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 49
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FIRE ENGINE
206
HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
89 boxes, distributed in seven circuits, connected was started a second time in 1794 and has contin- with 43 miles of copper wire. The circuits are as ued until the present time. The Independent Order follows:
No. 1 fire-alarm circuit is 7.022 miles long and has eighteen alarm boxes, two engine houses and one tower striker connected with it.
No. 2 fire-alarm circuit is 5.73 miles long and has on it seventeen fire-alarm boxes, five house gongs, two engine houses and two tower strikers.
No. 3 fire-alarm circuit is 3.56 miles long and has on it ten fire-alarm boxes, two engine houses and one tower striker.
No. 4 fire-alarm circuit is 4.48 miles long and has on it eleven fire-alarm boxes, two engine houses and one tower striker.
No. 5 fire-alarm circuit is 2.02 miles long and has on it seven fire alarm boxes, one office gong, one engine house and two tower strikers.
No. 6 fire-alarm circuit is 17.19 miles long and has on it sixteen fire-alarm boxes, one engine house and one tower striker.
No. 7 fire-alarm circuit is 3.41 miles long and has on it ten fire-alarm boxes, one engine house and one tower striker.
The first State convention of the Firemen's Asso- ciation of Pennsylvania, held at Reading, was in September, 1881, and the second in October, 1895. On both occasions there were great parades, the latter having been particularly distinguished for the great number of companies and men in line.
Growing out of the Firemen's Union, two asso- ciations of great utility were organized, the Vol- unteer Firemen's Association, and the Reading Firemen's Relief Association, which hold monthly meetings.
The Veteran Firemen of Reading have also formed an association which meets regularly every month. The membership is at present 440; presi- dent, Charles F. Brissel.
The Firemen's Union caused a fine granite mon- ument to be erected on Penn Common, at the Penn street entrance; it was dedicated Sept. 2, 1901. It occupies a prominent position and represents a vol- unteer fireman on a shaft.
The fire department in 1909 had the following equipment, valued at $138,000 :
Fire Engines .11
Ambulances 2
H. & L. Trucks 2
Feet of Hose 20,000
Chemical Engines 2 Hose Wagons .4
Chemical Comb'n Hose Cart
1
Patrol Wagon 1 Wagons 11
Fire Extinguishers .26
Smoke Protectors 60
Horses
.62
Life Saving Nets
7
Chief Engineers .- The following persons have officiated as chief engineers :
David A. Stout. 1867-1868
John A. Buch. 1869
John F. Weitzel. 1870
Henry A. Albright 1870-1871
Lewis L. Moyer 1872
Howard F. Boyer 1873-1885
George W. Miller. 1885-1909
SECRET
The secret society was started as a distinct or- ganized body by the Free and Accepted Masons at Reading in 1780, but it was not maintained. It
of Odd Fellows was started here in 1838. These two were the only secret orders carried on at Read- ing when it became a city in 1847. Since then num- erous other societies have been organized and car- ried on with each succeeding decade and each order has come to include various bodies with a large total membership. A brief description of all of them cannot be attempted in this compilation.
F. and A. M .- In 1894, Lodge No. 62, Free and Accepted Masons, celebrated the centennial of its institution, and caused a souvenir history to be published. The order has six lodges at Reading. These lodges, two Royal Arch Chapters, and two Knight Templar Commanderies, erected a superb four-story granite front Masonic Temple on North Fifth street beyond Washington, at a cost exceed- ing $150,000. The first Knight Templar State . Conclave at Reading convened in 1872, and the second in 1895. On both occasions, the event was signalized by a superb parade.
Shrinc Reception .- The Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, No. 50, at Reading, gave a public recep- tion in Penn Square to a number of distinguished Nobles on Wednesday, May 19, 1909, including Rear Admiral Winfield Scott Schley (member of Alma Temple of Washington, D. C.), Maj. Gen. J. P. S. Gobin (member of Zembo Temple of Harrisburg, Pa.), and Rt. Rev. Ethelbert Talbot (member of Irene Temple of Wilkes-Barre, Pa.), whilst on a fraternal visitation. The pupils of the public schools, of the several grades, numbering about 9,000, participated in the parade. Their behavior during the public reception was highly creditable, and their singing of the "Star Spangled Banner," "America," and "Onward, Christian Soldiers," with the accompaniment of the Ring- gold, Philharmonic and Allentown bands of music. was truly inspiring, more especially during the re- peated waving of small American flags by the thou- sands of pupils in the center of the Square. A larger public assemblage was never before witness- ed in Reading. The weather was ideal and the orderliness of the great throngs of people whilst moving into and out of the Square was remarkable.
At Rajah Temple, in the evening, a regular meeting of the Shrine was held at which a large number of applicants for membership were ini- tiated, and afterward the distinguished guests and members were entertained at a banquet, nearly a thousand having participated.
I. O. O. F .- The first lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was instituted at Reading in 1838. An association was incorporated in 1845 for erecting a hall for use of the Odd Fellows and all other benevolent societies of the place ; a lot was purchased at Fifth and Franklin streets, and a four- story brick building was erected thereon. At the dedication on Oct. 26, 1847, dignitaries of the Su- preme Lodge, and of the Grand Lodges, of the order of this and other States were in attendance.
READING
207
In 1868, this hall was purchased by the Reading route of the parade, more especially Penn street, Library Company. In 1880, the Grand Lodge met were profusely decorated. at Reading, and again in 1893. At the latter con- I. O. R. M .- This society was established at Read- ing in 1854 by the name of Ancient Order of Red Men, but this was changed to Improved Order in 1867. vention, John Wunch, a resident of Reading, was elected Grand Master, and in that year he laid the corner-stone of the I. O. O. F. Temple at Phila- delphia. Since 1847, only one grand parade has been given by the order at Reading, and this was in 1882.
K. G. E .- The first castle of the Knights of the Golden Eagle was instituted at Reading in 1885. The Grand Castle convened at Reading in 1886, and the Supreme Castle in 1897.
G. A. R .- The following bodies have been organ- ized at Reading by men who were enlisted in the Civil war, or by members of their families:
McLean Post, No. 16, instituted 1866; and Womans Re- ments ; the total cost is $90,000. The membership
lief Corps.
Keim Post, No. 76, instituted 1878.
Meade Camp, No. 16, Sons of Veterans, instituted 1881; and Ladies' Aid Society, No. 6.
Fraternal Order of Eagles .- This beneficial so- Union Veteran Legion Encampment, No. 43, instituted 1889 ; and Ladies' Auxiliary. ciety was organized at Reading in 1900, as Aerie Ladies of the G. A. R., instituted 1883. No. 66, and since then has been very successful, Ringgold Light Artillery, First Defenders, organized at Reading in 1892 with the four other companies which were the first to respond to the call of President Lincoln for troops in 1861. They caused a granite monument to be erected on Penn Common which was dedicated on July 4, 1901. having in May, 1909, 1,075 members. In 1903, the Order established a superior place in Lower Alsace township, a short distance beyond the Min- eral Spring Hotel, as a resort for the members, costing $20,000. It comprises a substantial build- Through the efforts of the members of the two posts an imposing granite soldiers' monument was ing and six acres of land. The Aerie also secured a fine property on Penn street, No. 1040, for the erected in Charles Evans Cemetery, and dedicated members, which has been much improved, at a with interesting ceremonies in 1887. total cost of $30,000. The president of the Aerie is William J. Moore, and the secretary William H. Croessant.
Other Societies .- Other secret societies, worthy of mention, with the time when first instituted at Reading, are the following: Order United Ameri- can Mechanics, 1847; German Order of Harugari, 1849; American Protestant Association, 1857; In- dependent Order of Good Templars, 1858; Brother- hood of the Union, 1864; Knights of Pythias, 1867; Knights of Friendship, 1871; Knights of Mystic Chain, 1871; Royal Arcanum, 1880.
SOCIETY STATISTICS
In the following table the various bodies of these orders are enumerated, showing membership, date of institution, assets, etc. :
FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS
Members
Lodge No. 62 1794
318
Lodge No. 227, Chandler. 1848
416
Lodge No. 367, Teutonia. 1866
109
Lodge No. 435, St. John's. 1869
239
Lodge No. 549, Reading. 1876
266
Lodge No. 660, Isaac Hiester. 1908
Reading Chapter, R. A. 1827
De Molay Commandery, No. 9, K. T. .1854
Reading Commandery, No. 42, K. T. 1871
Nobles of Mystic Shrine, No. 50 1892
123
P. O. S. of A .- The Patriotic Order Sons of Amer- ica was instituted at Reading in 1860, and has come to be the strongest secret beneficial society here, com- prising fourteen camps, with a total membership ex- ceeding 3,835. In June, 1888. the National and State Camps held their conventions at Reading, and to signalize the extraordinary occasion, the Order gave a monster parade, which, in respect to the great number in line, and to the public decorations, exceeded all demonstrations of every kind thereto- fore given. In the latter part of August, 1897, the National convention was held at Reading, and the semi-centennial of the order was celebrated. The first camp had been instituted at Philadelphia in 1847, but it was obliged to suspend on account of the members enlisting in the Civil war. Camp No. 61, at Reading, maintained its organization, notwith- standing many of its members had enlisted also, and kept the order in existence, for which reason Reading was selected by the State Camp, and also by the National Camp, as the proper place for the celebration.
To signalize the extraordinary occasion, a mon- Excelsior Chapter, R. A. ster parade of the Order was given on Aug. 26th, in which over nine thousand members participated. The local camps of Reading and the country dis- tricts manifested much enthusiasm and were un- Lodge No. 73, Victor, 1890 COLORED LODGES, F. & A. M. tiring in their combined efforts to make the dem- Mt. Olive Chapter, R. A., No. 23, 1891 onstration a grand success. The streets along the King David Commandery, K. T., No. 15, 1893
-
Jr. O. U. A. M .- The Junior Order United American Mechanics was instituted at Reading in 1867. For some years it was noted for presenting, the national flag to the school authorities for dis- play over the public school buildings.
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks was insti- tuted at Reading March 10, 1889. It established superior quarters at the northwest corner of Fifth and Franklin streets in 1904, costing $30,000; and in 1908 erected a large and costly addition. "Elks' Hall" is a complete establishment in all its depart- in February, 1909, was 402; of which fifty were not resident in Berks county. , It is the only society of the kind. now in the county.
208
HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
PATRIOTIC ORDER SONS OF AMERICA
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS
Friendship Lodge, No. 5.
1867
Mt. Penn Lodge, No. 65
1868
Endowment Rank, No. 9
1877
Cashmere Temple, No. 37
UNITED AMERICAN MECHANICS
Reading Council, No. 46. Seminole Council, No. 88.
Reading Council, No. 122 (Daughters of Liberty).
INDEPENDENT AMERICANS
Perseverance Council, No. 19.
Resolute Council, No. 27.
Thaddeus Council, No. 252.
Neversink Council, No. 371.
Randall Council, No. 448.
Laing Council, No. 995.
UNITED AMERICANS
Leona Evelyn Smith Temple, No. 78. Old Glory Temple, No. 80.
Riverside Temple, No. 81.
PROTESTANT SOCIETIES
Charity Lodge, No. 34.
Lady Ruth, No. 36.
Aaron Lodge, No. 95.
Neversink Lodge, No. 104.
Aaron Juvenile Lodge, No. 13.
BROTHERHOOD OF THE UNION
Freedom Circle, No. 7, 1864. Lady Jefferson Home Communion, No. 5, 1867.
FORESTERS OF AMERICA
Members
Court Progress, No. 116 1895
265
Court Wyomissing, No. 130.
1897
192
Court Conrad Weiser, No. 199.
1899
193
Court Victory, No. 123
GERMAN ORDER OF HARUGARI
Members
Goethe Lodge, No. 60, D. O. H .. . . . . . . 1857 12
IMPROVED ORDER OF HEPTASOPHS
Reading Conclave, No. 67.
Berks Conclave, No. 133.
MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA
Neversink Camp, No. 7634.
Reading Camp, No. 9289.
ROMAN CATHOLIC SOCIETIES
Ancient Order of Hibernians, No. 1 and No. 2.
Bonifacius Brotherhood, 1866.
Holy Cross, 1868.
Emerald B. A. of St. Peter's Church, 1869.
American Catholic Union, Reading Assembly, No. 28.
Reading Knights of St. John.
Knights of St. Casimir, 1898.
Knights of St. John.
Knights of Columbus.
St. Peter's T. A. B. Society, 1883.
St. Stanislaus Beneficial Society.
ROYAL ARCANUM
Members
Mt. Penn Council, No. 495
1880
440
Reading Council, No. 1104. 1889
136
No.
61
188
$ 2,060
Camp
No. 89
400
45,915
Camp
No. 163
1,112
20,514
Camp
No. 212
347
11,939
Camp
No.
329
314
6,380
Camp
No.
330
177
4,411
Camp
No.
No.
552
90
448
Camp
No.
560
287
8,395
Camp
No.
663
209
3,032
Camp
No.
676
44
784
Camp
No.
678
145
995
Camp
No.
689
242
3,398
Camp
No.
691
74
1,847
3,835
$113.398
Boroughs, 11 camps
2,115
81,454
Townships, 28 camps
3,419
148,152
Total
9,369
$343,004
PATRIOTIC ORDER OF AMERICANS
Camps No. 17, No. 117, and No. 131. INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS
Members Assets
Germania Lodge, No. 158
.1846
30
$ 1,800
Emblematic Lodge, No. 169
1846
190
9,200
Vigilance Lodge, No. 194.
1884
258
21,600
Oley Lodge, No. 218 ..
1846
211
12,852
Progressive Lodge, No. 470
1889
264
13,840
Mt. Penn Lodge, No. 518
1874
250
9,200
Muhlenberg Lodge, No. 1085 1895
198
6,300
Reading Encampment, No. 43. . .. 1846
Mt. Penn Encampment, No. 152
Esther Lodge, No. 4, Daughters of Rebekah, 1886, 400
IMPROVED ORDER OF RED MEN
Members
Juniata Tribe, No. 74 ..
1867
855
Opekasset Tribe, No. 122.
1870
210
Ogalala Tribe, No. 186.
345
Wyanet Tribe, No. 301.
365
Manangy Tribe, No. 316
223
Unamis Tribe, No. 330.
257
Neversink Tribe, No. 351.
242
Metacomet Tribe, No. 416.
335
Narragansett Council, No. 67, Degree of Pocahontas Indianola Council, No. 70, Degree of Pocahontas
Opitsah Council, No. 117, Degree of Pocahontas
KNIGHTS OF FRIENDSHIP
Fidelia Chamber, No. 5, 1880
Charity Chamber, No. 23, 1886
Reading Chamber, No. 26, 1888.
Friendship Chamber. No. 28, 1889.
Lincoln Chamber, No. 36, 1892.
Prosperity Chamber, No. 48, 1899.
KNIGHTS OF GOLDEN EAGLE
Members
Reading Castle, No. 49 1885
323
Mt. Penn Castle, No. 51. 1885
244
Sirius Castle, No. 63 ..
1885
255
Fraternity Castle, No. 302
1889
172
Muhlenberg Castle, No. 372. 1890
268
Victory Castle, No. 433. 1893
96
Prosperity Castle, No. 481. 1894
77
West Reading Castle, No. 487. 1895
116
Columbian Temple ( Ladies), No. 17
St. Bernard Temple (Ladies), No. 21
Lady Bayard Temple (Ladies), No. 78. . . 1895 Mt. Penn Commandery, No. 51, Company B. St. Bernard Commandery, No. 6, Company C.
Members
Assets
Camp
509
206
3,280
Camp
Wyomissing Council, No. 1384 1894 507
209
READING
Club Houses .- Five club houses have been estab- and it has been kept up over sixty years. But it lished at Reading: Wyomissing, 1890; Ivy Leaf, has not been so successful for the past ten years. 1891; Independent Gun Club, 1891 ; Combine, 1891; Previous to 1876, the associations received moneys Nursery, 1892; Elks, 1908; and. Eagles, 1909. only and made them profitable on mortgage securi- ties; then they began not only to erect dwellings, FINANCIAL but also market-houses and business places. In 1897, there were 53 associations at Reading, but in 1905, only 8, and in 1908, 2.
Banks .- The first bank at Reading was estab- lished in 1808. It was a branch of the Pennsylvania. Bank and continued until 1857, when it sus- pended. Its place of business was in the building now occupied by the National Union Bank.
The next was the Farmers, organized in 1814, which has been continued in the same building where it started. The Eckert family was promin- ently identified with it from 1836 to 1908.
The following list embraces the banks and trust companies at Reading, showing the time of organ- ization, capital stock, resources, deposits, etc., in November, 1908. The banks are all national banks, excepting the last two, which are State banks :
Insurance Companies .- The first fire insurance company in Berks county was organized in 1844; and the first at Reading was in 1867. The Read- ing Fire Insurance and Trust Company was incor- porated in 1868; the Trust company was incorpor- ated as a separate institution in 1886. The Insur- ance company carried policies on properties through- out the United States east of the Rocky Mountains, with risks exceeding forty million dollars. It was discontinued in 1902, having transferred its risks to the Hartford Fire Insurance Company.
The Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Reading was organized in 1870, and since then it has not
TRUST COMPANIES AT READING
Name
Established
Stock
Resources
F Deposits
Surplus, etc.
Trust Funds
Pennsylvania Trust Company ..
1886
$250,000
$4,011,464
$2,831,169 1,035,427
$ 527,224
$2,820,175
Reading Trust Company
1886
500,000
1,872,749
335,209
4,207,644
Berks County Trust Company.
1900
250,000
1,380,931
982,240
147,145
337,822
Colonial Trust Company
1900
*250,000
1,144,979
697,575
197,405
· 151,505
Commercial Trust Company
1904
125,000
346,282
204,900
16,382
2,542
* $125,000 paid in.
BANKS AT READING
Name
Established
Stock
Resources
Deposits
Surplus, etc.
Farmers
1814 |$400,020|$3,229,115 |$1,513,347|$856,275
Union
1857
200,000
2,498,801
1,341,147
796,064
First National
1863
500,000
1,491,664
693,378
97,266
Keystone
1871
100,000
975,472
605,568
193,646
Second
Nat'l.
1881
300,000
1,898,652
785,373
541,966
Penn
1883
100,000
1,800,881
1,356,917
248,944
Reading
1893
200,000
1,580,840
830,661
331,352
Schuylkill Val ..
1890
100,000
684,537
411,791
172,746
Neversink
1901
50,000
201,378
113,809
22,494
7.651,991 3,260,753
Channing Bingham was the bank examiner of the national banks of the city and county for up- ward of ten years, until November, 1908, when, owing to illness, he was succeeded by Lloyd M. Tillman, who for thirteen years had been connect- ed with the Treasury Department at Washington, D. C.
B. & S. A .- The building and savings associa- tion as an institution for the acquisition of prop- erty or accumulation of money out of savings by working people was organized at Reading in 1848,
levied a single assessment. Its insurance extends throughout Pennsylvania, and amounts to $3,900,- 000; the policies number 3,000.
INDUSTRIAL
Board of Trade .- The first Board of Trade at Reading was formed in 1807, for the purpose of considering the possible navigation of the Schuyl- kill, a number of prominent men having at that time founded an association under the name of The So- ciety for Promoting and Cleaning the River Schuylkill. The same men were interested in other local improvements, such as turnpikes, canals, bridges, and railroads; and they accomplished great good in the development of Reading.
A second board was started in 1870, but it had 1 a short existence. The third, which is the present board, was organized in 1881, and it has kept up . a successful existence until now. It was incorpor- ated in 1889. The membership in March, 1909, was 350.
Unions .- All classes of working-people have formed unions for maintenance in sickness and co- operation in reference to employment, wages, etc., and they have had an active existence at Reading
14
$5,751,311
$1,223,365
.$7,519,688
3
210
HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
for many years. Over thirty societies have been organized.
LITERARY
Libraries .- The Reading Library was organized in 1808. It contained 1,000 volumes in 1842, and 1,500 volumes in 1850. A reorganization was effected in 1868, when it purchased the Odd Fel- lows' Hall. It was made free Jan. 1, 1898, through the liberality of twenty-three men who each con- tributed $500 toward extinguishing the debt on the hall. The present number of volumes is over 27,000. Dr. A. R. Durham was a most efficient librarian from 1898 until his decease in March, 1907, when he was succeeded by E. A. Howell as the librarian.
Reading German Library was organized in 1808, and began with 685 volumes. Subsequent addi- tions were made until it had 1,500. The society disbanded in 1847, and the books were distributed amongst its members.
Berks County Law Library was organized in 1843 and kept up by appropriating certain fines allowed by law. The books are on the third floor of the 1896. Court-House. The collection of reports, text and miscellaneous books numbers 6,500.
Harmonie Maennerchor Library was started when
Historical .- A historical society was formed in 1840, but no record of its transactions was pre- served. In 1869, a second society was incorporated under the name of Historical Society of Berks County, but only several meetings were held. In February, 1898, a reorganization was effected with
Legal .- Men learned in the law have been ad- mitted to practice in the several courts of Berks A. G. Green, Esq., as president, and George M. county since 1752, but no society was organized tintil 1867; then the Legal Association of Berks County was established. Nearly all of the members of the Bar have resided and continue to reside at Reading, some of them having their residences and offices in the more prominent boroughs.
Jones, Esq., as secretary, and quarters were secured in the Court-House, third floor, for its meetings and for storing its papers. In 1904, a building was purchased at No. 519 Court street and a collection of historical publications was then begun. Mr. Green continued as president until his decease in 1902. He was succeeded by Louis Richards, Esq., who has served since. The library contains about 1,500 volumes, and the collection now includes many curios.
PATRIOTIC
Daughters who were descendants of soldiers en- listed in the Revolutionary war organized a society at Reading in 1892, which they called the Berks County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. A national society was organized at Washington in 1890; and in 1897 a State Associa- tion.
The members of the local society in 1909 num- bered ninety-seven. The principal officers then were as follows :
Mrs. de B. Randolph Keim, Regent. Mrs. John C. Illig, Secretary.
Mrs. John B. Dampman, Historian. Miss Addie Owen, Registrai.
A children's branch of the D. A. R., called the Conrad Weiser Branch, was organized in 1895, and in 1909 it had forty members.
In October, 1905, the Eighth Annual Pennsyl- vania State Conference of the D. A. R. met at Reading and was largely attended.
PROFESSIONAL
Medical .- A medical society was organized at Reading in 1824. It was the second society of this nature formed in Pennsylvania, the first hav- ing been at Philadelphia. Dr. Isaac Hiester was the first president and he continued to fill this po- sition for twenty-five years. In 1849, the second annual convention of the State Medical Society was held at Reading, and in 1891 another was held here. In 1866, the name was changed to Berks County Medical Society, which it has held until now. The transactions began to be published in
The Reading Medical Association was organized by physicians of Reading in 1850. It was chiefly instrumental in establishing the Reading Dispen-
the Reading Mannerchor was organized in 1847. sary, and the Reading Hospital. For some years, The nucleus was the collection of books of the the meetings of both societies have been held in German Library, which disbanded about that time. the Raser Drug Store at Sixth and Walnut streets. An addition of 1,200 volumes was made in 1877 by the disbanding of the Schiller Verein.
A Homoeopathic Practitioners Association was organized and it was instrumental in establishing the Homoeopathic Hospital in 1887. It was re- organized in 1896, and in 1908 the name was changed to Berks County Homoeopathic Medical Society.
VOCAL MUSIC
Beethoven Society .- The first singing society at Reading was organized about 1832. It as called the Beethoven Society. The first concert was given in the "State-House" which was a great success. Concerts were given by the society for a number of years afterward.
Harmonic Maennerchor .- The second society was the Reading Maennerchor, organized in 1847. This has maintained an active existence ever since, and is now one of the oldest singing societies in the United States. The first National Saengerfest was held at Philadelphia in 1850, and William Ros- enthal (then living at Philadelphia, but at Reading since 1860) was the presiding officer. There were
211
READING
only four societies in attendance, the Reading Mæn- which occasion German societies were in attendance nerchor being one of them. The first Saengerfest from Reading, Pottsville, Allentown and Wilming- at Reading was given under the auspices of the ton. In 1891 its quarters were established in Li- society in 1868. It was attended by seventeen brary Hall. In 1894 the society participated in the singing contest at Allentown and won the first prize, scoring the highest number of points. The quar- ters of the society were continued in Library Hall until 1901, when it purchased a property at No. 834 Chestnut street and remodeled the building to suit its purposes, where it has continued in very active and successful existence until the present time. It has given annual concerts here and elsewhere which were largely patronized and heartily appre- ciated. The membership in 1909 was forty-five active members, and 250 passive. German singing societies. In 1874, the Harmonie Maennerchor (which was organized in 1866) con- solidated with the Reading Maennerchor, and the former name was adopted. In 1878, the society secured quarters in the large structure on Sixth street near Walnut, on which account the building was named Maennerchor Hall, and there the so- ciety has remained until now. In 1884, the second Saengerfest was given at Reading and it was at- tended by several thousand Germans from differ- ent parts of the country. The National Saenger- fests at Newark in 1891, at New York in 1894, and at Philadelphia in 1897, were attended by the . The society attended the State Saengerfest at Al- lentown in 1905, and at Wilkes-Barre in 1907, winning at the latter place the second prize in the first class. society and the members acquitted themselves most creditably. The third Saengerfest at Reading was in 1892, known as the "First Pennsylvania Saen- gerfest," because only societies from the State
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