USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > Kutztown > The centennial history of Kutztown, Pennsylvania : celebrating the centennial of the incorporation of the borough, 1815-1915 > Part 1
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GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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DR. HENRY W. SAUL President Kutztown Centennial Association
THE
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
PENNSYLVANIA
CELEBRATING THE CENTENNIAL OF THE INCORPORATION OF THE BOROUGH-1815-1915
-
COMPILED BY THE HISTORICAL COMMITTEE OF THE KUTZTOWN CENTENNIAL ASSOCIATION
W. W. DEATRICK, A. M., Sc. D., Chairman
1915
PRESS OF THE KUTZTOWN PUBLISHING COMPANY KUTZTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA
COPYRIGHT 1915 BY THE KUTZTOWN PUBLISHING COMPANY
FOREWORD
1136223
K UTZTOWN BOROUGH was one hundred years old in March of the present year. The town is about half a century older. Soon after the laying out, in 1755, of "The Great Road,' -the Easton Road it has long been called -a straggling hamlet, a hotel or two and some other buildings, sprang up at the crossing of the Saucony. In 1779 the town was formally laid out. From that time to this there has been growth, rapid at times, slow, almost at a standstill, at other times, but ever continuous.
This century, or century and a half, of existence of the town has been marked by events, quite as numerous and quite as noteworthy as those that have happened in most towns of the size in such a period. That these happenings might not be for- gotten ; that some already well-nigh forgot. ten incidents might be preserved to the generation coming after us; that the Cen- tennial of Kutztown might be marked by more than the passing shows of the week of celebration that begins July I, this year of grace ; that all who read may know what of interest, great or little, has happened in our town; that the world may learn how Kutztown has grown and what a little city it is today, this CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN has been prepared.
The Historical Committee, charged by the Kutztown Centennial Association with the preparation of this volume, have found, in the course of their researches, that the history of the town is much fuller and much more stirring and interesting than even those who knew most about the matter had any notion. Readers of this volume will find some stories not told in print before. They will find herc, committed to the art preservative, tales which they heard in childhood days and which they have ncarly or quite forgotten. Such ones will be thankful, we are surc, that this work has been undertaken. Historians may find here, as in local histories often, some contribu- tion to the larger history of county, state, or nation.
The book is not all history. A consider- able portion of the volume is devoted to a telling to the world at large of what may be seen if folks come to Kutztown ; to a not exaggerated setting forth of the industries, businesses, and social institutions of the place ; as well as to some account of people now or once resident in the town. This
feature will, doubtless, be of interest. More than this, however,-these records of the present time will, certainly, by and by, prove as interesting and valuable to the future writer of a fuller, better history as the pamphlet of Professor Ermentrout, issued in 1876, was to the compilers of this book.
Readers will, certainly, discover errors in this publication. But for these indulgence is craved. No one is more conscious than the cditor, chairman of the committee, of the shortcomings of the volume. That omissions, mis-statements, duplications, and even contradictions will be found is quite likely. Some misprints will occur. Critics may notice lack of uniformity in style.
Kind indulgence is, nevertheless, request- ed. It is proper, however, to say that not all that may be taken for error is really such. In the reprints of old documents the strange spelling and unusual phraseology are not the fault of the copyist or printer- at least not in many cases. An honest ef- fort has been made to follow the rule at present accepted by historians-to reprint such documents with all their peculiarities. For what is not explicable in this way the editor feels that this much of explanation is due to his colleagues and himself. Lack of uniformity, especially, in style, is the result of the book being the work of many hands. There was lack of time for desirable con- sultation between the co-workers, and edi- torial supervision has been far from what was desirable. As the material came in it became a physical impossibility to examine all of it cven cursorily.
The editor was hampered greatly in the work by the death of the Rev. J. J. Cress- man, on whom reliance was placed for re- scarches and write-ups on certain portions of the work.
Another reason for what some may con- sider worthy of criticism is that much to which time for consideration should have been given was brought to light only within the last few weeks, in which time there was great increase of interest in the forthcom- ing history. The amount of time and labor involved in ferreting out the truth of a mat- ter when tradition conflicted with tradition, or when tradition was found to be at va- nance with discovered records, is known only to those who have had experience in such studies.
Histories, if they are to be relatively free from errors such as have been mentioned.
iv
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
cannot be written to order or completed by a time set in advance. At first there was difference of opinion as to the time when this history should appear. The chairman and some other members of the committee were of opinion that its publication should take place after the Centennial. The judg- ment of the majority was that it should be finished before the celebration. That judg- ment has been accepted and the wonder is that so much has been accomplished and with so little of error, as is believed. The Centennial could not be postponed-the work had to be gotten ready before the opening of the celebration.
The committee, especially the chairman, regrets exceedingly that there are imper- fections due to hurried preparation and lack of opportunity for full revision. It is
as a body thankful that so much has been done so well, especially by those who have come to the assistance of the editor and committee.
To his colleagues on the committee and to all who have helped in any way, the editor herewith returns his thanks. Of readers and critics he begs kind indulgence. Concluding, he invites criticism. Notifica- tion of errors which may be discovered will be thankfully received. In this way the publication at some future time of a fuller, more accurate history than the pres- ent one may be made possible.
W. W. DEATRICK, Editor Chairman of Historical Committee Kutztown, Pa.
June 23, 1915
CONTENTS
PAGE
Foreword
iii
Contents
V
The Kutztown Centennial Association,
Its
Inception and History.
vii
Officers of the Association.
viii
Dr. and Mrs. Albert J. Kutz.
ix
Dr. N. C. Schaeffer
xi
H. R. Nicks
x
Chief Burgess, Dr. N. Z. Dunkelberger
.xii
The Town Council.
xiii
The School Directors xiv
Dr. H. W. Saul, President of the Centennial Association
XV
Maxatawny
I-26, 37-39
East Penn Valley I
Saucony
I-8
Geology and Soils. 2-4
Elevations
3
Indians
5-26
Wentz Patent
14-15
Pleasant View Stock Farm.
20
Prominent Families
21-35
Siegfried Family
21
Hottenstein Family 24
Levan Family
26
Schlatter and Zinzendorf 26-27
Mills
26
Organ
20
Wink Family 30
Schaeffer Family 31
Bieber Family 31
Sharadin Family
31
Geehr Family
33
Fister Family
33
Kemp Family
34
Deysher Family
34
Zimmerman Family 34
Dietrich Family
34
Kutz Family
35
Grim Family
35
Development of the Township. 37-39
Settlement
37
Erection
38
Taxables (1759) 38
Early Roads
39
The Great or Easton Road.
39-51
Indian Trail and Early Road. 39
Laying out of Easton Road. 40
Schultz's Map
40
Kemp's Hotel 41
Early Travelers 42-47
Capt. Nagle's Troops 43
Swan Inn
44-45
Continental Congress, Flight of.
45
Centennial Oak
.2, 45-46
PAGE
Lady Washington 47
Modes of Travel.
47-51
"Pitt-Fuehren"
48
Stage Coaches
48
Railroads
50
Hotels
.52-56
Full Moon
.52-54
Emaus-Bunker Hill -- General Jackson. . 52-53
Pennsylvania House
53
Washington House
55
Black Horse Hotel
55
American House
56
Keystone House
.56
Charles Levan's
56
Noted Visitors
57
Penn County, with Kutztown as County Seat. 58
Laying out of Kutztown.
60
Kutztown in the War of 1812. 62
Kutztown a Borough
64
The First House.
65
Borough Incorporated 66
List of Burgesses.
66
The First Minutes of Council.
67
Regulations by Council.
67
First Assessment Roll
68
1915 Assessment
69
Church History
76-91
Maxatawny Reformed congregation 76
Maxatawny Lutheran congregation.
80
Union Church
80-87
Church Regulations 80
School Regulations
83
New Building
85
Sunday Schools
85
Trinity Lutheran Church. 87
St. Paul's Reformed Church. 80
Grace United Evangelical Church. 90
Educational History
.91-IOI
Early Interest in Education. 91
Earliest Teachers
91
The Redemptioner School Master. 92
St. John's Parochial School 93
The Public Schools
94
Private Schools
96-101
Mason's "Pay School". 06
Franklin Academy 98
Fairview Seminary
99
Kutztown Academy
90
Maxatawny Seminary 100
Keystone State Normal School. 102-116
The Cemeteries
II7
Post Office
118
Newspapers
120-120
Industries
130-137
V
vi
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
PAGE
PAGE
Improvements 139-140
Park, Auditorium, Water Company, Trolley
Lines
139
Streets .140
Civic Organizations 140-142
Board of Trade . 140
Board of Health 141
Musical Organizations . 142
Fire Companies 143
Medical Practitioners 145-147
The Legal Profession 148
Fairs and Battalions. 149
Some Military Notes. . 152
Fraternal Organizations 154-156
Dramatic Clubs 157-161
The Centennial Celebration. 161-163
The Slogan 163
Roll of Honor. 163
Odds and Ends of History. 164-166
Some Early History 164
Fell Dead at a Battalion 164
Early Stone Masons. 164
Story of a Bake Shop. 164
Sports in Olden Days. 165
Kutztown as a Show Town. 165
Early Counterfeiters 165
An Old Well. 165
Fire-Making in Olden Times. 166
A Maxatawny Slave.
166
Governor E. T. Miller 166
An Incident of the Revolution. 166
Spanish-American War Volunteers I66
Centennial Committees
167-171
Biographical and Industrial Department. . 171-239 Annals of Kutztown. .240-247
THE KUTZTOWN CENTENNIAL ASSOCIATION-ITS INCEPTION AND HISTORY
On March 4, 1909, the Kutztown Town Council held its annual reorganization, at which time Dr. H. W. Saul delivered his inaugural address as burgess. He referred to 1915 as being the time when Kutztown would be one hundred years old as an in- corporated borough and suggested that preparations should be commenced to raise money fittingly to celebrate the occasion.
After thanking Council for confidence re- posed in him and making some other re- marks, the newely elected Burgess said :
"At the present time I have nothing to offer other than to give out one suggestion, or rather a train of thoughts that came to me like an inspiration, while making one of my drives in the country. It is this: In 1915 this borough will be one hundred years old. It behooves us, as American citizens, yea, as citizens of the Borough of Kutztown, befittingly to commemorate and celebrate this all important centennial event. To do this in a proper way requires time, energy, and money. Money is the least, for it is the easiest to command. How will you do it? Draw up a list, call it the 'Roll of Honor,' and get on this roll the names of all the sons and all the daughters who were ever born within the border limits of the Bor- ough of Kutztown, and who are still among the living, even though they are spread over the broad expanse of the entire United States, or reside in other climes or dwell in the remotest corners of the universe. Get at least 500 on this roll and have each of them pay but one dollar a year. In one year you will have $500 and in six years you will have $3000. But this is not enough. How will you get more? Every industry, every business man, and every ho- tel-keeper in the borough is willing to sub- scribe at least $25. The Keystone State Normal School on the top of the hill will be only too glad to help the cause along with at least $200. Let the public school children enter into the patriotism and once a year contribute their pennies, nickels or climes, and in this way raise another hun- dred dollars during the course of the six years. Let the Borough Council donate several hundred dollars. In all this time the money, as it comes in, will be deposited in our local bank and earn three per cent interest per annum. Then the sum will be approximately $6000 or $7000, with which vou can begin to celebrate this great event.
'l'o make the event all the more complete, we want all the sons and all the daughters who may have been absent five, ten, fifteen, twenty, thirty, or more years to come home to their own native town and have a grand, gala time in the old home during that summer week of 1915. Gentlemen, we are so situated and we have the facilities to make this a complete success if we only start in time. Let us make it our aim to excel, eclipse, and place in the shade, if such a thing is possible, that grand and spec- tacular celebration which was held some years ago in the city of Reading. Then, if we fall short in attaining such a high stand- ard, our efforts will at least be laudable."
A special meeting of Council was held on March 12, 1909, to consider the suggestion. A number of citizens were present. Presi- dent of Council, L. A. Stein, stated the ob- ject of the meeting to be the advisability of a permanent organization for the purpose of celebrating the centennial year, 1915. A financial committee was created for the pur- pose of raising money to defray the neces- sary expenses of a Centennial Celebration. This committee consisted of the Burgess, the members of the Town Council, and its secretary, the five active ministers of the Gospel of the churches of the Borough, the publishers and editors of "The Patriot," and enough other citizens to swell the com- mittee to twenty-five. At a subsequent meeting the committee was increased to fifty members. These persons pledged themselves to pay each no less than seven dollars for the purpose named. A Roll of Honor was created, with an appropriate heading, to be signed by the contributors.
Dr. H. W. Saul, Burgess, was then unani- mously elected president, A. S. Heffner secretary, Arthur Bonner treasurer, Rev. R. B. Lynch, V. H. Hauser, and A. S. Christ trustees. William B. Schaeffer, E. P. De- Turk, and Walter S. Dietrich were elected auditors. Later, because of increasing in- terest and consequent augmentation of necessary correspondence, Herman A. Fis- ter, cashier of the Farmers Bank, was elect- ed corresponding secretary, all to serve one year. All the officers were re-elected from vear to year up to the time of the celebra- tion.
On April 26, 1909, a letter from Dr. Al- bert J. Kutz, of Northampton, England, of- fering a donation of $100.00 to the centen-
vii
viii
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
nial fund was received. This offer was made good on May 4, 1915, by a draft from a London Bank for $100.29. At the meet- ing of the association on May 27 a rising vote of thanks was extended to Doctor Kutz.
Although Kutztown was incorporated March Ist, 1815, it was not deemed wise to celebrate the centennial in March last on ac- count of the conditions of the weather at that season, and so the Kutztown Centen- nial Association on November 18, 1913, de-
A. S. HEFFNER Secretary of the Association
termined that the celebration should be held from July 1 to 7, inclusive.
The Kutztown Centennial Association has been kept alive by quarterly meetings that were held from the time of its origin to Sep- tember, 1914, when the meetings were monthly until March 18, 1915. Then semi- monthly and finally, through May and June, weekly and daily meetings have been held.
The success of the Centennial Celebra- tion is not dependent on financial condi- tions only, but on the untiring efforts of the
various committees, who have spent much time and labor in making out interesting programs for each day.
As this volume goes to press, final preparations, of an elaborate sort and on a scale satisfying the most enthusiastic ad- vocates of the Centennial, are being made for the greatest celebration ever held in Kutztown. It is regretted that it is im- possible here to give the progress of the Centennial Week Observance in detail day by day. In general these are as follows :‘
Thursday, July 1, Educational Day Friday, July 2, Agricultural and Industrial Day
Saturday, July 3, Firemen's Day
Sunday, July 4, Church Day
Monday, July 5, Fraternity Day
Tuesday, July 6, Reading and Allentown Day
Wednesday, July 7 Historical Day
For the committees in charge of these exercises see pp. 168-171.
On Educational Day and on Historical Day pageants will be presented in the Kutz- town Park.
For the arranging and directing of these pageants the community is deeply indebted to Miss Lillian Bull, a member of the faculty of the Keystone State Normal School.
The Celebration of Centennial Week will be begun by appropriate exercises held on Thursday forenoon, July I, in the Chapel of the Keystone State Normal School, the present Burgess of Kutztown, Dr. N. Z. Dunkelberger, presiding.
1. 23081
Barnhill. Fondon May 12th 1915.
F.C.
Tradesmen's National Bank Philadelphia Pa.
ONE PENNY
Against this cheque Pay fum
balance to H. W. Saul E. M.D.
One hundred dollars, twenty nine cento um
PerPro LONDON COUNTX & WESTMINSTER BANK LIMITED FOREIGN BRANCH
$ 100 .00
Rijeuro
FACSIMILE OF A CHECK WHICH SPEAKS FOR ITSELF
DR. AND MRS. ALBERT J. KUTZ
Dr. Albert J. Kutz, was one of the earliest and largest individual subscribers to the fund for the proper celebration of the Centennial. Doctor Kutz is a Pennsylvanian by tirth, Fogelsville, Lehigh county, being the place, and 1860 the year of his nativity. He is a son of the late Elias D. Kutz, and grandson of John Kutz, sometime deceased. His mother, Mrs. Elias D. Kutz, is a resident at present of New Holland, Lancaster county, Pa. On his mother's side he is grandson of the late David Kline. Mrs. Kutz is an English lady, daugh- ter of Mrs. Browning and the late Owen Leggatt and granddaughter of General Edward Owen Leggatt.
Doctor Kutz spent his boyhood in and around Kutztown. In 1882 he grad- uated from the University of Pennsylvania. Soon after graduation he went to Europe on
what was intended as a six months' tour. New made friends across the sea induced him to change his plans. He remained and practiced his profession in London and Paris. He is a noted horesman and a devotee of hunting, traits of character acquired in boyhood days. This predisposition led him to remain in England where he hunted in many portions of the country, as also in Ireland. Then, for a time, he settled in Nottinghamshire. Latterly, as has been noted, he has resided in London. Doctor and Mrs. Kutz are now in America and, doubtless, will mingle with the throngs of Centennial week. It is their intention to remain in America, which the worthy physician still regards as home, despite his feeling of regret at breaking many old associations in the great London overseas.
X
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
H. R. NICKS Founder of the Keystone State Normal School
MICHAEL SCHLATTER
DR. N. C. SCHAEFFER State Superintendent of Public Instruction
was born Feb. 3, 1849, in Maxatawny township, Berks county, educated in Maxatawny Seminary (now Kev- stone State Normal School), Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster ; Theological Seminary, Mercers- burg, and in the Universities of Berlin, Tubingen and Leipsic, Ile taught in Mercersburg College and Frank- lin and Marshall College ; was for sixteen years princi- pal of the Keystone State Normal School ; was elected president of the National Educational Association at Asbury Park, N. J., in 1905: served as president of the Pennsylvania State Teachers' Association, secre- tary of the National Council of Education, president of the Department of Superintendence of the National Association, president of the Pennsylvania German Society ; Chancellor of the Pennsylvania Chautauqua at Mt, Gretna from 1901 to 1905; as a member of
the Pennsylvania Commission on Industrial Educa tion, as editor of the Pennsylvania School Journal since 1893, and is editor of a volume of Bible Read- ings for schools ; author of "Thinking and Learning to Think" (Vol, 1. of Lippincott's Educational Series, edited by Dr. M. G. Brumbaugh), and of a history of Education in Pennsylvania, contained in the three volume History of the State, published by the Mason Publishing Company, Syracuse, N. Y. ; was commis- sioned Superintendent of Public Instruction, June 1. 1893, and re-commissioned in 1897, 1901. 1905. 1909 and 1913. Served as lecturer on Pedagogy in the Graduate Department of the University of Pennsyl- vania during the absence of Dr. Brumbaugh as Com- missioner of Education in Porto Rico (1900-1901.)
xii
CENTENNIAL IHISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
BOROUGH COUNCIL, 1915
B. D. DRUCKENMILLER
V. H. HAUSER
GEORGE W. RAMER
HORACE SCHMEHL
B. M. DEIBERT
FRED. A. MOYER
OSCAR O. SELL
G. W. BIEBER, SEC.
KUTZTOWN SCHOOL BOARD, 1915
GEO, GLASSER, PRES.
GEO. C. BORDNER, SEC.
GEO. A. SCHLENKER
·
DR. H. W. SAUL
H. A. FISTER
DR. N. Z. DUNKELBERGER Chief Burgess of Kutztown, 1914-1918
Kutztown, Pa., son of John L. and Mary (Zimmer- man ) Dunkelberger, was born in Bethel township, Berks county, Pa, August 16, 1864, The great- grandfather of our subject was Abraham Dunkelberg- er, born in Center township, John Dunkelberger, the grandfather was born in Bern township. John L, Dunkelberger, the father of our subject, was born in Upper Bern township, and is now a resident of Reading, Dr. Dunkelberger, after completing the course prescribed in the common schools of Center township. took advanced studies under a private tutor, He passed a ereditable teachers' examination and taught two years, when he entered the employ of Kline and Pautsch, general merchants of Center- port for six months, and then went back to teaching. Hle taught in the schools of this county six years, He read medicine in the office of Dr, A, A, Stamm, of Centerport, after which he took a course of one year in the University of Vermont, and still later a two year course in the Medico-Chirurgical College of Philadelphia, from which he was graduated April 10. 1890, In addition to the ordinary course, he took a special course in discases of the cye, car. nose and throat and diseases of women. Upon examination he received a prize of $50 for having the highest mark in
the class, and a special diploma in surgery, In 1890 he passed the examination before the State Board of Examiners, and received an appointment to the staff of physicians in the Philadelphia Hospital, but deelined and located at Kutztown, Ile has since demonstrated his skill as a physician and acquired a good and large practice, Dr, Dunkelberger was married to Anna Laura Dunkle, a daughter of Solomon G, and Sarah Dunkle, of Ontelaunee. They are the parents of May Bright, wife of Robert Sell, 24: LeRoy. 22; Anna Laila, 18; George A., 11, and Anna Laura. 7. They are members of the Lutheran Church, He has been connected with the Reading Eagle, as correspon- dent and agent, for 35 years, He has been a mem- ber of the School Board 22 years, serving as sec- l'etary of the board 18 years, and president one year . first Chief Burgess of greater Kutztown, 1914-1918; member of Berks County Medical Society, Lehigh Val- ley Medical Association and the State Association : member of K. G. E., No, 70, Kutztown , of Ir, O, U. A. M., Kutztown ; of Royal Arcanum, Kutztown ; of F. O. E. No, 839, Kutztown, Dr, Dunkelberger is also a member of the Kutztown Motor Car Company and director of the Farmers Bank,
DR. HENRY W. SAUL President of the Kutztown Centennial Association
of Kutztown, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. David Sanl. hoth deceased, was horn in Kutztown, April 29, 1869. He attended the public schools of Kutztown until the spring of 1886, when he entered the Keystone State Normal School, and graduated therefrom in June 1889, Taught school for his master diploma, and in the spring terms of 1890 and 1891, at the Keystone State Normal School, studied the higher hranches in the post-graduate course, and prepared for college, Ile entered the Baltimore Medical College. and gradu- ated from that institution in 1894; took another year of hospital and post-graduate work and on April 1, 1895, he started the practice of medicine in his native town and has successfully practiced his pro- fession here ever since, He is a member of the Berks County Medical Society, and the Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania, and served as president of the former hody during the year 1912. Politically, he is a Democrat, and takes an active interest in municipal affairs; he served as horough auditor and town clerk and was Burgess of Kutztown for five
years, trom 1909 to 1914; at present he is a member of the Board of Education of the Kutztown public schools, and for the past eleven years was deputy coroner for Kutztown and vicinity. IIe is president of the Kutztown Centennial Association, ever since its organization, six years ago and during, his adminis- tration as hurgess this organization was effected. IIe is a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, and served as a deacon for the congregation the past eight years, Socially, he helongs to Huguenot Lodge, No. 377, F, and A, M .; Excelsior Royal Arch Chapter, No, 237 ; Reading Commandery, No, 42, Knights Tem- plar ; Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. : Adonai Castle, No, 70, Knights of the Golden Eagle; Charles A. Gerasch Council, No. 1004, Jr. O. U. A. M. On August 16. 1904, he was married to Katie E. Trexler, of Topton, and they are the parents of three children, one son and two danghters : Charles David, aged 7 years ; Helen Margaret, aged 9, and Katharine Adele, 5.
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