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 54
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 54
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 54
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 54
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 54
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The business and other enterprises of the place are represented as follows: Henry S. Beaver, general store; Benfer & Co., general store; Henry Dark, saddler; J. M. Danber- man general store; Samuel E. Gross, produce dealer; B. F. Harman, produce dealer; Perci- val Harman, drugs and physician; 1. 1. Ilmm- mel, confectioner and drugs; S. Kreisher, wagomnaker ; George Prutsman, blacksmith; John Ritter, saw-mill. The situation of the place is beautiful, being on an elevated section of the country and surrounded by productive farms; the scenery presented to the view is at once attractive.
AAmong the prominent characters of Kratzer- ville that have passed away, no one was more widely known nor will be longer remembered than John S. Beaver. He was the life of the place. For many years he carried on the mer- "cantile business, kept tavern and was postmaster. Among the curiosities of his place, which will not soon be forgotten, was his large German clock that played a number of tunes and set the
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misicians and dancers on its top into activity, to the amusement of many. Mr. Beaver was always active, a fluent speaker, obliging and generons, and always snecessful in turning an honest penny. He died in the latter part of 1882 in the midst of his usefulness and activity.
The older and most influential citizens of the place are now represented by Sammel R. Your- ick, John M. Danberman, Sr., and Y. HI. Wag- ner. Recurring to the consideration of the churches of the place, it may be of interest to many to know more of these places of worship. The old Union Church was established about the year 1818, the building being constructed of logs. It was formerly known as Hessler's Church, a man named Hessler having donated the ground on which it is built. It is now known as Mount Zion's Church. Of the carly Lutheran pastors we learn of Rev. George Heim and Rev. J. P. Shindel, though there were several preached occasionally before these. Rev. Shindel took charge of this church and preached his first sermon there June 21, 1835. Ile served this congregation with marked sue- cess for a period of twenty-three years. After Rev. Shindel the Rev. J. G. Anspach served from 1854 to 1855, when Rev. Shindel was again elected pastor. In 1847, finding that the old log church was not sufficiently large to ae- commodate the congregations that then assem- bled, it was torn down, and on the 20th of June, 1847, the Lutheran and Reformed members laid the corner-stone of the building that is now standing. This church is built of brick, seats between seven hundred and eight hn- dred persons, and has the high galleries on the sides as was at one time the enstom. This church cost about two thousand five hundred dollars. At the laying of the corner-stone the ceremonies were conducted by Revs. J. B. Ans- pach and J. P. Shindel, of the Intheran Church, and Reys. R. A. Fisher and Hackman, of the German Reformed Church. The new church was finished and dedicated October 21, 18 17. At the dedication there were present Revs. Yearick, of the Reformed, and Erlenmeyer and Shindel, of the Intheran. The congregation has also been served by Reys. A. B. Casper, Peter Austadt, Early, Branning, Ochensford and Haas.
The church of the Evangelical association, at Kratzerville, owes its origin to the carnest and devout labors of David Heiser, now dercaseel, a very estimable and intelligent man. About sixty years ago he came to Chapman and located at this point, and for a long time was the only adherent to this faith in the whole neighborhood. Services were first held at his house, which is still standing half-way down the hill to the cast of' Kratzerville, on the south side of the road. In course of time the member- ship increased by the holding of revival mect- ings. This increase of members gave rise to the desire and necessity for a more suitable place of worship. About this time Mr. Heiser donated a lot of ground to the township, where- on was erected a school-house, with the under- standing that his denomination should also have the right to worship there. In 1869 the membership had become quite large when the - present handsome church edifice of this denom- ination was erected.
To the credit of Kratzerville it may be stated that no liquor is sold in the place. Many years prior to his deccase, in deference to the wishes of the good citizens of the community, and also in obedience to the dictates of his own con- science, Mr. John S. Beaver, who, about 1850, had opened up the only hotel in the place, ceased to traffic in liquor. His son, Henry S. Beaver, who has succeeded his father in busi- ness, continues to entertain the traveling public, but follows the example of his father in refusing to deal in ardent spirits.
MILA.s .- There are three grist-mills in JJack- son township, two of which are of very early date. Maurer's mill is located on Penn's Creek, about three miles west of Kratzerville, and two miles east of New Berlin. It was built by Jacob Maurer abont 1805, upon the site of a still older mill, which was torn down to make place for the new. The land on which this mill stands was purchased in 1796, by Mr. Maurer from Heury Drinker, a merchant in Phila- delphia. This land was a part of a larger tract, which Thomas Penn and Richard Penn, late proprietaries of Pennsylvania, by letters pat- ent bearing date the 18th day of June, 1767, granted unto Samuel Wallis, who in turn con-
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veyed in l'ee-simple into AAbel Jones and Henry Drinker. Drinker, as above stated, conveyed to Jacob Maurer, since which time the mill has been known as Manrer's, At the present day this property is owned and operated by George Manrer, a descendant of the older Maurers.
About one hall' mile further up the creek, and on the opposite side from Maurer's stands Arbogast's mill. This is also a very old mill, and in all probability was built prior to the present Manrer's mill.
Benfer's mill is situated abont one-half mile northeast of Kratzerville, and was erected about 1843, by Christopher Seebold. It is at present owned and operated by Philip Benfer, hence its name. All these mills continue to grind grain with the old-fashioned barr stones, not having as yet adopted any of the later processes. The flour made is of good quality. The early estab- lishment of these mills is accounted for from the fact, that at these places the grain of the sur- rounding country was gathered, and then shipped by means of arks floated down the ereck, thence down the river to the eastern markets, where it found a ready sale. Large quantities of the flour ground at these mills was also shipped in the same way. A saw and planing-mill also in this township is in operation, on the opposite side of Penn's Creek from New Berlin. It is owned by B. F. Solomon, who is also a maker of the old-fashioned wooden pumps.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE .- The justices of the peace elected and commissioned since 1856 have been,-
Jacob Dubs, August 30, 1856 ; George Engle, Aug- ust 80, 1855 ; Abraham Byer, April 14, 1857; George Mehr, April 13, 1858; HI. C. Cook, April 12, 1859 ; Y. IL. Wagner, April 15, 1862; John M. Dauberman, April 21, 1865; Y. IL. Wagner, April 9, 1867 ; John M. Danberman, March 22, 1870; Y. II. Wagner, April 9, 1872; Seth Mitchell, March 13, 1875; Y. II. Wag- ner, March 17, 1877 ; John M. Dauberman, March 30, 1880; Y. 11. Wagner, April 7, 1882; John M. Dauber- man April 18, 1885.
EDUCATIONAL. - The Jackson township school district embraces live schools, which are taught five months in the year. The average attendance during a term is about one hundred.
In the year 1856 Jackson town-hip had six schools. There were one red and twenty-
four male and ninety-five female pupils; fifteen were studying German. Five hundred and fifty- eight dollars were levied for school purpo-e -. The State appropriation was 862.65, and the cost of fhel and contingencies was $98.39. By the act of May 1, 1861, creating an independent school district, a part of Jackson wa- embraced in this district, reducing it in school territory. In the years 1883 and '84 there were five schools kept open months. Ninety-nine male and sev- enty female pupils were in attendance. Five hundred and twenty dollars tax were levied for school purposes. State appropriation $122.11. In order to show by contrast what the improve- ments have been in the schools, the following, taken from the note-book of Daniel S. Boyer, county superintendent, in 1857, '58 and '59, is presented in this connection. The five school- honses and furniture of the present day are «mite an improvement in this direction.
"School near George Bronse, in Jackson township, visited January 1858; situate near the road leading from Crozerville to New Berlin; no shade-trees; a log house twenty-five feet square, not ceiled; eight feet in the clear; eight windows; two long tables; pupils facing one-another; no blackboard.
"School bear David Spyder visited January 7, 1858; a weather-boarded house, twenty fect square; six windows, to open upwards; house not ceiled ; nine desks to seat two pupils, four desks to seat four pupils each, yet forty-nine pupils crowded into this space."
CHAPTER XIX.
UNION TOWNSHIP .!
A PETITION was signed in the fall of 1856 by the inhabitants of Chapman township, and presented to the court of Snyder County at the February sesions, 1857, asking that a new township be formed from the territory. Upon this representation, Mr. Middleswarth, Johu Troxel and George Schoch were appointed as viewers by the court. They made examination of the part of the township proposed to be set off, and made a report at the May term, 1857, in which they state that the majority of the inhab- itants are opposed to a division, and, after a
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careful examination of the territory, also de- vided against a division of the township. The ! report against a division was confirmed nisi by the court, May 30, 1857, and confirmed ab-o- Intely February 28, 1858.
Another attempt was made to divide the township in 1859. Commissioners were ap- pointed, who made a report at the September term of court in that year, and presented a draft. of a new township, embracing a part of the ter- ritory proposed to be erected in 1857. The report closed with an expression of opinion that the territory included within the lines ought to be erected into a separate township, to be called by the name of MeKce. Exceptions were filed September 21st, and, Jme 26, 1860, were over- ruled and report of division confirmed by the court. The court then ordered that a vote of the electors of Chapman township be taken on the question of division on Thursday, August 30, 1860. There is no minute in the court records to show that an election was held, nor of any further action npon the matter at that time.
In 1861 the subject was again brought np, and commissioners were appointed to view the territory. Their report was signed December 2d, and made to the court at the December term, 1861, accompanied by a draft of the pro- po-ed township.
No records are found that throw light on the action taken prior to the ercetion of the town- ship. An election was ordered to be held on the 23d of April, 1869, at which time one lun- dred and eighty-five votes were cast in favor of division and thirty-five votes against. Return was made to the court May 26 in that year, and the court ordered that the new township be called " Union," and that the elections in said new township shall be held at the public school- honse in the lower end of Port Trevorton.
Chapman township, when it was erected in 1820, extended along the Susquehanna River from the month of Mahantango, where it flows into the Susquehanna River, to the Penn township line, a distance of nine miles. Union township extends along the _Susquehanna River from the mouth of Herrold's Creek, where it flows into the river to the Penn town-
ship line, a distance of four miles and forty rod -. The land along the river is fertile and productive. The other portion is rolling. Back from the river the soil is a red shale. Further back the soil is mixed with yellow gravel and a sandy loam, nearly all of it being under cultivation. There are no large streams back of the river and no water-power sufficient to drive a mill.
One of the earliest settlers in what is now Union township was Peter Witmer, grand father of the Hon. Daniel Witmer. He was born in Hertzheim, Nassau, Dillsburgssihaft, in 1787. He married Maria Solomon, in Philadelphia, 1757. Ile came up the Susquehanna River in a river-boat, from Columbia, in 1766, when his son Samuel, father of Judge Witmer, was only five years old. He landed at the place where Judge Witmer now lives and put up a log huit between the place where the two dwelling houses are now erected. It was afterwards long used as a stable. In later years he built the house now occupied by Isaac Eyer. His son Sammel built the house now occupied by Judge Witmer, in 1814. When Peter Witmer died his son Samuel bought the property. Sammel Witmer was born April 4, 1771. When he died his son, Hon. Daniel Witmer, bought the farm. Ile now owns and occupies it, together with his two sous-in-law, Isaac Eyer and N. T. Dun- dore. The fifth generation now lives on the same premises. For what is called the " hill tract," a warrant was issued to Jomm Thornton May 6, 1800, who, by deed dated September 20, 1806, conveyed it to George Moore, who, by deed dated April 20, 1813, conveyed it to Sannel Witmer. For the river tract two war- rants were issned,-one dated February 7, 1755, to Rebecca Lea ; another, dated April 13, 1786, to John Motz. Sammel Witmer, in his last will and testament, dated September 21, 1829, appointed Sarah Witmer and George Herrold his excentors, to whom a patent was granted January 29, 1831.
Among the carly settlers were John Thorn- ton, who lived where Port Trevorton is now located. John Witmer, mele of Judge Wit- mer, lived on the place now owned by John S.
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Wolf. Frederick Brill lived where Henry Scechrist now lives. The carly settlers built log cabins, of round logs, with two rooms, and a chimney, built at the back end, of sticks of wood and mind. Such cabins were also erected on the farm where Peter Gemberling died sey- eral years ago, and where Heury Hood now lives. The grain raised and not needed was taken to Reading and Philadelphia on wagons, and merchandise brought back on the return trip for the small stores then kept in the neigh- borhood.
John Blasser enme from Cumberland about 1776, and purchased an improvement of one Jolm Reed, who is assessed in Penn town- ship in 1775. John Blasser died May 24, 1791, and is buried in the old grave-yard near the residence of Mrs. Willimn G. Herrold, who is his great-granddaughter. It is said that Reed was killed by the Indians. John Blasser, a son of John Blesser, donated the burial-place lot for public use many years ago. He died in 1829, and is buried there. Abraham Blasser died in 1836, and is also buried there.
Jacob Sholley came from Lebanon to this section in 1778 and located where Port Trevor. ton now is. His honse stood at the head of the canal basin, where the bridge crosses the canal. The canal was built through part of his orchard. D. P. Sholley justice of the peace, a descendant of Jacob Sholley, owns part of the farm.
The traet of land now owned by Elias S. Stoll was warranted to Jomm German under three warrants, dated December 13, 1773; June 4, 1792; and May 19, 1794. The tract was patented to him April 17, 1810, and contained two hundred and seventy-five aeres. Mr. Stohl is a graduate of the Freeburg Academy, a member of the board of school directors, and for several years has been secretary of the board.
Charles L. Witmer, secretary of the school board of Union township, was a school-teacher for a number of years. He is now engaged in farming.
John S. Woll'e served one term as, sheriff of Snyder County, and served in nearly all the township offices. He resides near General Williams, and is extensively engaged in farm- ing.
J. D. Riegel, a native of the township, has been a school-teacher for a number of years.
N. T. Dundore, a native of Berks County, is a partner of his father-in-law, Hon. D. Wit- mer, in the mercantile business at Dundore. Ile is also postmaster at this place. He has served as school director.
Isaac A. Ever, son-in-law of Judge Witmer, also resides here.
William II. Boyer, a merchant near Port Trevorton, is a son of ex-Sheriff Henry S. Boyer. He served in the Rebellion as a men- ber of Company F, One Hundred and Thirty- first Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was at the battles of Chancellorville, Antietam and South Mountain.
Verdilla, a small settlement near Keiser's Church, has a post-office, of which Isaac S. Longaere is postmaster.
Daniel Krebs is now serving his first term as a justice of the peace in Union township, and resides on his farm, near Witmer's church. Ile is the father of Dr. Jacob Krebs, a young physician, residing at Herndon, Northmuber- land County, who is a son-in law of Elias Wentzel, a farmer of Union township.
Colonel Thomas W. Hoffman and Lientenant Jacob F. Hoffinan, natives of Lykens township, Dauphin County, came to Port Trevorton in 1865, and engaged in mercantile pursuits, which they still continue. Colonel Hoffinan was engaged in business in Philadelphia when the war broke out. Ile enlisted in the Seventy- second Regiment, and was in many of the bat- tles of the Potomac army. After the campaign in the Wilderness, he was mustered out; but Governor Curtin anthorized him to recruit a company, which became Company 1, Two Hundred and Eighth Pennsylvania Volun- teers, commanded by the late Colonel A. B. McCahnont. He participated in the battle of Fort Steadman, and he was brevetted major for gallant and meritorious services. He par- ticipated in the capture of the line of earth- works in front of Petersburg. In this engage- ment he received the appointment of lieutenant colonel by brevet for gallant and meritorious services. He was attached to the staff of Gen- eral Hartmanft, as engineer officer of the:div-
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ision, until June 1, 1865, when he was mus- tered out of service, and returned to his home in Dauphin County, and soon after came to l'ort Trevorton.
Colonel Hoffinan married Miss Sallie Shin- del, a daughter of Solomon Shindel, an ex- member of the Legislature of Dauphin County, and a grand-daughter of Rev. J. P. Shindel, Sr., of Sunbury.
Lieutenant JJacob F. Hoffman, who came to Port Trevorton with his brother in 1865, mar- ried a daughter of AAbraham Witmer, of Union township. He resided, before the war, in Uniontown and Berrysburg, and enlisted in the emergency under Colonel Jennings, and en- countered Ewell's Corps of Lee's army. When a clerk in Kelker & Bro.'s hardware store at Harrisburg he enlisted in the company of his brother, Captain T. M. Hoffinan, and assisted him in raising the company, and was chosen First Lientenant, and afterward appointed Adjutant of the Two Hundred and Eighth Regiment by Lieutenant-Colonel M. T. Heintzelman. After serving a while in that position he resigned and returned to his company, which he commanded in the battle of Fort Steadman, and received a gun-shot wound in that engagement.
CHURCH OF THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCIA- TION .- Missionaries of the Evangelical Associ- ation came to Chapman, near Union town-hip, in 1834, and organized a class consisting of Benjamin Strickler, Peter German, John Gaug- ler, John Thornton, Henry Witmer and Mrs. Samuel Witmer (the mother of Judge Witmer), and several others, who are all dead except John Gaugler, who now lives in Ohio. In 1835 they built the church still standing, but which was since remodeled and repainted. It was the first church in this locality. The near- est church of the Evangelical Association at that time was at New Berlin, Union County, and another at Lebanon, Pa. John Gaugler donated one acre of land for cemetery purposes and the timber used in the erection of the church. The building committee were John Gaugler, Benjamin Strickler and Jacob Wit- mer.
AHON'S CHURCH was created in the year 1857. It is a brick building, situated about two miles
north of Port Trevorton. Rev. J. Stamm was the minister on the circuit when the church was built. The membership is about thirty. George Gangler, Isaac Flanders and Peter Steffen are the trustees. It belongs to the United Brethren denomination.
KRISRE'S Curren, four miles north of Port Trevorton, belongs to the Lutheran and Re- formed denominations. Built in 18 10; Jona- than Shotsberger and Jacob Walburn building committee. Jacob Keiser had donated two acres of ground for a cemetery many years be- fore the church was built. Funeral sermons were preached in his house, near where the church now stands. On the tomb-stone of Jacob Keiser we learn that he died May, 1829, agel forty-two years. John, son of Jacob Rigel, died 1804. Elizabeth Lewengut died in the year 1807. Jacob Lewengut died July 30, 1822. One time-worn tomb-stone shows figures of' to1 ; the name could not be deciphered. These old tomb-stones show an age of eighty- five years. As some were buried before with- out tomb-stones, the oldest inhabitants say this grave-yard has been used over one hundred years.
SCHOOLS .- The school history of this town- ship properly begins in 1869, when it was form- od. Its previous history is given in Chapman township, out of which this township was formed. There was a log school-house near where Jacob Walburn lives, in the northern part of the town- ship, where a subscription school was kept. Simon Suyder tanght here, and also near Keiser's church, in 1825 to 1839. Daniel Sny- der also taught near Keiser's church. John Lenig, Esq., taught a school several winter terms in his spring house, on the premises now owned by Adam L. Spangler. His son John acted as a supply when his father was otherwise engaged. Most of the carly teachers who un- dertook to teach the English reading were unable to speak the English language.
Samuel School, Esq., born March 25, 1805, and died August 17, 1880, taught school four- teen winters. He was a good German scholar and penman, and was a man of excellent char- acter; was a county commissioner of Snyder County three years, fifteen years justice of the
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prace, and school director fourteen years. He conducted the singing in church at. Grubb's Church and other places for fifty years. He also taught subscription school at Kantz, Boa- ver township, and in Chapman township at Grubb's Church. He conducted his school in an orderly manuer.
In 1885 there were in this township eight schools, having two Inundred and four male and one hundred and sixty-two female pupils. The amount levied for school purposes was $1087 ; the State appropriation was $257.73.
The present board of directors are G. M. Houser, president ; C. L. Witmer, secretary ; E. S. Stahl, treasurer ; Solomon Sholl, D. G. Stahl and M. P. Arnold, Esq.
PORT TREVORTON was laid out in the year 1853, and was named in honor of Jolm B. Trevor, of New York, one of the original stockholders of the Trevorton Coal and Rail- road Company. The draft of the town was made by Mr. Quillage. The town now con- tains a population of about four hundred. It has two hotels, two stores and several shops.
J. B. Swartz, who served as a school director of Union township, is engaged in the furniture business. J. N. Houser, of this village, is one of the present county commissioners.
There are two chartered ferries across the river hope at this plans. The first was chartered in 1870, the other in 1885.
The Trevorton Coal and Railroad Company built a bridge across the Susquehanna River about 1854. This was a double bridge and had a wagon track on it. It was a great convenience to the public. On one side was a railroad track over which coal was carried to a basin in the canal, loaded on boats and conveyed to all points along the canal. The bridge became unsafe and the company took it down in 1870.
In 1854 Jeremiah Boyer erected a saw-mill and planing-mill near the lock in the canal, using the water from the canal and carried on an extensive business.
John D. Bogar, the present owner, bought the mill in 1879, and has since been engaged in the manufacture of lumber. It is one of the lead- ing industries of the place, furnishing employ- ment to a number of meu.
Along the two mile level from the lock at General Williams to Port Trevorton, about thirty-eight men and nineteen boys are engaged in the boating business, and nineteen boats are in nse.
In 1851 Postlethwait & Bogar engaged in the mercantile business; in 1856, Sayers & Forsyth ; in 1858, J. P. Bogar & Bro .; in July, 1865, Brown & Deppen ; in Angust, 1865, Hoffinan & Bro., who have continued to this date.
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