History of Schuylkill County, Pa. with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 82

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell
Number of Pages: 604

USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pa. with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 82

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RINGTOWN.

The land on which this village is located was owned by Benjamin Nehf in 1838, and at that time there were four houses in the place-one nearly opposite the Man- sion House, built by Jesse Hart in 1828; one where the Exchange Hotel now stands, built by Abraham Fry in 1830; one on the site of P. M. Barrow's residence, built by Peter Laudig in 1833. Mr. Nehf laid out a town site, and interested himself in building up a village. In 1843 Daniel Goho opened a hotel in the Jesse Hart house, and two years later the Exchange Hotel was built by Samuel Rupert, and known as the " Rising Sun Hotel."

The village takes its name from a thieving act which occurred in the locality in 1830 and caused an enemy of Mr. Nehf to speak sneeringly of the place as Ringtown. That title has still clung to it despite the efforts of its founders, and, having long since lost its significance, it is now acquiesced in by all.

The village contained in 1880 about sixty dwellings, three hotels, three general stores, five shoe shops, four wood working shops, two smithies, a tannery built in 1860 by P. M. Barrow, and a school house. It supports one physician, two clergymen, one file cutter, one tinsmith and one saddler. The only post-office in Union prior to 1845 was removed here after a migratory experience of some years, and in 1854 its name was changed from Cat- awissa Valley to Ringtown.

The grounds of the Catawissa Valley Agricultural So- ciety are located here, the enterprise having been largely local in its inception. The buildings were erected in 1871 at a cost of $3,890, and fairs are held there annually.

The Ringtown high school building cost $2,400, and in it two schools are taught.

In 1874 a party of about twenty young men from the mines, while in attendance on a foot race, became intox- icated and quarrelsome, and fired upon constable A. R. Lamberson, who attempted to quell the riot. He return- ed the fire, killing one of them, named Patrick La Velle. Excitement was intense, and only the coolness and cour- age of the officer saved him from the wrath of the mob, who were, however, compelled to admit afterward that his course was justifiable.

CHURCHES OF UNION.

The Reformed Church was organized about 1822, and united with the Evangelical Lutheran society in building a log church, that should at the same time answer for school purposes. In this building they worshiped until 1842, when the united congregations erected what is known as St. Paul's Union Church, which is still the place of worship for both congregations.

The pastors of this church have been Rev. Messrs. Knoll, H. Knoebel, and Isaac Schellhammer, from 1840 to 1872, and Edward D. Miller since 1874, under whose care the church membership has been doubled, and two new churches have been established; one at East Union, St. John's church, numbering forty-five members, and one in North Union, of about the same numerical

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.

strength, known as Emanuel's, and, in common with the Lutherans, occupying Zion's church building. The mother church is located at Ringtown, and numbers about one hundred and fifty members.

The Sunday-school work has been conducted in union with the Lutherans. The first school in Union was or- ganized at the old log church in 1850. In 1854 another school, of which D. M. Stauffer was superintendent, was formed at a school-house in the southwestern part of the township. In 1873 a division occurred in the old school, and a union school was formed at Ringtown, still in op- eration, with E. K. Stauffer as superintendent. The older branch of the school was removed in 1876 to St. Paul's church, and it is still known as the Lutheran school, though equally under the care of this church.

Evangelical Lutheran Church .- So closely has this church been identified with its neighbor, the Reformed church, that its business history is practically the same. Originating about the same time (1822), it is now a joint

owner in St. Paul's and Zion's church buildings. The pastors have been Rev. Messrs. Boch, Benninger, Weiksel, Kleine, German, and the present incumbent, Rev. W. H. Geiger, who commenced his labors in 1880. The mem- bership is two hundred and twenty-five. The Zion's Grove church, in North Union, is an off-shoot from this, and under the same pastor's care. The Sunday-school history of the church has already been written with that of the Reformed denomination.

The Evangelical Church was organized in 1870, with fourteen members. During that year a church edifice was erected on lands owned by C. H. Hines, its cost being about $3,000. The first pastor was Rev. James Sautez, who was succeeded by Revs. T. Harper, D. S. Stauffer, A. Dilabar, E. K. Miller, and the present pas- tor, Rev. J. M. Rinker. The church numbered in 1880 some seventy members. The first Sabbath-school super- intendent was C. H. Hines. The present one is Nathan Seltzer. The school has a library of 300 volumes.

UPPER MAHANTONGO TOWNSHIP.

PPER MAHANTONGO'S first settlers were a German named Alexander Klinger and his four sons, who settled in 1780 at what has since been known as Klingerstown. Jacob Baum, Robert Clark, Seamon Shuman, Andrew Osman, and Gideon Williams (a Welsh- man) were other pioneers in different sections of the town. Peter Klock, who settled the Daniel Dungel- berger place, is reported to have come into the neighbor- hood about 1775.

The first grave-yard was opened on the John Schrob farm.

The first school-house was built in 1805, and a school taught by a man named Hein.

George Maurer kept the first store in Klingerstown, about 1811.

John Reed built the first hotel in 1803, and sold it in 1804 to Jacob Wiest, by whom it was kept for many years. The next hotel was built by Jacob Stenner in 1812, and it is now standing and owned by John Wiest.

It was not until 1840 that a practicing physician, named John Piffer, settled in Klingerstown.

The post-office in this place was established in 1850, and mails delivered once a week by way of Reading and Sunbury. The old post road ran near the present road to Sunbury, and was abandoned when the latter was built. The war with Great Britain in 1812 sent the re- cruiting sergeant to this quiet hamlet, and of the towns- people Sebastian Zimmerman, Jacob Wolfgang. John Kline, Abraham Zimmerman. Solomon Zimmerman, Henry Klock, George Geist, Henry Maurer and Adam

Slobig enlisted, serving about four months at York, Pa., and Baltimore, Md.

Klingerstown contains at present two hotels, one store, blacksmith shop, school-house, and five or six dwelling- houses.

In 1830 the township contained 1, 151 inhabitants; in 1840, 1,291; 1850, 1,656; 1860, 786; 1870, 761. The de- crease was due to the reduction of its area by the erec- tion of other townships from it.

SCHOOLS.

The conservatism of its people made Upper Mahan- tongo the last township in the county, and one of the last in the State, to accept the provisions of the present school laws, and not until the year 1865 were the educa- tional interests of the town placed under its operations. Well adapted for grazing and the culture of roots and fruits, the township needs only the infusion of the fresh young blood, quickened by contact with its fellows, that is rapidly replacing the ultra caution and suspicion of its older inhabitants, to speedily bring it into the front ranks of the farin towns of the Schuylkill region.

There was in 1880 but one church organization in town. This, known as Schwalm's church, has an edifice near the center of the township.

Schwalm Union Church was organized in 1820, its meetings being held in the old log school-house near where the church now stands. Among its first members were John, Henry and George Maurer, Jacob Dressler, Jacob Bechtel, George Estman, Jacob Stagg, Neitling, Thomas and George Henninger, Peter Jacob Luckney, Henry Knorr, Adam Herb, George and Peter Schleyer,

SETTLEMENT OF WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP-SALEM'S CHURCH.

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Peter Feterolf, Michael Geist and Charles Klinger. There are now about two hundred members. The church edifice was built in 1832, and the first preacher was Isaac Seily. His salary from the church amounted to twenty- five dollars a year. Two clergymen now minister to the church: Rev. Aaron Hottenstein and Rev. Mr. Weit- zel, both living outside the county. Services are held on one Sabbath in each month, the church contributing a total of one hundred and fifty dollars a year to the sup- port of their pastors. A Sunday-school is connected

with the church. Henry Schadle was its first superin- tendent.

The first postmaster at Klingerstown was John Wiest. In 1852 another office, called Hepler, named after an old family of that name, was opened, with Dr. A. B. Karter- man as postmaster.

The first justice of the peace in the town was Peter Yoder.

A tannery was built in 1860 by George Geist, and at the same time a distillery by Joseph Neugardt.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

EN 1856 this township was formed from Pine saw-mill, though several were built at an early date. Grove and Wayne. The southern part of the township was first settled by Germans, and the present population is almost wholly of German descent, speaking the language and retaining the habits of their fathers. The first settlers suffered from Indian depredations, and in HAMLETS. some instances they were induced through fear to aban- don their homes.

Among the settlers who came previous to 1790° were Philip Zerbe, who is said to have been the first to locate; - Tebbich, Nicholas Shuck, Adam Kalbach, George Kremer, William Kremer, Peter Weaver, Peter Paffenber- ger, Nicholas Paffenberger, Christina Betz, Peter Hetzel, DeTurkville, formerly called Silliman, situated north- west from the geographical center of the township, con- tains a store, a wagon shop, a blacksmith shop, and five or six families. Henry Oppel, Michael Bressler, Paul Lengel, - Geb- hert, Stephen Diehl, Samuel Owen, - Boyer, Casper Bretzius, John Adam Brown; Jonathan Kerschner, Platt, Wagner, Bilger, and Worner. A man named Jacoby, The first tavern in the township was kept near this with his family, also located at a very early date, but he place by Solomon Christ about 1827. A public house was soon afterward attacked by Indians, and beheaded, is still kept here, and is known as the "Red Lion." while chopping wood at the door of his house.

Peter Hetzel located near Salem church about 1770. He taught the first school (German) in the township. His son Peter was the first carpenter here. Casper Bret- zius built the first grist-mill on the Little Swatara creek. After his death his son Michael continued to operate the first mill until the beginning of the present century; then carried on another upon the same site until his death, many years later. He also built and operated a carding ma- chine and cloth-dressing establishment-the first in the township-about 1824. It was located on his own farm, about three fourths of a mile northeast of the grist-mill. His son, Michael Bretzius, jr., located at the carding machine, which he operated several years. John Adam Brown built a grist-mill in the southeastern part of the township about 1790. One is still in operation on the same site, and is owned by a descendant of the first builder. A man name Boyer built a tannery near Rock Station about 1790, which he operated a few years, when the business was abandoned.

John William Kremer is said to have put up the first

John Batdorff was the first blacksmith; he opened a shop near Rock Station about 1800. This township had 1,233 inhabitants in 1860, 1,313 in 1870 and 1,354 in 1880.

Rock is a post-office and station on the S. and S. branch of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad, where are located a small store and a grist-mill. This place was formerly known as White Horse, taking its name from a tavern here. In 1868 a post-office was established here, with Jerome Riland as postmaster.

CHURCH HISTORY.

Salem's Lutheran and Reformed Church .- In 1780 there were a number of Lutheran families settled in this part of the country. They built a school-house about a hun- dred years ago, on a tract of land containing fifty-five acres, obtained as a gift from the government. This building was to serve also as a place of worship. For the first few years they had no minister, and no organized congregation. Peter Hetzel, a school teacher, read ser- mons to them regularly. In 1783 Rev. William Kurtz, who resided in Tulpehocken, began to preach in the school-house. He organized the congregation and began to administer the sacraments. This newly organized con- gregation and the Jacob's, two miles west of Pine Grove were served together by the same minister. Commun- ions were held alternately in Jacob's church, and in this school-house. Mr. Kurtz served the congregation until he died, in 1799.

In the autumn of 1795 the congregation began build-

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.

ing a new church, which was dediceted on the 25th of May, 1797. The building committee consisted of John Lengel, Peter Hetzel, and Adam Kreigbaum. The dea- cons were Christopher Bernhard and Casper Lengel. The new church was named Salem's Lutheran church. It was built of logs and weatherboarded; it had galleries on two sides.

In July, 1799, Rev. Andrew Schurtz became the pas- tor of the church. He remained until July, 1802. In September of the same year he was followed by Rev. John Knoske, who found the congregation to number thirty-eight communicant members. The deacons were Adam Gebert and Nicholas Scheterle; elders, John Len- gel and Henry Appel. Rev. George Mennig succeeded Mr. Knoske in 1811. He remained until 1833, and then his son, Rev. William G. Mennig, was pastor until 1839. From that year until 1856 the pastors were Revs. A. B. Gockelen, J. T. Haesbert, Benjamin Sadtler and Julius Evhart. Since May, 1865, Rev. Elias S. Henry has been pastor.

Privilege was granted by the Lutherans to the Reform- ed members to hold regular services in the church, and twenty-six years later equal rights and ownership in all the property. The Reformed had as pastors during this time Revs. John Gring, Julius Kurtz, C. Mutchler and Eli Theister.

. The building that was dedicated in 1797 is still stand-

ing and has been used as a house of worship for eighty- four years; but it was found highly necessary to build a new church, and in 1880 an edifice was begun, the cor- ner stone of which was laid, with appropriate exercises, September 26th, 1880. The building committee are David Fidler, D. B. Scidel, John Henning and Joseph Fichert.

Zion's Evangelical Church .- Traveling ministers of this denomination first began to hold regular meetings in this township in the year 1831, using the residence of John Manbeck, sen., as a meeting place. Among these early itinerent preachers were Rev. Messrs. King, Staver, Bishop Seybert, George Miller, Walker, Thomas Focht, Henry Fisher, Daniel Berger, Charles Hesser, Charles Schuen, Solomon Neitz, J. P. Leib, Francis Hoff . man, Thomas Buck, J. M. Saylor and G. T. Haines. No regular organization of this persuasion was formed until the autumn of 1858, when, as the result of a religious revival conducted by Rev. Lewis Snyder, and held at the house of William Shoener, a class was organ- ized consisting of fourteen members, of which William Shoener was chosen leader and Frank Reber exhorter. This organization has since been regularly supplied with

There are one hundred and seventy-five members in good standing in Salem's Lutheran congregation, and as many children and young people who are members of the church by baptism, but are as yet unconfirmed. The preaching from the Pine Grove Association, and now present Lutheran church officers are: Deacons, Levi Rhein and John C. Minnich; elders, H. L. Zimmerman and J. W. Kemmerling; trustee, David Fidler.

numbers 68 members. In 1862 the society built a framed church edifice, which was dedicated by Revs. F. Hoff- man and J. P. Leib. A Sunday-school was organized the same year, with F. W. Reber as superintendent.

The following ministers have served Zion's Church since the organization of the class: Lewis Snyder, Litzenburger, Jacob Adams, Francis Hoffman, J. O. Lehr, Thomas Bowman, C. S. Haman, J. C. Hamberger, A. M. Stirk, W. K. Wieand, S. S. Chubb, J. M. Oplinger and D. A. Medlar, the present pastor.

WAYNE TOWNSHIP.

W AYNE was formed from Manheim and Pine Grove townships, in 1827. In 1856 a por- tion was set off to form a part of Washing- ton. The population of the township in 1830 was 1,436; in 1840, 1,619; in 1850, 1,968; in 1860, after a portion had been set off to Washington, 1,415; in 1870, 1,546; and in 1880, 1,630.

Nothing very definite can be ascertained as to Indian occupation of Wayne previous to the beginning of white settlement. On the farm of Michael Fritz various imple- ments and weapons of Indian make have been found, and other evidences have been discovered pointing to the probability that at an early period there was an In- dian fort there. At some distance from this place, but on the same farm, it is believed a permanent Indian

dwelling once stood. Four or five hundred yards north- west from the " old mill property," in a field now under cultivation, are several graves supposed to be those of a family who were massacred by the Indians.

The date of the early settlement of Wayne is not known. The first settlers in the Panther valley part of the town- ship were Messrs. Lair, Berger, Schol and Schwartz.

In Schnickle Creek valley, and in the direction of Long Run valley, the first settlers were George Miller, Kearcher, John Apple and John Gombey.

A Mr. Summer was the original owner and settler on a large tract of land embracing the site of Friedensburg.

In the central and southern parts of the township the first settlers were Henry Gebhart, Hostle Boyer, John Hummel, Henry Schnep, Henry Kemmerling, Jacob Miller, Michael Webber, Benhart Rhine and Leonard Schnep.

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PIONEER TIMES IN WAYNE-FRIEDENSBURG.

The pioneers in Long Run valley were George Shiffer, Henry Weaver and J. Wommer.

In the northern, central and eastern parts of the town- ship the following persons were land-owners at the dates given, but not settlers: John Dundore, in 1750; Daniel Hartoon in 1750, and William Davis in 1792. G. Weit- ner owned 300 acres in the western part in 1750.

Peter Kutz, Anthony Roeder and Frederick Shaffer, from the territory now embraced in Wayne, served in the struggle for independence.

In the war of 1812 John Sterner, Jacob Minich, Daniel Sterner, Philip Staller, Andrew Achey, Henry Fidler, Conrad Roeder, Casper Roeder and Michael Fritz saw service.

The oldest post route through the township was over the road through Friedensburg. It is supposed Jacob Minich was the earliest postinaster in the township. Charles Krecker was appointed postmaster in 1862, and held the office till his death, in 1872. His widow suc- ceeded him, and is the present postmistress at Friedens- burg. At Summit Station, on the railroad, in the south part of the township, a post-office has for some time been established, with D. R. Ney as postmaster.

Jacob Minich is said to have been the first justice of the peace in Wayne. The next was Charles Springer. The present magistrates are John W. Heffner, sen., and Henry S. Kremer. Both have been for some years in office.

May 10th, 1769, title to this property was given to one · John Graft, by one Rehrer, of Tulpehocken township, Berks county. It became vested in Conrad Roeder, who emigrated to America from Germany some time prior to the Revolutionary war, and settled somewhere in Berks county. After the war he removed to the mill property. When the mill was originally built is not now known. It was first seen by old residents of Wayne as a log struc- ture. It was rebuilt about 1849, and enlarged in 1872 by Daniel Roeder, a grandson of Conrad. It is now owned and operated by Elias Roeder, a great-grandson of the old German emigrant, in whose family the property has remained continuously since its purchase by him, early in the history of the township.

At a comparatively early date there was a tannery on the farm of William Fidler and Daniel Yeich, in Long Run valley. A few years ago it was torn down, the foun- dation was removed, and the spot where it had stood was graded level with the surrounding ground for culti- vation.

The Friedensburg tannery was built by Martin Price. It has since been owned successively by Jacob Eagler, Webber, Sylphius Thier and Michael Fritz, the present proprietor. The latter enlarged it some years ago, and for a time did quite a flourishing business. It is in good condition, but is lying idle.

The first tavern opened in Wayne was the Blue Moun- tain House, by Dexter Suyder. During the political cam- paign of 1800, a Jefferson liberty pole was raised in front of the Blue Mountain tavern, and the adherents of the cause of John Adams, Jefferson's opponent, gave out

that on a certain day they would cut it down. When the time arrived the Jeffersonians shouldered their guns and repaired to the place, arriving just in time to see sixteen of their foemen surrounding the pole, some of them pro- vided with axes. The sudden appearance of an armed force of considerable numbers surprised and intimidated them, and when they were told not to proceed with their self-appointed task they made no show of resistance of authority, and attempted to peacably leave the scene of their discomfiture. But this quiet acquiescence did not satisfy the Jeffersonians; and, bringing the influence of their arms and superior numbers to bear on their already chap-fallen opponents, they compelled them to march three time around the pole, and give three cheers for it each time, before they permitted them to go away.

The second public house in the township was the Long Run Valley house, opened in 1801 by Henry S. Kremer, who is said to have kept the first store in Wayne, in the same building.

The number of hotels in the township in 1881 is five. They are those of Messrs. Hummel and Schropp, at Friedensburg, that of Abraham Roeder, at Summit Sta- tion, the Black Horse tavern, kept by Henry Brown, and the old Blue Mountain House.

The oldest public roads in the township are the State road, from Schuylkill Haven to Pine Grove, the Panther Valley road, and the Blue Mountain road.

The first grave-yard opened in the township was that connected with St. John's church. There are now six burial places; one connected with each of the five churches, and a small one on the farm of Isaac Lucken- bill, where Mr. Ernst and his parents are buried.

The first fine brick building in Wayne was erected at Long Run by Charles Springer, sen., about twenty years ago.

Joseph Wommer, in Long Run valley, brought the first mowing machine to the township.

The earliest resident physicians were Doctors Medlar and Davis.

Rev. Messrs. Dechert and Stowey were the pioneer preachers, and they were well known and respected by almost every early resident of the township.

FRIEDENSBURG.

As has been stated, a Mr. Summer was the original purchaser of the site of this village. The first house erected there is now owned by Charles Hummel.

Friedensburg was once a candidate for the distinction of being the county seat, but the stronger claims of Or- wigsburg, or the acuteness of those who presented them, prevailed.

The village now consists of fifteen houses, and has 71 inhabitants. Its most prominent men are Messrs. Fritz, Hummel, Fessler, Krecker, Dietrich, Unger, Shappell and Dr. Moyer. Its business places are a tannery, a store, a shoe store and shop, a harness shop, and a wagon and blacksmith shop. There are two hotels, kept by Charles Hummel and William Shropp. During the winter months they are much frequented by sleighing-parties from va-

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.

rious parts of the county. The English Protestant church is situated just north of the village. The place was visited by a somewhat destructive fire in 1877.

SUMMIT STATION.

The tract of land on which the village of Summit Sta- tion has grown was granted to Egidions Moyer, December 6th, 1774, by the proprietaries of the province of Pennsyl- vania. It has been deeded six or seven times in coming into the possession of the present owners. The original tract composed some 200 acres.

The first house in the village was built by the original purchasers, in 1774 or 1775. It has since been rebuilt, and is now a tavern stand, owned by Abraham Roeder.

Isaac Hummel built the second house, and opened in it the first tavern in the place, also using it as a tailor shop. It has been remodeled and enlarged, and is now a three-story building. It is not now kept open as a pub- lic house. The third floor is used as a lodge room.

The post-office was established about 1854 or 1855, when Ruser & Riland opened a store in the building now occupied by Messrs. Ney & Kremer.

The village has a population of 81, and contains the usual variety of shops. It derives its chief importance from the fact that it is the only railway station in the township.

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History of Schuylkill County, Pa. with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 82

Author: Publication date: 1881 Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell Number of Pages: 604

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell
Number of Pages: 604