Annals of Womelsdorf, Pa., and Community, 1723-1923 : History's Yard-Stick for Two-Hundred Years

*Mmmmu*mm**** immsm*MmMkM*mmtom*wwe^KM ANNALS of WOMELSDORF, PENNA. and the TULPEHOCKEN COMMUNITY mmnm+wmwmwmwwwwwv&gmtmm Annals of Womelsdorf, Pa* and Community 1723—1923 HISTORY'S YARD-STICK for TWO-HUNDRED YEARS By Rev. P. C. Croix, D. D. " " Lest we forget ! Lest we forget ! —Kipling " Posterity will not forget his services." —Pres. Geo. Washington at Conrad Weiser"s gra<ve " I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives." —Abraham Lincoln — OTHER BOOKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR Tributes to Luther, 1884. Golden Wedding Ring, 188 7. Historic Landmarks of the Lebanon Valley, 18 9 5. Art Work of Lebanon County, Pa., 1895. Bible Quiz, 1897. Bible Gems, 1908. The Penna. -German — A Magazine- 1900-1905. Gardening and Out-of-Doors, 1917. Slumberland and Slumber Songs, 1917. Translations from the German Jewish Artisan Life (Delitzsch), 1884. Jesus and Hillel (Delitzsch), 1884. Alii, or Blessed are the Merciful (Hoffman). 1886. The Author Map of Berks Country—The Heart of God's Country ANNALS OF WOMELSDORF AND COMMUNITY Chapter I. INTRODUCTION This reprint in book form is made at the urgent re- quest of many who read the original articles as they ap- peared in the columns of the Reading Eagle from Sep- tember, 1922, to February, 19 23. A few necessary altera- tions appear and the illustrations are added. For the many kind words spoken and appreciative letters written the author is very grateful. He also ac- knowledges the kind courtesy of the authors of "The Story of Berks County," for the use of a number of cuts here reproduced. *Next year it will be 200 years hither from Illinois to spend his re- since the first white colony of settlers maining days in professional retire- began the march of civilization at ment. He has again identified him- the Tulpehocken in the now famous self with this historic community and charming Lebanon Valley. It and desires to write a series of arti- is 25 years earlier in its beginnings cles of a historical, industrial and than Reading, which will celebrate biographical character descriptive of its 175th anniversary next fall. This this community, which he trusts may Tulpehocken community will then awaken and stimulate the spirit of be two full centuries old and should local pride, of community interest celebrate its bicentennial. and of a purpose to punctuate the end of a two-century run of life and In Ministry 42 Years. activity here by means of a fitting The present writer here began his home-coming and historical celebra- public ministry in 187 9, and now, tion next spring. in the spring of 1921, after 42 years He has chosen for the first chap- of an active pastorate, removed ter the title: "BEAUTIFUL FOR SITUATION 5 Womelsdorf is located in the heart is reported by one of its dwellers as of God's country. It is possible that "the finest country lying out of God might have created a finer and doors;" but none of these excel the a richer landscape than tne Lebanon Lebanon Valley for richness of soil, Valley of Pennsylvania, but it is variety of products, beautiful, undu- quite certain He never did. At least lating landscapes and architectural not in America. improvements. The writer knows, No Portion Barred. for he has seen all the others and And this assertion does not except has traveled over almost every sec- any portion of our great country, tion of the more than 1,000 square North and South, East and West, miles included in this valley, most of which its author has seen. which lies between the Blue The great prairie states of the Mid- Mountains on the north and dle West can boast of a rich cereal- the South Mountain range on producing soil; portions of California the south, an average of 20 miles are noted for their citrus fruit prod- in width, and stretches from the ucts and their climatic loveliness Schuylkill on the east to the Susque- and scenic beauty; the Willamette hanna on the west, a distance of 54 Valley of Oregon is widely and justly miles. famous for its fine apples, pears, Within this domain are included plums and other fruits; the western the western half of Berks, all of and central, or lake, segment of New Lebanon and the greater portion of York state, known as the grape belt, Dauphin counties. * Written in 1922. Annals of Womelsdorf and Community Pastoral Loveliness. other, until miles away this rural Tens of thousands of travelers sea strikes against its bordering have been carried by the iron horse mountain promonotories or else through its entire length, stretching breaks itself up in green undula- between the cities of Reading and tions of woodland. Harrisburg, and have been inspired into eloquent exclamations over its A Midway Location. pastoral loveliness and panoramic Womelsdorf is situated on this beauty. Now, since the automobile highway, midway between the cities has become an almost universal pos- of Reading and Lebanon, about 14 session and the William Penn High- miles from either city, in the ex- way has been constructed through treme western portion of Berks its longitudinal center, connecting county, near the border line of Leb- these two terminal cities and thread- anon county. North of it in the val- ing on its line the chief towns and ley nestle the towns of Bernville, villages which are dotting this val- Rehrersburg, Millersburg, Prystown ley, as beads or brilliants are strung and Strausstown. East of it lie on a lady's necklace, other tens of Robesonia, Wernersville, Sinking thousands of observers from this Spring and the western suburban and other states do not miss a Sun- hamlets of Reading, the chief of day or holiday during the spring, which is Wyomissing. Immediately summer and autumn months in south of the town stretches the which to enjoy the landscape of this highest barrier of the South Moun- empire of fertile and well-kept tain Ridge, beyond which lie the farms, and these home centers, the historic towns of Ephrata, Lititz, abode of scenic beauty, of domestic Manheim and the city of Lancaster. peace and comfort and of agricul- On the west are situated Stouchs- tural luxury and plenty. Seen from burg, the three history-laden Tulpe- some elevation, the valley lies like a hocken Church communities, Sheri- vast sea of bucolic loveliness. On dan, Newmanstown, Richland and and on the billowy fields—clad In Myerstown, seven miles beyond garments of wheat and clover, corn which is enthroned Lebanon city, the and oats, tobacco and potatoes—are proud and progressive queen of the rolling, one farm lashing against an- valley, begirt with a girdle of iron — Annals of Womelsdorf and Community and steel industries and with a geographical center of this modern crown of copper upon her Corn- Canaan. The appellation of "God's wallian brow. Country" is no misnomer, for He Womelsdorf is surrounded by seemed to have held it in reserve for p^any college towns. Within 20 those persecuted and tried and de- miles are located four denomina- frauded children of His, who 2 00 tional colleges of high rank and long years ago were the fugitives of a years of history. Within a radius of cruel exile, prayerfully seeking a 100 miles are located 17 colleges and new home where peace and quiet, universities,* 10 theological semi- love and religion might once more naries,! five state normal schools,? abide, unhindered by hateful bigotry five women's1 colleges and a num- and cruel tyranny. Like the Israel- ber of flourishing business colleges. ites of old, who had left Egypt for Canaan, or the Pilgrim Fathers who, A Belt of Iron and Steel. a century earlier, had found refuge on Plymouth Rock, so these Palat- is also environed by Womelsdorf inate pilgrims of the Tulpehocken of iron and steel plants. Be- a belt settlement had fled from the Rhine than half a dozen sides the more country of Germany and, after about industries of this manufacturing 15 years of persecution, flight, hard- of the cities of Read- class in each ships, dangers, sufferings and frauds, Lebanon, and those of Corn- ing and landed as the pioneers, the first its inhabitants never cease by wall, white settlers, in this newly opened the smoke arise from the day to see section of Penn's colony in 1723. To of Sheridan furnace stacks and Rob- their descendants of the sixth to the esonia, and by night they often eighth generation, and some new- of the sky, watch the lurid glow comers, has been handed down this upon which are reflected the fiery rich inheritance. "Oh! that men cinder dumps of these furnaces would praise the Lord for His good- the former two and the latter but ness and for His wonderful works Grist three miles away. and saw to the children of men!" So sang mills, stone quarries and old forges the sweet singer of Israel long ago. punctuate the scenery along its The great Lincoln has said: "I like courses, while nigh water upon every to see a man proud of the place in prominent hillcrest old, historic which he lives," and we hope by rural churches point their tall fin- these sketches to make the dwellers gers toward heaven. of this community still prouder. We of Herds Jerseys and Holsteins remember Sir Walter Scott's fine out- graze in the meadows and famous burst of patriotism in his oft-quoted breeds of draught horses plow the lines from "Marmion," beginning: broad upland acres or draw the lum- bering Conestoga "ships of the prai- "Breathes there a man with soul r;o dead Who never to himself has said rie" (farm wagons), except where This is my own, my native land," these are superseded by the gasoline- propelled tractor and the truck.

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