USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Vol. I > Part 29
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tendance a source of pleasure as well as of intellectual and spiritual profit.
For a number of years after the settlement of Pottsville began, in- terments were made in private burial places, usually on land owned by the families of the deceased. Few of these grounds ever became public burial places, and such as did were later abandoned by reason of the encroachments of the town.
The site of the present Grammar School park was the first public burial plot, and this cemetery continued in use for interments until the fifties. It was finally abandoned as a cemetery, and the bodies re- moved, within comparatively recent years. The Friends' cemetery was one of the early burial places for people of that religious faith, but it has been abandoned for many years. The Welsh Congregational cemetery was early established on North Second street opposite the present site of the court house, while another Welsh cemetery is on Minersville street, just west of the court house. Both of these ceme- teries have not been used for many years. The African Methodist Episcopal cemetery, and the "Potter's Field" near by, are located on Laurel street in what were the suburbs of the borough, but now built all around. There are three cemeteries under the jurisdiction of each of the two Catholic churches, each church having two cemeteries well filled, and the Jewish people have two, while the Presbyterian congregation maintains one. The Charles Baber cemetery, previously mentioned in the article on churches, is now probably the principal public burying ground in the borough. This is well kept and handsomely adorned, while Nature has rendered the place surpassingly beautiful. It is managed by a board of directors-members of the Trinity Episcopal church-whose continuance is provided for in articles of incorporation, and whose sole object is to make the place self-sustaining, and to carry out the will of the generous founder.
Miners' lodge, No. 20, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in ac- cordance with the ritualistic command, has established a burial place for deceased members of that benevolent order, especially; and also for the general public, under certain conditions. This is one of the oldest burial places now existing within the bounds of the territory. The cemetery is under control of a cemetery committee appointed or elected by the lodge. With characteristic liberality, they have admitted for burial all veterans of the Civil war whose surviving friends so desire, and gratuitously have set apart two large sections of ground for that purpose. Persons able to pay are expected to do so, but no old soldier is denied proper burial if he die without friends or if his
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family is unable to pay for a burial lot. This cemetery, and the Jewish cemeteries adjoining it, are located on a commanding eminence over- looking the town from the north. These sadly sacred spots have a place in the memory of all, and are cherished as the last resting place of departed loved ones, or the prospective ending of earthly career. It is fitting that they should be jealously guarded by law, beautified in their silent impressiveness by loving hands, and perpetuated in sacred remembrance as a tribute to the past, the present and the future.
Miners' lodge, No. 20, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is the oldest beneficial society in Schuylkill county, dating its existence from the 14th of December, 1829. The lodge has been a popular institution from the first, and more than a thousand members have been initiated during the years of its existence. The membership embraces a high class of citizenship, and the order is prosperous and influential. In April, 1851, Miners' lodge began the purchase of cemetery grounds, which have been enlarged by subsequent purchases until the plat now comprises about fifteen acres, in which the society has invested more than $15,000. In 1862 they set apart eight lots as a free burial place for deceased soldiers, and this has also been enlarged as the demand increased. After devoting thousands of dollars to the worthy benevo- lent purposes of the fraternity, the lodge still has a fund of over $20,000 in reserve for future emergencies. There are four subordinate lodges and one encampment of this order in Pottsville. Hayden lodge, No. 44 (German), was chartered in 1832; Girard lodge, No. 53, was instituted in December, 1832; Lilly of the Valley lodge, No. 281, was organized in 1847. Franklin encampment, No. 4, was instituted Jan. 24, 1834. The total membership of all the lodges, the encampment excepted, is six hundred and nineteen.
There are three bodies of the time-honored Masonic fraternity rep- resented in Pottsville. Pulaski lodge, No. 216, was the second Masonic lodge organized in the county. It was chartered on the 6th of June, 1831. The first years of the existence of this lodge were somewhat precarious, due to several causes, prominent among which were the aggressions of the Odd Fellows' lodge, then two years old, among the available subjects for membership. The first meetings of the craft were held in a dwelling house on Center street, and later on in the Bright building, finally in 1872 permanent quarters were secured in the Pennsylvania National Bank building. Until 1853 the lodge was hampered financially, the increase in membership being very slight; but in that year the society took on a new lease of life, and its progress has been continued for more than half a century. Many of the best
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men of the town have been identified with the fraternity, and their influence and stability have rendered it prominent and prosperous. On the 29th of March, 1860, Mountain City chapter, No. 190, Royal Arch Masons, was instituted, with nine charter members. This has been a prosperous institution in the preparation of candidates for the higher degrees in Masonry, as well as for its own social benefits. Constantine commandery, No. 91, Knights Templars, was instituted on the 24th of May, 1871, with twenty-seven charter members. The commandery has been a continuing institution, with growing prominence and strength. It enlists among its members the progressive Masons of other localities within its jurisdiction, as well as those of the local organizations.
Grand Army of the Republic, Gowen post, No. 23, was organized on the 22nd of January, 1867, and was named after Col. George W. Gowen of the 48th Regiment O.V.V. (a brother of President Franklin B. Gowen of the Philadelphia & Reading R. R. Co.), who fell on April 2nd, 1865, while gallantly leading his regiment in the final battle before Parkers- burg. The "boys" were then in the full vigor of young manhood, but recently returned from the field of action, in the "consciousness of duty well performed," but also conscious of the fact that all did not return. The families of the fallen comrades are the surviving soldiers' first care. In no organization on earth is a broader charity inculcated than in the teachings of the Grand Army of the Republic ; and among no class of men are the principles of "Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty" more fully exemplified than in the G. A. R. This, and kindred organi- zations, enroll nearly every survivor of the great rebellion, and their treasuries have contributed millions of dollars to the relief of distressed soldiers and their families. That feeling of "comradeship" growing out of mutual exposures to dangers and privations, prompts the loosen- ing of pursestrings, the opening of the family larder, or a division of other necessaries, often to the serious detriment of the generous giver. But why not, "boys?" We "drank from the same canteen," slept under the same blanket, and shared the last "hard-tack" amid the vermin of Libby ! and the days of our noble fraternity are numbered. It is only a question of the survival of the fittest. Gowen post was one of the few organizations of the Grand Army which continued its ex- istence through the period when designing politicians sought to make capital out of the soldier organizations, the post never countenancing for one moment the use of the organization for political purposes. This post formulated a systematic method of caring for its self-imposed wards, and established a general fund and a relief fund, which have
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been kept strictly, for the purposes designed in the beginning. Of the latter fund, more than $40,000 has been distributed among the families of deserving soldiers, or their widows and orphans. The ranks are thinning, but, remembering the command of other days, the survivors "close up to the right, and dress on the colors."
Henry Clay lodge, No. 44, Knights of Pythias, was organized on the 19th of February, 1868, being the first lodge of this order in the county. The organization had a phenomenal growth from the begin- ning, and initiated over three hundred members during the first three months of its existence. Some of these withdrew to become charter members of new lodges, and the order is now well established through- out the county. Henry Clay lodge prospered for a number of years, but finally surrendered its charter.
Pottsville lodge, No. 207, Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, was organized in June, 1890, and has a strong membership, including many of the best young men in the borough. The society owns a brick build- ing on Mahantongo street, recently constructed and fitted for their use. The first floor is arranged for the social functions of the order and the second is devoted to lodge interests. Walhalla lodge, No. 20, D. O. H. (German Order of Harugari) composed principally of men of German birth, and using the German language, though once counting 400 members, has been reduced by death. (and some removals) to 25, who keep up the lodge as a matter of sentiment and in memory of the good old times. There are many social clubs and insurance and beneficial societies in Pottsville, while most of the churches have religious, secular or beneficial organizations connected with their social features, but want of space forbids our enumerating all of them. The Pennsylvania Railroad company sustains an organization of the Y. M. C. A. for the benefit of its employes, in its buildings on Coal street. There is also a very large and prosperous branch of the Y. M. C. A. nurtured by the leading citizens of the town, located in the old Haywood homestead, purchased by them. The Young Men's Hi- bernian is the oldest Catholic beneficial organization in Schuylkill county. It was incorporated in 1853 as a mutual benefit association and social order. St. Patrick's Beneficial society was organized in 1869, and has been one of the prosperous and useful orders which en- listed the support and cooperation of the leading Irish people of the vicinity. The Emerald Beneficial association, and St. Bernard's Benefi- cial society are kindred organizations under the domination of St. Patrick's church. The Knights of Columbus, a semi-military society, is also a strong organization in Pottsville, as well as in the state and
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nation. Two camps of the Patriotic Order Sons of America have been in existence some time, and designated as Washington camp, Nos. 14 and 36. The third camp of this fraternity has been recently organized. Schuylkill commandery, No. 202, Knights of Malta, and Mountain Castle, No. 48, Knights of the Golden Eagle, are two prominent organi- zations in the borough. The Ancient Order of Hibernians is a strong and active organization among the Irish-Americans of Pottsville and throughout the country. Division No. I of this fraternity is located in Pottsville. Of the purely insurance organizations, with lodge and social features as an element of cohesion, nearly all of the well known societies are represented in the town, including two local organizations. The latter embrace both life and fire insurance, and are popular and successful organizations, commanding a wide range of patronage. The two military organizations sustained in the town are Company F, of the Fourth regiment, and Company H, of the Eighth regiment of the National Guard of Pennsylvania. These have been long-continuing organizations, as already appear more fully in the military chapter.
Yorkville Borough is a beautifully located suburb of Pottsville. The prominence of this borough existed in its earlier history, when it was the seat of, or close to, extensive mining operations. Yorkville includes the York farm tract, and a portion of the Wood Estate lands, as known in days of old. It derived its name from the "York Farm," so named because it once belonged to the New York and Schuylkill Coal company. The town was laid out in 1844, and the village soon became the habitation of a thrifty class of German people who purchased lots and erected their own homes. Descendants of these families still comprise the principal part of the population, which in 1900 was 1,125. But little business is transacted in the town, it being occupied mostly as a residence district, and its people are in daily intercourse with Potts- ville. The borough was incorporated in 1865, and was then distinctively a German town, the borough records being then and for many years thereafter kept in the German language. But an English school was established there soon after the adoption of the public school system by Norwegian township, from which the borough was erected, and this has been maintained to the present. The Yorkville branch of the Union Traction company's line runs through the borough, thus affording easy communication with the "down town" districts. Cemetery No. 2, of St. John the Baptist's German Catholic church, is located in Yorkville, but the people attend religious services in Pottsville. For many years there were three mines operated in this village, one of which was opened on the York farm in 1850, which in later years for
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a while was one of the largest collieries of the Lehigh Coal company. Railway Park, the "circus grounds," and beautiful, natural scenery, are some of the attractions which would induce one to visit Yorkville. There are twelve business places in the town.
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CHAPTER XVIII.
TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH HISTORY CONTINUED-PINE GROVE, PORTER, RAHN, REILLY, RUSH, RYAN, SCHUYLKILL, WALKER AND SOUTH MANHEIM TOWNSHIPS-THE BOROUGHS OF TOWER CITY, TAMAQUA, COAL DALE, DELANO AND AUBURN.
PINE GROVE TOWNSHIP.
Pine Grove township was one of the original civil organizations, transferred from Berks county in 1811, when Schuylkill county came into existence. It is located in the southwest corner of the county, and is bounded on the south by Berks county, on the west by Lebanon county, east by Washington township, and on the north by Tremont. The settlement of this township began about 1750, the earliest pio- neers being Germans from Berks county, who settled near the base of the Blue mountain, in the southern part of the township.
The first settlers were harrassed by Indian depredations, and some of the forts and means of protection, as explained in a previous chap- ter, were built and sustained in this locality. Some of the earliest settled families in this township, and who were here before the Rev- olutionary war, were the Schnoke, Hetrick, Schwope, Schaeffer, Bresler, Boyer, Zimmermann, Felty and Stein families. Some of these left their wilderness homes for a time during the Revolution, but subsequently returned and occupied them. With the close of the Revolution, settlers came more rapidly, and soon after that critical period in our national history there was quite an accession to the previously sparse settlements. The families of Minnich, Bebert and Baechler were comtemporary with the families previously men- tioned, or came very soon after them. Other early established fami- lies, whose coming dates, practically, from the close of the Revolution, were: August Brosius, John Weiss, Henry Souder, Jacob Haeberling, John Haeberling, Valentine Haeberling, Jacob Smythe, Adam Kal- bach, George Pressler, John Adams, George Berger, Baltzer Haupt and Baltzer Smith. Many descendants of these pioneers still live in the township, and most of the old homesteads are occupied by members of the numerous posterity. A man named Gistwite, a settler of 1756, was murdered by Indians while at work building his cabin. He had located in the west part of the township, near Mifflin.
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[Mifflin is now known as Suedberg.] The early settlers were employed in lumbering, which was the principal industry for many years. The territory is now largely farming land. Saw-mills were established as early as 1780, and a grist-mill was built in 1782. This was patron- ized by people from a distance of thirty miles. A distillery was built at North Pine Grove about 1790, by a Mr. Swalm, who was scalded to death while at work in it. Several other distilleries were estab- lished within the succeeding six or seven years after the first one was opened. The "Red Tavern" was opened at North Pine Grove as early as 1790, and this also served as a store. But a log house was opened as a tavern on the Brookside farm (now Tower City) about 1785. A forge was built by Daniel Raudenbusch in an early day, and this was converted into a furnace in 1844, and operated as such quite extensively until 1875, when work was discontinued. This was known as the Stanhope furnace. Swatara forge was built and operated as a furnace in 1830, but it was afterward converted into a forge and operated as such for many years. The villages in Pine Grove township are Suedberg, Ellwood, Exmoor and North Pine Grove. The latter is a suburb of Pine Grove borough, and the others are unimportant hamlets which have been more noted in early years than now. Ellwood is a flag station on the Philadelphia & Reading's Branch from Tremont to Lebanon.
Jacob's Lutheran church is one of the pioneer landmarks in this township. The congregation was organized in 1780, and a log church was built the same year. This was located about two miles west of Pine Grove, and was the first church building erected in that section of the county. In 1833, after a continuous use of fifty-three years, this pioneer church building was succeeded by one constructed of hewn logs which was later weather-boarded and painted. The Church of God was organized at Mifflin in 1871, and a stone building was erected for the accommodation of the forty-six members who organized the society. A Sunday school was organized in 1873, which soon grew into a srong and continuing institution.
Pine Grove Borough is a handsome town of 1,084 inhabitants, with several good hotels and numerous churches and societies and also a private bank, and several tanneries. It is the home of many de- scendants of early pioneers, and is noted as a literary community. This is one of the oldest boroughs in Schuylkill county, its corporate existence dating from 1832. Jacob Gunkel was the first settler on the site of the village, and was the only resident for several years. He acquired from John and Richard Penn and the proprietary govern- ment, a considerable tract of land which is now embraced within
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the borough limits. His residence dates from 1771. He kept a house of entertainment for travelers passing over the Province road between Fort Henry and Sunbury and the old Indian trail, and in 1795 opened a store in his residence which he kept until 1810, when he retired fo his farm, where he died in 1813 .* A German Reformed church was erected on this farm in 1782, and a parochial school was kept in connection with the church during a part of the time of its earlier existence. Tobias Bickel erected Pine Grove forge about 1810, and in 1819 this property was purchased by Peter Filbert who then established an edge-tool factory, known as the "Tilt Hammer Forge." Mr. Filbert operated both industries for several years, but they were abandoned in 1828. Several tanneries were established in the village, the first of which was opened in 1810, in which year a large grist-mill was built on Swatara creek by Philip Gerdel. A number of the early settlers were soldiers in the war of 1812, some enlisting here, and others locating in the village just after the close of the war. The postoffice was established in 1819, and John Barr was the first postmaster. His son Paul Barr subsequently served twenty-four years in that office. The first mail route through Pine Grove was between Georgetown and Womelsdorf, over which a weekly mail was carried on horseback. In 1830 a daily mail route was established, the stage coach being the means of conveyance. The first resident physician in Pine Grove was Dr. Jacob Christ, a soldier in the war of 1812. He was succeeded by his son, Dr. Levi M. Christ. The various lines of mercantile pursuits were developed with the progress of the town, the primitive general store, with a few dollars' worth of goods in a corner of the "best room" in the log ยท cabin, gradually giving way to the well-selected stocks of the present day. There are forty-eight mercantile establishments of all kinds in the borough, and twenty-four in the township and villages. The Schuylkill Herald was established as a weekly newspaper in 1878, and a year later its name was changed to the Pine Grove Herald, under
*A well authenticated tradition establishes the family of a Mr. Everhard, consisting of four persons, on the site of Pine Grove, as early as 1755. During the Indian foray of the year last written, the entire family was massacred, except one daughter, aged.about seven years. She was taken as a prisoner into the Muskingum country in Ohio, where she lived as a member of an Indian family until the year 1763, when, the Indians being defeated by General Bouquet, the white prisoners were liberated under the terms of the treaty. Miss Ever- hard was recognized by some of the old neighbors, and subsequently married a Mr. Sallada, of Berks county, and became the progenitress of a numerous and prominent posterity. Some of her descendants reside in Schuylkill county, while many are residents of Berks county, and the west. This tradition is verified by a complete record of the events here recorded, carefully preserved in an old family Bible.
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which title it is still published by Alfred Gilbert as an independent weekly and advertising medium.
The schools of the township and borough of Pine Grove had a begin- ning in 1799 when a German school was taught, the German language being taught exclusively until 1820. Pine Grove township unani- mously rejected the introduction of the public school system in 1834, and independent districts were organized, first in Pine Grove, in 1835; in North Pine Grove in 1843, and in West Pine Grove in 1845. Two years after the last independent organization was effected, the public tchool system was admitted, and a general educational organization sook place in the districts named. The schools of the township and the borough are now the pride of the people, who cheerfully submit to heavy taxation for their support and constant improvement. The borough of Pine Grove has a thoroughly organized graded school system, with high school course and a corps of competent and experi- enced instructors.
Lodges and societies of nearly all of the prominent organizations of the country exist in Pine Grove. These embrace the Masonic, two organizations of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Patriotic Order Sons of America, the A. Y. M., the Grand Army of the Republic, P. of H. and numerous mutual insurance and bene- ficial orders.
Mention has been made of two religious organizations in the town- ship, but the central location of Pine Grove renders it convenient for a large part of the neighboring population to attend religious services in the borough, hence a number of good churches are located there. St. Peter's Lutheran and Reformed church occupies the site of one of the pioneer churches of the township, erected as a German Reformed church about 1782. The union church above mentioned succeeded this, and was dedicated in 1817. It is a stone structure which has been occupied continuously, being enlarged and improved to accommodate the needs of the congregations. St. John's Evan- gelical Lutheran church was organized in 1845; the building was erected and dedicated in 1846, and has since been enlarged and refur- nished at considerable expense. St. Paul's Evangelical church was established in 1841; the first church building was erected in 1843, and twenty-one years later the present church edifice was dedicated. Serv- ices were conducted in the German language for many years, but finally both English and German sermons were delivered, alternately, but not until after there had been a division in the church on this question, and an independent English church organized. The Meth- odist Episcopal church in Pine Grove dates its existence from the
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Centennial year, when it was established by the Philadelphia con- ference. It came in response to a popular demand for better facili- ties for attending religious services conducted in the English language, and at once assumed a prominent place among the religious institu- tions of the town. A building site was donated to the congregation by Levi Miller, Sr., and a handsome church edifice was erected, the dedication taking place on the 27th of May, 1877, conducted by Bishop Simpson. A pastoral residence was built soon after the church was dedicated, the entire property being valued at about $30,000. The United Brethren in Christ organized a church in 1847, though services of this denomination were held in private residences for some time previous to the organization of a class. A church lot was donated by William Eckert, and a church building was erected during the year of organization. This congregation was never strong, nu- merically; and about 1885 a controversy arose in the general confer- ence, over the secrecy question, which divided the churches into two organizations, known as the liberals and the radicals ; and churches were established in accordance with the views of the communicants, while much litigation followed to decide the question of ownership of church property. Sunday schools were organized in connection with all the churches in Pine Grove, and this feature of religious life has been maintained with increasing interest and efficiency. These schools have excellent libraries, some of which exceed a thousand volumes, and the prepared and classified helps, together with the constant improvement in the musical compositions, render the work of the modern Sunday school both instructive and entertaining.
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