History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 85

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 85

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On June 3, 1901, a tract of seventy acres, west of Seventeenth street, between Chew, La- fayette, Linden, Nineteenth and Walnut streets, was annexed. On March 22, 1904, an annexa- tion of 152.9 acres was made, bounded on the south by Linden street, on the west by Twenty- fifth street, on the north by Early street and on the east by Lafayette and Nineteenth streets. A further addition of 24.07 acres, bounded by Sev- enteenth, St. George, Fairview and Walnut streets, was made March 23, 1906. On Jan. 16, 1907, 182 acres south of the Little Lehigh, a part of South Allentown were annexed. On June 4, 1907, 113.08 acres, bounded by Chew, Seven- teenth, Page and Leh streets, and Albright avenue, including the Fair Grounds, were an- nexed. On March 24, 1908, 363 acres, south of the Little Lehigh creek from its junction with the Jordan creek to Jefferson street extended, were annexed. On August 14, 1908, 239 acres in the northwestern section, bounded by Seven- teenth and Page streets, Sumner and Albright avenues and the Walbert's State road, were an- nexed. On Dec. 1, 1911, 660 acres, east of the Lehigh river, in Hanover township, now the Fourteenth ward, were annexed. In 1914, the total area of the city of Allentown amounted to 3,815.32 acres.

On Monday, Dec. 1, 1913, the form of city government was changed by legislative enact- ment and a select council of fourteen and a common council of twenty-eight members retired

from office. A council of five members, includ- ing the mayor, who became Superintendent of Public Affairs, became the governing power of the city. The four new members of the coun- cil, Calvin E. Arner, Col. Samuel D. Lehr, Capt. Charles D. Spangler and Robert J. Wheel- er, were elected Nov. 4, 1913. Mr. Arner be- came Superintendent of Accounts and Finances ; Col. Lehr, Superintendent of the Department of Streets and Public Improvements; Capt. Spang ler, Superintendent of Public Safety, and MI. Wheeler, Superintendent of the Department of Parks and Public Property. ,

The assessed valuation of the real estate of the city in 1914, was as follows:

First Ward, $2,764,785

Second Ward, 4,234,950

Third Ward,

4,147,070

Fourth Ward,

4,201,225

Fifth Ward,

Sixth Ward, 3,989,650

1,595,142

Seventh Ward,

2,922,300

Eighth Ward, 4,710,198

Ninth Ward, 2,479,370

Tenth Ward, 3,514,845

Eleventh Ward,

5,932,203

Twelfth Ward,

1,337,753

Thirteenth Ward,

3,441,245

Fourteenth Ward,

1,143,876

Total, $46,414,612

The property exempt from taxation by law was valued in 1914, as follows :

First Ward,

$ 571,850

Second Ward, 465,000

Third Ward,

371,200

Fourth Ward,

191,000

Fifth Ward,

442,000

Sixth Ward,

241,200

Seventh Ward,

267,500

Eighth Ward,

307,800

Ninth Ward,

711,700

Tenth Ward,

209,800

Eleventh Ward,

I,080,000

Twelfth Ward, 146,780

Thirteenth Ward.

183,000

Fourteenth Ward,

33,200

The total of exempt properties was $5,309, 130, making the total real estate valuation of the city, on Jan. 1, 1914, $51,972,998. The total poll tax was $15,658. The number of horses in the city was 1,618; cows, 97. In 1914, the city

447

448

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

tax rate was 6.4 mills; the school tax rate, 6.5 mills, and the county tax rate, 3 mills, or $6.40, $6.50 and $3.00 per thousand dollars valuation respectively. The water rent of the average fam- ily amounts to $3.75.

Manufactories .- The number of wage earners in the city according to the last reports was 11,481; value of products, $26,263,327; num- ber of establishments, 274; capital invested, $21,369,000; wages paid, $5,061,000; cost of materials, $15,581,000. The city has twenty silk mills, ten shoe factories, a large wire and nail works, seven furniture factories, four boiler works, twenty-three foundry and machine shops, a large automobile truck plant, forty-seven cigar factories, five clothing factories, eight hosiery and knit goods mills, ten planing mills, six brick and tile works, twenty-eight printing houses, thirty-two bakeries, glass works, brass foundries, paint and fertilizer factory, meat packing plant, cigar and paper box factories, and many other manufacturing establishments.

The city ranks second in the state in produc- tion of textile fabrics and ninth in the value of products. The textile industries, including dye- ing and finishing, had a combined output value of $9,838,000 or 37.5 per cent. of all the indus- tries in the city in 1909. The leading branch of this industry is the manufacture of silk and silk goods, the production of which amounted to $7,456,000 in 1909.

The production of the metal working indus- tries was valued at nearly $7,000,000; of boots and shoes, $1,302,000, and of tobacco, $1,446,000.

Nov., 1908-Feb., 1909. Herbert H. Herbst

1909-19II. Charles O. Hunsicker Dec. 4, 19II -. Charles W. Rinn

CONTROLLERS

1875-1877. Reuben S. Shimer

1877-1879. Charles Banks

1879-1881. Charles K. Heist

1881-1889. Walter C. Smith

1889- . James Hausman.

TREASURERS

1867-1874.

Jonathan Reichard

1874-1877.

Jacob A. Blumer

1877-1884.

John Koch

1884-1886.

Lewis E. Butz

1886-1890. Joseph F. Newhard

1890-1892. George W. Seagraves

1892- Alfred L. Reichenbach

CITY SOLICITORS

1868-1870.

F. A. R. Baldwin

1870-1871. John H. Oliver

1871-1873.

Charles M. Runk

1873-1875. George W. Wilson

1875-1877. Thomas B. Metzgar

1877-1879.

Marcus C. L. Kline

1879-1883.

John M. Kessler

1883-1885.

Alex. P. Crilly

1885-1891.

Frank M. Trexler

1891-1893.

John Rupp

1893-1898.

Frank M. Trexler

1898-1900.

William H. Sowden

1900-1902.

John L. Schwartz

1902-1905.

Francis G. Lewis

1905-1910.

Leo Wise

1910- . Malcolm W. Gross

CITY ENGINEERS

1867.

Peter Weida

1867-1869.

Aschbach and Hauman

1869-1889.

Samuel D. Lehr

1889-1891.

Lewis S. Jacoby

1891-1893.

Lewis J. H. Grossart

1893-1896.

Robert S. Rathbun

1896-1903.

J. Howard Martz

1903-1906.

Harry F. Bascom

1867-1869.

Samuel McHose

1869-1873. Tilghman H. Good

1867-1869.

Jacob M. Ruhe

1873-1874.

Theodore C. Yeager1

1869-1871.

Emanuel Hofford

1874-1876. Tilghman H. Good

1871-1874.

Henry T. Kleckner

1876-1878.

Edward B. Young

1874-1875.

Wm. H. Hilliard

1878-1880. Alfred J. Martin

1875.

Daniel S. Gift

1880-1884. Edwin G. Martin

1884-1886. Edward S. Shimer

1886-1888.

Werner K. Ruhe

1875-1878.

Daniel S. Gift

1888-1890. Henry W. Allison

1878-1884.

Tilghman Good

1890-1893.

Samuel D. Lehr

1884-1886.

Preston J. Baker

1893-1896.

Henry W. Allison

1886-1888.

James W. Crader

1896-1899.

Fred E. Lewis

1888-1890.

Mahlon H. Bieber

1899-1902. James L. Schaadt

1890-1893.

Daniel S. Gift

1902-1905.

Fred E. Lewis

1893-1896.

Wm. D. Mickley

1905-1907.

Alfred J. Yost2

1896-1899.

Patrick Herrity

1907-1908. Charles D. Schaeffer

Feb .- Nov., 1908. Harry G. Stiles3

1902-1905.

H. H. Eastman

I905.

Geo. L. Smith

1905-1906.

Wm. F. Bower

1907-1908. Milton B. Schadt

1908-1909. Herman Benning

1909-19II.

Chas. D. Rhoads

IgII- . M. H. Bernhard

I. Dr. Yeager died in office, Jan. 14, 1874, and Herman Schmon, president of Select Council, by virtue of his office, became mayor, and served until February, 1874.

2. Dr. Yost died in office, April 16, 1907, and Dr. Schaeffer was elected Mayor by City Councils.

3. Mayor Stiles died in office Nov. 8, 1908, and Dr. H. H. Herbst was elected Mayor by City Councils.

1899-1902.

Patrick F. McGee

CITY OFFICIALS

MAYORS

1906-

Charles D. Weirbach

HIGH CONSTABLES

CHIEFS OF POLICE

449

ALLENTOWN AS A CITY-1867-1914.

CHIEFS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT

1870-1873. Simon P. Snyder

1873-1875.

Werner K. Ruhe

1875-1878. Jacob S. Reninger

1878-1887. John P. Dillinger

1887-1888. Bigler Huffort

1888-1890. Hafiz B. Cleavelend

1890-1893. George J. Klein

1893-1896.

Charles H. Cohn

1896-1899. Charles D. Grim

1899-1902. John V. Huffort

1902-1905. Charles H. Cohn

1905-1908.

James E. Gallagher

1908. John V. Huffort

1909-191 I.

Charles H. Cohn

IgII- . Wm. R. Kransley ALDERMEN

1867 Joshua Stahler 1897 George Fry Allen W. Haines

Edward Beck

John Hawkins

J. Fred Kutz

1869 Elias Mertz

Patrick McCloskey

Tilghman Good

George H. Hardner

1870 Henry T. Kleckner 1899 Robert L. Schiffert

Alexander Fatzinger

1874 Tobias Kessler I90I Theodore H. Scholl

1875 Walter L. Jones

F. T. L. Keiter

1876 Henry T. Kleckner 1902 George Fry Elias Mertz

John H. Hull

Edward F. Ochs

1877 James Hausman

John W. Sepp Philip K. Hartzell Patrick McCloskey

Edward F. Berke- meyer

1879 U. S. Litzenberg

George W. Hartzel

1880 Walter L. Jones

1905 Walter L. Jones

1881 Henry T. Kleckner Edmund R. Newhard

Peter H. Steltz

1882 George Fry John W. Sepp

Patrick McCloskey Henry C. Huber

Joseph C. Slough

1883 Emerson H. Shock

Patrick McCloskey Edward F. Berke- meyer

1885 Walter L. Jones

1909 Robert L. Schiffert

1886 Henry T. Kleckner

1887 George Fry

Harvey M. Heil- man 1910 Walter L. Jones

John W. Sepp Patrick McCloskey

Jacob S. Reninger Eugene Mackes

1888 Wilson P. Riedy

1890 Walter L. Jones

M. Herbert Beary

F. T. L. Keiter I9II Theodore H. Scholl

1891 Walter O. Butz

F. T. L. Keiter

Nathan E. Worman

Thomas McFadden

Tobias Kessler

Elwood L. New- hard Charles D. Schall

1892 George Fry John W. Sepp Patrick McCloskey George H. Hardner

1913 William F. Bower

Guy R. Jones

1894 William Duth

Joseph C. Slough

Alexander Fatzinger

1895 Walter L. Jones

1896 Edgar J. Lumley

F. T. L. Keiter

John H. Bernecker Charles F. Deily

Public Buildings .- The principal public buildings in the city are the Court House, Post Office building, municipal buildings and the li- brary building.

Post Office .- A post office was first estab- lished in Allentown on January 1, 1803, when George Savitz, proprietor of the Compass and Square, a hotel which occupied the site of the Hotel Allen, was appointed the first postmaster. Prior to that time the residents of the town received their letters at Bethlehem or by the courtesy of friends. Mr. Savitz conducted the business of the office at his tavern for five years, until April, 1808, when his son-in-law, Dr. Jacob Martin, was appointed. The office was removed to his residence, on the site of the Y. M. C. A. building, and Dr. Martin filled the office for six years. On May 4, 1814, Charles L. Hutter, the editor of the Republikaner, was appointed postmaster and moved the office to a one-story frame building east of Zion Reformed church. On Nov. 22, 1820, George Hanke succeeded him, but the office remained at the same place. Mr. Hanke died Jan. 27, 1824, and on Feb. 10, 1824, Henry Weaver became postmaster and the office was located in a two-story stone building at Law and Hamilton streets. Edwin A. Hutter, the publisher, was appointed to the office on Jan. I, 1833, and the business was again conducted in the frame building in which it was located while his father held the office. Robert E. Wright, Sr., was appointed postmaster on July 13, 1836, and the office was removed to a frame building on the site of the Lehigh Valley Trust Company. On June 9, 1841, Augustus L. Ruhe received the appointment of postmaster and the office was located at the southwest corner of Seventh and Hamilton streets. Robert E. Wright, Sr., was appointed to his second term, Sept. 24, 1844, and located the office in a one-story building east of what is now the Hotel Allen. He held the position only one year, when Edmund R. Newhard, who was appointed Nov. 17, 1845, succeeded him and moved the office to a building on the north side of Hamilton street, near Eighth. The office was burned out in the fire of 1848 and was then removed to a building on South Centre Square, on the site of the Chronicle and News building.

Mrs. Maria E. Hornbeck, widow of Con- gressman Hornbeck, was appointed Feb. 26, 1849, and held the position eight years, in which time the office was located in a building at 604 Hamilton street, and in the old building still standing on the southeast corner of Law and Hamilton streets. The late Wm. H. Newhard was her assistant. Reuben Guth, publisher of the Lecha Patriot, became postmaster in 1857 and the office was established in a building at 8 South Centre Square. Mr. Guth's daughter, Mrs. T. W. Kramer, was his assistant. His successor was Tilghman Good, appointed March

1872 Joshua Stahler Francis Z. Heebner 1900 Patrick McCloskey

Walter L. Jones

Peter H. Steltz

Edward A. Mertz

Patrick McCloskey

1906 Theodore H. Scholl F. T. L. Keiter

1907 William F. Bower

1884 Joseph Young Isaac A. Kase

1904 Robert L. Schiffert

Jacob L. Reninger

William A. Gott- hardt

450

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Central Fire and Police Station Mounted Police Post Office Building

Court House Soldiers' Monument County Jail

451

ALLENTOWN AS A CITY-1867-1914.

6, 1862, the first Presidential appointee, at which time the office was located at the southwest corner of Hall and Hamilton streets. Mr. Good served seven years and during the latter part of his administration the office was removed farther east on Hamilton street, to where Sieger's sadd- lery store is located. David K. Diefenderfer, appointed April 1, 1869, continued the office at the same place and upon the appointment of Robert Iredell, Jr., on Jan. 8, 1877, the office was removed to the building at the southeast corner of Seventh and Hamilton streets. During his incumbency the office was located at 716 Hamilton street for four years, the period of its lease by the government and later removed to the Stiles building, at 529 Hamilton street.

George T. Gross was appointed April 23, 1885, and during his term, in 1889, the office was removed to the Paxson building, at 459 Hamilton street, where it remained for eighteen years, until the erection of a federal building. Mr. Gross served until Feb. 12, 1890, when John Stopp was appointed. He was succeeded by Allen T. Frederick, appointed May 4, 1894, and Milton P. Schantz, appointed March 23, 1898, became Mr. Frederick's successor. Mr. Schantz was appointed to his second term on March 26, 1902, and on March 25, 1906, was appointed the third time, serving twelve years as postmaster. Dr. Charles S. Martin, ap- pointed March 30, 1910, took charge of the office May 2, 1910, but served only a few days, as he died suddenly on May 4, 1910. J. Herbert Kohler was then appointed postmaster and took charge of the office July 1, 1910. On May 27, 1914, Martin Klingler was appointed postmaster by President Wilson.

On Feb. 1, 1907, the new post office building at Sixth and Turner streets was opened for busi- ness, the office having been removed after the close of business at 8 p. m. on the previous evening. The first move for a public building in Allentown was made by Congressman Wil- liam H. Sowden, in February, 1888, when a bill providing for a post office building at Allentown passed both houses of Congress, but was vetoed by President Cleveland. Ten years later, a com- mittee of sixteen men, selected by a public meet- ing of citizens, visited Washington and urged the advisability of the erection of a public build- ing in Allentown at a meeting of the House Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads. The omnibus bill for public buildings, including one for Allentown, was passed June 2, 1902, and approved by President Roosevelt. The amount appropriated was $100,000, which was increased on March 3, 1903, to $110,000, and on June 30, 1906, through the efforts of Con-

gressman Kline, an additional $5,000 was se- cured, making the total amount granted $115,- 000. The amount paid for the lot, 112 by 150 feet, was $21,500. Work on the building was begun Sept. 25, 1905. George B. Page, of Philadelphia, was the architect, and Messrs. Fissel and Wagner, of New York city, the con- tractors. Joseph Chamberlain had the work of erection in charge. The building, 110 by 65 feet, is constructed of Indiana limestone, terra cotta and brick. The main entrance is on Turner street, from a platform 55 feet in length, the top of which is supported by six massive Ionic columns, 3 feet six inches in diameter at the base and tapering. These columns are sur- mounted by Corinthian capitals, and support a ledge of limestone bearing the inscription, "United States Post Office." Directly over this, in the cornice, is the figure of an eagle, wings spread, in terra cotta. The main lobby is 65 feet long and 13 feet wide, wainscoated in King of Prussia marble, with a terrazza floor. The main work room is 35 by 70 feet, lighted by side windows and an open skylight. There are also the money order and registry room, and the offices of the postmaster and assistant postmaster, a total of 6,350 square feet of working space.

As early as 1850, a resident of the borough, Elias Shafer, was employed to carry letters to the inhabitants, but free delivery was not established until Oct. 1, 1882, with six letter carriers. The present force consists of twenty-three clerks, thirty-four carriers, four substitute carriers, six rural carriers, two special delivery messengers and two building employees. The assistant post- master, Arthur J. Nagle, was appointed Jan. I, 1905. Former assistant postmasters were C. W. Dech, F. T. Good, F. K. Hartzell, A. T. Fred- erick, Wm. H. Albright and Morris F. Becker.

Public Library .- The Allentown Free Li- brary, at 914 Hamilton street, was opened to the public on Monday, Nov. 25, 1912. The library, in 1914, numbers 6,400 volumes, and the librarian is Miss Sarah V. Lewis, who assumed charge on Sept. 1, 1912.

A movement for a library in Allentown was started as early as 1810, when the following no- tice appeared in the Republikaner: "Members of the Allentown English Circulating Library are to meet at the house of Col. George Rhoads on Saturday, December 22d, at seven o'clock, to elect officers and form a constitution." The li- brary was subsequently called, "The Library Company of the Borough of Northampton," and in 1818, Jacob Blumer was the secretary, while the following year that office was held by Charles Davis, Esq.

A book owned by the writer, the editor-in-

452

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

chief, contains a printed label, which reads: "No. 59. Loaned to the Library Company of the Bor- ough of Northampton by John Wilson." The book was purchased in Allentown, Dec. 20, 1812.

How long this library existed is uncertain, but it apparently went out of existence and the books were scattered among the members. The Fratres Literarium, or Brothers of Literature, a literary society, was organized by Prof. Robert C. Chand- ler, of the Allentown Academy, about 1848, which was in charge of a library of well selected books that had been gathered together at the academy, where a library was established in 1817, the use of which was offered to the community. The society was granted a charter in 1866. In 1869, after the academy had ended its career as a school, the library was located over Schreiber Brothers' store, at 10 East Hamilton street, where

the Academy of Natural Science, Art and Litera- ture was without a home, and the library and museum were placed in the keeping of the Odd Fellows, who, as trustee of the library, main- tained a circulating library. Unfortunately, the library was totally destroyed in the burning of the Breinig & Bachman building in 1892.

The Women's League held a "Kirmess" in Le- high Valley hall in 1890, to raise funds for a public library and a total of $1,200 was realized. The name was changed to the Women's Literary Club, and in 1891, the library was moved to the rooms of the Allentown Oratorio Society, on South Seventh street, where it remained for twenty years. Books were issued to members of the society and to persons paying a fee of three dollars per year.

In 1907, the M. U. M. Circle of Hess Broth-

20%

URINA

W GLASSWARE.

VIEW ON NORTH SEVENTH STREET FROM CENTER SQUARE, 1876.

it remained some time, with Tobias Kessler as librarian. Later, the Academy of Natural Sci- ence, Art and Literature was established in the old academy building, with Fritz Warner, a local taxidermist, in charge of the museum. Eli J. Saeger was its president and the books of the de- funct literary society became its property. The ladies of the city, of whom Mrs. Samuel B. Lewis was the leading spirit, gave a game supper and old folks' tea party on Dec. 31, 1874, for the benefit of the library, which was a great success. The game, venison and bear meat, and prairie chickens, was furnished by Mr. Warner, on a hunting trip in the West. The ladies wore cos- tumes of the colonial period and there was dancing in the evening to the music of the Eureka orchestra.

ers' store, headed by Mrs. Blanche Phifer Tre- vena, raised $1,056 for the library fund by an automobile contest. A roll of honor was started, by which $3, 170 was secured, and with the addi- tion of other subscriptions, a total sum of $14,575, was realized. The property at 914 Hamilton street was purchased for $15,000, on which $5,000 was paid and a mortgage of $10,000 given for the balance. Alterations and additions to the building brought the cost to $14,575. The sum of $12,000 was contributed by the citizens of the city and the mortgage paid. The total cost of the building, ground, improvements, etc., was $25,887.04. The library is open to the pub- lic from II : 30 a. m. to 9 p. m., week-days, except holidays. Two handsome paintings, presented to the city by the artist, Peter Gross, of Paris, a

When the academy building was sold, in 1881, native of Lehigh county, "The Village of Mont-

453

ALLENTOWN AS A CITY-1867-1914.

morency," by Mr. Gross, and "The Port of Marseilles," by J. M. Grimelund, have been placed on the walls of the building. The officers of the library are: President, George T. Etting- er, Ph.D .; vice-president, Mrs. Samuel B. Lewis; treasurer, Max Hess; secretary, David A. Mil- ler ; financial secretary, Miss Beulah Phifer ; di- rectors : Mrs. L. L. Anewalt, E. J. Lumley, H. E. Bohner, F. D. Beary, Dr. R. C. Peters, J. M. Wuchter, and Rev. E. O. Leopold.

Soldiers' Monument .- The soldiers' and sailors' monument, which occupies the center of Centre Square, was unveiled and dedicated on Oct. 19, 1899, on which occasion Governor Wil- liam A. Stone was present and spoke, and Hon. George F. Baer was the orator of the day. The shaft is of Barre, Vermont, granite, with copper and bronze ornamentations. The contract was awarded Nov. 26, 1898, to the Pennsylvania Monument Association for $39,000, but with the cost of the foundations and additional bronzes, the total cost was $43,000. The cor- nerstone was laid by the G. A. R. on June 26 1899. It is 35 feet square at the base and 97 feet in height. A bronze figure of the Goddess of Liberty, 13 feet high, surmounts the shaft. An enormous crowd witnessed the ceremonies at the dedication, which was attended also by 1,020 school children, who, at the moment of unveiling, sang the "Star Spangled Banner," and every child waved an American flag.

Street Railways .- The street railway in Le- high county had its origin in an Act of the Leg- islature, passed March 21, 1865, which author- ized a company to construct and operate a line from a point on Hamilton street, near its western end, to the L. V. R. R. depot, with right to operate extensions to Catasauqua and the Allen- town Iron Works. Another act was passed March 4, 1868, work was commenced soon af- terward, and the first street car, drawn by horses was run May 21, 1868. The incorpora- tors were :

John Y. Bechtel Samuel McHose

H. C. Longnecker

David Thomas

John Smylie

Samuel A. Bridges

John D. Stiles John H. Oliver

Samuel Lewis

James W. Fuller

William S. Marx

Peter Weikel

William H. Blumer William H. Hoffman

Jesse M. Line Joseph F. Newhard

Christian Pretz Tilghman W. Kramer -

Algernon Roberts

Alfred J. Martin

Samuel Lewis was selected as the first presi- dent and he served for upwards of twenty years. The company was capitalized at $150,000; $45,- 000 was expended for construction and equip- ment, and it started with eight cars, two omni- buses, and 26 horses. The car barn was at the

rear of the Black Bear Hotel, between Eighth and Ninth streets (now Hess Brothers). A "loop" was extended out Seventh to Gordon, to Tenth, to Hamilton.

Electric Railways .- On Oct. 29, 1889, a char- ter was issued to the Bethlehem and Allentown Street Railway Company, and on November 18th, to the Bethlehem and South Bethlehem Street Railway Company, both to be operated by electricity. On May 29, 1891, the Allentown and Bethlehem Rapid Transit Company was then organized and chartered, and leased the other constructed railways for 999 years. A power- house was established in the First ward. Cars were purchased with the necessary electrical equipment, and the three roads were operated with electricity from July 1, 1891, reaching to Catasauqua, Bethlehem and South Bethlehem, and in 1892 the Catasauqua and Northern Street Railway Company was chartered to reach North- ampton, Siegfried, Hokendauqua, Coplay and other points.

In January, 1893, Albert L. Johnson, of Cleveland, Ohio, and John K. Page, of New York city, came here and promoted another sys- tem, securing a charter for the Lehigh Valley Traction Company, and also the Allentown and Lehigh Valley Traction Company, built a power plant, and equipped its lines with electricity, and began to operate cars on Oct. 15, 1893. Then they purchased the A. & B. Rapid Transit Company and operated the two systems under one management, with Mr. Johnson as presi- dent, beginning April 1, 1894.

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History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 85

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