USA > Pennsylvania > Pennsylvania, colonial and federal : a history, 1608-1903, Volume Three > Part 37
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The town was laid out under the Allen proprietorship in 175I, and upon the death of the founder his son, James Allen of Philadelphia, succeeded to the ownership of the site. He died about 1782, and his estate here descended to his children, of whom there were two sons and three daughters. They maintained homes
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Old State Capitol
Destroyed by fire February 2, 1897. Negative by J. Horace McFarland
Planting of the Cities
in the town and were instrumental in promoting its growth and prosperity in later years. As the surrounding country became settled Allentown began to assume the dignity and character of a prosperous borough, but not until after the advent of canals, railroads and manufacturing interests did it attain any standing in the industrial history of the State. In this respect the city has since made rapid strides and now is the seat of operation of large iron works, and enjoys a reputation as a manufacturing center, without having sacrificed any of its former popularity as a health- ful and desirable residence town. In 1830 the borough contained a population of 1,544, and in 1840 had increased to 2,493. In 1880 its population was 18,063, and in 1900 was 35,416, having nearly doubled in the preceding twenty years.
Next in the order of rank and population among the cities of Pennsylvania is Mckeesport, situated at the junction of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers, in populous Allegheny county, where flourishing boroughs and cities have sprung into existence almost as by magic under the influence of men of enter- prise who have made the region of country about Pittsburg one vast industrial center, almost without an equal in this broad land. Mckeesport is distant about twelve miles from Pittsburg, is well laid in the arrangement of its streets, and is in the very heart of an extensive iron manufacturing and coal shipping section, where tens of thousands of wage earners find constant employment and comfortable homes.
Sixty years ago Mckeesport contained less than four hundred inhabitants, but even then the village was noted for its large coal shipping interests, while in other pursuits there were several boat yards, steam saw mills, a woolen factory and a large steam flour mill. The greatest growth and acquisition of large enterprises have come within the last quarter of a century, when over-crowded Pittsburg has sought desirable locations near the city for manufacturing enterprises, where operatives are employed by thousands and where many acres of land are required for the
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proper conduct of business. Few, indeed, if any, of these vast in- dustries are owned by Mckeesport people, but by heavily capital- ized corporations whose stockholders are widely scattered throughout the country. Yet the city has been built up through their enterprise and is maintained by their wealth. In 1880 Mckeesport, then a borough, had 8,212 population; in 1900 the city population was 34,227. The borough became a chartered city January 15, 1891.
The site whereon now stands the city of Chester was first set- tled by Swedes and formed a part of the territory of New
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Newtown
From an old print issued about 1840
Sweden, extending from Cape Henlopen to Trenton Falls. The work of colonization was begun in 1638 and continued until the territory on both sides of the Delaware was settled. In 1655 New Sweden was conquered by the Dutch, and in 1664 the latter power was compelled to yield to the English force sent out against all the Dutch possessions in Netherland and its dependencies. It may be said, however, that the Dutch did not oppose the Eng- lish with armed resistance, but submitted to the authority of the stronger power and recognized its sovereignty in the New World. Thus the Dutch were permitted to retain most of their settle- ments and lands. The town, which subsequently became Ches- ter, was called by the Swedes, Upland, and it was the seat of authority until the coming of William Penn for all the white
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settlements on the west side of the Delaware, from the vicinity of Wilmington north to Trenton Falls.
It will thus be seen that Chester enjoys the distinction of being the oldest town and county seat in Pennsylvania. Although he had landed at New Castle, Penn, when he came in 1682, first touched Pennsylvania soil at Chester. He was welcomed there by colonists "of all peoples, tongues and nations," chiefly Swedes, Dutch and English, who dwelt in peace and harmony. Early in December ( 1682) Penn called his first assembly at Chester, which continued in session three days, and passed acts for the govern- ment of "the province of Pennsylvania and the territories there- unto belonging."
From the time the town was founded to the close of the Revo- lution Chester figured prominently in the civil and military his- tory of the province, but the events of that long period are mat- ters of general rather than local history and as such are treated elsewhere in this work. On the creation of Chester county in 1682, Chester was made the county seat, and was so continued until 1786, when the public offices were removed to West Chester ; not, however, without determined opposition on the part of the "old town." Delaware county was set off from Chester county in 1789, and Chester was its seat of justice from that year until 1851, when Media was made the county seat. At that time the old village, although without corporate organization, contained about one thousand inhabitants, and it was feared that the removal of the public buildings would injure the business interests of the place. However, about this time some of its enterprising citizens caused the town to be regularly laid out, and made a determined and successful effort to draw manufacturing interests to the local- ity. Through their endeavors several industries were established. The railroad from Philadelphia to Wilmington and Baltimore furnished access to the great markets, while the construction of docks and piers on the river afforded shipping facilities by water. A union of interests with South Chester was effected, and in the
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course of a few years the enlarged village began to flourish and to attract attention through its manufactures of woolen and cotton goods, and iron, and also by reason of its extensive ship yards.
In later years Chester became famous for its ship building in- terests, and some of the largest steamships in the ocean carry- ing trade were the products of its yards. The industry has somewhat declined in later years, but with the acquisition of other equally valuable enterprises has contributed to the promi- nence which the city now enjoys as a center of manufacture and trade. In addition to its industries Chester has been liberally provided with public institutions and its mercantile growth has increased with population and advancement in other directions. The borough became a chartered city January 17, 1890. The population in 1880 was 14,997, and in 1900 was 33,988.
The historic city of York, the seat of justice of York county, the home of the national government for nearly a year following the battle of Brandywine (September, 1777), became a county town in 1749, and an incorporated borough in 1787, yet in 1740 there was not one house on the site. Settlement in the region west of the Susquehanna and bordering Maryland on the north was begun soon after 1720 by English and Germans, the latter predominating, and a few renegades and squatters under the Bal- timore titles who recognized neither treaty rights nor the claims of other owners, and who for several years were a disturbing ele- ment in the vicinity. On this point one authority says: "The early settling of York town was one continual scene of disturb- ance and contention ; there were warring rights and clashing in- terests."
The lands on both sides of Codorus creek in the manor of Springettsbury, on which the town of York was laid out, were surveyed by Thomas Cookson, under the special order of the pro- prietaries in 1741, and the part east of Codorus was laid out in squares, after the plan adopted in Philadelphia. Then, under an unusual scheme of distribution, lots were granted by per-
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petual lease on compliance with specific conditions in relation to building and the payment of seven shillings annual rental; in case of failure to comply, or only partial compliance, with the con- ditions on the part of lease holders, the land reverted to the pro- prietors. This system of settlement proved very unpopular and was one of the causes of the disturbance mentioned in the preced- ing paragraph; and as a result of the injustices practiced under the forfeiture conditions of the lease scheme there were only forty-seven houses and three churches on the site of York in 1751. At length, however, the evil system was abandoned and in 1787 (September 27) the "Borough of York" was incor- porated by act of the legislature. In 1790 its population was 2,076, and in 1800 was 2,503.
From the outbreak of the Revolution to the close of the nine- teenth century, as a county town, borough and subsequent city. York has enjoyed a special prominence among the municipalities of the State, and loyalty to home institutions and measures for the general welfare has been one of the marked characteristics of its people in all generations of the past. As early as 1806 the borough was supplied with a water system for domestic purposes, and in 1833 the Codorus was made navigable to the Susquehanna river, thus affording an outlet for the products of the town. In 1838 railroad communication with Baltimore was established, and in 1839 a line of railroad was opened to Columbia, and from the latter point to Philadelphia. At a still earlier date York was provided with good turnpike roads leading to Baltimore, Gettys- burg, Columbia and Harrisburg, all of which were contributing elements in the early prosperity of the town.
Naturally, these internal improvements resulted in increased population and led to the development of the resources of the town and the country adjoining it; they also led to the estab- lishment of various industrial enterprises, which in the last half century have added much to the wealth of the locality. To-day York is known as a city of manufactures as well as of comfort-
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able homes, and the productive agricultural country surrounding it derives material benefit from its industries and other busi- ness interests. As evidence of its growth in recent years it may be said that in 1840 the borough population was 4,779, and in 1880 was 13,940. The city charter was granted January II, 1887. In 1890 the population was 20,793, and in 1900 had in- creased to 33,708.
That part of Pennsylvania which comprises the several coun- ties bordering on and lying to the northward of the West Branch of the Susquehanna river, was first visited by Moravian mission- aries between 1744 and 1746 for the purpose of spreading the gos- pel among the Indians, but there was no permanent occupancy of the region until after the treaty of 1768, when the Penns succeeded in extinguishing the Indian title. Previous to this time, however, and during the latter part of the French and English wars which ended in 1763, the Scotch-Irish rangers of the Kittatinny valley had more than once visited the West Branch regions and inflicted punishment upon the hostile horde whose depredations the Moravian missionaries could not prevent. Through these occa- sional incursions the fertile lands and splendid forests of the val- ley became known to the hardy Pennsylvanians, and when the country was opened for settlement they were quick to avail them- selves of the offers of the proprietors. Soon after the purchase of 1768 a question concerning boundary lines gave rise to much confusion, and as no civil authority appears to have been exercised over the region, the determined settlers established their own court with "fair-play-men" in the capacity of judges; and their decisions were final, their judgment was carried into effect by the loyal support of all the settlers, and finally, when the civil govern- ment of the Commonwealth was extended over the territory the titles established by the fair-play court were recognized and con- firmed.
Among the early settlers in that part of the valley which in- cludes Lycoming county, the Scotch-Irish prevailed in numbers,
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and with them also were many Friends and Germans and a fair contingent of New Yorkers and New Englanders; but of what- ever nation or creed, settlement was accomplished so rapidly that in 1795 a new county was set off from Northumberland and Wil- liamsport was made its seat of justice.
The elevated lands on which the city was planted were in the most desirable portion of the valley, and although somewhat re-
George Whitfield Scranton
After whom Scranton was named; born 1811; died 1861
mote from the geographical center of the new county there was an important settlement and trading post in the locality where Michael Ross then lived. He conveyed to the commissioners the land for county buildings, and the town was named in allu- sion to his son, William Ross. The village plot was laid out in 1796, and in 1806 the hamlet was incorporated as a borough. In later years its growth was slow and previous to the opening of the West Branch canal and the construction of a railroad, there
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were few evidences of municipal life in the town. Mineral de- posits of coal and iron were known to the early settlers, but there was little attempt at developing these resources until the canal and railroad were completed, hence for many years the chief pursuits of Williamsport residents were agriculture and lumbering.
Lumbering as an industry in this locality had its beginning about 1835, and in the next ten years the town became recognized as the greatest center of the lumber trade in the State and one of the greatest in the United States. The construction of the boom for storing logs, the erection of saw and lumber mills of unpre- cedented capacity, and the formation of heavily capitalized com- panies, added much to the business importance of the place, and
contributed largely to the wealth of its people. The period of gigantic operations began about 1845 and continued more than thirty years, and thousands of substantial fortunes were the re- sult. The city still is regarded as the center of the lumber trade, although the devastation of the forests within the last quarter of a century has lessened the volume of business. In the mean- time, however, other important industries were established, and the city has long been noted for the diversity and importance of its manufactures, its extensive mercantile trade, its well kept streets, splendid residences, healthful surroundings, and the sub- stantial character of its people and its institutions.
In 1850 the borough had a population of 1,600, yet so rapid was its subsequent growth that in 1866 (January 15) it became a chartered city. In 1880 the population was 18,934; in 1890 was 27, 132 and in 1900 was 28,755.
In the early part of the nineteenth century ( 1802) a former resident of New Castle in Delaware emigrated to the sparsely set- tled regions of western Pennsylvania and took up his abode at the junction of Shenango and Neshannock rivers, in the recently or- ganized county of Mercer. Here he laid out a town, but it may be assumed that he had no thought that the little hamlet would become the seat of justice of a populous county or the site of an
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industrial city. In allusion to the place from whence he came Mr. Stewart gave the name of New Castle to the settlement, and after six years of life it contained about twenty houses. In this locality the people were for many years devoted to agricultural pursuits and lumbering, and there was little to stimulate growth until the completion of the branch of the Pennsylvania canal con- necting the Ohio river with Lake Erie. This was accomplished previous to 1845, and about the same time a railroad was opened through the valley. Then the little town began to show signs of industrial activity, and a blast furnace, rolling mill and nail factory were soon in operation. The discovery was made that the hills of the region contained an abundance of bituminous coal. iron ore, fire clay and quartz suitable for making glass, and it was not long before these resources were developed to the advantage of the entire community. In 1849 Lawrence county was formed from Beaver and Mercer counties, and New Castle was made the county seat. The borough became a city Feb. 25, 1869. At the present time the chief industries are furnaces, rolling and tin plate mills, and glass works. As evidence of material growth it may be said that in 1840 the population was 611; in 1880 was 8,418; in 1890 was 11,600, and in 1900 was 28.339. Few cities in the coun- try can show more rapid or more healthful growth than the little metropolis near the border line between this State and Ohio.
On the eastern border of the State, nearly due east from the city whose planting is noted in the preceding paragraph, in a most fortunate location at the confluence of the Delaware and Lehigh rivers, is the city of Easton, created as such January 12, 1887, yet in its history dating back to the early years of the eighteenth cen- tury. Early Bucks county records show that Easton was laid out about 1737 or '38, soon after "the Indian walk," yet there does not appear to have been any permanent settlement here until the creation of Northampton county, in 1752, when this town was made the county seat. As a part of original Bucks county Eas- ton had a prominent part in the early history of Pennsylvania, and
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many of the scenes and events of that period are noted in an earlier chapter of this work.
Easton began to assume the form of a well ordered municipal- ity when the county buildings were erected, and, in 1826, upon the founding of Lafayette college, a new spirit of energy was in- fused among its people. In 1829 the Lehigh Slack-Water Navi- gation company's improvement to Mauch Chunk was completed and was followed in 1831 by the opening of the Delaware division of the Pennsylvania canal, and the completion of the Morris canal
Lebanon in 1840
From an old print
through New Jersey to New York. These improvements were valuable factors in developing the resources of the town, and similar enterprises at South Easton on the opposite side of the Lehigh still further added to local importance. For many years the borough profited by the shipment of vast quantities of anthra- cite coal from the upper Lehigh regions, all of which came to this place and thence were reshipped to markets in New York, Penn- sylvania and New Jersey. It became a manufacturing village through the efforts of the Slack-Water Navigation company and other enterprising concerns, and about 1842 there were in opera- tion here a large cotton factory, a rolling and nail mill, several grist and saw mills, a rifle factory, foundries and furnaces and other industries of note. The extensive farming areas of the
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region produced large quantities of grain, which was made into flour or shipped to other markets. In recent years the character of many industries has changed, yet Easton has not lost any of its old-time importance as a center of trade and manufacture. On the contrary all interests have been enlarged and are more diversi- fied in character, and several railroad lines have facilitated the carrying trade.
Easton was incorporated as a borough September 23, 1789, and was reincorporated with enlarged boundaries in 1823. The city charter was granted January 12, 1887. In ISSo the popu- lation was II, 924; in 1890 was 14,481, and in 1900 was 25,238.
Over in the broad fertile valleys on the southern slope of the Blue mountains, about midway between the greater municipalities of Reading and Harrisburg, is the pretty little city of Lebanon. In this locality the earliest settlers were Scotch-Irish, but after- ward they were almost wholly supplanted with Germans, whose descendants ever since have held numerical ascendency in the town and city. Lebanon as a town was laid out in 1750; be- came a county seat in 1816; was incorporated as a borough in 1821, and as a chartered city November 25, 1885. The town first began to attract attention upon the completion of the old turnpike leading from Philadelphia to Harrisburg by way of Nor- ristown and Reading, and subsequently, upon the opening of the Union canal, it became a station of some consequence. On the completion of the Lebanon Valley railroad in 1857, local interests were greatly strengthened, and the gradual growing together of this borough and North Lebanon resulted in a consolidation in 1869.
Among the cities of the State Lebanon is known as a railroad and manufacturing center, contiguous to extensive coal fields and in the central portion of a productive agricultural region. The city is regularly laid out, is well provided with churches and pub- lic institutions which contribute to the well being of its citizens. In a section of the State generally well supplied with manufactur-
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ing cities, Lebanon nevertheless, has become the seat of important industrial enterprises, and has shown a steady increase in popula- tion. According to the census of 1840 there were 1,860 inhabit- ants in the borough proper, 1,430 in the north ward, and 2,907 in the south ward; total in Lebanon township, 6,187. In 1880 the total borough population was 8,778; in the city in 1890, 14,664, and in 1900, 17,628.
The site where now stands the city of Bradford once was a part of a heavily-timbered region, and was included in the pur- chase of 1768, by which the proprietors extinguished the Indian title to lands now comprising several counties in the northwest part of the State. In the lumbering operations which engaged the attention of purchasers and settlers for half a century or more. Bradford struggled along in the varying characters of logging camp, trading post and hamlet, and was finally established as a borough about 1840. It was destined, however, to a higher municipal existence and ultimately became the center of oil opera- tions in the country. The change came suddenly, unexpectedly and without time for preparation, for there were times in Brad- ford's history during the "oil excitement" when the town could not house and feed the eager mass of beings who sought quick fortunes in the new fields.
So rapid indeed was the growth of the town during a few years that Bradford became entitled to the privileges of a city charter almost before its people were aware of the fact, and it has been said that the increase in permanent population in one single year was more than five thousand persons, chiefly men, while the influx of temporary residents, operators, speculators, option seekers and drillers, frequently exceeded one thousand per day. This was a remarkable era in local annals and one in which Brad- ford made history almost as rapidly as its people made or lost for- tunes. During that period the city became noted as the oil cen- ter of the country and the transactions "on change" at times were enormous. But at length the period was past and there-
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after the town became a prosperous inland city, in which general mercantile and industrial pursuits occupied the attention of its people. Bradford was made an incorporated city January 14, 1879. In 1880 its population was 9,197, in 1890 was 10,514, and in 1900 was 15,029.
In the early development of the anthracite coal fields of south- ern Luzerne county a railroad was extended from Wilkes-Barre toward the Lehigh river and thence over into Sugar Loaf town- ship, in which the Hazleton Coal company had begun operations in 1836. Through the enterprise of the company Hazel town- ship was set off in 1839, and was named in allusion to the abun- dant growth of hazel bushes in the vicinity. The borough of Hazleton was incorporated in 1856, and on December 4, 1891, be-
came a chartered city. In 1890 the population was 11,872, and
in 1900 was 14,230. For more than half a century Hazleton has been noted for the quality and quantity of its coal product.
Pittston, on the Susquehanna, between Wilkes-Barre and Scranton, was settled in 1790, and in 1838 contained only ten dwellings and about forty inhabitants. Coal mining was begun here before 1840 by the firm of Butler & Mallory, and thereafter was extended rapidly as the product was needed in eastern mar- kets ; and with the increase in mining operations there was a cor- responding increase in population and interests, so that, in 1856, Pittston became a borough. The city charter was granted De- cember 10, 1894. While the city is chiefly noted for its coal pro- duction, it also has a special prominence in other industrial pur- suits. The population in 1890 was 10,302, and in 1900 was 12,556.
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