History of Berks county in Pennsylvania, Part 136

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

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

pervading his nature. At one time, during the sylvania Cavalry. Hestudied art in Philadelphia, beginning of the Civil War, he drew cartoons for and after spending several years in Califor nia, along the coast, pursuing his profession, he came to Reading in 1870. He has since been here, producing superior portraits and sketches. Frank Leslie's Illustrated News, all of which were published-some of them full-page pictures. This field of work he soon abandoned, however, because of the poor compensation which it yielded. Mr. Devlan died June 6, 1870, after a somewhat protracted illness, at the age of thirty-five. His remains were buried in the Catholic Cemetery, on the northern slope of the Neversink. He was married to a daughter of Jacob Sauerbier.

AMOS GABLE, portrait-painter, a son of Joseph Gable, was born at Reading, February 2, 1840. He was educated in the common schools, and then pursned the trade of barber for twenty-five years, till 1875. Abont 1860 he began to prac- tice painting as a pastime, having taken to it from his natural taste; and in 1865 he painted his first portrait. He has been very successful, liis patronage coming not only from this community, but from other places in this State and other States. He visited Dusseldorf and Munich in 1867, where he took lessons under distinguished artists in this special branch of painting.

J. HEYL RASER, for many years a success- ful druggist at Reading, opened an art studio in 1872. He had studied painting when a boy at Plainfield, Conn., showing at that time a high order of talent for drawing; and he had continued his studies as a diversion, year after year, till he disposed of his business to his son in the year mentioned, and then turned his entire attention to painting. He soon attracted much attention and his sketches were received with great favor. In 1875 he visited Europe, and upou his return continued at Reading till 1884, when he removed to Philadephia and there opened a studio. He painted many fine sketches of the picturesque scenery round-about Reading.

FREDERICK SPANG, a descendant of Freder- ick Spang, a prominent iron-master of this county, was born in Oley township, and edu- cated at Norristown, to which place his parents had removed when he was a boy. He served for three years in the Civil War, having been a inember of Company C, in the Fifteenth Penn-

CHRISTOPHER SHEARER, a native of Read- ing, and son of Christopher Shearer, an enter- prising builder at Reading, and farmer at Tuckerton, inclined to the study of art at an early age. He frequently visited the studio of F. D. Devlan whilst that distinguished artist was engaged upon some of his noted produc- tions, and also the studio of J. Heyl Raser, to whom, upon a certain occasion, it is said, he innocently remarked, "I believe I can paint," when Raser replied, " Yes, a man can do any- thing if he tries." He tried and he was en- couraged to continue. After showing great aptitude for the profession, he visited Europe, and pursued his studies for several years under German masters. Since returning he lias established himself at Philadelphia, where he has attained, by his industry and skill, a national reputation as a brilliant landscape- painter. His conceptions are grand and his productions are highly appreciated by art critics and people of culture.

SINGING .- In 1811 Stephen St. John adver- tised a notice that he purposed establishing an " English Singing-School " at Reading. Pre- vious efforts had been made in this direction, but they proved fruitless. And nothing hav- ing been mentioned of this effort of 1811 after- ward, it can be presumed that this also failed. The time for such an undertaking had not yet arrived, though English education had been carried on by the Friends for fifty years before. Within the past thirty years a number of pro- fessors have taught music, some in private classes, others in public schools and in churches. John Teed and Thomas W. Frescoln have been active and successful teachers.

DANCING .- The accomplishment of " danc- ing" is a branch of education which received the early attention of the people of Reading. A Mr. Hervey, dancing-master, advertised a notice in the Weekly Advertiser, of Reading, that he would open a "dancing-school " at Wood's tavern on the 21st of May, 1796.

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Professor A. Bonnaffon opened a dancing- school in "Fricker's Hall " (Sixth and Penn Streets, southwest corner) on March 25, 1818, and carried it on for some years. B. August, a professor from Paris, gave instructions for some time, about 1822. Charles Seville, a distinguished dancing-master, taught for two seasons, about 1840. Among his many scholars was Professor Frank Stouch.

Professor Stouch succeeded Seville in 1840, and taught dancing at Reading and vicinity for over forty years, without interruption. He distinguished himself by his successful teaching. Every year the average number of pupils at Reading and elsewhere was four hundred. He taught occasionally at Lancaster, Allentown, Pottstown, Lebanon and Philadelphia. He is remembered with great respect and affection. By his accomplishment and teaching he con- tributed much pleasure to many persons, old and young. In many families he taught the parents, their children and grandchildren. He is still active and successful in the profession.

Latterly, dancing-schools have been carried on here quite extensively and successfully. Prominent among the masters are Professors John Fahrbach and William K. Drexel.

PART VIII.

PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATIONS.

The associations of Reading which have been created for the protection of the inhabitants from losses by fire comprise those which are called " Fire Companies." The first company at Reading for this purpose was the "Rainbow." It was organized March 17, 1773. It is said that an organization of this nature existed here for some years previously ; but no definite in- formation respecting it was obtainable. The " Rainbow" was the only company for nearly thirty years, In March, 1800, a second com- pany was organized under the name of the "Sun." Some time afterward a third was or- ganized under the name of "Union." These two were disbanded about 1812; possibly they merged into a new company, which was organ- ized December 2, 1813, and called thic "Junior."

Since 1813 nine companies have been formed, namely : Reading, July 4, 1819; Neversink, April 14, 1829; Friendship, March 4, 1848 ; Liberty, January 21, 1854; Washington, Sep- tember 17, 1855; Keystone, January 19, 1856; Ringgold,1 June 5, 1856; Hampden, September 8, 1867; and Marion, 1884. The " Reading" and " Washington" were organized as " Hose Companies;" but the former became an " En- gine Company" in 1860, by the introduction of the first steam fire-engine at Reading. The " Washington " added a hook-and-ladder truck in 1873. The " Keystone " was organ- ized as a "Hook-and-Ladder Company " and in 1880 it added a "Salvage Corps." These several companies are incorporated bodies.

A meeting of the firemen of Reading was held on February 12, 1833, for the purpose of considering the propriety of calling upon the Borough Council " to pay the expenses of keep- ing up the Fire Department." Previously the companies were compelled to beg assistance from the citizens to enable them to carry on success- fully the object of their association. But this continual begging came to be regarded by the people as a nuisance in one respect and as unjust and unequal in another, for some citizens gave contributions of money and others would not give any, yet all were benefited alike by the common protection which the fire companies afforded. This proceeding was begun in order " that the burden should be removed from the few." The companies represented at this meet- ing were the Rainbow, Junior, Reading Hose; Neversink and Protection.2 A committee, com- posed of three members from each of the com- panies named, was appointed to present a petition to the Borough Council, praying for an appro- priation to pay the expenses of the Fire Depart- ment. This brought a partial relief. The local government made annual appropriations and subsequently came to own the fire apparatus and buildings.

Ninety years had elapsed before this step was taken here. The great progress, by comparison,

1 Disbanded in 1871, the principal members having then united with the Junior Company.

2 This company must have had a short duration ; nothing remains to show when it began or ended.

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

is apparent. Before the next decade had elapsed four additional steam fire-engines were added to the Fire Department by the following companies in the order named : Rainbow, Junior, Liberty and Friendship. From the time of the institu- tion of these respective companies the hand- engine had been used. In 1872 two more steam fire-engines were added by the Neversink and the Hampden. There are now altogether seven in the service of the department.

FIREMEN'S UNION .- Representatives from the several companies named assembled in the city on the 18th day of March, 1861, and formed a Firemen's Union, "in order to promote harmony and friendly intercourse among the firemen, to establish those just relations which ought to exist among institutions whose views are similar, and to enable them more effectually to perform those philanthropic duties which devolve upon them." This Union was an ordi- nary association for four years, composed of five delegates from each company represented. Finding its powers inadequate for the purposes for which it was formed, an application was made to the Legislature of the State for a charter of incorporation; and it was accord- ingly incorporated on the 15th of March, 1865, under the name of the " Firemen's Union of the City of Reading."

It has since acted under this charter, and performed its functions in an admirable manner. And it has been to the people of the city through these years a certain and strong assur- ance of protection to their property and their lives from fire. The management is vested in a board of trustees, elected by the Union annu- ally in October, and serving from the third Monday of January following. It is composed of one member from each company represented in the Union, and it is authorized to elect such officers at such salaries as the trustees shall deem expedient.

The volunteer Fire Department has now been an institution here over one hundred and ten years. The respective companies have through this long time not only defended, but also pro- moted the public welfare. They have always occupied a prominent place in the municipal affairs of Reading, more especially since the

establishment of the Firemen's Union. How- ard F. Boyer, the chief engineer, has been the most prominent person in the department for the past decade. He has filled his respousible position with credit to himself and with satis- faction to the public. The firemen have con- ceded this place to liim year after year with remarkable unanimity, by reason of his devo- tion, courage, promptness and efficiency in the service of the department. Many firemen are equally zealous ; and they are worthy of great praise for their self-sacrifices in behalf of the public safety and welfare.

FIRE-ALARM .- Immediately upon the break- ing out of a fire an alarm was given to summon assistance. This alarm was struck on the bells of Trinity Lutheran Church for many years, till 1840 ; then upon the bell of the court- house for the next thirty-three years. The locality of the fire was indicated by a number of strokes on the bell to correspond with the number of the ward in which the fire was. In 1873 the " electric fire-alarm " was introduced. It has proved invaluable ; and the response of the respective fire companies thereto lias been as prompt as their services were efficient.

Previous to 1873 the fact that a fire had broken out was carried to the janitor of Trinity Church or of the court house, who would ascend into the steeple and strike the alarm This was a proceeding slow and tedious, and frequently delayed by the absence of the janitor. Joseph Ritter, janitor of the court-house and court-crier of the County Courts from 1840 till his death, in 1880, was conspicuous in this im- portant service. At all hours of the night, as well as during the day, and in all seasons of the year, for thirty-three years, he responded promptly and willingly to the call for the alarm; and upon sound- ing it on the superior, clear-toned bell of the court-house, he awakened the whole com- munity. Firemen of the several companies ran, first to their respective engine-houses and then with their engines to the fire ; men and boys from all parts ran, many taking hold of the ropes attached to the engines and hose- carriages and assisting in drawing them to the fire. On the way the fireman's horu sounded,

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" Roll her, boys ; roll her !" and excited voices cried out repeatedly, " Fire ! fire ! ! " Such a demonstration naturally collected a large crowd at the fire. When the hand-engines were in use many of the bystanders assisted, and the pumping process afforded them much amusement. But progress has brought change. Men and boys are no longer seen tugging away, nearly breathless and exhausted, or running out of rank on account of "stitches " in their sides, to rest on the curb-stone half-way to the fire, or rolling out of the way after a stumble from weak knees to prevent a " run over." Horses, with ambitious, fearless drivers, have been sub- stituted in their stead, and these now gallop onward as if sporting with the heavy engines drawn after them ; and excited people are no longer heard crying " Fire!" whilst running to the scene of the conflagration.

During the decade from 1860 to 1870 the improvement from the hand-engine to the steam-engine was great ; but the introduction of the electric fire-alarm, in 1873, was a greater improvement. By it, many places were substi- tuted for one place, at all of which the signal could be given with equal facility. These were located in different parts of the city, so as to be convenient in case of fire, and to enable the alarm to be given promptly. Its operation came to be understood and its utility recognized immediately. In the old way, much valuable time was frequently lost in causing the alarm to be given, whereby the fire reached a stage beyond control ; but in the new way, the alarm was transmitted to all parts of the city without loss of time, and its promptness enabled the chief engineer and responding department to arrive at the place before the fire obtained much progress beyond ignition. The alarm was struck at first, for some years, on the Presby- terian church-bell, and then fire-gongs were intro- duced in the buildings of the several fire com- panies. And this electric communication has been carried on so far as to open the stable-doors and permit the horses to run into position at the engines and carriages without assistance. In 1877 a handsome, substantial brick fire-alarm tower was erected on the premises of the Rain- ow Fire Company. It is one hundred and

fourteen feet high, constructed of two hundred and sixty-seven thousand brick. The alarm- bell weighs over three thousand pounds and is elevated ninety feet. The money for this im- provement was raised by contributions and subscriptions through the energy and liberality of its members.

The system of the fire-alarm is regulated by a powerful battery which is situated in the city hall. It is supervised by a superintendent. Wires extend from this battery in three circuits throughout the city, and alarm-boxes for public convenience are located along these wires at or near the intersection of streets, several squares from one another.

PARADES, ETC .- The fire companies have had numerous parades, in which they exhibited their respective organizations in full dress. Their appearance was fine and won general ad- miration. The success of these voluntary asso- ciations for the general welfare was thereby satisfactorily demonstrated. Their number was an imposing feature.

An annual ball has been given by each com- pany for many years, especially by the older companies. It is an event which has awakened much interest and afforded much pleasure, and the members have displayed energy and ability in its successful management. General sociabil- ity has always stood out prominently upon this occasion.

Previous to 1860 the general deportment of tlie companies as bodies was not at all friendly towards one another. It was rough and fre- quently resulted in demonstrations which elicited public concern. In November, 1849, an affair arose which implicated two rival companies. "Stones were thrown, heads were bruised and pistols were discharged. The row was a pre- meditated affair. Seventeen of the rioters were bound over to court." Shortly before there were " disgraceful pugilistic exhibitions and frequent false alarms."1 Water-fights were oc- casionally indulged in after a fire was extin- guished. Such battles required much courage and perseverance. The water was driven with great force into the faces of the respective fac-

1 Berks and Schuylkill Journal, November 10, 1849.

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tions, especially the leaders, who held the branch- pipes. The performance naturally offered much amusement to the by-standers; indeed, these were impelled to give their attendance through curious anticipations. Since 1860 the general conduct of the firemen, especially their friendli- less towards one another, has improved very much. There have been no fights for many years. The "Union" has exercised a large beneficial influence over them.

THE RAINBOW FIRE COMPANY .- In the latter part of 1772 the project of organizing a fire company was spoken of, but it was not until the year following, 1773, that the repre- sentative men of that day came together and regularly organized the Rainbow Company.

A hand-engine was the first ever brought to Reading, and was ordered from Philadelphia. One of the most important events of the history of the early days of Reading was the reception of this engine. It was brought by way of the Perkiomen turnpike, and a large number of people turned out to witness its coming. The engine was housed at the company's headquar- ters, then situated on the estate of the Keims. It consisted of a small frame building and was situated on the north side of Penn Street, near Ninth.

Among the members who organized the com- pany (it has been asserted that it was a stock company, organized for the protection of mem- bers' property first, and others' afterwards) are found such names as Printz, Lott, Homan, Nagle, Dick, Wunder, Phillippi, Eisenbeise, Shearer, Boas, Rightmyer, Graeff, Rupert, Fichthorn, Miller, Geiger, Graul, Eisenhower, Maltzberger, Rush, Rhein, Brobst, Koch, Schwartz, Boyer, Arnold, Cunius, Bickley, Spatz, Goodman, Rapp, Roland, Scholl, Sauer- bier, Cleaver, Henritze, Hahn, Madeira, Diss- ler, Keim, Orth, Moyer, Schultz, Lotz, Rein- hart, Borkert, Rhoads, Boyer, Aulenbach and others. Who the first officers were it is impos- sible to tell, as all the minutes and records, if any existed, have been lost, and such members as might have remembered have long since passed away.

The company at that time had no regular uniform. Each member was provided with

two buckets, a bag or a basket, to use at fires in subduing the flames and carrying out val- nable articles from burning buildings. These things were kept at the private houses, and an inspector, who was regularly appointed, visited the homes of the members every three months to inspect the condition of the buckets, baskets and bags. At the outbreak of the Revolution a great many of the members joined the com- pany of Captain Joseph Hiester, who was after- ward made a general in the army, and wlio organized the company in Reading at his own expense. During the Revolution and for quite a number of years afterward the Rainbow Fire Company was inactive, but always maintained its organization.

Up to the year 1834 very little is known of the company. In that year the old building was removed from its position and taken to the lower part of the city to do duty as an office for the Anderson distillery. Those were the days of the great temperance orator and advo- cate, Elijah Dechert, and it is said that he made the remark after the removal that it was " Hell Fire-Engine " and should so be called.

A new frame engine-house was built by Car- penter Printz, on the old location; the old members gave way to their grown sons, and Jacob Fricker was elected the first president after the re-organization in the same year, 1834. Shortly after this the company did excellent service at a great fire which took place, burning large stores on the south side of Penn Street, between Fifth and Sixth, the sites of the Bush- ong Bank, the residences of Colonel Joseph L. Stichter, Henry Bushong and the Lauman property. About this time the first uniforms came into use, and consisted of black oil-cloth capes, with a spread eagle and the word " Rain- bow " painted on them. The members never held meetings at the engine-houses, but as- sembled at the old hotel at Eighth and Penn Streets, and also at a hotel on a site now occu- pied by the Farmers' Market-House.

In 1840 the company moved their head- quarters to North Eighth Street, between Court and Penn, and erected a building on property deeded to the company by Henry Nagle, chief marshal of the day. After the removal

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the old hand-engine was laid aside and a new one procured. It remained in service until the arrival of the company's first steam fire-engine. The second hand-engine passed into the hands of the city and was sold to Douglass & Conard for old iron.

Here they continued to hold forth up to March 10, 1870, when they removed to the present large and commodious engine-house, whose building commenced in July, 1869, and was finished in the winter of 1870. Their first steam fire-engine arrived in June, 1863. They used it until the fall of 1866, when it was sold to the Rainbow Fire Company, of Rome, Ga. Their present steamer, which is a second-class Amoskeag, was bought for four thousand nine hundred dollars, and arrived in this city on the 10th of November, 1868.

All those who yet remain to tell the early history of the Rainbow were the youngest of the members that belonged to the company at its reorganization, in 1834. In 1867 John Printz, then the oldest member of the company, died at the age of ninety-six years.

In 1873 the company celebrated the one hundredth anniversary of their origin by a magnificent street parade, at which many com- panies from neighboring towns and cities parti- cipated. Among the old members of the Rainbow then living were Abraham Reinhart, Nicholas Lott, William Arnold, Philip Zieber, John Goodhart, Henry Henritze, Francis B. Shalter, John Fox, Daniel Graeff, John Fox, William Shearer, Jacob Sauerbier, Abraham Clemens, Augustus Whitman, John Zieber, John Moyer, Jacob Neihart, John Ziegler, John Goodman, Daniel Burkhart, Frank Mel- len, Samuel Levan, Frederick Printz, Augustus Nagle, Peter and Jacob Maltzberger, Christian Eiler, Francis Roland, William M. Graul, Charles Horn, Solomon McCabe, John Drenkle, William Lockwood, Henry Eisenbeise, Jacob Lott, George Rothenberger, Henry Hahn, Jacob Drenkle, Peter Lindekugle, Michael Shultz, Jacob Roland, Augustus F. Boas and others.

The first charter of the company is dated April 7, 1843, when David Eisenhower was president and Henry Nagle secretary. The charter was revised and granted by the County

Court in 1869. The company's house is one of the finest in the United States, and the individ- ual efforts of the members have placed it in a prosperous condition.

The number of active members for the year 1886 is three hundred and sixty, of honorary members one hundred and forty-eight, and of contributing members ninety-five.

JUNIOR FIRE COMPANY .- This company was organized December 2, 1813. The first building used was situated on Fifth Street, between Court and Washington. The charter members, as far as could be gathered, were Dr. Philip Marshall (wlio was the first presi- dent of the company), Wm. Rhoads, John Reiff- snyder, Michael Reiffsnyder, Geo. Weller, Jacob Davies, Henry B. Sage, Wm. Frill, Geo. Wile, Francis Boyer, William Schoener, Joseph All- gaier, George Nagel, Jacob Weizel, Daniel Fichthorn, Joshua Davies, Peter Yeager, John Diffenbach, John Kidd, Daniel Ermold, John K. Boyer, George Phillippi, Daniel H. Otto, Charles Witman, Henry Reinhart, John E. Ruhl, John C. Baum, John Witman, Thomas Jones, Jacob Stichter, George Reese, John Frill, George Strohecker, Benjamin Gicker, Abraham Seybert, Isaac Meyers, Jacob Gossler.

The following charter members held positions in the company in 1813:

Key Company. - John Allgaier, John Schwartz, John McKnight, Samuel Moore, Henry Schoener, Williamn Rehr, Philip Smith, Jacob Lehman, Joseph Allgaier, William Row, Isaac Young, George Zieber.

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History of Berks county in Pennsylvania, Part 136

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