History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 133

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 133

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DISTILLERIES.

A number of whiskey distilleries were estab- lished in the township and carried on for a great length of time, but now all are out of existence.

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LOWHILL TOWNSHIP.

The oldest distillery of rye and apple whiskey was conducted by Aaron Lentz, near Bittner's Corner, later conducted by Jonas George. Other distillers were: Peter George, Sr., Peter George, Jr., Jacob Derr, Jacob Zimmerman, Jacob Hart- man, Phaon Hausman. The last place of dis- tilling whiskey from apples was that of Mano and Frank George, who discontinued in 1904.

VILLAGES OF THE TOWNSHIP.

There are a few small villages in the township, namely : Weidasville, Claussville, Lyon Valley, Ruhetown and a few of lesser importance.

CLAUSSVILLE is situated on one of the numer- ous elevations found in the township, about ten miles from Allentown.

The first house or tavern was built by Daniel Schumaker in the year 1800; the town was so called after Daniel Clauss, who kept the tavern from 1834 to the year 1851.

The postoffice was also so named after him. The village contains at present a hotel, a post- office, a store, a blacksmith shop and a wheel- wright establishment.

The tavern was kept by John Shifferstein and Joseph Slough from 1830 to 1834; Daniel Clauss from 1834 to 1851 ; Martin Seibert, from 1851 to 1856; Jonas Seibert, from 1856 to 1861; Jonathan Haaf, from 1861 to 1884; Henry W. Peter, from 1884 to the present time, and the Claussville hotel is one of the most popular country hotels in the upper end of the county, the owner and his family are very ac- commodating to the traveling public and good meals and drinks are served and the manage- ment of the hotel is excellent.

The first store opened at Claussville was in 1830, by John Shifferstein and Joseph Slough, until 1844, when a new store and dwelling house was erected opposite the hotel by Levi Knerr, who was succeeded by his son, Richard, the pres- ent owner of the store. In connection with the store is a large huckster route, carried on by Wilbur J. Knerr, son of Richard, this route ex- tends, through the townships of Lowhill, Weis- senburg, Heidelberg, and Lynn. Wilbur Knerr enjoys a large trade in Kentucky and Indiana horses, with neighboring farmers and business people.

The first postoffice established in this vil- lage was in the year 1830, and the first post- master appointed was John Shifferstein; he was succeeded by: Levi Knerr, and then Richard Knerr, the present incumbent, was appointed.

WEIDASVILLE .- The land on which this vil- lage is located was warranted to John Gimbel, who sold it to Nicholas Gower, who, on the

19th of April, 1765, sold it to John George Smith, who, on Sept. 27 the same year conveyed it to John Zerfas and Feb. 22, 1769, it passed to Jacob Homer. On the 12th of April, 1804, it came into possession of Abraham and Andrew Homer, sons of Jacob. Andrew sold his inter- est to Abraham, Feb. 23, 1805, who, on the 22d of March, 180-, sold to Casper Schmick. May 26, 1811, Peter Weida purchased this tract of over 200 acres. It remained in the possession of the Weidas until 1868, when it was bought by Jacob Peter, who was joined by . Daniel Kuhns, and continued by Daniel Kuhns until the year 1896, when it came into possession of Phaon Baer and others.

In 1830, a store was opened at this place by John Weida and his son Benjamin until 1864, when Daniel Kuhns bought the store and con- ducted it until 1896, when it was purchased by John E. Baer, the present incumbent.

In 1863, a postoffice was established, and John F. Weida was appointed the first postmaster, succeeded by Daniel Kuhns, later by John E. Baer, at which time the rural free delivery route of Schnecksville compelled him to abandon the postoffice in 1908.

The village at present contains only a store and six dwelling houses and twenty people liv- ing in it.

LYON VALLEY .- This settlement lies in the valley of Lyon creek, on the road leading from Allentown to Hamburg, about 14 miles north of the former city. The village, which consists of two places, namely, Old and New Lyon Val- ley, about a half a mile apart, was named after Lyon creek, a branch of the Jordan.

In the year 1845, Daniel Bittner came to the locality of Old Lyon Valley and opened a tav- ern and soon after a store in the same building. Jacob Zimmerman became associated with him the next year. They continued together six or eight years, when Bittner sold his interest to Zimmerman, who carried on the business until 1860, when it was sold to Dinkey & Mosser, who, in 1886, sold to T. D. Frey, but the tav- ern was continued by Zimmerman until 1872, when he too sold it to T. D. Frey and he con- tinued both until 1879, when he sold to C. W. Haas & Bro. The hotel at this place was aban- doned by the last proprietor, Jonas Fenster- maker, in 1885, and New Lyon Valley was licensed as the hotel place, but the store con- tinued by the following owners to the present time: Osville Haas, John Heintzleman, John Hollenbach, Elias Hensinger, Peter Hensinger and Robt. G. Kemmerer, the present owner. This place was the voting place for a long

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

time, but elections are now held at New Lyon Valley.

The entire village, both old and new, con- tains a store, hotel, grist mill, blacksmith shop, creamery and seven dwelling houses situated on the sunny or western side of this beautiful val- ley. Twenty-five inhabitants dwell here.

The proprietors of the New Lyon Valley hotel from 1855 to the present time (1913) were: Wm. F. Frey, Dr. F. J. Holben, John Adams, Wm. Shoemaker, Wayne Snyder, Oliver J. Fink and Frank T. Koons.

The postoffice at Lyon Valley was first estab- lished in 1857 and Jacob Zimmerman was the first postmaster and the different proprietors of the store were also postmaster in succession.

RUHETOWN .- In the southeastern part of the township lies a beautiful valley along the Jordan creek, where several farmers retired into small dwellings erected there, and as the German word for rest is pronounced (ruhe) they called the cluster of houses by that name "Ruhetown," and it still bears its name, but all residents are farm- ers now, while the several smaller dwellings do not exist any more. A great portion of the val- ley is enclosed by the Trexler deer reservation.

It is believed by some people that Balzer Fritz kept the first store in Lowhill, on the road lead- ing from Claussville to Fogelsville, at a place where Andrew Schifferstein kept a hotel and which was later kept by Joel Klotz. It is now only a farm house, occupied by Clinton Gram- mes.

BITTNER'S CORNER .- Near the northern end of the Lowhill township is a place well known among the people of the township as Bittners Corner.

In 1768 and 1789, John Hartman took out a warrant for land in this vicinity. Soon after Andreas Bittner, a native of Germany, pur- chased the property of John Hartman, hence the name Bittner's Corner. Bittner had previously purchased other lands at the west corner of the road leading to Heidelberg township. In 1812, his son Jacob took possession of this property and bought the Jacob Becker mill and carried it on until about 1863, when he was succeeded by his son Jacob. The property is now owned by Peter Loch, of New Tripoli. At one time this was a very busy country place, having in operation a grist mill, saw mill, hotel, store, cigar factory, shoemaking and clover mill. The place now (1913) contains a store, hotel and five dwelling houses. Amandes Shellhamer is the present pro- prietor of the hotel and store.

LEATHER CORNER POST .- This is a some- what odd name applied to a tavern stand in this

township. This is probably the oldest hotel in the township, which was built before the Revo- lution and kept by Ludwig Smith from that time for several years. In 1786 he was succeeded by Christian Nesher. In 1806, Moses Coyne purchased the place and opened a store in the same building. Jacob Woodring was the land- lord during the War of 1812 until 1826, when his son-in-law, Jacob George, became landlord until his death in 1898, being a Boniface for a period of 52 years.

The present hotel at the "Leather Corner Post" was built of brick in 1861 by John P. Baer, who was succeeded by Henry Yundt. The present owner is Walter Miller, who conducts a first class hotel and enjoys a satisfactory trade. The place now ( 1913) contains a hotel and three farm houses.

An early store and hotel was once conducted by Johannes Rau at the upper end of the town- ship, the old log building is still standing and now owned by George Seibert.

At the place where Tilghman Dengler now lives was once an old tavern stand; it was con- ducted by Lafayette George at a time when no licenses were required to sell liquor, and when liquor sold at three cents a drink and a cigar in the bargain.

An Early Road .- On the meeting of the first court of Lehigh county, held Dec. 21, 1812, a petition was presented from the inhabitants of Lowhill and Weissenberg for a road "to lead from the house of Christian Hartman, in Low- hill township, through the land of George Row, to the house of John Bittner; thence to the house of George Shoemacher ; thence to the house of Nicholas Werley, in Weissenberg township; thence coming in the great road leading from Heidelberg township, in said county, to Phila- delphia." The court appointed Peter Gross, Henry Haas, Henry Good, Peter Kern, John Sieger and Peter Snyder as viewers. They re- ported at the February term of court 1813, that they had viewed the proposed route, and had laid out a road as suggested. The report was not acted upon until the May term, when, on the 4th of that month, it was confirmed.

Old Trees .- Close to the Lowhill church stands an old "oak tree," considered by the oldest citizens, long ago dead, to be over 200 years old. Peter Frey, Sr., who died Oct. 5, 1859, at the age of 80 years related to his son Nathan, that when he ( Peter) was a little boy the tree had the same size as at the present time, and in 1798, and in 1859, when the second and third churches were built, they held services under the

745

LOWHILL TOWNSHIP.

spreading, shady branches of this venerable "oak tree."

Another old tree, a "pine tree," standing on the farm now owned by William F. Frey, Sr., is of the same as related by the same old man, to overtop all trees in the surrounding neighbor- hood; both trees show no signs of retarding so far, and appear to be enduring for another hun- dred years.

CHURCHES.

There are two churches in Lowhill township, namely: Lowhill and Morgenland.

LOWHILL CHURCH is situated near the north- western boundary of the township. It derives its name from the township, and the members of the two congregations worshipping there re- side within a radius of several miles round about, and some of them who moved from the district to other parts do still retain their membership.

The congregations had their origin in those of the Weissenberg church. The members of the Lutheran and Reformed denominations who worshipped there in harmony since 1749 de- veloped a controversy which in twenty years led to a separation of some of the Reformed mem- bers and to the erection of a church for them- selves within a mile to the eastward on an ele- vation, which commanded a fine view of the sur- rounding country, superior to that of the Weis- senberg church.

The organization was effected at a meeting of the members held on the 27th of January, 1769, at which a constitution and rules for the con- struction of a church building were signed. Jacob Bachman, Jr., presented a tract of land of 3 acres and 30 square rods in extent for the site of the church and the burial place. The names subscribed to the constitution then adopted are as follows :

Jacob Bachman, Jr. Engel, Thomas. Jacob Bachman, Sr.

Jost George.

Nicholas Mannebach. Nicholas Bachman.

Andreas Eschbach. Christoph Knör.

Johann Hartman. Heinrich Kempfer.

Johannes. George. Peter Kocher.

Peter Weiss. Paul Bachman.

George George. Johann Simon George.

At a meeting a subscription list was also begun for the purpose of defraying the expenses of building the church. In addition to the above names, the following (who afterwards joined this church) also contributed towards its con- struction, namely : Sylvester Holben. Peter Bohl. Abraham Knör. Wilhelm Holben. Elizabeth Reichel Frederick Schneiter. (widow). Benhard Schneider.

Heinrich Ohl (Heidel- berg).

J. W. Schneider.

Lorenz Bachmann.

Michael Deybert.

Johann Tiessluss.

Catherine Kempher.

Phillipp Ennes. Christian Reiss.

Johannes Reinsmith. Wilhelm Stumpf.

Nicholas Kocher.

Michael Probst, Sr.

The total of the above subscription was £37, 13s., 6d .; additional contributions at a meeting held after the church was completed being £1, 16s .; total cost, £39, 9s., 6d.

The church was built of logs during the sum- mer and dedicated on the 3d of September, 1769, by Rev. Philipp Michael. It was said to have been more carefully finished than other churches of that neighborhood which had been construct- ed earlier. Upon the dedication, Heinrich Ohl, of Heidelberg, presented to the new congregation a black altar cloth; Mrs. Heinrich Kempfer a white one (in those days called table-cloth, be- cause a table was made to serve for the altar) ; Nicholas Munnebach - presented two smaller cloths; Elizabeth Reichel (the widow of Jo- hannes Reichel), a communion service, and Nich- olas Mannebach and Abraham Knor a baptismal service.

The following members soon joined the con- gregation, mostly emigrants :

John Adam Geiss. George Falk.

Jacob Bär. Philip Fenstermaker.

Wilhelm Schmetton. Mathias Schlimann.

Jacob Mussergenug. Nicholas Impody.

George A. Guthekunst. Nicholas Impody and

Adam Dries.

others.

Jacob Harner, Esq.

Soon the congregation recognized the neces- sity of a school house, for they did not like to send their children to the Weissenberg school, and it was resolved to erect a building for this purpose, more land was needed, and Jacob Bach- man, who owned all the land surrounding the church, in part sold and in part gave the con- gregation 17 acres additional, so that the church and school lands comprised 22 acres and 18 square rods. This was done on the 19th of March, 1786. The school-house was built and a teacher appointed, who, as anywhere else, in consideration for the use and occupation of the land, led the singing in divine services, but for leading the singing at funerals and for teaching school, he was paid extra.

In the early history of the church, while Rev. Michael preached, in an irregular way, without a formal call, no baptismal record was kept. In 1772, Rev. John Heinrich Helffrich was called to serve the congregation, and by him the prior baptisms were entered. From that year on, the register was regularly kept until the time of Rev. Johannes Helffrich (who kept private memo- randa, for the custom of having children baptized

746

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

at home arose at that time, and they were not then entered upon the church register, and he and his successors kept their own private records, in which they entered notes of all their ministerial work, such as births, deaths, marriages and con- firmations, in the most careful manner.

The second church was built in 1798, the old building having become too small. The old contests, too, were closed, since many of the young men had married maidens of the ( Weis- senburg) Lutheran faith, and these desired to go to church and join the communion of their faith, so nothing was easier than the transition by which the purely Reformed church was changed to a Union church. A new constitution was agreed upon, the church and all its pos- sessions made common, and then the work of building was begun. On the 28th of May, 1798, the corner-stone was laid, with services conducted by Rev. Johann Heinrich Helffrich, the Reformed minister, assisted by Rev. Herman Jacob Shellhardt, who was chosen the first Lu- theran pastor of the church. In the fall of the same year the same pastors dedicated the com- pleted structure. The church was again built of logs, but artistically finished after the manner of those times. A neat pulpit and altar at one end of the longer sides, and galleries spanned the other three. Later the building was weather- boarded. The consistory, and the first Lutheran consistory who signed the constitution were com- posed of the following members :

REFORMED.

LUTHERAN.

Rev. Johann Heinrich Rev. Jacob Herman Helfrich.

Schellhardt.

Deacons.

Philipp Fenstermaker.

Jacob Harner, Esq.

Lorenz George.

Nicholas Imbotty.

After 1850 a new organ was placed in the church. It was constructed by Charles Hanzel- man (who came to this region about that time), at Rev. Johannes Helffrich's house in Weissen- berg.

The third church was built in the year 1858, located on the site which had been occupied by the old church. It was constructed of brick, crowned with bell-tower and bell, and finished in modern style. The corner-stone was laid on the 13th of May, 1858, and the services were conducted by the Lutheran pastor, Rev. Jere- miah Schindel. and the Reformed pastor, Rev. William A. Helffrich. A wicked, unchristian affair took place on this day, occasioned by the sutlers, who, carrying on their trade, as they did at many other places on festival days. In this wise it occurred: It had for many years previous become a custom in Eastern Pennsyl-

vania for sutlers or hucksters, often to the num- ber of twenty or more, to come to the church fes- tivals, where many people usually congregated, and there range their wagons in a circle round the church, to erect booths, and to sell nuts, candy, cakes, beer and even whiskey. The prov- erb says, "Where the carcass lies there the vul- tures will be found," and by means of these hucksters a rough element was attracted, who turned the day into an occasion more similar to a wicked debauch than a decent Christian fes- tival. Thousands of visitors came from near and far, and were present at these festivals, such as corner-stone laying, dedicatory services and, later, the centennial anniversaries, and so, owing to these hucksters, many of the people were em- ploying the holy Sabbath day in trading, drink- ing, eating, or in walking through the woods about the church, engaged in laughing or frivol- ous conversation. During divine service they swarmed through the neighboring woods, while the church within was without worshippers, or the rough rabble ran noisily in and out, disturb- ing the services. The earnest church members were opposed to this disorder, and it was re- solved that corner-stone laying in Lowhill should mark its overthrow. Both of the pastors re- solved never thereafter to lend their presence at any festival gathering where the congregation should not be willing by resolution to forbid the coming of the sutlers, and as the pastors laid this matter before the consistory, and that body immediately resolved that at the coming dedica- tion no sutler should be permitted to be present. This resolution, however, was not executed with- out considerable strife, even members of the church took sides with the sutlers. With the dedication day also came the hucksters in spite of notices published in the newspapers and erected their tents. But during the progress of the ceremonies several members, who were of the same mind as their pastors, induced the sutlers, by threats of prosecution ,to strike their tents and leave. The fight against them extended from here to other churches, and finally the dis- order entirely disappeared, although not with- out a desperate resistance.

On the 24th and 25th of April, 1859, the dedicatory services took place, sermons being de- livered by the Revs. Joshua Derr, Thomas Steck and William A. Helfrich.

The organ was repaired during the fall of the same year and rededicated on the 25th day of September, 1859. Revs. Thomas Steck and Wil- liam A. Helfrich preached.

On the 10th of November, 1865, it was re- solved to build a new school house and an elec- tion was held to choose a building committee.

747

LOWHILL TOWNSHIP.

A roomy brick house was erected during the next summer and dedicated on the 7th of October, 1866, by the pastors of the church.

A handsome bequest of $2,261.32 was left the congregation in 1874 by John Holben, a ven- erable member of the church, upon condition that the interest derived from the same should be annually paid as salary to the pastors of the church.

In 1901, a second bequest was made to the congregation by Solomon Heintzleman, an old bachelor, living a hermit life, about one mile south of the church, near Lyon Valley. The amount was made by will amounting to $582.24, the interest of which was to be used for the keep- ing in repair his grave, monument and fence and lot on the adjoining cemetery and the balance of the interest to be used for the best purposes of the church.

A third bequest was made in 1907 by Reuben Zimmerman, amount of $500 also by his will directing the interest of which to be used annu- ally to repair his burial place on the cemetery for himself and wife, Rufena, and the balance to be used as salary for the pastors in equal shares.

Mrs. Mary Klotz (nee Rex) presented two ornamental lamps to the congregation, to be placed at the side of the pulpit, which lamps make an excellent appearance.

The collection at the Lowhill church during regular services were lifted by deacons in wooden boxes until 1906, when two of the oldest church members, namely, John George and Peter George, put their heads and hands together and bought two perfectly finished aluminum collec- tion plates, and the catechumen class, under the direction of Rev. Jesse Mengel, bought two more. The members of the class were: John Everett, Charles Snyder, Fred Greenawald, Ed- gar Kern, Pearl Wotring, Hilda Knerr, Jennie Hamm, Ada Haas, Lily Bachman, Clara Greena- wald, Elsie Weiss and Mabel De Long.

Prior to the last-mentioned bequest, in 1886, the catechumen class, under the direction of Rev. J. N. Bachman, also made a grand bequest to the congregation, in the shape of a new Bible and Bible stand; the members of the class were as follows :

Adam P. Frey, Oliver J. Kocher, Charles George, Granville Frey, John A. Frey, Annie Frey, Ella Schafer, Tervillia Bachman, Sarah Greenawald, Ella Greenawald, Ella Fritzinger, Emma Fritzinger and Rosy Frey.

The Sunday school, connected with the church, presented the congregation with a new English Bible as a Christmas gift in 1908, and from that time on English services are occasionally held.

In 1900 a large new pipe organ was installed in the church.

The Reformed wing of the congregation are using the individual communion cups since 1909, but the Lutheran wing are still using the old cup.

The church is still heated by old style stoves, but there is a strong sentiment to install a steam heating plant.

The Reformed ministers of the church from the beginning to the present time (1913) were:

I. Philipp Michael, from 1769 to 1772.

2. Johannes Henrich Helffrich, from 1772 to 1810.

3. Heinrich Diefenbach, from 1810 to 1816.

4. Johannes Helffrich, from 1816 to 1852.

5. William A. Helffrich, from 1852 to 1867.

6. E. J. Fogel, from 1867 to 1877.

7. J. N. Bachman, from 1877 to 1905.

8. Jesse M. Mengel, from 1905 to 1912.

9. Milton Klingaman, from 1912 -.

The Lutheran ministers were:

I. Hermann Jacob Schellhardt, 1798.

2. G. F. Obenhausen.

3. Friederick Geissenhainer.

4. George Wartman and J. Däring.

5. Jeremiah Schindel, from 1837 to 1858.

6. Thomas Steck, from 1859 to 1866.

7. J. S. Renninger, from 1867 to 1878.

8. Milton Kramlick, 1878 to 1884.

9. Frank K. Barndt.

IO. Milton Kuehner.

II. Henry E. Semmel, 1897.

73 Lutheran members.

The present (1913) membership of the con- gregation consists of 157 Reformed members and The officers of the church are:

REFORMED. Elders.

LUTHERAN. Elders.

William F. Frey, Sr. Frank Scherer.

Frank P. George. Frank Hollenbach.

Deacons. Deacons.

Elvin Bachman.

Henry Bittner.

Wilson Schuler. Walter Bittner.

Henry Greenawald. Francis Zettlemoyer.

Asaba Greenawald. William Brunner.

Financial Council. Trustees.

Frank P. Beck, Pres.

Oliver J. George.

Adam P. Frey, Sec.

James F. George, Treas.

H. H. Bittner.

The consistory and council have a regular meeting every three months to discuss matters pertaining to the welfare of the church.

Church services are held every two weeks in the forenoon at 10 o'clock, mostly in the Ger- man language, but a strong sentiment prevails among the younger elements to have more Eng- glish sermons. A large cemetery is connected with the church, as a burial place for members only, which is crowned with tombstones and monuments of marble, granite and other varie- ties of stone.

A Sunday school is connected with the church. Its membership is (1913) 149 young people.

748

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

The sessions are held every Sunday forenoon at 9 o'clock.

The different choir leaders were: John Ban- ner, Jessie Banner, Israel Banner, Peter Bender, R. Lichtenwalter, Erastus Roth, Daniel Miller, Wm. Stump, J. Adam Lichty, Oliver Acker, Simon Norgang, Granville Werley, and John E. Baer at present.

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History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 133

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