Area History: A Centennial History - Mahanoy City CHAPTER III - THE CHARTER PETITIONERS PAGES 9-16 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 fromthe submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. __________________________________________________________________ CHAPTER III - THE CHARTER PETITIONERS PAGES 9 - 16 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 PAGE - 9 - CHAPTER III THE CHARTER PETITIONERS A corrupted word from the language of the Delaware Indians is "Mahanoy" to which was added "City" in the petition for a borough charter signed by early settlers of the community. The name was taken from the Mahanoy Mountain and Mahanoy Creek which also titled the township from which the new mining settlement was carved, as well as the township of West Mahanoy, East Mahanoy Junction and Mahanoy Plane. The original spelling of the word is "Maghonioy". The authority for this is the deed, executed August 22, 1749, by representatives of the Six Nations and the Delaware, Shamokin and Shawnee Indians of Pennsylvania, who transferred a tract of land to the Provincial proprietaries for 500 pounds "lawful money of Pennsylvania". The territory included the whole of Schuylkill County, except the northern part of Union Township which was included in the purchase of 1768. The deed traces its boundaries "to the north side of the mouth of the creek called in the language of the Delaware Indians, Maghonioy...." Professor A. Howry Espenshade, late of the Pennsylvania State College (now University) faculty and the author of "Pennsylvania Place Names", gives us a definition of "Maghonioy" or "Mahoni" as he spells it. In Chapter XII, "Towns That Have Indian Names", he writes: "The name Mahanoy, which is usually pronounced with a primary Page 10 - accent on the first syllable, and a secondary accent on the last, was derived from the language of the Delawares, the word "mahoni" meaning a "lick", a term used in the pioneer days to denote saline deposits where deer congregate". Early Pennsylvania maps spell the name "Maghonioy" in various ways. One printed in Philadelphia April 4, 1770 by James Navil "for the author, W. S. Scull", records it as "Machonoy", which was the way many of the early Welsh settlers pronounced the name of their new home. Another early map, drawn from the one of 1770 and inscribed to the sons of William Penn, carries the name as "Machanoy". On a map from Reading Howell, dated 1792, the name appears as "Mahony". This spelling appears not infrequently on mail received at the post office today. The policy of William Penn was to grant no deed for land in his province not already purchased by him from the Indians. The land on which the Borough of Mahanoy City now stands was acquired by the Penn heirs in 1749. "The Purchase of 1749", as it was called, included all of Schuylkill County, with the possible exception of the township called "Union". As the population of the older southeastern counties increased and pushed itself along the Delaware, and the Schuylkill river valleys, it became necessary to form new counties. Berks County and Northampton County were both formed in 1752. Both of these counties contributed to the formation of Schuylkill County. Prior to the organization of Schuylkill County in 1811, the Township now comprising Mahanoy City was called "Brunswick". After 1811, this township was divided in half to form, as the northern part, Schuylkill Township, and the southern part, Brunswick Township, Schuylkill County. In 1824 a movement was started to divide Schuylkill Township. This was done in such a manner that the future borough limits were included in Rush Township. This arrangement lasted from 1824 to 1850. In 1850 Rush was divided into two parts, the western part being called "Mahanoy Township". Mahanoy City continued in Mahanoy Township until its organization and separation as a political entity in 1863. In 1811, Schuylkill County's population was estimated between 6,000 and 7,000, representing several nationalities, among them Pennsylvania Germans predominated. In their petition for the establishment of a new county, they set forth to the General Assembly the great hardships they labored under from being "so remote from the seat of justices and public offices". Mahanoy City's history is allied with that of Mahanoy Township from 1849, when the township was formed, until 1863, when the borough was granted its charter. One of the earliest printed references to the new borough is found in the Lehigh Valley Guidebook of 1873, to which we have referred earlier in this work. This interesting volume records that on January 31, 1789, Christian Barrenstein made application for fifty acres of land in this area upon which a warrant was issued by John Lukens, Surveyor-General. The territory was within the confines of Berks Count at that time. The author states further that the Kunkle survey was made in 1792. What later became the Delano Land Company Tract was surveyed for several warrantees in 1793 and a year later a survey was made of lands later included in the Kear and Patterson Tract. He concludes by observing that the Commonwealth owned little land in this vicinity at the beginning of the (19th) century. Continuing, the writer claims that the first settlement in this area was made between 1800 and 1810. He writes of a sawmill and dam, "traces of which are visible east of Fifth Street". Between 1810 and 1820, it is asserted, several dwellings were built on the McNeal Tract (near Jacksons) and afterwards on the North Mahanoy Tract. "For years", he notes, "the principal business was lumbering and shingle-making". Continuing, he says the town was first laid out in 1858 and that it was incorporated in 1864. (This error may be due to the fact that the first elections were held locally in that year). The growth of the young community is reported to have been slow until 1861, but Page 11 - from 1862 until 1866 great strides were made. The population was estimated at 6,000 at the time of the book's publication with twenty collieries producing 250 tons of coal per day. The amount of capital invested in mining operations was reported to be $1,500,000. The history tells us that the following manufacturies were established up to that time, an iron foundry, pottery, screen factory, boiler factory and steam-flouring mill. It notes that the National Bank (First) had a capital of $150,000 and that two weekly newspapers were published. Early settlers linked to this area in the 1881 history are those of Bernard (Henry) Ketner, Henry Stauffer, Samuel May, John Eisenhuth, Daniel Brobst and Erastus Williams. Of these "first families", it states: "H.H. Stauffer, Justice of the Peace in Mahanoy City, was in 1880 the only representative residing in the limits of the old town". His residence is recorded as dating from the year 1829. In the Miners Journal, Pottsville, issue of June 25, 1859, can be found what is probably the first advertisement for the sale of lots in Mahanoy City. Under "New Advert'ments", appears: "Lots in Mahanoy City for sale. Apply to John Anderson, Agt., Tamaqua, or to Frank Carter, Agent, Office No. 4, Silver Terrace, Pottsville, or at the office in Mahanoy City on Wednesday or Thursday of each month. (week)". In the same newspaper, in the issue of February 2, 1861, appears the ad, "Mahanoy City for sale - Apply to Richard Kear, Minersville, or to R. C. Kear, Mahanoy City". The original map bounding Mahanoy City was made by Frank Carter, engineer of Pottsville, in July 1859. An earlier sketch was made by Peter Shaeffer in the spring of 1858. When the company formed by the heirs of Thomas Biddle, of Philadelphia, decided to lay out town lots, plots, etc., they had this map drawn. The boundaries outlined in the borough charter made the town about 320 acres in area. All streets and alleys are at right angles. The length of the town, along Centre Street, from nearly due east and west, is about one-and-one-fifth miles. The town, which has its north and south boundaries parallel, is about two-fifths of a mile wide. The extensive mining operations of the Philadelphia and Reading Coal Company on the west, and the Lehigh Valley Coal Company on the east have acted thus far as barriers to the acquisition of more land for industrial use. Abraham Pott proved the existence of cal at his Glendon property in 1860 and, twelve months later, Edward S. Silliman opened Silliman's Colliery (later, North Mahanoy), and mined coal there in 1861. THE PETITIONERS In what order the first settlers arrived at the little mine settlement that was to become Mahanoy City, it is difficult to determine. Mrs. Alexander S. Fister, wife of the outside foreman at the Silliman operation (later North Mahanoy Colliery), suggested the name "Stony Point" be used instead of "Rock Town" for the dwellings erected for the workers at the western limits of the borough and the name has continued through the years. Growth was rapid and by September 1863, the community numbered approximately "two hundred freeholders", seventy-three of whom affixed their signatures to the petition for a charter to incorporate the development as a borough. Many of the signatures on the original petition are difficult to decipher. A pamphlet of ordinances printed in 1882 reveals a number of errors in copy, which have been continued throughout the years in pamphlets published later. For example, the name of Peter Otterbach (which could be read as Peter Ollenbous) is recorded as John Ellenbach. The name of Matthias Herries appears as Matthias Harris. Nathan Fehr's name is quite legible but appears in print as Matthew Fletcher. It may be noted that other examples, less flagrant, are evident in a comparison of the original petition and its later published forms. The following is the list of names as they were copied from the original petition: P.J. BARRY JOHN FRICK GEORGE F. WIGGAN, WIGGAN & TRIEBELS (OR TREBELS) CH. M. HILL, JR. SETH KALEY EDWARD BOYER RUFUS VASTINE C. BARTHOLOMEW G. F. BRENDLE CHARLES SMITH HARRISON DERRICK PETTER OTTERBACH DAVID STEWART MATT. DONOHOE (OR DONOHUE) WILLIAM NABLE Page 12 - CHARLES EGLOF EMANUEL BOYER JOHN SCHUTH EDW. S. SILLIMAN ALFRED LAWTON WM. KRAUS E. F. SMITH & Co. VALENTINE BENNER NATHAN FEHR JOHN TOBIAS EDWARD BRITT PHILIP YOUNG JACOB RUDLOFF BLASIUS DREYER FREDERICK ROMMEL FRANKLIN DAVIS M. L. JOHNSON JOHN MILLER, BENJAMIN WALBORN WM. HENRY HEIDENREICH G. R. GOODMAN DAVID BOWMAN CHAS. KAIER CHAS. C. HAGENBUCH HENRY LITSCH D. A. CRAWSHAW MATHIAS WALLERIUS MICHAEL FLANIGAN (OR FLANAGAN) MATTHIAS HERRIES (OR HERRES) JOSEPH HUGHES WILLIAM SCHWEITZER JOHN EICHMAN HENRY PIRMAN R. B. SUEYZE (OR SWAYZE) SAMUEL RINEHART WILLIAM REAGAN (OR RAEGAN) HENRY LEITENBERGER CARL SCHEURMAN FERDNEND METZ EDWARD D. CRONIN JULIA A. LEBO FRANK WENRICH JOEL MILLER THOMAS FITZGERALD GEORGE GUNTHNER (OR GINTHNER) J. O. ROBINSON THOMAS G. WESCOTT SCHONE HORSKER (JOHN HERSKER) JACOB FRANK JACOB DEEM CONRAD GUORES (GURS OR GUERS) TOBIAS SCHOODER (OR SCHROEDER) J. LINDENMUTH EVAN J. GRIFFITHS JONAS BOWMAN HENRY SHARP WM. MONROE Space limitations preclude any detailed biographical sketches of the petitioners. The community is indebted to the later Mr. And Mrs. Thomas L. Thomas for gleaning the information included in the following thumbnail sketches: PATRICK J. BARRY - a contractor, he drove the Mahanoy Tunnel at Buck Mountain and laid the railroad track from that point to Mahanoy City, to which he came from Lancaster. JOHN FRICE - a native of Germany, he was a stonemason and served as a Justice of the Peace for a number of years. He was identified with the building of the first stone bridge over the creek channel at Main and Market Streets, the preparing of the face stones of the tower of old St. Canicus Church from rough mountain rock and the building of the old Centre Street school building. Later, he moved to Catasauqua where he owned a knife and saw factory. GEORGE F. WIGGAN - a partner in the Wiggan and Trebels (or Treibels) firm which operated at colliery at Wiggans. After disposing of his holdings, he located in Philadelphia. CHARLES M. HILL, JR. - was part owner of Hills (later Mahanoy City) Colliery, which was operated by the Hill and Harris Company. Page 13 - SETH KALEY - the proprietor of the Eagle Hotel, on the site of which was later erected the Kaier Hotel, 41-51 North Main Street. Mr. Kaley moved to Reading subsequently. EDWARD BOYER - a grocer who, adjacent to his first establishment, 11-13 West Centre Street, had an enclosure where deer were kept. Below this site was located a tent where enlistees in the Union Army were recruited during the Civil War. RUFUS VASTINE - a stonemason and plasterer, he was the son of the junior member of the firm of Pott and Vastine, which had an office at Pottsville. C. BARTHOLOMEW - a bricklayer and contractor, among the first structures he built was the original First Methodist Episcopal Church. DR. GEORGE F. BRENDLE - a physician who located in Mahanoy City when it comprised but a few dwellings, he practiced medicine here until his death in August 1907. CHARLES W. SMITH - coming to town from Vermont when his brother, Wilbur, became proprietor of the Mansion House, he owned a store in the hotel block and also had charge of the livery stables connected with the hotel. He resided in the borough until his death in April 1903. In his later years, he had charge of the manufacture of illuminating gas for the community. A daughter, Maude K., was a member of the High School faculty for a number of years. HARRISON DERRICK - owner of the Washington House, 37-39 East Centre Street, her later had an establishment at 101-103 East Pine Street. Still later, he was the proprietor of the Eagle Hotel, the name of which he changed to the Derrick House. In 1884, the Derrick family moved to Buffalo, New York. PETER OTTERBACH - owner of a hotel in the first block on East Centre Street, he built the house known as Kaier's Mansion for his wife and young child both of whom died before it was completed. He resided there several years before selling it. Mr. Otterbach was one of the first directors of the old First National Bank. DAVID STEWART - a land agent for Dundas, Biddle, Troutman and Company, he was a civil engineer. MATTHEW DONAHUE - a tavern proprietor, his establishment at 305-307 West Centre Street, was the polling place for the citizens in the "West" Ward, in the early days of the borough's history. (When Mahanoy City was incorporated there was only one voting place, but shortly afterwards, two wards were created, "East" and "West"). WILLIAM NAGLE - engaged in the flour and feed business at 44 North Main Street, he managed a store also for Edward S. Silliman, sr., CHARLES EGOLF - a carpenter, he later became a partner of Mr. Nagle in the flour and feed business. EMANUEL BOYER- known as the community's first permanent resident, he came to the borough on April 20, 1853. Additional biographical data is found in the first chapter of this history. JOHN SCHUTH - a German tailor, he first engaged in the clothing business and then in the making of candy, ice cream and baked goods. EDWARD SILLIMAN - a coal operator, he was the owner of Silliman's Colliery (later North Mahanoy), the third president of the First National Bank and president of the Mahanoy City Water Company. ALFRED LAWTON - a coal mine operator and owner of Lawton's Colliery, one of the earliest mining operations in this vicinity, his residence was a short one as he left here about 1866. WILLIAM KRAUSE - a butcher, he owned a slaughter house, also. Later, he moved to Locust Valley. EDWARD F. SMITH - a hardware merchant and tinsmith, he signed the petition for the firm which he was senior member, Edward F. Smith and Company. He came to Mahanoy City from Port Carbon and, in 1885, moved to Philadelphia. VALENTINE BENNER - a café proprietor, he was one of the first four school directors of the Mahanoy City Public School District. He also served as County Commissioner. Pag3 14 - NATHAN FEHR - a grocer, he resided at 32 West Mahanoy Street. JOHN TOBIAS - a stonemason and general mechanic, he resided in the 100 block on East Mahanoy Street. EDWARD BRITT - a tavern proprietor at 234 East Centre Street, he later moved to Ashland. PHILIP YOUNG - a taproom owner, residing at 133-135 East Mahanoy Street, he was one of the early leaders of the old Citizens Band. JACOB RUDLOFF - Mahanoy City's only paid police officer in the early 1880's, his son, George, was a member of the local police force also. BLASIUS DREYER (DREHER) - a carpenter by occupation, he resident on East Mahanoy Street. DAVID BOWMAN - with his brothers, Peter and Jonas, he operated Bowman Colliery. He resided locally until his death in December 1895. CHARLES KAIER - founder of the Chas. D. Kaier Co., which observed its centennial in 1962, he was identified with the community's development in many ways and his contributions were many and varied. A detailed biography of the life of Mr. Kaier is to be found in the Schuylkill County History (1916), published by J. H. Beers Co., of Chicago. CHARLES C. HAGENBUCH - coming to Mahanoy City from Bloomsburg, he owned a drugstore and was the community'' second postmaster. He maintained his residence here until his death in 1893. HENRY LITSCH - a native of German, he resided in New York City and Ashland until 1858 when he came to Mahanoy City. A stonemason, he and John Frick constructed the walls for the creek channel through the borough. D. A. CRAWSHAW - a boot and shoe maker, he is described as having been a very tall man. A son, George, was killed in an accident at St. Nicholas Colliery. MATTHIAS WALLERIUS - a breaker carpenter, he and his family left the community for the middle west, locating at Salina, Kansas. MICHAEL FLANAGAN - he was the proprietor of a liquor store at 31-33 West Centre Street at the time of his death. MATTHIAS HERRES - a brother-in-law of another petitioner for the charter, Matthias Wallerius. JOSEPH HUGHES - an Englishman, was a tavern owner for a period of years and then opened a shoestore. WILLIAM SCHWEITZER - a blacksmith, he had a taproom at 437-539 East Mahanoy Street. JOHN EICHMAN - born in Germany, he was the first Chief Burgess of Mahanoy City, serving six terms. He also served in the office of tax collector and with his son, Peter, he engaged in the grocery business. HENRY PIRMAN (PIERMAN) - a grocery store proprietor, he first resided in the 500 block on East Mahanoy Street and later at 115-117 East Centre Street. DR. ROBERT B. SWAYZE - coming to town from Bloomsburg, he practiced medicine at his office-residence in the 200 block on West Centre Street. SAMUEL RINEHART - a carpenter and contractor, he had his office and lumberyard at 329-331 East Mahanoy Street. His services were much in demand and he erected many local buildings. WILLIAM RAEGAN- together with his brother, Washington, and Eli Washburn, he built the Cooperative Building which stood at the northwest corner of Main and Centre Streets for half-a-century. It was replaced by the Union National Bank and later by the Reing Building, in which the Woolworth Company store is located. HENRY LEITZENBERGER (LIGHTENBERGER) - engaged in the furniture business, he was also a funeral director. Later, he had a confectionery store in the Cooperative Building. Page 15 - CARL SCHEURMAN - owner of a hotel at the southwest corner of Sixth and Mahanoy Streets, he was president of the German Building and Loan Saving Fund Association. FERDNEND METZ - a hotel proprietor, his establishment was at the southeast corner of Main and Market Streets, present site of the Victoria Theatre. Above the hotel was Metz's City Hall, the borough's earliest "opera house". In 1885, Charles Kaier purchased the property and, in 1893, he built Kaier's Grand Opera House, the leading theatre in the region for many years. Prior to the Kaier purchase, Constantine Metz, a nephew of the early proprietor, was the manager of the hotel and theatre. EDWARD D. CRONIN - he aided in the opening of the Mahanoy Tunnel, residing at its eastern end until its completion. Moving to Mahanoy City, he opened a blacksmith shop at the foot of "Baumgarten's", 104-106 East Centre Street. Later, he resided at 23 North Main Street where he had a flour and feed store. JULIA A. LEBO - the only woman to sign the petition for the charter, he had a clothing and drygoods store opposite the Mansion House and later at 100 East Centre Street. FRANK WENRICH - coming to Mahanoy City from Tuscarora in 1862, after an earlier residence in Lebanon County, he opened a butchershop with Jonas Hines (Heins) as a partner. In 1872, Wenrich served as Chief Burgess. He was Lieutenant when the Silliman Guards was organized as a military company in 1876. He was known for this public spiritedness. A son, William, was killed when the engine, "Gem", exploded at the Reading Station in 1878. JOEL MILLER - a butcher by trade, he was in the employ of John Knapp. THOMAS FITZGERALD - he and his brother, Michael, were railroad contractors. GEORGE GINTHNER (GUNTHNER) - a blacksmith and wheelwright, he resided at the northwest corner of First and Pine Streets. Solomon Kleckner, the community's first wheelwright, was employed by Mr. Ginthner. J. O. ROBINSON - owner of a store, first at 33 East Centre Street, and later, next to the Mansion House, he was the manager of Robinson's Colliery, which was named for him. He was the brother-in-law of the owner of the mine, who resided in New York City. THOMAS S. WESTCOTT - a civil and mining engineer, he resided at 9 East Pine Street. He was active in fraternal organizations and was a vestryman of Church of Faith (Episcopal). SCHONE HORSKER (JOHN HERSKER) - a locksmith and shoe repairman, he resided in the 600 block on East Mahanoy Street and later moved to 29 East Centre Street, where he had a taproom. In 1895, he built the Hersker Opera House, known in later years as the Family Theatre and State Theatre. It houses the Morton Furniture Store at present. He disposed of the café to engage in the confectionery business and later, he owned a hardware store at 101 East Centre Street, in the theatre building. JACOB FRANK - owner of a four-story hotel at 433-435 East Mahanoy Street, the top floor was used as a lodge room in the early days of the community. For a period of years the Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges met there. Later, Mr. Frank owned the hotel property at First and Centre Street, on the present site of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Home. JACOB DEEM - a wheelwright, he had as his associate his brother, William. He moved, in later years, to Locust Valley, where he succumbed. CONRAD GURS (GUERS) - one of the earliest settlers of the mining community, he later moved to Locust Valley and operated a dairy route through Mahanoy City for a long period of years. FREDERICK ROMMEL - after engaging in the taproom business at 112-114 East Centre Street, he bought a farm at Hosensock where his demise occurred. M. L. JOHNSON - a plasterer and stonemason, he later became an agent for the Howe sewing machine. He purchased the Mahanoy House from Emanuel Boyer in 1863. JOHN MILLER - he resided at 308-310 East Centre Street. FRANKLIN DAVIS - in the freighting business, he moved to Sterling, Illinois, in 1870. In 1878, he located to Gronoque, Kansas and, in 1880, he went to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he died in 1902. Page 16 - BENJAMIN WALBORN - he had a taproom at 11-17 East Centre Street. One night ruffians looted it of everything they could find to eat and drink. He closed the establishment and moved to 436-438 East Centre Street where he resided until his death. He owned a number of properties in the borough and was one of the first four school directors. GEORGE R. GOODMAN - owner of a drygoods and grocery store at 32-34 East Centre Street, in 1890 he engaged in the wholesale fruit and poultry business at 136-138 West Pine Street. TOBIAS SCHROEDER - a blacksmith, he later became a farmer in a neighboring county. JONATHAN LINDENMUTH - the community's first postmaster, he moved to Barnesville after several years of residency in the community. EVAN J. GRIFFITHS - a contractor and builder, he was the grandfather of Evan J. Griffiths who was a member of the State Legislature from this district in the 1890's. JONAS BOWMAN - he was one of the Bowman brothers who came from Carbon County to operate Bowman Colliery. HENRY SHARP - proprietor of the Merchant's Hotel, known later as the Pennsylvania Hotel, it was located on the north side of the 200 block on West Centre Street. WILLIAM MONROE - a carpenter who assisted in the building of many properties here, he was later a railroader and subsequently owned a taproom and a grocery store. Moving to Illinois to engage in farming, he was ruined when a plague of grasshoppers destroyed the crops. WILLIAM HENRY HEIDENREICH - a resident of the eastern section of the borough, he had a farm in the Hosensock area where he resided for a time. Later he returned to Mahanoy City residing at 632-634 East Centre Street. He owned many properties in the borough and was one of the members of the first Board of Education. .txt