History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Part 103

Author: Bean, Theodore Weber, 1833-1891, [from old catalog] ed; Buck, William J. (William Joseph), 1825-1901
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1534

USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania > Part 103

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The landed wealth of American farmers, evidences. the fruit of their toil. Of the 4,008,907 farms in the whole country, Pennsylvania contains 213,542. Of these, 38,331 contain over 20 and less than 50 acres, 78,877 contain over 100 and less than 500 acres; and although the tendency of later years has been to de- crease the number of acres in farms, we still have in the State 922 farms of over 500 acres and less than 1000, and 244 farms containing over 1000 acres of im- proved land. The average number of acres of Penn- sylvania's 213,542 farms was, in 1880, 93 acres; the average in 1870 was 103; in 1860, 109; in 1850, 117. The value of these farm lands, as reported in the census of 1880, was $975,689,410; in 1870, 81,043,481,582; in 1860, $662,050,707; in 1850, $407,876,099. The value of implements and machinery was, in 1880, 835,473,037; in 1870, $35,685,196; in 1860, 822,443,842; in 1850, $14,722,541. The product of cereals in Pennsylvania aggregate an immense annual wealth,-Barley: 1880, 438,100 bushels; 1870, 529,562; 1860, 530,714; 1850, 165,584. Buckwheat: 1880, 4,661,200; 1870, 3,904,030; 1860, 5,572,024; 1850, 2,193,069. Corn: 1880, 45,821,- 531; 1870, 34,702,006; 1860, 28,196,821; 1850, 19,835,- 214. Rye: 1880, 3,683,621; 1870, 3,577,641; 1860, 5,474,788; 1850, 4,805,160. Wheat: 1880, 19,462,405; 1870, 19,672,967; 1860, 13,042,165; 1850, 15,367,691.

Tobacco: 1880, 36,943,272 pounds; 1870, 3,467,539; 1860, 3,181,586 ; 1850, 912,651. Irish potatoes : 1880, 16,284,819 bushels; 1870, 12,889,367; 1860, 11,687,- 467 ; 1850, 5,980,732. Value of live-stock in Penn- sylvania : 1880, $84,242,877 ; 1870, $115,647,075; 1860, $69,672,726 ; 1850, 841,500,053.

Products of Montgomery County, 1880: Barley, none reported; buckwheat, 2234 bushels; Indian corn, 1,521,097 bushels; oats, 840,085 bushels; rye, 194,636 bushels ; wheat, 486,763 bushels.

Value of orchard products, 878,691; hay, 111,612 tons; Irish potatoes, 564,643 bushels ; sweet potatoes, 1684 bushels ; tobacco, 20,930 pounds.

Horses, number, 14,805; mules and asses, 452; working oxen, 12; milch cows, 34,918; other cattle, 9874; sheep, 2800 ; swine, 21,160.

number. Of these, two or three thousand lived in something like state and splendor. What the industrial ontcome of the abolition of slavery will lie it is yet too early to decide; but we already know that we are past the danger of "a second Jamaica," of which we had once a reason- able fear. The blacks are already, under the injailse of their own wants, working better than they did beneath the lash ; and those wants are likely to increase in number and intensity. As to the poor white- of the Sunth, I am disposed to believe that they are preparing for us a great surprise. We have been accustomed to think of them as brutalized by slavery till they had become lazy, worthless and vicious. Perhaps we shall find that the poor whites have been suppressed rather than de- graded, and that beneath the hunting, fishing, lounging habit which slavery generated and maintained lies a native shrewdness almost puss- ing Yankee wit, an indomitable pdluck, such as has made the fights of Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg and Gettysburg memorable forever in the history of mankind, and an energy which when turned from horse-rares, street-fights, cocking-mains, hunting and fishing, to breaking up the ground, felling the forest, running the mill, exploring the mine and driving trade, may yet realize all the possibilities of that fair land .- Francis A. Walker, late superintendent of the truth consus.

441

AGRICULTURE.

Produet of wool, 15,428 pounds; milk, 5,534,032 gallons; butter, 4, 166,470 pounds; cheese, 342,004.

Average Annual Value of Product of Milk Cows.

Gallons of milk per cow, 158, 16rt-, per gallon $25 28

Pounds of butter per cow, 119, 40cts, per pound 47 60

l'onnils of cheese per cow, 9, at 5 cts. per pound . 45

Value of one calf per yrar 12 00

Total

:5 33

Farm areas and farm values in Montgomery County: Farms, number, 6114; improved land, 270,- 056 acres; value of farms, including improvements, $36,688,601; value of farming implements and ma- chinery, $1,567,046; value of live-stock, $2,779,555 : cost of building and repairing fences, 1879, 8282,631 ; cost of fertilizers purchased, 1879, $141,278; esti- mated value of all farm products sold and consumed for 1879, $6,086,078.

The following comparative statistics from the census of 1880 exhibit the industrial resources of Mont- gomery and adjoining counties :

Acres of improvet land : Berks, 403,714 : Bucks, 324, 763 : Chester, 401,- 714 ; Lancaster, 400,922 ; Lehigh, 173,104; Montgomery, 270,056. Esti- mated value of all productions sold ant consumed : Berks, $4.485,551 ; Bucks, $5,960,056 ; Chester, $5,970,229; Lancaster, $0,320,202; Lehigh. $2,416,815 ; Montgomery, $6.086,078. Value of animal products sold and consumed per acre : Berks, $11.60 ; Bucks, $18.83 ; Chester, $14.86 ; Lan- caster, $18.90; Lehigh, §13.96 ; Montgomery, $22.54. Estimated market value of land per acre: Berks. $91.04; Bucks, $111.31 ; Chester. $97.50; Lancaster. $140.41 ; Lehigh, $103.41 ; Montgomery, $135,85. Gross in- debtedness : Berks. 81,384,455; Bucks, $95,649; Chester, $954,821 ; Lan- caster. $1,270,919; Lehigh, $1,014,019; Montgomery, $324.145. Securi. ties and convertible assets : Berks, $135, 700 ; Bucks, not reported ; Ches- ter, not reported : Lancaster. $132,058 ; Lehigh, $40,122. Number of manufacturing establishments: Berks. 1044; Bucks, 599; Chester, 737; Lancaster, 1437; Lehigh. 473; Montgomery, 840. Capital invested : Berks, $12,522,140 : Bucks, $3,030,014 ; Chester, $6,411,853 ; Lancaster, $10,481,798 ; Lehigh, $12,850,472; Montgomery, $13,789, 461. Amual products : Berks, $20.143, 164 ; Bucks, $6,208,209 ; ('hester, $10, 404,331 ; Lancaster, $14.809,330; Lehigh, $14,097,475 ; Montgomery, $20,656,993.

The estimated value of the annual agricultural and manufacturing products of Montgomery County ex- ceeds by $2,613,439 that of any other county in the State, excepting the eity and county of Philadelphia, and Allegheny County, which includes the city of Pittsburg.

The importance of the foregoing results will be fully appreciated when contrasted with the total yield of the gold and silver of the United States,- total gold and silver, 1880, $74,490,620.

The industrial pursuits of Montgomery County yielded a product in money value equal to thirty-five per cent. of the bullion of the United States for the year 1880.

Agricultural Societies .- In the winter of 1845-46 a few farmers in the neighborhood of Jeffersonville, Norriton township, animated by the example of the agriculturists of Philadelphia County, met together in the village school-house to discuss the propriety of forming a local association for the promotion of the interests they had in common, believing such a course best caleulated to aid them in the successful proseeu- tion of their ealling. Their deliberations resulted in the adoption of a constitution on the 23d of February.

1846, by which they agreed to style themselves "The Jeffersonville Agricultural Association of Montgomery County." This may be considered the starting-point in the history of the society. Dr. George W. Hol- stein, in delivering an address before this Society on the 19th of October, 1856, referring to the organiza- tion of the society, says :

"All honor to that little Spartan band of six that then and there bound themselves together and resolved to battle against the difficulties and trials that such an enterprise must always encounter in its infancy. Its first officers were : President, William Bean ; Vive-Presidents, John Miller and Robert Stinson ; Treasurer, Sanmel Shannon ; Recording Secretary, Michael S. Ramsey ; Corresponding Secretary, A. W. Shrarer. Thus, you see, that when first organized the offices were filled by six gentlemen, andl, although but ten years have rolled by since that perind, more than one-half of that little party have already passed off the stage uf action, and gone to find their reward in a higher sphere : and if no other memorial of their useful career i- left behind them, they have a lasting monument to their worth in this honorable aud prosperon, in-ti- tution. "

The meetings of this society were held every two months, alternately at Jeffersonville and Penn Square. These meetings were often informal in their character, combining social features with those of a business nature. Addresses upon subjects pertaining to the objects of the association were frequent. Among those who read important papers in the years of 1847- 48 were Hon. Jonathan Roberts, Judge Longstreth and Rev. Henry S. Rodenbough.

On the 6th of December, 1847, a resolution was presented and adopted to hold a public exhibition during the ensuing year. At that date the proposi- tion was novel, and the difficulties to be met and overcome were deemed of a serious character. A committee, consisting of William Bean, William Hamil, Daniel Smith, Arnold Baker, and Daniel Getty, was appointed to submit a plan of details. The want of funds precluded the association from offering premiums in money ; the committee suggested the substitution of certificates of merit for the best display of such stock, products, implements, etc., as might be exhibited. The plan was approved, and the following committee was appointed to carry it into effect, with power to make all necessary arrangements: 1. W. Shearer, Arnold Baker, James H. Owen, Daniel C. Getty, Jonathan Ellis, John Beard and Angustus W. Styer. The want of proper accommodations presented a serious obstaele to success, but all difficulties were surmounted, and on the 19th and 20th of October, 1848, the first annual exhibition of the association was held at Jeffersonville, on which occasion Mr. John Wilkinson, of Chestnut Hill, delivered the address standing on a carpenter's work-beneh on the barn- Hoor of the tavern property. From the stand A. W. Shearer read off the list of premiums awarded by the several committees.

The display of live-stoek was highly creditable to the effort and neighborhood ; the implements of hus- bandry exhibited were of the best quality, and it be- came evident that the interests of the farmer and the mechanic were mutual; it led to competitive trials of

442

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

plows and plowmen, grain-threshers and fans, mills for making cider, pumps for lifting water, and a gen- eral display of all mechanical inventions of that date in which farmers were interested. There was a Domesticor Ladies' Department at the first exhibition. The display was made in the old hotel still standing in the village.

The rooms occupied were on the second floor at the west end of the building. The farmers' wives and daughters evinced a disposition to co-operate, and their contributions were numerous and greatly ad- mired. This was the first instance in the history of Montgomery when the almost sacred "spare rooms " of our blessed mothers were made to pay tribute to the " cattle show." One remembers with what decorous modesty and blushing shyness the maiden daughters stood guard over the precious things and rare house- hold goods that were here consecrated to new uses. Mothers were not without misgivings, and watched with critical interest the curious inspection to which the well-preserved articles "brought from home" were subjected by the crowd. The "exhibition" was a success, and the society took the necessary steps to have them annually. The farmers from the east end of Norriton, Whitpain and Plymouth united their efforts, and the second annual exhibition was held at Penn Square on the 17th and 18th of October, 1849. Later the society purchased several acres of ground at Springtown, a village at the point where De Kalb Street road crosses the Germantown turnpike, and erected permanent buildings and shedding for all kinds of cattle, with a quarter-mile track for speeding horses and exhibiting rare and faney stock. This ground was secured and the improvements erected in the year 1850.

The following committee selected the grounds and located the several buildings : William Bean, Jona- than Ellis, John H. White, Samuel Roberts, John Walker, Arnold Baker and Joseph Shannon.

The following gentlemen were appointed a building committee : Samuel Roberts, David Getty, Samuel Shannon, John Styer, John Harding, John Rex, George Geatrell, Rees Conrad and William Hamil.

The following gentlemen constituted the committee of arrangements for the first exhibition, held at Spring- town on the 9th and 10th of October, 1850: lolin Styer, Colonel Thomas P. Knox, William Wentz, Daniel C. Getty, Henry Novioch, Edwin Moore and | sions to the grounds enabled the society to pay liberal Rees Conrad.

Of the early officers of this society, Dr. Holstein writes :

"Mr. William Bean occupied the presidential chair during the first year of its existence, and on the 1st of February, 1847, retired in favor of Dr. Jones Davis, of Lower Providence township, brother-in-law of Mr. Bean.

". Dr. Davis brought with him to the chair a ripe experience as a scholar and practical farmer, and for a period of five years gave freely of his time and means in advancing the work in hand. He retired Feb- ruary 2, 1852, and G. Blight Brown, Esq., was elected his successor, who presided with zeal and ability for two years. On the fith of February, 1854. Dr. James A. McCrea was elected his successor, who served

efficiently for one year. February 12, 1855, Mr. Edwin Moore, of Upper Merion, was elected, and presided at the ninth annual exhibition, which was the most encouraging in the history of the society."

The first recording secretary, Michael S. Ramsey, Esq., filled the office but one year, when he was suc- ceeded by Christian Miller, Esq., who, like his prede- cessor, retired after serving one year, preparatory to exploring the gold-fields of California. Mr. Miller made a most excellent secretary, and his loss was keenly felt. Mr. William Bean, the first president, was induced to accept the office, serving with credit for the succeeding year. He retired in favor of James Ilenry Owen, his son-in-law. Mr. Owen fulfilled the duties of the office for five consecutive years, when he was succeeded by George F. Roberts, who was in office at the time of the ninth annual exhibition, held at Springtown in 1856. The subordinate offices of the society underwent frequent changes, but from the first able and competent gentlemen were always found ready to step forward and give their aid and services, either as officers or private members. The society had three hundred and fourteen contributing members at the close of the year 1856.

The name of the society was changed on February 4, 1850, to The Montgomery County Agricultural Society, per report of Jonathan Ellis, W. A. Styer and William Yerkes, committee.

There was quite a lively contest between the friends who favored the three several villages bidding for the permanent location,-Jeffersonville, Penn Square and Springtown. The friends of the two latter united in accepting the liberal overtures of the proprietor of the Springtown property, and won the day.

The society now numbered several hundred mem- bers, among them the most enterprising and intelligent agriculturists, manufacturers, merchants and mechan- ics of the county. Their stated meetings were largely attended, and frequently papers were read by learned specialists, and discussions of a practical character were encouraged, to the manifest advantage of all concerned.

Their annual exhibitions were distinguished for the rare displays of stock, farm products, machinery and fast horses, while the Ladies' Department developed into proportions that made it for many years the most conspicuous feature of each annual exhibition. The attendance was large, and the proceeds from admis- premiums to competitors, and extend their improve- ments for the convenience and encouragement of exhibitors.

The remoteness of the place, however, from railroad facilities, and want of hotel accommodations commen- surate with the public need on these annual occasions, gave rise to dissatisfaction among the wide circle of membership, which resulted in the organization of a new society located at Norristown, known as The East Pennsylvania Agricultural and Mechanical Society, and the removal of the original society to Ambler

443

AGRICULTURE.

Station, on the North Pennsylvania Railroad, in Upper Dublin township, where more extensive grounds were purchased and enlarged buildings erected.

The society became well-established at Ambler, under the presideney of Hon. Win. B. Roberts, and an energetie board of officers, materially aided by the ladies of the vicinity. For many years its annual ex- hibitions were largely attended, and the display of agri- cultural products, farm-stock and implements was very ereditable. The Home Department was under the control of the ladies, whose choice contributions from the well-conducted farm-homes of the county, rendered these annual exhibitions memorable in the annals of agriculture.1 A notable feature on these oc- casions was the trials of speed which, in the judg- ment of many, was only another name for "horse- racing," and the continuance of the practice event- ually gave rise to dissatisfaction to many of the farm- ers, who believed it to be a perversion of the original or primary object of the society.

Wm. G. Andenried succeeded Mr. Roberts in the presidency of this society, who, in turn, was succeeded by Dr. Milton Newberry, Lewis Styer and Joseph Rex being recording secretaries in the order named. No exhibitions have been held by the society for sev- eral years past, and the grounds and improvements were sold in 1884 to a number of gentlemen who held liens against the property.

THE EAST PENNSYLVANIA AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL SOCIETY was organized December, 1860. The first officers elected were: President, Dr. Wil- liam Wetherill ; Vice-Presidents, M. C. Boyer, Sam- uel E. Hartranft; Recording Secretary, Theodore W. Bean; Corresponding Secretary, A. Brower Longaker ; Treasurer, David Sower; Executive Committee, Henry S. Hitner, Samuel F. Jarret, Samuel E. Hartranft, William L. Williamson, Abraham Brower, James MI. Chain, John Ogden, Chas. P. Shannon ; Auditing Com- mittee, George Pennick, George Fronfield and A. F. Jarrett.

The following gentlemen served as president of this society : John Kennedy, elected January 15, 1866; Joshua Ashbridge, elected January 20, 1868; C. F. Norton, elected January 17, 1870; Hiram C. Hoover, elected January 18, 1871; Walter HI. Cook, eleeted February 10, 1873; S. E. Hartranft, elected February 18, 1875; O. G. Morris, elected February 14, 1876; John Kennedy, elected February 12, 1877.

The last officers of this society were: President, Jolın Kennedy ; Vice-Presidents, William HI. Hol- stein, Thomas H. Wentz; Recording Secretary, F. T. Beerer; Corresponding Secretary, A. S. Hallman ; Treasurer, Charles Hurst ; Executive Committee, Morgan Wright, Jesse R. Eastburn, Daniel Getty,

Andrew Hart, Chas. D. Phillips, Benj. P. Wertsner, Chas. Dager, John J. Hughes.

The society purchased a tract of twenty acres, with a front on Stanbridge and Marshall Streets, whereon theexecutive committee erected a large exhibition hall and commodious shedding for eattle, a large building for the display of machinery, and graded a very fine half-mile track for the trial of fast-trotting horses.2 The first annual exhibition of the society was held in the Fall of 1861, and was attended with marked success. The Home Department was managed by the ladies ot the society, to whom the gentlemen committed the en- tire control, limiting them only in the amount of money expended for premiums paid. This society was for several years a liberal patron to artisans, who, in turn, made liberal displays of their products. The accommodations enabled merchants of Norristown and Philadelphia to display their goods and wares, while inventors and manufacturers of improved ma- chinery from different parts of the United States entered their products for the liberal premiums offered. The competition among owners and trainers of trotting horses was a feature of great local attraction. As com- pared with the Montgomery County Agricultural So- ciety, this society may have surpassed it in exhibits of fast horses and machinery, may have equalled it in the Home and Floral Departments, but as to farm produets and horned cattle, sheep, swine and poultry, the Mont- gomery County Society always had the finest displays. The last exhibition of this society was held in the autumn of 1877, since which time the grounds and improvements have been converted to other uses.

The practical utility of agricultural societies has been in some measure superseded by the society of patrons of husbandry. These organizations found early auxil- iaries in the county and State agricultural societies

? This society was publicly inaugurated on the 4th day of .Inly, 1861. The ceremonial exercises embraced a parade of military and civic organ- izations andl a formal dedication of the grounds and buildings to the uses intended. General William Schall was chief marshal of the parade, assisted by Colonel John R. Grigg, Colonel A. W. Shearer, Major J. C. Snyder, S. E. Hartranft, Henry G. Hart, Jacob Mitchner, Abijah Steph- ens and Dr. John Schrack, aids, The following military organizations participated in the parude : Wayne Artillerists (Captain David Schall), National Artillerists (Captain John (. Suyder), Union Cadets (Captain Jacob F. Quillman), Jeffersonville Rangers, Blue Bell Rangers, Upper Merion Rifle Company, Hand-in-Hand Ritle Company, Captian Winters' and Captain Owen Jones' cavalry companies. The two latter were sub- sequently mnstered into volunteer service and served until the close of the Rebellion. The military were followed by a division of civic socie- ties, marshaled by Theo. W. Bean ; Montgomery Lodge of Odd-Fellows, No. 57; Curtis Lodge, No. 239; Norris Lodge, No. 430; and the En- campment of Odd-Fellows; Taylor Council, American Mechanics, No. 29 ; and Cadets of Temperance, No. 32. The Fire Department was rep- resented by the Norristown Hose Company and the Fairmount Engine Company. On reaching the fair-grounds the parade was met by a large concourse of people. Dr. William Wetherill, president of the society, called the vast assemblage to order and announced the formal opening of the exhibition hall and dedication of the grounds to the uses intended in a brief but comprehensive speech. Hon. A. Brower Longaker read the Declaration of Independence : he was followed by David Paul Brown, Esq., who delivered the oration of the day. The event was successful, and the new society was ushered into existence with every prospect of public favor and usefulness.

1 It was during the presidency of Mr. Roberts that an ineffectual effort was made to unite the two county societies; the differences of opinion were found to be irreconcilable ; the matter of location was in favor of Norristown, but the fear of too much horse-racing prevented the union of these societies.

444

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

throughout the country, and in many localities have so thoroughly absorbed public interest in their fra- ternal offices of co-operation as to render " agricultural societies " in some measure useless. It must be con- ceded that the associated efforts of the farmers of the county in the two societies had a tendency to quieken the energies and sharpen competition among them as a class. These associations encouraged the introduction of improved implements and machinery, by which the labor of the farmer has been lightened and seasons of extreme toil shortened. The mower, reaper and binder have materially lessened the risk of securing crops, by shortening the period of hay and grain harvests. Improved plows, cultivators and seed-drills have made the planting of crops quite as much a matter of skilled labor as that of the mechanic and artisan.

As a matter of history, the annual product of an hundred-acre Montgomery County farm, well man- aged, for the year ending April 1, 1865, is deemed worthy of preservation :

250 bushels of wheat, at $2.50

$625 00

400 bushels of oals, at $1.00

400 1X1

500 bushels of corn, at SI .- lo

700 00

300 bushels of potatoes, at $1.50.

450 00

2400 pounds of butter, at 40 rents 1440 00

Pork, lambs, veal, wool, hay, poultry, orchard fruits

and dairy products in excess of consumption . 6(10 010)

$4215 00

Paid for one hired man

$300 00

Paid for one hired boy

100 00

Paid for one hired girl

150 00

Paid for harvest labor

125 00

Paid for taxes and repair

300 00

Paid for feed

Paid for incidental expenses

150 00

1525 110

Profit

$2690 00

The war ended April 9, 1865, and a decline in the price of all commodities followed. This was first and most keenly felt by the agriculturists of the country. The cost of labor, transportation, improved machinery, lumber, fuel and fertilizers receded slowly from the maximum of expansion reached in the protracted struggle. The farmers of the interior and of the great West felt most the sudden change. The fall in the price of corn, wheat and oats, horses, horn cattle, pork, sheep and wool, all of which were subject to continued high rates of transportation to a market east of the Alleghanies, led to co-operative efforts among farmers as a class of producers, having for its object the expulsion of all "middle men" between them and the consumers, the purchase in bulk of their own supplies and the cheapening of freights by antagonizing corporate monopolies. This effort crys- tallized in the organization of the Farmers' Grange. the operations of which have become a part of the history of the country. No review of the agricultur- ists of this generation would approach completeness without reference to these societies and the influence they have and still are exerting upon large commu- nities throughout the North and West. The keen sense of commercial advantage natural to the intelli- gent American farmer was quickened and enlarged by the stirring times through which they, in common

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History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Part 103

Author: Bean, Theodore Weber, 1833-1891, [from old catalog] ed; Buck, William J. (William Joseph), 1825-1901 Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1534

Author: Bean, Theodore Weber, 1833-1891, [from old catalog] ed; Buck, William J. (William Joseph), 1825-1901
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1534