History: Local: Chapters XLVIII - XLIX : Boroughs of North Wales and Pottstown : Bean's 1884 History of Montgomery Co, PA

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                           BEAN'S  HISTORY  OF

                     MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

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777


                                 CHAPTER XLVIII.

                             BOROUGH OF NORTH WALES.

    THIS thriving borough was incorporated August 20, 1869, and is situated
about a mile northwest of the centre of Gwynedd Township, from which all
its territory, comprising about one hundred acres was taken.  In its form it
is nearly square, and was laid out in 1867 by David Moyer.  The streets in
general run at right angles, the principal names of which are
 Wales
Second
Third
Fourth
Fifth
Church
Montgomery
Walnut.

The Sumneytown and Spring-House turnpike completed in 1848, forms Wales
Street, which passes through the borough nearly half a mile.  The North
Pennsylvania Railroad divides it into nearly two equal portions, and the
station here is about twenty miles from Philadelphia and about thirty-five
from Bethlehem.  North Wales is a translation of the Welsh name Gwineth, of
which Gwynedd is a corruption.  The settlement at the Friends' Meeting house
about a mile below this borough was called Gwineth by Lewis Evans on his
map of 1749.  The road through this place to the Spring-House was laid out
before 1735.  So recent is this borough that in looking over the county map
of 1849 there is mention made only of the farms of Philip Hurst, D. Miller
and J. Booz, on the Sumneytown turnpike, and, at a corner of the cross-
roads, St. Peter's Church.  The completion of the North Pennsylvania
Railroad in 1856 laid the foundation for its prosperity.  In 1884 the value
of improved lands was $299,945; value of unimproved lands, $9185; value of
all property taxable for county purposes, $335,875.  According to the census
of 1880, the borough numbered six hundred and seventy-three inhabitants. 
Since then there has been a considerable increase in the population.  North
Wales contains
one carriage manufacturer
two black-smiths
one foundry
two general merchants
three green-grocers
one cigar manufacturer
two cigar dealers
one jeweler
two feed merchants
one artist
three hotels
one bell-foundry
one restaurant
two physicians
one dentist
two undertakers
one planing-mill
one lumber-yard
one shutter-bolt manufactory
three florists
one coal-yard
one carpet-weaver
one hardware merchant
several house-painters
one marble-yard
one depot
two harness-makers
two barbers
printing-office, in which is printed the "North Wales Record."

    The houses of worship include German Reformed, Baptist, Lutheran and
Methodist Episcopal Churches.

    There are three public schools in the borough, at which one hundred and
seventy-one pupils are in attendance.  The school term is nine months and
three teachers are employed, one at a salary of forty-three dollars and two
at thirty-dollars per month.  

    There is also an academy and school of business conducted by Professor 
H. U. Brunner, a full description of which can be found in the chapter on "Education."

    ST. PETER'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.  -One of the most interesting
church organizations of Montgomery County is what was formerly known as the
old yellow church.  Not a stone is left to mark the foundation of the endeared
temple, but the spot is still sacred as the sleeping-place of those who
worshiped within its walls.  It is very difficult to furnish a complete
history of this church.  No minute-book of meetings held by the congregation
or church council can be found except those of recent date.  The pastors'
record, beginning with 1787 and continuing until the present, though
sometimes irregular and illegible, contains only the pastors' official acts.

    Three church buildings in succession have been erected and used by the
congregation.  The exact date when the first church building was erected, or
when the congregation was organized, cannot be determined from the books
and papers in the possession of the church.  An old deed, however, shows
that the "old yellow church" must have been built about the same time that
independence was declared in the United States.  In 1772, Philip Heist
became owner of fifty-one acres of land in Gwynedd and it appears he gave
a piece of ground and assisted in building a church upon it.  He died some
time after, without having given a deed to the church authorities.  In his
will he empowered his executors to make good and sufficient deeds to buyers
of his lands.  These executors granted a deed dated June 10, 1780, for half
an acre of ground, declaring, "The same is intended and is hereby granted
to remain for religious purposes that is to say, for a church of worship
already erected thereon for the use of the High Dutch Lutheran and the High
Dutch Reformed or Presbyterian congregations in said township of Gwynedd,"
etc.  The first church was built between 1772 and 1780.  Who the pastors were
about this time the records do not show.  The first pastor of whom the
church has definite knowledge was Rev. Anthony Hecht, who was in charge
from 1787 to 1792.  His first baptism was that of an adult, Abraham Hoffman,
March 4, 1787; his first infant baptism, Henry and John, sons of Christian
and Anna Knipe, June 1, 1787; his first confirmation of a class of
catechumens (five in number) December 25, 1788; his first administration of
holy communion July 13, 1788, and eleven names are recorded as
communicants.  This day, July 13, 1788, is called in the records "the Day
of Consecration."  The first marriage record is dated October 29, 1786. 
First election of officers recorded is September 23, 1787.

778

    The next pastor was Rev. Jacob Van Buskirk, beginning in 1783 and,
perhaps, leaving this charge in 1797.  He was born at Hackensack, N. J.,
February 11, 1739.  It is said that Van Buskirk's work of usefulness among
men closed very suddenly.  One day he was about to go to his church, and
while in the act of mounting, his horse fell back to the ground lifeless. 
He died August 5, 1800, and lies buried very near where stood the altar of
the church in which he officiated.

    Next in the list of pastors is the name of Rev. Henry Geisenhainner.  The
records show that while pastor here he was married to Anna Maria Shearer by
the Rev. F. W. Geisenhainner, pastor at New Goshenhoppen.

    The following names come next in the list, but the length of their
pastorates cannot be determined: Rev. S. P. F. Kramer and Rev. Chas. F.
Wildbahn; the latter is buried at St. John's Church, Whitpain.

    The next pastor was Rev. J. H. Rebenach, who commenced about 1805 and
continued in charge until 1811.  During his pastorate occurred the murder of
Henry Weaver, which created great excitement.  His entry of the burial
merely states that October 5, 1805, the man was shot while behind his wagon
in the vicinity of his father's house.

    Next in the list are the names of Revs. David and Solomon Shaffer, 
but the books give no further information concerning them.

    The next pastor was the Rev. John K. Weiand, whose first entry is dated
June 14, 1812, and who was pastor until 1826, -fourteen years.  He was the
last pastor to officiate in the first church building, and during his
pastorate the second church edifice was erected.  The original book of
subscriptions is still in existence, and is a large book of about sixty
pages, kept very systematically.  It is dated November 8, 1815.  The managers
agreed to build as soon as three thousand dollars were subscribed.  The
collectors were George Neavil, Jacob Kneedler, Conrad Shimmel, Joseph
Knipe and Philip Lewis.  We cannot tell exactly when the building was
commenced or finished, but a receipt for money collected the day the
cornerstone was laid bears date of "May 27, 1817."  The church was large
and built of stone, plastered over and stained with a yellow wash, so that
in due time it came to be called the " old yellow church," like its
predecessor.  The interior was high and roomy, had galleries on three sides,
and a high goblet pulpit with a sounding-board.

    The next pastor was the Rev. George Heilig, who commenced October 22,
1826, and after the longest pastorate in the history of the church,
resigned in 1843.  He introduced in organ into the church.  He also
introduced the English language.  During his time the Sunday-school was
organized.  He went from here to Monroe County, this state, died September 1869.

    The next pastor was Jacob Medtart, who came in 1843 and remained until
1855.  He was unable to preach German, and during his time it was dropped,
and from that time to the present the services have been in the English language.

    The next pastor was Rev. John W. Hassler, who came in 1856 and remained
until 1862.  At the outbreak of the Rebellion he received an appointment as
chaplain in the army, and resigned here to accept it.

    The next pastor was Rev. P. M. Rightmeyer, who commenced 1863 and continued
until 1867.  During his pastorate the organ now used by the Sunday-school was
purchased by money he collected.

   The next pastor was Rev. Ezra L. Reed.  He was the last pastor who
preached in the old church.   Various circumstances suggested the building
of a new church, -the old building was in a very bad state; the Reformed
congregation, which had worshiped in the same building, was about erecting
a building for their separate use; and the borough of North Wales had
sprung up along the railroad, and many thought it an advantage to have the
church in the town.  It was resolved to erect a new building in the new
borough of North Wales, half a mile distant, and a fine piece of ground was
bought.  The subscription book bears date of March 1, 1867; corner-stone
laid June 6, 1868; church was dedicated January 1, 1870, when the pastor
was assisted by
Revs. J. B. Riemensnyder
H. M. Bickel
G. M. Lazarus
J. A. Hassler,
the last preaching the sermon.  From 1786 to 1868 St. Peter's Church was
connected in the same pastorate with St. John's, Centre Square.  About the
year 1870 this arrangement ceased, and St. Peter's, selected its own pastor.

    The next pastor was Rev. L. G. Miller, front June 21, 1874, to June 28, 1875. 
The next pastor was Rev. William H. Myers, from June 25, 1876, to February
11, 1878.  The next pastor was Rev. Theodore Heilig, from May 1, 1878, to June
30, 1880.  The present pastor is Rev. George D. Foust, who took this charge
July 1, 1880.  During the present pastorate an oppressive debt has been paid off,
and at the Easter service, 1881, the church was publicly declared free of incumbrance.

    THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL OF ST. PETER'S LUTHERAN CHURCH.  -The exact Date of the
organization of the Sunday-school cannot be determined.  It was, however. 
established early in the pastorate of Rev. George Heilig.  Class-books are
still preserved showing that the school was in full operation in 1834.  The
school was organized as an English school.  Its first superintendent was
Noah Snyder.  In those days blue and red tickets were distributed as
rewards among the scholars.  In 1837 a library was purchased, and the names
of the subscribers are carefully preserved.  At this time the school
numbered ten teachers and sixty scholars.  The library was enlarged in 1842. 
About 1840 John B. Johnson became superintendent, and served in that
capacity thirty Years.  The first public celebration took place about 1841,
which was a union festival of St. Peter's and St. John's schools, and took
place in a woods near Franklinville.  About 1875 Mr. A. K. Shearer was
elected superintendent, and is still faithfully filling that office.  I. W.
Wampole, Esq., was elected secretary in 1868, and has served continuously
since that date.  It may be mentioned that the secretary has been absent
from his post perhaps less than a dozen times and then only on account of
sickness or some other unavoidable cause.  A good record this is for a term 
of nearly seventeen years.

779

    THE PARISH UNION OF ST. PETER'S LUTHERAN CHURCH.  -In February 1869, a
Lutheran Fund Society was organized to raise moneys for church purposes.  In
January, 1875, it was reorganized as a Ladies' Aid Society, with the same
object.  In 1881 the society was change into a "Parish Union," the object
being both to gather funds for the church and to encourage sociability
among the members of the congregation.  Meetings are held monthly.

  The officers of the church are:

Pastor, Rev. George D. Foust

Elders
Jacob H. Leister
Francis Anderman
Samuel U. Brunner
Charles W. Hallman
W. W. Pope

Deacons
Francis C. Johnson
Samuel J. Fleck
Jacob Dannehower
Harry W. Moyer
John E. Ashford
A. R. Kuhns

Trustees
Abel K. Shearer
I. W. Wampole
Henry Keller.

The officers of the Sunday-school are: Superintendent (ex-officio), the
pastor
Acting Superintendent, A. K. Shearer
Secretary, I. W. Wampole
Librarian, William Pope
Principal of Infant Department, S. U. Brunner.

    The officers of the "Parish Union" are:
President, the pastor;
Secretary, Irwin Weber;
Treasurer, Charles Weikel.

    The congregation owns a fine church property in North Wales.  The lot has a
frontage of one hundred and sixty feet, beautifully terraced.  In the centre
of this lot stands a neat, commodious church edifice, whose lofty steeple
can be seen from great distances in the surrounding country.  In addition,
the church owns two burial-grounds a short distance south of the borough,
one the site of the "old yellow church," and the other directly opposite.

    THE NORTH WALES BAPTIST CHURCH was constituted in the winter of 1862-63
with twenty-five members, mostly from the Montgomery Baptist Church.  In
the summer of 1863 a brick church was erected in Gwynedd Township, a short
distance from Kneedler Station, which was used until the completion of the
Stone church edifice in the borough of North Wales, in the fall of 1884.  It
is forty by fifty feet, and cost five thousand dollars.  The new church was
dedicated in November of that year, and is still in use by the society.  The
pulpit was supplied by neighboring preachers until 1868 when the Rev. Maris
Gibson was called to the pastorate, and served two years.  Rev. Dr. William
Scott succeeded, and served three years.  His successors have been the
Revs. N. B. Baldwin
A. J. Adams
Josiah Phillips
L. C. Davis and
the present pastor, the Rev. A. J. Aldred.
The church has a membership of about one hundred and fifty.

    THE REFORMED CHURCH OF NORTH WALES was a part of St. Peter's Church
(referred to above) until 1866, at which time the Reformed congregation
erected the church edifice they now occupy in North Wales.  The pastors who
have served them from that time are as follows:
Revs. ____ Aller, 
George Wolf
Jonas T. Hetsell
Josiah D. Detrich, the present pastor.
The membership of the church is about one hundred and fifty.

    THE SANCTUARY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH was organized in 1870, and a
church edifice was erected on East Montgomery Avenue at a cost of five
thousand seven hundred dollars in 1871.  The pastors who have served the
church are as follows:
H. U. Sebring
Amos Johnson
J. D. McClintock
H. B. Mauger
F. A. Gilbert
William Smith
John Martin
Harry Bodine and the
Rev. Henry Hess, the present pastor.
The church has a membership of about seventy.

    The following is a list of burgesses of the borough of North Wales 
since its organization:

1869 George Schlotterer

1870, Isaac Wampole, Jr.

1871-72, Isaac G. Freed

1873, Henry F. Moyer

1874, Samuel H. Shearer

1875, Charles G. Eaton

1876, Hiram C. Potter

1877, Matthias Stover

1878-81, Daniel Kohl

1882, Oliver M. Weber

1883-84, Hiram C. Potter

1885, Charles N. Weikel.


                             BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

                               ABEL K. SHEARER.

    The Shearer family are of German descent, the orthography of the name
having originally been Schearer.  John Shearer, the grandfather of Abel K.,
was a successful farmer in Whitpain Township, Montgomery Co.  He married a
Miss Weber, whose children were
Jacob
John
Joseph
Benjamin
Jesse
Margaret (wife of Joseph Knipe)
Elizabeth, (married to Joel Sellers.)
Jacob, the eldest son, was born in
1794 in Whitpain township, and followed the occupation of his father, a
portion of his farm being now embraced in the borough of North Wales.  He
married Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph Knipe, of Gwynedd Township had children, -
Catharine (Mrs. Ephraim Neavill)
Sophia (Mrs. Edward L. Jones)
Euphemia
Franklin
Isabella (Mrs. George L. Brooks)
Amanda (who died in youth)
Eliza (Mrs. Jacob L. Weber)
John
Abel K.
Mary (Mrs. H. F. Moyer).

    Abel K. was born on the farm of his father, then in Gwynedd township,
November 6, 1838, and received his education at the schools in the
vicinity, after which his attention, until his twenty-third year, was
directed to the labor of the farm, in the cultivation of which he rendered
valuable aid.

780

He then determined to embark in commercial ventures, and established at
North Wales an extensive lumber business, which he still conducts.  This
enterprise speedily grew to such proportions as to make the addition of a
steam planing-mill, in 1870, a necessity.  Mr. Shearer soon created a 
demand for the products of the mill, and so increased the business as to 
secure patronage from portions of the county far beyond the confines of
the borough.




                    PICTURE OF ABEL K. SHEARER, APPEARS HERE.





He was married, November 6, 1867, to Annie C daughter of Rev. P. M. Rightmeyer. 
Their children are,
Carrie
Norman (deceased,)
Estelle
Luther.
Mrs. Shearer died on the 17th of June, 1877, and he was again married, on
the 10th of March, 1881, to Emilia J., daughter of Samuel Fleck, of Spring
House, Montgomery County, Pa., whose children are Grace and Abby.  While
chiefly occupied in the management of his growing business Mr. Shearer has
found time to devote to local political issues.  He has, as a Democrat
served in the Borough Council, a school director and in minor capacities. 
He is a director of the North Wales, Building and Loan Association.  He was
identified with the Masonic fraternity as member of Washington Lodge, No. 
308, of Fort Washington, Pa.  In religion he is a Lutheran and member of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church of North Wales, as also of the church council.

                               ABEL LUKENS

    Abel Lukens, son of George and Esther Lukens, was born in what is now
Kulpsville, Montgomery Co., Pa., and August 9, 1807.  His early life was
spent on his father's farm and at the old school-house near by, where he
obtained his education.  Prior to 1830 he, with his brothers, remained at
home, doing such work as is usual on a large farm.  From about 1830 to 1840
he followed the business of a drover, or cattle speculator, and at the same
time carried on the butchering business.

  In 1840 he rented the old "Golden Lamb Hotel," on Second, above
Callowhill Street, Philadelphia, Pa., where he remained the popular "mine
host" for fifteen years.  He then retired from the hotel business, and for
about one, year was Janitor of the National Clubhouse, Philadelphia; but
not finding the position of janitor just suited to his taste, he rented
the North Pennsylvania Hotel, then on the corner of Third and Willow Streets, 
Philadelphia and for eight years was the popular landlord for that hotel.

781

    He then went on his farm at Kullpsville, where he remained for one and a
half years, when he took charge of the North Wales Hotel, where for eight
years he served the traveling public with satisfaction to his patrons and
to the people of the town generally.

    At the expiration of that time he retired from active duty, feeling that
he had served well his time in the service of the public.  He owns the farm
of one hundred and twenty-eight acres upon which he was born, making that
his home during the summer months, and in winter his genial presence brings
sunshine and happiness to the household of his son and daughter, in North
Wales, where he is happy in the midst of a group of children and
grandchildren, whose pleasant greetings smooth his pathway and lighten his
burdens down the declivity of time towards the golden sunset.

    He was married, in October, 1830, to Miss Naomi, daughter of John and Ann
Jenkins.  Mrs.  Lukens died October 7, 1877, aged sixty-eight years.  Mr.
Jenkins, father of Mrs. Lukens, was the owner of a large portion of the
land upon which the borough of Lansdale now stands.




                PICTURE OF ABEL LUKENS, APPEARS HERE.




The children of Abel and Naomi are

Jane T., born September 29, 1831, married July 17, 1856, to Robert E.
Taylor, who died May 8, 1871

their son, George H., was born December 28, 1870

Infant, born November 18, 1832, died

Sarah J., born March 28, 1834, married, October 31, 1854, to David Jones;
they have one daughter, Mary A., born September 9, 1864

Rachel, born July 12, 1835, married H. C. Stout in April, 1857; they have
one son, Abel L. Stout, born in October, 1859

Charles J., born July 8, 1837, died young

Esther Ann, born October 5, 1839, died young

William Henry, born January 18,1841, married, in January, 1862, to Miss
Anna Little, of Philadelphia; they have two children, Elizabeth L., May
22, 1863; Robert B., born July 8, 1870

George W., born February 24, 1843, married Catharine Harley in December,
1869; she was a daughter of Samuel Harley, of Kulpsville; their children are

 Laura H., born December 20, 1870

Jennie H., born June __, 1872

Ann H., born in September, 1877

Edward, born November 27, 1846, married, June 10, 1874, to Miss Lucy A.,
daughter of Alexander and Josephine Riddle; she died August 16, 1881,
leaving one child, Carroll T., born May 21, 1880.

    The progenitor of the Lukens family in this country was Jan (John) Lucken,
a native of Holland, who came to America and landed at Chester, Pa., on
October 3, 1688, and subsequently settled at Germantown.

782

This Jan or John Lucken was, no doubt, a man of means and of some social
standing, and brought to this country an old Dutch Bible, printed by Peter
Sebastian in 1598, which is now one of the ancient relics owned by the
Lukens family.  This Jan Lucken had children, -

Elizabeth, born July 28, 1684
Elias, born in 1685
William, born in 1687
Sarah, born in 1689
John, born in 1691
Mary, born in 1693
Peter, born in 1696
Hannah, born in 1698
Mattias, born in 1700
Abraham, born in 1703
Joseph, born in 1705.

    Abraham, the great-grandfather of Abel, purchased, in 1729, one thousand
acres of land in what is now Towamencin township, where he lived till
June, 1776, when he died.  The name had by this time become modernized into
Lukens, and John Lukens, the second of Abraham's children, who was born
Tenth Month 17, 1729, purchased from his father one hundred out of his one
thousand acres, and upon this he lived until 1814.  He had sold it, however,
in 1805, to his son George, who occupied it until 1849.  George married
Esther Jeoms, of Whitemarsh township, on the Twelfth Month 12, 1805.  Their
children were

Abel, born in 1807

Edith, born in 1809

William Lukens

Mary, born in 1811, married Samuel Rhoads

Seth, born Third Month 20, 1814

Sarah, married C. Todd Jenkins

Hannah, married Aram Drake

Eliam, now living in Iowa

Comly, living in Illinois.

    Of these children, Seth married Mary, daughter of the late James Hamer,
M.D., of Skippackville, and they have children

Fannie, married Edmund P. Zimmerman

Esther, married George W. Bockius

Anna M.

David H.

Carrie A.

    The Lukens family have been a people of more than the standard of moral
and intellectual excellence, and some of them quite noted in local
history.  John, of Horsham township, was a government surveyor in colonial
times, and also selected by the Philosophical Society to assist David
Rittenhouse, the astronomer, in observing the transit of Venus in 1769 and
that of Mercury in 1776.

    Most of the Lukens family have in their generation been Friends or in
sympathy with that society.


                           JONAS M. HARLEY.

    Among the pious Germans who left the Fatherland with the faithful man
devoted Pastorius, and came to America and settled at "ye Germantown," was
Rudolph Harley, who has a son, also named Rudolph. 

    This Rudolph was born in Germany in 1719, as was also a daughter, who
married a man by the name of Graef, and moved West.

    Rudolph, Jr., married Mary, daughter of Peter Becker, of Germantown, and
became the father of thirteen children, as follows:

Johannes (or John), born in 1741

Johanna, born in 1743

Lena, born in 1745

Maria, born in 1747

Rudolph, born in 1749

Elizabeth, born in 1750

Jacob, born in 1752

Henry, born in 1754

Sarah, born in 1756

Samuel, horn in 1758

Joseph, born in 1760

Maria Margretta, born in 1762

Abraham, born in 1765

These numerous sons and daughters were thus intermarried

Maria, with Frederick Deihl

Rudolph, with Barbara Bach

Elizabeth, with Christian Dettra

Henry, with Elizabeth Groff

Sarah, with George Price

Samuel, with Catharine, only daughter of Christopher Sower
the old Bible printer of Germantown;

Joseph, with Catharine Reiff;

Maria Margretta, with Jacob Detweiler;

and Abraham, with Christiana Geisz.

    The Christopher Sower just mentioned was, by marriage the great-
grandfather of Jonas M. Harley, and at one time owned most of the land upon
which the old part of the town of Germantown is now built.

    Samuel, the fifth son of Rudolph the second, and in the direct line to
Jonas M., had ten children, viz:

Daniel, born in 1787

Samuel, born in 1788

Mary (mother of Abram H. Cassel, the antiquarian), born in 1789

Sarah, born in 1791

John, born in 1792

Catharine, born in 1793

Joseph, born in 1795

Elizabeth, born in 1797

Jacob; and Abraham.

    Joseph Harley, the fourth son of Samuel, was born February 1, 1795; married
Miss Sarah Markley, who was born January 10, 1800.  Joseph died December 20,
1837, aged forty-two years, ten months and nineteen days.  Sarah died May 1,
1852, aged fifty-two years, three months and twenty-two days.  They were the
parents of ten children, who grew to man's and woman's estate, viz.:

Samuel, born May 4, 1820

Philip, born January 6, 1822

Ann, born August 8, 1823

Joseph, born June 27, 1826, died in the army

Edwin, born December 8, 1827

Deborah, born December 3, 1829

Jonas, born September 18, 1831

John, born July 31, 1833

Sarah, born August 19, 1836

Daniel, born April 4, 1838.

    Jonas M. Harley is a native of Gwynedd Township, Montgomery Co., Pa., where
be received a good common-school education, partly under the instruction of
his cousin, Abraham H. Cassel.  At the age of fifteen years be was
apprenticed to his uncle to learn the trade of a cabinet-maker, which
service he successfully performed, and for ten years subsequently carried
on for himself a large and prosperous business in Juniata County, Pa.,
where he spent thirteen years of his life.  In or about the year 1859 he
removed to Line Lexington, Bucks Co., Pa., where he, in partnership with
his brother, John Harley, engaged in the mercantile business, in which they
continued for eleven years, when they removed to North Wales, Montgomery
Co., Pa., where they were also engaged in the mercantile business until
March, 1884, when, with a sufficiency of earthly goods, he retired from
the active duties of business life.

  In whatever walk in society it has been the lot of Mr. Harley to travel
he has borne well his part in the great drama of life, having, performed
every known duty to the best of his abilities.  He has been honored by his
fellow-townsmen, since a resident of North Wales with several official
positions of minor importance, and with that of school director for seven
years in succession.  He was, in 1858, an officer in the lower branch of the
Pennsylvania Legislature.

783

    Religiously he is a Baptist, having united with the North Wales Baptist
Church, January 2, 1874, and baptized by the Rev. A. J. Adams, since which
time he has been one of its office-bearers, and for the last two years one
of its deacons.  

    He was married, January 2, 1866, to Miss Emeline, daughter
of Robert and Lydia Stoneback, of Bucks County.  She was a member of the
First Reformed Church, Dr. Willets, Philadelphia.  The children from
this union are
Walter S., born December 10, 1867, and now a student at the Lewisburg
University, Lewisburg, Pa.
Laura A., born February 27, 1870.

Mrs. Harley died October 11, 1872.  Her father, Mr. Stoneback, was one of
the prominent men of Bucks County, and held several official positions, one
of which was recorder of the county.  He was also well and favorably known
as one of the prominent businessmen of Philadelphia.  His children are

Norman born February 14, 1838

Emeline, born September 17, 1840

Amanda, born November 30, 1842.

    Mr. Harley's second wife was Miss Susan C., daughter of Joseph B. and
Rebecca Cassel, of Germantown.  From this union there has been born one
child, Florence C., born December 17, 1881.

    Mrs. Harley is a descendant of the old Rittenhouse family, of astronomical
fame, and closely connected with other highly-respected families of this
and adjoining counties.  She was born April 4, 1839, united with the Fiftieth
Baptist Church of Philadelphia, Pa., December 17, 1873.




                 PICTURE OF JONAS M. HARLEY, APPEARS HERE.




    Mrs. Harley was born in Norritonville, Worcester township, Montgomery Co.,
Pa., where her parents resided on a farm for thirty years, and in 1861 they
removed to the northern part of the township, where she remained with them
for seven years, at the end of which time they retired from the farming
business.  She then prepared herself for a teacher of music, after which she
went, to Philadelphia, where she was engaged in teaching music at the time
of her marriage.  Her father and mother are both living, the former at the
advanced age of eighty years and the latter seventy-nine years of age.  They
are the parents of children,-
Mary
Amos
Sarah
Harry
Edith
Susan
Mahlon
Hannah
Christian and
Leah.

784

Amos died lot the age of twenty-seven years, shortly after graduating
from Dartmouth College, and Mary died at the age of fifty-four years.

    She is now one of the active member, of the North Wales Baptist Church,
and the leader in its musical department, being possessed of musical talents
far superior to most persons.  She was early educated in music and was but
twelve years of age when she first sang before a public audience.  Since
that time she has been before the public as a teacher of instrumental
music, and when living in Philadelphia was organist of the Fiftieth Baptist
Church.  She was baptized by Rev. E. C. Romine, who also performed the
marriage ceremony when she married Mr. Harley.


                                    CHAPTER XLIX.

                                BOROUGH OF POTTSTOWN.

                                   By Wm. J. Buck.

    THE borough of Pottstown is situated on the north side of the Schuylkill
river below the mouth of the Manatawny Creek, twenty miles from Norristown
and thirty-seven from Philadelphia.  It contains an area of only two hundred
and sixty-eight acres, wholly taken from Pottsgrove township on its
erection to a borough in 1815, and, after Norristown, the first
incorporated in the county.  It is bounded north and east by Pottsgrove,
south by the Schuylkill and west by Pottsgrove and the Manatawny Creek.  It
has a front of three-fourths of a mile on the river, and extends back from
the same about half a mile.  Few towns have a finer location; the land lies
high and gently rolling, with plenty of room in the adjoining territory
for its future growth.  In its vicinity is a fertile country containing a
number of fine farms, greatly improved within the last thirty years.  The
streets are laid out regular and wide, and cross each other at right angles.  
Beginning at the river and running parallel with it are the following:
Laurel
Cherry
South
Queen
High
King
Chestnut
Walnut
Beech.

At right angles with these, beginning near the Manatawny Creek, are
York
Hanover
Penn
Charlotte
Evans
Franklin
Washington
Warren
Adams.

Beside, the aforesaid are several smaller streets running in various
directions High or Main Street is one hundred feet wide between the
building limits, Hanover eighty feet, and the others from forty to sixty
feet.  The Reading turnpike is located on High or Main Street, the
Philadelphia and Reading Railroad on Queen, and the bridge over the
Schuylkill at the foot of Hanover Street.

    Pottstown in late years has grown rapidly.  According to the census of
1830, it contained 676 inhabitants
in 1840, 721
in 1850, 1664
in 1860, 2380
in 1870, 4125
in 1880, 5305.

At the latter date the East Ward contained inhabitants;
Middle Ward, 2270
Western Ward, 1179.

The assessment for 1882 returned 1845 taxables, holding $2,744,741 of
taxable property, averaging, per capita, $1487.

In May, 1883, licences were issued to
ten hotels
four restaurants
one brewer
two auctioneers
four real estate brokers
one banker
one hundred and twenty-six stores of various kinds.
The latter is the exact number of stores licensed for the entire county
in 1827.  Before the Revolution the place contained two grist-mills and
fifteen or twenty houses.

In 188O
three taverns
a weaving establishment
a wool-hat manufactory
several mechanic shops
forty houses.

In 1832
four taverns
four stores
nearly one hundred dwellings.

In 1850
three hundred and twenty-eight houses
three hundred and eighty-eight families and
three farms.

In 1858
thirty-seven stores
seven churches
five hotels
two rolling-mills
the gas-works.

The stores in 1876 had increased to ninety-four besides three coal and
two lumber yards.

    In consequence of the increase of population, the borough, in 1842, was
divided into East and West Wards.  By an act of Assembly passed May 12,
1871, it was further divided into West, Middle and East Wards.  Near the
close of 1883 Middle Ward had been subdivided into Second and Third Wards,
making now four wards or election districts within the incorporated limits.

    The earliest material public improvement built here was the stone bridge
over the Manatawny Creek, at the western end of the borough over which the
Perkiomen and Reading turnpike passes, commenced in the spring of 1804 and
completed in 1806.  It was built by the county while
Philip Boyer
Christian Weber
Richard T. Leech
Philip Hahn, Jr.,
Thomas Humphrey and
John Markley were commissioners.
John Lewis was engineer;
John Pugh and Samuel Baird did the mason-work.

    It has four arches which measure up hundred and seventy-two feet.  An act
of Assembly permitted the county commissioners to collect toll to help defray
the expense.  The amount thus received in 1807 amounted to $550.51 and the
following year to $1411.05.  The lime used in this bridge was hauled, by
contract, from Plymouth, twenty-two miles distant.  The bridge over the
Schuylkill at Hanover Street was built by a company incorporated March 5,
1819.  It was commenced in 1820 and was made possible in 1821.  It measures
between the abutments three hundred and forty feet is twenty-eight feet
wide and eighteen feet above ordinary water-level.  The total cost nearly
fourteen thousand dollars of which the State subscribe three thousand
dollars.  It was swept away the great freshet of September 2, 1850 and
rebuilt five feet higher in 1852, at a cost of twelve thousand dollars.  The
Reading Railroad crosses the Manatawny a short distance below the turnpike
by a substantial bridge of five arches, ten hundred and seventy-one feet in
length.

785

The Madison bridge over the Schuylkill, in the lower part of Pottstown was
built by a company chartered April 5, 1867, and completed the following
year.  Its cost was about thirty-two thousand dollars.

    The Perkiomen and Reading Turnpike Company was chartered under this acts
of March 20, 1810, and February 13, 1811.  The turnpike was commenced in
1811 and finished in 1815, and extends from Perkiomen bridge (now
Collegeville) to Reading, a distance of twenty-nine miles.  Its cost was
seven thousand dollars per mile, the State subscribing to the stock fifty
three thousand dollars.  The canal of the Schuylkill Navigation Company,
completed in 1824, is located on the opposite side of the river.

    Of the various improvements at Pottstown, none, singly, has contributed
so much to the prosperity of the town as the Philadelphia and Reading
Railroad.  The company by whom this grand work was constructed was chartered
April 4, 1838.  Surveys were shortly after made, and before, the lapse of
another year it was placed under contract is far as this borough.  On
December 1, 1839, the road was opened between Philadelphia and Reading, a
distance of fifty-nine miles.  On this occasion the train consisted of
eighty cars.  It was not completed to Pottsville till January, 1842.  The
company have erected here several extensive machine-shops, chiefly for
repairs of locomotives, cars bridges and tracks, giving employment to some
four hundred hands.  On this road, from its down grade, it is no unusual
thing for one locomotive to draw from one hundred to one hundred and forty
cars, each containing, five tons of coal.  According to the engineer's
report, the track here is elevated one hundred and forty-seven feet above
tidewater at Philadelphia.  The first ticket agent for Pottstown was James
Jack, who had previously been the first toll collector at the Manatawny
bridge.  The Colebrookdale Railroad is a branch of the Reading road, and
extends from Pottstown, through Boyerstown, to Barto, formerly called Mount
Pleasant, a distance of thirteen miles, opened to travel in the fall of
1869.  The Schuylkill Valley Railroad was commenced in 1883 and was
completed to Pottstown in September 1884.  It extends from Philadelphia,
through Pottstown, into the coal regions, and will, no doubt, also
materially contribute to the prosperity of the place in affording
additional facilities for transportation.

    Pottstown has become in important manufacturing in place.  The Pottsgrove
Iron-Works belong to Potts Brothers, and went into operation in December,
1846.  The rolling-mill is located on Water Street, between Penn and
Charlotte: its founders were Henry and David Potts, Jr.  In April 1857, the
works changed owners, and the business continued under the firm of Potts &
Bailey.  In October, 1862, Edward Bailey sold his interest; and the work,
have been operated since by the present time.  The production is plate
boiler, tank and flue-iron.  The annual capacity is sixteen thousand net
tons and they employ about one hundred and eighty hands.

    The Pottstown Iron Company was incorporated March 27, 1866, and the
following year permitted to increase their capital to five hundred thousand
dollars.  The plate-mill had originally been erected in 1863 by William
Mintzer and J. E. Wooten.  A nail-mill was built and put in operation in
October 1866.  The Anvil Furnace was built in 1867, and in December of said
year was blown in.  It has a capacity to produce twenty thousand tons of
mill pig-iron.  The establishment has a capacity to produce twenty-four
thousand tons; of plate-iron and sixteen thousand tons of nails.  Employment
is given to from twelve to thirteen hundred hands.  The inclosed grounds
cover twenty-five acres and are situated outside the borough limits. 
Theodore H. Morris, of Philadelphia, is president
Andrew Wheeler, vice-president
Joseph K. Wheeler, secretary
William N. Morris, treasurer and general manager.
Its office is in Philadelphia, 1608 Market Street

    The Warwick Iron Company, with a capital of two hundred and twenty thousand
dollars, commenced their furnace in 1875, and on April 20th of the
following year.  They employ sixty hands at the furnace and eighty ,at the
mines at Boyerstown and Sieholtzille.  The annual capacity is twenty-one
thousand tons, having turned out as high as four hundred and sixteen tons
of mill pig-iron in one week.  The officers are
Isaac Fedley, president
V. P. McCully, secretary
Jacob Fegely Jr., treasurer
Edgar S. Cook, manager.

    This furnace is outside the borough limits, near the Manatawny bridge.  The
Philadelphia Bridge Works, Joseph H. Cofrode and Francis H. Taylor,
proprietors, were started in 1877, and employ about four hundred hands, and
is located on South Street, outside the borough.  They manufacture about
seven thousand tons of bridge-iron annually.  They have shipped materials to
South America, Mexico, Canada and California.

    Sotter & Brothers, in the northern part of the borough, carry on the
manufacture of steam-boilers, stacks, tanks, etc., and do a business
amounting to one hundred thousand dollars; established in 1878, and employ
thirty-five men.  The Keystone Agricultural Works, situated to the east of
the borough, Ellis, Hoffman & Co., proprietors, manufacture agricultural
implements, especially threshers and horse-powers, and employ twenty-five
men.  The large merchant mill of Gabel, Bartolet & Co. has a capacity to
manufacture above one hundred barrels of flour per day, propelled by the
Manatawny and supposed originally erected before 1730.  There are, besides,
three team planing--mills in the place and several other mechanical
establishments.

    The Gas Company was incorporated March 7, 1856; the cost of the works up
to 1858 was twenty-one thousand dollars.  In 1859 the works were found to
be inadequate, and were rebuilt with four times their former capacity.  They
are situated in the western part of the borough, near the Schuylkill.  The
Market Company was incorporated April 11, 1866 and in April 1868, their
capital was increased to twenty thousand dollars.  The market-house was
commenced in 1867, and completed the following year at a cost of about
twenty-six thousand dollars.  It contains an office, upwards of fifty
stalls, a large public hall and two lodge-rooms.  The Water Company was
chartered April 2, 1869, with an authorized capital of seventy-five
thousand dollars.  The works were commenced in that year and went into
operation in 1870.  The quantity of water consumed in 1875 was fifty-three
million, nine hundred and thirty-five thousand gallons; of course, since
greatly increased with the growth of the town.

786

    The borough contains twenty-two public schools, held in nine two-story
school-houses, two of which are sufficiently large for each to hold four
schools.  William W. Ruport and Mary Sampson are the principals of the High
School.  To this department is attached a fine and well-selected collection
of minerals and a valuable collection of philosophical, physiological and
geographical apparatus, to which additions are constantly being made.  The
library was established by the school board in 1875, and now contains
upwards of eleven hundred volumes necessary for reference.  For the school
year ending with June 1, 1882, twenty-one schools were opened ten months,
with all average attendance of six hundred and fifty-three pupils.  For the
year ending June 1, 1857, eight public schools were open only six months,
and attended by three hundred and ninety-two scholars.  In 1875 the number
had increased to sixteen schools, with nine hundred and seventy-five
scholars.

    The first school-house, probably, in the place was erected by the Lutheran
congregation, and continued as a subscription school till about 1841.  The
ground on which it stands was conveyed by a deed dated August 24, 1784, to
the trustees of the church by George Gilbert and Salome, his wife.  This
building is still standing and used as a dwelling.  An old log school-house
stood on Chestnut Street, west of Hanover, and was torn down about 1856. 
Schools were also held at various times in private residences.  In Hanover
Street, near Queen, a school, designated the academy, was conducted for
several years in which the higher branches were taught.  In the spring of
1802, S. Chandler, A.M., was the principal, and taught English grammar,
geography, elocution, Latin and French.  The Rev. William Christie, of
Northumberland, had charge in the spring of 1806, and, in addition to the
aforesaid branches, advertised to teach Greek, Hebrew, Spanish, Latin and
German, besides, history, moral philosophy and mathematics.

    What was termed the Pottstown Academy stood on Chestnut Street, between
Hanover and Penn, the site of which is now occupied by the Jefferson Public
School.  It was built in 1834, of stone, one story high, and was it
remarkably quaint-looking edifice.  Public meetings lectures, etc., were
frequently held in it.  It was torn down by the school board, in 1873, to
make room for the present commodious structure.  In consequence of the
public-school system having been adopted in 1838 by a small majority, two
additional brick school-houses were built and used for this purpose,
besides the academy.  In 1854 the large two-story brick Streeper building
was erected.  Two private seminaries, in 1858, were successfully conducted
here.  One, the Cottage Female Seminary, commenced in 1850, of which the Rev. 
Robert Cruikshank was principal, and a boarding-school for boys,
established in 1852 by Professor M. Meigs.  The latter is now conducted by
John Meigs, son of the former principal.  The Pottstown Library Company,
incorporated August 21, 1810, formed a library which was continued until
about 1850, when it died out.  The charter member of the Library Company
were
Samuel Baird
George Leaf
Thomas R. Brooke
Francis R. Potts
William Mintzer
John Boyer
Jesse Ives
Daniel Price
William Thompson
Thomas Baird
James Rees
Daniel Reinhart
Joseph Potts
Matthew Pearce
Israel Ortlip
James B. Harris
William Ives, Jr.
Robert McClintock.

The directors for 1824 were
Joseph Potts
Jesse Ives
Christian Beary
Thomas R. Brooke
Thomas Baird
John Rees
William Mintzer.
Secretary, treasurer and librarian, William Baird.  About
1845 another was started of which, in 1858, D. H. Keim was librarian; it
then contained ten hundred and fifty volumes.  This also went down about
1860.  The books of the original association now form a part of the public
school library.

    Several secret and beneficial societies are in the borough, but none as
yet occupy their own buildings.  There are
two lodges of Odd Fellows
one lodge of Ancient York Masons
two tribes of the Improved Order of Red Men
two councils of United American Mechanics
one lodge of Good Templars
one camp of the Patriotic Order of Sons of America
one lodge of the Knights of Pythias
one, post of the Grand Army of the Republic
one castle of the Knights of the Mystic Chain
one branch of the Irish Catholic Benevolent Union.

    A cornet band was formed about 1854 and continues to flourish.  The opera-
house, on King Street, is the only hall in which concerts etc. are given. 
The building was erected in 1869, seventy-five by fifty-seven feet in
dimensions, and posses stage scenery.  A Young Men's Christian Soceity has
also been recently organized.

    The first house of worship supposed to have been built in Pottstown was the
Friend's Meeting-House.  Soon after the laying out of the place, in 1753, John
Potts donated a lot of ground for this purpose on which, no doubt, it was
shortly thereafter erected.  Jesse Ives, long, a member, and owner of the
extensive grist-mill on the Manatawny, stated in 1851 that when
Washington's army was here in September 1777, the meeting house was used by
some of the soldiers as quarters.

787

When first seen by the writer in 1838, it was a small brick building that
had been recently repaired.  It was torn down in 1875 and replaced by the
present building.  It is in charge of the Orthodox branch of Friends, and
located on King Street, between Hanover and Penn.

    We shall here pass over the Reformed and Lutheran Churches, for which
there is sufficient material to form articles by themselves, which will
subsequently appear.  The next in order of time is Christ Episcopal Church,
the congregation of which was formed in 1828 or the following year,
services being conducted by the Rev. Levi Bull, Rev. George Mintzer and
occasionally by others.  A brick church was built on Hanover Street, and
dedicated January 18, 1833.  In 1845 another church was erected, besides a
chapel in 1867.  The present beautiful red sandstone Gothic edifice was
built in 1872, at it cost of fifteen thousand dollars.  The Rev. Edmund Leaf
was rector for sometime, succeeded by the Rev. Aaron Christman, Rev. Samuel
Edwards and Rev. B. McGann.  Rev. Samuel F. Warren is now in charge.

    The Methodist Episcopal congregation was formed in 1838, and a church
erected on Main Street the following year.  This was torn down, and the
corner stone of the new edifice was laid in June 1869, but was not fully
finished until the close of 1871.  It is a fine gothic structure or red
sandstone, two stories high, and cost twenty thousand dollars.  A house and
lot adjoining has been recently purchased for a parsonage.  The membership
is stated to be upwards of four hundred.  The Rev. J. S. Hughes was
appointed to this charge in the spring of 1883.

    The congregation of the First Presbyterian Church was organized in May,
1848.  The church was commenced in 1851 and completed in May, 1853.  It is
situated on the north corner of Main and Evans Streets.  The first pastor
was Rev. William R. Work, succeeded by
Rev. Robert Cruikshank
Rev. J. C. Thompson
Rev. Henry F. Lee
The Rev. H. B. Stevenson is the present pastor.  The congregation owns a
parsonage in the eastern part of the town, a short distance from the
borough line.

    St. Aloysius' Catholic Church is situated at the northeast corner of
Hanover and Beech Streets, and was built in 1816.  The congregation was
formed and monthly services held some time previously by Rev. A. Bailey, of
Churchville, Berks Co.  The Rev. Philip 0. Farrell, of Phoenixville, was
chiefly instrumental in securing the erection of the church.  On the laying
of the cornerstone the Rev. Edward Sourin preached, and at the dedication
the Rev. Daniel Sheridan officiated.  The Rev. John Davis succeeded as
priest until September 1858, followed by Rev W. F. Cook and Rev. William A.
McLaughlin.  The Rev. John A. Wagner has now the charge.  The church lot
contains an acre of ground, a part of which is appropriated to the
purposes of a cemetery. 

  Near the beginning of 1858 a series of protracted  meetings were held in 
Keystone Hall, under charge of the Rev. David Jeffries, of the Lower Providence
Baptist Church, assisted by Rev. Hugh Barclay, of Vincent, Chester Co.  The
result was that fifteen males and thirty-five females were baptized in the
Schuylkill in the following spring.  Of that number nineteen were heads of
families, which led to an organization May 26th of that year.  The church
was erected in the following summer and fall, and completed in 1859.  It is
a handsome two-story building, forty-four by sixty feet in dimensions, and
cost about four thousand dollars.  Mr. Jeffries continued as pastor until
his death, November 30, 1860.  The Rev. N. C. Naylor has had the charge now
for some time.

  The Salem Evangelical Church, situated at the northwest corner of
Franklin and Beech Streets, was built in 1870; the congregation having been
formed the previous year.  The Rev. Thomas Harper was lately pastor.  The
African Methodist Episcopal Church of which Rev. C. W. Boardly has charge,
is located opposite the Salem Church, and was also erected in 1870.  They
posses a burial ground on Beech Street, near Hanover.  Pottstown in 1832,
contained only two houses of worship; in 1860, eight and in 1876 had
increased to twelve, two of which belong to Reformed and two to the
Lutherans.

    Several cemeteries are located in or around or near the borough.  The most
ancient is the Sprogell burial-ground, where several members of that
family have been interred.  It is east of the borough line and on the west
side of the Reading Railroad.  One stone bears the date of 1716 and another
of 1718, showing that John Henry Sprogell and his family were settled here
quite early.  The burial ground of the Potts family is to the rear of the
Friends' Meeting-house, fronting on Chestnut Street.  John Potts, the donor
of the ground, was buried here, having died June 6, 1768.  Some of the early
residents of the place are interred here; among who can be mentioned
members of the Potts, Rutter and Hobart families.  The graveyard attached to
Zion's Reformed and Emanuel Lutheran Churches is next in the order of time. 
The earliest date here legible on a tombstone is 1770.  Many of the early
settlers were also interred here.  The Pottstown Cemetery, to the north of
the borough limits, fronts both on Hanover and Charlotte Streets, and was
incorporated November 13, 1854.  Through five purchases, down to the spring
of 1822, the ground has been increased to twenty-six acres and is jointly
owned by the members of the Reformed and Lutheran Churches.  The grounds are
beautifully laid out and upwards of two thousand have already been buried
here.  The Edgewood Cemetery is situated to the east of the borough, and
contains five acres.  The company was incorporated August 21, 1866.  Mount
Zion Cemetery incorporated November 10, 1873, is located on the opposite
side of the river, and comprises a tract of forty acres.

788

    The post-office at Pottstown was the first established in the county, and
was named Pottsgrove, which name it held until January 29, 1829, which it
was changed to Pottstown.  It became a presidential office March 11, 1865. 
The following is a list of postmasters, as far as ascertainable, from its
in 1793:

Jacob Barr, December, 1793

Edward Godwin, July 1, 1795

George Pfeyer, January 1, 1808

Jacob Drinkhouse, July 1, 1808

Thomas Child, April 1, 1818

William Boyer, February 13, 1838

William Von Gezer, December 25, 1843

Tobias Sellers, January 9, 1844

Aaron L. Curtis, April 7, 1849

Thomas I. Rutter, April 22, 1853

John S. Weiler, October 1, 1860

Henry Mintzer, March 16, 1861

Davis H. Missimer, September 2l, 1866

William Savage, July 1, 1868

William M. Mintzer, May 14, 1869

Alexander Malsberger, July 1, 1877.

The post-office was established here near the close of 1793, and Jacob
Barr appointed first postmaster, which position we know, from an
advertisement of uncalled letters, he still held in the beginning, of 1803. 
Jacob Drinkhouse was post-master in 1816.  The Bank of Pottstown was
incorporated May 15, 1857 and went into operation September 14th of that
year, with a capital of $100,000.
Henry Potts was elected president
William Mintzer, cashier
Daniel Price, teller.
It was approved by the comptroller of currency as a national bank December
6, 1864.  The capital was increased to $200,000 and so remained until
January 14, 1868, when it was made $300,000.  The present officers are
D. R. Price, president,
Horace Evans, cashier.

    The Fire Department of Pottstown comprises two steam fire engine companies. 
The Good-Will No. 1, was instituted January 3, 1871, and chartered the 29th
of May following.  They posses a steamer, hose-carriage and all the
necessary apparatus.  The Philadelphia Fire-Engine Company was incorporated
August 21, 1871.  They have a Silsby rotary steam fire-engine, which cost
four thousand five hundred dollars, a hose-carriage, etc.  In addition there
is also the Empire Hook-and-Ladder Company, No. 1, of which Henry Whartenby
is president.

    Two daily and two weekly newspapers are published in the place.  The
"Pottstown Ledger" is published daily and weekly by L. H. Davis and W. J.
Binder.  Its daily publication was commenced October 1, 1873.  The "Morning
Chronicle" is also published daily and weekly by A. R. Saylor & Brother.  It
commenced its career as a daily in the fall of 1879.  These are well
conducted papers and a credit to the place.  To L. H. Davis we are partly
indebted for an account of the papers published here in the past.  The
first, it appears was the "Pottstown Times" issued July 1, 1819, by John
Royer.  Its size may be judged as it had but four columns to a page.  The
"Lafayette Aurora," with five columns to a page was published by Daniel
Glackens and Joshua Keely in the spring of 1824.  In 1828 Mr. Rover started
a German paper called "Der Advocat."  Mention is made in "Gordon's Gazetter" of
the "American Star" being published here about 1831.  After being issued
several years the "Times" was changed to the "Pottstown Journal" of which J. C.
Slemmer became proprietor; it was merged into the "Montgomery Ledger" in
1843.  Mr. Davis became one of the proprietors in 1855, associating with him
its partner, in 1866, Mr. Binder.  Within the last half-century several other
papers have been published here.
Robert D. Powell started the "Anti-Abolitionist"
S. D. Patterson, the "Rural Visitor"
J. S. Wheeler and P. Keen, the "Pottstown Democrat," in 1855
G. W. Vernon and Hiram Brower, "The Pottstown Tariffite" from 1842 to 1845.
In October 1874, the "Pottstown Advertiser" was started by D. Q. Geiger.

    No doubt public-houses existed here before the Revolution.  The "Rising Sun"
tavern whose history goes back, at least to 1776, stood at the south-east
corner of Main and York Streets.  Jacob Witz was licensed to keep it as it
public-house in 1779, Jacob Barr, the first postmaster of Pottstown, kept
it for a number of years.  In the fall of 1806 he advertised the property at
private sale, and then stated that it had been kept for thirty years as a
tavern, and that the Reading mail-stage for Philadelphia stopped there four
times every week.  This subsequently became one of the most noted stage-
stands in the upper part of the county.  Respecting Jacob Barr in this
connection, we may state that he was appointed the first steward of the
Montgomery County poor-house, and is known to have held this position until
1816, and one account states until his death, in 1819.  The Rising Sun was
owned and kept by John Boyer until 1844 or the following year, when he was
succeeded by Barnet Weand.  It was a frame building and was torn down 1865. 
There is it tradition that Washington stopped at this house in September
1777, and in 1794, while on his way to suppress the Whiskey Insurrection. 
Opposite this stand, near the beginning of this century, was, also a
public-house, whose sign was the "Swan." afterwards changed to "Washington,
and later the "Farmers' Hotel."

    Before the introduction of railroads for traveling purposes, stage lines
did an important business, more than can now be well realized.  In 1794 the
Reading stage started from the "White Swan", in Race Street, Philadelphia,
on Wednesdays and Friday, the fare being two dollars.  Tradition states that
this line in its upward trip remained overnight in Pottstown.  A stage left
Haynes Inn for Pottsgrove every Wednesday at sunrise, in 1802.  William
Coleman, in 1804, became the proprietor and driver of the Reading, mail-
stage, starting from the "White Swan" every Tuesday and Friday passing
through, Norristown, Trappe and Pottsgrove.  Mr. Coltman put on an extra line
in the summer of 1811, leaving John Boyer's "Rising Sun" tavern every
Tuesday morning at six o'clock, and arriving in Philadelphia in the evening
returning from the "White Swan" on Thursday morning at the same hour, and
reaching  Pottsgrove or Pottstown in the evening; fare, $2.25.  In 1830 the
Reading and Pottsville stages arrived daily, leaving the city at four
o'clock A. M.  A tri-weekly stage line was established in 1828, starting
from the Union Hotel, in this place, to Kimberton, by which route
passengers could also proceed to Philadelphia or to Lancaster, Pittsburgh
and the West.

789

    The earliest information we possess respecting this section of the
country is derived from a map in Gabriel Thomas' "Account of Pennsylvania,"
published at London in 1698.  The Manatawny Creek in its whole course, with
its several branches, is represented with tolerable accuracy to where it
empties into the Schuylkill, thus proving at this early date that this
vicinity must have been already pretty well explored.  William Penn
conveyed, October 1701, to his son, John Penn, a tract of twelve thousand
acres of land, which the latter sold, June 20, 1735, to George McCall, a
merchant of Philadelphia, for the sum of two thousand guineas.  On a
resurvey it was found to contain fourteen thousand and sixty acres.  This
purchase comprised all Douglas township, nearly the upper-half of
Pottsgrove and about one-third of the northwestern portion of the present
territory of Pottstown.

    Adjoining the aforesaid purchase on the east was that of the Frankfort Land
Company, containing twenty-two thousand three hundred and seventy-seven
acres, surveyed October 13, 1701, which was afterwards claimed by John
Henry Sprogell, who came over from Holland by invitation of William Penn,
and settled here with his family on a tract of land containing six hundred
and thirty acres, upon which most of the borough is now located.  From a
road petition we know that he must have resided here before 1709, and
therefore, is entitled to the claim of having been the pioneer settler. 
Thomas Rutter, Sr. of Germantown, the ancestor of the family of this name,
established iron-works and a forge on the Manatawny Creek, it is supposed,
its early as 1717, about two miles and a half from the Schuylkill.  This
improvement invited further settlement.  Thomas Potts, Jr., came hither from
Germantown several years later, and also entered into the manufacture of
iron.  After the death of Mr. Rutter, in March 1729, his sons and Mr. Potts
became the principal proprietors of the business in this section.

    John Potts, the eldest son of Thomas, on the death of his father,
purchased, September 8, 1752, of Samuel McCall, son of the former
proprietor, a tract of nine hundred and ninety acres, which, with his
previous purchases made him the owner, probably, of all the land in and
around the borough.  He now removed from Colebrookdale, and commenced, in
1753, the building, a large, substantial two-story stone mansion, still
standing, on the west side of the Manatawny Creek, which at the time was
regarded with wonder by the people residing throughout this part of the
country.  It is now owned by Henry and Jacob Gabel and about ten years ago
was converted into Mill Park Hotel.  Mr. Potts, the following year,
proceeded to layout the town on the east side of the Manatawny, in the
townships of New Hanover and Douglas.  The former had been erected in 1724
and the latter in 1736.  The boundary between the two can be pretty nearly
established by continuing a direct southwest line from the intersection of
Charlotte and Beech Streets to the Schuylkill.  To the antiquary this line
possesses considerable interest in determining early localities in the
townships mentioned previous to the formation of Pottsgrove, in 1806.

    To John Potts the credit is due of having laid out the streets of the
town so regularly and at right angles, after the plan of Philadelphia.  He
took all possible means to promote the growth of the place, in the sale of
building lots on favorable terms, giving employment and donating grounds,
for two houses of worship and for burial purposes.  Yet, with all his
remarkable exertions, and enterprise, the place at his death, in 1768, did
not probably exceed twelve or fifteen houses.  In the laying out hereof a
road in November 1766, mention is made of its beginning at "Pottstown
Ferry" and passing "through John Potts' and by the division line of New
Hanover and Douglass," on through lands of William Mayberry, deceased, to
the Bucks County line.  If this road was afterwards opened, it must have
commenced here at the foot of Hanover and passed out of the present borough
on Charlotte Street.  This confirms the fact of a ferry having then been
established here over the Schuylkill.  In the "Gentleman's Pocket Almanac"
for 1769 the distances of several places are denoted on the road to Reading,
among which is mentioned "to Potts', thirty-eight miles."  On William Scull's
map of the province of Pennsylvania, published in 1770, the place is also
denoted thereon as "Potts T.," thus showing that even at this early date
it was known by its present name. 

    In the Revolution the place contained a public-house, one or two mills, 
at least one house of worship and probably twenty dwellings.  The battle of
Brandywine was fought September 11, 1777, and resulted disastrously to the
Americans.  The next day Washington and his army proceeded to Germantown,
end after resting and refreshing the men one day, returned over the
Schuylkill with the intention of giving another battle to General Howe. 
Near the Warren tavern they met, and owing to a severe storm and a heavy
fall of rain a general engagement was prevented.  The British then moved to
Swedes' Ford, but beholding the entrenchments thrown up there on the
opposite side to dispute the passage, proceeded up the Schuylkill to the
vicinity of Valley Forge, which led Washington to believe that their
object, was to capture the military and other stores that had been
collected at Reading.  This now induced him to cross on the 19th to this
side of the Schuylkill at Parker's Ford, five miles below Pottsgrove, and
proceed down to the Trappe.  At the latter place, Timothy Pickering states 
in his journal, "we halted a day or two, when hearing the enemy
were tending upwards on the western side of the river, we moved on the
other, till we arrived at our camp near Pottsgrove.  Here we lay until the
26th, on which day we marched downwards as far as the Pennypacker's Mills. 
While we lay near Pottsgrove the enemy crossed over the Schuylkill, but it
was two or three days before they entered the city which was fortunate for
us, as it gave time to our people a Philadelphia to complete the removal of
stores."

790

    From General Muhlenberg's orderly-book it is ascertained that the army
did not arrive near Pottsgrove until the evening of September 22d.  On
this day orders were given to "the clothier-general immediately to
distribute all the clothing and shoes in his possession."  The result of
this was that Washington, in a letter to Congress, dated "Camp near
Pottsgrove, September 23d," states, that he had "early this morning received
intelligence that they had crossed the fords below.  Why I did not follow
immediately I have mentioned in the former part, of my letter; but the
strongest reason against being able to make a forced march is the want of
shoes.  Messrs. Carroll, Chase and Penn, who were some days with the army,
can inform Congress in how deplorable a situation the troops are for the
want of that necessary article.  At least one thousand men are barefooted,
and have performed the marches in that condition."  On this day general
orders were issued that "each regiment is to proceed in making cartridges
for its own use, that may be held in store.  General Knox will furnish them
with materials.  It is expected, was the weather is now growing cool, that
the troops will never have less than two days' provisions by them."  On the
25th a general court-martial was held for the immediate trial "of all
persons who may be brought before them."  The orders were on the morning of
the 26th to march at nine o'clock, and that afternoon found them encamped
on the hills of the Perkiomen, near the present village of Schwenksville.

    From what has now been stated, it will be observed that Washington and
his army were encamped in this vicinity from the evening of September 22d
until the morning of the 26th, making all of three days and four nights. 
From Jesse Ives' relation in 1850, some of the soldiers while, here had been
quartered in the Friends' Meeting-house.  Rev. H. M. Muhlenberg, who resided
at the Trappe, states, in his journal, under date of September 23d, that
"the main body of the American army is up in New Hanover, thirty-six miles
distant from the city, as it was supposed the British troops would go up
the Schuylkill to Reading."  The inference of this is that the main body of
Washington's army while here was encamped below Pottsgrove, very probably
where Sprogell's Run crosses the Philadelphia road, which would be about the
distance mentioned from the city, and then in the township.

    About the close of the Revolution, General Arthur St. Clair having
purchased one of the confiscated properties of John Potts, Jr., one of the
justices of the courts, he removed hither and made it his residence about
1783, when he held the office of member of the State council of censors. 
While here he was elected to Congress November 2, 1785 and made president of 
that body February 2, 1787, which position he held until the expiration of 
his term, the following 28th of November.  In 1786 he became a member of the
American Philosophical Society, in Philadelphia.  He was appointed Governor
of the Northwestern Territory February 1, 1788, to which he shortly after
removed.  His stone mansion and lot, sixty by three hundred feet, was sold
by Isaiah Wells, sheriff, January 1, 1803.  The advertisement states it to
be situated in "Pottstown, Douglass township."  He was fortunate enough to be
nearly a life-long holder of offices, frequently filling several at one
time, but he had few business qualifications.

    In accordance with the recommendation of the President of the United
States, the citizens of Pottstown and vicinity assembled January 13,
1800, to pay their tribute of respect to the memory of General Washington. 
who had died in the previous month.  A bier, with a coffin, was carried in
the procession, followed by Captain McClintock's company of infantry and
several other military and civil organizations, who proceeded to the old
Brick Church, where a funeral sermon was, preached in English by the Rev.
John Armstrong, of the Episcopal Church, and in German by Rev. L. F.
Herman, of the Reformed congregation.  The pallbearers on this occasion were
David Potts
William Mayberry
William Potts
Robert E. Hobart
Robert May.

    The elections of Limerick and parts of Douglas and New Hanover, by an act
of Assembly passed April 8, 1799, were ordered to be held at the public-
house of George Pflieger, of this town, and were so continued until 1807. 
In October, 1802, the district polled 271 votes.  In 1824 the elections for
Pottsgrove Township and Pottstown were held at the house of Augustus C.
Rutze, in the latter place.  In 1838 they were held at the house of Samuel
Smith and this continued until changed by the Constitution of 1839.

    In 1810 Pottsgrove is represented to have contained about forty
dwellings, three taverns, a brewery, a weaving establishment, a wool-hat
manufactory, two shoemaker-shops, two houses of worship, a grist-mill and
several stores and shops.  In June, 1803, Christian Willauer advertised that
he had "lately moved here, and keeps a general assortment of drugs and
medicines, wholesale and retail.  Is well acquainted in the practice of
physic, rheumatism, bleeding and drawing teeth."  Peter Richards, in
September, 1807, advertised at private sale "a valuable tan-yard and five
lots of ground in Pottstown, each three hundred feet deep, or any quantity
up to fifty acres, whereof one-third is watered meadow."  Israel Bringhurst,
John Jacobs and Joseph Tyson were appointed commissioners to erect the
township of Pottsgrove from parts of Doug]as and New Hanover.  They made in
their report in August, 1806, to the Court of Quarter Sessions, who
confirmed in the 20th of that month and thus was added one more township to
the county.

791

    Pottstown was incorporated a borough by an act of Assembly passed
February 6, 1815.  Its boundaries were then fixed as follows:

    "Beginning at a take on the northern bank of the river Schuylkill; thence
through Jacob Lecher's land north 25 degrees east 100 perches, to a post on
the east side of the road leading to the Manatawny ford on the Schuylkill
to Glasgow; thence by the east side of the said road north 15 degrees
west 47 perches, to Beech Street and on the line dividing the lands of the
estate of the late Mary Jones, deceased, from the land of Mary Graham, David
Rutter, the estate of Clifford Smith, deceased, and Joshua Potts, south 80
degrees east 225 perches to a stake in a line of Peter Richard's land; thence 
through Peter Richard's land 5? degrees east 63 perches, to a post, and south 
24 degrees west 111 perches, to a post corner of Jacob Hubley's land from Peter
Richard's land south 41 degrees 30 minutes, west 83 perches to the river
Schuylkill; thence up said river, the several, the courses therefore, 268
perches to the place of the of beginning."

    The charter required the borough elections to be held on the second
Tuesday in April of every year.  Any person elected to the office of
burgess, member of Council or high constable and whom having received
notice thereof should refuse or neglect to take upon himself the
performance of the office to which he has been elected was required to
forfeit and pay the sum of ten dollars.  No person, however, to be compelled
to serve more than one year in any term of four years.  Under authority of
an act of Assembly passed March 19, 1828 commissioners were appointed by the
court under whose directions Thomas Baird was employed in the following
September to make a complete survey of the borough and to prepare a draft
therefrom on a scale of two hundred feet to the inch a copy of which has
been placed on file in the clerk of the court's office.

    The first borough election was held at Pottstown the first Tuesday in April,
1815, when Robert McClintock as elected burgess and John Heister
Jacob Lesher
William Lesher
Jesse Ives
Henry Boyer
William Mintzer
Thomas P. May were elected councilmen.

The minutes of the Council from 1815 to July, 1819, are missing though
careful search has been made for them.  From 1819 to 1823 no mention is made
as to who was elected burgess.  From warrants to collectors and other source
it is ascertained that Jacob Hubley was burgess in 1820-21.  The record of
burgesses as ascertained from official sources is as follows:

1815, Robert McClintock

1816-19, not known

1820-21, Jacob Hubley

1822, not known

1823, Jacob Lesher

1824-25, William Mintzer

1826, Augustine C. Rutze

1827, Joseph McKean Potts

1828, William Mintzer

1829, John Thompson

1830, Andrew Eckerd

1831, Jesse Ives

1832-34, Jesse Kline

1835-36, William Mitzner

1837, George Richards

1838, Henry Potts

1839, Jesse Smith

1840-43, John Thomson

1844-46, John S. Weiler

1847-48, Aaron L. Custer

1849, John Thompson

1850-52, John C. Smith

1853, Lesher Van Buskirk

1854, D. M. Root

1855, Hiram C. Feger

1856, William Ellis

1857, Lewis H. Davis

1858, Ephraim Hartranft

1859, Joseph E. Yeager

1860, Hiram C. Feger

1861-62, Samuel S. Daub

1863, David P. Crosby

1864-68, John A. Andre

1869-71, Joseph F. Yeager

1872, Alexander Malsberger

1873, Louis B. Byar

1874, Isaac Hoyer

1875-76, M. S. Longaker

1877-79, Henry G. Kulp

1880, Dr. Jacob H. Scheetz

1881-82, George B. Lessig

1883-85, William B. Bach.

    Among the aged and remarkable men now living in Pottstown may be
mentioned John Thompson of whom the writer has secured several interesting
reminiscences.  He was born here February 11, 1799, his parents being William
and Mary Thompson.  In 1823 he was elected a member of the Borough Council;
burgess; in 1829, 1840-43, and 1849; appointed a justice of the peace in
1833; elected to the Assembly in 1857 and the following year to the State
Senate.  He was for several years a director of the Pottstown Bank and late
president of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company.  He is still vigorous for
his age and possess a retentive memory.  Before the construction of the
canal and navigation he made a voyage in one of the "Reading" or river
boats to Philadelphia concerning which we have received from him the
following particulars: These were long, open boats generally used for
carrying flour and sometimes iron and other products.  He was taken a
passenger is a matter of accommodation.  When the river was high, a trip from
Reading to Philadelphia could be made between sunrise and sunset.  The
boatmen made no use of sails, but in calm water plied their oars.  In
returning, the boats, at many places, to stem the current had to be moved by
poles shod with iron points.  Their usual cargoes consisted of from one
hundred and fifty to two hundred barrels of flour.  Mr. Thompson has resided
nearly the whole of his life in Pottstown and is now one of the very few
men living that have made such a voyage, on which occasion, as more
expeditious, he returned by stage.  This was probably about 1817.  He read the
Declaration of Independence at celebrations in Pottstown in 1826 and in 1876.

    THE REFORMED CONGREGATIONS IN POTTSTOWN.  -In looking over material that 
has been brought together on this subject, it is found no easy matter to know
where and how to begin, the accounts being somewhat conjectural and
contradictory, and the long association of the Reformed Church with the
Lutherans, renders the task more difficult when one is disposed to treat
them separately.  These remarks are offered in apology for our liability to
be led thereby into error.  The Reformed denomination was no doubt an early
one in this vicinity.  Rev. John Philip Leydich, who had charge of a
congregation at the Swamp between the years 1747 and 1760, also attended to
one here, as it was but five miles distant.  We know by Nicholas Scull's map
published in 1759, that they had a church at the former place before that
date, as it is denoted thereon.

    John Potts, on the laving out of the town in 1753, donated to the Germans a
lot of ground expressly for a church and for burial purposes.  When the log
church was erected here is not known; the earliest legible date found on a
tombstone is 1770.  It may have been possible that it was erected as a small
log building before the Revolutionary war, for in 1796 it had one so far to
decay that a book was opened February 23, 1796 and £1554 10s. 5d.($4420)
subscribed for a new church.

792

    This determined the two congregations (for the Lutherans had been
associated with them from the beginning) to erect a new commodious and
substantial brick building which had been so advanced that it was
consecrated before the end of said year.  It is still standing and has long
been known as the Union or Zion's Church.  The estimate for building was
considerably exceeded, for the cost amounted to about six thousand dollars
and it was not until 1807 that it was all paid off.

    The minister of the Swamp or New Hanover congregation being the nearest,
it formed for a considerable time a part of their charge.  After Leydich
Rev. Nicholas Pomp attended from 1765 to 1783,
Rev. Frederick Dillecker (De la Cour) from 1784 to 1799, whose earnest and
laborious efforts materially contributed to the erection of the new church. 
The Rev. Frederick Herman succeeded in 1800 and continued until his death in
1848; however, a short time before he was assisted and followed by his son
Rev. L. O. Herman.  The preaching was exclusively confined to the German
language until 1848, when Rev. N. S. Strassbuner formed an English
congregation.  This led, for the use of the latter, to the building of Trinity
Reformed Church which was commenced in the spring of 1866, under the
pastoral charge of Rev. J. Dubbs.  It is a fine Gothic edifice built of red
sandstone located at the corner of Hanover and King Streets.  The Rev. L. K.
Evans is pastor.

    In July, 1871, the Lutheran congregation now composing Emanuel Church sold 
out their interest in Zion's Church, and so from that date the Reformed hove
retained the ownership.  This is now the oldest house of worship in
Pottstown.  The services are still exclusively confined to the German.  The
Rev. C. T. Herbst was succeeded in July, 1884, by Rev. C. S. Wieand.  In
1872 the church was remodeled and put in rood repair.  Respecting this
church, George Missimer, who was born in 1792, related that in his boyhood he
came here to worship barefoot and that most of the men were without their
coats.  What is remarkable, no fire for heating purpose was used in the
church in winter until 1812, when Mrs. Joanna H. Potts, widow of Samuel Potts,
presented the congregation with stoves for this purpose.

    THE LUTHERAN CONGREGATIONS IN POTTSTOWN.  -The German Lutheran congregation
at New Hanover is regarded as the oldest in America, its first pastor, Justus
Falkner, having come there in 1703.  He was ordained for this purpose by
Andries Rudman, the Swedish provost at Philadelphia.  In 1717 the Rev. Gerhard
Henkel settled there.  From March, 1720, to October, 1723, they were frequently
visited by Rev. Samuel Hesselius, from Morlatton.  In 1732 Rev. John
Christian Schultze became pastor, and in the following year was sent to
Europe by the congregations to secure aid in the erection of churches and
additional pastors.  It has been supposed that Rev. John Nicholas Kurtz,
Rev. Frederic Schaum, Rev. Jacob Van Buskirk may have first preached at stated 
times in Pottstown.  This will go to show that the Lutherans at this early date 
were already possessed of some strength throughout this section.

  After the laying out of the town in 1753 John Potts donated lot No. 89, 
located on Hanover Street and extending from Chestnut to Walnut to be used 
as a burial-place and for the erection of a house of worship.  The first log
church it is supposed was erected here before October, 1772, but the ground
had been used some years previously for burial purpose.  Not long after that
date the Rev. John Ludwig Voigt held stated services in Pottstown.
It is probable that his visits were not very frequent until 1776, as he had,
until then, no relief from the cares of his other congregations.  Owing to
the war, the Rev. Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg left New York and took
charge of New Hanover, in the place of Mr. Voigt, who removed to Zion's Church
in Chester County.  The former devoted more time to the congregation, to whom
he preached once a month.  Both Mr. Voigt and Muhlenberg speak of a church
here.

    From the earliest records existing we learn that in 1777 the elders and
deacons were

George Gilbert

Sebastian Keck

John Fritz

Henry Eckel

John Schoener

John Balde.

1779, Christopher Schoener and Christian Lessig

1782, Jacob Yocum and Andrus Schoener

1785, Bartholomew Wamback and Andreas Missimer

1788, Cassmier Missimer.

The congregation in 1782 took measures for the erection of a school-house
on lot No. 95, for which they received a deed dated August 24, 1784 from
George Gilbert and Salome, his wife, and John Fritz and John Schoener, in
trust for the use of the "Evangelical Lutheran congregation of Pottstown." 
In that house subscription schools were taught until 1841, since when it has
been used as a dwelling and is still standing at the southeast corner of
Penn and Walnut Streets.  In 1796 the early log Church had gone so far to
decay that it was proposed, in connection with the Reformed congregation who
had also held worship therein, to build a more substantial and commodious
brick edifice, for which the sum of four thousand four hundred and twenty
dollars was subscribed, and which was consecrated and finished within said
year.  At its completion the cost amounted to six thousand and it required
nearly eleven years before it was all paid off.  The Lutherans being
decidedly the strongest, defrayed three-fourths of the expense.  The new
church at the time was considered a fine structure, very few in the county
at that time surpassing it, as may be judged from its cost.

    At the building of the new church Mr. Voigt had again became pastor, a
position he retained until June 1799, when Rev. John F. Weinland became his
successor to close of 1806.

793

In May, 1807, Rev. F. W. Geissenhainer became pastor, and remained until 
1808. Rev. Peter Hecht had charge from 1809 to 1813, followed by Rev. J. E. 
L. Brouns, who remained until the close of 1815.  After Rev. F. W. 
Geissenhainer, in May 1823, Rev. Conrad Miller succeeded. In 1833 the Synod 
held its first meeting in Pottstown, thirty-five pastors and twenty-three 
lay delegates being present; services in English were also held, which 
produced a desire to have that language introduced.  At this time, the 
pastor had seven congregations in charge and conducted worship here once in 
four weeks. Rev. Conrad Miller proposed to the congregation, in April 1834, 
to take measures to secure services in English at stated times. 




           PICTURE OF NEW HANOVER LUTHERAN CHURCH, APPEARS HERE.




    In accordance with this request, Rev. John W. Richards accepted the call, 
and preached his introductory sermon May 18, 1834.  He held the pastorate 
until the spring of 1836, when Rev. Jacob Wampole, of the Trappe, 
succeeded, and continued until his death, in the beginning of 1838.  Rev. 
Henry S. Miller had charge from April 1838, until August 20, 1848. In 1844 
a second Synod was held here, fifty-three pastors being present.

    In the summer of 1848, Rev. Conrad Miller transferred the care of the 
German congregation to his nephew, Rev. George F. Miller, who also became 
pastor of the English portion on the resignation of Rev. H. S. Miller.  In 
1859 the members of the latter resolved on the erection of a new church, 
the corner-stone of which was laid August 5, 1859, and it was consecrated 
February 16, 1861, on which occasion the Rev. J. A. Seiss delivered the 
sermon.  In the act of incorporation it is styled "The English Evangelical 
Lutheran Church of the Transfiguration," situated at the southwest corner 
of Hanover, and Chestnut Streets.  It is a handsome, large, two-story brick 
edifice, and cost twelve thousand and fifty dollars.  The Rev. George F. 
Miller remained pastor until the spring of 1868, succeeded by Rev. G. W. 
Schmucker until the fall of 1870. In June 1871, Rev. Charles Koerner 
became pastor, who was succeeded in the spring of 1881 by the Rev. B. M. 
Schmucker, D.D., who is still in charge.

    Owing to the increase of membership and a desire to have more frequent 
services, the congregation sold out their interest in the Old Brick or 
Union Church to the Reformed members in May, 1871.  An act of incorporation 
was obtained under the name and title of the "German and English 
Evangelical Lutheran Emanuel Church."  They had reserved for their use one-
half of the ground, one hundred and fifty by one hundred and eighty feet in 
extent at the corner of Hanover and Walnut Streets.  The church was 
commenced thereon May 30, 1871, and was dedicated September 28 and 29, 
1872.  Its dimensions are ninety-nine and a half feet long by sixty-three 
feet wide and it cost thirty-three thousand dollars, possessing the largest 
membership of any church in the place.  The Synod met in Pottstown in 1864, 
when ninety-two ministers were present; again in 1873, with one hundred and 
forty-four ministers; and in 1881, with one hundred and seventy-six 
ministers present.  The officers and teachers of the Sabbath-school 
belonging to the church in 1882 numbered fifty and the scholars six hundred 
and seventy-six. While the church was building the Rev. Wm. G. Laitzle had 
charge; Rev. D. K. Kepner is the present pastor.  In the preparation of this 
article acknowledgments are due to Dr. Schmucker for information derived 
from his interesting pamphlet, entitled "The Lutheran Church in Pottstown," 
published in 1882, and also to Mark H. Richards, Esq., relative to the 
borough.




                PICTURE OF D. K. KEPNER, APPEARS HERE.




    REV. D. K. KEPNER is a descendant of one of the first settlers by this name 
in the upper end of Montgomery County.  Andreas Kepner paid quit-Tent to the 
proprietary of Pennsylvania for one hundred acres of land prior to 1734 
(see Rupp's collection of names, etc., page 473).  His farm was situated on 
the road leading from Pottstown to Falkner Swamp, near the latter place. He 
died in 1766, aged sixty-five years, William Kepner, his son, having lived 
and died on an adjoining farm.  Henry, the son of William, resided on 
another farm, where his son William, father of Rev. D. K. Kepner, was born, 
and died on a farm near by Fegleysville, so that Andreas1, William2, Henry3 and 
William4 lived and died in Montgomery County.  All were members of the 
Lutheran Church at New Hanover, and are buried in the graveyard of the 
church.  All of them followed agricultural pursuits.  The subject of this 
sketch is a son of William Kepner and Sarah Koch, his wife.  He was born 
October 15, 1836, baptized and confirmed by Rev. Conrad Miller in the same 
church, and, subsequently, also married in the same to Lydia A. 
Brendlinger, daughter of Frederick Brendlinger, of Swamp.  He was reared on 
the farm and accustomed to hard work, his school advantages having been 
very limited in his younger days.

794

When he arrived at the age of eighteen years his father gave him the choice 
of a trade or attendance at an advanced school for two winters.  He chose 
the latter, and became a pupil for two sessions of the Washington Hall 
Boarding-School.  He entered Frederick Institute the succeeding winter, and 
remained during three sessions.  The next four winters he taught a public 
school, in the mean time preparing for college, and entered the sophomore 
class of Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, Pa., in the fall of 1861, 
having the ministry in view.  In the fall of 1862 he enlisted in the service 
of the United States as regimental quartermaster of the one hundred and 
Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, subsequently re-enlisting in the One 
Hundred and-Ninety-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers.  He was mustered out at 
the end of the war as first lieutenant in charge of Company A, and returned 
to college in the fall of 1865, graduating August 8, 1867.  Mr. Kepner 
entered the Theological Seminary, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, 
at Philadelphia, September 1807, and graduated from this institution June 
8, 1870, being ordained a minister of the Gospel, June 15, 1870, by the 
Ministerium of Pennsylvania, thus having gained the object of his 
aspirations for the previous ten years.  He supplied the Orwigsburgh charge, 
in Schuylkill County, during the winter of 1870-71, and accepting a call to 
Slatington, Lehigh Co., Pa., entered upon the work May 12, 1871.  He 
organized a new congregation at Lehighton, Carbon Co., Pa., and built a 
church, serving the same in connection with Slatinigton and Pennsville.  Mr. 
Kepner accepted a call to Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church of 
Pottstown, Montgomery Co., and began his labors January 1, 1875, having 
just completed his tenth year as pastor of this church.  The congregation is 
one of the oldest and the largest in membership, worshiping in the most 
spacious church edifice in Montgomery County.  The summary of Mr. Kepner's 
pastoral work during the ten years is as follows: 
Baptized, infants, 1005
adults, 58
confirmed, 544
added by transfer from other congregations, 488
total added, 1037
funerals, 671
married, 311
communicated 16,945. 
The largest number of members communed in one year (1884) was 1054.  He has 
preached 1360 regular and funeral sermons, made 1371 addresses, and was unable 
to preach by reason of indisposition, only five Sunday during the ten years. 
In the last four years he has not missed a Sunday in the church nor Sunday-school.

    During, a ministry of fifteen years Mr. Kepner always trained the choir 
of the church and the Sunday-school in the service of song and led the same 
in addition to his work as pastor.  The statistics already given may 
indicate to some extent the work accomplished by Mr. Kepner while in the 
ministry.  He is firmly intrenched in the hearts of his people and holds an
influential position in the denomination which he represents.


                       BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

                        RUFUS B. LONGAKER.

    Peter Longaker, the father of Rufus B., was a native of Lawrenceville, 
Chester Co., Pa., where he was born on his father's farm March 14, 1786, 
and died November 1, 1866, in Limerick Township.  He married Hannah, 
daughter of George and Mary Boyer, who was born in Churchville, Hereford 
Township, Berks Co., Pa., September 1, 1795, and survived until her 
ninetieth year.  There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Longaker six children,-
Rufus B.
Mary (Mrs. Abram Kohl, deceased)
Louisa (Mrs. Sebastian Kohl)
Emeline
John B. 
Francis Elmira (deceased)
Rufus B., the eldest of this number, whose birth occurred in Limerick 
Township (where his father then resided) on the 6th of April, 1816, at the 
age of sixteen became a pupil of the Trappe Boarding-School.  On completing 
his course of study he removed to Berks County and engaged in teaching, 
which pursuit was continued for two winters.  He was for one year clerk in a 
country store at the Trappe, and soon after embarked in mercantile pursuits 
at Crooked Hill, Pottsgrove Township, and Montgomery Co., remaining at this 
point from 1840 until 1851.  Having been in that year elected recorder of 
deeds, he removed soon after to Norristown, and remained for three years 
the incumbent of the office.  Returning to Pottstown in 1855, he engaged in 
the purchase and sale of cattle and horses, continuing the business for 
several years.  He was, in 1863, the successful candidate for county 
treasurer having received the Democratic nomination for the office, and 
served in that capacity for two terms, meanwhile retaining, his home in 
Pottstown.  In 1862, under the firm name of Longaker & Van Buskirk, he 
embarked in the wholesale wine and liquor business in which he was 
succeeded by his son, Montgomery S. Longaker.  Mr. Longaker was an 
influential member of his party, and at various timed delegate to 
Democratic State conventions. For three years he served as member of the 
Borough Council of Pottstown.  He was for many years in the board
management of the Union Mutual Fire and Storm Insurance Company of 
Montgomery County, as also manager of the Reading and Perkiomen Turnpike 
Company.  He was a devoted member of Trinity Reformed Church of Pottstown. 
Mr. Longaker was married in 1842, to Elizabeth, daughter of the late 
Abraham Smith, of Pottstown.  Their children are

Montgomery S.

Hannah E. (Mrs. Matthias Geist)

Horace S.

Mary (Mrs William H. Thomas)

Lewis C. (of Bradford, Pa.)

Two deceased children.

    Mr. Longaker enjoyed a reputation for integrity and promptness in all his 
business dealings.  Possessing sound judgement and a mind that grasped 
quickly the details of business he was frequently consulted upon matters 
involving important issues.  He was extensively acquainted with public men 
throughout the State, and enjoyed the confidence and friendship of many 
persons in high official position.  The death of Mr. Longaker occurred after 
a life of great activity and usefulness on the 26th of September, 1882.




                PICTURE OF R. B. LONGNECKER, APPEARS HERE.





795

                          JONAS SMITH.

Jonas Smith, the eldest son of Henry and Mary Smith, was born in New 
Hanover township, Montgomery Co., Pa., March 15, 1806.  After the usual 
period at school he learned the trade of a carpet-weaver, but soon 
abandoned it for the more congenial pursuit of a merchant.  Entering a store 
at the Swamp as clerk, he later purchased and for several years conducted 
this enterprise.  During the fall of 1837 he made Pottstown his residence, 
and there engaged in business in various localities in the borough.  In 1840 
he removed to a farm in Pottsgrove township, but remained for a brief time 
only, resuming again his mercantile ventures in connection with his 
brother, William H. Smith, under the firm-name of J. & W. H. Smith.  The 
firm subsequently became Smith & Hartranft, and was continued until 1855, 
when Jonas Smith retired therefrom.  Mr. Smith manifested in his earlier 
life a lively interest in military affairs, and for some years served as 
captain of a volunteer cavalry company, known as the Third Troop of 
Montgomery County, which participated in the State Military encampment in 
1841, held at Pottstown.  He was at various times a member of the Borough 
Council and board of school directors of Pottstown, and was elected chief 
burgess of the borough in 1839.  In the fall of 1841 he was made treasurer 
of Montgomery County, being the first county treasurer elected to that 
office.  He was re-elected in 1842, and filled the term with great 
acceptance.  He was for nearly forty years treasurer of the Pottstown Mutual 
Fire Insurance Company, was a manager of the Schuylkill Bridge Company for 
more than thirty-five years and for several years director of the Bank of 
Pottstown.  He was also treasurer of the Pottstown Cemetery from the 
beginning until a short time prior to his death, and for some time 
superintendent of the company.  All these positions were filled with credit 
to him and to the interest of the various corporations he served.

To his first wife were born children,-

Franklin C.
George W.
Esther (wife of Jacob Hartranft, deceased)
one who died in youth.

796

  By his marriage to a second wife were children,-
Theophilus H.
Mahlon V.
one child who died in childhood.




                   PICTURE OF JONAS SMITH, APPEARS HERE.




Mr. Smith was for nearly his whole life a consistent member of the Lutheran 
Church, and connected as an officer with the Church of the Transfiguration, 
contributing generously to the various organizations connected with the 
work of its members.  His life was one of great usefulness.  He was public-
spirited philanthropic and true to the best impulses of a noble nature.  His 
death, which occurred March 12, 1884, occassioned universal sorrow.

                              GEORGE MISSIMER.

    Mr. Missimer is of French descent, his grandfather, Cassimir Missimer, 
having emigrated from Alsace.  He married Margaret Brandt, whose children 
were eleven in number, - John, Henry, Jacob, Benjamin, Frederick, George and 
five daughters.  Frederick, whose birth occurred in Virginia, married 
Elizabeth Kreider, of Montgomery County, whose children were Catharine, 
Mary, John George, Samuel, Rebecca, Anna, Elizabeth, and three who died in 
childhood.  George Missimer was born on the 1st of December 1792, in 
Pottsgrove township, Montgomery Co., as were also the remaining brothers 
and sisters.  After very limited advantages of instruction he learned the 
trade of a cabinet-maker, becoming an apprentice in 1808, and walking a 
distance of one, hundred and twenty miles to avail himself of opportunities 
not afforded him near his home.  He pursued this trade in Pottstown and 
vicinity for seven years, when the war of 1812 found him among its 
volunteer recruits.  Later he assisted in the construction of the 
Schuylkill Canal, and on the 20th of January, 1820, was united in marriage 
to Susannah Christman, whose birth occurred November 26, 1798.  Their 
children are Henry, born in 1825; Elizabeth, in 1827; George, in 1830; 
Susan, in 1832; Mary, in 1834; Rebecca, in 1836; Emeline, in 1839.  After 
his marriage Mr. Missimer for eight years rented a farm in Pottsgrove, 
which was afterwards purchased by him.  For sixteen years he resided upon 
this property, and on his practical retirement from active labor, in 1848, 
Pottstown became his home.  He at this time controlled interests in various 
barges and engaged in other business enterprises.  Mr. Missimer is an Andrew 
Jackson Democrat of the most pronounced type, having cast his first vote in 
behalf of that distinguished presidential candidate.




               PICTURE OF GEORGE MISSIMER, APPEARS HERE.




    He has represented his borough in the Council for many years, and also
filled the office of street commissioner.  He has been an important factor
in the growth and development of Pottstown.  Mr. Missimer is a director of
Mt. Zion Cemetery and member of the Lutheran Church of the Transfiguration,
in which he has been a vestry-man since the erection of the church.