A history of Catasauqua in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, Part 1

Author: Lambert, James F; Reinhard, Henry J
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Allentown, Pa. : The Searle & Dressler co, inc.
Number of Pages: 440


USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > Catasauqua > A history of Catasauqua in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania > Part 1


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A HISTORY


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1572


BEDE CHAUÇER


CAMDEN SHAKSPERE


RADFORD SANDYS


SINE


ENULLA DIES


LINEA


From William H. Glace Catasauqua, Per SINT. 30.1919.


0


Views of the Borough of Catasauqua, 1852


A HISTORY


OF


CATASAUQUA


IN


LEHIGH COUNTY


PENNSYLVANIA


BY


James F. Lambert and Henry J. Reinhard


1914 The Searle & Dressler Co., Inc. Allentown, Pa.


TO THE MEMORY OF THE CHARACTER AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUR NOBLE TOWNSMEN PAST AND PRESENT AND AS AN INSPIRATION TO THE POSTERITY OF CATASAUQUA IS THIS VOLUME DEDICATED.


James F. Lambert


Henry J. Reinhard


De Alton F. Gould


Gus. E. Oswald


Alfred C. Lewis


V


FOREWORD


At a regularly called meeting of the Historical Committee of the Old Home Week Association, held in the parlors of the Phoenix Fire Co., November 29, 1913, James F. Lambert and Henry J. Reinhard were unanimously elected editors of a proposed History of Catasauqua, which it was resolved to publish.


At a meeting of the same Committee held in the Directors' Room of the High School Building, May 6, 1914, it was resolved that one thousand copies of the History be printed.


History is a written statement of what is known ; an account of that which exists or has existed. The task of the historian lies in his search for authenticity. The editors of this volume addressed letters and series of questions to practically every industry and individual in Catasauqua, inquiring after definite data, in order that they might make the subject-matter authoritative. "Many men, many minds," is verified by the fact that more than once have they heard two persons of equal intelligence relate the same incident along sneh vastly different lines that it did not at all seem like the same incident. May the reader who will discover fancied inaccuracies be sure to balance well his own mind and recollect that there are other minds, both clear and strong, that see or recall the incident from a different angle.


Furthermore, the editors of this book did not write an essay on the subject assigned them. They have not expanded on the philosophy of the theme. They have striven diligently to tell the true story of the life of Catasauqua, and her people, in the briefest form possible. This they did and nothing more.


For the prompt and many courteous replies to their inquiries they are truly grateful. They deem it a privilege to acknowledge the benevolent courtesy of Mr. William H. Glace, Esq., who favored them with his recent book (1914) on "Early History and Reminiscences of Catasauqua," with permission to "take all or such portions as you desire in the preparation of your pamphlet for Old Home Week." They beg further to acknowledge worthy contributions by James S.


VII


Stillman, Frank M. Horn, Win. H. Schneller, Esq .. J. S. Elverson, Dr. Charles Milson, Sarah JJ. Melntyre, the Clergy of Catasauqua, and others whose sugges- tions they valued most highly. In response to the solicitation of the editors the firm of Geo. V. Millar and Company, Printers and Publishers, of Scranton, Pa .. loaned them the free use of certain ents of scenes in and about town, which are in- serted in this Volume. Attention was drawn to them through a beautiful Souvenir of Catasauqua, published by this progressive firm, and for sale by Messrs. A. J. Etheredge & Co. The editors hereby express their cordial gratitude to Messrs. Geo. V. Millar & Co. for their courtesy.


For obvious reasons the editors were not in a position to begin their work until the middle of March. Their regular duties, as Pastor of a large parish in one instance, and Supervising Principal of the Schools in the other, could not be neglected. Therefore, they prevailed upon their friends : Gus. E. Oswald, Prin- cipal of the High School ; Alfred C. Lewis, Instructor in the Commercial Depart- ment ; and De Alton F. Gould of the Department of English in the High School to assist them in their work, so as to enable them to bring forth this book in ample time for the Celebration. They have chosen to express their cordial ap- preciation of the valuable services of these gentlemen by placing their cuts on the editorial page.


If time and space did not forbid they would most gladly have inserted many more biographies and reminiscences. No doubt some persons and incidents will come to mind, after the last proof will have been returned to the printers, which should have been inserted by all means. But, human work is never perfect.


That the perusal of this volume may prove both pleasing and profitable to all is their ardent wish.


June 1, 1914.


THE EDITORS.


VIII


CONTENTS


CHAPTER I .- CATASAUQUA.


Page


Boundary Adjusted



Bridges


7


Bridge, Crane Company


0


Change of Name


3


Canal


13


Communication (Telephones)


33


Charity Society


35


Civic League


36


Drinking Fountains


23


Early Settlers


2


Extension


6


Expressage and Telegraphy


16


Four Families


2


Fire Protection


23


Phoenix Fire Company .


24


Southwark Hose Company No. 9


26


Charotin Hose Company No. 1


28


East End Independent Hose and Chemical Company No. 1 29


4


Light, Heat and Power


30


Mail Service


14


Pumping Station


22


Police Force


34


CHAPTER II .- INDUSTRIES.


Page


Auto Service, Peerless


72


Boiler Compound, Young's


69


Boiler Works, Catasauqua


67


Brewery, Eagle


59


Brewery, Catasauqua


60


Crane Iron Works


38


Corporate Existence


42


Acquisition of Rights


43


Empire Steel and Iron Company


45


Car, Wheel and Axle Works, Lehigh


57


Davies and Thomas Company


53


Dispatch, Catasauqua


63


Emanuel and Company


67


F. W. Wint and Company


51


Fire Brick Works, Lehigh


62


Incorporation


IX


Page 72


Furniture Company, Herrington


Grist Mill, Mauser and Cressman


49


Garage, Catasauqua


71


Horse Shoe Company, Bryden


64 46


Ice Company, Crystal


73


Motor Car Works, Catasauqua


72


Planing Mill, Goldsmith


68


Pine Olein Company


53


Rubber Company, Leicester


70


Silk Company, Wahnetah


65


Silk Mill, Dery


66


Silk Company, Catasauqua


71


Thermometer Works, Keys


71


CHAPTER III .- CHURCHES,


Pag


Congregational, Bethel Welsh


118


Evangelical, Immanuel


79


Episcopal, St. Stephen's


119


Greek Catholic


122


Lutheran, St. Paul's


89


Lutheran, Holy Trinity


116


Methodist Episcopal, Grace


108


Presbyterian, First


74


Presbyterian, Bridge Street


84


Presbyterian, Hokendauqua


113


Reformed, Salem 96


Roman Catholic, St. Mary's


101


Roman Catholic, St. Lawrence


106


Roman Catholic, St. Andrew's Slovak


125


United Evangelical, St. John's


121


CHAPTER IV .- SCHOOLS


Buildings


Bible in Schools


140


Current Accounts and Salaries


134


Colored Children


139


Clock and Bell


143


Class Day


143


Deaths in the Board


144


High School


136


Lectures


143


Music


142


Museum


142


Night School


144


Organization and Enrollment


134


X


Page 128


Iron Company, Thomas


Page 140


Patriotism


Physical Culture


142


Reports, Monthly


142


School Board, Present


145


Tunnel 143


141


Teachers' Meeting


Teachers, Present Corps of 145


Teachers, Complete List of 146


Valuation and Assessments 134


The North Catasauqua Schools


148


CHAPTER V .- FRATERNAL AND SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS.


Page


Auquasat Club


165


Charotin Club


165


Catasauqua Club 164


179


Choral Society, The Catasauqua


168


I. O. O. F., Catasauqua Lodge No. 269


150


I. O. O. F., Fraternity Encampment No. 156


161


Jr. O. U. A. M.


160


Knights of Golden Eagle, Catasauqua Castle No. 241


163


Lyceum Club


152


Moose, Loyal Order of


154


P. O. S. of A., No. 301


171


Pioneer Band


158


Rebekah Lodge, No. 159


156


Red Men, Improved Order of


163


Royal Arch Chapter No. 278


163


Russian Orthodox Society, St. Syril


164


Shepherds of Bethlehem, Order of


165


St. Peter and St. Paul Society


170


St. Andrew's Societies


161


T. A. B. Society, St. Lawrence


169


Temperance Society


168


The Soldiers


171


G. A. R., Fuller Post


172


Soldiers' Monument


46th Regiment 174


174


47th Regiment


175


Other Volunteers


176


Spanish American War Volunteers


158


Knights of Malta


166


Masons, F. and A., Porter Lodge No. 284


169


Degree of Pocahontas


153


Knights of Friendship


Woodmen of the World


XI


CHAPTER VI .- BANKS.


The National Bank of Catasauqua


Page 180


The Lehigh National Bank


186


Building and Loan Associations: Home, The


188


Catasauqua, The


189


Lehigh, The


189


CHAPTER VII .- TRADESMEN AND CRAFTSMEN


Page


Page


Acme Beef Company 203


Goldsmith, George C. D. 194


Applegate, J. & Sons


190


Graffin Brothers 206


Bachman, Ammon H.


206


Baumer, Robert


226


Hauser, A. A. 203


Beck and Frey 212


Hauser, H. O. 204


Beitel & Son, Time Pieces 216


Harris, Henry 195


Benko, Martin 196


Heckenberger Drug Store 215


Bowen Grocery 194


202


Boyer, E. J. 192


Buss, William J. 208


Campbell, F. J. 213


Case, Titus R. 220


Catasauqua Mercantile Company 192


Clark, William B. 209


Childs Grocery Company 194


Deemer and Litzenberger 206


Deily, George B. F.


190


Donkel, Mrs. Winfield S. 200


Dotterer, D. M. 196


Eckensberger, Harry F. 220


Edgar, Mrs. Mary


200


Edgar Brothers 200


Erdman, Elmer E. 219


Feenstra, John K. 221


Fehr, Clinton 199


Fisher, John 216


Fitzhugh, George W. 223


Five and Ten Cent Store 198


Frederick and Scherer 218


Miller, Ira H. 214


Milson, Daniel, Jr. 207


Milkmen 197


Missmer, James E. 191


Missmer, John H. 226


Moyer, Morris H.


200


Newhard, Frank H. D.


220


XII


Matchette, Joseph & Son 206


Mark, William B. 208


Miller, Alfred L. 213


Frey, Charles W 208


Fuller Oil & Supply Company 205


Geiger, Peter 197


Gemmel, Samuel P.


209


Giering, Oliver H. 225


Gillespie, David, Jr. 191


Ice Cream 198


Johnston, William E. 227


Keener, Elvin 204


Kemp, Charles 212


Kibler, A. H. 198


Klingler, Frank 204


Koch and Younger 198


Kozlowski, Mrs. Wanda 196


Kuehner, William F. 203


Kurtz, Philip F. 196


Laubach, John J. 202


Lawall Brothers


214


Lipsky, Jacob W. 212


Heffelfinger, Mrs. James 199


Bower, C. D. W.


Hersh Hardware Company 210


Hoch, John W. . 207


Hoffman & Follweiler 221


Holtzleicer, William T. 196


Granite Works, Catasauqua 222


Page


Smith, George 195


Smith, Owen J. 201


Onushak, Harry


195


Oldt, Edwin 221


Ostheimer, A. 211


Snyder, Frank


201


Steinhilber, W. B. 191


Streham, John 211


Peters, Calvin D. 222


Reitzler, Nicholas 201


Roth, C. F.


214


Roth, Samuel A.


226


Roxberry, William 225


Walker, Philip F. 202


Walp Shoe, The


211


Sacks, John G. 201


Sacks, William A. 201


Schick and Hausman 212


Schieler, A. E. Company


213


Wertman, Henry J. 208


Williams, William S. 197


Schneller, John P. 210


209


Wotring, Milton D.


193


Schneider, Charles 210


Seyfried. James J. 193


Young, Frank A. 200


Sharpe, Robert 217


Zellers


223


Sheckler, Charles E., Jr. 221


Zieser, E. J.


195


CHAPTER VIII .- HOTELS.


American


229


Biery's


229


Bottling Plant


237


Catasauqua Brewery Saloon, The


235


Catasauqua House, The


233


Eagle, The


230


Farmers, The®


233


Horse Shoe House, The


236


Imperial, The


234


Liquor Store


236


Mansion House, The


234


Northampton House, The


236


Oriental, The


231


Pennsylvania, The


234


St. George's, The


235


Union Hotel, The


237


Walker, The


Taylor, Joseph, and Sons 190


Theatre, The Majestic 227


Theatre, The Palace


228


Weaver, Oscar 201


Weisley, William


191


Weiss, Edwin 226


Webber, Matthew F. 193


Schifreen, Solomon 213


Wotring, H. S. 193


Schneller, Charles W.


Smith, Quintus H. 224


Page


O'Donnell, Anthony 195


Smith, W. J. Company 205


XIII


237


Page


CHAPTER IX .- PROFESSIONAL MEN


Page


Becker, Dr. Alfred J.


247


Dentistry


250


Glace, William H.


252


Glick, Austin A.


258


Heckenberger, Dr. William A.


249


Hornbeck, Dr. M. E.


242


Hornbeck, Dr. James L.


243


Hammersly, R. Clay


256


Keim, Dr. C. J.


244


Keim, Dr. H. J. S.


245


Koons and Son


260


McIntyre, Dr. George


238


Milson, Dr. Charles E.


246


Quig, Dr. Frederick W.


238


Quinn, Thomas


261


Rehrig, J. Edward, D. D. S.


251


Riegel, Dr. H. H.


238


Riegel, Dr. W. A.


240


Roth, Cornelius F.


262


Schneller, Dr. John S.


249


Schneller, William H.


259


Stine, Oscar J.


257


Scherer, Dr. Thomas A.


246


Ulrich, Alexander N.


257


Ulrich, Charles N.


258


Willoughby, Wesley, D. D. S.


250


Yoder, Dr. Daniel


241


CHAPTER X .- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES


Page


Page


Beitel, James C.


308


Eberhard, Frederick


283


Biery, Jonas


263


Eberhard, Peter J. .


285


Biery, Solomon


263


Eberhard, Ferdinand 284


Biery, Daniel


263


Faust, John Philip 264


264


Breinig, Simon 265


Frederick, George 277


277


Frederick, Ogden E. 278


Frederick, T. F.


278


Fuller, James W., 1st


285


Fuller, James W., 2nd


286


Davies, George


321


Deily, Jacob 266


Gillespie, David 293


Deily, George 267


Gilbert, Mrs. Ellen C.


345


Deily, Francis J.


267


Graffin, Charles 310


Dery, D. George


336


Griffith, David R. 337


XIV


Chapman, Charles W. 301


Davis, David 317


Davis, Daniel 319


265


Breinig, George


Faust, Jonas


Buck, Henry H. 338


Frederick, Owen


Page


Holton, George E. 343


Horn, Col. Melchior H. 295


Horn, Frank M. 294


Hudders, John 283


Hunt, David


313


Hunt, Joshua 311


Hunter, John 282


Jones, Thomas 291


Kildare, William M. 328


Kohler, Richard O.


341


Kostenbader, Herman 313


Snyder, William T.


289


Storm, Philip 305


Swartz, Benjamin F. 333


Lawall, Jacob 299


Lackey, James


295


Leibert, John


297


Lewis, Arnold C. 302


Thomas, Edwin 273


Thomas, William R. 274


Lewis, William G. 303


Matchette, Capt. Joseph 306


McKee, William W. 336


Weaver, Valentine W. 323


McIntyre, John 281


Weaver, Benjamin H. 325


McIntyre, Robert 280


Williams, David R. 320


McClellan, William 282


Williams, John 328


Milson, Daniel 298


Williams, Robert E. 330


Morrison, John 323


Williams, Oliver 331


Moyer, Jonas F. 334


Younger, William 326


CHAPTER XI .- REMINISCENCES.


Breinig Buys a Farm


351


Conrad Weiser Letter


355


Canal Excursion


357


Choral Society


361


David Thomas Letter


347


Dramatic Club


353


Early Ordinances


347


Emanuel Employment


349


Esther Hudders


350


Furnace Visitors 359


359


Friday in School


361


· Gas Bags


349


Game of Ball


362


Grave Diggers


Irish Parade 352


Indian Relics 355


Maggie Jones and the Circus 350


352


Municipal Bake Ovens


Nevins, James


Page 298


Peckitt, Leonard :44


Peter, John 268


Phillips, William 282


Randall, Edmund 315


Roberts, Jacob 340


Schneller, Charles G. 290


Seaman, Henry J. 342


Snyder, Jonathan 268


Kurtz, John George


266


Thomas, David 268


Thomas, Samuel 271


Thomas, James 275


Page


Floods


364


XV


Page 354


Mexican War Veterans


"Mexicon John"


355


Opening L. V. R. R. Old Buildings


358 367


Presbyterian Grove Services


353


Potato Sales


354


Piggery


360


Sulphur Matches


352


Schneller Letter


356


Steel Pens


361


Sundry Quotations


365


Tuyeres


359


The Corpse


364


The Last Day of School


362


Water Fight


358


Whip in School


361


CHAPTER XII .- BOROUGH OFFICIALS.


Page


Program and Views


369


Officers of the Old Home Week Association


371


Program


.372-373


Views


.375-408


HISTORY OF CATASAUQUA.


CHAPTER I .- CATASAUQUA.


The Iron Borough, as it is frequently termed, was originally known as Biery's Port. It is situated on a portion of a 10,000 acre tract of land devised by the Proprietary of Pennsylvania, Sir William Penn, to his daughter Letitia, who with her husband, William Anbrey, of London, England, granted and con- veyed the same to John Page, in 1731. A few months later, Page secured a warrant dated at London, Oct. 10, 1731, to take up 2.723 acres of his grant which was surveyed and set apart for him by Nicholas Scull, on Oct. 10, 1736.


The patent reads as follows, "And we do further by these presents and by virtue of the power and authorities granted by the Royal Charter to our Father William Penn, Esq., by his majesty, Charles the Second, erect said tract into a manor and to call it 'Chawton' and so from henceforth we will have it called, and reposing trust and confidence in the prudence and ability and integrity of the said Page and his loyalty to our sovereign, Lord George the Second, do give and grant unto the said John Page, his heirs and assigns, full power and authority to erect and constitute with the said manor a Court Baron with all things what- soever which to a Court Baron do belong, and to have and to hold view of Frank Pledges, for the consideration of the peace and better government of the inhabi- tants within the said Manor by the said John Page, his heirs and assigns, or his or their stewards lawfully deputed and generally to do and to use all things which to the view of Frank Pledges do belong, or may or ought to belong : To be holden of us, our successors, proprietors of Pennsylvania, as of the signory of . Windsor in free and common socage by fealty or in lieu of all other services, yielding and


2


THE HISTORY


paying therefor yearly unto us, ourselves and successors, one red rose on the 24th day of June in every year from hereafter in the City of Philadelphia to such person or persons as shall ''rom time to time be appointed to receive the same."


This instrument calls the Manor "Chawton." There are deeds on record in the office at Easton showing that the word has also been written "Charotin." Loeal antiquarians seem to agree that "Charotin" is the result of a faulty serivener, who either misspelled the word or wrote so poorly that the "w" of Chawton looked like the "ro" of Charotin.


EARLY SETTLERS.


Among the early settlers of this tract were: Thomas Armstrong, Robert Gib- son, Robert Clendennin, Joseph Wright, John Elliott, Andrew Mann, George and Nathaniel Taylor, all Trish names, showing that the town is situated within the bounds of the original Irish settlement which extended from Siegfried's to Koeh- ler's locks, along the Lehigh, and eastward, along irregular lines, to the vicinage of Bath.


The advent of the Pennsylvania German however soon brought about many changes. While his Irish neighbors were discussing the possibilities of impend- ing wars, he was content to toil and dig. This enabled him soon to offer prices for the land about him. By the beginning of the nineteenth century, not a single Irish land-owner was left along the river, nor within two or three miles of it.


The Irish having sold out, moved westward. Some settled in Central Penn- sylvania while others found locations in the neighboring state of Ohio. Here land was much cheaper.


THE FOUR FAMILIES.


The Irish, having sold out, moved westward. Some settled in Central Penn- should be mentioned.


Frederick and Henry Biery bought the old stone mill located where the Cata- sauqua Mills now stand, and the former built several of the stone structures still remaining on Race Street. Henry sold out to his brother and moved to New York.


John Peter, a weaver by trade, moved from Heidelberg in 1823 and located


OF CATASAUQUA


at Front and Bridge Streets, on a small farm which he bought from Andrew Hower, and into a house built by JJohn Zoundt.


The Faust family, whose first representative here was JJohn Philip Faust, lived at the old homestead now in possession of the Bryden Horse Shoe Company. The foundation walls of the once stately mansion may still be traced in the yards of the Horse Shoe Works.


Henry Breisch, a stone mason, occupied a small farm of ten acres of land in the vicinity of Third and Bridge Streets.


East of the Biery farm, and beyond the Catasauqua creek, lay the farm ac- quired by John George Kurtz during 1760. Much of this is now occupied by the Third Ward of Catasauqua.


To the north of the Kurtz farm lay a farm of 245 acres, purchased from the estate of Peter Beisel by George Breinig, on April 4, 1831.


PUBLIC HIGHWAYS.


Four public highways lay within the confines here described.


One extended from the north via the Hokendanqua dam, along the banks of the Lehigh as far south as Chapel Street, thence eastward crossing Front Street on Chapel, and running along in a direction toward the chapel of the First Presby- terian Church, Third and Bridge Streets, and the Howertown Road, near Peach Street.


Another road extended from the lower or Race Street bridge. called Biery's bridge, in an easterly direction. This is still the old Bethlehem road.


The Howertown Road forked from the Bethlehem Road at a point near Biery's bridge and ran almost due north along a course still marking this popular thoroughfare.


The fourth road was a short connecting link from the mill race across the county bridge at the Davies and Thomas foundry.


CHANGE OF NAME.


After the organization of the Lehigh Crane Iron Company, Jan. 10, 1839, the town was called "Craneville" in honor of George Crane of Wales, who was the owner of the iron works where David Thomas had been employed before coming to America.


4


THE HISTORY


In New Jersey, however, twenty miles from New York City, was a "Crane- ville" to which nmch mail matter, intended for this Craneville, went. This caus- ed constant annoyance.


Another change of name was agitated. According to the fertile mind of some ripe scholar, the thought of "Iron City" was to be expressed in euphon- ions Greek, and the town called "Sideropolis."


Application had actually been made to the Postmaster-General in 1845, to have the post-office name changed from Craneville to Sideropolis; but for some unexplained reason the change was never made.


Owen Rice, chief clerk at the ('rane Iron Works, wrote deeds for many peo- ple in and about town. Through these services, he learned from drafts made as early as 1735, and from later drawings, that the creek flowing along the eastern and southern limits of the town was called "Cattosoque." In the dialect of the Lenni-Lenape tribe of the Indians who first inhabited this section of country, it was named "Gattoshoei," which is said to mean wants rain. Others defined the term as signifying dry or burnt ground, and, as sinking waters. The word Lecha (Lehigh) is of similar origin.


INCORPORATION.


The suggestion by Mr. Rice, that the town be named Catasauqua, was gener- ally adopted, and application was made to the court of Quarter Sessions of the County of Lehigh, April 3, 1851, for incorporation into a Borough.


The decree of the court was rendered Feb. 1, 1853, and provided :


"That the village of Catasauqua and the territory in and around the same as comprised within the following boundaries, to wit: Beginning at a point in the River Lehigh at low water mark, thence through land of Paul Faust, on the line dividing the said county of Lehigh from the county of Northampton, to the pub- lic road leading from Bridge to Howertown, thenee down the said road in the mid- dle thereof, to a stone corner between lands of George Breinig and Henry Kurtz, thence on the line between the said lands of the said Breinig and Kurtz to Catasau- qua creek, thence down said creek the several courses and distances thereof to its junction with the River Lehigh, thenee up the said River Lehigh, the several courses and distances thereof at low water mark to the place of beginning, be and


.


OF CATASAUQUA


5


the same is hereby declared a body corporate in law, under and subject to the pro- visions, requirements and enactments of the Aet of Assembly, entitled 'An Aet reg- ulating boroughs,' approved April 3, 1851, to be known and designated in law and otherwise as the borough of Catasauqua, and shall constitute a separate Elec- tion and School District, subject to all the laws now in force regulating such dis- triets. The election for borough officers is hereby directed to be held on the third Friday of March annually, at the public house now in the occupancy of Charles Nolf, until removed therefrom according to law."


The maiden election of officials for the new corporation resulted as follows:


Chief Burgess-David Thomas.


Town Council-Jesse Knauss, William Biery, Joshua Hunt, Jr .. Joseph Lau- bach, John Clark.


Street Commissioners-Morgan Emanuel, Jonas Biery.


Iligh Constable-Charles Sigley.


Auditor-John Williams.


Judge-Isaac E. Chandler.


Inspectors-David G. Jones, Augustus H. Gilbert.


Assessor-Levi Haas.


School Directors-James Ginder, Owen Rice, Charles Nolf, Charles G. Schneller, George W. Klotz, JJames Wilson.


Justice of the Peace-John Hudders.


Constable-Joseph Lazarus.


STREETS.


The opening and grading of streets began at the lower end of the town, on land owned by Frederick Biery. Front Street was laid out by the Court of Quar- ter Sessions during 1841. For a long while it was called "Cinder Street" since it was graded with furnace slag. The work was done in 1853 under the direction of Elias Mertz, surveyor.


During 1848, Second Street, as far as Church Street, was laid out by the court. After the incorporation of the Borough, Town Council opened one street after another until seven numbered streets and Howertown Avenue afforded pas- sage north and south, and ten named streets cross the former at variant angles.


6


THE HISTORY


The break in the course of certain streets, e. g., Second at Church Street and Bridge at Third, was caused by the location of a building prior to the laying out of the street.


WARDS.


To facilitate municipal elections and in order to secure equitable representa- tion for each section of the borough in Town Council and the School Board, forty- nine citizens petitioned the Court, April 11, 1876, for a division of the Borough into two wards. The Court appointed Eli J. Sieger, J. F. Newhard and W. B. Powell as commissioners to examine the territory and report to the Court.


Their recommendation to divide the Borough into two wards ( First Ward and Second Ward), with Church Street as the boundary line between them, was confirmed by the Court, January 19, 1877.




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