USA > Pennsylvania > Pennsylvania, colonial and federal : a history, 1608-1903, Volume Three > Part 36
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42
In 1866 (act of April 23) the borough became a chartered city of Luzerne county. In 1878 the welfare of interests in the locality necessitated the creation of a new county, and Lackawan- na county was the result, with the seat of justice at Scranton. In 1880 the population of the city was 78,682, and of the county, 139,447. In 1900 the city contained 102,026, and the county 159,241 inhabitants.
Over in the picturesque valley of the Schuylkill, nearly sixty miles from Philadelphia and a little less distant from Harrisburg, in a region early known to the colonists under the Penn proprie- tary and previously a favorite resort of the Indians, is situated the prosperous city of Reading with a population of more than eighty thousand inhabitants. When Penn opened the doors of immigration to various peoples of Europe many sects of Prot- estants gladly accepted the invitation and embarked for America, that they might be freed from the religious persecutions to which they were subjected in the mother country. They were chiefly Germans of various "ranks, sects and persuasions," and they set- tled throughout the interior regions of Pennsylvania, many of
516
GECE
Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Restored
Planting of the Cities
them in Berks county on the site whereon was soon founded the borough of Reading.
The lands on which the city in part was planted were first purchased as early as 1733 by John and Samuel Finney, whose possessions embraced about 450 acres ; afterward when the Pro- prietary sought to lay out a town site the owners refused to part with their title, thus delaying that action for several years, al- though it was finally accomplished. The Penns named their town Reading, the county Berks, both in allusion to English town and county names, and when the borough streets were laid out they were likewise named after distinguished English titles and various members of the Penn family or Proprietary. The county was set off from Philadelphia, Chester and Lancaster, and Reading was made the shire town in 1752. The town itself was laid out in 1748.
In the colonial history of the State, Reading was the scene of many important events, and its people enjoyed few of the blessings of peace until after the close of the Revolution. In its early his- tory the Friends, who also had planted a colony in that part of the valley, were controlling factors and affairs of government were left in their charge, while the Germans devoted themselves to agricultural pursuits. They established comfortable homes for their families and in later years their descendants have been rec- ognized as a part of the substantial element of the city's popula- tion and life.
Reading was incorporated as a borough in 1783 (September 12) and its plan of government was reorganized in 1813 ( March 29). In 1840 it was the largest borough in the State, having 8,392 inhabitants. It became a chartered city March 16, 1847, and under the classification act1 of 1889 it ranks as the largest city of the third class in Pennsylvania. The development of manu-
1Under the act of May 8, 1889, all cities
having less than 100,000 inhabitants arc
citics of the third class.
519
Pennsylvania Colonial and Federal
facturing resources in Reading was begun in 1836, and within the next five years its industries included at least five extensive iron, wood and brass works in addition to a locomotive and rail- road machine shop. As a station on the line of the old Schuylkill and Union canals its importance as a center of trade early became apparent, and when in 1842 the Philadelphia, Reading and Potts- ville railroad was completed the future growth and prosperity of the city was assured. Since that time railroad interests have steadily increased and the city is regarded as a place of much importance from an industrial standpoint. According to the federal census of 1880 the population was 43,278, and in 1900 had increased to 78,961.
About the middle of the eighteenth century, when the English and the French were struggling for the mastery on this side of the Atlantic, the latter power through the offices of its Jesuit mission- aries succeeded in establishing terms of friendship with the fierce Seneca warriors of the Iroquois confederacy, and were permitted to construct a line of fortifications from the French stronghold in Canada to the Mississippi river, extending across the territory of Pennsylvania from northeast to southwest, and thus forming a "bow." of which the English colonies were the"string." In 1726 the French built Fort Niagara and about twenty-three years later, probably in 1749, erected Forte de la Presqu' isle (Presque Isle) on the bluff overlooking the bay and the waters of Lake Erie. This fortress stood on the site of the present industrial city of Erie, the latter the most important municipality in northwestern Pennsylvania, and with whose early life there are associated nu- merous interesting and historic memories.
After the overthrow of the French power in 1763, the close of the Revolution in 1783, and the adjustment of Indian disturbances which had retarded settlement in this region, there came a steady stream of Yankees from New England and New York, with a few adventurous Pennsylvanians, and all together they occupied and developed the fertile lands with a degree of energy
520
Planting of the Cities
almost unparalleled in the early history of the State. Before the questions of land titles and boundary lines had been fully settled, the tide of settlement had begun, and as early as 1795 the town was laid out; and it was named Erie, in allusion to the lake on whose waters it was planted, while the lake derived its name from the tribe of Indians who inhabited its southern shores and who were destroyed by the Iroquois about the middle of the seventeenth century.
In the clamor for lands in this locality there was some con- fusion, but the determined action of Gen. Irvine and Andrew Ellicott, who laid out the town, prevented anything that savored of disorder. It will be remembered that when the commissioners were surveying the proposed boundary between New York and Pennsylvania, it was discovered that the line must fall upon Lake Erie in such a manner that the latter State would own not more than four or five miles of shore front and that without a respect- able harbor. Then followed negotiations which led to the acqui- sition of the "triangle" and the land whereon now stands the city of Erie, which otherwise must have fallen within the State of New York. These lands were the subject of controversy be- tween Massachusetts and New York, and in settlement thereof were ceded to the general government, through which source Pennsylvania acquired title to the more than 202,000 acres com- prised in the triangle.
In laying out the town the commissioners reserved certain lots for the use of the United States for "forts, magazines, ar- senals and dock yards," which action more than any other cause attracted the attention of settlers and land operators and resulted in a borough incorporation in 1805. At that time the place con- tained about one hundred dwellings and was the temporary home of several distinguished military and naval officers. An academy was founded in 181 1, and two years later Captain (after- ward Commodore) Perry came here to build the naval fleet with which he vanquished the British squadron in the memorable bat-
521
Pennsylvania Colonial and Federal
tle of September, 1813, an important event in American history and one with which the city of Erie always has been prominently associated.
For many years a port of entry on the lake front of the State on the west, naturally many commercial interests were centered here, and when the canal leading to Beaver was put in operation the place acquired additional importance. Then followed the construction of various lines of railroad, which so increased the local population that the borough became a city, the act therefor having been approved April 14, 1851. In more recent years the city has become noted for its manufactures, its commerce, its railroad trade and the substantial character of its institutions. As tending to show its remarkable growth it may be stated that in 1820 the population was only 617, and in the next twenty years had increased to 3,412. In 1880 the city's population was 27,- 737 and in 1900 was 52,733.
In the central northeastern part of Pennsylvania, in the very heart of the vast anthracite coal fields, on the south side of the Susquehanna river, is located the metropolitan city of Wilkes- Barre, the seat of justice of Luzerne county. The earliest white settlers in this region were men from Connecticut, and Germans and Scotch-Irish from the southern counties of this State, and there was little friendship existing among them, as the Connecti- cut colonists claimed title under grants from their province, while the Germans and Scotch-Irish held possession under the Penn- sylvania claim. Frequently these adverse claimants became in- volved in actual strife, and during the period of the dispute there was little progress in the direction of development. Another element of discontent in the region was the unfriendly attitude of the Indians inhabiting this part of the Susquehanna valley, who were a source of annoyance and anxiety to the whites until after the close of the Revolution. A narrative of all these events, how- ever interesting, can have no place in this chapter, but it is un- questioned that the troubles growing out of conflicting titles and
522
Planting of the Cities
the hostility of the Indians had the effect to delay permanent set- tlement in the locality for nearly half a century. After Gen. Sullivan's avenging army had swept the red men from the valley (1779) there came an era of peace and prosperity, and within the next ten years the entire region became populated with a sturdy, determined class of settlers. However, several years before this, as early as 1768 or '69, Obadiah Gore, a blacksmith, had discov- ered that the coal found on the site of what now is Wilkes-Barre was far better than charcoal in making forged nails, and also that it answered "very well" for purposes of fuel. The discovery and use of coal in this region led to the ultimate founding of the city, yet had small part in promoting settlement previous to 1800.
The town of Wilkes-Barre was laid out in 1783, and was made a county seat upon the creation of Luzerne county in 1786. It was named in honor of John Wilkes and Colonel Barre, mem- bers of the British Parliament during the Revolution, whose friendship for the American colonies in their struggle for inde- pendence was thus remembered. The name, however, for many , years was written "Wilkes-borough," and later as "Wilkes-barre" and also as "Wilkesbarre."
When anthracite coal began to come into general use for domestic and manufacturing purposes Wilkes-Barre became a central point for extensive mining operations and soon afterward gained prominence as an iron manufacturing borough. About 1840 the place contained one of the largest rolling mills in the country and had a line of railroad over the mountain eastward to the Lehigh river, thus furnishing an outlet for manufactured products and the limited quantity of coal mined by the Baltimore Coal company, whose lands were about two and one-half miles from the borough proper. At that time the borough population was 1,718.
This condition of municipal life did not long continue, as the demand for coal soon necessitated the construction of other lines of railroad, the opening of new mines, and the establishment of
523
4
Pennsylvania Colonial and Federal
new industries at home, where fuel was abundant and cheap. With these acquisitions there came increased population, an outspread- ing of interests, and the establishment of new institutions, fol- lowed by an act of the legislature (passed May 4, 1871) incor- porating the city. From that time the growth of the city has been continuous, and to-day it ranks with the most progressive municipalities of the State. In 1880 the population was 23,- 339, and in 1900 had increased to 51,721.
The story of the early history of the capital city of the State reads like a well woven tale of fiction rather than a dry narrative of events relating to the founding of a town. If local tradition be true, and no man doubts the accuracy of the story, John Har- ris must have been endowed with prophetic gifts when in laying out the town of Harris' Ferry he declared that it would some day be "the seat of government of Pennsylvania." The founder himself evidently spoke in all sincerity, for he then conveyed to the commissioners four acres of land on Capitol hill "in trust for public use and such public purposes as the Legislature shall here- after direct." This was in 1785; John Harris died in 1791, and Harrisburg was not made the capital of the State until 1810.
Almost without interruption for nearly two centuries the sur- name Harris has been associated with the history of this locality. The pioneer of the valley region here was John Harris, senior, a Yorkshire Englishman, who emigrated to America and settled in Philadelphia, where he married. He removed first to Chester county, thence to the mouth of Conoy creek on the Susquehanna, in Lancaster county, and afterward to the site of Harrisburg, where he subsequently lived and died. At this place, about 1726, his son, John Harris, was born. He was the founder of the town, an extensive land owner, an enterprising developer, and is said to have been the first white child born in the State west of the Conewago hills.
The elder Harris was an Indian trader and soon succeeded in establishing friendly and profitable relations with the dusky in-
524
.
to
---
"Fort" Rittenhouse, northwest corner 7th and Arch streets, Philadelphia
Erected, 1786-1787; demolished, 1886; residence of David Rittenhouse. Negative by J. F. Sachse
Planting of the Cities
habitants of the valley. He acquired much land and also en- gaged in agricultural pursuits; and he is said to have brought the first plow into the Susquehanna valley in this State. He died in 1748, upon which the younger John succeeded to the parental es- tates, comprising several hundred acres upon which the city in part stands, and he also traded with the Indians, carried on large farming properties, and in addition thereto opened the way for white settlement in the locality. Among his other enterprises he established a ferry across the river, and in its time "Harris' Ferry" was a place of note and importance. The county was created in 1785 and the seat of justice was established at the Ferry, the name of which was changed to Harrisburg1 in the same year.
These things being accomplished, new factors came into the town life and soon a prosperous village settlement was brought into existence with productive farming areas surorunding it on all sides. In the subsequent history of the town there were few events of importance previous to the designation of Harrisburg as the capital of the Commonwealth, but this event the founder himself did not live to witness; he died in 1791, and his co- workers carried forward the task of building up the borough and later city. The borough was incorporated February 1, 1808, and after the location of the State buildings the growth in interests and population was more rapid. In 1830 the bor- ough contained 4,307 inhabitants. In later years the construc- tion of canals and various lines of railroad brought increased population, and with the establishment of public institutions the importance of the city became recognized throughout the State. The act of city incorporation was passed March 19, 1860. In 1880 the city's population was 30,762 ; in 1900 it was 50, 167. It is known as one of the most desirable residence cities in Pennsyl-
1One account says that at the August ses- sions in 1786 the name of the town was changed from Harris' Ferry to Louisburg, by "order of the Supreme Executive Coun-
cil." The injustice of this action became apparent, but the new name was allowed to remain until the borough was incorporated.
527
Pennsylvania Colonial and Federal
vania, is recognized as a railroad center of large importance, and also enjoys prominence on account of its diversity of manufac- tures.
Lancaster, the oldest city, except Philadelphia, in Pennsyl- vania, is the seat of justice of a county noted not alone for its wealth of history, but also for its wealth of natural resources. In the early history of the Commonwealth the region comprising Lancaster was the scene of many important events and the abid-
Beaver in 1840
From an old print
ing place of men of distinction in the political affairs of the State and nation. Here on frequent occasions were held the councils between chiefs and sachems of the Six Nations and the commis- sioners representing various proprietary governments, and Penn himself is said to have at least once visited the Conestoga Indians here and treated with them in the interests of peace and the acqui- sition of lands. Then there were the faithful laborers whose mission was to spread the gospel among the savages. In itself the Indian history of this region is of special interest and suffi- cient to fill a volume, but the present narrative must treat of other events.
Penn opened this territory for white settlement on the broad principles of toleration, and in response to his invitation there came here many parties of various religious sects from the upper province of Germany, and added to the number were others from
528
Planting of the Cities
the eastern counties of this province and also from northern Maryland. The tide of settlement began about 1700 and con- tinued until the lands were well occupied. The county was set off from Chester in 1729, and the county buildings were tem- porarily erected at Postlethwaite. This proved unsatisfactory to many of the settlers, and in 1730 the Governor laid out the town of Lancaster, which in 1734 became the seat of justice of the county. The town site was admirably chosen, its streets were laid out uniformly and were named in accordance with the prevailing custom of the period. In later years the place contin- ued to grow both in population and commercial importance, and while there had been some attempt at manufacture, the disturb- ing period of the French and Indian wars, as well as of the Revo- lution which followed, delayed determined effort in that direction. Even to the early settlers iron ore was known to abound in the region, and in 1726 an iron works was in operation.
For many years the Susquehanna river on the western border of the county was the chief avenue of travel and traffic, and vast quantities of produce and manufactured wares were thereby annually transported to Baltimore and Philadelphia markets. In 1792 a turnpike road was laid out from Philadelphia to Lancaster. and was opened in 1794. This road, about sixty-two miles in length, was first paved with stone and afterward was macadam- ized, and is said to have been the first highway of its kind in the country. It became the recognized thoroughfare of travel be- tween the points mentioned and was an important factor in Lan- caster history. In 1828 the Conestoga was made navigable from Lancaster to the Susquehanna, and thus the city was given water- route connection with profitable markets.
These and other internal improvements determined the fu- ture progress of the town. Franklin college had been founded here in 1787, and in 1818 (March 20) the borough was incorpo- rated as a city. After 1828 the population increased more rap- idly and several new manufacturing industries were located here.
3-34
529
Pennsylvania Colonial and Federal
The first railroad from Columbia to Philadelphia was opened in 1834, its route passing through Lancaster. The operation of this road, together with the work accomplished in 1829 by the Conestoga Navigation company, were principal factors in establishing Lancaster as an industrial city. It early gained an enviable standing in business circles and none of its old-time prestige has been lost in later years. More than this, Lancaster has long been known as the home of distinguished men. Governor James Hamilton was the founder of the town, and Edward Ship- pen, his confidential agent, possessed much influence with the pro- prietary government. Joseph Shippen, son of Edward, was secre- tary to the governor and council; the distinguished Dr. Eberle, once a conspicuous figure in Philadelphia medical circles, was a native, and John C. Calhoun and James Buchanan were at one time residents in the county. Robert Fulton, inventor of the steamboat, was born of Irish parents in Little Britain township. In 1800 Lancaster contained 4,292 inhabitants and 8,417 in 1840. In 1880 the population was 25,769, and in 1890 was 41,459.
On the eastern slope of the Alleghany mountains, not far from the geographical center of what now is Blair county, something more than half a century ago the Pennsylvania Railroad company established a station on what once was a part of David Robeson's farm. There appears to have been something in the location here to attract attention, and very soon afterward the company's agents secured a tract of more than one hundred and twenty acres of land, and at once proceeded to erect construction and repair shops. Then the flourishing borough of Altoona sprang into existence and ranked with the most important railroad towns in the State. After a time the company erected a hotel, named it the Logan house, and otherwise contributed to the growth and prosperity of the place to such an extent that the name of Altoona became known throughout the country. This enterprise on the part of the company stimulated industrial activ- ity generally, and soon the little borough became recognized as a
530
Planting of the Cities
manufacturing town. In importance and population it soon out- stripped the county seat, and became the metropolis of Blair county, and frequently in later years has been mentioned as the "Mountain City." Its location is delightful and all its sur- roundings are conducive to health.
Altoona was incorporated as a city April 3, 1867, having been in existence less than twenty years. It derives its prominence from the railroad interests centered there, and is one of the few purely railroad cities in the State. In 1880 the population was 19,710 and in 1900 had increased to 38,937.
Crossing the main range of the Alleghanies from Blair county into Cambria and thence following the line of the Pennsylvania railroad to the extreme southwest corner of the latter county, the traveler arrives at the prosperous city of Johnstown-a city planted less than half a century ago, yet one which has increased rapidly, despite two awful disasters which cost hundreds of lives and millions of dollars in loss of property.
By reason of its fortunate situation at the junction of Stony creek with Conemaugh river, Johnstown first attained prominence as an extensive coal mining region, but its greatest prosperity has come since the construction of two trunk lines of railroad- the Pennsylvania and the Baltimore and Ohio-both of which have been factors in increasing shipping facilities, adding to the local population, and also directly promoting industrial interests.
The city is built up on the site of the old Indian village known as Kickenapawling's town, where in later years there settled a goodly number of sturdy Germans. One Joseph Johns (or Yahns) is said to have been the pioneer settler here, his lands having been quite extensive, as also were those of Mr. Halliday, who came about the same time. Before the coal fields were opened and previous to the advent of canals and railroads, this region was noted for its lumbering interests, and when a trading center was established the locality took the name of Conemaugh and afterward, when formally laid out, of Johnstown, in allusion
531
Pennsylvania Colonial and Federal
to the German settler whose name has been mentioned. In 1840 the borough's population was less than 1,000. In 1880 the popu- lation was 8,380, and in 1900 was 35,936, having increased more than threefold in twenty years. Johnstown was incorporated as a city of the third class December 18, 1889.
In the eastern central part of the State, on the west side of the Lehigh river, in one of the most elevated and healthful localities of the region, is situated the beautiful city of Allentown, the seat of justice of Lehigh county. In the early settlement of this part of Northampton county there was a strong element of German population, and the little hamlet built up on the highlands was one of the earliest in the region.
By reason of its situation in a region quite remote from the established routes of travel previous to the construction of canals and railroads, the development and growth of the town was slow, or, to use the words of a well known writer, "was unnoticed and unknown." As a part of the mother county the settlement was called Northampton until about 1800, when the name was changed to Allentown, and so called in honor of Chief Justice William Allen, founder of the town, a close friend of the Penn family, and whose eldest daughter, Ann Allen, married Governor John Penn. It will be seen, therefore, that the name which this beautiful city now bears was most worthily bestowed, and it perpetuates the memory of one of the most distinguished men who figured in the early history of the colony. It is said, however, that upon its designation as the seat of justice of Le- high county in 1812, the name of Northampton was adopted, and was so continued until 1838 when the former name of Allentown was restored.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.