USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I > Part 132
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RAILROAD .- The Schuylkill and Lehigh R. R. extends through the central portion of the township from east to west, in length about four miles, with one of its stations in the township, named Germansville. It was constructed in 1874.
737
HEIDELBERG TOWNSHIP.
FARM AND WOODLAND .- A large proportion of the area of the township ( 17,000 acres) is woodland, which is estimated to be about 5,000 acres, comprising numerous scattered tracts in different sections, and timberland in a dense, un- broken forest along the Blue Mountains. The remaining 12,000 acres are practically farming land under good cultivation. Improved farms are in all parts of the township, even to the base of the mountain, and their successful operation is shown in the superior, well-painted buildings, with substantial iron fences in front of the dwell- ings. The largest annual crop of most farmers for many years past has been potatoes, running from 2,000 to 10,000 bushels, and it is a com- mon expression of opinion by strangers whilst passing the attractive properties-"see the pota- toes in that paint !"
NOTABLE SUMMITS .- A remarkable collection of rocks, called the "Bake-Oven" is situated on the summit of the Blue Mountains about the centre of the dividing line between Lehigh and Carbon counties. It is about 1,400 feet above the level of the sea, and on account of its eleva- ted position has been used as a signal station in the U. S. Survey Department. It has been vis- ited by many persons during the past fifty years, not only from the surrounding country, but by strangers, for its extensive, indescribable views ;
and the published reports of these visits have made the spot famous as a wonderful point of observation. The city of Allentown can be dis- tinctly seen, 20 miles to the south-east ; even the city of Reading, nearly twice that distance to the south-west. Tourists have declared that in some respects the views are superior to those from the Alps in Switzerland. The "Switch-Back" at Mauch Chunk, and the "Delaware Water-Gap" are also visible.
Another notable summit is about 1,000 feet west of the township corner called "Bear Rocks," in Lynn township.
RESERVOIR .- In 1908 the Washington Water Supply Co., established a reservoir near the head- waters of Trout Creek on the farm of Peter German (son of Nathan), south of the "Bake Oven," at the base of the Blue Mountains, for the purpose of supplying water for domestic uses to the families of Slate-Dale, Franklin, and Wil- liamstown, in Washington township. It covers an acre of ground, circular in shape, and the depth of the water in the centre is 15 feet. The iron main has been extended to the borough line of Slatington, nearly five miles. It occupies the site of the "grinding-mill," which was a part of the Hess rifle-barrel enterprise, operated on this property upwards of seventy years ago.
VIEW OF BEAR ROCKS.
CHAPTER XXXV. LOWHILL TOWNSHIP.
COMPILED BY ADAM P. FREY.
The township of Lowhill is situated in the central portion of Lehigh County. It was estab- lished by the Court of Quarter Sessions of Northampton County on December 18, 1753, in the following order :
"The petition of Peter Derr, that a large tract of land bounded on the east by North and South Whitehall townships, on the south by Upper Ma- cungie and Weisenberg townships, on the west by Weisenberg and Lynn townships, and on the north by Heidelberg and Washington townships, may be formed into a township be allowed."
The territory thus set apart for a district or township was not designated by a name, but from that time it was recognized as Lowhill (doubtless from the low elevations of the num- erous hills, as compared with the valleys). The petitioner was appointed the first constable of the district on Sept. 16, 1755.
Jordan creek and its tributaries (Lion creek, Switzer creek and Mill creek) flow in a very winding course, in a southeast direction, through the township and furnish the farmers with an abundant supply of flowing water. In early times, many grist mills were driven by these streams, but competition has caused them to be abandoned.
Numerous springs of the best water for do- mestic uses are found in all parts of the town- ship, and their situation in the valleys led to the location of dwelling houses near them by the first settlers. Notwithstanding their position was rather low as compared with the surround- ing land and by traveling over the township at the present time no buildings may be seen while passing over the higher places, until all at once, while turning a curve downwards, beautiful buildings and homes appear on account of these springs and small streams of water.
The land is generally very fertile, more so especially along the streams, and remarkably rolling in character. It is of a slate formation and well adapted to the production of large quan- tities of wheat, rye, oats, hay, corn and potatoes, particularly of the last named, for which the dis- trict has become famous. In proportion to area, the annual production of potatoes in Lowhill ex- ceeds that of any other district of the county. In former years only the best soil in a field was selected to raise potatoes by the farmer; but at the present time the whole field is planted, even
to the very tops of the hills and good crops are raised. The township contains about 9,000 acres, of which about 400 acres is timber land at the present time.
LAND WARRANTS .- The following persons took up land in Lowhill upon warrants dated as here indicated :
Acres.
Michael Aver, Feb.
9, 1750, .... .38
Peter Boll,
.Aug.
15, 1750, .. . .
38
Valentine Bermirhoff, . April
Peter Boll,
Feb.
9, 1775, . . .
33
Martin Buchman, March
Sept.
28, 1768, 3I
John Bear, . May
19, 1767,. . .
54
Adam Cline,
March
28, 1751,. . .
217
John Correll,
April
26, 175I,. . .
61
John Correll,
. Nov.
26, 1764, ..
15
Peter Derr,
.Feb.
7, 1747,. . .
51
Peter Doutface,
Sept.
26, 1747,
I27
Michael Dieber, Nov.
28
Andrew Eshbach, June
17, 1765, . . .
68
Martin Eighler, March
67
Martin Eighler,
March
18, 1767,.
3I
Andrew Eshbach, April
28, 1767,.
42
George Ebenhart,
June
3, 1767,
44
Martin Entert,
.Aug.
31, 1767, . .
22
Jacob Froch,
Oct.
9, 1752,. . .
36
Henry Fuerbach,
. Oct.
23, 1753, . . .
91
Peter Frantz,
March
II, 1789, .
12
Philip Fenstermacher,
. May
12, 1767,
50
Henry Houser,
Oct.
25, 1744,
125
Christian Hoffman,
March .Feb.
24, 1789,
6
Jacob Horner,
March
23, 1767,.
16
John Hartman, . Sept.
Nov.
21, 1745,.
189
Philip Kerger,
Jan.
17, 1754,. . .
41
George Kint,
Apri
14, 1757,. . .
98
John Klotz,
Feb.
1, 1775,
30 I02
Jacob Klotz,
March 16, 1767, .. . .
69
Jacob Klotz,
Nov.
10, 1767, . . .
39
Michael Mosser,
March
23, 1767, 79
Peter Neider,
March
30, 1768, . . 53
George Oldwine,
Nov.
2, 1758,
59
John Conrad Redd, May
June
3, 1746, .
I34
Maudlin Robenholder, April
II, 1749, .
94
Andrew Rees, .Nov.
15, 1750,.
58
David Riffle, Jan.
8, 1752,.
54
Jacob Row, .Oct.
. March
6, 1749,.
80
Henry Shedd,
May
9, 1753,.
57
John Christian Stahl,
Nov.
28, 1753,.
148
Peter Sell,
Oct.
1, 1766,
40
Andrew Sendell, .Oct.
21, 1766,.
4I
Andrew Slicer, ,Nov.
10, 1767,.
24
Reynard Vogdeas, .Nov.
4, 1745,.
I26
John Wolfshurter,
April
27, 1748, .
88
Jacob Weimer,
June
7, 1768,.
12
17, 1785, .
42
John Hartman,
28, 1768,
2
Michael Kimball,
Henry Krellon,
April
10, 1766,
25, 1743,.
90
Jacob Riffle,
21, 1766,
58
Zachary Satler,
22, 1752,. 63
20, 1767,.
42
Martin Buchman,
21, 1786,
18, 1767,. . .
738
739
LOWHILL TOWNSHIP.
Of these names, only those of Philip Fenster- macher, Peter Frantz, Christian Hoffman, John Hartman, John Klotz, Michael Mosser, Jacob Row, and Peter Sell appear on the assessment- roll of 1781 which would indicate that all of the others who had taken out warrants were non- residents at that time.
TAXABLES OF 1762 .- The following list em- braces the taxable residents of the township for the year 1762:
George George, Collector.
Baul, Peter, . £IO Kiessner, John, £5
Boughman, Martin, 14 Kind, George,
6
Bachman, Jacob, .. IO Knerr, Abraham, 14
Cerphas, John, 8 Knedler, George, .. 6
DieÎ,
6 Leiser, Andrews, . .
6
Dietrich, Adam,
5 Meyer, William, 5
Dieber, Michael, 12 Moser, Michael, 16
Esbach, Andrew, .. 6
Moser, Tobias' widow, I2
6
Fry, Jacob,
4
Rough, Jacob,
7
Fries, Yost,
4
Sendel, Andreas, .. Sell, Peter,
John Conrad Redd, 1743
Henry Houser,
1744
Grumlin, George, . 4
6
Michael Kimball, 1745
Gregelo, Henry, 6
5
Jacob Riffle, 1746
1747
Sinn, George,
6
Peter Doutface,
1747
4 Sieger, George,
6
John Wolfshuster, 1748
6 Maudlin Rabenholder, 1749
Zachary Seller, 1749
1750
Michael Aver, !750
Peter Ball, 1750
Adam Cline, 1751
John Cowell,
1751
David Riffle,
1752
Valentine Bermishoff,
1752
Jacob Froch,
1752
Henry Shedd,
1753
Henry Fuerbach, 1753
John Christian Stahl, 1753
Philip Kerger, 1754
George Kint, 1757
George Oldwine,
1758
Andrew Buchman.
John George.
Jacob Buchman.
George George.
Nicholas Burger.
Jost George.
Gabriel Boppenmeyer.
Lawrence George.
Conrad Biebelheimer.
Henry George.
Bittner, Andreas. Klein, Peter.
Buchman, Martin. Knauss, George.
Derr, Peter.
Koehn, Peter.
Deiber, Michael.
Krause, George.
Stophel Eiller.
John Hartman.
Fenstermacher, Philip.
Klotz, Jacob.
Tobias Eber.
Henry Hartman.
Frey, Leonard.
Moser, Michael.
John Eber. Jost Fries.
Peter Heilman.
George, John.
Moser, Abraham.
Philip Fenstermacher Leonard Fry.
John Klotz.
George, Jost.
Shifferstein, Andrew.
Peter Frantz.
Abraham Knerr.
George, Lawrence.
Shoemaker, Paul.
Jacob Fritz.
George Knadler.
George, Henry. Slough, Joseph.
John Fry.
Henry Kragolo.
Hartman, John. Slough, Nicholas.
Peter Fues.
Caspar Klotz.
Kuntz, David. Weida, Peter.
Adam Geiss.
Peter Kocher
George Krauss. Stofle Keep. Martin Keep. Peter Knodler.
George Stern. George Sin.
Andrew Sandle.
Paul Shoemaker.
Widow Leisser.
Peter Sell.
Michael Mosser.
George Snyder.
Tobias Mosser.
Paul Paulus.
Jacob Rowe.
Caspar Thomas.
Jacob Rowe, Jr.
Adam Thomas.
George Rowe.
Martin Wuchter.
Matthias Riffle.
John Wuchter. Andrew Knerr.
Single Freemen.
Christian Heilman. Jacob Shoemaker.
Michael Deeber.
Abram Knerr and Michael Mosser are each assessed six pounds, the highest in the township, and all others are assessed three pounds and be- low. The total amount of tax was £207 18s. 8d. George Krous was collector.
FIRST SETTLERS .- The following have been ascertained as the names of the first settlers in Lowhill township:
Fogel, Jacob, 1
George, George, 5 6
George, Yost,
Shick, Valantine, .. 10
Richard Vogdeas, 1745
Horner, Jacob, 7
Stern, George,
6
Peter Derr,
Hilleman, Christian, Hartman, George, . Hospelhorn, Ludwig, Hartman, John,
4
Thomas, Engel,
25
Wilker, Jacob,
4
Husby, Jacob,
4
Winter, Jacob,
5
Hartman, Conrad's, son-in-law, 6 Singlemen.
Klotz, Jacob, 9
Keuffer, Francis, .. 4
George, John.
2
Kope, Christopher,. 4
Konfert, Michael, . 5
Snyder, Jacob.
Knip, Christian, 4
1
TAXABLE RESIDENTS IN 1781 .- According to the assessment for Lowhill made by the com- missioners of Northampton county in 1781, the following persons were then property-owners: Peter Bohl. Simon George.
EARLY FAMILIES .- The following names rep- resent the ancestors of the early families of Low- hill township :
Andrew Dobber.
Jacob Heilman.
Michael Dieber.
Jacob Huner.
Jacob Dorner.
Christian Hoffman.
George, Simon.
Moser, Tobias.
Peter Hartman.
Jacob Housman.
George, George.
Moser, Philip.
Knerr, Abraham.
Zimmerman, Jacob.
Eilert, Mathis, 6
Ehrenhard, George,. 12
Reis, Christian,
Ravenold, Peter, .. 8 7 6
Shoemaker, George, Smetter, William, . Shnyder, Jacob,
I2
Hilleman, Jacob, 4 5
Andrew Rees,
Hillman, Jacob.
Peter Rish.
Ludwig Smith. Widow Smith.
740
HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
RESIDENTS IN 1812 .- The following were the taxable inhabitants of Lowhill township in the year 1812:
Land Owners.
Names. Acres.
Names. Acres.
Acker, Alfrom, 35
Haas, Frank, 83
Henry Acker.
Jacob Kline.
Andrew Buchman.
Jacob Knauss.
John Buchman.
George Klotz.
Andrew Bittner.
Andrew Andrew.
than, 150
John Bittner. Jacob Leissa.
Bittner, William, 104
Michael Diebert, Sr. John Lepig.
Michael Diebert, Jr.
Jacob Muthard.
Christian Delong.
John Muthard.
Bittner, Owen, 138
Heil, William,
II
Daniel Dieber.
Philip Mosser.
Beck, Frank P., 108
Solomon Delong.
Solomon Hottenstine.
Adam Diehl.
Michael Moser.
Solomon Diehl.
Abraham Moser.
Bachman, Wilson, II5
Sebastian Ettel.
Tobias Moser.
Michael Eberts.
Nicholas Ocher.
John Eberts.
Martin Oertal.
Conrad Eberts.
John Peter, Sr.
Balzer Fritz.
John Peter, Jr.
Baer, Milton, II Knerr, Richard, 42
Jacob Fenstermacher.
George Rau, Sr.
Bennecoff, Victor, 25
Knerr, George, 98
Peter Frey.
Andrew Rupp.
Bennecoff, Benja-
Knerr, Edwin,
53
Michael Frey.
John Rau.
min, 69
George Folk.
George Rau, Jr.
Bloch, Garion,
30
Klotz, George, 3I
Peter Frey, Jr.
Jacob Resh.
Butterwick, Mrs.
Klotz, Elmer, 63
Andrew George.
Christian Smidt.
Meta,
93
Klotz, William, 70
Klotz, Edgar J., 139
Klotz, Edwin M., . I2I
Henry Haas, Esq.
John Smidt, Sr.
Diehl, Peter,
77
Kemmerer, Robert, 2
George Haas.
Daniel Seigfried.
Diehl, Jeremiah,
47
Kocher, Harry, ... 74
Frederick Holben.
Henry Smidt.
Dengler, Tilghman,
17
Kressly, Cyprian, 82
Christian Holben.
John Sherer.
DeLong, Mrs,
Christian Haupt.
John Stern.
Fries, Edmund,
15
Jacob Hausman.
Jacob Shoemaker.
Lohrman, Amandes, I3
Peter Hollenbach.
Nicholas Seibert.
George Hollenbach.
John Smith, Jr.
Christian Hartman.
John Weaver.
Jacob Hartman.
Peter Weida.
Henry Hartman.
John Weida.
Jacob Haaf.
Emanuel Wetzell.
Neff, Clinton,
75
George Heilman.
Jacob Zimmerman.
Tobias Heilman.
Jacob Beaker.
Peter, Jeremiah,
II6
Jacob Heilman.
Peter Buchman.
Sr.
80
Peter, Henry,
28
Nicholas Hernniger.
Abraham Knerr.
Adam Knauss.
George Kuntz.
Frey, Mrs. Hettie, . 26
Conrad Knerr.
Andrew Knerr.
George, Frank, 42
Andrew Knerr.
John Hartman.
George, Mano, I03
Snyder, Willoughby,
56
David Kuntz.
Jacob Sherry.
George, Phaon, II3
Snyder, Nathan,
I30
Smith, Moses, 29
Smith, Amandes, 35
Seibert, Jeremiah, . 63
Greenawald, Alvin, 93
Grim, George, 81
39
Stettler, Phaon, 7
Shoemaker, Benja-
min, 107
Shoemaker, Daniel,
Mrs., I18
Hausman, Frank, . 112
Hausman, Elvin, .. 39
Hausman, Solomon, 26
Schadt and Diefen- derfer, I33
Haas, Solomon, . . . 94
Haas, Joshua, I00
Scherer, Frank, ... 2.7
Single Freemen.
Adam Frey. Jacob Ocher.
Peter Freis.
Jacob Gressley.
John Kuntz. Jacob Hausman.
Hollenbach, Eugene,
Hollenbach, Owen,.
70
Hollenbach, Thomas,
25
Martin Serpert. John Deibert.
Amount of tax, $170.55.
LAND OWNERS IN 1912 .- The following are the land owners and tenants of Lowhill town- ship in the year 1912:
Bittner, Edwin, . . 33
Haas, Richard, 45
Bittner, George, . .
60
Hunsicker, Joseph, , 74
Bittner, Henry, I20 Hunsicker, Howard, 55
Bittner, Mrs. Na-
23 50 Heilman, Oscar, . . Heilman, Benjamin, Heilman, George, .. Holben, Joseph, Est. Mary, 81 IO
Holben, James, ... 174
Hensinger, Mrs.
Mary, IO
Handwerk, Wil-
loughby, 95
Hardner, George, 86
Hahn, Granville, . . 74
Hopkins, Thomas, . 71
Kunkle, Frank, 9
Christina George (widow).
Andrew Shnable.
Billig, George,
IO
Diehl, Reuben, 26
Kressly, Benjamin,.
Christian Holben.
Andrew Shifferstine.
Marian, 18
Kressly, Oscar, 20 Kressly, Frank, 165
Christian Hausman.
Michael Stern.
Flexer, Moses, 115
Faust, Frank J., IO
Fritzinger, Mrs.
Lowhill Church, .. 20
Leiser, Alphonso, 2
Miller, Walter, 15
Miller, Calvin, 32
Moyer, Milton, 4I
Resh, Alfred, 27
Rockel, William, 33
Conrad Jacoby.
Frey, John, 15
Rauch, William, 42
Reinert, John, 51 Snyder, James, I7
Seibert, George, ... Schafer, Milton,
40
2
Gunkle, William, .. Geiger, Wallace, ... 73
Hollenbach, Henry,. 57 64
Simon Kocher.
Conrad Smith.
Casper Klotz.
George Seibert.
Andrew Knerr.
Abraham Smidt.
Fenstermacher, Jona- than, 7
Focht, Thomas, 58
Frey, Adam P., 24
Frey, Robert J., I30
Ouldt, Frank, 44
Frey, William F.
George Haaf. Conrad Bellman. Adam Bear.
Frey, William F.,
Jr., 6c
George, Charles, 69
Guth, Harry, Est., .15
Guth, Chester, 4
58
Bittner, Albert, 4
Bittner, Alvin P., 17
Bailey, Charles, 149
Burkhart, Max, 25
Bachman, Willough- by, . 22
Baer, John E., I28
Baer, Lewis, II2
Christian Seager.
Maria, 91
Loch, Peter, I02
Shoemaker, Gran- ville (now Trex ler), 215
741
LOWHILL TOWNSHIP.
Names. Acres.
Scheirer, Richard, . 127
Shellhamer, Fred, . 120
Semmel, Henry, 30
Snyder, Mrs. Wayne, 48
Semmel, David, ... 26 Trexler, Harry, ... 453
Schmick, Henry, 39
Dion, George, 52
Schlough, Frank, . .
50
Eck, John, 57
Schuler, Jacob, 94
Schuler and Bitt-
Weida, John,
2
ner,
49
Werley, Aaron, 58
Schuler, Albert, I40
Werley, Elias, I9
Schuler, John, 40
Werley, Benjamin, . 19
Schuler, Lucingus, .
15
Werley, Owen, 15
Werley, George, 89
Snyder and Krause, 18 Zettlemoyer, Francis, 90
Tenants.
I. Beck, Charles.
2. Baer, Granville.
3. Bittner, Reuben.
26. Knerr, Wilbur.
4. Bittner, Oscar.
27. Kuntz, Edward.
5. Brunner, Milton.
28. Klotz, Martin.
6. Brunner, Josiah.
29. Klotz, Oliver.
7. Bowman, Alvin.
30. Lentz, Ellsworth.
8. Beers, Milton.
31. Lentz, Richard.
9. DeLong, Tilghman. 32. Millhouse, Elias.
IO. Dengler, Henry.
II. Eisenhard, Henry.
12. Everett, Amandes.
13. Fritzinger, Richard.
14. Fritzinger, Frank.
15. Feinour, Charles.
16. Hausman, Harvey.
17. Hopkins, Daniel G.
18. Hahn, Jefferson.
19. Hollenbach, Moses.
20. Hollenbach, Lewis.
21. Herman, Charles.
22. Hartman, Elias.
44. Werley, Monroe.
Singlemen.
I. Bennecoff, James. man.
2. Bailey, William. 13. Holben, William.
3. Brunner, William.
14. Kressly, John.
4. Brunner, Thomas. 15. Klotz, Charles.
5. Bittner, Astor. 16. Klotz, Thompson.
6. Bartholomew, Wil- liam.
17. Klotz, Frank.
18. Lewis, Charles.
7. Focht, Osville. 19. Lewis, Ed.
8. Gordon, Frank. 20. Miller, Claude.
9. Haas, Wilson. 21. Peter, Warren.
IO. Haas, Jonas. 22. Snyder, John.
II. Haas, Melanchton.
23. Shingler, George.
12. Hollenbach, Tilgh-
24. Staufer, Samuel.
EARLY MILLS .-
I. Michael Mosser, now Hollenbach's mill.
2. Jacob Becker's, now Bittner's Corner.
3. Philip Fenstermaker, later Schlicher's.
4. Kline's, now Lyon Valley mill.
5. Weida's mill, later Weidasville.
6. Bittner's, now Moses Smith.
I. MICHAEL MOSSER purchased a large tract of land in Lowhill township, along the Mill creek, near the "Trexler Deer Reservation," in 1760, there erected a large grist mill, thereby becoming the first miller of the township in that section of the county. This was established on
the west side of the creek and carried on for many years, when it was rebuilt by Mosser & Fry.
In 1800, another mill was established on the opposite side of the creek by John Hollenbach and has been carried on by descendants of the family until the present time, the present owner being Thomas B. Hollenbach, one of the most enterprising and successful business men of the county.
At present the mill is equipped with the mod- ern roller process and operated by water and steam power and is generally recognized as one of the most modern in the county; the flour made is of a superior quality and many patrons prefer it to all other brands.
A store, grist mill, saw mill and clover mill were established at the Jordan creek by Jacob Becker before the year 1800, at what is now known as Bittner's Corner. A warrant for this land was first taken out by John Hartman in 1768 and 1789, later purchased by Andrew Bitt- ner of Germany, a son, Jacob Bittner, carried on the mill until about 1863, when he went to Heidelberg and died there about the year 1873, aged 83 years. The mill property came into pos- session of his son Jacob, who carried on the grist mill, store, hotel and saw mill and cigar-making was carried on at the same place by his son, Silas Bittner, in 1880 to 1888. In 1878, Jacob was assisted in the mill by his brother Tilgh- man, who had the misfortune of being caught in the cog wheels and ground to death. This was a great shock to the community, and people came from far and near to see the mangled re- mains. This Bittner's Corner mill was aban- doned about the year 1890 and only a ruined stone wall marks the place at present.
About a mile down the stream from Bittner's Corner, Elias Kuhns operated a linseed oil mill before the Civil War, later a saw mill was erected and the oil mill was changed to a grist mill. Michael Frey some time later purchased the place and conducted it until it was bought by Peter Bittner, Jr. The saw mill was aban- doned about the year 1898, and conducted only the grist mill until his death, when a Mr. Zim- merman, of Weisenberg township, bought it and rented it to Henry Dengler. In 1904, Moses Smith bought the property and is the present owner.
A grist and saw mill was built at Weidas- ville in 1840 by Peter Weida, and operated for about 50 years by John Weidas, Esq., Benjamin Weidas, John Weidas, Jr. The mill is now abandoned and the property is owned by Elmer Klotz at the present time.
Schneck, Lucingus,. 34
24. Grammes, Clinton.
25. German, Phaon.
33. Mumey, Harry.
34. Muick, Frank.
35. Peter, John.
36. Seibert, Henry.
37. Shellhamer, Aman- des.
38. Shingler, Thomas. 39. Snyder, James.
40. Snyder, Samuel.
41. Shoemaker, Henry.
42. Werley, Owen G.
43. Werley, Morris.
23. Heintzleman, James.
Names. Acres.
Wotring, Orville, 60
742
HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
THE FENSTERMAKER MILL, about a mile farther down the Jordan creek from Weidas- ville, was established about the year 1800, by Philip Fenstermaker. It was rebuilt in 1848 and rebuilt again and enlarged in 1873, after which it became the property of James Schlicher (commonly called Schlicher's mill), who carried it on for a number of years, when David Fen- stermaker succeeded him. It was discontinued about 1900 and subsequently the property was purchased by Col. Harry C. Trexler, who added it to his large deer reservation.
THE LYON VALLEY MILL was built at the Lyon creek (generally spelled Lion) before 1800 by Jacob Fenstermaker, and he was succeeded by his son Elias. In 1829, Solomon Ziegler be- came the owner and operated it until 1848, when Joseph Klein (then known as Kline's mill), who purchased the property and rebuilt and enlarged a stone building and conducted it till his death. It was successively owned by : Lewis Bittner, Jacob Zimmerman, Jr., Ed. Zimmerman, Mathias Kuhns, Samuel Bridges, Esq .; rebuilt by Wm. F. Fry, Sr., in 1882, bought by Dr. Frank Holben in 1888, then bought by Wayne Snyder in 1910, to the pres- ent time, now called Lyon Valley Mill, operated by water and steam power. The mill is equipped with three stones for grinding. In 1912 and '13 the mill is idle and will be sold in the near future because Wayne Snyder, the owner, died. This property was bought by Frank Koons, of Allentown on Aug. 6, 1913.
INDUSTRIES OF LOWHILL TOWNSHIP.
A blacksmith shop was established at Clauss- ville by Henry W. Peter in 1873 and carried on by him until 1893, when he was succeeded by Charles Stopp, who continued it for six years. John J. Peter, son of Henry, then took posses- sion and he has operated it in a very successful manner until the present time. A wheelwright has been conducted in the same building or shop for a number of years by William Rogel and John Peter and others.
In connection with the blacksmith business, Mr. Peter has been dealing extensively in hides and his business has increased during the last few years so much that he secured the help of Amandes Everett and during busy seasons he often hires more help. All other blacksmith shops in the township have been abandoned, namely: Lyon Valley, Bittner's Corner, Jonas Kressly, Walter Miller, Ruhetown, Charles Bailey's Levi Werley's. At one time all the above-named places and several others enjoyed a good trade.
A MACHINE SHOP.
An industry of considerable prominence for many years until recently was carried on quite extensively by Joseph, Jacob and Jonas Kressly, three brothers, on the road leading from Lyon Valley to the Lowhill church. The place is now owned by Frank Kressly, son of Jonas, but the business is discontinued since Jonas died. All manner of farm implements were manufactured here, such as grass mowers, threshing machines, horse powers, treading powers (that time used), hay rakes, land rollers grain fanning mills, corn shellers, plows, harrows, cultivators, etc., as many as twelve men being employed to conduct the business, these implements were sold to the farmers over the surrounding territory for many miles, even beyond the Blue mountains.
A CARRIAGE FACTORY.
A carriage factory near Claussville was erected and carried on quite extensively by Levi Werley for nearly fifty years. He started in a black- smith shop, and as his trade extended he erected additional buildings until he came to have a con- siderable plant from 1880 to 1895, when it was discontinued on account of his illness. His busi- ness was particularly successful and at different times as many as twenty-two men were em- ployed. His carriages, wagons and sleighs be- came very popular and he enjoyed a large trade in this and adjoining counties.
WEAVERS.
Nathan Frey conducted a large trade in this township in weaving at his home, near the Low- hill church. His shop is still standing, built of logs, now used by his son William, the present owner of the farm, as a washing and butcher house. He made carpet, flannel, cloth linsey- woolsey; the latter named article was a very popular material among his neighbors, and when the wool industry decreased he made mostly car- pet, which was also noted as a very good ma- terial. He learned his trade from his father, Peter Frey, who had steadily three looms in operation. Other weavers in the township were, Peter Bittner, Sr., Daniel Werley and Wil- loughby Snyder but at the present time no weav- ing is done in the township.
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