Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-12-08

forthcoming history Of Centre and Clinton
counties will be the biographical sketches
of tho old settlers which the volume will
contain. As specimens of entertaining
reading Of local interest with which the
book will abound we select q number of
sketches of the pioneers of Brush Valley,
prepared by Prof Henry Meyer, of Rebers-
burg, having been kindly furnished with
the manuscript for that purpose;
ANTHONY BIERLr was one of the pioneer
settlers of Brush valley. He leased a tract
of three hundred acres, on part of which
Rebersburg is now situated, from Colonel
Samuel Miles, in 1891, and II is probable
that he brought his family into the valley
in the spring of the same year. They
came from Mahantango creek, now Sny-
der county. Mr. Bierly and his son Mich
olas had been up during the previous fall
TO clear and put in grain small piece of
ground for the family's subsistence. A
Mr.. Strawbridge had cleared about half
an acre and built hut on this tract when
Mr.. Bisrly first camej and there were a
few huts standing in the woods through
other parts OF the valley. Mr.. Bierly's
house was situated about midway between
the present homes Of Peter S. and Antho-
ny Bierly. There are several apple trees
around the place which were brought from
below, one of which measures l3l feet in
circumference. During the Revolutionary
war Anthony Bierly served in the militia,
but il is not known In what engagements
he took part. On one or two occasions he,
with other parties, followed Indians who
had murdered white families. This occur
red while he was still living along the
MAhAntango. lie came TO the valley with
his family through Brush valley narrows,
over the road which Samuel Miles had
opened but 9 short time before, and was
the frat man that travelled 1t in q convey
ance. Anthony Bierly was native Of
Bavaria his parents and an only brother,
whose name could not be ascertained, came
to America at the same time probably, but
in what year Is not know. His brother
settled in Ohio somewhere. His fathers
name was Melchoir, and he lived along
the MAhantango also until the Indian
troubles Of 1878, when he left with the
"Great Runaway" and never returned
from the eastern part Of the State. His
wife brought along . beautifully Orna-
mented bottle from the old county, which
Is to-day cherished relic in the family of
great-grandson, MelChoir Bierly, Of Re-
bersburg. Anthony Bierly was married
to Miss Warner he died in 1925, and
was eighty two years Of age both he and
his wife lie buried in the Lutheran and
Reformed graveyard, Rebersburg, and
neither grave has tombstone with an in
sciption.
Children Nicholas, John, Anthony,
Margaret, married 10 John Philips; Mary,
married TO Michael Kehl; Sarah, hrst
married to Henry Grenninger and after
his decesse 10 George Leash Anna, mar
ried to Philip Glantz; BArS4ra, married
TO Frederick Homeldorf; ROsina, married
To Christian Granny; Elizabeth, married
to Peter Berry Eva, married TO, Michael
Ketner; CAtharine not married. All the
children are dead.
JoHS BREcHTEL came TO Brush valley
with Anthony Bierly or coon after, proba-
bly, In 1901 or 1892. Both came from the
region Of MAhAntango creeks and McKees'
Half Falls. But originally Mr.. Brechtel,
like Mr.. Bierly, came from Germany.
They may have been neighbors in the old
country. Brechtel owned the tract inIwhich
Is now included the old Huber farm. He
was . cooper by trade and an excellent
mechanic. lie devoted much attention 10
the science Of astrology and was deeply
versed in all its lore. His attainments In
more useful branches we're also Of high
degree. Mr.. Brechtel died about the year
1909, and his widow and HE children all
moved TO Ohio about the year 1912, except
Lucy, who was married TO Nicholas Bierly,
senior. Among the cons are remembered
John, Solomon, Martin and Peter.
Mrs. MARY HARTzKL. This sketch was
kindly furnished by Hon. w. A. Bierly, Of
williamsport, who received the facts from
Mrs. Hartzel several years before her
death. "Jacob Gels (GuIse) ono Of the
early settlers Of Penns' valley was con
Of q noble family Of refugees from tho
AIsac district on the Rhine. He came to
Penns' valley in 1898, from TuIpehOcken
creek, Berks county, where they had frat
settled. Anna Mary Mrs. HartzsIl was
born April 2s, 1906. When they came to
Penns' valley there were but iow clear
ings where Millheim and Aaronsburg now