Area History: A Centennial History - Mahanoy City CHAPTER X -BUSINESSESND INSTITUTIONS Pages 68-73 This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Shirley Ryan sryan@enter.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. __________________________________________________________________ CHAPTER X - BUSINESSES AND INSTITUTIONS Page 68 - 73 A CENNENTIAL HISTORY: THIS MATERIAL IS TRANSCRIBED FROM THE 1963 CENTENNIAL BOOKLET ENTITLED “MAHANOY CITY, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 1863-1963, A HISTORY”. THE HISTORIANS WHO COMPILED THIS HISTORY WERE: JOSEPH H. DAVIES, CHAIRMAN CHARLES H. ENGLE ELWOOD M. YOUNG Transcribed by: Shirley E. Thomas Ryan June 22, 2002 CHAPTER X BUSINESSES AND INSTITUTIONS Page 68 - The oldest firm in the community is the Chas. D. Kaier Company. When the founder, for whom the business is named, locate din Mahanoy City in 1862, he formed a business association with Frederick Gantert until he began the bottling of ale and porter on his own account, erecting a building at 113 East Centre Street. The present large brewery is the outgrowth of the comparatively modest bottling establishment. In 1883, Mr. Kaier erected the brewery. Following his demise, the business was continued by his family, the head of the company being in succession, his wife, the former Margaret Curry; his son, Charles F., and his daughter, Mary Kaier Fahler, whose death occurred in 1937. Her husband, Lloyd W. Fahler, was the next president of the company. A grandson, John B. Lieberman, is the present president. Edward F. Smith opened a hardware and tinsmith store in 1862 and conducted the business until 1885 when it was sold to George Seligman and Harry J. Heiser. In 1885 the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Heiser became the sole proprietor. After his death, his son-in-law, William F. Peter, continued the business. Mrs. Peter, the former Marian Heiser, is the present owner. Two local business of early origin are the Keegan Café, the oldest one in continuous business in the community and the Haughney Funeral Service. Among the other early firms are the Tregellas Shoe Store, Guinan’s Department Store and John Smith Grocery Store. Thomas Tregellas, who approaches his 97th birthday on September 22, as the community observes it Centennial, is the oldest active businessman, having established his business seventy-seven years ago, and the oldest graduate of the Mahanoy City High School, being a member of the Class of 1884. Many pages could be written about the business and professional people and institutions who have made contributions to Mahanoy City’s history, but once again space limitation prohibits any expansion on the subject. BANKS THE UNION NATIONAL BANK *Photo - Present site of American Bank. Reproduced from Pictorial Map of 1889. Page 69 - The Union National Bank was organized January 19, 1889. It received its charter on February 28th of that year and two days later commenced business in temporary quarters at 26 West Pine Street. A lot was purchased at 36-38 West Centre Street and a brownstone structure was built. Its growth necessitated the acquiring of larger quarters and the old Co-operative Building at the northwest corner of Main and Centre Streets was purchased, where a new building was erected. It was opened on November 11, 1922. On June 7, 1937, it assumed all the known liabilities of the First National Bank at the request of the Comptroller of Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, thus combining the interests of the community’s two oldest banking institutions. The bank has had seven presidents: Andrew Comery, Charles D. Kaier, Sr., Harrison Ball, George W. Barlow, Joseph E. Ferguson, Lloyd W. Fahler and Russell L. Foster. THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK The First National Bank was incorporated September 26, 1864. It was housed in three buildings. The first was the brick storeroom at the northeast corner of Main and Centre Streets, previously occupied by Dr. Louis M. Thompson. Its last structure, now The Union National Bank, was built in 1930. The first national bank in the county, it had five presidents. The first was Abraham Focht, who was followed by Nicholas Balliet, Edward S. Silliman, Sr., Edward S. Silliman, jr., and C. Fred Beck. THE AMERICAN BANK The American Bank was organized as the American Banking Trust Company and opened its doors for business May 1, 1923 in the brownstone building at Locust and Centre Streets, formerly occupied by the Union National Bank. It was founded by John Smith, who was president until his death. His son, Augustine, succeeded him and a second son, Emanuel (Sam) is the present president. *Photo - First National Bank. Caption - Present site of Union National Bank Page 70 - On September 12, 1942, the Merchants Banking Trust Company, which was founded in January 1912, was merged with it. David M. Graham was the first president of the Merchants Bank, which erected a new building, now the Teen Canteen, in 1923. Daniel F. Guinan succeeded Mr. Graham in the presidency and after his demise in turn was succeeded by Attorney James J. Dolphin who served until is consolidation with the American Bank. THE CITIZENS’ NATIONAL BANK The Citizens’ National Bank was organized about 1868. David Bowman was president. With the financial depression and Jay Cook panic in Wall Street in 1873, this bank, which was located at the southeast corner of Locust and Centre Streets, failed. NEWSPAPERS The first newspaper in the community was The Mahanoy City Gazette, which began publication November 11, 1865. It was owned by Dr. George Swayze, who was its editor; David Phillips, the borough’s third postmaster; Frank Carter, land agent for the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company; Edward S. Silliman, Sr., president of the First National Bank; Charles M. Hill, a coal operator; William Yost, a contractor, and Washington Reagan, a contractor also. In 1866, William Ramsey and Charles Dunkelberger, two practical printers, continued to publish the paper under the name of The Mahanoy Gazette until 1879. It was an eight-column folio. During this period the proprietors’ names appeared successively as Messrs. Ramsey and Spence and William Ramsey. The paper changed ownership in 1879 with Thomas H.B. Lyon and Andrew Comrey as proprietors. Mrs. Jane M. Lyon, wife of the senior partner, was the editor. These owners changed the name to The Mahanoy Tribune. Eli S. Reinhold and Isaac Y. Sollenberger became its owners in 1881. Mr. Sollenberger became the sole proprietor in 1885. In 1889, it passed into the hands of Livingstone V. Rausch and Guy C. Irish. Several years later Mr. Rausch became the sole owner and continued so until 1909 when he sold his interests to James H. Kirchner. The Mahanoy Tribune continued as a weekly paper. In November 1916, it was consolidated with the Daily American and became known as the American Tribune. In September 1919, it merged with the Mahanoy City Record under the name of The Record-American, which it continues to bear. The present executives are Elizabeth K. Stevenson, publisher, and Jane K. Owens, associate publisher. While Ramsey published the Mahanoy City Gazette, a weekly, he also published another paper, the Wednesday Gazette, a small advertising sheet, for free distribution. When Ramsey and Spencer dissolved partnership July 14, 1871, the latter established a job printing office and published The Mahanoy City Local. He also began The Mahanoy Valley Record on Thursday, November 2, 1871. A year later he sold the paper to John Parker, Sr., who represented the 30th District in the State Senate. This paper had been Republican in sympathy until 1877 when it advocated the principles of the National greenback Labor Party and supported them as long as Parker and his son, John, Jr., owned and edited the paper. In 1899, he sold the paper to Harrison Ball, Michael T. O’Connor and Thomas C. O’Connor. The latter became its editor. From 1871 until 1877, it was published as a weekly paper, but it was then changed to a tri-weekly publication. The Tri-Weekly was published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays until 1890 when it became a daily newspaper. In 1919 it merged with the American Tribune. In 1884, a small weekly paper, owned and published by Robert Breckons, known as The Mahanoy Local, made its appearance but its life was of short duration-only four months. Mr. Breckons moved to Washington, D.C. and later to Honolulu where he became District Attorney for the Hawaiian Islands. Page 71 - The Daily American was begun about 1890 and continued as a daily paper until it merged with the Mahanoy Tribune. Its proprietor and editor was David M. Graham. It was Republican in sympathy. The Mahanoy Press, published by the Press Publishing Co., was founded by the William E. Barr (now an ordained minister). The first issue was published on July 31, 1992. It later became the official organ of District 9, U.M.W.A. On July 15, 1926, the District officials sold their interests to The Record-American and its last issued was published on July 17, 1926. “Saule” (The Sun) was founded July 27, 1888 by Dominick T. Boczkowski. It continued to prosper and numbered 9,000 subscribers in the United States and foreign countries. The first newspaper to be published in the Lithuanian language in the world. It suspended publication on June 26, 1959. MAHANOY CITY WATER COMPANY The Mahanoy City Water Company was organized in February 1886 at 44 North Main Street. The owners were E.S. Silliman, Sr., G.F. Wiggan and H.M. Parmley. In June 1929, the company was sold by the descendants of the first owners to the Inland Utilities. At a later period, 1931, it was made a part of the Southwestern Gas and Water Company and still later it was acquired by the Mahanoy Township Authority. MAHANOY CITY GAS COMPANY A corporation, known as the Mahanoy City Gas Company was organized on February 21, 1874. Its directors were E.S. Silliman, W.F. Smith, George H. Troutman, E.K. Weber and J.C. Knapp. Mr. Smith was the first president and the other officers were Mr. Troutman, secretary, and William L. Yoder, treasurer. The authorized capital of the company was $30,000. The gas plant was erected at Second and Railroad Streets at a cost of $20,000, and the service to the public began on October 1, 1874, bout two miles of pipes having been laid. Eventually this company was absorbed by other utility company and holdings. MAHANOY CITY LIGHT, HEAT AND POWER COMPANY The Mahanoy City Light, Heat and Power Company was organized in 1887 with E.S. Silliman as president, Andrew Comery, secretary and superintendent, and W.L. Yoder. In 1893 the capital stock was listed at $30,000 with the following officers servicing, E.S. Silliman, president; W.L. Yoder, treasurer, and George M. Seligman, secretary and superintendent. This company, too, eventually became identified with a larger company. THEATRES The firs theatre in the borough was located on the second floor of the Metz building, Main and Market Streets, and was known as the Town Hall. The building was purchased by Charles D. Kaier in 1885 and remodeled. In 1893, Mr. Kaier built a handsome new theatre on the ground floor. The old theatre, on the second floor, was converted into a dance hall. The Kaier Opera House was one of the most elaborately appointed in the region and on its stage appeared the leading actors and actresses of the ‘Gay Nineties”. On Wednesday, October 15, 1913, it was destroyed by fired. The lot remained vacant until 1923, when it was acquired by the Chamberlain Amusement Company who built the Victoria Theatre. Ground was broken on October 8, 1923 and it was opened March 9, 1925 the feature film being “The Thief of Baghdad”, starring Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. The Family Theatre, First and Centre Streets, was built by John Hersker, Sr., in 1895. With the advent of motion pictures, it became a cinema house. It was sold to the Mahanoy City Lodge of Moose about 1924 and operated by them and later leased to other operators. It is now the Morton Furniture Store. Page 72 - When the Elks built their new home, the first floor was a theater known as The Regent”. Later it was designated as the Elks Theatre. Other theaters here were the Place Theatre, at the northwest corner of Main and Pine Streets and the Stanley (later Althoff’s) Theatre at Second and Centre Streets. *Sketch - Old Kaier Opera House. Caption…Sketch Reproduced from Pictorial Map of 1889 The Palace Theatre later was converted into a garage and the Althoff Theatre is now a laundromat. For many years Mahanoy City was the mecca of theatregoers and motion picture fans but, in its centennial year, the community is without an operating theatre. THE POST OFFICE The Mahanoy City Post Office was established in 1959. Jonathan Lindenmuth was the first postmaster, being appointed in 1863. The county history, written in 1881, states that “the office pays a salary of about $1700 yearly. The clerks employed are ladies”. The following are the successors to Mr. Lindenmuth, who retired in 1865: Charles C. Hagenbuch, 1865-1869; David Phillips, 1869-1873; Captain Edwin L. Severn, 1873-1877; Mrs. Mary Severn (widow of Captain Severn), 1877-1880; Jacob Bricker, 1880-1884; Maurice Litsch, 1884-1888; Valentine Medlar; 1888-1892; Thomas C. O’Connor, 1892-1896; Frank F. reed, 1896-1902; David M. Graham, 1902-1914; Cornelius P. Reing, 1914-1922; James H. Kirchner, 1922-1927; William C. James, 1928-1932; Herbert C. Noakes, 1933-1936; Daniel F. Guinan, II, appointed in 1936 and in service at present. William F. Dochney served as acting postmaster for two months in 1914 during a lapse occurring between the ending of the term of Mr. Graham and the appointment of Mr. Reing. William F. Clifford served as acting postmaster during the year that elapsed before the appointment of Mr. James, who succeeded Postmaster Kirchner. The first post office was located at 19 East Centre Street. This was during the postmastership of Jonathan (John) Lindenmuth. During the postmastership of Charles Hagenbuch it was located at his drugstore, 100-102 West Centre Street. Later, he built a new Page 73 - structure at 101-103 West Centre Street. When Mr. Phillips held the office, he served at 5-7 West Centre Street (where the Woolworth store is now located0. Captain Severn and later, his widow, conducted the postal service at 30-32 South Main Street. When Mr. Bricker was postmaster, the post office was located at 8-11 East Centre Street (site of the Eagles building). The post office was located on the site of the present Victor Theatre building during the postmasterships of Maurice Litsch and Valentine Medlar. The Post Shoe Store, 26 West Centre Street, now occupies the site of the post office when Mr. O’Connor was in office. During Mr. Reed’s term, it was at 133 East Centre Street (where the Elks Theatre now stands). When Mr. Graham became postmaster, the post office located remained unchanged. During the tenure of Mr. Reing, the office was in the Hersker (Family) Theatre building, 101-103 East Centre Street, now the Morton Furniture Store. In 1922, when Postmaster Kirchner was in office, new quarters were secured in the Charles Domson building, 127 East Centre Street. In the late fall of 1937 work was begun on the new post office building at the northwest corner of second and Pine Streets, and it was opened July 1, 1938, during the tenure of Postmaster Guinan, still serving in office as the borough celebrates it centennial. It contains one of the community’s major art treasurers, a mural by Malvina Hoffman. MAHANOY CITY VISITING NURSING ASSOCIATION On June 2, 1914, a meeting was held in the Citizens Fire Company rooms for the purpose of organizing an Auxiliary Board of Control of the Shenandoah-Mahanoy City Home Nursing District. Dr. Phaon Hermany presided. Misses Mary Hornsby, Sallie Hermany, Carrie Hess, Lulu Kester, Mrs. Thomas B. Wren, Mrs. Gezo Lefkowith, Mrs. Horace D. Hermany, Mrs. Robert P. Swank, and Mr. Dailey, of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., were present. On June 5, another meeting was held and a permanent organization formed with the following officers: President, Mrs. George G. Mayer; Vice-Presidents, Mrs. Thomas B. Wren and Mrs. Gezo Lefkowith; Secretary, Mrs. Robert P. Swank; Treasurer, Mrs. Horace Hermany. July 4 was selected as Tag Day to secure funds to start the nursing service. On July 7 it was deemed advisable that, inasmuch as the funds were only sufficient for one nurse, it would be better to form the Mahanoy City Visiting Nurse Association with the motto: “No one in Mahanoy City shall suffer or die neglected”. Miss May Jenkins, at a salary of sixty dollars per month, was secured as the first visiting nurse. She was sent to Reading to study the work of the society there. The first month, the Visiting Nurse Association had fifteen patients with 89 visits. Now the nurses make seven times as many visits each month. Among the many accomplishments of the Association have been: First School Nurses from November 4, 1921 until June 1924. First Toxin-Antitoxin Campaign for children under twelve years of age was held in 1923. First Baby Clinic was held in the Twelfth Street School building in June 1922. These clinics were continued until December 1926. A clinic was opened in April 1932 and continued throughout the depression years. The first president of the Association was Mrs. George G. Mayer, elected June 5, 1914, who served in this capacity until she moved from Mahanoy City in October 1929. At that time Mrs. Thomas B. Wren was elected president and she served until March 1959. Mrs. Fred W. Kleckner has served as president since. Other officers are: Vice Presidents, Mrs. Marian Adam and Mrs. William Haverkost; Recording Secretary, Mrs. Russell L. Foster; Treasurer, Mrs. F. Feger Reed; Secretary for annual drive, Mrs. Alfred Bleyzgis. Other members of the board are Mrs. Elmer Friedberg, Mrs. John Hydock and Miss Helen Chesko. The nurses who, in 1963, are employed by the Association are: Mrs. Pauline Reed, Mrs. Madeline Trakes, Mrs. Murial Kostowskie, and Mrs. Joseph Osenbach. The latter has been on a disability leave since February 1963. Nursing service is available to persons residing in Mahanoy City and the immediate vicinity. All nursing care is given under the direction of a physician. Nursing care is given to Department of Assistance patients and care for the aged under Medical Aid to the Aged Services and dressings for cancer patients are given through the aid of the Cancer Society. Patients from Veteran Administration hospitals receive home care by applying for same through the Visiting Nurse Association. .txt