John Pritiskutch Reproductions

History of Berks County - Ontelaunee Township

The following is reproduced from the 1876 Atlas of Berks County, Pennsylvania

This township is of recent formation, and hence its early history is mostly included in that of its neighbors. Like many other townships, it is not thickly settled, nor has the population increased to any great extent for many years. In 1870, at the taking of the census, it contained 1,339 inhabitants. The soil is of fine quality and well cultivated. Land is very valuable, not only for agricultural purposes, but also for building lots. The villages in the township are Leesport and Berkley. The former is divided into two parts by the Schuylkill river. One section of the village is therefore in Bern township. Leesport contains the several branches of industry usually found in rural villages. Berkley is a small but pleasant village.

Ontelaunee is bounded on the north by Perry; on the east by Maiden Creek; on the south by Muhlenberg; on the west by the Schuylkill river, separating it from Centre and Bern townships.