History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 125

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 125

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).

In 1914 the directors were: Harry Hillegass, John J. Lynn, John A. Didra, Charles Beidler, and Michael Deibert; and teachers: Luther H. Adams, principal; Emma Maury, Estella P. Bal- liet, Naomi Brensinger, Bertha Miller, Ruth Brensinger, Hilda Knerr, Anna Gackenbach, and Lizzie Dietrich.

CHAPTER XXXII.

BOROUGH OF BETHLEHEM (WEST SI DE).

BY CLARENCE E. BECKEL.

Early History.

The early history of West Bethlehem is closely linked with that of the Moravian Brethren, who soon after settling in Bethlehem saw the natural advantages of the strip of aluvial land lying to the west and south of the Monocasy for indus- trial purposes. As early as 1742 they erected a saw mill on the creek below the present site of the New Street bridge. Shortly thereafter a laundry and a bleaching house were built on the bank of the river. The latter building in later years was known as "Noah's Ark," and as a re- sort for disreputable people gained for itself a very unsavory reputation. All trace of it has long since disappeared.

FERRY.

On Jan. 25, 1743, a site was selected by the . Brethren for the erection of a grist mill on the east bank of the Monocasy, and the same day for a landing place for the ferry across the Le- high. Up to that time the river had been forded or crossed by canoe, but now that a mill was to be built it was seen that arrangements would have to be made to provide a more adequate means of crossing, for the settlers coming with grist from the Saucon valley and elsewhere, as well as for the Brethren who had frequent occasion to cross the stream. The site selected for a ferry land- ing was at the foot of Main street, and on March II a "flat" was dragged into the river by eight horses and launched. The miller, John Adam Schaus, was the first of a line of regularly ap- pointed ferrymen. At first the rude craft was op- erated by poling, but this method was supplanted in 1758 by a rope rigging stretched across the river from the site of the Crown Inn to a point directly opposite.

INDIAN HOUSE.

The old Indian house stood on the west bank of the Monocasy, immediately north of the pres- ent stone bridge at the Luckenbach mill. It was a one-story stone structure, 52 by 40 feet in dimensions, erected as a temporary home for the Christian Indians, who prior to this had occupied

quarters at the foot of the hill to the south-east, as well as other friendly Indians who from time to time sojourned at Bethlehem. The original intention was to place an Indian couple, or some properly qualified white person, in charge of the building, which was ready for occupancy on Oct. 25, 1752. In the summer of 1756 a log house was built just south of it, near the creek, con- taining a chapel for the Indians. In 1758 this was removed to the Indian village of Nain, near Bethlehem. Both the men and women were given employment, the men as guides and scouts, or in the fields, and the women to weave baskets, mats, and numerous other articles. The men also contributed to the larder by their skill in catch- ing fish, shad at that time being plentiful in the river. Stipulated wages were paid for these serv- ices and receipts taken therefor. During the troublous winter of 1755-1756, these friendly Indians acted as scouts on the outskirts of the village, and doubtless on more occasions than one their vigilance prevented sudden attacks by the lurking savages. After the removal of the In- dians to Nain on October 18, 1758, the building was occasionally used as a temporary lodging house for travelers.

REVOLUTIONARY BURIAL GROUND.

Upon the establishment of the Revolutionary hospital for the Continental soldiers at Bethle- hem, a site was selected on the bluff across the Monocasy as a burial ground for the dead sol- diers. Two men died in the hospital on Decem- ber 7, 1776, and subsequently hundreds of others, and all found a resting-place in unmarked graves. In 1892, in connection with the sesqui-centennial exercises in Bethlehem, a marker was erected on the site. Each year on Memorial Day, the pupils of the Young Ladies' Seminary repair to the spot, and hold appropriate exercises in memory of the unfortunate patriots. On numerous occasions bones have been uncovered in making excavations for different purposes, and these have been care- fully collected and re-interred in the soldiers' plot on Niskey Hill Cemetery, by the members of the local Post, G. A. R.

698

699

BOROUGH OF BETHLEHEM.

BRIDGES.

The question of a bridge across the river to supplant the ferry, was first brought up in 1791, and on Jan. 2, 1792, a committee consisting of Bishop John Ettwein, Paul Muenster, Francis Thomas, Frederick Beitel, Valentine Fuehrer, and Massa Warner, was appointed to look into the matter. Three days later the committee sub- mitted an adverse report. On January 23, tak- ing advantage of the absence of Ettwein, the strongest opponent to the project, another meet- ing was held, which resulted in a practically unanimous vote in favor of a bridge. A company was accordingly organized, and operations begun in the spring of 1794. The bridge was completed on September 27, the same year. The structure was an open one, and tolls were collected. The structure cost $7,800, and this amount was dis- tributed in shares of one hundred dollars each. With the completion of the bridge the old ferry was abandoned.

The second bridge, also an uncovered one, was opened for travel October 19, 1816, and gave ex- cellent service until January 8, 1841, when it was completely destroyed by the memorable freshet of that year, which wrought such frightful havoc throughout the entire valley.

A covered bridge was then constructed, also of wood, which still stands, though doomed to disappear as many hope in the very near future, to be replaced by a more modern structure which shall do honor to the present generation. The "Old Bridge," as it is familiarly styled, was con- siderably damaged by the freshet of 1862, and again in 1902, narrowly escaped destruction. The ,collection of toll ceased entirely on November 8, 1892.

The first foot-bridge across the Monocasy was built in 1741, near the grist mill. This was re- placed by another in 1747.

In 1815 and again in 1818 and 1822, petitions were presented to the two counties for the con- struction of a bridge across the Monocasy, to provide access for teams to the grist mill and to the tannery from the west. In the latter year both counties took favorable action, and a stone bridge was erected.

The construction of the canal in 1827-1829 necessitated a bridge at the foot of Main Street.

The Broad Street bridge marked an epoch in the growth of West Bethlehem. A company was organized May 1, 1869, which commenced im- mediate operations, and on May 17, 1871, after many annoying delays, the completed structure was formally opened for traffic. In 1887 the bridge was purchased by the two counties, and on May 14, the collection of toll ceased.

In 1907 the commissioners of the two counties took steps to replace the old structure, which was no longer considered safe. The contract for a modern re-enforced concrete bridge was awarded on August 6, 1908, to Cramp & Co., of Philadel- phia, at their. bid of $104,000, and work was be- gun on August 28. The bridge was officially de- clared open to vehicles by the contractors at noon on December 1, 1909.

CANAL.

Construction of the canal was begun at Bethle- hem in August, 1827, and on June 2, 1829, the water was first let into that portion of the ditch that passes the town. The building of this water- way from Mauch Chunk necessitated many changes in the topography of the land in the lower section of the town. The first coal trans- ported down the canal passed Bethlehem on June IO. In the early days of canal navigation, pas- sengers were carried on packet boats. At first it was feared that the stagnant water in the canal would breed disease, but this fear was found to be needless as the water was kept in motion.

OLD SOUTH BETHLEHEM.

The advent of the canal, followed by the ac- tivities incident to the operation of the foundry and other industries, had a tendency to promote growth in that portion of West Bethlehem which lay between the river and the Monocasy, from the western end of Vineyard Street, to the saw mill eastward. About the year 1830 the name "South Bethlehem" was first applied to this sec- tion. Later, when a borough of that name was organized on the south side of the Lehigh, the older residents of Bethlehem still continued to speak of the former as "Old South Bethlehem."

During the freshets of 1841 and 1862, much suffering was occasioned in Old South Bethle- hem, and in the latter year seven lives were lost. In more recent times, notably in 1902, consider- able inconvenience was suffered by the residents, who had to even be removed from second-story windows in boats to escape the rising waters of the Monocasy, backed up by the heavier flow of the Lehigh.

RAILROADS.

The Lehigh and Susquehanna Railroad, now a division of the Central Railroad of New Jer- sey, was authorized to build a line from Easton to Mauch Chunk, by a bill passed by the Legis- lature in 1864, and in 1866 the building of the section through Bethlehem was begun. On Nov. 25, 1867, the first train passed down the new

700

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

road. On March 31, 1871, it was leased by the Central Railroad of New Jersey, and in 1873 the present passenger station was built near Main Street.

The Lehigh and Lackawanna, originally in- corporated May 1, 1862 for the construction of a railroad from the North Pennsylvania and Le- high Valley Railroad Junction in West Bethle- hem, to the Borough of Bath in Northampton County, completed the line to Chapmans on Nov. 28, 1867, the event being celebrated by running an excursion to that place from Beth- lehem.

ISLANDS.

Some years ago General W. E. Doster, the owner of a large part of the lands above and be- low the New Street bridge, conceived the idea of forming a pleasure resort on Sand Island. The tract was cleared of underbrush, and numerous improvements made to make it an attractive spot. The tract to the west was designated "Wampa- noag," while the three islands east of the bridge, adjoining Semple's paint mill were named "Mo- hican Islands," the names of two prominent In- dian tribes. The project was a failure, and for several years past large quantities of earth and refuse have been deposited on the place, with a view to bringing the land above the high water mark, thus making it available for manufacturing sites, etc.

INDUSTRIES.

In 1829, Charles F. Beckel, who since 1825 had been operating a small iron foundry on Main Street, moved the establishment to Sand Island near the canal lock, and here for many years flourished the "Beckel Foundry," the pioneer of all iron industries along the Lehigh at Bethlehem. The operating power was water secured from the upper canal level, which was returned to the lower level. The products of the foundry were of a great variety, including castings for mill work, agricultural implements, stoves, ornament- al iron fences, bridges, etc. At a later period M :. Beckel associated with himself two of his sons, Charles N. and George M. Beckel. The former became an expert bridge engineer, and in November, 1870, erected an iron span for the New Street bridge, to replace one damaged by the freshet of Oct. 4, 1869. In August, 1871, he completed the erection of the Union Street bridge across the Monocasy. The ornamental iron fence at present surrounding the Central Moravian Church, at Bethlehem, was also a product of the Beckel foundry.

The establishment suffered severely from the freshets of Jan. 7, 1841, and Oct. 4, 1869, but

on each occasion triumphed over the catastrophe, until the early eighties when the death of the elder Beckel, coupled with financial reverses, compelled the abandonment of the enterprise. The property eventually came into the possession of the E. P. Wilbur Trust Company, and later, when General Doster carried into effect his plan for improving Sand Island as a pleasure resort, the plant was entirely dismantled.

On the present site of the Diamond Roller Mills, on the south bank of the canal, formerly stood the brewery of the Brethren's House Dia- conry. In 1829 the property was purchased by Owen Rice for storing grain, flour, and feed, and in 1838 Copeland Boyd established a paper mill, the power being secured from the waters of the canal. At a still later period the building was used as a barrel factory by the Pennsylvania and Lehigh Zinc Company, and finally as a foundry facing mill, until it was destroyed by fire in 1885.

In 1887, D. D. Fritch and Trion D. Fritch, under the firm name of D. D. Fritch and Com- pany, built up a milling business on the above site. The firm name was soon after changed to Fritch and Egner, and again in 1904 to T. D. Fritch and Sons. The main mill was erected in 1886, and in 1892, an elevator was added. An- other addition was built in 1908. Twenty-two people are employed in the mill, which has a daily capacity of two hundred barrels. "Fritch's Best," "Diamond B. B.," and "Diamond Rye Flour," three of the leading brands manufac- tured, have a wide reputation.

In this locality was also laid the foundation of a coal and lumber business, first undertaken by Timothy Weiss, followed by Henry G. Guetter, who combined with the coal business the lumber yard formerly located on North Street, Bethle- hem. The enterprise was later successively con- ducted by Borhek and Knauss; Borhek, Knauss and Miksch; Borhek and Miksch; and more recently by the Brown-Borhek Lumber and Coal Company, Limited. The latter firm placed the business on a substantial basis and increased its efficiency by the purchase of the Brown lumber yard in South Bethlehem. In 1913 the Brown-Borhek Company was incorpor- rated under the laws of Pennsylvania.

Located at Ninth and Lehigh Avenues is the Guerber Engineering Company, established Feb- ruary 20, 1901, by F. S. Guerber, with a capital stock of $250,000. The company manufactures frogs, switches, and steel structures of every de- scription, and has a considerable export trade. About two hundred skilled workmen are em- ployed. The officers of the company are as fol- lows: A. N. Cleaver, president ; F. C. Stout, vice

701

BOROUGH OF BETHLEHEM.

president ; Franklin H. Brunner, secretary; W. B. Myers, treasurer ; J. E. Boatrite, general man- ager, P. A. E. Guerber, manager of sales.

The firm of Pettinos Brothers, manufacturers and importers of graphite or plumbago, was es- tablished in 1892, by George F. Pettinos. Asso- ciated with him in the business is his brother, Charles E. Pettinos. Other products manufac- tured are paint, greases, belt dressing, foundry equipment and supplies. The company also has extensive interests in sand operations scattered throughout the country. Besides the Bethlehem plant, located on River Street, they have factories at Byers, Pa., and Colombo, Ceylon.

The Sauquoit Silk Mills, located on River Street near the old bridge, are extensive manu- facturers of dress and crepe silks, and employ nearly five hundred people. E. H. Clewell re- cently succeeded Mr. H. C. Bailey as manager of the mills. Mr. Alexander D. Steele, of Scran- ton, is president of the concern, which also op- erates mills in Philadelphia and Scranton.

The firm of L. W. Strock and Company, man- ufacturers of handles, was established about 1897 by the late Lycurgus W. Strock. They maintain an office and warehouse on Lehigh Avenue, and operate mills in Tennessee. The product is wide- ly sold, and a considerable export business is done. Mr. Strock died March 15, 1913.

Another concern doing an active business on the west side is the King Coal Company, located on Vineyard Street. This firm commenced busi- ness in 1892 under the name of Delp and King. Mr. Delp retiring six months after the formation of the partnership, the business was continued by Mr. Franklin B. King. The latter retired April 1, 1908, leaving the business in the hands of his son, Franklin G. King. The firm deals exten- sively in coal and wood.

The wholesale grocery firm of J. A. Eberts and Company had its origin in South Bethlehem, where J. A. Eberts on Nov. 3, 1890, commenced the selling of food-stuffs. On Jan. 1, 1896, Mr. J. H. Barrall entered into partnership with Mr. Eberts. In October, 1897, the firm occupied its new building near the Central Railroad of New Jersey freight station. Mr. Barrall died before the moving was completed, and Mr. Eberts con- tinued the business until July 15, 1901, when the present firm was incorporated with a capital of $125,000. This was increased to $250,000, on June 3, 1902, and on January 21, 1907, a bond issue of $100,000 was authorized. Branches are maintained at Allentown, Scranton, Easton, and Bangor, Pa.

The Mineral Spring Ice Company was incor- porated under the laws of the state of Pennsyl- vania on March 8, 1900, with a capital stock of

$100,000. The plant, located at No. 56 River Street, has a weekly capacity of two hundred and twenty-five tons of ice. The officers of the com- pany are as follows: John F. Rauch, president ; A. C. Graham, vice president ; Arnon P. Miller, treasurer ; W. J. Semple, secretary. The direc- tors are: John F. Rauch, A. C. Graham, Arnon P. Miller, George W. Rhoada, M. K. Mussel- man, A. C. Dodson, and Eldredge Wilbur. C. C. Dorn is superintendent

Among the more recent industries, worthy of more than passing notice, is that of Kurtz Broth- ers, established April 10, 1894, by Charles F. and John Kurtz. They make a specialty of interior construction and equipment for offices, banks and stores, and also manufacture bar fixtures on an extensive scale. The concern is one of a very few similar ones in this country, nearly all work requiring special design and finish, for which Kurtz Brothers are peculiarly well fitted. Much of the output is manufactured from rare foreign and domestic woods, and finds a ready sale in this as well as many foreign countries. The plant is located along the Monocasy at Union Street, and furnishes employment for about one hundred skilled mechanics.

BANKS.

The Bethlehem Trust Company was organ- ized September 25, 1906, and opened for business May 15, 1907. The banking house was first lo- cated on First Avenue, west side, where they erected a substantial modern building at a cost of $20,000. In order to extend the scope of its operations by locating in the business zone, the board of directors bought the lot at the north- west corner of Main and Broad Streets, Bethle- hem, and upon it erected a five-story office and bank building during the years 1912 and 1913, at a cost of $100,000. This building is one of the most modern and substantial of its kind in eastern Pennsylvania.

The bank is capitalized at $125,000, and has deposits of $350,000, in addition to a surplus of $30,000. Much credit for the success of this banking institution is due to A. C. Young, its secretary and treasurer.

HOTELS.

The first hotel on the west side was the "Anchor," erected in the early part of the last century at the south-east corner of Main and Canal Streets. The first landlord was Captain George Henry Woehler, who had the honor of entertaining within its walls a distinguished for- eign guest, Prince Maximilian of Wied, trav- elling incog. as Herr von Brennberg. The hos-

702

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

telry was later conducted by William Neisser and Andrew McCarty, and finally came into the possession of the late Herman Fetter, by whose name it has since been known. In 1889 it was purchased from the Fetter estate by M. C. Fet- ter, the present owner, who replaced it by the present substantial three-story hotel on the ad- jacent corner, which he conducted himself for about five years. The present proprietor is W. S. Lobach, Jr.

The Pennsylvania Hotel, erected early in the fifties by George Steinman, and later known as the Keystone House, was conducted successively by George Meitzler, Mr. Barnes, and Jesse Miller. The present owner of the property is Mrs. Bachman, and the landlord is A. R. Wood- ring.

CHURCHES. Moravian Chapel.

The first religious activities conducted on the west side, were begun among the canal boatmen who tied up at Bethlehem over Sunday. The movement was started at the instance of the Philadelphia Sabbath Association, and on Oct. 20, 1850, the Rev. William Eberman officiated at the first of a series of services held in a room over Knauss and Borhek's store in old South Bethlehem. Other people living in the vicinity attended these services, and the considerable num- ber of neglected children belonging to these fam- ilies, and others living further up along the canal, induced him to organize a Sunday school the following year.

In June, 1856, the old Vineyard Street School- house was erected on the west side, and here in 1859, students of the Moravian Theological Seminary held prayer-meetings. On May 6, 1860, a Sunday school was opened with thirty scholars, and this was the beginning of the West Bethlehem Moravian Sunday school. Services were conducted here at stated intervals, and later in the two-story school-house on Spring Street.

The first steps looking to the erection of a regular place for holding services were taken in 1877, when the late Levin J. Krause offered to present a lot for a Sunday school chapel on the Al- lentown road at the corner of Third Avenue, pro- viding it should be erected within five years. The enterprise was not undertaken, however, until after the expiration of that time. The corner- stone of the building was laid Aug. 26, 1883, and on Jan. 27, 1884, the chapel was dedicated. The bell which in earlier times had been in use on the old Moravian Church, was placed in the belfry on May 27, 1885. Alterations and im- provements to the building were made in 1890, and on Jan. 25, 1891, it was formally re-opened.

In 1901, Rev. F. W. Stengel, of Zoar, Minn., accepted a call as first assistant pastor of the Bethlehem Moravian congregation, and assumed the oversight of the West Side chapel. He was succeeded on June 25, 1911, by Rev. William H. Fluck, the present pastor, formerly of York, Pa. Charles H. Rominger is superintendent of the Sunday school, which at the close of the year 1912 had a total enrollment of 245 scholars, and 32 teachers and officers. Fred B. Hartman is the organist.

Trinity Lutheran Church.

As early as 1886 there was a strong sen- timent on the part of the Lutheran con- stituency on the west side, to have a place of worship of its own, and until the spring of 1887 services were conducted from time to time in the Moravian chapel. On July 17, 1887, the organization of a Sunday school with an enroll- ment of forty-two persons was effected, and per- mission secured to use the rooms of the Fairview School building for meeting purposes. At a meeting held in the same building on July 29, 1887, a congregation was duly organized. The Rev. G. F. Spieker, D.D., pastor of St. Mi- chael's Lutheran Church, Allentown, presided, and T. Clem Beck officiated as secretary. The following church council was elected : Trustees- William Nickum, Tobias K. Hess, John Frey, William McHose; Deacons-George H. Young, Joseph Goth, Emanuel Engler, George E. Lees, M. B. Harwick, A. Clayton Keim; Treasurer- James Lees. Church Council extended a unan- imous call to the Rev. Wm. D. C. Keiter, of Allentown, Pa., who had been ordained in June, 1887. This call was accepted and on Sept. 4, 1887, he was installed as pastor.

On Sept. 10, 1887, the trustees purchased a lot on Third Avenue from George Applegate, for $1,000. Messrs. George H. Young, Wil- liam Nickum, T. K. Hess, William Walp, and Joseph Goth, were appointed as a building com- mittee, and on October 30, 1887, the corner-stone was laid with impressive services. The first serv- ices in the completed edifice were held on Palm Sunday, March 25, 1888. On Good Friday, March 30, 1888, the first class of fifteen persons was confirmed. The formal consecration of the church took place on Sunday, April 8, 1888. Rev. Keiter served as pastor of the congregation until Nov. 9, 1909, when he resigned to accept the office of secretary of the Board of Trustees of Muhlenberg College. A call was extended to Rev. Luther D. Lazarus, of South Bethlehem, who entered upon his labors on January 1, 1910. The first superintendent of the Sunday School

703

BOROUGH OF BETHLEHEM.

was George H. Young. The present incumbent is Thomas E. Semmel. The organists of the congregation have been Mrs. C. Spiegler, 1887- 1900; Mrs. Ada Smith Merkley, 1900-1903 ; and since May, 1903, I. H. Bartholomew.

Bethany Reformed Church.

On May 20, 1888, some of the members of the Reformed Church living on the west side opened a Sunday school in the Fairview School Build- ing. In 1890 the consistory of Christ Reformed Church, Bethlehem, purchased a lot on Fourth Avenue, whereon a chapel was erected at a cost of $2,400. The corner-stone was laid October 26, 1890, and the following February the Sun- day school moved into the new quarters. The formal consecration took pace on June 28, 1891, when the name Bethany Chapel was adopted. The first superintendent of the Sunday School was George V. Snyder. On Dec. II the same year, a congregation was organized and the fol- lowing officers elected : Elders-David Hess, M. B. Titlow, Henry J. Schmock, and Augustus De Long; Deacons-William H. Kresge, James White, James Wagner, and Francis Miller ; Trustees-Leo A. Stem, James D. Faust, and George V. Snyder. On January 10, 1892, Rev. John F. De Long, of Reading, Pa., was elected pastor and served the congregation until 1897. He was succeeded by Rev. Frank H. Moyer. In 1901 the chapel was moved to the rear of the lot, and in its place a brick edifice of a combined Gothic and Colonial type of architecture erected, at a cost of $8,000. The cornerstone was laid July 28, 1901, and on April 27, 1902, the church was completed. Additions were also made to the chapel, which continued to be used for Sunday School purposes. Rev. Moyer served as pastor of the congregation until 1908, and on Dec. 15, 1908, was succeeded by Rev. E. H. Laubach, who served until March 31, 1911. Rev. H. I. Crow has been the pastor since Sept. 15, 1911. Miss Clara Snyder is the organist of the church, and Robert C. Moll superintendent of the Sunday School.

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.

History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 125

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