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 39

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 39

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In January, 1799, a man named Salanca gave a Jan. 5, 1800. A procession was solemnly formed "curious exhibition" in Barr's ballroom, consisting on Penn Square, and a great concourse of people,

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under the head of the militia of the borough, It was refused, and the proprietor of the news- marched to the church. paper was taken to Penn Square and publicly

President Van Buren visited Reading on June flogged.

25, 1839, while on his way from Harrisburg to Easton. A special committee met him at Womels- dorf; and many citizens from different parts of the county formed a procession on the turnpike some distance west of the Harrisburg bridge, and joined the committee in escorting the distinguished visitor to Reading. He was pleased to receive such an expressive welcome from the thriving town on the Schuylkill, which three years before had given him a strong political support, nearly four to one against Gen. W. H. Harrison. The procession paraded through the principal streets. The presi- dent rode on a fine cream-colored horse, and his graceful horsemanship attracted general attention. He sojourned at Herr's hotel. During the evening, a reception was held at the residence of Samuel Bell, Esq., where many citizens assembled to show him honor. He left for Easton, via Kutztown, on the following morning, a number of prominent citizens having accompanied him as far as Kutz- town. In the previous year, he had paid a high compliment to the borough by selecting Hon. Hen- ry A. Muhlenberg to be the first minister plenipo- tentiary to Austria.

Gen. Winfield Scott visited Reading on Saturday, May 21, 1842, during a great "Military Encamp- ment" comprising fourteen companies of militia from Berks, Lehigh and Schuylkill counties, of which four were from Reading, numbering 157 men. He was accompanied by his aids. They were met at the railroad station (Seventh and Chest- nut streets) by a detachment of militia, and escort- ed to Herr's hotel, where they were cordially wel- comed and properly entertained. Many citizens followed the parade. On Monday (23d), he re- viewed the troops, and left on the next day for Danville, to review a similar encampment. Dur- ing the day, medals were awarded for skillful shooting. He was much pleased with the disci- pline and appearance of the encampment; and he paid a special compliment to the Reading Artil-

ENGLISH WAR OF 1812-15 .- After the Revolu- tion, the British government conducted itself in an offensive manner persistently until the complaints became too loud and the injuries too grievous to be endured any longer, when President Madison made them subjects for his message to Congress on June 1, 1812, and a declaration of war was issued. Berks county supplied twelve organized companies in response to the call for troops. The companies of Capt. Thomas Moore and Capt. Daniel deB. Keim were composed entirely of men from Read- ing ; and the greater part of the men in the com- panies of Capt. Jacob Marshall and Capt. George Marx were also from Reading. The companies left in August, 1814, and performed military duty at York, Pa., but they did not participate in any en- gagements with the enemy. Some of the men re- mained four months, others six months. Peace was concluded Dec. 24, 1814. When the event was made known at Reading, the citizens signalized it by shooting off cannon during the day and by a grand illumination at night. During the war, when the British approached Philadelphia, a number of English families who lived there were compelled to move away at least fifty miles, and on that ac- count they came to Reading. This was in August, 1814.

MEXICAN WAR .- War between the United States and Mexico was declared in May, 1846. The chief burgess of Reading presided at a public meeting, held on May 20th, at which the government was sus- tained. Three companies of men from Reading tendered their services, and one of them was accept- ed, the Reading Artillerists, commanded by Capt. Thomas S. Leoser. This company left on Dec. 26th for Mexico, and participated in the battles of Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Chapultepec and Belen Gate. They returned July 29, 1848, and were given a brilliant reception.

CITY, 1847 TO 1909

READING IN 1847 .- Reading was incorporated in- to a city on March 16, 1847. At that time it was in numerous. The population numbered about twelve

lerists. The encampment was held on Penn Com- a flourishing state. Shops, factories and stores were mon and was the first at Reading.

LIBERTY-POLES OF 1799 .- During the administra- thousand. The tendency of local development was tion of President Adams, Congress caused a direct to the south of Penn street and to the west of Ninth. tax to be levied upon houses, which was objection- At that time there were thirteen churches, seven to able to many persons. In eastern Pennsylvania, the north of Penn, and six to the south.

an insurrection arose in 1799, and liberty-poles were erected to declare the feeling of opposition. The railroad deserves especial mention. A de- cade had not fully elapsed since its introduction, A number of them were erected at and near Read- yet it demonstrated to a remarkable degree its pow- ing. While a company of soldiers were on their er in accelerating the growth of everything. Anoth- way through Reading to Bucks county, several of er railroad had been projected in 1836 to extend these poles were cut down, and the conduct of the westward to Harrisburg, but it was not as yet be- soldiers was severely criticised by an editorial in gun. The canals and stages occupied a prominent the Adler. When the company reached Reading position. The former consisted of two lines, the on its way back to Lancaster, the Captain, hearing Schuylkill and the Union; and the latter of three of this criticism, demanded the name of the author. lines, to Easton, Harrisburg, and Lancaster.

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A prominent social movement was then percep- tible. This was the secret society, and though first started in 1794, it had not begun to make a marked impression till toward the close of the second per- iod of Reading. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows was particularly active. As a beneficial organization, it extended its branches in various di- rections with remarkable earnestness and success.

The fire company was active. Four volunteer hour and the condition of the weather in a monoton- companies were conducted successfully, Rainbow, ous, low tone of voice. Junior, Reading and Neversink, partly through pe- cuniary assistance from the municipal government, but mainly from the spontaneous efforts of their members.

The system of common school education was ac- tively conducted, there being 17 schools, 31 teach- ers, and 2,064 scholars. Five newspapers were pub- lished successfully. Advertising was a prominent feature in all of them. The political sentiment of the inhabitants was favorable to the Whigs in local affairs, but to the Democrats in State and nation- al.

The public markets were largely attended. The market-men came regularly twice a week, Wednes- The militia spirit maintained its activity ; and exer- cise was carried on annually in May, on what was known as "Battalion-Day."

The town was not large. The principal portion lay between Walnut street on the north and Chest- nut on the south; Ninth street on the east and Third on the west. Business of all kinds was done almost entirely during the daytime, and merchants derived their chief support from the farmers. Two consta- bles were watchmen of the night, and for several hours before and after midnight they called out the

The pump was used throughout the place, not- withstanding the general supply of superior water afforded by the Reading Water Company. It was convenient in every block, if not on or near every street corner. At least one hundred pumps were in daily use. Penn street was especially well sup- plied. Ice had come to be furnished in small quanti- ties for about ten years, but not for drinking pur- ‘poses.

The events which have transpired since the incor- poration of Reading as a city, have been so numer- ous that a narration of them must be necessarily brief. They will be mentioned by decades in the order of their occurrence as near as possible, re- .

days and Saturdays. Councils had proposed no im- ferring the reader to other parts of this chapter provement beyond the advantages first afforded in for a more extended description of them. 1766 ; and rents were still collected.

1847-57 .- During the decade from 1847 to 1857;

The semi-annual fairs were kept up. Dancing, business affairs grew more active, and continued to drinking and fighting were conspicuous features. do so till toward the close, when a panic ensued. Gas was introduced for lighting purposes in 1848. The first large hall was erected by the Odd Fellows in 1847, which provided a meeting place for the Most of the people were domestic in their daily life. Gardening was carried on either in lots, upon which the dwellings stood, or in out-lots. Fruit trees were numerous, and plums, peaches, pears, cherries, quinces and apples were plentiful. "Pre- serving" fruit was common, not "canning" as now. And nearly every family boiled apple-butter in an open fire place in the fall of the year. Home-made sausage, pudding, scrapple, hams, mince, and sauer- kraut were in every household. About Christmas time the cellars of housekeepers were well stocked. society and accommodations for the public in respect to entertainments. The Charles Evans cemetery was founded in 1848; the Trinity Lutheran and Roman Catholic cemeteries on the northern slope of Mt. Neversink were laid out in 1849 ; and the Aulenbach cemetery in 1851. Interments were then made in these cemeteries; and the remains of many buried persons, in graveyards in the central parts of the city, were transferred to them. Numerous buildings were erected, both dwellings and industrial estab- lishments, the latter including prominent enterprises which have been continued until now.

The fuel for domestic purposes such as cook- ing and heating was almost wholly wood, and, this was consumed in a "ten-plate" stove; and sawing of cord-wood by hand was a common occupation. Coal had been known to the community for nearly forty years, but it was not used for domestic pur- poses, its consumption having been principally in public places, shops and factories.

Two railroads were constructed in 1857, the East Penn to the northeast, and the Lebanon Valley to the west. The militia system was active and battalion days were devoted to military exercise. The fair days at the market-houses passed away without regret from any one, and in 1852, an agri- cultural society began holding a county fair for an The light was produced from fluid, oil and tallow, even common fat, the first two having been used in stores, and the last two in dwellings. especially of the poorer classes of inhabitants. The streets improved annual exhibition of goods, live stock, etc. An exciting topic at this time was the discovery of gold in California, and several parties went there from Reading, but their discouraging letters dis- were not lighted up in the evening. Lanterns were pelled the charm, and the excitement subsided. Var- carried to shed light upon the roadway. There were ious political questions agitated the people, and one no street-crossings. The customs of the residents of them, that of slavery, caused the Presidential had not yet come to convert night into day for campaign of 1856 to be particularly enthusiastic. amusements of various kinds. Dramatic entertain- A public high school was established in 1852, and ments were just starting out, and the demands for the taxpayers realized the promises of its projectors an improved light were gradually growing greater. in affording advanced education to such as attended

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the common schools. The greatest freshet in the but the volunteer fire companies by their vigilance Schuylkill Valley occurred in 1850, and the people of prevented serious losses. Reading suffered damages estimated at more than In 1872, two steam fire engines were added to the $500,000. On Jan. 8, 1854, the Philadelphia and fire department, and in 1873 the electric fire alarm Reading Railroad Company machine shops on Sev- system was introduced, which immediately demon- enth between Franklin and Chestnut streets were strated its great value. The old market-houses destroyed by fire, causing a loss of $50,000, which was the most destructive fire at Reading until that time: and on April 20, 1857, the roof of the same shop broke down for a space of 40 by 180 feet by reason of a great fall of snow on the day before (Sunday), followed by rain, this happening while three hundred workmen were underneath, all of whom escaped unhurt.

1857-67 .- In the decade from 1857 to 1867, the Civil war was the most engrossing subject which en- gaged the attention of the people. Many companies of men were enlisted here, and the excitement on many occasions was intense. The people of the city

The general Act of 1874, for the government of supported the government devotedly and liberally in cities of the third class-which included Reading- its great efforts to suppress the Rebellion. . In 1863, houses were numbered by councils by an admirable system through the efforts of Jacob Knabb, post- master, to facilitate and dispatch the delivery of let- ters. The streets were regulated by a topographical survey from 1864 to 1867, and the fixing of lines and grades encouraged building operations, especially in the northern section of the city. The waterworks were purchased by Councils in 1865. Efforts were made to improve the city charter by amendments in 1861 and 1864.

The Firemen's Union was organized in 1861. The co-education of boys and girls in the high school was started in 1859, and all the wards were consoli- dated into one district for school purposes in 1864. The people were active and energetic in every de- partment of life, and the wealth of the community was increased millions of dollars. Weekly news- papers became more thoroughly circulated, and the daily newspaper was successfully established in 1858. Postal facilities were increased to the great convenience of the people ; and another railroad was extended to the southwest in 1864, affording direct communication with Lancaster and Columbia. Poli- tical excitement reached the highest point which the community was able to bear without resulting in a public disturbance.

1867-77 .- In the third decade from 1867 to 1877, general enterprise was very active in the beginning and continued so for several years, but then it began to decline and finally showed marked effects from the financial panic which prevailed throughout the

were removed in 1871, and private buildings for market purposes were substituted. The limits of the city were extended northward in 1871, increas- ing the area to more than 3,200 acres. A large modern hall for amusements was erected in 1872 on the north side of East Penn Square, which af- forded increased opportunities for witnessing dramatic and operatic performances. The postal card was introduced in 1873, and the business of the post-office was largely increased. The P. & R. R. Co. erected a large and commodious "Union Station" at the junction of its several lines of rail- road, which was opened for travel on Aug. 3, 1874.

. was accepted; the water of Antietam creek was ap- propriated by the city and a storage reservoir was constructed in Alsace township with a capacity for 30,000,000 gallons. Railroad communication was extended by completing the road to Wilmington to the south, and to Slatington to the north; and a street railway was introduced along Penn and Sixth streets. The "Centennial Exhibition" at Philadel- phia was a prominent subject for several years, es- pecially from May 10th to Nov. 10th, 1876; and the display of productions by Reading manufacturers and of educational work by the Reading school district was highly complimented. The management of the schools by the first city superintendent, elected in 1867, proved very successful, and during the decade ten large brick buildings were erected.

In October, 1869, there was an unusual freshet, the river rising twenty-three feet and inflicting damages to the shops along the river amounting to $50,000. On Sunday, June 26, 1870, the P. & R. R. Co. car shops at Sixth and Oley streets (168 by 710 feet) were destroyed by fire, causing a loss of more than $100,000 ; and on Jan. 16, 1872, there was another large and costly fire at Fifth and Penn streets, which destroyed Stichter's hardware store, Ebner's building, old "State-House," and other buildings on Fifth street, resulting in a loss exceed- ing $100,000. The building and savings associa- tions were in a flourishing condition.

The political sentiment of the people manifested a great change, and the process of changing from the Democratic party to the Republican by 1876

country. Great fires at Chicago in 1871, and at had developed a high degree of excitement, the elec-

Boston in 1872, destroyed much property, resulting tion returns of that year causing the loudest demon- strations ever witnessed at Reading. Enterprise reached out in different branches of industry, giv- ing employment to a largely increased number of mechanics and laborers. Merchants showed a high appreciation of the value of advertising in local newspapers, and as they attracted the residents to in losses amounting to more than $200,000,000, and a large proportion had to be paid by fire insurance companies, located in different parts of the country, which caused great embarrassment. It seemed that .some evil genius hovered over this community also, because there were many acts of incendiarism in the most populous parts of the city about that time, their stores, the Philadelphia merchants did the same 11

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to theirs by advertising their goods in the Reading were erected. The major part of the population shifted north of Penn street.

newspapers.

1877-87 .-- The fourth decade from 1877 to 1887 went far in advance of the previous decades in pub- lic affairs, private enterprises and social amuse- ments. It started with a serious disturbance on ac- count of the labor question, which culminated in a riot on July 23, 1877, causing the death of ten per- sons, and the wounding of thirty-nine, and the loss of the large bridge across the Schuylkill on the Lebanon Valley railroad. The riot took place along Seventh street at and above Penn. The strike was general, extending through Pennsylvania and other States. In the previous decade, allusion was made to the panic, but it did not seriously affect Reading. However, conditions generally grew worse and on Nov. 18, 1877, the Reading Savings Bank, Bush- ong's Bank, and Dime Savings Bank suspended, which caused the greatest financial excitement that Reading ever felt.

An earnest beginning for a city park was made in 1878, by cleaning up and improving the trian- gular part of the Common which adjoined Perki- omen avenue and Hill road, this having been done by taxpayers in the vicinity, who raised over $6,000 by voluntary contributions; and in 1884, councils instituted legal steps to recover that part of the Common which had been occupied by the Berks much, and the mountain roads were established. County Agricultural Society since 1852, and they Electricity as a motive power for running the street cars was applied to the cars on the East Reading and the Reading and South Western lines of street railway in 1890 and 1891, and it was extended to all the lines in the city in 1893; and it came to be places and for power in shops and stores. It caused tricts to the east and south of Reading.

were successful. The co-education of boys and girls was found unsatisfactory, and in 1881, after a trial of twenty-two years, they were separated, the girls remaining in the high school building. In

1883 the commodious Boys' High School was erect- more generally used for lighting public and private ed, and then the school controllers transferred their

meeting place and offices to it. In that year, the the extension of street railways into the rural dis-

county bridges at Reading were declared free, and electric power began to be supplied for shops and factories.

The waterworks were much enlarged in 1880 and 1884, increasing the storage over fifty million gallons. The building and savings associations were in a flourishing condition, twenty-five having been kept up whose payments and investments ran into millions of dollars. Societies of all kinds were very active, particularly secret, beneficial and social, numbering altogether, 150, and their membership in- cluding almost every man of age in the commun- ity. Factories of all kinds were carried on exten- sively, especially for hats, stoves, cigars and build- ing materials. And one of the most important events in the decade was the construction of the Pennsylvania Schuylkill Valley railroad in 1884, and the direct connection with the Pennsylvania rail- road system thereby afforded. And at the close of the decade, three additional banks and two trust companies were started; the street rail-

1887-97 .- The fifth decade from 1887 to 1897 was more active than the previous decades in every department of life. Progress was remarkable, ex- ceeding everything in the previous history of the place. The supply of water was largely increased by the introduction of the water from the Maiden creek; Penn Common was improved year after year until it came to be the most attractive spot within the limits of the city; the school buildings were increased in number and improved in charac- ter, and so were the churches (twenty new build- ings having been erected), the moneys appropriated and collected for these two purposes surpassing all previous efforts ; the United States government sup- plied a superior building for post-office purposes ; the subject of streets and sewers was agitated for a long while with apparently little progress in be- half of these public improvements, but it prevailed eventually, and the years 1896 and 1897 became notable, a million dollars having been expended in their construction ; public demonstrations, parades, excursions, and conventions were unusual in num- ber and character, which developed the reputation of Reading as a place of industry, substantial wealth and superior advantages to a remarkable degree.

The - street railway system was extended very

' Industrial establishments for the manufacture of various articles were erected, especially for steel, hosiery, cigars and bicycles, affording employment to several thousand additional persons, and yield- ing to the community over a million dollars in wages, and reaching out in trading relations with all parts of the world. Over five thousand bicy- cle's came into general use in Reading. The great- est fires in the history of the city occurred, the losses reaching a million dollars, three worthy of special mention being the Carpenter Steel Mill, Reading Hardware Works, and Sternbergh Nut and Bolt Works; and the city was visited by the great- est storm in 1889, it having demolished the silk mill and part of the East Penn railroad shop, killing twenty-two persons and injuring more than one hundred.

Steam heating came to be supplied in the cen- tral part of town along Sixth, Fifth and Penn streets, and to be gradually introduced in dwellings. way companies were consolidated in the United General laundry work received encouragement ; and Traction Company with over fifty miles of track, the washing machine was being substituted in the carrying annually over five million passengers, place of the wash-board and tub to reduce manual and the Reading Hospital and St. Joseph's Hospital labor in domestic life. And planing-mill work was

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much increased in supplying doors, windows, by laying down asphaltum and vitrified brick on frames, etc., for building operations. Cold stor- a concrete foundation at the close of the previous age was introduced and the use of artificial ice much decade, starting on Sixth street and Court street appreciated; and the creamery as an institution re- at the Court-House, and then on Penn street, and ceived greater recognition.

Four noteworthy large industrial plants were started, the Reading Iron Company, Reading Paper Mills, the Carpenter Steel Mill and the Silk Mill. Department stores were enlarged. Vitrified brick began to be used for buildings and pavements; and the value of concrete work and cement more ap- precated. Telephone wires began to be laid in con- duits in the central portions of the city and the use of the telephone was very much increased and ex- tended; two popular amusement halls were estab- lished, Rajah Temple and Auditorium; also three more charitable institutions, and the Y. M. C. A. hall.

Building and loan associations were still kept up, over fifty having been in successful operation. A board of city assessors was established for the uni- form assessment of real estate; and also a board of public works for the supervision of public improve- hundreds of persons assembled daily. ments. Five more wards were erected, making the total number sixteen. Building operations add- ed several thousand dwellings to the city; and the great increase in the assessed value of property caused the total value to surpass the total value of all the country districts taken together.

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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 39

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