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Soldiers’ Monument of Schuylkill County – Design
Posted By Norman Gasbarro on September 10, 2011
This post is a continuation of the story of the Soldiers’ Monument of Schuylkill County. From the History of Pottsville and Schuylkill County by Joseph H. Zerber:
Upon resolution… a committee… was named to consult with artists and report on a design for the monument and the material to be used for its construction. It was named the “Monumental Committee.”
On 23 September 1887, Major Levi Huber, chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, reported a list of committees to work in various parts of the county to solicit funds to cover the expense of providing for the monument, a number of people subscribing for life memberships, receiving engraved certificates.
Decision was made at a meeting, held on 26 December 1887, to have Artist August Zellers submit the design and Richard C. Collins to erect the granite work. The figures for the monument, chosen were: An infantry soldier, in full dress uniform, at parade rest; A cavalryman and an artillery man with ramrod at rest, and a sailor in full uniform, also at rest, the whole to be surmounted by the figure of the Goddess of Liberty….
It was decided that the stone work of the monument be entirely of granite and the figures of bronze.
August Zellers
The monument was constructed by Contractor Richard C. Collins; August Zellers was the architect and artistic designer; John Rehnert, of Yorkville superintended the mountain foundation stone that was used.
August Zellers was a Bordentown, New Jersey, artist and sculptor. He was a student of the sculptor Rodin. The Soldiers’ Monument of Schuylkill County is considered by many to be his best work.
News clippings are from the digital resources of the Free Library of Philadelphia. The story continues tomorrow.
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