USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pa. with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 37
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The church building, which was built in 1855 in Barry,
The Sunday-school, which was organized in 1866, has a good library and is well managed.
Union Church at Barry .-- In 1816 several citizens built a school-house near the site of what is now known as the Union church, and this was for some years used for religious services. The first minister who preached there was George Eyster, who organized a church com- posed of the following persons: Peter Ziegenfus, Jacob Ziegenfus, Peter Zerbey, John Kimmel, Charles Mar- wine, George Kessler, John Deitrich, George St. Clair, Michael Bolich, Henry Bolich, John Yarnall, Jesse Yarnall, Gideon Mirkel and Michael Madeary. Pastor Eyster ministered to the church ten years and was suc-
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HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
ceeded by Rev. Isaac Steely, who was of the Reformed church, his predecessor having been a Lutheran. Mr. Steely served for fifteen years, and during the last five years of his work he was assisted by Rev. John Schultz. From 1843 for ten years Rev. John Felty was the pastor. In 1850 the church building was erected on the south side of the road to Ashland. From 1853 to 1863 Rev. Mr. Bergner was its pastor, and under his ministry the membership was increased. Pastor Bergner was a Lutheran, and noted for his fine musical ability. Rev. Daniel Sanner succeeded him and preached here five years, proving a popular and successful pastor. Rev.
John Webber was pastor from 1868 to 1873, and was succeeded by Rev. Henry Weicksel, the present Lutheran pastor. Father Weicksel is an elderly man, loved and revered by his people. In 1879 Rev. Mr. Baum, of Potts- ville, a Reformed minister, commenced holding services here, and he now preaches monthly.
The first superintendent of the Sunday-school was Robert Neal. In 1880 the school was in good condition, superintended by an able an energetic young man, C. W. Kramer, whose efforts have quickened its pulses, and during his management a new organ has been purchased, which adds much to the interest of the exercises.
BLYTHE TOWNSHIP.
B LYTHE township was set off from Schuylkill in 1846. The central portion is traversed by the valley of the Schuylkill. The northern and southern portions are broken and mount- ainous. The most notable tributary to the Schuylkill in this township is Silver creek, which rises near the northern border and has its con- fluence with the river at New Philadelphia, Near the head of this stream is the Silver creek reservoir, con- structed as a feeder to the Schuylkill canal. Blythe is bounded by Ryan, Schuylkill, Walker, West Brunswick, North Manheim, East Norwegian and New Castle. It was named in honor of Judge Blythe.
COAL.
The central portion of the township, east and west, is in the coal belt of the first coal field of the Schuylkill district, and formerly mining was prosecuted within its boundaries very extensively, and it was a stage of busi- ness and speculative activity, where many fortunes have been made and lost. Almost immeasurable deposits of anthracite underlie the surface of the township, but at such a depth that it cannot be mined successfully in competition with coal obtained more cheaply nearer the surface in other sections. When the era of deep mining arrives, Blythe will again be the scene of great activity in coal production.
The presence of coal in the territory now known as Blythe was known at a very early day, and it would be impossible to state when or by whom the first opening was made in the township with a view to bringing it to light. Coal was taken out in small quantities, in various localities, by the early residents of the township, but the lack of a market prevented any considerable traffic in it for many years. The first notable coal operation in Blythe was on the Mammoth vein at Silver Creek. An
early operator was S. Chadwick, some time after 1840. Before 1850 the colliery passed into the hands of Benja- min Haywood, and previous to 1860 into the possession of Beattey & Garretson. Later an eastern company operated it, under the management of a Mr. Starr, three or four years. The successors of this company were the Welsh Company, as they were known, residents of Mi- nersville. The last operator was a Mr. Boyce, of Balti- more, and the mine was under the superintendency of John Harper, of Pottsville. This colliery is on land formerly belonging to the Valley Furnace Company, but now the property of the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company. It was operated until a few years ago. The first operator on the Ledger vein, on the Valley Furnace Company's lands, was Henry Gueitterman, who built a large breaker, and did a successful business until he sold his lease to the eastern company before men- tioned. The colliery is now idle. After passing through the hands of several operators the opening to the Mam- moth vein in Blythe fell into the possession of the Phila- delphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company, who worked it until 1860, when they leased it to John J. Dovey, who, after a few years, sold out to a New York company. Later it was operated by Marcus Heilner. George Bright, of Pottsville, was the next operator. He was succeeded by Murray, Winlack & Randall, who operated it about three years. Since 1869 it has been lying idle.
A man named McNeil opened the Primrose vein. Rev. James Neil sunk a slope in 1849, and the first wagon load of coal was hoisted from it by Richard Winlack in the fall of 1850. Later Mr. Neil took Benjamin Milnes into partnership in the enterprise, which was abandoned in about eight years. As early as 1852 or 1853 a man named Dodson had an opening in the small red ash vein overlying the Seven-foot. It has been long aban- doned.
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COAL MINING IN BLYTHE TOWNSHIP.
In the early days of active coal mining in the township tempts to extinguish it the colliery was dismantled and the name of Caleb Parker was well known, and it is re- abandoned. The property is now owned by the Alli- membered by nealy every old inhabitant. He began ance Coal Company. About a mile east from Kaska- operations on the Primrose vein, on the second dip, at william, as this locality is called, an opening was made Valley Furnace, a little to the left of the turnpike, above on the Wood and Abbott property by a Mr. Whitfield, the old furnace site. He had a dam made on Silver who drove two long tunnels, one cutting the red-ash, creek and propelled his machinery by water power. This and one the Mammoth vein. He did a small business opening was on the Glentworth tract, owned then by for a time, and abandoned the opening prior to 1855.
Bast & Thompson. Capwell & Dovey became operators there. Enoch McGinness was a later operator. Maize, Miller & Co. operated this colliery during the war, and were succeeded by A. Focht & Co., from whose hands
In 1862, Murray, Winlack & Randall sunk a slope on the Primrose vein to the depth of one hundred yards, and begun to excavate a tunnel at the bottom of the slope to cut the white-ash vein, but before reaching this the colliery reverted to the land owners. Under the di- they were obliged to abandon it, on account of a depres- rection of Gideon Bast, William Harmon, superintendent, made underground borings which proved the Mammoth vein to possess a good quality of coal. Bast & Thomp- son sold the property to the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company, who operated the colliery for some time. It has been dismantled and abandoned.
On the Valley Furnace Company's tract, about a mile southeast of New Philadelphia, Kastenbauch, Miller, Hine, & Bansler made an opening about 1870, and after work. it unprofitably a few years abandoned it. Between New Philadelphia and Cumbola an opening was made, before 1850, by George Rickett, which was afterwards worked by J. O. Rhoades. A man named Zehner, from Lancas- ter, Pa., operated here a while, and finally abandoned the colliery, which was on lands now owned by the Alliance Coal Company.
The mine has been reopened and supplied with good machinery, and is now being successfully worked by this company, under the management of General Superintend- Huntzingers sunk a dry slope to the water level, hoisting
ent John B. Church, and Inside Superintendent William McQuail. It is known as Palmer vein, and yielded 11,447 tons of coal in 1876; 17,240 tons in 1877; 27,361 in 1878; Jesse Foster, who began to sink a slope on the Clarkson and 17,066 in 1879.
At a place called " the Five Mile Board " an opening was made on a red-ash vein, by Lawrence Hannon, at an idle. A quarter of a mile south of this colliery, and on early date, but little coal was taken out. There were the southern dip of the same vein, Samuel Sillyman sunk many early openings about Middleport, in small veins, a slope and mined there successfully for some years. Previous to 1860 the breaker and engine house burned, and the mine has since been idle. A small quantity of coal is being mined at the Hiawatha colliery, near Mid- dleport, by S. Kentenbach. but little coal was mined there. North of Middleport about a mile a man named Thompson opened on several red-ash veins, and worked them to a considerable extent until they became unprofitable. Louis Lorenz has lately sunk a slope to one of these veins, which is down to a depth of about 150 yards below water level. A new SETTLEMENT AND EARLY MATTERS. breaker and machinery have been erected, and the open- ing is now being operated successfully. A little less than 2,000 tons of coal were mined here in 1879. This col- liery is called the Middleport, and is on land owned by Franklin B. Gowen.
About a mile north of the Middleport colliery is an abandoned opening on the Mammoth vein. This is east from Silver creek about a mile and a half. It was early operated by several successive operators. Rogers, struction of the Schuylkill Valley Railroad, and became Sinnockson & Co. operated it many years under the more and more important year by year, until its decad- superintendency of Francis Daniels. About 1860 it pas- ence on account of the exhaustion of the anthracite de- sed into the possession of the Kaskawilliam Coal Com- pany. The vein took fire, and after several futile at-
sion in the price of coal, which rendered the enterprise unprofitable. The working was abandoned in 1865, and the property is now owned by the Philadelphia and Read- ing Coal and Iron Company. About a mile east of Mid- dleport Pliny Fisk opened a colliery, which drew its pro- duct from the Skidmore vein, and worked it successfully and profitably for a time, in consequence of its yielding an excellent quality of anthracite. Some time between 1860 and 1865 he sold out to Henry Gueitterman, who abandoned the colliery about twelve years ago, after working it with considerable success. It has since been idle.
On the Da Costa tract, between Gueitterman's opening and Middleport, S. Chadwick sunk a slope to the Big Gate vein. During the following winter water froze in the pipes, bursting them and causing the abandonment of the enterprise. About half a mile north of Gueitterman's opening. on the Robb & Winebrenner tract, one of the his coal to the breaker. About 1862 or 1863 this work- ing passed into the hands of Isaac May, who sold out to vein, but abandoned the enterprise before it was finished. The breaker was burned, and the mine has since been
The names, location and date of settlement of the pio- neers in Blythe are unknowns. The earliest inhabitants of the township were farmers, and it was not until about the time of the opening of the Schuylkill canal that there were many families living in the valley between the pres- ent eastern and western borders of the township. With the opening of the canal coal mining began to be active, and the interest increased in importance with the con-
posits near the surface, and the depression in the coal trade generally. During the active period of coal mining
100
HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
in the Schuylkill district Blythe was the scene of much bustle and enterprise. The first township election was ordered " to be held at the public house of M. Bal- liett, in Middleport." Mails, in that portion of Schuyl- kill township which is now Blythe, were somewhat irreg- ular until 1830. Early in August that year arrange- ments were made with a Mr. Reeside to carry a daily mail between Pottsville and Tuscarora, via Middleport. From Tuscarora it was carried, tri-weekly, to Mauch Chunk. The first post-office in the township had been established at Middleport early in the previous May, with Jacob Huntzinger as postmaster.
THE VALLEY FURNACE.
The earliest manufacturing enterprise in the vicinity was the Valley furnace, near Silver Creek, just north of New Philadelphia, and at that point centered the small laboring population of the township. The furnace was built as early as 1804 or 1805, states Abraham Pott, by | but a second one was successful. A few years later Rev. F. W. Geisenheimer & Co. Mr. Geisenheimer was a New Yorker, and a man of much scientific knowledge. Of course the furnace was a primitive affair in the begin- ning ; but under the direction of Mr. Geisenheimer, it was improved from year to year, and it is said to have
been, during the whole period of its existence, abreast with if not in advance of the times. Previous to 1836 many experiments had been made in the manufacture of iron with coal as a heating agent. They had been uni- formly unsuccessful. In that year Mr. Geisenheimer made, at the Valley furnace, with the assistance of Abra- ham Pott, an effort so triumphant as to enable him to obtain the iron separate from the cinder. The result of this experiment, says a writer, was such as to " place the name of Mr. Geisenheimer high upon the list of those who have enlarged the power of man over the materials around him." It is stated that Mr. Geisenheimer made the first anthracite iron with the coal blast, and that the more efficient hot blast was introduced from England at a later date. During the summer of 1836 Governor Ritner visited the Valley furnace and was much grati- fied with what he saw of the successful new process in iron manufacture. The old furnace had been substan- tially rebuilt in 1835 and 1836. The blast failed at first,
Geisenheimer & Co. leased the furnace to other parties, who were in time succeeded by other lessees, until operations ceased entirely on account of the furnace becoming inefficient, and the establishment of similar enterprises on a larger scale in close proximity.
MIDDLEPORT BOROUGH.
DAM STAHL is said to have been the first set- tler at Middleport. Members of his family were prominent landowners there for many years. In 1821 Jacob Stahl sold the burying- ground to the Lutheran and Presbyterian con- gregations, which were represented in the transactions by John Settzer and Andrew D. Long.
In 1828 Jacob Huntzinger bought a tract of land, in- cluding that portion of Middleport north of the Schuyl- kill Valley Railroad. Soon a man named Rausch became Huntzinger's partner. Prior to 1830 the land was laid out in village lots, which were offered for sale. The balance of the territory within the borough limits, and lying south of the railroad, was included in the Da Costa tract.
Jacob Huntzinger was the pioneer business man in the borough. He opened a store there in the spring or summer of 1829. The second store was that of Ferguson & Jones, established in the latter part of May, 1830. In March, 1830, there were only two dwellings in the settle- ment. Evidence of the success of Mr. Huntzinger's enterprise is apparent in the fact that Inne Ist following
the number of dwellings had increased to eight. One of these was a tavern which had been opened about a year, and was kept by George Kershner. A grist-mill, a saw- mill, and a blacksmith's shop were in operation. The railroad, and the State roads from Pottsville to Manch Chunk and from Orwigsburg north, passing through the village, made it prominent on lines of local travel, and the activity in the coal trade in the valley after the comple- tion of the railroad brought with it a steady and healthy growth to Middleport. In 1845 the population of the village was 271, made up almost entirely of laborers, miners, and mechanics, and there were then three stores and two taverns.
The first meeting of the borough council of Middleport was held May 2nd, 1859. The first burgess was Charles Bensinger, and Francis W. Bechtel was the first borough clerk. Joseph Miller, Adam Greenawald, William Wall, James Eustace, and John C. Feedtrappe were the first councilmen.
The succeeding burgesses have been Joseph Miller, George Medlar, David B. Shafer, George Hinly, Thomas Jennings, William Wall, William Herman, Richard Win- lack, William Basler, and C. Frank Horn, the present incumbent.
16:
CHURCHES OF MIDDLEPORT AND NEW PHILADELPHIA.
The population of the borough in 1880 was about 230. There are two stores, those of William Basler and Mary A. Miller, and two taverns. Eli T. Miller's steam saw-mill was built about 1870.
CHURCH HISTORY.
The date of the first preaching in Blythe cannot be obtained. The Lutheran and the Presbyterian denomi nations held meetings early in Middleport, and in 1821 we find them purchasing land of Jacob Stahl, as has been stated. A small church was built on a portion of the lot. The balance was devoted to burial purposes. In 1852 the Presbyterians built a stone church. Later, the congregation becoming financially weak, an interest |F. Hiney, S .; Louis Lorenz, T.
in the property was sold to the Lutherans. Services are held irregularly, seldom oftener than once in four weeks, and mostly in the German language. Methodist services have been held in the vicinity from time to time with more or less frequency for many years. A class of this denomination worships in a former furniture store.
I. O. O. F.
Middleport Lodge No. 474, I. O. of O. F. was insti- tuted October Ist, 1852, with the following officers: E. K. Webber, N. G .; Henry Meyer, V. G .; M. Dormetzer, S .; Charles Bensinger, T. The present officers (1881) are: William Murray, N. G .; William Miller, V. G .; J.
NEW PHILADELPHIA BOROUGH.
HADRACH LORD was the first settler here. New Philadelphia was incorporated in 1868. Charles Tanner was burgess in 1868 and 1869; James O'Hare in 1870; P. J. Kelly in 1871; John Haggarty in 1872 and 1873; Michael Whalen in 1874 and 1875; W. H. Mc- Quail in 1876 and 1877; L. Ennis in 1878, 1879 and 1880.
In 1841 there were only two houses inside the present borough limits. One of these was built by Andrew Bubb, the other by Nathan Barlow. Barlow was an early justice of the peace in Blythe, serving twenty years. His successor, John Haggarty, the present incumbent, has served eighteen years.
The principal business men of New Philadelphia have been Edmund Ellis, Michael Rooney, Wesley Dodson and Nathan Barlow. Prominent resident coal operators were Samuel Potts and Conner & Rhoades. The Alli- ance Coal Company has been doing a large business more recently. The local business is now done by Michael Rooney and John E. Egan, merch- ants; John P. Feeley, tea and spice merchant; Charles Tanner, liveryman; William McQuail, su- perintendent for the Alliance Coal Company; and Mrs. James Ennis, dealer in boots and shoes. Th postmaster is Michael Egan. The population in 1870 was 558; in 1880 360.
Cumbola, near the west border, is a small village of the township, which grew up during the days of coal mining in that locality.
CHURCHES.
The first church at New Philadelphia was the Lutheran church, built in 1852. Rev. Mr. Glenn, who resided a't Tamaqua, was the first pastor. The congregation was weak, as were other denominations in the place, and for
a time this building served all who chose to worship in it. Early Methodist preaching was irregular. The first salaried Methodist preacher here was Rev. John Jones. Rev. James Neil, the first operator at Neil's hill, and Thomas & Niles, two other operators, assumed the chief burden of the preacher's salary for a time. Later the local class was attached to the Port Carbon charge. The number of Methodists having greatly increased, in 1855 those in the valley east and west from New Phila- delphia were constituted a separate church. Services were held at New Philadelphia and in the school-houses at Middleport, Big Vein, and Tucker's Hill. The mem- bership was from fifty to sixty, and the services were at- tended by two hundred and fifty to three hundred.
The first Primitive Methodist preacher who held meet- ings in New Philadelphia was William Donaldson, who used to preach in Squire Barlow's stone tavern. Later preachers, supplied from the Tamaqua conference, were Revs. Buttenrik and Spurr. At Tucker Hill, under the encouragement of John J. Dovey, a Primitive Methodist church was organized by the Greene and Beach families and others.
In November, 1867, the Catholics in the Schuylkill valley gowing so "numerous, it was deemed advisable by the authorities of the Diocese of Philadelphia to erect a new parish at New Philadelphia, A temporary building was procured, and a pastor, Rev. John A. Loughran, appointed. He was succeeded in time by Revs. M. L. Reynolds, D. I. McDermott, S. O'Brien, J. J. O'Reilly and P. V. O'Brien, the present pastor. Owing to the dullness of the times, and many of the works in the valley being abandoned,the congregation were unable to erect a church. They improved and renovated the old structure to such an extent that it served them as a place of wor- ship. December 10th, 1880, the old building took fire and was destroyed. On the same site it is intended to speedily erect an elegant and commodious church.
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HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
BRANCH TOWNSHIP.
HIS township was formed out of a portion of Shober and Bunting. It is now owned by Thomas M. Norwegian, in 1836. A portion of it was Cockill, and occupied by G. W. Sponsler as a boot and shoe store. Messrs. Smith & Howell built the first frame store house in 1830, and opened a general store. The stock of goods was made up of about everything in de- mand in a country neighborhood, and whisky, brandy, gin, rum, and other liquors were sold by the gallon and drink. The first and only brick dwelling house in the township was erected by John Rodgers, in 1861. Dr. Leonard was the first resident physician, and came in 1849. Drs. Witheral, A. M. Robins, J. B. Brandt, and W. F. Schropp have practiced in the township longer or shorter periods since. The first hotel was built in 1832, on the site where Cornelius Colman is now domiciled. The tavern keepers were Johannan Cockill, Isaac Eisen- hower, and Henry Bressler. Jacob Hime kept a tavern in 1836. included in Frailey at the organization of that township in 1847. Its area was further reduced by the organization of Cass from its ter- ritory in 1848, and a portion became part of Reilly in 1857. The township is now bounded by Cass, Minersville, Norwegian, North Manheim, Wayne and Reilly; and much of it is included in the first coal field of the Schuylkill district. The township is four and three eighths miles long, by three and three-fourths miles wide, and contains 10,500 acres. The surface in the north is undulating and hilly, but most of it is arable and moderately well cultivated. The southern part is mountainous, the Sharp and Second mountains running through it east and west, the summit of the latter form- ing the northern boundary. The township is drained by several creeks, the west branch of the Schuylkill being FIRST TOWNSHIP ELECTION-OFFICERS. the principal one. Indian run, a fine trout stream, flows between the mountains, and affords ample water power to run a powder-mill built on its banks. The Muddy branch is a stream flowing through the northwest portion of the township.
EARLY SETTLERS.
Settlement was begun in Branch prior to 1750. Philip and George Clauser located on the Muddy branch, and the Adams family, Andrew Steitzel and a man named Fox were their neighbors.
On the site of Llewellyn Jacob Hime is claimed to have been the first settler. He was engaged in farming and lumbering. The date at which he erected his primi- tive saw-mill there cannot now be ascertained. Abraham and Jacob Faust located on the site of the village at an early day, their coming having been not long after the beginning of improvements by Jacob Hime. Mark Britton located a mill southeast of Llewellyn, and was the first in his neighborhood. His cabin was near the west branch. A family of Biddles settled between Brit- ton's clearing and the Sunbury road. The first settler near the northern border of the township, where Phoenix Center has since grown into prominence, was Thomas Reed. His family was quite numerous and a number of his descendants were later well known in the neighbor- hood. Other comparatively early sttlers in the township were George Hafer, Peter Starr, Johannan Cockill, John and Jacob Weaver, and John and Peter Zerbey.
EARLY MATTERS OF INTEREST.
first framed building was erected in 1830 by Willing,
The first township election was held at the public house of Jacob Hime, in 1837. Two supervisors were chosen. They were Jacob Hime and John Moon. The first justices of the peace were Thomas B. Abbott and Samuel Harlman. Abbott served twenty years. Then the township was without a magistrate many years. Jo- hannan Cockill served two years. Henry Reed and Hi- ram Chance each served five years. Jacob F. Hime was elected to the office in 1857, and has served continuously since. The first township road passed through the south- ern part of Llewellyn, crossing the creek at a point a hundred yards below Coleman's Hotel. For some time there was no bridge, and a fordway was in use. The township now contains twenty-one miles of public road.
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