USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > Reading > History of Reading, Pennsylvania, and the anniversary proceedings of the sesqui-centennial, June 5-12, 1898 > Part 5
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The Reading Exchange now comprises 1000 subscribers, 850 being at Reading and 150 in the surrounding districts of Berks county. It is open day and night throughout the year; em- ploys 15 operators and answers from 13,000 to 15,000 calls daily. The entire territory of the company embraces 16 coun- ties (14 in Pennsylvania and 2 in New Jersey, ) and to maintain the service in proper condition and to meet the demands for extensions, from 300 to 500 men are constantly employed. The company has altogether nearly 5000 subscribers. The total number of subscribers in all the states reached by the long dis- tance telephone, from the lakes to the gulf of Mexico, and from Maine to Nebraska, is nearly 200,000.
The officers of the company are, Francis Jordan, president; M. A. Buehler, general manager; J. H. Crosman, Jr., secretary and treasurer, with headquarters at Harrisburg; and I. J. Lerch, general superintendent with headquarters at Reading, who has been with the company since its organization, and superinten- dent since 1888. Gen'l H. S. Huidekoper, ex-postmaster of Philadelphia, one of the directors, has shown great interest in the perfection of the service at Reading by frequently visiting the place.
Gas Light .- The inhabitants of Reading used tallow candles and oil for producing light during the first and second periods of its history. In 1848, the Reading Gas Company was formed for introducing gas, and it supplied many dwellings, stores, shops, and the city government until 1885, when the entire plant was leased to the Consumers' Gas Company. The works are situated at the foot of Fifth street. In 1861, a telescope
52
HISTORY OF READING.
gasometer was erected with a capacity for 75,000 feet. In 1873, a distributing telescope gasometer was erected on Elm street near Fourth with a capacity for 360,000 feet. The present total capac- ity of the gasometers is 500,000 feet. The company has now 55 miles of main pipe, and 6600 consumers. Investment, $1, 100, - 000; average number of men employed, 60. David Fox was superintendent from 1857 to 1887; and John H. Keppelman has filled this office since 1887.
Electric Light and Power .- In 1883, the Reading Electric Light and Power Company was formed to supply electric light and power to the local government and to private consumers, and then established a plant at Eighth and Cherry streets, where it remained for some years. The company afterward erected a superior power house on south Seventh street near Chestnut, and in 1894 leased the plant to the Metropolitan Electric Com- pany, organized shortly before. The latter company largely in- creased the plant and equipment. It has in use 13 engines, whose combined horse power is 2875, and the generators have 2242 horse power. It supplies the city with 400 arc lights and 500 incandescent; and private consumers with 100 arc, 200 in- candescent arc, and 15,000 incandescent. The total investment is $650,000. This company supplies all the power necessary for the street car system, excepting the R. & S. W. R. Co.
Halls .- In 1846, the Odd Fellows erected a building on the southwest corner of Fifth and Franklin streets to provide a meet- ing place for their lodges and also a large hall for amusement purposes. In 1868, they sold it to the Reading Library Com- pany. Several other halls were erected during the succeeding 25 years, the "Keystone" at Sixth and Court, the "Aulen- bach" on Penn above Sixth, and "Breneiser's" at Eighth and Penn, having been quite prominent for a time.
Mishler's Academy is worthy of especial mention. It stood on the north side of east Penn square from 1872 to 1886, and was the first large and complete hall in Reading. It was equal to any place of the kind in Pennsylvania. The seating capacity was 1800.
There are numerous halls in Reading for society meetings, but only those for balls and amusements can be mentioned. For balls -Library Hall, 1846; Mannerchor Hall, 1874; Deppen's Hall, 1884; Rajah Temple, 1892; The Auditorium, 1895; Masonic
53
CHURCHES.
Temple, 1897. For amusements-Grand Opera House, 1873; new Academy of Music, 1886. The Y. M. C. A. Hall is men- tioned with the associations.
Private Market Houses .- In 1871, three large private market houses were substituted in the place of the public buildings on Penn square :- South Reading, West Reading, and Farmers'. In 1874, two more were erected :- North-east and Keystone; and in 1884, another, Tenth and Chestnut. In 1886, the Key- stone market house was converted into the Academy of Music, and the Fifth street market house substituted, having been altered from a skating rink. In 1894, the Tenth and Windsor was erected, and in 1897, the West Buttonwood near Schuylkill ave- nue. There are now eight in the city. The Farmers' has three annexes and is the largest in Reading, having altogether 414 stalls. The West Reading has the Potteiger Annex.
PART III .- CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND NEWSPAPERS. CHURCHES.
Three religious congregations were organized at Reading in 1751, Friends, Lutherans and Reformed, and they then caused churches to be erected. The last two still maintain their churches in the same locality with a large membership. The Roman Catholics began in 1755, and the Protestant Episcopals in 1763. These and other congregations together have contrib- uted an influence in behalf of the moral and social welfare of the community that cannot be fully measured. The major part of the people of Reading connected with the seventeen denominations, have always been Lutherans and Reformed, these two having twenty-five congregations of the sixty-five organizations, and the Lutheran denomination having the largest number of members.
There are fifteen different religious denominations at Reading which have altogether sixty-two churches. They are arranged in the order of priority, and the year mentioned after each con- gregation signifies the time when it was organized. Sunday- schools are conducted with the several congregations.
Friends -Orthodox, 175I.
Lutheran .- Trinity, 1751 ; St Matthew's, 1842; St. James', 1850; St. John's, (German) 1860; St. Luke's, 1868; Grace, 1878 ; St. Mark's, 1890 ; St. John's Chapel, 1874; Trinity Chapels, Peace and Hope, 1885; Faith Chapel, 1885, (Woodvale) and Bethany, 1896, (West Reading.)
54
HISTORY OF READING.
Reformed -First, 1751 ; Second, 1848; St. John's, 1871; St. Paul's, 1872 .; Zion's, (German) 1881 ; St. Stephen's, 1884; Calvary, 1888; Olivet, 1890 ; St. Thomas', 1890 ; St Andrew's, 1891 ; St. Mark's, 1891 ; St. James' (West Reading) 1891 ; and Faith, 1891.
Roman Catholic -St. Peter's,, 1755; St Paul's, (German) 1860 ; St. Joseph's, 1887 ; and St. Mary's, ( Polish) 1889
Protestant Episcopal .- Christ's, 1763 ; St. Barnabas, 1859; and St. Luke's, 1895.
Presbyterian -First, 1811; Washington street, (colored) 1823; and Olivet, 1889
Baptist .- First, 1828 ; and Berean, 1879.
Methodist Episcopal .- Fourth street, 1828 ; African, 1837 ; St. Peter's, 1848; Covenant, 1869 ; Memorial, 1893.
Universalist -Church of our Father, 1830.
Evangelical -Salem, 1844; Immanuel, 1861 ; Ebenezer, 1870 ; Home Mission, 1873; St. Matthew's, 1883; Trinity United Mission, 1889; Grace United, 1894 ; First United, 1895.
United Brethren .- Zion's Church in Christ, 1847; Otterbein, 1867, Faith Chapel, 1885 ; Salem, 1886; and Boehm, 1891.
Hebrew .- Temple "Oheb Sholom," 1864; and Shomro Habrith, 1888. Holiness Christians .- Calvary, 1890 ; and Rescue, 1893.
Disciples of Christ .- First Church, 1897.
Heavenly Recruits -Beulah Mission, 1894.
Mission of Hope, 1897.
Salvation Army .- English, 1882 ; German, 1897.
SCHOOLS.
Early Education .- Education was encouraged at Reading from the beginning of its history. It was carried on mostly in
FIRST SCHOOL HOUSE AT READING.
connection with the churches. Two of the earliest teachers connected with the Lutherans, who taught for many years, were
55.
SCHOOLS.
Joseph Fleischer and Paul Fuegner. John Philip Foesig was the teacher with the Reformed for over fifty years, having begun in 1751. The Trinity Lutheran school at Sixth and Washington streets was used for educational purposes for nearly one hundred years, 1765 to 1855.
The Reading Academy was a prominent school for sixty years. It was incorporated in 1788 and given aid by the State.
READING ACADEMY 1838-1853.
The building stood on the south-west corner of Seventh and Chestnut streets. The trustees sold it in 1838, and then erected another at Fourth and Court streets, (site of Girls' High School) which was occupied as a private school until 1853, and then as a public high school until 1894.
Common School System .- The Common School system of 1834 was adopted at Reading in 1836. The first directors were, however, elected in 1835. Then there were 17 schools, 17 teachers, and 1439 scholars. The first public school buildings were erected in 1838, four in number. The illustration given on the next page represents the building at Sixth and Walnut streets.
56
HISTORY OF READING.
The High School was organized in 1852, and the co-education of boys and girls was carried on from 1857 to 1881. The Boys' · High School was erected in 1883 at a cost of $65,500, and the Girls' (in place of the Reading Academy) in 1895, at a cost of $110,000.
The revised charter of 1864 for the city consolidated the five wards into one district, under the name of the Reading School District. Each ward became entitled to four controllers, with a term of four years; and two were to be elected alternately every. two years. The voters at the biennial elections were to vote for ·one person, and the two persons having the largest number of votes were declared elected. This provision was made to pre- serve political equipoise in the board. The first members were elected at the city election in February, 1865.
FIRST PUBLIC SCHOOL HOUSE, SIXTH AND WALNUT STREETS.
The city charter of 1874 made provision for school affairs, but it was not accepted. The district is therefore a separate organization. Under the provisions of the Act of 1864, the dis- trict is authorized to assess and collect taxes for school purposes. The management of the school affairs by the board since then has been very successful.
A local Normal School was organized in 1852. The City In- stitute held its first meeting in 1885. The first City Superin- tendent was elected in 1867.
In 1897, there were 40 buildings, and in them the following grades were carried on: 2 high schools, 18 grammar, 39 second-
BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL.
TRADING ENG.CO
GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL.
:
:
57
NEWSPAPERS.
ary, 27 advanced secondary, 92 primary, and 66 advanced primary, total 244.
Scholars enrolled, 5588 male; 5542 female; total 11, 130. Average daily attendance 9,972. Teachers, 8 male; 257 female. Total investment in buildings, furniture and supplies, about $830,000. Debt, $69,000. Annual tax levied, $160,000.
Private Schools .- There have been many private schools. Those worthy of special mention, still in existence, are the fol- lowing, the year after each indicating when started: Reading Business College, 1852; Academy of Immaculate Heart, 1859; Benade School for Children, 1870; Ruenzler School for Chil- dren, 1877; Carroll Institute, 1880; Stewart Academy, 1881; Inter-State Commercial College, 1885. There are four parochial schools: St. John's German Lutheran, instituted in 1865; St. Peter's Roman Catholic, 1859; St. Paul's Roman Catholic, 1869; and St. Mary's Polish, 1895.
NEWSPAPERS.
The newspapers of Reading have an interesting history from 1789 to the present time. From the beginning of the town until 1800, ADI some inhabitants received the Pennsylvania Ga- zette, published at Phila- delphia, which gave them foreign news, and events of surrounding places that occurred weeks be- fore. Local news was not reported. An occa- sional letter from Read- ing was published; but THE WEEKLY NEWS. the important happen- Reading Valer ings, such as we are now The Proting Unikly Nems accustomed to read JOB PRINTING daily, were not noticed, for they were communi- cated by social inter- course at stores and tav- ADLER BUILDING. erns. The population having been limited, this was easily done.
.
58
HISTORY OF READING.
Thence the news was carried from place to place. But as the borough became a city, with its territory extended, and its in - habitants widely distributed and largely increased, the natural way grew more and more incapable of satisfying the inquisitive- ness of the people and an artificial way had to be provided. This was by the local newspapers. After the lapse of 100 years, general progress had come to be so wonderful that just as the natural way had to yield to the artificial, so did the old and slow process of printing on a hand press, with its limited capac- ity, have to make way for the new and spirited process by a steam perfecting press, with its unlimited capacity. In the be- ginning, the newspaper was weak in every respect, small in size, limited in circulation, uncertain in financial support, and want- ing in mental vigor and originality, but now it is strong, rich, bold and energetic.
The first newspaper at Reading was issued in 1789, but did not con- TIMES tinue long. It was printed' in the German language and, was called Der Neue Unpartheiische Read- inger Zeitung (The new Impartial 185 Reading Newspaper. ) The next appeared in 1796. In that year several were begun and one of them TIME'S AND JOURNAL. has been published until now, the Reading Adler. Another, the Weekly Advertiser, was published until 1816, when the Berks and Schuylkill Journal took its place. Afterward, for forty years, many BOOK & JOB PRINTING were issued but with few exceptions. MES AND JOURNAL ELEGRAPH OFFICE they were not published many years. The most notable of these have been mentioned in a previous part of this work, [p. 21.] They were all weekly publications, issued on different days of the week, but mostly TIMES AND JOURNAL BUILDING. on Saturday. Until 1847, the daily newspaper was not issued, not even suggested. The popula-
THE READING EA
The Reading Eagle Building, Southwest Corner Sixth and Penn Streets, Reading, Pa.
-
ก
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NEWSPAPERS.
tion was about 12,000, and rapidly increasing, and the spirit of enterprise was establishing itself effectually amongst the people. Various industrial establishments and building operations were carried on successfully; the daily events were increasing with the advancement of the place, and the desire to know them at once was asserting itself. So, just as the stage-coach and packet-boat, through the energy of trading and traveling, had to make way for dispatch by means of the steam car, the weekly newspaper became unsatisfactory. Appreciating this desire, Abraham S. Whitman, a practical printer, in March, 1847, issued a tri-weekly newspaper, entitled The Reading Herald, but he discontinued it several months afterward. In July, 1847, J. Lawrence Getz issued the first daily newspaper, entitled the Reading Gazette, selling it at two cents a copy, or ten cents a week, but the general support was not sufficient, and he suspended the issue in nine days. In June, 1857, he made a second effort, but this also proved unsuccessful in Feb- ruary, 1858. In July, 1858, J. Robley Dunglison started the Reading Daily Times and this has been continued until now. The associated press began to supply Reading with telegraphic news in 1869, and the Times was the first newspaper to publish the despatches.
The newspapers and periodicals now published at Reading number 27; comprising 6 daily, 14 weekly, and 7 monthly. They are as follows, the figures denoting the years when they respectively began :
English Daily .- Times and Dispatch, 1858; Eagle, 1868; Herald, 1881 ; Telegram, 1887; Review, 1894.
German Daily -Post, 1868.
English Weekly .-- Berks and Schuylkill Journal, 1816; Eagle, 1878, (taking the place of Reading Gazette and Democrat, which had been issued from 1840 to that time ;) Herald, 1881, (taking the place of the Spirit of Berks, issued from 1876 to 1881 ;) News, 1881 ; Democrat, 1894; Reformed Church Record, 1888 ; The Advertiser, 1896.
German Weekly .- Adler, 1796 ; Republikaner von Berks, 1868; Ban- ner von Berks, 1864; Reformirter Hausfreund, 1867 ; Eiche, 1869.
Sunday .-- Die Biene, 1867 ; Eagle, 1877.
Monthly .- Litteratur Blatt, 1883 ; Illustrated Jugendblätter, (Youths Leaves ) 1885 ; Pennsylvania Philatelist, 1891 ; Nineteenth Century, 1891; Reformed Church Tidings, 1896 ; Brigade Sentinel, 1897 ; The Greater Reading. 1897.
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HISTORY OF READING.
PART IV-ASSOCIATIONS.
Associations have occupied a prominent place in the social life of Reading for over a hundred years. At first they were few in number, but as the population increased, a desire to or- ganize bodies of various kinds and for different purposes mani- fested itself more and more, particularly after the incorporation of Reading as a city. Then the secret society became very active, and this activity has been kept up until the present time. They are classified and treated in the following order:
Military Protective
Financial
Musical
Industrial Charitable
Secret
Literary Religious
Professional
MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS.
The first association at Reading was organized in 1754 for purposes of defense against the Indians. It was during the French and Indian war, which affected this section of Pennsyl- vania from that time until 1763. Conrad Weiser was the most prominent military officer. Small companies of men were con- stantly quartered here, and the spirit of co-operation was shown until peace was declared and the Indians departed.
Associations of this character were again organized in 1774, and they prepared the way for a long and costly participation in the Revolution. They became compulsory in 1775 by legisla- tion. The system which was established during that trying period for eight years was preserved, and thereby a military spirit became a noteworthy feature of the social life of the people. Whenever a call for troops was made, they responded with such alacrity as to be among the very first of the Nation's defenders. We can mention with patriotic pride Nagel's company of rifle- men in the Revolution, Leoser's battery of artillery in the Mexi- can War, and McKnight's battery of artillery in the Civil War.
When the Civil War ended, the military spirit did not subside. Four companies were kept up for a number of years, and they became a part of the National Guard of Pennsylvania. The Reading Artillerists is the only company now at Reading. The organization was formed in 1794, and it has been maintained ever since. The captain is Samuel Willits, and the company is A, in the Fourth Regiment, Third Brigade.
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ASSOCIATIONS.
PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATIONS.
In 1773, a society was formed for protecting the community against loss from fire. It was called the Rainbow Fire Com- pany, and has kept up a successful existence since that time. Other fire companies were formed subsequently as public de- mands for them arose, and they comprise the volunteer fire department.
Companies .- The following list embraces all the fire compa- nies at Reading, and shows the date of organization, and mem- bership for 1897 :
Name.
Year.
Mem- bers.
Name.
Year.
Mem- bers.
Rainbow
1773
700
Washington
1855
217
Junior
1813
700
Keystone
1856
500
Reading
1819
229
Hampden
1867
220
Neversink
1829
250
Marion
1884
193
Friendship Liberty
1848
720
Riverside
1890
175
1854
651
Schuylkill
1892
II5
Two companies were organized in 1897, Mt. Penn and East End, but they were not recognized by the Fire Department. They consolidated in 1898, under the name of Union No. 13.
Fire Apparatus .- The early fire apparatus was a hand en- gine; and water was carried from pumps in leathern buckets to supply it, until the water works were established in 1821. The hand engine was used by the first six companies and the Hamp- den. The, first steam en- gine was introduced in 1860 by the Reading Fire Co., and until 1872 the other six had steam engines also. The Keystone and Washington use "hook and ladder;" all the others the steam engine. The apparatus was drawn to the fire by hand until 1872, then horses began to be used, the Junior Co. being the first to make the substitution. A salvage corps was added to the Keystone Fire Co. in 1880.
Firemen's Union .- The Firemen's Union was organized in 1861. The management is vested in a board of trustees, elected annually, each company being represented by one mem-
62
HISTORY OF READING.
ber. Howard F. Boyer served as chief engineer of the fire department from 1873 to 1885; and George W. Miller since 1885. The first state convention of the Firemen's Association of Pennsylvania, held at Reading, was in September, 1881, and the second in October, 1895. On both occasions there were great parades, the latter having been particularly distinguished for the great number of companies and men in line.
Fire Alarm .- Previous to 1873, the alarm of fire was sounded on the largest bell of Trinity Lutheran church for many years until 1840; then upon the bell of the court house for a period of 33 years. The locality of the fire was indicated by a number of strokes on the bell to correspond with the ward in which the fire was. Now, the alarm is given on the following seven bells distributed in different sections of Reading: Rainbow tower, Liberty building, Keystone building, Schuylkill build- ing, First Presbyterian church, St. Thomas' Reformed church and Olivet Reformed church. Alarms are also struck in the buildings of the respective fire companies.
During 1871 and 1872 there were numerous false alarms of fire, and these became so annoying that a remedy had to be provided. Henry W. Spang advocated the Gamewell fire alarm system, and through his efforts Councils adopted it in 1873. This system embraces 62 boxes, distributed in 7 circuits, con- nected with 35 miles of copper wire. The battery, mechanical apparatus and switch board are located in the City Hall.
During 1897, there were 81 alarms, (69 bell, 7 still and 5 false.) Losses from fire to personal property, $12,588; to real estate, $126,736.
Equipment .- The fire department at Reading now comprises Io fire engines, 2 hook and ladder trucks, 3 chemical engines, 12 hose carts, 14 extinguishers, 2 ambulances, 62 horses and 16,300 feet of hose; active firemen, 1600.
SECRET ASSOCIATIONS.
The secret society was inaugurated at Reading in 1780 by the Free Masons. In 1838, the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows was instituted. These were the only orders here when Reading became a city. Since then numerous others have been established with each succeeding decade; and each order has come to include various bodies. Now, there are altogether 30 orders, which comprise 157 bodies. Numerous other associa-
63
ASSOCIATIONS.
MASONIC TEMPLE.
64
HISTORY OF READING.
tions have been organized for various purposes, such as athletic, political, sporting, musical, literary, social and beneficial, num- bering altogether 60. Besides these, there are over 70, religious in character through their identification with the different denominations.
A brief description of all the orders can not be attempted in this compilation on account of the limited space allotted to this chapter; only the oldest, most prominent and strongest in mem- bership will be mentioned.
F. and A. M .- In 1894, Lodge No. 62 Free and Accepted Masons celebrated the centennial of its institution, and caused a souvenir history to be published. The order embraces five lodges at Reading, with 1051 members. These lodges and two Royal Arch Chapters with 569 members, and two Knight Templar Commanderies with 550 members, have erected a superb 4-story granite front Masonic Temple on North Fifth street beyond Washington, at a cost exceeding $100,000. The first Knight Templar State Conclave at Reading convened in 1872, and the second in 1895. On both occasions, the event was signalized by a superb parade.
I. O. O. F .- The first lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was instituted at Reading in 1838. An associa- tion was incorporated in 1845 for erecting a hall for use of the Odd Fellows and all other benevolent societies of the place; a lot was purchased at Fifth and Franklin streets, and a four-story brick building was erected thereon. At the dedication on October 26, 1847, dignitaries of the Supreme Lodge, and of the Grand Lodges, of the order of this and other states, were in attendance. In 1880, the Grand Lodge met at Reading, and again in 1893. At the latter convention, John Wunch, a resi- dent of Reading, was elected Grand Master, and in that year he laid the corner stone of the I. O. O. F. Temple at Philadel- phia. Since 1847, only one grand parade was given by the order at Reading and this was in 1882. In February, 1898, there were at Reading 9 lodges and 1534 members.
K. G. E .- The first castle of the Knights of the Golden Eagle was instituted at Reading in 1885. The Grand Castle convened at Reading in 1886, and the Supreme Castle in 1897. The order at Reading comprises 9 castles with 2,000 members; 3 commanderies, 300 members; 2 lady temples, 150 members.
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