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1937 PASTORIUS UN ICHNUNG Y
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Cornell University Library F 157B3 M78
+ History of Berks county in Pennsylvania
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M& Montgomery
HISTORY
OF
BERKS COUNTY
IN
PENNSYLVANIA.
BY uther MORTON L. MONTGOMERY, 11 MEMBER OF THE BERKS COUNTY BAR.
ILLUSTRATED.
PHILADELPHIA : EVERTS, PECK & RICHARDS. 1886.
UNIVERSITY
F 157 B3 M78+
A-875281 COPYRIGHT, 1886, BY M. L. MONTGOMERY.
JAS. B. RODGERS PRINTING COMPANY, PHILADELPHIA.
PREFACE.
THE history of Berks County, one of the early political organizations in the . State of Pennsylvania, is presented in this volume. It embraces the important facts, relating to the several affairs of the county, from the beginning of the eigh- teenth century until now, which the author collected during the past ten years ; and, upon having arranged them in a systematic narrative, he now submits the re- sult of his labors.
The author acknowledges with pleasure the thorough co-operation of the publishers, Messrs. Everts, Peck & Richards, in its production ; for, through their enterprise and liberality, he has been enabled to issue it in a comprehensive plan much beyond his original intentions. The services of Mr. George R. Prowell, Mr. J. L. Rockey and Capt. Frank H. Cole, whom they sent into the county for the purpose of aiding him in the completion of his enlarged undertaking, are worthy of particular mention.
Many persons in every district of the county, and friends at Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Washington, encouraged the author in the course of his labors, and he recognizes their kindly attentions to him.
Reading, May, 1886.
M. L. M.
iii
0
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE
INTRODUCTION . 1
CHAPTER I.
General History of Pennsylvania . 5 Early Settlers : Dutch, Swedes, English, German, etc. -Provincial and Constitutional Government-Pur- chases of Territory from the Indians-Counties erected -Development.
CHAPTER II.
Physical Geography of Berks County . 26 Geology - Minerals-Botany -- Mountains -- Valleys -- Streams-Relative Elevations.
CHAPTER III.
Indians .
56
Origin-Delawares : Tribes, Clans and Sachems- Ganawese-Five Nations-Manners and Customs -- Retreat of Indians-Present Location-Villages-In- dian Names-Indian Relics.
CHAPTER IV.
Nationalities 64
Swedes-Germans-English-Welsh-Irish-Hebrews -Negroes.
CHAPTER V.
Erection of County 72
General Situation of Territory-Petitions for County- Act erecting County-Districts-Names of Townships and Towns-Reductions of Territory, Northumberland County and Schuylkill County-New Counties Pro- posed.
CHAPTER VI.
Agriculture 84
General Condition and Progress-County Society and Exhibitions-Farms, Production, etc., of County, 1870 and 1880.
CHAPTER VII.
Early and General Industries 87
Early Furnaces and Forges of County-Production, 1828-30-Industries in 1840-Comparative Statement, 1850-76-Memorial for National Foundry-Summary of Present Furnaces, Forges and Mills-Comparative Table of Statistics for 1880-Production of Iron in County at three recent periods-General Industries- Statistics of Manufactures of County, 1870 and 1880.
PAGE
CHAPTER VIII.
French aud Indian War . Military Periods-Cause of War-Officers, Supplies, etc. - Colonial Forts - Burd's Journal - Invasion of County by Indians-Numerous Letters on Sufferings of Early Inhabitants-Peace Declared-Persons Mur- dered, Taken Prisoners and Missing.
CHAPTER IX.
Revolution and Independence
136
.
Revolution-Stamp Duty-Patriotic Spirit at Reading -Various Committees chosen-Battle at Lexington awakens County-Companies from Berks County- Conscientious Scruples against War-Tory Feeling in Couoty-English Prisoners at Reading-Associators- Brigadier-General Elected-Quota of County Exceeded -Patriotism of Joseph Hiester-Battle of Long Island -Deserters-Hessian Prisoners-Hessian Camp Sur- prised-Hessian Officer Drowned-Militia Refuse to March-Militia Returns of County-Army Supplies- Affairs at Reading in 1777-Conway Cabal-Duel at Reading-Independence Won and Peace Declared- Revolutionary Survivers-Continental Paper Money.
CHAPTER X.
Whiskey Insurrection of 1794 167
House Tax and Liberty Poles of 1799-Embargo of 1807-War of 1812-15 and Companies of County En- listed.
CHAPTER XI.
Mexican War .
180
Cause of the War -Reading Artillerists Departure for Mexico-Participation in War-Battles Engaged In- Return of Artillerists-Brilliant Reception.
CHAPTER XII.
Civil War 186
Introduction-Patriotism of County-War Meetings and Appropriations-Ladies' Aid Society-Reading Hospital-Drafts and Quotas of Berks County-North- ern Men in Service-Summary of Battles-Paper Money-List of Companies from Berks County in Civil War-President's Call for Troops-First Companies in War-Ringgold Light Artillery the First Company- Statement of Captain Mcknight-Soldiers of Berks County in Three Months' Service, 1861; Three Years' Service; Nine Months' Service; Volunteer Militia of 1862; Drafted Militia of 1862; Volunteer Militia of 1863 ; One Hundred Days' Service of 1864 ; One Year's Ser- vice 1864-65-Miscellaneous Enlistments from Berks County-Soldier's Buried in Berks County-Grand Army Posts-Society of Ex-Prisoner's of War.
V
104
.
vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XIII.
Militia
349
Legislative Provision - County Battalion of 1783- County Militia proffer Services to President Adams in 1798 -- County Military Division -- Encampment at Read- ing in 1842-Battalion Day of 1843-County Militia Companies in 1856-State National Guard-Reading Artillerists-Military Cadets.
CHAPTER XIV.
Religious Denominations . .
357
Lutherans - Reformed- Friends-Baptists-Dunkards - Moravians-Roman Catholics-Amish - Other De- nominations-Religions Excitement, Heidelberg and Exeter Meetings-Sunday Mails-County Bible So- ciety.
CHAPTER XV.
General Education. . 374
Early Encouragement - Charity Schools - Common School Education-County Institute-Pay Schools- Comparative Table of Schools and Scholars.
CHAPTER XVI.
Language, Manners and Customs . . 386
CHAPTER XVII.
· Newspapers .
.
392
CHAPTER XVIII.
Internal Improvements . . . 424
Schuylkill River-Bridges, Roads and Turnpikes- Stages, Canals and Railways-Public County Build- ings-Post-Offices-Telegraph and Telephone.
CHAPTER XIX.
Politics and Civil List 474
Election Districts-Political Sentiment of County- Prominent Representative Men-Offices by Special Legislation - Political Parties - Political Festivals -- State Conventions and Mass Meetings at Reading- List of Officials-Biographical Sketches.
CHAPTER XX.
Judiciary-Bench and Bar
532
Judges-Attorney-at-Law-Biographical Sketches.
CHAPTER XXI.
Medical Profession of Berks County . 587
Early Medical History-Introduction of Medical Prac- tice into Berks County-Biographical Sketches-Med- ical Faculty of Berks County-Medical Society of Berks County-Pathological Society-Reading Medical As- sociation-Homoeopathy-Early History of Homeo- pathy in Berks County-Hahnemann Medical Society -Biographical Sketches of Homeopathists-Medical Registry-Dentistry.
CHAPTER XXII.
Census of Berks County
644
Early Population of State-Rate of Increase of Popu- lation-Census Table of County, 1790 to 1880-Census of Villages, 1880-Table of Houses, Farms, etc., in County, 1850-Taxables and Voters of County, 1876 and 1885-Property and Money Assessed, 1885.
CHAPTER XXIII. READING.
PART 1 .- Town from 1748 to 1783. 650
Selection of Town Site-Town laid out-Lots sold at Public Sale-First Patentees-Ground-Rent-List of Taxables, 1759-District of Reading Erected-Churches -Schools - Public Buildings - Markets and Fairs, Charter to Reading for Them-Citizens against Change of Government-Early Innkeepers-Early Occupations -Rainbow Fire Company-No Newspapers nor Inter- nal Improvements-Fuel, Light and Entertainments -- Hunting and Fishing-Indian Invasion-Revolution -- Prominent Men-Pound Sterling-Old Style to New Style.
PART 2 .- Borough from 1783 to 1847 666
Charter of Incorporation-Election Districts-News- papers-Post-Office-Internal Improvements-Ferries and Bridges-Fire Companies, Banks and Water Sup- ply-Light-Public Buildings-Stages, Canals and Railway-Manufactures-Traffic -- Merchants of Read- ing in 1830 - Occupations in 1839 - Distinguished Visitors-Memorial Services-Streets, Changes of Names - Executions-Early Exhibitions - Prominent Men.
PART 3 .- City from 1847 to 1886 . 682
Review of Reading in 1847-Incorporation-Develop- ment-Riot in Reading, July, 1877.
PART 4 .- Manufacturing Industries 692
PART 5 .- Internal Improvements .
744
City Buildings, etc .- Post Office-Cemeteries-Gas and Electric Light-Halls-Private Market Houses-Hos- pitals-Private Parks-Street Railways.
PART 6 .- Churches 767
PART 7 .- Schools 798
PART 8 .- Associations 811
PART 9 .- Officials
841
PART 10 .- Census .
853
CHAPTER XXIV.
Boroughs of County 855
Kutztown. 855
Womelsdorf. 873
Hamburg .
880
Birdsboro . 893
Boyertown 90I
Bernville . 913
Fleetwood
919
Topton .
926
Centreport
927
PAGE
PAGE
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
vii
PAGE
CHAPTER XXV.
Townships of County . 928
Manatawny Section . .
929
Oley .
930
Amity
94.4
Marion .
1097
Jefferson 1104
Heidelberg 1107
Exeter
972
Alsace .
983
Muhlenberg .
992
Hereford
996
Washington
. 1000
Ruscomb-manor
1006
Rockland .
1010
District.
1014
Earl
1016
Pike .
1018
Ontelaunee Section
1021
Maiden-creek .
· 1022
Ontelaunee .
1029
Richmond .
. 1035
Maxatawny .
I040
Longswamp .
1048
Windsor .
1058
Perry .
1063
Albany .
1067
Greenwich . 1076
Tulpehocken Section . 1082
Tulpehocken
1083
Upper Tulpehocken 1093
Colebrookdale .
962
Douglass . .
967
Lower Heidelberg .
1115
North Heidelberg .
1125
Bern .
1127
Upper Bern .
1132
Penn .
1136
Centre
1139
Bethel
1141
Schuylkill Section . 1147
Robeson
1148
Caernarvon .
1157
Cumru .
116]
Spring
1170
Brecknock
1181
Union
1185
APPENDIX .
. . 1191
Early Townships erected and Taxables assessed in Schuylkill County before 1811.
.
PAGE
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
PAGE
Adler Building .. .
. 395
Friende' Meeting-House, 1765
781
Arnold, William. . .
. 708
Friends' Meeting-House, 1886 782
Arthur, Joha E. . .
268
Gerasch, Charles A . . 599
Baer, George F ..
578
Getz, J. Lawrence. . 410
Baird, Wm. M. .
569
Getz, James K . 853
Baoks, John .
Barbey, Peter. .
723
Gordon, David F . 542
Barto, A. H . . . 1006
Batdorff, M. D. M.
622
Hagenmao, J. 543
Bear, Benjamin C .*
. 1057.
Harbater, William
701
Beidler, Conrad Y. . . 1169
Harbster, M
702
Bertolette, Levi J. . . . 935
Harrie, William
893
Bethany Orphans' Home . . 1112
Heinly, David . 1075
Heller, F. P 733
Binder, Frank G., Res. of . . 911
Hendel, Henry B. & Co., hat-factory 711
Hendel, Joha . 710
Hiester, Joseph . 523
Boas, Augustus F.
744
British Stamp. .
. 136
Brunner, D. B.
382
Brooke, Geo. . .
895
Howe, M. A. De Wolfe . 786
894 Iseger, G. F. I 889
Jail, the old.
465
Carpenter Hall. .
15
Clingen, Chas. M .
. 1189
Jones, Jonathan, Res. of
1160
Jones, J. Glancy
516
Keim, George De Beaneville 179
Keim, George May 508
Keim, George De B .
456
Keim, William H . 205
Keim, John .
681
Keim, Nicholas 664
263
Keystone State Normal School
867
Kline, Simon
719
Knabb, Jacob
402
Koch, Daniel .
Kraemer, Louis 985
827
Krick, Adam B . . 1179
555
Lauer, Frederick
722
Levan, Isaac W 714
Levan, Nathan .
873
Findlay, James . . 1055
First Reformed Church 776
Fisher, Reily L. . 1113
Focht, L. H . 901
Franklin, Benjamin 469
380
Ermeatrout, James N . 546
Evans, Charles V. R . 1124
Evans, Charles . .
757
Fegley, L. P. G. .
967
Ferguson, Nathaniel
. 1114
58
Delaware Indian . .
57
Dechert, Elijah. . . 563
Dives, Pomeroy & Stewart, Building of 738
Eckert, Henry S . 835
Eckert, Isaac . .
834
Eckert, Geo. J
721
Egelman, Charles F
407
Ermentrout, Daniel . . 512
Ermentront, John S .
. 557
Clymer, Daniel R. 848
Continental Currency.
166
Court-Honse, The Old. .
463
Delaware Indian Family. .
Hix, Joseph S 1135
Hoffeditz, J. C. A. 219
Hottenstein, Edward . 624
Brooke, Edward. .
Buskirk, Daniel. .
541
Good, Rev. William A. 379
Grim, D. B. , 1081
Bickel, Geo. H. . .. 620
Birth-place of Daniel Boone 974
Boas, F. S. . . 305
ix
Leven, Joseph . 981
Lecssr, Thomas S 185
Lentz, Levi R
638
Log House, the first in Pricetown.
. 1009
923
Kremp, Louis
Kutz, David
Keller, D. C
Jenee, Jonathan 142
x
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
PAGE
Lorah, George K . .
958
Rowe, W. G.
Lichtenthaler, B
734
Sanitary Fair Buildings
Ludwig, Elam M .
959
Schwartz, John . .
Map, outline of County
1
Schweitzer, Samuel Z.
982
Map showing purchases from Indiane . .
18
Schneider, Ephraim
636 925
Marke, W. F .
634
Schaeffer, Lewis
913
Mauger, D. B . .
971
Schaeffer, John
. 547
McLean, Joseph A .
250
Seidel, Franklin
694
McManus. John. .
696
Seyfert, Simon
613
McHose, Isaac .
716
Shaffner, Jacob
312
Miller, J. B. .
916
Shollenberger, J. M.
Mishler Academy, auditorium of .
. 761
Slegel, E. .
739
Montgomery, M. L .
Frontiepiece
Smith, L. Heber .
Muhlenberg, H. H .
833
Smith, Levi B. .
730
Muhlenberg, Henry A.
506
Stein, Adam . .
. 1080
Nagle, H. MI .
610
St. Luke's Lutheran Church .
774
Nagle, Peter, Jr .
847
Stitzel, George D . . .
553
Nicolle, G. A.
454
Stoudt, Goorge K . . . 1092
7
Otto, Dr. Bodo .
591
Swedes' Building .
Pearson, John S .
740
Swedes' Church .. .
948
Penn, William .
10
Times and Journal Building .
399
Plank, D. Heber .
615
Trinity Lutheran Church .
768
Printz, John H . .
718
Tyson, Henry A .
850
Prieon, ground plan of .
467
Umbenhauer, William.
. 1138
Rea, Samuel M .
. 1190
Van Reed, Henry. .
545
Reading Passenger Station .
452
Van Reed, Charles, residence and paper-mills of . . 1120
Reading roade, plan of
442
Van Reed, Charlee .
. 1121
Reading, paper money .
672
Van Reed, Charles L . .
. 1123
Reading, early surveys of .
651
Van Reed, Henry Z. . 1122
Reading, town plan of, 1748.
652
Walter, Robert . .
. 1125
Reading Hospital .
764
Washington Grays .
. 179
Reading Hardware Company ..
700
Weaver, Jeremiah . .
961
Reber, James T.
742
Weidman, W. Murray . .
618
Reservoir and present jail .
466
Weidman, B. B .
. 1178
Rhoads, Thomas J. B .
· 909 Wertz, Samuel . .
. 1180
Rhoads, Ezekiel.
955
Wheeler, Caleb .
741
Richarde, John S . .
. 566
Whitner, George K.
755
Ritter, William S .
397
Wily, O. H. 603
Rittenhouse, S. R
632
Wily, Penrose . 602
Rocke in Rockland
. 1011
Woodward, W. J .
530
Roseutlial, W.
413 Yocum, William .
956
.
McMichael, Richards . 321
Schwartz, H. H.
. 1028
McKnight, David 837
Shoemaker, Charles E. .
. 1093
Mishler Academy, stage of . . 760
Smith, George .
. 1156
Muhlenberg, H. A .
515
Spohn, Daniel. .
. 1154
Otto, John B . .
. . 593
Stuyvesant, Peter . .
644
Map, Geological, of County .
27
Schmucker, E. Z.
852
191
510
. 1184
945
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HISTORY
OF
BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
INTRODUCTION.
IN the beginning of colonization in this sec- [ trading and commerce. But in 1681 a new tion of the earth for several hundred miles round about us settlements were first made along the sea or prominent inlets, and after- ward, from decade to decade, they gradually advanced farther and farther into the interior, being influenced in their onward movement by flowing rivers and rolling valleys. The set- tlers found the country open, accessible and in- viting, with many valuable features, such as strong streams, fertile soil, great forests, inex- haustible beds of limestone, iron-ore, sand and clay, and numerous animals, fowls and fishes. These were conditions which gave the new country a strong character and inspired the early immigrants with hope and confidence ; these were considerations worthy of especial mention to kindred and friends who remained at home in the old country, and, fortunately for Pennsylvania, these were sufficient to exert a favorable influence upon the minds of such per- sons there as contemplated emigration.
The early settlement of the country was slow. From its first possession till 1681 the number of inhabitants had not multiplied be- yond a thousand. Accordingly, its develop- ment during this time (about a half-century) was insignificant. The chief occupations were
era began in its eventful history, and thence for nearly a century its growth was marvelous, even though it continued under the sway of monarchic government. The constant influx of foreigners made all things active, especially such as related to the possession of land, its im- provement, etc. The people, however, did not obtain a higher plane of action in respect to motive-power. The physical forces, such as animal, wind and water, which had aided them and their progenitors time out of mind, still prevailed. Distance still separated them in their settlements, and travel and transportation remained slow; but during the next century many revelations were made. These superin- duced various improvements, which brought the people into a closer relationship and ele- vated them to a higher standard of life. The dis- covery of coal, and the appreciation of its mar- ketable value as a substance for fuel, quickened trade. It awakened genius in respect to the necessity for increased and convenient motive- power. This was supplied through steam, and iron then arose into greater prominence for its utility in connection with both. These three agents formed the great triumvirate in the increased development of the people; and the
1
2
HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
acceleration of our movements as a people, es- pecially in respect to trade and transportation, necessarily developed a fourth agent. This was the telegraph. The results of their combined influences at the close of this century were val- uable beyond computation.
In the march of improvements the district comprising the county of Berks has occupied a prominent position. The first active agent was iron. Indeed, the first forge and the first fur- nace in Pennsylvania for its manufacture were established and successfully conducted on its ter- ritory ; and it has continued active here for over one hundred and sixty years. The next agent was coal. This valuable mineral was dis- covered whilst the inexhaustible anthracite fields were a part of this county. Its transpor- tation developed the canal and the railway along the Schuylkill. The third agent, steam, was then utilized to cheapen and hasten its de- livery in and through the valley from the mountains to the sea, and also to stimulate manufactures, especially in the county-seat after 1835. And the fourth agent was intro- duced soon after its practical value had come to be recognized.
Industry has ever been a prominent charac- teristic of our people. The most general em- ployment has been in agriculture, and the next in iron manufactures. These two have con- stantly created demands for diversified indus- tries, and have made us not only a prosperous but a contented people. Continuous employ- ment has kept us, as a whole, so engaged in private affairs as to be comparatively free from those ambitions and vanities of life which de- velop restless energy in the direction of per- sonal aggrandizement. It would have been better for us if a different spirit had prevailed to such an extent as to have led us into a more active zeal for the public welfare, and into a more general thinking for competent political representation. Here, as elsewhere, too few men of liberal mind and education have exer- cised thought for the whole community. A hope was expressed that general education would stimulate this weakness and agitate new impulses, looking to the greatest good for the greatest number. But an experience extending
through the past fifty years has not improved us in this respect. It has rather licensed ambi- tion to run wild, and permitted men, more or less inexperienced, incompetent and irrespon- sible, to represent us in positions of trust and responsibility.
Our people in these two important particu- lars-labor on the one hand and government on the other-have moved along undirected. This is a common but an unfortunate weakness in the United States ; and through it the people of our county have not developed prominent, thoughtful men to lead us out of this social apathy and to agitate questions and measures relative to our common progress-that progress which concerns communities rather than indi- viduals, and develops public enterprise and equality rather than private enrichment and dis- tinction. This is surprising, especially when we consider the prominent territorial position which we have occupied, the large wealth which we have possessed and the high degree of business sagacity and social intelligence which we have enjoyed. It is a difficult mat- ter to determine just what caused this condition, except it be that we have been indisposed to political thought and feeling ; indisposed to ex- press ourselves with force and fearlessness in public measures ; indisposed to lead the way in some common purpose for the public good. Others round about us have created, but we have followed-we have imitated. Possibly this arose from the peculiar German element in our composition, which is so apt to be contented at labor with the certain profit that it yields. In the sense of untiring industry, of rigid econ- omy, of pure and simple religion, our people have displayed a remarkable degree of excel- lence. Indeed, a long observation leads me to say that in these several respects we have seen perfection. And if we were not now, and had not been for a hundred years past, living un- der a system of representative government of, for and by the people, in which all tax-payers, especially freeholders, should take an active and earnest interest, I could not persuade my- self to say anything else than that we have been worthy all possible commendation. But we have been existing under a political govern-
3
INTRODUCTION.
ment ; we have had legislation pertaining to our several rights ; we have borne taxation for our convenience, safety and progress, and yet in these important respects we. have been compara- tively indifferent and inactive, notwithstanding the prominence and necessity of these things before us. Hence, in a political sense, we have been slow and weak, considerably beyond what our age, wealth and intelligence should have permitted. We have not produced the charac- ters of political energy which our citizens in the enjoyment of suffrage should naturally have produced.
From these remarks it will be observed that I shall have much to say of our untiring and successful industry, of our practical, pure and simple religion and of our general education, from which we have realized such fruitful local results. But of our politics I can have comparatively little to say, because we liave ob- tained so little worthy of especial mention. We have produced only a few men who have been leaders of prominence in a vast district of territory. We have developed little or no legis- lation for our own good or the good of our fel- low-citizens here or elsewhere. We have not taken a leading part in agitating public meas- ures. Our local pride should be awakened to a sense of our importance as a people possessing numbers, wealth and power. This should in- duce us to take a stand proportioned to our condition ; this should inspire us to raise up more sons and educate them to a proper appre- ciation of political duty, political kuowledge and political progress. We cannot elevate our political sentiments by encouraging inexperi- enced and incompetent men to represent ns in local or in legislative offices, or even to lead us in manipulating conventions and elections. The time has arrived for the better class of men, possessed of education, experience, influ- ence and wealth, to step forward and show a positive interest in the selection of officials. Through them must we direct our energy in the political channel, as it has been successfully directed in the industrial, and through them only can we expect to produce representative men who can create for us a new political life and lead ns into a nobler political activity.
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