Local History: Chapter XVII - Part II: SHAMOKIN. Bell's History of 
Northumberland Co PA

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Transcribed from Bell's History of Northumberland County Pennsylvania


                     CHAPTER XVII - Part II

                            SHAMOKIN.

THE POSTOFFICE - BANKS - WATER, GAS, AND ELECTRIC LIGHT - BOARD OF TRADE 
- SECRET AND OTHER SOCIETIES - THE PRESS - CHURCHES - EDUCATIONAL 
INTERESTS - CEMETERIES.

	
	
                           THE POST OFFICE

	 The post-offices nearest Shamokin at the time when it was laid out 
were Bear Gap and Shamokin (Paxinos), both of which were established 
soon alter the opening of the Centre turnpike. As the place began to 
attain village proportions local facilities became imperatively 
necessary, and on the 17th of May, 1838, William Fagely was commissioned 
as postmaster of Coal postoffice. General Hammond was then Congressman 
from this district, and it was through him that the people of this 
locality communicated with the department. Mr. Fagely opened the office 
at his store on Shamokin street in the building now occupied by George 
K. Fagely & Company. Mail was received several times a week, by stages 
over the turnpike and carrier from Snufftown. In 1840 a special route 
was established from Paxinos to Shamokin, with Solomon Martz as 
contractor, the compensation being the net proceeds of Coal postoffice, 
provided they did not exceed thirty-one dollars fifty cents per quarter. 
For some time Mr. Martz carried the mail himself, and then employed John 
Smink, a boy, who made the trip three times a week on foot. At the 
expiration of his contract, June 30, 1844, Mr. Martz was succeeded by 
Casper Scholl. The first daily mail was introduced by Thomas Dornan, who 
had contract for carrying the mails between Sunbury and Philadelphia.* 
	As a postoffice designation, Shamokin was first applied to the 
village of Snufftown, the mail distributing point for a large part of 
the extensive township of Shamokin. On the 28th of December, 1840, the 
name of Coal postoffice was changed to Shamokin, and that of Paxinos 
substituted for the latter at Snufftown. William Fagely continued in 
charge, and his successors have been appointed in the following order: 
Samuel John, February 21, 1844 Joseph Zuern, March 26, 1846; James 
Thomas, February 26, 1849; Sylvanus S. Bird, July 13, 1852; Joseph 
Zuern, January 3, 1855; Sylvanus S. Bird, December 3, 1855; Lewis L. 
Bevan, March 24, 1856; F. P. Stambach, December 18, 1860; Darius S. 
Gilger, March 25, 1864; William A. Sterling, April 6, 1888; Simon C. 
Wagenseller, August 13, 1890.
	The free delivery system was established on the 1st of December, 
1890.

                            BANKS.

	 The Shamokin Bank† had its inception in 1854. At that date the 
town was at the height of its early prosperity. The railroad was in 
successful 
_________________________________________________________
	*The above particulars regarding early postal facilities, have been 
derived from articles contributed to the Shamokin Herald by Dr. J. J. 
John.
	† The facts relating to this institution have been derived from a 
series of articles contributed to the Shamokin Herald by Dr. J. J. 
John.]
	
	END OF PAGE 621 
	
operation; several collieries had initiated coal shipments to distant 
points, and others were about to be opened; the furnace was in blast, 
and with a growing population it was apparent that banking facilities 
were necessary for the normal expansion of the business of the 
community. The popular sentiment was formally expressed at a meeting of 
citizens at Weaver's Hotel, when the first preliminary steps were taken, 
July 6, 1854. A second meeting was held, January 31, 1855; J. H. 
Zimmerman was twice elected to the legislature as a pledged supporter of 
the project, and through his efforts and those of David Taggart, State 
Senator, an act of incorporation was secured, May 15, 1857. The capital 
was placed at one hundred fifty thousand dollars, with the privilege of 
increasing it to double that amount. A meeting of the corporators was 
held on the 9th of June, 1857, with John Taggart, president, and W. P. 
Withington, secretary, at which committees were appointed to solicit 
stock. Owing to the financial stringency of that year, their efforts 
were unsuccessful; and, not willing to permit the charter to expire, 
recourse was then had to other than local sources, and the firm of E. S. 
& N. Thayer, of Buffalo, New York, were induced to purchase fifteen 
hundred twenty shares of stock, for which they deposited seven thousand 
dollars in specie and twenty-seven thousand dollars in notes of the 
Tioga and Crawford banks. The charter was accordingly issued by Governor 
Pollock, January 18, 1858; on the 23d of that month the stockholders 
elected J. H. Zimmerman president, Daniel A. Robinson cashier, and a Mr. 
Richardson teller.  Shamokin was represented in the directory by W. M. 
Weaver. W. P. Withington, and Joseph Bird.  Business was begun in the 
Bittenbender building, March 2,1858.
	Within a brief period the control passed from the Thayers to the 
Robinsons and from them to R. R. and J. Woods Underhill. In April, 1858, 
the affairs of the bank were investigated by a legislative committee, 
which reported in terms of strong censure and disapproval.  In order to 
make a creditable June statement, the Underhills placed five thousand 
dollars in specie in the vault with the intention of afterward 
withdrawing it, but in this design they were thwarted by the local 
directors.  About this time one Street induced the bank to issue twenty 
thousand dollars for him, promising to provide adequate collateral for 
its redemption; this he failed to do, and when the notes were presented 
to the Philadelphia correspondent for redemption, the funds for that 
purpose were soon exhausted. Inquiry developed the fact that eighty 
thousand dollars of the bank's notes were in circulation, with but 
fifteen thousand to redeem it, and that a stock note of thirty-eight 
thousand dollars from the Underhills constituted a large part of the 
assets of the institution. When they next visited Shamokin they were met 
by the local directors with a demand to substitute available funds for 
their stock note or assign all their interest to Stephen Bittenbender in 
trust. This they declined to do; and when it became known that they 
proposed leaving by the Trevorton 
	
	END OF PAGE 622 
	
stage on the following morning, President Zimmerman secretly secured a 
locomotive, went to Sunbury, and as the result of his visit the sheriff 
arrested the obstinate magnates just as they were about to take their 
departure. The bank was accordingly signed over to Mr. Bittenbender as 
trustee, the Underhills to have four weeks in which to redeem it by 
producing sufficient funds to carry on the business properly. This they 
never did; and on the 11th of August, 1858, the requisite amount of 
stock having been subscribed, a reorganization was effected with the 
election of the following officers: president, J. H. Zimmerman; cashier, 
Samuel John; teller, Robert Underhill; directors: Joseph Bird, William 
H. Marshall, William M. Weaver, Elias Eisenhart, George Schall, Felix 
Maurer, William Deppen, Elida John, H. J. Wolverton, William T. Grant, 
William Elliott, and Joseph Hoover.
	The institution thus passed into local control. Its officers were 
business men of standing and means, and notwithstanding the incubus of 
previous bad management, confidence in its integrity was gradually 
restored. The first dividend, two and one half per cent., was declared 
in November, 1860. President Zimmerman resigned, September 27, 1858, and 
was succeeded by Felix Maurer; he died in the following year, and F. W. 
Pollock was elected to the position, November 30, 1859. Charles W. Peale 
succeeded Mr. John as cashier, November 30, 1859, and was followed in 
January, 1863, by Thomas C. Trotter, who was superseded by Thomas D. 
Grant in the following December. "Northumberland County" was substituted 
for "Shamokin" in the name about this time. On the 1st of February, 
1865, it became a national bank, and as a State institution, after 
experiencing the scrutiny of several legislative committees and a 
variety of vicissitudes unparalleled in the financial record of this 
part of the State, the bank passed into history.

	The Northumberland County National Bank was incorporated, February 
1,1865, with F. W. Pollock, president, and Thomas D. Grant, cashier; the 
latter was succeeded in April, 1865, by T. G. Bogle, who was followed in 
June, 1869, by F. S. Haas. In 1868-69, a three-story brick bank building 
was erected at the corner of Sunbury and Washington streets. The 
business was begun under favorable auspices, and the management for some 
years enjoyed the confidence and patronage of the business community. 
But in the financial stringency of 1877 it was compelled to suspend, and 
its affairs were placed in the hands of W. H. M. Cram as receiver. Its 
existence terminated with the business necessary to the distribution of 
its assets among it creditors.

	The Miners' Trust and Safe Deposit Company originated in a private 
banking house established in 1868 by Addison G. and J. C. Marr. Their 
office was on Shamokin street, in the Bittenbender building. Legislative 
incorporation was secured, May 18, 1871, the corporators being John B. 
Douty, Andrew Robertson, Isaac May, Sr., Henry Guiterman, Andrew 
Langdon, Alexander Fulton, and Addison G. Marr. The authorized capital 
was two hundred thousand dollars, and business was begun with a paid-up 
capital 
	
	END OF PAGE 623 
	
of twenty-six thousand dollars.  Andrew Robertson was president; Isaac 
May, Sr. vice-president; Addison G. Marr, cashier, and Withington Lake, 
treasurer.  The bank erected the substantial brick building at the 
corner of Rock and Shamokin streets now occupied by the Shamokin Banking 
Company, and there its business was conducted until the 17th of 
February, 1877, when it suspended.  Some months later Withington Lake 
was appointed assignee, and the final settlement of its affairs has been 
the source of considerable litigation.

	The Shamokin Banking Company was incorporated by legislative 
enactment, May 24,1871, with an authorized capital of one hundred 
thousand dollars.  Conrad Graeber, Alfred J. Medlar, George W. Ryon, 
Charles F. Rahn, George McEliece, and Levi Huber, the corporators, 
organized on the 30th of June, 1871.  The first board of directors was 
elected, August 4,1871, and was composed as follows: Levi Huber, A. J. 
Medlar, Charles F. Rahn, Conrad Graeber, George W. Ryon, George 
McEliece, Samuel John, Charles P. Helfenstein, A. A. Heim, and William 
H. Marshall; on the same day, George W. Ryon was elected president, 
Conrad Graeber, vice-president, and I. S. Huber, cashier.  Business was 
commenced, September 4, 1871, on the east side of Sunbury street near 
the corner of Washington; the present banking building, at the northeast 
corner of Shamokin and Rock streets, was first occupied, March 28, 1879. 
Conrad Graeber became president, January 6, 1873; David Llewellyn, 
September 14, 1883, and George W. Ryon, the present incumbent, January 
20, 1891.  I. S. Huber, the first cashier, still retains that position. 
D. W. Heim, the present teller, is also the first person elected to that 
office.  The paid-up capital, originally twenty-five thousand dollars, 
was increased to fifty thousand dollars, at which it has since remained, 
November 15, 1873.  The surplus fund amounts to thirty-five thousand 
dollars.

	The First National Bank was organized, September 1, 1883, with 
Conrad Graeber, president; Alexander Fulton, vice-president; George C. 
Graeber, cashier, and a board of directors consisting of Conrad Graeber, 
Alexander Fulton, George C. Graeber, Isaac May, Sr., John Mullen, George 
Hack, and John S. Graeber. It was incorporated, September 12, 1883, and 
commenced business, September 17, 1883. The present banking building, a 
substantial brick and stone structure at the northwest corner of Sunbury 
and Rock streets, was first occupied in June, 1888.  The following is a 
list of presidents since the organization of the bank: Conrad Graeber, 
Isaac May, Sr., and John Mullen. George C. Graeber has filled the office 
of cashier since his first election to that position. The present 
directory is composed of John Mullen, president; Andrew D. Robertson, 
vice-president; George C. Graeber, cashier; William C. Smith, Daniel 
Eisenhart, Charles A. Graeber, Martin Markle, and John Schabo. The 
present teller is Frederick Lorenz, who has filled that position since 
September, 1887. The capital is one hun-
	
	END OF PAGE 624 
	
dred thousand dollars, and the surplus (October, 1890), forty-five 
thousand dollars.
	
                  WATER, GAS, AND ELECTRIC LIGHT.

	 Prior to the opening of the mines there were a number of fine 
springs on the mountain north of Shamokin and others at various places 
within the limits of the borough, thus obviating for many years any 
necessity for an artificial system of water supply, the first 
introduction of which occurred about the year 1850 when William and 
Reuben Fagely laid a line of pine logs with two-inch bore on Sunbury 
street. The boring was done by Michael Hoffman, a pump maker of Ralpho 
township in the vicinity of Elysburg. Several years later a line of 
similar construction was laid on Shamokin street from a spring on the 
mountain to the railroad crossing, where there was a public fountain 
from which the United States and National Hotels and private dwellings 
in that vicinity derived their supply. This was probably constructed by 
the Philadelphia and Sunbury Railroad Company. Iron pipe was first 
introduced in 1858, when William and Reuben Fagely laid a line on 
Liberty street from Cameron to Sunbury, and on Sunbury street from 
Orange to Shamokin, and in 1865 Stephen Bittenbender constructed a line 
of similar material on Pearl street from Dewart to Sunbury; thence on 
Sunbury street to Shamokin, and on Shamokin street to the railroad 
crossing.
	The works mentioned were entirely the result of private enterprise, 
and, although crude in design and construction, they doubtless proved a 
means of public utility and convenience. It became evident, however, 
that an adequate supply could be obtained only by corporate agency, and 
in 1869 an effort was made to organize a water company. A meeting of 
citizens was held at the office of Reuben Fagely, corner of Sunbury and 
Shamokin streets; William H. Marshall was elected president and Dr. J. 
J. John secretary, but the project never developed beyond the incipient 
stage.

	The Shamokin Water Company was incorporated, August 7,1872, with a 
capital of one hundred thousand dollars. The corporators were William H. 
Marshall, W. R. Kutzner, Daniel Yost, W. M. Weaver, F. J. Anspach, 
Reuben Fagely, Daniel S. Miller, Isaac May, Sr., John B. Douty, Matthias 
Emes, John Rosser, Thomas Rosser, and Withington Lake.  Their first 
meeting was held, August 9, 1872, W. H. Marshall presiding; the first 
election of directors occurred, August 19, 1872, resulting in the choice 
of John B. Douty, William H. Marshall, Isaac May, Sr., Reuben Fagely, F. 
J. Anspach, W. R. Kutzner, William Brown, Matthias Emes, and Conrad 
Graeber. At a meeting of the directors, August 23, 1872, Isaac May, Sr., 
was elected president of the board; John B. Douty, vice-president; F. J. 
Anspach, secretary, and William H. Marshall, treasurer. The works were 
constructed under the supervision of F. J. Anspach as engineer, with 
Trout run as the source of supply; a reservoir was constructed on that 
stream, and the water passed by gravity through a twelve-inch wooden 
main to a tank 
	
	END OF PAGE 625 
	
near the corner of Sunbury and Eighth streets, whence it was pumped 
through a sixteen-inch iron main to a wooden tank on the side of the 
mountain near the culm bank of the Cameron colliery, thus obtaining 
sufficient pressure for distribution to all parts of the town. Water was 
first supplied for public consumption in 1873. In 1875 a new route was 
laid out for the main pipe to a point thirty-nine hundred feet further 
up the run, thus giving sufficient vertical height for a gravity service 
and doing away with the expensive and irregular pumping system. The 
present plant includes four reservoirs, one of thirty-five million 
gallons, the others of one million gallons each, situated in Brush 
valley three miles from the borough, the largest at an altitude of one 
hundred forty feet above the level of Sunbury street at the intersection 
of Shamokin. There are about thirty miles of mains, extending to every 
part of Shamokin borough and the adjoining portions of Coal township, 
and a daily consumption ranging from two to two and one half millions of 
gallons. The present officers are as follows: president, W. C. 
McConnell; secretary, George O. Martz, and treasurer, C. Q. McWilliams.

	The Roaring Creek Water Company was incorporated, November 11, 
1884, with a capital of one hundred forty-eight thousand dollars, and 
organized, October 1, 1884, with the following officers: president, D. 
B. Kulp; secretary, W. C. McConnell; treasurer, C. Q. McWilliams; 
directors: John Haas, W. C. McConnell, C. Q. McWilliams, D. B. Kulp, and 
H. M. McClure. The rapid increase in the population of Shamokin in the 
decade immediately following the organization of the Shamokin Water 
Company created a demand for which Trout run was inadequate as a source 
of supply; hence the formation of this company, for the purpose of 
extending the receiving mains to Roaring creek, a distance of ten and 
one half miles.  The work of construction was begun in 1886, under the 
supervision of A. B. Cochran as engineer, and a line of sixteen-inch 
pipe was laid from Roaring creek to the headwaters of Trout run, a 
distance of twenty-seven thousand nine hundred fifteen feet, involving 
the opening of two tunnels, one forty-five hundred, the other nine 
hundred feet in length. The waters of Rearing creek were first turned 
into Trout run on the 2d of September, 1886, and on the 2d of October a 
continuous flow from Rearing creek to Shamokin was established. The 
reservoir is situated in Mt. Carmel township; it has a superficial area 
of five acres, and an altitude of two hundred eighty feet above the 
level of Shamokin street at the railroad crossing. In June, 1887, the 
mains of this company were connected with those of the Shamokin Water 
Company by a line of fourteen-inch pipe four and one half miles in 
length, thus making a continuous line of pipe ten miles in length, and 
consummating one of the most extensive engineering projects ever 
attempted in connection with the water supply of an inland town. It has 
been attended with results that amply justify the work. Adequate 
provision is made for a practically inexhaustible supply of pure water 
sufficient to meet the demands of the consuming community for years to 
come. 
	
	END OF PAGE 626 
	
The watersheds of both the Trout run and Roaring creek reservoirs are 
owned by the respective companies, which are thus enabled to guarantee 
absolute freedom from contaminating influence. The elevation of the 
reservoir gives sufficient pressure to afford protection in case of 
fire; and the abundance of the supply constitutes one of the most 
important of the many advantages offered by Shamokin as a manufacturing 
site.

	The Anthracite Water Company was organized, April 15, 1885, with 
the following directors: president, D. B. Kulp; secretary, W. C. 
McConnell; treasurer, C. Q. McWilliams; H. M. McClure, and George H. 
Neff, who, with John Haas, were the corporators, and received a charter, 
May 18, 1885, with a capital of eight thousand dollars. The company 
supplies Coal township, and its plant was constructed in 1888. A 
reservoir on Trout run is the source of supply.

	The Bear Gap Water Company was organized, December 17, 1888, and 
incorporated, January 15, 1889, with a capital of forty thousand 
dollars, since increased to one hundred thousand. The first officers 
were George O. Martz, president, W. C. McConnell, secretary, and John 
Haas, treasurer, who, with C. Q. McWilliams, John H. Fulton, and George 
H. Neff, were the original members of the company, which was formed for 
the purpose of supplying Mt. Carmel township with water from Roaring 
creek. A dam is now in course of construction on that stream five miles 
below the dam of the Roaring Creek Water Company. At this point a 
Worthington high-duty pumping engine will be placed; the capacity of 
this engine will be sufficient to pump one and one half million gallons 
of water every twenty-four hours through forty-two hundred sixty feet of 
ten-inch pipe to the mountain top north of Hickory Ridge, a vertical 
height of seven hundred sixty-four feet. Here two reservoirs with a 
capacity of one million gallons each will be constructed, from which ten 
miles of distributing mains will lead to Locust Gap, Locust Summit, and 
the principal collieries and villages in Mt. Carmel township.

	The Shamokin Gas Light Company was organized, July 23, 1874, and 
incorporated in the same year with a capital of twenty-five thousand 
dollars. Charles P. Helfenstein was the first president. The works, 
situated on Independence street between Market and Eighth, consist of 
one holder with a capacity of eighty-five hundred cubic feet, with the 
necessary accessories, and the mains extend through the principal 
streets of the town. The present officers are as follows: directors: 
president, Holden Chester; vice-president, John Mullen; treasurer, 
George W. Ryon; A. Robertson, L. B. Morganroth, John P. Helfenstein, and 
J. J. John; secretary and superintendent, A. A. Heim.

	The Edison Electric Illuminating Company of Shamokin, Pennsylvania, 
was incorporated, November 29, 1882, with a capital of twenty-seven 
thousand dollars, and the following directors: president, William H. 
Douty; 
	
	END OF PAGE 627 
	
secretary, William Beury; treasurer, John Mullen; A. Robertson, C. C. 
Leader, P. B. Shaw, and Holden Chester. The present directory is 
composed as follows: president, Holden Chester; secretary, George O. 
Martz; treasurer, John Mullen; A. Robertson, William C. Smith, C. C.. 
Leader, and W. C. McConnell.

	The Shamokin Arc Light Company was incorporated, August 17, 1887, 
with a capital of ten thousand dollars.  The first directory consisted 
of Holden Chester, president; C. C. Leader, secretary; William Beury, 
treasurer; A. Robertson, John Mullen, W. C. McConnell, and George O. 
Martz.
	The two companies last mentioned are practically identical in 
management.  The plants are located on Independence street; that of the 
Edison company has engines of two hundred forty horse-power, and its 
illuminating capacity is twenty-three hundred lights of ten candle-
power.  The Arc Light company has engines of one hundred horse-power, 
and its illuminating capacity is one hundred lights of two thousand 
candle-power.  The superintendent of both companies is John McEliece.
	
                        BOARD OF TRADE.

	 The Shamokin Board of Trade is an organization designed to promote 
the general commercial and industrial interests of the borough by 
calling attention to its advantages as a place of residence and for the 
investment of capital; to solicit manufacturers to locate here, or in 
the territory immediately contiguous; to obtain an extension of its 
transportation facilities, and, in a general way, to encourage 
enterprises conducive to the prosperity of the business community.  In 
pursuance of a call signed by a number of citizens, a meeting was held 
at the Hotel Vanderbilt, Monday, January 24, 1887; W. C. McConnell 
presided, and D. L. Sollenberger was chosen secretary.  The object of 
the meeting was stated by the chair, and the following gentlemen were 
appointed to prepare a constitution and by-laws: Addison G. Marr, 
William H. Douty, D. E. Shuster, John Weir, C. C. Leader, F. E. 
Ammerman, R. S. Aucker, and E. G. Seiler, whose report was adopted, 
January 31, 1887. On the 14th of February, 1887, a permanent 
organization was effected with the election of the following directors: 
William H. Douty, W. C. McConnell, Addison G. Marr, H. Floyd, D. E. 
Shuster, John Mullen, J. A. Weaver, Francis Hoover, C. C. Leader, George 
O. Martz, A. A. Heim, F. E. Ammerman, E. G. Seiler, R. S. Aucker, H. S. 
Zimmerman, and Levi Shoop. The first president was William H. Douty; 
first vice-president, B. S. Aucker; second vice-president, C. C. Leader; 
secretary, D. L. Sollenberger, and treasurer, J. H. Conley.  The present 
president is John Mullen; vice-president, William Beury; secretary, John 
P. Helfenstein, and treasurer, J. H. Conley.
	
                  SECRET AND OTHER SOCIETIES.

	 The following is a list of secret and other societies, with dates 
of organization or institution: Mount Tabor Lodge, No. 125, I.O.O.F., 
	
	END OF PAGE 628 
	
August 18, 1845; Shamokin Lodge, No. 664, I.O.O.F., April 12, 1869; 
Susquehanna Encampment, No. 60, I.O.O.F., July 12, 1867; Shamokin Lodge, 
No. 255, F. & A.M., August 4, 1851; Shamokin Chapter, No. 264, R.A.M., 
June 18, 1883; Shamokin Council, No. 71, O.U.A.M., December 22, 1865; 
Shamokin Lodge, No. 156, K. of P., June 9, 1869; Lincoln Post, No. 140, 
G.A.R., June 23, 1868, reorganized, June 20,1870; J. Weimer Young 
Command, No. 7, Union Veterans' Legion, September 22, 1887; General 
George Washington Camp, No. 72, Sons of Veterans, September 25, 1882; 
Ladies' Aid Society, No. 18, Auxiliary to General George Washington 
Camp, No. 72, Sons of Veterans, February 2, 1889; Ivanhoe Conclave, No. 
9, Sovereign Patriotic Knights, November 9, 1869, reorganized, September 
23, 1889; Washington Camp, No. 30, P.O.S. of A., November 29, 1869; 
Washington Camp, No. 149, P.O.S. of A., 1874; Washington Camp, No. 187, 
P.O.S. of A., June 29, 1887; Anthony Wayne Commandery, No. 18, P.O.S. of 
A., October 7, 1880; Shickalamy Tribe, No. 148, I.O.R.M., 1870; True 
Workers' Lodge, No. 541, I.O.G.T., June 6, 1879; Shamokin Council, No. 
959, R.A., March 15, 1886; Naomi Council, No. 12, I.O.R.M., November 30, 
1889.
	
                    THE PRESS.

	 The first newspaper at Shamokin was the Journal, of which the 
first issue appeared, May 1, 1858. It was a six-column folio, edited and 
published by John Robins, but the project was relinquished before the 
close of its first volume. The materials of the office were purchased by 
Samuel John, under whose proprietorship the Register made its first 
appearance, March 8, 1860. After a period of suspension, he was followed 
by Daniel Bower, June 6, 1861, and with his retirement, April 29, 1862, 
the paper was finally discontinued On the 10th of June, 1862, the Herald 
made its debut with Daniel Bower and J. J. John as editors. J. Stewart 
McEwen succeeded Messrs. Bower and John, December 25, 1862, and S. B. 
Sisty, July 2, 1862. On the 23d of July, 1863, Owen M. Fowler assumed 
the proprietorship, and to him belongs the honor of first establishing a 
local paper on a permanent basis. He continued in charge until his 
death, May 9, 1874. From that date until the 1st of July the Herald was 
conducted by Dr. J. J. John; it was then purchased by Heffelfinger & 
Coder, both of whom had previously been in Mr. Fowler's employ. After a 
time Mr. Coder retired, and the publication was continued by Mr. 
Heffelfinger individually until February 9, 1889, when the paper was 
transferred to the present proprietors, John J. W. Schwartz and R. F. 
Howard. The daily edition was established, October 22, 1888.
	The Times had its inception in January, 1872, when A. Gilger 
started the Advertiser; it assumed the proportions of a regular 
newspaper, July 13, 1872, when the name was changed to the Times, with 
J. L. Gilger & Son as 
	
	END OF PAGE 629 
	
proprietors.  They were successively followed by Gilger & Fagely, the 
Shamokin Times Company, and D. L. Sollenberger & Company, the present 
proprietors, who assumed charge in November, 1879, the present 
constituent members of the firm being D. L. Sollenberger and W. S. 
Guiterman.  The Daily Times was started, October 17, 1883, and 
discontinued, October 14, 1884.  The Daily Dispatch was first issued, 
November 21, 1886.
	The National Greenback, Sentinel, Talk of the Day, etc., are among 
the defunct journals of recent years.
	
                          CHURCHES.

	 St. Edward's Catholic Church is the oldest religions organization 
at Shamokin, and built the first church in the town.  During the 
construction of the Danville and Pottsville railroad a large number of 
Catholics were employed on that work, and as early as 1838 Catholic 
services were held in Shamokin by the pastors of Pottsville and 
Minersville.  About one acre of land for a church and cemetery was 
secured in the west end of the village (the present site of the knob 
factory), and in the spring of 1839 sufficient money had been raised to 
erect a small unplastered frame church twenty by thirty-two feet in 
dimensions on the southwest corner of the lot.  Patrick Reilly, master 
mechanic in the railroad shops, and Matthew Brannigan were the leading 
spirits in the enterprise, and Stephen Bittenbender put up the building. 
It was dedicated as St. Edward's, October 11, 1846, by Bishop Kenrick of 
Philadelphia.  The little congregation was visited occasionally by the 
pastors of the Pottsville, Minersville, Danville, and Milton churches 
and sometimes a missionary would put in his appearance, and thus the 
faith was kept alive in the hearts of the early Catholics of Shamokin. 
>From October, 1854, until October, 1857, Rev. Michael Sheridan, pastor 
of St. Joseph's church at Danville, had charge of the congregation.  He 
was succeeded by Rev. Edward Murray, who served the Shamokin 
congregation nearly nine years.
	In September, 1866, Rev. J. J. Koch, then pastor of St. Joseph's of 
Milton, was appointed the first resident pastor of St. Edward's, with 
Trevorton and Locust Gap as missions.  He immediately began the work of 
building up and infusing new life into his congregation.  The present 
church site was purchased at a cost of thirty-four hundred dollars; the 
old building was torn down in November, 1866, and rebuilt, considerably 
enlarged, on the new site.  In the spring of 1867 it was again enlarged 
to accommodate the growing congregation.  In the spring of 1869 a lot 
adjoining the church was bought for nine hundred dollars and the present 
substantial parochial residence erected thereon at a cost of eight 
thousand five hundred dollars. The congregation increased so rapidly 
that a new church became an imperative necessity, and in the summer of 
1872 ground was broken for the foundation.  On the 14th of September 
following Father Koch laid the first 
	
	END OF PAGE 630
	Page 631 contains a portrait of J. Joseph Koch.
	Page 632 is blank.
	
stone in the walls of the present imposing structure, of which the 
corner-stone was laid, May 23, 1873, by Bishop O'Hara of Scranton, in 
the presence of a large assemblage which gathered to witness the 
impressive ceremonies. The pastor let the contract for the entire 
stonework, but after working six weeks the contractor abandoned the 
work.  Not to be thwarted in his cherished plans, Father Koch at once 
took charge of the construction of the building, and, notwithstanding 
his numerous pastoral duties, he hired the masons and daily 
superintended the work until the massive stone walls were ready for the 
roof. By December, 1873, the building was roofed, and on Christmas 
morning Father Koch celebrated Mass in the basement. Though much was 
accomplished, much still remained to be done, and in the following 
spring work was resumed. The walls were finished, the massive tower 
built, a pavement laid around the church, and the basement, which is ten 
feet high in the clear, plastered and fitted up for divine worship. The 
entire structure is built of white cut sandstone, quarried from the 
mountain about one mile from Shamokin. It is sixty-four by one hundred 
twenty-five feet in size, and the tower is two hundred seven feet high. 
The interior is fifty-six by one hundred nineteen feet in dimensions, 
and the ceiling is forty-two feet high. The building is finished in the 
Corinthian and Romanesque style, and is the largest and costliest church 
edifice in Northumberland county.
	The lack of funds prevented Father Koch from completing the 
interior, and from Christmas, 1878, until June, 1880, the congregation 
worshiped in the basement. In November, 1876, a chime of four bells was 
hung in the tower, weighing, with mountings, eight thousand five hundred 
pounds. In 1879 the contract for finishing the interior (except 
frescoing) was given to Joseph Nesbit, of Lewisburg, and on the 1st of 
January, 1880, it was ready for the painter's brush. The frescoing 
required four months, and was done by a well known Philadelphia artist. 
Over the main altar are life-size paintings of the Crucifixion, St. 
Patrick, and St. Edward, the patron of the church. In the center of the 
ceiling is a fresco twenty-two feet in diameter representing the 
resurrection of Christ, surrounded by figures of the four Evangelists, 
and around the walls are paintings of the twelve Apostles. Handsome 
altars, beautiful stained glass windows, and a new pipe-organ were also 
put in at this time. The church was dedicated with imposing ceremonies, 
June 6, 1880, by Bishop Shanahan, who delivered the dedicatory address, 
his theme being "The Infallibility of the Church." A large number of 
priests were present, and special trains brought to Shamokin hundreds of 
people who were anxious to witness the dedication.
	Many costly improvements have since been made, which add to the 
artistic appearance and beauty of the interior. Two fine pieces of 
statuary, representing, respectively, "Christ meeting His Mother on His 
way to Calvary" and "The Descent of the Cross," one on each side of the 
sanctuary, are 
	
	END OF PAGE 633 
	
especially noticeable.  These were imported from France by Father Koch. 
The whole building is lighted with electricity and heated with steam. 
Its seating capacity is over one thousand, while as many as fourteen 
hundred people have been gathered within its walls. The total cost of 
the entire building and furniture as it stands to-day was about fifty 
thousand dollars.
	The congregation numbers over three thousand souls, and takes pride 
in its very large and prosperous Sunday school, which meets in the 
basement of the church. This was organized soon after Father Koch 
assumed the pastorate, and has kept pace with the growth of the 
congregation. To Father Koch's indefatigable labors and wise management 
is principally due the rapid growth of the Catholic church in Shamokin. 
>From the day he came to the town until the present he has toiled 
faithfully in this portion of God's vineyard.  He is loved by the 
Catholics of the borough, and respected by all for his high Christian 
character and the grand work that he has accomplished for his people.

	St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church. About thirty years ago a few 
Polish immigrants located at Shamokin and soon after organized the St. 
Stanislaus Kostka Beneficial Society, which ultimately formed the germ 
of the present church. Rev. Joseph Juszkiewicz was finally sent to 
Shamokin by the bishop of the diocese for the purpose of organizing a 
congregation from the Polish Catholics previously connected with St. 
Edward's church. A site on the corner of Vine and Race streets 
containing a frame house was purchased by that gentleman, and a small 
frame building was erected thereon in which to hold services. In 1874 he 
laid the foundation of the present brick edifice, but lack of funds 
prevented its completion for more than seven years, during which time 
the small frame church was used.  The new structure was finally 
dedicated by Bishop Shanahan on the 8th of December, 1881. Rev. Florian 
Klonowski succeeded Father Juszkiewicz, July 13, 1876, and has been 
pastor to the present time. When the parochial school was established 
Father Klonowski gave up his house to the Sisters, and erected the 
present commodious parochial residence. Since the coming of Father 
Klonowski he has made many improvements in the church property, and 
worked hard and successfully for the spiritual and material prosperity 
of his congregation, which now embraces over four hundred families.

	Methodist Episcopal Church.- The first Methodist sermon at Shamokin 
was preached in 1837 by Rev. Charles B. Brown, junior preacher on the 
Sunbury circuit. He was led through the woods from Oak Grove, then known 
as Dark Corner, by Benjamin McClow, and on his arrival was entertained 
by Ziba Bird.  The first service was held in a school house on Dewart 
street, and the audience was composed of nearly all the inhabitants of 
the place, about twenty in number. Mr. Brown favored his hearers with a 
discourse lasting over an hour.  The organization of a class was 
effected in June, 1838, by Rev. Henry Dill, minister on the Sunbury 
circuit; the 
	
	END OF PAGE 634 
	
members were Sylvanus S. Bird, leader, his wife Sarah Bird, Benjamin 
McClow and wife Rebecca, Jehu John and wife Patience, Joseph Bird, and 
Pemberton Bird. Regular services were conducted on alternate Sundays in 
the old school house and the prayer meetings were held at the house of 
Benjamin McClow. The first Methodist revival was held in the new school 
house on Sunbury street soon after its completion. In the fall of 1841 a 
camp meeting, conducted by Reverends John Ball and Gideon H. Day, was 
held in a grove near the intersection of Commerce and Mt. Carmel 
streets, at which many members were added to the church.
	On the 21st of August, 1856, a meeting of the male members was 
called in the school building to consider the advisability of erecting a 
church edifice. Pemberton Bird presided and acted as secretary; it was 
decided to erect a church building sixty by forty-five feet, the height 
of the basement to be twelve feet and that of the audience room 
seventeen feet, and to accept Judge William L. Helfenstein's offer of 
building lots. On the 27th of the same month a special meeting was 
called by Rev. John Taneyhill to make further arrangements; on that date 
the first board of trustees was appointed, consisting of Pemberton Bird, 
George Weaver, John Shipp, F. A. Clark, Benjamin McClow, George R. 
Coder, David Chidister, Joseph Reader, and D. S. Miller, of whom the 
last named still retains that office and is now president of the board. 
September 13, 1856, a meeting was held in the school house, Rev. N. W. 
Colburn presiding, when a draft for the new building was presented by 
Benjamin McClow, and approved by all present. The first subscription 
books were circulated by Pemberton Bird and John Shipp; July 6, 1857, a 
church seal was adopted bearing the inscription "The M. E. Church at 
Shamokin, with the device of an open Bible in the center. In 1857 Rev. 
M. L. Drun with his own hands broke ground for the new church building. 
The enterprise was postponed, however, from time to time, on account of 
disputes as to location among the members. At a meeting on the 20th of 
April, 1859, the pastor, H. Van Gasken, F. A. Clark, John Shipp, G. H. 
Coder, and D. S. Miller were added to the committee to secure 
subscriptions, and J. L. Gilger was awarded the contract for two 
thousand three hundred dollars. In 1866 a parsonage was built at a cost 
of twenty-five hundred dollars, and the church was remodeled at a cost 
of about two thousand dollars.
	Measures were first taken for the erection of the present church 
edifice, April 2, 1882, when A. M. Osmun, Charles Latham, Oscar 
Strombach, John B. Douty, William Umpleby, James Smith, Mrs. D. S. 
Miller, Mrs. J. P. Miller, and Miss Emma Bird were appointed to assist 
the trustees - D. S. Miller, W. L. Gilger, A. A. Heim, M. Emes, Robert 
Goodwill, Isaac May, Sr., J. F. Eisenhart, William K. Snyder, and 
William H. Moore - in securing subscriptions. At a meeting on April 
30th, the following building committee was appointed: Withington Lake, 
Philip Thomas, Anthony Smith, A. M. Osmun, and T. H. Lippiatt.  The 
contract was awarded to Jacob 
	
	END OF PAGE 635 
	
Mutchler and John P. Miller, who commenced work, June 4, 1883, under the 
direct supervision of A. A. Heim. The corner-stone was laid, August 2, 
1883, by Presiding Elder M. L. Smyser, assisted by Roy. John Donahue, 
who delivered the address. During the progress of the work the 
congregation worshiped in the Evangelical church on Sunbury street, and 
the class meetings were held in a small building erected from timbers of 
the old church. The lecture room or basement was dedicated and occupied 
as a place of worship, December 23, 1883, Rev. M. L. Smyser preaching 
both morning and evening. The finances were in charge of Rev. S. C. 
Swallow, and over five thousand dollars were collected. After the 
dedication of the basement, work on the building ceased until the winter 
of 1885-86, when, upon the strong solicitation of the Ladies' Aid 
Society, and their offer to assist in raising money to complete the 
edifice, the trustees were induced to resume work, and a new committee, 
composed of D. S. Miller, A. A. Heim, and William K. Snyder, was 
appointed to carry out the project.  The main audience room was finished 
and at length dedicated, February 6, 1887, Rev. George W. Miller 
presiding, when the amount realized was somewhat in excess of the 
remaining debt - six thousand five hundred dollars. The total cost of 
the whole structure was about twenty-five thousand dollars.
	The following is a list of pastors since the first class was 
organized: 1838, H. G. Dill, John Hall; 1839, John Rhodes, William 
Hirst; 1840, John Rhodes, John Ball; 1841, John Ball, G. H. Day; 1842, 
George Bergstresser, William Baird; 1843, Alem Brittain, Jacob 
Montgomery; 1844, Alem Brittain, John W. Tongue; 1845, J. W. Haughawaut, 
J. McMurray; 1846, J. W. Haughawaut, Thomas Barnhart; 1847, Peter 
McEnally, H. Huffman; 1848, James Ewing, J. P. Simpson; 1849, James 
Ewing, William Gwinn; 1850, John Stine, William Gwinn; 1851, John Stine, 
Albert Hartman; 1852, Joseph Ross, T. M. Goodfellow; 1853, Joseph Ross, 
Asbury Guyer; 1854, J. G. McKeehan, James Curns; 1855, J. G. McKeehan, 
B. P. King; 1856, Thomas Taneyhill, N. W. Colburn; 1857, Thomas 
Taneyhill, M. L. Drum: 1858, George Warren, F. B. Riddle; 1859, George 
Warren, F. B. Riddle; 1860, Elisha Butler, J. P. Swanger; 1861, Elisha 
Butler, J. A. Dixon; 1862, A. M. Creighton, B. F. Stevens, S. C. Swallow; 
1863-66, J. F. Porter; 1866-69, F. B. Riddle; 1869-72, N. S. Buckingham; 
1872-75, J. C. Clark; 1875-77, W. Lee Spottswood, D. D.; 1877-80, Thomas 
M. Reese; 1880-82, J. S. McMurray, D. D.; 1882-85, F. B. Riddle; 1885- 
88, S. M. Frost, D. D.; 1888-90, John B. Polsgrove.
	The semi-centennial of this church was celebrated, June 23-25, 
1888. At this service quite a number of the former pastors were present, 
and, after a very interesting program of three days' duration, the 
meeting closed by a cancellation of the church debt and the burning of 
the bonds.
	The Sunday school was first organized by Rev. James Curns, junior 
preacher on the circuit, with twenty-five scholars and Pemberton Bird as 
	
	END OF PAGE 636 
	
superintendent. It now numbers nearly twelve hundred scholars, has a 
fine library, and is in a very flourishing condition.

	Second Methodist Episcopal Church. The first movement toward the 
establishment of this church was made by Rev. F. B. Riddle, who began to 
preach in a Coal township school house near the western limit of the 
borough (the region then known as Scotch Hill), in August, 1882. A great 
religious interest had been awakened in this neighborhood during the 
spring of that year by Rev. George J. Byer, an itinerant evangelist, who 
held a series of revival services there, and the converts thus made were 
the nucleus around which the congregation gathered.  Through the 
influence of Rev. F. B. Riddle, Presiding Elder Rev. M. L. Smyser 
appointed Rev. M. J. Runyan to West Shamokin circuit, formed of West 
Shamokin, Uniontown, Springfield, and Bear Valley. The church was 
connected with this circuit until March, 1890, since which time it has 
supported a minister individually. A lot was purchased on the corner of 
Third and Chestnut streets for four hundred dollars, Aucker, Slayman & 
Company contracted for the erection of the building, and the audience 
room was dedicated by Reverends S. C. Swallow and J. A. De Moyer, 
February 18, 1883. In the spring of 1888 a vestibule was added and the 
basement finished for a Sunday school room.
	Rev. M. J. Runyan was pastor from August 6, 1882, to March 21, 
1883; E. H. Witman, from March 21, 1883, to March 27, 1884; R. S. 
Taylor, from March 27, 1884, to March 27, 1885; D. F. Stiles, from March 
27, 1885, to March 15, 1887; V. W. Rue, from March 15, 1887, to March 
25, 1890, when the present pastor, Rev. J. Horning, took charge.
	The Sunday school was organized with A. M. Osmun as superintendent.

	The Primitive Methodist Church was first organized as a mission, 
through the efforts of Rev. Daniel Savage, November 20, 1873. There were 
but eleven original members: James T. Harris, Thomas Lovel, William 
Owens, Anthony Smith, Jonathan Tillet, Benjamin Hudson, Ellen Hudson, 
Lizzie Hudson, Thomas James, Job Level, and David Tillet. Their first 
place of worship was the United Brethren church, where services were 
conducted until 1875. At this time a house of worship was erected which 
was occupied until 1880.  In 1876 the membership numbered sixty, and in 
July of that year they were organized as a self-sustaining church by 
Rev. Francis Gray, pastor at that time. At this meeting the following 
board of trustees was elected: Leonard Rogers, president; James McEndoe, 
secretary; John Childs, treasurer; James Chatman, James Williams, George 
Bennett, George Tuckett, and E. B. Bartel.
	From 1880 until 1882 services were held in Bennett's hall; it was 
in the latter year that the present church edifice was erected on land 
purchased from Anthony Smith.  The work was completed and the church 
dedicated, August 27, 1882, on which occasion Rev. W. L. Barringer 
officiated. It is a frame structure located on Seventh street between 
Arch and Chestnut, and 
	
	END OF PAGE 637 
	
has a capacity for seating two hundred thirty persons.  The trustees at 
the time of its erection were Leonard Rogers, James Gilton, Richard 
Tuckett, and John Banghart. The following are the names of some of the 
ministers: Reverends James Millington, E. Humphries, Francis Gray. 
Thomas Philips, H. G. Barringer, H. Reily, A. Humphries, George Ball, 
and J. C. Ludgate, the present pastor.
	The Sunday school connected with this church was organized in 1871.

	The African Methodist Episcopal Church was organized about the year 
1870, and met for worship at various places until the frame church 
edifice that now constitutes the place of meeting was built.  The 
society has never had a large representation at Shamokin, and is without 
regular pastoral service at the present time.

	The First Presbyterian Church was organized by Rev. William R. 
Smith and Ruling Elder John C. Boyd, a committee of the Northumberland 
Presbytery, April 8, 1845, when the following persons were received into 
membership: Jacob Smink, Mary Ann Runnion, Mary Cauterman, Mary Evert, 
Martha Caldwell, Sarah Ann Ried, Eve Smink, Harriet S. Eckert, Mary 
Black, Sarah Hamilton, Elizabeth Reppard, Daniel Eckert, Solomon Eckert, 
and Alexander Caldwell; the three persons last named were chosen as 
ruling elders.  The organization received the name of "Shamokintown 
Presbyterian Church."  The designation was not changed until 1876, when 
the church was incorporated under its present name.
	The first minister was Rev. James S. Hamilton, who was appointed as 
supply by the presbytery and took charge, April 20, 1846.  He held 
services in the old Central school building one year, but in 1847 a 
frame house of worship was erected by Stephen Bittenbender and Jonas L. 
Gilger on the site of the present church property, the lot having been 
presented by Lewis Dewart. Mr. Hamilton continued his labors here until 
1855.
	The following pastors have succeeded him: Rev. Phineas Marr 1855-
60, who served this church in connection with Elysburg and Hollowing 
Run; A. D. Hawn, 1860-67, during whose pastorate (1864-65) the church 
edifice was remodeled; Rev. John P. Conkey, 1867-70; T. S. Dewing, 1870- 
72; Samuel P. Linn, 1872; A. C. Clark, 1873-83, and J. W. Gilland, 1884, 
present incumbent.
	The question of erecting a new church building was presented to the 
congregation early in Mr. Gilland's pastorate.  Joseph C. Nesbit, of 
Lewisburg, was employed as architect, and the board of trustees was 
appointed a building committee and authorized to push the work forward 
as rapidly as possible.  The old house of worship was demolished during 
the month of February, 1887; at that time the subscription list amounted 
to only a small sum, but the energy and confidence of the trustees was 
strengthened from the fact that the Ladies' Aid Society had succeeded in 
building the fine parsonage on the rear end of the lot. The work was 
placed in the hands of 
	
	END OF PAGE 638 
	
George Marshall & Brother as contractors; the trustees appointed a 
special building committee, consisting of Alexander Fulton, George W. 
Ryon, Charles P. Helfenstein, J. W. Gilland, and A. H. Storrs; the work 
was advanced as rapidly as possible, and the chapel was furnished and 
ready for occupancy by the spring of 1888. During the winter and spring 
the congregation worshiped in the Lutheran church and the opera house. 
It was early apparent that the chapel would not accommodate the needs of 
the congregation; therefore, in the spring of 1889, steps were taken for 
the completion of the entire building, and the contract was awarded to 
Matthias Geist, June 25, 1889. It was finished at a cost of forty 
thousand dollars, and dedicated, March 16, 1890, on which occasion the 
pastor, Rev. J. W. Gilland, was assisted by Rev. William C. Cattell, D. 
D., LL. D., and Rev. Andrew Brydie.
	The Sunday school was organized in 1854, when the Union Sunday 
school of the place dissolved. Dr. William Atwater was the first 
superintendent. It is now one of the most prosperous schools in the 
town, and has a fine library.

	United Brethren in Christ.- Although services had been conducted at 
Shamokin by Rev. Joseph Young, a clergyman of this denomination, no 
organization was effected until 1846, when, through the efforts of Rev. 
Samuel Seiders, a church was formally organized with Jeremiah Zimmerman, 
S. S. Bird, George Krieger, and H. Hagey as trustees. A frame church 
edifice was erected on Sunbury street in 1848; it was remodeled and 
enlarged in 1869, rededicated on the 1st of August in that year, and 
served as the place of worship until 1890, when it was removed to make 
way for the new brick structure now approaching completion.
	The succession of pastors has been as follows: Reverends Samuel 
Seiders, Jacob Brewer, Joseph Young, Israel Carpenter, George Hoffman, 
George Gilbert, P. L. Zimmerman, Wesley Detrich, A. F. Yeager, John 
Swenk, G. W. M. Rigor, G. A. Snapp, J. P. Long, G. A. Lee, W. B. Evers, 
J. F. Mower, J. R. Reitzel, J. D. Kilian, George Brickley, W. H. S. 
Keys, D. D., E. P. Funk, J. G. Stiner, Solomon Merrick, E. W. Etter, D. 
D., W. H. Uhler, M. J. Heberly, J. H. Vonedia, H. B. Spayd, and J. P. 
Cowling, present incumbent.
	The Sunday school was organized in 1861 with Mahlon Scholl as first 
superintendent, and has been successfully continued to the present time.

	St. John's Church of the Evangelical Association.- In May, 1848, 
Reverends M. S. Reber and John Koehl visited Shamokin as missionaries 
representing the Evangelical Association.  Their first protracted 
meeting was held from the 7th to the 12th  of February, 1849, and 
resulted in eight conversions.  Shortly after this the first class was 
organized with the following members: Henry and Mrs. Keiser, Isaac and 
Mrs. Yoder, John and Mrs. Martin, Benjamin and Mrs. Startzel, Elias and 
Mrs. Eisenhart, Mrs. Mary Myers, and others, of whom Isaac Yoder was 
chosen class leader. From 
	
	END OF PAGE 639 
	
that date until 1867 the class was connected with Mahantango charge, for 
which the following appointments were made: 1849, Abraham Shultz, Jacob 
Gross; 1850, Jacob Gross, H. Russe; 1851-52, William Heim, Samuel 
Gaumer; 1853, C. Loose, Nicholas Gabel; 1854, Andrew Zeigenfus, James O. 
Lehr; 1855, Andrew Zeigenfus, J. W. Erner; 1856, Lewis Snyder, J. W. 
Erner; 1857, Reuben Deisher, Elias B. Miller; 1858, Joshua Frey, Elias 
B. Miller; 1859, George Knerr, D. Yingst; 1860, George Knerr, S. S. 
Chubb; 1861, Joseph Gross; 1862, Joshua Frey, Isaiah E. Knerr; 1863-64, 
C. Gingrich, David Lentz; 1865, Theodore Plattenberger, Davis Hambright; 
1866, Joseph Steltzer, W. K. Wieand; 1867, Theodore Plattenberger, W, K. 
Wieand. From 1868 to 1870, inclusive, the class was annexed to Trevorton 
mission, with the following pastors: 1868, Rev. C. Gingrich; 1870, Rev. 
S. S. Chubb. Since this time it has constituted a separate appointment 
with the following pastors in charge: 1871, Robert Mott; l873-74, B. J. 
Smoyer; 1875-77, W. A. Leopold; 1878, J. C. Bliem; 1879-81, W. A. 
Shoemaker; 1882-84, D. Z. Kembel; 1885-87, A. A. De Long; 1888, H. D. 
Shultz, present pastor.
	The first places of worship were the Central school building and 
the United Brethren church, for which the lecture room of the Reformed 
church was substituted in 1869.  In 1870, under the administration of 
Rev. S. S. Chubb, a church building was erected and dedicated, in which 
an organ was placed in 1874. It was remodeled in 1886, and in 1888 a 
commodious parsonage was erected. The congregation now worships in an 
attractive church edifice free from debt, with seating capacity of seven 
hundred.

	Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church.- Among the earliest supporters 
of this faith at Shamokin were William and Reuben Fagely, and through 
their efforts the Rev. J. P. Shindel, of Sunbury, was induced to 
institute occasional services at the Central school house about the year 
1840. Several Mormon missionaries were endeavoring to proselyte at the 
little mining town, and the immediate object of the Fagelys in 
introducing Lutheran worship was to counteract the influence of their 
work. It had the desired result, without, however, effecting anything 
immediate or definite in the way of Lutheran church organization. The 
Reverend Alleman, of St. Peter's and St. Jacob's churches in the 
Shamokin valley, partially effected an organization in 1842, and regular 
services were held under his administration and that of his successor, 
Rev. Philip Williard. On the 11th of October, 1854, the church was fully 
organized under Rev. C. J. Ehrhart as pastor. His incumbency was 
principally noticeable in view of the educational project undertaken - 
the erection of a college, now the Academy school building - which was 
not a success, and depleted the resources of the congregation to a 
serious extent. Mr. Ehrhart also conducted a private school of an 
academic grade. He was succeeded, October 11, 1857, by Rev. J. F. 
Wampole. Under his administration services were held in the Presbyterian 
church one year; in 1858 a room was fitted up in the Odd Fellows' hall 
by the Lutheran and Reformed 
	
	END OF PAGE 640 
	
congregations, and used by them on alternate Sundays for divine worship. 
Rev. J. B. Keller became pastor in 1865, and in the summer of that year 
a project for the erection of a church edifice assumed tangible form. C. 
S. Wetzel was the architect, and Jonas L. Gilger the contractor. The 
corner-stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies on the 8th of October, 
1865, Rev. H. Zeigler, D. D., officiating, assisted by the pastor. The 
basement was first occupied for public worship on the 20th of January, 
1867, and on the 11th of August, 1867, the completed edifice was 
dedicated, Rev. A. C. Wedekind, D. D., preaching the dedicatory sermon. 
On this occasion the contributions aggregated two thousand dollars. On 
the following Monday the Susquehanna Conference of the church assembled 
here.
	Since the resignation of Mr. Keller in 1869 the following clergymen 
have served as pastors: Reverends J. R. Williams, S. Domer, D. D., H. C. 
Haithcox, P, S. Hooper, J. A. Flickinger, L. D. Wells, and C. F. Steck:, 
the present pastor, who assumed charge in the autumn of 1889.
	The church edifice is a substantial brick structure on Sunbury 
street. It was originally fifty by seventy-five feet in dimensions, and 
in 1884 an addition of twenty-five feet was erected at the rear. Steam 
heating apparatus was provided in 1887, and in 1891 a fine pipe-organ 
was secured. The height of the tower is one hundred eighteen feet.

	Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church.- Several attempts were made to 
start a mission among the German Lutherans of Shamokin but none were 
successful until 1885, when Rev. H. Weicksel began to hold German 
services in Trinity Lutheran church every fourth Sabbath in the 
afternoon. As the hour proved inconvenient, a congregational meeting was 
held at Seiler's hall, October 31, 1885, and at this first business 
meeting of the church ten persons were present: Christian Lehner, Samuel 
Wagner, Martin Hoffman, Mrs. Sarah Mack, Lewis Marquart, John Myer, John 
W. Kessler, William H. Mack, Miss Ida Mack, and Rev. H. Wicksel; among 
the results of the meeting was a decision to hold German services every 
fourth Sabbath in Seiler's hall, to install Christian Lehner and Samuel 
Wagner as deacons, and have Lewis Marquart as treasurer. The 
congregation was served for some time by Rev. J. W. Early, after which 
Rev. H. Weicksel returned; the latter was succeeded by his son, Rev. W. 
Weicksel,, who was installed by his father, assisted by Rev. A. P. 
Pfleuger, September 16, 1888. A constitution was adopted, January 1, 
1888, and the organization was incorporated as the "German Evangelical 
Lutheran Grace Church of Shamokin" on the 11th of the following May. 
Rev. W. Weicksel is the present pastor, and through his efforts the 
church has now a membership of seventy-five communicants. Two large lots 
at the corner of Seventh and Chestnut streets have been secured for the 
future location of a church building.
	The first effort to establish a Sunday school was made, August 14, 
1887, by Luther Early, but for three successive Sabbaths the 
announcements for 
	
	END OF PAGE 641 
	
Sunday school was attended with no results. On the afternoon of the 
fifth appointment fourteen children were present and an organization was 
effected.

	St. John's Reformed Church was organized in 1855 by Rev. Henry 
Hoffman, with Benjamin Martz and Jacob Smink, Sr., as elders, Daniel 
Yost and D. C. Smink as deacons, and thirty-eight members. The first 
services of this church at Shamokin were held in 1839 by Rev. Richard A. 
Fisher, of Sunbury, who preached in the school house on Dewart street. 
He was succeeded by Rev. R. Duenger, who served from 1843 to 1846, when 
Mr. Fisher again resumed pastoral work and served from 1846 to 1854. In 
1854 the Shamokin charge was formed, composed of St. Jacob's and St. 
Peter's churches, Shamokin township, and this church; Rev. Henry Hoffman 
was pastor from 1854 to 1857, Rev. Henry Losch, D. D., from 1857 to 
1858, and Rev. C. A. Rittenhouse, from 1858 to 1861. In 1858 the 
Lutheran and Reformed people rented a room in the Odd Fellows' hall, 
where services were held by both denominations on alternate Sabbaths. 
During Mr. Rittenhouse's pastorate two lots were secured on Eighth 
street and considerable lumber purchased for the erection of a church 
edifice, but the project was abandoned, owing to the ineligibility of 
the location and the resignation of the pastor. The church was without a 
pastor from 1861 to 1864, and when Rev. H. H. W. Hibschman took charge 
(1864) but five members remained: William Wary and wife, D. C. Smink and 
wife, and Mrs. Wary.
	Services were successively conducted in the school house on Dewart 
street, the school house on Sunbury street, the Presbyterian church, the 
United Brethren church, Odd Fellows' hall, and the Academy. It was not 
long, however, until the question of erecting a church edifice was 
presented. Money was collected through the personal efforts of Mr. 
Hibschman, with the exception of some thirteen hundred dollars which 
were raised by a fair. The building was erected by Daniel Yost and 
dedicated, May 5,1867. Mr. Hibschman resigned in 1868 and was succeeded 
by Rev. C. Schools, 1868-71, and Rev. D. W. Kelly, 1871-75. During this 
time the congregation had increased to such an extent that it was 
separated from the other churches of the charge, St. Jacob's and St. 
Peter's, and became a pastorate individually. As such it called Rev. D. 
O. Shoemaker, who was pastor until 1879; Rev. T. J. Hacker was ordained 
and installed, June 17, 1879. During the next year the church and 
parsonage were repaired, and on Christmas day, 1883, the pastor 
announced to the congregation that their property was entirely free from 
debt. In 1885 a frame building thirty-six by fifty feet was temporarily 
erected at the rear of the church building for the use of the infant 
department of the Sunday school.
	At a congregational meeting in 1888 the consistory, composed of 
Elders Samuel Yost, C. C. Leader, R. S. Aucker, D. Eisenhart, and E. G. 
Seiler, and Deacons J. S. Haas, F. G. Seiler, C. J. Lessig, J. S. 
Zimmerman, J. Zart-
	
	END OF PAGE 642 
	
man, and T. H. Paul, were empowered to erect a new church edifice. 
Charles W. Bolton, architect, designed the church and chapel in such a 
manner that the latter could be erected without interfering with the old 
church building. The contract was awarded to Aucker, Slayman & Company, 
and the chapel was dedicated, May 11, 1890, Rev. Joseph H. Dubbs, D. D., 
assisting the pastor. This building, fronting on Grant street seventy-
one feet, with a depth of seventy-four feet, is built on a quarter-
circle plan; it is particularly adapted to Sunday school purposes, with 
department rooms and class alcoves in the gallery, and was erected at a 
cost of twelve thousand dollars. The pastorate of Rev. T. J. Hacker has 
extended over eleven years with the following as the present (1890) 
statistics of the congregation: members, seven hundred thirty, 
unconfirmed members, six hundred fifty, of whom one hundred fifteen are 
German, necessitating German services every alternate Sabbath; Sunday 
school: officers and teachers, forty-two; pupils, seven hundred fifty, 
with a mission school at Excelsior of one hundred twelve pupils.
	The Sunday school was connected with other schools from 1858 to 
1865, but since the latter date has been a separate organization. Early 
in the year 1858 the Reformed and Lutheran congregations organized a 
Sunday school in Bittenbender's hall, with D. C. Smink, Reformed, and 
Solomon Weaver, Lutheran, as superintendents. They remained in this hall 
only six or eight months, when the school was removed to the Odd 
Fellow's hall on Sunbury street. The two separated in 1864, when the 
Reformed element of the old school was merged into a union of Reformed 
and United Brethren, with D. C. Smink as Reformed superintendent and 
Mahlon Scholl as United Brethren superintendent. In 1865 a distinctively 
Reformed school was organized in the Penrose public school building; R. 
Williard was superintendent one year, and was succeeded by D. C. Smink, 
who served until 1872. In 1867 the school occupied the basement of the 
church on Eighth street. William Wary, R. S. Aucker, and John K. Haas 
were superintendents at different times after Mr. Smink until 1881, when 
C. C. Leader, the present incumbent, was elected.

	Trinity Episcopal Church.- The first Episcopal Services at Shamokin 
were held in the Lutheran church in 1854-55 by Rev. D. Washburn, of 
Pottsville. In the spring of 1865 Rev. Rowland H. Brown, of Lewisburg, 
held Episcopal services in the Presbyterian church; an organization was 
effected not long after through the efforts of Reverends Brown and G. W. 
Shinn, of Philadelphia. The latter became the first rector, remaining a 
little over a year. During the summer of 1865 a contract was awarded J. 
B. Gibson for the erection of a church edifice; in the meantime services 
were held in the Presbyterian church and Central school house. It was 
decided to erect a building twenty-eight by seventy-eight feet on the 
lot presented by Charles P. Helfenstein, and the corner-stone was laid, 
November 7, 1865 at which service Rev. G. W. Shinn officiated, assisted 
by the Reverends Brown, 
	
	END OF PAGE 643 
	
Gibson, and Allen. The building was almost completed when it was 
entirely destroyed by a violent wind storm: timbers were obtained from 
the ruins, however, with which a chapel was erected at a cost of fifteen 
hundred dollars.
	Although services had been held and an organization effected in 
1865, there is no record of any communion until January, 1866. On this 
occasion but five persons partook of the sacrament.  Charles P. 
Helfenstein and wife, William A. Richardson and wife, and Mrs. Abbie 
Slocum. From the early part of January, 1866, until May of the same 
year, worship was held in the Central school building. The first service 
in the new chapel occurred May 11, 1866, when the rite of confirmation 
was administered by Bishop Vail, of Kansas, to fifteen persons. Mr. 
Shinn resigned on the 10th of February, 1867, and since that date the 
succession of rectors has been as follows: Reverends I. N. Spear, I. H. 
H. Millett, F. M. Bird, H. H. Boyle, D. Washburn, Joseph Wright, Samuel 
Cheevers, Wilber F. Watkins, Jr., and John Graham, the present 
incumbent, who assumed charge in March, 1890. During Mr. Cheevers's 
administration the chapel was enlarged, a tower was erected, and a bell 
was placed therein. This building was removed to the southern part of 
the lot in 1890, placed upon a stone foundation, and adapted to the 
purpose of a Sunday school room and general "church workshop." The 
erection of a handsome stone church edifice at the comer of the lot was 
begun in the same year and it is now approaching completion.

	First Baptist Church.- No effort was made to form a Baptist church 
at Shamokin until 1870, when Rev. A. B. Still, pastor at Sunbury, 
preached at Shamokin occasionally, and on September 3d of that year a 
meeting of thirty-two persons with letters of dismissal from the 
churches at Sunbury, Danville, Trevorton, and Shamokin township was 
held, at which it was decided to issued a call for a council formally to 
constitute them a church. Pursuant to this call a council met on the 
15th of September, 1870, and resolved to recognize them as the "First 
Baptist Church of Shamokin." The following were the first officers: 
pastor, Rev. A. B. Still; deacons: John Renn, Aaron Roadarmel; trustees: 
J. D. Roadarmel, William McConnell, John Renn, Withington Lake, and J. 
W. Young. Among the pastors and supplies prior to the year 1884 were 
Reverends Still, Johnson, Rush, Brensinger, Nathan Thomas, O. R. Thomas, 
and Giles. Rev. W. G. Watkins, the present pastor, assumed charge in 
April, 1884; after considerable search he found six persons who 
considered themselves members, but accessions were numerous and 
frequent, and in 1890 the present church edifice, a substantial two- 
story brick structure on Lincoln street, was erected. It was dedicated 
on the 21st of December, 1890, Reverends J. H. Harris, Ph. D., and J. 
Green Miles officiating. A flourishing Sunday school is connected with 
this church.
	The Welsh Baptists of Shamokin enjoyed religious worship for some 
time as a mission of the Ashland congregation, and erected a frame 
church building on the east side of Rock street between Clay and 
Webster. In May, 
	
	END OF PAGE 644 
	
1884, they were organized as a church by Rev. W. G. Watkins, who became 
their pastor but resigned in the following year; the membership then 
united with the English Baptist and Welsh Congregational churches.

	The Welsh Congregational Church was organized by Rev. Henry C. 
Harris; seven deacons were elected at that time, but one of whom, John 
W. Thomas, is still an active member of this church. A hall on Sunbury 
street was occupied for religious worship until 1864, when a frame 
church edifice was built on Rock street. The present church building, a 
frame structure on Grant street, was erected in 1870 under the 
supervision of a building committee composed of John W. Thomas, John 
Phillips, and Henry Simmons. Since 1875 the pastors have been Reverends 
D. T. Davis, Henry Whitby, Morris Hughes, David D. Davis, and D. T. 
Davis, present incumbent.
	This church originally included nearly the entire Welsh population 
of Shamokin. The Baptists and Methodists withdrew; the former erected a 
church on Rock street, the latter on Independence street, and since 
these organizations disbanded a large proportion of their membership has 
again become connected with the Congregational church, which is the only 
Welsh organization at Shamokin at the present time.

	Ecce Homo Greek Catholic Church.- The Rev. John Wolansky, from 
Gallicia, Austria, established the first Greek church in the United 
States in 1884 at Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, and celebrated Mass for the 
adherents of his faith at Excelsior in the same year. During his absence 
in Europe the affairs of his recently established congregations were 
conducted by Rev. Constantine Andrushowitch. The erection of a church 
edifice was undertaken by Father Wolansky upon his return; ground was 
secured in the southeastern part of the borough of Shamokin, and a frame 
structure, presenting some of the characteristics of the Byzantine style 
of architecture, has been erected thereon. It was dedicated with 
imposing ceremonies, August 19, 1889, on which occasion a large 
concourse of people was present, including excursions from Shenandoah, 
Freeland, and Hazelton. The membership of the parish is two hundred. The 
St. Cyril and Metody Beneficial Society, organized June 20, 1888, is an 
important social adjunct.
	
                       EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS.

	 The fourth or fifth house at Shamokin was erected in 1837 for 
school purposes, and thus early in the history of the town its 
educational record begins. This first school house was a one-story frame 
building of diminutive proportions, situated on Dewart street; it was 
subsequently occupied as a dwelling, a shop, and as the armory of the 
Shamokin Guards. In its last years it was used as a stable, and 
ultimately met destruction in a fire that swept over that part of the 
town.
	The first school was opened in the winter of 1837-38, principally 
through 
	
	END OF PAGE 645 
	
the efforts of John C. Boyd and Ziba Bird, by whom Abia John, of 
Shamokin township, was employed for a three months' term at the 
munificent salary of eight dollars per month and board.  But the school 
was small, and no great degree of professional skill was required in 
those days.  The furniture was of the most primitive character, and of 
apparatus it is not probable there was any.  But the teaching seems to 
have been satisfactory, and when the adoption of the public school 
system was voted upon in 1838, it was decided in the affirmative by an 
almost unanimous vote from the citizens of the embryo borough.  This was 
the first school within the present limits of Coal, Mt. Carmel, Cameron, 
and Zerbe townships, embracing the boroughs of Shamokin and Mt. Carmel, 
with a school population of four or five thousand and school property 
aggregating in value several hundred thousand dollars at the present 
time.  The pupils at this school were Hannah Bird, Ziba Bird, David 
Snyder, Rachel Snyder, Ephraim Phillips, Ellen Phillips, William W. 
Wary, Catharine Wary, Perry J. Eaton, Lydia Ann Porter, Elizabeth 
Porter, Ephraim Mowry, Marie Mowry, Emmeline Mowry, and Morgan Mowry.
	The public school system was adopted in Coal township in 1838.  The 
sentiment was strongly in its favor among the mechanics and laborers 
employed at Shamokin, and equally strong in its opposition in the 
territory that now constitutes Cameron township.  The first board of 
directors was composed of Sylvanus S. Bird, Kimber Cleaver, Jehu John, 
James B. Porter, George Long, and David Billman, of whom Messrs. Bird, 
Cleaver, and John were president, secretary, and treasurer, 
respectively. It does not appear that any active measures whatever were 
taken that year.  The composition of the board was unchanged by the 
election of 1839, except that William Fagely succeeded Mr. Porter; the 
same president, secretary, and treasurer were chosen as in the previous 
year, and Benjamin McClow was appointed tax collector.  A local tax of 
two hundred one dollars, thirty-five cents, was levied, which, with the 
State appropriation of six hundred thirty dollars, placed a total sum of 
eight hundred thirty-one dollars, thirty-five cents, at the disposal of 
the board.  Eight sub-districts were formed.
	At that period in the educational history of this region, the 
position of tax collector was not a sinecure. Mr. McClow encountered 
great difficulty in the discharge of his duties, especially in Cameron 
township, where the tax was regarded as tyrannical and unjust, and the 
sentiment of the people was almost unanimously opposed to the system. He 
was threatened with violence, but pursued his work unmolested, 
traveling, it is said, more than five hundred miles for the purpose of 
making collections, and received a little more than five dollars for his 
services.
	Building operations were begun by the board in the summer of 1839. 
A two-story brick building was erected on Sunbury street at a cost of 
six hundred dollars, and completed in February, 1840; it subsequently 
formed the eastern part of the Central school building, and was ample at 
that time 
	
	END OF PAGE 646 
	
for the requirements of No. 2 district, comprising the present territory 
of Shamokin borough and Coal township. In No. 5 district a small frame 
building was erected at a cost of ninety-four dollars, eighty-seven 
cents. This was in Cameron township; John Fidler and William Stizes 
taught therein during the following winter, but the practical 
application of the system does not seem to have popularized it, and in 
1840 Coal township was divided into two general school districts by act 
of the legislature. The citizens of South Coal promptly defeated the 
system, while the withdrawal of a hostile minority tended greatly to 
establish it permanently in North Coal. There a tax of three hundred 
twenty-seven dollars, eighty cents, was levied, and a State 
appropriation of one hundred forty-five dollars was received, sufficient 
to place the system in operation and sustain the schools several months. 
The first teacher at Shamokin under this regime was John T. Reed, of New 
York; he resigned after teaching fourteen days, for some reason that 
does not appear upon the minutes of the board, and was succeeded by Mary 
Shipman, who also taught only a few weeks.  The first teachers who 
remained any length of time were Amos Y. Thomas and Jehu John.
	While the town of Shamokin formed part of North Coal and of Coal 
township school district the buildings erected or secured for permanent 
use as school houses were the Central, previously noticed, the Penrose, 
the Newtown, and the Academy buildings.  In 1865, when the borough 
became a separate school district, eight schools were in operation, for 
which the following teachers were appointed for the term of 1865-66, 
respectively: No. 1, the high school, in the Academy building, John B. 
Savidge; No. 2, intermediate, Central building, Samuel Wood; No. 3, 
intermediate, Penrose building, Hudson Sober; No. 4, intermediate, 
Central building, Miss Hay; No. 5, primary, Penrose building, Emma Raup; 
No. 6, primary, Central building, Miss Martz; No. 7, primary, Newtown 
building, John Haas, and No. 8, primary, Academy building, Samuel 
Reeder.  Their salaries ranged from thirty to sixty dollars per month.
	The first school board of the borough, composed of Frederick S. 
Haas, Dr. J. J. John, Pemberton Bird, Daniel S. Miller, Matthias Emes, 
and William K. Erdman, organized, June 9, 1865, with Messrs. Bird, John, 
and Haas as president, secretary, and treasurer, respectively.
	The school buildings of the borough are known by the respective 
names of the Academy, Penrose, Stevens, Garfield, Washington, and 
Lincoln. Of these the Academy is the oldest.  It was originally 
projected in 1852 by the Lutheran congregation and its pastor, Rev. C. 
J. Ehrhart, encouraged and assisted by William L. Helfenstein, William 
Fagely, Kimber Cleaver, Jonas L. Gilger, Joseph Bird, and other public 
spirited citizens of that period. The Shamokin Collegiate Institute was 
incorporated, April 28, 1854, with an authorized capital of twenty-five 
thousand dollars and the following officers: 
	
	END OF PAGE 647
	
president, Kimber Cleaver; secretary, Dr. William Atwater; treasurer, 
Jonas L. Gilger; who, with Rev. C. J. Ehrhart, William Fagely, and 
Daniel Yost were the first trustees.  Bonds were issued and a sufficient 
amount of stock subscribed to erect the large brick building on the 
square bounded by Eighth, Arch and Grant streets, agreeably to plans 
prepared by Kimber Cleaver. But the anticipated indorsement of the 
movement by the Lutheran synod was not secured, and after the walls and 
roof of the building had been completed, the enterprise collapsed. Local 
resources had been exhausted, and building remained unfinished and 
unused. In 1857 Lewis L. Bevan, postmaster of the town and an ardent 
supporter of the public school system, suggested the feasibility of 
purchasing the building and adapting it to the purpose of an academy or 
high school.  A public meeting was held at the Central school house to 
consider the proposition, but it was not regarded favorably.  No further 
action was taken until the 16th of July, 1863, when, at a special 
meeting of the school board of Coal township, Dr. E. S. Robins, George 
McEliece, W. F. Roth, Jonas L. Gilger, and Frederick S. Haas, members 
present, it was resolved to purchase the property if a clear title could 
be obtained. Messrs. Roth, McEliece, and Gilger were appointed a 
committee to secure legal advice on the subject. At that time the 
surviving trustees of the old academy association were W. H. Marshall, 
W. M. Weaver, and Charles P. Helfenstein, and Messrs. Gilger, McEliece, 
and Harper were appointed by the board to confer with them.  On the 26th 
of September, 1863, Messrs. Haas and McEliece were appointed to bring 
the purchase to a final consummation, but legal obstacles intervened, 
and it was not until March 14, 1864, that the property was secured by 
the board, at coroner's sale for the sum of twenty-nine hundred fifty 
dollars, in pursuance of action taken by the board, March 7, 1864.  
Several of the rooms were finished for immediate occupancy, and others 
as the growth of the school population required; the last apartment was 
adapted for use by a resolution of the board passed on the 19th of July, 
1871.  At the present time there are nine school rooms and four class 
rooms in this building; the high school, two grammar schools, three 
intermediate, and two primary schools are conducted here.
	The Penrose building is a brick structure on the east side of 
Franklin street south of Chestnut.  One grammar school, two 
intermediate, and four primary schools are conducted here.  The ground 
was purchased in 1857, when Pemberton Bird, William H. Cherington, Dr. 
J. J. John, W. P. Withington, F. A. Clark, and John Shipp composed the 
board.  An addition twenty-five by forty feet in dimensions was 
authorized by the board, June 12, 1874, and the contract was awarded, 
August 4, 1874, to Daniel Yost at twenty-three hundred ninety dollars. 
Messrs. Aucker, John, and Schwartz constituted the building committee. A 
further addition was made in 1887.
	The Stevens building received its present name, January 10, 1876, 
by 
	
	END OF PAGE 648
	Page 649 contains a portrait of Darlington R. Kulp.
	Page 650 is blank.
	
resolution of the board, "in honor of the great defender of the common 
school system," Thaddeus Stevens. Prior to that date it was known as the 
Newtown school. On the 5th of May, 1857, the township school board 
decided to purchase lots No. 8 and 4 in block No. 61 from C. P. and B. 
C. Helfenstein, and on the 19th of June it was resolved to build. A 
building tax of sixteen hundred dollars was levied, June 26th; the 
contract was awarded, July 13, 1857, to Benjamin McClow at his bid of 
eighteen hundred twenty-five dollars, and the work was prosecuted under 
the direction of Messrs. John and Shipp, building committee. For various 
reasons this location was not found to be entirely suitable, and on the 
5th of June, 1869, the building and grounds were sold to Henry Morgan 
for five hundred dollars. Frederick S. Haas, Withington Lake, and M. 
Emes, a committee of the board, reported in favor of a new location, 
June 4th; on the 1st of July, 1869, the contract was awarded Joseph E. 
Thompson at his bid of twenty-two hundred seventy-five dollars, and the 
building was erected agreeably to plans prepared by Daniel Yost. It was 
completed in August, 1870, and with extra work the entire cost was 
twenty-three hundred fifty-six dollars, ninety-five cents. An addition 
to this building, similar. to that erected at the Penrose building in 
the previous year, was authorized by the board, July 12, 1875, and a 
week later Messrs. Schwartz, John, and Robins were appointed a building 
committee. The work was done by R. S. Aucker under contract for the sum 
of twenty-seven hundred ninety-five dollars. As again enlarged in 1887 
this building comprises eight rooms, in which four intermediate and four 
primary schools are taught. It is located on Third street at the corner 
of Spruce.
	The site of the Garfield building - four lots extending from 
Sunbury to Dewart street east of Franklin - was purchased by action of 
the board, June 25, 1881, for the sum of thirty-six hundred dollars. A 
frame building, formerly used by a hose company, occupied this ground; 
it was enlarged and adapted for school purposes, and received the name 
of the Garfield school building by resolution of the board, October 
12,1881. In April, 1885, plans for a new building were prepared and 
considered by the board, but not adopted, owing to lack of funds. At 
length, however, the growth of the town and the dilapidated condition of 
the old building rendered improvement a matter of necessity, and in 
compliance with a strong public sentiment favorable to such action, the 
erection of a new building was unanimously decided upon, February 13, 
1888. The contract was awarded, May 4, 1888, to Aucker, Slayman & 
Company, at their bid of fourteen thousand eight hundred seventeen 
dollars. They also supplied the steam heating and ventilating apparatus 
for nineteen hundred fifty dollars, and the aggregate cost approximated 
twenty-seven thousand dollars. The building is constructed of brick, 
with slate roof, tower, and bell, and is supplied throughout with every 
appliance for health, comfort, and convenience. It was publicly opened, 
	
	END OF PAGE 651 
	
January 31, 18S9, and during the winter of 1889-90 two grammar schools, 
three intermediate, and three primary schools were taught here.
	The policy of the board inaugurated in the erection of the Garfield 
building received an overwhelming popular indorsement at a special 
election on the 18th of June, 1890, when, by a majority of five hundred 
eleven votes, the board was authorized to increase the indebtedness of 
the district to seven per cent. of the valuation of assessed property. 
June 24,1890, the board resolved to erect two new buildings, one at the 
site of the Central building on Sunbury street, the other on the west 
side of Market south of Pine, uniform with the Garfield building in 
general arrangements and appointments  The completion of these buildings 
has given Shamokin borough school facilities superior to those of any 
other district in the county.
	The office of borough superintendent was created in l878, with 
Francis M. Bates as its first incumbent. He was succeeded in 1880 by 
William F. Harpel, who has held the position since that date. Dr. J. J. 
John, secretary of the board from 1865 to 1876, exercised the functions 
of a district superintendent during that period, and much of the 
efficiency of the system is due to methods and improvements introduced 
by him.
	The high school was established in 1869. A school had been 
conducted by this name under the township dispensation, but it possessed 
few of the attributes of a high school, the curriculum fluctuating with 
the qualifications of the teacher in charge and the degree of 
advancement made by the pupils in the lower grades. In 1869 a definite 
course of study was arranged, from which that pursued at present has 
developed. Three years are required for its completion; Latin to Virgil, 
higher mathematics to trigonometry, physics, natural philosophy, 
chemistry, geology, general history, book-keeping, rhetoric, drawing, 
and physical geography are among the principal features of the course. 
The following is a list of principals in the order in which they served. 
S. J. Barnett, A. B. Orr, S. P. Fink, George W. Campbell, F. S. Glass, 
George W. Campbell, Francis M. Bates, John B. Savidge, Reuben A. 
Zimmerman, and George A. Farrow, present incumbent. The library was 
established by resolution of the board, April 22, 1875, and now numbers 
two hundred twenty-five volumes.

	St. Edward's Parochial school was established by Father Koch in 
September, 1874, and was opened in the old Catholic church under lay 
teachers. In September, 1875, five Sisters of Charity from Mount St. 
Vincent, New York, took charge of the school, and their number has since 
been increased to nine. As the growth of the school necessitated more 
room, three lots on Shamokin street opposite St. Edward's church were 
purchased, upon which Father Koch erected a substantial three-story 
brick building forty by seventy feet in dimensions in 1883, and occupied 
it in the autumn of that year. The site, building, and furniture cost 
eighteen thousand dollars.
	Connected with the parochial school is a high school in the convent 
build-
	
	END OF PAGE 652 
	
ing, also under the charge of the Sisters of Charity. In 1871 Father 
Koch purchased over an acre of ground on what is now known as "Convent 
Hill." In 1876 he erected thereon a large three-story brick convent 
building for the Sisters employed in the school. It overlooks the valley 
of Shamokin creek, and from its site a fine view of the town may be 
obtained. The ground and convent are valued at over ten thousand 
dollars. Only young ladies who have passed a satisfactory examination in 
the parochial school are admitted to the convent or high school, the 
number being always limited to twenty-four.
	Both the parochial and high school are free, and are open to rich 
and poor alike. They are graded, and the same branches are taught as in 
the public schools, while the curriculum of the high school is equal to 
that of any first-class academy. The average attendance is between four 
and five hundred. The boys and girls occupy and receive instruction in 
separate rooms. Besides a good secular education, the children receive 
daily instruction in Christian morals and Catholic doctrine.

	St. Stanislaus Kostka Parochial school was opened in the basement 
of the present church soon after its dedication, in December, 1881, 
under the charge of Sisters of the Order of St. Francis. In 1889 a large 
brick school building was completed, wherein five Sisters are engaged in 
teaching. About three hundred children receive instruction in this 
school, which is doing a good work for the parish.

	The Shamokin Business College was established on the 1st of 
November, 1888, by the Wilkesbarre Business College under the local 
management of W. L. McCullough. A change of proprietorship occurred on 
the 1st of February, 1890, when this school passed to McCullough & 
Ernest. The course embraces shorthand and typewriting in addition to the 
branches usually taught in a regular business college.
	
                          CEMETERIES.

	 Irich's Graveyard, a mile east of Shamokin on the public road 
leading to Mt. Carmel, was the first place of interment in this part of 
the county. Rude headstones without mark or inscription of any kind 
indicate the location of some of the early graves, while there are 
doubtless others of which no visible indication exists. This was the 
place of burial for the Cherry family and other early settlers; at a 
later date it was also used by the early population to a limited extent, 
and the present tombstones are principally of the decade beginning with 
1850. No interments have been made here for some years, and the ground 
is sadly desecrated.

	The Shamokin Cemetery Company was incorporated by the court of 
common pleas of Northumberland county, August 13, 1859. The managers 
elected for the first year were William H. Marshall, William M. Weaver, 
C. I. Rittenhouse, Charles P. Helfenstein, Joseph Bird, Solomon, Weaver, 
and 
	
	END OF PAGE 653 
	
Pemberton Bird.  Their first meeting was held, April 28, 1860, when 
Charles P. Helfenstein was elected president, Joseph Bird, vice- 
president, Pemberton Bird, secretary, and William H). Marshall, 
treasurer. Ground was selected in the southern part of the borough, an 
elevated location, conveniently accessible from all parts of the town, 
and possessing great natural beauty. It was secured upon favorable 
terms, from William H. Marshall, William M. Weaver, and Charles P. 
Helfenstein, who retained an interest as mortgagees, this lien being 
gradually extinguished by the payment annually of half the receipts from 
the sale of lots. Subsequently Mr. Marshall acquired the interests of 
Messrs. Weaver and Helfenstein, and on the 16th of June, 1874, an 
adjoining tract of seven and one half acres was secured upon the same 
terms. The grounds were laid out by Kimber Cleaver, and the symmetry of 
the design, as well as its adaptiveness to the natural features of the 
inclosure, are a high tribute to his engineering abilities. A noticeable 
feature is the soldiers' monument, erected under the auspices of Lincoln 
Post, No. 140, G.A.R., in 1871. The first superintendent was Amos Y. 
Thomas, who has been succeeded by John Geywitz and Solomon Long. The 
improvement of the property may be properly said to have begun in 1867, 
under a board of managers composed of C. A. Hanly, president; Dr. J. J. 
John, secretary; William H. Marshall, treasurer, Frederick S. Haas, John 
Smink, John B. Douty, and John Dunkelberger. Mr. Hanly was succeeded by 
John Smink in 1871, and he by Alexander Fulton, the present president, 
in 1878. Dr. J. J. John has served as secretary continuously since 1867. 
Mr. Marshall was treasurer until his death in 1878, when he was 
succeeded by George Marshall. The present directory is composed as 
follows: president, Alexander Fulton; vice-president, Isaac May, Sr.; 
secretary, Dr. J. J. John; treasurer, George Marshall; H. A. Shissler, 
R. S. Aucker, and W. H. M. Oram.

	St. Edward's Cemetery.-  For more than forty years the Catholics of 
Shamokin and vicinity interred their dead in the old graveyard near the 
west end of the town. It was low and wet and poorly adapted for a 
cemetery, but it was the only place used until 1872, when Father Koch 
purchased four acres of elevated land about one mile east of Shamokin 
and adjoining the village of Springfield at a cost of one thousand 
dollars. He inclosed and laid it out, and Bishop Shanahan consecrated it 
in November, 1872. He commenced at once the work of beautifying and this 
good work has been continued, so that the ground is now in a very 
satisfactory condition and in harmony with the church and school 
properties.  The old cemetery was abandoned, and the bodies gradually 
removed to the new one, and in 1886 the last remains were re-interred. 
In 1888 the ground was sold, and nothing now remains to attest that it 
was once a sacred resting place of the dead.

	St. Stanislaus Kostka Cemetery.- In 1880 Father Klonowski purchased 
one acre of land adjoining St. Edward's cemetery for a burying ground. 
He 
	
	END OF PAGE 654 
	
laid it out for that purpose and it has since been used by St. 
Stanislaus's congregation.
	The Greek Cemetery adjoins that of St. Stanislaus on the east. It 
comprises one acre of ground, which was purchased and laid out in 1890.
		
	END OF Chapter XVII.