USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > Kutztown > The centennial history of Kutztown, Pennsylvania : celebrating the centennial of the incorporation of the borough, 1815-1915 > Part 22
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The carriage industry of Kutztown is al- most as old as the town itself. At different times various parties had opened establish- ments of this kind with varied success. Among them we might note Jacob Sanders, who for awhile had his works on Walnut street, Charles Heffner on White Oak, Wil- liam Albright on Noble, William Smith on Greenwich, and Sanders and Wagner on Main street, just across the Saucony where the Zehm property now owned by Dr. U. S. G. Bieber is located. All these have passed away. The one that has continued
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successfully for 75 years is the present well known carriage factory of R. Miller's Son, managed by our enterprising townsman, Chas. W. Miller.
'The carriage business under the firm name of K. Miller's Son, of which Chas. W. Miller is the sole owner, was started many years ago by his father, the late Rich- ard Young Miller. He was a native of Lancaster County, born in East Cocalico 'Township, where he spent the early days of his lite. He assisted his uncle on the farm at Muddy Creek Church until he ar- rived at the age when the matter of learn- ing a trade was taken up with his mother, and they concluded that he was well fitted for a carriage wood worker. He found a place in a town in Lebanon County where carriage building at that time was carried on quite extensively, building principally six post rockaways and the famous old carry-all. They were all built at that time with a drop wooden axle. Some of the rockaways of that time were built with sword cases in the rear of the seat for the storage of weapons. At that period the men were obliged to cut their own lumber in the woods, splitting spokes for light and heavy work and selecting such logs for lumber as were suitable for the construction of the vehicles they were building. The spokes were all manufac- tured on the hand lathe, and the rims for the wheels were all cut with the hand whip- saw from planks. Before the time Mr. Mil- ler became an apprentice it was the cus- tom to round out the rims with an adz, and the mechanics were well exper- ienced in doing that kind of work. In a blacksmith shop all the different accessor- ies that go into the assembling of a run- ning part, as bolts, clips, nuts, fifth wheels, shaft schackles, springs, etc., had to be forged by hand, as no finished work of this kind could be had. In the trim room all the stitching was donc by hand, sewing machines being unknown. Mr. Miller served an apprenticeship of four years, after which he was employed by Mr. Blatt of Third Street, Reading, Pa. However, he was not so well satisfied with the position at Reading. He happened to become ac- quainted with Mr. Isaac Strasser, a young man of Kutztown, and he concluded upon the request of Mr. Strasser to seek his for- tune in our good old town. He found em- ployment with Mr. Sigman, who started business about the year 1837, the carriage and repair shop being located on the lot now occupied by the Farmers' Bank, Mr. Schlenker's Store and Mr. Christ's Book Store. Very little new work was done at
the time with the exception of a few rock- aways, and quite a number of the old fashi- ioned square box sleighs, of which Mr. Mil- ler would complete one every day, working from five o'clock in the morning till nine o'clock at night, and by so doing he could earn about nine dollars a week. Kutztown being the stopping place for the stage line between Reading and - Allentown, daily re- pairs to these coaches brought in quite a nice revenue in the carriage business.
Mr. Sigman's health became impaired and he died soon after Mr. Miller had found employment with him. While being em- ployed at this place Mr. Miller became ac- quainted with Catharine Bast, a daughter of Samuel Bast, whom he married in the year 1840. After his marriage he con- tinued business at the old place, but finally concluded to make his home at Reamstown, Lancaster county. The place however, not being congenial to his wife he remained there but a few months and moved back to Kutztown in the month of March the fol- lowing year when he started in business again for himself, his capital being limited to the sum of $7.50 when he made another start in life. When the old building was demolished he bought the property, an old log and frame building, located on Main street and Sander Alley, the property be- longing to the old Christian Copp cstate, where the business has been carried on to the present time by himself and later by his sons and for the last thirty-five years by his son, C. W. Miller, the present own- er. In the year 1850 he was also running a blacksmith shop for horse shoeing and general repair work in connection with his carriage business. This shop was located next to the building of the late Dr. J. S. Trexler, on the lot now occupied by the Elmer J. Sellers Drug Store. The build- ing was made of logs and was a genuine village smithy.
Having had a desire to extend his busi- ness he entered into a partnership with Mr. Charles Wink on January 29, 1848, for the sale of improved straw cutters, patented by Daniel Sechler, of Wooster, Ohio, having all of Berks county as their territory, in- cluding the city of Reading, but this busi- ness did not turn out very satisfactorily and the firm dissolved partnership. In the year 1850 he entered into partnership with Mr. Emanuel Reider. This partnership con- tinued only two years when it also was dis- solved, and from that time on he personally conducted the carriage business and re- mained the sole owner until 1870 when he took his son, C. W., as a partner. In 1873 his son Zacharias, now of Monowi, Ne-
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
braska, entered into partnership and re- inained a member of the firm until the year 1876 when he sold his interest to the pres- ent owner. After disposing of his share Zacharias moved with his family to a farm in Warren County, Indiana.
This carriage factory has the unique dis- tinction of being the only firm in Kutztown that has been in business for seventy-five years in one name.
DERY SILK MILL
D. G. Dery, manufacturer of silks, of Catasauqua, bought the Kutztown 'mill and took possession on January 22, 1912. Chas. W. Moyer, formerly of Allentown, is the superintendent. Ninety-two hands are em- ployed and arrangements have been made to double the product of this industry which means an addition to the present mill.
Mr. Dery is the largest individual pro- ducer of silk in America or in the world. He is the operator of sixteen p'ants of which fifteen are located in Pennsylvania and one in Massachusetts. His general of- fices are located in the Allentown National Bank Building at Allentown, Pa., and the salesrooms at 381-385 Fourth Avenue, New York City.
Mr. Dery has on his payroll 328.4 people in Pennsylvania and 350 in Massachusetts, a total of 3934, who earn annually in wages almost $1,700,000. The output of his plants is 12,500,000 yards annually, valued at seven and a half million dollars.
As a business man Mr. Dery has a noble record. His work shows that he is a busi- ness man of the first magnitude. He is a good example of what a man can accom- plish by the exercise of talent and industry, and has risen to the distinction of having the greatest silk organization ever perfected by any one man.
A little more than a quarter of a century ago Mr. Dery, a college graduate, and trained in the best weaving schools of the Eastern World, began his business car- eer in the United States. He had acquired a thorough knowledge of silk weaving and all the attendant details of silk manufacture in Europe, and with this as his chief capital at the beginning he has risen to a height in the silk manufacturing world that he then little dreamed of.
His career in this work furnishes one of the most striking illustrations of the suc- cess that can be attained by a right-minded, clean-living, ambitious young man, with a definite view in life. Beginning as a super- intendent, Mr. Dery in a few years became a manufacturer, added mill after mill in
different localities, until today he is the largest individual silk manufacturer in the world.
SAUCONY SHOE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
In April, 1898, a co-partnership was formed by Walter C. C. Snyder, Wm. A. Donmoyer, T. S. Levan, and B. F. Reider, Sr., under the firm name of Saucony Shoe Co. The plant began operations in the building owned by Mrs. Hannah Biehl and now occupied by U. B. Ketner's Paper Box Manufacturing Company. The business was carried on until January, 1902, when it was deemed necessary by the co-partners to form a corporation in order to continue and increase the business. An application was made and a charter granted on Janu- ary 21, 1902.
John R. Gonser was elected the first president, which office he is still filling The firm continued to transact business in the Biehl building until February, 1906, when larger quarters were imperative. On January 19, 1905, building operations were started on the present company's new fac- tory building, located on Heffner street. In February, 1905, the firm took possession of the new plant and added more modern machinery and merchandise to their equip- ment. The Saucony Shoe Manufacturing Company are manufacturers of infants' and children's turn shoes and sandals. The ca- pacity of the plant is 250,000 pairs of shoes annually. The firm employs ninety hands and the pay roll is $5000.00 per month.
The present officers are : John R. Gonser, president ; M. T. Donmoyer vice-president ; T. S. Levan, treasurer ; W. C. C. Snyder, secretary, and C. S. Siegfried, general man- ager.
The present directors are: M. T. Don- moyer, John R. Gonser, W. C. C. Snyder, U. S. G. Bieber, T. S. Levan, Samuel H. Heffner, and Chas. D. Herman.
DEISHER KNITTING MILLS
About 1884 a hosiery mill was started by J. L. Eck on the second floor of the Red Front Millinery store, now occupied by I. B. Stein & Son's liquor store.
A few years later a barn in the rear and across the alley was fitted out for a knit- ting mill, and underwear machinery was installed. The ribbed underwear business was in its infancy at this time.
April 1, 1890, H. K. Deisher left the emplovment of W. G. Hinterleiter as clerk and joined Eck as partner. This partnership was dissolved October 1892, H. K. Deisher succeeding and the mill was moved to its
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
present location on Noble street, which building had been occupied as a creamery since 1881.
In 1900 the entire building was raised three feet from its foundation and another story added. Annexes were built in 1903 and 1907.
Deisher Knitting Mills was incorporated May 1, 1913. This industry has always furnished employment to about fifty hands and the merchandise has made itself a reputation in the retail trade.
KEYSTONE SHOE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Out of the firm name Levan, Stein, Lentz & Company, grew the Keystone Shoe Man- ufacturing Company of Kutztown. This concern started business on January 15, 1884, in a building on Sander alley, for some years occupied by the Kutztown Bottling Works and later turned into pri- vate dwellings. The company manufac- tured ladies', misses', and children's shoes. In 1885 the name was changed to Levan, Stein & Company, with offices and sales- rooms in Trexler Block. They did a job- bing business at that time.
In 1887 the name was changed to the Keystone Shoe Manufacturing Company, with an office at IOI Main street, Kutztown. The company was composed of the follow- ing members : L. A. Stein, Dr. J. S. Trex- ler, Wm. F. Stimmel, and C. W. Miller. The present buildings were erected in Octo-
ber, 1888, and operations in the new plant began February 25, 1889.
On November 14, 1900, L. A. Stein be- came the sole owner of the plant.
On June 7, 1910, the company was incor- porated, and on September 18, 1911, was reorganized. The present officers are : John R. Gonser, president; C. J. Rhode, vice- president ; Philip D. Hoch, treasurer ; O. Raymond Grimley, secretary, and C. S. Siegfried, superintendent.
They manufacture children's, misses', and growing girls' Goodyear welts. The output is approximately 200,000 pairs an- nnally. The employees number 150. Pay- roll, $7000.00 per month. The goods are sold exclusively to jobbers and wholesalers
The directors are: Wilson P. Krum, Phaon S. Heffner, R. H. Angstadt, John R. Gonser, N. S. Schmehl, Philip D. Hoch, John Hunsicker, C. S. Siegfried, Wm. T. Breinig, C. J. Rhode, and J. B. Esser.
PAPER BOX FACTORY
U. B. Ketner started in business Dec. 3, 1906, in what was formerly the Saucony Shoe Manufacturing Building. He equip- ped it with a new steam plant and all modern machinery. He manufactures box - es of all sizes and descriptions, supplying manufacturers of Kutztown, Topton, Lyons, Trexlertown, Reading, Allentown, Macun- gie and Bath.
He has ten hands employed. His output in a year is at least 560,000 boxes. He has built up an extensive trade.
TUẦN. PA
OLD ROZLLER MANSION PARK AVE
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
KUTZTOWN'S FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
KUTZTOWN NATIONAL BANK
'The Kutztown National Bank was in- corporated Dec. 17, 1897. Since its incor- poration the bank has earned 20 good divi- uenas for its shareholders and accumulated a surplus and undivided pronts to the amount of over $100,000.00, also a deposit list ot over half a milnon donars, by courte- ous and kind treatment to everyone, great or small, rich or poor ; straight forward- ness in everything, trying to say "no" as pleasantly as "yes, presentation of facts in soliciting business, in an unobtrusive way, not buying or begging accounts, which is contrary to ethics of good banking and lastly being so accommodating that sonie think that is what the bank stands for, and yet allowing no overchecks.
This institution has not only kept apace with the classical little city of Kutztown, but it has kept abreast of the progressive spirit of the times, by its progressive and yet conservative policy and has won the confidence of the banking public. Such in- stitutions as the Kutztown National Bank are causing the old timers to empty their former depositories (old stockings, tin cans, etc. ) and placing them in financial institu- tions where they not only know their funds are safe, but where they can get a small rate of interest.
It is a source of satisfaction to the officers and stockholders of this bank to see this steady advance in its resources, realizing the fact that the public universally appreci- ates the facilities and accommodations con- sistent with the business principles that this institution maintains.
THE FARMERS BANK
The Farmers Bank was chartered June 15, 1909, and opened for business on July 27, 1909. The capitalization of this in- stitution is $50,000.00 and although in busi- ness less than in six years it has a surplus of $30,000.00 and undivided profits of over $5000.00.
This bank started paying interest on time and savings deposits thereby complying with the requests of the community and thus bringing money back from the cities where it had been deposited for years. It also made people deposit money that had been lying idle. Money that was hoarded was again put into circulation and today our town, as a banking community, ranks among the highest in the state.
That this institution is enjoying the con- fidence of the community may readily be seen by its steady growth, both in deposits and in the number of customers. In less than six years the deposits of this bank have increased from $50,000.00 to almost $400,000.00 while its depositors have in- creased proportionately.
The bank is well equipped in all its de- partments, having an immense concrete vault, manganese steel safe, and safe de- posit boxes for the use of its patrons. Adequate insurance, increased from time to time is carried against burglaries, hold- ups, or fire.
This bank was the first in the county to install a modern adding and subtracting machine which is used to post the individual ledgers and to make out depositors' state- ments.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
BOROUGH IMPROVEMENTS
THE KUTZTOWN PARK
A large park, comprising ten acres, sit- uated in the eastern addition to the borough along the main thoroughfare to Allentown, was established by a private corporation in 1903. Since then it has attracted from thirty thousand to fifty thousand vis- itors annually. The park is well equipped with buildings. In 1914 a band shell was erected. Besides there is a dining room. refreshment stand, dancing pavilion, etc. The park has been improved by the plant- ing of selected shade trees and shrubbery. A base ball field is also included in the park improvements.
THE AUDITORIUM
An improved and modern amusement place in the form of a theatre was provided by the Kutztown Auditorium Company in 1907. A superior brick building was erect- ed and equipped at a cost of between $30,- 000 and $31,000 with a seating capacity of one thousand people. There is a com- modious stage, suitable scenery, and the company has its own electric light plant. The theatre part is located on the second floor. Besides the theatrical engagements it is a popular place for concerts, banquets. festivals, etc. The basement is taken up by the Kutztown Steam Laundry, while the
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THE KUTZTOWN AUDITORIUM
WATER SUPPLY
In 1889 the Kutztown Water Company was organized and incorporated by Dr. J. S. Trexler, Sell D. Kutz, J. Daniel Sharadin, and Peter D. Wanner for supplying Kutz- town with water. They established a reser- voir on Kutz's Hill, a mile west of the town, with a capacity of 1,000,000 gallons, and put down mains to and through the borough. The water was secured from springs, from Kemp's Run, and from an artesian well, 800 feet deep, with a flowing daily capacity of 100,000 gallons. Dr. Trex- ler was president of the company until his death in 1902, and Mr. Wanner officiated up to his death in 1914. The latter's son, John P., is now at the head of the com- pany.
first floor is equipped with bowling alleys, pool tables, and ice cream parlor.
TROLLEY LINES
A street railway line was opened for travel from Kutztown to Allentown in 1902, and from that time dwellings began to be erected east of the Saucony creek, creating a large and valuable addition to the bor- ough. In 1903 a trolley line was extended to the borough from Reading, thereby op- ening through travel from Reading to Al- lentown, Bethlehem, and Easton, via Kitz- town1.
Similar building operations have been carried on beyond the western limits of the borough, opposite the Keystone State Nor- mal School, making that section also very attractive. As elsewhere, the influence of
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
this railway has been felt in the general development of the place. A power house was established at Kutztown in 1902, and this has supplied the power to and from Trexlertown and to and from Temple since the extension to Reading.
STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
The principal streets have been macadam- ized and upwards of seven miles of cement sidewalks have been put down in recent years. Efforts are under way for street paving.
HERMAN'S PLAY HOUSE
CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS
BOARD OF TRADE
The Kutztown Board of Trade is an or- ganization of progressive citizens, business and professional men, whose purpose is, by joint and concerted effort, to promote the general welfare of the borough, and espec- ially to protect, aid, and develop its indus- trial, commercial, and business interests.
It was organized on the Ioth of January, 1915, in the reception room of the Keystone House. Regular meetings are held the sec- ond Tuesday of each month. The first of- ficers were: Cyrus J. Rhode, President ;
Victor H. Hauser, Secretary, and Nathan S. Schmehl, Treasurer.
The following were the charter members : Harry H. Ahrens, Llewellyn A. Angstadt, Arthur Bonner, Jacob K. Boyer, Dr. U. S. G. Bieber, Frank Cadmus, A. S. Christ, Rev. J. J. Cressman, Dr. W. W. Deatrick. Henry K. Deisher, Walter S. Dietrich, Dan- iel Dries, Jacob B. Esser, Ellwood D. Fish- er. John Z. Harner, Victor H. Hauser, Al- bert S. Heffner, U. B. Ketner, A. K. Lesh- er, A. N. Levan, Chas. W .Miller, Fred. Moyer, D. Levan Nicks, Nicholas Rahn,
A. N. LEVAN, Pres,
M. K. YODER, Sec.
N. S. SCHMEHL, Treas.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
Benjamin F. Reider, Cyrus J. Rhode, John W. Rhode, Dr. H. W. Saul, John A. Schwoyer, Nathan S. Schmehl, Francis Sharadin, Howard S. Sharadin, L. A. Stein, and Wm. F. Stimmel.
Space does not permit to enumerate all that the Board of Trade did for Kutztown. Below are a few items in which this or- ganization was instrumental in getting ac- complished :
Annexing to the borough certain outly- ing portions adjacent to the borough, ef- fecting a greater Kutztown and creating a stronger spirit of aggressiveness.
Removing the old Main street bridge across the Saucony to Normal avenue and getting a concrete structure instead. This organization took all the preliminary steps necessary and obligated themselves finan- cially in part.
Half trolley fare within the borough lim- its.
Better railroad freight rates.
Two wards giving better voting accom- modations and better organization.
A new bridge on Heffner street.
The present officers are: A. N. Levan, President ; Mabry K. Yoder, Secretary ; Victor H. Hauser, Assistant Secretary, and Nathan S. Schmehl, Treasurer.
BOARD OF HEALTH
The Board of Health was first estab ished in 1893. The preamble in the minute book reads thus :
"WHEREAS, The Town Council of the Borough of Kutztown has, accord- ing to an Act of Assembly passed May II, 1893, appointed the following per- sons, viz: Conrad Gehring, Reuben Dewalt, N. Z. Dunkelberger, M. D .. Dr. I. L. Peters, and Dr. E. L. Hotten- stein as a Board of Health, they in pursuance of said Act met at the house of Ulrich Miller, the eighth day of September and organized by electing the following officers for the ensuing year : For President, Conrad Gehring ; for Secretary, Reuben Dewalt.
"No further business being before the meeting the Board on motion adjourned to meet at the public house of Henry Bowers, Sept. 15, 1893, at 8 o'clock, P. M.
REUBEN DEWALT, Secretary."
On September 29, Dr. Peters was unani- mously elected treasurer.
On March 30, 1894, Mr. Gehring re- signed from the Board and was succeeded by Mr. D. F. Bieber.
October 2, 1894, the board re-organized
with Dewalt F. Bieber, president ; Reuben DeWalt, secretary and health officer, and Dr. Peters, treasurer.
On Dec. 5, 1895, Reuben Dewalt handed in his resignation and on January 22, of the following year, 1896, N. S. Schmehl was installed as a member ; Dr. Peters act- ing as secretary and Dr, Dunkelberger as health officer.
At this point the name of Dewalt F. Bieber and Dr. E. L. Hottenstein disap- peared from the minutes. The board then consisted of Drs. Dunkelberger and Peters, Messrs. E. P. DeTurk, N. S. Schmehl and Geo. B. Kohler, the latter being the health officer.
October 26, 1897, Geo. B. Kohler re- signed as member of board and also as health officer ; and he was succeeded by Dr. H. W. Saul, who took the oath of office as a member of the board at a special meet- ing held December 2, 1897.
One year later, Oct. 25, 1898, the term of Dr. Dunkelberger as a member expired but he was re-elected by Council, and Dr. H. W. Saul was elected president of the board. This board apparently continued to serve until Jan. 15, 1901, when their records cease.
Under this caption the records of Jan- tary II, 1904, appear with the following entry on the minutes: "At a meeting of the Town Council the president of said Council appointed as a Board of Health :
Term Expires
N. Z. Dunkelberger, to serve 5 years 1900
C. J. Rhode, to serve for 4 years .. 1908
B. M. Deibert, to serve for 3 years. . 1907 E. P. DeTurk, to serve for 2 years . . 1905
WV. R. Sander, to serve I year I905
"The new board organized at the resi- dence of N. Z. Dunkelberger by electing the following officers: President, C. J. Rhode ; Secretary. N. Z. Dunkelberger : Treasurer, E. P. DeTurk, and Health Officer, B. M. Deibert."
This board continued to serve until 1908, when the record of their last meeting ap- pears. During their four years of official life many important matters appeared be- fore the board for their consideration, the principal one being the water supply of the borough.
On July 7. 1908, the records show the appointment of still another new board which held a meeting for organization on the evening of that date. This board con- sisted of Dr. E. K. Steckel, (5 years), Geo. H. Smith, (3 years), D. W. James, ( 1 vears), Fred T. Williamson, ( 2 years), and Solon A. Stein, ( 1 year). The members took the oath of office in the Council Cham-
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
ber on Monday evening, July 6. The fol- lowing officers were elected at the organiza- tion meeting: President, Dr. E. K. Steck- el; Secretary, S. A. Stein ; Treasurer, Geo. H. Smith ; Health Officer, D. W. James.
On August 3, 1909, an elaborate set of rules and regulations were adopted, which were later drafted into an ordinance and passed by Councils for the proper control of the health of the town and these rules,
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