History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pt. 2, Part 73

Author: Mathews, Alfred, 1852-1904; Hungerford, Austin N., joint author
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Everts & Richards
Number of Pages: 948


USA > Pennsylvania > Carbon County > History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pt. 2 > Part 73
USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pt. 2 > Part 73


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).


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John Zellner.


Andrew Beek.


George Halshoe.


William Rex, Jr.


John Hagenbush.


George Rex. William Rawle.


George Schleicher.


Daniel Ebert.


719


EAST PENN TOWNSHIP.


Saw-mills-Henry Arner. Elizabeth Daubenspeck, George Heilman, John Hough, Henry Notestine.


Grist-mills-Stephen Balliet, John Hough, Daniel Snyder.


Taverns-Jaeob Andreas, Christian Fisher, Jacob Fenstermacher.


Distillery-Jaeob Fenstermacher.


Forge-Balliet & Helfrich.


In the year 1842 Mahoning township was set off from East Penn, reducing it to its present territory.


It is bounded on the south by the Blue Ridge, which separates it from Lehigh County. Schuylkill County is on its western border, Mahoning township on the north, and the Lehigh River on the east.


Lizard Creek rises in the west part of the township, flows through Lizard Creek Valley, from which it takes its name, and enters the Lehigh River nearly at the middle of the east line.


The southern portion of the township, being the northern slope of the Blue Ridge, is still as much a wilderness as when the Indians roamed the trackless forests a eentury and a half ago. The valley of Lizard Creek was first settled by the Moraviaus soon after the massacre at Gnadenhutten in 1755. An Indian missionary village was established on Lizard Creek, and was named "Wech-gue-toak." At this place were gathered some of the Indians who were scat- tered at the time of the burning of Gnadenhutten. Moravian missionaries were in charge. Loskiel, the well-known Moravian writer of the time, has the set- tlement marked on a map of the region made in 1763. The Seotch-Irish settlers along the valley considered the missions convenient places of gathering for un- friendly Indians, and threats of destruction were made to the inhabitants of this and other missionary vil- lages. These became so frequent that the settlement was abandoned, and the village was burned by a party of whites in November, 1763. But very few, if any, families had settled in the limits of what is now East Penn township who remained through the troublous times that followed the defeat of Braddock.


The eastern portion of the township. especially along the Lehigh River, was not settled permanently until after 1800. The western portion was settled by English and Germans, who came in after the Revolu- tion, working their way from the westward, settling first in what became West Penn, and spreading east- ward to the centre of the township. The locality around Benn Salem Church in both townships was the centre of the settlement. The history of that church is the best authority we have for the names of the settlers after 1781.


Bobst. John and Peter Handwerk appear in the former year, and Peter Handwerk in 1808 is still a resident. Samuel Henry in 1781 is owner of prop- erty. In 1795, William Henry was joint owner with Jacob Weiss of a tract of land on which Lehighton borough is situated. Jacob Peter's name occurs in botlı years, and in the latter also appear Caspar and John Peter. Michael and Everett Ohle are assessed in 1781 on property as residents, and Andrew Ohle on unseated lands. In 1808 the estate of Michael Ohle is assessed and the name of Henry Ohle appears. John and Joseph Rhoads appear in 1781, and Joseph in 1808, Peter Rhoads, Esq., is assessed in the latter year on unseated lands. He was a resident of North- ampton (now Allentown), and associate judge of Northampton County. Benjamin Walton was as- [ sessed on unseated lands in 1781, which seem to have been occupied in 1808 by Thomas and Samuel Walton. Simon Wehr was assessed in 1781. In 1804 the eom- missioners of Northampton County met at the house of George Simon Wehr to make a contract to build a bridge over " Mach junk Creek." This was the year in which the Lehigh and Susquehanna Turnpike was chartered, and Wehr, without doubt, kept a tavern at the place that later became so widely known as "The Landing Tavern." His name is on the roll of 1808. He was also a member of Benn Salem Church.


Martin Andreas emigrated from Alsace, on the Rhine, and arrived at Philadelphia, Oct. 7, 1749, in the ship " Leslie," J. Bulldower captain, from Rot- terdam, and settled in Heidelberg township (now Lehigh County), Pa. He served in the American army during the Revolutionary war as a teamster.


His family consisted of five sons and one daughter, named as follows: Abraham, Peter, Jacob, William, Martin, and Salome (married to Jacob Freyman).


Jacob and Peter jointly purchased and oeeupied what is now known as the Andreas or Nimson farm in 1793. Jacob married Sarah Washburn, of East Penn township, and Peter married her sister. They were granddaughters of John Rhoads, the original settler and owner of the tract. Jacob lived on the farm till his death, and left two daughters, of whom Hannah became the wife of 1. B. Nimson. She is now living at Lehighton. A. B. Nimson came to Pennsville abont 1824, and taught school from that year till 1832. He was a part of the time in the employ of the Coal and Navigation Company at Summit Hill. In 1846 he was elected justice of the peace, and served several terms. In 1852 he was elected register and recorder of the county, and re-elected in 1855 and in 1861.


Peter Andreas lived on the farm from his first set- tlement till 1810, when he sold it to Jacob Dinkey and removed from the township. Josiah Andreas, Sarah (the wife of William Bittenbender), and Ce- cilia (wife of Gideon Kistler), are grandchildren of Peter.


An examination of the assessment-rolls of 1781 and 1808 will show how few families of the earlier year were living here in the latter. The name of Bauman appears in both rolls. The family, how- ever, were settlers in Towamensing, and probably owned lands in this township. The name of Valen- William Andreas, brother of Jacob and Peter, eame tine Bobst in 1781 is succeeded in 1808 by Peter | into the township in 1807, and purchased a farm near


720


HISTORY OF CARBON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.


Benn Salem Church, where he lived, and died in 1823. He left two sons,-Jonas and George. The latter lived on the homestead until about 1850, when he sold to John Neff, whose son, Reuben, now re- sides on the farm. George Andreas emigrated to Ohio, where he still resides.


Jonas settled in Lizard Creek Valley, where he now lives.


Jaeob Dinkey, who in 1810 purchased the Peter Andreas tract, was a native of Whitehall township, Northampton Co. (now Lehigh), where he married. After he purchased the farm of Peter Andreas he re- moved to the place and erected a dwelling-house, in whiel he opened a tavern. Adjoining he also built a store and a blacksmith-shop. Upon his farm was built the first sehool-house in the lower part of the township. In 1820 he was appointed justice of the peace, and served many years. Upon the organiza- tion of the county in 1843 he was elceted associate judge of Carbon County, being associated therein with Asa Packer. Ile died in 1845, aged sixty-two years. His children were Sarah, Charles, James, Reuben, Anna, and Leah. Sarah became the wife of Jolin Bauman, and settled at Baumansville. Charles settled at home, kept the tavern for a time, was elected justice of the peace in 1853, and died at Penns- ville. Jonas taught school for a term, and removed to Easton. Reuben lived at home many years, kept the tavern, was elected justice of the peace in 1858, 1863, and 1867, later removed to Baumansville, where he died. Ama remains unmarried, and lives in the vil- lage of Pennsville. Leah became the wife of George Balliet, and settled where Miss Anna Dinkey now re- sides.


Conrad Rehrig was a native of this State, his father having come to this country at a very early day, landing at Germantown, and settling in that part of the State. Conrad served in the Revolution, after which he married and emigrated to north of the Blue Ridge, and settled in Lizard Creek Valley, between Pennsville and the Reuben Stiegerwalt farm. He was one of the founders of the Benn Salem Church, and on the building committee from 1794 to 1797. He lived many years after, died, and was buried in the Ben Salem churchyard. He had eleven children,-Mar- tin, Daniel, Jolin, Jacob, Jonas, Michael, Conrad, George, William, and a daughter, Elizabeth, who be- came the wife of Jacob Stiegerwalt, and settled farther up the valley. Martin, the eldest son, settled near the Balliet Forge, where he died in 1860. His chil- dren were Solomon, Jacob, Charles, Powell, Paul, Elizabeth (Mrs. Jacob Lentz), Lydia (Mrs. John Liebergood), and Rebecca. Solomon settled in the township, and died in 1854, leaving a wife and chil- dren, who later moved away. The property was sold to Dennis Banman. Jacob moved to Slate- brook, where he still lives. Charles and Powell settled in the Lizard Creek Valley. Charles, a son of Charles, lives on his father's farm, and is an en-


gineer. George and llenry, also sons of Charles, live near Bowman's Station. Reuben, a son of Powell, lives on his father's farm. Paul also settled in the valley, where his son, Reuben, now lives. Of the other sons of Conrad, Jacob now lives in Towamen- sing, Conrad settled on the homestead, and died single, Daniel emigrated West, John settled in the township. Owen Relirig, of Lehighton, is a son. Jonas also lived in the township, and a son, Jonas, lives at Lehighton.


William, the youngest son of Conrad, born in 1804, settled on the homestead, and lived and died there. Esaias Rehrig, of Allentown, and William, now a res- ident of the township, are sons. Mrs. Owen Rehrig, Mrs. Mahlin Reichart, of Lehighton, are daughters.


Jacob Maurer (or Moury) was a native of Columbia County, N. Y., and emigrated to this township before 1800, and purchased a tract of land now owned by George Moury. He built the stone house now stand- ing on the farm in the year 1817. He was a member of Benn Salem Church. In the year 1829, George Moury, the present owner, a nephew of Jacob, emme to his uncle's from Columbia County, and lived with him, and, as Jacob Moury left no children, George came into possession of the farm.


The name of Heinrich Miller appears on the as- sessment-roll of 1781, and as an early member of Benn Salem Church, and in 1808 the names of Henry, Jost, and Abraham Miller are recorded as property- owners, and Christian Miller is given as a single free- man. One George Miller was in possession of the farm now owned by Charles Frantz many years ago. lle sold it about 1840 and emigrated to the West.


Stephen Balliet, Sr., who, with Samuel Helffrich, built the Penn Forge in 1828, moved to the township from Whitehall, Lehigh Co., in 1837, when his son, Aaron, was erecting the Penn Furnace. He lived near the furnace till his death, in 1854. Of his children who lived in the township, Aaron remained in charge of the furnace till that time, and returned to White- hall, where he now lives. George married Leah, the daughter of Jacob Dinkey, and settled at Pennsville. Joseph carried on a tan-yard several years after (1838). John Balliet in later years purchased the furnace, and still owns and operates it. He now lives at Sla- tington.


Daniel Romig, a native of Berks County, was born in 1799, and came to this township in 1820, and pur- chased a farm a short distance southwest of Penns- ville. Hisson, Charles, was elected justice of the peace in 1863. Daniel Romig, Jr., was elected in 1880, and is still serving. A son lives at Parryville. Mrs. Simon Reichart, of Mauch Chunk, is a daughter.


Benn Salem Church .- This society was organized by members of the Lutheran and German Reformed Churches who had settled in the limits of the terri- tory that in 1808 became East and West Penn town- ship. The precise date of its organization is not known. The old log church which was occupied for so many years was completed in 1797. It is said to


721


EAST PENN TOWNSHIP.


have been commeneed three years before. The Revs. Schellhort, Deshler, Diehl, and John Schwarbach preached in the neighborhood in barns and houses . before the completion of the church. The building committee were Peter Andreas, Tobias Schlosser, Carl Stiegerwalt, and Conrad Rehrig. George Fusselman was the builder. It was built of logs, thirty by forty- five feet in dimensions, having galleries on the sides. A burial-place was laid out adjoining the church lot, in which many of the forefathers of this region sleep.


The pastors who have served the Lutheran Church are as follows : Daniel George Schaffer, 1797-1814; John Caspar Diehl, 1814-16; Frederick William Mendron, 1816-19; John Gottlieb Yeager, 1819-32; Freyman, 1832-33; Stohlen, 1833-36; Schewver, 1836-37; Winner, 1837-40; George, 1840-42; Ernst August Bauer, 1842-72; William Henry Strauss, 1872-84. The latter is still pastor.


The following are the names of the German Re- formed ministers: Frederick Wetterschlott, Jacob Diefenbach, John Zulich (1816-74), Abraham Bar- tholomew (succeeded the Rev. Mr. Zulich, and is still in the service).


The congregation of the Lutherans numbers abont three hundred members, and the German Reformed about two hundred members.


The present substantial brick edifiee was built on the site of the old house in 1855.


The following is a list of the early members of the church. It must be remembered that the church is not far from the division line of East and West Penn townships, and many of its members were residents of what is now Schuylkill County :


Carl, Peter, and Andrew Steigerwalt, Michael Ohl, Johannes Handwerk, Johannes Lechleidner, Hein- rich Lechleidner, Lorenz Ebner, George Wertner, Jolin Hoberman, George Hettler, Franz Krum, Dan- iel Rauch, Philip Schleicher, Peter Schleicher, John Schleicher, William Arner, Leonard Balliet, Jacob Baelman, Stephen Balliet, Peter Hartman, Heinrich Nothstein, Abraham Freyman, Jacob Mauser, Leon- ard Hantz, William Res, Sr., Jacob Rex, Peter An- 1 dreas, Jacob Guldner, Daniel Rehnig, Conrad Rehrig, Heinrich Remaly, Joshua Kocher, Johannes Reber, Johannes Andreas, Jacob Andreas, Andrew Kunkle, Eberhard Ohl, Joseph Rhoads, Barnabas Rhoads, George Whitehead, Jacob Hettinger, Johannes Horn, George Heinrich Horn, Conrad Soldt, John Diedrich Heller, Johannes Klotz, Moyer Arnold, Philip Sendle, Valentine Schuck, Thomas Walton, Andreas Fritz, Andreas Heller, Jesse Kern, Nicolaus Feller, George l'eek, Andreas Feller, Peter Musselman, Christian Wohl, Daniel Ebert, Conrad Wehr, George Lechleid- ner, George Griffin, Jonathan Bachman, Frederick Delius, Jacob Fritz, Conrad Ebner, Wilhelm Andreas, Solomon Gordon, Daniel Heil, George Andreas, George Simon Weber, Heinrich Miller, Anthony Bachard, George Ohl, Michael Hoppes, Johannes Heller, George Cunfer, Peter Stein, John George


Guldner, George Ruch, Sr., Tobias Schlosser, John Fuhr, John Ringer, Heinrich Ziegle, Christian Acker- man. There are many other names of later date, but the names here given are of value as showing the set- tlers at the time.


Benn Salem Churchyard .- The following are a few of the names of persons buried in the grounds, with date of death :


Rev. John Schwarbach, died Oct. 31, 1800, aged 81 years.


John George Guldner, died April 23, 1803, aged 51 years.


Anna Maria Holshoe, wife of George Holshoe, died Ang. 28, 1814, aged 67 years.


George Ruch, died April 5, 1808, aged 39 years.


Sarah Washburn, wife of Jacob Andreas, died Feb. 23, 1803, aged 40 years.


Elizabeth "Legleidner," wife of Heinrich Lech- leitner, died Nov. 4, 1830, aged 40 years.


Heinrich Legleidner [ Lechleitner], died Feb. 5, 1844, aged 60 years.


John Peter Steigerwalt, died Sept. 15, 1840, aged 78 years.


Christina Steigerwalt, wife of John Peter, died Sept. 30, 1850, aged 95 years. At the time of her death there were two hundred and ninety-nine de- seendants.


Lorenz Ebner, died Nov. 10, 1842, aged 80 years.


Salome Ebner, wife of Lorenz, died July 1, 1838, aged 80 years.


Andrew Stiegerwalt, Carl Stiegerwalt, Robert Mc- Daniel and his wife, Elizabeth, Conrad Rehrig, and many others, to whom no tablets are erected.


Schools .- The earliest schools in the township were connected with the Benn Salem congregation, which was organized before 1790. Its church edifice was completed in 1797, and school was kept after that in the building. But little is known of it. The sehool was taught entirely in German. In the lower or east- ern part of the township the first school was started not far from 1812. A stone school-house was erected on the farm of Jacob Dinkey, and a term of three months was taught by Lawrence Enge, and was en- tirely English. He was sneceeded by Abram Miller, James Campbell, Geoffrey Zilich, Jacob and James Dinkey, Andrew Croniean, Abram Low, Calvin Ber- tolette, Charles Black, A. B. Nimson (1824-32), Oliver Musselman, ---- Alger (1850). The following eertifi- cate was given to Hannah Andreas (now Mrs. A. B. Nimson, of Lehighton) :


" This is to certify that the bearer, Hanunh Andreas, Is head of her cluss by her good attention to her Book, and hereby has gained the good-will of her Tutor.


" ANDREW CRONIEAN, " the 30th of Juunary, 1821."


This stone school-house was used until about 1866, when the present one was built adjoining the Union Church at Pennsville.


The township accepted the school law about 1840,


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1


722


HISTORY OF CARBON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.


and now contains six schools, with about three hun- dred pupils. The following is a list of the school directors since 1844 :


1844 .- George Horter, Jacob Fatzinger.


1845 .- Charles Dinkey, William Rehrig.


1846 .- Jonas Andreas, John Hoberman.


1847 .- Jacob Steigerwalt, Josiah Frantz. 1848 .- William Relirig, Reuben Dinkey.


1849 .- Samuel Ruch, Paul Rehrig.


1850 .- Thomas Shaffer, John Bauman, William Beck.


1851 .- Aaron Balliet, Jacob Westman, Jonas Rehrig.


1852 .- Elias George, Daniel Notestine, Henry Peter, Reuben Peter.


1853 .- John Miller, George Schultz.


1854 .- John Hunsieker, Jesse Heilman.


1855 .- Michael Herter, Jacob Ruch, George Ruch, John B. Ruch.


1856 .- George Schultz, Charles H. Nimson.


1857 .- Michael Herter, George Hetler.


1858 .- Jacob Davis, Peter Haberman.


1859 .- George Schultz, Charles Rerig.


1860 .- Joseph Haberman, Reuben Herter.


1861 .- Gideon Peter, Reuben Dinkey.


1862 .- George Manry, Jacob Westman.


1863 .- M. Stiegerwalt, William B. Rehrig.


1864 .- G. Kistler, John Haberman, Joseph Hol- shoe.


1865 .- Daniel Romig, Jr., Levi Stiegerwalt.


1866 .- Isaac Ginter, Elias Ruch.


1867 .- Gideon Peter, John Balliet.


1868 .- John Albright, Owen Andrew.


1869 .- Isaac Ginter, Thomas Haney.


1870 .- Jacob Stiegerwalt, William Ross.


1871 .- Josiah Andreas, Daniel Romig.


1872 .- Gideon Relirig, Gideon Peter.


1873 .- Josiah Andreas, Levi Frantz.


1874 .- Harrison Stiegerwalt, James Appenseller.


1875 .- Joel Heintzleman, T. W. Stiegerwalt.


1876 .- Lewis Ruch, Henry Schultz.


1877 .- Samuel Mill, Joseph Ruch, David Wehr.


1878 .- John Reigel, Owen Smith.


1879 .- David Delong, George Maury, Wilson Ebbert.


1880 .- Gideon Kistler, Harrison Germon.


1881 .- Elias Ruch, James Youser, Solomon Furby. 1882 .- Harrison Stiegerwalt, Jacob Heintzleman.


1883 .- Elias Smith, Albert Bauman,


Justices of the Peace .- Prior to 1840 the justices were appointed for districts embracing two or three townships. A list of those who held jurisdiction over this territory will be found in the civil list of the county.


The following-named persons have served as justices of the peace of the township since the organization of Carbon County :


Jacob Dinkey, elected March, 1845.


A. B. Nimson, elected March, 1846.


Aaron Balliet, elected March, 1847.


A. B. Nimison, elected March, 1851.


Charles Dinkey, elected March, 1852.


John Hunsicker, elected March, 1853. Charles II. Nimson, elected March, 1857. John Hunsieker, elected March, 1858. Reuben Dinkey, elected March, 1858.


Reuben Dinkey, elected March, 1863.


Charles Romig, elected March, 1865, declined.


Daniel Romig, elected March, 1866, declined.


Renben Dinkey, elected March, 1867. Elias S. Heintzleman, elected March. 1869, declined. Lewis Ginter, elected March, 1869, declined.


John D. Balliet, elected February, 1875.


Elias S. Heintzleman, elected January, 1880.


Daniel Romig, Jr., elected January, 1880.


A. S. Stiegerwalt, elected March, 1882.


Penn Forge and Furnace .- Stephen Balliet and Samuel llelffrich, in 1828, two years after the erection of the Lehigh Furnace in Heidelberg township (now Washington, Lehigh County), purchased land on the north side of the mountain, in East Penn town- ship, Carbon Co., and near Pennsville, where they erected a forge known as Penn Forge. This was con- ducted by them till the death of Mr. Helffrich, in 1830. Mr. Balliet, in 1832, purchased the Helffrich interest. At this time Mr. Balliet owned in the vicinity about seven hundred acres of land. In 1837 he moved to the locality, purchased about three thousand acres of land, erected a furnace about three-quarters of a mile farther down the mountain, and constructed four tene- ment-houses, making eleven in all. He continued to reside here till his death, in January, 1854. His son, Aaron Balliet, now of North Whitehall, was in charge from 1838 to 1855. Soon after the death of Mr. Bal- liet the furnace and forge property was sold to Solo- mon Boyer and A. B. Nimson, and about 1858 it passed to John Balliet, a son of Stephen, by whom it is still owned and operated. It is a charcoal furnace, and is in blast from eight to ten months each year.


Pennsville .- About the year 1807, William Jacob and Peter Andreas purchased a large tract of land in Penn township, embracing what is now Pennsville. Peter sold his land, in 1809, to Jacob Dinkey, who in the next year erected a building, which he used as a dwelling and a tavern. Ile also built a blacksmith- shop and a store. Jacob Andreas continned upon his land, and in 1828 opened a tavern, which he kept about three years.


A post-office was established about the same time, and was kept in the store of Jacob Dinkey, he being the postmaster. The office was kept there many years and then abandoned. On the 9th of April, 1883, it was again established, and Penrose George was ap- pointed postmaster. He also keeps the hotel and store at Pennsville. The hotel was kept by Jacob Dinkey and his sons, Charles and Reuben, many years; in 1868 was sold to William Smith, and later passed to several others, and was finally destroyed by


-


RESIDENCE OF C. H. NIMSON,


EAST PENN TOWNSHIP, CARBON COUNTY, PA.


723


EAST PENN TOWNSHIP.


fire, July 21, 1873. It was rebuilt in 1874 by Henry Notestine, who kept it two years, and sold to Penrose George, the present proprietor.


The people in the vicinity of Pennsville are mostly Germans, and members of the Lutheran and German Reformed Churches. Religious services were held in the school-house for many years, and in 1851 the pres- ent church edifiee was erected. The pastors who have ministered to the Lutheran congregation are as follows: Revs. E. A. Bauer, D. K. Kepner, and Gustave A. Breugel, the present pastor.


The Rev. Charles J. Eichenberg served the German Reformed many years, and was succeeded by the Rev. Abraham Bartholomew, who is the present pastor.


The schools of the village are treated of in the history of the schools of the township.


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.


CHARLES H. NIMSON.


Prior to relating in outline the life of the man whose name forms the caption of this sketch, we will present a few facts concerning his father, who was also a well-known citizen of Carbon County. A. B. Nim- son was born Aug. 15, 1805, at Delmenhorst, in the grand duchy of Oldenberg, Germany, and was the son of Peter Numsen, a merehant, and his wife, Sophia Meendsen. He came to Philadelphia with his parents in infaney, and his boyhood was spent in that city, Baltimore, and in the counties of North- ampton and Berks, in this State. He was employed as a clerk at the iron-works in different localities in the northern part of the latter eounty while yet quite young, and later had charge of the Quiney Furnace, in Schuylkill County. It was then, about 1827, that Mr. Nimson became a resident of East Penn town- ship, Carbon Co., from the border of which the fur- uace was not more than half a mile distant. Having obtained a very fair education, he was enabled to fill the position of teacher for the neighborhood, and he also gave instruction in musie; but these employ- ments were only occasionally followed, and were sub- sidiary to that at the furnace. From 1837 to 1852 his time and attention were divided between farming and merchandising, and from 1852 until his death, in 1869, he was chiefly ocenpied with public affairs, serving five terms as register and recorder of deeds, and also fill- ing the offices of auditor and connnissioner's clerk. He was an active, enterprising man, possessing the unqualified confidence of his fellow-citizens, and mer- iting it by his conduct in every station of life to which he was called. In politics he was a stanch and life- long Demoerat.


Mr. Nimson married, July 29, 1829, Hannah An- dreas (born Aug. 1, 1810), daughter of Jacob and


Mary (Schoenberger) Andreas. She was a grand- daughter of Jacob and Sarah ( Washburn) Andreas, the latter a granddaughter of John Rhoads, the orig- inal settler and owner of the Andreas, or Nimson farm, and a great-granddaughter of Martin Andreas, who came to America in 1749 and settled in Heidel- berg township, Lehigh Co. Mrs. Nimson is still liv- ing, a resident of Lehighton, and owns the old home- stead in East Penn, a sketch of which appears in this volime.




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