AMISH HISTORY

Eli J. Byler - Historian
376 No. 8 Road - New Wilmington, PA
Note: This portion of the history has been submitted without editing, save for the name Lackawannock.

July 9, 1999
By Eli J. Byler

I was asked to give history of the Amish sect, that are or was living in Lackawannock Twp., Mercer County, Pa, in the year of 1900 to 2000,(2000 century). In the year1847, the Amish settled in New Wilmington area, Wilmington TWSP, Lawrence County, Wilmington TWSP, Mercer County, NESHANNOCK TWSP, PULASKI TWSP., HICKORY TWSP, WASHINGTON TWSP, SHENANGO TWSP, Mercer County, And MAHONING TWSP, Lawrence County, Pa. Very few settled or were living in LACKAWANNOCK TOWNSHIP Mercer County Pa., prior 1900. Although there was an Amish family living in Bethel at the time.>BR>
In the year 1870 CENSUS in LACKAWANNOCK TWSP, Mercer County. This property was located on Buckwalter road. First farm Bethel Rd.

Lackawannock Twsp. Mercer County, Pa.
Noah Zook,age 53, Farm valu $1,300 - $800
Catherine (Byler), age 45, wife
Barbara, age 17,all children in school
Danuel, age 15
Christian, age 13
Soloman, age 11
Annie, age 8
********************
Now in the year of 1872, two years later on this property above Noah and Catherine ZOOK'S five children all dies at once, with in five weeks from deptheria. After Noah and Catherine were in old age, living alone on this farm and had no children anymore. They was wanting a young married couple to live in with them till the die, then they will receive the farm. Some young couples tryed it, but they did not hold out. Then Jacob H. Byler born Aug. 12, 1865 An Amish boy, Married Jan. 3, 1887 to Sadie A. Turner, An English girl, daughter of John and Ella (Chamberlain) Turner, In Sharon, Pa. She was an orphan, and had the liking of Jacob, So she joint the Amish Church, To get married to Jacob H. Byler.

So this young couple Jacob H. & Sadie (Turner) Bylers moved in with Noah Zooks, and stayed there till Noah and Catherine both died, And inherited the farm.

In 1900 SENSUS of Jacob H. Byler and Sadie (Sarah) Turner. On the same farm LACKAWANNOCK TWSP, MERCER COUNTY, PA first lane left on Buckwalter road, from Bethel and New Wilmington road.

Lackawannock Twsp. , Mercer County Pa.

Jacob H. Byler, b. Aug. 1865, age 34, farmer owner
Sarah A. (Turner), b. Nov. 1867, age 32, wife bore 4 children, all living
Joseph W., b. Dec. 1889, age 10, all children at school
Fannie B., b. Sept. 1891, age 8
Emma J., b. Oct. 1893,age 6
Mattie B., b. July 1896, Age 3

Then Before the 1910 SENSUS Jacob H. Byler family sold the farm and moved in WILMINGTON TWSP. LAWRENCE COUNTY, PA. There after there was no Amish families living in LACKAWANNOCK TWSP. until 1940.

Ben Z. Bylers moved on Reithmiller farm, on Reithmiller RD. Rented it till 1945 then moved out.

Gid G. Wengerds rented and lived on the farm at the corner of Bend and Janosky Rd.

In the year 1939 Ben Yoders lived on the farm (renter) Now present owner 1999 is Ben L. & Emma B. Bylers 73 Garrett Lane. This was before I-80 went through, the lane went in by an old abandon Schoolhouse on the Wozniak Rd.

Jacob Z. & Lovina D. Mast) Hostetler was working for Walder Dick on Vance Rd. Living in the tenant house. Jacob Z. Hostetler died in Nov. 30, 1942 While working there, leaving Lovina as widow with three children.

In 1945 Sam Z. & Martha (Mattie Kurtz) Bylers moved on J. R. Hughus farm, and rented it for a few years. Located on Ben Rd. between 318 and Waznak Rd.

Year of 1945
The First Amish Land Owners in Lackawannock Twp. Mercer County, Pa.

In 1945 Mose S. and Barbara Yoder, from Mifflin County Pa. Bought the farm, and lived on it, at the corner of Bend and Janosky Rd.

In the year of 1946 Levi B. & Martha Z. (Byler)Hostetler bought and lived on the farm, now in 1999 owned by Winners. Located on Bend Rd., borderline of Wilmington Twp. Mercer County, Pa.

In the year of 1946, Ben D. and Lizzie Ann J. (Byler) Hostetler bought property, and fixed the dwelling to live in. Located Pulaski and Mercer Rd. in a long lane North off the Rd. Before the I-80 went through, borderland west of Little Neshannock Creek.

In the year of 1947 Rudy J. and Lovina R. (Byler) Kurtz bought the farm from Lue Sewell, on No. 8 Rd. by No. 8 Schoolhouse.

Eli J. Byler got married Jan. 23, 1945 to Amanda B. Hostetler. 2 children born here Elizabeth Ann & Harvey.The same year 1945 rented Reithmiller farm, on Reithmiller Rd. Moved on the farm April 1, 1945, when Ben Z. Bylers moved out.

Now after the World War II, Reithmiller's son Frank came home from the service, and married Catherine (A nice brave city girl). He wanted to move on his dad's farm, and be a farmer. So Eli J. And Amanda B. Byler had to move out. In Feb. 7, 1948 Eli J. and Amanda B. Byler bought the farm of Frank Schwartz and Mary E. Schwartz. Borderland South of Reithmiller farm in a long lane. Now Eli J. Bylers and Frank Reithmillers were next door neighbors, seeing Catherine riding the tractor in the fields, beside doing her house work.

Around 1950 Eli J. Byler and Amanda B. Byler bought Shingledecker's place, and moved there, at the corner of No. 8 and Bend Rd. There was no water in the house and no water drain out of the house, the water had too be carried in the house and carried out. That was unusual for an none Amish living that way in the year of 1950.

In 1952 bought more land off Donald M. Gerrett and Irene M. Gerrett. 38 acres, formerly was on the same farm of Robert M. Gerrett and Anna M. Gerrett, from the year of 1952 till 1965. There is all new buildings.

At present 1999 there is around 70 Amish families living in Lackawannock Twp. Mercer County Pa. You would say, the lower part of Lackawannock Twp. is an Amish community. The none Amish and Amish neighbors fit in so well. God bless ye all! I hope so.

Additional Amish Notes

Gradually, each Amish family began to become interested in a type of business related to wood, such as sawmills, and the preparation of wood for many crafts: chairs, porch swings, chests, tables, etc. Furniture finishing has become important, and, of course the creation of all types of furniture is a special art.

• Amish Dairying
Milk from Amish farms is shipped to New Middlefield, Ohio and was formerly sold to New Wilmington Cheese Factory which was built by Jake Marti from Switzerland, now owned and operated by Dairy Farmers of America. Many Amish are employed there.

• Amish Churches
The township is divided into several church groups - they vary in number.
Each group worships in a home that is scheduled for every other Sunday.
Dinner is served following the service which may be in both English and German.

• Social Life of Amish
- Quilting at home; also in groups
- Family gatherings
- Corn huskings
- Barn raisings; also houses.
- Children's games
- Song fests
- School programs and picnics

A Few Amish Businesses
All South of #318

• Andy E. Byler, Jr., 587 Greenfield Rd., Mercer
- Since 1993: Custom sawing / Portable sawmill. Will purchase and cut.
• Bennie J. Byler, 197 Vance Rd., New Wilmington
- 1998: Hardwood selection / Slab wood / Sawdust. Will purchase standing timber.
• Erwin & Betsy U. Byler, 341 Bed Rd., New Wilmington
- 1988: Hardwood species for furniture. Low grade lumber for pallets.
• Levi Hostetler Farm, 357 Bend Rd., New Wilmington
- Caretakers: Andy & Ben Byler
-1986: Purchased by James Winner. Called "Tour Farm"/ Later "Veal Farm." Raises Emu, Reindeer, Llamas.
• Harvey D. Byler, 980 Mercer-Pulaski Rd., New Wilmington
- 1984: Furniture and Cradles Shop, Buggy Seats.
• Alvin D. Hostetler, 459 Bend Rd., New Wilmington
- Carpenter / Coffin maker
• Dan Hostetler, 1258 Mercer-Pulaski Rd., Mercer, NW
-Rocking Horse Shop
• Daniel Mast, Orchard Rd., Mercer
- Hickory Shop
• John R. Byler, 561 Bend Rd., New Wilmington
- Pallet Shop
• Joe J. Byler, 253 Greenfield Rd., New Wilmington
- 1993: Wholesale, small items shop
• Henry S. Byler, 40 Reithmiller Rd. New Wilmingon
- Harness Maker - Repairman
• Henry J. Hostetler, 31 Garrett Lane, Mercer
- Hickory Shop
• Wallis B. Kurtz, 200 Reithmiller Rd., New Wilmington
- Small Furniture
• Urie D. Byler, 774 Orchard Rd., Mercer
-1986: Started-Storage sheds-all sizes
• Amos J. Byler, 155 McFarland Lane, Mercer
-Porch Swing Shop
• Andrew J.,W. Mast, 155 McFarland Rd., Mercer
-Farmer
• David D. Byler, 638 Bend Rd., New Wilmington
-Porch Swing Shop
• Mose J. Hostetler, 379 Orchard Rd., Mercer
-Farmer
• Mose B. & Eliz. Ann, 379 No. 8 Rd., New Wilmington
-Produce Farmers: Strawberries/Corn/Vegetables/Gourds
• Amos Hostetler, 285 Orchard Rd., Mercer
- Produce Farmers: Vegetable/Melons
• Jake R. Byler, Orchard Rd., Mercer
-Wall Board Hanger
• Bennie Miller, 514 Orchard Rd., Mercer
-Produce Farmer
• Gideon Wingerd, 321 Greenfield Rd., New Wilmington
-Carpenter
• Leah G. Wingerd, 321 Greenfield Rd., New Wilmington
-Furniture refinishing
• Eli B. Hostetler, 435 Bend R., New Wilmington
-Laborer/shop
• Sam J. & Elsie Hostetler, 544 Bend Rd., New Wilmington
-Veal Farm/Pepper Farm
Veal farms are increasing in number gradually as an asset to farming. Attractive buildings are being built.

• Jake M. Hostetler,1182 Mercer-W. Middlesex Rd., Mercer
-Cobbler
• Ben & Emma Byler, 73 Garrett Lane, Mew Wilmington
-Farming
• Jake Y. Byler, 100 Pulaski-Mercer Rd., New Wilmington
-Carpenter
• Eli D. & Lydia Troyer, 1149 Mercer-Pulaski Rd., New Wilmington
-Amish Drygoods
• John S. Byler, 653 Bend Rd., New Wilmington
-Carpenter, Bricklayer
-Sadie (wife) Furniture refinishing
• Mary Byler, 51 Riethmiller Road, New Wilmington
-Green houses, flower & vegetable plants
• Jonathan A. & Sara Mast, 73 Garrett Lane, New Wilmington
-Small wooden household items
• Rudy J. Kurtz, 305 No. 8 Rd., New Wilmington
-Contractor/Builder
• Eli J. Byler, 376 No. 8 Rd., New Wilmington
-Amish Historian
-Wheel Shop

Amish Schools & Teachers
1953 - Purchased Zuver (No. 8) School - Barbara Byler
1983 - Woodlawn School, Riethmiller Road - Nancy Hostetler
1998 - Orchard Hill, Orchard Road - Mallie Hostetler and Anna Byler
1999 - Shady Lane - Lydia Byler

Amish School Directors
• Cherry Hill and Woodlawn
John R. Byler, Joe J. Byler, David D. Byler, Amos M. Hostetler, Danny Byler

• Orchard Hill and #8
Eli A. Byler, Harvey D. Byler, Mose J. Hostetler, Andy Y. Byler, Jake R. Byler

[Photo not copied] Orchard Hill School
Newest Amish School - Built 1998 (Orchard Road) on land formerly owned by Floyd Spears

[Photo not copied] #8 School
1873 - The oldest one-room school in Mercer Co. that has been in continuous use.

Amish Schools

The Amish Schools are required to meet the requirements set forth by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
• Number of days is that required by the Commonwealth
 • may ride the local school bus and
• may attend Special School with bus transportation

Daily recitations are in English. However, the older students study German the last hour of each day. This practice gives them the ability to read the Bible in German and converse with older family members.
Children (preschool) are taught German at home with the family.