USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pa. with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 66
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CHURCHES OF POTTSVILLE.
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paid the plaintiff from the proceeds of said sale, but this sum shall not be demandable while the property remains unsold. During any period while this church shall be rented to any other denomination or person six per cent. per annum shall be paid to plaintiff upon said claim of $2,708.82."
It thus appears that, in fact, the whole difference was compromised upon the theory that all of Mr. Thompson's aid was to be a free gift in order to maintain the church, and the cash advanced should only be returned without interest when the society ceased to exist to use it. The edifice, still standing, is owned by the Trinity Reformed society, and generally known as the Thompson Memorial church.
EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION.
This church was organized during the winter of 1835 and 1836, and in 1839 it built a small house of worship on Callowhill street, which was rebuilt in 1849 at a cost of $3,500. This building was sold in 1875 to the Jewish congregation, and the present brick structure erected on the site. The first pastor was Rev. Charles Hesser. Among his successors were Revs. Francis Hoffman, S. S. Chubb, Isaiah E. Knerr, Daniel A. Medler and the pres- ent pastor.
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The Presbytery of Luzerne, hearing at their spring meeting in 1857 that there was no "Old School " organi- zation at Pottsville, and that there were a goodly num ber of persons there holding to that particular faith, ap- pointed Rev. Jacob D. Mitchell to visit the town and preach for three months to those who might choose to hear him. The result of his short stay was a determina- tion to organize a church, and a convocation was called to meet in the building of the Second Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, where this memorial was adopted and sent. "To the Presbytery of Luzerne: The undersigned, being deeply impressed with the importance of church organization in the borough of Pottsville, earn- estly and respectfully request that a committee be appoint- ed by your body to visit this place, and, if they deem it expedient, to organize a church under the name of the Second Presbyterian Church of Pottsville." To this petition thirty-two names were appended, many of them prominent citizens of the borough.
The Presbytery of Luzerne met at Port Carbon in September of that year, and the petition was presented by Rev. J. D. Mitchell. Agreeably with the petition Revs. John Dorrance, A. Lowrey, and Elder Jesse Tur- ner visited Pottsville as such committee, and on the 18th of September, 1857, by direction of the presbytery, organ- ized the proposed church with twenty-six members, and certified the election of Thomas M. Russel, Henry Strauch and T. A. Godfrey as its ruling elders.
Securing the use of the Thompson church building in Market street, semi-monthly meetings were held until March Ist, 1858, when Rev. Samuel Fisher Colt entered upon his pastorate. He was installed in July following,
and with the ruling elders previously elected constituted the first regular session of the church.
The society was chartered by the Court of Common Pleas of Schuylkill county in June, 1859, and in Septem- ber, 1862, purchased the building, formerly the Second Methodist church, corner of Market and Fifth streets, refitted and furnished it for occupancy in October fol- lowing.
In November, 1864, Rev. Mr. Colt was succeeded by Rev. Dr. William S. Plumer, of precious memory, who resigned in January, 1867, to enter the theological semi- nary at Columbia, S. C. Rev. Prentiss De Veuve was elected in March and installed in June of the same year.
During 1867 a disastrous attempt was made to unite the two Presbyterian churches, and accordingly the real estate owned by the Second church was sold to the bor- ough of Pottsville. The attempted union, from a variety of circumstances, did not succeed; and the Second church withdrew from any connection with the First, and organ- ized again as a separate congregation. Securing the use of their old building they called to be their pastor the Rev. Dr. George W. Smiley, of Philadelphia, a gentleman and scholar of pronounced ability, who entered upon his services early in 1870, and was successful not only in re- purchasing their church property, but in having the building enlarged, remodeled and beautified, at an addi- tional cost of about $15,000, and reopened for services in February, 1871. Dr. Smiley was installed by a commit- tee of the presbytery July 20th, 1870, and he is still faithfully serving this people. Although the growth of this church has been slow during the period of general depression in the coal fields, yet it is to-day on a surer and more substantial basis, both spiritually and financial- ly, than ever before.
The present session consists of Rev. Dr. Smiley, pas- tor; Hon. Cyrus L. Pershing, Henry Strauch, Frank Carter, John Heebner and Thomas M. Russel, elders.
CONGREGATION OBED ZEDEK.
In October, 1856, the Jewish residents of Pottsville saw fit to organize themselves into a congregation. They therefore called a meeting and applied for a charter, which was granted. The first officers were Emanuel Strouse, president, and Jacob Shloss, vice-president. This congregation held religious service in rented build- ings until 1875, when they purchased the Evangelical Association building, removed it to Callowhill street between Third and Fourth, and from it fitted up the beautiful temple which they now occupy. The rabbis of this society have been: Rev. Isaac Strouse and Rev. N. Schlesinger, each serving three years; Rev. Emanuel Oppenheim nearly fifteen years, until his death, and the present minister, Rev. Charles Austrian.
Connected with this congregation is a Hebrew Sab- bath and German school, taught by the minister, also two beneficial societies-the union lodges of the Independ- ent Order B'nai B'rith, and " Mountain City Lodge Free Sons of Israel." This congregation has also a beautiful cemetery in the outskirts of the borough.
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HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
TRINITY REFORMED CHURCH.
This is the English congregation which resulted from the division of the Reformed church in 1868. Its first officers-Elders John Stine, George K. Hoffman, Daniel Hoffman, and N. Wetzel, and Deacons O. J. Aregood, Moses S. Stein, Edward A. Schartel, and Isaac Hummel- were inducted into office June 9th, and held their first meeting on the 15th, to take steps for securing a suitable place for public worship.
The Associate Reformed Presbyterian property on Market street, above Third, was purchased for $5,200. This was neatly repaired, and the young church pros- pered under the ministry of Rev. J. A. Hoffheins, who commenced his pastorate in October, 1868, and served two years. He tendered his resignation to take charge of a church in Allegheny City, and was followed in March, 1871, by Rev. J. P. Stein, of Schuylkill Haven, who has labored with energy and self-denial up to the present time.
During the years of financial embarrassment this con- gregation has been able to sustain itself without mission- ary aid from the church abroad.
The membership, which originally included only those formerly members of the First Reformed Church, has increased to about 150.
The Sunday-school, under the efficient superintendence of Elder George K. Hoffman, has 140 members. Their annual collections amount to about $200.
The present members of the consistory are: Elders- John Stine, O. J. Aregood, George K. Hoffman, and Reuben Jones; deacons-David R. Koenig, John Saylor, H. R. Snyder, and C. Lessig.
EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS OF POTTSVILLE.
The elaborate public school system, of which Potts- ville is to-day so justly proud, has been gradually evolved from some very crude beginnings three-quarters of a cen- tury ago.
The earliest date of a school at Pottsville which can be fixed with any degree of certainty is 1811; when the people at Pottsville, "Brown's Farm," " Flowery Fields," " Bull's Head," and Minersville met and chose a place northeast of the shoe factory, near the present residence of Colonel B. N. Hyde, as a location for a log church.
The now venerable Abraham Pott, who was a pupil in the first school ever taught north of Sharp mountain, says that in this building, then known as the "Repp church," and later as the " Dutch church," the first school in this county was taught, in the German language.
But little is known of the school or teacher, except that the first teacher was an old soldier, who had served in the German cavalry, and was expert in fencing with the ferule.
The next was taught by John Hoff, an Irishman about seventy years of age, who was a clerk a long time for John Pott. He taught school about 1818 in a log house on the island, where Mr. Atkins's furnace now stands, and was also the first teacher in the log school-house
where the Centre street female grammar school building now stands. This log house, built in 1819 by John Strauch, at the direction of John Pott, jr., was the first school-house built within the borough limits, and the only one for about fourteen years. The following persons taught in the old log school-house in those early days, viz .: John Randolph, John Gray, John Downing, Joseph S. Silver, Charles Loeser and John Porter. These gen- tlemen taught in the order named, through a period of about seven years, according to Charles Silliman and James Shoemaker, who were schoolboys in those days.
About 1827 Silas Hough commenced to teach in the old log house, and he continued to teach private school for a period of over thirty years. He will long be re- membered by the " older schoolboys," as a good teacher, but (as they say) a severe disciplinarian. John Porter taught a private school until 1836, when he was elected as one of the first teachers in the public schools. In 1831 he moved his school to his residence, a stone building still standing at the corner of Schuylkill avenue and Fourth street. We find the following advertisement of March 23d, 1838: " SEMINARY .- The public are respect- fully informed that the subscriber intends to continue his English and mathematical school at his residence on Schuylkill avenue. Mrs. Porter will instruct the female department in plain and ornamental needle-work. Terms from $2.50 to $3.50 per quarter of twelve weeks. JOHN PORTER."
For several years John Sanderson, Silas Hough, and John Porter were the principal teachers of the borough. John Sanderson came to Pottsville in 1831, and opened a good school for pupils wishing to pursue their studies in the higher branches. He first taught in the stone house near where Pennsylvania Hall now stands, and then on Court-house hill, at his own residence. In 1835 he went to Paris, where he spent a year, and on his re- turn taught with great success in the Philadelphia high school. He died in 1844.
April 22nd, 1832, Miss Lee opened a sewing and knit- ting school, at the west end of Norwegian street, opposite Burd Patterson's. May 5th, 1832, Miss Maria Haight, daughter of the Presbyterian clergyman then stationed here, opened a school opposite the Episcopal church. This school was in operation for three or four years, and met with success.
THE POTTSVILLE INSTITUTE.
For twenty years, dating from 1832, this institution of- fered excellent educational facilities to the children at Pottsville. In September of that year Sylvanus Haight and John C. Offerman, as trustees, announced that A. A. Wood, a graduate of Amherst College, had engaged to open this school on the 24th inst. in the old Arcade build- ing, corner of Centre and Norwegian streets.
The course of instruction included common English, higher mathematics, the natural sciences, higher English, French, Latin, Greek and Hebrew. Special classes were formed in the other branches, and a course of lectures was added on "school-keeping." This was the first
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POTTSVILLE INSTITUTE-PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
normal school in Pennsylvania. The course occupied, besides the primary department, two years of four terms each. Tuition was fixed at $4.50 to $6.00 per quarter. In 1833 a new brick building, 35 by 40 feet, was erected in Norwegian street, for the Pottsville Institute, by John C. Offerman. In September, 1834, Thomas Hervey suc- ceed Professor Wood for one year as principal, and John M. Scribner, A. B, continued as assistant. C. Holtzer next had charge of the school for three years. From October, 1838, until April, 1844, Charles W. Pitman, a graduate of Dickinson College, conducted the institute with very marked success. His successor, James A. In- ness, was principal until September, 1845, when David Sanderson had the situation for one year. The year 1847 found the school so large that three assistant teachers were needed. The principal, Elias Schneider, had charge of mathematics and the ancient languages. Monsieur F. Perrin, a graduate of one of the principal gymnasia of Berne, Switzerland, had the French and German classes. W. P. Koutz, of Marshall College, had charge of the de- partment of natural science, history and elocution, and E. Sagendorf taught the English branches. The school building at this time was the old Quaker meeting-house on Sharp mountain, but within the following year a build- ing, 50 by 60 feet, was erected near this, for the school. It was built by a number of the citizens, at a cost of about $5,000. Here, for the first time, the school was called the Pottsville Academy. H. Russel now lives in the building.
The following corps of teachers shows the flourishing condition of the academy in 1849 : Elias Schneider, A. B., principal, and teacher of ancient languages; Daniel Kirkwood, teacher of mathematics; Christopher Little, A. M., teacher of modern science; Charles C. Schmid, teacher of history and geography; Rev. Lewis Angele, teacher of modern languages; Theodore Irish, teacher of penmanship. Professor Kirkwood had, at that time, gained some fame as an astronomer and has since become well known. In 1851 Mr. Schneider was elected super- intendent of the public schools of Pottsville, and Daniel Kirkwood took charge of the academy. In August of that year Mr. Kirkwood resigned to fill the chair of mathematics and astronomy in Delaware College, and Professor Angele became principal. He was succeeded in September 1853 by A. P. Spiney, whose administra- tion of less than two years marks the close of the history of the academy. About this time the public schools were raised to the grade of a high school, and several prosperous private schools were in progress. Thus it is found that the institution which was started under Mr. Wood, in 1832, had a run of twenty-two years, and dur- ing all this time had at its head first-class teachers. This school was kept up latterly by pupils from the public schools, which, in those days, were not unfrequently called the "schools for the poor."
OTHER PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
Although the Institute and Academy had been popu- lar and useful, yet a large number of other schools flour- ished during the same period.
In September, 1833, John Phillips, from Chester coun- ty, opened a boarding school at the corner of Centre and Mahantongo streets. The next April Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Wade opened an English and classical school in Mr. York's residence, Centre street. Both of these schools were ephemeral.
St. Ann's school was established in 1837, by three sis- ters of charity. It was a branch of the institution at Emmettsburg, Md. All English branches were taught, and next year, the school being in a flourishing condition, French, Greek and Latin were added to the course of study. Primary schools of this character are still in operation.
In 1837 a school, numbering twenty-five pupils, was conducted under the name of Pottsville Female Seminary, by Miss Clark, In 1838 Mrs. Shippen, Mrs. Wynkoop and Mrs. Utley each established a similar school, and all were well patronized. In December of that year C. M. Peale started an evening school on Market square, and fitted up a room on the corner of Centre and Mahanton- go streets, where he gave lectures on chemistry.
In 1842 Miss Clement's seminary was numbered among the private schools, and a school was opened by Miss E. Kent in the old stone school-house, on Market and Cen- tre streets.
In April, 1843, Miss Marcia M. Allen opened a female seminary in Mr. Wolff's building on Market street, cor- ner of Third. After occupying the Universalist church, the basement of the First Presbyterian church, and a building on Centre street for short periods, the school lo- cated for twenty years in the Thompson building on Market street.
Miss Allen kept her school up until 1871, a period of twenty eight years. During this time children's children were educated by her. The school was of a high grade, and furnished to the girls what the Pottsville Institute did to the boys. All the young ladies of the borough, during a period of over a quarter of a century, finished their education in Miss Allen's school, and will hand her name down to future generations as a first-class teacher. Miss Allen brought with her four other graduates of the same institution from which she came. Miss Caroline B. Whipple, who, for a time, was teacher of painting, draw- ing, Spanish and Italian, in Miss Allen's school; Miss P. L. Young, who taught private school, both in Pottsville and St. Clair; Miss Maria G. Ayer (afterwards Mrs. Hill), who taught private school from 1851 to 1854, and is still teaching a private school of primary grade. Miss F. A. Ayer, now Mrs. Hammeken, first taught both private and then public schools, and in 1865 started a private school again, for girls, of a high grade, in Thompson's building, so long occupied by Miss Allen. Mrs. Hill and Mrs Hammeken have now joined their schools, and are teaching together.
In 1845 Miss Mary McCool started a private school, which was in a prosperous condition until 1851. The school was in the basement of the Presbyterian church. In 1849 Miss Annette Strauch started a school in what is now Dr. Halberstadt's office, on Market street. She
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HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
moved from there to what is now the Second Presbyterian Church; from there to the Good Intent engine house; thence to Callowhill street, in the lecture room of the Evan- gelical Methodist church. She taught for twenty-four years, and never was out of school, except for one week, through sickness.
In the fall of 1849 the Rev. A. Pryor came here and opened a seminary for young ladies on Second street, be- tween Market and Norwegian streets. In April, 1850, he removed the seminary to his dwelling in Market square, where he employed two assistants. The school succeeded beyond the expectation of its friends and pa- trons, and was quite remunerative to the principal.
In the spring of 1865 the Paschal Institute was started by John A. M. Passmore, assisted by Miss Emma B. Strauch. Mr. Passmore and Miss Strauch had both been teaching for several years in the public school. This in- stitution was of a high grade, with a classical department, and for about four years was carried on with great suc- cess, when Mr. Passmore gave up teaching and went into business.
Young Ladies' Seminary was instituted in 1870, by Rev. George W. Smiley, D. D., and was in prosperous condition for about four years. For some time he had connected with his seminary a "kindergarten " school, which was very popular.
The Business College was established by Professor A. H. Hinman in 1874. It is a thorough school, conducted on actual business principles, and patronized by the best people. It educates both sexes in bookkeeping, com- mercial mathematics and penmanship. The college is now under the able management of Professor H. C. Clark, and is enjoying a fair degree of prosperity.
LITERARY SOCIETIES.
In January, 1839, the Pottsville Lyceum was organized, with Rev. Arthur Wainwright as president and James S. Wallace as secretary; Alfred A. Miller, Samuel Lewis, Jacob Sheafe, Benjamin F. Pomeroy and Edward Owen Parry were the directors. This society gave twenty-four entertainments during that year. All the lectures were on scientific subjects-most of them given by citizens of Pottsville, but a few by distinguished lecturers from abroad.
During the same year a German lyceum was started, with the following officers: David G. Yuengling, presi- dent; William T. Epting, vice-president; Dr. Brundner, secretary; John T. Stites, treasurer.
October 5th, 1839, an account is given of a Philomathic society, having for its object debates, discussions and lectures. Its meetings were held in the academy on West Norwegian street; afterward in Mr. Peal's rooms, at the corner of Centre and Mahantongo streets.
These societies and others of like character were kept up during the winter season until the fall of 1847, when a society was formed called the Pottsville Literary Sen- ate. There were two members representing each State. For two years it was successful and furnished valuable entertainment to the citizens.
In October, 1849, there was established a society named the " Pottsville Literary Society," which during its existence of four years secured the delivery to the public, entirely free of cost to those outside the society, of ninety-one lectures, about one hundred readings and the same number of public debates. The literary meetings were held on Wednesday night of each week during the season, and were attended by large numbers of the best people of all classes.
POTTSVILLE SCIENTIFIC ASSOCIATION.
On the 10th of October, 1854, several scientific gentle- men, among whom were Doctors James S. Carpenter, J. H. Wythes, and A. Heger, and Messrs. Samuel Lewis, P. W. Sheafer, and C. Little, met at the office of P. W. Sheafer for the purpose of founding a scientific institu- tion as a center of communication for the scientific nien of the county, and for the advancement of science. The effort proved successful, and the association had a pros- perous and profitable career of about ten years. Alarge and well selected cabinet of minerals was collected, and also a library of more than 700 bound volumes on scien- tific subjects, and a large collection of valuable pamphlets. The library was placed in charge of the Pottsville Ath- enæum and the mineral cabinet was presented to Lafay- ette College.
THE POTTSVILLE ATHENAEUM.
On the 29th of January, 1877, Rev. A. Prior, P. W. Sheafer, George Chambers, Charles H. Woltjen and Jo- siah Lineaweaver met in the office of P. W. Sheafer to consider the feasibility of organizing a literary associa- tion. Agreeing that such an institution was desirable a meeting was appointed for the election of officers, and Rev. A. Prior was chosen president, P. W. Sheafer vice- president, George Chambers recording secretary, Rev. B. F. Patterson corresponding secretary, and Charles J. Woltjen treasurer. These officers, with the managers, Heber S. Thompson, Edward D. Smith, Edward E. Swallow and Walter S. Church, constituted the first ex- ecutive board. This association was incorporated as the Pottsville Athenæum, under the act of April 29th, 1874, for the purpose of the establishment and maintenance of a library, and the promotion of literature and science; and was formally opened on the 5th of April, 1877. in three rooms which were secured in the Journal building for that purpose. The charter, which is perpetual, was approved by Judge Walker, September 24th, 1877. It provides that the capital stock of the corporation shall be $5,000, divided into 1,000 shares at $5 per share. This is the principal source of revenne to the institution. Provision is also made for the sale of family tickets at $5 per annum, to adults $2 per year, and tickets to stockholders, and teachers and pupils of the borough schools at $1 per annum.
The constitution adopted provides that the Athenaeum be composed of five departments: A public library, a reading room, departments for literary and musical en- tertainments, and a debating club.
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POTTSVILLE ATHENEUM-PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The library, which at the first report contained 1,300 volumes, is open daily (holidays and Sundays excepted), from eight o'clock A. M. until nine and a half P. M. The reading room has from the time of its organization been well supplied with daily and weekly newspapers, and the standard monthly magazines. The literary department has proved signally successful. Simultaneous with the organ- ization a course of lectures was inaugurated, which has greatly augmented the public interest; many lecturers have kindly donated their services to the Athenaeum.
The musical entertainments, under the supervision of Mrs. J. E. Graeff, have been a source of much pleasure. The debating club, the organization of which was com- pleted October 30th, 1877, has proved a very interesting department. Its first officers were: Howell Fisher, presi- dent; Josiah Lineaweaver, vice-president; John A. Sul- livan, secretary and treasurer. Each year proves more fully the value of this institution, with its pleasing enter- tainments and valuable opportunities for information. The number of visitors during the last fiscal year was 2,727. The number of bound volumes issued was 505; of periodicals 1,013. The number of bound volumes owned by the society is 1,537; of unbound, 286; pamphlets, 199; besides 16 regular issues of magazines, newspapers reports, &c.
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