USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania > Part 201
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania > Part 201
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania > Part 201
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CHAPTER XVIII.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
THE territory comprising this township was originally a part of Pocono township, and so remained until 1843, when the court appointed Peter S. Shaw, Stogdell S. Stokes and John
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Huston commissioners to run a dividing line, and on September 12, 1843, they reported the following division : "Beginning at a stone on the Hamilton township line, one hundred and eighteen perches west of the Pocono Bridge, near Jeremy Mackey's, and running thence north forty-five degrees west seven miles and one hundred and twenty-two perches to a stone in the Tobyhanna township line west of White Oak Run. We are also of the opinion that a new township is necessary for the accommoda- tion of the citizens residing within the bounds of the said district, and accordingly set off that part of Pocono township southwest of the above mentioned line as a new township, to be called Jackson township." The report was confirmed December 13, 1843.
It is bounded on the north by Pocono, on the south by Hamilton and Chestnuthill, on the west by Tunkhannock and Chestnuthill and on the east by Hamilton township. McMichael Creek and the west branch of McMichael's rise in the northern part of the township, at the base of the Pocono Mountain, flow a southerly course through the township, tlience through Chestnut- hill, Hamilton and Stroud townships, and en- ter Brodhead Creek at Stroudsburg. The sur- face of the township is diversified, some portions hilly and undulating. The soil is of a sandy gravel, and, consequently, barren. A large amount of timber still exists.
EARLY SETTLERS .- The earliest permanent settlers within the limits of Jackson township, undoubtedly, were the Miller family. Frederick Miller was a native of Northampton, who emi- grated to Hamilton township, subsequently moving into Jackson, and purchased, some time prior to 1765, a tract of land containing four hundred acres. He had several children, and among them was Jacob. It appears the property was divided at his death, Jacob remaining on thic homestead property. He married Hannah Moyer, and had six children,-John, George and Henry, Hannah, Mary and Catharine. At his death John purchased the farm, and it is now in the possession of his son, Michael Miller.
John Rossinger settled in Jackson from Bucks County in 1811, and purchased three hundred and fifty acres of land, He was a
man of some education and a tinsmith by trade ; he taught the first school in Jackson town- ship, (then Pocono.) He married Elizabeth Handeline, and had three sons and three daugh- ters-Susanna (Mrs. Abraham Smith), Mary (Mrs. Danicl Belles), Catharine (Mrs. Abraham Tucker), Joseph, John and Reuben. Joseph was born February 4, 1802, and died at the age of seventy-five years, and had four sons and four daughters.
Among the enterprising early settlers of Jackson township was Peter Woodling, who is still living, being now in his eighty-seventh year. He moved from Hamilton township in 1823, and purchased, from Peter Brong and Jacob Miller, a farm containing two hundred and fifty-two acres. His father, George Wood- ling, emigrated from Germany some time in 1700, and settled in Hamilton. Peter married Mary Hoffner, and had children -Simon, William, Peter, Michael (who mar- ried a daughter of Jacob Kresge, and is postmaster and merchant at Reeder's), Amos, Theodore, 'Anna, Sarah (Mrs. Willian Setzer), Hannah (Mrs. James Warner), Susanna (Mrs. Aaron G. Handelong, of Bangor) and Mary.
The first Doll to settle in Jackson was Jacob, who was born in Montgomery County about 1781, and came to Jackson in 1806 and pur- chased ninety-six acres of land. He married, in 1804, Catharine Rustin, and died in 1858, leaving thirteen children, one having died in infancy-John, Jacob, Frederick, Samuel, George P., Christian, Joseph, Charles, Louisa (Mrs. James Evans), Mary (Mrs. Louis Bond), Sally (Mrs. Joseph Slutter), Elizabetlı (Mrs. Wm. Bower), Hannah (Mrs. Charles Slutter).
Benjamin Van Horn, who was born in Berks County, came to Jackson in 1812. He purchased four hundred acres, built himself a log cabin, erected a saw-mill and was for many years engaged in the lumber business. The mill was situated about three miles from Jackson Corners. He married Nancy Young, of Hamilton, and had eight children-Rachel, John, Nicholas, Benjamin, Polly, Katy, Betscy and David. In 1818 his wife dicd, and he then married Mrs. Rachel Dailey and had three children-Elizabeth, Phebe and Samnel.
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Christian Singer settled in Jackson prior to 1820. He was born in Montgomery County, Pa., and was connected with the Woodling farms: He married Susanna Woodling, of Hamilton, and bought two tracts of land con- taining three hundred acres, some of which is in possession of his children at present. He had four sons-Peter, Jacob, John and Samuel ; his daughters were Susanna and Hannah. He married, for his second wife, Rachel Van Horn, and had six children-Christian, Amos, Theo- dosia, Eunice, Mary and Elizabeth. Jacob and Peter are living in the township upon portions of the farm, and are both within a few years of eighty.
Charles Hay came from Northampton in 1818 and bought a farm of one hundred and fourteen acres, which was located between Jackson Corners and Singerville ; his wife was Anna Maria Tor- rone, and had eight children-Samnel, Catherine, Philip, Elizabeth, Melchior, John, Charles, Hiram. Philip is still living in the town- ship.
John Woolbert was a native of Delaware, whose ancestors were Hollanders. In 1790 he came to Jackson and bought five hundred acres of land, situated in the vicinity of what is now Jackson Corners. He married Mary Weisner, of Hamilton, and had Sally (who married John Young, of Hamilton), Mathew, Louisa (who married George Neyhart, of Hamilton), Peggy (who married George Werkheiser, of Hamilton), John, Simon, Charles, Joseph, Catherine and George.
Joseph Rinker, a grandson of Abraham Rinker, who kept a tavern in the vicinity of Philadelphia at the close of the Revolutionary War, came to Jackson in 1827 and leased the mill property of Martin Schleicher, and two years afterwards purchased it and the farm, which contained about ninety-four acres, and was engaged for fifty-two years in the lumber business. He was married, in 1826, to Cather- ine Bellos. His children were Mary Ann (who married Abram Huffsmith), William, Lewis, Elizabeth (who married George Bartholomew), Hester Ann (who married Adam Slutter), Ro- sanna (who married Jerome Heller), Caleb, Lydia (married David Bright), James W., Rev.
Joseph (who married Rosie Krotzer, and now resides at the Schuylkill House). Joseph, Sr., is in his eighty-fifth year ; resides with his son William in Jackson township.
Among the settlers in the township of a later date was Jacob Kresge, who purchased a farm and has since resided in the township. He had children-Joseph, Israel, Maria, Levi, Richard, Jacob, Mary and Emeline. He is still living and resides with his son-in-law, Michael Wood- ling, who keeps the store and post-office at Reeder and is eighty-four years of age.
FIRST STORE .- The first store in Jackson was kept at Jackson Corners by Jolın Oster- hock, who came from New York State. After keeping it for a few years he sold it and left Jackson, and it has had several owners ; at present it is kept by Jere Kresge. It was here the first post-office was established in the town- ship, which was in 1861, with W. H. Rhine- hart as postmaster, who served until 1880, when Francis H. Miller was appointed ; in 1881, J. H. Rhinehart was appointed and held office until 1884. Jere Kresge was then ap- pointed and resigned in 1884 in favor of James Fable, having been elected justice of the peace.
FIRST SAW-MILL .- The first mill was erected prior to 1765 by Frederick Miller, and was located on the west branch of McMichael Creek, on the road now leading from Tan- nersville to the Wind Gap. An incident con- nected with the building of the mill will show the capacity of those sturdy old Dutchmen who lived in the early days. The site selected for the mill necessitated the building of a race-way fifteen hundred feet long, and was at the base of the mountain, and had to be dug in bed rock. It is presumed that labor was hard to obtain, and Miller arranged with his neighbors and got up a bee, agreeing to furnish the neces- sary liquid refreshments, etc., when completed. It is said that cight barrels of whiskey were consumed by those engaged in building the race. In 1815 the mill was destroyed by fire, and rebuilt in 1822 by Martin Schleicher. It subsequently passed into the hands of Joseph Rinker, who operated it for fifty-two years, and in that time it was rebuilt several times, and is now operated by Samuel Rymel. In
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1815 Frederick Miller, Jr., and Jesse Packer built a saw-mill on the same stream, at Jackson Corners, which was removed some years ago. John Walbert, in 1830, built a mill on a small stream called Stoney Creek, which is located on the road leading from Bartonsville to Jackson Corners, and is now in possession of Mr. McCluskey.
FIRST GRIST-MILL .- Michael Butz built the first and only grist-mill in the township in 1838, and after his death, which occurred in 1858, it passed into the hands of William Heckman, Stephen Singer, Jacob Bossard, and is now owned by John Carmer. It is situated on the road from Kennersville to Tannersville.
ST. MARK'S CHURCH, of the Union Luth- eran and Reformed Congregation, is located at Jackson Corners. Early in 1800 the first preaching was in the old school-house, which was destroyed by fire about 1884, and they had for their first pastor Rev. Joseph B. Gross, who was succeeded by Rev. Peter Rup- pert, both resident pastors for the mother- church at Hamilton. In 1851 Peter Wood- ling donated the land, the new church was built, and the congregation has been in charge of the following pastors : Rev. George Heilig, Rev. A. Rumpff, Rev. S. S. Kline, Rev. Henry Seifert, Rev. J. R. Foucht, Rev. George Roths and Rev. R. H. Clare. The present number of Lutheran communicants is fifty-two.
METHODIST CHURCH (DUGAN CHAPEL) .- This church is located at Singersville, and was built in 1885. the first organized meetings being held in the school-house, with the Rev. F. M. Brady as pastor. The church was dedi- cated December 14, 1885, and has for its pres- ent pastor Rev. H. J. Illick.
JACKSON METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. -For some ycars previous to the building of the church preaching services were held in the barns of the neighborhood and the school- house. Revs. Heebner, Gould and others trav- eled this circuit in Jackson township prior to the building of the church. The Jackson Mctli- odist Episcopal Church was built in 1833. Wm. Young was the preacher, assisted by Michael Misner, local preacher, and also William Bellis and Joseph Rinker. Since the building of the 126
church the following preachers have occupied the pulpit : M. H. Sisty, R. Owens, J. Jones, G. Cummins, S. Reisner and others. The church met with great prosperity, and for many years had a very large. membership.
The old stone church was torn down in 1872 and a more commodions building was erected at Neola, a village near by. This building is frame, cost about two thousand five hundred dollars, and will seat five hundred people. It was built during the pastorate of Rev. F. M. Brady. Barnet Kresge, Andrew Detrick, David Green, Isaac Teeter and Charles F. Honser were the trustees and building commit- tee. This new church has been served by the following pastors : Amos Johnson, J. Richards, L. M. Hobbs, J. Bickerton, F. H. Gilbert, H. Frankland and Joseph H. Smith. During the present pastorate a large debt has been canceled, which had burdened the society for many years. The church is also undergoing very extensive repairs, which will add much to its success and prosperity. Its membership now numbers forty. The trustees at present are Silas Barnes, Isaiah Rinker, John Bellis, George W. Green and Harry Hobbs. The present pastor is Rev. W. Sheppard.
SCHOOLS .- The first school-house built with- in the limits of Jackson township was at what is now Reeder's, about the year 1811. Little is known in reference to it, further than that it was known as the Middle Borough School District. The lot was purchased by the citizens, and a log school-house erected. John Possinger was teacher, who had a short time before settled in what was then Pocono township. In 1827 a school-house was built at Jackson Corners, the ground being given by Peter Woodling, and the money raised by subscription, to provide for the ercction of the building. The house was to be used for school and church purposes. Frederick Miller and Jolin Woolbert being the largest sub- scribers, and having given fifty dollars apiece, were appointed building masters, and until 1851 it was the only place of worship in the town- ship. The first teacher was George Anglemyer, and he was followed by James Harvey, John Sctzer, John Hillard and Miss Hannah Setzer. The town is now divided into four school dis-
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tricts, with four male and two female teachers. The number of scholars is two hundred and twenty-nine. The total . amount of tax for school and building purposes is $1055.29 ; Stateappropriation, $157.19 ; total expenditures for school purposes, $1346.97.
TAXABLE RESIDENTS IN 1845 .- According to the assessments made by the commissioners at this date, the following persons were property- owners :
George Alstine. Michael Mizner.
John Becker. Jacob Geo. Miller.
Frederick Belles.
John Miller.
Donael Belles. John Possinger.
Nelson Belles. Reuben Possinger.
Michael Buttz. John Possinger.
John Belles.
Joseph Possinger.
Andrew Buttz. John Rinker.
Christopher Bowen.
Joseph Rinker.
George Buttz:
Jacob Rufstoue.
John W. Buttz.
John Repsher.
William Belles, Sr.
Abram Repsher.
.Peter Buttz.
William Boseenke.
Peter Brong.
Jacob W. Singer. Benjamin Singer.
Abraham Butts.
Christian Singer.
Peter Brown.
Henry Singer. John Setzer.
Henry Ciptrate.
Lawrence Cramanacer. David Cypher.
Susana Singer. John Singer.
Joseph Cemrey.
Andrew Singer.
Jacob Doll, Sr.
George Smith.
Jacob Doll.
George Singer.
Frederick Doll.
George Setzer.
Samuel Doll.
John Snyder.
John Doll.
Martin Spriggle.
Jacob Engler.
Jacob Sitzer.
George Engler.
Jacob Sitzer.
Nathaniel Engler.
John Sticker.
Leonard Engler.
Mary Siglin.
Joseph Felker.
Joseph Titus. Jeremiah Titus.
John Fenner. Peter Fraily.
Phillip Garrone.
Jonathan Fenner.
John Van Horn, Sr.
John D. Fraily.
John Van Horn.
John D. Felker.
Daniel Van Horn.
John Hay.
Joseph Van Horn. Peter Woodling. John Woolbert, Sr.
Michael Heller. Dihe Hary.
John Woolbert. John Winters.
1856. Geo. Werkheiser. George Setzer.
1870. John Hellger. Peter Fraily.
Frederick Hofner.
Jacob Hofner.
Jacob Woodling. Joseph Woolbert. Jacob Williams.
George Werkheiser.
George Hellyer.
William Yong.
Samuel Hay.
Mary Yetter.
Samuel Heller.
Michael Zacharias.
Benjamin Hall.
Donael Zacharias.
Baruet Kresge.
Joseph Williams.
Jacob Kresge.
Markey & Myers.
Reuben Kresge.
Peter Singer.
Henry Kustard.
John Burger.
Elias Kresge.
John Smith.
Jacob Larn. Samuel Levorn.
George Miller.
George Doll.
Peter Miller.
David Singer.
Frederick Miller.
Philip Sanger.
Philip Mccluskey.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE .- Following is a list of the names of the justices of the peace who have been elected since the organization of the township :
1845. John D. Fraily.
1869. Samuel R. Bossard. Jonas B. Miller.
1879. Adam A. Singer.
1854. John D. Fraily. A. Possinger.
George Setzer.
1859. John D. Fraily.
George Setzer.
1885. Jere Kresge.
1864. John D. Fraily.
James Steen.
SUPERVISORS.
1844. Adam Huffsmith. Jacob Kresge.
1859. Michael Zacharias. Burnet Kresge.
1860. Samuel Singer. John Belles.
1846. Henry Kister. Andrew Singer.
1861. Joseph Felker. John Donohu.
1847. George Setzer. Peter Fraily.
1862. William Belles. Joseph Felker.
1848. George Setzer. Andrew Singer. Melchior Hay.
1850. Christian Singer. Peter Fraily.
1864. Melchior Hay. John Gorr.
1851. Peter Fraily. Philip Mccluskey.
1865. Melchior Hay. John Gorr.
1852. Charles Frantz. George Setzer.
1866. John F. Trutchey. William Belles.
1867. Levi Shiffer.
Jacob Kresge.
1868. John Felker. George Miller.
1855. George Setzer. Andrew Singer.
1869. George H. Singer. Philip Mccluskey.
1857. John Belles. Jacob Bender.
1871. No Returns.
1872. Thomas Frantz. Michael Miller.
1858. William Belles. Michael Zacharias.
1853. Charles Frantz. George Setzer.
1854. Joseph Williams. J. M. Singer.
Adam Huffsmith.
Melchior Hay.
Charles Hay. Philip Hay.
1849. Michael Mesner. John D. Fraily.
Ezra Marvin.
1880. A. J. Detrict. 1884. A. Possinger.
William Butts.
Joseph Starner. Abraham Smith.
1845. Adam Huffsmith. Jacob Kresge.
1863. George Setzer.
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1873. Frederick Dolls. Herbert Ike.
1874. Jacob Singer. Herbert Ike. 1875. James B. Heller. Fred. Dolls. 1876. J. B. Heller. C. Miller.
1877. Conrad Miller. S. R. Bossard.
1878. John Hay. Abraham Neyhart.
1885. Jacob Rustine.
1879. John Hay.
1879. Jacob Felker. 1880. Joseph Frantz. Henry Liptrott. 1881. Abraham Butts. A. A. Singer. 1882. Jacob Rustine. Abraham Butts. 1883. Charles Heiney. Levi Warner. 1884. Levi Warner. Barnet Kresge.
Jere Kresge.
CHAPTER XIX.
POCONO TOWNSHIP.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION .- Pocono township is bounded on the north by Tunkhannock and Tobyhanna townships, east by Coolbaugh and Paradise townships, south by Stroud township and west by Jackson township. It takes its name from the mountain which extends across it.
It was erected a separate township by a de- cree of the courts of Northampton County, in November, 1816. Much of the land in this township was formerly classed among unseated lands, which induced the treasurer of the county in 1844 to offer for sale twelve thousand acres to pay the arrears of taxes due upon it. In 1830 the population was five hundred and sixty- four, in 1840 nine hundred and seventy-three, and the last census returns a total of twelve hundred and eight. The valuation of real and personal property in 1844 was seventy thousand one hundred and ninety-six dollars. The northern section was formerly a vast wilderness, with little uncleared or productive land, but modern enterprise has done much to improve and even beautify portions of it, though as an agricultural region it will never take high rank among the townships of the county.
NATURAL FEATURES .- The surface of the township is varied, being in some parts hilly and mountainous. The Pocono Mountain ex- tends into the township on the west, terminating in what is known as the " Knob."
In the northwest is a range of mountains known also as the " Pocono Range." The soil is
principally of a gravelly nature, some localities being so stony as to preclude abundant crops. Clay abounds in other parts, and much fertile land is found along the Pocono Creek and other streams. Wheat, rye, buckwheat, corn and hay are the staple products, while most fruits, especially apples, grow luxuriantly.
The township is amply watered by numerous streams. Pocono Creek is composed of two branches, one of which, the White Oak Run, rises in Tunkhannock and flows southeast into Pocono, where it joins the Straight Branch. It then flows southwest through Tannersville and Bartonsville, and thus on to Stroudsburg, where it joins the McMichael Creek. It affords power for two mills at Tannersville, one at Bartonsville, one on the Straight Branch, one on the White Oak Run, and supplies the Tanite Company's Works in Stroud township. Cran- berry Creek rises in the northwest corner of the township, flows sonth and southwest and enip- ties into the Pocono below Tannersville.
The Butz Run rises east of Tannersville, flows east and empties into the west branch of Brodhead Creek. The latter rises in Toby- hanna township, and flowing east through the northern part of the township, empties into Brodhead Creek, near Henryville. Brundage Creek rises in the western part of the township, and empties into the Pocono, near Tannersville.
SCHOOLS .- The township was not well sup- plicd with schools at an early day. The first school was opened at Tannersville in a log school-house, which stood near the hotel kept by Henry Edinger, of which Charles Brown is the present landlord. The teacher who first presided over this school was Rachel Morgan.
At a later date a school was opened on the property now a part of the Stephen Kistler estate, and a school-master named Ritchie, whose family removed from Philadelphia to the county, assumed charge of the children of the neighborhood. A teacher named John Barton was also engaged, and followed his profession for several terms. The Tannersville school being the only one of consequence, scholars eame from all parts of the township, and rendered this the most frequented place of learn- ing within its limits, until the introduction of
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the free-school system. In 1836 a school- house was built near Bartonsville, the first teacher being Daniel Shafer.
The same year a new and more commodious building was erected at Tannersville, and the township being divided into districts, the erec- tion of school buildings followed in other por- tions of the township. These were simple in construction, but have since been removed to make way for more commodious structures. In 1879 a graded school was established at Tannersville, which is under the charge of M. S. Warner and Horace Keeler. The school territory of the township is now divided into eight districts, over which four male and four female teachers preside. There are two hun- dred and seventy-one scholars on the roll, the average attendance being two hundred. The State appropriation for school purposes is $202.75, and the amount of tax for the same object $777.63.
EARLY ROADS .- The earliest road, so far as can be determined, is the highway known as the North and South road, which started from Saylorsburg, in Hamilton township, and pur- sued a northerly course to Bartonsville, where it diverged to the northwest, through Toby- hanna and Coolbaugh, and from thence north to Belmont. It was organized, at a later date, as the North and South turnpike, for which the company obtained a charter, and thus main- tained until 1850, when the charter was relin- quished, and it has since been one of the town- ship roads. A resurvey was made under the act of incorporation, the road shortened and made much more direct. General Sullivan doubtless followed this road from Bartonsville through Pocono into Tobyhanna, where, at a point known as Hungry Hill, his army took a course bearing to the left.
A road surveyed at an early date begins at Fennersville (now Sciota), and running through Jackson township northeast to Tannersville, terminates in Middle Smithfield township. Another early road ran from Tannersville through Jackson to Phillipsburg, and on to Merwinsburg, in Chestnuthill township.
Stauffer property, near Cold Spring, and occu- pied by Charles Brown, and then in possession of the Learn family. Many members of the Learn family are buried here. In 1833 ground was cleared for a cemetery adjacent to the Lutheran Church at Tannersville. Among those who assisted in improving this plot was Henry Edinger, who is accredited with having felled the first tree. While at work he in- dulged in some speculations regarding the first burial in the inclosure. Very soon after he found a last resting-place within its boundaries which he had been the first to improve. This was the earliest interment in the Lutheran Cemetery. Other families who bury here are the Learns, Anglemoyers, Gentzhorns, Warners, Heckmans, Shicks, Transues, Woodlings, Smiths and Barrys. A cemetery connected with the Tan- nersville Methodist Episcopal Church was laid out twenty-five or more years ago and is used principally by the congregation of the church.
A cemetery connected with the Cherry Lane Methodist Episcopal Church was in use long before the organization of the church. The Bisbings, Greggs, Sebrings and neighboring families bury here. A burial-ground located at Knightsville, inclosed with a substantial wall, and now but little frequented, was formerly used by the Arnolds, Transues, Slutters and other families.
VILLAGES AND HAMLETS.
TANNERSVILLE .- About the year 1750 John Larner, formerly of Philadelphia, purchased the land now embraced in the village of Tan- nersville. He found it a vast wilderness, but with the aid of his sons soon effected a clearing and erected for his family a comfortable abode. He proceeded to the cultivation of the land and obtained abundant crops as the reward of his labor. His children settled around him and devoted their energies to farming pursuits. There was no special interest attached to this spot until 1830, when a man named Ritchie, from Philadelphia, opened a store for the sale of general merchandise adapted to a country trade, and was eventually succeeded by a mer- chant named Myers. The Larner family had
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