USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > History of Berks county in Pennsylvania > Part 137
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166 | Part 167 | Part 168 | Part 169 | Part 170 | Part 171 | Part 172 | Part 173 | Part 174 | Part 175 | Part 176 | Part 177 | Part 178 | Part 179 | Part 180 | Part 181 | Part 182 | Part 183 | Part 184 | Part 185 | Part 186 | Part 187 | Part 188 | Part 189 | Part 190 | Part 191 | Part 192 | Part 193 | Part 194 | Part 195 | Part 196 | Part 197 | Part 198
Engineers .- John C. Neidley, Abraham Yeager.
Hook-Men .- Andrew Fichthorn, Jr., Chris- tian Haveracker, Joseph Bright, Jacob Fritz.
Rank-Formers. - Henry Boyer, William Marx, William Jones, Jacob Young.
Guard Movables .- John Hanold, Benjamin Stout, John Schembers, Isaac Pierson, Josiah Smith.
The first building occupied was frame, in which the hand-engine was kept. A two-story frame building, on the corner of Washington and Church Streets, was next used. In 1865 the first steam-engine used by this company was purchased of the Amoskeag Manufacturing
816
HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Company by the city authorities, and new quar- ters were secured on Washington Street, between Reed and Sixth. In 1876 the city erected a fine two-story brick building on the corner of Walnut and Vine Streets, which is at present the headquarters of the Junior Company. It coutains various apartments, suited for the wants of the members of the company, all of which are well furnished.
The city authorities, in 1881, sold the Amos- keag engine, purchased in 1865, to Douglass & Conard, the Junior Company having, the year previous, bought a first-class steam fire-engine of Clapp & Jones, of Hudson, New York. Two hose-carriages-one of them made by Spawn & Dennison, of Reading, the other by Fraser, of Philadelphia-and three horses are the property of this company.
For the year 1886 there are three hundred and fifty-six active members and three hundred and forty-two honorary members.
READING FIRE COMPANY was organized on July 4, 1819. The first place of meet- ing was on Conrt Street, between Fifth and Sixth ; at that time it was a hose company. The original frame building used as the first head- quarters was removed in its entirety to Fifth Street, near Franklin, and a hand-engine was added to the needed apparatus of the company. In 1839 the building entire and its equipments were moved to Franklin Street, above Fourth. The old frame building was sold in 1843 and a two-story brick building was obtained on Franklin Street, above Fifth, which continued to be the headquarters until 1857, when another removal was made to Franklin Street, below Sixth. The present headquarters is located on Franklin Street above Sixth, where a very com- modious and convenient two-story brick building was erected for the company by the city in 1884. This building is well designed, ad- mirably arranged and all of its apartments well furnished, affording the best modern comforts and conveniences.
The Reading Fire Company has the honora- ble distinction of having purchased the first steam fire-engine ever owned in this city. It was manufactured by Lee, Larned & Co., who had the engine on exhibition at the Berks
County Agricultural Fair. It was bought in 1860 for the sum of three thousand dollars. This steamer was put into effective use for fif- teen years in succession, when it was sold, in 1875, to William Wunder for old iron. The beautiful Silsby engine purchased in 1875, for the sum of five thousand five hundred dollars, was manufactured at Seneca Falls, N. Y. The company also owns one Silsby hose-carriage and three fine horses. The charter members of the company, as far as could be ascertained, were John H. Keim, James M. Lewis, Ephraim Booth, Valentine Graff, Ephraim Armstrong, Isaac Peterman, Richard Bickel, John Warren, Marks John Biddle, William Zieber, George Heller, - Hyde, - Hill. The first pres- ident of the company was Samuel Bell, and the first secretary Mr. Tilton. For the year 1886 there are seventy-five active members of this company and eighty honorary members.
NEVERSINK FIRE COMPANY was organized April 14, 1829, with the following. namel charter members: George W. Oakley, Jere- miah Snyder, William H. Keim, Henry W. Smith, Alex. P. Miller, William Betz, Francis Aurand, William Miller, Joel Ritter, William Goode, J. Hansey Eichho, Daniel Shenfelder, Walter Frill, Henry High, Solomon A. Stout, George E. Ludwig, John F. Alden, Abner W. Davies, William Frantz, Augustus H. Raiguel, John Pelliter, Jacob Winsted, Richard M. Ken- dall, J. Mannerback, H. Hallowen, George W. Hallowen, Charles K. Snell, James E. Frill, Jacob M. Bickel, John Shaner, Fred. B. Heller, James Walker, John H. Keim, S. B. Shoener, Washington Richards.
The company organized the same year by electing George W. Oakley, president ; Jeremiah Snyder, secretary ; and William H. Keim, treas- urer. The headquarters of the company at the time of the organization was on Washington Street above Fourth, in a small frame building. This continued to be the headquarters from 1829 to 1861. During that period one of the old-time hand-engines was used by the company. In 1861 a building was secured on Fourth Street, between Washington and Walnut, which was used as the headquarters. Soon after their re- moval, a small steam-engine was purchased by
817
READING.
the city authorities, and was put into effective use on many occasions.
It was superseded, in 1876, by the present beautiful and attractive steam-engine which was purchased from the exhibitors of it in the Cen- tennial buildings, at Philadelphia, immediately after the close of the exhibition. This valuable engine was purchased by the company and is now owned by them. In 1877 the city author- ities sold the old steam-engine to Douglass & Conard, of Reading.
In 1883 the city erected for this company a large two-story brick building on the corner of Third and Court Streets, which has been ele- gantly furnished by the company, and contains various apartments, including a finely-furnished parlor. The equipment is a steam fire-engine manufactured by Klapp & Jones, of Hudson, N. Y., and purchased, in 1876, and a hose- wagon made by the American Fire-Hose Man- ufacturing Company, of Chelsea, Mass. Three horses are owned by the company. The com- pany was incorporated in 1835.
FRIENDSHIP FIRE COMPANY was organized March 4, 1848, at the public-house of Wil- liam Rapp, on the corner of Eighth and Penn Streets. The charter members of this company were A. D. Miller, Zachariah Maurer, Reuben Goodman, Franklin D. Nagle, Thomas Barnet, William Rapp, Henry Nagle, Levi Homan, George Greaff, Charles Breneiser, John Drenkle, Jacob Young, John Miller, Ferdinand Ritter, George S. Bickley, Calvin Shingle, James Orth, Amos. Geily, William Kriesher, Daniel D. Maurer, Benjamin Shearer, James Edward, Franklin S. Bickley, William Denhard, John Shaaber, Matthias Babb, James and M. Rol- land. For many years the building of the company was on Franklin, above Peach.
This company received a charter of incorpo- ration on March 20, 1869. The neat and com- modious building used as the headquarters of the Friendship is located on the corner of Franklin and Peach Streets. The supply of fire apparatus consists of one second-class Amos- keag steam-engine, made at Manchester, New Hampshire, one horse hose-carriage, one hand hose carriage. Four horses are also owned by The number of active members
for 1886 is four hundred and forty-three, two hundred and ninety honorary members and one hundred and fifty contributing members.
LIBERTY FIRE COMPANY was instituted January 21, 1854, by the following-named charter members : Lewis W. Hagenman, Mar- tin B. Hoffman, James W. Holmes, William Hill, Daniel Leeds, Michael McCullough, C. Ganser Miller, De Witt Clinton Morris, Reuben S. Miller, George Newkirk, James S. Baumburg, Henry Miller, David L. Murphy, William Baumburg, Daniel Rhoads, Marks Redmond, Henry D. York, John Keller, James Schroeder, Daniel M. Snyder, William Spicker, Joseph Sheffer, Henry Schroeder, William Stott, Robert Toll, Martin Stohecker, William B. Williams, William Van Buskirk, Andrew S. Warner, Abraham S. Witman, John Wert- zel, Jesse B. Yeager, Frederick Buckmyer, Philip Albright, George Ashenfelter, William B. Albright, Frederick Buckmyer, David Bech- tel, George Boyer, Jr., Frederick S. Boas, Henry Goodhart, Rothermel L. Day, Martin Deysher, James H. Deysher, Jacob H. Deysher, George W. Durell, William Geiger, Henry Fegley, Henry Hoffman, Ferd. Hoffmaster, Daniel Kramer, Jediah Miller and George Mil- ler.
The headquarters of this company is on the southeast corner of Fifth and Lanrel Streets. A two-story building is occupied, which is the property of the company. It contains various apartments, including a finely-furnished parlor. The apparatus, which is owned by the city, consists of one fine second-class Silsby engine, purchased at Seneca Falls, N. Y .; one Silsby hose-carriage. Four horses are also used by this company. The number of active members is five hundred and ninety-five. There are seventy-three honorary members.
KEYSTONE HOOK-AND-LADDER COMPANY was organized January 19, 1856, by the fol- lowing-named charter members:
Henry Chrisman, Irvin Benson, John Kissinger, John Resinger, J. B. Sheaffer, Adam Waid, William H. Norton, Halbury A. Bartlet, Benjamin Weis, Peter D. Getz, Jacob Bushong, Henry Bushong, Benjamin Stehman, Jonathan Reber, Joseph Fix, James Robenson, Jacob Kauffman, John Shoemaker, John Heifer, C. D. Geiger, C. D. Bertolette, Daniel
the company. 71
818
HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Klopp, Lewis Hoffman, Amos W. Potteiger, J. M. Heller, Jerome Ringler, John Drexel, Thomas Rambo, Sr., Albert Boyer, Vincent Bloomdale, Henry Heck- enroth, William Yohn, Harvey Birch, Rudolph Hav- erstick, Henry Bowman, Joseph B. Smail, Joseph Markley, Nicholas Boone, James Honherger, Herman Homan, John Horn, Henry Sink, Asphar Truchman, William Ehley, Amos Heckler, Samuel Fix, Daniel Fehr, Arnold Mellert, Magnus Mellert, Arion Briner, Francis Warren, Jacob K. Hoyer, William Wenrich, John B. Weidner, James Gregie, Edwin L. Mace, Henry Hoffmaster, Henry Graul, John Paff, C. F. D. Dweight, Charles Fricker, Edwin Brady, Edward Kutz, Charles F. Davis, Francis Bowman, Levi Hin- nersheet, Henry McGill, Israel Spayd, Levi Richard, Adam Plank, Daniel Dillion, Charles F. Fink, Noah Levan, Jeremiah Fisher, D. M. Fox, Jacob Yoe, Elijah Briner, Benevile Leader, Jacob Breisinger, George W. Runyeon, William Stump, Henry Brown, Samuel Kauterman, Harrison Brady, Hezekiah Andy, Samuel Weidner, John Strohecker, Anthony Hupp, Jeremiah Boone, John Dearing, Daniel Bricker, Andrew Yohl, William Ricker, Samuel Kissinger, John Kochle, J. B. Wentzle, William Savage, Isaac Doyle, William R. Yeich, James Robenson, George Morgendale, Daniel Hauerbach, William Homer, William Murphy, Albert Dautrich, Daniel Heifer, Frederick Dehart, Emanuel Frederick, Charles Hart- line, H. M. Hart, Joseph Heifer, William Reoder, Reuben Frees, David P. Lash, John A. Sefrick, Adam Bickle, William Brown, Adam Waid, John Trexler.
The Keystone owns one hook-and-ladder truck, made by Buckley & Merritt, of Brooklyn, N. Y. ; one patrol-wagon, made by W. W. Wunder, of Reading; and three horses. A two-story brick building, on Penn Street, north of Front Street, erected by the city, is the head- quarters of this company.
WASHINGTON HOSE HOOK-AND-LADDER COMPANY .- Washington Hose Company was organized February 22, 1856, by the members of the Washington Club, of Reading. The charter members were William H. Andrews, James C. Brown, Thomas M. Richards, W. P. Dodson, James H. Gentzler, Alexander Seigel, F. P. Heller, Philip J. Cutler, Williamn G. Vonneida, Charles A. Ringel, George L. Knopp, William Noble, John F. Boyer, Wil- liam R. Priestly, William Kessler and J. R. Fritz. The company was incorporated May 23, 1859.
March 31, 1871, the Spring Garden Hose Company was consolidated with the Washing-
ton. In 1873 a hook-and-ladder truck was added to the fire apparatus. The Company was then reorganized and the present name was adopted.
The two-story brick building on Spruce Street above Tenth, is the headquarters of the Washington. Its various apartments are well furnished and attractively arranged, so as to afford all necessary comforts and conveniences to the members of the company. The supply of apparatus consists of one hook-and-ladder truck, made by E. B. Leverick, of New York; one hose-carriage, made by W. W. Wunder, of Reading.
The number of active members of this com- pany is one hundred and thirty, and the numu- ber of honorary members one hundred and thirty-five.
THE HAMPDEN FIRE COMPANY was or- ganized September 7, 1867. The original mem- bers of this company were S. E. Ancona, H. A. Hartman, George Rothen berger, Daniel Bechtel, William Border, Adam Bower, Jacob Bower, Jr., John H. Clay, Adam Harbold, Amos Hinnershitz, C. C. Smith, Henry Hiu- nershitz, Henry Katzemoyer, Daniel Leese, Fred. Leese, Amos Madary, William Shirey, Joseph Spies, Herman Selig, John Rothen- berger, Henry Rothenberger, Samuel Madary, Jeremiah Leese, Solomon Leese, James Kutz, James Y. Hartman, Samuel Jacobs, Samuel Kutz, Lewis Neiman, Christ Gansler, Christian Gansler, John Staub, George Kramer, Frank Botzum, Jacob Hollenbach, George Reisinger, Peter Steigerwald, William Sands, F. W. Gun- kle, John Gallagher, A. Auchter.
The Hampden Company have their head- quarters in a two-story brick building with various apartments. The apparatus consists of a third-class steam fire-engine made by Klapp & Jones, one hose-cart made by Spawn & Den- nison of Reading. Three .horses are used. There are one hundred and sixty-two active members.
THE MARION HOSE COMPANY was organ- ized in the year 1881, October 1st, by sixty- nine charter members, at Ninth Street, near Spring. The first officers elected were John F. Wagner, president ; Ellsworth B. A. Zwoyer,
819
READING.
secretary ; Samuel Milmore, treasurer. As yet a small frame building is used as the headquarters. One hose-wagon and other necessary apparatus for extinguishing fire is the property of the com- pany. The number of active members in. 1886 is seventy-three.
THE SALVAGE CORPS was instituted June, 1879, in connection with the Keystone Hook-and- Ladder Company. The first patrol-wagon of the Corps was purchased the same year of the or- ganization, from Spawn & Dennison, of Read- ing, and was used until 1884, when a larger wagon was purchased with more complete arrangements, including a hose-reel for carrying three hundred feet of hose. The entire fire ap- paratus consists of water-proof tarpaulins, fire extinguishers, rubber blankets, respirators, buck- ets, axes, brooms, door-jammers, etc.
LIBRARIES.
Two libraries were instituted at Reading about the year 1809; the one was Ger- man and the other English. It is probable that the former was established first. It was organized by twenty-six prominent citizens of Reading, under the name of " Reading German Library Company." By-laws were adopted and a successful management was carried on for many years. It began with six hundred and eighty-five volumes; a first addition of books was made, numbering one hundred and forty volumes ; a second, two hundred and forty-five volumes; a third, one hundred and sixty- two volumes ; and a fourth, two hundred and seventy-five volumes-altogether including one thousand five hundred and seven volumes. By these additions it would appear that the library was well patronized and in a flourishing condi- tion. The company disbanded about 1847 and distributed its books among its members. A large number of them came to be owned by John Ritter, an active member, and they are now in the possession of his son, Louis Ritter.
The " Reading Library " was organized at a public meeting held by Joseph Green, Samuel Moore, James Morris, Samuel Morris, Thomas L. Morris, John Miller, Thomas Peacock, Ben- jamin Davis, Jesse Smith and John Allgaier, on March 16, 1808, at the public-house of
Conrad Foesig. The name then adopted was " The Society of the English Library of Read- ing." Seventy persons subscribed its constitu- tion.1 Upon its organization eighty-four vol- umes of books were obtained from a " Library Company " which had been previously estab- lished-the former having evidently taken the place of the latter. On the 16th May follow- ing, its name was changed to " The Library Company of Reading," and on December 14, 1819, it was incorporated. In June, 1832, the library contained about one thousand vol- umes, and it was then kept at the dwelling of Hon. Matthias S. Richards. At that time it was in successful operation ; but about 1847 it was otherwise. Members had failed to pay their dues, also to keep up interest in it. Instead of taking out one book at a time, they were found to have taken out more. One member was dis- covered who had taken out twenty volumes, and kept them some years. This course had
1 The names were, -
Samuel Moore.
Jacob Vanneda.
Thomas L. Morris.
William Moore.
Benjamin Davis.
Dr. J. Diemer.
Thomas Peacock.
Benjamin Morris.
John Miller,
John Spayd.
Josiah Smith. John K. Messersmith.
James Morris. Peter Frailey.
Samuel Morris. Conrad Feger.
Joseph Green. John S. Hiester.
John Algaier.
Frederick Smith.
William Bell.
H. A. Muhlenberg.
Geo. De B. Keim.
Robert Adrain.
E. G. Bradford. Philip Pauli.
Marks J. Biddle.
James May.
Samuel D. Franks.
James Bell.
James B. Hubley.
Daniel De B. Keim.
Jacoh. K. Boyer.
F. C. Smith.
Gabriel Heister Jr.
William Dundas. Collinson Read.
- John Witman. Nenien Lindsay.
Joseph Heister Jr.
John Pfleager.
Thomas Mills.
Charles Kessler,
Francis & John Parvin.
Thomas Moore.
Isaac Thomas.
Henry M. Richards.
Curtis Lewis.
Lewis Reese.
John McKnight.
William Witman Jr. Charles Evans.
Frederick Fritz.
John Berkinbine.
John Wiley.
Joseph Morris.
John Deifenbach.
Thomas Lightfoot.
Mordecai Wright.
Christopher Shearer.
Gottlob Jungman.
William Tilton.
Joseph Hiester.
John Addams.
820
HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
caused great dissatisfaction to arise; and the members had, therefore, dwindled away till scarcely a dozen remained. A report was pre- sented at a special meeting held on July 31, 1845, by which it appeared that the member- ship was thirty-three; that the books on the catalogue numbered eleven hundred and eighty-six, though the actual number was greater ; and that the library had been under the control of a librarian for thirty years, during which period it was not closed a single time.
For some time before Reading was incorpora- ted into a city the " Reading Library " had not been in a flourishing condition ; in fact, it had become rather abandoned. The citizens, in re- spect to trade, buildings, etc., were making great strides onward since the establishment of the city ; but, notwithstanding their earnest efforts in these directions, they could not forget this struggling institution whose object was the general welfare of the people through reading and good literature. During the fall of 1849 efforts were made to revive it into activity. A meeting was held on the 23d of November, at which the annual dues were fixed at two dollars, the price of stock at two dollars a share, and twenty-four members were elected. The general indifference of the public to the welfare of the library was deprecated. At this meet- ing it was reported that the "Reading Cabi- net"1 (a literary society in vogue for some time) had dissolved and presented its cases of minerals, etc., to the library, and recommended the library to take the Cabinet's place in the Reading Academy building. The books of the library were accordingly removed, in December, 1849, from the dwelling of Mr. Richards (where they had been for years) to the second story of the academy. A year afterward (December, 1850) the library contained fifteen hundred volumes. About 1860 the books were transferred to the
1 The members present were Dr. J. P. Heister, W. H. Keim, Chas. Kessler, Lewis Briner, Jos. L. Stichter, G. W. Oakely, Wm. M. Hiester and John S. Richards. The design of the members of the Cabinet was to merge the society in the Reading Library, an institution of kindred character, and embracing nearly all its members. This society was first organized in 1837.
second story of the Journal building, on Sixth Street near Penn, where they remained for eight years. In 1868 a reorganization of the library company was effected, and the company then, through A. F. Boas, Esq., purchased the " Odd- Fellows' Hall" for ten thousand dollars. It was actively conducted till 1879, then it was closed for four years. In 1883 (September) it was reopened and since that time it has been open to members on alternate days (excepting Sunday), every afternoon and evening. The present number of volumes is about sixty-two hundred. It is also supplied with the weekly papers and monthly periodicals. The board of directors comprises Jacob Knabb, president ; William H. Strickland, secretary, treasurer and librarian. The latter has officiated as treasurer since 1862.
The "Franklin Library " and " Mechanics' Institute " were organized at Reading about 1840. In 1848 they were successfully con- ducted, and then the library contained nearly one thousand volumes.
The " Harmonie Mannerchor " possesses a fine library in their hall, which numbers twen- ty-five hundred volumes.
WASHINGTON LIBRARY COMPANY had its origin in the fall of 1854 as a social society, but after a number of years it was permanently or- ganized with the above name. On the 22d of October, 1870, it was incorporated. The fol- lowing persons were members at the time of its incorporation : F. P. Heller, William P. Bard,- H. A. Yundt, P. K. Heller, W. G. Von Neida, C. C. Maltzberger, John D. Mishler, Lemon Buck, Lyman Shirey, James H. Gentzler, A. A. Heizmann, Charles Peacock and Charles A. Rin- gel. In 1876 a hall was erected by the company and the second and third stories fitted up for its use, the lower story forming business rooms. There are parlors for study and recreation, the former containing the nucleus of a library, which is enlarged as the funds of the company permit. In all there are one hundred members, of whom forty are active. The property of the company is valued at ten thousand dollars.
MUSICAL.
Musical associations have had an early
821
READING.
beginning in Reading. Music was taught here in 1814 and for some years afterward by J. Jungmann, who conducted a musical academy in the borough. This class of associations com- prises two kinds, instrumental and vocal. The instrumental associations were instituted first. A band was in existence in 1814. In 1832 the " Reading Military Band " was instituted. Dif- ferent bands were organized afterwards, among them the " Mechanics' Brass Band," which was conspicuous in and after 1845. How long these several bands continned is not known. The
" Ringgold Band " was instituted in 1852. It was afterward engaged in the Civil War for a time. It has continued till now, winning year after year higher popular favor, both here and throughout the country, by its proficiency in discoursing superior classic music. Latterly, it has conducted annual concerts with great suc- cess. It has accompanied the " Knights Tem- plar" upon long pilgrimages. Wherever it is, wherever it goes, it makes a marked impression. In parades it is always conspicuons. The con- cordance of its marching music thrills the mul- titudes through which it passes. Joseph Winter has been the leader for some years, through whose superior direction the band has attained its eminent position as a musical organization.
Another band worthy of mention is the "Lib- erty Band." It was instituted in 1881. It is einployed frequently to accompany excursions ; also to discourse music for balls, festivals, etc. It has come to possess considerable proficiency under the leadership of Prof. O. H. Unger.
The vocal associations began in 1832; possibly a short time before. The first society was en- titled " Beethoven Society of Reading." The first public concert was given by this society on April 7, 1832, in the State-House. J. Roland was the leader. An interesting programme of vocal and instrumental music was successfully rendered to a large audience. Its subsequent history is not known.
In 1855 a society entitled the "Reading Musical Society" was organized. Its meetings were held in High-School Hall. Its life was short.
The " Mozart Musical Union " was organized by James M. Lyons in the fall of 1862. It
was composed of about seventy members, ladies and gentlemen, from Reading. It practiced vocal music for nearly ten years under the lead- ership of Mr. Lyons, and gave occasional public concerts here and elsewhere.
HARMONIE MÆNNERCHOR .- In 1847 the Reading Mænnerchor was organized at Read- ing, having been composed mostly of the prom- iuent Germans then in the city. It continued its organization till 1874, when it became united with the Harmonie Mænnerchor (an institution organized at Reading, in 1870), since which time the two organizations have been one, under the name last mentioned. The society is under the directorship of Professor J. William Jost. It numbers now thirty-eight active mem- bers, four hundred and thirty passive, and four- teen honorary. It has been located in its pres- ent quarters in the hall, on North Sixth Street, near Walnut, named after it, since 1878, where pleasant rooms have been furnished for meet- ings, etc. It has a library of classical and other works, both English and German, num- bering twenty-five hundred volumes, and moneyed assets amounting to four thousand dollars, indicating its substantial and flourish- ing condition.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.