USA > Pennsylvania > Juniata County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 2, Pt. 2 > Part 53
USA > Pennsylvania > Perry County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 2, Pt. 2 > Part 53
USA > Pennsylvania > Snyder County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 2, Pt. 2 > Part 53
USA > Pennsylvania > Union County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 2, Pt. 2 > Part 53
USA > Pennsylvania > Mifflin County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 2, Pt. 2 > Part 53
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The children of John and Lydia Schoch are as follows : Franklin J., married to Catharine Leisenring ; resides at Selin's Grove. Annie Elizabeth, married to John M. Smith ; resides near Platte River, Neb. David Abraham, married to Harriet Wagner ; resides at Orange- ville, Stevenson County, Ill. Catharine MI., single; resides with her mother at Selin's Grove. Ada, married to Sammel Kemfor ; resides at Selin's Grove. John Houtz, died in infancy. John Calvin, married to Margaret S. Hassin- ger; resides on and owns the old homestead farm in Franklin township. Ammon '%.,
married to Margaret S. Appleman ; resides at Bloomsburg. Silas HI., died at Selin's Grove, February 12, 1872, aged twenty-two years. Tra C., married to Mary E. E. Schuure, who died June 5, 1881; resides in Solin's Grove. Harvey II., married to Emma C. Schnure; re- sides in Selin's Grove.
Being endowed with good judgment, att possessing an honest and just heart, Mr. Schoch was frequently selected as an arbitrator to pass upon the disputes that arose between his fellow- men. So great was the confidence placed in his sense of right that he was often called quite a distance to decide on controversies that arose. In public affairs he was always a man of influi- enec. So highly was he honored by his ar- quaintances, that in the settlement of estates and the guardianship of wards he was con- stantly sought and urged to accept these trusts and responsibilities. With a full sense of con- scientious duty, he withheld not in times of need, and was always charitable in instances of distress. He was deeply interested in the for- warding of all educational interests. He began agitating the introduction of public free schools, and laboriously fought against the opposition raised. Though standing alone at first, he sue- ceeded, in the following year, in winning over to his views a few of his neighbors, and to- gether they began the erection of a school-house on land donated by Mr. Schoch. Thus was established the first free school in the western part of the county. In the founding of the Missionary Institute, at Selin's Grove, Mr. Schoch manifested great interest and activity, and ever during his life-time lent every means possible for its advancement and perpetuity. From his youth he was a member of the Lu- theran Church of the General Synod, having been confirmed at Row's Church, by the Rev. 1. l'. Shindel, Sr. From his first connection with the church he was a member of the conneil, and at the time of his death was a trustee. Among the honored men of this county the name of John A. Schoch will ever be held in grateful remembrance.
George Frederick Bolender was located in the township before 1800. His sou, George, inherited the farm, and his son, Daniel Bolender,
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still owns the farm. He was born August 16, the property was purchased by Robert Paxton, 1833 ; he was educated in the schools of his who worked the mines and shipped the ore to the Bloomsburg Iron-Works. township, and in carly life held numerous positions. He was also the conferee of Snyder County for a number of times, to nominate a Republican candidate for Congress. He was 1866, and became very popular as an officer.
At the present time there is in the place a post-office, school-house, store and church. The church belongs to the Evangelical Association, elected sheriff of Suyder Comty in the fall of and was built in 1869. Previons to that time services were held in the school-houses. At the He was re-elected in 1872 and 1878, serving ; present there are about forty members. Revs. three full terms. He now resides at Middle- burg, as the proprietor of the Washington Honse, which he has conducted for eleven years.
Stover and Sones now preach for this people. The business of the place is represented as fol- lows : Charles Boyer, merchant ; John B. Boyer, confectionery ; M. Frantz, capenter; Henry Mitchell, blacksmith ; Charles P. Swengel, grist and saw-mills and iron-ore. The popu- lation of the place is about sixty-two.
At one time John Kern owned a grist and saw-mill near the place. This mill was erected in 1812 by Frederick Stees, and sold in 1829 to Robert P. Maclay, who operated it until 1831, when it was purchased by Kern. Kern then sold to Jacob Benfer, who in turn sold to Charles P. Swengle, who is now operating the same. In 1872 Swineford & Shindel started a store here, and, in 1873, sold the same to Charles Boyer, the present merchant, who tore down the old frame company store-house, and, in its place, erected a fine brick store and dwelling- house near the railroad.
FRANKLIN.
At this place, twenty-five years ago, there was nothing but the large stone house and barn of the Kreamer homestead, the ancient stone grist-mill and the ruins of an old oil-mill. After the completion of the Sunbury and Lewistown Railroad a town-plot was laid out, streets and alleys opened and buildings commeneed. Many neat and comfortable frame and substantial briek dwellings have been erected. The place is about one-half mile from Middleburg proper, on the south side of Middle Creek, and is the Middleburg station on the Sunbury and Lewis- town Railroad. No church has been established here as yet, the citizens attending worship at Middleburg. The population of the place is about two hundred. The business already es- tablished here is represented as follows : The first store in the place was opened by Isaac
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PAXTONVILLE.
Paxtonville is situated at the foot of Shade Mountain, on the north side, and is two and one-half miles southwest of Middleburg. The place has been known also by the name of Beaver Furnace, whilst as a railroad station it is known as Benfer. The origin of this place is due to the establisment of a blast furnace, in the year 1848, by Ner Middleswarth, Jacob Kern, John Kern, Daniel Kern and John C. Wilson, who was the business manager of the company. The firm-name was Middleswarth, Kern & Co. The furnace was put in operation August 11, 1848, and was continued until 1856, when it blew ont. This company made charcoal and pig-iron, aud averaged from six to eight tons per day. The property passed into the possession of Ner Middleswarth, who operated for some time and then leased it to Dr. Rooke, Jesse Walter, Nutting & Francis. The furnace was again put in operation, and was ruming from 1863 to 1866, when it was again stopped and never started up since. With this industry once established, a settlement soon sprang up. Buildings for the employees, both of the furnace and of the iron-ore mines, were erected. A company store was established, and other enterprises of private individuals. The activity of the place continned until about 1866, when those operating the furnace failed, and it was abandoned. For many years, the strong wagons laden with pig-iron, and drawn by six-horse teams, passed through Middleburg, on their way to Selin's Grove, where the iron was transferred to canal-boats, and taken to the iron-works throughout the State. Abont 1871
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Beaver, the proprietor of the plot on which the town is now built. This was in 1871. The building stands close by the banks of the creek, and is a large brick structure. Mr. Beaver was sneceeded by Schoch & Shuck, who in turn were succeeded by Simonton, Barber & Co. The present firm at this stand is B. II. Custer & Co. John Bilger (now deceased) established a coal-yard at the eastern end of the town. Other business is conducted as follows : N. B. Winey, grain elevator and coal-yard; C. II. Dunkelberger, grain elevator and coal-yard. Theodore Swineford, hotel ; J. Boganreif, stoves and tinware ; Isaac Beaver, dentist; Daniel Millhouse, boots and shoes; A. Kreeger, coal and grain merchant ; Bower's grist and saw- mills.
CHURCHES.
Besides the church mentioned at Paxton- ville, there are three other denominations in the township about two miles west of Middleburg, viz: General Synod Lutheran, General Council Lutheran and Reformed. To the Rev. J. P. Shindel we are greatly indebted for the history of the pioneer church of Middle Creek Valley. In 1785 a band of earnest and devont Lutheran and Reformed Christians assembled themselves together from time to time for worship. Their meetings were held from house to house. In November of this year Joseph Simon, a converted Jew, and his wife, Rose, conveyed unto Jacob Walter, in trust for the Lutheran and German Reformed congregations, sixteen and one-half acres of land for church and school purposes. This was in two tracts, one of them two miles and the other four miles west of Middleburg. Upon the eastern tract a log building was soon constructed, where for a number of years services were held. This building, however, was never dedicated. Those who preached in this rude structure were Revs. Shellhart, Josansky and Espy, of the Lutherans, and Revs. 'Rahausen, Hensel and Geistweit, of the German Reformed. During the services at this period the Indians of these wilds would occasionally prowl around this log house, watching these early worshippers. In the year 1791 preparations were made to build a new church, and between that year and 1798 |
the building was erected on a site a little to the west of the small log honse. This was a large square building, with very high log walls, finished inside with galleries on three sides, and a small round pulpit perched high on a square post, with a long flight of steep stairs for the preacher to ascend and descend. This pulpit was on the north wall, and at its base was erected a large square altar. The church was capable of seat- ing five hundred persons. In 1798 this new church was dedicated as Christ's Church ; the Rev. Geistweit, Reformed pastor, and Rev. Shultz, Lutheran, invited from abroad, con- ducted the services of the occasion. About 1807 this building was weather-boarded and painted white. In the quite early history of these congregations many self-constituted minis- ters from Germany imposed upon these people. A certain man by the name of Gensel gave himself' ont as a Lutheran minister, who, it seems, was, like all those impostors, very fond of liquor. Hle would sometimes get very drunk, and yet be allowed to preach the Gospel. This would-be minister, Rev. Gensel, on one occa- sion, was fording Middle Creek, where Royer's bridge now is, when he fell from his horse and was drowned in a pool of water not more than six inches deep. Some supposed it to have been a stroke of palsy. This was the last of Rev. Gensel. The regular pastors of these congrega- tions from time to time have been as follows :
LUTHERAN .- Revs. Enderling, Herbst, 1802-4; John Conrad Walter, 1805-19; J. P. Shindel, Sr., 1820, supply ; J. W. Smith, 1821-31 ; William German, 1831-38; J. P. Shindel, Jr., 1838-60 ; C. G. Erlenmyer, 1864-72.
REFORMED .- Revs. Geistweit, 1793-1804; W. Ad- mums, 1807-9; Isaac Gerhart, 1813-20; ---- Felix, 1820-25; Daniel Weiser, 1825-29; Henry Bassler, 1829-35; Frederick Herman, 1835 ; E. H. Hoffheins, 1838-40; A. B. Casper, 1810-48; W. G. Hackman, 1848-58; G. W. Shultze, 1858-63; L. C. Edmonds, 1863-65 ; C. F. Hotlineier, 1865-70; T. J. Seiple, 1870- 73; -- Yearick : -- Dotterer left in 1875, since which time, no pastor.
Rev. Jolin Conrad Walter was buried close by the church in which he had labored so sue- cessfully. A large concourse attended his burial, and the Rev. J. P. Shindel, Sr., of Sun- bury, performed the solemn last rites. It was at this time that the whole chargeextended to Father
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Shindel a cordial invitation to succeed their be- loved pastor. He could not, however, leave his congregation at Sunbury, but promised to preach for them notil they could get a regular pastor. This he did until Rev. J. W. Smith became their pastor, as above stated. Rev. J. P. Shin- del, Jr., states that, having commenced his labors among this people, he found them kind and affectionate, and that in the course of his ministrations he had the great satisfaction of commerating many members, cateelmmens and baptisms. After Rev. Shindel, Jr., quit preach- ing, Rev. Dr. HI. Ziegler and students of the Missionary Institute, at Selin's Grove, supplied the pulpit. About 1870 a division occurred among the Lutherans, when those claiming to be Gen- eral Synod Intherans decided to separate them- selves from those claiming to be General Coun- cil Lutherans. In 1871-72 the General Synod Lutherans erected their own church on land owned by Mr. Allen Schoch, one acre of which was donated by him for a church and cemetery, for the exclusive use of the Evangelical Luth- eran congregation. Their church was built under the supervision of a building committee, consisting of Messrs. John S. Hassinger, Allen Schoch and Henry HI. Shaffer. The corner- stone was laid in May, 1871, on which occasion there were present Rev. Dr. Peter Born, of Selin's Grove, and Rev. S. P. Orwig, pastor. In the fall of 1872 the church was finished and ready for dedication. At the dedicatory services the ministers present were Revs. Wm. HI. Gottwald and S. P. Orwig, pastor. The church retained the old name and it was dedicated as
CHRIST'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. -This place of worship is a neat brick structure, two stories high, is thirty-eight by fifty-eight feet, and will seat about three hundred and fifty per- sons. This elmurch cost about three thousand dollars. Revs. Irwin and Spangler have also served this congregation, though at the present time Rev. Orwig is again in charge, having been elected a second time.
The General Council members of the old congregation remained in the old building, re- taining the ground donated many years ago by Joseph Simon, the converted .lew. They son determined to build a new church also. They
tore down the old two-story house, and with a great deal of its material constructed the new. The corner-stone of this new church was laid with proper ceremonies on Trinity Sunday ; in May, 1872, when the following ministers were present: C. G. Erlenmeyer, Lutheran; A. B. Casper, T. J. Seiple and L. C. Edmonds, Re- formed. On the 20 day of February, 1873, the elmirch was dedicated. The dedication sermon was preached by Rev. H. H. Brunning, visiting pastor of Lutheran Church. Rev. J. C. Bucher, D.D., T. J. Seiple and L. C. Edmonds also took part in the dedieatory services. Part of the means to build this church arose from the sale of the tract of land two miles farther west. The church is a very neat one, with basement for Sunday-school and lectures, and an upper story for congregational worship. The seats are well arranged and will accommodate about four hundred persons. The steeple is supplied with a fine-toned bell. Rev. D. M. Stetler is the present Intheran pastor. His congrega- tion numbers about forty members. The Re- formed portion is very small, without a pastor, and seems to have become extinet.
HASSINGER'S GRAVE-YARD .- This is one of the oldest burial-grounds in this section of the State. It is located to the north and just in the rear of where stood the old log weather-boarded church, built in 1798. From among the ancient head-stones we have taken the following history : "Henry Hassinger, born 1766, died 1796, aged 30 years." "Jacob Walter, born 1729, died January, 1803. Married, July, 1857, to Maria Kauffman." "John Conrad Bobb, born 1740, died 1809." "John Conrad Walter (preacher), born November 30, 1775, in Germany ; died August 10, 1819." " Thomas Shipton, born 1753, died 1827." " John Hassinger, born No- vember 14, 1761, died May 12, 1810, aged 15 years, 5 months and 28 days." "Jacob Hass- inger, born August 10, 1762, died November 1, 1821 ; 59 years." "John Frederick Bolender, born May 16, 1761, died January 13, 1832." "John Jacob Steininger, born February 15, 1765, died October 13, 18-17." " Michael Wit- tenmyer, born December 13, 1772, died July 20, 1850." " David Schwenk, Esq., born De- cember 17, 1788, died Jannary 19, 1861."
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Catharine Schwenk, born January 16, 1787, | 3, 1831. Ile is a son of Conrad Hassinger, died January 28, 1861."
EDUCATIONAL .- Franklin township at pres- ent contains eight school districts, with an at- tendance at the schools of three hundred and fifty pupils. The school property is valued at six thousand dollars.
Professor D. S. Boyer, superintendent of schools in 1858, in his notes of that year, says of the schools, that David Schwenk was one of place. John Hassinger, his grandfather, wa-
who was born September 18, 1791, and died December 14, 1851. His mother's maiden- name was Lney An Snyder, who was born March 23, 1802, and died August 2, 1870. Their remains are interred in the cemetery of Christ's Lutheran Church, one-half' mile west of the residence of Mr. Hassinger, and two magnificent tombstones mark their resting-
I.S. Housingen
the carly teachers in the school-house near Jacob born November 1 1, 176 1, and died May 12, 1810, Walter's. It was weather-boarded, twenty-two"aged forty-five years. His great-grandmother, by twenty-four feet. whose maiden-name was Catharine Bob, was born November 14, 1769 ; died October 2, 1826, aged fifty-six years. They are both interred in BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. close proximity in theold cemetery at Hassinger's Church, near the residence of Mr. Hassinger, and their graves are also marked with stones JOHN S. HASSINGER. suitable for the times when they departed The subject of this sketch was born in Frank- this life. Mr. Hassinger is the descendant, lin township, Union (now Snyder) County, April ' on both sides, from one of the oklest Ger-
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man families in the State, who had settled in Chester and Lancaster Counties as far back as the year 1715. From his boyhood to the age of manhood he attended the common schools in his neighborhood during the winter season, and acquired an excellent knowledge of the branches taught. He is an expert penman and accurate in orthography in all his writings. Hle is the friend and patron of education, and evinces a great interest in the advancement of common schools. The voters of the township in which he has always lived showed their appreciation of his services in the cause of edu- cation by electing him nine years to the impor- tant office of school director. In this office he discharged his duties fearlessly and conscien- tiously. He has filled varjons offices in the Evangelical Lutheran Church, of which he has always been a consistent member ; a regular at- tendant upon the services of the sanctuary, con- tributing liberally to the benevolent objects of the church and to the support of the Christian ministry.
He is a great lover of music, and has led the congregational singing in the church from the age of sixteen years to the present time. He was also a member of the first band that was organized at Middleburg thirty-six years ago, and by his punctuality and musical zeal assisted in keeping it in operation for a considerable po- riod of time. The musical and financial spe- cess of the musical conventions held at Middle- burg by Prof. Sherwin in the winters of 1882 and 1883 were in considerable measure due to his exertions and assistance.
Mr. Hassinger married Margaret Lonisa Kleckner, a daughter of George Kleekner. They were blessed with four sons, viz. : Millard K. Hlassinger, who lives on the homestead with his father, is now president of the board of school directors of Franklin township. He is also a member of the Middleburg Band, which has a wide reputation as a musical organization. Dr. G. Edgar Hassinger, practicing medicine at Middleburg, graduated at the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. Palmer S. Hassinger, lives at home. Herman HT. Hassinger, lives in Bellevue, Ohio. It is a remarkable fact that the four brothers were at one time mem-
bers of the Middletown Band. Mr. Hassin- ger worked on the home farm until his father's death, and superintended it for his mother for the two years following. Ile then bought the farm, where he has resided ever since. Ile is the third generation that has owned and lived on this farm, and his sons who are living with him are the fourth generation. Having made farming his chief business, everything around his premises indicates good management and success. He is of a sociable and agrecable disposition, "given to hospitality," and visitors at his house always realize that the cordial greetings of Mr. and Mrs. Hassinger are the outeroppings of " good-will to man."
CHAPTER XVIII.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.1
BEFORE Jackson township was reduced to its present limits considerable controversy existed at different periods. The first petition for the ercetion of this township was presented at May sessions, 1853, of Union County court, sigued by citizens of Union, Limestone and Penn townships. The court therefore appointed David Weirick, George Motz and Jonas Harrison, viewers, who, at September sessions, 1859, re- ported as follows :
"That in their opinions, it would be inexpedient and improper to erect a new township, according to the several boundaries in the order, and therefore re- port against the erection of such town-hip."
Upon the filing of this report, September 10, 1853, another petition was presented, and Henry Motz, Samuel Wilson and Abraham Schoch were appointed reviewers, whomade report De- comber, 1853, favoring the new township. To this report remonstrances were filed February 20, 1854, ard the report referred back to the same commissioners to report dranghts of town- ship. On the 2 1th February, 1854, they re -. ported with draught of the new township, and named it Jackson. To this report exceptions were filed, but the exceptions were overruled,
1 By Horace Alleman.
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and the report approved and confirmed, the new | with roads leading in manerous directions, sur- township to be called Jackson. According to this report the township thus formed had the fol- lowing boundaries :
" Beginning at a corner of the township of Union, Limestone and Buffalo; thence along the division lives dividing Union township and Buffalo, and Union and East Buffalo townships; thence south to a Run near the house of Andrew Bronse; thener to stone near the house of John Herman ; thence to a post near Joel Leitzel's house; thence near George Enger's house; thence to a pine stump and corner of the townships of Middle Creek and Centre ; thence along the division line dividing Union townsbip and Middle Creek and Union ; theuce to Pen's Creek, near Swank's Mill; thence down the south side of Peun's Creek to a post opposite the corner on the north side of said creek, be- tween the lands of Philip Seebold and Michael Mil- ler ; thence to a post near the house of Jacob Spous- ler. Jr .; thence to the place of beginning."
In January, 1858, by act of the Legislature, that part of Jackson township which lay in Union Comity became annexed to Limestone and Union townships of said county.
At May sessions, 1829, the public road from Lewisburgh to Selin's Grove, which passes through this township, was reported as laid out. This report was approved May 20, 1829. The commissioners to lay out this road were W. L. Hains, James Davis, Joseph Fechrer and John Snyder. The present population of the town- ship is seven hundred and fifty.
KRATZERVILLE is situated on the public road leading from Selin's Grove to New Berlin, five miles from either place. It received its name on account of its being built upon lands once owned by Daniel Kratzer, receiving its name in 1847, at which time there existed a school-house, a Lutheran and Reformed Church, the dwelling-house of Daniel Kratzer, one also of Noah Walter and a store-house erected by Thomas Yearick in 1846.
The rebuilding of the old Union Church and the opening of Yeariek's store soon induced others to settle at this point and to erect dwell- ings. Thus commenced the town of Kratzer- ville. Before that period the vicinity where now stands the town was sparsely settled, but since then it has steadily grown to its present size and population. Kratzerville, on account of its central locality from surrounding town-,
rounded by an agricultural community, is an important trading point. There is no town of its size in the county where more farm pro- duets are received and shipped by its dealers. The population numbers about one hundred.
There are now in the place two churches, a number of' stores, a school-house and one tay- ern. One of the churches, the Lutheran and German Reformed, is an old and well-estab- lished union congregation. The other church belongs to the Evangelical denomination. This place has had a post-office for a number of years, and is now in the daily receipt of mail.
The first post-office was established here in 1846, with Thomas Yearick as postmaster. The succeeding postmasters in the order of their service were as follows: Jacob Slear, Sammel Kreisher, Samuel R. Yearick, John S. Beaver, Henry S. Beaver and the present incumbent, Jefferson Dauberman. During John S. Beaver's term of office, and mainly through his efforts, the place bas enjoyed the advantages of a daily mail for more than ten years. At first there was only a weekly mail, then a tri-weekly and finally the daily mail.
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