USA > Pennsylvania > Chester County > Downingtown > History of Downingtown, Chester County, Pa > Part 13
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
March 3, 1814, Council Chamber moved to Masonic Hall, West Ward. June 26, 1876, the sum of one hundred and twenty- five dollars was appropriated by Council for fireworks in cele- brating the one hundredth anniversary of American independence on July 4, 1846, and the Chief Burgess was directed to issue a proclamation requesting a general observance of the day.
A citizens' meeting was held July 25, 1877, and J. T. Car- penter was appointed a committee to wait on Council and request the Chief Burgess to apply to the Governor for the loan of arms and ammunition and equipment for one hundred men enrolled as an organized force for the protection of the Borough of Down- ingtown, as per the Governor's proclamation. This was in view of the unsettled condition of society owing to labor troubles and strikes and riots in various places.
In 1884 the borough was divided into two wards by a decree of Court, with costs amounting to $47.87. Some discord began to show itself between the two wards, and to avoid the same some prominent citizens advocated dissolution as the only rem- edy. On November 3, 1890, resolution passed Council condemn- ing the efforts of certain persons to have the Borough of Down- ingtown divided into separate boroughs.
May 13, 1892, an agreement was made with the Pennsylvania Railroad, by which Brandywine avenue was made to pass under the railroad and thus avoid a very dangerous grade crossing at that point.
March 13, 1893, the Lancaster and Philadelphia Street Rail- way applied for permission to lay tracks on Lancaster avenue, but the project was abandoned.
Later the West Chester Street Railway extended its tracks to Coatesville over two of the most important streets, giving Downingtown good trolley service, which has proven a benefit to the town.
At this, the closing days of the semi-Centennial, the borough is in good condition financially, has an abundant supply of pure water, which reaches the town by gravity; has well-lighted streets. good sidewalks and much care taken to keep the streets and avenues in smooth and clean condition. Two well-equipped fire companies, who own their teams ; a large steam roller, two United States Post Offices, two Pennsylvania Railroad passenger stations. one Philadelphia and Reading station, one large steam flour mill, several other industries mentioned in other chapters, flourishing churches of several denominations, between the pas- tors and members of which there exists a most cordial feeling of sympathy and fidelity. A large proportion of the inhabitants
136
own their homes, assisted largely in many cases by the liber- ality of the well-managed Brandywine Building Association.
All the lodges and beneficial organizations are prosperous, the merchants are trustworthy business men and prosper, the town is growing and many beautiful building sites are being improved in the western or resident section, while valuable build- ings are being erected in the eastern or business section. Health and prosperity is the heritage of the populace in the heart of the beautiful Valley, and, seated on either side of the historic Brandy- wine. within the shadow of the Heights of Valley Forge, we are a happy and contented people, anxiously waiting to see the new school building completed, and, ever grateful to the Giver of all blessings, we stand upon the threshold of the last half of our century full of hope and confidence.
FIRE PROTECTION.
For the protection of property from fire the question of se- curing apparatus for equipping a hook and ladder company was considered at a meeting of Council, held May 5, 1873, and Dr. Thomas E. Parke was appointed a committee to inquire into the cost of same.
May 5, 1884, a committee from a citizens' meeting appeared before Council and asked that measures be taken for protection of property in the borough from fire, when a committee was appointed to confer with citizens' committee on the subject and to ascertain the lowest rates to be obtained from the water com- pany for fire protection. August 4, 1884, the question of fire protecaon was brought up, and the committee directed to make inquiry as to cost of certain apparatus and cost of building for same, the further consideration of which was, September 1, 1884, indefinitely postponed. January 9, 1888, the Alert Fire Com- pany, No. 1, of Downingtown, having been organized. Council was asked for an appropriation for providing a house for their hook and ladder truck, referred to committee, who, on February 27. 1888, reported, "The company at present consists of 28 active members : whole amount of money received from various sources, $710.95 : amount expended, $655.45 : of this, $400 was paid for hook and ladder truck, the balance for charter, printing by-laws and other incidental expenses. They have a handsome and fully rigged hook and ladder truck, 12 rubber buckets, one extension and two small ladders, picks, drag chains, bars, axes, etc. They own no horse. The company asks assistance to erect a build- ing 20 x 10 feet for housing their truck and for holding meetings.
"The committee finds the company a respectable and vigor- ous band of young men. Their constitution and by-laws are based upon such principles as the most law-abiding citizen must
137
approve. The committee approves of aiding the company in such sum as may be considered prudent."
Masonic Hall, at corner of Lancaster and Stuart avenues, having been entirely destroyed by fire in the early hours of April 6, 1892, the borough authorities purchased a Silsby fire engine, No. 4, which was placed in charge of the Alert Fire Company, No. 1, they having erected a suitable building for housing fire apparatus. An agreement was entered into by the borough au- thorities and officers of Alert Fire Company.
STREET LIGHT.
December 2, 1844, Joshua Kames appeared before Council on behalf of the Gas and Water Company and made an offer to erect one hundred lamps without expense to the borough and supply the gas for street lighting on the same terms and condi- tions upon which it will be furnished to private consumers, which was accepted, and the Street Committee was directed to assist in locating the same, having due regard to street crossings. On March 6, 1876, Joshua Kames appeared before Council and stated that, under the contract with the borough, fifty street lamps had been erected, and desired to be informed where the additional fifty agreed upon should be placed, stating also that the gas made had been of good quality and carefully measured, and the consumption for January and February was seventy-five thousand feet, which, at $3.50 per thousand feet, would amount to, $262.50, which amount would be in accordance with the con- tract. A committee was appointed to investigate the matter, which reported at a subsequent meeting that no such contract was made binding the borough, and refused to pay any bills or charges for gas that had been used in lighting the streets, and the borough would not be responsible for any future lights under the alleged agreement, which report was accepted and a com- mittee appointed to communicate in writing with the Gas and Water Company on the subject. On June 7, 1816, the Gas and Water Company made an offer in writing to light the borough with gas at the rate of $22 per lamp per annum, but the offer was not accepted. May 6, 1878, a committee was appointed to confer with the Downingtown Diamond Lamp Company in re- lation to furnishing street lights, which reported in favor of erecting two lamps on the turnpike bridge, to be used on dark nights for the safety and convenience of citizens, to be erected by the Diamond Lamp Company for one year at $2.00 per lamp, which was not approved by Council.
This matter was again brought before Council on September 4, 1882, by petition of citizens, and referred to committee, which approved at a later meeting having the lamp erected.
13S
April 6, 1885, the question of street lights was again con- sidered, and a committee was appointed to inquire into the costs and feasibility of same, and on June 1. 1885, a contract was entered into with the Downingtown Gas and Water Company for 25 lights for $400 per year, which contract was annulled on February 1, 1886, on account of poor service.
May 3. 1886, 31 oil lamps were installed at $8.25 per lamp per year. June 6, 1882. proposals for erecting and maintaining 75 street lights were advertised. September 3. 1888. a contract was executed with Brooks Gas Company for 50 gas lights at $1.50 per annum. For the last four years the town has streets well lighted with gas and electricity.
WATER.
The first mention made of the introduction of water pipes is on November 2, 1820, when a petition was presented by sundry citizens asking for the insertion of fire plugs. The Water. Com- pany being a private corporation (another one of Joshua Kames' enterprises). April 14, 1843, a resolution was passed earnestly requesting the Governor to veto an act of the Legislature author- izing the Burgess and Town Council to borrow the sum of fifty thousand dollars to purchase water works, as the act was passed without their knowledge or consent. Trouble now commences with the Gas and Water Company, who, by virtue of their charter, as decided by the Borough Solicitor, have the right to go where they please, doing as little injury as possible, and the Burgess, on July 2. 1823, was directed to notify John Webster, secretary of the Gas and Water Company, to fill up ditches within one week, or Council will proceed to do the same without delay. December 8. 1843. Council wished to be heard by the Governor on the Kames water bill enacted by the Legislature, but not as yet signed by the Governor.
It was proved beyond any doubt that the borough could not depend upon the existing water company, owned principally by outside capitalists, and the borough authorities were request- ed to take measures to secure control of the water supply. Fail- ing in this, they conceived the idea of establishing a plant owned and operated solely by the borough. Water rights were pur- chased and a large basin built at the headwaters on Pine Run, on the farm of. Mrs. Young. From this a good supply of pure spring water was obtained, but the old company brought suit against the borough for trespassing on their chartered rights, which gave the old company exclusive control of the service. The decision of the lower Court, confirmed by the Supreme Court, was against the borough, which was now compelled to
.
139
purchase the rights, titles, etc., of the old company. This gave a supply from another source and gave the town an abundant supply, though at heavy cost. The revenue, however, from pri- vate consumers, manufacturing establishments and the Pennsyl- vania Railroad has enabled the Council to reduce the indebted- ness at an increasing rate .. -
The presert equipment, with the completion of the large reservoir now in contemplation, will supply all demands for many years.
-
Y
THE SHELMIRE GRIST MILL.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONL
Chapter 12
Early Industries-The Vicker's Pottery-The Bicking's and Paper Mills-Various Enterprises.
Among the early industries in Downingtown was that of a pottery, carried on by John Vickers, who formerly lived in Sads- bury, and who began business in Downingtown as early as 1807. His pottery was located in the eastern portion of the town on property now owned by George H. Fisher. An examination of the old account book of the Caln Pottery, which accounts extend from 1808 to 1813, shows the names of purchasers as follows:
Meredith & Hoopes purchased in 1808 ; John Taylor, of Ken- nett Square, purchased the same year, as did Thomas Edge. In 1809, John Hoopes, Jr., and Sharpless & Windle. Purchasers in 1810 were Joseph Quarll, Abner James & Company, Evan Evans & Company, Jesse Kersey, and in 1811, David Jones & Jesse Gause were purchasers.
These entries show that ware was shipped to Wilmington, Delaware, Kennett Square, Columbia and Christianabridge. It is also interesting to note that bricks appear to have been made here, as one entry under date of 9th month, 19th, 1809, refers to "500 bricks." It is also interesting to note that Phineas Whita- ker is credited with two loads of clay at $1.00, and. John Hoopes, Jr., is frequently credited with loads of clay at $0.50, such credits extending from the year 1808 to 1811. 8th month, 9th, 1813, Samuel R. Downing is charged with seven dozen porter bottles. Whether these bottles were made at this pottery, or whether they were simply sold, the record does not explain. A sample bill will give a general idea of the articles made here during the early years of the pottery. It is in the name of Meredith & Hoopes, and under date of 9th month, 1809, as follows :
To 1 doz pots at 17s. 6d. & 11/2 doz. at 12s ... 1 £ S. d. 11/2 doz. do. at 6s. 6d., 34 doz. at 5s. & 2
15 6 doz. at 3s 19
6
1 doz. milk pots 6 6
1 doz. dishes 10s. & 8s. and 1-3 doz. at 5s. 10 8
142
2 doz. do., 3s. and 4 doz. at 1s. 6d. . 12
.. 11/2 doz. basins, Ss. & 5s., and 11/2 do., 9s. 14
112 doz. two-gal. jars, 22s. 6d. 11
1 doz. gal. do.
15
3 doz. 12-gal. jugs, do. & pitchers, 10s. .. 1
10
? doz. qt. bowls and mugs, 5s. . 10
3 doz. pt. do., do., and cups, 2s. 6d.
6
1/2 doz. sugar pots, 18s and 14s. 8
1 doz. Jordans, 12s. and 9s. 10
1/2 doz. jar lids, 2s. 1
4 doz. Toy ware, 9s. 3
3
14 doz. qt. do. do., 12s. 3
3
Drawing 10
1
5
1 doz. gal. jugs
15
Total (29.25) .10 19 5
Much of this ware was queensware and white ware, and was shipped to various points in Chester County and the State of Delaware, and some of it was shipped to the city of Philadel- phia, "5 mo. 27, 1809," the fololwing entry was made :
FINE WARE.
£
S. d.
1 doz. half-gal. coffee pots 2
1 3
1 doz. three-pint do. 1 13 9
1 doz. half-gal. pitchers 18 9
1 doz. three-pint do. 15
1/2 doz. quart do., 12s. 6
1 doz. large tea pots
1
1 doz. less do.
16
1 doz. large cream cups
5
7 1/2
2 doz. small do., 3s. 9d.
6
2 doz. salt cups, 2s. 912d.
5
7 1/2
1-6 doz. half-gal. bowls, 18s. 9d. 2
11/2
1/4 doz. three-pt. do .. 15s.
3
9
1 doz. qt. do.
10
2 doz. pt. do., 3s. 9d.
6
1 doz. qt. mugs 8
2 doz. pt. do., 5s. 10
2-3 doz. Jordans, 18s, 9d.
12
6
1/2 doz. sugar bowls, 10s.
5
34 doz. small do., 7s. 6d.
5
21/2
:
John Vickers continued at this pottery until about the year 1822, when he sold out the concern and started a new pottery
3
3
6
14 doz. 3-pt. green enameled pitchers, 11s.
Drawing
143
about half a mile northeast of Lionville, in Uwchlan township, Chester County. During the time that Friend Vickers was at Downingtown, among his workmen was Jesse Kersey, who was quite a noted speaker among the society of Friends. Jesse ex- ercised his joints at the pottery during the week, and exercised his gift of speech at Friends' meeting on the first day of the week. He forgot that then, as now, the audience always look behind the speaker to the consistency of his personality. How- ever eloquent is the orator, if he lacks stability of character, his words fall upon heedless ears. A century ago the personal equa- tion was as much in evidence and of as great an importance as it is to-day, and any one who speaks in the "limelight" of public criticism is influential more by his schedule of living than he is by his flow of language.
The bake shop was a scarce industry in Chester County. There were a few of them, but there was none in Downingtown. The bread that was consumed in the Downingtown dining room was baked in the Downingtown kitchen, and the manufacture and consumption of pies was something astounding. In every harvest field in Chester County there was what was known as the 10 o'clock piece, and the piece was generally a piece of pie. Such bake shops as did exist in country towns at that time kept the account with the patrons by means of "a tally," and the notches on one side of the tally meant three-cent loaves and the notches on the other side of the tally meant six-cent loaves. There were no electric lights; there were no gas lights; there were no coal oil lights, but there was plenty of candle light. There was much sociability and a great deal of family visiting, and while in the Society of Friends the first day of the week was devoted to visiting and social intercourse when time and oppor- tunity would permit, the practice was discouraged among other religious denominations. The present remarkable sized hats and bonnets is only a revival of what was usual and common a century ago. There were communities in Chester County in which the head gear of the gentler sex was so great as three feet in height, and one visiting Friend in Oxford township said to her hostess, after the large-sized creation had been lifted from her head, "Please be careful to put it in a clean place," and the hostess promptly replied, "Where do you keep it at home?" And yet that head gear adorned its wearer in a Presbyterian church in Chester County and excited the astonishment of all beholders.
There were some superstitions prevailing in Downingtown. Almost every dwelling has its vegetable garden, in which vari- ous things were planted according to "the sign," and there were numbers of people prepared to show that such signs were worthy
144
of observation. The moon, by ts position, was supposed to con-
'ication as to when certain things vey to the planter the proper in( Seventy-five years ago Down- should be placed in the earth. with walnut furniture made by
ingtown houses were furnished suis of Chester County. It was different artisans in various section seasoned and honestly put good material, plainly fashioned, well ; furniture in them made together. Few if any of the houses had" hich was used came from mahogany. The walnut lumber Wi nt in texture, hard, from the Brandywine Hills. It was exceller rled. It was re- firm and solid, and some of it beautifully cul. outhern planter served for the New England merchant or the Sc In Friendly a century ago to indulge in mahogany lumber. manced. Pennsylvania such extravagance was scarcely counter.
5. been
Since the time of the old grist mills, paper making has >wn- the principal industry of Downingtown and its vicinity. Do an ingtown is probably more widely known for its paper mills the, in any other respect. The history of this industry, therefor. holds an important place in this record.
The inception of the paper industry in America was almost coincident with the granting of patents for the manufacture of paper in England. William Rittenhouse, a Mennonite preacher, built the first paper mill on the Western Continent in 1670, 'in the borough of Roxborough, now a part of Philadelphia, on Paper Mill Run, that emptied into Wissahickon Creek. The production was printing, writing and blue paper. In 1710 William DeWees, a brother-in-law of Nicholas Rittenhouse, erected a paper mill on the banks of a small stream that flowed into the Wissahickon in Ceofeldt, a section of Germantown. The manufacture of paper was introduced into Massachusetts, near Boston, in 1717. Thomas Wilcox, an Englishman, established the third paper mill in the Pennsylvania Colony in 1729, in Delaware County, on Chester Creek.
In 1750 John Frederick Bicking came from Winterberg, Ger- many, and established a paper mill on Mill Creek, a small stream emptying into the Schuylkill River near Philadelphia, and made paper for the colonial government. John Frederick Bicking had five sons, three of whom were paper makers. Joseph Bicking erected a paper mill at Wagontown, in West Brandywine town- ship. John Bicking erected a paper mill on Beaver Creek, at what is now known as Fisherville, East Brandywine township. These two mills were the first paper mills operated in Chester County. S. Austin Bicking, who in 1881 erected the first paper mill in Downingtown, was a great grandson of John Frederick Bicking, and a son of Samuel Bicking, who operated the Fisher- ville Mill, after the decease of his father, John Bicking.
145
Mr. Bicking purchased the old saw mill property at the cor- ner of Lancaster and Brandywine avenues, and erected a mill for the purpose of manufacturing paper. Mr. Bicking later pur- chased the Shelmire Mill and converted it into a modern paper mill. The production of the mill in 1881 was about one ton per day. At the present time the capacity of both mills is over forty tons per day.
Since the decease of Mr. Bicking (July 13, 1906), the busi- ness has been conducted by his heirs, three of his sons, Samuel P. Bicking, Joseph Austin Bicking, Parke Bicking, and a son-in- law J. P. Moore, being actively engaged in the management of the two mills. Frank S. Bicking, another son, operates a paper mill at Bridgeport, Pa. A market for the products of the mills is found from Maine to the Pacific coast.
Frank P. Miller Paper Co. This industry was originally started by Frank P. Miller in March, 1881, on the property then known as Solitude Mill, which he leased from George Kerr to manufacture paper for bookbinders' use.
Mr. Miller having completed his four years' course of me- chanics in the Pennsylvania Railroad shops at Renovo, Pa., locat- ed in Downingtown in the spring of 1880, and started the machine business with his brother Guyon Miller, under the name of G. & F. P. Miller. At the end of one year he withdrew his interests from this concern, which continued under the name of G. Miller & Co., and the first paper mill machinery built in Downingtown was made for Frank P. Miller's mill. This mill was operated for seven years, employing seven men, making one ton per day.
In 1887 he bought fourteen acres of land located on the south side of the Pennsylvania Railroad, between Brandywine avenue and Brandywine creek. This was one of the first mills to run exclusively by steam for the manufacture of binder boards, and an ideal location for handling raw material, also drying boards by steam. The output was gradually increased from four tons per day to ten tons a day of finished product.
On January 30th, 1900, fire destroyed the stock house and about 900 tons of paper stock, and it seemed as if the entire plant would be destroyed, but by the combined efforts of the Downing- town Fire Department and the employees of the mill it was checked before it did any damage to the main buildings, which contained most of the machinery, so that in two days the mill was again running, making paper, but it was six months before the fire was entirely put out, which could only be done by the removal of this smouldering mass of paper. This portion of the mill was rebuilt with a view of changing the plant to another kind of paper, and in December, 1891, Frank P. Miller Paper Co.
-
146
was incorporated under the laws of Pennsylvania, the officers being : J. Gibson McIlvain, president ; Hugh McIlvain, vice presi- dent, and Frank P. Miller, secretary and treasurer. The enlarg- ing and success of this business was due to the assistance it re- ceived from J. Gibson MeIlvain, who is one of the largest stock- holders to-day.
In 1893 there were large additions made to the plant and a six-cylinder board machine was installed to manufacture all grades of folding box boards and white-lined board for litho- graphing, and a year later a two-million gallon filter plant was built to supply water for the manufacture of white paper, and the mill has been constantly improved and equipped with new ma- chinery, and the capacity increased to an average daily product of thirty tons. The largest run being made of forty-four tons. The number of men employed, seventy-five, with apay-roll of over $50,000 a year.
During the years of this mill's operation it might be well to add that all the men have had steady employment even through three business depressions.
The Kerr Paper Mills. Although situated outside the bor- ough limits, the Kerr Paper Mill is properly one of the. industries of Downingtown. It was conducted at first by Frank P. Miller, and after his removal in 1887 was continued by William Kerr. The plant was recently burned down, and a new company was organized of the Kerr brothers, under the corporate name of the Kerr Paper Mill Co., which has rebuilt the mill, greatly enlarging and improving the plant.
The Downingtown Manufacturing Co. A machine shop was started in 1880 by G. & F. P. Miller. The next year F. P. Miller withdrawing to engage in the paper making enterprise, the con- eern continued under the name of G. Miller & Co. In 1881 Mr. Miller became associated with his father-in-law, A. P. Tutton, and the Downingtown Manufacturing Company was established. The plant on Washington avenue has been several times en- larged. A piece of land one hundred feet front and forming a portion of the land sold by Mr. Tutton to the Pennsylvania Rail- road was purchased from that company for an extension and again a piece twenty feet front, both on the west side of the old building. A large addition to the east side has been made in recent years. The principal business is the making of paper mill machinery. The president of the company, A. P. Tutton, died February 12, 1909.
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.