History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended, Part 51

Author: Gibson, John, Editor
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago
Number of Pages: 1104

USA > Pennsylvania > York County > History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended > Part 51

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THE PENNSYLVANIA GERMANS.

the supreme court (1874). Three, at least, of these, Joseph Hiester, William M. Hies- ter and William H. Keim, were Pennsylva- nia Germans.

Of the twenty-one State senators from Berks County, probably not less than sixteen were Pennsylvania Germans; namely: Joseph Hiester (1790-94), Gabriel Hiester, Chris- topher Lower, John S. Hiester, Charles Shoemaker, Conrad Feger, George Schall, Paul Geiger, John Miller, Samuel Fegely, John Potteiger, Henry A. Muhlenberg, William M. Hiester, Benjamin Nunnemacher, Daniel Ermentrout, and Edward H. Shearer, (1881-84).

William M. Hiester was speaker of the senate for the year 1855.

Of 180 Assemblymen from that county to and including the year 1884, 125 or 66 per cent were, according to their names, Pennsylvania Germans (as such the Hiesters, the Muhlenbergs, the Leschers, the Gehrs, the Weisers, Schenks, Schneiders, etc., are selected, while the Starrs, Parvins, Boones, Pottses, Rosses, Biddles, Clymers, Lincolns, Davises, Lewises, and the like are omitted as uncertain, or decidedly not Pennsylvania Germans).

Of 56 persons who served us justices and justices of the peace at various times between 1752 and 1791, 27 were Penn- sylvania Germans. And out of 17 who held commissions as judges, between 1776 and 1790, 13 were Pennsylvania Germans. Two of these, Janus Diemer and Henry Christ, were president judges. At the present time the three judges learned in the law, Jeremiah Hagenman, Augustus Sasse- man, A. L. J. and Hiram H. Schwartz, Orphans Court Judge, are Pennsylvania Germans justly proud of their ancestry, and well may the people be proud of them. Of 25 Asso- ciate Judges between 1791 and 1876, 17 were Pennsylvania Germans.

According to Montgomery's "Political Hand-Book of Berks County," up to, and including the year 1882, 247 lawyers were admitted to practice at its bar; at least 121 or nearly 50 per cent of which were Penn- sylvania Germans, and, of which latter, the following are now in practice: A. G. Green, E. L. Smith, F. L. Smith, A. B. Wanner, Daniel Ermentrout, William H. Livingood, Abner K. Stauffer, Edward H. Schearer, F. R. Schmucker, William P. Bard, Daniel E. Schroeder, J. H. Jacobs, I. C. Becker, C. H. Schaeffer, William Good- man, H. Maltzberger, P. D. Wanner, James N. Ermentront, George F. Baer, H. C. G. Reber, Cyrus G. Derr, M. L. Montgomery,

E. M. Levan, D. H. Wingerd, B. F. Dettra, B. F. Y. Shearer, John F. Smith, Jefferson Snyder, H. A. Muhlenberg, A. H. Schmehl, E. B. Wiegand, W. D. Horning, G. A. Endlich, H. A. Zieber, Isaac Hiester, J. K. Grant, W. B. Craig, D. N. Schaeffer, F. S. Livin- good, H. D. Green, A. R. Heilig, George F. Hagenman, Israel H. Rothermel, John H. Rothermel, H. O. Schrader, A. B. Rieser, and Elwood H. Deyscher (47).

In the first twenty-five years, six Pennsylva- nia Germans were admitted; in the second, six; in the third, twenty-six; in the fourth, forty-nine; and in the remaining fourteen years thirty-four; which would be at the rate of sixty for the current twenty-five years.

Of the whole number (247), twenty-two have held the office of district attorney for Berks County, and of these, twelve were Pennsylvania Germans, viz .: Jacob Hubley, Daniel Hiester, Peter Filbert, Jeremiah Hagenman, James B. Bechtel, Daniel Ermen- trout, Edward H. Shearer, Peter D. Wanner, H. C. G. Reber, William M. Goodman, Hiram U. Kauffman, and Israel H. Rothermel. And three (as we have already seen) are now on the bench. Of her 124 county commission- ers, 103 (or 83 per cent) were Pennsyl- vania Germans. Of her 82 county auditors, 59; of her 24 treasurers, 20; of her 43 sheriffs, 38; of her 32 coroners, 24; of her 28 prothonotaries, 20; of her 27 recorders, 23; of her 26 registrars, 22; of her 29 Or- phans Court Clerks, 21; of her 31 clerks of Court of Quarter-sessions, Oyer and Terminer, etc., 20; of her 16 county surveyors, 11; of her 69 poor directors, 64; of her 11 stewards, 7; of her 34 mercantile appraisers, 27; of her 6 sealers of weights and measures, 3; of her 79 prison inspectors, 59; of her 8 prison war- dens, 5; of her 5 superintendents of common schools, at least 4; of her 13 jury commis- sioners, at least 11 were Pennsylvania Ger- mans.

City of Reading .- This incomparably beau- tiful, healthful and prosperous inland city has a chiefly Pennsylvania German popula- tion, which for its general intelligence, in- dustry, enterprise and hospitality, is, prob- ably, unsurpassed, if equaled, by any other of its size in the world. It has had seven- teen mayors, twelve of whom were Pennsyl- vania Germans; and an examination of its list of aldermen, select and common council- men, and other city officers will exhibit a similar proportion of the prevailing nation- ality.

Dauphin .- In this county the following named Pennsylvania German gentlemen have held the office of associate judge: John Glon-

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

inger, Jacob Bucher, Valentine Hummel, Frederick H. Hummel, John C. Bucher, William Dock, A. O. Hiester, Felix Nissley, Moses R. Young, Samuel Landis, Isaac Mum- ma, and John D. Snyder.

Prominent among the Pennsylvania Ger- man lawyers are, or have been, Francis R. Shunk*, David Krause*, F. R. Boas, L. N. Ott, John C. Kunkel*, A. J. Herr, John S. Detweiler*, B. F. Etter, Joshua M. Wiestling, John H. Weiss, Elias Hollinger, F. M. Ott, J. H. Shopp, and David Mumma.

Franklin .- So far as the writer is in- formed, Franklin County since its erection (in 1784) has had but one presiding judge of German descent, or who can be classed as a Pennsylvania German, namely, Hon. Francis M. Kimmell, originally of Somerset County, who, after a term of ten years, ending Decem- ber, 1861, resumed his extensive practice in which he still continues. Among twenty-five associate judges, only four were Pennsylvania Germans, namely: Jacob Oyster, Henry Ruby, John Huber and David Oaks (Ochs).

Among other local office-holders, also, the proportion of Pennsylvania Germans has been comparatively small. Of 17 different prothonotaries (1784-1876) 6 were of Ger- man descent. Of the same number of regis- ters and recorders, 9. Of 15 clerks of the courts, 3, at most. Of 31 sheriffs, 9. Of 38 treasurers, 14, and of 279 county com- missioners, about 108 were Pennsylvania Germans.

Of 317 lawyers (resident and non-resi- dent) admitted to the bar during the same period, only 48 appear to have been of German descent. In the first twenty years of that time, none of that nationality were admitted, in the second, 5 ; in the third, 6; in the fourth, 20; and in the remaining fourteen years, out of 59 admissions, at least 15 were gentlemen belonging to some of the most respectable and intel- ligent Pennsylvania German families in the county. A reference to the fact, may not be out of place here, that, in former times the intensely religious (always bor- dering on the superstitious) sentiment of our German people rendered them conscien- tiously opposed to allowing their sons to enter the legal profession. In other words, our pious parents of blessed memory, had decidedly fixed conscientious scruples on this subject, and certainly not without at least the very plausible reason that it is a lawyer's business to advocate his client's cause whether right or wrong ; and whether right or wrong, the advocate must generally be aware. It

would probably be both easy and interesting to show, from the records of the schools and seminaries, how large a majority of young Pennsylvania Germans have hitherto pre- ferred the gospel to the law, and the pulpit to the bar, but a change in this respect is evidently going on, and, if it continues, in less than fifty years the case may be re- versed.

The original settlers of Franklin County, were Scotch-Irish, and though they were soon followed, and perhaps equaled if not outnumbered, by the Germans, yet, as the records show, the local affairs have been managed chiefly by the former.

Lancaster .- Among the very able practi- tioners at the Lancaster bar are the following named gentlemen, all of whom speak the Pennsylvania German dialect, and nearly all are of German descent: J. B. Amwake, Owen P. Bricker, Charles Denues, Adam J. Eberly, B. F. Eshleman, David McMullen, A. C. Reinoehl, Simon P. Eby, D. P. Rosenmiller, A. W. Snader, J. L. Steinmetz, William D. Weaver, William R. Wilson and William A. Wilson.

Lebanon .-- In Lebanon County no Penn- sylvania German appears ever to have held the office of president judge ; but among her associate judges (not learned in the law) were John Gloninger, David Krause, John Weid- man, John Batdorff, John Schindel, Adam Weis, Samuel Goshert, William Rank, Henry Carmany, George Reidenaur, Allen P. Hibsch- man and Thomas Kramer.

Since 1813, as near as can be ascertained, about 200 lawyers were admitted to the bar, of whom at least seventy were Pennsylvania Germans ; and prominently among them were Francis R. Shunk, Jacob B. Weidman, Dan- iel J. Hiester, Thomas H. Bibighans, John R. Breitenbach, Jacob Amwake, John W. Killinger, Peter Batdorff, Adam Orth, David Krause, F. B. Schoener, H. D. Leineweaver, John W. Mish, John S. Bassler, Cyrus G. Derr, and many others, a great majority of whom were admitted within the last forty years, and no less than twenty-six of them between 1861 and 1873.

Lehigh (Lehi) is one of the most highly cultivated, prosperous and intelligent coun- ties in the State, with a Pennsylvania Ger- man population of at least 75 per cent. Its territory was originally a part of the great county of Bucks, included in what afterward became Northampton, from which (in 1812) it was separated and erected into a new county under its present name. The original settlers of this region were Germans, and in no other part of the State have the people

*Deceased.

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THE PENNSYLVANIA GERMANS.

and their dialect so well maintained their hold as in this. Prominent among them were the Mickleys, Bretzes, Balliets, Kirstens, Ochses, Meyers, Rausches, Williamses, Betl- zarts, Machlings, Hasts, Stubers, Kohners, Benners, Zimmermans, Weinachts, Bauge- oners, Ords, Dubbses, Eberhardts, Hubers, Mumbauers, Roeders, Spinners, Stahls, We- andts, Dickenschieds, Hetricks, Müllers, Schelleys, Keifers, Schneiders, Rudolphs, Dretzes, Heinbachs and Derrs. They were, as the local history informs us, Palatinates- refugees from religious persecution at home, and sometime prior to the year 1736 were the founders of the now historic Grosz Schwamm Kirche, or Long Swamp Church, in, now, Lower Milford Township. They were of the Reformed or Calvinistic faith. The church has had nineteen pastors, all German, and all of German descent except two : Friederich de La Cour, a Frenchman, called by the Pennsylvania Germans Dellicker, and Fried- erich Wilhelm von der Schlut, Sr., who was probably a low-Dutchman. Prominent among them, also, were Johann Heinrich Goetschius (the first pastor, 1736-39), Johann Rudolph Kidweiler, Casper Wack, Johann Theobald Faber, J. Albert, C. Helfenstein, Daniel C. Weiser and Clement C. Weiser, D. D. The present congregation numbers over 400 com- municants, representing not less than, prob- ably, 1,000 substantial, thrifty, intelligent Pennsylvania German speaking people. As early as 1840 a Sunday-school was established, which has had nine superintendents, nearly all of whom were Pennsylvania Germans. Several ladies have been teachers in this school for at least forty years, notably the Misses Eberhart. Beside this, there are in the two townships of Upper and Lower Mil- ford some six other churches and congrega- tions of German Reformed and Lutheran Christians, with their respective Sunday- schools attached, whose membership and lists of pastors are as thoroughly Pennsylvania German as that of the old "Long Swamp" Church, and among them we find many familiar ancestral names, such as Moser, Eckert, Wentz, Ritter, Lutz, Fischer, Kohler, Köhler, Schweigert, Schäffer, Wittmeier, Wagner, Jacob von Buskirch, Kurtz, Schlos- ser, et al. In addition to these and other church people (Kircheleid) there are societies and organizations of Mennonites, Schwenk- felters and others, all Pennsylvania German, and representing a large proportion of the landed industry and wealth, if not of the intelligence of the general population.

Prior to the year 1805, a pious and intelli- gent Schwenkfelter, Balthaser Krauss, Jr.,

donated a tract of land to Gregorius Schulze and Jacob Gerhard, in trust for a burying ground. In 1815 a meeting-house was erected on it, when the entire male membership con- sisted of eleven persons: three Krausses, three Yeakels (Jeckels), two Schulzes, one Neu- man, one Gerhard, and one Meschter. In connection with it a school was established in which, besides German, Latin and Greek were taught for many years. Andrew, one of the sons of Balthaser Krauss, of Kraussdale, became an organ builder, and when he was only nineteen years old, he, assisted by his brother John, built the first pipe-organ ever made in Pennsylvania.

Among the many honored and intelligent Pennsylvania Germans of Lehigh County are: Hon. Edwin Albright, president judge of its several courts; he was admitted to the bar in 1862, at the age of twenty-four; was district attorney for one term and State sena- tor two terms, prior to his elevation to the bench, in 1878. Rev. Henry S. Bassler, a minister in the German Reformed Church for more than fifty years. Drs. C. F., C. and John H. Dickenschied. Rev. Joseph S. Dubbs, D. D., now professor of History and Archeology in Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, is a descendant of Jacob Dubbs, Jr., one of the pioneer settlers, and founder of the Dubbs family in this country. They were remotely of Bohemian origin, and in that language the name signifies an oak, Duba, or, in German, Eichen; deep-rooted, sturdy, wide-spreading, flourishing and useful. The great ancestor and his family in Europe, were followers of the celebrated reformer and martyr, John Huss, and the head of the family so distinguished himself in the relig- ious wars that he received the honors of knighthood.

The late Hon. Jacob Dillinger was the son of a distinguished merchant from Wür- temberg, who settled at an early day in Lehigh County. Jacob was educated in the English, German and French languages. He represented his native county four successive terms in the State legislature; was deputy surveyor; clerk of the courts, prothonotary, a member of the constitutional convention of 1837-38; twice a (democratic) presidential elector; associate judge, first president of the Allentown (National) Bank, alderman, mayor of the city, and first superintendent of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, all of which, be- sides numerous minor trusts, he filled with ability and fidelity. He left several children, all of the highest intelligence and respect- ability, among them several sons, now among the leading business men of the county, one

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

of whom is a member of the bar, and has, like his father, filled numerous positions of public trust and confidence with equal honor and integrity.

The late Rev. E. W. Hutter, D. D.,* who was a native of Allentown, and of German descent. He was the grandson of Christian Jacob Hutter, who established and edited the Easton Sentinel and the Allentown Re- publikaner, and the son of Charles L. Hut- ter, who succeeded his father in the editor ship of the latter paper. At the age of six- teen E. W. Hutter, on the death of his father, returned home from school and succeeded him in the editorship of the Independ- ent Republikaner and the Lehigh Herald. While yet in his minority he was appointed by Gov. Wolfe prothonotary of Lehigh County, and afterward, by Amos Kendal, postmaster at Allentown. Subsequently he held a position in the surveyor-general's of- fice at Harrisburg, whence he was called to the editorship of the Keystone, and afterward established the Pennsylvanian and the Staat Zeitung; was State printer two terms, editor of the Democratic Union, deputy secretary of the commonwealth, private secretary to James Buchanan when secretary of State (under President Polk), and afterward editor and proprietor of the Lancaster Intelligencer and Journal. His wife was a daughter of the well and favorably known Pennsylvania German, Col. Jacob Schinidel, of Lebanon County. On the death of their only two children, he determined to enter the ministry of the Lutheran Church, and did so, devot- ing the remainder of his life to the preach- ing of the gospel. In the course of his preparation he had charge of the Lutheran Book Concern, and assisted in conducting the Lutheran Observer. After his licensure he succeeded Rev. Doctor Stork as pastor of St. Matthew's Church, Philadelphia, where he continued in faithful, acceptable and success- ful Christian work until the time of his death. Though equally opposed to slavery, rebellion and war, he was, during the late civil conflict, a stanch and active Union man. He was an intimate friend of Presi- dent Lincoln, and frequently in confidential counsel with him. Both Dr. Hutter and his wife were, during that trying period, act- ively and faithfully engaged in ministering to the wants of the sick and wounded of both armies. Dr. Hutter was one of the managers of the ever memorable Refreshment Saloon at Philadelphia; one of the origina- tors of the Soldiers' Orphan's Home; he ded-

icated the first Soldier's Orphan school in America, and his memory is justly honored by a bust of marble in the hall of that build- ing. How grateful the task of such a record! Well do such people deserve to live in our histories, and so may they live throughout all time.

Adam Woolever (originally Wohlleber), lawyer, orator, statesman and author. Ed- ward Erdman (son of Hon. Jacob Erdman), though a plain farmer by occupation, was one of the leading men of the county, and filled various places of public trust. Among about a score of such as he, and who organ- ized and established the Lehigh Agricultural Society, one of the grandest and most suc- cessful in the State, were no less than sixteen Pennsylvania Germans. Such were Edward Kohler, its first president, and his seven suc- cessors; all of its six secretaries, and three of its four treasurers. Joseph Seager, an enterprising and intelligent Pennsylvania German, introduced the first steam-engine ever used in Lehigh County (in 1837). Of forty chief burgesses of Allentown, at least twenty-six were Pennsylvania Germans, and of eight mayors there were seven. In the banking business of the county they have taken a leading and active part, and in edu- cational enterprises a large majority of them have been fully up with their fellow citizens of other nationalities. Of about 400 names of the most prominent, influential and intelli- gent citizens, whose careers have been briefly sketched by the historians of Lehigh, and her little mountain sister Carbon, at least 265 are Pennsylvania Germans. In the former alone there are sixty-five teachers holding permanent certificates, fifty-four of whom are Pennsylvania Germans; and so are seventy- five of her one hundred medical doctors. From her military rosters it appears that she sent out about 2,000 Union soldiers during the slaveholders' rebellion, not less than 75 per cent of whom were Pennsylvania Germans. The Allen Guard. Capt. Thomas Yeager, was one of the first five com- panies accepted by the governor, to reach the national capital, which they did on the even- ing of April 18, 1861; thus forming, so to speak, the head of that grander column of 2,000,000 of brave men who followed in their footsteps in defense of the Union. The timely arrival of those five companies prob- ably saved Washington from falling into the hands of the rebels, and for this they re- ceived the thanks of Congress. The guard numbered fifty-one men, officers and privates, of whom at least forty were Pennsylvania Germans. The Allen Rifles, Capt. Gausler,

* See History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, by Matthews and Hungerford. Philadelphia. Evarts & Richards, 1884.

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THE PENNSYLVANIA GERMANS.

(a company of the First Pennsylvania Regi- ment), similarly constituted, did duty bravely in guarding the Northern Central Railway and our own homes against the vandalism of the rebels, just now twenty-four years ago -- May, 1861.

The York County National Bank .- What is now the York County National Bank* was originally (in May, 1845) organized as the York County Savings Institution. Christian Lanius was chosen president, and William Ilgenfritz, cashier. Both having declined to accept, Charles Weiser was elected president, and William Wagner, cashier. The first board of directors were Daniel Hartman, Christian Lanius, Peter McEntyre, Michael Doudel, Charles Weiser, Dr. Luke Rouse, Abraham Forry, Thomas Baumgardner, Will- iam Danner and John G. Campbell.

July 21, 1846, Mr. Weiser resigned the presidency and was succeeded by Mr. Camp- bell. The new directors then chosen were John Hoff, Adam Smyser, Adam Klinefelter, Alexander Demuth, Daniel Loucks and Jacob Hantz.

In 1847 the new directors chosen were W. H. Kurtz, Daniel Kraber, John Reiman and George S. Morris.

In 1848 the new directors chosen were Adam J. Glossbrenner and E. G. Smyser.

In 1849 the name of the institution was changed to that of the York Savings Bank; when it became a bank of issue, and George Wogan, Francis Koch and Joseph Schall be- came newly elected directors.

In 1850 the newly elected directors were Charles Hay, Henry Kraber, John Fahs farmer), and Robert J. Fisher. In 1851 Jacob Weiser and Dr. William S. Roland. In 1852 V. K. Keesey. In 1853 P. A. Small, William Smith and Eli Lewis, the latter of whom was then chosen president in the room of Mr. Campbell.

In 1854 Eli Myers and Edward Chapin were elected directors, and in 1855 George Upp. In 1856 W. H. Kurtz (of C).

In 1857 John L. Mayer, Henry Small and Alexander Klinefelter were elected directors. In 1858 George W. Wantz, Dr. Charles M. Nes and A. Gartman. In 1859 Samuel Ruby; and Mr. Lewis resigned the presidency, and was succeeded by Philip A. Small.

*The failure to procure the necessary data for a sketch of the York National Bank, the oldest and largest in capital and business, of all, is much regretted. The writer of this chap- ter had taken it for granted that a paper with special reference to all the banks had been prepared by others, from which he would be permitted to extract and present in a con- densed form, what appertained to his own particular sub- ject; but learning, only when too late, that such was not the case, and the publishers declaring the allowance of further time impracticable, this explanation, for the apparent over- sight, without reflection on any one (but with thanks to the bank officers named, for their kindness), seemed due to the public.

In 1860 Nicholas Seitz was elected a di- rector, and in 1861 Michael Smyser, Dr. T. N. Haller, J. S. Croll and W. D. Elliott. In 1862, Karle Forney and John A. Weiser. In 1863. H. D. Schmidt and William Ross. In 1864, Charles Fishel, Alexander Hay and E. Melchinger, and in that year the institu- tution became a National bank under its pres- ent name.

In 1865 and 1866, there was no change. In 1867 M. B. Spahr and Peter Wiest became directors, and in 1868, John Fahs (merchant).

In 1869 Charles Maul was chosen a di- rector, and in July of the same year, Will- iam Wagner, who had been cashier from the beginning, died, and was succeeded by James A. Schall, who had acted as teller continu- . ously, from February, 1853.

In 1870 Joseph E. Rosenmiller was chosen a director, and in 1871 David F. Williams. In 1872 and 1873 no change. In 1874 Enos Frey, C. A. Keyworth and Samuel Smyser, were elected directors.

In 1875 the only change was the death of the president, P. A. Small, and the election of David F. Williams as his successor. In 1876 Michael Schall and William Laumaster were chosen directors, and in 1877 Samuel Gott- walt. In 1878 no change.

In 1879 F. S. Weiser and George H. Wolf were elected directors, and in 1880, F. C. Polack.

In October, 1881, the president, Mr. Will- iams, died, and in November following, was succeeded by Joseph E. Rosenmiller, W. H. Kurtz (of C) having as vice-president acted as president in the interim. In this year there was no change in the directorship.

In 1882 W. E. Patterson was elected, and Dr. W. S. Roland was re-elected, director, and in 1883 James A. Dale. In 1884 there was no change. In 1885 David Rupp was elected, but declining to serve, James H. Fisher was chosen in his place. On the 10th day of March of this year, Mr. Rosen- miller resigned the office of president, and was succeeded by Dr. Roland.

The present officers are W. S. Roland, president; James A. Schall, cashier; Isaac A. Elliot (who succeeded Mr. Schall in 1859), teller.

Mr. Lewis Eppley is and has been book- keeper since January 22, 1873.

The present board of directors are Dr. W. S. Roland, W. H. Kurtz, Joseph E. Rosen- miller, Samuel Gottwalt, Enos Frey, W. E. Patterson, James H. Fisher, James A. Dale and William Laumaster.

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History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended, Part 51

Author: Gibson, John, Editor Publication date: 1886 Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago Number of Pages: 1104

Author: Gibson, John, Editor
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago
Number of Pages: 1104