USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > Kutztown > The centennial history of Kutztown, Pennsylvania : celebrating the centennial of the incorporation of the borough, 1815-1915 > Part 23
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H. P. BOGER. Pres.
F. T. WILLIAMSON, Scc.
with but a single amendment, are in force today.
October 5, 1909, Solon A. Stein resigned as a member, having left Kutztown and F. T. Williamson was elected to serve as secre- tarv.
In October, 1912, I. L. DeTurk was ap- pointed to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Solon A. Stein and this board
continued in office until legislated out by an Act of the Legislature in the fall of 1913.
The present board was appointed in January, 1914, and took the oath of office on February 28, of that year. The board consists of George H. Smith, Dr. I. I .. Pet- ers, H. P. Boger, I. L. DeTurk, and Fred. T. Williamson. The officers are: H. P. Boger, president ; Fred. T. Williamson, sec- retarv, and D. W. James, health officer.
Yearly reports showing work done by the board are submitted to Councils at the first meeting in January.
MUSICAL ORGANIZATIONS
A band of music has been maintained at Kutztown for many years which gained a great reputation for the recitation of clas- sical music in a superior manner. The in- structors and leaders have been James Sand- ers, Henry Druckenmiller, and Theophilus Wagenhurst. Prof. Preston A. Metzgar is the present leader ; Richard Missbach, pres- ident ; Paul Metzgar, secretary, and S. W. Keinert, treasurer.
A very active musical organization is the Kutztown Drum Corps, organized March 24, 19II. They render principally martial music but are at the same time capable of furnishing other kinds of music. The corps consists of twenty-five members. William S. Gab is the leader.
KUTZTOWN. PA.
COPOUGE FLECTEO PLANT
143
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
FIRE COMPANIES OLD AND NEW
From the town records interesting ex- tracts, relating to protection from fires and the improvement of the streets, show that in 1816 fire ladders were provided. Will- iam Henninger was authorized to take the
THE OLD HAND PUMP AND FIRE HOUSE
same to the shop of Jacob Baldy and have them shod. As early as 1820 steps were taken to secure a fire engine, but none was purchased until 1830, when Dr. Christian L. Schlemm, George Bieber and William Heidenreich, as a committee, purchased an
bought, and January 1, 1841, Dr. Bieber was apopinted a committee to procure a fire bell for the use of the American Fire Company.
AMERICAN FIRE COMPANY
This company became an incorporated body April 2, 1844.
In 1854, there being no fire company in existence, owing to the engine being out of repair, the young boys of the borough peti- tioned the Council for permission to organ- ize a company. The request was not al- lowed. The engine was repaired by Paul Hilbert and Henry Glasser, but not thor- oughly, it would seem, for in 1858 two hund- red dollars more were expended for this purpose, through D. B. Kutz and Company.
In 1860 the Borough Council decided to build an engine house, but the Civil War caused the matter to be suspended. The building was not put up until 1871. It is a two-story brick, twenty-one by thirty feet, and cost one thousand three hundred and forty-nine dollars. In it are housed the old fire engines, but no company to man the same is now maintained.
On January 14th, 1908, a fire company was organized with the following officers : President. C. D. Herman ; First Vice Presi- dent. N. M. Rahn ; Second Vice President. Dr. N. Z. Dunkelberger : Third Vice Presi- dent, E. P. DeTurk ; Secretarv, W. S. Die- trich : Assistant Secretary, D. M. Saul : Chief. W. R. Sander : Assistant Chief. John D. Geiger, and Second Assistant Chief, Marion Hertzog.
The present officers are: President. C.
KF.D
THE NEW BROCKWAY MOTOR EQUIPMENT, JUST PROCURED
engine. The following year an engine house was built by Benjamin Bachman for $44.75. In 1836 the fire company then in existence complained that the engine was out of repair. In 1840 another engine was
D. Herman : First Vice President. W. E. Meyers ; Second Vice President, Wm. B. Schaeffer; Recording Secretary, Jno. D. Geiger ; Financial Secretary, Peter K. Steck - el: Treasurer, Geo. B. Kohler: Trustees.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
Jno. R. Gonser, H. S. Sharadin, S. J. Dries, C. I. G. Christman, A. Bonner, Q. D. Herman, A. K. Lesher, Dr. Geo. Stim- mel, J. P. S. Fenstermacher, J. D. Shara- din, C. W. Miller, and U. J. Miller.
The present membership is 115. Recent- ly the company bought a Brockway Motor Fire Truck from the Brockway Motor Com- pany, of Cortland, N. Y., for $3000. It was delivered on July 1, 1915.
1
TOWN HALL , KUTZTOWN, PA
THE NEW TOWN HALL AND CENTRAL FIRE STATION
145
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS
Dr. Ephraim Becker practiced medicine in Kutztown up to the year 1814, when he died, just one year before the village was incorporated into a borough. Soon afterwards, Drs. David and William Baum came, but stayed a short time only, when they both removed to the West.
Dr. Christian Ludwig Schlemm lived and practiced medicine in a house where now stands the carriage works of R. Miller's son. He began to practice his profession here in 1818. In after years he moved to Richmond Township to a place which bears his name, Schlemmville, where he died in 1850. Later his son, Dr. Charles W. Schlemm also took up the practice here.
Dr. James Donagan was born in Phila- delphia in 1793. He studied medicine with Dr. John C. Baum, of Exeter Township. After his graduation at the University of Pennsylvania, he located in Kutztown, where he practiced medicine for a number of years in the house in which is located the Kutztown Post Office, at the corner of Main and Greenwich Streets. Later he built the house on Main Street which at present is occupied by Dr. Henry W. Saul. This house, ever since its erection, was oc- cupied by a physician ; other physicians, who were occupants besides Dr. Donagan and Dr. Saul were Dr. Charles A. Gerasch and Dr. J. S. Trexler. Dr. Donagan later moved to Reading, where he studied and practiced law. He died in 1862, and is buried in Charles Evans Cemetery, Read- ing.
Dr. Reuben Hains practiced here from 1836 to 1842 and lived in the house where the Pennsylvania Hotel stands. After this period he moved to Reading.
Dr. Charles A. Gerasch, a physician still well remembered by many Kutztown citi- zens, came from Prussia to Berks County to practice medicine and surgery, and located in Kutztown about the year 1840, where he continued in practice up to the time of his death, which occurred on July 22, 1876. Dr. Gerasch was most successful in the practice of his profession, and his services were widely in demand. He took a great interest in school affairs and served as a director of the public schools in Kutztown, and as a trustee in the Keystone State Nor- mal School. He was a lover of children and gladdened the hearts of many by his annual Christmas offerings, which usually
consisted of a box or bag of candy and an orange.
Dr. Jeremiah S. Trexler, born in Lehigh County, was the son of James Trexler and his wife, Jenette Dankel. He received his early education in the Moravian Seminary at Emaus, and at Bethlehem. After read= ing medicine with Dr. Charles A. Gerasch he took a course in and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1854. He became associated with his preceptor and upon his death continued in practice in Kutztown until ten years before his death, which occurred in the fall of ICOL. Dr. Trexler served as burgess and various other borough offices ; was a trustee of the Keystone State Normal School and was a member of the Masonic Fraternity.
Dr. Wm. S. Bieber practiced here during the period of 1830 to 1854 and was located in the Kemp building at the corner of Main and White Oak Streets. He was the father of Dr. Lewis Bieber, who practiced in Phil- lipsburg, N. J., up to the time of his death five years ago.
Dr. Charles J. Schultz was located here and practiced his profession on Upper Main Street in the house at present occupied by Misses Anna and Emma Grim, daughters of the late Daniel P. Grim, Sr.
Dr. I. N. E. Shoemaker located here in 1870, in the house at present occupied by Dr. E. L. Hottenstein ; practiced medicine for fourteen years, when he moved to Phila- delphia where he resides at the present time. His son, Dr. Ira G. Shoemaker, fol- lows the practice of medicine in Reading, and is located on South Ninth Street.
Dr. L. C. Berkemeyer practiced medicine here and conducted a drug store in the '80's, in the building where our present druggist, Dr. E. J. Sellers is carrying on the busi- ness.
Dr. Isaac C. Detweiler was born in Max- atawny Township, was graduated from the ITomeopathic College, in Philadelphia, in 1861, practiced his profession for two years in Kutztown, and then moved to Reading.
Dr. Charles IT. Wanner practiced medi- cine in Kutztown for a number of years, np to the time of his death, which occurred November 12, 1860. He was aged 42 years.
Dr. Cyrus Wanner, the son of Dr. Charles 11. Wanner, started the practice of medicine
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
and surgery here in 1875, and was located at the corner of Main and Noble Streets in the house at present occupied by George Rhode, butcher. Dr. Wanner had a very extensive practice ; he died in February, 1800. His youngest son, Jesse, is a physi- cian, and is in active practice in Nanticoke, Maryland.
Drs. John Helfrich and his son, J. Henry Helfrich, were Homeopathic practitioners here in the '60's. They came from Lehigh County. The latter lived here from 1866 to 1877, a period of II years. The former was here a short time only.
Dr. Edward Hottenstein, whose grand- father, David Hottenstein, was also a phy- sic, studied medicine under Dr. Henry Geig- er, of Harleysville, Montgomery County.
present is located at the corner of Main Street and Strasser Alley. On Nov. 30, 1889, he was married to Miss Alice Stim- mel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William F. Stimmel.
Dr. William J. Hottenstein, third son, is a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, but later took a course in dentistry, which profession he now follows at Akron, Ohio.
Dr. Charles A. Hottenstein, fourth son, was born in Kutztown on Oct. 1, 1871. He received his early education in the public schools of town and at the Keystone State Normal School. He studied dentistry at the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surg= ery and graduated there in 1892. Later he took a course in medicine and surgery in Jefferson Medical College, receiving his
DONAGAN-GERASCH-TREXLER-SAUL HOUSE The Home of Physicians
In 1853 he graduated from Jefferson Medi- cal College and practiced in Maxatawny Township up to 1870, when he located at Kutztown, and practiced here until he re- tired 12 years before his death, which oc- curred on August 26, 1914. Five sons of Dr. Edward Hottenstein also are graduates in medicine.
Dr. Elmer K. Hottenstein practiced here for several years, after which he moved to Akron, Ohio, where he is now following his profession.
Dr. Edward L. Hottenstein, second son, was born August 12, 1864. He received his early education in the public schools of Kutztown and at the Keystone State Nor- mal School. Later he studied medicine with his father, after which he entered Jef- ferson Medical College, and graduated there in 1886, and immediately thereafter start- ed to practice his profession here, and at
degree from this institution in 1895. He now follows dentistry in this borough at 223 Main Street. On September 10, 1895, he was married to Miss Anna C. Hotten- stein, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Q. Hottenstein. They are the parents of one daughter Myrl, who is attending the Normal School. Dr. Hottenstein is a mem- ber of St. Paul's Reformed Church and of Huguenot Lodge, No. 377, F. and A. M. He is also a member of the Board of Trus- tees of the Normal School.
Dr. Peter D. Hottenstein, the fifth son, is a graduate of the Keystone State Normal School of the class of 1891, and of the Medico-Chirurgical College, class of 1894. Later he took a course in the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, class of 1899, and is following the drug business and the prac- tice of medicine in Philadelphia at 5100 Market Street.
147
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
Dr. N. Z. Dunkelberger is a son of John L., and Mary (Zimmerman) Dunkelberger, and was born in Bethel Township, Berks County, Aug. 16, 1864. His early educa- tion was obtained in the schools of Center Township, and by private tutorship in the advanced branches. He served as clerk in a general merchandise store, and taught school for a period of six years. Later he read medicine, and entered Medico-Chi- rurgical College in Philadelphia, from which he graduated April 10, 1890. In the fall of the same year, he located in Kutztown, and has ever since successfully practiced his profession here. Dr. Dunkelberger proved himself a useful citizen in our bor- ough not only in his professional work, but in municipal affairs as well. He was a school director for 22 consecutive years and was secretary of the board for 16 years. He is burgess of Kutztown at the present time. On August 30, 1890, he was married to Annie Laura Dunkle, daughter of the late Solomon and Sarah Dunkle, of Maidencreek Township. He is the father of five children, three daughters and two sons.
Dr. Henry W. Saul was born in Kutz- town on April 29, 1869, and is the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. David Saul. After receiving his early education in the public schools, he entered the Keystone State Nor- mal School, from which institution he grad- uated in 1889. He taught school, read med- icine, and is a graduate of the Baltimore Medical College and the University of Maryland. On April Ist, 1895, he opened his office on Main Street and upon the death of Dr. J. S. Trexler, took possession of the house which the latter had occupied and has ever since practiced his profession there, paying special attention to eye, car, nose, and throat diseases. Dr. Saul is a member of the Berks County Medical So- cicty, and was its president during the year 1912; is a member of the Pennsylvania State Medical Society, and of the Ameri- can Medical Association. He takes a great interest in municipal affairs. He served as
burgess of Kutztown from 1909-1914, and is at present a member of the board of directors of the public schools, and has been deputy coroner for the past II years. So- cially, he is a member of Huguenot Lodge, No. 377, F. and A. M., Excelsior Royal Arch Chapter, Reading Commandery, No. 42 Knights Templar, and A. A. O. N. Mys- tic Shrine, Knights of the Golden Eagle and Jr. O. U. A. M. On August 16, 1904. he was married to Miss Katie E. Trexler, of Topton, and is the father of three chil= dren, one son and two daughters.
Dr. I. L. Peters was born and raised in Lehigh County, Pa. He attended the pub- lic schools and Albright College. After taking a course in medicine at the Hahne- man Medical College, Philadelphia, he grad- uated in 1888. In 1890 he located in Kutz- town, and has practiced his profession here ever since. He is married and is the father of one daughter.
Dr. Elwood Kutz Steckel, the son of Edward Martin Steckel and his wife, Susan M., born Kutz, was born and raised in Kutztown. Early in life, through the kind- ly influence of his grandfather, Charles Kutz, he entered the Normal School, where he was graduated in 1877. For five years he taught the Grammar School of the Bor- ough of Topton ; in the meanwhile reading medicine and preparing for Medical College under the direction of Dr. Cyrus Wanner. In 1884 he was graduated at Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelphia, and began the practice of medicine at Kutztown. On April 28, 1885, he was married to Hettie E. B. Moyer, of Orwigsburg, and moved to that prosperous Schuylkill County town where he practiced his profession for 24 vears, covering a large and densely popu- lated territory. In 1908, July 2, he re- turned to Kutztown, where he continues the practice of his profession.
Among other doctors, who studied medi- cine at Kutztown, and later settled else- where may be mentioned : Drs. Beidelman, Kistler, Strasser, Solomon Becker. A. C. L. Hottenstein, Manderback, and Miller.
148
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
THE LEGAL PROFESSION
Thomas Hardie, the redemptioner school- master, purchased by Johannes Siegfried, (see "Educational History,") was the first lawyer, or conveyancer, in this section, about 1737-41.
William Strong, later one of the judges of the United State Supreme Court, once practiced law in Kutztown, from which place he removed to Reading. He was a native of Connecticut, was admitted to the bar in Reading November 8, 1832, sat upon the Supreme bench of the State of Penn- sylvania, and served upon the famous Elec- toral Commission that counted Tilden out of the Presidency.
Jacob Levan, "Esquire," Ist, settling at Eaglepoint, was Judge of Berks County, 1752-1760.
Daniel Levan, 3d, son of Daniel Levan of Levan's (Kemp's) Inn, was admitted to the Reading bar, 1768. He served as judge in 1777.
Sebastian Zimmerman was one of the judges of the county court 1767-1771 and again from 1778-1784. At that time there were from four to nine "judges."
Other lawyers were Silas E. Buzzard. John K. Longenecker, Henry Kutz, and Frederick John Hatten, admitted June 2, 1801.
William Heidenreich served as associate judge of Berks county prior to David Kutz.
Judge David Kutz in his day was one of the most prominent citizens in these parts. He died July 20, 1870, aged 72 years, 7 months and 17 days. He is buried in Hope Cemetery, Kutztown. He served as associ- ate judge of Berks county for a number of years. He lived on the farm from which Kutztown gets its present water supply.
The Hon. Hiram H. Schwartz hailed from Whitehall, Lehigh county, and after
graduating from Franklin and Marshall College, studied law and settled in Kutz- town. He soon gathered a large practice, became prominent in politics, and at the formation of the position of Orphans' Court Judge, June 29, 1883, received the appoint- ment, and by subsequent election held the same until his death, August 25, 1891.
J. H. Marx was a native of Kutztown, born February 9, 1846, graduated from the Keystone State Normal School in' 1868, taught very successfully for a number of years in town and at the Normal School- in the meantime reading law under Hon. H. H. Schwartz-was admitted to mem- bership of the Berks County Bar in 1879, and engaged in the practice of law at Kutz- town up to the day of his death, which oc- curred September 3, 1913. He was presi- dent of the Board of Trustees of the Nor- mal School for a number of years.
F. K. Flood, another attorney raised in Kutztown, received his literary training at the Normal School, graduating in both the Elementary and Scientific courses. He later read law with Hon. H. H. Schwartz and J. Howard Jacobs, and after admission to the bar, opened an office in Reading. He served as district attorney for one term.
Among the later lawyers we have such prominent men as Ex-District Attorney Ira G. Kutz, Reading: Assistant District Attorney F. A. Marx, Reading: Harry D. Kutz, Nazareth ; Charles R. Wanner connected with the Department of the In- terior at Washington, D. C .; Geo. D. Hum- bert, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma ; D. Nicho- las Schaeffer, Reading; Caleb J. Bieber, Reading; Ex-Senator and Ex-District At- tornev W. Oscar Miller, Reading: Edward D. Trexler, Reading.
149
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
FAIRS AND BATTALIONS
"As early as 1831 that peculiar institu- tion, the 'Yearly Fair,' had a popular ex- istence in Kutztown. It was not a display of mechanical and agricultural products, but an occasion for hilarious sport, as will be seen from the following announcement :
'The Yearly Fair will be held Aug. 12 and 13, 1831. Persons fond of military parades will see Capt. Grim's company of Horse, and Capt. Bieber's company of Infantry, and the Kutztown Band of Music parade on these days. Shows and pastimes of all kinds will be exhibited. Hucksters will be well provided with Beer, Mead, Sweet Meats and all the Fruits in Season. The Youth are informed that there will be an abund- ance of good music and plenty of pretty girls to dance to it.'-Berks and Schuylkill Journal, July 31, 1837.
An example of the fair at a later day is given in the following circular :
'Glaenzende Fair in der Stadt Kutztaun.'
'Am Freytag und Samstag, den 2ten- und 3ten naechsten September, wird in der Stadt Kutz- taun eine glaenzende Fair gehalten werden. Un- ter den vielen ansiehenden Gegenstaenden, welche dieses glaenzende Fest zieren werden, brauchen wir nur anzufuehren, dass ein ganzes Regiment Freiwilliger zur Parade ausruecken werden-Cav- allrie und Infanterie, und dass verschieden- artige militaerische manoever ausgefuehrt werden sollen. Die Wirthe haben sich nebenbei mit den besten Getraenken versehen; stark und schwach, vom besten Braendy bis aufs klare Wasser, so dass auch Temperenz Leute accommodirt wer- den koennen wie auch mit den besten Speisen fuer Van Buren und Harrison Leute-wie auch mit Platz fuer 8500 Mann, denn man erwartet, dass diese Fair ungewoehnlich zahlreich besucht wer- den wird. Fuer gute Fiddler ist ebenfalls gesorgt worden. Dass auch Pferde Wettrennen statt- finden werden, versteht sich von selbst. Nament- lich wird das beruehmte Virginien Pferd Bu- cephalus gegen das vollbluetige importirte Pferd Rosinante springen. Auch werden einige kleine Ballons in die Hoehe gelassen werden.
'P. S .- Es wird erwartet, dass die Laedies von. Lande sich ein wenig schoen aufdressen werden- indem die Kutztauner Laedies sich von Kopf zum Fuss mit den praechtigsten neuen Stoffen aus unsern Stohren versehen haben. Kutztann, Au- gust 17, 1836.'
'At first the battalions and the militia trainings were one and the same thing. When the latter were abolished, the festivi- ties originally connected with them were continued under the name of the former. These were held in the month of May, the fairs in September, and the frolics when- ever the humor of the people and the wisli - es of the landlords required then1. About forty years ago fairs died out. These be- came so unpopular that it sometimes hap- pened that no sufficient notice of the time of their holding was given. As a result of
this, the lovers of fun who lived in the re- moter parts of the county, occasionally made their appearance in kutztown a day too late. From this fact originated the well- known phrase ' a day after the fair.'
'The battalions were the occasion of im- mense gatherings. Not only did the militia turn out, but the volunteer organizations swelled the ranks until more than a thou- sand men were in line. General Jeremiah . Shappell is best remembered as a brigade inspector who ably handled this body of citizen soldiers, and his military bearing is still remembered by the old citizens. These gatherings were seldom bloodless. Men of brutal disposition looked forward to them as the time when they would meet kindred spirits, and in sanguinary combats deter- mine who should be entitled to homage as the "bully" the ensuing year. Hence fights and brawls were of constant occurrence, and the whole influence was debasing. The bat- talions were not inclined to elevate life, and it was not until the Normal School, with its refining influence, had made them ob- noxious in the sight of the respectable ele- ment of the community that they finally succumbed in 1873. The "Frolic" has also been relegated to the past, and its departure should cause no regrets. It was a low form of amusement, whose existence is not pos- sible among refined people; and those who regarded it as a form of enjoyment in their youth looked upon it as mad folly in their maturer years, and so severely discounten- anced it that it died for want of patronage.' -History of Berks County ( 1886) page 358-359.
Dr. Higbee used to tell a story of how one of the early officers of the militia, at one of the battalions held at Kutztown, not being entirely familiar with martial term- inology and desiring to command in Eng- lish after some hesitancy finally exclaimed, "Men turn mit your front sides to Reading and mit your back sides to Kutztown-for- wards, march." Dr. Higbee also relates how his predecessor, the learned Dr. Wick- ershant, state superintendent of public in- struction, who was colonel of a regiment of students at the time of Lee's invasion, desir- ing to march his soldiers around a pool of water exclaimed, "Boys, evade the mind."
THE OLD KUTZTOWN FAIR
I11 1870 the Keystone Agricultoral and Ilorticultural Society was chartered. Six-
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF KUTZTOWN
teen acres of land were bought, the neces- sary buildings erected and track was built. For many years successful exhibitions took place here annually ; in fact, the Kutztown Fair was, and is to-day, one of the principal events of Berks county. The first officers were: Elijah DeTurk, president ; John R. Gonser, secretary ; L. K. Hottenstein, treas- urer ; and for 1876 George J. Kutz, presi- dent ; Jefferson C. Hoch, secretary ; A. J Fogel, treasurer ; Dr. J. S. Trexler, corres- ponding secretary ; Hon. H. H. Schwartz, attorney.
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