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BLOOMSBURG
It is possible that more than a century ago the first settlers looked upon this valley with feelings of equal pleasure as far as the effect of natural scenery was concerned. The primeval forest had not yet disappeared before the encroachments of advancing civilization. A swamp extended from Fishing creek for several miles to the east, and while this may have caused grave apprehension as to the healthfulness of the region, its luxuriant vegetation did not mar the beauty of the landscape. A number of islands in the creek, and the water- fowl wont to congregate there, may have attracted attention. The ceaseless splash of the river, the cautious movements of the deer as they brushed through this undergrowth, the stealthy tread of the savage or his shrill whoop and its answering echo---such sounds as these broke the stillness which seemed to pervade everything. From an economic standpoint circumstances were not altogether favorable. The soil gave promise of great fertility, but years of labor would be required to bring it to a condition of tolerable productiveness with the crude implements of the period. The region was remote from any market for its products, and the broad channel of the Susquehanna was the only available highway of travel. When James McClure, in the year of 1772, looked upon
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this as the region of his future home, it is possible that while he realized its advantages, he was also cognizant of the danger of thus living at such a distance from the limits of civilization and in a country as yet unmarked by its influence.
Some facts regarding his previous history may indicate the motives of his
immigration. James McClure was of Scotch-Irish descent, and a resident of
that part of Lancaster county then known as the Paxton district, but included since 1785 in Dauphin county. He was connected, by marriage, with Captain Lazarus Stewart, and with George Espy, the proprietor of Espytown. It cannot be definitely determined whether he took an active part in those exploits which have made the "Paxton Rangers" such conspicuous characters in the colonial border annals, or whether he remained unmoved by those outrages which incited his neighbors to armed hostility in defiance of the proprietary government. That he was in active sympathy with his brother-in-law, Captain Stewart, when the latter espoused the defense of the Connecticut colony at Wyoming, seems evident from certain statements in a letter from Fort Augusta, by the military representative of the Penns, from which it appears, that, on Wednesday, May 10, 1769, James McClure, with several others, was encamped at the mouth of Fishing creek, en route for Wyoming. It is not further stated whether he reached Wyoming or not; but it seems probable that, for political reasons, his residence in Lancaster county was no longer agreeable, and that when a number of families from Paxton removed to Hanover township, in Wyoming, he went no farther than the mouth of Fishing creek, still, however, within the nominal boundaries of the "Town of Westmoreland." The tract upon which he located was surveyed in June, 1769 for Francis Stewart, who conferred upon it the name of "Beauchamp." It was patented for Mr, McClure, in 1772, under the name of "McClure's Choice," and here, in a rude log cabin, James McClure, Jr., was born, in 1774, this being the first birth of a white child within the forks ot the Susquehanna.
The McClures were not the only settlers in this part of Wyoming township for any length of time. In the year of their arrival, 1772, Evan Owen and John Doan became their neighbors. They came from Chester county, with the intention of forming, at the mouth of Fishing creek, a community in which their faith should predominate, as it subsequently did at Catawissa. Evan Owen lived south of a small stream which flowed through the town of Bloomsburg, and near its source, John Doan's land adjoined the McClure tract. Samuel Boone, also a member of the Society of Friends, emigrated from Exeter township, Northampton county, in 1775, and secured the title to four hundred acres of land, including the farm owned by one of his descendants. His land comprised the "Point" between the river and the creek, and extended along the banks of both. From all the evidence obtainable on this subject it would appear that but three other families, the Claytons, Coopers and Kinneys, lived within the present limits of Bloomsburg, before the war of the revolution. Thomas Clayton was a Quaker from Chester county; Kinney was from New Jersey; nothing is known concerning the Coopers, except a tragic incident in connection with the Indian troubles. And thus, in the interval of comparative quiet which followed the French war, civilization was extended to this county. But before the settlement had experienced the first severity of the next struggle, the death of James McClure, Sr., deprived it of one of those most capable of acting in its defense. In abetting the schemes of Lazarus Stewart, the apparent disloyalty to his state was a vigorous, but palliative, remonstrance against the vacillation of the authorities in providing for the
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defense of Paxton; as a member of the committee of safety for Wyoming township, in 1776, he was equally vigorous in advocating measures for the protection of the settlements, although in the preceding year Colonel PIunkett had passed up the river with an armed force, and repassed the McClure plantation in hasty retreat, after an unsuccessful attempt to reduce Wyoming. His family did not remain at their home long after his death. Among the victims of the Wyoming massacre, July 8, 1778,was Capt Lazarus Stewart. With the assistance of friends his wife collected her household goods upon a raft supported by two canoes, and thus descended the Susquehana with her family. Alarmed by her story of danger and desolation, Mrs. McClure collected her family and embarked in a similar craft. They reached Lancaster county in safety, and remained until the close of the war permitted a return to their respective homes. In the meantime Fort McClure was built, consisting of a row of palisades around her house, for the double purpose of protecting it and affording a safe retreat for the neighbors in case of emergency. It is probable that during Mrs. McClure's absence it was occupied by Major Moses Van Campen, who had married her daughter. The site of the fort is now marked by a dwelling house on the farm of Douglas Hughes. An incident illustrative of certain phases of frontier life occurred during the last years of the war. Robert Lyon, a soldier at Fort Augusta, was sent from that place to Wyoming with a boat load of stores. He ran his canoe aground at the mouth of Fishing creek, and, leaving his dog and gun in it, started on to visit his affianced bride, the daughter of a Mr. Cooper. His movements were observed by Shenap, an Indian chief, and in his defenseless condition, he was easily captured and taken to Niagara. Here he was released through the mediations of a British officer who, by a singular coincidence, was his brother. The fate of Mr. Cooper was less fortunate. The mysterious disappearance of Lyon made him an object of suspicion. He was arrested and placed in a canoe to be taken to Sunbury jail. A rifle belonging to one of the posse was dropped into the river by some accident, and the was accused of having thrown it overboard. In the altercation which followed, one of the men seized a tomahawk and buried it in his skull. He lived about twenty days, and expired in prison before Lyon's return had establinbed his innocence.
When the peace of 1783 finally relieved the valley of the "North Branch" of the harassing experiences of the five preceding years, immigration was again directed to this county, but the lower valley of Fishing creek did not immediately receive an increase of population. Thomas Clayton removed to Catawissa, and Evan Owen to Berwick, of which he was the founder. This would seem to indicate that other localities were considered preferable. There were still occasional additions to the community, however. About 1783 Elisha Barton became a neighbor of the McClures and Boones. He was born in Virginia in 1742, from whence with his father he went to New Jessey. After his marriage, in 1766, he removed to Northampton county, and after a second marriage, he again changed his residence, emigrating this time to "Shamokin," by which name a large section of country including this county was popularly known. He built the "white" mill, owned a large farm west of Bloomburg, became justice of the peace, and was one of the most substantial citi- zens of this locality. Joseph B. Long, a Jersey emigrant, bought Owen's land upon his departure, and in 1795 he was succeeded in its possesion by Ludwig Eyer, a native of Northampton county. In 1801 Joseph Hendershott and Andrew Schooley bought a tract of several hundred acres adjoining the river and east of the Kinney farm. They settled here the previous year, hav-
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ing previously lived at Belvidere, N.J. Mr. Schooley disposed of his interest to Simon Wirtman, a native of Germany, a few years afterward. Jacob Wanich, also of German descent but a native of North Carolina, settled west of Hendershott some time prior to 1809. And at this time the present limits
of Bloomsburg had become quite as thickly settled as any other part of the surrounding region.
Apparently dissatisfied with the slow increaae of population, and doubtless
intending to give a new impetus to settlement and improvement, Ludwig Eyer laid out the town of Bloomsburg in 1802, thus following the example or Evan Owen at Berwick, William Hughes at Catawissa; Christian Krenchel at Mifflinburg, and George Espy at "Liberty." Bloomsburg, at that time, had no existence except in the mind of its projector, if two buildings-the Protestant Episcopal Church and John Chamberlain's hotel at the corner of Second street and Miller's alley-may be excepted. There was also a deserted hovel with log chimney and clapboard roof on the south side of Second street below Market. Within a few years after the town was laid out, George Vance, a Scotch-Irish
Presbyterian from New Jersey, built a cabin on the south side of Main street, the location of which was nearly identical with the terminus of East street at that place. Abram Grotz removed from Easton in 1806, and built the house occupied by C.C. Marr, at the southeast corner of Second and Iron streets. Christopher Kahler and John Coleman had formerly been neighbors of Grotz in Easton, and no doubt followed him on the strength of his representations. The former arrived in 1807; Coleman lived for two years in the tumble-down log house previously mentioned, and then removed from this temporary habitation to a more pretentious residence on the corner of Center and Third streets.
With seeds brought from his former home he planted an orchard, which covered the square of which his buildings occupied a part. In 1809 Philip Mehrling, a native Hessian, opened a store in a house which adjoined the Central hotel. Daniel Snyder, formerly a resident in the Lehigh valley near Allen-
town, removed to the village in 1810, and bought the land adjoing Eyer's town plat from John Vance. And thus, by successive immigration from various parts of the country, Bloomsburg had become an incipient village; and in 1814 the population was distributed as follows: Henry Weaver lived in a one
and one-half story log house on Front street between Market and West; George Frey lived on the south side of the same street near its intersection with West; at the forks, on the south side of Second street, was a one story log dwelling owned and occupied by Daniel Snyder; Abram Grotz conducted his business as a hatter at the southwest corner of Second and Iron; a frame house on the
east side of the Central hotel was occupied by Christopher Kahler; John Chamberlain lived in a frame dwelling on the site of Moyer's drug store; John Hagenbuch's log house was situated opposite Kahler's; Mrs. Moomey resided in a frame building at the southeast corner of Second and Jefferson; a
log house, at the northeast comer of Center and Second, was occupied by -- Fisher; John Hess lived in the one other house on the north side of Second street; at the location of Dr. MeKelvey's residence; Caleb Hopkins' house was on East street below Third, and James Thornton lived in the red building still standing on the same side of that street.
John Chamberlain was a tavern-keeper at the time when every guest was expected to spend at least sixpence at the bar for the privilege of passing the night with such comforts as the bare floor of the public room afforded. His establishment was a two-story frame building at the northwest corner of Second and Center streets. Casper Chrisman is remembered as the jovial host at a less pretentious building erected in 1810, which occupied the same site as its
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modern successor, the Exchange. Conrad Hen was the proprietor of a public house on Second street, below Jefferson. The original predecessor of theCentral hotel was a log building erected in 1818 by Philip Mehrling, who lost his life by an accident in the progress of the work. About the year 1825, Daniel Snyder built the "Forks" hotel. The public house at this period was an important social institution, not always possessing those attributes usually ascribed to it at the present day.
Philip Mehrling was the first merchant in Bloomsburg, and was a man of some wealth, judging by the standard of that day. A Mr. Bishop opened a store in 1810 at the northwest corner of Second and Center streets. John Barton was also a merchant about this time. William McKelvey - opened the largest mercantile establishment the village had yet known in 1816, and during the sixty years following was prominately identified with the business interests of the place. In 1835 John Moyer, with a capital of one hundred dollars, inaugurated the drug business, which has steadily expanded to its present proportions. Eyer & Hefley was the caption of a well known busines house from 1835 to 1845. In1843 the business career of I. W. Hartman begun in the old Arcade building.
Local manufacturers at an early period in the history of the town comprehended the shops of such mechanics-blacksmiths, weavers, carpenters, etc.- as formed the usual features of country villages at that time. Industrial enterprises of greater importance were the tanneries and wagon factory. Daniel Snyder came to Bloomsburg with the express purpose of establishing a tannery, but found himself so seriously embarrassed financially after purchasing land, that he was on the point of relinquishing the idea. Fortunately for the prospective enterprise, Mrs. Snyder was able to sell several pounds of butter every week; and taking a roll of some size he bartered it at the store for a shovel, and was thus enabled to begin the work of digging the vats. Philip Christman's tannery was situated in front of a stone building still standing on Third street. William Robison was afterward proprietor. Sometime in the year 1816, a stranger came into the village and remained over night at a hotel. Strangers at this time so rarely appeared as to be regarded as objects of curiosity, as well as suspicion. Inquiry elicited from him the fact that he was a Yankee and a wagon-maker by trade. When the landlord suggested that he should stay and make him a wagon he was repeatedly refused the use of such tools as were needed by the different carpenters of the town, so great was the prejudice against New Englanders. Finally, William Sloan agreed to give him a bench. He obtained seasoned wood from fences on neighboring farms, and in due time the first one-horse wagon that ever appeared in Bloomsburg was driven through its streets by the proprietor of the inn, to whom it gave abundant satisfaction. Mr. Sloan at once. incorporated the manufacture of wagons with his business and established an industry of some importance, considering the size of the town and the extent of its resources. He would send salesmen with a dozen or more "dearborns" into adjoining counties, and thus "Eyerstaedtel" became better known as the location of this factory than from anything else connected with it. About the year 1832, it was proposed to begin the manufacture of plows, with John K. Grotz as managing partner of this branch of the business. Accordingly, he made a journey to Lewistown, Mifflin county, the nearest location of a plow factory. The proprietors refused to sell patterns, but he bought a plow by strategy and started for home with his load on one of the famous dearborns. At Sweisfordtown, Union county, he sold the wagon. In this dilemma, he extemporized a sled by fastening the root of a sapling beneath the plow point, and thus traversed a dis-
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tance of forty miles in one day. It does not appear that the plow factory prospered as Mr. Grotz's efforts made it deserving. In this connection, it should be mentioned that about the year 1832 John Whitenight built a Union canal-boat on his lot in West Bloomsburg. It was sixty-nine feet long and eight feet wide. It was hauled to tbe "deep hole" in Fishing creek, floated to Northumberland, and there launched in the canal. The following year, John Barton and Isaac Green built a similar craft at the "ark" building and named it the "Water Witch." Isaac D. Gulick was muter or captain. It
was also taken to Northumberland to be entered into the canal. This seems to have been the extent of boat-building in Bloomsburg; but before the canal was excavated, grain and produce were exported by means of arks---a variety of river craft usually seventy feet long and sixteen feet wide--the building of which constituted an important branch of industry. Samuel Ludwig and
George Frey are remembered as master builders. The ark building was situated on Fishing creek, and the different stages of the work were as follows:
The "stringle" was laid flat upon the ground and the bottom boards affixed thereto with wooden pins three-fourths of an inch in diameter. It required a force of thirty men to raise the bottom platform to a vertical position; when it was allowed to fall upon ground prepared for the purpose; the sides were
secured by means of mortises, and the seams carefully caulked; when finally completed another force of men was summoned, and the unwieldy structure was launched. William McKelvey and John Barton were the largest dealers in grain, and usually shipped the ark as well as its cargo, both being sold when their destination was reached.
About the year 1838 the culture of the silk-worm was agitated in many
parts of this country. Among those who conceived the idea that golden possibilities could be realized were Robert Cathcart and William G. Hurley, of Bloomsburg. An orchard of the morus multicaulis, or Chineee mulberry, was planted on the north side of First street. The cocoonery was reported as in active operation in 1841; and about this time it seems to have lapsed into
desuetude.
The importance of Bloomsburg as an inland town increased as the settle- ment of the surrounding region became more compact, and the efforts of its citizens were directed toward improving its business facilities and extending its manufacturing interests. In 1838 the population slightly exceeded three hundred. In the size and appearance of the houses, there was a marked improvement over those first erected, many of which had been replaced by more substantial structures of brick and stone. McKelvey's store and dwelling at the southeast corner of Second and Market streets, the Forks hotel, William Robison's hotel, Thomas Witlit's, John R. Moyer's, and Reverend George C. Drake's residences were built of brick. Market street extended from First to Third, and at either end a building fronted the open avenue, while the Forks hotel was similarly situated with reference to Second street. It verily appeared as though it was meant to circumscribe the growth of the town, by thus closing all the streets except such as were absolutely necessary for ingress and egress. If productive of no other benefit, this arrangement prevented to some extent that straggling appearance by which country villages are wont to apol- gize for being such; but the time had arrived when Bloomsburg should pass that period of its history forever.
In the year 1822 a laborer in a field on the Montour ridge noticed a peculiar color in the ground he was plowing. He called the attention of his employer to this, and, when assayed, it was found that the soil contained an appreciable proportion of iron ore. Drift mining was at once begun, but for
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some years the product was hauled to furnaces on the south side of the Susquehanna, thus depriving Bloomsburg of the advantage it should have derived from the mineral wealth in its vicinity. It was nearly twenty years before local enterprise realized that fact and acted upon it. June 22, 1839, "The Bloomsburg Rail-Road and Iron Company" was incorporated by the legislature. The leading capitalists were Joseph Paxton, William McKelvey, Edward Miller, Thomas Hayes, Robert M. Lewis, Ellis Lewis and Charles G. Donnell. The country had not yet recovered from the financial stringency of 1838, and the furnaces were not completed until 1844. The rail-road connecting Irondale with the canal was the first work of this. character in this county. Irondale furnaces have been supplied with ore from Hemlock township until recent years, when the supply has been drawn largely from Snyder County. The name of the Company has been so changed as to exclude the word "Rail-Road." The management during the past third of a century has been directed by E. R. and Y.P. Deinker, and the ownership of the plant continues with the original investors or their descendants.
The discovery of ore on Montour ridge was foflowed by similar developments regarding the hills east of Fishing creek. Here, too, its existence was found out by a trivial circumstance. While plowing on the side of a hill deeply seamed with water-courses, Jacob Melick allowed his plow to retain a uniform depth, and thus, when passing through a place where the surface soil had been washed away, he noticed, in the substratum, that peculiar color possessed by iron ore. December 27, 1852, an agreement was entered into by Mr. Melick, William McKelvey and William Neal, to erect and operate an anthracite funace. April 1,1853, seventeen acres were purchased from Daniel Snyder and Joseph W. Hendershott, and on the same day ground was broken for the contemplated works, which were completed and put in full blast, for the first time, April 14, 1854. In.1873 the firm name was changed from McKelvey, Neal & & Co., to William Neal & Sons, its present style. The furnaces have been continuously operated, except occasional short periods when suspended for repairs. Prior to January 1, 1875, the gross aggregate product was one-hundred and seventeen thousand, nine-hundred and sixty-eight tons-an average of one-thousand, eight-hundred and five tons per annum, which has been fully sustained since that time. Owing to the exhaustion of the ore deposits near Bloomsburg, the bloom furnaces are supplied mainly from mines in New Jersey. The transportation charges thus incurred are more than compensated by the advantage of a short transit from the anthracite coal region. While this branch of the manufacture of iron has become a permanent factor in promoting the growth of the town, the practicability of extending the industry in various directions has also been demonstrated. In 1863 Messrs. Sample & Taylor established a machine-shop and foundry. In 1871 the capital was increased, facilities enlarged, and the manufacture of mine-cars begun by the "Columbia County Iron Manufacturing Company," succssors to the gentlemen who established the business. The new firm became involved financially in 1873; the plant was sold by an assignee, and purchased by G. M. and L. K. Lockard, who had been foremen in the shops since they were first operated. In 1875 a part of their present quarters was first occupied, and in 1879 they became sole proprietors. In the same year a destructive fire destroyed a part of the works, causing a loss of many thousands of dollars. Within three months' time, the site of the burned buildings was occupied by others of improved appearance. The succeeding four years were the most profitable in the career of this establishment. Upward of four thousand rail- road cars were built, and the volume of business annually exceeded a million
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of dollars. In 1870 S.M. Hess began the manufacture of car-wheels, iron fencing, etc., and still continues in this branch of industrial pursuit. In 1875 Harman & Hassart inaugurated a business career which has now had an existence of more than one decade. The Eagle Iron Works have also become well known, through the energy of their proprietor, Mr. B. F. Sharpless. The origin of the carriage factory of M C. Sloan & Bro. has already been explained. The oldest establishment of the kind in this section of country, its management continues to retain that energy with which Major William Sloan was wont to engage in everything he undertook. The Bloomsburg woolen mills were established in 1882 by S. A. Caswell, M. E. Caswell, H. C. Caswell and H .C. Halfpenny, and have been in successful operation since that time. The plant consists of a brick factory one-hundred and twenty-four feet by sixty-four feet, engine house, fourteen looms, and other apparatus of improved design. The value of the annual product has reached sixty-thousand dollars. The location of the mills is at the foot of West street, and was given as a bonus by D. J. Waller, Sr. The Bloomsburg School Furnishing Company was incorporated July 17, 1885, "for the purpose of manufacturing school and church furniture, and doing general planing-mill, foundry and machine work." Among the projectors of this enterprise were C. W. Miller, W. S. Moyer and J. C.Brown. The Bloomsburg Planing and Cabinet Company succeeded November 1, 1886, to the plant of the Agricultural and Iron Works. Charles Krug's Planing-mills were first operated in 1880. Sashes, doors, frames, moldings, etc., constitute the product at these places.
The industrial activity of Bloomsburg has resulted in great measure from the transportation facilities afforded by the canal and rail-roads. The former was opened in 1831, and rapidly fulfilled the expectations of those who advocated state aid to public works. Its period of greatest usefulness to Bloomsburg was the decade immediately preceding the construction of the Lackawanna and Bloomsburg rail-road. This line of traffic warn projected by citizens of Wilkesbarre, whose only way of reaching Philadelphia was the circuitous route via Scranton and New York. It was originally intended that Rupert should be the western terminus of the line, as the connection at this point with the Catawissa rail-road effected the main objects of the projectors. January 1, 1858, the first train of cars rolled into Bloomsburg, or rather passed it, as the line of the road was then quite beyond the limits of the town. For several years one regular passenger train and one mixed train, in which freight predominated, constituted the daily traveling facilities. The way in which accommodations were thus limited was due in great measure to lack of enterprise on the part of the officials of the road. Two trains daily were advertised in 1861, three in 1871, and four in 1881, from which it appears that an addition of one train daily has occurred for every ten years in the history of the road.
It may fairly be predicted that Bloomsburg will become a rail-road center of importance, second to no inland town of its size in this state. This is inferred from its geographical position, and from the work in rail-road construction now in progress and approaching completion. The reason first given is purely theoretical; the forty-first parallel of north latitude crosses the Susque- hanna at the mouth of Fishing creek; this is approximately the latitude of both New York and Chicago, and if the proposed air-line route between those places- "The New York, Bloomsburg and Western rail-road"--should ultimately become an accomplished fact, Bloomsburg cannot fail to derive importance and advantage from it. When the Bloomsburg and Sullivan rail-road
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has been completed, the county seat of Columbia will also become its commercial metropolis. But, returning to the consideration of things as they now exist the business interests of Bloomsburg have materially improved since the completion of the North and West Branch railway. The history of this road from its inception in the mind of the Reverend D.J. Waller, Sr., to its present condition, is directly traceable to the tireless energy with which he fought its battles and achieved its final success. He conceived the idea that a road bed of uniform grade could be constructed at the foot of the hill on the south bank of the Susquehanna. Simon P. Case, a vigorous but unscrupulous man, had previously projected a telegraph line, merged it into a rail-road, and finally, by deciding to tap the coal field at the Hazel region instead of at Wyoming, vacated the river route from Catawissa to Wilkesbarre. Mr. Waller was one of those who had confidence in Case's rail-road, if not in its projector; he wrote a charter for the North and West Branch Rail-Road Company, and through the efforts of Hon. C. R. Buckalew, it received legislative sanction in May, 1871. This was but the initial step, however; ten years elapsed before the line was operated from Wilkesbarre to Catawissa. J. C. Brown was chief engineer, and Samuel Neyhard assistant, in directing its construction. It is provided, in the charter of this company, that a wagon way may be constructed in connection with its bridge over the Susquehanna, and that upon the payment of one-fifth its cost by the commissioners of Columbia county, the company shall maintain it as a free bridge for public use. There is every probability that this bridge will be built in the near future, and Bloomsburg will then realize to the full extent what advantage can be derived from competing lines of railway.
It seems unnecessary to state that the mercantile interests of inland towns receive an impetus from lines of travel which bring them into more direct communication with the commercial centers of the country. The returns from the mercantile appraisements of May 1, 1888, show an aggregate of seventy-one dealers, representing every branch of business enterprise. A similar exhibit in 1858 would not have shown one-third of this number. There are two financial institutions--the First National Bank and the Bloomsburg Banking Company. February 5, 1864, William McKelvey, William Neal, I. W. McKelvey, Robert Cathcart, Robert F. Clark, John K Grotz, George Hughes, Lloyd Paxton and C. R. Paxton formed a temporary organization and began to transact banking business. February 29, 1864, the, Comptroller of the Currency issued his certificate authorizing such action; and, March 7, 1864, the bank was formally opened with C. R. Paxton, president, and J. P. Tustin, cashier. In 1868 Charles Conner and John A. Funston established a broker's office in Bloomsburg, which, in March, 1871, was merged into the Bloomsburg Banking Company, of which Mr. Funston was president; Charles Conner, Joseph Sharpless, John G. Freeze and Wilson M. Eves were the first directors. It is a private corporation, with a capital of fifty thousand dollars, and a surplus equal to fifty per cent of the same. Both are prosperous and and successful institutions, and have greatly facilitated the general business workings of the community.
The Bloomsburg Board of Trade, "founded for the encouragement and protection of trade and commerce," numbers among its members the leading merchants and other citizens of the town. It was incorporated May12, 1886, with Hon. C. R. Buckalew, C. G. Barkley, D. W. Kitchen, I. W. McKelvey and I. S. Kuhn, directors.
In medical circles, Bloomsburg is well known as the location of Dr. L. A. Shattuck's Rest-Cure Sanitarium. It was originally established in 1870 by
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Dr. A. L. Tench, who was succeeded within a few years by A. L. Turner. His experience as a surgeon in the late war and as Superintendent of Onondaga insane asylum, rendered him exceptionally competent to treat nervous diseases with success. The location combines healthfulness, accessibility and congenial natural surroundings. Dr.. Shattuck assumed the management in 1882, since when it has maintained a high character as a popular resort.
As this industrial development of the county seat progressed, the population increased, the building area was extended, and a different political organization followed in the wake of changed social conditions. The town plat laid off by Ludwig Eyer extended from First steeet to Third, and from West to East (Iron) street, comprising thirty-two blocks of three lots each. Mr. Eyer was not an exact geometer, but his good judgment is seen in the location of the town, the width and regularity of the street., and their distance from each other. About the year 1815, the Reverend Caleb Hopkins laid out a number of lots on East street below Third. Although this nominal addition comprised for years no other houses than the reverend gentleman's residence, it was known and recognized as Hopkinsville.*
When the size and importance of this suburb became such as to really
require a name, this designation was succeeded by the less complimentary one of Snaketown, for which East street has finally been substituted. When the canal was opened in 1831. Port Noble came into existence as the port of entry for Bloomsburg, and a road was made from Market street thither. Daniel Snyder's addition, the south-west corner of Second and East streets, between Iron and Third, was made about 1887. Anticipating an influx of laborers when the Irondale furnaces should begin operations, D. J. Waller, Sr., in 184-, laid off that portion of Bloomsburg known as Welsh hill, from the prevailing nationality of its people, the north east corner of Iron and First streets. Dr. John Ramsay's addition adjoins this on the south side of First street. On the west side of the same. street between Oyer and Murray alleys; Messrs. Cathcart and Hurley laid out a number of lots, after the failure of their cocoonery. In 1857 Catharine street was opened; the location of the depot of the Lackawanna and Bloomsburg rail-road had determined to a great extent the direction in which Bloomsburg has expanded since that time. Passenger trains stopped at the Market street crossing at first, but when negotiations for the purchase of land proved fruitless, a temporary station wan built at East street. If this arrangement had become permanent, Bloomsburg as then existing, would have virtually ceased to be the business portion of the town. This was averted by the prompt action of D. J. Waller, Sr., who purchased a tract of land, and in 1859 gave the rail-road company the site occupied by its stations. Since this time, the area between Fourth street and Seventh has
gradually become one of the most beautiful parts of the town. The extension westward has, been popularly known as Scott-Town, from the fact that Dr. David N. Scott was the first person who lived below the hill on Second street and still considered himself a resident of Bloomsburg. The addition by
Messrs. Rupert and Barton is bounded by Fourth, Iron and East steeets, and the canal. Upon the erection of the Normal School building in 1869, Second
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*The origin of the name Bloomsburg cannot so easily be explained. It is said that the name was suggested by certain of the old settlers' who had formerly lived at Bloomsburg, N. J. Bloom township was formed from the western part of Briarcreek in 1797 and so named in honor of Samuel Bloom, one of the county commissioners for Northumberland county at that time. It is said that when the name for a post-office was discussed some of the citizens protested against Dyertown, notwithstanding their German nationality and respect for the proprietor. On the occasion or a fourth of July celebration in the wood above First street some one, with excellent tact, called for three cheers for Bloomsburg at the instant when patriotic enthusiasm was at its height. In the excitement of the moment, the name made a favorable impression on the popular mind. It is not a matter of vital importance, but of curious importance, how the name originated, and the reader can then judge which of the explanations given is most plausible.
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street was extended beyond the forks. Morgantown is the name applied to company houses at Irondale furnace; while Rabbtown comprehends a number of similar structures at Bloom furnace, The population of Bloom township in 1820 was one thousand six hundred and twenty-six; in 1830, two thousand and and eighty-one; in 1840, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-four; in 1850, three thousand one hundred and twenty-two; in 1860, two thousand six hundred and sixty-eight; in 1870, three thousand three hundred and forty; in 1880, three thousand seven hundred and two. The apparent decrease in the decade ending in 1860 is explained by the fact that Scott township was not included in the census of that year.
In view of this constant increase in population, it is matter of surprise
that the township organization, established in 1797, and continued for seventy-three years, was not sooner supplanted by a form of government better adapted to a compact community. Efforts to secure incorporation as a borough under the act of 1834, were successively made and as frequently defeated. The reasons to which this may be assigned, is the situation of Bloomsburg within a
farming region too small to constitute a separate township, and the great diversity of opinion as to what limits should be prescribed for the purposed borough. March 4, 1870, an act prepared by Hon. C. R Buckalew, was passed by the legislature, in which the limits of the town are defined in a
manner that completely obviates this difficulty, by the simple declaration, "that the Town of Bloomsburg shall hereafter include all the territory now included within the limits of Bloom township." It provides for a classification of real estate, based upon the situation of property in the built up or
suburban portions of the town, or its use for exclusively agricultural purposes. The burden of taxation is thus distributed; farm lands are assessed at a rate equal to one-half, and suburban property, at a rate not exceeding two-thirds, respectively, of, the highest rates of tax required to be assessed in each year. Cumulative voting is authorized by this act, which thus provides in the only
instance in this country, a method for securing proportional representations. The foIlowing is extracted from section fourth, of the act referred to, and sufficiently explains the distinctive features of this system of voting.
In any case where more persons than one are to be chosen in said town to the same office, for the same time or term of office, each voter duly qualified shall be entitled to as many votes as the number of persons to be chosen, and may poll his votes as follows,
to-wit: First- Where two persona are to be chosen he may give one vote to each of two candidates, or two votes to one. Second- Where three persons are to be chosen, he may give one vote to each of three candidates, two votes to one candidate and one to another, one vote and a half to each
of two candidates or three votes to one. Third- Where four persons are to be chosen, he may give one vote to each of four candidates, one vote and one-third to each of three, two votes to each of two, or four votes to one. Fourth- Where six persons are to be chosen, be may give one vote to each of six candidates, one vote and a half to each of four, two votes to each of three, three votes to
each of two, or six votes to one. A town council, consisting of president and six members, is elected annually. A list of the incumbents since the organization of the town has been compiled from offlcial sources and is herewith subtended: 1870--President, Elias Mendenhall; members, Joseph Sharpless, Stephen Knorr, W. B. Koons, F. C. Eyer, Caleb Barton, C. G. Barkley. 1871-President, Elias Mendenhall; members, Joseph Sharpless, C.G. Barkley, Stephen Knoor, W..B. Koons, F.C. Eyer, John Rinker. 1872--President, Elias Mendenhall; members, Freas Brown, Stephen
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Knorr, Caleb Barton, John S. Sterner, James Dennis, J.H. Maize, vice W. B. Koons, resigned 1873--President, Stephen Knorr; members, Louis Bernhard, Charles Thomas, C.W.Miller, Samuel Knorr, J.S. Evans, John S. Sterner. 1874--President, David Lowenberg; members, Joseph Hendershott, P.S. Harman, J.K.Eyer, Louis Bernhard, Stephen Knorr, W. Peacock. 1875--President, David Lowenberg; members, E.R.Drinker, G.W. Sterner, Eli Jones, Isaiah Hagenbuch, W.O.Holmes, Wellington Hartman, vice John Cadman, resigned. 1876--President, David Lowenberg; members, Peter Jones, Isaiah Hagenbuch, E.R.Drinker, G.E.Elwell, W.O.Holmes, E.M.Knorr. 1877--President, David Lowenberg; members, E.R.Drinker, W. Rabb, W.O.Holmes, Peter Jones, G.W.Carrell, G.E.Elwell. 1878--President, G. A. Herring; members, J.S.Evans, E.R. Drinker, W. Rabb, G.E.Elwell, B. F. Sharpless, W. 0. Holmes. 1879--President, I. S. Kuhn; members, J. S. Evans, W. 0. Holmes, G. M. Lockard, B. F. Sharpless, E. R. Drinker, W. Rabb. 1880--President, G. A. Herring; members, W. Rabb, J.S.Evans, B. F. Sharpless, Charles Thomas, George Hassert, W. O. Holmes. 1881-President, G. A. Herring; members, W. Rabb, George Hassert, J. K. Lockard, I. W. Hartman, G. W. Correll, C. W. Neal. 1882- President, G. A. Herring; members, C. B. Sterling, W. Rabb, George Hassert, W. S. Moyer, L.E. Waller, I. W. Hartman. 1883-- President, G.A. Herring; members, C.B. Sterling, W. Rabb George Hassert, I.W. Hartmn, L.E. Waller,W.S. Moyer. 1884--President, L.B. Rupert; members, C.B. Sterling, W. Rabb, Eli Jones, C. A. Moyer, Isaiah Hagenbuch, L. T. Sharpless. 1885-President, L. B. Rupert; members, C.B. Sterling, J.C Sterner, Henry Rosenstock, C.A. Moyer, Isaiah Hagenbuch, L T.Sharpless. 1886-President, B. F. Zarr; members, C.B. Sterling, J.C. Sterner, Henry Rosenstock, E. B Clark, L F. Clark, W. J. Correll
The election of the first town council expressed an almost unanimous sentiment in favor of internal improvement. Little effort had been directed to this object, and much had been misdirected. If one township supervisor attempted to correct the inherent muddy propensity of the streets, the conscientious scruples of his successor impelled him to immediately suspend road making operations on the score of retrenchment. As early as 1793, the brook was crossed at Second street by a pine bridge, a neighborhood affair which greatly convenienced people on their way to church. The first combined effort at street improvement was made in 1813, when the town was much excited over the prospect of becoming a county seat. As if to emphasize its eligibility, stumps were removed and the streets generally levelled. The commissioners appointed to select the county town visited Milton first; after preparing Bloomsburg for their reception, James McClure, John Chamberlain,. Casper Chrisman, and others, rode over to Jerseytown to meet them. Although it was years before their object was finally attained, their efforts were not in vain. In1838 the hill in Second street beyond West was deemed too steep for travel, and the public road followed the channel of the creek after a circuitous descent. The Port Noble road at this time was narrow, crooked, and almost impassable in wet weather. After purchasing the land on either side of the road, Mr. Waller straightened its course, graded it as a private enterprise, and built a bridge over the rail-road as one of the conditions for the location of the station at its present site. Market street was not fully opened until 1874, when the
TO BE CONTINUED
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