This Was Doylestown, 1906

Religious census conducted in Doylestown -

The committee in charge of the revival meetings to take place in Doylestown in May met Friday evening. Rev. A.O. Gilmore reported that the recent religious census of the County Seat was not altogether a success.

This is due to the fact that many people refused to give information to those conducting the canvass, some of the residents giving as their reason that they "would have nothing to do with it."

Of the cards bearing information, 738 were returned, including 2,714 persons. They showed that there are 1,505 members of church in the town and 1,209 not members of any church.

The cards show that there are fourteen denominations represented among the church members, as follows: Presbyterian, 403; Catholic, 167; Methodist, 156; Baptist, 160; Episcopal, 130; Friends, 54; Mennonite, 42; Lutheran, 157; Reformed, 216; Seventh Day Baptist, 1; Colored Baptist, 16; Christian, 1; Brethren in Christ, 1; Congregationalist, 1. It is rather interesting to know that the cards show that several denominations are represented in many of the families.

The finance committee reported that they will distribute an envelope and circular to each home in the County Seat. They will be called for later when it is hoped they will contain whatever subscription the residents wish to make. With them will be a card bearing the following:

"Will You Reserve May 9 to 30 for the King's Business? The Gospel will be preached in Doylestown every day between the above dates by Evangelist L.W. Munhall. Music Led by Prof. J.J. Lowe, the Gospel Singer. You are cordially invited. Get Right With God."

Doylestown township man celebrates 97th birthday -

Another birthday, his 97th, was celebrated Thursday by the venerable Elijah Lewis, of Doylestown township, who still is in good health and will doubtless round out a century or more of life.

During the day he was visited by many friends and relatives who dropped in for a few minutes' chat and to offer their congratulations. Among the number were several Odd Fellows of the County Seat, for Mr. Lewis is probably the oldest member of the Order in the State, having joined Doylestown Lodge No. 94, I.O.O.F., July 1, 1844.

A number of friends and relatives spent the afternoon with Mr. Lewis and the time passed quickly in a social way, Mr. Lewis entering into the spirit of the occasion. Later, the guests were invited to the dining room where they sat down to a luncheon. Like all other young folks, Mr. Lewis had his birthday cake, a pretty and palatable creation on top of which was the description "Elijah Lewis--1809-1906."

For a man so old, Mr. Lewis enjoys good health which is probably due to his rugged constitution and the fact that he still occupies himself with self-appointed tasks of outdoor work. For instance, it has always been his pride to cut all the winter wood, split it and pile it up in the wood house.

He was born in 1809 in Doylestown, residing in the old Shearer property, now Tucker's milk station on State street, which he owned. In 1855 he bought the tract near the borough water works, where he now lives, and built the house, having cleared away the dense timber which was on the site. Since then he has farmed there continually and in all his life has never missed casting his ballot at the polls.

He has one sister, Mrs. Rosanna Rex, of Philadelphia, who is quite advanced in years; two daughters, Misses Mattie and Emma Lewis, who live at home; and one son, George Lewis, of Doylestown.

Editors' note - Elijah Lewis died Jan. 25, 1907 at the age of 97 and was buried in Doylestown Cemetery, according to death records in the Spruance Library of the Bucks County Historical Society.

School principal reports on attendance -

The regular monthly meeting of the Doylestown School Board was held in the High School room on Monday evening to discuss the April business. The following members of the board were present: President Eastburn, Secretary James, Directors Fell, Grim, Stilwell, McIntosh and Hendricks.

Principal Ross submitted his report on attendance, which was as follows: Males, 246; females, 243; male average, 90 percent; female average, 87 percent; total average, 88 percent.

Principal Ross complained to the board of several boys under the age of the compulsory school act who mostly carry the daily papers and miss a great deal of time. He stated that these boys were very deficient in their schooling.

Eighty-five percent was the percentage affixed, which would exempt the pupils from the final examinations in June. This is 5 percent lower than last year.

The principal was authorized to dismiss the senior class from school on June 1st, in order to give those who fail in their examinations another chance and to prepare for their commencement.

The board decided to accept a free scholarship offered by Lafayette College to the students of Doylestown High School, and a vote of thanks was sent to the president of the college.

Advertisement -

Fourteen Extra Good Horses at Private Sale at the MONUMENT HOUSE STABLES, where they can be seen and driven. Will be sold on trial. Marketable horses taken in exchange. Charles T. Bissey, Doylestown, Pa.

Luncheon honors retiring Republican County Chairman -

Joseph R. Grundy, Bristol textile mill owner, was the host at a delightful luncheon at the Fountain House in Doylestown on Saturday to meet the retiring Chairman of the Republican County Committee, E. Wesley Keeler.

Invitations had been issued to the members of the County Committee and a number of prominent Republicans of the county. At 12 o'clock, immediately after the reorganization of the committee, the members assembled at the Fountain House, where they were cordially greeted by Mr. Grundy and Mr. Keeler in the parlor on the second floor of the hotel.

At 12:15 the guests were ushered into the dining room, where tables were beautifully laid with covers for over a hundred persons. An elegant menu, as follows, was served: Appetizers - Cherry Stone Clams, Celery, Olives; Main Course - Green Turtle Soup, Sliced Tomatoes, Roast Turkey, Oyster Sauce, Glazed Sweet Potatoes, Mashed White Potatoes, Spinach: Dessert - Strawberry Short Cake, Vanilla Ice Cream, Coffee, Cakes, Cigars.

After the luncheon, Mr. Grundy, as toastmaster, arose and paid tribute to Mr. Keeler for the excellent work he had performed as chairman during the past three years.

Next, Assistant United States Attorney John C. Swartley, a former chairman; Congressman Irving P. Wanger, Evan R. Penrose, District Attorney Joseph W. Shelly, chairman for six years; C.D. Hotchkiss, Assemblyman Joseph S. Thomas, Assemblyman Warren F. Cressman, and the newly elected chairman, Oscar O. Bean, all testified to the good work accomplished by Mr. Keeler during his administration as County Chairman.

Borough Council holds reorganization meeting -

Borough Council had a love feast at the annual meeting Monday morning, when the old Board finished up its business and the new one organized. Everything passed off serenely without a break in the cut-and-dried slate.

On motion of Mr. Randall, T.O. Atkinson was made president pro tem, and A.H. Clayton, secretary.

Burgess [Mayor] John Donnelly then swore in the newly elected members of Council as follows: Second Ward - C.D. Bigley, to succeed himself; Third Ward - Chamberlain Arnwine as successor to Seneca Houk. Dr. James E. Groff, who succeeds himself in the First Ward, was not present, being on a business trip to Buffalo.

The election of officers went through without a break, the Councilmen all using the same kind of ballots, as there was no opposition. The old officers were re-elected as follows: President, Thomas Ogden Atkinson; Clerk, A. Harry Clayton; Solicitor and Treasurer, Henry O. Harris; Street Commissioner, Theodore Holcombe.

It was decided to leave the salaries the same as they were last year: Clerk, $100; Solicitor and Treasurer, $200.

President Atkinson then called the attention of the members to a very handsome pair of hammered iron andirons which had been presented by Elmer Barnes and placed in the open fireplace. The members inspected the generous gift, praised the fine workmanship and extended a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Barnes.

Advertisement -

JAMES BARRETT, Dealer in HARDWARE...Binder Twine, Hay Rope, Ice Cream Freezers, Bread Mixers, Croquet Sets, Doors and Screens, Horse Sheets and Fly Nets, American Field Fencing, Pumps, Cement and Plaster, Paints, Glass, Varnish, Cutlery, Etc...Cor. Main and Ashland Streets, Doylestown, Pa.

Doylestown Town Notes -

Moses K. Atler brought a beautiful butterfly, which had just come from a cocoon at his mother's home, to the Intelligencer office Friday morning. It is doubtless the first of the season and is extremely pretty with the richest of colors. It is one of the largest seen in this part of the country and measures more than five inches across the wings.

Edward Dimmig, who has accepted a position in Harry Fluck's blacksmith shop, is moving from Chalfont to a house on Hamilton street.

The shipment of quail, which have been held in Doylestown until the snow had left, were liberated on Sunday. Most of the birds were let go in the vicinity of Haycock.

There was a very large attendance Saturday afternoon at the sale of the personal property of Mrs. Isabel Kephard on Shewell avenue, and good prices were received.

The Doylestown Band has moved from the Weaver building into the second floor of the Wintyen automobile garage.

Willie, the three-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Baxter, fractured a bone in one of his arms Thursday by falling from a small wagon with which he was playing.

Lawn mowers are turning up by the score at the machine shops and it is even said that a well-known lawyer was exercising his muscles cutting the grass this week.

Mrs. Harry Good, of Bridge street, is having her house painted.

Contractor Walter Powers has put another gang of Italians at work laying the conduits undergound for the Keystone Telephone Company. It is expected that the conduits will all be laid by next week when work will be started building the manholes.

Edward Neis, who has been attending school at Villanova, returned to his home in Doylestown with one arm broken as the result of an accident in a baseball game.

Teachers of the public schools were entertained Thursday evening by Miss Miriam Raike at her home on State street. One of the features of the evening was a "spelling bee."

Ex-County Jailer Elmer Stout, of Doylestown, has received word of his appointment as messenger in the State Treasurer's office at Harrisburg at a salary of $1,000. There is no doubt that his record there will be as excellent as it was during his incumbency as Head Jailer, when he gained many friends by his geniality and ability.

From the Doylestown Daily Intelligencer, Week of April 1-7, 1906