Summer 2014 - Doylestown Historical Society

The Doylestown Correspondent
Vol. 3 No. 2 (8)
Inside:
Page 2: The Story Behind
Washington’s Headquarters in
Doylestown
Page 3: Anniversary of WWI
is Time to Honor our
Local Soldiers
Page 4: Brown Bros. Auction
Page 5: Jim Thorpe Bus Trip
Details
Page 6: History of Intelligencer
Spans Two Centuries
Contact Us:
56 S. Main Street
215-345-9430
Tours/Displays:
Open Saturdays,
10:00 am—4:00 pm,
or by appointment
Website:
doylestownhistorical.org
Email:
info@doylestownhistorical.org
Current Exhibit
at the Society House:
Operation 64 A story of Self
Reliance and
Community Spirit
Doylestown Historical Society
Summer 2014
From the President:
The Operation 64 event held at the Society on June 8 went very well. It was especially gratifying for me
to have about 30 members of the families of Joe Kenny, Frank Shelly and Bill Erwin present. We also
thank Mayor Ron Strouse and Council
President Det Ansinn for their participation
in the event.
Lots of excitement is continuing to be
generated at the Society. But before I get into
that, on the flip side of the ledger, Milt Kenin,
our chief archivist for the past 5 years, decided
to return to Phoenix, AZ and will be missed at
the Society and in the community where he has
made many contributions. Hopefully, you
caught Judge Ed Ludwig’s tribute to Milt in the
Intelligencer and the Herald. We gave Milt a well
attended send-off at the Society which
included a subscription to one of the aforementioned newspapers so he will be able to keep tabs
on us. I'm sure he will be checking in
offering advice and constructive criticisms as
Stu Abramson presents Milt Kenin with a DHS memento at his
only Milt can give. Offsetting Milt’s departure
farewell luncheon. After serving DHS for 5 years as Chief
is the arrival of two people (it may take more)
Archivist, Milt is moving to Phoenix. He will be missed.
who will take his place, namely John
Halderson and Jean Rollo. We welcome
John and Jean to the Society’s family of volunteers. They come to us with considerable
experience and the skills needed to continue to organize and make our growing collections more accessible
to the community and beyond.
Adding further to our expanding archives, I’m extremely pleased to announce an agreement with
Doylestown Borough whereby the Society is taking custody of permit records for residences and commercial establishments dating back to 1960. Data is currently being entered into our database so that by year’s
end, we expect online accessibility to these records to be in place. When completed, researchers will be
able to enter the online system by address and find construction information about a property. To check
our progress with this project, you can go to the Online Collection section of our website and enter
‘borough permit’ into the search field. Anthony Palazzolo, working with a number of additional
volunteers, is heading up this project. We’ll be talking more about Anthony and related projects in issues
to come. In the same vein, in an agreement with Marv Woodall, Chairman of the Board of the Heritage
Conservancy and one of our Society Directors, we will be cataloging and making publically available via our
website items of historical significance located at the Aldie Mansion.
Lastly, we had a good response to last issue’s article about the possibility of a bus trip to historic Jim
Thorpe, PA to the extent that it’s now time to get serious. Please register for this trip using the registration
form on reverse of the Newsletter cover. We’ll add a registration form to our website shortly. Please register early to allow sufficient time for us to firm up arrangements.
Stu Abramson
Page 2
Historical Note:
Courtesy of Fletcher Walls
Washington’s Headquarters at Doylestown
The Jonathan Fell House - 1733
Also called “The Washington House”
East State Street, Doylestown Borough
c. late 1700s
The house as it stands today
The Fell House and adjoining property were the site of a wartime encampment for George Washington and his troops. There
is circumstantial evidence that Washington may have slept in the main house in 1778. Previous owners Thomas and Donna
Woolman had a copy of Washington’s quartermaster payment log, which said he took his meals at the Fell house during his
Doylestown encampment. It is not known where this log is today.
Doylestown Historical Society
Historic Plaque Program
George Alfred Huber (1870-1953) and his wife Mary Elizabeth
(Frank) Huber (1873-1954) of Buckingham built a two-story Prairie
style house on a vacant lot on Cottage Street in 1927. The Hubers are
shown below standing in front of their home and working in their
backyard garden.
The researchers at the Doylestown Historical Society can answer your
property-related questions and much more when you apply for the
historic house plaque and report. Just go to the House Research tab
under Programs on the society’s website for an example of a research
report, a copy of the plaque, and an application to request both. Or
you may contact administrator Fletcher Walls at 215-345-9430 or
info@doylestownhistorical.org.
- J. Kurt Spence, DHS Researcher
Historic Mercer Tiles on Display at DHS
We are pleased to have
recently received two of
the Mercer tiles obtained
from the 1914 original
collection donated to the
old Doylestown Public
School. The collection,
known as “Tiles of the
New World”, was
donated to the school by
Henry C. Mercer, circa
1914. These tiles were
installed above the proscenium of the school’s
auditorium. The school
and most of the tiles were
destroyed or badly damaged in the fire of 1973.
Since that time, what
remained of the tiles has
been stored at the Moravian Tile Works.
- Harvey Becker
We are in the process of
constructing a display
case to house the tiles and
will be planning an associated event this fall where we hope to have former
students from the school that would have seen the original collection.
If you are a former student or know of one, we would like to hear from
you. Please contact Fletcher Walls at 215-345-9430 or email him at
info@doylestownhistorical.org.
Page 3
Anniversary of the beginning of World War I
August 2014
Roster of Company G, Sixth Pennsylvania Infantry
List of the 148 Men Who Left for Camp Hancock, Georgia, on September 12, 1917
Following is the complete roster of Company G, Sixth Pennsylvania Infantry, of Doylestown.
This list was compiled on the eve of their departure for Camp Hancock, Georgia,
at 1 o’clock on Wednesday afternoon, September 12.
Ross, George, Captain, Doylestown, Pa.
Barner, Abram, 1st Lt., Doylestown, Pa.
Trainer, Walter, 1st. Sgt., Doylestown, Pa.
Atkinson, George McM., Mess Sgt., Doylestown, Pa.
Godshall, Matthew L., Supply Sgt., Doylestown, Pa.
Long, Raymond, Duty Sergeant, Doylestown, Pa.
Atkinson, Albert, Duty Sergeant, Doylestown, Pa.
Bergen, Earl H., Duty Sergeant, Doylestown, Pa.
Spare, Samuel E., Duty Sergeant, Doylestown, Pa.
Dengier, Harry O., Duty Sergeant, Doylestown, Pa.
Knorr, Herbert W., Duty Sergeant, Doylestown, Pa.
Kolbe, Russell F., Corporal, Doylestown, Pa.
McNealy, Frank, Corporal, Doylestown, Pa.
Heisel, Paul, Corporal, Doylestown, Pa.
Fryling, George W., Corporal, Doylestown, Pa.
Earl, Douglas, Corporal, Doylestown, Pa.
Earl, John H., Corporal, Doylestown, Pa.
Fackenthall, John, Corporal, Doylestown, Pa.
Doody, Joseph, Corporal, Doylestown, Pa.
Calhoun, John E., Corporal, Doylestown, Pa.
Large, John, Corporal, Doylestown, Pa.
Weierbach, Paul O., Cook, Doylestown, Pa.
Keller, Erwin H., Cook, Bedminster, Pa.
Gulick, Russell E., Musician, Doylestown, Pa.
Hart, Charles, Musician, Doylestown, Pa.
Atkinson, John L., Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Angeny, Abraham N., Private, Gardenville, Pa.
Allem, Russell, Private, Wismer, Pa.
Barker, Lewis C., Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Boss, Louis W., Private, Yardley, Pa.
Black, John L., Private, Ferndale, Pa.
Blittle, George, Private, S. Langhorne, Pa.
Barner, John, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Bodine, Clarence, Private, Newtown, Pa.
Bregan, Louis A., Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Bregan, William J., Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Bertles, Philip, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Bertles, William, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Bryan, Jacob F., Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Brown, Frank, Private, Perkasie, Pa.
Bennett, Kinsey, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Barr, David, Private, New Britain, Pa.
Bellerby, Horace, Private, Yardley, Pa.
Bishop, Harold, Private, Germantown, Pa.
Bradley, Nick, Private, Cherokee, N.C.
Bisbing, Arthur, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Carter, Frank, Private, Newtown, Pa.
Carter, Raymond, Private, Newtown, Pa.
Case, Howard, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Carr, George, Private, Yardley, Pa.
Carney, Peter, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Corson, Lawrence, Private, Newhope, Pa.
Constantine, Arthur, Private, Curley Hill, Pa.
Cone, Thomas, Private, Philadelphia, Pa.
Detwiler, Earl, Private, Norristown, Pa.
Detweiler, Norman, Private, Perkasie, Pa.
Doyle, Edward, Private, Yardley, Pa.
Eastburn, Russell, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Eckhart, William, Private, Quakertown, Pa.
Fries, Albert, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Fell, Herbert, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Fonash, William, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Frederick, Stanley, Private, Carversville, Pa.
Flack, Frank, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Flowers, Raymond A., Private, Newtown, Pa.
Fluck, Elmer W., Private, Danboro, Pa.
Gilmore, Frank, Private, Buckingham, Pa.
Good, Raymond, Private, Jenkintown, Pa.
Greisemer, Andrew, Private, Quakertown, Pa.
Galena, George C., Private, Philadelphia, Pa.
Hellerman, Aldred, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Holdsworth, Clarence, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Hoxworth, Frank, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Hoff, Walter, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Hussey, William H., Private, Carversville, Pa.
Harvey, Walter, Private, New Britain, Pa.
Herstine, Frank, Private, Revere, Pa.
Heller, Paul, Private, Ferndale, Pa.
Harford, Philip, Private, Holicong, Pa.
Johnson, Fred, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Keiser, Warren, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Kenderdine, William, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Kohl, Thomas, Private, Revere, Pa.
Kerr, Warren G., Private, Furlong, Pa.
Kern, Leo J., Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Kerns, Louis B., Private, Edison, Pa.
Kramer, Emil L., Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Large, Harry, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Leiderman, Joseph, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Landes, Arthur, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Lazar, Maurice, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Luke, John, Private, Philadelphia, Pa.
Lightfoot, Lewis, Private, Philadelphia, Pa.
Mottram, William, Private, Newtown, Pa.
Michener, Alvin C., Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Michener, Alvin, J., Private, Warrington, Pa.
Michener, Charles, Private, Warrington, Pa.
Mitchell, John R., Private, Philadelphia, Pa.
Miller, Albert, Private, Carversville, Pa.
Moerman, John J., Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Mumblehead, James B., Private, Newtown, Pa.
Mumblehead, Roger L., Private, Langhorne, Pa.
Mesler, William E., Private, Warrington, Pa.
Myhlertz, Harold F., Private, Philadelphia, Pa.
Mooney, John A., Private, Philadelphia, Pa.
Newell, Henry, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Pool, Wallace, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Parker, David, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Ridge, Edward, Private, Pt. Pleasant, Pa.
Reraback, John, Private, Quakertown, Pa.
Redding, James, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Rutherford, Raymond, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Rosenberger, Harry, Private, Rich Hill, Pa.
Ross, Cain, Private, Hatboro, Pa.
Ross, Nicholas, Private, Philadelphia, Pa.
Shaw, Ira C., Private, Upper Black Eddy, Pa.
Sellers, Isaiah, Private, Buckingham, Pa.
Scott, Thomas, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Scheetz, Frederick, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Sheaf, Raymond, Private, Buckingham, Pa.
Schuyler, Howard, Private, Edison, Pa.
Shive, Jacob R., Private, Ferndale, Pa.
Stout, Erwin, Private, Pipersville, Pa.
Stuckert, Sydney N., Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Schaible, Oscar, Private, Tinicum, Pa.
Selner, Earl, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Scarborough, George, Private, Glenside, Pa.
Shaffer, Joseph, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Schoepflin, John, Private, Germantown, Pa.
Smith, Walter, Private, Newtown, Pa.
Selsor, William, Private, Germantown, Pa.
Trauger, Russell, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Trauger, Jacob M., Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Trauger, Noah S., Private, Ferndale, Pa.
Todd, John H., Private, Tinicum, Pa.
Ullman, Henry, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Woolsey, Irvin, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Williams, John, Private, New Britain, Pa.
Woods, James, Private, Danboro, Pa.
Woods, George R., Private, Pt. Pleasant, Pa.
Woods, James R., Private, Lumberville, Pa.
Weirback, Pierce P., Private, Ferndale, Pa.
Worthington, Ralph E., Private, Neshaminy, Pa.
Worthington, George C., Private, Furlong, Pa.
Worthington, Edward, Private, Doylestown, Pa.
West, James, Private, Cherokee, N.C.
Weckerly, George Mc., Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Weikel, Elmer, Private, Perkasie, Pa.
Yates, George V., Private, Doylestown, Pa.
Young, Alfred C., Jr., Private, Hatboro, Pa.
Company G Leaves for Camp Hancock, Georgia - Thousands Gather at Station to Bid Boys Godspeed
Company G, Sixth Pennsylvania Infantry, left Doylestown for Camp Hancock, Augusta, Georgia, on schedule time, 1 o’clock on
Wednesday afternoon. The morning was spent by the boys in packing their personal belongings and saying farewell to their friends
and relatives for they knew there would be little time at the Reading Railway station for parting words.
Captain Ross posted an order on the bulletin board early in the morning for dinner at 11 o’clock and assembly at 12:30 o’clock
prompt.
The Red Cross ladies had provided 150 lunches for the boys and they were thus well fortified against hunger. The lunches were
packed at the home of Miss Edna Tibbils by the Red Cross members. Each box contained four big sandwiches, cake, bananas, two
eggs, a cake of sweet chocolate and a peach. The chocolate was contributed by Miss Elsie Ross and the peaches by Dr. John H.
Washburn. Enough cigarettes to last the smoking members for a week or more were contributed by a committee, comprising Howard
M. Earl, Dr. Frank B. Swartzlander, Leigh Mitchell Hodges and others who raised $22 for that purpose.
The lunch was packed under the supervision of the commissary of the Red Cross and Mrs. H. W. Atkinson, a member of the commissary . . .
Source: The Doylestown Democrat, September 12 & 13, 1917
Page 4
Brown Bros. Auction House
S
ince 1915, Brown Bros. Auction House has enjoyed a
unique business based on the exchange of property and
fueled by the spontaneity of both buyer and seller.
In today’s world where so many markets are regulated and
controlled, the auction gallery still represents a free marketplace
where value is determined through true market demand.
The founder, Edward
Newlin Brown, was born
December 15, 1888, the
son of George and Elizabeth Williams Brown.
Because the Browns lost
two boys in childhood,
Newlin grew up as an
only child. In later years
following Elizabeth’s
death, George married her
sister, Sarah Williams.
But it was Sarah’s surviving sister, Edith, who was
instrumental in encouraging Newlin’s auction
aspirations. Edith Williams’ support also
reached beyond the grave
when, upon her death in
1959, the money bequeathed to the second
generation
Edward Newlin Brown
Browns became the down payment on their building in Buckingham.
On October 22, 1914, Newlin married Mildred Smith, daughter of
Heston and Anna Smith of Wycombe, PA. Their belated honeymoon
in January of 1915 was spent in Chicago, IL where Newlin attended
the Jones National School of Auctioneering.
On January 8, 1915, E. Newlin Brown graduated from the Jones
School and traveled home to begin a new career. An advertisement
appears in the Wycombe Herald later that year:
E. N. Brown, Auctioneer
Graduate of Jones National School, Chicago, Ill
Bell Phone Wycombe
preparation, advertising and
clerking. Today’s auctioneers
now handle all facets of the
business from initial contact to
settlement.
During the 1920s, while
Newlin’s business was growing,
the building now known
as Brown Bros. Auction Gallery was built as a dance hall called
Paxafun.
In the 1930s and 40s the dance hall would be better known as a
roller skating rink; in the 50s it was utilized as an antique and furniture shop. Ruth Page, a Bucks County antique dealer, used the building as a flea market—the first of its kind in the area. Then in July of
1963, it became the home to Brown Bros. Since that year, over 1,950
auctions have been held at this location. Today the Paxafun building
still retains its original maple dance floor and band stage; the latter
being used by receiving clerks.
The year 1927 brought tragedy to the Brown family. Doctors attending to Mildred’s tuberculosis informed her she had two months to
live. Newlin made the drastic decision to auction their Wycombe
farm and move his wife and three children—Elizabeth, Morell and
Kenyon—west to Denver. Colorado’s dry climate was proven to arrest tuberculosis. So on March 26, 1927, Newlin held his auction and
by summer the family was settled in Littleton. The love between
Newlin and Mildred would never pass a greater test.
In Colorado, Newlin secured a job with Purina Mills as a regional
feed salesman.. His work sent him throughout the western states and
although he tried, he could never re-establish an auction business.
Sarah Brown joined the family and helped rear the children while
Mildred’s health slowly improved..
The Great Depression arrived in 1929 and Newlin lost his job at
Purina Mills. He accepted any work he could including night watchman, janitor and crate-maker for a Denver egg market. He would
work all night, then return home to run his poultry farm.
By 1936, no longer able to fight her illness, Mildred died. Without
a reason to remain in Colorado, Newlin moved the family back to
Bucks County.
Continued next page
Whenever and wherever he could, Newlin pursued his ambition.
The Harrisburg State Farm Show and 4-H Fairs were some of the
events and places he participated. His high energy level and determination opened doors of opportunity.
An early photograph illustrates his involvement in the dairy business—a Field Day Event at Circle View Farms, Solebury, Bucks
County. At Field Day, cows were judged, information exchanged and
problems discussed.
Around the same time, he and Mildred bought a farm on the east
side of Route 413, a quarter mile south of the Old Anchor Inn in
Wrightstown. In those days, the address was Wycombe. Farming
was their mainstay; auctions were a supplement.
As his participation in the auction business waxed, he was booked
by many local agents such as Squire Edward E. Kirk of Wycombe, J.
Carroll Molloy of Pineville, Walter Finney of Southampton and J.
Cooper Pidcock of New Hope. In those days, auctioneers were paid a
fee to cry the sale while the agent completed all necessary sale
Field Day, Circle View Farms, Solebury
c. 1915-20
Brown is fourth from left
Page 5
Continued from previous page
Letters written by Newlin while in Colorado tell of his desire to reestablish himself as an auctioneer in Bucks County. To J. Carroll
Molloy he confided: If that egg co-op job is really open it would be a
big start and a regular job 2 days weekly.
Upon his return, Newlin secured that job. The co-op building still
stands on Swamp Road in Cross Keys opposite Marvic Supply Company. Newlin served only one year as co-op manager; however, he would
be a regular auctioneer there until 1953. This opportunity served its
purpose. With business contacts renewed, E. Newlin Brown was soon
back in the auction business.
Brown Bros. building, c. 1955
His new address, 102 N. Main Street, Doylestown, and phone 4072
was the base for his growing auction service. This service now provided
an entire auction package with involving an agent.
Tinicum attracted international
attention.
Although onsite auctions were
booming, the need for a fixed
location was apparent. Suburban
growth complicated premise sales.
Anticipating future needs, they
bought their first building in 1959
on Swamp Road in Furlong. The
small cinder block building was
soon outgrown so Paxafun in
Buckingham was purchased. Before long, the business outgrew
this facility, too.
In 1977, Brown Bros. added a
north room to accommodate their
needs.
An extensive tree-planting program was started in 1975 and continues
today. Over forty specimens ranging from oaks, beeches, pears and
lindens to sycamores, locusts, ashes and maples have been planted. Subliminally this has been a quiet tribute to Newlin. His love of Bucks
County and its natural resources were a substantial part of his life.
Today, buyers and sellers alike meet in an auction facility that averages around 375 registrants per sale and operates four auction teams simultaneously. A weekly Saturday schedule changes in the summer to
Thursday evening, reflecting the evolving graphics of Bucks County. In
addition, Collector and Specialty auctions are held several times a year.
Real estate, livestock, antiques and personal property were areas in
which he flourished. Sale broadsides leave us a paper trail. One illustrated example is the Solebury Township schoolhouse property auction.
In 1947, C. Morell Brown joined his father and they traded as E. Newlin Brown & Son. Morell’s energy and input steered the business into
real estate. In September of 1953, Kenyon joined his brother and father
and the name expanded to E. Newlin Brown & Sons.
A snapshot taken at the Francis Mireau auction (Doylestown) in September of 1953 shows the three working together. The importance of
this single photograph was not realized until January of 1954. In that
month, Newlin suffered a stroke and lost his voice forever. His career
was over. The three would never work together again, although in later
years the boys would bring their wheelchair-bound father to auctions.
Kenyon & C. Morell Brown
Editor’s Note: Brown Bros. Auction House handled the 1959 sale of the contents
of “The Barrens,” William Geil’s home. Walter Raymond Gustafson, a governOn December 20, 1956, the name Brown Bros. was legally registered ment scientist and rare book collector, purchased the contents of Geil’s library
with Morell and Kenyon as partners. Throughout the 1950s and 60s they and preserved it on his property in Buckingham Twp. for nearly 50 years.
sold an array of merchandise: real estate, livestock, equipment, airIn 2008, his heirs donated the entire collection to the Doylestown Historical
planes, one-room schoolhouses and antiques. S. J. Perlman’s auction in Society.
Jim Thorpe
Bus Trip
April 26, 2014
Based on the response
we received from the
Gloria Shankweiler, pictured with
last issue of the
Betty Strecker, Jon Rudolph and
Correspondent, plans
Milton Kenin on Memorabilia Day at the are moving ahead for a bus trip on Wednesday, Sept 17, 2014
Society. A number of interesting articles
Please use the registration form on the back of this
newsletter to send in your registration. A registration
of historical
form will also be available on our website,
significance
www.doylestownhistorical.org. You can call at 215-345-9439
were donated or email at info@doylestownhistorical.org if you have questo the Society tions. We would greatly appreciate your early response.
Memorabilia Day
and will be
added to our
growing
collection.
Jim Thorpe, PA is about an hour and 20 minutes away.
History is everywhere in this small, picturesque,
stroll-around town featuring such attractions as the
Asa Packer Mansion, the Mauch Chunk. Museum, and the
Old Jail Museum.
Building Permit Records
Society President Stu Abramson with Doylestown
Borough Manager John Davis signing an agreement
whereby the Society will take custody of a number of
building permit records going back some 50 years.
Volunteers Luke Wischnowski, Ashley Moore and
Anthony Palazzolo are embarked on a project to
digitize these records which will be made available to
the public via The Doylestown Historical Society’s
website.
Page 6
Officers & Board of Directors
Founder/President Emeritus—Ed Ludwig
President—Stu Abramson*
Executive V.P. Syd Martin*
Vice President—Betty Strecker*
Secretary—Tina Mazaheri*
Treasurer—Nick Molloy*
♦
♦
♦
Bob Byers
Melissa Cornick-Scott*
Chris Delplato
Connie Eastburn
Vail Garvin
John Gribb
Sharon Martin
Jonathan McSurdy
Dick Millham*
Chris Nardo*
Jon Rudolph*
Mary Woodall
Steve Worth
*Executive Committee
♦
♦
♦
Fletcher Walls—Administrator,
Shawn Wischnowski—Newsletter
Editor & Designer
Researcher—Kurt Spence
Archivist—John Halderson
♦
♦
♦
History of the Intelligencer
Asher Miner, a 26-year-old printer from New
London, Connecticut, came to Doylestown in
1804 to set up shop in the back room of a log
cabin at what is now East Court Street and
Printer’s Alley.
The first edition of the weekly Pennsylvania
Correspondent and Farmer’s Advertiser—
consisting of four pages of hand-set type and
costing $2 a year—was published on Saturday,
July 7, 1804.
Miner sold the newspaper in 1824. It was
resold in 1827 to new owners who changed the
name to The Bucks County Intelligencer and General Advertiser, which a subsequent publisher
shortened to Bucks County Intelligencer in 1843.
Before the Civil War, the Intelligencer took a
strong stand against the spread of slavery into
free territories, while the rival Doylestown
Democrat (founded in 1816) advocated slavery
and castigated abolitionists. During the war, the
Intelligencer backed Lincoln’s policies, while the
Democrat criticized the Northern cause (even
though its editor-publisher, William W. H. Davis,
was away serving in the Union Army).
In 1876, the Intelligencer replaced its wood-frame office with a brick building in the
Second Empire style, featuring a distinctive tower, facing East Court Street. On September
6, 1886, the Doylestown Daily Intelligencer began publication, but the weekly Bucks County
Intelligencer continued until the 1940s.
Joseph R. Grundy, a prominent Bristol industrialist and Republican Party figure, bought
the Intelligencer in 1909. For the next 45 years, the paper espoused Grundy’s pro-tariff,
pro-Republican positions.
After Stanley W. Calkins, a publisher of newspapers in Beaver and Fayette counties,
bought the Doylestown Daily Intelligencer in 1954, he changed the name to The Daily
Intelligencer and started a second daily edition geared to eastern Montgomery County.
The Daily Intelligencer moved from Monument Square to a new one-story building on North
Broad Street on December 31, 1973.
The Intelligencer (“Daily” was dropped in 1988) celebrated its 200 th anniversary in 2004.
- Ed Levenson
Supported by
Congressman—Mike Fitzpatrick
State Senator—Chuck McIlhinney
State Representative—Marguerite Quinn
Bucks County Commissioners
Doylestown Borough Council
Doylestown Township Supervisors
♦
♦
♦
James W. Miller
Walking Tours
In Memoriam
Doylestown Walking
tours are given once a
month and cover the
central area of
Doylestown Borough.
To date, the tours have
been well attended and
have lasted from one
hour to two hours
depending upon the group’s desires. The walks are
a combination of the history and architecture of
some of the buildings along the walk’s route. All
walks start at 11:00 a.m. and meet in the park behind the Doylestown Borough Historical Society
building at 56 South Main Street.
Walking tours are scheduled for August 9,
September 20 and October 11. If a group cannot
make a scheduled tour but is interested
in the walk, a special date and time may be
scheduled by phoning Eric Tobin at
215-345-7000, ext. 204.
All walks are given at no charge, but a donation
to the Doylestown Historical Society is greatly
appreciated.
James W. Miller of Chalfont, 85,
died May 31, 2014. Mr. Miller, who was born in
Doylestown, was a lifetime member of the
Doylestown Historical Society and involved in the
dedication of a plaque that is placed near the
location of the old high school.
Editor’s Note
Our Newsletter’s name is a
derivative of the first
Doylestown newspaper,
The Pennsylvania
Correspondent,
established in 1804 a predecessor of
The Intelligencer and one of the few newspapers
in the country in continual
publication for more than
200 years.
Intelligencer Building, East Court Street
From left, Lou White, Borough Council;
Judge Ed Ludwig, DHS President Emeritus;
and Jim Miller, DHS Lifetime Member.
REGISTRATION FORM
BUS TRIP: JIM THORPE, PA
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 8:30 A.M
Please complete this form and mail to Doylestown Historical Society, 56 S. Main Street, Doylestown, Pa
18901 - Bus Trip
You may also register from our website at www.doylestownhistorical.org
Number of People ________________
Name(s)
_________________________________________________________
Cost of the trip is $70.00 per person for DHS members; $80.00 per person for non members. Cost
includes luxury coach transportation to Jim Thorpe, PA (approx 1 hr 20 min) including soft beverages
and snacks. We will be privileged to have a Member ot the Mauck Chunk Historical Society provide us
with an historical orientation. We will visit the Asa Packer Mansion and Museum. This was the home
of the philanthropist, railroad magnate and founder of Lehigh University. It was built in 1861 and the
interior is virtually intact. There will also be a visit to the Old Jail, “last home” of the Molly Maguires.
Admissions and Gratuities are included; lunch is not included.
We will depart from Main Street in front of the Society bldg at 8:30 a.m. and return at approx 5:30
p.m. Note: participants should be prepared for some walking
Please enclose a check made payable to Doylestown Historical Society – Bus Trip.
You may also pay by credit card as follows:
Card Name (Visa, Master, etc)
Name on card
Card Number
Expiration date ( mm/dd/yy)
Security Code ( 3 digit # on back of card)