, 1913, the first meet- ing was held here by the Democratic County Committee, and largely attended, the addresses having been made in the grove opposite the ho- tel.

In 19132 the dwellings numbered 18, and the population 100 (in 1884 having been estimated at 142.)

Peter Race-Track .- In 1885, Lewis K. Peter, an enterprising farmer in good circumstances, with a great fondness for high-bred stock and fine music, established a private race-track, (1-3 m.) on his farm south of the hotel near the public road, and encouraged horse-racing for about five years. It was done to have the people of the community to assemble there and show the speed of their horses, which provided a considerable amusement. The occasions were not advertised like racing at county-fairs, simply circulated by parties interested who wanted sport of this kind, of whom Mr. Peter was the principal spirit.

During this time he also supported a band of music, of which he was the leader, (being him- self a superior player on the clarionet) ; and this also contributed a great deal towards the enter- tainment and merriment of the people.

Pleasant Corner is situated on the Jordan creek, one mile and a quarter south-west from Saegersville, and two miles south from the Schuylkill and Lehigh R. R. The land was tak- en up by John Rice in 1744, but patented in 1748 to Michael Dotterer, who sold it to Con- rad Dotterer in 1763, and Conrad sold it to John Hartman in 1765. Michael Evert secured a part of the land here in 1763, which was after- ward owned by Daniel Evert and Stephen Wer- ley.

The first name of this village was Holben- ville, given to the business centre when started

David Hunsicker,

Lewis K. Peter,

Owen D. Snyder,

William Fry.

Sally Snyder,

Maggie A. Zuill,

Gideon H. Peter,

David P. Handwerk,

James Hollenbach,

Edward B. Kuhn,

733

HEIDELBERG TOWNSHIP.

in 1851, by Jacob Holben. It was continued until 1857, when it was changed to Pleasant Corner by Daniel Rex, of Lehighton, and Abra- ham Peter, of Heidelberg, and the change is said to have caused "a good deal of commotion."

A grist-mill was established on the Jordan, in 1769, by John Hartman, where Pleasant Corner came to be located, about eighty years afterward. Jacob Holben became the owner in 1840, and during the next forty years it was owned by dif- ferent parties. Phaon W. Bittner settled there in 1881 and erected a large three-story frame mill in the place of the old one, for producing chopped feed on orders, and also a machine-shop for making general repairs to agricultural ma- chinery; and at the same time he began to deal in farming implements, flour, feed, grain and fertilizer ; and in 1896, he embarked also in the business of shipping potatoes from the Germans- ville Station on the S. and L. R. R. These sev- eral occupations he conducted successfully until April 1913, when he transferred the business established there to his two sons, Elmer V., and Albert J., who have carried it on until now. His last shipment of potatoes for the season of 1912- 13 was 60,000 bushels.

Jacob Holben, before establishing the store and hotel, had embarked in the foundry business about 1850, which he carried on extensively until 1865. He formerly resided in Lynn township, having located here in 1840. When he was elect- ed to the office of Sheriff of Lehigh county in 1865 he removed to Allentown. He was suc- ceeded by a number of parties including Solomon Zimmerman and Lewis Bittner. In 1881, Bitt- ner sold it to his nephew, Phaon W. Bittner, who then transferred it to his mill property, and carried it on in connection with his other busi- ness; and the land became a part of the Rauch carriage works, which adjoined it.

[For the grist-mill and carriage factory estab- lished here, see "Industries," in general history of the township.]

The first store and hotel were started here in 1851, by Jacob Holben, and he continued pro- prietor until 1865, when he sold out to William Roth. Roth was there only two years, then sold to Owen Hunsicker, and Elias Bittner, who as a firm carried on the business until Hunsicker's death when Peter Bittner took his place. After- ward John H. Hollenbach secured Elias Bitt- ner's interest and the firm then conducted an ex- tensive business for some years when David A. Bittner became the sole proprietor in 1895; Bitt- ner sold it to George A. Bachman, who made extensive improvements in 1901 by erecting a large three-story frame building with forty rooms for summer boarders and secured a large

patronage. Bachman sold it to Henry Smith, in 1905, and Smith has been there since, carry- ing on a successful business. This stand has a very attractive appearance, and is in fact, as well as in name, a "pleasant corner."

A general store has been connected with the hotel.

A post-office was established here in 1873 with the name of Jordan, after the creek, and Lewis Bittner was the first postmaster, who served until after 1884. He was followed by David A. Bittner, George A. Bachman, from 1895 to 1905, and Henry Smith, since 1905.

A blacksmith shop was carried on here from 1880 to 1907, by Edwin Snyder ; and a new one in a different locality, near the hotel, since 1909, by Charles Leibelsperger.

The status of the place in 1913, included 17 dwellings, and a population of 80.

DEIBERTSVILLE is situated two miles east of Saegersville, on one of the roads which lead from that place to the county-seat. Upwards of thirty years ago the land was owned by Fred- erick Krause. He was succeeded by Peter Butz, Henry Roth, and J. Peter Miller, in conduct- ing the hotel, until 1842, when Miller sold the property to Daniel Deibert, and Deibert carried on the business for nearly forty years until his decease in 1881, during which time his name was given to the village. Then Wm. Metzger became the owner, including the store and land, but in the same year he sold the entire property to Harrison German. B. F. Eisenhard conduct- ed the hotel after 1882. The place was carried on by different parties until 1910, when the busi- ness was discontinued, the last proprietor having been Milton Schaeffer.

The store business was started in 1848, by Levi Krause in the room adjoining the hotel, and shortly afterward he erected a store building on the opposite side of the road. He continued in the business several years, and was followed by different parties until 1883, when Isaac S. Diet- rich became the store-keeper, who remained there ten years, then the store was discontinued.

The village of Newside is located in Wash- ington township about half a mile north of Dieb- ertsville, where the foundry of F. N. Peter and Brother is carried on for the manufacture of iron fences, fire escapes, etc., which are largely used in Lehigh and upper Berks counties. It was started by their father in 1861.

JORDAN VALLEY is a small village one mile north of Germansville, with a store, hotel, black- smith shop and four dwellings. Eli Snyder started a hotel there about 1890, and after con- ducting it 20 years was succeeded by Franklin Semmel. A store had been started there earlier

734

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

which has been carried on for the past twenty- five years by Osville P. Rex. A blacksmith shop was started by Albert J. Hamm twenty years ago. He carried it on four years; then different parties followed for short periods, the present smith being Charles Fritzinger. A post-office was maintained here for some years but it was discontinued when the R. F. D. came to be es- tablished through this vicinity. The place has four dwellings.

German's Corner is a small village near the line of Lynn, about a mile north of the railroad. Henry A. German started a store, and planing- mill, about 1895, which he carried on till he died in 1900, when he was succeeded by his nephew, Edwin F., who has continued the store till now. The mill was discontinued in 1910. It has sev- en dwellings. The Handwerk distillery was sit- uated near by.

Post Offices .- Three post-offices have been lo- cated in the township. Sægersville (1829), Germansville (1862), and Jordan (1873) ; and two rural free delivery routes, one from Saegers- ville toward the Blue Mountain altogether in the township, and the other from Jordan south- ward which is mostly in Lowhill.

Two (Jordan Valley and German's Corner) were discontinued because the R. F. D. was in- troduced through their territory.

As a great improvement over the mail serv- ice here before 1880, the Lehigh Telegraph Co. established its line through Saegersville in July of that year, and placed an instrument in the post office there, conducted then by Samuel J. Kistner.

ELECTION DISTRICT .- The polling-place of this district has always been at Saegersville from the erection of the township, excepting several years when it was at Holbenville. The entire township, though still five miles square, con- tinues to be a single election district, notwith- standing efforts were made to create sub-di- visions.

OFFICIALS .- The following Justices of the Peace and Constables have served in this political district :

Justices .- Among the early justices of the peace, who were appointed by the Governor of the State, there were the following:

Before 1840.

Henry George, 1762. Wm. Fenstermacher,

John Jeremy, 1774. 18II.

Henry Booken, 1774.

Robert Levers, 1779.

Peter Kohler, 1785. Nicholas Saeger, 1817;

Peter Rhoads, 1786. 1829. Peter Haas, 1820.

Samuel Everett, 1798- 1806. John Saeger, 1826.

Peter Snyder.

George Rex. John Weiss.

John Weida. Jacob Zimmerman.

Since 1840.

John Saeger, 1840-55.

George Rex, 1840-48.

Jacob German, 1855-60. Samuel J. Kistler, 1848-

Wilson K. Peter, 1860- 90.

Samuel J. Kistler, Jr., 1890-1906.

James O. Hollenbach, 1906-II.

Eugene Handwerk,

1912-

Constables .- The following have served as constables since 1840: Nathan Peter, 1843-4. Geo. Harrison G. Snyder, Hoatz, 1845-7; 1873-5; 1883.

1850-2.

Aaron S. Lobach, 1876-

John Reber, 1848. 82.

Henry Smith, 1849.

John A. Roberts, 1884.

Wm. Adams, I853-5;

1858-9.

Sylvester P. Miller. Henry L. Smith.

Peter Miller, 1856-7.

Fred'k W. Kressily,

Tilghman Peter, 1860-5. 1908-II.

William Fry, 1866-72.

Payson P. Heilman,

1912- .

POPULATION .- The population of the town- ship since 1790 has been as follows :

1790

1860,

1469.

1800

1870,

I44I.

1810

1880

1820

1890,

1437.

1830

1900,

14II.

1840

1910,

1238.

1850

The U. S. Census enumerators of the town- ship since 1880 were:

Samuel J. Kistler. - Howard A. Peter.

Oliver G. Moser. James B. Sauerwine.

HANDWERK HOME .- The oldest surviving building in the township, of "Ye Colonial Days," is situated on the fine farm of Owen Hunsicker, two miles north of Germansville, and it consti- tutes one of the half-dozen dwellings which make up what is known in the community for many miles as "Handwerk-schtædtel," on ac- count of the activity, success, and prominence of the families there by this name.

It is two-stories, built of stones, 24 by 34 feet, over a superior spring of water which has not been known to run dry. The workmanship of the German carpenters is reflected in the hand- made doors, window sashes and frame, rafters, and strong wooden pegs, including iron locks and keys, bolts, hinges and nails. Both floors have two rooms and the connecting stairway is of heavy frame-work along the inside of the west end; and the inside cellar way is built of stones. In the garret there are large bins which were used

Conrad German, 1812.

Daniel Saeger, 1812.

65. Joel P. Geiger, 1865-1900. John A. Roberts, 1900- 05.

Wm. G. Grosscup, 1905-

735

HEIDELBERG TOWNSHIP.

by the first occupants for storing wheat, rye and corn, but now for colonial relics, such as flax- brakes, reels and spinning-wheels.

Over the large, open fire-place on the first floor, there is a heavy beam with an inscription, apparently of a religious character, which has become illegible and almost obliterated; and in the door-ways on the north and south sides there are the old-fashioned double doors, cut in half horizontally, through which eight generations of

OLD TIME POLITICS .- In 1817, when Find- lay (Democrat) and Hiester (Federalist) were candidates for Governor, Findlay was elected. During this campaign there was great confusion among the voters of the district; and then less than 20 Federalist voters, the large majority hav- ing been Democrats. In 1820, the candidates were the same; but, strange to say, the Heidel- berg Federalists changed to Democrats and voted for Findlay, and the Democrats changed to Fed-

HANDWERK HOMESTEAD, BUILT 1769.

this family have made their ingress and egress during the past 150 years. The sides of the build- ing indicate the four points of the compass, as the buildings of the first settlers were generally made to do.

On the south side, over the main entrance, between windows in the second story, there is walled in an inscription stone, 12 by 20 inches, with the following legend :

HANNES HANDWERCK MIT GOTT HAB ICH DIES HAUS GEBAUT IM IAHR CHRISTI ANNO 1769

The wife of Mr. Hunsicker, the owner, is the daughter of Henry Handwerk, and she is now 79 years old, still active, in good health.

eralists, and voted for Hiester ; and Hiester was elected. Joseph Saeger and Conrad German were at the head of this extraordinary movement.

The voters of the district were Anti-Masons; and afterward Whigs. In 1839, when Porter defeated Ritner, there were only 17 Democratic votes in the whole township (including what is now Washington) cast for Porter, these includ- ing Henry Leh, Daniel Hausman, Daniel Kiehn- er, and Nicholas Kern. The victorious Demo- crats then held a celebration at Allentown and they sent special coaches from there to Heidel- berg for the 17 Democrats to participate in the great jollification in appreciation of their firm devotion to the ticket. It was a joyful occasion for them, and the event was long-remembered by the community.

736

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA:

BATTALION-DAYS .- The place in the town- ship where "Battalion-Day" was held by the State Militia for the purpose of practicing mili- tary evolutions was mostly at Saegersville. The "practice" had become abandoned by 1860, and no attempt was made to revive it, because a new system came to be introduced after the Civil War. Other places were at Deibertsville and Hunsicker's Tavern ( discontinued ) one mile east of Pleasant Corner.

These annual occurrences were very interest- ing and they attracted much attention from all classes of people, not only from the immediate neighborhood but from distant places. They were to them in those days what the agricultural fairs have come to be since then.

PUBLIC ROADS .- The first entry in the record of Northampton county, at Easton, relating to public roads in Heidelberg was made in 1770. The application was made by inhabitants of Hei- delberg and Lynn for a road from Michael Ohl's (Saegersville) on the "Great Road to Philadel- phia," (about a quarter of a mile from Ohl's) by way of Barnet Giltner, Tobias Ebert, John Hartman's mill, Jacob Bachman, John Bear, and Micahel Seip, to the "Great Road leading to Philadelphia, by Michael Meyer's Plantation." Viewers were appointed and the road was laid out.

Many entries for roads were made there after 1770 until 1812, when the applications were en- tered in Lehigh county at Allentown. Previous to 1752, they were made in Bucks county, at Doylestown.

The following roads have been selected from numerous entries for Heidelberg :

1831, from Caspar Handwerk's on road from Eas- ton to Orwigsburg, crossing Jordan creek to road from Heidelberg church to Allentown.

1835, from German's Mill via John, George, Ab- raham, and Martin Handwerk, and others, to Steph- en Balliet on road from Kutztown to Mauch Chunk. 1837, from road from German-Mill to Mosser's, to Michael Smith's.

1838, from road from Henry Blose to Blue Mt., to road from Saegersville to Heidelberg Church.

1841, from road from Lowhill to New Tripoli, via land of Bernhard and Jacob Kressly, to State Road, from Kutztown to Mauch Chunk at Elias Lentz's.

1856, from road from Balliets' Furnace to Allen- town, via land of George Rex, Daniel Krauss and Stephen Peter, to road from Kutztown via Saegers- ville to Lehighton.

1857, from road from Pleasant Corner to New Tripoli via Daniel Rex, Abraham Rex, Michael Rouch and Benjamin Rouch, to road from Germans- ville to New Tripoli.

1859, from road from Saegersville to New Trip- olis, via Elias Snyder, Nathan German, Frederick Speicher, and others to road from Germansville to Mosserville at Reuben Rauch's.

The total mileage of public roads in the town- ship is 80.

Three prominent highways have been gen- erally recognized from the beginning of the district :

East and West, from Neffsville via Germans- ville to New Tripoli; and from Slatington along the Blue Mountains.

North and South, from Lowhill via Germans- ville, to Slatington, and the Blue Mountains.

COUNTY BRIDGES .- Five bridges have been put up by the County in the township, four cross- ing the Jordan creek in a distance of two miles, and one the Mill creek.

Kressly Bridge is on the road from Pleasant Corner to Bittner's Corner, one-fourth of a mile north of the township line. It was built of stone, with five arches in 1871, at a cost of $5,000; and neighboring property-holders made contribu- tions in its erection.

Holben Bridge is on the same road at the Hol- ben Mill (now Bittner's), 300 steps south of Pleasant Corner. It was built of stone, with one span. It is the first county bridge in the town- ship.

Rauch Bridge is on the road to New Tripoli ; 300 steps west of Pleasant Corner, near the Rauch Carriage Works. It was built of iron, with one span, in 1900.

Germanville Bridge is at the village on the road to the R. R. station. It was built of stone, with one span, in 1887.

Peter's Bridge is on the road to Schnecksville, three miles east of Pleasant Corner. It was built of iron, with one span, in 1901.

Previously all these sites were occupied by wooden structures, placed there by the town- ship.

CREEKS .- There are three creeks which make up. the water system in the township: Jordan, which has its origin from springs at the base of the Blue Mountains and flows a little east of south, to the west of the central, portion, passing into Lowhill, near the old Kressly grist-mill, in length five miles; Mill, a tributary of the Jor- dan, which rises near the middle of the eastern township line and flows along and near this line, passing into Lowhill, in length nearly, three miles ; and Trout, rises in N. E. section and flows eastwardly two miles through the township, with its outlet in the Lehigh river at Slatington.

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History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 131

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