USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. I > Part 18
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The last named institution came into existence as a literary society, on the 24th of April, 1874, being incorporated by act of the legisla- ture. Rev. A. Prior, P. W. Sheafer, George Chambers, Charles H. Woltjen and Josiah Lineaweaver were the prime movers. The capi- tal stock was $5,000, divided into one thousand shares at $5 each. This association was for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a library, and for the promotion of literary and scientific investigation, and was formally opened to the public on the 5th of April, 1877. Many of the leading literary and scientific men of the town were associated with it, and much good was accomplished through the agency of the Athenæum; but public interest relaxed with the death or removal of some of the most active workers, and the organization went down. The remnant of the library is now in the Y. M. C. A. building in Potts- ville.
The character and purposes of these institutions are sufficiently general in application to entitle them to a place in the general history of the county. Other local societies receive mention in connection with the towns where located.
The agricultural societies of Schuylkill county have been numerous, and most of them ephemeral. The Schuylkill County Agricultural society was organized at Orwigsburg, Feb. 22, 1851, and this is the only one of several that were organized from time to time that re- mained in existence until a recent time. The first officers of this society were Hon. Jacob Hammer, president; Edward Kearns and B. W. Hughes, vice-presidents; J. S. Keller, secretary, and Henry Hoy, treasurer. The constitution and application for a charter were pre- pared by J. S. Keller, and Hon. Jacob Hammer was delegated to secure legislative approval. The first fair of the society was held at the hotel operated by James Lessig, in North Manheim, on the Center
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turnpike. This meeting was quite a successful one, and the friends of the society were stimulated to make arrangements for the continuance of the annual fairs in the county. In the summer of 1854, a small tract of land was purchased in Orwigsburg; and future meetings have been held in that borough. By subsequent sales and purchases, the original grounds, embracing three-quarters of an acre, have grown to a handsomely fitted plat of eighteen acres. Permanent and con- venient buildings have been erected as the needs and ability of the society justified, and the annual fair is looked upon as a season of recreation and profit. The exhibitions of agricultural products have always been creditable displays of the products of the farms and gardens, while the art department has grown in interest and variety in keeping with the advance in artistic work. The different kinds of stock also receives the attention its importance demands, and the annual displays have been interesting and profitable. But even this institution, following that at Schuylkill Haven and others in the county, has passed the period of public utility or interest, even the local races being no longer attractive, and they have all become things of the past.
The Agricultural and Industrial Association of the Catawissa Valley was another candidate for public favor, and was organized in Novem- ber, 1870. William Grant was the first president; Jacob Breisch vice-president; T. J. Foster, secretary, and Philip Kolb, treasurer. Five annual fairs were held by this association, and two were held under a temporary organization. It was reorganized in May, 1879, and held a number of creditable exhibitions, but the agricultural area of the county was too limited to sustain all, hence the younger and weaker went down. A number of wealthy and prominent men of the county were supporters of this enterprise, as directors and officers of the society.
A society for the promotion of "Agriculture, Horticulture and Mechanics" was organized in 1856, and had a prosperous career for several years, its exhibitions being well-sustained; but the receipts were not sufficient to meet the expenses, and the society yielded to financial embarrassments.
The Central Pennsylvania Poultry association was organized at Tamaqua, July 28, 1874, with a very strong and influential following. Its meetings were always creditable, and the exhibitions prompted vigorous efforts in the breeding and managing of thoroughbred poultry. At some of its exhibitions, entries were made from several different states, and premiums were paid aggregating $600. At a meeting held in Mountain City Hall, in January, 1880, fully four thousand
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people visited the hall during the exhibition, and about five hundred entries were made. The association was one of the popular institu- tions of Schuylkill county, and included on its roll of membership many prominent professional and business men. This society was planned, organized, and officered with a view, to permanence and success, and but for the rapid development of kindred enterprises elsewhere, it would have achieved its highest ideal.
The Mahanoy Valley Agricultural association was organized in 1886, and held several exhibitions to the pleasure and profit of the people in that section of the county.
The name of Stephen Girard has been mentioned in preceding chap- ters, but in the light of a business man, and promoter of business enterprises. Here he will be spoken of, briefly, as a philanthropist and unselfish friend of the orphan boy. Mr. Girard was immensely wealthy, his property consisting, in part, of many thousand acres of undeveloped coal lands in Schuylkill and Columbia counties. These he purchased from the old Bank of the United States on April 17th, 1830, for the sum of $30,100. The lands conveyed by this deed em- braced sixty-eight tracts of coal and timber lands, aggregating 29,494 acres. He subsequently paid $114,000 to perfect his title, and after his death his relatives contested his will, thus reducing the property considered in this connection, to about 18,000 acres. During his lifetime Mr. Girard was actively engaged in developing this property, and always had supreme confidence in the future value of the coal regions, even when other capitalists were incredulous. But he lived to see his prophesy fully verified, and at his death, he willed the pro- ceeds of this property to the city of Philadelphia for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a home and school for male orphans of Pennsylvania. This beneficent work has been in progress for many years, and thousands of orphan boys of the state have availed themselves of this opportunity to secure an education, and bless the memory of Stephen Girard, many of them from Schuylkill county. The rentals from this valuable property, known as the "Girard Estate," have grown into millions, one-half of which is applied to the purpose mentioned, and the remainder is invested in Philadelphia real estate, thus insuring a permanent income to perpetuate the noble charity of the generous donor.
CHAPTER XIII.
TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY *- BARRY, BLYTHE AND BRANCH TOWNSHIPS-NEW PHILADELPHIA AND MINERSVILLE BOROUGHS.
Schuylkill county is divided into thirty-six civil townships which will be noticed here in alphabetical order.
BARRY TOWNSHIP.
Barry township, the first name appearing under this method of classification, was organized in 1821, from portions of Norwegian and Schuylkill townships. It is bounded by Northumberland county, and the townships of Eldred, Hegins, Foster and Butler, and was named for Commodore Barry, of Revolutionary fame.
The first settlers were the families of John Garivy, John Bailey and the Yarnall family, all from New Jersey. This small settlement was augmented, somewhat, in 1815, by the arrival of Charles Merwine from Philadelphia, and John Clauntz, John Heter and a man named Shupert, from Berks county. Dr. George Long was the first resident physician, and for many years the only one. The first settlers in this township arrived about the year 1808, and engaged in farming, some of their descendants still occupying the old pioneer homesteads.
A grist-mill was erected in 1810, on the site later occupied by Isaac Reed's mill, and about twenty years later, a mill was built on Deep creek, and Daniel Klinger, built a mill in the west part of the town- ship in 1840. George Kessler has the credit of building the first saw- mill, in 1815. It was located on Deep creek. A small tannery was erected in an early day by a Mr. Johnson, on the banks of Mahanoy creek, and John Otto established a foundary in the township in 1845. The foundry was sold to John Fisher in 1865, and the building was used as a coffee-mill factory until 1869, when it was destroyed by fire. The first merchant in Barry was Amos Yarnall, who opened a store on the old Yarnall farm about 1820. A subscription school was established in the township in 1820, and in 1852 the public school
*For convenience of reference, the Borough Histories will be found in con- nection with the history of the territory from which they were organized.
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system was adopted. There are several villages in the township, of which Taylorsville was the first to be dignified by the establishment of a postoffice, the department name being Barry Postoffice. Frank Dengler was the first postmaster. Weishample was named in honor of a Winebrenarian minister of the Church of God, through whose efforts a church of that denomination was established in the township in 1855. The postoffice, granted by the department in 1870, bears the same name as the village. A camp of the Patriotic Order Sons of America was organized at this place in 1872, and has had a pros- perous and successful career. Mabel postoffice was established in 1869, with Isaac F. Betz as postmaster. Barry Station came into existence with the advent of the Shamokin branch of the Philadelphia & Reading railroad, in 1880.
A Lutheran and Reformed union church was the first house of wor- ship erected in Barry township, though the schoolhouse was used as a meeting house before the church was built. Religious services have been held at this place for many years, usually by regularly installed pastors, under whose labors a church building was erected, and an active and prosperous Sunday school maintained. The Luth- erans and Reformed denominations each have organized congregations. The United Brethren also have had a church organization in Barry township since 1862, when a mission church was established. The church building is located about midway between Mabel and Wei- shample, and is in a flourishing condition, now attached to Valley View circuit. The Sunday school, established in 1866, has been per- petuated with increasing interest and strength, and is a popular resort for the young people of the neighborhood, and much good has been accomplished through the agency of wise management and a good library. The Church of God, or Winebrenarian sect, originated in this state in 1832, when Rev. John Winebrener, of Harrisburg, for- mulated a creed embodying the teachings and social customs of Christ and his Apostles, as revealed by the Holy Scriptures. Elder Thomas Strahm organized a church of this sect at what is now Weishample, in 1842, and thirteen years later the Bethel was built. The organi- zation, though limited in numerical strength, has had a prosperous career, and maintained a strong and influential Sunday school.
Coal has been mined in portions of Barry township from the Lykens vein, but the territory is mostly given to agricultural pursuits. Con- siderable mercantile traffic is carried on in the township, there being at the present time, ten establishments devoted to the sale of different articles of merchandise.
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BLYTHE TOWNSHIP.
The early history of the territory now embraced in this township is incorporated in that of Schuylkill, from which it was erected in 1846. Blythe is bounded by Ryan, Schuylkill, Walker, West Bruns- wick, North Manheim, East Norwegian and New Castle townships. It was named in honor of Judge Calvin Blythe. The northern and southern portions of the township are broken and mountainous. The Schuylkill river and Silver creek, its tributary, are the principal streams. Silver creek rises in the northern part, and empties into the Schuylkill at New Philadelphia. Near the source of this stream the Silver creek reservoir was built as a feeder to the Schuylkill canal, but is now used to supply neighboring towns.
The development of this township dates from the beginning of the last century. The central portion, east and west, is located in the coal belt of the first coal field. The first colliery, opened prior to 1850, was on the Mammoth vein at a point a mile and a half east of Silver creek. Many attempts at mining coal were made by individ- uals in the early history of the coal development, some of which operated successfully above the water level; but most of these indi- vidual efforts have been centralized in the Philadelphia & Reading Coal and Iron company who have penetrated to the deeper veins. Valley furnace was built in this township in 1804-05, by Rev. F. W. Geisenheimer & Co., who, with the assistance of Abraham Pott, suc- ceeded in smelting iron with anthracite coal. Mr. Geisenhiemer was a man of scientific research whose successful experiment on this occasion placed his name at the head of the scientific men of his day. To him is given the credit of making the first anthracite iron with the cold blast. The more efficient hot blast was introduced from England at a more recent date. Valley furnace was rebuilt and enlarged in 1835-6, and kept fully abreast of the times as long as it was operated.
There are two prosperous boroughs in Blythe township around which centers much of the township history. Middleport borough was founded by Jacob Huntzinger, who, in 1828, purchased the land upon which a portion of the borough is now located, and laid it out in village lots which were offered for sale. Soon a man named Rausch became a business partner with Huntzinger in the surveying and selling of lots. Jacob Huntzinger was the pioneer business man of the village, having opened a store there in the spring of 1829. His first competitor was the firm of Ferguson & Jones, who opened a store in 1830. The village had a tardy growth until the railroad was built,
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after which the population was increased by persons interested in the coal trade of the valley. But the location was advantageous in other respects, the village being located on the State roads from Pottsville to Mauch-Chunk, and on another State road leading from Orwigsburg northward. The village was incorporated as a borough in 1859, and the first meeting of the borough council was held on May 2nd of that year. The population of the borough in 1900 was 540. Adam Stahl was the first settler on the village site of Middleport, and members of his family were prominent land owners in that locality for many years. In 1821 Jacob Stahl sold land for the cemeteries connected with the Lutheran and Presbyterian church. organizations. In 1852 the Presbyterians erected a stone church, but subsequently sold the property to the Lutherans who continue to hold services, mostly in the German language. A Methodist Episcopal church is also located in the borough, with regular services.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows was the first secret society represented in Middleport, an organization being effected there on the Ist of October, 1852. Camp No. 135, of the Patriotic Order Sons. of America, is also located at Middleport, with a strong and active membership. The business interests of the borough are represented by twenty-one dealers in the various lines of merchandise.
New Philadelphia was incorporated as a borough in 1868, and Charles Tanner was the first chief burgess. The town is located on the Philadelphia & Reading railroad, and is the largest and most prosperous borough in Blythe township. In 1841 there were but two houses in the village, and these were built by Andrew Bubb and Nathan Barlow. The last named was one of the early justices of the township, and served twenty years in that office. He was succeeded by John Haggarty, who served a longer period than his predecessor. Cumbola is a small village in the western part of the township, which was a thriving little place during the days of early mining ventures in that locality, and has recently revived considerably. The first house of worship in New Philadelphia was built by the Lutherans in 1852, and this was used by other denominations as a place of worship for several years. The Methodist Episcopal clergy established a preaching point at this place, but their services were irregular, and no- regular pastor was installed until about 1855, when the members. of that faith were formed into a separate church organization, uniting the classes in the valley east and west of New Philadelphia, under the protectorate of the Port Carbon charge. Services of this denomina- tion were held in the school houses at Middleport, Big Vein and Tuck- er's Hill, and thus a strong and active church organization was effected.
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A Primitive Methodist church was organized at Tucker's Hill, includ- ing two or three families at that place. The first services of this denomination were held in the tavern of 'Squire Barlow. In Novem- ber, 1867, a parish of Roman Catholics was established at New Phila- delphia by authority of the diocese of Philadelphia. A building was secured for their services, and this was burned in 1880, since which time a new and handsome church edifice has arisen on the site of the temporary church. Other social and beneficial societies have organi- zations in New Philadelphia, and the town is fully abreast of others of like size in the matter of social and literary advantages. The popu- lation in 1900 was 1326. The postoffice name of the place is Silver creek. In 1906 there were in the borough of New Philadelphia fifty- eight retail dealers, and in Blythe township, inclusive of the two boroughs, one hundred and five, twenty-one of which are in Middleport.
BRANCH TOWNSHIP.
Branch township, on the West Branch of the Schuylkill river, was formed from a portion of Norwegian township, in 1836, and has since been subdivided, contributing a part of its territory in the formation of Frailey township, in 1847, and ten years later a portion of Branch was appropriated in the formation of Reilly township. It is bounded by the townships of Cass, Norwegian, North Manheim, Wayne and Reilly, and the borough of Minersville. Branch township, as at pres- ent established, contains but 10,500 acres. The surface is undulating in the northern portion, and mountainous in the southern portion. Much of the land is arable, and in a fair state of cultivation and im- provement. The west branch of the Schuylkill river is the principal source of drainage, but Indian run is a stream of considerable volume, while smaller creeks afford water facilities for pasturage as well as drainage.
The settlement of Branch township was commenced as early as 1750, several families having located in the township on that early date. These were Philip and George Clauser, who located on Muddy branch; and the Adams family, Andrew Steitzel and a man named Fox were their neighbors. Jacob Hime is believed to have been the first settler on the present site of Llewellyn where he was engaged in farming and lumbering. He erected a primitive saw-mill there among the earliest improvements. Abraham and Jacob Faust were early neighbors to Mr. Hime, and Mark Britton located a mill south- east of Llewellyn, and was the first settler in that neighborhood. The first settler on the northern border of the township was Thomas Reed whose descendants became quite numerous in the township. The
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families of George Hafer, Peter Starr, Johannan Cockill, John and Jacob Weaver, and John and Peter Zerby, were comparatively early settlers in this township. The first township election was held in 1837 at the public house of Jacob Hime, and he and John Moon were elected supervisors. Thomas B. Abbott and Samuel Harlman were chosen as the first justices of the peace, the former serving for twenty years. The settlement of the township proceeded but slowly until the development of coal in the Pottsville field had a stimulating effect, and this stimulus was greatly augumented when the means of market- ing the product was provided. This township is located in the first coal field of the Schuylkill district, and its general development began in 1831, though the existence of coal in the territory had long been known. Llewellyn is the principal town in Branch township. It is situated two miles southwest of Minersville, on the west branch of the Mine Hill & Schuylkill Haven railroad. Its population in 1900 was 591. Dowdentown, West Woods and Phoenix Park are other villages in the township.
The early schools of Branch township were conducted in private rooms, under control of the dominating religious sect (Lutheran) and were taught in the German language, the course of study covering the elements of reading, writing and arithmetic, together with instruc- tions in psalm-singing and the catechism. Philip Delcamp was the pioneer teacher. The rates of tuition were fifty cents per month for each child. The introduction of the public school, and the prom- inent connection of the Faust family with this important event, has been mentioned in the chapter on education.
Several secret societies have been organized in this township, mostly mechanics and laborers' organizations, some of which still exist. A post of the G. A. R. flourished there for several years, but is now dis- banded.
The first church building in Branch township was erected in 1819 by the united congregations of the German Reformed and Lutheran denominations. Lewis Reese donated nearly nine acres of land for a church site and cemetery. In 1806 a brick structure succeeded the little log church of earlier days, this being known as Clauser's church, and this, with additions and improvements, has been jointly occupied by the original organizations for a hundred years. The Methodist Episcopal church in Llewellyn was built in 1839, and the United Brethren congregation built a church near the former, in 1850. The first Sunday school was established in Llewellyn in 1840, this being, also, the first in the township. Three years later the Welsh people organized a Sunday school which continued successfully for about
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ten years. At present there are prosperous schools connected with each of the church organizations.
Considerable mercantile business is transacted in Branch township in Llewellyn and at cross-roads stores and collieries. Coal-mining and agriculture engages the attention of the people, the Philadelphia &' Reading Coal and Iron company having large mining interests in the township, while there are some independent miners. There are seventeen mercantile establishments within the bounds of the township.
Minersville Borough, in the formation of which Branch township contributed liberally, according to present boundaries, is one of the most important boroughs in the county. The village of Minersville was laid out from territory then embraced in Norwegian township, Branch being organized seven years after the founding of the town. The territory now embraced within the borough limits logically belongs to the townships of Branch and Cass, though originally all belonged to Norwegian, Branch being erected in 1837, from that township, and Cass was formed from the latter in 1848. Minersville was founded in 1830, by Titus Bennet on parts of two tracts of land. One of these was patented to Titus Bennet on the 7th of December, 1830, and enrolled in patent book H, volume 28, page 567; the other tract was patented to Lawrence Lewis and Robert M. Lewis on the 29th of July, 1829, and recorded in patent book H, vol. 26, page 493. Miners- ville was so named because the principal occupation of the early inhabitants was coal-mining. It was the location of the first labor strike in this county, as appears elsewhere in this volume.
Thomas Reed was the first settler, and he came to the present site of the borough in March, 1793, and soon thereafter built a saw-mill on the west branch of the Schuylkill, just below the mouth of Wolf creek, where he also built the first log house in the village limits. He soon afterward built a tavern on the present site of the church of St. Vincent de Paul. About this time he also built a distillery for the conversion of his surplus grain into a more salable commodity. Mr. Reed's hotel was known as the "Half-Way House," on the old King's highway between Reading and Sunbury, and it also had the local name of the "Red House." He conducted this hotel until his death in 1814, and his was the first interment in the cemetery at the rear of his hotel. The Reed family is also distinguished as having the first birth and the first marriage in Minersville, the former being Sus- anna, born Dec. 18, 1793, and Jacob Reed was married to Rebecca Bittle, Jan. 13, 1813.
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