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 57
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Shoe Factory: Bigney, Sweeny & Geiger (1905 and 1906). The plant was started by Curtis, Jones * Bausher & Delong previously, from 1886 to 1899, having in- troduced the first roller process machinery in northern section of the county.
carried on in this building by the Byers Hat Co. (Inc.), for the manufacture of hats, from 1891 to 1902.
Silk Mill: Incorporated in 1902, with capital of $25,000, by Irwin A. Diener and Henry J. Diener of Hamburg, Lee D. Madeira of Fleetwood, and four non-residents. The Dieners sold their inter- est in September, 1906, to New York dealers who have carried it on since ; 70 hands.
In 1909, besides the plants named, there were two lumber yards, five general stores, two furniture stores, four hotels, four saloons, and one liquor store.
VOCATIONS IN 1909 .- The miscellaneous employ- ments at Hamburg in 1909 were as follows:
Physicians Undertakers 5 2
Dentists 2 Milliners 3
Blacksmiths 3 Butchers 2
Tinsmiths 3
Builders 2
Wheelwright 1
BANKS .-- The Hamburg Savings Bank ( State) was chartered in 1873 with a capital of $50,000. The par value of the stock was fixed at $?0, but it gradually increased until November, 1908, when the market value was nearly $60, which evidences the superior management of this financial institu- tion. Then the resources were $642,710, with de- posits at $495,232, and the surplus and undivided profits at $97,300. It occupies a superior building on Main street, which is worth about $15,000. J. Jerome Miller has been the cashier since 1877-a continuons period covering thirty-two years-the previous cashier having been Charles Shomo. It has been placed on the State Bank Roll of Honor, being the twenty-sixth in Pennsylvania.
A second bank was instituted Feb. 13, 1908, called the First National Bank of Hamburg, with a capital of $25,000. In November, 1908, the re- sources were $129,818, with deposits $78.176 and undivided profits $1,509. It secured a property on Main street, near State (where the post-office had been located for ten years), and erected a bank building with an attractive front, worth $12.000. Joseph S. Hepner has been the president, and H. Raymond Shollenberger the cashier.
BOARD OF TRADE .- In 1889 a Board of Trade was organized at Hamburg by the merchants and business people, and James L. Merkel, a prominent and successful merchant, was selected as its presi- dent. It carried on an active existence for some time and was quite successful in stimulating local enterprises of various kinds. It was re-organized in 1906 with Mr. Merkel as president and he has filled the position since. The meetings are held in the town hall; the members number about 150.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS
Water Company .- In 1889, the Windsor Water Company was organized and incorporated by Peter D. Wanner of Reading, J. Jerome Miller and Charles F. Seaman of Hamburg, and several other
251
BOROUGHS
persons, with a capital of $50,000. for the purpose stead a larger building; but, not being able to of supplying Hamburg with water. They estab- lished a reservoir with a capacity of 1,000,000 gal- lons at the base of the Blue Mountain, three miles northeast of Hamburg on Mill creek, a short dis- tance below the old Windsor iron furnace; also an auxiliary artesian well, 300 feet deep, with a daily capacity of 100,000 gallons by means of a com- pressed-air pumping engine. Peter D. Wanner was president of the company until 1901, when he was succeeded by George F. Meharg.
Fire Company .- In 1838, shortly after the in- corporation of the borough, a fire company was organized to afford the inhabitants protection against fire. It was a private association and it supplied a building for its apparatus. The second story of the building was set apart as a town hall for the meetings of the town council. In 1906, the company had 192 members; a Silsby steam fire-engine ; hook and ladder truck; and three hose carriages, with 1,000 feet of the best cotton hose (one carriage being located in the North ward, and ly complimented. two in the South ward where the building is situ- ated).
ued until 1874, when it was removed to Reading.
The Hamburg Weekly Item was started by Sam- uel A. Focht in 1875, in the country three miles east of Hamburg, but in 1876 the publication office was removed to the borough and here it has con- tinued until now. Focht continued its publication until his death in 1887; then (Jan. 1, 1888) Wil- liam O. Heinly purchased the plant and he has since issued the newspaper with increasing success. A printing office is carried on in connection with the newspaper.
HAMBURG MOTOR CLUB .- In 1908, the automo- bilists of Hamburg and the surrounding towns within a radius of seventeen miles organized an association, called the Hamburg Motor Club. In May, 1909, there were upward of thirty automo- biles at Hamburg; and then the club had eighty- two members. Hamburg is generally recognized as having more automobiles in proportion to pop- ulation than any other town in Pennsylvania.
collect the necessary amount by personal solicita- tion, a lottery scheme to raise $3,000 was granted by an Act of Assembly passed in 1807. The cor- ner-stone was laid in 1811; the final drawings in the lottery were made in 1813; and the church was consecrated in 1815. In 1857, the building was remodeled. In 1898 it was destroyed by fire, a large burning ember from the Wilhelm Bicycle Works (then on fire) having been blown several squares and fallen on the roof of the church. Many devoted members ran to the rescue, but their ef- forts were futile, because water was not then avail- able.
St. John's Lutheran Church .- Immediately after
tion purchased the interest of the Reformed con- gregation in the premises and erected a magnifi- cent church on the old site, costing upward of $40,000. In this great and successful undertaking the pastor, Rev. Harry C. Kline, was particularly active and persevering, for which he has been high-
Trinity Reformed Church .- The members of the Reformed congregation, having separated from the
NEWSPAPERS .- A number of newspapers have Lutheran congregation, on account of the destruc- been issued at Hamburg. The Schnellpost was tion of the church as mentioned, they also exerted started in 1841 and continued until 1897; the themselves in erecting a modern structure, and in Advertiser, in 1865, and continued until 1868, when this they were equally successful. They secured it was removed to Pottstown; the Rural Press, in a lot on Third street at the corner of Pine, and 1872, and continued until 1875, when it was re- thereon erected a superior building, costing up- moved to Ohio; the Berichter, in 1872, and contin- ward of $30,000.
Roman Catholic Church .- A Roman Catholic church was erected in 1853 and services were held in it for nearly fifty years, without a resident priest. The congregation was at no time large. The members of this church who continue to re- side at Hamburg attend services at Port Clinton, several miles to the north.
Methodist Episcopal Church .- In 1859, Rev. H. H. Davis began to preach in behalf of establish- ing a Methodist Episcopal Church at Hamburg. About a year afterward, a lot was secured and a brick building was erected on it, which was dedi- cated on Nov. 29, 1860. It has been improved several times since. The congregation maintains a successful organization.
United Evangelical Church .- The Evangelical Association established a church at Hamburg in 1872 and a congregation was maintained for up- ward of twenty years. Then the factional distur- bance in the national association showed itself here and in the settlement of the legal contro- versy in 1894 this church became the property of the United Evangelical Association, and as such it SCHOOLS .- When the Union Church was built The public school system was accepted in 1838.
CHURCHES .- There are four churches at Ham- burg. The first was erected in 1790 as a "union" church, comprising the Lutheran and Reformed denominations. The land for the purpose had been has been occupied for religious purposes until now. donated and set apart by Kaercher in 1773. The building was of logs, two stories. the lower story in 1791, provision was made for the education of being used for school purposes and the upper for the children at Hamburg in the building; and af- religious services. Within twenty years, it became ter a new church was erected in 1815 to take its too small to accommodate the increasing attend- place, the first floor was used for school purposes. ance, and arrangements were made to erect in its
was not until 1866 that the borough authorities the fire, the members of the Lutheran congrega-
252
HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
In 1854, there were 5 schools and 236 scholars; in E, 4th Regiment, N. G. P.) and those most ac- 1884, 8 schools and 400 scholars; and in 1905, tive in the matter were Monroe M. Dreibelbis 10 schools and 428 scholars. In 1889, the bor- ough erected a superior three-story brick school building in the center of a large lot of ground at the corner of Third and Island streets.
PUBLIC LIBRARY .- A public library building was erected in 1903 by a committee of prominent men of Hamburg, by reason of a donation of $10,000 from Andrew Carnegie; and this building was named after the donor. It is one-story, built of brick, and presents a fine appearance. It is sit- uated on Third street, north of State. A collec- tion of miscellaneous books was then made by pur- chase and donation. In April, 1909, it embraced over twenty-five hundred volumes. J. Edward Miller, Esq., has been president of the Library Commission since 1903, and he has taken much interest in its success.
SECRET SOCIETIES .- The secret societies which have carried on an active organization at Ham- burg for a number of years are the following:
Odd Fellows
P. O. Sons of America Knights of the Golden Eagle Knights of Friendship Red Men
American Mechanics Vanx Lodge, F. and A. M. Maccabees
Royal Arcanum
MILITARY COMPANY .- A military company was organized at Hamburg in 1875 with 100 men and E. F. Smith as captain, and it became a part of the National Guard of Pennsylvania as Company E, 4th Regiment. In 1877, the company was called out to render service in assisting to quell the riot at Reading in the month of July, occas- ioned by the strike of the locomotive engineers. While there it led the march through the cut along Seventh street, from Walnut to Penn; and in its movement down Penn street, the captain was knocked down three times, and one of the privates was seriously injured. It was engaged in the Spanish war of 1898; and responded to the several calls of the Governor of Pennsylvania in assisting to quell the riots in the coal regions. [ See Chapter VIII.]
The company was a continuation of a distin- guished company called the "Blue Mountain Le- gion," which had kept up its organization in a successful manner for upward of fifty years. It was originally an artillery company and then changed to infantry. Whilst the former, it parti- cipated in a parade at Pottsville and won the first prize for its perfect maneuvers.
(Captain), Wilson H. Lewars (First Lieutenant), Wilson I. Lesher ( Second Lieutenant), Mandon L. Machemer (Sergeant), William H. Yeager (Sergeant), William Bailey and Franklin Sterner. Company E has had its meetings and drilling exercises there since its erection. The cost is about $7,000. It adjoins the Carnegie Free Library.
BAND OF MUSIC .- A band of music has been maintained for upward of thirty years. For a time it was called the Citizens' Cornet Band, and afterward it took the name of Burkey's Cornet Band. The directors and instructors of the band have been Perry Shollenberger, Dr. William Har- ris, William Burkey and Wellington J. Confer, the last being the leader since 1907. It has up- ward of twenty members.
DESTRUCTIVE FLOOD .- There was a severe rain- storm of short duration at Hamburg and vicinity on Friday afternoon, Aug. 3, 1906, which shock- ed the community and caused losses which amount- ed to about $30,000, one-third to the borough, and two-thirds to property holders. The down- pour of rain to the north and east of the borough collected in a depression of the surface of the earth, which extends from the eastern portion of the borough in a northeasterly direction for sev- eral miles, forming the bed of a creek, but the channel through the borough, by way of the Sho- mo mill-dam, was too narrow to allow the unus- ual quantity of water to flow away and as a nat- ural consequence it washed away the dam and demolished altogether a dozen dwellings, and in- jured fifty others. The most serious damage was in the vicinity of the Savings Bank, where the street was flooded to the depth of three feet. One man, Allen J. Romich, in attempting to escape, was drowned. The water and gas mains were broken, which deprived the inhabitants of the use of drinking water, and gas for lighting pur- poses. Many persons had narrow escapes, the most prominent being the bank directors who were holding their regular meeting at the time of the sudden visitation. A change in the drinking wat- er caused a typhoid epidemic and ten persons died from the affliction.
BOYERTOWN
The first settlement at Boyertown was one of the oldest in the county. David Powell secured two hundred acres by patent in 1718, and this land is now embraced in the northern and western sec- tions of the borough. About that time, iron ore was discovered on this land and shortly after- ward, about 1720, a furnace was erected near by. As a consequence, this land came to be known as the furnace tract. The furnace was called Cole- brookdale, named after a town in England, and
Armory Hall was erected on Third street, north of State, in 1889, by the military company called the Blue Mountain Legion, and the title to the premises was taken in the name of the Hamburg Athletic and Military Association, which became an incorporated body in 1903. The members were it was the first iron furnace erected in Pennsyl- connected with the military company (Company vania. Upon the creation of the township, in
BOROUGHS
1741, it was named after the furnace. This in- Catharine Rhoads dustry was carried on for about fifty years.
INCORPORATION .- Boyertown is situated along the Colebrookdale railroad, eight miles northwest from Pottstown. By public road it is about seventeen miles east of Reading, not far from the Mont- gomery county line. Henry Boyer was among the early settlers, he having secured a tract of land from Henry Stauffer, who in 1769 had pur- chased a large farm which embraced this section of country. Boyer established a tavern and gen- eral store and in time a settlement was formed, which took the name of Boyertown. His descend- ants have occupied great prominence in the business, financial and social affairs of the place to the pres- ent time. In 1835 the place was regularly laid out in town lots; and in 1866 it became an incor- porated borough.
In 1851, an effort had been made to establish a borough, but it was unsuccessful. A second at- , tempt was made in April, 1866. which received the favorable consideration of the grand jury and the court, and in October of that year the decree of incorporation, was made. The first town council was composed of William Fegley, Sam- uel Shaner, Dr. John Todd, Samuel Lefevre, and William Binder.
In 1869 the Colebrookdale railroad was con- structed from Pottstown through the borough to Barto and this stimulated enterprises of various kinds, the increase of buildings and population.
In 1895 the limits of the borough were ex- tended by the addition of forty-three acres, forty perchês.
In 1909 the borough contained:
Dry goods stores 3 Fire companies 2
Large general store 1
Halls ..
3
Grocery stores .10
Newspaper office
1
Clothing store
1
Local Insurance Co 1
Hotels 4
Tinsmith shops 3
1
Drug stores
2
Barbers
5
Printing offices 2
Churches
62
Millinery stores 2
FIRST TAXABLES .- The names of the first tax- ables of the borough were as follows :
John Addams
William Fegely
Mrs. Bechtel
Jacob Freed
CHIEF BURGESSES
Jonathan Kepler 1866-68
Samnel Shaner .1869
Dr. Thomas J. B. Rhoads 1870-75
William K. Grim 1876-81; 1884-85
John Stauffer 1882
John Deysher 1883; 1890-94
. 1886
William Bender
Richard Richards
.1887
Daniel Borneman
William A. Kehl
John G. Schealer 1894-97; 1900-03
Franklin Buchert
Samuel Leaver
George G. Hartman 1897-1900
John . Deysher
David H. Leaser
Dr. Reuben B. Rhoads 1903-06
David K. East
George Mull
Dr. D. R. Kohler 1906-09
William Fegley
Anna Neidig
Peter Reidenauer Henry B. Rhoads Sarah Reidenauer Elam C. Rhoads Jeremiah Schweinhart William K. Stauffer Guard Stauffer Levi B. Stauffer Christian Stauffer
Guard Shaner
Jacob K. Stauffer Frank Stauffer Henry Stauffer
Jeremiah Staffer Henry Schwartz John Todd, M. D. Zepheniah Undercefler Stover Worman Lewis Worman
Jacob L. Weidner
-Frederick Schweinhart
George Yahn
Samuel Shaner
John K. Stauffer
Thomas Shaner
Tenants
Maybury Brumbach
Henry Nice
Josiah Bear
Benneville Prutzman
Samuel Connard
Albert Pennypacker
George Endy
Franklin Pennypacker
Henry H. Eshbach
Samuel Pennypacker Richard Richards
Alfred Fritz
J. T. Rhoads
Aaron Fisher
Jonas Reifsnyder
George Fegely
John H. Funk
John Fegely
James Sands
Charles Grant
Frederick Steltz
Joel Grim
Ephraim Sands
Isaac Gehris
Edwin Schuler
Gabriel Ganser
John Steinneck
Mahlon Grant
Jacob R. Shaner William Shaner
Frederick M. Heller
Jacob Shaeffer Henry Siesholtz
Henry M. Heller
Abner M. Heller
Henry Shaner
Mrs. Hollenbach
Jonathan Siesholtz
Charles Kline
Joseph Turner
Daniel Moyer
Joseph Terrill
Moses Moses
Augustus Wentzel
Joseph Moses
Samuel Wentzel
Aaron Mory
William Weller
Susan Neidig
Ephraim Yorgey
Single Men
Joel B. Bauer
Ephraim Ganser
Franklin Brendlinger
Adam R. Gilbert
Joseph Case
Thomas Henrich
Henry Eshbach
I. C. Hankey Andrew Krobgewicht
David Erb
Samuel Moses
Charles Frey
John Sassaman
Orlando Fegely
Jacob B. Stanffer
Alfred Ludy
Leonard Shilling
Livery stables 2
Banks
Urias Ludy
John Siesholtz
Jeremiah Gehris
Frederick Weaver
Sophia Lafayette Bleyler
David H. Fox
Henry H. Borneman
Philip Gable
Daniel B. Boyer
Frederick W. Graff
Daniel Boyer, Sr.
Daniel Heller
George Bliem
I. B. Hankey
John H. Borneman
Harrison Houck
Franklin Hartman
Jonathan Kepler Mrs. Koch
John Schaeffer .1888-89
Joseph H. Borneman
William Grim
Jonathan East
5 and 10 cent store 1
Photographer 1
Liquor store 1
Carpet weaver
LIST OF OFFICIALS .- The following list embrac- es the names of the chief burgesses and the jus- tices of the peace who have served the borough :
Levi E. Lefeaver 1909-12
253
Frederick Stauffer
Conrad Yerger Joseph Young
Jonathan Engel
Jonas Reitenauer Benjamin Riegner
Henry Hoffman
254
HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE
William K. Stauffer 1857-72
Jeremiah K. Grant 1870-75
Isaac B. Hankey 1873-81
Levi M. Koons 1875-83
Henry B. Rhoads 1881-86
William H. Fox
1886-1911
Calvin F. Eames
1883-92
V. B. Emery
1892-93
Irvin T. Ehst
1893-98
Charles R. Buck
1898-1903
Lewis M. Wartman
1903-08
Oswin A. H. Jacobs
1908-13
BOROUGH OFFICIALS-1909
Chief Burgess, Levi E. Lefeaver
Town Council, George K. Moore, President
John G. Schwenk
Jacob H. Sassaman
Conrad Lochman
B. F. Nyce
Raymond Schaeffer
Dr. Charles B. Dotterrer
School Board, Henry H. Reinert
Effinger W. Leaver
Wallace Y. Reigner
William W. Wren
William L. Rhoads
John L. Bauer*
Justices of the Peace, William H. Fox O. A. H. Jacobs
Constable, Charles E. Kline
-
Auditors, George P. Rahn
Thomas R. Houck
William D. Schoeney
Assessor, Lewis M. Wartman
Collector, Richard B. Rhoads
POST OFFICE .- The post-office at Boyertown was established in 1828. It has daily twenty mails. There are two rural free delivery routes from this office-one to Englesville, and the other to Greshville and Gablesville; and three "Star" routes by stage-to Reading, to Limerick Square, and to New Hanover. Postmasters since 1885: Wil- liam K. Grim, 1885 to 1889; William W. Wren, 1889 to 1893; Benjamin J. Rhoads, 1893 to 1897; and William W. Wren, since 1897.
INDUSTRIES
Iron Ore Mines .- Iron ore has been mined in the Boyertown mines for upward of 130 years. 1907. The deposit is a high-grade Bessemer magnetic ore, pronounced by experts as superior in quality and yielding 55 per cent of metallic iron. Four shafts have been sunk in the operations and their depth is respectively 500, 515, 615 and 720 feet. Large engines were used to raise the ore and pump out the water. Horse-power applied to large drums was used until 1855. The mines were op- erated extensively by different parties ; among them Gabel, Jones & Gabel, and the Phoenix Iron Com- pany. In 1901 the Boyertown Ore Company was organized to carry on the mines, with a capital of $300,000, and it was in active operation until January, 1902, when Wm. G. Rowe, a practical mine
operator, and identified with this plant for many years, became the purchaser for a syndicate of capitalists. The property was then put in condition for operating the works and since then over 17,000 tons have been taken out. It is estimated that over eight hundred thousand tons of ore have been re- moved from this deposit. Next to Cornwall, it is the largest mine opened in Pennsylvania.
Cigar Factorics .- D. S. Erb started the manu- facture of cigars in 1864 and he has continued with increasing success until the present time. For some years past he has traded under the name of D. S. Erb & Co. with his sons as partners. He erected a fine three-story brick building for his business in 1882. He employs about one hundred hands and produces 400,000 cigars monthly.
Otto Eisenlohr & Bros., of Philadelphia, located at Boyertown in 1902, erecting a large three-story brick factory, 40 by 175 feet. In 1906 they erect- ed an addition 40 by 80 feet. They employ from 425 to 450 hands and produce annually over 20,- 000,000 cigars. Alfred P. Graver is their manager. They started at Philadelphia in 1850. This firm also operates a large factory at Reading.
Cigar-box Factory .- In 1876, William W. Wren started the manufacture of cigar boxes at Boyer- town and carried on the business until 1897, when F. S. Koons became associated with him under the firm name of Wren & Koons. They operated the factory in a successful manner, employing from twenty-five to thirty hands and producing weekly from 12,000 to 15,000 boxes, until Feb- ruary, 1909, when Mr. Wren was obliged to re- tire on account of the condition of his health and of his position as postmaster, and he sold his in- terest in the business to his partner.
Machine Shops .- Daniel Schlegel has operated a machine shop since 1875, and also dealt in en- gines, pumps and machinery supplies.
Charles O. Megerly, after learning the trade of machinist under Mr. Schlegel and remaining with him several years, started a shop for himself in
Bakeries .- Albert S. Leidy embarked in the bak- ing business at Boyertown about twenty-five years ago and carried on the bakery until 1906, when he was succeeded by his son Albert. Six hands are employed and two delivery teams.
George W. Carver started a bakery in 1898, and has carried it on since. He employs ten hands and four delivery teams.
Besides supplying the borough with bread, pies and cakes, a large quantity is distributed daily in the surrounding country districts.
Furniture .- The D. C. Brumbach Furniture Company was organized in 1880 for the purpose of dealing in furniture, carpets, rugs, oil-cloth, etc., and has since carried on a large and success- ful business with J. J. Brown as its efficient man-
* Dr. Charles A. Smith resigned as a school director in Feb- ruary, and John L. Bauer was elected to fill the vacancy.
255
BOROUGHS
ager. It carries a large and valuable stock on hand. An undertaking department has been con- nected with the enterprise.
Nyce Planing-Mill was established by Benjamin F. Nyce in 1886 and he has carried it on since. He employs from ten to fifteen hands.
Hartman Carriage Factory .- Frank Hartman and M. R. Strunk started the manufacture of car- riages and business wagons in 1887, but after op- erating the works for a year, Mr. Strunk retired, to become manager of the Boyertown Burial Cas- ket Company. Mr. Hartman has been carrying on the plant in a successful manner until the pres- ent time. He employs from twenty to thirty hands and disposes of his product in Berks and the sur- rounding counties.
Burial Casket Works .- The largest industrial plant at Boyertown is that of the Burial Casket Company. This was organized and incorporated in 1893 with a capital of $20,000. Since then the management of this great enterprise has been a continnous and increasing success. The capital was increased to $100,000 and four large four- story brick structures have been put up to answer the demands of its trade. Now it is next to the largest concern of the kind in the United States, with a complete equipment in every department. The company employs over three hundred hands, ships daily about one hundred caskets and con- sumes annually over three million feet of lumber. It has always on hand a large stock of caskets,
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