USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pa. with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 42
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The dam is three hundred and forty-five feet above Centre and Third streets. The water is brought to the borough in twelve-inch mains and distributed through six-inch pipes. Bonds to the amount of $60,000, at six per cent. interest, were issued by the department, $36,000 of which have been redeemed. Up to 1880 the cost of construction and extension was $63,000. Rents are charged to parties using the water. The interest and principal of the bonded indebtedness are paid by direct taxation. The department is managed by a committee of three members of the borough council, elected in May
of each year; and they control the operations of the su- perintendent, who is elected by the council.
The most important public work performed by the borough has been done since 1867, in which year the station house, Fifth and Chestnut streets, was erected at a cost of $2,300. It is a two-story stone building, fitted up for council room, police court and jail. In 1868 the engine house, now occupied by the Washington Fire Company, on Tenth and Chestnut streets, was built at a cost of $600, and a purchase of fire apparatus made amounting to $500. The macadamizing of Centre street, completed during that year, involved an expenditure of $38,000. Since that date the purchase of hose amount- ing to $2,650, and the erection of water works, have raised the aggregate indebtedness of the borough to $87,400 on an assessed valuation of $1,457,403 in 1880.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The first meeting of the school directors was held March 7th, 1880. Thomas Connor was elected president, and B. F. Griffith secretary. At that time there were six schools, and Solon Barrett was appointed their principal. Various enlargements and improvements were made, and in 1858 an additional building, of brick, two stories high, and 40 by 50 feet in size, was erected on the corner of Fourteenth and Market streets, at a cost of about $7,000. By the year 1868 increased accommodations became necessary, and the high school building was erected and furnished at a total cost of $12,000. The east ward school-house was built and furnished in 1878, at a cost of $13,000.
The property of the department in 1880 was valued at $40,000. It consisted of four buildings, one a stone structure on Middle street, occupied by two primary schools; " the Fourteenth street building," occupied by five primary and secondary schools; the "east ward," by four primary and secondary and the male grammar school; and the "high school," by the high and female grammar schools.
Twelve female and four male teachers were employed. The attendance in the first quarter of the year was eleven hundred and fifteen; the assessed valuation of property subject to school tax in the borough was $1,157,403, on which a tax of eight mills per dollar for general and one for building purposes was levied. The expenses of the department for the fiscal year were $10,500. The amount of school bonds now outstanding is $19,300. The officers of the board for the year 1880 were: William R. Owens, M. D., president; James C. Callary, secretary; Jacob Steinhilber, treasurer.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
This department was organized in 1867, and the com- pany known as the Washington Fire Company was formed and was assisted by the borough council in purchasing a truck and hose. The American Hose Company was fur- nished its outfit by the borough, with the exception of about $130 raised by the friends of the company. The value of fire extinguishing apparatus is about $2,750.
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ASHLAND FIRE COMPANIES, NEWSPAPERS AND BANKS.
The hydrant pressure renders the use of engines unnec- essary. In most instances fires are readily controlled by the hose companies. J. Frederick Buck was the fire marshal in 1880.
American Hose Company, No. I, of Ashland, was organ- ized January 2nd, 1878. The first officers were: L. C. Leib, president; David T. Evans, vice-president; William A. Kinsel, secretary; H. F. Voshage, assistant secretary; Frederick Holder, treasurer; Charles T. Lyons, foreman; Joseph Robbins, assistant foreman; trustees-Frederick J. Miller, Joseph Parry and Levi Baddolph. Foreman Lyons served until 1880, when J. D. McConnell was elected; the other officers for the year being: President, L. C. Leib; vice-president, John Frazier; secretary, Thomas Rich; assistant secretary, D. G. Stover; treasu. rer, George H. Helfrich; trustees-Joseph Parry, Fred- erick J. Miller and F. Tretter; assistant foreman, Caleb Williams. A good hose carriage was purchased in Feb- ruary, 1878, with 500 feet of hose. The carriage room and parlors of the company are on Ninth and Middle streets. In the fall of 1880 a new carriage was built by J. G. Smith at the Enterprise Carriage Works in this place, and 400 feet of hose added. In August, 1879, the company organized a silver cornet band of sixteen pieces; and a nucleus for a library was formed. The company is now about sixty strong.
The Washington Fire Company was organized, as be- fore stated, in 1867, as a hook and ladder company, and after various vicissitudes was reorganized, after the erection of the water-works, as a hose company. The original books of the company have been lost or de- stroyed, and the data furnished are too imperfect to give even an outline of the early history of the organization. Its foreman in 1880 was David Llewelyn, jr. A library hsa been started, and in 1880 a new hose carriage was built at the Enterprise shops.
THE PRESS OF ASHLAND.
In 1857 the Mining Gazetteer was founded by J. H. McElwain, who, as his card in its first number stated, was a civil and mining engineer. Its able editorials and the superior character of its miscellaneous matter made it one of the best country papers in the State at that or any other date. After four months Mr. McElwain was succeeded by J. H. Hennessy, who continued to manage the paper until 1860. Politically it drifted into the Democratic ranks, in which it continued under the management of Mr. Hennessy's successor, Dr. Yocum. In 1863 it suspended.
The Constitutional Advocate was started in 1864 by Newhall & McGinly, and purchased in 1866 by J. Irwin Steele, an experienced journalist, who has since pub- lished it under the name of the Ashland Advocate, and increased its size to an eight-column folio. Mr. Steele is a prominent Democrat, and his journal is perhaps the most active and aggressive organ of that party in this part of the county. Since Mr. Steele became editor he has twice been a representative in the Legislature. The Advocate is issued weekly and its subscription price is
$2 per year. The office and press-rooms are in Odd Fellows' Temple on Seventh street.
The Ashland Record,an advertising sheet -- issued weekly -was started by H. S. Bonan, and has been successively published by C. H. Hartman & Co., and F. F. Barron, the present owner. It is a six-column folio, published weekly, with a gratuitous circulation of 1, 100 copies.
MILITARY.
The Ashland Dragoons were recruited in 1873, and on September 13th of that year were mustered into the State service. The force consisted of Captain L. H. Yocum, First Lieutenant George Yeomans, Second Lieutenant F. E. Bensinger, and forty non-commissioned officers and privates. During the ensuing year, Captain Yocum hav- ing resigned, First Lieutenant Yeomans was promoted to the captaincy, and H. M. Clayton chosen first lieutenant. After their term of service expired, in 1878, the company re-enlisted and increased their minimum complement to fifty rank and file, with Yeomans as captain, Clayton as first lieutenant, and C. H. Barnard as second lieutenant. In May, 1879, Captain Yeomans was promoted to be brigade surgeon, First Lieutenant Clayton resigned, and C. H. Barnard was chosen captain, J. M. Kauffman first lieutenant, and Levi Batdorf second lieutenant.
The dragoons attended the encampment of State troops at Camp Meade, Philadelphia, in August, 1880.
BUSINESS CORPORATIONS.
The Citizens' National Bank .- This institution was organized and chartered in June, 1875, and opened its doors on June 6th of that year with a capital of $60,000. The first directors were J. H. Hoover, William D. Hea- ton, J. M. Glick, A. B. Sherman, John B. Price, William Landefelt, William Burmeister, O. B. Millard and J. M. Freck. Its first officers were: J. H. Hoover, president; George H. Helfrich, cashier. In April, 1880, the bank was removed to the building formerly occupied by the First National Bank. Mr. J. H. Hoover was president until January, 1878, when William D. Heaton was elected to that position, and Mr. Hoover was made vice-president. Mr. Helfrich has served as cashier since the opening of the bank. The surplus shown by the bank in 1880 was $4,000.
Suspended Banks .- The unfortunate ventures in the banking line that are still in process of liquidation are: the Ashland Banking Company, F. Rentz assignee, which after a showy existence of five years failed through the defal- cation of its cashier and the bankruptcy of Jay Cooke & Co., its metropolitan correspondent; the Ashland Savings Bank, known as the "Irish Bank," of which George H. Helfrich is the receiver, which was organized in 1867 and closed its doors in 1875; and the First National Bank of Ashland, now in liquidation, in the hands of an agent of the United States treasury department, the losses in which will fall entirely on the stockholders.
The Miners and Laborers' Saving Fund Association .-- This was organized under the general law of 1859, in 1873, with an authorized capital of $500,000. The fol-
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HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
lowing officers were elected: President, J. Irvin Steele; vice-president, R. Thornton; secretary, F. Rentz; assist- ant secretary, E. P. Burkert; treasurer, Nicholas Graeber; solicitor, L. H. Yocum. In 1874 D. J. McKibben was elected president, and Messrs. Graeber and Rentz were re-elected to their respective positions. No important change of officials has occurred since that time.
One series of stock, consisting of 2,212 shares, has been issued, of which 1,784 remained in force August Ist, 1880, with a present value of $130 each. The assets of the association at that date amounted to $280,000, of which only $4,200 is in real estate, the balance being in bonds, mortgages and other first liens. The sole liabili- ties of the association are for advance payments on stock, amounting to $22,000.
The Ashland Saving Fund and Loan Association .- This popular financial institution was organized July 21st, 1873, with the following officers: President, John H. Pritchard; vice-president, William Cleaver; secretary, George H. Helfrich; assistant secretary, Michael Igoe; treasurer, W. S. Russell; solicitor, A. P. Spinney. In 1874 George H. Helfrich was elected president, and he served until 1880, when the following officers and direct- ors were chosen: President, D. M. Davis; vice-presi- dent, A. L. Laubenstein; secretary, Charles F. Russell; assistant secretary, T. F. Barron; treasurer, George H. Helfrich; solicitor, William Cleaver. The total number of shares issued is 2,000, in two series, the second dated in 1876. There were in force at the close of the last fiscal year, of the shares of first series, 774, the present value of each of which was $133.72; of the second series, 77, of which the present value was $69.39. The total assets of the association July 21st, 1880, were $119,760.
The Citizens' Saving and Loan Association .- This insti- tution was organized January 24th, 1876, with W. R. Owens, M. D., president; J. Irvin Steele, vice-president; T. F. Barron, secretary; W. S. Russell, assistant secre- tary; J. R. Cleaver, treasurer; and A. P. Spinney, solici- tor. Dr. Owens served as president until the election in 1879, when A. L. Laubenstein was chosen; he served one year, Dr. Owens being re-elected in 1880. The offi- cers and directors for 1880 were: President, W. R. Owens; vice-president, William Cleaver; secretary, Charles F. Russell; assistant secretary, Jacob Lessig; treasurer, George H. Helfrich; solicitor, W. A. Marr. The number of shares of the first issue is 1,710, of which 508 are in force, valued at $75.86 each. The number of shares of the second issue (dated June 28th, 1880) is 769, all of which are in force, valued at $5.61 each. The total as- sets at the last report, June 28th, 1880, were $47,719.40, of which $3,353 is in real estate.
The Locust Mountain Saving and Loan Association, organized August 20th, 1879, under an act of the Legis- lature of that year, claims to be the strongest of its kind in the county. The first officers were: President, D. J. Mckibben; vice-president, E. P. Burkert; treasurer, George H. Helfrich; secretary, F. Rentz; solicitor, W. A. Marr. The authorized capital is $1,000,000. One issue of 2,757 shares has been made, of which 2,736 were
in force at the commencement of the second year of the company's history; and on which $38,481.79 had accu- mulated.
Ashland Mutual Fire Insurance Company .- This company was incorporated March 19th, 1878, with the following persons as officers: President, W. S. Russell; vice-president, Earnest Orth; treasurer, T. H. Prit- chard; secretary, B. F. Kester. From the date of organ- ization to July Ist, 1880, the company had issued three hundred and fifteen policies, insuring $272,405, of which two hundred and ninety-nine, insuring $267,755, were in force, protected by premium notes for $91,899.80, and cash assets of $151,251. The total losses paid since or- ganization amount to $65.29. The officers for 1880 were: President, W. S. Russell; vice-president, Joshua Weimar; secretary, B. F. Kester; treasurer, John Hun- ter. Although empowered by its charter to issue policies on farm risks, the company has thus far chosen to limit its business to mercantile and dwelling risks within the borough of Ashland.
The Ashland Gas Light Company was chartered July roth, 1874. The requirements of the charter, calling for a paid up capital of $25,000, being complied with, nine directors and the following officers were elected: E. P. Burkert, president; Peter E. Buck, vice-president; Frank Rentz, secretary; Adam Waldner, treasurer.
Work was commenced on buildings and excavations August ist, 1874, and on November 29th of that year the light was first turned on. The material used for generating gas is naphtha. The company reported in 1880 about three and a half miles of main and distribu- ting pipes laid, and it has declared a net dividend of three per cent. semiannually since July, 1875. The en- tire cost of construction has been $26,000.
From 1875 to 1876 Peter E. Buck was president and Nicholas Graeber treasurer. In 1876 Lewis A. Riley became a director, and was elected president; and in 1879 E. P. Burkert succeeded Adam Waldner as vice- president. Frank Rentz has been secretary and superin- tendent from the first. The officers for 1880 were: L. A. Riley, president; E. P. Burkert, vice-president; Nicholas Graeber, treasurer; Frank Rentz, secretary and superin- tendent.
MILLS AND MANUFACTORIES.
Ashland Iron Works .- The iron working interests of this borough were coexistent with the coal development of the district. L. P. Garner & Bro. came from Potts- ville in 1853, and erected shops east of the tunnel col- liery, where they made steam engines, boilers and mine machinery until 1862, when they removed to new shops, built by them on the Centre turnpike. In 1864 the firm dissolved, and a new firm, known as J. & M. Garner, succeeded to the business. In 1875 their shops were destroyed by fire, and the firm removed their business to a building that had been occupied for the same purpose by Garner & Christian, who had retired from business. This building was the nucleus of the present extensive works. Since that date the proprietors have erected five
JOS.W.GARNER.
· ASHLAND IRONWORKS, JOS.W.GARNER, PROPRIETOR. ASHLAND, SCHUYLKILL CO.,PA. Founder Machinest, Boiler Maker and Blacksmith.
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ASHLAND MANUFACTORIES, MINES AND LODGES.
new buildings, materially enlarged the main structure, and added new and improved machinery. In ISSo Mi- chael Garner retired, leaving Joseph W. Garner the sole proprietor. Steam engines, boilers, mining and other heavy machinery are manufactured, and the establishment enjoys a wide reputation for trustworthy work. The shops have employed as many as sixty men when working to full capacity. Mr. Garner is a Schuylkill county man, born at Pottsville in 1834, and his works are a creditable specimen of the results of skill and industry.
Ashland Steam Flouring Mill .- Erected in 1863, by Reuben Lins, this mill is one of the oldest of Ashland's establishments. It was operated by Lins & Egolf until 1866, then purchased by Lessig & La Van. In 1867 Mr. La Van's interest was purchased by his partner, who con- ducted the business until his death, in 1874, after which time it was leased by different parties until March, 1880, when it was purchased of Mr. Lessig's heirs by Jacob Lessig and A. Himmelright.
Screen Works .- This factory was established by George H. Helfrich, and afterward purchased by Alt. L. Laub- enstein, formerly of Minersville, who is doing an exten- sive business in breaker and other screens, flexible shut- ters and woven metal work. The shop is located on Third street and employs six men.
Ashland Planing Mills .- This concern was erected in 1876 by William H. Bright, the present proprietor. This mill manufactures and fits up builders' materials, and forms a valuable adjunct to Mr. Bright's extensive lum- ber business. It is situated on the Catawissa road, in the rear of the lumber yards, and employs several men.
The Ashland Boiler Shops, Phillips & Davis proprietors, are located on Walnut street, and doing a fairly remuner- ative business in making and repairing cylindrical boilers, men.
R. H. Phillips, the senior partner, was born at Port Carbon, and he is the son of a Welsh miner. He has re- sided in Ashland since 1865, and established this business in 1876. He is a blacksmith.
D. S. Davis, his partner, is a son of David Davis, and was born on shipboard. His father settled in Miners- ville, but has lived in Ashland since r858.
breaker is 600 tons; average daily production 400 tons. The colliery has not been producing since 1879, but a shaft is being sunk to another vein. The number of men and boys employed when shipping is 300. Daniel Jones and George Davis are the foremen.
The Wadleigh Slope was the scene of Colonel J. J. Connor's first successful mining venture in Ashland, he having commenced work here in 1852. After passing through other hands the buildings were destroyed by fire about 1868, and the mine was allowed to fill with water. In 1876 the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company, having become owners, pumped out the water, and in 1879 put in a force of men to drive a gangway through to the workings of the Potts colliery, for the purpose of making this an additional outlet for that mine. Martin A. Cain and William Price are the fore- men in charge of the work. This slope is just north of the borough limits.
A small colliery called the Vaughan, in the south end of the borough, is worked to some extent for retail pur- poses, by means of two drift levels on the "crop" of the old Pioneer workings, "robbing," as it is called, or taking coal from the pillars of the old mine, It reported in 1879 1,532 tons mined, and when at work employed about twenty men and boys, and two small steam engines.
SOCIETIES AND LODGES.
Ashland Lodge, No. 294, F. & A. M. was instituted March 12th, 1855, when the following officers were elect- ed: David J. Lewis, W. M .; R. Carr Wilson, S. W .; J. H. Yocum, M. D., J. W,; J. J. Connor, treasurer; D. J. Mc- Kibben, secretary.
The past masters of this lodge are David J. Lewis, R. Carr Wilson, J. H. Yocum, D. J. Mckibben, Washington smoke stacks and elevators, employing from four to eight | Reifsnyder, James J. Connor, A. P. Spinney, Samuel
Camp, J. W. Bancroft, George H. Helfrich, Henry Tre- gallis, J. R. Cleaver, C. S. Foster, T. B. Bancroft, Wil- liam A. Christian, Wesley Manly, William H. Anthony, Levi Batdorf, Henry S. Bonar, Jacob H. Olhausen, Ceorge S. Keiper, J. Fred Miller, Joseph Yocum, Perry C. Hoover, and Albert J. Wagner.
The lodge meets on the second Thursday of each month at the rooms in Odd Fellows' Temple.
COLLIERIES OF ASHLAND. Griscom Chapter No. 219, R. A. M. was constituted July 23d, 1868. Its first officers were: Thomas B. Ban- Although the site of former extensive operations, and still the emporium of trade for a considerable colliery Cleaver, scribe; W. Riefsnyder, treasurer; J. H. Yocum, district, there is at present no shipping done from col- croft, M. E. H. P .; George H. Helfrich. king; James L. secretary. The successive H. P's of the chapter since lieries within the limits of the borough, and the following that time have been G. H. Helfrich, H. M. Darling, H. brief outline covers the workings in and near the corpo- rate limits of Ashland. Holbert, J. Fred Miller, William H. Anthony, Levi C. Leib, Albert J. Wagner, C. W. Hartman, D. A. Shiffert and P. C. Hoover.
Locust Mountain Lodge, No. 538, I. O. O. F. was in-
The Tunnel Colliery was opened by Repplier & Moody in 1856, and in 1871 sold to the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company, who have extended stituted December 15th, 1857, with the following officers: John C. Garner, N. G .; A. L. Gee, V. G .; George H. Helfrich, secretary; James R. Cleaver, treasurer. Its
the workings and introduced some of the best and most costly mine machinery in the Schuylkill district. Two slopes have been sunk on the "Seven-foot vein," and a officers in ISSo were: N. G., William E. Jones; V. G., depth of 990 feet, at an angle of 67°, attained. Gangways W. Heffner; secretary. George H. Helfrich; treasurer, J. have been driven .2,200 yards. The capacity of the |H. Hoover.
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186
HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
This lodge has paid for aid to sick members $3, 181.75, and for assistance in burying the dead $1,446.77, and it owns available cash assets of $6,200, besides about $12,- ooo of the common stock of the Odd Fellows' Temple Association, which though valuable is not immediately available.
Shekinah Encampment, No. 134, was instituted in March, 1865, with the following officers: George H. Helfrich, C. P .; J. H. Hoover, S. W .; Washington Reifsnyder, scribe; James Dowden, treasurer. Past C. P. George H. Hel- frich of this encampment has served as D. D. Grand Patriarch of the Schuylkill District.
The officers of the last term of 1880 were: C. P. P., K. Brosius; S. W., J. B. Price; J. W., Louis Prince; scribe, George H. Helfrich; treasurer, J. H. Hoover. The available assets are $1,000.
The Odd Fellows' Temple .- In 1865 the members of the Odd Fellows' order, feeling the need of a suitable hall for lodge purposes, inaugurated a movement that culminated in chartering the Odd Fellows' Temple Association. The stock of the association was liberally subscribed for by Odd Fellows and Free Masons, which latter were to be recognized by the reservation of halls for their use, as by citizens in general. In June, 1866, work was commenced on the corner of Centre and Sev- enth streets, and in April, 1867, a handsome brick struc- ture 75 by 83 feet was completed. The ground floor is divided into two fine stores, fronting on Centre street, and a large room now used as a publishing house. The second floor is devoted to an opera house, seating 1,500 persons, and the lodge rooms of the two orders. The cost was about $47,000. As originally constructed the building had an ornamental facade and cornice, which, with a portion of the roof, was carried away by a high wind, and replaced by a plain finished hip roof, termin- ating in an observatory. In 1880 about $3,000 was ex- pended in remodeling the opera house-until that time known as"Odd Fellows' Hall"-and putting in scenery and galleries.
Schiller Lodge, No. 53, D. O. H .- This organization was chartered in August, 1857, with the following charter members: A. Voshage, Matthias Brown, Louis Biltz, Peter Yoest, Ernest Orth, Henry Hochst, Theodore Snyder, John Ort, Charles Mumbacher, William Mader and Fred Hoge. Its first officers were: A. Voshage, O. B .; E. Orth, U. B .; Charles Mumbacher, secretary; Louis Biltz, treasurer. The officers for 1880 were: E. X., William Flemming; O. B., William Zeplier; U. B., Fred Granzow; treasurer, John Schwamlier; secretary, Fred Krapp; assistant secretary, William Lange. The assets of the lodge in 1880 were $1,237.66; membership, 83.
Ashland Camp, No. 84, Patriotic Order of Junior Sons of America was instituted August roth, 1867, with fourteen charter members. On the ist of January, 1870, it was rechartered in the Patriotic Order of Sons of America, with most of the old charter members, and many new ones. The White Degree council was first named Losch Council, in honor of Hon. Samuel Losch, but in 1878 the name was changed to Penn. The presi-
dents of the camp have been I. N. S. Phillips, R. H. Scott, L. Prosser, I. N. Reifsnyder, J. A. Garner, C. W. Hartman, W. H. Egbert, C. T. Russell, T. F. Barron, J. I. Reiser, D. G. Stover, Louis Schneider, T. J. Bevan. R. B. Clayton, W. D. Creasey. J. D. McConnell, Thomas Rich, J. H. Pollard, Geo. W. Gearheart, H. J. Perry, John Yost and R. Bevan.
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