Manheim Borough
Founded in 1762, the town of Manheim rightfully belongs in that select list of Pennsylvania towns which antedate the Revolutionary War. Of additional interest historically is the fact that the land on which the town was laid out has a close connection with the family of the colony's founder, William Penn. Explicitly, it was in 1734 that this tract of acres in Donegal Township (1741 in Rapho Township) was given as a gift to Penn's faithful secretary, James Logan, by Penn's widow, Hannah, and her sons. In 1762 this same tract was purchased from Logan's granddaughter, Mary Morris, by Henry William Stiegel and his two business associates, Charles and Alexander Stedman.
Stiegel and the Stedman brothers must properly be considered as the founders of the town of Manheim, although Stiegel is the only one of the trio who left an impression on the place; even to the extent that for years it was well know among farmer folk as Stiegeltown. In fact, the story of Manheim cannot be told without including a recital of the career of this remarkable personality.
With his widowed mother and brother Anthony, Henry W. Stiegel, native Cologne, Germany, arrived in Pennsylvania in 1750. He found his first employment in Philadelphia with the Stedmans, who were successful merchants in that city. Two years later, he became associated with Jacob Huber, ironmaster of Elizabeth Furnace in Northern Lancaster County. Beginning work as a clerk, he progressed rapidly to the extent that a few years later, when Huber stepped out of the business, Stiegel became part owner of the furnace; his partners in the venture being the Stedmans. Under the guidance of Stiegel, the furnace was enlarged by the purchase of Charming Forge near Womelsdorf.
While still serving as a clerk for Jacob Huber, Stiegel married Elizabeth, the ironmaster's daughter, who bore two daughters, Elizabeth and Barbara. After the untimely death of Elizabeth Huber, Stiegel took as his second wife, Elizabeth Holtz of Philadelphia, to whom was born a son, Jacob.
Stiegel prospered as an ironmaster, becoming prominent at the same time in church and civic affairs. Then actuated with visions of success in a totally different field, he began experiments in glass making, which led to the actual manufacture of window glass and bottles at Elizabeth Furnace. The purchase of the tract in Rapho Township and the laying out of the town of Manheim in 1762 was the next step in Stiegel's ambitious planning. There can be no doubt that in establishing a town, he had a clear and definite idea of making it the seat of an industrial empire.
The plan of the town of Manheim provided for a wide open space in the center which was originally named High Street, but is now known as Market Square. On the square, Stiegel, caused to be erected for himself, an imposing mansion and an office building, while on the northwest corner of Stiegel and Charlotte Streets, he directed the construction of a manufacturing plant where he could c
Stiegel and the Stedman brothers must properly be considered as the founders of the town of Manheim, although Stiegel is the only one of the trio who left an impression on the place; even to the extent that for years it was well know among farmer folk as Stiegeltown. In fact, the story of Manheim cannot be told without including a recital of the career of this remarkable personality.
With his widowed mother and brother Anthony, Henry W. Stiegel, native Cologne, Germany, arrived in Pennsylvania in 1750. He found his first employment in Philadelphia with the Stedmans, who were successful merchants in that city. Two years later, he became associated with Jacob Huber, ironmaster of Elizabeth Furnace in Northern Lancaster County. Beginning work as a clerk, he progressed rapidly to the extent that a few years later, when Huber stepped out of the business, Stiegel became part owner of the furnace; his partners in the venture being the Stedmans. Under the guidance of Stiegel, the furnace was enlarged by the purchase of Charming Forge near Womelsdorf.
While still serving as a clerk for Jacob Huber, Stiegel married Elizabeth, the ironmaster's daughter, who bore two daughters, Elizabeth and Barbara. After the untimely death of Elizabeth Huber, Stiegel took as his second wife, Elizabeth Holtz of Philadelphia, to whom was born a son, Jacob.
Stiegel prospered as an ironmaster, becoming prominent at the same time in church and civic affairs. Then actuated with visions of success in a totally different field, he began experiments in glass making, which led to the actual manufacture of window glass and bottles at Elizabeth Furnace. The purchase of the tract in Rapho Township and the laying out of the town of Manheim in 1762 was the next step in Stiegel's ambitious planning. There can be no doubt that in establishing a town, he had a clear and definite idea of making it the seat of an industrial empire.
The plan of the town of Manheim provided for a wide open space in the center which was originally named High Street, but is now known as Market Square. On the square, Stiegel, caused to be erected for himself, an imposing mansion and an office building, while on the northwest corner of Stiegel and Charlotte Streets, he directed the construction of a manufacturing plant where he could c
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