USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > History of Berks county in Pennsylvania > Part 138
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Numerous other societies were organized, but they had a short existence.
THE READING CHORAL SOCIETY is worthy of mention. It was organized in April, 1875, with Professor E. A. Berg as director. It has had a successful existence since, with the same director. The present membership numbers abont one hundred and forty. Mr. Jesse Orr is president of the society.
HISTORICAL.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF BERKS COUNTY was organized at Reading on August 5, 1869, for the purpose of collecting and perpetuating the historical reminiscences of Berks County. The first officers were: President, William M. Hiester ; Vice-Presidents, Jesse G. Hawley, Samuel L. Young, Hiester Clymer and Oliver C. James ; Corresponding Secretary, Henry M. Keim; Recording Secretary and Treasurer, Charles W. Keim; and Librarian, Daniel S. Zacharias. It was incorporated December 13,
822
HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
1869, the petition for that purpose having been subscribed by twenty-four members of the society. Some meetings were held, which were preparing the way for historical investigations ; but within a year the commendable spirit in this behalf passed away, leaving the society with solely a legal existence, but without ac- complishing its purpose. One paper read before it is worthy of special mention,-the article by Hon. William M. Hiester, on the " Ringgold Light Artillery," showing that this company was the first to offer its services to the national government in answer to the call of President Lincoln for troops and to move to the Capitol in defense of the country in the Civil War.1
A society of this nature existed at Reading about thirty years before the society mentioned. It was an organized body, whose purpose was the collection of data pertaining to the history of the county and the county-seat. Through the decease of certain prominent members it fell into neglect. It left no archives of any kind. No effort, not even a suggestion, was made till 1869 to revive a society of this important and useful nature here. This total indifference on the part of certain prominent, well-informed citizens to such an interesting field of knowl- edge is altogether inexcusable. Many valuable facts, manuscript papers, statistics, etc., which could-and doubtless would-have been pre- served by a society of this nature, have been lost by this neglect. Historical research has therefore come to be a most laborious and dis- couraging undertaking.
LITERARY.
PHILOMATHEAN LITERARY, MUSICAL AND SOCIAL UNION was organized January 13, 1879, with twenty members. It originated as a branch of the old Keystone Literary Society. Its title indicates its purposes. The Union is one of the few societies of this nature which has continued beyond a few years. It is now in a flourishing condition. There are thirty active and twenty associate members. The semi- monthly meetings are atteuded with great
interest. The yearly entertainments are occa- sions of public concern. The Union has the nucleus of a fine library and other valuable property.
The " Reading Lyceum " flourished for some years. It was organized in 1869, and 'incor- porated in 1873, composed mostly of young attorneys. For several successive years it gave a course of lectures.
SCIENTIFIC.
A SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCES was organized in 1869, and then incorporated ; and in 1870 it opened rooms to the public for the exhibition of numerous natural curiosities of various kinds. For a time it was located on the first floor of the " Library Hall," and there gave several successful exhibitions. But it was not sufficiently patronized, and in 1884 it was disbanded, when the collection was distributed amongst its members.
CHARITABLE ASSOCIATIONS.
Charity has been active and prominent in the various public affairs of Reading for over sixty years. The citizens, as a whole, have not dis- played any noteworthy enterprise whose object was the promotion of the common welfare; but throughout their entire history they have exhibited active benevolence. It assumed definite proportions about the time when the common-school system of education was firmly introduced ; and as time advanced it ran into different useful channels. The several associa- tions of this nature which have been established are the following : Benevolent, Relief, Widows' Home and Hospitals.
The first organization was a "Soup Society." It was formed September 23, 1823. A meet- ing of ladies of Reading was then held in the " State-House " " for the purpose of devising means for the relief of sick and indigent per- sons within the borough ;" and it was decided "that a supply of wholesome and nutritious soup should be prepared for distribution twice a week during the continuance of the sickly season." The families in distress called on the following managers for assistance: Mrs. Frederick Smith, Mrs. Charles Evans, Mrs.
1 Extracts have been taken from this paper by the author of this history. See Chapter XII., Civil War.
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READING.
William Darling, Mrs. E. Eckert and Mrs. Lydia M .. Baird, treasurer.
Much valuable relief was afforded by this organization. One hundred and twenty gallons of soup and great quantities of bread were dis- tributed every week.
This " sickly season " was superinduced by the construction of the Schuylkill Canal. In Union township whole families were found bed-fast, helpless and poor, and assistance, and even nurses, were sent from Reading to the stricken people. This society terminated its useful career after the prevailing epidemic had passed away.
A meeting was held in the State-House on January 27, 1835, for the purpose of estab- lishing a " Benevolent Society." A constitu- tion was adopted, and officers and a board of managers were elected. Two days afterward the board organized, divided the borough into seven wards and instituted the work of practical benevolence. The first annual meeting of the society was held on January 1, 1836.
Annual meetings have been held since. It has now been actively engaged for fifty years in carrying out the commendable object for which it was instituted. In this time it accom- plished much good and relieved many suffering families from cold and hunger. The managers met mostly, if not altogether, at various private dwellings till 1874. The " Relief Society " then granted them the privilege of meeting in their fine building free of rent, where they have con- tinued to meet till now. Their active work of benevolence is carried on almost entirely during the winter months. The many good women who have been engaged in this noble work can- not be too highly commended. The annual meetings of the society have been held princi- pally in the prominent churches.
The society was incorporated November 21, 1849, under the name of " Benevolent Society of the City of Reading."
Oficers of the Society .- Presidents: M. S. Richards, 1835-48; Samuel Bell, 1848-60; G. A. Nicolls, 1860- 71; W. J. Woodward, 1871-79 ; J. Hagenman, 1879- 83; D. McM. Gregg, 1883-86.
Secretaries : Diller Luther, 1835-37 ; R. U. Mor- gan, 1837-44; James L. Schock, 1844 49; E. J.
Richards, 1849-70; Jacob Fry, 1870-83; Wallace Radcliffe, 1883-85 ; William H. Myers, 1886.
Treasurers : John M. Keim, 1835-44; Joseph L. Stichter, 1844-70; James Millholland, 1870-73 ; William G. McGowan, 1873-83 ; Thomas D. Stichter, 1883-86.
READING DISPENSARY .- An association composed of certain physicians and citizens was organized December 14, 1867, upon the sugges- tion of the " Reading Medical Association," and a constitution was adopted January 8, 1868. The object of the association was to provide for the indigent sick and wounded people of Read- ing. A dispensary was opened on January 27, 1868, and during the first year of its existence over four hundred cases of sickness and acci- dents were attended to by the association. It was incorporated March 10, 1869. The hos- pital was located at 618 Court Street and was conducted successfully for eight years, when it was abandoned for want of pecuniary support. In the mean time a society of ladies was formed, whose object was to obtain a building or hospital for the use of the dispensary. They met at the dispensary November 28, 1873, to take the necessary steps in this behalf. They were Mrs. William A. Good, Mrs. Ebur, Mrs. Edward Scull, Mrs. J. T. Craig, Misses Rachel D. Griscom, Kate Leaman and Louisa Filbert. Mrs. Craig was elected president and Miss Griscom secretary and treasurer. They held a " Bazaar," in which proceeding they were assisted by the several churches in Reading, and on February 4, 1874, they reported on hand $2125; and in November following they held a "Fair," from which they realized $941.48. Shortly afterward a small tract of land was purchased for the purpose of erecting thereon a hospital, and from that time onward earnest steps were taken to finish the undertaking. And in this the parties particularly interested were entirely successful. The name of the first asso- ciation was changed to "The Reading Hos- pital " on March 12, 1883.
The " Reading Hospital" and "St. Joseph's Hospital" are mentioned elsewhere.1
READING RELIEF SOCIETY is a charitable organization which became an incorporated body
1 See Part V. Internal Improvements, p. 744.
824
HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
September 22, 1866. The charter members were G. A. Nicolls, John S. Richards, A. F. Boas, James L. Douglas, James Jameson, Jacob Knabb, H. F. Felix, Alex. P. Tutton, Diller Luther, George W. Blakely, A. B. Wan- ner, A. G. Green and J. S. Livingood.
The object was "to provide means for the gratuitous distribution of soup and such means of life as may be deemed proper for the poor and needy of the city of Reading." In its work- ings the society has sustained an auxiliary rela- tion to the Reading Benevolent Society, and has, like that body, been a valuable means in allevi- ating the sufferings of many poor and hungry people of Reading. In 1874 its usefulness was emphasized by the erection of a fine two-story brick building on the corner of Franklin and Plum Streets, costing five thousand dollars, where its charity has since been dispensed with great success.1 The following persons have been the officers for many years, and they are still officiating : George D. Stitzel, president ; Reuben Hoffa, secretary ; James Jameson, treasurer ; A. B. Yeager, superintendent.
WIDOWS' HOME .- The assciation known as the " Home for Widows and Single Women of Reading " was organized in 1874, and incorpor- ated in 1875, for the purpose of affording hu- mane and charitable relief, assistance and sup- port to widows and single women of Reading. The incorporating members were Eliza W. Howe, Sarah Briner, Ann E. Craig, Rachel D. Griscom, Mary Eckert, Sarah B. Good, Har- riet B. Connard, Maria W. Brooke, Maria B. Ritter, Asenath J. Shaaber, Susan E. Benson, Margaretta C. Ermentrout, Catharine E. H. Jones, Mary H. Pearson, Emily H. Smith, Em- ily K. Baer, Sarah C. McIlvain and Lucretia M. Hickman.
In the first annual report the following remarks were introduced, showing the efforts expended in behalf of forming this society :
"For many years the ladies of Reading have de- sired to establish a home similar to the one in Phila- delphia, for the benefit of the unfortunate aged who have lived useful and meritorious lives. Some ladies made considerable exertions towards it, and, in Sep- tember, 1873, another effort was inaugurated by
-
others. Public meetings were held, at which Mr. Lewis Briner, His Honor, Mayor Evans, Rev. Mr. Rad- cliffe and other friends of humanity made efforts towards establishing combined homes for men, women and children. A committee was appointed at the last meeting to make arrangements, which failed again and again to find a quorum, and then disbanded. A few ladies then ascertained that a charter could be given by the Court of Berks County for a home for women only, while the combined homes required an act of the Legislature. They therefore resolved to un- dertake what could be done in Reading. Applying to Mr. Morton L. Montgomery (lawyer) from time to time for advice, he guided the actions of the ladies in obtaining petitioners, a charter, a constitution and by- laws, and the society was formed and in action, and a pamphlet published, by the 14th of January, 1875."
The membership of this association numbers one hundred and eighty-eight, all citizens of Reading, to which place membership is re- stricted.
Since the regular organization Mrs. M. A. De Wolfe Howe has officiated as first directress, Miss Susan E. Benson as treasurer and Miss Rachel D. Griscom as secretary.
The management of this society has been conducted very successfully. A " Home " was rented for a time; then a fine property was purchased, in which a "home " was established. This is situated on Eighth Street, near Chestnut. In 1885 a large lot of ground was obtained in East Reading, and there the members caused a superior and commodious stone structure to be erected, which is now being finished. In this behalf they received liberal encouragement from a number of prominent citizens.
RELIGIOUS.
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION 1 was organized in the chapel of the Presbyterian Church, November 22, 1869. The first officers were J. H. Sternbergh, president; F. A. Shearer, vice-president ; W. O. Brewster, secre- tary ; and H. J. Rhoads, treasurer.
The first board of managers was not elected until December 19, 1870. It was composed of J. E. Price, G. W. Armstrong, Rev. S. Domer, D. H. Beideman, J. Dorwort and George W. Phelps.
1 Building opened December 8, 1874.
1 An organization of same name existed for a time at Reading about ten years previously.
825
READING.
On the 1st of January, 1870, the association occupied its first rooms in Earl's building, northwest corner Fifth and Penn, and shortly afterward removed to the Crouse building, near the southeast corner of Fifth and Penn, where it remained about six years. Since 1879 it has been at its present quarters, corner of Eighth and Penn Streets.
In February, 1879, the first general secretary was employed to look after the work and in- terests of the association. The following secre- taries have officiated :
February, 1879, till September, 1880, C. H. Coon. November, 1880, till September, 1882, S. B. Herr. September, 1882, till May, 1885, John H. Reid. November, 1885, till now, E. Bruce Lyttle.
The association was incorporated in March, 1882, and afterwards authorized to own real- estate. A movement to erect a building was made in the fall of 1885, during the Moody revival services at Reading, the funds collected and pledged being placed in charge of building trustees, comprising the following prominent citizens : Isaac McHose, Jesse Orr, William McElwain, Matt. Harbster, W. H. Shick, J. F. Smith, J. Hendel, S. E. Ancona. Nearly ten thousand dollars have already been secured for that purpose.
The association has spacious and well- furnished rooms for worship, recreation and literary culture. The reading-room is supplied with sixty-five daily, weekly and monthly newspapers and periodicals, which are perused daily by nearly a hundred visitors. The entire membership is four hundred and eighty-three, and the yearly expenses of the association are about two thousand five hundred dollars.
THE BOARD OF TRADE of Reading was organized April 21, 1881, to enhance the material interests of the city. Its specific pur- poses are to promote the trade, commerce, manufactures and mechanic arts ; to establish and maintain uniformity in commercial usages and to inculcate principles of justice and equity in business relations ; to disseminate valuable commercial and statistical information ; to facili- tate the adjustment of controversies in trade ; and to foster, protect and advance the best in- terests of the business community. These aims
have enlisted the sympathy and secured the co- operation of most of the energetic business men of the city, who have enrolled themselves as members of the association.
Committees have been appointed in accord- ance with the above purposes, and their efforts have produced gratifying results. In 1882 an exhaustive report of the board was prepard by Mr. De B. Randolph Keim, which served a valuable purpose in disseminating informa- tion regarding the city as a great business centre.
The following was the first official organiza- tion of the association :
President : J. H. Sternbergh. Vice-Presidents : First-Jesse Orr : Second-Henry S. Eckert. Direc- tors : J. H. Sternbergh, Jesse Orr, Henry S. Eckert, John R. Kaucher (ex-officio), Matthan Harbster, Thomas A. Willson, Frederick Lauer, Henry Eppi- himer, Frederick P. Heller, William H. Reinoehl, Charles Breneiser, J. Fred. Moers. Treasurer : John R. Kaucher. Secretary : E. F. Keever.
Standing Committees.
Finance. - Henry S. Eckert, Christian Stolz, Jeremiah G. Mohn, John R. Miller, Louis Kraemer.
Manufactures .- Jesse Orr, T. A. Willson, W. H. Reinoehl, Matthan Harbster, William M. Kauffman, Isaac McHose, Charles Rick.
Arbitration .- Charles Breneiser, Abner K. Stauffer, Thomas P. Merritt, Nicholas Jones, J. B. Brooke, M.D.
Transportation .- Frederick Lauer, A. Wilhelm, William R. McIlvain, De B. Randolph Keim, Jacob Knabb.
Statistics .- Henry Eppihimer, J. F. Moers, F. C. Smink, Joseph V. Kendall, James L. Douglas.
City Affairs .- F. P. Heller, George P. Zieber, Louis Kremp, Henry D. High, F. S. Jacobs.
E. F. Keever has continued to serve effi- ciently as secretary of the board since its organ- ization.
The present officers are Isaac McHose, presi- dent ; H. C. England and Peter D. Wanner, vice-presidents ; John R. Kaucher, treasurer ; Elijah F. Keever, secretary.
BUILDING, LOAN AND SAVINGS ASSOCIA- TIONS .- These associations of Reading have been important factors in promoting the growth of the city, and have assisted many worthy citi- zens to the ownership of homes or given them financial aid in transacting their business. The moneys handled by them count into the millions of dollars. Being thus matters of public in-
72
826
HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
terest, a list of the principal institutions is here presented.1
When Organized.
Reading German .September, 1848
Berks County
January, 1849
Reading Savings February, 1849
Franklin Savings.
1850
Columbia.
Reading Building
April, 1859
Uuion
January, 1866
National Workingmen's.
.February, 1867
Franklin Building November, 1867
Columbia, No. 2.
May, 1868
Homestead.
.May, 1868
Liberty
January, 1869
Friendship
June, 1869
Schiller.
August, 1869
Berks County
August, 1869
Jefferson.
.April, 1870
Equitable.
May, 1870
Germania.
July, 1870
Keystone
January, 1872
Neversink.
April, 1872
Lafayette.
.February, 1873
Reading German.
February, 1873
Schuylkill
April, 1873
Berks County, No. 2.
September, 1873
Central.
.October, 1873
Excelsior
December, 1873
Good Will.
May, 1874
Industry
May, 1874
Read. Land and Imp. Co.
May, 1874
Schiller, No. 2
July, 1874
Marion.
August, 1874
Franklin, No. 2 ..
September, 1875
Homestead, No. 2.
May, 1876
National
July, 1877
Columbia, No. 3.
January, 1878
American
June, 1878
Friendship, No. 2
May, 1879
Harmonie, No. 2.
May, 1879
Washington, No. 2
February, 1880
Jefferson, No. 2.
February, 1880
Homestead, No. 3.
.May, 1880
Union, No. 2.
May, 1880
Neversink, No. 2.
May, 1880
Keystone, No. 2.
March, 1881
West Reading
May, 1881
Germania, No. 2. June, 1881
Wm. Penn September, 1881
Keystone, No. 3.
April, 1882
Homestead, No. 4.
May, 1882
Northwest ..: .September, 1882
Ringgold
October, 1882
Neversink, No. 3. August, 1883
East Reading.
.1883
Schuylkill Valley
January, 1884
Northeast.
March, 1884
Schiller, No. 3
July, 1885
Franklin, No. 3
October, 1885
The building association as an organization did not begin to erect buildings till about 1876. Previously it simply received moneys and made the same profitable by disposing of them to parties on mortgage securities. When the amounts on hand became so large as to be unpro- ductive, measures were instituted to make them productive, and the directors then turned their attention to building operations. During the last ten years it is estimated that the several building associations of Reading erected alto- gether about eight hundred buildings, almost entirely dwellings for the working people. Many men have been active in this matter for a number of years, and they have contributed greatly to the permanent improvement of Read- ing. Louis Kremp, Esq., has been connected with this branch of business in our community for over twenty years, and he has served most faithfully as secretary and treasurer during this long period of time.
LOUIS KREMP was born October 26, 1820, in Saar-Union, Bas-Rhin, Alsace, France. His grandfather, John Kremp, had beld the office of mayor and was a man of more than ordinary influence in the community in which he lived. His father, Xavier Kremp, was for many years city clerk.
Louis Kremp obtained his early education in the parish school, and finished his studies in the seminary of Metz. After his return to Saar- Union he joined his father as a partner in bnsi- ness. In September, 1847, he was married to Miss Caroline Prestat, a daughter of Nicolas Joseph Prestat, a gentleman of culture and re- finement, holding a responsible office under the government. In the spring of 1849 he, with his wife, came to America, arriving in New York on the 4th of July. Mr. C. Wagner, a friend and school companion of Mr. Kremp, Sr., was then teaching Latin in Philadelphia. He advised Louis Kremp to remove to Reading,
1 The author endeavored for several years to obtain data to show the name and organization of each association, membership, moneys received and buildings erected, but the information was not supplied. The list presented is not complete.
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READING.
where he opened a notion-store. In April, second nomination, and at that date received a commission as notary public. 1862, he was elected secretary of St. Peter's Roman Catholic Beneficial Society, a very large Mr. Kremp has two sons and three daughters, named, respectively, Joseph P., Felix P., Ame- lia T., Lizzie P. and Caroline E. Kremp. organization. In 1863 he was elected secretary of the Reading German Building and Savings Association, and since then has helped to or- MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY OF BERKS COUNTY .- During the year 1844 the citizens of the southeast section of Berks Co. felt ganize one or more associations every year, of which he was invariably chosen secretary. Six- teen of these associations have successfully run | the necessity of a society whose object was their
their course, paying the stockholders ten, twelve and even thirteen per cent. He is now secre- tary of twenty-one associations, one or two of which will expire every year. He is also a real estate and fire insurance agent.
In 1873 Louis Kremp was the Democratic candidate for alderman of the Eighth Ward of Reading, and was elected by a large majority. At the expiration of his term he declined a
protection against loss by fire, and for this pur- pose held a meeting at the " Yellow House," in Amity township, on November 2, 1844, at which time and place the Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany of Berks County was organized, and, on December 7th following, the members elected a board of managers as follows : Henry Schaeffer, Isaac Bertolet, David Kline, Thomas Snyder, John Deturck, Daniel Snyder, Gideon Hoch,
828
HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Joshua Hoch, Jacob Weiser, John Herbein, William Knabb, Jacob H. Reiff, Thomas P. Lee.
The company was incorporated January 31, 1845, for a term of twenty years. The charter was renewed in 1863 and made perpetual. The first policies of this company were issued on August 9, 1845; they numbered fifty-nine, with an aggregate insurance of two hundred thousand dollars.
In 1865 new policies were issued to all the members under the new charter, which then numbered eleven hundred and forty-one, with an aggregate insurance amounting to two mil- lion five hundred thousand dollars. In Decem- ber, 1885, the aggregate insurance was seven million eight hundred thousand dollars.
The officers from the time of organization of the company, with their terms of service, are as follows : Presidents-Daniel Snyder (from 1845 to 1849), William Knabb (from 1849 to 1869), John Francis (from 1869 to 1872), William Yocom (from 1872 to 1885) ; Treasurers-Jacob H. Reiff (from 1845 to 1862), Wellington B. Griesemer (from 1862 to 1871), Jacob Herbein (from 1871 to 1885) ; Secretaries-James Berto- let (from 1845 to 1849), James Lee (from 1849 to 1864), George K. Lorah (from 1864 to 1885).
READING FIRE INSURANCE AND TRUST COMPANY OF BERKS COUNTY, is the outgrowth of the Neversink Life and Fire Insurance Com- pany of Berks County, which was organized on July 8, 1867, by the election of J. Pringle Jones, president ; James McKnight, vice-presi- dent; and S. E. Ancona, secretary and treasurer. The first directors were J. T. Valentine, George Rieser, Jacob Shaffner, J. T. Jackson, Henry L. Van Reed, Jonas Shalter and Daniel E. Stout. In 1868 an application was made to the Court of Common Pleas of Berks County to change the name of the corporation to "The Reading Fire Insurance and Trust Company of Berks County." This application was granted April 13, 1868. The building owned and oe- cupied by the company is situated on the south- east corner of Fifth and Court Streets, Reading, and was erected in 1870, at a cost of thirty thousand dollars, including the lot. The busi- ness offices are neat, attractive and well adapted
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