USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pt. 1 > Part 68
USA > Pennsylvania > Carbon County > History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pt. 1 > Part 68
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about twenty miles. By taking a view of Carbon County, right before one, as it seems, appears the re- nowned Switch Baek. The Delaware Water Gap and other places of interest to tourists can be seen from these rocks. The fertile valleys lying beneath, on both sides of the mountain, again broken by small hills, and now and then a tract of woods presents a scene that will always be remembered. Not unfre- quently is the expression heard from tourists, who have had views from the Alps, that with the excep- tion of the Alps, the Bear Rocks present the grandest view they ever saw. The rocks are frequently visited by parties coming- from a distance, and never was any one known to regret a visit. They are accessible with- out much difficulty, and no one who is interested in the wonderful works of nature should miss the grand view which they command.
Mechanical Industries .- About the year 1832," Philip Hess, Jr., ereeted a large rifle-factory at the foot of the Blue Mountain, on the south side, and about one-half of a mile west of the old Balliet's Furnace, afterwards known as the old Lehigh Fur- nace, on the west branch of the road leading across the Blue Mountain from Saegersville to Lehighton. This road is still familiarly known as the Factory road. The factory was supplied with water-power, and a very extensive business was done for a number of years by Philip Hess, Jr. He employed Solomon Walter, Frank Walter, Sr., and others in the vicinity, and at the same time Mr. Dehring and others from Philadelphia. The factory was long ago abandoned, and the property is now owned by Wilson and Peter German, who turned the factory into a distillery. Jonas Hess, Solomou Hess, and others in the vicinity continued in the gunsmith business for a number of years after the factory was abandoned.
John Jacob Snyder erected a grist-mill on Jordan Creek, near the line of Lowhill township, in the year 1808. This was the first mill erceted in that vicinity, and is still standing. It is now owned and occupied by Elias Kressley.
Township Officers .- Justices of the peace have been elected in and for this township since 1840. The following persons have served the terms indi- cated :
Counmissioned.
Commissioned,
George Rex. .April 14, 1:10
Samnel J. Kistler ... April 15, 1862
John Saeger ..
14, 1810
Joel P. Geiger ...
11, 1865
George Rex.
15, 1×15
Samuel J. Kistler .. =
...
Joel P. Geiger ... .. 8, 1:50
Sammel I, Kistler ... March 21, IST
Samuel 1. Kistler ...
13, 1>53
lodl P. Geiger ... 1:1, 1875
John Saeger .. 11, 1855
11, 1855
Joel P. Geiger ... 30, 1850
i
Sammel J. Kistler ... 13, IN58 Samuel .1. Kistler ...
Wilson R. Peter .....
10, 1860
9, 1867
John Saeger.
15, 1815
13, 1869
1 Samuel J. Kistler !..
1 John Saeger 9, 1850
11, ISUS
Samuel .I. Kistler ... 7.1879
Jacob German
Among the early justices of the peace who were appointed by the government for the Heidelberg Dis- triet we find the names of Henry Geiger, 1762; John Jennings, 1774; Henry Booken, 1774 ; Robert Levers,
1 At this Inte the Township was divided.
1
280
HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
1779 ; Peter Kohler, 1785 ; Peter Rhoads, one of the judges, 1786 ; Samuel Everitt, 1798 and 1806 ; Conrad German, 1812; Nicholas Saeger, 1817 ; John Saeger, 1826 ; Nicholas Saeger, 1829; Daniel Saeger, 1812; William Fenstermacher, 1811; Peter Haas, 1820; Peter Snyder, George Rex, John Weiss, John Weida, Jacob Zimmerman.
The following is a list of the auditors who have served from 1804 to 1883 :
1804 .- George Horn, William Peter, and John Rex. 1805 .- William Peter, Philip Reber, and William Fenstermacher. 1806-7 .- Christian Smith, Philip Reber, and William Fenstermacher. 1808 .- Christian Smith, Philip Reber, and George Kelchner. 1809 .- Ilenty Hunsicker, Jacob Peter, and Michael Hoffman. 1810 .- William Fenstermacher, George Kelchner, and Philip Reber. 1811 .- Christian Smith, Gottfriet Roth, and Willium Rex. 1812 .- Philip Reber, John Ringer, and John Peter. 1813 .- Conrad German, John Ringer, and Joseph Saeger.
1814 .- Ileury l'eter, Christian Hausman, and Joseph Saeger.
1815 .- William Fenstermacher, Abraham Riedy, Jr., and Joseph Saeger. 1816 .- Daniel Peter, Abraham Riedy, Jr, and Joseph Saeger. 1817 .- Christopher Kern, John Peter, and Joseph Saeger. 1818 .- Jolin Ringer, Conrad German, nud Joseph Saeger. 1819 .- Jolin Saeger, Philip Krauss, and Jacob Schneider, Jr. 1820 .- Joseph Saeger, Christian Schmidt, and Cournd German. 1823 .- Joseph Saeger, Philip Kranss, and Abraham Riedy, Jr. 1822,-Abraham German, John Wuchter, and Abraham Riedy, Jr. 1823 .- Conrad German and Joseph Saeger.
1824 .- Conrad German, Joseph Saeger, and Abraham Riedy, dr.
1825,-Jolin Saeger, Michael Harter, and Heury Roth.
1826,-burs Rudy, Jr., Joseph Saeger, and Henry Ruth.
1827 .- Joseph Saeger, William Fenstermacher, and Heury Stemler.
1828 .- William Fenstermacher, Michael Harter, and Heury Roth,
1820 .- Durs Rudy, George Rex, Abraham Riedy, Jr.
1830 .- John Kühner, John Rex, Joseph Innsicker, and Abraham Riedy, Jr.
1831 .- Durs Rudy, Nicholas Kern, John Saeger, and George Rex, Jr. 1832 .- Jolin Wuchter, John Meyer, and Andrew Kunkel.
1833 .- Conrad German, Jonas Buck, und George Rex, Jr.
1834 .- l'eter Miller, Jr., Henry Henritzy, and Jacob D. Kuntz.
1835,-Jacob D. Kuntz, Daniel Kilmer, Peter Miller, Jr., and John Saeger.
1836 .- Henry Smith, George Rex, Jr., Jonas Buck.
1837 .- Durs Rudy, Jonus Buck, Jacob D. Kuntz, and Abrahani Riedy, Jr. 1838-39 .- George Rex, Ferdinand Berkemeyer, and Jacob D. Kuntz. 1840 .- George Rex, Ferdinand Berkemeyer, and Poter Miller, Jr. 1811-12 .- George Rex, Ferdinand Berkemeyer. 1813 .- George Rex, Ferdinand Berkemeyer, and Peter Miller, Jr. 1814 .- Godfrey Peter, Ferdinand Berkemeyer, and Peter Miller, Jr. 1815-17.1-Godfrey Peter, John Fenstermacher, and Peter Miller, Jr. 1848 .- Stephen Schlosser, John Fenstermacher, and l'eter Miller, Jr. IN10 50, - Godfrey Poter, John Millhouse, and Peter Miller, Jr.
1831 Levl Krause, Jolm Millhouse, and Peter Miller, Jr. 1833. -. Nathan Wnchtor and Peter Miller, Jr.
1863. 51 .- John Kressley, Nathan Kemmerer, and Ruben Gorman. 1855 .- John Kressley, Jucob German, and Levi Peter.
1856 .- David Smith, Jacob German, and Levl Peter. 1857 .- David Smith, Stephon Peler, und Levi Peter. 1853 .- David Smith, Stephen l'eter, and Owen A. Millor. 1859 .- Nathan Wuchter, Stephen l'eter, and Owen A. Miller.
1860 .- Owen A. Miller, Nathan Wuchter, and Gideon Hunsicker. 1861 .- Stephen Petor, Nathan Wuchter, und Gideon Huusicker. 1862,-Stephen Peter, Levi Hunsicker, and Gideon IIunsicker. 1863-61 -Stephon l'etor, Levi Hunsicker, und Nathan Wuchter. 1865 .- Stephen Peter, William F. Smith, nud Nathan Wuchter. 1860 .- Stephen Peter, William F. Smith, and Nathan Clouse. 1867 .- William F. Smith and Nathan Clouse,
1868 .- Jouns W. George, William F. Smith, and Nathan Clouse. 1859 .- Jonas W. George, William F. Smith, und David Intl. 1970 .- William F. Smith and David Hull. 1871 .- Stephen Peter and David Huff.
1 Doc. 6, 1847, Washington township was formed.
1872-73 .- Stephen l'eter, Phaon W. Mouta, and Joseph Runch. 1871 .- William F. Smith, Phaon W. Moutz, and Joseph Rauch. 1875 .- William F. Smith, Phaon W. Montz, and Owen II. Peter. 1876-79 .- Owen D. Snyder, Phaon W. Moutz, and Owen II. l'eter. 1880 .- Owen D. Spyder, Wilson S. l'eter, and Owen 11. Peter. 1881 .- Owen D. Snyder, Wilson S. Peter, and Jeremiah P. Gelger. 1882 .-- Renben 11. Sensinger, Wilson S. Peter, and Jeremiah P. Geiger. 1883 .- Renben Il. Sensinger und William T. Clause,
SUPERVISORS.
1803. Abraham Riedy.
1835. Joseph Hunsicker.
William Peter. John Fenstermacher.
1804. George Remely. 1836. Jacob Peter.
Jolin Lentz. Henry Kern.
1805. John Ilunsicker.
Martin Wuchter.
1806. Christian Snyder." 1838. Jacob Remely.
Henry Hunsicker. Jolin Snyder.
1807. Andrew Gildner.
Daniel Reber.
1808. Michael Wehr.
Joli Frederick.
1809. Joseph Hunsicker. Jacob Rambol.
1841. John Wasem. Adamn German.
1810. John Innsicker.
Jolin Peter.
1811. Jacob Wehr. Nichulas Kern.
1843. Jonas Hunsicker. Jacob Rex.
1844. Jolm Reber.
1812. Casper Peter. Godfried Roth.
Jonas Bloss.
1813. Christian Kram. Daniel Roeder.
1845. Frederick Kranss. Jonas Bloxs.
1814. Christian Hunslcker.
1846. Jacob Ilurter.
Henry Peter.
George Bloss.
1815. Jncoli Suyder.
Jacob Snyder.
1816. Christian Smith. Michael Wehr.
1848. Christian Hunsickor, Philip Smith.
1817, George Bloss.
Henry Smith.
Samnel Gehrey.
1850. John Kressley.
Casper Handwerk.
1819. l'eter Miller. George Peter.
1851. Daniel Kemmerer. Peter Miller (farmer).
1820. Joseph Ilunsicker. Henry Handwerk.
1821. Michael Horter. Cusper Poter.
1853, Casper Handwerk. Elias Suyder.
1822. John Saeger. George Rex.
1823. Christian Missemner.
1855. John Kressley.
Danlol Kern.
Elias Moutz.
1856. Houry Krum.
Geurge lloatz.
1825, Gheorge horn.
1837. Stephen Bachman. Elias Mantz.
1858. Nathan Clouse.
1827. Henry Peter.
Michael Peter.
1859. Jacob K vessley. Samuel Gehirey.
1828. Daniel K runss. Jacob Clouse.
1860. Owen Miller. Elias Moutz.
1861. Elias Hontz.
1830. Jolm Ilunsicker. Christian Keru.
Georgo Metzger.
1831. Heury Hourilzy. Christian Wort.
1863. Jacob lorter. Nathan Clouse.
1832. Christian Suyder.
1861. Sammel Gehrey. doliu Roder.
Danlel Sensluger.
1833. John Smith. 1865. Sumintel Gehrey.
Daniel Helfrich.
Jacob Kressley.
1834. George Bloss,
1x66. Inniel Kemmerer.
John Reber. - Jacob Pressley.
" Dec. 6. 1x17, Washington township was established.
1852. Michael Wehr.
Elias Montz.
1854. l'eter Miller (farmer). Martin Handwerk.
1824. Jolm Miller. Jacob Metzger.
John Handwerk.
1826. John Krossley. Jucob Snyder.
Samuel Gehrey.
George Metzger.
1862. Casper Handwerk.
1829. Jonas Buck. George Blays.
1847.2 Jonas Hoffman. Benjamin Ranch.
1849. Jolin Kressley.
1818. John Peter. Abralmm German.
1839, George Bloss. Michael Wehr.
1840. Jolin Bloss.
Peter Miller.
1842. George Reber. William Wuchter.
1837. Jolin Handwerk. George l'eter.
281
HEIDELBERG TOWNSHIP.
1867-68, Samuel delrey. Jacob Kressley.
1869-71. Samuel Gehrey.
Nathan Wuchter.
1881. Nathan Snyder.
1872. Nathan lorler.
Nathan Horter.
Nathan Wuchter.
1882. Nathan Wuchter.
Samuel Gehrey.
1873-76. Samvel Gehroy. Nathan Wuchter.
1883. Nathan Wuchter.
1877. Samuel Gehrey.
Monroe Sensinger.
CONSTABLES.
1843-44. Nathan Peter.
1845-47. George loatz.1
1 1858-59. William Adamy. 1860-65. Tilghman Peler.
1848. Jolin Reber.
1866-72. William Fry.
1849. llenry Smith,
1873-75. Harrison G. Snyder.
1850-52. George Ilaatz.2
1876-82. Aaron S. Lobach.
1853-55. William Adams.
1883. Harrisou G. Suyder.
1856-57. Peter Miller (farmer).
1884. John A. Roberts.
The Village of Saegersville is located near the eentre of the township, six miles west of Slatington, one mile west of Heidelberg Church, and a little over one mile east of the Schuylkill and Lehigh Railroad station at Germansville. It has one hundred and forty-two inhabitants. Michael Ohl, Sr., was the original owner of the place, and had in his possession from six to eight hundred acres of land surrounding the village site. Tradition has it that all this land scarcely yielded enough to support himself and family. The same land is now divided between Peter Miller, Dr. Aaron S. Miller, Dr. Edward P. Miller, Samuel J. Kistler, Wilson K. Peter, Frank G. Snyder, Harrison G. Snyder, Peter Pfeifly, Edwin Hunsicker, Levi Hunsicker, William Adams, David G. Handwerk, David Hunsieker, Lewis K. Peter, Thomas K. Moser, Tilghman Peter, Owen HT. Peter, Aaron S. Lobach, Owen D. Snyder, William Fry, Sally Snyder, Maggie A. Zuill, Gideon II. Peter, David P. Handwerk, Reu- ben Reber, Wilson F. Peter, and others. Any single farm of those above mentioned, and they average about eighty aeres, yields more now than did the en- tire amount of land while Michael Ohl, Sr., had it in his possession. The tract on which the hotel and store-house stands is now owned by Dr. A. S. Mil- ler. Following is a brief account of the traet, which contains eighty-seven aeres and eighty perches. It is the same tract which by patent dated the 5th day of December, 1,60, was granted to Michael Ohl, Sr., who, by deed dated Dec. 20, 1785, conveyed it to his son, Henry Ohl, who, by deed dated April 24, 1805, con- veyed the same to Samnel Ely and Jacob Sweier, who, by deed dated Jan. 29, 1806, conveyed the same to Nicholas Saeger, who, by deed dated the 3d day of February, 1807, conveyed the same to his son, Joseph Saeger, who, with his wife Margaretta, by deed dated May 4, 1846, conveyed the same to Peter Miller, his son-in-law, who, with Magdalena, his wife, by deed dated April 1, 1874, conveyed the same with other land unto his son, Dr. Aaron S. Miller, the present pos- sessor. All the residue of the land of Michael Oh!, Sr., adjoining the above-mentioned tract, was patented
1 Washington township was formed Dec. 6, 1817.
" David Bloss uppointed by the court in 1852. Election set aside,
at the same time in the year 1785, or in the beginning · of 1786, and he conveyed it to his son, Henry Ohl. Michael Ohl, Sr., owned land besides the above men- tioned, which was situated in different localities within and out of the township. He had also another son by the name of Michael Ohl, Jr. (who finally moved away), to whom it seems he conveyed his re- maining land. Henry Ohl, in April, 1805, conveyed all his land to Samuel Ely and Jacob Sweier, who both then resided in Maxatawny township, Berks County, and were dealers in land. Immediately after they secured possession of the land they di. vided it into suitable tracts and sold the same to dif- ferent parties. Samuel Ely died in the year 1828, at his house in Maxatawny township, Berks County, and Daniel Woeburger was administrator of his estate.
Henry Ohl now having disposed of his land, moved with his family to Trumbull County, Ohio, where a township was named after him. Michael Oh! died in 1804, aged seventy-four years, and, with several of the Ohl family, is buried here in the Heidelberg Church cemetery. Mary Ohil, who was unmarried, gave five hundred dollars towards building the old Heidelberg Church. She is one of those who are buried there. None of the Ohl family or descendants of the family are now living in this township, or on this side of the Blue Mountains. But some of them are still living along Lizard Creek, in Carbon and Schuylkill Coun- ties. They are the descendants of Michael Ohl, Jr.
Michael Ohl, Sr., erected the main portion of the house, which is still standing and used as a hotel. On one of the stones the year 1768 is carved.
Nicholas Saeger, who was a brother to Jacob and Daniel Saeger, of Saegerstown, Crawford Co., and the father of Joseph, John, and Daniel Saeger, of New York State, bought the land of Samuel Ely and Jacob Sweier in 1806. Ile sold the part on which the hotel and store is erected in 1807 to his son, Jo- seph Saeger, and the other part to his son, John Sae- ger. Joseph Saeger, after he had lived for a period of two years on the premises, commenced to keep the hotel and store, and continued in the business until the year 1881, when he moved to ARentown, and there entered in the mercantile business with Chris- tian Pretz, under the firm-name of Pretz & Saeger.
Peter Miller in 1831 moved into the hotel, and was proprietor of the same. He also kept the store, hav- ing Pretz and Saeger as partners in the business until the year 1840, when they withdrew from the firm, and Owen Saeger became a partner, and the business was transacted under the firm-name of Miller & Saeger until the year 1816, when Owen Saeger withdrew from the firm, and removed to Allentown, where he - entered into the hardware business. Then from 1816 to 1859, Peter Miller kept the store alone. During the time that he was carrying on the hotel and store his wife, Magdalena, more familiarly known as Polly, was carrying on the millinery business, and at the . same time assisted him in the store. In 1859, Peter
1877. Elias Lentz.
1×78-80. Nathan Wuchter. Nalban Horler.
282
HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Miller disposed of the store business, but still con- tinued as proprietor of the hotel.
Samuel J. Kistler in 1859 became the owner of the store; he continued in the business until 1870, when he sold out to Abraham D. Kistler and Wilson K. Peter, who, under the firm-name of Kistler & Peter, kept the store until the year 1873, when Abraham D. Kistler sold his share, consisting of one-half, to Wil- son K. Peter, who continued the store business until 1878, when he sold out to Herman A. Snyder. Peter Miller now being anxious to retire from public life, left the hotel in 1875, being succeeded by Willoughby Missemer, who was the proprietor from 1875 to 1878. Hernan A. Snyder, after having obtained the store, in 1878, also became proprietor of the hotel. He continued both in the hotel and store business until 1881, when he sold both to L. M. Holben, the pres- ent proprietor. Peter Miller had been proprietor of the hotel for forty-four years, and had kept the store for twenty-eight years.
The first post-office at Saegersville was established on Jan. 1, 1829, under John McLean, Postmaster- General, who appointed Joseph Saeger as postmaster. He served as postmaster until 1831, when Peter Miller was appointed, who held the office until the year 1852, when it was removed to Germansville, where Nathan German was first appointed postmaster, and afterwards David Ross held the office until 1862. It was then removed to Saegersville, and, in 1862, Dr. E. P. Mil- ler was appointed as postmaster, and served until 1867, when Abraham D. Kistler was appointed, who held the office until 1869, when Sophia R. Miller (now Mrs. Dr. W. G. M. Seiple) was appointed postmis- tress, and served as such until 1871. Samuel J. Kist- ler was appointed postmaster, under Postmaster-Gen- eral John A. J. Creswell, on Sept. 25. 1871, and still holds the office.
The general and township elections were held here from the first organization of the township, also when Heidelberg and Washington were all in one township. It has been the election-place sinee the township was divided, with the exception of several years, when the elections were held at Holbensville, now called Plus- ant Corner.
Peculiar Old-Time Politics .- In 1811, when Wil- liam Findlay, Democrat, and Joseph Hiester, Feder- alist, were nominated as candidates for Governor, Findlay defeated Hiester, and was elected. During this campaign great confusion ensued among the voters of this election district. There were then ouly about sixteen or seventeen Federalist voters in the township, the great majority being Democrats. The Federalists all changed their politics, becoming Democrats, and supporting Findlay for Governor. The Democrats changed their politics and supported Hiester for Governor. Joseph Saeger aud Conrad German, Esq., were at the head of this movement. John Saeger, Esq., for a time opposed the change, but finally yielded. It was not until Iliester and
Findlay were again nominated for Governor, in 1820. In this campaign Hiester ( Federalist) defeated Find- lay, and was elected Governor. Judge Peter Haas and his adherents of Lynn township after this cam- paign changed their politics and became Democrats. Judge Haas, during the campaign, did all that was in his power for the election of Hiester. After the election of Hiester he disappointed Haas, who there- upon became his bitter enemy and a Democrat. The Federalists in Heidelberg voted that ticket until Jo- seph Ritner, in 1829, was first nominated for Gov- ernor and defeated. In 1832 he was again nominated, and also defeated. In 1835 he was renominated, and was elected. He was again a candidate in 1838, but was defeated. The voters of this district voted the Anti-Masonic and afterwards the Whig ticket. In 1838, when David R. Porter was elected Governor, de- feating Ritner, there were only seventeen Democrats in the whole township (ineluding what is now Wash- ington) who voted for Porter. The following were among them, viz .: Henry Leh, Daniel Hausman, Daniel Kiehner, Nicholas Kern.
After the election of Porter the Democrats held a celebration at Allentown, and, sending coaches up to Heidelberg, gathered the seventeen Democrats and conveyed them to that place, where they were to par- ticipate in the celebration. It was a joyful occasion for them, and the event was long remembered.
Saegersville was the place where the militia held their yearly battalion drill. This was an occurrence that was anxiously waited for, and both young and old, not only from the immediate neighborhood but from far distances, came together to have a day of eu- joyment. It was to them what the agricultural fairs are at the present, and the attraction seemed to be as great.
Saegersville, instead of having now but two or three mails per week as it had of okl, has daily two mails by railroad, and besides an overland route to Macungie, going to and fro every alternate day. In July, 1880, the Lehigh Telegraph Company erected its lines through the village, and placed instruments in the office of S. J. Kistler. This communication is afforded by telegraph to all parts.
The first English school in the township was hekl in this place in about the year 1823. Judge David Laury and Mrs. Peter Miller went to school to- gether here. The teachers were John Brown (one- armed) and William Lester, a Quaker, who came from Germantown. The house in which the school was held was a one-story log house, which stood until a few years ago.
Tanneries .- The first tannery in Saegersville was erected by Henry Drumbower, who had bought some land here from Samuel Ely and Jacob Sweier on Oet. 24, 1805. lle carried on the business until about the year 1812, when he sold out to Abraham Roeder. Afterwards he moved to Mosser's tannery (the place at which it was situated is now called Mosserville).
283
HEIDELBERG TOWNSHIP.
There he lived but for a short time, when one of his children drowned. After that he removed to Quaker- town, the place from whence he had come. Abraham Roeder continued to carry on the tanning business at this place until after his death, when his son, Conrad Roeder, Jr., continued until about the year 1850. After that Stephen M. Kistler carried on the business until 1853, when Stephen M. Kistler and Godfrey Peter entered into partnership, and commenced to carry on the business in the new tannery which God- frey Peter had erected, on the north side of the road (the old tannery was standing on the south side of the road, where the old dwelling-house of the late Roeder's family is). Stephen M. Kistler and Godfrey Peter continued in business until June, 1856, when Stephen M. Kistler sold his interest in the firm to Godfrey Peter, and moved to Millport, Carbon Co. The business was continued by Godfrey Peter until April, 1860, and from then on under the firm-name of Godfrey Peter & Son, until April, 1864, when Godfrey Peter sold his interest to his son, Owen H. Peter, and to Thomas K. Moser, business being now trans- acted under the firm-name of Peter & Moser, who have been possessors of the same up to the present time. Owen HJ. Peter became the owner of the build- ing and ground in 1861.
Deibertsville is situated about two miles east of Saegersville, on one of the roads leading from Saegers- ville to Allentown. The place was owned by John Krause (the father of Frederick Krause, deceased) about ten years ago. Peter Butz resided on the place after him, and he was succeeded by Henry Roth, who kept a hotel. He was succeeded by J. Peter Miller, who also continued the hotel business until the year 1842, when he sold out to Daniel Deibert, who was the owner of the property until his death, which occurred in the year 1881; during this time he con- ducted the business himself, with the exception of the last few years, when it was under the supervision of William Metzger, who became the owner, in 1882, of the hotel, store, and land, but sold it the same year to Harrison German. During the last two years the hotel was kept by B. F. Eisenhard. The store business was commenced there in 1848 by Levi Krause, who first kept the store in the next room in the building in which the hotel is now kept. Ile soon afterwards erected a store-house, which still !
remains, standing opposite the hotel on the other side of the road, continued the business for several years, when he was succeeded by David Huff, Wil- liam Hicker, and Jeremiah P. Geiger, who was again succeeded by Isaac S. Dietrich, who is the present proprietor of the store,, who took possession in April, 1883.
Germansville is situated in Heidelberg township, one mile west of Saegersville, on the Schuylkill and Lehigh Railroad, seven miles west of Slatington, thirty-five miles east of Reading, Pa., and three miles south of the Blue Mountain. The Jordan Creek passes through the place. The original owner of the land on which Germansville is situated was Adam German, Sr., to whom two hundred and fifty acres of land was granted on June 30, 1742, and again one hundred and one acres and one hundred and forty-four perches adjacent land on Nov. 16, 1786.
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