History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 143

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 143

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The polling place of Lower Milford has been at Dillingersville since 1852; and when the two districts were one (Upper Milford), it had been there from the beginning because of its central locality.

A postoffice was established here in 1825 and named "Stahler" after Daniel Stahler who was the first postmaster and filled the position until 1827. This was the first office in the lower part of Lehigh county. His successors were: Henry Stahler, 1827-29; Henry Dillinger, 1829-49, when it was discontinued for two years. It was re-established in 1851 with the name of "Dil- lingersville," and this was the name until dis- continued on Aug. 15, 1906, because of estab- lishing the R. F. D. - The postmasters were: Erwin Burkholder, 1851-56; Daniel J. Dilling- er, 1856-66; James D. Dillinger, 1866-67; P. W. Flores, 1867-88; after 1888 there were eight, the last having been Erwin G. Kramer.

In November, 1913, the village contained a store, hotel, 9 dwellings and 30 inhabitants.

Dillinger Station is a business point on the Perkiomen R. R., about two miles east of Zions- ville Station, established there in 1876. It was first known as Schelly's for a short time, named after Levi N. Schelly who embarked in the coal, grain and feed business there at that time. He carried on the stand for 5 years. He was fol- lowed by E. LeRoy High, C. A. Moyer and H. B. Geho, the last since 1910. The place includes 6 dwellings, and 18 population.

A short distance east of the station, the rail- road extends through a rock tunnel, about 1,700 feet long, in a ridge of the South Mountain. It was excavated during the years 1874-75.

A postoffice was established here Dec. 28, 1889, and continued until April 14, 1904, when it was discontinued.

Limeport is a village of 50 dwellings and 200 inhabitants in Lower Milford at the Saucon township line on the road which leads from the Allentown and Coopersburg turnpike to the vil- lage of Steinsburg in Bucks county.

In 1825 Daniel Erdman erected the first pub- lic house here and called it Eagle Hotel. He carried it on until his death in 1850. Reuben Schaffer then purchased the property and he also conducted the place for 25 years. He was suc- ceeded by Thomas K. Ott who kept it 2 years, and next by Mr. Ott's son, Milton H. Ott, who kept it for a number of years. Afterward there were different owners for varying periods, until 1912 when Wilson Henry took possession.

798

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

In 1850 Joseph Wittman built a second hotel and named it "Anchor." Different tenants con- ducted the business for sixteen years, when the property was purchased by Peter Benner, and Benner and his family carried on the business until 1903. Henry W. Fink, a grandson of Ben- ner, became the owner and he has conducted the stand until now. A store was started in this building with the hotel, and carried on by dif- ferent parties until Peter Benner became the owner of the property in 1866; afterward he and his son-in-lay, David Fink, carried it on for sev- eral years, then discontinued it.

A postoffice was started in the general store of Benner & Fink in 1867 with Lewis M. Ben- ner as the postmaster who filled the position four years. Joseph Wittman then filled it for four years, afterward Charles B. Egner and others until 1897; Sylvester Egner ( a nephew of Chas. B.) filled the office for sixteen years; then, Dec. 1, 1913, Monroe Schaeffer became the postmaster and he removed the office to the large depart- ment store of his father, Charles W. Schaeffer.

When Benner & Fink discontinued their store about 1870, Schaeffer & Deily opened a general store in a two-story building opposite the Eagle Hotel and carried it on several years. They were succeeded by Charles B. Egner and Joseph Weaver until 1890, when John M. Cressman be- came the owner and he has since conducted the store.

In 1878 a department store was started in the centre of the village in a small way by Charles W. Schaeffer and he has carried on the business with increasing success until the present time. The building is now a 3-story frame, 60 by 100 feet, slate-covered on sides, with a hall on the third floor, and the numerous departments in- clude all such articles as may be needed in a country district. The large business requires the assistance of six hands.

A blacksmith shop has been carried on from the beginning of the village; by Peter Dietz for 25 years, and by Sarus Hoffman since 1909.

A cigar factory was started here about 1870. Sylvester Egner has carried it on since 1892.

Howard H. Fegely embarked in the creamery business at Limeport in 1911 and put up a build- ing which he equipped with the latest improved machinery. Since then he has carried on the plant in a most successful manner.

The following doctors have practiced their professions in this vicinity :

John R. Diller, 1860-73. Harvey Rohrbach, 1906-07. Robert C. King, 1873-1906. Milton Weaver, 1907-09. A. F. Gerberich, 1909- .

The Knights of Pythias, Castle No. 273, was instituted here in 1869, membership 140; meets in Eagle Hotel hall. The Junior Order of United American Mechanics, Lodge No. 114, in 1913; membership 60; meets in Schaeffer Store hall.

The burning and selling of first-class lime for agricultural purposes was carried on extensively at Limeport for nearly fifty years from 1850, more especially from 1875 to 1885. Thomas K. Ott had nine kilns, whose large quarry was lo- cated in the village; Joseph Wittman had four kilns; and Stahler & Schell had three kilns. The lime was not used for building purposes. The farmers came from points to the southwardly, ten to fifteen miles distant, and at times their teams, four and six horses to a large wagon, stood in a row through the town and beyond, covering nearly a mile in length. Some of them came there at three o'clock in the morning and waited till three in the afternoon before getting their wagons loaded. The price was 9, 10 and II cents a bushel. Since 1885 the business is rather limited, only two and three kilns burning at a time.

In 1865 Peter Benner put up a large frame factory for the manufacture of carriages at Lime- port, and his son-in-law, John Trexler, carried it on for five years. He was succeeded by the Holtzman Brothers, Charles, John and Lewis, of Baltimore, Md., who conducted the enterprise in an extensive manner for thirteen years. Then Horace M. Dubbs purchased the property and carried on the business until 1900 when it was discontinued on account of competition from western manufacturers and he sold the factory and stock on hand at public sale. Since 1900 the building has been occupied for storage purposes, more especially for accommodating the owners of automobiles, of which there are now six at Lime- port.

The Milford Cornet Band of Limeport was organized in 1860, comprising 25 members, with Nathaniel Heller as leader, and Prof. Frederick Iobst, of Emaus, as teacher, and it was main- tained for nine years, during which time it par- ticipated in numerous picnics, parades and enter- tainments of various kinds ; then it was disbanded.

In 1908 it was revived by 24 members of the Knights of Pythias, of Limeport and vicinity, with Joseph A. Brunner, Esq., as leader and Prof. Jacob Geisinger, of Pleasant Valley, as teacher, and the organization was carried on till November, 1913, when it was discontinued be- cause its meetings and performances interfered too much with the regular avocations of its mem- bers.

799

LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIP.

INDUSTRIES .- The following grist and saw- mills and various other industries have been car- ried on in the township of Lower Milford.

Fretz Mill is situated on Hosensack creek, in Lower Milford along the public road leading from Hosensack to Steinsburg, in Bucks county, half a mile northeast from Hosensack. It is the oldest mill property in Lehigh county. It was es- tablished in 1740 on land bought of Peter Wentz in 1735 and 1739. In 1743 he sold to Isaias Cus- chwa (or Gushwa), of Mount Bethel, Lancaster county, all his land, over 200 acres. Cuschaw carried on the mill three years, then sold it, with the land, to David Straub for £400. Straub oper- ated it for three years, then sold it and 763/4 acres of land to Francis Russ, of Saucon town- ship; and Russ conducted it for twelve years. In 1761 Russ sold the mill and 48 acres to his son, Killian, and in 1763 he sold the other part of the tract to his son, Francis. Since 1765 there have been numerous owners for varying short periods covering together over a hundred years, until 1879; then Jonathan Fretz became the owner and he has continued owner of it until now, but it has been operated by his son, Wil- liam.

In 1768 John Hillegass and Adam Kohl were assessed as the owners of grist-mills in the town- ship and John Schantz as the owner of a saw- mill.

Mills on the Hosensack .- Six mills were built along the Hosensack creek ; four of them are still in operation.

Schelly grist-mill was situated on the Hosen- sack creek in Lower Milford, one mile east of Dillingersville. The land was settled by Jacob Dubs in 1734, and his son, Daniel, erected a grist and saw-mill about 1800. He operated it until 1824, followed by his son, Daniel, Jr., until 1837, and by Wm. D. Moyer until 1863, when Isaac H. Schelly became the owner. Different parties ran it until 1880, when Henry F. Schell bought it and improved the plant by adding steam power. The business was continued until about 1900, when the mill was burned and abandoned. The owner then was Albert Walter.

Eberhard saw-mill in Lower Milford is on a branch of Hosensack creek, over a mile south- east of Dillingersville. It was put up in 1882 by John D. Eberhard, who carried it on for a number of years. He was succeeded by his son, Clement, who has continued the business until now.

The third is the Eckard (Quinus A.) mill who has operated it since 1907. It is a three- story stone building without a saw-mill annex, used for producing chopped feed. Previous own-

ers have been Harry Dull, Jonathan Fretz, Jacob Weiss, Samuel Weinberger, and Samuel Krauss.

The fourth is the Schantz mill. It has been operated since 1864, now nearly 50 years, with a saw-mill annex. Power is supplied to the barn for threshing purposes, and to the house for wash- ing purposes and cream separation. A saw-mill was started here before 1768 by John Schantz, and some time afterward an oil-mill was erected. This was enlarged by his son, John, in 1824, and the two were operated until 1852 when the grandson, Henry, became the owner and he sub- stituted a grist-mill in the place of the oil-mill, which was carried on with the saw-mill until 1864, when the great-grandson, Milton, became the owner.

The fifth is the Schultz mill, a three-story stone mill founded by Henry Funk in 1775, who ran it until 1783 and supplied the American army with much flour during the Revolution, hauled by George Stahl. Rev. Geo. Kriebel owned it from 1783 to 1796; Abraham Kriebel from 1796 to 1816 until his death ; his son, Jacob, then carried it on 59 years, when he died at the age of nearly 85 years. Joel Yeakel, then his son, Daniel K., were successive owners until 1883, when Daniel Schultz became the purchaser and, he has carried it on until now, a period of thirty years. Flour was produced until 1912; since then chop-feed for cutsomers. His power is from the 40-acre Hancock Ice Dam, the strong- est water power in the county.

Roeder saw-mill, the sixth industry, was situ- ated on Hosensack creek in Lower Milford, be low the Schultz mill and county bridge. It was erected by John G. Stahl before 1800 and car- ried on by him until 1820; afterward by Samuel Roeder and by Roeder's son, Daniel C., and grandson, Reuben M., until about 1885, when it was discontinued.

Stauffer Grist-Mill is on Walter creek, along the Perkiomen R. R., half a mile southeast from Zionsville Station. The land was taken up by John Moyer, who erected a saw-mill before 1760 and carried it on until 1761 when he sold it with 55 acres to his son, Samuel, and the son continued the business for 22 years. Different owners operated it for 50 years. Charlotte Miller was then the owner and in 1845 added a grist-mill. Solomon Klein became the owner in 1853, made improvements to the plant and in 1862 sold it to Samuel Stauffer who, with his son, Henry, carried on the business upward of twenty years. Tilghman Stahl and Edward Christman operated it successively until 1905 ; and Sylvester Reinhard since 1905. The saw-mill has been abandoned, and the grist-mill is carried on for supplying chopped feed on orders.

800

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Walter Grist-mill was situated on the Walter creek, near the King's Highway east of Zions- ville Station. In 1789 Andrew Rieser sold 135 acres there to Philip Walter, who erected a grist- mill in 1796 and run it until he died in 1812. His son, Daniel, bought the place and ran it, excepting for a short period, until 1852. Samuel Steinbach operated it until 1868, and Edward Heist until 1900 when it was destroyed by fire.

Stahl Grist-mill is on Indian creek, at the east- ern end of Powder Valley, in Lower Milford. It was first established by George Carl as an oil- mill; then altered to a chopping-mill and saw- mill and Jacob Huyler became the owner, who ran the plant until 1885, when J. C. Hancock purchased the property and carried on the busi- ness for twenty years, having in 1894 substituted a superior three-story brick structure a short dis- tance to the north across the railroad and equip- ped it with roller process. He then rented it to Osville S. Stahl for seven years. Stahl bought it in 1912 but had owned it only three weeks when it was destroyed by fire. He immediately rebuilt it as a chop-mill and subsequently en- larged it by adding a mansard story; and he has since carried it on in a successful manner. It is supplied with a 30- foot overshot water-wheel and the power from the large Hancock dam is of a superior nature. The ruins of the old Carl mill are still visible.

Heiler Grist-mill is on Indian creek in Lower Milford, a short distance below the Stahl mill. The industry was first a saw-mill, built by Jere- miah Krauss, about 1790, and run until 1807 when a clover-mill was established which attract- ed much attention. Nathan Krauss, son of Jere- miah, then converted the clover-mill into an oil- mill. James F. Heiler substituted a grist-mill about 1860, and since then it was operated by different parties until J. C. Hancock became the owner with other properties in that vicinity about 1885 when it was discontinued.

Moyer Grist-mill is in Lower Milford, one mile southwest of Limeport. It was built as a clover-mill about 1844 by Jacob Dietz who after- ward changed it into a grist-mill, ran it for a time, then discontinued it. Dietz died in 1863, then Iobst and Newhard bought the property and rebuilt the mill. In 1877 Abraham S. Moy- er became the owner, and after his death, Emanu- el E. Moyer bought the plant and carried it on for a number of years. The present owner, Wm. Miller, has conducted business there since 1910.

Herman Grist-mill is in Lower Milford, three miles east of Dillingersville on the Hicken creek. It was put up originally as a clover-mill b7 Henry Rudolph and run by him until 1841 and by John Reinhard until 1861. Charles Hillegass

then bought the property and substituted a grist- and saw-mill which he operated until his death in 1876. Jacob Hendricks then became the own- er and carried on the plant until 1882 when it was destroyed by fire. He rebuilt the grist-mill and conducted it until 1900. William Herman then bought the property, and with his son has carried it on until now.

Gerhard Grist-mill is on Saucon creek in Low- er Milford, along the road from the Coopersburg pike to Steinsburg, half a mile south of Limeport. The first building was erected by Andrew Engel- man before 1785 and carried on until 1810. Dif- ferent owners had the property until 1842 when Henry Gerhard became the purchaser. He car- ried on the old mill until 1858 when he erected a large stone mill and he and his son, Tobias, conducted the business until 1882. Aaron Heist was the owner afterward to 1907, and Wilson Roth to the present time. The business was dis- continued about 1905.

Kriebel Saw-mill is in Lower Milford on a branch of the Krauss creek, southeast of Hosen- sack. It was erected in 1855 by George Kriebel and carried on upwards of ten years. In 1868 he sold it to Krauss & Bro., and in 1870 Jesse Brey became the owner, who operated the plant for upwards of twenty years when it was discon- tinued.

Oil Mills were early industries in different parts of Lehigh county. Those worthy of special mention were the Dillinger and the Stahler, both in Lower Milford.

Dillinger's was a short distance east of Dil- lingersville, erected by Jacob Dillinger about 1790 and carried on by him fifteen years. The mill was then changed into a dwelling house and it has been occupied for many years since 1853 by Edward Reinhard and by his widow. The building is still in a good state of preservation.

Stahler's was near the road from Zionsville to Coopersburg. It was erected by Anthony Stahler before 1785 and operated by him until his death in 1799, and then by his son, Anthony, for 5 years when it was sold to Jacob. Mohr, who discontinued the industry and converted the building into a dwelling house.

Organ Works .- In 1790 John and Andrew Krauss, sons of Baltzer, made an organ at Krauss- dale, in an old shop on their father's premises while still under age, and this is supposed to have been the first organ made in Pennsylvania, and this established their reputation to such an ex- tent that they came to supply, before 1808, an organ for the Roman Catholic Church at Church- ville (Bally) in Berks county, and shortly after- ward for the Longswamp Church in the same

LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIP.

county, and also for the Jordan Union Church in South Whitehall, Lehigh county.

In 1826, at the same place, George and Joel, sons of Andrew Krauss, made a bass viol; and in 1828 George and another brother, Samuel, made a melodean, which is supposed to have been the first ever made.

Later, Andrew Krauss and his sons, George and Samuel, made an ingenious globe which was turn- ed by a clock once every 24 hours; and George painted it after a map of the world which was printed in London.

The building of organs was continued at Kraussdale until 1840 when the factory was re- moved to Palm, in Montgomery county, five miles distant, where the business has been con- tinued until now.

Cassinet Factory .- A factory for the manu- facture of woolen goods was erected in 1800 in Lower Milford by Balthaser Yeakel. It was situated on Indian creek, in Hosensack Valley, on the road from Hosensack to Palm, where it was carried on for upwards of twenty years when it was sold to George Yeakel, Jr., who changed it to a cassinet works. It was sold to Amos An- trim who conducted it until 1846 when it was de- stroyed by fire, and the industry abandoned.

Wheelwright-Shop .- Samuel Carl resided for seventy years in this township at the outlet of Powder Valley near the Stahl (Carl) grist-mill where he carried on a wheelwright-shop for the greater part of this time. He served as a super- visor for 20 years, and was affiliated with the Odd-Fellows upwards of 60 years. He was born in Hereford, Berks county, in 1825, and went to Upper (Lower) Milford when thirteen years old.

Dubs Pottery was situated in Lower Milford, on the Dillinger land, two miles northeast of Dil- lingersville. It was erected in 1821 by Henry Dubs and carried on by him until 1835, when the factory was sold to Wm. Dillinger, and Dil- linger operated it for a number of years. This was the first pottery carried on in Lehigh county.

Dubs Forge was an active industry for about 50 years in Lower Milford for the manufacture of cutlery, augers, etc. The building was situ- ated on the road leading from the Dub's (Schel- ly) grist-mill to Limeport. It was put up in 1825 by John Dubs on 68 acres of land which he had bought from his father Daniel Dubs, and conducted by him and his son, Aaron K., for a long while. It had quite a reputation.

Plover Creamery is on the road from Dilling- ersville to Steinburg, a short distance south-east from the county bridge at Abraham Stauffer's dwelling-house. It was erected and equipped by David Schuler about 1880 for his son, William,

who carried it on for 25 years; followed by David Schuler (William's son) from 1905 to 1909, by Howard Fegely to 1912, and by Charles Dice since 1912.

The Plover postoffice was established here in 1890 and carried on till 1905 when it was dis- continued by reason of the R. F. D.

Lime Kilns .- These were in Lower Milford from the time of the early settlements until twen- ty years ago. Limestone was found in superior beds from one end of the district to the other, and this led the farmers to establish kilns on their own farms and burn lime for their plantations. Wood was first used for a considerable time, then anthracite coal was substituted. The cord- wood and stones were generally collected during the winter months and placed at the kilns. Some of the more prominent owners who produced and sold large quantities in the lower section were Abraham Schantz and his son, John, Joseph Schantz, Henry Schantz, Solomon Schantz, Mil- ton Schantz, Samuel Weinberger and Jonathan Fretz. Hosensack was a prominent locality in the southern end. Limeport was more prominent in the northern end, the operators of the kilns there having been Thomas K. Ott, Joseph Wit- man and Stahler & Schell.

Tanneries .- There were two tanneries in Lower Milford, on the road from Zionsville to Hosensack, about two miles apart.

Burkhalter's was on the King's Highway, a mile southeast of old Zionsville. It was erected by John Hanger in 1822, who carried it on two years, Samuel Moyer three years, and Charles Burkhalter thirty-five years until his death in 1862, when Charles Burkhalter, Jr., became the owner and he conducted it for nearly forty years, when it was abandoned. The Lehigh County Agricultural Society awarded him a premium (a superior steel-plate print ) in 1891 for a "Display of Angora skins and robes," in the manufacture of which he was regarded as an expert of remark- able experience and ability. It is said that he had tanned a small hide by his special process, and a pair of boots had been actually made out of the leather and delivered to him on the same day that the calf was slaughtered. He died at the home of his son-in-law, Henry B. Schantz, near Hosensack, at an advanced age.

Dub's was over a mile east of Dillingersville. It was erected by Jacob Dubs, Jr., in 1824, and operated by him and by his sons, Daniel and Jacob, for many years; and afterward by Alvin Jarrett and Samuel K. Carl until 1861 when it was abandoned.

Hancock Ice-Plant .- John C. Hancock, of Philadelphia, embarked in the ice business in Lower Milford township in 1885 by the pur-

802

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

chase of the Carl ( Huyler ) mill property and its water-right along the Powder Valley creek near its outlet into the Hosensack, and the erection of a storage ice-house with a capacity of 14,000 tons. In 1895 he secured property in the Hosensack Valley, constructed a dam of superior fresh water, covering 40 acres, and erected an ice-house with a storage capacity of 30,000 tons. And in 1896 he established a third plant along the Walter creek, a short distance above the second plant, the storage house having a capacity of 20,000 tons.

Miller Peach Orchard .- In 1907, Charles Miller, planted a peach orchard of 600 trees in the township at the outlet of the Powder Valley creek into the Hosensack on the southern side.

OLD LANDMARK .- The oldest house in Lehigh county stood on land now owned by O. C. Keip- er, Esq., until a few years ago, when it was torn down. The cellar and part of the walls can still be seen on the farm adjoining the Great- Swamp Church land on the west. The house was built of logs in 1739 by Henry Ritter. This date was carved on the log mantelpiece, set in the stone chimney, over the fireplace. The sec- tion containing the date is now owned by the Le- high County Historical Society, to which it was presented by Mr. Keiper. Henry Ritter war- ranted this land, amounting to 170 acres, on March 16, 1737, 74 acres of the tract lying in the present Lehigh county and 96 acres in Bucks county. In 1749 Laurence Erbach became the owner and deeded it in 1785 to his only son, Ja- cob Erbach. Henry Ritter, who removed to Salisbury township, was the ancestor of the Rit- ter family of that township.

OLD TAVERNS .- Besides the hotels described in the several villages, two old taverns are worthy of mention :

Walber's Tavern was situated near Krauss- dale, in Lower Milford, on the "King's High- way," and about two miles southeast from Hosen- sack. It was probably established by Nicholaus Walber as early as 1735, and was the first in Le- high county. The land was first settled by Wal- ber in 1734. James Steel had purchased from the heirs of William Markham in 1729, 276 acres in Upper Milford; which was sold in 1734 to Walber. After carrying on the tavern for seventeen years he sold it with other buildings and 104 acres to John and Daniel Stauffer, and then it was aban- doned. It was then said that one day a peddler came to the tavern and requested lodging which was refused. The following day his dead body was found_in a neighboring swamp. After that night, frequent mysterious noises were heard in the old tavern which led to its abandonment.

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History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 143

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