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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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