[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 133 (Thursday, September 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1892]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF HEREFORD TOWNSHIP, PENNSYLVANIA

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                            HON. JIM GERLACH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 25, 2003

  Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Hereford 
Township, Pennsylvania on the occasion of the Township's 250th 
Anniversary. I proudly represent the citizens of Hereford Township in 
the 108th Congress and would like to highlight the history of the 
Township as the current residents prepare to celebrate this special 
occasion on Saturday, October 4, 2003.
  Before intrepid settlers from Europe arrived in the area we currently 
know as Hereford Township, the area was inhabited by Native Americans 
of the Delaware or Lenni-Lenapi tribe. These first inhabitants of 
Hereford Township practiced limited agriculture in the fertile soils of 
eastern Berks County while hunting and gathering in the area.
  During the early part of the eighteenth century immigrant settlers 
began to arrive in Berks County. Their origins primarily German, Swiss 
and English, these settlers found their way to present day Berks County 
as they sought refuge from religious persecution in Europe. The very 
earliest settlers to Hereford Township arrived between 1710 and 1720. 
At this time, the land was dominated by thick forests that would soon 
be cleared to provide fields for crops.
  While the challenges these first settlers faced were great, in 
Hereford Township they found a large fertile valley and fields that 
were very productive, as they remain today. The Perkiomen Creek provide 
ample water for these crops and was also the base of development for 
Hereford Township's first industries. The Perkiomen Creek and its 
tributaries provided power to support grist mills, sawmills, a fulling 
mill and forges. The early iron industry provided metal for nails, plow 
blades and other utilitarian devices that made the lives of these early 
settlers easier. The heavily wooded hillsides also provided the timber 
for heat, homes and charcoal for the burgeoning iron industry.
  During the Fall of 1734, the Schwenkfelders, a religious group from 
Silesia, arrived in Philadelphia and many quickly made their way to 
Hereford Township. By 1745, Hereford Township had been settled by not 
only the Schwenkfelders but also Lutherans, Reformed Menonite and 
Catholic immigrants. Not long after, on February 1, 1753, Hereford 
Township was formally established, less than one year after the 
foundation of Berks County on March 11, 1752.
  During the remainder of the eighteenth century agriculture and the 
iron industry flourished and produced prosperity in Hereford Township. 
In many ways Hereford Township has remained the same over its 250 
years. While we have become more technologically advanced through the 
years, Hereford Township remains a close rural community, today of 
about 3200 residents.
  Mr. Speaker, again, I rise to recognize Hereford Township and her 
citizens on the occasion of its 250th Anniversary.

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