History of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Part 73

Author: Bell, Herbert C. (Herbert Charles), 1868- ed; John, J. J., 1829-
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1424

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The Methodist Episcopal Church had its origin, in the vicinity of Watson- town, at the Swamp school house, where a class was formed in 1858. In the following year the society was organized at the incipient village of Watson- town, with Joseph Hollopeter as leader; among the first members were Mrs. Susan Hollopeter, Benjamin Grier and wife, John Shadel and wife, and Mrs. Martha Stover. The society worshiped at the school house, the academy building, and elsewhere until 1872, when the present two-story brick church edifice on Third street was erected under the supervision of a building com- mittee composed of Joseph Hollopeter, John Goodman, and John Seiler. The lecture room was dedicated, November 10, 1872, but the audience room re- mained unfinished for some years. The last payment of the church debt was made, February 22, 1883. The parsonage, a frame building at the corner of Fourth and Liberty streets, was purchased in 1883. The following is a list of pastors since the organization of the first class: 1858, Samuel Barnes, A. E. Taylor; 1859, John A. De Moyer, A. E. Taylor; 1860, George Warren, J. A. Dixon; 1861, C. F. Thomas; 1862, F. Gearhart, H. C. Pardoe; 1863, S. C. Swallow; 1864-65, John W. Haughawout, E. Shoemaker; 1866, B. P. King, Elial L. Chilcoat; 1867, H. Wilson, W. W. Reese; 1868, H. Wilson, Thomas O. Cleese; 1869-70, F. Gearhart, J. Comp; 1871-73, J. W. Olewine, C. W. Burnley; 1874-75, J. A. Woodcock; 1876, A. W. Gibson; 1877-78, B. P. King; 1879-80, Benjamin H. Crever; 1881-83, Andrew E. Taylor; 1884-85, David H. Shields; 1886-87, William McK. Reily; 1888-89, John W. Buckley; 1890, W. W. Reese.

Trinity Reformed Church. - The first service of the Reformed church at Watsontown was held in the academy building, June 20, 1864. For two years services were conducted by Rev. S. H. Reid, but no organization was effected until June 24, 1866, when thirteen persons presented certificates of membership, and the following officers were elected: Peter Schaeffer and William Brumbach as elders, and William H. Follmer and Simon Lantz as deacons. During the same year negotiations were made with the Lutheran

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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.

congregation for the erection of a house of worship to be used by both churches. The building was erected on the northeast corner of Main and Fourth streets. The corner-stone was laid, July 15, 1866, but owing to the death of William H. Follmer, one of the most influential members, and finan- cial embarrassments, the building was not dedicated until May 12th in the following year. During this time the congregation was without a pastor and its interests languished; the membership became small and virtually disbanded. At this juncture a reorganization was effected, July 23, 1867, by Rev. H. Mosser, and the church was attached to the Paradise charge. The members at this time were Peter Schaeffer, Daniel Carl, S. L. Hilliard, Charles Bealor, Alexander Rodgers, Mrs. Catherine Everitt, D. J. Krebs, Simon Lantz, Mrs. Catherine Rambach, Mrs. Elizabeth Follmer, William Brumbach, Rachel Brumbach, and George Mull. The same officers were elected as at the former organization, except that D. J. Krebs was chosen to fill the office before intrusted to William H. Follmer, who died, July 17, 1866.

The interest of this congregation in the union church building was sold to the Lutherans, May 1, 1886, and on the following day a congregational meeting was held, when Thomas Mast, Mahlon Metzger, H. Wagner, D. A. Engle, and George W. Hess were appointed to purchase a lot upon which to erect a church edifice. The present location was secured, and the corner- stone of the new church was laid, July 4, 1886, with appropriate ceremonies. The building committee consisted of H. F. Algert, Thomas Mast, Mahlon Metzger, J. H. Wagner, D. A. Engle, G. W. Hess, and J. W. Muffly. The church was erected at a cost of twelve thousand dollars, and dedicated, Feb- ruary 20, 1887, Rev. J. H. Bomberger, D. D., officiating. Since that time a parsonage has been erected on the adjoining lot at a cost of three thousand five hundred dollars. From the time of its reorganization the congregation has been served by Reverends H. Mosser, J. K. Millett, and George S. Sorber, the present pastor.

The First Lutheran Church was organized in 1866. The first council consisted of Samuel M. Miller, Samuel W. Hitman, Abram Goodman, and Silas Rambach. An arrangement was effected with the Reformed congre- gation for the erection of a union church edifice, which was completed in 1867, as stated in the history of Trinity Reformed church. This union was dissolved in 1886, when the church property was purchased by the Lutheran congregation. The old building was removed and the present church edifice erected at its former site during the same year. It is a brick structure, and was finished at a cost of twenty thousand dollars, under the supervision of G. W. Rombach, J. H. Harley, Samuel M. Miller, Charles Heilman, Isaac Stryker, and J. G. Bower, who constituted the building committee. The corner-stone was laid, July 25, 1886, and the church was dedicated, March 6, 1887. The following is a list of pastors since the erection of the union

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church: Reverends Thomas C. Billheimer; Mr. Keller; P. S. Mack, July 1, 1871, to July 1, 1873; S. P. Orwig, October 1, 1873, to October 1, 1878; A. K. Zimmerman, June 1, 1879, to November 1, 1881; Samuel G. Shannon, June 1, 1882, to March 1, 1883; and F. W. Staley, May 1, 1885, to May 1, 1890; M. H. Fishburn, 1890.

First Presbyterian Church .- In compliance with a petition presented at a meeting of the Northumberland Presbytery at Lewisburg, April 17, 1872, requesting the organization of a Presbyterian church at Watsontown, the following committee was appointed to perform that duty if they should deem it advisable: Rev. J. C. Watson, D. D., Rev. B. L. Jones, and Elder Robert Laird. On the first Sabbath of the following June a meeting was held at Watsontown for this purpose. After a discourse by Rev. J. C. Watson, D. D., the following persons organized as a Presbyterian church according to the regulations of the presbytery: William B. Bryson, Dr. J. H. Hunter, Martha Hunter, William Bryson, Mary Bryson, Samuel Bryson, Martha Bryson, Reuben Bryson, Sarah Bryson, Elizabeth Hunter, James L. Schooly, Charles Sterner, Elizabeth Campbell, Rebecca McKee, Mary E. Lowry, Mary Camp- bell, Ellen Hughes, Emily Hughes, Ellen Campbell, Jane M. Lowry, Sarah McKee, Emund H. Russell, Almira Russell, Philip Shay, Emma Shay, Anna R. Mckean, Elizabeth Mckean, Lucinda Mckean, Margaret Mckean, Samuel W. Riddle, Margery Guffy, Mary Ann Weiler, Stephen J. Braley, Mary Braley, and Francis Hammond. On the same day William Bryson, Joseph H. Hunter, and Samuel W. Riddle were elected elders, and Samuel Caldwell, Philip Shay, and James Schooly were chosen as trustees. The name of "First Presbyterian Church of Watsontown" was adopted, and the minutes of its organization were approved by presbytery, September 30, 1873.

In 1874 a one-story brick church was erected on the northwest corner of Main and Fourth streets at a cost of thirteen thousand dollars. The building committee were Samuel Caldwell, Robert M. McKee, Enoch Everitt, Enos Ever- itt, and Isaac Vincent; the trustees at that time were James L. Schooly, William B. Bryson, Isaac Vincent, Enoch Everitt, and Samuel Caldwell. The church was dedicated, January 5, 1875, Rev. James C. Watson, D. D., officiating. During the twenty years of its history the following pastors have served the church: Reverends George Eliott, David Kennedy, and George S. Van Alen.

WATSONTOWN CEMETERY.

The first meeting for the organization of a cemetery association was held, May 28, 1866, when George Burns was elected president, A. B. Latchaw, secretary, and Silas Rambach, treasurer. A charter of incorporation was granted, November 5, 1866, to the following persons: Silas Rambach, Christian Gosh, Simon Lantz, Samuel Whitman, Samuel Miller, George Burns, F. S. Whitman, Joseph Hollopeter, Enos Everitt, A. T. Goodman, Peter Shaeffer, A. B. Latchaw, John Bly, William Cooner, Robert Johnson,

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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.

D. S. Kremer, Joseph Albright, Joseph Everitt, John Y. Ellis, and Cyrus Brumbach. The tract lies to the east of the borough, and contains eight acres.

CHAPTER XX.

TURBUT TOWNSHIP.

ERECTION AND ORIGINAL BOUNDARIES- SUBDIVISION AND PRESENT AREA-PIONEERS -MILLS-CHURCHES-SCHOOLS-CEMETERIES.

T THE present area of Turbut township is but a small fraction of the ter- ritory comprised within its limits more than a century ago. It was one of the original subdivisions of the county, and was erected on the 9th of April, 1772, at the first court of private sessions in Northumberland county, with the following boundaries :-

Beginning on the east side of Susquehanna at Fort Augusta; thence up the easterly side of the Northeast Branch to the old line formerly run for a division be- tween Berks and Northampton counties; thence by the same line northwest to the top of Muncy Hill; thence along the top of the same westerly to the West Branch of Sus- quehanna, and crossing the same to the west side, and down the same to the junction of the branches, and crossing Susquehanna to the place of beginning so as to include the forks and island.

These limits comprised all of Northumberland and Montour counties north of the Susquehanna, with a large part of Columbia. It is doubtful, however, whether "the old line formerly run for a division between Berks and Northampton counties" was ever regarded practically as the eastern boundary of Turbut. At February sessions, 1775, a petition was presented for the consideration of the county court of quarter sessions, setting forth that Turbut was "too extensive for the management of one constable, col- lector, or assistant assessor," whereupon a division was ordered by a line-

Beginning opposite the mouth of Chillisquaque creek on the West Branch of Sus- quehanna, and crossing the same to the mouth of Chillisquaque creek, and up the south side of the said creek to the forks; thence up the east branch of the said Chil- lisquaque creek to the head thereof, thence by an east line to Fishing creek.

The territory between this line and the North Branch, bounded on the east by Fishing creek and on the west by the West Branch, received the name of Mahoning township. This deprived Turbut of nearly half its for- mer territory, but it still retained its position as the most northerly township within the present limits of Northumberland county. At May sessions, 1786, Derry was formed from that part of its remaining area east of the road

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leading " from Muncy Hill to Montgomery's mill " (Danville); and at the same term of court it was further curtailed by the erection of Chillisquaque, with Limestone ridge as the line of division. By the act erecting Columbia county (March 22, 1813), Turbut, with the remaining part of Northumber- land north of Montour's ridge, was assigned to the new county, of which it remained a part until February 21, 1815. It was then reannexed to North- umberland, but on the 22d of January, 1816, the present line of Northum- berland and Montour was established, again depriving Turbut of a portion of its territory on the east.

The division of Turbut was first agitated in 1836. As reduced by the act of 1816 it had an area of about one hundred square miles, with an extreme length of thirteen miles from north to south and an average width of eight miles; and in 1836 the population is represented as having been five or six thousand, with eight or nine hundred voters. It was suggested that the line of division should begin at the mouth of Warrior run and extend in a general easterly direction, but the viewers appointed by the court returned an unfavorable report. In November, 1838, division was again petitioned for by an east and west line; as reasons for this it was urged that the town- ship sustained twenty-six public schools, "which require more attention than any six directors are willing to bestow upon them without a compensation;" and that important public roads traversed its territory in every direction, for which the care of the present number of supervisors was entirely inadequate, The effort was again unsuccessful, but the agitation was resumed in November, 1842, and reached the desired consummation at April sessions, 1843, when William Nesbit and Frederick Lazarus, commissioners to whom the matter was referred, reported favorably to the formation of two additional townships from that part of Turbut north of the following described line :-

Beginning at a point on the West Branch of the Susquehanna eighteen perches north of the north line of the farm of George Good; thence south eighty-seven and a half degrees east sixteen hundred five perches to a point on the Derry road near the house of -; thence along said road north sixty-eight degrees east four hundred four perches to the line of Columbia county.

The two new townships received the respective names of Delaware and Lewis; the division was confirmed, April 15, 1843, thus establishing the present northern boundary of Turbut. In 1817 Milton was incorporated from its area, and the enlargement of that borough in 1890 reduced the township to its present limits. It is now one of the smallest subdivisions of the county.

PIONEERS.

After the formation of Chillisquaque and Derry townships Turbut included, in addition to its present area, the townships of Delaware and Lewis and a portion of Montour county (Limestone township); the taxable inhabitants of this terri- tory in 1787 were as follows: James Anderson, Robert Allen, William Boyd,

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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.

William Brown, Jacob Bruner, Daniel Backus, Samuel Blair, Thomas Barr, James Blaine, James Biggars, Mathew Bradley, Peter Brugler, Matthew Curry, Silas Cook, Robert Carrigan, Robert Cairns, Samuel Clark, John Covert, Charles Clark, Titus Doane, Stephen Drake, Thomas De Armond, John De Armond, Philip Davis, William Davis, Neal Davis, John Durham, John Eason, Robert Eason, James Espy, Barnabas Farran, John Fulkerson, John Fitzsimmons, William Fitzsimmons, James Fitzsimmons, Robert Fitzsimmons, John Foll- mer, James Ferguson, George Follmer, Jacob Follmer, Michael Follmer, Fred- erick Follmer, Alexander Fullerton, Michael Freeland, Alexander Guffy, William Gilmore, Thomas Gilmore, Ephraim Garrison, John Gibbons, Sam- uel Gold, John Gilliland, Alexander Gibson, William Howell, James Hays, George Hammond, Archibald Hume, Hugh Hamilton, William Hutchison, Joseph Hutchison, Aaron Hemrod, James Hammond, James Harrison, David Hammond, George Hood, John Hood, David Ireland, Peter Jones, Robert Ken- nedy, John Kennedy, John Kerr, Martin Kieffer, Nathaniel Landon, Jacob Lang, Cornelius Low, John Livingston, William Layton, Thomas Love, John Lytle, Gaun McConnell, Neal McCoy, Charles McClung, James McClung, Mat- thew McClung, William McCormick, James McAfee, John McGowan, Sam- uel McGhee, George McGhee, John Maxwell, Alba McMath, Robert Miles, William Miles, James Mecklem, John Montgomery, John Montgomery, Jr., Robert Montgomery, Barney Murray, Abigail Moodie, William Mc Williams, William McKnight, John McKnight, Felix McCloskey, Michael Minegar, John Nelson, James Patton, Adam Prunner, Daniel Perrine, Thomas Phillips, Samuel Pollock, William Russell, Andrew Russell, Edward Ryan, John Ryan, Robert Rhea, Robert Smith, Catherine Swisher, John Scott, John Smith, Ralph Swartwout, Jacob Smith, Jacob Shipman, Matthew Smith, Thomas Stadden, Philip Schultz, Garret Sickles, John Shearer, Henry Ster- ritt, William Shaw, Thomas Toner, John Tweed, Robert Taggart, Frederick Taylor, William Taylor, Daniel Vincent, Richard Vanderhoof, Garret Van- reper, John Vanreper, John Vandegrift, Peter Vandeevnor, John Vandyke, James Watt, John Watt, John Wood, John W. Wilson, John Wilson, John White, William Wykoff, Bernard Winteringer, Isaac Williams, James Wil- son, Samuel Wilson, Fleming Wilson, Samuel Wilson, James Welsh.

Robert Carrigan was assessed with one servant; David Ireland, with one negro; William Shaw with one servant and one negro woman; Garret Van- reper, with one negro.

MILLS.

Hawkins Boone erected the first mill in the township; it stood on Muddy run, and was built prior to the year 1779, when the proprietor lost his life in an attempt to relieve Fort Freeland with a company of rangers under his com- mand, and his property was destroyed.

In 1840 Abraham and Isaac Straub removed their extensive grain and

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lumber mills from the island opposite Milton to the mouth of Muddy run. They were the inventors of a reaction water-wheel, the first in the United States, and their operations were quite extensive. Their water power was derived from the river, dams having been constructed on both sides of the island; but the erection of the Lewisburg dam interfered with these arrange- ments, and hence the selection of a new location at the mouth of Muddy run. Chamberlin & Bisel, Yager & Bisel, John Ott, and W. B. Kemerer succes- sively continued the business; on the 28th of March, 1874, the mill was burned, involving a loss of twenty thousand dollars. It was immediately replaced by the present building, a substantial frame structure.

William Follmer erected a mill on Limestone run in the southeastern part of the township and operated it for several years; it was then removed to Pottsgrove, and subsequently destroyed by fire.

CHURCHES.

Follmer's Evangelical Lutheran Church derives the name by which it is popularly and generally known from the Follmer family, by whom it was founded. The following extract is taken from the will of Michael Follmer, dated October 7, 1793: "Fifteen pounds to the Dutch Lutheran church, and ten pounds toward the building of a school house, and ten pounds shall be disposed of toward the teaching of the poor children which may belong to the church above mentioned, which will be built in the township of Turbut." That it was accordingly built is sufficiently evidenced by the following ex- tract from a deed from Conrad Cook to John Follmer, dated April 13, 1799: "Conrad Cook and John Follmer by their article of agreement [dated Au- gust 28, 1796], did agree that agreeably to the will of Michael Follmer, de- ceased, two acres of ground should be given for the use of the Lutheran congregation, whereon the Lutheran meeting house now stands, agreeably to marks and bounds made in the survey by William Davis." This first church building was a one-story log structure, with galleries to which an outside stairway ascended. It was replaced in 1859-60 by the present sub- stantial two-story brick building.

Rev. J. P. F. Kramer was pastor in 1803, and on the 16th of October in that year the following list of communicants, the earliest extant, appears in the records: Conrad Menges and wife, William Gauger, Catherine Follmer, Bernard Stein, John Stein, Henry Stein, Peter Menges, Peter Derr, Conrad Menges and wife, Jacob Menges, Tobias Schutz, Michael Schmidt and wife, Eva Stahl, Catherine Stahl, John Schmidt, Jacob Schmidt, Peter Fogelman, Catherine Follmer, Elizabeth Schniedler, Peter Gerlacher, John Hauer, Ja- cob Lilly and wife, Barbara Hauer, Peter Lilly, John Schuck, Elizabeth (Follmer) Schuck, Christian Zerbe and wife, Peter Schwartz and wife, Eliza- beth Muller, Elizabeth (Fogelman) Muller, and Anna Fogelman. Twenty- four persons were confirmed on that occasion.

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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.

There is a hiatus in the records from 1803 to 1837; the succession of pastors since the latter date has been as follows: Rev. C. Stoever, 1836-41; S. R. Boyer, 1846-51; B. F. Alleman, 1851-52; Jesse Wyncoff, 1852-56; John Williams, 1856-58; C. C. Culler, 1858-60; Augustus Babb, 1860-62; A. R. Horne, 1863-65; E. J. Wolf, D. D., 1865-6 -; George Sill, 1869-70; J. B. Bergner, 1870-76; Conrad Huber, 1876-82; J. A. Adams, 1883-88, and G. E. Faber, the present incumbent, who assumed charge in 1889.

Paradise Reformed Church is situated about two miles southeast of Tur- butville, on the Washingtonville and Milton road. Religious services were held in this vicinity as early as 1804 by Rev. John W. Ingold, who made occasional visits through this region. The place of worship was a barn in the summer and a dwelling house in the winter.

On the 27th of August, 1808, a congregational meeting was held at which a constitution was adopted and a resolution passed to erect a church edifice on ground already purchased from John Christ for that purpose. The land, two acres, had been bought by John Stahl, Michael Koons, and John Dieff- enbacher for the sum of fifteen pounds. A large one-story log building was at once erected, which was so arranged as to serve for both church and school house, by means of a sliding partition which was closed for school purposes and opened for church services. The building was completed in 1809, at a cost of thirty-seven pounds and eighteen shillings. The purchasers of the land were made first trustees of both church and school. This building is still standing near the church and is used as a sexton's house; during its early history it was known as Eshbach's school house.

In 1810 Rev. Jacob Dieffenbach became pastor and served the congrega- tion until 1815, when he was succeeded by Rev. Justus Henry Fries. He preached in the old log school house every fourth Sabbath until 1822, during which time he baptized one hundred five children and confirmed seventy-one persons.

In 1824 the brick church building, now owned by the Lutherans and situated near the Reformed house of worship, was erected through the united efforts of the Reformed and Lutheran people. The most active members at this time were Andrew Cashner, George and Peter Krouse, Daniel Frymire, and Peter Rishel. The church was dedicated in August, 1824. Rev. Samuel Gutelius became the next pastor and was the first to conduct services in the new church building. In 1861 the Reformed people withdrew from this union and sold their interest in the building to the Lutherans. They at once proceeded, however, to erect a two-story brick edifice not far from the old place of worship. Daniel Eshbach and Levi Linn served as a building com- mittee, and they, with David Follmer, were the elders at that time.

The following ministers have served the congregation since 1828: Rev- erends Henry Wagner, Daniel String, George Wolfe, Lucius Court, A. B. Albright, Henry Mosser, John K. Millett, and George S. Sorber.

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TURBUT TOWNSHIP.

Paradise Lutheran Church .- This congregation was organized as early as 1824, when its members participated in the erection of their present church edifice, which was dedicated in August of that year. In 1861 the Reformed congregation withdrew from this union and the house of worship became the property of the Lutheran people. It is a brick structure and was repaired in 1873 at a cost of eleven hundred dollars. Reverend Sheets was one of their first pastors.

SCHOOLS.

Perhaps the earliest provision for education within the present limits of Turbut township was the bequest of Michael Follmer; by will, dated October 7, 1793, he devised ten pounds for the erection of a school house and an equal sum for the education of poor children belonging to the Lutheran church. Parochial schools were conducted in connection with many of the German Lutheran churches of Pennsylvania at that period, and a desire for the establishment of such a school doubtless prompted the donor in his bequest.

The public school system was adopted in 1834, and has been creditably sustained, with the exception of one year, to the present time.

CEMETERIES.

St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, two miles east of Milton, is the oldest consecrated burial ground in the valley of the West Branch. A small piece of ground was given by the Kieffer family for burial and parochial purposes at an early period in the history of this region, and, owing to the fact that the ground was afterwards consecrated, interments were made here from distant points throughout the central part of the State. May 13, 1805, John and Margaret Kieffer finally deeded to the church four acres adjoining the original site. It is impossible to state when the first burial occurred, but no doubt as early as 1787; the earliest inscription is that of Morris Lawrence, who departed this life on the 14th of June, 1792, aged one hundred nine years, six months, and twenty-one days.

The Follmer and Paradise Cemeteries are the last resting places of the German families of this part of the county through several generations. Many of the oldest graves are unmarked, and the earliest inscriptions are usually in German and scarcely legible.

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HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXI.

UPPER AUGUSTA TOWNSHIP.

ERECTION OF AUGUSTA TOWNSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT OF ITS SUBSEQUENT BOUNDARIES -FORMATION OF UPPER AND LOWER AUGUSTA-PIONEERS-ROADS AND STREAMS -INDUSTRIES-SCHOOLS-CHURCHES.

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History of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Part 73

Author: Bell, Herbert C. (Herbert Charles), 1868- ed; John, J. J., 1829- Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Chicago, Brown, Runk Number of Pages: 1424

Author: Bell, Herbert C. (Herbert Charles), 1868- ed; John, J. J., 1829-
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1424