History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 104

Author: Roberts, Charles Rhoads; Stoudt, John Baer, 1878- joint comp; Krick, Thomas H., 1868- joint comp; Dietrich, William Joseph, 1875- joint comp; Lehigh County Historical Society
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Allentown, Pa. : Lehigh Valley Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1158

USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I > Part 104

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In 1909, an application was made to extend the borough limits on the east, so as to embrace what was commonly known as East Catasauqua, containing 435 acres. After due proceedings the decree of annexation was made Oct. 3, 1909, and the territory was constituted the Third ward. The commissioners were William Weis- ly, John R. Tait, and James T. Davis.

This section was known for fifty years as "Hog-town," until it was annexed, when it came . to be called the Third ward.

In 1911, the Second ward was divided into two parts, and the eastern part was constituted the Fourth ward. The commissioners were H. W. Hankee, Harvey H. Knerr, and Samuel Heilman.

Line Adjusted .- The northerly line of the borough was fixed on the northerly line of Hanover township in Lehigh county, which was also the southerly line of Allen township in Northampton county; and this borough line also became the southerly line of the borough of North Catasauqua.

This line was in dispute for many years, and as a consequence many taxpayers and voters were in doubt as to where they lived. Therefore com- missioners were appointed by the Court of Quar- ter Sessions of Lehigh county, and they filed their report but it was set aside on January 6, 1889.

Subsequently, another set of commissioners was appointed by the joint action of Lehigh and Northampton counties, and after giving the mat- ter a thorough investigation they established the line according to the evidence secured and sub- mitted their report to both courts, which was confirmed and so this long-standing controversy was settled. Their report was as follows:

"Maj. Samuel D. Lehr of Allentown, Birge Pearson of Easton and Thomas S. McNair of Hazleton were appointed as commissioners to locate the correct boundary line between Lehigh and Northampton counties north and east of Catasauqua over which there has been a dispute for many years. They set about their difficult task in a proper way, examining old records, maps and reports, hearing testimony and taking measurements in this behalf, and then located the line; and they reported their proceedings in

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

this behalf, accompanied by three charts which show the line along the east end of Hanover township, the line on the north side of Hanover township and Catasauqua, and also the line in an enlarged form through Catasauqua to indi- cate how individual properties are cut through.

"Allen township in Northampton county was erected in 1797 from a point in the Lehigh river to the road leading from Hanoverville to Bath, on lands of John Fogel, now Daniel Fogel, where the Monocacy creek crosses the road ; which point the commissioners established by an affidavit of Daniel Fogel, who is now 85 years of age.

"When Lehigh county was taken from North- ampton county in 1812, the county line was ex- tended from the intersection of Monocacy creek and the Lehigh river along the creek to the pub- lic road to the Lehigh Gap, which it follows to a point in said Allen township line. This road was changed since 1812 and the commissioners had to secure the old location and follow it to the old line on the crest of Rocky Hill, which is the northeastern corner of Hanover township.

"The old Allen township line was not run since 1798. Its western end was designated as a point 20 perches south of Faust's Ferry. By the affidavits of Reuben Faust of Catasauqua and Benjamin B. Burger of Allentown, the commis- sioners fixed upon this point at a buttonwood tree on the east bank of the Lehigh river. These two were easily fixed upon the site of the ferry and there the commissioners found timbers along the bank showing that a boat landing had been located there.

"Having determined these points at Fogel's and at Catasauqua, the commissioners ran a bee line between the two and that line from Rocky Hill to the river as the new boundary line. It cuts diagonally through Mr. Faust's property at Catasauqua and cuts off a small corner of the Bryden Horse Shoe Works property; thence it passes north of Theodore Bachman's house and touches the bay-window of Daniel Milson's house; it crosses Adam Rau's premises so as to cut it into two equal triangles; and it also cuts off a foot and a half of a corner of the Stand- Pipe."

GOVERNMENT .- The government of the bor- cugh comprises the Chief Burgess, Councilmen, and Receiver of Taxes, who are elected, and other officials, who are appointed by Council.

Officials .- The borough officers for the year 1914 are:

Chief Burgess-Dr. Charles J. Keim

Councilmen

FIRST WARD THIRD WARD

Samuel Mitchell

Robert H. Steinmetz

Sam'l P. Gemmel

Harvey W. Snyder

Chas. D. W. Bower

Harry B. Smith

SECOND WARD

FOURTH WARD

Rufus W. G. Wint Oscar H. Shugar

Howard V. Swartz Joseph M. Kane

William H. Wentz Robert G. Dougherty

Receiver of Taxes-William McNabb.

Treasurer-Ralph C. Boyer.

Secretary-John S. Matchette.

Water Overseer-Daniel Gillespie.

Street Commissioner-James H. Harte.

Chief of Police-Charles E. Sheckler.

Patrolmen-Alvin Roth, Andrew Smith.

Fire Marshall-Henry Zeaser.

Charles E. Sheckler has filled the office of Chief of Police since April 1, 1875, (excepting from 1908 to 1912), a period covering 34 years. He also acted as tax-receiver from 1881 to 1906.

Town-Hall .- The town-hall is situated on the north side of Church street, between Front and Second streets, at Railroad alley. It is a two-story brick building with a clock-tower, and was erected by Fuller & Graffin in 1868 at a cost of $14,000. The first floor was set apart for a council-chamber, and a storage room for the apparatus of the Phoenix Fire Company. The second floor was set apart for a public auditorium, as a place of entertainment and amusement, and it was so used until 1908, when it was con- demned as unsafe and therefore discontinued. In 19II the necessary changes were made there for the council-chamber, and offices for the chief burgess, receiver of taxes and water rents, and borough treasurer. The first floor has since been wholly occupied by the fire company, excepting a small space at the rear for a "lock-up" with two cells.

The clock and bell of the "Front Street School House" (T. A. B. Hall since 1900), were trans- ferred to the tower of the Town Hall when the school-house was sold to the St. Lawrence Tem- perance and Beneficial Society, and they con- tinued in use for a number of years until they became out of repair ; then the clock stopped and the sweet-toned bell was no longer heard, which for many years had proclaimed the time of day to the community for miles round-about, and they have been resting there in forgotten quiet- ude ever since. They were bought, originally by a committee headed by 'Squire Koons, which raised $500 by soliciting public subscriptions, and placed in the school-house as a great public convenience, where they were highly appreciated

Fire Companies .- There are three fire com- panies in the borough, one being located in each

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BOROUGH OF CATASAUQUA.

ward; but only the first two are recognized as constituting the fire department.

Phoenix Steam Fire Company No. I was or- ganized April 23, 1866, incorporated Sept. II, 1871, and merged in the fire department of the borough in 1891. The apparatus consists of a Button steam fire engine, two hose carriages, with 1,500 feet of hose, and a two-wheeled gig. Membership, 180. The quarters of the com- pany are on the first floor of the Town-Hall.

Southwark Hose Company No. 9, was organ- ized Feb. 4, 1873, incorporated Oct. 9, 1890, and merged in the fire department in 1895. The ap- paratus consists of a Silsby steam fire engine, hose carriage with 800 feet of hose, and a two- wheeled gig. Membership, 125. The quarters of the company are in a two-story brick building, situated at the southwest corner of Second and Church streets, in the First ward.

East End Fire Company was organized in 1910.

4, 1845, which was attended by the following persons :

Owen Rice

George Jenkins

John Kane

Arthur McQuade

Edward Clark William Boyle

Henry E. Kildare

John Lees

Isaac Miller

Noah Phillips

Thomas Dempsey

Cochrane McLaughlin

Alexander Miller

Charles Dempsey

Robert Campbell

William Neligh

Richard Davis

William Pollock

Jacob Smith

John Hunter

Morgan Emanuel James Hunter

Neil Mckeever

Alex. McCurdy

Thomas Miller

James Dempsey

William McClelland

Mark Dempsey

Samuel Thomas

Patrick Dempsey

John Thomas

James McAllister

William J. Aull

John Clark

David Thomas

William Davis

John McIntyre

The idea was approved, and the name "Hu- mane Fire Company" adopted.

FIRST FIRE ENGINE.

The apparatus consists of a two-wheeled gig and 300 feet of hose. Membership, 130. The quar- ters are in a one-story brick building at Eleventh and Race streets, in the Third ward, erected in October, 1913. It has not as yet been merged in the fire department.

The borough appropriates $225 annually to- ward the maintenance of the two recognized companies.

Humane Fire Company .- The following in- teresting details are mentioned in this connec- tion relating to the first efforts of the community in behalf of affording protection against fire.

David Thomas, the manager of the Crane Iron Co., encouraged the workmen to form a fire company for the protection of the com- munity as well as the iron works against fire, and in pursuance of his suggestion, a prelimin- nary meeting was held in the village on Nov.

An application was then made to the Court of Lehigh county for a charter of incorporation and the decree was made March 14, 1846.

Hand Fire Engine .- Soon afterward the company purchased a hand-pumping engine from the Philadelphia Fire Company for the use of the local fire company. This engine was housed in a frame building on Second street near Church (now the site of the large stone stable of the Crane Iron Co.), until one was put up about 1866 on Front street, south of Church.

The engine consisted of a large water tank, set on four strong wheels, and over the centre was placed a tower which enclosed a force-pump ; and this pump was operated by two projecting handles from the front and rear with extension arms that could be laid inward when not in use. Twenty men were necessary to put and keep these handles in successful motion, ten on the

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

ground, and ten on the tank with extension and folding platforms. A stream of water could be forced over buildings and into the air nearly as strong and as high as the steam fire-engines of a later period. The water in the tank was supplied by a bucket-brigade from a neighboring well and pump, or by a hose from the water mains.

At that time, the water mains were laid on Church and Wood streets, and on Front srteet from Church to Wood. These mains were pri- marily laid for the protection of the iron com- pany's properties. The water was pumped into them from the water-house in the furnace where a powerful pump was operated by a flow of water from the canal. The pressure through the mains was great, with such a force back of it.

A hose carriage with sufficient hose was se- cured at the same time, the hose being used to lead the water from the fire-plug into the en- gine tank, and from the force pump to the im- mediate vicinity of the fire whence it was "played" upon the burning building.

Water Fights .- A favorite sport on Saturday afternoons for the members of the fire company was to pit one party with a section of hose direct- ly from a fire plug against a similar party with a section from the hand fire-engine.

Of course, the great steam-engine in the fur- nace was too powerful, with its inexhaustible staying qualities, for the heart-engines in twenty plucky firemen. It was, indeed, a dramatic per- formance, and the skillful engineer in the furnace displayed much judgment in manipulating the throttle at his end of the line to keep the human energy of the respective contestants swaying to and fro until either party became exhausted.

Steam Fire Engine .- This hand-engine con- tinued in use until 1865; then a large fire oc- curred (the destruction of the machine-shop of the Crane Iron Co.) which demonstrated its in- efficiency. The borough substituted an improved steam fire-engine which was purchased from the Phoenix Fire Company, of Philadelphia, and this was used for 30 years; then it, too, had to make way for a stronger engine because it had failed to cope with the great and costly fire at the Uni- corn Silk Mill, beyond the northern end of the borough.

The old hand-engine was stripped of its brass mountings and taken to the shadow of an old tree near the C. & F. R. R. round-house, and there the two passed away together in the natural process of decay.

Before the erection of the Town-Hall in 1868, the fire apparatus was housed in a frame building specially put up by the borough for the purpose,

on Front street south of Church, which is now occupied as a barber-shop.

BURGESSES .- The following list comprises the names of the burgesses since the incorporation of the borough, and the terms of service :-

David Thomas, 1853 Robert E. Williams,

John Boyer, 1854 1885-87

Uriah Brunner, 1855

David Thomas, 1856-57

William Goetz, 1858-59

A. C. Lewis, 1860

John Williams, 1861-69

James C. Beitel, 1870-71

John Williams, 1872-73 M. H. Horn, 1874

George Bower, 1875

William H. Glace, 1876

F. W. Wint, 1877

Henry Davis, 1878-80

Philip Storm, 1881-84

Dr. Henry H. Riegel, 1909-13

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE .- The following justices of the peace served in the borough from the time of its incorporation :

George Frederick, 1853- 55 John Hudders, 1853-58

George Frederick, 1858- 63 John H. Nolf, 1863-65 R. Clav Hammersly,

Chauncey D. Fuller,

1865-95 Charles Graffin, 1895-

1855-65 Joseph Hunter, 1865-70 William H. Glace, 1870- 1900 F. Joseph Wehrle, 1900- 05

75 Abraham F. Koons,

1875-98

Edwin C. Koons, 1898- 1914

George H. Richter, 1905- IO C. F. Roth, 1906-14

Upon the subdivision of the borough into two wards in 1877, it was contended that each ward became entitled to two incumbents, and two ex- tra continued to be elected and to officiate with- out protest for upwards of twenty years, when they discontinued because the Secretary of the Commonwealth decided that no more than two justices would be commissioned in a borough re- gardless of the number of wards. The extra in- cumbents were :

James Courtney, 1878-83 Edwin Gilbert, 1878-79 William J. Craig, 1879. 84

Edward D. Boyer, 1884-

89 Jacob Van Buskirk,

Alexander N. Ulrich,

1883-1910

1889-91 James Tait, Jr., 1891-96 Thomas Jones, 1896-1906

Census .- The population of the borough, ac- cording to the United States enumeration, since its incorporation, has been as follows:

1860

1,932

1890 3,704

1870 2,853

1900 3,963

1880 3,065

1910 5,250

John W. Hopkins, 1888- 89

Thomas Jones, 1890-91 W. A. Borger, 1892-93

Charles R. Horn, 1894- 96

C. D. W. Bower, 1897- 99 Rufus M. Wint, 1900-02 Henry W. Stolz, 1903-05 Dr. Charles J. Keim, 1906-08; 1914-

The population in January, 1914, was sup- posed to be about 5,300.

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BOROUGH OF CATASAUQUA.

INDUSTRIES.

The following establishments are mentioned in connection with the industrial affairs of Catas- auqua. It is apparent that they comprise a great variety.

Abattoir .- The borough was supplied with meats by visiting butchers from other places un- til 1858, including Frederick Nagle from the "Irish Settlement"; then George Bower began a butcher-shop along the canal at the foot of Chapel street where the old boat-yard had been carried on for twenty years. He moved the shop in 1861 to a point along the canal, at the foot of Mulberry street (two blocks north of the old Biery Bridge) and at the same time built a two-story brick dwelling-house at No. 209 Front street for his home; and he continued the busi- ness in an active and successful manner until 1890. He slaughtered from fifteen to twenty head of cattle every week, besides many sheep, hogs, and calves; and he had five delivery teams which traversed the surrounding country for a number of miles. He furnished the Canal Co. with their meat orders at the lock-houses north and south of Catasauqua.

There were sixteen visiting butchers when he started, but his increasing local trade soon caused them to discontinue their visits to Cata- sauqua. His son, Charles D. W. Bower, suc- ceeded him in 1890, moving his family to the home 209 Front street. He took possession of the shop and made extensive improvements in 1893, introducing steam and electric power with a complete modern equipment; adding a cold storage building, and an ice-house with a ca- pacity for 500 tons. He has continued the business in a successful manner until now. He conducts a meat-store at the home (No. 209). He maintained a store for a time at No. 129 Bridge street.

John Eckert, after working for George Bower for some years, engaged in the butcher- ing business for himself, and carried it on for ten years until he died, when he was succeeded by his son-in-law, Henry Walker, whose shop is on Second street at Willow.

William S. Hauser engaged in the butcher business in 1896, in the Third ward, and carried on a slaughter-house and meat shop for six years, when he was succeeded by his son, Alvin A., who has conducted the place until now.

Artificial Ice .- E. L. Walker, H. G. Walker, C. O. Fuller, and William H. Sattele, of Catasauqua, associated together for the pur- pose of manufacturing artificial ice. They were incorporated Sept. 29, 1913, under the name of Crystal Ice Co., with a capitalization of $25,000, and secured a site at American and

Peach streets, where they erected a one-story brick-building and equipped it with the latest improved refrigerating machinery; daily capac- ity, 35 tons; employes, 12.

Bakeries .- The first bakery was started on Front street, north of Bridge, in 1860, by John Eskey, and he carried on the business until 1865. It was then abandoned until 1879. John L. Laubach revived it at the same place and con- ducted the business until 1891.

A man named Albright embarked in the busi- ness in 1861, on Front street, north of Straw- berry alley, and carried on a bakery for some years. Then different parties followed him till 1879, when James Dilcher became the owner and he conducted it until his death, but at a place nearby (No. 219), and his son, George, until 1908. Then William F. Kuehner became the purchaser and he has continued the business until now, with three delivery teams.

Different parties carried on the Albright bakery, after Dilcher left it. Alexander Morrow operated it from 1895 to 1902. Then it was idle for about 10 years. John Dold revived it in 1912, carried it on a year; then John Klingle became the owner.

Henry Hauser began a bakery at Front and Chapel streets in 1889. He removed to 740 N. Third street in 1902, where he has continued until now. He employs three hands and has two teams.

A bakery was carried on by different parties at Second and Mulberry streets from 1870 to 1875.

Boiler Works .- Daniel Milson came to Catasauqua in 1854, and was employed at his trade of boiler-maker with the Crane Iron Co., and afterward with the Thomas Iron Co., until 1863. He was regarded as an expert mechanic. In 1865 he embarked in the business for him- self, renting the shop of the former company which was at the rear of the pattern-shop at Front and Willow streets, and there he con- ducted the plant until 1890, when he retired. He employed from 25 to 50 hands. He was succeeded by Samuel McCloskey, an employee for years, who continued the business several years; then his three brothers became associated with him and they conducted a works on the premises of the Catasauqua Manufacturing Com- pany, along the canal between Pine and Spring streets. This was continued until 1902; then Samuel McCloskey became the sole owner and he re-established himself afterward in the plant of the Crane Iron Co., where he has continued until the present time, carrying on a general business and employing from five to ten men.

574

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Bottling Works .- August Hohl engaged in the bottling business at Coplay in 1884. After remaining there eight years, he located at Cat- asauqua, and here it has been continued until the present time. He also embarked in the wholesale liquor business in 1904. The store and bottling works have been at Front and Race streets since 1907. The three-story brick build- ing was erected by Jonas Biery about 1855 for a hotel, and so used for about ten years. Then it was occupied as a general store until 1907.

Bottling establishments are also conducted in connection with the two breweries.

Breweries .- Two breweries are operated in the borough, both started about the same time, in the year 1867.

Kostenbader Brewery is situated on Railroad alley, between Mulberry and Willow streets. It

duction of beer. It is generally known as the "Eagle Brewery."

Lehnert Brewery is situated at No. 115 Rail- road alley. It was started by Matthew Mill- haupt in 1867, and conducted by him under the name of "Catasauqua Brewery" until his de- cease in 1872. His widow then operated the plant for a while when a German brew-meister became the purchaser and afterward married the widow. He carried on the business until he died, and it was continued by his sons-in-law, Henry Geisel and Felix Keller, for several years, when operations were suspended for a number of years. An Englishman then converted it into an ale brewery. He carried on business for several years when it was again suspended for about ten years. Henry Kersch and H. H. Rice then became the owners and engaged in

EAGLE BREWERY.

was established in 1867 by Herman Kostenbader. The first building was a frame structure and then the annual production was only 1,500 bar- rels, but a large brick building was erected in its stead and the capacity was doubled. The plant was enlarged in 1900 and a second enlargement was made in 1913, increasing the capacity to 20,000 barrels. The proprietor died in 1909, when he was succeeded by his two sons, August F. and Herman A., who have operated the plant in a successful manner until the present time. Their trade extends throughout Lehigh county. They carry on a bottling works in connection with the brewery, which was started on the premises in 1905, and equipped with the latest appliances. The employees number from 25 to 30. The brewery is devoted wholly to the pro-

the manufacture of beer and porter. Rice pur- chased the interest of his partner in a few years and conducted the business until November, 1906, when Charles L. Lehnert purchased the plant, and he has operated it until now. He employs from 15 to 20 men, and produced in 1913, 9,000 barrels. In 1914 he remodeled and enlarged the plant to a capacity of 15,000 bar- rels. A bottling works is connected with the brewery.

Brick Yards .- David A. Tombler was en- gaged in the manufacture of building bricks for about 20 years, from 1860 to 1880. His plant was located at the east end of Catasauqua. The product was hand-made. He employed 50 hands and upwards, according to the demands of his trade, and conducted two yards. Many build-

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BOROUGH OF CATASAUQUA.

ings at Catasauqua were built of his brick during the period mentioned.

Tombler was succeeded by Milton Kurtz, who carried on the business from 1880 to 1905, but in 1902 his yard was established some dis- tance to the northeast at Fourteenth and Race streets, on a tract of thirteen acres. He em- ployed from 16 to 20 hands and produced an- nually from 700,000 to 1,000,000 bricks, with horsepower.

In 1886 Oscar H. Kurtz associated with Wm. B. Schaeffer for manufacturing brick with ma- chinery. They secured a Martin machine from Lancaster and carried on business for a year ; then they sold their plant to David Davis and David Williams who conducted the business for ten years.

Oscar H. Kurtz associated with Franklin Goldsmith and they continued brick-making in East Catasauqua on the Kurtz plant, from 1905 to 1910. They employed from 20 to 25 men and produced annually from one million to one and a quarter million with steam power. The plant laid idle for a year, then Mr. Kurtz resumed operations for himself and has continued until the present time. In 1913 he employed from 12 to 15 hands and produced 700,000 bricks.

Many bricks in the building operations at Catasauqua were made in the Rader Brick Works at Northampton.

Carriage Works .- An industry of a cred- itable nature for the manufacture of carriages and wagons was carried on at Catasauqua for nearly 50 years. Frederick W. Becker embarked in the enterprise about 1865, and established a plant on the east side of Front street, near Race, which was a two-story frame building, 30 by 80 feet. His vehicles had a fine reputation. He conducted a good business until 1876 when he was obliged to suspend. The employees num- bered from 10 to 15. He was followed by his son, Charles, who conducted the works with the same number of hands for some years. After- ward different parties carried on the business, but through competition they drifted into re- pairs. The last persons to operate the place until 1912, were Robert Rabenold, George Knauss and Milton Snyder.

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History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 104

Author: Roberts, Charles Rhoads; Stoudt, John Baer, 1878- joint comp; Krick, Thomas H., 1868- joint comp; Dietrich, William Joseph, 1875- joint comp; Lehigh County Historical Society Publication date: 1914 Publisher: Allentown, Pa. : Lehigh Valley Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1158

Author: Roberts, Charles Rhoads; Stoudt, John Baer, 1878- joint comp; Krick, Thomas H., 1868- joint comp; Dietrich, William Joseph, 1875- joint comp; Lehigh County Historical Society
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Allentown, Pa. : Lehigh Valley Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1158