USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I > Part 170
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At present no saw-mills are being operated, as all work is done by the new mills operated by steam.
PUBLIC ROADS.
Of all the roads in the township, the most im- portant one was the one called the old Mauch Chunk road, leading from Allentown to Mauch Chunk, passing through the township above Neffs, and ending at Lehigh Gap. The township is at present well supplied with excellent roads.
A State road was built in 1908, extending from the borough of Slatington to the boundary of Heidelberg township, a distance of nearly three miles, passing through the villages of Wil- liamstown, Franklin, Slatedale and Lehigh fur- nace.
The supervisors at present are Blasius Hoff- man, and Wilson Blose, appointed in 1912, in place of Emanuel Wehr, who resigned on ac- count of ill health, and Alfred H. Lentz.
Peter Missemer,
Dec.
31, 1773,. 28
George Nyhart,
May
Henry Oswald,
Jan.
31, 1749,
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
951
The following is a statement of the roadway account for the year 1912:
1864-Israel Sensinger, Jonathan Bear.
1865-Jacob Blose, Jonathan Bear.
Tax duplicate,
$6,715 31
Tax, foreigners,
118 00
1868-Henry Peter, Jacob Blose.
Additional taxes col.,
50 60
1869-Monroe Peter, Paul Kern.
County abatement,
480 00
1870-Monroe . Peter, Israel Sensinger.
Received from State Treas.,
1,940 00
1871-Monroe Peter, Israel Sensinger.
Outstanding tax col.,
452 25
1872-Israel Sensinger, Jacob Blose.
Error in ac. Paul Lentz,
124 03
1873-Gideon Lentz, Jacob Blose.
1874-Gideon Lentz, Jacob Blose.
$9,880 19
1875-Gideon Lentz, Jacob Blose.
Expenses, . ..
7,423 57
1876-Monroe Peter, Daniel Kemmerer.
Balance in treasury,
$2,456 62
1878-Monroe Peter, Phaon Dorward, Francis Blose.
FREDERICK KERN HOMESTEAD, AT EMERALD, BUILT IN 1786.
The following is a list of the supervisors since the formation of the township:
1879-Francis Blose, Monroe Peter, Phaon Dor- ward. 1880-Monroe Peter, Moses Lentz, Francis Blose.
1848-John Fenstermaker, Jacob Remaley.
1849-Daniel Peter, Henry Peter.
1882-Phaon Dorward, Moses Lentz.
1850-Henry Geiger, George Blose.
1851-George Peter, Jacob Remaley.
1852-John G. Peter, Nicholas Peter.
1885-Daniel Kemmerer, Moses Lentz.
1853-Daniel Sensinger, Henry Henritzy.
1854-Phaon Dorward, Daniel Peter.
1887 -- Monroe Peter, Moses Lentz.
1888-Monroe Peter, Moses Lentz.
1856-Joseph German, Phaon Dorward, George Rex, Henry Henritzy.
1857-Daniel Hausman, George Rex, George Blose. 1858-Gideon Lentz, Daniel Hausman.
1859-George Blose, Gideon Lentz.
1860-Joseph German, Jacob Blose.
1894-John Reppart, John Hoffman.
1895-Paul Miller, John Hoffman.
1896-Paul Miller, John Hoffman.
1897-Emanuel Wehr, Peter Kern.
1863-Israel Sensinger, Charles Dorward.
1889-Moses Lentz, John C. Hankey. 1890-Francis Rehrig, John C. Hankey. 1891-Uriah Krause, John Hoffman. 1892-Uriah Krause, John Hoffman. 1893-John Reppart, John Hoffman.
1861-Charles Dorward, Henry Peter.
1862-Israel Sensinger, Charles Dorward.
1881-Monroe Peter, Moses Lentz.
1883-Phaon Dorward, Moses Lentz. 1884-Monroe Peter, Moses Lentz.
1886-Francis Blose, Moses Lentz.
1855-Moses Lentz, Daniel Peter.
1877-Monroe Peter, Francis Blose.
1866-George Blose, Henry John Peter.
1867-Henry Peter, George Blose.
952
HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
1898-Emanuel Wehr, Gideon Lentz.
1899-Gideon Lentz, Emanuel Wehr.
1900-Alfred Hunsicker, Oliver Olewine.
1901-Oliver Olewine, Alfred Lentz.
1902-Alfred Lentz, Oliver Olewine, Alfred Hun- sicker.
1903-Alfred Hunsicker, Peter Kern.
1904-Wilson Blose, Emanuel Wehr, Peter Kern.
1905-James R. Kressly, Francis Blose.
1906-Nathaniel Dorward, 2 yrs .; Levi Paules, I yr. 1907-Charles P. Oswald.
1908-John C. Hoffman.
1909-Emanuel Wehr.
1910-Blasius Hoffman.
IgII-Alfred H. Lentz.
RAILROADS AND TROLLEY.
The Schuylkill and Lehigh Railroad, a branch of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, ex- tending from Reading to Slatington, passes through the township. Beginning about one- half a mile west of Best's Station, and ending at Little Run Junction at Franklin, a distance of about two and a half miles. From there it uses the branch of the Lehigh Valley Railroad to Slatington.
The Lehigh Valley Railroad Company has a branch extending from Slatington to the Saegers- ville quarries, a little beyond Slatedale, a distance of about four miles. Also, one called the Welsh- town branch, leading to the quarries northwest of Slatington, a distance of about two miles.
The Lehigh and New England Railroad, 32 miles long, extending from Danielsville, North- ampton county, to Tamaqua, Pa., parallels the Lehigh Valley Railroad a short distance below Lehigh Gap. It crosses the Lehigh Valley Railroad at Lehigh Gap from the east to the west side. The constructors were MacArthur Bros. Co., of New York and Chicago. They have a branch office at Slatington since January 17, 1911. The bridge across the Lehigh was commenced February 15, 1911, and completed January 1, 1912.
The Lehigh Valley Traction Company has a branch extending from Slatington to Slatedale, a distance of three miles. The Allentown and Slatington line runs through the township a dis- tance of four miles.
TELEPHONE AND ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANIES.
Communication between the villages, and the leading farmers of the township, to all parts of the country, is furnished by the telephone, of which there are two lines, the Bell and the Con- solidated Telephone Companies of Pennsylva- nia.
The churches, hotels, stores, and many of the residences of the villages of Emerald and Slate- dale are lighted by electricity, which is supplied
by the Lehigh Valley Light and Power Company of Slatington.
The Lehigh Navigation Electric Company, who are building a line through Pennsylvania and New Jersey, are passing through the town- ship from north to south. They have purchased the right of way, which includes a width of one hundred feet, from the owners of the properties through which the line passes.
OLD STORE AND HOTEL.
About one-half a mile from Best's Station is located the oldest store and hotel in the town- ship, and without doubt in the county, as it has been in existence for over one hundred years. It was originally owned by Wilhelm Fenstermaker, who was a prominent man in this locality, and who represented this county in the legislature, and was one of the commissioners of the county in 1812. After being in his possession many years he sold it to one Treichler, who kept it for a number of years, when he disposed of it in 1843 to David and Charles Peter.
The Peters operated it until 1857, when Charles retired from the firm, and David be- came sole owner of the property. He carried on the business until his death in 1890, when it came into possession of his son Alexander, who held it until his death in 1896, when his son, James S. Peter, became the owner.
In 1906, the present owner attached a frame building, 24 x 50 feet, and three stories in height, in which he has included all modern im- provements. On the upper story is a large hall room, where Peter's Defiance Council No. 298, Jr. O. U. A. M., hold their meetings.
The council numbers 210 members, and the following named comprise the present officers:
Councillor, Edgar Reitz.
Vice Councillor, Charles Wehr.
Junior Past Councillor, Alvine Blose.
Financial Secretary, Benj. C. Kuhnsman.
Record Secretary, Edward Miller.
Asst. Recording Secretary, John Lentz.
Treasurer, William Kuhnsman.
Conductor, Edwin Peters. Warden, Henry Reitz. Inside Sentinel, Harvey Hollenbach.
Outside Sentinel, Marvin Peter.
In 1848, by an act of assembly, this place was made the polling place for the township, and it continued to be so until 1892, when the district was divided into three election districts. It still remains the polling place for the Southern dis- trict.
All business for the township has been trans- acted at this place from its organization up to the present time.
953
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
VILLAGES.
The villages of Washington are Slatedale, Emerald, Williamstown, Lehigh Furnace, Fried- dens, Newhards, Newside and Bests .
SLATEDALE .- This is the largest village in the township, and was formerly named Labarsville. It lies three miles west of Slatington, and is con- nected with it by a trolley line, owned by the Lehigh Valley Traction Co. It is also the ter- minus of a branch of the Lehigh Valley R. R. The land upon which the village stands was owned by George and Nelson Labar, Charles
many years. Upon the death of Mr. Lewis the heirs sold it to Aaron Werley, who is the present owner. The next hotel was opened in the house owned by Lewis Fink. John E. Balliet was the first landlord, receiving a license in 1881. Mr. Fink sold the property to Fred Horlacher, of Slatington. About seven years ago it was de- stroyed by fire, when the owner erected a fine three-story brick building in its place. It is now leased by Korn and Hamm.
Stores .- The first store was opened by Morris and Hall, who ran it for several years, when it was sold to Abraham Gish and Robert Drake.
HOUSE ALONG SLATINGTON TROLLEY, WEST OF HOFFMAN'S, BUILT IN 1797.
and Magdalene Kunkle, and Andrew Klotz. In 1848, Joseph German became the owner of the Kunkle property, and divided it into lots. A few years afterwards the Locke Slate Co., pur- chased the interests of the Labars, and changed the name of the village to Slatedale. Locke is the principal street, containing most of the busi- ness places, besides many fine residences.
Hotels .-- The first hotel was built in 1851 by Thomas Brensinger and George Krause. Bren- singer kept it for nine years, Levi Krause three years, and William Krause, two years. It was then sold to John Lewis, who conducted it for
They ran it for several years, when they dis- posed of it to Francis Shenton, who removed it from a frame building in 1868 into the commo- dious brick building it now occupies. Mr. Shen- ton sold it some years ago to his son Frank E. Shenton, who is the present owner.
In 1868, Lewis Fink built a store where the hotel of Fred Horlacher now stands, and took for a partner Joseph German. The partnership lasted one year, when German erected a store of his own, which he run for several years, when he went out of business. Mr. Fink after some years built a new store near the old one and kept
-
954
HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
it until seven years ago, when it was destroyed by fire and was never rebuilt.
The next store was erected by Harrison Rose- berry, who sold it to Elias H. Krause, the pres- ent owner.
The Royal Blue Slate Company also a few years ago built a store, which they now operate.
A few years ago Wilson Rex erected a fine building on Mill street, in which he keeps a gen- eral supply store.
James P. Kern, in 1910, converted part of his building into a store room, where he keeps a full line of groceries and green goods.
P. F. Muthard is the proprietor of a candy and cigar store, and Miss Minnie Dorward of a millinery.
here was Dr. L. Snyder, who came here in 1868, but only remained a few months. A Dr. Turner, from New Jersey, came here in 1869 and re- mained until 1871.
Dr. Ralph T. Sowden came here from Sha- mokin in May, 1880, and is still in active prac- tice. In July, 1912, his son, Edgar L. Sowden, who served as an interne at St. Luke's Hospital, Bethlehem, associated with him in practice.
Dr. Rollo C. Peters, a graduate of the Phila- delphia Dental College, came here in 1912, and located in Rex's building.
Secret Societies .- P. O. S. of A .- On Dec. I, 1897, a dispensation was granted by the State Camp to institute Camp No. 323, P. O. S. of A. On Dec. 9 they met in the hall owned by
OLDEST HOUSE IN SLATEDALE, BUILT ABOUT 1820.
In 1910, R. D. Hollenbach erected a store room on Grant street and conducts a gent's fur- nishing store.
The village has a first class bakery, owned by E. J. Gross, and a meat market owned by George Williams.
James F. Blose conducts a coal and lumber yard. He has been in business for the past fif- teen years, and furnished the lumber for all the buildings erected during this period.
The village also has two barber shops, run by Henry J. Schaller and John H. Thomas. Also, two shoemaker shops, run by Edwin Wanamaker and Robert Ebert. William Yoxheimer has a blacksmith shop on Grant street.
The village has three churches and a four- roomed school building, mention of which is made elsewhere.
Physicians .- The first physician who located
Thomas H. Shenton, where they were duly in- stituted, and the following named officers were installed :
Past President, John M. Jones.
President, Elias H. Krause.
Vice President, Thomas Lewis.
Master of Forms, Lewis Fink.
Recording Secretary, Henry J. Schaller.
Asst. Recording Secretary, Henry O. Mack.
Financial Secretary, George W. Morris.
Treasurer, Ralph T. Sowden, M.D.
Conductor, Aaron Weiss.
Inspector, John Lloyd.
Outside Guard, John B. Mack.
Chaplain, Tilghman Paules.
Right Sentinel, Griffith R. Williams.
Left Sentinel, Evan Williams,
The camp has at present 191 members in good standing, and is in a prosperous condition. I. O. R. M .- On March 27, 1911, Kittatinny Tribe, No. 445, I. O. R. M., was instituted in
-
955
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
P. O. S. of A. hall, and the following officers installed :
Prophet, Norman Shenton.
Sachem, Oscar A. Blose.
Senior Sagamore, Stanley Balliet.
Junior Sagamore, Quincy Ferber. Chief of Records, Stanley Smith.
Collector of Wampum, Ralph L. Blose.
Keeper of Wampum, William G. Blose.
Guard of the Wigwam, Robert Ebert.
Guard of the Forest, Cornelius Kolp.
The tribe now numbers 105, and are in a flourishing condition.
Band .- On May 3, 1891, the young men of this place met and organized what is called the
of fire, a fire company was formed in 1906. Two chemical engines, with a capacity of 40 gallons each, were purchased at a cost of $800.00, the money having been collected from the citizens of the place by James P. Brady. H. W. Bloss presented the company with '500 feet of hose. On December 3 a charter was granted them, who styled themselves Citizens Fire Co. No. I. The following are the officers of the company :
President, John M. Jones.
Vice-President, Elmer Werley. Recording Secretary, Norman Shenton.
Financial Secretary, George W. Morris. Treasurer, Ralph T. Sowden, M.D.
HOMESTEAD ABOVE SLATEDALE, BUILT IN 1790. IT HAD BEEN IN POSSESSION OF HENRY FENSTERMACHER AND FAMILY FOR MANY YEARS, AND EARLIER BY THE HENRITZY FAMILY.
Slatedale Band. Of the original members only one, Griffith R. Williams, remains with the present band. Llewellyn Jones is the teacher and leader. They number 36 members. From spring until fall they have more engagements than they can accept. The officers are:
President, John M. Jones. Vice President, William W. Morris. Secretary, George W. Morris. Treasurer, Ralph T. Sowden, M.D.
Water Supply .- The village is supplied with water from the Washington Water Supply Com- pany, who have their reservoir about two and one-half miles from the village. The water is obtained from springs flowing along the Blue Ridge.
Fire Company .- For better protection in case
Post Office .- Previous to 1883 mail was served from the Slatington post office. The first postmaster was Lewis Fink, who received his commission in June, 1883. The succeeding post- masters have been H. W. Bloss, William Mer- scher, and Frank E. Shenton.
Population .- The village has a population of between 900 and 1,000 inhabitants.
EMERALD.
Emerald, formerly called Franklin, is situated on the branch of the Lehigh Valley R. R., about one and a half miles west of Slatington. The trolley runs through a portion of the village. The first settler was Nicholas Kern, who built the house now in possession of Benjamin Re- maley's estate, in 1849. The house owned by
956
HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
the estate of John Parry was his barn. He next built the farm house owned by his son Robert, who sold it to his son-in-law, John Roth, and who sold it to Victor Dilliard.
The hotel was built by William B. Williams in 1868. He was the landlord for many years, when he sold it to his son, Frank Williams. The latter occupied it for several years, when he leased it to Edwin Fry, the present occupant.
The first store was built by Tilghman Kuntz, about forty years ago, and was managed for sev- eral years by his son, Francis Kuntz. It was sold to Ezra Peter, and was managed by his son, Osville S. Peter, until the year 1883, when Jesse B. Kimes and Robert Dorward became the owners. Thomas Brensinger and Lewis Smith kept it for some time, when it became the property of Daniel Thomas, and the store was discontinued.
The next store was built by John F. Smith, the present owner, in 1885. He kept it until 1902, when he rented it to Ernest Koegel, who run it until 1905, when A. C. Nolf took pos- session.
Another store was built some time in the '70s by William W. Hughes, who conducted it for about fifteen years, when his son William got possession. For several years different parties occupied it for short periods. At present it is kept by Appanas Deleykanich.
The village has a barber shop, kept by James Fenstermaker, also two churches, a school house, and a factory, mention of which is made else- where.
Coal Yard .- About fifty years ago Tilghman Kuntz and Robert Kern started a coal yard, which they held in partnership for about ten years, when Mr. Kuntz sold his interest to Mr. Kern, who retained possession until 1907, when he sold it to his son, Weston Kern. In 1910, Mr. Kern erected a building 100 x 30 feet, through which the railroad track runs, dumping the coal into shoots. Has an elevator 70 x 34 feet and 35 feet high, and a large shed for stabling his horses and wagons.
Water Supply .- The village is supplied with water from the Washington Water Supply Com- pany.
Hose Company .- In 1909, the citizens organ- ized a hose company, styled Star Hose Company. In 1911, they erected a two-story building, the upper story being fitted up for their business meetings. They moved into it on January 29, 1912. The officers are as follows:
President, Wm. N. Rauch. Vice-President, Oliver Butz. Secretary, Willard P. Oswald. Treasurer, Weston H. Kern.
Directors, Charles E. Moyer, Oliver Butz and Jeremiah Oswald.
Secret Societies .- On the evening of April 22, 1912, a commandery of the A. O. K. of M. C. was organized in the hall of the hose company, with 38 charter members. The following named officers were duly installed :
Past Commander, Wm. N. Rauch.
Commander, Oscar D. Kern.
Vice-Commander, Harry Yoxheimer.
Chaplain, A. C. Nolf. Recording Scribe, Willard P. Oswald.
Financial Scribe, Charles E. Moyer.
Treasurer, George L. Reitz.
Marshal, Ralph Roth.
Outside Guard, W. J. Smith.
Trustees, L. A. Dorward, E. H. Frey and A. C. Nolf.
Post Office .- A post office was established in 1885, and as no two offices with the same name can be located in the same state, the office was named Emerald. The first postmaster was John F. Smith, who retained the office until 1905, when A. C. Nolf, the present postmaster, was ap- pointed.
The village has a population of between 400 and 500 inhabitants.
LEHIGH FURNACE.
Lehigh Furnace is a small hamlet with a popu- lation of less than fifty. It contains a store kept by Charles Neff, a wheelwright shop owned by Levi Rex, and the ruins of the old furnace which many years ago gave employment to all of the people in the surrounding neighborhood. In 1826, Stephen Balliet and Samuel Helffrich pur- chased from Christian Snyder and Christian Blose about twenty-five acres of land, lying at the foot of the Blue Mountain, upon which in the same year they erected a furnace, the di- mensions of which were: height, 30 feet; bosh, about 8 feet. It was "blown in" in the latter part of the summer of 1826, the ore used being brought by wagons from a bed in Ironton owned by them.
Mr. Helffrich died in 1830, and two years later his interest was purchased by Stephen Bal- liet, who operated the furnace until his death,. in 1854, after which it was carried on by his heirs for several years, and sold by them to Cooper & Hewitt, of New York. It is now owned by H. W. Bloss, of Slatedale.
The location for the furnace was chosen near the Blue Ridge because of the quantity of wood on the mountain for making charcoal. One Applebach was the first superintendent, but was soon succeeded by Samuel Lewis, later of Al- lentown, who conducted the business about four
957
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
years, when Benjamin S. Levan took charge, and continued till the death of Mr. Balliet in January, 1854, when he became the superin- tendent of the Lehigh Valley Iron Company, lo- cated at Coplay.
In order to get experienced men to work the furnace they went to Berks county and induced men to leave the employ of the Trexlers, who operated a furnace near Shamrock. Among those who settled here and raised families were Ben- jamin Hartline, Joel Schnabel, John Reppart, Samuel Paules, Daniel Paules, William Steele, Abraham Bechtel and George Renninger, the latter being the only one of the above named that is still among the living. He is now 94 years old.
one mile and a half from the village, and kept it until his death, in 1876, when his son, Osville C. Peter, got possession. In 1886, he removed his shop into the village.
During the time John Geiger had charge of the store a postoffice was established, and re- ceived the name of Hoffmans. Mr. Geiger was appointed postmaster. His successors have been Francis Hoffman and Walter Handwerk.
The population of the village is about 125.
In this village is a house occupied by the or- ganist and sexton, Henry J. Bentz, which was used as a private school building a number of This is, however, the second school building. years before the erection of the church in 1847.
HOUSE OWNED AND OCCUPIED BY JOHN F. PETERS, BUILT 1799.
FRIEDENS (P. O. Hoffmans), lies about one mile south of Slatington, on the trolley road leading from Slatington to Allentown.
The land on which this village is situated was owned at an early date by John Peters. It con- tains 25 dwelling houses, a store, a tinsmith shop, a school house and a Union church.
The first store was opened by B. W. Kern in 1884. He was followed by John Geiger, Francis Hoffman and Walter Handwerk. In 1841, Eli Peter established a tinsmith shop about
The first dwelling was of logs, and stood about the same place as the present dwelling, now used by the organist, and a property of the church. The present house was erected for a two-fold purpose, as a place where the youth of the com- munity were to be instructed, and as a dwelling for the organist, the teacher always being the "foresinger" of the church.
Joel Geiger was for a number of years the teacher and foresinger; so was Calvin Guth. James Snyder was another; later, he was at
958
HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Mickley's church in the same capacity. Also, Wm. F. Andreas, the latter two, with Henry Andreas, taught under the free school system.
Since 1881 the new school house was built and the Ladies' Aid Society of the church uses the school room as their place of meeting. The church council also meets in the same room.
WILLIAMSTOWN, named after Henry Wil- liams, who owned most of the land on which the hamlet is situated, adjoins the borough of Slat- ington. About one-half of it was destroyed by fire in 1908 and was never rebuilt.
The hamlet contains a school house and a Greek Catholic church.
Most of the inhabitants are foreigners, and number between 75 and 100.
NEWHARDS .- This is a small hamlet located about one mile south of Friedens. It contains twelve houses, a hotel kept by Preston E. Lentz, a blacksmith shop owned by Joseph Olewine, and a school house. It has a population of about fifty inhabitants.
BESTS .- This is the name of a station on the Schuylkill and Lehigh Railroad. The place con- tains a hotel and store in the same building, also the postoffice, and is owned by Jarius Krause. A blacksmith shop owned by Martin Kuhnsman, and about one-half dozen farm houses in the immediate vicinity. The number of inhabitants is about 35.
NEWSIDE .- This small village, formerly called Washington Square, lies in the western part of the township, about four miles from Neffs. It was founded in 1850 by Nathan Peter, who ob- tained the land from his father, Andrew Peter. He built a store room in the same year, and conducted a general store until 1876, when it was discontinued. In 1901, the firm of F. N. Peter & Bro. erected a new store building, which is still in operation.
In 1851, the owner erected a hotel, which was kept by him until 1873, when it was closed until 1900, when it was remodeled and sold to Jacob Hahn, who sold it to John Williams, the present owner. The present landlord is Jacob Gum.
In 1862, Mr. Peter built a small foundry and began making plows, which was named the "Peters Plow," and which found a ready market in this and the surrounding country. He con- tinued in the business until 1878, when the foundry was destroyed by fire. His sons, Frank and Francis Peter, under the firm name of F. N. Peter & Bro., built a new foundry on the site of the old one, the dimensions of which are about 200 x 50 feet.
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