USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pa. with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 57
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The large farm upon which the principal part of the town has been built since was owned by Thomas Silly- man, and as the company did not feel themselves author- ized to hold any large tract of land, it was purchased by John C. Cresson, the president of the road, and the land necessary for the uses of the company transferred to them, whereon the buildings for the use of the motive power of the road, scales, repair shops, offices, etc., were erected. A portion of the farm was laid out in town lots, fifty by two hundred feet, and sold to employes of the road on such terms as enabled them to erect dwellings for them- selves. A thriving little town soon grew to such propor- tions as to require a name, and it was called West Haven.
The developments of the anthracite coal fields of Penn- sylvania required the construction of railroads and canals to move the products of the mines to distant markets. Among the earliest of these important works was the Mine Hill and Schuylkill Haven Railroad. It was chartered in 1828 and completed in 1831. From the time of the com- pletion of the road to 1847 the power used was horses and mules; these, with the small cars used in hauling the | At this time the inhabitants were few, but in a few years
247
CRESSONA BOROUGH-RAILROAD CHANGES-SCHOOLS-CHURCHES.
the population increased to several hundred, which ren- dered further changes necessary to secure the welfare of the people. The elections for this portion of North Man- heim township were held at the Almshouse tavern, which made it very inconvenient for the men working on the road and in the shops, and teams had to be employed to take the train hands, as they came in, to vote, which was expensive and often resulted in the loss of votes.
The educational advantages accorded to West Haven by the directors of North Manheim township were not such as were satisfactory to the citizens who had children to educate, and various plans were suggested and dis- cussed to remedy the defects of the school system. In all these matters the officers of the road took a deep in-
The Mine Hill and Schuylkill Haven Railroad Com- pany proposed to extend its line to the Lehigh river, connecting with the Lehigh Valley Railroad, and $250,- ooo had already been expended upon it when the Mine Hill road was leased by the Reading Railroad Company terest. In view of the probable importance of the place and the new work stopped. This event has in the main in the future and the great need of local government, the principal resident officers, among whom was R. A. Wilder, resident engineer and superintendent of the road, suggest- ed the incorporation of the town into a borough, with an in- dependent election and school district; also changing the name from West Haven to Cressona, in honor of John C. Cresson, owner of the land upon which the town was erected and president of the Mine Hill and Schuylkill Haven Railroad, who was greatly interested in the em- ployes of the company, and offered every inducement to them to become owners of homes in the vicinity of the works where they were employed.
At the June session of the court in 1856 a charter was granted for the borough of Cressona. The charter is dated February 2nd, 1857. Judge Hegins was the pre- siding judge. The first election was held in the public school-house, now W. L. Grey's store, February 20th, 1857. The officers elected were: William A. Hannum, chief burgess; council-R. A. Wilder, Benjamin Hosler, F. M. Nichols, Frank Kantner, E. Brasefield and Henry The record of Cressona in the civil war is not surpas- sed by that of any other place. The promptness with which the call for three years men was met exhibited a patriotism not less commendable than that of the sires of '76. All that could be spared went, some never to re- turn. Those that remained at home contributed a por- tion of their earnings monthly to a fund for the support of the families of soldiers who needed aid. Merkle; high constable, William Styers; auditors-Wil- liam Newell, F. B. Drehr, Ruben Laubenstine; assessor, Daniel Bartoletsen; secretary, D. H. Albright. The first school directors were Peter Haas, J. J. Upchurch, J. Kantner, Robert Towns, N. G. Hammeken and William Styers. At a meeting in May following the election the directors decided to sell the old school-house and build a new one upon a more improved plan. The first move- CHURCHES. ment under the new state of things was to improve the system of public education. A large brick building There are several religious denominations in Cressona, which are regularly organized and have places of wor- ship, but the changes incident to the transfer of the Mine Hill and Schuylkill Haven Railroad to the Phila- containing four rooms replaced the small buildings fur- nished by the directors of the township. As the popula- tion increased a two-story addition, containing two large rooms was erected. About the same time a new school delphia and Reading Company have detracted greatly
building was constructed in that part of the town now constituting the north ward. The best teachers were tirely lost their membership and have been absorbed selected by the board of directors to take charge of the into other societies.
education of the young in these "colleges of the people." From the foundation of the borough liberal appropria- tions have been granted by the citizens to keep their public schools up to an efficient standard.
As the business of the company increased they en- larged their shops, and the number of mechanics and laboring men in and about these works was largely in-
creased, as was also the complement of train hands on the road. The increase of employes created a demand for dwellings, and the number of houses rapidly increased. Several stores and hotels were added, and a market estab- lished for nearly every thing produced in the adjacent farming district. Monthly payments were always promptly made by the company, and money circulated freely among all classes, creating an unusual degree of prosperity in the whole community.
proved disastrous to Cressona; the brilliant prospects of rapid growth by being the center of a line of railroad through one of the most valuable districts of the anthra- cite coal regions were suddenly destroyed. Up to the time of the lease the town grew rapidly, until it had a population of about 1,600. Much of the work formerly done here has been removed to Reading, and the number of mechanics in the various shops reduced. The popu- lation shown by the census of 1880 was 1,341; in 1870 it was 1,507,and in 1860 826.
About fifteen years ago the borough was enlarged by annexing that portion lying between the west branch and the Reading Railroad, and on the west side by ad- ding to it what is commonly called Lordstown; thus in- creasing the population and bringing within its limits the flouring and grist mills of Isaac Strouch and James C. Butz. In the vicinity of Butz's mill once stood a furnace and forge, owned and operated by John Potts, but it has long since fallen into decay and no traces of it are left.
from their prosperous condition, and some of them en-
Evangelical Church .- Previously to 1852 there was no regular church organization of any kind in the place. Members of the different denominations held class- meetings together in private houses. In 1852 the Evan- gelical members took steps to organize a church, They authorized Eli Sheriff and Henry Reed to obtain sub- scriptions and buy a lot. A lot was bought of George
248
HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
Ebert, for $95, fronting fifty feet on Maple street and thirty feet on Front street.
Preparations were immediately made to erect a build- ing, and articles of agreement were "entered into the 7th day of August, A. D. 1852, between John Freehafer and the West Schuylkill Haven Valley class, of which Henry Rudy is the class-leader and Eli Sheriff the exhorter, all of the County of Schuylkill." The specifications call for a "meeting-house twenty-eight feet front and thirty- eight feet deep, fourteen feet high in the clear of the story frame," all of which John Freehafer "promises to build for $575." The witnesses to this article of agree- ment were Michael Thomas, Frederick Dentzer and Gabrill Wagner.
In this building the congregation worshiped until 1870, when the house became too small. The trustees then bought a lot on the corner of Second and Maple streets, where they erected a fine two-story frame building, 60 feet long and 38 feet wide. The corner stone was laid
This church was for many years the most flourishing in Cressona, but it lost nearly all its members by remov- als, and of late years it has been struggling hard to keep up an organization. The present pastor, Rev. Joseph Gregg, is infusing new life into the church, and the con- on the 5th of June, 1870, by Cressona Lodge, No. 426, gregation is in a more prosperous condition than it has A. Y. M., assisted by delegations from Pottsville, Schuyl- been for some time. kill Haven and Orwigsburg. The officiating clergymen were Rev. Solomon Neitz and Rev. H. A. Neitz, pastors.
In November, 1870, the church was dedicated, Rev. S. Neitz, Rev. H. A. Neitz and Rev. M. F. Maize officia- ting. This is the finest church building in town. On the first floor are two class rooms and an elegantly fur- nished Sunday school room. The second floor is used for church services, and will seat about 500 people. The membership at this time is over two hundred.
The Sunday-school was organized December 5th, 1852, by electing the following officers: A. B. Long, superin- tendent; Andrew Mortimer, assistant superintendent; Jacob Kanter, president; F. B. Huntzinger, secretary; Josiah Rodenbach, librarian; Henry Rudy, treasurer. December 12th, 1852, the school opened, with fifty scholars. The succeeding superintendents were: A. Mortimer, 1853; F. B. Huntzinger, 1854; Andrew Keefer, 1855, 1856; W. A. Hammer, 1857-62; Rev. E. B. Miller, 1863; C. W. Dengler, 1864; Dr. F. Krecker, 1869; and since 1870 George E. Hoffman. The average attendance is 225.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Cressona dates back to 1852. Before that time there was no regular church organization of any kind in the place, and Meth- odists, Evangelicals and others held class meetings to- gether; but in 1852 the Methodists felt strong enough to act independently, and accordingly organized a Method- ist society. From this time to 1859 they held their meetings in private houses, one of which is now owned by Jacob Zechman, and another (on Front street) by Henry Merkle; in the old Evangelical church building, now Odd Fellows' Hall, and afterward in the old school- house, since converted into a dwelling and store and oc- cupied by W. L. Gray.
Duncan, James Mains and Henry Sortman. Rev. Jerome Lindemuth was pastor from 1856 to 1858; Rev. William Smith, his successor, resigned because of failing health, and Dr. W. W. Wythes filled the unexpired term.
The trustees bought the church lot from John C. Cresson for one-half its estimated valuation, receiving the deed January 7th, 1860. Rev. Mr. Cleavland suc- ceeded Dr. Wythes, and during his term the building was erected on the corner of Ash and Second streets. The building is of stone, 50 feet long and 40 feet wide, with a lecture and Sunday-school room on the first floor, and an auditorium above. E. Wilkes Thomas has been su- perintendent of the Sunday-school a number of years. The average attendance of scholars is about fifty.
Grace Church .- On the 14th of December, 1857, ap- plication was made to the court of Schuylkill county by a number of citizens for a charter for "Grace Church of Cressona," subject to the Protestant Episcopal church of Pennsylvania. On the 8th of March following the char- ter was granted.
The first vestrymen were Rufus A. Wilder, John R. Wilson, Henry Leonard, IIenry Lewis, F. M. Nichols, Charles M. Hill, W. J. Coulter, Robert Irwin and William Newell. The Rev. A. Prior, of Pottsville, was active in procuring the charter and promoting the church organi- zation, but the church building was erected under the charge of Rev. George A. Latimer, who had taken the place of Mr. Prior as rector of St. James's Church, of Schuylkill Haven. The church edifice is a substantial stone structure on a lot given by John C. Cresson. The building was finished and paid for by November, 1859, and during the same month it was dedicated by Bishop Bowman, of the Pennsylvania diocese.
For a long time the church was well supported, but from the cause heretofore named in connection with the railroad lease it dwindled in numbers and services ceased. Subsequently trustees were appointed to take charge of the property, and they leased it to the Reformed congre- gation, which occupies it at present with a large member- ship.
United Brethren .- Members of the United Brethren denomination in 1873 leased a room in Odd Fellows' Hall, and organized a German and an English class, numbering about 40 members, with Mr. Hemperly leader of the English, and George Hower of the German class. The minister in charge was Rev. J. F. Smith, who was succeeded in 1874 by Rev. Mr. Bowman. In 1875 Rev. Mr. Gambler preached, but owing to the great depression in business many of the prominent members left to better their fortunes elsewhere, and no regular meetings were held until 1877; Rev. W. H. Uhler then received the ap-
In 1859 application was made for a charter, and the church regularly organized under an act of incorporation. The first trustees were W. L. Gray, J. J. Upchurch Henry Merkle, E. Fargo, R. Wright, M. Hoffman, J. pointment and reorganized the class, with David Dreis
249
CHURCHES OF CRESSONA-SECRET SOCIETIES.
sen., leader of the class. Rev. W. H. Cranmer was in charge from the spring of IS;9 to July, ISSo, when he resigned and Rev. Mr. Shendel and Rev. R. Arndt re- ceived the appointment.
The Sunday-school was organized in 1873, with Mr. Hemperly as superintendent. The succeeding superin- tendents were A. S. Riland, Gotleib Wagner, M. J. Thomas, J. N. Riland and Charles Dengler. The school averages about 50.
The Lutheran and Reformed Denominations had no place of worship in Cressona before 1876. Some at- tended "Jerusalem " church, near Schuylkill Haven; some St. John's, in Schuylkill Haven; and others St. Peter's, in Wayne township.
February Ist, 1876, the Lutheran and Reformed de- nominations leased Grace church, belonging to the Epis- copalians. The ministers serving during the year were Rev. W. H. Koons, Lutheran, and Jacob Kline, Reformed. At the same time a Sunday-school was organized, with L. R. Keefer superintendent.
January ist, 1877, the Lutheran congregation withdrew and the Reformed congregation leased the church. The ministers in charge were Rev. Jacob Kline and Rev. J. O. Johnson until June Ist, 1887; since then Rev. J. P. Stine has been pastor.
The Reformed Sunday-school was organized January Ist, 1877, with George Morgan as superintendent; he re- signed June 10th, 1878, and D. H. Albright, being assist- ant superintendent, became superintendent. On Jan- uary Ist, 1879, J. W. Hagner was elected to the office, and re-elected January Ist, ISSo.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
Previous to 18;o the secret societies of Cressona met in a room in the house now occupied by Mrs. M. J. Thomas and in a room in Louis Shaeffer's house, known as Thomas's and Shaeffer's Halls. When the new addi- tion to the school building was erected Cressona Lodge A. Y. M. leased the second floor (then not needed for school purposes) froin the school board, and fitted it up handsomely as a lodge room. This room was leased to other societies and was used for this purpose until August. 1880, when the school board proposed to use the room for school purposes.
Herndon Lodge, No. 550, I. O. O. F. is the oldest secret society in Cressona. It was organized November 16th, 1858.
Its charter members and first officers were: M. J. Thomas; William A. Hammer, secretary; Robert R. Young, Elias Bartolet, Richard Wilson; H. Hoffman, treasurer: Bartholomew Bracefield; John Green, V. G .; John Wagner, Henry Cronimiller, Daniel Holland, Owen Mowry; Emanuel Brace- field, N. G .: Frederick Beck, Samuel Lear, H. D. Jones; H. G. Dentzer, assistant secretary; George Hud- son.
Shappell, V. G .; John W. Smith, secretary; Charles Hud- son, assistant secretary; Samuel Hower, treasurer.
This lodge was organized in Hammer's Hall, a small room now used by George E. Hoffman as a warehouse. From this place it moved into Shaeffer's Hall on Octo- ber Ist, 1865. In 1871 it bought the old Evangelical church building on Front street, and made out of it a two-story building. The first floor is used for a lecture room and public entertainments, and the second floor for the meetings of the societies. Into this building, now known as Odd Fellows' Hall, the lodge moved April Ist, IS-2.
Washington Camp, No. 73. P. O. S. of A. was insti- tuted October 18th, 1866, and was the first camp char- tered by the State camp. The charter members and first officers were: F. A. Stitzer, V. P .; W. H. Hughes, R. S .; Henry Lord; W. G. Losch, I. G .: W. T. Reed, A. R. sec- retary: W. T. Bracefield, P .; E. P. Payne; S. C. Wilson, O. G .: F. R. Kantner. M. of F. & C .; W. H. Kuebler, L. S .: Henry Helmright, P. P .; F. A. Eveland. C .; and D. H. Stitzer. The first treasurer was J. C. Eveland.
The present officers are: P. P., W. J. Beck; P., S. C. Wilson: V. P., W. F. Reed; M. of F. and C., J. E. Kant- ner: R. S., C. F. Beck; F. S., C. B. Grim; treasurer, S. P. Thomas; C., David Ruch: I. G., W. C. Fromknecht; O. G., George Kipp; A. K. S., E. W. Thomas: C., A. R. Strouch. This camp numbers about fifty members in good stand- ing.
Washington Camp, No. 129, P. O. S. of A. has about to members in good standing, including some of the leading citizens of the town. It was instituted July 4th, I8;8, with 17 charter members. The first officers were: P. P., E. W. Freehafer: P., Amos Bartolet; V. P .. Samuel Hower; M. of F. and C., David Mckinney; R. S., Richard Bartolet: A. R. S., Charles Geary; F. S .. John W. Hagner; T .. Charles H. Merkle; Cond., Benja- min Bartolet: I. G., William Reifsnyder; O. G., C. W. S. Merkle; Chap., D. F. Mertz: R. Sent .. Josiah Fessler: L. Sent., William Brininger. The first trustees were C. W. S. Merkle, D. F. Mertz and Amos Bartolet. The successive presiding officers have been Samuel Hower, David Mckinney and J. C. Berger.
The present officers of the camp are the following: P. P., J. C. Berger: P .. Milton Dress: E. P., D. W. Starr: M. of F. and C., William F. Brininger: R. S., Amos Bartolet; A. R. S., Albert Berger: F. S., A. J. Reed: T., George Heffner; Cond., C. H. Merkle: I. G., William Reifsnyder; O. G., George Fry; R. Sent .. Robert Jones: L. Sent., Adam Dechert; Chap., J. L .. Hoffman.
The present trustees are William Reifsnyder. J. W. Hagner and Samuel Hower.
Since the third meeting of camp in July last, white degree meetings are held quarterly, and always immedi- ately after camp closes in the red.
Post No. 29 Grand Army of the Republic was institu- ted at Cressona February 20th, 1867. The charter mem- bers and first officers were: F. A. Stitzer. P. C .; J. C.
The present officers are: Amos Bartolet, N. G .; Moses , Eveland: H. Heimwright, J. V. C .; Thomas Walker, W. F. Bracefield; I. J. Burton, J. V. C .; D. H. Stitzer, M. B. Persing, G. F. Morgan, F. Simon and Charles Dress.
36
250
HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
The first adjutant was Samuel Hower; Q. M., W. L. Gray. After the charter had been secured, Samuel Hower, who afterward kept up the post through his own efforts, was the first recruit. From 1871 to 1879 he was acting post commander, and, although no regular organ- ization was kept up and no regular meetings were held, he with several of his comrades contributed funds suffic- ient to pay the State tax and keep the post in good standing. He attended to the decoration ceremonies on Decoration day, securing flowers, speakers, music, &c. In the fall of 1879, through his efforts, the post was recruit- ed, and on December 30th, 1879, the following officers were elected: P. C., John W. Smith; S. V. C., J. R. Thomas; J. V. C., Peter Riland; Adjt., Samuel Hower; Q. M., Henry Merkle. The post holds its meetings monthly in Odd Fellows' Hall.
Miami Tribe, No. 82, Improved Order of Red Men was organized February 4th, 1868. Its charter members numbered 31. The first officers were: Sachem, M. J. Thomas; S. sagamore, Charles J. Christian; J. sagamore, C. V. B. Deibert; C. of records, F. A. Weiser; K. of wampum, A. N. Mortimer.
The successive presiding officers have been C. J. Chris- tian, C. V. B. Deibert, A. N. Mortimer, C. W. Dengler, William Beck, Amos Bartolet, John W. Smith, George E. Kuebler, Albert J. Reed, Thomas Wagner, Charles Bar-
tolet, H. G. Merkle, W. H. Cloak, Reuben Laubenstine, and William H. Merkle.
The officers at this time are: Sachem, Daniel Grim; S. sagamore, A. N. Mortimer; J. sagamore, R. Laubenstine; C. of records, J. W. Smith; K. of wampum, R. H. Smith.
Cressona Lodge, No. 426, A. Y. M. was instituted No- vember 5th, 1868, in Thomas's Hall. The charter mem- bers and first officers were: Henry Hazel, W. M .; Samuel Lear; Luther R. Keefer, S. W .; John Gray; Anthony Proud, J. W .; Jacob Major; W. P. Bishop, secretary; M. J. Thomas; John Green, treasurer; J. B. Hoffman, Frank Simon, Robert Irwin, sr., William Smith, Philip Wagner, W. H. Bines, W. S. Peel, Elias Bartolet, J. H. Thompson, William Swint, George E. Kuebler, W. D. Darcas, Lucian Miller, and Aaron Miller.
The successive presiding officers were L. R. Keefer, Albert J. Reed, Lewis Zuber, William Beck, John A. Springer, Dr. Daniel Dechert, and George E. Kuebler.
The officers at present are: John Gray, W. M .; Wil- liam J. Beck, S. W .; Charles H. Merkle, J. W .; John W. Smith, secretary; L. R. Keefer, treasurer.
On April 1st, 1870, they left Thomas's Hall, and occu- pied the room leased from the school board until August 16th, 1880, when they went into Odd Fellows' Hall, where they now hold their meetings on Thursday at or before full moon.
MOUNT CARBON BOROUGH.
In 1829 this firm built a large stone warehouse, two MONG the earliest residents of Mount Carbon stories in height above a basement, immediately op- are remembered Lewis Murphy and Joseph posite the present Mansion House. In the same Porter, who lived in small log houses which year John White erected the Mansion House and have long since disappeared. In 1818 Nicho row of stone buildings on Center turnpike and the street called Rum Hollow. During the same year a number of framed buildings were commenced, several of which still stand in the ravine spoken of. At that time all the commerce from the region on the Sus- quehanna, to which the Center turnpike gave an outlet, was carried on through that turnpike and the Schuylkill navigation; and Mount Carbon, as the head of that navi- Allen resided here, and was engaged in lumber- ing. He carried on the early saw-mill in what is now the borough. His first house stood near the site of the present depot, but his subsequent residence was a house in the ravine through which runs the road to Cressona. This ravine was then known by the suggestive name of Rum Hollow. Many amusing
anecdotes are told, by the few survivors who knew them, gation, was a point of considerable importance. On the of Nicho and his wife, " aunty," as she was called. He completion of the Union canal much of this commerce remained here till the death of his wife; then removed to Pottsville, and afterward to Lake Champlain, where he | ually fell into disuse, and they have disappeared. Mount was drowned.
In 1828 there were here six dwelling houses, one store, the collector's office and a large two-story stone ware- house, which was built in 1824, and was owned and occu- pied by Gaius Moore. The store was conducted by Joseph White and Benjamin Combs. This firm dealt largely in produce, which was brought in wagons from Lebanon, Dauphin, Union and Northumberland counties and sent by them to Philadelphia. They also supplied the miners of the Delaware Coal Company with goods.
was diverted from this route, and these warehouses grad- Carbon continued to be an important point for the ship- ment of coal till the navigation was extended to the mouth of Mill creek and the Mine Hill Railroad was constructed.
Four docks were built while it was the head of navi- gation. It was the terminus of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad during several years, and passengers and freight for Pottsville were taken by teams to the lat- ter place. It has changed but little since Pottsville was made the terminus of this road and the navigation above
251
PIONEERS OF SCHUYLKILL HAVEN.
Schuylkill Haven was abandoned. The docks have been filled and the locks are going to decay.
In 1864 a rolling-mill was built below Mount Carbon by a company of gentlemen in New York and Pottsville. Ten tenant houses were also erected by the company. The mill has been burned.
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