USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pa. with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 73
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After his return from the south he taught school one term and then was for some time employed as a salesman in a store in Pottsville. December 14th, 1867, he was appointed one of the deputies of Sheriff George C. Wyn- koop, and also served in the same capacity during the succeeding terms of Sheriffs Charles W. and James I. Pitman. In November, 1874, he was elected sheriff of Schuylkill county, and served until January, 1878. It is probable that no sheriff in the United States ever had a more trying term than Mr. Werner did during that time, when the Schuylkill coal region was agitated by the long strike of 1875, the Mollie Maguire difficulties of 1875 and 1876, the great riots of 1877 and the far-reaching ill effects of the failure of the Huntzinger Bank, by which Mr. Werner, as the custodian of certain funds belonging to the county, was a loser to the amount of about $30,000, which he is devoting the best years of his life to repaying. Since the expiration of his incumbency of the office of sheriff, except during three years, Mr. Werner has held the position of deputy to his successors; and from his long experience in the duties devolving upon the sheriff, and his familiarity with the numerous per- plexing details of the office routine (extending through a period of more than ten years) he is undoubtedly better fitted for the work in which he is engaged than any other man in the county, and has come to be regarded as ready authority upon any question which to another might involve a laborious search through many books and papers long laid away.
April 8th, 1868, he married Mary L. Larer, of Potts- ville. They have two children, a son and a daughter. Politically Mr. Werner has always been a steadfast Re- publican and a hard worker for the principles of that party. Socially he is a pleasant and entertaining com- panion, with a wide acquaintance and many friends; his honor is unimpeached and his integrity undoubted. As an official he has always served satisfactorily to people of all parties.
CONRAD SELTZER.
CONRAD SELTZER, long and widely known as an extensive dealer in cattle, was born in Marbury, Kurrhessen, Germany, September 17th, 1818, and with a portion of his fath- er's family came to Amer- ica in 1835. Locating at Pottsville they built and occupied a small log house at Fishbach. In 1841 Mr. Seltzer engaged in butch- ering, his market being located opposite. the Ex- change Hotel. In 1848 he
Conrad Seltzer
removed to Minersville, where he followed the same business till 1858. During the latter year he removed to the "Bull's Head " farm, where he engaged in cattle dealing and remained until 1870, when he retired from bus- iness and was succeeded by his sons, William H. and A. W. Seltzer, the former engaging largely in trade in cattle, the latter in sheep and swine. Mr. Seltzer was married De- cember 10th, 1839, to Dorotha E. Roehrig.
] POTTSVILLE DROVE YARDS
D
HOTEL
HOTEL - RESIDENCE of WILLIAM AND
CONRAD SELTZER,
N. CENTER ST., POTTSVILLE, PA.
YORKVILLE BOROUGH.
HIS borough joins Pottsville on the west. It includes the York farm tract and a portion of the Wood estate. It has a length from east to west of one and one half miles, and an average width of a mile. It derived its name from the York farm, which was so called because it once belonged to the New York and Schuylkill Coal Company.
It was laid out as a town in 1844, for Carey, Lea & Blanch- ard, Abraham Hart, and the Miners' Bank of Pottsville, by Samuel Lewis, C. E. The first lot sold in this town was to Edward O'Connor, in 1847. All the available lots in the borough have been sold, and a thrifty people-mostly Germans-are now the residents of the place, nearly all owning the lots on which they reside. The population was 553 in 1870, and 656 in 1880.
Yorkville was incorporated March 8th, 1865. The first borough election was held July 22nd, 1865. The records have been kept in the German language, in ac- cordance with a resolution adopted at this election. The first officers were: John S. Schenck, burgess; Andreas Deuter, George Bildhauser, Ignaz Gartner, John Yestadt and Michael Buehler, councilmen; Charles Schuler, clerk. |
The burgesses elected since have been Joseph Schei- blehut, 1867, 1878; Andreas Deuter, 1868; Leonard Scheiblehut, 1869; George Buehler, 1871; Albert Hoffer, 1872; John S. Schenck, 1875; Martin Oterbein, 1876, 1879; Aloes Elison, 1880.
The school in the borough is taught in the English language. William G. Sigfried was the teacher 18 con- secutive years and until 1879.
Cemetery No. 2 of St. John's (Catholic) church is located in this borough.
There are three mines in the borough. York Farm mine was opened in 1850 by Job Rich, who, with his sons, has ever since operated it. It is a slope to the Tunnel vein. The average daily production of the mine has been six tons. It is now a retail mine.
Another slope was opened in 1865 by the present operators, John Fitzpatrick & Brother. This has no machinery, the coal being taken out in cars by mules.
A drift was opened in 1879 by Bildheiser & Wachter, who are the present operators. The coal is taken from this also in mule cars.
Railway Park is within the limits of Yorkville borough. It is a pleasant pic-nic ground, on the People's railway, and is a place of frequent resort for pleasure parties.
PINE GROVE TOWNSHIP.
HE first surveys of land in this township were in the case of warrants granted to Hon. John and William Penn, proprietaries. The tracts surveyed were contiguous and extended across the southern part of the township into the township of Washington, and included the site of Pine Grove borough.
The first settlers probably came between 1750 and 1760. They were Germans and came mostly from Berks county, and located near the base of the Blue mountain in the south part of the township. They were at first disturbed by the Indians, and a block house or fort was built on the mountain for a refuge in times of danger.
sler, Boyer, Zimmerman, Fetty and Stine. Some of these families forsook their new homes for a time during the Revolutionary war, to return after the restoration of peace.
Among those who were living here soon after the Revolution, some of whom had undoubtedly settled sev- eral years previous, were families named Minnich, Gebert and Buechler; and the families of Augst Bros- sius, John Weiss, Henry Souder, Jacob Haberling, John Haberling, Valentine Haberling, Jacob Smythe, Adam Kalbach, George Pressler, John Adams, George Berger, Baltzer Houpt and Baltzer Smith. Frederick Schnoke was one of the first settlers. He came here from Berks county and built a cabin in the southeast part of the away. After an absence of seven years he returned and
Among the families who are known to have become town, and lived there till fear of the Indians drove him residents of the township previous to the Revolution were those of Schnoke, Hetrick, Swope, Schaeffer, Bres- | found his cabin tenanted by saplings that had rooted in
47
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HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
the earth floor and grown through the bark roof. He became a permanent resident and the place is now owned by his great-grandson.
A man named Gistwite settled in the west part of the town, near Mifflin, about 1756. While at work on his log cabin he was murdered by the Indians.
George Fetty settled near Mifflin as early as 1770. His descendants are numerous in the township and some of them reside on the land which he first located.
John Stine settled about two miles west from the bor- ough near 1760. His descendants are numerous in the township and the original homestead is still in the family.
Bernhart Zimmerman settled in the southeast part of the township and many of his descendants reside in the township. John Moyer came in 1790; Isaac Harvey about 1830, and Michael Wenrick still earlier. The names of many of the pioneers are irretrievably lost.
The population of the township in 1830 was 1,601; 1840, 1,297; 1850, 1,967; 1860, 2,817; 1870, 2,274; 1880, 2,327.
MANUFACTURERS AND TRADE.
Lumbering was the main business in this region from 1780 till a comparatively recent time. Of course many saw-mills have been built and permitted to go to decay. It is believed that Baltzer Smith built the first one about 1780, on a branch of the Swatara, about one mile south of Pine Grove borough. Very little lumbering has been done since 1850.
A rude grist-mill was built about 1782 on Swope's creek, at the south end of Brookside farm. This was patronized by people 30 miles away. Another was soon built by John Schaeffer on Swatara creek near Mifflin, and soon afterward another on the present site of Z. Bal- dorf's mill, near North Pine Grove, by a man named Uhler.
A distillery was built about 1790 at North Pine Grove by a Mr. Swalm, who was scalded to death while work- ing in it. About 1800 another was built by Peter Leher on a farm now owned by John Feltz. Baltzar Hautz, John Zimmerman and Jacob Stine also erected and oper- ated distilleries.
A tavern, known as the Red tavern, was opened as early as 1790 at North Pine Grove, by John and Solomon Albright, who were early settlers there. They were suc- ceeded by Henry W. Conrad and he by Henry Zimmer- man. It became a dwelling and about 1858 it was burned. The Albrights also kept a store in a part of the building. Frederick Rudi kept a tavern in a log building which stood on the Brookside farm, near the present bridge, as early as 1785. He was succeeded by a Mr. Woods, who converted it into a store and it was afterward burned.
A forge was built by Daniel Rondebach about two miles east of Pine Grove borough, and in 1844 it was converted into the Stanhope furnace by Adam Brown. It continued in blast till about 1875, since which it has been idle. Swatara forge was started as a furnace in 1830, by George N. Eckert and Simon Guilford. It was
afterward converted into a forge and it is continued as such. It is owned by the estate of George N. Eckert.
VILLAGES.
Mifflin consists of a hotel, a store, a church and half a dozen dwellings. A hotel has been kept here many years. Hans C. Christesen opened the first store here in 1868, and he was instrumental in the establishment of the post-office here about 1873. Daniel B. Kochen- berger was the first postmaster, but was soon succeeded by H. C. Christesen, who held the office until his death, in 1878, since which time Mrs. Louisa Christesen has served as postmistress.
Elwood is a post-office and flag station on the S. and S. branch of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad. The place contains a store and six or eight dwellings.
North Pine Grove, although not included within the borough limits of Pine Grove, is nevertheless a continua- tion of the northern suburbs of the village. A hotel and small store are kept here, and the locality is made the polling place for the township.
CHURCHES.
Jacob's Lutheran Church is located about two miles west of Pine Grove on the railroad leading to Lebanon. The congregation was organized in 1780, and the same year a church building of hewed logs was erected. It was the first church established in this part of Schuylkill county. The house was used as a place of worship till 1833, when a new one was built of hewed logs and weather-boarded. It was dedicated May 19th of that year. The building committee of the first church was composed of John Stein, Balthassar Bohr, George Feltz, Bernhart Zimmerman, Lenhart Minnich and John Bren- nar. The building committee of the second church were John Stein and George Stein. The deacons at that time were John Spancake and George Zimmerman; elders, Jacob Stein, Jacob Lehman, John Neu, and Adam Span- cake; trustee, George Stein.
The present officers are: Elders, Samuel Bowen, John Adams, Isaac Buechler and Cyrus Feltz; deacons, Ezra Feltz and Oliver Mease; trustee, Daniel Anspach. The number of communicants is one hundred and seventy. The church property, which includes a parsonage and a chapel at Ellwood, is unencumbered and has a value of about $10,000. There are no records of this church of an earlier date than 1799, but it is known that the pas- tors since its organization have been: Revs. William Kurtz, from 1780 to 1798: Andrew Schultz, from 1798 to 1802; John Knoske from 1802 to 1811; George Mennig, 1811 to 1833; William Mennig, from 1833 to 1839; A. B. Gockelen, from 1839 to 1845; Benjamin Stadtler, from 1845 to 1849; E. Briedenbach, from 1849 to 1852; Elias S. Henry, from 1852 to the present time.
The Church of God, of Mifflin .- In the spring of 1870 Elder Israel Hay, of Lebanon county, a preacher from the Church of God of the United States and a member of the East Pennsylvania Eldership, commenced preach-
315
PIONEERS OF PINE GROVE BOROUGH.
ing regularly at Mifflin, and continued until March, 1871, when he began a protracted meeting, the result of which was the conversion of many and the organization of the Church of God on April 16th, 1871, with 46 constituent members.
The first officers of the church were: Elders-John Strubhar and Samuel White; deacons-George H. Wag- ner and Samuel Heiser; treasurer, G. H. Wagner; secre- tary, E. E. Thompson; trustees-E. E. Thompson, George H . Wagner, Samuel White. In 1872 the society erected
a stone church edifice, the chapel or lower story of which was completed and dedicated November 17th, 1872. The main audience room has not yet been completed.
Mr. Hay served as pastor until November, 1876, fol- lowed by Simon Stonecypher for one year, since which Elder Samuel Smith has preached. The present mem- bership is about 40.
A Sunday-school was organized January 3d, 1873, with G. H. Wagner as superintendent. The school then num- bered about forty. The present number is about 200.
PINE GROVE BOROUGH.
HIS borough is situated on the Swatara creek, in the eastern part of Pine Grove township, and contains five churches, four hotels, two grist-mills, six general stores, one drug, two clothing and two shoe stores, two tanneries, a fur- niture factory, a printing office and a proportionate number of shops. Its population in 1880 was 956.
The place was first named Swallowtown, or Schwallum Schtettle. Afterward it came to be known as Barrstown, or Bear Schtettle. Its present name is from a grove of pines which has disappeared.
Pine Grove was laid out in 1830 by J. Milner Roberts, on lands owned by Henry W. Conrad, Peter Filbert, Benjamin Aycrigg, Samuel Hain, George M. Eckert, Henry G. Weaver, Keim & Drenckle, William Lehman, C. M. Eldridge, Christian Ley, Simon Uhlman, W. Mil- ner Roberts, John Fager, Marcus C. Kauffman, John Barr, W. Richards, William Hoch, Jacob Gratz, John Salterei Wharton, John C. Oliver, J. Huber, and Enoch G. Rex.
BEGINNING OF SETTLEMENT AND BUSINESS.
Jacob Gunkel, the first settler at Pine Grove, was for several years the only resident within the present borough limits. He located on the site of the American Eagle Hotel in 1771. Here he laid claim to a large tract of land, which he subsequently purchased from John and Richard Penn, and which included the site of the present borough. He kept a house of entertainment for travelers and teamsters passing over the route of the old Indian trail, and in 1795 opened a store in a part of his house, which he kept till 1810, when he removed to a farm one mile south from the borough, where in 1813 he died. A German Reformed church had been erected (of logs) on his land in 1782, and a parochial school kept there at times.
Pine Grove forge was erected about 1810, by Tobias Rickel, near where Filbert & Brothers' flouring mill now stands, and a few small tenement houses were built near
it. In 1819 the property was purchased by Peter Filbert, who erected an edge-tool factory, known as the "Tilt- hammer forge." Mr. Filbert operated both for a few years; then sold them, and in 1828 they were abandoned.
Michael Fritz came in 1810. He was a tanner. He was a substitute for Jonathan Seidel in the war of 1812. John Barr, a tavern keeper, came in 1814. He had served as a captain in the war of 1812. George Barr, his eldest son, was a tanner, but for 15 years he was a butch- er, then a coal operator. He still lives here. Jacob Barr, another son, is also a resident. Paul, another son of John, was first a tanner, and afterwards a merchant and a lumberman. He was postmaster during 24 years. Michael Huber came to Pine Grove in 1812. He was a miller in the Batdorf mill. His son Jacob, a lifelong resident, was a carpenter and joiner, and his wife, a daugh- ter of John Barr, survives him. Jacob Christ came in 1814. He was a teacher. Samuel Hain was a tanner here during ten years from 1822. William Graeff came to Pine Grove in 1825, and for thirty years was a merchant. From 1836 till his death in 1873 he was also a coal operator.
The first tannery was established in 1810, by Jonathan Gerdel, and by him conducted till 1824, when it was sold to Samuel Hain, and subsequently to Levi Miller, who still carries on the business.
Samuel Guss built the Schuylkill county tannery here in 1830. He was succeeded by John Bechtel & Son, who enlarged the works in 1856, and in 1863 sold to Daniel and John Gensemer, the present proprietors.
About 1810 Philip Gerdel came and built a large grist-mill on Swatara creek, near where Charles Fegley's mill now stands. It had several subsequent owners, among whom were Daniel Rendebach, Conrad Raber, Peter Eckert, Levi Miller and Enoch More.
Charles Fegley purchased it, and in 1858 built a larger one in place of it. This was swept away by a flood in June, 1862, and the present mill soon afterward built on its site.
The steam flouring and grist-mill of Filbert & Brother was built by the present proprietors in 1865.
316
HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
A foundry was built about 1845 by John Derby. It was burnt about 1852. Another was erected and used till 1871. The building remains.
Primitive stores were kept by Jacob Dietzler, John and Solomon Albright, and a man named Woods.
The store now occupied by F. E. Stees & Brother was built by William Graeff about 1825. He continued in business there til! 1858, and was succeeded by his son, John E. Graeff, and William Farrer. Kauffman & Uhl- man, Strimphler & Hoch, Caleb Wheeler, Paul Brand and Paul Barr, jr., were merchants here previous to 1833. Among those of a more recent date were Kitzmiller, Stees & Co., Strimphler & Shoemaker, Greenwald & George, George F. Mars, Peter C. Molly, Francis Hoover, George F. Kurtz. The principal representatives of this branch of business at present are Miller, Filbert & Co., F. E. Stees & Brother, Gensemer & Sherman, C. F. Molly & Co. and A. G. Paine. Paul Barr opened the first drug store about 1842, and was succeeded by his son, T. A. Barr, in 1872, who still continues the business.
After Jacob Gunter, John Brown opened a primitive hotel, just north of the borough line, about 1780. It was known as the " Red Tavern." Frederick Reed, in 1785, had a tavern near the south borough line.
On the site of the Gunter stand John Barr erected and opened a hotel in 1815, since which time it has not ceased to be kept. George P. Fester has been proprietor since 1874. Henry D. Conrad, in 1827, and Peter Fil- bert, in 1828, established hotels. Both are now dwell- ings. Pine Grove Hotel was built in 1830 by Peter Fil- bert. His son, Samuel P., is the present proprietor. Among other landlords here have been William Lutz, Captain Reinhart, Philip Koons, Daniel McQuade, John Snyder, William Zimmerman, John Sager, Kennedy Robinson, William Lurch, Christian Ley and Fred G. Werntz.
Reading was the post town for this place till 1819, when a post-office was established here with John Barr as postmaster. Subsequent postmasters have been James C. Oliver, Paul Barr, George F. Mars, Dr. John Kitzmiller, Philip Koons, Henry Hain, A. G. Manwiler and Dr. J. G. Dreher.
The first mail route through Pine Grove was from Georgetown to Womelsdorf, over which a weekly mail was carried on horseback by John Schope and afterward by George Bingeman. Afterward a route was established from Harrisburg to Pottsville, and in 1830 a daily line of stage coaches traversed this route.
The first resident physician in Pine Grove was Dr. Jacob Christ. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was succeeded by his son Dr. Levi M. Christ. Both died in 1876. Dr. William Smith came in 1829, Dr. Armstrong in 1834, Dr. Augustine Holmes about 1835 and Dr. Kitzmiller in 1836. Dr. Kitzmiller was acci- dentally killed in 1864.
The Schuylkill County Herald was established in 1878 under the name of the Pine Grove Herald, by the present proprietor, Alfred Gilbert. Its name was changed early in 1879.
INCORPORATION .- OFFICERS.
Pine Grove was incorporated May 7th, 1832. It then contained 300 inhabitants. The first borough election was held at the house of Henry W. Conrad, April 26th, 1839.
The following have been chosen to the office of chief burgess: John Barr, 1839, 1840; Jacob Ditzler, 1841, 1842; Peter Filbert, 1843; George Shucker, 1844, 1845, 1853; Owen Drine, 1846, 1859, 1870, 1871, 1879; Daniel Werntz, 1847; Lewis Reeser, 1848; Jacob Barr, 1849; Samuel Fox, 1850, 1851, 1854-58, 1863-69; Frederick Snyder, 1852; Benjamin Eckler, 1860; Charles Duel, 1861; Jacob Fry, jr., 1862; U. R. Tracy, 1872, 1873; John W. Barr, 1874; John F. Zimmerman, 1875; Levi Smeltzer, 1876; John Huber, jr., 1877, 1880; Penrose Barto, 1878. The following have served as town clerks: Samuel Guss, 1839-45; John A. Bechtel, 1846; K. Robin- son, 1847; Lewis Reeser, 1848-51; Henry Werntz, 1852; Levi Huber, 1853-57; Edward T. Filbert, from 1858 to the present time.
SCHOOLS.
Tradition says a school was taught here by a German in 1779. The parochial school in connection with Gun- kel's church has been spoken off. As late as 1820 the German language was taught exclusively in the schools. Of the many German teachers only the names of Mr. - Freedland and David Christ are remembered. The first exclusively English schools were taught about 1825 by David Gorman and - Kellogg, a Quaker.
The first school-house, a framed building, was erected in 1830 on Mill street, in the western part of the borough. Among others Rev. F. W. Conrad, D.D., and Hon. James L. Nutting taught in this building.
The present school building, erected in 1857, is a three-story brick structure, the upper story of which is owned by the masonic lodge. In this excellent schools have been taught. The principals have been Valentine Jones, Edward Jones, J. H. Werntz, Rev. Mr. Koons, - - Matthews, R. S. Unger, J. H. Rossler, D. C. Henning, S. A. Will and George W. Channell. The latter has taught continuously since 1871.
ORGANIZATIONS.
Washington Camp, No. 49, Patriotic Order Sons of America was organized May 28th, 1858, with fourteen charter members, composed entirely of young men be- tween the ages of sixteen and twenty-one. J. Leonard was chosen the first president. The organization pros- pered until the breaking out of the civil war in 1861, when most of its members joined the Union army, and this camp was suspended. On April 10th, 1866, it was reorganized, and in August of the same year the word " Junior," which it at first bore, was stricken from the name and the age of admission extended to fifty years. It now numbers over . 100 members.
Pine Grove Lodge, No. 148, I. O. O. F. was instituted January 28th, 1846. The charter members were J. S.
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LODGES AND CHURCHES AT PINE GROVE.
Shoemaker, John Strimpfler, Kennedy Robinson, Samuel Hepple, John A. Bechtel and Israel Reinhard. The first officers were: J. Reinhard, N. G .; J. Strimpfler, V. G .; K. Robinson, secretary; J. A. Bechtel, treasurer. This lodge has had a steady and healthy growth, and it now numbers about 125 members.
Pine Grove Encampment, No. 211, I. O. O. F. was insti- tuted June 19th, 1871. There were eight charter mem- bers. The first officers were: Reuben Barto, C. P .; Ezra J. Haak, H. P .; F. F. Bartels, S. W .; A. W. Zimmerman, J. W .; J. H. Leonhart, scribe; John Huff, treasurer. The encampment numbers 38 members.
Pine Grove Lodge, No. 409, A. Y. M. was instituted April 21st, 1868, with twenty-two charter members. The first officers were: H. H. Barr, W. M .; J. A. Sweigard, S. W .; William Claydon, J. W .; E. J. Haak, secretary; R. H. Stees, treasurer. The masters have been H. H. Barr, J. A. Sweigard, H. A. Richards, H. W. Tracy, George Miller, J. G. Dreher, S. J. Seyfert, John Hewett. The lodge owns its hall, and is in a prosperous condition.
Wolf Post, No. 203, G. A. R. was mustered March 8th, 1870, with twelve charter members. The first officers were: Peter A. Filbert, P. C .; F. J. Diehl, senior V. C .; A. M. Rank, junior V. C .; R. Barto, adjutant; George F. Kurtz, Qr. M .; L. M. Christ, sergeant; J. F. Bonewitz, chaplain; William Harvey, sergeant major ; Hiram Schram, O. D .; R. Bartels, O. G .; William Snyder, Qr. S. Owing to the removal of some of its members and the financial panic of 1875 the post was obliged to dis- band, but was reorganized July Ist, 1880, with about fif- teen members.
Pleasant Valley Grange, No. 685, P. of H. was organ. ized with thirteen original members. The first officers were: Daniel Sheidy, master; Charles Jones, overseer; L. E. Hummel, secretary; George Zuby, treasurer. The names of the succeeding masters are Edward Hummel and M. R. Hughes. The grange meetings were held at Pleasant Valley until June, 1876, since which they have been held in Odd Fellows' Hall, Pine Grove borough. The present membership is about fifty-five. In May, 1878, a grange store was opened at Pine Grove, under the auspices of this order. It has done a successful business.
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