USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > Chester > Historical sketch of Chester, on Delaware > Part 20
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Churches at Chester.
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were among its original founders. After it was organized, for two years Rev. J. O. Stedman supplied the pulpit every Sunday. He was followed by Rev. George Van Wyck until 1856, when Rev. Alexander W. Sproull was called and installed as the first regula. pastor there. In 1873, the present pastor, Rev. Philip H. Mowry was called, inl instillel December 11, of that year.
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CHESTER CITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The influx of population, west of the Thir I street bridge was par- ticularly noticeable after the establishment of Reaney's ship yard just previous to the breaking out of the Rebellion, and efforts were made by several gentlemen to organize a Sunday School for religious in- struction of the many children in that neighborhood. To that end a school was begun December 14, 1862, in the Academy building, now the Second street Grammar School, with John L. Entwisle, Superintendent: Joseph Hinkson, Assistant; and Abram R Perkins, Treasurer. The school thus founded grew speedily, and those in- strumental in its beginning soon determined to establish the Ches- ter City Presbyterian Church, to be located in the South Ward. The great difficulty was in obtaining a suitable building, which im- pediment was overcome by the gift of a lot at the southeast corner of Third and Ulrich streets, by Reaney, Son & Archbold, upon w hich Thomas Reaney, who was warmly interested in the undertak- ing, built the present edifice at his personal cost. The Church was begun in the summer of 1865 and completed the following year. The furnishing and upholstering of the sanctuary was principally done at the joint expense of Mr. Perkins and Mr. Reaney. While the congregation was worshipping in the lecture room, the Church proper being unfinished, an application was made to the Presbytery of Philadelphia for organization, and on February 15, 1866, the con- gregation elected John X. Miller and Peter G. Rambo, elders, who were thereupon ordained in those offi ces by a committee appointed by Presbytery. February 25, 1866, the congregation called Rev. Martin P. Jones as pastor at a salary of $1000, and the committee
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Historical Sketch of Chester.
was empowered, at their discretion, to advance the sum to $1200 a year. He accepted the call and was ordained April 12, 1866. He remained in charge of the Church until January 1, 1869, he having tendered his resignation several months before. The Church was without a minister from that date until June 22 of the same year, when Rev. Augustus T. Dobson, who had been called the 25th of the previous March, at a salary of $1500, was installed. The sub- sequent failure of the firm of Reaney, Son & Archbold crippled the Church greatly, but the earnest efforts of the congregation, in con- junction with the pastor, relieved it from its embarassment. John Henry Askin contributed $500, and Abram R. Perkins, $150. The congregation notified the pastor that, under the circumstances, his salary must be reduced to $1000 a year, and at that sum it con- tinued until he resigned in October, 1881. Rev. Thomas J. Aikin, the present pastor, was called December 6, 1881, and installed April 12, 1882.
THIRD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
This memorial church-it was built to commemorate the reunion of the old and new school Churches-is located at the southwest cor- ner of Twelfth and Upland streets. The lot was purchased in 1871, and the building was erected as a Mission Sunday School by the First Presbyterian Church, but when the division in that congrega- tion took place, those who withdrew accepted the Sunday School building in unfinished condition, determining to constitute therein a Third Presbyterian Church, which was fully consummated October 16, 1872, with forty-two persons enrolled as members. \ The con- gregation, after it was organized worshiped in the chapel until July of the following year, when the western end of the building was re- moved and twenty-five additional feet added to its length. The lot and building had cost nearly $15,000. After the organization of the Church, Rev. Dr. Edwin W. Bower, of Lincoln University, offi- ciated as temporary minister until February 13, 1873, when Rev. Charles F. Thomas was unanimously elected to the pastorate. He
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Churches at Chester.
was installed April 16, 1873, at a salary of $1600, which was sub- sequently increased by the congregation to $1800, but his health failing he resigned February 20, 1878, Rev. Dr. Bower was called April 3, 1878, but he declined and the congregation, May 31th, of the same year, called Rev. Thomas McCauley, the present pastor, at the same salary received by Mr. Thomas. Mr. McCauley accept -- ed October 1, and was installed the 10th of the same month.
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Historical Sketch of Chester.
MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.
P REVIOUS to the Revolution the Associators, a body of troops was riisel in Chester county, in 1748, to resist the depredations of French and Spanish privateers, which seems to have preserved its organization until the War of Independence, but it is hardly poss- ible at this late duy to designate accurately the men from Chester who were members of the several companies. During the Whisky Insurrection, a troop of horsemen from Chester, commanded by William Grihim, joine I the forces under Governor Lee, of Virginia, who was orderedl by Washington to suppress that outbreak. In the war of 1812, the Delaware County Fencibles, commanded by Cap- tain James Serrill, and the Mifflin Guards, Captain Samuel Ander- son, volunteered for the war, but being sent, with other troops, in- to cantonment at Camp Dupont, to defend the Delaware from Ad- miral Cockburn and General Ross' threatened attack in the summer of 1814, they did not take active part in any engagement. The Delaware County Troop was organized during that war with Dr. Joseph Wilson, Captain, which continued under Captain Pearson Smith, Captain John Hinkson, and subsequently Captain Samuel M. Leiper, until 1836, when it was disbanded. : The Delaware County Blues was raised during the war of 1812, and was encamp- ed at Marcus Hook under the command of Captain George Haw- kins, and afterwards by Captain George Litzenberg. It preserved its organization until 1836, when it was disbanded. The Penn- sylvania Artillerists was organized about 1819 or 1820. Its first Captain was John James Richards, whose widow-an Anderson- died recently in the old family mansion on Fifth street. He held the office until his death, in 1822, when he was succeeded in com-
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Military Organizations.
mand by Joseph Weaver, Jr., then William Martin, Samuel A. Price, and finally John K. Zeilin. It was disbanded just previous to the Mexican War, in 1844 or '45. A Rifle Company was organized about 1822, with Henry Myers, Captain, and con- tinued until 1827, when it disbandled. From its fragments a new company-The Harmony Rangers-was formed, Captain Jesse L. Green, commanding, who was succeeded by Captain Simon Leany. It was disbanded in 1842. In the late Civil War the record of the city of Chester and county of Delaware is most honorable. Of the troops that responded to the call of the Government I append the following resume :- April 29, 1861, the Union Blues, com- manded by Captain Henry B. Edwards, were mustered into the 9th Pennsylvania. Company K, of the 26th Pennsylvania, was re- cruited in this county and commanded by Captain William L. Grubb. The Delaware County Fusileers, Captain Simon Litzen- berg, became Company B, of the 124th Pennsylvania. Company E, 119th Regiment, was recruited and commanded by Captain Wil- liam C. Gray.
The "Archy Dick Guards," Captain Wm. Cooper Talley, became Company F, 13th Pennsylvania Regiment, while Gideon's Band, Captain Norris L. Yarnall, became Company D, and the Delaware County Volunteers, Captain James Barton, Jr., became Company H, of the same Regiment. The Slifer Phalanx, Captain Samuel A. Dyer, became Company F, of the Ist Pennsylvania Reserves or 13th of the line. In July, 1861, Captain W. L. Laws recruited a cavalry company which was mustered into service as Company I, 60th Regiment, 3d Pennsylvania Cavalry, William K. Grant being substituted as Captain. Besides these organizations there were emergency companies that responded previous to the battles of An- tietam and Gettysburg. "Chester Guards,", Company K, 10th Pennsylvania Militia, Captain William R. Thatcher: Company B, 16th Regiment, "The Mechanic Rifles of Chester," Captain Jona- than Kershaw; "Delaware County Guard," Company D, 16th Penn- sylvania Militia, Captain John H. Barton; Company F, 16th Penn- sylvania Militia, Captain Joseph Wilcox; "Darby Rangers," Com- pany H, 16th Pennsylvania Militia, Captain Jolin C. Andrews; Company A, 37th Pennsylvania Militia, Captain William Frick; Company A, 197thi Pennsylvania Volunteers, or hundred-days' men,
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Historical Sketch of Chester.
Captain James Barton, Jr .; "Upland Volunteers," Captain George K. Crozer; Company C, Captain John M. Broomall; Company G, Captain Alfred Bunting; Company H, Captain J. C. Andrews; Company I, Captain C. D. M. Broomhall, were all part of the 20th Emergency Volunteer Regiment, and Company A, Captain William Frick; Company F, Captain Henry Huddleson, composed those numbers in the 37th Regiment of ninety-days' militia, and were all recruited in Delaware County, and the major part of them in the City of Chester. Among the officers from this county who attained the command of regiments by promotion, were Brevet Brigadier General William Cooper Talley, Brevet Brigadier Gen- eral Charles L. Leiper, Colonel Samuel A. Dyer, Lieutenant Colonel William C. Gray, and Lieutenant Colonel Simon Litzenberg.
Jan. 29, 1867, Post Wilde, No. 25, Grand Army of the Republic, composed of honorably discharged soldiers of the United States Army, was organized at Chester, and among its members are persons who are entitled to wear the stars of a Brigadier General and the gold and silver eagles of Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel, with many others who attained lesser grades in the military services of the country.
The Chester City Safeguards was the name of a colored company of militia, organized in 1870, and commanded in succession by An- drew Johnson, Isaac B. Colwell, and Isaac Emory, until the com- pany, in the fall of 1872, was disbanded.
September 12. 1872, Company A of the Gartside Rifle Battalion was organized with Captain Daniel Brown commanding. Captain Brown subsequently was appointed Major, and George F. Springer was elected Captain of Company A in his stead. Company B or- ganized March 19, 1873, Captain David S. Gwynn commanding, but he resigned, and the company elected William A. Todd as Cap- tain. The organization finally disbanded. In July, 1875, the Mor- ton Rifles, so called in honor of John Morton, the Signer of the Declaration of Independence, was organized with James Barton, Jr., as Captain, and in August, 1875, was mustered into the 11th Regiment, National Guard of Pennsylvania. Captain Barton was subsequently promoted aid to General Dobson, and Charles A. Story, Jr., was elected to the captaincy. Subsequently Captain Story resigned and John M. Householder was chosen to succeed
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Military Organizations.
him. During the riots of July, 1877, the company was ordered to Pittsburg, where it did good service, but was the next year mus- tered out. The Hartranft Rifles were organized January, 1876, by Captain Perry M. Washabaugh, and April 20, 1876, were mustered into service as Company B, 11th Regiment, and subsequently, af- ter the appointment of Captain Washabaugh to the staff of the Brigadier General commanding the division, he was succeeded by Robert H. Wood, and followed by William H Williams. This company was also called into active duty during the Pittsburg riots, and was finally mustered out of service.
Company A, 11th Regiment, National Guards of Pennsylvania, was mustered into service March 30, 1881, with B. F. Morley, Cap- tain; Frank G. Sweeney, First I ieutenant; and John J. Hare, Se- cond Lieutenant. The company soon showed such efficiency in drill, that when the State authorities consolidated the military force of the Commonwealth, that, although the youngest company in the State, by general order No. 11, July 8, 1881, the title of the company was changed to B, 6th Regiment, First Brigade, National Guards of Pennsylvania. In the summer of the same year a scheme was broached by Lieutenant Colonel Washabaugh towards erecting an armory, and to that end a charter was obtained, stock was taken by several prominent citizen, a lot, 60 feet in front by 120 feet in depth, was purchased, and an armory, after a design by P. A. Welsh, was built. The structure begun August 4, 1881, cost- ing, including land, about $15,000, is too recent to require fuller description here. Sufficient it is to say that the home of one of the best, if not the best drilled company in the service of the State, is an ornament and credit to our city. The building, located on the south side of Fifth street, east of Crosby street, was opened on Tuesday, December 7, 1881, with a fair which lasted ten days and yielded several thousand dollars towards the liquidation of the debt of the armory company.
The roll of Company B at the present time is as follows:
Captain, Frank G. Sweeney; First Lieutenant, Edward D. Sparks; Second Lieutenant, James A. Campbell.
Sergeants-First, William C. Gray; Second, George C. de Lan- noy; Third, J. Engle Baker; Fourth, T. Edward Clyde; Fifth, J. Frank Fairlamb.
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Historical Sketch of Chester.
Corporals-First, Horace F. Larkin; Second, D. Edwin Irving; Third, John A. Ladomus; Fourth, Harwell . A. Cloud; Fifth, James Alexander Cochran; Sixth, William J Morgan; Seventh, Charles B. Ross; Eighth, S. Ulrich Ward.
Privates-Milton M. Allen, James H. Birtwell, Theodore Blake- ley, W. Irving Babcock, Frank L. Brown, Alfred E. Hinkson, Lewis L. Hinkson, Carleton Y. James, Samuel A. Price, W. N. Sparks, Harry E. Wilson, David M. Unangst, S. Warren Barnes, William S. Broughton, Charles B. Carling, William H. Derbyshire, William J. Dickson, George C. Johnson, Henry T. Johnson, Ed- ward B. Kirkman, Matthew F. Ross, Anson Rawnsley, Garrett G. Slawter, George C. Worrall, John M. B. Ward, Dean J. Deakyne, Frank B. Eddy, Ulysses S. Grant, Emil O. Haas, George B. Min- nick, Robinson McCurdy, Henry S. McIlvain, William H. Schure- man, George B. Smedley, Horace F. Temple, Robert P. Wilson, William H. Lodge, Edward A. Price, Arthur G. Rose.
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Newspapers of Chester.
NOTES RESPECTING NEWSPAPERS OF CHESTER.
P ERHAPS there is not a town of like population in this Com- monwealth which can show as many newspapers born and died therein, as will be found in the annals of Chester. The earliest publication was the Post Boy. It was a weekly folio, 15} by 93 inches in size, and an inspection of its columns show how little atten- tion was at that time given to passing events in the immediate neigh- borhood. It was published by Butler & Worthington, November 19, 1817, and so continued until the latter part of the year 1824, when Butler sold his interest to Eliphalet B. Worthington, who continued its issue until 1826, when he transferred it to Joseph M. C. Lescure, who, after his purchase, changed the title to the Up- land Union, and increased the size of the paper. Mr. Lescure con- tinued its publication under the last name until 1838, with indif- ferent success, when he sold it to Joseph Williams and Charles T. Coates. The newspaper enterprise, however, proving unremunera- tive, its proprietor sold it to Alexander Nesbit, and he in turn dis- posed of it to Alexander MacKeever, who continued its publication until 1852, when he discontinued it. His son, Samuel A. Mac- Keever, was afterwards connected with the press of the city of New York, and in 1874 published, in connection with James B. Mix, "The New York Tombs," a highly colored, and in several in- stances inaccurate, story of that celebrated prison and the noted criminals who had been confined therein.
During the exciting Presidential campaign of 1828, when so many aspirants were struggling for the executive honors, William
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Historical Sketch of Chester.
Russell began the publication of The Weekly Visitor, and Strange N. Palmer was employed to edit it in the interest of the opponents of the Democratic party, to which political organization the Upland Union gave earnest support. The owner and editor of the new organ disagreed in their views, which difficulty terminated by a sale of the establishment to thirty gentlemen, warm advocates of John Quincy Adams, Palmer being still retained to edit the paper. The fact being noised abroad, the Upland Union dubbed its opponent "The Son of Many Fathers," and predicted its early demise. In that prognostication it was right, for at the close of the campaign it was sold to Thomas Eastman, who continued it, and it languished until 1832, when it died. The printing office was purchased by Young Singleton Walter in the following year, who removed the material to Darby, where, on August 31, 1833, he issued the first number of
THE DELAWARE COUNTY REPUBLICAN.
Under Harrison's administration Mr. Walter was appointed Cus- tom House officer at Marcus Hook, and continued in that position under Tyler until the latter's course became so obnoxious to the Whigs that Mr. Walter resigned. In November, 1841, he renov- ed his printing office to Chester, where he continued the publica- tion of the Republican until his death, May 22, 1882. During the fifty years he was its editor it grew in size until it became almost four times as large as when first issued. Mr. Walter was Post- master under Lincoln's first administration, member of the As- sembly for two terms, from 1877 to 1879, and was a member of Council, both Borough and city, and during the years 1874 and 1875 was President of the latter body. September 1, 1882, The Delaware County Republican was sold to Ward R. Bliss, under whose management the oldest paper in the county gives signs of increased enterprise and enlarged activity.
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DELAWARE COUNTY DEMOCRAT.
In 1835, Caleb Pierce established a weekly newspaper under the above title in advocacy of Mr. Muhlenberg's candidacy as Governor,
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Newspapers of Chester.
but it was short lived. In October, 1856, John G. Michelon began the publication of a weekly called the Upland Union and Delaware County Democrat, and its life was also but a span. October 5, 1867, the Delaware County Democrat was established by D. B. Overholt, whose interest was shortly afterwards purchased by Dr. J. L. Forwood, who continued the publication of the paper until the fall of 1871, when he sold it to Colonel William Cooper Talley. Early in 1876 John B McCay purchased it, but shortly afterwards sold it to William Orr, who at the time was publishing the Demo- cratic Pilot, a paper which had been started in 1872, and had died and been resurrected several times The papers were merged into one, and were sold by the Sheriff, on an execution against Orr, to Dr. Forwood, in 1878, who in turn sold it to William A. Gwynne. The latter, in August, 1879, disposed of his interest to Henry Fry- singer, who issued the first paper under his editorial change, Sep- tember 4, 1879. At the time Mr. Frysinger purchased the Demo- crat it had less than 250 bona fide subscribers and only a nominal advertising patronage. It was purchased for the estimated value of the printing materials belonging to the office, the good will be- ing considered valueless. The energy, enterprise and talent which Mr. Frysinger devoted to his paper has made it a remunerative and valuable property, and its circulation has very largely increased. Being the only Democratic newspaper in the county, the field for extending its circulation is yet both broad and inviting.
DELAWARE COUNTY ADVOCATE.
John Spencer and Dr. William Taylor, on October 27, 1866, issued The Chester Advertiser, a weekly advertising publication, which was continued for more than a year, when it was suspended. John Spencer subsequently, July 16, 1868, began the publi- cation of The Chester Advocate, at first a gratuitous sheet, the ad- vertisements it contained paying for its circulation. The paper was so well conducted and its reading matter so well selected, that it soon made a permanent lodginent in public regard, and from time. to time it was enlarged, a subscription of fifty cents and after- wards a dollar a year being charged, until it is now a folio sheet,
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Historical Sketch of Chester.
31 by 45 inches in size. It has won its way to popularity by its intrinsic merit, and has become one of the best weekly newspaper properties in the neighborhood of Philadelphia.
CHESTER EVENING NEWS.
Saturday, June 1, 1872, the first number of the Evening News was issued by F. Stanhope Hill, as editor and proprietor. It was a folio sheet, 18 by 25. The title of the paper was changed June 17th, of the same year, to Chester Evening News. The first month of its publication the venture was regarded by the inhabitants of the city in no kindly spirit, and many were the prognostications of ul- timate failure, but by degrees it won its way in public favor. Mr. Hill, however, October 1, 1872, sold his interest to William A. Todd, and the latter continued its publication until his death, Au- gust 18, 1879, when it was purchased by William H. Bowen, Oliver Troth and Charles D. Williamson. During Mr. Todd's ownership the circulation had so increased that he was compelled to twice en- large the presses to meet the growing popular demand. The new owners assumed the conduct of the paper September 29th, of the same year, and immediately after enlarged it by an addition of two inches to the columns. Mr. Williamson did not take an active part in editing the paper until nearly a year subsequent to its purchase, and in less than twelve months after he began work in the office as city editor, he died, and his interest was purchased by the surviv- ing partners. November 4, 1880, the News was again enlarged by an addition of another column to each page, and to meet the steadi- ly increasing circulation its proprietors have twice been compelled to add new presses of enlarged capacity and speed.
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CHESTER DAILY TIMES.
Major John Hodgson, who had established the Jeffersonian in West Chester, having sold that paper to the present proprietor, came to Chester in the Summer of 1876, and in September of that year issued the first number of the Chester Daily Times-the second
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Newspapers of Chester.
daily afternoon paper published in Chester. Mr. Hodgson con- tinued as its editor until his failing health compelled him to sell it, and March 7, 1877, J. Craig, Jr., who had been on the edicorial staff since its first issue, purchased the paper. He managed it quite successfully, displaying considerable ability and enterprise in its conduct. On October 20th, of the same year, Mr. Craig sold the Times to John Spencer, the proprietor of The Delaware County Advocate. The new owner enlarged the paper from five to six col- umns and otherwise improved it. He continuedl its publication un- til April 15, 1882, when he sold it to "The Times Publishing Com- pany," its present owner. The latter had purchased The Delaware County Gazette, which. under the title of The Delaware County Pa- per, had been established, in 1876, by Col. William C. Gray, and subsequently passed into the ownership of John McFeeters; then Major D. R. B. Nevin, who changed its name to the Gazette, and finally of A. Donath. The Times, under its new proprietors, has increased its circulation largely, is enterprising and fearless in the expression of its views and opinions on topics of public interest.
THE WEEKLY REPORTER
is an octavo publication, advertising legal notices, and reporting in full the opinions of the Courts of Delaware County, and was es- tablished March 31, 1881, by Ward R. Bliss, Esq. Mr. Bliss has continued The Weekly Reporter with marked ability and the pages of the work, when bound, will be an essential addition to the library of every lawyer in the county, and useful as well in that of every attorney in the State.
THE CHESTER BUSINESS MIRROR.
In 1882, The Chester Business Mirror, a monthly advertising pa- per, was published by Edward Frysinger, and is now well es- tablished.
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Historical Sketch of Chester.
. In 1843, Edward E. Flavill and Mr. Jackson published THE CHARIOT, an advocate of the cause of temperance, but it was short- ly after discontinued.
Semi occasionally, in 1848, a small folio, THE OWL, was issued in Chester and circulated at night It was very personal in its articles, and although many of its jibes and hits are pointless now, at the time of its publication it caused much excitement in the ancient Borough.
In May, 1850, S. E. Cohen began the publication of the CHES- TER HERALD, issuing it monthly, subsequently changing it to a weekly sheet, and finally discontinued it.
In 1857, THE EVENING STAR, a literary paper, made its appear- ance under the auspices of the Washington Literary Society, but as with many similar publications, interest in it abated and it was abandoned.
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