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Note: Military Service: 1812 Corporal SC-17961 Event: Event 1826 Discovered Coal in Luzerne County
War of 1812 Name: JOHN CHARLES Company: 71 REG'T (HUTTER'S) PENNSYLVANIA MIL. Rank - Induction: SERGEANT Rank - Discharge: CORPORAL Roll Box: 38 Roll Exct: 602
FITZGERALD / CHARLES, John, 1778-1874 From Hazleton PA Plain Speaker, Tues. Aug. 9, 1938
According to the best available information, John Charles, soldier of the War of 1812, discovered the first coal in the limit of what is now the city of Hazleton. This was in 1826, when the coal measures in Beaver Meadow were already being tapped in a primitive fashion. Charles was a blacksmith in Venison Market, the old name of Conyngham. He found the coal measures when he dug out a groundhog. He took the coal to his blacksmith shop, where he tried it out and found that the "stone coal" as it was called, burned. Charles, an ancestor of Mrs. Ralph Schwarz, was born of noble family in Ireland, and his real name was Fitzgerald. He was an earl and was one of the political refugees who fled the headsman's axe in 1778, when his parents were beheaded and his two sisters thrust into convents. He came to the United States, settled first in Northampton county, and was later blacksmith in what is now Conyngham, marrying Miss Margaret Wagner, September 23, 1811. He was 33 and she was 17 years of age. He died January 16, 1874, aged 95 years. His body is buried in the Vine street cemetery, in the circular plot inside the main gate. Information of Charles' career was received from Mrs. Schwarz, who possesses the original family Bible of the Charles pioneers. The picture of Mr. Charles was furnished by Mrs. William Alber, of North Vine street, who is a descendant of the pioneer. Other pictures of the Charles family are in the Bon-Ton window, loaned by Mrs. A.J. McHose.
From Hazleton Newspaper, Aug. 26, 1941 John Charles, was also a blacksmith, and lived in Sugar Loaf township. At one time he was offered the entire tract of land where the city of Hazleton is now situated, in consideration of shoeing a team of oxen one year, but its value being unknown to him he refused to take it.
History of Luzerne County Pennsylvania H. C. Bradsby, Editor 1893 For some years after mining had commenced in the Wyoming valley there were no veins known to exist on the uplands. Coal was discovered near the city of Hazleton in 1826. John Charles, a hunter, in digging for a ground hog, found coal in what is now the city of Hazleton, and from this fact was formed the Hazleton Coal company. This is the current story and does well enough for a beginning.
1826* *According to legend, hunter JOHN CHARLES finds coal while digging for a groundhog in woods that are part of present-day Hazleton.
June 19 1833* Nescopeck Canal. Members of the Central and Corresponding Committees, appointed by the Conyngham Convention in December last, are requested to meet at the house of John CHARLES, Conyngham, on the 4th July next. The following named gentlemen compose the committee: John D. BOWMAN,Jacob DRUMHELLER,Nathan BEACH,Samuel SMITH,Ziba BENNET,Stephen BALLIIOT,James P. BULL, James A. GORDON,A. B. WILSON,Henry SEIBERT,Henry COLT,Peter YOHE,Samuel HARMAN,Jesse BOWMAN,John BRIGGS
Public Meeting, held July 4th at the house of John CHARLES, Conyngham. Andrew WOLF was called to the chair and Abraham DRUM and James A. GORDON, appointed Secretaries. Jacob DRUMHELLER, Jedediah IRISH, Nathan BEACH, Moses S. BRUNDAGE and James A. GORDON, Esquires, be a committee to advocate and conduct an investigation, before the Committee of the Senate, of the charges against certain Coal Companies, for monopolizing the coal trade.
October 1 1834* A meeting held at the Public House of Reuben HILL, Conyngham, on Sept. 27th, of democratic republicans, Capt. John CHARLES was appointed Chairman and William DRUMHELLER and Henry B. YOST, secretaries. (no other names listed of committees)
October 8 1834* At a meeting at the house of Reuben HILL, Conyngham, Sept. 27th, Capt. John CHARLES was appointed Chairman and William DRUMHELLER and Henry B. YOST, Secretaries. Resolved that this meeting approve the ticket formed at MYERS' in Kingston on Tuesday last.
October 15 1834* Orphans' Court Sale to be held Nov. 1st, at the house of John CHARLES, Conyngham, for land in the township of Sugarloaf. One town lot in Conyngham, bounded by John Adam WINTERS, OSTERDAY, containing 3 acres. And one tract, (no acres given), late estate of John MACKLE, deceased. John BEISEL, ad'mr.
April 29 1835 * Military Election for the Enrolled Militia and Volunteers within the bounds of the 2nd Brigade of the 8th Division, Pennsylvania Militia, will be held on the first Monday of June next: Volunteer Batt. of Union Guards, at house of John CHARLES, Sugarloaf Township
November 16 1836* Case of Arson. During the present sitting of the Court in this county, John CHARLES was tried on a charge of burning the unfinished dwelling house of Mr. BRUNDAGE, in Sugarloaf. After a patient investigation of the case the jury returned a verdict of acquittal. Mr. CHARLES was subsequently bound in a recognizance to keep the peace.
December 7 1836* Land in Sugarloaf Township, bounded by Susquehanna and Lehigh Turnpike road, containing 13 acres. Seized and taken in execution at the suit of John CHARLES against John R. JACKSON
List of Traverse Jurors drawn to serve First Week - April Term, 1839 John CHARLES, Sugarloaf
Source Wyoming County Historical Society*
RUPP'S 1845 SUBSCRIBERS LIST-Charles, John | Northampton Co., PA | Hazleton, Carbon Co., PA
Bethlehem Public Library Charles, Captain John DIED - January 16, 1874 in Luzerne County, age 96; born 1778 near Bethlehem; Veteran of War 1812.
1850 U.S, Census, Sugar Loaf, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania John Charles, m, 70 , Pennsylvania, Real Estate Value $1,000 Mary Charles,f, 60, Pennsylvania Sarah Charles,f, 19, Pennsylvania Stephen Charles,m, 15, Pennsylvania Esther Charles,f, 17, Pennsylvania
1860 U.S. Census, Hazle, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania John Charles,m, 80, Pennsylvania, Personal Value $50.00 Mary Charles,f, 70, Pennsylvania Stephen Charles,m, 23, Pennsylvania, Watchmaker Wm W Winters,m, 9, Pennsylvania
Hazleton in 1843 (Luzerne Co., PA) From Hazleton PA Plain Speaker, Tues. Aug. 9, 1938
The following survey of early conditions in Hazleton is from the pen of Henry E. Brown, who was born and reared in this section and who at the time he wrote was a resident of Bethlehem. The article was found by the late B.W. Wilde in a copy of the old Hazleton Sentinel of July 17, 1906, when Hazleton was prepared to celebrate its old Home Week the end of that month. It is as follows: "Hazle Swamp" was the name applied to that part, of spur, of the Pehoposkos on which Hazleton now nestles, by Heckewelder, Mack and other missionaries of the Moravian church; and this name the Christian brethren received from the Indians. Singular, one is so apt to remark, that the untutored sons of the forest knew so much. Many cultured people, even after receiving a so-called higher education, invariably associate the word "swamp" with the lowlands. Count Zinsendord, Heckewelder, Mack and others, in company with the Indian converts, tramped through this "swamp" twice, if not oftener, each year in the prosecution of their missionary labors among the tribes of Indians on the Susquehanna; in the interval between 1742 and 1800. The adventurous Welsh miners of the Panther Creek region, bent upon prospecting, in 1813 discovered coal at Beaver Meadow; which brought Nathan Beach and Tench Coxe into the section, not having been able to find a welcome with the Lehigh Coal & Navigation people. This fact led to some bitter experiences; the Beaver Meadow people determining to build an all-rail route through the Lehigh Valley to Easton, by which to market the product of their mines. This proposition was not wrought out in one or two years. In fact, many years passed before the road was built as far as the present Parryville, when it was washed away in the big freshet of '41 and ended the project. In the prosecution of his profession with the Beaver Meadow people, Ario Pardee, hearing of the discovery of Bocker, the hunter-trapper, who reported having found an out-cropping of coal at what is now called the Hazleton Mines and "quarried," and with windlass raised quantity for John Fitzgerald, miscalled Charles, the Conyngham blacksmith; came personally from Beaver Meadow to verify the report; and with General Lilly, then a bookkeeper for the Lehigh Navigation Co. at Penn Haven, took up some unseated lands in which the Bocker discovery was supposed to be located. to a man up a tree it looks very much as if the "unseated" lands was sliced from the holdings of Joachim Wigman, Daniel Peters, Paul Muksche, Ludwig Roth and George Hartman, yet, the man up a tree may be mistaken. Facts of record say that the original purchases of these lands form the proprietary were: Paul Muksche, 305 A, 105 P.; George C. Drake 494 A. 97 P.; John Kunckie, 410 A, also 217 A. 120 P; Sidney V. Smith, 44A. 2 P.; Ludwig Roth, 207 A. 57 P.; Conrad Horn, 123 A. 130 P.; C.F. Hill, 10 A. 123 P.; Mary Kunckle, 452 A. 81 P; Joseph H. Chapman, 354 A. 4 P.; John Adam Winters, 35 A. 55 P.; William Lilly, 87 A. 131 P.; and A. Pardee, 20 A. 20 P. The two last, recorded in 1835, seem to indicate the beginning of mining in this section. My advent at Hazleton was at the hands, I am told, of Dr. Crary, of Beaver Meadow - Hazleton not having a physician at that date - May 9, 1843, and the event took place in the small corner house opposite the steam mill on Broad street, where my parents resided in company with Joseph Grenawalt's family. The first thing in my life that I can recall was a fall into the cellar of the new home my father, George Brown, built, now Wagner's Hotel on Broad street. This was home to me until I made one of my own. The next event that comes to mind as of note was the donning of my first trousers, with coat, vest and hat; a gift from an admirer, Calvin Adolph Gum, an attache at the company's office. I have often tried to recall the name of the blacksmith located just above my home, on the same side, who was always sogracious, to me when I stood wonderingly to see the sparks fly. The saddlery shop of George B. Markle came next, then the store of William Kisner, as he wrote his name. Then across "Tamaqua street" on the corner, was the company store, with Major Wiston, John Ruckman and others I can't recall, as clerks; and Mr. Meyers at the desk. Next came the home of Mr. Kinsey, the pattern maker and a pretty home it was, with its inviting lawn and beautiful shrubbery. To the juveniles, Mr. Kinsey, with his ebony cane and silk hat, going to his work, was a genius. Now came a vacant lot on which Sylvester Engle had a little jewelry shop, so small indeed, that the grindstone he ground his watch crystals on had to stand outside, to the delight of the youngsters, who made the thing "go round". Then came the newly constructed Union Hotel, built by Lewis Davenport, a brother-in-law of Mr. Pardee. In militia companies Hazleton was not behind, and many amusing incidents remind us of the "training days" when they went into camp for a week at Conyngham. The beaux and belles having a joyous time and making a combination unique and rare, as they punished the ginger cakes an small beer. These companies paraded upon the slightest provocation and they were ever present at all functions that promised a good time. Then, too, it must be said, though with regret that there was occasion for it, that they were always to be counted upon in quelling riots whenever necessary. I remember two riots that were serious and resulted in much bloodshed, and consequent heartaches; the most serious was the sequence of a foolish prank on the part of the young clerks in the company store, and the result was mourning in many of the households for the dear ones who were not. About the time of the great rebellion, Hazleton was but an overgrown village, though it had put on municipal airs a few years previous. Politically it was, until the Lincoln campaign, overwhelmingly Democratic. It was said that Pardee cast the only Whig ticket, and that to obtain his ballot he had recourse to a newspaper championing that faith, from which he clipped it. The social life of the earlier Hazletonian was that obtaining in every frontier settlement. That no man lives until himself, there is a verity. I have repeatedly seen the late Mr. Pardee sitting on the company store porch in company with his employees chatting, and not always about the operations either. Next came the residence of George Fenstermacher, gunsmith and blacksmith, who also set back from the street, and the front door yard was fragrant, in season, with honeysuckle and flowering plants. Next came the home of William Kisner, on the corner. The reminiscences clustering about this home are exceedingly precious. In it was indeed joy supreme. None knew better than Mr. Kisner how to brighten the hearts of the youngsters. Anthony Brown and Con Kelly later built a double house almost two blocks farther west and then the intervening woods shut us out from the homes at the Hazleton Mines. To the east of our home, at this time, was a small house filled with a big family named Oxrider, then nothing until the long red company house at the railroad crossing; and then the home of Mr. Giles, after which there was none again until that of Mrs. McGinley, half way up Laurel Hill, which was the last house on that side. On the north side of Broad street, beginning with the toll gate and going westward was first, the boarding house, at the company shops, with Mrs. Bird at its head; then the residence of Mr. Pardee, then the homes of "Tommy" Evans and Owen Gorman; next, the home of Colonel Tubbs; that was kept bright by his interesting family; next was the residence of dear old Dr. Lewis, who was so fond of children, situated on the corner; after which came a double house occupied by Mr. Andrew Straw and Adam Will; the former the company's boss framer, the latter a machinist. Then the house in which I was born, known to me at the time of my boyhood as the Kash residence. Now came a long house, or row of tenement houses, in which lived Reuben Hill, a saddler, and others I've forgotten. Next was Mr. Hirst, then Joseph Greenawalt, who conducted the butchering for the community; then Christopher Cortright and next the Hazleton Hotel, presided over by Thomas Lawall. Across Wyoming street was the company's yard and stable; then came the home of Charles Meyers, bookkeeper; then the residence and factory Conrad Lauer, cabinet maker and undertaker; then Duser's boarding house; then another row of tenements and then the Mansion House under the management of a Mr. Worbas, I think. It burned down under suspicious circumstances and was rebuilt by Joseph Greenawalt, who lived in it for a while. His son, Frank, was born there. Then came the commons continuing to and just beyond the State House, when woods intervened to the home of James James, superintendent of the Hazleton Mines, at whose home Mrs. James so lovingly entertained the little ones who called. Next, to James' were the Barager's after which, at some distance, came the miners' homes. Conrad Horn, the gunsmith, and the Winters family, woodmen, lived away out in the forest. At this early date there were few Homes on the other streets as laid out today. The "butcher field" extended from the alley north of and parallel with Broad street, northward to the forest, westward to Wyoming street and eastward to the swamp, in the rear of the Pardee home. In which, while passing, I noted the crying panther, at times made the nights hideous. To the west of Wyoming street and north of Broad everything was woods, into which the Mansion House stables and later homes and the new school house crowded. To the eastern terminal of the company field, in which we used to play "Round the Town," a game somewhat similar to base ball of the present day. On the eastern side of Wyoming street the Krapfs had built homes while on Mine, then Railroad, street, east of Wyoming street, there was but one home, that of Thomas Fitzpatrick, the father of the late Colonel, until one came to the company tenements along the railroad below the old Odd Fellows Hall. There were, naturally, many single men drawn to Hazleton by the advantages offered, and these were provided for at the hotels and boarding houses, and they would not be known to so young a person as I was at the time, when memory first aided me. The Silliamns, McKees, Bach, D. Arnold, Heidenriech, Ulich, Ringleben (Andrew) Russell, the saddler, Hamburger, the butcher, Mrs. Hambruger, the milliner, Dr. A. Longshore, Robison, the miller, Bannan, also a miller, Depue, the teamster, "Tommy" Williams, Isaac Smith, the Whittakers, Dr. Fruit, Glover and others came into the town as it grew. The old log school house stood on the hill back of the present Presbyterian church at the corner of the woods. We crossed the commons - now the Pardee homestead, diagonally, from the site of the present Mansion House property, to get to it. When I first attended, at five years of age, it was presided over by Pedagogue Casselberry, who seemed to have a hard time of it. The Oxrider boys kept him quite busy and the larger boys generally seemed to regard him as something to annoy. That there was some cause for this dislike must be admitted, and he found his finish before the end of his last term. Then there came to us a tall, raw-boned, red-headed and singularly quiet man named Langdon, who went out into the brush and brought in an armful of whips varying from three to six feet in length, standing them in the corner behind the desk, and singular as it may seem, never used one of them. The lessons were always learned. Teacher and scholars were always respectful, and the young ideas shot straight to the mark. This school house was also a house of worship; alternately, Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran and Episcopalian - the Catholics walked to the suburbs of Beaver Meadow, 3 1/2 miles, to attend divine worship according to their faith. There are many fond recollections of the school days here; and some rather unique. There are some yet living, who may recall a total eclipse of the sun that sent some of the girls into hysteria and the teacher into the woods.
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