Area History:History of Gordon, Schuylkill County, Pa: from a souvenir book Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Beatrice Kaufman Leemhuis, Bea69@velocity.net USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. ______________________________________________________________________ A HISTORY OF GORDON, PENNSYLVANIA FROM 1788 TO 1952 From the Souvenir Book of the First annual Gordon Homecoming, August 13th to 17th, 1952 Homecoming Committee: Victor Reiff, William Weist, Mrs. Robert Rice, Mrs. George Moore, Mrs. Paul Snyder, William Schmolze, James Ennis, Clifford Broscious, James McBrearty, Paul Fedderoff, George Moore, G.G. Hubler, Rev. Charles Harrison, George Dornsife. Standing on the top of Broad Mountain just north of Pottsville in 1775 you notice a very beautiful valley not to remain untouched long. The original tract of land is shown on an old tract which is endorsed: "Draft of three tracts of land, the property of David and James McKnight" John Kunckle, a farsighted person, seeing the value of the valley, received a warranty of the land from the McKnights on March 24, 1788 and April 16, 1792. This land he patented on August 19, 1795. The remaining tracts of land were still deeded to David and James McKnight of Reading. The descendants of this family were responsible for the founding of the town now known as Gordon. Little was done until 1800 when Colonial Wycoop, an officer in the Mexican War, setttled on a strip of land extending from the now Johnson property to the site of the public school. This settlement he called "Perote" after the site of the final battle in which he fought in the Mexican War. Spotted throughout the area along the old "Center Turnpike" which extended from Sunbury through Pottsville to Reading, were a number of inns as "Accommondations for Man and Beast". As early as 1810 one such inn existed at what is now known as Fountain Springs.. This inn was known as the "Seitzinger Tavern". The tracts for this inn were cleared as early, possibly, as 1795. Early settlers continued to live here with little company except an occasional traveler. Little was done formally to the valley until 1846 when a man named William Stevenson placed a steam saw here. To this same Mr. Stevenson is credited the laying of the streets of Gordon. In 1847 he definately laid Main Street which is now known as Biddle Street. In 1854 the first Union preaching was held in Gordon by Rev. John Adams. This was a union of Presbyterians and Methodists. Many settlers were being attracted by the activity which was going on as a result of the building of the Gordon Planes in order to hoist coal cars over the mountain. The Planes, which were destined to make Gordon famous were completed in 1855. The added number of people in the area soon required more spiritual guidance, and in 1857 the Methodist group in Gordon called on a Methodist minister by the name of Rev. John A. DeMoyer to come to Gordon and "preach the word". The following year, 1858, the original Methodist Society was organized. Building was continuing and the need for a church building was felt. The church was built in 1860 by all the people of the town. The area Presbyterians placed $1000 into the building fund and the church was deeded to the Presbyterians. The year 1867 was an important one in Gordon and all residents were at the yards when the first locomotive pulled its way into the town and into the hearts of the residents of Gordon.. The old mules were out. There would be no Sunday baths at the old "Muley". As moments proceed and as people come and go so it was in Gordon. The Presbyterians were becomong fewer until, in 1872, the old church building was sold to the Methodist congregation for $1300. Gordon was growing. A group of citizens were forming a P.O.S.of A. A church was built. All aspects of community life were taking shape. In 1875 another religious body sprang up. In this year the first Lutheran preaching took place, to be followed in 1875 by the formal organization of the society. C.R. Wilson, in 1876 purshased the church building from the Methodist congregation, and in 1877 he sold the old church building to the Lutheran congregation for $600. The one thing lacking was a town newspaper. In 1880 Rev. Minnich of the Methodist church published the "Ivy Leaf" and Gordon had a town paper. In 1881 the Methodist congregation received from the McKnights a deed to the present property held by the congrgation. On this property was built the present Methodist church. It was dedicated in 1882 by Bishop Simpson after whom it is named. In 1884 the present parsonage was added. Life continued peacefully in Gordon. Ccitizens were civic minded and in 1888 the P.O.S. of A Hall was built. The original building was standing in 1952 and was owned by Gregory Hubler.(It has been replaced by a U.S. Post Office. BKL). In 1890 disaster struck and the old church and schoolhouse were destroyed by fire. The destructions of these valuable properties caused the citizens to do what they had been talking about for a long time, and a fire company was started. The Lutheran people were undaunted by their misfortune and began in 1890 to rebuild their church. This is the church building which stands today. (St. Paul's Lutheran Church, BKL) In 1891 Gordon became a separate boroough and divorced itself from Butler Township. This same year the six room school house was built and in 1892 the first class of Gordan High School was graduated. The members of this class were Fred Rice, Burt Reich, Maud Hoffman, and Annie Frank. Mrs. Annie Frank Kaufman is now the only living member of the class. The original fire company died and without any funeral arrangements the second was started in 1893. The second try succeeded in building the present fire house, but the organization was doomed to failure. The first great celebration of town was held in 1898 at which time a flag was flown 800 feet over the level of Biddle Street. The flag flew over the Plane.This fete was widely advertised and Gordon received much attention. This flag was suspended on crucible steel wire stretched from mountain tomountain acoss Gordon Plane Gap. The height of the mountain peak above Biddle Street was 950 feet. The length of steet wire connecting the peaks was 2600 feet. Tensile strength of the wire was 4000 pounds. The size of the flag was 19 x 30 feet. The flag appeared as if suspended from the clouds and could be seen for miles. (This flag was sewn by Frank Kaufman in the living room of his home, BKL). More persons moved into town and among this number were some people of the Roman Catholic faith. In 1902 the organization of the Roman Catholic Church in Gordon was begun. In 1906 the present church building was dedicated as the Church of the Lady of Good Counsel. In the year 1909 Gordon had its own municipal gas plant. Light and fuel were provided for the residents. This same year a championship basketball team brought honors to Gordon. The fire company was dead again, and in 1911 a new company was formed. This was the third try. It was to continue a little while until in 1924 the people of town awoke to the fact that there was no fire company and the present Citizens Fire Company was organized-- an organization which is now strong and active. Something was yet missing in Gordon and Dr. A. F. Bronson realied this in 1927. He was responsible for the organization of the first Boy Scout Troop in Gordon. Through Dr. Bronson's efforts we have an active troop 180 of Gordon. The following year Dr. Bronson was largely responsible for the formation of the Girl Scout movement in Gordon, The organization meeting was held in the Methodist church in November 1928. On March 13, 1930 Dr. W.T. Fedko moved into town and has been serving the residents of Gordon and this area day and night. Gordon had its own newspaper again in 1942 when the Gordon Call was published by Fred Price. As we stand on the top of the mountain today we see a beautiful valley which is one of the finedt in Pennsylvania. Nestling in this valley is one of the finest little towns in the country. It contains people with a heart, Kindness toward each other is the rule. A helping hand is in order always. The streets are clean and wide. There is industry, residence, rest and peace. Gordon, Pennsylvania. Its homecoming this year August 13,14,15,16,17, 1952. Facts about the Town The first car in Gordon was owned by Burd Kaufman in 1914. Rickard's Dairy was built in August 1929. they employ 11 people. Output of milk is 2500 quarts daily and 23000 gallons of ice cream yearly. David Snyder finished building his welding shop in 1945. He now employs five men. The Gordon Dress Factory was started on Oct. 18 1942. Approximately 60 women are employed by Jacob Schechtman. Getty-Lucas Post 44 Amvets was organized in 1946. (Donald Getty and Willard Lucas lost their lives in WWII, BKL) Drug store owned by J.E. Gregory sold to Guy Hubler. In 1912 he had the first gas pump in Gordon. The ball park and playground built in 1946. Improvements were made in the Rattling Run Creek in 1937. Monument at top of McKnight Street was dedicated in 1920. Flood caused by breaking of Johnson's Dam on September 29 and 30, 1924. Amount of rain on the 29th was 3.60 inches and 5.23 inches on the 30th. Almost 9 inches of rain in two days. The Simpson Methodist Church is the oldest public building in Gordon. The Lewis property (where the old Post Office was located) is the oldest home in town. J.A. Seitzinger entered the automobile business in 1922. He has sold in that time over 15000 cars. Now owns three garages and employs 43 people. Biographies Prof. N.M. Franks. Born in Center County, Pa., not far from Bellefonte, on Nov 8, 1844. He came to Gordon in 1871 as a teacher and taught here 48 years. He became County Superintendent of Schools in 1915. He was acting Assistant County Superintendent of Schools until the time of his death in 1919. Miss Sally Johnson was born in Girardville June 1, 1882. She came to Gordon on Dec. 24, 1892 to the Johnson homestead where the Federal Weather Station has been for 40 years. Miss Johnson has been tax receiver since 1945. Miss Tillie Smith was born in Girardville on Nov. 10, 1876. She moved to Gordon as a child. she went to Kutztown for her education and returned to Gordon to teach for 50 years. Miss Smith retired in 1945 and moved to Reading, Pa. Mr. John F. Lewis was born in Gordon April 1886 and still lives in the same house and same room. He was tax assessor in Gordon for 50 years. Son of Mr. and Mrs. John F. Lewis, 5th who came to Gordon with the McKnights in or around 1845. Mr Lewis, 5th built the house which now contains the (old) post office in 1846 and opened a colliery between Locust Dale and Ashland. Mr Charles R. Seitzinger was born in Gordon Feb. 13, 1868. He spent all his life in Gordon conducting ice harvesting and retailing of ice in Ashland and Gordon until 1925 when he became associated with J.A. Seitzinger in conducting automobile sales and service on East Biddle Street, Gordon. He retired Dec.1,1941. He is a member of the Methodist church and has two children, Mrs. G.W. Lynch and J.A. Seitzinger, who both reside in Gordon.