Area History: History of Schuylkill County, Pa: W. W. Munsell, 1881:
Township and Borough Histories pp. 156-176
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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 156
TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH HISTORIES.
_________________
BARRY TOWNSHIP.
The settlements in this township, then a part of lower Mahan-
tongo, date back to about 1808, and of the original settlers the
names of John Garivy, who settled where William Hoch now lives;
John Baily, on the Daniel Smith farm, and the Yarnall family, who
came from New Jersey, and settled the place still owned by one of
its descendants, Miss Lydia Yarnall, are among the most promi-
nent. In 1815 the families of Charles Marwine, of Philadelphia,
and John Clauntz, John Heter and a man named Shupert, from Berks
county, settled in the township and took up farms. Dr. George
Long also settled here, and was the first and for many years the
only resident physician.
Three thousand acres of land in the township were owned by
Joseph Reed at the time of its first settlement, and were sold by
him to John S. Heister in 1812, the deed bearing November 5th of
that year. It was divided by him into tracts of three hundred
acres, and sold to settlers. The tract now contains some twenty
farms, and comprises the lands lying between the farms of Elias
Kessler and Seth Geer, extending north to the top of Mahantongo
mountain, and south to Little Mount.
The first log house was built by John Clauntz, and the first
crops were raised by Issac Yarnall. The earliest traveled road
was one running from Reading to Sunbury through Taylorsville, and
the first bridge was built near where Calvin Reed now lives. The
only cut stone dwelling on the township was erected by Israel
Reed, in 1848 near the east end of the town, and is now occupied
by his sons.
I.D. Rupp, in his history of Schuylkill county, says that in
1840 Barry contained two stores, one forge, three grist-mills,
twenty-three saw-mills; population in 1830, 443; in 1840, 639; in
1850, 689; in 1860,943; 1870, 950; 1880, 1,587.
Pioneer Industries And Schools
A grist-mill was erected in 1810 where the Isaac Reed mill
now stands. Another, which is now owned by C. M. Milliman, was
built some twenty years later on Deep creek, and in the west part
of the township Daniel Klinger built a mill in 1940. The first
saw-mill was built by George Kessler, on Deep creek, about the
year 1815.
A small tannery was erected at an early day on the banks of
the Mahanoy creek, near the John Rice place, by a man named
Johnson.
The opening of a foundry by John R. Fisher, who carried on in
it the manufacture of coffee mills until 1869, when it was de-
stroyed by fire.
The first merchant of Barry was Amos Yarnall, whose log
store, opened about the year 1820, was located on the old Yarnall
farm. The pioneer hotel, kept by Jesse Yarnall, was built of
logs, and opened in 1810. It is still standing and is the resid-
ence of Calvin Reed..
In 1820 the people built a log school-house opposite the site
of St. John's church, and hired William Bolich to teach a school
in Barry, still living in the township, are Charles Marwine and
Charles M. Billman.
The free school system was adopted in 1847, and in 1880 there
were six districts in the township.
Post Villages And Hotels
Taylorsville.-The first post-office established was that of
Barry, at the little hamlet of Taylorsville,of which Frank Den-
gler was commissioned postmaster. It was kept in the building now
occupied as a residence by his widow. The village at which it is
located comprised in 1880, the Taylorsville hotel, owned and kept
by C.M. Billman, a blacksmith shop, and eight of ten houses.
The Taylorsville Cornet Band was organized August 18th, 1880,
with sixteen members, and the following persons elected to
office: George P. Bolich, president; J.G. Starr, treasure; A.L.
Schneider, secretary; Gideon Welkel, leader; A.M. Derr, assistant
leader. The entire expense of equipping the band-some $300-was
born by its members, who comprise the best and most reliable of
the young men of Taylorsville.
Weishample was named after J. F. Weishampel, an
___________end page 156._____________
page 157
VILLAGES AND CHURCHES IN BARRY
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
_____________________________________________________________
itinerant preacher belonging to the Winebrenarian sect, about the
year 1855,when a church of that denomination was built. The
post-office was established in 1870, and given the same name, the
department merely changing the spelling to "Weishample." The
place contains one store, kept by C. W. Hoch, the church before
mentioned, a blacksmith shop, carriage shop, school-house, and
half a dozen dwelling houses.
Weishample Camp, No. 85, P.O.S. of A.-This lodge was organized
in 1872, with membership of eighteen, and since that time from
seventy to eighty members have been initiated. In 1876 C.W. Hoch
built a hall for the lodge by adding a story to his residence.
Mable post-office was established in 1869 with Isaac F. Betz
as postmaster. The place contains a store, blacksmith shop,
hotel, kept by Benjamin O. Reineart, shoe shop, and eight houses.
Wayside Inns.-G. M. Hornberger keeps a popular hotel, known
as the Buckhorn Mountain House, on the Pottsville road in the
south eastern part of the township, and about one mile west of
his place, on the same road, the McKown House, kept by James
McKown, extends a welcome to hungry or thirsty wayfarer.
Barry Station.-A railroad station was established at Bolich's
switch, on the Shamokin branch of the Philadelphia and Reading
Railroad, in the summer of 1880, and it is known as Barry Sta-
tion.
Civil Government.
The township was erected from Norwegian and Schuylkill in
1821, and the first election was held at the house now occupied
by Frank Bolich as a shoe shop. The first justices elected were
John A. Otto and Elijah Yarnall. The following persons have held
the office from that date to 1880: John A. Otto and Elijah Yar-
nall, from 1845 to 1850; Israel Reed and William Hoch, from 1850,
the former until his death in 1876, when he was succeeded by
Charles M. Billman, and the latter continuously until 1880.
The township officers for 1880 were: C. W. Kramer, town
clerk; William G. Kehler, treasurer; George A. Sly, assessor;
William Hoch, Michael Snyder and Ephraim Yarnall, auditors;
Gideon Weikel constable.
Franklin Colliery No. 2.
This colliery is located on lands of Riegel, Fortenbaugh &
Brentzel, and operated by S. S. Bickel. A tunnel is driven north
one hundred and two yards to the Lykens Valley vein, with east
and west gangways; west gangway worked out, east gangway driven
nine hundred yards and working four a breast. The men and boys
employed number about 40, with one fifty horse power engine. The
ventilation is by natural means. Tobias Bickel is the superin-
tendent.
Churches.
The Church of God.-The denomination of which this body is a
representative deserves a passing mention as a body of Christians
originating in the State, and in a great measure comprised within
its limits. Its founder was Rev. John Winebrener, of Harrisburg,
who in the year 1830 formulated a creed, based on the Holy Scrip-
tures. The creed expresses a positive in three perpetual ordinan-
ces-baptism, by immersion; feet-washing, as taught by Christ's
example and non-conformity with the world are especially enjoyed.
In this belief a little body of Christians gather in 1842 at
what is now Weishample, and were organized into a church by Elder
Thomas Strahm. John Ghist was chosen elder, and in 1855 the
chapel, or Bethel, as it is called, was built at a cost of
$1,000. The church numbered in 1880 thirty-two members, with
John Ghist and John Kessler as elders, and William Kessler and
William Frimayer as deacons. It has a flourishing Sunday-school
of 113 officers and members, with John Ghist and John Kessler as
elders, and William Kessler and William Frimayer as deacons. It
has a flourishing Sunday-school of 113 officers and members, with
Michael Wolfgang superintendent. The pastor in charge is Rev. J.
Hay, of Mahantongo circuit. A burial ground is connected with the
Bethel.
United Brethren in Christ.-In 1862 a mission of this church
was established at Barry, and Rev. L. W. Cranmer was assigned to
it by the East Pennsylvania Conference. In 1863 this circuit,
then comprising Valley View and Huxley township, was attached to
the Lykens circuit and supplied by Rev. Messrs, David Moyer and
Jacob Runk. In 1864 the place of Pastor Moyer was filled by Rev.
H. E. Hackman. In 1865 Rev. John Lowery succeeded Pastor Runk,
and in the following year these appointments were detached from
the Lykens circuit, and again called Germantown mission, the name
first given to them. Rev. F. List was assigned to the work of
pastor. From 1867 to 1870 Rev. J. Shoop ministered to the cir-
cuit, in 1871 Rev. William Dessinger, and from 1872 to 1874 Rev.
J. M. Mark. During the two years following Rev. H. E. Hackman
again filled the pastorate, followed by Rev. S. Noll in 1876, and
Rev. L. Fleisher in 1877. In 1878 the mission was converted into
a circuit, now called Valley View; and from that time to 1880,
inclusive, Rev. J. Shoop has had charge of it.
The church building, which was built in 1855 in Barry, is
located about midway between Mabel and Weishample, on the main
road. The earlier and most active members of the church were
Jacob Klinger, Daniel Kessler, Daniel Klinger, Simon Licht and
Jeremiah Klinger.
The Sunday-school, which was organized in 1866, has a good
library and is well managed.
Union Church at Berry.-In 1816 several citizens built a
school-house near the site of what is now known as the Union
church, and this was for some years used for religious services.
The first minister who preached there was George Eyster, who
organized a church composed of the following persons: Peter
Ziegenfus, Jacob Ziegenfus, Peter Zerbey, John Kimmel, Charles
Marwine, George Kessler, John Deitrich, George St. Clair, Michael
Bolich, Henry Bolich, John Yarnall, Jesse Yarnall, Gideon Mirkel
and Michael Madeary. Pastor Eyster ministered to the church ten
years and was succeeded
__________end page 157_________
page 158
HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
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by Rev. Isaac Steely, who was of the Reformed church, his prede-
cessor having been a Lutheran. Mr. Steely served for fifteen
years, and during the last five years of his work he was assisted
by Rev. John Schultz. From 1843 for ten years Rev. John Felty was
the pastor. In 1850 the church building was erected on the south
side of the road to Ashland. From 1853 to 1863 Rev. Mr. Bergner
was its pastor, and under his ministry the membership was increa-
sed. Pastor Bergner was a Lutheran, and noted for his fine musi-
cal ability. Rev. Daniel Sanner succeeded him and preached here
five years, proving a popular and successful pastor. Rev. John
Webber was pastor from 1868 to 1873, and was succeeded by Rev.
Henry Weicksel, the present Lutheran pastor. Father Weicksel is
an elderly man, loved and revered by his people. In 1879 Rev.
Mr. Baum, of Pottsville, a Reformed minister, commenced holding
services here, and he now preaches monthly.
The first superintendent of the Sunday-school was Robert
Neal. In 1880 the school was in good condition, superintended by
an able an energetic young man, C. W. Kramer, whose efforts have
quickened its pulses, and during his management a new organ has
been purchased, which adds much to the interest of the exercises.
______________________
BLYTHE TOWNSHIP.
Blythe township was set off from Schuylkill in 1846. The
central portion is traversed by the valley of the Schuylkill. The
northern and southern portions are broken and mountainous. The
most notable tributary to the Schuylkill in this township is Sil-
ver creek, which rises near the northern border and has its con-
fluence with the river as New Philadelphia. Near the head of
this stream is the Silver creek reservoir, constructed as a
feeder to the Schuylkill canal. Blythe is bounded by Ryan,
Schuylkill, Walker, West Brunswick, North Manheim, East Norwegian
and New Castle. It was named in honor of Judge Blythe.
COAL.
The central portion of the township, east and west, is in the
coal belt of the first coal field of the Schuylkill district, and
formerly mining was prosecuted within its boundaries very exten-
sively, and it was a stage of business and speculative activity,
where many fortunes have been made and lost. Almost immeasurable
deposits of anthracite underlie the surface of the township, but
at such a depth that it cannot be mined successfully in competi-
tion with coal obtained more cheaply nearer the surface in other
sections. When the era of deep mining arrives, Blythe will again
be the scene if great activity in coal production.
The presence of coal in the territory now known as Blythe was
known at a very early day, and it would be impossible to state
when or by whom the first opening was made in the township with a
view to bringing it to light. Coal was taken out in small quanti-
ties, in various localities, by the early residents of the town-
ship but the lack of a market prevented any considerable traffic
in it for many years. The first notable coal operation in Blythe
was on the Mammoth vein at Silver Creek. An early operator was
S. Chadwick, some time after 1840. Before 1850 the colliery
passed into the hands of Benjamin Haywood, and previous to 1860
into the possession of Beattey & Garretson. Later an eastern
company operated it, under the management of a Mr. Starr, three
or four years. The successors of this company were the Welsh
Company, as they were known, residents of Minersville. The last
operator was a Mr. Boyce, of Baltimore, and the mine was under
the superintendency of John Harper, of Pottsville. This colliery
is on land formerly belonging to the Valley Furnace Company, but
now the property of the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron
Company. It was operated until a few years ago. The first opera-
tor on the Ledger vein, or the Valley Furnace Company's lands,
was Henry Gueitterman, who built a large breaker, and did a
successful business until he sold his lease to the eastern compa-
ny before mentioned. The colliery is now idle. After passing
through the hands of several operators the opening to the Mammoth
vein in Blythe fell into the possession of the Philadelphia and
Reading Coal and Iron Company, who worked it until 1860, when
they leased it to John J. Dovey, who, after a few years, sold
out to a New York company. Later it was operated by Marcus
Heilner. George Bright, of Pottsville, was next operator. He was
succeeded by Murray, Winlack & Randall, who operated it about
three years. Since 1869 it has been lying idle.
A man named McNeil opened the Primrose vein. Rev. James Neil
sunk a slope in 1849, and the first wagon load of coal was hoist-
ed from it by Richard Winlack in the fall of 1850. Later Mr.
Neil took Benjamin Milnes into partnership in the enterprise,
which was abandoned in about eight years. As early as 1852 or
1853 a man named Dodson had an opening in the small red ash vein
overlying the Seven-foot. It has been long abandoned.
__________end page 158.__________
page 159
COAL MINING IN BLYTHE TOWNSHIP.
_____________________________________________________________
In the early days of active coal mining in the township the
name of Caleb Parker was well known, and it is remembered by
nearly every old inhabitant. He began operations on the Primrose
vein, on the second dip, at Valley Furnace, a little to the left
of the turnpike, above the old furnace site. He had a dam made
on Silver creek and propelled his machinery by water power. This
opening was on the Glentworth tract, owned then by Bast & Thomp-
son. Capwell & Dovey became operators there. Enoch McGinness was
a later operator. Maize, Miller & Co. operated this colliery
during the war, and were succeeded by A. Focht & Co., from whose
hands the colliery reverted to the land owners. Under the direc-
tion of Gideon Bast, William Harmon, superintendent, made under-
ground borings which proved the Mammoth vein to posses a good
quality of coal. Bast & Thompson sold the property to the Phila-
delphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company, who operated the
colliery for some time. It has been dismantled and abandoned.
On the Valley Furnace Company's tract, about a mile southeast
of New Philadelphia, Kastenbaugh, Miller, Hine, & Bansler made an
opening about 1870, and after work it unprofitably a few years
abandoned it. Between New Philadelphia and Combola an opening
was made, before 1850, by George Rickett, which was afterwards
worked by J.O. Rhoades. A man named Zehner, from Lancaster,Pa.,
operated here a while, and finally abandoned the colliery, which
was on lands now owned by the Alliance Coal Company.
The mine has been reopened and supplied with good machinery,
and is now being successfully worked by this company, under the
management of General Superintendent John B. Church, and Inside
Superintendent William McQuail. It is known as Palmer vein, and
yielded 11,447 tons of coal in 1876; 17,240 tons in 1877; 27,361
in 1878; and 17,066 in 1879.
At a place called "the Five Mile Board" an opening was made
on a red-ash vein, by Lawrence Hannon, at an early date, but
little coal was taken out. There were many early openings about
Middleport, in small veins, but little coal was mined there.
North of Middleport about a mile a man named Thompson opened on
several red-ash veins, and worked them to a considerable extent
until they they became unprofitable. Louis Lorenz has lately
sunk a slope to one of these veins, which is down to a depth of
about 150 yards below water level. A new breaker and machinery
have been erected, and the opening is now being operated success-
fully. A little less than 2,000 tons of coal were mined here in
1879. This colliery is called the Middleport, and is on land
owned by Franklin B. Gowen.
About a mile north of the Middleport colliery is an abandoned
opening on the Mammoth vein. This is east from Silver creek
about a mile and a half. It was early operated by several suc-
cessive operators. Rogers, Sinnockson & Co. operated it many
years under the superintendency of Francis Daniels. About 1860
it passed into the possess in of the Kaskawilliam Coal Company.
The vein took fire, and after several futile attempts to extin-
guish it the colliery was dismantled and abandoned. The property
is now owned by the alliance Coal Company. About a mile east
from Kaskawilliam, as this locality is called, an opening was
made on the Wood and Abbott property by a Mr. Whitfield, who
drove two long tunnels, one cutting the red-ash, and one the
Mammoth vein. He did a small business for a time, and abandoned
the opening prior to 1855.
In 1862, Murray, Winlack & Randall sunk a slope on the Prim-
rose vein to the depth of one hundred yards, and begun to exca-
vate a tunnel at the bottom of the slope to cut the white-ash
vein, but before reaching this they were obliged to abandon it,
on account of depression in the price of coal, which rendered the
enterprise unprofitable. The working was abandoned in 1865, and
the property is now owned by Philadelphia and Reading Coal and
Iron Company. About a mile east of Middleport Pliny Fisk opened
a colliery, which drew its product from Skidmore vein, and worked
it success fully and profitably for a time, in consequence of its
yielding an excellent quality of anthracite. Some time between
1860 and 1865 he sold out to Henry Gueitterman, who abandoned the
colliery about twelve years ago, after working it with considera-
ble success. It has since been idle.
On the Da Costa tract, between Gueitterman's opening and
Middleport, S. Chadwick sunk a slope to the Big Gate vein. During
the following winter water froze in the pipes, bursting them and
causing the abandonment of the enterprise. About a half a mile
north of Gueitterman's opening, on the Robb & Winebrenner tract,
one of the Huntzingers sunk a dry slope to the water level,
hoisting his coal to the breaker. About 1862 or 1863 this work-
ing passed into the hands of Issac May, who sold out to Jesse
Foster, who began to sink a slope on the Clarkson vein, but
abandoned the enterprise before it was finished. The breaker was
burned, and the mine has since been idle. A quarter of a mile
south of this colliery, and on the southern dip of the same vein,
Samuel Sillyman sunk a slope and mined there successfully for
some years. Previous to 1860 the breaker and the engine house
burned, and the mine has since been idle. A small quantity of
coal is being mined at the Hiawatha colliery, near middleport, by
S. Kentbaugh.
SETTLEMENT AND EARLY MATTERS.
The names, location and the date of the settlement of the
pioneers in Blythe are unknowns. The earliest inhabitants of the
township were farmers, and it was not until about the time of the
opening of the Schuylkill canal that there were many families
living in the valley between the present eastern and western
borders of the township. With the opening of the canal coal
mining began to be active,and the interest increased in import-
ance with the construction of the Schuylkill Valley Railroad, and
became more and more important year by year, until it is decaden-
ce on account of the exhaustion of the anthracite deposits near
the surface, and the depression in the coal trade generally.
During the active period of coal mining
___________ end of page 159____________
page 160
HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
______________________________________________________________
in the Schuylkill district Blythe was the scene of much bustle
and enterprise. The first township election was ordered "to be
held at the public house of M. Balliett, in Middleport." Mails,
in that portion of the Schuylkill township which is now Blythe,
were somewhat irregular until 1830. Early in August that year
arrangements were made with a Mr. Reeside to carry a daily mail
between Pottsville and Tuscarora, via Middleport. From Tuscarora
it was carried, tri-weekly, to Mauch Chunk. the first post-office
in the township had been established at Middleport early in the
previous May, with Jacob Huntzinger as postmaster.
THE VALLEY FURNACE.
The earliest manufacturing enterprise in the vicinity was the
Valley Furnace, near Silver Creek, just north of New Philadelphia,
and at that point centered the small laboring population of the
township. The furnace was built as early as 1804 or 1805, states
Abraham Pott, by Rev. F.W. Geisenheimer & Co. Mr. Geisenheimer
was a New Yorker, and a man of much scientific knowledge. Of
course the furnace was a primitive affair in the beginning; but
under the direction of Mr. Geisenheimer, it was improved from
year to year, and it is said to have been, during the whole
period of its existence, abreast with if not in advance of the
times. Previous to 1836 many experiments had been made in the
manufacture of iron with coal as heating agent. They had been
uniformly unsuccessful. In that year Mr. Geisenheimer made, at
the Valley Furnace, with the assistance of Abraham Pott, an
effort so triumphant as to enable him to obtain the iron separate
from the cinder. The result of this experiment, says a writer,
was such as to "place the name of Mr. Geisenheimer high upon the
list of those who have enlarged the power of man over materials
around him." It is stated that Mr. Geisenheimer made the first
anthracite iron with the coal blast, and that the more efficient
hot blast was introduced from England at a later date. During the
summer of 1836. Governor Ritner visited the Valley Furnace and
was much gratified with what he saw of the successful new process
in iron manufacture. The old furnace had been substantially
rebuilt in 1835 and 1836. The blast failed at first, but a
second one was successful. A few years later Geisenheimer & Co.
leased the furnace to other parties, who were in time succeeded
by other lessees, until operations ceased entirely on account of
the furnace becoming inefficient, and the establishment of simi-
lar enterprises on a larger scale in close proximity.
___________
MIDDLEPORT BOROUGH.
____________
______________________________________________________________
Adam Stahl is said to have been the first settler at Middle-
port. Members of his family were prominent landowners there for
many years. In 1821 Jacob Stahl sold the burying-ground to the
Lutheran and the Presbyterian congregations, which were repre-
sented in the transactions by John Settzer and Andrew D. Long.
In 1828 Jacob Huntzinger bought a tract of land, including
that portion of Middleport north of the Schuylkill Valley Rail-
road. Soon a man named Rausch became Huntzinger's partner. Prior
to 1830 the land was laid out in village lots, which were offered
for sale. The balance of the territory within the borough lim-
its, and lying south of the railroad, was included in the Da
Costa tract.
Jacob Huntzinger was the pioneer business man in the borough.
He opened a store there in the spring or summer of 1829. The
second store was that of Ferguson & Jones, established in the
later part of May, 1830. In March, 1830, there were only two
dwellings in the settlement. Evidence of the success of Mr.
Huntzinger's enterprise is apparent in the fact that June 1st
following the number of dwellings had increased to eight. One of
these was a tavern which had been opened about a year, and was
kept by George Kershner. A grist-mill, a saw-mill, and a black-
smith's shop were in operation. The railroad, and the state roads
from Pottsville to Mauch Chunk and from Orwigsburg north, passing
through the village, made it prominent on lines of local travel,
and the activity in the coal trade in the valley after the com-
pletions of the railroad brought with it a steady and healthy
growth to Middleport. In 1845 the population of the miners, and
mechanics, and there were then three stores and two taverns.
The first meeting of the borough council of Middleport was
held May 2nd, 1859. The first burgess was Charles Bensinger, and
Francis W. Bechtel was the first borough clerk. Joseph Eustace,
and John C. Feedtrappe were the first councilmen.
The succeeding burgesses have been Joseph Miller, George
Medlar, David B. Shafer, George Hinly, Thomas Jennings, William
Wall, William Herman, Richard Winlack, William Basler, and C.
Frank Horn, the present incumbent.
__________end page 160.___________
page 161
CHURCHES OF MIDDLEPORT AND NEW PHILADELPHIA.
______________________________________________________________
The population of the borough in 1880 was about 230. There
are two stores, those of William Basler and Mary A. Miller, and
two taverns. Eli T. Miller's stream saw-mill was built about
1870.
CHURCH HISTORY.
The date of the first preaching in Blythe cannot be obtained.
The Lutheran and the Presbyterian denominations held meetings
early in Middleport, and in 1821 we find them purchasing land of
Jacob Stahl, as has been stated. A small church was built on a
portion of the lot. The balance was devoted to burial purposes.
In 1852 the Presbyterian built a stone church. Later, the con-
gregation becoming financially weak, an interest in the property
was sold to the Lutherans. Services are held irregularly, seldom
oftener than once in four weeks, and mostly in the German lan-
guage.
Methodist services have been held in the vicinity from time
to time with more or less frequency for many years. A class of
this denomination worships in a former furniture store.
I.O.O.F.
Middleport Lodge No. 474, I.O. of O.F. was instituted October
1st, 1852, with the following officers; E.K. Webber, N.G. Henry
Meyer, V.G.; M. Dormetzer, S.; Charles Bensinger, T. The present
officers (1881) are: William Murry, N.G.; William Miller, V.G.;
J.F. Hiney, S.; Louis Lorenz, T.
____________
NEW PHILADELPHIA BOROUGH
_________________________________________________
Shadrach Lord was the first settler here. New Philadelphia
was incorporated in 1868. Charles Tanner was burgess in 1868 and
1869. James O'Hare in 1870; P.J. Kelly in 1871; John Haggarty in
1872 and 1873; Michael Whalen in 1874 and 1875; W. H. McQuail in
1876 and 1877; L. Ennis in 1878, 1879 and 1880.
In 1841 there were only two houses inside the present borough
limits. One of these was built by Andrew Bubb, the other by
Nathan Barlow. Barlow was an early justice of the peace in Bly-
the, serving twenty years. His successor, John Haggarty, the
present incumbent, has served eighteen years.
The principal business men of New Philadelphia have been
Edmund Ellis, Michael Rooney, Wesley Dodson and Nathan Barlow.
Prominent resident coal operators were Samuel Potts and Conner &
Rhoads. The Alliance Coal Company has been doing a large business
more recently.
The local business is now done by Michael Rooney and John E.
Egan, merchants; John P. Feeley, tea and spice merchant; Charles
Tanner, liveryman; William McQuail, superintendent for the Al-
liance Coal Company; and Mrs. James Ennis, dealer in boots and
shoes. The postmaster is Michael Egan. The population in 1870
was 558; in 1880, 360.
Cumbola, near the west border, is a small village of the
township, which grew up during the days of coal mining in that
locality.
CHURCHES.
The first church at New Philadelphia was the Lutheran church,
built in 1852. Rev. Mr. Glenn, who resided at Tamaqua, was the
first pastor. The congregation was weak, as were other denominat-
ions in the place, and for a time this building served all who
chose to worship in it.
Early Methodist preaching was irregular. The first salaried
Methodist preacher here was Rev. John Jones. Rev. James Neil, the
first operator at Neil's hill, and Thomas & Niles, two other
operators, assumed the chief burden of the preacher's salary for
a time. Later the local class was attached to the Port Carbon
charge. The number of Methodists having greatly increased, in
1855 those in the valley east and west from New Philadelphia were
constituted a separate church. Services at Middleport, Big Vein,
and Tucker's Hill. The membership was from fifty to sixty, and
the services were attended by two hundred and fifty to three
hundred.
The first primitive Methodist preacher who held meetings in
New Philadelphia was William Donaldson, who used to preach in
Squire Barlow's stone tavern. Later preachers, supplied from the
Tamaqua conference, were Revs. Buttenrik and Spurr. At Tucker
Hill, under the encouragement of John J. Dovey, a primitive
Methodist church was organized by the Greene and Beach families
and others.
In November, 1867, the Catholics in the Schuylkill valley
growing so numerous, it was deemed advisable by the authorities
of the Diocese of Philadelphia to erect a new parish at New Phil-
adelphia. A temporary building was procured, and a pastor, Rev.
John A. Loughran, was appointed. He was succeeded in time by
Revs. M.L. Reynolds, D.I. McDermott, S. O'Brien, J.J. O'Reilly
and P.V. O'Brien, the present pastor. Owing to the dullness of
the times, and many of the works in the valley being abandoned,
the congregation were unable to erect a church. They improved and
renovated the old structure to such an extent that it served them
as a place of worship. December 10th, 1880, the old building took
fire and was destroyed. On the same site it is intended to
speedily erect an elegant and commodious church.
______________end page 161.______________
page 162
HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
______________________________________________________________
BRANCH TOWNSHIP.
______________________________________________________________
This township was formed out of a portion of Norwegian, in
1836. A portion of it was included in Frailey at the organization
of that township in 1847. Its area was further reduced by the
organization of Cass from its territory in 1848, and a portion
became part of Reilly; and much of it is included in the first
coal field of the Schuylkill district. The township is four and
three eights miles long, by three and three-fourths miles wide,
and contains 10,500 acres. The surface in the north is undulating
and hilly, but most of it is arable and moderately well cultiva-
ted. The southern part is mountainous, the Sharp and Second moun-
tains running through it east and west, the summit of the latter
forming the boundary. The township is drained by several creeks,
the west branch of Schuylkill being the principal one. Indian
run, a fine trout stream, flows between the mountain, and affords
ample water power to run a power-mill built on its banks. The
Muddy branch is a stream flowing through the northwest portion of
the township.
EARLY SETTLERS.
Settlement was begun in Branch prior to 1750. Philip and
George Clauser located on the Muddy branch, and the Adams family,
Andrew Steitzel and a man named Fox were their neighbors.
On the site of Llewellyn Jacob Hime is claimed to have been
the first settler. He was engaged in farming and lumbering. The
date at which he erected his primitive saw-mill there cannot now
be ascertained. Abraham and Jacob Faust located on the site of
the village at an early day, their coming having been not long
after the beginning of improvements by Jacob Hime. Mark Britton
located a mill southeast of Llewellyn, and was the first in his
neighborhood. His cabin was near the west branch . A family of
Biddles settled between Britton's clearing and the Sunbury road.
The first settler near the northern border of the township, where
Phoenix Center has since grown into prominence, was Thomas Reed.
His family was quite numerous and a number of his descendants
were later well known is the neighborhood. Other comparatively
early settlers in the township were George Hafer, Peter Starr,
Johannan Cockill, John and Jacob Weaver, and John and Peter
Zerbey.
EARLY MATTERS OF INTEREST.
When settlement began evidences were found here and there of
the previous occupation of the township by Indians. At a compara-
tively late period it was common to find arrow heads while plough-
ing. The first log house of any pretensions in the township was
built at Llewellyn by Abraham Faust. It was a two-story struc-
ture. The first framed building was erected in 1830 by Willing,
Shober and Bunting. It is now owned by Thomas M. Cockill, and
occupied by G.W. Sponsler as a boot and shoe store. Messrs Smith
& Howell built the first frame store house in 1830, and opened a
general store. The stock of goods was made up of about everything
in demand in a country neighborhood, and whisky, brandy, gin, rum,
and other liquors were sold by the gallon and drink. The first
and only brick dwelling house in the township was erected by John
Rodgers, in 1861. Dr. Leonard was the first resident physician,
and came in 1849. Drs. Witheral, A.M. Robins, J.B. Brandt, and
W.F. Schropp have practiced in the township longer or shorter per-
iods since. The first hotel was built in 1832, on the site where
Cornelius Colman is now domiciled. The tavern keepers were Johan-
nan Cockill, Isaac Eisenhower, and Henry Bressler. Jacob Hime
kept a tavern in 1836.
FIRST TOWNSHIP ELECTION-OFFICERS.
The first township election was held at the public house of
Jacob Hime, in 1837. Two supervisors were chosen. They were
Jacob Hime and John Moon. The first justices of the peace were
Thomas B. Abbott and Samuel Harlman. Abbott served twenty years.
Then the township was without a magistrate many years. Johannan
Cockill served two years. Henry Reed and Hiram Chance each
served five years. Jacob F. Hime was elected to the office in
1857, and has has served continuously since. The first township
road passed through the southern part of Llewellyn, crossing the
creek at a point a hundred yards below Coleman's Hotel. For some
time there was no bridge, and a fordway was in use. The township
now contains twenty-one miles of public road.
Business Interests.
Farming and lumbering early gave employment to the few scat-
tering inhabitants within the present township limits, and it was
not until after the beginning of the development of the coal
interests that population increased with any degree of rapidity.
The population of the old township of Norwegian, which embraced
Branch and a large territory besides not now included in Norwe-
gian, was so small previous to 1825 that there were not in the
whole township children enough to make up a district school, and
in 1828 there were only 421 taxable inhabitants. Under the
influence of the coal mining interests the population of the
whole Pottsville field grew rapidly. In 1842 the population of
Branch, which then included Cass and portions of Frailey and
Reilly, had so increased that there were in the township 1,058
taxable inhabitants. In 1849, when Branch comprised its present
area and a portion of Reilly, it had 600 taxable inhabitants.
As in other sections of what is now known as the first coal
fields of the Schuylkill district, the presence of coal within
the present limits of Branch township was early
_________end page 162___________
page 163
MINING IN BRANCH TOWNSHIP
VILLAGES AND SCHOOLS
______________________________________________________________
known. On William Scull's map of the "Province of Pennsylvania,"
published in 1770, and claimed to be the earliest authority for
the existence of coal anywhere in the vicinity of Pottsville,
coal is designated at three points commencing about two miles
west of that borough and extending in a southwesterly direction
for about four miles. A glance at a map of the territory will
show that some of the outcroppings discovered by the surveyor
must have been within the borders of Branch township as now
bounded.
The first mining enterprise of any prominence if Branch was
started in 1831, on the Salem river, on a tract of land half a
mile south of Llewellyn, by Samuel Brook and John Miller. Five
years later, not having succeeded as well as had been anticipat-
ed, Brook sold his interest to Mr. Heilner. There was considera-
ble dispute at the time about the lease of the land owners to the
operators, which resulted in a suspension that continued dispute
at the time about the lease of the land owners to the operators,
which resulted in a suspension that continued two years. The
difficulty was satisfactorily adjusted in time, and work was res-
umed. Fritz & Seltzer operated on the same vein several years.
They sunk a slope and put up a small breaker with a capacity of
twenty-five cars a day. Their successors were Tyson & Co., who
worked the colliery seven years. Then Tyson & Kendrick leased it
two years. Finally Jones & Focht purchased it, and a year later
the breaker was destroyed by fire, and never rebuilt. Martin
Cunningham and Daniel Hoch, jr., have small breakers on the
tract, and are operating on a limited scale.
West West colliery was opened about the same time as the
Salem, and operated by Samuel Brook five years; Richard Wesley
operated it three years. It was unprofitable and was sold at
constable's sale. Mellon, Snyder & Haywood became the purchasers
and worked the colliery successfully and profitably, employing
nearly three hundred men and boys. Later, David Oliver and Theo-
dore Garretson operated this mine a while, but soon it reverted
to the land owners, Crisson & Brother, who built the West West
breaker, which has a capacity of over a hundred cars per day. The
colliery was worked successfully three years, when an explosion
of sulphur ignited the coal in the mine, Repeated attempts to
quench the fire failed, and the mine has since been flooded.
West Wood colliery was opened in 1840, by Miller & Spencer,
who sunk the first slope in the county. They worked the colliery
fifteen years and sold out to Fogarty & Co.
Robert Leeler worked the Gate vein on the Dundas tract, near
the present site of the Black Mine colliery, operated by H.A.
Moodie & Co. two years. Messrs. Hill & Betting then became the
possessors of the colliery mining and shipping coal many years.
John Clausen developed his coal land and began shipping coal in
1842. Folden Wonn shipped coal from the same vein in 1852.
Phoenix Park colliery was opened in 1838 by the Offerman Coal
Company, on the Peach mountain and the north dip of the Diamond
veins, but not long afterwards mining operations were suspended.
Stockman & Stephens were shippers for several years. Charles
Miller worked the colliery and built a breaker in 1845, which
was burned in 1849, and has never been rebuilt. The land is now
owned by the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company.
The first powder mill in the township was built by Mr. Alli-
son, at Indian run. He manufactured several years and finally
leaded the mill to Captain William C. Wren. It exploded early in
April, 1868, killing Albert Leopold and William Kreider, who were
employed there.
John Rodgers began the manufacture of bricks in the edge of
Llewellyn in 1846. He was succeeded by Henry Trautman and Joseph
Miller in 1856. Later Joseph Kauffman carried on the business
extensively and successfully several years.
VILLAGES-CEMETERIES.
There are several small villages in the township. They are
known as Llewellwn, Dowdentown, West Wood, and Phoenix Park.
Llewellwn is the largest and best known. It is a brisk village,
situated two miles south west of Minersville, on the west branch
of the Mine Hill and Schuylkill Haven Railroad, on the main road
leading from Pottsville to Millersville, Dauphin county. It was
named in honor of a coal miner and it contains 400 inhabitants.
Its population in 1870 is said to have been 500. Much of the
early history of this village if given elsewhere. In January,
1851, it contained 82 houses, 3 taverns, 2 stores, and 1 public
school with an average attendance of 90 to 100. The population
was 419. Thomas M. Cockill, general merchant, Lewis Zimmerman,
grocer, D.H. Wilcox, John Sinsel and Cornelius Coleman, hotel
keepers, Peter Doerr, boot and shoe maker, Peter Sinsel, cobbler,
and John Hicks, blacksmith, are well-known business men of the
present day. The population of the township in 1880 was 1,000.
There are two cemeteries in the township. One is attached to
the Reformed and Lutheran church. It was laid out in 1819 and
deeded by Lewis Reese, of Reading, to J.F. Faust and Jacob Hime,
trustees for the respective congregations. It is known as Claus-
er's cemetery. The other is attached to the Methodist Episcopal
church, but the ground was donated upon such conditions that any
person, a resident of the township at the time of death, is
entitled to burial therein. It is known as Llewellyn cemetery.
EDUCATIONAL.
Early schools were held in private rooms, furnished for the
purpose by liberally disposed settlers. After a few years log
houses were built for school purposes, and these, with their
furniture, harmonize, with the pioneer life of the builders. The
course of instruction given in German, comprised reading, writ-
ing, the elements of arithmetic, psalm sing and exercises from
the catechism. The pioneer teacher was Philip Delcamp, who first
taught in the old log church. It was, for a time, customary for
parents to pay fifty cents monthly tuition for each child. John
Clark and Henry Miller were teachers as early as 1833. The first
public school was
____________end page 163._____________
page 164
HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
_____________________________________________________________
held in a room in a private dwelling built, and owned and occup-
ied by Abraham Faust, in 1834. Edmund Holt a horse farrier,
taught ten years. The first public school house was built in
1839, and was used exclusively for school purposes until 1857.
During that year a brick school-house was built on Bunting
street, in Llewellyn, against the strenuous opposition of many
residents of Branch, outside of the village, who remonstrated
against being subjected to taxation for the erection of an expen-
sive school-house which could accommodate only the scholars
residing at Llewellyn and vicinity. A lengthy remonstrance,
signed by 254 persons, was presented to the board of directors.
The first teachers in this building were D.J. Evans and Miss M.J.
Watson. The present teachers (1881) are E.G.Faust and Miss Jennie
Garland.
The present board of directors is made up as follows; Thomas
B. Thomas, president; D.H. Wilcox, Secretary; Peter Doerr,
treasure; Michael Connolly, Jacob Myer and Michael Bonchart.
Societies.
Several secret societies have been organized in Branch and
held their sessions in Llewellyn, where in 1845 a hall was erect-
ed for their use. The principal stockholders in the Llewellyn
Hall Association are H.F. Heine, J.F. Faust, Ezra Cockill, George
Gable, William Zimmerman, and William Hoch.
Freeman Council, No. 68, Order United America Mechanics was
organized in 1848, with J.F. Heine, Ezra Cockill, Jonas Kauffman,
Jacob Barnhart, Hiram D. Chance, Damond Schropp, William Hoch,
William Berkheiser, Charles Doner, and S.K. Sherman as charter
members, and disbanded in 1858.
Line Council, No. 121, Order United American Mechanics was
organized in Minersville in 1869, was removed to Llewellyn in
1872 and resigned its charter in 1880. The charter members were
Moses Weiser, H.J. Alspach, J.Z. Starr, Washington Loeser, J.Q.
Geiger, Henry Heisler, Charles Berger, Lewis Garrison, Jacob
Heller, and Nathan Herb.
Llewellyn Council, No. 142, Junior Order United American
Mechanics was instituted in October, 1871. The charter members
were T.C. Cockill, E.L. Cockill, J.B. Heine, J. Allen Heine,
Abram Start, F.P. Boyer, Jonathan Ernst and Theodore Harris.
Post No. 59, Grand Army of the Republic was organized in 1857
and disbanded in 1870. Among the charter members were J.B.
Brandt, H.J. Alspach, Hiram Chance, Henry Brodt, Thomas B.
Thomas, Louis Zimmerman, A.T. Trautman and William Straw.
CHURCH HISTORY.
German Reformed and Lutheran.-The first church building in
Branch was a log structure, erected by the united congregations
of the German Reformed and Lutheran denominations, in 1819, on
eight acres and one hundred and thirty-eight perches of land
donated by Lewis Reese. The organization of each denomination
reserved the right to provide its own ministers. The first Re-
formed pastor was Rev. Frederick C. Kroll, who dedicated the
church. He was succeeded by Rev. Messrs Schultz and Steahle.
Rev. George Minnich was the first Lutheran pastor. He was suc-
ceeded, on his removal to Berks county, by his son, Rev. William
G. Munich. At times one or the other denomination was without a
pastor; sometimes both were unprovided. But either attended the
services of the other. In 1806 a brick church, known as Claus-
er's church, was built a hundred yards north of the little old
log house. The building committee consisted of Philip Gihres,
P.A. Clauser, J.G. Faust, Henry Zimmerman, J.F. Hine and Joseph
Zerby. J.F. Hine was contractor and one of the trustees. In
January 1857, the congregations began worshiping (sic) in the new
building, which has since been occupied by them on alternate
Sundays. Rev. Jacob Kline was the first Reformed pastor who
officiated in the new church. His successors have been Revs.
J.B. Parner, Samuel Miller, Dechaub, Stein, Schultz, Baum, and
Christian, the present pastor. The first Lutheran pastor who
held services in the brick church was Rev. Daniel Sanner, the
present pastor of the Lutheran congregation.
Methodist Episcopal. - The Methodist Episcopal church was
built in 1839, on a lot of one acre and thirty perches of ground
in the northern part of Llewellyn, donated to the trustees, Henry
Bressler, Johannan Cockill and William Delcamp, by Messrs. Will-
ing, Shober & Bunting. Revs, Elliott, Arthur, and Heston, from
the Minersville circuit, filled the pulpit about three years. For
about twenty years thereafter the congregation had no regular pas-
tor. Revs. Richard Morley, ------ Kaines and ----- Arnold have
been later pastors. The church is now connected with the Miners-
ville charge.
United Brethren.-The United Brethren church is situated near
the Methodist church. It was built in 1850 by Ezra Cockill,
contractor and builder, for a school-house, and was used as such
until 1857, when, through the liberality of John Schultz and
others, it became the property of the above named congregation.
The first pastor was Rev. ----- Lowery. He was succeeded by Rev.
Messrs. Uhler, Fritz, Kramer and others. The church is now with-
out a pastor.
Sunday Schools.-The first Sunday-school in Branch was organ-
ized, at Llewellyn in 1840, by Mr. R.C. Hill, then general super-
intendent of the Mine Hill and Schuylkill Haven Railroad, who
came from Cressona, on his car, accompanied by a minister and
assistants. In 1843 the Welsh opened a Sunday-school, which
continued successfully nearly ten years. At present there are
Sunday-schools connected with each of the before mentioned
churches.
___________end page 164.___________
page 165
EARLY HISTORY OF MINERSVILLE.
_______________________________________________________________
MINERSVILLE BOROUGH
_______________________________________________________________
In a brief sketch by Charles W. Taylor, it is said: "Miners-
ville was founded in 1830 by Titus Bennet, who laid out the town
in that year on parts of two tracts of land. One of these was
patented to Titus Bennet on the 7th of December, 1830, and en-
rolled in patent book 'H,' vol. 28, page 567. The other was
patented to Lawrence Lewis and Robert M. Lewis on the 20th of
July, 1829, and recorded in patent book 'H', vol. 26, page 493.
"The borough of Minersville was incorporated on the 1st of
April, 1831, and the act was approved by Governor George Wolf.
The original limits of the borough were the following boundaries;
'Beginning at a spruce tree on the corner of lands of Bennet and
Walton, adjoining lands of Wetherill and others; from thence
south 60E west, 131 perches, to a white oak stump; thence north
30E west, 63 perches; thence north 51E west, 127 perches; thence
north 66E east, 128 perches; thence north 60E east, to a point on
the division line of lands belonging to Bennet, Walton, and John
White; and thence, by said line, to the place of beginning.'
"Minersville was so named because of the fact that a large
portion of the inhabitants were engaged in coal mining."
In the Miners' Journal of December, 1830, it is said:
"A little more than a twelvemonth ago the present site of town
dwelt in all the loveliness of uncultivated nature, since which
its aspect has undergone a wonderful change in improvements and
population. Along the margin of the stream the West Branch rail-
road extends, and terminates at Schuylkill Haven (distance seven
and one-half miles from Minersville), affording an easy and
expeditious mode of transportation. The principal street bears
the name of Sunbury, on which are situated all the stores and
public buildings. It was formerly the old Sunbury road, communi-
cating with the rich valleys in the direction of the Susquehanna.
The northern portion of the village is of firm dry soil, gradual-
ly rising and affording a southern exposure, of favorable charac-
ter for private dwellings. Seven large houses have already been
erected during the present season on this spot by Messrs. Bennet
and Gilmore, together with a number of small buildings in the
same quarter. Last spring there were but six dwellings in all,
since which there has been an increase of forty-nine substantial
houses. The place contains six taverns, in any one of which are
to be found respectable accommodations; eight stores, well suppl-
ied with every article for country consumption; six blacksmiths'
shops, one saddlery, one bakery, two tailors' shops and two
butchers'-all seeming to be in a thriving way. The population is
estimated to be 500."
Since the incorporation of the borough it has been twice
enlarged, and its corporate limits include about double its
original area.
The first settler here was Thomas Reed, who came in March,
1793, built a saw-mill in the west branch if the Schuylkill, just
below the mouth is Wolf creek, and a log house near it. This, it
is believed, was the first residence in the place. He soon after
ward built a tavern on the south side of what was then the Sun-
bury road, now Sunbury street, on the present site of the church
of St. Vincent de Paul. At about the same tine he erected a
distillery for converting his surplus coarse grain into spirits.
This was a log building, and it stood on a portion of the site of
a brick house nearly opposite the Catholic parsonage. A portion
of the timber of this distillery has been used in the construc-
tion of an outbuilding in the rear of this house. Besides the
tavern and log house no other residences are known to have been
built in Minersville till the latter part of 1828.
The hotel was long known as the "Half-Way House" between
Reading and Sunbury. It also had the local name of the "Red
House." Mr. Reed kept this hotel till his death in 1814. It is
remembered that during the war of 1812 a body of troops were
coming from Northumberland over the Sunbury road, and a boy, mis-
taking them for Indians, ran in his fright and reported what he
thought he had seen to Mr. Reed, who sent away his family and
secreted himself, rifle in hand, to await the coming of the
savages. His alarm was of course dissipated on learning that
they were American soldiers.
The first child born in Minersville was Susanna, daughter of
Thomas Reed, December 18th, 1793. The first resident of this
place married was Jacob Reed, to Rebecca Bittle, January 13th,
1813.
The first death was that of Thomas Reed, in 1814. He was
buried in the cemetery at the rear of his hotel. A body had
previously been buried there-that of the man who carried the
mail, on foot, between Reading and Sunbury. He was found mur-
dered at what is now called Primrose, about a mile and a half
above Minersville. His body was guarded by his large dog, and
after it was, with some difficulty, taken away and buried, this
dog snuffed a short time at the grave, then ran away and went to
Sunbury. The appearance of the man's dog alarmed his friends for
his safety, and they came and learned the facts of the case, but
the murderers were never apprehended. Robbery was supposed to be
their motive.
The first cemetery was in the rear of the old red tavern,
adjoining the present cemetery of the church of St. Vincent de
Paul. The ground was donated by Thomas Reed.
The other cemeteries are St. Mary's, in the northwest part of
the borough; the German Lutheran and German Reformed, southeast
from the borough on the road to Llewellyn; the Welsh Baptist, on
Spencer street; the Congregational, near St. Mary's; and that of
St. Vincent de Paul in the rear of the church.
Peter Dilman resided in the log house near the saw-mill after
Mr. Reed removed to the red tavern. He was the sawyer in the
mill. The lumber that was manufactured in this region at that
early period was manufactured in this region at that early period
was rafted down the Schuylkill and found a market at Reading and
the places below it. Lumbering was the principal business
___________end page 165.___________
page 166
HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
______________________________________________________________
of the few settlers here. When the Mine Hill Railroad was built,
and an outlet was thus given to the mineral wealth of this re-
gion, the influx of settlers was very rapid. Among the first
settlers in 1829 was Joseph Dobbins, a carpenter, who built some
of the earliest houses here. The first blacksmith was George Den-
gler, whose shop was a board shanty near where the tavern of Mr.
Mock, on Sunbury street, now stands. He also boarded railroad
hands in a newly built house near his shop.
The first store was established in 1830 by John Swaine and
his partner, a Mr. Duncan, on the north side of Sunbury street,
near Third. Drs. Robbins and Steinberger were the first physici-
ans. In 1830 or 1831 Francis Finselbach established a brewery on
the south side of Sunbury street, between First and Second stre-
ets. Among the people who came in 1829 and 1830 were Samuel
Rickert, Daniel R. Bennet, N. Baker, B. McLenathan, Joseph Mills
Jacob Bruner, Samuel McBride and others, whose names cannot
be recalled. As before stated, the growth of the place was very
rapid after 1829.
Thomas Reed was early appointed a justice of the peace. It
is said that on the re-election of Governor Snyder, Jacob Reed,
his son, was also appointed, as a reward for having cast his
first vote for Mr. Snyder, in opposition to the wishes of his
father. The son was a magistrate here during many years, and had
his office in the log house which has been mentioned as the first
residence erected in the place.
The first election for borough officers was held at the house
of David Buckwatler May 1st, 1831, and resulted in the choice of
the following officers: Samuel Rickert, Chief burgess; John
Provost, John Patrick, Dr Anthony Steinberger, John L. Swaine,
Daniel R. Bennet, John B. Hahn and Daniel Buckwalter, councilmen.
Daniel R. Bennet was elected the first president of the council.
John Bruner the first borough treasurer; Thomas J. Harman town
clerk, and Milligan G. Gable high constable.
The burgesses elected since have been: Danile R. Bennet,
1832; Jacob Bruner, 1834; John F.G. Kumsius, 1838; Blair McClana-
gan, 1839, 1843; Samuel Kauffman, 1842; John Trayer, 1844, 1847,
1864, 1872; David F. Jones, 1845; Evan Evans, 1849, 1859; Thomas
A. Wiliams, 1857; Moses Weiser, 1860; John Oerther, 1861; Joseph
Thirlwell, 1863; William Matthews, 1865; Philip Jones, 1866; E.M.
Heilner, 1867, 1869; John J. Rees, 1868; Joseph Morgan, 1870;
Joseph Levan, 1876; Frederick Friend, 1877; Levi King, 1880.
Minersville has ten hotels, thriteen dry goods and grocery
stores, a drug and hardware store, three drug stores, five green
groceries, two book and stationery stores, six shoe stores, six
mill- iners, four clothieries, two jewellers, six liquor stores,
three tobacco stores, three furniture stores, a foundry and
machine shop, a shoe factory, seven meat markets, two stove and
tin shops, six barbers three wheelwright and blacksmith' shops,
two lumber yards, two breweries, a screw factory, and a soap
factory.
A public hall was finished in 1876 in a block on the corner
of Sunbury and Third streets, by Kear Brother. This hall is 85
by 50, and it has a stage 35 by 50, with ample scenery. The
seating capacity of the hall is 700.
MINERSVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
In or about 1837 the first public schools were taught in
Minersville by Chester Stratton and his sister Eunice. These
schools were opened in a framed building on South street, which
was puchased in 1842 by the English Baptists. It is said that a
Mr. Tomlins also taught a school about the same time, in a build-
ing still standing on the northeast corner of Fifth and Sunbury
streets and occupied by Lemuel D. Jones. Minersville, thought
incorporated as a borough April 1st, 1831, was at this time
included in the school district consisting of Cass and Branch
townships. March 7th, 1843, Minersville became a separate school
distrtct (sic), and in September of the following year 119 pupils
were admitted into the schools. The number enrolled during the
term immediately preceding the division was 277. These schools
were taught by Chester Stratton, Benjamin C. Christ, Miss Eliza-
beth A. Christ and Miss E.W. Tomlins. Dr. William N. Robins was
at this time and for a number of years afterward secretary of the
school board. Subsequently Mary Stratton, Rachel Morris, Arthur
Connelly, Heman Hall, Jonathan J. Dickerson, Eber Dickerson, Amos
Y. Thomas, a Mr. Butler, Levi King and several others were,
previous to 1853, employed as teachers.
In September, 1853, Jonathan K. Krewson, of Bucks county,
became principal of the schools, which were then, for the first
time, graded. Mr. Krewson having been elected superintendent of
the public schools of Schuylkill county, J.W. Danenhower, M.D.,
the present incumbent, was in September, 1854, appointed to take
charge of the schools as principal teacher and superintendent.
The several appointments then made were as follows: High school,
J.W. Danenhower teacher; grammar school, Levi King; secondary
school No. 1, Ellen Parks; secondary school No. 2, Lucy Green-
wood; primary school No. 1, Sarah Davis; primary school No. 2
Maggie P. Sorber. Miss Sorber taught at Minersville twenty-eight
years, resigning June 30th, 1880. The high school numbered at
this time about 40, and the members of the school board were
Anthony S. McKee, president; William N. Robins, secretary; Ches-
ter Stratton, William Sterner, John H. Detwiler and Abraham
Trout.
During the term of 1854-55, a third primary school was opened
and a Miss Connelly and Matilda Schenk taught that term.
A two-story stone school-house containing two rooms on a
floor was built in 1839, on Twin street. Schools were also
opened in the basements of the Welsh Baptist and Welsh Congrega-
tional churches.
The large three-story brick school-house on Third street was
completed and occupied in September, 1856. It accommodated six
schools, including grammar school
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page 167
MINERSVILLE SCHOOLS AND BUSINESS INSTITUTIONS.
______________________________________________________________
No. 2, then just opened with Juliet Robins as teacher. The next
term (1857-58) an "ungraded school", taught by Levi King, was
opened for the accommodation of boys who could attend school for
a short time only. This school has been continued in the winter
season to the present time.
In 1868 another large and commodious brick school-house was
occupied; and at the same time "secondary school No. 3" (now Gra-
mmar) was started, Eliza A. Sutton teacher. The remaining rooms
of this building were first occupied in 1880. Object lessons and
language lessons are given in the primary schools, and drawing is
taught in all the schools.
Other branches were gradually added to the curriculum till
the course embraced mathematics in general, with mental arith-
metic and book-keeping; the natural sciences, German and a full
course of English.
We find the following note in the school register, dated June
30th, 1870: "Since the grade was first established, in 1853-54,
there have been connected with the Minersville High School 348
pupils, of whom 157 were males and 191 were females. Of this num-
ber about 40 obtained the county or State certificate and taught
school; 65 became clerks, book-keepers or merchants; and 9 are
professional men."
The greatest number of admissions to all the borough schools
(1,141) occurred in the term of 1864-65; and the least (792) in
the term of 1878-79.
The first district institute was held September 18th, 1869,
and it continues its meetings on alternate Saturdays.
We append the names of the directors and teachers connected
with the Minersville public schools since 1854:
Presidents of the School Boards.- B.C. Christ, George Spen-
cer, Louis C. Dougherty, Jacob S. Lawrence, John Sterner, Joseph
C. Gartley, Solomon A. Philips.
Secretaries.- Dr. William N. Robins, John Witzeman, Dr. Oscar
M. Robins, David A. Jones.
Other Members.- Joseph Bowen , Thomas Jones, Chester Strat-
ton, John H. Detwiler, Frederick Roehrig, James H. Richards,
Jacob Maurer, John D. Jones, John R. Jones, Dr. U.B. Howell, John
Shellenberger, John Mohan, Jacob Osman, Engelhard Hummel, Wil-
liam Lloyd, James Evans, Richard Evans, Dr. Theodore Helwig,
Frank C. Lawrence, Henry Hammer, Mark Hodges.
Teachers.-J.W. Danenhower, Levi King, A.J. Gerritson, Richard
Humphriss, C.C. Carpenter, Thomas P. Davis, James G. Cleveland,
George W. Channell, H.H. Spayd, Joseph Jones, Dennis O'Neill,
Lemuel D. Jones, Maggie P.Sorber, Matilda Schenk, Ruth A. Smith,
Ann Williams, Sallie Humphriss, Sarah Davis, Mary Lloyd, Martha
Jones, Sallie Sixsmith, Christie Snyder, Sallie Bowen, Lizzie
Beach, Ettie Prevost, Emma C. Hoffman, Juliet Robins, Lottie
Trout, Minnie Aspril, Jennie Dier, Susie Sterner, Sarah J. Hoch,
Eliza A. Sutton, Kate E. Auld, Essie Dier, Alice Robins, Estelle
Williams, Kate S. Richards, Mary Dando, Mary J. McDonald, Hattie
M. Telford.
THE PRESS IN MINERSVILLE.
The Schuylkill Republican was established in December, 1872,
by Charles D. Elliot and John A. Beck, both of whom had been
connected with the "Miners' Journal". It entered at once on a
prosperous career, and assumed an influential position as a
Republican organ. In November, 1874, Mr. Beck retired from the
firm, and the paper was conducted by Mr. Elliot till September,
1879, when J.H. Zerby, the present editor and proprietor, pur-
chased the establishment. Mr. Zerby had been connected with the
Republican in different capacities from its commencements, and he
feels a just pride in the fact that he became an editor at the
age of twenty-one.
LEADING BUSINESS INSTITUTIONS.
The First National Bank of Minersville was incorporated in
1863, under the national banking system, with a capital of
$50,000.
The first directors were Richard Kear, Samuel Kauffman, Jacob
Wist, Jacob S. Lawrence, John Witzeman, John Mohan and John
Wadlinger.
The presidents of this bank have been, in succession, Richard
Kear, Jacob S. Lawrence, William Kear, and Jacob Lawrence, the
present president.
The first cashier was Samual Kauffman, who was succeeded by
the present cashier, Robert F. Potter.
The banking house, which is owned by the bank, is on the
corner of Sunbury and North Third streets.
The Minersville Iron Works was founded in 1838 by William De
Haven. It was at first a blacksmith shop and a car shop. A
foundry, machine shop and boiler works were soon added; and the
shops were enlarged as the increase of business required till
they reached their present dimensions. Mr. De Haven conducted
the business till his death, and in 1864 the present firm, Gas-
tler & Fox, purchased the works, and the business has since been
conducted by this firm. At first the business was limited to
machinery for collieries; but it has been much expanded and made
to embrace a very wide range. The works have a capacity for a
business of $200,000 per annum.
The Minersville Water Company was incorporated by an act of
Assembly passed April 30th, 1855. Under this act the company was
organized in 1856, with William Sterner president.
Water was introduced in the borough in 1861. It was brought
from Big run or Dyer's run on Broad mountain, four miles north
from the borough, in pipes which pass through Mine Hill Gap. The
dam from which the pipes are supplied is 470 feet higher than the
lowest point in the borough, giving a pressure sufficient to
throw an inch and a quarter stream to a height of 120 feet, of
course obviating all necessity for fire engines.
Pipes are laid through all the principal streets of the bor-
ough, which is supplied with water of a purity not excelled.
The engineer under whom the work was laid out was Samuel
Lewis.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The fire department, of which Jacob S. Lawrence has long been
the head, consists of three hose companies and a hook and ladder
company.
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page 168
HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
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Mountain Hose Company was organized August 15th, 1864, with
31 members. John Hehr was the first president, Jacob S. Lawrence
vice-president, H.C. Taylor secretary, and R.R. Levan treasurer.
The company is fully equipped with hose-cart and hose. Its hou-
se is in Mountaineer Hall, corner of Third and Sunbury streets.
The present number of members is 27. George F. Dando is presi-
dent, Myer Hexter vice-president, and C.H. Roehrig secretary.
Good Will Hose Company was incorporated September 2nd, 1867,
with Matthew Beddow president, John Mohan vice-president, F.C.
Bender secretary, and John Wadlinger treasurer. The company is
fully equipped and has three full sets of uniforms. J.W. Loeser
is president and A.W. Sterner secretary.
Independent Hose Company was organized in 1869, with 35 mem-
bers and the following officers: John Mohan, president, W.J.
McElroy, vice-president, H.J. Mohan, secretary, Wm. Matthews,
treasurer. The company furnished their own hose carriage and
uniforms. The present number of members is 25. The officers
are: T. Mohan, president, Matthias Feeney, vice-president, W.J.
McElroy, secretary. The company's house is on Sunbury street,
above Fifth.
Rescue Hook and Ladder Company was organized October 11th,
1871, with 26 members. John Matthews was president, John Rob-
bins vice president, John N. Fisher secretary, John Deitrich
treasurer, and John N. Fisher foreman. The company were fur-
nished with apparatus by the borough, and furnished their own
uniforms. Their house is on the corner of Third street and the
railroad. The present number of members is 34. The officers are:
Richard D. Mainwaring president, Joseph Dando vice-president,
John N. Fisher secretary, Ivor D. Jones assistant secretary and
treasurer.
SECRET AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.
Social Lodge, No. 56, I.O.O.F. was the instituted in 1837,
with the following officers: Charles H. Fitch, N.G.; Jacob F.
Thumm, V.G.; John Bruner, S.; Charles Warn, Asst. S.; John
Thurlwell, T. It has maintained an uninterrupted and a prosper-
ous existence since its institution.
The lodge holds, by its trustees, $3,670 of stock in Odd
Fellows' Hall, a brick building on the south side of Sunbury
street, between Second and Third streets, where it meets every
Wednesday evening.
The present number of members is 140. The officers are: John
L. Williams, N.G.; Alexander Scott, V.G.; John T. Parry, S.;
John W. Jones, Asst. S., and Cyrus Moore, T.
Anthracite Lodge, No. 136, I.O.O.F. was instituted November
20th, 1846. The charter members were: John P. Harris, N.G.; B.C.
Christ, V.G.; William H. Cherrington, S.; E.P. Burkert, Asst. S.;
Augustus Witman, T.
It has always prospered, and now holds, by its trustees,
$1,882 of stock in Odd Fellow's Hall. The present number of
members is 77. The present officers are; Thomas Tovey, N.G,;
Daniel Roberts, V.G.; S.A. Phillips, S.; Thomas Morgan, Asst. S.;
Abraham Hexter, T.; Abraham Hexter, William L. Killinger and Ivor
D. Jones, trustees.
Minersville Lodge, No. 222, F.&A.M. was instituted December
2nd, 1846. The charter members were: William M. Robbins, W.M.;
Samuel Gumpert, S.W.; S.C. Foster, J.W. Lewis, secretary; J.F.G.
Kumsius and Samuel Heilner, deacons; Moritz Heilner, Tyler.
The present number of members is 90. The present officers
are: William T. Beach, W.M.; Samuel Taylor, S.W.; Jacob Faust,
J.W.; J.F.G. Kumsius, secretary; Cyrus Moore, treasurer. The
lodge meets at Odd Fellows' Hall on the Tuesday next preceding
each full moon.
Schuylkill Chapter, No. 159, R.A.M. was reinstated at
Pottsville, July 19th, 1847, with the following officers: B.
Potts, H.P.; D.N. Robbins, K.; S. Gumpert, S.; John C. Loessig,
treasurer; and J.F.G. Kumsius, secretary. Its place of meeting
was at Pottsville till 1849, then till 1852 alternately at that
place and Minersville, and since that year it has met regularly
at Minersville, and since that year it has met regularly on
Thursday at or before each full moon.
The present officers are: William Clark, H.P.; S.A. Phillips,
K.; James Murray, S.; F. Bedford, treasurer; and J.F.G. Kumsius,
secretary.
The German Beneficial Society was organized August 10th,
1853, for mutual aid in sickness. The charter members were
Englehard Hummel, Frank Reifer, Michael Weierich, Christian
Weber, Peter Burkhard, Friederich Molly, Daniel Young, Philip
Flarres, Anthony Panley,Jacob Kerfer and Theodore Ludes.
The first officers were: Englehard Hummel, president; Michael
Weierich, secretary; Frank Reifer, treasurer.
The society meets on the first Wednesday in each month at
Pauley's Hall. The present officers are: Balthasar Hummel, presi-
dent; Christian Weber, secretary, and Michael Pauley, Treasurer.
Sons of America. -The charter of Washington Camp, No. 46,
P.O.S. of A. was granted March 19th, 1857, to the follow members:
H.C. Taylor, John S. DeSilva, N.B. Moore, M.B. Musser, John Thi-
rlwell, C.M. Brumm, George Spencer, R.R. Levan, John T. Freck,
William H. Dier and Simeon Wythes.
The first principal officers were: H.C. Taylor, P.P.; John S.
DeSilva, P.; N.V. Moore, V.T. The camp continued its work till
the outbreak of the Rebellion, when all its members who were eli-
gible enlisted in the army, leaving scarcely a quorum behind.
Several years after the close of the war the camp suspended, but
it was soon rechartered, and now it has a membership of 125.
The present officers are: A. Roehrig, P.P.; George Merkel,
P., and Meyer Hexter, V.P. The trustees are R.R. Levan, George
Merkel and A. Roehrig.
Steuben Lodge, No. 112, A.D.O.H. was instituted May 7th, 1861.
The first officers were Conrad Seltzer, Louis Pfeilsticker, George
Oerther, Paul Neugart, Henry
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page 169
MINERSVILLE CHURCHES AND ASSOCIATIONS.
_____________________________________________________________
Oerther and John Oerther. The other members were Louis Freund,
David Neiser, Henry Steffee, Henry Buech, Daniel Holpp, Valentine
Gerlach, Frederick Abendroth, ------ Abraham, Andreas Heckman,
Michael Clenems, John Kern, Daniel Young, Henry George and Wil-
liam Halbaur.
The present officers are Frederick Zimmerman, Jacob Orf, August
Orf and Michael Ferg.
There were two lodges, one of the U.D.O.H. and one of the
A.D.O.H. Their principles were the same, and in 1870 they unit-
ed. The lodge meets at Felsburg's Hall on the first and third
Monday in each month.
Captain George J. Lawrence Post G.A.R., No. 17, was instituted
December 17th, 1886, with 24 charter members, of whom C.M. Brumm
was P.C.
The post was named in honor of Captain George J. Lawrence,
Company A 129th Pa. V., who died of wounds received at the battle
of Fredericksburg. Of the comrades in this post G.L. Brown has
held the office of department commander. The present officers
are: R.R. Levan, P.C.; Elijah Hoffman, S.V.C.; D.H. Zimmerman,
J.V.C.; R.F. Potter, L.M.; A.W. Sterner, adjutant; William
Kuehn, C.; George L. Brown, O.D.; Thomas Fowler, O.G.: John
Lawrence, I.S.; John Hass, O.S. The C. of A. are J.H. Levan,
G.L. Brown and Joseph Schmidt. The post meets every Wednesday
evening at its headquarters in Odd Fellows' Hall.
The Frugal Saving Fund and Building Association of Miners-
ville was organized in 1872, with John Miller president, Charles
R. Taylor secretary and F.C. Lawrence treasurer. The eleventh
series of shares is now being issued. The present total number
is 381. The present officers are: A.J. Crawford, president;
Albert Roehrig, secretary, and James Murray, treasurer.
Flower of Charity Lodge, No. 24, Cambro-American Order of True
Ivorites is a branch of a Welsh benevolent association estab-
lished at Wrexham, North Wales, in 1836. It was named in honor
of Ivor Llewellyn, more generally known among the Welsh people as
"Ifor Gael", a charitable Welsh gentleman, Lord of Maesley and
Wenaltt. The society has flourished greatly, and it has thou-
sands of members both in Great Britain and America.
The first lodge of this order in America was established a
few years since at St. Clair in this county.
November 15th, 1873, Flower of Charity Lodge was instituted
at Minersville, with the following charter members: John D.
Evans, Stephen Lewis, Watkin Price. David J. Harris, Job R.
Jones, John L. Anwyt, David T. Lloyd, John W. Davis, Morgan
Howard, Edmond Edmonds, Thomas R. Jones and William T. Davis.
The first chief officers were: David J. Harris, President;
John D. Evans, vice-president; Job R. Jones, secretary; Mark
Hodges, treasurer. The present officers are; Thomas R. Jones,
president; John D. Evans, vice-president; Joseph Turner, secre-
tary; Mark Hodges, treasurer. The lodge meets on the first and
third Saturdays of each month in O'Malley's Hall.
This society is not only beneficial in its character, but it
has also a literary feature. One of its objects is to maintain
the Welsh language pure and intact; and to that end its business
is done entirely in that tongue. To further the objects for
which this lodge was established (benevolence and maintenance of
Welsh literature), an Eisteddfod was held under its auspices in
1876 and another in 1878. These added to the treasury of the
lodge $180.
This society continues in a flourishing condition and does
its share to ameliorate that distress which would cover the land
but for the opportune aid of benevolent associations.
MINERSVILLE CHURCH HISTORIES.
Horeb Welsh Baptist Church was first organized in 1831, and
during two years William Owen preached occasionally to the small
congregation in a rented room, but the society was not prosper-
ous.
It was reorganized in 1834 with 14 constituent members. Rev.
William Morgans and Rev. Theophilus Jones officiated at its
reorganization, and the former, who was the pastor of a church at
Pottsville, preached to the congregation during several years.
He was succeeded by a resident pastor, Rev. John P. Harris, who
remained in charge during 17 years. He was followed by Revs. John
Spincer James, John Roberts, Owen Griffiths, and John B. Jones,
the last regular pastor. There were other brief pastorates that
are not remembered.
The first house of worship was a small wooden structure,
built in 1835 and 1836, on the corner of Church and Spencer
streets. In 1847 the present church building was erected on the
same corner. It is of wood, 40 by 50, with a abasement and gal-
lery. The present membership is about 65.
The Sunday-school of this church was organized in 1837. The
superintendent have been changed nearly every year. The number
of scholars has ranged from 50 to 300. The school has a large
library.
The First Congregational Church of Minersville (Welsh) was
organized in 1836. The first church edifice (12 by 14 feet) was
on the corner of North and Second streets. It was consecrated
April 1st, 1834. The second stood on a portion of the site of the
present building. It was 30 feet square and its cost was $700.
It was consecrated December 25th, 1840.
The present house of worship stands on the south side of Sun-
bury street, between Third and Fourth. It is a brick structure,
38 by 55, and it was erected at an expense of $4,000. It was
dedicated February 9th, 1848. The pastors and the terms of their
pastorates have been: Revs. E.B. Evans, 8 years; R.R. Williams,
18; J.E. Jones, M. Watkins, and D.T. Davis, 4 years each.
Sunday-schools have been maintained from the beginning. The
present number of scholars is about 120.
Methodist Episcopal Churches.- Minersville was made a regular
preaching appointment, in connection with Pottsville Methodist
Episcopal Church, during the pastorate of Rev. H.G. King, 1834-
35. He first preached in McPherson's (afterwards Trout's) store,
now occupied
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page 170
HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
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By J.K. Burns as a drug store, Second and Sunbury streets.
In 1836 Rev. James B. Ayars, who was established at Potts-
ville, formed the first class as the result if a camp-meeting
held on the site of the Gate Vein colliery. This class was held
in the house of Joseph Dobbins, Father of Rev. J.B. Dobbins, now
of the Philadelphia Conference; the latter was a member of this
class.
In 1837, during the pastorate of Rev. Thomas Sovereign, a
neat frame church was built on the site of the present one. It
was dedicated on the last Sabbath of November, Rev. James W.
Dandy preaching in the morning; Rev. John Jones, a local preach-
er, preached in Welsh in the afternoon; Rev. Thomas Sovereign
preached at night.
In 1838 Minersville M. E. Church was connected with Orwigs-
burg Mission and served by Rev. James Flannery. In 1839 it was
associated again with Pottsville charge, Rev. William Cooper and
Rev. William H. Elliot being the preachers. In 1840 Rev. J.B.
Hagany and Rev. J. W. Arthur were in charge.
In 1841 Minersville M. E. Church was made a separate charge,
Rev. L.K. Berridge being the pastor. In 1842 Rev. James Aspril
was the minister, and in 1843 Rev. William Campbell, who enlarged
the church building. In 1844 this society united with Pottsville
under Rev. R.W. Thomas and David Titus.
In 1846 Minersville M.E. Church became a separate station
again, Rev. Newton Heston being pastor. The pastors since have
been:
1847, 1848, Joseph H. Wythes; 1849, 1850, Rev. P. Hallowell;
1851, 1852, Rev. J.B. McCullough (who built the present church);
1853, 1854, Rev. J.E. Meredith; 1855, 1856, Rev. J. Humphries;
1857, 1858, Rev. R.M. Greenbank; 1859, Rev. B.F. Price; 1860,
1861, Rev. J.F. Meredith; 1862, 1863, Rev. J.H. Turner; 1864,
1865, Rev. Joseph Aspril; 1866-1868 Rev. Noble Frame, during
whose pastorate the church building was thoroughly repaired,
reseated and frescoed; 1869, 1870, Rev. J.M. Dalrymple; 1871,
1872, Rev. G.G. Rakestraw; 1873, 1874, Rev. George Heacock; 1875,
1876, Rev. J.M. Hinson; 1877, 1878, Rev. G.D. Carrow; 1879, 1880,
Rev. H.H. Bodine.
The last name, who is now serving the charge, furnished this
historical sketch of his church.
The first year the church was made a separate charge (1841)
the membership numbered 85; the present membership is 275.
The Sunday-school was started in 1830 by Peter Stroup, but no
regular Sunday-school society was organized until 1838. James
Russel was president; Thomas Bayley was vice-president; S.G.
Dobbins, treasurer and J.B. Dobbins, secretary. From July 3d,
1838, J.B. Dobbins, was superintendent until 1841, when he en-
tered the Methodist ministry. His successors as superintendent
have been Samuel G. Dobbins, William Oldknow.
William V. Stroup, Isaiah Wells (fourteen years), Rev. W.
Dalrymple, Rev. G.G. Rakestraw, Albert Roehrig, Thomas Lawrence,
Rev. H.H. Bodine and William Mapstone.
From 1847 to 1855 the number of scholars varied from 137 to
160; the present membership is about 300.
In 1854 the infant school was organized by Mrs. Lucy A. Stren-
beck and numbered 30 scholars. She was superintendent until 1871;
then Mrs. Heilner, her daughter, until 1878, and since then Miss
Lizzie Christ, Miss Mary Kissinger, and in 1880 Mrs. Heilner
again. The class now numbers about 100.
October 28th, 1859, the school held its first anniversary,
when addresses were by Rev. B.F. Price, the pastor of the church,
and Benjamin Haywood.
In July, 1871, the Berean Lesson Leaves were introduced.
The present officers are: William Mapstone, superintendent;
George Tovey, assistant superintendent; Miss Lizzie Christ,
female superintendent; Calvin Phillips, secretary; William Rich-
ards, assistant secretary; Matthew Deal, librarian; G.W. Heckman,
treasurer.
The missionary money contributed by the school since 1853
amounts to $3,074.
The "First English Baptist Church of Minersville" was organ-
ized May 14th, 1840. Its constituent members were George Lewis,
Aaron Kelly and James Rowe and their wives, Thomas Williams,
Edmund Holt, Susanna Vaughn, Eliza Bacon, and Hannah Spencer.
In a rented house on the northeast corner of Second and North
streets, which had formerly been occupied by the Welsh Baptist
and the Welsh Congregational churches, this church held its first
meetings.
Here a Sunday-school was organized, with George Lewis as
superintendent. In 1842 the church bought a small framed school-
house on South street, in which for several years if met for
worship. This was subsequently sold in order to secure an eligi-
ble lot on the northwest corner of Third and South streets. Upon
this lot was erected in 1865 the present framed church building,
30 by 40 feet. Before it was built preaching services and Sun-
day-school had some time been held in the Odd Fellows' Hall on
Sunbury street. The superintendent of the school was J.W. Danen-
hower. It has often numbered more than 100 pupils.
From the organization of the church till the spring of 1841,
Rev. G.M. Spratt was pastor; then Rev. A.B. Wright six months;
Rev. A.M. Tyler till April, 1873; Rev. J.R. Morris from April
1st, 1844, till Dec. 18th, 1847; Rev. John R. Ross from July to
November, 1848; Rev. John M. Lyons from December 31st, 1851, till
October 25th, 1852; J.H. Brittain from July 31st, 1862, till
August 30th, 1863; Rev. A.B. Pendleton from November 8th, 1863,
till April 1st, 1864; Rev. Theophilus Jones from September 11th,
1864, till January 1st, 1866; Rev. A.J. Hastings from August
12th, 1866, till September 3rd, 1867; Rev. D.T. Davis from Sep-
tember 21st,1873, till July 25th, 1875.
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page 171
CHURCHES OF MINERSVILLE.
_______________________________________________________________
Although this church has had repeated accessions to its
member ship it has rarely for any length of time been entirely
self-sustaining, owing mainly, perhaps, to the removal of many of
its members to distant places.
During the ten years from 1852 to 1862, when the church was
pastorless, Revs. J.H. Castle and R.H. Austin, both of Potts-
ville, frequently supplied the pulpit. From September 19th, 1869,
to April 29th, 1872, Rev. A.H. Sembower, in connection with his
pastorate of the Pottsville Baptist Church, supplied this church.
For several years past, Rev. A. Myers, of Pottsville, has with
much acceptance supplied the pulpit a part of the time and has
rendered some pastoral services.
Since 1871 Dr. J.W. Danenhower has frequently officiated as a
supply; and in this service he has been greatly assisted by Pro-
fessor H.H. Spayd, who became a licentiate of the church in
1878.
Emmanuel's Church (Reformed) was organized in 1840. Among the
first members were Messrs. A. Goufer, M. Merkle and one Weaver.
The pastors of this congregation and the years of their
pastorates, as nearly as can be learned, have been: Revs. -----
First, 184-: C.Y. Hoofmeir, 1847; Jacob Kline, 1857; J.B. Poerner,
1865; C.A. Rittenhaus, 1868; F. Dechant, 1871; J.A. Schultz, 1874,
and D.M. Christman, 1880.
The congregation worshiped (sic) in the Lutheran church
building till 1867, when their present house of worship was
erected. It stands on the corner of Church and Centre streets.
It is of brick, 36 by 54. The building committee were G. Wagner,
W. Dernbargh and G. Gable. A Sunday-school is maintained by this
congregation.
St. Vincent de Paul Church.-The Roman Catholic parish of St.
Vincent de Paul was established in January, 1846, with Rev. Hugh
P.Fitzsimmons, then assistant at St. Patrick's church, Potts-
ville, as the first pastor. Father Fitzsimmons, upon assuming
charge of the parish, erected a small frame building, 20 by 30
feet, in the cemetery lot, where he celebrated mass for his
flock. On April 21st, 1846, digging for the foundation walls of a
new church 50 by 100 feet, was commenced, and the cornerstone of
the building was laid the following August by Bishop Newman, of
Philadelphia, in the presence of a large number of the clergy and
about three thousand people from the surrounding districts. A
sermon was preached by Rev. Father McElhone, from Philadelphia.
The church building was under roof the following Christmas, and
the first mass celebrated therein by the pastor.
This new parish of St. Vincent de Paul in those days covered
an area of about 240 miles; extending in a westerly direction 30
miles, and 8 miles from north to south; having a Catholic popu-
lation of 7,000 souls. The church was only partially finished
under the pastoral charge of Father Fitzsimmons. August 12th,
1884, Rev. Michael Malone was appointed pastor of this church,
who finished the interior of the building, and in August, 1860,
adorned it exteriorly by building a tower at its southern extrem-
ity at cost of $700. In December, 1861, he placed therein the
present very handsome bell, weighing 1,086 pounds and costing
$403.
In 1852 Rev. Father Malone built a very handsome brick pasto-
ral residence, 40 by 60 feet, two and a half stories high, ad-
joining the church, at a cost of about $4,000. Father Malone very
often attended sick calls at a distance of 40 miles from the
church. He died April 16th, 1877, having been pastor of this
church for 28 years and 8 months. His remains lie in a vault in
front of the church, on Sunbury street.
The pastors who succeeded him are: Revs. James McGeveran,
P.J. Egan (deceased), John Scanlan and the present pastor, Mat-
thew P. O'Brien, appointed by Archbishop Wood, of Philadelphia,
October 27th, 1879. He is now engaged in making improvements and
additions to the church by frescoing the walls and ceiling,
painting the pews, erecting three altars (the main altar to be
marble), and building a sacristy 16 by 18 feet.
The present Catholic population of the parish is about 2,200
souls.
St. Paul's Church (P.E.) was incorporated in 1845. The corpo-
rators were George Spencer, Robert, William, Andrew, Thomas and
George Patten (brothers), John and George Scott, Henry Ellis, Fre-
derick Longabach, John Wightman, William Best, William N. Robbins,
S. Heilner and Joseph Wightman.
The church edifice was built in 1849. It stands on North
Second street, and the site was donated by Joseph Jeanes. It is a
wooden building 40 by 50.
By reasons of inaccessibility of the records a complete list
of the rectors cannot be given. The following are remembered:
Revs. Marmaduke Hirst, Robert B. Peet, Harrison Byllesby, William
Wright, ---- Pastorius, A.E. Fortat, George B. Allen, J. Thompson
Carpenter, Luther Wolcott, F.W. Winslow. The present paster (sic)
is John W. Koons.
German Lutheran Church.--One of the first Protestant organi-
zations in Minersville was the "German Evangelical Lutheran
Zion's Congregation." The date of its organization is not known.
The first officers mentioned were Philip Merkle, Joseph Reber,
Carl Koller, Jacob Farne, S. Heilner, Heinrich Henig and Jacob F.
Thumm.
The first place of worship was a school-house, but on the 21st
of June, 1849, the corner stone of the present church building
was laid, on the corner of Lewis and Fourth streets. This house
was afterward remodeled and improved.
The first pastor was Rev. William G. Mennig, whose pastorate
terminated about 1859. He was succeeded by Daniel Sanner, and he
in 1871 by Rev. G. F. Guensch, the present pastor.
The membership is more than 300. The present church council
consists of W. Baker, Engle Scanner, Jonas Laubenstein, Michael
Ferg, William Neudhard, Adolph
_________end page 171.__________
page 172
HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
______________________________________________________________
Kuhns and Peter Drummeler. The Sunday-school numbers about 160
scholars and 28 teachers. John Heilner is the superintendent.
English Lutheran Church.- This congregation was organized in
1851. Daniel Hock and Isaac Straub were the first elders; Levi
Dietrich and Joseph Weaver the first deacons.
The congregation first worshiped (sic) in a small Baptist
church on South street; thence removed to Odd Fellows' Hall, on
the south east corner of Sunbury and Second streets, being,
supplied with preaching by Rev. Daniel Steck of Pottsville.
During that time the present church was erected, and in the
autumn of 1853 it was dedicated. It is a wooden, 40 by 60, on the
corner of Third and Church streets.
The following are the names of the pastors who have served
the congregation: Revs. J.K. Kast, Jacob Steck, E.A. Auld,
H.C.Shindle, Charles Fickinger, R. Wiser, J.B. Anthony, A.M.
Warner, and the present pastor, I.P. Neff.
St. Mary's Church of Mount Carmel (German Catholic) was built
about 1855, on Second street in the north part of the borough.
It is a brick building, 50 by 66.
From the baptismal record it appears that Rev. Matthew Joseph
Meurer was the pastor till 1859. Then the church was a mission,
attended by several priests from Pottsville, till 1866, when
Rev. Anthony Schwarze, the present pastor, took charge.
According to an estimate from the number of baptisms it
appears that the number of souls in the church at first was about
720. At present there are fifty families.
Zoar Baptist Church (Welsh).- This church was organized in
1874, with R. M. Richardson pastor and fifty constituent members.
The same year the present church edifice was built, on North
street a short distance from Fourth. It is a wooden house, 36 by
60. Mr. Richardson continued in charge till 1877, since which
there has been no regular pastor.
A Sunday-school was organized in 1874 with William Kendrick
superintendent, and about 90 scholars. The superintendents have
since been many times charged, William M. Evans holds the posi-
tion at present. The number of scholars is 60. The library has
about 150 volumes.
__________end page 172._________
page 173
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES-MINERSVILLE.
______________________________________________________________
CHARLES N. BRUMM
was born on the 9th of June, 1838, at the southeast corner of
Centre and Minersville streets, Pottsville, Pa., and is the son
of George and Salome Brumm, both of whom were of German birth.
In 1841 his family moved to Minersville, then a large and thriv-
ing town, and he has resided there ever since excepting about a
year at Philadelphia. Charles received a good common school
education in the schools of his home, but, with the exception of
a year spent at Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, was unable to
obtain a higher education. His mother died when he was fourteen
and his father when he was twenty years of age, but already at
the age of seventeen he went out into the world to struggle for
himself. He learned the trade of watch making, spending two
years therein, and then two years longer as a journeyman at that
trade. he possessed a remarkable mechanical mind, as was shown
in later life by the invention of a meat cutter, for which he had
letters patent granted, also a brick and mortar elevator, a
railroad snow shove, and a self-starting car-brake, each of which
inventions involved several combinations of mechanical movement;
and, as is believed by a number of master mechan-ics, they are
based upon the proper principles for accomplishing the intended
work. However, being fond of disputation and naturally a good
talker, he was led to enter his name as a student in the law
office of Hon. Howell Fisher, a highly successful practitioner of
the law, then residing in Minersville. With Mr. Fisher Charles
studied for nearly two years, until the first gun was fired on
Fort Sumter, and President Lincoln made his first call for volun-
teers for a three month's service. Mr. Brumm closed his Black-
stone, shouldered his musket and marched off with the first
company of soldiers, to leave Minersville, a few days after the
President's call. He was soon after elected lieutenant of his
company, in which position he served until the expiration of his
term of service, when he immediately re-enlisted for three years
in Company K, 76th regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers. He was
shortly afterward detailed assistant quartermaster and served in
that capacity on the staffs of Generals Barlow and Pennypacker,
tenth army corps, until the end of his term.
After the war he was engaged in the drug business two years,
but in the winter of 1866 and 1867 he resumed the study of the
law in the office of Judge Edward Owen Parry. In the meantime
much disorder existed in Schuylkill county and he was sent to
Harrisburg by a number of leading citizens to obtain if possible
the passage of a law creating a special police force; a new
criminal court, having special jurisdic-tion in Schuylkill coun-
ty, and the present jury commissioner law, it being believed by
them that this would lead to the suppression of the then prevail-
ing violence and disorder. Largely through his efforts these
laws were enacted. Shortly afterward he sought admission to the
bar of his home county, but was unexpectedly met with refusal,
not on the ground of incompetence nor want of good character, but
because it was alleged that in the effort to have enacted the
before-mentioned laws he had spread reports derogatory to the
judge of the old court. For two years and a half he was refused
admission upon this pretext, but finally, on the 7th of March,
1870, he was admitted to practice at home the profession for
which he was so well adapted, and to which he had already been
admitted in Lebanon and Dauphin counties.
Mr. Brumm has always taken an active part in politics, being
an uncompromising anti-slavery, anti-free trace, anti-monopoly
and anti-rebel advocate. As a Republican he has stumped his
county and his State, powerfully denouncing the free trade and
State rights doctrines of the Democratic party. In 1871 he was a
candidate for district attorney, but was defeated by Hon. James
B. Reilly, the Democratic candidate, Schuylkill county being at
that time being overwhelmingly Democratic. Mr. Brumm was very
early attracted to the study of national finances, and long
before the organization of the Greenback party he had espoused
the doctrines which have since become distinctive of that party.
He made numerous efforts in the Republican party of his county
and State to induce them to adopt those principles, but failing
in that he joined hands with others having the same faith and
aided in the formation of the National Greenback-Labor party. He
voted for Peter Cooper for President in 1876, and since then has
been untiring in his efforts to spread the faith in the financial
and economical doctrines to which he is attached. In 1878 he was
nominated for Congress by his party in Schuylkill county, and ran
against his old preceptor, Hon. John W. Ryon, the Democratic
candidate, the latter being elected by a plurality of 192 votes.
In 1880 he was again nominated for Congress by his party, and
being endorsed by the Republicans he was elected over Mr. Ryon by
an overwhelmingly majority. Mr. Brumm had always been an eloqu-
ent advocate of the rights of the oppressed, whether oppressed by
the slaveholder, by the monopolist or the social aristocrat. He
has believed in the equal rights of all men to work out their own
personal and social prosperity without special restriction from
law, custom, cast or prejudice, although as positively opposed to
the demoralizing and destroying tendencies of so-called Commu-
nism. He strongly urges the necessity of governmental control of
great corporate influence and believes that the immense power
wielded by the corporations of our country must be restrained by
the all-powerful hand of the nation.
__________end page 173.__________
page 174
HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
____________________________________________________________
A line art drawing of
Dr. WILLIAM T. BEACH
was in this position on this page
in the original book.
It is listed as PAGE 174 in the Table of Contents.
The text of the page is below the dividing line.
____________
Dr. WILLIAM T. BEACH.
This gentleman, the leading practitioner in Minersville, was
born in Monmouthshire, Wales, December 2nd, 1839. His parents
were George and Mary (Thomas) Beach, and with them he came to
America in 1840 and located at Haverstraw, N.Y., soon removing to
Phoenixville, Pa., where his father opened a boot and shoe shop.
In 1848 they removed to Pottsville, where for two years Mr. Beach
was book-keeper in what has since come to be known as Atkins
furnace; then the family removed to Minersville, where Mr. Beach
went back to his trade of boot and shoemaker, doing a successful
business till 1873, when with his wife he removed to Hyde Park, a
portion of the city of Scranton, Pa., where he died February
19th, 1879, and where his widow still lives. Dr. Beach was
educated in the common schools, and began to study medicine with
Dr. Brown, of Port Carbon, in September, 1858. he attended his
first course of lectures at Jefferson Medical College, Philadel-
phia, in the winter of 1860-61; was a medical cadet in the United
States service for a year, at Hampton Hospital, Va., and on board
the side-wheel steamer Daniel Webster, plying between Annapolis
and City Point, and graduated in the spring of 1863 and began
practice in the fall of that same year at Shenandoah city,
Schuylkill county. In April, 1865, he removed to Minersville,
where he has since been engaged successfully in the practice of
his profession. Dr. Beach was two years secretary of the Schuyl-
kill County Medical Society. He is a member of Anthracite Lodge,
No. 136, I.O.O.F., Minersville Lodge, No. 222, A.Y.M., Schuylkill
Chapter, No. 159, R.A.M., and Constantine Commandery, No. 41.
Though not an active politician he is a staunch Republican from
principle. He was married in 1872 to Sophia Matthews, of Miners-
ville.
____________
JACOB S. LAWRENCE
The subject of this sketch was born in Milton, Northumberland
county, Pa., July 13th, 1826. His parents were George and Esther
Lawrence. Andrew Straub, his mother's father, was the proprietor
of a very large tract of land embracing Milton, which town he
laid out.
At the age of fourteen Mr. Lawrence removed to Minersville
with his father's family. His father was a prominent early
business man in Minersville, where he built a steam flouring
mill. About 1846 he sold his property there and returned to
Northumberland county, where he located on a farm about five
miles from Milton.
Mr. Lawrence remained in Minersville and learned the moul-
der's trade in the foundry of DeHaven & Brother. Later he en-
tered the drug and hardware store of James B. Falls and familiar-
ized himself with the details of those branches of trade. April
1st, 1850, he opened a drug and hardware store in the building
now occupied by his brother, Franklin C. Lawrence, as a dry goods
store. January 1st, 1857, he removed to the store now occupied
by Lawrence & Brown. From 1854 to the spring of 1861 his brother
George was his partner. His nephew, George L. Brown, became a
member of the firm of Lawrence & Brown in 1865.
January 1st, 1848, Mr. Lawrence was married to Mary Ellis, of
Minersville, who died August 31st, 1880. They had eight chil-
dren, of whom three daughters are living. Mr. Lawrence has
always been prominent in all measures tending to advance the
interest of the place. He was president of the Minersville Coal
and Iron Company about two years, has for many years been presi-
dent of the First National Bank of Minersville, and is president
of the Minersville Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Since the
organization of the Republican party he has always been an active
worker in its ranks, but has never sought nor accepted office.
During the Rebellion he was thirteen days in the service of his
country, commanding a hastily formed company of his neighbors, in
1862, with the 17th Pennsylvania militia, in Maryland.
In 1868 Jacob S. and Franklin C. Lawrence, Michael Merkel and
Philip Mongold, under the firm name of Lawrence, Merkel & Co.,
secured a lease of some valuable coal lands at Frackville, or
Mahanoy Plane, and opened the Lawrence colliery. In two or three
years Matthew Beddow succeeded Mr. Mongold, the style of the firm
remaining as before. The Lawrence colliery is one of the first-
class collieries of Schuylkill county.
__________end page 174.__________
page 175
A line drawing of
FRANK G. KEAR
is in this position in the original book.
Original text follows the line break.
__________________
Frank G. Kear is a son of William Kear, now retired, and for
many years engaged in mining. The latter and his wife, Elizabeth
(Gregg) Kear, were both natives of South Wales and came to Ameri-
ca about 1828. Richard, Kear, brother of William and uncle of
Frank G., was born in Wales, also, and was for a long time a
prominent and successful coal operator, residing at Minersville,
where he died. Frank G. Kear was born in Minersville March 10th,
1854. He attended the high school at Minersville, and in 1869
entered Dickinson Seminary at Williamsport, Pa., where he re-
mained three years, afterward, for a time, studying architecture
and civil engineering at the Polytechnic Institute, at the corner
of 8th and Chestnut streets, Philadelphia. In 1879 the firm of
F.G. Kear & Co., proprietors of the American Brewery, at the
corner of 3d and Laurel streets, Minersville, was organized and a
brewing business established, which was conducted about a year.
October 24th, 1878, Mr. Kear married Miss Kate Henich, of Miners-
ville, whose father, Henry Henich, was a well known mason, and
whose grandfather served as an officer in the American army
during the Mexican war.
__________end page 175.__________
page 176
HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
________________________________________________________________
MICHAEL MERKEL.
________
Michael Merkel, now about fifty-eight years old, was born at
Cressona, Schuylkill county, Pa. His father was Philip Merkel, a
native of Berks county, Pa., who removed to the site of Cressona
at an early date and owned a large tract of land which embraced
the present borough. Between 1835 and 1839 he removed to Miners-
ville, where he lived until his death. He had several sons and
several daughters.
Early in life Michael Merkel was a driver on the old horse
railway to Schuylkill Haven and was afterward a stationary engi-
neer in the employ of Richard Kear, at the Wolf Creed mines, a
number of years. For two or three years during the war Mr.
Merkel, Adam Cunfire, Daniel Hock, Thomas Jones and Frederick
Vunderheider operated the mines upon the lands of the Forest
Improvement Company.
In 1868, under the firm name of Lawrence, Merkel & Co., Jacob
S. and Franklin C. Lawrence, Michael Merkel and Philip Mangold,
leased some lands rich in coal deposits, at Mahanoy Plane, or
Frackville, and opened the well known Lawrence colliery, a promi-
nent enterprize (sic) in the Schuylkill coal region. Two or
three years later the interest of Mr. Mangold became vested in
Matthew Beddow.
Thus it will be seen that Mr. Merkel has been from his youth
familiar with coal operations. By energy, industry and integrity
he has made his way in the world in a manner that stamps him as
one of the notable self-made men of Schuylkill county. As a
citizen of Minersville Mr. Merkel has ever been identified with
all movements looking to the advancement of the best interests of
the borough, and he is regarded as a good neighbor and a useful
man in the community. His connection with the Lawrence colliery,
aside from his interest as a member of the firm, is important, as
he holds the responsible position of general outside manager.
Mr. Merkel married a Miss Bender, now deceased. His present
wife was Miss Margaret Heilner. His home is one of the pleasant-
est and most attractive in Minersville.
__________end page 176.__________