USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > Kutztown > The centennial history of Kutztown, Pennsylvania : celebrating the centennial of the incorporation of the borough, 1815-1915 > Part 6
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32
INTERIOR OF EVAN'S MILL ACLE : POINT PA
LEVAN'S MILL, EAGLEPOINT INTERIOR VIEW
(Siegfried), Susan (Kemp), Magdalena, Mar- garet and Daniel Jr. The latter was admitted to the Berks County Bar in 1768 and obtained considerable prominence as an attorney. He held numerous positions of honor and trust during the Revolutionary period. He was one of the judges of the Court of Justice established under the Constitution of 1776. He served as treasurer of the county from 1779 to 1789, and as such had charge of the monies raised in the county for the militia ; as sheriff of the county from 1777 to 1779; as prothonotary from 1779 to 1789 and again in 1791 ; and as Clerk of Quarter Sessions from 1780 to 1791.
The home of Daniel Levan, Sr., is located on Schultz's map and has been identified as what is now Kemp's Inn. During the Colonial and Revolutionary period it was known as Levan's, and under its roof were entertained many notables of that period.
peared in the Pennsylvania German Magazine for November, 1910:
"I desire to talk with you as a member of a house that gives laws to the inhabitants of a once free land Pennsylvania and also forces those laws upon the said inhabitants with the power of arms, fines, imprisonment and exclusion from all the rights of citizenship without taking coun- sel of their consciences. The recent Test act and the treatment of innocent, conscientious peo- ple show us this. *
* * * You know quite well that Pennsylvania was originally the property of such people who have conscientious scruples about killing other people and are very careful not to allow themselves to be drawn into anything, into which they should not be quite sure that they could continue in the truth and hold out to the end and you know also quite well that many of these people are still about and form a great part of the most influential, best established and
least offensive inhabitants. * Does it not
29
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
become evident that you regard these as the most worthless offal, that you seek to tread them un- der foot and drive them from the country? If this is not so why is my friend (George Kriebel) in the Easton jail and compelled to listen to the words, 'If you will not take the oath as we tell you, you can not leave this jail until your family is delivered to the enemy and your property abandoned ?' Why do you rob us of all our rights of conscience and citizenship that nothing is to be ours, that we are to have no right to deal and move on God's earth, that we are not even to live, merely because we consider the Deace of our minds and souls, because we are not willing to bind ourselves by oath to things that we must regard in the highest sense doubt- ful, when we do not even know whether we can hold out. This is the highest offense in the whole matter that you expect things of us and impose at the risk of all that one holds dear in life, things that no tvrant, or Mohammedan or Turk, much
OLD ORGAN (CLOSED In possession of Jacob Levan, Eaglepoint
less Christian government ever demanded, that one under present most passionate war is to renounce allegiance to a former lord before the matter is even decided. * ** *
"We are freeholders no more; as witnesses we are no longer to be regarded ; from our land we are not to depart until we are driven to Howe or into the wild sea; any one may beat, scourge, mock, abuse us as Satan may prompt him, but we are to find no help or protection under the present government except that we are to be placed in secure imprisonment to perish. And all because we will not promise under oath or its equivalent what we do not know whether we are able to carry out and what we therefore cannot do without offence to conscience. * * Even were I to lose my all, I would not be a par- taker in such unjust measures for ten such rich estates as yours. I shall go to Philadelphia tomor-
row to see whether restraint may be secured from that quarter, for thus we can not live. * ** *
"My dear friend, take this to mind for a quar- ter of an hour. You see one lying in his hidden chamber before his God confessing to the great Ruler the sins of himself and his people in burn- ing tears, imploring merey and forbearance through the only Atoner and Mediator and plead- ing for the renewal and bettering of the hearts of all the people, who out of a sense of the love with which God loves all men and gives them life and breath, will not take the life of his fellow man. On the other hand you see one of our ordinary military gents, be he officer or pri- vate in his ordinary posture, as he is wont to show himself or as he executes his military duties. * * * I should like to know your conscientious judgment, which of these two is the better pro- tector of his land? I believe that the former does as much by way of true protection as a
OLD ORGAN ( OPEN) In possession of Jacob Levan, Eaglepoint
whole battalion of the latter. I feel that I may tell you that protectors of the country like the former are yet to be found in our poor Penn- sylvania, who indeed may make little ado with their exercises, but whom God has placed on his rolls, whose tears he counts and saves. O, my Sebastian (Levan), guard yourself that you of- fend not these fathers and protectors of this country, as I fear you have done with some of your recent acts."
From 1782 to 1784 he represented the county in the Executive Council of the State. Col. Levan died in 1794, leaving a widow and three chil- dren, John, Jacob and Margaret.
JACOB LEVAN, JR.
Jacob Levan, Jr., resided on a plantation of more than three hundred acres lying along the
30
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
Saucony Creek, southeast of Kutztown. The homestead is designated on Schultz's draft of the Easton Road. This tract was purchased from Jacob Wentz, of Worcester Township, Philadel- phia County, in 1753. Upon the death of Jacob Levan, Sr., the son Jacob became the owner and upon his death it was divided according to the conditions of the will between the two sons John and Jacob. The deed for the divided plantations bears the date of December 29th, 1797. In this deed mention is made of the land set aside for church and school purposes, these being the only contemporary references to the old Max- atawny church thus far discovered they are quot- ed in full. After mentioning the number of acres to be divided this phrase is added. "Five acres and one hundred and six perches alloted for a meeting house excepted."
In describing the boundary the following state- ments appear : "To a corner of land whereon a house is erected destined for a place of public worship and to a stone, a corner of the land alloted for a school house of the above men- tioned place of worship."
Jacob Levan, Jr., in his will provides for his wife Catharine and three sons, John, Jacob and Daniel, and a daughter Maria.
DANIEL R. LEVAN
Col. Daniel Rose Levan was born May 6, 1815, on the Levan's old homestead, the farm on Park avenue, now owned by James Treichler, whose wife is a Levan. He was the youngest of eight
children, born to Jacob Levan, Esq., born Sept. 7, 1769, and his wife Mary, nee Rose, born Sept. 13, 1774. Col. Levan was married to Mary Levan, a daughter of John Levan and his wife Mary, nee Gore. He was educated in the old Academy at Milton, Lycoming county. After his father's death, December 3, 1849, he lived on the farm for many years, where the following seven children were born : the oldest, Allen A., Reading; Mar- garet Breneiser, Reading; Mary Alice Dotts, Phil- adelphia, and Thomas S., Kutztown. William E., Isabella and Sarah Jane, died when young. From the farm, Col. Levan moved into one of the double houses built by his father, which are still in good condition, on the corner of Main and Green- wich streets, the building soon to be occupied by the post office, and the one occupied by the shoe store. Col. Levan was appointed a Lieutenant Colonel in the militia of this commonwealth by William F. Johnston, governor of Pennsylvania, in the year 1849. He was a member of the Re- formed Church. In politics, he was a staunch Republican, at one time a "Whig." He was eon- sidered quite an authority in political affairs. He was a bright and prominent Mason and Odd Fellow. Before the branch railroad was built to Kutztown, Col. Levan drove a passenger eoach and carried the mail from Lyons Station to Kutztown. After the road was finished he eon- ducted a similar route for many years from Kutz- town to Schnecksville. better known as the "Schnecksviller's Mail." Thos. S. Levan has in his possession many old and valuable relics at one time belonging to his grandfather Levan and great-grandfather Rose.
THE WINK FAMILY
Caspar Wink, a Roman Catholic, is said to have been born in Manheim on the Rhine in the Pa- latinate. He was one of the first settlers in Max- atawny and lived at what is now known as the Wanner homestead. He was married to Ger- trude Kemp, a daughter of Jacob Kemp. They had six children : Catharine, born August 7, 1728; Theobold, born February 10, 1733, married to Margretha Reed, of Goshenhoppen; Anna Elisa- beth, born February 12, 1735, she was married to John Michael Christman: Christianna, born March 21, 1737; Anna, Barbara, born September 29, 1739, was married to Wilhelm Haintez, who came from Germany to America in 1751 and set- tled at Trexlertown: John Peter, who was killed in the Revolutionary war, was born December 27, 1745.
Dewalt ( Theobold) Wink was the father of the following children : Philip, John, Peter, Jacob (a Revolutionary soldier), Dewalt, Mrs. Isaac Roberts, Mrs. Jacob Levan, Mrs. John Heiden- reich, the mother of Judge Wm. S. Heidenreich, Mrs. John Hausman and Mrs. Daniel Kemp.
Dewalt Wink, son of Davalt, the hat manufac- turer, was born in 1776 and was married to a daughter of George Pfister, also a Revolutionary soldier. This union was blessed with eleven sons and two daughters, among whom was the venerable historian, John G. Wink, of Normal Hill, Kutztown, who died December 23, 1901, at the ripe old age of 86 years, 9 months and 2 days. To his retentive memory and invaluable diary, from which extracts appear in this work, the present generation is indebted for many of the
early traditions of the town and for valuable data. Father Wink was one of the first Sunday school superintendents of the Kutztown Sunday seliools, at one time teaeher of the high school, for many years a merchant, and is remembered by manv for his public spiritedness and kindness of heart. His son, John D. Wink, and daughter, Carrie, wife of J. M. Esse:, carefully treasure their father's valuable diaries, interesting scrap books and important documents. Among the latter are two certifications of oaths of allegi- ance to the new government after the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and a com- bined shot and powder horn, carried by Jacob Wink in the Revolutionary army.
Northampton, ss: No. 266
I DO hereby CERTIFY, That Casper Winek of Berks County, States of Pennsylvania, Hath voluntarily taken and subscribed the OATH of Allegiance and Fidelity, as directed by an ACT of General Assembly of Pennsylvania, passed the 13th day of June, A. D. 1777. Witness my hand and seal, the 26 day of May, A. D. 1778.
(Seal) Peter Trexler. Esqu.
I DO hereby CERTIFY, That Dewold Winek in Maxtawny Township, Hath voluntarily taken and subscribed the oath of Allegiance and Fideli- ay, as directed by an ACT of General Assembly of Pennsylvania, passed the 13th day of June, A. D. 1777. Witness my hand and seal, the 3 day of November, A. D. 1777.
Samuel Ely. (Seal)
1
31
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
The following account of the death of Cas- per Wink is from the Mss. History of Casper Wink, by John G. Wink :-
"On the day preceding the death of our great ancestor, Casper Wink, he visited the grave of his deceased partner in life. On his return to the house he told the family that the time of his final departure had come, and 'that he would die before another morn- ing sun should cast its beams on the horizon.' And he gave them directions in regards to his funeral. His coffin was to be painted black with a cross (?) on top of the lid; and that the Catholic Prics [from Bally] should officiate, he being a Catholic and wished to be buried by the side of his be- loved wife [Gertrude Kemp]. And ere the
dawn of the morning his Soul had departed to the Spirit land.
"He lived to the great age of 96 years and had never been sick in all his long life. His request was strictly complied with. Their ashes repose side by side on the side of the hill on the farm, a short distance above the present barn. A few rude stones marked their graves. Some thirty years ago [ 1851] ] visited the place of their repose a few (5) years ago [1876], but could not ascertain their graves any more, the head stones having probably sunk into the ground.
"There were many Indians in the neigh- 1.orhood at that time who were always upon good terms with my ancestors and who al- ways received kind treatment in return."
OTHER PROMINENT FAMILIES
SCHAEFFER FAMILY
The descendants of George Schaeffer, who qualified at Philadelphia August 3, 1750, havc been vitally identified with the history and de- velopment of Kutztown. George Schaeffer was a personal friend of Rev. Philip Jacob Michael, who baptized and stood sponsor for his son, Philip. He was an elder in DeLong's Reformed congregation at Bowers, and with his pastor, the Rev. Michael, enlisted in the American cause, the former as chaplain and the latter as second lieutenant. He was married to Catharine Riel (Ruehl ) a daughter of Johannes Ruehl. They had issue: Elisabeth, married to John Bieber ; Margaret, married to Dewalt Bieber ; Maria, married to Michael Christman: Peter, who re- moved to Montgomery county, and Philip, who obtained the old homestead, about two and a half miles south-west of Kutztown.
Philip Schacffer, as a young man, assisted in hauling logs from Port Clinton to Kutztown for the building of the church in 1790. He invented and manufactured the first horse power and threshing machine in Berks county. To him and his wife, Elisabeth, a daughter of Peter and Susanna (Seitz) Fetterolf, and a granddaughter of Peter and Anna Maria (Rothermel) Fettcrolf, were born twelve children : Georgc, Peter, Isaac, Jonathan, Daniel, William, Philip, David, Sarah, married to Jacob DeLong: Elisabeth, married to Solomon Yoder : Anna, married to Isaac Merkel, and Esther, married to Francis DeLong.
David Schaeffer, son of Philip, was married in 1848 to Esther Anna, a daughter of Solomon and Elisabeth (Bieber) Christ and the following vear removed to the farm in Maxatawny now in possession of his son, James. He was one of the promoters of the Normal School and served on the board of trustees until the time of his death. In addition to James already mentioned he was the father of four sons: Rev. Nathan C. Schaeffer, D. D., LL.D., since 1893 Superinten- dent of Public Instruction of Pennsylvania ; Rev. William C. Schaeffer, D. D .. professor of New Testament Science in the Eastern Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church: D. Nicholas. a prominent member of the Berks County Bar. and Charles D. Schaeffer, head surgeon of the Allentown hospital.
SHARADIN FAMILY
Jacob Sharadin (name variously written Shera- din, Gerradine, Cheretin, Jiradin) was of Hugue- not (French Reformed) extraction. He camc to Pennsylvania September 15, 1748, and settled a few miles south of Kutztown. Many of his de- scendants have had an active part in the develop- ment of Kutztown.
His son, Jacob, according to the inscription on his tombstone at Bowers, was born at Rauweilen, in Europe, in 1735, and died in 1820. He was married June 15, 1758, to Margretta Haag, a daughter of Andrew and Anna Amigunda Haag ; she was born February 5, 1735, and died No- vember 1, 1835. They had issue: Maria C., mar- ried to Daniel Hoch: Jacob, Peter, Abraham, Daniel, Susanna, married to Nicholas Kutz, and Justina, married to Casper Schmick.
Jacob, grandson of the immigrant, was born January 28, 1761, and died January 9, 1822. He has been prosperous and resided on the old home- stead. His children were: Elizabeth, married to George Kemp; Sarah, married to Absalom Beid- ler ; David, married to Mary Magdalena Wanner, a daughter of Col. Tohn Wanner: Katherine, married to Jonathan Grim; Reuben, married to Katherine Biehl : Nathan, married to Rebecca Es- ser ; Jacob, Polly, married to David Fister.
BIEBER FAMILY.
Dewalt Bieber, his two brothers, John and George, and a son, Dewalt, left the fatherland and came to Pennsylvania in 1742. They settled on a tract of land near Valley Forge. John, the brother, is said to have lost his life in the Ameri- can army during the campaign of 1777-78. His son, John, removed to Maxatawny about 1770: his descendants are many, among them the late mer- chant, Walter Bieber, and Captain Bieber. De- walt (October 26, 1729-January 26, 1808), son of Dewalt, was married January 24, 1750, to Sybilla Steinbunner, which union was blessed with ten sons and two daughters. He was known as the "Barra Bieber," because he fought with and killed a bear which had attacked him on his farm one evening. He was famed for his strength and is said to have been able to lift a barrel of cider and drink from the bung hole.
One of Kutztown's Oldest Homes on Whiteoak Street
This building preceded C. I. G. Christman's Home and Store
32
Silsdorf Home, Walnut Street, Erected in 18th Century
An Old Landmark, Formerly on Greenwich Street
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
33
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
During the Revolutionary War, a baggage train halted on his plantation. The soldiers, accord- ing to a well preserved tradition, slept under the large oak tree still standing. It is also told that the women baked brcad for the soldiers and that Mr. Bieber furnished them with cider.
Jonathan Bieber, a grardson of | ewalt, was for a period of twelve ycars postmaster of Kutz- town. He was an ardent Republican and fre- quently represented his district in conventions. His son, Jonathan, who owned the old homestead, was known as the Milk Bieber, because he con- ducted the first and, for a long time, the only milk route in Kutztown. He was married to Brigetta Schwoyer. To them were born the following children : Clara, Rev. Milton, Dr. Ulysses S. G., Robert S., Anna and Jonathan.
BALTZER GEEHR
Baltzer Geehr, son of Conrad Geehr, was born in Germantown, Pa, January 22, 1740. As a young man he removed to Oley township, Berks
In 1796 he removed from Bern township to a plantation east of Kutztown, known as the Wm. F. Stimmel farm. Here he died in 1801 and was buried on the family burial plot near the center of the farm. The headstones on his and his wife's graves are still standing. On the stone his name is spelled correctly-Balthaser.
FISTER FAMILY
The late Col. Thomas D. Fister was one of Kutztown's most widely known sons; was born October 25, 1838. His parents were David and Mary Scharadin Fister. He was educated in the local public schools, Elmwood Institute, Norris- town, and in 1855 matriculated in the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. He was graduated in 1859 and appointed by President James Buchanan a Lieutenant in the United States marine revenue service.
In the early seventies he removed from Ala- bama to what is known as the Fister Home on Normal Hill. Here in true southern fashion and hospitality he lived the life of a country gentle-
GRAVES OF MR. AND MRS. BALTHASER GEEHR On the William F. Stimmel Farm
county, where he is recorded in 1767 as being em- ployed as a gunsmith and where he married Catharine Hunter, a daughter of Anthony Hunt- er, and a sister of Col. Daniel Hunter, of Revo- lutionary fame. In 1772 he removed to a planta- tion of five hundred acres in Bern township, which he had acquired the previous year. He was one of the leaders of the northern part of Berks county during the Revolutionary War, serving on the following committees : Committee for the Guidance of Public Sentiment, 1774; Com- mittee of Observation, 1775: Delegate to the Pro- vincial Convention, 1775: Delegate to Colonels of the Associated Battalions, 1775: Committee of Safety, 1776. In 1775 and 1776 he was Lieut .- Col. of the Fourth Battalion of the Associated Militia ; in September of the later year his bat- talion participated in the campaign about New York. He officiated as one of the judges of the county from 1775 to 1784, was a member of the State Assembly for the years 1782, 1786. and from 1792 to 1799. In 1776 he was elected a member of Council of Censors.
man. Under his roof were entertained among many other notables, Horace Greeley, Gen. John B. Gordon, U. S. Senator Ramsev, Judge David C. Humphreys of the United States Court of the District of Columbia, Gov. Robert E. Pat- tison, Gov. John F. Hartranft, and Gov. John G. Harmon, of Ohio. He was prominently identi- fied with the Democratic party and during Cleve- land's administration served as supervising archi- tect of the United States Treasury. He was identified with a number of local industries, was president of the board of the stockholders of the Keystone Normal School ard served on its board of trustees for many years.
To him and his wife, Julia F. Swan, a south- ern lady of culture and refinement, were born three daughters: Mary, the wife of Rev. James Beattes, St. Paul, Minn ; Maggie, the wife of Rev. Charles P. Weiskotten, Milwaukee, Wis, and Linda, the wife of Rev. H. I. F. Seneker, of Pottstown, Pa. Col. Fister died at St. Paul, Minn., on April 22, 1915. and his remains were buried on the cemetery along side of his beloved
34
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
wife, who preceded him in death about eight years.
The great-grandfather of Col. Thomas D. Fis- ter was Dorst Fister, a native of Germany. His son, George Adam, was married to Anna Mar- grietha Fisher. Their son, David, was born June 19, 1802, and died October 8, 1871. He took an active part in the Buchanan campaign, served as Prothonotary of Berks county, and was at the time of his death Chief Burgess of Kutztown.
KEMP FAMILY
Dewalt ( Theobolt) Kemp is said to have come to America cir. 1720, and to have been a native of Strassburg on the Rhine. He was not only one of the first settlers in Maxatawny, but in point of years probably the oldest settler. He was born about 1685 and died in 1765. His daughter, Gertrude, was married to Casper Wink. Their first child, Catharine, was born in Maxa- tawny August 7, 1728.
The home now owned by Nathan Kemp passed at the time of the death of the immigrant to his son, George, whose wife's maiden name was Levan. Among their children were two sons, George and Daniel. George Kemp had a female slave named Hannah. This is the only incident of slavery in the early history of Maxatawny. Upon her death she was buried in the private cemetery of the Kemps. To George Kemp, son of George, and his wife (nee Griesemer) were born five children: John, William, Annie, mar- ried to Daniel Siegfried ; Sallie, marred to Daniel Kemp, and George.
Daniel Kemp, son of George and grandson of Dewalt, was married to Rachel Wink. They had issue : Sallic, Dewalt, Jacob, Daniel, Isaac, George and William.
DEYSHER FAMILY
One of the first settler to the west of what is now Kutztown was Jacob Teysher. He was born in the fatherland in 1731 and came to America with his parents, Johannes Teysher and his wife Barbara (nee Siegfried). There were five more children in the family. Tradition has it that Jo- hannes Teysher was a French Huguenot, and that he left France at the earnest solicitation of his friends, upon having "shot off the head of an image at a Roman Catholic shrine in preference to showing reverence to it."
ABSTRACT OF DEED
Decd Book Vol. 21, Page 104, as recorded at Reading, Pa.
"Whereas in pursuance of a warrant bearing date 1733 Dec. 13-was surveyed 1740, May II, for the use of the former Proprietaries of Penn- sylvania, a certain tract called the "Moselem Flatts situated in Maxatawny and Richmond Townships containing 2,990 acres and the usual allowance for roads .- And whereas it appears that the particular lot distinguished in the general draft of the survey and division aforesaid by the number of 8 has been settled on and improved by Jacob Teysher late of Maxatawny township, veoman, deceased, the father of him the said Tohn Teysher and the said Jacob Teysher in his lifetime contracted and agreed to purchase the aforesaid tract of land and paid the sum of 2,003 £ 6 shillings and 10 pence unto Edmund Physich and unto the said John R. Coots for the use of his said constituents the sum of 249 £ 18 shillings and 9 pence inpart of the purchase money and interest agreed for the said lot and the said
Jacob Teysher being paid and entitled to the aforesaid lot by his last Will and Testament bearing date 1803 Dec. 20 devised the same unto the said John Teysher in fee-and where as the afore said tract was lately resurveyed by Reading Howell of the city of Philadelphia, Pa., and di- vided into 38 district Plantations numbering from I to 38-"All that aforesaid tract-Beginning at a stake in the middle of a road thence extend- ing by lot No. 33, No. 30 and No. 26 South 59 degrees and 20 minutes West 209 6-10 perches to a stone thencc by Abraham Biehl's lot No. 7 North 25 degrees West 145 3-10 perches to a stake thence by the Manor line North 64 degrees and 8 minutes East 212 4-10 perches to a stone thence by the middle of the said road South 23 1/2 degrees East 128 2-10 perches to the place of beginning .- Containing 179 acres and 67 perches strict measure."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.