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 8
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 8
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 8
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 8
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 8
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On the 3d of May, 1835, the Rev. Isaac Grier, D.D., began a pastorate which was longer continued than that of any of his prede- cessors, and which is substantially the later his- tory of the church, extending to a recent period. During his connection about three hundred members were received and more than six him- dred persons baptized. During his pastorate the old stone church was taken down and the present brick church edifice built, having been commeneed in April and being completed No- vember 13, 1846. It has since been repaired, and while not as attractive as a modern church, it is still a comfortable place of worship. The old stone church, which was the second house of worship, was a large building standing neur the road, and was put on insecure foundations, which gave way, cansing the walls to crible and the church to become useless in the course of thirty years. It was forty by fifty-two feet, and was built by a committee composed of Wil- liam Clingan, Dr. Robert Van Valzah, Hugh Wilson, Christopher Johnson, Thomas Howard and James McClellan, the first serving as treas- urer. Work was begun in June, 1816, and December 29, 1816, the Rev. Asa Dunham preached the first sermon in it, taking as his text the words : " For the people had a mind to work." Mr. Hood began his regular services in it when it was fully completed, March 9, 1817. It was last used April 5, 1816, when Mr. Grier preached from Matt. xxviii. 8.
The present pastor of the church is the Rev. W. K. Foster, and the congregation, though not large, is founded upon a permanent basis, and promises to survive another century.
THE DRASBACH CHURCH is jointly ownel by the Reformed and the Evangelical Lutheran.
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UNION COUNTY.
Although the early history of this church is somewhat obscure, no records having been kept, there is little room to doubt that it was the first. organized in the entire valley, and that for a mumber of years it was the only place of wor- -hip for a large number of people, living in a territory more than twenty miles square, and where now more than two dozen churches point their spires heavenward. To a large extent the old Dreisbach Church is the mother of all these later churches. A partial record indicates the visits of missionaries to this section as early as 1771, who administered the rites of baptism and performed other ministerial offices, but did not, at that time, form any congregations, as the country was too sparsely settled. These visits continned nutil the breaking out of the Revo- lution, which appears to have interrupted them. A record of baptisms from 1771 to 1775 shows that there were living in this region, at that pe- riod, as members,-
Henry Bolender, Henry Pontius, Christian Sturm, Simon Himroth, John Kreider, Leonard Welker, John Seirer, Philip Stover, John C. Kleinsmith, Christian Bichl, Henry Bickel, Yost Derr, Christian Ewig, Stephen Duchman, George Frederick.
About 1787 the Rev. Herman Jacob Shell- hart, a Lutheran, preached in this section, and he and others, who came soon after, as visiting clergymen, urged the formation of congregations and the building of a nion church. To encourage this purpose Martin Dreisbach set aside seven and a half acres of land upon which to build such a house and for cemetery purposes. Although a cemetery had already been begun on the land of John Pon- tius, the land Mr. Dreisbach offered was regarded as more favorably located, and upon it, in 1788, was erected a log church, which received the name of Dreisbach, in honor of the donor of the land,-a name it has ever since borne.
At the time this church was built the official inembers ofthe newly-organized congregations,- were Reformed Trustees, John Aurand and Elias Youngman ; Elders, Martin Dreisbach and Ja- cob Groejeon ; Deacons, Peter Frederick and Henry Dreisbach. On the Intheran side there were Trustees, Christian Sturm and Adam Christ; Elders, Caper Bower and Henry Meinzer; and
Deacons, Jacob Metzger and John Seirer. This was the first consistory of which there is any account, and each congregation had, among others, the following additional members : Re- formed : Henry Aurand, John Dreisbach, Ma- thias Barnhart, Jacob Dreisbach, Martin Dreis- bach, Jr, George Frederick, Jacob Mook, Henry Barnhart, George Anrand, John Brown, George Fisher, Michael Vocht and John Pon- tius, Lutheran: John G. Bush, George Bower, John Heltman, Stephen Duchman, JJacob Geb- hart, John Meinzer, Leonard Welker, Mathias Alspach, Adam Kreichbaum, William Rockey, Peter Fisher, Leonard Groninger, George Smith, Christopher Wagner, Adam Meinzer, George Book, Jacob Welker, Christopher Bickel, John Kreider and Christopher Baldy. The records of baptisms give us the names of other members, as follows: 1791, Ludwig Sweinhart, William Gentzler ; 1792, Peter Frederick, John N. Stroh, Abraham Hoch, Simon Bennage; 1793, Conrad Struber, John Kleckner, John Hoy, George Pfreimer ; 1794, John Hummel and John Hubler ; 1805, An- drew Reedy, Benj. Zellers, John Heinly, John Zellers, John Reber, Peter Spyker, George Wormley, Lorenzo Barnhart and George Ream. This membership indicates that those belonging came from near and far to worship in this primitive spiritual home. The ministers of the period were the Revs. IT. J. Shellhart, Jona- than Rahauser (the first Reformed, in 1789), Deidrich Aurand,' Gentzler, Pfreimer, Geist- weit, Hgen, Walter, Herbst and Dieffenbach, who preached at irregular periods, and only a few of them sustained pastoral relations.
In 1809 the Rev. J. G. Heim became a regu- lar pastor of the Lutheran congregation and labored acceptably until 1831, when the Rev. J. G. Anspach became his successor, entering upon a long and eventful pastorate, which was terminated bat a few years ago. The pulpit was then supplied by the pastors of the Mifflin- burg Church, and in 1885 by the Rev. John A. Earnest, of that church.
The Rev. Yost 11. Fries became the regular
'Rev. Aurand lived in the valley before he began to preach.
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pastor of the Reformed congregation in 1811, and continued until death ended his earthly labors at the close of 1839. Soon after the Rev. A. B. Casper took charge of the congrega- tion, and served it as pastor until 1855. For a short time the pulpit was supplied by the Rev. E. Kiefer, and in 1856 the Rev. Henry Aurand entered npon a short pastorate. The same year the Rev. B. Bansman became the pastor, but in 1859 he was called to assume an editorial chair in the printing-house of the Re- formed Church. He had as his immediate successor the Rev. C. H. Leinbach. Ile was followed by Rev. Crawford, for a short time, the Revs. U. 1I. Ileilman, Wm. F. Reily, L. R. Gerhart and others as supplies.
The old log church was used until 1839, when a brick edifice was erected in its place, thirty-three by forty-five feet in size, and ar- ranged interiorly with three galleries, so that it could seat four hundred persons. The corner- stone was laid June 2, 1839, and the dedication took place on the 8th of December of the same year. Its cost was 83066.50, and the building committee was composed of Jacob Ritter, Sam- nel Reber, John Sheckler and Peter Engel. The pastors were the Revs. Yost H. Fries and J. G. Anspach, and the following were the other members of the consistory : Lutheran- Elders, John Rishel and Philip Ruhl; Deacons, William Noll and George Kerstetter; Trustee, John Sheckler. Reformed-Elders, Jacob Leiby and Philip Frederick; Deacons, Jacob Ritter and Samuel Zeller; Trustee, Samuel Reber.
Unfortunately, this building was put up in a deficient manner, which necessitated the congre- gations to again build, after the lapse of ouly twenty-one years. This movement was set on foot at a regular meeting of the two congrega- tions held February 20, 1860, when David Ream, Frederick Hipple, John S. Shrack and Adam Young were cleeted as a building com- mittee. A subscription-book was opened and the responses were so liberal that it was possible to begin operations at once. The old church was taken down and its site selected as the place of the new one, where the corner-stone was laid June 17, 1860. This edifice was appropriately dedicated with services commencing Saturday
morning, October 12, 1861, and continuing until the following Monday evening. It is a shapely brick structure, forty-five by sixty-five feet in size, and has a basement divided into rooms, over which is a very finely-finished main audience-room. The entire cost of the building was abont four thousand five Inidred dollars. The cemetery, containing the graves of' the pioneers of the lower end of the valley, has been inclosed with a wall of substantial masonry, and all the surroundings show careful attention. In 1854 the church was regularly incorporated, and at that time the Reformed congregation had about fifty members, while those of the Laitheran numbered seventy-five. In 1885 the membership was considerably larger.
THE UNION CHURCH (German Reformed and Evangelical Lutheran) .- To accommodate members of the congregations at Dreisbach and St. Peter's Churches residing in this locality, a union house of worship was erected, about 1840, in the Spruce Run Valley, and new congre- gations formed which have since controlled the property. Their ministerial service has been essentially the same as those of the churches above named, the Rev. J. G. Anspach preaching for the Lutherans until 1881 -- a longer service than any other minister in the church. In 1885 that congregation had about one hundred mem- bers, while the Reformed congregation was somewhat stronger. The plain brick church, standing on about half an aere of ground, was remodeled in 1885, and supplied with a small belfry. The grounds of the church were en- larged since it was first built, embracing at present about two acres. In its general appear- ance and internal arrangements it is now an in- viting place of worship.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
DANIEL RENGLER.
In the year 1757 there settled in Berks County, Pa., one Michael Rentschler, with his wife and son, John, natives of the kingdom
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UNION COUNTY.
of Würtemberg, Germany. In May, 1788, the family removed to Union County, and lo- cited on a very large tract of land on the Buf- falo Creek, at its junction with Spruce Run. The son married Maria Dorothy Will, of Berks County, and the union resulted in the birth of three sons, -- Daniel, Jacob and Benja- min. John Rentschler was probably the first miller in this county to put up buildings for the milling business, and the grist and saw-mills
Dunkel, of Union County, and had borne to him eight children, as follows : Peter, married to Mary Dunkel ; John, married to Mary Rit- ter ; Susanna, married to Isaac Reish ; Daniel, the subject of this sketch ; George, married to Wilhelmina Wolfinger; Fanny Maria, mar- ried to Daniel Gephart ; Jacob, married to Caroline Himmelreich ; Benjamin, married to Rebecca Ewing.
During the last years of the eighteenth cen-
Daniel Rangler
which he erected on the creek in 1818, after being once rebuilt by him, are still in active operation and carry his name to this day. The eldest son, Daniel, born 1793, became imbued with warlike ardor during the War of 1812- 1.1, and served as sergeant in the regiment commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel George Wei- riek all through, taking part at Marens Hook, etc., and doing his duty as a brave soldier. After the war closed he was elected lieutenant in the militia and acted. in such capacity many years. He was married, in 1817, to Susanna
tury the family name, becoming anglicized, was, by common consent, changed to Rengler. John Rengler continued in the milling enterprise until his death, which occurred in 1825. His son Daniel took possession of the mill in 1830, and, after largely improving the ma- chinery to meet the requirements of an increas- ing trade, he carried on the business until he died, Jime 5, 1871, the property being then sold to William Cameron, Esq. Mrs. Rengler had previously deceased, viz., on August 29, 1858.
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JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.
The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was born in this county on April 14, 1827, and, on February 20, 1851, was mited in mar- ringe to Miss Susanna Royer, who was born in Union County in the year 1830. On her side we find that Sebastian Royer, with four sous, emigrated from Switzerland, in 1718, to the province of Pennsylvania, and settled on the Schuylkill River, at the place now called Roy- er's Ford. The father and two sons, John and Amos, moved to Lancaster County and there Sebastian died in 1758. Amos, the youngest son, raised five sons, -- Philip, Christopher, Peter, John and Daniel-and died in 1769. Christopher had three sons, -John, Daniel and Joel,-and removed to Union County, Pa. Joel (born April 13, 1779) married Susanna Bren- heiser (born June 30, 1779), in Lancaster County, and there their twelve children were born, viz. : Nancy, Isane, Israel, Adam, Sarah, Elizabeth, Hannah, Rebecca, Susanna, Joel, Catharine and Mary R.
Joel Royer, the father, died October 13, 1853, while his wife, Susanma, was spared to reach the age of ninety-two years, she dying March 30, 1871. The second son of this family, Israel, was married to Catharine Ritter, who bore him cleven children, as follows, viz. : Susanna, mar- ried Mr. Daniel Rengler ; Mary, married John Neese; David, married Mary Heinly; Rebecca, married Franklin Troxel ; William, married Mary Balliet ; Samuel, married Matilda Mook; Joanna (since died) ; Elizabeth, married Charles Zechman ; Joel, who was killed at Fort Gregg during the late Rebellion while bravely nphold- ing the cause of the Union; Adam, married Sarah Kling ; and Catharine, who died in early youth.
To Daniel Rengler and his wife, once Miss Susanna Royer, have been born four children, as follows : (Ist) Catharine, born October 21, 1852, and died in the fall of 1882. She was married to Sammel Kerstetter and bore him four children, -Adda, Clarence, Florence and Cora, now living near Shamokin Dam, Snyder County. (20) John W., born March 5, 1859, and died in infancy. (3d) Daniel 1., born July 1, 1861, also died in infancy. (4th) Adda Rebec- ca, still living under the parental roof.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Rengler united with the Lutheran Church shortly after their marriage, and have since maintained their membership within its folds, now belonging to and attending the Union Church at Boyertown, their home.
When the Union was engaged in the dread- ful struggle against slavery, Mr. Rengler gave liberally of his means to help the good fight until the end. In politics he is a Republican, but has never aspired to political preferment, and, although various offices have been proffered him, he has always declined, being desiron- of attending to his farming interests more closely than could possibly be done had his time been taken up with politics. An honest and upright man, he merits and receives the respect of his neighbors and fellow-citizens far and near.
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JOHN N. PONTIUS.
John Frederick Pontius came from Germany before the Revolution, and settled in Berks County, Pa. His son, John Nicholas, was born there in 1749 and became interested in the War of the Revolution, nobly serving his coun- try through those troublous times under several different commanders. He married Maria Ap- polonia Wilhelm, February, 1778, and had nine children,-Jacob Adam, John Frederick, Conrad, Elizabeth (married Samnel Geddes), Catharine (married George Hassinger), Susm (married John Wormley) and two others. He died in 1831, surviving his wife, who died in 1813.
The father of our subject was born in Buffalo township, in 1788, and was one of the most val- ued citizens. He was colonel of militia many years ; served a long period as school director, and was one of the board of managers of the Lewisburgh and Mifflintown Turnpike for thirty years. He carly joined the German Re- formed Church and acted as elder therein about twenty years. On September 11, 1832, he was married to Mary Am Larrabee, whose father, Dr. John Larrabee, emigrated from Connec- tient, settled at Mifflinburg, and practiced medicine several years .. He afterwards moved West and was drowned in the Ohio River.
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Mrs. Larrabee died August 18, 1877, having reached the great age of ninety-two years. Colo- nel J. F. Pontins and his wife, Mary Ann, had issue as follows: John N., boru June 17, 1833; Mary M. A. C., Amelia Caroline, born March 20, 1811, died March 23, 1869 ; Frederick Ephraim, born November 7, 18 16, died Angust 20, ESSI ; and Susan M. Ile died June 17, 1869, aged nearly cighty-oue year's, being followed by his widow seven years after.
section of the State. Their children were Elias, Joseph, John, Thomas, Samuel, Catharine, Polly and George. George Dreisbach (born September 2, 1808) married Harriet Bogar (born September 11, 1815) on April 17, 1832, and had issue,-Mary C., Sarah J., born January 21, 1836, married Jolin N. Poutins; Harriet S., George C. and Eliza E. (twins) ; and Martha E. George Dreisbach was a highly respected and valued citizen, prominently identified with religious and educational matters until his un-
Kolm V. Pontius
John N. Pontius was married to Miss Sarah | timely decease. He was a justice of the peace many years, and his relations with the people were always pleasant and appreciated. ITis sudden death on May 6, 1865, was deeply lamented by a wide circle of friends, and an um- usually large number attended the funeral cere- monies.
Jane Dreisbach, September 25, 1862, by Rev. A. B. Casper, and the family properly claims pioneer influence through both the participants in this ceremony, Mrs. Pontius' grandfather, John Dreisbach (one of the sons of Martin Dreisbach, the founder of the Dreisbach Church), who married Catharine Youngman, daughter of the founder of Youngmanstown (now Milllin- burg) being one of the earliest settlers in this
To bless the union of John N. Pontius and Sarah J. Dreisbach the following children were given, viz. : Mary S., born Sunday, August 16,
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JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.
1863; Nevin D., born April 17, 1868. Recog- nizing the immense value of a liberal education, Mr. and Mrs. Pontius carly determined their children should be given all the advantages their abundant means would allow, and, in ac- cordance therewith, placed Miss Mary S. at the Allentown Female College to obtain the benefits of instruction and care afforded at this well- known and popular institution. That the young lady profited to the full is evinced by the fact that she was graduated second in class of 1884, a year when the class was larger and ranked higher than for many years. The son, Nevin D., was, after a careful consideration of the merits of various institutions of learning, placed at the Alma Mater of so many bright lights of this commonwealth, Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa., where he is at this writing, engaged in the pursuance of his studies. In religious connections the family have always been sincere members of the German Reformed Clmurch, while -in politics they are strongly Democratic. "Mr. Pontius is one of the board of managers of the Lewisburgh and Mifflintown Turnpike Co., and gives his advice and counsel for the best interests of that. corporation. He received a common school education and then entered upon the occupation of his forefathers -farming. Through long years of toil he has prospered and always holds a helping hand to the needy, thonghi frequently to his own loss. He affords au example to all-good, honest and reliable, and it is always said of him " his word is as good as a note."
The beautiful home is situated in the famed Buffalo Valley, seven and a half miles from Lewisburgh and one and a half miles from Mifflinburg, at the junction of the Lewisburgh and Mifflinburg pike and the direct road from New Berlin, surrounded by over two hundred and ninety aeres of productive land, and every- thing needed to make home pleasant and family happy is found within its hospitable walls.
GEORGE. W. HIMMELREICH.
Our subject was born February 8, 1834, in Limestone township, Union County, the second son of Peter and Elizabeth (Charles) Himmelreich, whose father came from Germany
in the eighteenth century, and settled in Buffalo township, Union County. The grandmother was a Withington, one of whom came from Eugland at an early date to this county, and carried on a successful business as clock-maker, at Mifflinburg, under style of Withington & Son, for many years. Captain Peter Withing- ton was one of the heroes of the Revolution, having a company in the Twelfth Pennsylvania Regiment of Continental Line. He died in 1777.
Peter Himmelreich was the father of cleven children-Mary married William Nagel ; Sa- rahı married Simon Smith ; James C. married Jane Cornelius; Margaret ; George W. (our subject); Jolm ; Ann Caroline married Jacob Rengler ; Sammel H. married Mary A. Rockey; William D. ; Peter W. married Nellie Right- meyer ; Thompson Linn married Lucy Louisa Drake.
When George W. was six weeks old his parents moved to Kelly township, and there he received his education. On reaching his six- teenth year he became a clerk in the general store of Lewis Spotts, at Kelly Cross-Roads, at three dollars per month the first year, and six dollars per month the remainder of the twenty months during which he remained. His parents removing to Buffalo township caused a severance of this connection, but he soon made an arrange- ment and entered the store of Martin Rudy, Cowan, at nine dollars per month. His services were appreciated, and each year brought an in- crease of salary thus-nine, twelve, fifteen, cigliteen and twenty dollars per month. When twenty-two years old his character was fully established, and he accepted an offer of partner- ship made by his employer, the firm becoming Rudy & Himmelreich. After attaining his majority he connneneed saving, and on entering business for himself had two hundred and forty dollars, which sum it was agreed should be de- voted to the payment of interest on his half- share of the store until paid for out of the profits. The firm was successful, and it con- tinued ten years, when, on September 20, 1866, Mr. Himmelreich purchased his partner's inter- est and began a career which has produced ad- mirable results. Believing in the policy of ex-
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UNION COUNTY.
tension, he decided to branch ont, and in the spring of 1875 bought a business at Forest Hill, this county, which he placed in charge of a tried employé. In the spring of 1881 he bought ont a store at Boyertown, Union County, and place- ing it under competent control, has united the three stores in an excellent system. By careful supervision they have progressed to an unusual extent, and recognition as a valuable and pro- gressive business man is awarded Mr. Himmel- reich on all sides.
The Stars are also of German origin, the grandfather of Mrs. Himmelreich (Charles Slear) leaving the Fatherland and settling in Berks County, Pa., soon after the Revolution. Thence he removed to Dry Valley, Union County, in 1800. His wife, Mary (Hummel), bore him six boys and two girls, of whom George was the fourth boy, born in Berks Co. in 1794. George Slear followed the example set by his father, and was a farmer of prominence, as is seen by the fact that he filled various positions
Ges. V. Himmelenich
The county has reason to be proud of | before the people, among them being supervisor this able son, and we place him before posterity for seven years. He was thrice married-first, to Ilannah Kauffinan, who bore him Daniel, Esther, Peter and Margaret ; second, to Sophia Miller, and had Charles, George and William ; third, to Elizabeth (daughter of James Barklow), who bore him Elizabeth (married George W. Himmelreich), Hannah (married General Dan- iel Heckman, of Sugar Valley, Clinton County), Mary Catharine (married Samuel F. Miller) and James (married Catharine Smith). as an example worthy emulation. Married, on November 10, 1864, by Rev. Danid Klose, to Miss Elizabeth Slear, their union has been happy and blessed with the following children : Mary Elizabeth, born Jannary 27, 1866; Lanra Verda, born July 28, 1867 ; Margaret Essie, born October 29, 1870; Willie, born October 17, 1871, died September 12, 1872 ; Sarah Car- oline, born August 26, 1873.
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JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA COUNTIES IN PENNSYLVANIA.
Mrs. Himmelreich nited with the Evangel- ical Lutheran Church May 17, 1851, and Mr. Himmelreich on October 13, 1853, and the chil- dren have also been accepted to membership. Since the organization of their church they have been the choir-leaders, and one of the daughters is the esteemed organist. For several years Mr. Himmelreich acted as irn-tee, but resigned to give fuller attention to the choir.
He has studiously avoided politics, and al- though elected and serving as county auditor two years, it was during his absence the nomi- nation was made. He has been prominently mentioned for associate judge, but preferring to see after business interests, has invariably de- clined the honor.
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