History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 158

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 158

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and Reformed until about 1752 when the Re- formed erected a building half a mile to the east. Rev. Birkenstock was pastor at Jordan un- til October, 1750. Rev. Jacob Frederick Schert- lein became the pastor in 1752 and remained such possibly until 1767.

During the pastorates of Revs. Birkenstock and Schertlein the following were among the members of the congregation: Frederick Schaef- fer, Peter Kocher, George Ruch, Christian Braun, Henry Acker, Philipp Schmeyer, Adam Diehl, Nicolaus Saeger, Melchior Kloss, Tobias Mosser, Matthias Egener, Frederick Seitz, Ul- rich Sensinger, Adam Koch, Christoph Stettler, Abraham Lang, Ludwig Zimmerman, Adam Brauss, John Lichtenwalner, Melchior Schmidt, Wilhelm Rabenolt, Jacob Schlauch, Adam Haeberly, Jacob Acker, Paul Tuissing, Henry Steininger, George Steininger, George Hoffman, Leonard Steininger, John Roth, John Sieger, Dewald Kuntz, John George Hausser, Michael Mosser, John Mosser, and Frantz Oberkirsch.

Rev. John George Jung was pastor from 1769 to 1772.

During his pastorate Rev. Henry Melchoir Muhlenberg visited him on July II, 1770, and states in his "Journal," that the congregation had erected a parsonage of wood, two stories high and had commenced a stone church building. This was completed in 1771. It had a brick floor, with galleries on three sides, a wine glass pulpit, and plain benches. Rev. Daniel Lehman became pastor in 1775 and served until 1778. His successor, Rev. Theophilus Emanuel Franz Was pastor from 1779 to 1784.

Rev. Carl Christopher Goetz was pastor from 1784 to 1789, and Rev. John Caspar Dill from 1791 to 1796. Rev. George T. Ellison was pas- tor from 1796 until his death in 1798 when Rev. Dill became pastor a second time and continued until 1806. Rev. Henry Anastasius Geissen- haimer succeeded Pastor Dill and filled the pul- pit until 1814. During his pastorate a new stone parsonage was built in 1811, the church building repaired and an organ purchased. Rev. George Wartman and Rev. Joseph Doering became pas- tors in 1814, serving alternately, until 1837 when Rev. Jeremiah Schindel became pastor, serving twenty-four years, until 1861. During his pas- torate a new church was built, the corner stone of which was laid July 31, 1842 and the build- ing was consecrated June 4, 1843. The total cost of the church was $3,581.24. When Rev. Schindel took charge of the congregation he also was pastor of six other congregations and served part of his time at seven other congregations. When Rev. Schmidel resigned in 1861 he was a member of the state senate and in April he en-

885

SOUTH WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP.

tered the United States army as chaplain of the IIOth Penna. Vol. Regt. He died at Allentown July 2, 1870. Rev. Owen Leopold was elected pastor May 11, 1861 and served for twenty-two years. His successor was Rev. F. K. Berndt, who served until 1889. Rev. M. J. Kuehner succeed- ed him in 1890 and was succeeded by Rev. Henry E. Semmel, the present pastor.

In 1850, a fine, two-story brick parsonage was erected on the opposite side of the road and oc- cupied by the pastors until 1900; since then by the organist, George A. Acker, who has also served as the sexton.

In 1868 the church was renovated and frescoed and the basement fitted up for a Sunday school room. In 1886, a fine, shapely, slate-covered steeple, 138 feet high, was erected, which is . visible as a conspicuous point for many miles. It was repainted in 1903 and in 1910 the interior of the church was re-decorated. A new organ was purchased in 1888.

The old burial ground contains many old tomb-stones, while the cemetery, south of the church, covers three acres of the forty-three acre farm. Until June, 1883, this congregation, in connection with five other congregations, formed a pastoral charge; but since that time it is self- sustaining. Then it had 600 members, and two German and two English services per month. The membership is now 500.

Jordan Reformed .- Members of the Re- formed faith were settled in this vicinity as early as 1738 and from 1740 to 1752 baptisms of their children are recorded in the Lutheran record book and Lutheran and Reformed wor- shipped in one building. In 1752, Lorenz Guth presented the Reformed with a 50-acre tract of land, half a mile east of the Lutheran building, and a log church building was erected in six weeks. It had small windows, and logs, sawed lengthwise, resting at either side on blocks and stumps, served as seats. A second and larger building was later erected which stood until 1808, when the present stone building was erect- ed, with a frame steeple, 110 feet high. This is one of the oldest church buildings in the county and is a fine example of the architecture of that period.

This congregation is a daughter of the old Egypt congregation and enjoys the distinction of having had but seven pastors in its 162 years of existence. They are Revs. John Jacob Wissler, John Daniel Gros, Abraham Blumer, John Go- brecht, Joseph S. Dubs, Edwin J. Fogel, and the present pastor, Rev. Frank A. Guth. Its mem- bership is 400. The church building was re- paired in 1871 and repainted in 1907. Two

cemeteries are attached to the church, the first lying to the north and the new to the east. .

In the new cemetery, near the northeastern fence, Daniel Stettler erected a stone vault in 1893. It is twelve feet wide and eight feet high.

JORDAN REFORMED CHURCH, BUILT 1808.

He was a prominent and useful citizen of Guths- ville and the post office was named after him.

Among early members of this congregation were :

Peter Troxell Adam Dorney

Samuel Music John Lehr

Philip Lehr Daniel Dorney

Peter Bechler Peter Lehr

Paul Gros Adam Epoler

Adam Heberly Christian Jacob

Lorentz Guth Jacob Troxell

Peter Guth Gottfried Roth

Adam Guth

John Roth

Lorentz Guth, Jr. Daniel Troxell

Michael Schneider Nicholas Gebhard

EVANGELICAL .- The Evangelical religious de- nomination has had many sincere and earnest dev- otees in South Whitehall from the beginning of its flourishing history in Lehigh county. One of the places which is particularly prominent in the township as well as in the Church history, is situated in the southern section, near the County Almshouse, and known as Mertz's church, or "Der Bet Hugel" (The Hill of Prayer). This was in 1831, and Henry Mertz,

886

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

a highly-honored and substantial citizen of that community (commonly called "General" Mertz, on account of his great prominence and activity in military matters), was one of the first con- verts in the new movement and one of the most earnest members in its successful establishment.

UNITED BRETHREN .- This religious sect be- gan its efforts in this vicinity about 1867 by organizing a congregation with eight members whose first humble but very hopeful meeting was held in the hall above the store at Guthsville, and in two years they accomplished the erection of a modest church in the village. Earnest services were regularly held in this building until 1872 when it was sold to the township school directors and the congregation immediately afterward erected a larger frame building at Orefield along the State Highway, about 150 yards south of Siegersville, on a lot of ground, 100 feet front by 150 feet deep. It is one-story, adjoining the northern line of the lot, 24 by 36 feet, kept in good order. A burying-ground is set apart to the south and west of the building, with 12 marked graves, and some mounds unmarked. A Sunday school has been conducted there from the beginning in connection with the religious serv- ices. The membership has been small.

GERMAN BAPTISTS .- A small number of per- sons who were identified with the German Bap- tist denomination began to hold meetings in the home of Tilghman Sherer at Wennersville in 1869, and within a year they succeeded in put- ting up a frame church building; and they con- tinued to hold services there until 1901. The leading members were Tilghman Sherer and wife; Samuel Wertman and wife; Gideon Guth and wife; Willoughby Guth and wife; Mrs. George Wenner; Thomas Wenner, wife and family; Daniel Kerschner, Matthias : Heiser ; and William Hayman.

The preachers were: William Desch, of Ma- cungie ; William Moore, of Bucks county ; Wil- liam Larosh, of Macungie; and Rev. Schlag, of Philadelphia.

A small cemetery was connected with this church and in it were buried Thomas Wenner, Eliza Wenner (daughter of Reuben), Tilghman Sherer and his wife, Sarah M., Gideon Guth and his wife, Sarah, and several other persons whose names could not be ascertained.

The church building was purchased by Chester P. Wenner in 1905, and since then he has used it as a warehouse for storing farming implements.

EMANUEL GROVE .- The Emanuel Grove Campmeeting Association is located in the town- ship near Wescoesville, along the Allentown- Kutztown trolley road. It was organized in September, 1908, and incorporated under the

State laws, March 1, 1909. After the purchase of a woods, such trees as were of no use for shade were cut down and converted into lumber upon the premises, and the lumber was utilized in erecting eighty permanent cottages, 10 by 14 feet in dimensions; and the grove contains an auditorium, 70 by 80 feet in dimensions. In 1910 twenty more cottages were built; also two private cottages. In 1911 a baptismal pool was constructed in the central part of the Grove. The following year a drinking fountain was built, the water being drawn from the well by means of an electrical arrangement. In 1910 an artesian well was drilled to the depth of 230 feet, which had excellent water at 100 feet.

The Association is undenominational and formed only for the purpose of holding camp meetings. In 1908 the Twelfth Street Baptist church held its camp meeting in this grove which was the first to be held there. A union camp meeting was held there in 1909. In 1910 the Seven Day's Adventists, the Free Methodists, and the Twelfth Street Baptist church, Allen- town, held meetings there; in 1912 the Twelfth Street Baptist church, Allentown, held their third meeting there; so did the Seven Day's Ad- ventists again.

SCHOOLS .- The early schools of the township were connected with the Lutheran and Re- formed churches from a very early date for many years. At the organization of these congrega- tions they were at first supplied, not by pastors, but by teachers, who used to read sermons for the congregations on Sundays and the baptism of children in the Lutheran Church, extending back to 1739, the schools evidently existed prior to that date. The noble German forefathers, at a time when they could not yet afford to be sup- plied by a regular pastor, nevertheless felt the necessity of having their children taught in par- ochial schools. A school house was erected in 1833 on a lot of land near Simon Moyer's hotel, which was a gift from Nicholas Kramer. A so- ciety was formed with John Scherer as president, and stock was issued at $9 a share.

It was used for quite a number of years. On May 26, 1877, the lot was exchanged with Sam- uel Hermony for another near by, but no house was erected on it.

From the year 1828 to 1839 the township of South Whitehall appropriated the following amounts for the education of poor children with- in its limits :

1828, $ 9 32 1835, $70 85 IO 87

1830,

1836,

42 50

1833, 43 9I

1837, IOI 85

1834 25 61

1838, 152 813

In 1839 the township accepted

the shor! lav.

887

SOUTH WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP.

and the officers of the first board of directors were George Ibach, president; George Freder- ick, secretary ; and Solomon Grisemer, treasurer. There were then 438 taxable citizens, and the first State appropriation amounted to $234.24; and at once arrangements were made to erect schoolhouses from term to term. There was con- siderable opposition to the public schools for quite a time, and even as late as 1847, an attempt made to abolish the system. On the 29th of May, in that year, a meeting of the citizens was called to convene at the public house of Alexander Loder, at Wennersville. The object of the meeting was, if possible, to rescind the previous favorable ac- tion of the township on the school question and reject the school law, but it failed, and the schools were continued. In 1855 the township had 15 schools, 813 pupils, tax, $1,514.98; in 1877, 12 schools, 650 pupils, tax $2,633; in 1883, 13 schools, 689 pupils, tax, $5,741.91.

The following statement shows the time, lo- cation, and cost of the thirteen buildings acquired by the township from 1839 to 1883:

1839 Solomon Griesemer, $ 1 00

1839 Isaac Troxell, Jordan Bridge, 1 00

1856 Benjamin Rabenold, Snyderville, 375 00

1860 Reuben Butz, Cedarville, 1,500 00

1861 John Kratzer, 1 00

1861 William Wenner,

1 00

1866 John Heilman, Crackersport,

24 00

1870 E. F. Butz,

28 79

1870 Frank Marsteller,

22 50

1870 Thomas Hertzel, 58 12

1871

Daniel Stetler, Guthsville, 1,650 00

1882 Alexander Guth, Guth's Station,

125 00

1882 Edwin C. Jacoby, Walbert's Station, 98 99

In 1883, the township erected two school buildings; one at Guth's Station, costing $1,- 662.53, and the other at Walbert's Station, cost- ing $1,673.98.

School Board, 1913 .- Charles Sittler, Presi- dent ; William Moore, secretary (Cetronia) ; Clinton Henninger, treasurer; E. Abiah Jacoby, Wilson F. Shankweiler.

School. Teacher.

Terms.

Guthsville, Elmer Wenner,

Hoffmans, Samuel P. Guth, 27

Mechanicsville, Roma George,

Iron Br., Robert Saul, 6

Guth's Station, . G. S. Schrope,

Kratzer's, Earl Israel, T

Griesemers, Mrs. Mannie Laudenslager,

Dorney's Park, William Nonnemaker, 31

Cetronia, S. C. Schmoyer, 25

Cetronia, Emily Schuler, 6

Crackersport,

Marvin B. Wetzel,

Wall Sta., Russell Freyman, I

Snyder's, William Gensler,

Knappenberger's, Milton Fries, 15

Wenners, Oscar Wisser,

The registered children of school age in 1912 were 524; in 1913, 543. The average cost per month for 1911-12 was $2.35; for 1912-13, $2.36.

Some of the earlier teachers of this township before 1890, covering a period of fifty years were the following: Edwin Heilman and his five sons, O. J., Samuel, William F., Edgar J., and

Jacob D., and daughter, Susan; Thomas Benner, and his son, H. A. I .; the Kerschners, George, Charles, Daniel, and Henry; Peter and M. J. Hoffman; Elias J. Guth, Edmund Reinhard, E. Morris Haas,. Samuel S. J. Kern, and John D. Gensler.

An extraordinary Local Institute was held in the Jordan Reformed church in the fall of 1886, which was attended by the State Superintendent of Common Schools, Dr. E. E. Higbee, who delivered a most interesting address, having been the greatest occasion of this kind in the school history of the township.

EARLY MILLS .-- There are three mills in the township in active operations, one on Jordan creek, and two on Cedar creek. Three others are mentioned as having been on the Cedar creek but . they were destroyed.

Wehr's Mill is on the Jordan creek, one-half mile east of Guthsville bridge. It was built by Ephraim Sieger in 1862. The motor power was supplied wholly by two large breast water- wheels for many years, then a steam engine was added to supply power when the water became too low. The interior was destroyed by fire in 1880, and immediately repaired, the engine hav- ing been in a separate building was only slightly damaged. The building is of stone, three story. The "Roller System" was introduced with ma- chinery of the latest and best design, including a turbine water wheel, the steam engine still being used when necessary. The dam is of concrete, one of the best constructed in this part of the county. William Wehr became the owner in 1897 and by his energy and practical knowledge of milling has since then built up a large whole- sale and retail business.

Schantz Mill was situated at the head of the Cedar creek, in Upper Macungie township at the eastern corner, just across the line of South Whitehall, half a mile west of the Poor House. It was a five-story stone structure, erected in 1790. A strong supply of water proceeded from several large springs which bubbled out of crev- ices in a limestone formation. Henry Bortz first owned the property and in 1811 it passed to his son-in-law, Jacob Schantz; and long afterward to Schantz's son, Hiram. During this time the roller process was introduced. David Koch pur- chased it in 1888 and it was continued in suc- cessful operation until 1902 when the waters were appropriated by the City of Allentown, and damages allowed, amounting to $13,000. The mill was torn down and the springs were sur- rounded by a stone wall to preserve the large flow of water from contamination. It is more fully described in connection with the water works of the city.

888

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Bortz Mill was a two-story frame structure on Cedar creek near the Poor House, established in 1794 by Caspar Weaver. Subsequent owners were Daniel Butz and Reuben Butz. From 1866 to 1869 it was owned and operated by David Butz; from 1869 to 1882 by Charles Wenner ; and from 1882 to 1893 by Matthias Bortz, when he died. His estate carried it on until 1903; then the City of Allentown appropriated the waters of the Schantz Spring, the head and source of the creek, and the estate was allowed $7,000 for damages to the plant. In 1912 the estate de- molished the building and erected in its stead two frame houses. An old two-story cut-stone dwell- ing, used in connection with the grist mill, is still a superior building, its style of architecture indicating that it was put up before 1800. It is occupied by the widow, Mrs. Arabella Bortz.

Romig Mill, is a three-story stone building on Cedar creek, half a mile below the Poor House. Edwin H. Romig became the owner in 1887 and carried it on till 1908, when his son, Augustus W., succeeded him and he has operated it since. It was built by Henry Mertz before the Revo- lution, and subsequently occupied by a number of millers. Previously the building was used as a fulling mill.

Haines Mill (generally known for years as "Cedar Creek Mill), is a large three-story stone building on Cedar creek at Cetronia. It was built by an early settler named George Knauss before the Revolution who had in that vicinity 300 acres, and subsequently owned and carried on by his sons, George Frederick, and Philip, his grandson, Daniel Knauss, and Charles Mertz, Asa Balliet, and Solomon Lichtenwalner, the last named having had it two years and died in 1869. His son, Hiram A., then owned it till 1885, and his grandson, Lafenus H., till 1905 when Jacob Haines became the owner. It was soon after- ward destroyed by fire. He rebuilt it and has operated it since. The roller process had been introduced in 1887.

Wilt Mill was situated on Cedar creek, one- fourth of a mile east of the Lichtenwalner mill. It was erected by George Frederick Knauss about 1800 and carried on by him until he died in 1850. He was succeeded by John Dorney from 1850 to 1871 ; by Dorney's sons, Tilghman and Daniel D., and John Butz foi several years ; then by Allen Wilt for twenty years. It was de- stroyed by fire in 1896 and not rebuilt, notwith- standing a superior water-right.

IRON-ORE MINES .- Iron ore was discovered a hundred years ago at different places in the town- ship, and mining operations were carried on from 1820 to 1890, producing altogether many hun- dred thousand tons. These operations are men-

tioned in the description of Guth's Station and Hoffmansville.

Seven mines were in operation in 1884: Cal- vin Guth, Frank P. Guth, Kline & Albright, Koch & Balliet, Daniel Henry, Sieger Bros., and Thomas Rhoad (near Scherersville).

In 1847, Peter Moyer, a blacksmith of the township, invented an ore washer which came into general use. It was afterwards improved by Samuel Thomas.

VITRIFIED BRICK PLANT .- In 1896, Dr. H. K. Hartzell, William F. Mosser, and Andrew Keck embarked in the manufacture of vitrified brick in the township, near Guth's Station on the C. & F. R. R. A superior plant was established and a fine circular smoke-stack, 12472 feet high, was erected, with ovens having a capacity of 50,000 bricks; and 15 acres of land with a large deposit of shale material was purchased. Active and successful operations were carried on by them for a number of years. In 1910 a re-organ- ization was effected as the Allentown Brick Co., with H. L. Dougherty as president and J. R. Connelly as superintendent and the business was carried on until 1913. The character of the brick was recognized as superior.

POTTERY .- In 1877 Charles Guth embarked in the business of manufacturing pottery in the township along the road one-half a mile south of Guthsville and carried it on four years. The glazing was reputed to be imperfect and there- fore the enterprise came to be abandoned.

POWDER WORKS .- The Pennsylvania Trojan Powder Works was organized in Allentown in 1905. It was first known as the Allentown Non- Freezing Powder Co., and the change was made in 1908. The plant is located at the Iron Bridge, along the line of the C. & F. R. R., on what is known as the Eberhard farm. Ten acres of ground are occupied and the company employs 85 men. The organizer was Jesse B. Bronstein, and he has been its active head. Trojan powder is used as a substitute for nitro-glycerine and dynamite. It is a radical departure from the old kind of dynamite and after its great value was established the business of the company grew very rapidly. The U. S. Government uses large quantities of it in the construction of the Panama Canal and it is used by large mining operators in mining copper in Mexico, California, Nevada, Montana, and other sections of the West.

The plant was established in Lehigh county because of the extensive quarries in the manufac- ture of great quantities of cement. The business grew from 200,000 pounds monthly to 400,000. The officers of the company are: Pres., W. E. Hall, New York; vice-pres., Jesse B. Bronstein,

889

SOUTH WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP.

Allentown; sec. and treas., John Bronstein, Al- lentown.

COUNTY BRIDGES .- There are four county bridges in the township which span the Jordan creek, and one, the Cedar creek :

Guthsville Bridge was first a stone, two-arch structure, erected in 1811 ; and in 1858 a single- span covered wooden super-structure was substi- tuted which has been continued until now. But this has recently been condemned and arrange- ments are being made to put a substantial iron bridge in its place.

Sieger's Bridge is situated at Wehr's Mill. It is a wooden, one-arch, covered structure, 150 feet long, built in 1841, and is in a good state of pres- ervation, painted red.

Guth's Bridge is a single-span covered wooden bridge, 120 feet long, similar to the Guthsville bridge, which was erected in the same year, 1858, and rebuilt in 1882. Previously, from the time of the earliest settlements, the creek was crossed by a ford at this point.

Troxel Bridge is a fine, three-arch stone struc- ture, 250 feet long, including approaches, which was erected in 1832. It is situated several hun- dred feet south of the Iron Bridge ..

Two other bridges span the Jordan near the Troxel Bridge: the "Iron Bridge" of the C. & F. R. R .; and the long iron bridge of the A. & S. trolley line (described in the township his- tory ).

Poor-House Bridge was erected across Cedar creek by the county in 1856, about 300 feet north of the main building. It is 200 feet long with side stone guard-walls, one span, 20 feet long, over the creek being constructed of iron, and the other, also 20 feet long over a tail-race of the Bortz Mill (a short distance above), being con- structed of wood, in a poor state of repair.

Iron Bridge is the name of a prominent locality in the northerly portion of the township, with- out any collection of buildings or business interest in the immediate vicinity. It takes its name from a long and high superior iron truss-bridge cross- ing the Jordan creek and the wide ravine, on the Catasauqua and Fogelsville R. R.

In 1857 it was known as the largest iron bridge in America. It is still visited by many persons from all parts of the country every year. What greatly adds to the attraction is the charm- ing scenery by which it is surrounded.

The Jordan Valley at this point is nearly a quarter of a mile wide on the grade of the rail- road, and about 1,000 feet on the level of the creek; and the railroad is nearly 90 feet above the creek. The length of the bridge is 1, 165 feet. Its superstructure consists of II spans of sus- pended truss, each 100 feet long, and 16 feet

high, which are supported by cast-iron pillars set on solid masonry.

It was erected from August, 1856, to July, 1857, under the direction of F. C. Lowthrop, civil engineer and contractor, and cost $77,000.

The railroad and bridge were constructed by the Lehigh Crane and Thomas Iron Companies in 1857 at an expense of $260,000.

RAILROADS .- The C. & F. R. R. extends across the northerly section of the township, in length five miles.

There are two electric trolley lines: In the easterly section, from Allentown to Slatington, via Siegersville, in length six miles; and across the southerly section from Allentown to Kutz- town, via Cetronia, in length three miles.

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History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 158

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