USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pt. 1 > Part 71
USA > Pennsylvania > Carbon County > History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pt. 1 > Part 71
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Adam Bear.
Conrad Jacoby.
Abraham Knerr.
Adam Knanss. Contad Knerr. Andrew Knerr.
John Hartnab.
David Kuntz.
lacob Sherry.
Simon Kocher.
Conrad Smith.
Casper Klotz. Andrew Knerr.
Abraham Smidt.
Jacob Kline.
Single Freemen.
Adam Frey.
Potor F'reis. John Kuntz.
Martin Serpert.
Jacob Ocher. lacol Gressley. lacob Ilansman. John Deibert,
Amount of tax, $170.55.
Moser's (now Hollenbach's) Mill .- John Deter Bowman, by warrant dated May 23, 1751, came in possession of a large traet of land, part of which Michael Mosser purchased on May 12, 1760. The Mossers were the first millers in the township. They owned the mill where the Klines lived (now Schlech- er's), before the Klines came in possession of it, and then bought the above tract, on which, about 1760, a mill was erected-not on the site now occupied by Hollenbach's mill, but on the other side of the ereck. The present mill was built about the year 1800. The mill, or mills, were in possession by the Mossers until the year 1845, when John Hollenbach, a son-in-law of Philip Mosser (he, Mosser, being of the third gen- eration), eame in possession, who held the same until 1858, when it came in possession of his son, the pres- ent owner, Moses Hollenbach. Thus the mills wire owned by this family from one generation to the other for about one hundred and twenty years.
Early Store .- It is believed by some that Balzer Fritz kept the first store in Lowhill, on the road lead- ing from Claussville to Fogelsville, at the place where Andrew Shiferstine kept a hotel, and which was later kept by Joel Klotz.
Shiferstine was at one time a justice of the peace.
The Lowhill Church.1-The church building stands near the northwestern boundary of Lowhill township, Lehigh Co., Pa. The congregation dwell within a district which is bounded on the north by Heidelberg, and touches on the south the limits of the Ziegel congregation, and on the east those of the Morgenland (formerly the Jordan) congregation. The church takes its name from the township. The Jordan, which meanders from Heidelberg through this township, flows through a hilly country, made uncommonly fertile by the numerous little brooks springing out of the many narrow valleys. The sur- face of the entire township is divided into bills and small valleys, full of springs and brooks of the clearest water, hence the name of Lowhill.
These very springs of pure water, flowing through fertile meadows, and the hills well covered with forests, attracted the first settlers to this spot. When nowadays one wanders through this region, and sees the beautiful new honses placed upon the hills or by the side of the road, and asks where did the old house stand, he is invariably answered, " Down below there, by the spring in the meadow."
For the history of the settlement, see the history of Weissenberg Church.
The Lowhill congregation properly dates its begin- ning from that of the Weissenberg. The very mem- bers who originally formed this congregation assisted in founding the Weissenberg Church, and were of the principal communicants there. A controversy which broke ont between the Lutheran and Reformed mem- bers of the Weissenberg Church enused the latter to
1 By Rev. W. A. Ihelfrich.
Nicholas Seibert.
Jacob Zimmerman.
George Knutz.
Andrew Knerr.
George Seibert,
John Eberts.
George Folk.
293
LOWHILL TOWNSHIP.
leave that church and originate the Lowhill congre- gation.
The organization was effected at a meeting of the members held on the 27th of January, 1769, at which a constitution and rules for the construction of a church building were signed. Jacob Baelnan, Jr., presented a tract of land, about three aeres thirty square rods in extent, for the site of the church and for the burial-place. The lawful deed for this he presented on the day before named to the Assembly. The land lies about half a mile east of the Weissen- berg Church, upon a beautiful elevation, where the third church now stands, and from which its bell sends its peals through the valleys below.
The names subscribed to the constitution then adopted are as follows: Jacob Bachman, Jr., Jost Georg, Nicolaus Mannebach, Andreas Eschbach, Johann Hartman, Johannes Georg, Peter Weiss, Georg Georg, Engel Thomas, Jacob Bachman, Sr., Nicolaus Bachman, Christoph Knor, Heinrich Kempfer, Peter Kocher, Paul Bachmann, Johann Simon Georg.
At the meeting above referred to a subscription- list was also begun for the purpose of defraying the expenses of building the church. In addition to the above names the following, who afterwards joined this church, also contributed towards its construc- tion : Sylvester Holben, Wilhelm Holben, Elizabeth Reichel (widow), Bernhard Schneider, J. W. Selmei- der, Peter Bahl, Abraham Knor, Lorenz Bachmann, Friederich Schneiter, Heinrich Ohl (Heidelberg), Michael Deybert, Johann Tiessluss, Catharina Kemp- fer, Philipp Ennes, Christian Reiss, Johannes Rein- schmidt, Wilhelm Stumpf, Nicolaus Kocher, Michael Probst, Sr.
The total of the above contributions was £37 138. 6d. ; additional contributions at a meeting held after the church was completed, 51 16s .; total cost, 589 98. 6d.
The church was built during the progress of the summer, and was dedicated on the 3d of September, 1769, by Rev. Philipp J. Michael. It was built of logs, but is said to have been more carefully finished than other churches of that neighborhood which had been constructed earlier. Upon the dedication, Ilein- rich Ohl, of Heidelberg, presented to the new congre- | gation a black altar-cloth ; Mrs. Heinrich Kempfer, a white one (in those days, indeed, they were called table-cloths, because a table was made to serve for the altar) ; Nicolaus Mannebach, two smaller cloths ; Elizabeth Reichel, the widow of Johannes Reichel, a communion service ; and Nicolaus Maunebach, with Abraham Knor, a baptismal service.
The following members soon joined the congrega- tion (they were mostly emigrants) : Johann Adam Geiss, Jacob Bar, Wilhelm Schmetton, Jacob Musser- genng, George A. Onthekunst, Adam Dries, Jacob Harner, Esq., Georg Falk, Philipp Fenstermacher, Mathias Schlimann, Nicolaus Impody, as well as others.
About 1770, Dr. Johannes Yambert resided in this community. He had several children baptized here. He soon disappeared from the neighborhood, not find- ing employment sufficient to stave off Ininger, for the hardy constitutions of the old German settlers required bat a good strong dram-soup (Trammsuppe) for the speedy eure of their simple ailments. At the time of the discovery of coffee, Dr. Yambert found occasion to go to Philadelphia, and there bought some beans of the new vegetable, and brought them home with him to Lynn township. Madame Yambert did not know what to do with the coffee or how to prepare it for the table, neither did the doctor, for he had entirely for- gotten to ask for instruction on this point. But as the coffee had been dearly paid for they resolved to pre- pare it in some way, and at length decided on cooking it with other vegetables. So the coffee was put into a boiler along with a dainty morsel of bacon, and hung over the fire. But the beans would not become soft like other beans, nor conld the dish be reconciled to their appetites, and the doctor came to the conclusion that it was food fit only for hogs.
Soon the congregation recognized the necessity of a school-house. They did not like to send their chil- dren to the distant Weissenberg school. It was there- fore resolved to ereet a school-honse. But for this purpose more land was needed, and Jacob Bachman, who owned all the land surrounding the church, in part sold and in part gave the congregation seventeen acres additional, so that the church and school lands now comprised twenty-two acres eighteen square rods. This was done on the 19th of March, 1786. The school-house was built and a teacher appointed, who, as everywhere else, in consideration for the use and occupation of the land, led the singing in divine ser- vice. For leading the singing at funerals, and for teaching school, he was paid.
At the founding of the church, while Rev. Michael now and then preached in an irregular sort of fashion without having received a formal call, no baptismal register was kept. This was not begun till 1772, when Rev. Johann Heinrich Helfrich was called to serve the congregation, and by him the prior baptisms were entered. From that year on the register was regularly kept until the time of Rev. Johannes Helf- frich, who kept private memoranda, for the custom of having children baptized at home arose at that time, and they were not then entered upon the church register ; and from that time ou Rov. Helffrich and his successors began keeping their own private rec- ords, in which they entered notes of all their minis- terial work, such as births, deaths, marriages, and confirmations, in the most careful manner.
In comparison with Macungie the land in Lowhill is very poor. The first settlers mainly raised buck- wheat, corn, and rye. The meadows in the valleys they used for pasturing their cattle, to the raising of which they devoted themselves. Sheep they kept in numbers, and wherever there was a fertile spot of
29-4
HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
ground they raised flax. With the arrival of winter the spinning-wheels hummed and buzzed in every home, and the flax and the wool were hardly all spun by spring. It was a joy to see the boxes and chests full of linens and woolen blankets. Every one wore home-made clothes, which were warm and strong. The spinning-wheel prepared the way for another oc- cupation, that of weaving, with which many of the people supported themselves, for generally every sixth or seventh house contained a loom, in which the busy shuttle was plied from early morn until late at night. Even if the land was barren the people were industrious and more saving than elsewhere,-often- times too much so,-and so the Lowhill and all the Gravel settlers, even if not rich, were prosperous.
The second church was built in the year 1798. The old building had become too small. The old contests, too, were closed, since many of the young men had married maidens from Weissenberg of the Lutheran faith, and these desired to go to church and join the communion of their faith, so nothing was easier than the transition by which the purely Reformed Lowhill Church was changed into a Union Church. A new constitution was agreed upon, the church and all her possessions made common, and then the work of building was begun. On the 28th of May, 1798, the corner stone was laid, with services conducted by Rev. Johann Heinrich Helffrich, the Reformed min- ister, assisted by Rev. Hermann Jacob Sehellhardt, who was chosen the first Lutheran pastor of the church. In the fall of the same year the same pastors dedi- cated the completed structure. The church was built of logs, but artistically finished after the manner of those times. A neat pulpit and altar stood at one of the longer sides, and galleries spanned the other three. Later the building was weatherboarded.
The consistory, and the first Lutheran eonsistory who signed the constitution, were composed of the following members: Rev. Johann Heinrich Helfrich, Reformed minister; Rev. Hermann Jacob Schell- hardt, Lutheran minister; Jacob Harner, Esq., Lu- theran deacon ; Nicolans Imbotty, Lutheran deacon ; Philipp Fenstermacher, Reformed deacon ; Lorenz Georg. Reformed deacon.
The building committee consisted of Heinrich Hartmann and Christian Schmidt from the Reformed side, and Johannes Klotz and Conrad Lal from the Lutheran side.
Between 1850 and 1860 a new organ was placed in the church. It was constructed by Charles Hanzel- man, who arrived in this region about that time, at Rev. Johannes Helffrich's house, in Weissenberg.
The third church was built in the year 1858, and was placed on the very site which had been occupied by the old church. It is constructed of brick, is crowned with bell-tower with bell, and is finished in modern style. The corner-stone was laid on the 13th of May, 1858, and the services were conducted by the Lutheran pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Schindel, and by the
Reformed pastor, Rev. William A. Heltfrieh. A wicked, unchristian affair took place on this day, oc- ensioned by the sutlers, who were carrying on their trade here, as they did at many other places, on fes- tival days. This caused both of the pastors to resolve never thereafter to lend their presence at any festival gathering where the congregation should not be will- ing by resolution to forbid the coming of the sutlers.
In this wise it occurred: It had for many years previous become a custom here in Eastern Pennsyl- vania for sutlers or hucksters, often to the number of twenty or more, to come to the church festivals, where many people congregated, and there range their wagons in a circle around the church, to erect booths, and to sell nuts, candy, cakes, beer, and even whiskey. The proverb says, where the earcass lies there the vultures will be found : and by means of these huek- sters a rough element was attracted, who turned the day into an occasion more similar to a wild debauch than a decent, Christian festival. Thousands of vis- itors came from near and far, and were present at these customary festivals, such as corner-stone lay- ings, dedicatory services, and, later, the Centennial anniversaries ; and so, owing to these hucksters, many of the people were employing the holy Sabbath-day in trading, drinking, cating, or in walking through the woods about the church, engaged in laughing or frivolous conversation .. During divine service they swarmed through the neighboring woods, while the church within was without worshipers, or the rough rabble ran noisily in and out, disturbing the services. Many of the most earnest church members were op- posed to this disorder, and it was resolved that corner- stone laying in Lowhill should mark its overthrow. The pastors laid the matter before the consistory, and that body resolved that at the coming dedication no sutler should be permitted to be present. This reso- lution was not exeented without considerable strife : even members of the church took sides with the sut- lers. With the dedication-day came also the huck- sters, in spite of notices published in the newspapers, and erected their tents. But during the progress of the ceremonies several members, who were of the same mind with their pastors, induced the sutlers, by threats of prosecution, to strike their tents and Var. The fight against them extended from here to it churches; and for several years past the disorder has entirely disappeared, although not without a desperate resistance.
The 20th and 21st days of November were first ap- pointed for the dedicatory services, which were to be led by Revs. Jeremiah Schindel and William A. Helffrich, but for various reasons the services were postponed till the following spring. On the 24th and 25th of April, 1859, they took place, sermons being delivered by Revs. Joshua Derr, Thomas Steek, and William A. Helffrich.
The organ was repaired during the fall of the same year, and rededicated on the 25th day of September,
295
LOWHILL TOWNSHIP.
1859. Revs. Thomas Steck and William A. Helffrich preached.
On the 10th of November, 1865, it was resolved to build a new school-house, and an election was held to choose a building committee. A roomy brick house was erected during the next summer and dedicated on the 7th of October, 1866, by the pastors of the church.
A handsome bequest of two thousand two hundred and sixty-one dollars was left the congregation in 1874 by Jolm Holben, a venerable member of the church, npon condition that the interest derived from the same should be annually paid as salary to the pastors of the church. He died on the 19th of March, 1874. Hlad he forescen that the pastors would in future receive less pay than before this bequest, through decrease in membership, he would hardly have ordered it so.
The Reformed ministers of the church were, -- 1. Philipp J. Michael, from 1769 to 1772.
2. Johannes Heinrich Ilelffrich, from 1772 to 1810. 1
3. Heinrich Diefenbach, from 1810 to 1816.
4. Johannes Helfrich, from 1816 to 1852.
5. William A. Helffrich, assistant from 1845 to 1852, and pastor from 1852 to 1867.
6. E. J. Fogel, from 1867 to 1877.
7. N. J. Bachman, from 1877.
The Lutheran ministers were,-1. Hermann Jacob Schellhardt, 1798.
2. G. F. Obenhausen.
3. Friederich Geissenhainer.
4. Georg Wartmann and J. Daring.
5. Jeremiah Schindel, from 1837 to 1858.
6. Thomas Steck, from 1859 to 1866.
7. J. S. Reminger, from 1867 to 1878.
8. Milton J. Kramlich, from 1878 to 1884.
The Morgenland Church.1-This church stands upon an elevation in the southeastern corner of Low- hill township, Lehigh Co., a spot known long ago as the " Leather-Corner Post," surrounded on all sides by small valleys, through which the Jordan flows at a distance of a mile from the church.
The church has from its beginning been a Union Church. Reformed and Lutherans, divided and inde- pendent in faith and teachings, have yet equal and The Lutheran ministers have been : (1) Jeremiah Owen Leopold. common right to all the church lands, church build- i Schindel, from 1857 to -; (2) William Rath ; (3) ings, and the churchyard, and make free, undisturbed use of them together.
The organization of the church is of recent date. Members of the Lowhill, Union, Jordan, Ziegel, and Fogelsville congregations united, selecting this spot upon which to erect a house of worship, which should be nearer their homes and more convenient for them and their families.
On the 4th of April, 1857, a meeting was held for the purpose of selecting a site for a church and ceme- tery, which resulted in the selection of a piece of ground owned by Daniel Sechler for the location of
the church building, and of an adjoining tract, owned by Jacob Georg and Reuben Krauss, for a graveyard. The title to these tracts was afterwards secured through proper deeds.
Another meeting was held on the 13th of April following, at which it was resolved to begin the erec- tion of a building without delay, and to organize the congregation by electing a consistory. This election resulted as follows : On the Reformed side : for elders, Jonas Mertz, Solomon Hamm ; for deacons, Franklin Fritzinger, Gideon Haaf, Daniel Sechler, Levi llaas; for trustee, Solomon Diehl. On the Lutheran side : for elders, John Weida, Daniel Claus; for deacons, Benjamin Weida, George Klotz, Reuben Deibert, Peter Ertel ; for trustee, David Heilman ; for treas- urer, Reuben Krauss.
At the same time the following were chosen as a building committee : By the Reformed, Simon P. Mint- nich, Jonathan Diehl ; by the Lutherans, Jesse Klotz, Michael Deibert. The work of construction was in- mediately begin, and proceeded so rapidly that by the 23d of August of that year (1857) everything was prepared for the laying of the corner-stone. This was done on that day, with services held by Revs. J. S. Dubs and William A. Helffrich, who were in- vited for that purpose.
On the Bist of August, 1858, the dedicatory services were held, Revs. Joseph S. Dubs, Jeremiah Schindel, and William Rath leading. The church is of brick, and is constructed in modern style, and provided with every necessary convenience.
The congregation also provided itself with an organ, which was dedicated in 1870, the pastors, Revs. Fogel and Leopold, preaching.
By 1871, the old graveyard was well filled up, and a piece of ground on the opposite side of the street was laid out in regular lots for a cemetery. It was dedicated in 1871 by Revs. Fogel and Leopold.
The Reformed ministers of the congregation thus far have been: (1) Joseph S. Dubs, who was chosen the first pastor in 1857; (2) Joseph 11. Dubs, who served from - to 1867; (3) E. J. Fogel, chosen in 1867.
Schools .- The Lowhill church was built in 1769, and soon after a school was established. About seventy years ago Jacob David, Jr., tanght this school. After him were Jacob Hart, John Benner, Israel Benner, Sr.
The township of Lowhill paid nothing toward the education of the poor until the year 1833, when $0.30 only was paid; in 1831, $0.82; 1835, $9.70; 1886, $15.45; 1837, 835.17; 1838, $41.32; 1839, $83.43. At an early day Lowhill had no schools but those which belonged to the Weissenberg District.
Old Taverns .- Probably the oldest tavern in the township is that known as the " Leather-Corner Post," which was built before the Revolution, and kept by
1 By Rev. Win. A. Ilelffrich.
€
296
HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Ludwig Smith from that time for several years, and in 1786 by Christian Nesber. He was succeeded by Moses Coyne, who also opened a store at the tavern in | 1806. Jacob Woodring was the landlord during the war of 1812, and kept the tavern till 1826, when Jacob George, who married his daughter, sueceeded him, and continued until 1878. The old house stood until 1861, when the present one was built. It is now kept by John . P. Bear. The record of licenses for 1786 shows that in that year Christian Nesber and George Wright were licensed to keep tavern. In 1815, John Adam, Shaffer, Jacob Woodring, and George Folk were licensed, they having kept earlier, and, later, Conrad Bobst and Baltzer Fritz received licenses. The latter is said to have kept the first store in the town- ship. He lived on the road leading from Claussville to Fogelsville, at the place where Andrew Shifferstine later kept a hotel, and, still later, George Klotz, who died there in 1856. The tavern at Claussville was erected about 1800 by Daniel Schumaker, and kept by him for a time. Later, and to the year 1830, it was kept by one Brough, Abraham Knerr, Knoppenberger, Moses Cain, and Wolf, as tenants.
An Early Road .- On the meeting of the first eourt of Lehigh County, held Dec. 21, 1812, a petition was presented from the inhabitants of Lowhill and Weis- senberg for a road " to lead from the house of Chris- tian Hartman, in Lowhill township, through the land of George Row, to the house of John Bittner ; thence to the house of George Shoemacher; thence to the house of Nicholas Werley, in Weissenberg township; thence coming in the great road leading from Ileidel- berg township, in said county, to Philadelphia." The court appointed Peter Gross, Henry Haas, Henry Good, Peter Kern, John Sieger, and Peter Snyder as viewers. They reported at the February term of court, 1813, that they had viewed the proposed route, and had laid ont a road as suggested. The report was not acted upon until the May term, when, on the 4th of that month, it was confirmed.
A post-office was established at Lyon Valley in 1857, and Jacob Zimmerman was appointed post- Justices of the Peace .- Prior to 18-10 the justices districts, and their names will be found in the civi! list of the general history. Those elected since 1840 are as follows : master, and served until 1868, when Albert Dinkey having jurisdiction over this territory were elected in . succeeded him. On the Ist of October of that year Tilghman Frey was appointed, and served until March, 1882, when Elias Heusinger, the present postmaster. became the incumbent.
Commissioned.
Commissioned.
John Weidu .. April 14, 1840)
Charles A. Wulh .... April 15, 1862
Edward Beck ..... .. 34. 1810
Jacob Yimmerman. 11, 1865
John Weida .... 15, 1845
Daniel 11. Miller ..... 4 9, 1867
Edward Beck .. 15, 1815
Jacob Zimmerman .. = 8, 1870
Jacob Minanerman ... 14, 1×16
Daniel 11. Miller ..... 9, 1872
Peter Weida ..... 9, 1850
9, 1850
Jacob Zimmerman .. March 13, 1875
Jacob Zimmeri ..
10, 1855
Incob Zimmerman .. 4 30, 1880
Peter Weida ...
=
10, 1855
E. HI. Knerr. ......... April 19, 1882
John Weida .. ני
11, 1857
6, 1883
Jacob Zimmerman .. 10, 1860 Ed. C. Hollenbeck ... Aug. 20, 1883
came into possession of Abraham and Andrew Homer, sons of Jacob. Andrew sold his interest to Abraham Feb. 23, 1805, who, on the 22d of March, 1810, sold to Caspar Schmick. May 26th of the next year Peter Weida became the purchaser of this tract of over two hundred acres. It has been in possession of the Weidlas from that time to the present. In the year 1830 a store was opened by John Weida and his son, Benjamin. The latter remained in the store till 1864, having his brother David as partner for a few years, and later his son, John F. In the latter part of the year 1864, John F. purchased the entire interest, and continued until 1868, when Daniel Kuhns became associated with hiin. In the fall of 1869, Weida sold his interest to Jacob Peter, from which time the busi- ness has been continued under the name of Kuhns & Peter.
In 1863 a post-office was established, and John F. Weida was appointed postmaster. He was succeeded in 1869 by Daniel Kuhns, who is the present post- master. The grist- and saw-mill were built in 1840. The village contains a grist- and saw-mill, store and post-office, and five dwellings.
Lyon Valley .- This settlement is in the valley of Lyon Creek, a branch of the Jordan. In the year 1845, Daniel Bittner came to this locality and opened a tavern, and soon after a store in the same building. Jacob Zimmerman, after about a year, beeame asso- ciated with him. They eontinned together six or eight years, when Bittuer sold his interest to Zimmer- man, who carried on the store until 1860, when it was sold to Dinkey & Mosser, who, in 1866, sold to Tilgh- man Frey. In 1872, Mr. Zimmerman sold the hotel interest to Mr. Frey, who carried them both on until 1879, when he conveyed them to C. W. Haas & Brother, who are still in possession. Mr. Zimmerman was justice of the peace for many years, and while living here had his office in the hotel.
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