Area History: History of Schuylkill County, Pa: W. W. Munsell, 1881 Township and Borough Histories pp. 244 - 263 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 244 HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. ______________________________________________________________ NORTH MANHEIM TOWNSHIP. North Manheim was taken from Manheim township in 1845. The early settlers of this township were Germans, or their descend- ants who had crossed the Blue mountain subsequent to the French and Indian war, and settled in the Schuylkill valley and along the little streams running east and west that emptied into the main river. They were a hard working and robust race, and have left their impress upon the natives of the soil, who still dwell upon or near the homesteads of their ancestors. During the Rebellion great numbers of young men enlisted in the Union army and served faithfully to its close. No other township can show a better record than this in that great struggle for the national integrity. The original occupants of the soil were greatly disturbed by predatory Indians, and several were massacred by them in their raids upon defenseless settlers; but the close of the Revolution brought peace and security. Of those who took part in the war of 1812 none are left. Of those who first settled this township and became permanent owners of the land John Diebert owned and occupied a farm in the Centre turnpike, near Orwigsburg, and his children lived upon the same land after his death. He was a native of the county and left numerous descendants, many of whom still reside in various parts of Schuylkill county. Jacob Krebs was another old settler whose farm was on the turnpike leading to Orwigsburg. He left many descendants in the county. Jacob Minnich, Daniel Shappell and Michael Bolich were among the first settlers of the valley south of the Second mountain and east of the Schuylkill. Henry Hollebush is also numbered among those who cleared the lands in the Orwigsburg valley. Michael Kosh lived in the valley, on the turnpike, not far from where the almshouse is now located, and Henry Strouch lived on the Wesner tavern property. The Wagners, Reeds, Rebers and other pioneers have left many descendants, who have proved worthy sons and daughters of an industrious and persevering race of citizens. On the west side of the Schuylkill the Kostners, Bergers and Decherts were early settlers and occu- pied farms in Long Run valley. The largest land owner in the western parts of the township was Valentine Trace, now called Dress by all the descendants living in this county. He was reputed to be a person of great personal strength, and of courage equal to any emergency. Like many other such men he was supposed to have had encounters with the savages in early life, and ac- quired the name of "Indian fighter"; but he probably was as quiet as most of his neighbors and equally guiltless of shedding the blood of any human being, though clothed in the dusky hide of the stealthy, murderous Indian. Another of the large land owners of this township was Martin Dreibelbies, whose estate extended from the almshouse property across both branches of the Schuylkill and included all the territory as far north as Beck's, and nearly all the West Branch valley south of that point, amounting in all to over 1,200 acres. He appears to have been a liberal minded man for that day, and contributed to the few public objects that engaged the attention of the sparse settlement. After the opening of the old Sunbury road, from the ahead of navigation on the Schuylkill to Fort Augusta on the Susquehanna at Northumberland, in 1770, many residents of Berks came up from the Blue mountain and found homes in this valley. But previously to that date a few had ventured to engage in lumbering, and had built saw-mills for cutting up the timber that grew along the river bottoms. Among these was Ellis Hughes, who had a saw-mill on the river not far from the five locks of the navigation company. The Colonial Records mention this mill as the starting ______________End page 244._____________ page 245 NORTH MANHEIM TOWNSHIP. ____________________________________________________________ point for the survey of the road to Fort Augusta; they also mention Ellis Hughes's house as being one of the points on the line of survey, about half a mile above the mill. No other house or resident is named, and he was probably the first to locate in that vicinity. We have no knowledge of his character or history, but from his enterprising spirit the presumption is that he was a man of courage and equal to all the emergencies of frontier life. The Hugheses of the farming districts are probably descendants of this man, though the records of the family have not been well preserved. In the same neighborhood has been a farm known to a late day as the "Minnich property." This was doubtless the settlement of Conrad Minnich, who is spoken of in the Colonial Records in locating the place of the murder of John Neyman and his three children in August, 1780. They "lived at a saw-mill on the road from Reading to Shamokin, three miles above Conrad Minnich's, and thirty-three from Reading." Neyman must have lived where Potts- ville is now situated, and his murder by the five Indians who "had been at Yarnal's the day before" caused the wildest excite- ment in the valley below, and wagons were sent up from the lower settlements to move them away. These people probably returned to their abandoned homes when the excitement died out, and then they remained undisturbed during their lives. Many of this name are found in various parts of the county, and probably they are descendants of this Conrad Minnich. There are but two church edifices in the township; one is at Landingville, three miles below Schuylkill Haven, and belongs to the United Brethen. It was erected in 1869 and the society has been in a prosperous condition ever since. The other edifice was finished in 1877 and is near Spring Garden, a part of the borough ofSchuylkill Haven. It replaced a wooden structure built in 1826 and called the Jerusalem Church of the German Lutheran and Re- formed denominations. The tract on which the building and old cemetery are located contains three acres and eighty perches. It was part of the estate of Daniel Dreibelbis, and was sold by the sheriff December 27th, 1819, to Edward W. Hoskins. Louisa Hos- kins, his wife, sold the property to Jacob Krebs, trustee of the United German Lutheran and Presbyterian societies, for one "silver dollar," August 1st, 1822. From the heirs of Michael Emerich these societies obtained eight acres. The consideration named is three dollars, and other charitable reasons moving thereto." The cemetery was in use as early as 1794. The congre- gation which built the church of 1826 worshiped (sic) for many years in an old log school-house, erected upon the lot, and persons are still living who were taught in it from seventy to seventy-five years ago. It stood in what is now known as the "old cemetery." The present edifice is a handsome structure of brick, with modern conveniences, and stands behind and a little east of the site of the old one, which was torn down and removed when the new one was completed. The selection of the present site was the cause of much ill feeling in the congregation, and result in divisions and litigations which time only can harmo- nize. The Granger co-operative store building was the residence of Martin Dreibelbis, one of the first settlers in the valley. It is a log building, very strongly built and having double plank doors, with heavy wrought iron hinges fastened the whole width of them for greater security. It was called the "block-house," and the first settlers who dwelt in cabins in the valley fled to it for protection whenever an alarm if Indian incursions was made. There is no date to show when it was constructed, but it was no doubt erected on the old road leading from Ellis Hughes's saw- mill toward Reading, before the survey of the "old Sunbury" or "Fort Augusta" road in 1770. The former business centers of North Manheim have been incor- porated into boroughs. A portion of Orwigsburg and all of Cres- sona, Mt. Carbon and Schuylkill Haven boroughs belonged to this township. Landingville is the only village in its territorial boundary which possesses any interest, and it is too recent in growth to have a history. The county almshouses and hospitals, with their numerous outbuildings and offices, together with the large, highly culti- vated farm, are located in this township, and embrace over six hundred of its population. As a class they add, as may well be supposed, but very little to the productive industries of the township. They can and do exercise the privilege of the elective franchise, the same as those favored by wealth and station; and present the curious anomaly of men going to the polls and voting the money of other people into their pockets after having squan- dered their own. The management of the poor in this establish- ment has been distinguished for great liberality and kindness, and while many important improvements could be made it compares favorably with all other institutions of the kind in the State. The Laflin & Rand powder mills, on the west branch of the Schuylkill, one and one-quarter miles north of Cressona turn out a large amount of mining powder, for use in the adjoining dis- tricts, and have a capacity of about three hundred kegs a day. There are two flour-mills in the township, both of which were erected at a very early date. One is on the Center turnpike, between Schuylkill Haven and Orwigsburg, and is known as "Boyer's Mill." It is used as a grist-mill, and does work mostly for the farmers in the vicinity. George Heebner once owned the property, and since then it has passed through several hands to the present owner. Beck's mill is situated on the west branch of the Schuyl- kill, three-quarters of a mile north of Cressona, and does quite a large business in merchant flour and country grists. Both of these mills date back to the period of original permanent settle- ments, and have gone through the various vicissitudes incident to the progress of the settlements. They are run by water power, which sometimes fails. A few saw-mills are scattered here and there in the township, but the growing scarcity of timber renders them of little accounts in the industries of the people. Near Beck's mill is a small establishment for making fertilizers to supply the adja- ____________end page 245._____________ page 246 HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. _____________________________________________________________ cent farming districts, and above the powder-mill is a factory of the blocks and pulleys used upon the inclined planes of the Mine Hill and Schuylkill Haven Railroad. Many of the early saw-mills and grist-mills on the Schuylkill river were suffered to fall into decay, and finally to be swept away by spring and fall freshets. The valuable portion of the timber in the township has long since been cut away and used upon the railroads, and among the miners for props and colliery structures, and little use is found for saw-mills at the present time. In April, 1876, Mountain Grange, No. 506, was organized in the western part of the township for the mutual improvement and protection of farmers. This society is small, but active, and has a co-operative store in Spring Garden, where all kinds of farmers' supplies can be obtained at prices and upon conditions said to be greatly to their advantage. A much larger grange than the one just mentioned has been established in the lower part of the township, with its place of meeting at Landingville. This is called Manheim Grange, No. 286; it exercises an important influ- ence upon agriculture in that section, and has served to localize considerable trade at that point, although it has no co-operative store. The little village has two country stores. There is also a carriage factory there, which, in addition to farm wagons and carriages, turn out some very fine work for the general market. The agriculture interests of this township are the most impor- tant. Nowhere else can a better market be found for farm produce than is presented by the villages and mining population of the coal region. The reliable market for their products enables the farmers and gardeners to use fertilizers of all kinds extensive- ly, to enrich their lands and adapt them to the growth of such productions as find the readiest sale. The railroads and canal running through this township furnish excellent facilities for transportation of fertilizers and products of the eland. The horses and market wagons have been greatly improved in appear- ance, and the method of preparing products for sale is very different from what it was formerly. The farm buildings and surrounding are neat and substantial. The products are greatly improved in quality, as the selection of seed is annually becom- ing more careful. The public schools are kept open during the legal term of five months only. Great advances have been made in them during the last few years. Neat school buildings are being erected, and furnished with patent seats and desks and other modern conven- iences. There are four-teen schools in the township, having an average attendance of thirty-five to forty pupils. The population of North Manheim was in 1850, 3,006; in 1860, 5,196; in 1871, 2,420, and in 1880, 2,802, an increase in the last decade of 382, nearly sixteen per cent. CRESSONA BOROUGH. Cressona is an outgrowth of the Mine Hill and Schuylkill Haven Railroad, and like all the other towns in the coal region is comparatively a modern borough; but the events which led to its incorporation and subsequent growth to its present propor- tions date back for nearly half a century. Before the construc- tion of the Mine Hill road the valley in which the town is situ- ated, and the hill sides, were covered with heavy timber or thick undergrowth, with here and there cleared fields which yielded a scanty return for the toils of the husbandman. There were no school-houses, churches, or burial places; they who passed away were laid to rest among their kindred in other towns. Of all the original settlers none are buried here excepting a portion of one family by the name of Fite. The developments of the anthracite coal fields of Pennsylva- nia required the construction of railroads and canals to move the products of the mines to distant markets. Among the earliest of these important works was the Mine Hill and Schuylkill Haven Railroad. It was chartered in 1828 and completed in 1831. From the time of the completion of the road to 1847 the power used was horses and mules; these, with the small cars used in hauling the coal, were generally owned by the operators, and consequently the centers of movement were at the respective collieries; hence during this period there were no inducements for building up any other place. In 1847, however, the teams and small cars were withdrawn and a steam engines substituted. This was the begin- ning of a new era in the history of the railroad and the West Branch valley. The center of movement was now transferred from the mines to this place. The erection of engine-houses, shops, and stores for materials became necessary. The large farm upon which the principal part of the town has been built since was owned by Thomas Sillyman, and as the company did not feel themselves authorized to hold any large tract of land, it was purchased by John C. Cresson, the president of the road, and the land necessary for the uses of the company trans- ferred to them, whereon the buildings for the use of the motive power of the road, scales, repair shops, offices, etc., were erected. A portion of the farm was laid out in town lots, fifty by two hundred feet, and sold to employes of the road on such terms as enabled them to erect dwellings for themselves. A thriving little town soon grew to such proportions as to require a name, and it was called West Haven. At this time the inhabi- tants were few, but in a few years _______________end page 246.________________ page 247 CRESSONA BOROUGH-RAILROAD CHANGES-SCHOOLS-CHURCHES. _____________________________________________________________ the population increased to several hundred, which rendered further changes necessary to secure the welfare of the people. The elections for this portion of North Manheim township were held at the Almshouse tavern, which made it very inconvenient for the men working on the road and in the shops, and teams had to be employed to take the train hands, as they came in, to vote, which was expensive and often resulted in the loss of votes. The educational advantages accorded to West Haven by the directors of North Manheim township were not such as were satis- factory to the citizens who had children to educate, and various plans were suggested and discussed to remedy the defects of the school system. In all these matters the officers of the road took a deep interest. In view of the probable importance of the place in the future and the great need of local government, the principal resident officers, among whom was R.A. Wilder, resident engineer and superintendent of the road, suggested the incorpora- tion of the town into a borough, with an independent election and school district; also changing the name from West Haven to Cres- sona, in honor of John C. Cresson, owner of the land upon which the town was erected and president of the Mine Hill and Schuyl- kill Haven Railroad, who was greatly interested in the employes of the company, and offered every inducement to them to become owners of homes in the vicinity of the works where they were employed. At the June session of the court in 1856 a charter was grant- ed for the borough of Cressona. The charter is dated February 2nd, 1857. Judge Hegins was the presiding judge. The first election was held in the public school-house, now W.L. Grey's store, February 29th, 1857. The officers elected were: William A. Hannum, chief burgess: council-R.A. Wilder, Benjamin Hosler, F.M. Nichols, Frank Kantner, E. Bradefield and Henry Merkle; high constable, William Styers; auditors-William Newell, F.B. Drehr, Ruben Laubenstine; assessor, Daniel Bartoletsen; secretary, D.H. Albright. The first school directors were Peter Haas, J.J. Upchurch, J. Kanter, Robert Towns, N.G. Hammeken and William Styers. At a meeting in May following the election the directors decided to sell the old school-house and build a new one upon a more improved plan. The first movement under the new state of things was to improve the system of public education. A large brick building containing four rooms replaced the small buildings furnished by the directors of the township. As the population increased a two-story addition, containing two large rooms was erected. About the same time a new school building was con- structed in that part of the town now constituting the north ward. The best teachers were selected by the board of directors to take charge of the education of the young in these colleges of the people." From the foundation of the borough liberal appro- priations have been granted by the citizens to keep their public schools up to an efficient standard. As the business of the company increased they enlarged their shops, and the number of mechanics and laboring men in and about these works was largely increased, as was also the complement of train hands on the road. The increase of employes created a demand for dwellings, and the number of houses rapidly increased. Several stores and hotels were added, and a market established for nearly every thing produced in the adjacent farming district. Monthly payments were always promptly made by the company, and money circulated freely among all classes, creating an unusual degree of prosperity in the whole community. The Mine Hill and Schuylkill Haven Railroad Company proposed to extend its line to the Lehigh river, connecting with the Lehigh Valley Railroad, and $250,000 had already been expended upon it when the Mine Hill road was leased by the Reading Rail- road Company and the new work stopped. This event has in the main proved disastrous to Cressona; the brilliant prospects of rapid growth by being the center of a line of railroad through one of the most valuable districts of the anthracite coal regions were suddenly destroyed. Up to the time of the lease the town grew rapidly, until it had a population of about 1,600. Much of the work formerly done here has been removed to Reading, and the number of mechanics in the various shops reduced. The population shown by the census of 1880 was 1,341; in 1870 it was 1,507, and in 1860 826. About fifteen years ago the borough was enlarged by annexing that portion lying between the west branch and the Reading Rail- road, and on the west side by adding to it what is commonly called Lordstown; thus increasing the population and bringing within its limits the flouring and grist mills of Isaac Strouch and James C. Butz. In the vicinity of Butz's mill once stood a furnace and forge, owned and operated by John Potts, but it has long since fallen into decay and no traces of it are left. The record of Cressona in the civil war is not surpassed by that of any other place. The promptness with which the call for three years men was met exhibited a patriotism not less commend- able than that of the sires of '76. All that could be spared went, some never to return. Those that remained at home contrib- uted a portion of their earnings monthly to a fund for the sup- port of the families of soldiers who needed aid. CHURCHES. There are several religious denominations in Cressona, which are regularly organized and have places of worship, but the changes incident to the transfer of the Mine Hill and Schuylkill Haven Railroad to the Philadelphia and Reading Company have detracted greatly from their prosperous condition, and some of them entirely lost their membership and have been absorbed into other societies. Evangelical Church.-Previously to 1852 there was no regular church organization of any kind in the place. Members of the different denominations held class-meetings together in private houses. In 1852 the Evangelical members took steps to organize a church. They authorized Eli Sheriff and Henry Reed to obtain subscriptions and buy a lot. A lot was bought of George ___________end page 247.____________ page 248 HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. ____________________________________________________________ Ebert, for $95, fronting fifty feet on Maple street and thirty feet on Front street. Preparations were immediately made to erect a building, and articles of agreement were "entered into the 7th day of August, A.D. 1852, between John Freehafer and the West Schuylkill class, of which Henry Rudy is the class-leader and Eli Sheriff the exhorter, all of the County of Schuylkill." The specifications call fora "meeting-house twenty-eight feet front and thirty-eight feet deep, fourteen feet high in the clear of the story frame," all of which John Freehafer "promises to build for $575." The witness to this article of agreement were Michael Thomas, Freder- ick Dentzer and Gabrill Wagner. In this building the congregation worshipped until 1870, when the house became too small. The trustees then bought a lot on the corner of Second and Maple streets, where they erected a fine two-story frame building, 60 feet and 38 feet wide. The corner stone was laid on the 5th of June, 1870, by Cressona Lodge, No. 426, A.Y.M., assisted by delegations from Pottsville, Schuylkill Haven and Orwigsburg. The officiating clergymen were Rev. Solo- mon Neitz and Rev. H.A. Neitz, pastors. In November, 1870, the church was dedicated, Rev. S. Neitz, Rev. H.A. Neitz and Rev. M.F. Maize officiating. This is the finest church building in town. On the first floor are two class rooms and an elegantly furnished Sunday school room. The second floor is used for church services, and will seat about 500 peo- ple. The membership at this time is over two hundred. The Sunday-school was organized December 5th, 1852 by elect- ing the following officers: A.B. Long, superintendent; Andrew Mortimer, assistant superintendent; Jacob Kanter, president; F.B. Huntzinger, secretary; Josiah Rodenbach, librarian; Henry Rudy, treasurer. December 12th, 1852, the school opened, with fifty scholars. The succeeding superintendents were: A. Mortimer, 1853; F.B. Huntzinger, 1854; Andrew Keefer, 1855, 1856; W.A. Hammer, 1857-62; Rev. E.B. Miller, 1863; C.W. Dengler, 1864; Dr. F. Krecker, 1869; and since 1870 George E.Hoffman. The average attendance is 225. The Methodist Episcopal Church of Cressona dates back to 1852. Before that time there was no regular church organization of any kind in the place, and Methodists, Evangelicals and other held class meetings together; but in 1852 the Methodists felt strong enough to act independently, and accordingly organized a Methodist society. From this time to 1859 they held their meet- ings in private houses, one of which is now owned by Jacob Zech- man, and another (on Front street) by Henry Merkle; in the old Evangelical church building, now Odd Fellows' Hall, and afterward in the old school-house, since converted into a dwelling and store and occupied by W.L. Gray. In 1859 application was for a charter, and the church regu- larly organized under an act of incorporation. The first trus- tees were W.L. Gray, J.J. Upchurch Henry Merkle, E. Fargo, R. Wright, M. Hoffman, J. Duncan, James Mains and Henry Sortman. Rev. Jerome Lindemuth was pastor from 1856 to 1858; Rev. William Smith, his successor, resigned because of failing health, and Dr. W.W. Wythes filled the unexpired term. The trustees bought the church lot from John C. Cresson for one-half its estimated valuation, receiving the deed January 7th, 1860. Rev. Mr. Cleavland succeeded Dr. Wythes, and during his term the building was erected in the corner of Ash and Second streets. The building is of stone, 50 feet long and 40 feet wide, with an auditorium above. E. Wilkes Thomas has been super- intendent of the Sunday-school a number of years. The average attendance of scholars is about fifty. This church was for many years the most flourishing in Cres- sona, but it lost nearly all its members by removals, and of late years it has been struggling hard to keep up an organization. The present pastor, Rev. Joseph Gregg, is infusing new life into the church, and the congregation is in a more prosperous condi- tion than it has been for some time. Grace Church.-On the 14th of December, 1857, application was made to the court of Schuylkill county by a number of citizens for a charter for "Grace Church of Cressona," subject to the Protestant Episcopal church of Pennsylvania. On the 8th of March following the charter was granted. The first vestrymen were Rugus A. Wilder, John R. Wilson, Henry Leonard, Henry Lewis, F.M. Nichols, Charles M. Hill, W.J. Coulter, Robert Irwin and William Newell. The Rev. A. Prior, of Pottsville, was active in procuring the charter and promoting the church organization, but the church building was erected under the charge of Rev. George A. Latimer, who had taken the place of Mr. Prior as rector of St. James's Church, of Schuylkill Haven. The church edifice is a substantial stone structure ona lot given by John C. Cresson. The building was finished and paid for by November, 1859, and during the same month it was dedicated by Bishop Bowman, of the Pennsylvania diocese. For a long time the church was well supported, but from the cause heretofore named in connection with the railroad lease it dwindled in numbers and services ceased. Subsequently trustees were appointed to take charge of the property, and they leased it to the Reformed congregation, which occupies it at present with a large membership. United Brethren.-Members of the United Brethren denomination in 1873 leased a room in Odd Fellows' Hall, and organized a German and an English class, numbering about 40 members, with Mr. Hemperly leader of the English, and George Hower of the German class. The minister in charge was Rev. J.F. Smith, who was succeeded in 1874 by Rev. Mr. Bowman. In 1875 Rev. Mr. Gambler preached, but owing to the great depression in business many of the prominent members left to better their fortunes elsewhere, and no regular meetings were held until 1877; Rev. W.H. Uhler then received the appointment and reorganized the class, with David Dreis ______________end page 248._______________ page 249 CHURCHES OF CRESSONA-SECRET SOCIETIES. _______________________________________________________________ sen., leader of the class. Rev. W.H. Cranmer was in charge from the spring of 1879 to July, 1880, when he resigned and Rev. Mr. Shendel and Rev. R. Arndt received the appointment. The Sunday-school was organized in 1873, with Mr. Hemperly as superintendent. The succeeding superintendents were A.S. Riland, Gotleib Wagner, M.J. Thomas, J.N. Riland and Charles Dengler. The school averages about 50. The Lutheran and Reformed Denominations had no place of wor- ship in Cressona before 1876. Some attended "Jerusalem" church, near Schuylkill Haven; some St. John's, in Schuylkill Haven; and others St. Peter's, in Wayne township. February 1st, 1876, the Lutheran and Reformed denominations leased Grace church, belonging to the Episcopalians. The minis- ters serving during the year were Rev. W.H. Koons, Lutheran, and Jacob Kline, Reformed. At the same time a Sunday-school was organized, with L.R. Keefer superintendent. January 1st, 1877, the Lutheran congregation withdrew and the Reformed congregation leased the church. The ministers in charge were Rev. Jacob Kline and Rev. J.O. Johnson until June 1st, 1887; since then Rev. J.P. Stine has been pastor. The Reformed Sunday-school was organized January 1st, 1877 with George Morgan as superintendent. He resigned June 10th, 1878, and D.H. Albright, being assistant superintendent, became superintendent. On January 1st, 1880. SECRET SOCIETIES. Previous to 1870 the secret societies of Cressona met in a room in the house now occupied by Mrs. M.J. Thomas and in a room in Louis Shaeffer's house, known as Thomas's and Shaeffer's Halls. When the new addition to the school building was erected Cressona Lodge A.Y.M. leased the second floor (then not needed for school purposes) from the school board, and fitted it up handsomely as a lodge room. This room was leased to other socie- ties and was used for this purpose until August, 1880, when the school board proposed to use the room for school purposes. Herndon Lodge, No. 550, I.O.O.F. is the oldest secret society in Cressona. It was organized November 16th; 1858. Its charter members and first officers were: M.J. Thomas; William A. Hammer, secretary; Robert R. Young, Elias Bartolet, Richard Wilson; H.W. Hollman, treasurer; Bartholomew Bracefield; John Gren, V.G.; John Wagner, Henry Cronimiller, Daniel Holland, Owen Mowry; Emanuel Bracefield, N.G.; Frederick Beck, Samuel Lear, H.D. Jones; H.G. Dentzer, assistant secretary; George Hudson. The present officers are: Amos Bartolet, N.G.; Moses Shap- pell, V.G.; John W. Smith, secretary; Charles Hudson, assistant secretary; Samuel Hower, treasurer. This lodge was organized in Hammer's Hall, a small room now used by George E. Hoffman as a warehouse. From this place it moved into Shaeffer's Hall on October 1st, 1865. In 1871 it bought the old Evangelical church building on Front street, and made out of it a two-story building. The first floor is used for a lecture room and public entertainments, and the second floor for the meetings of the societies. Into this building, now known as Odd Fellows' Hall, the lodge moved April 1st, 1872. Washington Camp, No. 73, P.O.S. of A. was instituted October 18th, 1866, and was the first camp chartered by the State camp. The charter members and first officers were: F.A. Stitzer, V.P.; W.H. Hughes, R.S.; Henry Lord; W.G. Losch, I.G.; W.T. Reed, A.R. secretary; W.T. Bracefield, P.; E.P. Payne; S.C. Wilson, O.G.; F.R. Kantner, M. of F. & C.; W.H. Kuebler, L. S.; Henry Helm- right, P.P.; F.A. Eveland, C.; and D.H. Stitzer. The first treasurer was J.C. Eveland. The present officers are: P.P., W.J. Beck; P., S.C. Wilson; W.P., W.F. Reed; M. of F. and C., J.E. Kantner; R.S., C.F. Beck; F.S., C.B. Grim; treasurer, S.P. Thomas; C., David Ruch; I.G., W.C. Fromknecht; O.G., George Kipp; A.K.S., E.W. Thomas; C., A.R. Strouch. This camp numbers about fifty members in good standing. Washington Camp, No. 129, P.O.S. of A. has about 70 members in good standing, including some of the leading citizens of the town. It was instituted July 4th, 1878, with 17 charter members. The first officers were: P.P., E.W. Freehafer; P., Amos Barto- let; W.P., Samuel Hower; M. of F. and C., David McKinney; R.S., Richard Bartolet; A.R.S., Charles Geary; F.S., John W. Hagner; T., Charles H. Merkle; Cond., Benjamin Bartolet; I.G., William Reifsnyder; O.B., C.W. S. Merkle; Chap., D.F. Mertz; R. Sent., Josiah Fessler; L. Sent., William Brininger. The first trustees were C.W.S. Merkle, D.F. Mertz and Amos Bartolet. The successive presiding officers have been Samuel Hower, David McKinney and J.C. Berger. The present officers of the camp are the following: P.P., J.C. Berger; P., Milton Dress; E.P., D.W. Starr; M. of F. and C., William F. Brininger; R.S., Amos Bartolet; A.R.S., Albert Berger; F.S., A.J. Reed; T., George Heffner; Cond., C.H. Merkle. I.T., William Reifsnyder; O.G., George Fry; R. Sent., Robert Jones; L. Sent., Adam Dechert; Chap., J.L. Hoffman. The present trustees are William Reifsnyder, J.W. Hagner and Samuel Hower. Since the third meeting of camp in July last, white degree meetings are held quarterly, and always immediately after camp closes in the red. Post No. 29 Grand Army of the Republic was instituted at Cressona February 20th, 1867. The charter members and first officers were: F.A. Stitzer, P.C., J.C. Eveland; H. Helmwright, J.V.C.; Thomas Walker, W.F. Bracefield; I.J. Burton, J.V.C.; D.H. Stitzer, M.B. Persing, G.F. Morgan, F. Simon and Charles Dress. _____________end page 249.______________ page 250 HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. _____________________________________________________________ The first adjutant was Samuel Hower; W.M., W.L. Gray. After the charter had been secured, Samuel Hower, who afterward kept up the post through his own efforts, was the first recruit. From 1871 to 1879 he was acting post commander, and, although no regular organization was kept up and no regular meetings were held, he with several of his comrades contributed funds suffi- cient to pay the State tax and keep the post in good standing. He attended to the decoration ceremonies on Decoration day, securing flowers, speakers, music, & c. In the fall of 1879, through his efforts, the post was recruited, and on December 30th, 1879, the following officers were elected: P.C., John W. Smith; S.V.C., J.R. Thomas; J.V.C., Peter Riland; Adjt., Samuel Hower; Q.M., Henry Merkle. The post holds its meetings monthly in Odd Fellow' Hall. Miami Tribe, No. 82, Improved Order of Red Men was organized February 4th, 1868. Its charter members numbered 31. The first officers were: Sachem, M.J. Thomas; S. Sagamore, Charles J. Christian; J. Sagamore, C.V.B. Deibert; C. of records, F.A.Wei- ser; K. of wampum, A.N. Mortimer. The successive presiding officers have been C.J. Christian, C.V.B. Deibert, A.N. Mortimer, C.W. Dengler, William Beck, Amos Bartolet, John W. Smith, George E. Kuebler, Albert J. Reed, Thomas Wagner, Charles Bartolet, H. G. Merkle, W.H. Cloak, Reuben Laubenstine, and William H. Merkle. The officers at this time are: Sachem, Daniel Grim; S. Saga- more, A.N. Morimer; J. Sagamore, R. Laubenstine; C. or records, J.W. Smith; K. of wampum, R.H. Smith. Cressona Lodge, No. 426, A.Y.M. was instituted November 5th, 1868, in Thomas's Hall. The charter members and first officers were: Henry Hazel, W.M.; Samuel Lear; Luther R. Keefer, S.W.; John Gray; Anthony Proud, J.W.; Jacob Major; W.P. Bishop, secre- tary; M.J. Thomas; John Green, treasurer; J.B. Hoffman, Frank Simon, Robert Irwin, sr., William Smith, Philip Wagner, W.H. Bines, W.S. Peel, Elias Bartolet, J.H. Thompson, William Swint, George E. Juebler, W.D. Darcas, Lucian Miller, and Aaron Miller. The successive presiding officers were L.R. Keefer, Albert J. Reed, Lewis Zuber, William Beck, John A. Springer, Dr. Daniel Dechert, and George E. Kuebler. The officers at present are: John Gray, W.M.; William J. Beck, S.W.; Charles H. Merkle, J.W.; John W. Smith, secretary; L.R. Keefer, treasurer. On April 1st, 1870, they left Thomas's Hall, and occupied the room leased from the school board until August 16th, 1880, when they went into Odd Fellows' Hall, where they now hold their meetings on Thursday at or before full moon. ___________________ MOUNT CARBON BOROUGH. _____________________________________________________ Among the earliest residents of Mount Carbon are remembered Lewis Murphy and Joseph Porter, who lived in small log houses which have long since disappeared. In 1818 Nicho Allen resided here, and was engaged in lumbering. He carried on the early saw-mill in what is now the borough. His first house stood near the site of the present depot, but his subsequent residence was a house in the ravine through which runs the road to Cressona. This ravine was then known by the suggestive name of Rum Hollow. Many amusing anecdotes are told, by the few survivors who knew them, of Nicho and his wife, "aunty," as she was called. He remained here till the death of his wife; then removed to Potts- ville, and afterward to Lake Champlain, where he was drowned. In 1828 there were here six dwelling houses, one store, the collector's office and a large two-story stone warehouse, which was built in 1824, and was owned and occupied by Gaius Moore. The store was conducted by Joseph White and Benjamin Combs. This firm dealt largely in produce, which was brought in wagons from Lebanon, Dauphin, Union and Northumberland counties and sent by them to Philadelphia. They also supplied the miners of the Delaware Coal Company with goods. In 1829 this firm built a large stone warehouse, two stories in height above a basement, immediately opposite the present Mansion House. In the same year John White erected the Mansion House and a row of stone building on Center turnpike and the street called Rum Hollow. During the same year a number of framed buildings were commenced, several of which still stand in the ravine spoken of. At that time all the commerce from the region on the Susquehanna, to which the Center turnpike gave an outlet, was carried on through that turnpike and the Schuylkill navigation; and Mount Carbon, as the head of that navigation, was a point of considerable importance. On the completion of the Union canal much of this commerce was diverted from this route, and these warehouses gradually fell into disuse, and they have disappeared. Mount Carbon continued to be an important point for the shipment of coal till the navigation was extended to the mouth of Mill creek and the Mine Hill Railroad was constructed. Four docks were built while it was the head of navigation. It was the terminus of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad during several years, and passengers and freight for Pottsville were taken by teams to the latter place. It has changed but little since Pottsville was made the terminus of this road and the navigation above ________________end page 250.________________ page 251 PIONEERS OF SCHUYLKILL HAVEN. _________________________________________________________ Schuylkill Haven was abandoned. The docks have been filled and the locks are going to decay. In 1864 a rolling-mill was built below Mount Carbon by a com- pany of gentleman in New York and Pottsville. Ten tenant houses were also erected by the company. The mill has been burned. Mount Carbon was incorporated in 1864, but many of the offi- cers that have been chosen have not acted. Its organization as a school and an election district is maintained; but beyond this its citizens scarcely avail themselves of their corporate privi- leges. The population in 1870 was 364. SCHUYLKILL HAVEN BOROUGH. The first settler here was Martin Drebelbis. He came from Berks county, below the Blue mountains, before the commencement of the Revolution, and built a saw-mill and grist-mill on the spot where the boat yard now is. Mr. Dreibelbis was the owner of all the ground which the borough includes. The first residence in the borough was a log house in which he lived, just below his mills and on the opposite side of Main street. This house is still standing. It has been covered with boards, and it is in a tolerable state of preservation, though the storms of more than a century have beat against it. He built several tenant houses for his workmen, of whom he employed many. He resided in a room in the mill and in this house till 1799, when he removed to a large house which he had built at East Schuylkill Haven, which is still standing in a good condition. It was built of hewn logs, but it is covered and painted so that its true character is scarcely suspected at a short distance. He died in this house the same year, at the age of 48. By his well the land where Schuylkill Haven proper now is was left to his son Jacob, while East Schuyl- kill Haven was given to another son, Daniel. About 1811 Jacob Dreibelbis laid out the town of Schuylkill Haven and commenced the sale of lots, which were at first sold at cheap rates and slowly. East Schuylkill Haven, which is now included in the borough, was laid out in 1832. The farm which Daniel Dreibelbis inherited became the property of Mr. Baber, and was by him sold to Dr. Kugler, of Philadelphia, for $16,000. Dr. K., in 1832, laid a portion of it out in village lots, and that part of the borough has been known as Kugler's Addition. Henry Mertz, Abraham Heber, John Hughes, Andrew Wilaner, William Kiehner, Dr. Samuel Shannon, Michael Frehafer and John Rudy, the last still living, at the age of eighty-six, are remem- bered as early settlers here; but none of these came earlier than 1817, the year when the construction of the Schuylkill navigation was commenced. Between 1814 and 1816 Daniel Dreibelbis built a saw-mill and an oil-mill at East Schuylkill Haven. These were taken down by the Schuylkill Navigation Company between 1825 and 1830. The grist-mill and saw-mill of Jacob were purchased by this company, and were by them razed at about the same time. These were the only mills propelled by water ever erected here. Rebecca Dreibelbis, daughter of Martin and Catherine, was the first child born here, in 1775. She died in 1825, having never married. Mary Magdalin Dreibelbis was the second child born here, in 1778. She became the wife of John Reed and the mother of Jeremiah Reed, who is now living, at the age of eighty, and from his memory these facts concerning the early history of the place are drawn. The first marriage was that of Mary M. Dreibelbis and John Reed, in 1795, by Rev. Henry Decker. Mrs. Reed died in Ohio in 1841. As before stated Martin Dreibelbis died here in 1799, and was buried in purposes, where the "old white church" stood, and where a brick church now stands, just outside of the northeastern limits of the borough. Henry Mertz was the first blacksmith. His first shop was at east Schuylkill Haven, but he afterwards worked in a shop about a square above Washington Hotel, on Main street. He was known as an excellent workman, and people came long distances to avail themselves of his skill in making mill irons. John Rudy was the first shoemaker. His first shop was a part of his house, was about one-fourth of a mile northeasterly from the present site of the railroad depot. His shop was afterward on Main street. The first tavern was kept by Michael Frehafer, near where the bridges across the Schuylkill now is. The first store of any consequence was kept by James Levan, just above Washington Hotel, in the same building now occupied by Daniel Saylor. Edward Huntzinger established a store soon after Mr. Levan. The first resident physician was Dr. Samuel Shannon. The first school-house in the vicinity was on the lot before spoken of as having been donated for church, school, and burial purposes. It was a log building, sufficiently large for reli- gious meetings, which were held in it. A school in this house in 1806 is remembered by Mr. Reed. He and his brother Samuel, now in Ohio, are the only surviving scholars. It was taught in the German language by John Roeder, a one-armed man. He was succeed- ed by Roland McCurty, and he by a German who often amused his scholars by playing the violin for them. The first school within the limits of the borough was established much later. A tannery was established about 1830 by Andrew ____________end page 251.______________ page 252 HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. ___________________________________________________________ Wilaur, and continued during some years, but no tanning is now done in it. Washington Hall, one of the leading hotels of Schuylkill Haven, was originally built by a Mr. Hughes, probably in 1831. James B. Levan purchased the property of Mr. Hughes, and added two stories, and in 1857 Philip Koons purchased the hotel, having charge of it until his death in 1858, when his wife came in possession, and John W. Koons, the oldest son, became manager, in which position he remained eight years. In 1858 improvements were made. The old fashioned roof, cornices and gable end were changed for something more modern. The present proprietor, Charles Gold, has rented the hotel of Mrs. Koons for several years. The upper story is occupied by the masonic and Odd Fel- low's lodges. In 1858, 1859 and 1860 important political conven- tions were held in the building. Schuylkill Haven has been an important point for the shipment of coal since the completion of the West Branch or Mine Hill railroad, which has its terminus here, and which has connections with the system of railroads that ramify through the coal re- gions. Since the abandonment of that portion of the Schuylkill navigation above it it has been the point of shipment for all the coal tonnage that passed over that navigation. An extensive system of docks early came into existence here. These have been much changed by reason of casualties by floods, and exigencies to which changes in railroad management have given rise. It has, since the completion of the Schuylkill navigation, been a point where boat building has been extensively carried on. It was said of this place by a correspondent in the Miners' Journal in June, 1830: "Schuylkill Haven is the name of a town that has been laid out, but, like Swataraville, a view of the plot is scarcely interrupted by a house." Its subsequent growth and prosperity have resulted wholly from its situation at the point of shipment for the coal which has been brought over the Mine Hill Railroad. The Philadelphia and Reading Railroad has given it direct communication with Philadelphia since 1842. In 1840 its population was 988, in 1846, 1,640; in 1870, 2,940; and in 1880, 3,167. The increase of its population has kept even pace with the development of the coal trade. Aside from boat building no permanently successful industry has arisen here. The Philadelphia and Reading Railroad repair shops in the borough were started in 1842, with a small shop in which John Worts, the present foreman of the shops, was the only workman. The present shops were erected in 1842. The number of men em- ployed is 140. These shops are at the junction of the Mine Hill and Reading Railroads. The repair shop of the Schuylkill Naviga- tion Company stands near these, and is of course conducted by the Philadelphia and Reading Company. The rolling-mill now in operation here was established in 1870, by the Direct Iron Company, of Schuylkill Haven. It was an unsuccessful attempt to produce iron directly from the ore. In 1872 it was converted into a rolling-mill, and in 1873 was en- larged to its present capacity and a chain manufactory added to it. In 1874 it became the property of Bast & Weissinger, and in 1875 work was suspended. Work was resumed in the rolling-mill in the spring of 1880 by Weissinger, Kaercher & Rahn, the present owners. In 1874 the Schuylkill Haven Map, a weekly journal, was established by Messrs. Wunder & Bowman. It was published in a brick building which is still standing, on Dock street. It was neutral in politics. Its publication was continued under the same proprietors till 1849, when it was discontinued. In 1874 the Schuylkill Haven Monitor, another weekly journal, was started by Colonel Fries. It was also a neutral paper. Its publication ceased in 1876. There are in Schuylkill Haven twelve hotels, nine dry goods and grocery stores, five shoe stores, two clothing stores, one furniture store, twelve hardware stores, two drug stores, three milliners, one jeweler, four barber shops, four shoe shops, one tin shop, twelve blacksmith shops, four carriage shops, four carpenter shops, eleven cabinet shops, three butchers, one har- ness shop, one attorney, six physicians, two news dealers, one stationer and four insurance agents. CORPORATE HISTORY. The borough of Schuylkill Haven was incorporated by an act of Assembly May 23rd, 1840. The first election under the charter was held on the second Tuesday in July of that year, and resulted in the election of Daniel Saylor burgess, and John Rudy, Mark Mellon, James M. Saylor, Michael Frehafer and George Rickert, councilmen. The following citizens have since been chosen bur- gess: John Heebner, 1843; Henry Saylor, 1844; Frederick Haas, 1846; Samuel Beard, 1847; Charles Kantner,1848; Michael Bowman, 1849; Henry Saylor, 1850; Daniel Saylor, 1851; Samuel Guss, 1852; Daniel H. Stager,1853; N.J. Hardenstine, 1854; P.R. Palm, 1855; B.F. Ketner, 1856; Henry Saylor, 1859; John Frehafer, 1860; John Hummel, 1861; John Doherty, 1862; William M. Randal, 1863; Wil- liam Gensemere, 1864; Henry B. Hesser, 1865; John Frehafer, 1866; T.C. Zulich, 1867; Joseph C. Kerkslager, 1868; Henry Byerly, 1869; Charles Wiltrout, 1870; Pliny Porter, 1871; John G. Koeh- ler, 1872; Thomas Geir, 1873; H.H. Coxe, 1874; A.W. Kerkslager, 1875; Winfield Hendricks, 1876, 1878; E.W. Frehafer, 1877, 1879. In 1859 the borough was divided into the north, east, south, and west wards. CEMETERIES. The early interments of people who died here were made on the burial ground of the union church, just north from the borough, familiarly known as the "old white church." Afterward burials were made in the Episcopal church yard and in that of the Evan- gelical church. In 1852 the Union Cemetery Association of Schuylkill Haven was incorporated by the court, with Gideon Bast president, Charles Dengler secretary, and John D. Dei- _____________end page 252._____________ page 253 SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES IN SCHUYLKILL HAVEN. ___________________________________________________________ bert treasurer. These, with Jacob Deibert and Daniel Saylor, constituted the board of managers. The association purchased eight acres of ground just beyond the northern limits of the borough for a cemetery. This has been tastefully laid out and fitted up, and most of the bodies have been removed from the burial grounds in the borough and reinterred in it, and it is now the place of burial for all the surrounding region. The present officers are: Isaac Paxton, president; D.H. Stager, secretary and treasurer; and with these officers Robert Jones, John Hendricks and Henry Saylor constitute the board of managers. SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL-HOUSES. In 1836 there was one school-house in Schuylkill Haven, a small brick structure that stood on the site of the present principal school building. In this house John H. Guertler taught during many years. This was a "pay school," and continued such till 1838, when the school law was accepted. After its incorpo- ration the borough was divided into three sub-districts with a school in each. The present school-house on High street was built in 1850. It was a commodious brick building three stories in height. On the ground floor were four school rooms, on the second two, and in the third story one. The remainder of the third story was fitted up for meetings of societies. The cost of this building was then $13,000. In 1878 the house was remodeled, the third story was taken off and two wings were built. There are now six rooms in the first story and five in the second. The present value of the building is $14,500. A graded school has been kept in this building since its erection during ten months in the year. Eleven teachers, two gentlemen and nine ladies, have been employed in this school, at an average salary of $76 per month for male and $28 for female teachers. The average attendance has been 750. In the north ward a primary school has long been maintained. This school was first taught in one of the three school-houses spoken of, then in the basement of the Catholic church till 1873, when a framed school-house was built on Dock street at a cost of $2,500. The first board of directors consisted of Charles Dengler, Joseph M.Saylor, Lewis C. Dougherty, Jacob Deibert, Firman Bor- dell, and Benjamin De Long. The first teacher in the graded school was John H. Guertler, who, as before stated, had long been a teacher here: then in succession the principal teachers were Thomas Griffith, Daniel State, John Doyle, W.B. Bensinger, Jacob Kaercher, Pliny Porter, W. I. Good, William Hubbard, Daniel H. Stager, J.L. Mitting, F.I. Jewell, Henry M. Bush, William A. Field, George B. Allen, Francis W. Bechtel, J.G. Wineberger, H.M. Hannah, J.H. Helm, J.G. Krichbaum, E.W. Huyck, B.F. Knerr, and George W. Weiss, the present principal. Of these George B. Allen is an Episcopal clergyman, Messrs. Bechtel and Hannah are members of the bar, and Mr. Knerr is a distinguished teachers in Minneso- ta. Mr. Stager is an old and useful citizen and is now president of the board of school directors. Arrangements are made by the school board for furnishing text books at wholesale prices, with the addition of a small commission, regulated by the board. CHURCH HISTORIES. Evangelical Church.-The church of the Evangelical Association in Schuylkill Haven was organized in 1830. Rev. J.M. Saylor and his brother Daniel were the only members at the time of its organization. Both are still living. In 1835 the first trustee meeting was held, at which it was determined to erect a house of worship. This determination was carried into effect, and in 1836 the house dedicated. It was a stone on the site of the present church on St. Peter's street. At the time of dedicating this church the membership had increased to sixty. A Sunday-school was organized the same year, with Daniel Saylor as superinten- dent. Worship was continued in this church till 1856, when the increase of the congregation had come to required a larger and more commodious house and the present edifice, which is termed St. Peter's Church, was erected. It is of brick, 42 by 70, with a basement and gallery, and its cost was $8,000. By reason of the loss of the church records it is not prac- ticable to give a list of the many pastors that have served this church. In 1873 Trinity Church branched from this congregation to organize a church in which the services should be conducted wholly in the English language. In St. Peter's the German in used in a portion of the services. The present number of members is two hundred and twenty-one. The Sunday-school was continued under the superintendent of Mr. Saylor for more than twenty years. He was followed by F.G. Boos, and he by Harry Saucer, the present superintendent. The school numbers two hundred and fifty scholars. St. James Protestant Episcopal Church was charted July 4th, 1839. Among the charter members were Robert C. Hill, Lebbeus Chapman, William B. Potts, Winfield S. Chapman, John Hudson, Alexander A. Clarkson, John Guertler, Absalom Reifsnyder, John Stanton, Richard Stanton, Gideon Bast and Charles M. Hill. A church was consecrated in the spring of 1814, built of rough native stone. William Richardson presented the lot. The corner stone was laid in 1839. Robert C. Hill was the first Sunday-school superintendent; services were held in Moses Reed's tailoring establishment on Canal street. The first minister was Rev. Mr. Buell, succeeded in 1842 by Rev. George C. Drake, who remained about ten years. The church building was thoroughly improved in 1876 by the addition of stained glass windows and new chancel furniture, papering and painting inside and painting on the outside. This was the first English church in Schuylkill Haven. United Brethren in Christ.-In 1846 the first mission- __________end page 253.___________ page 254 HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. ary of the United Brethren in Schuylkill county came to Schuyl- kill Haven and preached in a school-house. In that year a class was formed, of which Messrs. Hewes, Shoener, Fisher and Fremont were members. In 1847 a house of worship, a framed building, was erected in thecorner of Market and St. John streets. In 1861 the present brick edifice on Main street was erected. Up to 1869 the charge was a part of a circuit, butin that year it was continued a separate charge since. The clergy in charge and the years of their appointment have been: Revs. John A. Sands, 1847; Simon Noll, 1848; George Smith, 1849; Jacob Rupp, 1852; Simon Noll, 1853; Simon Zimmerman, 1855; David Hoffman, 1855; Christian Jeffrey, 1857; H. W. Landis, 1858; D.M. Kauffman, 1860; A.F. Yeager, 1864; J.G. Fritz, 1865; J.B. Dougherty, 1867; J.R. Meredith, 1869; J.P. Smith, 1871; John Smith, 1874; Peter Bowman, 1875; Joseph C. Mussma, 1877; C.S. Meiley, 1878; J.D. Killian, the present pastor, 1879. In 1848 John Freeman first organized the Sunday-school, with but a few scholars. The present superintendent is Charles Shap- pel. The number of scholars is 135, and of teachers and officers 20. St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church.-In 1847 priests from Pottsville began to visit Schuylkill Haven regularly. At that time, and during several years thereafter, mass was celebrated in the house of Patrick White, and afterward the school-house and lot was purchased and services were held there. In 1863 the present church on Dock street, the old Lutheran church, was purchased from the school board and refitted. In 1865 the first resident pastor, Rev. James Mackin, was appointed, succeeded soon afterward by Revs. Mullen, McManus, and another Mackin. Rev. Philip McEnroe came in 1868, and he was succeeded in 1875 by Rev. Charles McFadden, the present pastor. St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church is centrally locat- ed on Dock street, below Main. It is a substantial brick struc- ture, containing an auditorium with about 500 sittings and also large and well furnished Sunday-school rooms. Adjoining the church is a beautiful and commodious pastoral residence, the two forming one of the most complete and desirable church properties of the county. The total value of the lots and improvements is probably $15,000. Adjoining the church is a beautiful and commodious pastoral residence, the two forming one of the most complete and desirable church properties of the county. The total value of the lots and improvements is probably $15,000. The original members had perhaps nearly all belonged to what was then called the "white church," situated in the turnpike near the almshouse. On account of the inconvenience of the location and insufficient accommodation the members living in town organ- ized themselves into a new congregation, which together with the German Reformed congregation erected St. Paul's church (now St. Ambrose Roman Catholic). The church was completed little English preaching in the Lutheran church, but now Rev. D. Steck, of Pottsville, held stated English service in St. Paul's church with the approval of the regular pastor, William G. Menning. No permanent organization was effected, though about a score of persons considered themselves the English Lutheran Church of Schuylkill Haven. Around that nucleus has gathered the present St. Matthew's congregation. The first pastor was Rev. E. Huber, who took charge October 17th, 1858. The original members numbered twenty-nine. Of these Andrew Keefer "more than any other man was the father of the English movement." On the 20th of June, 1859, a lot was purchased, and soon after the erection of St. Matthew's church began. The corner stone was laid on the 7th of August in the same year, and the church was dedicated in January, 1860. Mr. Huber's ministry ended in December, 1860. Rev. P. Willard was pastor from April, 1861, to March, 1864, and Rev. G.P. Weaver from August, 1864, to April, 1866. During Rev. A. Yeiser's ministry, of about ten years from the last date, the membership of the church was more then doubled, and the edifice renovated and greatly enlarged at an expense of $3,000. Mr. Yeiser died, lamented by the entire community, on the 29th of February, 1876. For several months before and after that sad event the congregation was supplied by Rev. J.B. Anthony. During July and August of the same year Rev. F.W. Staley preached as a supply. The fifth and present regular pastor is Rev. J.A. Singmaster, who took charge on the 1st of September, 1876. The most notable event in his ministry thus far is the erection of a parsonage, conceded to be one of the finest and best arranged residences of its kind to be found outside of the cities. The membership of the church is about 200, and of the Sun- day-school 250. Both are in a flourishing condition. The first superintendent of the Sunday-school was Andrew Keefer, who held the office until his death, in 1876. Since then the pastor, assisted by Isaac Parson, has conducted the school. Its library numbers 600 volumes. St. John's Reformed Church.-St. John's congregation began holding services in the banking room of Mr. Voute's building on Main street, January 26th, 1862. The Sunday-school was organized on February 2nd following. Rev. David M. Wolff was the first pastor. The room was consecrated by Rev. H. Harbaugh, D.D., and Rev. George Wolff in January. In this room worship was held for half a year or more, when the congregation purchased the M.E. church, and made extensive repairs in it, and it became the home of the flock. Messrs. D. Small, M. Bassler, B. Reibasmen, N. Palsgrave, J.L. Coho, C. Dengler, Jacob Miller and W.H. Levan were active in the enterprise, besides a number of devoted women. Mr. Wolff labored here two years and nine months. The con- gregation numbered when he left seventy-five members. Rev. J.P. Stein became his successor in October, 1864. The church continued to grow rapidly. Mr. Stein added upward of 85 to the church by confirmation, and others by certificate. During his pastorate a parsonage was purchased and paid for, and an infant Sunday-school _____________end page 254.______________ page 255 CHURCHES AND LODGES OF SCHUYLKILL HAVEN. _______________________________________________________________ room built on the rear of the church. In the spring of 1871 he removed to Pottsville. Rev. J.O. Johnson was unanimously elected his successor, and entered upon his duties June 1st, 1818. The old parsonage was sold and a larger one purchased. So rapidly did the congregation increased that it became necessary to build the present large and elegant church on Main, 1875, and on the Christmas following the first service was held in the new house. The church cost about $15,000, and was paid for in full. The membership has constantly increased, but there have also been many losers by removal. The number of members at present is two hundred and thirty-five, and there are about twenty scholars in the Sunday-school. About $1,300 is raised per year for local and benevolent purposes. In the autumn of 1879 the congregation, purchased a new pipe organ. Rev. J.O. Johnson has entered upon the tenth year of his ministry in this congregation, with every prospect of future prosperity. Trinity Church of the Evangelical Association was organized March 15th, 1873. Its constituent members, thirty-eight in num- ber, had withdrawn from St. Peter's Church of the Evangelical Association for the purpose of organiz- ing a church in which the services should be conducted in the English language. The church and Sunday-school were organized and the first meetings were held in Metamora Hall, on Main street. The first pastor was Rev. C.H. Egge, who also served the church three years. He was followed by the present incumbent of the position, Rev. J.G. Sands, who has labored here about a year and a half. The church edifice was built in 1873 and 1874, and dedicated May 17th in the latter year. It is a framed building, 36 by 60 feet, in Dock street. It and the parsonage, which adjoins it, are valued at $7,000. Rev. James Bowman was the first superintendent of the Sunday-school connected with this charge. This school was organ- ized March 22nd, 1873, with 57 scholars. It now numbers about 100. Carroll Lodge, No. 120, I.O.O.F. was organized August 14th, 1845. The first officers were: Henry Saylor, N.G., Charles Huntzinger, V.G., Mark Melton, S., S.R. Dickerson, A.S., John J. Koehler, T. The lodge met at several places till the erection of the school-house on High street. Its meetings were then held in the upper story of this house, then in Washington Hall, and after- wards in Metamora Hall, the present place of meeting. The lodge has accumulated a fund of $1,300. The present number of members is 47. The present officers are: W.R. Leader, N.G.; Joseph Maberry, V.G.; C.V.B. Delbert, S.; John Byerly, Asst. S., and Pliny Porter, T. The trustees are Henry Boyer, Jacob S. Schaub- acher and D.S. Byerly. Metamora Council, No. 66, O.U.A.M. was instituted in 1847, with 71 charter members. The first officers were: Franklin Feger, C.; William Anman, V.C.; Jacob Miller, R.S.; Philip Kauff- man, A.R.S.; Charles Coburn, F.S.; John Rader, F.; Joseph Frecht, Ex.; William Kercher, I.P.; N. Klechner, O.P. The first place of meeting was Temperance Hall, on Main street, now Haurigan Hall. Then meetings were held in the school-house on High street, and since 1870 in Metamora Hall, which was built and is now owned by this council. This hall, which stands on Main street, is a brick building, 70 by 32, three stories in height. The first story is fitted up and used as a store. The second is a public hall, and the third is the place of meeting of this and other societies. It was built for the council by Sterner Brothers. Its cost was $13,720. This council is incorporated. The career of the council has been one of uniform prosperity. Its present membership is 95. The present officers are: E.M. Moyer, C.; Enoch Binckley, V.C.; W.F. Stitzer, R.S.; Jeremiah Laudenbacher, A.R.S.; Emanuel Maber- ry, F.S.; Pliny Porter, T.; W.R. Leader, In.; W.H.H. Mayer, Ex.; Englebert Geiger, I.P.; D.S. Fisher, O.P. The trustees are J.H. Sterner, W.R. Leader and Joseph Maberry. Theodore Koener Lodge, No. 41, D.O.H. was instituted February 26th, 1853. The charter members were: August Hammer, past presi- dent; John Goos, president; William Geiger, vice-president; Nicholas Baumann, treasure; Heinrich Ulmer, secretary; and John Betz. During two years the lodge met in a hall at Spring Garden. It then purchased from the Sons of Temperance their hall on Main street, which was rechristened Haurigari Hall. It has a value of about $2,000. In addition to this real estate, the lodge has a fund of about $1,000. The present officers are: Isaac Miller, past president; John Yost, president; Nicholas Goos, vice-president; E.B. Reed, treas- urer; John Schumaker, secretary. The trustees are Nicholas Goos, John Yost, and John Goos. The present membership is 48. Page Lodge, No. 270, Free and Accepted Masons was constituted and instituted June 7th, 1853, all the charter members being former members of No. 138, Orwigsburg, the oldest lodge in the county. The first officers of the were: W.M., Charles Saylor; S.W., John C. Stanton; J.W.; David H. Baker; secretary, S.R. Dickson; treasurer, Henry Hesser. Of the old charter members none remain but Henry Hesser, John L. Coho, and Kennedy Robinson, M.D. From this lodge Cressona Lodge (No. 426) was formed. The present officers of Page lodge are: W.M., Jeremiah Kline; S.W., Charles B. Palsgrave; J.W., Hugh R. Wilson; secretary, James K. Helms; treasures, Jeremiah Sterner. The past masters have been as follows: Henry Hesser, William A. Field, John B. Keefer, Dr. O.L. Saylor, F.D. Sterner, Albert Robinson, Charles Laudenbacher, Henry C. Voute, Edwin Robinson and William B. Rudy. ______________end page 255._______________ page 256 HISTORY OF SCUYLKILL COUNTY. _____________________________________________________________ Washington Camp, No. 47, Patriotic Order of Sons of American was organized October 17th, 1857, with Charles P. and Alfred M. Saylor, Sylvester Kantner, Ulysess A. Bast, John W. Coho, Theo- dore W. Saylor, Robert Roan, Edwin Robinson, John G. Dengler, J. Albert Saylor, John G. Kaufman and George P. Koons as charter members Messrs. Kantner and Robinson are yet in good standing order. On the 7th of May, 1858, James K. Helms, now past nation- al, and past State president of order, was received into 47, and he has continued an active member of the camp ever since. To him is principally due the existence of the camp to-day, and he is known throughout the order as "the war-horse." The order is purley patriotic, and in connection therewith has a beneficial feature. On the 29th of April, 1861, Camp 47 suspended for an indefinite period, to enable its members to volunteer in defense of their flag. Every member on the rolls of the camp volun- teered, and on the 28th of December, 1865, the first meeting was held after the suspension. During this time the property of the camp was held by one of the members, W. Theodore Stitzer, and the old treasurer, S. H. Kantner, held the money, which he promptly paid over after a lapse of ever four years. Camp 47 now numbers 115 members, and has a well furnished room and over $4,000 in its treasury. The principal officers are: President, A.W. Felix; vice-president, Dr. I.D. Wiltrout; M. of F. and C., George F. Dengler; secretary, M.F. Pflueger; treasure, Robert Jones. Jere. Helms Post, No. 26, Grand Army of the Republic was organized on the 8th of February, 1867, and is now one of the oldest posts in the department of Pennsylvania. The charter members were the following old soldiers: Captains Charles E. Brown, James K. Helms and Daniel F. Burkert; Lieutenants S.A. Losch, John Murphy and A.P. Parrett; George Schewnk, S.C. Stouch, James M. Saylor, Henry Hill, John B. Martz and Amos Homan. The first commander was Captain Helms, and the principal officers of the post now are: Commander, Jeremiah F. Bast; S.V.C., J.S. Deibert; J.V.C., A.P. Garrett; adjutant, James K. Helms; quarter- master, E. W. Frehafer; surgeon, Dr. O.P. Piper; chaplain, Rev. L.B. Beckler. This post was named after the drummer boy of Company C, 50 Pennsylvania volunteers, who was fatally wounded at Antietam, Md., September 17th, 1862, he voluneering to take a musket in the ranks. The post has expended over $2,000 for charity since its foundation, and has bought a large soldiers' lot in the main cemetery of the borough, and surrounded it with a neat iron railing at a cost of $640. It has sent over fifty soldiers to the home at Dayton, Ohio, from the county almshouse, and at present numbers one hundred and sixteen members. Webster Council, No. 23, J.O.U.A.M. was organized November 16th, with 27 charter members. It has now (August, 1880) 100 members. The first officers were: Jacob S. Genguich, C.; George I. Wurts, V.C.; George W. Reibseman, R. S.; Daniel Deibert, A.R.S.; Frank Meck, F.S.; Charles K. Bowen, F.; and Robert Stern- er, D.S. Barr and Frank Reed, trustees. As will be seen from the number of this council the order is of comparatively recent origin, but it has had a very prosperous career. The present officers of this council are: E.L. Deitzer, C.; Frank Kantner, V.C.; G.I. Worts, R.S.; J.E. Raber and George D. Maus, trustees; George I. Wurts, W.R. Leader, S.J. Deibert and John P. Schwarts have been deputy State councillors. Mountain Lodge, No. 84, K. of P. was instituted June 11th, 1868. Its officers were: F.W. Snyder, P.; Charles J. Christian, C.C.; C.V.B. Deibert, V.C.; John M. Frehafer, K. of R. & S.; Lewis L. Huntzinger, M. of E.; Robert Sterner, M. of F.; Charles B. Palsgrave, M. at A. It met first in the third story of the school-house, and afterward in Metamora Hall, it present place of meeting. The lodge has assets to the amount of $2,200. The present membership is 108. The officers are: John L. Baltze, P.C.; Albert W. Schwartz, C.C.; Edward Boyer, V.C.; B.F. Gehrig, P.; William F. Stitzer, M. of F.; Pliny Porter, M. of E.; C.V.B. Deibert, K. of R. & S.; Harrison Moyer, M. at A. The trustees are George W. Raber, Harrison Moyer and Benjamin Kline. The Workmen's Saving Fund and Building Association of Schuyl- kill Haven was organized January 8th, 1873, with the following officers: Dr. B.F. Shannon, president; William Gensemere, vice- president; James K. Helms, secretary; William B. Rudy, treasurer; C.N. Brumm, solicitor. Six series of shares have been issued, and 300 of these shares remain standing; $130,000 have been received and paid out by this association. The present officers are: D.H. Stager, president; George S. Melot, vice-president; M.F. Pflueger, secretary; William B. Rudy, treasurer. Schuylkill Haven Castle, No. 66, A.O. Knight of the Mystic Chain was instituted in 1873, with 50 charter members. The first officers were: Jonathan Billig, chaplain; Jeremiah F. Bast, S.K.C.; Daniel Kromis, S.K.V.C.; William Rittenhouse, S.K.F.L.; E.W. Frehafer, R.S.; George Hoofmeister, A.R.S.; George J. Jones, F.S.; and Issac Berger, T. The first place of meeting was Metamora Hall. The castle now holds its meetings at Haurigari Hall each Thursday evening. The present number of members is 60. The present officers are: William Rittenhouse, chaplin; George A. Shaefer, S.K.C.; Isaac Paxton, S.K.V.C.; Christian Spindler, S.K.F.L.; James B.Doherty, R.S.; John F. Lader, A.R. S.; Milton F. Pflueger, F.S.; Jeremiah F. Bast, T. Milton F. Pflueger, George A. Shaefer, and Isaac Paxton are the present trustees. ______________end page 256.________________ page 257 DRS. S.H. AND B.F. SHANNON. _______________________________________________________________ BIOGRAPHICAL. __________ SAMUEL H. SHANNON, M.D. Dr. Samuel H. Shannon, who died at Schuylkill Haven, January 17th, 1879, was born at Shannonville, Montgomery county, Pa., April 27th, 1814, of ancestry on both sides identified with the early history of the county. His father, Robert Shannon, a farmer and merchant of that place and a thoroughgoing business man, was a grandson of Robert Shannon, one of the five commis- sioners appointed by the State authorities to fix upon a site for the seat of justice and organize the county of Montgomery, in 1784. Their judicious selection and the handsome borough which has grown from it are an enduring memorial of the family, which in all its generations has been one of the most respectable. Robert Shannon, the father of our subject, died in 1844, at the age of 59, honored and respected. The mother of Samuel H., Elizabeth Porter, was from Revolutionary stock, her father being a brother of General Andrew Porter. Mrs. Shannon was a most estimable woman, possessing strong traits of character. She died in 1865, at the advanced age of 80. Samuel H. Shannon in early life (in common with his elder brother Charles P., who with his sister Mary L. still resides in the ancient family homestead) served a useful apprenticeship on his father's farm at the rugged work so necessary to the develop- ment of a healthful and many physique. After obtaining the education available in the best schools of the locality and a limited training under private instructors he entered Jefferson Medical College, graduating with honor in 1836. The same year he located at Schuylkill Haven. As remarked by one of the county papers in a notice of his death, "Dr. Shannon never occupied any important public position, as he cared nothing for political honors. In 1856, during the Congressional campaign, he was offered the Democratic nomination, but peremptorily declined it." He loved his profession, and he had a warm, tender, generous sympathy for the afflicted in every condition of life, while his medical skill was always recognized. It is thought his valuable life was shortened by devotion to the duties of his profession and by turning out in inclement weather to treat a critical case several miles away from his office, at a time when he himself rather needed a doctor's care. Dr. Shannon was one of the most modest, genial and unassuming of men, and, although wealthy, was no respecter of the distinctions that mere money confers, believ- ing that "a man's a man for a' that." He was affable and courte- ous to all and made friends wherever he went. His hospitable mansion was always the home of the non-resident visiting minis- ters of his church. His contributions to religious and benevo- lent purposes were unostentatious and much more liberal than his intimate friends imagined. His many benefactions to the poor were known only to them and to "the Father who seeth in secret." He was physician at the county almshouse for several years, when he resigned in favor of his brother, Dr. B.F. Shannon. He was also for many years a valued director of the Miners' National Bank. He was the owner of several farms, the management of which, with other real estate and his financial operations, together with his numerous professional calls, kept him, as he delighted to be, always busy. While advancing in years he did not feel old-his firm, elastic step and clear, unclouded mind betokening a much younger man-until a few short months before his death. Early in his professional life he married Esther Mannon, a most devoted helpmeet to her husband. With her family she now occupies the comfortable home he projected, the site having been selected and the title secured some time before his death. The fruit of this union was four daughters: Jane E., who died in infancy; Mary K., Elizabeth T. and Harriet E.; who seem to have largely inherited their father's capacity for business, having managed their large estates with rare tact and judgment. ___________ BENJAMIN FRANKLIN SHANNON, M.D. Dr. F.F. Shannon was born in Shannonville, Montgomery county, Pa., February 9th, 1829, and was the youngest in a family of nine children of Robert and Elizabeth (Porter) Shannon. His great- grandfather emigrated from Ireland with his family and settled in Pennsylvania, giving name to the town in Montgomery county where he settled. The old homestead has been held in the family for four generations and is now (1881) owned and occupied by Charles P. Shannon, the eldest child of the family. The doctor's father was one of the most extensive farmers in that portion of the State. Both father and mother died and are buried in Shannon- ville. Dr. Shannon passed his boyhood at home, receiving his primary education in the district school of his native town. At the age of twelve he entered the Westchester Academy, in Chester county, where he remained four years. He then entered the Pennsylvania College at Philadelphia, where he took a four years' course in medicine, receiving his diploma from that institution April 7th, 1849. Immediately after his graduation he located at Schuylkill Haven, where he entered upon the practice of his profession. From the first he took high rank as a practitioner, and built up a reputation as a successful physician and surgeon second to none in that locality. He responded to all calls, serving the rich and poor alike. In his death the latter class lost a friend indeed. For more than twenty years he was the attending physi- cian at the alms-house hospital of Schuylkill county, and its inmates always found him not only a good physician but a sympa- thizing friend. He was steadfastly devoted to his profession and was an indefatigable worker. His territory extended over an area of miles through the farming districts. In spring and fall he was accustomed to travel for many miles on horseback, often riding thirty or forty miles a day for weeks at a time. This professional life at all seasons, in sunshine and storm, day and ___________end page 257.____________ page 258 HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. ______________________________________________________________ night, with loss of sleep, irregular meals and annoyances known only to the faculty, will certainly make inroads on the health of the most robust. The first decided effect upon the health of Dr. Shannon, who possessed a remarkable physique, became evident in the spring of 1876, and from this time forward his health varied, never recovering sufficiently to answer fully the demands made for his professional services. Each successive attack was more severe, while the recuperation was more protracted. His disease was one of the neuroses-congestion of the medulla, followed by gradual tissue change, until the scene of suffering was closed in death on the 8th days of August, 1878. Dr. Shannon was married twice. His first wife was Sally, daughter of Mark and Sarah Reed. She died in 1853. October 3d, 1867, he married Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Gideon and Mary Bast, who was born in Minersville, September 10th, 1833, and who survives him. The doctor was a member of the Schuylkill County Medical Society. He was a member of the German Reformed church of Schuylkill Haven, and to the substantial aid rendered by him is very largely due the handsome edifice belonging to that society. In politics he was identified with the Democratic party. He was a great reader, and after devoting the entire day to his patients would often carry his reading far into the night. His reading not only embraced the latest medical works, but took in a wide range of subjects. In society he was agreeable and entertaining; and, indeed, in all the relations of life it may be truly be said of him he filled well his part. __________ A line drawing of OLIVER PERRY PIPER was in this position in the original book. In the Table of Contents it was listed on the same page number. Original text follows beneath the divider. ___________________ O.D. PIPER, M.D. Oliver Perry Piper, M.D., was born near Milton, Northumber- land county, April 18th, 1848, and about 1875 came to Schuylkill Haven, where he has since been recognized as one of the leading physicians. He married Annie Eskleman, of Ashland. Dr. Piper holds a diploma from Pinceton (sic) College, N.J., dated in 1868, and he is also a graduate of the Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, of the class of 1872. He is a grandson of Dr. T. Piper, who commenced the practice of medicine of Pottsville about the year 1810, and who also served in the war of 1812. _____________ GIDEON BAST. _______________ Gideon Bast was for many years one of the most prominent mer- chants and coal operators in the county. He was born in Berks county, Pa., April 1st, 1801. His father was John Bast. His mother was Mary Elizabeth Pender. The latter died when he was very young, the former when he was about twelve years old, leav- ing quite a property, which was lost by unfortunate management before Gideon was old enough to legally claim his share. He passed the years of his boyhood in hard work on the farm, and enjoyed only the most meager educational advantages. When he was not more than fifteen his natural bent for trade developed itself so strongly that he embarked in mercantile life as a peddler, carrying his stock in trade in a pack on his shoulder over the hills and through the valleys of Berks and Schuylkill counties. He was affable, energetic and honest; consequently he was suc- cessful. In time he traveled by wagon, extended his operations over a larger territory, carried a more extensive line of goods, and reaped greater pecuniary rewards for his enterprise. Having accumulated some little capital, at the age of twenty-five he opened a general store at Hartford, Berks county, having his brother-in-law, Samuel Heilner, as a partner. Here they traded about eight years, at the expiration of which they removed to Minersville, Schuylkill county, where they engaged in trade, and became well known as coal operators. In 1835 Messrs. Bast and Heilner dissolved partnership, and Mr. Bast removed to Schuylkill Haven, where he opened a store in a building now (1881) occupied by George Kauffman; at the same time engaging in mining opera- tions at Wolf Creek, in partnership with Lewis Audenreid, and at Ashland with David Pierson. He disposed of his coal interests about 1838, and ceased to trade in 1845, or thereabouts. The elegant homestead of the Bast family, a view of which appears on another page, was erected in 1845, and has been occupied by them since, most of the children having been reared under its ample roof. Mr. Bast was married August 5th, 1833, to Mary Moyer, of Berks county, who survives him and has borne him ten children, four of whom are living. Of these, two sons, Emanuel and George Bast, are well known. The former is largely interested in gold mines in Georgia; the latter has been identified with various anthracite interests. Mrs. Bast's parents were Samuel and Lizzie (Yerder) Moyer, formally from Lancaster county, Pa. Emanuel Bast, as his father's successor, was for some years a merchant at Schuylkill Haven. Mr. Bast was a self-made man, and his success was a remarkable example of what may be achieved from small beginnings by the exercise of energy, perseverance, good judgment and honesty. He was a Christian gentleman, and it was largely through his liberality that Jerusalem church, near his residence, was built in 1878, to replace an old structure which long stood on the same ground. He died March 10th, 1880, deeply regretted by a wide circle of friends and social and business acquaitances (sic). He was noted for his affability and hospitality, and his house was ever a home in the truest sense of the word. ____________end page 258.____________ page 259 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES-S.A. LOSCH. ___________________________________________________________ A line drawing of SAMUEL ALFRED LOSCH appears in this position on this page in the original book In the Table of Contents it is listed on this page. Text from the original book begins below the divider line. __________________ Samuel Alfred Losch, the son of George and Eliza Losch, was born at Uniontown, Dauphin county, Pa., December 19th, 1842. His father died when the subject of this sketch was but six years old. business reverses sustained by the husband and father left the family in reduced circumstances, and at the early age of ten years S.A. Losch commenced in earnest the battle of life. At that time he obtained employment on a farm to do the chores, but as this was nor remunerative, and his mother's necessities re- quired aid, when he was eleven years old he started life on the towpath, and followed this pursuit until the outbreak of the Rebellion. During this period the only opportunity, that he had for education was during the winter months, when the canals were closed. When the civil war began Mr. Losch joined Company C 50th regiment Pennsylvania volunteers as a private. The annals of the war glisten with the recital of the deeds of valor performed by this regiment during the Rebellion. History does not show that any troops suffered or endured more than the heroic half-hundred of Pennsylvania. Through the mutations of war it was their lot never to know the meaning of winter quarters, and they served successively in South Carolina, under General J.J. Stevens; in the army of the Potomac, under Generals McClellan, Pope, and Burnside; under General Grant at Vicksburg and Jackson, and formed part of the besieged at the memorable siege of Knoxville, finally joining Grant in the Potomac army, and participating in the gigantic contests that culminated in the surrender at Appo- mattox. Throughout these campaigns S.A. Losch proved himself a gallant soldier, and for distinguished bravery was promoted from time to time as vacancies occurred, until at the close of the war he was first lieutenant of his company. He declined higher offers of promotion in another command, preferring to remain with comrades whose courage and fidelity had been proved amid hours of disaster, danger, and victory. After the war was over, through the kind offices of the superintendent of the Mine Hill and Schuylkill Haven Railroad, he obtained a position on that road. Several positions of trust and responsibility were filled by him, and deserved promotion was awarded. Upon the election of General John F. Hartranft as governor, in 1872, in recognition of his earnest services during the campaign S.A. Losch was given an important clerkship in the office of Hon. M.S. Quay, secretary of State. In 1874 he was elected to the State Legislature after a bitter and personal fight. during his term as a member he succeeded in obtaining needed legislation for his constituents, although the house was largely Democratic. In 1876 he declined renomination, but sought the nomination for State senator. He failed to secure the office by reason of his positive opposition to the corporate power and dominant ring then existing in the Republican party. From this time on a bitter war was waged by the young Republicans of Schuylkill county, of whom he was a prominent leader. After many fierce contests they were successful, and much credit was awarded to Mr. Losch for his able management of the party he led. In 1876 Colonel M.S. Quay, secretary of the commonwealth, offered to Mr. Losch a clerkship in his office, which he accepted and still holds. In 1879 he was married to Miss Fidelia Sumers, of Zanes- ville, Ohio, daughter of Henry J. Sumers, a prominent merchant of that city. Mr. Losch was chosen in 1880 as a delegate to the national convention of the Republican party, held at Chicago, and was one of the famous 306 delegates who voted for 36 ballots in favor of General U.S. Grant. After the close of the war Governor John W. Geary reorganized the National Guard of Pennsylvania, and called into the service of S.A. Losch. He commissioned him to serve on the staff of Major-General J.K. Sigfried, with the rank of major. After serving his tern of five years he was again commissioned with the same rank by Governor John F. Hartranft. ___________end page 259._____________ page 260 HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. _____________________________________________________________ A line drawing of G.W. WEISS. is in this place in the original book. It is listed in the Table of Contents on this page. Actual text follows the dividing line _____________ G.W. WEISS. George W. Weiss, who has been for four years principal of the Schuylkill Haven High School, and also borough superintendent of schools, and is now county superintendent, has been for eleven years a resident of Schuylkill county, but is a native of Milford township, Bucks, county, Pa., where he was born January 25th, 1844. Professor Weiss may justly claim to be a "self-made man." He lost his father when he was sixteen years old. He worked on the farm and in a mill and taught during the winter months, beginning to teach when only seventeen years of age. He attended Freeland Seminary twenty weeks in 1865, and in the autumn of 1866 entered the State normal school at Millersville, Pa. Here he graduated in July, 1870, receiving a diploma. At both these institutions he paid his own expenses. Immediately after gradu- ating he was offered the principalship of Port Carbon schools, which position he filled acceptable for seven years. He then resigned and accepted a similar but more remunerative position at Schuylkill Haven, which he held for four years. Since 1870 he has been giving instruction during the summer seasons in six local normal schools, which were largely attended by teachers of the county. Before coming to Schuylkill county Mr. Weiss taught seven years in ungraded schools in Berks county, and a year at the soldiers' orphan school at Quakertown, in that county. Thus he has had twenty years' experience in teaching. He became for the first time a candidate for the county superintendency of schools in the spring of 1881, when, at the election held May 3d, he was elected by a majority of 58 over Jesse Newlin, then hold- ing the office. His official term began in June following. He has also been chairman of the committee on permanent cerificated for eight years. Professor Weiss married Miss Harriet Henderson, of Port Car- bon. ___________ CHARLES A. MECK. Charles A. Meck, an enterprising merchant, real estate owner and lumberman of Schuylkill Haven, was born in Heidelberg, Berks county, Pa., June 16th, 1831. His parents were Benjamin and Elizabeth (Ruth) Meck, and were well-to-do farmers. Up to the age of fifteen Mr. Meck remained at home, working on the farm and enjoying unimportant advantages for acquisition of an education. Then he embarked upon a long and successful mercantile career, as an assistant in the store of Mr. J.B. Myers, in Bethel township, Berks county. A year later he entered the service of Mr. Peter B. Lutz, of Fryerstown, Berks county, where he remained until 1850, when he removed to Schuylkill Haven, and engaged as a salesman in the store of B.F. Kitner. A year later he was admit- ted to a partnership in the business, which became entirely his by purchase in 1860. In 1862 he removed to his present loca- tions, where he has since conducted a large and very successful business. He has also speculated in timber land and farms very extensively. At present (1881) his real estate includes twenty- eight different tracts of timber and farm lands. Dealing exten- sively in such commodities as found a ready market from time to time, from the demand existing for them in the various improve- ments of the section, he has handled large quantities of tan- bark, railroad ties and similar merchandise. The lumber firm of C.A. Meck & Co., of which he is the leading partner, is composed of Charles A. Meck, Millard F. Nagle and Edward B. Peal, and is largely interested in manufacturing lumber, having had two saw- mills in operation for several years past. All of the credit which is due one who, from boyhood, fights unaided the battle of life and wins the victory, is directly attributable to Mr. Meck. With one steady purpose in view, he has pushed forward unintermittingly and unfalteringly, and, aided by honesty, perseverance, a clear head and friendly ways, has been so successful as to stand in the front rank of the self-made men of the Schuylkill coal region, where fortunes have been made as quickly and ventured and lost as recklessly by unthinking men as in any part of the world. From principle Mr. Meck is a Repub- lican, but never has sought or accepted official preferment. He was married December 12th, 1852, to Priscilla Hartman, of Bethel, Berks county, Pa. They have had seven children-four sons and three daughters-six of whom are living. _____________end page 260._____________ page 261 NORTH UNION TOWNSHIP ________________________________________________________ In what is now North Union the earliest known settler was Conrad Faust, who, in 1806, settled on the farm now owned by Henry Gootschall. Some three years later Albertus Miller settled where Frederick Hatter now lives. This township was erected from Union in 1867. The first town election was held at Zion's Grove in that year. But few incidents of an exciting character have been traced in the history of the township. Perhaps the most thrill- ing and terrible of these occurred during the years of its incor- poration, when, late in the afternoon of a day in February, six unknown men stopped at the house of Henry Rapp and demanded money. Mrs. Rapp ran to the house of a neighbor named Henry Johnson, who returned with her to find Rapp struggling with the robbers, and to be himself shot dead. After wounding Rapp the micreants fled, deserting one of their party, who was also wound- ed, in the flight, in a wood some distance, where he died, and where his bones were discovered the next summer. The brutality of the act, the desertion of their fellow criminal, and the sad fate of Johnson, all mark the tragic act as one of the most terrible of the many unpunished crimes that have made this county a veritable Aceldama. The only post-office in the township was named Zion's Grove, after Zion's church, which stands about a mile northwest of the little hamlet to which it gave its name. The first settler here was Jacob Breisch, who built a house and opened a store in 1830. The post-office was established in 1868, and the first postmaster was Theodore VanDuzen. The place contained in 1880 a store, kept by Thomas J. Davis, the present postmaster; a grist-mill, a blacksmith shop, a church, erected by the Evangelical denomina- tion in 1879, and eight dwelling houses. The population of North Union in 1870 was 666, and in 1880 847. _____________ NORWEGIAN TOWNSHIP. _______________________________________________ This is one of the nine original townships of Schuylkill county, formed in 1811. But it is only a comparatively small remnant of the Norwegian township of that date, when its bound- aries included all of Foster, Branch and Cass, and portions of Butler, Barry, Reilly, New Castle and East Norwegian townships, and the several boroughs within its former limits. Its surface is broken and rugged, and is richly underlaid with coal. The first settlements in Norwegian, as a present bounded, were made on the road between Pottsville and Minersville, states Mr. Abraham Pott, a son of John Pott, sen., an old gentleman who is probably better informed as to the pioneer history of Schuyl- kill county than any other person within its borders. A man named Bright was the pioneer on the York farm. His house was of the type familiar to all dwellers in new sections, and was, with the hospitality proverbial of the pioneer days, opened for the accommodation of wayfarers over the road, though it seems Bright was a non-resident, and the house was kept and much of the primi- tive farming done by a tenant. The date at which this land was taken up cannot now be ascertained, but that it was early in evident from the fact that Jacob Yohe settled later about a mile east of Minersville, between 1780 and 1790. On the turnpike the first settler was John Boyer. About the same time came William Yohe, who was married to Boyer's daughter. The turnpike was passable about 1810 or 1811, and Boyer and Yohe built near the northern border of Norwegian, or just over the line in New Castle township, a tavern, which was burned about twenty-two years later. Only about a year before, however, they had erected a more modern building, about half a mile south of the old stand and on the opposite side of the turnpike. This was, for a time, kept by another son-in-law of Boyer. Subsequently it often changed hands, and became a well known landmark, familiar to travelers between Pottsville and New Castle. The first settlers in Norwegian, as in other new sections, were for a time busily employed in clearing and getting their land under cultivation. Their labor, their dangers, their hard- ships and their daily experiences were such as fall to the lot of the pioneer everywhere. That the struggle for victory over nature during the first few years was a severe one may well be imagined. Work was hard, conveniences were few and the crops were light. Subsequently, as improvements were made, in which the _____________end page 261._____________ page 262 HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. ______________________________________________________________ early and primitive saw-mills played their part, the homes of the pioneers became more comfortable, and the borders of their clear- ings were gradually extended. Little thought was for years given to the vast deposits of coal underlying this section. The settlement of the township was slow, and there was no considerable population for many years after it began. Previous to 1825 there were not children enough in the then township of Norwegian to from a respectable school. The next three years saw such an increase of population that the township had 421 taxable inhabitants, scattered over its large area, now embracing several townships and boroughs. This increase was due to the possibili- ties of the coal trade which Norwegian evidenced upon the comple- tion of the Schuylkill canal to Mount Carbon. The population of the township at census dates during the last half century has been as follows: 1830, 3,849; 1840, 3,924; 1850, 2,642; 1860, 3,071; 1870, 1,390; 1880, 942. SCHOOLS. Barry was taken from Norwegian in 1822, and Pottsville was soon incorporated as a borough. The smallness of the number of school children in the remainder of the township in 1825 is mentioned above. The influx, about this time, of miners and speculators to the township prepared the way for the acceptance of the common school system without much opposition, as the new comers were persons of considerable intelligence, and appreciated the advantages of general education. In 1829 Abraham Pott had built, at his own expense, the first and only school-house in the township prior to the acceptance of the new school system, to the advocacy of which he contributed much time and money. There are four schools in Norwegian as at present bounded, in which from 250 to 275 scholars are instructed during about ten months of the year. COAL OPERATIONS. An account of coal operations within the present limits of Norwegian township would be replete with interest, could it be given fully as to names and dates. At this remote period from the time of their beginning such an account cannot be written. Such facts as it has been possible to obtain are here presented. Among the earliest operators in Norwegian were John and James Lyons. They had a drift on the Salem vein, and had been operat- ing on the York farm several years previous to 1816, hauling their coal with teams, selling it here and there. They were thus employed till about 1820. John Bailey began early at Center- ville, and operated till about 1830. He had a shaft and hoisted his coal with a windlass. Bailey, Samuel Huntzinger and others had early openings at Crow Hollow. On the west side of the turnpike, near Bailey's Centerville opening, and a little south of that point, Thomas Sillyman put down a slope a few years later than the above mentioned beginning, and operated some years, hoisting his coal by horse power. Nicholas Kantner worked an opening at Peach Mountain, on the Spohn vein, for other parties, a year or two. The Youngs, Robert and John, began operating in 1827 or 1828, just within the present borders of Pottsville, by a drift on the Salem vein, and did an increasing business for some years. Not far away Abraham Pott and Burd Patterson opened on the same vein as early as 1828, and began shipping coal. Mann & Williams opened a small drift on the Gate vein, within the present limits of Pottsville, about 1830, and during the summer months shipped about two tons per day. North of Mann & Wil- liams's drift there was another drift, from which Spencer, Jones & Milnes were shipping about 50 tons per day. George H. Potts operated at the northwestern end of Pottsville, partly in Norwe- gian township, by drift, and later by slope, between 1832 and 1840. Between Pottsville and Minersville a tunnel was driven in the mountain, as early as 1825, by the New York coal company, which operated there several years, hauling much coal to the canal at Mount Carbon. After the completion of the Mine Hill and Schuylkill Haven Railroad, the Peacock colliery was operated for some time successfully. About 1830 Samuel J. Potts and Dr. Gideon J. Palmer sunk a drift on the Spohn vein, a little east of the center of the township, and about a mile above the Fishback rolling mill, and operated there several years. About 1834 or 1835 Samuel Sillyman and Daniel Nice began to work some of the old openings at Crow Hollow. Nice withdrew from the enterprise and Sillyman continued until about 1850. He was succeeded by Kirk & Baum, who operated five of six years. William Mellon, who later operated for the North American Coal Company, was at one time operating on his own account. From 1829 to 1836 the North American Coal Company and the Delaware Coal Company were extensive operators in the township and elsewhere, the former working the Lewis and Spohn veins, the latter the Peach Mountain and diamond veins. The Delaware Coal Company had two drifts, one of which was near the site of the Pottsville colliery, from which was shipped about 150 tons of coal per day. William & Thomas Johns, afterward proprietors of the famous Eagle colliery at St. Clair, began their career as coal operators by opening a drift at Oak Hill, in Norwegian, in 1832. Lawton drift, south of Oak Hill, produced about 25 tons per day. Edward Pugh & Titus opened a drift at Oak Hill, a little to the north of the Johns' opening. The East Delaware Coal Company sunk a shaft 1,500 feet north of the Pottsville colliery shaft, which was abandoned about 1845. The size of this shat was 8 by 12 feet and it was sunk 300 feet. It is stated that the rock, the entire depth, was divided into two sections by a perpendicular division extending east and west across the shaft, and that the north section, four feet wide, was slate; the south section, eight feet wide, hard rock. It is by some claimed, by some doubted and by some denied that, upon taking out the slate section a few feet below the level of the rock section, the miners found the surface of the rock so smooth _____________end page 262._____________ Page 263 COLLIERIES IN NORWEGIAN TOWNSHIP-POTTSVILLE. ____________________________________________________________ that by the light of their lamps they could see their faces plainly reflected upon it. For a number of years prior to the beginning of the extensive operations of the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company, no heavy operations were carried on in Norwegian; and small individual workings were prosecuted in old openings here and there. Pottsville colliery is situated in the Second coal basin in Norwegian township, about two miles from Pottsville and one mile from St. Clair, in the vicinity of the place originally called East Mine by the Delaware Coal Company, in consequence of this being the eastern site of their workings. The sinking of the shaft was commenced in the spring of 1872 by the Mammoth Vein Coal and Iron Company, who are the proprietors of the land. The depth of this shaft (the deepest coal shaft in the United States) is 1,597 feet. It cuts the following veins of coal on their south dip: Little Tracy, Big Tracy, Little Clinton, Big Clinton, Little Diamond, Big Diamond, Little Orchard, Big Orchard, and the Primrose, which lies at the bottom of the shaft. The size of this shaft is 11 by 15 feet. It is divided into two departments, each 7 by 11 feet, and is called the East shaft. A test hole was bored, which cut the Mammoth vein 448 feet below the level of the Primrose. A second shaft was sunk 700 feet west of the first to the same depth, cutting the same veins on the same dip. Its size is 11 by 23 feet, divided into three departments, each 7 by 11 feet. There are two gangways connecting these two shafts; one 1,149 feet below the surface, driven on the Big Tracy vein; the other at the bottom of the shaft, driven on the Primrose vein. A horizontal tunnel has been driven to the north, across the layers of rock and coal, from each of the gangways at a point equally distant from the two shafts. But one of the three departments of the west shaft is used, and that for the upcast of the air course; the two hoisting departments of this shaft are idle. The machinery and every thing about the shaft is of the best and most substantial quality, except the breaker, which is only temporary, and has a capacity of but 400 tons a day. There are seven engines at the colliery. The two hoisting engines for turning the drum, in their well appointed and substantial brick engine-house, are of the finest make, and 500 horse power each. These engines have the power to life two cars with five tons of coal each from the bottom of the shaft (1,600 feet), and lower two more in a half minute. A 200 horse power Cornish bull pump- ing engine pumps the water through a sloped passage from the gangway on the Big Diamond vein. No pump is needed for the Primrose vein, as the bottom of the colliery is comparatively dry, and the temperature is higher than at points above. There are two breaking engines, one fan engine at the west shaft, and one plane engine, each of which is 20 horse power. At the time of writing only the two veins upon which the gangways were driven were worked. There were employed outside 112 men and about 150 inside; 28,589 tons of coal were produced at this colliery in 1876; 48,500 tons in 1877; 2,574 tons in 1878, and 27,781 tons in 1879. It was expected that this colliery, when fully developed, would be very extensive in its operations. Later observations may show more developments. The upper tunnel, driven from the Big Diamond vein, is 1,727 8 10 feet in length. It was driven a long distance before strik- ing the veins of coal, but at last it cut the Primrose and all succeeding underlying veins on their south dip. This is not the entire length of the tunnel, but was the distance to the point reached at the time the data embodied in this article were given, which point was between the Seven-feet and Mammoth veins. The lower tunnel, a little over 1,400 feet in length, drawn from the Primrose vein, cuts, first, at a short distance, the Holmes vein on its south dip, and, a little farther on, the same vein again on its north dip. Following north it cuts the Prim- rose on its north dip, and crossing a basin, again cuts the Primrose on its north dip, and crossing a basin, again cuts the Primrose and all under-lying veins on their south dip. The coal of the Primrose and other overlying veins was found to be of good quality; also that of the underlying veins in the upper tunnel. In the lower tunnel, those below the Primrose were found to be faulty, being near the basins. The colliery is operated by the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company. ______________