History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 178

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 178

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Holben's mill is situated on Willow Run, near the central part of the township. This is a very old mill and is supposed to have been built by Joseph Siegfried. It was built of logs and stood till 1845, when a new one was built, also of logs. About 110 years ago a dwelling house was built adjoining the mill, which is still standing. The mill is run by water power. It had many own- ers. The present owner and occupant is Jacob Herman.

Greenawald's mill is situated on Sweitzer Creek, in the western part of the township, and was built by Jacob Greenawald about 130 years ago. The second mill is there now, built of logs. The mill is run by water power. Its pres- ent owner is Frank B. Leiby. A saw mill was carried on there until recently, and a tannery for many years.

Bittner's mill is situated on Lynn Creek, in the eastern part of the township and was built about 130 years ago. It was used for making linseed oil afterwards; also, for making chop and clean- ing clover seed. In 1881 a new mill was built, which is used only for milling. Flour and chop are made. The present owner is James M. Sny- der.

Schuler's mill, on Spring Creek, in the south- ern part of the township, was used at one time for chopping, and also for cleaning clover seed. It was built by a man named Knauss about 1770. It was demolished fifty years ago.

Bear's saw mill is on Lyon Creek, in the east- ern part of the township, probably built by Val- entine or Paul Kramlich 130 years ago. The property is now owned by Edwin and Charles Bear.

There was in 1884 but one tannery in the township, viz : at Joseph Weiss'. It was started about 1855 and operated 50 years.

At one time there were also tanneries at Heff- ner's, Bleiler's, Balliet's, and Greenawald's, all started about 1810 or 1815, except Greenawald's, which was somewhat earlier. They were dis- continued about 1870.

There were seven distilleries in Weissenberg township in 1885, viz: Jonas Bittner's, Levi Werly's, Penrose Werly's, Edwin Greenawald's, Jacob Holben's, Levi Weida's, and Fenstermach- er's, and used for distilling apple-jack. There was a time when there were perhaps more than fifty in operation. They were most numerous

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WEISSENBERG TOWNSHIP.

from 1800 to 1825. Among the old distilleries that were once used, but now torn down we might mention those on lands now or late of Silas Kershner, Levi Knerr, Schuler & Hausman, Rupp's estate, Nathan Mohr, Jonas Diehl, Sam- uel Heffner, John Bleiler, Solomon Bear, Wil- liam Gebhard, Jesse Grim, Solomon Grim, Dan- iel Gehringer, Solomon Knerr, estate of the late Paul Bleiler, Joseph and Reuben Holben. Those at Jesse Grim's and Daniel Gehringer's were used for distilling grain, and did an extensive business in their day. One hundred years ago apples were very plenty in this region, and much apple-jack was made. But for a time people neglected the planting of apple trees. The old trees wore out, apples became scarcer every year, and one after another the distilleries were torn down. Thus, what was at one time a large and lucrative business in this township fell, so that it is now hardly worth taking into consideration. At present people are again setting out trees, and orchards become more numerous, but distilling whiskey will hardly ever again reach the extent that prevailed from 80 to 100 years ago.

About 1893, Oliver J. Reitz established a dis- tillery one mile north of Seipstown. For three years it was devoted to the making of apple brandy; then he added rye whiskey. It was car- ried on actively until 1913.

The "State Road" from Allentown to Har- risburg passes through the southern section of the township by way of Seipstown and New Smithville.

The total length of public roads in the town- ship is 118 miles.

The telephone was first introduced here in 1908. The total length of lines in 1913 was estimated at 20 miles.

A carriage factory was carried on here from 1850 to 1880 by Charles Ihrie and did a flour- ishing business, employing from 10 to 15 hands.

Villages .- Seipstown, the principal village of Weissenberg, is situated on an eminence in the eastern part of the township, on the road leading from Allentown to Hamburg. It contains a store, tavern, church, school house, carriage shop, blacksmith shop, and about twenty dwelling houses. It was founded by John Seip, whose grandfather, Melchior Seip, came from Wurtem- berg before 1747 and settled in what is now Upper Macungie township. John Seip bought the property from Henry Mohr in 1819, and moved there in the spring of 1820. At that time there was only an old log house standing on the south side of the road at what is now the central part of the village About five years later he commenced keeping a temperance hotel and in

1850 obtained a license to keep a tavern; and then he built several new dwelling houses. In 1861 a store was opened by Thomas D. Mohr, and the postoffice was obtained by Peter Seip in the following year. Most of the houses were built before 1875. The present owner of the hotel property is Milton Herber. Edwin Her- man carries on the store and Peter O. Fritz the saddlery. Carriage manufacturing is carried on by James M. Sechler. The school house was built in 1873, and the church (United Brethren) in 1876. The village at present has a popula- tion of 75. Most of the houses in the village are built of wood ; few are of brick. The people be- long mostly to the Reformed and Lutheran con- gregations. A few are United Brethren.

Zion's United Brethren in Christ .- This church was organized in 1874 by Rev. Samuel Etter. The original . members were Nathan Mohr, his wife, Hannah, and two daughters, El- mena C. and Mary S., Levi Stettler and his wife, Hannah, Christian Seip, Jonas Walbert and his wife, Salome. The congregation was organized by the election of Levi Stettler as class leader, and Nathan Mohr as steward. Nathan Mohr, Levi Stettler, and Jonas Walbert were elected as trustees. In 1876 the church was built; the corner-stone was laid in July, by Samuel Etter and Benjamin Keck, and dedicated in December of the same year by Hezekiah Licht. It is near Seipstown. The succession of ministers has in- cluded Samuel Etter, Benjamin Keck, John Lowry, W. Uhler, Henry Y. Spaeth, and Ephraim Licht.

Hynemansville has a fine location near the central part of the township, on the road leading from Fogelsville to Lynnville. It consists of a store, hotel, and a few dwelling houses. This is the oldest village in the township, dating back to the French and Indian War. About 1740, Mi- chael Bobst settled there, and soon afterward commenced to keep a tavern, his place being known as Bobst's Manor House. The Manor House and its proprietor figured extensively in the early history of this region. Being situated on the trail followed by the Indians in passing from the Lehigh to the Blue Mountains, and by the earliest settlers of this region, it became, long before any public roads were laid out, a highway of considerable use. When the main road from east to west, was laid out, the Manor House greatly prospered, and its proprietor became widely known. Later on, he also engaged in the mercantile business, and carried on both hotel and store. About 1800 he sold out to Frederick Hyneman, of Philadelphia, and Hyneman was then engaged for many years in the store business. During the time that he kept the store he rented

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

the hotel, and it had many proprietors, among them Knerr, Dornblaser, Schick, Leiser, and Krasely. In 1845, Dr. Frederick A. Wallace, of Easton, took possession of the store, and kept it till 1850, when it passed into the hands of Elias Wetherhold. Now it is carried on by Wellington Hoffman, and the hotel is kept by Wilson A. Acker. It is the place where the elections of the township are held. They have been held here (except a few years when held at Seiberlings- ville), since Weissenberg and Lynn became sepa- rate election districts. A post-office was estab- lished here July 22, 1862, and continued until 1905.

Seiberlingsville is situated on the road leading from Fogelsville to Tamaqua, about a mile north west from Hynemansville. It consists of a tav. ern, postoffice, and a few dwelling houses. It has a beautiful location, being situated on an ele- vated ridge, which gives a fine view of the sur- rounding country. About 1790, Jacob Mumi built a log house there in the woods. Soon after- ward his son, Jacob, was licensed to keep a tav- ern and it has been kept up until now, the present landlord being John F. Fisher.

In 1825 a store was started by Gerhard and Frederick Belo. They also had at the same time a store at Tripoli, in Lynn township. Frederick attended the store at Mumi's. Joshua Seiber- ling came there in 1836, and changed the name to Seiberlingsville.

The name of the postoffice is Seiberlingsville, established Feb. 2, 1841. The first postmaster was Joshua Seiberling, who held the office up- wards of 30 years. Dr. Frederick C. Seiberling was engaged in the practice of medicine here for ten years.

St. Paul's Church is situated in Seiberlings- ville, in Weissenberg township. It is a Union Church, owned by Lutherans and Reformed. The foundation of the church was accomplished in the year 1857 by members of the Ziegel, Weis- senberg, Lowhill, and Wesnersville congrega- tions. After organizing it they purchased a piece of land and built a church, of which the corner- stone was laid the 7th of June, 1857, and in the following year it was dedicated.

The Reformed ministers of the congregation have been Rev. C. J. Hermann and his son, Al- fred, J. O. Oswald and F. S. Loras. The Luth- eran ministers have been the same that have served the Ebenezer, Jacksonville, Jerusalem, and St. Peter's Churches, namely, Owen Leo- pold, F. Zuber, J. Klein, H. S. Fegley and A. O. Ebert.

New Smithville is situated on Silver Creek, in the southwestern part of the township, and consists of two stores, tavern, grist mill, saw mill,

and several dwelling houses. About 1812, Mi- chael Reichert obtained license to keep a tavern there. The place had a postoffice-Weissenberg, established June 28, 1830, removed to Hyne- mansville in 1848. In 1850 the postoffice was again located here, where it remained until 1853.

Werlysville has a fine situation in the northern part of the township, on the road from Clauss- ville to Lynnville. It contains a store, tavern, and a few dwelling houses. It was founded by Daniel Bittner about 70 years ago.

Buck Horn Hotel is in the eastern part of the township, on the road from Claussville to Kutz- town. It was started by David Moser, who was licensed to keep a tavern in 1862. It was kept up forty years, then discontinued.

Mohr's Store is near Ziegel Church, in the southern part. A hotel was started there by Daniel Stettler about 80 years ago. It was pur- chased by Thomas D. Mohr in 1865. He start- ed a store and kept both store and hotel for ten years, when he discontinued the hotel, and kept the store until he died. It is now carried on by Amandus Eli.

Fritz's Store is in the southwestern part, on the road from New Smithville to Hamburg, about one-quarter of a mile from the former place. Samuel Fritz kept store there from 1850 to 1900. He obtained a postoffice there in 1853, known as Weissenberg, and had it for 32 years, except one year (1868), when it was at Smith- ville.

Grim's Hotel was situated in the northwestern part, near the Lynn township line, on the road to Allemängel. It was a very old hotel stand; kept prior to 1781 (probably since about 1760). It used to be the election place for Lynn and Weissenberg townships in the long ago, both townships holding their elections at the same place, but depositing their votes in separate boxes. The elections were held there till 1817. The hotel was discontinued about the year 1812. Its proprietor was George Grim.

Bobst's Hotel .- About the year 1812, Philip Bobst was licensed to keep a tavern at what was Solomon Grim's place, on Silver Creek, in the western part of the township, on the road from Hynemansville to Hamburg, which was much used at that time, but now seldom traveled, as other and better roads have been laid out lead- ing towards the same place. The tavern was kept by him till 1819, and then abandoned.

German's Store Stand .- At what is now Sweitzer's store stand Dewalt Werly was li censed to keep a tavern about the year 1830, and he kept it for about 20 years, when it was dis- continued. About 60 years ago Henry German started store there, at what is called Sweitzers.

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WEISSENBERG TOWNSHIP.

It is now carried on by James Sechler, and a post- office is there named Sweitzer, established in I891.

Helffrich's Stand .- Henry Helffrich obtained a license to keep a tavern at what was then call- ed Helffrich's Stand (now Stine's) prior to 1815. He was a jeweler by trade, which business he carried on in connection with the hotel. About 1838, Daniel Helffrich, a brother, built a store house there. Both have been discontinued.

California House .- This was a hotel stand in the northern part of the township. About 50 years ago Jonas Werly obtained a license to keep a tavern, but it was maintained less than 20 years.

Grandfathers' Clocks .- Benjamin Miller, of Germantown, made a "grandfather's clock" in 1775 for Peter Weiss, of Weissenberg, and upon his death, it became the property of his daughter, who married Andreas Stettler. It then passed to their son, Aaron, and in 1910 to Aaron's son, David, the present owner. It is in fine condition and keeps accurate time. It has been in the Stettler family for upwards of 100 years, in the vicinity of Seipstown. The face is of brass, with Roman figures. The accompanying illustration represents the inscription on the door leading to the pendulum.

Another "grandfather's clock," made in 1806 by Peter Hifft, is in the possession of Solomon F. Rupp, Esq. It was purchased by his father and it has been in the dwelling house on the home- stead in Weissenberg for upwards of fifty years. It stands in a corner of the 'Squire's office as a

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highly appreciated memento of "ye olden times ;" and the slow, regular, distinct tick-tock of its long pendulum, and clear, high, sharp tone of its bell in announcing the passing hours day after day constitute an interesting feature of domestic life in this country home.

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CHAPTER XLVII.

WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP.

The township of Whitehall, as originally con- stituted, embraced all the territory in the three townships along the western bank of the Lehigh river, covering a distance of eight miles and ex- tending westward an average width of six miles, which are named Whitehall, North Whitehall, and South Whitehall. These districts will be treated in a chronological manner; first as a whole until the first subdivision in 1810, then the respective sub-divisions.

ORGANIZATION .- Whitehall township, the most historic of all the townships in Lehigh county, was established in 1753. Among the manuscripts of the Historical Society of Penn- sylvania at Philadelphia there is one which is endorsed, "Petition for forming Whitehall town- ship, presented at the first Court in Northampton county, and allowed. The lines were never run out." It reads as follows:

"To the Worshipful, the Justices of the County Court of Quarter Sessions, held at Easton for the County of Northampton, the 16 June, 1752.

"The humble Petition of Divers of the Inhabi- tants of the said County, situate in the back parts of Hydelberg & Macongy Sheweth-

"That there being a considerable number of Inhabitants settled in the back parts of Hydel- berg & Macongy to a large extent and have not yet been formed into a Township,

"Your Petitioners therefore pray that a line may be run dividing your Petitioners from Hydel- berg and Macongy to form a Township.

"And your Petitioners shall pray. Jacob Yunt John Shett Jacob Wirth

George Kern

Lohrentz Guth

Reynard Benny

John Troxel

"Petition for a new township allowed, and Mr. Scull, Surveyor, to run out the lines."

The only record of the erection of the town- ship among the records of the Court at Easton is this: "Now, March 20, 1753, Whitehall township is returned and allowed."

A large portion of the township was known by the name of Egypt, and in 1752, Michael Hoffman was appointed constable. There are returns of the Overseers of Roads in the town- ship of Egypt, dated March 21, 1753, which are signed by Jacob Jund and Paul Palliet, as

well as a return of the Overseers of the Poor of the same date, and signed by Jacob Kohler and Lawrence Good.

Other records of early township officials are as follows :

"White Hall Township, Sep. 20, 1757. I, Michael Troxel, Overseer of the Highways for aforesaid township, do return Peter Burkholder and Peter Troxel, Jr., to serve the said office the ensuing year. To the Hon. Court at Easton. Michael Drachsell." "Mar. 20, 1762. Was Chused Jacob Coller & Dan- iel Traxel to be Supervisors of the roads or high- ways for the ensuing year from the Inhabitants of Whitehall Township. Jacob Coller."

"At the house of Peter Burkhalter, 20th of March, 1762, we the freeholders of Whitehall township chose Jacob Kohler and Daniel Traxel to be over- seers of roads and highways of said township.

Lorentz Guth, Christophel Baer."

A record identical with the above and of the same date is signed by Paulus Baliet, Peter Burkhalter, Johannes Griesemer, Leonhart Heuchel, Jacob Mueckli, Adam Deshler, and Jacob Coller.

In 1753, Godfrey Knauss was appointed con- stable of Whitehall township, which then em- braced what now comprises the townships of Whitehall, North Whitehall, and South White- hall, and a portion of the city of Allentown. The selection of the name was made by the English officials of the county, for the local name was "Egypt." The name is said to have originated from the fact that the land in Whitehall was more fertile and more corn was grown than in Lynn and Albany townships, which section was then called "Allemaengel," meaning, "all want."

In 1752, the territory comprising the town- ships of Lynn, Weisenberg, Heidelberg, Lowhill, and Whitehall was estimated to contain about 800 inhabitants. In 1762 Whitehall township contained 147; in 1772, 156, which increased to 248 in 1785, and the census of 1790 was 1,253.

In 1773, the township had 6,070 acres of cleared land, of which 1,223 acres were covered with grain. There were 117 farmers, two black- smiths, one weaver, one tailor, and three tavern- keepers. Laborers received from ten to twelve cents a day. Houses rented at from eight to twelve dollars a year, including fuel and the use of several acres of land. Taxes were light ; the tax on a 200-acre farm was from eighty cents

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WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP.

to one dollar and a half. Between 1790 and 1800 the tax on an 80-acre farm, including a grist- and saw-mill was nine dollars.

The territory of the township was over seven miles square, and this was continued as a po- litical body for purposes of local government until 1810. Then it was divided into two parts, the divisions being called North Whitehall and South Whitehall. The former contained over 27 square miles of territory with a popula- tion of 1,600, and the latter about 22 square miles with a population of 1,300. The line of division between the townships extended from the corner of Lowhill and Macungie townships on the west to the Lehigh river at Coplay on the east.

On Feb. 4, 1867, a petition, signed by tax- payers of the two townships, was presented to the Court of Quarter Sessions praying for the erection of a new township out of the two dis- tricts named, and three commissioners, George Blank, Martin Kemmerer and Robert Yost, were appointed to inquire into the matter. On Sept. 12, 1867, they presented their report with a favorable recommendation, which was submit- ted to the electors of the two districts, and on Oct. 8th the election returns were presented to the Court which showed a majority of the votes for the new township. On October 31st, the Court made a decree directing a new town- ship to be erected and called East Whitehall; but on further consideration, the Court, on No- vember 6th, changed the name to Whitehall.

The territory of the new township, as then laid out, was described as follows: Beginning at the N. W. corner of Allentown (10th and Liberty streets) thence North 3434° West, to the stone barn of John Schwartz, in N. Whitehall ; thence North 1714° West to a stone; thence North 67° East to the Lehigh River on the north side of Yellis' Mill; thence along the Lehigh Riv- er to Allentown; thence along the City limits to the Jordan creek; and thence further along the City limits to the place of beginning; containing about twelve square miles. The estimated pop- ulation was 3,100.

FIRST-CLASS TOWNSHIP .- In 1899, the Leg- islature of Pennsylvania passed an Act of As- sembly, providing for two classes of townships, according to the U. S. Census, and such town- ships as were found to contain 300 population to the square mile of territory should be declared by the Court as Townships of the First Class, with certain specified municipal rights for sup- plying light, highways, sewers, by Commission- ers at the public expense. The township was as- certained by the census of 1900 to contain a pop- ulation of 7,935, or 661 to the square mile, and

the Court declared it to be a township of the first class; and as such it has since been governed.

Township Commissioners .-- The township having been declared a "First-Class Township," under the Act of 1899, and the following com- missioners having been duly elected in Novem- ber-Tilghman Weaver, Cementon; James F. Everett, Egypt; Franklin H. Kiechel, West

Catasauqua; William F. Koehler, Fullerton, a preliminary meeting was held on Feb. 20, 1900, in West Catasauqua, at the hotel of Silas M. Newhard; and on March 5, the following of ficers were elected, and appointments made: Mr. Kiechel as president of the Board, Mr. Everett as vice-president, and Sylvester Peter as clerk. Edward H. Ritter was the treasurer chosen at the general election. The meetings were held at different places in the township, and finally the regular place was fixed in the township high- school at East Hokendauqua.

Supervisors .- The following road supervisors were the first appointees :

Upper District .- James M. Schneck.

Lower District .- Daniel Wright.

Middle District .- Henry Lazarus.

Hokendauqua District .- (No appointment).

Patrick J. McNally has served as clerk of the Board since April, 1905.

The first contract for lighting the streets of the populous districts of the township was made with the Cementon Electric Light and Power Co., in August, 1901.

Fire-plugs were directed to be placed in Ce- menton in November, 1913, as a protection against fire, the water being supplied under con- tract with the Clear Springs Water Co., and they will be established in the other towns of the township during 1914. A fire company was re- cently started at Cementon; also at Fullerton.

The total length of the several public roads in the township is fifty-seven miles.

The Board, in November, 1913, was con- stituted as follows :

Cementon .- O. E. Gruver, president.

Egypt .- A. L. Hoffman.

Hokendauqua .- Hugh Porter, vice-pres.

West Catasauqua .- Edgar J. Butz.

Fullerton .- Tilghman M. Snyder, P. J. Mc- Nally, secretary; Erwin W. Semmel, treasurer.

Board of Health .- The township commission- er established a Board of Health in 1902 for the regulation and control of the local sanitary affairs, and appointed Philip Storm as health officer who served until his death in May, 1913. He was succeeded by John Roberts.

LAND AND CREEKS .- The greater portion of the township is productive limestone under high cultivation. It is mostly level, excepting the

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

northwestern portion where it is interspered with numerous hills. The most abundant min- eral is limestone which is quarried in great quan- tities along the Lehigh river and also the Jordan and Coplay creeks. Cement is abundant and larger works have been established for its ex- tensive manufacture. Deposits of iron ore have also been found, and some fire-clay.

The Lehigh river forms the eastern boundary line. The Jordan creek flows in a very wind- ing course through the southerly section into the city of Allentown. The "Cave Spring" or "Helfrich's Spring," a great natural curiosity, is situated along its course a short distance north of the Helfrich grist mill; which was described in the Rupp History of Lehigh ( 1845, p. 131) as having been "near the mouth of a limestone cavern, two miles from the borough of Allen- town, whose entrance was ten feet high, and whose depth into the hill had been penetrated 100 feet to a stream of water."

The Coplay creek (known formerly as In- dian creek), enters the township from North Whitehall, and flows through the central portion by way of Egypt into the Lehigh river at Hoken- dauqua. It drains a large, fertile section of the township.

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History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 178

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