USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pa. with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 50
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The Glendower colliery was opened by Thomas Schol- lenberger, and subsequently sold to the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company. In 1876, 24,479 tons were produced; in 1877, 58,497; in1878, 56,450; in 1879, 50,698. A very small business was done at the Anchor colliery by the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company in 1876 and 1877.
The Rohersville colliery was opened by Mr. Robers, of Philadelphia. He was succeeded by his sons William Some years ago Joseph F. Taylor sunk a slope on the south dip of the Mammoth vein, and built a breaker and a saw-mill to supply the colliery with lumber. He mined and James B. Rohers, who sunk a slope and built a breaker. They operated the colliery about three years, and were succeeded by Joseph F. Taylor, who worked about 25,000 tons per annum and was succeeded by the mine seven years. His successors were Wells & Detwiler. Later a Boston company operated the col- liery, which has for some time been abandoned. East of
Thomas Atwood. The Forest Improvement Company were later operators. The present owners are the Phila- delphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company.
FRAILEY TOWNSHIP.
T HIS township was named in honor of the late Associate Judge Charles Frailey, and was formed in 1847 from Branch, Barry, Porter and Lower Mahantongo. It is bounded on the north by Hegins and Barry, on the east by Reilly, on the south by Tremont, and on the west by Porter and Hegins. Its length from east to west is about six miles, and its breadth about three miles. Through the northern part of this township from east to west extends what is known as the Broad mountain, which contains all the principal coal veins known in the Broad mountain range.
SETTLEMENT.
The first settler of this township was probably a colored man, known as Black Charley, who erected a log hut near Good Spring creek, about two and a half miles west of the site of Donaldson, and lived there a sort of hermit life. What became of him is not certainly known.
About the year 1842 or 1843 the Swatara Railroad Company extended its road from what is now known as
Lorberry Junction, through Tremont, to the mines at what is now Donaldson.
During the construction of the railroad, the mines in and around Donaldson in this township were opened. Of the lessees or operators who worked these mines, the firm of Colt, Gaskins & Lomison were among the first. For the better accommodation of their workmen, this firm commenced building a stone boarding-house; but before its completion the original plan was changed and a larger building was erected. This house since the day of its completion has been occupied as a hotel and is known as the Franklin House. It was the first hotel built in the township, and since its completion, with the exception of two years, it has been kept by David Lomi- son.
Of earlier settlers of this township it may be said that Major William Colt, Captain Samuel Gaskins, David Lomison, and Mahlon McCloughan, from Danville, Mon- tour county, or its vicinity, and Adam Etien and Jacob Crone, from Dauphin county, were most prominent. The earlier marriages were those of David Lomison and Miss Caroline Youngman, Mahlon McCloughan and Miss Elizabeth Tobias, and Jacob Crone and Miss
217
MINES, ROADS AND SCHOOLS IN FRAILEY.
Catharine Dinger. Of these Mrs. Elizabeth Umholtz, are employed inside and 70 outside. The producing ca- pacity is about 300 tons daily. The colliery is owned and operated by the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company. late widow of Mahlon McCloughan, and Jacob Crone and his wife are the only ones living. William Mc- Cloughan, son of Mahlon and Elizabeth McCloughan, was the first boy born in this township. Among the other early births were those of James M. and John L. Gaskins, twin sons of the late Captain Samuel and ing capacity is 100 and its pumping capacity 220-horse Elizabeth Gaskins; and John L. Gaskins, a resident of Donaldson and a talented school teacher.
COAL HISTORY.
Among the other and earlier coal operators were: Henry Heil, Mr. Gardner, Clark & McCormick, Werntz & Strimpfler, Snyder & Bar, and a few others. The first openings of these mines were all by drift or tunnel on the water level. The first breaker was built by the firm of Colt, Gaskins & Lomison, and was driven by water power, The first openings, being so near the surface, were soon worked out and abandoned. Of the early operators it is believed there is now (1881) no one living. About 1850, Messrs. John and Rodger Horton leased the Mammoth vein, sunk a slope thereon, and erected what was then thought a large coal breaker, and for several years this firm carried on quite an exten- sive business in the mining and shipping of coal. Later these same veins were operated in succession by Grif- fth T. Jones & Co., Etien & Lomison, and Owen, Eckel & Colket. They are now owned and worked by the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Com- pany.
Marcus G. and Percival Heilner leased the veins at Middle Creek about 1848 and erected a large breaker, but not being successful in their business the colliery soon passed into other hands, and was subsequently worked by C. Garretson. It is now owned, but not at present operated, by the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company. About 1874 this company sunk a shaft at Middle Creek, made very extensive open ings, and erected a new and substantial breaker; but the coal not proving satisfactory, the colliery is idle.
About 1855 Henry Heil leased and for many years worked the veins at Upper Rausch creek. His coal, ex- cellent in quality, was known in the market as the East Franklin coal. The colliery, still known as the East Franklin colliery, is owned and operated by the Phila- delphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company. In 1863 the Messrs. Eckert & Co. opened a colliery about two miles west of Donaldson, but owing to the ill health of the managing partner, Mr. Jonathan Eckert, it was sold to Lucas Jones & Co., who worked it a year ad sold it to Nulling, Lewis & Co., who, after several years, sold their lease to the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company, who at once dismantled and abandoned the colliery.
The Colket Colliery at Donaldson has a large hoisting power, immense pumping engines, working from eighteen- inch pumps, a 30-horse power breaker engine and several smaller engines used to drive fans for ventilation. When this colliery is in full operation about 130 men and boys
The East Franklin Colliery, owned and operated by the same company, is located at Strongsville. Its hoist- power. Several smaller engines are used to drive venti- lating fans, and a large one to propel two air-compressers for inside hoisting. When worked to its full capacity this colliery employs about 120 men and boys inside, and So outside. The coal at this colliery is of a superior quility and highly prized for domestic use, for which it is perhaps excelled only by the famous Lykens Valley coal. The daily production is about 200 tons.
PUBLIC ROADS.
In 1845 the road from Donaldson over the Broad mountain to Pine Valley was surveyed by Kimber Cleaver. The road connects with the Lykens Valley or Gratztown road at the house of William A. Stutzman. It is one of the principal roads over which the surplus pro- duction and traffic of the northern and western town- ships have gone to market in the coal region.
About the same time the road leading eastward from Donaldson via Middle Creek, and connecting with the road leading from Tremont to Pottsville at New Town, was made. In all probability the short piece of road leading from Donaldson to Tremont, a distance of only one mile, was the first road over which teams passed in coming into Frailey. Later the State road was made from Donaldson to the old Reading and Sunbury road. Over this road the greater part of the traffic from Lykens Valley passes. Branching off from the State road about two miles and a half west of Donaldson is the Williams Valley road. The road leading from Donaldson to Strongsville branches off from the State road in Donald- son and connects with the old Reading and Sunbury road at the Broad Mountain Tavern, in Porter.
EDUCATIONAL.
The first school was kept in a shanty or stable about two hundred feet south of where now stands the Frank- lin House, and was taught by Moses R. Young, who afterwards became one of the associate judges of Frank- lin county. The lower and upper Donaldson school- houses, erected in 1850, were the first in the township. Both are well built of rough stone, two stories high, and accommodate two schools each. Among the best known teachers of these schools have been Hon. Decius H. Wilcox, Prof. A. J. Werntz, Josiah Leinaweaver, Hon. S. C. Kirk, I. L. Gaskins and John D. Williams, the present teacher of the Donaldson high school. Later three more school-houses were built in the township, at Strongville, Middle Creek, and Eckertville.
There are seven schools in the township. The number of children of the school age is about 400. The average number attending school is about 250.
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218
HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
STORES AND HOTELS.
The first store was erected by the firm of Colt, Gas- kins & Lomison. It was a commodious two-story stone building. The firm generally carried a heavy stock of assorted goods. The building is now occupied as a store by Opie & Long. John Harry erected a two-story stone building, forty feet square, which was occupied as a store and tavern house. It is now owned and occupied by Thomas J. Tobias as a store and dwelling.
The Franklin House, the first hotel built in this town- ship, and kept about thirty-five years by the late Daniel Lomison, is now kept by Jame Opie. Soon after the Franklin House was built, David, Michael & Nathaniel Bressler erected a large frame house in upper Donaldson, which since its erection has been kept successively by different occupants. It is now (1881) owned and occu- pied by William F. Trautman, the inventor and maker of the famous scriptural clock.
PHYSICIANS-MAILS.
Dr. Cameron, a nephew of Simon Cameron, formerly United States Senator, was the first resident physician of this township. In a year or two after the doctor had made this place his home, his wife died, and he soon after left for other fields of labor. Succeeding physicians have been Drs. Alfred Jones, John W. Donges and Jo- seph W. Bird.
Daniel Lomison was the first postmaster in Frailey. At his death, about two years ago, T. J. Tobias was ap- pointed postmaster, and he has since served. In 1846 L. M. Gager drove the first stage from Pottsville to Don- aldson, via Minesrville, Llewellyn and Tremont, estab. lishing the route which is still kept open, a daily mail being carried over it.
The post route westward from Donaldson is to Gratz, via Heginsville, Valley View and Sacramento. In the earlier times of this route the mails were carried on horseback about twice a week; and Michael Brechbill (then a boy of about fourteen years of age), a son of the late Michael Brechbill, for many years a justice of the peace in Donaldson, was the rider. At present the mail is carried three times a week by stage.
VILLAGES.
Donaldson is the only village of importance. It was so named in honor of William Donaldson, one of the as- sociate justices of Columbia county, who was the owner of the land when the original part of the town was built. The village is situated nearly in the center of Frailey east and west, at the foot of the Broad mountain, and about half a mile from the southern boundary line of the township.
As already stated, the Franklin House, erected in 1842 or 1843, was the first building in the village. Other structures soon appeared. Judge Donaldson was the land-owner. The first settlers (lessees and con- tractors), seeing that the mines promised to yield coal in large quantities, believed that here was the proper place
to locate a town, and prevailed upon the judge to survey and sell village lots, which Judge Donaldson offered to purchasers at low figures and on very easy terms. The Swatara Company, owning the land east of what is now Harrison street, laid out lots and made an addition to the town. Lots for a time were readily sold, and buildings sprang up rapidly. The town contains two churches, two school-houses, a large foundry and machine shop, three hotels, four general stores, a confectionery establishment, three boot and shoe stores, a furniture store and manu- factory, and several small shops. The population in 1880 was 1,000.
About two and one half miles southwest from Donald- son is Strongville, a mining village in which only about half the houses are now occupied. It has a stone school- house, in which religious meetings were formerly held.
Middle Creek is about two miles east of Donaldson. It was once a large mining town, but only a few of the houses in it are occupied.
Eckertville, two miles west from Donaldson, was once a lively little mining village, but now only a few families reside there.
MILITARY.
In 1849 or 1850 the " Donaldson Rifle Company" was formed, with Adam Etien as captain. At the outbreak of the Rebellion the members of the company joined with the Llewellyn Rifles, and, with Hiram Chance as cap- tain, offered their services to the governor and were ac- cepted. Their history is elsewhere related.
At the second invasion of Pennsylvania Captain Etien, with a company of fifty-four men, nearly all from this township, went to Harrisburg and offered their services to the governor. They were accepted and sworn into the United States service as Company I, 27th regiment Penn- sylvania volunteer militia, to serve during the emergency. June 24th the regiment moved from Harrisburg to Co- lumbia. On the 28th it was attacked by the enemy, and Company I did efficient service.
The following list contains the names of those who from 1861 to the close of the war enlisted from this township in the regular army, as members of different companies, attached to different regiments:
Samuel Gaskins, James N. Gaskins, Nathan Dinger, Peter Greger, John Brinnen, Thomas Wilson, Emanuel E Reedy, Daniel Wehry, Frank Wehry, Solomon C. Wehry, Bertram Treisger, Anthony Trefsger, William C. Ward, Richard Fotheringill, Jacob Lehman, William Cooper, Doctor A. Jones, George Wilson, James Wilson, Edward Lawler, John Farrell, George Farrell, Patrick Fogerty, James Fogerty, Owen Brinnen, Martin Kelly, Philip Manly, John Manly, John Donly, Michael Cleary, John Cleary, William Angus, Patrick Quinn, John Mc- Ilhenny, William Madden, Elijah Horn, Charles Burk, Henry Achternacht, Alexander Thompson, Edward Pur- cel, William Ryan, Thomas Harrit, John Lawler, Joseph Kenady, John House, Charles Taylor, John Coffield, Thomas Wood, Patrick Fell, Bony Fell, James C. Wil- son, John J. Tobias, Lewis Hummel, Calvin Wright,
210
RELIGIOUS WORK IN FRAILEY-PIONEERS OF HEGINS.
William Smith, Thomas Angus, James Warr, Joseph Warr, Thomas Grant and James F. Dent.
Posterity may look with pride over the above lists of brave men who were ready in the hour of need to re- spond to their country's call. Deservedly has it been said of this township: " Little Frailey always filled her quota."
CHURCHES.
Rev. T. A. Ferhly, a Methodist, was the first who preached in this township. The first meetings were held in a warehouse, located about a hundred yards south of the Franklin House, in Donaldson. Rev. D. Cook, a Presbyterian preacher, for some years was a resident here, and preached to the people of that denomination. There were others of different denominations who visit- ed the people as traveling preachers, and who held ser- vices in private houses, and sometimes in the hotel or the old warehouse. Mr. Lomison, many times, when the preacher came along shut up the bar and, taking the benches into the dining room, turned that part of his hotel into a church.
In 1848 the German Reformed and Lutheran denomi- nations joined and commenced building a church, but it was not finished until about 1850 or 1851. Rev. Rudolph Duenger was the first preacher who served the members of the German Reformed congregation, and Rev. E. S. Henry was the first and for many years the only one who preached for the Lutherans. At present (1881) Rev. Daniel Sanner, of Tremont, is the officiating Lutheran clergyman, and for several years past Rev. Mr. Metzger has served the German Reformed branch of the church.
In 1874 the members of the Church of God erected a church building. Rev. Mr. Smith was their first pastor, and Rev. Mr. Hay is in charge at the present time.
SUNDAY-SCHOOLS.
The first Sunday-school in Frailey was early organized in Donaldson, with Moses R. Young as its superintend- ent. Mr. Jacob Crone for many years afterward served the school in that capacity. This was a union school and was not connected with any church as such. With successive superintendents and officers, it has continued to the present time (1881). The late Samuel Gaskins was for a long time its staunchest friend and most earnest helper. The present membership is about 75. Reverend David Shope is the superintendent.
Soon after the upper Donaldson school-house was built (about 1850), the citizens of the upper town organ- ized a Sunday-school. This school has also ever been a union Sunday-school. Mr. Charles Long is at present superintendent and the membership is about 70.
The members of the Church of God have a Sunday- school connected with their church. It has a member- ship of about 65 and George W. Tobias is its superinten- dent.
ODD FELLOWS.
July 3d, 1850, Donaldson Lodge, No. 382, was organized under a charter granted October 1st, 1849. Peter O'Bress- ler, Peter Greger, sr., David Lomison, B. E. Reedy, Christian Lye, Samuel Gaskins and Jacob L. Hassinger were the charter members. The present membership is about 100.
May 18th, 1868, the Grand Encampment of Pennsyl- vania granted a charter to Adam Etien, B. E. Reedy, John W. Donges, John Werfield, J. L. Gaskins, William H. Moore, Henry Graver, Peter O'Bressler, and William H. Ward, by authority of which Concord Encampment I. O. O. F. was not long afterwards organized.
HEGINS TOWNSHIP.
H EGINS township was originally taken wholly from Lower Mahantongo, but after the estab- lishment of Foster township a portion of it (which had been a part of Barry) was at- tached to Hegins, and confirmed by the court January 30th, 1858.
nearest neighbor, whose cabin stood near the site of the Dunkelberger grist-mill; Benjamin Bassoer, who took up the Joel Reed farm; Peter Dingler, on the Dingler home- stead; Christian Stutzman, where William A. Stutzman now lives; Jacob Haberacker, on the Aaron Otto place; Michael Kessler, at the point known as Kessler's Mill; George Dedrich, where A. B. Kessler now lives; Chris- tian Kruns, on the Charles Gable place, and Peter Bixler, John Dietrich and Jacob Heberling were the best known of the pioneers of Hegins. The progress of the new set- tlement was slow, and its people were for many years de- pendent on their neighbors for local improvements, and often for the means of livlihood.
The earliest settlement that can be traced was that of a half-breed Indian named Hager, who had a cabin on what is now the farm of Valentine Savage, in or about the year 1775. He removed to the Wyoming valley after the massacre, and his place was taken up by a Ger- man named Boyner. George Klinger, who was appointed a justice of the peace in 1800, is believed to have been A grist-mill was built by James Osman in 1801 on the the r.ext to come. Mr. Klinger served as a magistrate site of the Dunkelberger mill; and in 1808 Peter Kones for forty years. John Kuntzelman, who settled in 1804 put up a saw-mill on Pine creek, where Peter Stutzman's on the Emanuel Dunkelberger farm; James Osman, his | mill now stands. In 1814 another saw-mill was built, by
220
HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
Peter Stutzman, on the place now owned by William | derived it from Judge Hegins, who was on the bench at Stutzman, in the east end of the township.
The first hotel was kept by Joseph Osman, a son of James Osman, where John Conrad now keeps a hotel. It was opened in 1827, and accommodated farmers and teamsters-the latter class usually bringing their own pro- visions with them and sleeping on the floor. To those who patronized the culinary and bar department the fol- lowing rates were charged: meals, twenty-five cents; whiskey, three cents a glass; cigars, four for one cent; It is hardly supposable that, with the limited travel of those days, mine host Osman became more than moder- ately wealthy at those moderate rates, even by combining with his duties the emoluments of the post-office of Lower Mahantongo, which was established in 1827, and to the charge of which he was commissioned.
The war of 1812 awakened the patriotism of this fron- tier settlement, and Peter Bressler, Jonathan Bressler, Peter Dinger, George Dinger, George Dedrich, John Schoup, and John Kessler took up arms to drive the British invaders from our soil.
The first painted building in the town was that of Sol- omon Bressler, who, in 1814, sided up a block house with boards, and applied a coat of paint that was a source of admiration to his friends and neighbors, some of whom traveled long distances to see it. In 1827 Peter Stutz- man put up the first framed building, which stood until it was destroyed by fire, in 1860, when a brick house was erected in its place.
A log church was built in 1817, and an itinerant preacher, the Rev. Nicholas Hemping, was the first to hold services in it. The old building was taken down in 1874 to make room for the brick structure known as the Friedens Church.
It is interesting to note that in some respects public improvements were slow of adoption, while in others commendable enterprise was shown. For instance, al- though a church was built as early as 1817, it was not until fourteen years later, 1831, that the first bridge was built over Deep creek, near the Dunkelberger place, and not until 1857 that a school was established in a log house near the brick church at Heginsville, with Valen- tine Savage as its first teacher.
A tannery was built by Andrew Shael, about the year 1845, on the site of which E. G. Ressler built, in 1874, and carried on the tanning of slaughter hides up to 1878, when he suspended operations.
The population of Hegins in 1860 was 1, 102; in 1870, 1,154; in 1880, 1,462.
POST VILLAGES AND MAIL ROUTES.
HEGINSVILLE assumed its present name in 1850, when the post-office here was established. It contains one hotel-the Heginsville House-kept by J. F. H. Long; a general store also by Mr. Long, and another, built in August, 1880, by John Reed; two churches, a school- house, an Odd Fellows' lodge, two blacksmith and re- pair shops, and about one hundred inhabitants. The village takes its name from the township, which in turn
the time the township was chartered. The postmaster is J. F. H. Long, who has been in charge since its open- ing. Mails are received, via the Kutztown and Tremont stage line, three times a week.
VALLEY VIEW was formerly known as " Osmantown," in honor of Joseph Osman, the pioneer hotel keeper. The post-office established here in 1827 under the name of Lower Mahantongo was subsequently changed to the present name-a relief to letter writers as well as more euphonious and expressive. The Farmers' Hotel, kept by John F. Conrad, is the successor of the old log tavern kept by Osman in 1827. There are two stores, one kept by R. B. Dunkelberger, who purchased the interest of Jacob Updegrave in 1878, the latter having opened the first store kept here in 1852; and one by George Greeber, who succeeded Nathan Bressler. The Valley View Ho- tel is kept by Elias Dilfield, who opened it in 1879 Two churches, the Winebrenarian and United Brethren, a wagon shop, a tin store and about forty dwellings go to make up the village.
FOUNTAIN post-office was established in 1872, with William A. Stutzman, the present incumbent, in charge. The little hamlet to which the office gives its name is situated in the extreme eastern part of the township, on the Tremont and Kutztown road; and besides the post- office building, which was used by Mr. Stutzman as a hotel from 1863 until 1877, there is here a church, owned by the Lutheran denomination. Mr. Kutzman opened a hotel here as early as 1850.
RAUSCH GAP .- A small colliery known as Rausch Gap is located about two miles south of Valley View, on lands of the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company, and operated by William H. Yohe. It has a level drift on the south dip of the Skidmore vein, and is mined for local market only.
CHURCHES OF HEGINS.
The Church of God was organized by Rev. John Hep- ler August 14th, 1856. Daniel Laudenslager was elected elder, and Jacob Krone deacon, The church numbered in 1880 about thirty members, with David Laudenslager and Jacob Shrop as elders, and Samuel Bohner and Joseph Wagner deacons. It has a promising Sunday- school of 75 scholars, with 19 officers and teachers. C. I. Laudenslager is its superintendent. The Bethel was built in 1856, on a lot about one mile east of town, and in 1871 was moved into Valley View. It is valued at $1,500. Rev. J. Hay is the pastor.
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