USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > School history of Berks County in Pennsylvania : by Morton L. Montgomery > Part 10
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93d, G .- Reading and Norristown Alexander C. Maitland.
93d, K .- Berks and Lebanon Counties
David C. Keller.
96th, G .- Hamburg Light Infantry .
James M. Douden.
104th, H .- Berks County.
. William F. Walter.
- D .- Independent Battery. George W. Durell.
5th, M .- Battery U. S. Artillery . . James McKnight.
Regimental Bands.
26th, -Bernville .
Henry S. Grime, leader.
46th, -Birdsboro'. Richard J. Stanley, leader.
88th, -Reading City. . E. Ermentrout, leader.
NINE MONTHS' SERVICE, 1862-63.
Regt. Co. Name. Captain.
128th, A .- Washington Infantry L. Heber Smith.
128th, B .- Muhlenberg Infantry . William McNall.
128th, E .- Reading Artillerists . . William H. Andrews.
128th, H .- Felix Light Guards John Kennedy.
128th, I .- Reading Iron Works Guards
Richard H. Jones.
128th, K .- City Guard .
George Newkirk.
15Ist, E .- Ontelaunee
. Jacob S. Graeff.
15Ist, G .- Bernville .
Levi M. Gerhart.
15Ist, H .- Upper Tulpehocken William K. Boltz.
151st, I .- Berks and Schuylkill . . William L. Gray.
15Ist, K .- Longswamp
. James W. Weida.
VOLUNTEER MILITIA, 1862.
Regt. Co. Name. Captain.
2d, G .- Fifth Ward Guards. Franklin S. Bickley.
uth, E .- Nicolls Guards . Dr. Charles H. Hunter.
IIth, I .- McKnight Guards Nathan M. Eisenhower.
20th, G .- Liberty Fire Zouaves William Geiger.
20th, H .- McLean Guards . Samuel Harner.
20th, I .- Halleck Infantry . Frederick S. Boas.
20th, -Berks County Cavalry . Samuel L. Young.
DRAFTED MILITIA, 1862, NINE MONTHS' SERVICE.
Regt. Co. Location.
Captain.
167th, A .- Womelsdorf Jonathan See.
167th, B .- Reading . Charles Melcher.
167th, C .- Oley .
. Peter Y. Edelman.
167th, D .- Ontelaunee
. Samuel A. Haines.
167th, E .- Spring .
. Hiram H. Miller.
167th, F .- Marion
. Joseph Groh.
167th, G .- Washington . William A. Schall.
MILITARY PERIODS. 159
Regt. Co. Location.
Captain.
167th, H .- Pike .
. Abraham H. Schaeffer.
167th, I .- Richmond . Jonas M. Schollenberger.
167th, K .- Rockland . Edward F. Reed.
179th, I .- Reading
Amos Drenkel.
179th, K .- Amity
. John B. Wagoner.
VOLUNTEER MILITIA OF 1863.
3Ist, H .- Reading
David A. Griffith.
42d, A .- Reading
William F. Walter.
42d, B .- Reading
. Samuel Harner.
42d, C .- Reading
. John E. Arthur.
42d, D .- Robeson
William D. Smith.
42d, E .- Reading
. John McKnight.
42d, F .- Robeson
Bentley H. Smith.
42d, G .- Ontelaunee
Samuel. A. Haines.
42d, H .- Reading
John Obold.
42d, I .- Birdsboro' . Edward Bailey.
42d, K .- Heidelberg . Jacob Deppen.
48th, G .- Reading Joseph G. Holmes.
53rd, A .- Reading Richmond L. Jones.
53rd, B .- Reading . . Jacob Lehman.
- Independent Artillery - Reading . . . William C. Ermentrout.
100 DAYS' SERVICE, 1864.
20th, G-Reading
George W. Ashenfelter.
194th, I .- Reading
Henry E. Quimby.
195th, A .- Reading
. Henry D. Markley.
195th, B .- Reading
. Harrison Maltzberger.
196th, I .- Reading .
. George S. Rowbotham.
ONE YEAR'S SERVICE, 1864-65.
192d, F .- Reading
. John Teed.
195th, A-Reading
Henry D. Markley.
198th, D .- Reading Isaac Schroeder.
198th, G .- Rockland . William L. Guinther.
205th, B .- Reading Joseph G. Holmes.
205th, E .- Reading
William F. Walter.
205th, H .- Ruscombmanor Franklin Schmehl.
Cemeteries. - Deceased soldiers have been buried in the cemeteries throughout the county. The most prominent burial-place is "Charles Evans Cemetery," at Reading, where a magnificent granite "Soldiers' Monument " was erected in 1887 by the G. A. R. Post's, McLean No. 16, and Kein, No. 76.
Confederate Armies Surrender .- The army un- der Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered to Gen. Ulysses
-
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SCHOOL HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY.
S. Grant at Appomattox Court-House, Virginia, on April 9, 1865. This surrender has come to be gen- erally regarded as the conclusion of the Civil War. The army under Gen. J. E. Johnston surrendered to Gen. W. T. Sherman at Greensboro', North Caro- lina, on April 26th ; all the other Southern troops to the east of the Mississippi River surrendered on May 14th, and those to the west on May 26th. A "Grand Review" of the "Union Armies" was held at Washington on May 23-24, 1865. It was regarded as the grandest military display ever wit- nessed in the history of nations. The men were then discharged. Their return home was signalized everywhere throughout the Northern States with great demonstrations of joy.
Summary of Battles .- In the four years of ser- vice, the armies of the Union fought 2265 battles with the Confederate troops. Counting only those engagements in which the Union loss in killed, wounded, and missing exceeded 100, the total number was 330. From the northernmost point of contact to the southernmost, the distance was more than 2000 miles ; and from East to West the ex- tremes were 1500 miles apart. The first year of hostilities was one of preparation on both sides ; hence the battles were naturally fewer in number and less decisive in character than afterward, when the troops were disciplined and the materiel of war was collected and stored for prolonged campaigns.
Sacrifices of War .- It has been estimated that during the war 56,000 National soldiers were killed in battle, and about 35,000 died in hospitals of
161
MILITARY PERIODS.
wounds, and 184,000 by disease; the total loss, if we include those who died after their discharge, was about 300,000. The loss of the Confederates was less in battle, owing to the defensive character of their struggle ; but they lost more from wounds and by disease, on account of inferior sanitary ar- rangements. The total loss of life caused by the Rebellion exceeded half a million of men, and nearly as many more were disabled.
State Banks .- Before the Civil War, the different States allowed banks to be established for the issue of notes, payable in specie on demand. These banks were established by acts of the local Legisla- ture, which limited the liability of the shareholders. Banking then was quite free, and all individuals could carry it on, provided they pursued the re- quirements of the law. But under this system there was great fluctuation in value, which pro- duced an unprecedented amount of bankruptcy and ruin. Between 1811 and 1820 many banks be- came bankrupt ; and twenty years afterward another financial panic occurred. The inflation of the bank-notes was wonderful between 1830 and 1837. But just as the amount had then increased, so it decreased during the following six years until 1843 ; and this caused the ruin of many moneyed institu- tions. Among them was the Bank of the United States, the renewal of whose charter had been de- nied by President Jackson.
The loss in the value of stocks and property of all kinds was enormous. But great as the loss was, it was trifling compared with the injury which re-
II
162 SCHOOL HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY.
sulted to society in disturbing the elements of social order, and in causing the utter demoralization of men by the irresistible temptation to speculation which it afforded, and by swindling to retain riches dishonestly obtained. Another crash took place in 1857. At the beginning of the war, the paper money in circulation amounted to $200,000,000, of which three-fourths had been issued in the North- ern States ; and the coin amounted to $275, 000,000.
National Banks .- The early necessities of the National treasury in this trying period compelled the government to borrow money; therefore, in February, 1862, Congress authorized the issue of treasury notes amounting to $150,000,000, declar- ing them to be legal tender except for customs duties and for interest on the National debt. This action was taken after a full discussion of the ques- tion. Its constitutionality was contested vigor- ously, but unsuccessfully. A premium on gold naturally followed, causing it to be drawn entirely from circulation ; and this increased as the treasury notes multiplied. The National Banking System was then introduced to supply a circulating me- dium. It was created on February 25, 1863, and amended June 3, 1864, whereby a Bureau and Comptroller of Currency were established in the Treasury Department, with power to authorize banking associations, under certain provisions for public security.
The existing State banks were rapidly trans- formed into National banks under this system, and their previous notes were withdrawn from circula-
.
163
MILITARY PERIODS.
tion. The currency of the country in this manner came to consist of treasury demand notes, and Na- tional bank notes, -the former, in 1865, amounting to $450,000,000, and the latter to $300,000,000. The latter circulated as freely as the former, be- cause their ultimate redemption was assured by the deposit of an adequate amount in United States bonds in the National treasury. This system was found superior in the protection against loss which it afforded ; but it could not prevent a financial crisis from sweeping over the country, especially when other causes, such as excessive manufactures and enormous losses from fire, contributed greatly towards the result.
National Currency .- Congress also authorized small notes for five, ten, twenty-five, and fifty cents to be issued for the purpose of supplying the loss of the small denominations of coin money fromn circu- lation. This was commonly known as "currency." It was redeemed after the war. During this period, the merchants at Reading issued and circulated for a time their own fractional demand notes for the purpose of encouraging trade amongst one another ; but it was gradually redeemed as the National cur- rency was supplied.
MILITIA.
Legislative Provision .- The Convention of 1776, in framing the first Constitution of the State, made provision for the establishment of a military system. The Revolution was then raging; and a State sys-
164
SCHOOL HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY.
tem was not necessary, owing to the general system provided by the government of the United States. Without any training in the "military art," the freemen were at once thrown into actual practice, in which they met an enemy face to face. Their encounters were not "sham battles," and they afforded no "fun and frolic." In this practice many paid the price of life for liberty. After the close of the Revolution, the State adopted a system in order to keep the freemen trained, which was modified by repeated legislation ; and its provisions were carried out year after year until the Civil War. By it the State was divided into sixteen military divisions ; each division comprised two brigades ; and each brigade as many regiments as could be ar- ranged within the bounds of the division.
County Battalions .- The system of militia carried on in the State was active and successful in Berks County and embraced six battalions. Every free, able-bodied, white, male citizen who was a resident in the State for six months previous to the time of his enrollment, of the age of 18 years and under the age of 45 years, was required to be enrolled in the militia-certain officials and other persons excepted. The militiamen were paraded and trained in May of every year, first in companies on the first Monday, and then in battalions on the second Monday. These services and parades were very useful. But beyond their utility, they provided great amusement for the people. Many persons set apart this day as a "holiday," if they did not set apart any other in the entire year. The day was observed at the sev-
165
MILITARY PERIODS.
eral boroughs, even at certain prominent towns in the county, but especially at Reading.
In 1856 there were 24 companies of militia in Berks County. These were arranged in 6 bat- talions, and comprised the Ist Brigade of the 5th Division of Pennsylvania Volunteers. The total force of troops then in the county was 6644; re- ported in companies, 1463.
State National Guard .- In 1864 a new system was provided. "The active militia shall be com- posed of volunteers ; and, in case of war, invasion, the suppression of riots, etc.,. .. shall first be or- dered into service." The assessors are required to enroll "every able-bodied male citizen resident within the State at the age of 21 years and under the age of 45 years," excepting certain persons specified ; and this roll of persons is placed on record in the office of the county commissioners. The or- ganization is similar to the previous systems, but the State is divided into 20 divisions, each county to form a separate brigade. Berks, Lebanon, and Dauphin Counties comprise the 5th Division. Sub- sequent modifications have been made. The active militia is styled the "National Guard of Pennsyl- vania." There are two companies in Berks County, -one at Reading, the other at Hamburg.
166
SCHOOL HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY.
CHAPTER IX.
TOWNSHIPS.
Organization .- The county is divided into four natural sub-divisions or sections. Each section was settled at a different time by a different people ; and from these several settlements, communities were developed and organized into townships. Before the erection of the county in 1752, each section was or- ganized into townships, and local government was practically carried out in every department of social and political life. After the settlements had begun, the manner of development in each was about the same. Houses and buildings were erected to serve the comfort and convenience of the people; roads were laid out to encourage and facilitate intercourse from one settlement to another; and churches were erected for religious worship. Agriculture was the principal employment of the settlers. By studying the situation of the people as it then existed, we find that they had a perfect conception of self- government, and knew how to direct their affairs.
Development .- When the county was erected, there were altogether 23 townships-18 regularly established and 5 commonly recognized ; and prom- inent highways extended from Reading through the several sections to enable the tax-payers to visit
167
TOWNSHIPS.
the county-seat conveniently for the transaction of business, whether relating to their own personal matters or matters connected with the government of the county. Subsequently, as time advanced, additional roads were laid out, new communities formed and organized into townships, post-offices established, newspapers issued, canals and railroads constructed, manufactures of all kinds encouraged, and boroughs and a city erected. Now, after the lapse of nearly 140 years, we have I city, 10 bor- oughs, and 43 townships,-altogether 54 political divisions ; 100 towns ; 138 post-offices; 10 rail- ways; and many roads, churches, and schools. The population increased from 12,000 to 130,000; and the wealth from a few million dollars to $100,- 000,000.
Government .- The townships are under the gen- eral government of the county ; but for local affairs they have a government of their own. The princi- pal officers are 2 supervisors, 3 auditors, assessor, 6 school directors, 2 justices of the peace, and a con- stable, all of whom are elected by the tax-payers. The duty of the supervisors is to maintain the pub- lic roads in a proper condition ; of the auditors, to pass upon their accounts, showing the moneys re- ceived and expended ; and of the assessors, to assess the value of property. The expenses are paid by the levy and collection of a road tax, which is rated on the county assessment of property in the town- ship. The school directors are required to carry on the system of common-school education as provided by the State law, the cost being raised similar to the
168
SCHOOL HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY.
road tax. The justices of the peace are judges of a limited jurisdiction and determine personal actions for the recovery of claims not exceeding $300, and of damages for trespass against individuals. Crim- inal prosecutions are lodged before them for the arrest of persons who have committed crimes and misdemeanors, and they make return thereof to the District Attorney of the county, who conducts the prosecution. The constable serves summonses issued by the justices, and executes writs for the sale of property, and also warrants for the arrest of of- fenders against the law.
The government of a township is government in its simplest form, and is therefore the unit of gov- ernment. It is thoroughly democratic, for the tax- payers nominate its local officers as well as elect them. No delegates are required. The election is by ballot at the polls, however, and not by the voice at a public ineeting. There are only two purposes which it serves, -the maintenance of roads and schools. Without these there would be no neces- sity for its existence. Being so simple, it is not generally seen or felt until the tax collector demands the payment of road and school taxes. Its rigor is only perceptible when the payment of tax is re- fused, and the delinquent is obliged to forfeit his property or his liberty. The tax-payers thus take a direct interest in their local government and are closely connected with it. But the higher the gov- ernment advances, as into borough, city, county, State, or Nation, the farther are the tax-payers re- moved from it, and their connection is only by rep-
169
TOWNSHIPS.
resentation. The township is the beginning of our system of free government, just as the Nation is the end. The aggregation of townships compose our county ; of counties our State; and of States our Nation.
Sections .- The four sections of the county are the following :
Manatawny Section.
Schuylkill Section.
Ontelaunee Section. Tulpehocken Section.
MANATAWNY SECTION.
The Manatawny Section takes its name from the stream which drains almost its entire area. The first settlement was made by a small colony of Swedes in 1701 along the Schuylkill; the second in the central portion, by Germans and English, from 1712 to 1720; and the third in the eastern portion, also by Germans, about 1720. The first settlers remained where they took up land; and owing to their friendliness with the Indians the district when erected into a township was called "Amity." The second settlers extended settle- ments to the northward and westward, and in time caused districts to be established. The Germans were the more numerous, though the English were in control of political affairs. And the third set- tlers also extended settlements to the northward and formed districts. The first permanent improve- ments were dwellings and barns for the comfort and protection of the settlers and their live stock ; then, being inclined to religion, the next improvements were churches for religious worship. As the set-
170
SCHOOL HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY.
tlements extended, roads were laid out, three of which are conspicuous: one to the northeast, through the eastern portion ; another to the north, through the central portion ; and the third to the northwest through the western portion.
The manufacture of iron was one of the first in- dustries in this section, having been begun about 1717, and the Rutter and Pott families were the pioneers here as the Bird family was in the Schuyl- kill Section.
The townships were settled and erected in the following order :
Original.
Settled. Erected.
Sub-division. Taken from
Erected.
Amity
. 1701
1719
Rockland . . . . Oley . 1758
Oley
1712
1740
District .
Oley .
1759
Exeter
. 1718
174I
Earl
Oley . 1781
Colebrookdale
1720
1741
Pike
Oley 1812
Douglass
1720
1736
Washington
and Hereford
1839
Hereford
1732
1753
Alsace
ยท 1735
1744
Muhlenberg . Alsace . . 1851
Ruscomb-manor
. 1752
1759
Alsace. . Lower Alsace . 1888
The derivation of the names is as follows :
Amity-Friendliness with the Indians.
Oley-Indian word, Olink, meaning hollow.
Exeter-District in England.
Colebrookdale-After " Colebrook ;" English name.
Douglass-After " Douglass ; " Scotch name.
Hereford-District in England.
Ruscomb-manor-District in Wales.
Rockland-After nature of land.
District-Section of country.
Earl-Title of nobility.
Pike-Name of fish abounding then in local streams.
Washington-After first President of United States.
Muhlenberg-After Rev. Henry A. Muhlenberg, of Berks County.
Alsace, Lower-Southern section of Alsace.
Thirty-nine towns, a borough, and a city have been formed in this section. Post-offices have been
( Colebrookdale
171
TOWNSHIPS.
established at most of them, the first at Reading in 1793 ; total post-offices, 48.
Boone, the Kentucky pioneer .- Daniel Boone, the famous Kentucky pioneer, was born in this section, in Exeter township, in 1733, on a farm now situated about a mile north of Baumstown. His father was Squire Boone; and his grandfather, George Boone, who took an active part in the early affairs of the county. The dwelling, in which he
BOONE'S BIRTHPLACE.
was born, is still standing, though much enlarged and improved. His father and family (including Daniel) left the township in 1750, and migrated to North Carolina ; and in 1769 the son Daniel led a party into the unknown regions of Western Virginia (now Kentucky), where he distinguished himself by his boldness, his wonderful experience with the Indians, and his successful career as a pioneer. His
172
SCHOOL HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY.
life in that early period of our great country has made him the most prominent character in the first steps of our civilization westward of the Allegheny Mountains. He died in Missouri, in 1820, aged nearly 87 years. .
Lincoln family .- Abraham Lincoln, the great- grandfather of Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States, was born in Exeter township in 1736, and occupied a prominent posi- tion in the political history of the county. He served in the Assembly from 1783 to 1786, and re- presented the county as a delegate in the Constitu- tional Convention of Pennsylvania in 1789.
ONTELAUNEE SECTION.
This Section takes its name from the stream which drains the greater part of its area. The first settlement was made by "Friends" in 1732, in the southern portion ; and the Germans entered a few years afterward, having mostly migrated from Oley across the "Oley Hills," and extended forward, even to the Blue Mountain. After considerable settlements had been effected, petitions were pre- sented to Court, and the districts were erected into townships. First, dwellings and farm buildings were erected, and roads laid out ; then religious congrega- tions were organized and churches built. Three of the early roads are still prominent highways,-one extending diagonally through the section northeast- wardly ; another north wardly along the river; and a third across the northern portion near the moun-
173
TOWNSHIPS.
tain. Nine townships were settled and organized as follows :
Original.
Settled. Erected.
Sub-division. Taken from. Erected.
Maiden-creek
1732
1746
Greenwich . . Albany . . . 1755
Richmond
1732 1755
Perry
Windsor . 1821
Maxatawny
I732 1742
Ontelaunee . . Maiden-creek . 1849
Longswamp
. 1734 1761
Windsor
1740
1752
Albany
1740
1752
The names of the townships originated as follows :
Maiden-creek-English word for Ontelaunee.
Richmond-After town in England on the Thames River.
Maxatawny-Contraction of an Indian word.
Longswamp-Nature of location.
Windsor-Place in England.
Albany-Place in England.
Ontelaunee-Indian word, meaning Maiden-creek.
Perry-After naval officer of United States.
Greenwich-Place in England.
In the section there are 30 towns and 5 boroughs, and 40 post-offices. The first post-office in this section was established at Hamburg in 1798, and the second at Kutztown in 1805 ; none was estab- lished afterward for 20 years.
SCHUYLKILL SECTION.
This Section takes its name from a larger district of territory originally laid out in Chester County and which is believed to have extended beyond the South Mountain. It contains a number of large creeks, but neither draining a sufficient area to jus- tify naming the section after it. The Welsh were the first immigrants to settle within its boundaries. Some English families took up lands in Robeson district, along Hay Creek. The greater part of the section was a part of Lancaster County from 1729
174
SCHOOL HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY.
till 1752. In 1729, when Lancaster County was erected out of Chester County, there had been al- ready set apart two townships-Robeson and Caer- narvon. Two townships were subsequently organ- ized-Cumru in 1737, and Brecknock in 1741; and Union township was formed in 1753. Some time after the erection of the county, Germans moved into the section. The development was similar to the other sections. Six prominent roads were extended through the section-four from the "Ford " at Reading to the west, southwest, south, and southeast, one through the northern portion along the river, and one through the southern por- tion near the county-line. Copper was mined at an early period in the southern portion. Iron was manufactured in 1740 by William Bird, at a point where Birdsboro' is now located, and it has contin- ued to be manufactured there from that time till now. Six townships were settled and established as follows :
Original. Settled.
Erected.
Sub-division. Taken from. Erected.
Robeson .
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