Reading Eagle-August 16, 1896-Oley Valley's Great Entertainer-Daniel P. DeTurk, a Well-Known Citizen, and His Home-His Huguenot Ancestry
There are few farms in Berks or any other of the eastern counties of the state on which as many people are entertained in a year as on that of Daniel P. DeTurk, of Oley, 2 miles east of Pleasantville and 1/2 mile south of Griesemersville. It is not a rare occurrence at all to meet a dozen guests on the DeTurk farm. On such a special occasion as a surprise party from 150 to 200 people usually gather. At the other surprise parties of the neighborhood only half so many people attend. In nearly every section of the county a party of 50 persons is considered an immense one.
Sundays, the big visiting time of the people living outside the city, Mr. DeTurk's farm house is usually filled with visitors. The long winter months are always whiled away most pleasantly here. There are no evenings that drag nor rainy days that seem dull.
Mr. DeTurk has for years been known in his own and all neighboring townships as the great entertainer of the Oley valley. His greatest pleasure is to entertain guests, and the livelier they are the better he likes it. Of course, he always insists on order.
In summer person from a considerable distance visit the DeTurk farm. In winter Mr. DeTurk's company consists mainly of the people of the neighboring farms. They gather at his house, exchange reminiscences, relate sotries, discuss topics of the farm, swap political opinions, etc. Such gatherings are greatly enjoyed by the owner of the place, and sometimes if it happens that for a day or so no visitor appears Mr. DeTurk cannot understand what is the matter and wishes some one would come soon.
Entertaining people in this way is quite expensive, but Mr. DeTurk cheerfully bears the expense, declaring that the enjoyment he reaps is worth much more than the cost. On this farm choice eatables and good things to drink are always found in profusions, and all callers are bidden to "help themselves."
Mr. DeTurk is a man well off in this world's goods, owning a great deal more than the farm he lives on. He is a man of intelligence, and has been over a large portion of the eastern part of the country. In his younger days he travelled through the county quite a good deal and formed a large acquaintance.
He is now 44 years old and has grown so stout that it is inconvenient for him to go about as much as he used to. His present weight is 293 pounds. Since going away from home less, he is all the more anxious for company.
Last year he was a candidate for recorder and made a good run. Whether he will come out for the office again, he will annouce later. Mr. DeTurk is a Knight Templar.
His farm, a fertile tract of 151 acres, looks like a village if seen from a distance. His residence is a substantial plank house that is old, and yet many last for 100 years longer. Then there is also a splendid brick summer house that has 5 large rooms. The barn is a modern one, and in excellent order. Some of the other buildings on the place are: an ice house, large hog stable, carpenter shop, wood house, wagon sheds, a tenant house, and a number of other small structures.
All of these buildings are in the best of order, as is the land of the farm. At one end of the property there is an immense stone quarry, which Mr. DeTurk has leased to Jeasiah Manwiller at an annual rental of $200.
Although he has a son, James, and a daughter, Willi, both of whom are grown and help on the farm, he has a hired man and domestic, and during busy seasons numerous other help.
Each fall he kills from 14 to 18 hogs, nearly all of which meat is consumed at home. Several head of cattle are butchered every season, also for home consumption. He has a few good road horses, and does a considerable amount of driving.
Just in front of the house there is a magnificent apple orchard, but this year the crop happens to be weak here. He has over an acre in peaches, which crop is not very good, neither did plums yield largely. Most of the fruit raised my Mr. DeTurk is used on the farm. A great deal of it is given away.
Six cats are always maintained on the farm, if possible, to keep the house and barn clear of mice and rats. This farm is a famous one for apple butter stirrings. Each fall a number of evenings are devoted to this work which the young folks so enjoy. In big apple years 8 to 10 boilings are commonly held. Last year they once converted 10 barrels of cider into applebutter at one boiling, which took several days.
Whenever such an event takes place here the young people of all the neighboring towns and hamlets can be found present. They have lots of fun. Music and dancing are enjoyed and refreshments are served. Some of those who take active part in the boiling are rewarded with a crock of applebutter.
Daniel P. DeTurk is a direct descendant of the Isaac Le Turk (as it was spelled 150 years ago) who settled in Oley in 1712, and was one of the first settlers of the township. The latter was, at the time of his death, one of the largest landowners in the county.
Isaac Le Turk had previously settled on the Quassaick creek, in Duchess County, New York, having emigrated from the country along the Rhine with 12,000 Germans upon the invitation of Queen Anne. In 1709 he was registerd there as a husbandman, unmarried, aged 23 years. He left in 1711. The DeTurks, like some of the other old families of Oley, orgianally came from France.
The DeTurk family always has been noted for its great hospitality and they were all possessed of a goodly amount of real estate. All of the early members of the family clung strictly to their Huguenot faith. Today Daniel P. DeTurk claims to be the only remaining DeTurk who still adheres to the religious principles of the early fathers.
Daniel P. DeTurk's paternal grandfather was Philip and his father was Daniel. The maternal great-grandmother, of the subject of this sketch was a Weiser, related to Conrad Weiser, Indian interpreter. Great-Grandfather Weiser ws one of the first Masons of this section, and Mr. DeTurk has in his possession a beautiful china pitcher, containing all the Masonic emblems that was handed down from this early member of that secret order.
Mr. DeTurk has a fine mahogany cane that ws once ownded by his maternal grandfather, Daniel Levan. In addition to this came, he has at least half a dozen others that are old and valuable.
He has numerous fine paintings in his parlor and a number of drawings of his farm that were made by a German, who one night came to the DeTurk farm for lodging.
Mr. DeTurk is married to Margaret Shollenberger, daughter of the late Daniel Shollenberger, of Oley. She is an exemplary wife and housekeeper and a cook of rare ability.
Daniel P. DeTurk is one of the most philanthropic men of the county. He never allows even a tramp, to leave his house without being fed, and his roof has sheltered many a weary peddler.
On account of his great corpuience, Mr. DeTurk has secured his own tailor who comes to the farm whenever called. About every 2 to 3 years he comes and stays a few weeks and sometimes a month.
---
Philadelphia Inquirer-October 23, 1898
Wealthy Berks Countian Dead
Reading-Oct. 22., Daniel P. DeTurk, one of the wealthiest men in Berks County, died at his residence in Oley of a complication of diseases, aged 46 years. He weighed 355 pounds. He was famous as an entertainer, and had hundreds of guests during the course of the year. He was a prominent Democrat.
There are few farms in Berks or any other of the eastern counties of the state on which as many people are entertained in a year as on that of Daniel P. DeTurk, of Oley, 2 miles east of Pleasantville and 1/2 mile south of Griesemersville. It is not a rare occurrence at all to meet a dozen guests on the DeTurk farm. On such a special occasion as a surprise party from 150 to 200 people usually gather. At the other surprise parties of the neighborhood only half so many people attend. In nearly every section of the county a party of 50 persons is considered an immense one.
Sundays, the big visiting time of the people living outside the city, Mr. DeTurk's farm house is usually filled with visitors. The long winter months are always whiled away most pleasantly here. There are no evenings that drag nor rainy days that seem dull.
Mr. DeTurk has for years been known in his own and all neighboring townships as the great entertainer of the Oley valley. His greatest pleasure is to entertain guests, and the livelier they are the better he likes it. Of course, he always insists on order.
In summer person from a considerable distance visit the DeTurk farm. In winter Mr. DeTurk's company consists mainly of the people of the neighboring farms. They gather at his house, exchange reminiscences, relate sotries, discuss topics of the farm, swap political opinions, etc. Such gatherings are greatly enjoyed by the owner of the place, and sometimes if it happens that for a day or so no visitor appears Mr. DeTurk cannot understand what is the matter and wishes some one would come soon.
Entertaining people in this way is quite expensive, but Mr. DeTurk cheerfully bears the expense, declaring that the enjoyment he reaps is worth much more than the cost. On this farm choice eatables and good things to drink are always found in profusions, and all callers are bidden to "help themselves."
Mr. DeTurk is a man well off in this world's goods, owning a great deal more than the farm he lives on. He is a man of intelligence, and has been over a large portion of the eastern part of the country. In his younger days he travelled through the county quite a good deal and formed a large acquaintance.
He is now 44 years old and has grown so stout that it is inconvenient for him to go about as much as he used to. His present weight is 293 pounds. Since going away from home less, he is all the more anxious for company.
Last year he was a candidate for recorder and made a good run. Whether he will come out for the office again, he will annouce later. Mr. DeTurk is a Knight Templar.
His farm, a fertile tract of 151 acres, looks like a village if seen from a distance. His residence is a substantial plank house that is old, and yet many last for 100 years longer. Then there is also a splendid brick summer house that has 5 large rooms. The barn is a modern one, and in excellent order. Some of the other buildings on the place are: an ice house, large hog stable, carpenter shop, wood house, wagon sheds, a tenant house, and a number of other small structures.
All of these buildings are in the best of order, as is the land of the farm. At one end of the property there is an immense stone quarry, which Mr. DeTurk has leased to Jeasiah Manwiller at an annual rental of $200.
Although he has a son, James, and a daughter, Willi, both of whom are grown and help on the farm, he has a hired man and domestic, and during busy seasons numerous other help.
Each fall he kills from 14 to 18 hogs, nearly all of which meat is consumed at home. Several head of cattle are butchered every season, also for home consumption. He has a few good road horses, and does a considerable amount of driving.
Just in front of the house there is a magnificent apple orchard, but this year the crop happens to be weak here. He has over an acre in peaches, which crop is not very good, neither did plums yield largely. Most of the fruit raised my Mr. DeTurk is used on the farm. A great deal of it is given away.
Six cats are always maintained on the farm, if possible, to keep the house and barn clear of mice and rats. This farm is a famous one for apple butter stirrings. Each fall a number of evenings are devoted to this work which the young folks so enjoy. In big apple years 8 to 10 boilings are commonly held. Last year they once converted 10 barrels of cider into applebutter at one boiling, which took several days.
Whenever such an event takes place here the young people of all the neighboring towns and hamlets can be found present. They have lots of fun. Music and dancing are enjoyed and refreshments are served. Some of those who take active part in the boiling are rewarded with a crock of applebutter.
Daniel P. DeTurk is a direct descendant of the Isaac Le Turk (as it was spelled 150 years ago) who settled in Oley in 1712, and was one of the first settlers of the township. The latter was, at the time of his death, one of the largest landowners in the county.
Isaac Le Turk had previously settled on the Quassaick creek, in Duchess County, New York, having emigrated from the country along the Rhine with 12,000 Germans upon the invitation of Queen Anne. In 1709 he was registerd there as a husbandman, unmarried, aged 23 years. He left in 1711. The DeTurks, like some of the other old families of Oley, orgianally came from France.
The DeTurk family always has been noted for its great hospitality and they were all possessed of a goodly amount of real estate. All of the early members of the family clung strictly to their Huguenot faith. Today Daniel P. DeTurk claims to be the only remaining DeTurk who still adheres to the religious principles of the early fathers.
Daniel P. DeTurk's paternal grandfather was Philip and his father was Daniel. The maternal great-grandmother, of the subject of this sketch was a Weiser, related to Conrad Weiser, Indian interpreter. Great-Grandfather Weiser ws one of the first Masons of this section, and Mr. DeTurk has in his possession a beautiful china pitcher, containing all the Masonic emblems that was handed down from this early member of that secret order.
Mr. DeTurk has a fine mahogany cane that ws once ownded by his maternal grandfather, Daniel Levan. In addition to this came, he has at least half a dozen others that are old and valuable.
He has numerous fine paintings in his parlor and a number of drawings of his farm that were made by a German, who one night came to the DeTurk farm for lodging.
Mr. DeTurk is married to Margaret Shollenberger, daughter of the late Daniel Shollenberger, of Oley. She is an exemplary wife and housekeeper and a cook of rare ability.
Daniel P. DeTurk is one of the most philanthropic men of the county. He never allows even a tramp, to leave his house without being fed, and his roof has sheltered many a weary peddler.
On account of his great corpuience, Mr. DeTurk has secured his own tailor who comes to the farm whenever called. About every 2 to 3 years he comes and stays a few weeks and sometimes a month.
---
Philadelphia Inquirer-October 23, 1898
Wealthy Berks Countian Dead
Reading-Oct. 22., Daniel P. DeTurk, one of the wealthiest men in Berks County, died at his residence in Oley of a complication of diseases, aged 46 years. He weighed 355 pounds. He was famous as an entertainer, and had hundreds of guests during the course of the year. He was a prominent Democrat.
Reading Eagle-August 16, 1896-Oley Valley's Great Entertainer-Daniel P. DeTurk, a Well-Known Citizen, and His Home-His Huguenot Ancestry
There are few farms in Berks or any other of the eastern counties of the state on which as many people are entertained in a year as on that of Daniel P. DeTurk, of Oley, 2 miles east of Pleasantville and 1/2 mile south of Griesemersville. It is not a rare occurrence at all to meet a dozen guests on the DeTurk farm. On such a special occasion as a surprise party from 150 to 200 people usually gather. At the other surprise parties of the neighborhood only half so many people attend. In nearly every section of the county a party of 50 persons is considered an immense one.
Sundays, the big visiting time of the people living outside the city, Mr. DeTurk's farm house is usually filled with visitors. The long winter months are always whiled away most pleasantly here. There are no evenings that drag nor rainy days that seem dull.
Mr. DeTurk has for years been known in his own and all neighboring townships as the great entertainer of the Oley valley. His greatest pleasure is to entertain guests, and the livelier they are the better he likes it. Of course, he always insists on order.
In summer person from a considerable distance visit the DeTurk farm. In winter Mr. DeTurk's company consists mainly of the people of the neighboring farms. They gather at his house, exchange reminiscences, relate sotries, discuss topics of the farm, swap political opinions, etc. Such gatherings are greatly enjoyed by the owner of the place, and sometimes if it happens that for a day or so no visitor appears Mr. DeTurk cannot understand what is the matter and wishes some one would come soon.
Entertaining people in this way is quite expensive, but Mr. DeTurk cheerfully bears the expense, declaring that the enjoyment he reaps is worth much more than the cost. On this farm choice eatables and good things to drink are always found in profusions, and all callers are bidden to "help themselves."
Mr. DeTurk is a man well off in this world's goods, owning a great deal more than the farm he lives on. He is a man of intelligence, and has been over a large portion of the eastern part of the country. In his younger days he travelled through the county quite a good deal and formed a large acquaintance.
He is now 44 years old and has grown so stout that it is inconvenient for him to go about as much as he used to. His present weight is 293 pounds. Since going away from home less, he is all the more anxious for company.
Last year he was a candidate for recorder and made a good run. Whether he will come out for the office again, he will annouce later. Mr. DeTurk is a Knight Templar.
His farm, a fertile tract of 151 acres, looks like a village if seen from a distance. His residence is a substantial plank house that is old, and yet many last for 100 years longer. Then there is also a splendid brick summer house that has 5 large rooms. The barn is a modern one, and in excellent order. Some of the other buildings on the place are: an ice house, large hog stable, carpenter shop, wood house, wagon sheds, a tenant house, and a number of other small structures.
All of these buildings are in the best of order, as is the land of the farm. At one end of the property there is an immense stone quarry, which Mr. DeTurk has leased to Jeasiah Manwiller at an annual rental of $200.
Although he has a son, James, and a daughter, Willi, both of whom are grown and help on the farm, he has a hired man and domestic, and during busy seasons numerous other help.
Each fall he kills from 14 to 18 hogs, nearly all of which meat is consumed at home. Several head of cattle are butchered every season, also for home consumption. He has a few good road horses, and does a considerable amount of driving.
Just in front of the house there is a magnificent apple orchard, but this year the crop happens to be weak here. He has over an acre in peaches, which crop is not very good, neither did plums yield largely. Most of the fruit raised my Mr. DeTurk is used on the farm. A great deal of it is given away.
Six cats are always maintained on the farm, if possible, to keep the house and barn clear of mice and rats. This farm is a famous one for apple butter stirrings. Each fall a number of evenings are devoted to this work which the young folks so enjoy. In big apple years 8 to 10 boilings are commonly held. Last year they once converted 10 barrels of cider into applebutter at one boiling, which took several days.
Whenever such an event takes place here the young people of all the neighboring towns and hamlets can be found present. They have lots of fun. Music and dancing are enjoyed and refreshments are served. Some of those who take active part in the boiling are rewarded with a crock of applebutter.
Daniel P. DeTurk is a direct descendant of the Isaac Le Turk (as it was spelled 150 years ago) who settled in Oley in 1712, and was one of the first settlers of the township. The latter was, at the time of his death, one of the largest landowners in the county.
Isaac Le Turk had previously settled on the Quassaick creek, in Duchess County, New York, having emigrated from the country along the Rhine with 12,000 Germans upon the invitation of Queen Anne. In 1709 he was registerd there as a husbandman, unmarried, aged 23 years. He left in 1711. The DeTurks, like some of the other old families of Oley, orgianally came from France.
The DeTurk family always has been noted for its great hospitality and they were all possessed of a goodly amount of real estate. All of the early members of the family clung strictly to their Huguenot faith. Today Daniel P. DeTurk claims to be the only remaining DeTurk who still adheres to the religious principles of the early fathers.
Daniel P. DeTurk's paternal grandfather was Philip and his father was Daniel. The maternal great-grandmother, of the subject of this sketch was a Weiser, related to Conrad Weiser, Indian interpreter. Great-Grandfather Weiser ws one of the first Masons of this section, and Mr. DeTurk has in his possession a beautiful china pitcher, containing all the Masonic emblems that was handed down from this early member of that secret order.
Mr. DeTurk has a fine mahogany cane that ws once ownded by his maternal grandfather, Daniel Levan. In addition to this came, he has at least half a dozen others that are old and valuable.
He has numerous fine paintings in his parlor and a number of drawings of his farm that were made by a German, who one night came to the DeTurk farm for lodging.
Mr. DeTurk is married to Margaret Shollenberger, daughter of the late Daniel Shollenberger, of Oley. She is an exemplary wife and housekeeper and a cook of rare ability.
Daniel P. DeTurk is one of the most philanthropic men of the county. He never allows even a tramp, to leave his house without being fed, and his roof has sheltered many a weary peddler.
On account of his great corpuience, Mr. DeTurk has secured his own tailor who comes to the farm whenever called. About every 2 to 3 years he comes and stays a few weeks and sometimes a month.
---
Philadelphia Inquirer-October 23, 1898
Wealthy Berks Countian Dead
Reading-Oct. 22., Daniel P. DeTurk, one of the wealthiest men in Berks County, died at his residence in Oley of a complication of diseases, aged 46 years. He weighed 355 pounds. He was famous as an entertainer, and had hundreds of guests during the course of the year. He was a prominent Democrat.
There are few farms in Berks or any other of the eastern counties of the state on which as many people are entertained in a year as on that of Daniel P. DeTurk, of Oley, 2 miles east of Pleasantville and 1/2 mile south of Griesemersville. It is not a rare occurrence at all to meet a dozen guests on the DeTurk farm. On such a special occasion as a surprise party from 150 to 200 people usually gather. At the other surprise parties of the neighborhood only half so many people attend. In nearly every section of the county a party of 50 persons is considered an immense one.
Sundays, the big visiting time of the people living outside the city, Mr. DeTurk's farm house is usually filled with visitors. The long winter months are always whiled away most pleasantly here. There are no evenings that drag nor rainy days that seem dull.
Mr. DeTurk has for years been known in his own and all neighboring townships as the great entertainer of the Oley valley. His greatest pleasure is to entertain guests, and the livelier they are the better he likes it. Of course, he always insists on order.
In summer person from a considerable distance visit the DeTurk farm. In winter Mr. DeTurk's company consists mainly of the people of the neighboring farms. They gather at his house, exchange reminiscences, relate sotries, discuss topics of the farm, swap political opinions, etc. Such gatherings are greatly enjoyed by the owner of the place, and sometimes if it happens that for a day or so no visitor appears Mr. DeTurk cannot understand what is the matter and wishes some one would come soon.
Entertaining people in this way is quite expensive, but Mr. DeTurk cheerfully bears the expense, declaring that the enjoyment he reaps is worth much more than the cost. On this farm choice eatables and good things to drink are always found in profusions, and all callers are bidden to "help themselves."
Mr. DeTurk is a man well off in this world's goods, owning a great deal more than the farm he lives on. He is a man of intelligence, and has been over a large portion of the eastern part of the country. In his younger days he travelled through the county quite a good deal and formed a large acquaintance.
He is now 44 years old and has grown so stout that it is inconvenient for him to go about as much as he used to. His present weight is 293 pounds. Since going away from home less, he is all the more anxious for company.
Last year he was a candidate for recorder and made a good run. Whether he will come out for the office again, he will annouce later. Mr. DeTurk is a Knight Templar.
His farm, a fertile tract of 151 acres, looks like a village if seen from a distance. His residence is a substantial plank house that is old, and yet many last for 100 years longer. Then there is also a splendid brick summer house that has 5 large rooms. The barn is a modern one, and in excellent order. Some of the other buildings on the place are: an ice house, large hog stable, carpenter shop, wood house, wagon sheds, a tenant house, and a number of other small structures.
All of these buildings are in the best of order, as is the land of the farm. At one end of the property there is an immense stone quarry, which Mr. DeTurk has leased to Jeasiah Manwiller at an annual rental of $200.
Although he has a son, James, and a daughter, Willi, both of whom are grown and help on the farm, he has a hired man and domestic, and during busy seasons numerous other help.
Each fall he kills from 14 to 18 hogs, nearly all of which meat is consumed at home. Several head of cattle are butchered every season, also for home consumption. He has a few good road horses, and does a considerable amount of driving.
Just in front of the house there is a magnificent apple orchard, but this year the crop happens to be weak here. He has over an acre in peaches, which crop is not very good, neither did plums yield largely. Most of the fruit raised my Mr. DeTurk is used on the farm. A great deal of it is given away.
Six cats are always maintained on the farm, if possible, to keep the house and barn clear of mice and rats. This farm is a famous one for apple butter stirrings. Each fall a number of evenings are devoted to this work which the young folks so enjoy. In big apple years 8 to 10 boilings are commonly held. Last year they once converted 10 barrels of cider into applebutter at one boiling, which took several days.
Whenever such an event takes place here the young people of all the neighboring towns and hamlets can be found present. They have lots of fun. Music and dancing are enjoyed and refreshments are served. Some of those who take active part in the boiling are rewarded with a crock of applebutter.
Daniel P. DeTurk is a direct descendant of the Isaac Le Turk (as it was spelled 150 years ago) who settled in Oley in 1712, and was one of the first settlers of the township. The latter was, at the time of his death, one of the largest landowners in the county.
Isaac Le Turk had previously settled on the Quassaick creek, in Duchess County, New York, having emigrated from the country along the Rhine with 12,000 Germans upon the invitation of Queen Anne. In 1709 he was registerd there as a husbandman, unmarried, aged 23 years. He left in 1711. The DeTurks, like some of the other old families of Oley, orgianally came from France.
The DeTurk family always has been noted for its great hospitality and they were all possessed of a goodly amount of real estate. All of the early members of the family clung strictly to their Huguenot faith. Today Daniel P. DeTurk claims to be the only remaining DeTurk who still adheres to the religious principles of the early fathers.
Daniel P. DeTurk's paternal grandfather was Philip and his father was Daniel. The maternal great-grandmother, of the subject of this sketch was a Weiser, related to Conrad Weiser, Indian interpreter. Great-Grandfather Weiser ws one of the first Masons of this section, and Mr. DeTurk has in his possession a beautiful china pitcher, containing all the Masonic emblems that was handed down from this early member of that secret order.
Mr. DeTurk has a fine mahogany cane that ws once ownded by his maternal grandfather, Daniel Levan. In addition to this came, he has at least half a dozen others that are old and valuable.
He has numerous fine paintings in his parlor and a number of drawings of his farm that were made by a German, who one night came to the DeTurk farm for lodging.
Mr. DeTurk is married to Margaret Shollenberger, daughter of the late Daniel Shollenberger, of Oley. She is an exemplary wife and housekeeper and a cook of rare ability.
Daniel P. DeTurk is one of the most philanthropic men of the county. He never allows even a tramp, to leave his house without being fed, and his roof has sheltered many a weary peddler.
On account of his great corpuience, Mr. DeTurk has secured his own tailor who comes to the farm whenever called. About every 2 to 3 years he comes and stays a few weeks and sometimes a month.
---
Philadelphia Inquirer-October 23, 1898
Wealthy Berks Countian Dead
Reading-Oct. 22., Daniel P. DeTurk, one of the wealthiest men in Berks County, died at his residence in Oley of a complication of diseases, aged 46 years. He weighed 355 pounds. He was famous as an entertainer, and had hundreds of guests during the course of the year. He was a prominent Democrat.
Family Members
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