BULLETIN jo/'fAe. HISTORICAL 50CIETY MONTGOMERY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA J\rONmSTOWJ^
PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY AT ITS BUILDING 165^ DEKALB STREET NORRISTOWN.PA.
SPRING, 1961 VOLUME XII NUMBEiR 4
PRICE $1.50 The Historical Society of Montgomery County
OFFICERS
Hon. David E. Groshens, President George K, Brecht, Esq., Vice-President Hon. Alfred L. Taxis, Jr., Vice-President Dr. Edward F. Corson, Vice-president Eva G. Recording Secretary Mrs. EArl W. Johnson, Corresponding Secretary Mrs. LeRoy Burris, Financial Secretary and Librarian Lyman a. Kratz, Treasurer
TRUSTEES
Kirke Bryan, Esq. Robert C. Bucher Harry L. Christman Mrs. H. H. Prancine Donald H. Gallager, Esq. Herbert H. Ganser Hon. David E. Groshens Kenneth H. Hallman Nancy P. Highley Arthur H. Jenkins Hon. Harold G. Knight Lyman A. Kratz William S. Pettit Robert R. Titus Mrs. F. B. Wildman, Jr. ^rotlatnation iHontgomerp Countp Bap Cliurfiibap, September 10, 1959 abnt^ampry CHamily t^aa rffbrtp^i Iiynamic obDottrfmrutB in itbuQtry, gonprnntfitl. Ijpalllf, romnwrre. trotiBpnrtaliim ani commmiicatiotiB imrlity tijc Depplopmritl of our Station, onft ^itlgomfri{ (Sounly ijaa ropr rncouroyffi oplf-rrltaorp atiti foBtrrrli fmdotn of opportunity for its mrn aib momrn. onb l^fl^rcaSS our ritiEpna tan tohr pribr in liontooinpry County 0 uoBt rrBourcra. i;rr orraotility anb manifolb attainmrnta in inbustry, {;ralll; anb Ijrr omaziny biorrsity of proburtB, anb ^fjercaSi it tuoo on tlbntyomrry County anil tl;at tt;? forrra of Crnrrol Croryr ffiaaljinyton aiitljatoob tljfir moat arorrr trat in tijr SJation'a aucrraaful fiyljl for frrrbom, anb iSontyomrry County muat look to tljr futurr, focr ararrljiny for nrni rnbraoors ntl;trk totU ntron continurb gronitl; anb proaprrtty. anb IgPljereagtiip orraaion ariara to oppropriotrly obarror our kfnlayr anb itnprraa upontljemorib Iliatit rail! lit prratrorb in tinrirlftb form for gentrationa to romr. J^OtD '^\^tXtUstt, S9t, 9. Molttr ^ottttnonba. Slarrtn iB. Corntll. 3Ir. anb ^Torrrat 21. ^tnry. tlft Commiaaiontra of iKonlgomtry County, bo ijtrffay btaiguatt otb prorlatm Clptrabay. ^tpftmbtr 10.1959 aa fflontgomtry County Say to rommmoratt tl;t irstt; Anniorraary of tl;t founbtng of IQontgomrry County. ®t tall upon our ritiztna to atizt upon tlfia opportunity to aryuaint tijtataclora mort fully tnitif tljt rraourrta. btorlopment. Ijiatory anbpoltntidiltra oftbtir County, anb oak ^at tijt ottaaion bt tnorktb by appropriatt txtrriata in ^t arboola anb by buaintaa. rioir. religioua, potriolir anb frottrnal organizotiona mitbin Montgomtry Comity. Ciotn unbtr our Ijani' tljf gttal atal of ^ntgomtry County, ^tmiayloania. at tljt Sorougb of SJorriatomn. tlfia imtnty-fiftlf bay of Auguat in tlft ytor of our Diorb ont tlfouaanb nint ifmtbrtb anb fifty-ninr.
OJnmmlBfltattKfl of . -f fSanl^oinrrg (Doun^
Proclamation of Montgomery County Day by the Montgomery County Commissioners, September 10, 1959. THE BULLETIN of the Historical Society of Montgomery County
PUBLISHED SEMI-ANNUALLY — SPRING AND FALL
Volume XII SPRING, 1961 Number 4
CONTENTS Montgomery County History, Edward W. Hocker, continued Chapter XXVII —Popular Diversions, continued 220 XXVIII—Funeral of General Hancock 223 XXIX —The Gwynedd Ghost 225 XXX —Convention System in Politics 227 XXXI —The Trolley Car Era 231 XXXII —^War and Disasters 287 XXXIII—New Ideas in Welfare Work 239 XXXIV—The Twentieth Century 241 XXXV —The County's Seventh Quarter Century 257 Organization of Townships and Boroughs 270 Bibliography 272 In Memoriam, Charles R. Barker 274 Reports 275
PUBLICATION COMMITTEE Mrs. LeRoy Burris Mrs. Earl W. Johnson Charles R. Barker, Chmrman^
*Decea8ed
217 Montgomery County History
Edwaed W. Hooker
(Continued from, page 209)
Growth of Interest in Sports burse members for losses if the stolen horse was not recovered. Popular Interest in sports, The Mount Joy Horse Company, which attained such an amazing organized In Upper Merlon town scope In the present century, be ship in 1774; the Unloii Society, came evident in the later decades a similar organization in lower of the nineteenth century, princi Montgomery county, begun in pally the medium of baseball. 1812: the Montgomery Union Prior to that time horse-racing Horse Company, founded in Gwy- was almost the only sport that nedd In 1827' the Farmers' Union attracted much attention. Par Horse Company, of Pairvlew VU- back In 1753 Christopher Sower's large, dating from 1830: the Cen German newspaper reported that, ter Square Association, establish although the government had for ed in 1819, and numerous others bidden the racing of horses for were active for many years, some money, yet such racing was con of them for a century, continu tinued on "Manatawny street, ing as social organizations In the near the Widow L 219 220 BULLETIN OP HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY the noted horses bred there. Flora volved being void. The offer of a Temple, "queen of the trotting purse, said Judge Ross, constituted track." and Leamington twice the gambling. Therefore there could winner of the Chestei cup in be no recovery of what was vir England, were at Erdenheim for tually a gambling debt. many years, and their graves are A baseball club was organized L*arked there with large stone in Norristown in 1859. Games s abs. Other famous horses of were played on Wednesdays and that time that had their home Saturdays. John Roberts was at Erdenheim were Lady Thorn, president of the club; William S. sold by Welch in 1870 for $31,000, Potts, vice president; B. P. Van then a record-breaking price for court secretary, and Jacob Brooks, a horse: Maggie B. 8. Iroquois, treasurer. A large assemblage of Rysdyk stratmore. Sants Claus, spectators witnessed a game be PHnce James. Omar and Kasim. tween the Norristown Club and Many noted men were Mr. the University Club, of Philadel Welch's guests at Erdenheim, phia, on Thanksgiving Day. 1860, among them ' President Grant, when Norristown won, 18 to 6. August Belmont, William Astor The Norristown players were: J. and Pierre Lorrllard. P. Brooks, second base; E. M. The Belmont track was con Snyder, center field: David structed at the time of the Cen Beaver, left field; J. B. Beaver, tennial of 1876. Bud Ooble was right field; P. Molony, first base; a famous trainer there. Nearly Israel Hart, shortstop; B. Molony, all the great trotters of the later third base; George Schall, pitch nineteenth century '•an in Bel er. and Daniel Jacobus, catcher. mont races—Maud S Maxey Norristown's first professional Cobb. Joe Patchen, John R. baseball club came into existence Gentry. Nancy Hanks. Sweet in 1888. It was supported by a Marie and many others. group of the town's business men In a case in the Montgomery who adopted the name of Norris County courts in 1879, Judge town Baseball and Athletic Asso Henry P. Ross declared horse ciation, the officers being: Presi racing to be illegal The Mont dent. J. Roberts Rambo; vice gomery County Agricultural So presidents, J Morton Brown, Wil ciety. whose annual fairs were liam P. Dannehower and Louis held in AmblPi sued J W. Hille- Well; treasurer, Eugene D. Egbert, gass. because his check which he and secretary John A. Brown- gave to the society went to pro back. A ball park was fitted up test, Hillegass had entered a horse at Powell and Pornance streets, 1] one of the races at the society's and the nine was entered in the fair, paying an entrance fee of Inter-State League. Games were ter per cent of the amount of played for two seasons, but lack the pmse offered in the race Pay of financial success caused the ment was made by check, and project to be abandoned. when the amount coul'^ not be Before the time of the Civil collected the society brought suit. War Norristown had two barge In his opinion Judge Ross said clubs — the Atlantis and the horse racing was lawful by com Ariadne. Both had houses on the mon law. but a state law of 1820 banks of the Schuylkill, above classed it as a common ni.isance, Swede street. The barges were horses taking part in races being handsome boats thirty-two feet forfeited and wage claims in long, each equipped with six oars MONTGOMERY COUNTY HISTORY by EDWARD W. HOOKER 221 and seating twenty persons. In Of course, ice skating was a these barges the members would winter sport from earliest times. take their friends of both sexes Immediately after the Civil War on river outings in the evening, skating parks were established in climaxing the voyage with a visit many towns. The Norristown to one of the town's ice cream Skating Park Association was or saloons. ganized in 1865 and obtained the Races with sailing yachts were use of what had formerly been a popular sport on the Schuylkill Paxson's brick yard, on Elm above the Norristown dam in the street, near Stony Creek. A pond 1870's and 1880's, There were was created where excavations of several yacht clubs with houses clay had been made, and tickets at Norristown or at Catfish dam, of admission were sold at 25 cents near Port Kennedy. On after for adults and 15 cents for a child noons when races were held thou while season tickets could be had sands of spectators would as for $3. The officers of the asso semble on the river banks. A race ciation were: President, Benjamin long remembered took place on E. Chain; vice president. Captain Thursday. July 25, 1872. The Edward Schall; secretary, Robert course was from Barbadoes street, Iredell, Jr.; treasurer, Henry C. Norristown, to Catfish dam and Hill. A feature of the first winter return. The following were the at the park was a skating carni names of the boats and their val, on the night of January 22, crews: Whirlwind—Elliott Shaw, 1866, when there was an illumi Edward Douglas, Walter Douglas; nation and a concert by the Nor Dauntless — Philip Dotterer and ristown Band At Pottstown there assistants; Neptune—Messrs. Con was the Manatawny Skating Park, fer, Molony, Davis and Lukens; which also had a carnival with a Grant — James Long, Jacob concert by Guldin's Cornet Band. Rumeer, James Douglass, Elwood Fifteen years later another kind Schaefer, Isaac Nichols; Undine— of skating gained great vogue. William Watt. T. S. Adle, T. A. Roller skating had the advan Adle, James P. Brower; Livonia— tage of being practicable all year William Mancill, A. W. Kennedy, round. George Rush, Jr., of Phila John Law, Joseph Kennedy, delphia, patentee of a roller skate, Charles Jack, M. Kennedy. The opened a skating rink early in Grant and the Livonia comprised 1880 in the hall of the Western the Port Kennedy squadron, while Market. Marshall and Chain the other yachts made up the streets, Norr stown; and soon Norristown squadron. Amidst afterward Meeh's Hall, Main much excitement on the part of street below Swede, was also used the spectators there was a close for roller skating. To be really finish, the yachts covering the satisfactory roller skating de course in the following time: manded a larger floor than either Neptune, three hours, ten min of these halls had. Captain utes: Undine, three hours, ten Charles P. Weaver therefore built minutes and fifteen seconds; an enormous skating rink on the Grant, three hours, ten minutes north side of Airy street, east of and thirty seconds; Livonia, three Markley. Skaters flocked there in hours, thirteen minutes; Daunt great numbers every night, and less, three hours and twenty-two in the afternoon women and chil minutes; Whirlwind, three hours dren occupied the floor, Carnivals And thirty minutes. and races added to the interest. 222 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY and the rink flourished for sev house on DeKalb street, near eral years. Then the attendance Preedley, that became a center waned, and the rink was con of social activities. The first di verted into a theater, in 1886. rectors of the club were: P. Prank This venture was not a success. Hunter, E, R. Wright Willis R. Subsequently there were sporadic Roberts, Muscoe M. Gibson, C. attempts to revive its use as a Howard Harry, B, Percy Chain, skating rink, but eventually the Ashley P, Hunter. Joseph A. Cole- building served for manufactur man and William H. Slingluff, In ing purposes, and finally it was Conshohocken the Pen-y-Bryn removed, about 1907. Tennis Club was active, and in Though country clubs are a 1894 the Asceola Tennis Club was product of the present century, organized in Norristown. with there were some early cricket Rush B. Smith, president; Miss clubs in the environs ol Phila Elizabeth D. Gilbert, secretary, delphia which were embryo coun and Mrs. N. Rowland Brown, try clubs One of these was the treasurer. The Ersine Club spon Merion Cricket Club, established sored the first attempt to provide in 1865. Cricket had been played golf Unto for Norristown. when, at Haverford College since the in 1898, the club leased sixteen 1830's, and the first match of the acres near the northern limits Merion Club was with a team of the borough and laid out a from Haverford College, The six-hole course thereon. club's first grounds, were at Wynnewood, there being no The Era of the Bicycle buildings. In 1873 the^club moved Nothing that might be classed to a five-acre tract at Ardmore, as sport ever gained such a wide and there a club house was built. vogue as did the use cf the bi A tract of twelve acres on Mont cycle in the 1890's, Indeed bi gomery avenue, at Haverford, was cycling became much more than bought in 1892, and there the club a sport. The wheel was made ser has since conducted its activities. viceable for business as weU as The first club house on this site pleasure. Mechanics rode to their was burned in January, 1896, The shops on bicycles, lawyers to their following September, shortly after offices, stenographers to their the house had been rebuilt, it places of employment, and even was again the scene of a disas clergymen used the bicycle in trous fire. Notable cricket matches making parochial calls. Laws had were played on the club's grounds tr be enacted regulating the in the later years of the nine riding of bicycles, requiring bells teenth century, when several to be rung on approaching a famous teams were maintained street intersection, a Ught to be in the Philadelphia area, and carried at night, and so on. leading cricket teams from Eng land and Australia came here on A legal problem developed over tours to demonstrate their skill at the question as to whether or not the game. bicyclers should pay toll on the In the 1890's the organization numerous turnpikes of that time. of ten^s clubs offered women an The charters of turnpike com opportunity to indulge in organ panies had been granted at Soon, however most of the com Atkinson, enterprising good roads panies began charging toll. Test champion of Upper Dublin town cases resulted in a decision from ship: John Q. Eugler. of Potts- the Supreme Court of the state town, and Thomas V. Smith, of that a bicycle was a vehicle with Norristown. They made Irvin P. in the meaning of the law, and Knipe their solicitor The com therefore its rider must pay toll. mission decided to tax every own Norristown, Conshohocken and er of a bicycle 50 cents a year. most other towns had flourishing The question then arose as to bicycle clubs, some of which held how to collect the tax from periodical "race meets" and all women and children, who were Indulged in "century runs," whose not ordinarily subject to taxa purpose was to cover 100 miles tion. Then, too, it was asserted a day. Pastors were alarmed lest that to tax all bicycles alike was Sunday "runs" might Induce unfair, since the price ranged people to neglect the church and from $5 for a second-hand wheel Sunday school. Instead of lament to $100 for the better grades. It ing the tendency to go cycling on soon became evident that the Sunday the rector of St. Asaph's sidepath law would hot stand the Episcopal Church, Bala, sought to test of its constitutionality, and meet the situation by inviting it was therefore never enforced. wheelmen to take "runs" to his church, since it was pleasantly situated out in the country. Racks CHAPTER 28 were provided at the church for their wheels, and men and women Funeral of General Hancock were. assured they would be wel Great Throng Views the Cortege come if attired in cycling cos tume. St. Asaph's church gained General Winfield Scott Hancock much publicity. But many cyclers died February 9, 1886, and his made a practice of cycling to funeral brought numerous men church. prominent in the affairs of the The wheelmen exerted power nation to Norristown. ful influence in the movement Though ht never lived in his for better roads. A national or native county after going to West ganization, the League of Amer Point Military Academy as a stu ican Wheelmen, had r^resenta- dent, in 1840, General Hancock tives everywhere who tried to en held Montgomery county in loving list the support of members of memory to the end of his life. the Legislature, as well as county, When he became commander of town and township officials, in the Military Division of the At endeavoring to have highways lantic, he said: "Now if the gov Improved. One outcome was the ernment will only remove the passage of a law by the Penn headquarters of the division to sylvania Legislature, in 1899 au Philadelphia, I shall be able to thorizing appointment of side- realize the desire of my heart path commissioners in the coun- by making my resident in Nor ;ties. They were to levy a tax on ristown." But his wish was not bicycle riders and use the pro fulfilled, the headquarters being ceeds to build paths alongside continued in New York. roads for the use of cyclers. The He was in the habit of visiting commissioners appointed for Norristown and his birthplace in Montgomery county were: Wllmer Montgomery township when op- 224 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY portunity offered. He also sought the hearse passed. Two hundred out the home of his maternal and fifty members of the Loyal ancestors, the Hoxworths, in fiat- Legion came by train on the fleld township. In 1874 he spent Pennsylvania Railroad to Frank some time collecting the geneal lin avenue and walked thence to ogy of his family, and afterwards the cemetery Howard M. Jenkins assisted him Rain and thaw had made the in this undertaking. ground soft, and as the great His last public appearance was throng gathered in Montgomery as chief marshal of the funeral cemetery about the Hancock vault of General U. S Grant In New the surface was churned into a York, In the summer of 1885. sea of mud. There was no police Shortly after that his health supervision, other than that of failed, and he died the following a detail of members of Zook Post, February 9 at Governor's Island, armed with muskets, who tried to in New York harbor. It was well keep open a passageway to the understood that he desired to be vault. buried in Montgomery cemetery, Noted Men as Pallbearers Norristown, where his parents were buried and where he had At the vault the pallbearers had a vault const**ucted, in which formed in two lines. General was placed the body of a daugh William T. Sherman being at the ter, Ada, who died In 1875. head of one line, and Thomas P. The day of the funeral was Sat Bayard, of Delaware, secretary of urday. February 13, a dismal, state, at the head of the other. rainy day. After services in Trin The remaining pallbearers were: ity Church, New York, the body General Philip H. Sheridan. Gen was brought to Norristown by eral William B Franklin, General railroad, accompanied by a bat Alfred H. Terry. General Nelson tery of artillery from Governor's A. Miles, General John Newton, Island. In Norristown business General James B. Fry. General was suspended, and many build Francis A. Walker, General Wil ings were draped in mourning. liam F. Smith, B. M. Hartshorne, Professor T. S. C. Lowe, aided by Colonel W. P Wilson and Major a committee, was in charge of W. D. W. Miller, Sixteen artillery arrangements Thousands of men carried the casket. citizens assembled about DeKalb Using four field pieces of the street station of the Pennsylvania National Guard battery at Phoe- Railroad when the train arrived nixville, the men of the regular at 3 o'clock. army battery fired three salvos. The cortege consisted of two The bugler of the battery then carriages containing the local sounded "taps," after which the committee, five carriages with the battery fired a major general's pallbearers, the hearse with the salute of thirteen guns. military guard, members of the Professor Lowe served a colla Hancock Veterans' Association, of tion to the pallbearers and other Philadelphia, and twelve more distinguished guests, after the carriages with the funeral party. funeral, at Assembly Hall, Main Mrs. Hancock did not come to street, opposite Arch, and the Norristown. In front of the head demand of citizens to greet the quarters of Zook Post, Grand noted generals was so great that Army of the Republic, the Civil they had to hold an impromptu War soldiers stood at salute as reception. MONTGOMERY COUNTY HISTORY by EDWARD W. ROCKER 225 Memorial Projects distance west of what is now De- Ralb street. Mr. Worley was a A movement was at once or Philadelphia commission merch ganized to erect a monument to ant and wa.. treasurer of the General Hancock in Norristown. Subscriptions, however, were so Commercial Exchange of Phila delphia few that the project had to be On Friday, September 24, 1886, abandoned. Subsequent efforts to Mrs. Worley, her sons, Frank and have tablets placed to mark the Matthew, and a little daughter home of the Hancock family, on were in the sitting room of their Swede street, Norristown, and the home, when they heard a crash school house at Montgomery in the cellar. Prank, 16 year*- old, Square, in the dwelling annex of led the way to the cellar. On which Winfield S. Hancock was the shelves in the cellar were 250 born, also failed of consummation Jars containing preserves. Fifty The Montgomery Square build of these had fallen from the ing, on the east side of Bethle shelves to the floor. Mrs Worley hem pike, south of the crossroads concluded the fruit had ferment in the village, was used for school ed, and she took off the tops of purposes untU 1925, when the the remaining tars and heated township schools were consoli the contents. As the jars were dated. Subsequently It was a rug carried up stairs they were placed mill. upon a table Some of the jars Equestrian statues of General fell from the table to the floor Hancock were unveiled in Wash and were smashed. The daughter ington and on the Gettysburg was holding a jar in her hands battlefield, in 1896. . when it burst, covering her with Mrs. Hancock died in Hew preserved blackberries. York in 1893, and was buried in When Mr. Worley came home St. Louis, Mo., her early home. he and his son Matthew were standing in the yard when a jar CHAPTER 29 flew through the cellar window. Two more followed. Father and son hastened into the cellar and The Gwynedd Ghost found more wrecked jars. Saturday and Saturday night Mysterious Wreckage the smashing of jars continued, Strange occurrences in a house scarcely any remaining whole. A in Gwynedd township, in 1886. huge soup tureen stood upon a excited wide interest, not only dresser in a summer kitchen. This in Montgomery county but also burst and the bottom flew out at a distance, and brought of a window Then mirrors and throngs to the house to see what the glass ovei pictures in frames were regarded as supernatural began to break The fragments manifestations. The amazing oc looked as though the glass had currences were well authenticated been punched in the center with but never satisfactorily explained. a cane or umbrella, cracks radiat Prank D. Worley and his fam ing from a small hole. This con ily lived in a bouse near the tinued Sunday and Monday Gwynedd tunnel on the Bethle The startling news spread hem Branch of the Reading Rail abroad, and visitors came to see road—the former North Penn the work of the spooks On Tues Railroad. The house was a short day George Castner and other 226 bulletin of historical society of Montgomery county residents of the neighborhood pieces when it was in the wagon. were In the Worley house for an Mrs Worley remarked that every hour. They saw glass over pictures crockery set she had was ruined broken, and a glass cup and two save one. When she went to look glass chimneys rise from a center at that, in a small closet, she table and pass through a window, found it had also been damaged, landing fifty feet away in frag ^n a service which the Commer ments. cial Exchange had given to Mr. Wednesday at noon Mr. Worley V'oriey several pieces were broken. was summoned home by a tele At noon that day Matthew Wor gram from bis son because Mrs. ley was holding a small china Worley was prostrated by the ex platter In his hand when it began citement. When he arrived at his to move on a circle. He let go of house the family and many cur it, and it flew through a window, ious visitors were assembled on falling thirty feet away. A plat the lawn. The had been watch ter two feet long, one-quarter of ing things jumping through the an inch thick and weighing sev windows. A mustard pot had eral poimds rose from a table and leaped from the dining room shot through a window being table and whirled its way through broken into eleven pieces as it the window, landing in a rose fell. Six oil lamps feU from a bush half way across the lawn. A chandelier In two rooms, and that saltcellar followed. The windows night the family had to bum were not open, but the missiles candles for Illumination. The flew through the window panes Worley boys placed a bottle of with such velocity as to make only catsup upon a board in the side small holes, without shattering yard, and it flew off against the the glass. The same day. while stone wall of the house and was William Boyer, a neighbor, was broken. in the house with Prank Worley, Now great crowds were at the they saw a teacup leap from the house all day and late into the table, revolve in the air and then night. Parties were -made up apparently disappear. It crashed throughout the surrounding coun through a window, leaving a hole try to drive to the Worley house that looked as though a cannon- in baywagons and watch for the hall had passed through. Another ghosts. Visitors also came on the teacup fell twice from a table to railroad trains from Philadelphia the floor, but was not broken. and elsewhere. Finally Mrs. Wor Boyer picked it up and placed ley's physician had to take steps it upon the table, saying. "Stay to curb the curiosity of the visi there." In a moment it leaped to tors In order to safeguard her the floor, and this time it was health. broken. Prank Worley's comet Attempts at Explanation box also plunged from a shelf to the floor. Suspicion was directed toward On Thursday Mrs, Worley en a 12-year-old girl in the house gaged Thomas Jacquette. a butch hold—an adopted daughter. The er. to remove every breakable theory was that magnetism ema utensil and fixture " from the nating from her was responsible house. Several - mirrors broke, for the destruction. Mrs. Worley seemingly of their own record, as always declared the girl was in they were being placed in a no wise blameable. wagon. A marble statue flew Into Another story attributed the MONTGOMEEY COUJTTY HISTORY by EDWARD W. HOOKER 227 disturbances to blasting in the candidates were nominated, were railroad tunnel. In the cellar of outstanding events of poiitical the house was a cistern in which life. Upon their successfui manip there was no water. It was badly ulation depended the outcome of cracked. Engineers in charge of the campaign in large measure. the work in the tunnel came to Instead of all-day primary elec the Worley house, and their con tions, generally attended by clusion was that the house stood voters, as in recent times, the upon the ledge of rocks through primary election was held in the which the tunnel passed the re election districts in the evening, sult being that the blasting and only those vitally Interested caused concussions whose force in partisan politics attended. entered the house through the A deadlock in the Republican ledge of rocks and the old cistern congressional convention of 1882 and caused the series of break is typical of the snarls Likely to ages. But those who witnessed the occur under the convention sys occurrences said they noticed no tem if there happened to be more jars nor shocks. Nor was there than two strong candidates for any evidence that the breakages the office, for the rules required occurred when blasts were fired a majority vote for a nomination. in the tunnel. If there was such Montgomery and Bucks coun a coincidence it could hardly have ties constituted the congressional escaped notice. district, and the Republican con Still another conjecture was vention. consisting of delegates that the Charleston earthquake from each election district in the had something to do with the two counties, met in Lansdale on Gwynedd disturbances. The earth Monday, August 28. The three quake occurred about that time, leading candidates for the con but it was hard to explain why gressional nomination were Henry the Worley house alone should K. Weand, of Norrlstown, a mem have suffered in this neighbor ber of the bar who later was a hood. judge of the county courts; Dr. Thursday. September 30. was I. Newton Evans of Hatboro, and the last day of the strange occur • Joseph E. Thropp. an Iron manu rences. Mr. Worley. who all the facturer in West Conshohocken. while was sure the damage was William Godshalk, of Bucks due to human agencies arranged county, then serving his second to keep careful watch on Friday, term as representative from the but nothing unusual happened. district, was a candidate for re- By reason of the destruction of so nomination, though there was an much of their household equip unwritten rule that the nomina ment the Worleys experienced a tions should alternate between heavy monetary loss, in addition the two counties every four years. to the worry and anxiety involved. Dr. Evans, who had previously been a member of Congress for CHAPTER 30 one term, was Bucks county's favorite, but he was opposed in Convention System in Norristown and the upper end of Politics his own county. Mr. Thropp's srpport came largely from the Congressional Deadlock of 1883 neighborhood of the two leading Coimty conventions of the two Iron manufacturing districts, -leading political parties, at which Conshohocken and Pottstown. 228 BULLETIN OP HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY The convention opened at 10 intermission of thirty minutes. A. M. in Preed's Hall, a small Most of them took off their coats auditorium, which was crowded and tried to get a nap. Others to suffocation on this August day looked for a compromise candi by the sixty-two delegates from date who could break the dead Montgomery county and fifty- lock, The sixty-third oallot was seven from Bucks, besides a host taken at 3 A. M., and resulted of politicians from all parts of thus: Weand 37V2: Evans, 36V^: the district. John W Eckman, Thropp, 27y2: Godshalk, 15; Eck- Montgomery county chairman, n an. iy2: Bean. 1. At 3.25 A. M. opened the meeting, and Samuel the convention by a vote of 65 P. Gwinner, of Bucks county, was to 51, decided to adjourn until made chairman. After two dele the following Monday gates had made long speeches in When the balloting was resumed nominating Dr. Evans and sec in Preed's Hall on Monday morn onding the nomination the con ing, September 4, the results vention, being eager to begin varied little from those of the voting, adopted a motion to limit first day, until, at the opening sj eeches to five minutes The of the afternoon session, a letter other nominations were quickly was read from Congressman God made, the list including, besides shalk withdrawing his name. Dr. those mentioned, Captain William Evans made some gains, but not Rennyson, of Bridgeport, and enough to effect his nomination, Colonel Theodore W Bean, of for a new candidate. Joseph M. Norristown. The first ballot re Bosler. of Cheltenham township, sulted as follows: Evans, 33: received 14 votes. Confusion and Weand, 32; Thropp, 261/2:, God- -excitement followed. Finally after shalk, 15: Bean, 6; Rennyson, the ninety • third ballot Mr. 4^. The half votes were account Thropp made a speech announc ed for by the fact that in certain ing his withdrawal and pledging districts there were contests as his support to the nominee Most to the choice of delegates, and of Mr. Thropp's delegates voted the rival delegates were each al foi Dr. Evans, and thus he was lowed a half vote.. nominated on the ninety-fourth After a second ballot with little ballot, receiving 58^2 votes to 54 change, a recess was taken until cast for Mr Weand. afternoon Then twenty-four bal The Democratic nominee for lots followed. Mr. Weand made Congress that year was General some gains, leading on the W. H. H. Davis, of Doylestown. twenty-first ballot. But still Dr. Evans was elected. there seemea little hope of a Similar contests also occurred choice. At 6 P. M. the convention in borough conventions. When the took an hour's recess for supper, Norristown Republican borough and then resumed balloting. With convention met on the evening the hope of encouraging a com of February 7. 1887, in Isaac S. promise. it was voted tr permit Yeakle's hotel, at Marshall and an interval of five minutes be Chain streets, there were seven tween ballots for consultation. candidates for burgess, including But as consultations seemed to John H. White, who had held lead nowhere the action was soon the office for three terms of a rescinded. Thus the balloting con year each. Borough officials were tinued until 1.10 A. M., when the elected in February at that time. weary delegates agreed upon an Ballot after ballot was taken MONTGOMERY COUNTY HISTORY by EDWARD W. HOOKER 229 without result. Just before the Harrison. Cleveland carried Mont twentieth ballot Mr. White with gomery county by 20 votes. drew. At midnight the seventy- Irving P. Wanger, a Norristown fifth ballot was recorded, and lawyer, was the principal Repub the 100th at 1.45 A. M. Gradually lican "spell-binder" in the county seme of the candidates withdrew, then and in many another cam until only two remained, and on paign. He was the Republican the 105th ballot James H. Buck, candidate for Congress and his a policeman, was nominated. The popularity and hard work was rancor aroused by the contest attested by a majority of 400 did not readily abate, and. tak votes in the county and 200 in ing advantage of the dissension the district. Thus Mr. Wanger among the Republicans, the entered upon a long term of servr Democrats nominated a strong ice in Congress, he being re-elect candidate for burgess in the per ed eight times. son of Edmund A. Kite, a member Great interest also centered of the Society of Friends, who that year in the contest for the had been station agent for many office of district attorney between years at the Mill street station. Mr, Holland and Mr. Kane, op Though normally Norristown was posing party leaders, both of Republican, Mr. Kite was elected whom were men of marked talent by 100 majority. and skilled in the arts of politics. Mr. Holland won by about 300 Closely Fought Contests majority. Later he was appointed United States district attorney In the 1890's, when James B. and then judge in the Federal Holland was the Republican lead Court. er in the county and Edward P. All the other Republican can Kane directed the Democratic didates in the county were elected strategy, many a hard-fought in 1892 with the exception of battle occurred at the polls, for, one assembljrman and the county though ordinarily the Republicans treasurer. Samuel Effrig. Demo had a ma.iority in the county, crat of Lansdale, won the latter victory for 'heij ticket was not office by about 150 ma,1ority So always a foregone conclusion. A close was the 'ote for every office memorable contest occurred in that doubt as to the result pre 1892, when for the first time a vailed until the official count was baliot bearing the names of all completed The Republican candi candidates was used at the polls. date for Assembly who was de Up to that time each party had feated on the face of the returns its own ballots printed, and the was Austin L. Taggart. of King ballot the voter deposited was a of Prussia, who had served three small slip carrying only the names terms in the State House of Rep of the men for whom he wanted resentatives, making a good to vote. Each candidate had record. The count showed that "stickers' 'available bearing his "Farmer" Taggart. as he was name, these being used by voters popularly known, had been de who wanted to split the ticket. feated by Charles I. Baker, Demo Nationally it turned out to be a crat, of Norristown. by about 40 Democratic year, for Grover votes. Mr. Taggart and his friends Cleveland was elected to the then insituted a contest alleging Presidency for his second term, that students of the Catholic defeating President Benjamin Theological Seminary of St. 230 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY Charles Borromeo, at Overbrook, was at Jenkintown, led the on In Lower Merlon township, had slaught upon Quay, backed by an Illegally been permitted to vote abundance of financiaj resources. in that township, whereas, il eli In Montgomery county an gible to vote at all, they could Anti-Quay League was organized vote only at their homes. with B, Witman Dambly of Skip- The case was heard before the pack, chairman, The Republican Montgomery county court and the organization, led by William P. 'State Legislature Officials of the Solly, county chairman, was dis Seminary insisted that, according posed to be conciliatory, and of to the regulatioris of the church, fered the anti-Quay people half when a young man took up the the Legislative ticket. But the study for the priesthood he aban sentiment among the foes of doned his parental home and Quay was for fusion with the thereafter his home was where Democrats rather than compro the church stationed him, and mise with Quay's supporters. therefore the home of the stu The Republican county conven dents was in Lower Merlron town tion was held on September 13, ship. However, this version was 1898, and the Quay forces con not accepted, and it was ruled trolled 60 oer cent, of the dele that the students had voted il gates. For state senator J. P. legally. When their votes were Hale Jenkins, of Norristown, was eliminated, Mr. Taggart had a nominated, he receiving 154 votes majority in the county, and thus to 90 for William H. Maxwell, of was declared elected for his fourth Pottstown, the anti-Quay candi term. He did not live to complete date, For the state House of Rep the term, dying in 1893. resentatives those nominated An unusual political event of were: Jason Sexton, Thomas H. 1894 was the joint appearance Barker, Horace W, Eshoach, H. of the opposing candidates for H. Fetterolf and William De- governor to speak at the same Haven. Mr. Sexton, manager of meetings in Norristown. The can William M. Singerly's farms In didates were General Daniel H. Gwynedd, had served one term in Hastings. Republican, and Wil- the House. Notwithstanding he ^'.am M. Singerly, Democrat They was an avowed foe of Quay, he addressed a Republican meeting had the indorsement of the coun in the Opera House and the ty organization, receiving 191 Democrats in the court house. votes in the convention. He was exceedingly popular among the The Anti-Quay Fight of 1898 farmers, and the organization Great political battles were leaders realized that to reject him fought in 1898 and 1899, when would be to court defeat. Besides the re-election of Matthew Stan Mr, Sexton, the anti-Quay dele ley Quay to the United States gates voted for John H. Crank- Senate and his leadership of the shaw. Howard W. Kriebel, Benja Republican Party in the state min S. Moore and William W. were the outstanding issues Potts. throughout the state. The Legis On Septembei 20 the Demo lature then elected United States cratic county convention named senators! Hence the preliminary this legislative ticket: Senate, fight was for control of the Legis John A Wentz, oi Port Washing lature in the election of 1898. ton; House. William A, Prank- John Wanamaker, whose home um. Dr. John G, Hersh, John MONTGOMERY COUNTY HISTORY by EDWARD W. HOOKER Larzelere, Wellington H. Rosen- without result. Criminal prosecu berry and Thomas V. Smith tion was instituted against Sena- Foui days later the Anti-Quay to) Quay in Philadelphia, but be L«ague indorsed the Republican was acquitted, and Governor nominees for county offices and Stone then appointed Quay sena named this legislative ticket: tor, but the Senate refused to Senate Daniel Steinmetz; House, seat him. In the Legislature of Jason Sexton, H. H. Petterolf, 1901 Quay was elected senator William W Potts. Howard W. with the aid of one Democrat Kriebe] and Walter H. Corson. and one Democrat-Populist legis The anti-Quay revolt was lator, But of the Montgomery statewide. In February 1897, had county members of the Legisla occurred the destruction of the ture elected in 1898 only Senator State Capitol, in Harrisburg, by Wentz remained to vote against fire, whereupon the Rev. Dr. Silas Quay in 1901, for none of the C. Swallow charged that the Cap five members of the House was itol had been set on fire to de re-elected. stroy evidence of corruption In 1898 Dr. Swallow became the candidate of the Prohobition and CHAPTER 31 Honest Government Parties for governor, and he made such a The Trolley Car Era vigorous campaign that the can didacy of the Republican nom First Horse Oars inee, William A. Stone, was ser iously menaced. Thus in Mont Street cars pulled by horses gomery county the Republican were introduced in Philadelphia organization faced the opposi in the 1850's. and' in the follow tion of the Democrats, the Hon ing decade an effort was made est Government Party and the to utilize a similar mode of trans Anti-Quay League. It was a hard- portation in Montgomery county. fought fight with much oratory TTie Legislature authorized incor and dissemination of literature. poration of the Norristown Pas By election day a fusion of the senger Railway Cbmpan.v in 1866. opposition was effected, which the purpose of the company being resulted in the election of John A. to build a street railway from Wentz. Democrat as state sena Bridgeport through Norristown as tor. by 145 votes, and the follow far as Jeffersonville Subscrip ing members of the house*. Messrs. tions for stock were insufficierit. Sexton and Petterolf, anti-Quay and the road was not built. Republicans, and Dr. John G. In the early lB70's a company Hersh. of Bast Greenville: John was organized to build a street Larzelere, of Willow Grove, and railway from Wissahickon station, W. H. Rosenberry, of Lansdale, on the. Philadelphia. Germantown Democrats. For governor the vote and Norristown Railroad, along in the county was: Stone. Repub Ridge pike through Roxborough lican, 10,757; Jenks, Democrat, to Barren Hill, in Montgomery 11,298: Swallow, Prohibition and county. Roxborough and Barren Honest Government. 4.200. Hill were at such a distance from Then ensued the great legisla the railroad that the citizens were tive deadlock of 1899. when bal eager to buy stock in the new loting for United States senator company. Daniel O. Hitner, of continued throughout the session Whitemarsh township, who had 232 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY been operating marble quarries, ties were available. Meetings were ore pits and iron furnaces in that held in Mr Cowden's o^'flce, and region, invested heavily in the when citizens of the town had stock and was made oresident of subscribed for stock to the value the company. John H. Levering of $15,000 the Norristown Passen was engineer in charge oi con • ger Railway Company was organ struction, and Albert Tibben was ized. on June 9, 1884, the officers appointed superintendent of the chosen being; President, Mr. road. Cowden; secretary Isaac Chism; The car line was opened on treasurer. Normar Egbert, A car Saturday, November 21. 1874. The line was ouilt on DeKalb street three cars and thirteen horses, from Brown to Main street and comprising the rolling stock and down Main and Mill streets to motive power were line'^ up at Mill street s+ation, with a spur Wissahickon station at 2 P M.. down DeKaib street to the recent James M. Nicholson, a director, ly opened Pennsylvania Railroad being master of ceremonies. The station. It wa/ a single track with first car was occupied by the several turnout switclies where Rowbotham Cornet Band, and of two cars with which the company ficials of the company and guests began business could nass each filled the other cars Men on other On Brown street, west of horseback and people in carriages DeKalb, a stable was built for followed. The horses were be the cars and the company's eleven decked with flags, and along the horses. Later the tracks were ex route flags were displayed Stops tended on Brown, Willow, Swede were made in front of the homes and Airy streets, to form a loop. of distinguished citizens and the The fare originally was 5 cents band played. There was also a for adults and 3 cents for chil halt in front of the depot, in dren. The driver also was the upper Roxborough, to permit an conductor Passengers on enter inspection. At 2.55 P. M. the ing the car dropped their fare procession crossed the county line, into a hopper-like register on the and at 3 o'clock Barren Hill was front platform. Trips were made reached. Here the party left the at intervals of fifteen minutes cars and assembled at the home from 6.40 A. M. until 10.30 P. M. of Percival K. Boyer, a director, The approach of the cars was an where a feast had been prepared. nounced by the lingling of bells Then a meeting was organized, attached to the horses harness. with J. Vaughn Merrick chair The west end of Norristown had man, and State Senator Horatio been the scene of extensive build Gates Jones of Roxborough. made ing operations for some years, an address At 4.20 the return trip and that locality also called for was begun. On the run back to street car facilities. As the origi Roxborough the cars passed one nal companv delayed making an of the old-time stage coaches, and extension, a new corporation, the It was greeted with cheers. Citizens" Passenger Railway Com Norristown's first horse car line pany. was organized in 1887, was built in 1884. The leader In which built a car line on Main the enterprise was Jacob M. Cow- street, from Pord street to Mont den, a real estate operator, who gomery cemetery, with an exten realized the advantages of the sion to the State Hospital, on northern part of the town for Stanbridge. Astor anri Marshall residential sites if transit facili streets. MONTGOMERY COUNTY HISTORY by EDWARD Vf. HOOKER 23S Mach Litigation Over at the western end of Norristown, Trollej Lines then the terminus of the car line, to Jeffersonviiie. and in June Electric power supplanted horses workmen commenced building the on the Norristown car lines in branch to Conshobocken. begin 1893. and about the °ame time ning at Pord street, the eastern the Norristown Company's line terminus in Norristown was extended across DeKalb street Whenever trolley car and steam bridge through Bridgeport to railroad Interests conflicted in Swedeland, the Montgomery those days there was sure to be Transit Company being organized a clash, as the legal rights of the to control this extension whicn new mode of transportation in was planned to continue as far rural districts had not yet been as West Conshohocken The same clearly defined So when the men company also sought a franchise building the trolley line to Con to build a trolley line on Ridge shobocken on Ridge pike, ap pike and Conshobocken pike to proached the Pennsylvania Rail connect Norristown with Consho- road's Trenton Cut-Off bridge, hocken. It encountered opposition in Plymouth township, there was from anothei company which trouble. The railroad had watch took the name of Conshobocken men on duty at the bridge day Transit Company. and night for' some weeks. On When the rival claims were June 21 the watchmen sent word presented before • Conshobocken's to the railroad officials that the Town Council, in March. 1893, the trolley men were carrying sills Montgomery Company was vic onto the bridge The railroad torious by a vote of seven to five. rushed 100 laborers to the spot, One condition of the franchise and they removed the sills from was that the company should be the bridge, took possession of the gin work on its system in the structure and refused to permit borough before the end of the the trolley men to enter thereon. year. It failed to do so, and at the A state of armed neutrality pre end of 1893 it asked Town Coun vailed for several hours, when cil for an extension. Council re one of the Shepp brothers arrived fused to grant it. and called off the workmen pend When Conshobocken Town ing negotiations with the railroad Council met on January 10. 1894. officials. James W. and DB Shepp. who It transpired that under exist had acquired control of the Citi ing conditions the railroad com zens' Passenger Railway Com pany was responsible for main pany, operating on Main street in taining the bridge. The company Norristown. applied for a Con contended that as the bridge was shobocken franchise, agreeing to only twenty feel wide It would pay the borough $1,000 for it. be dangerous to take up part of The desired ordinance was passed. that space with tracks and fur The Shepp Brothers, who were thermore the structure was not Philadelphia publishers, had ma strong enough to permit trolley tured plans for extending the cars to cross it. If the tracks were Citizens' line from Norristown to be laid on the bridge then the eastward and westward In March. railroad company wanted the 1894. work was begun on the con trolley company to assume full struction of track from the en responsibility for the care of the trance to Montgomery cemetery. bridge. 234 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OP MOOTGOMERY COUNTY Presently the controversy got line from Harmonville into Con into court through the medium shohocken was acquired by pay of a crop of injunction suits. The ing the turnpike company $4,000. trolley company sought to pre Further trouble developed at vent the railroad company from the Payette street bridge over the interfering with the construction Pennsylvania Railroad in Con of the car line, and the railroad shohocken. Before dawn on De company wanted the court to pre cember 17. 1894, the workmen of vent the building of the car line the trolley company spiked their on the bridge. Additional source rails to this bridge, and also that of trouble existed in the fact that of the Reading Railroad Penn 200 feet below the place where sylvania Railroad officials soon Ridge pike crossed the Cut-Off on halted the work, but a- adjust a bridge there was a spur of the ment was made, each company Cut-Off which the highway cross agreeing to pay half the cost of ed at grade. With regard to this maintaining the bridge. the railroad company besought The first trolley car was run the court to compel the trolley from the Reading Railroad in company to build a bridge to Conshohocken out Payette street eliminate the grade crossing. on Wednesday. January 2, 1895, After the lawyers had argued carrying fifty men and boys. At the various problems before the 4 P. M. that day two cars began court, Judge Aaron S. Swartz making regular trips at intervals ruled that the trolley company, of forty-five minutes. To continue by its franchise, had the right to the journey to Norristown it was use the bridge, but it must assure necessary for passengers to leave the court of its safety The grade the car at the Trenton Cut-Off, crossing question was left open walk across the railroad and until further evidence could be board another car on the other presented, the trolley company side. contending a bridge would be im More litigation occurred about practicable at that place. Both the crossing when, In January, sides made hasty appeals to the 1895. the supervisors of Plymouth Supreme Court of the state, which township brought suit in court resulted in an order in July. 1894, to compel the Pennsylvania Rail from that court forbidding con road Company to widen the bridge struction of a grade crossing until over the Cut-Off, it being con the court decided the question. In tended that the bridge had be November. 1894, Judge Swartz come dangerous to traffic be gave a final decision that the cause of the presence of the trol trolley company must strengthen ley car tracks. Judge Swartz the bridge according tc plans ac quashed the proceedings because ceptable to the railroad company, the Pennsylvania Company did and that the trolley company not have its main office in this must not cross the spur at grade. county. Meanwhile work on the Con- Thus matters continued until shohocken line had been con Saturday, May 18, 1896.. At 1.30 tinued on Ridge pike below the P. M. that day. as a new trolley Cut-Off and in Conshohocken. car weighing nine tons was mak l ayette street, Conshohocken, was ing its first trip and had entered then part of the Plymouth and upon the bridge, the structure Whitemarsh turnpike. The right collapsed. The car fell twenty- to use the turnpike for the trolley eight feet to the railroad and was MONTGOMERY COUNTY HISTORY by EDWARD W, HOOKER 235 wrecked, but no lives were lost, thence east on Germantown pike though the crew and five passen to the Philadelphia line at St. gers were hurt. Investigation re Joseph's Convent. The first trolley vealed that, following the order cars were operated over this road of court in 1894 that the bridge on Saturday. October 20, 1894, be strengthened, the trolley com though the official opening took pany had erected wooden sup place the following Monday. At ports, but the railroad company the Chestnut Hill terminus there had removed some of them be was then no connection with cause that company's permission Philadelphia car lines, and it was had not first been obtained and not until 1898 that a line was the supports were regarded as an built from the convent to the obstruction. The bridge, it was top of Chestnut Hill. revealed, shook every time a heavy It was the purpose of the Rox- vehicle passed over it. borough, Chestnut Hill and Nor The Montgomery County Pas ristown Passenger Railroad Com senger Railway Company, which pany to extend its system from the Shepp Brothers controlled, en Barren Hill over Germantown countered litigation in Its effort pike into Norristown. The super to extend its line from Swedeland visors of Plymouth and White- to West Conshohocken. It also marsh townships had given their was blocked by the Pennsylvania consent in 1893. But in July. 1894, Railroad's Trenton Cut-Off. Even the Plymouth supervisors revoked tually the Supreme Court ruled their permission on the ground the road could not be built with that the line bad not been built out consent of every owner of within the stipulated time. The property in front of which the supervisors then granted the Ger line was to pass. This ruling halt mantown pike rights to the Shepp ed numerous trolley car projects Brothers' Conshohocken company, until it was modified by a later which was planning an extension law permitting municipal authori on Conshohocken pike from Har- ties to grant effective franchises. manville to Ambler - nd also on The Shepp Brothers after a Germantown pike. The action of time gained control of the Nor- the Plymouth supervisors became ristown Passenger Railway Com an election issue in the township, pany. Two fare'' were still col and when charges of bribery were lected on the two Norristown lines, made an arrest for slander fol imtil permission was asked of lowed. Litigation over the claims Town Council to connect the two of the opposing companies fol lines at Main and DeKalb streets. lowed. and Judge Swartz decided Council refused to grant the per for the Chestnut Hill Company, mission until the company agreed declaring that by the state law it to issue free transfers from one had two years in which to begin line to the other. work and the supervisors had no right to order otherwise, Fight Over the Chestnut Hill Line Construction of the Chestnut After horse cars had been run Hill line on Germantown pike re ning for twenty years on the old sulted in eight suits in 1895, by line from Wissahickon station to citizens, supervisors and the Barren Hill, it was rebuilt in 1894 Pennsylvania Railroad Company. for electric service and extended Some of the cases were appealed from Ridge pike at Barren Hill to the Supreme Court, with the across to Germantown pike, and result that this court directed the 236 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY tracks to be removed within thirty homestead, he having married days. Citizens of Plymouth then Helen Corson, daughter of sent a petition to the Supreme Charles Corson, the Abolition Court urging that the company leader, ir 1881. be permitted to operate. In In Norristown the Chestnut Hill August. 1895, a compromise was line was not at first permitted to effected whereby the company connect with the existing car was allowed to complete laying lines, but finally that was accom its tracks and run cars, plished when the Schuylkill Valley There still remained for adjust Traction Company absorbed both ment a controversy over the cross the Norristown and the Chestnut ing of the Trenton Cut-Off on Hill lines. The Chestnut Hill car Germantown pike similar to that service was discontinued in 1931, which the building of the Con- being supplanted by buses. shohocken line on Ridge pike had Numerous other controversies called forth. Germantown pike occurred over the building of trol crossed the railroad at grade. ley lines. In West Conshohocken Trolley cars were not permitted there were three rival companies. to cross the railroad tracks, but One of them put 100 laborers at passenger had to leave the car work on March 14, 1893. laying on one side of the tracks, walk tracks at three different places across and board another car on in the town. The men worked all the other side As on Ridge pike, night and by the next morning this condition was permitted to several hundred feet of track had continue until a grave disaster been laid. The borough authori occurred. ties sought an injunctior in court On August 14, 1895, a group and the laying of the tracks was of passengers left a Norristown halted. There was intense excite car, and, after waiting for a ment for a time, but no trolley freight train to pass on the Cut cars ever ran in West Consho off, they began to cross the hocken. tracks, when another freight train Extensiom and IVIer By slow stages the line was century, and after the building continued to Pottstown, connect of the Philadelphia and Western ing in 1906 with a trolley line Electric Railroad from Norristown built in 1894 from Pottstown to tc Sixty-ninth street, Philadel Ringing Rocks Park, the latter phia, through service from Phila being extended through Swamp delphia to Allentown was estab to Boyertown. All these lines from lished by way of 'he Lansdale Chestnut Hill and Conshohocken, line. through Norristown Collegeville Philadelphia trolley car lines and Pottstown to Boyertown were were extended over York road to now merged in the Schuylkill Willow Grove, and later another Valley Traction Company. In the line was built through Glenside present century the Schuylkill to Willow Grove. In 1897 the Valley Company was absorbed in York road line was continued several other mergers, becoming from Willow Grove to Doylestown. part of the Reading Transit Com Ir Lower Merlon there was a line pany's system in 1910. Beginning from Sixty-ninth street to Ard- with the discontinuance of trolley more. In 1906 a trolley line was service from Pottstown to Boyer built from Trooper, on the Norris- town, in 1927, the car service was town-Collegeville line, through abandoned by successive stages, Skippack to Harleysville. This was the iast to cease operating being never successful, and was discon the Norristown and Conshohock tinued in 1923. Numerous other en lines, in 1933 service took the companies were chartered, but place of the former trolley lines. never built their proposed lines. Buses started operating in the Norristown, Conshohocken, Bridgeport, Swedeland, College CHAPTER 32 ville area September 10, 1933 by Schuylkill Valley Lines, Inc. War and Disasters The Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley Traction Company, which The War With Spain built a trolley line from Chestnut When the United States went Hill to Allentown in the 1890*s. to war with Spain, in April, 1898, also faced litigation when it over the question of the indepen wanted to lay its tracks under dence of Cuba, the Pennsylvania the Trenton Cut-Off, on Bethle National Guard was directed to hem pike below Port Washington, assemble at Mount Gretna. The and the case was carried to the companies in Norristown and Supreme Court. The final deci Pottstown were the only units sion was for the trolley company. of the Guard in the county, This line extended along Bethle though some residents of the hem pike to Sprlnghouse and county belonged to Philadelphia thence on Suraneytown pike to a regiments or the battery in Phoe- point above North Wales, whence nixville, These two companies left li turned northward to Lansdale. home on April 28, there being Car service between Chestnut Hill farewell demonstrations in both and Lansdale gave place to buses boroughs. in 1926. General John W. Schall, of Norristown and Lansdale were Norristown, commanded the First connected with a trolley line. In Brigade of the National Guard, the early years of the present but as the National Guard brigade 238 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY formation was not maintained In Reading Railroad train was de the United States service, he was railed at Exeter. Berks county. assigned to command his old regi That day an equestrian statue of ment, the Sixth, Colonel Perry General John F. Hartranft had M. Washabaugh, the commander, been dedicated in Harrisburg, being rejected for physical rea which occasion induced large sons. At Camp Alger General numbers of residents of Hart- Schall commanded a brigade as ranft's native county to visit the well as the regiment, but the state capital The Montgomery active command of the Sixth fell Fire Company, of Norristown, of to Lieutenant Colonel Henry A. which Hartranft had been a mem Shenton, of Pottstown. until he ber, was well represented Most of resigned, in July, the' Montgomery county people came home on the train which After going on practice marches plunged from the tracks at Exeter. and being in various camps, the Sixth Regiment returned home Twenty-nine men were killed. early in September. They were: John Slingluff, banker; William Stabler, drug The Jarrettown Tomadn gist: Franklin D. Sower, book A tornado on the afternoon of seller; Wniiam H. Lewis, mer May 28, 1896, cut a swath 300 to chant; William Camm, druggist; 600 yards wide, from the neigh Colonel George Schall. former borhood of Ambler eastward postmaster; Henry C. Wentz, toward Bucks county. At Jarret- former president of Town Coun town several men took refuge in cil and president of the Mont a stable at the village hotel. The gomery Trust Company; Charles tornado left the stable a heap of H. White, J. Henry Coulston, ruins, and two men were killed Samuel M. McCarter, John Kuntz, and three hurt, The hotel was a dairyman; Henry H, Thomp wrecked, as was also the Metho son, William D. Jenkins. Isaac dist church, a half dozen houses E. Fillman, Joseph Taylor and and numerous barns and stables Norman Holmes, the latter 10 in Jarrettown. To relieve the im years old. all of Norristown; mediate needs oi victims of the Charles C. Leaf, Port Washing storm, nearby communities raised ton Samuel W Beatty, hotel- funds and forwarded supplies to keeper near Conshohocken; H. L. the stricken village For several Hunsberger, Conshohocken; John days afterward great crowds of Johnson. Mont Clare; Lucian J. sightseers flocked to Jarrettown Custer and Daniel H. Yoder, of to gaze upon a scene of destruc Pottstown; Elmer E, Shelly. Hat- tion such as has rarely occurred boro; Harry C. Hartford, Charles from a storm in Montgomery T. Street and Jacob W, Markley, county. of Philadelphia; Michael Lawn, Germantown; C. W. Eichholtz, Disastrous Railroad Accident Downingtown, and C. L. Laverty, at Exeter Harrisburg. Never in the history of Mont Among those badly hurt were gomery county were the lives of the following residents of Norris so many of its well known citi town; Thaddeus S. Adle. both of zens snuffed out in one brief whose legs were broken; George moment as was the case on the W. Holmes, father of the 10- night of May 12, 1899, when a year-old boy who was killed; MONTGOMERY COUNTY HISTORY by EDWARD W. HOOKER 239 William Priedebom, George W. loaned to persons desiring to buy Lewis, George Carney, H. A. Ash- homes or spent in ' "any. other enfelter, Henry K. Stauffer, John benevolent way." Trustees ap S. Jones and Amandus Garges. pointed by the court administered Wednesday, May 17, when the the trust. In recent years it has funerals of most of the Norris- been the custom to use the in town victims took place, was made come from the trust in supplying a public memorial day in the food and clothing for needy fam town. ilies and in maintaining a visit ing nurse. CHAPTBR 33 The First Hospitals Up to the 1880's there was not New Ideas in Welfare Work a hospital anywhere in Montgom ery county. Victims of accidents Relief for the Destitute needing hospital treatment had Dp to 1808 every township cared to be sent to Philadelphia. for its destitute people, and The State Hospital, Norristown, churches also assisted their mem for the treatmen< of mental dis bers who met with misfortune. eases. was opened in 1880. The municipal administration was The Home for Consumptives in charge of overseers of the poor was established in 1886 on Sten- elected in the townships. In 1808 ton avenue, Springfield township, a county almshouse was estab upon land which William Bucknell lished, under control of directors gave. It had been founded ten of the poor. years before in Philadelphie by When "hard times" came it was the Episcopal City Mission, and the custom in the larger com it was the first institution in munities to organize societies or Pennsylvania to adopt the fresh- committees to raise money for air treatment for consumption, the aid of the needy. There was which at that time was regarded no permanent county-wide relief as a rather freakish experiment. agency until the Children's Aid The Philadelphia Jewish Sana Society was founded, in 1885. This torium, also for the treatment of society has been active ever since consumption, was opened at in finding homes for destitute Eagleville in 1909. children. In 1889 hospitals were founded By the will of Wright A. Bring- in Norristown and Pottstown, the hurst, of Trappe, who died in former, at first named the Nor 1876, he left his estate of about ristown Hospital and Dispensary, $150,000 to Norristown Potts- being chartered on March 4. and town and Upper Providence the Pottstown Hospital on May ♦•cwnship, directing that the 11. To avoid confusion with the money be invasted in the build State Hospital, the name of the ing or purchase of dwellings, Norristown hospital was changed which were to be rented to in 1890 to Charity Hospital of "worthy, industrious and deserv Montgomery county. In 1920 e, ing persons of limited means at new name was adopted—Mont moderate rents or rents below gomery Hospital. current rates." The Income from The Bryn Mawr Hospital was the rentals was to be applied to founded in 1895 by Dr. George ward acquiring more dwellings. W. Gerhard. The Abington Me- 240 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY morial Hospital, the Homeopathic for themselves. Of course they Hospital, Pottstown, and River- had been privileged to have view Hospital, Norristown. began societies to raise money for their activities in the present churches and charities One of century. the first signs of revolt on the part of women against tradition The Pottstown General Hospi was the Norristown Conversation tal later became known as Potts town Hospital. A second hospital Club, organized In 1885 by twenty-five women, who met in in the borough, Pottstown Homeo the homes of members for liter pathic, opened in 1914 and in 1945 ary discussions. Mrs George W. changed its name to Memorial Rogers being oresident Then in Hospital of Pottstown. 1888 the Montgomery County On rov. 14, 1935, plans were Woman Suffrage Society was formed to open Sacred Heart formed, though only nine mem Hospital in Norristown, with the bers were enrolled at the first hospital opening its doors Oct. 12, meeting, ana two of these were 1938. men. The Norristown Art Club, which began activities in 1890, Potter's Field No Longer Needed was composed entirely of young The borough of Norristown in women. The first woman's club 1819 bought land at Sandy and in the county was that establish Violet streete, for a potter's field. ed at Ardmore, in 1890 while After a law had been enacted the Century Club of Pottstown, giving the bodies of unclaimed was the second, its date of or persons to medical colleges, there ganization being in May. 1897. was little use for a potter's field. In 1898 women's clubs came into For many years it was a desolate existence in Wyncote and Con sight, and in 1890 it was aban shohocken. doned, such bodies as could be About the same time young found being removed. people were also accorded the The last instance of the robbery privilege of having societies of of a grave in the county of which their own. A young People's So there is a record occurred one ciety of Christian Endeavor night in 1884, when the corpse founded in Central Presbyterian of a Conshohocken man who had Church, Norristown, in 1886. was killed his daughter and then said to have been the first in committed suicide was removed Pennsylvania By 1888 there were from its grave in the Norristown enough such societies to warrant potter's field. The "body-snatch organizing the Schuylkill Valley ers" were traced and were found Christian Endeavor Union, which to be medical students They es was done on June 12 In the First caped punishment. The law giv Presbyterian Church. Norristown. ing unclaimed corpses to medical nine societies being represented, schools eliminated the incentive and J Craig Crawford being for robbing graves that had prev elected president. Norristown's iously existed first permanent Young Men's Christian Association had its be Women's and Young People's ginning in 1885 There had been Organizations similar associations previously, In Not until the 1890's did women 1858. 1867 and 1878, but each feel free to organize clubs solely endured only a short time. MONTGOMERY COUNTY HISTORY by EDWARD W. HOOKER 241 CHAPTER 34 and comprised 2,000 dwellings, with a population of 1C,000. In the 1920's similar developments The Twentieth Century continued beyond Willow Grove into Horshair township. Snbnrbanizing the Lower Springfield and Whitemarsh End of the County also became noted for their splen Philadelphians began moving did country estates. Edward T. out into Montgomery county in Stotesbury built a great mansion large numbers in the early years in Springfield. Likewise there of the twentieth century, and were pronounced gains in the numerous new communities were population of Lower Merlon, along founded, especially in the neigh the Main line of the Pennsyl borhood of York road. vania Railroad, A pioneer in the Already for some f'ecades in development of the outer reaches the previous century men who had of this district was Moro Phillips, gained wealth in business life In who in the 1860's and 1870's Philadelphia had been establish bought hundreds of acres between ing homes in nearby townships West Conshohocken and Villa- of Montgomery county. Now, nova, laying out this elevated with the development of trolley territory for building sites, though lines and the later general use of his dreams as to the possibilities the motorcar, the same privilege of this region was not realized of living "out in the country" was until long after his death, in also claimed by the family with 1885. a moderate income. With the growth of the "sub- William L. Elkins and Peter A. burbanized" communities, a new B. Widener bough country estates attitude as to municipal govern in Cheltenham township, north ment came about. It "sed to be of York road, in the later years that when a community had sev of the nineteenth century, after eral hundred inhabitants it would they had acquired huge fortunes, apply for a borough charter, and largely through their street car sometimes two or more boroughs operations in Philadelphia, New would be organized in one com York. Baltimore. Pittsburgh and munity, such as the contiguous Chicago. Seeing the possibilities boroughs of East Greenville, that lay in the development of Pennsburg and Red Hill, and those real estate in lower Montgomery of Collegeville and Trappe. In county, these two men bought later times, however, the govern hundreds of acres in Cheltenham ment of first class townships has and Abington townships. They been so improved that communi built the trolley line from Phila ties like Willow Grove, Glenside, delphia through Glenside to Wil Ardmore and Bryn Mawr. which low Grove and inspired the mar are much more populous than velous evolution of suburban many of the older boroughs, pre communities in the two townships fer to remain part of first class named, resulting in the creation townships. The court, too. has of a chain of towns, chief of shown reluctance to grant bor which is Glenside. In 1897 Glen ough Incorporation to small com side consisted of only a few munities. No borough charter has dwellings. Twenty-five vears later been authorized in the county Glenside had absorbed the old since 1916, when Bryn Athyn re villages of Weldoii and Edge Hill ceived this privilege. Judge Knight 242 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY In 1927 refused to incorporate ors were dependent upon the tax Gilbertsville, and two years later payers for their election to office, he rejected a like application they did not find It politic to from Linfield. Besides Bryn urge workers to exert themselves Athyn only two boroughs have beyond their inclinations. Some been created in the present cen times all the men cf a district tury—Schwenksville in 1903 and v^ould turn out together on cer Bed HiU in I90ii. tain days to "work out" their road taxes, when a minimum amount Better Farming Conditions cf real work was accomplished. and Better Roads Even if taxpayers labored to the The building of the trolley lines, best of theii ability, no perma the extension of the telephone, nent improvement resulted. They the genera] use of the motorcar were not skilled roadmakers, and and the introduction of the radio about all they did was to dig were all factors in making farm dirt 'out of the ditches at the life more comfortable by lessening side of the road and heap it in its isolation. The Grange, Farm the middle, only to have it washed ers' Unions and farmers' insti back into the ditches in the course tutes helped to disseminate mod* . of a few weeks. ern agricultural methods. The Efforts were made at different Worcester Farmers' Union had times to abolish the custom of 600 members at the beginning of "working out" road taxes, but the century, who lived in Mont they were resisted. The Legisla gomery, Bucks and Chester coun ture of 1905 took a mild step to ties. The Union built a hall at ward improvement by adopting Center Point and In 1902 organ local option on the subject, ized the first rural telephone townships being authorized to company in the county. One not vote on the question of discon able change on the farms of the tinuing the old system. Town county was the gradual abandon ships that would require payment ment of the dairy. Prom 1880 of road tax in cash were to re until the end of the century ceive an additional road appro creameries flourished in almost priation from the state. At the every farming district. By 1920 next election most townships of nearly all had been discontinued. Montgomery county voted for the Farmers who still kept cows now cash tax. Six townships decided sold their milk to large milk dis to retain the "working out" tributing firms. method. They were Salford, Upper No single factor probably did Hanover, Montgomery, Towamen- so much to make life on the cin, West Pottsgrove and T,ower farms more agreeable as the im Providence. The majority in all provement of the highways. these six townships, however, was Township highways were under small, ranging from 3 to 16. the control of supervisors who Before the nineteenth century had authority to require every came to an end some of the taxpayer to work on the roads wealthier townships of the county a stipulated number of days had begtm road Improvements yearly. If the taxpayer did not without state aid. Among. the care to work himself he could leaders in the good roads move send a substitute or pay a penalty ment were Cheltenham and Lower in cash that, was applied to the Merion. Lower Merlon's good hiring of laborers. Since supervis roads pioneer was A. J. Cassatt, MONTGOMERY COUNTY HISTORY by EDWARD W. HOOKER 243 afterward president of the Penn the pike for sale on October 29. sylvania Railroad Company. Mr. The highest bid received was $100. Cassatt's principal recreation was The city itself could not buy the driving. But the roads were so pike; hence the sale was "stayed." rough that there was littl enjoy The freeing of Germantown ment in a long trip behind his pike cost the county little. The fine horses. So Mr. Cassatl had first steps to bring this about himself elected road supervisor, were taken in the Legislature in and in that office he began a 1865, when the appointment of campaign for road improvement. a jury of condemnation was Eventually he succeeded in hav authorized. The City Councils of ing most of the township's high Philadelphia were not interested ways macadamized. The main in the movement and managed to highway of the township, Lancas delay it for ten years. In 1871 a ter pilse, bothered him for a while. commission presented a report to It was owned by a company, the Philadelphia court freeing the which was reluctant to enter upon pike and granting the company any extensive improvement pro $90,000. Cnder the state Uw gov ject. Finally Mr. Cassatt bought erning the matter the city of enough stock in the company to Philadelphia had to pa.y the entire control it, and then he was able amount for freeing the road, even to have the pike converted into though fifteen miles of it were a fine highway. in Montgomery county and Freeing the Tnmpikes thirteen in the city. City Coxm- cils refused to pay the award. Turnpikes on which toll was The company then sued the city collected to enable the companies and was victorious in court. owning them to pay dividends on More or less popular antagonism their stock constituted an ob existed for generations against stacle to road improvements not toll gates In the 1860'= the Per- only in Lower Merlon but gen kiomen and Reading Turnpike erally in the county. Gradually Company built a toll house and they were freed through legal gate on Perkiomen Bridge Before action. Then since the care of the gate was ready for use the the roads devolved either upon house was burned one night and the townships or the county, it the gate thrown Into th' Per often happened that the roads kiomen. In 1872 the turnpike were neglected. Eventually, under company placed a gate at the the direction of the state high eastern entrance to the same way department, a general sys bridge Citizens appealed to court tem of good roads was introduced, to prevent the collection of tolls to meet the requirements of at the bridge ar the company had motorcar traffic. not built it. though it was re The old Ridge Turnpike Com quired to care for it The case pany experienced frequent fin was taken to the Supreme Court, ancial distress. In 1888 the city which ruled that the charter of of Philadelphia foreclosed a mort the turnpike company specified it gage which it held against the could not maintain a gate within company. The road had been « mile of Perkiomen Bridge. Im freed in the city; hence the fore mediately after the news of the closure proceedings were trans decision reached Collegevllle. on ferred to Montgomery county, and January 31, 1873, residents of the Sheriff Henry C. Kline offered vicinity formed a procession. 244 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY marched to the bridge, unbolted of smaller communities depend the tollgate lifted it upon their ent upon their own efforts for shoulders and then paraded over recreation and amusement the snow-covered roads of the through secret societies or liter region. That night the toll house ary and debating, societies. Now was torn up and tossed into the they could easily travel to the Perkiomen. The Perkiomen and nearest town and view the motion Reading turnpike was freed In pictures. sections, the last part in 1906. The first automobile seen in Litigation continuing from 1907 Norristown passed through the until 1910. involving an appeal town one Sunday in August. 1899, tc the Supreme Court, was neces and of course attracted much sary to free the Chestnut mil and attention. In 1901 twelve auto Springhouse turnpike comprising mobiles were owned in Norris seven and a quarter miles ol the town. The Norristown Automo old Bethlehem pike Damages to bile Club was organized July 31, the extent oi $6t.000 were granted. 1906. In July. 1908. it conducted The next section of the Bethlehem a hill-climbing contest foi motor pike, from Springhouse to Hill- cars on Skippack Hill, oi Ridge town, was freed in 1920. pike, which, it was asserted, was Other Important turnpikes were witnessed by 10,000 persons. fieed as follows: Lancaster pike, One of the earliest motion pic fourteen miles, 1917 $165,000: ture theaters opened in America Philadelphia, Bala and Bryn was that in Willow Grove Park, Mawr turnpike, known as Mont where the Lrst showings were gomery pike 1917. $90..60: Chel given in August. 1896 The first tenham and Willow Grove turn films came from Prance. Per pike and the Hatboro and War- formances were given every forty- minster turnpike, on ifork road. five minutes, and the programs $105,000: Doylestown and '^illow consisted of travel views and short Grove turnpike. 1919, $36,000; funny subjects. The theater was GermantowD and Willow Grove enlarged in 1903 and was in use plank road. 1917 $27,599: Pox every summer until 1927 At that Ctase and Huntingdon Valley time it was said to have been turnpike. 1919. $28,000: Limekiln used longer for motion pictures pike. 1920: Green Lane and than any other house in the Goshenhopper turnpike. 1921. United States. $13,200; Harleysville and Leder- In the early years of the cen achvUle turnpike, 1921. $3,600: tury motion pictures were made Jarrettown and Horsham turn on the former estate of John P. pike 1919. $4,200. Betz, at Betzwood. Tol) bridges over the Schuylkill Libraries Still Popular were also freed beginning with the Norristown bridge in 1884. for Though motion pictures were which, after protracted litigation, said to have le.ssened the reading the county had to pay $112,000. of books, yet the old libraries of Montgomery county continued Antomnbiles and Motion Pictures their activitlef unabated in the The popularity of automobiles twentieth century and new ones and motion pictures had a tre vere founded mendous effect in changinr modes In Norristown, while the old • ol life, both ir town and coun Library Company of 1798 still try. No longer were the people served Its limited number of MONTGOMERY COUNTY HISTORY by EDWARD W. HOOKER 245 members, a aew free library came ronage from Philadelphians who into existance in 1884 through traveled to these parks on trolley a bequest of $14,000 to the Nor- lines. ristown School Board b- William Back in the early years of the McCann. who died Ir 1881 The nineteenth century the mineral library was opened tn the High springs at Willow Grove served to School, but the small income from "ttract summer patronage to the the bequest restricted the possi motels there A great swamp fed bility of meeting the needs of the by numerous springs was drained town. When Andrew Carnegie and a park established, which was giving away millions to build was opened in 1895. Por many libraries, an effort was made to years it was widely famous be obtain his aid in orovldlng a cause of the concerts given there library building foi Norristown. by musical organizations oi the The outcome was an offer of highest standard. Waltei Dam- $50,000 provided the town sup -osch's orchestra played through plied a site and guaranteed R6,000 out the season for some years and a year for maintenance; but the for part of the season later. The necessary financial arrangements band of John Philip Sousa filled could not be made to obtain Mr. summer engagements at the park rarnegie's gift. up to the third decade of the A free library was founded in present century, and at times Conshohocken in 1907. later oc Victor Herbert also directed the cupying a house at Payett( street orchestra at the park. and Third avenue, the gift of the A park project of a different heirs of Lewis A. Lukens. kind had Its Inception In an act C. H. Ludington presented a of the Legislature of 1893 creating library building to. Bryn Mawr a commission "to acquire, main in 1926, In memor^ of his wife. tain and preserve forever the Mrs. Ellwood E. Miller of White- Bevolutionary camp ground at marsh township, who died in Valley Porge. for the free enjoy 1926. left $75,000 to found a pub ment of the people of the state." lic library at Plymouth Meeting. Since then a park of 1500 acres Public libraries were also estab has been established, comprising lished in Ardmore. Bala-Cynwyd. most of the headquarters of the Boyersford. Pottstown, Glenside, generals and the remains of forts Lansdale. North Wales, Willow and entrenchments. Grove. Ambler and Jeffersonvllle. The members of the Park Com mission appjointed in 1893 were: Public Parks Francis M. Brooke, president; Prom the I890's onward, first Frederick D Stone, secretary: as a result of the new trollej car Joel J. Bailey John Oadwalader. systems and then the general use Charles C. Harrison, all of Phila •of the automobiles, outdoor rec delphia: Samuel Hartranft. Port reation in summer became a much Washington: Daniel W. Howard, greater factor in the life of the West Chester: Henry A. Muhlen- people than ever before, and to berg, Reading: I. Heston Todd, meet that need great summer Port Kennedy, and William parks were established in Spring- Wayne, Paoli TTie Legislature of held township, at the Philadelphia 1893 appropriated $35,000 to the city line, and at Willow Grove, commission, with which 220 acres in Moreland township, both de were acquired, mostly through riving a large share of their pat condemnation proceedings in the 246 bulletin of historical society of Montgomery county courts. Theij for some years not Valley Porge." There are also rep mucb progress was made, there licas of a hospital hut and sol being no additional state appro diers' huts, ana on Mount Joy priations. In 1901 efforts were is an observatory whose platform made to have the national gov- is 500 feet above sea level Three enment take o/er the project. But redoubts which the army built eventually the state was more have been restored, together with generous and expansion and de a long line of earthworks. velopment of the park became Washington's headquarters was possible. maintained by the Vallej Porge The Park Commission and sev Centennial and Memorial Associa eral of the thirteen original tion, organized in 1871. until 1906, states, and aisc, Maine, placed when the Park Commission took markers at Valley Porge to indi possession, though there was con cate the camp sites of the differ siderable litigation before the ent brigades, and several other transfer was accomplished The memorials were erected In the commission has sought tc restore park. The first of these was a the house to its original type, fifty-foot shaft, placed in 1901 both inside and outside by the Daughters of the Revolu But the outstanding memorial tion to commemorate the soldiers at Valley Porge is the chapel of the army who died at Valley commemorating Washington, the Forge. This monument is near results of the labors of the Rev. the grave of John Waterman, of W. Herbert Burk. When he was Rhode Island, which was the only rector of All Saints' Episcopal grave of a Revolutionary soldier Church. Norristown. he made an where a markei so Inscribed as address in his Sunday school on to make identification possible Washington's Birthday In 1903, remained from the time of the suggesting there should be a re encampment until the present. ligious memorial to Washington Congress, in 1910, appropriated at Valley Porge at the spot where $100,000 for the erection of a he was supposed to have knelt in great commemorative arch on the prayer. The suggestion met with Valley Forge campground. Paul such popular favor that Dr. Burk Cret being the designer. It was began holding Sunday afternoon dedicated on June 19. 1917. when services in t hall at Port Kennedy Champ Clark speaker of the and raising money with which he United States House of Represen had a small frame building erect tatives. made the principal ad ed for the services, a site midway dress. The state of Pennsylvania, between Valley Porge and Port in 1908, erected an equestrian Kennedy being donated by I. Hes- statue of Genera] Anthony Wayne, ton Todd. It was replaced by a costing $30,000. the work of H. beautiful stone church of perpen K. Bush-Brown. In 1916 the Na dicular Gothic design, in which tional German-American Alliance the first service was held on dedicated a bronze statue of Gen Washington's birthday, 1905, eral von Steuben. by J. Otto though it was then far from com Schweizer. A granite block with pletion. Dr. Burks' plans for the a bronze tablet, the gift of Valley memorial comprehended much Porge Chapter. Daughters of the more than the church. Plrst there American Revolution, of Norris- was the Cloister of the Colonies, town, in 1911 is in "memory of with bays in memory of the sev the unknown soldiers burled at eral original states. Then a mu- MONTGOMERY COUNTY HISTORY by EDWARD W. HOOKER 247 seum and library were added, a impromptu, Knox having asked carillon and a burial ground. In him to speak only just before the church are innumerable me- church time. Knox says the ques norlals. For the museum Dr Burk tion what is to become of Roose in 1907 bought a tent which velt after 1908 is easily answered. Washington carried with him on He should be made a bishop." his campaigns. Many other his Eh-esldent Warren G. Harding, torical treasures were purchased who was at Valley Forge in June, or received as gifts About 1925 1921. also was the guest ol Mr. Di. Burk proposed building a Knox, then one c Pennsylvania's great church nearby to cost $10,- members oi the United States •000,000. Work proceeded no far Senate. With Mrs. Harding and a ther than the laying of the cor staff of secret service men, the nerstone in 1929 In 1928 the President made the trip from Philadelphia annual civic award Washington by automobile, arriv of $10,000. established by Edward ing about noon on Saturday. He Bok, a resident of Lower Merlon played golf on Saturday after township, was bestowed upon Dr. noon, and on Sunday morning he Burk, He died on June 30. 1933. spoke at Dr. Burk's church Dr. Burk conducted the service in the Presidents at Valley Forge church, and then President Hard Three Presidents of the United ing delivered his address from States visited Valley Forge. the outdoor pulpit to about 2,000 President Theodore Roosevelt persons assembled on the grounds. came in June 1904, being the In the afternoon the President guest of his attorney general. and his party were guests of Mr. Philander C. Knox, whose home and Mrs. E. T. Stotesbury at their was at Valley Forge. He came to home in Springfield township. Devon by train on a*^ Saturday They spent the night with Sena afternoon and was taken thence tor Knox and returned to Wash to the Hnox home in an automo ington on Monday. bile. remaining until Monday On President Herbert Hoover came Sunday morning he drove over to Valley Forge on Memorial Day, the campground, and also visited 1932, at the invitation of the Millgrove. the boyhood home of Park Commission, and addressed John James Audubon. on the op a great assemblage from a stand posite side of the Schuylkill. In erected on th'^ campground. The the afternoon President Roose Park Commission was then en velt made an address at Dr. gaged in a controversy with Dr. Burk's service then held in the Burk, and when the President first little frame chapel In his V as taken over the grounds a visit address he dwelt upon the im to the chapel was avoided. portance of Valley Forge and Get The Commission had taken the tysburg in American history. attitude that Dr. Burk's project After President Roosevelt's return was out of place at Valley Forge to Washington. John Hay. secre because It was a denominational tary of state, wrote thus in his enterprise. Dr. Burk was for a diary: time a member of the Commis '"The President returned from sion, but resigned because he dis Valley Forge yesterday, and we agreed with the majority in sev all congratulated him at the cab eral projects. One of these was inet meeting on his sermon on the condemnation of a large num Sunday. It seems it was entirely ber of small dwellings at Port 248 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY Kennedy, the occupants being lution, of Norristown, which or compelled to give up their homes. ganization also placed a tablet at The houses were removed to im Main and Pord streets, Norris prove the approach to the park town, to indicate Swedesford, in from Port Kennedy. the Schuylkill, where the Amer ican army crossed after the Historic Memorials Whitemarsh encampment, on its The matter of preserving at way to Gulph Mills, in December, least part of the campground of 1777. Valley Forge Chapter also the Revolutionary army at White- joined with citizens of German- marsh also claimed attention. In town, in December, 1927. in plac 1917 the Legislature appropriated ing a marker in Schwenksville $50,000 to extend Pairmount Park cemetery, commemorating the along the Wissahickon to White - soldiers who died in that locality marsh. This made possible the from wounds received in the bat acquisition of 166 acres of land. tle of Germantown, the army hav In 1927 there was an additional ing retreated to that place after appropriation of $300,00" for this the battle. work. Most of the land purchased The North Carolina Daughters is on Militia Hill, one of three of the American Revolution, at hills embraced in the camp site the time of the 150th anniversary of November and December, 1777. of the battle of Germantown, in The Sons of the Revolution and October, 1927. dedicated a tablet the Daughters of the American at Sumneytown pike and Forty- Revolution gave attention to the foot road, recalling that General marking of sitet associated with Francis Nash, of North Caro the movement of the American lina, died in that locality from army in the territory that is now wounds received in the battle of Montgomery county from Sep Germantown and was buried In tember, 1777, until the following the grounds of Towamencin Men- June. Among the first such mark nonite Church, near the tablet. ers were those which the Penn In June, 1931, Merlon Chapter. sylvania Sons of the Revolution Daughters of the American Revo placed, in the 1890's, on Bethle lution. brought about the erec hem pike, to indicate the redoubt tion of a large tablet on the of the Whitemarsh encampment, grounds of Lower Merion Baptist below Port Washington, and on Church, Gulph and Roberts road, Gulph road, at Gulph Mills, where north of Bryn Mawr bearing the the army was encamped just prior names of eighty-two men from to going into winter quarters at Lower Merion who served in the Valley Forge, In the present cen Revolution, this being the only tury the same organization plalc- tribute of the kind of any Mont ed a tablet at Washington's gomery county community. Whitemarsh headquarters, near The custom of holding annual Oreland. On the grounds of two historical services in certain old churches used as army hospitals churches served to emphasize the after the battle of Germantown, historical background of various October 4, 1777—St. James' Epis religious movements. The most copal, Evansburg and St. John's widely known of such services is Lutheran, Center Square—boul that at Augustus Lutheran ders bearing bronze tablets were church. Trappe, formerly held the erected by Valley Forge Chapter, first Sunday in August, though Daughters of the American Revo in recent years the last Sunday MONTGOMERY COUNTY HISTORY by EDWARD W. HOOKER 249 in June has been the time. In A notable instance of munici 1860 the congregation decided to pal cooperation in the preserva remove the old church building tion of a historic landmark was of 1743 rather than try to repair the action of the commissioners it. as it had been badly damaged of Cheltenham township in 1932, by a storm. Largely through the in acquiring an old house on York efforts of the Rev. Dr. William road, near Tacony Creek, which A. Muhlenberg, an Episcopal in the nineteen century was long clergsman of New York and a the home of the Hosier family and great-grandson of Henry Mel- where it is believed the first meet chior Muhlenberg, the pioneer ings of the Society of Friends in pastor of the Trappe church, that locality were held as early money was raised to restore the as 1686, when it was the home of old church and insure its preser Richard Wall. Jr., these meetings vation, though regular worship leading up to the establishment was held in a new building. In of Abington Meeting, in 1697. The recent years a Historical Society house was made the quarters of has been organized in connec the commissioners and other tion with the church, under the township officials. leadership of the pastor, the Rev. Next to Valley Forge the Mont Dr. W. O. P^gely, and this society gomery county site that attracted has stimulated interest in the his most visitors from a distance in tory of the congregation, planting recent times is the Swedenbor- trees in memory of distinguished gian Cathedral at Bryn Athyn. persons of the congregation and The town was founded in the also erecting a bronze tablet as 1890's by a group of Sweden- a tribute to General Peter Muh borgians, under the leadership of lenberg. John Pitcairn, a Pittsburgh manufacturer, the purpose being Other ancient churches In to develop the place as a com which an annual service is held munity of homes for people actu are the Salford Schwenkfeledr ated by like motives. Business Church, near Mainland, and and industry have not been per Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, mitted to intrude themselves. In on Morris road, near Ambler, the latter built in 1834, while mem 1916 borough government was es bers of the Society of Friends tablished. With the removal of the New Church Academy from assembled twice a year for a Philadelphia to Bryn Athyn, in meeting in Providence Meeting 1898. the place became the center House, near Yerkes. erected in 1828 upon the site ol the first of activities of the stricter of the meeting house, built in 1732. two American branches of Swe- denborgianism. The building of Norristown celebrated the cen a beautiful Gothic cathedral was tennial of its corporation as a begun in 1913. substantial assist borough throughout the week be ance coming from the Pitcaim ginning Sunday, May 5. 1912, the family. program comprising a succession Family Reunions of parades anc* meetings. Of spe cial significance was a display of Beginning In the 1890's and historical pageantry in a proces continuing through the first three sion on May 10, imder the super decades of the present century, vision of the Rev. Dr. Theodore family reunions to some degree Heysham. attained the element of popular 250 bulletin of HISTOKICAL society op MONTGOMERY COUNTY appeal in Pennsylvania German The Schwenks, who met an districts that had once charac nually in the Perkiomen region, terized picnics. In certain in the town of Schwenksville having stances these reunions resulted in been named for one if their num the publishing of family histories ber, published a family history and the erection of memorials to and raised a fxmd to assure main ancestors. tenance of the Schwenk family The Hallman family established burial ground, in Lower Frederick a park of its own at Skippack, township. comprising part of the farm which The Spare family published its their ancestor, Anthony Hallman, history in 1931. They are descend bought, about 1740. ed from Leonard Spare, who made The Price Family Association, his home in Worcester township in 1925, became the owner of about 1722. a farm of 112 acres, near Vern- In the cemetery of New Han field. in Lower Salford town over Lutheran church is a monu ship, where Jacob Price, the first ment which the Renningers erect of the family in America, made ed in 1923 for the early members his home in 1720. On this farm of their family is the family burial ground of The Haupt family, in 1932, the Prices. The property was leas dedicated a monument on the ed to a tenant, the family hav grounds of Upper Dublin Luther ing the privilege of holding its an church, commemorating an meetings there. cestors who settled in that local Not far from the Price home ity in the eighteenth century. stead, in Lower Salford, is Kline's County Controller Would Meeting House, which became the Take No Pay property of the Harley Family Association, in 1923. The ground One of the most remarkable whereon the little house of wor public officials in the history of ship stands was once owned by Montgomery county was its first Rudolph Harley. and he gave it controller. Dr John N. Jacobs, of to the Church of the Brethren. Lansdale. He refused to accept a The meeting house having been salary of $16,000 to which he was Infrequently used for services, the entitled. church authorities agreed to As the first controller of the transfer it to the Harley Asso county, he assumed office in 1911. ciation, which holds its reunions He had gained high regard as a there. financier because of his success in The Bergeys, who trace their rehabilitating distressed banks. ancestry to John Ulrich Berge, a As president of the Borough Lower Salford pioneer of 1726, Council of Lansdale, he was alert for many years attracted great ii keep the town clean, seeing to throngs to their annual reunions, it himself that ordinances were held in largp picnic parks of enforced forbi'Cdlng the throwing southeastern Pennsylvania. The of refuse into the streets, the family history, a book of 1150 distribution of circulars and the pages, complied by Dr. David H. posting of bills. He held the office Bergey. was published, and a of controller for nearly five years, granite monument was placed at and never accepted the salary the graves of John Ulrich Berge due him. Besides that, he paid and his wife, at the Lower Sal his personal expenses when en ford Mennonite church. gaged in county work. Moreover MONTGOMERY COUNTY HISTORY by EDWARD W. HOOKER 251 he gave conscientious daily at In June 9 it was announced tention to the duties ot his office, that Norristown's unit of the thus saving many a dollar for National Guard. Company F, the county. For a long time the Sixth Regiment, Captain William county officials did not know T. Earl, had been recruited to full what to do with the salary money, war strength of 150 privates and and it was retained (n a special non-commissioned officers. A fund. Shortly before Dr. Jacobs' farewell meeting for Norristown's death, in 1924. he again refused soldiers going into the service was to take the money, and to dispose held in the Opera House on Sun of the problem his disavowal of day morning. July 29, Judge any claim, either for himself or Aaron S Swartz making the prin his heirs, was formally placed cipal address. Company P did not upon the records of the county leave until Septembei 10, Its des commissioners. The money then tination being Camp Hancock, reverted to the county treasury- Georgia, where the Pennsylvania National Guard underwent train World War Period ing during the winter before As it became evident, in April, going to Prance 1917, that the United States Meanwhile the draft was under would become involved In the way, and as the men selected World War. detachments of the were sent to Camp Meade or other National Guard of Pennsylvania camps, theii Lome communities were ordered on duty to guard accorded them demonstrative transportation lines. However, the farewells There were six draft Montgomery county contingents districts in the county Norris of the Guard were not so sum town constituted a district. The moned, but instead Company H, others were; No. 1. Lower Mer- First Regiment, of Philadelphia, ion; No. 2, headquarters at Wil was stationed in Phoenixville. and low Grove; No. 3, Bridgeport; No. part of the company went Into 4. Lansdale; No. 5. Pottstown. camp on Barbadoes Island, in the Difficulties were encountered in Schuylkill at Norristown its men regions where a large part of being placed on guard at railroad the population consisted of Men- bridges and railroad stations. nonites and members of the Congress declared war on April Church of the Brethren, as these 6, and at once numerous enlist denominations repudiated a resort ment stations were opened for to arms. The question was con the regular army, the Marine sidered on September 3. 1917, at Corps, the National Guard and a meeting of Pranconia Confer other agencies of the service. ence, comprising the conservative Norristown's lawyers and bank wing of the Mennonite Church In ers began drilling at Plymouth Southeastern Pennsylvania. It Country Club; Companies of home was reported that 350 members guards were organized. Then fol of the conference had been called lowed the enrollment of men for service up to that time. The under the draft laws, the bond conference directed that members campaigns, enthusiastic farewell so drawn should go to the mo demonstrations for departing bilization camps, but there they soldiers, flag presentations in should decline to wear the uni churches, community "sings," and form or perform any work relat sharp increase in the cost of ing to military duty, it being ex living. pected that when they took this 252 bulletin of histokical society of Montgomery county attitude they would be confined Harrisburg to interview Dr. in detention camps. Nathan C. Schaeffer, state super Many .voung Mennonites ob intendent of public Instruction, tained exemption from draft to try to have their children ex boards. Some Mennonites went to empted from the salute Dr. the camps and endeavored to Schaeffer told them the salute comply with the instructions of was not a war measure and their the conference On September 18, children must obey the teacher 1917. two young men who had in the school routine, just arrived at Camp Meade from The first death of a Montgom the Lansdalel draft district refus ery county man in the military ed to obey the order of a lieuten service was that of Benjamin P. ant to don the khaki uniform. Lawson, a member of Company When the lieutenant understood F, Norrlstown, who died at Camp their reasons he referred the Hancock, Georgia, on December question to the colonel of the 10. 1917. The first death in action regiment. He decided that all was that of Michael Duda, a Mennonite recruits must wear drafted man from West Consho- uniforms, though they should not hocken, news of the casualty ar be compelled to carry a rifle but riving on February 28. 1918. The were to be employed in non-com first Norristown man killed in batant activities, The two ob battle was Harry Horricks, of the jectors were then forcibly dressed former First Regiment of the in khaki. Other Mennonites in National Guard, who fell In the camp, numbering about a Prance on March 21, 1918. From score, all from Montgomery or that time until the end of the Bucks counties, now accepter" the war almost every report of cas uniforms. The matter was immed ualties in the battles In France iately appealed to the War De included Montgomery county partment, and the following day, names. upon instructions from Secretary The coal shortage, with its of War Baker, the colonel's or heatless days, was a source of ders about the uniforms were perplexity and discomfort in the countermanded. Later another winter of 1917-1918, Harry B. Mennonite in Camp Meade who Tyson, of Norristown, served as refused to wear the uniform was fuel administrator for the county. tried by military couri and sen As the food shortage developed tenced to twenty-five years im and prices mounted, Henry K. prisonment, but a review board Beyer, of Evansburg, former rescinded the sentence, announc speaker of the Pennsylvania ing it was the "policy of the War House of Representatives, was ap Department that no selected Men pointed the county's food admin nonite should be forced under istrator. In May, 1918, in the military orders to wear the uni endeavor to regulate prices, the form of the army." but they Rev. H, W. Bright, pastor of the should be assigned to non-com Reformed Church of the Ascen batant activities. sion, Norristown, was appointed The custom of saluting the flag chairman of the fair price publi was introduced in public schools cation board of the county. as the war enthusiasm progressed. In April, 1918, the Norristown This was objectionable to Men School Board directed that the nonites of the Pranconla Confer teaching of the German language ence. They sent a delegation to be discontinued in the High MONTGOMERY COUNTY HISTORY by EDWARD W. HOOKER 253 School. About the same time some took place outdoors on May 23, Pennsylvania German churches 1904, President Judge Aaron S. of the upper end of the county Swartz presiding. There were ad which had been having German dresses by J. P. Hale Jenkins, services every Sunday decided to solicitor of the county commis hold them less frequently, gen sioners; Judge William N. Ash erally being satisfied with, one man, of the Philadelphia Orph German service monthly. ans' Court, and Governor Samuel The Influenza epidemic ap W. Pennypacker. peared in September. 1918, and Further enlargement of the continued with great virulence court house becoming necessary, through October. Charity Hospi the county commissioners bought tal. Nonistown, soon found its property on Penn street, and a resources overtaxed, and an emer large annex was built. Charles gency hospital was opened in Johnson laying the cornerstone City Hall. Sessions of schools, on April 11. 1929. The recon church services and all other pub structed court house was dedi lic meetings were discontinued, cated on February 8, 1930, Presi and even bai rooms were closed. dent Judge J. Amblei Williams Up to the beginning of November, presiding. Judge Harold Q. Knight 203 deaths from influenza were delivered the principal address, reported in Norristown, in addi and there were also addresses by tion to 111 in the State Hospital William P. Dannehower. Sr., in that town. president of the Bar Association; Following the false report of J. Aubrey Anderson, former dis the armistice, on November 7, trict attorney, and Samuel H. Norristown and most other towns High, a member of the bar in the county bad a holiday with The president judges from the extemporaneous parades. On No time of the building of the court vember 11, when news came of house in the 1850's during the the actual armsistice. there were period that the judicial district more demonstrations of joy. and consisted of Montgomery and on the ensuing Thanksgiving Day Bucks counties were: DanleJ M. Norristown had a great parade Smyser, 185) 1861: Henry Chap in celebration of the end of the man. 1861-1871; Henry P Ross, war. appointed additional 'aw judge in 1869 anr elected president Court House Rebuilt judge in 1871 .serving until his and Enlarged death, in 1882 In 1874 Montgom The court house of the I850's ery county was constituted a judi served the county until the be cial district, with one judge Upon ginning of the twentieth century, the death ol Judge Ross. Gover when the building was enlarged nor Ho.vt appointed Charle. pany purchased the assets and of Hatfield, Pennsylvania was assumed the liabilities of the First chartered December '0. 1926 under National Bank of Norristown the name of The Hatfleld National which had been whartered on Bank, the name having been February 23, 1864. On March 17, changed to The Penn Valley 1952 the North Wales National National Bank of Hatfield. Penn Bank of North Wales, Pennsyl sylvania on May 2, 1955. vania. which had been chartered The Lansdale Office of The on June 3. 1864, was merged with Penn Valley National Bank of Montgomery Trust Company. Hatfield was opened on December On October 30. 1953 the Norrls- 10, 1955. town-Penn Trust Company was On October 17. 1958 The Na- merged with Montgomery Trust ti nal Bank of Pottstown was Company and the name was merged with the Montgomery changed to Montgomery Norris County Bank and Trust Company. town Bank and Trust Company. The National Bank of Pottstown The Norristown-Penn Trust Com had been formed by a merger pany had been formed by a mer effective March 1, 1952 of The ger effective January 17, 1924 of National Bank of Pottstown, the Norristown Trust Company, which was chartered December 6. which was chartered August 21, 1864, and The National Iron Bank, 1888, under the name of The Nor Pottstown, Pennsylvania, which ristown Title, Trust and Safe De was chartered April 29, 1886. posit Company, the name having The National Bank of Potts been changed to the Norristown town succeeded the Bank of Potts TTust Company on May 31, 1901. town which was a State Bank and the Penn Trust Company, chartered on August 27, 1857. which was chartered September The East End Office and the 3, 1889, under the name of The Stowe Office of The National Albertson Trust and Safe Deposit Bank of Pottstown were opened Company, the name having been on June 22, 1953. changed to the Penn Trust Com The Drive-In Facility at Main pany on Aug'ist 8, 1904. The Al- and Mill Streets of the Montgom .bertson Title and Safe Deposit ery County Bank and Trust Com Company absorbed the private pany was opened on June 22,1959. bank of J. M. Albertson which An Important banking merger was established in 1857 in the countyseat was the ab The Penn Trust Company sorption in 1925, of the First opened an office In the West End National Bank by the Montgom of Norristown in the early 1900's. ery National Bank, the county's The Logan Square Office of the oldest bank, chartered in 1814. Montgomery Norristown Bank The stability of the Norristown and Trust Company was opened banks, includiiig those named and on May 9. 1955 the People's National Bank, char On May 17.1957 The Penn Val tered in 1881. was proven during ley National Bank of Hatfleld, the period of financial calamities Pennsylvania was merged with of 1931-3, when all of them con the Montgomery Norristown Bank tinued their service as usual. and Trust Company and the name Elsewhere in the county nine was changed to Montgomery banking institutions were forced < ounty Bank and Trust Company. to discontinue business at this The Penn Valley National Bank time—two in Glenside, two in 256 bulletin of historical society of Montgomery county Ardmore and one each in Willow Many new features were made Grove, Green Lane, Ambler, Coa- part of public school activities. shohocken and Royersford. Prominent among these was or ganized athletics, involving com In the automobile age interest petitive games with other schools waned in many of the older secret in baseball, football and basket societies. Yet when the Ku Klux ball. Business training was also Klan was introduced into the undertaken in public schools to county, about 1923, members such an extent that privately con flocked to its standard in large ducted business schools were dis numbers. A country club for the continued In rural districts most order was established near Center townships built one or two cen Point, Worcester township, where tral schools and closed the small meetings of the "State Konklave" one-room school houses of the were held and other ceremonies nineteenth century .transporting that attracted thousands from students from their home.'- to the near and far. The burning of central schools in busses. crosses at night in different parts of the county emphasized the mystery and weirdness of the Just as schools were consolidat movement. In April, 1924. twenty ed, so consolidation was the order state policemen halted such a of the day in other walks of life. ceremony on a farm near Potts- Chain stores came into existence. town. and a little later the same The early gas and electric com panies were merged into systems year a Lower Merlon policemen covering a wide extent of terri was shot and killed at a similar demonstration at Haverford. tory. Among newspapers the trend was also toward consolidation. Another great change wrought One of the most important steps In the twentieth century — and of this kind followed Ralph Beaver also unwrought—was the discon Etrassburger's purchase of the tinuance of the licensed liquor Norristown Herald, in 1921, and business by the enactment of pro the Norristown Times, two years hibition. Many oldtime rural tav later, the two papers being com erns remained open, looking for bined as the Norristown Times patronage to the Increasing Herald. motorcar traffic. As the airplane became of prac In one respect, however, In this tical use, Harold P. Pitcaim, of era of new Ideas Montgomery Bryn Athyn. gained wide recog county's government remained nition as an aeronaut. He estab steadfastly old-fashioned by lished Pitcairn Field, at Willow maintaining a pay-as-you-go Grove, in 1924, manufactured air policy. Though great public im planes and operated an air mail provements were made, the costs service between New York and were defrayed from the regular Atlanta, later adding other routes. income of the county, without These rights he sold in 1P29. Be resorting to the populai expedient ginning in 1928 he sought to add of Issuing bonds and paying in to the safety of flying by the de terest thereon for many years. velopment of the Autogiro. For Thus In a day of huge govern his contributions to aviation Mr. mental debts the county closes its Pitcairn in 1931 received the Col first 175 years virtually free of lier trophy. debt. of ""fib, HARRISBURG, PA. OFnCC OF THE CHIEF CLERK Today, September 10, 19S9. marks the 175th Anniversary of the founding of Montgomery County. The scenic area now known as Montgomery County played an important role in the founding of our young and struggling colonies. It is there that such historic sites as Valley Forge Park and Fort Washington Park attest to and recall to our minds the great sacri fices that were made by our forefathers in establishing our freedom and democratic way. of life. Throughout the years, Montgomery County has prospered and p.layed an important role in the history of our Commonwealth. Several governors and numerous outstanding legislators in both State and Federal'Government have been residents of Montgomery County; therefore be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby extends to Montgomery County its hearty congratulations on the 175th Anniversary of its founding. We certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the resolution introduced in the House of Representatives by the Honorable Messrs. Thomas H. W. Jones, Floyd K. Brenninger, Morton H. Fetterolf, Mrs. Evelyn Glazier Henzel, Messrs. Robert P. Johnson and Herman B. Willaredt and adopted by the House of Representatives the 10th day of September, 1959. Speaker House of Representatives Resolution of the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania extended to Montgomery County on the 175th Anniversary of its founding, September 10, 1959. MONTGOMERY COUNTY HISTORY by EDWARD W. HOOKER 257 CHAPTER 35 Court House buildings. It was an nounced in Dec., 1952, that a ten- The County's story annex to the Court House would be erected according to Seventh Quarter Century plans resembling certain famous New York buildings and the Com Court House Area missioners chose George K. Trout- Is Enlarged wein and E. Lane Crawford as the architects. Montgomery County's marble Court House of the 18500's served Some additional land being still satisfactorily until the present needed, it was arranged to buy century. In 1904 and again in 1929 2,054 square feet at the rear of there was enlargement and re the Airy Street postoffice site, and construction. In anticipation of Congress passed an act authoriz coming needs, the County com ing such a transfer from the 0. S. missioners had bought a lot ad Government to Montgomery jacent to the Court House, ex County. A small tract needed to tending 102 feet along Airy Street regularize the boundaries was to the Reformed Church of the purchased from the Reformed Ascension. This site was utilized Church of the Ascension. for the Court House enlargement But in January. 1954, the pub of 1929. lic was surprised to learn that The County Commissioners al the County Commissioners had so bought the Preston house, on abandoned the plans for a ten- Penn Street East of the Court story structure — in fact, all plans House, and for a time it was oc for an addition to the Court cupied by the office of the County House North of Penn Street. The Superintendent, of Schools and Commissioners who had conduct other county agencies. The bouse ed the negotiations throughout afterwards was demolished and were Frederick C. Peters, Poster 0. the space used for the 1929 pro Hillegass and Raymond K. ject. Mensch. The next enlargement of the It developed in the ensuing July Court House area consisted in the that the Commissioners had com county's acquisition of the Mont pleted arrangements for the pur gomery Hose Company's build chase of buildings extending from ing, on Penn Street, in 1936. It Penn down to Main Street, below had been built in 1870. On vacat the Public Square, the property of ing these quarters on Penn Street the Montgomery Norristown the Montgomery Hose Company Bank and Trust Company, to moved into a newly built house gether with the former building of at Pine and Preedley Streets, in the Historical Society of Mont the Northern part of the borough. gomery County. The latter had The former fire house was used been sold to the Bank for $45,- for various county purposes until 000, with the proviso that the 1955. when it was demolished to bank transfer it to the county for provide parking space. this sum. The total payment for The County Commissioners the property acquired was an gave much study in the early nounced as $665,000. This trans 1950's as to the best way to action, it was explained, would utilize the space that had become save the county at least two and a available East of the existing half million dollars, as compared 258 BULLETIN OF HISTOEICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY with the abandoned plans, since Corson, of Plymouth Meeting, to no construction of buildings was the position. He resigned from the involved. bench In 1957 for reasons of The bank building had long been health. occupied by the Montgomery Judge Dannehower was elected Trust Company; which had been judge in 1933 as the nominee of merged with the Norristown-Penn the Democratic Party, defeating Trust Company. The merged in- Judge J. Ambler Williams, the in stituitons. with the name of cumbent. whom the Republicans Montgomery Norristown Bank and had. nominated. Judge Dannehow Trust Company, now occupying er succeeded Judge Knight as the banking house at the North president judge. Judgr Williams west comer of Main and Swede died at bis home in Norristown in Streets. 1951. at the age of 70. The Historical Society vacated A fourth Common Pleas judge its building, once the Norristown was authorized for the county by Borough Hall, moving into a new a law of 1949. and Gov. Duff ap building on DeKalb Street, near pointed E. Arnold Forrest, then Roberts, in the North end of the a resident of Conshohocken but town, the change taking place later removing to Lower Merion in 1954. Township. He was serving as Dis The county's newly acquired trict Attorney when appointed buildings were gradually made Judge and previously be had been serviceable for the work of vari a member of the State Assembly ous county agencies. The former for two years. He served over Historical Society quarters were seas with the Army In the First named the General Winfield S. World War. Hancock Building in honor of a Vacancies on the bench having noted Civil War soldier who was been created by the decisions of a native of Montgomery County. Judge Corson to retire from the At a session of court held Mon bench and Judge Knight not to day, Sept. 10, 1934. to mark the seek re-election. Two new judges 150th anniversary of the organi were named in the Fall of 1957. zation of the county, the judges Attorney Morris Gerber. of West on the bench were Harold G. Norriton, a Democrat, was ap Knight, president judge; George pointed by Governor Leader in C. Corson and William P. Danne- September, 1957. to succeed Judge hower, of the Court of Common Corson. David E. Groshens. of Pleas, and Judge J. Burnett Hol Abington, was elected to a 10 year land, of the Orphans' Court. term in November, 1957. as Judge Gov. Pinchot had appointed Elnigbt's successor. Judge Knight to the bench in 1926 Judge Groshens had formerly when a vacancy was created by been an Assistant District Attor the death of Judge John Paber ney. At the time of his election Miller. Judge Knight was retain as Judge he was President of the ed in office through subsequent Historical Society of Montgom elections until 1957. He then an ery County. He was the Republi nounced early in the year that he can nominee for Judge at the elec would not be a candidate for an tion. his Democratic opponent be other term. ing Thomas E. Waters. A law of 1929 gave Montgomery Judge Gerber in 1935 bad been County an additional judge, and appointed by Gov. George H. Gov. Fisher appointed George C. Earle as a Deputy Attorney Gen- MONTGOMERY COUNTY HISTORY by EDWARD W. HOOKER 259 eral assigned to Montgomery of its own, buying from the Nor County. ristown School Board for $7,500 J. Burnett Holland. President the four-room cherry Street Pub Judge of the Orphans' Court since lic School building, at Cherry and 1927. whose home was in Upper Airy Streets, the use of which for Merlon Township, died in 1954 at school purposes had been dis the age of 67. He was a veteran continued. of the First World War. His fath About the same time the Bar er was James B. Holland, of Coo- Association also bought the Mont shohocken. Republican leader In gomery County Law Reporter, the county in the 19th century which had been privately publish and later a District Judge of the ed. The price was announced as Federal Court. $15,000. "rhe Association continu To fill the vacancy caused by ed publication of the Reporter, Judge Holland's death, Gov. Fine which carries all legal advertising appointed Alfred L. TrkIs to the authorized by the courts. position, and at the following Further acquisition by County election he was chosen for the Commissioners of a site to give full term, though he failed to get additional space for county acti the approval of the Republican vities was the purchase in 1956 Party notwithstanding he was of a three-story structure former registered as a Republican. The ly used by the Philadelphia Elec party's nomination went to Fred tric Company, with adjacent erick B. Smillie, former District land, bounded by Markley. Bar- Attorney. However, the Demo badoes. Penn and Ann Streets. It cratic Party accepted Taxis as its was to serve for offices, storage nominee and he won at the elec and parking. tion. A notable innovation in vot Innovations in Legal Matters ing methods in the county was brought about at the November Unusual circumstances led to election in 1957, when the the appointment of Abram D. question of using voting machines Hallman of Norristown. to the of in the polls was submitted to the fice of Prothonotary by the Gov Judgment of the voters. The ernor in July, 1950, At the pre change was adopted by a major ceding election Warren M. Cor ity of more than 21,000. There nell. of Hatboro, Republican, had were then 226 voting precincts in been elected, but he died three the county, and the cost of the months after bis term began. new machines was estimated at Hallman. long a Deputy in this $750,000. This involved no in office, was thereupon named by crease in the county's debt. By the the Governor to be Prothonotary use of macUnes the count of the until after the ensuing election, ballots on election day was great when a Prothonotary was to be ly expedited. Under the old pro elected. Hallman began work in cess officials at polling places the Prothonotary's office in 1894, sometimes had to remain on duty and he was elected for two three- until the next day If a close con year terms. 1904-1910. He remain test occurred. ed a Deputy afterward, except New Methods Introduced from 1910 to 1916. Most of the In Politica] Campaigns time he was First Deputy. The Montgomery Bar Assocl- "Whistle stop" campaigning atiOD in 1938 acquired a building methods in politics of the past 2g0 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY were replaced with the growing was the Democratic nominee to prevalence of the automobile. succeed him. However. President Harry S. The" train left Philadelphia at Truman indulged in two "whitle 7:15 A. M., with many Democrat stop" tours penetrating into ic workers on board. This time his Montgomery County. daughter, Margaret, accompanied Mr, Truman, and he introduced The first time was in 1948. her when he made his brief plat when he was the Democratic no form speech. minee to succeed himself in the The estimate of the number in Presidency, after having, in his the waiting crowd at the Bridge capacity as Vice President be port station was only 2500. Again come the chief executive on the the labor unions were largely re death of President Franklin D. presented. Again a bolt of cloth Roosevelt, He traveled on a special was presented to Mr. Truman, and train of 15 cars, on Oct. 7. leav his daughter received silk for a ing Philadelphia on the Read dress. ing Railroad for a tour through Judge Guy K. Bard, nominee for Pennsylvania. The first stop was U, S. Senator, introduced Mr. Tru at Bridgeport. man. His speech consisted of an When the train reached the excoriation of the Republican station in that borough at 9.37 platform. He did not mention the A. M., a throng estimated at 10.- Republican nominee. Gen, Eisen 000 filled the wide-open space hower, around the station. Opening of Among those whom Judge Bard schools had been postponed until presented was a man named 10.30. Next in numbers to school George M. Leader. The name then children a great segment of those meant virtually nothing to the present consisted of members of listeners. However, he was the labor unions, carrying banners Democratic candidate for State praising the Democratic Party. Auditor General. He was defeated Many prominent Democrats had that year, but two years later he boarded the train in Philadelphia was elected Governor. and met Mr. Truman on the trip. Leaving Bridgeport, the train Raymond K. Mensch. party was not to stop again until it leader in the county, introduced reached Pottsville. Pottstown was Mr. Truman, who spoke from the not honored, probably because platform of a car. He gave the Stevenson, the Presidential no sort of talk that became charac minee. was to make a whistle stop teristic of him — denunciatory of there a week later. everything Republican and The Stevenson train, when It laudatory of everything Demo came on Oct. 30. remained in cratic. He introduced Mrs. Tru Pottstown for 10 minutes. It was man and also various candidates. again an early morning stop. 8.45. A bolt of cloth made in a Nor- In his talk Mr. Stevenson dwelt ristown mill was presented to the mainly on the benefits of labor President, with instructions to unions. Several shirts made in have it made into an inauguration Pottstown were received by Mr. suit. Stevenson. Pour years later, on Oct. 22, Mr. Methods of political canvassing Truman made another whistle and celebrating changed. And one stop in Bridgeport. He still was after another long-time party President, though Adlai Stevenson leaders passed from the scene. MONTGOMERY COUNTY HISTORY by EDWARD W. HOCKER 261 Henry K. Boyer, most of his life ation of county indebtedness. In a resident of Bvansburg, died succession he had been tax col Feb. 17. 1939. a few days before lector of Norriton Township, mer his 84th birthday anniversary. He cantile appraiser or the county. was prominent in the days when Sheriff of the county. Clerk of Matthew S. Quay and Boies Pen- the House of Representatives in rose were State leaders of the Re Harrisburg. which position he publican Party. He served for sev held for 11 years, Insurance corn- eral terms as Speaker of the missioner of Pennsylvania. De State House of Representatives puty Auditor General of the State and then was elected State Treas and Pennsylvania's first Secretary urer. while from 1898 to 1902 he of Revenue. He also was secre was Superintendent of the U. S. tary and later treasurer of the Re Mint, in Philadelphia. In 1924 he publican State Committee, Prom sold his farm at Evansburg and 1920 until his death he was presi made his home in Red Hill, where dent of the People's National he died. The public school in Bank of Norristown. Evansburg was named for him, it When Gov. Edward Martin re having been erected on land which signed his office 20 days before he gave to the school district. expiration of his term, in 1947, Two men who had been effect in order to become U. S. Senator ive leaders in the Democratic and without delay when his term be the Republican Parties both died gan, the Lieutenant Governor, early in 1937 — Charles D. Mc- John C. Bell, Jr.. a resident of Avoy and Charles Johnson. Lower Merion Township, was ele McAvoy was made Democratic vated to Ihe Governorship for the County Chairman in 1903. serving 20-day period. In 1950. Gov. Duff imtil 1907. He was assistant Dis appointed Bell to the State Su trict Attorney and conducted some preme Court to fill a vacancy due Important criminal trials. The to the death of Justice Marion B. Democrats nominated him for Patterson. At the ensuing elec District Attorney in 1911. tion Bell was elected to a full He was defeated by 265 votes. term in the Supreme Court. President Woodrow Wilson in 1920 Lloyd H. Wood, of Evansburg, named McAvoy as U. S. District was elected to the State Senate Attorney for the Eastern District on the Republican ticket and in of Pennsylvania. He was continu 1950 was elected Lieutenant Gov ed in this office by President P. ernor. In 1954 he was chosen as D. Roosevelt in 1933 His death, at the paity's nominee for Gover the age of 59. occurred at Miami nor. but his Democratic opponent, Beach, Pla., Feb. 28. 1937. he hav George M. Leader, was elected. ing gone there for a Winter vac The House of Representatives in ation. 1957 made Wood Chief Clerk of Charles Johnson, whose home that body. was on Germantown Pike. Ply County Gets a Flag mouth Township, died April 10, and Mural Decorations 1937. at the age of 83. He had been recognized as the Republi The principal observance of the can Party's county leader for 30 150th anniversary of the founding years and was understood to have of Montgomery County took place inaugurated the pay-as-you-go Monday, Sept. 10, 1934, when a policy in the conduct of county feature was the flying for the first finances, bringing about elimin time of a county flag. 262 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY In the morning the Pottstown Revolutionary War activities in Band gave a concert on the Court the county area are shown In House plaza and there was a brief Room C—the Wintei Camp at session of court with all judges Valley Forge and an iron' furnace present. making equipment for the army. At noon the new county flag, The marble Court House erected approved by the County Commis in the I850's is the sub.iect of sioners was raised on the grounds. murals in Court Room D. The flag in the center shows an In the Orphans Court Room enlargement of the county seal. the scenes show activities along The county colors are maroon and the Schuylkill before the canal Quaker gray. A statement Issued and the railroads were built. by the County Commissioners The Coonty's Partloipatioo reads: "Montgomery is the only in the Second World War county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania which has its own Among the. casualties Inciden flag authorized by an act of the tal to the Japanese attack on State Legislature." Pearl Harboi in the Hawaiian Ceremonies of the 150th anni Islands, Dec., 1941. which started versary continued in the after the Second World War. were two noon with a public meeting in the from Montgomery County Ed Norris Theater. Judge Knight pre ward Poole. of Lansdale. serving siding. There were addresses by in the Navy, was killed and tech Theodore Lane Bean, of Norrls- nical Sergeant Gerald Heffelfin- town; the Rev. Nelson P. Schmidt, ger was wounded. The letter's of Schwenksville; Burgess James older brothei, George, had been W. Potter, of Norrlstown, and Wil killed In the First World War. liam D. Ridgway, President of In Jan., 1942, 16 men of the the County Commissioners. The Pennsylvania Defense Reserve Rev. James M. Niblo, of St. Johns' Corps were stationed at DeKalb , Ci'urch, Norrlstown. offered the Street Bridge. Norrlstown. to invocation, and' the Rev. Joseph guard the structure against pos I. Schade, of St. Stanislaus Ro sible attempts at destruction. The man Catholic Church, Lansdale. Defense Corp.® was organized to pronounced the benediction. take the place of the National Guard when it was taken in^o the Mural decorations for the court Federal Service. Local police soon rooms, based on the county's replaced the Corps. history, were authorized by the Norrlstown gave a farewell County Commissioners in the banquet to the town's members 1940's. they being the work of of National Guard units—Co. C, George M. Harding, of Wynne- 111th Infantry, and Troop D, wood. 104th Cavalry. Norristown's In Court Room A the pictures, Chamber of Commerce made the imveiled Oct. 23. 1950. represent arrangements, and Major Joseph the first-session of court held In Knox Fomance was chairman of the barn of the Barley Sheaf the committee In charge, serving Tavern, on Germantown Pike. as toastmaster. The festivities In Court Room B the scenes took place in City Hall. There was depict Christopher Dock, school an address by Judge George C. teacher of colonial times; David Corson, a veteran of the First Rittenhouse, scientist, and John World War. this being followed by James Audubon. naturalist. a vaude^dlle show. MONTGOMERY COUNTY HISTORY by EDWARD W. HOOKER 263 In Conshohocken the town was The Valley Forge Military Hos decorated with flags and whistles pital was established in 1943 on were blown when Battery C, 166th a tract of 180 acres in Chester Field Artillery paraded to the County, Southwest of Phoenix- railroad station to leave for a ville, and patients were sent there military camp on Jan. 20. from army camps. On 600 acres of farmland in Subsequently as young men Horsham Township the Willow were drafted for military service Grove Naval Air Station was they usually left in groups with opened, especially to train pilots. little or nothing in thf form of It was dedicated to the memory farewell demonstrations. Ten of Congressman J. William Ditter. draft boards were appointed for of Ambler, who had been killed the county. ir an airplane accident. In May a company of the The Congressional Medal of Pemisylvania Reserve Defense Honor was awarded to Private- Corps was stationed at the Stew first-class Alton M. Knappenber- art Armory, in Elmwood Park, Ter. of Spring Mount, for his ex and in July a company of Mili ploit in killing 60 of the foe at tary Police was temporarily at Anzio, in the Italian campaign, the Armory on Belvoir Avenue. and he also received the War Members of the Federal Bureau Cross for vilor. of Investigation, accompanied by The Loca' Selective Draft local police and detectives, search Board for the North Penn regions ed homes of natives of countries leported many difficulties due to that were now toes of the O. S. the attitude of conscientious ob and seized cameras, radios and jectors, mostly member of the anything else believed to be use Mennonite faith. There were ful for use in the war. Most of more than 600 such cases. Some the victims were natives of Italy, young men were Imprisoned and but there also were two Japa others accepted duties in hos nese merchants. pitals or in other ways not in Thus the populace began fac volving military assignments ing the ills of war. especially in Some German war prisoners the way of scarcities of goods and were put to work on farms of the food and in increasing prices. The county. Such prisoners picked Price Control Board called the apples on a large farm at Trappe. O.P.A.. had Its office at Oak and In 1946 German prisoners were Church Streets, serving the cen patients in Valley Forge Hospital. tral part of Montgomery County. In the course of the war It was There were "blackout" tests when estimated 25,000 persons from officials kept a keen lookout for Montgomery County had been en citizens who permitted any light gaged in the wartime service of to be visible at night in their the D. S. and there had been 2675 dwellings. casualties nmnng them, 356 hav An Aircraft Spotters' Post was ing lost their lives and 25 were established in 1942 on the North prisoners of Jipan. ern outskirts of Norristown. where Commander Arthur Meivin a 24-hour-a-day watch for enemy Bryan, of Cynwyd, was taken aircraft was kept by volimteers. prisoner by the Japanese in the It was discontinued in Oct.. 1943. Corregidor conflict. In 1942, and About 170 persons had been on he perished in Dec., 1944, when duty as observers. a vessel in which the Japanese 264 bulletin of histoeical society of Montgomery county were evacuating prisoners was Burial followed at Arlington Na sunk by U. S. airplanes Others tional Cemetery- who also lost their lives at that Brigadier General William A. time were Lt. Warwick Potter March, of Norristown, in the early Scott, of Bryn Mawr, and Lt. Col. months of the war was in com Charles Leinbach. of Pottstown. mand of the 73d ''ield Artillery Col. George W. Smyth, of Nor- Brigade at Camp Selby. Missis ristown, graduated from West sippi. and then for the remainder Point in 1924. and in the Euro of the war he was stationed at pean activities of the war he re Bridgeport. Conn., as cr«mmander ceived numerous decorations for ol the Seventh District Area, bravery and was promoted to First Corps, D. S. A., comprising brigadier general. numerous Important industries. Conspicuous among the officers After his retirement from the who directed American operations Army Gen. March was Burgess of in World War 11 was Gen. Henry Norristown for three four-year Harley Arnold a native of Mont terms. gomery County. He was born in New Ideas Welcomed Gladwyne. Lower Merion Town in the School System ship. where his father, Dr. Her bert A. Arnold, was practicing Wide-sweeping changes took medicine. His mother was a mem place in Uie county's public ber of the Harley family, who school system in the years since were among the early settlers of 1934. the HarleysviUe region. In 1927 Abram M. Kulp, County Super he flew to a Harley reunion in intendent for 30 years, died In Lower Salford Township, though December, 1945. at the age of 65. a pilot operated the plane. Gen. At the time of his death his Arnold made an address at the office governed 56 school dis reunion. He was graduated from tricts. He was bom in Towamen- West Point Military Academy In cin Township and began teaching 1907. was a lieutenant of infan school in a one-room building in try in the Philippines, then .joined 1.^07. His length of service as the newly organized Army Air Ciounty Superintendent exceeded Force in 1911 and became known that of any of his predecessors. as "Hap" Arnold because of his To fill the vacancy the County irrepressible geniality. He served Board of School Directors recom- in the air force of the First World -•"ended Gerald G. Hottenstein War. and became a Major Gen and the State Superintendent of eral in 1938. Lieutenant General Public Instruction appointed him. in 1941, and General of the Army He bad been Administrative As in 1943. Moreover, as a member sistant to Supt. Kulp and prev ol the Joint War Council he sat iously had been supervising prin with representatives of the United cipal of the North Wales Public Nations In determining war stra Schools. tegy. In 1949 by an Act of Con In the county school system gress he became General of the under Supt. Kulp occurred the Air Force Instead of General of elimination of the old-time cne- the Army. rnom school house of the rural On retiring from the service districts, the merging of school Arnold made his home at Sonoma, districts and the building of huge Calif. He died there Jan. 15, 1949. school houses of the height of MONTGOMERY COUNTY HISTORY by EDWARD W. HOOKER 265 only one story but spreading over Legislature. Later that power was a wide area. given to the courts. In 1884 two Names given to those old school such districts were created in houses often were historical in New Hanover Township—Pagleys that they indicated early residents ville and Swamp. The Trappe of the region or else suggesting Independent District was formed natural charms ol the loctality. in 1879, comprising Trappe and In Limerick Township several Collegeviile. then parts of Upper one-room school hous-js still were Providence Township. The dis in use In 1947. Two were named trict existed until Trappe and Fernwood and Pairvlew. the Collegeviile were Incorporated as others Medinger. Steinmetz and boroughs and thus attained school Barlow, the latter being names boards of their own. Line Lexing of families living there many ton. situated in Montgomery and years earlier Bucks Counties and in three New Hanover Township aban township-s, became an indepen doned all its little old school dent district. Sumneytown also houses early in the I850's and the was such a district for a time, as children were sent to schools in were Ambler and Pennsburg be Gilbertsville or Boyertown, both fore they became boroughs. All outside the township and the lat independent districts were ter outside the county One of abolished in the 1950's. New Hanover Township's aban The office of the State Super doned school houses, that in intendent of Education made its Pagleysville, was bought by the influence increasingly felt in New Hanover Grange of the getting rid of old school houses, Patrons of Husbandry and is pre merging rural school districts and served, serving as the meeting building one-story school build place of the Grange. ings of far-flung dimensions. The Upper Salford School Board Some of the innovations aroused sold all four of Its school houses charges of extravagance. One in in 1954. Then this t-ownshlp stance became the subject of liti united with the Salford Township gation It was a plan of the Board to build a "modernistic" Ambler Joint School Board, a consolidated school house near jointure of the school districts of Woxall. the borough of Ambler and the The central and Eastern parts townships of Whitpain and Lower ol the county also had small Gwynedd. school houses in early days but By exercising the eight ol emi these were superceded by larger nent domain, the Board appro structures adapted for consoli priated land for a school building dated use. in the Southeast part- cf Whit Warfare on ancient school pain Township, comprising 31 houses, combined with consolida acres belonging to the Buckley tions. brought about elimination family and situated in the vicinity of independent school districts. of the intersection of Lewis Lane These were a development of en with Skippack Pike. On behalf of terprising communities situated the Buckley family, a bill in within a township to obtain better equity was filed in court in Feb., educational endeavors than the .1997, charging that the land that township could afford. Such inde had been taken was in excess of pendent districts at first had to the needs of the School Board be created by an act of the State for erection of a junior high 266 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY school. Judge Corson, tvho heard gomery To'vnship, Towamencin the ease, said in his finding that Township and the Line Lexington the intention was to have separate Independent District. There was basebal] and footbal] fields, but to be a high school building cost since these sports were played at ing more than $3,000,000 State different seasons of the year he approval was obtained in 1953, could not see why one field would and the authorized name was not serve for both. He inspected North Penn Joint Secondary the site several times. Part of the System. Legality of the endeavor tract consisted of woods and a was questioned in court, but swamp, which he thought did not Judge Corson ruled this was "a seem serviceable for school pur true merger and not a jointure poses except "possibly for botany and that the agreements are clear and bird watching." Concluding and legal." The matter was ap Judge Corson said: "The court pealed to the State Supreme feels that a total of 26 acres Court, which upheld the lower is a fair and reasonable amount court's ruling. of ground for the hoard to take A 12-district jointure was dis and all that is necessary for the cussed at meetings held in 1954, facilities now contemplated or to include CoUegeville and that may become necessary in Trappe. already united in con tt e future." Instead of taking 31 ducting a high school; Limerick acres therefore the Board had Township. Perkiomen Township, be be satisfied with 26. the borough- of Royersford. the In the matter of "jointures" borough of Schwenksville. Sklp- and "mergers" the State Council pack Township, and also taking of Education made these distinc ir the Chester County com tions in 1953: In mergers sepa munities oi Spring City. East rate districts are unified com Vincent and West Vincent Town pletely. Id jointures there is an ships. SchwenksvUle and Skip- agreement among participating pack subsequently withdrew. districts limiting matters of co The borough of West Consho- operation and expense. hocken, small In population, One of the earliest and most found it difficult to maintain a ambitious undertakings toward high school of its own. It adjust some kind of unification was be ed Its problem by abolishing the gun in 1952 constituting the Up high school and sending students per Perkiomen Joint School eligible for that grade to the Board, the purpose being to con Conshohocken High 3chool. duct a joint elementary school Plymouth Township once had in Red Hill and a joint junior- its own high school but decided senior high school in East Green to close it and send students to ville. Seven districts were inter the high schools in Conshohock ested In the project. It was pro en and Norristown. But in 1952 posed in 1956 to extenc the com Plymouth and Whltemarsh bination to include SchwenksviUe Townships established a jointure and Trappe. but that idea was to build a high school structure abandoned of the latest type for use of the A proposed North Penn unifi two districts. It being located on cation was to join the school dis Germantown Pike in Whltemarsh tricts of Lansdale. North Wales, Township. Hatfield borough and township. The notable event In Norris Upper Gwynedd Township, Mont town educational history in the MONTGOME®Y COUNTY HISTORY by EDWARD W. HOOKER 267 period under discussion was the offered by trust companies, but erection of a High School build not by banks as then constituted, ing. costing more than a million and in 1885 they organized the dollars, in the Northern part of Montgomery Trust Company, the town, at Markley Street and which later built ^ts banking Coolldge Avenue The dedication house on Main Street adjacent took place June 14, 1938 to the Public Square, A second In 1955 a Roman Catholic trust company, the Norristown, parochial school, called the came into existence in 1888. The Bishop Kenrick High School, was latter company united with the established by the Philadelphia Penn Trust Company as the Nor Archdiocese at Johnson Highway ristown Penn Trust Company, and Arch Road, at the Northern occupying the building of the limits of the borough. Penn Company at Main and The Norristown School Board Swede Streets. The Penn Com in 1947 sold the James A. Welsh pany was an outgrowth of a School building at Walnut and private bank which J. Morton Sandy Streets, to the Catholic Albertson had started m 1857. Church authorities, and it was Finally in 1953 the Norristown- converted into a parochial school Icnn and the Montgomery Trust for the Holy Saviour parish, In were united. the Eastern part of town. The Previously the Montgomery Welsh School had been erected Trust Company had bought the in 1903. replacing the Sandy First National Bank of Norris Street School, one of the bor town. The 1953 unification be ough's earliest public schools, came the Montgomery Norristown erected in 1851. Bank and Trust Company, with Dr. Harvey O. Dietrich, who branch offices in Norristown's assumed the office of borough West End and In North Wales. superintendent of school' in Nor The latter office originated from ristown in 1922, resigned in 1945. the fact that the North Wales He was succeeded by Dr. EUwood National Bank had been merged A. Geiges, who held the position with the Montgomery Trust Com until 1956. when he resigned. His pany in 1951, and the Penn Valley successor was Dr. George A. Mc- National Bank, of Hatfleld, with Cormick, previously borough an office in Lansdale. was includ superintendent in Pottstown. Dr. ed in the deal. An office of the McCormick resigned in 1959 to parent company meanwhile was joint the faculty of Thiel College, opened in Logan Square. Norris Greenville, Pa. town. A further slight modifica tion of the name made it Mont New Banking Ideas gomery County Bank and Trust Bring Consolidations Company. Mergers and consolidations of The bank having the longest banks, like school mergers, were continuous existence in the coun developments in the county's his ty, the Montgomery National, of tory of recent times, Norristown, chartered by the Norristown had a succession of State in 1814, gave up its inde unifications running back into the pendent career in 1954 when it record of the old Bank of Mont merged wltb the Philadelphia gomery Coimty chartered in 1814. National Bank, becoming the Men identified with that bank Montgomery Branch of that bank. became aware of the conveniences The preceding year the First 268 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY National Bank of Conshohocken exist in the county. The applica was merged with the Philadelphia tions were for Ardmore and Wil National Bank. In 1943 the low Grove, but the State Board Tradesmen's National Bank of ruled that these two places had Conshohocken went into volun adequate banking facilities. But tary liquidation after an existence in August. 1959. the Western Sav of 61 years. ing Fund Society of Philadelphia The Peoples National Bank of was authorized to open a branch Norristown opened hr-nches in office at King of Prussia Whltemarsh Township. King of The County Acquires Prussia and Jeffersonville. a Park System The Ambler Trust Company, in 1956, was merged with the Provi In 1937 the County Commis dent Trust Company, of Philadel sioners begar creating a county phia, and the following year the park system, a new state law Ambler National Bank was united having authorized such action. A with the Girard Trust and Corn County park Board was appoint Exchange Bank, of Philadelphia. ed, the members being George The Bryn Mawr Trust Company Horace Lorimer. chairman: and the Bryn Mawr National Adolf Muller. Norristown; Thom Bank were united :n 1955. as W. Sears, Ardmore: Charles J. Two Pottstown banks were Custer, Pottstown, and Francis merged in 1952 — the National R. Taylor, Cheltenham Township. Bank of Pottstown and the Iron Mr. Lorimer, successful author National Bank of Pottstown. Later and editor of the Saturday Eve there was a plan to join the ning Post, lived at Wyncote. Be Security Trust Company, of Potts ginning in 1914, he had bought town, with the prertously merged ten farms on Pennypack Creek, banks of that town, but the comprising 1100 acres, mostly in stockholders rejected the propo Abington Township, six miles sition. frrom his home in Wyncote. Here Lansdale had an array of bank he would spend an hour or two ing mergers. The First National in the evening and sometimes all Bank came into existence in 1864 of Saturday and Sunday. He —the first bank organized in the named the tract King's Oak, be county under the National Bank cause of a great oak tree. law. The Citizens National Bank After several years experience began activities in 1906. The in tilling hb: farm land he con Lansdale Trust Company was cluded that "the less farming you started in 1887. Eventually the dc the less money you 'ose." Prom Citizens Bank was merged with that time he was more interested trust company, and in 1927 the in growing trees than farm pro trust company was merged with duce. the First National Bank. Mean Lorimer began to consider the while a second trust company was idea of making a public park from founded, and in 1933 this, too. parts of his King's Oak tract a became part of the First National year or tw( before his death. Bank, When he became chairman of the Efforts of two Philadelphia sav new County Park Board, follow ings fimd societies to establish ing his retirement from his edi branches in Montgomery County torial duties in Philadelphia,- he were denied by the State Banking traveled over the county with his Board. Units of this kind did not associates on the Board and be- MONTGOMERY COUNTY HISTORY by EDWARD W, HOOKER 269 came enthusiastic about the plan Audubon's life here appears in for count; parks. After his death, Chapter V of this work. Oct. 22, 1937. his ^rill revealed Purchase of the property was that he had authorized his exe effected by the County Commis cutors to give Montgomery County sioners in 1951—95 acres from land from the King's Oak tract Herbert J. Wetherill and 27 acres not to exceed 500 acres, provided known as the Casselberry farm. the county paid the taxes inci The Wetherill family had owned dental to the gift. The county ac Mill Grovp for nearly a century cepted and the heirs transferred and a half. The Park Board ar 132 acres, the county paying $12.- ranged to have the house open to 769 in taxes. Lorimer stipulated visitors and to display Audubon that the land be kept In Its pictures and relics there, while natural condition and th. ' birds the grounds are a "bird preserve." and non-predatory animals be Valley Forge Still fostered. The park stretches North Impresses the Multitades from the boundary of the borough of Rockledge and borders the Students of American history Newtown Railroad for about a find increasing intererst as the mile. Harper Station and Walnut years pass in the landmarks with Hill Station are in this territory. which Montgomery County The old farm hotise on the tract abounds, especially Valley Forge was restored for use as park Park with its memories of the headquarters and the home of Winter camp of 1778-8. Two great the custodian. Lorimer Park Is assemblages of the Boy Scouts of the authorized name. America, which they called Jam borees, have been held there, im Details as developed for the pressing their lessons upon multi nroposed county park system next tudes of lads and attaining the made provision for another park co-operation of a President of in the Upper Perkiomen Valley. the United States and of a Presi In 1939 the County Commission dent-to-be. ers bought 425 acres of hills and President Harry S. Truman woodland on Perkiomen and Deep came to Valley Forge Tuesday, Creeks, near Green Lane. This June 30, 1950, to deliver an ad was named Upper Perkiomen dress at the opening of the Sec Park, being opened to the public ond National Jamboree. It was In 1940. An artificial lake was estimated that his audience num created and also fishing, bathing bered 50,000. He traveled on a and picnic facilities. An adjacent special train of the Reading Rail property with an abandoned grist road, arriving at Valley Forge mill was added to the park. In station at 7.55 P. M.. and was 1948 a 450-acre tract bordering taken by motorcar through the the original site was included by park. A Scout band played the lease. National Anthem and the great Under supervision of the Prak throng raised hands in salute. Board is also the Mill Grove Gov. Duff made a welcoming ad estate, on the Perkiomen in Lower dress, and President Truman Providence Township, where John praised the Boy Scouts for their James Audubon, early American "belief in unconquerable freedom" ornithologist, spent some years and the dangers of communism. of his youth, his father having The Scouts were encamped in owned the farm. An account of the park from June 30 to July 7. 270 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY The campers spread over an Hanover, 1736: Upper Merion, be area of 625 acres. Each day there fore 1714; Upper Salford, 1741; were programs of Scout activities Whitemarsh, 1704; Whltpain, on a colossal scale and "hikes" 1701; Worcester, 1733. to noted sites all around, with Additional townships were trips by train to Philadelphia to created as follows: visit places famed In history. Lower Frederick and Upper Another speaker of distinction Frederick, in 1919, by dividing at this Jamboree was the man Frederick township. who two years later became the Lower Gwynedd and Upper successor of Mr. Truman in the Gwynedd, in 1891. by dividing Presidency — Gen. Dwlght D. Gwynedd township. Eisenhower. He spoke on the eve ning of July 4. Lower Moreland and Upper Moreland. in 1916, by dividing The Scouts were again swarm Moreland township. ing over the Valley Forge Park Pottsgrove, 1806, which was di area for their Fourth National Jamboree, in the Summer of vided in 1889 into Lower Potts 1957, and again it was estimated grove and Upper Pottsgrove. Up that 50,000 Scouts were there. per Pottsgrove was divided, in The principal speaker was the 1900. into Upper Pottsgrove and Vice President of the U. S., Rich West Pottsgrove, ard M. Nixon. President Eisen Upper Providence and Lower hower sent a message. Providence, in 1805, by dividing Providence township. Vice President Nixon also was at Valley Forge on Sunday, Feb. Perkiomen township and Skip- 22. 1953, to present the principal pack township, in 1886, by divid awards at ceremonies of Free ing Perkiomen and Skippack doms Foundation, which has its township, in 1886, by dividing headquarters there. Perkiomen and Skippack town ship. Salford township, in 1892, by Organization of Townships dividing Upper Salford township. The original Salford township, and Boroughs created in 1727, was divided in The townships in Montgomery 1741 into Upper Salford and Low coimty when the county was er Salford townships. created in 1784, and the dates of East Norriton and West Norri their organization, were: Abing- ton, in 1909, by dividing Norriton tin, 1703; Cheltenham. 1682; t'^wnshlp. Douglass, 1736; Pranconia. 1731; Boroughs were incorporated as Frederick, 1730; Gwjmedd. 1702; follows: Hatfield, 1742; Horsham. 1717; Ambler, 1888, from parts of Up Iiimerick, 1722; Lower Merlon, per Dublin, Gwynedd, White- 1684; Lower Salford. 1741; Marl- marsh and Whltpain townships. borough, 1741; Montgomery. 1714; Bridgeport, 1851, from part of Moreland, 1684; New Hanover. Upper Merion township. 1724; Norriton, 1730; Perkiomen and Skippack, 1702; Plymouth, Bryn Athyn, 1916. from part of 1688; Providence, 1729; Spring Moreland township. field, 1684; Towamencin, 1728; CoUegeville, 1898. from part of Upper Dublin, before 1719; Upper Upper Providence township. MONTGOMERY COUNTY HISTORY by EDWARD W. HOOKER 271 Conshohocken, 1850, from parts Pennsburg, 1887, from part of of Plymouth and Whltemarsh Upper Hanover township. townships. Pottstown, I81f, from part of East Greenville, 1875, from part Pottsgrove township. of Upper Hanover township. Red Hill, 1902, from part of Green Lane, 1875, from part of Upper Hanover township. Marlborough township. Rockledge, 1893, from part of Hatboro. 1871, from part of Abington township. Moreland township. Royersford, 1879, from part of -Hatfleld, 1898, from part of Limerick township. Hatfield township. SchwenksvlUe, 1903, from part Jenkintown, 1874, from part of of Perkiomen township. Abington township. Souderton. 1887, from part of Lansdale, 1874, from parts of Franconia township. Gwynedd and Hatfleld townships. Trappe, 1896, from part of Narberth, 1895, from part of Upper Providence township. Lower Merlon township. West Conshohocken, 1874, from Korristown, 1812, from part of parts of Upper and Lower Merlon Norriton township. townships. North Wales, 1869, from part West Telford, 1898, from part of Gwynedd township. of Franconia township. THB! END Sources of Statistics for Montgomery County History Edward W. Hocker, Author of 'Chronicles—1784 to 1934' Lists Historical Records Used in His Work "History of Montgomery County," edited by Theodore W. Bean. PubUcatlons of the Historical Society of Montgomery Coun ty six volumes; especiaUy a paper on "The Foundii^ of Mont gomery County." by Irving P. Wanger, In Volume IV. "Historv of Philadelphia." by J. Thomas Scharf and Thom son Westcott. Pennsylvania Archives. Minutes of the Montgomery County Courts. Files of Norristown and Philadelphia Newspapers. Newspaper clippings and pamphlets in the library of the Historical Society of Montgomery County. "The Perklomen Region," edited by Howard W. Kriebel. "History of the Reformed Church in the United States," by the Rev. James I. Good, D.D. "The Mennonite Immigration to Pennsylvania," C. Henry Smith, Ph. D. "Annals of the Evangelical Association," by the Rev. A. Stapleton. "History of the Schwenkfelders," by Howard W. Kriebel. "Genealogical Record of Schwenkfelder Families," by Samuel K. Brecht. A. M. "HLstorical Sketch of the First Presbyterian Church of Nor ristown," by the Rev. J. Grier Ralston. D.D. "Historical Collections of Gwynedd," by Howard M. Jenkins. "The Old 'Main Line'," by J. W. Townsend. Directory of Norristown and Bridgeport. 1860-1, published by William Whltehead. "The Valley Forge Guide," by the Rev. W. Herbert Burk, D. D. "History of the Centennial and Memorial Association of Valley Forge," by H. J. Stager. "History of Haverford College During the First Sixty Years of Its Existence." 272 MONTGOMERY COUNTY HISTORY by EDWARD W. HOOKER £73 "The Events of a Hall Century of the Montgomery Hose and Steam Fire Engine Company, of Norristown." by Mark Thomson. Reminiscences of Henry A. Hunsicker, published in the Col- legeville Independent. "Annals of the Great Strikes of 1877," by J. A. Dacus, Ph. D. "An Historical Account of Pennsylvania Female College," by Paul Allen Mertz. "The Pries Rebellion," by W. H. H. Davis. "Samuel Wetherill and the Early Paint Industry," by Mrs. S. P. Wetherill published by the City History Society of Phila delphia. Diaries of George Washington. "George Washington and the Town of Reading," by J. Bennett Nolan. Biography of John James Audubon, by Dr. Francis Hobart Herrlck "The Rev. John H. A. Bomberger," Centenary Volume pub lished by Ursinus College. "Memoir of Henry Arraitt Brown," by J. M. Hoppin. Biography of General Duportail, by Elizabeth S. Kite. "Life and Labors of Elias Hicks," by Henry W. Wilbur. "Life and Times of Henry Melchlor Muhlenberg." by the Rev. William J. Mann. D. D. "Life and Letters of James and Lucretia Mott," by Anna D. Hallowell. "Life of David Rlttenhouse," by William Barton. "Life and Correspondence of the Rev. William Smith. D. D.," by Horace Wemys Smith. "Life of Charles Thomson," by Lewis H. Harley, Ph. D. "Memorial of Bird Wilson," by W. White Bronson. "Biographies, Men of Montgomery County," by M. Auge. "Biographical Cyclopedia of Montgomery County." by Samuel T. WUey. "Biographical Annals of Montgomery County." by Ellwood Roberts. In Memoriam Charles Reed Barker The Historical Society of Montgomery County lost a good friend and worker through the death on February 18, 1961 of Charles R. Barker, at the Ddaware County Memorial Hospital. Mr. Barker was bom in Philadelphia, September 10, 1875, tiie son of Charles A. and Deborah Ann (Heckman) Barker. The early family home was in Ardmore, but in more recent years he lived in the Lansdowne area. Interment was made in the family plot in West Laurel Hill cemetery. As an historian, Mr. Barker was a recognized authority on the history of Lower Merion township. As a genealogist his work was of national scope. He had also compiled his own family lines of descent, including Barker, of Reed, Heckman, Knorr, Miller and others. He was a Mayflower descendant, being ninth in line from Francis Cooke. Mr. Barker succeeded Miss Emily Preston as editor of the society's publication, the BULLETIN, in 1943, and continued in that capacity do^vn to his death. An appropriate mmorial to Mr. Barker is the nine volumes of Uie BULLETIN printed during his chairmanship, and in which many of his scholarly contributions appear. He guarded the contents of the publi cation with zealous care to maintain the purpose of the society in the preservation of the history of Montgomery County from primary source records. In addition, Mr. Barker was a frequent contributor to other his torical publications, including the Pennsylvania Magazine of History and 'Biography, and the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania. Following the death of Mr. Barker, the members of the Board of Trustees at a meeting held February 22, 1961, formed a resolution of respect reading: "WHEREAS Charles R. Barker had since February 22, 1904 been a member of The Historical Society of Montgomery County, and an honorary member since 1947; AND WHEREAS Mr. Barker had for many years been chairman of the publication committee, an ardent worker in and a generous donor to the society; AND WHEREAS he was everywhere respected for his keen knowledge of and interest in historical matters, and for his energy, intelligence, and kindliness, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the Board of Trustees of The Historical Society of Montgomery. County here express their sorrow at the death of Mr. Barker, ihat this resolution be spread upon the minutes of the Board of Trustees, and that copies be sent to Mr. Barker's sister, Mrs. James A. Carder, and Mr. Barker's cousin, Richard H. Barker." The bulk of Mr. Barker's extensive genealogical collection, as well as a number of fine published volumes from his library have been presented to the society. His gift not only honors our library but enriches the life of any person privileged to use his scholarly records and benefit by his dedicated research. "Such was he: his work is well done." JANE KEPLINGER BURRIS 274 November Meeting The regular meeting of the Historical Society of Montgomery Ck>unty was convened at 2 P.M. on November 19, 1960, at tiie building of the Society, with President Groshens presiding. The minutes of the April meeting were read and approved. In the absence of Mis. Burris, President Groshens reported the deatits of four members. Upon a motion duly seconded and passed ten persons were elected to membership in the society. Upon a motion duly seconded and passed James Elverson Hough was elected to life membership in the Society. President Groshens called attention to the exhibition in the rostrum case, consisting of twelve Peale silhouettes, and an assortment of "Salt River" tiekete. In introducing the speaker, James £. Hough, President Groshens summarized the November activities in Whitpain township, and read an October 1777 letter from George Washington to James Wharton. Mr. Hough read an interesting paper, MARK MINTZBR, PARTIOT, covering the period of the life of his ancestor, from 1709 to 178'1. At the close of the meeting the Hospitality Committee served a pretty tea. EVA G. DAVIS, Rewrding Secretary 275 February Meeting The annual meeting of the Historical Society of Montgomery County was convened at 2:10 P.M. on February 22, 1961, at the building of the Society, with President Groshens presiding. The minutes of the November meeting were read and approved. Lyman A. Kratz, Treasurer, read the report for the year 1960. This showed an annual income of $8,362.62, and annual expenditures of $8,267.47, and a bank balance of $546.33 on February 15, 1961. The report had been audited by Helen A. Ganser and Edna Y. Cassel, and upon a motion duly seconded and passed it was received and ordered filed. At the request of President Groshens, Donald A. Gallager spoke of the long association of Charles E. Barker with the Society, beginning on February 22, 1904. An outstanding historian of southeastern Pennsyl vania, he had served as the editor of the Bulletin of the Society from 1943 until a few days before his passing on February 18, 1961. Following these remarks the Society stood in silent prayer for a moment. Mrs. Daniel S. Johnson read the report of the Ncuninating Committee with the following nominations: President Corresyondrng Secretary Hon. David E. Groshens Mrs. Earl W. Johnson Vice-Presidents Financial Secretary George K. Brecht, Esq. Mrs. LeRoy Burris Hon. Alfred L. Taxis, Jr. Treasurer Dr. Edward F. Corson Lyman A. Kratz Recording Secretary Eva G. Davis Trustees Kirke Bryan, Esq. Nancy P. Highley Robert C. Budier Arthur H. Jenkins Harry L. Christman Hon. Harold G. Knight Mrs. H. H. Francine Lyman A. Kratz Donald A. Gallager, Esq. William S. Pettit Herbert H. Ganser Robert S. Titus Hon. David E. Groshens Mrs. F. B. Wildman, Jr. Kenneth H. Hallman 276 FEBRUARY MEETING 277 At the request of President Groshens, Kirke Bryan took the chair during the election of officers. There being no furtiier nominations from the floor, it was moved and seconded that the report of tiie Nominating Committ^ be adopted, and the nominations were declared closed. Upon a motion duly seconded and passed tiie Secretary was directed to east a collective ballot for the nominees. This being done the nominees were declared duly elected for the ensuing year. As a traditional part of our annual meeting some attention was devoted to George Washington. In this connection President Groshens read Washington's prayer from his retirement message in 1783. Mention was made also that Abraham Lincoln passed through Montgomery County on February 22, 1861, on his visit to Philadelphia. President Groshens mentioned that a number of fine items had been given to the Society from Mr. Barker's collection of source books prior to his passing. He called attention also to the gift of an original Lower Merion War Tax of 1780, by John F. Reed. President Groshens introduced the speaker, John F. Reed. Mr. Reed read his paper MONTGOMERY COUNTY'S BIVOUAC OF THE DEAD, dealing at length with the numerous Civil War officers interred at Mont gomery Cemetery, Norristown. At the close of the meeting the Hospitality Committee served a pretty tea. EVA G. DAVIS, Recording Secretary Report on Membership NEW MEMBERS ELECTED NOVEMBER 19,1960 Elmer A. Alderfer ' Frank S. Becker Mrs. Christian S. A. Brenneman Richard P. Byler Miss Inez Crandle Mrs. Philip A. Dennis, Jr. Mrs. Ida G. Heitmtan Harry W. Lehman Kenneth E. Neiman, D.D.S. Miss Olive Walton TRANSFERRED TO LIFE MEMBERSHIP J. Elverson Hough NEW MEMBERS ELECTED FEBRUARY 22, 1961 Harvey B. Danehower Miss Marjorie A. Long Mrs. Guy B. Doane, Jr. George W. Middleton Mrs. Pa^ F. Egner Mrs. George W. Middleton Paul S. Fridk Mrs. John F. Reed Mrs. Albert W. Geiger Mrs. H. James Sautter Carroll D. Hendricks Miss Barbarann Skelly TRANSFERRED TO LIFE MEMBERSHIP Theodore W. Heysham, Jr. Virginia Pell Heysham Mary Elizabeth Bartholomew Cox DEATHS Henry K. Alderfer Charles R. Barker Miss Sophie Maclntyre PRESENT STATUS OP MEMBERSHIP Honorary Members 1 Life Members 47 Annual Members 643 Total Membership 691 HELEN W. M. JOHNSON, Corresponding Secretary 278 Librarian's Report SOCIETY MATTERS have gone along graciously for the past year, for which we are most grateful. However, we do have the ever-growing stale mate of "too little help, too little money." But, one thing is for sure, we do have a beautiful building in which to be poor! This condition is only made tenable by the expert and efficient help on our staff in the persons of Mrs. Earl W. Johnson and James deM. Hunsicker. Mrs. Johnson gives us four days a week of her valuable time, and Mr. Hunsicker is our Satiurday morning custodian. According to reports, most historical societies are in much tiie same predicament. One big problem common to all is having too much of the superfluous and not enough of the necessary. No one seems to know what measures are necessary to bring about a balanced reform. In our case our service has outgrown our income. Therefore greater income and enlarged trust funds would resolve all our problwns. RECORD OP VISITORS. This year, June 1960 to June 1961, has brought the usual quota of eager visitors and workers from near and far. In addition to the state of Pennsylvania our register lists names from Australia, California, Hlinois, Maine, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Our facilities continue to attract many more non-members than members, where excellence in sources and services far exceed those usually found in a county library. SUBJECTS OF RESEARCH. Genealogy is ever the top subject of re search. The surnames in first place for Ais period have been Bean, Erb, Hallowell, Pechin, Roberts, Shainline and Umstad. Running a close second in interest is Civil War affairs and personalities. This is to be expected in the Centenary years. MEMORIAL GIFT. Wanted — a donor of a fifty star flag for display in the auditorium. Regrettably the beautiful silk flag now in use is outmoded and diould be replaced. A suggestion is, that such a gift would be a fitting memorial to a dear one who gave his life in the service of his country. VACATION CLOSING 1961. The building will be closed for vacation dur ing the full month of August. This was done for the first time in 1960, and will now becwne a regular policy of the society. The building will also be closed on Saturday from June to September. 279 280 LIBRARIAN'S REPORT THIS ISSUE OP THE BULLETIN marks the last number of Volume XII as well as the conclusion of the reprinted Montgomery County History by Edward W. Hocker. Beginning with the first number of Volume XIII, we shall be again printing material of primary sources in keeping with the publication policy of the society. JANE KEPLINGER BURRIS The Historical Society of Montgomery County has for its object the prese'rvation of the civil, political and religious history of the county, as well as the promotion of the study ofhistory. The bulling upof a libraryfor historical research has been materially aided in the past by donations of family, church and graveyard records; letters, diaries and other manu script material. Valuable files of newspapers have also been contributed. This public-spirited support has been highly appreciated and is earnestly desired for the future. Membership in the Society is open to all interested persons, whether residents of the county or not, and all such persons are invited to have their names proposed at any meeting. The annual dues are $4.00; life membership, $50.00. Every mem ber is entitled to a copy of each issue of The Bulletin, free. Additional copies, $1.50 each. Historical Building, 1654 DeKalb Street, Norristown, with its library and museum, is open for visitors each week day from 10 A.M. to 12 M. and 1 to 4 P.M., except Saturday after noon. The material in the library may be freely consulted dur ing these hours, but no book may be taken from the building. To Our Friends Our Society needs funds for the furthering of ite work, its expansion, its growth and development, ^is can very nicely be done tiirough be quests from members and friends in the disposition of their estate. The Society needs more funds in investments placed at interest; the income arising therefrom would give the Society an annual return to meet its needs. Following is a form that could be used in the making of wills: I HEREBY GIVE AND BEQUEATH TO THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, THE SUM OF DOLLARS (I )