History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, Part 83

Author: Munsell, W.W., & Co., New York
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: New York, W.W. Munsell & co.
Number of Pages: 900

USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 83
USA > Pennsylvania > Lackawanna County > History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 83
USA > Pennsylvania > Wyoming County > History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 83

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).

The borough has elected justices as follows: Frank A. Whittaker 1857; William Kisner, 1861; J. A. Yoder, 1862; John Gorman, 1865 and 1877; Alfred R. Long- shore, 1865, 1878 and 1879; William P. Courtright, 1868; Henry Mears, 1870; Thomas Coburn, 1872; William F. Roberts, 1874 and 1875; Charles Schutter, 1875; Jacob P. Kreider, 1875.

EDUCATIONAL.

The first school-house was built by the Hazleton Coal Company in 1837. It was a frame building, and stood on the northwest corner of Church and Green streets. This is the school-house referred to in the history of the M. E. church. Miss Fannie Blackman was the first teacher, and among her immediate successors were N. D. Cortright, of Mauch Chunk, and Isaac H. Baldwin, now deceased. In 1843 Lewis Ketchum, afterward a member of the California senate, took charge of the school. He was succeeded in 1845 by his brother, H. H. Ketchum. Previous to this and for some time after- ward the school was kept open part of the year by private subscription. The first building for a private school was erected by A. Pardee in 1847. This school was kept about two years. The building stood on the south side of Broad street, between Wyoming and Laurel.

The first public school-house stood on the northeast corner of Cedar street and Spruce alley. In August, 1853, the school-house on the corner of Church and Green streets was burned, when the store on the south- east corner of Broad and Wyoming streets, now occupied by Mrs. Engle, was rented for school purposes. The two-story brick school building on the north side of Green, between Church and Laurel streets, was opened in February, 1855, with Abel Marcy as principal. This was the first graded school in Luzerne county. While Mr. Marcy was principal four teachers were employed, and after 1866 the length of the school term was eight months. Mr. M. was elected superintendent of the county in 1860.

In the spring of 1857 the borough elected the first school board. In 1859 C. I .. Rynearson was elected prin- cipal of the schools and five teachers employed, and the school term increased to ten months. H. Hutchinson was principal of the schools from 1865 to 1867. In 1866 the frame school-house on the southeast corner of Poplar and Chestnut streets was built, and it was occupied for school purposes in January, 1867. Two additional teach ers were then employed. Mr. Hutchinson was afterward (1868-71) a teacher in the grammar schools. Up to this time the persons who had served longest in the school board were A. Pardee, William Kisner and Joseph Gren- awald. In 1867 B. C. Youngman was elected principal. In 1868 a frame building was erected on the northeast corner of Poplar strect and Spruce alley, in which Mr. Youngman conducted a private school until 1871. From 1868 to 1873 the number of schools increased from eight

to sixteen; the salary of the principal was raised to $1,200. In 1868 the brick school-house on the corner of Church and Walnut streets was built. An additional school was opened in 1873, and another in 1874. In 1874 and 1875 the commodious two-story brick school building on Pine, between Oak and Hemlock streets, was built. During the school year 1875-76 great improvements were made; the nucleus for a school library was formed, and the num- ber of schools increased to twenty-one. In June, 1876, the board voted to establish the borough superintendency, but from the time the schools were graded up to this time the principal of the schools had acted as district su- perintendent.

In 1866 a select school was opened in a building on the private grounds of A. Pardee. In 1874 the Roman Cath- olic citizens of the place built a school building on Wyo- ming street, and in the fall of the same year the Sisters of Mercy opened a school therein. From that time the educational interests of the borough and township have advanced with the necessities of an increased population. The following is the present school board: T. S. Mc- Nair, president; E. S. Doud, John Schwartz, James O'Donnell and Christian Specht. A. P. Supple is the present superintendent of schools.

The township school board is composed of Messrs. C. G. Young, E. Turnbach, J. H. McHale, Robertson, Thomas and Thompson.

THE PRESS OF HAZLETON.

The Hazleton Sentinel was the first newspaper publish- ed here. It was established by John C. Stokes, and the first number was issued January 18th, 1866, as a seven- column folio. In the summer of 1868 Mr. Stokes sold his interest in the paper to Messrs. Pardee, Markle & Grier, when Henry Wilson became editor. The paper was subsequently sold to Messrs. Moore & Sanders, and J. S. Sanders became editor. Subsequently Mr. Sanders became sole proprietor. The paper was then consoli- dated with the Daily News and the Anthracite Record, and called the Anthracite Hazelton Sentinel, by which name it is still published weekly. The paper again changed hands in September, 1879, when C. B. Snyder became publisher and editor. Politics, Republican; cir- culation, 1,500.

The Daily News was established and the first number issued September 15th, 1870, by J. C. Fincher. In the consolidation with the Sentinel in 1875 the name was changed to Hazelton Sentinel, and it is now published as a Republican morning paper by C. B. Snyder. Circula- tion, 2,000 daily.

The Middle Coal Field Advertiser .- The first number of this paper was issued September 19th, 1874, by George Mancy, as a weekly, with a limited circulation and on a cash capital of $250. With increasing patronage the Advertiser continued on its mission until December 10th, 1878, when it was changed to the Daily Bulletin, with Mr. Mancy as business manager of the Bulletin Publish- ing Company.

The Hazelton Journal, a German paper, was estab-

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NEWSPAPERS OF HAZLETON-FIRE DEPARTMENT-COMPANIES.

lished in July, 1876, by R. F. Stutzbach, who is still pub- lisher and editor. It is issued every Saturday, at $2 per year. Its columns are devoted to humanity, education. literature and general information. Present circulation 600.

The Mountain Beacon was established by John C. Stokes, of Hazleton, and the first number was issued October 25th, 1877, as a six-column folio. Meeting with unexampled success, the paper was enlarged May 30th, 1878, to an eight-column folio. It is a non-partisan and independent journal. In August, 1879, Alfred F. Stokes became publisher and editor, under whose management it fully sustains the high moral character to which it had previously attained. Present circulation, 1,500.

The Hasleton Volksblatt, published in German, was first issued April 16th, 1872, by Moore & Sanders, who con- tinued its publication till October 29th, 1872, when Mr. Moore retired from the firm. Mr. Sanders continued its publication till April ist, 1873, when P. Dershuck and R. F. Stutzbach became publishers and editors. In 1874 Mr. Stutzbach retired from the firm, when Mr. Der- shuck enlarged the paper to eight columns. In 1875 R. F. Stutzbach became publisher and editor, and April ist, 1876, was succeeded by P. Dershuck. October Ist, 1877, the latter changed the paper to a seven-column semi- weekly. October Ist, 1878, it was again changed to a weekly, and July ist, 1879, again enlarged to an eight- column paper. It is issued every Saturday morning, and has a circulation of 800.

The Daily Bulletin was first issued December 10th, 1878, under the title of the Evening Bulletin, and Febru- ary 25th, 1879, the name was changed to Daily Bulletin. It is published by the Bulletin company. Circulation, 1,200. S. B. Macquade, editor; G. Mauey, business manager; W. Sebretch, foreman.

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

The fire department of Hazleton was authorized by the town council March 15th, 1869, when the following named persons were organized into a fire company:

Thomas S. McNair, Thomas Monroe, J. Sharon Mc- Nair, Alexander McAllister, T. Hall, John A. Barton, C. F. Barton, J. C. Tomlinson, John Lee, S. B. Macquade, P. B. Conner, C. S. Longshore, S. D. Engle, Col. James Fitzpatrick and Calvin Pardee. There had been an or ganization, but not under the supervision or protection of the " city fathers." In 1867 a steam fire engine was purchased of Neafie & Levy, of Philadelphia, for $4,500. The council also bought of the Taylor Hose Company a hose carriage, hose and attachments for $2,346.50. In 1868 the town council built the present engine house, which is occupied by the engine, hose and hook and lacider companies. The upper rooms of the building are used both for the fire department and the council. The building is of brick, located on the east side of Wyo- ming street, between Green and Maple streets, and cost $4,700. Jacob Eroh was the builder. Hazleton has at present a well organized and efficient fire department, with John C. Tomlinson as chief engineer, and Charles Schutter and Samuel Barnes as assistants.

MILITARY.

Hazleton organized in 1870 several military companies -Zouaves, Captain Coburn; Liberty Guards, Captain Rosenstock: National Rifles, Captain Volkenand, and the Hazle Troop, Captain J. E. Giles. These companies have been disbanded. Company H, 9th regiment N. G. of Pennsylvania, was originally organized with head- quarters at Conyngham, under Captain C. H. Kneely. In July, 1877. M. J. Keck was commissioned as captain, and ordered to report immediately with his company for duty. The order was promptly obeyed, and the officers and men performed their duty in suppressing the rail- road riots. In September, 1878, the 9th was disbanded, and this company attached to the 12th, under Col. Stead, with company headquarters at Hazleton. In June, 1879, it was attached to the new 9th regiment, under Col. G. M. Reynolds. Captain Keck was promoted paymaster of the 12th regiment, and October 30th, 1879, elected lieutenant colonel of the 9th. The present officers of the company are: Captain, Wilson W. Wenner; first lieuten- ant, Frank N. Day; second lieutenant, L. S. Allison,

HAZLETON GAS COMPANY.

This company was incorporated March 14th, 1872, and the subscription books were opened April 22nd, 1872. The commissioners named in the act of incor- poration were C. Pardee, W. A. M. Grier, Sylvester Engle, R. F. Russell, John Bond and James James. The first officers were: President, C. Pardee; secretary and treasurer, W. A. M. Grier. The gas works were built in 1872 by Deily & Fowler, of Philadelphia, and the first gas was made early in November of the same year. The main building is of brick, 30 by 60 feet, and on the north end there is a frame addition 30 feet square. Adolph Meyer is superintendent of the works. The average quantity of gas consumed in Hazleton at present is about 150,000 cubic feet per month, of which about one-third is burned in the street lamps. The cost in October, 1879, was $3 per 1,000 cubic feet, The directors and officers for 1879 were as follows: Di- rectors, David Clark, Calvin Pardee, Dr. J. R. Casselberry, James James and W. A. M. Grier; president, David Clark; secretary and treasurer, W. A. M. Grier; superin- tendent of gas works, Adolph Meyer.

BANKING.

The banking house of Pardee, Markle & Grier was opened by Ario Pardec, George B. Markle and W. A. M. Grier, in the room over the general offices of the firm, in the building on the corner of West Broad and Wyom- ing streets, May ist, 1867. The firm in 1872 built and oc- cupied their present bank building, on the north side of Broad, between Wyoming and Laurel streets. The build- ing is of brick with an ornamental iron front, and is three stories high. Besides the banking office, which occupies one-half of the first floor, there is a store 16 by 60 feet. The basement story is occupied by the Hasleton Sentinel

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

printing office, while the upper story is devoted to various offices.

The Hazleton Savings Bank was established May 23d, 1871, with a capital of $30,000, divided in $50 shares. The first officers and directors were as follows: Presi- dent, William Kisner; vice-president, W. R. Longshore; cashier, N. H. Shafer; directors, E. C. Vincent, G. Ulmer, C. F. Hill, W. Kisner and W. R. Longshore. The bank was opened at its present location, October 2nd, 1871. The present directors are W. Kisner, G. Ulmer, C. L. Lam- berton, E. P. Kisner and G. F. Kisner; president, W. Kisner; vice-president, G. Ulmer; cashier, E. S. Doud.

LEADING INDUSTRIES OF HAZLETON.

Phenix Planing Mills .- These works were erected by Messrs. Longshore & Hofficker in 1869, and rebuilt in 1876, after being burned. They are on Juniper, between Church and Vine streets. The main building is So by 100 feet, two stores and attic. There is a brick engine house 25 by 30 feet; a dry house, paint shop and lime house. Mr. John Daniels bought an interest in the mills in 1876, and the balance January Ist, 1878.

Hazleton Lime Kilns .- These kilns, situated along the Lehigh Valley railroad, about three squares west of the station, were built in 1875, by Mr. Casper Schaffer. The limestone is brought from Allentown and Freemansburg, Pa. The kilns have a daily capacity of 250 bushels, and are kept constantly burning.

Mountain Foundry .- This foundry, on the corner of Church street and Cranberry alley, was built in 1867, by Montz, White & Co. The original buildings were 30 by 45 feet. In 1871 an addition was built, 40 by 45 feet and two stories high. The engine-house is also attached to the foundry. The concern includes a first-class machine shop. From ten to fifteen men are ordinarily employed. The present firm is H. W. Montz & Brother.

Hazleton Planing Mill and Casket Manufactory .- These extensive works are located on the corner of Pine and Green streets. They were built by Messrs. Dryfoos, Grier & Youngman, and liave passed into the hands of L. W. Drake. Burial caskets are a specialty in his very extensive business.

Hazleton Machine Shops .- These shops, on the east border of the borough, cover an area of 56,864 square feet. The dimensions are: machine shop, 50 by 450 feet; foundry, 56 by 104; car-wheel shop, 36 by 80, with wing 36 by 36; boiler shop, 52 by 102; forge or steam trip hammer shop, 50 by 50; blacksmith shop, 40 by 80; car shop, 50 by 95, with addition 63 by 95. These are ex- clusive of offices, round houses, etc. There are 250 hands employed, who receive an average total monthly pay of $9,500. The round house, nearly adjoining the shops, furnishes room for twenty-one locomotives. There are no hands employed on this division of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, whose monthly pay constitutes an im- portant factor in the business interests of Hazleton. The annual product of these shops is about $500,000 worth of locomotives, cars, and mine machinery. There. were 4,000,000 pounds of hot blast anthracite iron, and

20,000 pounds of brass castings made during 1878, and 9,000,000 pounds of charcoal pig iron used. There were made the last year 300,000 pounds of forgings, composed of mine and railroad axles, pump and engine connecting rods and straps, driving axles, line and coun- ter shafting, etc.

HAZELTON'S INVENTORS.

The ingenious devices of Stephen D. Engle are men- tioned in his biographical sketch, to which the reader is referred.

Charles F. Hill is another of Hazleton's inventors. His "folding Sunday-school book case " is one of the great conveniences in that branch of church work. His most important invention is a new and improved grate, to be used in an ordinary parlor stove for burning refuse coal, now being wasted in large quantities in mining. The device consists in so arranging the draft that the fine coal will not clog and prevent natural draft. He is also the patentee of an improved school desk and chair.

Martin Bock is the inventor of an improvement in heels for rubber shoes. It consists in a wire spring fastened to the heel of the leather boot or shoe, to hold the rubber and prevent its slipping off. His more important inven- tion is a novel combination of devices whereby a time movement, striking movement and alarm movement, in a small clock, are carried in and by a single frame, making the time piece cheap and substantial.

John E. Giles is the patentee of a reversible stationary steam engine, which is a model of ingenuity. By the moving of a lever the motion can be reversed instantly. He is also the inventor of an improved machine for util- izing electric light, whereby large towns and cities can be lighted at very little expense.

THE CHURCHES OF HAZLETON.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The first Presbyterian preaching in Hazleton was in 1836 or 1837, by Rev. Richard Webster, of Mauch Chunk. The services were held in the school-house. From 1838 to 1844 Rev. Daniel Gaston, of Beaver Meadow, preached here once or twice a month, and from 1845 to 1848 every alternate Sabbath afternoon Rev. James Green Moore preached. From 1848 to 1852 Rev. Daniel Harbison preached every Sabbath morning, and Rev. John John- son occasionally in the afternoon and evening. Rev. Mr. Baker then preached until 1854, when a new brick church was built.

The members of the session at the time of the organi- zation were Henry A. Mears and Robert F. Russell. From the fall of 1854 Rev. John Armstrong was pastor ten years. He was succeeded by Rev. E. I. Newlin. In 1868 and 1869 the present church edifice was built. In the spring of 1871 Mr. Newlin resigned the pastorate, and he was succeeded in October, 1871, by Rev. I. A. Max- well. The present pastor, Rev. A. B. Jack, was installed in July, 1874. The church edifice is of brick, two stories, and the auditorium seats 500.

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CHURCHES OF HAZLETON.

The church and parsonage are on West Broad street, between Church and Vine streets, and valued at $15,000.

There is a flourishing Sunday-school connected with the church.

GRACE REFORMED CHURCH (GERMAN).

This church was organized about 1845. The first pas- tor was Rev. C. Solomon. from Germany, as were nearly or quite all the members. All the services are held in German. In 1847 the society secured a lot at the corner of Broad and Cedar streets, and built a church 40 by 60 feet. It was built as a union church, but in 1861 a por- tion of the congregation withdrew from Grace, and formed a second German church. After a few years most of them returned. In 1869 the society bought an organ costing $3,500. The present value of the church property is $15,000. The membership is 900; number of families attending, 170; number of Sunday-school pupils, 360. The following have been the pastors since 1861: Rev. Messrs. Brandt, Krahn, Waldbridge, Frankel, Furndling and Kunz, the present pastor.

SALEM CHURCH OF THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION.

This church is on the south side of West Broad be- tween Vine and Locust streets. The society was organ- ized in 1859, by Revs. J. Frey and I. E. Knerr, with the following members: Conrad, Ernestina and Lizzie Lohr, John, Louisa and Sophia Rippel, John and Catharine Berge, George and Catharine Itter, George and Margaret Outch, Valentine Bock, Adam Hoffsommer and Peter Kellmer.

The meetings for two years were held at the residence of Conrad Lohr, nearly opposite the church site, and for the next year and a half in the school-house in the east part of the borough. During this time the society be- longed to Ashland circuit, East Pennsylvania Conference, and in 1863 was constituted a mission, and was under the charge of Rev. I. E. Knerr for two years. In 1864 the lot was purchased for a church building, which was finished and dedicated in 1865, under the ministry of Rev. T. A. Plattenberger. The parsonage, standing in the rear of the church, was built in 1874. In 1879 the church was enlarged, a steeple put on, and the grounds improved, at a cost of $800. Mr. P. Kellmer donated a bell in 1879. The pastors have been as follows: 1859 to 1864, Revs. J. Frey and I. E. Knerr; 1865, 1867, T. A. Plattenberger; 1867-69, A. Shultz; 1869, 1870, C. Myers; 1870-72, W. R. Wiand; 1872-75, D. Z. Kem- bel. Rev. J. M. Rinker, the present pastor, came in the spring of 1877. The membership is 140. The Sunday- school was organized in 1860, with 6 pupils, and Valen- tine Bock as superintendent. The present superintend- ent is Peter Kellmer. There are 225 scholars, and an average attendance of 200.

ST. PAUL'S METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The first M. E. church in Hazleton was built in 1860. It was a plain frame structure, thirty-six by fifty feet, on the site of the Methodist parsonage. It was dedicated

by Rev. Thomas Reese, then presiding elder of the dis- trict, assisted by Rev. G. H. Day, the pastor. Previously the congregation held services in the Green street school- house, immediately east of the parsonage, and before that in a small school-house on the northwest corner of Church and Green streets, which long since passed away. Bishop Thomas Bowman and Dr. John H. Vincent, the leading Methodist Sunday-school worker, have preached in the old school-house. Methodism here owes much to Father Moistee, a local preacher. Joseph A. Ross, James Owens, Gideon H. Day, Thomas H. Switzer, William Gwynn, P'. F. Eyer and Elisha Butler by whom the church was be- gun in 1859), and some others, preached in Hazleton as traveling preachers on the old Luzerne (afterward Jeans- ville) circuit. All the above are still living except T. H. Switzer, who died in 1877 or 1878. This circuit was then in the East Baltimore Conference. In 1869 it was put in the Central Pennsylvania Conference.

Since the first church was built, in 1860, the following pastors have been stationed here, and in the order in which they are named: G. H. Day, Josiah Forrest (de- ceased), Watson Case, J. C. Hagey and James F. Porter. Mr. Porter died after having served the church only six months. Rev. G. H. Day preached the rest of the year. In March, 1867, Hazleton was made an independent station. At this time E. T. Swartz was appointed pastor, and he remained two years. In the spring of 1869 D. Sheffer was appointed, and six months later Rev. F. E. Green for the next year; he was reappointed for the ensuing year.

In 1871 Rev. E. H. Yocum was appointed. Under his three years' administration a new church was begun. In 1874 Rev. W. W. Evans was appointed. During the first of his three years the church was completed, at a cost of $20,000, and dedicated September 27th by Rev. B. I. Ives, of Auburn, N. Y. It is a frame structure forty-five by ninety feet, with two towers. C. S. Weitzell, of Dan- ville, was the architect.

In 1876 a beautiful and commodious parsonage was built on the site of the old church, at a cost of $3,000. In March, 1879, Rev. G. T. Gray, the present pastor, was appointed to this station.

The church property is valued at $20,000. The mem- bership numbers 200. The trustees are H. E. Suther- land, S. Smith, J. S. Sanders, James Whitaker, Thomas Dickinson, Charles W. Kline, James G. Howe, Charles F. Hill and William Llewellyn.

The Sunday-school was organized in 1861. S. Smith was superintendent until July, 1879. The school has been successful. It has had more than 3,000 scholars upon its rolls. It now numbers 350 scholars.

CHRIST'S GERMAN EVANGELICAL PROTESTANT LUTHERAN CHURCH.

In 1861 a number of Christians belonging to the "Union Grace Church" organized a new congregation, and resolved to build a church. The building commit- tee consisted of Nicolaus Stocker, George Gioking and Peter Breihof. The first church council was composed of elders, John Kohlhaas and Philip Kerschner; deacons,

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Tobias Kaufman and John Miller; trustee, John Schreck. The corner stone of the church, which is on the south- west corner of Church and Green streets, was laid Sep- tember 28th, 1861, by Rev. R. S. Wagner, pastor; J. F. Bayer, of Tamaqua, and D. M. Henkel, of Danville. The church was dedicated in 1861 by Rev. R. S. Wag- ner, the pastor. It is a frame building, 41 by 61 feet, with a steeple and bell. The basement story is used by the Sunday-school. The upper room seats 600.

The original members were mostly immigrants from Germany, Lutheran or Reformed, and they united har- moniously, adopting the Lutheran faith. In 1864 Rev. R. S. Wagner left this congregation, and Rev. Dr. W. Hasskarl, who had preached here several years before, in the Union church, was called by the congregation. He served eight years, during the last of which a commodi- ous parsonage was built on the lot next south of the church. Mr. Hasskarl was succeeded June 2nd, 1872, by the present pastor, Rev. E. A. Bauer. The following are the members of the church council: Jacob Kinsly, Dan- iel Kisthart, Frederick and Anton Wagner, Martin Geb- hart, Philip Lindeman, George and John Kirshner, Jacob Rommel, Andreas Ammon, Tobias Kaufman, Cas- per Weigand, Henry Bachman, Henry Hahn, George Starkroth, Christian Heller, Frederick Wetlosan, George Rohrbach and Peter Seiroth.

The church numbers 500 communicants. The Sun- day-school was organized in 1861, with Peter Heiden- reich as superintendent (who continues in the same office), and 360 pupils, with 38 teachers, the same as at present. The German language is used mainly in the church services and exclusively in the Sunday- school.

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History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, Part 83

Author: Munsell, W.W., & Co., New York Publication date: 1880 Publisher: New York, W.W. Munsell & co. Number of Pages: 900

Author: Munsell, W.W., & Co., New York
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: New York, W.W. Munsell & co.
Number of Pages: 900