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Klein (Kline) Township History
The Local Patchtowns ... and Large Map

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and Ms. Sue Piacenti, Hazleton, PA Branch Librarian, for assistance in finding and preparing this document. |
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The charter of incorporation was granted McAdoo borough July 8, 1896.1 Prior to that date it was a part of Kline Township,2 27 and its early history is therefore a part of the history of that township. Its first settlers were the Irish and Welsh who came into this region in the early 1850’s. The family of Michael Matthew Kelly was the first to come to McAdoo, in 1884, when there were only two houses.23 The Wm. Gower family was second and later, the Wm. McGee family. Ed. Note: Added, Kline Twp. Census for 1890. See below the history, incorporated as part of this document. A tabulation of the many occupations of the townsfolk has been added in the latter. McAdoo was then known as Sailor’s Hill, and later Pleasant Hill. John O’Donnell, Mr. Hinkle, M. Wilkofski, John Curran and Chas. Dever came soon afterwards. The present name was given the town in honor of Wm. G. McAdoo, second Assistant Postmaster General of the time, and later Secretary of State In Wilson’s Administration. The first municipal officers were: Chief Burgess, Jas. J. McDonald; Chief of Police, Wm. Fox; Constable, S. Currin, President of Council, Thos. Kelly; Secretary of Council, James F. Carlin; Councilmen: John Burnard, Michael McGee and Henry Mace. Their first meeting was held on Aug. 18th, 1896. The council adopted rules and ordinances for the government and regulation of the affairs of the new municipality on August 25, 1896. Among the twenty-seven ordinances passed by the first council were rules relating to laying a tax On dogs, prohibiting nuisances on public and private grounds, prohibiting use of fire arms, prohibiting indecent exposure, snowballing, loafing on streets, and using obscene language. One ordinance related to fast driving (not over six miles per hour); And another governed the speed of riding bicycles through the borough. The following are the men who have held the office of Chief Burgess of McAdoo during the thirty-eight years of its existence; Jas. Carlin; Jas. J. McDonald, two terms; Edward McGeehan, two terms; Wm. Fox, three terms; Michael Dougherty, two terms; and the present burgess, serving his first term, John Sekerak.
Old Roads and Trails The old roads and trails are vantage points in the study of local history. A few generations ago, the Hinkle brothers of Quakake Valley were the first to improve the beaten Tamaqua Indian Trail by hewing a crude road3 across the large swamp which separated the present McAdoo from Audenried. The year following, 1849, a stagecoach owner, a Mr. Horton opened a regular coach route from Wilkes Barre to Hazleton, then through McAdoo into Summit Station, now called Lofty,4 and thence into Tamaqua. This brought McAdoo into the regular communicating link between the Susquehanna and Schuylkill Rivers, and aided in the settlement of the town itself. Improvements were made from time to time to the road until in the fall of 1925 and the spring of 1926, the State of Pennsylvania in its development of state highways laid through the town a cement ribbon of the latest improvement Post Office Shortly after the charter of incorporation was granted, on an application by several citizens of the town, the post office department established a post office in the borough limits. The exact date is unknown but it had started in the year 1896. Prior to that date all the mail for the residents of McAdoo was addressed to Audenried. The first postmaster of McAdoo was Alex. McMullen. The building was located on South Tamaqua St. in the building which is now somewhat changed and owned by P. V. Dougherty. The clerk was Miss Agnes Curry, whose folks lived at Silver Brook. Mr. Mullen held the office of postmaster approximately eight years. In 1902 it changed hands, the appointment being given to James J. McShea. The building situated on Blaine and Tamaqua Sts. was moved to the O’Donnell Building. Miss Bridget Muldony served as clerk. The O’Donnell Building was a frame building where the post office was confined to a small room on the Blaine St. side. The building was later moved to the rear of the lot and several years later was destroyed by fire. On Dec. 26, 1905, Andrew Skwier was appointed postmaster by Postmaster General G. B. Cortelyou The post-office was moved to the Skwier Building on West Blaine St. Here it remained until Aug. 1915, and was under the management of Mrs. Anna Postupack, who was later appointed postmistress in her own right and Anthony Skwier, who was later ordained a priest of the Greek Catholic Church. The next postmaster was Geo. P. F. Carr (July 25, 1915), who did not complete a full term, tendering his resignation about the third year. Mr. Carr moved the office to his own building on North Tamaqua St., the same building which is at present occupied by Berlitz Bakery. In the early part of the year 1919, after the resignation of Mr. Carr, Michael Pecuch was appointed acting post-master and served in that capacity. He moved the office to his building on W. Blaine St. During his acting admlnistration the office was managed by Miss Mary Skwier who now is Mrs. John Fedan of Pittsburgh, and Geo. Marinko. On Jan. 8, 1924, Attorney John Skwier J. D., was appointed postmaster by Pres. Calvin Coolidge. On March 1, 1924 the office was again moved to the Skwier Building on W. Blaine St. It was here the office began to expand to its present size. In not more than a year the village-carrier free delivery service was established at McAdoo, Pa. (Sept. 1925). Postmaster Skwier was authorized to make the necessary provision for the free mail delivery service. On Dec. 1, 1925 he appointed Geo. Postupack, Wm. Krohn as first regular mail carriers and Walter Yankovicz and Geo. Gerlach as substitute. In Nov. 1927 Geo. Postupack resigned. Mary Felock served as clerk. (She is now Mrs. August Lasherka). On Jan. 11, 1929 Mrs. Anna Postupack, sister of Attorney Skwier was appointed to succeed him as postmistress of McAdoo. Mrs. Postupack held the office until Aug. 1, 1933 about six months after the expiration of her commission. It was during her administration that the office was moved to its present location on S. Tamaqua St., in the building now owned by Attorney John Skwier, J. D. and the other by his sister Mrs. Anna Postupack. The present acting postmaster, Stephen F. Payer took charge of the office Aug. 1, 1933 with the organization as it was left by Mrs. Anna Postupack except as to clerks who were Emil Postupack and Theodora Postupack appointed by the late postmistress to fill the vacancy caused by resignation of Mrs. Lesherka in the latter part of 1932 with J. Petresky taking the place of Geo. Gerlach.
INDUSTRIES Oct. 16, 1899 a special meeting was called to discuss the building of an electric plant in McAdoo. Bids were submitted for the construction of the boiler room. At another meeting, E. D. Seeley was appointed electrician. On Feb. 1, 1908 McAdoo Borough leased the plant to J. S. Wise and Nicholas Kulch, under the name of McAdoo Electric Co. The Company could not meet the interest on its bonds they had loaned, and so had to sell. On July 1909 the McAdoo Electric Co. sold out to the Harwood Electric Co. M. McDevitt was made foreman or head of the station. On March 20, 1920 the Harwood Co. moved its office from Washington St. to North Tamaqua St., where the present office is located On May 1, 1922, the Pennsylvania Power and Light Co. submitted its first bid for street lighting. They received the contract and Harry A. Mohr was made manager. When the P. P. and L. gained control, they purchased for the sum of $8,000 all the material the past companies had and destroyed it, then putting in all new apparatus. They received their power from Harwood and serve 2900 customers, which includes McAdoo and the surrounding districts. They employ seven people including the manager, and have a sub-station on Washington St. Factories The first factory was originated in 1896 by Leight. This factory manufactured shirts, and employed about sixty people when they first opened. It Is now closed. The second factory originated by Gerhart is now closed. The third factory, Mil1er’s, is now closed. The first silk factory, built by Wm. McGowan, employed about 200 men and women. The factory has today about the same amount of employees, but is in charge of Lieberman. Pollock’s Shirt Factory had 43 employes when first opened and they still have 43. The paper box factory has 33 employes.
Candlemas Colliery The coal of this division was discovered near Shamokin, Pa., and was traced, by means of proof holes, through the Panther Valley to Silverbrook27 by an old Irishman by the name of McGary. The first form of mining performed at Silverbrook5, 24, 25 was a small shaft under the Lindemuth and Sheer people. The second company that undertook the operation was under the name of Wentz and Company. It was operated about fifty years ago, about the year of 1884. The superintendent was Joseph Long. Their first mine was located at a place now called New Silverbrook. The name of this first mine was the Gunboat Slope. Under the Wentz people the first stripping was excavated. The work was under the supervision of a man named Becker. The work was started between the years of 1892 and 1893. After the work was completed, Becker remained around the place for a while, but later disappeared. Three weeks afterward his body was found floating in the stripping that was excavated under his supervision. The first breaker was built at New Silverbrook. It Was operated by Wentz and Co. This breaker was torn down before the big strike. The company employed approximately 250 men, who were able to fill from 250 to 300 cars daily. It covered a territory of about three square miles. The next company to take the franchise was the Campion Company. This company had a small washery which was kept running by the slate banks of the vicinity. The second breaker was about 200 feet from the present breaker. Then came the present breaker. It was bought from the Campion Co. by the Haddock Mining Co. in 1923. This lease took in part of the Lehigh Valley, P. & R. C. & L. terrritories and the Coxe estate. Included was the territory from the Lofty Tunnel to the tower lines of the P. P. & L. in Rush Valley. When the franchise was bought by Haddock there was no machinery, with the exception of the washery; All work was done by human energy and by the use of mules. After getting settled he began dewatering the Slopes Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5, 9 and 11, along with the Gordon. As soon as the old breaker was dismantled, construction of the third and present breaker was begun This new modern breaker is electrically operated and includes all the latest machinery, such as classifiers, which separate the slate from the coal, the rotary dump car, one of the most recent improvements, and the drag line which is used instead of the plane to take the coal into the breaker. The first coal was run through the breaker on the 14th of April, 1924. There are four veins in this valley. The first vein is called the Mammoth Vein, which. is from 20 to 50 feet thick. The next vein directly under the Mammoth is the Wharton, which lies from 10 to 20 feet. Next In line is the Top Buck, approximately from 18 inches to 4 feet in thickness. The last vein is called the Bottom Buck, from 8 to 12 feet thick. The veins run in a north and south direction, and as they go down they become thicker and wider. Driven into the veins are gangways through which the cars reach the miner. The breasts run east and west. The veins run on a 20 to 60 degree pitch. The chambers are made fifty feet apart to protect life and property from the caving roof. These fifty foot walls are called pillars.26 Second mining begins when all the chambers are driven to their extremes and then the robbing of the fifty foot pillars begins. As they are robbing the mines are caved behind them. The pillars are always removed in sections. The present officers of the company are: Superintendent, Fred C. Alderson; President, John C. Haddock; Asst. Supt., Wm. A. Jones; Outside Foreman, John Turk; Inside Foreman, Jas. E. McFadden, Richard Keishaw, Charles Morgans, Balsen Leonard, John Medvetz, Chas. Stickler, John Saxon and Foster Guyer. Haddock Mining Co. employs between 700 and 800 men. It covers about the territory as formerly and has a production of about 900 cars daily. The stripping coal is excavated by six steam shovels, all the coal being hauled to the breaker by 12 locomotives. Mining machinery is electrically operated, the power being supplied by their own power house. Motors are being used instead of mules. A first aid corps was organized and is being well drilled by state men. Located inside the mine is a hospital and first aid room. With the prospect of about 20 more years of mining Sllverbrook is and will be one of the chief employing centers of the region. It now employs men within a radius of ten miles — It has caused the building of McAdoo Heights,6 Haddocktown, East McAdoo and Silverbrook. The Candlemas Colliery is located on Route 29 between McAdoo and Tamaqua. It is available by automobile. The information about the colliery was received through the courtesy of James McFadden.
EDUCATION Education in McAdoo was first carried on in two small buildings that were located on the present site of the Grant St. School. One of these buildings was a one room building and the other contained three rooms.. Several years after the borough was incorporated the Hancock St. School7 was built. At first this was a four room building but later a six room addition was built. In 1909 the three room building on Grant St.8 was destroyed by fire and the present building was erected in 1910. The first principal, who later resigned to practice law, was Edw. J. Brennan. He was succeeded by A. T. O’Donnell who served as supervising principal until 1922, when Miss Sallie L. Ferry was appointed A two.year high school was opened in 1913 under the direction of A. T. O’Donnell and Miss Anna McNelis. After five years it was discontinued and the pupils were sent to Hazleton for high school work. A Continuation School was organized in 1927. The teacher was Miss Mary Mundy. The first class was held In the Grant School. In the fall of 1929 it was transferred to the high school. Then in 1930 it was established in the borough building where It is conducted by Miss Mundy. In 1923 the present high school began under the principalship of A. Clair Moser. The other high school teachers were Miss Margaret Sullivan and Miss Anna McNeIis. The enrollment was sixty five including ninth and tenth grade pupils. The following year Mr. Moser became principal of the Coaldale High School and was succeeded by the present principal Washburn Snoich. Two more teachers, Thos. Boyle and Jos. Regelsky were added to the corps. Later Edward Bunsa, Miss Catherine O’Donnell, Thos. Charles, John McBride, and Francis Sheeto were elected. Frank Gallagher was made Supervisor of Music to succeed Mr. Horn who also went to Coaldale. The high school enrollment now consists of 249 pupils. The enrollment in the grades is 839. There are at present 1088 pupils enrolled in the borough schools. There are twenty seven teachers altogether. During the present year the high school8 has been much improved by the addition of an up-to-date gymnasium and several new rooms are being added as a Civil Works Administration project. The first school directors were: Jas. H. Curry, Condy Coll, Edw. McGeehan, Daniel McMullen and John Williams. St. Patrick’s School was erected in 1925. At the opening of the first term approximately 300 pupils were in attendance, with a faculty consisting of six Sisters of the Immaculate Heart Order from Phila. In 1927 a two-year commercial high school was added and was attended by many pupils from the public schools of the Borough of McAdoo. St. Patrick’s grade school and commercial high school have been noted for the great work they have done in so short a time. The auditorium is also in this building and is one of the largest and finest recreational centers in the Anthracite Region. St. Patrick’s School and Convent combined was built at an expense of $120,000. At the present time the enrollment is approximately 265 students and 9 enrolled In the cornmercial high school.
Keystone Fire Co. The Keystone Fire Co. was organized in June 1896. It started with about thirty members. The first officers were: Pres., Fred Eberly; Sec., Wm. Bradney; Treas. and Chief, Charles Carlin. They obtained their charter the following year, 1897. They first used hand-carts and later they obtained a hook and ladder. In 1900 Wm. Foxx was elected Pres.; Jas. Carlin, Secy., and P. V. Daugherty, Treas. In 1904 Daniel Brennan was elected Pres.; David Jones, Secy.; and James MacDonald, Treas. In 1922 they got their first motor driven engine and in 1930 they had it overhauled and installed with new equipment.
First National Bank The First National Bank of McAdoo was organized in 1907. It started business in the residence of John O’Donnell. In 1912 it was moved to its present location. In 1927, the new building was erected on the old site. The original officers were: Pres., John J. Burnard; Vice Pres., Edward J. Dailey; Cashier, Howard I. Smith. The present officers are Pres., John H. Burnard; Vice Pres., John C. Haddock; Cashier, Jas. S. Brogan; Ass’t. Cashier. A. B. Midash. On the Board of Directors, those of the original board are J. H. Burnard. Jas. S. McDonald, Con. S. O’Donnell, L. G. Wetterau, M. D. The Miners’ Bank The Miners’ Bank of McAdoo was organized in 1927. It started business in the Bruno Building on the corner of Blaine and Tamaqua Sts. After five years of service the bank failed. Its officers were: Pres., Daniel Bavolack, Sr.; Vice Pres., Joseph Bruno; Cashier, W. Simmonds; Asst. Cashier, Stephen F Payer. The Board of Directors were Peter Mackin, Sr., Phil. Bruno, Frank Gurzenda, Peter Sadaroni. P. T. Voccola and J. Bruley.
The Theatres McAdoo had its first theatre in 1908. This could not well be called a theatre as it consisted of only one room. It was located at South Tamaqua St. where the Hasslers have their business place at the present time. Movies were not shown here for very long because a fire occurred not far from there and much damage was done to the machinery. The next theatre was on North Tamaqua St. where the First National Bank is now. The owner of this theatre was Mr. Burnard and it was called "The Star." The next theatre was "The Lion." This was located where the "Palace" is now. It was not long after this that another theatre was built. This was the "Blaine", located on Blaine St. across from St. Mary’s Catholic Greek Church. Both of these theatres were destroyed by fire within a month of each other. After they burned down a temporary theatre was set up in a little house in back of the St. Patrick’s School. This was used until the "Lion" was rebuilt. When it was rebuilt it was also renamed. It was now called the "Palace" and this name remains to the present time. About three years ago the "Roxy" theatre and the "Strand"9 theatre were established. The "Roxy" was in business about two years and a half and then went out of business. At the present time there remain only two theatres, the "Palace" and the "Strand".
The American Legion The American Legion22 was first organized August 1919. In 1924 they bought their new home on Tamaqua St. in McAdoo. The chartered members when they first started were as follows: Peter Artuni, Chas Brennan, Daniel Bavolack, Martin Cauley, J. J. Daily, M. J. Dougherty, Arthur Freidman, Jas. Fogarty, Jos. Freid, Thos. Fudge, Alex. Galatha, K. W. Lazurus, Jos. Galatha, Ruby Gimbe, Lewis Herzeg, Edw. Hinkle, Peter Zeta, Mark Kefley, Stephen Kudish, Dr. W. J. Kennedy, John Kozel, Calvin Krohn, Peter Mackin and John Mahoney. In 1932, the American Legion formed a Drum and Bugle Corps which was a great success. They went to many different counties and made good. They were offered many prizes for their neat appearance and the work they have done. The uniforms were bought and paid for by the "Ladies Auxiliary" of McAdoo. They raised the money in order to buy the uniforms for their boys and make them look as neat as they could. The organization has grown very rapidly and many new members were admitted. They were as foltows: Jos. Midash, Anthony Mayshock, Michael Mack, Hugh McGready, John McBride, Frank McShea. John McFadden, John Noga, Jos. Olear, Stephen Payer, Wm. V. Patton, Andrew Rundish, John Rickey, Michael Schwartz, John Shokorski, Peter Sheeron, John Skwier, Jos. J. Sharkey, Jos. Urban, Lewis Turk, Adolph Torselli, Michael Wanyo, Wassil Wida, Stanley Wasno. The officers chosen when first starting out were as follows: Chas. Brennan, Commander; Jos. Midash, Vice Pres.; and Andrew Rundish, Treas. The officers of the organization at the present time are as follows: Jos. Midash, Commander;Millard Fritz, Adjutant; Wm. Patton, Service Officer; John Sikorsky, Finance Officer; John Markovic, Sgt. at Arms. The following is the Executive Committee: Frank Demers, Past Commander; Joe. Turk, Sr., Vice Commander; John Tomlin, and Millard Fritz. The Ladies Auxiliary The Ladies Auxiliary was organized on Jan. 7, 1932. The object of this unit was to uphold the principles set forth in the Preamble to the American Legion Auxiliary Constitution and to assist in furthering the activities of the National and Departmental Auxiliary and the Post. The original officers were: Pres., Pearle McGready; 1st Vice Pres., Jule Organis; 2nd Vice Pres., Alfreda Midash; Secy., Sally Boyle; Treas., Jenny Payer; Chaplain. Mae Dougherty; Historian, Mrs. H. Wier. The present officers are: Pres., Mrs. Demshick; 1st Vice Pres., Leona Lonzeski; Secy., Blanche Sikorski; Treas., J. Saduski; Chaplain, Fannie Fritz; Historian, Mrs. H. Wier
THE CHURCHES Saint Patrick’s Church Saint Patrick’s Church10 was built in 1900. The congregation consists of parishioners from Beaver Brook. Audenried, Tresckow, Kline Township and McAdoo. It was erected during the pastorship of Father Malloy, who died in 1903. Father Malloy was succeeded by Father Sweeney who was transferred to Coaldale in 1907. In 1907 the pastorship was given to the present Pastor Father McAnnon. During this time the church has made many vast improvements such as building a school and convent at the price of $120,000. Also at the expense of the parish, the street in front of the church property was paved.
Polish National Catholic Church The brief history of the Sts. Peter and Paul Polish National Catholic Church11 of McAdoo is as follows: The movement for organizing the Polish parish of The Polish National Church of America and Poland arose in the city of McAdoo, spontaneously. The first meeting was held in McAdoo. Sixty St. Cunegunda’s members participated. The affair was held in Mr. Miczkunas’ Hall. The active individuals In this meeting were Francis Geffert, Ladislav Orzech and Anthony Undorf. The clergy organizers in the mentioned meeting were Rev. Father Rene Zawiztowskl and Stanislav Zawadzki. The first service was celebrated in the house of Mrs. Fritz in March 1920. by the following priests: Rev. Father Zawistowski, Stanislav Zawadzki and John Zieba. The first parishional committee chairman was Ladislav Orzech. His successors up to the present one, Stanislav Karmowski, were as follows: Stanislav Moczarski, Alexander Cudnik, Mr. Orzech. The present Polish National Catholic Church, located at E. Adams St. was erected during the pastorate of Rev. Father J. Olszewski in the year of 1920. All the priests up to the present time are as follows: Rev. J. Olszewski, Rev. R. Zawistowski, Rev, J Brzozowski, Rev. J. Klos, Rev. J. Ziemba, Rev. J. Misiaszek, Rev. A. Abramski, Rev. Starorypinski, Rev. J. Olechnowicz and the present pastor, Rev. Stanislav Molon. The present parish consists of 65 families. The congregation is in possession of church building rectory, and cemetery. The estate value is $35,000.
St. Stephen’s Magyar The St. Stephen’s Magyar Congregation12, 13 ,is one of the oldest in McAdoo, situated at Grant and Lincoln Sts. It is 44 years old, being first organized in 1890. Since then it was destroyed by fire three times. The last fire was in 1913. When the congregation was first organized there were about three hundred families in McAdoo and vicinity. Since then the majority of the families have moved out of town into larger cities and thus decreased the number of families down to about forty. Many movements have been undertaken since the congregation bean, such as lodges, fraternities, and associations. There is the Verhovay Aid Association, one of the oldest Hungarian Benefit Lodges organized in McAdoo. St. Ladislau Lodge, which is now of national fame having branches in most of the cities was also originated here. When the parish was first organized the Rev. Joseph Szeniczey was pastor. After he left the congregation was taken over by the Rev. Joseph Csizmadia, and so on until down to the present time the pastor is Rev. Ferdinand Szabo. The Hungarians as a nation, date back one thousand years and the late congregation here was named after the first King and Patron Saint, St. Stephen, who was the first to bring the Catholic Religion to the nomad Hungarians.
St. Casimir’s Lithuanian Thirty years ago Jacob Lawson, Frank Baranosky, Mr. Anilosky, Mr. Shunsky, calling themselves St. Casimir’s Society, decided to build a church of their own, an independent church over which the Catholic See would have no authority. The Society bought from the Wilkes Barre Coal Co. a lot, situated on the corner of Adams and Cleveland Sts. Work on the building could not begin immediately due to differences among the members. Meantime the Society had fallen on evil days. A few of the leaders died. The treasury was depleted to the tune of $600 for a sidewalk. No money was coming in and St. Casimir’s Society went bankrupt. The deeds and bank books went into the hands of a new person. Three trustees were appointed and the deeds filed in their name. Dissension broke out. It was finally decided that the church should be a member of the diocese. A building committee was selected consisting of John Juck, A.Dugel and Mr. Shunsky. The ground was broken early in the spring of 1928 and the church was completed in May of that same year. It is a small wooden building costing close to $10,000 and is called the Church of St. Casimir. The parish is small, consisting of 32 families, and cannot support a rectory.. Therefore a priest from Coaldale officiates at mass on al ternate Sundays.
The Russian Orthodox The Russian Orthodox Church15 came into existence in 1908 when six families of the St. Mary’s Ukranian Church disagreed with their religious doctrines and decided to set up a church of their own. They bought an old Protestant Church in Kelayres and moved it to McAdoo. Later as the parish increased, this church was sold and in 1916 the present church was built. The parish now totals approximately forty families.
St. Cunegunda’s Parish St. Cunegunda’s R. C. Parish,16 whose church and school are situated at Washington and Cleveland Sts. started as a mission church in November 1893 when the Rev. Matthias Tarnowski, also organizer of St. Casimir’s parish in Mahanoy City came to say Mass for a small group of Poles then living mostly in Honeybrook, Slabtown, and Yorktown. The first Masses were said in the old Grant St. Schoolhouse; Subsequently the Poles organized a society called the Casimir Pulaski Guards. They bought a plot of ground on Washington St. from the Lehigh & Wilkes Barre Coal Co. and erected a small chapel, which served until 1905, when it was moved to its present location across from the post office. Father Tarnowski was followed by the Rev. Marc Januszkiewicz, who was pastor for seven years, his record broken only by the present rector, the Rev. P. J. Klekotka. Fathers S. M. Olesinski and Joseph Be1a did not stay here long. The parishioners now felt themselves strong enough to support a resident pastor in the person of the Rev. John Dabrowski who came here in January 1904 and immediately started to build the beautiful church edifice now standing. Upon his departure in March 1906, the Revs. Louis Wojtys, Paul Guzik and Stanislaus Frog administered here. The Rev. Jos. Kuczynski was appointed in January 1909 and in 1910 was followed for a short time by the Rev. Adalbert Sulek and then by the Rev. Francis Grzywocz who was here ‘til 1903. The parish now began to prosper. His successor, the Rev. Michael Pachucki who came here in 1913 decorated the church interior and improved the cemetery and above all introduced a full time school in the church basement under the auspices of the Bernardine Sisters in 1917. Rev. Michael Pachucki was followed by the beloved Rev. Leo Paterecki whom the influenza epidemic carried away to an untimely death in 1918. The enterprising Rev. Jos. Woda was not able to stay here long when he was followed in June 1919 by the Rev. Sebastian Jerzak. In his six years stay here he left an enviable record of having further embellished the church with a new organ and other improvements, having cleared the cemetery, paid off the debt, and amassed a substantial sum towards the building of a new school when the old quarters were closed down in 1923 as not quite suitable for teaching purposes. Circumstances brought about a change in October 1925 when the present rector arrived on the scene. With a new spirit the parish nobly assisted the pastor in the erection of an eight room parochial school with an auditorium, handsomely built of brick at a cost of upwards of $65,000 which was dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Michael Crane, V. G., in September 1928. Since its reopening, the Sisters of Nazareth are in charge, of whom there are now eight with an enrollment averaging 250 upwards. The parish lost a portion of its membership in 1923 but. at present retains over 300 families in loyal support of their pastor, the Rev. Peter J. Kletkotka. Since 1930 the increasing needs of the parish have necessitated the appointment of an assistant rector and so there labored here the Revs. Stephen Wyborski, John S. Pytko, John Gaj, Jos. Tylka, and at present the Rev. Jos. Niemiec
Ukranian Greek Catholic The first Greek Catholic Church17 was formed of the present St. Michael’s and St. Mary’s Greek Catholic Churches. It was built in 1891 and dedicated in October 1891. It had fifty families belonging to the parish. This church was rebuilt in 1907 and while the building was being constructed Mass was served in one of the parishioners homes. The present church was dedicated in 1908 by Bishop Ortynski. This church which is the present church consisted of three hundred families. Then in 1909 a split of the parish followed, and now, as said before, it consists of St. Michael’s and St. Mary’s Greek Catholic Churches. The present St. Mary’s Catholic Church, however, consists of 115 families. The first priest of these combined churches was Vladimir Andruchovich.
St. Mary’s Slovak The St. Mary’s Parish18 of McAdoo was founded in 1893, forty-one years ago, by a group of ardent Slovaks from McAdoo, Tresckow, Beaver Brook, Silver Brook, Bunker Hill (Kelayres) and Lofty. In 1891, two years before the church was originally founded, the church services were conducted in the West Grant St. public school. The first priest to officiate was the Rev. Francis Vlossak. The church was a wooden church built on ground bought from the Lehigh and Wilkes Barre Coal Co. and was located on East Grant St. At the time of the founding of the church there were approximately forty parishioners of which the following men took active parts: Mr. Kudich, Mr. Gombar, Mr. Garlic, Mr. Stacek, and Andrew and John Gregor. Andrew Skurka and Andrew Lazur from Beaver Brook; George Pohlod, Mr. Raynock and Mr. Gregor from Audenried; Joseph Kaduch and Mr. Aglar from Bunker Hill; Jacob Heft, Joe Kaslea, Mr. Danko and Mr. Metro from Silver Brook; And Stephen F. Payer 50, Mr. Sabuda, Mr. Tekety, Mr. Kupetz, Steve Puncak. Mr. Kiral and Joe Kasper from McAdoo. In the years from 1893 to 1933 the following priests officiated: Rev. Francis Vlossak, Rev, Novatsky, Rev. Gasparek, Rev. Martin Meres, Rev. Leopold Shifferdecker, Rev. Martin Dundalek, Rev. Starnek, Rev. Kabelka, Rev. Paul Hermann, Rev. Anton Panuch, Rev. Summers, Rev. Francis Benkosky, Father John Zboyski, Rev. Joseph Boronec, Rev. Oscar Shuster, Rev. Joseph Novorolsky, and finally Rev. Michael Holly who is now the present priest. During Rev. Francis Vlossak’s time the wooden frame church was built; Then during Rev. Leopold Shifferdecker’s stay a rectory was built in 1902. In 1912 the rectory and church were destroyed by fire. In. 1913 during Rev. Joseph Novorolsky’s stay a school, a convent and a new brick Church were erected. That priest also had a fence put around the cemetery, a pavement around the church property, and the rectory was painted. During Rev. Summer’s time Missionary Sisters were brought in; They were called the "Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart". The parochial school consisted of six rooms, five school rooms, and a music room. It was a two-story structue. Five of the Missionary Sisters taught school and one was a domestic. The school lasted for eleven years and was destroyed by fire. The services of the Sisters were then discontinued. During Rev. Joseph Borovec’s time of fourteen years, the church, school, convent, and rectory burned down (1922). Church services were held in St Patrick’s Church on North Cleveland St. They started to rebuild the new and present church in 1923. The cornerstone was laid in 1923 and was dedicated in 1924. At the present time the pastor is Rev. Michael Holly and the church constitutes 266 families and over 700 parishioners. The Slovak Parish was the first in McAdoo and was the first to have a parochial school, which was in existence for eleven years. The church is now 41 years old and has many clubs and lodges, the more important being "The Woodmen of the World," "The Jednota" and the "Holy Name".
St. Michael’s Greek Catholic St. Michael’s Greek Catholic Church19, 20 was organized in 1909 by the Carpathian Russian residents of McAdoo and vicinity. They built their first church on the northeast corner of Blaine and Cleveland Sts. The first rector for the parish was Rev. A. Kaminsky. The professor was Frank Sproh. The first trustees were: Pres. Michael Pecuch; Secy., George Brewery; Treas., John Matsko, Sr. During the years following, a new rector was appointed, being Rev. Stephen Janitzky, along with a new professor, Michael Firczak. Under their leadership the parish prospered greatly until the death of Rev. Janitzky in the year 1928; After this a new rector named Rev. Nicholas Kristoff was appointed. In a short while after his arrival, a new church was built on the northwest corner of Blaine and Cleveland Sts. and an auditosium was made of the old church on the first floor and a club room was made in the basement. About the same time a large tract of land was purchased in Kline Twp. The land is located in East McAdoo, north of Grant St. and adjoining the railroad. On this land a huge stadium was erected along with a large pavilion. Both of these along with the auditorium have been an asset to the community as well as the congregation. In 1933 the professor left, and a new one, John Flintosh, was appointed. His great work has been shown by the popularity of the choir. The present trustees are: Pres., Michael Pecuch; Secy., Peter Kakalecz; Treas., Nicholas Stefanisko. When the parish was first organized there were approximately 50 families belonging to it. Since then. the number has increased to approximately 300.
Christ Reformed21 Work on the building of the church began Aug. 15, 1898. The church was dedicated March 14, 1897, the first consistory meeting Jan. 13, 1897. Rev. J. W. Buck was the first pastor from Sept. 8, 1898 to June 17, 1899. The ministers who followed were: Rev. Geo. B. Kerchner, Rev. J. A. Reber, from Dec. 14, 1899 to March 21, 1902; Rev. Henry Hilbish, June 1, 1903 to Aug. 1. 1904; Rev. A. J. Yenser, from Dec. 1, 1904 to the next year; Rev. G. K Kopenhover, from Sept. 4. 1905 to Nov. 17, 1906. The church was closed until Nov. 12, 1908, when Rev. C. H. Herbst and J. W. Reinecke supplied the congregation. The church was rented during 1909 to another congregation at two dollars per month. Rev. C. E. Correll was appointed stated [sic] supply by the E. Susquehanna Classes, Feb. 15, 1916. The membership was then sixteen. By Oct. 1, 1920 the membership was fifty, and Christ Reformed Church, McAdoo, was enrolled as a Home Mission and Rev. C. E. Correll, PhD., was commissioned the Missionary pastor. Extensive repairs were made to the church in 1922 and the church was rededicated Oct 22, 1922. Rev. J. M. Mullan, D. D. preached the dedicatory sermon and Rev. C. D. Leich preached in the evening. The church has constantly increased in membership and now has two hundred and sixteen members enrolled. Dr. Correll is still the pastor.
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| 1890 Schuylkill County, PA, Census Directory: Kline Township |
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives and on this site by Paula
Konsavage. Thank you, Paula. USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free
Klein Township was formed from Rush Township in 1872. Population in
1880 was 1536; In 1890 3,068.
ADAM John 55, repairman. Ellen.
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