History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 66

Author: edited by John F. Meginness
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1650

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In connection with his historical address Rev. Steck relates many interesting reminiscences of the early settlers of Muncy township and members of Old Imman- uel, which are condensed and given herewith. Many of these settlers were descend- ants of those who fled from the Fatherland on account of the calamities of the Thirty Years' war, which desolated with fire and sword the fairest portion of Germany. Many of these people settled in the Muncy valley before the beginning of the Revolu- tion. Most of them came from Berks county. The names mentioned first in the records of the church are the Hills and the Gortners. John Daniel Hill and a son bearing the same name commenced a settlement where Muncy now stands. Both were captured by the Indians. The son was afterwards killed by them and the father died of starvation while held as a prisoner in Canada. Joseph Hill, a brother

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MUNCY CREEK TOWNSHIP.

of John Daniel Hill, Sr., escaped. He entered the Revolutionary army, and at the close of the war returned and settled in what is now Moreland township, where many of his descendants now live. Another brother named Jacob settled on land near Muncy. He had a son who bore the same name, who was the father of David and Jacob Hill. The first named Jacob had also seven daughters, to each of whom it is said he gave a farm as a marriage portion. Catharine was married to Peter Dunkel- berger, Eve to J. George Doctor, Mary to Daniel Buck, Elizabeth to John Baker; another was married to Daniel Gortner, and still another to Joseph Hill, and it is not remembered to whom the last was married.

The first records found are those of baptisms as early as 1780, eleven years before the erection of the first Immanuel's church. Jacob Gortner, mentioned in the first record, was a son of George Gortner, who settled in the Muncy valley, near the bridge, on the road leading from Muncy to Hughesville. The descendants of this family are prominently represented in every period of the church's history since its organization.

George Gortner came to the valley as early as 1773, and toiled for five years in clearing a farm. He was killed by the Indians in 1778, while taking a walk with a friend who was visiting him. He had four sons: Jacob, John, Henry Philip, and Daniel, and a number of daughters. From these sons the families bear- ing the Gortner name descended, who are connected with the history of the church. The name of Henry Philip is found in the first constitution, which was adopted by the church in 1794. His daughter Susanna Catharine was baptized by Rev. John Lehman in 1781. She was afterwards united in marriage to Jacob Baker. One of the descendants of Henry Philip Gortner-Samuel Gortner-was recently living at the ripe age of ninety-one years. Henry Philip Gortner had two other sons, David and Peter, some of whose descendants are still in the valley. The name of Jacob, another son of George Gortner, is also found upon the first constitution, and was very prominent in the church. Col. John Gortner was one of his descendants. Still another son of George Gortner, John, is represented by the descendants of Col. John Gortner,now living near White Pigeon, Michigan, and of Jacob Gortner, of White Deer valley, and the descendants of the Butler family, some of whom are still connected with the congregation at Immanuel's church. The descendants of Daniel Gortner are found among the representative members of the Lairdsville charge.

Three persons by the name of Shumacher are recorded on the first constitution: Henry, who gave the ground for the church and cemetery; Benjamin, and Conrad. They were among the early settlers in the valley and evidently took a deep interest in the establishment of the church. Many of the descendants of these families are still living in the Muncy valley.

The name of Gottfried Feister is frequently found in the church records. He was among the signers of the first constitution. Some of the representatives of this family still live in the valley. One of the daughters married John Opp and another Jacob Opp; and still another Jacob Courson.

The name of Beeber is frequently met with in the records of the church, and is appended to the constitution. John, Nicholas, and Adam are mentioned, all of whom were soldiers in the Revolution and took part in many battles. At the close

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

of the war Nicholas settled in what is now Wolf township, on the farm now belong- ing to the heirs of the late John Beeber. John Beeber settled on Muncy creek in 1783, and is represented by the descendants of Isaac, George, and Col. Jacob Bee- ber. This family has been prominently identified with the Lutheran church in Muncy valley in every period of its history. Teter D. Beeber and his brother John were prominently interested in the movement to establish the Lutheran church at Muncy, while others of the name are connected with the church at Clarkestown, as well as Immanuel's.

The name of Dimm is also prominent in the history of this church. Those bear- ing the name are now as prominent in her communion as they were at the begin- ning. They are the descendants of John Dem, afterwards changed into Dimm, who came from Wurtemberg about 1750. His family consisted of a wife and daughter, and a son born during the voyage. They lived for a time in Philadelphia, where the father died leaving the widow with two children. When old enough, Christo- pher, the son, was indentured to learn a trade at Hamburg. Berks county. There he married Margaret Sidtler. During the Revolution he served for a time in the militia, and after his death his widow received a pension. About 1796 he came with his family to Muncy valley and settled on a tract of land, supposed to belong to the State, just back of Hughesville. While preparing a home he found hospitable shel- ter with the family of the father of the late Jacob Hill, who had come some time before from the same county. After building his house he was forced to abandon it, as well as the land, on account of a prior claim, forfeiting all that had been done by way of improvement.

After this unlucky experience Christopher Dimm removed to the elevated land, two and one-half miles south of Muncy, and built a house by the road leading to Milton. Here his family grew up and were received into Immanuel's Lutheran church. All continued to live in the same community, except one son, who removed to Juniata county, where the family is now represented in the Lutheran church. Some of the family took a deep interest in Immanuel's church in every period of its history. The family has one representative in the Lutheran ministry, Rev. J. R. Dimm, D. D.

Another name identified with Immanuel's church in its early history is that of Jacob Hill, son of John Daniel Hill. He was born in Windsor township, Berks county, May 9, 1750. On the breaking out of the Revolution he entered the army and served for over seven years. At the close of the war he was married to Christina Gortner, daughter of George Gortner, already referred to, she having patiently and faithfully waited for his return, as their engagement was made previous to his enlistment. Their children were John, who married Catharine Steck; Daniel, who married Susanna Truckenmiller; Jacob, who married Louisa Morris; Susanna, who married Henry Dieffenbach; Catharine, who mar- ried Frederick Steck; Elizabeth, who married John Steck; Hannah, who mar- ried Adam Sarver, and Christina, who married John Houseknecht. For several years after marriage they lived in Berks county. In 1794 they came to Muncy valley, he having previously purchased the farm now owned by Dr. George Hill. He died, January 9, 1824, just six days after the death of his wife, whose remains he had followed to the grave. His son, John Hill, became an active mem-

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MUNCY CREEK TOWNSHIP.

ber of Immanuel's church, and was the leader in the movement to build a church edifice and organize in Hughesville. He was about the first man in the community to take a firm stand on the subject of total abstinence. John Hill married Cath- arine, a daughter of Baltzer Steck. Of their daughters four were united in marriage to Lutheran ministers, while a son, Rev. R. Hill, and a grandson, Rev. W. P. Evans, are in the Lutheran ministry.

Baltzer Steck, as well as his sons, Frederick and John, were early associated with the old church. The former was born in Germantown, July 6, 1759, of Ger- man parentage, and he and his brother, M. J. Steck, were received into the Lutheran church at that place. Rev. M. J. Steck was one of the pioneers of the Lutheran church in the western part of the State. He was pastor of the church at Greens- burg, together with a number of other congregations, for many years. His son, Rev. M. J. Steck, was first his assistant, and then his successor. Their united min istry in the church at that place extended over a period of nearly sixty years.

Baltzer Steck was a miller by trade and located at an early day near Northum- berland, where he was employed by Mr. Jenkins to run a mill. There he married Elizabeth Fague, daughter of Frederick Fagne, who then resided near Sunbury. She was received into the Lutheran church at Sunbury about 1783. At that time services were held in a building erected in connection with Fort Augusta.

Baltzer Steck died in 1821, and his wife in 1847. This family was identified with Immanuel's church for many years, and the sons afterwards took part in the organ- ization and the erection of the first Lutheran church in Hughesville. Three of the sons of Frederick Steck: Daniel, Jacob, and Charles T., studied for the Lutheran ministry. Daniel Steck, D. D., is now deceased but two of his sons are in the ministry-Rev. C. F., of Muncie, Indiana, and Rev. Augustus Steck, of Indian- apolis. The other brother, John, has two sons in the ministry-Rev. W. H. and J. M., and the latter has also a son in the ministry, Rev. W. F. Steck. One of the daughters of John Steck is married to Rev. C. W. Sanders, a Lutheran minister of Canton, Illinois. The Steck family has been represented in the Lutheran ministry for over 100 years. The family still has its representatives in the churches of Muncy and Hughesville.

Frederick Fague removed to Wolf township about the same time that his son-in- law, Baltzer Steck, came. He had two sons, George and William. From these have descended the Fagues found in Muncy valley, many of whom are still connected with the Lutheran church.

The Buck family is another largely represented in the Lutheran church. They are descendants of Henry Buck, who was born in 1749. He came to the valley in an early day and resided on lands which were afterwards known as the Narbor farms. He died in 1791. His sons were Daniel, Jacob, Peter, and John. Samuel, the son of Jacob, was a member of the building committee when the last church edifice was erected. His brother Henry was for many years a prominent and highly respected business man in the lower part of the county. Leonard Buck, of the Lutheran church of Montoursville, is a descendant of the Henry Buck first named.

The Poust family is another of prominence in the church to-day. The first representative was so early in the valley as to be drafted as a soldier during the Revolution, but as the war closed almost immediately afterward he did not report

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

for duty. The family is now represented in the church at Hughesville by the grandsons-John, Jacob, and Daniel, and by others in the Lairdsville charge.

Peter Dunkelberger was also among the early settlers in the valley. He came from Berks county between 1770 and 1780. During the Revolution he served in the army. He, too, took an active part in the erection of the first and second church edifices.

Another name represented in almost every period of the church's history is that of Harman. They are the descendants of George Harman, who was born in Ger- many, came to this country when a young man, and settled in Berks county. During the Revolution he served in the army. When peace was restored he came to Muncy valley and was employed for some time as a teacher in the school belong- ing to the congregation. He is still represented in the church by Peter Harman and other descendants.

Another name associated with the history of Immanuel's church is that of Reib- sam. They are descendants of John Sebastain Reibsam, a native of Germany. Soon after marriage he came to Pennsylvania and settled at Germantown, and after- wards resided in what is now Schuylkill county. Here he followed his profession as a teacher for several years. And in addition to his duties as teacher, he was fre- quently called upon to conduct funeral services, and read sermons in the absence of the pastor. In course of time he came to Muncy. His family consisted of five sons and two daughters. One of the latter was the mother of Father Jacob Miller, already referred to. The sons-Louis, John, Peter, and Philip-at an early day, settled with their father in Muncy. John afterward removed to Philadelphia and Louis to Union county. Peter and Philip remained at Muncy, and the latter was for many years a merchant in that place.

In conclusion Historian Steck says that time would fail to tell of the "Ulches, of the Narbors, and of the McConnels, of the Artleys and the Butlers, of the House- knechts and the Michaels, of the Derrs, the Ritters, and Kahlers, and in later times of the Frontzes, Heilmans, Turners, Apps, Lairds, McClains, Frymires, Longs, and Rissels, and others, some of whom were identified with the church in its earliest history, and others as well in its most palmy days, who assisted in clearing the ground and sowing the seed, and reaping the harvest, from which so rich a fruitage of results has been gathered by the Lutheran church in the bounds of Lycoming county."

Old Immanuel! What a glorious record for the church organized before Lycom- ing was formed, a hundred years ago! In the territory originally under the spiritual care of this historic church there are now nineteen church edifices and as many or- ganizations, possessing church property valued at $80,000, and divided into pastorates which are now suporting seven ministers. The membership numbers 1,714 com- municants, with Sunday schools numbering 1,770 scholars, and 245 officers and teachers.

MORELAND TOWNSHIP.

Lying in the extreme southeastern part of the county is the township of More- land. It was formed out of territory taken from Muncy Creek in 1813, and for nine years after its separation, or until 1822, it included all the territory that now

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MORELAND TOWNSHIP.

comprises Franklin, Jordan, and a portion of Penn. At December sessions, 1821, William Wilson and William Cox Ellis, who had been appointed commissioners to divide the township into three parts, reported that they had done so, whereupon the court confirmed their report and the two new townships cut off were named Penn and Franklin. Moreland as it now stands is the nineteenth township in size and contains 13,120 acres. By the census of 1890 the population was 737. Its area consists almost wholly of Chemung formation (No. VIII). It is bounded on the east by Franklin, on the north by Penn, on the west by Wolf and Muncy Creek, and on the south by Montour county.

Several traditions are given, and may be recorded, to account for the selection of the name Moreland. One of these represents that when the first settler ascended to the crest of one of the highest hills he saw a great deal more-land than he expected to see, and in surprise and delight he exclaimed, "more-land!" Another explains that the early surveys were generally made so carelessly, and the allowances for roads were so liberal, that the settlers found that they got "moreland to the acre" than they expected, or than could be got elsewhere. Still another tradition says that the earliest settlers had first prospected in the region of Paradise, immediately south of the hills, and finally concluded to locate there because the land was cheaper and much better timbered, and they found they could get more-land and more value for their money. These are to be regarded as mere speculations, though possibly based upon some fact not now remembered.

The word "Moreland," used to be applied to "a hilly country," as may be seen by the old dictionaries, and it may therefore be reasonably inferred that this is really what suggested the name to the applicants for a new township, as "hilliness" is the striking feature of the whole of the extensive territory of which the then new prov- ince was composed.

Pioneers .- Some of the early settlers in this hilly land are deserving of more than a passing notice. Col. George Smith, who had served in the war for inde- pendence, located on Little Muncy creek about 1790. He came from Montgomery county. In 1796 he erected the first grist mill in the township. He had three sons and three daughters-Thomas, Jonathan, George, Annie, Hannah, and Effie. Will- iam Farr married Annie and came along with the family from Montgomery. William was reared a strict Quaker. The Smiths were equally strict Baptists. The taking of a wife of a different faith was not approved by the Friends, so William was asked to confess that he had done wrong. He could not see that he had erred, and insisted that he neither could nor would make such a confession. He considered his Annie a good Christian woman, and on reflection finally concluded that her religion was as good as his own and settled the matter by adopting her belief. Hannah Smith married Richard Barclay, and Effie married William Chamberlin; they settled with their husbands in Moreland.

Jonathan Smith, son of Col. George Smith, came to Lycoming from Montgomery county about 1795. He had married Annie Simpson, who was a sister of John Simpson, of Ohio, who was the grandfather of Gen. Ulysses Simpson Grant, the most famous of American soldiers of modern times, and twice President of the United States. Jonathan and Annie's children were therefore first cousins of the great chieftain's mother, Hannah Simpson Grant. The General's proper name was

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

Hiram Ulysses Grant, but by some inadvertence when the official document was made out appointing him a cadet to the Military Academy at West Point, his name was changed to Ulysses Simpson Grant, and the mistake was never rectified.

William Mears was not only one of the first settlers, but was the first singing master who taught the young raisers of buckwheat of Moreland how to read the buckwheat notes! Mrs. Rhoda Farr Taylor, of Rock Run, a very bright old lady who is now in her eighty-eighth year, and a granddaughter of Col. George Smith, says that she was one of Mears's pupils, and she "don't believe that the young people now-a-days have such fun as they used to have at Mears's singing school!"

Philip Opp, who came with his father, John Opp, from Amsterdam, settled on Little Muncy creek, near where Opp postoffice and P. W. Opp's store and saw mill now are, some time during 1790, though he did not get a deed for his land until 1797. He has a great many descendants scattered throughout the county and far beyond its borders. His son, Philip Opp, Jr., married Hannah Smith, a daughter of Jona- than Smith, and, as we have seen, a first cousin of Hannah Grant, the mother of the great American soldier.

The late accomplished Lieut. Col. Milton Opp, of the Eighty-fourth Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, who fell disabled by a mortal wound in the battle of the Wilderness, was a son of Hannah Smith Opp, and a second cousin therefore to Gen. Ulysses Simpson Grant. The great commander was ignorant of his relationship to this most worthy young soldier and scholar; and the latter was too modest even to mention the fact so that it might reach the ears of his famous kinsman. Milton Opp, one of the most brilliant and promising young men of his time, was born, August 28, 1835, and was not quite twenty-nine years old when he fell, along with many other brave men of his regiment, in the terrible charge made on the rebel lines at Spottsylvania on the 6th of May, 1864.

Among other early settlers whose names are still remembered, though the dates of their arrival can not be recalled, are Michael Gower, Joseph Hill, Jacob Shipman, Henry Fiester, Nathaniel Brittain, and Peter Jones. The last named, a hero of the Revolution and one of the sufferers at Valley Forge, died in 1850, when within but a few months of being one hundred years old. Hill was also one of Washington's sturdy soldiers. Christopher Derr and Thomas Taggart were among the earliest settlers on Laurel Run. The bones of these hardy pioneers, their wives, and many of their children and grandchildren now lie moldering in the silent graveyards beside the churches that rest as diadems on the hills they fondly loved, but the lands they cleared, the roads they built, and the way they prepared for religion and civil- ization are works that will forever follow and bless their names.

Topography .- Moreland is watered by the following streams: Little Muncy creek, which runs through its center, and its main tributaries of Laurel run, Beaver run, Shipman's run, and Sinking run. There are two grist mills in the township --- P. W. Opp's and Hon. Henry Johnson's. The latter was long known as "Smith's mill." There are two steam saw mills-one owned by P. W. Opp; the other by J. H. Magargel. Mr. Opp is also the owner of a store, and Philip Sherwood conducts another. There are no villages, no summer residences, and no industries, besides those above mentioned, except agriculture. There is very little timber left.

Postoffices .- The people of this township are accommodated with two postoffices.

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FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.

One is named Moreland, the other is called Opp. The first, Smith's Mills, was estab- lished March 1, 1831, and Amasa Smith was appointed postmaster. He continued to serve until March 20, 1833, when the name of the office was changed to Moreland, and Thomas Smith was appointed postmaster. His successors have been as follows: Robert Colburn, February 13, 1835; William Chamberlin, August 11, 1843; Jere- miah Smith, June 2, 1845; Joshua Bogart, May 8, 1849; Henry Bitter, August 12, 1850; Thomas Opp, Jr., August 27, 1853; Michael Winegardner, September 24, 1857; William J. Schuyler, November 13, 1860; John D. Smith, January 17, 1861; George W. Crawford, June 15, 1869; Gwyn L. Hess, March 7, 1881; Mark A. Min- nier, March 24, 1882; Joseph B. Welliver, February 26, 1884; Henry B. McClain, July 24, 1888; Ruggles S. McHenry, present incumbent, January 26, 1891.

Opp is the name of the second postoffice. It was opened December 13, 1886, and Philip W. Opp was appointed postmaster. He is the present incumbent.

Schools .- Moreland has seven school houses, named as follows: Eighth Square, Opp, Laurel Run, Back Bone, Frenchtown, Hill, and Green Valley. The report for 1891 shows an average of six months of school taught.

Churches .- The township has two churches-one Lutheran and one Baptist. There is also a Methodist house of worship, but there is no organization of mem- bership at the present writing, (February, 1892) and the building is not in use. A cemetery is connected with each of these church buildings.

A goodly number of the early settlers were Baptists and became members of what was long known as the " Little Muncy Baptist church," later as the Madison church, which, according to the most reliable information obtainable, was organized in September, 1817. This church served for the people of the adjoining corners of Columbia, Montour, and Northumberland counties, and the greater portion of Lycoming county east of Big Muncy creek and the Allegheny mountain. Meetings were held alternately in nearly all parts of this great field, often in school houses, private houses, and sometimes in the woods. The Moreland Baptists formally separated from the Madison church and organized the Moreland church, July 2, 1846, and in a few years thereafter raised a house of worship of their own. They wor- shiped for a number of years in the Union House. In 1865 Rev. Henry C. Munro became pastor, and under his zealous pastorate the old building was taken down and the present more comfortable edifice erected in 1882.

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.

Franklin was detached from Moreland in 1822, and for thirty-two years included the territory we now call Jordan, and for six years a portion also of what is now Penn township. It was named in honor of the celebrated Dr. Benjamin Franklin. It is the sixteenth in size in the county and contains 16,320 acres. By the census of 1890 the population was 1,063. It is bounded on the east by Jordan, on the north by Columbia county, on the west by Penn and Moreland, and on the south by Montour county. Its topographical features are the same as characterize the mother township, and the younger townships of which it in turn became the parent. The surface may be described as presenting the aspect of a sea of wave-like hills, mostly short and rounded, with here and there sides too steep to admit of easy cultivation. It is, in brief, a section of the Muncy Hills. The soil as a rule is more

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 66

Author: edited by John F. Meginness Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk Number of Pages: 1650

Author: edited by John F. Meginness
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1650