History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 149

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 149


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166 | Part 167 | Part 168 | Part 169 | Part 170 | Part 171 | Part 172 | Part 173 | Part 174 | Part 175 | Part 176 | Part 177 | Part 178 | Part 179 | Part 180 | Part 181 | Part 182 | Part 183 | Part 184 | Part 185 | Part 186 | Part 187 | Part 188 | Part 189 | Part 190 | Part 191 | Part 192 | Part 193 | Part 194


The third church was erected in 1824, a new constitution having been adopted by the two congregations, founded on the prior instrument. The corner stone was laid May 16th. The building was constructed of stone and was gen- erally recognized as the finest in this part of the county, and was dedicated in the fall. The total cost was $2,425, just one-tenth of the cost of the present beautiful and attractive structure. The consistories were as follows:


LUTHERAN. REFOR MED.


Elder-Jacob Mosser. Trustee-David Mosser. Deacons-George Trein, Heinrich Straub, Jacob Kistler, Geo. Bausch. Bldg. Com .- Jacob Mos- ser, George Trein.


Philip Ebert.


Jacob Oswald.


Daniel Oswald.


Abraham Fenstermacher.


Peter Mayer.


Johann Miller. Philip Ebert. Jacob Fenstermacher.


st


in


he


nd


832


HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.


The carpenter was George Fusselman, and mason, Peter Neff.


But a new organ was not supplied until 1850; then it was put in the church by Charles Heinzel- man under special contract, and dedicated Oc- tober 19th and 20th.


This third building was continued in use for over 60 years until 1890, when the fourth build- ing was erected, as previously described.


The following ministers officiated :


LUTHERAN.


REFORMED.


H. M. Muhlenberg, 1770- '80.


Philip Jacob Michael.


Peter Miller.


Hermann Jacob Schell- hardt.


Heinrich Hentzel.


Johannes Roth.


Daniel Lehman.


Friederich Gaisenheimer, 1806-'08.


Johannes Knoske.


G. F. J. Saeger.


Dorning and Wartmann.


Jeremiah Schindel.


Peter Z. Oberfeld.


E. A. Bauer.


W. Siegelin.


Owen Leopold, 1858-'61.


E. J. Fogel, 1867-'74.


William A. Helffrich, 1874-'79.


Nevin W. Helffrich, 1879-1906.


George M. Smith, 1906- 'II.


H. A. Althouse, 1911 --


The membership of each congregation is about 400.


The school, which was carried on in con- nection with the church, is mentioned in connec- tion with the schools of the township.


The organists of the church are worthy of special mention for their long, continued and most faithful services. Frederic Schmidt from 1835 to 1870, and his son, Theodore, from 1870 to 1910, when he died.


CEMETERY .- A small lot of ground, about 100 by 200 feet, was set apart for burial purposes a short distance north of the church, to the rear of the shedding for teams. Numerous interments were made there until 1857, many of which have become unmarked. Then John Bachman, who owned a farm across the road from the church property set apart about two acres along the road, laid it off into lots 16 feet square and sold the lots, and since then the burial of deceased mem- bers of the church have been made here. Stephen Grim, Bachman's son-in-law, becoming the owner of the farm, enlarged the cemetery and continued the sale of the lots; and he was succeeded by Achilles O. Grim as owner of the unsold lots and adjoining land. Numerous interments have been made there, and many of the lots have been


improved by owners by the erection of attractive monuments.


JACOB'S CHURCH is a brick edifice at Jack- sonville, erected in 1863 and situated on the main thoroughfare. It is a union church, owned in common by Lutheran and Reformed congre- gations since 1807.


The first settlements in the vicinity of this church were similar to those in the vicinity of Ebenezer Church and by the same class of set- tlers, possessed of a strong religious spirit. The heads of the first families were the following. who arrived from 1735 to 1760 and many of them became identified with the foundation of this church :


Martin Weitzel. Henry Koeing.


Charles Straub. Peter Lutz.


Evan Long. Daniel Oswald.


Jacob Lieser. Michael Stein.


Gottlieb Donat. Charles Shuck.


John Baumgardner.


Frederic Sechler.


George Oswald.


Adam Sechler.


John Everett.


Jacob Wannamacher.


George Hermany.


Philip Wannamacher.


Henry Brednich. Andreas Sechler.


George Nungesser. Henry Widderstein.


Frederic Lieser.


Balthaser Yoder.


John Lieser.


John Baer.


John Leiby.


George Breisch.


John Lorah.


Martin Baer.


Jacob Oswald.


Matthias Delong.


Peter Frantz.


George Eckroth.


John Nyer.


Stofle Eckroth.


Jacob Baer.


Bernhart Follweiler.


Adam Creitz.


Philip Fusselman.


George Enos.


Henry Holler.


Philip Enos.


Daniel Ham.


Thomas Everett.


John Herman.


Zacharias Haller.


Mary Wannemacher.


Christian Henry.


Abraham Long.


Van der


J. Frederich Slat.


Johann Heinrich Helff- rich, 1804-'IO.


Heinrich Helffrich, 1810- '16. Johannes Helffrich, 1845- '52. William A. Helffrich, 1845-'67.


S. S. Klein, 1861-'64.


L .. dwig Zuber, 1867-'69. Henry S. Fegeley, 1869- 1906.


A. O. Ebert, 1906 -.


The first effort to establish a church here was in 1761, when Daniel Ham donated two acres for a Reformed Church, situated in the King's Highway, half a mile from the house of Abra- ham Langen, together with the right of going to a spring of water near by for drinking purposes. Religious services had been previously held in the woods and in the homes of the settlers, for they were pious people, having brought with them their Bibles and singing books. Sermons were read by the school master and occasionally by ministers who came from a distance, as Boehm, Kidenweiler and others. The buildings was put up in that year and stood about fifty steps south- west from the present site. It was built of logs and had no flooring nor boards at the side; and was dedicated by Rev. Philip Jacob Michael, the first pastor. At the same time a log school house was put up adjoining the church, and the con- gregation employed the following teachers : Dannecker, Frantz Spittler, Robert Singler, Knechlein and others.


.


833


LYNN TOWNSHIP.


The early members suffered a great deal from the incursions of the Indians, for the church was situated along a pathway which they used. On the land of Aaron Donot, a man named Eck- roth was shot dead while plowing, and his daughter was wounded. At the spring in Jon- athan Muthhard's meadow near Lynnport a man was murdered and he was buried there ; when the people went to bed they took their loaded guns and sharp axes with them; and so when they attended church service.


The first baptisms were made and registered by Rev. Conrad Steiner, Jr. In 1804, Rev. Hoff- man administered communion to 51 communi- cants.


From the beginning until 1807 the property was wholly in the ownership if the Reformed congregation; then a right was given to the Lutherans, and a third acre of land was acquired from Daniel Ham. In November of that year, it was determined to erect a new church on the extra land secured and this was finished in 1808, and regularly dedicated by the two congregations. The building was of stone; in dimensions, 36 feet wide, 42 feet long, and 28 feet high ; and cost $1,407.9212. The master-mason was Abraham von Bremer, who received $226.67; and the master-carpenter was Nicholas Bachman, who re- ceived $349.34.


The church council then was:


Elders-Casper Wannemacher, John Nyer, Jacob Fetherolf and Michael Stein.


Deacons-Conrad Stump, John Everett, and Martin Baer.


Bldg. Com .- Bernhart Follweiler, John Os- wald, Jacob Koenig, and Henrich Fusselman.


Treasurer-John Smied.


The ministers were: Lutheran, Heinrich Greisenheimer ; Reformed, Henry Dieffenbach.


In 1822, a new double, log school house was put about 20 steps distant, and the pupils were instructed in both languages. The congregations supplied the teachers until 1838, when the town- ship accepted the common school system. This was used until 1863 when a two-story brick building was erected in its place by the church and the township jointly-the church members paid $483 towards the cost which was satisfactory" to the township.


A new organ was placed in the church in 1849.


The third, and present, church building was erected in 1862-'63 at a cost of $6,500. The corner stone was laid April 27, 1862; and the dedication took place May 24, 1863, the minis- ters officiating having been Reverends Zulich, Klein, Miese, Dubbs, and Leopold.


The church councils consisted of-


Elders-David Fetherolf, Henry Braucher, Jacob Klingaman, David Follweiler.


Trustees-Henry Long, Daniel Wannemacher.


Deacons-Benjamin Glase, Thomas Long, James K. Moser, Samuel Sechler, John F. Foll- weiler, Charles Everett.


Bldg. Com .- Aaron Donat, Reuben Buck, Joshua Smith, Levi Kistler.


Pres .- Samuel Hermany ; Sec .- Reuben Ross; Treas .- Wm. Mosser.


Master Mason-John Stimer (who received $800).


Master Carpenter-August Hollenbach (who received $775, and extra for the steeples).


In 1865 a bell, weighing 590 pounds, was put in the steeple ; the cost was $200.


The cemetery was laid out in 1865, and en- larged several times. It is situated opposite the church.


The iron fence was put up in 1881, costing $822.32.


The following ministers have officiated :


LUTHERAN. REFORMED.


Henry Geisenhainer, Philip Jacob Michael,


1807-'II. 1761-'70.


John Knoske, 1811-'I9.


John Waymer, 1770.


Conrad Steiner, Jr., 1771-


'76. Hertzel.


S. S. Kline, 1861-'64. Roth.


E. Kramlich, 1864-'69.


Peter Miller, 1795-1807.


H. S. Fegeley, 1869-1906.


A. O. Ebert, 1906 -.


Henry Dieffenbach, 1807- '16. John Zulich, 1816-'75.


J. N. Bachman, 1877- 1905. J. S. Mengel, 1905-'II.


M. F. Klingaman, 1912-


Rev. Roth was buried under the altar of the old church.


ST. PETER'S CHURCH is situated at Lynnville, in the southeastern section of Lynn township, along the public road leading from Lynnville to Seiberlingsville. It is a fine structure, one high story, built of brick, with a superior, elevated location which commands an extended view of the surrounding country.


In 1857, certain inhabitants, of the Lutheran and Reformed faith in northwestern portion of Weisenberg township and the southeastern of Lynn, became desirous of securing better facili- ties for church worship and therefore agitated the question of erecting a building for themselves in the most convenient section of these two ad- joining districts but they could not come to any agreement as to the exact locality. The heads of families in the northwestern portion of Weis- enberg then determined to establish a place of worship near Seiberlingsville, and so those of


.


G. F. E. Jager, 1819-'50. John Roeller, 1850-'38. Owen Leopold, 1858-'61.


834


HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.


the southeastern portion of Lynn selected a place south of Lynnville.


The latter party proceeded with so much earnestness and pride that they secured a piece of ground, several acres in area, and by August 30th laid the cornerstone of their proposed church, and within a year the building was completed at a cost of $4,000. 'T'he dedication took place May 23-24, 1858, and the following pastors officiated :


Lutheran-Rev. Jeremiah Schindel.


Reformed-Rev. William A. Helffrich. Rev. Benjamin K. Derr.


The councils were constituted as follows:


LUTHERAN.


REFORMED.


Elders - Peter Haas, Jonas Bachman.


George Rex.


George Miller.


Trustee-John Schnei- Samuel Schneider.


der.


Daniel S. Fenstermacher.


Jonas Schneider.


Deacons-Joshua Weida, Joel Haas, Joseph Mil- ler, Jonas Fritz.


David Holben.


Nathan Bachman.


Bldg. Com .- Jacob Gehr-


Peter Bachman.


inger, Jonas Werley. James Schmidt.


Treasurer-Peter Haas. Secretary-Francis Weiss.


In 1912, the building was remodeled and many improvements were made to it, such as introduc- ing new pews, installing two hot-air furnaces, re-papering the interior of the building, and re- painting the entire building, adding half an acre of ground for enlarging the cemetery and the enclosure about the church; and new carpets were supplied by the ladies of the congregation. The total cost was about $3,000; and the re- dedication took place Dec. 1, 1912.


The cemetery is a part of the church property and is situated to the east of the building.


The councils in 1913 were constituted as fol- lows:


LUTHERAN.


Elders-Jacob W. Kra- mer, John D. Baush. Trustee-Amson C. Kist- ler.


Deacons - George L. Weida, Charles Miller,


Clinton Derr, Edwin Kistler.


REFORMED.


Stephen Bachman. Benjamin Leiby.


David Wert.


William Snyder.


Herbert Heintzelman.


Jacob Snyder.


Claude Bachman.


The following pastors have served in this church since its organization :


LUTHERAN.


REFORMED.


Rev. Owen Leopold, Rev. Wm. A. Helffrich, 1859-'61. 1858 Rev. E. J. Fogel, 1866. Rev. Siegel, 1872.


Rev. S. S. Kline, 1863-'67. Rev. L. Zuber, 1867-'69. Rev. H. S. Fegely, 1869- 1906.


Rev. A. O. Ebert, 1906


Rev. Benjamin Weiss, 1875-'76. Rev. J. N. Bachman, 1877-1906.


Rev. J. M. Mengel, 1906- '12.


Rev. M. F. Klingaman, 1912 -.


JERUSALEM CHURCH .- This church is situ- ated near Wessnerville, in Berks county, a short distance from the westerly line of Lynn town- ship, but the membership is mostly from this township, and therefore it was deemed proper to include it with the history of the preceding churches.


The first efforts to effect a church organization1 in this community, called Allemangel, must have taken place between 1740 and 1747, as ascertain- ed from the report of Rev. Henry Melchoir Muhlenberg who visited this place during those years and sent some of his assistants at times to minister to the spiritual needs of the people who had come from Faulkner Swamp, New Hanover, and Goshenhoppen. During this time Rev. Muhl- enberg directed his father-in-law, Conrad Weiser, to buy 50 acres of land for the congregation, hence there must have been an organization be- fore 1747, otherwise such a transaction would not have taken place.


The first church was a small log building; and a log school-house was erected about the same time. When the church was finished is not known. The first church record, which was arranged by Rev. Daniel Schumacher in the year 1768, says on the title page, that Rev. Tobias Wagner (who served the Moselem congregation from 1745 to 1759, and then returned to Ger- many) officiated at the consecration of the church. Therefore it could not have been completed later than 1759. A second log church was built in 1768, or the old one was replenished. The officers of the church at that time were: E. Fosselman, G. Lambert, G. Kistler, P. Stambach, J. Gardner, M. Haas, M. Hollenback.


In 1770 Rev. Muhlenberg conveyed to this congregation the 50 acres which he had bought in 1747 and held in his name. The trustees then were: Philip Stambach, Jacob Gardner, Valentine Brobst, Matthew Brobst, and George Kistler.


In 1768, the members of the Reformed faith in that community were allowed the privilege of holding services in the church at such times as would not interfere with the regular services of the Lutherans.


When it became desirable to erect a new church, the Lutherans and Reformed agreed to build a Union Church, the Reformed to pay their part of the cost and the Lutherans to accord them equal rights in the use of the church. The cornerstone was laid May 7, 1812, and the of- ficiating ministers were:


Lutheran-Revs. J. Knoske, H. Geisenhainer, J. Weygandt.


Reformed-Revs. H. Dieffenbach, Jacob Dieffenbach.


835


LYNN TOWNSHIP.


The consecration took place on Whitsunday, May 29, 1814, and also on the following day, May 30th. The pastors who officiated were:


Lutheran-Revs. John Knoske, Heinrich Heine.


Reformed-Revs. H. Dieffenbach, J. Dieffen- bach, A. J. Herman.


Building Committee-Michael Brobst, Sam- uel Kistler, John Weiss, Jacob Bachman.


The centennial was observed Sept. 2d and 3d, 1871. The church was tastefully decorated for the occasion and large congregations were present at all these services.


In 1880 the church was renovated, a bell- tower, built and a bell supplied, and it was re- consecrated Oct. 23, 1881.


During summer of 1908 the church was re- modelled and newly furnished and reconsecration services were held on Oct. 25, 1908, by Rev. Dr. George F. Spieker (Mt. Airy Theological Sem- inary), and Rev. A. O. Ebert, representing the Lutherans, Rev. George B. Smith (of Kutz- town) and Rev. J. S. Bartholomew, representing the Reformed.


The church councils at that time were:


LUTHERAN. REFORMED.


Elders-Jarius Trexler, Alvin Fetherolf. er, John Smith.


Elders-John Hunsick-


Trustees-Jacob Schro- Trustees-Monroe Sny- der, Geo. N. Kistler. der, Elmer J. Bach-


Deacons - James Leib- man.


ensperger, Stephen


Kistler.


Deacons-Anson Bach- man, Edwin Fistler.


Lutheran Pastors.


Revs. Dr. H. M. Muhlenberg and N. Kurtz first did pioneer work in that section.


Tobias Wagner, not later than 1755.


Daniel Shumacher, 1755-1770.


John A. Friederici, 1770-1774.


Vacant to 1778, but visited by Dr. Muhlen- berg, and J. H. Schaum.


Frederick J. Miller, 1778-1780.


Daniel Lehman, 1780-1810.


John Knoske, 1811-1823.


Joseph Doering. George Wartman.


Ludwig Walz, 1828-1831.


Isaac Roller, 1831-1857.


Owen Leopold, 1859-1861.


S. S. Klein, 1861-1867.


L. Zuber, 1867-1868.


D. D. Trexler (a few months).


H. S. Fegley, 1869-1906. A. O. Ebert, Aug. 1, 1906-


Reformed Pastors.


Henry Dieffenbach. J. Zuilch.


A. J. Herman, 1856-1901.


James O. Oswald, 1901-1904.


J. S. Bartholomew, 1906-1912.


A. L. Brumbaugh, 1913-


The following young men have entered the ministry of the Lutheran Church from this con- gregation :


S. K. Brobst. Chas. E. Kistler.


Reuben Kistler. Edwin Kistler.


Alfred Kistler. D. Elmer Fetherolf.


William U. Kistler.


Jonas Henry.


MORAVIANS .- Whilst the pioneers in the vicinity of Jerusalem church became dilatory in their religious efforts to establish and carry on a church along the line between Berks, and Northampton counties, a number of the Mor- avian faith found a settlement there and for a time manifested much zeal, indeed so much that members of the Lutheran and Reformed faith were induced to revive their activity under the influence and visitations of Rev. Henry M. Muhlenberg, from fears that the Moravians would eventually defeat them in their efforts for a church.


However, these Moravians, not disheartened, established a small log church for themselves, near by and carried on worship for a time. The foundation of the building is still in existence, though covered by sod, on the farm of Samuel J. Kistler, about 350 yards from the graveyard, adjoining an apple orchard, where a slight ele- vation marks the site of it. And their school- house is said to have been situated in the other. valley eastward from the church.


On the Kistler farm mentioned, in the lower western end of the township, there is an almost forgotten graveyard which was placed there by the Moravian settlers. It was 68 feet by 100 feet in dimensions, but is now nearly obliterated by a growth of trees, in fact these trees are the second growth, for so long has the time been since it was abandoned. Kistler was born on his farm in 1861 ; and he recalls that when a young man he counted seventy mounds in the grave- yard. A row of sixteen was in the middle of it and the next row on the north side contained ten. Many of them had markers only, but some had regular tombstones. In 1911, six of them were found standing around a tree, with unde- cipherable inscriptions which show that they were put there from 1746 to 1770.


FAMILY GRAVE-YARDS .- Within the bound- ary lines of this township, sixteen private burial places have been found, which shows the preva- lence of the custom in the early history of the county. They are situated in the different sec- tions of the township, and such details of them


836


HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.


have been presented as could be obtained at this time.


In the township, near the Blue Mountains, one mile north of Wanamaker, on the Frederick Leaser farm, there is a private graveyard in a big field back of the barn now the property of Lewis Sensinger. It is 24 x 26 feet; and con- tains many graves of pioneers, the most prom- inent being those of Frederick Leaser, who hauled the Liberty Bell from Philadelphia to Allentown, in 1777, and his son Daniel, born March 18, 1772, died Dec. 18, 1814.


Another prominent grave is that of John Smith, a Revolutionary soldier, who was born Feb. 13, 1757, and died Oct. 10, 1826.


The Graber private burial ground is situated at Steinsville, immediately back of the village. The monument and receiving vault cost $3,000.


On the west side of the public road, leading from Wanamaker to the Blue Mountains, about one-fifth of a mile north from the village, on the farm now owned by Robert S. Henry, there is a private graveyard surrounded by a thick stone- wall, whose dimensions are 24 x 18 feet. Within this plot three adult persons are buried, two hav- ing substantial tombstones, bearing the follow- ing inscriptions :


Adam Heinrich,


Born Jan. 23, 1774, Died Mar. 16, 1853, Aged 79-1-23


Barbara Heinrich, Gattin von


Adam Heinrich Geboren November 10, 1782, starb Septem- ber 28, 1854, alt 71 vahr, 10 monat, 18 tage.


The grave nearest the wall on the south side has pieces of slate as markers.


The Adam Kressley farm is situated near "Donats Kopf," on the north slope of the hill. It is locally known as "Saul's Head," now owned by William K. Fetherolf. A grave is visible there, in which a blacksmith named Saul was buried. The hill was named after this pi- oneer blacksmith.


A small graveyard is on the Blue Mountains, near the "Mountain House" on the road leading from Jacksonville to Tamaqua. David Foll- weiler and several other persons were buried there.


Along the road leading across the Blue Moun- tain there is a small graveyard and here Daniel Follweiler and others were buried.


Martin Weitzel, his wife, a child, and some members of the Ennis family were buried at the southeast side of a large white-oak tree, which stands at the cross-roads at the county ce- ment bridge, built in 1911, over the Ontelaunee creek, near Jacksonville, and also near the house


of the late Reuben Buck. The road now passes over their graves. Weitzel was an early pion- eer settler, and was buried on his land as was the custom of pioneer settlers.


On Dr. D. W. W. Follweiler's land, 200 yards east from Fort Everett, a graveyard was located which contained the graves of six adult persons, marked by rough field stones. All traces of the graves have been destroyed.


A graveyard is located on the farm now owned by James W. Smith. It is between the houses of Mr. Smith, in one valley, and William H. Reitz in the other, several fields dividing them. The burial place was about 150 feet west from the line fence between the two prop- erties. Mr. Reitz (one of the oldest and best informed residents of that vicinity) stated that his father-in-law, David Schitz-who had always lived nearest to the graveyard, said that some of the very early settlers were buried there.


In 1753, Joh. Christ. Moyer owned the land, and he and others were buried in this grave- yard. In Revolutionary times, Martin Wert- man was the owner, and it is stated that two horses were stolen from this property by Tories.


On the east side of the public road between the farms of William H. Hoffman and Edwin Snyder near New Tripoli, there is a graveyard where Jonas Clauss, and nine children of Jonas Ebert, were buried. These graves are not marked and a pile of field stones now covers them.


On the Lewis F. Snyder farm, formerly an Ebert homestead, there is an enclosed plot 12 x 12 feet, which contains two graves of adult per- sons. This farm is located near what is Greena- wald's, and the graveyard is on the west side of the public road, leading northward from this station.


One of the graves has a tombstone which bears the inscription: "Philipp Ebert, who died October 6, 1828, aged 62 y., 10 m., 19 d.


Ebert was a Lutheran member of Ebenezer church. He had a certain tree at the church, where he always tied his horse, and some one wished this tree cut down because it was getting old. But Ebert protested and said with em- phasis: "As sure as you cut down the tree, so sure you will cut me away from the church." This was about 1824. Then an evil-minded per- son promised a quart of apple-jack to a low char- acter of the community if he would cut the tree down and this he did one night. Thereafter Ebert never went to the church, but by his re- quest he was buried where his grave now is.


A private graveyard was also on the farm of Henry F. Reinhart, at the upper end of Stony Run, in a meadow south of the house. Tradi- tion says that Indians were buried there.


837


LYNN TOWNSHIP.


The Grim private graveyard is located one- eighth of a mile from Stein's Corner, on the right side of the public road leading to Seiber- lingsville, and is on the farm now the property of Benjamin Leiby. This was an old Grim (or as the land warrant and deed spell it: "Krim") homestead. The farm belonged to one Johannes Grim (1793-1870) whose wife was Catharine Schneider. A number of adult persons were buried here. The last burials there were a little boy named Charles Grim, and a child of Jef- ferson Kunkel. In November, 1911, seven markers of field stone were still there. One large stone bears the initials C. K., with the date 1763.


Tradition states that a church was to have been established at Stein's Corner, but instead the Wessnersville (Friedens) Union Church was erected.


A very old stone house, pebble-dashed on the outside, stands on the Benjamin Leiby farm. It was erected by a Grim.


Near the old Nathan Bachman homestead, now owned by his daughter, the widow of Mahl- en C. Dietrich, in the southwestern end of Lynn township, at the western end of Kistler Valley, 150 yards east of the public road leading to Wess- nersville, in a field of the John H. Hunsicker farm, there is a private burial ground, 18 by 30 feet in dimensions and in the middle of it there stands a growing hickory tree, 14 inches in diameter. No information could be obtained from the older residents of the district as to who is buried on this plot now almost entirely for- gotten. Two field stones were found on the plot, which contained inscriptions that could not be interpreted.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.