Area History: History of Schuylkill County, Pa: W. W. Munsell, 1881 Township and Borough Histories pp. 278 - 292 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 278 LODGES AND SOCIETIES. ODD FELLOWS. Miners' Lodge, No. 20, was instituted December 14th, 1829, by William L. Brown, of Philadelphia, the charter members being George Dedrick, John Espey, Andrew, Sheridan, Joseph W. Gordon, and George W. Duncan. On the same evening the following persons were initiated: Samuel S. Wallace, John Miller, Jacob Buckwal- ter, and Frank Vanhorn; after which the following officers were installed: N.G., John Espey; V.G., George W. Duncan; Sec., James S. Wallace; Treas., Jacob Buckwalter. George Dedrick was ap- pointed D.D.G.M. for the region. Three meeting nights a week had to be appointed, so great was the desire of persons to become initiated. Samuel J. Potts, who is now the sitting past grand, and has just passed the chairs for the second time, is the oldest living member of the lodge. He was admitted by card January 25th, 1830, and was the district deputy grand master some fifteen consecutive years. March 15th, 1830, the first by-laws were adopted. May 24th, 1830, the first public procession of Odd Fellows took place in this region, and was participated in by the members of Schuylkill and Miners' lodges. August 18th, 1832, the first degree lodge was instituted by the union of Hayden, Schuylkill and Miners' lodges. In 1837 the lodge authorized the trustees to subscribe $1,000 toward the stock of the Town Hall Association, which amount was lost upon the failure of the association. April 22nd, 1851, the first purchase of the grounds now known as the Odd Fellows' Cemetery was made by this lodge. Additional plots have been added from time to time until now it comprises some fourteen acres. A permanent fund is being established from a portion of the proceeds of sales of lots, to protect and pro- vide for the further maintenance of the grounds. The lodge has invested some $15,000 in this cemetery. June 3d, 1862, the lodge donated and set apart eight lots as a free burial place for soldiers, and up to the present time these lots contain 36 graves. March 19th, 1876, Miners' Lodge lost all its paraphernalia and furniture by the burning of the old town hall. No insurance. April 1st, 1876, Miners', Lily of the Valley, Girard and Hayden lodges and Franklin Encampment effected lease on Lydeum Hall for the term of five years. Here all Odd Fellows'meetings are held. At the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the institution of the lodge, on the evening of January 6th, 1880, Past Grand Sire James B. Nicholson, in company with D.G.M. Alfred R. Potter, of the grand lodge of the State, was present and assisted to initiate a class of twenty-three candidates, comprising some of the best young men of the town. Miners'Lodge No. 20 is the oldest beneficial order in Schuyl- kill county, and is rightly termed the mother of Odd Fellowship in this region. Since its institution some 850 candidates have passed through its portals, and from a membership composed mostly of miners at its institution, there are but three living members at present who are known to have followed that occupation. The receipts from dues and cemeteries have been over $40,000. Funer- al and weekly benefits have been paid amounting to $15,000. The present membership is 106. The present officers are: N.G., Frank R. Pershing; __________end page 278.___________ page 279 ODD FELLOWS' AND MASONIC LODGES, POTTSVILLE. ______________________________________________________________ V.G., D.F. O'Brien; secretary, Charles H. Parker; assistant secretary, H.P. Laner; treasurer, Julius Knerten, R.S. Chrisman, M.P. Walker, James G. Lowrey, A.L. Boehmer, C.V. Archambauld, Stephen Rogers, John R. Mortimer, Charles N. McGinnes, F.L. Cooch and E.D. Smith fill the subordinate official stations. The trustees are Sol. Hoover, R.B. Barrett and William Smith; ceme- tery committee-John Pollard, F.R. Pershing, C.H. Parker; sexton at cemetery, James Robertson. Hayden Lodge, No. 44, was chartered in 1832, and the early meetings were held in a private house in Centre street. Their next place of meeting was in the town hall, which was occupied by this lodge when it was burned in 1876. At that time the property of the lodge, including the records and charter, was burned. John G. Conrad, Stephen S. Taylor, John P. Bertram, John G. Brown, Henry Gressang, Francis Barth, and Simon Strouse were among the early members and prominent officers of this lodge. The present officers are: Louis Stoffregen, N.G.; George Bader, V.G.; John P. Bertram, secretary, and Frederick Leffler, treasur- er. Girard Lodge, No. 53, was instituted December 10th, 1832, with Phillip Hoffa N.G.; Almond Phillips, V.G.; Henry Mathers, Secre- tary; H.G. Stambuch, treasurer; Jacob Olewine, recording secre- tary. The present officers are: C.C. Hay, N.G.; John P. Stine, jr., V.G.; Abram McNeal, secretary; William M. Zerbey, treasurer; Frank Esterly, assistant secretary. Lily of the Valley Lodge, No. 281, dates from November 8th, 1847. Its charter officers were: Thomas Foster, N.G.; Henry A. Achternacht, V.G.; Joseph P. Smith, secretary; Jacob D. Rice, treasurer; J.S. Elliott, assistant recording secretary. The officers for 1880 in the same order are: J.W. White, William H. Stodd, John Bolich, Daniel L. Kreba and William Bearstler. Franklin Encampment, No.4, was instituted at Pottsville Janu- ary 24th, 1834. The charter officers were: Chief Patriarch, Stephen Taylor; senior warden, Benjamin T. Taylor; junior warden, Charles H. Richards; high priest, Charles F. Mann; scribe, A.L. Williams; treasurer, Strange N. Palmer. MASONIC. For several years prior to 1876 Schuylkill county constituted the fifth of the twenty-seven masonic districts of Pennsylvania, but in that year the district was enlarged to include Columbia county. The Grand Lodge of the State if represented in this district by D.D.G.M. Christopher Little, of Pottsville. Pulaski Lodge, No. 216, A.Y.M. was the second masonic lodge organized in Schuylkill county. It was chartered June 6th, 1831, and on July 9th William B. Potts, acting as R.W.G.M., instituted the lodge and installed Joseph E. Sorber, W.M.; Strange N. Palm- er, S.W.; and Samuel Huntzinger, J.W. This ceremony was per- formed in the old stone dwelling house of David Phillips, on Centre street. After a few years the lodge met for a short time in the attic of the Exchange Hotel, but when the town hall was built, in 1841, a room in it was prepared for a lodge room. Thus far there had been an increase of only five in the mem- bership of the lodge, and the destitute condition of the treasury rendered special subscriptions necessary. The prosperity that has marked the later years of this lodge dates from 1853, when a committee consisting of lodge dates from 1853, when a committee consisting of C. Little, John Hughes, William L. Whitney and Heister Clymer, as representatives of the younger element of the lodge, made a full investigation of the crooked accounts of the lodge, and established a basis for future operations. On St. John's day, 1859, the lodge held its first session in Bright's building, Centre street. The lodge paid $1,060 for ten years use of these rooms, and expended about three times as much to fit and furnish them. These rooms well served the purposes of the craft, but when the Pennsylvania National Bank building was erected, in 1872, a very desirable hall was offered at $500 per annum, and upon those terms a lease was taken for fifty years. This hall was fitted up and furnished at an expense of $6,000, making it not only the most suitable but one of the best fur- nished lodge rooms in the State. From the first this lodge has included in its membership many of the best men in Pottsville. The following is the list of acting members in the order of their election: Joseph Sorber, Benjamin Thurston, Andrew B. White, Isaac Beck, Charles Ellet, Benjamin W. Cummings, Andrew B. White, Jesse Foster, Thomas J. Baird, Samuel J. Potts, James S. Carpenter, Lawrence F. Whitney, Andrew B. White, John K. Souders, C. Fegen Jackson, John F. Whitney, Henry L. Cake, Hiester Clymer, John Hughes, Christopher Little, Henry A. Achternacht, William L. Whitney, M. Edgar Rich- ard, Decatur E. Nice, William D. Hodgson, Daniel Washburn, Fran- cis M. Nichols, Michael F. Maize, John M. Miller, Jacob Green- wald, J. Oliver Roads, Lebbeus W. Bosbyshell, Henry C. Russel, Daniel D. Moreton, John P. Bertram, Jacob F. Emhardt, Levi Huber, William Kendrick, Frederick D. Fernsler, John F. Muth, R.F. Lee, William H. Robinson, M.D., J.J. Cake and James G. Lowrey. The officers for 181 are: Robert A Reidk W.M.; George W. Eiler, S.W.; Robert S. Chrisman, J.W. Milton Boone, treasurer; Charles M. Lewis, Jr., secretary. The royal arch chapters of Schuylkill county formerly com- posed the 18th district of Pennsylvania, but the county is now a part of the 6th district, under the jurisdiction of the G.H.R.A. Chapter of Pennsylvania. The district includes Columbia, Montour and Northumberland counties. Abraham K. Whitner, of Pottsville, is the deputy grand high priest of this district. Mountain City Chapter, No. 196, R.A.M.-On the 29th of March, 1860, this chapter was instituted, with nine charter members, of whom Daniel Washburn was M.E.H.P.; Washington Reifsnyder, king; William Milnes, jr., scribe; C. Little, secretary; Lawrence F. Whitney, treasurer. The successive high priests for twenty years were: William Milnes, jr., Rev. Samuel F. Colt, H.C. Russel, Jacob Greenwald, C. Little, Michael F. Maize, Rev. Emanuel Oppen- heim, John P. Bertram, ___________end page 279.___________ page 280 HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. _________________________________________________________ Jacob F. Emhardt, David H. Seibert, L.H. Koch, W.S. Sheafer, W.H. Lewis, A.K. Whitner, T.B. Inness, J.G. Lowery, Levi Huber, D.D. Moreton and William Beck. The officers for 1881 were: J.J. Cake, M.E.H.P.; William D. Pollard, king; Hugh N. Coxe, scribe; John P. Bertram, treasurer; D.D. Moreton, secretary. Constantine Comandery, No.91, K.T. was instituted May 24th, 1871, with twenty-seven charter members. The first officers were: Walter S. Sheafer, E.C.; Jacob T. Emhardt, Gen.; David H. Seibert, Capt. Gen.; Henry B. Davis, treasurer; Charles H. Wolt- jen, recorder. Eminent commanders have been elected as follows: Jacob Emhardt, David H. Seibert, Charles H. Woltjen, James G. Lowrey, A.K. Whitner, Charles H. Dengler, William Beck, F.D. Sterner. The official posts were as follows in April, 1880: Levi Huber, E.C.; Samuel Hower, Gen.; J.J. Cake, Capt. Gen.; D.H. Seibert, treasurer; J.G. Lowrey, recorder. Gowen Post, No.22, Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Pennsylvania, was organized on the 22nd day of January, A.D., 1867, with Jacob G. Frick, Oliver C. Bosbyshell, J.K. Rorer, William Auman, Samuel R. Russell, Joshua K. Sigfried, Clem W. Evans, Frank R. Leib, Charles W. Schnerr, E.F. Bodey, Zaccur P. Boyer and William H.H. Werner as charter members. The first officers of the post were: P.C., Oliver C. Bosby- shell; S.V.C., E.F. Bodey; I.V.C., William J. Hinkle; adjutant, Charles H. Hazzard; quartermaster, J. Albert Huntzinger; chap- lain, J.K. Sigfried; O.D., Charles W. Schnerr; O.G., William H.H. Werner. The succeeding presiding officers up to January, 1880, were: E.F. Bodey, Robert B. Booth, 2 terms; Levi Huber, J.J. Cake, Charles E. Beck, William F. Huntzinger, H.M. Kammerer, E.C. Baird, 2 terms; Nathan Houser, Levi Huber, Reuben Jones, Richard Rahn, George W. Kennedy, J.M. Wetherill and Charles F. Garrett. The officers for the year 1880 were: P.C., Richard Rahn; S.V.C., William F. Gressang; J.V.C., J.C. Staehle; adjutant, August Knecht; quartermaster, Reuben Jones; O.D., Frederick M. Wade; O.G., George W. Koch; sergeant-major, Abraham Kuhn; quar- termaster-sergeant, Samuel Faust; captain, A.W. Schalck; I.S., Henry Matthews; O.S., James Lafferty. The post meets every Thursday evening at Hoffman's building, on North Centre street, between market and Norwegian streets. The post has adopted both the beneficial and non-beneficial features, and has a post fund and a relief fund. The post fund is used for the sole purpose of assisting needy and destitute soldiers and the widows and orphans of deceased soldiers, and since the organization of the post there has been more than thirty thousand dollars expended from the relief fund for that purpose. KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS. Knights of Pythias, Henry Clay Lodge.- This lodge was organ- ized in Pottsville, as No. 44, February 19th, 1868, being the first lodge of this order in the county. The charter members and first officers were: Henry M. Chambers, Joseph Spencer, Godfrey Leonard, John F. Finney, John Crane, Charles H. Parker, Daniel Libe, George W. Stillwagon, and Aaron Billington. During the first three months of this lodge's existence the membership in- creased to over three hundred. Lodges of this order are now located in nearly every borough in this county. CATHOLIC SOCIETIES. Young Men's Hibernian.-This is the oldest Catholic organiza- tion in Schuylkill county, having been incorporated in 1853. It holds its meetings regularly on the first Saturday night in each month, at the Emerald Vindicator office. It pays a regular weekly benefit, and a similar amount on the death of a member. The officers are: President, John P. Powers; secretary, John Boland; treasurer, Patrick McCormick. The panic interfered considerable with many of the Catholic societies, but at present they are recuperating under the prosperous times. St. Patrick's Beneficial Society.-This society was organized in March, 1869, initiating a large number of members for the first year. Its first officers were: President, James B. Reil- ly; secretary, John Boland; treasurer, William J. Sigfried. The meetings were held in the basement of the church the first Sunday in each month. It numbered over one hundred and twenty-five members, but during the panic gradually reduced down to fifty. Assets about $400. Present officers: President, John Boland; secretary, William J. Sigfried. Emerald Beneficial Association.-The Emerald Beneficial was organized in the basement of St. Patrick's Church, on Sunday, May 12th, 1872, initiating sixty-nine members at the first meeting. It took its number as Father Walsh Branch, No. 13, E.B.A., of Pottsville, Pa. Its first president was Hon. James B. Reilly, secretary John A. Sullivan, treasurer Joseph Dolan. At every meeting a large number of members were elected, until two hundred and sixty-five members made it the largest society of its kind in the United States. One of its first acts was to expend over $400 in fitting up the basement of the church for its meeting room. On another occasion $400 was given to the pastor of the church, the proceeds of a pic-nic in conjunction with the other societies of the church. It has relieved many cases of distress only known to the stewards and a few of its members. The State convention was held in Pottsville, January 13th-15th, 1880, at which forty representatives were present, representing over ten thousand members, located in every part of the State. The present officers are: president, John Boland; secretary, P.B. Moore; treasurer, Martin Devlin. The Emerald Band is a musical organization of twenty members, an offspring of the Emerald Society. Their instruments cost about $400. THE POTTSVILLE CORNET BAND. was organized from the remnants of Jones's Cornet _____________end page 280.______________ page 281 POTTSVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT-TRINITY PARISH. ______________________________________________________________ Band on the 19th of September, 1879, with Joseph Skeen president; B. Bryson McCook, treasurer; Adolph H. Kopp, secretary; J.I. Alexander, musical director. The band consisted of thirty mem- bers, supplied with instruments valued at $1,800. They have rented and fitted up a neat room in Seitz's building, Centre street, for their band meetings. The only changes in officers since the organization were the election of William H. Lindermuth president, and Louis Weston secretary. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. The fire department of Pottsville is under the direction of B.B. McCool, chief engineer, and his four assistants. The de- partment includes the following companies: Humane Hose and Steam Fire Engine Company, No. 1, was insti- tuted September 4th, 1833, as the Pottsville Fire Company. Eleven years later it was incorporated, and in 1859 the name was changed to Humane Hose Company. The charter was again amended to the present title in 1866, when the company was furnished by the citizens of Pottsville, at a cost of $8,500, with the first steam engine in the borough. American Hose, No. 2, was organized in 1865, and ten years afterward was made an engine company by the purchase of a No.4 engine. Its membership is about 250. It succeeded the Rough and Ready. Good Intent was organized October 5th, 1846, and incorporated in 1860. Phoenix Fire Engine and Benevolent Company, No.3, is the successor of the old Schuylkill Hydraulian Company. The latter was the first fire organization in the borough, and its hand engine and two-wheeled hose truck were landed here with great ceremony. Flags were flung to the breeze, cannon and orators fired blank cartridges, and the day was made memorable. The Atkins Steam Fire Engine Company was organized at Fish- back, and consists principally of the employes at the Pottsville Rolling Mills. On motion of B. Bryson McCool the court granted a charter to this company in December, 1873. The officers elected were: William Brazier, president; L.W. Sharpless, treasurer; Charles E. Beck, secretary. The membership now numbers seventy, uniformed and equipped. The officers are the same at the organi- zation, excepting that Lloyd Martz is now president. ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. _________________ TRINITY PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The parish of Trinity church grew out of St. Luke's church, which was organized September 3d, 1827, by a few churchmen who desired to form a parish. Among the movers were Francis B. Nicholls, Abraham Pott and Joseph White. The building was erect- ed, and in the summer of 1830 consecrated by Bishop Onderdonk. The rectors of St. Luke's organization were the Revs. Norman Nash, Cony Chambers, F.H. Cumming and James DePui. Changes arising from early pioneer life, and new churchmen moving into the village, caused the necessity of newly organizing the parish; and it was deemed best to form a new parish organiza- tion. Accordingly Trinity church was organized, January 1st, 1832. The records show the rectors in charge, as follows: Rev. R.A. Henderson, 1836, 1837; Rev. A.A. Miller, 1837, 1842; Rev. Jacob B. Morrs, 1842, 1845; Rev. William C. Cooley, 1845, 1852; Rev. Daniel Washburn, 1852, 1863; Rev. William P. Lewis, D.D., 1863, 1875; Rev. Charles G. Gilliat, Ph.D., 1875. Among many useful assistants whom the parish has had the name of the Rev. T.A. Starkey, at present bishop of northern New Jersey, appears. The present church edifice was built during the rectorship of the Rev. William C. Cooley, the corner stone being laid on Sun- day, July 11th, 1847, and the building was consecrated by Bishop Potter, of the diocese of Pennsylvania, the 13th of February, 1858, at which time the sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Ducachet, rector of St. Stephen's church, Philadelphia. During the rectorship of the Rev. Daniel Washburn, who was instrumental in greatly strengthening the parish, occurred the erection of St. John's chapel, Fishback, which was opened on Thanksgiving day, 1861, and has been very effective in doing good. It is to be enlarged by a chancel and vestry room, through the aid of Charles Atkins, Esq. The church building was remodeled under the rectorship of the Rev. William P. Lewis, D.D., and greatly improved by the addition of a large chancel. The warden, Charles Baber, presented a fine chime of bells to the church, which hangs in the massive tower to speak of his good works to generations yet unborn. The present rector has been able to add largely by confirma- tion to this already large parish, the largest in central Penn- sylvania. A large, much needed vestry room has been built during his rectorship, and other improvements are contemplated. The present rector's warden, the Hon. E.O. Parry, was one of the founders of Trinity parish, and has ever been zealous in working for its prosperity. The vigor and effectiveness of its working power were never greater. The chapel in the Charles Baber cemetery was built by Charles Baber, Esq., in 1876-80, at a cost of $25,000. It is intended for burial services for all denominations, and for an Episcopal chapel and Sunday-school. The spiritual and temporal aspects of the parish are evi- denced in its working efficiency. There are four Sunday-schools, with an aggregate of over 800 scholars. The seating capacity of the church and the chapel of St. John's, Fishback, the chapel at Mechanicsville, chapel at Mount Carbon, and chapel of the Resur- rection-all chapels of Trinity church-is 1,600. The congrega- tions are large and growing, and the number of communicants added since the present rector's rectorship commenced is over 300. The parish is now more thoroughly worked than ever before by the rector and his two assistants, the Rev. Edward J. Koons and the Rev. Charles H. Kidder. ____________end page 281.____________ page 282 HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. _____________________________________________________________ ST. PATRICK'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. The first building erected in Pottsville exclusively for religious meetings was the Roman Catholic church on the corner of Mahantongo and Fourth streets, on a lot donated by John Pott. It was a small framed building, and was built in 1828, at a cost of about $1,000. The first pastor, Rev. J. Fitzpatrick, was suc- ceeded in 1830 by Rev. Edward McCarty, who, during a pastorate of three years, was instrumental in enlarging and otherwise improv- ing this building. From November, 1833, until May, 1839, Rev. Arthur Wainwright, D.D., was the pastor. During this time the main structure of the present cathedral was erected. The corner stone was laid Sunday, September 24th, 1837, and then gradually the walls of the new building arose around the old one, in which religious service was held until the old one must needs be demol- ished, in order to complete the new one, which was dedicated by Bishop Kendrick on the 29th of September, 1838. Father Wain- wright only lived until the following May, and at his death was buried with most impressive services beneath the altar of the new church. Rev. J. Miller, the next pastor, was soon followed by Rev. Edward Maginnis, who was instrumental in the erection of the Orphans' Asylum on Mahanoy and eleventh streets. In 1845 the church was again enlarged and improved. during the pastorate of Rev. Joseph O'Keefe, who was appointed in 1852, the parsonage was built on Fourth street, opposite the church. Rev. Nicholas J. Walsh subsequently served the church for eleven years, and was successful in clearing the church from debt, and in purchasing a new cemetery. In addition to those already mentioned as pastors of the church are found the following names: Rev. ----- Balf, D.D., Rev. Patrick Donahue, Rev. Henry Fitzsimmons, Rev. Robert Cantwell, Rev. Jeremiah O'Donohoe, Rev. ----- Nugent, Rev. Rich- ard O'Connor, and Rev. Richard McElroy, the immediate predecessor of the present pastor, Rev. A.J. Gallagher, who is assisted by Rev. W.A. Duffy. FIRST M.E. CHURCH. Methodism in Pottsville dates from 1828, when a class was formed, which met at private houses and occasionally at the old log school-school in Centre street. This class consisted of Jonathan Wynn, William Milnes, David Myers, William B. Lewis, Andrew Mortimore, William Harris and their wives, and George Lieb. In April following Rev. William Hunter Bull was stationed here by the Philadelphia Conference, and during the year he increased the membership to 67. Among the early members were the late Benjamin Heywood, Thomas Sparks, and Jonathan Wynn, who were local preachers, and Abram Owen, Robert Gray, Mrs. John Offerman, and Mrs. Jane Bueh- ler, a colored woman, who died on the 11th of April, 1881, aged 111 years, 8 months and 10 days. In October, 1830, the first church building was dedicated. It was a substantial stone structure 40 by 60 feet. the present M.D. church on Second street is but an enlargement of that build- ing. It was enlarged in 1864-5 at a cost of $14,000, after an unsuccessful attempt had been made to erect a new church on Market street. The growth of this society for over half a century has been almost uninterrupted, and it is now one of the strong congrega- tions in the borough. Rev. Dr. Dobbins, of Philadelphia, furnished the following list of pastors of this church, with the dates of appointment: William Hunter Bull, 1829; Joseph McCool, 1830; Pharoah A. Ogden, 1832; Henry C. King, 1834; James B. Ayres, 1836; Thomas Sovereign, 1837; William Cooper, 1838; William Cooper and William H. Elliott, 1839; J.B. Hagany and John W. Arthur, 1840; William Barnes, 1841; Richard W. Thomas, 1843; James Neal, 1845; J.B. Hagany, 1847; R. Gerny, 1849; William H. Elliot, 1850; Henry Colelager, 1851; G.D. Carrow, 1852; J.L. Taft, 1853; T.S. Thomas, 1854; William L. Gray, 1856; H.E. Gilroy, 1858; J.W. McCaskey, 1860; C.I. Thompson, 1862; J.B. McCullough, 1864; J.S. Cook, 1866; Franklin Moore, 1867; Jacob Dickerson, 1869; John J. Pearce, 1871; Samuel Barnes, 1874; J.B. Dobbins, D.D., 1877; S.N. Chew, 1880. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The first movement for the establishment of a Presbyterian church in Pottsville was made in the autumn of 1831. The home mission work of the Presbyterian church was then very largely carried on under the auspices of the American Home Missionary Society, in New York, of which Rev. Absalom Peters, D.D., was then secretary. Application was accordingly made to the society for aid in the maintenance of Presbyterian worship in Pottsville, and certain churches in Philadelphia having asked that a portion of their annual contributions to the society be appropriated to this object, Rev. Sylvanus Haight was sent as a missionary in March, 1832, and immediately commenced preaching in a private house on Centre street, near Norwegian. The church was organized, with sixteen members, on the 13th of July in the same year, by Rev. E.S. Ely, D.D., and Rev. James Patterson, a committee of the 2nd Presbytery of Philadelphia, and at the same time a church building which had been erected on the corner of Third of Market streets was dedicated. The first elders of the church were Erwin Safford, John C. Ernse, Elisha Warne, and Alexander Graham. The original members, in addition to these elders and their wives, were Jesse Turner, Lewis Waters, Mrs. Sophia Chichester, Mrs. Mary Neligh, Mrs. Margaret Thomas, Mrs. Mary Wilde, Miss Abigail Parrish, and Miss Elizabeth Ernst. Rev. S. Haight resigned his position in March 1834. He was followed by Rev. J. Addison Mines, who left early in 1835 and succeeded by Rev. Joseph McCool, who commenced his labors in June, 1835, and was installed as pastor in the autumn of 1836. On the 25th of August, 1838, the corner stone of a new church building was laid at the corner of Third and Mahantongo streets. It was completed and occupied in 1842. ________end page 282.________ page 283 CHURCHES OF POTTSVILLE. _______________________________________________________________ During the pastorate of Mr. McCool the second Presbyterian Church of Pottsville was organized in connection with the Presby- tery of Luzerne (O.S.), the First church being in connection with the third Presbytery of Philadelphia (N.S.). Mr. Warne resigned the eldership in 1837, Mr. Ernst in 1842, and Mrs. Graham removed in the same year, Mr. Safford having been transferred to another church in 1834. J.C. Oliver and Thomas Pollock became elders in 1843, the former resigning in 1848 and the latter leaving in 1850. Solomon Foster and Hiram Parker were elected, ordained and installed elders in October, 1851, and (February, 1881) are both still active in the duties of the office. Mr. McCool resigned the charge January 17th, 1864, and he is still a resident of Pottsville. He was succeeded by the Rev. Isaac Riley, who was installed November 30th, 1864, and continued pastor until the autumn of 1867. He was subsequently settled in Newark, N.J., and in New York city, and afterward was pastor of the Westminster Presbyte- rian church in Buffalo, N.Y., where he died, greatly lamented, in October, 1878. At the close of Mr. Riley's pastorate, Rev. A.P. DeVeuve being then pastor of the Second church, an effort was made to unite the two churches. A plan of union was matured and carried into effect, the two churches, on their own application and with the consent of their respective presbyteries, being constituted into a single church by the third presbytery of Philadelphia. They worshipped for some months in the building of the First church, Mr. DeVeuve for a time acting as their supply. A large portion of the members of the Second church, however, after a few months, withdrew. During the continuance of the union Mr. Stephen Harris and Mr. T.L. Godfrey were elected elders, and during the same period, in October, 1868, Rev. J.W. Schenck, a member of the Central Presbytery of Philadelphia, who had previously been pastor of the First Reformed Dutch Church in Philadelphia, was elected and installed pastor. During his pastorate the reunion between the old and new school assemblies of the Presbyterian Church was effected, and, as the result of this union, the First church of Pottsville became connected with the Presbytery of Lehigh, which includes all the Presbyterian churches in the counties of Monroe, Northampton, Lehigh, Carbon, Berks, Schuylkill, and the portion of Luzerne south of the Wilkes-Barre mountain. Mr. Schenck resigned the charge in September, 1872, and was subsequently settled as pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church at Claverack, N.Y. Rev. Jacob Belville, D.D., of Mauch Chunk, was then called, and was installed May 1st, 1873. Before the commencement of this pastorate Simon Derr and Heber S. Thompson were elected elders, and subsequently Joseph S. Harris and George W. Beck, who with Solomon Foster and Hiram Parker now compose the eldership. In the spring of 1874 plans were matured for the erection of a new church building, which had been for some years in contem- plation. Elder Stephen Harris was very prominent in this move- ment, but just as the plans were maturing he was removed by death, being run over by a railroad car and instantly killed on the 10th of March, 1874. He was born in Chester county, Pa., in 1834, and united with this church in December, 1860. He was distinguished as a civil and mining engineer, and was a man of singular purity, integrity, elevation and strength of character, of cultivated mind and deep piety. The large window in the north end of the new church was erected to his memory by the Sabbath- school, of which he was superintendent at the time of his death. The trustees under whose direction the building was erected were Joseph S. Harris, D.A. Smith, L.C. Thompson, George Chambers and John Phillips. They were aided by active committees, and a most wise and efficient treasurer, Simon Derr. The building is of native gray sandstone, dressed, and trimmed with Pennsylvania brown stone and Ohio freestone. The lower story contains a parlor, a pastor's study, a lecture and Sabbath school-room, infant school-room and library. The main audience room will accommodate about 700 persons. The cost of the whole, with furniture, including a large and superior organ, was nearly $51,000. The lower story was first occupied on the 23d of April, 1876. The whole was completed and dedicated free from debt, February 8th, 1880. The number of members is 295. The Sabbath-school numbers about 200, and the infant school 150. WELSH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. In 1831 this church was organized, and in the following year it erected a suitable church building on Minersville street. In 1851 this building was rebuilt as it now stands. Rev. A.B. Evans was pastor for the first ten years. Rev. William Jones then served until 1845; Rev. Charles Edwards, 1849; Rev. Roderic Williams, 1850; Revs. Morgan Morgan and Edward R. Lewis until 1872; Rev. John W. Pugh, 1874. GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN TRINITY CHURCH. Years before a regular Lutheran congregation was organized the members of this church were visited, from time to time, by the ministers living in Berks and Schuylkill counties and served with the Word and Sacrament according to the confession and rule of the Lutheran church. Rev. G.F.I. Jaeger was among the early ministers who came from Reading. In the year 1834 a regular congregation was constituted by calling Rev. W. Mennig and adopt- ing a constitution. He accepted the call and began his work on the 29th of June. After three years the congregation resolved to build a small framed church, in connection with the German Re- formed members of this place, on the same lot on which now stands the present church. The corner stone was laid with the usual ceremonies on the 18th of June, 1837, and on the 8th and 9th of October in the same year it was dedicated ___________end page 283.____________ page 284 HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. ______________________________________________________________ by several ministers of the two denominations, under the name Emanuel's Church. All the Lutherans of Pottsville worshipped together until the year 1842, when Rev. D. Steck organized an English congregation from a part of Rev. Mr. Mennig's people. Afterward the church building came into the hands of the Luther- ans alone, who held service therein until 1864. Another separa- tion occurred in 1848 from the Emanuel church, and a new congre- gation was organized, which was served for a short time by Dr. C.F. Manz. The more conservative part elected, in 1851, Rev. F. Walz, who remodeled the congregation named Zion's by introducing a good constitution. The public services were held at that time in the small framed church in First street, between Market and Mahantongo streets. Rev. Mr. Walz left Pottsville, in 1859, after laboring here twenty-five years. Rev. W. Lampe was then elected as pastor, but resigned after three years' work, follow- ing another call from Williamsport. Rev. W. Hoppe became his successor, but his administration lasted only one year. At this time the two congregations felt more and more the propriety of uniting themselves in one. An election took place on the 17th of July, 1864, for this purpose, and by an almost unanimous vote the reunion of the long separated congregation was declared. The new title of the united church has been since that time Evangelical Lutheran Church. In the fall of 1865 Mr. Ehrhart resigned. In the spring of 1866 Rev. G.A. Hinterleitner, the present pastor accepted a call, and entered soon afterward on the pastorate of this congregation. When it was found that the old framed build- ing was too small for the public services, it was resolved to erect a large and commodious house of worship on the same place. In 1867 the work was commenced, and on Christmas the congregation occupied the basement of the new church. A few months afterward the work was finished, and the dedication took place on the 26th of April, 1868. The church is of brick, 87 by 45 feet, and it has a capacity to seat 700 persons. Its cost was $23,000. It has a tower 130 feet high, with three large bells. The present number of members is about 400; of scholars in the Sunday-school, 300. BETHEL AFRICAN M.E. CHURCH The A.M.E. church was organized about 1834, when Revs. Charles Beal and Joseph Jackson preached here. Burd Patterson encouraged the church by donations of land and money, and in 1868 they erected a church building. Their present substantial stone church on Laurel street, near Mount Hope, was built in 1868. WELSH BAPTIST CHURCH. This church came into existence in 1834 or 1835, and erected a small church building in Second street. Rev. William Owens was an early pastor, and was succeeded by Rev. William Morgan, under whose pastoral charge a new house of worship was erected, about 1839. FIRST REFORMED CHURCH. The Reformed denomination, of Swiss origin, has two congrega- tions in Pottsville. One of them is known as the First Reformed Church, in which the services are conducted mainly in the German language; the other as Trinity Reformed Church, in which the services are conducted exclusively in the English tongue. The origin dates back to 1836, when this was a preaching point, supplied by Rev. Daniel Hassinger, who served several neighboring congregations. At this period the members did not exceed twenty. Those who were then most active were Francis C. Kuentzler, Benjamin Sterner, Abraham Sterner, George Fisher and Philip Womelsdorf. In 1837 this small band united with the members of the Lu- theran denomination in the erection of a small framed church in third street, on the site of the present Lutheran church. The building when completed cost $2,000 and seated 250 persons. The structure of this building was in accordance with an ancient style of architecture, with an elevated pulpit at the side, and the altar in the center of the audience chamber. The name of Rev. D. Haessing stands identified with this congregation up to 1847. In his later career he manifested a spirit of insubordina- tion, on account of which, and the unbecoming acts of his minis- try, he was deposed by the Classis of Lebanon. The congregation also found itself involved in financial embarrassment, and its continued existence became extremely precarious. In the records of the classis a petition from the members stands recorded, asking it to take under its care the interest of this congregation. Under the auspices of the board of domestic missions, which appropriated $100, Rev. J.A. Reubelt served this church from November 1st, 1848, until 1850, when he became a missionary in the west. Rev. J.W. Hoffmeier, then located at Orwigsburg, was commissioned to attend to the interests of the church until a regular minister could be secured. In 1852 Rev. John Gantenbein, who was received July 16th by Lebanon Classis from the theological institute of Basle, Germany, became pastor of this and several neighboring congregations. he continued until September 25th, 1854, when he was dismissed by the classis to take charge of a Reformed congregation in Balti- more. In May, 1855, Rev. I.E. Graeff became the pastor of this congregations, which then numbered seventy-five. A Sunday-school was organized at this time, with a constitution and by-laws that afterwards because the groundwork for the Sunday-school that continued through the fluctuating condition of the congregation. The friction of the Lutheran and Reformed congregations worship- ping __________end page 284.____________ page 285 CHURCHES OF POTTSVILLE. ______________________________________________________________ in the same building made both parties restless. After consider- able negotiation the Reformed congregation disposed of its inter- est in the church property for the sum of $950, and rented a small church in Second street. In 1857 Rev. I.E. Graeff resigned, and in 1858 Rev. Samuel Miller became pastor. A new constitution was adopted, the con- gregation was better organized and measures were taken for the erection of a new church. The site on market street, above eighth, was secured, and a brick church, 36 by 60, was erected. The corner stone was laid on the 17th of July of the same year. The church was completed in 1860, at a cost of $4,500, including the price of the lot. The debt was reduced to about $700. In 1863 Rev. S. Miller resigned the pastorate and the place was filled in the following year by Rev. R.J. Bucher, D.D., who was installed December 25th, 1864, by Rev. C.H. Leinbach and J.P. Stein and resigned in February, 1868. The congregation, then numbering 130, prospered under his care until, on account of the preference given to the English language, the German portion became much dissatisfied. On account of the difficulties in securing a man that could preach in both languages, and satisfy both parties, petitions were sent to Lebanon Classis, which convened in May, 1868, in Mahanoy City, requesting that the congregation be divided on the basis of language. This request was granted and a committee appointed to duly install the officers of both consistories. The English portion was to leave the old congregation for the consid- eration of $2,000 for their interest in the property, secured by mortgage, while the old organization was to be continued as a German congregation. Rev. Samuel Miller was selected pastor of the German congrega- tion, still known as the First Reformed church, immediately after the separation, and served until December 25th, 1872. Rev. Gottold Neff was then pastor until August 12th, 1873. Rev. Rudolph Kuntz, a native of Switzerland, educated at Basle, and a student of the theological seminary of Bloomfield, New Jersey, became the next pastor of the congregation, and continued in office until September, 1875. In March, 1876, Rev. Christian Baum took charge of the congre- gation, which under his pastorate is still in a flourishing condition. UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. It was John M. Crossland's idea to have a Universalist or independent church in Pottsville, and, accordingly, in 1838, he erected at his own expense the building now used by the Primitive Methodists in Second street. Revs. Gallagher and Brush preached here before the building was sold to Daniel Leib. ST. JOHN BAPTIST CATHOLIC CHURCH. In 1839 there were but few Germans professing the Catholic faith residing in what is now known as Pottsville. During that year Father Steinbach, missionary from Reading, Pa., visited the few German Catholics and held services for them in St. Patrick's church. The whole congregation then consisted of the following male members: John Ruch, M. Ruch, Lorenz Fischer, George and Francis Altstatt, James Sellgrath, John Gressang, Ignatius Gart- ner, Henry Ackermann, John Ackermann, Blasius Hasenauer, Adam Reith, Francis Reith, Peter Schmidt, John Lecher, Ferdinand Bodefield, Peter Wohl and a few others. In the year 1840 they bought two lots on the northeast corner of Fourth street and Church alley, on which to erect a church. The corner stone for the new edifice was laid by Father Steinb- ach, whose pastoral relations with the church ceased in the year 1842, when Rev. Joseph B. Burg was sent in December by the Rt. Rev. P. Kenrick, bishop of Philadelphia, to take charge of the rapidly growing congregation. Father Burg died in January, 1849, after a successful ministry of nearly seven years. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. Peter Carbon, who remained until July, 1850. Under his supervision a parochial school was built at a cost of nearly nine hundred dollars. The Rev. Daniel Oberholzer was called to the pastorate. Under him two cemeteries were bought-one on Ninth street, and the other in the borough of Yorkville. He remained until May, 1856, and after the close of his ministry the church was for one year without a resident pastor. The deficiency was at length supplied by receiving Father Wegmeyer on the 22nd of May, 1857. He was succeeded by Rev. Francis Neufeld December 14th, 1858, who re- mained four years. By him a new bell for the church was pro- cured. The Rev. Francis Joseph Wachter took the pastoral charge in December, 1862. In 1866 the congregation had become so large that arrangements were made for building a large church for its accommodation. Four lots were bought on the corner of Tenth and Mahantongo streets, for $10,000. The corner stone for the new edifice was laid by the Right Rev. John Shanahan, Bishop of Harrisburg. But Father Wachter did not see the work which he had commenced finished, as he was succeeded by Rev. B.A. Baumeister, who worked very hard to get the new church under roof. After the close of a very successful ministry, the Rev. H.A. Depmann took charge of the congregation in August, 1872. He finished the new and costly church so far as it now stands. The church is 160 feet deep, 60 feet wide, and has accommodations for almost 1,000 persons. Its cost has been so far more than $80,000. It is supplied with a valuable pipe organ built by Max Oestreich. While the new church was in course of construction the services were held in the old church on Church alley. The new edifice was dedicated December 1st, 1872, by the Most Rev. J.F. Wood, archbishop of Philadelphia. In January, 1872, Father Depmann entered the Franciscan order, and the Rev. Francis W. Longinus took charge of the now very large congregation, counting more than 2,000 souls. He entered on his duties Februrary 7th, 1878, and he is pastor at the present time. His assistans is the Rev. Bernard Korves. ______________end page 285._______________ page 286 HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. _____________________________________________________________ PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH. A congregation composed largely of miners organized this church in 1840, and built a small church edifice in the northern part of the borough. Rev. Charles Spurr was pastor in 1849. The congregation was weakened by removals until, in 1852, their building was sold. The present church, a new organization dating form 1873, now occupies a rented house of worship on Second street. The pastor in 1880 was Rev. Thomas Bateman. SECOND M.E. CHURCH. This church was organized in 1845, with forty-eight members, previously connected with the First M.E. church. A house of worship was erected at the corner of Market and fifth streets and was dedicated August 9th, 1846. In 1857 this church was reunited to the parent church. During the period of its existence the following clergymen were pastors of the Second church: D.D. Lore, Thomas G. Murphy, J.B. Finnery, Thomas S. Johnson, James Y. Ashton, Curtis F. Turner, Andrew Longacre, J.T. Gracey. THE BAPTIST CHURCH. In 1846 Robert C. Green, Paul Moody, James Ward, Robert Crozier, Eunice Moody, Mary Reilly, Mary Evans, Lydia Thomas, Mary Gill, James Oriel, Charles Beal, Miss W.M. Allen and Ann Thomas met in a hall on the present site of R.R. Morris's elegant block in Centre street, and organized the first Baptist church in Pottsville. The next year Andrew Levering became their pastor, and remained until 1853. During the last year of his successful pastorate the brick church at the corner of Mahantongo and Sev- enth streets was erected. His successor, J. Harvard Castle, was in turn succeeded by R.H. Austin, who resigned in 1868. The next four years included the pastorate of A.J. Hay and A.H. Sembower. The next clergyman, Manning F. Decker, died after a short service of six months, and after the pulpit had been vacant for a time James A. Matz had the pastoral charge until 1874. The supply of preaching was irregular for the next two years, when Rev. A. Myers, the last pastor, came, who labored until 1878. ENGLISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. This church was organized on the 16th of May, 1847, by eleven members from the German church, among whom were Washington L. Heisler, George Beyerley, J.D. Rice, Daniel Heil, Samuel Burr, Amelia Auman, and others. The first pastor was Rev. Daniel Steck, D.D., who served the congregation till 1858. Under his ministry the present church building was erected, of somewhat less length than it has at present. He was succeeded by Rev. W. H. Luckenbach, who resigned in 1860, and was followed by Rev. S.A. Holman, who left in 1861 for a chaplaincy in the Union army. Rev. S.M. Koons, who left in 1866 as a missionary for the west succeeded Mr. Holman. Rev. Uriel Graves was the next pastor, till 1869, and during his term of service the building was en- larged. Rev. Daniel Steck returned and remained until 1871, and was succeeded by Rev. J.Q. McAtee, who filled the pulpit till 1878, when the present pastor, Rev. John McCron. D.D., a profound scholar, of mature years, took the congregation in charge. The church is a brick structure 80 by 50 feet, with a tower in front. It is capable of seating 500. The lecture-room is ad- mirably arranged for service and Sunday-school purposes. The parsonage, a handsome brick structure, was built five years ago, at a cost of $5,000. The Sunday-school numbers 450 teachers, officers and scholars, and owns a library of 600 volumes. The number of communicants in the church is 140. ASSOCIATE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. This church, generally remembered as the Scotch church, was organized with 29 members on the 18th of January, 1851; although as early as May, 1843, Rev. D.T. Carnahan preached to the Scotch people in Pottsville, from the pulpit of the First Presbyterian church. The Big Spring Presbytery subsequently sent Revs. R. Gracey, James Greer and John Sturgeon to this missionary field, and in 1849 Mr. Carnahan was called to preach for one year, and became settled pastor in October, 1851. Meetings were at first held in Thompsons Hall, corner of Market and Second streets. In the spring of 1851 a building was completed and dedicated on a lot in Market street donated by the late Samuel Thompson, who, with J.G. Cochran, Joel B. McCamant, Thomas Wren, William Pollock, James G. Turner, David Beveridge, John Aikman, Thomas Fender and Henry Lomsdon, was the founder of this church. Mr. Carnahan's last sermon here was preached Sep- tember 19th, 1852, and in the following February Rev. John Werner was settled as pastor. During the pastorate of his successor, Rev. William H. Prestley, the society became reduced in numbers, and in 1858 he resigned and the building was rented to the Second Presbyterian society. At the time of Samuel Thompson's death, March, 1851, no deed of the church lot had been executed, and being a methodical man he had kept a record of his donations or loans to the society, among to some $2,700, and his administrators regarded the record as a book account. A great amount of hatred was engendered by these facts, and several very good people accused his administra- tors of perverting his charitable intentions. These very good people were so fully convinced that wrong was intended, that in 1880 they had all forgotten what the following court record of September 10th, 1858, shows: Administrators of Samuel Thompson's Estate vs. The Associate Presbyterian Church of Pottsville.-It is agreed between the parties to the above stated suit that the demand of the plaintiff be settled, compromised and adjusted as follows:-The plaintiff shall cause the deed * * * * to be duly delivered, and in case defendants ever sell the church property, of if it permanently ceases to be occupied as an Associate Reformed Presbyterian church, the sum of $2,708.82, without interest, shall be _____________end page 286.______________ page 287 CHURCHES OF POTTSVILLE. _______________________________________________________________ paid the plaintiff from the proceeds of said sale, but this sum shall not be demandable while the property remains unsold. During any period while this church shall be rented to any other denomination or person six per cent. per annum shall be paid to plaintiff upon said claim of $2,708.82. It thus appears that, in fact, the whole difference was com- promised upon the theory that all of Mr. Thompson's aid was to be a free gift in order to maintain the church, and the cash ad- vanced should only be returned without interest when the society ceased to exist to use it. The edifice, still standing, is owned by the Trinity Reformed society, and generally known as the Thompson Memorial church. EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION. This church was organized during the winter of 1835 and 1836, and in 1839 it built a small house of worship on Callowhill street, which was rebuilt in 1849 at a cost of $3,500. This building was sold in 1875 to the Jewish congregation, and the present brick structure erected on the site. The first pastor was Rev. Charles Hesser. Among his successors were Revs. Francis Hoffman, S.S. Chubb, Isaiah E. Knerr, Daniel A. Medler and the present pastor. SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The Presbytery of Luzerne, hearing at their spring meeting in 1857 that there was no Old School organization at Pottsville, and that there were a goodly number of persons there holding to that particular faith, appointed Rev. Jacob D. Mitchell to visit the town and preach for three months to those who might choose to hear him. The result of his short stay was a determination to organize a church, and a convocation was called to meet in the building of the Second Associate Reformed Presbyterian church, where this memorial was adopted and sent. To the Presbytery of Luzerne: The undersigned, being deeply impressed with the impor- tance of church organization in the borough of Pottsville, ear- nestly and respectfully request that a committee be appointed by your body to visit this place, and, if they deem it expedient, to organize a church under the name of the Second Presbyterian Church of Pottsville. To this petition thirty-two names were appended, many of them prominent citizens of the borough. The Presbytery of Luzerne met at Port Carbon in September of that year, and the petition was presented by Rev. J.D. Mitchell. Agreeably with the petition Revs. John Dorrance, A. Lowrey, and elder Jesse Turner visited Pottsville as such committee, and on the 18th of September, 1857, by direction of the presbytery, organized the proposed church with twenty-six members, and certi- fied the election of Thomas M. Russel, Henry Strauch and T.A. Godfrey as its ruling elders. Securing the use of the Thompson church building in Market street, semi-monthly meetings were held until March 1st, 1858, when Rev. Samuel Fisher Colt entered upon his pastorate. He was installed in July following, and with the ruling elders previous- ly elected constituted the first regular session of the church. The society was chartered by the Court of Common Pleas of Schuylkill county in June, 1859, and in September, 1862, pur- chased the building, formerly the Second Methodist church, corner of Market and Fifth streets, refitted and furnished it for occu- pancy in October following. In November, 1864, Rev. Mr. Colt was succeeded by Rev. Dr. William S. Plumer, of precious memory, who resigned in January, 1867, to enter the theological seminary at Columbia, S.C. Rev. Prentiss DeVeuve was elected in March and installed in June of the same year. During 1867 a disastrous attempt was made to unite the two Presbyterian churches, and accordingly the real estate owned by the Second church was sold to the borough of Pottsville. The attempted union, from a variety of circumstances, did not suc- ceed; and the Second church withdrew from any connection with the First, and organized again as a separate congregation. Securing the use of their old building, they called to be their pastor the Rev. Dr. George W. Smiley, of Philadelphia, a gentleman and scholar of pronounced ability, who entered upon his services early in 1870, and was successful not only in repurchasing their church property, but in having the building enlarged, remodeled and beautified, at an additional cost of about $15,000, and reopened for services in February, 1871. Dr. Smiley was in- stalled by a committee of the presbytery July 20th, 1870, and he is still faithfully serving this people. although the growth of this church has been slow during the period of general depression in the coal fields, yet it is to-day on a surer and more substan- tial basis, both spiritually and financially, than ever before. The present session consists of Rev. Dr. Smiley, pastor; Hon. Cyrus L. Pershing, Henry Strauch, Frank Carter, John Heebner and Thomas M. Russel, elders. CONGREGATION OBED ZEDEK. In October, 1856, the Jewish residents of Pottsville saw fit to organize themselves into a congregation. They therefore called a meeting and applied for a charter, which was granted. The first officers were Emanuel Strouse, president, and Jacob Shloss, vice-president. This congregation held religious service in rented buildings until 1875, when they purchased the Evangeli- cal Association building, removed it to Callowhill street between Third and Fourth, and from it fitted up the beautiful temple which they now occupy. The rabbis of this society have been: Rev. Isaac Strouse and Rev. N. Schlesinger, each serving three years; Rev. Emanuel Oppenheim nearly fifteen years, until his death, and the present minister, Rev. Charles Austrian. Connected with this congregation is a Hebrew Sabbath and German school, taught by the minister, also two beneficial socie- ties-the union lodges of the Independent Order B'nai B'rith, and Mountain City Lodge Free Sons of Israel. This congregation has also a beautiful cemetery in the outskirts of the borough. ______________end page 287._______________ page 288 HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. _______________________________________________________________ TRINITY REFORMED CHURCH. This is the English congregation which resulted from the division of the Reformed church in 1868. Its first officers- Elders John Stine, George K. Hoffman, Daniel Hoffman, and N. Wetze., and Deacons O.J, Aregood, Moses S. Stein, Edward A. Schartel, and Isaac Hummel-were inducted into office June 9th, and held their first meeting on the 15th, to take steps for securing a suitable place for public worship. The Associate Reformed Presbyterian property on Market street, above Third, was purchased for $5,200. This was neatly repaired, and the young church prospered under the ministry of Rev. J.A. Hoffheins, who commenced his pastorate in October, 1868, and served two years. He tendered his resignation to take charge of a church in Allegheny City, and was followed in March, 1871, by Rev. J.P. Stein, of Schuylkill Haven, who has labored with energy and self-denial up to the present time. During the years of financial embarrassment this congregation has been able to sustain itself without missionary aid from the church abroad. The membership, which originally included only those formerly members of the First Reformed Church, has increased to about 150. The Sunday-school, under the efficient superintendence of Elder George K. Hoffman, has 140 members. Their annual collec- tions amount to about $200. The present members of the consistory are: Elders-John Stine, O.J. Aregood, George K. Hoffman, and Reuben Jones; dea- cons-David R. Koenig, John Saylor, H.R. Snyder, and C. Lessig. EDUCATIONAL INTEREST OF POTTSVILLE. The elaborate public school system, of which Pottsville is to-day so justly proud, has been gradually evolved from some very crude beginnings three-quarters of a century ago. The earliest date of a school at Pottsville which can be fixed with any degree of certainty is 1811; when the people at Pottsville, Brown's Farm, Flowery Fields, Bull's Head, and Min- ersville met and chose a place northeast of the shoe factory, near the present residence of Colonel B.N. Hyde, as a location for a log church. The now venerable Abraham Pott, who was a pupil in the first school ever taught north of Sharp mountain, says that in this building, then known as the Repp church, and later as the Dutch church, the first school in this county was taught, in the German language. But little is known of the school or teacher, except that the first teacher was an old soldier, who had served in the German cavalry, and was expert in fencing with the ferule. The next was taught by John Hoff, an Irishman about seventy years of age, who was a clerk a long time for John Pott. He taught school about 1818 in a log house on the island, where Mr. Atkins's furnace now stands, and was also the first teacher in the log school-house where the Centre street female grammar school building now stands. This log house, built in 1819 by John Strauch, at the direction of John Pott, jr., was the first school-house built within the borough limits, and the only one for about fourteen years. The following persons taught in the old log school-house in those early days, viz.; John Randolph, John Gray, John Downing, Joseph S. Silver, Charles Loeser and John Porter. These gentlemen taught in the order named, through a period of about seen years, according to Charles Silliman and James Shoemaker, who were schoolboys in those days. About 1827 Silas Hough commenced to teach in the old log house, and he continued to teach private school for a period of over thirty years. He will long be remembered by the older schoolboys, as a good teacher, but (as they say) a severe disci- plinarian. John Porter taught a private school until 1836, when he was elected as one of the first teachers in the public schools. In 1831 he moved his school to his residence, a stone building still standing at the corner of Schuylkill avenue and Fourth street. We fine the following advertisement of March 23d, 1838: SEMINARY.-The public are respectfully informed that the sub- scriber intends to continue his English and mathematical school at his residence on Schuylkill avenue. Mrs. Porter will instruct the female department in plain and ornamental needle-work. Terms from $2.50 to $3.50 per quarter of twelve weeks. JOHN PORTER. For several years John Sanderson, Silas Hough, and John Porter were the principal teachers of the borough. John Sander- son came to Pottsville in 1831, and opened a good school for pupils wishing to pursue their studies in the higher branches. He first taught in the stone house near where Pennsylvania Hall now stands, and then on Court-house hill, at his own residence. In 1835 he went to Paris, where he spent a year, and on his return taught with great success in the Philadelphia high school. He died in 1844. April 22nd, 1832, Miss Lee opened a sewing and knitting school, at the west end of Norwegian street, opposite Burd Pat- terson's. May 5th, 1832, Miss Maria Haight, daughter of the Presbyterian clergy man then stationed here, opened a school opposite the Episcopal church. This school was in operation for three or four years, and met with success. THE POTTSVILLE INSTITUTE. For twenty years, dating from 1832, this institution offered excellent educational facilities to the children at Pottsville. In September of that year Sylvanus Haight and John C. Offerman, as trustees, announced that A.A. Wood, a graduate of Amherst College, had engaged to open this school on the 24th inst. in the old Arcade building, corner of Centre and Norwegian streets. The course of instruction included common English, higher mathematics, the natural sciences, higher English, French, Latin, Greek and Hebrew. special classes were formed in the other branches, and a course of lectures was added on school-keeping. this was the first ___________end page 288.___________ page 289 POTTSVILLE INSTITUTE-PRIVATE SCHOOLS. _______________________________________________________________ normal school in Pennsylvania. The course occupied, besides the primary department, two years of four terms each. Tuition was fixed at $4.50 to $6.00 per quarter. In 1833 a new brick build- ing, 35 by 40 feet, was erected in Norwegian street, for the Pottsville Institute, by John C. Offerman. In September, 1834, Thomas Hervey succeed Professor Wood for one year as principal, and John M. Scribner, A.B., continued as assistant. C. Holtzer next had charge of the school for three years. From October, 1838, until April, 1833, Charles W. Pitman, a graduate of Dickin- son College, conducted the institute with very marked success. His successor, James A. Inness, was principal until September, 1845, when David Sanderson had the situation for one year. The year 1847 found the school so large that three assistant teachers were needed. The principal, Elias Schneider, had charge of mathematics and the ancient languages. Monsieur F. Perrin, a graduate of one of the principal gymnasia of Berne, Switzerland, had the French and German classes. W.P. Koutz, of Marshall College, had charge of the department of natural science, history and elocution, and E. Sagendorf taught the English branches. The school building at this time was the old Quaker meeting-house on Sharp mountain, but within the following year a building, 50 by 60 feet, was erected near this, for the school. It was built by a number of the citizens, at a cost of about $5,000. Here, for the first time, the school was called the Pottsville Academy. H. Russel now lives in the building. The following corps of teachers shows the flourishing condi- tion of the academy in 1849: Elias Schneider, A. B., principal, and teacher of ancient languages; Daniel Kirkwood, teacher of mathematics; Christopher Little, A.M., teacher of modern science; Charles C. Schmid, teacher of history and geography; Rev. Lewis Angele, teacher of modern languages; Theodore Irish, teacher of penmanship. Professor Kirkwood had, at that time, gained some fame as an astronomer and has since become well known. In 1851 Mr. Schneider was elected superintendent of the public schools of Pottsville, and Daniel Kirkwood took charge of the academy. In August of that year Mr. Kirkwood resigned to fill the chair of mathematics and astronomy in Delaware College, and Professor Agnele became principal. He was succeeded in September 1853 by A.P. Spiney, whose administration of less than two years marks the close of the history of the academy. About this time the public schools were raised to the grade of a high school, and several prosperous private schools were in progress. Thus it is found that the institution which was started under Mr. Wood, in 1832, had a run of twenty-two years, and during all this time had at its head first-class teachers. This school was kept up lat- terly by pupils from the public schools, which, in those days, were not unfrequently called the schools for the poor. OTHER PRIVATE SCHOOLS. Although the Institute and Academy had been popular and use- ful, yet a large number of other schools flourished during the same period. In September, 1833, John Phillips, from Chester county, opened a boarding school at the corner of Centre and Mahantongo streets. The next April Mr. and Mrs. J.P. Wade opened an English and classical school in Mr. York's residence, Centre street. Both of these schools were ephemeral. St. Ann's school was established in 1837, by three sisters of charity. It was a branch of the institution at Emmettsburg, Md. All English branches were taught, and next year, the school being in a flourishing condition, French, Greek and Latin were added to the course of study. Primary schools of this character are still in operation. In 1837 a school, numbering twenty-five pupils, was conducted under the name of Pottsville Female Seminary, by Miss Clark. In 1838 Mrs. Shippen, Mrs. Wynkoop and Mrs. Utley each established a similar school, and all were well patronized. In December of that year C.M. Peale started an evening school on Market square, and fitted up a room on the corner of Centre and Mahantongo streets, where he gave lectures on chemistry. In 1842 Miss Clement's seminary was numbered among the pri- vate schools, and a school was opened by Miss E. Kent in the old stone school-house, in Market and Centre streets. In April, 1843, Miss Marcia M. Allen opened a female seminary in Mr. Wolff's building on Market street, corner of Third. After occupying the Universalist church, the basement of the First Presbyterian church, and a building on Centre street for short periods, the school located for twenty years in the Thompson building on Market street. Miss Allen kept her school up until 1871, a period of twenty-eight years. During this time children's children were educated by her. The school was of a high grade, and furnished to the girls what the Pottsville Institute did to the boys. All the young ladies of the borough, during a period of over a quar- ter of a century, finished their education in Miss Allen's school, and will hand her name down to future generations as a first-class teacher. Miss Allen brought with her four other graduates of the same institution from which she came. Miss Caroline B. Whipple, who, for a time, was teacher of painting, drawing, Spanish and Italian, in Miss Allen's school; Miss P.L. Young, who taught private school, both in Pottsville and St. Clair; Miss Maria G. Ayer (afterwards Mrs. Hill), who taught private school from 1851 to 1854, and is still teaching a private school of primary grade. Miss F.A. Ayer, now Mrs. Hammeken, first taught both private and then public schools, and in 1865 started a private school again, for girls, of a high grade, in Thompson's building, so long occupied by Miss Allen. Mrs. Hill and Mrs. Hammeken have now joined their schools, are teaching together. In 1845 Miss Mary McCool started a private school, which was in a prosperous condition until 1851. The school was in the basement of the Presbyterian church. In 1849 Miss Annette Strauch started a school in what is now Dr. Halberstadt's office, on Market street. She ___________end page 289._____________ page 290 HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. ______________________________________________________________ moved from there to what is now the Second Presbyterian Church; from there to the Good Intent engine house; thence to Callowhill street, in the lecture room of the Evangelical Methodist church. She taught for twenty-four years, and never was out of school, except for one week, through sickness. In the fall of 1849 the Rev. A. Pryor came here and opened a seminary for young ladies on Second street, between Market and Norwegian streets. In April, 1850, he removed the seminary to his dwelling in Market square, where he employed two assistants. The school succeeded beyond the expectation of its friends and patrons, and was quite remunerative to the principal. Young ladies' Seminary was instituted in 1870, by Rev. George W. Smiley, D.D., and was in prosperous condition for about four years. For some time he had connected with his seminary a "kindergarten" school, which was very popular. The Business College was established by Professor A.H. Hinman in 1874. It is a thorough school, conducted on actual business principles, and patronized by the best people. It educates both sexes in bookkeeping, commercial mathematics and penmanship. The college is now under the able management of Professor H.C. Clark, and is enjoying a fair degree of prosperity. LITERARY SOCIETIES. In January, 1839, the Pottsville Lyceum was organized, with Rev. Arthur Wainswright as president and James S. Wallace as secretary; Alfred A. Miller, Samuel Lewis, Jacob Sheafe, Benjamin F. Pomeroy and Edward Owen Parry were the directors. This socie- ty gave twenty-four entertainments during that year. All the lectures were on scientific subjects-most of them given by citi- zens of Pottsville, but a few by distinguished lecturers from abroad. During the same year a German lyceum was started, with the following officers: David G. Yuengling, president; William T. Epting, vice-president; Dr. Brundner, secretary; John T. Stites, treasurer. October 5th, 1839, an account is given of a Philomathic society, having for its object debates, discussions and lectures. Its meetings were held in the academy on West Norwegian street; afterward in Mr. Peal's rooms, at the corner of Centre and Mahan- tongo streets. These societies and others of like character were kept up during the winter season until the fall of 1847, when a society was formed called the Pottsville Literary Senate. there were two members representing each State. for two years it was successful and furnished valuable entertainment to the citizens. In October, 1849, there was established a society named the "Pottsville Literary Society," which during its existence of four years secured the delivery to the public, entirely free of cost to those outside the society, of ninety-one lectures, about one hundred readings and the same number of public debates. The literary meetings were held on Wednesday night of each week during the season, and were attended by large numbers of the best people of all classes. POTTSVILLE SCIENTIFIC ASSOCIATION. On the 10th of October, 1854, several scientific gentlemen, among whom were Doctors James. S. Carpenter, J.H. Wythes, and A. Heger, and Messrs. Samuel Lewis, P.W. Sheafer, and C. Little, met at the office of P.W. Sheafer for the purpose of founding a scientific institution as a center of communication for the scientific men of the county, and for the advancement of science. The effort proved successful, and the association had a prosper- ous and profitable career of about ten years. A large and well selected cabinet of minerals was collected, and also a library of more than 700 bound volumes on scientific subjects, and a large collection of valuable pamphlets. The library was placed in charge of the Pottsville Athenaeum and the mineral cabinet was presented to Lafayette College. THE POTTSVILLE ATHENAEUM. On the 29th of January, 1877, Rev. A. Prior, P.W. Sheafer, George Chambers, Charles H. Woltjen and Josiah Lineaweaver met in the office of P.W. Sheafer to consider the feasibility of organ- izing a literary association. Agreeing that such an institution was desirable a meeting was appointed for the election of offi- cers, and Rev. A. Prior was chosen president, P.W. Sheafer vice- president, George Chambers recording secretary, Rev. B.F. Patter- son corresponding secretary, and Charles J. Woltjen treasurer. These officers, with the managers, Heber S. Thompson, Edward D. Smith, Edward E. Swallow and Walter S. Church, constituted the first executive board. This association was incorporated as the Pottsville Athenaeum, under the act of April 29th, 1874, for the purpose of the establishment and maintenance of a library, and the promotion of literature and science; and was formally opened on the 5th of April, 1877, in three rooms which were secured in the Journal building for that purpose. The charter, which is perpetual, was approved by Judge Walker, September 24th, 1877. It provides that the capital stock of the corporation shall be $5,000, divided into 1,000 shares at $5 per share. This is the principal source of revenue to the institution. Provision is also made for the sale of family tickets at $5 per annum, to adults $2 per years, and tickets to stockholders, and teachers and pupils of the borough schools at $1 per annum. The constitution adopted provides that the Athenaeum be com- posed of five departments: A public library, a reading room, departments for literary and musical entertainments, and a debat- ing club. ___________end page 290._____________ page 291 POTTSVILLE ATHENAEUM-PUBLIC SCHOOLS. ______________________________________________________________ The library, which at the first report contained 1,300 vol- umes, is open daily (holidays and Sundays excepted), from eight o'clock a.m. until nine and a half p.m. The reading room has from the time of its organization been well supplied with daily and weekly newspapers, and the standard monthly magazines. The literary department has proved signally successful. simultaneous with the organization a course of lectures was inaugurated, which has greatly augmented the public interest; many lecturers have kindly donated their services to the Athenaeum. The musical entertainments, under the supervision of Mrs. J.E. Graeff, have been a source of much pleasure. The debating club, the organization of which was completed October 30th, 1877, has proved a very interesting department. Its first officers were: Howell Fisher, president; Josiah Lineaweaver, vice-presi- dent; John A. Sullivan, secretary and treasurer. Each year proves more fully the value of this institution, with its pleas- ing entertainments and valuable opportunities for information. The number of visitors during the last fiscal year was 2,727. The number of bound volumes issued was 505; of periodicals 1,1013. The number of bound volumes owned by the society is 1,537; of unbound, 286; pamphlets, 199; besides 16 regular issues of magazines, newspapers reports, &c. At the last election of officers, May 1st, 1880, the entire board of 1879 were re-elected; Walter S. Church, jr., Esq., president; J. Lineaweaver, Esq., vice-president; George W. Kenne- dy, Esq., treasurer; Rev. J.P. Stein, recording secretary; colo- nel B.N. Hyde, corresponding secretary and librarian. THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Early in 1834 the General Assembly of the Commonwealth enact- ed the public school law, and Pottsville was one of the first places to adopt the system by conforming to the provisions of the act. An election for school directors was held September 19th, 1834, at the house of George Strouse. Enos Chichester, Benjamin Spayd, Joseph George, Joseph Lyon, Joseph Thomas, and F.B. Nich- ols were duly elected. The first meeting of the board was held at the house of George Strouse, Friday evening, September 26th, 1834, at which meeting Joseph Thomas was chosen president, and Joseph Lyon secretary of the board. At this date Pottsville had about five hundred resident taxable inhabitants. There were 473 children between the ages of four and ten years; 261 between the ages of ten and fifteen, and 93 between the ages of fifteen and twenty, making in all 827 children of school age. It was resolved "that the people of the school district of the borough of Pottsville raise, for the year 1835, the sum of $1,700, in addition to the $300 due from the State." At a regu- lar meeting of the board December 15th, 1834, the committee on salaries reported the following as adequate compensation for teachers; Principal of the highest grade, $500; first assistant, $325; second assistant, 4300; principal female teacher, $250; assistant, $200. four days later the school board bought for school furniture, of John Phillips (late private school teacher), one pine table, five desks and ten benches-all for the sum of five dollars. It was agreed by the citizens, June 15th, 1835, to assess on the property of the borough $1,850 in addition to the $150 due from the State. About this time Elijah Hammer, commis- sioners' clerk, gives notice to the teachers of the four dis- tricts that he will pay no more money for "educating the poor," after January 1st, 1835. March 4th, 1836, the first teachers were elected; Andrew W. Middlemiss, from Reading, was employed as principal teacher, at $700 per annum; also, Sarah A Middlemiss, his wife, at a salary of $400, both to begin to teach on the 1st day of April next. These teachers drew their salaries at the end of the first month, and disappear from the records. April 8th David Duncan was employed, at a salary of $320 per annum. Friday, May 13th, 1836, Sophia Utley was elected, at a salary of $200 per annum; also, Mary Whipple, at the same salary. May 20th, 1836, it was resolved that the schools shall be designated as follows; Second story of Friends' meeting-house, on Sharp mountain, school No. 1; the lower story of the same, No. 2; corner of Mahantongo and Centre streets, No. 3; the old log house, No. 4; Strouse's house, No. 5. A negro school was kept from May 10th, 1843, to June, 1877. It began with thirty-one pupils, and J.S. Surls as its teacher, at $12 per month. February 25th, 1839, the Bible was required to be read in all the public schools, and the committee ordered to procure a suit- able tub or bucket, soap, and towel for each of the schools, in order to promote cleanliness. In May, 1840, Edward Owen Parry was employed to institute suit against the commissioners, for the recovery of $400 tax collected in 1835-06; and notice was given to the town council to give a satisfactory account of the money they hold belonging to the schools. January 20th, 1841, a committee reported that they had seen the trustees of the old burial ground, and obtained permission to build a school-house adjoining the old log school-house and the watch-house. At this time a stone house was built, where Centre street grammar school now stands. June 5th, 1842, the school board bought for $1,200 the building in West Norwegian street built for the Pottsville Institute. May 10th, 1845, a vote for the public schools, on Monday, at the polls, stood 442 for, and 78 against. In 1851 Elias Schneid- er was elected the first superintendent of the Pottsville public schools, and on the 1st of April that year the boys occupied Sharp mountain school-house for the first time. The same month a monthly district institute was held for the first time. A high school was opened January 15th, 1853. The first prin- cipal was Elisha Gotchell. September 24th, Josiah P. Sherman, from Maine, was elected principal of school No. 1, and also to assist in the high school; March ____________end page 291.____________ page 292 HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. ______________________________________________________________ 11th, 1854, Mr. Sherman was elected principal of the high school. February 24th, 1855, Mr. Sherman was elected superintendent of the schools, a position which he held until his resignation, April, 1867. J.B. Phillips was then elected principal, and taught from February 24th, 1855, until May 25th, 1859, when he resigned. Jackson Graves taught until November 7th, 1860; Joseph E. Jackson until March 6th, 1865; and B.F. Patterson until April 1st, 1867, when he was elected superintendent, to succeed Mr. Sherman. J.J. Cake was elected principal of the high school, and taught as such until February 10th, 1868, when the high school was reorganized. May 9th, 1838, the visiting committee reported that school No. 1, taught by John Porter, had 36 pupils; No. 2, taught by James Dixon, 53 pupils; No. 3, Morgan Lewis, 37 pupils; No. 4, Miss Porter, 42 pupils; No. 5, Mrs. John Porter, 34 pupils; No.6, Mary Whipple, 56 pupils. Total 258 pupils. During the war, and for two or three years after, when work was plenty and wages high, many of the larger pupils left the school. In consequence the high school ran down to a grade but little higher than a grammar school. The reorganization of the school was referred to a committee consisting of Peter W. Sheaf- er, William B. Wells, Christopher Little, John W. Roseberry and David A. Smith. February 12th, 1868, the new high school opened in the old academy in West Norwegian street, with fourteen pu- pils, taken from the first class of the old high school. J.J. Cake has since continued to teach the remaining pupils as the grammar school. The following gentlemen have served as principals of the new high school; S.R. Thompson, who resigned June 1st, 1868; N.P. Kinsley, who resigned June 30th, 1877; John E. Shull, the present principal. The high school now numbers over 100 pupils, and it is what it was designed to be-a first class high school. All the public schools of the borough are under the superin- tendence of Rev. B.F. Patterson. The school board for the year 1880-81 is composed of the following gentlemen: William Thompson, John C. Harper and William Fox, of the middle ward; W.F. Scheerer, Henry Matten and C.T. Palmer, of the northwest ward; John A. Nash, James Aikman, William Brazier, of the north ward; D. Neuser, C. Hock, D. Deasy, of the seventh ward; Hiram Parker, jr., F.S. Haeseler, G.W. Kennedy, of the northeast ward; Levi Huber, Charles H. Woltjen, S.H. Kaercher, of the southeast ward; John A.M. Passmore, H.S. Thompson, William H. Shuman, of the south ward. The officers of the board are: Levi Huber, president; S.H. Kaercher, secretary; David H. Seibert, treasurer; Emily J. McCool, librarian. The teachers in 1880 numbered 47, and the average of pupils was 1,878, there being 2,158 enrolled. CLAY MONUMENT. Soon after the death of Henry Clay, which occurred in June, 1852, the project was conceived of erecting, at the county seat of this county, a monument to his memory. Measures were at once adopted for carrying this project into effect, and on the 26th of July in the same year-the day of the funeral obsequies in Potts- ville of the great statesman-the corner stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies, in the presence of a large concourse of people. The usual documents of a general and local character were deposited in the stone. The building committee consisted of Samuel Sillyman, E. Yard- ley and F. Hewson. To the chairman of this committee, Mr. Silly- man, more than to any other person, is due the success of this undertaking. It is proper here to state, that in recognition of the public services as well as private virtues of this gentleman, his fellow-citizens presented him with a presented him with a magnificent service of silver, on which was engraved the follow- ing inscription: "Presented by the citizens of the borough of Pottsville to their esteemed townsman Samuel Sillyman, a tribute of their regard for his valuable public services in the erection of the Pottsville court-house, gas works, Clay monument, and water works. May 1st, 1855." The total cost of the monument was between $7,000 and $8,000. John Bannan presented the ground. The statue, which is of iron, was moulded and cast by Robert Wood. ___________end page 292.____________