Norman Gasbarro | July 20, 2012
The above article describing the “fatal affair at Gratztown” appeared in the Philadelphia Public Ledger, 27 September 1856, described the death of George Hoffman Jr. at the annual military encampment at Gratz, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. A more extensive article appeared in a Schuylkill County publication, the Farmers and Miners Journal on the same date. It […]
Norman Gasbarro | April 15, 2012
The lot numbered 41 in the original Simon Gratz layout of the town of Gratz, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, was sold in 1816 to a farmer, Peter Ritzman, an early settler of Lykens Township. Ritzman built the house shortly afterward and by 1818 sold the property to Jacob Hoover. Hoover continued to live in Lykens Township […]
Norman Gasbarro | November 29, 2011
At the west end of Gratz on the north side of Market Street is a block of properties that were part of the original Simon Gratz subdivision. Most prominent of these in approaching Market Street from Specktown Road is at Lot #81 (northwest corner of intersection of Specktown Road and West Market Street). West of […]
Norman Gasbarro | October 18, 2011
During the Civil War, this property known as Lot #39, had three different owners. In 1858, it was purchased by Solomon Laudenslager (1802-1885) who owned it until 1862 when it was purchased by Simon Hartman (1823-1886). Hartman sold it in 1863 to Philip Keiter who retained it through the remainder of the war to 1869 […]
Norman Gasbarro | October 12, 2011
The original purchaser of Lot #46 from Simon Gratz in 1818 was Joshua Ossman. In 1820, Ossman left Gratz and sold the lot to Charles Coleman who owned it until he died in 1839 whereupon it is listed through his estate until 1852 when it was obtained by Jacob Laudenslager (1796-1869). During the estate period, […]
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