History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical, Part 110

Author: Egle, William Henry, 1830-1901
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1046

USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical > Part 110
USA > Pennsylvania > Lebanon County > History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical > Part 110

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Stricker, Jacob

Thompson, Thot 100

Shelman, Ludwig.

Venderback, Henry

Sturgeon, Thontas 150

Works, Jesey

...

Short-, Leonard

Walker, Rol 50

Swagerty, Peter

I'M

Watt, James, 100

Stiver, Michael

Winn. Jonah

Simpson, Jun. 15

Yanslet, Michael 100 Stevenson, Jno

The township of Upper Paxtang, as now existing, is bounded on the north by the Northumberland County line, on the east by Mitllin and Washington townships, on the south by Halifax and Jackson townships, and on the west by the Susquehanna River.

KILLINGER'S POST-OFFICE .- This point is situ- ated on the road from Millersburg to Berry burg, three miles from the former place and seven from the latter. Near by is the Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, an elegant two story-briek edifice erected in 1872. This church is supplied by the Millersburg pastors.

DAVID'S REFORMED CHURCH edifice, a two-story brick structure, was built in lsd6, and is only a few yards from Salem Lutheran Church. The congrega- tion of David's was formed prior to 1774, as baptisms are found recorded as early as June 8th of that year. Rev. Samuel Dubenborn was the pastor, and labored from 1779 to 1789. After 1795 he returned and re- mained a while. On March 7, 1775, these two congre- gations-Lutheran and Reformed7-had one hundred and sixty-one aeres of land surveyed for them jointly, called "Good Intent," and received a deed therefor Sept. 22, 1804. According to an agreement between them, dated March 30, 1792, they made a division in 1808. In 1794 the old log church was built, and ou Feb. 27, 1797, a contract was made with some one to finish it for one hundred and eight pounds. The build- ing committee on the part of the Reformed congrega- tion were Abraham Nachbar Neighbour], Jacob Meck, George Neagley, and Valentine Weker. It stood at the lower end of the cemetery, and was a two-story log house, weatherboarded, plastered. and with galleries on three sides. The pulpit was ascended by stairs and surmounted by a sounding-board. It is not known whether it had regular pastors or not. but occasional preaching was had by Revs. William Hendel, of Tulpehocken, Geistweit. Anthony Hautz, of Lebanon, and Philip Gloninger, of Harrisburg. During the Revolutionary war, when Rev. William Hendel came, he was escorted by members of the con- gregation with muskets to protect him and them from the prowling Indians, and during the services guards -tood with guns in hand near the church to protect the worshipers from skulking savages. Rev. Hendel had a catechism class of eighty-five, many of whom came ten or fifteen miles to attend class or service. t

Rinzling, Jn".

Ryan, Jnº ..

50 Taylor, Sarıl

100

Jnº. Metch .. 100

James Tilman.

Geo. Fry

200 Jacob Wagoner

Peter Pilley

...

444

HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.

Rev. James Reily was pastor from 1812 to 1819, and during his time the parsonage was built opposite the church (where the farm-house now is). Rev. Isaac Gerhart was pastor from 1819 to 1844. His successors have been : 1844-56, J. A. Ellis; 1856, Richard A. Fisher ; 1857-65, Ephraim Kieffer; 1865-68, F. J. Moore; 1868-75, J. W. Lescher; 1875 to present time, J. B. Kerschner.

The old church edifice was torn down in 1865, and the corner-stone of the present structure laid Sept. 9, 1866. The basement wa, dedicated Dec. 8, 1868, and the main andience-room May 24, 1868.

HOOVER'S CHURCH .- This church edifice, lying in the southeast part of Upper Paxtang township, near the Mifflin township line, is a joint church of the Lu- theran and Reformed Churches. The Evangelical Lutheran congregation (called " Zion's") is supplied

by the pastors of St. John's Church, near Berrysburg, and the Reformed congregation (" Zion's") by the Millersburg pa tors of that denomination. In 1842, Andrew Keefer, Sr., donated one-fourth acre of land upon which to build a church edifice. The corner- stone was laid in 1843, and a neat structure built thereon.

THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION CHURCH, at Riegel's, a handsome frame edifice, is in the ex- treme eastern part of Upper Paxtang township, and only a few yards from the Mitilin township line. It is supplied with preaching by the pastor of the Ber- rysburg church.

PAXTON POST-OFFICE is the name of a village in the northwestern corner of the township, at the mouth of the Mahantango Creek. It contains a population less than one hundred.

MILLERSBURG BOROUGH.

MILLERSBURG BOROUGH is situated on the Sus- | quehanna River, at the confluence of the Wiconisco - Creek, twenty-three miles north of Harrisburg, on the Northern Central and Lykens Valley Railroads. The place was settled some years prior to the time it was laid out. It derived its name from Daniel Miller and John Miller, who emigrated from Lan- I town. Neither cabin or mill are longer to be seen. caster County about 1790. They took up some four hundred acres of land and began a settlement. It was laid out by Daniel Miller into town lots in July, 1807, and incorporated into a borough April 8, 1850, from which time its progress has been rapid. Daniel Miller's first wife, Elizabeth, died in 1813, and he married for the second time Mary Wingert, July 8, 1817. They both flied in October, 1828, leaving one child, Mary, who was born Nov. 25, 1820, married George W. Bowers, Feb. 11, 1338, and is still living in the town. Daniel Miller, who was born in 1750, had two children by his first wife, who removed at an early day to Ohio. Domestic trouble had caused at an early date the owner (Jacobs) to remove forever from the spot. The property was at times unused and unoccupied. It fell under the ban of superstition, several of the set- tlers having seen about it divers strange and un- earthly appearances, " shapes dire, dismal, and hor- rid." Time and the spoliations of man have done their work, and the almost obliterated channel of the old head-race alone is seen to mark the spot where once was the forest-home of the old French Huguenot. Upon a part of this land Daniel Miller, the then sole proprietor. through Peter Williamson, his surveyor, laid out the town-lots in July, 1807. The first settlers in this region, known as " Lykens Valley," were French Huguenots and Germans. Francis Jacques or "Jacobs," commonly known as " French Jacob." Larue or La Roy, Shora, Sandoe. the Kleims, Werts, Steevers, Shutte, Ferrees, Millers, Andrew Lycan, and John Rewalt are found among the earliest names of white men who settled in this section. About the time John and Daniel Miller settled here " French Jacob" built his grist-mill on the north bank of the Wieonisco Creek, just above the foot of Race Street, and near to which, some time before. he These lots sold very readily, being selected by lottery, and soon the place assumed the importance of a rap- idly-growing and prosperon- town. The town is regularly laid out, with spacious streets crossing each other at right angles, and practical alleyways giving passage to the rear of every building. The Susque- hanna River at this point is a mile in width, stretch- ing away in lake-like form some three miles, from Berry's Mountain in the south to the Mahantango Mountain in the north, at which points, forcing its way through these mountains much diminished in its

had built his log cabin, then considered quite a pre- tentious structure, large and strongly put together, and well provided with loop-holes, -a kind of fort to which the settlers might fly for safety in cases of attack from the Indians. Here was taught the tir-t school, kept by Daniel Miller, the proprietor of the

445

MILLERSBURG BOROUGH.

bed, it hurriedly tumbles over rocks and pebbles of it up for church services. Here Rey. Isaac Gerhart the passage, winding quickly out of sight.

The first school was taught in a log cabin or fort by Daniel Miller, the founder of the town, and he was succeeded by a MIrs. Miller. This fort was built about 1794, on the banks of the Wiconisco Creek, as , ner-stone was laid in June, and the building dedicated a place of safety from the surrounding Indians. The on the 30th of November following. The first con- sistory was elected April 25, 1857. Rev. Ephraim Kieffer was the first pastor, and the present incum- bent is Rev. J. B. Kerschner ; for the others see David's Church, which with Zion's at Hoover's and this make one charge. In IS71 this congregation bought out the interest of the Lutherans. next house was built about 1812 or 1813. on Union Street, and was taught by an educated German. This house was super-eded by a poorly-constructed brick building, and that by a frame structure on the site where now stands the large and substantial build- ing on Middle Street, which continued in use until the citizens refused to send their children. In 1833 a select school was taught by Mrs. Susan Barringer, a lady of considerable culture. who established a good educational sentiment, and was sneceeded by Samuel MeGaw, a man of scholastic abilities. About 1844 or 1845 the free-school system was adopted, after being defeated twice, as the town and township were at that time one school district. The opposition from the township was very great, but persistent perse- verance overcame all the opposing force -. The most active school men in the early history of the town were Jacob Seal, Dr. Robert Auchminuty. David Link. Simon Wert, Adam Light, John Ebery, Benjamin Musser, and Matthias Freck. The town has now two first-class school buildings and five graded schools. Its high school compares favorably with any in the county.

In 1846 there were in Millersburg about eighty dwellings, two stores, one mill. and three churches. In 1850 it bad five hundred population, which it doubled in 1860 and trebled in los0.

The officers of the borough since its incorporation in 1850 have been :

BURGESSES.

1530. Simon Wert.

1865. Simon Wert.

1852. J. J. Bowman.

1867. A. Doulen.

1853. Jacob Seal.

1870. Simon Wert.

1855. Jacob Rathvon.

1572. J. S. Mosser.

1857. George JI. Brubaker.

1 74. H. Frank.

1858. J. L. Bomgardner.

1576. Jobn S. Museer.

1859. C. Penrose.

1879. B. G. Steever.

1862. George Slate. 1864. B. G. Steever.

1880. J. L. Freck.

TOWN CLERKS.

1350. David Brindle.

1863. C. C. Freck.

1851. B. G. Steever.

1864. S. S. Bowman.

1853. Jesse Auchinuty.

IS67. Benjamin Bowman.

1857. George Yeager.

1868. H. H. Mosser.

1858. William A. Joon.

18:1. E. W. Steever.

1860. B. Bowman.

1478. Jesse Auchmuty.

1862. N. Bowman.

1880. William M. Hartman.

THE MILLERSBURG LITERARY SOCIETY was organ- ized in 1876, and is in successful operation, being patronized and actively participated in by many of the best and most prominent men of the town.

TRINITY REFORMED CHURCH .- About the year 1833 several members of the Reformed faith pur- chased a frame building on Middle Street and titted

preached occasionally. The building was never dedi- cated, and no regular pastors were called. In 1856 the Reformed and Lutheran congregations jointly erected the brick church on Middle Street. The cor-

ST. PAUL.'- LUTHERAN CHURCH .- About the year 1330 the Rev. J. N. Hemping preached occasionally to the Lutherans here in the old school-house in the German language. In 1832, Rev. S. D. Finckels, of Middletown, came here every four weeks and preached in both English and German. In 1842, Rev. W. G. Laitzell, one of the seven founders of the East Penn- sylvania Synod, who had been called to his first charge in Armstrong's Valley, crossed Berry's Mountain and preached here and at Salem (Killinger'st. From 1846, Rev. C. F. Stower, of Berrysburg charge, preached here for four years as often as convenient, and in 1852, Rev. Jacob Martin, ot same charge, came occasion- ally. In November, 1853, Rev. D. Sell, of same charge, began holding services, and after one year's labors organized a congregation, which united with the Reformed, and in 1956 built the church edifice on Middle Street. The pastors have been : 1856-61, D. Sell; 1861, P. P. Lane; 1862, George P. Weaver; 1883-66, C. A. Fetzer; 1866-78, MI. Fernsler; July 27, 1879, George Conrad Henry. Under Rev. M. Fernsler the charge consisted of Berrysburg, Millers- burg, Salem (Killinger's), and Lykens, but in 1871 the latter was withdrawn. In 1871 the project of withdrawing from the joint union building and erect- ing a new church was discussed. It sold its interest in the Union Church to the Reformed congregation for fourteen hundred dollar-, broke ground for a new edifice in March, 1573, and laid the corner-tone in June, 1874. The basement was dedicated in 1978, and the audience-room Nov. 14, 1880.

EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION CHURCH .- This con- gregation was organized about 1840. The first church edifice was built on the lot where the present parson- age stands, and was a log structure weatherboarded. The present church building, a commodious two- story brick structure, was built in 1800. Since 1862 (as early as any records are found, the pastors have been :

1862-64, William Hain; 1864, Joseph MI. Sayler ; 1865-67, F. P. Lehr; 1867-69, A. A. Overholt: 1569- 71, L. snyder ; 1-71-73, S. S. Chubb : 1873-70, H. A. Neitz; 1876-79, W. K. Wiand; 1879-81, S. S. Chubb ; les1, H. A. Neitz, present incumbent.

Berry-burg was the first seat of this denomination in this region, and two years after its organization

446

HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.

into a church this one was organized. It owns valu- ' Walborn, George Gleim, Aaron Mattis, Jonathan able church property, and is clear of debt.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- Millers- burg and Berrysburg Circuit was cut off of Halifax in 1866. Since then the pastors have been : 1866-68,

Reigel, and Daniel Good. Its capital was twenty- five thousand dollars, which was shortly after in- creased to forty thousand dollars by the addition of the following new partners : Tobias Bickel, A. Forten- A. W. Wiggins ; 1868-70, Able Howard; 1870, Thomas . baugh, Jonathan Swab, Sept. 7, 1868, and Benjamin Kilpatrick; 1871-75, W. H. Fries; 1875-77, W. S. Pugh; 1877-79, J. M. Hinson; 1879, William MI. Gilbert; 1880-82, N. D. MeComas. It was made a station. The large brick edifice was erected in 1858. The church has one hundred and seventy-five mem- bers, and a parsonage adjoining the church edifice.

THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES of the borough are the planing-, saw-, and lumber-mills of John Neagley, C. F. Freck, and Alfred Douden and the Standard Axle Manufacturing Company, the latter of which has proved a successful enterprise.

The Millersburg Herald was established by its pres- ent editor, proprietor, and publisher, J. B. Seal, on the first Friday in January, 1875. It is a weekly family journal, and specially devoted to local news. It is a four-page sheet of thirty-two columns, and en- joys a large circulation. With it is connected a well- equipped job-office. This paper is independent in politics, and occupies a position which gives it great strength in moulding opinion in the north of the county.

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK was organized Feb. 12, 1867, as the Lykens Valley Bank, and began busi- ness March 6th following. It was a private company, composed of G. M. Brubaker, S. P. Auchmuty, Ben- jamin Reigel, Philip Moyer, Joseph F. Corbett, Henry

D. Reigel, George Deibler, and George Danicl in March, 1869. It was incorporated Feb. 29, 1872, and reorganized as a corporation. It was merged into a national bank April 13, 1875, with its charter numbered 2252, and began business as such May 1st the following. G. M. Brubaker was president to Jauu- ary, 1875. and was then succeeded by Alfred Douden, the present incumbent. George Gleim was cashier until April 14, 1873, when Ferdinand H. Voss suc- ceeded him. It has a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars, with a surplus of twelve thousand dollars. Its first banking-house was on Market Street. In 1869 it erected its present building, and occupied it in the fall of that year.

THE MILLERSBURG BANK was organized in the fall of 1868. It is an individual banking institution, com- posed of eighty to one hundred stockholders, mostly of the wealthiest farmers, and all individually liable. Its capital stock is thirty thousand dollars, with a surplus of ten thousand dollars. Its first president was S. Buck, succeeded in 1875 by the present in- cumbent, F. Wenrich. J. S. Gilbert has been cashier from its organization, and Isaac Miller vice-president since the creation of that office. Since its establish- ment it has occupied its own building on Union Street.

MIDDLE PAXTANG TOWNSHIP.

AT a Court of Quarter Sessions, held in Dauphin ' cInded the section of the county between the First County in the month of August, 1787, an order was and Peter's Mountains, embracing Fishing Creek, Stony Creek, and Clark's Valleys. As may be sur- mised, the face of the country is much broken, and save along the principal streams as they near the Susquehanna and the valleys expand, the land is poor and unproductive. Nevertheless, there are some fine farms on Clark's Creek and along the Susquehanna. issued to commissioners to take into consideration the necessity and propriety of dividing Upper Pax- tang township, who reported a dividing line, "com- mencing at the river Susquehanna, at the mouth of a run emptying into the said river, and running from Jacob Strickler's spring, and thence along the differ- ent courses of the said run to the place where the said spring extract, out of the earth, and from thenee by a direct line to the dividing ridge ; thence along the said ridge to the extremity thereof, to the line of Berks County."

The court directed the township to be divided. agreeably to this report, from the said line to the upper boundary of Lower Paxtang. to be called Mid- dle Paxtang. As thus constituted the township in-

The history of the township is so intimately con- nected with that of the general record of the county, and to which reference is made for a history of Fort Hunter, at the mouth of Fishing Creek, and other details relating to the French and Indian war. The following incident, however, is of such a local char- arter that we give place thereto.

Ludwig Minsker, an emigrant from the Palatinate,

---------

MIDDLE PAXTANG TOWNSHIP.

447

located in Clark's Valley in 1750. He built his eabin on a run near the place where the house of Jolin Hoeker, Jr., now stands. He was a man of great courage, and the Indians of the neighborhood fear- ing him, never molested him or his family.

It was subsequent to Braddock's defeat that hostile Indians crossed over the mountains and spread death and desolation on the frontier4. While out hunting during the spring of 1756, Ludwig observed the trail of the marauding savages. Knowing that if they discovered his cabin, his wife and child in his ab- sence would be killed, he hastened home and quickly devised means for their protection. It was too late to go below the mountains, for he would be overtaken. Having in his house a chest six feet long, he bored a sufficient number of holes in it to admit air; then taking it upon his shoulder, waded up the run some distance, placing it in a sequestered nook. Returning to his eabin he took his wife and child (the latter bat six months old) in the same way to the chest to con- ceal his trail, where the dense foliage covered their hiding-place. It was ten days before the hostiles had left the valley, and during all that time Mrs. Minsker and her child were safely secured in the huge chest, her husband in the mean time keeping guard in the neighborhood of their cabin, hunting and carrying provisions to the refugees.

One antumn, while Ludwig was carrying towards his cabin half of a good-sized hog he had butchered, an Indian stealthily came up behind him, quickly severed the lower part, exclaimed, "Hoy meat very good meat, Indian like him," and scampered off to the woods.

The child who was concealed with his mother in the chest became Ludwig the second. He married a daughter of Thomas Cairn, and built his cabin at a spring on the Third Mountain, on property now be- longing to Harry Zeiders, who is a descendant of the first Ludwig. It is only a few years since that the cabin was torn down.

Prior to the Revolution a friendly Indian had his eabin on the north side of Peter's Mountain, near the spring which supplies the water-trough on the pike. Here he lived for years unmolested. One evening in the fall of the year Mrs. Min-ker, while standing in the door-way, heard a loud moan, resembling that of some one in extreme agony. She told her husband. who replied that it was the ery of a panther. Still listening, she found by direction of the sound that the person was going up the mountain, but Ludwig to quiet her said she must be mistaken, it was only eows remained ont beyond the usnal time, and the children were sent in search of them. Going up the mountain they came to what was then called and still known as the " King's Stool." when they found a skeleton lying under it. Informing their father of the fact, Ludwig examined the remains, and found by the hunting-shirt, which was intact, that it was the In -.

dian referred to. It appeared that some ill-disposed whites had gone to the cabin of the Indian and wan- tonly shot him, but did not kill him. With his little strength remaining the poor Indian crawled up and. then down the side of the Fourth Mountain, across Clark's Valley ; thenee up the Third Mountain to the " King's Stool." where he died from exhaustion. The rock alluded to is a huge bowlder heaved on the top of another, and as high as the tallest trees.

DAUPHIN is a prosperous town located at the month of Stony Creek, nine miles north of Harrisburg. The first settlement made at that point was by Samnel Sturgeon, who removed thither shortly after the French and Indian war. A mill was built there in 1770, and the place went by the name of Green's mill. The town was laid out in 1326 by Innis Green for the Dauphin and Schuylkill Coal Company, and by him named Port Lyon. It was afterwards and for many years called Greensburg, until it was made a post- town, when the name was changed to Dauphin, for the county, and when the borough was incorporated, 31st of March, 1845, the post-office name was adopted.

CORPORATION OFFICERS .- The borough was in- corporated March 31, 1845. Its officers since then have been :

BURGESSES.

1845. Joseph S. Dixon.

1857. Jacob, Stevenson.

J846. H. B. Crouse.

1860. Dr. William Graydon.

1947. John Ehrtan.

1861. J. W. Griffith.

1548. Robert Simmons.

1864-65. Not found.

1-50. William Lackey.

1866. William Clark.

1SS1. J Ray.

1×72. John Crouse.

1852. Martin Byan.

1879 Edward O. Wino.

1853. Ezra Chase.

1880. T. G. Sweitzer.

1854. Peter Mccullough.

ISSI. Edward O. Winn.

1856. Augustus Garverich.

TOWN CLERKS.

1845. J. Wilson Parks.

1859. Joseph F. Corbett.

1846. Peter Miller.

1800. Jefferson Clark.

1849. John Ehrman.

1862. Leonard Poffenberger.

1850. P. B. Greenwalt.

1863. J. W. Griffith.

1851. Peter Mccullough.

1867. Philip Greenawalt.

1853. J. W. Griffith. 1873. A. F. Stees.

1854. Philip Gre-nawalt. 1474 Jacob W. Shope.

1555. Josiah C. Young. 1876. II. D. Greenawalt.

1:56. Josiah Frame.

1.77. T. G. Sweitzer.

1558 Ira M. Frame.

1879. T. C. Mertz.

HILL CHURCH .- About 1770 a log house was erected for a meeting-house on land owned by Robert MeCord, half a mile north of the present town, and on the site of the " Hill Church Cemetery." On Oct. 11, 1796, an agreement was entered into whereby Mr. McCord stipulated to convey by deed said lot to the tru-tees of the Middle Paxtang Presbyterian congre- the cry of the panther. The en-ning summer the . gation. This conveyance was made Nov. 6. 1813, to William Cochran, William Forster, and James Green as said trustees. The expenses of its erection were principally met by the Scotch-Irish settlers, who were then the main farmers of this region. The con- gregation at one time was very large, and this old log structure (weatherboarded ) held two hundred persons

The increase of German settlers led to the Scotch-

448

HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.

Irish Presbyterians removing, and the church edifice passed into the hands of the Lutherans and German Reformed, or was jointly owned by them and the remaining Presbyterian>. It burned down in 1855, but for some five or six years previous had not been used for religion- service -.

A PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION was organized April 6, 1850, when twenty-three members entered into solemn articles of covenant and faith. There is no record before that, although previous to that time Rev. Dr. De Witt, of Harrisburg. preached occasion- ally in the school-house and at the old " Hill Church." Rev. George R. Moore came June 21, 1848, to officiate at the old " ltill Church," and was ordained Oct. 18, 1848. Under his auspices the congregation was formed as previously stated. He preached mainly in the school-house. The new church was dedicated May 12, 1850. The bell was a donation from John W. Patton, Esq., of Philadelphia. Miss Monroe and other ladies, of Wilmington, Del .. donated the com- munion service. Rev. George R. Moore continued as pastor to June, 1:56; Rev. John W. Davis, from March, 1857, to August, 1860; Rev. Alexander D. Moore, from Sept. 8, 1860, to Sept. S, 1868; Rev. David C. Menker, from Dec. 1, 1868, to April 25, 1880; and the pre-ent incumbent, Rev. Robert F. Mc- Clean, from Sept. 1. 1880.

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History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical, Part 110

Author: Egle, William Henry, 1830-1901 Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1046

Author: Egle, William Henry, 1830-1901
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1046