History of Berks county in Pennsylvania, Part 115

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Peck & Richards
Number of Pages: 1418

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was not completed till shortly afterward. It needed a great staple to hasten its development and construction. It found this in lumber, and it came to be equally successful for a period.

But the development of the country grew be- yond navigation. The demands of the former exceeded the capacities of the latter. So a new. agent had to be supplied to satisfy the one by taking the place of the other. This was found in steam. It would appear that this great motive came to us just when it was a necessity. How frequently discoveries succeed each other in a natural order to favor the development, the convenience, the enrichment and the improve- ment of a country ! This is wonderful. Steam required a railroad ; and the railroad was sup- plied. Its construction began in the county in 1835, and it was finished from Philadelphia to Reading in 1838, and to Pottsville in 1842.

MANUFACTURES .- The various trades con- mon to every industrions community were car- ried ou successfully in Reading from the begin- ing of this period. The previous history of the town for thirty years had developed industrial life to such a degree as to give the people a good start under a new political management. Its extent, beyond enumeration of the several oc- cupations, could not be ascertained. There was no place to look for it. The newspaper-that great chronicler of all things, that grand historian of events-had not yet arrived. But the people had to prepare the way for its introduction, for its utility. Their only thought was to do in order to live and grow and thrive. They were making history for themselves, but not preserv- ing it, being doubtless without a thought con- cerning it.

The employments of the people gave them an industrial condition with which to begin a new period of Reading under favorable auspices. They made the borough self-dependent and self- sustaining. They produced numerous articles, such as hats, ropes, chains, carpets,. coverlets, clocks, home-spun material, barrels, castings, earthen-ware, boots and shoes, wagons and car- riages, etc., aud, I must not forget to add, whiskey in great quantities. These con- stituted a good foundation upon which to build a rich and attractive super-structure

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READING.

during the two generations that were to follow. The manufactured articles were produced by hand during the entire period. Steam-power was introduced about 1836; but it was applied almost entirely to the manufacture of iron articles. And about that time the industry in iron began with commendable enterprise. It naturally followed the introduction of steam. And gradually thereafter this important labor- saving agent was utilized in the manufacture of building materials, hats, ropes, etc. The rail- way was the stimulating influence which caused the development of this great industrial life. Before 1836 the borough contained no strong and rich manufacturing enterprises, notwith- standing the fact that turnpikes had encouraged trade overland for at least twenty years, and canals by water for ten years.

TRAFFIC .- The traffic of the borough from the beginning of its history was large. To af- ford an idea of the nature and extent of the shipments made within the first twenty-five years of this period at certain times, the fol- lowing statistics are presented. The articles named were shipped to Philadelphia from the store-house of Garber & Strohecker, during the years and times stated by flat-boats on the river Schuylkill.

There were other store-houses in Reading from which large quantities of goods were also shipped to Philadelphia in the same manner. And then, too, teams were busy in transporting various articles.

1795.

Flour 3320 barrels

Iron 105 tons

Beeswax 4}

Butter. 9

Brandy 23 gallons.

Paper.

3 tons.

Hams

1} "

Hats 79 dozens

Wheat 18,135 bushels

1796.

Flour

3150 barrels

Brandy

1761 gallons

Linseed oil. 886

Iron 22 tons

Paper

Butte

Drehr Holz .2} tons.

Beeswax,

Hams

Hats.

178 dozens

Wheat. 10,465 bushels

1797.

Flour

2209 barrels

Brandy

6209 gallons

Linseed oil .875

Iron

.66 tons

Paper

Butter.

Hats

329 dozens

Wheat

.7957 bushels

-Reading Adler, February 13, 1798.

February 15, 1807, to June 1, 1807.

Wheat 13,198 bushels

Flour. 4695 barrels

Iron

.50} tons

Butter and lard

274 casks

Pork

153 barrels

Brandy

1256 gallons

Bread

380 barrels

Paper

2} tons

Corn 200 bushels

March 6, 1802.

Flour

1201 barrels

Wheat

1425 bushels

Bar iron.

.17 tons

Whiskey

1492 gallons

Butter.

365 pounds

Snuff

500

Hats

500

March 9, 1809.

Flour

1655 barrels

Wheat

1000 bushels

Butter

700 pounds

Brandy

5 hhds

MERCHANTS OF READING, 1830 .- A large amount of business was transacted in Reading about 1830. At that time the greater part was done on North Fifth Street. The more promi- nent merchants are mentioned in the following statement :

Hardware, etc.

Benneville Keim, Fifth and Washington.

John M. Keim & Co., Fifth and Penn. John & Daniel Keim, Third and Penn. Keim & Drenkel, Penn, above Fifth.

Dry-Goods, &c.

Allgaier & Feather, Sixth and Penn.

Wm. Raiguel & Co., Penn, between Fourth and Fifth.

W. & J. Ermentrout, Fifth, near Washington.

Linseed oil. 11

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

John Hanold, Fifth, near Walnut. G. & D. Boyer, Fifth, near Washington.

D. & W. Fichthorn, Fifth, near Washington. David Bright, Fifth, near Washington.

Philip Ziegler, Ninth and Penn. Samuel Sholl, Penn, below Ninth. Daniel Seifert, Seventh and Penn. John Young, Fifth, above Washington. Seifert & Mannerback, Fifth, above Penn. George Repplier, Penn, above Fourth. Hain & Green, Penn, below Fourth. W. & I. Eckert, Fourth and Penn. David Morris, Fifth, below Franklin. John Schwartz, Penn, above Fifth. William Moore, Penn, above Fifth. Elisha Wells, Penn, above Fifth.

Lewis J. Pauli, Penn, below Fifth.

William P. Orrick, Fifth and Penn.

Wm. Jones, Penn, below Fourth.

Miscellaneous.

John H. Weitzel, boots and shoes, Penn, above Third.

O'Brien & Foster, boots and shoes, Fifth and Penn. Joseph Green, groceries, etc., Penn, near Front. Peter Nagle, groceries, etc., Penn, below Ninth. William Green, groceries, etc., Sixth and Penn. William Zieber, hats, etc., Penn, above Fourth. Samuel Bell, flour and feed, Cherry, above Fifth.

William Bell & Son, bolting cloths, etc., Penn, above Fifth.

David Rhein, cabinet wareroom, Penn, above Second.

Dr. G. G. Bischoff, apothecary, Penn, below Seventh. Mrs. Morris, apothecary, Penn, above Fourth.

William Mannerback, jeweler, Penn, above Fifth.

Frederick Kellogg, clocks, Fourth and Penn.

Benjamin Witman, brushes, Penn, above Fifth.

Lnkins & Good, confectionery, Penn, below Sixth.

OCCUPATIONS IN 1839 .- In 1839 the bor- ough contained the following stores, trades- people, mechanics, etc .:

Stores .64

Saddlers 4

Dry-goods 3

Tin-workers 5 Hardware 3

Butchers 9 Groceries 5

Brick-makers 8 General 32

Plasterers 4 Drugs

Boat-builders 4 Shoes 7

Confections 4

Coppersmiths. 2

Silversmiths 2

Bakers 2

Masons 13

Tailors 16

Coopers 2

Barbers 6

The dry-goods stores carried on business amounting annually to $280,000.

And in 1839 there were thirty-two licensed inn-keepers, distributed as follows :

Penn Street 17 Washington Street 1

Turnpike 1 Seventh Street 1 Rolling-mill. 2 N. Fifth Street. 4

Franklin Street

S. Fifth Street 4

Oyster-saloons were in abundance. In the

country districts the licensed places numbered 195 ; total in county, 227. In 1844, Reading, 33, and country districts, 190 ; total, 223.

DISTINGUISHED VISITORS.

JOHN PENN .- John Penn visited Reading in April, 1788, whilst on his way from Philadel- phia to Harrisburg. After leaving the " Black Horse " (Inn), now Douglassville, where he " baited " his horses, he " passed on thro' a series of higher hills, breaking the horizon with less harmony, and resembling somewhat more Pelion upon Ossa. Near Reading, into which I walked for two miles, sending on my horses, I met a person on horseback and questioned him con- cerning the Manor here, as I had alighted chiefly to examine at leisure my own ground. He showed the fertile valleys and low places, which were all settled by encroachers, and the rocky and barren mountains they left unsettled. The town is finely situated on the Schuylkill, surrounded at a distance and sheltered by these mountains. Dinner was ordered at one Wit- man's, who proved the only tavern-keeper who had not lately petitioned against the confirma- tion of the proprietary estate. His accommoda- tions were worthy of a respectable country town, and I dined heartily upon catfish, which the river plentifully affords." This was on the 7th of April. During the day a number of the residents called to pay their respects to him. On the 8th he, with the company of Judge James Biddle and Daniel Clymer, Esq., both of Reading, visited the ferry which the Penns had rented to one Levan. A dinner was provided for us at Mr. Biddle's, the honors of the table done in part by Mrs. Collins, his daughter, and his unmarried one present. They are of low stature, but rather pretty. Mr. Bid- dle appears au amiable character. It was men-

Carpenters. 16 Blacksmiths .12

Cabinet-makers 5

Hats. 7

Chair-makers 4

Locksmiths 2

Clock-makers. 7 Coach-makers 6

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READING.

tioned that a subscription of about £3,000 currency would remove the obstructions of the Schuylkill so much that the trade and prop- erty of the town would most rapidly increase. Another plan much sooner to be executed is the establishment of a school. The trustees are to allow the teacher £100 currency per annum." 1

LAFAYETTE .- In 1824 Lafayette visited the United States. His visit occasioned great pub- lic demonstrations of affection and esteem for him throughout the country. He arrived at New York on the 16th of August. The news of his arrival reached Reading on the following day and it awakened great joy throughout the town. Ringing bells, martial music and thun- dering cannon were heard all day. The borough authorities assembled on the 18th and passed appropriate resolutions respecting the distin- guished visitor, and in the evening the town presented a magnificent appearauce. Nearly every house on the prominent streets was bril- liantly illuminated ; it was estimated that ten thousand lights were displayed. Triumphal arches were erected across the streets at several places, and a large torchlight procession paraded about the town, accompanied by the " Reading Band" and marshaled by Daniel Rose, Esq.

A copy of the resolutions which were adopted by the borough authorities was transmitted to General Lafayette. He acknowledged its re- ceipt by the following letter, addressed to the president of the Borough Council :

" WASHINGTON, February 5, 1825.

"Sir .- Altho' the expressions of my gratitude to the respected citizens and council of Reading have been much retarded, I hope they will be received with that indulgence and friendly feeling to which your kindness has authorized me to apply. The testi- monies of esteem and friendship which have heen be- stowed on me in the borough of Reading have made upon my heart a deep impression. Be pleased, sir, and gentlemen, to accept a tribute of these sentiments and of my high respect. LAFAYETTE. "To Peter Nagle, Jr., Esq., Reading."

Whilst Lafayette was at Philadelphia, the re- cipient of public welcome and honors as the city's noble guest, the Reading Battalion of troops participated in the great demonstrations.

VAN BUREN'S VISIT .- The President of the United States, Martin Van Buren, visited Read- ing on Tuesday, June 25, 1839, whilst on his way from Harrisburg to Easton. A special committee from the borough met him at Womelsdorf. Many citizens from different parts of the county-some in vehicles, others on horse-back and afoot-formed a procession on the turnpike, some distance west of the "Harrisburg Bridge," and united with the committee in escorting the distinguished visitor into Reading. He was certainly pleased to re- ceive a generous welcome from the thriving town on the Schuylkill, which three years be- fore had given him such a handsome political support2 as nearly four to one against Gen. W. H. Harrison. The procession paraded through the prominent streets. The President rode on a handsome cream-colored horse, the property of a Mr. Dewees, from Oley, and his graceful horsemanship attracted general attention. He sojourned at "Herr's Hotel." 3 During the evening a reception was held for him at the residence of Samuel Bell, Esq., and " a highly creditable representation " assembled to show him honor. He was single then ; for which reason " the beauty of Reading " comprised the conspicuous, if not the major part of the repre- sentation, and doubtless made it-as reported- highly creditable. He left for Easton via Kutz- town on the following morning, a number of prominent citizens having accompanied him thither. Reading naturally took a high pride

in this visit ; for Van Buren had, in the pre- vious year, paid a great compliment to the borough in the selection of a popular, generous and much-loved citizen, the Hon. Henry A. Muhlenberg, to be the first minister plenipo- tentiary to Austria.

SCOTT'S VISIT .- Gen. Winfield Scott visited Reading on Saturday, May 21, 1842, during a great " Military Encampment" of the Berks County militia, on the "Commons." He was

1 John Penn's Journal, in Pennsylvania Magazine of His- tory, vol. iii. p. 285-288.

2 The vote was in Reading, -Van Buren, fourteen hundred and twelve ; Harrison, three hundred and ninety-four. In Berks County , Van Buren, -forty-nine hundred and sixty- seven ; Harrison, fifteen hundred and eighty-three.

$ Now and for years past called the " United States Hotel."

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

accompanied by his aids, Lieutenants Alden and Carney. They were met at the railroad station (Seventh and Chestnut Streets) by a detachment of military and escorted to Herr's Hotel, where they were cordially welcomed and properly entertained. Many citizens followed the parade. On Monday, the 23d, he reviewed the troops at the encampment, and left on the next day for Danville, to review a sim- ilar encampment. During the day medals were awarded for skillful shooting. General Scott was much pleased with the discipline and appearance of the encampment; and he paid a special compliment to the " Reading Artiller- ists." He was particularly and favorably im- pressed with their captain, Thomas Leoser, a tall, finely-proportioned and charming, social man.

Numerous other prominent officials and poli- ticians, both national and State, visited Reading before 1847, but there was no public demonstra- tion. Some spoke at political meetings during Presidential campaigns,-including such as Harrison, Buchanan, Webster and Dallas.

MEMORIAL SERVICES.

WASHINGTON'S DEATH .- Washington, it is said, visited Reading some time before his death, in 1799. He sojourned at the Federal Inn (now the Farmers' Bank building), and was given, whilst here, a "grand reception." The event was celebrated by a ball, at which numerous citizens presented themselves to show their high respect for him. His death was sin- cerely mourned by all the people of Reading ; the newspapers were clothed in heavy black borders ; and, to demonstrate in a public manner their great sorrow for his death and great rever- ence for his name, they held funeral services on Sunday, January 5, 1800. The following report appeared in the Weekly Advertiser of 11th January :

"FUNERAL PROCESSION

" In honor of Lieutenant-General George Wash- ington, the late illustrious Commander-in-chief of all the Armies of the United States of America.

"On Sunday last, arrangements having been pre- viously made by a Committee of the Free Masons, the inhabitants of this borough met at the House of Mr. Henry Boyer to make a suitable Mark of Respect to the Memory of our Great, Good and admirable

Washington. The Military formed in line, leaning on their Arms reversed, to receive the Bier, and about ele- ven o'clock the Procession began, moving along Penn street, west as far as the corner of the Centre Square, where it crossed Penn street and proceeded eastward to Prince street; thence to the German Lutheran Church, in the following order :

Masons in form. Clergy. Bier, with a hat and sword, carried by four Masons. Judges of the Common Pleas. Justices of Peace. Attorneys. Physicians. Citizens.

Military. Music playing dead march and Bells tolling.

"Having arrived at the Church the Bier was placed in the Centre. The ceremonies commenced with solemn music. The Rev. M. Lehman made suitable prayers and afterwards delivered an animated dis- course adapted to the Occasion, from Revelation 2nd chapter, 7th verse. At the conclusion of which the Bier was taken through the Church and the cere- monies ended with the firing of three vollies over it.

" The Procession then returned in the same order, drums unmuffled and playing Washington's March, to the place from whence they started, and dis- persed."

HARRISON'S DEATH. - The death of General William H. Harrison,1 whilst Presi- dent of the United States, caused a public expression of sorrow. It was the subject of a "day of prayer" in Reading on 14th May, 1841. The military, literary and benefi- cial societies assembled in Trinity Lutheran Church to show their public regard for the memory of the distinguished general and states- man. The church was crowded and many per- sons were unable to enter. Rev. R. U. Mor- gan, rector of Christ's Episcopal Church, preached an appropriate sermon. In the ser- vices he was assisted by Rev. Jacob Miller, of Trinity Lutheran Church, and Rev. William Pauli, of German Reformed Church.

STREETS,-CHANGE OF NAMES .- Upon the laying out of the town the streets were named as follows :

East and West.

Penn, extending through the centre of town.

1 He died April 4, 1841, having just been inaugurated on the 4th of March previous.

679

READING.

To the north, Thomas and Margaret.

To the south, Richard and Hamilton.

North and South (crossing the streets named at right angles).

King.

Earl.

Queen.

Clement.

Callowhill.

Lord.

Prince.

Vigour.

Duke.

These names were continued till changed by the Borough Council on 6th of August, 1833. The names then substituted were as follows, Penn having been retained :

North of Penn,-Liberty, Washington and Walnut. South,-Cherry, Franklin and Chest- nut. Across Penn,-Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh ; 'and what had been for a time called Bridge and Treat were then changed to Front and Second.

A year previous (in 1832) the streets of the borough were graded, according to regulation, by Enoch Lewis.

On October 18, 1845, the Councils named the following alleys, extending,-

North from Liberty.

South from Cherry.

Pear.

Oak.

Thorn.

Apple.

Rose.

Carpenter.

Ash.

Wood.

Church.

Pear.

Reed.

Plum.

Poplar.

Lemon.

Cedar.

Peach.

Moss.

Orange.

Black.

Maple.

Laurel and Willow (south of Bingaman) were also named then.

EXECUTIONS.

In 1764 Thomas Fowler was convicted of burglary for breaking into the house of Sarah Drury, of Reading, by a special commission appointed, and he was hanged at Reading, Fri- day, September 7, 1764.

In 1767 Catharine Kreps was convicted of killing her illegitimate child at Reading, and she was executed Saturday, December 19, 1767.

In 1770 Thomas Procter was convicted of burglary for breaking into the dwelling of Wil- liam Neal in July, 1769, and he suffered the penalty of death on Saturday, July 7, 1770.

During the Revolution a British soldier was hanged at Reading for murdering Jacob Hechler, of Exeter township, and afterward Samuel Reeves, a negro, suffered death, for a rape committed upon a woman named Mary Sepley, in Alsace township, about a mile and a half east from Reading.

In 1797 Benjamin Bailey was convicted of killing Jost Vollhaffer, and he died upon the scaffold at Reading on January 6, 1798, in the presence of over six thousand people.

EXECUTION FOR THEFT .- During the year 1784, a young man, by the name of Welsh, whilst on his way home to Reading, overtook a lame countrywoman, who carried a large bun- dle. In order to assist her, he carried the bundle to town. When she reached home, she missed nine dollars which she had deposited in the bundle, tied up in a handkerchief. Welsh was accused and before the magistrate he acknowledged the theft. Notwithstanding evidence of good character, he was convicted under the charge of Chief Justice Mckean and executed. He behaved with firmness and resignation till the last moment. On his way to the gallows, looking at Penn's Mount, he said, " That is a grand sight ; but I shall soon see a much more glorious one." A wretched- looking man was executed at the same time. Welsh had entered the colonial army in the be- ginning of the Revolution and served honorably during the whole of the war. After the declaration of peace he returned, married and settled at Reading. He was born at a place near by. When he committed the act, his wife lay sick and he was unable to maintain her, though he was willing to work. He would not beg assistance, regarding death less terrible. The war having just closed, it was thought that many soldiers would infest the roads and commit offenses, for which reason the criminal act of Welsh received the utmost penalty of the law so as to deter others. This is the earliest record of an excution at Reading. The hill near the gallows was covered with men, women and children, who had assembled to witness the execution. Many of them came a distance, from fifteen to twenty miles. Among these there was an old woman who, it was then said, had

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

walked nearly seventy miles to see the execu- tion ; but, having fallen asleep shortly before the execution transpired, she did not wake up till it was over, when she cried most bitterly.1

COX AND SCHILDT EXECUTIONS .- In 1809 Susanna Cox, a young woman under twenty years old, was found guilty of causing the death of her illegitimate child on the Gehr farm, near the " Oley Line Tavern," and hanged for the offense. The execution created a profound sensation throughout the county. A lengthy and graphic account of the proceedings con- nected with her trial and execution was lately published in the Reading Daily Eagle (Jannary 24, 1886). The newspapers at Reading, in 1809), contained little relating to the affair.

In 1813 John Schildt was executed for kill- ing, in a brutal manner, his father and mother, in Alsace township. This was the most shock- ing murder that ever occurred in this county.

In 1842 Nicolaus Reinhardt was hanged for murdering Conrad Christ in Bern township.

EARLY EXHIBITIONS .- Exhibitions were held at Reading at an early day. Reference to some will be made to show their character.

In January, 1799, a man named Salanca gave a "curions exhibition " in Barr's ball- room, consisting of legerdemain performances by himself, tricks by a learned dog and a dis- play of fire-works. Tickets for adults, fifty cents ; for children, twenty-five cents.

In June, 1808, an elephant eight years old and seven feet high, was exhibited at the public- house of Daniel Feger ; advertised as the only elephant then in the country. Admission, twenty- five cents.

On Angust 1, 1815, a whale was exhibited at the public-house of William Jones, weight, five thousand pounds. Admission, twelve and one-half cents; children, half price. This whale was caught in the Delaware, at Trenton, on November 11, 1814.

In November, 1831, Purdy, Carley &

Bailey exhibited a menagerie of thirty living wild animals, including a lion and lioness, Ara- bian camels (male and female), llamas (male and female), hyena, kangaroo, tiger, leopard and panther.

In December; 1838, William Paulin, accom- panied by a lady, ascended from Reading in a balloon named "Comet," and in the following year he made two successful ascensions. Joshua Pusey (a pupil of Paulin's) made an ascension September 14, 1850, landing at Philadelphia in three hours, and on October 5th following he made another, landing near Allentown in one honr and ten minutes.

Circuses gave numerous exhibitions and they were well patronized, and traveling dramatic. tronpes visited Reading, remaining a week at a time.

PROMINENT MEN.

There were a number of prominent men at Reading during its history as a borough in the various avenues of business and pro- fessional life. A number of sketches appear in the chapters entitled militia, newspapers, politics, judiciary and medical, in which many of them came to serve with distinction.

JOHN KEIM .- Among the men who occu- pied a very prominent position in the business and social affairs of Reading, during this period for thirty years, by reason of his success as a merchant and of his large accumulation of property, was John Keim. He was the only son of Nicholas Keim, a merchant of Reading. He was born in Oley township July 6, 1749, and when six years old accompanied his father to Reading. He was married to Susanna, a daughter of Dr. George de Benneville, on Oc- tober 15, 1771. In the fall of 1777 he marched with Lieutenant-Colonel Nicholas Lotz's battalion to reinforce the army under General Washington, and, after serving five years, was honorably discharged in 1782.

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History of Berks county in Pennsylvania, Part 115

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846 Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Peck & Richards Number of Pages: 1418

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Peck & Richards
Number of Pages: 1418