USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I > Part 134
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MORGENLAND CHURCH .- This church stands upon an elevation in the southeastern corner of Lowhill township, near a spot known long ago as the "Leather Corner Post," surrounded on all sides by small valleys, through which the Jordan creek flows at a distance of a mile from the church.
The church has from its beginning been a Union church. Reformed and Lutherans, di- vided and independent in faith and teachings, have equal and common right to all the church lands, church building and church yard, and make free, undisturbed use of them together.
The organization of the church is of recent date. Members of the Lowhill, Union, Jordan, Ziegel and Fogelsville congregations united, se- lecting this spot upon which to erect a house of worship, which should be nearer their homes and more convenient for them and their families.
On the 4th of April, 1857, a meeting was held for the purpose of selecting a site, which re- sulted in securing a piece of land owned by Daniel Sechler, for the church building, and of an adjoining tract, owned by Jacob George and Reuben Krause, for a graveyard.
Another meeting was held on the 13th of April following, at which it was resolved to begin the erection of a building without delay and to organize the congregation by electing a con- sistory. This election resulted as follows :
REFORMED. Elders.
LUTHERAN. Elders.
Jonas Mertz.
John Weida.
Solomon Hamm.
Daniel Claus.
Deacons. Deacons.
Franklin Fritzinger.
Benjamin Weida.
Gideon Haaf.
George Klotz.
Daniel Sechler. Reuben Deibert.
Peter Ertel.
Levi Haas. Trustee.
Trustee.
Solomon Diehl.
David Heilman.
Treasurer.
Reuben Krauss. Building Committee ..
Simon Minnich. Jonathan Diehl.
Jesse Klotz. Michael Deibert.
The work of construction was immediately begun and on the 23d of August of the same year everything was ready to lay the corner-stone, with services held by Revs. J. S. Dubbs and William A. Helffrich.
On the 31st of August, 1858, the dedicatory
services were held by Revs. Joseph S. Dubbs, Jeremiah Shindel and William Rath leading. The church is of brick, constructed in modern style.
The congregation afterwards provided itself with a pipe organ, which was dedicated in 1870 by the pastors, Revs. Fogel and Leopold.
By the year 1871, the old graveyard, which is small, was well filled up, and a piece of ground on the opposite side of the street was laid out in regular lots for a cemetery. It was dedicated by Revs. Fogel and Leopold.
In the year 1900 the congregation erected a bell-tower with a bell at the southeast corner of the church. This addition was also of brick and the lower part is well fitted out as an ante- room, so often necessary for congregational meet- ings, etc.
The Reformed ministers of the congregation thus far have been:
1857-Joseph S. Dubbs. - Joseph H. Dubbs.
1867-E. J. Fogel.
IgII-Frank Guth.
The Lutheran ministers have been :
1857-Jeremiah Shindel.
William Rath.
Owen Leopold.
Elmer Leopold.
1910-Frank Keller.
Church services are held every two weeks alternately by the Reformed and Lutheran pas- tors in the forenoon at 10 o'clock. The church is warmed by stoves. The membership numbers 280. The services are mostly in German.
A Sunday school is connected with the church, which meets every Sunday. It has 146 members at present (1913) of the young people of the neighborhood.
The elected officer holders of the church now are as follows :
REFORMED. Elders.
LUTHERAN. Elders.
Lucingus Diehl.
Lucingus Schneck.
Max Burkhardt. Benj. Heilman.
Deacons. Deacons.
Charles George. Geo. Heilman.
Richard Haas. Monroe Werley.
Howard Hunsicker. Robert Kemmerer.
Elmer Baer. Trustee.
Allen Hausman.
Trustee.
Jefferson Haas.
Geo. Klotz.
Treasurer. Elias Worley.
This congregation has no land adjoining the church for farming purposes for the use of the organists, as was the custom with other churches in this section. The organist receives a cash salary and is one that came from a neighboring congregation. The names of the choir leaders from the beginning to the present time (1913)
749
LOWHILL TOWNSHIP.
were as follows: Prof. Harwick, William Wal- bert, Daniel Miller, Oliver Acker, Allen Ban- ner, Prof. G. F. Werley, John E. Baer.
SCHOOLS OF LOWHILL TOWNSHIP .- The Lowhill church was built in 1769 and soon after a school was established. About the year 1800, this school was taught by Jacob David, Jr. After him came Jacob Hart, John Benner, Israel Ben- ner, Sr., Shreiber, Mr. Busse, Peter Bender, Erastus Roth, Daniel Miller and others. The township had only this one school until the year 1855. The members of the first school board in Lowhill township were: Peter Ertel, president; Levi Dornblaser, secretary, and An- drew Knerr, treasurer.
The township of Lowhill paid nothing toward the education of the poor until the year 1833, when 30 cents only was paid; in 1834, $0.82; 1835, $9.70; 1836, $15.45 ; 1837, $35.17; 1838, $41.32; 1839, $83.43. So it continued to in- crease until at the present time, when the school tax rate is six mills on the valuation on both real and personal property. Some time after 1855, the township was divided into seven dis- tricts, namely: Holben's, now Lyon Valley ; Scheirer's; Liberty Hill, now Highland ; George's, now Morgenland; Claussville, Low- hill church, and Waterpond, which is a joined school district with Heidelberg township. No accurate records were kept until 1871, when regular meetings were held and minutes of all transactions recorded.
The reason no records were kept prior to 1871 was that the people were opposed to the free schools law passed in 1834. This township did not adopt this law until 1849. The first school houses were of frame structure, with the weather boards placed upright, and the joints were closed by narrow strips. From 1870 to 1876 all school houses in the township were re- built again of frame, but of finer workmanship, and they were all painted with a dull red color, entitled the "Little Red School House on the Hill." The present structures are all brick and furnished in the modern style. The schools are all ungraded.
The following are some of the teachers of the different schools since 1871:
No. I, Lyon Valley- I. J. Kistler. Frank A. Schuler.
School No. 2, or Scheirer's-
Wilson Fisher. John Oswald.
Alvin Rupp. Jennie Ebert.
J. W. Scheirer. Geo. Buchman.
Owen Snyder.
A. J. Kern.
A. W. Troxell.
James Hausman.
Edgar Klotz.
Geo. F. Herber.
M. A. Richards.
R. A. McClellan.
Wm. A. Stump.
Wilmer Holben.
Walter Hoffman.
Edwin Follweiler.
Rev. M. N. George.
Cora Herber.
Milton Fries.
School No. 3, or Highland-
L. M. Holben. Henry Wehr.
Frank Kock. Harry O. Knerr.
Robert Banner. Ralph Leh.
W. D. Zimmerman. Mattie Geggus.
T. J. Knerr. Raymond McClellan.
Peter Hoffman. William Masters.
L. G. Heilman. Wilmer Holben.
A. P. Frey. Elsie Peter.
Frank Schuler. Ira W. Fisher.
School No. 4, or George's-
Leon Snyder. Geo. Mast.
James German. George Hoffman.
Frank Heil.
Francis Lindaman.
William Werley.
Geo. Buchman.
Aaron Greenawald.
M. D. Wehr.
Harry Cope.
William F. Masters.
A. J. Herber.
Irene Hummel.
Chester Frantz.
Nora Werley.
Frank Wiltrout.
Clayton Watring.
T. J. Knerr.
William F. Masters.
H. F. Hielman.
School No. 5, or Claussville-
Alvin Rupp. P. C. Bittner.
Levi Knerr.
E. J. Faust.
P. W. Snyder.
L. G. Heilman.
L. M. Holben.
H. N. Scheirer.
Sam'l Heilman.
Maggie Musselman.
W. J. Knerr.
Henry H. Frey.
Abner Buck.
Pearl C. Wotring.
H. F. Heilman.
John A. Everett.
W. D. Zimmerman.
Lily M. Rupp.
Edgar Acker.
Mrs. Irene Master.
G. P. Brown.
School No. 6, or Lowhill-
Daniel Miller. L. G. Hausman.
Oscar Miller. A. J. Holben.
Achilles Miller. E. J. Faust.
Sol. F. Rupp.
S. W. Hacock.
B. F. Mohr. Frank J. Herber.
A. J. Herber.
Adam P. Frey, since
William Stump.
1895 to the present time.
J. Adam Lichty.
Rev. M. N. George.
School No. 7, or Waterpond-
Frank Herber. A. H. Henry.
A. Diefenderfer. Frank A. Schuler.
Nathaniel Peter.
Blaine J. Knerr.
I. W. Bittner. Geo. Buchman.
J. H. Bittner. Annie Seiberling.
A. J. Herber. Charles Kunkle.
James Holben. Wilson Scheirer.
Ammon Lichty.
Annie Haas.
Alfred Ebert. R. A. McClellan.
R. J. Peters.
Amandes J. Holben.
Francis Baer.
Alice Shoemaker.
Elmer Kunkle.
Owen Quier. James Bachman.
Oscar Miller. Phœby Dinkey.
John Sturm. William Henry. Ada M. Fries.
W. J. Muir.
Henry H. Frey.
A. H. Miller. Geo. Haas.
Elsie Woodring.
James Holben. John A. Everett.
Joel Bittner. Olive Oswald.
750
HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
The township graduation system was intro- duced in this township in the year 1898, but the first year there was no applicant and the com- mencement was connected with that of the Weis- senberg schools. The following is a list of the alumni and graduates of 1912 and '13 :
ALUMNI.
Class of 1899. P. J. P. Heilman. Blaine J. Knerr. Walter Sittler. Class of 1900. Phaon F. Schafer. C. A. J. Buchman. Class of 1908. Annie L. Haas. Class of 1902. Mrs. Estella Holben- Hollenbach. Annie A. Knerr. Class of 1903. Arthur W. George. Clara E. Hopkins.
Class of 1909. Clara H. Greenawald. Class of 1910.
Henry H. Frey. Class of 190.4.
Harvey A. Creitz.
Raymond A. McClellan.
John Hausman. Class of 1905.
Class of 19II. Norman C. Hollenbach.
Vertie Q. Kressly. Carrie A. Smith.
Lillie L. Kressly.
Lillian G. Hollenbach. Class of 1912.
Ralph Knerr.
Blaine E. Werley.
CLASS OF 1913.
Paul Berkemeyer. Norman D. Fenner. Eddie Hopkins.
Howard Haas.
Lila Hopkins.
Verna I. Kressley.
Elma Norgang. Willard Thomas.
The following is the
PROGRAM of the
FOURTEENTH ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT
of the PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF LOWHILL TOWNSHIP in the MORGANLAND CHURCH on June 14th, 1913, at 7: 30 P. M. Music by Clauser's Orchestra. PROGRAM
Music.
Prayer, Rev. Frank Keller. Music.
Salutatory, Paul Berkemeyer. Recitation, "Why Should the Spirit of Mortal Be Proud," Elma Norgang. Music.
Andre and Hale, .Norman D. Fenner. Essay, "How to Make the Home Happy," Verna I. Kressley. Music.
Perserverance, Howard Haas.
Graduation, Eddie Hopkins. Music.
Oration, "Labor and Genius," Ralph Knerr. The Hero President, Blaine E. Werley. Music.
American Patriotism, Willard Thomas.
Valedictory, Lila Hopkins.
Music. (Collection.)
Address and Presentation of Diplomas, Alvin Rupp Remarks by the Chairman and others. Benediction. Music.
SECRET SOCIETIES IN LOWHILL TOWNSHIP IN THE YEAR 1913 .- There are two secret socie- ties or lodges organized and regularly held in this township, namely, at Claussville and at Leather Corner Post. The one at Leather Corner Post is called the "Lowhill Mutual Aid Association." It was organized June 8, 1888, meets every Saturday evening before full moon in each month. The association was chartered in the Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh county and signed by the president judge, Edwin Al- bright, on September 1, 1890. The charter
members were:
Mano Klotz, President. Wallace Geiger, Vice-President. E. Henry Knerr, Secretary. John P. Baer, Treasurer.
Irvin Ackey, Granville Klotz, Wm. H. Frey, Au- ditors.
Other members that signed first charter were: Solomon Klotz, Henry Henritzy, John L. Smith.
There were 261 members admitted since the organization to the present time (1913). Nine- teen members died since organization. Four members withdrew. One hundred and six mem- bers were discharged. There are at present (1913) 132 active members.
The office holders of this association at the present time are as follows :
President, Richard Haas. Vice-President, Monroe Werley. Secretary, Benj. F. Werley. Assistant Secretary, Blaine E. Werley. Treasurer, Chas. P. George. Trustees, Phaon George, Elias Werley, Geo J. Klotz.
Auditors, Geo. F. Haas, Edwin R. Knerr, Oliver M. Klotz.
Knights of the Golden Eagle, Castle No. 486, was organized at Claussville, May 18, 1895. The regular meetings are held the first and third Saturday evenings of each month. The charter members were:
Past Chief, Frank J. Faust. Noble Chief, Geo. F. Haas. Vice Chief, Samuel Deily. High Priest, William Deibert. Master of Records, Q. O. P. Faust. Clerk of Exchequer, O. F. Heilman. K. of Exchequer, Henry Peters. Sir Herald, Calvin Freas.
Other members were: Edwin Knerr, Charles Diehl, John Seip, John J. Peter, Esq., Chas. Frantz, D. H. Leiser.
John A. Everett. Class of 1906.
Wilmer P. Holben.
Mrs. Pearl C. Wotring- Schuler.
Clarence P. Hollenbach. Clayton W. Wotring. Total, 30.
Hilda L. Knerr, M.E.
Class of 1907.
Beulah K. George. Flossie B. Haas.
751
LOWHILL TOWNSHIP.
Since the organization of this society, 12 brothers died and 13 brothers' wives died to the present time. Five brothers were discharged during the entire organization, and 119 members have withdrawn for various reasons. The pres- ent membership (1913) is 126 active members. The officers conducting this society at present are :
Past Chief, Frank Krause.
Noble Chief, Llewellyn Guth.
Vice Chief, Harry Mummey.
High Priest, Frank Faust.
M. of R., Geo. F. Haas.
C. of Ex., O. F. Heilman.
K. of Ex., S. F. Heberly.
Sir Herald, Edwin Hopkins.
W. H., Charles Herman.
The following is a list of persons found on the Mercantile Roll of 1913:
Commissioned.
John Weida,
April 14, 1840
Edward Beck,
.April 14, 1840
John Weida,
.April 15, 1845
Edward Beck,
April 15, 1845
Bittner, Alvin P.,
2 85
Bittenbender, O. D.,
2 85
Dengler, Tilghman,
3 95
Fink, Oliver J.,
2 95
Hausman, Sol. D.,
4 25
Hollenbach, Lewis D.,
2 85
Hollenbach, Thos. B.,
3 70
Kemmerer, Robt. G.,
12 75
Klotz, Oliver M.,
2 85
Knerr, Richard J.,
6 75
Miller, Walter,
3 00
Moyer, C. H.,
2 85
Peters, J. J.,
2 85
Peters, H. W.,
2 85
Jacob Zimmerman,
Mar. 30, 1880
E. Henry Knerr,
April 19, 1882
E. Henry Knerr,
April 6, 1883
Ed. C. Hollenbach, Aug. 20, 1883
Frank J. Faust, May
I, 1886
J. Adam Lichty, May
May
I, 1891
E. Henry Knerr,
May
I, 1893
James A. Holben,
May
I, 1896
E. Henry Knerr,
May
I, 1898
Frank J. Faust, May
I, 1901
Peter Hensinger,
May
I, 1903
John J. Peter,
May
I, 1906
Adam P. Frey, May 1, 1908
John J. Peter,
May
I, 19II
Other township officials at the present time (1913) are as follows:
Township Supervisors. Reuben Bittner, Pres.
Mano A. George, Sec. and Treas.
Elmer Klotz. Township Auditors.
Benjamin Werley. Walter Miller.
Robert C. Kemmerer. School Directors.
Eugene Hollenbach,
Pres.
Clinton Grammes, Vice- Pres. Frank P. Beck, Sec.
Richard Scheirer, Treas.
Edwin M. Klotz.
Constable.
Henry Dengler.
Tax Collector.
Warren Peters.
Assessor.
Henry A. Hollenbach. Election Officers.
Richard Haas, Judge. Henry Seibert, Inspector.
Wm. Bailey, Inspector. Election Clerks.
Charles F. Beck. John J. Peter.
9, 1872
Jacob Zimmerman,
Mar. 13, 1875
Daniel H. Miller,
Mar. 19, 1877
Scheirer, Richard,
3 05
Shellhamer, A. S.,
3 25
Shellhamer, Fred.,
2 85
Smith, Moses H.,
2 90
Schneck, Lysingus,
2 80
MAIL ROUTES IN LOWHILL TOWNSHIP.
There were several Star Routes passing through this township prior to 1900, namely : Kutztown route, to Schnecksville; Saegersville route, to Macungie; Harrisburg route, to Allen- town, and the various post offices were supplied, such as Claussville, Leather Corner Post, Wei- dasville, Lyon Valley and Lowhill, and the citizens of the township were required to go to these various post offices and get their news- papers, letters, etc. This often happened only once a week, as newspapers that time were weeklies or monthlies.
In 1908, when rural free deliveries came into existence, all these routes, except one, now going from Saegersville to Fogelsville, were discon- tinued and all post offices too were discon- tinued except the ones at Lyon Valley and Claussville. At the present time there are four free delivery mail routes passing through the township, namely: Jordan, Route 1 ; Schnecks-
ville, Route 1; Orefield, Route 1; Fogelsville, Route I.
At first many citizens were opposed to these free deliveries but now, after experiencing its comforts, those same persons would be more op- posed if they should be abandoned.
There are, however, a few families that have to get their mail at a short distance from their homes, but those usually reside away from the traveled public road.
TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS .-- Prior to 1840 the justices having jurisdiction over this territory were elected in districts, and their names will be found in the civil list of the general history. Those elected since 1840 are as follows:
Bear, Elmer,
$6 75
Bennicoff, P. S.,
3 80
Jacob Zimmerman,
April 14, 1846
Peter Weida,
April 9, 1850
Jacob Zimmerman,
April
9, 1850
Jacob Zimmerman, April 10, 1855
Peter Weida, April 10, 1855
John Weida, April 14, 1857
Jacob Zimmerman, April 10, 1860
Charles A. Wuth, April 15, 1862
Jacob Zimmerman,
April II, 1865
Daniel H. Miller,
April 9, 1867
Jacob Zimmerman,
April 8, 1870
Daniel H. Miller,
April
I, 1888
Frank J. Faust,
CHAPTER XXXVI.
LOWER MACUNGIE TOWNSHIP.
COMPILED BY REV. MELVILLE B. SCHMOYER.
Nearly a hundred years after Macungie town- ship had been formed, it was divided into two parts-Upper and Lower Macungie townships. The separation was made on the 3rd day of May, A. D. 1832. Hence the early history of this township will appear under Upper Macungie township.
Lower Macungie is bounded on the northwest by Upper Macungie, on the northeast by Salis- bury (Salzburg), on the southeast by Upper Mil- ford, on the southwest by Longswamp and Here- ford townships, Berks county.
The surface of the township is pretty generally level-a few sections being of a broken character, underlaid with limestone. The township is un- surpassed for soil-fertility, beauty of landscape, and improvements of various kinds. Wherever the traveller gazes, neat, substantial houses, huge Swiss barns, and fine churches meet his eyes, be- speaking prosperity and plenty. Here and there are a few remnants of the stately oak, hickory, chestnut and walnut trees, which once adorned the township. A few places, like the Flats, had been covered with scrub-oak. Deer were plenti- ful, and this township had been a favorite hunt- ing-ground of the Indian. Nevertheless at no time did any of the settlers suffer at the hands of the Indian. In 1763 Indian outrages had affected some of the other townships; the settlers here were very much alarmed lest they also might feel the consequences of these dangers. A few timid ones had sought safety in flight from their homes, but events showed that such would not have been necessary.
MILLS.
The principal stream, flowing through the township, is the Little Lehigh, having its source near the Schlossberg, in Berks county, and empty- ing its waters in the Lehigh River at Allentown. Its chief tributaries within this territory are the Swabie Creek and the Spring Creek. The latter stream, in very old documents, also bore the name of Mill Creek, a name now foreign to the majority, unless by research they should have come across it. These streams water the land and help to make it fertile, as well as in days gone
by, furnished water-power for a number of mills, some few remaining to this day. Amongst these mills may be named the following: Ludwig's, later operated as the Butz and Lichtenwalner Roller Mills, now in possession of Reuben Deisher ; Romich's Mill at the Lehigh Church, later in possession of the Schmoyer's, and now known as the Wagenhorst Mill; Albrecht Mill on the Spring Creek, near Trexlertown, now owned by Mr. Guldin; Danner's Mill, now owned and operated as a roller-mill by O. J. Smoyer; Peter Romich's Mill, now owned by Mr. Fluck; Riegel's Mill, now owned by Jacob Reinhart; Seems' Mill, where formerly was also manufactured linseed oil and cloverseed was hulled This mill is no longer in operation. Both of the latter mills were situated about two to two and a half miles from Emaus: and what was known as Knerr's mill. The Fritch Roller Mill, at Macungie, is of comparative recent date. The substantial stone buildings of these mills bear testimony to the excellent manner in which these old structures were constructed, some of the same standing a century or more.
EARLY SETTLERS .- Whilst the first settler of what was then Macgungie township is credited to Jeremias Trexler, who located at Trexler- town in what is now Upper Macungie township about 1719, nevertheless the following years brought many settlers to this region, particularly after the public road had been laid out in 1732. Conditions of soil, natural water supply, and the very early establishment of a church with school, was a powerful incentive to the German mind for settling here. Amongst the early family names are found: Joseph Albrecht, Michael Danner, Johann Mathias Eigner, Nicholas Key- ser, all of whom landed in 1727, Friederich Mar- steller, in 1729, Daniel Christman, in 1730, Philip Schmyer and Johannes Riegel in 1733, George Wagner, in 1737, John Dietrich Gaumer, Michael Knappenberger, John Peter Walvert, George Adam Bortz, Frederich Klein, Jacob Friederich, Philip Lauer, Matthias Ludwig, John Wetzel, Wm. Meitzler and others.
LAND WARRANTS .- On Dec. 3, 1735, a land- warrant for 200 acres of land on the Little Le-
752
753
LOWER MACUNGIE TOWNSHIP.
high, was issued to Philip Schmyer. It is de- scribed as "adjoining the lands of Hans Hage and Joseph Albrecht" and in it is further set forth the fact of his early settling here. For it says "whereon he has been about two years settled." The Patent Deed for the same tract was afterward issued on March 9, 1789, to one of his sons, Daniel Schmeier; for which tract Daniel paid one hundred pounds two shillings lawful money into the Receiver's General Office of this Commonwealth. The descendants of Philip Schmyer, numbering upwards of 25,000 are still in great numbers to be found scattered over Lehigh county, as well as through the other states of the union.
John Heist; Susanna, wife of Dewald Albregt; Benjamin, married to Maria Kuntz; and James, who went to Ohio. (5) Christian, who died in 1761 ; (6) Anna Margaretha; (7) Michael, mar- ried to Magdalena Küchel, having these children : Jacob, married to Maria S. Nein, Catharine, mar- ried to Conrad Fenal, Elizabeth, wife of Freder- ick Fenal, Gertrude, wife of Abraham Schwartz, Loves married to Adam Brouss, Magdalena, wife of Jacob Steffy (Stephen), Abraham, married to Susanna Stephen, and Rachel, wife of Samuel Yeager. (8) The youngest child of Philip was John Philip.
John Schmeyer, son of Daniel, inherited a tract of 130 acres from his father, whereon he erected
-
F
-
-
ROMIG HOMESTEAD. BUILT IN 1805.
The children of Philip Schmyer were (1) John, who had been married to Waltborga Fegely, their children being, Jacob, Susanna, Maria Margaretha, Regina, John Daniel, Anna, Elizabeth and Philip; (2) Elizabeth; (3) Peter; (4) Daniel, who was married twice, the second wife was Catharine Keyser. From the first mar- riage were born Daniel and Philip; from the sec- ond; Maria Catharine, wife of John Butz, Peter, married first to Barbara Mosser and the second time to Maria Lick; John, married to Sarah Wetzel ; Elizabeth, wife of Peter Butz; Solomon, married to Catharine Schmeyer ; Sarah, married to
a substantial stone-house and barn in 1809. The inscription on the house reads "Gebauet von Johann und Sarah Schmeyer, 1809." The house is standing on the farm of the late J. Benjamin J. Schmoyer, and whilst any number of houses of greater antiquity may be found throughout the county, it bears the remarkable record that in it there never has occurred any death nor was any funeral held from it since its erection to date.
Frederick Romig, the first of the family who settled in Macungie, came here in 1732, and bought a tract of land adjoining the Lehigh
-
754
HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Church. He built a saw-mill on a branch of Saucon Creek, where now is Geissenger's mill. His sons, Frederick, Adam, Jacob, John, Henry, and Joseph, mostly located near their father, and the locality was known as the Romig settlement. Now it is generally known as Lehigh Church. Here stands a stone-building, erected in 1780, probably the oldest, as far as dates are ascertain- able, in the township. It is now owned by Joseph Warmkessel. Across from said building is the mill, built by the Romig's. The stone-house on this property bears the date of 1805. About a quarter mile northwest from aforesaid dwellings, are the remains of the Romig private cemetery- the only one remaining of its character, as far as the writer knows, within the bounds of the township.
PRIVATE GRAVEYARDS.
Along a line-fence of Mr. Reichard's farm, underneath a couple of apple-trees, are indications of about a half a dozen or more graves, as indi- cated by the markers. Around it is a sort of worm-fence, indifferently kept in repair. Most of the stone markers are broken off near the ground. Only one stone any longer bears a legi- ble inscription as follows:
"Johannes Romig sohn von Heinrich, ruhet hier in Frieden. Er war geboren den 21 July 1782. Und starb den I Februar 1831. Sein Alter war 48 Jahre 6 monate und 10 Tage. Leichen Text Psalm 39-56
In stiller Ruh Schlafe auch Du Bis aus der Gruft Jesus dich ruft."
Adam inherited the paternal homestead, and lived and died there. His son, John, born in 1769, also settled on the homestead farm, and in 1817 sold it and moved to Allentown, where he purchased the Saeger Mill, at the east end of the Jordan Bridge. Drs. John and William Romig, of Allentown, were his sons.
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