Local History: Chapters XXXIII -XLI: TOWNSHIP HISTORIES. Bell's History of Northumberland Co PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Tony Rebuck Tar2@psu.edu USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. Transcribed from Bell's History of Northumberland County Pennsylvania CHAPTER XXXIII. LEWIS TOWNSHIP TOPOGRAPHICAL FEATURES - POLITICAL ORGANIZATION - FREELAND'S MILL - SETTLEMENT, GROWTH, PRESENT BUSINESS INTERESTS, AND MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT OF THE BOROUGH OF TURBUTVILLE - CHURCHES - SCHOOLS - TURBUTVILLE CEMETERY. LEWIS TOWNSHIP is situated in the extreme northeastern part of Northumberland county, adjoining Lycoming on the north, Montour on the east, Turbut township on the south, and Delaware on the west. It is rectangular in shape, and agreeably diversified in its geographical and topographical features. The Muncy hills form the northern boundary; to the south are the sources of Delaware run and Beaver run, while still farther south Muddy run flows through the beautiful and fertile region known as Paradise. The location of the borough of Turbutville varies but slightly from the geographical center of the township; it is traversed by the Wilkesbarre and Western railroad, which affords a convenient outlet for its products and a most desirable means of communication with the outside world. The township of Turbut embraced this region from the 9th of April, 1772, to the 15th of April, 1843, when Lewis was erected; from March 22, 1813, to February 21, 1815, it formed part of Columbia county, and its present eastern boundary was established, January 22, 1816, by act of the legislature. The first township officers were as follows: justice of the peace, Samuel Shannon; constable, Isaac Reeder; overseers of the poor: Jacob Kerchner, David Watts; judge of election, Michael B. Garman; inspectors of election: John Klopp, Samuel Russell; assessor, George A. Wykoff; supervisors: William Wilson, Robert Blain. The township received its name in honor of Judge Ellis Lewis, president of the Eighth judicial district from 1833 to 1843, associate justice of the Supreme court of Pennsylvania from 1851 to 1854, and chief justice from 1854 until 1857. FREELAND'S MILL. The first mill in that part of Northumberland county north of the North Branch was built in 1773-74 by Jacob Freeland, who brought the irons from New Jersey. It stood on Warrior run, near the present site of McFarland's. BOROUGH OF TURBUTVILLE. The first settlement at the present site of Turbutville was made by Philip END OF PAGE 765 Reifsnyder, a blacksmith, who built a house near the corner of Main and Paradise streets. Here he also started the first hotel of the place, not long after the opening of his shop. A second hotel was soon afterward opened by a Mrs. McCarty, and a third by Samuel Burrows. The first merchants were Jacob Maurer, Burrows & Bryson, a Mr. Baily, and E. L. Piper. The greater part of the site of the borough was once owned by Jacob Sechler, from whom a Mr. Moyer purchased twenty acres, now the main part of the town. At a contemporary period that part of the town site south of Main street and west of Paradise was owned by Peter Stahl, and that part east of Paradise street was the property of Samuel Burrows. After changing hands several times the land on Church street and on Main west of Church came into the possession of Dr. Tobias Piper, by whom it was divided into lots about the year 1850. Moyer's land ultimately passed to Rev. J. P. Hudson, by whom it was subdivided; A. B. Artman subsequently became the owner of Stahl's land. The village was first called Snydertown, in honor of Reifsnyder, the first settler. There is also a town of that name in the southern part of the county; owing to the inconvenience thus occasioned a change was wisely made, and, being the principal village in Turbut township, the name of Turbutville was appropriately selected. Local manufacturing has never been extensive. A tannery was once in operation at the site of H. A. Reynolds's chopping mill; it was established by George Christman and successively operated by John and Solomon Brobst, Julius and Harmon Hertwig, and George P. Kamp. Among those who have conducted carriage, wagon, or repair shops in the past or present have been Henry Bitner; Christian Griner, J. A. Henion, Adam Strouss, David Strouss, B. F. Boyer, and A. D. Griner. There are two chopping mills, both on Main street; M. S. Bond and H. A. Reynolds are the respective proprietors. The Keystone Pad Factory, of which Dr. E. H. Horner, Dr. Fuller Derr, and William H. Gibson are the owners, is situated at the railroad depot. By the census of 1890 Turbutville had a population of four hundred forty-one. It has public schools, four churches, six general stores, two furniture stores, two hotels, one drug store, one hardware store, one shoe store, one millinery store, one stove and tinware store, one merchant tailoring establishment, etc. It is connected with Watsontown by rail, and is the commercial metropolis of Lewis township. Secret Societies.- The charter of Warrior Run Lodge, No. 645, I.O.O.F., was granted on the 28th of August, 1868; that of Washington Camp, No. 315, P.O.S. of A., April 23, 1888. Municipal Government.- A petition from the inhabitants of Turbutville for incorporation as a borough was presented to the county court of quarter sessions at April term, 1858, and favorably considered by the grand jury. END OF PAGE 766 Remonstrances having been filed at the following August term, Andrew J. Guffy was appointed as commissioner to take depositions in the matter; his report was considered at November sessions, 1858, and on the 3d of January, 1859, a decree of court was granted for the incorporation of the borough. The first election occurred in the following February, resulting as follows: burgess, S. A. Savidge: council: George Christman, James D. Barr, Anderson Denius, A. T. Bisel, Jacob Giltner, Jacob Stahl; high constable, James H. Pollock; overseer of the poor, M. Reader; town clerk, William B. Schuyler; supervisor, William Herring; judge of elections, Frederick Fox; inspectors: William Bortz, Josiah Nagle. The following is a list of burgesses since the incorporation of the borough: 1859-61, S. A. Savidge; 1862, Amos T. Bisel; 1863, S. A. Savidge; 1864, Henry, F. Faber; 1865, S. A. Savidge; 1866, Thomas Barr; 1807-69, S. A. Savidge; 1870-71, John Hoof; 1872, John Derr; 1873, David Fowler; 1874, Nathan Wetzel; 1875, B. F. Boyer; 1876, George P. Kamp; 1877, E. H. Horner; 1878, L. Garman; 1879, George W. Smith; 1880, Edward Wetzel; 1881, Peter Wagner; 1882, H. H. Wetzel; 1883, Edward Wetzel; 1884, D. W. Denius; 1885, B. F. Boyer; 1886-87, David Fowler; 1888-90, John E. Krumm; 1891, David Fowler. CHURCHES. The first church edifice at Turbutville was a log structure situated a short distance north of St. James's Lutheran church and on the same side of the public road. The site was embraced in an acre of ground, donated for church and burial purposes about the year 1805 by Jacob Sechler, father of Rev. Jacob Sechler, a Reformed clergyman. This building was jointly occupied by the Reformed and Lutheran congregations until its destruction by fire in the autumn of 1855. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church numbered among its early membership the families of Truckenmiller, Wertman, Ritter, Robenold, Ruch, Hartranft, Shade, Martz, Smith, Angst, Schuck, Raup, Myer, Fox, Menges, and others, and worshipped in the union church for many years. At a congregational meeting held on the 18th of August, 1854, it was decided, without a dissenting vote, to erect a new Lutheran church, the construction of which was accordingly begun. George P. Kamp, Jacob Hunsicker, and Samuel Menges, Sr., composed the building committee. The completed edifice was dedicated on the 26th of March, 1857, and the first communion therein was held on the 27th of May following. Rev. C. Stoever was pastor in 1845; S. R. Boyer, from April 1, 1846, to 1859; Jacob Albert, 1859-67; J. F. Wampole, October 6, 1867, to 1876, and A. P. Pflueger, the present incumbent, since 1876. This church is connected with the General Council. St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized with a membership formerly connected with Zion church. The place of worship is a sub- END OF PAGE 767 stantial brick structure directly west of Trinity Reformed church and in the immediate vicinity of the old union church. Reverends John J. Reimensnyder, John Williams, A. B. Horne, D. D., E. J. Wolff, D. D., Augustus Babb, George Sill, U. Myers, W. C. McCool, Martin L. Schmucker, and I. B. Crist, present incumbent, have served as pastors of this church. Trinity Reformed Church is one of the oldest religious organizations of this denomination in Northumberland county, and worshipped in the old union church until it was destroyed by fire. The present church edifice, a substantial brick structure, was erected in 1856 under the supervision of a building committee composed of Samuel Muffly, B. H. Dreisbach, Daniel Keller, Cyrenius Bomboy, and William Levan. Reverends Daniel Gring, George Wolf, C. A. Rittenhouse, George E. Adams, D. W. Kelley, Tilghman Derr, Z. A. Yearick, Thomas S. Land, and D. E. Schoedler, present incumbent, have served as pastors since the erection of the present church building. The Baptist Church was originally organized at Derry, Montour county, some years ago with the Dye, DeMott, Savidge, and Derr families prominent among its early membership. The place of worship was removed in 1868 to Turbutville, where the present church building on Broadway, a brick structure forty-five by seventy feet in dimensions, was erected; John Schuyler, Lewis Schuyler, and William Savidge were the trustees at that time, and the building committee was composed of John Schuyler, Lewis Schuyler, William Shires, William Savidge, Thomas N. Derr, George W. Derr, and G. B. Runyan. Since the removal of the church to Turbutville its pastors have been Reverends H. C. Monroe, J. M. Hare, and L. C. Davis. SCHOOLS. In the "Report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction for 1877" John F. Wolfinger states that "in 1802 the Rev. John Bryson, a Presbyterian divine, opened a select and classical school for the study of Greek and Latin languages, etc., in his own dwelling house about a mile north of Turbutville," continuing it until 1806 or 1807. The number of his students is given as twenty-five, some of whom afterward distinguished themselves as preachers, teachers, physicians, lawyers, etc. The erection of a one-story brick school building at Turbutville was begun in 1850 by the township school board, but before its completion a proposition was accepted from Jacob Giltner by which he added a second story as a lodge room. The entire building eventually came into possession of the school board; it was used for school purposes until 1889, when the present two- story building containing four rooms was completed under the administration of the following directors George Smith, Moses Bond, Benjamin Boyer, E. C. Troxell, Jasper De Mott, and A. P. Pflueger. The old building was purchased by the P.O.S. of A. END OF PAGE 768 Lewis township sustains eleven schools, and an equal number of school houses are situated at proportional distances throughout its territory. TURBUTVILLE CEMETERY. Turbutville cemetery comprises six acres, which were purchased in 1860 by Samuel Leinbach and Benjamin H. Barto and transferred to an incorporated body of which the first trustees, elected on the 13th of October, 1866, were Stephen Glaze, Emanuel Adman, Henry Raup, Daniel Keller, William Levan, P. L. Dieffenbacher, George P. Kamp, Peter Menges, Sr., and Reuben Beiber. The articles of incorporation were granted on the 15th of January, 1867. The grounds were surveyed by Thomas Barr. Isaac Boyer has been sexton since the grounds were laid out. CHAPTER XXXIV. CAMERON TOWNSHIP EXTENT -ORGANIZATION DRAINAGE - VILLAGES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT - SCHOOLS - CHURCHES. CAMERON township extends from Little Mahanoy to the line of Schuylkill county, two thirds of the distance across the county at this point. It comprises the long and narrow valley of Mahanoy creek; Line mountain, the original northern boundary of Mahanoy township, separates it from Washington and Upper Mahanoy, while an equally well defined mountain barrier forms the geographical limit on the north, with Zerbe, Coal and Mt. Carmel townships adjoining in that direction. From the original division of the county into townships in 1772 until the formation of Catawissa in 1785, the whole of its territory was in Augusta township, but by the erection of Catawissa much the larger part was transferred thereto. This portion passed to Shamokin township upon the division of Catawissa in 1788; in 1813 Little Mahanoy was formed from Augusta and Shamokin, and in November, 1837, Coal was erected, the present area of Cameron being successively transferred to each. Its separate organization was effected by act of the legislature, February 10, 1851. The first township officers were Solomon B. Boyer and Solomon Dunkelberger, justices of the peace; John Hine, constable; Henry Klock and John Derr, overseers of the poor; Gideon Derk and Peter Weikel, supervisors; John Haupt, clerk; Daniel Kramer, judge; John H. Kramer, Daniel Haupt, inspectors; Jacob Wagner, assessor; John Gottshall, John Boyer, and Jacob Haupt, auditors, and Gideon Kramer, treasurer. END OF PAGE 769 Mahanoy creek flows through the township from east to west, and drains the whole of its area. The principal highways extend in a direction parallel with the general course of the creek, one upon its banks and the other at the base of the mountain on the north; they are united by lateral roads at various points. VILLAGES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT. Helfenstein is situated in the southeastern part of the township, on the boundary of Schuylkill county. The town was laid out in 1868 by William L. and Charles P. Helfenstein, with P. W. Sheafer as surveyor. The plat consisted of North, Shamokin, High, Main, Mahanoy, and Water streets, extending from east to west, crossed by streets numbered from First to Fifth inclusive extending from north to south. Two collieries were opened, one by Guiterman, Beddall & Robertson, and the other by the Helfensteins. The coal trade was carried on successfully, and the town prospered for some years; but mining operations were suspended after the coal measures above water level had been exhausted, and it is now a place of about three hundred inhabitants. The population is principally employed in the collieries at Locust Gap. Gowen City is situated in the eastern part of the township at the place where the road leading from Shamokin to Mahantango is crossed by that leading from Helfenstein and Minersville to Trevorton and the Susquehanna. The town, as evidenced by a map published in Philadelphia, was elaborately laid out in 1870 with reservations for various churches and schools; the location of a hotel at the intersection of the roads and the corner of Market and Fifth streets is indicated. But few lots were sold, however, and at the suspension of the mines at Helfenstein the enterprise was abandoned entirely. Doutyville is a small village midway between Gowen City and Helfenstein. At one time during its existence it reached a population of eight hundred, but has been almost abandoned since the closing of the mines. A Methodist church is perhaps the most important feature of the village at present. SCHOOLS. The public school system was adopted in Coal township (then embracing Cameron) in 1838; the Mahanoy valley, however, was practically unanimous in opposition to it, and the votes in its favor came almost entirely from the embryo village of Shamokin. In the first school board the valley was represented by George Long and David Billman; and upon the present territory of Cameron one school building was erected - a small frame building costing ninety-four dollars, eighty-seven cents. The first teacher there employed was John Fidler, who taught until his salary reached the sum of eighteen dollars, when he was superseded by William Stizes, whose stay was also of END OF PAGE 770 brief duration. Unfortunately, the practical application of the system did not add to its popularity, and in 1840, by act of the legislature, Coal township was divided into two districts, known as North and South Coal, respectively, the latter embracing the present limits of Cameron. The continuance of the system in South Coal was submitted to the people at the first election thereafter, and promptly defeated by an overwhelming vote. Thus ended the first effort to establish public schools in Cameron. Nearly thirty years elapsed before a second and successful attempt was made, On the 10th of October, 1809, the public school system was adopted and the following persons were chosen as school directors: John H. Haupt, Harrison Wagoner, Charles B. Boyer, Peter Long, S. C. Weary, and Henry Otto. CHURCHES. St. Pauls Church, Lutheran and Reformed, is situated one half-mile west of Gowen City. The first building on this site was erected sometime during the 20's, but was replaced during 1846-47 by the present edifice, the corner-stone of which was laid, July 14, 1846. Rev. Augustus Bergner was Lutheran pastor and Rev. Isaac F. Steily Reformed pastor at that time. The first communion services recorded were conducted by Rev. J. P. Shindel on the 24th of May 1832, seventy-two persons partook of the sacraments on this occasion, fifty of whom were Lutheran and the remaining twenty-two Reformed. During the year 1845 the Lutheran minister, Rev. Augustus Bergner, celebrated the Lord's Supper, at which time eighty-eight persons communed. On this occasion the first class of catechumens was confirmed. The first baptism was that of Lydia, daughter of Sebastian and Elizabeth Zimmerman, and occurred on the 1st of January, 1828. The succession of pastors has been as follows: Lutheran: Reverends J. P. Shindel, 1827-45; Augustus Bergner, 1845-61; John T. Hornberger, 1861-62; John C. Schmidt, 1866-68; D. E. Reed, 1868-74, Henry Weicksel, 1874-88, and William Weicksel, 1888, present incumbent; Reformed: Reverends Isaac F. Steily, 1840-69; A. S. Stauffer, 1887-89, and Joseph H. Schappig, 1889, present incumbent. St. Peter's Church Lutheran and Reformed. As the records were destroyed by fire in 1881, no account of the organization of these congregations can be given. Prior to that time the name had been Emanuel's, but by the constitution adopted in 1881 the present designation was adopted. No regular pastors served until 1882, when Rev. Henry Weicksel assumed charge of the Lutheran congregation. Under his supervision the erection of a new church edifice was at once begun; it is situated five miles west of St. Paul's on the same road, and was dedicated by Reverends Henry Weicksel, A. J. L. Breinig, A. R. Hottenstein, and others on the 20th of May, 1888. Reverends William Weicksel and Joseph H. Schappig are the present pastors, Lutheran and Reformed, respectively. END OF PAGE 771 The members of St. Paul's and St. Peter's jointly conduct three Sunday schools, one at each church building and one at Gowen City. Doutyville Methodist Episcopal Church is a wooden building twenty- six by thirty-five feet in dimensions, and was erected in 1874 upon ground donated by George Weary: the building committee was composed of M. H. Hoover, Henry Boyer, and George Artman. Sr. The first class was composed of Samuel Marshall, M. H. Hoover, Henry Boyer, George Artman, Sr., S. C. Weary, Louisa Boyer, Mary Artman, and Eliza Weary, of whom Mr. Marshall was the first leader. Reverends Fortner, Savage, Buckingham, Smith, Wood, Minig, Hantz, and Barnard have successively served as pastors. CHAPTER XXXV. JORDAN TOWNSHIP ERECTION AND ORGANIZATION - DRAINAGE - ROADS - POST-VILLAGES - INDUSTRIES - SCHOOLS - CHURCHES. JORDAN township is so named in honor of Alexander Jordan, the first president judge of Northumberland county elected by the people. A petition for its erection was presented at January sessions, 1852, and referred to George C. Welker, John Young, and William M. Rockefeller; the report was confirmed nisi, April 5, 1852, and absolutely, August 4, 1852. The territory of the township had previously been embraced in Jackson and Upper Mahanoy. The first township officers were Peter Schwartz and Benjamin Markel, justices of the peace; D. Bohner, constable; John Bohner and John Daniel, overseers of the poor; John Krissinger and Davis Dornmeyer, supervisors; Elias Schwartz, George Schadel, and John Wiest, auditors; George Trautman, treasurer; David Witmer, clerk, and Daniel Williamson, assessor. The surface is hilly; Fisher's ridge, the highest elevation, extends across the northern part from east to west. Almost the entire area is drained by tributaries of Mahantango creek, which forms the southern boundary of the township. Middle creek and Mouse creek, which empty into the Greenbrier, and Fiddler's run, which flows directly to the Susquehanna, have their sources in the northern part. The township is traversed by public highways leading in all directions, the most important of which is the old Tulpehocken road, the first legally authorized route of travel in Northumberland county. The valley through which this road passes, one of the most productive and thickly settled por- END OF PAGE 772 tions of the township, is situated between Fishers ridge on the south and Jacob's ridge on the north. POST-VILLAGES. Mandata is situated in the valley of Fiddlers run on the main road from Herndon to Uniontown, two miles and a half from the former place. The lines of Jordan, Jackson, and Lower Mahanoy converge at this point, and the village is partly located in each of these townships. The postoffice and store are in Jordan; Noah Klock, proprietor of the latter, has been postmaster since the office was established. J. W. Seals tannery in Jackson, and the Wirt mill, in Jordan, are the industrial features of the place. The hotel, formerly known as the Bull Run tavern is in Jackson. The village comprises about a dozen private dwellings. Urban is in the northern part of the township. The old hotel on the Tulpehocken road near this postoffice was built by David Schwartz early in the present century. Hebe is a mail distributing point in the northeastern part of the township. INDUSTRIES. The Wirt mill, a three-story stone and frame structure, is situated in the extreme northwestern part of the township. It was originally established a hundred years ago. Daniel Schwartz established a tannery in the northern part of the township early in the present century. A similar industry was conducted at a contemporary period by George Shartel in the eastern part of the township. SCHOOLS. The public school system was adopted in 1865. The township sustains seven schools, for which an equal number of frame buildings has been provided, nearly all of which were erected in 1865-66. CHURCHES. David's Church, Lutheran and Reformed, the oldest in the township, was originally erected in 1829; the laying of the corner-stone and the dedication of the completed building occurred in the same year. It was built of logs and weather-boarded, and continued as the place of worship until its destruction by fire in 1864. The fire was caused by a defective flue, and occurred on the occasion of a funeral appointment. The present building is a stone structure, thirty by forty-five feet; a marble slab above the door is inscribed with the date, 1864. The materials were quarried at the foot of the mountain nearby where the necessary timbers were also prepared; many of the church members contributed their services gratuitously to this work. The building committee was composed of Abraham and Elias Trautman and Daniel W. Shaffer. END OF PAGE 773 The Lutheran organization included the families of Snyder, Leitzel, Shaffer, Schadel, Trautman, Geise, Deppen, Masser, Wiest, Bush, Reed, Williard, and Hollenbach among its original membership. The succession of Lutheran pastors has been as follows: Reverends John Nicholas Hemping, G. Neimann, Mr. Sapper, Mr. Porr, John C. Schmidt, J. F. Bayer, John C. Schmidt, J. F. Bayer, and D. M. Stetler, who assumed charge on the 1st of April, 1887. The present membership is seventy. The Reformed congregation numbered among its early membership the families of Trautman, Merkel, Welker, McCoy, Masser, Henninger, Hepner, Adams, Hohn, Brosius, Bauman, Wiest, Rebuck, Leitzel, Campbell, Bohner, Strohecker, Rothermel, and others. The first baptism recorded is that of Peter Trautman, which was performed on the 26th of July, 1829. Rev, Rudolph Duenger was pastor in 1837. Rev. J. A. Leiss assumed charge in 1849; J. C. Fritzinger, in 1856; W. K. Engel, in 1874, and A. R. Hottenstein, the present pastor, in 1876. St. Paul's Church, Lutheran and Reformed, was erected in 1855; it was a wooden structure, thirty by forty feet with a seating capacity of three hundred. The corner-stone of the present edifice was laid on the 18th of May, 1890; it is a frame building, thirty-five by sixty-five feet, and was constructed under the supervision of Elias Phillips and Gabriel Adams. The half-acre of ground upon which the new church is located was donated by Aaron Shaffer. The Lutheran church numbered forty members at the time of its organization, which was effected in 1855 by Rev. Augustus Bergner. Prominent among the families at that time were those of Shaffer, Phillips, Schadel, Giese, Ferster, Frissinger, Engel, Gessner, Billman, Kobel, and Byerly. William Shaffer was a member of the first building committee and a trustee at that time. The following is a list of Lutheran pastors: Reverends Augustus Bergner, 1855-60; J. Hasskarl, 1861; F. Waltz, 1863; John C. Schmidt, 1864; J. F. Bayer, 1869-70; John C. Schmidt, 1870-81; J. F. Bayer, 1881-86, and D. M. Stetler, 1887, present incumbent. The Reformed congregation was organized in 1855 by Rev. J. Fritzinger, and at the first communion, March 29, 1856, eighteen persons partook of the sacraments. Prominent among the membership throughout the history of this church have been David, Josiah, Peter, and Daniel Schwartz; John, Daniel, and Edward Wentzel; Gabriel Adams, John Markle, and the families of Tyson, Rebuck, Wolf, Snyder, Kobel, Rothermel, and others. Reverends J. Fritzinger, John Wohlbach, and A. R. Hottenstein have successively served as pastors. A union Sunday school, established mainly through the efforts of Elias Shaffer, is conducted under the auspices of both congregations. It is in a flourishing condition. Trautman's Church of the Evangelical Association was organized in 1826 END OF PAGE 774 Page 775 contains a portrait of J. B. Newbaker. Page 776 is blank. by Rev. John Seibert. The first class leader was Daniel Rigel and the families of George Rigel, Jacob Trautman, Samuel Lesher, Frederick Bohner, Jacob Trautman Jr., and Abraham Trautman formed the early membership. Services were held at private houses until 1877, when the present frame church building was erected by a building committee composed of George W. and John Trautman. It was dedicated on the 5th of February, 1877. This society was originally connected with Pine Grove circuit, and then with Mahantango circuit from its foundation in 1845 until 1872 when Uniontown circuit, to which it has since been attached, was formed. (In 1847-48, however, Mahantango circuit was attached to Pine Grove.) The following is a list of pastors: 1845, J. Sensel; 1846, J. G. Bosch; 1847, G. T. Haines, J. Adams; 1848, J. Farnswsorth, J. Adams; 1849, A. Schultz, Jacob Gross; 1850, Jacob Gross, H. Bisse;1851, W. Heim, S. Gaumer; 1852, A. Ziegenfoos, J. C. Loos; N. Goebel; 1854, A. Ziegenfoos, J. O. Lehr; 1855, A. Ziegenfoos, J. Werner; 1856, L. Snyder, J. Werner; 1857, R. Diesher, E. B. Miller; 1858, J. Frey, E. B. Miller; 1859, George Knerr, Joseph Kutz; 1860, George Knerr, S. S. Chubb; 1861, W. Heim, M. Sindlinger; 1862, A. Boetzel, M. Sindlinger; 1863-64, A. Schultz, J. Steltzer; 1866, C, Loos, D. Lentz; 1867, F. P. Lehr, D. Mertz; 1868, B. F. Bohner, B. J. Smoyer; 1869, B. F. Bohner, W. H. Weidner; 1870, W. Heim; 1871, J. L. Werner, D. S. Stauffer; 1872, J. L. Werner, J. F. Wohlfarth; 1873, J. L. Werner, G. H. Landis; 1874, S. L. Wiest, H. D. Schultz; 1875, S. L. Wiest, S. T. Leopold; 1876-77, B. H. Miller, J. H. Shirey; 1878, B. H. Miller, A. Krecker; 1879-81, J. K. Fehr; 1882-84, C. S. Brown; 1885-87, C. J. Warmkessel; 1888-89, Hanert Rombarger; 1890, George Fisher, present incumbent. CHAPTER XXXVI. ZERBE TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION AND BOUNDARIES - PIONEERS - ORIGIN, GROWTH, PRESENT BUSINESS INTERESTS, AND SECRET SOCIETIES OF TREVORTON - SCHOOLS - CHURCHES. ZERBE township was erected by act of the legislature, March 11 1853, from that part of Coal township lying west of a line- Beginning at the lines between Coal and Cameron townships at a point two thousand feet westward of where the said line crosses the west boundary of a tract of land surveyed in the name of Alexander Hunter, the 27th day of October, 1794; thence north fourteen degrees west to the line between the townships of Coal and Shamokin. Its organization was directed to take place on the third Friday in March, 1853, with John Garrett, judge, and John R. Strausser and Joseph E. Van- END OF PAGE 777 horn, inspectors of election. The following township officers were selected on that occasion: justices of the peace: Daniel Beckley, John Metz; constable, Jeremiah Pennypacker; overseers of the poor: Anthony Gillespie, Emanuel Kauffman; supervisors: Bernard McManus, William Derr; clerk, J. Epting; judge of elections, J. R. Strausser; inspectors: Ira Bower, Gilbert Berlew; assessor, A. A. Heim; auditors: J. Keiser, Michael Sigafoos, J. W Garrett; treasurer, James Mather. The general character of the topography is mountainous, and the principal stream is Zerbe Run; there is no farming land whatever, for which the mineral resources of the region amply compensate. PIONEERS. The first house in the township was built by William Cressinger about 1800, and occupied the site of the Pennsylvania House at Trevorton. John Fleming, George Eyster, Michael Solomon, and James Renney were also among the pioneers. Mr. Renney was born in England in 1788 and came to America in 1830. He first located at Pottsville, but removed to Sunbury soon afterward; in 1833 he established his residence at the site of Trevorton, where he was resident agent in charge of the coal lands for some years. After the founding of the town he became an influential and prominent citizen, and lived to an advanced age. TREVORTON. The existence of coal in this region was known as early as 1827, when a company was incorporated by the legislature for the construction of a canal, railway, or slackwater navigation from the Susquehanna river to "the coal mines"* at the mouth of Zerbe Run. The time granted by the charter for the completion of the work expired before any steps had been taken toward the advancement of the project, and it was under other auspices that the development of the coal interests of this section was accomplished. On the 22d of March, 1850, the Trevorton, Mahanoy and Susquehanna Railroad Company was incorporated; prominent among the projectors were William L. Helfenstein and John B. Trevor, while local influence as well as foreign capital were enlisted in support of the enterprise. An affiliated corporation, the Mahanoy and Shamokin Improvement Company, was chartered on the 25th of February, 1850; the original constituent members were Kimber Cleaver, D. M. Boyd, David Thompson, William L. Helfenstein, and William H. Marshall. Although first in order of formation, the improvement company was second in importance, as the accomplishment of the designs of its promoters depended entirely upon the construction of the railroad. The improvement company at once secured the coal lands, however, and in the __________________________________________________________________ *The mine was operated by a Mr. Weiss, and a detailed account of it is given in this work in the chapter on the development of the Shamokin Coal Field. END OF PAGE 778 same year (1850), laid out the town of Trevorton; this work was performed by Kimber Cleaver, the well known civil engineer of Shamokin. The first public sale of lots occurred on the 28th of May, 1850, and was attended with demonstrations appropriate to the occasion. Addresses were made by Hugh Bellas and Alexander Jordan, two of the leading lawyers of Sunbury, after which Judge Jordan deposited a lump of coal from Zerbe gap and a bottle of water from the Susquehanna river in a hole which he dug in the ground, thus proclaiming "the bans between Zerbe gap and the Susquehanna river," which, it was confidently predicted, would be united by a railroad in the following November. The projectors displayed commendable liberality in reserving eligibly located lots for school and church purposes, while the width of the streets is justly a source of local pride. The town thus energetically projected materialized with phenomenal rapidity. Among the first to purchase lots and make improvements were Peter Mahon, Daniel Tobias, William Kelly, Thomas Foulds, John Lynch, Gottlieb Breimeier, Peter Quinn, M. Cary, John Galt, Benjamin Troutman, Dr. William Fritz, John Knapp, Jacob Bader, and Tobias Beinder. The first store was opened by the improvement company and managed by E. P. Helfenstein; Wells Holmes also opened a store about the same time. The first hotel, now the Trevorton House, was built by H. B. Weaver; Daniel Tobias also erected one of the first hotels. John Weaver was the first landlord of the Pennsylvania House, which was built by Conrad Hilbush. John R. Strausser was the first blacksmith and Jeremiah Pennypacker the first tailor. The first postmaster was Dr. William Atwater, who was commissioned on the 21st of December, 1850. John Garrett was the first resident justice of the peace. The first practicing physician to locate permanently at the town was Dr. Samuel Smith. The following graphic summary of the early history and growth of the place appeared in the Sunbury American of April 26,1856:- Trevorton is situated on one of the tributaries of Mahanoy creek, fourteen miles from the Susquehanna and just outside of the great Mahanoy coal basin. In 1850 a log house in the middle of a small clearing was the only mark of civilization visible. The deep and narrow dell was covered by a stately forest, full of limpid springs, wild flowers, and singing birds. Tall mountains, gloomy with somber pines and huge gray rocks, frowned down upon the quiet vale. But these rude mountains are full of that great source of wealth to our State, anthracite coal, and just at the spot where Trevorton now stands they are cleft to their base by Zerbe gap, thus opening a way to the mineral resources within. The eagle eye of enterprise pierced the gloom of the forest, and the hand of improvement speedily followed. Simultaneously with the fall of the giant oaks, a town arose. Merchant, artisan, and laborer crowded thither. In six months the scene had perfectly changed. A railroad was commenced from the mines to the Susquehanna, and is now completed and in successful operation. A bridge, over a mile in length, connects it with the Pennsylvania canal, where the enterprising company has dug out an extensive basin, and substantial wharves, chutes, screens, and every facility for large and rapid shipment of coal have been erected. END OF PAGE 779 The prosperity of the town has fluctuated with that of the coal interests, upon which it is entirely dependent. A special chapter is devoted to the subject of coal development in this county, in which full particulars regarding the Trevorton region appear; a paragraph in the Pottsville Miners' Journal in 1858 gives the following additional items of local interest:- This region sent to market in 1857 one hundred ten thousand seven hundred eleven tons, which is an increase of thirty-seven thousand five hundred ninety-nine tons over 1856. This company works four veins at present above water level; the breaker is the most extensive in the country and is capable of breaking one thousand tons per day. It is worked with a sixty-horse steam engine. The length of the Trevorton railroad is fourteen miles to the bridge; the descending grade is fifty- four feet four miles, and the balance will average about eight feet to the mile. The distance from the bridge to Baltimore is one hundred twenty-nine and one fourth miles; the freight and tolls, two dollars and ten cents per ton of two thousand two hundred forty pounds. This company owns eight hundred fifty coal cars and three locomotives. The present working capacity of the region is equal to two hundred fifty or three hundred thousand tons. The town has a present population of about one thousand, and sustains a fair complement of churches, schools, and secret societies; the industrial and business interests include the collieries, owned by the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company, three general stores, one drug store, two tin and stove stores, one furniture store, one flour and feed store, three butcher shops, four hotels, one bakery, and one wholesale liquor store. Secret Societies. - The following is a list of secret societies, with the respective dates of organization or institution: Trevorton Lodge, No. 528, I.O.O.F., 1856; Zerbe Lodge, No. 184, K. of P., August 31, 1869; Mahanoy Valley Council, No. 244, O.U.A.M., October 21,1870; Washington Camp, No. 156, P.O.S. of A., May 13, 1883. SCHOOLS The first school house in the township was a frame building which stood at the corner of Eighth and Coal streets, Trevorton, and the first teacher was a Miss Hay. She was followed by Miss Sarah Bellas, now Mrs. John Plummer, who resides at Trevorton. There are now two brick school buildings in the township, both in Trevorton. The schools are graded, and seven teachers are employed. CHURCHES. The first public religious worship in Trevorton was conducted in a carpenter shop under the auspices of the Protestant Episcopal church. A Sunday school was organized and received the support of the population generally irrespective of denominational distinctions. The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized on the 13th of May, 1853, by Rev. Joseph Ross. Among the early members were A. A. Heim and wife, George Weaver and wife, William J. Phillips and wife, William END OF PAGE 780 Oshman and wife, Griffith Williams and wife, Joseph R. Low and wife, John Flemming and wife, J. B. Renney and wife, Emanuel Kauffman and wife, Anthony Gillespie and wife, Michael Shoppel and wife, Peter Metz, Mary J. Berlew, Jesse Nelson, Michael Sigafoos, Mary E. Kester, and Emma Carter. The first trustees were Michael Sigafoos, Emanuel Kauffman, John Flemming, A. A. Heim, and H. J. Renn. The first place of worship was an old frame school house; a brick church edifice was erected in 1858 and subsequently sold to the school hoard, when the present church building was constructed. The following is a list of pastors: Reverends Joseph A. Ross, R. Grier, Joseph G. McKeehan, Joseph Curns, B. P. King, Thomas Taneyhill, Nathaniel W. Colburn, M. L. Dunn, George Warren, F. B. Riddle, E. Butler, John Swanger, John A. Dickson, Abraham Crayton, F. B. Stevens, S. C. Swallow, William Norcross, 1868; J. F. Craig, 1869-70; T. O. Clees, 1871-72; G. H. Day, 1873-75 J. W. Feight, 1876-78; John Lloyd, 1879-80; Joseph R. King, 1881-82; Robert L. Armstrong, 1883-85; Elial M. Chilcoat, 1886-87; Jonathan Guldin, 1888 present incumbent. St. Patrick's Catholic Church had its inception soon after the opening of the coal mines at Trevorton. Quite a large number of the Irish and German miners were members of the Catholic church, and, wishing to practice their faith, requested Rev. Michael Sheridan, pastor of St. Joseph's church at Danville, to pay them a visit. He complied with their wishes and celebrated the first Mass at the house of a Mr. Compton. The first baptism and marriage recorded in the church records by Father Sheridan are under date of October 1, 1854, and it is very probable that he commenced visiting the town about that time. He was succeeded in 1857 by Rev. George Gostenschnigg, pastor at Milton, who organized the congregation and at once commenced collecting money for the erection of a church edifice. Father George, as he was familiarly known, continued his collections over the county until May, 1859, when the contract was let for the building of the present place of worship, a white sandstone structure thirty-five by sixty-five feet in dimensions. The work was at once begun and pushed rapidly, and early in May, 1860, the edifice was completed. It was dedicated on the 20th of that month in the presence of a large assemblage by Bishop Neuman, of Philadelphia, and placed under the patronage of St. Patrick. But the worthy priest through whose untiring efforts the work was carried out did not live to witness its dedication. In making preparations for that event Father Gostenschnigg became overheated; on the 2d of May he died at Milton, and was buried in St. Joseph's parochial lot in that borough. He was succeeded by Rev. M. Muhlberger, who served until 1861, when Rev. Emil Stenzel became pastor. Rev. Edward Murray succeeded the latter in 1862 and in November, 1863, Rev. J. J. Koch, pastor of St. Joseph's church at Milton, took charge of the END OF PAGE 781 parish. In 1866 Father Koch was appointed the first resident pastor of St. Edward's church, Shamokin, but continued to minister to St. Patrick's until 1878. During his pastorate he enlarged the church, frescoed the interior, paid off the debts, and placed the congregation on a sound financial basis. Rev. August Schlueter, pastor at Locust Gap, succeeded Father Koch and had charge of Trevorton about four years. Then came Rev. Henry Relt, the first resident pastor, by whom a two-story parochial residence was built in 1882. In 1889 Rev. Francis L. Breckel became pastor and still ministers to the congregation. With the passing years St. Patrick's has undergone many changes, as the continued suspension in the coal trade caused many families to remove from the town. It now embraces about seventy families, principally German, and supports a flourishing Sunday school. First Evangelical Church.- The organization of this church probably occurred in 1856. The school house was the place of worship until 1860, when a frame church edifice thirty-six by forty-five feet in dimensions was erected on the north side of Coal street. Although the basement was used for some years the building was never completed, and the Baptist church was occupied under lease for a time. The present edifice, a two- story frame building thirty-five by forty-five feet in dimensions, was erected in 1882 under the supervision of a building committee composed of Rev. J. O. Lehr, presiding elder, Rev. D. Z. Kembel, Rev. Charles Warmkessel, Joseph Kline, and William Knapp, and dedicated early in 1883, when Joseph Kline, Daniel Smith, William Knapp, L. L. Conrad, and George J. Maier constituted the board of trustees. Reverends D. Z. Kembel, Charles Warmkessel, P. F. Geary; F. R. Seip, W. H. Stauffer, and L. N. Worman, present incumbent, have served as pastors since the erection of the present church edifice; among the pastors prior to that date were Reverends Augustus Krecker, J. H. Shirey, B. H. Miller, S. T. Leopold, Samuel Wiest, H. D. Shultz, David Stauffer, Jacob Werner, and S. S. Chubb. The congregation forms part of Trevorton circuit, which includes Trevorton, Herndon, Mt. Zion in Jackson township, St John's in Little Mahanoy township, and Seven Points in Rockefeller township. Trevorton was formerly embraced in Mahantango and Uniontown circuits. Joseph Kline, who was elected leader of the German class in 1866 and served until 1890, and Solomon Derk, leader of the English class for a number of years, are among those who have longest been officially connected with this church. It sustains a flourishing Sunday school. The First Baptist Church was organized on the 16th of February, 1860, with Furman Farnsworth and George Mowton as deacons and George Mowton as clerk. The meeting was held at the school house, Rev. O. L. Hall presiding. The church was formally recognized and constituted on the 8th of March following by a council of representatives from neighboring churches; Rev. J. R. Loomis, D. D., presided at this meeting, which was END OF PAGE 782 also held at the school house. The first regular church meeting was held on the 24th of March, when Rev. O. L. Hall was elected as first pastor, Farnsworth Reed, treasurer, Reuben Kline, Furman Farnsworth, and George Mowton, trustees, and Ira Sayers, Furman Farnsworth, Isaiah Morgan, Thomas Berlew, and George Mowton, building committee. Ground was secured at the northeast corner of Coal and Ninth streets, the location of the present stone church edifice, of which the corner-stone was laid on the 9th of August, 1860; the basement was first occupied on the 1st of September, 1861, and the dedication occurred, January 8, 1862, when the dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. A. H. Buckingham. Reverends O. L. Hall, George McNair, A. B. Still, Thomas, Godfrey, Delancey, Merriman, Rile, and W. H. Ellis, present incumbent, have served as pastors. George Mowton was the first superintendent of the Sunday school. Zion Lutheran Church was organized in 1860 with the following officers: Gottlieb Crone and John M. Knapp, elders; Conrad Stein and Henry Schlimm, deacons, and Dr. William Fritz, treasurer. The first church edifice, a frame structure, was erected under the supervision of a building committee composed of Rev. C. J. M. Neuman and Dr. William Fritz; the corner-stone was laid on the 13th of May, 1860, by Reverends J. F. Hornberger, D. M. Henkel, D. D., and Mr. Shultz, and the dedication of the completed building occurred in the following August, the same clergymen officiating. The present church edifice, a brick structure thirty-five by fifty-five feet, with tower and bell, was built in 1889-90. Rev. C. J. M. Neuman preached for some time before the organization of the church, of which the pastoral succession has been as follows: Reverends J. F. Hornberger, 1860 to July, 1864; J. H. Schmidt, October, 1864, to April, 1868; L. G. Eggers, May, 1869, to May, 1871; J. Albert, October, 1871, to January, 1875; A. Berk, 1875 to 1877; H. T. Clymer, August, 1871, to August, 1882; J. W. Early, January, 1883, to March, 1886; A. J. L. Breinig, December, 1887, present incumbent. Prior to the erection of the present building the name was Emanuel's. CEMETERIES. St. Patrick's cemetery was regularly laid out and inclosed with a stone and iron fence during Rev. J. J. Koch's incumbency as pastor. It has been the place of interment for St. Patrick's Congregation since its organization. The Lutheran cemetery embraces ten or twelve acres and is situated north of Trevorton at the side of the mountain. The ground was secured at the organization of the church. On the 22d of January, l891, two acres of ground were purchased by Dr. J. B. Newbaker, William Plummer, and J. Benjamin Brubaker with the idea of laying it out as a cemetery. A movement is now in progress to carry this object into effect. END OF PAGE 783 CHAPTER XXXVII. MT. CARMEL TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION - DRAINAGE AND ROADS - COLLIERIES - MINING VILLAGES - CHURCHES. MT. CARMEL township occupies the extreme southeastern part of the county, with Columbia county on the northeast, Schuylkill on the southeast, and Coal township on the west. Roaring creek forms its northern boundary a distance of thirteen hundred seventy-five perches, and on the west the line of division from Coal is described as "north one degree west seventeen hundred twenty-two and seven tenths perches" from the line of Cameron township to the middle of Roaring creek. The viewers by whom the erection of the township was recommended and its boundaries surveyed were David Rockefeller and Jacob Painter; their report was confirmed nisi, November 14, 1854, and while there is no record of the fact, its absolute confirmation doubtless occurred in the following year. Felix Lerch and John Yarnall were the first justices of the peace, G. A. Kehler was the first constable, and A. Renn was the first overseer of the poor. The surface is extremely mountainous, the general trend of the principle ranges being east and west, Roaring, Shamokin, and Mahanoy creeks afford ample drainage. The old Reading road and the Centre turnpike are the principal public highways. The railroads are the Philadelphia and Reading, Lehigh Valley, and the Shamokin division of the Northern Central. Industrially, the township is exclusively a mining district. The collieries located within its limits are the Pennsylvania, Black Diamond, Mt. Carmel, Reliance, Alaska, Merriam, Monitor, Locust Gap, and Locust Spring, of which the history is given in Chapters X and XI of this work, by Dr. J. J. John. MINING TOWNS. Locust Gap is situated on the line of the Philadelphia and Reading railroad, and has been a place of local importance since the development of the adjacent region began. The postoffice was established in 1870 with J. S. Reyer as first postmaster. By the census of 1890 the population exceeded seventeen hundred. The town is really a collection of mining hamlets, and the point presents but slight evidences of regularity. It is owned almost exclusively by the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company, the number of free- END OF PAGE 784 Page opposite 784 contains a portrait of Francis McCarty. Page opposite 785 is blank. holders, as ascertained by recent investigation, is thirty-three. Five general stores, one drug store, and five hotels constitute the business of the place. There are two public school buildings, a Catholic church and parochial school, a Lutheran church organization, and one newspaper, the Locust Gap Local. Apart from the coal operations in the vicinity, the town possesses but little of historic interest. It was a well-known rendezvous for the Mollie Maguires during the palmy days of that organization, and has frequently been the scene of disastrous railroad wrecks. The smaller villages of the township are Stuartville, Bell's Tunnel, The Mountain, and Beaver Dale, all of which are virtually suburbs of Mt. Carmel; Green Ridge, half a mile from the station of that name on the Lehigh Valley railroad; Alaska, at the intersection of the Mt. Carmel branch of the Philadelphia and Reading railroad with the main line of the Williamsport division; and Natalie, a village recently built in the northern part of the township by the Patterson Coal Company. Of these Stuartville is the oldest; it comprises fifteen houses, situated immediately east of Mt. Carmel on the south side of the public road leading to Centralia, and was built in l853 by the Locust Mountain Coal and Iron Company. Green Ridge is the location of Strong postoffice, of which J. M. Derby was appointed as first postmaster on the 10th of July, 1887. Diamondtown might also be included in this enumeration, although the name applies to a locality rather than a village. It was built by the New York and Middle Coal Field Company, and received its name from John Diamond, the contractor by whom the tunnel was driven. It was situated immediately north of Mt. Carmel; after the abandonment of the colliery the houses were deserted, some fell into decay, and some were burned, so that only two now remain. CHURCHES. St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Locust Gap. Prior to the year 1866 services were held at irregular intervals by Rev. Edward Murray, of Danville, Pennsylvania, but in September of that year Rev. J. J. Koch was placed in charge at Shamokin and this field of labor was assigned to him. He at once organized a parish, and held services every Sunday in the Locust Gap school house. In May, 1870, the erection of a church edifice was undertaken; the first services were held in the basement in November, 1870, and in the following year the edifice was completed at a cost of seven thousand eight hundred dollars; it was dedicated by Bishop Shanahan, of Harrisburg, August 27, 1871. Father Koch was succeeded by Rev. August Schlueter, the first resident pastor, in October, 1878. He erected a parochial residence in 1879, and purchased a small tract of land near the church building for a cemetery. Father Schlueter served the congregation faithfully until September, 1882, when he was succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. Thomas J. Fleming, who had charge up to February, 1891, and was then END OF PAGE 785 succeeded by Rev. William Burke, the present pastor. The parish numbers over two hundred fifty families. St. Joseph's parochial school was established by Father Fleming in 1877, and is under the care of five Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The first building was destroyed by fire, February 28, 1888, soon after which the present two-story frame structure was erected at a cost of six thousand seven hundred dollars. The average attendance is two hundred seventy children, and both church and school are in a prosperous condition. St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Locust Gap, was organized by Rev. J. C. Shindel on the 10th of August, 1885, and forms part of the Mt. Carmel charge. The first officers were Lewis Karbley and Frederick Yentsch, elders; Henry Carl, Benjamin Thomas, and Gideon Fertig, deacons. CHAPTER XXXVIII. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP ORIGINAL BOUNDARIES - FIRST TOWNSHIP OFFICERS - PIONEERS - INDUSTRIES - REBUCK - SCHOOLS - CHURCHES. WASHINGTON township was erected from Upper Mahanoy and Jackson, January 14, 1856. From the official description of the original boundaries it appears that the northern line, which coincides with the summit of Line mountain, is fifteen hundred twenty-six perches in length, and the western line, which extends from Line mountain to Jacob's ridge, twelve hundred sixteen perches in length. The first township officers were Peter Reed and William D. Hoffman, justices of the peace; Solomon Billman, constable; H. D. Hoffman and Joseph Feger, overseers of the poor; John Haue and P. Reitz, supervisors; M. Drumheller, clerk; Peter Ferster, assessor; J. D. Hoffman, N. Kehres, and William Sherry, auditors. The surface, like that of the neighboring townships, is rolling, with a red shale soil. No railway enters its territory, but public highways lead in all directions. Greenbrier creek, which traverses its whole extent from east to west, drains the entire area. PIONEERS. As in many other parts of the county, the early settlers of this township were of German origin. Among the first to locate here were Henry Rebuck, Peter Stull, John and Frederick Latsha, Peter Kiehl, Abraham Rothermel, END OF PAGE 786 Daniel Gonsar, Philip Hettrick, Andrew Reitz, Peter Brosius, George Heim, Daniel and Jonathan Reitz, Jonathan Keefer, and George Reed. Their descendants still constitute a fair proportion of the population. INDUSTRIES. Keihl Brothers' mill is situated near Rebuck post office, on Greenbrier creek. The first mill on this site was erected during the early settlement of the township; it was replaced in 1838 by the present building, a frame structure furnished with two sets of buhrs and capable of grinding ten barrels of flour per day. William Kehres purchased the property from a Mr. Knobel in 1830 and rebuilt the mill in 1838 Latsha Brothers' mill was built in 1819 by Daniel Gonser, who erected at the same time a saw mill; the latter has not been in operation for some years. One of the Rebuck family built a saw mill near Rebuck postoffice about 1815; it has been abandoned for many years. Andrew G. Brosius's mill, also on Greenbrier creek, was originally erected by the father of the present proprietor. It is especially adapted to the manufacture of linseed oil, but chopping is also done. Henry Fisher established a foundry at Rebuck in 1870 for the manufacture and repair of plows and other agricultural implements. It is now operated by W. H. Fisher. REBUCK. The post-village of this name is situated on the State road leading from Fisher's Ferry to Pottsville, in the valley of Greenbrier creek three fourths of a mile south of Line mountain and near the center of Washington township, of which it is the polling place. The first postmaster was Godfrey Rebuck, in whose honor the office was named. The village comprises two stores, two hotels, blacksmith and wagon shops, the mill of Kiehl Brothers and the foundry of W. H. Fisher, with perhaps a dozen private residences. SCHOOLS. The first school in the township was established by the congregation of Himmel church in 1774, and the first teacher was Charles Henry Kauffman. Another early school was taught in an old log building which stood near the present site of Latsha's mill. The early teachers were Daniel Hoffman, Christian Geigerrith, John Eister, and Gideon Adams. The latter is now a resident of Shamokin. The public school system was adopted, January 22, 1870, when the following persons were chosen as school directors: William Sherry, Levi T. Drumheller, Daniel Hettrick, Isaac Rebuck, Abraham Schlegel, and William Rothermel. There are now five schools with an equal number END OF PAGE 787 of brick school houses, two of which were built in 1869 and the remaining three in 1870. CHURCHES. Himmel Church, Lutheran and Reformed, is one of the oldest denominational organizations of Northumberland county. The records state that in the year 1773," We, the Evangelical Lutheran and Reformed members of the congregation, have endeavored in the Providence of God to erect a mansion of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to have our children as well as ourselves prepared, through the Word of God and by means of the holy sacraments, for eternal life;" whereupon a patent was procured from the State for sixty acres of land, upon which a school house was erected in 1774, in which instruction was given by Charles Henry Kauffman. A log church building was also erected about the same time. On the 22d of September, 1781, a resolution was placed on record stating that "the Evangelical Lutheran and Reformed congregations shall have equal right and privileges to land, church, school house, and so continue to have." In June, 1817, at a meeting in the school house for the purpose of deciding whether to repair the old church or build a new one, "These worthy men of both congregations, being of one mind, agreed upon the following plan: to build a new church - material to be used stone - upon a lofty place about twenty rods from the old church;" here it was again resolved "to build a union church for use of both Lutheran and Reformed members, and that it shall forever remain so in this newly erected Himmel church." Articles of agreement were accordingly drawn up and placed in the corner-stone, which was laid in the spring of 1818. The building committee was composed of Michael Reitz, Michael Rebuck, and Leonard Reitz the ministers present were Reverends John Nicholas Hemping, John Felix, Philip Moyer, and George Mening. This is a large and commodious stone edifice, built in the old Pennsylvania style, with a one-story main room and gallery, an old-fashioned pigeon-box pulpit, and a seating capacity of four hundred. The large pipe-organ is a noticeable feature; from this circumstance it has been popularly known as "the organ church." This church was for many years the principal one in all the Mahanoy region, and was attended from a radius of twelve miles. Barefooted, coatless, and in farm wagons, the people would flock to their place of worship; no pride disturbed their minds, no fatigue furnished an excuse for absence, no one esteemed himself above his fellow-Christians. The German language has been mainly used throughout the history of the church, although English is being gradually introduced. The first officers of the Lutheran organization were Nicholas Brosius and Peter Ferster, deacons, Daniel Kobel and George Heim, elders. Among the names which appear on the communion list of June 30, 1776, are those of Nicholas Snyder, Charles Henry Kauffman, George Ferster, Daniel Kobel, END OF PAGE 788 John George Brosius, John F. Kauffman, Henry Reitz, Andrew Reitz, William Heim, John N. Hettrick, Henry Groninger, Philip Klinger, Henry Zartman, John Shaffer, G. H. Reitz, John Miller, G. Heim, Joseph N. Brosius, Peter Ferster, John L. Kauffman, Michael Reitz, John Heim, George Henry Kauffman, Peter Albert, Edward Ferster, J. G. Heim, and John Harter; the entire number of communicants at that time was sixty- four. In 1818, when the present church edifice was built, the elders and deacons were Christian Thomas, George Miller, David Haas, Abram Hoch, Frederick Kahler, Godfried Thomas, Peter Reitz, and Jacob Falk. The communion list of April 12, 1818, gives the names of seventy-nine members, among whom were the families of Kauffman, Snyder, Rebuck, Reitz, Brosius, Hettrick, Gonser, Adams, Hoch, Reed, Kahler, Kieffer, Rothermel, Schlegel, Ferster, Rose, Yocum, Feger, and Drumheller, which have since been prominent in the history of the church. The protocol was begun in 1776 and contains lists of baptisms, communicants, members confirmed, and the articles of agreement mentioned. The first baptisms recorded were those of John and Maria Kobel, children of Henry and Catherine Kobel, who were baptized on the 7th of June, 1774. The following is a list of pastors: J. M. Enderline, 1773-87; Charles Christopher Getz, 1790; Christian Espich, 1795; J. P. F. Kramer, 1803; Conrad Walter, 1807; Daniel Ulrich, 1809; John Nicholas Hemping, 1812- 47; Augustus Bergner, 1847-60; J. Hasskarl, 1861-63; John C. Schmidt, 1864-69; J. F. Bayer, 1869-70; John C. Schmidt 1870-81; J. F. Bayer, 1881-86; D. M. Stetler, 1887, present incumbent. The first Reformed minister was the Reverend Cocto, who is supposed to have administered the ordinances of religion in this church during a period of twenty years. The name of Reverend Hendel appears upon the record in 1805, followed by Rev. J. Felix in 1812; the latter was present in 1818 at a congregational meeting held for the purpose of erecting a new church building. The pastoral succession since 1820 has been as follows: H. Knoebel, 1820-27; John Houtz, 1827-30; Benjamin Boyer, 1830-86; Rudolph Duenger, 1836-52; Isaac F. Steily, 1852-69; J. Fritzinger, 1870; John Wohlbach, and A. R. Hottenstein, the present incumbent, who assumed charge in 1875. The names of Andrew Ketterli and Peter Schmidt appear as officers in 1780; Andrew Brist, Christian Thomas, and Nicholas Adams,, in 1809; Michael Rebuck and Jacob Schmidt, in 1811; Conrad Rebuck and Daniel Kieffer, in 1823; Abraham Rothermel and Gideon Adams, in 1826; John Geist and Bernhard Adams, in 1828. The family names at this date (1890) are those of Kieffer, Geist, Smith, Rebuck, Thomas, Falk, Sherry, Kehres, Ressler, Adams, Latsha, Runkle, Walker, Rothermel, Heim, Schott, Woodling, and others. The parochial school has long since been discontinued; three Sunday schools are conducted at school houses located two miles north, east, and south, respectively, from the church building. The school house erected in END OF PAGE 789 1774, enlarged and modernized, constitutes the residence of the organist, who officiates for both congregations and receives all the products of the farm with the use of the house in compensation for his services. Both congregations were incorporated in 1854. CHAPTER XXXIX. ROCKEFELLER TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION AND BOUNDARIES - DRAINAGE AND ROADS - VILLAGES - MILLS - SCHOOLS - CHURCHES. This township, one of the interior subdivisions of the county, is bounded on the north by Upper Augusta, on the east by Shamokin, on the south by Zerbe and Little Mahanoy, and on the west by Lower Augusta. Its territory was originally a part of Augusta, and from the division of the latter until its separate organization it was embraced in Lower Augusta. A petition for the division of Lower Augusta was presented to the court on the 12th of January, 1880, whereupon G. W. Hower, John Eckman, and M. Haupt were appointed as commissioners to take the matter under advisement. This report having been favorable, an election was ordered for the 24th of April following, resulting in an expression of popular approval, and on the 7th of May, 1880, the township was formally erected by decree of court. The surface is hilly. Little Shamokin and Plum creeks afford ample drainage. The principal highways are the Tulpehocken and Plum Creek roads; the former extends north and south, intersecting the latter three miles from Sunbury. VILLAGES. Seven Points, a village of one hundred twenty-five inhabitants, three stores, a postoffice, and the shops of several mechanics, is situated in the eastern part of Rockefeller township, on the Trevorton and Sunbury road about seven miles from the latter place. It derives its name from the fact that seven roads diverge at this place. The site was formerly embraced in a tract of several hundred acres owned by William Maclay, one of the first United States Senators from Pennsylvania. The first house within the present limits of the village was erected by William Raker in 1870; he owned the land adjoining, and sold it in lots of convenient size for purchasers. Mr. Raker also opened the first store. In 1874 the house now owned by William Eister was erected by George Shive, who started the first hotel therein; this END OF PAGE 790 business, however, was only continued six years. The postoffice was established in 1874 with William Raker as postmaster; since that time G. Snyder, M. G. Ressler, and William B. Eister, the present incumbent, have filled the office. Mail is received three times a week, but arrangements are now (1890) in progress for a daily service from Sunbury. The school house, a one-story brick building, was erected in 1881. Washington Camp, No. 139, P.O.S. of A., was instituted on the 20th of January, 1886. Augustaville is a small post-village on the Tulpehocken road six miles from Sunbury. It consists of several houses, a general store, shoemaker shop, school house, and post office, which was established in 1880. The first house was erected by Daniel Conrad in 1860 and was used as a hotel until 1886. Augusta Lodge, No. 614, I.O.O.F., was instituted under charter dated November 19, 1867. MILLS. Weitzel's mill was established by Casper Weitzel, one of the first resident attorneys of the county and a captain in the Continental army, who died in 1782. The mill is one of the oldest in the county, and has been in possession of the Weitzel family since it was first placed in operation. The present owner is Joseph Weitzel. Miller's mill is situated on Little Shamokin creek along the road leading from the Tulpehocken road to Trevorton, about four miles from the latter place. The first mill at this site was a small frame structure erected by Colonel Thomas Jones some time between 1790 and 1800. The present mill was built in 1850 by David Miller, by whom it was owned until his death; it then became the property of his son, Hiram Miller, the present owner. Shipman's mill is situated on the road leading from the Tulpehocken road to the Susquehanna river, along Little Shamokin creek. It is a two-story frame structure and was erected by Abraham Shipman in 1850. After his death it became the property of Isaac Shipman and was owned by him until 1890, when it was purchased by Solomon Miller. Fagley's mill, on a branch of Little Shamokin creek in the southern part of Rockefeller township, is a frame structure fifty-three by twenty-five feet, and was built by Samuel Lantz in 1856. Soon after its erection it was purchased by Jacob Fagley, the present owner. SCHOOLS. Rockefeller township sustains seven schools and has an equal number of school buildings. One is situated at Seven Points; one at Augustaville; one near Solomon Miller's mill, known as the Shipman school; two on the Plum Creek road, known, respectively, as the Upper and Lower Plum Creek schools; one near Emanuel Reformed church, and the other on the Irish Valley road. END OF PAGE 791 CHURCHES. Zion Church, Lutheran and Reformed, is situated on the Tulpehocken road six and one half miles from Sunbury. The ground was presented by Martin Raker in 1814 and some of the timbers for a church building were prepared in that year, but it was not completed until 1816. It is a stone structure two stories in height; originally there was but one story with interior galleries around three sides, but at a meeting on the 18th of January, 1861, it was decided to substitute a second story for the galleries. This was accomplished during that year under the supervision of Elias Emeric and J. F. Lerch. Some years later the building was remodeled at a cost of five hundred dollars. The first organization occurred in 1806 with eight members, and public worship was conducted in a log school house which stood about four hundred yards from the present church edifice. This school house was constructed with a swinging partition in the middle; one end was used as a school room and the other as the teacher's dwelling, but on preaching occasions the partition was swung open and the whole became a place of worship. Among those most active in the original erection of the church edifice were George Long, William Reeser, Samuel Bloom, George Haupt, Martin Raker, Jacob Raker, Conrad Raker, Jacob Raker, William Bartholomew, Jacob Zimmerman, and George Savidge. Rev. J. P. Shindel was pastor in 1816, when the building was dedicated. The following is a list of ministers who have served the congregations since their organization: Lutheran - Reverends J. P. Shindel (who became pastor in 1813 and remained until 1851), Peter Born, D. D., George P. Weaver, L. H. Sherts, Joseph Focht, Mr. Berry, A. K. Zimmerman, Mr. Harsh, Sidney Bateman, Mr. Felker, and Cyrus E. Benson, the present pastor; Reformed - Reverends Steily, Fisher, Steinmetz, Cremer, Haas, Daniel, Reider, Shoemaker, Hertzel, and Mutchler. In connection with this church and situated in the same lot to the rear of the building is a burying ground, the oldest in the township. This lot was laid out as a place of interment as early as 1800 by Martin Raker, who died in October, 1803, and was the first person interred here. Eden Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in 1844 by Rev. J. P. Shindel. The first officers and signers of the constitution were George Savidge, John Drear, George Fausold, Philip Weiser, Henry Fausold, and Daniel Conrad, in addition to whom there were forty-six original members. The erection of a church edifice was immediately begun and the corner-stone was laid on the 22d of April, 1844, Rev. J. P. Shindel officiating. It was a one-story frame structure. situated on the Plum Creek road, and served as a place of worship until 1873 when it was removed and the present two-story brick edifice erected. This was dedicated, October 12, 1873, at which time Rev. A. K. Zimmerman was pastor. Since its organization the church has END OF PAGE 792 Page 793 contains a portrait of J. Weiser Bucher. Page 794 is blank. been served by the Reverends J. P. Shindel, Peter Bohn, D. D., George P. Weaver, L. H. Sherts, Joseph Focht, Mr. Berry, A. K. Zimmerman, Mr. Harsh, Sidney Bateman, Mr. Felker, and Cyrus F. Benson, the present pastor. Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized on the 8th of April, 1848, and has had the following pastors: Reverends J. T. Hornberger, 1860 to July, 1864; J. H. Schmidt, October, 1864, to April, 1868; L. G. Eggers, May, 1869, to May, 1871; J. Albert, October, 1871, to January, 1875; A. Berk, 1875 to 1877; H. T. Clymer, August, 1879, to August, 1882; J. W. Early, January, 1883, to March, 1886; A. J. L. Breinig, December, 1887, present incumbent. At a meeting of the Reformed and Lutheran congregations, June 5, 1847, an agreement was entered into for the erection of a union place of worship, which was accordingly built. The Lutherans withdrew from this union on the 26th of April, 1884, and at once undertook the erection of a church edifice; Joseph Emeric and John Lantz were appointed to secure funds, and, with the assistance of the pastor, select a site. A lot on the northeast corner of Wolfs cross-roads was offered by Joel Wolf and accepted. Joseph Emeric, Daniel Clinger, and William Eister were appointed as a building committee, November 27, 1884; the corner-stone was laid on the 24th of May, 1885, by Reverends J. W. Early and M. B. Lenker, and the dedication occurred, November 8, 1885, when the pastor was assisted by Rev. L. Lindenstruth. Emanuel Reformed Church was organized in 1848. The first church edifice, a one-story brick structure, situated on the Little Shamokin Creek road four miles southeast of Sunbury, was jointly occupied by this congregation and the Lutherans until 1884, when the latter disposed of their interest; it was then used exclusively by the Reformed organization until 1886, when the present edifice, a one-story brick building with Sunday school room at one side, was erected. Henry Arnold, Samuel Keefer, and Jacob Goss constituted the building committee. The corner-stone was laid on the 8th of April, 1886, and the church was dedicated in the following November. Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1860, and numbered among its membership the families of Gonsar, Tucker, Shipman, Long, and Malick. A small frame church edifice was erected on the Hollowing Run road in the same year; in 1875 it was enlarged, but has been much damaged by a storm arid never repaired. Seven Points Church of the Evangelical Association was organized in 1866, although public worship had been conducted by ministers of this denomination in that vicinity as early as 1855. The church edifice, a one-story frame structure, was dedicated on the 23d of December, 1866. Rev. David Lantz was largely instrumental in effecting the organization and having the church building erected. END OF PAGE 795 CHAPTER XL. RALPHO TOWNSHIP SUCCESSIVE STEPS IN THE PROCEEDINGS BY WHICH THE TOWNSHIP WAS ERECTED - LINE OF DIVISION FROM SHAMOKIN - DRAINAGE AND ROADS PIONEERS - EARLY HISTORY, GROWTH, AND SECRET SOCIETIES OF ELYSBURG - INDUSTRIES - SCHOOLS - CHURCHES. RALPHO township borders on Columbia county on the north and east, Coal township on the south, Shamokin on the west, and Rush on the north. Its territory was part of Augusta from 1772 to 1785, of Catawissa from 1785 to 1788, of Ralpho in 1788-89, and of Shamokin from 1789 to 1883. Its erection originated in a movement to divide Shamokin into two election districts, the propriety of which was favorably reported upon, May 3, 1880, by Isaac Campbell, John Eckman, and Richard B. Douty, viewers appointed by the court, March 12,1880. Exceptions to this report were filed, however; on the 4th of January, 1881, it was set aside and the matter referred again to the same viewers. A second report was made, February 7, 1881, and on the 1st of August, 1882, this was confirmed, dividing the township into two election districts, to be known as North and South Shamokin. In the meantime the formation of a new township had been agitated and on the 5th of September, 1882, a petition presented with that object was referred to Ira Shipman, Peter H. Snyder, and Solomon Weaver, who reported favorably, December 15, 1882, the line of division to coincide with the channel of Shamokin creek from the line of Coal township to a point in the middle of the stream at the county bridge near Reed's church and thence deflect north fourteen and one fourth degrees east two hundred sixty rods to the line of Rush township. The question was submitted to a vote on the 20th of January, 1883, when the proposed change received popular approval; and on the 5th of February, 1883, a decree of court was promulgated, erecting the township of Ralpho from that part of the former territory of Shamokin east of the division line and adjacent to Columbia county. The first election for township officers occurred on the 20th of February, 1883. The surface of the township is undulating and in many parts hilly; it is drained by tributaries of Shamokin and Roaring creeks, the former forming the western and the latter the eastern boundary. The highest elevation in this region is Gilger's hills, a range extending east and west through the central part of the township. The Shamokin Valley and Pottsville railway END OF PAGE 796 passes through the western part of the township the lines of the old Centre and Danville turnpikes cross its territory, while numerous lateral highways lead in all directions. PIONEERS. Settlements were attempted in this section prior to the Revolutionary war, but none proved successful until 1779, when Obadiah Campbell, a native of New Jersey and a soldier of the Revolution, immigrated to the vicinity of Elysburg, where he secured a tract of four hundred acres. About the same time or a few years later, Jacob Pensyl, who had previously settled at the site of Shamokin, established himself upon a tract of two hundred acres in Ralpho township. William F. Kaseman, Peter Demmig (Dimmick), Peter Haas, Henry Fisher, and the Geiger family were also among the pioneers. Henry Fisher located where Peter Leisenring now resides, where he built the hotel and mill and owned fifteen or eighteen hundred acres of land. Abia John arrived in 1795 and located two miles east of Perry John's present residence; Casper Adams and Abram Arter located at the respective residences of John Campbell and John Repley. John Reeder was also an early settler, but did not remain permanently. In 1807 George Krick located where John Krick, his grandson, now resides. ELYSBURG. This village is pleasantly located in the southern part of the township, in which it is the only place of importance. The plat was laid out in 1830 by Peter Haas, from whom the place received its first name, Petersburg. When the postoffice was established a change became necessary, and the present designation was adopted. Historically it is the more appropriate, as the Ely family has been represented at this locality from an early period. As early as 1800 George Ely kept hotel in this vicinity; the first house within the present village limits was built by Samuel Ely, whose carpenter shop was also the first local industry. Among the first store keepers were John Irvin, Joseph Dickson, and Fisher & Higgins; David Higgins, a member of the last mentioned firm, was the first postmaster. Dr. James Pasco was the first resident physician but did not remain any length of time; Dr. Joseph C. Robins was the first to locate permanently at Elysburg, where he was in active practice forty-two years. Jesse Campbell was the first saddler, and William Bird the first blacksmith; the chair-making industry was pursued at one time by William Persing. The original town plat was subsequently enlarged by Dodge & Barton and E. Chidester. Secret Societies. The following is a list of secret societies, with dates of organization or institution: Elysburg Lodge, No. 548, I.O.O.F., January 1, 1859; Lucy Jane Lodge, No. 80, Daughters of Rebekah, September 22, 1873; Elysburg Lodge, No. 414. F. & A.M., March 4, 1868; Washington Camp, No. 186, P.O.S. of A., July 26, 1887. END OF PAGE 797 INDUSTRIES. John W. Reed's mill is a two-story frame building, equipped with four sets of buhrs. The first mill at this site was built by Bernard Eyregood; it was a frame building with two sets of buhrs, and had an overshot wheel. The present mill was built in 1830 by Samuel Sober. Peter Leisenring's mill at Bear Gap was originally erected at an early date by Henry Fisher; it was rebuilt and enlarged by Jacob Leisenring. William Krickbaum's mill is situated in the eastern part of the township on Roaring creek; this is an old mill site and the present structure, a three-story frame building with four sets of buhrs and an overshot wheel, was erected in 1843 by Mr. Krickbaum. Isaac Hull established a small tannery in 1830; some years since it passed into the possession of William Pensyl, by whom the plant was enlarged and improved. Lemuel Teitsworth also conducted a tannery at Elysburg a number of years. SCHOOLS. One of the earliest schools of the township was conducted in an old log building that stood upon the site of St. Jacob's church. The first teachers were Charles Stock and William H. Muench; the latter taught twenty-four years. At an early date Obadiah Campbell built a log school house on land now owned by Joseph Ent. He also gave the ground for the first school house at Elysburg, and re-enforced this generous donation with a liberal subscription; the building occupied the site of the present school house in that village, and William Cunningham, Rev. Samuel Henderson, Joseph Campbell, and David Anderson were among the first teachers. The congregation of St. Peter's church erected a brick school house at an early date where the present church edifice stands; Francis P. Schwartz and a Mr. Lattimer were among the first teachers. The Elysburg Academy was for some years a prominent educational factor in this part of the county. A two-story brick building thirty by forty feet in dimensions was erected in 1865 by a local stock company at a cost of thirty- four hundred dollars. William Biddle, Rev. John Adams, and H. H. Bartholomew were the first principals. Since the regular sessions of the academy have been discontinued, different persons have conducted private schools in the building during the Summer months. CHURCHES. St. Peter's Church, Lutheran and Reformed, was organized more than a hundred years ago. John Pensyl donated an acre of ground for church and burial purposes; a log building was erected thereon as a place of worship and a brick building for school purposes. The latter was replaced by the present church edifice, of which the corner-stone was laid on the 5th of Sep- END OF PAGE 798 tember, 1863. It is a brick structure forty feet wide and eighty feet long. John Pensyl and Peter Demmig (Dimmick) were among the most active of the early members. The present (1890) official boards are constituted as follows: Lutheran - Adam Dimmick and Henry Hoffman, elders, George Buffington and Egbert Adams, deacons; Reformed - Franklin Erdman and David Kaseman, elders, G. F. Herb and F. P. Martz, deacons. The cemetery adjoining the church is tastefully arranged and inclosed with a neat iron fence. St. Jacob's Church, Lutheran and Reformed, was incorporated about the year 1812; among the corporators were Jacob Reed, Matthias Kershner, Jacob Fry, Andrew Fry, Andrew Smith, John Smith, Abram Arter, and Solomon Krick. Ground for a church edifice was donated by John Jones, and Casper Reed gave the land for the cemetery. The first church building, a two-story brick structure, was dedicated on the 14th of August, 1816; it was two years in course of erection, as the corner- stone was laid on the 28th of August, 1814. Jacob Reed was the largest contributor and virtual founder, and his services are still recognized in the popular designation, "Reed's church." The present church edifice is a two-story brick structure seventy feet long and forty feet wide with tower and bell, and cost seven thousand dollars; the corner-stone was laid on the 1st of May, 1870, and the dedication occurred on the 20th of November following. Among the early members of these congregations were Jacob Reed , Casper Reed, Christian Bauschlog, Peter Swank, Jacob Swank, Henry Swank, Conrad Yost, William H. Muench, Abram Arter, Solomon Krick, George Krick, John Hirsh, Jacob Scholl, John Vought, Sr., John Vought, Jr., Daniel Vought, Sr., Daniel Vought, Jr., Valentine Vought, E. H. Vought, H. H. Knoerle, Samuel Haas, and John Miller. The following is a list of pastors: Lutheran - Reverends J. P. Shindel, J. O. Adams, J. H. Wampole, Philip Williard, Mr. Bricker, and S. G. Shannon, present incumbent; Reformed - Reverends John W. Ingold, John Dietrich Adams, Martin Bruner, Mr. Knoebel, R. A. Fisher, Mr. Hoffman, Mr. Rittenhouse, Mr. Hibschman, Mr. Losch, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Reiter, Mr. Shoemaker, Mr. Hartzel, and Mr. Sando. Elysburg Methodist Episcopal Church is supposed to have been organized about the year 1791 by Bishop Asbury, the founder of this denomination in America. The place of worship was the school house built at Elysburg by Obadiah Campbell until 1850, when the frame building now owned by the Masonic Lodge was erected. The present one- story frame church edifice superseded the latter in 1885. The following is a list of pastors since 1866: 1866, J. Forrest, J. M. Akers; 1867, J. Forrest; 1868, Henry S. Mendenhall, William W. Reese; 1869, Henry S. Mendenhall, A. S. Bowman; 1870 Henry S. Mendenhall; 1871, J. F. Bowman, Theodore Faus; 1872, J. F. Rowman; 1873, T. O. Clees; 1874, T. O. Clees, G. V. Savidge; 1875, T. O. Clees, W. B. Smith; 1876, John Guss, C. J. Buck; 1877, John Guss; 1878, John Guss, Jonathan Guldin; 1879-81, Gideon H. Day; 1882-83, Timothy END OF PAGE 799 H. Tubbs; 1884-86, Henry B. Fortner; 1887-89, Andrew W. Decker; 1890, William A. Lepley. Oak Grove Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1834; among the early members were Adam Gilger, Robert Taylor and wife, John Repley, Henry Repley, Joseph Yocum and wife, John Fisher, and David Snyder and wife. Meetings were here for some years at the house of John Repley, and subsequently in the school house. The present church building, a frame structure thirty-eight by forty feet, was dedicated on the 1st of January, 1863. The Society of Friends has been represented in Ralpho township since its first settlement, but no local meeting was organized until 1840, when, through the efforts of Elida and Perry John, a number of Friends residing in this locality and formerly connected with the meetings at Catawissa and Roaring creek were separately constituted. A school house and subsequently Krickbaum's mill were used as places of worship until the present brick meeting house was erected. Elysburg Presbyterian Church was organized in 1850 from a membership formerly connected with the old Shamokin church. Prominent among the first members were Obadiah Campbell, William Kase, Alexander Moore, Samuel Sober, and their families. They built a brick church edifice and worshipped therein until 1889, when the present brick building was erected upon the same site. Reverends Samuel Henderson, John Sellers, John Hudson, Mr. Williamson, David Hull, Mr. Sturgis, John McElroy, John Caldwell, W. B. Mather, Mr. Finney, and F. F. Christine, the present incumbent, have successively served as pastors. CHAPTER XLI. GEARHART TOWNSHIP ERECTION AND ORGANIZATION - THE FOUNDING, GROWTH, AND MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT OF THE BOROUGH OF RIVERSIDE - SOUTH DANVILLE - SCHOOLS - CHURCHES - CEMETERY. The movement that has recently culminated in the division of Bush township had its origin in the formation of Gearhart independent school district some years ago; subsequently two election districts were formed, and, at December sessions, 1889, proceedings were instituted for the formation of two separate and distinct townships. Ira Shipman, C. D. Oberdorf, and John F. Derr, commissioners appointed by the court to take the END OF PAGE 800 matter under advisement, reported favorably to a division by the line of the independent school district. The question was submitted to popular vote on the 3d of June, 1890, when eighty-three ballots were cast in favor of division and fifty-one against; the township of Gearhart was accordingly erected, September 10, 1890, by decree of court. The first election occurred on the 27th of September, 1890, resulting in the choice of the following township officers: constable, Conrad Fisher; justices of the peace: J. Hudson Kase, Charles Kase; supervisors: A. M. Sechler, W. F. Gearhart; overseers of the poor; James C. Carr, H. H. Vastine; assessors: Samuel Gulick, Samuel Reader; auditors: F. W. Clayton, D. R. Eckman, Daniel P. Crossley; school directors: Thomas Welliver, J. N. Bird, M. F. Gulick, Peter Burger, Daniel P. Crossley, S. K. Hummer; judge of election, B. F. Landan; inspectors: Thomas A. Adams, O. H. Ammerman. BOROUGH OF RIVERSIDE. Riverside is pleasantly situated on the south bank of the North Branch, directly opposite Danville, Montour county. The site was originally embraced in the farm of Daniel Cameron, from whom it passed successively to William D. Gearhart and William Hancock; from the latter it was purchased by Rev. Irvin H. Torrence, with whom the project of laying out a town had its inception. In the consummation of this project Thomas Beaver and Benjamin G. Welch were associated with Mr. Torrence; subsequent additions have been made to the original plat, and thus the borough embraces several hundred acres. The streets, extending north and south, are numbered consecutively from First to Twelfth; the avenues cross the streets at right angles, and are distinguished by a series of letters, all the letters in the alphabet from A to I being used. The Sunbury and Danville road, which passes through the plat, has been widened under the name of Sunbury street. The borough is situated on the line of the Sunbury, Hazelton and Wilkesbarre railroad, and is connected with Danville by a river bridge; its population is principally employed in that city, of which it is virtually a suburb and in the prosperity of which it has largely shared. No manufacturing or business interests of importance have developed; it is essentially a place of residence, and in its attractiveness in this respect has doubtless realized the design of the projectors. Municipal Government. The borough of Riverside was incorporated, May 4, 1871, by act of the legislature; until the first election for borough officers should occur, this act provided that Edward Crompton should act as burgess, and A. Motzenbacher, W. Yeager, Daniel Leiby, W. A. Miller, Joel T. Baily, and O. H. Ostrander as councilmen. Since 1873 the following persons have been elected to the office of burgess: 1873, C. P. Gearhart; 1874, END OF PAGE 801 R. P. Laird; 1875-76, Joseph L. Shannon; 1877, William Minier; 1878, Joseph L. Shannon; 1879, Benjamin G. Welch; 1880-82, C. P. Gearhart; 1883, R. P. Laird; 1885, Joseph L. Shannon; 1886, Caleb F. Persing; 1887-91, Joseph L. Shannon. SOUTH DANVILLE. South Danville adjoins Riverside on the east, and is located at the southern terminus of the Danville bridge. The site was formerly embraced in the farm of Harmon Gearhart; the town was laid out by William F. Gearhart, with George W. West as surveyor. Logan, Montour, Chestnut, Factory, and Mill streets extend north and south, intersected by Railroad, Wall, Dewart, Gearhart, and Sunbury streets. The town possesses substantially the same character and prospects as Riverside; owing to the immediate proximity of Danville, where the population is principally employed, no local business or industries of any magnitude have come into existence. SCHOOLS. The Riverside school building, a brick structure forty by twenty- six feet and two stories high, was erected in 1871 at a cost of four thousand seven hundred forty-eight dollars, twenty-nine cents; the first term was opened in the autumn of that year with Miss Mamie Wilkes as teacher. The first school directors, appointed by the legislature in the act incorporating the borough, were J. W. Scott, William Faux, Daniel Huber, Benjamin G. Welch, C. P. Gearhart, and O. Longacre. CHURCHES. The Methodist Episcopal Church of South Danville has existed as an organization from an early period in the history of the Methodist denomination in central Pennsylvania. Rev. Francis Asbury, the first Methodist bishop in America, makes mention in his journal of having been the guest of General William Montgomery at Danville, whence he crossed the river and preached at Judge Jacob Gearhart's; the Judge's barn was the place of public worship, while class and prayer meetings were regularly held at his house, which occupied the site of the present residence of Rev. Irvin H. Torrence. The preachers of the Philadelphia, Genesee, and Baltimore Conferences successively included this point in the field of their labors; and here the first Methodist church edifice in that part of Northumberland county south of the North Branch was erected in 1829. It was a frame building one story high, and was situated within the inclosure of Mt. Vernon cemetery; John Gearhart, a son of the Judge, supervised the work of construction, and William Gearhart performed the mason-work. This structure was occupied for religious purposes until 1872, when a brick edifice was erected at Riverside; this is the present Episcopal chapel, which, on account of financial embar- END OF PAGE 802 rassment, the Methodists were unable to retain. Their present place of worship is a substantial brick building. Riverside has been a station since 1873, with the following clergymen: 1873-74, A. S. Bowman; 1875-77, J. T. Wilson; 1879, J. Max Lantz; 1880, Benjamin H. Mosser; 1881-83, Daniel Hartman; 1884-85, N. Herbert Smith; 1886-87, John R. Melroy; 1888-49, Gideon H. Day; 1890, John W. Glover. Grace Protestant Episcopal Chapel, Riverside. The title to this property is vested in the corporation of Christ church, Danville, to which it was presented in June, 1878, by Charles Carr. It is a dependency of that parish, the rector of which, Rev. William R. Mulford, conducts the services. CEMETERY. Mt. Vernon Cemetery, the last resting place of many of the. pioneers and older residents of the township, is situated on the main road from Danville to Snydertown one mile from Riverside. The manner in which this ground was set apart for burial purposes is best explained by the following extract from the will of Daniel Cameron, dated September 2, 1833:- WHEREAS, I have exchanged about one and one fourth acres of land, on which the Methodist meeting house near Judge Gearhart's stands, for the same quantity of land, to be taken off of Harmon Gearhart's farm on the river adjoining my farm; now, hereby authorize my executors to grant and convey said lot of land on which said meeting house stands in trust for the Methodist society, on a good and sufficient deed clear of encumbrances being made to my children for a like quantity of land by Harmon Gearhart, situate as aforesaid. Harmon Gearhart, therefore, was the real donor, although the ground was taken from the Cameron farm. The title is now vested in the Mt. Vernon Cemetery Association, which was incorporated on the 16th of November, 1870. END OF PAGE 803 AND CHAPTER XLI.