Area History: History of Schuylkill County, Pa: W. W. Munsell, 1881 Township and Borough Histories pp. 194 - 213 Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by R. Steffey. Typing and editing by Jo Garzelloni and Carole Carr. 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. ____________________________________________________________ HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PA with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers. New York: W. W. Munsell & Co., 36 Vesey Street, 1881 Press of George Macnamara, 36 Vesey Street, N.Y. ____________________________________________________________ page 194 CASS TOWNSHIP. _______________________________________________________________ CASS TOWNSHIP This township is located a little west of the center of Schuylkill county geographically, and is bound by Butler, New Castle, Norwegian, Minersville, Branch, Reilly and Foster. It was formed from Branch, in 1848. In 1855 a portion was set off to form part of Foster, and in 1857 another portion was included in Reilly, then formed. The number of taxable inhabitants in the territory now comprised in Branch, Cass and part of Reilly town- ships was in 1842, 1,058. The number of taxable inhabitants in Cass in 1849, as then bounded, was 799. The population of Cass in 1880 was 3,061. The township is divided into two election precincts, known respectively as North and South Cass. The surface of the township is rough and uneven, Sharp and Broad mountains encroaching much on its territory, and much of it is yet unredeemed from the forest. EARLY SETTLEMENT-OLD MILLS. Many years elapsed between the date of the first settlement within the present limits of Cass and a time when the township had more than a very meagre and very scattering population. Mr. Alspach, who located on the top of Primrose hill, between Miners- ville and Forestville, is stated to have been the first settler in the township. Mr. Crouse built the primitive cabin, half a mile south of Alspach's clearing. The date of their coming is uncertain, but it is supposed to have been an early one. In 1830, when coal operations began to attract business men to the southern part of the present township, the only residents between Forestville and Minersville were Abraham Hoch, a quarter of a mile north of Primrose; Peter Yokam, at Primrose, and Jacob Kantner, on the old Crouse farm. At Forestville were an old house and an old mill, both of which had been long abandoned. The oldest present residents in the locality cannot state when or by whom they were built, or how long they had been idle. It is probable that the mill played its part in the earliest improve- ments in that section, and went into disuse in consequence of the later sparse population and consequent small demand for lumber. Prior to 1840 this establishment often received unimportant repairs at the hands of the few residents, and any man who wished to manufacture a little lumber used it at will. About 1840 it was repaired and partially rebuilt by Robert Patton, who used it five or six years. It was subsequently torn down. There were also early settlers in Heckscher's valley, but patient inquiry of the oldest present residents of the township has failed to elicit any information concerning them. It is not known that any of the des- cendants of any of them are living in the township. As farming began to give place to mining, a half century ago, the land pass- ed into the possession of new comers, and the original owners went to other sections. At Coal Castle there was, when coal mining be- gan, an old saw-mill which was used to some extent afterward, and later repaired and run by Lewis C. Dougherty. Residents there about 1830 were Michael Sands, Abraham Steeper and Frank and James Daniels. There was at Heckscherville another old mill, which was repaired by George and William Payne, and operated for some time in manufacturing lumber used in improvements about their collier- ies. It was long since torn down. INDIAN OCCUPANCY-PIONEER LIFE. In the southern portion of the township when the land began to be cultivated, farmers found from time to time arrow heads, spear heads, stone hatchers and other relics of the aboriginal occupants of the soil, and though it does not appear that they any considerable Indian village was ever located within the present township limits, there is proof that the savages at least frequented the section; but historical incidents connected with the Indian period are not as plenty in the history of the north- ern portion of the county as in that of the southern townships. Very few of the old houses built by the pioneers of the town- ship were standing when the influx of settlers began. One or two of the first domiciles in the southern part are remembered by the oldest residents of the section as primitive in all respects. The life of the pioneers in Cass was as arduous and as unin- viting as it is apt to be anywhere. There were no local condions to render it more than usually easy and uneventful. The county was rugged and heavily timbered, and until the era of develop- ment, was valued somewhat lightly for its productive qualities and its timber, for which the market was early very poor and later none too good. The animals common to the American forests were numerous, and while some of them, with the fish that abound- ed in the streams, afforded easy subsistence to the pioneers, other, notably the bear and the wolf, often made their presence disagreeably manifest. It is said that so frequent were the incursions of the bear and wolf on the scattered pigs styes and sheep folds of the district now including Cass, that the residents for miles around were necessitated to combine in ______________end page 194.______________ page 195 MINING IN CASS TOWNSHIP. ________________________________________________________________ periodical hunts, which served the double purpose of ridding the neighborhood of the pests in a measure, and securing rewards offered for their extermination. Tradition has it that the excitement of one of these early hunts centered in Wolf valley, and that a number of animals were slain there, and on the envi- roning hillsides; but in account of the long time which has elapsed since, and the scarcity of definite information concern- ing the pioneer period of the history of the township, no authen- tic in detail can be given of the affair. COAL OPERATIONS. The energies of the former residents of the township were principally directed to the work of clearing and cultivating the land. Of this industrial period the old saw-mills and a few scattering farms were the landmarks when coal development brought people in comparatively large numbers to the hitherto thinly populated section. The early residents had made openings here and there, and taken out small quantities of coal from tine to time for their own use or to supply such meagre demand as was then afforded. The first opening made for regular and systematic mining in Cass township was made on the Black Heath vein, about 1831. It was a tunnel, driven for Isaac Stauffer by Abraham Hoch. The colliery was soon leased by John Womer, who worked it two or three years, hauling its production over the Mine Hill and Schuylkill Haven Railroad to Schuylkill Haven. Messrs. Heilner & Bast were the next operators there, and at other new openings until 1853. Later A. M. Wood operated there for the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company. The Black Valley slope, which had been put down by M. Heilner, was operated by Thomas Scholl- enburger until 1854 or 1855. The Diamond Coal Company were the next operators. Since 1871 the colliery has been idle. In 1831 or 1832 Jacob Serrill excavated a tunnel which became known as the Black Heath tunnel, about a quarter of a mile up the creek from the Black Valley slope. Dr. Steinberg was the next operator there. He was succeeded by Jacob Serrill, who in turn gave place to Mr. Heilner, who operated the colliery from 1842 to 1852. Richard Heckscher & Co. were his successors. They erected a breaker on the top of the mountain, to which the coal was carried from the mine over a "selfacting plane." The New York and Schuylkill Coal Company operated the colliery from 1865 to 1868, when it was abandoned. At a later date the breaker was burned. A colliery was opened upon the Kantner vein, about 1833, by Wann & Reese Davis. After a few years it passed into the posses- sion of M.G. & P. Heilner, who operated it until some time after 1853, when it was purchased by the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company. About the same time a draft was put down, on the Primrose vein, by a company of Englishmen. They were suc- ceeded in operating it about two years. Some time between 1845 and 1850 Richard Kear put down a slope on this vein, and built a breaker. He operated the colliery till about 1866, when he died. His heirs, under the title of Kear Brothers, worked the colliery till 1868 and Kear & Austey till 1869, when it filled with water and was abandoned. Wann & Reese Davis made a drift to the Big Whiteash vein about 1842. In 1843 the colliery was sold to Gideon Bast, who put down a slope, greatly enlarging the producing capacity of the colliery. Here was soon erected the first successful breaker ever in use in the county, two unsuccessful attempts having previously been made at the mines of Charles Potts, with less effective machinery. Mr. Bast operated here until about 1850, when he sold the colliery to L. Audenreid, who worked it until 1869, when he abandoned it. The second breaker in the county was also erected in Cass, in 1844-45, at the colliery on the Kantner vein, previously mentioned. The above were the principal mining operations on Wolf creek. A number of small enterprises were carried on from time to time. On the Primrose vein Richard Reckert made an opening, which was afterward worked by the Cor- nish Company during many years. They were succeeded by Prior & Jenkins. Henry Harper was the next operator. He put down a slope and built a breaker previous to 1850. The colliery has been long abandoned. At Forestville the Diamond colliery was opened, about 1840, by William Hoch, who sold out to Johannan Cockill before he had shipped any coal. Cockill worked it five years, and it was then abandoned. Goodman Dolbin put down a slope in 1863 or 1864, and operated till 1869, when he sold out to John Wadlinger. A man named Whittaker began operating in 1873, and continued until the breaker burned in 1875 or 1876. Between 1845 and 1850 there were a number of small workings in the outcroppings by Dolbin & Rodg- ers, Robert Patton & Thomas Lloyd, and William Britton & Bristin. The Forestville colliery was opened in 1841, by Salathiel Harris, who worked the Black Heath vein, by means of drifts above water level, until 1844, producing about a hundred tons daily. In 1844 Thomas Petherick took charge of the colliery as agent for the Forest Improvement Company. He continued to ship the coal as it came from the mine until 1848, when he built a breaker with a capacity of 100 tons daily. In 1852 Richard Heckscher & Co. began to work the colliery, and in 1857 they erected the present breaker, which has a capacity of 300 tons per day. The slope was sunk in 1854 a distance of 130 yards, to the Black Heath vein, working 1,400 yards east and 600 yards west. In 1859 it became necessary to sink 150 yards, working the same vein 1,400 yards east and 250 yards, working the same vein 1,400 yards east and 250 yards west, the average thickness being 6 feet. In 1866 the New York and Schuylkill Coal Company was formed, and operated the colliery until 1868, when it passed into the possession of the Manhattan Coal Company, and was leased to Daniel Hoch & Co., who operated it until 1878, giving employment to 280 men and boys. The machinery of this colliery is propelled by 5 engines with a capacity of 160 horse power. Ventilation is produced by a 16-feet fan. ___________end page 195.____________ page 196 HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. _______________________________________________________________ At Coal Castle Michael Sando put down a drift to the Mammoth vein, about 1832, and mined coal on a small scale about ten years. Lewis C. Dougherty put down a drift on the Daniels vein about 1833, and for some years mined about 20,000 tons per annum. His successor was John McGinness, who had seven years of equally large business, until, about forty years ago, the mine took fire at a later date McGinness put down a slope which opened upon the came vein below the fire, and worked it for a time. Salathiel Harris also operated at Coal Castle. At Heckscherville William and George Payne opened on the Mammoth, Jugular and Church veins by drift and tunnel. They were soon succeeded by the Forest Improvement Company, who operated there fifteen or twenty years, sinking slopes, putting in heavy machinery and doing a successful business. The land was sold to the Manhattan Coal Company, and by that corporation to the Phila- delphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company. The Thomaston colliery was opened in 1858 by Heckscher & Co., and operated by them until 1866. The first breaker was built the year the shaft was sunk, and had a capacity of three hundred tons per day. The shaft was 90 yards deep, the Diamond, Crosby, and New veins. From 1866 to 1873 this colliery was worked by the Manhattan Coal Company. In 1870 the present workings were begun, the old ones having been exhausted. The breaker was built by the Forest Improvement Company. The first coal was shipped from the new colliery in 1872, when the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company purchased the property, which they have since oper- ated. The total capacity of the breaker is 500 tons per day; the average production 400 tons. The machinery of the colliery is propelled by seven engines, the total horse power of which is nine hundred and thirty; 225 men and boys are employed outside, and 135 inside. In 1876, 65,996 tons of coal were produced; in 1877, 81,543; in 1878, 77,429; in 1879, 123,078. At Meckeysburg, on land owned by George Meckey, he tunneled to the Mammoth vein, and put a drift down to the Jugular. This colliery has since been leased by General Wynkoop and others, but its production has never been large. Phoenix Park colliery No. 2 was opened by John C. Offerman in 1839, and a drift was worked above the water level till 1842, when Charles Miller, of Philadelphia, and Daniel Still, of Potts- ville, assumed control of the colliery, and operated it until 1865. George Frill operated it until 1866. His successors were Johnson & Dovey, who, in 1869, were succeeded by Z. Byer, and he, a year later, by Daniel Hoch & Co., until 1872, when the colliery passed to the ownership of the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company. The breaker was built by Miller & Stall, and it has a capacity of 250 tons per day. The average daily shipment has been 185 tons. 108 men and boys are employed inside, and 52 outside. The motive power for the machinery is furnished by 8 steam engines with an aggregate of 225 horse-power. Ventilation is produced by a 15-feet fan. The openings are to the Primrose vein. The first slope extends 160 yards from the surface, at an angle of 30 degrees, working the vein 150 yards east. The second slope is 227 yards from the foot of the first, descending at an angle of 27 degrees. The breaker is located 50 yards from the top of the slope. The average thickness of the coal is 11 feet. The colliery produced 25,956 tons of coal in 1878, and 13,612 in 1879. Phoenix Park colliery No. 3 has been owned by the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company for some years, and operated by it since 1877. It was opened, and the breaker built, in 1873 by Lloyd & Glover, and worked by them till 1875, when Mr. Lloyd be- came the sole operator. He was succeeded by the corporation ment- ioned. The first coal was shipped from this colliery in 1874. The depth of the first slope was 187 yards, on an angle of 26 degrees, working Big Diamond vein 1,004 yards east and 1,080 yards west. In 1878 the present slope was finished 120 yards from the easy and 500 yards west. The average thickness of the vein is 6 feet. The number of employes inside is 108; outside 60. Only 5 lives have been lost at this colliery since it was opened. The capacity of the breaker is 250 tons per day. The average daily production is 200 tons. The colliery has 5 engines, with a total of 125 horse power; 22,557 tons were produced in 1876; 22,427 in 1877; 11,018 in 1878; 10,305 in 1879. EDUCATIONAL. Primrose school-house, still in use, was erected previous to the formation of Cass township. In early times abandoned company houses and engine houses were used for school purposes and they continued in use till the present stone structures were built. The first school house was erected at Heckscherville. It has since been enlarged, and it now accommodates 150 pupils. The first board of directors consisted of Andrew Patton, William Cook (still living) John Kennedy, Robert Patton, Peter Fitzpatrick and John Delaney. The first meeting of the board were held at the house of Abraham Hoch. They have since met at various places. Their present place of meeting is McDonald's Hotel, Heckscherville. During many years the average school terms amounted to ten months in the year, and the monthly salary of teachers was $28. In 1855 it came to be $35; in 1860, $40, and during the war of 1861-65, it rose to the maximum of $60. James Knowles was the first teacher in the township, teaching at Primrose. A Mr. Thomas taught at Woodside, in a company house; Michael Connolly at Jonestowm, in an engine-house; Mr. Holt in Heckscherville, in a building now occupied for religious services. James Perso taught the first lessons in the present Heckscherville school-room. Master McGuire (still living) began his education labors as early as 1850, first teaching in ____________end page 196._____________ page 197 SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES OF CASS TOWNSHIP. ________________________________________________________________ Woodside and subsequently in nearly every school in this town- ship. Terence Cook, in 1855, taught in the "Old Log Cabin," at Black Valley, and a Mr. Gressang wielded the birch in the present frame building in that vicinity. The educated but eccentric Mr. Boland was among the earlier teachers, and it was he who "taught by day and studied the stars by night." The following teachers also taught previous to 1865; Martin Finley, Michael O'Brien, Mr. Mulhall, Thomas Fogarty, Charles McGee, Michael Goody, William Mealey, Robert Patton, jr., James McDougal, William H. Conolly, James Mohan, Samuel Clarkson and P.J. Ferguson. Among the teachers since 1865 were the Messrs. Clark, Kelly, Butler brothers, Madden, Toole, Brennan, Dormer, Cavanaugh, Hughes, McAvoy and Brophy. Miss Maggie Kelly was the first female principle employed, and she was quite successful. Messrs. McGuire and Boland were educated in Dublin, and the former taught in that city twelve years previous to his thirty years experience in this township; making a total of forty-two years. Mr. Boland was probably the most versatile and profound scholar who ever taught in town. Library societies sprang up in Forestville and Jonestown, and semi-monthly township institutes were held from 1856 to 1870. The financial management of the school system of the township has not been satisfactory. A large debt exists, and "school ord- ers" have been sold at a discount of from 10 to 30 per cent. Efforts are being made to reduce or extinguish the debt. There are twelve school-rooms in the district and twelve principals are employed; supervised by a township superintendent. The number of children of school age is 1,250; but the average attendance is only 650. The cost of teaching the school is about 98 cents per pupil. By reason of the good attainments and training of the teach- ers the school system of Cass is leading the rising generation in the direction of good citizenship and cultivated manhood. VILLAGES. The mining operations in various portions ofCass township have caused the growth of settlements and villages, which have become known as Meckeysburg, Heckscherville, Coal Castle, Forest- ville, Woodside, Jonestown, Thomaston, Sheafer's Hill, Mine Hill Gap and Delaware Village. All of these settlements and villages have been small, comparatively speaking, and none of them are now as well populated as they once were. The most important of the above-named points are Forestville and Heckscherville. Both of these villages were built up under the auspices of the Forest Improvement Company. This corporation opened stores and carried on a general business in the township for a number of years. Later a store was kept open at Forestville by the New York and Schuylkill Coal Company till 1868. Goodman Dolbin hada store there for a few years subsequent to 1845 or 1846. Joseph Patton was a merchant there from 1873 to 1876. John Dolbin, John Reilly and James O'Donnell are the present merchants. J. O'Donnell and Thomas Conner are the present merchants at Heckscherville. CHURCH HISTORY. The Methodist Church of Hecksherville was built in 1853, by subscription, William Payne having been the principal contribu- tor. Among the early members of the organization were William Payne, George Brown, Josiah Jenkins and Abraham Ayers. The first preacher was Rev. Mr. Banks. There have been no regular meetings held since 1873 and there are few Methodists now living in the neighborhood. St. Keiran's Catholic Church, located at Heckscherville, was erected in 1858, 1859 and 1861, and officiated until his death, in 1875. His successor, Rev. Matthew O'Brian, came in 1875, and remained until 1877. Rev. Martin Welsh was pastor from 1877 to 1879, and was succeeded by the present incumbent, Rev. P. McSwig- gan. The attendance upon the services is large. The value of the church property is about $20,000. St. Stephen's Protestant Episcopal Church at Forestville is a stone building which will seat about 150 persons. The corner stone was laid in 1856, and the building was completed in 1857. The bell was hung in 1858. Charles A. Hecksher and family were the special patrons of the chapel. About 1870 and 1871 Mrs. Arthur B. De Sauls, daughter of Charles A. Hecksher (still inter- ested in church work there), thoroughly renovated the building; refurnishing it very tastefully with new carpets, new chancel furniture, new books for the chancel. A large window of stained glass, a memorial to her father, was among the improvements. The chapel was consecrated by Bishop William Bacon Stevens. It has always been associated with St. Paul's Church, Minersville, and has depended upon its rectors for services. There have been a number of interruptions to church services, but the Sunday-school has been maintained without interruption from the beginning, first under the superintendency of Edward Noble, and for the last eleven years under that of James Nesbit. Rev. Harrison Byllesby was rector at the time of the building of the chapel. The present (1881) rector is Edward J. Koons, of Pottsville. ____________end page 197.____________ page 198 EAST BRUNSWICK TOWNSHIP ________________________________________________________________ East Brunswick is a farming and manufacturing township, located in the southeast part of the county. It is bounded on the north by Walker, on the east by West Penn and on the west by West Brunswick. Its southern border is the southern limit of Schuylkill county. The surface of the township is uneven and it is watered by the Little Schuylkill river and some small tribu- tary streams, the chief of which is Koenig's creek. The township was formed from Brunswick in 1834. Though the Indian had no village or trading point in East Brunswick, and never committed any massacres within the borders of the present township, the early settlers were often greatly annoyed by straggling savages, who came from a settlement on the Susquehanna river. A pioneer named Sherman once shot an Indian on the bank of the Little Schuylkill, near where New Ringgold now is. He was buried near the scene of his death. Daniel, Jacob and Frederick Bensinger, Ulrich Heiser, Daniel Swebb, Daniel Koening, Christopher Boyer, George Buchert, John Bolick, Abraham Seltzer, Christian Koch, Bernhard Kepner, Andrew Benkes, and John Kenear were the first settlers in the township. The Bensingers, Philip Schwartz and John Kenear erected the first log cabins. The first brick house in the township was built by Daniel Kerschner. The first mail was carried on horseback from Orwigsburg through East Brunswick township to Lehigton, once a week each way. The only postmaster in the township for some years was John Yost, son of Judge Yost. There are now three post-offices in the township, two of which received a daily mail. The Catawissa road was the first laid out through East Bruns- wick. It extended from a point about two miles above Port Clin- ton, via McKeansburg, Tuscarora and Mahanoy City, and thence via the Catawissa valley to the Susquehanna, and was the outlet by which the lumber of all the valleys through which it passed was taken to market. At that time lumbering and hunting contributed largely to the support of the residents of East Brunswick. Deer and small game were plenty. An early and well remembered tavern in East Brunswick was that of Mr. Kepner, on the Catawissa road, a mile north of McKeansburg. Mr. Kepner died about sixty years ago at an ad- vanced age. There are now four public houses in the township besides the two at New Ringgold. Andrew Burkes, Bernhard Kepner, Philip Swartz, Henry Lutz and Frederick Bensinger, from the territory now comprised in East Brunswick, served in the war for independence. Daniel Yost, Issac Moser, George Speas, Jacob Heisler and Jacob Waltz were participants in the last war with Great Britain. The first soldier from East Brunswick in the late war was Jacob Dreibel- beis, who went to Pottsville and enlisted. SCHOOLS EARLY TEACHERS AND PHYSICIANS. In 1835 the first attempt was made in East and West Brunswick to adopt the common school system, by creating an independent school district out of a portion of East Brunswick and calling it McKeansburg. The first attempt to elect directors friendly to the system failed on account of its opponents being largely in the majority; but at the annual election the wisdom of the school men was aptly illustrated by their action to secure by stratagem what they had previously lost by being in the minority. The prevailing idea among many was that the existing schools, which were simply what are now termed "pay schools," -a misnomer-and the new system, which they called "free schools," was a different thing. The anti-school men being thus confounded by the terms "common" and "free," the advocates took advantage of their igno- rance by inveigling a well known citizen who was strongly opposed to the system into writing the ballots for the opposing voters, a majority of whom could not write. Thus this man, by writing the ballots "common schools," undesignedly secured, by only one dissenting vote, the introduction of the system, which otherwise might have been delayed for a considerable time. In 1849 two independent districts were formed. They were called South Bruns- wick and Center districts. Other sections were formed into ind- ependent school districts as soon as a majority of voters favored the measure. The first school-house in the township, in which the scholars were taught in English, was erected at McKeansburg. One of the most noted teachers there was Joseph Silver, who was teaching there about 1828. Charles Focht, of McKeansburg, was one of his pupils. Mr. Silver afterwards became a correspondent of the Philadelphia Public Ledger, and now resides in California. There are now nine public schools in the township. The first resident physician was Dr. Daniel Foltz, who resid- ed at McKeansburg. He died about 1830. His successor was Dr. Jacob F. Treichler, who lived _____________end page 198._______________ page 199 FORGES IN EAST BRUNSWICK-McKEANSBURG. _______________________________________________________________ until about two years ago. He was succeeded by Dr. Stopp. GRIST-MILLS---MANUFACTURES The first grist-mill built on the Little Schuylkill and so far as is known, in the township, was erected about a mile below New Ringgold, many years since. About 1820 or 1825 Daniel Weaver bought it, and ran it many years successfully. In dry seasons farmers came many miles to Weaver's mill. There are three others smallgrist-mills in the township, on small streams, erected before the recollection of any living man. In 1812 Daniel Focht and Daniel Graeff built a forge on the Little Schuylkill for the manufacture of hammered bar iron, refined with charcoal, and shaped by hammer driven by water power. A good quality of iron was made, but the process was slow. This business was carried on by Daniel Focht about twenty-five years. In 1867 Francis W. Hughes, Gideon Bast, and Abraham Focht erected a large forge at the same place for the manufacture of blooms direct from the ore, under a patent granted to James Jameson. The process did not give complete satisfac- tion, and a few years later the forge was converted into a steel factory. This establishment was operated for several years at intervals, but is now idle. It is now the property of the Phila- delphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company. In 1829 Messrs. Mayers & Frego erected a charcoal forge on the Little Schuylkill. It was named the Susannah forge, in honor of Mrs. Mayer. The manufacture of hammer bar iron was carried on successfully by this firm for two years. In 1839 the property was sold to Messrs. Klein & Jones, who made bar iron and blooms for some years, when Daniel Bertolett purchased an interest in the works and converted the forge into a rolling-mill. In 1845 John Rausch bought the establishment, and continued the business till 1850, when the dam and several houses were swept away by the well remembered freshet of that year. The establishment was never repaired. In 1830 Jones & Keim purchased a large tract of land in East Brunswick, on the line of the Little Schuylkill Railroad, and builta large charcoal forge on the Little Schuylkill river at Hecla, where they manufactured hammered charcoal iron till the works were damaged by the freshet above referred to. They have never since been put in order, and have gone to decay. In 1851 Matthias Richards, of Reading, purchased the property for its timber, of which there were 2,4000 acres. Lewis Audenreid built a small charcoal forge for the manufacture of bar iron, on Cold Run, about a mile above Hecla. This establishment was known as Mount Vernon forge. Business was carried on there many years, but the forge has for some time been in a dilapidated and useless condition. William Audenreid erected a tannery near McKeansburg about 1830. It was operated successively by him, by Mr. Ertz and Mr. VanRead from Berks county and by Benjamin Matz. It long since went to decay. VILLAGES McKeansburg was for many years the most prominent village in the section, and named in honor of Governor McKean of Pennsylva- nia. The land there was originally owned by Solomon Whitstone, Baltzer Bock and others. The village was laid out in lots in 1803. Under the influence of the early business enterprises in that section of the county, and aided by its location on the Catawissa road, it attained to fair size and importance. It was a market for much of the lumber from Schuylkill, Rush, Mahanoy and the Catawissa valley, which was hauled by teams to McKeans- burg, and thence rafted down the river to Reading, Pottstown and Philadelphia. When the village was at its best it contained three taverns and three stores, all of which did a thriving business. There was little manufacturing interest developed there. The village now contains two stores and two taverns, doing a small business. The elections of the township have always been held at McKeansburg. Lewis Audenried, later so prominently identified with the coal interests, was at one time a resident and a business man of McKeansburg. The present popula- tion of the village does not exceed 150. Hecla was surveyed into lots, about 1851, by Matthias Rich- ards. It contains twelve dwellings and one tavern. The popula- tion is about 60. Drehersville and Rausch's Station are railway stations mere- ly, and are not entitled to the name of villages. At Drehers- ville there is a post-office for the convenience of the residents of the southwestern part of the township and southeastern West Brunswick. CHURCH HISTORY The first log church in East Brunswick township, one mile from McKeansburg, and half a mile from New Ringgold, was built over one hundred years ago, as a union church, by the Lutheran and Dutch Reformed congregations. The congregation consisted of the first settlers. Rev. Mr. Shaffer was one of the preachers. In 1828 the congregation having increased, a new church, also a log structure, was built. It was called Freiden's Church, and the Rev. Mr. Zulich, uncle of Thomas Zulich, superintendent of the Schuylkill Canal, preached in that church and the new one built in 1875, about fifty years. In 1875 it became necessary to build a new church, as the old one gave signs of falling down, and the same congregations built a two-story church, the basement of stone, the second story frame, which, like its predecessors, is called Freiden's or (in English) Peacable Church. In 1828 the Lutheran and Dutch Reformed congregations in McKeansburg built a log church, which is still in pretty good condition. Revs. Erb and Leise preach for the congregation. The first Sabbath-school in the township was started as a union Sunday-school in 1853, in a school-house now belonging to the borough of New Ringgold. There are now three Sunday-schools in the borough and one in New Ringgold. ____________end page 199._______________ page 200 HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. ______________________________________________________________ NEW RINGGOLD BOROUGH ______________________________________________________________ New Ringgold was named in honor of Major Ringgold, the first officer who fell in the Mexican war. The town plat comprised 503 acres, originally owned by Daniel Focht. Later it was owned by Messrs. E. & E. Hammer, Jacob Huntzinger, and Henry Koch. In 1863 it became the property of Hon. F.W. Hughes, who, in 1867, had the entire tract resurveyed, streets laid out, and an entire town plat made. February 22nd, 1877, a petition for the incorporation of the village as a borough was presented to the court. The decree for the incorporation was granted September 24th, 1877, and the court appointed H.B. Koch to give notice of a special election to be held at the public house of Joseph Marburger, October 20th, 1877, for the purpose of electing officers to serve until the first Monday in the following April. The result of the election was as follows: Paul Bock, chief burgess; Joseph Marburger, John F. Ruser, B.F. Solliday, Daniel Becker, Jonas D. Frederics, and Henry Reed, town council; Daniel Leiser, W.H. Miller, Frank Weiss, Joel Marshall, Aaron Focht, and Frank Moyer, school directors; H.B. Koch, constable; J. Lyn, judge of election; Benjamin Yost, inspector of election, and D.A. Foltz, assessor. The first meeting of the borough council was held in the parlor of the Union Hotel, October 23rd, 1877. B.F. Solliday was president; John F. Ruser, first secretary of the council. The first public house in New Ringgold was kept by Charles Focht, in a small frame building erected at a comparatively early date, and now occupied by David Becker. It was regarded as a great convenience by the teamsters hauling coal over the Little Schuylkill Railroad by horse power. It was known among that class of patrons as the "Half Way House." In 1848 Jacob H. Lutz and Philip Moyer built the first two houses, and in 1849 Charles Focht and Israel Stamm built two more, one of which is Mr. Focht's present residence. During the last-mentioned year George Dreibelbeis erected at large stone hotel, of which he was pro- prietor twenty-one years. After its completion the "Half Way House" was abandoned. BUSINESS HISTORY. In 1850 Daniel & Abraham Long erected a tannery and a large dwelling house connected therewith. For some years they did a good business, which grew unprofitable at last, and was aban- doned. Up to the date mentioned the land about New Ringgold had not been cleared. The principal business had been furnishing the railroad company with cord-wood, railway ties and lumber. The post-office was established in 1851, with Abraham Focht as post- master. There was little progress during the following decade. In 1862 John F. Ruser, then and since agent at New Ringgold for the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company, began to sell railroad tickets there. In 1867 Messrs. Gideon Bast, F.W. Hughes and Abraham Focht began the erection of the forge, mentioned in the history of East Brunswick township, for the purpose of making blooms direct from the ore by the unsatisfactory Jameson process. Except during the subsequent brief career of this establishment as a steel mill, manufacturing enterprise at New Ringgold was dormant until 1872, when Messrs. E.S. Sillyman, Jacob Huntzinger and Emanuel Bast, under the title of the Ringgold Iron and Coal Company, began the erection of a blast furnace, which was com- pleted and blown in during September, 1874. It continued in blast nearly three years. July 14th, 1879, the Philadelphia and Read- ing Coal and Iron Company, purchased the property, and on the 13th of the following October David Longnecker, as lessee, took possession. He started the blast November 4th following, but the furnace became idle again at the end of seven months. December 17th, 1880, Messrs. W.M. Kauffman & Co. became the lessees. The furnace in now (January, 1881) undergoing extensive repairs, and when completed, will be one of the most efficient in the region. SOCIETIES. Camp 100 Patriotic Order Junior Sons of America was institut- ed in America Hall August 24th, 1868. The charter members were William F. Long, John F. Ruser, W.H. Gerhart, H.E. Arms, M.P. Bock, David Vetter, Joel Marshall, C.R. Roch, Seth Dennis, N.R. Brobst, D.H. Cook, W.F. Teter and Paul Bock. The first officers were: M.P. Bock, P.P.: W.F. Long, P.: John F. Ruser, V.P.; H.E. Arms, S.; Paul Bock, T.; W.J. Koch, F.S.; A.D. Yost, M. of P. and C.A. May 27th, 1870, the name and title of the order was changed to Patriotic Order Sons of America, and the camp was recharted. East Brunswick Lodge, No. 802, I.O.O.F. was organized in Union Hall June 14th, 1872, with John E. Eckert as N.G.; John Fecker, V.G.; John F. Ruser, S.; F.H. Hesser, Asst. S.; and Israel Stamm, T. PRESENT INTERESTS. The principal street in New Ringgold is known as Hughes ave- nue, in honor of Hon. F.W. Hughes, of Pottsville. The borough has a population of 280. It contains three stores, two hotels, forty dwellings, a black-smith and wheelwright shop, a church edifice and a one-story school-house, and is a station on the Little Schuylkill branch of the Philadelphia and Reading Rail- road. The church was built in 1858, and it is used by all denom- inations. __________end page 200.___________ page 201 MINES IN EAST NORWEGIAN-GROWTH OF PALO ALTO. ______________________________________________________________ EAST NORWEGIAN TOWNSHIP. ______________________________________________________________ East Norwegian township was taken from Norwegian in 1811. The first settlers-Peter Newschwander, John Hughs, Philip Del- camp, John and Conrad Heim, Solomon, Jacob, Peter and George Reep-all located near Mill creek, contemporary with Boechtel at St. Clair. The earlier villages were Conquenac and Mill Creek. These villages are collections of miners' homes. There was once a grist-mill in operation here. Some years since Martin Dormer was running a brewery here. He now calls it the Atlantic Hotel. There are four school-houses in the township. The one at Mt. Hope is rented from the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company. The sum appropriated for school purposes for 1880 was $2,200. MINING OPERATIONS. Mining is the absorbing interest in the township. Sillyman & Evans opened a drift on the Mammoth in 1831, at Crow Hollow. Kirk & Baum, from St. Clair, had four drifts open here, using a breaker and shipping 400 tons per day. They were followed in 1864 by Mr. Gross, who ceased operations in 1869. Pine Forest Shaft.-Thomas Maguire commenced sinking Pine Forest shaft May 5th, 1864, for George Snyder by contract, but abandoned the undertaking on account of trouble from water. Snyder himself then pushed the work forward, hiring workmen by the day, and completing the task in November, 1866. The size of the shaft is 12 by 20 feet. The depth is 362 feet where it reaches the "Seven-feet" vein. The Primrose crops out at the top of the shaft. The Holmes vein is cut 100 feet from the surface and the "Four-feet" at a depth of 270 feet. A tunnel is driven from the main gangway in the "Seven-feet" thirty feet north, to the Mammoth vein; thence north again 270 feet, cutting the Skidmore, which is found 5 feet thick. This shaft is a continuation of the old Pine Forest colliery. The original firm, Milnes, Haywood & Snyder, first started mining about 1840, by operating some drifts in the south part of the township, on Mill creek, starting this colliery in 1845. In 1872 Snyder sold his interest to the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company, the present operators and owners of the land and coal. The machinery was all manufactured at Snyder's machine works. The operators are using one 500 horse power Cornish bull pumping engine, working four 20 inch pumps, 10 feet stroke; two double sets of air compressors; four cylinders, agregating 80 horse power; a double pair of slope engines, 95 horse power each; a breaker and a dirt plane engine, each 30 horse power; and a 25 horse power engine turn-a 15 feet fan. In 1871 they shipped 120,000 tons of coal. In 1880 they were shipping 6,000 tons per month and employing over 200 men and boys. Thomas Maguire, the first inside foreman, died in 1877, when his son, John Maguire, became the foreman. John Morrison has been outside foreman since the shaft was started. In 1870 work in the colliery was suspended for three months, and the time occupied in taking out the water which had burst in from the old workings. Previous to 1877 there was considerable gas, which trouble is now obviated by a better system of ventila- tion. There are fifty tenement houses in connection with the colliery, the average rent of which is $300 per month. PALO ALTO BOROUGH. Up to 1874 the site of Palo Alto was covered with timber, and the undergrowth of laurel was so thick that passage through it was very difficult. A log house stood near where the bridge crosses the Schuyl- kill, and a board shanty had been built for a blacksmith's shop in which to sharpen tools for driving a tunnel to the coal veins in Sharp mountain. The ground which the borough of Palto Alto includes was owned by Benjamin Richards, formerly of Philadelphia, and William H. Warder, also of Philadelphia. The borough extends along the base of Sharp mountain, on the south side of the Schuylkill river, about two miles; and is bounded on the north by the boroughs of Pottsville and Port Carbon. It was laid out by John G. Hewes, in the fall and winter of 1844 and 1845. The portion of the borough that is laid out in streets and lots has a width of about one hundred feet. A strip from the river to a line two hundred feet south from the railroad was reserved for railroad, navigation and manufacturing purposes. At the time Palo Alto was laid out the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad and the Schuylkill navigation had their northern terminus here. The population of the town increased steadily with the increase of tonnage on the railroad and navigation, till the abandonment of the latter, when many of the boatmen who resided here removed to other points. The population consists almost exclusively of laboring people, miners and employes on the rail- road and in the manufactories and shops which have sprung up here. ___________end page 201._____________ page 202 HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. _____________________________________________________________ In 1854-55, William Harris built an extensive rolling-mill here for the manufacture of railroad iron. It stands between the railroad and the river, just above the bridge. Another was built on the opposite side of the railroad in 1863, by Benjamin Hay- wood, who had become the owners of the first. The two constitute what are known as the Palo Alto Rolling Mill. The manufacture of railroad iron is the exclusive business of this mill. About a mile west from the rolling-mill stand the round-house and repair shops of the Mount Carbon and Port Carbon railroad, now leased by the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company. Aside from these mills and shops no manufactories or large industries are in existence here. The borough was incorporated in 1854. The place was named at about the time of the battle of Palo Alto, in Mexico, and an additional reason for giving it the name was the fact that very high timber grew on the mountain above it. The first officers elected in the borough were: Waters S. Chillson, burgess; Allen Enison, William Bensinger, David Riley, John Griner, William M. Stellwagon and Jacob Lime, councilman; William M. Stellwagon, clerk. The following have since been elected to the office of burgess: John Andreson, 1856; James McIntire, 1859, 1875; Cornelius Haggerty, 1859, 1868; John Carr, 1867; P.D. Barnett, 1870; P.J. McIntire, 1871; John Morrisey, 1872; E.B. Moyer, 1877; James Goldsmith, 1878; Simon Ritzel, 1879; John W. Becker, 1880. A post-office was established here in 1870, with William Bensinger postmaster. It was discontinued in 1873 and a free delivery from Pottsville established. The borough has been supplied with water since 1856 by the Pottsville Water Company. CHAPEL, SUNDAY SCHOOL AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS. There is no church organization in the borough. In 1866 a Methodist Episcopal chapel was erected on Union street, between Savory and Cadberry streets. It is a framed building, 24 by 40, and cost $1,300. The lot was donated from the estate of Benjamin W. Richards. The trustees at the time of its erection were Wal- ters S. Chillson, William M. Stellwagon, Jacob Rudy, William Bensinger and James Oren. Occasional preaching is had in this chapel, which is within the limits of the Part Carbon charge. A union Sunday-school was organized in Palo Alto about the year 1853, with Charles Dengler superintendent. After the erec- tion under the M.E. denomination, and Waters S. Chillson became superintendent. He was succeeded by James Oren, Mr. Bausman, William M. Stellwagon and H. S. Kirk, the present superintendent. Of these Mr. Stellwagon served twenty-one consecutive years. The present number of scholars is 110. Officers and teachers 15. The library has about 300 volumes. Previous to the incorporation of the borough a school-house, which built by the township, stood in the extreme eastern part of the town. Soon after it became a borough another was built in the western part of the place. These were stone buildings, with two plainly furnished school rooms in each. In 1878 a new school building was erected near the center of the borough. It is a brick structure 53 by 64, two stories in height, with two school rooms on each floor, furnished in modern improved style. The building is warmed by steam, and supplied with from a spring and reservoir on the mountain side, which are utilized for this purpose. The total cost of the building site, and furniture was $11,000. A graded school is kept in this building, and the two others are used for primary schools. The principal is Bernard O'Hare. The school term is ten months, and the average number of pupils 300. ____________ PORT CARBON BOROUGH. ___________________________________________________________ The borough of Port Carbon was incorporated in April, 1852. The first borough election was held June 7th, 1852. Ross Bull was chosen burgess; T.H. Wintersteen, John E. Woolsen, Milton Boon, Daniel Knittle, Philip Steinbach, Obadiah Reed, Joseph Snyder, John Illingworth and Jacob Lime councilmen, and Henry Schissler town clerk. Ross Bull has ever since held office of burgess, except in 1856, when Henry Guiterman was chosen. The borough is supplied with water from the pipes of Potts- ville Water Company, by a recent arrangement with that company. Port Carbon has now 5 dry goods and grocery store, 2 grocer- ies, 3 shoe stores, 2 furniture stores, 1 green grocery, 2 milli- ner shops, 1 gents' furnishing store, 1 hardware store, 1 drug store, 1 tin shop, 2 hotels, 1 boarding house and 6 confectionery shops. The exact time when the first building were erected within the limits of the present borough of Port Carbon is not known. A sugar camp was there in the spring of 1811. Previous to 1810, and probably about the year 1800, one Stitzel built a saw-mill on Mill creek, in Lawton's addition, and near this mill, on the site of the present residence of Henry Hevenor, a log house with a basement. In 1821 John Pott, the founder of Pottsville, and father of Abraham Pott, built a saw-mill on the Rhodes addition, near where the scales of the Schuylkill Valley Railroad now are. Near this mill a rude log ___________end page 202.____________ page 203 THE FOUNDERS OF PORT CARBON. ______________________________________________________________ house-the residence of the sawyer-was erected. This was the second dwelling in the place. In 1826 Abraham Pott, who had purchased from his father 630 acres of land here, erected the third dwelling in the borough; a framed house, still standing on Washington street, Rhodes's Addition, and occupied by Mrs. Berry. In the same year he built five tenant houses, all of which are still in existence. He also built in that year a saw-mill on Mill creek, near the centre of Port Carbon proper, and near this mill a house of squared logs, two stories in height, and a large framed barn. The location of these buildings was between Pike and Jackson streets. The house was burned some twenty years since. The barn is still standing, having been converted into a dwelling. Port Carbon proper was first laid out in lots along the river by Abraham Pott, and was by him named Middleport. In 1828 he sold a tract embracing these lots to Jacob W. Seitzinger and William Wetherill, who renamed the place Port Carbon, because it was the shipping port of large quantities of coal on the Schuyl- kill navigation. In 1821 Thomas S. Ridgway and Clayton Earl purchased from John Pott an acre of ground in Schuylkill river for a landing, or place to load coal on boats, when the navigation should be com- pleted. In his sale to Seitzinger, and Wetherill Abraham Pott reserved an acre adjoining this for the same purpose. As early as 1830 these were laid out in small building lots, except a narrow river front, and soon covered with buildings. The locali- ty has ever since been known as "Acretown." Lawtonville, or Lawton's addition, which embraces the north- western part of the borough, took its mane from William Lawton, of New York, who laid out village lots on land belonging to himself, William Wallace, and George W. Bright, in 1829. Irishtown, the northeastern part of the borough, was laid out in 1829 by Abraham Pott on his own land. The lots into which it was divided were large, and about 100 in number. The locality took its name from the nationality of the settlers in it. Many of the descendants of the original purchasers of these lots are still living in them. Rhodes's addition, which forms the eastern part of the bor- ough, was also laid out in 1829, by Daniel J. Rhodes, on land owned by himself and Joseph H. Newbold. The southern part of the borough is bounded in part by the Schuylkill river, and extends as far as the Palo Alto rolling mill. It was known as the Salem property. It was so named from a colliery which was opened on it in 1830 by Abraham Pott, and by him called the Salem colliery. In the original warrant which was taken out by Sarah Thomas it was designated the Mayfield tract. The addition known as Mechanicsville was laid out in 1836 by John and Robert Young, on land belonging to them. It embraces the western part of the borough, and lies south from the public park. It took its name from the fact that it was settled mostly by mechanics, such as masons, carpenters, etc. Philip Faust is believed to have been the first resident of what is now this borough. He was the sawyer in the mill that stood on Mill creek in Lawton's addition. He was succeeded in the house and mill by George Hilbert, who resided there when the elder Mr. Pott built the second house in the borough, as before stated, in 1821. In this house John Wommer first resided. In 1820 William, brother of Abraham Pott, took up his residence in the house built by the latter, and in 1827 Abraham became a resident. He has continued to reside here since, except during an interval of four years between 1846 and 1850. Mr. Pott came to Pottsville with his father from near Reading in 1810. In 1826 he commenced here, and till within a few years he has been in active business here, principally mining. He may by truly termed the father of the place. Active benevolence and an unselfish public spirit have always been his distinguishing characteristics. Mention is elsewhere made of the improvements which were the results of his practical ingenuity. In addition to these it may here be stated that he was the first to produce anthracite iron, which he did at Black furnace in New Philadel- phia in 1836. He still resides here, at the age of eighty-one, and to his retentive memory much of this early history of the place is due. Among the prominent and active early residents of the place may be named Joseph Allison, William Dicus, John G.Hewes, Dr. Palmer, Abraham Hevenor, who was at one time a member of the Legislature; Thomas Sillyman, Joseph Richardson and others. Many who carried on business here for many years were residents of Pottsville. William Harris was the pioneer blacksmith. He worked in the shop of A. Pott, near the center if Rhodes's addition, in 1826. Barney Taylor was the first carpenter. He came about 1829, and opened the first hotel during the same year in a building on the northeast corner of Pike and Coal streets. The first store was kept by Samuel Christman in 1827, in a warehouse in Acretown. The building has been remolded and it is now used as a hotel. Dr. William Hansel was the first resident physician. The first children born in Port Carbon were Leah Hilbert, afterwards Mrs. Hess, and Elizabeth Pott, subsequently Mrs. Eshleman. The earliest marriages were those of Stephen Hauser to Elizabeth Robbins, and Ira Lake to Mrs. Fanny Pott. The first death was that of a boatman whose name is not remembered. The Salem Colliery was the only one of any extent ever car- ried on within the limits of the borough. It was first opened as a drift by Abraham Pott in 1829, and by him worked during several years. In 1833, or thereabout, John G. Hewes sunk a slope to the same vein, and it was worked till about 1849. The Schuylkill navigation was completed to Port Carbon in 1828, and from that time till its abandonment this was the ship- ping point for all the coal mined near this place and in the mines on the railroads leading to it. Railroad communication between this borough and Philadelphia was established in 1845 by way of Mount _________end page 203.__________ page 204 HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. _____________________________________________________________ Carbon and the Reading Railroad. The depots of the Mill Creek and Schuylkill Valley railroads are located in the borough. A post- office was established here in May, 1829, with Elisha Warne postmaster. MANUFACTURING DEVELOPMENT. In 1830 Abraham Pott erected a steam saw-mill in Black val- ley, near the northeastern part of the borough. This was the first steam engine that was set up north from Reading. In this mill Mr. Pott instituted a series of experiments for the utiliza- tion if anthracite coal for generation of steam. After two failures he succeeded perfectly with the grate which he devised. This grate had almost exactly the form of the grates now univer- sally used for that purpose. "Honor to whom honor is due!" This honor is certainly due to him. A brick yard was started by Mr. Pott in 1831, near to where the manufacture of brick is now carried on. From the same bed of clay bricks have been made every year since. Where the first excavations for clay were made the ground is now under cultiva- tion. In 1832 Benjamin Haywood, who then carried on an extensive blacksmith's shop, put up an engine of about six horse power to propel lathes for turning car axles. This engine was afterward removed to Pottsville. In 1838 Conrad Straub and Lawrence F. Whitney erected the first grist-mill, just east from the bridge over the Schuylkill. The building still stands, but it is not in use. In 1839 T.H. Wintersteen erected a foundry and machine shop a short distance south from the grist-mill. This building still stands, between the rolling-mill and furnace, but it is about to be demolished. In 1842 Alfred Brook erected a foundry and machine shop, which was burned, and rebuilt in 1863 by Allison and Bannan. It is mow operated by Robert Allison, in the manufacture of air compressing and mining machinery, which is sent to all parts of the world. In 1860 Charles Baber established a planing-mill and manufac- tory of sash, blinds and doors a short distance west from the Schuylkill Valley Railroad scales. The same business has been carried on there till within two years. In 1865 Zaccur P. Boyer built the rolling-mill, and to this subsequently added a furnace. About three years since the Phila- delphia and Reading Railroad Company became the owners of this property, and business is conducted there by Atkins & Brother. The first iron bridge in the borough was built across Mill creek, on Coal street, about 1863. Since that time iron bridges have replaced all the old wooden structures. CHURCHES OF PORT CARBON. "The First Presbyterian Church and Congregation of Port Car- bon" was organized by the election of a board of trustees and the adoption of a constitution of the 7th of August, 1833. The trustees were William Bosbyshell, Jesse Turner, Henry Porter, Abraham Heebner, E.S. Warner, George Hadesty, L. Whitney, James Laing and Nathaniel Davis. The church was organized April 2nd, 1844, with Henry Porter and wife, Dr. J.J. Foster, Mrs. Caroline Foster, Miss Ruth T. Foster, Mrs. Clarissa Haight (wife of the pastor) and her daugh- ters Ann Maria, Martha and Clarissa, Jesse Turner, Hugh McCrack- in, Jane Falls, William Bosbyshell, and Elizabeth Whitney as constituent members. E.S. Warne, Henry Porter and J.J. Foster were chosen elders, and Rev. Sylvanus Haight was received as first pastor. The Sacrament was first administered on the 20th of April, 1834, and the first persons baptized were three children of Lebbeus and Eliza Whitney, and a child of J.J. and Caroline Foster, baptized on the 18th of May, 1834. The pastors since Mr. Haight have been, in the succession of their pastorates, Rev. Messrs. Sellers, Dr. Robert McCartee, Andrew Jardine, Garret Van Artsdalen, George Printz, D. Wilson Bonnell, H. David Town, Wardlaw, A.M. Lowry, S.A. Davenport, and S. Bell-the present pastor. Mr. Lowry was pastor twenty-one years. A church edifice was erected in 1833 and 1834, and dedi- cated on the 16th of March in the latter year. It stands on Grand street, and between First and Second streets. It is a stone building (though covered with clapboards), 40 by 56, with lecture room in the basement and a gallery in the audience room. It has only had ordinary repairs. The first church bell in the Schuylkill valley was placed in the belfry of this church in 1835. It was broken in 1844. The Presbyterian cemetery was established in 1833. The Lutheran Church of Port Carbon was organized in 1840, by the Rev. William Minneg. The members at its organization were Abraham Pott, Adam Hartsog, Morris Seligman, William Krehner, Jacob Bretz, Louis Heilner, Henry Guiterman, Philip Hoover, Jacob Krebs, L.F. Whitney, Solomon Seligman, Francis Grove, George Goodman and fifty others. In 1829 the first school-house in Port Carbon was built by Abraham Pott, on the lot now occupied by the Lutheran church and cemetery, and in this school-house meetings were held from the time of its erection till the Lutheran church was built on the same lot. This church building was erected in 1852, by the Lutheran and German Reformed societies-the latter having been organized soon after the former. It was a wooden structure, 30 by 40 feet, with a gallery and a stone basement, and its cost was about $1,500. It has had only ordinary repairs since its erec- tion. It was owned jointly by the Lutheran and German Reformed societies till 1874, when the former purchased the interest of the latter. The first pastor was Rev. Mr. Schultz. The names of subse- quent pastors cannot be learned. The first Sunday-school in Port Carbon was organized soon after the erection of the school-house. It was not at first the school of any society, for none existed here; but it was support- ed by all. The present Lutheran Sunday-school is regarded as the continuation of this school, however. It was supported by the Lutheran and German Reformed societies as long as the latter maintained its __________end page 204.__________ page 205 CHURCH OF PORT CARBON. ____________________________________________________________ organization. The names of some of the early superintendents are lost. The following are remembered: Philip Hoover, John Wentz, Charles Zurwick, Henry Krebs, the present superintendent. The present number of scholars is about 150. The library consists of 1,425 volumes. The first cemetery in the borough was the yard of the first school-house, now the Lutheran church yard, established in 1830. It was enlarged to its present size in 1846. The Reformed Church of Port Carbon was organized in the year 1840, by Rev. David Hassinger, who was the first pastor. It consisted at the time of its organization of twenty-five or more members. Of these Isaiah Aregood, Philip Paul, John Bretz, Samuel Bretz, Jeremiah Bretz and Simpson Vomer are remembered. Previous to the organization of a church all Christians in Port Carbon worshiped together in a school-house spoken of in the history of the Lutheran church. The church edifice that was afterward built on the same lot was jointly owned by both socie- ties till about 1874, as elsewhere stated. Among the clergymen that have been pastors of this church since Rev. Mr. Hassinger are remembered: Rev. Messrs. Graeff, John M. Clemens, John Guntenbine, and J. P. Stein. St. Stephen's Church (Catholic) was organized about the year 1840, and until 1847 it was a mission church and was supplied from St. Patrick's Church at Pottsville. In 1847 Rev. Daniel Magoirien became local pastor, and he continued in that relation till 1877, when he was succeeded by Rev. J.C. McEnroe, the pre- sent pastor. The church edifice was erected about 1840, and it has under- gone no material alteration since. It is a stone building, 46 by 120. It was built mostly by voluntary contribution of labor and material by the members of the congregation. At the time of its organization the parish included New Philadelphia, which has since become separate parish. Probably the congregation at first numbered 2,5000; it now numbers about 1,100. The First M.E. Church of Port Carbon was organized in April, 1844, with Rev. J.C. Thomas as pastor. Among the members at the time of its organization Tobias H. Wintersteen and wife, G.W. Wintersteen, Ross Bull and wife, David Oliver and wife, William Berger and wife, Joseph Burnham and wife, Joseph Bier and wife, John Headley and wife, Daniel Oliver and wife, James Bury and wife, Robert Jackson and wife, Joseph Thomas and wife, Johnson Fellam and wife, William Sims, John Sims, Jacob Adams and wife, Absalom Ishman, David J. Myers and wife, Ephraim Allen and wife, Dorothy Wertelee and John Thomas. The first class, which was organized in 1835 or 1836, met in a house belonging to Miss Delilah Wintersteen. Subsequently the place of meeting was a stone house still standing on Market street, where the Methodists were supplied at various intervals by the pastor and local preachers from Pottsville. The first church edifice was erected in 1845, and dedicated in January, 1846, Dr. Durbin preaching the dedicatory sermon. It wasa stone structure, about 40 by 50, with a basement and end gallery, and its cost was about $5,000. This was taken down and the present building erected on the same site-corner of Pike and Washington streets-in 1869. The deduction sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Danshiell. It is a brick structure, 44 by 47, with basement and end gallery, and cost about $10,000. The clergymen who have served this church, and the years of the commencement of their pastorates, are as follows: John C. Thomas, 1846; George D. Bowen, 1847; Henry Gilroy, 1849; J.H. McCarter, 1851; J.H. Wyth- es, 1853; J.W. Arthur, 1854; J.F. Meredith, 1856; J.J. Jones, 1858; J.H. Turner, 1860; C. Walters, 1862; William McCombs, 1864; Allen Johns, 1866; Jerome Lindermuth, 1867; N. Frame, 1869; Will- iam S. Pugh, 1872; W.H. Fries, 1874; Joseph Biggerton, 1875; E.L. Martin, 1877; A. Howard, the present pastor, 1880. The Sunday-school was first organized in 1844, with David Oliver as superintendent and about 75 pupils. Ross Bull, T.H. Wintersteen, William Berger, G.W. Wintersteen, Rev. E.L. Martin and John Ramsey have been superintendents. The present superin- tendent is J.A. Beir. The present number of pupils is about 175; officers and teachers 40. It has a library of about 450 volumes. The Evangelical Church of Port Carbon was organized by Rev. John Neitz in 1848. Previous to that time a class existed, and Philip Dreher was the class leader. Occasional meetings were held in private houses, where preaching was had by transient or local preachers. Among the members of the church at its organization were Philip Dreher, John Medlar, Obadiah Reed, Philip May, Philip Hoover and Daniel Knittle and their wives. Mrs. ---- Seligman, William Moyer, and wife, Mrs. Mary Grimon, John Schimpf and wife, Catherine Kalbach, Sarah Windermuth and Catherine Windermuth. The first place of worship was in a house on Coal street, and in a room fitted up for meetings of Odd Fellows and Sons of Temperance. The church edifice was erected in 1869 on the corner of Washington and First streets. It is a wooden building, 35 by 45, with a basement. Rev. Messrs. Bast, Reinel, J. Gross and Shell, were pastors between 1848 and 1860, but the dates of their pastorates cannot be learned. Later pastors began their services as follows: Joshua Fry, 1860; L. Snyder, 1866; C. Harman, 1862; G. Marquardt, 1864; E.Ely, 1866; ----- Bryfogle, 1868; Frederick Krecher, 1870; D.S. Stauffer,1872; William Black, 1874; J.R. Workman, 1875; D.A. Medlar, 1877; Frederick Krecher, 1878; J.R. Hensyl, the present pastor, 1879. The present number of members is 51. The Sunday-school was organized in 1849, with about 70 schol- ars. He was followed in succession by Daniel Paul,Levi Paul, Peter Hain and Charles Warnkessel, the present superintendent. The present number of __________end page 205.___________ page 206 HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. _____________________________________________________________ pupils is 125; officers and teachers 22; volumes in library 250. SCHOOLS. The first school-house was built by Abraham Pott, in 1829, on the corner of Coal street and Rock alley. The first school in the borough was taught in this house by Christopher Young. Many who were pupils in this school still reside here. This building was used as a school-house till after the ac- ceptance of the school law in 1835. A larger and more commodious school-house was erected on the corner of Washington and First streets in 1838, and in this the public school was kept till the erection of the present school building. The old public school building was of stone, two stories in height. It is now convert- ed into a public hall. The present public school building was erected in 1870, at a cost of $17,000. It is a brick structure, about 60 by 70, three stories in height, with a tower in which are a bell and a town clock. There are two school rooms on each floor, and a direc- tors' room in the third story. The principals since the erection of the new building have been G. Wells, till 1877, and J.H. Major since. The average number of pupils is about 500. The curricu- lum of study embraces all the common and many of the higher branches. LODGES AND ASSOCIATIONS. A lodge of the United Order of Odd Fellows early existed here, became extinct, was revived and again died out. A division of the Sons of Temperance was instituted in 1846, and became extinct in 1877. It accomplished much good. A lodge of Good Templars, too, was instituted, but after a time ceased to exist. A council of the United Order of American Mechanics existed at one time, but it became extinct. Schuylkill Lodge, No. 27, I.O.O.F. was instituted at Port Carbon June 1st, 1830, with the following officers: Isaac Holden, N.G.; Abraham Pott, V.G.; Edward H. Hancock, secretary; James H. Holden, assistant secretary; John C. Flanagan, treasurer. The lodge maintained its existence till June11th, 1844, when it surrendered its charter. The charter was restored, and the lodge reopened September 14th, 1846, with the following officers: P.G. Joseph Snyder, N.G.; P.G. Daniel Hilleges, V.G.; P.G. Lewis Heilner, secretary; N.Strause, assistant secretary; S. Seligman, treasurer. It has maintained an uninterrupted existence since that time. So great has been the number of presiding officers that a list of them here is not practicable. The present officers are: Jesse Newlin, N.G.; P.G. John Simpson, V.G.; P.G. C.D. Lurwick, secretary; P.G. William Krebs, assistant secretary; P.G. Robert Allison, treasur- er. The lodge met in several places successively in different parts of the borough till 1872, when, on the formation of the Citizens' Hall Association, it, in connection with the Knights of Phythias and Sons of Temperance, acquired, through trustees, an interest in the Citizens' Hall, in which it has met since March, 1873. The meetings are held each Friday evening. The present number of members is fifty. Of the very early members Daniel Hillegas, who was a P.G. at the time the charter was restored, is a member at the present time. The lodge is not only without indebtedness, but its assets amount to more than $2,100. Golden Rule Lodge, No. 43, Knights of Phythias was instituted under a charter granted February 11th, 1868, with thirteen char- ter members. The first officers were: Jacob Wentz, V.P.; Isaiah Cartwright, W.C.; William H. Fry, V.P.; William D. Dreher, R.S.; William B. Kane, F. S.; Jeremiah Seitzinger, W.B.; E. Templin, G.; Banks Rowe, I.S.; A. Morgan, A.S. The first place of meeting was in Ganes Hall, corner of Pike and Coal streets. Since 1873 it has met in Citizens' Hall, in which it owns an interest. It meets each Monday evening. The present officers are: Brittain Culver, C.C.; John L. Shister, V.C.; P.C. of B. Berkheiser, P.; P.C. Jacob Day, M.A.; P.C.W.P. Gillingher, K. of R. and S.; P.C.J. Cartwright, M. of F.; P.C. Robert Allison, M. of E.; P.C.W.F. Paul, sitting P.C. Allison Post, No. 144, G.A.R., named in honor of the three Allison brothers of Port Carbon, who were killed at White Oak Church, was instituted in October, 1879, with thirty-eight char- ter members. The first officers were: Thomas Garris, P.C.; William B. McEl- rath, S.V.C.; William H. Brenner, J.V.C.; William Kane, C.D.; Isaiah Cartwright, Ad.; Robert Smith, Q.M.; Henry Bausman, G.W.; J. Burnham, C. The present officers are: W.J. McQuade, P.C.; J.P. McCord, S.V. C.; Stephen Jones, J.V.C.; Thomas Bull, O.D.; Isa- iah Cartwright, Ad.; Frank Knittle, Q.M.; Henry Bausman, G.; Dan- iel Paul, C. The present numbers of members is 38. The Citizens' Hall Association was organized as a joint stock company in 1872, with a capital of $600, of which not all was subscribed. The company purchased from G.W. Wintersteen the stone school-house that stood at the corner of Washington and First streets. This they took down, to the basement, and erected thereon an enlarged wooden structure, which they fitted up, the first story for janitor's residence, dining-room for entertain- ments, offices for committees, etc. The second story is fitted up as an audience room, with stage and gallery, for lectures, exhi- bitions, etc., and the upper story is arranged for the meeting of societies. The total cost of this building was about $8,000. It is the only public hall in the borough. Savings Fund and Building Associations.- The originator of these is said to be Edward Noble. The first, termed the Port Carbon Savings Fund, was organized in May, 1867, with Robert Allison president and Jesse Newlin secretary. These gentlemen continued in office during the existence of the organization, a period of nine _________end page 206.__________ page 207 EARLY HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR. _______________________________________________________________ years and six months. Mr. J. Medler was treasurer till June, 1871, when H. R. Heebner was chosen in his place. The Franklin Savings Fund and Building Association was incor- porated in June, 1872. Nine series of stock, including 2,220 shares, have been issued. The officers are: Robert Allison, president: F. B. Berkheiser, secretary; G. W. Heebner, treasurer and receiver, and sixteen directors. It is still in successful operation. _____________ ST. CLAIR BOROUGH. _______________________________________________________________ St. Clair was incorporated April 6th, 1850. The first bor- ough election was held on the 9th of May following. The first officers were: Jacob Metz, president; Charles Lawton, chief burgess; Jacob Metz, John R. Williams and Jacob Frantz, town council; John Seitzinger, justice of the peace; Joel Metz, high constable; Lott Evans, town clerk; Benjamin S. Jackson, assessor; Henry Krebs and Daniel Slobig, assistant assessors; Daniel Frack, John W. Lawton and Joseph Denning, auditors; William Smith, John W. Lawton, John W. Williams, John Sandford, William Stoker and William Montelius, school directors. St. Clair is situated on Mill creek, near the centre of the first or southern anthracite coal field. Its first settlers was Michael Boechtel, who came here near the beginning of the present century, and located on the farm now by Samuel Arnaut. He was followed by John Malone, a lumber dealer, the Nichols family and others. The first industrial beginnings were a cider-mill on the Nichols farm and two saw-mills, one built, very early, just back of the M.E. church, another, later, near John's breaker. In 1831 Carey, Lee & Hart, who had bought the Nichols farm, which then comprised the whole of the St. Clair tract, laid out the first street of the new village, which was named from the Christian name of its former owner, St. Clair Nichols. The new village contained but eight houses. None of these remain. Banks of culm from Hickory colliery now cover the sites of most of them. One very small house, called the saw-mill house, stood just east from R. Boone's store, and one just in the rear of the old brick building on the southeast corner of Second and Hancock streets. The Mill Creek Railroad was built from Port Carbon to this place some time in the year 1829. John Heald, now residing here, worked for Superintendent Benjamin Milnes, preparing the road-bed on New Year's day of that year. The cars were drawn on wooden rails, by horses. The Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company built their Mill Creek branch to St. Clair and New Castle in 1845. A public road to Port Carbon was opened about 1837, by Barton Evans. Another road to the old turnpike, making connec- tion with Pottsville, had been opened by Boechtel or Malone. In 1829, John Burgett came to St. Clair and erected a tent in which to shelter and board workmen on the Girard tunnel. Soon after erecting this tent he built a small framed tavern called "The Cross Keys," one block below the depot. His daughter Char- lotte Burgett was the first child born in the borough. Daniel Frack, now of Frackville, came about 1831, and built a tavern on the next lot south, at the corner of Hancock and Third streets. The third tavern was built by Jacob Metz, in 1844, and is now kept by H.H. Marshall. The hotel now kept by John Taggert was commenced soon afterward. In 1831 St. Clair Nichols set apart a lot for a graveyard. Anthony Irwin, now residing here, helped to fence it, and was grave-digger during several years. The land was afterward deed- ed, by Carey, Lee & Hart, to the borough, and was set apart for a borough cemetery. Work on the St. Clair furnace was commenced by Burd S. Pat- terson in 1842, and suspended in 1844. It was finished and put in blast in 1864. James Lannigan bought it and operated success- fully until 1873, when he failed by reason of unfortunate specu- lations. The furnace, which is now idle, is the property of the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company. Private schools were commenced here as early as 1834. Among those who sustained them were the Evans, Nichols, Burgett and French families. Of the teachers in these schools Nancy March, who taught where Mr. Koch resides, opposite the Creek school- house, Sarah Runk, Sarah McNair, Richard Greenly, Ralph Branch, a Miss Boyle and Mr. McCamant are remembered. The first free school was taught in 1838 or 1839 by Benjamin Jackson, who came from Catawissa. He taught in the old school-house that stood in the borough cemetery. This building was erected for religious meetings. Jackson was followed by John Colburn, Isaac Breach, James Stoker, Esther Evans, Washington H. Lawrence, Benjamin French and William Porter. In the year 1848 a Mrs. Shippen taught in a house which stood on the site of Joseph Townsend's store. P.D. Barnett, contempo- rary with Porter, taught the first school in the Creek school- house in the following year. Theodore Thompson was an a assist- ant during 1850, and the next year succeeded Barnett as princi- pal, and continued in that capacity during fourteen years. The St. Clair post-office was established in 1845. The mail was at first carried by stage to and from Pottsville. The fol- lowing are the names of the postmasters, in the order of their service: Jacob Metz, Jonathan Johnson, Thomas Irvin, Martin Dormer, James Kelly, James Brown, Edward Richardson, Mrs. M.A. Richardson, ______________end page 207._______________ page 208 HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. _______________________________________________________________ Samuel Mateer, and, since the death of her husband, Mrs. M.I. Mateer. There is now a telegraph station in the post-office. COAL HISTORY. The veins of coal in the north part of the borough have been nearly exhausted; but rich mines are believed to be in the south- ern portion and its vicinity. Previous to 1830 very little coal had been mined, and no shipments made. John Offerman and a Mr. Wheitroff had opened a drift on crop of the Mammoth vein in 1828. The place took the name High Germany, from the nationality of its operators. On the completion of the Mill Creek railroad, regular coal openings were made and shipments commenced. The following is a brief history of the different veins in their order from the surface, and the principal collieries operated in them. The operators leased the mines from the land owners, Carey, Lee & Hart. The Orchard vein overlies the others within the borough lim- its. It was first operated by John Pinkerton & Co., who in 1830 opened a drift in an apple orchard near the farm house now owned by Samuel Arnaut, whence the named "Orchard vein." This drift was the first regular coal opening at St. Clair; and from it the first shipments were made. John Holmes, with others, sunk a slope in the west part of the borough. The vein there is about four feet thick. A drift was also opened on this vein in the east part of the borough, about 1866, but it was abandoned on account of the thinness of the vein there. The Primrose vein was opened by several water level drifts in 1830, near the present site of the railroad depot, by Pinkerton & Co. These drifts were worked by different parties until 1843, when Alfred Lawton became the operator in this vein. He was followed by Frank Parvin, who sunk a slope and mined considerable coal, but he encountered a dirt fault, and abandoned the working. The eland owners, wishing the vein not to lose its reputation, continued work for a time, but finally abandoned it. Griffith Jones, superintendent for the Peach Orchard Coal Company, operated a slope in the east part of the borough from 1866 to 1870. This vein, in some places, was twelve feet thick. Jones, while operating here, tunneled north to the Holmes vein, and afterward south to the Orchard vein. The Holmes vein received its name from its discoverer, John Holmes, a native of Dublin, Ireland. This vein was not discov- ered as soon as the Mammoth vein, but it is the next vein below the Primrose. Mr. Holmes came here in 1841, and commenced prov- ing veins both for himself and William Montelius. About 1846 he, while operating with others on the Orchard vein, sunk a shaft and struck the vein which afterward fore his name. He also opened a drift on the vein in the east part of the borough. Mr. Holmes superintended for George W. McGinnis on his slope and shaft. After McGinnis sold his colliery, he returned to his former work of prospecting. In 1872 Adam Jackson reopened the drift in the east part of the borough, and at a cost of $900 built a breaker, with a 10 horse power engine and a daily capacity of 40 tons. The coal is a good quality of red-ash. The drift has been oper- ated since 1878, by Joseph Atkinson, who employs nine men and ships 300 tons per month. It is called the St. Clair colliery. In 1870, David Vipen opened a drift a short distance south of Jackson on the south dip of this vein. In 1876 Thomas Bedford and Thomas Burke leased the coal of the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company, and at a cost of $1.000, built a breaker with a capacity of 40 tons per day, using an 8 horse engine. Burke bought Bedford's interest in 1878, and then drove a new tunnel of 70 yards, doing the whole work with his own hands. He has since driven three gangways, aggregating 200 yards, and six breasts. The coal has been in part faulty, but he has now reached good coal. The Mammoth vein was discovered in 1830, by Isaac Beck, late payingteller in the Miner's Bank, Pottsville, while washing his hands in the creek where its bed curved around close to the abase of the West hill. He took out a quantity of coal, but made no regular opening. In 1835 John Pinkerton leased the coal and drove a gangway, about 900 yards west, and opened both drifts and a slope. Pinkerton mined a large quality of coal; shipping as much as 100,000 tons a year. He, like others, worked the "Four- feet," and "Seven-feet" veins, while operating on the Mammoth. He also drove a tunnel north 60 yards, and found the Skidmore vein only 14 inches thick. He drove a gangway 100 yards with no good result. He then continued his tunnel north to the Buck Mountain vein, which he found from 7 to 10 inches thick. He again tunneled to the Skidmore from the Mammoth, at a point 700 yards west from the first tunnel, with no satisfactory result. About 1831 Samuel Sillyman and E. Evans opened a drift on the Mammoth vein at Crow Hollow, now Pine Forest, and came to High Germany in 1837 and opened a drift. In 1845 Benjamin Milnes, Benjamin Haywood, and George Snyder sunk a new slope at High Germany, and called it Pine Forest. They went farther up the hill, and in 1848 and 1849 sunk Mt. Hope slope. This firm dis- solved in 1853, Snyder continuing, and Milnes buying out Pinker- ton. Milnes, with his son William, continued the old drifts and slope, and sunk a lower level slope, and named it Hickory col- liery. They sold to the Boston Consolidated Coal Company about 1864. B. Milnes also opened a part of the Johns basin, west of the creek, which was sold to Chillis and afterward abandoned. In 1843 Alfred Lawton leased the coal on the St. Clair tract and commenced the St. Clair shaft. Lawton failed and was fol- lowed by others until 1853, when Enoch W. McGinnis leased the coal and finished sinking the shaft. This shaft is 10 1/2 by 18 feet, and cut the Primrose at a depth of 122 feet, and the Mam- moth at 438 feet. The shaft is 740 yards south of the crop. While McGinnis was sinking the shaft he sunk a slope on the crop of the Mammoth, 650 feet west of the old Pine Forest slope. ________end page 208. ________ page 209 BUSINESS AT ST. CLAIR SCHOOLS FIRE DEPARTMENTS. ______________________________________________________________ This slope was started to supply coal for the engines awhile sinking the shaft; but was continued afterward, so that it became connected with the gangways from the shaft. James S. Kirk and John E. Baum purchased McGinnis's interest in 1857. Griffith Jones was superintendent for the land-owners, who took charge in 1862. In 1864 they leased to the St. Clair Coal Company. John C. Northall took the colliery in 1866. He soon took Kendrick and Dovey as partners, and afterwards with- drew. It is said that they shipped as much as 1,000 tons per day. In 1871 the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company pur- chased the land and commenced operations. In 1873 they were shipping about 500 tons per day. There have been three breakers at this shaft, two of which were burned. A 500-horse power pump- ing engine and 80-horse hoisting engine are in use at this col- liery. William Mathews is foreman. They expected to resume mining at this shaft some time in the future. John's Eagle colliery includes a detached basin of coal, which was discovered by George Wagner, who took from the land owners, Wetherill & Seitzinger, a three years' prospect least, bearing date 1845. He opened a drift on the "Seven-Feet," and sunk a shaft on the Mammoth vein. At the expiration of this lease William H. and Thomas Johns procured a twenty years' lease. This firm was dissolved in 1853, William H. Johns continuing unt- il the expiration of the lease, when George W. Johns and brother, sons of William H. Johns took a fifteen year lease. In 1876 this colliery produced about 10,000 tons of coal per month, and furnished employment to three hundred men and boys. Two mine locomotives, a 90-horse pumping, a 50-horse foisting, a 50-horse breaker and a 30-horse slope engine were in use. There have been three breakers at the colliery. The first was built by William H. and Thomas Johns in 1849. This was worn out, and William H. Johns built a second, the largest in the region, in 1857. It has broken 138,000 tons of coal in year. It was burned in May, 1878, and the present one was erected. The Seven-feet, Mammoth and Skidmore veins are worked. Below these are the Buck Mountain and two Lykens Valley veins. This has always been one of the most successfully managed collieries in the region, producing in net profit to its fortu- nate operators several million dollars. IMPROVEMENTS-BUSINESS CONCERNS. The waters of Mill creek, the banks of which are now faced by stone walls, connected by three iron and six wooden bridges, once abounded with shad and other fish. On the sides of the stream was a dense forest, which has disappeared. The streets are reg- ularly laid out at right angles with each other. The walks are paved; many with white gravel from Silver creek. The buildings stand very closely together, and nearly every one is on the line of the street. The dwellings though plain are tasteful. The pre- sent population is 3,159. Pinkerton & Hudson at early day commenced the erection of the brick store now standing on the corner of Second and Hancock str- eets. The place is well supplied with dry goods stores and grocer- ies, fancy stores, stove, tin and hardware store, shoe stores, drug stores, a book store, etc. It has also a lumber yard and an extensive machine shop and brass foundry, as well as numerous shops for the supply of the ordinary wants of the people. The Miners' Supply Company is engaged in the manufacture of squibs, etc., for the use of miners in firing their blasts. The idea was suggested by Jesse Beadle to S.H. Daddow, more than ten years since. The inventions were perfected, and patents obta- ined, and a manufactory has sprung up here which gives employment toa large number of the inhabitants of St. Clair, and adds greatly to the prosperity of the place. SCHOOLS. St. Clair has three school buildings, all of which are requi- red to accommodate the pupils in attendance on the schools, the total number of which is 900, the average being about 700. The oldest building in use at present, known as the Creek building, was erected about 35 years ago, and is situated in First street, between Carroll and Hancock. It contains four rooms, each with a capacity for 50 pupils. The building is in a very good condi- tion, having been recently renovated. The old, or upper brick building was erected in 1861. It contains four rooms, which will seat 250 pupils. There is a fine play-ground, 200 feet square, connected with the building. The lower, or new brick building, on Mill street, between Railroad and Patterson, was built eight years ago. It has four rooms, which are well fitted with modern conveniences, and which have a capacity for 320 pupils. On the top is a tower, in which is the town clock. It has a fine playground of the same dimensions as that of the upper brick house. Eleven teachers are employed in these schools, which are divided into six grades: one high school, one grammar school, two secondary, two sub-secondary, two primary, and three sub-primary. Mr. Richard Brown, teacher of the high school, has for ten years had supervision of all the schools, subject to the board of education. They are in an excellent condition, and stand high in the county. "How well," and not "how much," is the motto which the teachers of St. Clair adopt. FIRE DEPARTMENT. St. Clair is supplied with water by the Pottsville Water Comp- any from a reservoir several miles north of the borough, elevated so that no engines are required to throw streams to the necessary height. Hope Hose Company, No. 1, was first organized in 1867, with D.J. Rice as president; and reorganized in 1880. It has a char- ter and about 20 members. Thomas Baker is president; John Baker, secretary; P.D. Conry, treasurer. Their rooms are in the borough building. Columbia Hose Company, No. 2, was organized in 1868. ____________end page 209.____________ page 210 HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. _____________________________________________________________ Its officers are: Llewllyn Jones, president; James Jones, record- ing secretary; Charles Short, financial secretary; William Bald- win, treasurer. It is a beneficial society. Its rooms are on St. Nicholas street. LODGES AND ASSOCIATIONS. Mineral Lodge, No. 285, I.O.O.F. was chartered November 22nd, 1847, and organized April 1st, 1848. The original members were John Batten, Philip Lewis, Anthony Mowry, Jacob Metz, William Phillips, William Renner, John Seitzinger, Daniel Shaffer, William Walker and William Williams. The officers for the first term were: William Walker, N.G.; Jacob Metz, V.G.; John Seitzinger, secretary; Anthony Mowry, assistant secretary; William Phillips, treasurer. The lodge meets each Wednesday evening, in the hall on the corner of Second and Hancock streets. The present member- ship is 126. The present officers are: George Phillips, N.G.; James Rodgers, V.G.; D.W. Lewis, secretary; Samuel Evans, assist- ant secretary; Adam Kline, treasurer; D.W. Lewis, David Tucker and Joseph Urch, trustees. September 27th, 1865, the lodge purchased of John Holmes four acres of land for a cemetery. It was chartered July 12th, 1866, under the name of the Odd Fellows' Cemetery Association of the Borough of St. Clair. The cemetery was dedicated October 1st, 1867. An addition of three acres was subsequently made. Authracite Lodge, No. 285, F. & A.M. was instituted April 13th, 1854. Its charter members were William Milnes, Charles Lawton, Theodore Thorne, William J. Uhler, Jonathan Johnson, John L. Geiger, William Littleales and George Stahl. The first offi- cers were: William Miles, W.M.; Charles Lawton, S.W.; Theodore Thorne, J.W.; William J. Uhler, secretary; Jonathan Johnson, treasurer. The lodge has a membership of 92. Its officers in 1880 were: Edward Herbert, W.M.; Thomas A. Nicholas, S.W.; David Tucker, J.W.; William J. Burwell, secretary, and Jonathan P. Bowen, treasurer. It meets Tuesday evening before each full moon, in the hall at the corner of Hancock and Second streets. Union Cornet Band has 19 instruments. It was organized in 1862, reorganized in 1871 and chartered in 1873. The charter members were Jacob Schoppe, Asher Hains, August Leoper, August Schlotman, William H. Badge, Jacob Post and Joseph Wise. The present officers are: Thomas Gammil, president; August Schlotman, secretary; Asher Hains, treasurer: William H. Badge, leader. The band meets Tuesdays and Saturdays at Evan's Hall, Second street. Ivorites.-Bee Lodge, No. 1 was instituted at the house of William P. Williams March 14th, 1863. It is a beneficiary and literary society. The first officers were: Thomas Jones, presi- dent; Thomas M. Jones, vice-president; John Watkins, secretary. The present officers are: Lewis W. Evans, president; Charles Evans, vice-president; Shem Richards, secretary; William D. Jenkins and William Reese, stewards; William Thomas, leader. The treasury now contains $3,000. The number of members is 101. This is the oldest lodge in America under the names of Ivorites. All the accounts are kept and the business transacted in the Welsh language. John Ennis Post, No. 47, G.A.R. was organized March 27th, 1867. The charter members were William G. Burwell, Thomas A. Nichols, Joseph H. Dennings, Charles L. Roorbach, Thomas Ray, Samuel Winn, Henry A. Buechly, Clay W. Evans, D.J. Price, F.W. Richardson, John Krebs, B.T. Seligman, James W. Hughes, Charles Laramy and Samuel Holmes. The first officers were: Joseph H. Dennings, post commandeer; William G. Burwell, senior vice-commander; Samuel Winn, junior vice-commander; Thomas A. Nichols, F.W. Richardson, quartermaster; Charles L. Roorbach, surgeon; Charles Laramy, chaplain; John Krebs, officer of the day; D.J. Price, officer of the guard. The present officers are: John W. Ray, commandeer; J.B. Bowen, senior vice-commander; John Davis, junior vice-com- mander; Jonah Davis, junior vice commander; Samuel Winn, adju- tant; H. H. Marshall, quarter-master; George Reese, surgeon; Richard Brown, Chaplain; L.T. Brewer, officer of the day; David Evans, officer of the guard. The St. Clair Saving Fund and Building Association was organ- ized September 16th, 1867, with 1,4000 shares. The monthly re- ceipts, to the year 1878 averaged $1,300. There are now only 12 shares. W. McCarthy is secretary, and D.W. Lewis treasurer. Lincoln Lodge, No. 92. K. of P. was instituted July 17th, 1868. The first officers were: Lewis H. Koch, P.C.; Thomas A. Nichols, C.C.; H.M. McElwain, V.C.; M.K. Short, K. of R. and S.; B.F. Seligman, M. of F.; H.B. Davis, M. of E.; Thomas Spittle, M. at A.; James W. Shoener, I.G.; John S. Snyder, O.G. The lodge has been very successful. Since its organization it has distributed $8,772 for the sick, funeral expenses, and the relief of its needy members. Its officers are: R.P. Wictomb, P.C.; Reuben Price, C.C.; Thomas Bramby, jr., V.C.; J. Wesley Morrison, prelate; ---- M. at A.; Seth Orme, K. of R. and S.; David Tucker, M. of E.; George W. Heinback, M. of F.; Richard Cox, I.G.; John Dodds, O.G. The present membership is 140. The Union Saving Fund and Building Association was organized June 16th, 1869, with 2,2000 shares, and has issued six series of stock. The monthly receipts of this society to the year 1878 averaged $2,250. The shares are now nearly all withdrawn. Joseph Townsend is president; W.J. McCarthy secretary, and Charles Short treasurer. The object of these associations is that their members may obtain interest on their money, or obtain loans for building, or paying mortgages, which may be paid in small monthly installments. St. Michael's Benevolent Society, No. 206 of the I.C.B.U., was organized April 14th, 1870. The charter members were organ- ized Patrick Melia, M.J. Duffy, Michael Sullivan, James Sullivan and Thomas McKeon. The first officers were: Peter F. Kelly, president; Dennis Leahy, 1st vice-president; M.J. Duffy, 2nd vice-president; J.M. McCarthy, secretary; John Hanly, assistant secretary; Patrick Conry, treasurer. The present officers are; Daniel _____________end page 210.______________ page 211 SOCIETIES AND CHURCHES OF ST. CLAIR. ______________________________________________________________ Duffy, president; J.C. Leary, 1st vice-president; Morris Boland, 2nd vice-president; M.J. Duffy, secretary; Michael Sullivan, assistant secretary; Dennis Leahy, treasurer; Peter Corcoran and John McCullough, stewards; P.H. Gallagher, messenger. The socie- ty meets on the third Thursday in every month, at 7 p.m., in the basement of the Irish Catholic church. Its membership is large and increasing; the finances are in good condition. The pastor is always honorary president of the society. Branch No. 19 Emerald Benevolent Association of Pennsylvania was organized in 1872. The president was Robert McGann, the secretary Thomas Mulroy, the treasurer W.J. McCarthy. The benefits paid by this society since its organization, amounting to $5,000, have all gone for charities, principally to members and their families. Schuylkill Tribe of the Improved Order of Red Men, No. 202, was instituted May 19th, 1873. The first chiefs were: Prophet, John Chadderton; sachem, Seth Orme; senior sagamore, Thomas Lamb; junior sagamore, John Lee; chief of records, John Heap; keeper of wampum, John Wylam; guard of the forest, Hugh Thomas. The tribe has distributed in charities $1,760.50. The present chiefs are: P., Matthew Dodds; S., William Moore; Sen. S., James Hughes; C. of R., John Mason; K. of W., Seth Orme; G. of W., George W. Heinbach; G. of F., Edwin Evans. The tribe numbers 67, and meets in Jarvis Hall. Monument Association.-The people of St. Clair were among the first to agitate the subject of a monument to the memory of those who died for their country in the civil war. A society was formed under the mane of The St. Clair Monumental Association, and a committee was appointed to raise the necessary funds. The monument was procured at a cost of $2,600. It was erected in the Odd Fellows' cemetery, and dedicated on Thanksgiving day, 1874. The association disbanded April 3rd, 1876, and turned over the amount of funds on hand, $536.71, to the G.A.R., in the care of which the monument was placed. CHURCHES. Primitive Methodist.-This church celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of its organization in 1881. Its first meetings were held in the old school-house in the borough cemetery. It was the first church organization in the town. Of the original members only John Heald and Mary Fox are living. The first pastors were William Sanders, B. Webber, T. Burroughs, C. Spurr, and T. Fos- ter. Mr. Foster retired from the ministry December 20th, 1845. Rev. Hugh Bourne, founder of Primitive Methodism, who was on a visit to this country, was appointed to fill the vacancy. Next came William Smith and A. Miller. During Mr. Miller's pastorate, in 1847, the first church building was erected, on the site of the present one, corner of Hancock and Mill streets. It was a framed building, cost about $2,000. In 1859 Rev.T. Butterwick became pastor. Revs. E. Crompton and George Parker succeeded him. The parsonage was purchased in 1864 at a cost of $700. Rev. C. Spurr was the next pastor. In 1868 Rev. S. Horwell came, and during his pastorate the church was improved, at a cost of $1,400. It was reopened in 1869 by Rev. Dr. Smythe. The next pastors were F. Grey, H.G. Russell, and J.W. Reed. During Mr. Reed's pastorate the present building was erected at a cost of $7,500; the old one having become unfit for use in consequence of the caving of old coal workings under it. The corner stone was laid with masonic ceremonies September 12th, 1876. In 1869 Rev. J.H. Acornly, the present pastor, was appointed. The trustees are J. Wylam, J. Morgan, W. Jarvis, G.W. Lookingbill, J. McGui- rel, William Yeo, G. Phillips, J. Hesslop and G. Jones. The Sunday-school was organized about 1847. The first superintendent was Charles Coop. The average attendance is 150. Pilot Orme is now superintendent. Welsh Congregational Church.-This church was built about 1840. Its deacons were William Price, David Richards and David T. Richards and David T. Richards. Its first minister was Rev. Evan Evans. Rev. John Jones, Lott Jenkins, Dan Thomas and E.B. Lewis were pastors later. The church has numbered more than 100 members and the Sunday-school over 150 scholars. The church is now supplied monthly and has about twenty members, but no school. It is free from debt. Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church.-This church was organized in 1842. In November, 1846, a lot was purchased and a building erected. The first pastor was Rev. Robert Williams, also pastor at Pottsville, Danville and Minersville. The next pastor was Rev. John Adams. Rev. E.J. Hughes came in 1858, and the church edifice was rebuilt in 1860. From this time until 1868 the church was very prosperous; then immigration ceased; many left the place and the children joined the English congregations, so that now it has but few members. The present superintendent of the Sunday-school is David C. Powell. Welsh Baptist.-In 1846 a few Welsh Baptists, who were members of a church in Pottsville, held prayer meetings in private houses in Wadesville and in St. Clair. Revs. R. Edwards and W. Morgans, of Pottsville, were the first preachers. About 1847 or 1848 they bought a carpenter shop and fitted it for a house of worship. In 1853 they purchased a lot and erected a new building, on First street, which they now occupy, free from debt. The church was organized in 1877, having hitherto remained a branch of the Pottsville church. Among the first members were Mr. and Mrs. John R. Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Jones, Mr. and Mrs. William Lewis, Mr. and Mrs. John Morgan, Mrs. Mary Thomas, Mrs. Maria Evans, Mrs. David Lewis, Mrs. James, Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Jane Thomas. The first pastor was Rev. W. Morgans, of Pottsville, who officiated until his death in 1876. His succes- sor was Rev. T.P. Morgan. In December, 1878, Rev. D.S. Thomas, the present pastor, was called. Seven members of his church have become ministers-John W. James, Edward Jenkins, Benjamin Nicho- las, Jonathan J. Nicholas, A.M. Spencer, W.D. Thomas and William G. Watkins. The Sunday-school, established early in the history of ______________end page 211.______________ page 212 HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. ______________________________________________________________ the church, has numbered 100 members. Shem Richards is superin- tendent. Both the Welsh and English languages are used in the school. Methodist Episcopal.- This church was organized in 1848, and at first connected with the Port Carbon church, Rev. G.D. Bowen pastor. In 1849 the St. Clair society was transferred to the Pottsville church, Revs. H. Colclazer, G.D. Carrow and J.L. Taft pastors. In the spring of 1855 the St. Clair church became an independent charge, Rev. S.W. Kentz the first pastor. The suc- ceed-pastors were Revs. J. Carlile, H.H. Bodine, S.L. Gracey, S.N. Chew, W. Smith, J.J. Jones, G.T. Barr, S.G. Hare, J.Y. Ashton, R. Owen, G. Oram, David McKee, E.H. Hoffman and A.L. Urban. Among the names of the first members are Johns, VanHorn, Haines, Morrison, Arnold, Crawshaw, Slobig, Bradbury, Ford, Turner, Watkins, Jones, Ferribee, Price, Hoffman and Winn. Services were at first held in the old school-house in the ceme- tery. In 1849 a church was built, and dedicated by Rev. G.D. Bowen. The present edifice was erected in 1868, during the pastorate of J.Y. Ashton. The present pastor, Rev. John Dyson, was appointed in 1880. The Sunday-school was organized in the old school building, with Mr. Thomas Johns as superintendent. The school, of which E. Herbert is now superintendent, numbers three hundred pupils. Episcopal Church.-The first services of the Church of the Holy Apostles were held in a hall by Rev. F.A. Starkey, in 1847. In 1848 a vestry was organized and a charter granted to Joseph G. Lawton, J. Foster, R.H. Coryell, M.D., and others. The first rector was J.B. Colhoun, followed by Rev. G.L. Neide. A Sunday- school was organized early and maintained largely by the efforts of Mr. Lawton. Rev. Azariah Prior and the rector of Trinity church, Potts- ville, D. Washburn, subsequently put forth efforts to establish a church here, and laid the corner stone of the church building, at the corner of Hancock and Nichols streets, October 8th, 1854. Rev. Mr. Prior was followed by Revs. W.R. Carroll, and W.H.D. Hatton, who, September 15th, 1858, had the church consecrated. Then followed successively Revs. A.J. Faust, G. B. Allen, W.V. Feltwell, G.B. Allen a second time, and T. Burrows, who built the rectory; Revs. Edmund Christian, C.B. Mee, S. McElwee and H.P. Chapman, the present rector, who took charge November 19th, 1876. The church building has been recently repaired and improved. Mr. Joseph Foster is the only one of the first vestry, who is still here. St. Bonifacius German Catholic church was built in 1852. The first pastor was Rev. Mr. Repis. His successors were Revs. Hamm, Sommer, Werner and Schedle. In 1865 Rev. F. Depmann became pastor. He is now a member of the Order of St. Francis and known by the name Father Bonifacius. In 1869 Rev. Bernard Dornhege became pastor. The new school-house is a remembrancer of his zeal and devotion to the cause. His successor, in 1872, was Rev. Mr. Frende. Rev. Mr. Schlebbe, the present pastor, took charge in 1879. Since 1872 the number of families in the society has decreased, leaving 70, or 300 pupils. A society called the St. Joseph's Beneficiary Society is connected with this church. St. John's German Reformed, and Lutheran Churches. The German Reformed Congregational society was organized in 1853 by Rev. Mr. Gatenbein. Jacob Farne was elected and ordained elder, and Herman Wolf deacon. Rev. I.D. Graeff succeeded him. During his pastorate the society joined with the Evangelical Lutheran con- gregation in the erection of a building to be used by the two societies. The house was dedicated October 21st, 1855. The cost of the lot and building was a little more than $2,000. In 1856 the German Reformed society called Rev. J.D. Graeff. He was followed by Revs. Samuel Miller, William Rupps, John Clemens and Albert Stauffer, who resigned in 1876, since which they have been occasionally supplied. The society contained 110 members in 1863. The Sunday, which was organized with the society, has about 50 members, with John Super superintendent. The Lutheran society sold their rights, and withdrew May 6th, 1873, and reor- ganized with 20 members under the name Evangelical Lutheran Zion congregation; and November 2nd of the same year dedicated their new building on Nicholas street, which, with the lot, cost $2,200. Their first pastor was G.A. Hinterleitner, succeeded by John Nicum. The present pastor is W.H. Kuntz, of Schuylkill Haven. St. Mary's Church of the Immaculate Mother of God (Irish Roman Catholic) was built in 1864. The pastor was Rev. James Brehony, who also erected the parochial residence, at a cost of $6,000. The laying of the corner stone and the consecration of the church were performed by Rev. James F. Wood, D.D. It is situated at the corner of Mill and Hancock streets, and it cost $18,000. The parishes, and contained about 3,000 souls. The services were at first held in St. Clair Hall. Rev. Mr. Breho- ny's successors were Revs. Philip McEuroe, Michael McEuroe and Michael J. Gately, the present pastor, who took charge May 28th, 1878. The present number of souls does not exceed 1,000. English Baptist.-This church was a branch of the Pottsville Baptist church. The first meeting was held in the Creek school- house February 16th, 1871. The original members were John Bea- dle, Robert Humphreys, James Britton, Caroline Britton, Daniel T. Griffith, Miss Mary Williams, Mrs. Llewellyn, John R. Williams, Mrs. Ann Griffith, James Kelly, James Powell and Mrs. Hester Thomas. The first officers were: John Beadle, deacon; James Powell and Daniel Griffith, secretaries. The first pastor, A.H. Sembower, was at the same time pastor in Pottsville. The suc- ceeding pastors were D.T. Davis, William Warlow, J.W. Plannett and A. Myers, the present pastor, who entered on his duties February 1st, 1880. The building was dedicated December 31st, 1880. It is a framed building, standing on the corner of First and Carroll streets. Its cost was $3,902.39. The present of- __________end page 212.__________ page 213 ROBERT ALLISON-VILLAGES IN EAST UNION. _____________________________________________________________ ficers are: John Beadle, James Beadle, James Britton and Griffith Smith, deacons; David Griffith and Daniel T. Griffith, secre- taries. The church has always had a Sunday-school. John Beadle was the first superinten-dent. It now numbers 163 pupils, with George Hapgood superintendent. ROBERT ALLISON. Joseph Allison was one of the well-known early miners of Schuylkill county. He was born in Westmoreland county, England, and, at Middleton, Teesdale, Durham county, married a lady born at that place during the year of his own nativity. In 1829 he came to America, where his wife and three children joined him in 1830. The family located that year in Schuylkill county, where they have resided since, except during three years passed in Northumberland county. They removed to St. Clair in 1847, where they still live. The descendants of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Allison (children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren) number more than one hundred. Robert Allison, son of Joseph Allison, was born in Middleton, Teesdale, Durham county, England, December 25th, 1827, and came to this country with his mother and other members of his family in 1830, joining his father, who had come the previous year. He received a limited education in such schools as were in vogue in Schuylkill county during his youth, working in and about the mines in the summer and attending school in the winter, between the ages of twelve and sixteen and a half years. At the latter age he entered the machine-shops of Messrs. Haywood & Snyder, in Pottsville, as an apprentice to the general machinists' trade. Completing his apprenticeship, he was employed at journeywork about two years and then accepted the position of foreman in the shop of Tobias Wintersteen, at Port Carbon, and served in such capacity for Wintersteen and others until 1864, when, in partner- ship with Mr. F.B. Barman, of Pottsville, he began business at the Franklin Iron Works, at Port Carbon. In 1878 he purchased Mr. Barman's interest in the establishment, and has since been sole proprietor. Under Mr. Allison's personal supervision the Franklin Iron Works have attained a wide-spread reputation and a remarkable degree of success through the special machinery invented and patented by Mr. Allison, the cataract steam pump, the hydraulic feed for diamond drilling machinery and improvements on percus- sion rock with his improvements in air-compressing engines, have given Mr. Allison and his work a reputation throughout the world. Machinery has been made at the Franklin Iron Works and shipped to all parts of the United States, and to Australia, New Zealand, South America and Europe. Mr. Allison, though of foreign nativity, is a thorough Ameri- can in all that the name implies. Politically he has been a Republican since the organization of that party. As a citizen he has the respect of the people among whom he resides. His influ- ence and means have ever been employed to advance the best public interests.