History of Schuylkill County, Pa. with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 87

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

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In the summer of 1878 the company leased four acres of ground from the Girard estate, which it fitted up with dancing floor, booths, etc, for picnic purposes, at a cost of over $1,200. This place is known as "Columbia Park," and is an attractive resort in summer and a source of in- come to the company.

This company now numbers over 70 members and its equipments are equal to any in this part of the State.

SHENANDOAH SCREEN WORKS.

These works were first established on White street, in the spring of 1873, by Mr. Laubenstein, from Minersville, to make wrought iron screens for the coil breakers. J. H. Kertz was employed as superintendent of the works until 1877, when he purchased the establishment and removed the works to the north end of Jardin street, where he still continues the business, also manufacturing wrought iron fencing.

HOTELS.

The National Hotel, formerly known as the United States Hotel, was built in 1862 by the Philadelphia Land Com- pany, and first kept by Seymour Wright. A few years later the property was purchased by Dr Freeze, who

subsequently sold to one Phillips. In 1874 it was bought by George F. Leitzel, who in 1876 raised it to three stories. Leitzel still owns it. The house has been kept by the following landlords successively: S. Wright, O. P. Hart, D. Rinebolt, M. Bickel, B. K. Yost, and George F. Leitzel. The present manager is Daniel C. Blyler.

The Columbia House, opposite the Reading depot, was erected and opened in 1876, by Morris Morrison, the present proprietor, at a cost of over $5,o50. It is one of the best hotels in the town.

The Shenandoah Valley House is centrally located at Nos. 21 and 23 Main street. The rear part of this house is one of the first buildings put up in the town. The front part was built in 1876, by Henry J. Neumann, who is still the owner and manager.

The Merchants' Hotel was erected in 1870, by Lodo- wick Zimmerman. The Cambrian house, the Kendrick house, and the Globe hotel are among those more recently opened.

BANKS.

The Shenandoah Valley Bank was incorporated and commenced business in 1870, with a capital of $50,000. William Grant was elected president and Joel B. McCa- mant cashier. Upon the death of Mr. Grant, in 1873. Jonathan Wasley was chosen president. This bank con- tinued to do business until 1878, when an assignment was made of its assets and its business suspended.

The Miners' Banking Company .- This company was established in 1875, with a capital of $50,000; C. F. Weber was president, and G. W. Garret cashier. The concern suspended after doing business two or three years.

THE PRESS.

The Sunday Morning News, an independent paper published every Sunday morning, was established in September, 1878, by James H. Dietrick and Philip Keck, who ran it in partnership until June, 1880, when Mr. Keck became sole proprietor. It is a nine-colum i paper, independent in sentiment, and is liberally patronized.

MILITARY.

Company H, 8th Regiment N. G. of Pennsylvania, was organized in Shenandoah and mustered June 22nd, 1876, numbering 90 enlisted men and three commissioned officers. The company was soon after equipped and uniformed, and was present at the general encampment at Philadelphia in August following. The first officers were : Captain, George W. Johnson; first-lieutenant, James G. Roads; second-lieutenant, Joseph Hoskins. This company was called out and served at Pittsburgh during the riots there in July and August, 1877. Early in 1879 the company was reduced to 63 men rank and file in compliance with the new military law of the State. Its present number is 58. On December 25th, 1876, Second Lieutenant Hoskins, was succeeded by John C. Glover. The present commissioned officers are: Captain, George W. Johnson; first lieutenant, Benjamin G. Hess; second lieutenant, Frank Temple; the two latter having

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.

been commissioned December 25th, 1880. The company has been present at all encampments and general inspec- tions since its organization, and according to the adjutant general's reports has a superior record in most respects.

LODGES AND ASSOCIATIONS.

Shenandoah Lodge, No. 591, I. O. O. F .- This lodge was instituted by District Deputy George W. Rofsnyder, with seventeen charter members, December 17th, 1866, when the following officers were elected: George Depuy. N. G .; Robert Weightman, N. G .; George L. Regan, secretary; George A. Herring, treasurer. The present officers are: Thomas S. Roberts, N. G .; Thomas Lath- bean, V. G .; D. J. Williams, secretary; Robert Weight- man, treasurer.

This lodge has always maintained a healthy and active existence, and is at present in a very flourishing condi- tion, its assets amounting to nearly $10,000. The lodge numbers 153 members.

Washington Camp, No. 112, Patriotic Order Sons of America was organized at Reagan's Hall, in Shenandoah, May 4th, 1869, with twelve charter members. The first elective officers were as follows: S. D. Hess, past presi- dent; J. S. Farringer, president; J. W. Deitrick, vice- president; J. R. Miller, M. of F. & C .; L. F. Raber, R. S .; Sylvester Yost, assistant secretary; James F. Jacoby, F. S .; George R. Shaeffer, treasurer; Jonathan Yost, Cond .; M. S. Shoemaker, I. G .; Lewis Widdenmoyer, O. G .; Charles M. Wasley, chaplain.

This order is a beneficiary one, and applicants, to be eligible, must be not less than eighteen years of age and native-born Americans. The camp has nearly a hundred members.

The presiding officers of this camp have been J. S. Farringer, John R. Miller, Charles M. Wasley, S. D. Hess, G. R. Shaeffer, J. C. Glover, Sylvester Yost, J. D. Moyer, J. M. Horman, W. M. Beacher, B. J. Yost, A. A. Greennawald, Robert Davenport, George G. Kurtz, H. W. Heiser, John P. Roehm, John G. Thomas, Frank Templin, B. F. Crawshaw, D. O. Thomas, J. W. Blaker, Myer Kolb, William R. Wilde, John W. Bartch and Thomas Tosh.

Shenandoah Tribe, No. 155, Improved Order of Red Men was instituted October 4th, 1871, with thirty char- ter members. The principal first officers were: George T. Taylor, sachem; Reese J. Thomas, Sr. S .; John Adams, Jr. S .; C. C. Wagner, chief of records; Thomas H. Tay. lor, keeper of wampum.

The successive presiding officers have been Reese J. Thomas, David W. Davis, Elijah Gregory, David R Rees, Robert M. Cumnock, John James, Thomas M Greenwood, Thomas Ramage, William T. Richards, Thomas Bellis, Robert W. Roberts, Simon Gregory, David S. Owens, John R. Jones, George Watts and Ed. ward V. Williams.

less than 100. It has, however, retained an uninterrupted existence and is now prosperous.

Shenandoah Lodge, No. 511, F. and A. M .- This lodge was instituted September 25th, 1872, with twenty-one charter members. The presiding officers since the or- ganization of the lodge have been as follows: William Grant, 1872; Jonathan Wasley, 1873, 1875; J. B. Mc- Camant, 1874; William Krick, 1876; Richard Knight, 1877; Elijah Gregory, 1878; John C. Roxby, 1879, 1880. The lodge has been gradually improving financially and numerically, and now numbers about 70 members. It has a large surplus fund.

Silver Wave Castle, No. 45, Ancient Order of Knights of the Mystic Chain .- This cast'e was instituted February roth, 1873, with twenty-three charter members, of whom the following were the first officers: E. N. Harpel, Com .; E. A. Haywood, Vice-Com .; J. C. Dovey, T. L .; Jasper Wylem, R. S .; E. N. Levering, A. R. S .; T. M. Greenwood, T. S .; R. R. Greener, treasurer; A. Green- awald, I. G .; Alfred Wells, O. G .; J. S. Williams, C. of S. The succeeding presiding officers have been A. E. Haywood, J. C. Dovey, J. C. Glover, A. H. Roads, Henry Horncastle, William Shaw, Jasper Wylem, J. S. Williams, F. F. Brocious, Thomas Keshner, William M. James, John F. James, Daniel Richards, F. P. Brocious, Frank Warreck, J. C. Shaw. The membership is over one hundred.

Plank Ridge Lodge, No. 880, [. O. O. F. was instituted June roth, 1874, with twenty persons as charter members. The first officers elected were: E. N. Harpel, N. G .; E. D. Beddall, V. G .; Thomas W. Taylor, secretary; Samuel R. Broome, assistant secretary; Jacob Bamberger, treas- urer. The following is a list of the presiding officers successively: E. N. Harpel, E. D. Beddall, S. R. Broome, F. F. Brocius, John Clough, Simon Gregory, Jacob Bam- berger, Robert A. Glover, George W. Johnson, William Owens, Frank Temple, E. K. Ramberger, Robert Peel, Thomas Mansell.

This lodge increased rapidly in numbers and wealth, and on January Ist, 1875, it had a membership of 130. Its present membership is about 125. It has a large sur- plus on hand and is one of the most active and flourish - ing lodges in the county.

St. Patrick's Catholic Mutual Benefit Association No. 147 .- This is a branch of the Irish Catholic Benevolent Union, and was chartered and organized March 19th, 1870, with fifteen original members. J. J. Franey was elected the first president, and J. A. Tobin frst secretary. The society numbers 120 members.

St. Michael's C. M. B. A. (German) is a branch of the German Catholic Central Association. It was duly or- ganized January 14th, 1873. The original members numbered 47, and the following were the first officers: Michael Peter, president; William Graeber, vice- presi- dent; Joseph Harman, secretary; Joseph Boch, treasurer; Christ Begrant doorkeeper. Trustees-William Schmich- er, Peter Beltzer, and Michael Valerius.

This tribe made rapid progress for a time after its organization until it attained a membership of 232, but the strikes, the unreliable condition of the coal interest, Anthracite Lodge, No. 1,793, Knights of Honor was in- and finally the panic of 1873, reduced its membership to | stituted in Shenandoah, September 30th, 1879, with forty

38I

CHURCHES AND SOCIETIES OF SHENANDOAH.

original members. Its first officers were: Thomas J. Foster, past director; R. A. Glover, director; J. W. Die- trick, secretary; James G. Hutton, F. S .; Veniah Shoe- maker. The presiding officers have been as follows: R. A. Glover, W. H. Shoemaker, August Roads The present membership is about 50.

This branch has So members and is making arange- ments to build a hall.

St. Kasimer's C. M. B. A. (Polish) was organized, as a branch of the Irish Catholic Benevolent Association, February 14th, 1875, with 24 members. Sylvester Brozis was elected president, and Felix Murawsky secretary. The membership is 65.

National Guards of Warsaw .- This is a legally char- tered organization composed entirely of Polanders, and was organized in Shenandoah in June, 1876, with fifteen members. The first president was Joseph Janiski, and the first secretary Joseph Konopniski. The present membership is 25.

Washington Benevolent Association .- This chartered beneficiary association was organized October 13th, 1880, with about 20 original members. The first officers were: Philip Wool, president; Nicholas Byrant, vice-president; Joseph Halbe, secretary. The present officers are: P. Wool, president; N. Byrant, vice-president; Christian Schmidt, secretary; Jacob Noll, treasurer.

ECCLESIASTICAL.

The First Sunday-school .- The first public religious movement in Shenandoah was the organization of a Welsh Sunday-school in the spring of 1864, by T. W. Davis, Jonathan Ellis and others, which was held at the residence of Lancelot Evans, on Main street; T. W. Davis was the superintendent. After a few months it was abandoned, owing to the fewness of interested Welsh residents. It was during the existence of this Sunday- school that the first sermon in Shenandoah was preached, in the Welsh language, by the Rev. Mr. Hughes, a Welsh Calvinist Methodist minister, then of St. Clair.

In the spring of 1865 the second organization of a Sunday-school was effected by the Welsh inhabitants of the place, without regard to the former religious views of its members, prominent among whom were David Bevans, Henry D. Lewis, R. Jones, Benjamin Davis, Jonathan Ellis and T. W. Davis, the latter acting as superintend- ent. The school was organized at the house of David Bevans, on Main street, but was soon after transferred, with the consent of the school board, to the "Brown school-house," where other religious meetings, with preaching, were occasionally held through this and the following year.

The efforts put forth by the members of this Sunday- school were not without their reward, as they resulted in the organization of the first two churches in Shenandoah.

Welsh Congregational Church .- This church was or- ganized July 22nd, 1866, with thirteen male and six female members. Thomas W. Davis, Henry Davis, and Elias Ellis were chosen deacons. This was the first church organization in Shenandoah. For the first nine

months of its existence it was served by Henry C. Harris as pastor. The society at once commenced the erection of a framed church, with stone basement, on West street, which was completed at a cost of about $2,250, and oc- cupied in January following. The dedication took place in April, 1867, on which occasion Revs. R. D. Thomas, Thomas Rees, and E. R. Lewis officiated. Mr. Harris was succeeded by Rev. Robert D. Thomas, of Mahanoy city, who remained until July 18th, 1872, when William Jones Thomas, who had been ordained February 18th, 1872, and had been co-pastor with R. D. Thomas from that time until the departure of the latter, accepted the full pastoral charge of the church. He remained until his death, June 22nd, 1875. He was an earnest and diligent minister, and accomplished much good. His successor, the present pastor, Rev. D. Todd Jones, late of Mahanoy city, began his labors January ist, 1876. The membership of the church is 100. The Sabbath- school numbers 130 scholars.

First M. E. Church .- This society had among its earliest members Richard and Alice Knight, George and Dorcas Depuy, Levi J., Emily and Annie Hoffman, Robert and Mary Weightman, Alfred and Ann Callen, John C. Roxby and Daniel Shappel, who held meetings in the old brown school-house on Lloyd street, under the care of Rev. J. Mullen, then pastor of Mount Carmel M. E. church. In 1867 these, with others, erected a frame church on the southwest corner of Oak and White streets, with a seating capacity of 400, at a cost of $5,000.

In the spring of 1868 this church became a part of the Philadelphia Conference, and received its first regular pastor in the person of Rev. Eli Pickersgill.

In 1871, under the pastorate of Rev. J. Rit Boyle, the church was enlarged and refitted, increasing its seating capacity to 600 and its value to $10,000.

The following have been the pastors: Rev. Eli Pick- ersgill, 1868, 1869: Rev. J. A. Cooper, 1869, 1870; Rev. J. T. Swindells, 1870, 1871; Rev. J. Rit Boyle, 1871-74; Rev. N. B. Durell, 1874-76; Rev. J. Pastorfield, 1876-79; Rev. W. P. Howell, 1879-81; Rev. W. L. McDowell, ap- pointed in March, 1881, the present pastor.

The church has over 200 members.

In the fall of 1868 the organization of the M. E. Sun- day-school proper took place, with Levi J. Hoffman as its superintendent. At that time there were 23 officers and teachers and 114 pupils. The school is now one of the largest Protestant schools in the county, having an average attendance of 460.

Welsh Baptist Church .- This church was organized at the Congregational church building in Shenandoah, in 1867, with eight male members, viz., David Bevans, John John, John P. Williams, Jonah Griffiths, William Thomas, Job Samuel and Wirehood Thomas. J. P. Williams was the first deacon, and Rev. B. Nicholas the first pastor. Services were held in the Lloyd street school-house until 1871, when the society built a neat and substantial framed church, with basement, on Oak street, which was dedi- cated in September of the same year. The building, in-

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.

cluding the furnishing, cost about $4,000. The site of the building was owned by Rev. David Evans, who do- nated one-half its value to the society. After Mr. Nich- olas Rev. D. Evans was pastor two years, and Rev. Joseph T. Jones two years. His successor was Rev. David Jones, the pioneer pastor. The membership is about fifty. The Sunday-school has one hundred and thirty pupils.

Presbyterian Church .- For some time previous to the organization of a Presbyterian church Shenandoah had been a missionary field and meetings had been held regu- larly-most of the time in the Lloyd street school-house -by missionaries of this denomination, through whose influence also a meeting-house was erected in 1867 and dedicated January 30th, 1868. On March 17th following the dedication the church was organized, with the follow- ing members: James Hutton, Richard Ramage, Mrs. Richard Ramage. Mrs. W. Honeyman, Mrs. William Grant, Mrs. John Cather, Mrs. John A. Lewis, Mrs. Robert Jones, Mrs. Adam Leckie, Mrs. Houseman, Miss Robenia Westwood, Miss Hannah Jones.

Their first pastor was Rev. W. E. Honeyman; he serv- ed about a year and a half, and Rev. John C. Clyde about fifteen months. March 4th, 1873, Rev. Frederick F. Kolb, the present pastor, took charge.

The church building, on White and Oak streets, was renovated in 1880, and the church property is now valued at $3,000. The membership is about 70.

The Sunday-school, organized at an early date with James G. Hutton as its first superintendent, now num- bers 150 pupils.

Calvinistic Methodist Church ( Welsh) .- This church was organized at the West Lloyd street school-house, by Rev. J. L. Jeffreys, in December, 1869, with about twenty con- stituent members. William P. Jones and Henry Davis were chosen deacons. Edward C. Evans, then a licen- tiate, preached the first year. In 1870 the society erect- ed a frame church building on West street, which was dedicated in November of that year, Rev. William Roberts, D.D., now of Utica, officiating at its consecra- tion. Rev. R. V. Griffiths became the first regular pas- tor in 1873, and remained three years. Rev. E. C. Evans, who had finished his theological. course and been or- dained, returned in 1879 and served as pastor one year. The pulpit is now unsupplied. The membership is six- teen.

Irish Roman Catholic Church .- In July, 1870, Rev. Henry F. O'Reilly was appointed as pastor to Shenan- doah, by Bishop Wood, of Philadelphia. He arrived here on the 31st of the same month, and at once com- menced his labors, organizing a church and preparing for the construction of a church building.

the county. The blessing of the church for divine wor- ship was performed by Bishop Wood, now Archbishop of Philadelphia, November 4th, 1873. Father O'Reilly still continued to serve as pastor. The congregation is large and the Sunday-school numbers over 500 scholars.

German Catholic Church .- " The Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Family," located on Chestnut street, was built about 1870, there being at that time about thirty-five families belonging to that denomination in this vicinity, which formed a part of the Mahanoy City parish. The church was supplied by Fathers Baening and Maus, they alternating between the Shenandoah and Mahanoy City churches, until about 1874, when this be- came a separate charge, under the pastorate of Father Marus Gruetzer, who remained until February, 1878, and was followed by the present pastor, Rev. Father Dehaur. In 1879 the church building was remodeled and enlarged to accommodate the increasing membership. St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church .- This congre- gation, which at first consisted of only fifteen families, was organized June 5th, 1870, by Rev. M. Schimpf, pas- tor of the Lutheran church at Mahanoy City. Soon after- ward Rev. J. Gruhler, who had been a missionary to the Holy Land for nearly seventeen years, and had then just arrived from Germany, was sent here as a missionary by the synod. On the day of his arrival this congregation bought, at sheriff's sale, a lot 60 by 100 feet, upon which was a cheaply constructed building. This property had formerly been owned by the English Baptist society, then extinct. The building served for church purposes until 1873, when the present framed church, with stone basement, was built upon the same lot. The new church, which is 40 by 60 feet, and cost nearly $6,000, was dedicated January 11th, 1874. The congregation numbers nearly seventy German families, and the Sunday- school has one hundred pupils.

Primitive Methodist Church .- This church was organ- ized in April, 1872, by Rev. Charles Spurr, at Robbins Hall, where the meetings were first held. In 1873 the society commenced the erection of a church on the cor- ner of Jardin and Oak streets, the corner stone of which was laid in August, the masonic fraternity conducting the ceremonies, led by James G. Hardy ; Rev. Mr. Hurst, of Pottsville, preached the sermon. The building, which is of wood, with a high basement, was completed at a cost of about $4,000, and dedicated May 17th, 1874, Revs. Frederick Bell, of Brooklyn, Charles Miles and R. Foth- ergill officiating.

Rev. Charles Spurr remained one year. In 1873 the church was run as a mission and supplied by the pastors of the district, since which the following ministers have served: R. C. Catherall, 1874; R. Fothergill, 1875; Charles Miles, 1876; W. H. Yarrow, 1877, 1878; Thomas Phillips, 1879; John B. Tyler, 1880; George Ball, 1881. The Sunday-school was organized in the spring of 1874, with Alfred Wells as its first superintendent.

The corner stone of the "Church of the Annuncia- tion of the Blessed Virgin Mary" was laid by Father O'Reilly, June 7th, 1872, and the first mass was cele- brated in the new building on Sunday, December 19th of the same year. It is a substantial and imposing frame St. Kasimer's Catholic Church (Polish) .- The first religious services conducted in the Polish language in structure. 115 by 50 feet in size, of Roman Gothic style, the largest church in the town and one of the largest in | this part of the county were commenced in 1872, and held

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CHURCHES OF SHENANDOAH-WILLIAM GRANT.

in the German Catholic church in Shenandoah, by Father Audreas Stupinski. His congregation at that time num- bered nearly three hundred Polanders, from whom he soon after organized St. Kasimer's church. In 1874 this society erected a large building of rough boards, at a cost of about $400, in which their meetings were there- after held. Father Strupinski remained until 1877 and was followed by the present pastor, Rev. Father Joseph A. Lenarkiewicz, from Philadelphia, through whose in- strumentality the church building was soon after com- fortably finished inside and outside. It is now valned, with the furniture and ground, at $2,000. The congre- gation now numbers 600 members, including 120 families and over 200 single young men. The pastor has a paro- chial school connected with the church, of about twenty- five scholars, who recite to him daily.

Trinity Reformed Church has always been and still is a mission under the care of the Lebanon Classis. It was organized in 1874, with a small membership. The same year Rev. E. D. Miller was called from Ohio and became its first pastor, religious services being held in Robbins Hall. In 1875 the congregation, having considerably in- creased in numbers, built the present brick church on Lloyd street, which was first occupied in February, 1876. It cost nearly $4,000.

Mr. Miller continued his labors, with good results, until 1876, when he was called to another field. In December, 1877, Rev. J. G. Neff accepted the pastorate, which he still holds. During the summer of 1880 Mr. Neff was absent on a European trip and his place was supplied by Rev. J. A. Schultz, of Reading.

The Sunday-school was organized by Rev. E. D. Mil- ler, September 27th, 1874, with 54 members, and was conducted in both the English and German languages. Henry Miller was chosen superintendent of the English portion and Jacob Karbel of the German portion of the school. In the summer of 1880 the school was divided on the basis of language. The two schools now number 250 pupils.

WILLIAM GRANT.

William Grant was born at , Stevenson, Ayrshire, Scot- land, on the 5th of June, 1824, and was killed by a fall of coal in the Plank Ridge colliery April 12th, 1873, in his 49th year. His parents were in indigent circum- stances, and had a family of seven children, four boys and three girls, of which the subject of this notice was the oldest. As early as his ninth year William was com- pelled to contribute his mite toward the support of the family, and at that age worked as piecer in a cotton-mill. He afterward assisted his father in the mines, and when he attained his fourteenth year, his father having become disabled, the entire support of the family devolved upon him. The opportunities for obtaining an education among the poorer classes in Scotland fifty years ago were not even as good as they are now, and consequently Wil- liam Grant received but a few months' schooling, and whatever knowledge he possessed was picked up by odds and ends as chance presented; but, possessed of quick further increase its productiveness, met his sad death.

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History of Schuylkill County, Pa. with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 87

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