Historical and biographical annals of Berks County, Pennsylvania, embracing a concise history of the county and a genealogical and biographical record of representative families, Volume I, Part 12

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846; J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1018

USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > Historical and biographical annals of Berks County, Pennsylvania, embracing a concise history of the county and a genealogical and biographical record of representative families, Volume I > Part 12

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The first agricultural fair was held in October, whilst enterprise was drawing one way against its 1853; the exhibition of speed took place on a large interest and welfare, genius was acting with equal lot on the northeast corner of Sixth and Walnut force in the other for them, and the result has ac- streets; of farming implements, stock, poultry, etc., tually come to be beneficial to the farmer, more especially in respect to making him more self-de- pendent.

on a lot on the southeast corner of Fifth and Elm streets ; and of grain, fruits, flowers, fancy articles, etc., in the Academy building, on the northeast corner of Fourth and Court streets. It was a great

By the industrial statistics in the next portion of this chapter, it will appear that in 1806 there success-the attendance having been estimated at were upward of one hundred and fifty grist-mills, 20,000. which were scattered throughout the county. Af- ter the several railroads in operation began to make themselves felt in the industrial affairs of the county, these grist-mills came to be abandoned, and as they grew less in number the value of farms began to decrease, and this decrease continued until the value in many cases was one-half, even two-thirds, less than it had been. This was noticeable from 1875 to 1900. The abandoned mills have not been rebuilt ;

In a report to the society on April 5, 1853, a recommendation was made that the public park and parade-ground be secured as a suitable locality for the erection of buildings, etc., to promote agri- cultural science. This recommendation was acted upon, and on May 13, 1854, the county commission- ers leased to the society the ground known as the "commons," for the purpose of holding its annual fairs, for the term of ninety-nine years. The third and the farm values have not yet improved. This annual fair was held there in October, 1854; and was a direct result of imported grain from the Wes- every succeeding year the fairs were conducted on tern States at reduced rates, much having been said the "Fair Ground" until 1887 excepting during the of the increased flour-producing character of this grain over the Eastern grain ; and also of Western flour. And this abandonment of the grist-mills and decrease of farm values led many thousand of peo- ple to move from farms and locate in towns and cities, in the county and out of it. The census and assessment returns show this plainly. Before 1835, without the aid of steam and railroads and stimu- lated industrial affairs, farming communities had increased and improved for fifty years; but after 1875, even with these extraordinary aids to the people, they have decreased and retrograded. and the major part of the population and wealth have come to concentrate in the county-seat.

Civil war for three years (1862-3-4), when it was occupied by the United States government for the purposes of a military hospital and camp. In that year it was removed to the large inclosure at the end of North Eleventh street, and the annual ex- hibitions have since been held there.

The annual "Fair" is the principal object of the society. Monthly meetings are held for the dis- cussion of topics pertaining to agricultural and hor- ticultural progress. These have been held in the third story of the court-house for many years past. Formerly, they were held at different places, prom- inent among them being the "Keystone House" and "Keystone Hall."

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY .- In 1823, a State Agri- A similar society was formed at Kutztown in 1870, which also gave annual exhibitions until 1903. Another "Fair Ground" was established in 1905, on the north side of Kutztown, with a superior half- mile track. cultural Society was first suggested to the people of the State by an Act of Assembly, but nearly thirty years elapsed before a successful movement was made in that behalf. A public letter was ad- dressed to the farmers of the State. in May, 1850, FARMERS' UNION .- In 1900, a number of farmers which suggested a convention at Harrisburg, in of the southern section of the county in the vicinity January, 1851, for the purpose of forming a State of Geigertown organized a "Farmers' Union" for Agricultural Society. Delegates from the several educational and mutual benefit and erected a fine counties were in attendance and it resulted in a hall (32x45) costing $1,500, with cement base- State Fair which was held in October, 1851.

ment and shedding. It has been carried on in a successful manner and its lectures on agricultural topics have been highly appreciated. Membership, 100. Officers : E. M. Zerr. president ; H. G. Mc-

This movement having met with success, a pre- liminary meeting for organizing a society in the county was held at the "Keystone House" (now "Hotel Penn"), in Reading, on Dec. 20, 1851. It Gowan, treasurer ; H. C. Hohl, secretary: D. Owen was attended by a number of prominent citizens Brooke, corresponding secretary.

INDUSTRY OF COUNTY

IRON INDUSTRIES

FURNACES AND FORGES .- In each portion of the Do-Well

county there were iron industries at an early per- iod in its history, especially in the lower portion. They were scattered many miles from one another, extending from the southern boundary to the north- ern, and from the eastern to the western. All were located along strong streams for water-power, and in the midst of thickly wooded territory for char- coal. The greater number were east of the Schuyl- kill. The nine following streams were occupied before the Revolution: Manatawny and its tribu- tary Ironstone, West-Branch of Perkiomen, Mose- lem, French, Hay, Allegheny, Tulpehocken and its tributary, Spring.

Until that time there were the following indus- tries-the year indicating the time of erection:

FURNACES

Colebrookdale

.1720

Hopewell

1759

Mt. Pleasant

1738

Berkshire

1760

Hereford 1740

Oley

1765

FORGES

Pool (2)

1717

Oley

1744

Spring

1729

Charming

1749

Mt. Pleasant

1738

Moselem

1750

Pine .

1740

Gibraltar 1770

From 1775 to 1800, the following were estab- lished in the county :

FURNACES

Union

1780

Joanna 1792

District

1780

Reading

1794

Mary Ann

1789

Greenwood

1796

Dale

1791

Sally Ann 1800

FORGES

Brobst's

1780

Burkhart's 1792

Rockland

1783

District

1793

Dale 1791

Speedwell 1800

All of these industries were operated successful- ly for many years and contributed a great deal to the material welfare of the county; but most of them were discontinued shortly after the Civil war. Three of them are still in active operation, though much enlarged :

Hay Creek ( Birdsboro) Gibraltar

Reading (Robesonia)

Among the more recent furnaces and forges in the county, there were the following, the date after the name indicating the year of erection :

FURNACES

Sally Ann

1811

Maiden Creek 1854

Windsor

Reading (Seyfert,

McManus & Co.) 1854 second stack 1873

Moselem

1823

Mount Penn

1825

Temple 1867

Earl

1835

Keystone 1869

Mount Laurel

1836

second stack 1872

Henry Clay

1844

Topton 1873

East Penn (2 stacks) .1874

Monocacy

1852

Kutztown 1875

Leesport

1853

Bechtelsville .1875

FORGES

Moyer's

1825

Mount Airy 1840

Moselem

1825

Seidel's 1853

Sixpenny

1825

Keystone 1854

North-Kill

1830

Reading 1857

Bloom

1830

Douglassville 1878

INDUSTRIAL STATISTICS .- In the year 1806, Berks county was distinguished for its numerous manu- facturing establishments, its trade and enterprise. The following iron industries were then in opera- tion :

Tilt hammers. 9

Furnaces

Slitting-mill 1

Forges 20

Other industries :

Powder-mills 4

Grist-mills 155

Fulling-mills 14

Oil-mills

Paper-mills

Hat factories ( Read-

Saw-mills 235

ing)

Distilleries

212

In 1830, there were: furnaces, 11; and forges, 24; which employed 2,770 men.

In 1840, there were: furnaces, 11; forges, 36; flour and grist-mills, 141; oil-mills, 15; sawmills, 108; powder-mills, 3; stores, 119; paper-factories, 5; potteries, 3; distilleries, 29; breweries, 6.

In 1851, there were 41 iron works-more than in any other county in Pennsylvania; and no other county in the United States contained more. The estimated and reported capital then invested was $1,231,000.

In 1876, there were 27 furnaces, 4 forges, and 10 mills, whose total production was 58,641 tons; and in 1884, there were 19 furnaces, 6 forges, and 9 mills, whose total production was 135,947 tons.

INDUSTRIAL STATISTICS, 1870-1900

Establishments

Employees

: Capital

Wages

Materials

Products

1870 1880

1,414

8,991 |$11,182,603 |$2,711,231 [$10,646,049 |$16,243,453

1890

975

17,693

20,517,504

3,077,919 7,078,146 9,676,954

13,026,331

17,664,329

1900

1,699

25,379

37,279,817

25,502,407

20,143,164 29,446,602 49,977,253

IRON-MASTERS .- The iron-masters of the county include many men noted for their enterprise, suc- cess, wealth and patriotism, all through the history of the county, from its earliest settlements till now. A great proportion of the material prosperity and enrichment of the county has been contributed by them. They have, to a great degree, influenced its social, political, and industrial welfare. In the settlement and development of its several sections, they have been pioneers. Though their great and influential industry does not antedate agriculture in the affairs of the county, it has, nevertheless, been

1825

Exeter 1836

1,044

10,008

12,522,140

Hamburg

Hemp-mills

Tanneries 49

Hay Creek

1740

second stack 1854

HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

a traveling companion; and, like agriculture, it has furnaces and 28 forges, with their respective dis- been transmitted from grandfather to son and tances from Reading. grandson. Their names reveal the fact that the Seven years before, upon the opening of the rail- road from Reading to Philadelphia, there had been a similar movement. great majority of them have been Germans or of German origin.

GENERAL INDUSTRIES .- The industries previously mentioned were prominent in their several sections on account of the capital invested and the men em- ployed to carry them on successfully. But besides these there were many other industries in the sev- eral townships. Blacksmith shops and wheelwright shops were located and conducted in every commun- ity. They were necessary for the accommodation of the settlers. Only a few individuals worked together-mostly a master workman and his ap- prentice. Grist-mills for flour and feed were sitit- ated along all the large streams. Cooper shops were also quite numerous. The Welsh were me- chanics who conducted their trades in small factories along the Wyomissing. Rope-makers were common in every section, for ropes and cords were largely used in the daily affairs of life. This industry was conducted for many years by individuals at their homes ; but improved machinery and steam caused its decline, and small ropewalks were compelled to discontinue.

Carpenters and builders were numerous. They were finished workmen, preparing the articles out of wood by hand. Some of the old buildings, still in a good state of preservation, attest the excellence of their workmanship. Doors, windows and frames of all kinds, used in building operations, were hand- made. This custom amongst them continued till the introduction of the planing-mill about 1835, and then it began to decline. The country sawmill, run by water-power, was active then in preparing lumber ; but great steam mills in the lumber regions have caused them to become less and less active. Great rafts of logs are no longer towed down the canals to Reading, especially the Union canal from the Susquehanna river, to afford employment to 'our sawmills. The railroads instead deliver finished lumber.

Every community had a weaver, who conducted his business at his home. He wove carpets and coverlets (plain and fancy) and linen and cotton stuffs for domestic use. He did not carry a large stock on hand; he manufactured articles to order. So with other trades. Fulling-mills, paper-mills, oil-mills, and distilling-mills were conducted for cloths, paper, oil and whiskey, but they were limited in capacity.

a memorial was presented to Congress, setting forth reasons why Reading should be selected as a' site for one of the national foundries. It referred to the security of Reading in time of war, its central position with regard to points of defense and sup- ply of ordnance, its transportation facilities, its sup- ply of iron, coal and other materials, and its low wages ; and it included an itemized statement of 15

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS

The internal improvements of the county relate to the several prominent affairs which have been established and carried on for the general conven- ience, development and enrichment of the whole community. They comprise the following subjects : Schuylkill River, Bridges, Roads and Turnpikes, Stages, Canals, Railways, Post-Offices, Telegraph, and Telephone.

SCHUYLKILL RIVER

In a natural aspect, the Schuylkill river has occu- pied an important position in the well-being of the county. We can only appreciate this by realizing the great adantages which it has af- forded us in leading away successfully to the Del- aware river the enormous quantities of water throughout the year, from the mountains and val- leys. And its meandering channel is worthy of con- sideration, inasmuch as the flowing waters are there- by detained in their onward course, to moisten the air and vegetation, and to proceed with only such speed as not to injure the adjoining country.

FISHING AND NAVIGATION .- In a practical aspect, it has been valuable in various ways-two especially, fishing and navigation. In respect to fishing, it was a source of profit and subsistence to the early set- tlers who occupied the adjoining properties. They discovered this fact immediately after settling here ; and, to facilitate the catching of large quantities of fish with little labor and expense, they erected weirs, racks and dams in the river, into which the fish were driven by fishermen, who either waded afoot or rode on horseback through the water. And in respect to navigation, it was likewise a source of advantage in enabling them to carry conveniently by boats, flats and canoes, at little expense, great quantities of grain and goods of all kinds, to the market at Philadelphia. Canoes were of consider- able size so as to carry a large quantity of wheat. They were hewn out of the trunk of a tree. The growth of the trees in the wild, extended forest of that early day was very large. William Penn stated in a letter, written in 1683, that he had seen a canoe made from a poplar tree which carried four tons of brick. Penn had hardly landed here before he found that navigation in the river was obstructed by fishing weirs and dams; and believing them to be

MEMORIAL FOR NATIONAL FOUNDRY .- In 1845, objectionable, he encouraged legislation against

them. Various Acts were passed, but the weirs and dams were not abandoned.

There was no trouble along the Schuylkill above the mouth of the Manatawny creek in reference to weirs and dams, though fishing was carried on to a great extent, especially hy citizens of Reading. There were two fishing-pools which were particu- larly famous for their supplies of fish, "Levan's"

INDUSTRY OF COUNTY

and "Lotz's," the former at the foot of "Never- assembled on March 13, 1807, to consider this sub- sink Hill," and the latter a short distance above. ject, and then they formed a society under the name Fishing was continued successfully for seventy years in these pools, until the construction of the dams in the Schuylkill canal, which forced their abandonment. Fishing with nets was common. It was a regular pursuit with some people.

NAVIGATION ENCOURAGED .- The Schuylkill river forms the western boundary of Reading. In its natural state, before it was contracted on both sides by the construction of the Schuylkill canal along its eastern bank, and of the Union canal along its western, it was over six hundred feet wide. Its bed was capable of confining a large body of water. It was useful in the transportation of merchandise by boats to Philadelphia. Spring was generally selected as the time when the shipment of goods could be most conveniently and satisfactorily made, for then the water was higher than during the other seasons of the year. Heavy cargoes on flat-boats would float down the river with ease, requiring only proper and careful steering. The steersmen were ex- pert in keeping the boats in the channel, and very sel- dom failed to reach their destination successfully. Besides the long paddle at the stern of the boat, for guiding purposes, there were polemen at the bow with long, stout poles, who directed the boat to the right or left as necessity required. Poling was not generally required to propel the boat with the current; this labor was practised in returning against the current. There were no tow-paths then.

The improvement of the river to facilitate navi- gation was a subject of consideration by the early inhabitants, both of the county and county-seat, for many years. The matter was of such importance as to gain the attention of the Provincial Assembly in 1760 and secure appropriations for that purpose. The river, notwithstanding these early efforts, re- mained about the same as to navigation for many years. The only substantial improvement worthy of mention was effected sixty years afterward, by the construction of the Schuylkill canal; and dur- ing that time the inhabitants continued to transport their grain, merchandise and productions on boats and flats, as they had done before.

The navigation of the river induced the organi- zation of the first Board of Trade at Reading. A number of prominent business men of the borough

of "The Society for Promoting the Clearing of the River Schuylkill"; but nothing was accomplished. Eighteen years afterward, the difficulty was solved by the construction of a narrow channel for slack water, with numerous locks whereby to overcome grade and detain the water in certain levels to facili- tate navigation.

OLD PENN STREET BRIDGE

FRESHETS .- Numerous freshets have swept down the river and its tributaries which inflicted great losses upon the adjoining property-holders. Those worthy of special mention are the following :

Rise

1757.

15 feet

1786.

.20 feet, 74 inches

1822.

13 feet, 94 inches

1839

.17 feet, 12 inches

1841.

19 feet

1850

25 feet

1862

17 feet

1869

23 feet

1902*

25 feet

*Shortly before this great freshet, there was a very cold spell of weather, after a fall of rain and snow, which caused large quan- tities of ice to form on all the trees, and the weight of the ice broke off the tops and branches of thousands of trees throughout Perks county and the surrounding counties, the evidence being still visible in 1909.

BRIDGES

Long before the first settlements in this vi- cinity, there had been a ford across the river at Reading, and this was the only convenient ford for some distance above and below. It was used for seventy years after the town had been laid out. The only step in advance of the first settlers was the introduction of a ferry-boat.

LANCASTER BRIDGE

HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

PENN STREET BRIDGE .- In 1795, a petition was

In 1884, this bridge was demolished by the Penn- presented to the court to order the grand jury to sylvania Schuylkill Valley Railroad Co., and this company erected in its stead a superior iron bridge at an expense exceeding $100,000, the county com- missioners appropriating $33,000 toward the cost. The new bridge became a necessity, owing to the railroad improvements along the river.

consider the advisability of causing the erection of a stone bridge over the river at the foot of Penn street. The grand jury recommended an appropria- tion of $32,000, but this sum was deemed insuffi- cient. In 1796, the petitioners then devised the plan of raising sufficient money by a "lottery," but it proved unsuccessful. In 1801, another application

HAMBURG BRIDGE .- During the progress of the "Penn street bridge" at Reading, the subject of a was made to the Quarter Sessions for a view, and bridge was discussed at Hamburg, and the spirit an appropriation, the petitioners concluding with a prayer for a "wooden bridge," and estimating the probable expense at £6,000. The grand jury recom- mended an appropriation of $16,000, to be assessed at three yearly payments. The court approved of their action on Aug. 6th, and the county commis- sioners proceeded to cause its erection. The con- tract was awarded, and the contractor began opera- tions in earnest, but he failed at the piers. The county commissioners had expended $30,000, and it was estimated that $70,000 more would be required to complete the bridge, if built of stone. created thereby was sufficient to result in the pas- sage of an Act of Assembly on March 19, 1816, for its erection, but no practical results flowed from this first effort. Eleven years afterward (April 14, 1827), an Act was passed appropriating $6,000 by the State for the erection of a bridge over the Schuylkill, near Hamburg, on the State road from Jonestown (Lebanon county) to Northampton county. The bridge was erected during the follow- ing year by the commissioners of the county, and confirmed by the court on Jan. 12, 1829. Toll was charged till December, 1883, when it was made a free bridge.

In 1805, a third unsuccessful effort was made, but for six years afterward this necessary improvement lay in idleness ; then (Feb. 22, 1812) an Act was passed, authorizing the county commissioners to build a stone bridge and charge toll; and providing that, when the principal invested in its construction was realized from the tolls, it should be declared free. Still the matter halted, and another Act be- came necessary, which was passed on Feb. 21, 1814, modifying the previous Act by giving the commis- sioners the power to build either a stone or wooden bridge. Then operations were resumed and the bridge was so far completed in December, 1815, as to be passable, and it was finished at last in 1818.

It was 600 feet long, three spans of 200 feet each, covered by a roof. The first passage over it was made by Coleman's stage-coach on Dec. 20, 1815. Many persons were present to witness the occur- rence and they demonstrated their joy by loud ap- plause. Such was the exertion, and so long was the period, to obtain the "Penn street bridge," the first public improvement of the town beyond the court-house and the prison !

The subject of a "Free Bridge" was agitated as early as 1821, just three years after the bridge had been completed, but this related more particularly to persons, and, to accomplish this purpose, a peti- tion was presented to the Legislature in February. 1821. It continued to be agitated for over thirty years and the county bridges ( Harrisburg, Lancas- ter and Poplar Neck) were not declared free till 1883. This great step forward was obtained through the city councils of Reading, an earnest and successful application in this behalf having been made to court, upon the representation that the tolls received exceeded the cost of erecting and maintain- ing them, and the judges decided that the bridges must be declared free under the legislation which authorized their erection. The adjudication was made on March 28, 1883.

LANCASTER BRIDGE .- The county commissioners were authorized by an Act passed April 23, 1829, to erect a bridge over the river at Gerber's ferry, on the road from Reading to Lancaster. It was finished in 1831. Its length was 352 feet, in two equal spans. It has been known since as the "Lan- caster bridge."

In 1839, a part of the bridge was swept away by the freshet; in 1850 two spans were swept away ; and in 1869, the eastern half. In 1876 (July 9th) the bridge was destroyed by fire-the act of young incendiaries. Shortly before, there were loud com- plaints about its insecurity and darkness and its unpleasant condition on account of dust. The coun- ty commissioners caused a fine iron bridge to be erected in its stead, which was opened to travel on Jan. 2, 1877. It was the first large iron bridge- structure erected in the county. It was declared free of toll in 1883.

POPLAR NECK BRIDGE .- After the completion of the "Lancaster Bridge," the Legislature, in 1832. authorized the erection of a county toll-bridge across the river at "Poplar Neck," about three miles below Reading. And a covered wooden bridge was accordingly built during 1832 and 1833. It was declared free in 1883. At this place a ferry had been conducted for many years, known as "Lewis's Ferry."

OTHER COUNTY BRIDGES .- Since the agitation and establishment of free bridges, the county authori- ties have caused the erection of other necessary bridges across the river as follows :- Stoudt's No. 2, -; Cross Keys, 1891; Schuylkill avenue, 1892; Exeter, 1893; Bern Station, 1896.

There are now altogether eighteen county bridg- es crossing the river; fourteen, the Tulpehocken

INDUSTRY OF COUNTY

creek; nine, the Manatawny creek; twelve, the Ontelaunee creek ; and sixty-four, the other streams in the different sections of the county; making a total of 117.

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Historical and biographical annals of Berks County, Pennsylvania, embracing a concise history of the county and a genealogical and biographical record of representative families, Volume I, Part 12

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846; J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1018

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846; J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1018