History of Schuylkill County, Pa. with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 63

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell
Number of Pages: 604

USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pa. with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 63

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FISHBACK AND JALAPA.

The borough of Pottsville, as it now is, is the aggrega- tion of several communities, some of which still retain their local names. The north ward (Fishback) and the seventh ward (Jalapa) are examples.

Fishback occupies one of the five conterminous valleys in which the borough is situated. Its name, in the ver- nacular of the Teutons, alluded to the West Norwegian creek, which drains this valley, and was evidently applied to it before the sulphur water from the mines above had made the stream quite tenantless.

The Pottsville rolling mills are located here. These mills were built in 1853, by John Burnish & Co., and came into possession of Atkins Bros. in 1865. The pro- ducing capacity is 35,000 tons of rolled iron per annum. Car rails, beams, channels and angles, used in architectur- al and bridge work, are principally manufactured. The business employs 750 men.

The principal business at Jalapa is the Pottsville Pork and Beef Packing House. The buildings occupied by this business, on Railroad street, were commenced in 1873, by Jacob Ulmer and David Neuser. The building covered a space 190 by 60 feet, consisting of an ice-house and storage room 70 by 30 feet, four stories high. There are also a slaughter house, 120 by 20 feet, two stories, with capacity for killing 75 hogs daily; three smoke- houses 12 by 12, 35 feet high; and engine, chopping ma- chine and boiler room, 25 by 15 feet. April 9th, 1874, Mr. Ulmer bought Mr. Neuser's interest in the business, and completed the building on the 8th of June, 1874.

Two months later Mr. Louis Stoffregen became partner with Mr. Ulmer. This partnership continued until Au- gust 25th, 1875. Since then Mr. Ulmer, as sole proprie- tor, has made constant improvements to a constantly increasing business. In the spring of 1878 he purchased an adjoining lot of 190 by 30 feet, on which he built an ice-house 70 by 30 feet, with double cellars of that size, so that he now has storage rooms for 500,000 pounds of meat. The following spring the slaughter house, cutting rooms and chill rooms were enlarged to furnish conven- iences for killing 250 hogs per day. From the cutting room there are three schutes running to the sausage rooms and ice cellar. The engine furnishes steam for use and to run the chopper, the elevator, and the fan which sup- plies the air currents to the killing rooms. The floors are all inclined planes, that of the killing room being of stone.

The data furnished show that they are killing annu- ally 8,000 hogs, 400 beeves and 800 small stock. Beside this they buy large shipments of case meats and of lard. This business, with a capital of $roo.oco invested, has an annual trade of over $200,000.

Here at Jalapa are also the stock and drove yards. Years ago-the exact date is not ascertained-there was a drove yard established here by William Stein. It was kept to accommodate drovers and dealers, whose stock was temporarily kept by Mr. Stein until they could sell. In 1869 Conrad Seltzer began business as a dealer in live stock, at what is now known as the Pottsville Drove Yard. In 1877 his son William Seltzer purchased this property, enlarged the yards and built sheds, so that now he can handle one hundred head of cattle at a time. There are one and a half acres of land in the yards, and the sheds are arranged with feed and water in each. There are also arrangements in the yard for caring for sheep and hogs This branch of the business is under the control of A. W. Seltzer.

At the corner of Coal and Nicholas streets the Schuyl- kill County Stock Yard is located. This yard was estab- lished in 1862. The partners in this firm are Louis Stoffregen, I .. W. Weissinger and David Neuser, trading as Stoffregen & Co. In 1875 the partnership was dis- solved, since which time L. W. Weissinger has been dealing exclusively in horses and cattle, his yard being known as the Pottsville Stock Yard. He has done a business of from $10,000 to $12,000 per month. The small-stock part of the business has been carried on, since the dissolution of the partnership, by William Neuser at the Schuylkill County Stock Yards.

BANKS AND BANKERS.

The Miners' Bank .- The development of wealth and population during a few years, including 1826, gave occasion for the formation of the first bank at Pottsville in 1828. In February of that year the Legislature passed an act incorporating a bank to be located at Pottsville, and creating a commission consisting of Levi Ellmaker and Robert Easp, of Philadelphia; Edward B. Hubley and Jacob Seitzinger, of Reading; Benjamin Pott,

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BANKS OF POTTSVILLE.

Francis B. Nichols, and Charles A. Bradford, of Schuyl- kill county; Joseph Paxton, David Cleaver, General Daniel Montgomery and William Donaldson, of Colum- bia county, to carry the act into effect.

On the 29th of September following the charter was isssued to the Miners' Bank, authorizing it to do business, with $200,000 capital, until January Ist, 1840. Francis B. Nichols was the first president, and Daniel J. Rhoads cashier. Business was carried on in the building now occupied by Felix Strouse's jewelry store in Centre street until 1831, when the present substantial bank building was erected. On the 25th of February of that year Mr. Nichols resigned, and on March 4th John Shippen was appointed to the vacancy. The Legislature extended the charter from time to time, and on the 18th of April, 1856, authorized an increase of capital to $500,- 000. The bank was converted into a national banking association on the 30th of December, 1864, as No. 649, with a paid up capital of half a million, and a circulation of $360,000.

Up to this time the cashiers in order of succession had been Daniel J. Rhoads, J. Craven, Joseph Thomas and Charles Loeser. Mr. Loeser died in 1869, and on July 13th Frederick Patterson was appointed. The vacancy occurring by his retirement February Ist, 1870, was filled by the appointment of William L. Whitney, the present cashier. The present board of directors are William Fox, George Rosengarten, John L. Pott, George W. Heebner, Jesse Turner, John Shippen, John W. Webber, Charles A. Meck and James Muir. The election of Jan- uary 13th, 1880, placed Mr. Shippen for the fiftieth year at the head of this institution, and continued Mr. Whit- ney as cashier. In December, 1880, A. K. Whitner, for several years the paying teller, was succeeded by John P. Stine. The clerical force of the bank also includes Samuel S. Shippen, bookkeeper, Frank Whitney, Charles I. Loeser and Reuben Jones, clerks.

FE DEPOSIT

ILK OF POTTSVILLE

The Safe Deposit Bank of Pottsville was chartered February 18th, 1870, as a safe deposit company, with banking privileges, and commenced business January IIth, 1871, with an authorized capital of $200,000. Their building, on Centre street, was erected in 1870, by the company; it has an iron front, and the whole building is absolutely fire-proof. It was built with special safe- deposit rooms, the safe standing on a bed of native rock.

In addition to the bank safe it contains an immense burglar proof safe, with some 130 or 140 apartments which are rented to individuals for storing valuable pack_ ages. The officers of the bank are: C. H. Tyson, presi- dent; F. B. Kaercher, secretary and treasurer; C. H. Hazzard, teller. The present directors are C. H. Ty- son, F. B. Kaercher, R. F. Weaver, R. C. Green and William B. Rudy. A. S. Moorhead and Lewis L. Hunt- zinger, former directors, are deceased, and Charles Baber and George De B. Keim retired The paid up capital is $100,000.

The Pennsylvania National Bank is one of the sound- est banking institutions of the State. It was declared open by the United States comptroller of the currency on the 18th day of September, 1866, as bank number 1,863, with a capital of $100,000. Jacob Huntzinger was the first president, and Charles H. Dengler cashier. The president resigned November 5th, 1867, and his son, J. Albert Huntzinger, was chosen to the vacancy. In October, 1869, the president and cashier both tendered resignations, and Mr. Dengler was elected president, and Wallace P. Ryon cashier. On the 14th of January, 1873, R. F. Lee, the present head of the institution, was elected president, which position he has since filled, and Joseph F. Dengler was appointed cashier. July 10th, 1875, the capital was doubled, and on February 11th of the follow- ing year Joseph F. Dengler's connection with the bank terminated, and Daniel L. Krebs has since held the ap- pointment of cashier. The other officers are D. H. Sei- bert, teller, and Frank Roseberry, clerk. The present board of directors are Thomas A. Reilly, Walter S. Sheafer, John W. Roseberry, R. F. Lee, John Hoch, Jesse Drumheller, M. Bright, William E. Boyer and Robert Allison. The present surplus of the bank is $18,333.

The Government National was chartered as the Gov- ernment Bank of Pottsville, under the laws of this State, on the 25th of February, 1863, with a capital of $50,000. The present officers, William F. Huntzinger, president, and H. H. Huntzinger, cashier, were first elected in March, 1863, when business was commenced in the build- ing then occupied by the Miners' Trust Company. The next year the bank was moved to the Esterly building, corner of Centre and Mahantongo streets. The capital was increased June 27th, 1864, to $200,000, and on the 15th of the following May the institution was converted into a national bank. The capital was again increased in April, 1872, to half a million, and it has since been decreased to $10,000. Since April 1st, 1874, business has been carried on in the substantial building erected by Le Fever Womelsdorf, South Centre street.

Mechanics' Safe Deposit Bank .- In 1852 the Potts- ville Life Insurance and Trust Company was incorporat- ed, with insurance privileges; $20,000 were paid in, which was one-fifth the authorized capital. The officers were, and they still are, Nathan Evans, president; B. F. Tay- lor, secretary and treasurer. In 1873, by order of court, the name was changed to " The Mechanics' Safe Deposit Bank."

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.

Miners' Trust Company Bank .- In 1850 a charter was granted to John Henry Adams and Jacob Huntzinger, and their successors, to do business at Schuylkill Haven, with a capital of $100,000, as a mutual life and health insurance company. A supplement to the charter, Feb- ruary 17th, 1854, changed the name to The Miners' Life Insurance and Trust Company of Pottsville, where busi- ness was first begun in that year. The marvelous career of this institution was foreshadowed by the business of the year 1854, when, with a paid up capital of $12,500, the average deposits exceeded a hundred thousand dollars. A second amendment to the charter, May 24th, 1871, changed the name to The Miners' Trust Company Bank. Payments were suspended August 4th, 1876, and the deed to the assignees was signed September 14th. No man's business career in Schuylkill county ever exerted an influence greater than that of Jacob Huntzinger, who was practically the head of this concern from the first. The manifest at the date of closing showed $1,322,228.54 due the depositors; bills payable, $133,000; contingent fund, $40,000. The assets, appraised at only $200,000, were found practically worth much less. Beginning with the year 1855 the following figures show the per cent. of annual cash dividends paid to the owners of this marvel- ous bank stock; 10, 20, 24, -, 6, 10, 12, 6, 5, 1312, 25, 25, 7, 18, 100, 30, 30, 40, 30, 16, 5, and on July Ist, 1876, a semi-annual dividend of 4 per cent.

The Pottsville Bank did business at Lyceum Hall block, Market street, from March 4th, 1872, to April, 1873, when it [removed to the Seitz building, in Centre street, and suspended. Henry Saylor, Charles H. Wolt- jen and William Garrett were its officers.

The National Bank of Pennsylvania was chartered on the 25th of May, 1864, as a State bank, with a capital of $200,000. Its career was a brief one, and its business was closed during the latter part of 1866. November 26th of that year its board of trustees passed a resolution that the Miners' Trust Company redeem its circulation, as it had been a bank of issue. Jacob Huntzinger was its president, and Charles H. Dengler cashier.

The Farmers' Bank of Schuylkill County was incorpor- ated by an act of April 14th, 1845, and commenced busi- ness at Schuylkill Haven two years later. In 1851 it was removed to Pottsville, and transacted business for a time in the building now the residence of Judge Walker, in Mahantongo street. Judge George Rahn was the first president, and was followed in succession by A. Reif- snyder, Henry Saylor and Joseph W. Cake. An act of Assembly in 1870 provided for the closing of the affairs of this bank, and George R. Kaercher was appointed re- ceiver.

The Mountain City Bank was chartered April 8th, 1870, and began business with $100,000 capital, which was twenty per cent. of the authorized stock. Its officers were: John W. Roseberry, president; John Davison, vice- president; Charles H. Dengler, secretary and treasurer. They built an addition to the Seitz building, in Centre street, and occupied it until 1875, when their elegant bank building, valued at $100,000, was erected on the

former site of the Mortimer House. The career of this institution was a brief one. The magnificent building is one of the attractions of the business portion of the place.

The Merchants' Exchange Bank is another of the de- funct institutions that once flourished in Pottsville. It was chartered in March, 1873, and commenced business with a capital of $62,000.

The German Banking Company, with a stock capital of $100,000, went into operation in March, 1872, at No. 5 Market street. Francis Altstatt was its first president, and during its existence Jacob Ulmer was vice-president, James W. Nagle and John P. Bertram treasurers.

FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY.

Among the numerous institutions which have contrib- uted largely to the popularity of the plan is the Potts- ville Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Pennsylvania. In June, 1869, a number of enterprising and energetic citizens, believing in the feasibility of the plan, determined to organize this company, on the mutual insurance prin- ciple, and the following named gentlemen applied to the Court of Common Pleas for a charter, viz .: Frederick Haeseler, Francis Altstatt, A. J. Reith, John P. Bertram, J. Ackerman, George Melot, B. Glunz, D. B. Seidel, Wil- liam Huntzinger, Daniel Saylor, Levi Huber and D. G. Yuengling.

A charter was duly granted by the court, and a full organization of the company was immediately effected, with the following officers: President, Francis Altstatt; vice-president, William Huntzinger; secretary, Frederick Haeseler; treasurer, D. B. Seidel. Directors: J. P. Ber- tram, A. J. Reith, Levi Huber, C. T. Bowen, Daniel Saylor, Joseph Ackerman, G. S. Melot, J. A. Swalm.

The first risk was taken and a policy issued on July 15th, 1868, since which time the company has successfully maintained itself and established a reputation throughout the State as a reliable and trustworthy institution. Ac- cording to its last annual statement its assets have in- creased to $350,197-39, and the losses paid during its existence have amounted to many thousands of dollars. The company is doing business throughout the State, and policies are now in force to the amount of $2,321,015.46.

THE BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION.

The depression of business in Pottsville during the few years including and following the year 1867 gave rise to an especial demand for the organization of some medium of action for a people proverbial for their charity, at a time when unusual demands were likely to be made upon them. Accordingly, during the summer of 1867, measures were adopted which, on the 11th of October of that year, resulted in the permanent organization of the Benevolent Association of Pottsville.

A constitution was framed, under which any person might become a member of the association by contribut- ing one dollar to the general fund and subscribing the constitution, the preamble of which recited the duty to be binding upon all persons to aid in alleviating and pre-

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POTTSVILLE BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION.

venting the misfortunes and sufferings of their fellow citizens. Many noble men and women were identified with the initial steps of this organization. They recog- nized the untiring efforts of a few of the most earnest workers in electing the following gentlemen as their first board of officers: William L. Whitney, president; Rev. Emanuel Oppenheim, vice-president; Henry C. Russel, treasurer; John W. Bickel, corresponding secretary; Oli- ver C. Bosbyshell, recording secretary; Milton Boone, John Heebner, John M. Miller, John P. Bertram, and Henry Gressang, managers.

By the continual re-election of President Whitney the society claimed for ten years the aid of one who from the very first especially devoted his energies and influ- ence to the association, and who by common consent is regarded as its founder. The members of the association believed that the various contributions improperly made, too often without inquiry into the habits and circumstances of the recipients, would, if distributed systematically and with prudence, be sufficient to relieve the necessities of all the worthy poor within the borough, and that the as- sociation could ultimately defeat the mendacious tricks of the street beggars and the professional tramps, while ministering to those who might be found deserving of their charities.

The plan of operation was to divide the borough into ten districts, each of which was placed under the super- vision of one of the ten members of the executive board. With each of these supervisors were associated a number of male and female members as district visitors, so that all cases of application for aid could be easily investi- gated.

The by-laws provided that the relief committee should have control of the purchase and distribution of clothing and supplies, and enter in a book an account of such pur- chase and distributions, the names and residences of the parties relieved, the kind and amount of relief granted, and report to the board at each stated meeting.

Some of the reports of the district supervisors during the first years of the association showed that the exper- ienced mendicant had impositions always ready to prac- tice upon them; but, as relief was always rendered in kind instead of cash, the funds of the society were not perver- ted to the furtherance of intemperance, and this was a desirable change from the old system of indiscriminate giving. One of these reports, made by that benevolent rabbi Rev. Emanuel Oppenheim, contained these words: "What made this undertaking such a grand suc- cess are the broad principles of charity we have builded on. We supported without distinction of religion, race, or color."

The association's principal sources of revenue are the voluntary donations of private individuals, but churches, corporations, lodges, and societies are frequently among the liberal contributors. It was understood from the first that no personal solicitations would be made for the support of the association, but that in place of the impor- tunate solicitations of begging committees the revenues, whatever they might be, should arise from the charitable

inclinations of the people who might choose to sus- tain it.

The first year's work was in most respects brilliantly successful. The first report of the executive board says:

"The experience of the year has convinced the board that the voluntary plan is the proper one; and they feel confident that their fellow citizens will continue a liberal support, and that they will not require to be urged to the performance of a duty of charity and benevolence."

On the 16th of May, 1870, a petition was presented to the court, asking that the association be granted the powers and immunities of a body corporate. Accord- ingly, by a decree made on the 10th of the following month, the constitution of the association became the charter of the corporation.

Thirteen years of the workings of this association have demonstrated its utility, and it is now more firmly rooted than ever before in the affections of this benevolent peo- ple, who sustain it with pride as one of their creditable institutions. Several changes have been made in the board of managers, but they have had but two presi- dents: Milton Boone succeeded Mr. Whitney in 1877. The present officers are: Milton Boone, president; Rev. B. F. Patterson, John C. Harper, vice-presidents; Charles H. Woltjen, treasurer; General J. K. Sigfried, corres- ponding secretary; George W. Kennedy, recording sec- retary; John A. M. Passmore, Dr. Charles T. Palmer, Andrew B. Cochran, George Chambers and Michael Bright, managers.

For six years this benevolent association developed and extended its broad charities under the plan first adopted; but there was one field of operation in which it was powerless. It was found that many of the fittest objects of charity were the children of dissolute parents, whom to aid in their wanton idleness and vice would be to abuse the benevolence of the public, and yet to leave the innocent children to grow up in the very schools of vice was an abuse of the public confidence; for it had been believed that the association would ultimately find a remedy for this state of affairs.

During the two years preceding the 24th of May, 1872, this defect in the plan was under consideration, and on that day a committee was appointed to consider the pos- sibility of establishing, under the auspices of the associa- tion, a "home " where these cases could be properly provided for. This committee, of which John A. M. Passmore was chairman, reported progress from time to time until March 7th, 1873, when a plan was approved, and on the 4th of the following month the constitution was adopted and a board of managers elected for " The Benevolent Association's Home for Children." This board of managers consisted of twenty-one members of the association, twelve gentlemen and nine ladies, who were elected for one, two, or three years. The officers of this board were those who had been most earnest en- couragers of this beautiful charity. John A. M. Pass- more, who was especially identified with this enterprise, was very properly placed at the head of this home as president, with Hon. Solomon Foster, vice-president;

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.

Emma St. C. Whitney, corresponding secretary; James WV. Nagle, recording secretary; Henry C. Russel, trea- surer, ex officio.

The home was formally opened on the 24th of May, 1873, in a rented building, pleasantly situated in Agri- cultural park. This was formerly a park and the build- ing was originally the Park Hotel. The house and grounds are now owned by seven individuals. Six of these owners annually donate the use of their interest to the home, leaving but one-seventh of the rent to be paid by the association. Mrs. Albertine Bigelow, the first matron, served until 1880, and most faithfully did she discharge her duties. Dr. F. W. Boyer was attending physician for three years and was then succeeded by John T. Carpenter.

By the rules adopted, children between the ages of four and twelve years, free from any incurable or conta- gious disease, are admitted without distinction of creed, race or color. Since the opening of the home the num- ber of children cared for has averaged annually about thirty. The fact that children are indentured from the home has become known in other parts of the State, and the inmates are thus, as far as possible, secured good per- manent homes, free from their early associations. During the seven years of its existence the home has received donations in cash averaging $2,151 per annum, besides the various contributions of materials.

From its organization there have been connected with the home both a day-school and a Sabbath-school. The efforts of the matron to maintain an interesting Sabbath- school have been seconded by earnest workers outside of the institution, and very efficient help has been rendered by Miss Sarah Loeser, William L. Whitney, and John A. M. Passmore. Mr. Passmore was president of the home until 1877; P. W. Sheafer succeeded him until 1879, when John Phillips was elected.

The present board of officers are: William L. Whitney, president; Milton Boone, vice-president; Charles H. Woltjen, treasurer; Mrs. M. F. Parry, corresponding secretary; General J. K. Sigfried, recording secretary; J. Lineaweaver, solicitor; Mrs. Maria Sands, matron; J. T. Carpenter, M. D., physician; P. K. Filbert, dentist; Daniel Downey, barber.

Managers .- William L. Whitney, Milton Boone, Charles H. Woltjen, General J. K. Sigfried, J. T. Carpenter, M. D., J. A. M. Passmore, John Phillips, Samuel H. Kaer- cher, George Chambers, Frank Carter, P. W. Sheafer, George W. Kennedy, Mrs. James Lanigan, Mrs. M. F. Parry, Mrs. J. P. Stein, Mrs. Charles H. Woltjen, Mrs. R. R. Morris, Mrs. A. Townsend, Mrs. Guy E. Farquhar, Mrs. William L. Whitney, Mrs. Pauline C. Taylor.

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History of Schuylkill County, Pa. with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 63

Author: Publication date: 1881 Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell Number of Pages: 604

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell
Number of Pages: 604