History of Northumberland Co., PA - Chapters 27-32



CHAPTER 27 - Pages 726-734
SHAMOKIN TOWNSHIP
FORMATION OF RALPHO TOWNSHIP AND DESCRIPTION OF ITS ORIGINAL BOUNDARIES
- CHANGE OF NAME TO SHAMOKIN - PHYSICAL FEATURES - PIONEERS - TAXABLES
IN 1755 - INDUSTRIES - EARLY SETTLEMENT, PRESENT BUSINESS, AND MUNICIPAL
GOVERNMENT OF THE BOROUGH OF SNYDERTOWN - VILLAGES - SCHOOLS - CHURCHES

   THE present line of division between Shamokin and Rockefeller townships
has, with the exception of Line mountain, possessed geographical
significance longer than any other of the interior township lines of
Northumberland county. It was part of the original western boundary of
Catawissa, which was thus described at the erection of that township in
1785:-
  
   To begin at the mouth of Gravel run, where it empties into the
Northeast Branch of the Susquehanna, and to extend up said run to the
first large fork; thence up the east branch of said run a direct course
till Shamokin creek between the plantations of William Clark and Andrew
Gregg; from thence a direct course to a large deerlick on the north side
of Mahanoy hill, till it joins the line that divides the townships of
Augusta and Mahanoy.

   Augusta township at that date is represented as extending from
Sunbury nearly to "the plains of Wyoming;" and at April sessions, 1785,
a number of the inhabitants presented a petition setting forth its
unwieldy proportions, which they "conceived after a division would be
large enough and sufficient for two townships." Commissioners were
accordingly appointed, and at the following August term a division was
ordered by the line just described, that part of the original township
east of it "to be called and known as Catawissa forever."
   The township thus formed was soon found to be too large for the
convenience of its population, and at August sessions, 1788, a division
was ordered by a line, - Beginning at the mouth of Little Roaring creek;
thence up said creek to the head thereof; thence on the ridge to the
south branch of Big Roaring creek; from thence up the said creek to
Yarnall's path; thence a southeasterly course to the county line.
   That part of the former area of Catawissa west of this line
received the name of Ralpho. It was bounded on the south by Line
mountain and Schuylkill county; on the west by the present western line
of Rush and Shamokin, extended to Line mountain; on the north by the
Susquehanna river, and on the east by a line coinciding very nearly with
the present eastern boundary of the county, except that Yarnall's path
passes in Mt. Carmel township through the borough of Mt. Carmel and not
at its eastern extremity. But, unfortunately for the perpetuity of the
name, its selection did not meet the approbation of the inhabitants, and
within a year several petitions were presented to the court, praying for
a change. The reasons for this are thus set forth in one of these
petitions:-

   The name and word Shamokin is known throughout the greater part of
this and adjacent States; and it is very common, where new townships are
laid out, to call such township or townships by and after the name of
such creek or principal stream of water as is or are running through the
same; and many of us having moved and come a considerable distance and
settled upon the waters of said Shamokin creek, and strangers remote
from this place not knowing whether the word Shamokin is the name of the
county, a township, or town, said it is often the case that many of us
send or receive letters, etc., and it may often happen that letters
coming into a second hand may be miscarried if there is not a proper
direction upon the face of the letter, etc.: your petitioners therefore
humbly pray that your Honors may be pleased to strike out the strange
and unknown name of Ralpho(1) lately given to the township newly laid out
and taken off the township of Catawissa, and to grant it its known and
natural name, Shamokin.
   Accordingly "upon a second petition of the inhabitants up Shamokin
creek" (the petition quoted) the name was changed to Shamokin at August
sessions, 1789.
   Little Mahanoy was formed from Augusta and Shamokin in 1819; Rush
from Shamokin 1819; Coal from Shamokin and Little Mahanoy, in 1837;
Snydertown borough in 1871; and Ralpho, from Shamokin, in 1883, thus
reducing the latter to its present limits.
   The valley of Shamokin Creek forms the northern part of the township,
and Irish Valley its southern part, while the intervening territory is
distinguished by a very diversified topography. The Northern Central and
Philadelphia and Reading railroads pass through the valley of the creek,
with several stations in this township, while highways traverse its extent
in all directions.

PIONEERS

   The following is a list of the taxables of Ralpho (Shamokin) township,
in 1788; William Becker, William Becker Jr., William Brewer, Peter
Bucklin, Dewalt Billman Jr., Christian Barger, David Bennett, Peter
Barger, William Billman, William Clark, Alexander Campbell, James Cherry,
George Daugherty, George Dwilar, Abraham Dewitt, Alexander Ewing, Joseph
Fisher, William Goodhart, Thomas Giles, Robert Giles, Stephen Harsh, John
Irwin, Andrew Irwin, Jonathan Jones, Abraham Jones, William Jones, M.
Jones, Daniel Jackson, Peter Kess1er, Benjamin Kelley, Ishmael Kess, John
Kelley, John Kerr, Robert Kennedy, John Kerr Jr. Griffith Kerr, Lawrence
Lamterson, James McLees, John Miller, Nicholas Miller, Hester McKay, John
McKenzie, John Maurer, John Moore, Mordecai Morrison, Samuel Moore, John
Pensyl, George Persing, Richard Robinson, Samuel Reeder, Jacob Reed,
Casper Reed, Henry Ripley, Richard Robinson, Richard Robinson, Jr.,
William Search, John Teitsworth, William Teitsworth, Michael Thompson,
David Thurston, William Taylor, Edward Wilkerson, Allen Wilkerson, John
Wilkerson, Michael Weaver, Alexander Wallace, Andrew Wagner, James
Wallace, Morgan Young.

INDUSTRIES

   The Shipman mill site is one of the oldest on Shamokin creek, as
George Hughes built a mill thereon as early as 1780. It had an overshot
wheel and two sets of buhrs. Charles Hughes, his son, built the three-
story frame structure now owned by W. A. Reed. It has four sets of
buhrs. In 1815 Jacob Reed built a saw mill at the site of a similar
establishment now owned by William Reed.
   Several tanneries were once in operation. That of Daniel Campbell was
located upon land now owned by Mrs. Jane Reed; Hughes & Teats had one at
Snufftown, while those of Joseph Haupt and Furman Farnsworth were in Irish
valley. Samuel and Joseph Hoover had a tannery three fourths of a mile
from Snydertown on the main road to Sunbury. Joseph M. Wolverton, who
learned his trade with them, established a tannery at Snydertown and
conducted it until his death several years since. At the present time
there is no establishment of this nature in operation in the township.
   The Paxinos iron furnace was built in 1845 by Anthony Dengler and
successively operated by Dengler & Haas and Taggart, Furman & Barton;
after the suspension of the last mentioned firm the works were
abandoned. They were situated upon the William Reed farm.
   A distillery was operated by Jacob Haas on the land now owned by W.
A. Reed some years ago, but the time when it was established has not
been ascertained. Valentine Klase had a distillery on the road between
Stonington and Snydertown at an early date.

BOROUGH OF SNYDERTOWN

   Snydertown is situated in the northern part of the township in the
valley of Shamokin creek and on the lines of the Northern Central and
Philadelphia and Reading railways. The land upon which the town proper
is situated was first owned by Godfrey Rockefeller, from Sussex county,
New Jersey; he gave to each of his sons, viz., Jacob, Godfrey, Henry,
and Peter, one hundred acres of land within the present borough limits.
Godfrey built the frame tavern that stood upon the site of the present
brick hotel; it was inherited by his daughter Charity, whose husband,
William Farrow, became landlord in 1796 and continued as such sixty
years. He was succeeded by his son, William Farrow, who built the
present hotel. Among other pioneers of the borough were the Lewis
family, Jacob Holsman, Andrew Gonsar, John Jones, Andrew Smith, William
Waters, John Moore, John Evert, and William Martz. Michael Klase
arrived in 1815 from Berks county, Pennsylvania; in 1821 he built a
distillery upon land now owned by  Charles Snyder and operated it many
years.
   The village of Snydertown, which comprises but a small part of the
territory included in the borough limits, was laid out by Jacob Snyder,
a native of New Jersey. From its position in the fertile Shamokin
valley, midway between Sunbury and Shamokin, it enjoys good business
advantages. Two general stores, a hotel, a planing mill, and a grist
mill comprise the present commercial and industrial interests. The
grist mill, of which J. H. Gonsar is the present proprietor, was
originally built by Samuel Gonsar on the main road leading from
Snydertown to the Centre turnpike a quarter of a mile from the present
location.      
   Shamokin Valley Lodge. No. 527, I.O.O.F. was chartered on the 23d
of May, 1856.
   Municipal Government. Snydertown was incorporated as a borough by
act of the legislature, May 26, 1871. The borough election of February
16, 1872, resulted as follows: burgess, William F. Kline; council:
William Withington, D. H. Evert, Valentine Klase Jr., Daniel Smith, B.
F. Hoy, Jonathan Deibler,; street commissioner, John Martz; overseer of
the poor, D. J. Willet; judge of elections, Jackson Berger; inspectors:
G. W. Startzel, George W. Farrow; school directors: Jesse Gonsar, Daniel
Smith, J. M. Wolverton, John Klase, A. T. Dewitt, D. H. Evert; high
constable: George W. Startzel; constable, M. Smith; assessor, George
Weimer; town clerk, Isaac Anold; auditors: John Klase, George W. Arnold,
David Hoover.
   The following is a list of burgesses since the incorporation of the
borough: 1872-73, William F. Kline; 1874, J. M. Wolverton; 1875, Daniel
Smith; 1876, John Bohner; 1877, William F. Kline; 1878-1881, Jacob
Gonsar; 1882-83, David Hoover; 1884, Jacob Gonsar; 1885, John Zimmerman;
1886-87, Eli Hoover; 1888-90, David Hoover; 1891, J. H. Martin.

VILLAGES

   Snufftown, at one time the most important postoffice and stage depot
between Sunbury and Pottsville, is located on the Centre turnpike and was
laid out by a Mr. Zuern before the close of the last century. As a
postoffice it bore the name of Shamokin; there was also a store, hotel,
blacksmith shop, and gunmaking establishment. The hotel reached the zenith
of its prosperity just before the opening of the railroad, when it was
under the proprietorship of D. Stambach.
   Paxinos, a station and post-village on the Northern Central and
Philadelphia and Reading railways, comprises a general store, hotel,
postoffice, blacksmith shop, and brick yard. As originally erected by
John Teitsworth, the hotel was a two-story frame building.
   Stonington is a post-village in the northwestern part of the township.
It consists of a store, postoffice, blacksmith shop, and church.

SCHOOLS

   The public school system was first adopted in Shamokin township in
1836, and the school tax assessed for that year amounted to five hundred
thirty-two dollars, five and one half cents. In March, 1838, the
continuance of the system was decided in the negative by a vote of one
hundred fifty-six in a total poll of one hundred sixty-one. In 1841 the
question was again submitted; one hundred twenty-five votes were cast in
favor of reestablishing the system, and one hundred eighty-two against
it. On the 17th of March, 1843, the system was again adopted by a
majority of fifty-one.

CHURCHES

   Shamokin Presbyterian Church was organized about 1790. A large log
church building was erected upon land deeded by Daniel Campbell, March
13, 1795, to Michael Moore, Obadiah Campbell, and William Taylor "in
trust for the only absolute use, benefit, and behoof of a Presbyterian
congregation, for to erect a public house of worship." Among the first
who preached here were Reverends M. Patterson and Samuel Henderson. In
the graveyard adjoining many pioneers of the of the eastern part of the
county are buried. Among the most prominent of the early members were
Obadiah Campbell, William Klase, Alexander Moore, Samuel Sober, Daniel
Campbell, and Peter Yocum. About the year 1850 the congregation was
divided: one part established a church at Elysburg and the other in Rush
township.
   Shamokin Baptist Church, the oldest congregation of that denomination
in central Pennsylvania, was organized in 1794. The following pastors have
served the congregation in the order of their names: John Patton, John
Wolverton, Eugenio Kincaid, George Spratt, G. M. Spratt, J. B. Jones, J.
H. Worrell, A. J. Collins. E. P. Barker, O. L. Hall, J. R. Shanafelts,
George F. McNair, J. F. Rush, W, W. Waltz, T. O. Critchlow, A. J. Collins,
B. F. Giles, J. Green Miles, P. F. De Lancey, and W. H. Ellis. Thirteen
deacons served the church from its organization to 1863, viz.: Samuel
Reeder, Joseph Richardson, John Farnsworth, John Moore, Ananias Saxton,
Isaac Wolverton, Charles Wolverton, Matthias Reed, Isaiah Morgan, David
Miller, Robert Farnsworth, Farnsworth Reed, and William Furman; during the
same period John Wolverton, Abner Johnson, James Patton, Henry Clark,
Silas F. Shephard, Zophar D. Pasco, Joseph Pasco, G. M. Spratt, and Jesse
Saxton were licensed to preach; about five hundred persons were received
into the church by baptism in that time. The succession of church clerks
has been as follows: John Wolverton, Richard Patton, Abner Johnson, Silas
E. Shephard, John Hales, Zophar D. Pasco, Charles Wolverton, William Reed,
Furman Farnsworth, Peter R. Wilhour, Jacob R. Clark, Adam Broscious, and
George P. Johnson. A division of the church, resulting from a divergence
of views upon questions of doctrine and discipline, occurred on the 17th
of May, 1834; the resulting societies were distinguished as "old school"
and "new school;" the former was the smaller numerically, and sustained a
lingering existence until 1840; the latter was recognized by the
association and retained possession of the church property, which was
occupied by both for religious purposes. The first protracted meeting of
which there is any account was held in February, 1835, and the second from
October 30th to November 4th in the same year. The Sunday school and
prayer meeting were established in pursuance of a resolution passed on the
7th of April, 1836.
   The first church building was erected at the organization of the
society and used until 1837. The ground it occupied was deeded to Allen
Wilkerson and Joseph Richardson, trustees, by Gideon Wilkerson, April
27, 1795.
   The roof of that structure having blown off it was decided at a meeting
on the 5th of May, 1837, to build two other houses of worship, one on
the Shamokin hills and the other on the Centre turnpike. The former
became the first place of worship of the Rush Baptist church the latter
was dedicated in December l838, and continued as the church edifice of
this society more than thirty-five years. The present church building is
a one story brick structure situated on the Trevorton road near
Stonington postoffice; the corner-stone was laid. June 22, 1873, and the
dedication occurred, June 28, 1874. About the same time a frame church
building was erected at the old burial ground: it has been occasionally
used for religious worship by Baptist and other ministers.
   This church was originally connected with the Philadelphia Baptist
Association, into which it was received in 1796. At the organization of
the Northumberland Baptist Association in 1821 it was represented by
Rev. John Wolverton, the pastor, Isaac Wolverton, David Kelly, John
Moore Charles, Saxton, and Gideon Chamberlain. The association has
frequently convened at this church. and here, at the session of 1845,
measures were first taken for the establishment of the literary and
theological institutions of this denomination at Lewisburg,
Pennsylvania.
   Summit Baptist Church. In 1833 Matthias Reed and Isaiah Morgan, whose
families were connected with the Shamokin Baptist church, located in Irish
valley. Rev. G. M. Spratt, pastor of the Shamokin church, soon afterward
began to hold Baptist services at private houses at intervals of a month;
this was the first Baptist preaching in the valley, and was continued
several years. In 1843 Michael Taylor donated ground for a church
building, the title to which was vested, by the terms of the deed, in
Matthias Reed, Isaiah Morgan, and Joseph Ammerman as trustees. A house of
worship was erected thereon in l844; it was repaired in 1803 and
rededicated on the 16th of June in that year, Reverends J. R. Shanafelts,
A. D. Hawn, and George T. McNair officiating. On the 19th of January,
1865, the church was duly organized with thirty-one members and the
following officers: pastor, Rev. G. T. McNair: deacons: Farnsworth Reed,
Caleb F. Persing; clerk, Farnsworth Reed. and treasurer, Absalom Yeager.
The organization was formally recognized by a council composed of
clergymen and laymen from congregations of the Northumberland Baptist
Association, which convened at the Irish Valley church on the 16th of
February, 1865. Among Mr. McNair's successors, in the pastoral relation
have been Reverends A. B. Still, E. B. Waltz, D. F. Giles, N. Thomas, and
P. F. Delancey.
   St. John's Lutheran and Reformed Church was organized in 1828 with
the following members: John Evert, John Smith, Samuel Gonsar, Jacob
Hoover, George Arnold, Valentine, Jacob, and Abraham Klase, Andrew
Smith, Andrew and Benjamin Kanderman, Michael Evert, William Martz and
wife, Peter, John, and Daniel Keifer, John Evert, Jr., Solomon Evert,
and Solomon Hartzel. An acre of ground was presented by John Evert, upon
which a frame church edifice was erected, and the remainder has been used
as a burying ground. In 1870 the congregation purchased a lot on the
opposite side of the road, and erected thereon a brick church edifice,
forty by sixty feet, at a cost of four thousand one hundred eight
dollars sixty-six cents. The following pastors have served these
congregations: Lutheran - Reverends Shindel, Wampole, Shultz, Vought,
Rizer, Berry, Zimmerman, Frederick, Harsh, Bateman, Benson, and Shannon;
Reformed - Reverends Fisher, Heisler, Steinmetz, Shoemaker, Hartzel,
Mutchler, Huirman, and Haas.
   Snydertown Methodist Episcopal Church was organized prior to 1859
with J. M. Wolverton as first class leader and Christian Diehl, J. M.
Wolverton, Joseph Hoover, John Jones, and Solomon Klase as first
trustees. The church edifice, a frame building forty feet long and
twenty feet wide, was dedicated on the 4th of December, 1859, by Rev. M.
Warren. The following is a list of pastors since the formation of
Snydertown circuit: John F. Craig, 1868; D. M. McCloskey, l869-70; Henry
S. Mendenhall, 1871-72; N. W. Colburn, 1873-74; G. H. Day, 1876-78; John
Guss, 1879-80; Henry B. Fortner, 1881-83; John A. De Moyer, 1884; John
Horning, l885-87; Elial M. Chilcoat, 1888, present incumbent.
   Irish Valley Methodist Episcopal Churches. There are two Methodist
churches in Irish valley, both of which are situated in the southern
part of the township, and have generally had the same pastors as the
society at Snydertown. One of them was formerly occupied by another
denomination; the erection of the other was begun in the early spring of
1869, but the structure was destroyed by fire before its completion.
The corner-stone was again laid on the 23d of May, 1869, and the
dedication occurred, February 20, 1870, during the pastorate of Rev.
John F. Craig.
   Clark's Grove United Brethren Church was organized about 1850 in an
old school house then known as Zimmerman's, situated five miles from
Shamokin on the Irish Valley road. Among the leading families at that
time were those of Lewis, Moody, Miller, and Sholl. Services were held
in the school house until a frame church building was erected near that
place; this was used as a place of worship until 1879, when many of the
members changed to the Baptist faith and held the church building as the
property of that denomination. Those who continued in connection with
the United Brethren church erected their present frame church edifice,
about half a mile west of their present house of worship on the Irish
Valley road. This building was completed and dedicated on the 17th of
September, 1879, Reverends M. J. Mumma and L. Peters officiating.
   Pleasant Hill United Brethren Church was organized about 1850 in an
old school house on the Centre turnpike one mile west of Reed's station.
The present one-story brick church edifice, situated near the site of
the school house, was erected during 1872-73, and dedicated on the 4th
of May, 1874. The Reeser families were among the first members and have
been quite prominent in the church ever since its organization. The
graveyard was opened as a place of burial in 1872.
   Ashgrove United Brethren Church. The first class was organized in
1870 through the efforts of Andrew Rinehart and David Reeser and
consisted of Eli Reed and wife, John Reed and wife, and Miss Hales;
Andrew Rinehart was first class leader. The meetings were held in a
school house on the Centre turnpike one half-mile west of Paxinos until
1872, when a church edifice was erected. This is a one-story frame
building, situated near the site of the old school house, and was
dedicated on the 21st of January, 1872. Reverend Kauffman was the first
pastor.

(1) Rapho township, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, was organized in
1741, and so named from the parish of Ralpho in County Donegal, Ireland.
The letter l does not occur in the name in some of the old records of
this county. Perhaps the name of the parish in Ireland or the township
in Lancaster county was not unknown to the justices who selected it in
1788.



CHAPTER 28 - Pages 734-736
LITTLE MAHANOY TOWNSHIP
BOUNDARIES - ORGANIZATION - PIONEERS - MILLS - SCHOOLS -CHURCHES

   ALTHOUGH one of the smallest townships of the county at the present
day, Little Mahanoy was originally one of the most extensive. It is
separated from Rockefeller and Lower Augusta by the Little mountain, and
from Washington and Jackson by Line mountain; the townships of Zerbe and
Cameron adjoin on the east. Thus inclosed by mountains on the north,
west, and south, its agricultural territory is limited to the valleys of
Mahanoy creek and Zerbe run, through which the Philadelphia and Reading
railroad passes from the Shamokin coal region to the Susquehanna river,
affording exceptional facilities for travel and transportation.
   Little Mahanoy was erected by decree of court, August 19, 1813,
from territory formerly embraced in Augusta and Shamokin. The original
boundaries were thus described:-

   Beginning on the top of the Mahanoy mountain near the river
Susquehanna: thence along the line that was lately run which divides the
two Mahanoy townships from Augusta and Shamokin townships to the county
line; thence the best course to the Stony gap at Shamokin creek; thence
along the mountain to the place of beginning.

   This line was surveyed by Henry Bound, John Weitzel, and Samuel Awl,
who were appointed at November sessions, 1812. The principal reason urged
for the division was the inconvenience involved in attending elections,
etc. This entire territory had originally been included in Augusta; its
eastern part was included in Catawissa at its formation in 1785 and
transferred to Shamokin in 1788. but the whole of what is now Little
Mahanoy, with adjacent territory in Zerbe and Cameron. was taken from
Augusta in l813. In 1837 Coal township (embracing at that time Coal,
Zerbe, Cameron, and Mt. Carmel), was erected from Shamokin and Little
Mahanoy, thus reducing the latter to its present limits.

PIONEERS

   The triennial assessment of l814, the first after the organization
of Little Mahanoy township, shows the following resident taxables:
Nicholas Brosius, John Boyer, John Dunkelberger, Frederick Dunkelberger,
Christopher Dunkelberger, Philip Dunkelberger, Christopher Dunkelberger
Jr., John Derr, Lawrence Derr, Michael Diehl, Michael Derk, Abraham
Drumheller, Leonard Ferster, John Ferster, John Fagely, Conrad Feger,
Daniel Fagely, George Fisher, Daniel Gottschall, Jacob Grinsinger,
Abraham Holshue, John Haas, William Haas, George Hornberger, George
Hornberger Jr., Henry Haupt, Philip Henninger, George Hensyl, Godfrey
Kremer, Leonard Kerstetter, Henry Kobel, Jacob Loas, John Lynn, Peter
Maurer, Philip Maurer, Abraham Rothermel, Conrad Raker, Henry Reed, John
Swinehart, George Strausser, Nicholas Strausser, Samuel Strausser, Adam
Sligh, Jacob Shaffer, Moses Vail.

MILLS

   In the assessment of 1814 John Dunkelberger, Sr., is credited with
a grist and saw mill on Mahanoy creek; Abraham Rothermel, with a grist
saw, and oil mill on Mahanoy creek, and Conrad Raker with a saw mill on
Little Mahanoy creek. At the present time there are two mills in the
township, one at Dornsife and the other owned by A. S. Speece, who also
operates a powder mill.

SCHOOLS

   An early subscription school was taught at a log building which
occupied the site of one of the present school houses. The public
school system was adopted in 1871; the first board of directors was
comprised of Isaac V. Raker, president; A. S. Speece, secretary; Samuel
C. Long. treasurer; John Hensel, A. B. Lenker, and C. H. Raker. Two
brick school houses have been erected and constitute the facilities in
this respect.

CHURCHES

   Immanuel's Church, although nominally a union place of worship, has
been virtually exclusively Lutheran for a score of years, during which
period the few Reformed families have been without a pastor. It is a log
building, thirty feet square and weather-boarded, with gallery and pigeon-
box built about large enough to accommodate one person. The corner-stone
was laid on the 6th of April, 1828, by the Rev. J. P. Shindel, of Sunbury,
and the building has been used as a place of worship since its completion.
Among the prominent members of the Lutheran organization have been Conrad
Raker, Isaac Raker, Solomon Bobb, Isaac Peiffer, Solomon Reed, Samuel
Long, Jeremiah Wagner, Samuel Dornsife, Isaac Wagner, William
Dunkelberger, Robert Hoffman, Washington Zimmerman, Daniel Raker, Enoch
Baker, James Baker, Daniel Fiss, and Enoch Swinehart. The present
(l890) membership is ninety, and a large Sunday school, exclusively
Lutheran in government, is sustained. Rev. J. P. Shindel was pastor in
1828: he continued in that capacity for some years, and was assisted by
his son. Reverend Neimann was pastor in 1842, and Augustus Bergner,
1847-60, after whom J. G. Hornberger is recorded as holding communion
services, but how long he continued is not known. Rev. John C. Schmidt
was pastor, 1864-69; J. F. Bayer, 1870: John C. Schmidt, 1871-81; J. F.
Bayer, 1881-86; D. M. Stetler, the present pastor, assumed charge on the
1st of April, 1887.
   The Reformed pastors were Reverends John Houtz, Benjamin Boyer,
Isaac F. Steily, and J. Fritzinger, whose labors covered the period from
1828 to 1860. The congregation was always weak numerically, with only a
few male members; of the latter there were three in 1840 viz.: George
Henzel, George Peiffer, and John Peiffer, while Benjamin Knerr and Elias
Peiffer appeared later. Reformed services were discontinued in 1866,
and since that date the former membership has principally been absorbed
by the Lutheran organization.

   St. John's Church of the Evangelical Association was organized in
1870, through the efforts of Daniel Reitz, Samuel Dunkelberger, Adam
Lenker, John Hensel, and Joseph Reitz. They furnished the means, a lot
was purchased, and a frame church edifice twenty by thirty feet was
erected at a cost of eleven hundred dollars. The Reverends Benjamin
Bohner, B. F. Snyder, and L. N. Worman have served the congregation as
pastors.



CHAPTER 29 - Pages 737-742
RUSH TOWNSHIP
SUCCESSIVE MOVEMENTS FOR THE DIVISION OF SHAMOKIN TOWNSHIP - FORMATION,
ORIGIN OF NAME, AND FIRST TOWNSHIP - OFFICERS OF RUSH - PIONEERS -
INDUSTRIES - RUSHTOWN - SCHOOLS - CHURCHES

   THE erection of Little Mahanoy township in l813 subtracted a large
part of the former territory of Shamokin from its limits, leaving the
latter exceedingly irregular in shape. It was also quite extensive,
being eight miles in breadth with a maximum length of twenty-four miles
from southeast to northwest, and in 18l3 a division was agitated, the
new township to be situated between the river and the Shamokin hills.
Two petitions for division were presented at January sessions, 1814;
one suggested a line of division "to begin where the Augusta township
line crosses Shamokin creek, thence along said creek to Reed's saw mill,
and thence by Robert Teitsworth's to the county line," the new township
to be called Perry or Mt. Pleasant; the second line suggested was as
follows: "Beginning at the line of Augusta township on the south side of
the top of Shamokin hill, thence along said south side of Shamokin hill
to the line of Columbia county at Samuel Moore's plantation." Viewers
were appointed, who reported at the following term of court; but at
August sessions following, a protest having been presented in which it
was alleged that the proposed new township would include the best of
the creek and river bottoms, while the old part, "poor, mountainous,
and thinly settled," would have the most expensive roads to repair, the
report was set aside, April 18, 1815. Proceedings for division were
again instituted in January, 1819; the report of Henry Vanderslice and
Henry Masser, two of the viewers to whom the matter was referred,
received confirmation on the 18th of August, 1819, and the new township
was called Rush "in memory of the late Doctor Rush and respect for his
brother, Jacob Rush, late president of this court."
   The first township officers were as follows: constable, Philip Andrews;
overseers of the poor: John Dewitt, John Housel; supervisors: John Kase,
Peter Kase; auditors: John Hirsh, Benjamin Vastine, Peter Kase.

PIONEERS

   The triennial assessment for 1820, the first after the organization
of the township, gives the following names of resident taxables, many
of whom were doubtless among the pioneers: John Albaugh, John Adams,
Christopher Andrews, Philip Andrews, Samuel Andrews, Alba C. Barrett,
Jacob Bean, Barbara Barrett, John Boughner, Barnard Baughartt, John
Baler, George Baler, George Baler Jr., Samuel Blackford, Luther Bassett,
Elisha Bird, Ziba Bird, John Bear, John Bear, Jr., Samuel Blackford,
Jr., Adam Barnhart, William Bird, Sylvanus Bird, William Bird Jr.,
Godfrey Cline, Alexander Campbell, Robert Campbell, Christopher Campbell
Jr., James Campbell, Abraham Campbell, Joseph Campbell, Jacob Cline,
Isaac Cline, John Campbell, Peter Campbell, Jacob Carr, John Carr,
Gideon Chamberlin, John Campbell, Jr., Joseph Campbell, Jacob Cline,
Jacob Depuy, Jacob Depuy, Jr., Harman Depuy, William Depuy, John Depuy,
Adam Derr, John Dewitt, John Desha, Lawrence Durlin, Peter Eplin, Jacob
Epler, James Fitzsimmons, William Fisher, Moses Fisher, George Farley,
John Fox, Asher Fox, Aaron Fox, Daniel Fox, Thomas L. Fleming, William
Fell, David Fox, Jacob Gearhart, Jr., Charles Gulick, William Gearhart,
Tunis Gearhart, George Gearhart, Harmon Gearhart, John Gulick, Charles
Gearhart, John Gearhart, Jacob Gearhart (judge), Jacob Gearhart
(carpenter), Aaron Gearhart, Jacob C. Gearhart, John Gearhart, William
C. Gearhart, John Gillam, William Hummer, Solomon Houswart, John Hummer,
Henry Hile, John Hile, Henry Huff, John Haughawout, Isaac Houswart,
Henny Hunsinger, Martin Hurst, John Housel, Henry Miller. James Huff,
John Hirsh, David John, Abner Johnston, Cornelius Johnston, John Kline,
Isaac Kline, Elisha Kline, Benjamin Kelley, John Kelley, Joseph Kelley,
William Kase, Simon Kipp, Albert Kimball, Christopher Kimball, John Kase
(tanner), John Kase (farmer), Daniel Kase, Peter Kase, William Kase,
Jr., Henry Lott, George Lott, Henry Lacock, Zachariah Loudon, Joseph
Lamerson, Theodore Larison, Samuel Morgan, Jacob Miller, Samuel
McLanghlin, James Morgan, Philip Mettler, William Mettler, Henri
Mettler, David Moore, Alexander Moore, Michael Moore, Isaac Marsh,
Isaac Marsh, Jr., Griggs Marsh, Nathaniel McBride, Asa Moore, Peter
Moore, Edward Morgan, Samuel Muehler, Jonas Muehler, Joseph Morgan,
Leonard Miller, Joseph Martin, William Marsh, Jacob Niece, John Nephew,
Thomas Osborn, Joseph Patton, Abiathar Poyers, Joseph Poyers, William
Pipher, Richard Poyers. Nathan Pegg, John H. Quick, Esther Rockefeller,
Nicholas Randles, Abraham Ryan, William Rockefeller, Bonham Runyon, John
Runyon, Aaron Runyon, Samuel Reems, Jacob Reed, Joseph Reeder, David
Richardson, Matthias Reed, John Runkle, Richard Robinson, Samuel
Shannon, Thomas Sowder, Enos Savidge, John Savidge, Daniel Sherry,
Nicholas Smoltz, John Scott. Robert Scott, Robert Scott, Jr., John
Skinner, David Sayre, Solomon Smith, Henry Snyder, Herman Snyder, Joseph
Snyder, Jesse Simpson, Henry Traxler, John Teats, Ebenezer Troy, Moses
Thurston, Morgan N. Thomas, Epaphras Thompson, William Thompson, Tarnage
Thompson, Benjamin L. Vastine, Jeremiah Vastine, Lewis Vastine, Benjamin
Vastine, John Vastine, Thomas Vastine, Jonathan Vastine, John Vastine,
Jr., Thomas Vastine, Jr., Peter Vastine, Benjamin Vastine, Jr., Michael
Weaver, Henry Weaver, Frederick Weaver, Isaac Wolverton, William
Willet, John Woodruff, Tunis Woodruff, Elias Woodruff, William Willet,
John Whitlock, Conrad Yeager.

INDUSTRIES

   In the assessment of 1820, saw mills are accredited to Philip Andrews,
Ziba Bird, Jacob Depuy, John Gearhart, Daniel Montgomery, and Henry
Lacock; grist mills, to Daniel Montgomery, Henry Lacock, and Peter
Vastine; a tannery, to William Kase, and a distillery, to Conrad Yeager,
and these, in all probability, constituted the principal early industries
of the township. Montgomery's grist and saw mill was situated on Logan's
run, Lacock's, on Gravel run, and Vastine's, on Wilson's run. Montgomery's
was operated by John Gillam.

RUSHTOWN

   Rushtown, a post-village of one hundred fifty inhabitants, is situated
three miles and a half from Danville at the intersection of the road
leading from Sunbury to Catawissa with the road from Paxinos to Danville.
Among the important features of the place is a large and commodious Grange
hall, the property of a flourishing branch of the order of Patrons of
Husbandry. There are two blacksmith shops and one store. The village was
formerly known as Liberty Pole, from the fact that political
demonstrations were often held here in which pole-raisings were a feature
of the program.

SCHOOLS

   The most important of the early schools was that of the Rev. Samuel
Henderson; it was conducted in a stone building erected for the purpose
by John Hirsh and the Vastine family. Many leading citizens of the
township were educated here; there were also accommodations for
boarding pupils from a distance, and this feature of the institution
was fairly well patronized.
   A log school house at Rushtown, in which James Patton and Albe C.
Barrett taught, and the school taught by S. P. Pasco and E. Kline at a
building on the farm of William Mettler, were also among the early
educational facilities.
   Rush first appears among the districts accepting the public school
system in 1842. The first teachers under the new arrangement were Ezra
Newton and his two sisters. The present school buildings are all brick
structures.

CHURCHES

   The Presbyterian Church of Rush township is generally recognized as
the successor of the old Shamokin church. Obadiah Campbell, Alexander
Moore, and William Kase were among the first elders. The first church
edifice in this township, a small frame building, was erected in 1828;
the present brick structure was built in 1856. An acre of ground was
donated for church and burial purposes by John Haughawout, to which
Perry Patton subsequently added half as much more.
   Rush Baptist Church was originally composed of seventy-eight
members. Among whom were Mrs. John Moore, Mrs. Catherine Vastine, Miss
Kate Henderson, A. Berger, Miss Ann Woodruff, Jacob Reed, Jeremiah
Vastine and wife, Aaron Campbell and wife, Edward Wilkerson and wife,
Isaac Hoe and wife, Benjamin Vastine and wife, Thomas Vastine and wife,
John Vastine and wife, William Rote and wife, Paul Ammerman and wife,
Lizzie Ford, Joseph Kelly and wife, John Vanzant and wife, Mrs. Ann
Wolverton, and Mrs. Rebecca Reeder; they had all been previously
connected with the Shamokin Baptist church, from which they were
dismissed by resolution of that body, July 27, 1939, an amicable
division having been decided upon on the 4th of May in that year. The
erection of the church edifice was begun under the auspices of the
Shamokin church, which, on the 5th of May 1837, resolved to erect two
places of worship; that which now constitutes, the church building of
the Rush church, a one-story brick structure forty by sixty feet, was
dedicated on the 6th of October, 1838. The following pastors have
served this congregation: Reverends George Spratt, Henry Billings,
Isaac Jones, John Worrell, A. J. Collins, F. P. Barker, W. F. Johnson,
Joseph Rush, W. W. Waltz, T. O. Critchlow, Mr. Ward, Mr. Miller, A. J.
Collins, James Runyon, J. Green Miles. W. W. Watkins, W. P. Hile. and W.
H. Ellis.

   Rushtown Methodist Episcopal Church, of which the corner-stone was
laid in the early spring of 1890, and the dedication occurred in the
following autumn, was erected under the supervision of a building
committee composed of William H. Mettler, J. C. Campbell, Isaac Hoffman,
L. C. Bassett, and Frank Ryan. It is a one-story brick building. The
society forms part of Snydertown circuit.



CHAPTER 30 - Pages 743-748
JACKSON TOWNSHIP
ORIGINAL BOUNDARIES - PIONEERS - INDUSTRIES - EARLY HISTORY AND GROWTH
OF HERNDON - MAHANOY - SCHOOL - CHURCHES

   That part of the original area of Mahanoy township comprised
between Swartz's ridge on the south and Line mountain on the north, with
Union county on the west mid Washington township on the east, comprises
the present territory of Jackson township. It was erected by decree of
court, January 6, 1836, when a boundary line reported by David
Rockefeller and Peter Pursel was confirmed. The eastern boundary began
at a point on the summit of Line mountain where the present line of
Cameron and Little Mahanoy intersects the northern line of Washington
and extended south seven degrees east five hundred sixteen perches to
Middle creek, five hundred thirteen perches with the course of that
stream, and south seven degrees east eight hundred forty-six perches to
the Mahantango, which formed the southern boundary. Fidler's run and
the western line of Jordan constituted the southwestern boundary. The
formation of Jordan in 1852 and of Washington in 1856 has reduced
Jackson to its present limits.
   The first township officers were Jacob Brosius and William D. Hoffman,
overseers of the poor; William Gastman and Daniel Schwartz, supervisors;
John Miller, George Reed, and Jacob Weiser, auditors, and M. Drumheller,
constable.

PIONEERS

   John Michael Shaffer and Henry Zartman were two of the first settlers
upon the territory of Jackson township. Henry Latsha, Henry Kobel, P.
Leffer, C. Stump, and P. Troutman were also residents prior to 1776, while
a Mr. White resided upon the island opposite Herndon at a contemporary
period. John Beakley, John Leas, John Miller, John Haas, Samuel Weiser,
and Abraham McKinney were also among the pioneers.
   An Early Hotel was conducted at the site of J. O. Smith's present
residence. John Knusman erected a brick building on the same site, of
which Adam Gable and John Stump were at one time the landlords. It was
remodeled by J. Galen Smith and known for many years as Smith's hotel,
until its doors were closed as a public house in 1880. It is probable
that the first hostelry on this site had been established nearly a
hundred years previously.

INDUSTRIES

   If traditional information may be credited, a mill was in operation
on Mahanoy creek in this township as early as 1785. The site is a mile
and a half north of Herndon, and the building, a dilapidated stone
structure, is now owned by David Bohner. It was erected by Abraham
McKinney.
   In 1809 William Dobson built a mill at the site of C. W. Dewitts;
it was subsequently rebuilt by Jacob Gonser and furnished with three
sets of buhrs. Reuben Weiser afterward operated it until 1882, when it
was purchased by W. W. Dewitt, father-in-law of the present proprietor.
It is situated at Mahanoy postoffice.
   Kobel's mill, a three-story brick structure located on Mahanoy
creek at the gap in Line mountain, was built in 1855 by Jonathan
Dunkelberger. It is furnished with a turbine wheel and three sets of
buhrs. The present owner is Henry Kobel.
   J. W. Seal's tannery was established in 1860 by Daniel Seal in the
southeastern part of Jackson township. The plant comprises a frame
building forty-eight by thirty-two feet, bark sheds, bark mill, and
twenty-three vats.

HERNDON

   This village is situated at the junction of the Northern Central
and Philadelphia and Reading railroads. A town was first projected in
this locality by Robert A. Parrish, of Philadelphia, about the year
1840; the Mahanoy slackwater navigation, originally projected in 1827,
promised early realization at that time, and with the intention of
taking time by the forelock Mr. Parrish purchased several farms at the
mouth of Mahanoy creek, upon which the town of Port Royal was
elaborately laid out; but as the navigation project collapsed shortly
afterward, the town also failed to materialize. In 1855 the Trevorton,
Mahanoy and Susquehanna railroad was opened, connecting with the
Pennsylvania canal by a bridge across the Susquehanna river. When the
Northern Central railway was opened in 1857 connection was established
with that line, and the company which owned the Trevorton road purchased
the land about the junction from George Seiler for terminal purposes.
The only house within the limits of the village at that time occupied
the site of the Herndon House, and had been erected before the close of
the last century by a Mr. White, who owned an island in the river and an
extensive tract of land at the mouth of Mahanoy creek. This house was a
summer resort, and was also well patronized by the traveling public.
   As a necessary requisite the town received a name, in the selection
of which honor was rendered to the memory of Lieutenant Herndon, U. S.
N., who was lost with his ship in the Gulf of Mexico. The name was
suggested by the postoffice department, and J. F. Strickler, appointed
in 1858, was the first postmaster. The first toll collector at the
bridge was Patrick Hensey, who was succeeded by William H. Lamb. The
first store was opened by Philip Bowman at the old White hotel. Peter
Ziegler and Abraham Deppen built two of the first dwellings. An important
local enterprise was the erection of a building for school and church
purposes; Abraham Deppen, Benjamin Strickler, and Abraham Ziegler
contributed the principal part of the necessary funds. Mr. Ziegler was
then conducting a brick yard, and donated the bricks for the building.
   The present business interests include two general stores, two
hotels, one blacksmith shop, and a candy factory. Two saw mills were
once in operation, established by Ziegler & Brother and Albert & Bower,
respectively, but both have been destroyed by fire; the latter has been
rebuilt, and is now owned by Isaac Albert.

MAHANOY

   The post-village of this name is situated in the eastern part of the
township in the midst of a thickly settled locality. It is one of the
oldest postoffices in the county. In the early part of this century and
until the discontinuance of the old militia system the battalion muster
for the southern part of Northumberland county was annually held here. It
has also been for many years the location of a widely patronized
mercantile establishment. An early hotel was also conducted, at the site
of the present residence of J. Galen Smith, ex-treasurer of Northumberland
county. The present brick building was erected by John Knusman, remodeled
by a subsequent owner, and known for many years as Smith's hotel. Its
doors were closed as a public house in 1850.

   Mahanoy Lodge, No. 551, I.O.O.F., was organized under a charter granted
on the 6th of March, 1859.

SCHOOLS

   During the period of early settlement a school was established near
Mahanoy postoffice; James Haslett, Matthias Heim, and James Leavengood
were among the first instructors. The first school at Herndon was
taught by J. H. N. Laudenslagle at the old White hotel; schools were
conducted there and at various other places until 1862, when the union
school building mentioned was erected.
   The public school system was adopted on the 27th of February, 1869,
and the first board of directors was composed of Daniel Zartman,
president; H. B. Latsha, secretary; Joseph Haas, treasurer, Jacob Bower,
Joseph Dressier, and Benjamin Stepp. At the present time (1890) seven
schools are sustained.

CHURCHES

   St. Peter's Church, Lutheran and Reformed, is one of the oldest in
the county. On the 6th of May, 1795, William Gray, deputy surveyor,
surveyed "a tract of land called church land," containing twenty-seven
and three fourths acres, "for Gottlieb Leffler and Henry Krebs in trust
for the Lutheran and Calvinist (Reformed) church school house by virtue of
a warrant dated the 4th day of April, 1774." Thirteen acres of this land
are still in possession of the churches mentioned; the remainder was
sold in 1859. The first building on this ground was used for both
school and church purposes. A second was erected about the beginning of
the present century; it was a log structure, subsequently weather-
boarded and painted yellow, with galleries around three sides of the
interior. In 1859 it was replaced by the present church edifice, a
brick building forty-five by sixty-five feet in dimensions, with main
audience room and basement. It was remodeled in 1885 and is an
attractive place of worship. It occupies an elevated location on the
north side of the State road, with Mahanoy creek on the northwest,
Greenbrier creek on the north, Mouse creek on the west, and David's run
on the south, all in range of vision and within a radius of three
quarters of a mile. On the opposite side of the road is the residence of
the organist, which has been so occupied since 1865; prior to that date
it was jointly used as a dwelling and for school purposes.
   The earliest record now extant is an old book kept in the church. It is
evidently defective; the first legible entry is as follows: "Peter
Zartman - a child born on the 20th day of July in the morning at two
o'clock, 1788, and was baptized on the 3d day of August, 1788, and
received the name of Maria. The sponsors were John Henry Brenninger and
his wife, Anna Maria." The book referred to contains a record of eight
hundred forty-three baptisms prior to the 14th of January, 1842. No
entries appear from December 27, 1805, to March 11, 1811, but with the
exception of this interval the record is probably complete.

   The Reformed congregation has been served by the following pastors:
Rev. George Geistweit, 1796-1800, and perhaps longer; Mr. Pulfrich;
Frederick Adams, 1810-17; John Felix, 1817-21; Henry Herman Knoebel, 1821-
28; John Houtz, 1828-30; Benjamin Boyer, 1831-34; Rudolph Duenger, 1835-
54; Henry S. Bassler, 1854-55; Jared Fritzinger, 1855 to May 7, 1871; John
Wohlbach, May, 1871, to May 7, 1876, and A. R. Hottenstein, present
incumbent, who assumed charge on the 2d of November, 1876. The following
family names occur in a communion list of this church for the year 1822:
Hilbush, Smith, Rebuck, Hensyl, Herb, Carl, Peifer, Latsha, Goodman,
Renner, Schlegel, Lieder, Haas, Schneider, Seaser, Michael, Heim,
Schwartz, Kobel, Schlenker, Kembel, Kerlin, and Rothermel. The Hilbush,
Bahner, Kobel, Otto, Latsha, Seiler, Smith, and Zartman families are most
numerously represented at the present time. The congregation forms part of
the Mahanoy charge.
   Since the erection of the present church edifice the Lutheran
congregation has been served by the following pastors: Reverends Augustus
Bergner, W. Hasskarl, J. P. Bayer, and J. C. Smith; Mr. Smith is the
present pastor, having been twice recalled by the congregation. Rev. J. N.
Hemping, who resigned in 1847, is said to have preached in the old church
forty years. His predecessor was Rev. Daniel Ulrich. This church formed
part of the Mahanoy pastoral district until 1884, when it became a
separate and individual charge.
   Zion Church, Lutheran and Reformed, Herndon, was originally erected
as a union place of worship, but ultimately came into the exclusive
possession of the Methodist society. In the spring of 1887 it was
purchased by the Lutheran and Reformed congregations, of which it has
since been the joint property. At a meeting on the 5th of May, 1888,
steps were taken to remodel the building; a bell was placed in the tower
and an organ in the audience room, the exterior was painted and the
interior frescoed, and on the 12th of August, 1888, the corner-stone was
relaid and the building was dedicated as Zion's Evangelical Lutheran and
Reformed Church of Herndon.
   The Lutheran organization was formed by Rev. J. F. Bayer in 1882 at
the house of Elias Lahr; prominent among the membership were Elias Lahr,
S. W. Brown, Peter Bobb, Elias Reubendahl, Daniel Holshue, John P.
Tressler, and John Albert. Mr. Bayer was pastor until within a few
months of his death; on the 1st of April, 1887, he was succeeded by Rev.
D. M. Stetler, who has added quite a number of members. After the
purchase of the church property a reorganization was effected with Elias
Reubendahl and Peter Bobb as deacons, Henry S. Byerly and John Albert as
elders, and Elias Lahr and Daniel Holshue as trustees.  The Reformed
congregation was organized by Rev. A. R. Hottenstein with the election
of David Bohner, John Deppen, Peter Ziegler, Willoughby Waldt, and
George Ziegler as officers. A chapel, erected in 1884 by several
parties independent of the church for occupation by a union Sunday
school, was the place of worship for a time, after which the
congregation united with the Lutherans in the purchase of the present
church building. Rev. A. R. Hottenstein is the present pastor.
   A flourishing union Sunday school is sustained. The congregations
have also secured ground for a cemetery in the northern part of the
village.

   St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, a branch of the old St.
Peter's church, came into existence through a disturbance caused by the
dissatisfaction of a part of the membership with their pastor, who, with
those members that sustained him, was locked out; they formed another
congregation in the spring of 1884 at the house of John S. Klock, and
services were held in his house and barn; this organization is known as
the St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church. The first officers were Rev.
J. F. Bayer, pastor; John Clark and Abraham Deppen, elders; Josiah S.
Lahr and George L. Snyder, deacons; Elias F. Zartman, John S. Klock, and
George Malick, trustees; and among the other members were Adam Zartman,
Joseph Harner, George Lenker, Aaron Billman, B. F. W. Latsha, Joseph
Zartman, Daniel Klock, and William S. Tressler. The new church edifice was
erected in 1885, and dedicated on the 20th of September in that year. It
is a frame building thirty-five by forty-five feet, with tower and bell
and basement and main room; the latter is frescoed and artistically
arranged. The present pastor, Rev. D. M. Stetler took charge on the 1st
of April, 1887. Of the seven church buildings, located at a distance of
three miles apart, St. John's alone is exclusively Lutheran. Both
English and German languages are used.

   Salem Church of the Evangelical Association.- Services were first
held in this region by the Reverends John Seibert, Stever, Reisner,
Hull, Barber, and W. W. Orwig, who preached from place to place in
private houses. The first camp-meeting was held in 1844, in the woods
of Daniel Zartman, and four years later a log building was erected on
land then owned by George Deppen, which was used for school purposes and
also as a place of worship by the Evangelical, Lutheran, and Reformed
congregations of that section. Later this society worshipped in a frame
school house situated on land of Daniel Zartman and on the 15th of
September, 1861, a brick church edifice was erected on his farm. The
first pastor was Rev. William Heim, and the first trustees were Adam
Kembel, Michael Bower, and Joseph H. Reitz.

   Mt. Zion Church of the Evangelical Association, Herndon, was
organized in 1867 with the following officers: class leader, H. B.
Longsdorf (who still serves in that capacity); exhorter, Jacob Heim;
trustees: H. B. Longsdorf, Hiram Brown, Washington Wilt, and Daniel
Reed. Reverends Cornelius Loose, David Lentz, J. F. Wohlfarth, David
Stauffer, W. H. Weidner, David Martz, B. H. Miller, E. P. Lehr, J. K.
Fehr, D. Z. Kembel, W. H. Stauffer, J. Werner, S. L. Wiest, H. D.
Schultz, E. R. Seip, and L. N. Worman have served as pastors. The
first church edifice, a brick structure twenty-five by thirty feet, was
originally erected in 1867 for school and church purposes and afterward
secured by this society. The present frame church building, thirty-
five by fifty feet in dimensions, was erected in 1887 under the
supervision of a building committee composed of Edward Baum, Samuel
Troutman, and Adam Kembel.
   Emanuel Church of the Evangelical Association was organized,
January 4, 1878, with Jacob Still, Bastian Stepp, Benjamin Peiffer,
Daniel Peiffer, and John C. Reiger as trustees. The church edifice, a
frame structure thirty-six by forty-two feet, was purchased from the
"new" Lutheran congregation. Reverends B. H. Miller, Mr. Fehr, John
Brown, Charles Warmcastle, Howard Bomberger, and Mr. Fisher have served
as pastors.



CHAPTER 31 - Pages 749-751
COAL TOWNSHIP
SUGGESTIVENESS OF THE NAME - ORGANIZATION - STREAMS AND ROADS -
INDUSTRIES - VILLAGES - COAL POOR DISTRICT - CHURCHES

   The name of Coal township is an appropriate index to its economic
resources, the industrial character of its people, and, in some measure,
to the circumstances of its early history. Utterly destitute of
agricultural attractions, early immigrants to Northumberland county
passed through its territory over he old Reading road without a suspicion
of the mineral wealth concealed beneath its rugged and uninviting surface,
and with no misgivings when their passage through the gap placed them upon
the border of a rich and fertile farming region. The only early
settlements of importance were made at or near the site of Shamokin, and
are treated at length in the chapter on that borough. The territory that
now constitutes Coal township was embraced in Augusta until 1785, when it
became part of Catawissa and was transferred to Ralpho (Shamokin) in 1788;
in 1813 Little Mahanoy was formed from Augusta and Shamokin, and in
November, 1837, upon the report of Robert Phillips, David Rockefeller, and
John Taggart, viewers appointed in the previous January, Coal township was
erected from Little Mahanoy and Shamokin, embracing, in addition to its
present area, the townships of Cameron, Zerbe, and Mt. Carmel. The first
township officers, elected in the spring of 1838, were David Thompson and
Daniel Ware, supervisors; George Kerstetter and George Gottshall,
overseers of the poor; Samuel Eisenhart, constable, and Abraham
Dunkelberger, auditor.
   The township is drained by Shamokin creek and its tributaries, of
which the most important are Furnace run, Buck creek, Coal run, and
Weikel's run. It is traversed by the Shamokin division of the Northern
Central railway and the Philadelphia and Reading railroad. The old
Reading road and the public roads leading from Shamokin to Trevorton and
Gowen City are the principle local highways.

INDUSTRIES

   The collieries of the township, eighteen in number, are the Cameron,
Luke Fidler, Neilson, Bear Valley, Stirling, Burnside, Henry Clay, Buck
Ridge, Royal Oak (Alpha), Enterprise, Excelsior, Corbin, Hickory Ridge,
Hickory Swamp, Garfield, Lancaster, Eureka, and Big Mountain. A complete
history of the mining Industry is given in Chapters X and XI of this work.
   Eagle Run brewery, William Beury & Company's powder mills, and the
powder mills of the Shamokin Powder Company, of which the statistics are
given in the chapter on Shamokin borough; are also located in Coal
township.

VILLAGES

   The villages of the township are Bear Valley, Boydtown, Brady,
Continental, East Shamokin, Enterprise, Excelsior, Fiddler's Green, Luke
Fidler, Maysville, Scotch Hill, Springfield, West Shamokin, and
Uniontown. East Shamokin, West Shamokin (laid out by William L.
Helfenstein), Springfield, Uniontown, and Scotch Hill are suburbs of
Shamokin; the remainder possess little of historic interest except in
relation to the coal operations upon which their population depends.
   Springfield adjoins Shamokin on the east, and occupies the northern
slope of the mountain which separates the watersheds of Coal run and
Shamokin creek at this point. In order from the north the streets
extending east and west are Railroad, Tioga, Chemung, Oneida, Wabash,
and Eagle, crossed at right angles by Emory, Howard, Logan, Sherman,
Sheridan, Meade, and Thomas. The survey of the plat was made in 1867 by
C. L. Boyd for John B. Douty and Thomas Baumgardner, who named it
Marshallton in honor of William H. Marshall. The official designation
has never gained popular currency, however. The town has graded
schools, a hotel, several stores, and a population of probably more than
a thousand. A movement for incorporation as a borough is in progress.
   Enterprise and Excelsior are situated on the Lehigh Valley and
Philadelphia and Reading railroads about midway between Shamokin and Mt.
Carmel. On the Lehigh Valley railroad the name of the station is
Fulton, and the place was known entirely by that name until Excelsior
postoffice was established with Charles Chamberlain as first postmaster.
That part of the village south of the Reading railroad is known as
Enterprise. There is a Methodist church, and Reformed and Catholic
Sunday schools are also sustained.

COAL POOR DISTRICT

   Coal poor district is composed of Coal township and Shamokin borough,
and was erected by act of the legislature, April 15, 1863. This act
provides for the erection of a poor house, its management, and the general
method to be pursued. In alleviating the condition of the destitute; its
provisions were accepted by the voters of the township at an election held
on the 12th of June, 1863. The first directors were William H. Marshall,
Joseph Bird, and George McEliece, of whom Mr. Marshall served one year,
Mr. Bird two years, and Mr. McEliece three years, and their successors
have been regularly elected annually for the term of three years. The
first board was authorized to borrow a sum not exceeding seven thousand
dollars, and in the spring of 1864 the farm of Jacob Mowry, a mile
northwest of Shamokin, was purchased, with the buildings thereon. The
first warden was Emanuel Zimmerman, George Smith, Thomas O'Garra, and John
Parker constitute the present (1890) board of directors.

CHURCHES

   Excelsior Methodist Episcopal Church. The first class at Excelsior
was organized in 1864 by Reverend Porter; it was composed of James
Fennel and wife, William Praut and wife, John Wright and wife, John
Fleming and wife, Stephen Praut and wife, Anthony Culton and wife,
Betsey Thomas, William Wright, and three others, of whom John Wright was
the first leader. Worship was principally conducted in the public
school house until 1883, when the present frame church building was
erected under the supervision of a building committee composed of John
Fleming, Francis Morgan, John McWilliams, and Jacob G. Kramer. It is a
substantially and tastefully constructed edifice. The present pastor is
Rev. Richard T. Whitley, and the charge embraces Excelsior, Locust Dale,
and Helfenstein. Previous to its formation in 1890 this congregation
was successively connected with Shamokin, Centralia, and West Shamokin.
It is now a flourishing society.
   The Uniontown United Brethren Church was organized by Rev. W. H.
Uhler, and among the early active members were the families of Joseph A.
Miller, Mrs. Elizabeth Tharp, Clinton Tharp, and Casper Tharp. During
Mr. Uhler's pastorate, a frame building formerly used as a school house
was purchased from the school directors of Coal township and adapted for
use as a place of worship. It constitutes the present church edifice.
Mr. Uhler's successors as pastor have been Reverends Raver, Leighter,
Cowling, Yordy, and Spayd.



CHAPTER 32 - Pages 752-764
DELAWARE TOWNSHIP 
ORGANIZATION AND BOUNDARIES - PIONEERS - EARLY INDUSTRIES - EARLY HISTORY,
GROWTH, INDUSTRIES, AND BOROUGH ORGANIZATION OF MCEWENSVILLE - DEWART -
CHURCHES - SCHOOLS - CEMETERIES

   DELAWARE township occupies the extreme northwestern part of the
county. The West Branch forms its boundary on the west, Turbut township
on the south, Lewis on the east, and Lycoming county on the north.
Delaware run and its numerous branches, rising principally in the Muncy
hills on the north, drain the northern part of its territory. Warrior
run empties into the river below Watsontown, passing through the
southern part of the township, and various smaller streams combine with
these in forming a system of ample drainage.    This region formed part
of Turbut township from its erection, April 9, 1772, to April 15, 1843,
a period of seventy-one years, and has been a part of Northumberland
county during that time, excepting the twenty-three months intervening
between March 22, 1813, and February 21, 1815, when it was attached to
Columbia. Delaware and Lewis were formed from Turbut, April 15, 1843,
by decree of court. The northern boundary of Turbut is given in the
chapter on that township in this work; the line of division between
Delaware and Lewis is described as follows:-

    Commencing at a point on the aforesaid line on the land of John
Haag; thence north thirteen degrees east four hundred eighty perches to
the Potash road near the northeast corner of McEwensville; thence north
nineteen degrees west eighty perches to the center of the Warrior Run
bridge on the State road where said road passes through the lands of
Jacob Stitzel; thence along the said State road the several courses and
distances thereof to the line of Lycoming county near Eli Stone's.
   The first township officers elected were George Oyster, justice of
the peace; Samuel Guffy, constable; Wilson Hutchison and Jacob Stitzel,
overseers of the poor; Robert McKee, judge of election; John McKinney
and Jacob Brown, inspectors of election; John Seibert, assessor; George
McCoy and Abraham Sterner, supervisors.

PIONEERS

   This part of the county was settled prior to the Revolutionary war.
The first families were principally Scotch in nationality and Presbyterian
in church connection; it was not until the present century that the German
element, which now predominates largely, acquired any considerable
representation. The names of many of the early settlers of the township
are given in the list of taxables for Turbut township and in the list of
members of Warrior Run church in 1789. Very few of these families are
any longer represented.

EARLY INDUSTRIES

   Daniel Vincent, from Essex county, New Jersey, built a mill on
Warrior run, one of the first mills in the northern part of the county.
This was a log building, and was replaced in 1792 by a stone structure.
The Truckenmiller mill and the old Wilson mill, also on Warrior run,
were established at a later date. Alexander Guffy had a distillery in
operation prior to 1800, and several establishments of a similar
character have since been conducted by different individuals. An
equally important industry was the ashery of a Mr. Harrison, where
potash, soda, and other products of ashes were manufactured. The
proprietor opened a road from his establishment to the Susquehanna
river; it received the name of "the Potash road," which still retains
local significance. In recent years a tannery was operated by Jacob
Stitzel, but at the present time, so far as the industrial interests of
the township are concerned, Delaware is best described as an agricultural
region.

BOROUGH OF McEWENSVILLE

   The first person to locate at the present site of McEwensville was
John Quigley, a plowmaker and carpenter, who sold his property early in
the present century to a Mr. Stahlnecker and moved farther up the
Warrior Run valley. Alexander McEwen, a Scotchman by descent, a weaver
by trade, and a soldier in the war of 18l2 whence he derived the title
of captain, opened the first store and was the first postmaster.
William Moritz established the first public house, and, with these early
improvements as a nucleus, the place rapidly attained village
proportions. In 1825 Adam Sarver laid out a number of lots, which were
rapidly sold, and, as a large increase in the population was anticipated,
the name became an important subject of consideration. Prior to that time
the place had been known as Pine Grove, from the prevailing variety of
timber in the vicinity; the present name was formally conferred at a
supper given by Captain McEwen on the 28th of October, 1825, to Brigadier
General Adam Light, Lieutenant Colonel James S. Dougal, Majors John
Montgomery and Robert H. Hammond, Captains Anthony Armstrong, of the
Northumberland Troop of Horse, Henry Frick, of the Milton Guards, William
Fulkerson, of the Warrior Run Infantry, Jackson McFadden, of the Lewisburg
Guards, James Finney, of the Union Guards, John Ludwig, of the Lafayette
Artillerists, and other officers of a battalion of militia encamped for
review at Camp Calhoun. The following account appeared in the Miltonian of
November 5, 1825:-
   After the review of the Independent Battalion of Volunteers on the
28th of October Captain Alexander McEwen invited Brigadier General Light
and his staff, the field officers of the battalion, and several
respectable citizens then on a visit to the camp to partake of a dinner
with him. After much conversation it was observed that a new town was
about to be laid out in the vicinity of the camp ground, and the inquiry
arose, What was the town to be named? No one could tell, but we think
the following sentiment, given as a volunteer toast by General Light,
will he sufficiently indicative of what it ought to be called. The
toast was loudly and most heartily applauded by the company.
   By Brigadier General Light "May we shortly have the satisfaction of
seeing a new and flourishing village situated in the immediate vicinity
of Camp Calhoun, and may it be appropriately named McEwensville."
   By Captain Frick--" The town plot just laid out by Adam Sarver -
let the blank he filled with McEwensville, and may the town increase
with the exactness, neatness, and rapidity of Camp Calhoun, and vie with
her more flourishing neighbors, Milton and Pennsborough!"

   There was for some years a healthful and normal expansion of the
village in size, population, and business importance, but with the
opening of the Philadelphia and Erie railroad and consequent growth of
Watsontown the prestige of McEwensville began to decline. This was
particularly noticeable in the decade ending with 1870. In recent years
the borough has derived a renewed impetus from the opening of the
Wilkesbarre and Western railroad; it has now some half-dozen stores, a
hotel, three manufacturing establishments, four churches, a school
building, and a postoffice. A fertile and populous farming region
surrounds the town, giving stability and permanence to its business and
other interests.
   Local Industries.- A. Mauser & Brother's carriage works were
established in 1839 by William Hood, who built a frame shop forty feet
square on the west side of Main street. In 1848 he moved this building
back from the street and erected in front of it a two-story frame
structure forty by forty-four feet; he also built a brick blacksmith
shop on the opposite side of the street. In 1870 Mr. Hood disposed of
the establishment to Alem Mauser, and in 1875 the present firm was
formed with Cain Mauser as junior member. They employ fifteen men and
manufacture a large amount of new work.
   C. Gearhart & Brother's foundry is operated in a building erected
in 1840 by Stitzel & Housel. It is a brick structure sixty by thirty
feet, one story in height. From the original proprietors the
establishment passed to J. P. Hackenberg, and during his ownership it
was rented by other parties. It then became the property of Philip
Steinruck, and after his retirement in 1865 the foundry was operated two
years by William Stitzel. Samuel Grey was the next owner; he sold it in
1875 to C. Mentzel, who was succeeded by the present proprietors in
1887.
   The Excelsior Wagon Works were erected in 1868 by E. Everitt & Company,
who were succeeded in March, 1882, by John W. Kerr, the present owner. The
plant was first used as an agricultural implement manufactory. Mr. Kerr
introduced the necessary appliances for the manufacture of extension table
slides, land rollers, bobb sleds, etc., and added engines, blacksmith
shop, warehouse, and circular saw mill to the plant. W I Rothermel was
associated in the business in 1886, but since his retirement Mr. Kerr has
continued the business individually. The works were destroyed by fire on
the 1st of June, 1889, but have been rebuilt. Children's express wagons,
farm wagons, etc., are manufactured.
   Borough Organization.- Legal proceedings for the incorporation of
McEwensville as a borough were instituted on the 7th of November, 1857,
when a petition with that object in view was presented to the county
court of quarter sessions. The grand jury, through Stephen
Bittenbender, foreman, having certified to the expediency of granting
it, the borough was forthwith incorporated by decree of court, November
7, 1857. The first election under the new regime was held on the 14th
of December, 1857, and resulted as follows: burgess, John F. Dentler;
council: John Boush, George Piper, F. H Carver, Henry Hartranft, William
Hood; school directors: George A. Dixon, William Sample, John Boyer, J.
T. Williams, F. D. Yeomans, William B. Irvin; overseers of the poor:
Daniel Gold, William Beard; inspectors: William F. Kreigh, E. F. Gold;
assessor, Andrew J. Guffy; judge of elections, George Piper; justice of
the peace, Philip Steinruck.
   The following is a list of burgesses since the incorporation of the
borough: 1857, John P. Dentler; 1858, William Hood; 1859, C. L.
Rynearson; 1860, F. Piper; 1861, William F. Kreigh; 1862, H. C. Dentler;
1863, William Hood; 1864, A. J. Guffy; 1865, William Hood; 1866 G. W.
Armstrong; 1867, William F. Kreigh; 1868, David Gold; 1869, R. P. High;
1870-72, Ephraim Everitt; 1873, Ellis L. Irwin; 1874-75, J. R. Housel;
1876, Alem Mauser; 1877, James Murphy; 1878, William C. Montgomery;
1879-80, John P. Beard; 1881, F. G. Gold; 1882, G. W. Armstrong; 1883-
84, George T. Rothermel; 1885, William F. Kreigh; 1886, L. L. Rothermel;
1887, George T. Rothermel; 1888-89, Henry Gearhart; 1890, George T.
Rothermel; 1891, J. P. Beard.

DEWART

   This village, situated in the western part of Delaware township near
the mouth of Delaware run, two miles north of Watsontown on the
Philadelphia and Erie railroad, and at the terminus of a bridge across
the Susquehanna, was laid out by William P. Hull, William H. Marr, and
William F. Nagle, and received its name in compliment to William L.
Dewart, Congressman from the district embracing Northumberland county at
the time the postoffice was established. An agricultural region of
exceptional fertility surrounds the village, and the construction of the
river bridge also brought the products of the White Deer valley to this
point; a station was therefore established immediately after the opening
of the railroad, under the name of Uniontown, for which the present
designation was substituted several years later. As the location of a
railroad station, the terminus of a river bridge, and the center of a rich
farming district, Uniontown naturally presented advantages as a
prospective trading point, and these considerations governed its selection
by Messrs. Hull, Marr, and Nagle as a town site.
   The first business established, and the most important ever conducted
at the place, was that of purchasing and forwarding grain. Hull, Marr, and
Nagle erected the first warehouse for this purpose, a frame building
twenty-eight by fifty feet, which, as enlarged by Ano Pardee, the next
owner, constitutes the present freight and passenger station of the
Philadelphia and Erie railroad. Several other warehouses were also
conducted, and at one time the shipments from this point amounted to two
hundred thousand bushels annually, at a conservative estimate. Less
attention is given to grain than formerly by the farmers of the adjacent
region, and the opening of the Philadelphia and Reading railroad on the
opposite side of the river has also reduced the shipments at this point.
   The first dwelling house in the village was built in 1857, and is still
standing on the north side of Main street at the west side of the
railroad. The first family to reside here was that of W. P. Datesman, who
removed from Northampton county to Union in 1847, thence to the vicinity
of Milton in 1854, and to the embryo village of Dewart in the autumn of
1857. Here he has since resided, and has served one term as county
commissioner. What now constitutes Benner's store room and the building in
the rear were erected in 1858 by Hull, Marr, and Nagle, and here W. L.
Antrim opened the first store. Mr. Antrim was born in this county and
reared at Danville, where he now resides. In 1859 John H. Forgeman built
the first hotel, a brick building, which has been continuously occupied as
a place of public entertainment ever since. In the same year three other
houses were built, by M. L. Everhart, W. W. Burrows, and I. S. Buchner.
Mr. Everhart is still a resident of the village; Burrows came here in the
employ of Hull, Marr, and Nagle; and Buchner was the first shoemaker of
the place. The first blacksmith was William George, whose shop and
dwelling adjoined the house of Mr. Datesman on the north side of Main
street. These were the first improvements in that part of the village west
of the railroad, where the original plat was laid out.
   While these developments were in progress, the land adjoining east
of the railroad was covered with timber, and remained in the possession
of Christian Gosh, from whom Hull, Marr, and Nagle had purchased.
Following their example, he extended Main street to the limit of his
land, and, with the assistance of Arthur T. Ludwig, the first justice of
the peace in the vicinity of the village, laid off a number of lots on
both sides of the street; to this extension of the town plat the name of
"Gosh's addition" was applied. Two grain houses were built thereon in
1860, by Christian Gosh and John McFarland; that of the latter burned
before its completion, but was at once rebuilt. William Herring erected a
brick hotel in 1861-62. On the third lot from the railroad on the south
side of the street John L. Strieby, from Lycoming county, a wagon maker by
trade, erected a house and shop, and thus inaugurated this important
branch of local industry. This house was the first erected for a residence
in that part of the town. The second was built by Christian Gosh. The
first store was opened by John Gosh and Irwin Smith.
   Hayes's addition was laid out by Joseph Hayes, and consisted of a
further extension of Main street through his land. Thomas Ruckle, a
saddler by trade, and still engaged in that business, and Edward Faber
were the first to make improvements thereon.
   Arthur T. Ludwig was appointed first postmaster, but resigned without
entering upon his duties. W. P. Datesman succeeded him, and opened the
office; he has been followed by George Border, Samuel Corner, and C. T.
Michener.
   The present business of the place includes four general stores, a
confectionery, tin store, millinery store, hotel, warehouse, undertaking
establishment, and local blacksmith and wagon shops. A creamery was
operated by M. A. Nicely several years, but has been removed. The river
bridge sustained severe damage in 1865; it was rebuilt, but was entirely
demolished by the flood of June, 1889, and has been again rebuilt.
There are two church buildings in the village, and a school building in
the vicinity.

CHURCHES

   Warrior Run Presbyterian Church is the oldest denominational
organization in the valley of the West Branch. The earliest account
extant of this venerable society is that given in the journal of Philip
V. Fithian, a licentiate who visited the neighborhood in 1775 under
appointment of Donegal Presbytery. He arrived at Warrior run July 12th,
and preached on Sunday, the 16th, at a meeting house "on the bank of the
river eighteen miles from Northumberland," and "not yet covered." He
preached from a wagon, while the people sat around among the bushes.
This building was situated in the western part of Delaware township, a
short distance south of Watsontown. It was constructed of logs; as a
single length would not have given the desired size, another log was
added by building up a small square midway of each side; these squares
formed alcoves, which were used as closets. Shingles were provided for
a roof, also nails, but the roof was never put on.
   In 1789 Joseph Hutchison and Margaret his wife conveyed to the
congregation a tract of land, and in 1804, in consideration of three
pounds, twenty-five shillings, an additional tract was granted, the deed
including also that granted in 1789. In 1811 Thomas De Armond sold for
the sum of seventy dollars a strip to the north, and, with the exception
of the change effected by a sale of that portion lying beyond the public
road, the grounds then took their present shape and dimensions.
   The second church building was erected in 1789, and stood in front
of the present building. Its architecture was of an antiquated style.
On the first floor were three doors, one in front and one at either side
toward the rear. There were two by which the gallery was entered from
the outside, one on each side of the building, to which stairways
ascended. The central aisle was broad, and there was a wide space
before the pews in front; this arrangement was made to accommodate the
tables at which the communicants sat. The pulpit was very high,
resembling the quaint affairs sometimes seen in old cathedrals. Over
the minister's head was the indispensable sounding board, which has been
apply compared to a huge umbrella. At the foot of the pulpit was the
clerk's box. There he sat until the hymn was announced; he then arose,
and in solemn, sometimes monotonous strain, read couplet after couplet,
and led the congregation in singing. The gallery ran around the sides
of the building, and in those days when rival churches were few, it was
quite well filled. It had its funny episodes, as well as the galleries
of modern days. On one occasion Nellie McCoy's dog followed her to
service, and when she entered the church, he, finding himself excluded,
ran around to the stairs and ascended into the gallery. Seeing his
mistress below, he made a bold dash down over the seats and leaped from
the edge of the gallery into the audience. No further damage was done
than to fill those upon whom doggie came with amazement, amusement, and
scratches. At first no fire was permitted. The first provision for
heating consisted of a low fire of charcoal, burned upon a bed of earth.
Large ten-plate stoves were then introduced, and ultimately heating
appliances of modern design. This building, like its predecessor, was
constructed of logs.
   The present substantial and commodious church edifice was built in
1835. Fifty years later it received a slate roof, adding greatly to the
probability of its preservation for an indefinite period.
   The audiences, at that early day to which this history more
particularly relates, gathered from far and wide. There were then no
other churches in the surrounding territory within a radius of some
miles. Until the year 1808 a part of the congregation came from White
Deer valley, crossing the river; a fair quota was returned from the
region beyond Muncy hills; there were some from Derry on the northeast,
from Chillisquaque on the southeast, and from Milton on the south.
Probably half the audience came on foot - usually carrying their shoes
in their hands - and as late as 1832 it is said there were not more than
five carriages.
   The following is a list of members of this church in 1789, when its
second place of worship was erected: Charles Irwin, James Harrison,
Samuel Barr, William Calhoun, John McCormick, William McCormick, Joseph
Hutchison, Sr., Martha Correy, James Wilson, John Buchanan, John
Ferguson, John W. McCurdy, John Wilson, Joseph Hutchison, Jr., John
Baird, Barnabas Farran, Alexander Stuart, Thomas Wallace, Robert McKee,
John McKinney, Bruce Innis, John Irwin, James Story, James Durham,
Cornelius Waldron, Thomas Gilmore, Thomas Wilson, Robert Miller, James
Hammond, John Woods, Robert Craig, Jane Brown, James Falls, Andrew
Foster, James Allison, John Watson, William Shaw, Robert Shaw, Samuel
Blaine, Bethuel Vincent, John Burroughs, William Haslet, Thomas De
Armond, Robert De Armond, Andrew Russell, Patrick Russell, Robert
Robertson, Fleming Wilson, John Bryson, John Wilson, Joseph Hutchison,
David Shannon, David Hunter, Joseph Hammond, William Boyd, Thomas Kirk,
William Kirk, Robert Montgomery, James McAfee, James Welch, Sr., John
Quigley, Hugh Wilson, John Haus, John Smith, Samuel All, William
Ruckman, Jacob Bruner, Alexander Guffy, James Daugherty, Alexander
Foresman, John Allison, William Scott, Patrick Dickson, John McKinney,
Alexander Dunbar, David McGuire, Thomas Barr, Anthony Moore, George
McCoy, Robert Smith, Daniel Vincent, Thomas Murray, Widow Gaston, James
Watson, Andrew Russell, Jr., Benjamin Bennet, James Welch, Jr., John
Cathcart, Frederick Taylor, William Taylor, Alexander Lock, Samuel
Jones, Richard Vanderolf, Thomas Connely, Jacob Maxwell, John Pipenger,
John Gibbons, John Herron, Michael Nolan, Barnabas Murray, Mungo Reed,
John Jacoby, Thomas Blaine, John Fulkerson, John Barr, Hugh Hambleton,
David Hogge, George McKee, Thomas Ruckman, John Tweed, John Long, John
Burroughs, John Allie, James McKean, and Richard Allison.
   Rev. John Bryson was pastor of this church from 1789 to 1841. The
following clergymen have been his successors: Samuel S. Sheddon, Henry
M. Parsons, E. D. Yeomans, Lorenzo Wescott, S. B. Herron, George Ellot,
and George A. Marrs. Rev. A. C. Campbell of Montgomery now serves as
supply.

   St. John's Delaware Run Union Church sustains the same relation to
the German population as Warrior Run Presbyterian church to the Irish.
The German element made its appearance somewhat later, and hence nearly
half a century elapsed after Mr. Fithian preached at Warrior Run before
the Reformed and Lutheran congregations of Delaware Run had provided a
place of worship. This was a log building, situated northeast of the
location of the present brick edifice. The exterior was plastered, and
presented a rough-cast appearance; the main entrance was a double door
in the side next the public road, with the pulpit opposite, and there
was a smaller door in the gable end. The ground upon which this stood,
and the graveyard adjoining, a tract of one hundred fifty-nine perches,
was confirmed to John Lose and Solomon Menges, "trustees of the German
church on land adjoining a branch of Delaware run in said [Turbut]
township, called St. John's," by deed of February 14, 1826, from Jacob
Dabler and Abraham Sterner, administrator of Daniel Follmer. Follmer had
agreed to give this ground, but died without executing a deed; the
conveyance referred to was made under direction of the county court.
   The present church edifice, a brick structure sixty by forty feet
in dimensions, was erected in 1867 under the supervision of a building
committee composed of Samuel Garnhart, Lutheran, and William Transue and
Joseph Graven, Reformed. The ground upon which it stands, with adjacent
land amounting to twenty-seven perches, was deeded to Samuel Huffman,
trustee of the Lutheran church, and William Transue and John Work,
trustees of the Reformed church, July 15,1879, by Joseph Graven and
Catherine his wife at the nominal consideration of one dollar. The
basement of this building is used for Sunday school purposes; the
audience room above has a seating capacity of four hundred. A tablet in
the wall in front is inscribed with the legend "St. John's Delaware Run
Union Church, April 28, 1867."
   Regarding the early history of the two congregations that worship
here but meager information is attainable. Originally all the services
were conducted in German; English was first introduced in the Reformed
congregational worship by Reverend Gring, and in the Lutheran by
Reverend Albert, and this language has now entirely superseded the old
patois, not only in the formal exercise of worship, but also in ordinary
social intercourse. The following is a partial list of pastors: Reformed
Reverends - George Adams, Richard Kelly, Tilghman Derr, Z. A. Yearick,
T. S. Land, and D. F. Schoedler, the present incumbent; Lutheran -
Reverends Sheetz; Stoever; Albert; Thomas C. Billheimer; Keller; P. S.
Mack, July 1, 1871, to July 1, 1873; S. P. Orwig, October 1, 1873, to
October 1,1878; A. K. Zimmerman, June 1, 1879, to November 1, 1881;
Samuel G. Shannon, June 1, 1882, to March 1, 1885, and F. W. Staley, May
1, 1885, to May 1,1890.
   St. John's Reformed Church, McEwensville, was organized in 1842
with John Derr and Daniel Frymire as elders. It united with the
Lutheran congregation in erecting a church building, for which the joint
building committee was Solomon Truckenmiller and George Hittle,
Lutherans, and John Derr and Daniel Frymire, Reformed. In 1873 this
union was dissolved, when the present church edifice, a two-story brick
structure at the east end of Main street, was erected under the
direction of a building committee consisting of John B. Leinbach, Peter
B. Schaeffer, and John Klapp. The first pastor, Rev. Henry Weigand, was
installed, July 9, 1843. Arnong his successors have been Reverends G. E.
Adams, Henry Mosser, J. K. Millett, and G. S. Sorber, the present
incumbent. The following is a list of the elders of this church: John
Derr, 1842-48; Daniel Frymire, 1842-48; David Eshbach, 1849-56; John
Klapp, 1849-56; Samuel Lerch, 1856-68; John Klapp, 1866-75; Eli
Schaeffer, 1868-71; P. D. Schaeffer, 1871-; Samuel Derr, 1875-; William
S. Klapp, -1890; David Strauss, -1887; Daniel Lerch, 1887-; Alem Mauser,
1890-.

   Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church, McEwensville, united with the
Reformed congregation in the erection of a Union place of worship, of
which the corner-stone was laid, May 5, 1842, and the dedication
occurred, October 9, 1842. In 1878 the interest of the Reformed
congregation was purchased by the Lutherans, who repaired the building
in 1882 at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars. It is a two-story brick
structure, and is the present place of worship. At the time of its
erection (1842) the council consisted of Solomon Truckenmiller and David
Gold, elders, Henry Hartranft and George Hittle, deacons; Jacob
Truckenmiller was trustee. The first pastor was Rev. C. F. Stoever;
Rev. A. R. Boyer was pastor, April 1, 1846, to October 1, 1855; J. T.
Williams, October 1, 1856, to 1863; A. R. Horne, a short time, beginning
with the 1st of December, 1863; Rev. George Sill, a short time; F. J.
Wolff, D. D., December 27, 1865, to 1869; and Reverends U. Myers, W. C.
McCool, M. L. Schmucker, and I. B. Crist since 1869. The Lutheran
Sunday school was organized in 1873 with A. F. Gauger as superintendent.

   The Evangelical Church, Dewart, was originally organized at "Stony
Batter," a locality two miles northeast of Dewart, under the
administration of Rev. A. H. Irvin. When Rev. George Josephs became
pastor the building was removed to Dewart, where it was rebuilt on the
north side of Main street at the extreme eastern end of the village. It
is a frame structure. Among the first members were John Beaver, Nancy
Beaver, Hetty Beaver, Wilson Heiney and wife, Michael Kunes, and Elias
Williams and wife. The present pastor (1890) is Rev. J. M. Trice, of
White Deer, Union county, Pennsylvania.

   The Dewart Union Chapel, originally projected by the Union Sunday
school of Dewart, was built in 1887. It is an attractive brick building
on Railroad street.

   Extinct Church Organizations include the "Pines" Associate Reformed
church, the Presbyterian and Methodist churches of McEwensville, and the
Delaware Run Baptist church. The Associate Reformed church was
organized by the Rev. George Junkin, whose successors at Milton also
preached here; prominent among the membership were the McGuires,
Shannons, and Rynearsons. The church edifice was a frame building, and
occupied a triangular lot on the farm of Mrs. Eleanor Armstrong. The
McEwensville Presbyterian church was organized in 1842 with eighty-five
members, formerly connected with the Warrior Run church, to which its
membership returned after disbanding. The church was a substantial
brick structure, since sold and removed. The Methodist church at
McEwensville, a frame building, was dedicated, December 29, 1867. An
account of the Delaware Run Baptist church is given in connection with
the organization of that denomination at Watsontown.

SCHOOLS

   At the time when the public school system was adopted by Turbut
township (1834), there were six school houses within the present limits
of Delaware, located, respectively, at Warrior Run church; at Watsontown;
at the river (now known as Nicely's); at the Fry school house, known at an
early day as Gundy's, and subsequently as "Solomon's Temple;" at
Garnhart's, to which the name of Mengesville was afterward applied; and at
Sinking Spring, where the school house still bears that name.
   In 1852 an academy was erected at McEwensville by a stock company
composed of J. F. Dentler, William Hays, J. P. Hackenberg, William Hood,
R. H. McCormick, Jacob Armstrong, Andrew Guffy, and others. The first
term opened in the autumn of 1852 with C. L. Rynearson as principal.
Under his administration the institution flourished, and he continued in
charge six years. In 1871 G. W. Armstrong, having acquired a
controlling interest in the property, transferred it to the local school
board; since that date the public schools of the borough have been
conducted in the building six months of each year, and a private school
of advanced grade the remaining six months. The building is a two-story
brick structure.
   An academy was erected at Dewart about the year 1859 under the
auspices of a board of trustees composed of W. P. Datesman, Joseph G.
Durham, J. D. Hayes, Robert M. Russell, and W. L. Antrim. It is a brick
building two stories high with one apartment on each floor. The first
teacher in the high school was Joseph Cassells, and at the outbreak of
the civil war a large and flourishing school was in operation. The
principal and a number of advanced scholars enlisted, resulting in a
practical suspension of the school. After the war A. D. Albert
conducted it successfully several years, and under his successor, J. W.
Stout, it was also continued with success, but after his departure,
owing to the reactionary policy of the township school board, the high
school has been allowed to decline. Several years since the academy
association disposed of its interest, which is now the exclusive
property of the township school authorities.

CEMETERIES

   Warrior Run Cemetery is the oldest in the northern part of the county.
At the time when the first church was built, the one in which Mr. Fithian
preached, some interments had been made in its immediate vicinity, and
this locality, it has been found by subsequent excavations, was also an
Indian burial ground.
   The River Church Cemetery is the last resting place of many of the
German families of the township through several generations.