|
|
|
Watsontown History by Major Fred H. Knight, 1915 |
|
Written by Administrator
|
|
Tuesday, 26 April 2005 |
|
Page 6 of 17
After industrial prosperity and religious fervor always follows civic pride and social activity. Watsontown, following along these lines was incorporated into a Borough, November 4, 1867, holding its first municipal election November 16, 1867, electing its First Chief Burgess, Joseph Hollopeter, and the Members of its first Council, Thomas Carl, F.S. Whitman, C.O. Bachman, John Bly and D.C. Hogue. The geography of the Borough has never been changed and its boundary lines stand today the same as when incorporated.
Following close upon the incorporation of the Bourough came the institution, on December 16, 1867, of a Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, known as the C.O. Bachman Lodge, No. 619, subsequently changed to Watsontown Lodge. From that time to the present this organization has ministered to the wants of the orphans, the widows and the needy and has brought comfort to many homes.
In August, 1867, Joseph Hollopeter, not only active in industrial prosperity, but as well in social welfare, with J.M. Follmer, Geo. Burns and R.H. McCormick met at the store of Joseph Hogue, located where the S.B. & B. Railroad offices are now located, and conceived the idea of instituting a Lodge of Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons. An application was made to the Grand Lodge for a charter for a local lodge to be called Fort Freeland Lodge, but before the charter was granted the name was changed to the Watsontown Lodge No. 401. The Foresman House, now the Mansion House, at the Northwest corner of Second and Main Streets, had just been completed by its owner, John Foresman, and the third story was rented for a Lodge Room, where, on the 16th of January, 1868, Watsontown Lodge No. 401 F. & A.M., was instituted by the then Right Worshipful Grand Master Richard Vaux of Phila. This was followed, in June, 1874, by the institution of Warrior Run Royal Arch Chapter No. 246, with Robert B. Claxton, Jr., Most Excellent High Priest; Oscar Foust, King; James Taylor, Scribe; F.H. Knight, Secretary; and J.H. Wagner, Treasurer.
Turning from the activities of the living, the then leaders of the community, found it necessary to prepare a resting place for the dead, and on November 5, 1866, the Watsontown Cemetery Association was incorporated. Its first Officers were: President, George Burns; Secretary, A.B. Latshaw; Treasurer, Silas Rombach; Directors, Joseph Hollopeter, F.S. Whitman, Peter Shaffer and D.S. Kramer. This Association purchased a tract of land of about eight acres lying up the hill on the north side of First Street, east of the Old Academy (now the Watsontown Home) and started to improve it-the first interment being the body of Mrs. Joseph Everitt. Since that date much improvement and new land has been added to this silent city, until it has become a most beautiful spot overlooking the West Branch River wending its waters to the sea, but it is not only beautiful but is peaceful and harmonious as well.
|
|
Watsontown History 
