USA > Pennsylvania > Carbon County > History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pt. 2 > Part 68
USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pt. 2 > Part 68
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Fire Companies .- A fire-engine company was or- ganized as early as 1883, as we learn from an adver- tisement ealling a meeting, and signed by Henry Mears, secretary. In 1834 the officers of this com- pany were as follows: President, Nathan Patterson ;
Vice-President, 1. T. Dodson ; Secretary, James W. Chapman ; Treasurer, Isaac Salkeld, Jr .; Engineers, B. R. MeConnell, Rodolphus Kent, James Bingham, Cornelius Conner, H. B. Heilman, Thomas Quinton. This company probably did not long remain in exist- ence.
Another one, however, was organized, which owned the little engine now in Upper Manch Chunk, which was used at the time of the great fire of 1849.
Marion Hose Company, No. 1 .-- The first carriage of the Marion Hose Company, No. 1, of Manch Chunk, was presented to John Fatzinger and Jacob Salkheld, in 1853, by the first Marion Hose Company, of Philadelphia, and was brought in a canal-boat from Philadelphia to Mauch Chunk on Nov. 23, 1853. A company was then organized by the citizens of the town. After a few years the company disbanded, and the carriage was turned over to the borough authori- ties. The citizens then did fire-duty without organ- ization until Aug. 8, 1866, when the present Marion Hose Company, No. 1, was instituted, and on June 3, 1867, a charter was granted to said Marion Hose Company, No. 1. When the organization of the company took place, the old United States Hose carriage, No. 14, located at Fifth and Buttonwood Streets, Philadelphia, was purchased, which is still in active service. In 1874 the company purchased a Silsby steam fire-engine, which is still used by the company. The number of active members is now thirty-five. In June, 1883, the company organized a band, which is still kept up by the company.
Masonic Lodge, Chapter, Council, and Com- mandery .- Upon the petition of John Fatzinger, Asa Packer, Isaac T. Dodson, Daniel Bertsch, William Oliver, and William Lilly, Jr., the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania granted a charter, dated Dec. 27, 1849, to Carbon Lodge, No. 242, A. Y. M., to be held at Mauch Chunk, Carbon Co., Pa., which was consti- tuted Feb. 27, 1850, with John Fatzinger as Worship- ful Master; Asa Packer, Senior Warden; and Isane T. Dodson, Junior Warden. William Lilly, Jr., aeted as secretary during the balance of the year in which the lodge was constituted, and at the first election Sammuel B. Price was cleeted secretary, and Isaac Ripple treasurer. James 1. Blakslee was elected treas- urer Dee. 25, 1852, and has been continued in office to the present time. The officers of Carbon Lodge for the year 1884 are as follows: James M. Dreisbach, W. M .; George H. Haines, S. W .; Frederick Berto- lette, J. W .; Laird HI. Barber, Sec.
Herman Baugh, M. E. G. H. P., granted a charter, dated June 21, 1855, for holding a chapter of Royal Arch Masons at Mauch Chunk, and on December 6th of the same year Lilly Chapter, No. 181, was eon- stituted, when William Lilly, Jr., was installed M. E. H. P. ; Charles O. Skeer, K .; and Samuel B. Price, S. Elisha P. Wilbur, of Bethlehem, was eleeted the first secretary, and James I. Blakslee treasurer. The officers for the year 1884 are as fol-
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PACKER MONUMENT, MAUGH CHUN'S CEMETERY.
BOROUGHI OF MAUCH CHIUNK.
lows: Laird H. Barbet, M. E. H. P .; William F. Streeter, K .; Dr. Rensellaer Leonard, S .; James I. Blakslee, Treas. ; William W. Weaver, Sec. Dec. 7, 1843. L. D. Knowles. March 7, 1844. William Lilly.
McNair Couneil, No. 29, Royal, Super-excellent, and Select Masters, opened and assembled under a dispensation dated March 19, 1867, which was subse- quently confirmed by a charter from the Grand Coun- cil of Pennsylvania, dated June 11, 1867, Anno Dep. 2867. The original petitioners for the dispensation : were Illustrious Companions Thomas S. MeNair, Wil- liam Lilly, Robert Klotz, R. A. Packer, J. A. Dinkey, J. K. McCollum, J. H. Wilhelm, Joseph P. Salmon, M. W. Raudenbush, John Green, and A. W. Rauden- bush. With the recommendation of the petitioners this dispensation was granted by M. P. Alfred Creigh, Grand Master of Pennsylvania. At the first meeting of MeNair Couneil, Robert A. Packer was installed as T. I. G. M. ; Thomas S. McNair, D. I. G. M. ; James H. Wilhelm. P. C. of W .; Robert Klotz, M. of E. ; James A. Dinkey, Ree. The officers for 1884 are as follows: Lafayette Lentz, T. I. G. M .; Albert G. Brodhead, Jr., D. I. G. M .; Leonard Seager, P. C. of W .; Robert Klotz, M. of E .; Eugene II. Blakslee, Rec.
Packer Commandery, No. 23, K. T., of Mauch Chunk, Pa., opened and assembled on the 28th day of September. 1866, under a dispensation dated Sept. 6, 1866. Rt. E. D. Grand Commander Jeremiah L. Hutchinsou, present. The original petitioners for the dispensation were P. E. C. William Lilly, Sir Knights James Houston, M. W. Raudenbush, and A. W. Raudenbush, hailing from Allen Commandery, No. 20; Sir Knights Thomas S. McNair, Joseph P. Salmon, Isaac K. MeCollum, Anthony Dimmiek, and Robert Klotz, of Crusade Commandery, No. 12. With the recommendation of the commanderies, this dis- pensation was granted by Right Eminent Robert Pit- cairn, Grand Commander of Pennsylvania, which was subsequently confirmed by a charter from the Grand Commandery of Pennsylvania, dated 12th June, A.D. 1867, A.0. 749, A.o.E.P. 70. At the first ! meeting of Packer Commandery, No. 23, K. T. Thomas S. MeNair was installed E. C .; James Ilons- ton, Cien. ; Robert Klotz, Capt. Gen. ; William Lilly, Treas. ; Milton W. Randenbush, Rec. The follow- ing are the officers for the year 1883-84: John C. Dolon, E. C .; Laird H. Barber, Gen. : Leonard Sea- ger, Capt. Gen. ; Robert Klotz, Treas. ; William W. Weaver, Rec.
Mauch Chunk Lodge, No. 76, I. 0. 0. F .- This lodge was instituted in May, 1842, and has been a more than ordinarily suceessful and flourishing organ- ization. Following is a list of those who have served as N. G. and V. G .:
Election quarterly.
May 20, 1842. A. G. Brodhead. John Painter.
Sept. 8, 1842. J. Painter. William Brown.
Dec. 8, 1842. William Brown. C. Lockhardt.
March 9, 1843. C. Lockhardt. J. Simpson.
June 8, 1843. J. Simpson.
Sept. 7, 1843. J. Leisenring, Jr. L. D. Knowles.
June 6, 1844. Ed. Lippincott.
Sept. 12, 1844. W. IT. Fister. Dec. 12, 1844. Peter Houek.
March 6, 1845. Philip De Young. Robert Klotz. June 5, 1845. Robert Klotz.
Sept. 11, 1845. James MeKean.
Dec. 11, 18:15. C. O. Skeer.
March 12, 1846. John Bieghe.
June 11, 1846. Daniel Olewine.
M. M. Cooper.
Sept. 10, 1846. M. M. Cooper.
Dec. 10, 1846. J. S. Wallace.
Eleetion semi-annually.
July 1, 1847. Charles Packer.
Jan. 6, 1848. Robert Butler.
Thos. L. White.
July 6, 1848. Thos. L. White.
William Butler.
Jan. 4, 1849. William Butler.
Conrad Kocher.
July 5, 1849. Conrad Kocher.
Dec.
27, 1849. S. B. Price.
S. B. Price. Peter Russel. Jacob Gilger.
Dee. 26, 1850. Jacob Gilger.
Conrad Miller.
July 3, 1851. Conrad Miller.
J. S. Line.
Dec. 25, 1851. J. S. Line.
S. B. Hutchinson.
June 21, 1852. S. B. Hutchinson. T. R. Crellin.
Sept. 30, 1852. T. R. Crellin. Lewis Beer.
Eleetion changed from June and December to Mareh and September.
March 31, 1853. Lewis Beer.
J. Weyhenmeyer.
Sept. 29, 1853. J. Weyhenmeyer. C. D. Culver. March 30, 1854. C. D. Culver.
Sept. 28, 1854. Dennis Bauman. March 29, 1855. Nathan Tubbs. Sept. 27, 1855. James Houston. March 29, 1856. Leonard Yaeger. Sept. 25, 1856. Josiah Hotlinan. March 26, 1857. Benjamin Yaeger. Aaron Breisch. Sept. 24, 1857. Aaron Breisch. March 25, 1858. H. B. Burnham. Sept. 80, 1858. Sammel Line. March 31, 1859. W. W. Scott.
Sept. 29, 1859. Robert Porter. March 29, 1860. Elwen Bauer.
Sept. 29, 1860. W. R. Otis.
March 28, 1861. John McMullen. Sept. 26, 1861. Gico. J. Spengler. March 27, 1862. James Gaddes. Sept. 25, 1862. T. Il. Ratteliff. March 26, 1863. Philip Miller. Sept. 24, 1863. Isaac Smith. March 31, 1864. E. H. Snyder. Sept. 29, 1864. James Long.
March 30, 1865. Hiram Houtz. Sept. 28, 1865. Thos. Kirchner. March 29, 1866. John L. Dink.
Dennis Bauman. Nathan Tubbs. James Houston. Leonard Yaeger. Josiah Hoffman. Benj. Yaeger. .
1I. B. Burnham. Samuel Line. W. W. Scott. Robert Porter. Elwen Bauer.
W. R. Otis.
John McMullen. Geo. J. Spengler. James Gaddes.
T. II. Ratteliff.
Philip Miller. Isaac Smith. E. 11. Snyder. James Long. Iliram Houtz. Thos. Kirchner.
J. L. Dink.
J. W. Rauden- bush.
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.
697
J. Leisenring, Jr.
William Lilly. Ed. Lippincott. W. II. Fister. Peter Houck.
Philip De Young.
James McKean.
C. O. Skeer. John Bieghe. Daniel Olewine.
J. S. Wallace. Charles Packer.
Robert Butler.
June 27, 1850. Peter Russel.
698
IHISTORY OF CARBON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Sept. 27, 1866. J. W. Raudenbush. H. H. Ashley.
March 28, 1867. Il. H . Ashley.
Lewis Beckhardt.
Sept. 26, 1867. Lewis Beckhardt. E. K. Stroh.
March 26, 1868. E. K. Stroh.
A. R. Beers.
Sept. 24, 1868. A. R. Beers. March 25, 1869. J. M. Dreisbach.
Sept. 30, 1869. W. T. King.
March 31, 1870. E. W. Harlan.
Sept. 29, 1870. George Orr.
March 30, 1871. James A. Dinkey. J. A. Mayer.
Sept. 28, 1871. J. A. Mayer. March 28, 1872. F. P. Semmel.
Sept. 26, 1872. Thomas Burk.
April 3, 1873. J. S. Ackerman. Sept. 25, 1873. Michael Martin.
April 9, 1874. J. B. Dreisbael.
Oct. 1, 1874. C. H. Bower.
April 1, 1875. G. W. Twining.
Oct. 7, 1875. Conrad Kocher.
April 6, 1876. E. A. Packer.
Oct. 12, 1876. A. F. Corby.
April 12, 1877. S. M. Leslie.
Sept. 27, 1877. William Butler. April 11, 1878. G. L. Watson.
F. P. Semmel. Thomas Burk. J. S. Ackerman. Michael Martin. J. B. Dreisbach. C. II. Bower. G. W. Twining. Theo. Doering. D. McLean (res.). E. A. Packer. A. F. Corby. S. M. Leslie. William Butler. G. L. Watson. Simon Beckhardt.
Adolph Doering. Douglas McLean. Jonas Sondheim.
Oct. 3, 1878. Simon Beckhardt. John McAllister. April 3, 1879. John McAllister. Sept. 25, 1879. Adolph Doering. March 25, 1880. Douglas MeLean, Sept. 30, 1880. Jonas Sondheim. N. D. Cortright. March 31, 1881. N. D. Cortright. William Hubble. Sept. 29, 1881. William Ilubble. Charles Neast. March 30, 1882. Charles Neast. W. A. Cortright. Jos. Steventou. D. B. Griffith. Jacob Fretzer. Sept. 28, 1882. W. A. Cortright. March 29, 1883. Jos. Steventon. Sept. 27, 1883. D. B. Griffith.
Mauch Chunk Lodge, No. 193, Knights of Pythias, was instituted at Mauch Chunk, Pa., on the 19th day of October, A.D. 1869. in the Odd-Fel- lows' Hall, by Philip Lowry as Grand Chancellor, P. C. Davis as V. P., P. C. Blair as V. G. C., P. C. Robinson as G. G., P. C. W. H. Halderman as G. R. S., 11. Rekenberger as G. I. S., John Black, Jr., as G. O. S.
The following-named charter members were elected as officers : V. P., Jabez Alsover ; W. C., Amos Stroh ; V. C., W. E. Frisbie; R. S., Ed. K. Stroh ; F. S., John Knebler; W. B., J. M. Dreisbach ; W. I. S., Israel Briggs; W. G., John Miner; W. O. S., J. K. Vanneman. William Merrick, J. W. Heberling, F. A. Barr, Simon Reichart, M. A. Fegley, A. F. Glace, Aaron Miller, N. B. Reber, J. P. Tacy, Francis Pratt, Orlando Harris, Louis Beckhardt, A. J. Marsh, E. F. Luckenbach, J. W. Reed, Daniel Kalbfus, T. S. Beck, George Long, Lafayette Rehrig, Henry Swank, J. A. Mayer, Jacob Hassel, J. B. Wildermer, George Beers, Jacob Romig, Frank Leibenguth, J. S. Eustice, Oliver Breneiser, Aaron Bennyhoff, J. F. Bleckley, James Zellner, A. Vanhorn, James Hutchison, John Smith,
James Gensel, Martin Rehrig, John Brelsford, John Kerns, A. E. Scheetz, and Samuel Moore were the additional charter members.
The election of officers afterward resulted as fol- lows :
1869, Dec. 28 .- W. C., W. E. Frisbie ; V. C., Dan- iel Kalbfus; R. S., E. K. Stroh ; F. S., C. E. Amidon ; W. B., J. M. Dreisbach ; G., F. W. Pratt; I. S., E. F. Houser; O. S., George Long ; Trustees, J. W. Heber- ling, C. E. Foster, and Louis Beckhardt.
1870, June 28 .- W. C., Daniel Kalbfus; V. C., F. W. Pratt; W. G., E. F. Luckenbach ; I. S., C. E. Foster ; Trustee, J. W. Harlan.
1870, Dec. 27 .- W. C., E. F. Luckenbach ; V. C., C. E. Foster ; I. S., J. W. Harlan ; O. S., John Miner; R. S., W. E. Frisbie ; F. S., Orlando Harris; W. B., N. F. Glace; Trustee, John Miner; Rep. to Grand Lodge, W. E. Frisbie. -
1871, June 27 .- W. C., C. E. Foster ; V. C., Oliver Breneiser ; W. G., John Kern ; 1. S., D. K. Morrow ; Trustee, Daniel Kalbtus.
1871, Dee. 26 .- W. C., Oliver Breneiser ; V. C., D. K. Morrow; W. G., J. B. Cox; R. S., Orlando Har- ris; F. S., W. H. Geidner ; W. B., N. F. Glace ; I. S., C. E. Amidon ; O. S., John Faga; Trustee, L. F. Rehrig ; Rep. to Grand Lodge, A. Stroh.
1872, June 25 .- W. C., D. K. Morrow ; V. C., J. B. Cox; W. G., Henry Beineman ; 1. S., Orlando Har- ris; O. S., Ira Oliver; Trustee, Amos Stroh.
1872, Dec. 31 .- W. C., J. B. Cox ; V. C., Henry Bieneman ; W. G., Orlando Harris; 1. S., Theodore Doering ; O. S., Ira Oliver ; R. S., E. K. Stroh ; F.S., W. H. Geidner; W. B., N. F. Glace ; Trustee, Oliver Breneiser; Rep. to Grand Lodge, C. E. Foster.
1873, June 244 .- C. C., Henry Beineman ; V. C., Orlando Harris; P., C. E. Foster; M. at A., Theo- dore Doering; I. G., Jacob Stahl; Trustee, J. W. Harlan.
1873, Dec. 30 .- C. C., Charles E. Foster; V. C., Theodore Doering; K. of R. and S., Edward K. Stroh ; M. of F., B. F. They; M. of E., N. F. Glace; P., Charles Hontz; M. at A., W. H. Geidner ; Trustee, J. W. Heberling.
1874, June 30 .- C. C., Theodore Doering; V. C., Charles Houtz; P., W. IT. Geidner ; M. at A., Joseph Diehl; Rep. to Grand Lodge, C. E. Foster; Trustee, Ilenry Beineman, Jr.
1874, Dec. 29 .- C. C., E. F. Lnekenbach ; V. C., William H. Geidner; P., Joseph Diehl; M. at A., Aaron Bennyhoff; K. of R. and S., E. K. Stroh; M. of F., B. S. Tacy ; M. of E., N. F. Glace; Trustee, W. H. Reichard.
1875, June 29 .- C. C., Joseph Diehl; V. C., Aaron Bennyhoff; P., William II. Reichard; M. at A., George Long; Rep. to Grand Lodge, C. E. Foster ; Trustee, W. II. Geidner.
1875, Dec. 28 .- C. C., Aaron Bennyhoff'; V. C., William Reichard ; P., J. W. Harlan ; M. at A., B. S. Tacy ; K. of R. and S., E. K. Stroh ; M. of E., N. F.
1
George Orr. J. A. Dinkey.
J. M. Dreisbach.
W. T. King.
E. W. Harlan.
699
BOROUGH OF MAUCHI CHUNK.
Glace ; M. of F., D. K. Morrow ; Trustee, C. E. Fos- ter.
1876, June 27 .- C. C., William II. Reichard ; V. C., J. W. Harlan ; P., R. W. Tobias ; M. at A., Samuel Hoats; Rep. to Grand Lodge, C. E. Foster; Trustee, Aaron Bennyhoff.
1876, Dec. 26 .- C. C., J. W. Harlan ; V. C., R. W. Tobias ; P., S. P. IToats; M. at A., Christopher Her- rington ; K. of R. and S., W. H. Geidner; M. of F., D. K. Morrow; M. of E., A. E. Scheetz; Trustee, E. K. Stroh.
1877, June 26 .- C. C., R. W. Tobias; V. C., S. P. Hoats; P., Christopher Herrington ; M. at A., Aaron Bennyhoff; Rep. to Grand Lodge, E. F. Luckenbach ; Trustees, E. F. Lnekenbach and Joseph Diehl, vice E. K. Stroh, resigned.
1877, Der. 25 .- C. C., S. P. Hoats; V. C., Charles Hontz; P., Alexander Mumney ; M. at A., Josiah Hontz; K. of R. and S., William H. Geidner ; M. of F., D. K. Morrow ; M. of E., A. E. Scheetz ; Trustees, R. W. Tobias and Josiah Houtz.
1878, June 25 .- C. C., Charles Houtz ; V. C., E. L. Grennados; P., Aaron Bennyhoff; M. at A., Josiah Houtz; Rep. to Grand Lodge, R. W. Tobias ; Trustee, W. H. Reichard.
1878, Dec. 31 .- C. C., E. L. Grennados; V. C., Aaron Bennyhoff; P., Josiah Hontz ; M. at A., R. W. Tobias; K. of R. and S., W. H. Geidner; M. of F., D. K. Morrow; M. of E., A. E. Scheetz.
1879, June 24 .- C. C., William II. Reichard ; V. C., R. W. Tobias ; P., Aaron Bennyhoff; M. at A., Josiah Houtz; Trustees, R. W. Tobias, W. H. Reichard, and Josiah Houtz.
1879, Dee. 30 .- C. C., R. W. Tobias; V. C., Aaron Bennyhoff'; P., John Bolm; M. at A., Adolph Doering ; K. of R. and S., Elwen Bauer; M. of F., D. K. Morrow ; M. of E., A. E. Scheetz; Trustee, W. H. Geidner.
1880, June 29 .- C. C., Aaron Bennyhoff; V. C., John Bohn; P., E. L. Grennados; M. at A., Adolph Doering ; Rep. to Grand Lodge, D. K. Morrow ; Trus- tee, Aaron Bennyhoff.
1880. Dec. 28 .- C. C., John Bohn ; V. C., E. L. Grennados; P., D. P. Hughes; M. at A., Adolph Doering; K. of R. and S., Elwen Bauer; M. of F., D. K. Morrow; M. of E., A. E. Scheetz; Trustees, R. W. Tobias and J. M. Dreisbach.
1881, June 28 .- C. C., E. L. Grennados ; V. C., D. P. Hughes; P., Adolph Doering; M. at A., Aaron Bennyhofl'; Rep. to Grand Lodge, J. M. Driesbach ; Trustee, J. M. Dreisbach.
1881, Dec. 27 .- C. C., D. P. Hughes ; V. C., Adolph Doering ; P., R. W. Tobias; M. at A., G. F. Schil- linger; K. of R. and S., Elwen Baner; M. of F., D. K. Morrow; M. of E., A. E. Scheetz; Trustce, A. Benny hoff.
1882, June 27 .- C. C., Adolph Doering ; V. C., R. W. Tobias; P., E. L. Grennados; M. at A., G. F. Schillinger; Rep. to Grand Lodge, J. M. Dreisbach ; Trustee, R. W. Tobias.
1882, Dee. 26 .- C. C., R. W. Tobias; V. C., E. L. Grennados; P., G. F. Schillinger; M. at A., D. P. Hughes; K. of R. and S., Elwen Bauer; M. of F., D. K. Morrow ; M. of E., A. E. Scheetz; Trustee, J. MI. Dreisbach.
1883, June 26 .- C. C., E. L. Grennados ; V. C., G. F. Schillinger; P., D. P. Hughes; M. at A., C. C. Brown; Rep. to Grand Lodge, E. Bauer; Trustee, Aaron Bennyhotf.
1883, Dec. 25 .- C. C., G. F. Schillinger; V. C., D. P. Hughes; P., C. C. Brown ; M. at A., C. E. Sayre; K. of R. and S., Elwen Bauer; M. of F., D. K. Mor- row ; M. of E., A. E. Scheetz ; Trustee, R. W. Tobias.
Norma Grove, No. 23, Order of Druids .- This lodge was organized Nov. 17, 1858, by Amos Stroh, who became its first Noble Arch, and consisted of sixteen members, among whom were Jacob Sandel, Edward K. Stroh, Aaron Bresch, and E. J. Painter, The lodge has abont seventy members, and owns prop- erty worth from six to seven thousand dollars. The present Noble Arch is C. C. Smith ; Vice Arch, Jacob Sandel ; Recording Secretary, Amos Stroh ; Financial Secretary, A. J. Mayer; Treasurer, A. E. Scheetz ; Trustees, Paul Kiefer, Amos Stroh, and Jacob Sandel.
Chapman Post, No. 61, Grand Army of the Re- public, was organized in May, 1867, by Licut,-Col. Amos Stroh, Capt. George W. Wilhelm, and Capt. John Shields, and had twenty-six members. It now has seventy or more members, is in good financial condition, and leases a fine hall in Oak Hall build- ing, which is sublet to several other societies. The present officers are : Post Commander, Herman Rei- man ; Junior Vice-Commander, Charles Hellier ; Quartermaster, A. E. Scheetz; Chaplain, William Wilhelm.
Concert Hall .- As fine a publie hall as is possessed by any town of similar size in the State was secured through a somewhat novel procedure, exhibiting the liberality and publie spirit of a number of prominent citizens in 1882. Upon the ground now occupied by Concert Hall there stood for a quarter of a century prior to ISSI a frame structure known as the Market House and Town Hall, which during the latter part of the period had very poorly served the purposes for which it was designed. It had become old, unsightly, and altogether inadequate for the assemblages of the public, and afforded insufficient room for the market- stalls. There was much complaint on the part of the people, who wanted a suitable hall for public assem- blages and entertainments, and finally the dissatisfac- tion took definite form, and found a voice through E. HI. Rauch, W. W. Weaver, and Samuel Carpenter, who, over the indefinitely plural nom de plume of " Many Citizens," published the following call for a publie meeting :
" The citizens of Manch Chunk are respectfully requested to nssemble in town meeting at the Court House on Monday evening next (March 7th, 1881), nt S o'clock for the purpose of considering the question of building a Town Hall and take such action as may be dermed proper."
700
HISTORY OF CARBON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
A large audience assembled at the court-house in pursuance of this call, and, after being called to order by W. C. Morris, Esq., organized by the elec- tion of A. W. Butler as chairman, W. C. Morris, Jr., and L. H. Barber as viee-presidents, and E. H. Rauch as secretary.
After the object of the meeting was stated by Mr. Butler, a resolution was adopted, after some discus- sion, " that it is the sense of this meeting that the borough authorities ercet a new and substantial market-house on the site now used as a market, and a publie hall on the upper part thereof, of sufficient dimensions, safety, and good taste to meet the wants of our people." On motion of Dr. Erwin a committee was appointed to submit a plan, estimate of eost, etc., and the following-named gentlemen were appointed by the meeting : A. W. Butler, Josiah Sandel, John Fidler, John C. Dolon, and Dr. Erwin. Adjourned to meet on the following Monday evening. The ad- journed meeting received the report of the committee (A. W. Butler, chairman), which report favored an election by the citizens, to decide whether or not the Borough Couneil shall be petitioned to erect a public hall and market-honse, at an expense not to exceed fifteen thousand dollars. The report was adopted, and Messrs. A. W. Butler, Dr. Erwin, John Dolon, John Fidler, Josiah Sandel, E. F. Luckenbach, Charles Neast, Hugh Moore, and James McElroy were appointed a committee to provide for holding the election.
The Town Council decided favorably to the project, and issued a proclamation for an election to decide the will of the people upon April 21, 1881. This election resulted, in the First Ward, in two hundred and sey- enty-five votes for and forty-one against the building of the town hall, while in the Second Ward there were fifty-seven votes for and one hundred and twenty- seven against the proposition, leaving a majority in the borough of one hundred and sixty-four in favor of the enterprise. The Council would then have aeted upon the expressed wish of the majority, and erected a hall not to exceed in vost fifteen thousand dollars, but a question as to the legal right of the Conneil to raise the amount necessary by taxation was brought up, and in that emergency Judge Harry E. Packer and other public-spirited citizens came to the support of the project with the following proposi- tion and subscription for carrying it ont :
" We, the undersigned subscribers, hereby agreo und promise to pay tho amount severally subscribed horeto, at such time and in such install- ments as may bo required for the purpose of building a market-house and town hall on the site of the present market-house in tho borough of Manch Chunk, us per plans and drawings furnished by Addison Hut- ton, architoct, of Philadelphia, with the understanding and agreement that the sand building when competed shall be placed in charge of the authorities of the said borongh; they to have all rents und revenues of whatever kind arising therefrom, by paying semi-annually, on tho first days of Jannary and July, to n treasurer appointed by ns for said purpose, two and one-half per cent. upon the amount of our subscrip- tions, which payments are to continue for a period of ton years, and, in consideration of saldi borough having mado full payment of the twenty
setai-annual payments above specified, then the said borough is to own and possess tho same without further payments:
'. H. E. Packer. $7500
William Lily, 5000
Charles O. Skeer ... 5000
John Leisenring. 5000
Mahlon S. Kemerer. 1000
Lafayette Lentz 1000
Audrew A. Douglass
1000
E. B. Leisenring .. 1000
Allen Craig .. 500
A. W. Butler.
50)
John C. Dalon. 500
James 1. Blakslee.
500
Daniel Bertsch
500."
They were thus to pay twenty-nine thousand dol- lars for the building of the hall, one-half of which was to be returned to them on easy terms within a period of ten years. The proposition being accepted, work was begun, and the corner stone of the building was laid, with- proper observance, on Aug. 10, 1881. In the stone was deposited a condensed history of Mauch Chunk, in printed form, prepared by a com- mittee appointed by the borough authorities, of which E. H. Raueh was chairman, together with other doen- ments and a view of the old market-house and hall, torn down to give space for the new. The work pro- gressed so well that the hall was formally opened on the evening of Feb. 4, 1882, on which occasion a speech of presentation was made by A. W. Butler, and answered by one of acceptance by Frederick Bertolette. The evening's entertainment, " Edgewoodl Folks," a comedy, was then given by Sol Smith Rus- sell and company before a crowded audience. The chairman of the building committee was A. W. But- ler, the architect Addison Hutton, and the builders were Balderston & Hutton, of Philadelphia. The tasteful freseoing and the scenery was the work of H. Lempert, of Rochester, N. Y. The hall is of ample size, appropriately and elegantly finished and fur- nished, and possesses the important requisite of good acoustie properties. The lower floor of the substan- tial brick structure is principally devoted to market purposes, and affords space for a sufficient number of stalls and the free circulation of their patrons.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
ASA LANSFORD FOSTER.
Asa Lansford Foster was a native of Rowe, Frank- lin Co., Mass., whenee, with a good common-school education, fair health, and Yankee energy, he came, when quite a young man, to Pennsylvania, then the " Far West," and engaged in the mercantile business with an older brother, who had preceded him, at Ber- wiek, on the Susquehanna River.
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