Ernest Dreher for whom Dreher High School is named
A bit of Midlands history will be corrected February 20, 2005, at 3 pm. On Thursday, February 10, 1928, the SC General Assembly passed a Concurrent Resolution naming the dam across Lake Murray Dreher Shoals Dam.
It read,
“Whereas, it has come to the General Assembly of the State of SC now in Session that the dam now being erected across the Saluda River is being erected at point thereon which has been known for more than 150 years as Dreher Shoals, and
Whereas, the name Dreher is one of the oldest in Lexington County and is intimately associated with the history and progress of that county and section of the state; and
Whereas, according to the present plans this is to be one of the largest earth dams in the world and will impound waters from a large area, thereby forming a large clearwater lake covering probably 80 square miles of land, which body of water this General Assembly, by a former resolution, designated as Lake Murray in honor of the foresightedness and untiring efforts of a renouned engineer, William Spencer Murray of New York City. Now, therefore,
Now covered by Lake Murray, the Rock House was in the vicinity of the dam site. It is believed to have been home for the canal locks’ keeper and built in the early 1800s.
Be it resolved by the Senate, by the House of Representatives concurring;
That in honor and appreciation of the part that the people of this section who have borne the name of Dreher have played in the history of Lexington County and of the State of South Carolina and to perpetuate the name which has heretofore attached to the Shoals at this point on said River the Dam across the Saluda River now being constructed, be and the same is hereby designated and named Dreher Shoals Dam.”
Through efforts spearheaded by Senator Jake Knotts, this Concurrent Resolution will become reality at a ceremony at St. Michaels Lutheran Church to unveil signs reading Dreher Shoals Dam to be erected at each entrance of the dam during the month of February.
As work began on the dam site, workers unearthed remnants of John Dreher’s grist mill. Note the array of equipment, from mule–powered drag pans to steam–powered trains and packers.
“I’m pleased to finally have the opportunity to accomplish something that should have been done 77 years ago,” Senator Knotts said. “Lake Murray has always had a tremendous impact on the tourism industry of our area through its recreational assets. So many people know the physical features of the lake, but little is known about the rich, interesting history of the Dutch Fork area that dates back before the Revolutionary War. I believe this action highlights that rich heritage especially when the majority of residents in Lexington County have moved here within the last 25–50 years. People should know that that lake has only existed for 77 years. Many Dutch Fork families had farmed that area since the 1740s when they gave up their land to be flooded in the late 20s. Indians, Tories, and Redcoats used to roam this area. Sherman’s troops burned many homes where the lake is now.”
Martha Counts Dreher surrounded by her eight surviving sons in 1908. Out of 11 children born to Martha and John Jacob Dreher, there were 10 boys and one girl. Front row: Thaddeus Whitfield Dreher, Julius Daniel Dreher, William Counts Dreher, and Bachman Luther Dreher. Second row: Charles Baxter Dreher, Edward Lawrence Dreher, Ernest Shuler Dreher, and Heber Ruff Dreher.
Dreher Shoals got its name from the owners of the land where the dam now exists and surrounding property. The first known Dreher was Gottfried Dreher (1731–Revolutionary War) whose home was in the vicinity of Zion Lutheran Church on Corley Mill Road and is buried there. During the Cherokee War, he built the stockade known as Dreher’s Fort near his home to protect the citizens in the area. During the Revolutionary Way, he contributed to the American cause through generous supplies to its troops.
Gottfried Dreher had two sons, Godfrey II and John. Godfrey II was a teenager and fought during the Revolutionary War. On a visit home, he learned Tories were coming and ordered his younger brother of 11 or 12, John, and other members of the household upstairs with pans and chains. He stationed himself at the front door. When the Tories came, he had a gun waiting for them while family members proceeded with a loud commotion with the pans and chains upstairs. The Tories turned and fled. Godfrey II later moved to Louisiana.
St. Michaels Lutheran Church (off Highway 6 above Yacht Cove. )
John Dreher, who died in 1847, is the forefather of many of the Dreher descendents today. His home still stands off of River Road close to St. Michael’s Lutheran Church and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was bought by Dr. Austin Moore and is privately owned by his son. Sherman’s troops visited the home, but it was saved.
John Dreher was a prosperous businessman and farmer in the area. At the particular Dreher Shoals site, there was his grist mill, Dreher’s Canal and locks, and Dreher’s ferry. The canal was built in the early 1800s to facilitate smoother passage around the rapids while moving cotton from the Upstate down the river. Dreher was a religious, responsible citizen. He donated the land for St. Michael’s Lutheran Church where he is buried.
John Dreher had three wives: Ann Hollinshed Dreher, Elizabeth Parler (Holman) Dreher, and Catherine Lever Dreher. Ann had two children, Godfrey III and Polly. Godfrey III, John’s first–borne, was born in 1790. He is also known as the Rev. Godfrey Dreher, a very well known Lutheran minister of Dutch Fork, and the first president of the Lutheran Synod of SC, which was formed at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church.
Elizabeth had one daughter, Nancy. Catherine had five children: Rev. Daniel Dreher, who died early in life; Jesse; John; Barbara; and Katie. Daniel Dreher is the direct ancestor of Ernest Dreher, for whom Dreher High School is named.
“The Dreher family is so appreciative of this gesture,” said Cathy Dreher and Jane Dreher Emerson, descendents of Gottfried and John Dreher. “It’s been a topic of discussion for our family for a long time. We’re also very humbled. We know this could just as easily be named for the Kleckleys, Meetzes, Corleys, Shealys, Wessingers, Caughmans, Eptings, Wises…any of the good German–Swiss names that characterize the rich history of this area. It was simply a Dreher that owned the land where the dam now exists.”
The public is invited to attend this special occasion February 20, 2005, especially those related in any way to the Drehers. For further information about the event, contact Cathy Dreher at cdreher@scpress.org. SC ETV will be filming the event.
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