USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > School history of Berks County in Pennsylvania : by Morton L. Montgomery > Part 4
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SCHOOL HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY.
for districts to facilitate elections and their returns. Within 100 years afterward, many permanent set- tlers had entered the territory, and the necessity for government in all its forms had become apparent. Townships had been organized, and the county had become erected with all its offices. Independence had been declared and government established.
Before the Revolution the elective franchise was a recognized privilege, but it was not particu- larly encouraged by the creation of convenient or numerous polls to enable electors to express politi- cal preferences. Local offices for the townships and the town were filled by election; but county offi- cials were appointed, and this feature continued in respect to the major part of them till 1841, when an act of Assembly was passed which provided for a general change to election.
The elections for county representatives were held at Reading from the beginning of the county in 1752 till 1785. The county then comprised one election district ; and all elections were directed to be held at the court-house. In 1789 the county was divided into five districts. There were then 29 townships and one borough-Reading. The electors of 12 divisions voted at Reading, and in the performance of this political duty many of them went a distance of 15 miles. But this was an improvement on what had been required four years before-those living in the townships farthest re- moved from Reading having been required to travel from 25 to 30 miles. Subsequently, at dif- ferent times, additional districts were erected to fa-
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GOVERNMENT.
cilitate the elections. Now they comprise 13 wards, 10 boroughs, * and 43 townships.
Political Parties .- From the beginning of the county, there have been two or more parties in po- litical affairs. This was both natural and neces- sary. During the Revolution the people formed themselves into two parties, especially those who manifested any concern in the government which was to prevail over them. The one party, favoring a continuance of the royal government, was called "Tories ;" and the other, favoring a free, repre- sentative government, "Federals," or "Whigs." The distinction was marked, and fortunately for the people, the latter party won a decisive victory. Upon the establishment of freedom new parties arose. These proceeded from the Whigs, and were recognized either as the Government Whigs or Fed- erals, who desired a Republican form of govern- ment ; or as the Particularist Whigs or Anti-Feder- als, who desired the same form of government, but Democratic in spirit, with the rights of local self- government. In a certain sense the latter took the place of the "Tories," and were called "Republi- cans." They were the dominant party in Berks County then ; and they have continued to be till now. A singular change in respect to party names arose afterward. As early as 1793 the Anti- Federal party was called the Democratic-Republi- can party ; but the word "Republican" was dropped in 1805, and the name Democratic alone
:* Hamburg and Birdsboro each having two wards, the districts now in the county number altogether 68.
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SCHOOL HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY.
used. Thence the Federals, or Whigs, or Republi- cans have been on the one side, and the Demo- crats on the other, the latter party keeping its iden- tity for over 80 years.
Conventions .- In districts where the voters are not numerous, as in townships and boroughs, it is practicable for the voters themselves to assemble at the same time and place, and determine what action shall be taken in matters of public concern ; but in districts where the voters number into the thou- sands, as in cities and counties, it is impracticable for them to assemble thus and dispatch business with success. It will therefore be apparent that a system of representation is necessary, so that voters can have their opinion represented or expressed through a person empowered to act for them. Such a person is called a delegate' ; and he is ap- pointed or elected at a meeting called for that pur- pose. Each district is allowed three delegates. Hence, in a county convention, there are delegates equal to three times the number of districts ; and in a city convention, three times the number of wards.
Some districts are divided into sınaller divisions, called precincts. This division is made by the Court of Quarter Sessions of the county upon ap- plication of the voters of the district, who set forth that it is too large in area to encourage them to go to the polls, or that the voters are too numerous to enable the election officers to compute the ballots with reasonable promptness.
Nominations for Office .- The nomination of can- didates for county offices is made by a convention
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GOVERNMENT.
of delegates from the political districts in the county. These conventions are held annually, either in August or September, the time being fixed by the county committee of the respective parties.
The county committee is composed of a commit- teeman from each district in the county, who is ap- pointed by the delegates representing the district ; and each convention appoints a county chairman to superintend the political affairs of the respective parties.
The day of election is fixed by the State Consti- tution on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November. It is also the day for State and Na- tional elections.
For city offices the nomination is made in a simi- lar way, in January or February ; but for borough, ward, and township offices at local or district meet- ings. The day of election is fixed by law on the third Tuesday of February.
For State offices a State convention is held, which is composed of delegates from the respective coun- ties appointed by the conventions. The number corresponds with the number of representatives in the Assembly.
A National convention is held to nominate can- didates for President and Vice-President, though these are not voted for directly. The convention is composed of delegates from each State in num- ber equal to the Senators and Representatives in Congress. The State conventions appoint Presiden- tial electors, in number equal to the Senators and Representatives to which the State is entitled in
58
SCHOOL HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY.
Congress, and these are voted for by its tax-payers. The party electors who have received the majority of votes cast then assemble at the State Capitol, on the first Wednesday of December following, and ex- press their choice for President and Vice-President, and this is certified to the National authorities at Washington, and the election is made known in Congress on the second Wednesday of February.
Electors .- In Pennsylvania, only male tax-payers, 21 years of age, who possess certain qualifications fixed by law, are entitled to vote at public elections in their districts. They are called electors. Po- litical suffrage has not been extended to female tax- payers in this State ; and they cannot be elected to fill any public office, excepting as a director of the common schools.
Representation .- It will be observed that repre- sentation runs through our entire system of govern- ment, extending from the smallest political district in the State to the entire State; which displays not only the wisdom of the founders of our government, but also the continued liberality and equality of our people. This will be seen plainly in the following synopsis :-
I. Township-
By Delegates from district in County Convention.
. 2. City-
By Delegates from wards in City Convention.
By Delegates from wards in County Convention.
By Delegates from district in State Convention.
By Councilmen from wards in City Councils.
By Controllers from wards in School Board.
By Assemblymen from district in State Legislature.
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GOVERNMENT.
3. County-
By Delegates from district in State Convention. By Delegate from district in National Convention. By Assemblymen from district in State Legislature.
By Senator from district in State Legislature.
By Congressman from district in National Legislature.
4. State-
By Congressmen-at-large from State in National Legisla- ture.
By Senators from State in National Legislature.
Vote for Governor .- Since 1788 the people of the county have manifested a most remarkable ad- herence to the Democratic party and the principles which it advocated, chiefly the principle of local self-government. In the return of 1802, the Demo- cratic vote was eight times that of the Federal. Afterward this proportion has at no time been sur- passed, not even equaled. And the vote has been regularly for the Democratic candidate, excepting upon two occasions, in 1817 and 1820, when the people of the county manifested their respect for a distinguished son of one of the first families of the county, though on the opposing ticket. These oc- casions were when the Hon. Joseph Hiester was a candidate on the Federal ticket for Governor. He had distinguished himself in political affairs of the county for 40 years. Even through the excite- ment incident to the Civil War, 1861-65, the county continued Democratic by large majorities. But the city of Reading was otherwise. At the elec- tion previous to 1860, it had been Democratic almost three to one ; but in 1860, 1863, and 1866 it was Re- publican. Since 1869 it has been Democratic.
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SCHOOL HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY.
Vote for President .- In 1828 the vote for Jackson in the county was five to one against Adams. Then it was that the county distinguished itself in voting for Jackson. The vote of Reading was in about the same proportion. And at Jackson's re-election in 1832, the result of the vote, both in the county and city, was for him in the proportion of about four to one. The vote in the county for President from 1828 to 1888 was always Democratic by a large majority. And the city of Reading was also Demo- cratic by a considerable majority till 1860, when a decided change took place through the great up- heaval in political affairs. Lincoln was given a majority of more than 500 over Breckenridge, and of more than 300 over all, Douglass and Bell included. And this Republican feeling in the city prevailed until the re-election of Grant, when a ma- jority of 1207 was given for him. In 1876 a change took place for the Democratic party, which has pre- vailed since.
Party Vote .- In reference to the party vote in the county, the Democratic vote compared with the op- position was as follows : In 1828 it was five times the number ; in 1832, four times ; in 1836, three times ; from 1840 to 1888 the average was a little less than double.
Vote for Liquor .- The liquor question was sub- mitted to the voters of Pennsylvania three times- first in 1854, then in 1873, and again in 1889. At each election Berks County was decidedly for it- first by a vote of four to one ; second by a vote of three to one ; and last by a vote of seven to one.
.
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GOVERNMENT.
State Conventions at Reading .- Three Demo- cratic State Conventions were held at Reading at which candidates for Governor were nominated : the first on June 4, 1851, when William Bigler was nomi- nated by acclamation ; the second on February 29, 1860, when Henry D. Foster was nominated ; and the third on May 30, 1872, when Charles R. Buckalew was nominated. The first named was elected, the others were defeated.
Mass-Meetings .- Numerous "Mass-Meetings " have been held at Reading by the respective politi- cal parties for many years past. The Clymer Mass- Meeting in 1866 is worthy of particular mention. Hiester Clyiner, a citizen of Reading, received the nomination for Governor on the Democratic ticket in 1866. He had been State Senator from this dis- trict for two terms, from 1861 to 1866, during which time he acquired a considerable popularity through- out the State. General John W. Geary was the Republican candidate. Both parties were under thorough organization, and, with popular candidates, they labored earnestly for success. The friends of Mr. Clymer exerted themselves to bring about his elec- tion, if possible. Many mass-meetings were held in different parts of the State, and at all of them much enthusiasm was manifested. In Berks County the leaders of the party were particularly active. Numerous public meetings were held, and many speeches were delivered. General political excite- ment prevailed from the beginning till the close of . the campaign, which increased as the day of elec- tion approached. Two Democratic mass-meetings
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SCHOOL HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY.
were held at Reading, one on July 18th, and the other on October 3d ; and upon each occasion a multitude of people assembled. High party feel- ing was produced under the great excitement which was awakened by demonstrations of all kinds, so high, indeed, that it almost resulted in riots with certain Republicans who were equally earnest, ac- tive, and demonstrative for their leader, General Geary. Notwithstanding all this exertion, the city of Reading was not carried for Clymer. It had been Republican through the war, and this political sentiment still prevailed by a small majority, which Clymer could not overcome, even with the aid of local prejudice and enthusiastic demonstrations.
Political Festivals .- There have been three great political festivals in the county worthy of mention : The first by the Federalists in honor of the election of Joseph Hiester, as Governor of Pennsylvania, in 1820 ; the second, by the Whigs, to celebrate the election of General William H. Harrison as Presi- dent of the United States, in 1840 ; and the third, by the Democrats in 1876, in anticipation of a victory for their party in the election of Samuel J. Tilden to the Presidency, which was not realized.
~THE CONSTITUTION
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EDUCATION.
CHAPTER VI. EDUCATION.
CHURCHES.
THE territory which is now included in this county was a conspicuous portion of Pennsylvania to emigrants who were encouraged to leave their homes and settle in a country where they could de- velop and enjoy religious freedom. This sentiment was their principal consideration in the selection of a new country, and it was in continued prominence after they had fixed their habitations. There were in the county, previous to 1752, thirty-four churches, distributed as follows: Manatawny section, 12 ; Ontelaunee section, 6; Schuylkill section, 4 ; Tul- pehocken section, 12. The denominations were as follows-the Lutheran and Reformed having had as many as all the others taken together:
Baptist
2 Mennonite I
Catholic
2
Moravian 3
Dunkard
3 Lutheran (Reading) I Episcopalian
Reformed (Reading) 2 I Friends
4 Union (Lutheran and Ref'd) 15
The Swedes built the first church in the county. This was about 1720, on the lot of ground occupied by the St. Gabriel's Episcopal congregation at Douglassville, about 100 feet eastward from the old stone church. It was called "Molatton." They
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SCHOOL HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY.
were adherents of the Lutheran faith. And the Friends established the second church to the east of the river in 1726. The Lutherans established the
SWEDES' CHURCH, 1720.
first church to the west of the river. This was about 1726, near the Tulpehocken Creek, in Mar- ion township, east of Stouchsburg.
Lutheran and Reformed .- The Lutheran reli- gion was predominant in the county, both with the Swedes and Germans to the east of the Schuylkill, and with the Germans to the west. Some of the Germans were of the Reformed religion. The churches built by these denominations were mostly "union" churches. In nearly every instance, the members of the two denominations united in bearing the cost jointly, they having appointed sepa-
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EDUCATION.
rate cominittees to co-operate in conducting the building operations. And the church services alter- nated every two Sundays. This harmony between these denominations in such a peculiar and jealous matter as religion displayed the singular excellence and liberality of the Germans. The people were alike in general affairs, in dress, in speech, in labor, in manners and customs ; and a difference in their religious notions did not develop any antagonism between them. The members of the one denomni- nation frequently visited the church services of the other denomination. Each was the equal of the other in every respect. The earliest regular Lutheran ministers were Henry Melchior Muhlen- berg, J. C. Stoever, and John Peter Miller. The Swedes attended religious services at Weccacoe (now included in Philadelphia) until they estab- lished their own church at Molatton ; and the Ger- mans residing in the eastern division of the county attended services at "The Trappe," in Montgom- ery County, until they erected a church for them- selves in Oley, in 1735. Previously, the settlers traveled from 20 to 40 miles to attend divine ser- vice.
The first church of the Lutheran denomination at Reading was erected in 1751 on the northeast corner of Church and Washington Streets. The members erected a magnificent and imposing building in 1791 on the same lot at 6th Street, and this is still occu- pied by a flourishing congregation. It displays in a remarkable degree the taste, enterprise, liberality, and Christian zeal of the community in that genera-
5
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SCHOOL HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY.
tion. The most prominent pastors have been Henry A. Muhlenberg, Jacob Miller, and Jacob Fry.
Persons attached to the. Reformed faith were known among the early settlers as "Calvinists " or "German Calvinists." Their first churches were in Oley and in Heidelberg, in which, however, they were mostly con- nected with the Lutherans. The early Reformed ministers in Penn- sylvania, before 1740, were Goet- schy, Weis, Rie- ger, Boehm, and Dorstius. They were assisted by the church in Hol- land. In 1741 a number of Ger- man Bibles were sent here for their use. In 1746, Rev. Michael Schlat- ter, the great Re- TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1791. formed mission- ary from Switzerland, arrived and visited Oley and Tulpehocken.
The denomination at Reading erected a log church in 1751 on the northeast corner of 6th and Wash- ington Streets ; and in 1761 a fine stone building with a steeple, on the east end of the same lot. A
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EDUCATION.
third building was erected on the site of the second in 1832. The more prominent early pastors were John William Boas, Philip Pauli, William Pauli, and John Conrad Bucher ; subsequently Aaron S. Lein- bach, Benjamin Bausman, and Henry Mosser.
These two denominations are the strongest in the county. The total membership is estimated at 45,000, the Lutheran being somewhat larger than
C
THE FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, 1761.
the Reformed. They have altogether 79 churches ; as follows : Union, 58; Lutheran, 14; and Re- formed, 7. The membership of the other denomi- nations in the districts outside of Reading is rather limited.
Friends. - The Friends were the third sect of people who settled in the county. They erected a meeting-house in 1726 near the Monocacy, along the
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SCHOOL HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY.
western line of the Swedes' settlement, then called Amity township. Within the next decade they erected two more meeting-houses, one in Maiden- creek township, and the other in Robeson township. They built a fourth at Reading in 1751. They had four meeting-houses before 1752, when the county was erected, but they did not get beyond this number afterward. They were most active about the time when the county was erected and for a score of years afterward. Their religious in- fluence was large and wide in their several commu- nities. It was estimated that they numbered then about 2000 ; now they do not number 50. Some of the most eminent ministers who preached to the Friends in the county before 1800 were the follow- ing : Samuel Hugh, Ellis Hugh, Job Hugh, Enos Ellis, Abel Thomas, Moses Embree, James Iddings, Amos Lee, Peter Thomas, and Judah Thomas.
Baptists .- The major part of the early Baptists who settled in Pennsylvania were Welshmen. The principles which William Penn proclaimed, as the basis of his intended colony, were such as to attract all pious people who were persecuted on account of their religion. This was the case in Wales, where dissenters of all shades of opinion were to be found ; but they were chiefly Baptists and Friends. Among the first settlers in the counties of Philadelphia, Bucks, and Chester, there were large colonies of Welshmen who purchased immense tracts of land ; and when townships were formed they gave to many the names of the places from which they had · emigrated. In 1738 persons of this denomination
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EDUCATION.
settled near the banks of the Tulpehocken Creek, in what is now Berks County, and founded the Tulpe- hocken Baptist Church. Thomas Jones was the pastor. It had two meeting-houses ; the first in Cumru built in 1740, and the other about three miles west from the first, built the same year, on a lot where Sinking Spring now is. From that time onward until now, no church organization of this denomination has been in existence in the county outside of Reading. A congregation was formed in Reading in 1828.
Dunkards .- The "Dunkards" existed at an early day in the county. They were also called " The Brethren ;" and sometimes "German Bap- tists. " Their first location was in Oley, where they were numerous from 1730 to 1745. In 1724 they held a large general convention there, and upon that occasion took sacrament. Another con- vention was held in Oley in 1742, which was at- tended by "four priests of the congregation at Ephrata." Elders were the first local preachers. About the year 1730 they effected an organization through the assistance of Elder Peter Becker, of Germantown, and shortly afterward erected a church. For about ten years it was in a flourishing condi- tion ; then many of the members left for other set- tlements, and the congregation was almost aban- doned. Another congregation was formed in the northwestern section of the county, and comprised settlers in Bethel and Tulpehocken townships. They erected a church in the former township, along a branch of the Little Swatara Creek, about 1745.
70
SCHOOL HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY.
A third congregation existed in Bern and Upper Tulpehocken townships, along the Northkill, several miles above the confluence of this stream with the Tulpehocken, where the members erected a church in 1748. In 1750 Elder George Klein came from New Jersey and settled amongst the members. Through his energy the congregation flourished- for twenty years. Then settlements in the western part of the State influenced most of the members to withdraw from the church and move away. This left the congregation without sufficient support, and it naturally ceased to exist. A fourth congregation was organized in Ruscomb-manor township at Price- town, where a meeting-house was erected about 1780.
Moravians .- The Moravians were among the early settlers of the county. This peculiar sect was represented here by Count Zinzendorf, who came to Pennsylvania in 1741. In 1742 he conducted a synod in Oley, and afterward visited the inhabitants of Tulpehocken. Shortly after this visit a congre- gation was organized in Bethel township. Between 1742 and 1750 two churches of this denomination were erected in Heidelberg and one in Oley. Rev. . Andrew Aschenbach was the pioneer minister, he having arrived in 1740, and preached for two years, mostly in Oley. Another zealous preacher of this sect was Bishop Augustus G. Spangenberg. Ow- ing to disagreements there they lost influence, and in 1765 disbanded. From 1748 to 1751 they carried on a flourishing boarding-school in Oley- near where Friedensburg is now situated. The
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EDUCATION.
Moravian School of Germantown was removed thither.
Roman Catholics .- Followers of the Roman Catholic Church first appeared in the lower section of the county about 1740, but their number was very small compared with Protestant denomina- tions. In 1743 they had a congregation and small building in "Gnadenhutten " (which included part of Colebrookdale, now Washington township); and also in Maxatawny township. In 1757 their total number in Pennsylvania was 1365, and in Berks County 205. Their two earliest priests were Rev. Theodore Schneider and Rev. Ferdinand Farmer.
At Reading they had a congregation soon after the town was laid out ; and this congregation they maintained, notwithstanding the smallness of their number and the opposition of the Lutheran and Reformed people ; and about 1790 they succeeded in establishing a church. In 1846 they dedicated a fine, commodious structure and called it "St. Peter's ; " and in 1861 another, which they called "St. Paul's." Two additional churches were erected recently in Reading. Five churches of this denomination are in the county, with a membership estimated at over 6000.
Amish .- The Amish denomination is a branch of the Mennonites. It was never in a flourishing condition in the county. The members were not ambitious to have a church until 1881; then they erected a building in Lancaster County, near the Berks County line, several miles west of Morgan-
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